The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-13
THE ROTHsCHILDs.
Sketch of Famous Family Whose influence
Is Felt the World Over.


Is Felt the World Over.
Boston Commercial Bulletin.
This famous firm of Hebrew bankers and
capitalists which is known throughout the
world. originated in the city of Frankfort,
Germany.
In the Judengasse, or Jews alley. short dis
lance from the chief thoroughfare 142 years
ago, lived dealer in old clothes who had a red
shield for sign, which in German reads Roth
Schild.. 1t was in 1743 that was born to
this lsraelite The name given to the boy was
Anselm Meyer, who also became clothes dealer
and a pawnbroker, succeeding to the business Of
his father. By degrees he extended his business,
lending money at high rates of interest during
the wars of the last century, managing his affairs
with such skill that Prince William, the Land
grave, made him mis- banker. When Napoleon
came across the Rhine in 1906 this elothesdealer
was directed to take care of the treasure of the
Prince, amounting to $l2 O00 0OO which he in
vested so judiciously that it brought large in
crease to the owner and especially TO the mana
GER
This banker died in 1917 leaving an estate
estimated at So 600 000-nota very large sum in
these days-but he left an Injunction upon his
five sons, which was made binding by an oath
given by the sons around his death bed, which
has had and still has powerful influence upon
the world. The sons bound themselves by oath
to follow their fathers business together, hold
ing his property In partnership extending the
business, that the world might know of but one
house of the red shield! (Rothschild.l
The sons were true to their OATH The eldest,
Ansem born 1773, and who died in 1885, was
mis- fathers partner and successor at Frankfort
The second Solomon born liza, died in 1856,
was established as the representative of the
house at Vienna The third, Nathan Meyer,
born 1774, and died in 1886, settled at London,
and was the leading member and ablest financier
in the firm. The fourth, Charles, born
James, born 1892, died 1860, to Paris
The five brothers thus occupied great
financial centers and were geographically located
in excellent positions to use their financial
power and skill to the best advantage.
Nathan, in London, amassed money with great
rapidity, and the same may be said of all the
others, the wars of Napoleon being favorable to
the business of the house. Nathan went to the
continent to witness operations of Wellington
in his last campaign against Napoleon, prepared
to act with the utmost energy let the result be
as it might. He witnessed the battle of Water
loo and when assured Of Napoeon's defeat rode
all night with relays of horses, to Ostend: went
across the Channel in fishing -smack-for it
was before the days of steam-reached London
in advance of all other messengers, and
spread the rumor that Wellington and Butcher
were defeated The 10th of June in that mem
orable year was dismal day in London. The
battle was fought on the 1Sth Nathan Meyer of
the house of the Red Shield, by hard riding
reached London at midnight on the 18th. On
the morning of the Goth the news was over town
that the cause of the allies was lost shat
had been the leading spirit in the struggle
against Napoleon The treasury of Great Brit
ain, it will be remembered, had supplied funds
to nearly all of the allied powers.
If their cause was lost what hope was there
for the futurel Bankers flew from door TO door
in eager haste to sell their stocks. Funds of
every description went down. Anselm Meyer
was besieged by men who had funds for sale,
but he was not in the market. He had no desire
to buy. He, too, had stocks for sale. What
would thew give? But mean while he had scores
of agents purchasing. Twenty four hours later
truth was known. The nation gave vent to its
joy; up went the funds with rapdity, the general
advance pouring, it is sad So, 000, 900 into the
Golfers of this one branch of the house of the
Red Shield
The House of the Red Shield is the greatest
banking house of the world-the mightiest of all
times, and has made its power felt the world
over-in the Tuileres of Paris, i'll the Ministerial
Chamber of Berlin in the Imperial Palace at st.
Petersburg, in the Vatican at Rome, in the Bank
of England, in Wall street, State street and by
every New England iresde. The House OF the
Red Shield, by the exercise of its financial
power can make difference i'll the yearly ae-
count of every man who reads these words of
mine! Though Ansem Meyer has been half a
century Dead though several of his sons have
gone down to the grave, the house is the
same. The grandchildren have the spirit of the
children. The children of the brothers have in
termarried, and it is one family loyal to each
other carrying out the desire of the founder of
the firm, and animated by a common purpose
that the world shall only know one Red Shield.