The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-08-27
CITY OF BIG BANKS
HOW TIE ROTHEOHILDS HAVE EN-
RIOHED A TOWN IN GERMANY.

Connection of City of Frankfort.on-th,
Main and the Richest Family on EartI
the Rothschiids, Their Ancestors IN
Their Struggles and Persecutions-The
Methods Of Handling Business md Co,
troll OF the Money Markets Of the worl
How the Family Has InterTarrie
snd Grown Steadily In Wealth.
Franktort-on-the-M Main, Aug. 9Th
city or Frankfort owes its Importance t
the Jews, and chiefly to the Rothschil
family. 1t is one of the finest cities il
Europe and is the richest city in tn
world for its population, although if lat
Berlin has taken considerable bushes
away and has become the center OF in
ternational banking relations. There ar
still ia banks in Frankfort, to a popula
ton Of 238,OO9, which is a bank to ever!
| 1000 persons. Some Of the banks have
capital of 5000, 900 or SO, Oo0, 900 marks
Several have over 5O,OOO, 600 marks In
stitu,fons like the Rothchilds have a cap
| i,al that is practically unlimited. No one
| knows the amount.
The Jews have obtained all this wealth
| ana prominence in spite of ostracism
persecution and restrictions of many
| kinds When Anselem Rothchild was
| born in Frankfort, what was known as
the Judengasse was separated from the
rest Of the city by high walls and heavy
gates, which were closed at nightfall and
kept closed until sunrise. On Sundays
they were never opened. Goethe, who
Was a native of Frankfort, gives gra-
phic description Of Judengasse, with its
filth and squaler AMI stenches to which
the nerves Of its inhabitants had been
deadened by long familiarity with the
noiseome atmosphere. The walls Of the
Judengasse were destroyed by Kleoer's
army in 1876. In 1872 the whole district
was condemned as a nuisance by the
sanitary authorities, and cleared out, ex-
cept single row of old-fashioned houses,
which date from the fifteenth century,
and were the homes Of the ancestors Of
he richest and most influential citizens
Of Frankfort.
The Jewish population Of the city is
now from 5000 20 10000, about 10 per
cent Of the total. They monopolizs the
banking breiress, they own and occupy
the most sumptuous residences, they
nave the choicest boxes at the opera;
their horses and carriages are the smart
est to be seen in the parks and boule-
wards. and they buy the most costly pic
lures. They have d society of their own,
which is entirely Indifferent TO the jeal-
ousy and scorn of the poorer portion Of
the population who profess Christian
faith.
TIE ancestors Of the Frankfort Jews
came from Palestine. Turkey and Spain
TO escape persecution in the thirteenth,
fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, and
became the serfs Of the emperor of Ger
many. who accorded them protection IN
cxcrange for a fixed tribute which went
into his private purse. In 1349 Charles
~, being pressed for funds, mortgaged
his Jews to the municipality of Frank
fort frr $4,000. The sam was never re- |
o1id, ard thus the habitantS Of the |
Judengasse passed underline control Of
.he city council. which selected a |
,wampy and unhealthful spot on the |
margin OF the town, wehere they were |
,Dliged TO reside, and exacted from them |
| certain portion Of their earnings, or |
old their labor at SO much a month.
rhe Jews who controlled their own time |
md talent paid dearly for that privilege,
,ut were sfrewd enough to make a pro-
nd adx SAav,,ca,yva oil hut |
urely. They were not allowed TO use
he sidewalk. but were compelled to trav-
] with cattle and carts in the middle of
ne street. They were compelled to wear
distinctive dress. Every male Jew had
patch OF yellow cloth upon his breast
nd every woman wore blue and white
tripes. They wer allowed only one
anne.
The man who lived in No SO Juden-
asSe, which was known as 1.-The house Of
ne red shield" because Of a sign which
ne occupant placed over its door, was
allied Anselm.
he original Anseln was a dealer in old
bins and curiosities. He married and
al boy who was called Mayer Anselm
! order to distinguish him from his
a.h-er. He was SEN. to rabbi relative
, be educated. and afterward got a
lace in the bank. where he developed
smarkable business talent. When his
,ther died he came home. took his house
is trade prospered. became influential
nong his race, gained the respect OF ..
christians as we'll as Jews and was call
Anselm of the Red Shield, or Won
othchild.
But his fame was only local until he
ade the acquaintnce OF Baron Won Est
If, then iandgrave OF Hesse. who was
coin collector, and sent for Anselln one
" 10 make some prchases. When the
tier arrived the baron was engag ed in
game OF chess and could not be dis
rbed The Jew stood by patiently and
atched the play. The baron was ),
eckei. It seemed hopelessly, and, turn :
G to the Jew, he SAID:
DO you play chess
Some times" was the answer.
= What would you do If you were in my 9
The Jew modestly pointed out move :
iich the baron accepted and followed =
; advice through the rest of the game "
AZ was soon won. After that Anselm :.
eHt a good deaf Of the time playing r,
ess with the landgrave, who p-ided
nself on his ability 20 beat every one =
his subjects The baron and the coin "
'rclant thus became great friends. and =
are was considerable bushes between
an in the way OF loans and discounts.
was BARON Won Es;rof who sent e. 500 :,
Ssian soldiers - America during TIE :
ga
Il o.