New-York tribune., 1900-08-05
RUSSELL SAGEs BIRTHDAY.
DAY, But SPENT THE DAY IN
HIS OFFICE

Russell Sage was eighty-four years old yesterday.
So far Mr.. Sage himself was concerned the day
might not have been the anniversary Of his birth.
He did not celebrate II IN any way, and made not
the slightest change in the me-hodicaI business
duties which for many years have been the
daily part OF himself. Apparently Mr. Sage would
have forgotten that MS birthday but for the
numerous friends who dropped IN upon him
graduate him upon adding to the many
natal day anniversaries upon the credit side Of his
LIES ledger Some OF his admirers had bought
large bouquet OF flowers which placed upon
bis desk before he arrived at his ONCE.
Most OF the bankers and financial men Of Wall
Street atsths time Of year do not come into town
on Saturdays. Not SO Mr.. Sage. He is now living
at his country home, near Cedarhurst, Long ISL
and, but Saturday, upon every other week
day. be makes it point 10 visit his Office. This
custom OF his was known 70 his friends, and his
habits are as regular as the clock, they knew that
he would the bouquet before It's flowers could
wither. though the day was Saturday
PGnctUal 10 the minute Mr.. Sage entered his office
the fourth floor OF the Bank OF Commerce Build
ing IN Nassau-st-, and the first hing meet his
eye the big bunch of flowers lying upon his
desk He glanced perplexedly toward his secre-
tary, the faithful individual who nowadays per-
utts no one whose face IS not familiar 10 enter
the Office OF the aged hnancier. In answer TO the
questioning look the secretary said that the flowers
had been left II honor Of Mr- Sege's birthday.
"AhT said Uncle Russell he Is called by
every one IN wan stresC And that was all he did
say. But later, as acquaintanceH began 10 drop IN
shake his hand and 70 tell him how glad they
that he had begun another year of calendar
life Mr. Sage became more and more jovtaI, and
when The time came for him 70 take the train for
home he was as gay in spirit and light hearted
as a man OF half his age But responsive he
was 70 all the feucitations that extended to
him the instinct Of years was 70 the fore
I'm not celebrating" he said: Just going right
along and attending 10 business" He expressed,
however. the great pleasure IL gave him TO see
many friends and receive their congratulations.
Some OF M-. Sage's bIographers insist that he
was born or August Is, 1916. at Shenandoah,
Oneida County y. 7 Mr.. Sage himself asserts
that he was born on August !, 1876 at Verona,
TWO niles from Oneida Castle
Russell Sage fnancier. railroad president. stock
broker and man Of affairs is unique among the
men Of the present time Wall Street, which has
produced so many other men Of striking traits and
extraordinary abilities: Despite MS age, he is
business matters as ne was a decade ago and
though reticent in speech is genial IN manner IN
cepuby; Of late his hearing has become some
him al his desk with a Dromptness that many a
young man starting OUT In lie might with ad-
many successes and few failures He received a
common school education and his hrst venture was
he went into Wall Street a seller Of privileges.
Since that time ne mas become one OF the Lore-
director IN something ike threeseore eorporations.
and according the computations OF his friends
has acquired a large fortune
r1ences. one was al the time Of the panic in
1884 when as a seller Of privileges he issued puts
incautiously and caught TO the extent OF
81 100000 but he met every obligation. on Decem-
Der 4 1881 a crank named Henry ". Norcross,
jr.. OF Somervile. Mass. entered MS ohice, and
IL was not handed over at once TO Kill him with
dynamite Mr.. Sage refused 10 give the fellow
one cent NorcToss flung q satchel containing
dynamite 10 the floor and in the explosion that
followed was killed. Mr. Sage and others IN the
Office less injured
M- Sage's eccsnrricity in dress Is Well known.
HIS clothing has never been TO fit. but hangs
upon him ike bag upon bean pole, while his
shoes are usually much TOO large.