Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1885-11-20
MisGellamenMs.
Two Washington Millionaire

There are very few millionaires in
Washington, Indeed, doubt whether
there arc more than two. The only two
Of whose right to the title there can be
no doubt are VIM. w. Corcoran and
Alexander G.. Bell. Corcorau is the
Irish shoemaker who has risen to be tho
chief banker and benefactor of his city
He is we'll past his thrcescore years and
ten, well-preserved old gentleman,
with snow white hair and beard, cut
short, who dresses we'll and has u very
distinguished air, He dates bis fortune
from the Mexican war, when he handled
the government loan. Ever since then he
has grown richer and richer through tho
constant improvement in his investments.
He has put good deal of his money in
to Washington real estate. He is noxt
to the largest real estate taxpayer in that
city, his real property being assessed at
1871, 1854. lie long since retired from
the banking firm of Corcoran Il Riggs,
which he founded so long ago that the
present generation knows the bank only
as Riggs 4 Co. But some of Corcoran's
capital is in the bank yet, and as ho Wis
its his Office in tho bank every pleasant
day the young men of Riggs u Co., still
have the benefit of his counsel. lie is
a very wise old fnancier still. There
is romantic flavor in the reputation he
has, for no one can think of him with
out thinking fhis generous bcnevolence.
He has given Washington Oak Hill
Cemetery, the Corcoran Art Gallery and
the Louise Home for Gentlcwomen. lie
has endowed tho Columbia University
and the Episcopal Church Of tho Assem-
sion. His name is on every subscrip-
ton list and his private charities are
numberless. Historical associations clus-
ter around him. lie has been the friend
of the great men of politics, art and
literature. His banking house is in tho
building long occupied by the Bank of
the United States. lie lives in the res
idence of Daniel Webster, which he has
remodelcd and embelished until it COM
pares favorably with any modern house
in this city. lie was an intimate friend
Of Webster and helped him out of many
n financial quagmire. Living happily
and peacefully, surrounded by attentive
relatives, dividing the years between
Washington and White Sulphur Springs,
he bids fair TO be n centenarian
Alexander G.. Bell is the inventor Of
the telephone now generally used all
over the world. Unlike most inventors,
be is the chief beneficiary of his inven-
ton. A young teacher, poor In pocket,
but rich in brains, and full of the fervid
enthusiasm Of the true scientist, he would
probably have given the results Of his
laborious Investigations to the world as
a free gift, but he had in Prof. Gardiner
G. Hubbard shrcwd Yankee father-in-
law, who showed him how to benefit the
world and himself at tho same time.
Bell is very rich. Hubbard is only less
rich. SO are all their relatives. Bell
lives in handsome modern brick house
Of his own design on Scott circle Hub
bard lives in similar house few blocks
west on Dupont circle. Bells house has
every modern Improvement, including
some Of his own inventions, 80 modern
that the public has not heard Of them
These are chiefly applications Of cleo
tricity TO purposes Of convenience. lie
has fine collection Of paintings, water
colors and ctchings, and u very good
library. His laboratory, which he calls
"thc Volta Laboratory" is farther west.
Just across from his home is the little
cottage and gardens which he bought
from Andrews, the artist, where he
teaches deaf and dumb children. Bell is
a wcll-built man Of good height. His
black hair and beard are beginning to
turn gray, but his face is as young as
his heart.