The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-05
W. H. zeller. in Philadelphia Ledger.

Louise, into the waters of Delaware
Bay In May, 1777--a venture entrusted
to bis keeping by his father in dis
tant BordoHNx, and on which he had
been trading between New York, New
Orleans and Port au Prince the pre-
vious three years. 1t was an incident
that caused him to rent store on Wa
ter street. within a short ditance of
the spot where he afterwards located
himself permanently while the British
fleet, under Lord Howe. was facing the
city's front. 1t was his meeting with
Mary Lumm in July of that year and
subsequent marriage, that decided
him to locate permanently in the
Quaker City, although he purchased a
small property in Mount Holly and
continued to reside there until the
evacuation of Philadelphia, June II.
177s He was baptized and confirmed a
Catholic but although he rented a pew
in st. Augustine's church he seldom. IL
ever, attended the services, leaving
that duty to the other members of his
household. Singular as it may seem,
he was married by Episcopalian cere-
mony In old st. Pauls church and was
buried in the graveyard of Trinity
Catholic church, at Sixth and Spruce
streets, according to the simple rites
OF the Quaker faith.
His dwelling house was under the
same roof as his counting room, in
Water street, and in locality almost
entirely, occupied by stores. The furni-
ture was substantial, but plain, and
this shown by the collection now in
the special room of the college build
ing devoted to his relics. His only
ero xt,ae b,,y, hai 1paN n
by sober looking farm horse. While
his fleet of merchant xessels pursued
their given course upon the painless
seas. it was this time old-fashioned
chaise that conveyed Girard to his 500
acre farm in Passyunk township and
there he personally inspected the but
ter and eggs and other products sent
up to the Second street market. Il was
on this same farm that he raised the
beef that supplied his vessels. In his
dress and personal appearance Cir
ard was as plain as the humblest and
no stranger could have distinguished
this possessor of millions from any of
the toiling thousands around him.
CLOUD OVER HIS HOME LIFE.
Although unwilling to dwell upon
matter of so much delicacy, it is prop
er to state that the marriage of Girard
did not result happily. There is suffi-
cient testimony among Girard's pap
ers to show, that, as 1t is not usual
in such matters, his reputation while
living and his memory after death
have both suffered, and unjustly,
from erroneous public impressions on
this subject. Early in the year of 1885
his wife gave evidence of mental der
angement, which increased until Sep
tember of that year, when she was
placed in the Pennsylvania hospital
for treatment. With a view of better
ment, Girard later removed her to the
country, without benefit In conse-
quence OF this affliction and the pain
full stage of his domestic life Girard
determined to return to his old occu-
patton as a mariner, and by absence
secure the tranquility denied him at
home. He sailed for the Mediterra-
mean, but returning, found that the
disorder had been greatly augmented
and Mrs. Girard was again admitted
to the hospital August 81. 1890, where
she gave birth the following year TO a
female child-the only issue of this un-
fortunate marriage who died shortly
afterward Mrs. Girard passed into
death in September, 1915, and her re-
mains were inferred on the grounds
on the north side of the hospital.
Mr.. Girard then directed his atten-
tion to the West India trade for which
his'previous education peculiarly fitted
him, In 1850 he entered into partner
ship with Joseph Balesqui for on two
occasions he engaged jointly in bust
ness, the second time, in 1886, with his
brother John. Neither proved salts
factory. From this point his progress
to fortune, Joined to unusual skill as
merchant. was both sure and rapid.
In 1884 he constructed his first vessel,
the Two Brothers and sailed in COM
mand of this brig for Charleston and
thence to the Mediterranean, return
ing to Philadelphia in July 1888. 1t
was the beginning of then matchless
merchant fleet that soon whitened
every sea-
YELLOW FEVER EPIDEMIC.
At this period of Mr.. Girard's life
enters an incident which, for its moral
heriosm and self-denying charity, de-
serves more than a passing notice,
perhaps giving to his name a higher
title than that of founder of Girard
college. 1t was Girards guiding hand
that rested as a blessing upon the
afflicted city in the yellow fever pesti-
lence of 1893. 1t was his executive
that organized the hospital on Bush
Hill, in which he served as nurse for
sixty days. In the latter part of July,
l793 yellow fever broke out in it's most
fatal form in Water street, between
Arch and Race streets. Extending
north to Vine, street, it was, soon COM
municated to Front, and thence eX-
tended to parallel streets. Every at
tempt to stay ..e epidemic proved un-
availing. 1t gathered fresh force with
fresh victims until the city seemed
cne vast charnal house. Citizens fled