DUKE 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 Giit oh 
 George W. Britt 
 
L O UIS STIX 
 
 REMINISCENCES 
 
 CHRONICLED AS A 
 RECREATION IN 
 HIS LATER 
 YEARS 
 
 1821 — 1902 
 
D 
 
 igitized by 
 
 the Internet 
 
 Archive 
 
 
 
 
 in 2015 
 
 
 
 
 https://archive.org/details/reminiscences01stix 
 
1963 
 
Preface to the Second Edition 
 
 During his later years Sylvan L. Stix, the 
 youngest son of Louis Stix, cherished the hope 
 that he might reprint this book in honor of his 
 father. It was his fond wish that every descendant 
 of Louis Stix might have a copy of the family his- 
 tory, the supply of which has been so limited. 
 After the death of Sylvan L. Stix it was felt that 
 this should be done not only in honor of Louis 
 Stix but also as a tribute to Sylvan L. Stix who 
 was so widely loved and respected, and who so 
 ably carried on the family traditions. 
 
 No changes have been made to the text of the 
 first edition. However, a list of the descendants 
 of Louis Stix has been added in the belief that it 
 may be of interest to all. 
 
These recollections are born of a long de- 
 ferred purpose. The history of every life 
 is valuable. Its struggles, its efforts, whether 
 successful or otherwise, and even its mistakes, 
 become beacons and landmarks, serving as a 
 guidance to those who may find themselves in 
 similar straits or difficulties. 
 
 It is needless for me to say that I am neither 
 historian nor linguist. The all-absorbing 
 cares of a life spent in mercantile pursuits 
 have debarred me from the acquisition of at- 
 tainments which would have made my task 
 easier, and greatly improved the literary style 
 of these recollections. Nevertheless, though 
 thus hampered, and realizing in advance the 
 impediments in my way, my naturally strong 
 determination to carry out all I undertake, has 
 urged me on, and enabled me practically to 
 bring to a conclusion these reminiscences. If 
 I have succeeded in making them interesting 
 to my posterity, I shall have brought to a happy 
 termination my self-appointed task. My men- 
 tion of figures and amounts must be received 
 as only approximately correct. 
 
I have never kept a diary and therefore have 
 been obliged to rely entirely upon recollection 
 for my facts. I have tried to be especially 
 careful as to the accuracy of all dates given. 
 My wife has been of great aid to me, assisting 
 in recalling events of which she and I alone 
 knew. In this connection I must acknowledge 
 the greater clearness with which she has re- 
 membered the occurrences of former days. I 
 am satisfied that this fact will still more deeply 
 endear to our children my narration. 
 
 If it seems proper that I should apologize for 
 too frequent allusions, by name, to my business 
 friends, it must be remembered that they have 
 been bound up with my life work. 
 
 My loving mention of those closest to me 
 needs no excuse. I have only desired to show 
 the affection in which I hold them. To them 
 all I say: let union be your family shield; de- 
 votion to each other your unfailing motto. 
 
ANCESTORS 
 
 MY paternal grandfather's name was 
 Koshman Solomon. He was born at 
 Demmelsdorf in 1750 and died there in 1808. 
 My paternal grandmother was also a native of 
 Demmelsdorf. She was born in 1756 and died 
 there in 1820. My paternal grandparents 
 both died before I was born. I have been told 
 that my father's father was an excellent and 
 highly respected man and that my father's 
 mother was a devoted wife and mother, a dig- 
 nified woman, but less unselfish than her hus- 
 band. My father, Solomon, was born April 
 2, 1788. 
 
 My one maternal great-grandfather (my 
 mother's mother's father) was Michael Moses; 
 my other maternal great-grandfather (my 
 mother's father's father) was Moses Cohen. 
 The former was born, at Glensdorf, Bavaria, 
 in 1730; he was a cloth-merchant, was well to 
 do pecuniarily, and esteemed for fair and up- 
 right dealings by all who knew him. He died, 
 at his native place, at the age of eighty-three. 
 
 I 
 
The latter was born at Schneidach, Bavaria, 
 in 1733, and died August 23rd, 181 3. 
 
 My mother's father, Aaron Cohen, (spelled 
 "Kuhn" in my mother's marriage contract) 
 was a son of Moses Cohen. He also was born 
 at Schneidach, in 1758; he died December 8th, 
 1830, at Demmelsdorf, Bavaria. He was a 
 graduate of the University of Prague and 
 was called as a minister to Demmelsdorf, to 
 which place he removed, and remained there in 
 that capacity, to the end of his life. He 
 was highly educated and reputed to have 
 been a good man, and an example of 
 rectitude. He married Conendal Moses, 
 daughter of the above named Michael 
 Moses. She was born at Glensdorf in the year 
 1752, and died in Demmelsdorf in 1827. They 
 had two children, my mother, and a son, Henry. 
 The latter married Madeline Sulsbacher, a 
 widow (with children) and by her had but one 
 child, Moses, who emigrated, while a young 
 man, to the United States, to join three step- 
 brothers. He made his residence at Leaven- 
 worth, Kansas, where he died unmarried, leav- 
 ing my mother the sole surviving descendant 
 of Aaron and Conendal Cohen. My mother 
 was sometimes called Deborah, at other times 
 Dorothea. She is named Dorothea in her mar- 
 
 2 
 
riage contract. My mother was born at Dem- 
 melsdorf, January 18th, 1795. 
 
 I remember my grandfather, Aaron Cohen. 
 Naturally I knew him only in his declining 
 years when he was somewhat taciturn. I was 
 deeply impressed by a fervent prayer of his 
 that, when it should please God to call him, 
 he might be spared a lingering illness. His 
 prayer was granted. He was found dead in 
 his bed one morning after having retired the 
 previous evening in apparently good health. I 
 remember, too, an address delivered by him, 
 shortly before his death, in 1830, to some 
 young men about to emigrate to the United 
 States. He bade them, for their own sakes, if 
 for no other reason, to so order their transac- 
 tions, that, no matter who might, by day or 
 night, knock at their doors, their consciences 
 might be such that they need fear neither God's 
 nor man's punishment. He told them that 
 in the breast of the honest and righteous man, 
 neither fear nor apprehension had a place. 
 These words were so full of wisdom that I 
 have found them an admirable guide through 
 life, well worthy of acceptance, and I repeat 
 them here, in order that they may be remem- 
 bered by my descendants. 
 
 I also remember my grandmother Conendal 
 3 
 
Cohen. She was a sweet and amiable woman 
 who endeared herself to all children and was 
 called "Grandmother" by every one. She had 
 an ever-smiling face, was gracious of man- 
 ner, and kind of heart, and the beauty of her 
 person and of her mind will remain pleasant 
 memories to me until my last hour. I have one 
 daughter, whom I will not name, who seems 
 to unite in herself, but in an intensified degree, 
 all the excellent characteristics and charming 
 qualities of my grandmother and my mother. 
 I trust that she will some day find all that her 
 parents so much love and admire in her, repro- 
 duced and intensified in her own descendants, 
 and that when old age overtakes her, she may 
 be no less proud of them than her parents are of 
 their ten children and fifteen grandchildren, 
 and of those with whom their married children 
 have joined their lives. 
 
 My father's family had no family name at 
 the time of his birth. Nor do I know whether 
 any of the family names already mentioned 
 existed prior to 1813. Prior to that date, the 
 custom prevailed, among European Jews, of 
 giving to boys one name only, with the name of 
 the father joined either with or without a con- 
 necting "ben" (which means "son"). Certain 
 it is that my father, like all Jewish citizens 
 
 4 
 
(such designation is perhaps a liberty; of 
 Bavaria, was compelled., under a law passed in 
 1 8 1 3 , to adopt a distinctive family name. Act- 
 ing under this compulsion, he adopted the name 
 Stix. I shall always feel grateful for that law 
 and its enforcement. It prevented the compli- 
 cations and consequent confusion, arising from 
 the repetition of names from generation to gen- 
 eration, which had prevailed to such an ex- 
 tent that neither postman, court officials, 
 friends nor foes, could insure a communication 
 reaching its intended destination. It was 
 moreover fortunate in securing for us an in- 
 dividuality of name, as my father, who always 
 had an aversion to long and unpronounceable 
 names, was thus enabled to legally make his 
 own selection, and in so doing, chose a name 
 which has the merit of extreme brevity and en- 
 tire originality. Though unknown when my 
 father appropriated it. it has. I have heard, 
 during the last century, been adopted by sev- 
 eral families, both in this country and abroad. 
 Yet it remained so rare that, in 1887, a cable- 
 gram sent to me by one of my daughters, from 
 Carlsbad. Bohemia, addressed "Stix, Xew 
 York." reached me without requiring fuller ad- 
 dress. May the name be transmitted in its 
 original honor, unsullied by any unworthy act, 
 
 5 
 
as I received it from my parents, and hand it to 
 my descendants, and may it continue to be 
 esteemed no less proudly than by those who 
 bore it in my generation, 
 
 My father and Deborah Cohen were married 
 after overcoming serious difficulties. My 
 mother's father was not a man of means, and it 
 will be readily understood that his income, as 
 minister in a small place, was necessarily 
 meagre. Though Deborah Cohen was the 
 choice of my father's heart, his mother, in view 
 of what she considered his fine prospects, was 
 opposed to her son's union with one who could 
 not bring to him the marriage portion to which 
 she considered him entitled, but which my 
 mother's parents, willing and anxious as they 
 were for the union, were unable to supply. 
 My father, unable to secure his mother's con- 
 sent to a marriage with Deborah Cohen, to 
 whom he was deeply devoted, reluctantly 
 yielded his own wishes to those of his mother. 
 A short time afterwards, Deborah Cohen, con- 
 forming to the custom of the times, whereby 
 parents arranged matrimonial matters, induced 
 by the persuasions of her father, became en- 
 gaged to a young man from Reckendorf, who 
 neither cared for money, nor demanded a mar- 
 riage portion. It, however, reached Deborah 
 
 6 
 
Cohen's ears that the man to whom she was en- 
 gaged was an epileptic. Through others, she 
 made persistent inquiry without securing con- 
 firmation of the rumor; yet she was cautioned 
 to be on her guard. Time sped on, and fate 
 seemed to be against her. The day set for the 
 wedding arrived. The ceremony, probably to 
 avoid expense to the bride's parents, was to 
 have taken place at the bridegroom's home. 
 Thither the bride, her family and friends went. 
 When everything was in readiness, and the 
 ceremony was about to take place, the bride's 
 suspicions were aroused by a hurried running 
 to and fro in and out of the room where the 
 groom was supposed to be. Refusal being 
 made to her demand for admittance to the 
 room, she at once fled from the house and re- 
 turned to her own home. The result of the 
 excitement incident to the occasion left no 
 doubt as to the groom's physical condition, and 
 the engagement was broken. A short time 
 afterwards, through mutual concessions, the 
 former objections were removed, and the mar- 
 riage between my father and Deborah Cohen 
 took place. I still possess the document which 
 provides for the payment of my mother's mar- 
 riage portion in stated instalments and at stated 
 times. From the time of their marriage until 
 
 7 
 
separated by death, my parents were an ex- 
 tremely happy and fortunate couple. For a 
 time they were obliged to struggle to make both 
 ends meet; but by uniting energy, industry, 
 frugality and economy they overcame pe- 
 cuniary disadvantages and prospered beyond 
 their most sanguine expectations. Love and 
 harmony took up their abode with them. 
 
 8 
 
REMINISCENCES 
 
 WHEN I was but a boy I remember see- 
 ing my mother embraced by two uni- 
 formed men. I was told that during the 
 famine of 1816 and 181 7, we had had neigh- 
 bors named Wasserman, who were so poor as 
 to be without food. My parents, however, 
 having had sufficient means and foresight to 
 provide plentifully for themselves, had had the 
 good hearts to divide with these neighbors and 
 relieve their necessities. These two men, now 
 state officials, were the sons of these neighbors 
 come to assure my mother of their gratitude. 
 
 My mother's nature was very gentle. Char- 
 acteristic of her was her punishment of me on 
 the only occasion when I seriously displeased 
 her. In her anger she seized the first article 
 at hand, which chanced to be a goose's wing. 
 She grasped the bony part and, with all her 
 strength, beat me with the feather end. This 
 was the severest punishment I ever received at 
 her hands. 
 
 My father always stood for the right. Of 
 9 
 
this there were many examples, a few of which 
 I will narrate. At one time, a neighbor of ours 
 had been convicted of the crime of robbing an 
 ignorant farmer, and immunity was offered 
 him by the officials upon receipt by them of a 
 certain sum of money, to be collected in the 
 vicinage. My father was assessed for his 
 share of this fund, but positively refused to 
 pay it, or to do anything to relieve the criminal 
 from the penalty of his crime. For this he 
 was commended by all the authorities, other 
 than the Landrichter, who subsequently was 
 caught in his double-dealings and sent to 
 prison, notwithstanding influential connec- 
 tions. A similar instance follows. My father 
 owned the house in which we lived and had, 
 for years, with other freeholders, been obliged 
 to pay a small church tax, in return for which 
 he was permitted to send cattle to the commons 
 with a herder. Convinced that the tax was an 
 unjust one, he fought it, alternately winning 
 and losing, to the highest court, and there se- 
 cured a final decision in his favor. The 
 village unanimously acknowledged their obliga- 
 tion to my father. Even the "Busaken," 
 against whom the fight had been waged, after 
 my father's victory, called and congratulated 
 my mother, whom the suit had caused many 
 
 10 
 
anxious days and sleepless nights. When she 
 saw them coming she supposed they had come 
 to take possession of our home. 
 
 My father traded in almost everything from 
 which an honest gain could result. In the 
 course of his trading, there was once offered 
 him a cheap and desirable lot of goods by a 
 stranger whom he discovered to be of bad 
 reputation. Instead of making the purchase, 
 he set a trap for the seller, who turned out to 
 be a dangerous and daring thief. My father 
 notified the authorities of his whereabouts. He 
 was arrested, tried and convicted, principally 
 on my father's testimony. When sentence 
 was about to be passed, the prisoner turned to 
 my father and said: "I will attend to you when 
 I get out of prison." The Judge, who over- 
 heard the threat, told the prisoner that he 
 would give him the longest sentence he could, 
 and regretted that he had not the power to 
 make it for life, while he complimented my 
 father for his aid in bringing the criminal to 
 justice. 
 
 I attended school at Demmelsdorf. I do not 
 remember at what age my school-days began, 
 but I continued in attendance until I was about 
 fourteen years old. I was neither partial to 
 my teacher nor was I a favorite of his. He 
 
 II 
 
caused, in my childish mind, an aversion that 
 has never been obliterated, and, although I bore 
 him no malice, the sense of wrong has 
 remained. It had its origin in this incident. 
 I was one of a party of children who went in 
 search of huckleberries, in company with the 
 teacher; we each had a large basket and also 
 carried a small pail in which to gather the 
 berries. I had worked so energetically that I 
 was the first to fill my basket, but it was inti- 
 mated wrongfully by some of my companions 
 that I had stolen some from their baskets. I 
 appealed for vindication to the teacher. In- 
 stead of asserting my innocence, of which he 
 was fully aware, he sided against me and called 
 me by an opprobrious name. My aversion was 
 confirmed by his preference for scholars whose 
 parents had means. I charged him with this 
 on an occasion when, for a trivial offense, he 
 whipped a poor boy brutally. I told him pub- 
 licly, at the time, that, had the boy been the 
 child of rich parents, he would never have 
 dared to administer such severe punishment. 
 For this remark I was ordered before the whole 
 school for punishment, but, instead of obeying 
 his command, I left the school-room. For so 
 leaving, my father punished me, but he recog- 
 nized the justice of my attitude and took my 
 
 12 
 
part, and, from that day, the teacher was more 
 afraid of me than I of him. In after years, 
 when requested by one of his former pupils, a 
 resident of Cincinnati, in which city the teacher 
 died, to contribute to a fund for the erection 
 of a tombstone to his memory, I offered to de- 
 fray the entire expense of such tombstone on 
 condition that the truth be inscribed upon it. 
 My offer was never accepted. 
 
 During* my school-days life-long friend- 
 ships were formed. As early as 1832, in imi- 
 tation of a vow between two brothers, which 
 we read of, Henry Mack and I vowed eternal 
 friendship. Each of us, now beyond seventy 
 years of age, is still true to the compact of our 
 early days. We expect to die as we have lived, 
 firm in our friendship. 
 
 Naturally I had my home occupations. The 
 children performed all the chores about the 
 house most cheerfully, regarding them as a pas- 
 time and recreation. Among our duties was 
 that of gathering fuel for heating and cooking 
 purposes. We obtained it in the forest on the 
 hill which overlooked the town. During the 
 winters, which were long and severe, we coasted 
 with our loads from the woods to our home. 
 We always owned a goat, and so we had milk, 
 cheese and sometimes butter, almost as though 
 
 13 
 
we had a cow. As fodder for the goat, we 
 gathered green leaves during the summer, and 
 followed the farmers through the fields gather- 
 ing what they failed to collect. We assisted 
 our mother in domestic matters. We chopped 
 the wood, ran her errands, carried the water 
 for the household, washed the dishes, aided her 
 in cleaning floors, preparing vegetables and 
 other food, and generally did whatever we 
 could to lighten her labors. Often do I recall 
 my mother's sweetness of disposition and do- 
 mestic womanly virtues. She brought up her 
 ten children without even a servant or any as- 
 sistance, and distinguished herself for her 
 neatness and cleanliness as a housekeeper. It 
 is really marvelous how she managed so beauti- 
 fully and successfully under all circumstances. 
 Our attendance at school was, however, never 
 permitted to be interfered with in the least by 
 these duties, our parents being particular that 
 we should lose none of the educational advan- 
 tages which were at hand. 
 
 It was during those years that mother re- 
 ceived a legacy amounting to several hundred 
 dollars, bequeathed to her by a relative at 
 Glensdorf, from the hands of a stranger to 
 whom it had been entrusted by the relative, but 
 who had detained it until, constrained by her 
 
 14 
 
priest's refusal of absolution, she paid it over. 
 The payment was providential, for shortly 
 after, my father was taken ill with fever and 
 ague, and did not recover for a full year, and, 
 during this period, this money provided com- 
 forts which otherwise would not have been pos- 
 sible. I remember distinctly being frequently 
 sent to procure small change for the Prussian 
 dollars which made up this sum. 
 
 My mother, too, in 1836, was attacked by a 
 severe illness, which caused her excruciating 
 pains and which was supposed to be rheuma- 
 tism. She was bent and crippled. Medical 
 authority, consulted from near and far, con- 
 curred in the decision that it was incurable. 
 One physician stated that the Main would 
 flow over the mountain peaks sooner than that 
 my mother would recover the power of walk- 
 ing erect. A medical student, without di- 
 ploma, and not entitled to practice, saw her, 
 expressed a belief that he could help her. was 
 permitted to treat her, and in a short time cured 
 her completely. 
 
 It was during my school-days that the title 
 "Kosher" Louis was given me. I will jot 
 down a few of the incidents which gave it to 
 me. My brother Carl was telling tales about 
 me at the table. I told him to stop and, when 
 
 15 
 
he did not, I, in the presence of our father, 
 threw a fork at him, which struck him in the 
 face. Each for himself may picture what hap- 
 pened to me after that. On another occasion, 
 while I was splitting wood at the chopping 
 block, Moses Herman, who lived in the upper 
 story of our house, persisted in putting his 
 hand in the way, to prevent me from chopping. 
 I kept on and chopped into his hand, though 
 not severely. To avoid his vengeance I 
 climbed into our stable loft and drew up after 
 me the ladder by which I had mounted. There 
 I remained until my descent was made safely. 
 On another occasion, while the teacher was ab- 
 sent from the school-room, I put a burning 
 coal on the palm of a boy named Stadler; re- 
 taining the coal in his hand he made complaint 
 to the returning teacher, who leisurely ques- 
 tioned him as to the culprit and then said with 
 deliberation, "You may throw it off." The 
 teacher punished me only slightly; but my 
 father settled with me more severely — nor was 
 this the only one of my transgressions which 
 provoked his correction. 
 
 Another incident, which might have resulted 
 seriously, looms up from my boyhood days. 
 My father had a butcher's knife which I was 
 
 16 
 
strictly forbidden to use. Naturally I used it 
 secretly. On one occasion, while at the out- 
 skirts of the town having the knife in my hand, 
 I met a number of children. As soon as they 
 saw me they started to run and shout. Think- 
 ing something had happened, I hurried after 
 to inquire the cause of their terror. The faster 
 they ran and the louder their shouts, the 
 quicker I followed, all unconscious that I, with 
 knife in hand, was the cause of their fright and 
 flight. As they reached their own doors and 
 excitedly talked to their people, I found myself 
 in front of a jeweler's shop, the proprietor of 
 which was a friend of my father. He advised 
 me to leave promptly, as he knew those children 
 had been taught that Jews kill Christian 
 children. Such was the bitter feeling caused 
 by the report of these children to their elders, 
 that I considered myself extremely fortunate 
 to have escaped unharmed. 
 
 At the age of fourteen, by my own choice, 
 I was bound out for three years, as an appren- 
 tice to a glazier — a trade differing materially 
 in Europe from that commonly designated 
 by the same term in the United States. We 
 made sashes, all kinds of wood-work, some 
 lead and iron trimmings, and set painted win- 
 
 17 
 
dows and other windows, and did other similar 
 work. I served the full three years, applying 
 myself faithfully to learning the trade. 
 
 While serving this apprenticeship I learned, 
 through persons who solemnly asserted they 
 had seen it, that there was a ghost to be seen 
 nightly, between twelve and one o'clock, at a 
 place halfway between Schleslitz and Dem- 
 melsdorf . I went there, timing myself so as to 
 reach the place a little after midnight, but the 
 ghost failed to appear. However, in passing 
 the house adjoining our own, which was re- 
 puted to be haunted, and for that reason had 
 been sold at half its value, I saw a figure stand- 
 ing in front of the third-story window and 
 shouted at it to receive the prompt reply "If 
 you do not hurry away, I will make you." It 
 proved to be a young man, mounted on a lad- 
 der, indulging in the common pastime of court- 
 ing. Reaching home, my mother, whom I 
 found engaged in mangling clothes, anxiously 
 inquired of me, because of my pallor, if I had 
 been sick. I wonder whether I was fright- 
 ened ! 
 
 During my apprenticeship I made my first 
 speculative venture. It was in English wal- 
 nuts. My father had sent me to buy a small 
 quantity. After lengthy fruitless search, I 
 
 18 
 
A GLAZIER'S APPRENTICE 
 IN FRONT OF THE DEMMELSDORF HOME 
 
found a man who had for sale a large quantity 
 at a much lower figure than I had expected to 
 pay, but who refused to sell less than all. I 
 bought the lot as a wonderful bargain. My 
 father, when he learned the source of the pur- 
 chase, and the price paid, declared it a swindle 
 and, true enough, they proved worthless for 
 table use. But my expected profit had, to be 
 made. I took the nuts to the county seat and 
 sold about an eighth of them and shipped the 
 balance to Bamberg and, arriving there at mid- 
 night, I ordered the nuts taken to the yearly 
 "Markt," then about to open. The Main had 
 frozen over, so that few nuts were in the mar- 
 ket, and I soon found a purchaser, at an excel- 
 lent advance, who was without any ready 
 money, but who furnished me references and 
 promised payment at the bank when it opened 
 the following morning at ten o'clock. My pur- 
 chaser, too, found a ready sale and, while he 
 failed to take me to the bank as promised, 
 paid me the purchase price out of his receipts. 
 I spent part of my profits in buying my mother 
 a silk umbrella, glad to be able to contribute 
 to her pleasure by means of money gained out 
 of a business venture. 
 
 The only sum which I gave my mother 
 (other than later on for charities she was in- 
 
 19 
 
terested in) was during my apprenticeship, out 
 of my small earnings, when I heard my father 
 jokingly say he would not pay a bill which she 
 owed for some goods, bought at auction, from 
 the estate of Isaac Mack, father of Moses Mack. 
 I came to my mother's rescue and paid the bill, 
 assuring her that all I should ever have would 
 be at her disposal. The materials purchased 
 were intended for clothes for my brother Wil- 
 liam, who was then expected to make his ap- 
 pearance, and the amount paid was about one 
 dollar, if my memory serves me rightly. I 
 think he should pay this sum with interest from 
 1837, and, if my estate's lawyers will collect it 
 without charge, I hope my estate will not be 
 deprived of this money. 
 
 My father was a religious man and had posi- 
 tively forbidden me to extend my work beyond 
 the hour when the Sabbath set in, and insisted 
 that I reach home by that time. Once I failed 
 in this while engaged at work on a church 
 which the trustees required to be finished so 
 that service might be held in it on the following 
 Sunday. I overworked and overstayed my 
 time, but unconsciously. Feeling unhappy at 
 the annoyance I would cause, I returned home 
 with the determination to account for my delay, 
 and avoid a reprimand, by the fictitious story 
 
 20 
 
that a certain glazier, known by my father to 
 be hostile to me, had lain in ambush with the 
 intent of breaking my glass and giving me a 
 thrashing and that, in avoiding him, I had lost 
 my way and thus been detained. My mother 
 accepted my story unhesitatingly; my father, 
 not so credulous, decided to investigate.. I 
 feigned sickness that evening to avoid further 
 explanation and, though hungry as a wolf, 
 went to bed without eating. After my father 
 had retired, my mother, always tender and con- 
 siderate, insisted upon my trying to take 
 nourishment, and I tried and succeeded. 
 When my father again visited the place at 
 which I worked, he found out the hour at 
 which I had stopped work and made me promise 
 that I would never again break his rule so long 
 as I remained under his roof. I faithfully 
 kept that promise. 
 
 Father also inculcated in us religious pre- 
 cepts and principles. With some of his chil- 
 dren he succeeded admirably, for they accepted 
 his wise instruction without a question; but I 
 was not so willing to follow his teachings. At 
 a very early age, long before my confirmation, 
 I began to think for myself in such matters, 
 and although otherwise an obedient son, yet 
 I claimed rather precociously and persistently 
 
 21 
 
the right to my own opinions. As a sep- 
 tuagenarian, I still cling tenaciously to ideas 
 and views formed in early life. Though often 
 regretting my inability in not having given un- 
 alloyed pleasure in this respect, to parents so 
 deserving of perfect obedience, I now realize, 
 on mature reflection, that there was a vein of 
 wilfulness running through my nature, in- 
 herited from my dear father, which may ac- 
 count for my opposition to some of the outward 
 forms and ceremonies he so earnestly advocated 
 and desired us to adopt. Regardless of re- 
 ligious forms, I judged for myself what was 
 right or wrong. While my father was at first 
 opposed to my ideas, he nevertheless, at a later 
 day, conceded to me, that in this respect, I 
 might judge for myself, and was, moreover, 
 willing that his children should do what they 
 considered right ; thus exhibiting his unlimited 
 confidence in them. 
 
 I have ever believed that true morality and 
 true religious sentiment could be condensed and 
 embodied in the laconic maxim — "Do unto 
 others as you wish others to do unto you." 
 There are hypocrites who pretend to be what 
 they are not, who go to church regularly, pray 
 early and late, loud and long, who neither steal 
 nor rob, yet signally fail to follow this test 
 
 22 
 
principle as old as the world itself. My dear 
 parents, however, were not such dissemblers. 
 They practiced constantly in daily life their 
 professions, proving themselves shining ex- 
 amples of piety, goodness and benevolence. 
 
 Their lives were saddened by the loss of three 
 dear children, who died in Europe. Brother 
 Herman, born in 1818, was the first one to be 
 taken from them. I was four years old at the 
 time of his death in 1825 but, strangely enough, 
 I remember very little about him, excepting 
 the practical fact that I afterwards wore his 
 clothes. Sister Aurelia, born in 1824, and re- 
 garded by all as the brightest and most promis- 
 ing of our number, died of smallpox in 1835. 
 Sarah, born in 1833, died on February 9th, 
 1844. It was a strange and painful coinci- 
 dence that our eldest brother, Charles, passed 
 away in America on the same day, both vic- 
 tims of the smallpox. I had this dreadful 
 disease myself, but recovered without any 
 marks, although I was imprudent and indis- 
 creet. 
 
 Brother Charles, though deficient in busi- 
 ness talent, was such a perfect pattern of no- 
 bility of character, that he was an excellent 
 example for his brothers to follow. At the 
 time of his death he was engaged to a Miss 
 
 23 
 
Fechheimer, who afterwards became the wife 
 of Mr. Jacob Elsas. 
 
 The double affliction, the loss of her eldest 
 son and youngest daughter, seemed more than 
 dear mother could endure. She grieved so 
 deeply that she became ill and emaciated, 
 wasting away to an alarming extent. When 
 I left home she weighed about 165 pounds, 
 but she had lost so much flesh that three years 
 later, when she reached America, she looked 
 like a skeleton, shriveled and wrinkled; a sad 
 spectacle indeed for loving eyes to greet, when 
 I welcomed her. 
 
 I strove to be at home as much as possible. 
 I walked hours by night to accomplish this. 
 I remember once, in 1838, walking homeward 
 by moonlight and reaching home before sun- 
 rise and rinding both my parents up, and, after 
 breakfasting with them, walking with my 
 father a distance of twelve miles to the village 
 at which I was then engaged on work. 
 
 Occasionally I visited Bayreuth to replenish 
 my stock of glass. My ambition there was a 
 feast of Bratwurst at the "Markt." I remem- 
 ber once being defeated in satisfying this crav- 
 ing by my master's brother who detained me 
 at the hotel entrusting to me his well-stuffed 
 money belt, a trust which prevented me from 
 
 24 
 
going out and which also prevented me from 
 sleeping, with the result that I made up my 
 mind never again to be the custodian of an- 
 other's money. I fared better once at Worms, 
 where I was engaged in finishing some work, 
 and where, at the hotel at which my father was 
 then stopping, the only vacant room was used 
 for the storage of fresh sausages. I was given 
 this room for the night and, on the following 
 morning, the landlord's daughter remarked to 
 me that the next time I came as guest, they 
 would put my father in the room with the 
 sausages. I, for my part, had determined, 
 with the sausage room in mind, to live, when- 
 ever I came to Worms, on the European plan. 
 
 My brother Carl preceded me to the United 
 States. He had left home in 1837, when about 
 of age, and gone to Hamburg, where he worked 
 three years at his trade, which was that of 
 butcher. He had determined to emigrate with 
 some young friends and returned home to bid 
 farewell to his dear ones. When he reached 
 his home he addressed my mother, in the cus- 
 tomary manner of journeyman, with "Ein 
 Wanderbursch bittet um einen Zehnpfennig." 
 My mother gave him a small coin, but noticing 
 that he lingered, requested one of the children 
 to ask him to our meal. He gladly accepted 
 
 25 
 
the invitation but, being too overcome by emo- 
 tion to eat, my mother remarked: "I suppose 
 you have been brought up at a better table 
 than we can offer you," and he replied, "I 
 was raised on the same kind of food ; and you, 
 my dear mother, have you forgotten your son 
 Carl?" My mother regarded this day as one 
 of the happiest of her life. 
 
 I completed my period of apprenticeship, 
 and, having passed my examination, com- 
 menced on my own account, under a master, 
 with the fixed determination, however, of emi- 
 grating to the United States at the earliest pos- 
 sible moment. To get the required certificate, 
 I left my "Wanderbuch" with a master- 
 glazier in Fasselshoff, whence I expected to 
 start. I arranged with him that he would 
 certify my living and working there from the 
 day the book was handed him, but owing to 
 his being detected in a like irregularity, and the 
 threat of punishment if again guilty thereof, 
 this arrangement came to naught. With 
 seventeen others I had already engaged pas- 
 sage to the United States from Bremen. The 
 greater number of these had hired a conveyance 
 to take them and their baggage to that port. 
 Moses Herman, Max Stadler and I had ar- 
 ranged to go on foot. In order to avoid deten- 
 
 26 
 
tion by the authorities, I had to pose as a 
 journeyman, and I went back to Fasselshoff for 
 my Wanderbuch, agreeing to meet my com- 
 panions at Coburg at a fixed date. From Fas- 
 selshoff I went to Demmelsdorf, and there said 
 farewell to those dear to me. My father ac- 
 companied me for nine miles. Notwithstand- 
 ing the sorrow of parting, I left my parents 
 with a light heart, feeling confident that it 
 would not be long before, with the aid of my 
 brother Carl, who had already sent home 
 money, and with the aid of my brother Henry, 
 who contemplated joining us the following 
 year, we would be of substantial assistance to 
 our parents. With the exception of my im- 
 mediate family, no tie bound me to my native 
 place. My sole wish, as I entered the old fa- 
 miliar woods, (never again seen by me) was 
 to earn a living and find a home for those dear 
 ones who would follow me. I hoped never to 
 be obliged to return to the land where, at best, 
 the people of my race and creed were only 
 tolerated. I was absolutely devoid of any sense 
 of loyalty to the country I was leaving. From 
 the time I first became conscious of any political 
 opinions my tendency was in direct opposition 
 to monarchical rule, and I favored a free re- 
 publican government, where certain forms of 
 
 27 
 
religious belief were not essential to civil priv- 
 ileges and liberty. My native land did not 
 claim my affection, because its laws deprived 
 me of those privileges which should be the in- 
 alienable rights of mankind; and, when I left 
 it, I solemnly vowed never again to tread that 
 soil where, according to my view, I was almost 
 a slave. Knowing that I could not secure of- 
 ficial counter-signature to the papers necessary 
 for my emigration, owing to the harsh military 
 law, obedience to which I felt I did not owe, 
 I resorted to the expedient of forging what was 
 essential to pass me along, and this at the risk 
 of imprisonment, if detected. Such, however, 
 was my anxiety to get away that I was ready 
 to take any risk. The forgery was accom- 
 plished by me at the house of the sister of 
 Simons, a former resident of Demmelsdorf, 
 and later of Cincinnati, Ohio. This lady was 
 in great fear of being arrested as an accom- 
 plice. I was then, and ever since have been, 
 proud of the act. 
 
 At the first place I passed through, on my 
 tramp to Coburg, I presented my papers and 
 they were accepted and countersigned by the 
 proper official, giving me the right to enter 
 Lichtenfels, to which place I went, and there 
 received an unexpected welcome at the hands 
 
 28 
 
of an elderly maiden lady by the name of Ba- 
 bette Griffit, a resident, with whom I was un- 
 acquainted, but who mentioned my brother 
 Carl's name and introduced herself to me. She 
 showed me the way to the Court-house where 
 I had to have my papers countersigned. Not- 
 withstanding my efforts to reach there before 
 closing-time, the clerk, whose duty it was to 
 sign, was about to lock up. He made inquiry 
 of me why I was so late and, upon my giving 
 him some reasonable excuse, returned to his 
 desk and countersigned for me. Miss Griffit 
 insisted upon taking me home with her, where 
 an excellent meal was in readiness. Although 
 entirely without food that day, I was unable to 
 eat and begged to be allowed to resume my 
 journey. She packed up sufficient food to last 
 me halfway to the ocean and I started towards 
 Coburg at once, eating en route. Later this 
 good woman resided with her sister Hannah, 
 and it was my privilege and pleasure, as well 
 as that of my brother Henry, to relieve their 
 necessities, when they became poor and needy. 
 
 I reached Coburg in due course, where I 
 met Herman and Stadler, and together we 
 walked by way of Hildburghausen, Erfurt, and 
 Fiirsten. We received many kind attentions 
 on the way from our co-religionists, being fre- 
 
 29 
 
quently invited to meals, and to pass the Sab- 
 bath and holidays at their homes. At Bremen- 
 Lee we were entertained by the president of 
 the congregation. He supplied me with an 
 old suit of clothes so that I might not appear 
 as a stranger, (my own clothes were unmis- 
 takably those of a country lad) advised me 
 what hotel to stop at in Bremen, and kindly 
 permitted me to refer to him there. I entered 
 Bremen with a pair of torn boots in my hand, 
 as if in search of a shoemaker. In this way I 
 was able, without difficulty, to enter Bremen, 
 which was a free town, and into such towns 
 the rules printed in my Wanderbuch prohibited 
 me from entering. I found the hotel to which 
 I had been directed. The proprietor obliged 
 me to register and then sent me up-stairs, 
 where I was followed by an official who de- 
 manded to see me. When he entered the room 
 he found nearly all of the money which I had, 
 spread out on the table, and, while I looked 
 in an opposite direction helped himself to a 
 good portion of it. I passed his investigation 
 satisfactorily. Still I was anxious to get away 
 and, that same day, started for Bremerhaven, 
 where the ship, on which my passage was en- 
 gaged, was in dock. I found the ship and 
 went aboard at once. As I stepped upon her 
 
 30 
 
deck I was accosted by the same official who 
 had called on me at the hotel and he demanded 
 my passport. I told him that he had just seen 
 it, and he permitted me to go aboard three days 
 before my companions arrived at Bremerhaven. 
 Fortunately I found the captain and owner at 
 once, and was permitted to remain on board. 
 Upon my promise to assist in calking and 
 painting the ship, the captain volunteered to 
 buy me a suit such as painters wear. The cap- 
 tain's name was Wessel. The name of the 
 ship was Alert. My memory in this respect 
 has remained fresh because of my recollection 
 of one morning finding, pasted all over the 
 ship, lines which ran, in part, as follows: 
 "Bruder, wie gefallt es dir, auf dem grossen 
 Alert hier, Capitan Wessel, Steuermann Essel." 
 Three or four days after I went aboard the 
 vessel sailed, my companions having joined me. 
 True to my promise, I painted the vessel from 
 the water's edge to the top-mast, and from 
 stern to stem. Being skilled at the work and 
 able to make my own putty, I calked the seams 
 better than any one else on board could have 
 done it. The captain was well inclined to- 
 wards me; so was the crew. When drinking 
 water was scarce I could always get an abun- 
 dant supply for my friends and myself. I was 
 
 31 
 
supplied with food, and so I was able to dis- 
 tribute the provisions with which I had pro- 
 vided myself on land among those who were 
 sorely in need of them, and they were truly 
 thankful for what they received. 
 
 The passage was uneventful. Forty-three 
 days after leaving Bremerhaven I landed at 
 New York City. My effects were examined 
 and passed customs inspection without any 
 duty being imposed. The captain took me to 
 his hotel and sought to have me remain and 
 return with him, promising me a position as 
 soon as he dared consistently to appoint me. 
 But I had come to the United States to remain. 
 
 My companions and I passed the first day on 
 shore in seeing the sights of New York. We 
 found friends and acquaintances and were re- 
 ceived by all of them with good will and hos- 
 pitality. We were offered money, more than 
 sufficient for our wants, by at least six different 
 persons; among others by Meyer Wald. 
 Among those friends whom we found, were 
 our fellow-townsmen Abraham and Henry 
 Mack, brothers. After a brief sojourn in 
 New York we started for Cincinnati. Abra- 
 ham Mack, who had been in the United States 
 for some years and spoke English, made all 
 the arrangements for our trip westward, and 
 
 32 
 
accompanied us to Cincinnati, at all times show- 
 ing all of us that gentlemanly courtesy for 
 which he was well-known. From New York 
 we went up the Hudson River to Albany by 
 steamboat; from Albany to Schenectady we 
 traveled by rail, and we made our way from 
 the last named place to Buffalo by canal-boat. 
 The captain of the canal-boat had contracted 
 with us to reach Buffalo to make connection 
 with a certain boat which was to convey us 
 across Lake Erie to Cleveland, but he failed 
 to make the connection and we felt seriously 
 inconvenienced by the consequent delay, and 
 Mr. Mack threatened to sue the captain. While 
 waiting, however, for the next boat, the news 
 reached us that the boat which we had intended 
 to take had been, while crossing the lake, de- 
 stroyed by fire, and that most of its passengers, 
 including many who had crossed the ocean 
 with us as well as other immigrants, had per- 
 ished. We deemed our escape almost provi- 
 dential, and did not sue the captain of the 
 canal-boat. We took the next scheduled boat 
 across the lake and, when we arrived at Dun- 
 kirk, an immense crowd met us inquiring for 
 friends and relatives. It was a heart-rending 
 scene, these stricken mourners, grieving over 
 the loss of fathers, mothers and other dear 
 
 33 
 
ones. It was the saddest and most pitiful spec- 
 tacle I ever witnessed. At every landing we 
 made there was a repetition of misery. 
 
 From Cleveland we journeyed by canal to 
 Portsmouth, Ohio, passing Chillicothe, where 
 three step-brothers of the only cousin we had 
 on the maternal side were living. At Ports- 
 mouth, we met Mr. Kornblieth, a merchant 
 whose destination was the same as our own, 
 Cincinnati. We stopped at the same hotel as 
 he did, and found his family very kind and 
 hospitable. They did all in their power to 
 make amends for the absence of our parents 
 and supplied their place to the best of their abil- 
 ity. The friendship then established has been 
 of life-long duration. 
 
 34 
 
BROTHER CARL and Martin Stadler 
 were partners. They went through the 
 country with a wagon, selling goods. Max 
 Stadler and I also entered into a similar busi- 
 ness arrangement, and with him I formed my 
 first partnership. We went about on foot, vis- 
 iting the rural districts. Max, who was very 
 industrious and a hard working man, sold more 
 goods and carried a larger bundle than the 
 writer. He took the liberty, without consult- 
 ing me, of buying a horse. I at once insisted 
 on a dissolution of the partnership. While 
 he used every argument to persuade me to 
 keep the firm together, I would not consent; 
 so we parted, remaining friends. I outbid my 
 partner when dissolving, so that a considerable 
 profit accrued to the firm. Max was willing 
 that I should become the owner of the horse, 
 as he had already made up his mind to purchase 
 a pair. With these, and a new wagon, he in- 
 creased his business to quite an extent. 
 
 In 1841 I first crossed the state line from 
 Ohio into Indiana. A merchant, named Mr. 
 
 35 
 
Johns, who kept a store not far from his resi- 
 dence, demanded to see my license. I pre- 
 tended I did not understand his request, and 
 kept on showing him my goods. Knowing 
 that there were Germans in the neighborhood, 
 I pretended to be French ; whereupon he called 
 his son, a young man just from college, to 
 interpret my unintelligible jargon. The boy 
 knew about as much French as I did, but, as I 
 had a slight knowledge of Hebrew, I repeated 
 some words to his great confusion. He as- 
 sured his father that he could not understand 
 my French, and that I must speak a dialect 
 which was only used in a certain locality, and 
 not universally recognized. Shortly after, Mr. 
 Johns met me at Oxford, and wanted me to 
 accompany him to the professor's house, to 
 whom he complained that his son's education 
 was quite unsatisfactory in regard to his ac- 
 quirements in foreign languages. The pro- 
 fessor, who knew me, replied, that although his 
 boy had but little knowledge, yet he was per- 
 fectly confident that I had none at all. I met 
 Mr. Johns after this interview, and acknowl- 
 edged that my pretense was to avoid arrest and 
 a fine for peddling without a license, which was 
 a requirement in the state of Indiana. 
 
 The first goods which we found profitable 
 
 36 
 
in our business throughout the country, were 
 made of German silver, manufactured by Hall 
 and Elton. I sold them on credit, and war- 
 ranted that they would retain their bright 
 color. Before long, however, they tarnished 
 and looked like copper, and if left in any acid, 
 were nearly ruined. 
 
 When I called upon my customers after six 
 months or a year to collect the money due me, 
 they showed me the goods, and although greatly 
 disappointed that they had turned out so un- 
 satisfactorily, yet, having sold them in good 
 faith, believing them to be excellent metal as 
 represented, I left it with my patrons to decide 
 the value, and pay me whatever they considered 
 a fair price. This course had the effect of in- 
 creasing their confidence in my honesty, which 
 I never abused. 
 
 While peddling, I bought a horse, seventeen 
 hands high, and quite as beautiful as he was 
 high. On my first attempt to hitch him to my 
 wagon, I discovered that he was determined 
 not to work. I tried every means to induce 
 him to do so, but without success. He would 
 throw himself upon the ground and refuse to 
 rise. I was advised to put live coals under 
 him, and was told that, under the influence 
 of this stimulant, he would not only get up, 
 
 37 
 
but give up, and thereafter realize that I was 
 his master and that he must obey me. I tried 
 it and the plan worked to perfection. After 
 driving him for a while, I found that the ani- 
 mal was so short-winded, that when pressed 
 beyond a walk, he would puff and blow like a 
 blacksmith's bellows. I was therefore tender 
 with him, and the only time I drove him faster 
 than a walk, was upon entering a town. 
 
 One day I came to Monroe, Ohio, where 
 Mack Bros, were keeping a store. As I pulled 
 up at the door of their establishment, an old 
 jockey, who with his eyes shut knew more about 
 a horse than I did, or ever expect to, pretended 
 that he had taken quite a fancy to my steed, 
 and invited me to go with him to his farm on 
 the outskirts of the town, doubtless with the in- 
 tention of taking advantage of me. He began 
 by proposing that he would trade horses. I 
 asked him if he would warrant his mare sound, 
 for I had noticed that she was blind in one eye. 
 He guaranteed her as sound as a dollar, upon 
 which I warranted my horse to be as sound as 
 his mare. In trying to prevent me from dis- 
 covering the blemish in his animal he kept aloof 
 from my horse. We finally traded upon such 
 terms that he gave me about $50 to boot; not 
 a bad bargain for me, for I had purchased my 
 
 38 
 
horse at auction for less than the man paid me 
 as the difference in value. We changed har- 
 nesses and I obtained a much better animal in 
 spite of the loss of her one eye, which only af- 
 fected her appearance, than the one I sold, 
 which was wind-broken and of very little ac- 
 count outside of his huge size and generally 
 fine appearance. 
 
 The jockey was caught in his own trap, and 
 never drove the horse to town or spoke of me. 
 He finally traded him to a wagon manufacturer, 
 from Dayton, Ohio, who was taking some of 
 his vehicles to market. He traded for one con- 
 veyance and about $50 in cash. 
 
 In the year 1842, while I was driving in my 
 wagon in the neighborhood of Newton, Ohio, 
 a Mr. Williams met me and asked to be taken 
 in. An immense freshet had recently swept 
 everything before it, and in trying to cross the 
 Little Miami at an old and heretofore perfectly 
 safe ford, my horses unexpectedly lost their 
 footing, and swam quite a long distance; the 
 wagon upset and the goods were soaked with 
 water. I at once put them in good shape and 
 sold them to the best advantage I could. Mr. 
 Williams returned to the city for the purpose 
 of going to the temple to give thanks for his 
 deliverance, as is the custom with orthodox 
 
 39 
 
Jews when their lives have been spared from 
 a threatening catastrophe. 
 
 About this time I called upon a man in that 
 region to collect a debt, long since due me, of 
 $100. He paid me the money but, as he did so, 
 seemed deeply affected and shed tears. I asked 
 him why he cried, and he replied that he had 
 promised to send money for his parents, then in 
 New York, to come on and live with him. Al- 
 though my means were limited, and the amount 
 due me was of considerable value, yet I re- 
 turned it, and told him to use it for that pur- 
 pose, and pay me when he could conveniently. 
 He was not able for a long time to do so, yet 
 finally he returned both principal and interest, 
 and it always gave me much pleasure and grati- 
 fication to see him with his parents, brothers 
 and sisters, and to know that I had been instru- 
 mental in giving him such pleasure. They all 
 felt deeply grateful throughout their lives for 
 the kindness I had extended to them. 
 
 In the year 1843 I stayed one night with a 
 Mr. Montgomery, and went in company with 
 Miss Montgomery and her uncle, to an apple 
 cutting, at the house of her sister, Mrs. Port. 
 I took some other young lady home, not intend- 
 ing any incivility. Miss Montgomery's uncle 
 took it for granted that I would be her escort 
 
 40 
 
back. Miss Montgomery, thus left without 
 any one, was escorted home by her nephew, 
 who supplied the vacancy, and she bitterly com- 
 plained to her father of my rude, ungentle- 
 manly treatment. In the morning, on going 
 after my team, Mr. Montgomery in a rage at 
 the indignity I had shown his daughter, ran 
 after me with a hay fork. I had great diffi- 
 culty in making him understand the mistake, 
 and that no disrespect was intended — finally, 
 after much explanation and apology, his anger 
 was appeased and I was allowed to depart in 
 peace. 
 
 The next time I visited the place, I stayed 
 with one of his neighbors, Mr. Dodd. After 
 supper, I went out sleighing with his daughter, 
 Mary. The sleigh upset, and the poor girl re- 
 turned home minus some of her teeth. The 
 next day, I found that my horse that I had been 
 out with the night before had been so severely 
 kicked by his companion in the stall, that I was 
 obliged to shoot him, there being no hope of 
 his recovery. I next took Mary to a masonic 
 celebration at Cornersville, Indiana. A Mr, 
 Magnus kept a hotel there, and he had made 
 a contract to furnish a first class dinner to all 
 who attended. His wife, an excellent milliner, 
 had no idea how to feed such an immense army 
 
 41 
 
of hungry people. Wishing to treat them to 
 some delicacy, she baked a kind of fritter, 
 called Schneeballen in German. The more you 
 ate of this food the more you required; your 
 appetite was rather improved than diminished, 
 and many left at once for neighboring places 
 to appease their hunger, in quite an indignant 
 state of mind. Dinner had been ordered for 
 one thousand guests, and there were over five 
 times that number waiting to be fed, and not 
 half enough bread to supply their needs. All 
 were annoyed, and Mr. Magnus was ignomini- 
 ously expelled from the Lodge. The officers 
 were more to blame than he, however, for if 
 they had calculated correctly there would have 
 been no such disappointment. We then en- 
 gaged to go together to the annual masonic 
 dinner at Eaton, Ohio, feeling assured that the 
 lesson of the preceding year would be a salu- 
 tary one to the brothers, and we might reason- 
 ably expect a fine entertainment. This one 
 proved a grand success and I enjoyed the festiv- 
 ities exceedingly. 
 
 That same year I was returning to Cincin- 
 nati, from a trip to Logan County, Ohio, and 
 I passed through West Liberty and sold some 
 goods to one of the merchants. I carried quite 
 a large sum with me in two wallets. By some 
 
 42 
 
unaccountable carelessness, I left one of those 
 wallets on the counter. The merchant found 
 it, and sent a young man after me to return 
 my missing property. He mounted the first 
 horse he could find and started in pursuit. I 
 heard him following, and naturally supposed, 
 as it was dark, that he had evil designs; so I 
 drove faster and faster, fearing robbery, until 
 I reached an inn, where I halted. Here he 
 overtook me, explained his object, and restored 
 the wallet, but refused all reward which I 
 would willingly have given him, as I felt ex- 
 tremely thankful to him. 
 
 About this time, I employed a man to travel 
 through the country and sell clocks for me on 
 twelve months' credit. I had bought, as I sup- 
 posed, excellent time-pieces, so I guaranteed 
 them for a year. But when the time expired, 
 and collections were due, many complained and 
 refused to pay, because the goods were not as 
 represented. I had become quite a successful 
 tinkerer by this time, so I fixed up a number 
 of them to the satisfaction of the owners. 
 Some of the notes I had received, however, 
 were hard to collect. Stopping one night with 
 Mr. John Beard, I traded $400 worth of these 
 notes for 120 acres of land near West Mans- 
 field, Logan County, Ohio. At the same time 
 
 43 
 
Mr. Beard offered me more valuable land for 
 additional notes, which proposition I declined, 
 fearing to invest too much capital in property. 
 Becoming a landowner, I went to see my newly 
 acquired estate. I learned that Henry Clay 
 was the proprietor of the adjoining tract, of 
 640 acres, which was offered for sale at $1.25 
 per acre. 
 
