The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-03-30

In 1881 or 1898 Mr.. Williamson. who wns
satisfied with the fortune be bad accumulated,
retired. He was then worth $4,000 and
was 81 years old, and the richest young mer-
chant in Philadelphia who bad made his
money by his own exertions In those days
he was a social lion. tie had n wide circle Of
acquaintance and had the enirce into Che
select society Of the town He attended The
assemblies. fashionable balls and theatres,
and was quite beau. lie spent money liDcr
ally upon his dress and was not inclined q o.
charitable at that time. lie took a notion
that he would Ike 10 soe the world and took
passage on packet ship for England. He
remained abroad for two years. and visited
the principal countries Of Europe. including
Russia. He returned 70 Philadelphia, in
tending 10 remain about six months and then
90 abroad again. but he got interested IN
some investments He began 10 speculate IN
coal lands in Pennsylvania and in other sold
securities and was yery successful
cELmAcY AND SOLITUDE
In less than ten years after his return from
Europe. the then farmers boy OF Bucks
county was ono Of the four millionaire M
Philadelphia. He became engrossed M money
making entirely, aud withdrew gradually
from the social pleasures which had formerly
been his delight The dead millionaire. Whose
fortune is estimated no from sl2oW,hJ to
$4,000. 900. never married. For many years
he seldom visited his relatives After be had
made a million his life began 10 change and
he-had no time for anything except money
making The days and nights were not long
60 M. "a.
be careless OF his dress. aud bis head became
white with age aud care, and he developed
into a character and became very penuri0us
Whether there was ever a love affair in his
life is not known Until he was 40 years OF
age he sought the society Of women la SD
cial way Ia his Younger years dancing was
a great hobby with him he was one of the
best dancers that ever appeared at Saratoga
where ne went every summer for several
years. He frequently lei the grand march
at the hops at the fashionable hotels H.
learned dancing from the best masters ot
Philadelphia. Before the change came 900 his
life he was never known 10 lose his temper
lie was always anahlo, obliging aud polite,
fond of a good story, good laugh and
good dinner H. never kept house, although
TIC " II NlAf "a Al' AAt'1t Va NtA't II Wv ANi" vi
city dwellings in the tax list lie passed bis
life in boarding houses aud hotels until DE
was assailod with feeLoness. when be went
to board with his niece, Mrs. Doncl.ia.
For many years bee walked wherever be
went 10 save car fare aud hack hire While
he was giving largely 10 charity be was prac-
tcug am economy that in most men would
have been said to have approached moanncss
1t is related Of him that few years ago lac
had a room in an upper story of house on
Chestnut street. above Nineteenth. lie dis
covered that others were paying less money
Tor similar privileges Ito said nothing, but
be packed his trunk and Ike Lar-le.l0w's
Arab, stole silently away. lilo alterWard in
dulged in the luxury of Summor boarding az
Bryn MaWr 4 coach piled between the
railroad station and the hotel Mr. William
son used it tor week Thea a bll was pre-
sented TO him for coach fare at the rate Of
ten cents ride Tho old man glanced at the
bill ia mild surprise lie paid 10 without a
word OF expostulation Tho next day the
driver of the coach bowed ohssqG0us.y and
dung open his door a. soon as the bent form
of his millionaire customer alichtcl from the
train IL was raining at the time. Mr.
Williamson raised his blue cotton umbrella.
from which he was never separated, AMI
without even glance ~ recognition at the
astonished coachman. trudged on up the
muddy road TO the hotel
his coRNs AyD HIS BARRIER
In the memory of the oldest inhab.iant Ir
Williamson never appeared ia uow sui, of
clothes Generations OF bankers on Third
street were accustomed 20 sea htti, thin.
bent. shabbily dressed figure making is way
painfully along the financial thorourhlare
with eyes seeking the ground ami hands be-
hind the back clutchug lAe blue cotton um.
brella
second class tailor, who bad q shop on
ono Of the alleys bsecfing Third street re-
paired and cleaned Mr. Wlham,1ua suit Of
clothes With him the director of a dozen
powerful institutions and the pos>assor at mi
lions Of securities would Maggie for quarter
Of an hour over the charge ol repairing coat
lining
In his later years Mr. Williamson suffered
so much from corns that bee found himself
compelled either 10 give up pedal locomotion
or to submit 70 an operation no the hands Of
a chiropodist. On the recommendation OF
the officers OF the Girard bank ho called Oh
Chiropodist Goldberg, who had an office ou
Chestnut street and submitted 90 the excis-
ION When Goldberg presented hs TIL VIZ.
Williamson paid 10 willingly and remarked.
"You are the only man who over gave mo
tho worth Of my money
Mr. williamson never missed day 40 bis
Office. which was for many years located al
80 Bank street. lie went there rain or shine.
n summer and winter Early leo last year.
when his nfrmities began 70 tell upon hiin,
he was reluctantly compelled % provide him
self with horse and carriage and "a coach
man. he bought plain one horse carriage
and a very tamo horse, and surprised bis ac-
quaintances by placing upon the panels Of the
carriage, It. Y. williamson, private.
For years aud years be was shaved 10
Blanks barber shop, on Elbow lane Barber
Blank, in speaking OF his millionaire Gus
toner, said
"He was generally the last customer Of the
day 10 come in and no matter how hot tho
day might be- he would Insist upon having all
the doors and windows shut tight. believe
he would have even stopped up the Key hole
so great was bis dislike and fear OF adraught
While being shaved NJ. Williamson never
talked. nor did he encourage u IN his barber
He was never guilty during the eight years
that be patroni1ed my shop Of a hair cL-.
His niece, he told me, always cut his hair.
was always sure OF my ten cents tor my
shave, but no more. And be never remcm-
bered me az Christmas, but suppose be never
thought Of IL. One evening about O'Clock
be came into the shop and was moro feeble
than usual / had 10 hang his coat and vest
up for him As placed the vest ON the peg
saw Hat wad Of groenbacks sticking out Of