Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-09-14
SUMMONS OF DEATH
Answered by Fred lanes,
the Millionaire.
"A VERY REMARKABLE MAN
Whose Financial Views Were Always
Sought and Highly Valued.


BOSTON, Sept l4-Frederick Lothrop
Ames died suddenly on board the Fall
River line boat while on his way to New
York. The cause was apoplexy Mr..
Ames was apparently in good spirits and
5oked with Captain Davis and the steward.
He retired to his stateroom soon after
supper. 1t had been his custom to rise at
8 o'clock. As he had not appeared some
time later, Captain Davis became uneasy
and had the stateroom broken into. and
Mr.. Ames was found dead.
Coroner Conway believes that the mill
ionaire was seized with an apoplectic 1T
while In bed and that he rolled out on the
floor. His death struggle must have been
severe, for In his agony Mr.. Ames nearly
bit of bis tongue.
Began Life ut the Bottom.
Frederick Lothrop Ames, capitalist,
railroad builder and director, was the son
Of Oliver Ames, the second to bear that
name, and was born in North Easton.
June 8, 1885. His mother was Sarah
Uothrop) Ames. He received his early
education at Concord, and at Phillips
Exeter academy prepared for Harvard
university, where he was graduated In
1854
His tastes were then inclined to law, buu
In Difference to his fathers desire he went
into business. 1t was his fathers wish
that he begin at the bottom of the ladder,
and he at once became clerk In the great
Ames works at North Easton. From
grade to grade, as the rules of the estab-
lishment required, he advanced, and after
several years he was placed In charge of
the accountants department.
Very early he showed a marked execu-
tive ability, and when. In 1853, he became
a member Of the firm he was an expert
enced business man. Until 1875 the firm
name was Oliver Ames & Sons, but In
that year it was reorganized as Oliver
Ames & Sons corporation, with +. l..
Ames as treasurer, which position he held
u the present time.
Early In his business career Mr.. Ames
had become interested in railroads, and
when young man was q director In the
Union Pacific. the Chicago and North
western, Missouri Pacific and Texas Pa
cific railroads Gradually he diverted his
attention from merchandise to railroads,
and at the time of his death was officially
connected with some 75 railroads and was
conceded to be one of the best informed
branch of enterprise in the country.
Many Of the monetary institutions of
Boston claimed a part of his attention,
and he was identified with many charita-
BILE institutions, to which he gave much
time and money.
A Unitarian In religion, Mr.. Ames at
tended the First church. Boston, and here
lent his strength, both moral and financial.
He also took an active interest In the
affairs of the church at N orth Easton.
He was also a member of the corporation
OF Harvard college. His holdings of real
estate In Boston were very large, and one
of its most notable structures Is the Ames
building at the corner of Washington and
Court streets.
- A Very Rich Man.
The "street" gossiped about Mr.. Ames'
wealth. as 1t always does when q
multi-millionaire dies. The estimates
ranged from Sos 100000 to $50, 900, ,000
Said one of the most careful and expert
enced Of Boston bankers, a prominent
member Of the Stock exchange, mo one
except those who will not talk can tell
what Mr.. Ames was worth when he died"
The sum total Of the real estate on
which Mr.. Ames paid taxes In Boston Is
e6, l00 zoe, and all of this is said to be free
OF encumbrance, except the fremont
House, which had a mortgage when he
bought ii. All this real estate paid taxes
last year of SIS, $40, and nearly all of 1t
returned from to per cent upon the in
vestment.
Strange to say, even as recently as the
year 1875, Frederick L. Ames was not
taxed for a single dollars worth of real
estate in this city. In 1875 his name first
appears on the assessors books. He is
there stated as owning $500 worth of
property, the tax being $69.S
Opinions Had Great Weight.
In the financial world Mr.. Ames was
widely and favorably known. His great
wealth made him a most desirable man
for large corporations to have as friend,
and the extended experience which he
possessed gave his views, as expressed at
financial meetings, unusual weight and
value. The chief characteristics that he
displayed at such meetings were de-
meanor of absolute and unfailing courtesy,
an unusually tenacious memory and q
clear and terse manner of stating his
opinions No matter how heated the dis
cussion might become, Mr.. Ames never
forgot that he was a gentleman, and in
yariably bore himself as one.
his opinions on all matters cOnnecJed
with the finances and administration Of
the various corporations of which he was
a member were eagerly sought. and, In .
large measure, controlled the decisions Of
the different boards. He never spoke at
any great length in support OF his views,
bat seemed content to put them forward
In concise and lucid form and let them,
as It were. do most Of the talking for
themselves.
Cautious In Charity.
Mr.. Ames, while liberal man. was not
lavish. In his expenditures he wished
clearly to see the utility of the object In
which he was embarking. Wherever he
was convinced his means would aid q
worthy end he stood ready to contribute.
He was exceedingly fond Of flowers of
all kinds, and his greenhouses at North
Easton were considered by experts to be
the finest In the state
Mr.. Ames was the foremost cole ctor Of
works Of art In Boston. and his collections
Il paintings. porcelains, jades, crystals,
and objects of art Of all kinds, enjoyed q
celebrity which extended far beyond the
borders OF New England.