Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-07-14

IN Y. Correspondence st. Louis Globe Democrat
In front of the St. Nicholas Hotel he went
sham6lIng along, with his eyes cast down. II
dIrty oriar-wood pipe in his mouth, rag
ged coat on bis back. an old slOuched hat
On his head. pants sadly the worse for wear,
rolled up over dirty brogans. His whole
get-up was strikingly suggestive. - How
much would you give for what is on that
old fellowY | ASKED my companion. After
he had turned and surveyed him from head
to foot the answer came, We'll, mis- old
clothes might bring SO at a secondhand
shop; but Why do yon ask that question ~
Because" | responded. "that old speci-
men of humanity is worth three or four
millions. and he usually carries in those old
clothes from S25 900 to $50 900 in United
States securities" And such are the facts.
The man is named Connors. Many wears
ago he landed in Halifax from Ireland with
but SIS In his pocket. Strollng along
Water street he saw in junk shop a large
quantity OF old brass. An idea struck him.
Could he not make successful deal in old
brass? lie entered and inquired how much
per pound would be accepted for the Junk.
HIS next move was in the direction of tie
piers on the river front. He found a vessel
about to sail for Bostan in ballast. and
sought an interview with the captain, who
proved TO be countryman Of his. From
hlm be ascertained the price of brass in
Boston, and after little calculation they
found that they could clear abont SiOO by
buying out the junkman. The skipper aG-
vaneed the money, the brass was transferred
to the schooner. They set sail for the Hub.
where they arrived in due time. and selling
their cargo, cleared $3.50 by the transac-
ton. which they divided between them:
Connors remained in Boston, where he
made few more lucky speculations of this
nature, and then came to this city, lie
lived the life of miser, in u dilapdated
tenement-house, cooking his own meals
and having as his only companion little
dog, with whom he divided his frugal meals
Every speculation he entered into yielded
him gold. and finally. when he had accu-
mulsted about 5000, he began to operate
in real estate. He was remarkably shrewd. .
and everything he touched seemed u turn
into gold as if by magic. All this time his
vile and children remained in Ireland. and
rarely would he eondescend to write them.
owing to the necessity of purchasing the
postage stamp that would be involved. His
wealth doubled nearly every year; lots pur-
chased for mere song enhanced in value
rapidly, and as he prospered he placed
much IN tenement houses that gave hand
some profits Some years ago be purchased
the Park Hotel, corner OF Beekmsn and
Nassau streets. Later the Central Park
Hotel was erected by him, and still later
the Astor-Place Hotel. He now owns, it is
said. five or six hotels and other real estate.
valued in the aggregate at between 81, ,0O0,-
600 and S4 .000. 900 COnnOrs is a miser in
every sense of the word. A few years ago
he sent to Ireland and brought out his ED
est son to aid him in the management Of
his large estate. The young man tOiled dill
gently; but the old fellow did not give him
sufficient to pay his board. and the young
man left him and Is now running 4 real es-
tate office in Brooklyn on his own account.
Daring all this time COnnors carefully
guarded from every one. including 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 de-
mands the uttermost farthing.