Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-05-09


} lots he erected the six-story iron building
which is now used as the retail store
= The cost OF the land and structure wa!
not far from g, 10000 1t is the largest
| retail store in the world. On the eigh
floors. about 2,000persons are employed
! and the running expenses of the estab-
lishment are estimated at over 81 100000
+ a year. The two stores which Mr. Stew
art built are among the proudest monu-
ments of commercial enterprise in this
country. The trade transacted in them
is almost fabulous. The sales in the two
establishments are said to have amounted
} to S203, 600 900 in three years, and the
income of Mr. Stewart has been the
largest in the mercantile world. In 1863
his income was $l,900000; in 1864
$4,000 900; in 1865 81, 100000; in 1866
5000, 600; an average OF about 81, 600 900
a year. When he was nominated for
Secretary of the Treasury, be estimated
his annual income at Sl,000,000. The
business OF the house is worldwide A
foreign bureau has been established at
Manchester, where English goods are
collected, examined and packed. A Bel
fast firm has a factory where linens are
bleached At Glasgow the firm have a
house Tor Scotch goods. In a maga.in
at Paris, are collected East India, French
and German goods. The wooden house
is in Berlin, and the silk warehouses are
at Lyons. Payments are made at the
Paris Bureau, and all the continental
/ business centers there. Then there are
mills in Europe and the United States
which manufacture goods exclusively for
this firm, and there are buyers and
agents who are constantly travelling from
Hong Kong 20 Paris. from Thibet to
Peru. To begin in shabby shop with
few thousands, and to establish such
vast mercantile fabric as this, was the
| life work of the smooth-shayen. bright
eyed gentleman, who, as one met him on
Fifth avenue any fine morning during the
past year, looked nearer fifty three than
seventy-,hree.
Mr.. S.owart's benelactions wero on the
same large scale as his business. He
gave as 4 prairie yields crops. Although
he was American in all his instincts, his
heart was warm toward his native island.
When there was a famine ia Ireland be
sought for ship. A British vessel was
offered; he would have nothing but an
American vessel. One was found with
an American captain and an American
crew, and was AT once chartered, The
vessel was loaded with provisions, and
under the American flag entered the har-
Dor Of Belfast. The agent at Belfast
was directed 10 advertise Tor young men
and women who desired TO 60 20 Amer
lea, aud free passage was given to as
many as the vessel could carry, the only
requirement being that each applicant
should be OF good moral character and
able 10 read and write. \ circular was
issued by Mr. Stewart himself and sent
to his numerous friends, stating the fact
that he expected large number OF young
people and asking employment tor them.
When the vessel reached the harbor OF
New York, places had been found for
almost every one OF the new emigranls
Alter the Franco.German war Mr..
Stewart chartered steamer and dis
patched her to Hayre with $500 barrels
of flour for tue relief OF sufferers in man
ufacluring districts. One of the Paris
newspapers in commenting upon this gilt
at the time, said: 1T is from republic
that such examples OF generosity and true
gran deur come to us. Can we show our
selves worthy of the sympathy OF a peo-
pie represented by such men ?"
When Chicago was desolated by fire in
1871, Mr.. Stewart gave $4,000 for The
re.iet OF tine sufferers. A princely charity
was bis proposed home for working wo'
men on Fourth avenue, which is still un-
finished. The building has cost Sl,OOO,-
600. The main object was TO furnish a
building wherein lodging food and warmth
could be furnished at the lowest possi'
BILE rates. Each working girl was to pay
fixed rate for lodging, the benevo.ence
of the plan consisting in the fact that
every one would secure more comfort
than in squalid lodging in tenement
house. Although Mr.. Stewart was not
considered generous to local charities, he
gave in his own way. He had Scotch.
mans hatred for professional beggars.
The public events in Mr.. Stewards lite
have been few in number. In 1867 he
went to the Paris Exhibition as United
States Commissioner This was the only
public office which he ever held. He was
President Grants first nominee Tor Secre-
tary of the Treasury, but law which
prohibits an importer holding that office
prevented his receiving it.
VerU Strange Showers.