Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-24
RICHES HAVE WINGS.
Remarkable Experience Of Two
Women Reared in Luxury.
DISSIPATION OF A GREAT ESTATE.
Terra Gotta Lumber Relied on to Effect
Revolution in Building.
sPRECKELS AFTER THE SUGAR TRUST

The manufacture of terra Gotta lumber in
this city, to which reference was made
short time ago, promises to be complete
success. The material is new here, but well
known in Chicago and other Western cities,
where it has met with great favor. One OF
Booth & Flinn's brick kilns has been recon-
structed for the especial manufacture of this
lumber, and others will be utilized TO keep
up with the demand. 1t is especially valu-
able as backing for brick and stone work
and partitions, being cheaper than lath. Plas-
ter can be applied to it directly, and nails can
be driven through it as easily as through ordin-
ary wood.
Although its merits have been fully tested in
Chicago, it has been suggested, and the sugges-
ton will probably be carried out-that series
of experiments be made with the material here
to satisfy the Pittsburg public that it possesses
all the advantages tor the purposes indicated
that have been claimed for it. For this purpose
it is probable that a stone house will be built
and backed exclusively with the material. 1t
is thought this practical proof of its superiority
over ordinary lumber will give it boom which
nothing could. The company has capital of
100000 all held in Pittsburg, and is confident
the new material will effect something of
revolution in building.
Mutation of fortune is one of the striking char
acteristics of business life in this country, so
much so, indeed, that "rich to-day, poor to-
morrow" has passed into proverb. 1t is well
that there is no royal road to wealth In this
'1and of the free" All men are on an equal
ity in the struggle for material things, and the
race is TO the earnest and the persevering.
The man who understands his business and
prosecutes 1t with tlreless industry turns the
chances Of success in his favor. He possesses
the open sesame to all the riches of earth.
In an East End suburb, OIL Sunday, two
maiden ladies' both on the sunny side of 60,
clad in black, relieved only by knot of white
ribbon at the throat were seen vending their
way to modest building in an out-of-the-way
place in which the Covenanters meet for wor-
ship These ladies, well educated, refined, IA
miliar with the usages of the best society, low
able in character and conduct, and es-
teemed by all who know them for their
good works. have had remarkable
experience. In their girlhood they were
peers to one of the largest fortunes in Alle-
gheny county. Their father owned nearly all
the land comprised in what is now known as
Sterrett township, with large outside posses
sions and interests. Twenty or 80 years ago he
lost heavily by unfortunate einvestmsnts-SS0,0 600
in the Swissvale car works-and suffered still
more from the failure of friends whose notes
be had indorsed for large amounts. Ten or IL
years ago he became involved in litigation with
the city in regard to taxes which cost him
large amounts for lawyers fees and other legal
expenses. He won the suit, but the result left
him almost renniless. He had mortgaged his
land to raise money to defend what be consid-
cred his rights. The mortgages were fore
closed and his vast landed estate passed out of
his possession. He did not even own the house
in which he died few years ago. 1t has since
been demolished.
His two daughters have life interest in two
or three houses, which afford small income,
upon which they subsist At their death these
properties will follow the rest of the vast es-
tate, be sold to strangers. and the family be-
come extinct. What could better illustrate the
truth of the Scriptural declaration-''riches
have wingsn-than this brief story from real
lifeP
A prominent New York drygoods dealer, in
an interview on Saturday, said the business
done by jobbers during the last half year had
been almost phenomenal, and that all indica-
tions pointed to continuance of this highly
satisfactory condition. 1t was no exaggeration,
he thought, to say that the volume of business
was now greater than it had been in some
years Credit was remarkably good, and pay
ments were made with ease. I'VE come in con.
tact with jobbers in every part of the country"
he added. "and feel justified in saying that
not only New York merchants. but those of the
whole country from Portland to Galveston, and
from the Atlantic to the Pacific. are enjoying
their full measure of prosperity. The fall trade
has opened with great deal of liveliness, and
l see no reason why this should not keep on.
Everything is SO very satisfactory that 1 do not
see what one can say except that we are well
These views were corroborated by several
other wholesale dealers, member of the firm
of Clafin & Co. saying: "Our sales this season
have been larger than they have been for five
years. This is not only the case with us. but
with all the big houses in the city. We have
had most satisfactory year in every respect.
1t has been easy to make collections and credit
is good everywhere. There is a growing conf
dence IN every part of the country. The
present prosperity in the trade has not been
equaled in some years."
1t is reported on excellent authority, that
Claus Spreckels has in contemplation the erec-
tion Of another large sugar refinery at New
Orleans, and is in fact negotiating for the pur-
chase of suitable piece of property there, if
indeed, the purchase has not actually been
completed. The erection of a refinery at New
Orleans will give Mr.. Spreckels position from
which it will be impossible to dislodge him.
He will have a fortress in the East, in the
West and in the South, and will be invincbly
situ tod in n ph nP fha
markets of the United States.
He can ship by rail and water in every direc-
ton. 1t is a certainty that he can manufacture
cheaper than the trust, for he has no dead
horse" to carry. There will be two buyers for
Louisiana sugars, and the trade of the South
will be relieved from the trust yoke that it now
groans under in its helplessness, hut about
which it dare not utter aloud its daily impre-
cation.
LOCAL SECURITIES,