The Newtown bee., 1879-08-13
New York Merchants es sxe osAe. Fine,

New York Merchants sf fYe oBAen Fine.
 Conspicuous among these was MT. Thaddeus Phelps. a large dealer in cotton, whose office and warehouse stood in South street, between Wall and Old Slip. and fronting the East River. with It's forests of masts, from which foated the flags of all nations from the stately India man. to the raking Baltimore clipper.
 MT. F., was every inch Democrat, and warm friend and supporter of General Jackson during both of the latters Presi- dential terms. He was a man of con- handing presence. and grew handsome as he advanced in years. but having met with an accident,to one of his feet (which threatened to terminate In a case of lock- jaw, he was compelled to submit to the ] amputation of his leg the operation vas performed by Dr. Mott. Lthink, aided by other eminent surgeons. and thereafter leg of cork was substituted with which land pair of crutches) he managed to navigate his way through crowds that SO often obstruct the pavements of Wall. and other busy streets of the city.
 He possessed all the the stole firmness of the old General. and 1t has been related of him that upon the occasion of this surgical operation he was not placed un- der the influence of any lanodyne what ever. but lighting cigar. he told the sur- geons to ''go ahead" occasionally swear ing at them for their "bungHng work" as he termed it. They. however, performed their task, and skilfully too. have no 'doubt. for he was not long an absentee from his counting room.
 No merchant nf his day uas mora out fftgaHksn fta4sa u his 9Rln!ens than he for he in all that he said and did. On one occa- sion he was arrested for contempt of court for refusing to give evidence which would criminate a friend; he gave bail. how ever. but the Judge was glad to drop the case. for he knew the man he had to deal with. It was a dueling affair in which MT. P. was supposed to be eognizant of some of the facts relating to 1t; but as Dr. Ollapod says in the play. Honor is rigid and must be minded as strictly as a milk
 
 "squeal."
 As an illustration of Mir. Phelps quick ness of reply, might cite the occasion when the news of General Jacksen's deeth reached the city, it was immediately post ed on the bulletin board Of Tke Courier and Esqshe- newspaper. and around 1t soon collected a large crowd. which spread L.If &l~ appeared old Mir. Phelps with his white locks and portly figure. slowly and meas uredly working his way upon his crutehss towards the conspicuous placard 1; this he read without exchanging a glance at any of the bystanders (all of whom knew that Phelps love for the departed was but lit- tie short of idolatry). at length he was accosted by his friend and fellow-mer- chant. MT. Wilier. (who by the way. was a devout and prominent man in Dr. Springs church). something in this manner: Well. MT. Phelps. you see your friend. the old hero. has gone at last" '.Yes." MT. Phelps replied. "and am very. very sorry to hear it. (the crowd in the mean time had gathered around to hear what he would say of the news). MT. Wilder lre- suming), said that he was never himself an adherent of the Generals very fully. as he did not approve entirely of many of his political measures; but on the whole Che said). he had good many excellent traits. adding. "I hope that he has gone to Heaven" "Well." MT. Phelps replied. .I don't know anything about that. but do know that if he took 8 notion to go there. all H-n couldn't stop him." This reply elicted an outburst of laugh from the bystanders. in which Mir. Wilder disappeared. evidently shocked at his old friends profanity. } MT. Phelps died many years ago; but there are yet some of his old colleagues ..upOn the Rialto." who could relate anecdotes of him: for in his day he ! was a conspicuous man. and prominent figure on the Merchants Exchange. i, q