 On my way home, I rented a store for a 
 few days at Belfontaine, selling goods at pri- 
 vate sale in the daytime, and in the evening 
 at auction. The business was not very re- 
 munerative, so I packed up and went to Ur- 
 bana, Ohio, where I made quite a stir in the 
 auctioneering line at night. I sold so much 
 cheaper for cash than the old merchants did, 
 who gave credit for twelve months, that they 
 attacked me in the public press in a merciless 
 manner. Weaver & Bros., an established mer- 
 cantile house, denounced me in the papers as 
 a swindler and a thieving Jew. I hardly un- 
 derstood the nature of this most serious accu- 
 sation, but a gentleman of wealth and high 
 social position, benevolently came to me and 
 brought with him a German to act in the ca- 
 pacity of interpreter. When the situation was 
 duly explained to me, I was asked what action 
 I intended to take to defend myself against 
 
 44 
 
those unwarrantable aspersions, so detri- 
 mental to my business interests, and derogatory 
 to my character. Finding me helpless to cope 
 unaided with so grave a charge, this kind- 
 hearted philanthropist, Dr. Musgrove, who 
 was either an Irishman by birth or born of 
 Irish parents, offered to publish a reply for 
 me free of charge, if I would bind myself to 
 the following line of conduct as the only true 
 and honorable course for me to pursue. I ac- 
 cordingly agreed to sell all my goods at a 
 reasonable and fixed price. I was also to be 
 truthful, obliging and strictly honest in all my 
 dealings — thus, I would, he assured me, attain 
 success in business and silence my enemies, 
 while he would immediately champion my 
 cause, which he did most thoroughly. My 
 gratitude toward this noble benefactor, 
 prompted me to follow throughout all my fu- 
 ture career his wise and excellent advice. It 
 established firmly within my soul the principles 
 of probity and justice, which I have endeav- 
 ored to make the basis of my character. I 
 speak with all due consideration when stating 
 that I have never taken any unfair advantage 
 of any person. I had been taught uprightness 
 at home, but Dr. Musgrove added the clinching 
 nail to early influences and instructions, and I 
 
 45 
 
have ever honored and revered his memory. 
 
 I ran short of goods while in Urbana and 
 employed a wagoner to go to Cincinnati and 
 bring me a load of merchandise from there. 
 I promised to be there in time to load the mer- 
 chandise and to give him an extra price, pro- 
 vided he would carry no other goods but mine, 
 which I just then wanted particularly for an 
 approaching holiday, and so could not afford 
 to take any chance of delay. To this the wag- 
 oner agreed, but notwithstanding this agree- 
 ment, he made a secret arrangement with my 
 business rival, Weaver & Bros., who had at- 
 tacked me in the press, that he would bring 
 them part of a load. A day or so before I 
 expected to start, Mr. Weaver, who knew my 
 arrangements, left at midnight for Cincinnati. 
 The hostler at the stable learned what was 
 going on, and instantly came to my room, with 
 information that Mr. Weaver had departed. 
 He had heard some conversation which be- 
 trayed all the details of the scheme planned to 
 circumvent me. Mr. Weaver, although a rich 
 man, never failed to do a mean or dishonest 
 act to obtain a business advantage, far pre- 
 ferring it to a straightforward action. Nev- 
 ertheless, he finally learned to leave me alone, 
 for I succeeded perfectly in defeating his plans. 
 
 4 6 
 
In less time than it takes to write this page, I 
 was on my way to Cincinnati, taking another 
 route, although the regular and best one was 
 through Dayton. Reaching Cincinnati about 
 sundown, I found the wagon had arrived, and 
 made the teamster stop at the Brighton House, 
 an entirely out of the way place. I sent my 
 goods there with a drayman, and started the 
 wagon back with its consignment, just as my 
 opponent put in his appearance to purchase his 
 merchandise. „ He soon learned that I had been 
 there, and that the wagon on which he had 
 relied, had already gone, laden with my stock. 
 He was bitterly disappointed when he discov- 
 ered that I had outwitted him, in spite of his 
 vigilance and midnight start. I received my 
 goods some days before his appeared, and was 
 thus enabled to supply a pressing want of some 
 specialties. This gained me much popularity. 
 
 I would have selected Urbana for my perma- 
 nent home, had it not been for the prospect of 
 entering into partnership with my brother and 
 the two Stadlers in Cincinnati. One of the 
 Stadlers did establish himself at Urbana after 
 I left, and did very well, being greatly assisted 
 by my friend, the doctor, who later on, when 
 I was keeping store in the city, called upon 
 me in company with his admirable wife. I was 
 
 47 
 
delighted to show them some attention, and to 
 express my sincere thanks for his kind cham- 
 pionship. It gives me much pleasure to learn 
 that his sons have inherited the estimable 
 qualities of their parents, and stand, both in 
 character and wealth, in positions worthy of 
 their honorable descent. 
 
 While in Urbana, I had had a young man 
 arrested for stealing. After he had secured 
 his release by giving bonds for his appearance, 
 by the advice of his attorney (whose reputation 
 was not blameless), he claimed that my action 
 had been purely malicious, originating in spite. 
 My good friend, the doctor, again came to my 
 relief. When the time for the trial approached, 
 I was living in Cincinnati. A trial therefore 
 would have meant much loss of time and money. 
 I wrote to the doctor, requesting him to see 
 the State Attorney and induce him to have the 
 case dropped. John Corwin, a nephew of 
 Thomas Corwin, one-time Governor of Ohio, 
 was then state attorney and obliged me to ap- 
 pear. When the young man found I was on 
 hand, he thought it advisable to absent himself, 
 so he forfeited his bail. This event closed my 
 Urbana experiences — a place which will always 
 be dear to me, and where I left many good 
 friends. 
 
 48 
 
My brother Carl's bent was not for business. 
 He gave up peddling in 1843 an d entered into 
 the butcher business with the Mr. Mack who 
 had accompanied us from Xew York. His ef- 
 fort in this line was not very promising, as meat 
 at that time was about given away. I remem- 
 ber buying a steer for Sio. My brother paid 
 the money back to me, but begged me not to ex- 
 periment in this way again, as all that animals 
 would bring on the slaughter market was the 
 price of the hide and tallow. I was much 
 amused at an experience of brother Carl. He 
 had made some arrangement together with 
 others of his trade, to supply a lazy fellow with 
 meat gratuitously ; each was to take his turn 
 in regular succession. When it was brother's 
 time to furnish the required amount to this 
 unprofitable customer, he happened to be unusu- 
 ally low in his stock, and unable to meet the 
 requirements : so he went to one of his neigh- 
 bors, a Air. Bresford, with a view of exchang- 
 ing turns as a temporary accommodation. Mr. 
 Bresford readily agreed to the proposition, but 
 instead of donating the usual allowance, he 
 gave the great indolent, overgrown fellow a 
 quarter of beef, weighing from 150 to 200 
 pounds, simply because he wanted to see him 
 for once in his life make an effort in the way 
 
 49 
 
of work. There was no alternative but to 
 take the whole or go home without any. It 
 seemed a severe struggle for this lazy man, 
 to decide whether he would shoulder the 
 load or not. At last the desire to possess the 
 meat gained mastery over his sluggishness, 
 and with the utmost awkwardness, he lifted 
 up his burden, to the infinite amusement of the 
 assembled butchers, and tugged it off. It was 
 a rare joke to compel this sluggard to work in 
 order that he might have the privilege of eat- 
 ing. 
 
 I wish to show by this recital how cheap 
 everything was. Meat sold at wholesale from 
 one to three cents per pound. Two dozen eggs 
 for five cents. Butter five to ten cents per 
 pound. Corn ten to twelve and one-half cents 
 per bushel. Wheat fifty cents per bushel and 
 whiskey twelve and a half cents per gallon — 
 and nearly everything equally low. 
 
 Brother Carl remained but a short time in 
 the butcher business; then he returned to the 
 dry goods trade, where everything looked en- 
 couraging. Notwithstanding his deficiency in 
 those qualifications which render a man suc- 
 cessful in business operations, his high repu- 
 tation for strict honesty, and his frugal man- 
 ner of living, were stepping-stones to pros- 
 
 50 
 
perity. All who met him, even casually, ac- 
 knowledged his superior rectitude, and among 
 his near friends and relatives, he was regarded 
 as a most worthy and admirable example. 
 
 In the autumn of 1843, a partnership of four 
 was established, composed of Carl Stix, Mar- 
 tin Stadler, Louis Stix and Max Stadler, and 
 our united capital was about $3,000. We 
 rented a store on 5th Street. My brother 
 Carl and the elder Stadler were in charge of 
 the place — Max and I kept on peddling. 
 Though Max Stadler had been the hardest 
 worker, yet his interest did not exceed that of 
 the other partners ; our joint capital being about 
 an equal investment. We lived in a frugal 
 manner expending but little. Still we gained 
 but slowly financially, but we felt assured of 
 ultimate success. 
 
 I still recall how two young ladies, the Misses 
 Stewart, living at Madisonville, Ohio, who had 
 returned home from a visit to the city, found 
 it very difficult to find goods to suit their culti- 
 vated taste, for they were indeed connoisseurs 
 of choice materials. I was fortunate enough 
 to secure their patronage, ascribing my success 
 in pleasing them to my good looks and ami- 
 ability, which possibly outweighed all differ- 
 ences. This may be either a joke, or a pleasing 
 
 51 
 
delusion of my imagination, which I sometimes 
 enjoy. However, they spent their money, of 
 which they had plenty, and selected from my 
 stock, apparently quite satisfied. 
 
 Brother Carl died while I was in partnership 
 with the two Stadlers. Brother Henry and 
 I feared that the increase in our expenses would 
 not justify me in remaining in business in Cin- 
 cinnati, as we did not expect that father would 
 be able to earn anything, and we felt it to be 
 our duty to see that the four children should 
 receive an English education. The money 
 brother Carl left at his death belonged legally 
 to his sisters and brothers, but the ones of age 
 did not demand it, and those not yet arrived at 
 maturity did not desire it. I therefore in- 
 vested the amount, about $800, in a house on 
 Canal Street, and years afterwards, sold it for 
 almost the same price that it cost. Meanwhile 
 the house paid a good interest on the sum in- 
 vested. Although this property belonged to 
 our dear parents, father never collected the 
 rents. I gave him credit on our books for the 
 amount, and he deposited his surplus, until 
 later on, when he had accumulated enough to 
 purchase his own house, which he afterwards 
 sold. Had he held on and not disposed of it, 
 it would have been worth four times the price 
 
 52 
 
received for it — notwithstanding that most real 
 estate in Cincinnati never reached the same 
 value it held before the war. 
 
 In 1844, Stix and Stadler Bros, agreed to 
 dissolve partnership on the most friendly terms. 
 I asked Martin what would become of our store. 
 He replied "My brother and I will take it." I 
 considered that the good will of the business 
 was worth some pecuniary consideration, but 
 he did not agree with me. He accordingly 
 sent for Mr. Aub and Mr. Marcus Fechheimer 
 to adjust this difference. Had I selected the 
 gentlemen, I should have chosen the very same, 
 as my confidence in their excellent judgment 
 was unlimited. To render the task of arbitra- 
 tion an easy one, I proposed a certain amount 
 which I was willing to either give or take. Our 
 mutual friends then said there was nothing for 
 them to do. Stadler Bros, had their choice and 
 they decided to keep the store from which I 
 retired. Our clothes which we shared equally, 
 were adjusted fairly. I gave one blue sock to 
 the Stadlers and the mate of it to myself, so we 
 halved the entire stock satisfactorily. Mother 
 and Mrs. Stadler afterwards arranged all 
 other details on a just basis. We parted ex- 
 cellent friends, and have ever continued to re- 
 gard each other as such. 
 
 53 
 
Unfortunately we decided to move into the 
 country, and started a general store at Mason, 
 Warren County, Ohio. We were acquainted 
 with this place, and had many friends residing 
 there. Here we did quite a lively business, 
 building up a good trade and establishing an 
 excellent reputation. Still we barely held our 
 own at first, for there were two other stores, 
 that previous to our coming, had never sold 
 any goods, except at large profits. One of 
 these immediately began selling at such reduced 
 rates, that its proprietor declared it would only 
 be a short time before we would be obliged to 
 close up and move away. In this, however, he 
 was mistaken. I had inherited some of my 
 father's obstinacy, and instead of failure, our 
 sales increased at lower prices. The farmers 
 in the surrounding country bought their goods 
 of us. We had but limited room, and insuffi- 
 cient help, for our business, and our customers 
 bought only leading and bulky articles. We 
 had all we could do to keep the goods which the 
 farmers insisted on taking with them. We had 
 no time, nor had we the room, to show fancy 
 goods and therefore did not handle them. We 
 sold 28 pounds of sugar for $1.00, salt at 90 
 cents per barrel, saleratus at 5 cents per pound 
 and molasses for 18^4 cents per gallon. Indian 
 
 54 
 
head sheeting we sold at $1.00 for I2j4 yards, 
 and charged a similar price for the best prints, 
 with a spool of cotton and a card of hooks and 
 eyes thrown in. We offered a free convey- 
 ance to our customers to take them home. In 
 this connection I remember, and will narrate, 
 the following incident. A gentleman was sit- 
 ting in one of our opponent's stores. He took 
 a handkerchief from his pocket, and the pro- 
 prietor observing it, remarked: "I will wager 
 you paid much more in the Jew store than I ask, 
 for the articles you bought there." Where- 
 upon the farmer enumerated what he had 
 bought and inquired : "What would you charge 
 me for the same?" The store-keeper men- 
 tioned about one-half the price he had quoted a 
 few days before, upon which came the ready 
 response: "I will take them all, and please 
 charge my last purchase at the same figure now 
 given, as you will find you charged me double 
 the price when I bought last week from you." 
 
 About the same time, a Mr. Holmes came 
 into our store just as I opened it one morning. 
 He made some trifling purchase taking care 
 as he did so, to exhibit a very large and well 
 filled pocket-book. He had gone but a few 
 moments, when he returned, stating that he 
 had lost his wallet and asked if I had found it. 
 
 55 
 
As the wallet was not there, and I knew that no 
 one but myself had entered the store since he 
 left, as I had been engaged in sweeping the 
 sidewalk, I followed him to his hotel, and in- 
 duced some of my friends to interest themselves 
 in my behalf. We obliged him to undress, 
 and, when stripped, the missing money was 
 found in his boots, whereupon I seized a chair 
 and broke it over his head. He had me ar- 
 rested. Squire Dodd fined me a mere trifle. 
 As we left the office, I struck him again. I 
 was immediately re-arrested, and brought back 
 to the justice, who bound me over to keep the 
 peace, and gave me a lecture. This ended 
 Mr. Holmes' conspiracy, and he found it con- 
 venient to leave the place. My opponent, Mr. 
 Hogan, did not resort to such a scheme again. 
 He undoubtedly hired this miscreant to injure 
 my reputation, through jealousy of my great 
 success in business. He believed my success 
 was due to the large profits I made, but that 
 was not true, as I discovered when I closed that 
 business, and started in the city. 
 
 At this time I boarded at one of the hotels, 
 and came to my meals so irregularly, and ate 
 so little when I did come, that the landlord, 
 Mr. Mahan, told me I would do him a favor 
 if I transferred my patronage to someone else. 
 
 56 
 
I applied to a Mrs. Cunningham, and, upon 
 explaining the reason that I was no longer con- 
 sidered a desirable boarder at my former board- 
 ing place, she assured me there would be no 
 difficulty about my eating at her establishment 
 as long as I paid my bills. 
 
 When living at Mason, I became quite 
 friendly with a lady, Miss Martha Sewart, a 
 highly respected and intelligent young woman. 
 My father, fearing that our growing intimacy 
 might lead to an engagement ultimately, as he 
 beheld me constantly in her company, for we 
 were neighbors, desired some German gentle- 
 man, who could speak both languages, to in- 
 terview her. She assured him that if she were 
 ever so much inclined to become my wife, she 
 would never do so without the consent of my 
 parents. We, nevertheless, remained good 
 friends, and in after days, I visited her with 
 my wife when she too was happily married, 
 and we were received at her home with the 
 lady-like courtesy for which she was always 
 distinguished. 
 
 A most amusing incident of this time here 
 occurs to me. Martin Mack, a brother-in-law 
 of Henry Mack, left his horse with me, and an 
 order to hand the proceeds from its sale over to 
 Stadler Bros. Then he countermanded this 
 
 57 
 
order, and gave me written instructions to pay 
 the money to some one else. Stadler, who 
 owed me some money, said he would not pay, 
 until I handed over the amount for which the 
 horse in question had been sold. I was stop- 
 ping at Martin Stadler's house at the time. I 
 sued him before Squire Snelbaker, and he re- 
 ceived the summons, while I was eating dinner. 
 He employed an excellent lawyer, while I 
 pleaded my own case and came out victorious. 
 The squire cautioned us to be careful, as 
 friends sometimes fall out. He wanted the 
 case dropped, or in some way compromised, as 
 the squire was a particular friend to us both. 
 
 I recall too, as is usually the case, that my 
 first proficiency in the acquisition of English, 
 was in the way of profane utterances, a fact 
 which called forth the following rebuke. 
 
 There was a certain Miss Polly Thompson, a 
 well regarded maiden lady, who invited me one 
 day into her parlor and, in a very kind and con- 
 siderate manner addressed me in a womanly 
 fashion, as follows: "Mr. Stix, we all respect 
 and like you. Are you aware that you wound 
 our feelings by the frequent use of profane lan- 
 guage ?" While I was hardly conscious of hav- 
 ing done so, I immediately promised her that 
 from that moment I would refrain from all 
 
 58 
 
rude or inconsiderate remarks, and assured her 
 that hereafter, if she ever caught me using any 
 objectionable word, I would agree to forfeit 
 a silk dress, as the penalty, on each occasion. 
 Although she was never entitled to claim my 
 self-imposed penalty, at least so far as oaths 
 uttered in her presence were concerned, I 
 showed my respect for her admonition, and my 
 regard for the sterling worth of her character, 
 by giving her carte-blanche to get anything she 
 wanted at any time in the stores of the town 
 where I used to live, and have it charged to 
 my account. My brother Henry insisted upon 
 sharing with me in this pleasurable act of 
 benevolence. We were honored by being per- 
 mitted to defray her funeral expenses, for she 
 became quite impoverished in her old age. Few 
 better women have lived than Miss Polly 
 Thompson. She reached the ripe age of 
 ninety, and departed, beloved and respected by 
 all who knew her. While I have ever been 
 thankful to "Aunt Polly" for her merited re- 
 buke, it was not always easy to remember my 
 promise. I recollect how, on one occasion in 
 particular, my wagon was stalled in the mire. 
 Although the load was not heavy for the strong 
 seventeen-hand horse I was driving, yet, do 
 what I might, I found it impossible to induce 
 
 59 
 
the animal to pull. Nothing I could think of 
 would make the horse draw. As a last re- 
 source I said despairingly, that, "if it were not 
 for Aunt Polly, I would swear, for this is too 
 much for flesh and blood to bear." I gave way 
 at last and made good use of my whip, aiding 
 its application with a due mixture of the words 
 I vowed never again to use. It worked like a 
 charm, and often afterwards, when business 
 was dull, and I was asked, "how goes your 
 trade ?" I felt, and replied, that, "if it were not 
 for my promise to Aunt Polly, I would say it 
 was — " 
 
 Driving on one occasion, with my sister and 
 Miss Mack, on the way down hill, the tongue 
 attached to the wagon's axle-tree came loose, 
 and dropped on the ground. Consequently 
 the vehicle ran against my horses' legs. The 
 ladies screamed, and for a minute I forgot my 
 promise to Aunt Polly about forcible lan- 
 guage; but the use of it stopped the scream- 
 ing, and I gathered my wits sufficiently to run 
 my team against a fence. In less time than it 
 takes to write a description of the scene, I was 
 master of the situation, and my fair companions 
 gave me unlimited credit for wonderful pres- 
 ence of mind in time of danger. 
 
 During my residence at Mason, I assisted a 
 60 
 
nephew of Aunt Polly with a small amount of 
 money, to enable him to move to St. Louis, 
 where he, ere long, became one of the leading 
 attorneys in that prosperous city. He repaid 
 my loan with thanks, and was, moreover, in- 
 strumental in saving for me, what I regarded 
 as a bad debt. The party who owed me, was 
 protected by state law; he having ceased to 
 reside in Cincinnati, where the obligation had 
 been incurred. An attachment was neverthe- 
 less obtained upon my debtor's goods, while in 
 transit from Cincinnati to St. Louis — thereby 
 enabling me to secure the money I had supposed 
 to be hopelessly lost. 
 
 In 1844, during the campaign preceding the 
 fall election, I was on my way to Liberty, 
 Indiana, on the day of the great Democratic 
 mass meeting. I had my horse and wagon 
 decorated with Whig colors, for I was a great 
 admirer of Henry Clay. In trying to pass a 
 procession of wagons, going in the same di- 
 rection, many drawn by eight and some by 
 sixteen horses, amid the cheers of an immense 
 throng, wild with enthusiasm, singing national 
 and party songs, my horse took fright at the 
 noisy merriment, and a serious runaway would 
 have been the result, if some of the crowd had 
 not come to my assistance. I was so positive 
 
 61 
 
of the result in regard to my favorite candidate 
 that I offered to sell all my goods, and did 
 dispose of a considerable share, with the under- 
 standing, that they should be paid for after 
 election, and at double the price, if Clay was 
 successful. As Henry Clay never reached the 
 Presidential chair, I was thoroughly dis- 
 appointed, and paid well for my political 
 opinions. 
 
 On one occasion, when Hon. Thomas Corwin 
 was passing through Mason, on his way to 
 Cincinnati, his carriage broke down. He 
 asked for a conveyance which would take him 
 quickly to the city and was referred to me. I 
 considered it quite a compliment to do him a 
 favor, so replied that I was pleased to have the 
 opportunity to take him myself. On our way 
 he remarked : "I need not ask your politics, for 
 your color plainly indicates the party which 
 you favor." He was personally as dark as a 
 mulatto, and I have been informed, that when 
 first entering the dining-room as a senator, the 
 doorkeeper showed him the apartment set apart 
 for colored people. As we were about passing 
 through the toll-gate, he asked me for the lines ; 
 he would not deprive me of the pleasure of 
 paying toll. He was indeed Ohio's favorite 
 son. The Whig party in his own state and in 
 
 62 
 
many others was enthusiastic about him. and 
 would have unanimously nominated him for the 
 greatest honor in their power. The Demo- 
 crats dreaded his influence, and that of Henry 
 Clay, more than any opponents. In their 
 qualifications as lawyers they had few peers, 
 and their friends and admirers regarded them 
 as the superiors of all others. The Hon. 
 Thomas Corwin was also a high mason, and 
 whenever it was announced that he would 
 speak at a masonic celebration, thousands of 
 people flocked to hear his eloquent and humor- 
 ous addresses. He was as clever a man as I 
 have ever had the good fortune to know. His 
 wife was also a very agreeable lady and a good 
 customer of mine. They always paid me when 
 they had money, but the trouble was, they were 
 seldom in possession of any. He aspired to 
 the Presidency of the United States, but ruined 
 his prospects, by making a speech, in which he 
 uttered some remarks derogatory to our army 
 in Mexico. He was one of the best known and 
 greatest Whig politicians, and sometimes was 
 called the Canal Boy. 
 
 Henry Clay was the favorite Whig 
 candidate. He was known as the Wagon 
 Boy. 
 
 Corwin was reallv never nominated for the 
 
 63 
 
Presidency, although an extremely popular 
 man; but Henry Clay received every honor 
 which his own state and the nation could give 
 him, excepting success, in regard to the Presi- 
 dency of the United States., 
 
 About the year 1845, a number of young men 
 circulated the report that I would marry Miss 
 Eliza Bake. When asked if this was really 
 my intention, I replied, without reserve, that I 
 believed her mother, Mrs. Bake, would give 
 almost anything, yes, even her little finger, to 
 have me do so, but Eliza would riot have me 
 under any consideration. After my marriage 
 Eliza visited us in the city, and stayed with us 
 some time. Her parents also were very much 
 at home in our house; as much so as brother 
 Henry and I in theirs, when under their roof, 
 which also was like a second home to us. Mrs. 
 Bake seemed more like a mother than a friend ; 
 and Peter Bake, her husband, was a good man, 
 and one of the most successful farmers it has 
 ever been my privilege to know. Mrs. Bake 
 had a little son whom they named Louis, but 
 his brothers and sisters insisted upon calling 
 him Henry. When he was old enough to enter 
 school, the teacher, an acquaintance of ours, 
 gave him the full appellation of Henry Louis 
 Bake. He grew up and became a merchant, 
 
 64 
 
and we have every right to be proud of our 
 namesake. He has been for the last quarter 
 of a century one of our truest and most stead- 
 fast friends and customers. 
 
 I always enjoyed stopping at Dr. Rowl's 
 house, as both host and hostess were charming 
 people. Mrs. Rowl was a lovely lady, and the 
 doctor's rank as a surgeon of high attain- 
 ments was unquestionable. On one occasion 
 in 1845, while I was peddling about Indian 
 Creek in the neighborhood of Oxford, Ohio, I 
 was driving after dark to reach the Rowls, 
 when a man came through the woods, into the 
 middle of the road, and asked for a ride. He 
 was about to stop my horses, when I drew my 
 pistol, ordered him out of my way, and threat- 
 ened to make short work of him. I snapped 
 my whip simultaneously with the warning, and 
 though my pistol was not even loaded, my ac- 
 tion threw him off his guard. I afterwards 
 learned that a young man of very suspicious 
 character lived near the scene. 
 
 Some time after, on my way from Billings- 
 ville to the city, while driving up a long hill, 
 some one approached and addressed me by my 
 name, in a very familiar style, asking for a 
 ride. As I had considerable money about me, 
 I did not stop. My interlocutor then gave a 
 
 65 
 
sudden bound and sprang toward the rear of 
 my wagon. Quick as a wink, I gave the word 
 to my horses, applied the whip to start them 
 off, and soon distanced my pursuer. I realized 
 that it was a preconcerted plan to rob me; 
 that the man had gone on in advance of me, 
 knowing I would start for the city, and had 
 calculated to spring into the wagon, if I refused 
 to hold up. Although I traveled back and 
 forth on the same road many times afterward, 
 I never again was accosted. 
 
 It was my custom at this time, too, frequently 
 to visit the house of Elias Kumler, where I was 
 always received as a friend. His boys used to 
 hide my harness, in order to compel me to 
 remain over night. Their home life was a 
 happy one, and it was a real treat to accept 
 their urgent invitations, and participate in the 
 enjoyment they so invariably afforded by their 
 genial, amiable and affectionate manners. At 
 this time I was possessed of an iron grey horse, 
 which, when T gave up peddling, I sold at a 
 lower figure than I had been offered, to a 
 Frenchman, who lived near Oxford, Ohio, with 
 the understanding that when he wanted to part 
 with him, I would have the first privilege of 
 buying him back, as I did not want the animal 
 
 66 
 
which had served me so well and faithfully, 
 ever to be subject to abuse. 
 
 Brother Henry was really an excellent son, 
 but he had gained the name of being mis- 
 chievous, and I really believe he never lost all 
 his relish for fun. His reputation for mis- 
 chief was thoroughly established. He was 
 usually in hot water by reason of it. How- 
 ever, he played one — cold water — prank. 
 There was a mill in our native place with the 
 customary dam and race. The gate of the dam 
 was frequently closed, so as to accumulate suf- 
 ficient water to run the mill. One day, for 
 want of something better to do, brother Henry, 
 when the race was well filled, raised the gate, 
 and gave free course to the confined water. It 
 played havoc with the mill and machinery. 
 The mill wheel was shattered into fragments ; 
 and withal it was a most expensive experiment 
 for him, and, in the end, the miller made it hot 
 for him, for this sport with cold water. 
 
 Brother Henry was universally esteemed by 
 both young and old. His disposition was so 
 jovial and affable, that he was a general 
 favorite. If there was any frolic or mischief 
 on hand, he was often the originator, and al- 
 ways a participant. 
 
 6 7 
 
One season about the first of the year, I went 
 to Billingsville to collect money, as was the 
 custom. Farmers who enjoyed good credit, 
 paid every twelve months. I found that these 
 farmers were holding back and not selling their 
 hogs, and often after they had sold them, they 
 paid other debts first and settled their store 
 bills by giving a note at twelve months. We 
 could really not afford to wait so long a time. 
 In this emergency, I proposed to my dear 
 brother to buy the hogs in the neighborhood, 
 particularly from those who owed us money. 
 Nothing suited brother Henry so well as this 
 enterprise, and variety gave zest to our under- 
 taking. The first man he called on, was Squire 
 Frazy, a near neighbor and special friend, who 
 always had the finest hogs in the county. 
 When he was made acquainted with our inten- 
 tion, he replied with great promptness, "Mr. 
 Stix, if you go into the market to buy, no one 
 shall have my stock but yourself." The price 
 was agreed upon : so much a hundred. Mr. 
 Frazy asked brother Henry if he preferred 
 scale weight, or if he would guess at the num- 
 ber of pounds. Brother Henry prided himself 
 upon being an expert, and considered his ability 
 somewhat under-rated; so he replied, that it 
 
 68 
 
was useless of Mr. Frazy to put himself to 
 any trouble ; he could readily determine. Cor- 
 diality and confidence were thoroughly estab- 
 lished by brother Henry's decision, and when, 
 to prove his skill beyond a doubt or question, 
 he insisted upon having the hogs weighed and 
 the difference was less than a pound on three 
 hundred, the weight of each, his reputation was 
 unquestionably settled. 
 
 His next attempt at determining weight was 
 not so fortunate. Frazy' s lot had been about 
 ten heads, but McCoid's stock numbered sev- 
 enty-five. This turned out to be a poor and 
 unprofitable business speculation. McCoid 
 was only too willing, knowing brother Henry's 
 successful test, to leave the matter of weight 
 for Henry to decide, which proved to be in this 
 instance about, one-tenth less than the weight 
 named by Henry, and at which estimate he had 
 closed the bargain. We lost on this transac- 
 tion, what we had gained on the former, and 
 came very near not getting our pay at all. 
 The house to which we had sold the hogs was 
 on the verge of bankruptcy, and failed only a 
 few days after I had secured the sum due us, 
 through prompt and earnest effort. They 
 owed many people who could ill afford to lose 
 
 6 9 
 
their money, and who were seriously incon- 
 venienced by their inability to meet their de- 
 mands. 
 
 Passing through Oxford, Ohio, in 1846, 
 with a drove of hogs, many of them could, and 
 did, succeed in outrunning my horse, which was 
 by no means a slow animal. One of the heavi- 
 est gave out just in front of the Mansion 
 Hotel. Squire Satan, lawyer Smith, the con- 
 stable, and the hotel keeper assisted me in lift- 
 ing the hog into my wagon. The mud at the 
 time was some inches deep, and it was hard 
 traveling. At the last stopping place before 
 we reached the city, I rode ahead to make ar- 
 rangements for myself, my men, and the drove 
 of hogs, to stay over night. Among my help 
 were some colored men. As we entered the 
 dining-room I was shown a separate table, 
 which I declined. From this fact, I became 
 known as an abolitionist, which was the actual 
 truth, and which fact, when known, caused me 
 the loss of a number of friends. Next day I 
 sold the drove, and made considerable money 
 out of the speculation, which I kept, in order to 
 induce my dear brother to make collection, to 
 pay for his hog purchase. My success in this 
 first attempt induced me to try a second time. 
 By averaging both lots we came out about even. 
 
 70 
 
One time, after a short absence, I found the 
 hogs had entered the warehouse of our Bil- 
 lingsville store, and selected the supposedly 
 fresh eggs, butter and any other delicacy 
 they considered a suitable relish. I scolded, 
 and my good brother made counter-charges, 
 not without foundation. These eggs, it seems, 
 brother Henry had sold to a manufacturer of 
 liniment, who failed to call for them, and by 
 now they had become putrid. Hence the eggs 
 that remained after the swine had enjoyed their 
 feast had such an unbearable odor that I 
 hired a wagoner to haul them to an unin- 
 habited section; the very memory of them 
 now is nauseating and unendurable. Brother 
 Henry is said to have kept this store in Billings- 
 ville, Indiana, but the fact would be far more 
 correctly stated, if we said that the store kept 
 brother Henry. 
 
 He was always a great admirer of the fair 
 sex, and although industrious, he was some- 
 what irregular in his habits. But there was 
 one marked exception to his deficiency. In 
 correspondence he was punctuality and in- 
 formality combined. His evident preference 
 was for young ladies. But in order not to ex- 
 cite jealous feelings, he addressed letters re- 
 plete with expressions of equal attachment to 
 
 71 
 
all, and he favored them all so equally, that if 
 the name had been omitted from the letters, 
 each might have been mistaken for the other. 
 
 Billingsville recalls an amusing experience. 
 I was mounted on one of my horses, the other 
 following like a dog, jogging toward home 
 after a long trip. On my way I met a drover 
 with cattle, who asked my assistance, as one of 
 his hands had been taken sick. The gentleman 
 took quite a fancy to me, and wanted to know 
 if I would engage to work for him. I an- 
 swered that I would consider his proposition. 
 At the dawn of day, he asked me to take his 
 place, while he rode ahead to make arrange- 
 ments to stay overnight. As I rode up to the 
 gate, the drover stood talking to the farmer 
 who had addressed me as "Mr. Stix," to the 
 great astonishment of my new acquaintance 
 "Who is that young man?" he inquired. The 
 farmer replied, "That is our merchant at 
 Billingsville." I enjoyed the joke, regarding 
 it as a compliment, that he fancied he had met 
 a good German boy. 
 
 During the years 1847 an d 1848, the time of 
 the Mexican War, and of the Irish Famine, 
 Stix Bros, had two respectable country stores, 
 one in Mason, Ohio, the other in Billingsville, 
 Indiana. We then formed a partnership with 
 
 72 
 
Richard R. Conklin for the purpose of buying 
 corn and oats throughout the surrounding 
 country. Mr. Conklin had the reputation of 
 being a rich man. He owned a white lead 
 factory, a feed store, and was largely inter- 
 ested in building a tunnel from Deercreek, 
 running north. We purchased all the corn and 
 oats we could get within a reasonable distance 
 at the market price, and had difficulty in finding 
 room to store it in the city. Mr. Conklin was 
 to furnish money when it was needed, but most 
 of the farmers from whom we bought, pre- 
 ferred to let their cash stand until the grain we 
 had purchased from them was all delivered. 
 When we first commenced buying, we paid 
 about 12^2 cents a bushel for oats and corn de- 
 livered in our receiving warehouses at Oxford, 
 Hamilton, and in the city, the charge for 
 freight making the cost reach 20 to 22^ cents; 
 later on it advanced about 10%. Securing all 
 the warehouse accommodations which the city 
 afforded, if my memory serves me right, we 
 shipped all our oats as fast as we received 
 them, to the commission house of Hill Bros, 
 in New Orleans, who sold the first shipments 
 promptly at a considerable profit, while later 
 on, they kept accumulating and giving excuses 
 for not remitting returns. We were much 
 
 73 
 
disturbed by an early cessation of the Mexican 
 War, as we needed money to pay bills of our 
 regular business, for we had been obliged to 
 advance part of the money, as Mr. Conklin re- 
 fused to sell the corn for more than double 
 its original cost. Therefore we were cramped 
 for ready funds. I insisted that Mr. Conklin 
 should buy out our interest in the New Orleans 
 oats, paying in cash its market value, less the 
 commission, which he did. In a few days 
 Hill Bros, absconded, never paying one cent of 
 their indebtedness; the amount was a large 
 one. I still kept urging the sale of our corn 
 without any effect. The trouble was, that Mr. 
 Conklin was too wealthy a man to pay any at- 
 tention to our necessities or protests. At last 
 the news came that all the corn which had 
 been shipped in sailing vessels had become wet 
 and mouldy, thoroughly impregnated with salt 
 water, and totally unfit to be used as food, 
 either for man or beast. The market turned 
 to a very poor one ; the prices not one-third the 
 offers we had received before. As we could 
 find no sale, we lost heavily on the corn, and 
 we could not get even the price of making the 
 bags, so this was in addition a serious outlay 
 without any return. We might have sold out 
 for about 60 cents a bushel, before the news 
 
 74 
 
reached this country that all the corn so shipped 
 was spoiled at sea. but afterwards we could not 
 get a sum worth accepting. While we con- 
 sidered ourselves quite rich young men before 
 receiving the news from Europe, we were now 
 satisfied to save our good name, which we 
 managed to do by sacrificing all we possessed. 
 It took a long time to get out of debt. Some 
 of our friends and acquaintances, among them 
 our old friend William Bake, a noble man, such 
 as one seldom meets, offered to take goods 
 from us during this financial embarrassment, 
 instead of ready money. 
 
 Owing to my close and intense application 
 to business, while buying grain I often 
 traveled all night, catching what rest I could 
 get in my wagon, giving my horses the reins, 
 and their own time, and then I worked steadily 
 all day. 
 
 Going over the same road so frequently, the 
 toll-keepers knew me and did not wake me. On 
 one occasion I was aroused by the sudden stop- 
 ping of my team. Looking out. I was startled 
 by finding myself in front of our store, 
 forty miles from my starting point. In conse- 
 quence of this strain, both mental and physical, 
 without any cessation. I was taken very ill. 
 with severe pains in my head. I remember 
 
 75 
 
asking my mother to remove my watch from 
 my pocket, as I could not endure its ticking. 
 Dr. De Hart cupped my temples, which gave 
 me relief. 
 
 When I again felt able to join my parents at 
 their meals, mother placed an upholstered chair 
 for me at the table. I requested her not to do 
 so, unless I was really ill enough to warrant 
 such indulgence and care ; but that was always 
 her natural manner, full of love and devoted 
 attention. 
 
 My remark as to traveling 40 miles during 
 the night, does not mean that I did not often 
 look to see if all was right on my way to our 
 Indiana store. 
 
 In the year 1847, I na d an amusing ex- 
 perience while passing a toll-gate. I drove 
 quite rapidly, more to display the fine points 
 of my team, than to save time. I had wrapped 
 up in a piece of paper, which I threw to the 
 keeper, some change which I thought would 
 be the correct amount of toll. My calculation 
 was at fault because the Government had re- 
 cently passed a law of which I was not aware, 
 and consequently, the amount that I gave him 
 was short one cent. 
 
 When I had gone about one hundred yards, 
 I heard the gate-keeper call out after me. I 
 
 76 
 
pulled up as soon as I could. The man was 
 quite angry, and authoritatively demanded the 
 extra cent. I asked pardon, when informed, 
 for not knowing the new requirements, and 
 handed him a quarter of a dollar, expecting he 
 would give me back the change without further 
 delay. He took the quarter, but insisted upon 
 my driving back to the gate to receive what 
 was due me, as a sort of revenge for the trouble 
 to which he had been put by mistake. I did 
 not propose humbling myself by acceding to 
 the demand dictated by such a disagreeable 
 spirit, so hastily replied, "All right, that pays 
 for next time too." A short time after, I 
 passed the gate from the west and called out 
 as I rode through, "I paid you last time." 
 Whether my watchful friend was confused be- 
 cause I came from the same direction as before, 
 or whether he failed to hear what I said, as he 
 afterwards asserted, I do not know, but he 
 mounted a horse and galloped after me, shout- 
 ing at the top of his lungs, and commanding 
 me to stop. I had a fine, fast team, so kept 
 him within a hopeful, encouraging distance, 
 giving him a lively chase for several miles. I 
 could have distanced him completely without 
 much exertion, but concluded to turn in at 
 Beaver Tavern, to water my horses, and give 
 
 77 
 
my enraged pursuer a chance to overtake me. 
 The landlord, who was an acquaintance of 
 mine, was also one of the directors of the road, 
 and when he heard my story, he reprimanded 
 the toll-keeper for his conduct, and advised 
 him in the future, to use more common sense, 
 and act less officiously, so that his services 
 would be more appreciated by both the officials 
 and the traveling public. His horse was yet 
 blowing from the race when I left him, a wiser, 
 but a deeply disappointed man, since he had ex- 
 pected commendation. He learned a useful 
 lesson, however, by this experience, for he 
 never again annoyed the writer on any future 
 occasion. At another time while collecting 
 goods with my wagon and team, bought at 
 different stores, I was holding the lines and a 
 porter was lifting a box into the wagon when 
 a shriek from a steamboat whistle startled the 
 horses. They ran wildly, breaking the lines 
 by which I held them, and never stopped in 
 their headlong career until they brought up in 
 a drug store with not a wheel left on the wagon. 
 The police arrested me, but I proved to the 
 court that the accident was no fault of mine so 
 I was released, and sent my wagon to the shop 
 for repairs. This misfortune occurred on the 
 second day of a holiday. Father and his good 
 
 78 
 
orthodox friends considered that I had but re- 
 ceived my just reward, and thought it a judg- 
 ment. 
 
 During the same year, 1847, we > Stix Bros., 
 bought up wheat on our own account. While 
 we were threshing at Peter Bake's house with- 
 out his charging us for the keep of our men or 
 horses, I had bought his wheat to be delivered 
 in the future at Hamilton. When wheat ad- 
 vanced in price, and he w T ould not take pay for 
 our board bill, I canceled his contract with me, 
 and he received 50% more for his wheat than 
 I had contracted to pay for it. All the wheat 
 which we had purchased up to this time, was 
 delivered at the hydraulic mill in Hamilton, 
 and its managers were to pay the price for it 
 when we called and asked for the pay. I had 
 the choice of asking Hamilton prices or Cin- 
 cinnati prices, less three cents per bushel for 
 freight, if it were to be Cincinnati prices. One 
 Saturday, I started to sell our wheat. I had 
 been riding for some hours, when I missed my 
 pocket-book, containing some hundreds of dol- 
 lars. I anxiously returned, riding back, and 
 fortunately found it in the middle of the 
 road, on the outskirts of the town I had just 
 left. 
 
 At this point my writing is interrupted to 
 79 
 
take the baby, Dorothy, out — it being such a 
 beautiful bright day, the 26th of November, 
 1894. 
 
 It had been pouring rain all day and hardly 
 any one had passed over the road. This 
 delay made it impossible to return to the 
 hydraulic mill at Hamilton in time for my 
 money that evening, as it was after dark when 
 I reached the stables at which I left my horse. 
 To relieve the tedium of a Sunday at Hamilton 
 I availed myself of the opportunity of hiring 
 a horse and buggy and taking a lady friend out 
 driving. 
 
 Monday morning I rose at an early hour and 
 found that the price of wheat which was quoted 
 at 90 to 92 cents on Saturday, had advanced to 
 $1.00. On my arrival at Hamilton, I also 
 learned that some of the smaller mills, unable 
 to procure wheat, had offered to give ten cents 
 more than the price in Cincinnati ; thus making 
 a market value of $1.10. As the hydraulic mill 
 was unwilling to pay us this price, I went to 
 see my friend Mr. Gerstem, the county treas- 
 urer, who introduced me to a first class at- 
 torney. He arranged with the hydraulic mill 
 people to settle with me, for one-half cash and 
 the balance to be paid in a few days. This was 
 quite a profitable venture and helped us out 
 
 80 
 
very much on the sale of corn ; but this termi- 
 nated all further speculations in grain. 
 
 Another enterprise of mine, and one in which 
 I was quite successful, was that of selling car- 
 riages. I had them built, and then paid for 
 them in goods. The last one, I recollect, was 
 purchased by my friend, John Dodd, for about 
 $200, If I had continued peddling, I could 
 have wonderfully increased my business in 
 various departments, for I enjoyed the fullest 
 confidence of all with whom I had dealings. 
 After we gave up, many German pedlers who 
 went over the same route we had traveled, 
 claimed relationship with us. 
 
 Our life was a very pleasant one. W e made 
 sincere friends, many of whom I have since 
 met, and toward whom I have endeavored to 
 reciprocate the kindness so universally ex- 
 tended to us, and the hospitality with which we 
 were ever greeted. 
 
 Among the many occupations in which I 
 have engaged is included that of auctioneering. 
 At Urbana I sold goods in this way twice a 
 week. I also disposed of the stock of a Mr. 
 Watson in Billingsville, and our own at Mason. 
 I did all the crying myself and made quite a 
 fair success of it. 
 
 The Billingsville stock was sold on credit to 
 81 
 
a Matthew Lewis, who was highly recom- 
 mended by some of our best friends. He re- 
 moved the goods to Laurel, Indiana. When 
 we became suspicious in regard to his move- 
 ments, we employed a person to watch him, 
 who reported that we had better come on at 
 once, as he was packing up all his effects 
 and evidently intended swindling us. Subse- 
 quently he sold out and ran away. 
 
 I reached Laurel the very evening that he 
 left. After feeding my horse and taking my 
 supper, I started for Cincinnati, where I hoped 
 to overtake him. My idea was that he was 
 most likely to try to dispose of his horses, with 
 which he made his escape, in the city. 
 
 I left, intending to ride all night, as Laurel 
 was about 50 miles from Cincinnati, expecting 
 to reach that city by morning. In crossing the 
 White Water River sometime after midnight 
 on the ice, it unfortunately gave way. The river 
 was too deep for me to touch bottom, and my 
 horse swam to the opposite shore. At best, I 
 could not swim, and with my heavy overcoat, 
 gloves and shoes, I was even less able to make 
 a successful attempt. 
 
 Throwing away my gloves and overshoes as 
 useless encumbrances, I clung with desperation 
 to the horse's tail, and finally managed to get 
 
 82 
 
upon his back, as he broke his way through the 
 ice. During the ride I was soon frozen to the 
 saddle. 
 
 Near daylight, I reached a house whose il- 
 luminated window had invited me onward, and 
 encouraged me to feel that warmth and shelter 
 were not far away. I hallooed for some time ; 
 at last some one came to my relief. This man 
 unfastened the saddle to which I was frozen, 
 and carried me into the distillery on the out- 
 skirts of Matamoras, Indiana, where they doc- 
 tored me up with whiskey both inside and out. 
 When I had taken about half a pint, they sent 
 to the house for dry clothing and a carriage 
 with a bed in it, to take me to the hotel at 
 Matamoras. There was no charge for any- 
 thing in the way of service, excepting what I 
 gave to the driver. I went to bed, sent back 
 t-he borrowed garments, had mine dried, and by 
 next morning was again on my way. 
 
 On reaching Cincinnati, I went directly to 
 an auction stable, where I found Mr. Lewis' 
 horses. I had them attached, and he ran away 
 on hearing of my appearance on the scene. 
 
 After complying with the requirements of 
 the law in advertising, and paying expenses, I 
 received the little "that remained. I heard 
 nothing personally from Mr. Lewis. About 
 
 83 
 
ten years after, I received an anonymous letter, 
 mailed from Missouri, informing me that this 
 man had two pieces of property in his name. I 
 sent my claim to a lawyer, and after a suit, 
 bought the land at sheriff's sale. Mr. Shenk- 
 lin, the lawyer, paid the taxes on the wrong 
 land for some time. Other claims were made 
 by the wife for her dowry, and so, after retain- 
 ing the property for about twenty-five years, 
 a Mr. Stein sold it for me, and I do not believe 
 that I ever realized the money I had expended 
 upon it in paying the sheriff, and other 
 charges. In fact, I am quite confident I was 
 out of pocket besides, for expenses. My at- 
 torney alone made a good stroke of business 
 out of this transaction. Although deficient in 
 some things, he was never found to be so in 
 this particular respect. 
 
 Father had emigrated to America in 1844 by 
 advice of his physician. He had accordingly 
 sold his house and such possessions as he did not 
 want to take with him, packed up his effects, 
 and left his native land with four children. 
 
 In 1848 father was engaged in a grocery 
 business which I started for him in Cincinnati, 
 as a wholesale trader in eggs. He sold a quan- 
 tity to a Mr. Ransehof, who, ten days after the 
 purchase, brought them back and demanded 
 
 84 
 
his money. He left them in front of the store 
 in a new half bushel measure. Owing to their 
 disagreeable odor, we hauled them down to 
 the river, and the new receptacle in which 
 they were returned, was ample compensation 
 for their cartage. 
 
 Now our revered parents were with us in 
 America, and were surrounded by their six 
 children, all of us anxious to do what we could 
 for their general comfort, and happiness and 
 with one accord, we tried to induce father to 
 retire from active wcfrk. Mother, with her 
 calm, strong, religious feeling, learned to be 
 content and never murmured. It was such a 
 blessing to see their dear faces smiling upon us 
 again, that with united voices we urged father 
 to devote himself to rest for the balance of his 
 life and to enjoy thoroughly seeing his wife so 
 happy. He olid indeed feel proud and satisfied. 
 Nevertheless the habits of years of industry 
 and activity were still so strong within him, 
 that he embraced the first opportunity to be 
 busy and useful with that earnestness of pur- 
 pose, which always insured success. He pro- 
 vided his family with both necessities and 
 comforts most liberally, and, in a short time, he 
 owned his own house and occupied it — a better 
 one than that in which I lived. He also never 
 
 85 
 
failed to aid those who needed assistance, for 
 he was very benevolent and generous in sup- 
 plying help to those whom he considered 
 worthy. He was an excellent judge of char- 
 acter, and was rarely deceived by any impostor. 
 
 Mother was exactly the reverse. She had 
 never learned to refuse an appeal, and her rep- 
 utation was thoroughly established for being 
 easily imposed upon. So kind was her heart, 
 that, although duped as often as there were 
 days in the week, when the swindler was ex- 
 posed, she invariably remarked, "Well, I will 
 never be imposed upon in that way again/' 
 The next time there was only a slight change 
 in the form of the appeal but with the same 
 result. The principle upon which she based 
 her action was, "Better be cheated a hundred 
 times than let one worthy person in need 
 suffer from a refusal." Her maxim often 
 quoted, and always lived up to, was, "If charity 
 is bestowed at all, give with a will at once, and 
 you really give doubly/ ' 
 
 The greatest and most satisfactory pleasure 
 of her life was enjoyed, when she asked her 
 children for liberal contributions to cancel 
 some promise she had made of assistance, on 
 condition that our business had been good 
 during the year. In 1878 I remember she 
 
 86 
 
asked me if we had been successful, and, of 
 course, all was extremely prosperous, if dear 
 mother inquired. Thereupon she requested 
 me to give her Sioo, which I handed her most 
 willingly, although my share of the profits at 
 our annual accounting were about S380 net. 
 My recompense was complete when I saw the 
 pleasure she enjoyed in dispensing gifts to her 
 pensioners. From my purse many received 
 her bounty, and never looked for it in vain. 
 When she had but little, she had to give spar- 
 ingly; but as her means increased, so did her 
 charities multiply — she was never so poor as to 
 be unable to give a portion to those whom she 
 believed to have less than herself. 
 
 When my parents lived over the store, I ate 
 so little that my mother could not but believe 
 that I refrained because I was dissatisfied with 
 her table. At length she asked me to exchange 
 my boarding house for a time, letting one of 
 my young men take my place, while I ate at 
 Mr. Martins, on Walnut Street, which was 
 the clerk's residence. To please dear mother 
 I consented to do as she wished, for she fancied 
 that American cooking might suit me better 
 than the German, and that I would eat more 
 heartily in consequence. Though I was not 
 at all anxious to make the change, I was 
 
 87 
 
too busy to give the matter much thought. 
 Learning soon after that mother was crying 
 over my consenting to this new arrangement, I 
 was only too glad to give up the plan, and re- 
 sume my seat at the parental table. In this 
 connection I may say that I never cared much 
 about eating and drinking, being a firm be- 
 liever in the declaration that one should eat to 
 live rather than live, as many do, to eat. 
 
