The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-06-12
A New York Miser-millionaire.

In front OF the ST. Nicholas Hotel he
went shambling along, with his eyes
cast down, (says New York cores
pondent Of the St. Louis Giohe-Demo-
crat), a dirty briar-wood pipe in his
mouth, ragged coat on his back, an old
slouched hat on his head, pants sadly
the worse for wear, rolled up over dirty
brogans. His whole get-upwas striking
ly suggestive. show mnch would you
give tor what is on that Old felioww l
asked my companion. After he had
turned aud surveyed him from head to
foot, the answer came: "WelI, his old
clothes might bring $3 at a secondhand
shop, but why do you ask tnat ques-
tionT'
because" l responded, "that old
specimen OF humanity is worth three or
four millions, and he usually carries In
those old clothes from $25, 0O0 to 1000 in
American securities" And such are
the facts. This man is named Commons.
Many years ago he landed in Halifax
from Ireland with but SIS in his pockets.
Strolllng along Water street he saw, in
d junk shop, large quantity of old
brass. An idea struck nlm. Could he
not make a successful deal in old brass?
He entered aud inquired how much per
pound would be accepted Tor the junk.
the piers on Inc river front. He found
vessel about to sail for Boston in bal
last, and sought an interview with the
Captain, VINO proved TO be country
man Of his. From MIN he ascertained
the price oil brass in Boston, and after
little calculation they found that they
could clear about $400 by buying out the
iunkman. The SKIPPER advanced the
money, the brass was transferred to the
schooner. t-rr-er
They set sail for the Hub, where they
arrived in due time, and, selling their
cargo, cleared $3.50 by the transaction,
which they divided between them. Con-
nors renamed in Boston, where he made
a few more lucky speculaLions of this
nature, and then came 10 this city. He
| lived the life of miser, in dilapidated
tenement-house, cooking his own meals,
and having as his only companion a lit
| tie dog, with whom he divided his frugal
| meals.
| Every speculation he entered into
yielded him gold, and finally, when he
| had accumulated about $1,000, he began
to operate in real estate. He was re-
markably shrewd, and everything he
touched seemed to turn into golda II by
magic. All this time his wife and chill
dren remained in Ireland, and rarely
| would he condescend to write to them,
owing to the necessity Of purchasing
postage stamps that would be- lnv0lved.
His wealth doubled nearly every year:
lots purcnaseGfor mere song enhanced
in value rapidly; and as he prospered he
placed much in tenement-hOuses, that
gave handsome profits. Some years ago
he purchased the Park Hotel, corner OF
BeeKman nd Nassau streets. Later the
Central Park Hotel was erected by him,
and still later the Astor Place Hotel.
He now owns, 1t is said, five or six no.
tells and other real estate, valued in the
aggregate at between $3 900, 900 ard 81 =
100000. Connofs is miser in every
sense of the word.
A few years ago he sent to Ireland
and brought out his eldest son, to aid
him in the management of his large g
estate. Theyoung man tolled diligen t.
ly; but the old fellow did not give him
sufficient to pay his board, and theyoung
man left him, and is now running real
estate Office in Brooklyn on his own ac-
count. During all this time Connors
carefully guarded from every one, In.
| cluding his son, his place OF abode
None OF his tenants know where to find
him except on rent day, when he calls
promptly to the hour and demands the
utterm0st tarthiug.