Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-29
Two Washington Millionaires.
Ero, n Ro,binoton Letter,


Washington is fast becoming city OF
rich men. There are ten men here now
worth $4,000 to one worth that amount
In 1860. The statesmen themselves are
| richer, and not few of them now own
property here. The two richest citizens
are w. w. Corcoran, who has given away
| three-fourtbs as much as he is now
worth, and John w. Thompson, who
is one of the most enterprlsing men
in the District. Corcoran Is the wealth
lest, and he is probably worth several
millions. He has given away not less than
$l3, 000, 900 or $14, 000. 900 in charities, and
| he Is giving all the time. He began life
as clerk in his fathers shoe store, and
am told, says Carp, that his father was
| shoemaker. One of Corcoran's first en-
prlses was in the dry goods business, and
he kept dry goods store in Georgetown.
think he was connected in this enter
prise with George Peabody, who after
wards became so noted as a charitable
millionaire. Both CorcOran and Peabody
got their start in connection with Elisha
Riggs, a banker of Georgetown and
Washington, and Riggs, Peabody and
Corcoran have all amassed great wealth.
Corc6ran was not very successful in
dry goods, and Riggs established him as
a banker in Washington In connection
with his son. He succeeded In banking,
showed good deal OF nerve In making
Investments, and gradually accumulated
a good capital. When the Mexican war
broke out the New York bankers were
afraid of the bonds of the United States,
and Corcorap got the placing Of the loan.
He went to Lopdon to do this and did not
succeed very we'll there. When he came
back to New YORK Wall street tried to
break him up and they sold the bonds
short. He quietly bought them, and after
time they found he had the whole thing
in his hands. The bonds went up like
shot and he made a nice thing OF 1t.
He has made also great deal OF money
in Washington real estate, and be owns
property all over Washington. He lives
just opposite the White House, surround
ed by big garden, and his house is the
| one in which Daniel Webster used to live.
1t Is richly furnished, but Corcoran Is too
old to enjoy 1t very well. He is a tall, fine
looking, fat old fellow of SO, who has
body servant in livery to hold his arm as
he moves about in and out OF his carriage
over Washington. He dresses well, Is
| a man of culture and education, and has
known all the prominent public men for
years. His real property in Washington
is assessed at 1891 1884.
John w. Thompson must be about thirty
years younger than COrcoran. he is
| good looking man with a healthy COM
plexion and bright blue eye. lie is
| good talker. Is noted for his common
sense, and is one of the shrewdest and
most public spirited men of the capital.
He has made all his millions himself and
| he had something OF a capital when he
| came from New York city about the time
Pierce was President and opened a plumb
| ing establishment. He found a city of
| less than $4,000. Property was low and
| plumbing and gas fitting was very crudelv
done by the Washington workmen. Mr..
| Thompson soon got foothold. He in
vested in real estate, andin 1872 he retired
from his plumbing establishment rich
man. He has been always actively In
terested in district affairs, and he now
became member of the Common Council
over the then legislative government of the
city. He became bank president ard
was largely interested IN steamship and
street car lines. He had lines Of steamers
running from Norfolk to New York, and
be is the President of the Ma
tional Metropolitan Bank of Wash
ington, which has been the lead
ing bank here since the days of
Madison. He has made money right
along, and still makes it, though think
he now feels as though about ready to re-
tire. He lives well at Washington, and
has fine brown stone mansion just next
to that of Chief Justice Waite on / street.
He is in the swim of fashionable society,
and has, perhaps, more influence than
any other rich man in Washington.