Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-03

a question OF a very short time.
Mr.. Childs was changed man from the
day OF the sudden death of his lifelong
friend and bosom companion, Anthony j.
Drexel. in June OF last year. Those who
were close to him and capable of noting
lis everyday life, saw that the blow fell
heavily and that there was a loss OF buoy
arcy-a gradual lessening of the old spirit
and vim. The loss Of his friend was mora
than he could bear. Close friends feared the
disaster.
About two years ago Mr.. Childs met with
an accident while walking on Chestnut
street He slipped on the ice and badly
sprained his ankle. and 1t was feared that
his injuries might prove fatal He had en-
tirely recovered from the effects of his
iall. however. and beyond a few occasional
witches Of rheumatism in his legs. had
not complained Of any material illness up to
the time of the unexpected attack which
caused his death.
The change for the worse came unex-
as late as yesterday afternoon that Mr.
Childs, while certain to die would live four
or five days yet.
What His Associates Say of Him.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 3-The Times
says of Mr.. Childs:
There are few men whose lives better
Illustrate the possibilities Of preferment in
country like this. where success is not
dependent upon Inheritance than that of
OF modern history who have risen from
obscurity and small beginnings to promi-
nence or fortune do not furnish any record
more striking nor events more interesting
than the career of this PHILADELPHIA news
paper publisher. whose name is so familiar
When George w, Childs came to Phila-
delphia in 1874, just half a century ago.
the conditions Of its social and business
life were very different from what they are
now. Yet this unknown youth. with his
influence managed to get a foothold. push
eo MS way onward, in six years was part
ner In large book publishing nouse. in
twenty years secured and controlled a
great daily, within ten years more was
recognized as one Of Philadelphia's most
influential citizens and became prominent
In national and financial councils and the
friead OF celebrities i'm this and other coun-
tries. By his wide interest in benevolent.
fraternal and other institutions and crgani-
cations and by continuous and systematic
aid to individuals extending over a long
period. Mr.. Childs' name became a sort of
household word and the synonym of
'philanthropic"
The Press says: The life Of George w.
Childs is like a romance-a romance with
many lessons. Alone and almost penniless
al the age OF II years he stood at the bot
tom 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 would have seemed
impossible to many another. And as he
worked and won, he looked for others to
share his successes. until all over the world
the name Of George w. Childs is known as
that of a liberal philanthropist and an up
right business man.
IF the record Of my life." wrote he on
one occasion. has any value II is in show
ing that at least II is not necessary to sue
cess in business that a man should indulge
in sharp practices" Again he said. Il have
derived. and still find. the greatest pleas
ure in my life in doing good to others. /"
These two sentences alone tell the history
of one whose loss the world mourns.
The Record says: philadelphia has lost
private citizen Of all America indeed is
dead. The name of George w. Childs has
long been a household one His inexhaust-
ible and princely hospitality, his magnif-
cent gifts to England on behalf Of his own
country OF noble memorials to those great
poets whose fame is a common heritage OF
the English race have made his name q ia
miliar and honored one in the motherland
where he Is lovingly remembered. too, as
the friend Of Dickens and Of Thackeray"
He has stood to Europe for years as the
typical American, the highest representa-
tive Of the non-office holding freemen OF
When Lord Houghton. Richard Monck-
ton Mines, as his guest at Wootton re-
Quested to be shown a typical American" ("
Mr.. Childs introduced him to the then Vice
President, Henry Wilson, who had risen
from the shoemaker's bench to that high
dignity. But the host himself had risen
from lower obscurity into a much higher
fame. 1t was not alone that the friendless
little shop boy In q strange. big city had
risen into the prosperous publisher and So
cial magnate; that is no longer an astonish-
Ing romance in modern life But he DOS
sessed In an eminent degree what had won
him those very rtches-greatness Of char
acter. His life will always be held up as a
beacon to young men. and even today his
name stands for a proverb.
Extent Of Mr.. Chflds' Fortune.
PHILADELPHIA. Feb. 3.-Mr. Childs'
fortune is believed to be a large one. but
whether 1t be one million or ten is a ques-
ton that only those most intimately asso-
ciated with his affairs can say.
He was In receipt Of a very large income
Tor years. and he made excellent invest
ments in many ways. But while his in
come was 50 large his expenditures also
were great, especially In support Of educa-
tional and charitable institutions ana in
direct gifts. The profit from the publica-
ton OF the Ledger alone is said to have
averaged as high as 81, 600 a day.
HIS large interest In the Public Ledger
Will De absorbed by the A. ]. Drexel estate
and 1t is probable that both his wishes and
these Of his partner in the ownership OF
the paper, the late A. ]. Drexel. will he
carried out by the present publisher, George
w. Childs Drexel. The latter young gen.
tleman was associated with Mr.. Childs as
publisher In September last
1t has been said. indeed, by many who
were very well acquainted with Mr. Childs
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 has left MANY
specific bequests in his will and provided
that the large number of people dependent
on his bounty, both in and out of his busi-
ness. shall be continued In their good for
tune while they live. His valuable collec-
tion of manuscripts and relics he gave to
the Drexel Institution about a year ago.
Gossip About His EARLY Life
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 3.-Mr. Childs'
earliest days were spent in altimore. where
he lived on Albemarle street near the re-
gion where the famous clipper" ships
were repaired and loaded. and there are
those still living who were neighbors and
remember him well as a boy with an older
head than his youthful appearance girlish
complexion and chubby face would Justify.
According to the accepted sketches of him
printed, he was born in 1874 and was
therefore sixty-flve years of age He is
known to have had early associations with
the merchant sailing service then almost as
rigid as the navy, and he made several trims
to foreign ports when a boy, so that his
early discipline ard experience were much
the same as that other and successful Phil
adelphian. Stephen Girard. He was ambi-
tious and was constantly talking about GO
in Baltimore who remembers being present
when, as quite a lad. he bade farewell to
his associates and said he was going to
Philadeluhia m make HIS fo,funa Cxroa tl,,