The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-03-08
OHIoAGo's CATTLE KING.
Phil Armour the Millionaire, Philan-
thropist and Merchant.
From the Neio York Star.

FROM the Aeto YORK Star.
Phil Armour, the great cattle king of
Chicago, is familiar figure in Wall street
and on some of our exchanges, but there is
little about him personally to indicate that
he is at the head of some of the largest
enterprises connected with the products Of
beef and pork in the United States. That
he possesses a large fortune goes without
saying; that he dlspenses a considerable
share of his income where it will do the
most good, and with a generosity that is
royal, is fact not generally known outside
of the "Garden City"
A gentleman who recently visited his res
idence spoke of it as "a poem in color and
TEXTURE and the abiding place of all the
graces that make domestic life beautiful.
He described Mr.. Armour as possessing a
dual character-that which he exhibits to his
Intimate friends and family, and the sterner
side which he turns outward when he enters
the bus ness world.
His life in the latter is systematically be-
gun every morning at o'clock. Bye or 10
o'clock his vast correspondence is over
looked, briefed and transferred to his little
army of stenographers and typewriters.
Then begin the current duties of the day,
the name Of which is legion, for his hand is
shown in great variety of enterprises. To
the honor OF the man it must be said that
many of the latter are unselfish in their
nature, and are more apt to concern some
private charity conducted on business-ike
scale than any mere personal benefit to
himself. 1t Is because he is minute"
man in business details that he finds time
amid the ordinary routine of his office to
dispense the good that has made his name
famous in all charitable circles.
; Speaking Of Mr.. Armour's charities.
friend of his recently said: "Among the
larger benefactions that occupy his atten-
ton is what is called the Armour mission
a memorial to dead brother. Under the
roof of this institution are to be found an
industrial school, kindergarten, chapel,
reading and reception rooms and a dispen-
sary, from which the poor are furnished
medicines and the attendance of the best
physicians free of charge"
Surrounding the mission proper is
block of houses, the rental of which is do
mated to the institution, thus making it sci
supporting. Other blocks of buildings he
rents at nominal figures to those who are
deserving but cannot afford to pay the high
rents Of Chicago A salaried physician is
also employed to investigate the wants of
the poor, and authority is given him to
draw upon Mr.. Armour for the amount re-
quired to relieve their necessities. He often
goes in person to see that the sum called for
is sufficient to meet the demands of the
case.
On his way to church, not long ago, he
met poor woman leading by the hand
little boy, whose eyes appeared to be
affected. The sight touched his sympa-
thetic nature, and, stopping the woman, he
inquired where she was going.
ITO church" was her reply, with some
surprise at being thus accosted by
stranger.
Handing one OF his cards to her he said;
u want you to come around to that ad-
dress after church; something must be done
for that boys eyes"
Mr.. Armour went his way, but the woman
stood in blank astonishment, looking first at
the card and then at the rapidly disappear
ing stranger. After the service, she re-
paired TO the millionaire's home as directed,
where she was kindly received and ques-
toned in regard to herself and the boy.
"You must take that boy to New York
for treatment, my good woman" said the
big-hearted man after listening to her story.
why, that is out of the question, sir; l
can't afford it," was the reply.
whether you can or not, / tell you that
you must go to New York and have that
child's eyes attended to at once; I'll see to
the rest. Here is the money for your fare
TO and from that city; let me know what
your expenses are on reaching New York,
and will see that they are paid"
The grateful mother attempted to utter
her thanks through her tears, but the bluff
merchant waved her off. exclaiming:
Come, now, none o. that; wait till the
boys cured.n
Such is one of many similar acts that &C.
cur in the busy life of this thoughtful man,
and 1t illustrates phase of character that
will sometime deserve the epitaph: "He
hath done what he could.n
f. G. DEFONTAINE.