 The following incident centered about 
 mother as well. We had but one hydrant to 
 supply the water which was common to all the 
 six families who occupied the neighboring 
 dwellings. One of the tenants, a German, who 
 had imported his home-acquired prejudices, 
 and had not yet parted with them, annoyed my 
 family in every conceivable way, never losing 
 an opportunity to be disagreeable. On one oc- 
 casion a certain young girl pretended to have 
 use for the hydrant, and kept my mother wait- 
 ing an unreasonable time for the water she 
 wanted to procure. Growing weary of seeing 
 my mother thus interfered with, I stepped for- 
 ward and demanded of the young girl that she 
 should give my mother a chance. She declined, 
 whereupon I picked up the vessel, which had 
 been filled to overflowing, and discharged the 
 contents without much ado over the trouble- 
 
 88 
 
some damsel. Though she only received a 
 portion of the shower, while my mother, who 
 snatched the bucket, caught the greater share, 
 she brought suit against me. When the case 
 came to trial, the judge decided in my favor. 
 I was defended by Judge Stallo, and our op- 
 ponents were obliged to pay the costs. 
 
 About this time I made the acquaintance of , 
 and became allied in business with, a young 
 man named Victor Wallach, who came from 
 an excellent family in Cassel, Germany. His 
 brother was engaged in the stationery business 
 in Xew York, and was a prominent and re- 
 spected man. Although Victor Wallach was 
 an excellent salesman, popular among the 
 ladies, handsome, charming, highly educated, 
 possessing every qualification to make him a 
 successful business man, yet he had never 
 saved a dollar, had no credit, and deserved 
 none. This man made great promises and, as 
 far as selling goods was concerned, surpassed 
 every expectation. He soon relapsed, how- 
 ever, into vices, wickedness and immorality. 
 His passion for gambling had been so long an 
 indulgence, that he yielded to the temptation, 
 and I realized, with deep regret, that our pros- 
 perous business, promising such a brilliant 
 future, was doomed to disaster, through the 
 
 8 9 
 
unprincipled conduct of this man, who was so 
 gifted, amiable and fascinating that he was 
 both trusted and beloved. 
 
 It was indeed a sad awakening, when my 
 suspicions became confirmed, and failure 
 seemed inevitable. As a salesman, my partner 
 was the best I have ever met. I could not 
 compare with him in this respect. Although 
 hard at work all day, he was no less busy 
 every night after he left the store, gambling 
 without any conscientious scruples as to the 
 manner in which those extravagant debts 
 were to be paid. So card playing was his 
 financial ruin. His favorite game was poker, 
 and to make, good his losses, he not only 
 stole money, but resorted to all kinds of decep- 
 tions and treachery. He had accomplices who 
 took goods which were bought with this pur- 
 pose in view. When I found myself involved 
 in such intricacies, seeing no means of escape, 
 I consulted some of my heaviest creditors, 
 among whom was Mr. John W. Ellis, and in- 
 quired what would be the best course for me to 
 take. They advised me to diminish my in- 
 debtedness as much as possible, and when the 
 time came, they would help me to get rid of 
 Mr. Wallach, and if possible, try and keep up 
 the business. Amid all these difficulties and 
 
 90 
 
complications, I was compelled to be absent, 
 in order to attend to personal affairs requiring 
 immediate attention. It was my purpose when 
 leaving, to be away several days, but return- 
 ing home unexpectedly in the evening, I found 
 the cash short a very large amount. Early 
 next morning, one of my creditors, who had 
 been playing in the game with my partner the 
 previous night, sent for me to let me know 
 that he had seen Mr. Wallach give a large 
 check of several hundred dollars to one of the 
 party, and so notified me in order that I might 
 stop its payment. I did so, and again con- 
 sulted Mr. Ellis, who proposed I should close 
 the store and put the key in my pocket. One 
 friend directed me to an attorney whose spe- 
 cial legal practice was in settling up business 
 difficulties of this kind. His counsel was that 
 I should sell out my store to my father, and, 
 at any cost, get Wallach to sign with me, giv- 
 ing me to understand that this was the only 
 thing I could do under the circumstances. I 
 paid him his charges and decided to look up 
 another attorney, who did not attend exclu- 
 sively to failures and bankruptcy. 
 
 A friend accompanied me to his lawyer, John 
 Kebler. After explaining the matter to him, 
 he remarked, "If you are one-half as honest 
 
 91 
 
as you appear, I will get you a settlement with 
 your home creditors before you go to bed this 
 night." He sent for them at once, to find out 
 their intentions. They showed no opposition, 
 and proposed that all whom we owed should 
 meet, and they would agree to act fairly. Mr. 
 Kebler called the meeting that very evening. 
 I offered them all I had, if they would release 
 me. My keys, books and money had been 
 taken out of the bank, so as to make it doubly 
 certain that the check given by my partner the 
 evening before, amounting to nearly $1,000, 
 should not be paid. Wallach had overdrawn 
 to a large amount. Still his attorney would 
 not give up the assets to me, nor to our cred- 
 itors, even under the promise of releasing him 
 from all liabilities, but demanded the sum of 
 $5,000 to yield his interest in the firm. By 
 the advice of my lawyer and creditors, I gave 
 him about one-half this sum, and within a few 
 days he lost at gambling nearly all he had 
 received from me, and insisted that I should 
 furnish him with sufficient money to take him 
 to California. Our creditors agreed to accept 
 50 cents on the dollar. In making such com- 
 promise, I had agreed to furnish my creditors 
 who asked for it an endorser; but many of 
 them did not want any — among this number 
 
 92 
 
were friends with whom I had grown up from 
 childhood. 
 
 When I asked Martin Stadler, of Stadler 
 Bros, about endorsing for me, he showed a 
 certain hesitation about complying with my re- 
 quest, and gave as an excuse, that he wished 
 to consult his brother Max. I did not call on 
 him again, as I had no difficulty in securing 
 all the favors of this kind I needed. 
 
 Trauenstein & Co., and Stix, Krouse & Co. 
 volunteered their signatures for all I required. 
 Later on, the firm of Trauenstein & Co. was 
 ruined by endorsing to a large amount for 
 the liquor house of A. Louis. I came forward, 
 remembering their kindness and generosity to 
 me, and acted as security for a portion of their 
 settlement, remarking that I would reciprocate 
 their favors to me, even if I had to pay their 
 obligations myself, to the amount of my en- 
 dorsement. 
 
 My chief delight was in selling goods. I 
 must have proved a success, for many of our 
 best customers preferred to have me wait upon 
 them. This, however, was only after my sep- 
 aration from Mr. Wallach, as I was not nearly 
 as popular with the ladies as he was. We were 
 very busy from the time we opened our retail 
 dry goods store on Fifth Street, and after that 
 
 93 
 
I started anew with determination and energy, 
 the odds all against me. I worked late and 
 early, practicing the strictest economy. I was 
 under little or no expense, paying neither board 
 nor washing, as I lived with my dear parents. 
 
 I smoked no cigars nor pipe, drank not even 
 a glass of beer, and blacked my own boots. I 
 do not believe that my personal expenses were 
 as much as $10 a year after our failure. I 
 became quite appreciated by the trade ; business 
 gradually increased, and my reputation for a 
 cheap and honest house was my biggest card. 
 A short time before my marriage, one of my 
 lady friends presented me with a white em- 
 broidered vest. She afterwards became the 
 wife of Mayor Harrison of Cincinnati. I made 
 it my life study to do what was right, and 
 my religious duty to do to others as I would 
 have them do to me. My word was my bond, 
 and I never, to my knowledge, went back upon 
 it. When I review this portion of my past life, 
 I remember that many of my opponents prophe- 
 sied my failure. Nevertheless, I overcame the 
 many obstacles by which I was surrounded, 
 and when I quit the retail, and commenced 
 the jobbing business, my neighbors were my 
 first and best customers. If it had not been 
 for my partner, Mr. Swarts, I should never 
 
 94 
 
have changed, as I always liked the retail busi- 
 ness, and found it hard to give it up. 
 
 Some time after the failure of Stix & Wal- 
 lach, Willie YVallach, my former partner's 
 brother from New York, came to see me, and 
 by his good logic, proved to me, that the only 
 chance I would ever have to realize on the notes 
 which I held against his brother, would be to 
 pay the compromised accounts, either all or in 
 part, in which event I might possibly secure 
 his brother's contribution toward it. In 185 1 
 I returned his brother's notes to him. Years 
 afterward he became a rich man, but only for 
 a short time. He did not pay anything, how- 
 ever, and I was unable to meet any indebted- 
 ness in excess of my compromise. 
 
 The only opposition I met with at the time 
 of my settlement came from the house of 
 Sieving & Co. They felt annoyed because I 
 had bought a considerable bill only a few days 
 before my failure, and, while I had increased 
 the amount due them, I had paid Mr. Calvert, 
 who kept a notion house on the corner of Sixth 
 Street and Lodge Alley, about one-third of all 
 I owed him, which was not yet due. I ex- 
 plained every account for which we were liable, 
 and clearly demonstrated that they were all re- 
 duced in amounts, from the sums for which we 
 
 95 
 
were responsible some months previous, with 
 the exception of Mr. Calvert's, which fact in- 
 duced me to pay him a part of our obligation 
 in advance. 
 
 Mr. Calvert arose in the meeting, and re- 
 marked that if my payment to him prevented 
 Mr.. Sieving from giving his consent to the 
 settlement, he would turn the amount he had 
 received into the general fund for distribution 
 among the creditors, should that be considered 
 by all as the correct adjustment. They, how- 
 ever, universally agreed that he had a perfect 
 right to the money, and Mr. Sieving signed the 
 papers with the others. 
 
 Shortly after my dissolution with Mr. Wal- 
 lach as partner, I learned that James Ullman, 
 a confederate, claimed thousands of dollars on 
 notes of Stix & Wallach, undoubtedly given by 
 Mr. Wallach without either my knowledge or 
 consent as accommodation paper, bearing the 
 firm's signature. 
 
 Mr. Kebier, my attorney, took the bull by 
 the horns, stopped the notes in the hands of 
 the bankers, Goodman Bros., and brought suit 
 in the Court of Chancery. The bank insisted 
 upon a settlement in money, or new collateral 
 from Ullman, and if not promptly attended to, 
 themselves threatened suit, on the ground that 
 
 96 
 
they would consider the notes fraudulent. This 
 brought about the desired effect. This man 
 Ullman became a notorious gambler, and was 
 eventually killed in California for cheating at 
 cards. I have always been convinced that my 
 partner was cheated daily while with me, for 
 he constantly played poker, sought evil com- 
 pany, or was on a drunken carousal, and so was 
 a very easy victim for those disposed to profit 
 by his dissipations. 
 
 What might have proved another serious 
 set-back occurred about this time too. Upon 
 the occasion of my sister's wedding, I had 
 promised all my employees a holiday to enable 
 them to attend the ceremony. To protect our 
 property during our absence, father had en- 
 gaged a German woman to watch the house 
 and the store beneath it. About midnight I 
 received word that my establishment had been 
 robbed. It seems that the store door had been 
 opened with a key of w T hich the thief in some 
 manner had obtained a wax impression. He 
 had been very successful, for upon examining 
 the stock, we discovered that no less than 
 $1,000 worth of silk had been carried off. 
 
 Upon consulting the woman whom we had 
 employed to guard the premises, she acknowl- 
 edged that she had heard some one moving 
 
 97 
 
about downstairs, but that she had been so 
 frightened, that she not only had failed to give 
 the alarm, but had hidden herself and remained 
 concealed until I had entered the store. 
 
 On discovering our loss, we went imme- 
 diately to the police station, where we were 
 agreeably surprised by finding not only the 
 goods that had been stolen, but also the thief 
 who had stolen them. 
 
 At the time of our dissolution, I was sued 
 by a merchant tailor, Mr. Holliday, for a large 
 amount due for clothes made for Mr. Wallach. 
 At the time I was thoroughly despondent and 
 wearied, so my attorney advised me to settle 
 with him in order to save me from further 
 annoyance. At the same time he did not see 
 how I could be held responsible for my part- 
 ner's private accounts for personal expenses. 
 I offered to pay the tailor in goods from my 
 stock, as he had often bought merchandise from 
 us, but he refused my proposal and sued for the 
 money. Mr. Force, afterwards General Force, 
 who had just commenced practice as partner 
 of my friend Mr. Kebler, was my attorney. 
 He asked Mr. Holliday if he had brought his 
 books into court for consultation and confirma- 
 tion of his claim. They were sent for, and he 
 was required to swear to their correctness. 
 
 9 8 
 
Then Mr. Force asked to see the entry of Stix 
 & Wallach's indebtedness. The charge was 
 against Victor Wallach, whereupon Mr. Force 
 told me to go home, as the Court and witnesses 
 had made a mistake, and I was not the person 
 referred to in the entry, and in no respect liable 
 for the debt. He bade the squire adieu, and 
 so ended Mr. Holliday's suit. Undoubtedly he 
 left his claim to his descendants for collection. 
 
 Another legal experience, of a somewhat dif- 
 ferent character however, took place while I 
 was stopping at a hotel in Liberty, Indiana. 
 A man came into my room, went down upon 
 his knees and implored me for Heaven's sake 
 to save his son, who was about to bring his 
 mother and himself in sorrow to the grave. 
 He was laboring under such excitement that 
 it was a long time before I could sufficiently 
 calm him to inquire if he knew me. He an- 
 swered that he was well aware that I was Mr. 
 Stitt, the State Attorney from Richmond. 
 With some difficulty, I convinced him that he 
 was mistaken, and that I was really a merchant 
 of the name of Stix, from Cincinnati, and that 
 the Mr. Stitt whom he wished to see occupied 
 the adjoining room. 
 
 I was, nevertheless, so moved by his prayer 
 that I promised to interview Mr. Stitt and the 
 
 99 
 
judge personally, and so do all in my power to 
 further his wishes. It so happened that Judge 
 Burnsicje, who was the judge, was a particular 
 friend of mine. He was, too, the father of the 
 late General Burnside, a man of high reputa- 
 tion, and great nobility of character. 
 
 The young man, for whom my good offices 
 were solicited, was much more of an idiot than 
 a thief, as he had only ridden the horse he was 
 charged with stealing about ten miles and then 
 let him go. I explained the circumstance to 
 the judge and prosecuting attorney and ob- 
 tained the release of the young man. For my 
 services in this matter the father thanked me 
 upon his knees. 
 
 It was about this time that a Mr. Hazelhurst 
 asked me to see a stock of goods belonging to 
 a Mr. Payton, who had offered them for sale, 
 for about two weeks, at $1,000, and who still 
 asked the same price — which seemed somewhat 
 singular, for of course during this time he 
 had kept on disposing of his stock to his regular 
 customers. 
 
 I went to see Mr. Payton, an old and inti- 
 mate acquaintance, and examined his goods, 
 with a view of purchasing them if the price 
 was reasonable. I found that they were a bar- 
 gain, and would have given more than the 
 
 IOO 
 
price asked, rather than have lost the oppor- 
 tunity of securing them. After satisfying my- 
 self by careful inspection that they were more 
 than worth the money, I took my gold watch 
 out of my pocket, worth about $60 and said, 
 "I will give you -$900 and this watch to secure 
 the goods." He accepted my offer, and with- 
 out hesitation, closed up the store and handed 
 me the key. When I reported this to Mr. Ha- 
 zelhurst, he felt somewhat dubious, and gave 
 me to understand I should have consulted him 
 before closing the agreement. While I re- 
 gretted perhaps acting too hastily in the pur- 
 chase, I much preferred having no partner 
 in this enterprise, and offered to keep the 
 goods myself, rather than that he should feel 
 any dissatisfaction. I would have preferred 
 giving him a consideration in order to have kept 
 them myself. Mr. Hazelhurst was too wide 
 awake, however, to lose his chance of the profit 
 we were sure to make, so he accepted the part- 
 nership, and furnished his share of the cash 
 towards paying for the goods. The next day 
 I proposed we should divide the stock. Mr. 
 Hazelhurst was to take the first $200 worth 
 in groceries, at purchase price, which were 
 worth every cent of the cost, otherwise I would 
 do so unhesitatingly. He acceded, so I had the 
 
 101 
 
next choice, although this first lot was 
 really worth 10% more than any goods I could 
 select. We went on in that way, he always 
 choosing the bulky goods, like groceries, hard- 
 ware, wooden- and willow-ware, and I taking 
 merchandise I could dispose of in my store. 
 
 At last, each one had received the double 
 value invested, and still there were goods to 
 divide. Then I began selecting my next $200 
 portion from the balance, which was a lot of 
 kid gloves worth about $2 per dozen, invoiced 
 at cost about $800. Mr. Hazelhurst stopped 
 me when I had appropriated the correct num- 
 ber to make my $200. His was the next chance 
 in order, so he took his $200 worth of gloves. 
 They were soiled and dried out and next to 
 worthless. Then we had to change our plan 
 of division, as we were getting near the end. 
 We arranged the remainder in lots. As I was 
 a merchant, and he a farmer, I was to say, 
 "Give or take" and fix the price for each lot. 
 I came to a little box of thread laces, at that 
 time very much in vogue. This looked so in- 
 significant in size, compared with the more 
 bulky goods, that I put the value at $25. "Give 
 or take?" Mr. Hazelhurst responded without 
 hesitation, "I will take them, as I know you 
 charged my wife $1.00 a yard for the wide 
 
 102 
 
and 25 cents a yard for the narrow; there is 
 enough here to last for the rest of her life." 
 While they were cheap at $150, I had to keep 
 mum, although taken at a decided disadvan- 
 tage. I then took down from the shelf about 
 100 boxes of artificial flowers, which cost about 
 $300, but not worth at the time the value of 
 the boxes. It was for me to say "Give or 
 take." I put the price at $75. Mr. Hazel- 
 hurst, a thoroughly bright man, a successful 
 farmer, wide awake to the occasion, answered 
 me, "You take them." I pretended all was 
 satisfactory. My friend Hazelhurst, for whom 
 I set the trap, saw Mr. Payton, from whom 
 we bought the stock, and told him of our distri- 
 bution. Mr. Payton told him I was decidedly 
 the loser ; that the artificial flowers were really 
 of no account, while the laces were really worth 
 more than my estimate. Hazelhurst laughed 
 to think that I had been beaten by an old 
 farmer, and enjoyed the cuteness and good 
 sense he had displayed. 
 
 In 1849 I went with m Y clerk, Mr. McCul- 
 lough, to a German masked ball. He was a 
 young American, blonde, and six feet tall. As 
 we entered the room, some one made the dis- 
 courteous remark, "What business have you 
 here, we do not want Jews." Mr. McCul- 
 
 103 
 
lough thereupon gave the person a severe 
 thrashing. After this unpleasant scene one 
 high in position advised me to leave and return 
 home, offering me his carriage, as he knew that 
 trouble was brewing. We thought it prudent 
 to heed his warning and to retire from the 
 festivities. I had no idea that in free Amer- 
 ica such narrow-minded prejudices had been 
 imported from the mother country, which I 
 had been glad to leave on this very account. 
 
 The next day the offending person came to 
 my store and threatened to sue Mr. McCul- 
 lough. The latter gave him distinctly to un- 
 derstand that nothing would please him better 
 than to be sued in such a cause, for that would 
 have meant ruin to the prejudiced German's 
 business, as his drug store was right in the 
 Jewish quarter, and fully half his patrons and 
 friends were of the Jewish faith, and they 
 would certainly have found him out most effec- 
 tually. 
 
 That same year, some ladies who were inter- 
 ested in a charitable purpose, called upon me, 
 requesting a donation for a fair they proposed 
 organizing. I had already contributed money, 
 but besides they wanted a liberal gift of some- 
 thing upon which they could make a profit. I 
 entirely approved of the object, a most worthy 
 
 104 
 
one, and heartily acceded to their wishes. I 
 presented them with a patchwork quilt worth 
 S50 with this proviso,, that they would not 
 raffle it off for less than Si 00, making one hun- 
 dred chances at $1 each. I was to have one 
 chance in my own name, one for my mother, 
 and another for my sister. Shortly after, the 
 committee waited upon me to inform me that 
 mine was the lucky number, and they wanted 
 me to sell the quilt to them. I repeated my 
 last arrangement. Again I was favored by 
 a visit. This time they desired to buy my 
 three chances. I offered them my chance of 
 $1, but was unwilling to dispose of my mother's 
 and sister's, and was particularly positive in 
 stating that if I won the quilt, it was not for 
 sale. They then acknowledged that I was again 
 the winner. We still have the quilt in our 
 house. 
 
 What nearly ended in a severe catastrophe 
 occurred to me in Cincinnati while situated on 
 Fifth Street. In our immediate neighborhood, 
 a few doors east of Race Street, on the north 
 side, there was a firework factory, which, in 
 some manner took fire, causing a terrible ex- 
 plosion. One of their employees, who had 
 been injured by the accident, was brought to 
 my store. The poor fellow had been nearly 
 
 105 
 
burned to death and had jumped from the 
 ruined structure. We brought down some 
 bedding, hoping to relieve the injured man, 
 and make his last moments more comfortable, 
 having already sent for a doctor and oil. A 
 physician who happened to be passing, was ad- 
 mitted, but his services were not needed, as 
 orders had been given to remove the patient' 
 who died on his way to the hospital. A report 
 was circulated to the effect that a magazine of 
 500 pounds of gunpowder still remained in the 
 building, which might ignite at any moment, 
 and bring devastation to all in its vicinity. I 
 at once closed my store, and engaged the serv- 
 ices of some of my friends to remove a portion 
 of the more valuable goods to the market house 
 opposite; meanwhile, I ran upstairs after dear 
 mother, who was always my care and who was 
 living over the store. I found her greatly ex- 
 cited, running to and fro trying to save 
 something. With this intent, she had se- 
 cured her lace cap, which I suppose was worth 
 about a dollar, and was holding it firmly 
 grasped in her hand as I carried her down- 
 stairs. Fortunately, however, the reserve 
 stock of powder, stored in the factory, did not 
 explode, or the whole block could hardly have 
 escaped having been blown up and utterly de- 
 
 106 
 
stroyed. Though some of my goods were 
 damaged, and others stolen through this en- 
 forced and sudden removal to a supposed place 
 of safety, the company in which I was insured 
 declined to recompense me, as there had not 
 actually been a fire upon my premises. 
 
 One day, while standing in front of my store, 
 I observed a young lady passing out and I 
 heard her rebuke one of my clerks, remarking 
 "You had better keep your French meshoves 
 yourself." Inquiring into the cause of offense, 
 I learned that one of my salesmen, after wait- 
 ing upon her most attentively for a long time 
 had failed to make a* sale, and, as she was leav- 
 ing, Cranny, another salesman, asked if he 
 could not show her some new French meshoves 
 which had just arrived. She understood what 
 he meant perfectly well. I cautioned Cranny 
 that a repetition of such conduct would result 
 in a loss of his position. 
 
 Although I had withdrawn from ladies' so- 
 ciety, unconsciously I had learned to respect 
 and honor above all others, the one whom I 
 afterwards loved and married for the many 
 virtues she possessed. Although we were 
 neighbors, I had given so little expression to 
 my real sentiments, that when I asked her for 
 her hand, she was much astonished, and so 
 
 107 
 
were my dear parents, and her brother and 
 uncle. I, however, objected to the attentions 
 of her brother to my sister. 
 
 One morning, dear mother came to me quite 
 annoyed, complaining that dear father had 
 learned that brother Henry was engaged and 
 he would not tell her to whom. This proved 
 to be only a conjecture. To enable her also to 
 have a secret, I informed her under promise 
 of keeping the intelligence entirely confidential, 
 that I was engaged to Miss Hackes. No doubt 
 she meant to keep her promise, but she could 
 hardly wait to see dear father, and was quite 
 unhappy until she could communicate the good 
 news, and enjoy it with him. My parents 
 never regretted my marriage, for they gained 
 a lovely daughter, and her goodness was always 
 appreciated and reciprocated by them. By 
 her lovely disposition she has strengthened the 
 affection and harmony that has ever existed 
 in the Stix family, and I know of no household 
 as large as ours, where there has never been 
 a misunderstanding among the many additions 
 to it by marriage and by birth. May our chil- 
 dren ever follow the example of which we are 
 proud and justly so. Soon after our engage- 
 ment, Miss Hackes moved with her folks to 
 Western Row, at present called Central Av- 
 
 108 
 
enue, between 5th and 6th Streets. I visited 
 her nearly daily, after my store was closed, 
 which was never before ten o'clock, and at the 
 latest left her house about midnight. Just at 
 this time she felt her loss of a loving father 
 most keenly, as she had waited on him through 
 a long and lingering sickness. From the date 
 of our betrothal, September 1850, we made 
 many plans as to our future. We each deter- 
 mined to be frugal. On the nth of March, 
 185 1, we were married in the Masonic Hall 
 at corner of Third and Walnut Streets. The 
 day was clear and bright, as beautiful a one 
 as we could desire. The wedding was a 
 double one: Jacob Krouse and myself each 
 paying in proportion to the number of his in- 
 vitations. My wife on her way to the cere- 
 mony, as she passed the store, by special ar- 
 rangement, let me know that it was time for 
 me to close the store, as I had promised my 
 help that I would do so to give them an op- 
 portunity to go to my wedding. The store was 
 more crowded than ever — I hardly knew what 
 to do. I finally informed the customers that 
 they could take such goods as had been 
 bought and pay for them, or come back to- 
 morrow, as all my help had been invited to 
 see me married at the Hall. Any of the 
 
 109 
 
customers who wished to join us were then 
 invited to do so. My dear parents' carriage 
 was waiting for me. Every one who cared 
 to attend, marched to the Hall, and many con- 
 sidered this also an invitation to the table. 
 There was plenty of room, and I asked the land- 
 lord to have a lot of fruit and particularly a 
 few boxes of oranges at my expense. He 
 refused and would not allow me to do it. To 
 punish him for his stubbornness I did not order 
 a drop of anything to drink, although two hun- 
 dred and fifty persons were sitting at the dinner 
 table. ... I gave them an order to get all 
 the drinks and cigars at the bar below at my 
 expense, the same standing good all night, 
 without tickets. Mr. Krouse, who had by far 
 the fewer guests could not well do otherwise, 
 so our wedding was the first temperance wed- 
 ding among our friends. I told Mr. Reitzen- 
 berger right there and then, that should I have 
 a half dozen more weddings, never would I 
 have another one at Reitzenberger's. Never- 
 theless many of my lady customers who 
 marched to the Hall, were more than pleased 
 to see the ceremony of a Jewish wedding, and 
 thanked me cordially, as it was all new to them. 
 Subsequently, I received a valentine, beauti- 
 fully decorated, with two doves making love to 
 
 no 
 
one another. It was a most dainty, exquisite 
 design, and as usual, anonymous. I after- 
 wards learned, that a young Welsh lady, an 
 heiress, who owned more than twenty houses 
 and stores in New York City had thus favored 
 me. 
 
 Shortly after our marriage my wife and I 
 began housekeeping and no couple was ever 
 more happy or contented. Nevertheless, my 
 appetite to which I have previously alluded, 
 did not improve. On this account, we often 
 took our meals with my dear parents, as mother 
 thought in their company I would eat more; 
 a fancy in which I believe she might have been 
 correct. 
 
 While this arrangement was extremely pleas- 
 ant, my wife, who was only too willing to show 
 how great a slave she could make herself in 
 ministering to the writer's comfort, would 
 not be persuaded to remit her solicitude. I re- 
 monstrated with her, but without any good re- 
 sult, for, in her overwhelming desire to care 
 for me, she would not be refused, let me plead 
 as I might. 
 
 Just here let me say that I am about to enter 
 into the details of an occurrence where, I must 
 confess, before beginning my story, I was en- 
 tirely in the wrong; but, as I have committed 
 
 in 
 
myself to the truthfulness of all these narra- 
 tions, I must, as ever, be candid in my acknowl- 
 edgments, even though they should prove me 
 to have been both hasty and inconsiderate. 
 
 We were seated at the table, my wife and 
 I, beginning our breakfast. She had boiled 
 four eggs, the usual number, and the first one 
 I opened appeared stale, which destroyed any 
 further appetite I might have had for eggs; 
 at least for the time being. I did not attempt 
 a second one, although my wife opened the 
 second one for me. I did not care for it after 
 my recent experience, as may well be supposed, 
 but took it simply to please her, while she ate 
 the third one. This, of course, left but one 
 egg, which she insisted I must take. This I 
 refused to do; and to let her understand that 
 once "No" meant "No" decidedly, I contin- 
 ued to resist all the eloquence and persuasion 
 which she brought to bear to compel my acqui- 
 escence. Our controversy finally reached a 
 point where, losing my temper, I flung the egg 
 out of an open window which faced my seat 
 and was temptingly near. While my wife did 
 not utter a word, her face spoke volumes. I 
 admit there was no excuse for my acting so 
 hastily; but it was not without some good ef- 
 fect, and from that day to this, I have never 
 
 112 
 
been urged to give up my views for her ideas, 
 nor have I ever had occasion to let my temper 
 get beyond my control; at least so far as the 
 egg question is concerned. To prevent any 
 similar occurrence, we buy only eggs whose 
 origin is thoroughly known, and whose purity 
 can be warranted, and usually pay double price, 
 since we have learned the difference. 
 
 My efforts to adopt a homeless colored boy 
 from the streets taught me another lesson early 
 in our married life. I hoped to give him a 
 chance to make a useful man of himself in the 
 world. He received a thorough cleaning, and 
 a new suit of clothes with which to begin life 
 anew. But evidently he did not appreciate his 
 present or prospective advantages, for he was 
 no sooner made presentable than he ran away, 
 and I never caught a glimpse of him again. 
 
 My experience in this instance did not deter 
 me from another effort to help an orphan boy, 
 a nephew of my partner. When he grew up, 
 I advanced him $1,600, taking his notes for 
 the amount. Although the firm with which 
 he was connected failed, I claimed from the 
 concern my debt, and the partner, Mr. Moses 
 Heins, settled with me at 50 cents on the dollar. 
 My attorney assured me that I had no legal 
 claim, yet complimented me upon being a good 
 
 113 
 
lawyer when my own interest was concerned. 
 The same young man, who had ever since 
 avoided me, I helped again, and I feel that I 
 have been fortunate in escaping as well as I 
 did. His notes, which I still hold, are out- 
 lawed, and I make no attempt to collect them, 
 but regard him as unworthy of confidence, al- 
 though an industrious person. 
 
 In 185 1, the first year of our marriage, I 
 concluded to make a journey to the East. I 
 called upon Mr. Peabody, the partner of my 
 friend, John W. Ellis, to furnish me with a let- 
 ter of introduction to some eastern houses. 
 Mr. John W. Ellis himself, from whom I had 
 purchased the greater quantity of my goods 
 since the period of my dissolution or failure 
 with Mr. Wallach, was at this time in the 
 East. I had abundant money to pay cash, if 
 needful, for all I intended to buy. I had about 
 $12,000 of Mr. J. L. Swarts' money, which 
 I had been authorized to use at my option, un- 
 der the agreement existing between us. To 
 my utter astonishment, however, Mr. Peabody 
 not only refused me a letter of introduction, 
 but demanded that if I left for the East I 
 should settle my account with their firm for 
 money I owed them, or which he claimed to be 
 due. He even threatened that they would re- 
 
 114 
 
fuse to sell me any more goods, except for cash. 
 I endeavored to explain my position to Mr. 
 Peabody, but without success. As may easily 
 be supposed, I felt keenly mortified. Indeed, 
 nothing had occurred since my dissolution with 
 my former partner, which had so deeply moved 
 me. I was unwilling at first to believe that my 
 friend, Mr. Ellis, could have so mistrusted me, 
 and, having paid all that I owed to this house 
 which, by the way, was a very moderate 
 amount, I felt anxious to meet Mr. Ellis per- 
 sonally, to learn from his own lips whether he 
 approved of his partner's action. 
 
 It so happened that upon the very day of 
 my arrival in Philadelphia I met Mr. Ellis 
 at the business establishment of Wall & Lea- 
 man, then acting as agents for the great Fall 
 River Mills. He welcomed me, as he always 
 did, in the most pleasant and gentlemanly man- 
 ner, and at once introduced me to the firm. I 
 begged him to accord me an interview, and 
 allow me to speak with him in private, to which 
 he cheerfully acquiesced. I acquainted him 
 with my experience with his partner, and his 
 ungracious behavior toward me. Mr. Ellis 
 begged me to bear no ill-will to Mr. Peabody, 
 for his offense was one of ignorance, as he 
 knew no better. To convince me of the entire 
 
 US 
 
sincerity of his disapproval of Mr. Peabody's 
 conduct, he immediately recommended me to 
 Messrs. Wall & Leaman, telling them to sell 
 me all the goods I wanted, and to recommend 
 me to any of their mercantile correspondents 
 as a perfectly reliable customer; saying that 
 no one was better entitled to credit than myself, 
 and that I was good for any amount I saw fit 
 to buy, and that he would hold himself responsi- 
 ble for any amount of indebtedness I might in- 
 cur to their firm, or to those I might be intro- 
 duced to through their good offices. I could 
 not have done more for my best friend. It is 
 needless to state that I was delighted with my 
 friend Mr. Ellis' prompt endorsement, coupled 
 with his entire repudiation of his partner's ill- 
 advised proceeding. 
 
 It is curious that this very occurrence helped 
 to bring about an early dissolution of the busi- 
 ness association between Ellis & Peabody. In 
 less than five years time, this same Mr. Pea- 
 body called upon me with samples of goods 
 which he was peddling from house to house. 
 I felt pity for him in place of bearing him a 
 grudge — the overbearing, stupid aristocrat was 
 downcast and discouraged. In place of show- 
 ing him the door, I treated him respectfully, 
 and patronized him out of a principle which I 
 
 116 
 
have observed all my life — to patronize people 
 who have followed drumming or peddling as 
 a means of livelihood. I always remembered 
 how beautifully the American people had 
 treated me when I was peddling, and was but 
 a stranger amongst them. 
 
 It was on this trip East too, that I was de- 
 layed by a snow storm in New York and was 
 too late for the train. My coach could not 
 reach the depot in time (then about Chambers 
 Street and West Broadway). Having two 
 heavy trunks with me, I left them with the 
 business house of A. Journey, Junior & Co., 
 near the station. Their stock was out of sea- 
 son and they were about quitting business. I 
 was able to secure all their goods, amounting 
 to about $12,000 worth, at 50 cents on the dol- 
 lar, which paid me better than all my regular 
 purchases. 
 
 I made it a custom from the time I was able 
 to do so, to buy goods out of season, and when- 
 ever my competitors were asked for such arti- 
 cles, they invariably directed the person to me, 
 stating that if they could not find what they 
 were in search of at L. Stix & Co.'s, it was use- 
 less to look elsewhere. Although this plan 
 was an excellent one at that time, it would not 
 be so desirable now. 
 
 117 
 
On this same trip I attended a sale of Ger- 
 man show patterns, imitation of embroidery. 
 I bid $1.10 per dozen, as they seemed cheap to 
 me, and I had no real idea of their value. A 
 number of basket pedlers who dealt with us, 
 sold goods of this kind, so with the idea of sup- 
 plying them, I bought about 300 dozen at 
 $1.10 per dozen. As I passed out of the auction 
 rooms, a young man, a Mr. Mass, followed me 
 and offered to sell me the same goods at the rate 
 of 90 cents. I took his name and address and 
 made up my mind that even that was not as 
 low as they could be bought. On my return 
 home, I learned that the peddling trade was 
 paying $1.00 per dozen for them. I reduced 
 my price to 90 cents and sold them out in a day. 
 When next I visited New York, I called on Mr. 
 Mass and purchased five cases of him at 62^/2 
 cents per dozen. We still sold them at 90 
 cents. Many five case lots I afterwards sold 
 at 75 cents per dozen: I believe at least 100 
 cases ; and the lot price, brought us many tran- 
 sient customers besides. Although I had to 
 pay sometimes for experience, it paid me in 
 the end. 
 
 I arranged to start on a tour with brother 
 Henry to collect money due me in my business 
 this same year. When the day came, I was 
 
 118 
 
not feeling well and brother Henry was unwill- 
 ing to delay the journey, as he would gain an 
 advantage by being on time, for most of the 
 merchants when they owed one, usually owed 
 others, and the first come was more apt to re- 
 ceive his money than those who came later. 
 
 When I learned that he had gone without 
 me, I started the next day and hired a sulky 
 to overtake him. It was snowing hard and 
 was a very cold, stormy, boisterous day. I was 
 so much muffled up with heavy clothes and 
 thick fur gloves that I was unable to drive my 
 horse successfully. I upset right in the city, 
 and as I could not manage the lines with my 
 bulky gloves, my leg was caught between the 
 spokes ; the horse moved on, and as my legs 
 prevented the spokes from turning, the sulky 
 was drawn along like a sled for quite a distance. 
 I finally managed to stop the horse and work 
 loose, and then, after driving back to the stable, 
 returned home and was not able to go to busi- 
 ness for several days. The truth was, I was 
 not well when I started, and my shin bone was 
 quite severely hurt by the accident. 
 
 My brother-in-law, Mr. A. S. Herman, 
 whose friends were mostly jobbers in dry 
 goods, introduced me, when I arrived in Xew 
 York, to many good houses, so that I had no 
 
 119 
 
difficulty in getting all the credit I wanted from 
 them. In one or two auction houses he en- 
 dorsed for me, as they claimed it was custom- 
 ary to require this in dealing with persons from 
 out of town. Mr. Bergman, a partner of Wald, 
 Hackes & Bergman, also introduced me to some 
 of the largest importing houses : Gihan & Co., 
 Stewart & Bros., and Butterfield. Not only 
 were they anxious to sell me goods, but they 
 recommended me to other houses. One time I 
 learned of a large linen sale at Wilmerding & 
 Mounts. I went to establish a credit there 
 without an endorser. While I gave a true 
 statement of my affairs, they refused me, on 
 the plea that others in the same business would 
 be displeased if they sold to a retailer. When 
 Mr. Bergman heard from me in regard to the 
 affair, we went to see Mr. Gihan, whose goods 
 were to be sold at auction, and a letter was 
 given to me, stating that I might buy any goods 
 I wished, and my notes would be taken in pay- 
 ment, without endorsement, for amounts with- 
 out limitation. As this was the largest house 
 in this line of trade, I had no more incon- 
 venience, as other firms were willing to do the 
 same, when I asked them to open an account. 
 
 Mr. A. S. Herman, too, showed me some lots 
 of linen handkerchiefs, bought in his name at 
 
 1 20 
 
from 75 to 95 cents a piece. They were put up 
 in blue papers, just as I had been buying them 
 at so much a dozen. He told me the price for 
 a single one, and I thought he meant that price 
 for a dozen, and considered them very cheap. 
 I advised Herman to take them all and agreed 
 to pay them 10% profit. He returned home 
 much pleased with the liberal offer I had made, 
 and remarked that he would make $100 on the 
 transaction. Thereupon I told him that the 
 whole purchase would not amount to that sum. 
 So Mr. Herman had the pleasure of exposing 
 the judgment of his new brother-in-law. 
 
 I received too an introduction from one of 
 my neighbors, H. M. Duhme, recommending 
 me to the house of Eno, Mahoney & Co., in 
 the East, a firm with which he dealt largely. I 
 found that they carried a far superior stock to 
 that of any house from which I had bought 
 previously. Doubtful of their willingness to 
 sell me, I did not buy one-half the goods I could 
 have used to advantage, although even then 
 they found my bill too large for a new account. 
 Besides, the prejudice against our race was too 
 deeply rooted to be overcome by any letter of 
 endorsement by a business acquaintance. As I 
 had imagined, the day after my purchase I re- 
 ceived a letter of refusal from them. When my 
 
 121 
 
friend Duhme was informed that the house 
 had declined to deliver my goods, he generously 
 offered me his endorsement for any amount I 
 might wish to buy. I thanked my good 
 neighbor for his kind and liberal treatment, 
 and perfect confidence in my honor. I had the 
 goods shipped, and paid cash on delivery. 
 Some years after, one of this firm, at first so 
 doubtful about my standing, started an import- 
 ing business, and sold me goods for any amount 
 I wished, exhibiting the same spirit of faith in 
 me as my friend Duhme had shown when he 
 first introduced me to the firm. 
 
 During the same year, I had quite a lively 
 episode with a Mr. James McCully, an Indiana 
 merchant, who did business at Liberty. He 
 was very far behind in his payments, and paid 
 no attention whatever to our requests for a set- 
 tlement. After repeated ineffectual efforts to 
 have him come to some honest, satisfactory un- 
 derstanding, I finally decided to see him per- 
 sonally. I also took the claim of Stix, Krouse 
 & Co. with me, and found that McCully was on 
 the verge of failure. He tried to put me off 
 by promises which he never intended to keep, 
 and only made for the purpose of effecting a 
 delay, the better to arrange for his anticipated 
 financial difficulties, and gain whatever advan- 
 
 122 
 
tage was possible. I consulted my friend, a 
 lawyer, named Mr. Yearyon, as to the best 
 course to adopt to prevent this swindle, and he 
 advised me to take whatever I could manage to 
 secure, as he expected any day to get a judg- 
 ment against him for an eastern creditor, and 
 he did not believe he would succeed in collecting 
 over half the amount which was due. Return- 
 ing to McCully, I found that the best arrange- 
 ment I could succeed in making, even after 
 threatening him, was 50 cents on the dollar, 
 payable in goods. I was forced to accept this 
 proposition ; but the prices he charged were out- 
 rageous, and seeing no redress by any fair or 
 honorable adjustment, I determined to set a 
 trap for him. 
 
 I offered him a big price to take me to Ox- 
 ford in time to catch the stage for my return 
 home. In the haste of our departure, he 
 hitched up his team and threw the goods into 
 the wagon without requiring the receipt. He 
 took his jewelry box with him, expecting to 
 trade watches on the way. When we arrived 
 at Oxford, Ohio, he put his horses in the stable, 
 and I called on Squire Sertain to make out an 
 attachment that my attorney, Smith, had fur- 
 nished. The constable, who was my friend, 
 only awaited my word to do his duty. I called 
 
 123 
 
Mr. McCully into the parlor and informed him 
 as he was now out of his state, I would have 
 an attachment in the hands of the officer served 
 at once upon him if he did not pay me. He 
 was forced into compliance, as he found him- 
 self in the same predicament in which he had 
 placed me but a short time before, when I was 
 in his state and at his mercy. I agreed to al- 
 low him a reasonable time to redeem his prop- 
 erty without any expenses attached, and fur- 
 nish him with enough money to hire a con- 
 veyance to return to his home. He never re- 
 deemed his pledge and threatened to shoot me 
 if I ever told how he had been trapped and cir- 
 cumvented, — while in Indiana, he had me at 
 his mercy, but in Ohio, I was master of the 
 situation. I have never been a good collector, 
 and have often felt hurt when people tried to 
 rob me deliberately, but in this instance I made 
 quite a success. 
 
 McCully failed shortly after this experience, 
 and not many weeks following, again bought 
 goods of our house for cash. 
 
 The same year an auctioneer and business ac- 
 quaintance called on me for a loan of a consid- 
 erable amount as some underwriter had prom- 
 ised him a large consignment of wet goods if 
 he could make certain advances. They had 
 
 124 
 
been sunk in the Ohio River, and consisted of 
 laces, embroideries and wide sheetings which 
 were to be sold at auction for whatever they 
 could bring. I lent the party the amount re- 
 quired and my neighbor, Mr. Shawl, joined 
 with me in purchasing nearly the entire stock. 
 Each bought in his own name to show some ap- 
 parent opposition, for fear the owner might 
 postpone the sale which amounted to several 
 thousand dollars. On our way home after 
 the sale, I was very enthusiastic about our pur- 
 chases. Mr. Shawl made the remark that he 
 never liked wet goods and if I would give him 
 $100 he would let me have all of his. I ac- 
 ceded to his proposition, moved my regular 
 stock upstairs, and sold only wet and dam- 
 aged goods, with such success, that when the 
 entire stock was about disposed of, I then sold 
 my own in the same manner, by making liberal 
 use of the hydrant to accommodate many of our 
 customers who felt slighted because they had 
 received no special notification of the sale. My 
 capital which may have been about $5,000 was 
 about doubled at the end of this venture. From 
 this time on I had smooth sailing, excepting in 
 the year 1854, the first year after we moved to 
 Main Street, when we did a jobbing business 
 exclusively. Nearly every retail house in the 
 
 125' 
 
city failed. We lost nearly all we had, but 
 after six months we made good our losses, and 
 by the close of the year held our own after 
 deducting living expenses. The great secret 
 of success was to do as much of your own work 
 as possible, and never to infringe upon your 
 capital. I have always been of a speculative 
 turn of mind, yet liberal from the time I could 
 afford to be so, after establishing a good firm 
 foundation. 
 
 While purchasing my merchandise, I came 
 to the conclusion that I was not buying it of 
 the best houses. I called upon the firm of Will- 
 iam Lattimer & Co., the largest white goods 
 dealers at that time supplying smaller job- 
 bing houses. Mr. Lattimer met me at the door 
 and invited me into his private office. After 
 taking down my statement, he remarked that 
 if my references were such as he fully believed 
 them to be, and could be verified upon examina- 
 tion, he would sell me to the extent of $5,000 
 and I had better make my selections at once. 
 I felt satisfied that I had struck the proper 
 party, and having now an opening wedge in 
 the right direction, that I would have no 
 trouble in the near future in obtaining all the 
 credit I might require. Mr. Lattimer, who 
 waited upon me, noticed that I did not reach 
 
 126 
 
anything like the amount of my orders on my 
 book, though I bought largely of all lines I saw 
 fit to select. He asked me, "Why do you not 
 take this or that?" referring to certain goods 
 he recommended, whereupon I observed, "My 
 limit will be exhausted if I do so." Neverthe- 
 less he kept on increasing his credit, until when 
 our transactions were finished, I found my in- 
 debtedness to him was much nearer $10,000 
 than the $5,000 credit originally extended. 
 
 Upon taking leave, I gave orders to ship the 
 goods I had selected, if my references proved 
 satisfactory, and send the bill to my office. It 
 was promised for the next day, but it did not 
 come to hand. Finding it still missing, I made 
 it my business to pass the store the day follow- 
 ing two or more times. At last Mr. Lattimer 
 observed me and called me in. He inquired if 
 I had received my bill. I replied that it had not 
 yet reached me. He asked the boy why it had 
 not been delivered in accordance with his direc- 
 tions. The boy replied that he had just re- 
 turned from attending to it. Mr. Lattimer 
 advised me that my goods had been shipped the 
 day before, as he had promised. He then 
 urged me to buy all I could use, raising his 
 limit to $15,000, which I did. Inside of thirty 
 days I discounted my indebtedness to him by 
 
 127 
 
sending him a check for the full amount of my 
 purchases. His answer made a life-long im- 
 pression upon me. "Your check came duly to 
 hand. I have deposited it for your account in 
 my name in bank, — while I do know that Wil- 
 liam Lattimer is good, I do not propose to 
 endorse the credit of any bank. You can 
 therefore draw upon me for the full amount, 
 as we are not in want of any money, while it 
 may be a great accommodation to others who 
 would be glad to receive it." In reply, I 
 begged him to keep the money, as I should feel 
 a delicacy in increasing my margin or incur- 
 ring further indebtedness without settling the 
 old account. He saw that I was right and ac- 
 cepted the money. From that day my credit 
 was practically limitless, either for goods or 
 cash, and I occasionally made use of it. 
 
 After my removal to New York, and estab- 
 lishment in business as a buyer in that city, I 
 had no warmer or truer friend than William 
 Lattimer. His liberality was in every way ap- 
 preciated and reciprocated by the writer. Mr. 
 Lattimer was a self-made man, untrammeled 
 by prejudice, liberal in all his dealings, and 
 broad and sensible in interpreting the religious 
 belief of others. I at one time 'chanced to 
 meet one of our people at the gate of the tem- 
 
 128 
 
pie. He remarked, "I cannot pray as I have 
 not settled my account with my friend Latti- 
 mer, to whom I owe more than I shall ever be 
 able to pay." I informed Mr. Lattimer of this 
 conversation. He sent for the man and told 
 him he would consent to any equitable proposi- 
 tion which should be considered mutually sat- 
 isfactory. This was certainly very fair, and 
 would have been carried out, had it not been 
 for the rebellion and consequent unsettlement 
 of all business calculations. This same man 
 finally became and continued very successful 
 and paid all his debts in full. Incidents in my 
 later life disclose equally pleasant relations 
 with this same William Lattimer. 
 
 About the year 1851, S warts Bros, had sent 
 me twenty-four thousand dollars. One-half 
 this sum belonged to each brother. J. L. 
 Swarts wrote me I had better deposit his 
 brother Isaac's share in the Ohio Trust Com- 
 pany, while the other $12,000 was left with me, 
 to pay at my discretion such interest as I could 
 afford. I used my brother-in-law's money in 
 the business. Isaac's money I lent to Wald, 
 Hackes & Bergman, who paid the lowest in- 
 terest, ten per cent. At that time, paper had 
 been discounted outside of the banks at about 
 fifteen per cent. While I had never written 
 
 129 
 
what I had done with Isaac's money, my 
 brother-in-law well knew that I had not de- 
 posited it in that bank, which afterwards failed 
 in 1857, creating one of the greatest panics that 
 this country had ever experienced. 
 
 When J. L. Swarts, my brother-in-law, and 
 later my partner, decided to leave for Cincin- 
 nati, he wrote me that I should be prepared to 
 hand over Isaac's money, whereupon I replied, 
 that if he desired me to do so, he should let me 
 know at once upon the arrival of his brother, 
 and I would meet him at the wharf, bringing 
 his money with me, as I would have no dif- 
 ficulty in raising so unimportant a sum as 
 $12,000. There was nothing more done or 
 said until Mr. Isaac Swarts put in an appear- 
 ance. He became my guest, stopping at my 
 residence, and I immediately asked him if he 
 was ready to receive his money. He replied 
 that he did not want it, and that he wanted me 
 to retain it, either for my own use, or lend it out, 
 as I might consider most advantageous ; but in 
 such a manner that no one could obtain it with- 
 out my endorsement, which trust I decided to 
 accept, and Wald, Hackes & Bergman took 
 charge of the loan, a procedure which rendered 
 it more secure than if it had been deposited in 
 
 130 
 
the bank. Indeed it finally turned out far bet- 
 ter than Isaac Swarts' own investments. 
 
 A Baltimore house, Mills, Mahevv & Miller, 
 were the assignees of a jobbing stock belong- 
 ing to a house that failed in Cincinnati in 1852, 
 by the name of Watson. Mr. Polk was em- 
 ployed later on to close it out. This gentleman 
 was afterwards the partner of Elis, McCalbin 
 & Co. While the price asked was not cheap, 
 yet, as it was offered to me on 15 or 18 months' 
 credit, I bought ten thousand dollars' worth, 
 giving my notes for the amount. In a very 
 few days I learned of a panic in the money 
 market. I wrote to the house that I would dis- 
 count my notes, as money was worth 2% a 
 month, and they replied, that they would con- 
 sider it a favor if I anticipated payment. I 
 made the transaction quite remunerative by 
 discharging my indebtedness under these con- 
 ditions. Mr. Polk claimed he was the cause of 
 a very profitable transaction, but I regret that 
 he gave up his chances for success by indulg- 
 ing too freely in drinking, and I felt sorry for 
 him and his good wife. 
 
 I had the habit of reading sometimes by 
 candle light, and on one occasion I fell asleep 
 in my Fifth Street store while thus engaged, 
 
 131 
 
and a fire started while I slept. The goods on 
 the shelves were burning when I awoke. I 
 threw them on the floor, and smothered the 
 blaze by throwing other goods upon them, and 
 stamping out the fire. My loss was about $50, 
 but I made no claim on the insurance company. 
 
