New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-04-11
"REMINISCENCES OF FRIENDS.

"REMINISCENCES OF FRIENDS.
INCIDENTS OF Mr.. sTEwAHTs LIFE AND HABITS
ANECDOTES AND STATEMENTS FROM DIR. WHITE
ETHAN ALLEN, Ex-Gov. MORGAN, AND OTHERS.
DR.. White, Mr.. Stewards physician, in con
versaton with TRIBUNE reporter yesterday said that b
in.ima acquaintance with Mr.. Stewart he had come T.
look upon him OF the kindesthearted and most
liberalminded of men, He had done many acts OF pub
lie benevoence such sending ship load OF provisions
to Ireland and another to France bit the public would
never know the extent Of his charities Dr. White had
known OF many OF kindness, especially to his EN-
ployes One Of his forewomen III the retail store was
taken sick with consumption, which II was evident
would prove fatal Mr. Stewart sent Dr. White to attend
her and provided literally for her comfort Outside OF
his daily business affairs Mr. Stewards mind was warmly
encroesed with charities. He read chapter OF Greek
dailv and pridel himself upon his knowledge OF Latn
and Greek roots Dr. White suggested 10 him that
he ought write ou his views and thoughts on subjects
of uc deep study Mr. Stewart said the great object of
hs life was 10 demonstrate the business world that
the greatest TO be obtained by strict al
herence honesty and truthfunesa lie displayed no
desire for distinction outside Of hs chosen line OF bust
ness Dr. White thought his art purchases were prompted
wholly by love Of the beautiful aud 10y no vulgar lee
ing OF display or patronage.
Ethan Allen, who personal friend OF MI Stewart
related TO TRIBUNE reporter several incidents IN hls
life The parents OF Mr. Stewart he said, had intended
that he should be Episcopal clergyman and he re-
ceiyed careful classical education. But his father
dying his grandfather placed him temporarily in mer
camille house. and when the time for taking orders ar
rived young Stewart had changed his mind and had de-
terrnned become merchant because, as he said to
Mr. Allen 81 discovered that il Joined the ministry
should make poor preacher, and lose the chance Of be-
coming O good merchant" The great secret
OF the success OF Mr.. Stewart, said Mr.. Allen,
was his probity and strict adherence to rules he
had laid down for his guidance. few weeks MI.
shattuck railroad man, while visit ut iir Stewards
house. mentioned incid Mt that occurred many years
ago when Mr. Stewart just entering into business
Mr. shaucK called at NJ Stewards store. and in cooking
over some goods asked if certain article was imported
The clerk replied In the affirmative, when gcr ucnan
standing near turned around and said You know thais
a misstatement-you know il is not an Imported article
Mr. shauck said lie purchased the article because lie
was impressed with tho truthiuness OF the gentleman
who seemed to be authority "but" lie added, who
he was did not know, and have not seen him since
| why" replied Mr.. Stewart /" remember that crcum-
stance perfectly; am the IL made an impression
upou INV mind from the fact that walked away said
to myself wonder If that man viii buy the article since
he has been told the truth"
GIFTS TO CHARITIES.
Mr. Stewards family life, continued Mr.. Allen. has
been much msrepresented and the reports about his
estrangcment from his family are entirely groundess
The relations between him and hls wife were always
most aneciionate, and Mr.. Allen thought that Mrs
Stewards health would be very seriously affected by her
busbands loss The strict discipline which was main
tanned In his absolutely necessary 20 Keep
large mercantile where sevara! thousand per
sons were employed. 1t was impossible TO allow en-
ploy6s in such large house the freedom permitted by
houses that employed 60 100 persons Mr.. Stewart
continued Mr. Allen was exceedingly charitable, but he
was as peculiar in this as in other respects not letting
one band what the other did, and when lie gave II
WAS with the distinct understanding that no publicity
was to be made and ii the recipient did publish the mat
ter he was stricken off the list OF benenclaries.
He gave away In charities every year several
hundreds of Thousands OF dollars. and had regular
stpendaries who received thousands and tens OF thou
sands OF dollars yearly. When President Grant hrst
offered Mr. Stewart the Secretaryshp OF The Treasury,
Mr.. Stewart declined, but was pressed to accept Not
wishing that his mercantile profits should stand In the
way OF gratifying the Presidents wish he offered to be-
STOW in charity the income Of his mercantile business for
the four years that might hold office. As his income
from this source about million and half OF dol
lars the total sum would have been S6,OOO,0OO Mr..
Allen aferward Informed him OF the rumor that the offer
he had made to Grant in the nature OF an adyer
! tisement, as he well knew that 1t would not
be accepted On hearing this Mr.. Stewart remained
| in deep thought for few minutes, and then
| with great decision and calmness said: The
world shall know whether it offered in good
faith not, will yet give IT," and Immediately he re-
solved on building costly houses. one FOR working
|
Allen declared he would yet have carried out this plan
lie was very abrupt his refusas subscribe TO
charity he did not judge to be merorous and
gave his reasons for his refusal After the subscrp
tons we're taken up the city for the relief of Unioniss
in the South and spread that much OF the
money 80 raised found It's way to the Rebels Lady
member OF a society formed to collect subscriptions
asked Mr. Stewart to subscribe. He gave her 800. and
abe complained Of what she called his parsimony Some
time later another aid society was started In this city
for the purposes and Mr. Stewart remarked to Mr.
Allen that he feared the money raised by the first society
was not fairly distributed and that was the reason why
he had given 30 le but as he had entire faith In the
new society," he subscribed 10000 for 1t.
Mr. Stewart added Mr. Allen, was an excellent classical
scholar and good lDguist He spoke French and Ger
man fuently and had some knowledge OF Spanish and
Italian he was we'll acquainted with history. and had
read great deal of literature. He was also very fond
OF science and the fine He very sociablc In his
habits and gave dinners ct his residence every Sunday
evening" usually parties of fifteen twenty ladies and
gentlemen. Dinner served at 8, and at the COM
pany withdrew tho gallery and library. was at the
Last of these parties three weeks ago. that Mr. Stewart
took ths cold that ended his e Among those present