Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-04-16
A Milwaukee Millionaire.
ALEXANDER II. MITCHELL RISE FROM
POVERTY TO LARGE RICHES.

Among the pedestrians on the avenue
the other day, says the Washington Sunday
Herald, was a short, stout man in the
neighborhood OF sixty years of age. His
face was full, broad and massive. Eyes
gray, sharp, keen, under beetling gray
eyebrows. Nose aquiline. mouth large
and firm in outline. The face was clean
shaven to the lower line Of the heavy jaw
bone A shining silk hat was well down
upon the head. The refund figure was
plainly dressed in dark clothes. A dark
green cravat, upon which CLEANED a ruby
pin. made the only patches of color in the
dark attire Of the pedestrian. He carried
his tat, yellow gloved hands down in the
pockets of his overcoat as he walked
stolidly along. This man was ALEXANDER
H. Mitchell of Milwaukee, the President
of the Chicago, Milwaukee and st. Paul
road, and the head OF one of the richest
banks in Milwaukee. Mr.. Mitchell was
member of Congress from 1874 to 1873.
lie used to have rooms at WOrmey's
Hotel. Although he was worth at least
Sl5,000,000 he used to walk from his
rooms to the Capitol and return. He is
very quiet and unobtrusive. During his
first winter few people in Congress knew
much more about him than the fact OF his
being successful Milwaukee banker.
During the great financial debate of his
term Mr.. Mitchell prepared speech upon
the wisdom of the resnption OF specie
payment. Mr.. Mitchell was a very mod
est man, and as no one paid much atten-
ton to him in the House he did not expect
20 have many listeners for his speech.
One of his friends who heard he was
going to make speech thought he
would prepare surprise for him. The
friend went to the office of the Washing
ton Chronicle and had a paragraph printed
merely giving the amount of Mr.. Mithcell's
wealth. Then he went up in the repor-
ter's gallery and pointed out Mr.. Mitchell
rs one OF the great financiers of the West.
Nothing attracts so mach attention rs re-
putatiOn for enormous wealth. In a few
days Mitchell became one of the celebri-
ties of the House. When the millionaire
arose to talk, it every word had been coin
able into gold dollar he could not have
had more profound attention. Mr.. Mitch
ell arrived here last week from Florida,
where his wife has a great orange planta-
ton. He came here in private palace
car. He was accompanied by his son and
heir, John Mitchell. swathy- beard man
of As. MIR. Mitchell came to this country
q poor Scotch lad and made great for
tune. One may think he owes his wealth
to the great opportunities he found here.
II is doubtful. A school friend of his who
remained at Glasgow, is worth to-day forty
millions. and he, too, started poor. such
men as Mitchell cannot help getting rich.
Several years ago Mitchell went to Europe.
In France he met his old school friend,
the Glasgow banker. The two went about
together all day. The Glasgow man paid
all the bills. At the close of the day,
when the two sat down TO dinner. the
Glasgow banker pulled out card, and
turning to Mitchell he said:
''Sandy. you owe me Sl.65.'
This was Sandy's share of the expense
Of the day. and he promptly paid his share
to the exact penny as amalter of course.
This rigid exactness in the smallest of ex
penditures is one of the common elements
In the character of these two very rich
men. Yet, with all this exactness and
care, no one has ever dreamed OF calling
Mitchell stingy or close. 49,