The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-26
THE LAMENTED CORCORAN
HOW HE KEPT. UP PART OF ONE OF
HIS ENDowMENTs.
Ten Bonds OF the Old City OF Memphis
Given to the Louise Home for Desti-
tute Women. on Which He Paid In
terest for Number of Years.

81 hear that I. NJ. Hill is very sick and
not expected to live, and ] believe Yves
Rhea is going to die Ben Richmond died
this morning" Thus remarked Pres
ident Haddon in mournful tone 10 an
APPEAL reporter yesterday. For a mo-
ment the Tycoon was silent, then resum-
ing he said; at looks like a continuous
procession Of my friends 10 the great UNI
known. Added to these mentioned above,
and others who have recently died here, is
Corcoran."
"Was no friend OF yours9 Did you
know the great philanthropist?" asked the
reporter.
"Maybc lac had more intimate friends,
but none who admired him more | met
him several times mostly in business
way. Our first meeting was when reached
Washington on a junketing expedition in
search OF holders Of old city bonds, whom
we desired should fund for compromise
bonds. l went into his Office, in which
everything was old style but picturesque
and beautiful in the extreme. The office
had but one occupant, a bookkeeper,
gentleman older | believe than Corcoran
himself. This individual was attired in the
old style garb spike tail coat, knee
brooches, shirt with ruified front, shoes
with buckles on them, and around his
neck wore one OF those crushing collars.
But he was business and aflability person
fled.
May see Mr.. Corcoran?' inquired.
Couldn't say, sir; he's not in az pres.
cnt, but will probably 10 here this after
noon. Anything urgentg' inquired the
bookkeeper.
az wish to see him about the funding
of some bonds
""Then suppose you must see him.
"1'hus Il was settled; the hour was ar
ranged. and that afternoon l met Mr..
Corcoran. lie greeted me cordially,
though an entire stranger, and after the
compliments OF the day / made the OBJ
jcct OF my visit known.
Want me TO fund my bonds, eh'' said
Mr.. Corcoran. Yes, l believe | have
some OF your bonds, but can't say how
many without looking at the books. Mr..
-, will you please examine the books
and see how many bonds of the city Of
Memphis | hold2'
"lhe old bookkeeper did as requested,
and reported ten, but said they had been
given to the Louise home, an institution
for destitute old ladies.
| eyes, | remember now, I did give
them TO that institution rs a part OF the
endowment said Mr.. Corcoan, and
what do you think they made me do J
You remember you all defaulted on the
interest, and they made me pay the inter.
est annually. II was part OF the ondow-
ment, you know, and ] was willing to keep
ii up.
at was even So" said Mr.. Haddcn 10
the reporter. "AIr. ICorcoran had paid the
interest on those bonds from 1850 to 1871
or 1872" After studying moment MIR.
Corcoran resumed:
ayes, I'll fund with you mt 30 cents on
The 81. What's your debt down thcrc?'
"Ilctween 50, 500, 900 and S7,0O0,000
"'And the value Of your taxable prop
crty?' -
"About SALOON, 900.
Pretty big debt. But I'll give yot
$50, 900, 600 for your city and take H.
"yon seem 10 know something abou
the city, and didn't believe IN the accu
racy Of the assessment All tho great met
seem TO be departing from this vale o
tears, and am making my peace in anti
cipaiionh