Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1902-03-27

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CECIL RHODES.
Ing became more difficult, and biz
strength perceptibly diminished until
he passed away.
Mr.. Rhodes had been III for some
time from angina pectoris AMI had con-
suited many eminent specialists. His
heart was enlarged and was eneroach-
ing on the lung space. Oxygen was
latterly administered to keep him alive,
His death had been momentarily ex.
pected. Whether it was due to his ex-
periences during the long siege of KIM
beriey or the accumulated anxieties re-
garding the war in South Africa, with
an accompanying change of public feel
ing In England toward him, there is
no doubt he was almost completely
broken down within the last two years.
Even his appearance changed. His
once finely chiseled face had become
bloated. and his always huge frame
6lled out until the Colossus" became
90. stout as to make walking matter
Of difficulty.
He was frequently attacked with &C.
we're heart troubles, during which he
exhibited the stoicism which marked
his extraordinary career. Nor did he
allow his bodily ailments to interfere
with business. Among his associates
he never mentioned them, nor did he
permit them to be mentioned to him.
Up to the last Mr.. Rhodes kept firm
grip on all those vast South African
interests created and controlled by him.
Except that ne was more irritable and
more dictatorial there was no outward
change in his method of handling men,
millions and empires. Toward the So
cial side Of life, however, he soured
visibly.
A Clergyman's Son.
Cecil Rhodes was born on July 5,
1853, and his father was the Rev. Fran
els William Rhodes, vicar Of Bishops
Stortford, town about twenty-five
miles from London. His eldest broth
or, Herbert, had a plantation in the
south of Natal, and in 1869 Cecil,
whose lungs were too weak for the
English climate, was sent to live with
him.
Kimberley was then becoming fa-
nous, and Herbert Rhodes caught the
fever and went there. After year
Cecil, greatly improved in health. fol-
lowed and there and then began his IA
nous career.
He and his brother staked out claims
and worked them. They were lucky.
They amassed little fortunes. Then
Cecil threw over his work and his
went home, re-entered col
lege and got his degree. Poor again.
he at once returned to the diamond
fields, got into overalls and went to
work.
Herbert died. Cecil became the sole
manager Of large interest In the Kim
berley mines. Then he began his sys-
tenn Of consolidation and was made
president Of the De Beers Mining COM
pany, with $1,000,0 900 capital.
The Road to Fortune.
The ruinous competition Of rival dia-
mold companies made the African dia-
monds fall in price lower than 1T any
other time. This was in the early eight
les. In 1850 all the diamond mines
were consolidated under the name of
the De Beers Consolidated Mines, lin
tied: capitalized at s3.95o. 900. or $19,-
760, 900, with Cecil Rhodes president.
But while Rhodes was making money
BY thousands he was on the lookout
for an opportunity to fulhll the great
ambition Of his boyhood, "All that my
hand covers will one day be miner
He sent mining engineers out into
the interior. BY accident they found
at the entrance Of one gold mine Ro-
man coin, showing that the mining
shaft was as old as Rome in her glory.
Cultivating the acquaintances Of the
kings in the interior, in exchange for
presents he received valuable mining
concessions.
organized South Africa COMPANY.
He went to London, and the South
Africa company was organised, capt.
talised at Fl, 0O0. 600.
While busy with his misses he did not
neglect politics. Early In the eighties
~ vas elected to the Cape house Of A.
0embly fton Barley. After receiving