 Sometime later I caused another fire. I 
 went to a ball at the Almania with my wife. 
 I was interested in some news, so excusing 
 myself to my wife, I went to the reading room, 
 when, lighting my cigar, I accidentally ignited 
 some papers on a file. The great responsibility 
 of the situation pressed upon me so powerfully 
 that I controlled my first impulse to call for 
 help, realizing that I might create a panic, and 
 endanger the lives of hundreds by so doing; so 
 I used my hands and put out the fire. My 
 hands were so badly burned as a result of this 
 that for weeks I was unable to use them. 
 While I suffered intensely, there was no great 
 damage done to anything in the apartment. 
 It was a matter of congratulation to me that 
 I showed such pluck and self-control in the 
 presence of danger. Had I become unduly ex- 
 cited, and given the alarm, a panic might have 
 occurred, and a horrible loss of life might have 
 been the consequence. 
 
 In 1852 my business was quite prosperous, 
 132 
 
and I had made up my mind to achieve success 
 in commercial enterprises. Desiring to be pro- 
 gressive, I concluded to keep a superior line of 
 goods. In accordance with this resolution, 
 when I went to Xew York I visited A. T. 
 Stewart's to select camel's-hair shawls. I 
 selected about a dozen or more, worth from 
 three to five hundred dollars each, supposing 
 all the time I was purchasing by the dozen ; nor 
 did I discover my error until the bill was ren- 
 dered the following day. Fortunately it was 
 accompanied by a letter informing me that they 
 were only able to let me have a part of my 
 order at that time. This gave me an oppor- 
 tunity to get out of my difficulty without ex- 
 posing my ignorance. I refused to accept 
 the part sent, saying it must be all or none, and 
 thanked my stars that this loop-hole of escape 
 was opened for me. I carefully avoided, in all 
 my future dealings, shawls of that quality and 
 value, so as not again to fall into a similar mis- 
 take. Though Jack-of-all-trades, owing to the 
 circumstances in which I have been placed 
 through life, I was not always an efficient 
 judge of goods, and had to learn much by ex- 
 perience. I did not pay too dearly for it, as 
 many persons are obliged to, who experiment 
 without knowledge. This was a matter of 
 
 133 
 
good luck, rather than good management, and 
 I congratulated myself on the result. 
 
 A speculation of mine in hardware turned 
 out more fortunately. Shortly after my pre- 
 vious experience, I noticed that quite an exten- 
 sive stock of goods was advertised for sale, 
 chiefly hardware and cutlery. I bought the 
 greater portion, including pocket-knives, traces 
 and other chains. I had had no experience in 
 articles of this kind, but Mr. Charles Kiefer, 
 who patronized me whenever he could do so, 
 happened to come in for some goods, and I 
 showed him the contents of my cellar, which 
 was filled with hundreds of kegs of nails and 
 wagon loads of other heavy material. He 
 recognized its value, and although I asked but 
 a small profit on its cost, he insisted on paying 
 me a fair price, 10% on my investment; among 
 them were log chains worth $1.50 to $2.00 for 
 which I paid but 15 or 20 cents, and which 
 would have been cheap at three times the sum. 
 I did not include pocket-knives in my sale. 
 They cost me from 50 cents to one dollar a 
 dozen. I afterwards disposed of some of them 
 at night auction, selling them at from 25 cents 
 to 50 cents apiece, and had still about 100 
 dozen left after that, a sufficient quantity to 
 supply the auctioneer for an entire season. 
 
 134 
 
This year too, it was claimed that father had 
 disposed of some velvet ribbon as silk ribbon, 
 whereas the surface only was of silk, and the 
 back was of cotton, as 9-10 of all manufac- 
 tured goods at that time were, and even at the 
 present day are apt to be. Judge Stallo 
 promised to attend to the case when it came 
 to trial. When it was called, neither the Judge 
 nor his partner nor any capable person in his 
 office could give it consideration, so, acting 
 under the advice of my counsel, I defended it 
 myself. I lost the case, and appealed it as di- 
 rected. 
 
 I learned at the close of this proceeding that 
 one of the- witnesses had also commenced suit 
 for a similar cause. I let him get judgment. 
 Again I appealed, and after that I heard no 
 more in reference to either complaint. I 
 charged father a box of cigars as my fee, the 
 price of them being sixty cents a hundred. 
 
 About this time father rose one morning and 
 found his clothes gone. Some one, however, 
 soon found them in the alley adjoining the 
 house. Father had had but a penny in his 
 pocket, and so escaped any serious loss. In- 
 stead of congratulating himself however, he re- 
 marked to dear mother, " I feel very badly 
 about this affair, for the thief must have felt 
 
 135 
 
disappointed when he discovered how little 
 there was to steal, and he has no doubt cursed 
 me without there having been any real fault or 
 intention against him on my part." This was 
 showing far too much consideration for the 
 thief, who came prepared, no doubt, to enrich 
 himself with the honest earnings of another. 
 
 136 
 
IT was in this year 1852 also, that, while I 
 was on East, buying goods, my eldest son 
 Joseph Stix was born. My people telegraphed 
 the news to me to Xew York, but I had already 
 started for Philadelphia, and I did not learn 
 that I was a father, until I reached my store 
 eight days after the event, my return having 
 been impeded by a chapter of accidents. 
 
 While we did quite a good business in our 
 store on Fifth Street, in 1853 we opened an- 
 other store on Main Street to do an exclusive 
 jobbing business, as my partner, Mr. Swarts, 
 did not enjoy waiting on the feminine sex. 
 We still kept an interest in the Fifth Street 
 store. Our young partners had not more than 
 1% of the capital, but both were honest. They 
 did not. however, know how to make it a suc- 
 cess. The business commenced to run down 
 and we found it advisable to wind it up. 
 When we opened on Main Street, we con- 
 sidered ourselves worth 840,000, but in less 
 than six months we had lost the greater part 
 of our capital. Nearly every house in the city 
 failed, and honestly so. By the end of the year, 
 
 137 
 
however, we made good our losses, our busi- 
 ness and private expenses, and made a small 
 amount besides. The key to our success in the 
 midst of our reverses was, that we did all the 
 work we could ourselves, and spent as little as 
 we possibly could apart from the real neces- 
 sities. 
 
 Mr. James Sumpter, a merchant, for whom 
 I always entertained a high regard, believing 
 him to be a model of uprightness, failed in 
 business, owing us quite a large amount. I 
 went to see him, but his actions and conversa- 
 tion forced me to change my opinion of his 
 character. I could get no satisfaction or en- 
 couragement that we would ever be able to 
 realize a cent on his obligation. While I was 
 visiting in New York, he called on my house, 
 proposing to make a compromise with his 
 creditors, but said he would do nothing until 
 my return home. He was informed by them 
 when I was expected and met me. I looked 
 for very little — ten per cent, would have been 
 satisfactory. He offered ten per cent, a year 
 with the first five payments secured by John 
 Miller, an acquaintance of mine, who was per- 
 fectly reliable, and the other five payments un- 
 secured. I went around with him and all 
 signed with the understanding that each should 
 
 138 
 
be treated alike. A hardware merchant, Mr. 
 Boot, refused to compromise unless interest 
 was agreed upon, and Mr. Sumpter was obliged 
 to consent to this requirement. Next we met 
 a German grocer, who would not agree to 
 settle on so long a time, so I, without giving 
 the matter much consideration, offered to buy 
 his notes at the current rate for money which 
 was from 12% to 24% per annum. He sold 
 me the notes and told his bookkeeper to figure 
 how much I owed him. When he found that 
 instead of my owing him he would owe me a 
 considerable amount, he came to the store to 
 whip me. When I observed my unintentional 
 error, I excused my ignorance and bought his 
 settlement for 50 cents cash. The first five 
 notes were paid, the remaining notes were not 
 paid. After many years Mr. Sumpter sold me 
 a piece of land in Iowa for $10 an acre to 
 pay for the unpaid notes, intending to redeem 
 it when he paid us. We considered it worth 
 not over one-third of what we paid for it. 
 When a man came around and offered us a 
 rousing price for this land we sold it but were 
 soon sued for double the amount we had re- 
 ceived. The whole affair turned out to be a 
 conspiracy We won the suit. A Mr. Rose, 
 from Roseburg, Indiana, once came to see me 
 
 139 
 
to secure a settlement in this matter, and I 
 told him I would take the interest and give him 
 the principal. He promised to return, but 
 never did. 
 
 At about this time, there was considerable 
 inquiry for Irish knit socks. This demand 
 was partly fictitious, as the man who had them 
 for sale hired people to ask for them, and 
 thereby induced merchants to believe that the 
 goods were popular. I heard of a Mr. Mc- 
 Guire, who was selling them at wholesale at 
 the auction house of Thomas Johnson, a few 
 doors below our store, and I went there to buy 
 a case of about 100 dozen. The gentleman 
 would not sell me less than 500 to 600 dozen, 
 except at a much higher price, which I did not 
 consider a desirable investment. The larger 
 quantity was more than I wanted to purchase, 
 so I would not buy, although I considered 
 the price at which they were offered reason- 
 able enough. Then Mr. McGuire deliberately 
 planned to entrap me. A cripple came to our 
 store in a wagon, pretending to be a merchant 
 who was selling goods to railroad hands at 
 Liberty, Indiana. After beating me down to 
 a very small profit, I at last made the sale of 
 about % of the whole lot of knit socks which I 
 had been offered, but had not, as yet, pur- 
 
 140 
 
chased; he selecting from the samples. Mr. 
 McGuire assured me that he expected to leave 
 that evening for the East and so urged me to 
 settle at once. I paid one-half cash and one- 
 half in a note, and the goods were sent to the 
 store. My partner had no confidence in the 
 cripple whom I never saw again. Mr. Mc- 
 Guire had gone and no one knew where. I 
 tried for several days to find out how this 
 swindle had been brought about, but without 
 success. At least % of the socks were moth- 
 eaten, and though they sold fairly well at first, 
 some houses returned them in full, and others 
 only sent back those which were damaged. I 
 had the socks appraised by the best hosiery 
 man in the city, and the appraisement was 50 
 cents on the dollar. 
 
 I ascertained at Johnson's auction house, 
 that there were two cases at the depot awaiting 
 shipment to St. Louis. I went to my attor- 
 ney, who told me if I could find any of Mr. 
 McGuire's property, I could attach it without 
 security, as he was a non-resident. By extra 
 fees I persuaded Johnson's boy and the dray- 
 man to go for these two cases. While the cart- 
 man was on his way to the depot, I secured 
 the sheriff. I gave him the papers my lawyer 
 had prepared and the socks thus procured were 
 
 141 
 
attached by the sheriff. I had already sold 
 about one-quarter of the goods; one-third of 
 them had been returned because moth-eaten. 
 From that day we separated the sound from 
 the damaged articles, and as the goods were 
 only appraised at 50 cents on the dollar, I was 
 willing to keep them at that price, or return 
 what were left. Some weeks after, Mr. Mc- 
 Guire heard of the attachment and came to 
 Cincinnati and called to see me. He found 
 himself caught in the trap he had so skillfully 
 prepared for me. He inquired what I pro- 
 posed doing in regard to the matter. I told 
 him my only proposition was, either to keep the 
 goods at the appraised price or return all that 
 were left, paying him the appraised valuation 
 for those we had sold. He made many inef- 
 fectual efforts to escape from the coils of the 
 net he had himself woven, but he found me 
 absolutely inflexible. At last he accepted the 
 second alternative. His mean scheme, so 
 adroitly prepared, turned out to his disadvan- 
 tage and to our advantage. I trust he may 
 have learned from this little experience that 
 "Honesty is the best policy." I have dwelt at 
 length on this episode, because of the gratifica- 
 tion I couldn't help enjoying at my final suc- 
 cess and his discomfiture. 
 
 142 
 
In this year, 1853, I bought a house on Race 
 Street. Mrs. Hackes, my mother-in-law, was 
 very fond of flowers, and as I had no ground 
 about our residence, it being all built up, I 
 made a garden for her upon the roof, and 
 greatly enjoyed the pleasure she experienced in 
 caring for it. Although these quarters were 
 not commodious, yet we had a very happy life. 
 My family would have been better pleased with 
 a larger establishment, but, with the idea in 
 view of recovering from the unfortunate fail- 
 ure caused by my partner, I had determined 
 to be extremely frugal and saving. In speak- 
 ing of my family, it does not include my wife 
 and children. My wife deserves great credit 
 for her admirable management. She never 
 murmured or appeared dissatisfied with our 
 plain but comfortable style of living, or ex- 
 pressed any desire to occupy a more elaborate 
 dwelling. In fact, it was not until some of our 
 older children began to desire a change more 
 in keeping with social requirements, that we 
 thought of moving. Then my wife, despite 
 our contentment, consented to their wishes, and 
 from that time on we lived on a more elaborate 
 scale. 
 
 In the year 1854 I attended a bankrupt sale 
 of white goods and embroideries. One hun- 
 
 143 
 
dred and fifty lots of collars quite in vogue at 
 the time, about 12 dozen in a lot, were offered 
 for sale, one lot at a time with the privilege of 
 ten or more. I bought one lot with nine more 
 for 35 cents. We had paid 55 to 60 cents 
 apiece for these goods. The audience had ex- 
 pected the goods to go very cheaply, because 
 cash was required, and the goods that of an in- 
 solvent concern. They whistled and made tu- 
 multuous demonstrations, expecting to frighten 
 me, and keep others from buying. Instead of 
 stopping me, I got my Irish up, and bid one 
 cent less for the next ten lots. A Mr. Lauer 
 bought the next ten lots for y 2 cent less than 
 that. I then bid y 2 cent less than that. Mr. 
 Lauer bought about 30 lots and I bought all 
 the rest. In less time than a week, by order of 
 my house, I offered Mr. Lauer 10% profit on 
 the goods he had purchased, while Mr. Lauer 
 wrote me that he would pay me 15% more than 
 I gave. The goods were very desirable, and 
 I could have sold thrice the quantity at a good 
 profit. So much for that kind of whistling. 
 
 Another more or less similar incident, while 
 a temporary loss, turned out as an excellent in- 
 vestment, because from the time of its occur- 
 rence, my word which had always been good, 
 was never doubted. I received a case of 
 
 144 
 
French dress goods which I bought at auction 
 for 60 cents. While I considered it worth one 
 dollar, I offered it for 87^2 cents. I was asked 
 by the trade to tell them the cost. They prom- 
 ised not to ask for any lower price whatever 
 that might be. I would not tell them a false- 
 hood, and after giving them the price at which 
 I bought the goods, charged them only 75 
 cents. Next day I wanted about five pieces for 
 a customer, and, as an accommodation, they 
 sold it to me for $1.05 instead of $1.10 which 
 was the lowest price they were charging. 
 
 On another occasion, while waiting in an 
 auction house in New York City, the auc- 
 tioneer was trying to get a bid for fifteen or 
 twenty pieces of Sea Grass running about thirty 
 yards in a piece, about eighteen or twenty 
 inches wide. As no one seemed to want it, he 
 exclaimed, "Will any one bid one cent a piece 
 for it?" I said, "Yes." He knocked the 
 goods down to Louis Stix & Co. I forgot to 
 mention this purchase in my letter, and the 
 party who checked of! the goods mistook the 
 one cent for one dollar. Considering them 
 very cheap at that price, he marked them for 
 sale at $1.75. When I returned home, I met 
 a gentleman who asked for and obtained prac- 
 tically the entire lot at $1.62^2 per piece. This 
 
 145 
 
was quite a profitable speculation for me, and 
 at the same time, it gave such satisfaction to 
 the gentleman who bought the lot, that for 
 years after he begged me to find him another 
 lot of the same sort. He was a manufacturer 
 of fishing supplies and would willingly have 
 availed himself again of a similar opportunity 
 to secure the coveted material, but I regret to 
 state I found it impossible to accommodate 
 him, as auction sales of this description were 
 not frequent occurrences. The same goods in 
 the last two years were so much in vogue, that 
 they would have been cheap at five dollars a 
 piece. 
 
 Each day while going to, and returning from 
 business, I passed a dry goods store on Fifth 
 Street, kept by a Mr. Williams. I remarked 
 to my partner, Mr. Swarts, "I think it is not 
 safe to sell Mr. Williams goods on account, 
 and at no time would I advise you to let him 
 go over $1,000 as it is but a question of time 
 when he will fail." Mr. Swarts, who was at 
 that time the principal credit man, thought just 
 the opposite, and replied, "Well, you will have 
 the pleasure of refusing him, as he now owes 
 us not less than $5,000, and I am perfectly will- 
 ing he shall increase his indebtedness 10% or 
 20% more. He is a daily customer, so if you 
 
 146 
 
object to any increase on his account, you can 
 give him notice to that effect." A day or so 
 after Mr. Williams bought about $500 worth 
 of silks. As he went down the stairs, Mr. 
 Swarts told him that I wanted to speak to 
 him. I told him that his account was more than 
 full and I was unwilling to have it continue to 
 grow larger. He demanded a statement and 
 in the course of an hour his check was received 
 for all he owed us, less the discount. My 
 reasons for prophesying his downfall were two 
 in number. The first occurred to me one day 
 when, urged very strongly by a New York 
 friend, I took a drive. It was a very busy day 
 for the retail dry goods men and I met Mr. 
 Williams out carriage driving, when the rush 
 being great, he might have been at his store. 
 My second reason was based upon the fact 
 that he ruined far more silks than he could 
 afford on his show windows. For a year or 
 more after we had closed with him, whenever 
 Mr. Swarts and I passed the store, he would 
 repeat the words which I had uttered and upon 
 which I had acted, "This man must and will 
 fail." He tried hard to make me acknowledge 
 that this was one of my eccentricities — of 
 which he believed I had my full share. My 
 prophecy did come true however, though a 
 
 147 
 
little later than I had thought it would. To 
 my surprise Mr. Williams was able to pay very 
 little of all that he owed, as he was really bank- 
 rupt before his financial deficiencies became 
 known. For at least two weeks after the 
 failure was made public, Mr. Swarts always 
 found an excuse for not going home with me 
 and passing the store of Mr. Williams. My 
 words of warning, which all along had been 
 discredited, now that they had in reality found 
 fulfilment, were no longer repeated as one of 
 my peculiar fancies. 
 
 I had in my employ for ten years or more 
 a good trustworthy man by the name of John 
 Jones. He became dissatisfied after some 
 other house had promised him a large ad- 
 vance in salary, and acted in an unbecoming 
 manner, quite the reverse of his usual gentle- 
 manly conduct. I told him that if he wished 
 to go, I would not stand in the way of his ad- 
 vancement, and although his time was not up, 
 his salary would be paid him up to the hour he 
 left. He accepted the new position which was 
 only guaranteed on his promise that his trade 
 would follow him. In this respect he signally 
 failed and consequently lost the situation. Be- 
 ing out of work, he was forced to accept a very 
 poor place in a shoe store, which he kept only 
 
 148 
 
a short time. He commenced drinking, got in 
 debt, and although an excellent, reliable man 
 while in our employ, could no longer support 
 himself nor his family, and sank lower and 
 lower from day to day. His wife, who was al- 
 ways a lady, came to me, knowing that in the 
 heat of temper he had insulted me, and begged 
 me to take him back. I promised to do so if 
 he would ask my pardon. She went away per- 
 fectly happy and the next morning he came 
 prepared to carry out the arrangement I had 
 made with his wife. I told him that his will- 
 ingness to do right was as good as the deed, 
 and that he might go to work and feel at home 
 as in the past. Soon I noticed some one fol- 
 lowing him from morning till night. I insisted 
 upon being informed in regard to his business 
 and learned that he was the broker of a life 
 insurance company; that Mr. Jones' dues were 
 now thirty days past due, and that he had per- 
 suaded the company to be lenient, promising 
 that if he secured his position, he would pay up. 
 I advanced the money for a year, instead of 
 paying quarterly as he had been in the habit of 
 doing, and I told him he could commence to 
 pay it back to me when his other debts were 
 all discharged. He died soon after and his 
 wife followed him shortly. They left three 
 
 149 
 
children, who, of course, were benefitted by the 
 insurance, and who would have been quite des- 
 titute without it. The church trustees paid 
 me the premium I had advanced, and thanked 
 me for what I had done in this respect for my 
 old clerk, while my conscience rewarded me 
 as well for the kindness I had extended. 
 
 On one occasion while traveling in Indiana, 
 I called at the store of Stix & Eckhard to have 
 them lend me $5 to take me home from Madi- 
 son. I handed the ticket agent a bank bill and 
 he returned $7 and the ticket. I thereupon 
 told him he had given me too much, as I had 
 had only a five dollar bill. As I was the only 
 passenger, he knew well that I was mistaken. 
 Nevertheless, he took the $5 back. In the 
 morning trying to buy something to eat on the 
 car from a pedler, I found the $5 note which 
 Stix & Eckhard had loaned me. After some 
 study upon the matter, I found that I had had 
 a $10 counterfeit bill in my pocket, as a result 
 of a law suit which I had lost before Squire 
 Schnellbecker, I being unable to prove that 
 that was the identical bill which a lady 
 had passed on me. In the controversy, it 
 seems, I had put the bill back into my pocket. 
 I informed the conductor that if the agent 
 wished, he could return this counterfeit to my 
 
 I50 
 
address, which I gave him. Up to the present 
 time he has never called on me, nor did I ever 
 hear from him. 
 
 Once, upon returning from one of my busi- 
 ness trips in the East, having been away about 
 a month, I entered a saloon in the evening, and, 
 in a fit of absent-mindedness, sat down at the 
 same table with my father, without observing 
 him. This made him so indignant that he 
 vowed he would not enter my house for a year. 
 Then I told him that I would go all the more 
 frequently to see him, but I would not allow 
 my children to visit him while he remained 
 from under my roof. It would have been a 
 deprivation to father not to see his grandchil- 
 dren daily, so he was much perplexed as to 
 what to do. In his extremity he went to Dr. 
 Wise for counsel, who told him that he must 
 not adhere to his resolution; that such vows 
 should never have been made, and certainly 
 were better broken than kept. The same de- 
 lightful visits we so thoroughly enjoyed, 
 were then resumed, without any further inter- 
 ruption. I tried to cure myself of this absent- 
 mindedness which had caused this trouble. 
 Sometimes when my thoughts were upon other 
 matters, my wife used to send some one to 
 watch for me when I was expected, as I fre- 
 
 151 
 
quently passed the house without realizing 
 that I had gone beyond it. 
 
 During this year, Alexander Ascher, an old 
 and respected friend of our house, and par- 
 ticularly of mine, became involved in a dispute 
 with our book-keeper and cashier, a young man 
 of unblemished character, with highly re- 
 spected antecedents, who had received $100 
 cash from Ascher and passed a receipt to him 
 on his deposit account, while on the books, he 
 credited it on the merchandise account. Both 
 claimed to be in the right. Ascher insisted 
 that he had deposited one hundred dollars, and 
 paid on account one hundred dollars. Instead 
 of trying to come to an understanding, they 
 got further apart and at last agreed to refer 
 the entire matter to me for my final decision 
 as arbitrator. My position was an awkward 
 one. On one hand, if I decided in favor of 
 my book-keeper, I should probably lose a valu- 
 able customer ; if I were to agree with Ascher's 
 point of view I would express a doubt in re- 
 gard to the established reputation of a trust- 
 worthy employee. I had no hesitation in de- 
 termining in favor of Mr. K. (my cashier) 
 who, later, became my partner. Mr. Ascher 
 also was reconciled and we remained excellent 
 friends. 
 
 IS2 
 
My old and worthy friend, Capt. Nathan 
 Menken, who forfeited his life in its prime, in 
 the year 1855, was an exemplary man whose 
 philanthropy knew no bounds. He feared 
 neither the bullet nor the sword. He took the 
 precaution to send his dear family away from 
 Memphis during - the yellow fever epidemic, 
 while he himself joined the nurses and doctors, 
 and could be found in the thick of the fight, 
 notwithstanding that he had seen hundreds of 
 his friends and acquaintances swept away by 
 this treacherous enemy. He stood by his post 
 until he himself became a victim to this raging 
 disease, enlisting in the most dangerous work, 
 foremost to try to save the poor who were not 
 able to engage nurses. The fact that he was a 
 strict vegetarian was against him, and his 
 strength was not sufficient to enable him to 
 work unceasingly day and night. He fell, as 
 he lived, for his country. History will speak 
 of such as he, as long as the world stands. 
 May he rest and sleep in peace. Let me change 
 my theme, writing of the ones who lived to 
 mourn his loss. His noble wife, just past 
 twenty, was too young to realize her position, 
 while her four children were not old enough 
 to feel the loss of their illustrious and eminent 
 father. In his exemplary children may he live 
 
 153 
 
again. May their highway be strewn with 
 thornless roses, bright sunshine accompany 
 them, love and harmony be their portion 
 throughout life. 
 
 Captain Menken's widow asked me to take 
 charge of his estate and wind up his affairs, 
 which were badly involved. She begged me to 
 become his administrator, as I had been her 
 husband's friend and knew her in a business 
 way. I strongly objected, knowing that she 
 had near relatives who certainly had more 
 time to attend to all the details of the settle- 
 ment than I had, and who were, I believed, 
 more capable, and in every respect trustworthy 
 and honorable. Besides, the greater part of 
 my time I was obliged to be absent from the 
 city on business. Her entreaties were so 
 urgent that she finally prevailed upon me to 
 call upon her lawyer at his office. He was a 
 Mr. Corwin, a cousin of the Hon. Thomas 
 Corwin, a most distinguished jurist. He prom- 
 ised if I would accept the trust he would see 
 that I was put to very little inconvenience. 
 With this understanding, and because of her 
 persuasions, I finally consented to do as she 
 wished. While I had always admired and re- 
 spected her, I learned to esteem and honor her 
 more than ever when I understood her upright 
 
 154 
 
dealing and honorable transactions. As ad- 
 ministrator, I sold her the stock, which was 
 worth less than one-half of the indebtedness 
 of the estate, and would not have realized one 
 quarter by forced sale. We sold her all the 
 goods she wanted, while she paid the estate 
 in less time than the law allowed her to take. 
 In 1857, when I submitted my settlement of 
 the estate accounts to the court, the judge 
 made Mrs. Menken and myself the following 
 gratifying compliment, — "I am one of the old- 
 est judges on the bench, and since I have occu- 
 pied the position this is the first *and only 
 time that the creditors have received their 
 claims in full from an estate which promised 
 so little." 
 
 Mrs. Menken's hard work, untiring energy, 
 frugality and economy had brought its reward. 
 Nevertheless, she would not let the opportunity 
 go by without showing me her great apprecia- 
 tion. She, with her lovely children, planned 
 to give me a surprise by inviting her friends to 
 witness the presentation to me of a silver 
 pitcher. The feast and the well-prepared 
 speech in my honor were all arranged ad- 
 mirably, and everything was conducted exactly 
 as had been planned. They had already made 
 certain that I was to be in the city, and when 
 
 155 
 
the evening arrived, one of the sons was to 
 have asked me to dine at their house. For 
 the only time in my life that I can remember 
 I had left the store without stating where I 
 could be found. I was persuaded to join a 
 member of the large silk house of Gourd 
 Freres, of New York, who was a staunch 
 friend of mine, at the Burnett House, and who 
 insisted on my accompanying him. I had no 
 idea of staying more than a few minutes when 
 I went there, but I was ushered quite unex- 
 pectedly into a private parlor where there was 
 a delicious lunch spread, with a liberal quantity 
 of champagne and a jovial crowd. After we 
 had entered, the door was locked. I deter- 
 mined, as soon as I realized what was going on, 
 to leave at the first opportunity, as all was very 
 foreign to my habits and customs. Neverthe- 
 less, I drank enough with my fellow merchants 
 to make me feel merry and sprightly, although 
 I never was intoxicated in my life. I thought 
 I heard some one inquiring at the entrance of 
 the parlor for me, but I was told that I was 
 mistaken, though it seemed some one had an- 
 swered that I was not there. My young man 
 and Menken's made every effort to find me, 
 but without success. Then my wife became 
 uneasy and did not know where to look for 
 
 156 
 
me. Again my clerk, who strongly suspected 
 that I was at the Burnett House, came in search 
 of me. They knocked at the door and called 
 me by name. I answered, and would not allow 
 my friends to keep me from seeing who was 
 inquiring for me, and what was wanted. I 
 promised to return as soon as possible. But, 
 when I learned that a large party was waiting 
 for me, I sent my young man back to explain, 
 and I went directly home to change my clothes. 
 When I arrived where I was expected, to my 
 astonishment, I found a large gathering of the 
 family assembled. I sat down, although a 
 horizontal position would have suited me much 
 better. One son escorted me to the place of 
 honor and Mr. Jacob Menken thereupon ad- 
 dressed me in a most flattering speech. My 
 answer, the press remarked, was to the point. 
 When silver declined in value, my appreciation 
 of this silver pitcher still increased tenfold, 
 and the beautiful and elegant address at its 
 presentation will never be forgotten as long 
 as memory remains. My true friendship for 
 the donors has increased and become stronger 
 as age has come upon me, and while my facul- 
 ties and powers are retained, I shall never cease 
 to remember them in all sincerity and kindness. 
 But I experienced quite a different treatment 
 157 
 
in attending to the settlement of the affairs 
 of Mrs. Eva Wise and her daughter, who acted 
 very shabbily toward me and seemed to feel 
 that I had not served them properly. Al- 
 though I paid them lawful interest, 7%, yet 
 I was asked by Mr. Friedman, the brother of 
 Eva Wise, if I would not give them 10%, as 
 they believed the money was worth that inter- 
 est. I declined to conclude matters for them 
 except under the sanction of the court, though 
 I was asked to pay over the money informally. 
 They made it all as difficult as possible for me, 
 and to this day neither mother nor daughter 
 have addressed a single line to me in acknowl- 
 edgment, and neither of them had sufficient 
 good breeding to call upon my wife and myself, 
 when we visited Cincinnati, during the winter 
 of 1895. I n a ^ m y experience of a long life- 
 time in business dealings, I have found them 
 the only exceptions to the universal rule of 
 gratitude. I charged nothing whatever for 
 my services, according to my usual custom. 
 My private opinion of such unbecoming con- 
 duct, I leave to your imagination to determine. 
 My next administratorship and guardianship 
 was in 1875, f° r tne estate of Mr. Galland. I 
 had made up my mind long before this, to ac- 
 cept no more trusts of this kind, but when I 
 
 158 
 
learned that it was the wish of this nobleman 
 to see me just before his death, it was not in 
 my heart to refuse his desire that I should take 
 charge of his affairs on behalf of his estimable 
 widow. I was in Cincinnati at the time, and 
 I accepted the trust he so earnestly requested 
 me to assume. It looked at first as if he had 
 nearly sacrificed his all, but with the aid of his 
 exemplary wife I succeeded in saving from 
 the wreck quite a considerable amount. I 
 am not gifted with language sufficiently ex- 
 tensive and choice to express my exalted opin- 
 ion of Mrs. Galland's conduct. By her care, 
 frugality and economy, she has managed to 
 save for her children beyond all expectation. 
 She has been very little trouble to me. She 
 has never omitted an opportunity to show her 
 true appreciation and gratitude for every favor 
 I have been able to bestow. I was the one to 
 give away the daughter at her marriage a 
 short time ago. I have since wound up the 
 estate, as all the children have reached the age 
 of maturity, but the mother and one of the 
 daughters still insist on my taking care of 
 their money. 
 
 There was an amusing incident connected 
 with Mr. J. S. Menken's wedding. I had been 
 aware for some weeks that Mrs. Stix and my- 
 
 159 
 
self — I being called adopted father — were to 
 be honored guests at this ceremony, and more- 
 over, that I should be called upon and expected 
 to say such words of congratulation as might 
 best fit the occasion. Fully conscious of my 
 inadequacy in the use of the English language, 
 and desiring to prepare myself to the best of my 
 ability for the speech-making that the festivi- 
 ties might require, I had formulated a series 
 of remarks in my own mind, which I fancied 
 would be pleasantly received, and rather aston- 
 ish my hearers than otherwise. In fact, I im- 
 agined that I had brought my oration to a 
 point verging upon perfection, but forgot to 
 reckon upon the difference between mental ar- 
 rangement and the utterance of one's precon- 
 ceived ideas before an audience. The wedding 
 was celebrated in the parlor of the home of 
 the bride's parents. Her father was one of 
 our prominent lawyers, and had a large circle 
 of friends among the city authorities, and the 
 lights of the bench and bar. I found myself 
 seated among some of the most distinguished 
 men of the metropolis, being supported on one 
 side by His Honor, the Mayor, while upon the 
 other, next to Mrs. Stix, sat a judge of no little 
 eminence. Being thus surrounded by so many 
 men of marked literary ability, it will hardly 
 
 160 
 
seem wonderful that the old glazier should 
 have become badly flurried when called upon 
 for his speech. I arose, shivering and embar- 
 rassed, in answer to the general desire of the 
 guests, but, alas, not a word could I remember 
 in spite of my elaborate preparations. Sud- 
 denly I called to mind a warning I had re- 
 ceived in my childhood from my adored mother, 
 and fancied that its recital might help me out 
 of my difficulty. I began by describing my 
 village home, remarking that we had lived 
 away from any city, in the interior of Germany ; 
 and while we had often heard of such distin- 
 guished people as judges, lawyers, mayors 
 and other high official dignitaries, not to men- 
 tion others equally noted for intellectual and 
 professional acquirements, I had never before 
 mingled so freely with these wonderful person- 
 ages. I told them how when my dear mother 
 bade me good-bye upon the eve of my sailing 
 for America, she cautioned me never to have 
 anything to do with any lawyer, judge, or 
 others in high positions.; and as an object les- 
 son to impress it upon my mind, she took up 
 her shears, which were always exceedingly 
 sharp, explaining, while she opened and closed 
 them repeatedly, "You might imagine that one 
 of these blades would destroy the other. On 
 
 161 
 
the contrary they only injure that which comes 
 between them. It is the same, my son, with 
 these lawyers and judges; they fight and quar- 
 rel in conducting their cases among them- 
 selves, as if their lives depended upon it, yet 
 after all, they only ruin the clients who are 
 the subjects of their controversies." The 
 warning recalled, I said, a "Punch and Judy" 
 show, where by some mechanical contrivance, 
 the puppets are made to scratch each others' 
 faces while on exhibition before the public, yet 
 lie amicably side by side in the same box after 
 the performance is over. When the papers re- 
 ferred to the wedding in their next day's issue, 
 they reported my speech, and declared that the 
 remarks made by the witty Louis Stix were 
 the gem of the felicitous utterances made by 
 many eminent gentlemen during the evening. 
 Moreover my talk was warmly applauded by 
 the ladies present, and I found myself congrat- 
 ulated on all sides at my success. Among 
 those who thus approved my (to me) unex- 
 pected oratorical effort, was my neighbor at 
 the table, Mayor Gunther, whose compliments 
 I found particularly agreeable. They say, 
 "There is a way out of every difficulty," and 
 I have to thank my mother's warning for find- 
 ing one for me on this occasion. 
 
 162 
 
KEY TO BIRTHPLACE 
 
 Presented to me by Mr. Elias Michaels 
 
While I am naturally conservative and in- 
 clined to be reasonably careful in my com- 
 mercial methods, I have always been a man of 
 strong and decided prejudice, trying to prove 
 myself a friend to those worthy of my confi- 
 dence, and with those of a contrary nature I 
 was unyielding. During the year 1868 Men- 
 ken Bros, found themselves in a critical finan- 
 cial situation at a period when business was 
 dull, the market panicky, and when even the 
 best firms were meeting difficulties. Our own 
 house was no exception. However, when 
 Menken Bros, required assistance, though we 
 found difficulty in meeting ouf own engage- 
 ments, still it was a question of life and death 
 with them. As may easily be divined from my 
 statement, we had no money to spare, and my 
 many friends were equally hampered. I had 
 long ceased to issue any accommodation paper, 
 and felt exceedingly reluctant to deviate from 
 my rule. Nevertheless, I gave Menken Bros, 
 our notes to a considerable amount, and by so 
 doing enabled them to tide over the time of 
 difficulty. It is a gratification to me to know 
 that I was so placed as to afford pecuniary aid, 
 though at some personal hazard, to those who 
 proved both worthy and grateful. 
 
 To Mr. Jacob Menken also is due my grati- 
 163 
 
tude for the delightful surprise and pleasure 
 he afforded me by taking a photographer to 
 my birthplace and having a picture made of 
 the very spot where my early days were passed. 
 Those who have traveled far on the journey 
 of life can understand the worth of a view so 
 intimately connected with years long since gone 
 by. They revive recollections, renew one's 
 youth, and bring us back as we near the river's 
 mouth to its fountain head. It was a gracious 
 thought on the part of the donor to afford me 
 this gratification. After all, be the experiences 
 of life what they may, its best and purest asso- 
 ciations are bound up with its early begin- 
 nings, however humble they may have been. 
 Is it singular then, that I desire to preserve 
 mementos so creditable to the good, kind 
 hearts of my friends? 
 
 I remember one occasion, when I returned 
 from the East quite unexpectedly, I found my 
 wife ready to accompany brother Henry to a 
 masked ball of the Almania Society, of which 
 society I was a member. I insisted that she 
 should go despite my return, while I preferred 
 to remain at home. Later I decided to follow, 
 and went to Dr. Bettman, who lent me his 
 morning gown and his velvet cap. I took the 
 niece of the doctor with me. In this disguise 
 
 164 
 
I was in the ball-room the greater part of the 
 evening without being recognized by any one. 
 I conversed with my wife and sister; asked 
 them where Air. Stix was, and inquired after 
 his health without exciting the slightest sus- 
 picion in regard to my identity. I also ad- 
 dressed Airs. Hackes and questioned her about 
 every child and grandchild she had. She could 
 not understand how a stranger could possibly 
 know all their names. At last she insisted 
 upon seeing my hand and, drawing off my 
 glove, she knew my ring. If I had not sought 
 my own people and talked with them about 
 family affairs they would never have discov- 
 ered me. My disguise was perfect. I enjoyed 
 with all my heart Marcus Fechheimer's imper- 
 sonation of a match woman, which was a de- 
 cided success, exhibiting in the masker the 
 powers of a fine actor and a careful ob- 
 server. 
 
 In the year 1857, on my way back from New 
 York I telegraphed as usual to my wife's sis- 
 ter at Columbus to meet me at the depot. My 
 first thought was to buy a Cincinnati paper, 
 but my wife's sister, aware of the failure of 
 the bank with which we did business, kept me 
 from looking over the large headings, knowing 
 that I would feel very much worried and ex- 
 
 165 
 
cited. After the train left the station, I read 
 the announcement and I felt that our last dollar 
 would probably be lost. The morning after 
 my arrival in Cincinnati, I went for advice to 
 my friend and lawyer, Mr. Kebler. The bank 
 was regarded by every one as the strongest 
 and most conservative institution in the United 
 States. Its failure brought about the greatest 
 panic this country ever passed through. I 
 wanted Mr. Kebler to attach the bank assets 
 in Kentucky. He read the oath to me which 
 it would be necessary to take if he did as I 
 asked, well knowing that I would not take it. 
 I then informed him that some other attorneys 
 of whom I had heard had taken out attach- 
 ments and did not require any oath. I well 
 knew there were lawyers who were very un- 
 scrupulous in their practice of collecting 
 claims. I called on Messrs. Nesmith & Thomp- 
 son, but without effect. I then turned to Mr. 
 Kebler for further counsel. We agreed to 
 call on the bank officers who were all acquaint- 
 ances and friends of ours. I was intimate 
 with the president and the families of all the 
 bank officials, who had run accounts with me 
 when I was in the retail dry goods trade. The 
 officers were Messrs. Fostick, Gross, Ditrich 
 and Dar. I asked their advice and told them 
 
 166 
 
that I had heard a large amount of their assets 
 had been attached in Kentucky. They wanted 
 to know if I would make the affidavit required 
 by law in such cases. Mr. Kebler informed 
 them that I refused to do this. Thereupon 
 the bank officers promised that if the Nesmith 
 & Thompson attachments against the bank, or 
 any other attachment should stand, they would 
 hold themselves liable privately in the same 
 amount to us both, (Mr. Kebler also having 
 his money on deposit with the bank). 
 
 After resorting to every means in my knowl- 
 edge or power to avoid it, I was at last com- 
 pelled to ask indulgence from my creditors in 
 consequence of the bank's failure. Most of the 
 houses met me in a very liberal spirit, and in 
 less than two weeks I was in a position to meet 
 every account and note. Among those who 
 showed me great consideration was Mr. 
 Adrian Iselin, to whom I owed by far the most 
 money. When I paid him, he called me into 
 his private office and wanted to know how I 
 intended managing from this time on, as he, 
 as well as all other importing houses, had 
 agreed to sell goods in future for cash, while 
 before they had allowed eight months' time 
 with two or three months' dating. I told him 
 I would be obliged to do as others did, sell 
 
 167 
 
only for cash, whereupon he said, "Although 
 I cannot sell you on time, I will credit you to- 
 day with about double the amount you ever 
 owed me. You can use this cash whenever it 
 suits your convenience, and pay legal interest 
 for the accommodation, but, if you do not use 
 it, no interest need be paid." I never used a 
 dollar thus offered. Still it gave me a chance 
 to pay my debts as they became due, knowing 
 if there was any necessity I had this amount 
 at my disposal. This kind act cemented the 
 friendship I had always had for my friend, and 
 made my regard for him warmer and more en- 
 during. 
 
 This panic of 1857, though more severe and 
 trying than any through which I had passed, 
 was only of short duration, and business was 
 not interrupted by it for any length of time. 
 During this same embarrassment, A. S. Her- 
 man went to see a house, Waat, Dunham & 
 Graham, in my behalf. They had always 
 shown themselves my friends, and I owed them 
 about $2,000. The senior partner, Mr. Waat, 
 said: "You tell Mr. Stix there is nothing for 
 which he can ask that I will not consent to at 
 once, even if it were a receipt in full without 
 a penny." During the last decade he applied 
 to me for a loan. I gave him a share of what 
 
 168 
 
he needed and advised him to get the rest from 
 some of his numerous friends. I told him to 
 be in no haste about repaying me, as he could 
 take his own time. I am satisfied he meant to 
 return the amount, yet sickness and old age pre- 
 vented him. Finally death relieved him from 
 all trouble and embarrassment, and I am sure 
 it was welcome when it came. He was an 
 honorable merchant and a good man, but not 
 wide awake enough for the present age. He 
 could not compete with the progressiveness of 
 this era, and was compelled to yield to younger 
 and more energetic men. 
 
 After the panic we opened an account with 
 the American Exchange National Bank, which 
 we have kept ever since. Some years ago I 
 had occasion to call at this bank. The Secre- 
 tary, Mr. Clarke, knew me, as I had kept my 
 personal account there. How I ever succeeded 
 in doing so will always be a mystery to me. 
 Many a time Mr. Clarke cleared up my cash 
 accounts, which had somehow become muddled, 
 and straightened out difficulties resulting from 
 my new system of book-keeping, of which he 
 did not altogether approve. I always found 
 him a perfect gentleman and am pleased to pay 
 him this compliment so richly deserved. He 
 took me to the president, a Mr. Cot, and asked 
 
 169 
 
him if he knew me, as I had kept an account 
 with the bank for nearly half a century. Mr. 
 Coe answered: — yes, he knew me, although 
 unable to call me by name ; that I was a west- 
 ern man, good for any amount for which I 
 drew my check. — I do not believe I entered the 
 bank a dozen times during the 37 years of 
 business connection with it. 
 
 In 1858 we celebrated dear father's seven- 
 tieth birthday. The recollection of this happy 
 event has always been a pleasant one for us 
 all, brothers, sisters and friends, who joined 
 in the joyful festivities. No credit is due the 
 writer for the celebration on that occasion, as 
 he was out of town, and only returned at the 
 last moment. My brothers had engaged a 
 band of musicians who serenaded dear father, 
 and some of the brothers and a few friends 
 who had fine voices sang. All father's chil- 
 dren were present. Parents insisted on shar- 
 ing their honor with my wife who was held 
 at home by our newly born son Robert, then 
 only seven days old ; and so the band, at their 
 request, had to play before our house. Our 
 beloved parents were supremely happy in their 
 celebration. As long as memory endures, we 
 can never forget the pleasure we felt that day. 
 Their joy was most delightful to witness and 
 
 170 
 
to hold sacred in our recollection. We all 
 united to contribute sweetness to their declin- 
 ing years, so that the evening of their lives 
 should not be less lovely than was its morning. 
 While their children had prospered, father him- 
 self was happy in being able to support himself 
 and family and accumulate means for his old 
 age. The following incident shows how much 
 father appreciated the love and attention of his 
 children. 
 
 One day as father and I rambled through 
 the graveyard in Cincinnati, where the ashes 
 of some of our dear ones reposed, I saw in the 
 distance a gorgeous monument and inquired 
 of him, whose tomb it was that thus attracted 
 my attention. He replied, "It is but right 
 that those children should have erected that 
 memorial to their parents to whom they owed 
 so much, and for whom they did so little when 
 they were living. As for my children, I want 
 them to erect but a simple stone to mark my 
 resting place, for they have been building a 
 monument all their lives, which neither time 
 nor the inclemencies of weather can ever de- 
 stroy/' We did indeed strive for our dear 
 parents' happiness. Above all other consid- 
 erations, this was pre-eminent. In this we 
 were also assisted by those joined to us through 
 
 171 
 
marriage, for we all were extremely fortunate 
 in our selection of life companions, and owe 
 much of our peaceful and happy family life to 
 the fact that we brothers were blessed with 
 exemplary and model wives. I hope that our 
 family record will ever retain its present repu- 
 tation — as long as our name endures. 
 
 Happiness reigned supreme in our parents' 
 new American home, where they were keeping 
 house with their unmarried children. Their 
 home was eagerly sought by all their mar- 
 ried children, and no less by their friends 
 and acquaintances, especially by such as 
 were connoisseurs of good living and food 
 tastefully served, for my mother was an admir- 
 able cook and notable housekeeper, and you 
 could not please her better than by displaying 
 an excellent appetite; indeed it was difficult to 
 leave her well furnished table without eating 
 more than was good for you. Our numerous 
 friends, however, braved that difficulty and sel- 
 dom missed an opportunity to partake of the 
 delicacies she was so competent to prepare, and 
 pleased to offer. 
 
 About i860, while on my way home to Cin- 
 cinnati with my son Joe (usually one of the 
 children traveled with me) via Philadelphia 
 we were water-bound between New York and 
 
 172 
 
Philadelphia. We could not move either way. 
 After eighteen hours of delay, we could only 
 get away by taking a skiff, and then the cars, 
 which came to our relief. Many people had 
 nothing to eat for twenty-four hours. Chil- 
 dren were crying for bread. As usual, I was 
 prepared with lunch enough for half a dozen. 
 I also carried a bottle of wine, and a flask of 
 whiskey. I had a trunk full of German ginger 
 cakes and "Nuremberger lebkuchen," which I 
 was taking home to mother and the rest of the 
 family. I handed them over to the starving 
 passengers. While that partially 1 satisfied 
 their hunger, they suffered immensely for the 
 want of water, as that by which we were sur- 
 rounded was impregnated with salt, and fresh 
 water could not be procured. Some Philadel- 
 phians, who heard that I would remain over a 
 day or so, tried hard to have me accept a dinner 
 which I refused with thanks. 
 
 From the day I first landed in this most glori- 
 ous country until the present time, my princi- 
 ples have never undergone any radical change. 
 I was then, as I am now, an outspoken oppo- 
 nent of all involuntary serfdom, and against 
 the acquisition of any new territory to perpetu- 
 ate this unfortunate evil. I have always 
 advocated a gradual emancipation, and an in- 
 
 173 
 
demnity to be paid by the government to our 
 Southern neighbors for their pecuniary losses 
 in parting with their slaves. I could never un- 
 derstand how any good man could feel or think 
 otherwise. My open opposition to slavery had 
 cost me the good-will of many Southern cus- 
 tomers, and at no time before the war was it 
 considered safe for me to venture south of Ma- 
 son and Dixon's line. I was fortunate enough 
 to hear Abraham Lincoln speak in Cincinnati, 
 and I shared all his opinions. He spoke to 
 thousands, and in addressing our Kentucky 
 neighbors, claimed no more right to interfere 
 with their slaves than with any other property 
 they might possess. He cautioned them 
 against any unlawful acts. 
 
 A short time before the war I was in New 
 York. I went with brother Henry to his 
 boarding house for dinner, which was kept by 
 a lady whose name was Mrs. Weil. Her table 
 was one of the best, and her boarders were 
 about equally divided between North and 
 South. In a general conversation, a co-reli- 
 gionist and brother merchant living in the 
 South, whose riches about equalled my own 
 when I came to America, remarked that South- 
 erners could not live without slaves. I replied 
 to this by a very uncalled for remark not at all 
 
 174 
 
flattering to our race who were living in the 
 South. As this was at the dinner table, the 
 Southerner who had learned to look on us 
 Northerners as "dough faces," as they called 
 us, drew his pistol to compel me to take back 
 my words. A gentleman from Cincinnati, who 
 was at the table, also drew his pistol and of- 
 fered to meet the Southerner in any way he 
 desired. The latter was only too glad to get 
 away, and I hope has since learned to do with- 
 out slaves, or has returned to the place from 
 which he came, where he was almost a slave 
 himself. 
 
 While I was buying goods in New York at 
 this time, the most exciting news was received 
 of the firing of the Confederate soldiers on 
 Fort Sumter, and the surrender of our troops. 
 I have never seen a community so disheartened 
 and distressed. The staunchest and strongest 
 cried like children. All good citizens felt the 
 calamity and feared the worst. I left with the 
 first train for home. On the journey all sorts 
 of plans for the future came into my mind. 
 One was to pack up our stock of goods and 
 move them to the country, which idea I soon 
 abandoned, when I made a calculation upon the 
 number of car-loads they would make. I fig- 
 ured that at least twenty cars would be re- 
 
 175 
 
quired. At that time that was the greatest 
 number a locomotive could draw. Then I 
 thought it would be impossible to secure the 
 requisite number of packing boxes and cases, 
 and I would find it difficult, if not impossible, 
 to get any insurance. When we arrived at 
 Commonsville most of the passengers alighted, 
 but I went directly to the city as all my dear 
 ones were there, and I preferred to be with 
 them. 
 
 On my way home from the depot to my house, 
 I was escorted by some home guards, who im- 
 mediately enrolled me among them. I was sat- 
 isfied with this arrangement, as it put me in 
 the same company where my brothers and 
 friends belonged, and I was particularly pleased 
 to be under the command of Judge Storer as 
 captain. My first act of service was to stop 
 a gentleman on the street and demand his pass, 
 or oblige him to prove that he belonged to 
 some military organization. I had a band 
 around my hat lettered "Storer's Home 
 Guard," and I carried a Sharp's rifle. The 
 man would not answer me, nor did he give 
 me any satisfaction. I accordingly brought 
 him to headquarters. The officer commenced 
 laughing and told me that the prisoner was 
 deaf and dumb. 
 
 176 
 
While on the Kentucky side, standing guard, 
 an immense storm was approaching. My or- 
 ders were not to allow any one to pass over the 
 bridge except nurses. Some ladies approached 
 me and desired to pass. I said they might 
 cross the bridge if they wished to do so as 
 nurses. They felt quite insulted and were 
 obliged to go about a mile further down the 
 river and were caught in a very heavy storm. 
 
