The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1883-12-12
AFALLEN MILLIONAIRE.
MORRIS RANGER, THE LIVERPOOL MAN
WHO WANTED TO CONTROL THE
COTTON TRADE.

.H
A London letter to the Washing
ton Republican gives the following
interesting sketch: The fall of Nor
ris Ranger still monopolizes atten-
ton, and many anecdotes are relat-
ed of the man, his modes of trans
acting business, and of his generosi-
ty. Though in the magnitude of
his transactions SO many were
brought down, scarcely word is
heard against him, and he is still
popular in Liverpool. Like Baron
Grant, the great stock speeulator,
Morris Ranger is a German Jew,
and like that gentleman he does not
wear his own, but an assumed
name Besides the great corner he
made in cotton in 1881, when he
cleared about a quarter of million
sterling, he was engaged some four
or five years ago in similar sue
cessful transaction, and he and those
connected with him cleared 9300,-
900. Further deliveries of cotton
were bought in March, and the ves-
sells bound fer the cotton ports were
chartered, SO that American export
ers wishing to send cotton forward
could only do so on their terms. The
cotton sold in the spring was by the
conditions of sale to be warehoused
in Liverpool before noon on the Both
of September, but the feet of Gotten
ships was delayed by the heavy
fogs> which hung about the Irish and
English coasts, and the last ships
arrived only few hours before the
cotton was due. But, as the de-
scription runs, "the hands into
which it came were too ready and
plucky for failure Ere the clock
struck the last bale was safely in the
warehouse, and as Morris Ranger
walked across the flags lane was
made for him by the excited crowd.
Amid cheers and hootlngs the Ma
poleon the hour, with the light of
triumph on his face, passed silently
through the feverish ranks of bulls
and bears, winners and losers, 'beg-
CARED men and men of fortune"
During the years of his prosperity
many incidents occurred which tell
Of his kindness of heart. One of the
smaller spectators sought him in
his private Office and said: ~ am a
ruined man have wife and fam
lily; give me time. The contract
was produced on which Ranger
stood to gain 81, 900, and after look
ing over it carefully, the now fallen
Jew speculator tore it in pieces and
told the anxious suppliant that he
might go home and be happy, for
the contract was cancelled. The
story of the mistake which involv-
ed him, and so many Others with
him, in ruin, is seon told. He had
found, from careful and extended in
quiries made in every cotton grow
ing district, that as certain as any
thing could be there would be an i'm
mense crop, and consequently cot
ton would be cheap. On this basis
all his plans were laid, and success
seemed certain. But one morning
In August came kilograms telling
that throughout the American cot
ton districts there had been "nip."
The following morning brought in
telligence of another "nip," and yet
third time the cabled message was
to the same effect. Three nights
blight reduced the estimate of the
American cotton crop by 100000
bales, and Morris Rangers fabric of
skillful, well planned speculation
came down with a crash which has
involved all connected with him in
business in ruin. The man who had
defied and beaten. one combination
of brokers after another was COM
pletely overcame by the effects of
three cold nights in August, which
made difference of G1, 100000 in
his calculations.