The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-02
OBITUARY.
Death OF Cornelius X. Garrison-The Story
Of nm Interesting Life.

OBITUARY.
Death or Cornelius X. Garrison-The Story
of an Interesting Life.
NEW York, May 1.-Commodore Cornelius K.
Garrison died. at his late residence, No. AZ Park
avenue, this city, Just before noon to-day.
He drove to his Office on Bowling Green, on
Wednesday, and on Thursday took his usual
drive In the park, accompanied by his wife.
This morning he complained of feeling i'll, and
ut 10 o'clock was visited by DIR. Fordyce Barker,
who gave him medicine for bronchitis and went
away. At noon tho Commodore felt worse, and
Mrs. Garrison called in the doctor. This time
DR.. Barker brought Dr.. Keyes with him. The
Commodore was put to bed, where he died, at l
o'clock, of paralysis of the heart. lie was
seyenty-six years OF age. Eight years ago he
had a stroke OF paralysis, which has affected his
entire right side ever since. On Thursday
evening he entertained some friends at
dinner, and was unusually bright He talked
about his assignment Of last June, and
expressed the opinion that he would soon have
all the property back in his own hands. He
spoke freely of business projects and enter
prises. J~ocularly he remarked that he had paid
$500, 900 too much in the settlement OF the
Marie Garrison suit. During General Grants
illness the Commodore and his wife were almost
daily visitors.
The deceased leaves behind a widow and
daughter. Mrs. Van Auken, four brothers and a
sister. His elder brother. Abraham, is in Pitts
burg. The other brothers. Oliver, Daniel and
Isaac, are in st. Louis. The sister is married,
and resides in Pittsburg. The surplus OF the
estate lie estimates to be worth from $1,000 600
to s., 900. 900. The funeral viii take place from
the house on Monday.
Cornelius K. Garrison was born about the be-
ginning of the century, at Garrison's, on the
Hudson river. At the time of his birth his
father was well-to-do, but soon after lost his
property, and at thirteen years of age the en-
bryo millionaire was picking up odd jobs at the
rivers side and in boats passing up midtown the
Hudson. He worked with exemplary industry,
his mother, went to New York city, where he
studied architecture for three years. Then he
changed his residence to Canada, and spent five
years in tho active business Of house building
and boat building. While thus engaged he mar
ried a lady of Buffalo, by whom he had seven
children, of whom but one survives-Mrs B. FL.
Van Auken, of New York. The first Mrs. Gar
rison died many years ago.
The Commodore's title was given him in st.
Louis, whittier he removed from Canada, and
became largely interested in matters connected
with the navigation of the Mississippi river.
His position as captain on q boat led to his being
called Commodore" Among various other pur-
suits which engaged his attention in ST Louis
was that of ~store-keeper. The finding of gold in
California led to his removal to Panama, where
he did a large business as banker. Being offered
the agency of the Nicaragua steamship line, he
accepted it and went to San Francisco. From
the year 1853 to 1860 he displayed astonishing
business ability. His income from the steam
ship line was $50. 900 a year, and he is reported
TO have made $25, 900 additional in the insurance
agency business. AS one of the first mayors,
elected only six months after his arrival in the
city, he did excellent work in the cause of civil
order. and greatly increased his popularity on
the Pacific slope. While a resident of that city
he originated the movements which led TO the
organization of the Pacific Mail Steamship Com
pany, and proposed with characteristic energy
the exploration of a route for the Pacific rail
road.
In 1860 Mr.. Garrison left San Francisco, and
made his residence in New York. where he rap
idly acquired property, and was numbered
among the millionaires of that city. His patriot
ism was conspicuous during the war. Buffers
Ship island expedition was fitted out chiefly as
the result of his exertions. and many of his
ships were placed at the disposal of the federal
government. At that time most of his wealth
was in ships and real estate. subsequently, he
became interested in q steamship line to Brazil,
ard gas companies in New York, Baltimore,
Chicago, st. Louis and New Orleans. He was
the largest owner of gas properties in the world,
tMCAL f0iuO dSStOSotthS ~ liAAOu u SOiaO VI
this was tied up in litigation. At one time he
was largely interested in the New York elevated
roads. He bought the Missouri Pacific rail
road, and sold it to Jay Gould. Apropos
of this, a good story is related Of him.
When MFR. Gould found that it was absolutely
necessary for him to secure the Missouri Pacific
to complete his southwestern system, he APP
preached Mr.. Garrison and asked him how much
he would take for his interest. Mr.. Garrison
named a price which Mr.. Gould said was too
high. Mr.. Garrison refused to come down q
dollar, and Mr.. Gould went away in huff. The
next day, however, Mr.. Gould called on the
Commodore and said he had concluded to take
the property. 'sBut l won't sell it to you at the
price named yesterday" said Garrison. "Why
notl' said Mr.. Gould. Because it is worth
$500, 900 more to-day" "Pooh, pooh!" said Mr..
Gould, and again went away. The next day he
returned and said he would pay the increased
price. well, the property is worth $500. 900
more to-day than it was yesterday" said Gar
rison. II wont pay it," said Mr.. Gould, angrily.
A right, y was the reply. ''The price will ad-
vance $500, 600 a day while you are making up
your mind Nh. Gould bought the road then
and there.
This was in 1875. The price paid was SIS, 00O,-
900, and the other stockholders were to get pro
rata of the purchase money. This they did not
receive, and then Mr.. Peter Marie and others
brought the famous five million suit against
Garrison, which was settled a few days ago.
Among the other enterprises in which Commo-
dore Garrison became heavily involved, was the
Wheeling 81 Lake Erie railroad, which was
started to afford an outlet from the coal fields of
Western Virginia and Northeastern Ohio to the
northwest.
On the Goth of June, 1884, Mr.. Garrison made
an assignment. In a short time this was being
talked about and the subject of much newspaper
comment all over this continent and in the fnan-
sial centers of Europe, particularly in London.
His estate is still in process of adjustment.
Finding AN Alleged Tichborne Witness.