The San Francisco call., 1906-06-28
LAST ACTS AID
SAN FRANCISCO
Alexander WE'LL, Philan-
thropist, Is Buried
in Paris.

Alexander Well. whose funeral will
take place in Paris today, was closely
identified with the fortunes of San
Francisco He was a member Of the
famous Vigilantes of 1856. He was
born in the military town of Phals-
bourg, Lorraine, on June q. 1884, and
came TO San Francisco February 4,
1855
When he came to this city the firm
Of Lazard Freres occupied a leading
position as importers. He was with
that firm until 1876, when the Bank of
Lazard Freres. OF which he was the
actual founder, was organized. He
remained in san Francisco until 1880.
when he went TO New York. There he
esUa blished a bank which has achieved
great renown as one of the big finan-
cial concerns Of the world In New
York he attained his greatest financial
success
Alexander Well was devotedIy at
tached 70 san Francisco During his
long sOjOurn in this city he was re-
garded as one Of the most progressive
and public-spfrited men in California
He was president OF the French Benev-
olent Society in 1869, 1871 and 1873.
He was the Oldest member Of this So
ciety, whose membership numbered
5000 The death Of Alexander Well
leaves his brother Raphael the Oldest
IN rank Of all the members Of the So
ciety-
SYMPATHY FOR CITY.
So fond Of san Francisco was Alexan-
der Weiu that he wrote to Raphael
Well on April p a letter which con
tained this sentence: 4 give you my
word II my wife would allow il 1
would start tomorrow for America to
be with you in your trying days" In
LETTERS he
Of his material property, realizing that
activity and perseverance would over
come material disaster. He was great
y reJOiced 20 learn that those who
were near and dear TO him had sur
Vived the calamity.
In France Alexander WE'LL was rec
ognized as one Of the foremost men
Of the country. In 1871, after the
Franco-Prussian war, he was the
founder and first president of the
League Rationale II had 1000 mem
bers This league established the
French library Of San Francisco. This
library was consumed in the fire
In 1877 the failure of the French
Savings Bank OF San Francisco took
place. The court appointed receiver
Alexander Well fOresaw that deposit
ors would lose under the proposed re-
ceivership. He battled in court against
the condition Of affairs, with the re-
suit that the decision appointing a re-
ceiver was reversed Alexander WE'LL
and Gustav Touchard then took charge
OF the banks affairs, and by their care
ful liquidation the creditors obtained
so per cent.
HONoRED BY FRANCE.
In Paris his last deed. which has been
declared p public utility by the French
Government. was the founding of sani-
tary lodgings at a low rent. The prof
its OF the enterprise accrue to the So
ciety. He was active in providing for
the widows and orphans of public
school teachers in France. In recog-
milton OF his distinguished work for
the advancement and comfort Of his
fellow beings he was made an officer
OF the Legion Of Honor, rank in that
order seldom attained by civilians.
Lazard Freres Of New York. London
and Paris and the London, Paris and
American Bank of San Francisco the
institutions being in effect one of
which Alexander WE'LL was the head
gave generously to the fund for the
relief Of San Francisco sufferers Apart
from such contributions Alexander
Well wrote in this manner to his
brother Raphael:
I have placed TO your credit the
sum OF $4,000, which you viii use to
the best of your judgment" On re-
ceiving this letter Raphael Well i'm
mediately sent $4,000 to the French re-
lief fund.
The Lazard Freres OF New York and
Paris sent $4,000 They said to Ra-
phael WE'LL: Employ this money alb
solutely at your discretion and with
out regard to religion or nationality
Many men and women who are too
proud TO ask for assistance may need
help"
Many men and women have been as
sisted who do not know today and per-
hsps never VIII know whence
came the aid In some OF the letters
from Paris comment has been made on
the action of President Roosevelt in
declining to receive foreign contribu-
tions in aid OF San Francisco. In one
OF the letters TO Raphael Well this
opinion is expressed:
Your friend Roosevelt has in my
humble mind been badly inspired when
he has sought 70 refuse ell help from
foreign countries for the unhappy peo-
pie OF San Francisco. He assumes
grave responsibility which is not per-
missible unless he is ready to respond
10 all demands for assistance"
Since the announcement in the press
Of the demise OF Alexander Well many
old-time companions of the eminent
banker and philanthropist have written
messages Of sympathy to Raphael
Well Men who were nearest in touch !