Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-04

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road was sold to Jay Gould. He was
/ President Of the steamship company run
/ ming vessels between New NOrk and south
western and West Indian ports. Hc
managed the COmmodOre's capital which
was largely invested in the Metropolitan
and Manhattan Elevated railroad
companies, and was at one time
President of the Metropolitan com
p3uy and Vice President OF the
Manhattan, and at the time OF his death
ne was "a director in both. He LETT three
daughters and one son, W. W. Garri-
son. a child, who is now the only male
heir of the Commodore. The C0mmOdore's
| only daughter is Mrs. Nanauken, of 42l
! Fifth avenue Before his sons death the
Commodore was fond OF saying that there
had NOT been "a death in his family for
seyenty-two years. His five brothers, the
oldest 81 ears old, still live. One Is
Abram Garrison, a millionaire iron found
der Of Pittsburg. TWO OF his brothers,
Daniel r. Garrison and Oliver Garrison,
are rt tired millionaire merchants of Puts
burg Another broth r, Isaac l.. Garri-
son, is a Vermont millionaire.
The Commodore married his second
wife at the Windsor Hotel In this city on
Oct. %. 1878. when he was 90 ami his
bride was - years old. She WAS Miss Lee
ttia Wiilett Randell, daughter of JOnn
NJ. Randell, OF st. Louis. The gOssips had
ueen completely batlled. The Commodore
had always been famous at Saratoga Tor
his ciViliues to the ladies'. His attentions
TO Miss Randell at the United States Ho-
rel, where both were stopping, we're 2t-
tributed 70 his friendship tor the daughter
Of his old friend and business associate.
Whispers of their matrimonial intentions
were silenced by the ayerment OF friends
that their attachment was more like that
of father and daughter than anything
else. They kept their secret so well that
the publication of the marriage was the
most complete surprise TO many Of their
acquaiutauces. The wedding ceremony
was in private, and was performed by
the Rev. Robert Russell Booth, d. D.,
pastor OF the University Place Presby
terrain church, which Commodore Garri-
son and his family have attended for
many years. The happy couple drove TO
the CommOdOre's residence in Park
avenue, where they have lited happily
ever since. IL was said al the time that
the Commodore settled 100000 upon his
wife. His children approved the match.
After his sons Geath the Commodore in
vested heavily in some new railroad
building enterprises, and made free use OF
his credit. The result was that his affairs
got into a snarl, and he was likely to
suffer considerable losses. lie vas not
tUtu ltl sNUltllIlAA EOOA ufaitu " dbttfQ
TO business, and be was persuaded by his
friends 70 make an assignment for the
ben fit Of his creditors as the readiest
way out OF bis difficulties. 1t was said
thar, compared with his assets, his liaDili-
ties We're small.
His estate is still in the hands Of Mr..
John 4. Terry, his assignee. A large
part Of the claims against it have been
settled, but the final adjustments have
been delayed by litigation, principally the
Marie-Garrison suit. The compromise of
that case about ten days ago by the pay
ment OF 100000 was a great step toward
the closing Of the assgnee's duties. There
are still many complications existing
arising from his connection with the
Wheeling and Lake Erie and the Pitts
burg ana Western railroads. Owing to
these and other complications, 1t is diff
cult to estimate the net amount that his
estate will foot up, but there is reason to
believe that it will be large sum,
The CommOdore's wealth before his
failure was estimated at So, 900, 600 TO ST.
000 900. Among the railroads with which
ne mas been connected are the Kansas
Pacific, the Missouri Pacific, the Wabash,
the Metropolitan and Sew York Elevated,
Wheeling and Lake Erie, Cleveland ana
Marietta. He was one of the railroad
kings of the United States.
A few years before the war the CommO-
dore purchased with Commodore Wander
bilt majority of the stock of the line now
known as the Pacific Mail. The partners
disagreed, and each wanted to buy the
other out. AT last Commodore Garrison
received an offer of several millions from
Vanderbilt. Garrison accepted, and Van
derbilt paid him in notes. After the notes
had run for some time Mr.. ThOrne, Van
derbilUs sOn-in-law, went to Garrison and
said that Vanderbilt did not want TO be
paying interest any longer, and offered to
settle for the full amount. This was &C
cepted, Vanderbilt sending around a
check for the principal. Commodore
Garrison put 1t in his pocket, and walked
down to Nanderbilts office, 3 Bowling
Green.
Look here, Vanderbilt he said,
striking the check against the palm of his
hand, Il want the interest on this
money"
40 you?" replied Vanderbilt. "What
will you do if you don't get it?"
dor Pll show you what ! will do"
replied Garrison, closing the door and
locking il.
No one knew what passed, but ten
minutes afterward Garrison emerged
IRON the door OF No. 3 bearing check for
the full amount, principal and interest.
Neither Of the C0mmodores could ever be
prevailed On 10 disclose the secret of that
interview.
Commodore Garrison was for years a
heavy operator in Wall street. His ope-
ratiOns were conducted silently through
brokers, and he usually was independent
OF pools, He watched the market care
fully, and dealt heavily in some of the
leading stocks. His seemingly bottom
less purse always enabled him to hold ON
until the stock had reached point where
he could rea lie. The bulk Of his great
fortune was made in Wall street. He
had, however, many sources OF income,
ana was always ready 10 90 into any en-
terprise which commended itself TO his
Judgment, provided that it was on large
scale. tie never engaged in
petty speculation. Anything that
required less than a half million or a m IL
lion TO start he considered unworthy OF
his attention. When he had begun an
undertaking he struck gigantic blows for
It's success. HeHlNays fought among the
heavy Weights. He would not back down,
and when his pride was touched, or has
anger aroused, millions were nothing TO
him I'm comparison with the attainment
OF nls object. sun, although very eXcita-
bic IN temperament, he seldom lost his
Judgment or his money. His name was a
power IN financial circles, and schemers
sometimes tried TO use him for their own
purposes, BUT they generally came TO
glIel.
An instance Of has shrewedpass as we'll