 Some time after this experience, I was re- 
 leased from duty, having taken a government 
 contract to make certain flannel under-gar- 
 ments. Any person thus employed was per- 
 mitted to remain at home to attend to the de- 
 tails of the manufacturing and delivery of the 
 goods. For this reason I had agreed to fur- 
 nish the garments at a very low figure, but 
 when they were ready the material had ad- 
 vanced fully 1 00%, so I really had offered them 
 at a losing price. They were not accepted, 
 however, the excuse being given that they 
 were not up to the required standard. I asked 
 the officer if he would cancel my contract, 
 which he willingly did, and I sold the goods 
 the same day for 50% more than I would have 
 received for them from the government had all 
 been satisfactory. But singular as it may ap- 
 pear, the same party who bought them from 
 
 177 
 
me at an advance actually disposed of these 
 rejected garments to the government for about 
 double the amount I was to have received orig- 
 inally for them. I did not hesitate, when I 
 learned of this transaction, to express myself 
 very freely in reference to the management of 
 the officials, and I received word that if I did 
 not keep my mouth closed on that subject not 
 another dollar would be given to any Cincin- 
 nati firm on a contract from that time forward. 
 Moreover, the provost-marshal informed me 
 personally that he was afraid of me, and he 
 frequently refused to furnish me with permits 
 for shipping any merchandise southward, when 
 other firms, for some unknown reasons, had no 
 difficulty whatever in obtaining them when 
 business requirements made it necessary. 
 Why this distinction was made in their favor, 
 I never knew — excepting that bribery and cor- 
 ruption had made such inroads that it was 
 difficult for those who rejected all such means 
 to have any favors extended, or even to have 
 their just rights without being interfered with. 
 
 When the war first opened, we looked upon 
 our stock as not worth 50% of the value it had 
 before the trouble began while our outstand- 
 ings we regarded as nearly good to the full 
 amount. We inventoried them on the first of 
 
 178 
 
the year, when we heard that the government 
 was about to stop all goods being shipped south 
 of Mason and Dixon's line. Like all in the 
 Northern cities, we supplied our Southern cus- 
 tomers with the goods we could get ready in 
 time to ship. We worked day and night, and 
 sold very extensively to the South before there 
 was any interference. All these sales were a 
 dead loss, so far as my memory recalls, except 
 the sale which was made to Joseph Amberg. 
 This outstanding was a loss in my judgment of 
 over $100,000. Our stock which we con- 
 sidered worth only half its cost, doubled in 
 value. We were worth $162,000 before the 
 war, and had a very remunerative business at 
 a small expense; and our private expenses 
 were only about one-fifth of what they are to- 
 day. 
 
 The following is an example of the depre- 
 ciation in the value of notes which followed 
 the war. About 1861, I owed Messrs. Corless 
 & Co., New York, on a note, about $12,000. 
 It had a long time to run. The house wrote 
 me to the effect, that they would allow me about 
 2% per month for all or part, and if I did not 
 want to anticipate either the whole or part, I 
 would greatly favor them if I would agree to 
 divide the note. I sent my check for half, and 
 
 179 
 
a new note for the balance. But when these 
 were received, the house had already disposed 
 of our original note on the same terms as those 
 they had offered me, and had discounted at the 
 bank the note they had taken in negotiation, so 
 they gave our check and note to the purchasers. 
 This party failed soon afterwards, and paid but 
 a small dividend, while we paid our note when 
 it became due. Only the very best notes could 
 be disposed of even at this discount of 2% a 
 month. 
 
 All my life I was inclined to speculate in 
 goods in my line, and particularly so during 
 the rebellion. Only a short time before the 
 war a friend of mine, a Mr. Kirkland, intro- 
 duced me to Mr. John Clark from Paisley, 
 Scotland — a manufacturer of spool cotton. 
 Mr. Kirkland, a townsman of Mr. Clark, per- 
 suaded me to give him a large order for his six 
 cord cotton, especially made for the American 
 market. For the purpose of introducing them 
 into this country, he sold me 20,000 dozen 
 spools at about % less than I was paying his 
 cousins over here, who nearly had a monopoly. 
 The cotton turned out to be not quite what it 
 should have been. The war had commenced, 
 and goods had advanced in price considerably. 
 I kept the cotton, without making the claim to 
 
 180 
 
which I thought I was entitled. Mr. Clark, 
 having had difficulties with some other houses, 
 wrote me that he had some of his goods held 
 subject to his order for me to see. The house 
 was asking about double what I had paid, but 
 I simply said, "I will take them at the same 
 price for which I bought them before. As my 
 price was confidential, I will settle with Mr. 
 Clark." This was satisfactory — I had double 
 the quantity, and was selling them at double 
 the price I paid, and, later on, for four or five 
 times as much. Some time afterwards, John 
 Clark wrote to his cousin, a commission mer- 
 chant down town, to inform me that I could 
 buy the third lot of cotton which had been re- 
 turned to him. He wanted ten per cent less 
 than George Clark's or Coates' prices, wlio 
 were selling their goods at that time for Si per 
 dozen — about three times the price I had paid. 
 
 At the beginning of the rebellion I came 
 across a large lot of 6 cord, 200 yards, spool 
 cotton, which had been imported for a New 
 Orleans house, Pint & Sons. This lot came 
 too late, and was stopped in New York, as 
 Louisiana had joined the Southern Con- 
 federacy. It took considerable manoeuvring, 
 but I succeeded in buying the 100,000 dozen 
 at a very low price, 35 cents per dozen. The 
 
 181 
 
salesman every little while mentions the matter 
 to my son Otto, and remarks that I must have 
 made a little fortune out of this purchase from 
 him. 
 
 Shortly before we moved to New York, my 
 wife's mother was taken very ill. The doctor 
 gave her up and she was not expected to live 
 another day. A set of women called at our 
 house, whose occupation it was to wait on the 
 dying and pray for them, according to the 
 amount of pay they received. This custom I 
 objected to most seriously, as women of this 
 stamp could really have no true feeling for the 
 patient, and could only consider the dollars they 
 received. I looked upon their services as 
 heathenish, savage and inhuman, and, without 
 hesitation, forbade their entering the sick room, 
 as I knew that my mother-in-law had no use for 
 such hypocrites, and felt exactly as I did about 
 them. When I refused them admission to her, 
 they had the impertinence to tell me that they 
 would not put their hands on the corpse if 
 mother should die. She rallied, however, that 
 very night, and recovered; whereas, if I had 
 permitted those ceremonies, they would prob- 
 ably have hastened her death. Mother moved 
 with us to New York, and passed away the sec- 
 ond year after we left Cincinnati. While in 
 
 182 
 
every way a noble woman, she died as she had 
 lived, without any religious ceremony — never- 
 theless a good and model woman. 
 
 As illustrative of her strong sense of right I 
 recall the following humorous incident. A 
 certain vagabond, who had the advantage of 
 knowing most of the Hebrews in our city, made 
 swindling and lying his occupation. He 
 started out with the intention of getting what 
 he could from Mrs. Hackes and my wife, to 
 help support him in idleness. Although he 
 was known to be an impostor, yet nearly every 
 one seemed willing to be victimized by the ec- 
 centric beggar, and to contribute a certain 
 share to his assumed necessities. He had a 
 brother, who was a very respectable man, doing 
 a good business, but who found it impossible to 
 influence him to give up the wretched way of 
 living to which he had taken a fancy. On one 
 occasion, determined to make a haul, he told 
 Mr. Hackes he was going to see his mother and 
 sister, to endeavor to get something out of them 
 for his personal assistance. When he reached 
 our house, he said he had been sent by Mr. and 
 Mrs. Hackes, who had helped him for a long 
 time. Then he told a pitiful story of a sick 
 wife and children, and of other sorrows and af- 
 flictions, which he fancied would aid him in 
 
 183 
 
making an impression and in securing the 
 money he wanted to collect. My wife and her 
 mother gave him quite a sum, and promised 
 him some old clothing the day following if 
 he would call for them. That evening we 
 went to Mr. Hackes' house, and he also, it 
 seemed, had been favored by a visit from Mr. 
 Small, who entered his office smoking a fine 
 Havana cigar, and bragged of his success in 
 gaining all he required for his immediate use. 
 Mr. Hackes told his mother that she had been 
 duped by this rascally fraud. She kept quiet, 
 however, fully convinced that he would return 
 the next day for the garments. When he put 
 in his appearance, as she had anticipated, with 
 some horrible additions to his previous story, 
 she made good use of the broom that she had 
 purposely placed in a convenient position, so he 
 departed, not quite so well satisfied with his re- 
 ception as he had been on the former occasion, 
 and totally disinclined to publicly boast of the 
 broomstick so successfully brought into req- 
 uisition. From this time forward, he no longer 
 counted my wife or mother-in-law among his 
 patrons. 
 
 While perfectly aware of his shortcomings, I 
 nevertheless contributed to his support, by giv- 
 ing him a yearly amount, for which he gave a 
 
 184 
 
receipt as per contract, keeping his accounts as 
 well balanced as if he was a book-keeper in a 
 regular legitimate business. What became of 
 him later on in life I have never ascertained, as 
 he never sought me out; but when I knew 
 him, he was a young man with many years ap- 
 parently before him in which to continue this 
 idle, wretched calling which he had adopted. 
 He always dressed in the height of fashion, and 
 lived on the fat of the land. His good educa- 
 tion served him only to carry out more success- 
 fully his fraudulent practices and impositions. 
 
 A short time before our national trials began, 
 I recommended a friend to a New York busi- 
 ness house, which, on account of my introduc- 
 tion, sold this person a large amount of goods. 
 When the war opened, this friend, who also 
 owed me a large sum, made an assignment, pre- 
 ferring me and a few other confidentials, and 
 there was little or nothing left for the other 
 creditors. The house to which I had recom- 
 mended him placed their claim in my hands, to 
 do as I considered proper about settlement. 
 They repeatedly asked me to arrange a settle- 
 ment for 10% of their claim, as they under- 
 stood that others had received that proportion 
 of the sums due them. I paid them 100 cents 
 on the dollar, which thev did not want to accept 
 
 185 
 
until I assured them that my friends would not 
 let me lose it. By so doing, I left no doubt in the 
 minds of the New York house as to the person 
 I had introduced to them, and my sincerity to- 
 ward them. Later on my friend paid all his 
 creditors in full with interest. He afterward 
 became the recipient of a silver service from 
 the creditors, presented at Delmonico's. 
 
 At the beginning of the war, I came East to 
 buy anything that I could find which I consid- 
 ered cheap. Wood Bros., a house with which 
 I had not dealt before, offered to sell me, if my 
 memory serves me rightly, 100 to 150 cases of 
 Negro Twilled Kerseys, at about the same price 
 which I had paid for years — io J /2 cents per 
 yard, cash on delivery. After I had bought 
 them, I sent about 10 cases for examination as 
 to measurement, condition, etc., etc., as the 
 understanding was there would be no allow- 
 ance made after they were paid for. After 
 some delay, they were reported to be O. K. 
 Mr. Turnbull, who lived right opposite, called 
 on me and bitterly complained that I had not 
 looked about before I made such a large pur- 
 chase, as he also had a quantity of the same 
 kind of goods which he would gladly have sold 
 me. I then bought what he had at 60 days in 
 place of cash. Rice, Chase & Co., who had 
 
 186 
 
some of the same kind of goods, only white in- 
 stead of colored, even more desirable on this 
 account, sold me theirs, also on four months, 
 at the same price. I had the entire quantity 
 shipped from Baltimore, where they were, and 
 wrote home that they should not sell them un- 
 less they brought 15 cents a yard. At this 
 price the market for them was quite slow at 
 first, but very soon they brought from 17^/2 to 
 20 cents. Part of the lot sold for as much as 
 45 cents, and a few even at 50 cents. A specu- 
 lator then bought 50 cases from us at about a 
 cent below the price at which we sold them 
 regularly. They were sold to him cash on 
 delivery. Shortly after this, new goods were 
 brought into the market and were sold for 
 less money, which proved the wisdom of dis- 
 posing of those we had on hand. 
 
 While journeying from the city of Phila- 
 delphia to the West, I traveled in a sleeping 
 car for the first time. My wife's sister, 
 Louisa, and one of my children were with me. 
 We were encumbered with rather more than 
 the usual amount of hand baggage. The 
 porter of the sleeping car demanded that every 
 one of these packages must be checked. Now 
 as far as I was concerned, I was only too will- 
 ing that this should be done with all save a 
 
 187 
 
satchel which contained my lunch, and a flask 
 of particularly nice whiskey. When I ob- 
 jected, the porter called in the conductor, who 
 also insisted, but I declined to accede. While 
 we were yet arguing the matter, another con- 
 ductor and the superintendent of the western 
 division came around, and told me I must 
 either obey their rules or leave the car. I re- 
 mained firm, persisting that they had no such 
 rights, but if they chose, they might put me 
 out with my boy and sister-in-law, but that I 
 would hold the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- 
 pany responsible for their unlawful action in 
 heavy damages. I put the case to the super- 
 intendent of the western division as follows: 
 "Suppose that this satchel in dispute contained 
 bonds or other articles of great value, will the 
 company hold themselves liable in case of a 
 loss, in consideration of the quarter of a 
 dollar they charge?" After my return, I 
 took a check which I had retained, and inquired 
 at the office of the company whether the ac- 
 tion of the superintendent and his subordi- 
 nates had been done in accordance with their 
 orders. The ticket agent desired me to hand 
 in my complaint — which I declined to do. 
 Nevertheless, my words must have been re- 
 ported, for I have never seen a check with a 
 
 188 
 
stamp calling for the payment of 25 cents in 
 each instance since this unpleasant experience. 
 
 In the days when charity was being solicited 
 for the wives and children of our soldiers, some 
 of my brother merchants called to see me, and 
 complained that one of my partners had not re- 
 sponded in such an amount as it was supposed 
 he was able to contribute. They hoped that 
 I would increase this donation. I at once 
 declined to interfere, but promised that I would 
 make good the deficiency at the first oppor- 
 tunity which offered itself. Subsequently, a 
 lady in a carriage called at the store and asked 
 to see one of the firm. I told her that I was 
 one of its members. She then handed me a 
 small subscription book with various sums 
 promised, none of which exceeded five dollars. 
 I signed on the proper line and subscribed 
 $100. Any book-keeper would have under- 
 stood the figures. I told her to let the com- 
 mittee collect it. The lady, whom I did not 
 know as she failed to introduce herself, was 
 Mrs. Pendleton, and she felt insulted and told 
 her husband about it, and he reported our in- 
 terview to the dry-goods committee, of which 
 he was one of the officers. He objected to my 
 audacity very strongly in telling Mrs. Pendle- 
 ton to have the committe collect the $1 which 
 
 189 
 
I had signed as a contribution. The subscrip- 
 tion book was then shown to establish the 
 amount of my contribution, when one of the 
 members on looking at it, remarked, " Gentle- 
 men, this does not mean $1.00; it means 
 $100, as it here appears." Mr. George Mc- 
 Alpine and Mr. Pendleton were then appointed 
 to call on Louis Stix & Co. to collect the 
 amount therein mentioned. Mr. McAlpine 
 met me and said, "Will you please pay your 
 subscription?" and added, "Why did you re- 
 quest that the committee call personally to 
 collect it? Do you think yourself so much 
 better than the rest?" I excused myself on 
 the ground that I did not know the lady, and 
 my contribution being $100, I thought she 
 would be pleased, rather than dissatisfied. 
 Mr. Pendleton, who afterwards ran for the 
 Presidency, was then presented as the husband 
 of the lady who had called upon me. He very 
 warmly thanked me for what I had done, fear- 
 ing his wife had failed to do so, having been 
 under the impression that the amount I had 
 promised was but a dollar, and that the com- 
 mittee must come for it. I afterward met 
 Mrs. Pendleton at a fair, and she expressed 
 her personal gratification to me. 
 
 My services in the charitable line during 
 190 
 
the war were also on one occasion enlisted by 
 Mrs. Stallo, who called upon me to accompany 
 her, while collecting for some charitable pur- 
 pose. Among those to whom an appeal was 
 made was Messrs. Glasser Bros. When Mrs. 
 Stallo, in conversation, mentioned the Union 
 army, the eldest member of the firm became 
 quite indignant, and used very ungentlemanly 
 language. He acted the rebel to perfection, 
 and no doubt was one at heart. After this 
 disagreeable experience, I met him in the even- 
 ing at Glassner's beer saloon and called him to 
 account for his unwarrantable remarks. He 
 became so thoroughly enraged at my criti- 
 cisms that his excitement completely overcame 
 his prudence, and he appeared in his true 
 colors. He threw a glass of beer at me, which 
 roused my indignation, and our friends felt 
 that the action was uncalled for, and inter- 
 fered, and kept us from disturbing the guests 
 any further. In the morning Judge Stallo 
 saw me and begged me to drop the case, and 
 not drag Mrs. Stallo into public notice through 
 the press. As in duty bound, I was obliged 
 to yield to the Judge's appeal, and refrain from 
 further action. I could not go in direct op- 
 position to my friend's wishes, especially as 
 they concerned his wife's comfort and prefer- 
 
 191 
 
ences. Many pleasant evenings have I spent 
 in the society of the Stallos at their home On 
 one occasion I remained until midnight, mak- 
 ing them a farewell visit before the Judge's 
 departure for Italy, to which country he went 
 as minister from the United States. They 
 afterward called upon us in New York, but we 
 were then away at Saratoga, and missed the 
 pleasure of meeting them and entertaining 
 them at our house. For many years we have 
 been friends. When I was engaged in the 
 retail dry-goods business on Fifth Street, Mrs. 
 Stallo always patronized us, and bought every 
 penny's worth of goods she could at our store, 
 giving me almost her exclusive custom. 
 
 It was at this stage of my life that, after 
 being away for weeks, expecting my stock to 
 be considerably increased by my eastern pur- 
 chases, I returned and found instead of this, 
 that, even including the goods on the way, it 
 was still diminished, so that I found it neces- 
 sary to return to the East the day following. 
 Then, because my part of the business required 
 so much attendance in New York, I decided to 
 move there permanently with my family, as for 
 fully three-fourths of the year, as things stood, 
 I was obliged to be away from them. At first, 
 my partner, Mr. Swarts, objected to this 
 
 192 
 
change, but he soon saw the justice of my reso- 
 lution. 
 
 When I left Cincinnati, our employees pre- 
 sented me with a gold headed cane, accom- 
 panied by some flattering remarks. Whether 
 deserved or not, I appreciated it all very highly. 
 After I had been living in New York some 
 time, some of the young men, and others whom 
 we had assisted when they started in business, 
 felt themselves quite rich and under obliga- 
 tions, so they proposed to buy me a Fifth Av- 
 enue residence as a testimonial of apprecia- 
 tion. I declined, with the promise that on the 
 anniversary of my golden wedding I would ac- 
 cept anything in accordance with their means. 
 On my silver wedding anniversary I received, 
 as a most courteous recognition, a silver serv- 
 ice, and other beautiful presents. As to the 
 Fifth Avenue house, I did not calculate on the 
 advance of property, and that may be an ob- 
 stacle when the time comes. 
 
 In contrast with these pleasant experiences 
 with my clerks, I had one that was not quite 
 so agreeable. We had set up two of our clerks 
 in trade and lost, by doing so, about $20,000. 
 They proposed to pay it all back to the last 
 cent, with the proviso that we should buy them 
 out, either for cash or on time. As I was 
 
 193 
 
aware that they wanted our assistance to rob 
 all their creditors, we refused. Shortly after, 
 one of them called on me for a loan of $500. 
 1 would not consent to let him have that 
 amount, so he drew his pistol in my basement 
 and threatened to shoot me. I opened my 
 vest, showed no fear, and told him to do so. 
 Thus unopposed, he lost his courage and did 
 nothing. Again he called for a small sum, 
 claiming he needed food. He had very rich 
 and liberal relatives who, had he been worthy, 
 would gladly have assisted him, and to whom 
 he could have been of great service. They 
 however remarked to me, "It is not in him to 
 do the right thing, so he cannot be helped/' 
 Notwithstanding, I assisted him at this time, 
 and kept his family and himself from starv- 
 ing. 
 
 ' Mrs. Hackes, my wife's mother, made her 
 home with us shortly after landing in America, 
 which made it very pleasant for my wife, as 
 I was obliged to be away from home so much. 
 The little house which I bought became too 
 small to accommodate us, and I spent about as 
 much money to enlarge the premises as I had 
 originally expended for the house and ground. 
 W e thus made room for one or two young men 
 in our employ. The spot upon which this 
 
 194 
 
house stood is to-day the main entrance of 
 Shillito's store. On account of some difficulty 
 with my neighbor in the rear, I proposed to 
 buy his property, knowing he was anxious to 
 sell. I suggested that two impartial real 
 estate men, one chosen by himself, and the 
 other selected by me, should decide upon the 
 value of the property, and in case of their dis- 
 agreement on its value, a third party should 
 be consulted and decide, and that I would pay 
 him 10% more than such valuation. Notwith- 
 standing this more than fair proposition, the 
 owner preferred to sell the house at auction 
 rather than give me any advantage in secur- 
 ing it. I had a man there to buy it at almost 
 any price in reason. He bid 50% more than 
 it was worth, and still a higher amount was 
 offered. The house was not sold. Next day 
 a broker came to me asking considerably less 
 than I had bid, but I had then made up my 
 mind to sell my own house and move to New 
 York instead of buying, which decision I have 
 never regretted to this day; for although I was 
 separated from those I held very dear, yet I 
 have advanced the interests of my immediate 
 family by the change, and the marriages con- 
 tracted here have surely satisfied me. I, ac- 
 cording to this resolution, sold my house for 
 
 195 
 
less than cost. Shortly after, it brought treble 
 the amount, and to-day it would bring a larger 
 advance, if it was not included in Shillito's 
 store. 
 
 A few weeks before we were ready to move, 
 I was taxed on personal property of the as- 
 sessed valuation of $5,000. The assessor had 
 an old grudge against me for refusing him 
 credit some years previous when he was in the 
 dry goods business, in which he failed very 
 shortly after I had denied him credit, and he 
 took this opportunity to retaliate. I refused to 
 be thus blackmailed. I appealed to the court 
 for redress and offered to sell out at one-quar- 
 ter the amount at which I was assessed. The 
 judge called in the assessor and lectured him 
 severely, and the latter was then satisfied to 
 leave the matter to me to decide upon the 
 amount to be paid. I told the judge I was 
 perfectly willing to do what was right, and 
 that in a very few weeks I would hand the 
 keys of my house to my father, to distribute 
 my household effects to the poor as he might 
 think best, save our wedding presents, linen, 
 personal apparel and belongings. This offer 
 was accepted and carried out. We took with 
 us only the furniture in the parlor and sitting- 
 room floors, some pictures, ornaments, bric-a- 
 
 196 
 
brae and silver-ware. There is but one room 
 in our present home to-day where can be found 
 any of our household furniture in use before. 
 It seemed a pleasant duty to give to the poor 
 all that we did not care to remove. 
 
 As already stated, I was obliged to com- 
 promise in 1850, through no fault of mine, 
 with the creditors of Stix & Wallach, and ob- 
 tained receipts in full from all of them. 
 Nevertheless, I considered myself still in debt 
 for my share of what would have been pay- 
 ment in full. On my way from New York to 
 Cincinnati in 1863, I hinted to Mr. James Low- 
 man, whom I met, my hope and intention of 
 some day being able to make this payment. 
 While he thought it an excellent, praiseworthy 
 action, he did not agree with me entirely and 
 remarked, "Your debts are now wiped out. 
 The moment you again open your door and 
 say that you feel that you owe any part morally, 
 you owe none or all; Wallach's, as well as your 
 own. Your creditors will thank you as you 
 are released by law. Yet the moral obligation 
 cannot be fully canceled, as I think, unless you 
 pay his half also. In discharging your own 
 share alone you have but accomplished a part 
 of your object. All or none, I would advise, 
 and I am satisfied if you think it over you 
 
 197 
 
will come to this conclusion also/' After due 
 consideration, I came to the conclusion to take 
 my friend's advice. I let the matter rest for 
 a while, not feeling that I was then fully pre- 
 pared to accomplish that which I had made up 
 my mind to carry into effect as soon as pos- 
 sible. Again the same friend met me acci- 
 dentally on the car, and our conversation 
 naturally turned upon the old subject. He felt 
 convinced that I too had adopted his theory. 
 The question arose as to interest which had ac- 
 cumulated during 13 years. We came to the 
 same conclusion. There was but one thing 
 to be done, pay up all with interest. During 
 this long interval quite a good many of our 
 creditors had become poor, and knowing this, 
 I had long before paid them up in full. One 
 house, whose partners had been born and bred 
 in the same village with myself, I had never 
 asked to accept the compromise. In place of 
 their Stix & Wallach notes, I had given them 
 personal ones, with the understanding that 
 the first $800, due in 60 days, they could 
 collect through the bank. The other note of 
 the same amount they were to hold, and the 
 first money I secured after my compromised 
 debts were paid was to be appropriated to pay- 
 ing such second note. They forgot this ar- 
 
 198 
 
rangement, and the second note was collected 
 just as the first had been, without considering 
 my ability to meet it. However, it was made 
 good, and I was satisfied to discharge the in- 
 debtedness. 
 
 After I had paid all the creditors of Stix & 
 YVallach in full, with interest, they held a 
 number of meetings for the purpose of pre- 
 senting me with a silver service. Mr. Powler, 
 who presided, lost his life in a carriage acci- 
 dent and so the whole idea was abandoned. 
 Mr. Wm. P. Devoe, not satisfied that there 
 should be no recognition of my act, surprised 
 me with a token on his own account. He pre- 
 sented me with a silver pitcher and two goblets, 
 bearing this inscription: 
 
 "January 4th, 1864. From W. P. D. 'A good man 
 leaveth an inheritance to his children's children.' 
 Proverbs XIII-22." 
 
 I value this beautiful and unique gift to the 
 writer from his friend and fellow merchant 
 very highly, and esteem it, independently of 
 all other reasons, on account of the source from 
 which it came and the motives which dictated 
 its presentation. 
 
 When I addressed the Xew York house of 
 J. D. Walter & Co. for particulars of our in- 
 debtedness to them at the time we failed, ask- 
 
 199 
 
ing for the names of the partners and the 
 interest each one had had in the business, Mr. 
 J. D. Walter objected to answering any of my 
 questions. He heard that I was paying our 
 compromised debts and he claimed I should 
 send my check payable to J. D. Walter & Co., 
 and that that was all that was necessary. By 
 doing as he requested, he would have gotten 
 the whole, and his partner, who sold him the 
 books, and who, in his estimation, had no claim 
 whatever, would have gotten nothing. But 
 that was not in accordance with my idea of 
 honor, as he had paid nothing for my account 
 which I owed the firm. I therefore sent to 
 each partner of the old firm his respective 
 share of the loss sustained on account of my 
 inability to make payment at the time the old 
 firm had existed. This I considered the only 
 correct way. 
 
 For years I had been expecting to pay all 
 my creditors in full. It was only a question 
 with me whether I should pay for Wallach as 
 well. I also wanted to choose a time to pay 
 interest when it would not be regarded as an 
 attempt to secure further credit; my position 
 then being thoroughly established as to my 
 ability to meet every obligation, present as well 
 as past. I kept a large amount of money in 
 
 200 
 
Cincinnati, and on January 4th, 1864, I had the 
 bookkeeper look over the accounts early that 
 morning and calculated the interest due each 
 creditor, and about the time when I knew each 
 would be in, I hired a number of boys to take 
 my checks out, so that nearly every merchant 
 in Cincinnati with whom I had compromised, 
 received his check for the full amount by 
 special messenger about the same time. It so 
 happened that I met my father at my sister's 
 house where some joyful event was being cele- 
 brated, and father found some fault because I 
 had not paid my sister the attention he thought 
 the occasion required. I do not remember the 
 cause of celebration. I told him just what I 
 had accomplished, and that our store was 
 crowded with friends, who came in to con- 
 gratulate me upon paying my old debts. 
 Thereupon my father made the lovely remark, 
 "You have indeed done well, and your noble 
 conduct will be your reward throughout all 
 your life, and as for your parents, this is the 
 proudest and happiest day we have ever ex- 
 perienced in our whole lives." Father's ap- 
 probation was enough to repay me for every 
 effort I had made in acting as I had, aside 
 from the clear conscience resulting from just 
 dealing, and the pleasure bestowed in giving 
 
 201 
 
this surprise to my creditors, who had made 
 me free legally from any pecuniary obligations 
 years before. It was indeed a happy time, 
 never to be forgotten, as my father predicted 
 when extending to me his congratulations, and 
 expressing his much treasured sentiments upon 
 the happy result. 
 
 In thus paying my debts, not really existing 
 according to law, but in my humble opinion, not 
 less honestly due to my creditors, I discharged 
 several obligations due to widows. Among 
 them was a Mrs. T. O'Shaunessey, whose hus- 
 band had at one time been in the auction busi- 
 ness. He was considered rich, and one of the 
 most prominent and successful men in his 
 special line in the West during the panic. 
 His loss on his customers must have been hun- 
 dreds of thousands of dollars. His widow, 
 who once enjoyed every luxury that wealth 
 could provide for her, was now obliged to work 
 very hard with her own hands to support her 
 family. When she received my check which 
 was for quite a large amount, because two of 
 her husband's partners had assigned their 
 share to her, she felt extremely grateful for 
 this totally unexpected good fortune, and in 
 her letter of acknowledgment wrote me that 
 it was a perfect godsend to her, and the only 
 
 202 
 
amount she had ever received since her hus- 
 band's estate had been closed. She hoped if 
 her sons should ever be unfortunate in busi- 
 ness that they would follow my example, if 
 circumstances ever permitted them to do so. 
 
 There was also another widow to whom I 
 desired to pay a certain sum of money for 
 which I considered myself morally responsible. 
 On consulting a friend of mine, who was the 
 guardian and administrator of the estate, he 
 advised me not to pay the amount directly to 
 the widow, who was not of a very saving or 
 prudent disposition, but to deposit the sum with 
 him in trust for the children. To this ar- 
 rangement the mother naturally objected, 
 claiming that she was the legal custodian of 
 her children. However, the disposition of the 
 money was finally left to me, and after thor- 
 ough investigation, my decision was, of course, 
 not given in her favor. 
 
 The desire to possess a home is to my mind 
 one of the strongest evidences of moral re- 
 spectability. It is a desire common alike to 
 the millionaire and to the laboring man. As 
 regards my own experience in this respect, 
 varied by alternate periods of commercial ele- 
 vation and depression during my first ten 
 years in America, it was not until the year 
 
 203 
 
1852 that I succeeded in purchasing a residence 
 which I could fairly call my own. A decade 
 later, in 1863, we bought the ground on Third 
 Street, Cincinnati, where we afterwards built 
 our own business house, which we still occupy. 
 In the year 1864, I secured the house 246 West 
 Fourteenth Street, New York, as a residence 
 for my family. As this was intended for our 
 permanent home, I felt that it was only right 
 to give it to my wife, so the deeds were made 
 out in her name. She was kind enough to let 
 me live there rent free during the quarter of 
 a century we occupied it. Here we continued 
 to reside from 1865 to the year 1890. The 
 only exception to owning the roof that shel- 
 tered us during our sojourn in this city, 
 covered a period of two years. When we first 
 moved to New York City we rented a house 
 in 23rd street, which singularly enough oc- 
 cupied the same relative position as that of our 
 home situated on 14th street. The rental dur- 
 ing this period was $1,000 annually. All of 
 which goes to prove that my nature is essen- 
 tially a domestic one, which desires, like the 
 patriarchs of old, to dwell beneath my own 
 vine and fig-tree. If there is any lesson to be 
 deduced from these memories, it is this: that 
 a man is never so happy or properly placed, 
 
 204 
 
246 WEST 14th STREET 
 
 AS IT IS TO-DAY 
 
as when seated by his own hearthstone, and 
 surrounded by those to whom he is bound by 
 the tenderest ties of consanguinity. This is 
 especially true of the business man who should 
 find in the safe harbor of home a refuge from 
 the storms and bufTetings attendant upon com- 
 mercial life. 
 
 With the exception of the two years that we 
 lived in the third story over the Fifth Street 
 store, we had occupied our own private house 
 until we came to New York and rented the 
 house on 23rd street. After buying the house 
 on 14th street, I also agreed to purchase the 
 house in which we had been living on 23rd 
 street for $19,000. Unfortunately no writ- 
 ings were drawn and no money had as yet been 
 paid down, when the agent in whose hands it 
 had been placed for sale, found a purchaser at 
 $20,000. A contract had been signed by the 
 parties, so I lost the best thing I had ever 
 planned to buy. In a short time it was leased 
 for $3,000 and would have brought $4,000. 
 We enjoyed good health and many pleasant 
 years while living at 246 West 14th Street. 
 The neighborhood, however, degenerated, and 
 we intended moving somewhere near Central 
 Park as soon as we could determine upon a suit- 
 able locality. By the advice of our doctor we 
 
 205 
 
delayed making any change for some time 
 after we had come to the conclusion to do so. 
 He cautioned us against settling in the upper 
 part of the city, lest we become subject to 
 malarial fever and other troubles, incident to 
 a new section. In 1890, after months of 
 searching, we started out to rent on the east 
 side in the region between 60th and 80th 
 streets. We found nothing to suit us in this 
 vicinity, as we did not want to exceed the price 
 for which we had rented the 14th street house 
 — $2,000. When we left it, we spent about 
 $2,000 upon it, putting it in apple-pie order 
 for a boarding house; about the only purpose 
 for which it could be rented at a fair price. I 
 offered to sell it for $30,000, but received a 
 proposition for $25,000. In 1892, a party who 
 leased two or three houses adjoining offered 
 $2,000 rent for 21 years clear. Finding in 
 our search for a new home on the east side 
 that we could not get suited, we looked around 
 on the west side with no better success, as all 
 the houses to which we took a fancy were not 
 for sale. When we saw our present residence 
 No. 35 West 71st Street, my wife and children 
 liked it so much that they were anxious to 
 secure it. My wife could neither eat nor sleep, 
 fearing that we would lose the opportunity to 
 
 206 
 
35 WEST 7 1st STREET 
 
buy it, as the broker reported two other parties 
 were negotiating for its purchase. This pos- 
 sibility caused considerable excitement, as we 
 wanted the house. I have been assured that 
 if I had not secured it at once. I could not have 
 bought it. I paid all it was worth. 834,500 
 and spent $4,000 for papering, gas fixtures, 
 etc. We furnished the house anew from top 
 to bottom, excepting my sitting room where I 
 spend my days and evenings. The 14th street 
 house was 25 feet wide and 65 feet deep, but 
 our present home is only 18 x 65 feet, yet it 
 surpasses our old residence in every respect, 
 and I would not know how to improve it if I 
 had a million to expend. When we moved 
 from Cincinnati, as before mentioned, we gave 
 away all our furniture, bringing with us only 
 clothing, linen and silver, also wedding and 
 other presents. In leaving 14th street we fol- 
 lowed the same plan, keeping the extension 
 room furniture only, and donating all the 
 remainder to the poor and to the United 
 Charities. 
 
 We have now become Americanized and have 
 learned how to spend in a month what we once 
 found quite sufficient for our yearly require- 
 ments. If we have ever learned anything to 
 perfection, we have thoroughly acquired the 
 
 207 
 
knowledge of expenditure; but we are not 
 more extravagant than our friends trained in 
 the same old school. My wife receives an al- 
 lowance of $6,000 a year, which is readily dis- 
 posed of, although she pays no rent or large 
 dry goods or coal bills. My expenditure is 
 about double that of hers, while my personal 
 expenses do not exceed $250 a year; the bal- 
 ance is devoted to charities, wedding presents 
 and birthday gifts. I often hear the conjugal 
 admonition repeated, "Give what you consider 
 right while you live, as if anything is left after 
 we are gone we certainly will get no thanks 
 for it." We were never rich, nor are we to- 
 day, but our means are adequate to supply our 
 wants. When we consider it advisable we 
 help our children, assisting them moderately 
 to such an extent as seems conducive to their 
 benefit. 
 
 After I had bought the house at 246 West 
 14th Street and presented it to my wife, we 
 invited her dear mother to go and see it, but, 
 although deeply interested in all that pertained 
 to the welfare of her children, she unexpectedly 
 declined, remarking, "I shall never expect to 
 live in it." At that time she apparently en- 
 joyed excellent health, and appeared perfectly 
 well, as far as we could observe. Shortly 
 
 208 
 
after, however, she took sick, and died in a 
 few days, at the age of 65. She was highly 
 intelligent, and was beloved by all, and fairly 
 worshipped by her children. Her husband 
 was an invalid for many years, and, in conse- 
 quence, she supported and educated her chil- 
 dren by collecting toll. She was obliged to be 
 upon her feet day and night, which was ex- 
 ceedingly trying; yet notwithstanding these 
 severe requirements, she was ever a model of 
 kindness, peace and love. Harmony and hap- 
 piness naturally resulted from these charming 
 qualities she possessed so abundantly. While 
 charitably inclined, she was not easily deceived. 
 Books were her constant friends. In spite of 
 her laborious tasks, she would travel many 
 miles on foot, or by conveyance, to hear an 
 opera. She knew whole passages of Schiller, 
 and declaimed them from memory more beauti- 
 fully than I have ever heard any one do at her 
 age. 
 
 The family named Simon that had occupied 
 this house I purchased on 14th street, told 
 me that they did not begrudge me its posses- 
 sion, on account of the disagreeable neighbor 
 I would have. I, accordingly, determined to 
 prevent any unpleasantness in this direction, if 
 it were possible to avoid it. Shortly after we 
 
 209 
 
moved in, this neighbor, Mr. Rader, called 
 and complained that one of our boys had 
 broken a pane of glass in his parlor window 
 while playing baseball. My answer was, 
 "You get it fixed and let the man collect his 
 bill from me; or if you will pay for it, I will 
 return the amount to you with thanks. " After 
 his interview with me, he told his family what 
 I had said and done, when one of his boys spoke 
 up and exclaimed — "Why, papa, we broke one 
 of Mr. Stix's parlor windows last week, and he 
 knew it, but he did not tell you." Thereupon 
 Mr. Rader, returned at once to the house, and 
 acknowledged that he was very sorry he had 
 found fault with my children, when his had 
 done the same thing, and said he would prefer 
 to have such bills sent to him. I told him I 
 would rather not send them. A few days 
 later he sent word that our water pipe in the 
 cellar was leaking and flooding his cellar. I 
 replied that he should allow his own plumber 
 to attend to it, and I would meet all expenses. 
 The bill was never presented, as on close ex- 
 amination his plumber found, that the defect 
 was in his own pipe, and not in ours, as he had 
 supposed. Later on he wrote me a letter, ask- 
 ing me whether I would be kind enough to 
 remove our piano to the opposite side of our 
 
 2IO 
 
house, and make more moderate use of the 
 pedal, as one of his sons was very sick, and 
 the sound of the playing disturbed him. I at 
 once gave orders to have the piano moved and 
 used more quietly. On the Fourth of July my 
 own children, in company with some others 
 whom I did not know, were making a racket, 
 shooting off fireworks in celebration of the oc- 
 casion. I stopped them with the remark that 
 our neighbor had a very sick boy, and they had 
 better go to Eighth Avenue with their fire- 
 works. The children, who were strangers to 
 me, were, it seems, visiting at Mr. Rader's 
 house, and when they returned from their en- 
 joyment around the corner, as I had suggested, 
 to avoid disturbing the invalid, they told him 
 what I had said to them. This was too much. 
 My forbearance and consideration were at last 
 recognized and appreciated. We received a 
 beautiful and heartfelt letter of thanks, and 
 from that time on we became the very best of 
 friends and lived most harmoniously, no fur- 
 ther complaints ever being made. 
 
 Mr. Rader kept a team and often called for 
 me to drive down town with him in the morn- 
 ings. I also enjoyed smoking with him the 
 very fine cigars for which he was justly cele- 
 brated, as he was a tobacco broker and had 
 
 211 
 
every facility for purchasing the best in the 
 market. This pleasant intercourse with my 
 neighbor continued uninterrupted until he 
 moved to Boston. 
 
 While the 14th street associations linger 
 pleasantly in my memory, nothing could be 
 more pleasant than our present home and its 
 environment. When we were first married we 
 lived over my store, without a servant, and 
 paid no rent. Our expenses were $300 a year. 
 Two years later we moved to Race Street, in 
 our own house, which I bought for $1,600. 
 Ten years later when we moved to New York 
 our expenses amounted to $3,000 a year. 
 During the first six months when we lived in 
 this city we used $5,000, including our ex- 
 pense for furniture. In 1865 I drew nearly 
 $50,000 for a house, stocks and other expenses. 
 In 1 89 1 we moved to 35 West 71st Street 
 whence we expect to go to our final rest- 
 ing place. This home contains all the im- 
 provements and is the most complete and con- 
 venient residence we could possibly desire. It 
 is also advantageously situated in regard to 
 our children. Zillah lives next door but one. 
 Charlie did reside within a block of us, but now 
 has moved three blocks off. Robert is on a 
 direct line, but half a block from the street car 
 
 212 
 
and two blocks from the elevated road. 
 Carrie is also reached very easily, although 
 about one hundred blocks away. Frances' 
 home is about eighty blocks distant, and but 
 a block and a half from the cable road. We 
 have every convenience in regard to markets, 
 butcher, grocer, bank, safe deposit, express, 
 ticket office for railroad, telephone, telegraph, 
 bakery, fish store, tailor, druggist, doctor, 
 dairy, laundry, plumber, elevated road and 
 many lines of cable and horse cars. We 
 are near Central Park and the Hotel Ma- 
 jestic, a million dollar edifice just completed. 
 The ground is high and healthy, and the neigh- 
 borhood is one of the best in the city. The 
 only drawback is the high price asked for 
 everything. 
 
 The United States Government occupied 
 some stores on 4th street near our business 
 which were burnt out. About 3 feet of water 
 flooded our subcellar, where we had about 100 
 cases of palm leaf fans stored. My partner 
 had notified the insurance companies of the 
 condition of these goods, which were sub- 
 merged, and the different agents called to ex- 
 amine the damage. While Swarts was taking 
 them down to inspect the premises, one of the 
 customers of the house, who happened to be in 
 
 213 
 
at the time, accompanied them, and my partner 
 said in German, "Whatever allowance we get, 
 you may have, if you take the goods at the 
 regular price. You know palm leaf fans can- 
 not be damaged by water to any extent worth 
 noticing." Whereupon the agent, who fully 
 understood what was said turned and re- 
 marked, "If they are not damaged for you, 
 they are not damaged for the companies." 
 Our business insurance since the war has 
 been from $700,000 to $800,000 a year and be- 
 fore from $100,000 to $500,000. We never 
 have had occasion to collect a dollar to this 
 day for damage by fire, and hope we never 
 shall, although we have paid premiums for 
 about 53 years. 
 
 An incident which occurred at this time too 
 was fraught with more tragic possibilities. 
 We were very busy working in the store until 
 midnight to accomplish something which had 
 to be finished before I started for New York 
 the day following. Our help had gone for 
 some refreshments to the William Tell Restau- 
 rant, but I remained, being anxious to com- 
 plete the necessary preparations before my 
 departure. When I had finished I lowered 
 the light, and, in passing out in the darkness, I 
 stumbled against a mattress which was on the 
 
 214 
 
counter near the stove. It was a bitter cold 
 night and some of the men were to have re- 
 turned and slept there. I had left the store 
 and had walked about half-way home when I 
 felt dissatisfied — as if something was wrong. 
 With this impression fixed strongly in my 
 mind, I retraced my steps, knowing that it 
 would be impossible for me to sleep unless I 
 convinced myself that all was right. Looking 
 through the glass in the front door, I saw to 
 my astonishment, the goods and mattress 
 which were near the stove, on fire. I rushed 
 in, threw the burning goods on the floor, and 
 smothered the flames with other material on 
 the counter. Our damage was about $100. 
 We were insured in 100 companies for the 
 sum of $5,000 each. They told me they were 
 willing to pay all I claimed, one dollar for 
 each company, and I could make out the papers 
 and send some one to collect the loss. I de- 
 cided rather to drop the matter. 
 
 At one of the government sales, I bought 
 a case of fine undergarments, which had been 
 imported for Mrs. Jefferson Davis. I paid 
 $1,000 for the contents, and sold them at a 
 
 215 
 
large profit, when it was known for whom 
 they had been intended originally. My wife 
 made her selection first, and many of my 
 friends as well. There are still among my 
 wife's personal effects some of the very gowns 
 which Mrs. Davis hoped to receive and wear 
 out, but which so unexpectedly came into our 
 possession. I also purchased at the same sale 
 a large quantity of rubber blankets. I did not 
 know the value of these articles, and it seems 
 that the auctioneer had some secret under- 
 standing in relation to price and profit, which 
 was not altogether a fair way of dealing when 
 goods were to be sold by order of the govern- 
 ment, and I bought them at a much higher rate 
 than the market value. As I left the marshal's 
 office some salesman gave me his business 
 card, and offered to sell the same style of goods 
 to me for considerably less. The next day I 
 received my goods from the marshal. The 
 rubber blankets were not charged upon it — 
 they were purposely omitted, it seems. I paid 
 my bills, as all had to be paid before delivery. 
 The following day I received a bill for the 
 rubber goods, but not from the government. 
 It ran from Mr. Draper, who, it seems, was the 
 United States Marshal of New York. I ob- 
 jected to paying unless a bill was presented 
 
 216 
 
like the preceding one. Neither goods nor bill 
 were ever delivered. 
 
 One of my business ventures was a com- 
 bination made by the three firms of Rice, Stix 
 & Co., Isaac Oppenheimer and Louis Stix & 
 Co., for the purpose of buying cotton in that 
 part of the South which w T as occupied by our 
 troops. We were advised to buy Southern 
 bank bills, and did so to quite an extent, as the 
 planters preferred their own money to our 
 greenbacks. We had bought and shipped a 
 large amount of gold South, but the govern- 
 ment passed a law against having it paid out 
 in that section of the country. We bought 
 about 150 bales of cotton that cost us from 45 
 to 50 cents to lay down in New York, and then 
 brought back our gold, also to the same city. 
 The trouble and annoyance about contraband 
 goods which were perfectly lawful and proper 
 one day and forbidden the next, made it very 
 difficult for any loyal citizen to operate with 
 safety. We withdrew from buying cotton di- 
 rectly from the producer, and sold our 150 to 
 200 bales at a fair profit, and our $25,000 of 
 gold, at a small loss. We also had thousands 
 of Southern bank bills, for which we paid from 
 one to two per cent premium, and nearly all of 
 them became worthless. When the gold 
 
 217 
 
reached my New York office, I had Herman's 
 porter take the box for me to the Broadway 
 omnibus. It was so conspicuously put up, with 
 dozens of seals, that every one could see it con- 
 tained gold. In my anxiety, I took the wrong 
 stage, and found myself in one that went to 
 Fulton Ferry, instead of that which went di- 
 rectly from Broadway. When I discovered 
 my mistake, I could not get out, as the box 
 was too heavy for me to carry, so I remained 
 in the omnibus and returned with it to 
 Broadway. From the moment I entered the 
 stage till I left it a person eyed me most sus- 
 piciously, as if just waiting for an opportunity 
 to rob me. When I again turned out of Ful- 
 ton Street, I changed stages at once, and rode 
 to the American Exchange National Bank. I 
 was perspiring dreadfully when I entered, and 
 was never so glad to get rid of money as when 
 I deposited it. 
 
 I recall how once our big cellar was crowded 
 with an immense stock of sheeting and other 
 staple cotton material, while our customers 
 were few and far between. Even when they 
 did come to the house and saw the enormous 
 quantity, they seemed to be scared, and either 
 bought none at all, or by the piece only. I felt 
 that it was rather a mistake to show such a 
 
 218 
 
large stock, so I ordered my help to hoist daily 
 a certain quantity of them to the upper story, 
 and not make an entire exhibit of our stock. 
 Soon the price advanced rapidly and nearly 
 doubled our lowest prices. We made enemies 
 by not allowing purchasers to buy large quan- 
 tities with a view to speculation. At the very 
 time when goods were extremely low we sold 
 quite a bill to one of our regular customers, a 
 Mr. Amberg, from Hickman, Kentucky. He 
 desired at the time to have the goods held for 
 him until he sent us orders to have them 
 shipped. Instead, we were notified that he 
 would be obliged to countermand the order, as 
 the Confederate Army was threatening his 
 town, and he expected to be forced to retire 
 from the mercantile business; therefore he can- 
 celed his purchase. I had the goods which 
 Mr. Amberg had selected put away intact and 
 stored, for I knew if he should re-order he 
 would certainly hesitate about paying the im- 
 mense advance at which we were now selling. 
 In a very short time we again heard from Mr. 
 Amberg by letter, requesting us to forward 
 him our lowest prices for such goods as he had 
 previously selected, and which he was obliged 
 to cancel. In reply we informed him that the 
 merchandise he had before chosen had never 
 
 219 
 
been returned to our stock, but was subject to 
 his order, and we would be pleased to ship 
 it according to original agreement. Mr. 
 Amberg accepted the goods, and from that 
 time forward, dealt with our house whenever 
 it was possible to do so, until he returned to 
 mother earth, and we invariably found him 
 one of our best and most reliable customers, 
 a true, excellent man. 
 
 In 1864, during the war, the agents of 
 Coates' cotton had a large fire, and sold the 
 stock remaining at auction as damaged goods. 
 I examined the goods before the sale, and 
 found that all the fine and high numbers were 
 damaged but slightly by fire, so I bought them 
 all, and only a few thousand dozens of the de- 
 sirable middle and coarser numbers. When 
 I examined them more critically, I found very 
 little injury had been done to the finer ones, 
 which I had fortunately selected, as they had 
 been placed on shelves which quite protected 
 them from water; whereas the coarser and 
 heavier spools were standing upon the floor, 
 and received the greater harm. As we were 
 about the only house at the time that had any 
 fine numbers of Coates' cotton, we soon re- 
 ceived orders for unlimited quantities, and dis- 
 posed of those uninjured by fire or water for 
 
 220 
 
full price, without the slightest difficulty. Our 
 stock of spool cotton was simply enormous. I 
 bought at a prize sale of the government 2,000 
 dozen 500 yards ivory spools at $1.75 per 
 dozen, which was then quite reasonable. We 
 made more money on spool cotton than we ever 
 made in our whole business before in any one 
 year. I bought right and left of six cord, and 
 also immense quantities of 100 yards, 3 cord, 
 50 yards and 20 yards. At the close of the 
 war we lost largely on these last purchases. 
 
 The day before the fall of Fort Donaldson I 
 bought in Philadelphia about $40,000 worth 
 of goods, including about 25 cases of Amer- 
 ican prints for 25 cents a yard. The next day 
 the same goods were offered to me at Vs less. 
 This episode had its effect, for nearly at the 
 same time I purchased a large line of domestics 
 at auction, but my neighbor bought after me 
 at considerably less. I doubled my original 
 quantity, purchasing at the lower price, while 
 he sold out his entire stock in a few days for 
 less than I had paid. I held on to mine, await- 
 ing the result, until the next season, when an 
 advance of double on the cost amply repaid 
 me for my prudence and foresight. It has 
 passed into a proverb that patient waiting is 
 no loss, and the incident I have just narrated 
 
 221 
 
is a striking verification of that truth. The 
 merchant should possess some of the qualities 
 that distinguish a successful soldier, especially 
 the coolness, which often turns defeat into 
 victory. 
 
 At this time, as I was returning to New 
 York from Cincinnati in the company of about 
 ten merchants, one of our party proposed that 
 we should compare the respective prices at 
 which we bought corsets from Mr. Julius Hart. 
 This was quite an unusual occurrence, but we 
 had no confidence in the regularity of his prices 
 and terms offered by his house, so it was 
 agreed that each one should write on a piece 
 of paper the conditions under which he had 
 purchased goods. I consented rather reluc- 
 tantly, supposing I had been especially favored, 
 but I found out my mistake. About half of 
 the patrons of this establishment had paid less, 
 and the rest considerably more than I had, thus 
 proving that separate and distinct agreements 
 were the order of procedure, and not fair, re- 
 liable, staple prices. There is nothing so liable 
 to create ultimate dissatisfaction among buyers, 
 as this mode of treatment; whereas, if a fixed 
 rate of profit is adopted, no one can complain, 
 even if notes are compared. 
 
