The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-08-17
VAL STREET SKETCHES.


He is New York man, some 81 years OF
are. nearly six feet high, about 200 pounds in
weight. broad shouldcf'd. rirgc 50n6n. father
hcshy, with an ample supply Of dark hair. and
a general appearance which ought to be called
handsome. were it not for n too thick NOUS
tachc hanging over the lips and completely con-
ccaling the expression of the mouth. Hcdrcsscs
without ostcntation. does not speak loud. and
evinces an evident dislike of vulgarity.
He began his career in the leather BUSH
ness. down in the Swamp. and was con-
ncctcd with the firm OF james Dart 4 Co. which
met with disasters. and on leaving which
young Osborn went to Havana. for the purpose.
/ believe of improving his health.
The first money he made was in gold. during
the war and since then he has seen many an
up and down. firm footing in Wall street was
gained by him only when he became Il partner
with Addison Camack. The concern obtained
the patronage of Stockwcll. OF Pacific Mail CO.
lcbrity, and made considerable amount OF
money BY and by. when Stockwel departed
from the scene. Osborn's partnership with
Camack was dissolved. and another ono with
Chaplin entered upon. The support of tho new
firm came from Jay Gould, who at once became
its customer. Money was made plentiiully. but
Il good deal of It was lost in the panic Of 70. and
the partnership was dissolved.
Miss Trowbridge. sister of Clement Trow-
bridge then II clerk of his. He soon made his
brothcr-n-law Il manager Of his concern and
subsequently a partner. The partnership has
been maintained ever since. and il n fair ind
cation Of the harmony prevailing between the
two families. Very few brOthcrs-in-nw. and
even more close relations. enter into partner
ship in Wall street. and still fewer manage to
remain in business connection. even If they
enter into il.
JAY Gould has been to Osborn n means Of both
acquiring and losing money Every time Os-
born has vcnturcd to speculate Independently
and not merely as n tool of Could the latter
would " go for him. and this has frequently
cost Osborn money. In the Northern Pacific
Gould squeezed him very badly. 50 that COM
promise had to bc entered upon. Osborn did
not despair however. and occasionally he went
for Gould in his turn. Thus. for instance. he
made "a combination with Eugene Robinson in
Lake Shore. which combination proved, l be-
lievc. equally Improbable to all parties con-
ccrnci.
For the last two years or so the relations be-
tween Gould and Osborn have been inmical;
but the Sclovcr episode has it seems led TO n
renewal Of the former business cordially. How
long IL will last is another question. The Inn
portant point is that at this moment Gould and
Osborn are not enemies. and that they are likely
to work tgctncr. If ii should become clear that
Slice of Jim Kcenc's reported millions can be
won.
Socially Osborn Is n very amiable man and
his libcraltN in entertaining his friends Ia quite
princcy He is even Reproduced with being
too liberal. At all events. some of the
members Of the New York Yacht Club ac-
cusc him Of spelling the crows. II he wants a
h..
n ten dollar note TO the men who row him. be
they even hands OF his own yacht. the Dread
naught. II he takes an afternoon sail. and has
II good time Of it. he will throw twenty dollar
bill to the crew. The entertainments on board
are all that the most luxurious disposition
could suggest. and the Dreadnaught is thus
made to cost him ~ trlflc oi nf,ecn or twenty
thousand 50" On.
In business relations however Osborn seems
to be- somewhat different man. Personal
friends do not complain Of him. but with
outsiders he is still and strict. In n fight
he IL mercil.ss. All this is natural. how
ever. for he must make money to be- able To
spend ii the way h. does. That his business
Intelligence il of the highest order cannot los
questioned. since Notwithstanding the rcvorses
hc Inns met with. he is estimated To have hall a
milli.,n Of bright dollars put aside for cmcr-
gcncics
His modbis operdpdi ut the Exchange Is quite
different from that Of men like Sam Mills or
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ho has oc.asionai,, hat l'
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MN II the positions were reversed lie seldom