Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-09-10
A MILLIONAIREs PECULIARITIEs.
lie Grows Elm Timber for His Own
Coffin and Those OF His Friends.

two years ago, writes Bridgeport.
/ Conn, correspondent of The NeU YorL
Heraid. He remained in that country
long enough to become imbued witt
/ the spirit of its ways and social ameni-
/ ties, and with fair education came to
this country with his father, after
whom he was named. The father was
immensely wealthy, and his property
was divided among three children
two sons and daughter Mr.. Rich
ardson seems to have possessed the
happy faculty of turning everything he
touched into money, and what in the
has made good by patient waiting. His
residence in North Bridgeport is at the
corner of a large farm. which for fer
tlity has no equal in the country. For
ty years ago he sent to England for an
elm sapling. 1t reached him in March.
and in the following month he planted
it with care near his dwelling. 1t grew
and developed to n mighty tree. Dur
ing the thirty three years it was grow
ING Mr.. Richardson often called the at.
icntion 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, to present them with
elm timber for their collins, and that
this tree had been planted and foster
ed 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 hest people in the county, and only
among those who failed to be honored
" In his intimate acquaintance is he
looked upon and pronounced penuri-
Gus. Through life he has abhorred all
that savOred OF display, and in all his
business counsels he has taken pains to
inculcatc the Importance of economy.
In the matter of funeral ceremonies,
in which i must be admitted. there is
more cheap. gOrgeouSness sometimes
than genuine sorrow for the departed,
Ia has cmphatically declared that the
money thus expended could have been
pUt TO better Use. Some six or seven
Years ago Mr.. Richardson took a final
view of his elm and resolved to put in
form the resolution he had adopted res
pectinC the tree more than 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 coffin
he engaged the services of a Mr.. Judd,
Of this city, who was instructed to
practice economy. This artisan dove
tailed the ends of the planks, thereby
rendering the employment of iron
screws unnecessary. When the coffin
was delivered Mr.. Richardson pro-
nounced it perfect in every part. and
had it packed away in his garrett to
await the owners final call for its use.
Ia reply to a friend question he said:
NO, there will bc no engraved plate.
1t costs too much. and it IS not essen
tial have had my old brand-iron,
displaying
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. .........'.'...'...
j. RICHARDSON.
'.ss'..s.....'' $3.50 .'...'.'. -'''''
heated. and with it have burned my
name at the top and on both sides.
guess that will answer" but what
will YOU do for date?" his friends
asked. ''Oh. no matter for that.
There will be no trouble in remember
i'm when Joe Richardson dies.
But the peculiar feature of this tim
Der matter follows. Long ago Mr..
Richardson made the acquaintance OF
Rev DR.. Dix, ID. D., rector of Trinity
church. New York, and there grew NJ
between them a warm friendship Mr..
Richardson addressed TO his friend the
following note
Rev. Dr.. Dix-Le1r Brother I send you
material enough TO make coffin Please ac-
ceit. Yours, j. RICHARDSON.
DR.. Dix acknowledged the recc pit OF
the gift and expressed thanks He al
once proceeded TO have coffin made.
but instead OF following Mr. Richard.
sons suggestion of supplying dove
tails for economy sake he had it made
mp n modern style, brass fastened at
the corners. adorned and strengthened.
When the eivcr vas appr sd OF d..
Dix expensive IDEAS he protested ana
felt sure the pomps and vanities OF thi,
world were destined to take precedence
over the plain and substantial matt
of fact. Rema mig planks from tie
tree were presented by Richardson :,
his only brother in New York, who
ikcw Sc wSs thankful. but could no.
brlnr L;mself to appreciate the econ
omy measures in coffin construction
followed by the giver.