The National tribune., 1906-07-26

Russell Sage, the famous old man Of
Wall street. died suddenly at his Sum-
mer home at Lawrence, L. l.. July %,
to great age. He was born Aug. 4. 1915,
and was looking forward to the celebra-
ton Of his goth birthday. He was born
at Verona. N. r. Of careful, prudent
Connecticut ancestors. and began life as
an errand boy In grocery store. There
he displayed the qualities that brought
him wealth eventually estimated al
$100. 100000. He was shrewd, indus
trious. unflinchingiy honest and pru-
dent. with q great deal Of enterprise.
When he was only % years old he es-
tablished q wholesale grocery OF his
own and by 1857 had acquired fortune
estimated at 100000, vast amount
for those days. He was then contem-
plating retirement, but he became in
vOlved In. railroad transactions, and
presently found that 1t was necessary
for him to go into Wall street. He was
no speculator or flyer, but bought good
property when 1t was cheap and sold il
when 1t was high. Only once did he
have q heavy reverse, and that was In
1884. when Grant & Ward failed and II
Is said that he lost 8s.o00,00O. After
that he carefully kept q big reserve fund
OF cash on hand. and for many years
has been the holder OF more ready
money, 1t Is believed, than any other
man In the world. He was called the
father OF puts and CALLS" that Is. he
invented practical way In which the
owner Of small sum, sayy SIS or up
ward, could buy that amount OF stock
In the market on the same terms as q
capitalist. He kept himself more care
fully informed than any other man a.
n he nftp l,yo 0f 0v,A do
and with his immense stock OF money
on hand he was always ready to take
advantage OF any good thing offered and
turn It over for q smaller profit than
other large operators were willing to
be content with. At one time g. man
named White, OF Boston, who had no
money. made q successful bid for 81
100000 worth OF Government bonds OF
the issue Of 1895. IL he had had the
money to pay for them he could, have
made an immediate profit OF $4,000.
and Boston bank began p0nderous ne
gotiati0ns with him. which were ter
minated suddenly by Russell Sage tak-
ing the lot and contenting himself with
a profit OF $4,000. leaving the rest to
go to the lucky bidder. In early life
Mr.. Sage went into politics; and was an
ardent Wing. He showed the same good
business sense In politics, and was elect
ed to Congress. but declined renomi-
nation. He was. one Of the first men In
the country to recognise the coming Of
William Mckinley. IDltle earlier days
OF railroading everybody, Fas p0ttering
around over short railroads from one
town to another. Mrs safe was one OF
longer lines. and heTt worked out this
idea successfully both for the roads and
for his own increment 81 wealth. He
was partner OF Jay s06tiid for many
years. In 1891 Henry n. Norcross. a
partially insane man., Visited Sage's Of
Ace and demanded {t.2eo,0oo. When
this was refused N6fcfoSs dropped q
dynamite bomb upon 'theofoor. the ex-
plosion OF which took siof Norcross's
head. killed q clerk aad wrecked the
Office. but only slightly Injured Mr..
Sage. For some time afterward he was
worried by suit by a bank messenger
to recover damages for having been
jerked by Mr.. Sage In front Of him as a
shield against the effects OF the explo-
sion. He was twice married. and his
second wife was a lady OF much culture
and high ideals. She gave away liber-
ally for charity, and Mr.. Sage humored
her In this. though he was very close
listed to advances upon him personally
for loans and contributions. 1t Is said
as an illustration OF his methods that a
solicitor approached him with his book
for q contribution and pointed out a
signature. Mrs. Sage $50" The finan-
cier took the book and wrote "Mr and
Mrs. Sage. $50" The only large sum
600 for the erection OF the Sage Hall at
the Emma Willard Seminary. Troy, N.
Y, In memory OF his first wife. No one
has any idea as to what disposition his
will will make OF his immense fortune.
The death Of Lady Curzon, wife OF
Lord Curzon. Of Kedleston. former Vice.
roy OF India. which occurred in London
July Is, has thrown q gloom over off,
cial and social circles both In England
and In this country. AS the beautiful,
gentle. accomplished Mary Letter we
were very proud Of her high position
and OF the way she filled 1t. The &C.
knowiedged belle OF Washington society
after her debut In the Winter OF 1890,
she at once became distinguished for
her kindness OF heart. for the tact. grace
and simplicity OF her manner. az well
as for the patriciAn character Of her
beauty. She was born in Chicago, but
educated In Washington, where she
came with her father In the early eos.
During visit to London after her de-
but, which was filled with brilliant So
cial successes, she met her future hus-
band. George N. Curzon. then Under
o1SBCtSAy VA Olot0 lOT 4HUId ana OnQCT
Secretary OF State for Foreign Affairs
to whom she soon became engaged
They were married April %, 1895, in
st. Johns Church. Washington, amid a
brilliant social and official assemblaRe,
her fathers bridal gift being 100000
and handsome house in London. After
her marriage she threw herself with a
remarkable intelligence into her hus-
bands political career, being largely
helpful In his Parliamentary success.
As Vicereine OF India she filled the ex-
acting and delicate demands OF her DO
siti0n with that unfalltng tact. grace
and unselfish consideration for others
which was SO natural to her. She at
once interested herself in the condition
OF the women Of IndtAsi and did much
to improve their statpA Apd to remove
the traditions and prejudices which for
centuries had chained them in an en-.
vironment OF miserytsiSne had 4 very
serious illness in. India 1.-TWO years ago.
from which her death, Is supposed to
have resulted. The funeral took place
at Reelection. the hohiH tbf her father
in-iaw. Baron Scarsdhe.s She leaves
three children. ThAa london press
speaks Of her In terms 3f the highest
prairie. deplodns her death as great
loss to England. The LSHAon Mali says:
Lady Curzon combined sall the intel
lectual force and vigQr Of the New
" world .,id wi, With the charn; grace and tact