The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-05-10
COL. NORrH's GREER.
How He Made His Millions "A nj Some O
the Ises He Made of ~.

The Washington Post OF "Wednesday
says: .,,..
Colonel North was one of the peculiar
products OF the century, man "ho'
coming from the lowest stratum or So
ciety. achieved notoriety as the cOhcoihi-
tant OF great fortune. Just what part
oil England gave him birth IS a mystery
bur as lie always spoke with a strong
Yorkshire twang, he was probaUH OF
Yorkshire birth. When u lad oil nl1eeh
no went 10 sea on an old tlIae p1aeh-
ball Liner" a famouA line OF swift clip
pers equal almost 20 the renowned BAL
timore Clippers OF 1895.
Nv fortune was the outcome OF iuehS
acci ent. North met in Peru south
Am1erica, an EngliShman who was nope
lessly III. All he wanted was TO get back
home, where he might be laid TO rest
where his father slept. Ever klhuly
man. the English Sailor Jaw that his fell
low Briton was sent home, and furnished
with money enough 10 maintain him the
few months he had 10 live. In return
for this the stranger confided 10 North
the secret of a mighty deposit OF nitrate
in Peru, that made for its lucky posssssor
one of the greate.t fortunes ever gained
I'm a single life-time by any Englishman
Of this century. Commercial ferullZers
were just then coming into use 10 re-
vivify the lands-those in grass paftlcu-
larly-that had almost been exhausted by
centuries OF cultivation.
How Colonel North hoated his nitrate
company IS one OF the commercial ro-
mances OF ne nineteenth century In
thirty years the weak concern grew INTO
vast company, paying annually as much
as 81 per cent. dividends. IL made for
Hl. l.i.. I4.. Ia
there came the usual ambition OF the
British proletariat, desire for high social
distinction. But though he had money,
he did not possess the ability TO acquire
the ways and manners OF the social rank
to which be aspired.
Colonel North won the favor OF the
Prince OF Wales by bold coup. his
ROYAL Ilighness, owing TO a somewhat m
ordinate fOndneSs for the pleasures OF this
world. was behind" about 5U,W0 pounds.
The accommodating sons Of Sheen. who
had seen a good deal OF Wales promise
10 pay, hatly refused 10 do another blit
for the Prince until he had arranged
certain arIearages long overdue. AS
the Princes financial extremity was the
talk OF the clubs and OF the town, II
soon became known TO North. lie boldly
wrote a note 10 tho Prince. saying that
asked for an interview, which was grant
ed. North came 70 the meeting with a
large travelling bag in his hand.
How much do YOU need was the
mill onaire's question.
About Cne nunlIcd thousand pounds
answered Wales. Parliament had refused
10 make an additional grant 10 MIN. and
the heir 10 Eng.and's throne was IN a
bad fix.
Il have here" said North. unlocking
his bag, 1000 900 pounds Gl.0o0.UcW IN
English thousand-pound notes. You can
have as much of it as you want; all OF
il x YOU wish.
But about repaymeutD easped
the Prince. II was the Count or Monte
Christie come 10 hte.
"Pay wnen you cam said the other
IL viii never press you
Nor did he. Wales rockwell, just
how much no one outside or the two
ever knew. and neither ever told.
Ii took all wales tact 10 carry North,
hut he did it IN a way. me stewards OF
the derby refused 10 nave North as a
member. Wales caused him 10 be elect
ed. The Duke OF Edinburgh swOoned
when North appeared at luncheon given
by the Prince or Wales, attred IN an
impossible suit. Yellow plush vest. d
shirt OF yellow ground, intersporsec with
monkeys heads, this being his ldea OF
the correct attire OF an English gentle
man for q luncheon with royalty. aies
had his protege made colonel or nor
folk volunteer regiment. Ihe arm thS
nitrate man. Ike the late Judge Lamar
never could learn. But he gave his
command $1,000 pounds 70 erect an ar
mory-one Of the handsomest IN the
| shires.
Though terror socially. Ike squire
Abingdon. who died a year or two ago
North WAS exceptionally shVcwd in money
| matters. and did not become tue prey OF
| the noble dead-heats How much he gave
away to impecuniOus lords VIII never 10
known. Wales lie aided To the tune OF
/ three millions. NoYths son and nelr u
n captain in the English army, 4 quiet
sensible young fellow. with his fathers
] clear business head. ana none or th'
sirc's inextinguishable vulgarity.