Evening star., 1943-03-13
Morgan, World Power, Stunned Publicity;
Friend Of Kings, He Avoided Public Life

my opinion is worth damn" He
once told reporters, Don't ask me
any questions about the future. I
am not a prophet"
He read great deal, especially
standard Victorian novels and could
finish two detective stories on a train
trip between New York and Boston.
Travelled in Planes.
He made his first airplane trip in
1898, short hop across Long Island
Sound, and flew several times aft
erward
He shot grouse with King George
VI, but their hunt together in Au-
gust. 1899, was interrupted when
war impended, the King returning to
London and Mr.. Morgan hurrying
back to New York.
Two years before than he had
been in England with a special in
vitation to the coronation, but suf-
fered a heart attack and could not
attend. This was the second such
attack he had suffered. In 1896 he
had been stricken at the home Of his
sister, Mrs. v. r. Crosby at West
Manchester. Mass.
Because of these seizures, he be-
gan to eat little more sparingly,
but always liked his wine with his
dinner.
Took Up Church Collection.
Like his father, whose will ex-
pressed faith in Christianity and be-
lief in Immortality, he was an ardent
churchman and Bible student.
For many years he was a warden
of the Protestant Episcopal Church
of ST Johns of LattingtoWn, at
Locust Valley, Long Island, often
called the "millionaire's church" He
passed the collection plate among
the Worshippers.
He annually imported tons of tea
from China to distribute among his
friends at Christmas.
There was legend that he used
to gather his children and grand
children about him every Christmas
eve in his Madison avenue mansion
and read to them Charles Dickens
Christmas carol from the original
manuscript, but this was not true.
He owned the priceless manu-
script but turned 1t over, with other
treasures, to his magnificent marble
library next door.
Battled With Assailant.
His courage in business was
matched by physical fortitude, per-
haps best exemplified when he was
wounded by Eric Muenter July 3,
1915. The banker, on the second
floor of his country home at Glen
Cove, Long Island had been warned
of the intruder, but instead of max
ing his way out of the house went
to the head of the stairs. He saw
Muenter ascending revolver in
each hand. and as the assaiIant ap-
preached the top he hurled himself
on his attacker.
The force of the plunge sent both
rolling to the bottom of the stairs
In the scuffle two shots we're fired
both taking effect in Morgans groin.
But he held on to Muenter until as
slstance arrived and the man was
disarmed. Muenter then was bound
hand and foot and turned over to
the police. After about two months
Morgan was back at his desk.
His hours there were regular when
he was in New York He would ap-
pear about 10 o'clock, stay until
and then go home. He seldom ap-
peared at public dinners
Many honors were conferred upon
Mr.. Morgan for his work on behalf
of governments and for his interest
in philanthropy and education. Be-
sides the World War decorations
from France, Belgian and England,
he was made grand officer of the
Order OF the Crown of Italy in 1927
and was given the First Order of the
Sacred Treasure by Japan in 1927.
Held Many Honorary Degrees.
He held honorary LID. degrees
from Trinity College, 1918; Cam
brldge University, England, 1919;
Harvard, 1923, and Princeton, 1929.
New York University conferred the
degree D.C.S. in 1922, and in 1880
oxford University, England. awarded
lts highest distinction, aDCL.
In addition to being his fathers
successor as head of the banking
house, Mr.. Morgan inherited a chief
share In the huge estate. includ-