Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-03-29
From the Cincinnati Inquirer
Old Jerry Tullls's Millions.

M1SEE WHO AMID BID
HoARDs-ALIFE SPENT IN THE ACCUMULATION
OF RIcHEs-THE HEIRs oUARRELING ovER
TIE PROPERTY.
There died in this city yesterday morning
an individual to whom, if met on the street,
one would be apt to give him wide berth,
believing him TO be a filthy tramp or beggar,
SO wretched wss his appearance, but who at
the time of his death was probably one Of
the largest property owners in the United
States, and whose estate is valued at about
100000
Jerry Tullis, as he was called, was An ir-
yeterete money-grabber, in fact he made
money his god, and for the sake of heaping
it up be led life Of poverty and self-priva
ton, never allowing himself any Of the luz
uries OF even the Decessaries of life. He
loved wealth for its own sake, and not for
what comforts it would procure for him. and
from youth till death, at the age of 5s years,
he was engaged solely in its pursuits.
He was born in Springfield township, In
this State, about 1920, and was the son Of
old Tom Tullis, q well-known householder,
who, if report speaks true, was at one time
connected with gang of cattle thieves in
the West, and came very near meeting Judge
Lynch on a certain occasion. escaping with q
foggipg administered by some OF those who
had been sufferers from the depredations Of
the gang. From his father Jerry inherited
the trading proI Iensities which distinguished
him through life, and early left the old home
stead for the city, where he has resided ever
since.
His business vas that of trader and
speculator, and he traded and speculated in
everything from needle to an anchor, on
which he expected to make money. Real es-
tate houses live stock, bonds, machinery,
coal, rags and in fact, everything which
could be utilized he dealt in. His prevailing
pass.on however, was the purchasing of real
estate, and in his office to-day is large safe
entirely filled with deeds and other papers
relating to his pi operty. In this county he
owned 500 acres OF excellent land in Butler
be had many fine farms. besides thousands
of acres Of farming land advantageously situ-
ated in Iowa, Missouri and other Western
States, and many valuable building lots in
Chicago. He was, besides, a heavy bond
holder and altogether was worth somewhere
in the neighborhood OF s3,OOO,OO He de-
voted his whole life to making money, but,
though very sharp in all his dealings, is said
to have been scrupulously honest. He never
kept much of bank account, but always in
vested his money in other ways, being afraid
of banks. An instance of this was given
some time ago on his receiving by express q
large sum Of money, some s6OOO He
would not bank it, and, no safe investment
presenting itself. he allowed it to.remain at
the express Office until they bad served sew
eral notices on him for its removal.
Old Jerry was bachelor. and lived in
the meanest manner. always avoiding society.
and, like all misers, always complaining of
his want OF money and the hardness OF the
times. Until about year ago he lived in a
miserable cabin on his farm IN Springfield
township. His only companions there were
a man and wife, who looked after the farm
for him, and who were as filthy and dirty in
Appearance and mode of living as himself
About year ago he took up his residence
in this city, and has lived here ever since.
He occupied three small miserable rooms on
Vine street, between Fourth and Fifth streets.
which he used as sleepipg-rooms, store
rooms and Offices, and which was kept in a
filthy state. HIS meals were taken generally
in some cheap restaurant, and were poor in
quantity as well as quality. In fact the dis
ease which terminated his life was superin-
duced by want Of sufficient nourishment and
exposure. He was never known to wear de-
cent clothing, but always bought rough, sec
nd-hand goods from some junk shop.
His health has been failing for months, but
when warned by some OF his friends to con-
suit doctor. he complained that he was too
Door tc pay doctors bills. His only relatives
are two widowed sisters, cousin and
nephew, who will probably inherit his vast
wealth.
A reporter yesterday visited his rooms on
Vine street. On entering the room the foul
smell was almost overpowering, and the low,
dingy windows and blackened ceiling, with
a few odd, ancient articles of furniture, a
CRATE with few pieces of coal in it, and the
general appearance of squalor, made it seem
fiji habitation for a man of his character.
The room of which we speak was the one
generally used by him. In one Of the others
was his safe and some Office furniture. and
the third was used as a storeroom, and filled
with varied assortments Of articles, some Of
considerable value and some of but little
Among others was lot of damaged shoes he
had purchased at some sale, and which re
NAMED on his hands.