Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-11-27

large family and heavier expenses than
he can meet
But If these observers would follow the
ouiet-lOOking man in his short walk down
Broadway, and watch him enter the
huge white building OF the standard Oh
Company, they would see the hall at
tendant rush TO the door and swing II
wide open with an admiring bow. lie
would see the nervous excitement OF the
elevator man who takes the quiet-look!ng
man up to the sixth floor II he were
sin followed. IL would be noticed that the
man entered an office, the door OF when
IS barren Of any sign or lettering III
dlcating the name or business OF the oc-
cupant
II would be necessary for the curious
man TO 10 back to the elevator or down
10 the main hall again to get any IN
formation. and the reply to his ouesuoh
would he. "Why, that's the boss. Mr..
Rockefeller"
FEW KNOW HIM.
II Is a curious fact that John D. Rookie
feller. the richest man in the country Is
known by sight 20 fewer people IMAM
any other celebrity in the metropolis.
He could appear before a gathering OF
o00 persons. and not dozen wouia
know who he was He could 30 on the
eoor NJ the stock Exchange. when ~
vas filled with the ablest iinanciers OF
yvsu stree, and not half a dozen OF
,bor, would recognize him. II could walk
olong broadway from the Battery 10
Central park. and out Of the 2o,ooO peo-
ple he would pass in the hVe-mile Jour
new not three souls would see an ac-
qualntance In him. 49,.
Vet this is the man VINO wlthln ''e
30, 60. weeks astounded the world By
Giving 100000 in a lump 10 the chicago
University. In trihe over Nv years. ne
has given about 100000 10 this lnstltu-
tion In years he Is not much beyond
the half-century mark, ana torty years
ago Re was selling newspapers IN tnT
streets OF New Bedford. when the people
81 tho small Massachusetts, town regard
ed him as a very ordinary small boy.
THE PREMIER PHILANTHROPIsf
This last gift OF Mr. Rockefeller gives
him The rank of premier phllanthroDist
~ the country His fortune Is increas-
ing al the rate of 100000 year. ana
no does not spend $4,000 a year on MS
family expenses. Recent estimates OF
his wealth have placed II as high as SS.o'-
0OOOO While IL is not probable thht IL
has reached that sum. II IS close 10 IL
This really makes John D. Rockeieier
the richest man In the civiiize1 WoIiu'
has s-oo COO 600. but this estimate Is largely
nrohlematical Recent estimates OF the
wealth Of Barney Barnato. who T. ma
,,ipulating the Kafir craze, in London,
have placed II as high as sJO,nooob-
Dth r estimates have placed II as low as
COX 600 600. Conservative English papers
cav that he IS actually worth S5WoVo.
with the possibility OF the bulk or IL
fadine away at any time. The individual
ysaIth Of the Rothschilds does not ap-
proach the fortune Of Mr. Rockefeller.
FORTUNES OF THE ANClENTs.
Much has been written recently about
,ha f,buIous Accommodations OF riches by
ind,vidusl Americans. but when the
wealth OF the greatest OF them Is COM
nared with the fortunes OF the ancients.
The modern millionaire makes but
paltry showing.
For instance Solomon. the richest man
~ them all. was bequeathed the fabulous
.um OF $500. 100000. and was made
,~us,ee In add ion OF frnd of sLi6j,
10000. with which to build temple.