Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-02-26
SIRE SOWED FOR son.
TWO MEN WHO FOUNDED ARIS-
TOCRATIC FAMILIES.
How Old George Law Toiled to Beneht His
Descendants and John Jacob Astor
Lived in . Howell aad Gave
Others . Palace.

OF the country. He YVES magnlhcent
specimen Of mankind, utterly without
early advantages, dependent literally
and absolutely upon his own head ana
hands. His life has been told thou
sand times as text for the youth OF
the world. says New York letter
writer in the Chicago Herald. and an
incentive to poverty-stricSen boys
who begin life far beneath the lowest
round of the ladder. He died good
many years ago. but when l was quite
a boy it was my privilege TO see him a
number of times. and to admire him
very much. Relatives OF mine were
connected with the early steamship
lines between this city and San Fran"
cisco, by tho way OF Chagres ana
and Panama. and Saturday afternoons
when we had no school, used 10 60
down town to the steamship office, ana
frequently had occasion to go with
clerks and others TO George Laws
office. Law was very bluff, outspoken,
autocratic. 1t was necessary IN
his business that he should have those
qualities which in private life are not
desirable, and yet he was very kind IN
his bearing and speech to clerks and
young people. The steamships often
brought bananas and oranges from
Chagres and Havana On one occa-
sion l went to Mr.. Laws office on
some errand and found him in a tow
| ering passion. He was walking up
| and down his room in great rage.
His huge head was rs red as beet
and the hair, which curled over the
scalp. seemed fairly to hustle with the
electricity of indignation. l never
shall forget his taking turn at the
end of the room, where, on a table,
were two or three punches OF bananas.
one of which he grasped in his hand
and swung high in the air, as one
might swing club. and sling it across
the room, knocking over two chairs
and moving heavy table at least four
feet from its position.
His early life was spent in earnest
industry, marred only by his fizzle in
the realm OF politics; and his latest
life was devoted to vast enterprises
many OF which were successful, and all
of which were based on true regard
for the advancement OF industries and
the proper outworking Of the energies
of this great country to whose prosper
ity he was as devoted as it is possible
for the most affectionate child to be tc
that OF his parent.
The original George Law would as
soon have thought of painting his trous
ers red, white and blue and climbing &
pole in the center Of City Hall park al
to drive through Broadway in the
crowded hours OF the day in an equi
page such as his son was in yesterday
Not that the old gentleman didn'
know what good horse was; not tina
!, he didn't live very different existence
: in the latter dayo OF his life from tina
OF his years OF struggle and poverty
but he was in no sense fond OF thu
glitter and sheen of metropolitan show
There probably never was poorer
amore ignorant man than the origina
John Jocob Astor. His early strug
i giles in this city. although not familia
to the general public. are suggestivel
known to the intelligent reader II
began in the humblest possible way
u not as a laborer. not as a clerk, nc
. even as q book canvasser, but as
) peddler. going from house to hous
with knicknacks OF various nature
= His admirable system OF saving an
" investing in real estate. as soon as
got anything TO invest. when land wa
had for almost nothing, made him.
. the course OF half century or so.
y very rich man, so far as land was col
cerned. although he didn't handle yer
- much absolute money himself. tn
II habit OF his mind led him to kee
d everything he got.
IS The original John Jacob Aston ma
have had. at some time or another
carriage, but l never heard that l
did. II would have been contrary
ar the habit of his life to spend doll,
az for personal comfort or ease. while
cent devoted to the procurement
ve any kind OF luxury would have been
SO waste so grievous as to cause tears
bitter regret to fall down his bronz.
Of cheek Now, mind you, the late Jol
re Jacob Aston was = very nice ma
or There was nothing special about hil
one way or another. except his wealt
ly I don't mean to say that no led In 81
ed sense 4 shoddy life. On the contrar
K his entire course was that Of plat
practical methodical man OF busine!
ed The contrast nevertheless. betwe
ID tho late John Jacob Aston and the Jo
nd Jacob Aston who peddled knickknac
about Beaver, Wall and Will;
cd streets is so tremendous that no me
"A. word Da,ntipu cOuld presumo IN ~