The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-12
THE LATE REuBsN r.. SPRINGER.
How He Made His Moncy-His Numerous In
vestmeDts in Corner Lots.

How He Made His Money-His Numerous In
vestmonts in Corner Lots.
Cincinnati Enquirer.
The investments Of Mr.. Springer are a lesson
in themselves. He did not take much stock in
suburban additions. His money was made, his
investments made, in the heart of the city, close
to business. He lived near his investments, and
watched them with jealous care There was
little of the speculative in his disposition. lie
,preferred safe and sure thing. He did not be-
heve in taking chances. lie had decided pen,
chant for lots. He not only purchased
them, but he held them, even if their income was
not always lucrative. For years he owned, and
always kept, the corner of Fourth street and
Central avenue, where the Alemanla Club now
stands. The lessees gave the property up, claim
ing that they could not afford to pay the rent
Nothing discouraged he said to John ID. Cald-
well: II shall have to build" and build he did
one of the most desirable pieces of paying prop
erty in the city. The corner at Fourth
and Elm he also owned, as well as
that of Seventh and Plum. He was
large stakeholder in the Pittsburg q Fort
Wayne Railroad Company; also IN the Cincln-
natl Gas Company, and, for a number OF years,
in the Lafayette Bank, of which be was director
for a series of years. He was only ten years in
business, joining the house Of kilgour, Taylor &
Co. as partner in $780, and retiring in 1910, yet
so great were the profits and so lucky his vent
ures that wealth rolled in easily and rapidly
These were the haleyon days for mercantile ven
lures. 1t was before the time of drummers or
commercial agents. L ne Rouse OF hllgOur, ray
Tor & Co. was the largest in the city, OF high
financial standing with quarter or half a mill
ion dollars Of capital, large stock of goods on
hand and good acquaintance in Indiana, Ken
lucky, Ohio and throughout the South South
ern planters came to the firm for goods and adj
vances on their sugar and cotton crops. They
accommodated them, and charged good, big
profits. The competition then was light Be
sides. the firm owned steamboat plying be-
tween Cincinnati and New Orleans, which gave
them additonalprivileges. Then New Orleans was
twenty days off All the heavy freight came in
keel boats from the Crescent City. It was a
journey of two months for heavy goods, which
came from New York by the way of New Or
leans or by stage over the Alleghenies, so that
risks were great, credits long that is, from
three to six months, and consequently profits
large. Kilgour, Taylor & Co. had the cream of
the carrying trade. Mr. Springer entered the
firm after it was well established, and reaped
rich profits for the decade that he was a member
of the firm
lifelong friend of Mr. Springer, when asked for
the leading trait of his life, why, method. He
was systematic in everything He was en-
phaticay man of method"
what do you mean by methodF
'Why, he had place for everything. time
to do everything, and system in all the CON
duct of his affairs,
Reserved he was, said Robert Brown, who
was at one time one of his clerks There was
mo hail fellow well met about him. calm
dignity, quiet approach no-further sort Of a
manner about him lent dignity. and
perhaps at times GOODNESS to his
character which may have been moth
ing more than native modesty and
quiet self respect. Surrounding his character
like halo was the innate modesty of the man.
In early life it gave him the appearance of cold
ness; in later life they called it simplicity.
man of any ostentation would have insisted upon
having the Music Hall named for himself, Mr.
Springer at all times positively declined. He
even refused to have his life published in any of
the biographies Of Ohio's great men even Gin
cinnati celebrities that from time to time enter
prsing publishers have put forth He gave
much that none knew anything about. He
even remembered. in 81, 600 cash donations in
December, 1880 his old and faithful servants,
his eoachman and cook. He ever remembered
his church and most gloriously his city. His
style of living was most unostentatious. Though
he kept carriage he generally went on foot.
Some would call him lucky man Yet he
was prudent and methodcal, systematic
and honest, and the fates sent luck
rolling at his heels His life has been long one,
and his circumstances permitted him to take the
world easily He did not receive much of the
rough and-tumble of affairs. Methodical in his
habits, simple in his tastes. prudent of his
health. A5'g life was full of usefulness.
fraught with lessons of prudence, system and
economy He was opposed to debts never in
duieed in them himself and could not tolerate
them in others. When Sister Stanisaus wanted
funds to aid the exchequer under her charge, no
positively refused saying, mo, wait till you get
out of debt, and urgent as the appeal was, he
still persisted.
Mr. Springer was devout Catholic. being
strict in his adherence to the principles Of that
religion. In politics he was a Republican. His
habits Of living were simple, being accustomed
all his life to retiring at 10 o'clock in the
evening and arising at in the morn
ing The public are well acquainted
with Mr.. Springer's liberality, but compare
lively few OF his munifcent acts are known
outside his own household. No man or woman
ever applied to him for assistance who did not
receive it, and even an intoxicated person would
receive a coin from him with the advice that the
money be expended for victuals or clothing
The servant who was with Mr.. Springer when
he died was Miss Ellen Secrecy who has been
faithful and devoted employe Of the deceased for
thirty seven years Miss Seerey's sister, Mrs.
Julia Manning who is a widow, has been with
Mr.. Springer twenty-five years. The coachman,
Michael Dooey, was employed by Mr.. Springer
twenty years ago and has been a faithful and
trusted employe ever since. 1t is stated that
these three servants have been amply provided
for in Mr.. Springer's will
The deceased never had any children bat
there are living number of nephews and nieces.
His wife has been dead fifteen years.