The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-05-09
Tho world atlarge. and especially Mi

of mercantile business,
Young Richardson emigrated to Missis-
sppi, and obtained employment in some
subordinate capacity in Jackson, then a
small village. He could not long be
kept in this subordinate position, but
soon gave such proofs of business capac-
ity As secured rapid promotion, until he
became chief manager, or partner, OF
large general merchandise house in Jack
son, which also had branches at Bran
don and elsewhere in Mississippi. Of
his position then and his career since, we
have been furnished with the following
testimony from an estimabe and veneer
able fcllow-citizen, and an old friend and |
contemporary of Col. Richardson, which
we give in his own clear and fOrcible
language.
became acquainted with Mr.. Ed
mund Richardson in 1910 at Jackson,
Mississippi. He was then young man
in store consisting of general merchan-
disc. In its management he gave unmis-
taxable evidence of business ability.
Those years were altogether unprece
denied for the vast amounts of irredeem
able paper circulating az bank notes
and shin-plasters, the Brandon Bank
offering the most conspicuous illustration
of the paper machinery then in opera
ton. From 1884 to l843 men carried
with them the notes and drafts of their
neighbors and friends with signatures
affixed, but amounts left blank to be
filled up at the discretion Of the holders.
There was little discrimination as to the
intrinsic value OF paper ii it had the
familiar forms of an obligation to pay.
Mr. Richardson seemed to appreciate
the financial situation and to govern
himself accordingly.
Y Diligence, economy, forecast and Il
| knowledge of men and their affairs, seem
to have been fixed characteristics in his
young manhood. lie did net long re-
main an employee, but very soon became
partner in the extensive house of
Fcarn & Richardson and that of Rich
ardson & Robertson, both of which were
large houses and very successfully man
aged.
About this time Mr.. Richardson mar
ried, and has been resident of jackson
until his recent removal to this city.
His acquisitions of plantations and
establishments of other mercantile
houses and manufactures, and his par
ticipation in other great and public
spirited enterprises are as well known to
hundreds OF others rs to me and can be
better presented by them.
| For a long time Mr., Richardson con.
| fined himself to mercantile business, but
in its transactions with planters he had
Ifamiliarized himself with the value and
proper management of cotton planta
tons. With this knowledge he invested
largely in that property. 1t increase
| in value upon his hands. With his
wonderful activity and energy anC
: sound Judgment, properties which Toult
| have swamped others in his hands, be
came profitable. He could at glanc,
comprehend the situation, revenues
needs and deficiencies of every planta
, ton he ever visited and surveyed II,
made personal visits to all the planta
] tons for which he did business or which
-1were in danger of being foreclosed q
sold. His commission business, whicl
{ was finally transferred to this city il
| 1852, brought him into familiar knowl
i edge Of the condition of all the plantg
4 tons in this and the adjoining States
He had partners here who attended t
the office and faetorage and commissio
business. His first partner was Mr.. inc
Thornhill, and after the war he took tn
lplace of Mr.. John A. Stevenson in tn
|, firm of May & Stevenson, which hence
G forward became tho present great fir
\ of Richardson & May, the largest cotto
:, commission house in the world. Whe
9 the war closed, both these gentlemen,
6 II, May and Ed. Richardson, had bee
I seriously crippled. They had almost t
h begin the world anew. Their embarras
i ment left them scant capital to ente
I upon "a new career. That is, monte
!, capital, but they possessed in their hig
names and repute for fidelity, punctua
e ity, indonfitable energy, experience an
Il Judgment, basis of credit which imm
; diately attracted to them an .enormor
Q capital, enabling them quickly to repai
. all the disasters of the war, to square Il
i with all creditors and claimants, and I
n establish on a solid foundation ii
g largest cotton factorage business in Il
q city, or in the whole country. Mr.. Ma
D a thorough and strict merchant, has ha
ie charge Of this business, and is Justly +
e. garded in this section as the model con
le mission merchant Of our city. But. (,
ie the marvellous activity and enterprise
g Mr.. Richardson, the factorage busine
was not enough. Counting-room labo
dld nor suffice to occupy his extraord
!. nary energies and inexhaustible ment
~ and physical resources. More this
,is twenty plantations and the culture Al
81, production of over $4,000 bales of cote
did not fill up the demands Of tn
/, T insatiate longing for occupation of h
Of industry, enterprise and capital Stor
at various important points adjacent