The daily gazette., 1879-05-30

1.-THE Iron king Of Wales, p-as- M.
Robert Crawshay, the Welsh millionaire,
who has just died, J, wss called, was a man
who had flled, ashis family predecessofs
in the famous Cyfarthfa Iron Works had
filled, large place In European trade
These great works were founded by
their control descended from father to
son and uncle to nephew during all that
period, Mr., Robert Crawshayis supp0s-
ed to have died possessed of an estate OF
between $4,000, 900 and E II, 600, 900, but
some of his ancestors did even better
than this as the holder Of the Iron Kings
crown. One of them is reported to have
been worth 20,0O0,000 and another
f35, 0O0, 900. The latter immense fortune
was amassed by VIM. CrawshAy, father
of the gentleman who has just died, and
under whose rule the Cyfarthfa Works
attained their greatest eminencs. In
1919 the works produced II, 900 tons Of
| pig-iron and 612,OO0 tons of ban. In
1921 il turned out more Of these manu-
| features than the three Kingdoms put to-
gether had done between the years l74O
and l750, and fully half the total yield
of Great Britain as late IS l7sb In his
old age, William Crawshay retired to
his seat at Caversham Park, near Read
ing, on the Thames, having, however,
built, Cyfarthfa Castle, magnificent
residence, near the works. OF the coal
won but unworked on this splendid es-
tate the possible yield is $500 tons per
day, Robert Crawshay being content to
work it at less than $50. Merthyr Tydfil,
where the works are located, has grown
from a village to a town. In 1881, the
population had risen to 22,0S3; In lS41,
i to 81, 1851; in 1851, to 46,37S; and in 1877 !
to 96,S91. 1t returns two members to
Parliament. In 1878, when the ''com-
pany" mania was waning, an enterpris-
ing ''promoter," who is now in America,
entered into preliminary arrangements tc
buy the Cytarthfa works. #.
A syndicate was said to have beer
formed for the purchase, and along will
it bituminous colliery of LOO acres il
the same locality. Mr.. Robert Crawsha.
was quite willing TO sell, since he cOult
no longer work in harmony with moderi
, ideas OF the rights of labor, and a sun
was fixed at which the works could b
bought. The scheme, however, fel
5 through. When the great strike in tn
iron and wool trade Of South Wales tool
: place year or more ago, MI. Crawsha
closed his works and they have onl
: been partially reopened since. Craw
shay vowed he would never give way t
dictation; he would rather close his fun
4 naces forever. He had employed at hi
iron and coal works about 5000 mer
s and; in all, families numbering 1000
= persons were dependant on him for thei
:; daily bread. Mr.. Crawshay's hObbie
;; were horticulture, photography, and--a
I though he was ''stone deaf'-music. Hi
= Castle overlooked the valley near tn
! vast iron works. His garden and hi
o studio We're together; in the former h
e grew the finest fruits and flowers 1
is Wales; in the latter he took Or printe
T. the best pictures in England. Some {
!, , his landscape photographs exhibite
l. were voted superb by critical judge
O. He could not hear sound, even when
g drum was beaten IN his ear, but he maiI
d tanned brass band that won all tn
10 Crystal Palace money prizes, I'm comps
10 tition with all the brass bands whic
"a large premiums could bring together. II
VI never could be brought to learn IL
,e dumb alphabet. Some people thoug
the Iron King morose, but others wi
Ne knew him better found him All agreeabl
or amiable gentleman. Mrs. Crawshs
raj his wife, is also person of listinctio
al widely known in England as b social I
er former, especially as an advocate of w
ne mans rights. She is the author of
g. book styled Lady Helps.
he HAT S7UREa