The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-01-21
"Hetty" Green, the Richest
Woman in New York.
Her Successful Career as a Wall
Street Operator.
Mrs. Green was . New York Society
BelIe-The Story OF Her Mar
rIsge--A Doctors Ex-
perienoes

ness and eccentricity form never failing
themes for the brokers in Wall street in
their odd moments. Born Harriet H.
Robinson, she claims New Bedford as
her birthplace. Her father, Edward
Morton Robinson, is said by the New
York Herald to have been a keen-wit-
ted and frugal Quaker, whose inherit
ance from long line OF hardy and
prosperous New England ascestors in
cluded habits of close and pinching
economy and strong and abiding love
of money.
As she approached maturity her win
ters as a rule were spent in New York,
and there are many gray-haired beaux
who remember her as buxom and
beautiful society belle, in whose wake
| followed train of eager suitors.
During these visits to the me-
ing house on Twenty-second street,
to the inmates of which she gave fire.
ouent and Halutary proofs of her econ
omy and fruQality. Her dresses were
plain and simple, and often out of date.
She had no regard for young men who
wasted their substance on flowers and
gorgeous raiment; and rather than pay
cab hire to go to a party she would pull
pair of heavy stockings over her stout
shoes and gayly tramp it through the
snow, pulling the stockings off when she
got there and spreading them on the hat
rack to dry. But she was chaperoned
by the Grinnell family, with whom she
was connected on her mothers side, q
fact which meant much in those days,
and gave her admission into the most
exclusive circles. She attended nearly
all the balls, parties and concerts in
which swelldom was interested, and was
much sought after. A tall and prepos-
seesing blonde, she was noted for her
animal spirits and her brilliancy in con-
verHation. The uncle of Fred Gebhard
is one of those whose. hand she refused
at that time, and he is said to have had
plenty of company.
Mrs. Green's career aH belle ended
about the time the war began, and there
after her habits and mode of living as
closely resembled those of her father as
age and sex would permit. Gradually
the love of gain become the absorbing
passion of her life, and all her thought
and energy were devoted to increasing
the fortune which came to her by the
death of her father toward the close OF
the war.
Miss Robinson did not marry until
she was nearly 30, and when she did her
marriage was arranged on a purely
business basis. The lucky man was
Edward A. Green. He had once been
q poor boy in Bellows Falls, VT, but
had sought and found a fortune at
Manila, the capital of the PHILIPPINE
islands. He was II years resident OF
Manila, and as an exporter acquired
during that time fortune of over a
million. He was only few years the
senior of Miss Robinson, and when in
the early ZOOS. he located in New York
and in due time became sutton for her
hand he was a strikingly handsome
man. But he had other than purely
| physical charms to commend him to
the maiden of many millions. There is
an ancient legend to the effect that on
certain st. Valentines day Mr.. Green
bought a valentine to send to his sweet
heart, but by one of those mistakes that
sometimes happen addressed and sent
her the wrong envelope-one that con-
tanned instead of valentine receipted
bill for a cheap suit of clothes. The
mistake proved lucky one. Miss Rob-
inson was delighted with this mad
omy in expenditure and promptness in
payment; thereafter he WAS encouraged
| in his wooing, and in due time they
married. But before this event occur
an antenuptial agreement ives duly
signed and sealed. By this contract Mr..
| Green agreed that his wife'5 fortune
should not be liable for his debts and
obligations, or for any OF their joint ex-
Oanaaa IN 0thar Warda ho oorood IN
support his wife as though she were
without means of her own, and to make
due and proper provision for any
children that might result from the
marriage. And this contract Mrs.
Green has always enforced to the letter.
Her husband is an acute and level
headed financier, but Mrs. Green proved
herself the better man of the two. 1t is
generally believed that her fortune had
increased from 5000, 900 to $40, 900, 900
before she was married, and the sum
last named, by accumulationE and cue.
cesHful operations, che has since more
than doubled. For many years John ].
Cisco was her banker, and whom he
failed in 1883 it was found that she had
on deposit with him $25, 000,0 900 in gov
eminent bonds and first-clasa securities.
These, moreover, represented only
portion of her vast wealth. She now
keeps her bonds and securities in the
Chemical National bank, and also has
deposited there one of the finest col
lections OF diamonds id America. She
picks up her diamonds as an invest
ment which will not depreciate in value
and can instantly be turned into cash,
and it is very doubtful If she ever wore
one of them in her life. She would
scorn such display as evidence OF
prodigality and vanity. OF late years
she has, TO all practical purposes, with
drawn from the street, and now de-
votes her time to the management of
her widely scattered properties and the
judicious investment of her dividends.
Mrs. Green is the embodiment of
honesty, but is always on the lookout to
save an honest penny. Her household
expenses do not exceed $4,000 or $4,000 q
year, and she is never seen with an out
fit that cost over $40 on the outside.
She patronizes the elevated and surface
cars whenever possible, and was never
known to hire cab. One day John j.
Cieco saw her crossing the crowded
street in the direction OF his Office car
rying leather bag. When she reached
theoffice and opened the bag her banker
found that it was filled with securities
worth million or more. Surprised at
the risk abe had taken in carrying the
bag through the streets in such care
less and unguarded way, he said:
''Mrs. Green. what in the world makes