 222 
 
I had promised my house to give them all 
 the news pertaining to the market price of 
 goods in our line, as the press was not very- 
 reliable and prices could only be judged by 
 either selling or buying. At the time we had 
 our office in the same block as Jordan Marsh 
 & Co. who were selling such goods as they 
 either bought on speculation, or manufactured 
 themselves. As they were handling nearly the 
 whole line of domestics, I went first to see them. 
 I asked about business and what were the 
 changes if any. Mr. Charles Marsh said there 
 were none. While inquiring the price of a 
 1 % bleached sheeting under the name " Old 
 Colony" worth before the war, or to-day, about 
 \2y 2 cents a yard, he asked me $1.35 a yard 
 and proposed to me that if I would keep it a 
 secret and take it to my grave with me, he 
 would sell me five cases, or more, (speaking in 
 a whisper) at $1.25 a yard. I stood up and 
 howled so loudly that it could be heard across 
 the street, "I will give you 90 cents a yard for 
 five cases." Mr. Charles Marsh stood up and, 
 not to be outdone, howled as loudly, 'They are 
 yours." While it took a long time to sell 
 them, our loss was quite considerable. After 
 this experiment I went to the store of Wood- 
 
 223 
 
ward, Baldwin & Co., doing business in Balti- 
 more, who had opened a branch store in New 
 York, telling them my story of Jordan Marsh. 
 It was of these people I had once said to Mr. 
 Draper, the United States Marshal who had 
 not acted very honestly toward me in a gov- 
 ernment sale, that they were good honest peo- 
 ple, but had not a loyal hair in their heads. 
 This, because they dwelt on my loyalty. It 
 was Mr. Baldwin's pleasure after my remark, 
 always to speak of it in meeting me as follows : 
 "Not a loyal hair." In passing from the rear 
 to the front of their establishment, I observed 
 a second class sheeting, worth before the war 
 about 6 l / 2 cents per yard, and to-day possibly 
 5 cents. I asked the lowest price for 50 bales ; 
 the reply was, "70 cents a yard." I made him 
 the ridiculously low offer of 50 cents a yard 
 for 50 bales, and upon doing so, received the 
 answer, "They are yours. I am thankful to 
 you for having taught me how to sell goods." 
 Although very cheap that day, considerably 
 underprice, it was not long before we had to 
 sell them at a loss. These transactions enabled 
 me to determine the condition of the market, 
 and for weeks after I bought only the goods 
 absolutely essential, and undoubtedly was the 
 gainer ; as from that time, a steady decline fol- 
 
 224 
 
lowed, culminating in present prices, which are 
 lower now than ever before in my experience 
 of 54 years. 
 
 One Saturday afternoon I had finished my 
 work for the day and was on my way to take 
 the car. Just as I was passing Jordan Marsh 
 & Co.'s establishment, Mr. Marsh called me 
 over to his place and insisted upon my making 
 him an offer for five cases of % Lancaster 
 prints. His price was 32^ cents and this par- 
 ticular class of goods was very desirable in our 
 market. They were, moreover, exceedingly 
 cheap, when compared with others of similar 
 manufacture. I offered him 27^2 cents for 
 five cases, and he sold them to me at that rate. 
 When, however, we concluded our bargain, it 
 was too late to charge or ship them, as some 
 of his help had gone home. Upon the follow- 
 ing Monday morning, when I asked that the 
 goods should be sent in accordance with our 
 contract, Mr. Charles Marsh claimed that he 
 was only joking when the arrangement was 
 made; that the least price for the merchandise 
 in question would be 32% cents. However, 
 I insisted that he must ship the goods accord- 
 ing to our mutual original understanding. He 
 then made me promise that we would not sell 
 them for less than 35 cents, as he had just re- 
 
 225 
 
ceived telegrams from two of my competitors, 
 ordering five cases each at 32 cents. I wrote 
 my partner that our neighbors had been buy- 
 ing this line of goods at above rates. Mr. 
 Swarts believing that this statement of Mr. 
 Marsh's was only made to gratify me by de- 
 luding me into the belief that I had bought at 
 a lower rate than others, took no stock in my 
 report, but offered this invoice for 30 cents, 
 while at the same time our rivals in trade were 
 charging 35 cents. A customer who came into 
 our store about this time, priced the goods, and 
 after Mr. Swarts had given him his figures at 
 30 cents per yard, the gentleman asked him to 
 keep the price open for a few minutes, evi- 
 dently intending to compare it with the others' 
 charges. My partner told him the figures 
 quoted would remain the same until the last 
 piece was sold, whereupon the customer re- 
 turned to Buchman, and reported that we were 
 charging a lesser rate than theirs. They re- 
 fused to alter their price. Mr. Swarts ad- 
 mitted that he was not only willing but anxious 
 to sell them at the given terms. Buchman 
 then interviewed Mr. Marsh, and insisted upon 
 seeing the charge to L. Stix & Co. for the five 
 cases sold them; at the same time saying that 
 he would never buy any more goods from their 
 
 226 
 
house, unless an explanation was made of 
 the transaction which would be satisfactory. 
 Charles Marsh ordered his clerk to show Mr. 
 Buchman the entry in their books. He de- 
 sired to be informed upon seeing it, upon what 
 principle of justice Jordan Marsh & Co. could 
 explain their having sold the same goods to 
 two neighboring firms at 2y]/ 2 cents and 
 32^ cents respectively. To which query Mr. 
 Charles Marsh's reply was as follows: "It is 
 impossible for me to sell you goods and brains 
 at the same time." 
 
 Upon another occasion I paid $6 a dozen 
 for a line of toweling, where I had been asked 
 $7.50 by the case. They were the first cotton 
 towels that had ever come under my observa- 
 tion. I bought them with the impression that 
 they were linen, having no idea that cotton 
 fabrics of this kind were manufactured. Upon 
 discovering my mistake, and thinking that I 
 had been imposed upon, I complained to Mr. 
 Marsh. He heard what I had to say, but I 
 gained nothing by my claim beyond the re- 
 joinder, not particularly consolatory, "I love 
 to get the better of you, and find my repose 
 much more refreshing when I have succeeded 
 in doing so." I have sometimes thought that 
 this reply of his was intended to express his 
 
 227 
 
gratification at having gained a point which 
 might offset my greater shrewdness in our pre- 
 vious transactions. 
 
 About the same time, Mr. Marsh, who was 
 in charge of the New York store, and whose 
 business it was to report at the end of every 
 week what items of stock were still on hand, 
 sent on a statement to his firm, which showed 
 that he held a case of woolens that was the 
 last of a certain lot they had been selling at 
 $1.50 per yard. Upon receiving this report, 
 the Boston house ordered Mr. Marsh to drop 
 that case of cassimeres from his stock sheet. 
 They also directed him to sell it to the first 
 buyer without regard to its cost price. This 
 irritated Mr. Marsh, and he made up his 
 mind that the first customer who entered his 
 premises inquiring for this class of goods 
 should have the case in controversy at any 
 amount he might choose to offer. While in 
 this state of mind, it so happened that a Mr. 
 Seline, a partner of Strauss, Seline & Co. of 
 California, was passing on the opposite side of 
 the street. Mr. Marsh called him over and 
 remarked, "I have received peremptory orders 
 from the house in Boston to sell a case of 
 woolen cassimeres, the last of that particular 
 stock I still have on hand, irrespective of 
 
 228 
 
value." To this remark, Mr. Seline replied, 
 "I bought a case of the same woolens of you 
 a few weeks ago at $1.50 per yard, and I would 
 not give you $1.25 per yard for the same to- 
 day." Upon hearing this, Marsh bet him a 
 $25 box of cigars, that he would buy it, not- 
 withstanding his declination, at the same time 
 insisting upon his making him an offer. Se- 
 line, supposing that it would not be accepted, 
 thereupon proposed to take the case at 50 cents 
 per yard, to which Mr. Marsh agreed, and 
 Seline was obliged to pay for the cigars. Mr. 
 Marsh immediately wrote to his Boston part- 
 ners, "Your orders I shall always take pleasure 
 in obeying. I have accordingly sold the goods 
 in question at 50 cents per yard, and rather 
 than fail in carrying out instructions, I would 
 have parted with them for one cent." 
 
 On one occasion my house wrote me that 
 they had received a case of Irish Linen, with- 
 out any accompanying invoice. My memory 
 failed to recall any such purchase, and it was 
 impossible for me to place it. At one time, 
 while selling this kind of goods, I came across 
 this case of linen marked with a selling price, 
 but without a cost price. As this was quite 
 unusual, I inquired the cause of the omission, 
 and was told that they had never received the 
 
 229 
 
bill for the case, and that they had communi- 
 cated with me to this effect at the time it was 
 delivered. I then ordered the bookkeeper to 
 write to all the linen houses with which we 
 dealt, but received no answer from any that 
 claimed the goods. In taking stock at the 
 close of the year, there were a few pieces left 
 over to invoice, and I then consulted the books. 
 Looking carefully over the list of firms with 
 whom we had dealings, I found one name, 
 Paton & Stewart, known to our people only as 
 a dress-goods house. This house had been 
 omitted by us when inquiries were made as to 
 the goods. We then addressed them, and re- 
 ceived a reply, stating that they were very 
 thankful to learn what had become of the goods. 
 They had missed the linens, and had employed 
 a detective to watch one of their help, a porter 
 who had been in their service for a quarter of 
 a century. They felt great gratification in the 
 assurance that their old and trusty porter was 
 thus exonerated from suspicion, and worthy 
 of the confidence they had always had in his 
 honesty and faithfulness. The price of the 
 goods was a certain amount in gold, upon 
 which I could pay any premium I felt disposed 
 to pay, as the money was the least considera- 
 tion, now that their doubts had been removed, 
 
 230 
 
and the disappearance of the goods accounted 
 for. How the mistake occurred was never ex- 
 plained. On my return to New York they 
 thanked me most heartily, and I felt, after re- 
 ceiving their expressions of gratitude, well re- 
 warded for my perseverance in finding the 
 owners of the case, and above all, in clearing 
 the porter from all possible complicity and 
 blame. 
 
 I recall too, how one day standing in front 
 of our store in Cincinnati, quite an elderly 
 lady, somewhat bent and wrinkled, approached 
 me and inquired if this was not the store of 
 Louis Stix & Co., and whether Mr. Stix was 
 here from New York. Upon my reply that 
 he was, she asked where she could find him. I 
 escorted her into my private office, questioned 
 her as to whether she was personally ac- 
 quainted with the gentleman for whom she 
 asked, and whether she could inform me in re- 
 gard to her wants. "Well," she replied, "I 
 do not often come to the city, but I have been 
 informed that Mr. Stix lives here, or at least 
 has a store here. He used to stop at my grand- 
 mother's house, when I was but a little girl, 
 and made quite a pet of me, giving me candies." 
 I thereupon said that I was the very individual. 
 I had no difficulty in remembering the many 
 
 231 
 
pleasant hours I had enjoyed in her grand- 
 mother's house whenever I was in the neigh- 
 borhood of Montgomery, Ohio, and on such 
 agreeable occasions I was invariably treated 
 as one of the old lady's own children. The 
 little girl of that time, about fifteen years 
 younger than the writer, was indeed my pres- 
 ent visitor, and for the sake of the old times, I 
 insisted upon her accepting a trifling remem- 
 brance. 
 
 232 
 
1NOW learned that brother Aaron had en- 
 gaged himself in marriage to a young lady, 
 named Miss Rice, sister of the beautiful and 
 amiable Mrs. Lauer, and of Henry Rice, both 
 of whom I knew. We were delighted to hear 
 of their betrothal. While we had but little 
 knowledge of the young la-dy, we were warm 
 friends and great admirers of her sister, and 
 felt the highest esteem for her brother, and 
 family. 
 
 However, in view of what I have told of 
 the happiness of my dear parents in their own 
 home, it is not singular that when we learned 
 that a change of program was about to be 
 inaugurated, namely, that brother Aaron and 
 his wife were to keep house and our parents 
 board with them, we, with one accord, 
 raised our voices in opposition to this new ar- 
 rangement; but we knew our father's strong 
 will too well to rebel, understanding perfectly 
 that it would be of little avail to oppose it — so 
 it seemed that we would be compelled to submit, 
 and accept a condition of things much less 
 agreeable than the former. Though it seemed 
 
 233 
 
hopeless, I called my father aside, and brought 
 all my eloquence to bear, while I argued with 
 him against the contemplated change. I also 
 spoke with brother Henry in opposition to this 
 plan, but without success. In this connection 
 it seems proper to state, that while none of us 
 had any feeling against our new sister, we 
 feared for our father, who, though always just, 
 was nevertheless a headstrong man. At least 
 he had that reputation, and indeed it is possible 
 that I may have inherited his peculiarities in 
 this respect, for there are those, who pretend 
 to know, who think me, also, self-willed and 
 obstinate. In fact I have heard this so often 
 that I really begin to believe it myself. 
 
 An example of father's nature was shown in 
 his treatment of a young man, a second cousin 
 of his, who had invited him to his wedding. 
 Although the young man was not absolutely in 
 love with the young lady he married, still, her 
 influence at the time was sufficient to have 
 father's invitation countermanded. The bride 
 was a frivolous, trifling woman, and father de- 
 termined to be even with her. One Friday 
 evening, when all the family were gathered to- 
 gether socially, the bridegroom and his bride 
 called. Father remarked as they entered, 
 
 234 
 
"Your company is not worth the gas which 
 it consumes," and turned out the light in the 
 presence of his unwelcome visitors. 
 
 We did all we could to prevent this change 
 of residence on the part of our parents, the sole 
 reason for our opposition being the fear that 
 if they should not get along amicably together 
 and there be trouble, our father would not re- 
 main on the same footing with my brother 
 and his wife, and we should all regret that the 
 change had ever been made. At it was, they 
 lived harmoniously together until my parents 
 returned to mother earth. 
 
 Father died in 1865, an d after his death 
 mother continued to live with her dearly be- 
 loved daughter-in-law, though she had an only 
 daughter, living just across the street, no less 
 willing to do all she could for the comfort of 
 her surviving parent. 
 
 It is pleasant to remember that while my dear 
 mother lost her eye-sight some years before 
 her death, she never felt that she was in anv 
 respect an incumbrance, for no mother-in-law 
 was ever more kindly treated, or cared for, than 
 herself. 
 
 About a year after dear parents had gone to 
 live with my brother, while visiting them one 
 
 235 
 
day, finding father alone, I asked him privately, 
 "How do you get along with your boarding 
 house, and particulary your landlady?" He 
 replied, "You were more than right when you 
 cautioned me not to give up housekeeping, and 
 especially not to live with a daughter-in-law. 
 You did your duty, but no one could have fore- 
 seen what we have had to encounter, nor could 
 it have been guarded against. I neither ap- 
 prove of her, nor her peace doctrines, nor can 
 any one get used to her treatment. I have 
 lived all my life in my own way, and I find it 
 hard to give up what I have been accustomed 
 to, now that I am growing old, and to change 
 my habits for no other reason than her pecul- 
 iarities. When dear mamma and I used to 
 have our petty quarrels, perhaps for the want 
 of something better to do, I would sometimes 
 scold, as you are aware, but she would have 
 her say too, and it always took her a long time 
 to get through. We were happy then, as 
 happy as could be. But now all is changed. 
 I never saw a human being like my daughter- 
 in-law. I do not believe she possesses the or- 
 dinary passions and prejudices that belong to 
 our race. Like a dove, she is without temper, 
 and dear mother and I are her untiring con- 
 sideration and care." 
 
 236 
 
All that I have said in this memoir in praise 
 of sister Hannah is far less than her noble 
 character and disposition deserve. It would 
 be vain to try to do her justice, and she was 
 fully equalled by sister Dinah, who was, and 
 is to-day, as kind and considerate as herself. 
 I should love to write pages about the lovely 
 and noble character of Dinah, who married 
 brother William; as fine in every way as her 
 elder sister Hannah. Unable to chose be- 
 tween them as to nobility of character, I would, 
 if asked which one do you prefer, answer like 
 the little child : "I like them both." 
 
 From the very first day I learned to know 
 sisters Hannah and Dinah I loved and admired 
 them, and my appreciation has grown to such 
 a height that I cannot imagine it any greater. 
 May they both be rewarded for their many 
 noble deeds and the good they have done. The 
 writer bears witness to it all, and desires that 
 his knowledge shall not pass away, or die with 
 him. 
 
 As to brother William, his whole life history 
 has been such that his children may always 
 feel proud of their father, who, although the 
 smallest in stature in our family, is exceeded 
 by none in the largeness and generosity of his 
 heart. 
 
 237 
 
May the love those here spoken of bestowed 
 on their progenitors be returned to them a 
 hundredfold by their own offspring, and may 
 they reap in old age that blessing promised to 
 those who truly honor their father and mother, 
 securing for them long years of health and 
 happiness. 
 
 In the summer of 1865, just before father's 
 death, I visited Cincinnati, as was my usual 
 custom, to see my dear parents, who were 
 staying with their daughter, Mrs. Swarts and 
 family, at their beautiful country home on the 
 Harrison Pike. For the first time in my life 
 when leaving my parents, I seemed to be filled 
 with apprehension that I would possibly never 
 meet them alive again, and these gloomy fore- 
 bodings so occupied my mind that I parted 
 from them with more than ordinary reluctance. 
 I left without any fixed determination as to 
 whether to go back to New York or to return 
 from Logan County, Ohio, where I had con- 
 cluded I had better go to try and dispose of the 
 land which had been in my possession ever since 
 the night I had put up with Mr. Beard in my 
 early wanderings in the year 1844 now so 
 many years ago, when he and I had made this 
 trade of poor notes for poorer land as I have 
 heretofore related at length. Recently I had 
 
 238 
 
received letters from a neighbor, who owned 
 the land adjoining, offering me $10 per 
 acre. I intended seeing it, and disposing of it 
 for any price it would bring. I left Cincinnati 
 in the evening and arrived at Bellfontaine 
 in the morning. I hired a horse from a 
 livery stable. The proprietor directed me 
 which way to go. The land was about fifteen 
 miles distant, but the man had been so exact 
 in describing the road over which I was to 
 drive that I had not the slightest difficulty in 
 reaching my destination. 
 
 I inquired of the first man I met, whether he 
 could inform me where the Stix land was lo- 
 cated. He replied, "If you are Mr. Stix, and 
 if the county had not taken the ground you are 
 on for a public road, you would be upon your 
 own property. My name is Clapsadle, and I 
 have written to New York, expressing a wish 
 to buy the same." After acknowledging my 
 identity, I asked if his wife would be good 
 enough to give me something to eat, and how 
 long it would take her to prepare me a meal. 
 Mrs. Clapsadle, who now joined her husband, 
 was only too anxious that I should stay, as she 
 feared if I went to the village, a little group of 
 eight or ten houses about half a mile further 
 on, her husband might possibly lose his chance 
 
 239 
 
of securing the land. Besides, Mr. Clapsadle 
 had made a conditional arrangement with a 
 neighbor that if he procured it he would divide 
 with him. While Mrs. Clapsadle busied her- 
 self about the preparations for my breakfast, 
 her husband put up my horse and fed him. 
 The land looked to me quite valuable, although 
 $10 per acre was the best offer I ever had had 
 for it. I asked $2,500 for the farm to find 
 out what Mr. Clapsadle had to say. He felt 
 alarmed lest I should go to the town before 
 coming to some understanding with him, as 
 he knew that the property might bring more 
 than I had proposed selling it for, so he and his 
 neighbor decided to take it at my price, the pay- 
 ment to be $100 in cash, and the balance to be 
 divided into ten equal payments within ten 
 years. By the time these details were ar- 
 ranged, breakfast was served, and Delmonico 
 could not have prepared one any more to my 
 taste. — Spring chicken cooked to perfection, 
 eggs, fine butter, milk as rich as ever I tasted, 
 a bottle of wine, home made, and a nice napkin 
 all spread invitingly upon a clean white table 
 cloth. — In all my life I never enjoyed a meal 
 more thoroughly. After partaking of this de- 
 licious repast, we started for the town to have 
 the contract drawn up, and to borrow the $100 
 
 240 
 
agreed upon for the first payment; but not a 
 dollar could Mr. Clapsadle or his friend raise. 
 The squire, who was the note shaver, and the 
 only monied man around, would not, and could 
 not, be prevailed upon to lend the money. The 
 other residents had none, and the merchant who 
 w r as willing to help them could not afford to let 
 this small amount remain out for any length of 
 time. While these fruitless negotiations were 
 going on, Mrs. Clapsadle, with her children, 
 was crying, and her neighbor's family also 
 seemed much distressed. The miser and 
 money king then remarked that he was going 
 to secure the land himself, and if any one 
 wanted it he would then resell it at a small 
 profit. He came to me after going backward 
 and forward and offered me nearly 50% more 
 in cash on delivery of the deed. I then went to 
 Mrs. Clapsadle and proposed giving her all or 
 half of what the squire had agreed to give in 
 excess of what I had arranged to let them have 
 it for. But she met me with true American 
 spirit. 'The land is yours," she said, "and, if 
 we cannot come to an understanding, we have 
 to do without it. All my life we have been 
 wishing for an opportunity to buy it, but as we 
 are not able to raise the required amount now, 
 you might give us a short time to secure the 
 
 241 
 
sum needed for the first payment. I will not 
 take this man's blood money. I have no right 
 to it. Neither will I accept it as charity from 
 you. Nevertheless, I thank you for your offer 
 which is a liberal one." Remembering my 
 fine breakfast, I made up my mind to be gen- 
 erous. Mr. Clapsadle and the other interested 
 parties said they would agree to pay me the 
 squire's price if I could only wait for the first 
 payment. So I handed Mr. Clapsadle the con- 
 tract, at the same price we had at first agreed 
 upon, and allowed him six months to make the 
 first payment of $100, the balance to be ar- 
 ranged for in ten equal amounts; and I gave 
 them an order to my attorney in Cincinnati to 
 that effect. 
 
 The merchant of the place who was so well 
 disposed, but unable to assist them, afterwards 
 became a regular customer of our house, and 
 has frequently visited me in New York since 
 our first meeting. He became quite a success- 
 ful merchant, opened a jobbing house in 
 "Gents' Furnishing Goods," and largely en- 
 gaged in manufacturing the goods. Later he 
 wanted me to put one of my sons in business 
 with him in some large western city, and add 
 dry goods to the stock. He proposed that I 
 should equalize his capital, which he claimed to 
 
 242 
 
be $200,000. He had moved to Iowa, but is 
 now living in Omaha, if I remember rightly. 
 I forwarded his letters to Mr. Iglauer, but I 
 had no idea of accepting his proposition, or of 
 placing any of my children in such a business. 
 
 Mr. Clapsadle paid me for the land in ac- 
 cordance with our agreement, and he could 
 even have met the payments sooner than they 
 were required, for the land was full of black 
 walnut trees which paid more than double its 
 cost, only it was a considerable expense to haul 
 them to the nearest railroad station. Mr. Clap- 
 sadle and his neighbors are now well to do, but 
 the Shylock squire, who tried to bargain with 
 me against their interests, has lost his all. 
 
 As to my parents, my apprehensions had not 
 been ill-founded, for dear father died, after I 
 had left, in his seventy-eighth year, as the re- 
 sult of an accident caused by the running away 
 of Mr. Swarts' horses, which upset the vehicle 
 that contained at the time about seven of the 
 family, none of whom were injured but him- 
 self, and that fatally. He was still at the 
 country home of my sister, where dear parents 
 spent every summer after Mr. Swarts bought 
 his country residence. Both father and 
 mother thoroughly enjoyed this change, and 
 they were extremely happy there. I received 
 
 243 
 
a telegram to come at once with brother Wil- 
 liam, who was at the time East with his family, 
 and I had but just returned from my western 
 trip. 
 
 W e started on the first train West, receiving 
 a promise that we should hear the news of dear 
 father's condition at each important station on 
 the route. The first intelligence which awaited 
 us at Salamanca was unfavorable, and we 
 expected other messages as we approached 
 Cincinnati. But they only sent us a second 
 message to Dayton, which our friends did not 
 deliver, feeling reluctant to inform us of its 
 contents — the announcement of father's de- 
 mise. At Hamilton we met the morning paper 
 but had not the courage to buy one, fearing to 
 read a notice of father's death. As our train 
 ran into the depot, I remarked to my brother, 
 "If our folks are there to meet us, father still 
 lives, but if either friends or employees are 
 awaiting us, there is no hope." When we 
 alighted from the car, we saw Mr. Henry 
 Kupfer, and I asked him, "When did father 
 die?" He answered briefly, stating the time 
 at which he had departed. 
 
 From what I was able to learn, the acci- 
 dent could not be accounted for, as the horses 
 were always quite gentle, and apparently there 
 
 244 
 
was nothing unusual to startle them. The 
 driver probably became unnerved, and was 
 unable to handle the horses, as the runaway 
 occurred going up hill, with fences and em- 
 bankments on both sides. He let them run un- 
 til they reached the top of the ascent. On the 
 descending side it was quite steep, and the ani- 
 mals became the masters of the situation. The 
 vehicle was overturned, and the terrible disas- 
 ter was the result. 
 
 The same horses and driver were at the depot 
 to take us to Swarts' residence in the country. 
 Almost simultaneously with our entering the 
 carriage, the engine attached to the train we 
 had just left blew off steam, and the horses 
 started on a run. The frightened driver was 
 too much demoralized to know what to do, and 
 seemed perfectly incapable and helpless. I 
 jumped to the front seat, seized the lines from 
 his powerless hands, grasped the whip, and 
 used it with all my strength. The horses soon 
 recognized that they were conquered, and in 
 less than three blocks gave up all idea of gain- 
 ing their own will. After handling them a 
 little longer until they were well under control, 
 we reached the place without any further dif- 
 ficulty. 
 
 While on the way I made up my mind to 
 245 
 
prove to my dear mother that I was a man and 
 able to bear our great loss with courage and 
 fortitude; but in the face of this sudden and 
 overwhelming calamity, I failed to carry out 
 my brave intentions, and was not an example to 
 my dear ones who felt their loss no less severely 
 than myself. Dear mother came to me and 
 said, "You must not murmur ; we have no right 
 to complain of what God has done. He is the 
 Supreme Judge and we must learn to accept 
 His will as right and good. He knows what is 
 best for us and we should place ourselves at 
 His mercy/' 
 
 I often told my father that I did not believe in 
 saying prayers (kaddish) for the departed, and 
 he knew that I differed from him in this respect. 
 He did not consider that it was essential for 
 a good and obedient son whose principles were 
 opposed to the custom, to say prayers at the 
 death of any near or dear one. Still, as he did 
 not agree with the writer, but acted in accord- 
 ance with his own convictions, he left a certain 
 amount for the members of his congregation 
 to meet and have kaddish said for himself 
 and his beloved wife. 
 
 I here take this opportunity and occasion to 
 state, in order that there may be no misunder- 
 standing, that not only do I not wish any of 
 
 246 
 
my children or friends to say kaddish, — but I 
 positively forbid any of my children who may 
 differ from me, following out this old custom. 
 I hope that they will not consider it any 
 hardship to comply with this desire. I will 
 speak further upon this subject in some other 
 place, and at a future time. I want my body 
 cremated and my ashes thrown to the winds 
 of the sea. 
 
 Our dear father remained in full possession 
 of his mental faculties until his death. Up to 
 the time of this misfortune he was physically 
 strong and healthy, and would doubtless, but 
 for this accident, have lived for many years. 
 
 With our mother it was otherwise. She 
 seemed to wither bodily as old age crept upon 
 her. Her physical strength gave way while 
 her mind grew clearer, and her intelligence 
 was never better in her prime. It is delightful 
 to recall the fact that as her physical power 
 decayed her heart responded even more 
 warmly, if that were possible, to every throb 
 of love and attachment of her dear ones ; a love 
 which was constant and unfading in her. The 
 frost of age could not blight, nor the snow of 
 life's winter chill, the warm current of an af- 
 fection which increased even unto the end. 
 What wonder, when its roots were so firmly 
 
 247 
 
fixed, spreading and taking deeper hold every 
 passing day. It was like the water of an un- 
 failing spring, ever ready when most needed, 
 and hence the purest and most refreshing. 
 Hers was in very truth a blessed ending to a 
 noble, sweet life ; a hallowed memory to revere 
 while time shall last. 
 
 We were ever anxious, and as time pro- 
 gressed more and more able, to make our par- 
 ents realize that we were not only willing but 
 eager to do everything in our power to add 
 to their pleasure or comfort, and that it was 
 a great privilege to do so. They did not need, 
 nor would they accept, any assistance from our 
 hands. When they came to my house we were 
 hardly allowed to offer them any attention. 
 When, however, we visited them, which was 
 as often as was possible, sometimes even twice 
 a day, their hospitality was unbounded. They 
 spent many times as much on their grandchil- 
 dren as we on them ; and left, too, quite a con- 
 siderable estate accumulated by my father in 
 America, through his untiring hard work and 
 industry. 
 
 As I have already said, no man ever earned 
 success more honestly, or was more truly re- 
 spected, either in Europe or in this coun- 
 try than my father. All who had business 
 
 248 
 
dealings with him, found him ever the very 
 soul of rectitude, and worthy of perfect con- 
 fidence. After my father's death, dear mother 
 continued to live with our brother Aaron and 
 his family. 
 
 249 
 
DURING the winter of the year 1867, 
 Henry Stix and his family moved to New 
 York. We looked around, intending to rent a 
 store in which to commence a dry goods jobbing 
 business. The concern was to have been made 
 up of Stix, Krouse & Co. and Louis Stix & Co. 
 While we were deliberating, but had not as yet 
 arrived at any definite conclusions in regard to 
 details and location, our brother Aaron was 
 taken dangerously ill and died on April 23rd, 
 1868. This sad bereavement settled the fate 
 of the proposed enterprise, and each firm 
 abandoned the idea contemplated, and so near 
 its culmination, and remained in its own busi- 
 ness as heretofore. Without brother Aaron 
 we felt unable, as well as unwilling, to branch 
 out into new and untried experiments. 
 
 Brother Aaron was a man whom all the 
 world acknowledged to be the most noble and 
 charitable of men, if judged in accordance with 
 the amount of his means. 
 
 In speaking thus highly of my brother 
 Aaron, I would in nowise detract from, or do 
 
 250 
 
injustice to, the virtues of my other brothers 
 and sisters; yet, certain it is, that I admired his 
 generosity, although his great and liberal spirit 
 was too often abused and sadly taken advan- 
 tage of. In delivering brother Aaron's fun- 
 eral oration, Dr. Wise declared that "Aaron 
 Stix had been a good son, father, husband, 
 brother, and a friend to the poor and needy. 
 What more can be said than here lies Aaron 
 Stix. His name needs no eulogy, and further 
 remarks would not enhance his noble character. 
 The world knew him and his beneficent deeds, 
 which cannot be numbered. He was beloved 
 by all that knew him and deservedly so. I re- 
 member a remark he made to me — T never 
 compare my lot with that of those who possess 
 more of earthly affluence, but rather with that 
 of those who have less.' " 
 
 Brother had been particularly fortunate in 
 the selection of his wife, who was a noble 
 woman, who strengthened her husband in all 
 his good deeds. Each did his and her best to 
 render their home an ideally happy one for our 
 parents. Brother Aaron expressed a wish that 
 the family should not be broken up, but that 
 after his death, his wife, children and his 
 mother should continue to reside together. He 
 also asked that brother William and his family 
 
 25 1 
 
should move to Cincinnati and live with them, 
 which wish was carried out as long as mother 
 remained alive. Later, when brother William 
 moved to St. Louis, it gained what Cincinnati 
 lost. I believe both communities will agree 
 with me on this point. 
 
 While brother William lived with brother 
 Aaron's family and mother, he was afforded 
 the opportunity to become a partner of either 
 L. Stix & Co. or Stix, Krouse & Co. He chose 
 the latter and, in order not to come in conflict 
 with Rice, Stix & Co.'s interests, he also re- 
 mained a partner of that firm. After my dear 
 mother's death, he retired from the Cincinnati 
 business, and resumed his place with his old 
 partners at St. Louis, feeling that filial devo- 
 tion no longer required him to remain in the 
 former city. 
 
 Sister Hannah Stix, brother Aaron's widow, 
 lives with her daughter Ray, and is receiving 
 the reward which she so richly deserved. 
 
 Ray married Elias Michael — a self-made 
 man, who, despite many disadvantages, rose 
 from an errand boy to be a partner of Rice, 
 Stix & Co. and, long before he became a part- 
 ner, stood at the top of the ladder, and was 
 considered by the trade, the best judge in the 
 market in his department. Sister Hannah's 
 
 252 
 
eldest daughter married a Chicago gentleman, 
 a good and noble man ; no less respected and 
 worthy than the parents of his good wife. 
 Her son Charley is one of the head men of 
 one of the most successful retail dry goods 
 houses in St. Louis, and married a girl worthy 
 of her excellent husband. 
 
 When Zillah was about five years old, 
 she came in from the street and told me 
 that some neighbors of ours said that I was 
 sting} 7 and a miser, for I did not live like a 
 millionaire, although they knew that I was one. 
 I asked her, "Well, my dear, do you believe 
 it?" She answered me, "I do not believe it." 
 Then I put the question, "Why do you doubt 
 these people?" Her reply was, "If you were 
 so rich, you would live on Fifth Avenue." 
 
 On one of my trips to Cincinnati, about the 
 year 1875, I took my two little girls, Carrie and 
 Frankie, with me. We were delayed on the 
 way and arrived between midnight and early 
 morning. Not wishing to disturb my folks at 
 such an hour, we went to the Burnett House. 
 I took the children to the room assigned to us, 
 and asked them if they would allow me to go 
 
 253 
 
to the telegraph office, to which they agreed. 
 I left them in our room, and locking the door, 
 took the key with me. I had hardly gone, 
 when, as they afterward said, they noticed a 
 shadow on the wall — probably the coats we had 
 hung there — and commenced to scream and cry. 
 The guests had quite a time finding the cham- 
 bermaid who had duplicate keys, and everybody 
 on the floor was awake when I returned. Up 
 to that time our children had never known what 
 fear was, and it taught me a lesson to be more 
 careful in the future. 
 
 Our family was not timid, and our doors 
 were usually left unlocked; especially in the 
 14th street house, where the lower hall door 
 was wide open most of the time. 
 
 One evening, my son Charles was playing on 
 the piano, and while looking, as he usually did, 
 in every direction except in the direction of 
 the notes, he spied a thief and said, "There is 
 a man taking some of the overcoats. " I re- 
 plied, "If you would look at your notes half 
 as much as you looked all over, you would 
 save me from giving many a lecture/' Charles 
 thereupon continued playing and said nothing 
 more, although he plainly saw the thief remov- 
 ing all our things. He remained silent until 
 the thief had made good his escape. 
 
 254 
 
In the year 1878 or thereabouts, coming 
 into the house one day from the street, a white 
 dog which had followed me, entered with me. 
 As soon as Sylvan saw the dog, he called out 
 that he wanted the dog which had followed me 
 into the basement put out. He kept repeating, 
 "I don't want a white dog, I only like black 
 ones." I had not noticed that a black dog had 
 also followed me, and I called to one of the 
 elder boys to take out the white dog, and bring 
 in the black one. To my great astonishment, 
 one of my sons complied with my request, and 
 walked in, accompanied by a black dog. But 
 Sylvan only howled the louder: "Not that 
 sort of a black dog." The real truth of the 
 matter was that he did not want to appear 
 cowardly, and yet was quite frightened, so he 
 took this method of relieving his feelings and 
 protecting his reputation for bravery, by being 
 very choice as to the style of dog he preferred, 
 both in regard to the exact breed, and as to 
 the color. 
 
 Shortly after this episode, Sylvan went to 
 13th street school, but his conduct there was not 
 altogether what we would have had it. The re- 
 ports he brought home were unsatisfactory and 
 finally his teacher sent for his mother to inter- 
 view her in regard to his deportment. She ad- 
 
 255 
 
vised that he should be taken away from his 
 companions on account of their evil influence 
 over him. My wife, however, thought it was 
 the teacher's duty to dismiss such pupils, in 
 order that the good should not suffer, and 
 expressed this opinion quite decidedly. The 
 teacher then had no alternative but to tell my 
 wife that Sylvan was really a leader. After 
 that we withdrew him from these surroundings 
 and undesirable connections and sent him to a 
 small private school near our house, where the 
 teacher took great interest in his progress and 
 behavior. While attending the 13th street 
 school Sylvan had been quite unreliable in his 
 statements, but now the change for the better 
 was most perceptible. He became a totally dif- 
 ferent kind of a boy, and gave no more trouble 
 either to his family or instructors. In fact he 
 was a universal favorite. His sister Frances 
 exerted a wonderful influence over him, and 
 helped to mold his character according to her 
 own standard. 
 
 When Sylvan concluded to become an archi- 
 tect he went to Sach's school to prepare to 
 enter the Boston School of Technology. In 
 his third year in Boston he was taken ill 
 with typhoid fever which put him back a year. 
 While out of school he tried to get into the 
 
 256 
 
office of an architect, until he would be able to 
 return to Boston. He finally abandoned the 
 idea of returning to school. He went into the 
 grocery business, choosing hard work rather 
 than an easier life, with possibly less rapid ad- 
 vancement. He takes an active interest in his 
 present employment, and devotes more energy 
 and a greater number of hours to his business 
 than any other one of my children ever did. 
 I have the fullest confidence in his future pros- 
 perity. He is universally liked, is intelligent, 
 and believes he is able to cope with the world 
 with manly determination. His eyes are wide 
 open and he possesses good business qualifica- 
 tions. The only drawback that I can see is 
 that he may be a little too sanguine. He owes 
 much to his sister Frances, who has helped to 
 develop his character in accordance with her 
 own ideas and principles, which I admire; 
 though a happy medium may be better than 
 too great severity. 
 
 257 
 
I WAS once present at a meeting of some im- 
 porters at Staten Island. The conversa- 
 tion accidentally turned upon the Jewish trade 
 and credits. One gentleman, a partner of one 
 of the largest jobbing houses, made the remark 
 that he never sold to that class of trade except- 
 ing for cash. Three of the leading men of 
 prominent concerns, however, expressed the 
 sentiment that they made no distinction what- 
 ever, unless in favor of the Jews, as they found 
 them worthy and reliable, and, as a rule, if they 
 failed, they were anxious to secure a settlement, 
 and had friends to help them, so that the loss 
 was frequently made good by keeping on selling 
 to them. Another gentleman said, "It won't 
 be long before those very people will be the rich 
 merchants of this country." Richard, Iselin, 
 William Lattimer and Fred Butterfield all 
 spoke in the highest terms of them. Some one, 
 less acquainted with the Jewish trade, thought 
 they would soon own and control the busi- 
 ness interests and that they did not spend 
 money in the same proportion that Ameri- 
 cans did. Mr. Lattimer arose and stated 
 
 258 
 
that, while he always thought well of them, 
 lately he had concluded that thev were 
 more extravagant than any other people he 
 knew. One of the partners in a large silk 
 house remarked, "There is your friend, Louis 
 Stix, to whom no one can sell any goods to be 
 found in your house, and I believe that outside 
 of his own business, he takes more interest in 
 your business than any person I ever heard of ; 
 and at the very first opportunity which offers 
 itself I have made up my mind to sell to him 
 no matter at what sacrifice." Mr. Richard 
 also affirmed that if his friend, Louis Stix, 
 should ever be unfortunate, he would share 
 with him before he would see him in want. 
 The very gentleman who had so positively de- 
 termined to sell me goods, did dispose of a case 
 of black silk to me after I had bought all I 
 wanted of my friends Richard, Iselin & Co. at, 
 as he afterwards stated, a considerable loss to 
 himself. 
 
 Sometime after our Civil War, I had my 
 office at 16 White Street, and there Mr. Lat- 
 timer called on me as was his habit when seek- 
 ing for private information in reference to his 
 business. He wished to inquire about a party 
 whom I knew well, and I cautioned him not to 
 sell to the man, as he was unreliable, and had 
 
 259 
 
owed our house $5,000 for years, although we 
 were secured by a responsible endorser. The 
 person under discussion was no business man, 
 not over honest, and strongly inclined to gam- 
 ble; so I advised Mr. Lattimer to keep away 
 from him, or he would undoubtedly be cheated 
 by him, if any opportunity offered itself. Mr. 
 Lattimer left my office, thanking me for the in- 
 formation I had furnished, but met on the street 
 this endorser, the man's brother-in-law, whose 
 name had also been given as reference. He 
 inquired of the brother-in-law in relation to 
 the party's standing, and was told that he 
 knew the man well, and that the man was per- 
 fectly good, as much so as any person whom 
 Mr. Lattimer might sell. Thereupon Mr. Lat- 
 timer sold the party $8,000 worth of goods on 
 six months. The party paid this bill when due, 
 and the next season returned to make other 
 purchases. Again Mr. Lattimer came to me 
 for further advice in regard to the same party, 
 and I inquired how he had decided to act before. 
 He answered that he had delivered the goods, 
 and received his money for them. But, not- 
 withstanding this fair transaction, I could not 
 change my opinion, and insisted that if he felt 
 like risking, he might go on, as he was one of 
 those who could best afford to lose in case my 
 
 260 
 
predictions were realized. The man accord- 
 ingly bought his second bill of goods, failed 
 shortly after, and paid aoout ten cents on the 
 dollar. The other reference had assured Mr. 
 Lattimer both the first and second time that 
 the party was all right, but it was useless to 
 consult Louis Stix, who was the man's enemy. 
 This was said, knowing that Mr. Lattimer was 
 my friend and would probably see me in re- 
 lation to the said party's character and in- 
 tegrity. 
 
 Shortly after this unfortunate affair, I had 
 occasion to go to Mr. Lattimer's store on 
 business, and, as usual, intended dropping in at 
 the office; but Mr. Hill, his partner, told me he 
 had instructions from Mr. Lattimer that he 
 could not meet me; he felt too miserable for 
 more than one reason : firstly, on account of his 
 loss which he considered inexcusable, having 
 been warned; and secondly, he thought he had 
 done me a wrong by not heeding the advice I 
 had given out of friendship and interest in his 
 affairs. I felt sorry for my old friend and 
 pitied him instead of bearing him any grudge. 
 
 I never again met Mr. Lattimer in his office, 
 as he took sick after this, and could no longer 
 attend to his business. Mr. Henry Rice and 
 myself called at his private residence to make 
 
 261 
 
inquiries about his health. His servant in- 
 formed us that he could not be seen. We 
 asked him to please take up our cards, and we 
 would wait for his return. He immediately 
 came back with the order to show us up to his 
 master's room. In the meanwhile Mr. Lat- 
 timer had sent for his family. I was already 
 well acquainted with his wife, with whom I 
 had frequently rolled ninepins at Saratoga. 
 He remarked as we entered that it gave him 
 great pleasure to see us, and he was particu- 
 larly gratified to meet me again, as he felt that 
 he owed me an apology for the recent episode. 
 He introduced me as the one whom he regarded 
 as a model of a good man, and observed to 
 those present, that I was the same person about 
 whom he had read an article some time before 
 in the New York Economist, copied from a 
 western paper. After asking my forgiveness, 
 he begged of me that our true and friendly 
 feelings might not be lessened by his indis- 
 cretion, which he deeply regretted. It was not 
 long after this interview that he passed away, 
 leaving a noble name and a large fortune, of 
 which he himself had been the architect. His 
 many social and business friends deeply de- 
 plored his loss. 
 
 About this time our house in Cincinnati re- 
 262 
 
ported that they had received from A. T. 
 Stewart & Co., of New York, a case of Wash- 
 ington plaids without any accompanying in- 
 voice, nor had they, upon careful examination, 
 been able to discover any reference to it in my 
 cash statements. As it was our invariable 
 custom to pay such bills within ten days, at six 
 per cent discount for cash, I sent for a state- 
 ment, and the answer I received was that they 
 had no bill of any kind which stood open be- 
 tween us on that date. I immediately wrote 
 to Cincinnati the full particulars, whereupon 
 they gave me the number of yards and the day 
 on which they had received the goods. I 
 reported the result of my inquiries to A. 
 T. Stewart & Co. They still denied that 
 I was in their debt, and professed to have 
 no knowledge of any such invoice. Never- 
 theless, I frequently recurred to the sub- 
 ject, and moreover left with them a copy of my 
 Cincinnati memorandum, showing that the case 
 had been actually shipped and received by our 
 western house; yet with all this minute ex- 
 planation they failed to find any trace of the 
 transaction upon their books. It was not until 
 twelve months later, when A. T. Stewart's 
 firm balanced their account on Washington 
 Mill plaids, that they found it one case short. 
 
 263 
 
Upon making this discovery, they consulted 
 my memorandum, still in their possession, and 
 by its assistance they were enabled to find their 
 mistake, and correct the error. 
 
 It is interesting to note the result of my fair 
 dealing, and the manner in which this great 
 firm, never noted for its liberality, rewarded 
 me. While I was perfectly willing to pay them 
 upon a basis of six per cent for cash at ten days 
 with interest added from the time it was due, 
 our regular mode of procedure, they refused to 
 accept my offer of settlement, declining to allow 
 me the six per cent discount. They moreover 
 kept my check, at the same time sending me a 
 bill for the difference against me as they figured 
 it. After many altercations, I wrote to Mr. A. 
 T. Stewart personally, setting forth all the facts 
 and calling his attention, as the head of their 
 firm, to what I believed to be the justice of my 
 case. He replied that he never interfered, but 
 at the same time, took good care to decide 
 against me; a decision which I positively re- 
 fused to accept, feeling that I was absolutely 
 in the right, for without the timely assistance 
 of my note of information they would never 
 have been able to discover their error, and trace 
 the final disposition of the goods in question. 
 From the time of my refusal to accede to their 
 
 264 
 
demands, the house declined to sell us any more 
 goods unless for cash before delivery. For a 
 long time they were accustomed to send their 
 collector to my office to receive his check when 
 the goods were ordered. Finding ere long that 
 their modus operandi involved not only too 
 much red tape, but, a matter of greater con- 
 sideration, was too expensive, they changed 
 their tactics, and proposed to mark my bills at 
 six months' time, without privilege of discount, 
 an arrangement which I likewise refused. The 
 upshot of the whole matter was that they came 
 round to my way of thinking, acceding to my 
 terms, and our business transactions went on 
 according to our original understanding. 
 
 Mr. Richard, of the firm of Richard, Iselin 
 & Co.. had also for years made it his practice 
 whenever he sold a bill of goods, where he was 
 unacquainted and thought I would be apt to 
 know the party, to call upon me for information 
 in regard to the business standing of the per- 
 son in question. If I had no personal knowl- 
 edge, I investigated, often with great success, 
 by inquiring among my numerous acquaint- 
 ances. One time he sold to a man whom I 
 knew but slightly, and, after diligent search, 
 thought favorably of crediting him with $5,000 
 worth of buck gloves, and they were delivered 
 
 265 
 
to him at the usual time. Shortly after, the 
 same party wanted to buy about $15,000 to 
 $20,000 more of stock. Looking still more 
 carefully into details, I did not consider him 
 worthy of such a large amount of credit, and 
 he was refused. While in their office one day, 
 Mr. Richard informed me that another party 
 wished to buy the same lot of goods and had 
 given my name as his reference. Almost at 
 the minute my friend entered and Mr. R. 
 said, "I refer you to your friend Mr. Stix." 
 As he was "A-i," the sale was made with 
 perfect satisfaction, and the bill was paid ac- 
 cording to agreement. The merchant who 
 had been refused on account of my unfavorable 
 report failed the following year, and un- 
 doubtedly would have become bankrupt sooner 
 if he had assumed the large obligation that he 
 wanted then to contract, but which he would 
 have been unable to meet, as proved by the 
 sequence. 
 
 As I was riding uptown on the Church Street 
 car one day, perusing a letter which I had just 
 received from my partner, I suddenly observed 
 Mr. Barby, whom I had not recognized before, 
 because I was so absorbed in my correspond- 
 ence, and rather excited by its contents. My 
 friend noticed my expression and asked me, 
 
 266 
 
"Why so despondent?" I handed him my 
 partner's letter, wherein he said that he would 
 not put himself out in the least to meet our 
 heavy payments, as he had repeatedly written 
 to me not to keep on buying goods for which 
 we had no use. Thereupon Mr. Barby, the 
 partner of Iselin, offered me $100,000 which I 
 could keep as long as I had any use for it. 
 Money then brought about 4% more than 
 regular interest, and I was to pay the lowest 
 bank rate. I took the full amount offered. 
 After a long time money became quite a drug 
 on the market, and I met Mr. Barby on the 
 street. I had no money to pay him but I 
 simply asked, "Are you prepared to receive 
 your loan?" His answer was, "If you cannot 
 use it, I will have to take it back, but I have 
 $1,500,000 with my broker and only get 2%." 
 As I had received it when it was worth more, 
 I kept the loan until money was sought for, and 
 brought good interest. After Henry Barby 
 retired, Mr. A. Richard became the manager 
 and head of the house. I never asked him for 
 a personal favor, or one for my friends, that 
 he did not grant most cordially, and the writer 
 fully appreciated every consideration he thus 
 received. From my first acquaintance with the 
 house, until I retired from the active duties of 
 
 267 
 
a buyer, it was always a gratification to me to 
 deal with them. They had sold me goods since 
 the year 1852, and I had invariably found them 
 most liberal and reliable in every transaction. 
 Their word when once given was always ful- 
 filled, and their conduct was always in keeping 
 with their promises. No man could wish or 
 look for more noble principles than those which 
 actuated this firm in all their business rela- 
 tions. Later Mr. Richard gave another proof 
 of his friendship for me. He had retired from 
 business some years before, but now he called 
 on me at my office and remarked, "When you 
 wanted money in the past, you were ever wel- 
 come to all you asked for; to-day, although I 
 have not the cash to offer, yet I can assist you 
 if you need financial help, as I have learned 
 that you have invested extensively, anticipat- 
 ing a large advance. I came here to lend you 
 and our mutual friend Mr. Rice $100,000 worth 
 of government bonds on which you will be able 
 to get money at a low interest, and I can assure 
 you that your acceptance will not in the least 
 discommode me, but it will gratify me to be of 
 any service to you." Although neither Mr. 
 Rice nor myself availed ourselves of our 
 friend's liberality, yet I state this circumstance 
 to prove his sincere and practical expression of 
 
 268 
 
true abiding friendship. Our family picture 
 occupies a conspicuous position on the wall of 
 his parlor. Many of his visitors have fre- 
 quently mistaken my portrait for that of Gen- 
 eral Grant I am told. 
 
 Our loss in the years 1866 and 1867, after 
 the Civil War, was brought about by many cir- 
 cumstances. One was the decline in the value 
 of our stock. From this cause, we suffered the 
 most; and the next greatest was the large 
 amount of bad debts. Many of our customers 
 began business during the war without a dollar 
 capital. They married city girls, accustomed 
 to extravagant ideas, who lived up to their in- 
 comes. When the decline in the value of goods 
 came, they were ill prepared to stand the loss, 
 and bankruptcy stared them in the face. Most 
 of them failed and honestly so, and returned 
 to the positions from which they had risen, 
 seeking for their old places. The loss was par- 
 ticularly severe on those who had little to lose. 
 We lost a small fortune through these failures, 
 more than we considered ourselves worth at 
 the beginning of the struggle between the 
 North and South. Another serious disadvan- 
 tage was that, while we sold half a million dol- 
 lars' worth of goods in 1856 with $12,000 busi- 
 ness expenses, in 1866 and 1867 our expenses 
 
 269 
 
increased tenfold and our private living cost 
 four times as much. We had learned to be 
 extravagant. Our children have inherited this 
 tendency, and have grown even more so. 
 
