Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-02-21
LORD ARMSTRONG.
Pen Picture of the Great English
Inventor.

Northumbrians OF the present genera
ton will readily recall the little, weaz-
ened old gentleman who daily hustled
through the early morning crowds as
they poured from the Great Northern
railroad station to their various call
ngs in Newcastle -on-Tyne. His rapid
steps, almost amounting to a trot, even
at 50 years of age, were invariably d.
rected toward the famous Elswick
works. With his large silk hat drawn
well over his ears, black stock showing
Just a suspicion of collar, and swallow
talr' coat of antique cut, he was truly
q remarkable figure In the hurrying
throng Of clerks engineers, ship build
ers and coal mine workers.
When William Armstrong, a prosper
Gus corn merchant Of Newcastle, found
that his son. who was then plain Mas
ter william" turned all the toys that
were presented to him TO some mechani-
cal purpose, he probably little thought
what this early and somewhat prlml-
tive education would lead to. Little
William was verv delicate boy, so our
grandfathers have told us-so delicate
that he was often kept at home for long
periods, and II was during these that
he improved upon his playthings.
Gradually, however, the boy grew out
of his weakness, and at the age OF ~
he was strong enough TO enter a law
yers Office, where he worked for nearly
fifteen years, when he turned his atten-
ton to engineering,
His success In hydraulics and gun
manufacture subsequently made him
world famous and brought him enor-
nous wealth, and though the Arm
strong motto is Forts In ARMS" and
the family coat-of-arms bears two OF
the most muscular looking individuals
possible, the late baron always pre-
ferred to be regarded as a preseryer Of
peace rather than an author of earn
age.
Not until late in life did Lord Arm
strong wean himself from electrical and
scientific research during his spare mo-
ments. He suddenly became infatuated
with landscape gardening and tree
planting. After Transforming the prop
erty known as desmond Dene from q
barren waste into a glorious ravlne
through which tiny tributary 20 the
Tyne flows. and which property he later
gave TO the corporation Of Newcastle as
a public park. Lord Armstrong pur-
chased some 10000 acres of rocky land
Just outside the little town OF Roth
bury. lying at the foot Of the Cheviot
hills, and within few miles Of the bor-
der Of Scotland. There most OF his lat
ter days were spent and he allowed his
pet hobby no limitation sowing, plant.
ing. transplanting. importing trees and
shrubs from all corners of the world
no tn 10 a
Cragside became one OF the horticul-
tural features OF the world. On GER
tain days In the week the grounds were
open 10 the public, and Rothbury be-
came the objective point OF many an
American tourist.
Like many another man who has
made his mark in the world Of arts, let
tiers or science, Lord Armstrong had
great sorrow. Though married In the
full vigor OF manhood TO a highly re-
spected lady from his own neighbor-
hood. no children blessed their union.
as wealth. honors and decorations
rained upon the young inventor he fire.
quently lamented to his friends that he
had no direct heir 10 inherit his title
and profit by his accumulation OF
riches. Enormous sums were given
away TO charity. but this seemed only
to aggravate his loneliness, and before
he was so years Of age Lord and Lady
Armstrong became estranged Hence
forth such conversation as they desired
10 carry on with each other was done
through the medium OF servants. A
terrible silence reigned at Cragside.
Though they dined together daily, drove