The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-09-09
A. T, STEWARDS MILLIONS.
The History Behind the Great Hilton
Failure.


Failure.
Megargee, in Philadelphia Times.
New YORK, August 29.-The
predictions of many have proven true.
A great name is trailed in the dust.
A. T. Stewards stolen bones are some
where rattling.
The disgraceful squabble over his
millions is not ended.
Hilton, Hughes & Co. have failed !;
that is the commercial term for fnan-
cial dishonor.
But who suffers? Stewart can't be-
cnuse he is dead. In the words of the
curbstone gambler, "You can bet your
sweet life Judge Hilton doesn't" The
practical result of the entire CONNER
cial contention is that an enormous
fortune is divided between Judge Hill
ton and twelve heirs of the unburied
I,ishman's widow, and all that remains
to keep his memory green is the bare
recollection of his riches. The settle
M ent by arbitration of the fight over
his wealth prevents any further ex-
posure of the disgraceful manner in
which the grand estate which he crea-
ted has been sacrificed by those who
owed him everything they had. The
most remarkable exposition in all this
scandalous showing is the incredible
manner in which Judge Hilton has
fattened upon the possessions of his
benefactor. A novelist, who would
give the bare facts of this matter as
the creation of his imagination, would
be adjudged guilty Of ridiculous exag-
geration.
Who is Judge Hilton, and how did
he get his clutches upon one of the
grandest fortunes which individual
and honest labor ever created?
These are pertinent queriesjust now.
Henry Hilton was naturally pol
itician in the crafty sense of that term.
He got his title Of Judge thirty-fve
years ago, when he sat upon the bench
Of New York Common Pleas. At the
time of the Tweed regime he was re-
cognized member of that notorious co.
terie, and when the brains of that
ring, Peter B. Sweeney, became presi-
dent Of the park commission Henry
Hilton was made its secretary. When
the exposure of the Tweed gang was
made no breath of scandal was per-
mitted to cloud the reputation of Henry
Hilton, for be at that time had become
intrenched against public attack by
having gained the friendship, conf
dence and support of the all-powerful
a. T. Stewart. His acquaintance
with the millionaire began through
Hilton's wife being Stewards cousin,
and in time the Judge managed to
make himself so useful in a social way
to the dry goods merchant that the
latter found him indispensable. A. T.
Sibwart was not man of words nor
of grace Of manner, and was absolute.
ly lacking in those qualities which
would enable him to give proper re-
ception to his guests on ceremonial
occasions. This deficiency Judge
Hilton supplied, and at all social en-
tertainments he stood by his patrons
side and quietly coached him. They
travelled through Europe together,
and, in fact, when Stewart played the
host Henry Hilton actually sat at the
head of the table andspoke and acted
in the rich mans behalf. This pecu-
liar form Of assistance gave the Judge
controlling influence over the mod
ern Croesus which could have been
gained in no other way. The fact
that Stewart depended upon Hilton
for aid in everything outside of his
regular business affairs was never bet
ter demonstrated than when the dry
goods man was nominated for Seere-
tary of the Treasury by President
Grant. The latter's first nomination
for the Presidency was undoubtedly
brought about by A. T. Stewart,
whose reward was to be the custodian
of Uncle Sans finances, and when
the gift was presented to him he in
stantly selected Henry Hilton as his
assistant. Charles Sumner, however,
as will be remembered, discovered an
old law by which an importer was dis
qualified for the position of Secretary
Of the Treasury, or that of collector Of
port. When this revelation was
made, at Hilton's suggestion, Mr..
Stewart, when he found it impossible
to have a qualifying Act passed in his
favor, decided to put his business in
the hands trustees. Gen. Grant, how
ever, felt that he had done sufficient
to' show his gratitude, and accordingly
withdrew the name of the ambitious
Irishman. Stewards bitterness on ac-
count of this was most intense, and to
the day of his death he never forgave
the warrior President. tits generally
understood that Grant believed that
Judge Hilton did all in his power to
make more frigid the coolness between
himself and Mr.. Stewart, and for that
reason, when Hilton called upon the
diving soldier in the Mount McGregor
cottage, he was denied admission to
the Sick mans chamber.