 All my life I have valued my reputation 
 above the mighty dollar, and never felt inclined 
 to jeopardize my good name to secure even a 
 just debt. About 1867, the year during which 
 we lost a large portion of our capital, I was 
 called upon by a debtor who owed Louis Stix 
 & Co. the amount of $28,000. He came for 
 the purpose of securing me, and to effect that 
 object, he requested me to buy the concern, and 
 either pay him cash, or give him our note for 
 the difference between the value of his stock 
 and the sum he owed us. While this would 
 have liquidated our debt, it was only done that 
 I might give him a helping hand to furnish him 
 with ready money for his personal gratification, 
 but not with the view of paying off his other 
 creditors, whom he intended to rob and thus 
 swindle out of their just claims. So his propo- 
 sition to me was really intended as a bribe to 
 induce me to become an accessory and accom- 
 plice in hindering others from ever being able 
 to secure any amount due them. I had un- 
 doubtedly a lawful right to protect myself, and 
 no doubt, he felt confident of success in obtain- 
 
 270 
 
ing my assistance, on account of the large sum 
 he owed our house. Notwithstanding the 
 amount at stake, when I realized his object, I 
 scorned his proposition, preferring loss to be- 
 ing an abettor in his plan to defraud those who, 
 like myself, had trusted and assisted him. 
 After others attached his stock we did the 
 same, and, after long litigation, succeeded in 
 recovering about one-third of the amount due. 
 
 I recall how one Saturday evening I had been 
 visiting at my brother-in-law Herman's house, 
 and, when passing out through the basement 
 hall, I saw a huge watermelon protruding from 
 the ice chest, preventing the lid from being 
 closed. Fearing that more valuable things 
 might be spoiled and feeling, as usual, in an ex- 
 ceedingly obliging mood, I took the water- 
 melon with me, carefully closing the box to 
 save the ice from melting. Though somewhat 
 inconvenient, I generously sacrificed my indi- 
 vidual comfort, and carried the watermelon to 
 the Eighth Avenue car, as we had a much 
 larger chest, and could more readily accommo- 
 •date it. The next day some of the family, in- 
 stead of thanking me for my consideration, 
 complained that a thief had stolen their splendid 
 watermelon, whereupon I made up my mind 
 that in future I would be less thoughtful, even 
 
 271 
 
if things did spoil. We enjoyed the stolen 
 fruit, and when we informed them of our rich 
 treat, they felt rather grieved, and did not seem 
 to appreciate the joke to the same extent that 
 we did. 
 
 During the year 1868, a Mr. Wm. Krouse 
 and a friend of his were trying to negotiate a 
 loan of $100,000 on bond and mortgage upon 
 some Toledo real estate. The property which 
 they offered for security was represented by 
 them to be worth double the amount they 
 wished to raise. The rate of interest was not 
 a question, and the time asked was for five 
 years. They promised me $5,000 if I suc- 
 ceeded in getting the amount. They were 
 also perfectly willing to pay 12% per annum. 
 The first party that I found able and willing 
 to lend the required sum, wanted 12% and 
 $5,000 for their lawyer, who was to go to 
 Toledo, Ohio, where the property was located. 
 They were anxious to pay me 5% brokerage 
 and wanted me to consummate the arrange- 
 ment at once, but I felt that their demand was 
 an overcharge and determined to look further. 
 I saw other monied men and institutions. One 
 of my personal friends abundantly able and 
 willing to accommodate me, and who had just 
 returned from Washington, agreed to advance 
 
 272 
 
the money, if all was secured beyond a doubt, 
 and the charge would be 7^ per annum and 
 S500 to their lawyer for the expense of in- 
 vestigating. The sum could be kept as long as 
 the interest was paid. This was a most satis- 
 factory proposition, and as the security was in 
 accordance with the representation, the loan 
 was effected. I would not take the promised 
 $5,000 as I never intended charging them any- 
 thing. Shortly after I received word that 
 there were two horses at the railroad depot for 
 me, freight paid. They had taken the prize at 
 the Michigan State Fair for being the hand- 
 somest carriage horses in the state. I also 
 received an order for a carriage, harness and 
 all the trappings appertaining thereto. My 
 family enjoyed them for about six months, then 
 they were sold, and we were as delighted to 
 get rid of them as we were at receiving them. 
 
 The first day I offered them for sale, the 
 first person to whom I spoke of my desire to 
 dispose of them bought them at my price; thus 
 one of the most aristocratic families in the city 
 became their owner. I had made up my mind 
 to send them to the country, and with this pur- 
 pose in view, went in a heavy snow storm to 
 the stable to make arrangements for their de- 
 parture, where I met a business acquaintance 
 
 273 
 
of mine, a Mr. Whitehouse, who was there to 
 make inquiries about a carriage team for his 
 wife. I told him I had the best looking pair 
 of horses I had ever seen, and I could safely 
 recommend them as being the slowest and 
 surest, for I believed that if a cannon were 
 fired they would simply look around but would 
 not move. Mr. Whitehouse wanted me to let 
 him send my horses to his stable to show them 
 to his doctor so that he might drive them, in 
 order to decide whether he would keep them or 
 not. When I called for them he remarked: 
 "They are my horses, I will send you my check 
 for them." My carriage was also sold to the 
 manufacturer for a big price. 
 
 Business became extremely dull after the 
 Civil War was over, and the stagnation in- 
 duced me to experiment in exporting oil, as I 
 was informed that there was profit in the un- 
 dertaking. Accordingly I entered into an ar- 
 rangement with my friends, the Menkens, and 
 an acquaintance of mine, and other Menkens 
 who lived in Smyrna. We chartered a vessel 
 and loaded it with oil, which we had put up in 
 cans ready to be carried by camels through the 
 country. When our ship reached Smyrna we 
 found that there was a large overshipment of 
 oil, nor could we reship our stock to any other 
 
 274 
 
country, as the expense of reshipping would 
 have been too great, and would have meant an 
 immense loss. Our partner at Smyrna found 
 no market for the product owing to the 
 quantity already received, and concluded that 
 it would be far better to store the oil than lose 
 by its immediate sale. He was obliged to 
 keep it for two years before an opportunity of- 
 fered to sell it ; then he succeeded in disposing 
 of it, and realized its cost and interest, with 
 the expenses and a small profit. This result 
 was not sufficiently tempting to induce me to 
 experiment any further, so all desire to con- 
 tinue in exporting was abandoned after this 
 enterprise. 
 
 On one occasion, I determined to do a little 
 speculation of my own of another kind, so I 
 went into Wall Street. After passing through 
 a sweating process, at last I settled on Western 
 Union and bought 200 shares at 72. Inside 
 of 60 days Western Union sold at 47^. I 
 held it until I received word from brother 
 Henry to sell out his Western Union for about 
 72^, and then left word also to sell out my 
 last purchase at 75, which price was obtained 
 
 275 
 
in a day or so. I was also ordered to sell out 
 100 shares which Louis Stix & Co. had bought 
 in i860 or thereabouts, for 101, and received 
 85 for them. From i860 to 1873 Western 
 Union did not average 1 % per annum. Since 
 then it has paid its dividends regularly, and has 
 been more than doubled. I believe, had I held 
 my stock purchased at that time, it would be 
 worth, allowing 6% interest, not only twice, 
 but thrice as much as I paid for it. I did as 
 well with Western Union as I did with all my 
 stock speculations. 
 
 Here is an equally successful one. About 
 1890, I subscribed for $5,000 worth of con- 
 struction stock in the Southern Rio Grande, 
 which paid two for one, considering what the 
 stock sold for at the time in the market. I 
 divided with some of my children, who had 
 money at their disposal. To-day the road is in 
 the hands of a receiver. I look upon this in- 
 vestment as still worth its cost. About 1893 
 I bought 500 shares of this stock for $12,500 
 which at present is worth little, still I believe 
 it will turn out better than it now appears. I 
 also purchased in 1880, 100 shares of San 
 Francisco for 50, then changed it for Atchi- 
 son, three for four, and have since bought 100 
 of the same for 28 a share, which I could have 
 
 276 
 
sold three years ago for 40. Instead of doing 
 so however, I bought another 100 for 25 a 
 share. Together they cost me over $10,000 
 and the interest would double the price. They 
 are worth to-day about 4 — about Si, 100 in all. 
 I also invested in silver mining stock about 
 $12,000, on which I have realized only by sell- 
 ing $2,000 ; the balance is worthless. My loss 
 in silver mines and Atchison, with interest, 
 amounts to about $40,000. 
 
 I was one of the subscribers in the Dry 
 Goods Bank. After paying 6% for a few 
 years, its affairs were wound up, yielding but 
 80 cents on the dollar. I also subscribed $5,- 
 000 to the Real Estate Trust Co., and later in- 
 creased my investment. The interest was only 
 paid a few years. Computing at 4%, it should 
 have been double its value when I exchanged 
 it for $3,000 worth of stock in the Manhattan 
 Trust Co., which paid interest after a year or 
 so at the rate of 6^. The Sherman Bank in- 
 vestment, $4,500, has never paid any interest, 
 and in winding up will not even pay anything 
 to investors, while their capital, I believe, is 
 utterly lost. 
 
 277 
 
SOON after taking up my residence in New 
 York, I felt inclined to give something to 
 charity. With this object in view, I went on 
 Thanksgiving Day to the Five Points Mission. 
 At the meeting, the minister called upon those 
 present for assistance, and thanked all who had 
 before contributed for their liberal donations, 
 and then made the following remark: "And 
 all this is done through our Lord Jesus Christ/' 
 After the meeting was over, I did not give the 
 amount I had intended. The day following I 
 wrote a letter explaining why I did not think 
 they would care for money which came from 
 me, referring to the lecture on the preceding 
 day. My letter fell into the hands of one of 
 the officers, who wrote me a beautiful answer, 
 stating that they felt thankful to me, and that 
 they were doing the best they could to accom- 
 plish the most good. I have preserved this 
 reply among my papers. 
 
 About this time my neighbor, a Mr. Green, 
 called upon me at 14th street, to ask me to 
 become a member of the Bible Society at $10 
 
 278 
 
per year. I joined at his request, and paid my 
 dues annually for quite a succession of years. 
 One evening Mr. Green called to see me to 
 apologize for having taken my money for this 
 object, as he had just learned that I was a Jew. 
 I told him that he was perfectly welcome to 
 what I had given and that I would give him 
 more cheerfully, if he could convert all the bad 
 Jews to be good Christians. He reported me 
 to the society, and although they expressed 
 themselves as admiring my liberal spirit, yet 
 they have not since called for my dues as a 
 member, or for any other donation. 
 
 On the evening after the great Chicago fire, 
 having just returned from an eastern trip, I 
 went into one of the ward meetings which 
 were being held all over the city. Addresses 
 were made and citizens were appealed to for 
 assistance, to help their neighbors and friends 
 in this calamity. A committee was appointed 
 to collect then and there. As this was in one 
 of the poor districts, situated in the lower part 
 of the city, nearly every one gave, or signed, 
 according to his full ability; yet the contribu- 
 tions were not very large. Some jolly fellow 
 wanted to know why I did not give something. 
 Expecting to be called on by a dry goods com- 
 mittee, I did not intend to assist on this occa- 
 
 279 
 
sion, but finding it difficult to explain my posi- 
 tion, I signed for $100. This was the largest 
 subscription on the list, and when the amount 
 was read, one enthusiastic individual called out, 
 "A few more donations like that will help to 
 pay for the fire." Next day the dry goods 
 committee waited upon me and abused me for 
 sharp practice, considering my action a yankee 
 trick to get off cheap. They taxed me with the 
 proper amount and credited me with my sub- 
 scription. 
 
 It has been a pleasure and a privilege for 
 me to assist others, not for the sake of gain, 
 but to help them in business. This I have 
 done to a great extent. Although I have been 
 conservative all my life, I have not been so to 
 my relatives, but I have treated them with a 
 generosity not always most beneficial to them, 
 as has been demonstrated by certain results. 
 I have always made it a point of honor and 
 duty to be prompt in my payments, and my 
 wealth has been considerably overestimated 
 in consequence. 
 
 After a partnership which lasted for twenty 
 years with my sister's husband, J. L. Swarts, 
 
 280 
 
he died. He was a self-made man, hard work- 
 ing and industrious. An excellent son, brother, 
 father and husband. Though frugal himself, 
 he greatly enjoyed the exercise of hospitality 
 to others, and was liberal to all. It gave him 
 great joy to see others enjoy themselves, and 
 particularly his own dear ones. He paid the 
 greatest attention to parents and endeavored to 
 please them. He made it his study to have 
 plenty of the best, and the larger the crowd the 
 better he liked it. Waste however displeased 
 him. He was extravagant in spending money 
 for education. He had the best of teachers, 
 and the price was no consideration. He was 
 well rewarded for this, as he saw his children 
 very well educated, and musically accomplished. 
 Though we were partners for twenty years, we 
 never really disagreed. Our opinions some- 
 times differed. While I was of a disposition 
 to insist on having my own way, even if he 
 differed, he never let it go so far as to make it 
 unpleasant. He had very warm friends, and 
 his word was never doubted. His help were 
 always treated in the most generous way, and 
 he never thought himself above any of his men 
 with whom he worked. He was liberal to the 
 trade. He respected and loved his own family. 
 He particularly made it his duty to take as 
 
 281 
 
much of the burden from his wife's shoulders 
 as he could. He kept away from anyone who 
 tried to take advantage of him. He was a 
 good business man, and had excellent judg- 
 ment — he never liked a lazy man, as he was 
 very active and industrious himself. 
 
 On a trip from Cincinnati to New York 
 with a friend, we occupied a state-room, which 
 was about the only place where we were per- 
 mitted to smoke. A gentleman knocked at the 
 door, and asked for permission to sit in our 
 room while he smoked his cigar. We invited 
 him to enter, gave him a seat, and made him 
 welcome. We soon discovered, however, that 
 the odor from his cigar was quite strong and 
 objectionable. We begged him to throw it 
 away, and take in its place one of ours, which 
 were excellent. He explained that he had used 
 up his own and had been obliged to get some 
 at Pittsburg, not at all to his taste. We gladly 
 passed him ours and urged him to help him- 
 self. The conversation turned upon the 
 judges, to the number of about a half-dozen, 
 who had just been charged with accepting 
 
 282 
 
bribes in New York City, and I remarked that, 
 "Any judge, governor or public officer who 
 accepts bribes in any shape or form, should 
 be tried before the highest tribunal, and, if 
 found guilty, should be convicted and sentenced 
 to the penitentiary for life." In the course of 
 general conversation I also said, that "I 
 thought any judge of the higher courts should 
 receive no less than $25,000, and others in pro- 
 portion; while a governor, like the one in 
 Ohio, I would not dream of offering a salary 
 less than $25,000." The gentleman agreed 
 with me and said that I was right, and if this 
 were the law it might benefit him before he 
 was a year older, for he expected to be the next 
 nominee of the Republican party for the office 
 of governor of the state of Ohio. We urged 
 him to give us his name and he replied that it 
 was "Noyes," leaving out his title of "Gen- 
 eral." He walked on a wooden leg, and, al- 
 though he was modest, not claiming his mili- 
 tary honor, yet we felt convinced as to his 
 identity, and were pleased to have met so 
 charming a gentleman. Next time I was in 
 Cincinnati in the office of my friend and at- 
 torney, Mr. Kebler, he remarked to me, "Gen- 
 eral Noyes, just elected Governor, wishes me 
 to send for you to meet him." I was, of course, 
 
 283 
 
extremely pleased to again have the honor. 
 
 At the same time, my old and true friend, 
 Judge Stallo, also left word that he wished to 
 see me. His wife was one of the most lovely 
 and respected ladies it has ever been my priv- 
 ilege to become acquainted with, and I recall 
 many delightful evenings spent at their hos- 
 pitable home. At the beginning of my busi- 
 ness career, Judge Stallo was my attorney, but 
 he was so busy, and my legal requirements so 
 insignificant, that when Mr. McCook became 
 his partner, I gave up troubling him, as he 
 never would make any charge for his services. 
 However, when Stix & Wallach found them- 
 selves, as a result of Mr. Wallach's gambling, 
 in an extremely critical condition, it was neces- 
 sary for us to dissolve or be completely ruined. 
 I naturally desired to consult my old friend and 
 legal adviser, Judge Stallo. Unfortunately he 
 was not in the city, nor was he expected to 
 return for some time to come. It was then, 
 as I have before stated, that I met Mr. Keb- 
 ler, who not only became my attorney in 
 the settlement with my creditors, but from 
 that time on an esteemed and lifelong friend; 
 while my social relations were no less agreeable 
 with his family. Mr. Kebler's conduct toward 
 me on many occasions was so nobly disin- 
 
 284 
 
terested, that I desired to present him with 
 some small evidence of my regard for his 
 courtesies, a word which hardly expresses the 
 extent of his consideration, for he made no 
 charge for anything he did for me individually, 
 and was exceedingly moderate in his fees for 
 services rendered the firm. His strongest ef- 
 forts appeared to be in the direction of dis- 
 suading me from litigation and its heavy ex- 
 penses. Mrs. Kebler called and invited me to 
 her house on one occasion to meet mutual 
 friends, who were to assemble to celebrate Mr. 
 Kebler's birthday. Gladly accepting, I asked 
 her at the same time, if she could prove a good 
 mason by keeping a secret. She seemed to 
 think it possible, and, moreover, promised to 
 do so in this instance. I therefore showed her 
 a fine gold watch which I had ordered, with the 
 intention of presenting it to her husband as a 
 gift from our firm, not only in recognition of his 
 eminent legal services, but for the kind and con- 
 siderate manner in which they had been ren- 
 dered. I also said that I could find no more 
 appropriate occasion than at this birthday 
 party to make my presentation. 
 
 When the hour arrived, my old friend seemed 
 so overwhelmed by this unexpected gift that, 
 stout-hearted as he was, he became unnerved, 
 
 285 
 
and was hardly able to reply to the few words 
 I had spoken when presenting it. Indeed, he 
 begged to be excused, as he was too deeply af- 
 fected to express himself verbally, but hoped to 
 do so more creditably by letter. I am pleased 
 to say that during the last quarter of a century 
 I have assisted Mrs. Kebler in her charities 
 with my own contributions, and also those 
 which I have obtained from one of my friends, 
 Mr. George Clark, who has always shown him- 
 self liberally disposed. At one time, Mr. Clark 
 met with large pecuniary losses, which made 
 me somewhat reluctant to call upon him as 
 theretofore, when he was in more flourishing 
 circumstances. I proposed to him that he 
 should lessen his gift, or even omit it entirely, 
 as I was aware of his big loss. To this propo- 
 sition he replied, "My charities shall not suffer 
 on account of my lessened income, and I beg 
 that you will have the kindness to come to me 
 as in the past for any assistance I may be able 
 to render." This instance of generosity was 
 but one of many it has been my privilege to 
 witness. It is seldom in this cold world that 
 we meet with men of so broad and liberal a na- 
 ture, that they will continue giving to those in 
 need when they themselves feel the depressing 
 influences of an unsatisfactory balance sheet. 
 
 286 
 
MY real estate speculations have always in- 
 terested me, and so I state that at one 
 time or another, I acquired the following pieces 
 of real estate. The northwest corner of 7th 
 Avenue and 1 1 2th Street, for which I paid $10,- 
 875, and which I have since sold at a loss ex- 
 ceeding $22,000 figured on a basis of what it 
 cost me to carry the property. Also two ad- 
 joining lots on 1 1 2th Street, for $8,480 which 
 I have since sold at a loss of more than $16,500 
 figured on the same basis. A lot 25 x 100 on 
 110th Street, 300 feet east of 8th Avenue, at 
 a cost of $12,850. Two small brick houses on 
 Amsterdam Avenue between 152nd and 153rd 
 streets each igy 2 x 100 feet deep for $6,750 
 each. At the same time I bought a mate to 
 the two houses above mentioned on the same 
 block at the same price, within 20 feet of the 
 corner of 153rd street. I bought a house on 
 152nd street, with three lots on 152nd street 
 and three lots in the rear, for $23,532.75 and 
 sold the plot, as bought, to Colonel Fellows, for 
 $27,500 which was at a loss of $15,000 figured 
 
 287 
 
on a basis of what it cost me to carry the 
 property. I bought one lot 25 x 100 on River- 
 side Drive, the price paid $12,38473. The lot 
 is right opposite General Grant's tomb. 
 Bradhurst Estate, southeast corner of Amster- 
 dam avenue and 148th street, 50 x 100 feet, 
 was bought by me at auction in the spring of 
 1873 for $10,740. I bought two lots running 
 100 feet east from 8th avenue, from 110th 
 street to 111th street, 25 x 200 feet, for $14,- 
 957.92. I bought, in company with Leopold 
 Friedman of Lispenard and Friedman, and a 
 Spaniard, Gonzalas, the corner of 111th street 
 and Eighth avenue, three lots at the northwest 
 corner, with two adjoining lots on the street, 
 for $35,717.50, on which, when I sold it ten 
 years later, my loss stood me at $11,000. I 
 purchased two lots at 159th street and the 
 Boulevard 50 x 75 with a small cottage upon 
 them for $4,000. My loss on real estate in 
 the city of New York amounts to about $170,- 
 000; while my gain is $10,000, exclusive of my 
 wife's house on 14th street. My present resi- 
 dence No. 35 West 71st Street, would probably 
 not bring what I paid for it, if it had to be sold ; 
 but as I have always enjoyed it, I will not sell 
 it as long as I can afford to occupy it, which I 
 expect to do during the remainder of my life. 
 
 288 
 
It was in 1872 I bought a piece of land for 
 about $10,000 which has since cost me more 
 than four times that amount. I leased it to a 
 Mrs. Winter at $100 per annum for five years. 
 She moved quite a respectable frame house on 
 the land, but though she occupied my lots for 
 22 years, I never raised her rent. She was 
 worth some thousands of dollars, placed out on 
 mortgage, which was paid off in greenbacks at 
 her house. She carried this sum to her sav- 
 ings bank and placed the money for deposit 
 on the counter. Some thief watched his op- 
 portunity, snatched it, and ran away. Since 
 then, I have taken on deposit what little money 
 she has, and pay her one per cent more inter- 
 est than the bank would give her. She had 
 about $800 insurance on .the house standing 
 upon my lot and $800 more upon another, for 
 which she pays ground rent to a friend of mine. 
 I found out that her premium for insuring 
 each house was about $5 per annum. I told 
 her that I would attend to it and send her the 
 bill. I paid on $800 for five years $4.50. 
 Sometime in the nineties, my bookkeeper 
 asked me whether he should write Mrs. Winter 
 about her insurance coming due, but I told 
 him the better way would be to renew it, and 
 charge her with the amount. When next she 
 
 289 
 
came to my office, I was quite busy and did not 
 at first address her, but as I turned toward 
 her, she burst out crying, and between her sobs 
 said, "My house on Seline's lot burnt down 
 last night and my insurance upon it ran out 
 some months ago. I am the most unfortunate 
 woman alive to have neglected attending to 
 it, and I feel terribly about it." I had hard 
 work to calm her and remembering that my 
 bookkeeper had spoken to me about Mrs. Win- 
 ter's insurance, I at once requested him to look 
 over the books, and then I found that the policy 
 had been renewed. You can well imagine her 
 delight. I cannot describe her happy surprise, 
 and extreme thankfulness. I never witnessed 
 such a change in any person in so short a time. 
 It was as if from the depth of despair she had 
 been suddenly transferred to the summit of 
 joy. Long after this event she met Mr. S. 
 W. Weiss, and remarked, "Your father-in-law, 
 Mr. Louis Stix, has done more for me than 
 my own father ever did/' Such a compliment 
 coming from a grateful heart was a sufficient 
 reward. 
 
 I have sometimes been told that I interfered 
 too much in other people's business. Possibly 
 this may be so. But I found great satisfaction 
 and recompense in having done so in this in- 
 
 290 
 
stance and in many others, for I consider this 
 true charity. I have had sufficient encourage- 
 ment from the results obtained to continue 
 doing so until the end of my life. 
 
 After one of the Harmonie entertainments, 
 my friend Mr. Forchheimer's wife, my niece 
 Bertha Herman, and my wife, left the club 
 after midnight in our carriage. It was a clear 
 cold night. The milkmen were already mak- 
 ing their rounds. On the way, and within one 
 or two blocks of the stables that furnished 
 our club with vehicles, one of the horses fell 
 and broke our carriage tongue. The driver 
 begged me to hold his team while he went for 
 another tongue, which he promised to bring 
 in a few minutes. I accepted this task, totally 
 unconscious of the difficulties which would 
 arise in executing it. I soon became aware 
 of my serious mistake in consenting to this 
 arrangement, for a milk wagon came rattling 
 along, and the horses which I held, became 
 restless and were shivering with the cold. I 
 could think of no way to keep the carriage 
 from running against their legs. The horses 
 
 291 
 
commenced kicking and rearing, striking fire 
 every time their hoofs struck the stones. Al- 
 though I held them by the bridle, every time 
 they reared they nearly lifted me from the 
 ground. Fortunately I had taken the pre- 
 caution to get the ladies out of the carriage 
 before I took hold of the horses, so Mrs. David 
 Forchheimer and my niece ran to Herman's 
 house, which was only a block from the scene 
 of the accident. My wife remained with me, 
 and when I asked her to try and find a stone 
 and put it under the wheel, she did it like a 
 heroine. A milkman was passing upon whom 
 I called for help, but he paid no heed and drove 
 on. By constantly rearing, the horses finally 
 kicked themselves loose from the harness, and 
 after they were free they gave me no further 
 trouble, but were easily managed. If I had 
 been unable to hold them, they would have 
 probably been badly injured, and the carriage 
 undoubtedly would have been broken into 
 splinters. When the driver returned with the 
 carriage tongue, I was only too glad to be 
 relieved from such an arduous and perilous 
 undertaking as I had been engaged in. I then 
 walked to Herman's house, where I found 
 Mrs. Forchheimer. I escorted her home from 
 there, taking the car. Mr. Weinstock, who 
 
 292 
 
was the owner of the restive horses and of the 
 carriage, felt very grateful to me for saving 
 him from a heavy loss, and thanked me for 
 displaying such courage and fortitude. Per- 
 sonally I have always regarded my conduct on 
 this occasion as unprecedented foolhardiness, 
 totally unworthy of any credit for good sense 
 or wise, mature judgment. To-day, in review- 
 ing the scene, I can most assuredly declare 
 that I would permit a dozen carriages to be 
 shattered into fragments, rather than run the 
 risk of life and limb which I did that even- 
 ing. 
 
 293 
 
AT one time the Board of Directors of 
 Mount Sinai Hospital called a meeting of 
 their patrons and members to discuss and ad- 
 vise concerning their financial difficulties. 
 Two propositions were submitted for consider- 
 ation and action : either to raise $75,000 by vol- 
 untary subscription, or by means of a fair. I, 
 with many others, strongly opposed the second 
 plan. We did not relish the idea of going 
 among our business friends to tax them and 
 solicit first, money and goods, and then their 
 patronage in the undertaking. The ladies, al- 
 ways hard workers in the way of charities, like 
 myself, were greatly averse to the fair. I, ac- 
 cordingly, promised my full cooperation in 
 collecting the required amount among our co- 
 religionists. While I had excellent success, 
 others, just as earnest and efficient, were less 
 fortunate in results, so that out of $75,000, the 
 required amount for which we had pledged our 
 time and efforts, we secured but $50,000. Af- 
 ter many meetings, I was finally persuaded to 
 join in getting up a fair. The whole Jewish 
 community united in advancing the enterprise, 
 
 294 
 
myself included, and after three weeks of untir- 
 ing energy and perseverance, we realized nearly 
 $200,000. The table with which I was more 
 especially connected was one of the most suc- 
 cessful financially. I spent every evening at 
 the fair with my family until it closed. 
 
 The fair was nearly over, when I proposed 
 giving the proceeds of the night before the last, 
 to the St. John's Guild. One of the directors 
 made the answer that they could not and would 
 not do so, as every dollar was needed for our 
 work. I rebelled and complained against the 
 officers of the hospital, charging them with 
 false representation in misleading the public. 
 At first $75,000 was all that was required, and 
 now since we had over $200,000 they claimed 
 this was just the amount wanted. When I 
 took this attitude and accused the Board of 
 unfair dealing and want of reliability, some of 
 the members who concurred with my views, 
 called a caucus on the spot and nominated 
 Isaac Blumenthal, Hyman Blum and myself 
 as candidates for places on the Board of Di- 
 rectors. A few days later the oppostion in the 
 Board called another caucus in one of their 
 clubs, and nominated an opposition Board, with 
 only about three of the twenty-one old directors 
 among the nominees. At the next election 
 
 295 
 
the opposition took such an active interest, that 
 they sent conveyances to all the clubs, and to 
 any place where they thought they would find 
 those inclined to vote their ticket. The ticket 
 on which I ran was elected, and the new di- 
 rectors immediately went to work. It was not 
 long before the Mount Sinai Hospital was the 
 pet institution among our people, and a general 
 favorite throughout the city. The old Board 
 used about $30,000 a year, while our expenses 
 have increased to four times thirty thousand 
 dollars annually. If we had the room and fa- 
 cilities, we would double our work. O.ur 
 proper capacity is less than 200, but we often 
 have 10% more, and our dispensary work has 
 grown tenfold. We have paid for the dispen- 
 sary building about $125,000; have over $200,- 
 
 000 in loans on bond and mortgage, and usu- 
 ally about $25,000 with our treasurer; $10,000 
 being in special funds, such as the children's 
 and convalescents' funds. The interest on the 
 latter we use to give help to patients discharged 
 from the hospital who have no means of their 
 own. 
 
 When I first became a director, I was thor- 
 oughly alive, active, energetic and enthusiastic. 
 
 1 was especially successful in my efforts to se- 
 cure members. Considering myself in certain 
 
 296 
 
respects unequal to any of my colleagues, I 
 determined to excel them in this regard, and 
 accomplished more than any of the others in 
 this particular department. When Mr. Louis 
 Gans became a director he doubled my number ; 
 and Mr. Simon Rothschild secured more than 
 the whole Board put together, Louis Gans and 
 myself included, after he was elected an officer. 
 Personally I have expressed a wish to retire 
 from the Board of Directors to let younger 
 blood take my place. Frequently I have pro- 
 posed others to take my place, feeling that of 
 late I have been but of little benefit to the insti- 
 tution; but the Board would not accede to my 
 request. The only complaint I have to make 
 against them is their election of me as one of 
 the officers of the training school. I resigned 
 from both the Hospital Board and the training 
 school but was weak enough to be persuaded 
 to remain on the former. I have been a di- 
 rector about twenty years and feel highly hon- 
 ored to have been so long associated with the 
 members of the Board. 
 
 During the year 1878, the different charita- 
 ble organizations made arrangements to copy 
 as far as possible the English method of col- 
 lection to assist hospitals, and inaugurated 
 what has ever since been known as the Hospital 
 
 297 
 
Saturday and Sunday Association. Although 
 this plan was intended more particularly to 
 benefit corporations which were not self sup- 
 porting, yet the New York Hospital and Roose- 
 velt Hospital also joined the combination, and 
 Roosevelt Hospital afterward accepted its pro- 
 portionate share of collections. The plan pro- 
 posed was that any person could donate a 
 sum to the general fund, or the special institu- 
 tion could be designated to which any prefer- 
 ence was given, by the party making such 
 donation. An immense amount of good was 
 done in this manner. The division of the 
 funds was to be in proportion to the number 
 of hospital days each institution had furnished 
 free. The Committee to disburse the money 
 was composed of the Mayor of the city, the 
 President of the Chamber of Commerce, the 
 Postmaster, and other persons occupying prom- 
 inent social and political positions. The en- 
 terprise was one of universal benefit, totally 
 non-sectarian. Thus all races and creeds are 
 afforded an opportunity to assist in a truly 
 philanthropic enterprise, and enable the vari- 
 ous hospitals to carry on their benevolent work 
 more effectually by securing additional means 
 according to the necessities of each. 
 
 The Mount Sinai Hospital Board not only 
 298 
 
approved of this arrangement, but promised to 
 make every effort to render the undertaking a 
 success. To effect this result, in which we took 
 such a deep interest, all united in an earnest 
 endeavor, and I put my shoulder to the wheel, 
 and did all in my power to accomplish the 
 greatest amount of good where the most was 
 needed. Our Board sent out a circular to our 
 co-religionists, urging them to make their do- 
 nations to the general fund, and not to desig- 
 nate any one or more particular charities, 
 Our people approved of this liberal spirit and 
 acted in accordance with the request. The 
 collections from our people have counted up 
 to about a million of dollars, whereas Mount 
 Sinai Hospital has received only the smallest 
 share by designation; less than one hundred 
 dollars I believe, since the organization of the 
 fund; while our proportion from the general 
 fund averages one of the largest paid over to 
 any of the institutions thus united. Ever since 
 the inauguration of the association I have called 
 upon my numerous friends and acquaintances, 
 and have, individually, been able to collect the 
 fifteenth part of the whole sum, although not 
 less than 500 persons have assisted in the noble 
 work, among whom might be named about 100 
 ministers of churches. In performing my 
 
 299 
 
self-imposed, yet pleasant duty, I have, with 
 very few exceptions, been received in the most 
 beautiful way by those to whom I have applied. 
 One year I failed to visit one of my old patrons, 
 because he had retired from business and was 
 confined to the sick room. His usual subscrip- 
 tion was $100 per annum. When the next 
 payment became due, this friend, George Byrd, 
 of his own accord, doubled the amount he had 
 previously contributed. 
 
 Returning to the subject of the fair, from 
 which I have slightly digressed, in dwelling 
 for some time upon the subject of the directors 
 of the hospital, I will relate another little cir- 
 cumstance which I recall in connection with 
 this enterprise. One of my most intimate 
 friends came in, accompanied by his wife and 
 another lady. He had already invested quite 
 a liberal amount but I was not there at the 
 time, and had returned in order to meet him. 
 He then told me that the amiability and perse- 
 verance of the ladies had induced him to spend 
 considerably more money than he had carried 
 with him for that purpose, although he had 
 come prepared to spend extensively. I then 
 insisted that each of the ladies under my 
 friend's escort, should accept a bouquet from 
 me. Accordingly I visited the flower stand, 
 
 300 
 
with this purpose in view. The young lady 
 in charge of the flowers showed me some bou- 
 quets for which she asked five dollars each. 
 Then I inquired whether those were the best 
 she had for sale. Quickly s*he saw the oppor- 
 tunity, and seized it by displaying for my ad- 
 miration a far handsomer bouquet, which sold, 
 if my memory is not at fault, for three times 
 the amount already named. Under the cir- 
 cumstances there was no choice left me. I 
 could not do otherwise than select the best she 
 offered, to present to the ladies. My friend, 
 who had already spent generously, insisted on 
 my lending him a hundred dollars, of which 
 very little was left when he started home. 
 
 After the fair in which I had taken such a 
 deep interest, was over, I did not know how 
 to spend my evenings. I heard that there was 
 another fair in operation, so I went there and 
 found it a decided failure. The young ladies 
 were quite discouraged and hesitated to ad- 
 dress any one who entered, having been refused 
 so often. While I was looking around, a young 
 girl took courage and asked me if I would 
 please take a chance on a piano for one dollar. 
 I answered that I came there for the purpose 
 of assisting, and would gladly invest what 
 money I had with me. My cheerful remarks 
 
 301 
 
were soon noised abroad, and by the time I 
 had spent $50 I was regarded as a great phil- 
 anthropist. The president of the fair was 
 the Honorable Judge Daly. His wife invited 
 me to her table, and personally thanked me for 
 the interest I had displayed, and the encourage- 
 ment I had given to the young ladies. She 
 then told me, as did also the president, that 
 they would be obliged to give up the fair, as 
 so far, they had made but very little above 
 their expenses, which amounted to $100 per 
 day. I promised them I would spend this 
 amount as long as the fair remained open, 
 and would besides try to induce my friends to 
 attend it also. They thanked me heartily, and 
 accepted my offer, and, for the ten days during 
 which the fair remained open, I spent the $100 
 daily as I had promised, excepting the last two 
 nights when I nearly doubled my outlays. The 
 Judge thanked me publicly through the press. 
 A copy of his encomium will be found reserved 
 for you, to decide whether all he ascribed to 
 me therein is merited or not. On my way to 
 the fair, in the car I was pointed out as the man 
 who had made it a success. I asked my busi- 
 ness friends to contribute, and I invariably put 
 the name of the donor in the books. My many 
 chances won but two articles. My daughter 
 
 302 
 
Rosa, while at the fair with me met her teacher, 
 a Miss Jackson, to whom she introduced me. 
 She was soliciting chances on a gold watch to 
 be raffled off. I put her name down for all 
 the blank numbers but one, which number was 
 omitted accidentally. This last number Rosa 
 told me Miss Jackson refused to allow me to 
 take for her, saying that I had already done 
 too much. One of my friends, a Mr. Cohen, 
 was with me and I easily persuaded him to 
 take this odd chance and he won the watch. 
 This fair, I understand, realized about $5,000. 
 
 Years after the fairs to which I have al- 
 luded were held, a lady with whom I was 
 friendly, became deeply interested in a French 
 fair. I took her book of chances and nearly 
 filled it, and, in order to show my appreciation 
 and return the compliment she had so gener- 
 ously paid me, when she and others spent dou- 
 ble the amount they had intended, at the Mount 
 Sinai fair, I, with my family, went one after- 
 noon to this French fair, and spent every dol- 
 lar I had taken with me. As I was about 
 leaving, I met at the entrance Mr. Hoguet, 
 the president of the Irish Emigration Bank; 
 accompanied by his family. He wanted me to 
 return. I pleaded poverty, but he handed me 
 one hundred dollars. I had just enough 
 
 303 
 
change remaining after I left the fair to pay 
 my car fare home. Mr. Hoguet was always a 
 very good friend of the writer, and a very 
 liberal, charitable man. 
 
 304 
 
FOR a long time we had looked forward 
 with the happiest anticipation to the cele- 
 bration of our silver wedding anniversary with 
 our dear children, the members of our family, 
 and our numerous good friends. On that oc- 
 casion, every one present laid aside all care 
 and pre-occupation, for that day at least, and 
 joined us in our festivity, participating joy- 
 fully in our happiness. Absurd flattery, com- 
 pliments and adulation were bestowed with 
 marvelous liberality upon the bridal couple. 
 Wine flowed without stint, although it was 
 lacking 25 years previous on our wedding day. 
 After many speeches, brother Henry claimed 
 the right of entertaining the guests with an 
 account of my little eccentricities which did not 
 tend to portray me in my character of "The 
 Infallible Louis," an appellation which my 
 children frequently adopted when speaking of 
 me, and to me. This jubilee will ever be a 
 delightful remembrance to all my dear family, 
 who enjoyed the festive day beyond all expres- 
 sion. It was, in fact, a perfect reunion, full 
 of good cheer and kindly feeling. My friends, 
 
 30S 
 
Henry Rice, J. S. Menken and George Einstein, 
 were fairly bubbling over with witty speeches 
 and humorous remarks. Nothing was omit- 
 ted; the celebration was a complete ovation. 
 Success and harmony reigned supreme, and 
 crowned the occasion with unrivaled felicity. 
 Rice, Stix & Co., J. S. Menken, and many of my 
 kind friends no doubt wished to put me under 
 obligations by their gifts, but they really only 
 have compelled the writer, by their extravagant 
 and profuse recognition, to shoulder ever 
 since the burden of a heavy expense for rent 
 to the safe deposit company, to guard such 
 precious treasures as were then bestowed in 
 the shape of a magnificent silver service and 
 the like. 
 
 The caterer, who had taken advantage of us 
 by unscrupulous overcharges, quite received 
 his deserts, for which he had not bargained, 
 and which considerably diminished, no doubt, 
 his pecuniary profits, when the rope of the 
 dumb-waiter, which was overloaded, broke, 
 playing sad havoc with all the contents of the 
 dumb-waiter. It is an old established practice 
 among the orthodox Jews to break a vessel on 
 the day of an engagement, which we did not 
 follow then; but the breaking of so many 
 dishes on this anniversary was only carrying 
 
 306 
 
out the ancient custom, which we had previ- 
 ously omitted, with compound interest added 
 thereto. 
 
 After dinner the children had a stage pre- 
 pared in our "extension," as our parlor was 
 sufficiently large to accommodate and seat the 
 one hundred and ten guests assembled. The 
 performance was quite a success. It was 
 called, "Mayer here and Mayer there." Our 
 friends who witnessed it were so pleased that 
 those who heard of it were anxious to have it 
 repeated, and many begged me to let my chil- 
 dren play it at the Harmonie Club, which of 
 course I did not favor, and I would have felt 
 unwilling to consent, even had the Board ex- 
 tended to them the privilege. 
 
 In the summer of 1876, while going about 
 buying goods with Mr. Carl Iglauer, who also 
 came East to assist in purchasing merchandise, 
 he surprised me, while in the rear of Falkner, 
 Page & Co.'s store, by asking for the hand of 
 my daughter Rosa in marriage, as he had al- 
 ready obtained her consent, conditioned on her 
 parents' approval. My first answer was a de- 
 cided "No," and my remark too well known 
 
 307 
 
for me to repeat it. I and my wife were much 
 astonished. We had no inkling of his inten- 
 tions, and I considered Mr. Iglauer entirely- 
 unable to support Rosa. My refusal was cer- 
 tainly a great disappointment. In the evening, 
 when I informed my wife, in the presence of 
 Mrs. Nathan Stix, his sister, she made the 
 remark which was undoubtedly true : "I sus- 
 pected his attentions were too marked for those 
 of a second cousin. " My wife thought well 
 of the young man, and said, "There is one thing 
 in his favor, he comes of a good family," which 
 was, in fact, her own. Mr. Iglauer did not 
 appear at supper that evening, but he and my 
 boys spent the time together, and they made 
 him come to the house to sleep. 
 
 In the morning, after consideration, I arose 
 to let him know that I would cheerfully give 
 my consent to his request. He had left his 
 bed long before I awoke, with the understand- 
 ing, that whatever my decision might be, the 
 boys knew where to find him. It had been a 
 hard night for him, as he had promised Rosa 
 to let her know his success by telegraph, and 
 had waited, hoping for some more favorable 
 message to send her than that which he had 
 at first received from me. It was in the year 
 1876, as stated above, that Rosa became en- 
 
 308 
 
gaged to Carl. Rosa became the favorite of 
 all the dear ones at Cincinnati, and she deserved 
 all the credit she received for her determina- 
 tion to live according to her slender means. 
 We have since enjoyed many pleasant days 
 under her roof, with her lovely children 
 in her beautiful cozy home. Mr. Iglauer be- 
 came the leader of the business. Although his 
 tendencies made him conservative, still he was 
 undoubtedly on the right side. My interest in 
 the business is but small to-day, while his share 
 is the largest and most merited. I am past 
 75 years of age and feel the need of rest. 
 
 After this experience I went with my wife 
 to the Ocean Hotel at Long Branch. There 
 Frankie, Carrie and Sylvan were the favorites. 
 Frankie and Sylvan were the attraction in 
 the ball-room — when they danced, every one 
 came running in to see them. Brother Henry, 
 who accompanied me from New York to the 
 Branch, walked with me from the depot to the 
 hotel. A former Cincinnatian, whom my 
 brother Henry knew, was driving past us with 
 his own team, footman and driver, while I 
 walked with my brother and carried my own 
 satchel. Brother Henry made the remark that 
 while I carried my own bag and walked, the 
 gentleman driving had brought less means to 
 
 309 
 
New York than the writer. I answered that 
 while I wished him all the good luck possible, 
 nevertheless, I feared that the time would come 
 when my fellow townsman would learn the 
 worth of money and be compelled to work. I 
 afterwards met my townsman's father-in-law 
 at the Phoenix Club, where he was introduced 
 to me by an old friend of mine, Mr. Ascher, 
 though his son-in-law refused to recognize me. 
 He has since forfeited all right to live in his 
 own country, and has been exiled from all his 
 family. My prediction has been more than 
 realized. 
 
 In 1877 we spent the summer in Weston, 
 Connecticut. In 1878 we were at the Orange 
 Mountain House in company with many 
 friends. Rosa with her babe Zillah, our only 
 grandchild, made our stay most pleasant. 
 
 While we were living on 14th street most 
 of my children had accounts with the Savings 
 Bank on the corner of 8th Avenue, nearly op- 
 posite our house. On one occasion an im- 
 mense crowd was standing near the entrance, 
 waiting for the bank to open in order to with- 
 draw their deposits. The crowd constantly 
 
 310 
 
increased and became more violent and boister- 
 ous, although the bank officers assured them 
 there was enough to pay all and still have a 
 nice surplus left. The officers could not calm 
 the anxious depositors, while nothing that I 
 or a dozen others said was able to change their 
 determination to have their money. I gave 
 all my children who had accounts there an 
 additional sum to put in, and this had a good 
 effect. The president and board of directors 
 appreciated it, and remarked, "If others who 
 were perfectly convinced of the solvency of the 
 bank would do the same thing, the people would 
 weaken and this anxiety come to an end" . . . 
 the distrust having been brought about by the 
 failure of some other savings bank, thus caus- 
 ing a general alarm. The bank was perfectly 
 good then and is now; some of my children 
 still have their deposits there. 
 
 3ii 
 
IN 1879 I was about to take out further life 
 insurance. I hardly expecteti any exam- 
 ination, as on a previous occasion for the same 
 purpose the doctor did not keep me five minutes 
 and remarked to one of the officers, he had 
 never taken a better risk. But at this trial the 
 physician seemed to require a much longer time 
 to decide whether I was eligible. He put his 
 ear against my heart and commenced drum- 
 ming and beating me, and then asked me if I 
 was as well as usual. I told him that as far as 
 I knew, I was, and that I had not been sick for 
 a quarter of a century. He then said that he 
 could not take any risk that day, but to return 
 after I had seen my own doctor, or he would 
 call at my office, if I preferred. From that 
 moment I felt a terrible pain around my heart 
 and was convinced that I was not a well man. 
 When I returned home that evening my wife 
 noticed that I was depressed and despondent 
 and scarcely ate anything. I kept the cause 
 of my anxiety to myself. In the morning I 
 went to consult my physician, Dr. Livingston, 
 who, after a careful and thorough examination, 
 
 312 
 
could not find any trouble. He asked me to 
 call the next day, when he and his associate 
 repeated the examination. They then retired 
 to their private offices and remained, as I 
 thought, for hours. When they returned, they 
 pronounced me perfectly well. I asked them 
 what was the need or occasion for them to con- 
 sult so long and earnestly about me. There- 
 upon they acknowledged that they found some 
 local disturbance about my heart, caused by an 
 accumulation of fat around the vital organ. I 
 was advised to go to Saratoga and remain 
 there for three weeks and to eat nothing during 
 my stay but roast beef. By subjecting myself 
 to this diet, it was hoped that I would lose 
 weight. After remaining away according to 
 instructions for the necessary time, I returned 
 and joined my family at Xyack, where they 
 were spending the summer, minus just twenty- 
 one pounds. The company by which I was sur- 
 rounded there was very congenial, and I passed 
 many delightful hours, enjoying myself as 
 much as I ever did, notwithstanding my ail- 
 ment. During this season Toe Cullman vis- 
 ited Zillah, and they became engaged the fol- 
 lowing year. 
 
 After some intervening years, I was again 
 troubled by intense pains right above the heart, 
 
 313 
 
which brought back the old anxiety. Exam- 
 ination this time disclosed the presence of an 
 abscess. Dr. Livingston assured me there 
 was no danger, but said it would be slow and 
 tedious work before the sore could be healed. 
 I then changed my physician, placing myself 
 under Dr. Jacobi's care. Although he oper- 
 ated upon me successfully twice, because of 
 this abscess, the pains were not in the least 
 diminished — they were, if anything, more ex- 
 cruciating. Dr. Jacobi then proposed my con- 
 sulting some distinguished surgeon and 
 recommended Dr. Gerster. My Cincinnati 
 friends wanted me to have Hamilton or Sands. 
 I then asked the doctor to secure the services 
 of Professor Sands and to take Dr. Gerster 
 with him. I would do a great injustice to 
 Professor Sands if I did not speak in the high- 
 est terms of him. He was indeed worthy of 
 the illustrious reputation he had won. I learned 
 to love and respect him for his noble character 
 which was as admirable as his great skill. Dr. 
 Gerster treated me for three years under the 
 supervision of Professor Sands who regarded 
 him in every way worthy of his trust. He 
 performed numerous operations, and by his 
 incessant dare-devil determination, and the 
 bravery and pluck of the writer, united with 
 
 314 
 
the encouragement of my dear family, I have 
 at last overcome all difficulties, and am ex- 
 tremely thankful for the many years I have 
 since enjoyed. Dr. Jacobi's untiring perse- 
 verance and medical skill have restored me to 
 as good health as any man between the age of 
 seventy and eighty can expect to possess. I 
 take great comfort* and pleasure in my large 
 family, consisting of ten children, three daugh- 
 ters-in-law, three sons-in-law, and fifteen lovely 
 grandchildren. We have indeed just cause to 
 be proud of all, and sincerely hope that peace, 
 love and harmony will ever be their lot, de- 
 scending in turn from our dear children to 
 their offspring, toward which most delightful 
 result I ask the hearty co-operation of both my 
 children and my grandchildren. 
 
 After Dr. Jacobi performed the second oper- 
 ation, we believed that in a short time I would 
 be well again, and I had promised dear Carrie 
 that she might go with her brother Charles to 
 Europe to join her uncle William's family. 
 Before they left home, however, I was making 
 arrangements for the critical operation by 
 Professor Sands. Not desiring to disappoint 
 Carrie, nor thwart her great pleasure, I care- 
 fully avoided letting her know my condition 
 and the danger in store for me, while I did all 
 
 315 
 
I could to make her trip as pleasant a one as 
 she had pictured it. I also managed to write 
 enough so that no suspicion was excited that 
 I was dangerously ill. It was the year after 
 dear Zillah was married to Joe Cullman, a 
 young man in every way worthy of any man's 
 daughter, and one who has proven himself a 
 good son and a good father. I have always 
 enjoyed his company. After my principal 
 operation, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Rice invited us 
 to spend the summer with them in their lovely 
 home and make it ours. I accepted with great 
 satisfaction, as Long Branch had been recom- 
 mended for me by my doctors. Our stay at 
 their house was an ovation and added much to 
 my recovery. There was not a single thing 
 omitted that Mrs. Rice and Mr. Rice could 
 think of or do, to make us feel welcome and con- 
 tented. Such extreme kindness often brought 
 embarrassment, for it was far more than we 
 could ask, or had any right to expect, and every 
 attention was rendered in such a lovely and 
 beautiful way that we will feel ourselves deeply 
 indebted to Mr. and Mrs. Rice to the end of our 
 days. Frankie spent her summer with her sis- 
 ter Rosa in Cincinnati, and enjoyed her visit 
 there immensely. In the winter I also went 
 West, feeling that I could do so comfortably, as 
 
 316 
 
my wound was now healed. Still the pains did 
 not cease altogether, but they were not as 
 severe, and I had every reason to hope that they 
 would ultimately cease. I was doomed to dis- 
 appointment, however, at that time, for while I 
 was still in Cincinnati, the wound re-opened, 
 and I suffered more agony than during any 
 of my previous experiences. I sent for Dr. 
 Ransehof, feeling really alarmed at my condi- 
 tion; for wherever the matter exuded and 
 touched sound flesh, it poisoned it and made a 
 sore. The doctor assured me that this was of 
 no grave importance. He advised me to re- 
 turn to New York, so that I might again be 
 under, and consult Professor Sands in relation 
 to this development. From all of these difficul- 
 ties, after many operations and much endur- 
 ance, I was finally cured. 
 
