The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-05-01
HISTORIC $500 BILL.
Had Many Startling Adventures and
Survived Chicago Fire.
After This II Was Worn BY The wife Of Ex.
Mayor Cvglsr as a BusiIs

treasury department at Washington "a
$500 bill which was in the possession OF
ex-Mayor Cregier for more than thirty
years. and which has strange and in
terestlng history.
This venerable and arlstocratlc mem
Der of Uncle Sans currency family
was issued March g. 1863, and 80 has
seen thirty-six years OF service. But
for the greater part OF it's life IL has
been doomed to solitary confinement IN
the drawer OF safe deposit vault. Pre-
vious 10 its long term OF Imprisonment,
however, its experiences were exciting,
and, TO q degree, historical. Near it's
upper left-hand corner is black scar,
which suggests Its narrow escape from
destruction in the great Chicago fire.
Aside from this significant blemish
the bill is in an excellent state OF pres
ervatiou. In its center is a medallion
OF an American worthy, believed 10 be-
Benjamin Franklin.
THE history OF these bills" said ID.
G. Cregier. Jr, custodian OF the police
department or the city. lis thoroughly
familiar TO me, being one OF the cher
ished traditions I'm our family. In fact,
we have had many a laugh over one
episode in which these bills figured, and
I'm the family circle the incident was. al
ways referred TO as the story OF moth
er's $4,000 bustle.' In the earlier years
OF my fathers business experience he
managed TO get ahead. as the pioneers
used 10 express IL, and saved a neat
little sum above his living expenses.
This he deposited I'm a certain bank. But
one morning he awoke to find that his
savings were gone I'm the collapse of the
institution holding his deposits. Prob
ably he reasoned that everybody must
get caught once I'm this way and that he
would not suffer a similar misfortune
so long as ne exercised good judgment
in the selection of the concern to which
he ;ntrusted his money. AT any rate, he
did not wholly lose confidence In banks
and was soon depositing again. Then
came another crash, and once more he
saw the savings of years swept away.
This second experience settled his
course so far as the keeping OF his
eanings was concerned. He determin-
ed 10 become his own banker, and this
was his custom when he became engi-
neer OF the city water department. He
was then at the Chicago avenue pump
ing station and was seldom away from
the tower, night or day. The fact that
he was so closely confined there led
him TO feel that the safest place in
which he could keep his surplussfunds
OF the best made I'm those days
"A few days before the historic fire
he had a leave OF absence 10 go 10 our
country home I'm st. Charles, where we
were all staying. AS on the occasion
of previous home visits. he left his
money In the inner chest or drawer OF
the pumping station safe. This amount
ed TO $4,000, and was all the cash he
had In the world. aside from a very
small sum which he took with him for
family and personal expenses. IL was,
in fact, his fortune-and quite con-
siderable one for that pioneer period.
When the news came that Chicago was
burning he naturally was greatly ex-
cited. both by reason of the nature OF
his position in the service of the city
and also on account OF his money. His
experience in getting back into the city
and reaching the water works was an
exciting one, and he had to walk much
OF the way. At last he reached the
remains OF the pumping station In a
tremendous state of depression and an
xiety. He was eager to know the worst
as quickly as possible.
THE third day after the fire he was
able to haul the safe out of the smok-
ing ruins. Even then it was so hot
that IL could not be touched with the
naked hand But he didn't mind a
few burns in the effort 10 relieve the
strain OF anxiety under which he had
been laboring since the news OF the dis
aster reached him at st. Charles. Con-
sequently he kept digging away at the
hot safe until it's door was finally fore
ed open. Next the inner box was brok-
en-, and there he found Lis bills, safe
and sound save for dark singe at one
end OF each package.
Packing the currency about his
clothes as best he could, he made his
way back TO st. Charles. and then held
serious discussion with mother as TO
the best manner of disposing Of the
bills. They were both dislnclined TO put
confidence in bank, In view OF their
unfortunate experience; they did not
care TO invest IL, and they were inclin-
ed not 10 trust 10 any ordinary sate.
Then mother came courageously to the
rescue and declared that she would
keep the money where II would be safe.
Father had full confidence in her pluck
and good juugmprt.- and asSented TO
this proposition Mother went to the
family shoemaker and had him secretly
make n long purse or wallet or RED
Russia leather 1t had only one pocket
and flap.
.'To each corner OF this purse he
seWed a strong tape long enough TO
reach around her waist. For fully six
months following the fire she carried
this burden of $4,000 in greenbacks tied
about her, under her clothing. VI
course. no person other than father and
herself knew she had this money about
her. and Il was not until she laid 1t
aside that she laughngly told us she
was undoubtedly the only woman VINO
had worn a $4,000 hustle
Green stones are said TO head the list
Of fashionable Jewels this season. En-
eralds have the lead. but the revival or
interest OF green stones mas proml-
nentIy brought forward the period,
which is really the Indian chrycolite.
and is a clear. deep leaf-green In color
showing almost yellow beside the em'
erald which Is blush In tone.
GRANITE MONUMENTS.
Choice designs with nrst.9uality OF mate
rials and Workmanship furnished by
Stanton e. FaYnum,