Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-28
A PECULIAR MILLIONAIRE.
He Grows Elm Timber for His Own
Coffin and Those of His Friends.
From the Near York Hsrald.

From, the Nsqo York Hsr1Id.
BRIDGEPORT, CONN, July 24.-Mr.
Joseph Richardson, of this city, probably
the wealthiest man in Connecticut, was
born IN England seYenty-two years ago.
lie remained IN that country long enough
to become imbued with the spirit OF its
ways and social amenities, and with
fair education came to this country VITA
nls father, after whom he was named.
The father was immensely wealthy, and
his property was divided among three
children-two sons and daughter. Mr..
Richardson seems TO have possessed the
| happy faculty Of turning everything he
touched into money, and what in the way
OF transformation failed him he has made
good by accumulation through patient
waiting. His residence in North Bridge
port is at the corner of large farm which
for fertility has no equal in the country.
Forty years ago he sent to England for an
elm sapiing. 1t reached him in March,
ana in the following month he planted it
with care near his dwelling. 1t grew and
developed to mighty tree. During the
thirty-three years it was growing Mr..
Richardson often called the attention OF
his friends to the fact that in his native
land. among the educated classes. it was
The custom for men, by way Of showing
special regard for their personal friends,
10 present them with elm timber for their
collins, and that this tree had been planted
and fostered with that end in view in his
case. He often talked about the tree, and
would never allow the pruning ak to be
applied. Mr.. Richardson's great wealth
has brought him into association with the
best people in the country, and only
among those who failed to be hOnOred
with his intimate acquaintance is he
looked upon and pronounced penurious.
Through life he has abhorred all that sa-
vored OF display, and in all his business
cOunsels he has taken pains to inculcate
the Importance of economy.
FUNERAL PREPARATIONS.
In the matter of funeral ceremonies, in
which, 1t must be admitted, there is more
cheap gOrgeOusness some times than
genuine sorrow for the departed, ne has
emphatically declared that the money
thus expended could have been put to bet
ter use. Some six or seven years ago Mr..
Richardson took final view of his elm
and resolved to put in form the resolution
he had adopted respecting the tree more
than a generation preceding. The tree
was felled, the best part of the trunk taken
to mill and sawed into planks. From
these sufficient material was selected for
three collins. To make his own cOtiin he
engaged the services OF a Mr.. Judd, of
this city, who was instructed to practice
economy. This artisan dovetailed the
ends OF the planks, thereby rendering the
empl0ymentof iron screws unnecessary.
When the coffin was delivered Mr.. Rich
ardson pronounced it perfect in every
part and had it packed away in his garnet
10 await the owners final call for It's use.
In reply to a friends question he said
mo, there &ill be no engraved plate. 1t
costs too much, and is not essential. |
have had my old brand iron, displaying
j. RICHARDSON,
heated, and with it [ have burned my
name at the top and on both sides. l
guess that will-answer." "But what will
you do for a date?" his friend asked.
ION, no matter for that. There will be
no trouble in remembering when "JOe'
Richardson dies.
COFFIN FOR DIR. DIX.
But the peculiar feature of this timber
matter follows. Long ago Mr.. Richard
son made the acquaintance of Rev. DR..
Dix, ID. D., rector of Trinity church, New
York, and there grew up between them a
warm friendship. Mr. Richardson adj
dressed to his friend the following note:
Rer. Dr. De:
DEAR BaoTHER-I send you material
enough to make coffin. Please accept.
Yours, j. RICHARDSON.
DR.. Dix ACKNOWLEDGED the receipt of
the gilt aud expressed thanks. He at
once proceeded to have coffin made,
but instead of following Mr.. Richardson's
suggestion of supplying dovetails for
| econOmy's sake, he had it maze up in
modern style, brass fastened at the cor
ners, adorned and strengthened. When
the giver was appraised of DIR. Dix's ex-
pensive ideas he protested and felt sure
! the pomps and vauities of this world were
destined to take precedence over the
! plain and substantial matter of fact. Re-
| manning panks from the tree were pre-
scented by Mr.. Richardson to his only
brother in New York, Who, likewise was
thankful, but could not bring himself to
appreciate the economy measures in coffin
construction followed by the giver.