Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-03-06
LEONARD JEROME.
interesting Facts About the Late
New Yorker.
LAVISH GENEROSITY OF THE MAN,

ever Ready to Give and Give by the 3d.
OOO-His Contributions for the Purpose
of Carrying on the War How He
Helped Young Friend to Health
Trip to Europe-His Sporting Record
On Guard in 1868.
NEW YORK, March 6.-Leonard Jerome.
who died in England Tuesday, was man
those name is known and loved in this
,ity. He was the father of Lady Church
Il Lord Randy's" wife, and had spent
much time in England during late years.
Amorning paper gives the following ex-
,osition of his character and incidents of
Ms life: He spent money as freely as ne
made it and never was happier than when
contributing to the welfare and anluse-
uent of others. No matter how busy be.
night be, he had always time to talk of
acing, yachting, and sport OF an other
Kind. During the civil war he generally
~as the first man approached with sub
,cription paper, for he put down lars Q
mm by way of example.
He Was Loyal and Generous.
All the expenses of the first great I'm
on meeting at the Academy of Music were
,aid by Mr.. Jerome, and his checks for
10000 each were not uncommon gifts 10
.he Uni Il defense committee, of which
le was treasurer. He never allowed tn.
yeasury TO be empty, no matter low
creat the demands. He founded and con-
.ributed literally to the fund for the ben.
fit of sufferers by the anti-draft riots OF
,S,a, and when private enterprise started
o build a vessel to find and sink the Ala
)ama, Mr.. Jerome subscribed $50, 900. His
,riyate benevClences were not made kn own
When Mr.. jerome could help it, but their
aggregate was enormous
Delighted to Help His Fellow Man.
He seemed delighted with an opportu-
iity TO help deserving cause or person.
Any half-decent fellow who failed in Wall
,treet could borrow enough from Mr.. Je-
'ome to start anew. Always surrounded
9y a crowd OF business or social acquaint-
'nces, and seeming engrossed in affairs of
amusement, ne succeeded in observing all
rs acquaintances closely, learning when
iay OF them were in trouble and rushink
% them with open hands and sympathetic
heart Here Is case in illustration: Y
Inc young fellow who had more energy
shan money was working himself to
!eath, and MIR. jerome urged him to give
2p business for few weeks and run over
Europe with his wife for a rest.
Cleared So, 900 for Him.
Can't 90 it: haven't money enou gh, {"
was tue reply How much have your"
About =, 500, and I'm not going to clean
myself out. Let me have it. I'll send
Tor it As soon as I'm ready, and I'll make
1 turn for you on 500 shares of stock PII
promise you that at worst you shall not
lose anything" THANK You. Done"
Within the week the young man received
statement showing nearly 5000 to his
credit on some stock operations, but his
own check never had been sent for
His Connection with Sport.
1t was IN the larger sports and social
diversions, however, that Mr. Jerome ap-
)eared most prominent Handsome, witty,
eourtly, and with an unfailing stock of
physical and mental vitality, he became
me lie OF whatever company he CHANGED
20 be in. He would stroll into any one of
The several clubs and rouse all the loung-
erS asiquick as Il flash. He dearly loved
good horses and yachts, and spent great
sums OF money on both. Famous old Je-
rome park, with the grand avenue leading
20 1t, would never had existed but for Mr..
Jerome, vino also was foremost In the
work OF organizing the Coney Island
Jockey club, us he had been in the Ameri-
an Jockey club.
Fellows Who "Play the Races"
Although he held in contempt all men
who brought sport down to the level of
cold business by playing the race" for
the sole purpose of making money, he in
sisted that betting should not be placed
under the ban because of those who
abused 1t, and his character and argument
lid much to prevent unfair legislation ut
the time the Ives bill passed. In zach ting
he owned first the Undine, and then, with
Commodore McVickar, the Restless. Still
later he was greatly disappointed with
me steam yacht Clara Craita, which cost
nm about $l25, 600.
A Man of Pluck.
During the riots in 1863 there we're
placed in front of The Times building,
which, after the assault upon The 1'rib-
nue. building, had beeu threatened, two
gatlIng guns, over one of which Je.
come kept watch during a long and ap
prehensive night. His mental arlertn ness
ana his physical pluck in those days
were something startling. During the
last few years ill health so pulled him
Town as to make him a wreck and slad-
2w OF his former self, and to all who
were familiar with the exact conditio n-,
us death was not II matter of surprise.
HAVOC WROUGHT BY A FLYWHEEL.