Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-02-03

Philadelphia, Feb. George W. Childs,
editor and proprietor Of the Public
Ledger, died at his home this morning,
surrounded by his family and friends.
Mr.. Childs suffered no pain and his end
was peaceful; he had been unconscious
for three days except at intervals. The
change for the worse became manifest at
$50 last evening. His pulse faltered and
he failed rapidly. His lower limbs were
not paralyzed as has been stated.
NEWSPAPER COMMENT.
The Record says: philadelphia has
lost her moat famous citizen, the best
known private citizen Of all America, in
deed, is dead. The name of Geo. w.
Childs has long been a household one.
He has stood to Europe for years as the
typhical American, the highest repre-
sentative of the non-ofice holding, free
men of the nation"
The Times says: 'There are few men
whose lives better illustrate the possibili-
ties of preferment in country like this.
where success is not dependent upon in
heritance, than that of Mr.. Childs. The
annals of many men Of modern history
who have risen from obscurity and small
beginnings to prominence or fortune do
not furnish any record more striking,
nor none that will ever be more interest
ing than the career of this philanthropic
publisher, whose name is 80
familiar"
The Press says: "The life of George
w. Childs is like romance, romance
with many lessons. Alone and almost
penniless at the age of IL years he stood
ut the bottom of the ladder and looked
up. His youthful eye caught something
at the top and slowly, with firm grip and
careful step, he made the ascent that
seemed impossible to many another, and
as he worked and won he looked for
others to share his success until all over
the world the name of Geo. W. Childs
was known as that of
A LIBERAL PHILANTHROPHI6T
and upright business man. If the rec
ord of my llfe,' wrote he on one occasion,
has any value, it is in showing that at
least it is not necessary to succeed in busi-
ness that man should indulge in sharp
practices.' Again he said: 4 have de-
rived and still find the greatest pleasure
in my life in doing good to others. These
two sentences alone tell the history of
one whose loss the world mourns, one
who has risen from the shoemaker's
bench to high dignity. It was not
alone that friendless little shop boy, in
a strange city, has risen into prosper
ous brighter and social sphere. That is
no longer an astonishing romance in
modern life, but he possessed in an emf
nent degree what had won him those very
riches, greatness of character. His life
Will always be held as. beacon light
among men, and even to-day his name
stands for proverb." e
ME-. cH1LDs' FORTUNE.
Mr.. Childs' fortune is believed to be a
largo one, but whether it is one million or
ten is question only those intimately
associated with his affairs can say. He
was in receipt of very large income for
wears and made excellent investments in
many ways, but while his income was 80
large his expenditures also were great,
in support of education and
charitable institutions and in direct
charities. The profits from the publica-
ton of the Ledger are said to average as
high as $1,000 day. His large interest
in the Public Ledger will be absorbed by
the A. j. Drexel estate, and it is probable
that both his wishes and those of his
partner in the paper, the late A. j..
Droxel, will be carried out by the present
George W. Childs Drexel. The
latter young gentleman was associated
with Mr.. Childs as the publisher in Sep
tember last. It has been said, indeed, by
many who are welt acquainted with Mr.
Chllds that he would make his namesake
his heir, particularly in view of the fact
that he had no children. 1t will probably
be found, however, that Mr.. Childs left
many specific bequests in his will, and
provided that large number of people
dependent on his bounty, both in and out
of his business, shall be continued IN
their good fortune while they live. His
collection of manuscripts and
relics he gave to the Drexal institute
year ago.
CONDoLENoE OF THE PEOPLE.
As early as 10 o'clock kilograms OF
began to pour into the Ledger
office. These were sont to Mrs. Childs.
Arrangements for the funeral are in the
hands Of J. M. Paul, lr, son-in-law of the
late A. j. Drexel, and a close personal
friend of Mr.. Childs. 1t will probably
be late this afternoon before it is de-
cided whether the funeral will be public
Or private. If the wishes of Mrs. Childs
prevail the ceremonies will be of pri-
vate character. Friends of the dead man
are urging, however, since Mr.. Childs,
was one Of the best known public men in
the country, that the obsequies be public.
II is believed the remains will be placed
ia the Drexel mausoleum in Woodlawn
beside those Of his life long
friend and business partner, A. ]. Drexel.
This is believed to be the wish of both
Mr.. and Mr.. Childs.
N Gsen. Thomas ON Ton.