Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-11-25
BELMONT DEAD.
The Great New York Banker
Called Hence.
rAors FROM HIS LIFE HISTORY.

FACTS FROM HIS LIFE HISTORY.
A Nan Whose Character Had Many sides
aud All of Them square-ffis Brave
Defiance of Isuiiy Who Spoke Insult
ingiy OF Woaan-An Art Patron Of
Discrimination aud Taste and Turf
man Whose Honor Was Above suspi-
cion.
new YORK. Nov 25-1he death OF
August Belmont at a m. yesterday at
his home in this city ended the career OF
one of the mos. extensive bankers in the
world. He took a severe cold at the
horse show last week, which developed
into pneumonia and rapidly Slapped the
| foundations of his life. He was born in
Alley. Germany, in 1916. and came to this
country in 1881 as the agent of the Roths-
childs He had been United States con-
sui and minister resident at The Hague
and received the thanks of the govern
ment for his services in those positions.
He was banker, politician, and art
| patron. aud an able man in each connec-
ton. His banking house is one of the
| first in the world.
Brave and ChivaIrous Gentleman.
| Above all, Mr.. Belmont was gentle
| man in its high Significance An incl
dent which resulted in his permanent
lameness will prove the above settlement
Early in the '40s he and n party OF young
men occupied box at a theatre in Wash
ington City. Directly across the proscen-
ium In another box was bevy of beauti-
ful ladies. The young men had COM
Elented on the remarkable grace and
beauty OF one OF the young ladies, then
unknown to them even by name They
| were still dilating on her grace when they
| passed out of the box A southern Sire
eater" overheard their remarks, and made
a comment which reflected brutally upon
the whole sex. Those were the days OF
chivalry, and the young banker. though
much smaller than the southerner, holly
resented the comments
Scathing Rebuke of n Black guard.
Facing the Southerner. who was noted as
a bully and dead shot. young Belmont
| said in deliberate tones:
"The dog who would utter such SEN
timent insults the memory of his own
mother, and is unfit for the company of
decent men, The fire-eater turned livid
with rage and replied:
you shall hear from me"
Duelin9 was in fashion in those days,
aud Belmont was challenged. William
Hayward was Belmont's opponent, and
on the first fire he put bullet into Bel
mont's hip.
Made Him Hero of the Hour.
The wound famed Belmont for life. hut
II made him the hero of the hour He
married. at the age of IS. the daughter Of
Commodore Matthew Perry, every male
member OF which family has served with
distinction in the navy. After the wed.
ding the young couple took up their res
idence in New York Mr. Belmont's
mansion is at Ic9 Fifth avenue, and with
its artistic possessions is valued ut 81 600.
600. His annual income from the stocks,
bonds and government securities owned
by him is said to be over 500. Oo0 MIR
Belmont leaves three sOns-August. Jr..
Perry and Oliver.
A Man OF Many characteristics.
Mr.. Belmont WAS n many sided man
As an independent banker and as the
American agent of the Rothschilds. he
occupied foremost place in tn,
world OF finance. As Democrat
he stood for years h Oh in the councils OF
his party, and until 1872 occupied the
chairmsuship OF the national Democratic
committee. As an owner of fast horses
and patron OF the turf his name has be-
come widely known. Before he WAS Il
years of age he WAS leader in New York
society. aud u is only within few year,
that he and his family have given ur
that large interest in social affairs which
once characterized them Ia the world
of art also Mr. Belmont was prominent
figure. He owned a collection that is con
sidered one OF the finest in the country.
His Love for Good Horses
As boy on his fathers farm, he hat
acquired love for outdoor sports Thi
passion remained with him through al
his years of social and political activity
but it was not until about the time tina
Jerome park was established that he be
came identified with the American turf
Mr.. Belmont became president of tn,
Jockey club, and at the close of the yer,
first season of his presidency was the an
tocrat of the organization. He retired il
1881 from ACTIVE participation in racins
affairs, but eventually came back stronge
than ever. Mr.. Belmont took particula,
pride in breeding his own horses and b,
was known Ms man who would rattle
win common purse race with colt @
his own raising than stake worth thou
sands with a horse he had purchased. Hi
colors were maroon and scarlet and M
spot OF dishonor has ever marked them.
Fine Art Collector.
When Mr.. Belmont was in Naples n,
gave much time to the study of art apC
as soon as he acquired sufficient capita
he began collecting paintings and statu
airy. When he went to The Hague a
minister he became acquainted with tn
Flemish and French schools, and grew q
be even more enthusiastic collector thar
he had ever been before. He bought will
great liberaiity and taste His Who'll
house is a museum and in the rear of hi
mansion, where he had erected a larg
gallery, he placed most of his picture
and treasures OF art What he brough
together constitutes one of the finest an,
most valuable collections in the country
1t is not confined to any single class OF
paintings. but contains examples O
knRus. Meissonier, Rosa Bonheur, Troyou
Galoit, Bouguereau. Vibert, Munckaczy
Meyer, Brion. and Madrazo.
His Personal Appearance.
MIR. Belmont was a man of middle stat
ure, we'll built, with small hands ant
feet, with side whiskers that had turned
gray, and finely shaped, partly bal,
head His features were regular, and hi,
complexion quite fresh for man of hi
years His eyes sparkled. and in genera
he was the picture of a healthy old gentle
man. Years ago he rode on horse back
great deal, and often stayed out in tn,
field ten or twelve houis shooting. II
was great lover of whist, and freQentl,
sat up at the Manhattan clrb until or
in the morning playing tbs game HI
also went often to the knickeroocker anC
Union clubs. Those late hours. however
did not prevent his rising promptly ut
III the morning
The Long Fast of Hog.
GOSHEN, Ind, Nov. 25-Willinm Long
| who lives near Athens thrrshad whaa