The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-19
DOYLE OF GRAND STREET.
The Man Who at 76 Paid His Debts When
He Didn't Have To.

When Michael l.. Doyle was dry goods
merchant in Grand street he was known
as a man who had grown rich by fair
dealing ana stricrtly honest business
methods. That was his chief claim to
fame, and as there are many other mer-
chants in New York who have similar
regulations, Mr.. Doyle's honesty in his
merchant days never brought him into
prominence.
Mr.. Doyle Ia an old man now and he
has been out OF business two years. With
In the past few days, however, the old
merchant has done something that has
got his name into all the papers and
caused many persons to wonder what man
ner OF man he is, and will cause him to
be remembered as a man who paid his
debts when he didn't have to.
1t has been told how Mr.. Doyle was
compelled to make an assignment after
the ! anic of 1894, how he settled with his
creditors for 33 l-3 cents on the dollar,
and now last week he called those credi-
tors together and paid them dollar for
dollar, all that he owed them. One hun
dred and ten thousand dollars was what
Mr.. Doyle failed for. When he had paid
ell he could OF these liabilities there was
still $40, 900 due his creditors. The re-
mainder is what has just been paid.
This man Is now 76 years old. He is near
ly six feet tall and weighs over 200
pounds. What little hair grows on his
we'll shaped head is snow white and is
kept closely cut. His face, smoothly
shaven, indicates great benevolence, and
his kindly manners bear 1t out. His fore
head Is high and broad, and his large blue
eyes are almost always smiling. He
speaks with a rich touch of the brogue.
1t is now nearly half a century since Mr..
Doyle went into dry goods shop at tse
II IA utr
York, as clerk. Unusual aptitude for
the business earned him one promotion
after another until he was taken into
partnership. Not long after that he be-
came sole proprietor. Then he got mar
ried, and that was the wisest thing he
ever did he says.
IN. l.. Doyle, Dry Goods" was the
sign above the entrance 10 the store for a
few years. Then the young merchant took
I'm a partner and the style was changed to
Doyle N Lehman. Not long after that,
the firms increasing BUSINESS compelled
them to seek a larger store, and they
moved TO 269 Grand st rect. The death OF
the junior member of the firm caused an
other change I'm the firm name TO M, |.
Doyle. Then II was Doyle q Adolphi.
and once again NJ. L. Doyle. thus 1t re-
mained until Mr.. Doyle failed. In speak
ing of his business career the other day.
Mr.. Doyle said:
"We had a good business from the first.
In the old days Grand street was great
artery OF trade, ana we got our share of
what was going. When | first went into
business for myself | made IL rule TO
satisfy my customers or refund them their
money. We never, on any account re-
fused to take back goods that were not
sal isfactory. | remember once woman
coming into the stcre and buying a
dress pattern for her daughter. Two or
three days aiterward she came back,
bringing the goods with her. Seeking
the clerk from whom she had bought the
goods, she told him that she wanted to
return them.
"'My daughter, said she, wouldn't be
seen at her own funeral in that dress.'
livery well. madame the clerk re-
piled. do you want TO exchange the
goocs for anything e.seS
"'No, l cont. i don't want any
thing. she Snapped.
"1he clerk reported the matter 10 me,
and putting on my test smile, I went out
and saw the woman. and she told me thct
there was nothing in my store that she'd
have. / very. politely returned her SO,
the amount che had paid for the dresr