The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-02-03

tives were applled, Win the result that IN
an hour the patient was able TO
walk with assistance to his car
rage. He was conveyed to his home,
and Mrs. Childs, who was at their country
place in Wooten, was summoned. DR..
Dacosta called in Drs. Lsidy and Morris.
On the following Sunday night the ply
sicians reluctantly admitted that paralysis
of the lower limbs accompanied the attack.
There is little reason to doubt that the
immediate cause of the attack was over
work and anxiety attendant upon
his effort to see that the memory
of his lifelong friend. the late
A. J. Drxel. was properly honored. The
day upon which the attack came was
spent by Chiids in preparing for Drexel
memorial services to be held in Drexel in
stitute on Saturday, January 20, two days
after the fatal Thursday. His enforced
absence from the ceremony worried him
profoundly. and to this fact was largely
due the relapse which occurred on the
night Of January 81.
Mr.. Childs was probably as widely
known as any man IN the United States,
and there can be no doubt he was far the
best known resident OF Philadelphia. His
popularity in this city wss wonderful.
He was familiar figure on
Chestnut street from the fact that when
in til is city he always walked to and from
the Ledger Office, and so regular was he in
his habits that if he did not appear on tho
street at about tho regular time. peo-
pie began to inquire whether he was
ill. TO all appearances Childs was a ro-
bust man, yet his constitution was very
delicate. He was of n highly nervous
temperament. and with tho attack which
proved the beginning of the last illness
came almost complete pros,ration.
Those who knew him best believed he
was never a thoroughly happy or con-
tented man since the death of his boon
companion and business partner, Anthony
]. Drexel. They were almost inseparable
in companionship, and it was a sad blow
to have so near friend carried
off so suddenly. George W. Chiids Drexel,
youngest son OF the deceased banker. was
several years ago determined upon as the
one who should succeed TO his fathers
interest in the Ledger. The senior Drexel
owned n half interes. IN the paper,
and this interest became the property
the son upon his fathers death. Young
Drexsi had been carefully educated and
trained with this end in view. Shortly
>
placed at the head of the editorial columns
Of the Ledger as publisher. along with
Childs' ~ editor and proprietor"
Childs had three homes which he ard
his family occupied at different seasons of
the year. His town house on Walnut
street is white marble structure,
and Is one OF the most imposing
edifices on that street OF aristocratic
l.
surrounded by sixty acres of beautiful
grounds. and the lawn is said to be the most
beautiful in this country. Here the hospi-
tality which Chilis ever delighted in
had one OF its principal theaters The roll
Of visitors included many distinguished
strangers. In addition to the town and
country houses, Childs had handsome
cottage ~ Long Branch. adjoining that Of
the late A. J. Drexel.
George William Childs was born in
Baltimore May i2, 1899. OF his boyhood
he says, in his "Recoliections": "it il
SAID that | am a successful man; IL so I
owe my success TO industry, Temperance
and frngaiity. | vas selfsupporting at an
early age. In my 18th year. When school
wGs dismissed for the summer took The
place OF errand boy in book store in Bal
iinore at n salary of g. per week. aud
spent the vacation in hard work. And |
enjoyed IL. / have never been our of en-
p.oyaneut always found something 20 do,
and was always eager todo il. and think
earned every cent Of my first money"
tie was educated in the private schools
of his native city, and. having entered the
navy az the age of -. remained fifteen
months a. Norfolk. But ne didn't like il
and entered book store in Philadelphia.
where be learned the business. Here he
made the acquaintance of book buyers
and publishers and laid the foundation for
a lifelong friendship with such men as the
HarpeFs, Lipplncotts, Pninams, Tseknors,
Fieids, App.etous and others. la his
''Reco.iections" Mr.. Ch!lds goes on 10
say that when he Brst vent 20 work in
Philadelphia ne was az the store early
IN the morning. He washed the pave
ruens and pat things In order before break
fast In wintcr he made the ire and swept
the store. lie attended aactioa sales of
books on evenings. and in a few months
he MAS familiar with the literature Of the
day. He carried bis own bundles. brought
packages Of books on avheeIbarEow TO the