The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-01-28

alkuSl hA9 llbGS ~ hh1 HNNAAph
Whether in public position or in private
life he always remained central figure
in national affairs.
BIAlNE's LIFE IN WASHINGTON.
For nearly thirty years Mr., Blaine
has been a resident Of Washington.
While he never gave up to his home
and home life in Maine, he also had q
home in Washington. II was only q
few years after coming here as q mem-
Der Of Congress that he bought the
residence S2l Fifteenth street, where he
lived for go many years. This was
about the year 1860, when he was
elected speaker OF the house for the
first time, The house he bought was
one Of row which had just been built
and were regarded at the time as one Of
the chief architectural features OF the
city, Fernando Wood occupied the
house at the corner Of Fifteenth street,
General Vliet and later General Sher-
man were among those who lived In the
other houses, He made his home in
89l Fifteenth street for over ton years
and then having built the fine residence
ITQublllE Hh 4Jupuhg NAkNAui Az aptt4 tAAu
old house and took possession Of the
new ono. The death Of Garfield and
Mr.. Blaine's retirement from public
life caused q change in his plan and he
leased bis Dupont Circle house. He
was absent from the city for several
years, although he spent q portion OF
ono or two winters here and occupied
the house on Fayette Square adjoining
General Beale's residence, which is now
owned by the daughter Of the late
Representative Scott, of Pennsylvania,
Mrs. Scott Townsend,
About the beginning Of this adminis-
tration he purchased his late home
which is on the opposite side Of the
square and is known as the Seward
house. The old place had been unoccu-
pied for some years and was ina dllapi-
dated condition, Mr.. Blaine gave the
house q thorough overhauling aud With.
out destroying the quaint features OF
the old fashioned architecture, he
changed 1t into an elegant home, with
modern equipments and facilities.
BROKEN DOWN ny HARD WORK.
A gentleman, who was intimately ac-
quainted with the ex-senator, said that
in his opinion Mr.. Blaine broke himself
down by incorporate work and irregu-
lar habits OF eating. Mr.. Blaine was a
high pressure worker. Whenever he
became deeply interested in a subject
his ardent nature led him to work be.
yond his strength. He would shut him-
self up in his room, would not allow
himself to be disturbed. and would not
eat, sleep or rest until he had finished
his task. He seemed to have adopted
the motto which the great electrician,
Edison, who works in much the same
way, gave to youth, Don't look at the
clock"
An example of Mr.. Blaine's habit Of
continued, uninterrupted labor was fur
nished in the early part Of the Beting
Sea correspondence. He became in-
tensely absorbed in carrying on this
correspondence with Great Britain, and
would retro to his room, where he vent
to work with law books, diplomatic.cor-
respondence and papers piled high
around him. He would start in after
breakfast and sometimes would work
on steadily without rest or food until
o or 10 O'Clock ut night. Then he would
be too fatigued to eat and the next
morning would make up for II. These
fits OF labor would use him up for
week. He was not ordinarily a large
cater, but was irregular IN eating.
Mr.. BIAINE's WEALTH.
Mr.. Blaine died a rich man, even as
wealth is reckoned in these days. He
was worth close on to Sl,OOo,OOO. II not
more than that amount Itis probable
that il some Of his speculative invest
ments could have been sold out under
advantageous circumstances his wealth
would have included him in any list OF
millioniires. His holdings Of coal lands
were large, and, with the development
OF the country, must greatly increase
in value II kept intact forseyeral years.
Mr.. Blaine, by reason Of his wide
popularity and warm friendships, en-
ioyed opportunities unusual TO the
average public man Of making money.
He was associated with q number Of
men OF wealth in enterprises, and his
sagacity and business foresight kept him
from wasting much money on brilliant
but Elusive speculative projects. He
was interested with Secretary Elkina
years ago in silver mine, out Of which
he made considerable money He
owned real estate in the city Of WASH
ington which would probably sell ander
the hammer for more than q aquarter Of
million OF dollars.
In 1881 when he was living in his old
house, near General Shorman's former
residence, and was building his house
at Dupont circle, Mr.. Blaine told well
known and wealthy Republican with
whom he was talking on the subject Of
their respective riches that he was
worth 100000. His propertyi in this
city has greatly enhanced In value since
that time, and the development OF
West Virginia coal lands In recent years
certainly made Mr.. Blaine o much
richer man. Mr.. Blaine bought his
Dupont circle property, now almost in
the heart OF the fashionable northwest,
when Stewart Castle, which 10 across
the way, was thought to be out in the
suburbs, The grounds and the house
cost him approximately $4,000. Two
or three years ago he sold q number Of
tho lots In tho rear Of his house for
$4,000. Tho house and the remaining
ground Ia valued by competent judges
at sl60.O00 Mr.. Letter, Mr. Blalne's
tenant, originally paid $4,000 o year
ront, which has boef reduced 10 s. 900
In consideration OF Mr.. Loitor making
certain repairs necessary atter tho fire
which came near consuming II.
D..