The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1878-08-17

Michael Reese lied at WallensteIn, Ger
many, last week. He was German who
came to this country about 1886, when
twenty five years old. For awhile he was
Virginia slave dealer and acquired wealth,
but subsequently some Of his speculations
were unsuccessful and he sold out and
followed the Argonauts of ~ to Califor-
mia. How successful he was there may
be conjectured from the fact that he died
worth ten millions, being, 1t Is said, the
richest Jew In America, and, next to Sen.
ator Sharon, the largest real estate owner
In California. He had the shrewdness to
foresee the growth Of large city where
San Francisco stands, and the money that
he made as q money broker he invested In
land. Fortune smiled on his efforts from
the first. Whether as money. broker,
mining stock Spectator, or real estate
dealer, every thing he touched prospered.
He was q man Of great intelligence and
Of liberal Views, outside Of his money
getting. But here he was misery and
mean, even to smallness that was ridicu-
lous. The devices he would adopt to save
q few pennies were well-knOwn through
the city. He was an enormous eater and
would patronize cheap table Gh0te where
he would devOur three or four times more
than the price Of the dinner would cover.
One restaurant keeper begged him to go
elsewhere, for said he, IF you 60 on
you will bust or shall" The only time
he was ever known to treat" was-as was
discovered afterward-when he had OBJ
tanned judgment for debt against res
taurant keeper, and was obliged to take 1t
out In trade. On this occasion he aston
ished party Of his friends by inviting
them out and ordering the most expensive
dishes and the cOstliest wines. As he was
not seen to pay the bill curiosity was ex-
cited, and the truth was ascertained. This
millionaire would wait on the corner of
street ten minutes before taking a horse
car, looking for some acquaintance who
would pay his fare. He appeared to know
his failing. for when twitted by friend
for his meanness, he answered that he
couldn't help it, it was disease. Person.
ally he was Of striking appearance, stand
ing six feet two inches, with good fgurei
He was one Of class of rich men who
become SO absorbed In the mere getting Of
money that 1t becomes their pleasure and
passion. They are men who have lost all
conception of the use Of money as q means
Of bringing comfort and enjoyment, or of
doing good. They will toll oil their life-
times making accumulatiOns which they
never enjoy, as though the piling up Of
wealth were itself the great end Of life.
And when they go away, where there arc
no safe-depOsit vaults or burglar proof
safes, and where thieves find no induce
ment to break through and steal, what
good have they done? In this particular
instance 1t Is reported that some half
million dollars has been left to worthy
charities Jewish charities are especi-
ally worthy since they breed neither
tramps nor paupers-but some nine mill
lions go to relatives who already have
more than they need. We are not finding
fault with the late Mr.. Reese. He had q
right to make his millions and to dispose
Of them as he saw fit. He was at liberty
to lead q small grOveling life, homeless
and despised; but did it pay? When one
thinks Of the incalculable good that man
blessed with such fortune might have
done; the SORROW and suffering he might
have relieved; the ignorance and vice he
might have prevented; 1t Is impossible not
to think how much of the sweetness and
light Of life he mlssed-and never knew it.