Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-02-08
A GOOD MAN GONE.
Death in Philadelphia of George
w. ChiIds.
The Famous Journalist and PhHanthro.
pist succumbs TO an Attack OF
Paralysis Account Of His
Career and Work.

HI WAS MAN btLVNEDs
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. B. a. w. Childs,
proprietor of the Public Ledger, died
this morning at s:Oi o'clock at his resi-
dence at the southeas st corner of
Twenty-second and Walnut streets
from the effects OF stroke of paralysis
sustained by Kim January IS.
Mr. Childs' last illness began with a
fainting spell which seized him while
he was in his Office in the Ledger
building at o'clock on the afternoon
of Friday, January 10, as he was
putting on his ovcrcoat preparatory to
going 10 his home at Twenty second
and Walnut streets lie was alone at
the time, and when an attendant who
heard him fall reached him he
was totally unconscious. DIR. Da-
costa, his family physician, was hastily
summoned and restoratives were ap-
piled, with the result that in an hour
the patient was able to walk with the
assistance of two strong men to his
carriage. He was conveyed TO his city
home and Mrs Childs, who was at the
country place in Wooton, was sum
moned. DIR. Dacosta called in
Drs. Leidy and Morris and these
three issued statement that Mr.
Childs' illness was nothing more than
an attack Of vertigo, arising from in
digestion, from which he would soon
recover. On the following Sunday
night, however. the physicians reluc-
tantly admitted that paralysis of the
lower limbs accompanied the attack,
which was second attack of apoplexy
George William Childs was born in Balti-
more, Nd, May l2, lea. He was educated az
private schools in his native city, and when "a
years old removed to Philadelphia Soon
afterward he became q clerk in a book store and
after service Of four years Their opened
q small store OF his own in the old Ledger
building at Third aud Chestnut streets. IN due
time he became publisher OF books and at tho
age OF 81 was at the head Of the firm of Childs
Peterson. Even at that early day Mr.. Childs'
ambitions and incinatons were well formed.
lie had decided 10 bo a newspaper publisher,
and IL Is related that soon after he engaged IN
business in the Ledger building he stated
that some day he intended to be the proprietor
Of the paper. But meanwhile he achieved con.
siderable success IN the publishing business
many Of the works issued by Childs 4 Peterson
being Of intrinsic excellence, among them be-
Ing "Dr. Allirone's Dictionary Of English snd
American Authors" Other standard works
we're brought out in profusion
In 1893 Mr. Childs retired from the frm and
the following years Witnessed the consumma-
ton OF his cherished ambiton-he was the
owner Of the Philadelphia Public Ledger.
True, when he acquired control OF the property
the Ledger was unremuneratve; but soon
after his energy, his enterprise and his
determination TO make Il succeed won him
abundant success The Ledger sprang sud.
denly into puthc favor and has continued TO
this day the most profitable newspaper IN
Philadelphia, and. indeed, one OF the best
paying In the United States.
Al his own expense Mr. Childs caused a
stained glass window 10 be placed in West
minister Abbey in commemornuon OF tho
poets. William Cowper and George Herbert
and be also caused o monument to be placed
over the hitherto unmarked grave OF Leigh
Hunt In IScnsai Green. He rendered a similar
service TO lhe memory OF Edgar Allan Poe, and
was the largest subscriber to the fund col.
iected in this country by Gen Wilson
and In England BY Samuel c. Hall for
tho purpose OF placing a memorial window
for The poet Thomas Moore In the church in
Bromham. where Moore and Bessie are in
TERED. In 1865 he gave 10 the Philadelphia
typographical society the printers cemetery,
Woodlands. with a liberal sum. the in ierest on
which Is 10 be expeudel In keeping the grounds
In order
Mr. Childs took an especial interest in the
printers, and nowhere will his dea ID be more
deeply depored than in the composing rooms
II was well that he should provide resting
place for the printer after death, but he did
tetier-,nado provisions for such Of them as
became unequal 70 the struggle for life In
company with the late A. J. Drexel. OF Phila-
delphia, he endowed the Printers home at
Colorado Springs, Col They gave s1O, 900 70
start the fund and the Typographical union
made up the remainder by assessments, pro-
yiding for the maintenance OF the home in like
manner.
The holiday season was the most delightful
portion Of the year 10 him, for IL was then he
had the greatest opportunity for giving. HIS
employees always received Christmas gift OF
from 80 TO 500 IN their pay envelopes Christ
mas week.
Mr. Childs altri buted his success 10 the fact
that lie always attended TO his own business
and never interfered with others He had two
proverbs which were the guiding rules Of his
conduct One was do your best let 90 the
rest" The other was: "What can't be cured
must be endured" Another secret Of his
success was the care he gave his men. Those
who worked honestly ana faithfully for him al
gays received more than their stipulated sal
aries lie alwayu gave them every encourage
ment 10 make them successful He watched
their personal habits T. they were not in
clined TO save no tempted them TO become
ecU.cnical By making good investments
Tor them. so that they were obliged TO save in
order TO carr on the investment As a rule
ln OF the employees Of the Ledger who have
families live in houses OF their own bought
and paid for by Mr.. Childs. who. in return. has
only received back the princip1l advanced.
BE insured the lives OF all the principal men
of his paper and paid the premiums himself
Some Of the leading men in his once have
such insurance upon their lives 10 the amount
of Ooo THIS kind proprietor watched more
carefully after the interests Of those under
him than the average man looks after himself
be paid them all good wages; ne lodged
Them In the most luxurious OF quar-
lers; lie never made an override
nand upon their attention: he insured
heir lives for their families he bought them
homes and established them, and when they
we're broken down with the steady grind OF
heir daily work he sent them on for a yaca-
hon with their families and paid the expenses
II these families as well as their OWE. When
hey became old and broken down in his serV-
co he retired them upon full pay
Mr Childs private once In the Ledger build
ng was little less than a museum. the exhibits
lcing mementos Of the many great men IN lit
iratlre, art statecrafi and war who esteemed
aim as a friend or benefactor IL was a great
blow 20 the owner when IRE destroyed the
Ledger Office and with u most OF these treas