The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-05-21
CONNOR'S COOL CASH.
What tho Great Financier Owes to His
Broker-The Enterprises in which
He L., or Has Been.
Engaged.
TN. Y. Journal.l

'sMr. Jay Gould's name is as familiar on
tho London Stock Exchange and the Paris
and Berlin Bourses as in Wall street," said
a bright light in financial circles yestcr-
day, "and that of Mr.. Washington Il. Con-
nor, the prince of bachelors, and for whom
many Murray Hill belle has set hor cap,
Is but a few PAGES in the rear"
Washington Z. Connor, better known as
"Wash" by his intimate friends, first opened
his bright blue eyes in the substantial
house OF his father at No. 208 Spring street,
in this city. The house in which Washing.
ton was born was and is at present owned
by his father, as is also all the property
running from Spring street around Hud.
son street. The estate has been owned by
Mr.. Connor, senior, for over half century.
Like the life Of the average boy, young
Connor's was uneventful. He went to a
neighboring school, was engaged in various
school-boy battles, and his defeats and his
successes and occasionally, when obstinate,
received marked attention from his teach
ers. At the age Of thirteen his parents
sent him to the New York College, now
known as the Free Academy. He proved
an apt scholar, and at sixteen was the
head boy in one Of the highest classes.
Soon after leaving school he determined
TO follow q commercial career, and follow
ing the advice of his parents he entered the
banking and stock commission house OF H.
c. Stimson & Co., at that time one Of the
strongest and best firms on the street. Mr..
Stimson was then engaged In transacting
all the business OF the late Henry Keep,
then President Of the Great Northwestern
Railroad Company. In addition to doing
this large speculative business Mr.. Stim'
son was heavy operator on his own ac-
count.
While engaged as clerk In Mr.. Stim.
sons employ young Connor frequently met
Mr.. William H. Vanderbilt, who then op.
Grated under his employers advice. There,
In 1869, Mr.. Connor met Jay Gould and the
acquaintance soon ripened into strong
friendship. In 1871 Mr.. Connor purchased
O membership in the Stock Exchange and
started out for himself. He did purely
brokers' business, was conservative in his
expressions, but vigilant and quick to exc
cute all orders. He soon gained general
confidence and gathered about him some OF
the brightest lights in Wall street.
Jay Gould was especially friendly tohim
and when on September "a, 1860, which will
always be remembered as the terrible
"Black Friday" so many wealthy and old
established houses were wrecked on the sea
Of financial troubles, Gould was in serious
difficulties, Mr.. Connor came to hisr
and by adroit and decisive action saved his
chief from severe losses.
When the "Llttle Magician" was en-.
gagged In complicated gold transaction
the strong arm OF young "Wash" Connor
was stretched forth to sustain him and by
his unquestionable shrewdness the present
King Of the street was shielded from al.
most complete bankruptcy. Mr.. Connor
devised and executed q plan by which
Gould was relieved from the serious conse.
quences Of his gold transactions.
Gould has never forgotten those services
and has since rewarded his friend to such
an extent that Mr.. Connor is now consid'
cred among the richest men in this city.
In the offices Of the firm a number OF
pools have been formed, and plans organ.
lied which have led to the making-and
breaking-of many fortunes.
Mr.. Connor claims that his success in
life Is due solely TO his conservative
expressions on all financial questions, and
his readiness to serve friend.
In appearance he is about five feet sever
inches in height, tips the beam at Is,
pounds, has bright, blue eyes and light
brown hair. He wears neatly trimmed side
whiskcrs.