The Indianapolis journal., 1885-02-15
MINOR MENTION.

MINOR MENTION.
Hon. JOHN KELLY, the Tammany chieftan
is said to be really very sick man. His po-
litical reverses and the discontinuance Of the
Star newspaper have all had effect upon his
health The extent of his illness during the
early part of the winter was more or less con-
cealed; but he was compelled to go to some of
the Virginia resorts, which, however, failed to
effect any Improvement He was then taken
to Rockaway beach, but that did not mend mat
ters and he will now be brought to his home in
New York city. John Kelly is something more
than a politician and Tammany sachem. He
is man of very kind heart and
generous liberality writer who knows
him says that when he is down town his office
is overrun with callers. He never forgets a
name or face. Men go to him with all sorts of
stories II can't put you work, he would say
to those who seemed to be in need, but take
this, and come again, and will see what can
do" and he would put bill or two in the out
stretched palm. "Now don't forget; come again
when you want anything" and with the air of a
Chesterfield he would bow his humbest and
poorest caller out with all the courtesy that he
would show United States senator. When he
was comptroller, Mr.. Kelly never permitted a
penny of the citys money to be used for his own
purposes. So careful was he of this, that he
would make his messenger 60 to the postofice
with his letters, and pay for the postage, instead
of using the stamps furnished by the city.
A story of Kelly is told to the effect that walk
ing up Broadway with friend, he was accosted
by number of poor men, at different times on
the way, to each of whom he gave some money.
Finally one individual approached him and
asked for work, Kelly being then comptroller
He couldn't give it, but turning to his friend
Kelly said: IF you'll lend me 81 I'll ssye it to
this man, and I'll pay you tomorrow" The
money was loaned, given to the man. and then
Kelly told his companion that he had given
away every cent he had with him. The next
day, before o'clock, Kelly called at his friends
Office and repaid the dollar. This trait in the
mans character probably accounts for the won
derful hold he has upon the common working
people Of the metropolis. Charity covers mul-
titude of SINS
FINANCIAL romances are not uncommon in
Wall street, but the Stock Exchange is just now
talking over one which has some unusual feat
ures. Mr. A. B. Stockwell is broker and a
son-in-law of sewing machine Singer, to whom
he was indebted for the foundation of the wealth
he formerly possessed. Fourteen years ago
Stockwell was worth 9,00O,0 600, and welded inn
mense influence as president of the Pacific Mail
Steamship Company. In 1874 he met with re-
verses and became penniless, but got start
and in few months had $500, 900 of his own.
This he afterward lost, but again made for
tune, which went the way of the others This
programme was repeated about every eighteen
months until the last failure. when he was so
financially reduced that he could not retain his
membership in the Exchange. Throughout his
checkered career he has been distinguished for
the imperturbabiitY with which he bore his re-
verses, appearing the same suave, smiling gen
tleman at all times During the past six months
his friends have made it point to ask him to
dinner at every possible opportunity, because
they knew that he might otherwise go hungry.
This consideration and thoughtfulness so un-
to be no longer necessary, Mr.. Stockwel hav
ing again got upon his feet. and bets are being
freely offered by his admirers that he will pay
mis- debts and have $100, 900 left at the end of the
year Many a plain, ordinary gambler could
show as many ups and downs as Mr. Stockwell,
but the attitudes reached not being so high, their
cases are, of course, not so interesting
Mr.. CYRUS w. FIELD has been angered by
the publication of a cable special reproducing an
editorial in the Lonoon Truth. which charged
that Mr.. Field and Jay Gould had been con-
cerned in the issue of wabash preferred stock
on which sham dividends were paid until the
British public had been induced to buy it, when
it fell from 90, issue price, to about 12, ac-
cording to American newspapers. Mr. Cyrus
Field made by this operation about one million
sterling" Mr.. Field says ''The Wabash did not
declare dividend on any of its stock, either
common or preferred, while was director or
president. The first dividend on its preferred
stock was Feb. 10, 1881, nearly year aftor
had ceased all connection with the company
At the date this dividend was paid l was in
India. never sold share of Wabash stock in
London, or anywhere except In the open market
in New York. During the time was president
declined to receive any salary" Mr. Fled has
directed suit for libel to be entered at once
against Mr.. Labouchere, editor of The Truth.
and also against James Gordon Bennett il there
is English law to reach him. Mr. Field is too
sensitive, altogether, for great stock jobber.
A YEAR or two ago sensation was created in
Baltimore society by the discovery that the son
of Hon. George II. Williams, wealthy resident
of that city, had conveyed his property, some
$3.50, 900, to his father by deed of trust and had
gone to Europe in order to avoid carrying out q
marriage engagement with . wellknown and
highly yesteemed young lady. II was supposed