The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-02-01

/ went there and admired the place greatly
whereupon Rodiok offered to sell 10 70 him
for 500.
Mr.. Blaine's Wealth.
Mr. Blame died a rich man. even as wealth IL
reckoned in these DAYS. lie was worth close
onto a s., 900 O0l. il not more than that amount.
Il i. probable that, il some Of his speculative
investments could be sold ont under AdvAn-
taGsOus ciro1mstances, be would be in
cluded in the list IF millionsires. HIS holdings
OF coal lands are large and with the develop
ment Of the country must greatly increase IN
value if kept intact for several years. Nj.
Blaine, by reason of his vide popularity and
friendships enjoyed Opportunities unusual 20
the average public man of making money. He
was associated with number of men OF wealth
IN various enterprises, and his ssgacity and
business foresight kept him from wasting
much money on brilliant bat iliusory specula-
tive projects. He Interested with Secre.
tary Eik'ns years ago 10 q silver mine. Qua OF
which he made considerable money. AT the
time OF his dsaih he owned real estate in the
city of Washington which would probab y sell
under the hammer for more than a quarter or
q million of dollars.
In 1851. when he was living in his old house
near Gen. Sherman's former residence and was
building his house on Dupont circle. he told
well-knoUn and wealthy publican, with whom
he was talking on the subject Of their respect
i've riches, that he was worth $4,000. His
property in this city has greatly enhanced
Virginia coal lands In recent years certainly
made Mr. Blaine richer man on this class Of
property. Mr.. Blaine bought his Dupont circle
property, now almost In the heart OF the fash
iOnsble northwest, when Stewart castle, which
is across the way, was thought TO be in the
suburbs. The grounds and the house cost him
approximately $4,000 Two or three years
ago ne sold a number OF the lots IN the rear OF
HE house for 81 ,00J. The house and the re-
naming ground Is valued by competent
judges at $4,000. Mr.. Leitey, Mr.. Blaine's
tenant originally paid $4,000 year.
which has been reduced 10 5000 in considera-
ton OF Mr.. Letter making certain repairs neces-
sary alter tns tire which came near consuming
IT The house Lafayette square he at first
rented for three year, with al option OF pur-
chasing It for sos, coo. He took aivantage of
the option and bought the pr, p-rty after six
months residence. lie also owned some val
usble ground on psf aud considerable area
of ground OF less well-esta0 .ished but increas-
lug va ne on what is known Meridian Hill.
This property is Just beyond the old city limits
aud Ov rlOOks the town Mr.. Blaine bought 10
very cheap. paying Ia the neghDorhoOd OF 10
cents q foot. boom in 10 few years ago
makes IL saleable now az from 80 cents 70 al
per square foot and some of the choicest lots
are held at Sl.50. Mr.. Blaine also owned resi-
denoe property In Augusta and Bar HarboT.
HIS holdings Of West Virginia and Pennsyl-
+ vAuis coal lands are considerable. He was as
ISOLATED with Mr. c. p. hustington and PreGi-
dent ingalls, OF the Chesapeake a Ohio rail-
.
! OF that road. he was so one OF the directors
in the West Virginia Central railroad CON-
pAny, Ia which ex-senator Davis. Secretary
Elklns, ex-Secretary Btyarf and others are inter
esled. Tbs road taps coal and timber lands
which Mr.. Blaine bought years ago very
chespiy and which have become valuable
through the railroad connections orded them.
! lie also possessed stocks aud bonds, including
bank stocks, but the Approximate vR.ue Of
/ which cannot be stated.
Mr.. Blaine's Religion.
The visit Of Cardinal Gibbons TO Mr.. Blaine's
house during his illness aud the known fact
that members Of his family inclined to catho-
licsm caused many persons 10 think that Mr..
Blaine, who. il has been repeatedly stated with
out contradiction, was baptsed as child into
the catholic church, desired 10 re-enteT that
church on his death bed Until the presby-
terian Church OF the Covenant built of
which President Harrison Is q member, Mr..
Blaine has been In the habit OF attending the
First congregational church. situated the
corner OF Tenth and G-sts., near the business
section OF the city. lie gave 5000 toward the
building OF the Church OF the Covenant and
when II was ready for occupancy he rented
pew there.
Mr.. Baine's last appearance in q public ca
paoity at the capitol made before the CON-
merCe committee OF the senate during the last
session. His powers Of mind and body had
been failing then, and the fact had been
/ marked by some OF he friends. but this
easion be seemed 70 feel the LIE and IRE OF
youth, and his address vas characterized By
+ clearness OF thought penetration, energy aud
VigOr of the Blaine OF old. The subject before
the committee was q bill 90 grant French
company authority to lay a cable from the
United States 20 San Domingo. The govern
ment of Brazil had given this company
the monopoly OF the right to lay a cable
through Brazilian territory to the West Indies.
where it was TO connect with a lie from
- nNna.Hr
cond ton that the cable company should secure
cable connections with the United States Bra
al beng anxious 10 have direct communica-
ton with this country. La order 20 comply
With this condition new and auxiliary cOrpo-
ration to the original French company WAS or
gRnized. IL came TO the government of the
United States for permission 70 lay
cable from Charleston or Port Royal
to San Domingo. where IL &c
connect with the cable from Brazil. Mr..
Blaine, a. secretary OF state, declined IN the
name OF the president 70 grant the privilege
requested unless the company would agree to
wave Its monopoly rights IN Brazil in favor OF
any American company which might wish 10
lay cable. The company claimed that Il was
impossible TO agree 70 suoh thing; that II
only wanted 10 lay cable 90 San Domingo and
had no control over the other companies whOse
line 10 Brazil. Mr.. Blaine considered this
20 be q subterfuge and insisted that no cable
should be aid until the Brazilian government
should grant to sny cable company the
same rights as were accorded the French com
pany. An attempt was then made TO get from
congress what Mr.. Blaine had denied and .
bill granting the necessary permission 90 lay
cable in the territory Of the United States was
introduced. When the bill came up for
hearing before the committee on copmerce, of
which Senator Frye Is chsirman, Mr.. JED
Chandler appesTed in behalf OF the company.
Mr.. Blaine replied. aud astouished the commit
tee by the animation he displayed. lie carried
his point, and by a unanimous vote the com
mIttee coincided with the position taken by
Mr. Blaine.