The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-10
A MILLIONAIRE's LONELY DEATH.
The Eccentricities and Misery Life of Win
throp w. Gilman.


throp w. Gilman.
New York Times.
The death of Winthrop Watson Gilman at his
lonely home at Gilman Station, town of Forest
burg, Sullivan county, last Saturday, closed
somewhat remarkable career. Although mill
ionaire two three times over, Mr.. Gilman,
owing to his penurious disposition, died in poor
ly-furnished ROOM end with no affectionate voice
or hands to comfort his declining days He was
sick with pneumonia for about week, and died
in his seventy eighth year. The chief ambition
and motive of Mr.. Gilman's life was to make
money, and in that respect his career was very
successful. He was descendant of one of the
Oldest families in this country, being able, it is
said, to trace his genealogy back to the Pilgrims
who came over on the Mayfower He was born
in Maine. in February 1908.
Winthrop w. Gilman's father left him a pros
porous business in the tanning trade. For sew
eral years the Gilmans were we'll known in 'the
Swamp" in this city, as sharp and economical,
but successful business men. The subject of this
sketch was from his boyhpod economical to the
degree of meanness, so far as his personal ex-
penditures were concerned. When twenty seven
years old he started out to explore the great
West From Cleveland o., he travelled on horse
back and on foot as far as Milwaukee, which at
that time consisted of not more than half dozen
rude log houses The sagacious young explorer
believed that prosperous future awaited that
section of the country, and he bought large
tracts of land at Milwaukee, Sheboygan and
other neighboring points. Some of mis- invest
ments turned out veritable bonanzas. Property
that then cost him less than So, 900 is now esti-
mated to be worth more than 81, 900, 900. About
1916 Mr.. Gilman settled in Sullivan county and
engaged in the tanning and numbering business.
He purchased tract of wild land at HARDWOOD,
and also considerable property at Mongaup and
Gilmans His estate, it is said. now embraces
more than 5000 acres fland in Sullivan county
One of his paculiarlties was never to insure any
Of the buildings that he owned. About two
years ago fire destroyed almost the entire vii
lage of Gilmans, causing him loss Of about
$120 600. He had not a cent of insurance, and
even when figuring up the loss he had no regrets
to utter. II have not lost anything" he said.
"If had had policies ON this property during
the past forty years the insurance companies
would have been paid its entire value. I saved
that much money and had the use of it."
Mr.. Gilman's penuriousness a subject of
comment and gossip wherever he was known.
Even after he was able TO count his wealth by
millions he denied himself the plainest comforts
of life. It was his custom to wear a suit of
clothes until the garments would barely hang to-
gether, and frequently he would appease his ap-
petite with piece of cheese and some crackers,
eaten at the homes of some of his laborers. His
home life was peculiar one. His wife, who was
very estlmable lady. died at Gimans four years
ago, leaving four children-one son and three
daughters. All Of the daughters are married
The dead man had passion for driving good
bargains and getting things cheap. He often
bought property and articles for which he had
no use simply because he was able to beat the
seller down in price. Only few months ago ne
bought several of the horses that were used on
the Broadway stage lines. He had no particular
use for the horses. but he found that he could
get them very cheap, so he bought them.
Estimates of the extent Of Mr.. Gilman's
wealth vary. Some of his acquaintance put it
at 81 000, 900 and others at 3d. 000. 600. He never
took any one into his confidence, not even his
own son Alfred who lives at Gilmans. The last
named gentleman said few days ago: mo per-
son knows what father is worth. He may be
worth $500 600 and he may be worth SO, 000, 900.
He is liable to buy 10, 900 acres of land or prop
erty worth half million of dollars any day, and
be would never tell his children about it," 1t is
well known that the dead mans estate compries
several very valuable pieces of improved real
estate IN this State and in two or three Western
States. MIR. Gilman was man of large brain.
OF keen perception, and of useful and varied
knowledge. On many current topics he was
most entertaining conversationalist. The burial
will occur tomorrow at Greenwood Cemetery.