Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1889-07-16
STEPHEN eIRARo.
now tho Philadelphia Phiianthropist Dis
nosed of Ills Vast Wealth.

now tho PHILADELPHIA Phiianthroplst Dis
posed of MS Vast Wealth.
Ono morning in May. 1776. the boom
OF cannon startled the inhabitants Of
the vicinity of Delaware Bay. and
looking seward merchant ship was
discovered hove to, instead OF tho
dreaded fleet of Admiral Howe, who,
by command OF His Royal Majesty
King George ILL.,. was then blockading
the rebelious coast She proved to be
the French merchantmen LAimable
Louise. commandedby Captain Stephen
Girard, bound from New Orleans 10
New York. The captain had lost his
way In the fog. and had fired a gun Tor
a pilot He was informed that war
was declared between Great Britain
md tho colonies and that II he con-
tinued his voyage to New York no
would undoubtedly DO captured and
loose his ship and cargo. Ho was ad-
vlsed to bring his ship into Philadel-
phia which he did; and TO day 3
dense fog this country Is indebted for
the greatest and noblest charity OF
modern times-the famous Glrard Col
lege.
Stephen Girnd was born near Bor-
deaux. France. May 20. 1850. When
about fourteen years OF age no in
Cured the displeasure of his father by
q rude remark made to his step
mother and rather than apologize no
said that he would leave his home
His father purchased for him u part
interest in a ship and cargo. and his
first voyage TO sea was as cabin boy
and part owner. When n small child
he lost the sight OF his right eye while
playing near n bonfire. and his BIZ
ographers are Of the opinion that this
deformity was the cause OF the morose-
ness OF his character. and caused him
TO keep much 10 himself. With such
assiduity did no pursue his chosen pro-
fession that he became master OF
ship when he was twenty-three years
OF ago. before the French requisition
OF age and service allowed. His first
mercantile venture was to San Domingo
In February. l774. whence he proceed
cd In July TO the then colony OF New
York. After trading for three years boz
tween New York, New Orleans and Port
he went 10 Philadelphia In
May. l776. and gave up the sea
for mercantile career. While
no was engaged most SUCCESS
fully In the prosecution OF an extensive
trade tho yellow-feper In its most ma
lignant type broke out in Philadelphia.
sweeping away one-sixth OF It's popula-
ton. When during Its height hos
pitai was established, for which IL
seemed almost impossible to secure
management, Girard devot-
ed himself personally. fearless of all
risks, TO tho care OF the sick and the
burial OF the dead not only In the hos
pital. OF which he became manager.
but throughout the city. supplying the
poorer sufferers with money and pro-
visions Two hundred children, made
orphans by the Nvages OF the fever.
were In q great measure thrown upon
his care. On the dissolution OF tho
Bank OF tic United States he instituted
what Is known now as the Girard Bank.
During the war OF 1912 no rendered
valuable service TO the Government by
placing at its disposal the resources OF
his bank at time OF difficulty and en-
subscribing to a largo
loan which the Government had vainly
sought TO obtain. He was married In
l777 to Miss Mary Lum at St Paul's
Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. He
died December 90. 1891. aged eighty
ono years. He was buried in the
ground OF the Roman Catholic Church.
corner of Sixth and Spruce streets. De-
cemher 80, 1891. aid the 30th OF Sep
TENDER. 1851. his body was removed to
tho college and placed In the marble
sarcophagus prepared for It
After busy hie. which had boon de-
voted mainly TO the Rmelioration OF the
sorrows Of the distressed; and having
given to his surviving relatives nearly
800. 900; to hospitals, insane asylums.
and charitable institutions upward OF
1920, 900; to the city Of Philadelphia
$500. 200, to be expended in sanitary
purposes and improvements; to tho
State of Pennsylvania $500, 900 for her
canals. no left the remainder OF his
property, worth about Sc, 900. 900. for
the erection and endowment OF the
noble college for orphans which bears
his name.-Chicago Tribune.