New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-07
"REMINISCENCES OF COL. NORTH.
INTERESTING STORIES OF THE ENGLlsH-
MAN TOLD BY COLONEL OCHlLTREE'


The announcement OF the death OF Coone D. l.
Nor,h known az the Nitrate King caused regret
and srnrlse to his many acquaintances now IN 'his
country one OF his best friends here was CORONER
Thomas T. Ochlltrce. now staying al the "ui'''i ,
who spent many weeks In England as the guest vi
the Colonel at different times Frienhs Jes'n's's
called the two colonies Colonel North and Colo-
no, south" once Colonel Ochtree brought num-
er Of Colonel Norhs horses this country 10 race
but for various reasons the venture was unsuccess
full
Colonel Ochiltree yesterday. In speaking OF MS
friend said: Colonel North one OF the
most remarkable men OF our time lie was II
marvellous example OF the self-made man. HIS
wealth was SO great that the human nina can
hardly conceive II. His business sagacity ana MS
ability for grasping great issues and acting quickly
were marvellous and explained his great success
His business ventures are we'll known, ana MS
home He Is almost as well known There Is hardly
n man Of any note In the world who has visited
England and not met Colonel North or been enter
tained by him. The Colonel was prodigal In his en-
tertalnments. and was open and frank about every
thing lie did not try TO isolate himself or build
wall around himself owing TO his success. lie loved
10 gather about him who had been successful
By their own endeavor rather than men who sue
cceded 10 great names or wealth. have been AZ
hts table when hundred guests were seated HIS
picture galleries. his kennels his stables. his home
and in fact everything around him showed the keen
love OF the man for the best OF everything. He was
n true sportsman. and while not processing TO be u
man OF superior education. he was nevertheless a
keen critic and was well informed on all subjects
OF tho day.
Perhaps as fine a sample as any OF the mans
generosity and loyalty was his action toward his
mother When his father died Colonel North came
into about $4,000. This large sum. and he
might have taken It. Instead OF doing he gave
It all with the exception OF few hundred dollars
which he kept to pay his way TO South America, 10
IL he
lea. and there built up his Immense fortune When
vote 10 himself he began TO take an interest in the
turf. and also showed love for hne dogs ne had
the world over At time one OF the Grand-dukes
OF Russia, who looks after the imperial Kennels
TO Colonel North which had won prize. lie offered
Il large sum OF money for the animal Colonel
North was much attached to the dog and he
fused sell him at any price Later his generosity,
however got the better OF him and ne sent the dog
as a gift 10 the Prince. The Grand-duke appreciated
the delicate compliment much that he forwarded
in return two magnncen Russian hounds and
Colonel North, as far as horses went. was an
enthusiastic lover Of the turf. 1t was not the
gambling that attracted him. bu, deep-rooted love
OF the thoroughbred He was true sportsman in
this. and II he won. 1t was not the stake that gave
home the winning coors. II he lost: he did not
sigh for the misplaced backing but he was cha
grned that his horse should have been conquered
II is reported that al one time he backed his horse
Nunthorpe to win 100000 and that when the horse
left at the post and some one made comment
about the loss OF the money. he replied tina, the
money wasn't much as the fact that Nunthorpe
should have been defeated. Nunthorpe won sew
eral later. and despite the first failure was
always well backed.
The great bear sent to Colonel North was the
cause OF joke later When the animal died. owns
TO tho fact that II was a magnificent specimen
Colonel North had It mounted and placed In his
library Among the guests OF Colone, North at I ,ns
Wall Street operator. who was known among his
associates In the Street as the bear IL was
Colonel Norths habit II he liked guest. TO have
him repeat his visits often possible. and TO
made. On visit OF Mr.. C1mmack. Colonel North
told me that he had just had A statue Of Mr. Cam
mack placed IN his library, and Invited Mr.. Cam
mack In to II. There stood the towering form OF
the Russian bear. and all heartily enjoyed Mr.. Cam
macks surprise.
Colonel North was man OF great resource and
had buelness interests In almost every quarter OF
the globe. lie was true lover Of his fellow men,
and while ne dabbled some In politics. II was not for
any other than to advance the cause OF the
workingman or for n diversion. He never seriously
considered political life. BY his death England
loscs true gentleman In every OF the word"