Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-23
HARRISBURG GOSSIP.
The Daily Life of Old Simon Gamer
On's FaVOrite Grandson.
RISE OF A CORPORATION LAWYER.
Survivors Of the Charge Of the Light
Brigade at BalaklaVa.
FORTUNES OF AN OLD TINE ACTOE


CORRESPONDENCE OF THE DIsPATcH.i
HARRISBURG, February 22.-James Nc
Cormick Cameron is the only son Of the
senior United States Senator from Pennsyl-
Van1a. He occupies the elegant residence at
Front and State streets, which commands
fine view of one of the most picturesque and
beautiful stretches of scenery along the Sus-
quehanna river. His housekeeper is his
sister, Miss Mary Cameron, who takes .
great interest in her brothers welfare.
While possessing all the accomplishments
she seems to derive more pleasure from
locking alter young Cameron's comfort here
than in the gaiety OF Washington society.
"Jim," as his more intimate friends cali
him, was graduated from Harvard College
two or three years ago, and after riding all
the way to Harrisburg on horseback, he at
once settled down to the serious business Of
life. There is no foolishness in his make
up, and his quiet demeanor is sometimes
mistaken by those who meet him only occa-
sionallY for taeiturnity; but those who know
him best speak in warm praise OF the young
mans admirable qualities of mind and
heart.
Senator Cameron is largely interested in
the great Mccormick estate, which repre-
sents millions of dollars in iron mills and
other industries. and his son has set about
acquiring practical knowledge of the iron
business. He is identified with the Paxton
mill in this city as assistant manager.
General Cameron during his life mani
tested special fondness for this grandson,
1F ha mn
sense, a quality which the venerable states
man and Diplomat admired above all
others. As an evidence of General Cam
eron's partiality for the boy it may be noted
that he left the old homestead at Donegal to
him. Young Cameron is understood to have
no political ambition whatever. When ten
dered the presidency of one of the leading
Republican clubs last fall he declined with
thanks. In appearance he is rather like his
father, and may be called handsome. He is
about 26 years old, and cares little for So
ciety.
Marlin E. Olmsted, of this city, is re-
garded as one of the most successful cor
poration lawyers in Pennsylvania. He
numbers among his clients such aggrega-
tions of capital as the American Bell Tele-
phone Company, the Lehigh Valley Rail-
road Company, scores Of electric light and
railroad companies and other corporations
with immense financial backing. Yet few
years ago-along about 1S70-he was only
clerk in the Auditor Generals Department
at a moderate salary. and with prospects no
brighter than thousands of other poor
clerks. He Quit the Auditor Generals De-
partment about 1875 and began the study Of
law under Judge Simonton, now on the
bench of Dauphin county. When Judge
Simonton ceased practicing to don the
judicial ermine his partner became heir to
his corporation elientage. To-day Olmsted
is rich man, his wealth being variously
estimated at about $50, 900 to $3.50, 900. He
is unmarried and exceedingly popular.
A little old man, bent under his burden Of
years and sorrows, may be seen upon the
streets of Harrisburg, a basket Of matches
on his arm and a stout cane in his hand,
ekIng out a precarious existence. Mark
Blitz is a match peddler; but was not always
one. His has been career full Of adven-
ture and vicissitude. Born in Amsterdam,
Holland, in 1913, his parents moved to Lon
don when he was years and half old. In
1926 he came to the United States; he be-
came an actor of some distinction and sup
ported the elder Booth. Scott and nearly all
the old actors, appearing in Philadelphia,
Baltimore and Richmond. Blitz was born
an Israelite, but a few years ago he re-
nounced that faith and Joined Lutheran
church in this city. In 1910 he was married
in CITY Point, Va, but his wife died at Rich
mond in 1857 and none of the four children
of this union are now living. At City Point
he entered into the hotel business and con-
tinued it until 1854, when his hostelrie was
destroyed by fire. Previously a steamer on
the Mississippi river on which he was pas
senger sank and he lost package containing
81. 500, barely saving his life by Jumping on
a. bale of cotton and swimming ashore.
After the hotel at City Point was destroyed
he opened one at Petersburg. Va, which
became a popular resort. In 1857 he had ae-
cumulated a fortune OF $40, 900, but the
paEic of that year left him penniless. His
"reminiscences of the stage are particularly
One of the heroes of the tragedy made
famous by Tennyson's "Cnarge of the Light
lives at the corner of Front and
Mulberry streets, in this city, few doors
from the home of the late General Cameron.
His name is James Fletcher. Like most
students of history he could never UNDER
stand why the English brigade was ordered
to make the charge against such fearful
odds. He believes it was nothing short OF
premeditated murder upon the part Of
the commanding officer. He knows Of
but one other survivor in this
country who is said to live in
Allentown. There are less than q dozen
survivors of the famous charge living to-
day. Fletcher is a native of Preston, En-
gland, and while yet in his teens, enlisted
in the Third Battalion, grenadiers, which
was stationed in London and at Windsor
Castle. He not only participated in the charge
at Balaklava, but was also present at the
fall of SebastOpol. With others he received
medals for bravery. At the breaking out
Of our War of the Rebellion he enlisted in
the navy, and served one year on the Ber-
muda. Later he enlisted in Colonel Stew
arts regiment, the Thirteenth Pennsylvania
Volunteer Cavalry, and served with great
credit to the close of the war. During all
his service as soldier Fletcher was not
once seriously wounded. At Alma small
piece Of she'll made a flesh wound in the
right leg, and this is the only scar he carries.
he was 63 years old, and is stin a compara-
lively vigorous man. He was never married.
He may be found every day running ma
chine at the Chesapeake Nail Works.
Another Crimean soldier who fought under
he English flag, and subsequently, beneath
he STAYS and Strinea in this eounfry is Col