The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-11-18


all times.
GIRLS WORTH MILLIONS.
-Four Unmarried American Women
who Control Enormous Fortunes.
PufIADELPHfA, Nov 3.-The an
nouncement OF the engagement OF
Miss Louise Bouvier Drexei. niece of
A. J. Drexel, to Mr.. Edward Horrell
OF this city, brings up the subject
of rich unmarried girls, an interesting
subject at any time. Miss Drexel and
her two unmarried sisters are said
to be the three richest unmarried
ladies in the United States. This
statement is open to dispute.
To these three ladies was left for
tune of $l3,000,0Oo by their father. the
late r. A. Drexel. Ii was so invested
as 10 bring each an income approx
mating $500 900 yearly. To Miss Mary
Garrett, daughter Of the late railroad
king, was left SO. 0o0, 900. Miss Garrett
is a money-maker. and has aecumn-
lated fortune since her fathers death,
80 that the combined fortunes of the
Dresel ladies cannot be equal to hers.
IL is undoubtedly true that the
Drexel ladies are the three wealthiest
unmarried sisters in the United States.
The one whose engagement is an
nounced is the youngest of the three.
Mr.. Morrell, the bridegroom elect, is
one of the handsomest young men in
Philadelphia society, but has no for
tune. His father is dead, and his
mother is married the second time to
John G.. johnson, well-known attor-
ner of the city. The family is
well known, and occupies a respected
position in society and business.
Young Mr. MorrelPs mother was
conspicuous American beauty fifteen
years ago, and for several seasons held
sway over society at Newport. She is
still beautiful woman, and although
her age must be above fifty, she has a
face and figure that attract attention
wherever she appears. She is the
daughter OF Col. John Hare Powell,
and the family are well known in So
cial circles in New York, Boston and
elsewhere, as well as in Philadelphia.
The Drexel girls are models OF good
sense, and while they are not known
us accumulators of money, they are
not likely TO waste their great fortunes.
They give great deal to charity. and
each year spend fair portion of their
incomes in doing good to others. The
Francis de Sales Home, erected by
them is their most notable public
charity. This Is one of the finest
orphan homes in this country. 1t
was planned entirely by the ladies
themselves. They studied architects
plans and builders estimates for two
years prior 10 deciding up the extent
and style of the structure. and
in almost every detail of the
great building the plans adopted were
their own. The house stands in the
center OF an apple orchard, and is sur
rounded by $50 acres of land. The site
is beautiful one, and the home will
long endure as a noble monument to
the founder A popularity OF the
building is the large number of win
dows and their unusual size, enabling
the sun to penetrate To the center of
almost every room, and the building
is lighted throughout by electricity
and heated by a system OF steam heat
ing that's almost perfect. The young
ladies take great deal of interest in
the management OF Francis de Sales
Home. and their handsome equipages
are often seen at the institution.
The Drexel ladies are Catholics, but
not so orthodox in their faith as their
father. A clause in his will leaves the
entire estate to Catholic charities in
the event that all his daughters die
without issue. Is is a mooted ques-
ton in Philadelphia whether the other
two sisters will ever marry. They are
devoted 10 charity and the manage
| ment OF their fortunes, and there is a
general opinion that they would re-
gard husband as likely 70 be in the
way. They are all noble girls, and it
10 be queens of kings,
The late Joseph w Drexel, who left
an estate valued at 100000. was an
unC--. Dnc-third of the shares of the
\ Philadelphia Public Ledger were owned
| by him, and, after his death, were
bought by his brother, and George w.
/ Chiids.
II is likely that 10 Miss Mary Gar
rett, daughter OF the founder OF the
| Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and not TO
either of the Misses DreNel. belongs
the distinction of being the richest un-
married lady in America. Miss Gar
rett is probably better business
woman than either of them. She has
| the commercial acumen of her father.
|
| ton In business affairs are much re-
| marked among business men of Balti-
more. where her movements i'm COM
merclal affairs are watched with much
interest. With all this vast wealth at
I her disposal Miss CARROTS chief char
acteFistic is her modesty. which hardly
| seems compatible with the hurry buriv
which the management OF $4,000, 0nl
would entail. Ii Is well understood
/ that Miss Garrett. and no other. man
/ ages her large fortune. Had her
hro,her Robert been as careful a finan-
cier, the baltimore & Ohio road nigh,
still be controlled by the Garrett es-
tate
Miss Garrett had a thorough school
ing IN finance. For several wears prior
to her fathers death she was his trust.
ell assistant in the management OF the
| baltimore & Ohio road, as well as in the
handling % his real estate in Balti-
more and elsewhere. No cne was
ottener consulted Tor important details
/ rogsraiug the business Of the road .han
| Miss Garrett. She had a perfect
| knowledge og the financial status OF
the property, aud had her suggestions
been followed after her fathers death
" j. believed by many business men
that the road woUld never have been
taken ont OF her brothers control.
On several occasions. when the prop
erty became ent4neied. Miss Garrett
advanced enough money 10 help the
road over a crisis. ouce She refused
10 advance loan because vi doubt
IN her own mind regarding a portion
oi the security offered.
IL is said that Miss Garrett. in her
efforts 70 turn an honest penny, relig
loGsly avoids the Spec alatiye ex-
changes, having morbid fear that II
she once got into this whirlpool Gould
might drag her doxa. II Gould ever
gels the advantage of Mary Garrett il
vii have 10 ise in a deal in government
bonds or gilt-eiged real estate.
After she Misses nrexel and Miss
a.nn..nft ...Ae..... NJ ME-. a.n.ai.l ~ =