Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1889-08-31
STEPHEN eIRARD.
How The Philadelphia Phlianthropist Dis
posed of His Vast Wealth.


posed of His Vast Wealth.
One morning in May, 1776, the boom
of cannon startled the inhabitants of
the vicinity of Delaware Bay. and
looking seward a merchant ship was
discovered hove to, instead of tho
dreaded feet 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 L'Aimable
Louise, commandedby Captain Stephen
Girard, bound from New Orleans to
New York. The captain had lost his
way in the fog, and had fired gun for
pilot. He was informed that war
was declared between Great Britain
and the colonies and that if he con-
tinued his voyage to New York he
would undoubtedly be captured and
loose his ship and cargo. He was ad-
vised to bring his ship into Philadel-
phia, which he did; and to days
dense fog this country is indebted for
the greatest and noblest charity of
modern times-the famous Girard Col
lege.
Stephen Grad was born near Bor-
deaux, France, May 20, 1850. When
about fourteen years Of age he in.
Cured the displeasure Of his father by
a rude remark. made to his step
mother, and rather than apologize he
said that he would leave his home.
His father purchased for him q part
interest in a ship and cargo, and his
first voyage to sea was as cabin boy
and part owner. When small child
he lost the sight of his right eye while
playing near a bonfire, and his BIZ
Ographers are of the opinion that this
deformity was the cause of the morose-
ness of his character, tand caused him
to keep much to himself. With such
assiduity did he pursue his chosen pr %
fession that he became master of a
ship when he was twenty-three years
of age, before the French requisition
of age and service allowed. His first
mercantile venture was to San Domingo
in February, IVA whence he proceed
ed in July to the then colony of New
York. After trading for three years be-
tween New York, New Orleans and Port.
au-Prince, he went to Philadelphia in
May, 1776, and gave up the sea
for mercantile career While
he was engaged most success
fully in the prosecution of an extensive
trade the yellow-fever in its most ma
lignant type broke out in Philadelphia,
sweeping away one-sixth of its popula.
ton. When during its height hos.
pital was established, for which il
seemed almost impossible to secure
competent management, Girard deVot-
ed himself personally, fearless of al
risks, to the care Of the sick and tn,
burial Of the dead not only in the hos
pital, of which he became manager
but throughout the city, supplying tn,
poorer sufferers with money and pro
visions. Two hundred children, mad
orphans by the ravages of the fever
were in great measure thrown upol
his care. On the dissolution of tn
Bank of the United States he institutes
what is known now as the Girard Bank
During the war Of 1912 he rendere,
valuable service to the Government b.
placing at its disposal the resources @
his bank at time of difficulty and EN-
barrassment, subscribing to larg
loan which the Government had vainl
sought to obtain. He was married i
1777 to Miss Mary Lum at ST. Paul
Episcopal Church in Philadelphia II
died December 20, 1881, aged eighty
one years. He was buried in tn
ground of the Roman Catholic Church
corner OF Sixth and Spruce streets, d.
cember so, 1881, and the 30th of Sci
TENDER, 1851, his body was removed
the college and placed in the marbl
sarcophagus prepared for it.
After busy life, which had been d,
voted mainly to the amelioration of I'll
sorrows of the distressed; and havin
given to his surviving relatives near
100000 to hospitals, insane asylum
and charitable institutions upward
$120,000; to the city Of Philadelph
100000, to be expended in sanital
purposes and improvements; to IL
State of Pennsylvania $500, 900 for h,
canals, he left the remainder of h
property, worth about $4,000, 900, f
the erection and endowment of Il
noble college for orphans which bea
his name. Chicago Tribune.
Delicately Tinted Gloves.