Evening journal., 1903-09-10
ROATH'S GENEROSITY.
Why Rich Chicagoan Divided
$1,000, 900 Among Relatives.
CURIOUS ABOUT USE OF his MONEY


Eccentricities.
In Stephen r. Roath, who came out
of the west and startled his poor rela-
tives in Norwich, Conn. by distribut-
ing something like million dollars
among them, Norwich has found q sec
ond David Haram, says the New York
Herald. 1t is not only in the kindness
of his heart, masked by a somewhat
gruff nature and a decided proclivity
10 get the better end of a bargain al
ways. that "Unclc Steve" as the
townspeople call him, resembles the
man OF fiction.
His conversation, bis actions, his
looks and even the principles followed
by him from a boyhood Of poverty are
those of David Harum to an exactness
that almost startles one who is fortu-
nate enough to talk with this remarka-
bic old gentleman. True to his princi-
pies. Mr. Roath did not warn his rela-
tives OF his plan. They knew nothing
about IL until the wealth, far beyond
their fondest dreams, was literally
dumped at their doors.
Il got it all 6xed," Mr.. Roath
chuckled as he said it. and his eyes
twinkled with delight. "and then
sprung it on them. Nov I'll just wait
around and see what they do with It.
Yes, gave it without a single reserva-
ton. They can throw it away II they
want to. III just wait and see"
It was In Chicago. where he went in
1855, that Mr.. Roath made his fortune.
He was live stock agent for the Illinois
Central railroad for years there and en-
joyed and benefited by the friendship
of such money eetters as Marshall
Field. L. z. Letter. Nelson Morris, the
late Potter Palmer and the late Philip
Armour. Always a persistent money
getter, Mr.. Roath made a rule never to
be broken that the money he saved
must earn more money. And so it was
that fron the humblest beginning he
grew to be a man OF millions.
The secret Of his success. interspersed
with much sound advice and his rca-
SONS for giving away a large slice Of
his fortune, was told in a most interest
ing manner by Mr.. Roath as he sat in
an easy chair on the porch Of the CON-
Portable cottage in Norwich which is
the home of Mrs. Matilda Randall. a
widow, who Is Mr.. Roath's sister.
"How did ] invest my money! Let
me give you one piece OF advice, young
man. Don't invest in anything you
can't eat. People must eat always, but
IN hard times they don't put up big
buildings. they don't buy any luEuries.
Don't borrow money. know a man
who was worth 100000. He wasn't
satisfied and borrowed S60O0.O00 more
TO use In speculation. This was all
placed, and things looked promising
until the panic of 1873 came along.
Well. that man was Just wiped out
did not speculate. and survived the
panic Of 1873.
Il have saved money every year OF
my life since began working here in
a general store for SC a MONTH" Mr
Roath said as he leaned back and rest.
ed his game" leg on a stool. "a young
man to succeed in life must at least do
that. Then I put the little saved out
at interest. Savings banks In those
days Paid G per cent.
Il was the first mail agent that ever
ran on the old Norwich and Worcester
railroad" Uncle Steve said. with some
pride. grhat was in 1S4S. From 1852
to 1858 thirty-five families left Nor
wich for Chicago. / went there In 1855
with a small working capital and with
a valuable experience / had gained
from my first employer, who was the
soul Of honesty and sharp as a steel
trap.
"He showed me how to get ahead,
and when I became live stock agent OF
the Illinois Central-well. I got ahead
myself. No, never gambled; that Is
one Of the secrets OF ruin. But / in
vested my money as fast as l got IT,
when a man works hard and keeps his
eyes open II is remarkable how many
ways be will find to make money.
II didn't get much education when
was young. so decided to travel. Old
Mexico, California and pretty much ev-
cry part Of the country has seen me,
but my permanent home. except when
I come back to old Norwich in the sum-
mer. has been at a sanitarium In Battle
Creek, Mich.'
In Chicago Mr.. Roath lived for years
at the Old Bulls Head hotel. The sto-
ries OF his eccentricities are without
number. with all bis parsimony, be
used 10 buy two drinks day. but to
get the advantage OF the two for a
quarter rate he would not pay for the
morning( cocktail until be had enjoyed
another In the evening. When his laun-
dryman raised the price on shirts from
10 to 10 ednts. increasing his meager
bill few b. anies a week. Uncle steve
made a big StjwI. And yet this Is the
man who has...lven away million-
II Is said Of lin that he smoked only
when cigars wire given TO him, and
the purchase Of an overcoat was an
event In his life. When he came TO NOT
wich he would dispute with cabmer
and refuse to pay pore than quarter
Tor ride. and II I. said he even toio
the BARRIERS 10 cents vas enough for
shave and a hair cut, In the summer
he often goes TO Block Gisland and New
port for week. but the hotels thai
charge dollar a day arr good enough
for him. All his life he has watched
the Pennioc. AMI now. follclwins the eN
ample Of Andrew CarnegiS, whom h'
adioires, he has become a Ipilliopair'
and philanthropist.
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