Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-12-30


visited his southern possessions twenty
one times. In Sullivan county, East
Tennessee, on the Holston river Ga
branch of the Tennessee), he has
large quantity of red heinatite and
black oxide iron ore lands, of which
assays show "A yield of from So to rs
per cent of Bessimer steel iron.
David Ward owns no stocks, bonds
or mortgages; has no money loaned on
interest; and is out OF debt. He keeps
very small bank account, and when
he makes sale he purchases more
land with the proceeds. He has no
partners, keeps his own books. pays
his own taxes, has no Office other than
room i'm his house, and writes his
own letters, which average 5000 a
year. One of his sons has given him
some clerical assistance at intervals
during the past years, but he has no
clerk or manager whatever but him
SELF lie makes his own purchases ex-
plores the land that he buys.
Mr. Ward transacts in his own room
without display what many firms do
in large. spacious and snowy offices,
with dozen or so of clerks and high
priced head men. He has done the
clerical and other work of at least
two $40, 900 men during the past forty
years. This, together with a trained
and practical judgment in land values,
possessed by no other man in America,
are the secrets Of his immense pecuni-
airy success.
INTELLECTUAL DELIGHTS.
He works at his desk every day in
the year for eight hours and reads five
hours i'm addition each day, dividing
tho tiule for self improvements ond 40
quiring knowledge between morning,
noon and evening. This reading he
has done for the past SO years. His
range of reading has, of course, been
very large; but he is rather partial to
biographical. historical and geographi-
cal information. In ancient history
he has read about everything printed
in the English language, from Rollin
to Victor Duruy's history of Rome re-
Gently issued. He is fairly read in re-
ligiods history, including the Bible,
Koran, the Vedas, Confucius, Josephus
and works on Buddhism. and the
Greek, Roman, Armenian and Chris
tian religions.
lie takes 81 newspapers and periodi-
Gals, including the Evening News, and
says he takes them all to protect him
self against the lies that are being pub
lished nowadays.
THAT'S THE KICK"
The value of his earthly possessions
can only be Appropriated, but it must
be from $50, 600, 600 to $25, 600. 600.
| They are fast anpreciatins in vnlna.
lie has three sons and three daughters.
One Of his sons is interested in watch
manufactures in Switzerland, and a
portion Of the elder Wards fortune is
invested in that enterprise. Mr.. Ward
leads a plain life, with very healthy,
comfortable and genteel, but not snowy
or luxurious surroundings. His house
! hold expenses are not over Sc, 0UG per
year, and he deprecates extravaganza
in costly carriages, yachts, private
railroad cars, ADD similar things,
which he calls unnecessary personal
displays of ostentatious pride and van
| ity, IF | work like n slave, " lie says,
81 chose for my employer and master
David Ward"
In relation TO his methods of accu-
mulating wealth, he says: Il have no
mills, furnaces. or great shows of bust
ness of any kind. / own the land. and
those who desire to develop it come to
me To- RWPT a6f thf kfif Tins decIara
ton with n jocose laugh. "When /
want some ready money, sell land or
cut some cork pine, have it sawed in
Michigan, and sell it to Chicago or
eastern parties. There are plenty of
lumber firms who want to buy my Ium-
Der, because it is the finest pine in the
northwest. There were several large
coal companies on the Kanawha and
New rivers, who did not think it neces-
sary to buy the land back of the r
operations. So bought back of their
costly works, and when they get out
of coal they will naturally come 10
me to buy. That's the kick" When
Mr.. Ward tells this he makes harm
less little kick with his foot at his audi
| tor,