 317 
 
THE summer of 1884 abides as a pleasant 
 recollection. For some years Sylvan had 
 spent his summer vacations with his French 
 teacher at the Catskill Mountains, with a lot of 
 other boys. In the year 1884, Frankie, who 
 had been staying with Henry Rice and family 
 at the Old Mountain House, and I, went to 
 see Sylvan. We were delighted with the 
 surroundings. The country was beautiful and 
 picturesque. W e stayed over night, and found 
 the house kept in excellent style. There was 
 a very good substantial table. The milk, eggs, 
 butter and vegetables were supplied from the 
 farm on the place. The farmer and his fam- 
 ily were extremely congenial with the teacher 
 and his wife. Mr. Porret, the teacher, pos- 
 sessed the happy faculty of making himself 
 one of the boys while at play, but he was also 
 a good disciplinarian. Frances and I then 
 went to Albany arriving there Friday, and 
 spent the evening at the home of my old friend, 
 Aaron Mann, where we met all the members 
 of his family. Next morning my wife and 
 Carrie, who came up on the night boat, joined 
 
 318 
 
us in Albany, en route to Saratoga. Mr. 
 Weiss found it convenient to have some bus- 
 iness at Albany, fearing Carrie might feel 
 lonesome. Frankie and I, together with 
 mamma and Carrie, again called at the Mann 
 home. Carrie and Frankie then went out 
 sight-seeing with Mr. Mann's youngest son, 
 then a freshman at Hamilton College, now the 
 husband of Frances; but Carrie, failing to find 
 anything interesting in that, returned to the 
 hotel very shortly, where Mr. Weiss was stay- 
 ing. 
 
 Frankie, however, enjoyed herself so thor- 
 oughly, that she only returned a few minutes 
 before train time, mother and I being on the 
 watch and very excited, fearing we were about 
 to miss the train. S. W. Weiss accompanied 
 our party to attend to some lav business which 
 I hope may be as lasting as it was successful, 
 for he gained his case. Frankie and Mr. 
 Mann have ever thought Albany a pleasant 
 place. Later when Mr. Mann attended Colum- 
 bia Law School, he called on Frances, who was 
 then in Europe. Upon her return, Mr. Mann 
 became a frequent caller at our house, and 
 there he again met Carrie, then Mrs. Weiss, 
 who invited him to dine at her home in Fort 
 Washington, to meet her husband and baby 
 
 319 
 
boy, William. Mr. Mann accepted the invi- 
 tation, provided Frances would consent to be 
 his guide, which she has ever since been. This 
 Fort Washington visit, the forerunner of many, 
 was made just as Mr. Mann was admitted to 
 the bar, and at Mr. Weiss' invitation, he en- 
 tered his office. After years of close compan- 
 ionship, Frances and Mr. Mann became man 
 and wife, and I am incapable of judging which 
 of the two is the bigger crank. It would in- 
 deed be a pity if they had not been united. 
 They were married on November 28th, 1893. 
 Their union has cemented the friendship ex- 
 isting for two-score years between Aaron 
 Mann and myself, and our families frequently 
 met when we were enjoying our summer va- 
 cations. Strange as it may seem, Aaron Mann 
 and I became friends from the very first time 
 we met as very young men during our early 
 struggles. Dorothy Gudrune Stix Mann was 
 born on the 25th of September, 1894, and both 
 families will fe'el equal pride in being addressed 
 by her as grandparents. The name Dorothy 
 was that of my noble and dearly beloved 
 mother, who was her maternal great grand- 
 mother. May she ever be most worthy of the 
 honored name she bears, and may the lovely 
 unspotted character which belonged to the dear 
 
 320 
 
one now consigned to mother earth, reappear 
 in this little one called after her. There is no 
 greater blessing with which she could possibly 
 be endowed than that she should command the 
 love, honor and worship which we children ever 
 bestowed upon our exemplary mother. May 
 this union of which she is the offspring ever 
 remain sacred in peace and harmony, and may 
 her parents be spared from all ill and sickness 
 until the close of a long and happy life. 
 
 Referring again to the period of my serious 
 illness, I returned early in the second summer 
 after a most serious operation to Saratoga, and 
 stopped again at Congress Hall, with which I 
 found no fault except that my daughters dis- 
 covered more congenial company at the United 
 States Hotel. Mr. Weiss, now Carrie's hus- 
 band, also evidently enjoyed Saratoga. I had 
 as much gratification as a man in constant pain 
 could expect. We were sorry to leave for the 
 White Mountains, putting up at the Fabyan 
 House. Zillah came up to stay with us, and 
 I shall never forget Joe Jr., who was at the 
 depot, calling out as plainly as he can to-day, 
 
 321 
 
"All aboard for the Fabyan House/' Many 
 worried and sleepless nights I had to pass 
 through, but the worst was still to come, being 
 only postponed for a season. I found that I 
 did not recuperate as I had hoped to in the 
 White Mountains, and was advised by the doc- 
 tor to go South for the winter, or in the early 
 spring. 
 
 In the mountains I met a Mr. Adler who 
 begged me to stop over night at New Haven 
 with him, as his mother was very anxious to 
 see me, and renew her acquaintance with me, 
 as we had crossed the ocean together in the 
 same ship. I wrote her to meet us at the depot 
 upon a certain day, mentioning the time that 
 we expected to pass through New Haven. As 
 the train stopped I stepped off upon the plat- 
 form, and saw quite a middle-aged lady ap- 
 proaching who said, "Is this Mr. Louis Stix?" 
 Upon my answering in the affirmative, she con- 
 tinued, "Will you please step back?" and intro- 
 duced me to her mother. My wife was pre- 
 sented also. My old friend then told me that 
 she believed I had grown older since she last 
 saw me painting and calking the ship. We 
 had not met for forty-two years, and I have no 
 doubt I had greatly changed during this inter- 
 val, and particularly so since my illness. I had 
 
 322 
 
been troubled with a cough, and had every rea- 
 son to fear that I had consumption. One of 
 our leading physicians met me in the cars at 
 this time, and found me looking well, and he re- 
 marked that he was astonished to see me in 
 such excellent physical condition, as people 
 who had been affected with my disease usually 
 died within a year of lung trouble. My cough, 
 however, did not yield to any remedies, so my 
 doctor ordered me to Aiken, where nearly all 
 the patients were consumptives. I was con- 
 vinced that I too had the disease, for I could 
 hardly eat anything without taking a douche 
 through my nose and mouth before my meals. 
 I felt weak and chilly and my appetite had for- 
 saken me. The news I received from S'tix 
 Bros., Herman & Co., was not very helpful to 
 a sick man. 
 
 On arriving at our destination, we could not 
 procure rooms in the main part of the hotel, 
 but we succeeded in getting good accommoda- 
 tions at the annex. The weather was quite un- 
 propitious, and so chilly that I was often 
 obliged to keep on part of my clothing, even in 
 bed, to get warm. We had to have a fire in 
 our bedroom and sitting-room. The table 
 was very poor, and I was a sicker man the day 
 I left the place than when I arrived. I re- 
 
 323 
 
member on reaching Atlanta, I went to bed 
 simply to be more comfortable, and we enjoyed 
 a good plate of soup, which we had not had at 
 Aiken. A New York brewer, sojourning at 
 Aiken, offered to bet that 100 quarts of the 
 milk which we had had, would not make one 
 pound of butter, and remarked, "I will return 
 to New York, for I would prefer to live one 
 year there, than twenty-five at Aiken." On 
 our way back I went to see Dr. Gerster, who 
 assured me that I had no lung trouble, but was 
 suffering from bronchitis, which might never 
 leave me; but that despite this, I might live to 
 be one hundred years of age. My cough is far 
 less troublesome to-day. 
 
 The sudden and inexplicable catastrophe, 
 the failure of the firm of Stix Bros., Herman & 
 Co. served to develop the true character of A. 
 Backer, who, finding that no hypocritical false 
 pretense would any longer result in his per- 
 sonal advantage, threw off his disguise and 
 appeared in his natural colors. He proved 
 himself a veritable Shylock. When asked by 
 my attorney whether I wished to do anything 
 in the way of arranging matters, I remarked 
 
 324 
 
that there was no necessity, as I had the 
 fullest confidence in the integrity of this man, 
 whom I had known for so many years and al- 
 though I regarded him as an honest babbler 
 and idle talker, I knew nothing further which 
 was seriously detrimental or derogatory to his 
 character. Although warned, I heeded not the 
 counsel received, to my sorrow, for I soon was 
 compelled to realize that he respected neither 
 friend nor foe when the almighty dollar was at 
 stake. Mr. Backer left me no option but to 
 submit to the best settlement I could make to 
 cover my losses. I felt thankful afterward that 
 things turned out then as they did, and that I 
 discovered the duplicity and dishonesty of Mr. 
 Backer and Sol Herman. This exposure and 
 dearly purchased experience saved me eventu- 
 ally from far greater loss which I might have 
 suffered in the future, in common with many of 
 Backer's friends and customers who were un- 
 fortunate enough to become better acquainted 
 with the old miscreant when he managed to in- 
 veigle them into certain unsuccessful enter- 
 prises. After this consummate rascal had 
 forced the last cent from me which it was in his 
 power to abstract, I then and there demanded a 
 receipt from him in full from the beginning of 
 the world to the very end of all time, and hav- 
 
 325 
 
ing obtained it, I forbade him ever to enter my 
 house, and promised never to cross his thresh- 
 old. As to the indebtedness to me, close on 
 to $100,000, I was willing to come in for my 
 share with the other creditors. My resolution 
 then determined upon, to have no further busi- 
 ness dealings with these people, protected me, 
 as before stated, from joining in an enterprise 
 which culminated most disastrously. Backer 
 enticed many who had not yet discovered his 
 true standing, to join in a speculation where 
 they were offered immense profits, but in place 
 of selling their holdings, they were persuaded 
 to reinvest them in a new undertaking and lost 
 their all. When the first results appeared to 
 turn out so favorably, and the second enter- 
 prise appeared to offer even greater oppor- 
 tunity of pecuniary advantage, I was asked by 
 a friend if I wished to join. He stated that I 
 might do so without having my name appear. 
 I steadily closed my eyes to the seemingly bril- 
 liant prospects, and rightly stood by my prin- 
 ciples. I would have neither direct nor indirect 
 intercourse with the man who had before be- 
 trayed his honor. The enterprise was an abso- 
 lute failure, so naturally I have never regretted 
 my decision. After Backer's death his daugh- 
 ter called on me and tried to prove that she was 
 
 326 
 
entitled to some moneys at my hands, though 
 nothing could be found in his books to estab- 
 lish such facts. 
 
 The Springer experience, too, has always 
 held its place in my memory. At my sug- 
 gestion, Sidney Hackes joined his brother- 
 in-law, Mr. Springer, as a partner in busi- 
 ness. I first assisted Sidney with about 
 $5,000. Then I loaned the firm $5,000 more, 
 and endorsed some of their purchases. My 
 purpose in helping them was so that they could 
 support their respective families. They sent 
 me more of their notes to endorse at the very 
 time when each partner was bringing charges 
 against the other for spending the money of 
 the firm too freely for private use. Springer 
 came East to raise more money, but I refused 
 to go any deeper, and advised them to quit 
 business and wind up their afYairs, as no 
 partners could succeed under such circum- 
 stances. I insisted also that they should make 
 an assignment for the benefit of creditors. 
 They so mismanaged that few received their 
 dues in full, and the greater number whom 
 they owed, including myself, lost all they had 
 
 327 
 
ventured. I wrote a letter reproaching them 
 for their unwise proceedings and criticising 
 their methods. To my amazement I received 
 a vituperative reply from Springer, who never 
 deserved any man's confidence, containing 
 among other things the assertion that it was 
 my good fortune, and not my good sense, that 
 had enabled me to become a rich man. From 
 that time on, I promised myself that there 
 should be an end of our relationship. I have 
 always believed, and still have reason to do so, 
 that the letter to which I have alluded was 
 dictated by my niece Ida, the wife of the un- 
 principled Springer, for I read between the 
 lines and recognized her impertinence, al- 
 though his signature appeared at its close, and 
 the handwriting was unmistakably Mr. Spring- 
 er's. Shortly after this they moved to New 
 York, and this very Ida required hospital 
 treatment. There was no trouble in securing 
 her admission, but she also called upon me to 
 get her a private room, as the operation she 
 had to undergo was important and dangerous. 
 At the time there was but one vacant room to 
 be had, costing $40 a week. The superintend- 
 ent promised me the first $30 room which was 
 vacant. It was in every respect as good as the 
 other, only it was in the rear of the building, 
 
 328 
 
while the other was at the front of the house. 
 She refused to change, was exceedingly 
 troublesome, and made complaints against 
 nearly every one with whom she came in con- 
 tact. At last the whole matter came before 
 the board, and I stopped it at once. It cost me 
 between $700 and $800, and to this day she 
 has not considered it worth her while to thank 
 me. Her husband called to see me while his 
 wife was an inmate of the hospital. He rang 
 the bell and came into the hall, but I refused to 
 allow him in my presence, sending word by my 
 children to this effect. I have since completely 
 ignored him. 
 
 From the time we moved to New York, the 
 checks for housekeeping I gave my wife were 
 always for two hundred and fifty dollars. 
 Sometimes her management was not so frugal, 
 and she got into the habit of asking for the 
 allowance ahead of the usual time. I neglected 
 the request once or twice, and she began to 
 give me a scolding. Once when this happened 
 the thought struck me that I had received a 
 check drawn to my order for twenty-five dol- 
 lars which was in my pocket. I endorsed it 
 
 329 
 
over to her; she passed it on to her butcher. 
 Although this check was different in color from 
 mine and was not drawn upon my bank, re- 
 gardless of that, and because my checks were 
 always for two hundred and fifty dollars, he 
 gave her the change of two hundred and fifty 
 dollars on this check and deposited it in his 
 bank, receiving credit for two hundred and fifty 
 dollars thereon. The second day the check was 
 forwarded from the clearing house and re- 
 turned to the bank and in turn to her butcher, 
 the error not having been observed until it had 
 reached the clearing house. For years after 
 my wife examined her checks, and for the past 
 five years has had her own bank account. 
 
 330 
 
IN the year 1885 a gentleman called at my 
 office and asked to see Mr. Stix. I immedi- 
 ately informed him that if he wanted to meet 
 Mr. Louis Stix, I had the honor to be called 
 by that name, whereupon he introduced himself 
 as a young- man who had clerked for me in my 
 Urbana store in 1843. He expected that he 
 would be received with open arms but I did not 
 recognize him at first, neither did I remember 
 any one of his name who had ever been em- 
 ployed by me. Although I never doubted his 
 veracity, yet it took me a few moments to turn 
 my mind back over a period of forty-three 
 years, so he did not receive as warm a welcome 
 as he fancied I should have extended him. I 
 then recollected that this must be the young 
 gentleman who, before he came to me, had been 
 in the service of one of my neighbors, a man in 
 every way undesirable, who never neglected 
 an opportunity to take advantage of others, was 
 untruthful and perfidious. My caller, I remem- 
 bered, had been the son of poor parents, and 
 so had come to me as soon as a chance offered. 
 He had fancied, however, that all merchants 
 were of the same principles as the one with 
 
 331 
 
whom he stayed for so short a time. I, on the 
 other hand, was naturally honest. Once when 
 I had been attacked through the press as a 
 vagabond and a wandering Jew, and, having 
 neither the skill nor means to exonerate my- 
 self, had been defended by the noble Dr. Mus- 
 grave, I had promised myself to be up- 
 right and honorable in all my future dealings, 
 and never give him cause to regret the interest 
 he then showed on my behalf. So it seems 
 that, imbued by these high principles, I lectured 
 my young man, and instructed him to be ever 
 honest, truthful and obliging, and never to enter 
 into any transaction which would cause him to 
 feel any sense of shame or mortification. 
 While he had accepted the place with me re- 
 luctantly, being unwilling to work for a Jew, 
 he soon changed his opinion, and became my 
 ardent admirer, regarding me as a good and 
 model man. Shortly after, he moved to Des 
 Moines, Iowa, where he met many of my inti- 
 mate friends and acquaintances, who observed 
 when my name was mentioned, that the gentle- 
 man took great interest, and showed both af- 
 fection and good wishes for me. One man, 
 who saw the weak side of my Urbana friend, 
 took pleasure in exaggerating my success, and 
 reported me a very rich man ; in fact a million- 
 
 332 
 
aire holding important positions in benevo- 
 lent institutions, and made other extravagant 
 statements. Hearing these wonderful ac- 
 counts of my prosperity and social exaltation 
 almost daily, and feeling both grateful and 
 kindly towards me, he often expressed an ear- 
 nest desire to see me once more. About 1885, 
 the opportunity presented itself to come to 
 New York with a drove of cattle. The cool 
 reception and want on my part of prompt 
 recognition, had chilled his ardor. I tried to 
 make good my tardy welcome by every means 
 in my power. However, he would neither ac- 
 company me to my home, to which I invited 
 him cordially, nor even lunch, nor take a drink 
 with me, but returned west the same day he 
 had arrived, a disgusted and disappointed man. 
 I assure you that his refusal to partake of my 
 hospitality hurt me for years after. He had 
 idealized me and credited me with molding his 
 happy and contented life. I can readily under- 
 stand what his feelings were and sympathize 
 with them. 
 
 While on a visit to Cincinnati, I met a man 
 who was sneaking around my brother Nathan 
 
 333 
 
and finally succeeded, by trick and imposition, 
 in selling him a tract of land for which we had 
 not the slightest use, near Newton, Hamilton 
 County, within six miles of the city. We still 
 own the property, and if we desired to sell to- 
 day, would undoubtedly lose upon it, and it 
 has never paid interest on the investment since 
 its purchase. This very man, McGill, laid a 
 trap for a gigantic swindle. He always tried 
 to avoid me. He was a merchant who owed 
 us for goods and had mortgaged some secur- 
 ities of his own make in which Louis Stix & 
 Co. had advanced money, and others also, if I 
 am correctly informed, and upon which brother 
 Nathan made advances personally. Not satis- 
 fied with having gained this advantage, he pro- 
 posed that the firm should become partner with 
 him in the railroad of which he was president. 
 He pretended great friendship and seemed 
 anxious that we should share with him in this 
 well paying undertaking. Brother Nathan 
 who thought well of the speculation, brought 
 the matter before me and I answered unhesi- 
 tatingly, "Not only will I not invest in McGill's 
 swindling scheme, but I want you to get out of 
 any transactions which we have with him to- 
 day." My excuse for this uncompromising 
 reply was the effect which McGill's roguish 
 
 334 
 
and dishonest countenance had upon me, con- 
 vincing me more plainly than words of his 
 dishonesty, and enabling me to form a just 
 conception of his character. The only mistake 
 that I made was that I did not see to it that 
 our dues were paid at once, for it was not long 
 ere my opinion was confirmed, and Louis Stix 
 & Co. were losers in a considerable amount. 
 As to the collaterals we held as securities, they 
 were forgeries. States prison or self-destruc- 
 tion were McGill's only alternatives. He 
 meant well by the state, however, and saved 
 it expense by taking his own life. If it had 
 not been for my disapproval and the chance 
 which called me to Cincinnati, he would have 
 placed many of his forged bonds. 
 
 On one occasion my wife was visiting our 
 daughter Carrie at her home at Ft. Washing- 
 ton and they went out for a walk. Carrie had 
 a big St. Bernard dog that always showed an 
 intense dislike toward any poorly clad person. 
 Such a man passed them, and the dog made 
 desperate efforts to jump upon him, but my 
 wife held the dog firmly to prevent any such 
 attack. At last the dog threw her down, and 
 
 335 
 
in the fall, she broke her wrist. The doctor 
 who examined it there could not tell whether 
 the wrist was fractured or not. She pre- 
 tended, however, it was nothing serious, and 
 at once returned home. Before reaching the 
 house she stopped to consult our physician, 
 who found that her wrist was broken. She 
 tried to make us believe it was only a little 
 bruise. I, however, sent for Dr. Gerster, 
 whose opinion coincided with that of Dr. Frau- 
 enfeld. It took a long time before she was able 
 to use her arm. 
 
 On another occasion she was out driving 
 with dear Carrie and William in a cab. They 
 observed that the horse was becoming un- 
 manageable. My wife, with her usual pres- 
 ence of mind and self-forgetfulness, told dear 
 Carrie to take care of herself. She then gath- 
 ered the rug around William, protecting him 
 from all harm. The vehicle upset and both 
 Carrie and my wife acted with bravery, despite 
 the shock and bruises. In the early hours of 
 the following morning Nina was born, and 
 spared to us by the remarkable courage and 
 skill of my wife, who, in the absence of any 
 physician, did heroic work. I recall vividly 
 too, how my daughter, Zillah, who lived around 
 the corner, a short distance from our residence, 
 
 336 
 
had come to the house intending to remain for 
 supper, but abridged her stay and with my wife 
 returned home. Shortly after their departure, 
 a servant came running back for me requesting 
 that I should promptly send our neighboring 
 physician whom I dispatched at once. Before 
 he had arrived, a second messenger appeared, 
 almost breathless, to impart the intelligence 
 that mother and boy were doing well and to 
 hurry the doctor's tardy footsteps. Howard, 
 one of the loveliest and brightest of children, 
 had just made his appearance. He will, I am 
 sure, one day make his mark in this world of 
 commercial strife, where he and his brother Joe 
 may prove to be competitors. It is not only in 
 precocity of intellect that Howard promises to 
 excel, but he appears to be equally favored in 
 physical development. 
 
 On the 6th of March, 1893, while my wife 
 was out marketing, she crossed from the north- 
 west corner of 72nd street, to the northeast 
 corner on Columbus Avenue. Just as she was 
 about stepping from the street to the sidewalk 
 she slipped and fell on the ice, which was cov- 
 ered by a fall of snow. We afterward ascer- 
 
 337 
 
tained that upon that very spot, which was one 
 of the most neglected places in the city, many 
 persons, including some of our neighbors, had 
 also fallen, but without any special injury. 
 She was picked up, utterly incapable of stand- 
 ing or moving. We sent for a doctor, who 
 pronounced her suffering from a fracture of 
 the hip-bone. They carried her to the first 
 house but one from the scene of the accident, 
 where she requested she be taken. This was 
 the residence of our daughter Zillah. Dr. 
 Gerster, my friend, who was summoned, found 
 the case a very serious one. He at once did 
 as much as possible for her relief, but under 
 the circumstances this was not much. She 
 could not be moved to our house for weeks, and 
 then only upon a stretcher. Although her en- 
 tire family were more than anxious to render 
 her every attention and assistance, yet we 
 found it of great importance to secure the skill- 
 ful services of a professional nurse, who took 
 admirable care of dear mother for one-fourth 
 of a year. The nurse was a graduate of 
 Mount Sinai Training School and I can posi- 
 tively affirm that she was worthy of the very 
 highest recommendation. After months of 
 patient suffering, mother commenced to walk 
 with two crutches; then with one crutch and 
 
 338 
 
a cane; next with two canes, and finally with 
 the aid of but one cane. She is able, however, 
 to go to market alone, although she walks 
 lame, and will limp as long as she lives. Zillah 
 and her husband proved themselves throughout 
 all this trying time well w r orthy of the good 
 name which they have always borne. Nothing 
 was too much for them to do. Dear Carrie 
 came daily, and sometimes twice during the 
 day, although often not allowed to see her 
 mother, as she was too sympathetic and found 
 it very difficult to control her feelings in the 
 presence of her beloved invalid. Frankie is 
 her superior in the sick room in this respect. 
 When the warm weather set in, mamma and I, 
 Frankie, and mamma's maid Alice, who acted 
 beautifully during this sickness, had a lovely 
 summer at Fort W ashington, and really did not 
 realize fully until then how good and charm- 
 ing our dear daughter Carrie could be. Sam, 
 her husband, united with his wife in making 
 our visit most delightful, and fully approved of 
 all the plans for our entertainment and pleas- 
 ure. Their lovely children too, brought sweet- 
 ness into our lives, like balsam to a wound. 
 They never missed a day that they did not 
 bring flowers to their grandma, and up to this 
 day they insist that she shall sit between them 
 
 339 
 
at the table, an honor they claim as their 
 peculiar and special privilege. We made good 
 use of the livery stable, and enjoyed driving 
 very much. Our room being upon the ground 
 floor, we had no stairs to climb in going out 
 and in. Altogether we thoroughly appreci- 
 ated our comforts and pleasures with the W eiss 
 family. I must say that all and every one of 
 our children have at all times left nothing un- 
 done that would please, and make them useful 
 to us. 
 
 340 
 
IN 1 89 1, we celebrated my 70th birthday and 
 had a glorious family reunion. All of our 
 dear children were present, excepting one, who, 
 on account of business, was unable to join us. 
 It was a charming family gathering. When 
 dear Belle, Ro and Florence entered our new 
 home, I noticed that their countenances ex- 
 pressed astonishment mingled with joy, and 
 their pleasure was so genuine and apparent, 
 that it diffused itself throughout all the guests 
 assembled to do us honor. Their faces fairly 
 glowed with animation and beamed with hap- 
 piness. Dear Florence enchanted us all at the 
 table by her speech, charming all with whom 
 she came in contact; as much at home as 
 her dear mother, whose heart is as big as 
 her person is little. Belle was like sunshine 
 to everybody. Our other daughters Zillah, 
 Carrie, Frances, Freddie and Lena, together 
 with our eight sons, all contributed their share 
 to the perfect enjoyment of this festive occa- 
 sion. Mr. Iglauer alone was absent, but it was 
 unavoidable, although his presence would have 
 been an additional delight. 
 
 341 
 
Those of our grandchildren, whose age 
 would have entitled them to be present were 
 ill with the measles. However, the next birth- 
 day which we celebrated, dear mother's an- 
 niversary, found those of them who lived in 
 New York and were able to take care of them- 
 selves, with us, and they greatly enjoyed the 
 occasion. I have since celebrated my seventy- 
 fourth birthday anniversary and have much 
 to be thankful for. My health for the past 
 few years has not been so good, but the wear 
 and tear on a machine so long in use must tell. 
 It will require some oiling, no doubt, as the 
 years slip by, to keep it running. 
 
 Part of the summer of 1894 dear mamma 
 and I spent at Hot Springs. We took with us 
 our model maid, Alice, and the remainder of 
 the summer we spent at Far Rockaway, where 
 we found Zillah, her husband and two lovely 
 boys, the pride of their dear parents' and 
 grandparents' hearts. Howard, the baby, was 
 two and a half years old. He is a charming 
 little fellow, and Joe, his elder brother, is a fine 
 good boy. It will not be his fault if he is 
 spoiled, as both his father and mother are doing 
 their share toward accomplishing that result. 
 
 At Hot Springs we were visited by my sons 
 Joseph and Aaron, the latter accompanied by 
 
 342 
 
his wife, with their exemplary boy, Hans, who 
 was a general favorite; while his mother was 
 so lovely and attractive, that sunshine and hap- 
 piness seemed part of her. We were always 
 very fond of her. Another summer when at 
 Hot Springs, Frances was with us and we were 
 visited by Carl, Ro and her lovely children. 
 Their stay with us made our summer all that 
 we could have desired. Zillah and Florence 
 were the companions of dear Frankie. Dur- 
 ing the time that Carl and Rosa were not there 
 Frances assumed a motherly attitude toward 
 the girls. 
 
 An extremely kind and thoughtful act of 
 which I have in recent years been the recipi- 
 ent, and for which I feel grateful, was the at- 
 tention of Mr. Michaels in presenting me with 
 the kev of the house in which I was born. To 
 it is attached a silver plate, on which is in- 
 scribed these facts. I cannot overestimate 
 such friendly consideration. The sight of this 
 souvenir recalls the home of my youth, the dear 
 ones now gone who brightened it, and all 
 those fond recollections that centered around 
 the birthplace, hallowed by the presence of my 
 
 343 
 
adored mother, revered father, and affection- 
 ate brothers and sister. These memories en- 
 dear this keepsake, and I would like it pre- 
 served with my biography. 
 
 For a quarter of a century, Mrs. Seligman 
 Reus of Bamberg, Germany, the mother of 
 Henry Rice, has heard of me and has desired 
 to meet me, having made the acquaintance of 
 four of my children. We have not had that 
 pleasure as yet although our families have inter- 
 married to such an extent, that it seems like the 
 union of two streams flowing into one chan- 
 nel. It has, however, been my privilege to 
 show Mr. and Mrs. Reus, some slight atten- 
 tions expressive of appreciation and respect, 
 and last year, they honored me by presenting 
 me with a silver cup inscribed with their names, 
 which token of esteem is very precious coming 
 from such a source. I trust my children will 
 value it even as I do, and remember the lovely 
 feeling which induced Mr. and Mrs. Reus to 
 bestow this gift of honorable recognition upon 
 my wife and myself. 
 
 344 
 
Pauline Stix, the wife of Henry Stix, was 
 Pauline Turnauer. She was a good, noble and 
 lovely woman, dearly beloved, for she was in- 
 deed an excellent and charming wife, and her 
 virtues live again in her daughter, Aurelia 
 Rice, who keeps up the same high standard. 
 Let me here express the wish and hope that 
 Aurelia's descendants may emulate her perfec- 
 tions and those of her worthy brother, Henry S. 
 Stix. 
 
 I would gladly venture some further remarks 
 about dear Aurelia, but fear that she might 
 consider me a flatterer. At the same time, I 
 dread that I should do her less justice than 
 she merits. I will, therefore, content myself 
 with an expression of good wishes for her and 
 her worthy brother. May they never be less 
 happy than I imagine them to be to-day, with 
 their most delightful families. 
 
 I was present at the funeral of dear Harry 
 Rice, Aurelia's eldest son. While it was heart- 
 rending to see the bereaved parents, it never- 
 theless was a great satisfaction to be with 
 them and share with them their hour of 
 mourning and sorrow. On my departure, 
 dear Erna, Aurelia's daughter, accompanied 
 me to the depot. Before entering the car, in 
 her lovely and childish way, she begged me not 
 
 345 
 
to forget to inscribe her name in my memoir. 
 But little did I think, when I promised her, 
 that this dear and lovely girl would follow her 
 beloved brother in so short a time. Harry 
 Rice died in the city of Boston, while at school 
 Shortly before his death, he had visited me 
 during his vacation. Any attention shown him 
 was always greatly appreciated and was most 
 thankfully acknowledged. His faultless char- 
 acter and strong principles were evident. 
 While but a child, driving out with his good 
 mother he passed a peach tree. Some de- 
 licious looking fruit had dropped to the road- 
 way. His mother wanted him to pick up a few 
 peaches that were lying on the ground. His 
 answer to his mother was, what right have you 
 to those peaches, this fruit belongs to the oc- 
 cupant of the adjoining land — he would only 
 consent to pick some up by placing an equiva- 
 lent in money in their stead. The annexed 
 letter was received, with many others, from his 
 classmates and speaks for itself: 
 
 My Dear Mrs. Rice: 
 
 My heart leads me at this time to write a few lines 
 to comfort you in this sad hour of your bereavement. 
 
 Knowing and appreciating your dear boy's pure 
 and noble character, his remarkably high sense of 
 
 346 
 
honor, and the elevated moral plane upon which he 
 walked. I believe I can in some measure enter into 
 the sorrow which I know wrings his parents' hearts. 
 
 Do not feel at this time that your cup is one of 
 unmingled sorrow, for your boy's life was well spent, 
 and his friends who knew him best will remember 
 his life as a power for good, as lifting up to them 
 a high moral standard, which few men of to-day 
 could contemplate without blushing. 
 
 "No life can be pure in its purpose and strong in its strife. 
 And all life not be purer and stronger thereby." 
 
 For myself. I feel proud to-day and always shall., 
 to say that your son was one of my most honored 
 friends, snd to tell others of his pure and noble life. 
 His memory will always be dear to me and to all 
 who knew him as I did. 
 
 Throughout our entire course as classmates your 
 son's character was the highest to which anyone could 
 point, and he was unanimously admired for his prin- 
 ciples among classmates and teachers. 
 
 His memory will be a source of pride, joy and in- 
 spiration to all who knew him. and my hope and 
 prayer is that the assurance of this truth will be a 
 source of comfort to his parents in this dark hour of 
 sorrow. May God bless you and comfort you at 
 this time of distress, is the prayer of both my mother 
 and myself. 
 
 Your very sincere friend. 
 
 Thomas C. Dutro. 
 
 How shall I keep my promise to Erna. who 
 so soon followed her beloved brother? Her 
 
 347 
 
summons was a heartbreaking occurrence, and 
 we are unable to see the wisdom of such in- 
 nocence and youth being torn away from its 
 loved ones. 
 
 Charlie proved to be a model son to his af- 
 flicted parents. 
 
 Isaac Gundersheimer, who married my 
 wife's sister in the year 1853, although no ac- 
 quisition to the family, was, nevertheless, an 
 honest man; but minus all business qualifica- 
 tions. His inferiority to his wife was quite 
 perceptible, and she felt it keenly. She was in- 
 clined to keep her unhappy situation to herself, 
 but it was not long before she saw her hus- 
 band's total incapacity for success in life. A 
 hatred of his kin was engendered which was 
 reciprocated and, as time advanced, this an- 
 tipathy increased. 
 
 Throughout the lives of Isaac and Louisa 
 Gundersheimer it was the privilege of myself 
 and my entire family to render them unremit- 
 ting kindnesses, nay, to support them. This 
 was the more essential as Isaac's family were 
 faithless throughout. 
 
 348 
 
I have written less in my biography of 
 Brother Nathan than of any other member of 
 my beloved family. I now desire to refer to 
 him and his dear ones in the very highest terms 
 possible. No parents ever brought up better 
 children. During the prolonged illness of my 
 brother his wife proved herself a most admir- 
 able nurse. Very few devoted wives could 
 have equaled her in this regard. I do not be- 
 lieve that ten out of a hundred women placed in 
 similar trying circumstances could* have done 
 as well. She never wearied in the line of duty 
 she was called upon to perform. May they 
 ever have cause to be proud of their offspring. 
 That good health, prosperity and happiness 
 may follow them through life is the sincere 
 wish of their affectionate relative who pens 
 these lines of regard and appreciation. 
 
 349 
 
I AM now over 74 years old and have passed 
 54 years in America. Up to this day, I 
 have never given a mortgage, except for pur- 
 chase money on real estate. In a few in- 
 stances, many years ago, we used accommoda- 
 tion paper, giving and receiving it in rare cases. 
 In the year 1850 I needed endorsements for a 
 considerable amount in my settlement with my 
 creditors, when I compromised to close the 
 business of Stix & Wallach. I have always 
 endeavored to be liberal in helping my friends, 
 but my greatest losses have been where I have 
 loaned money to relatives to enable them to 
 make a living. Money has never been an ob- 
 ject of worship to either my wife or myself. 
 She has always taken great pleasure in giving 
 it, where she thought it would be of assistance. 
 Although our wants have tripled from what 
 they were years ago, I am happy to say I am 
 entirely able to meet them. 
 
 The winter of 1894 and 1895 found myself 
 and wife on a visit to Cincinnati. We had for 
 a long time been enjoying the pleasure in an- 
 ticipation, actually counting the days until we 
 
 350 
 
should be once more with our dear ones, and, 
 indeed, I can truly say that the realization of 
 our hopes in this respect was in nowise unsatis- 
 factory, but in truth rather exceeded our ex- 
 pectations. Our stay was a truly delightful 
 one, and the time most gloriously spent, for our 
 dear daughter Ro and her exemplary children 
 left nothing incomplete to add to our enjoy- 
 ment. Carl Iglauer is a man of domestic tastes 
 and appreciates his home most thoroughly. 
 Still he enjoys a change, and no one in the 
 family showed himself more ready to contribute 
 to our happiness than himself. Joe Stix, ever 
 in the front ranks, strove to make our visit 
 doubly agreeable, and engaged a carriage 
 which was placed at our disposal as long as we 
 were with them. As this luxury had to be paid 
 for whether it was used or not, the weather 
 being bad, we utilized it and found it exceed- 
 ingly convenient. I note these things, trifles 
 in themselves, but delicate attentions which 
 went to show the desire of our children to en- 
 tertain us handsomely. During this time I 
 saw considerable of Belle, Aaron and Hans, 
 and I desire to say that I wish all my friends 
 had just such treasures as we are proud to 
 possess. It is always delightful to feel assured 
 that there is reciprocity when in the society of 
 
 351 
 
those we love, and this reunion proved no ex- 
 ception. My sister experienced deep satisfac- 
 tion and pleasure in our company and we had 
 equal gratification in hers. Brother Henry's 
 wife and children, and brother Nathan and his 
 wife and family made frequent visits to us. 
 No amount of disagreeable weather, not even 
 the worst and most boisterous, could deter 
 them from spending evening after evening with 
 us in social intercourse. We were also the re- 
 cipients of the hospitality of Mrs. Simon Kuhn, 
 my old "Schatz," and Sophie Wyler, my niece, 
 who once declined to kiss me, even though I 
 promised to present her with a silk dress as a 
 reward. Most women would have regarded 
 this offer as a sufficient inducement to confer 
 such a favor upon so near a relative. To the 
 names of our hostesses above mentioned, I may 
 add that of Mrs. Sophie Strauss. As for our 
 relatives, we were so often together that we 
 hope to see them soon at our residence in the 
 East to renew old associations and to prove 
 that their kindness on that occasion is not for- 
 gotten. 
 
 In the summer of 1895, after considerable 
 entreaty, Carrie's husband was induced to ac- 
 company us to Hot Springs, Virginia. My 
 sister and her daughter Aurelia were also there, 
 
 352 
 
but distressed by the recent death of Aurelia's 
 daughter Mattie. We remained there about 
 three weeks, and until the latter part of July, 
 when my wife and I returned to finish the sea- 
 son at Far Rockaway. My daughter Ro met 
 us en route, at Covington, Virginia, and accom- 
 panied us with her children to the seashore, to 
 avoid the excessive heat. Here we found our- 
 selves at first somewhat crowded for space, but 
 were soon enabled to obtain larger apartments 
 and more comfortable accommodations. Tak- 
 ing it all in all though, there is a vast differ- 
 ence between a temporary residence and one's 
 home comforts. However, we enjoyed our 
 hotel life, and found it a pleasant change. Our 
 trip to Far Rockaway was made doubly de- 
 lightful by the fact that we were in the midst 
 of our dear ones and saw much of them. I 
 took several sea baths for the first time in many 
 years, and we passed an exceedingly pleasant 
 summer, enhanced by the society of dear Ro 
 and her children, whose presence was a con- 
 tinual treat to us. As may easily be supposed, 
 we did not suffer for want of company, having 
 not only three of our children, but six of our 
 grandchildren. There are some seasons espe- 
 cially delightful, and this outing brought pleas- 
 ure long to be remembered. We returned to 
 
 353 
 
the city three days sooner than we expected on 
 account of dear Carrie. But Carrie, with her 
 usual thoughtfulness, wishing to save her 
 mother, had procured an efficient nurse, and I 
 need not say how delighted we were to find 
 Carrie doing well, and with what pleasure we 
 greeted the little stranger girl, Carol, who had 
 been added to our family circle. 
 
 My aim has always been to secure concord 
 and affection in my family, and I feel that this 
 delightful result has been secured. In this re- 
 spect, I have endeavored to follow the excellent 
 example ever before us under my dear father's 
 roof ; yet I have always believed that it was im- 
 possible for any human being to have the same 
 degree of love for each and every member in 
 his household. In my own case, I honored and 
 respected my father as much as any son could, 
 but my feeling toward my adored mother was 
 of a character much more tender and affection- 
 ate. Some persons attract us like the magnet, 
 by a power unseen but irresistible ; while others 
 might repel if not bound to us by laws of con- 
 sanguinity, which every feeling of kinship 
 prompts us to respect and to cultivate. The 
 one is spontaneous, springing up unconsciously 
 within us, and taking firm and lasting root ; the 
 other requires training and culture. 
 
 354 
 
Throughout my whole life I have claimed 
 this privilege, and acted upon it by treating 
 my ten children with perfect independence; 
 but I trust they will never commit the indiscre- 
 tion of measuring my affection by what one 
 may have received from me in excess of an- 
 other ; for by doing so, they would do me an in- 
 justice, and I would impress upon the minds 
 of all the fact that I have intended to treat all 
 impartially, and that sometimes circumstances, 
 and not favoritism, have induced me to act as 
 I thought best. Thus far my whole family has 
 shown a lovely spirit, each interested in the 
 other's cause, pleading it more eloquently 
 than their own, which has added greatly to 
 my happiness and enjoyment. It has always 
 been a source of great pleasure to me to see 
 them together. May it ever thus continue. 
 
 Dear Zillah and her husband lived with us 
 for about ten years and there was not a moment 
 that we did not feel delighted to have them 
 under our roof. They added much to the 
 pleasures of our home by their happy disposi- 
 tions. They seemed to be perfectly satisfied, 
 but finally made up their minds to commence 
 housekeeping for themselves. We had a pleas- 
 ant home while together, and after our sep- 
 aration were still very near to each other. 
 
 355 
 
Now there is but one house between our homes. 
 Zillah comes in from three to five times a day, 
 and we often retire, leaving Joseph F. Cullman 
 and wife, and Samuel W. Weiss and his wife 
 with some member of our immediate family. 
 They jokingly complain of being insulted and 
 declare they will not visit us again for a long 
 time, but next day the same occurrence is re- 
 peated. They always give us new pleasure 
 each time they come. Joe Junior occasionally 
 drops in, but Howard, a shining light for his 
 age, is a great deal with his grandma, who is 
 very happy in his company. Howard, when 
 but a babe, was asked by his grandma to come 
 in the house — he replied, "Not to-day, I will 
 come to see you to-morrow." He is really a 
 lovely, wonderful boy, and it is a great pleasure 
 to see as much of him as we do. He has been 
 on a diet for about a year, and submits so will- 
 ingly to its requirements — asking only for a 
 piece of stale bread — that it hurts our feelings, 
 as we would gladly give him palatable dain- 
 ties. But without his mother's consent he 
 will not accept. His grandma would like to 
 indulge him, if it were only wise to do so. 
 
 356 
 
THE four-leaved clovers are generally hid- 
 den from view, and it requires both time 
 and patience to find them along the country 
 roadside or upon the velvet lawn. They are 
 as modest and unpretentious as the blue-eyed 
 violet in the woodland shade, without osten- 
 tation or display, or gaudy, brilliant colors. 
 For these charming qualities, sweetness with- 
 out obtrusion, they appeal to our heart's affec- 
 tion. They are the floral exceptions which 
 nature has bestowed upon us with no prodigal- 
 ity, that we may appreciate them more fully, 
 on account of their rarity. Many a group of 
 young people have looked for them in vain, and 
 becoming weary of the useless quest, have 
 ceased searching. But some one, more fortu- 
 nate than the rest, suddenly spies this "prom- 
 ise of good-luck," and plucks it joyfully, to tri- 
 umph over his disappointed companions. This 
 rare gift of nature seems to me a most appro- 
 priate symbol of my beloved daughters, four 
 in number, each one forming a perfect petal 
 in fortune's emblem just described. So I love 
 to think of them as my "Four-Leaved Clover," 
 for they have indeed brought into their domes- 
 
 357 
 
tic circles love, peace and contentment, the 
 greatest boons vouchsafed to mortal. 
 
 They have crowned one united stem, their 
 dear mother and myself, with honor and true 
 happiness. Although I have dwelt on this 
 heartfelt tribute to my daughters in this com- 
 plimentary strain, I sincerely trust that my 
 other children will not regard themselves 
 slighted, because not especially commended. 
 Their conduct too is worthy of all praise; only 
 this little fancy came into my mind while writ- 
 ing, and I have here attempted to give it ex- 
 pression, hoping that it will afford my 
 daughters the same pleasure in perusing, as it 
 has their father in inditing these lines, affec- 
 tionately dedicated to them. 
 
 I have sometimes mentally compared our 
 perfect domestic harmony to a vehicle which 
 has carried us safely through life's journey. 
 My dear wife and myself, forming the axle, 
 and my four daughters representing the hubs ; 
 my six sons with their four wives may be 
 likened to the spokes, and my four sons-in-law 
 form the rims to bind and keep the wheels in- 
 tact. Our lovely grandchildren occupy the 
 vehicle, and I trust they may be guided 
 throughout the highway which stretches be- 
 fore them, by the same sentiments which have 
 
 358 
 
transported their parents and grandparents 
 along flowery paths, without distressing thorns 
 or brambles to prick or tear, and with no 
 ragged stones or sharp rocks to stop their prog- 
 ress. Our four daughters whom I have 
 designated as the hubs, revolve constantly 
 around the axle, and furnish the lubricating 
 substance, affection and forbearance in such 
 abundance, that the supply is inexhaustible. 
 The more it is used, the more freely it flows. 
 Inventors have expended immense fortunes in 
 patenting contrivances which would render 
 perpetual motion possible in machinery without 
 friction, but all to no purpose. Both skill and 
 ingenuity have failed. Oil must be replen- 
 ished, or the rasping of the delicate parts will 
 eventually destroy their usefulness and render 
 them utterly worthless. We, however, have 
 been so fortunate as to effect a discovery which 
 we are willing to make universally known, in 
 order that discord and friction may be forever 
 banished from every household. We can 
 honestly recommend our patent, for we have 
 seen it in use, and we will charge nothing to 
 anyone who would like to adopt it. True af- 
 fection and forbearance will smooth over every 
 difficulty, and save many a heartache. Try 
 the prescription and I will be responsible for 
 
 359 
 
its efficacy. This gentle, delightful peace, 
 which should be the controlling element in 
 every family desiring happiness, is a blessing 
 which we have unmistakably enjoyed, and 
 which, I trust, has come to make its permanent 
 home in our midst, abiding with our eighteen 
 worthy children, and eighteen model grand- 
 children even as with us. May these lines, 
 penned by my hand and emanating from my 
 heart, induce you, my children, to cultivate this 
 spirit of loving friendship forever. Let me 
 warn you, should any misunderstanding come 
 between you, have it satisfactorily explained, 
 and then dismiss it entirely from your minds, 
 bearing no grudge, especially to one of your 
 own kin. Stand together, work for one pur- 
 pose, the universal good of all. Have peace 
 at any cost, for in "Union there is strength." 
 I have ever been on good terms with my dear 
 ones, and if you will follow my example in 
 this respect you will experience the same re- 
 ward which I now enjoy. If you look for 
 trouble, you will surely find it. May harmony 
 and affection accompany you through life ! 
 
 In writing about our dear, good and lovely 
 grandchildren, I shall carefully avoid all criti- 
 
 360 
 
cism, comparison or eulogy, desiring by this 
 wise precaution, to obviate all jealousy. I 
 shall simply confine my remarks to a few inci- 
 dents which have come under my observation 
 and which at the time of their occurrence 
 pleased and amused me. 
 
 In the year 1884, when Joe, Jr., was about 22 
 months old, he showed remarkable considera- 
 tion for such a very young child, and well 
 worthy of imitation by those of more advanced 
 years, by asking his grandmother to close the 
 windows for fear grandfather might catch cold. 
 William was about 7 months old when we once 
 returned from Saratoga. We were all seated 
 around the dinner table and he called out 
 plainly, "Grandpa." At four years of age he 
 read nearly all the advertisements on the fences 
 while passing them in the elevated trains, to 
 the great astonishment of those who saw him 
 and heard what he was saying. Two years 
 later, at the age of six, I made some erroneous 
 statement, as "Twice three makes five." Wil- 
 liam, who was asked by his father whether 
 what I said was correct, answered, he knew it 
 was not, but that he would not contradict his 
 grandpa. Dear Carrie once asked William's 
 teacher how he succeeded in school. She re- 
 plied that he was the youngest scholar in the 
 
 361 
 
class, by far the brightest and best, and the most 
 inquisitive child she had met — he had only one 
 fault which was that he was not neat about 
 his papers; they were quite untidy and gave 
 evidence of carelessness on his part. His 
 mother, desiring to correct this defect, sent him 
 to wash his hands before he prepared his writ- 
 ing lesson. He came back with his right hand 
 white and clean but his left hand still soiled. 
 She then asked him why he had not treated 
 both hands in the same way. He answered 
 that he only touched the paper with his right 
 hand, so could not understand why he should 
 also wash the left hand. I received a beautiful 
 letter from William written when he was about 
 six years old, thanking me in German for some 
 gift I had bestowed on a certain occasion. At 
 the same time his grandfather Weiss showed 
 me a letter he had received from him written 
 in English, and his cousin Mae was favored 
 with one in French from our little linguist. 
 
 I have also preserved, with the letters from 
 William, some from Lawrence, beautifully 
 written and well worth preserving. He is far 
 advanced in his class, although its youngest 
 member. His brother, Edgar, is a good and 
 charming child. Nina is very lovely and ami- 
 able, and during the last year has wonderfully 
 
 362 
 
improved. Her brother, Louis, is a big strap- 
 ping boy, as good as he is sizable. No doubt 
 he will take after the writer, for whom he 
 was named. Hans is a bright, beautiful child. 
 When he was with us he was three years old, 
 and he then used language which astonished 
 everybody. His high-sounding words and 
 long sentences would have suited a professor. 
 The guests at the hotel were particularly 
 pleased at his proficiency, and listened to him 
 with surprise. Florence is a most industrious 
 and diligent pupil and stands first in her class. 
 If I had worked one quarter as faithfully at 
 study as she works, it might have greatly bene- 
 fitted me. Her father has done all he could 
 to spoil her, but she is too good to have his 
 indulgence work to her disadvantage. Zillah's 
 last letter on my birthday is beautifully written, 
 and has been carefully preserved on account 
 of its merits. In many respects, she resembles 
 her grandfather, thinking independently for 
 herself. She will always be more of a leader 
 than one willing to be led. Addie is already 
 a little woman, acting far older than her years. 
 She has never appeared like a child, but is nat- 
 urally a lady, always amiable, and an excellent 
 scholar. Mae has a sweet disposition and, like 
 her sister, is bright and lovely. Dorothy ap- 
 
 363 
 
pears intelligent, has quick, keen eyes, but as 
 to her language, it is altogether beyond my 
 comprehension. I fear my education has been 
 sadly neglected, for it is to me a mystery. Her 
 parents are very fond of music and she often 
 entertains them with her operatic dramas, 
 without any charge. Once after a lapse of 
 time when Dorothy saw her grandmother, she 
 fairly jumped from her nurse's arms to wel- 
 come her in a manner I have never seen equaled 
 by a six months old child. Ruth Zidone Stix 
 Mann was born August 7th, 1897, and we were 
 delighted at the happy advent. A most lovely 
 child. May she become the pride of her par- 
 ents and grandparents ! May bright sunshine 
 accompany her through a happy, long and use- 
 ful life! I may congratulate myself on one 
 thing, and that is that my children have not had 
 as many little ones as my parents or as we 
 had; for 100 grandchildren would be almost 
 too many to write about. I should never have 
 undertaken such an herculean task, for the old 
 glazier would have found it too difficult to do 
 justice to such an immense number. My 
 grandparents were blessed with ten children: 
 seven sons and three daughters and we our- 
 selves have been favored with four daughters 
 and six sons. 
 
 364 
 
DESPITE my intention to spare my de- 
 scendants and discontinue further rem- 
 iniscence, I continue, because I find it pleas- 
 urable, hoping even that it may have an effect 
 for good upon those for whom it is intended. 
 
 I was frequently invited to meet my neigh- 
 bors on Seventy-first Street for the purpose 
 of waiting on the city authorities, to try and 
 have our Belgian block pavement replaced by 
 asphalt. A committee was formed with a Mr. 
 Clark as chairman. Later, however, at the 
 mayor's office, when it was learned that I was 
 personally acquainted with the mayor, I was 
 appointed chairman in place of Mr. Clark. The 
 committee called on the mayor. As we en- 
 tered the office, which was crowded with peo- 
 ple (it being a street opening day), the mayor 
 recognized the writer, and bowed to him in 
 a most friendly manner. After the meeting 
 had adjourned the mayor entered the waiting- 
 room and asked who had come first, at the 
 same time remarking, "Old age first. What 
 do you wish, Mr. Stix?" The writer intro- 
 duced himself as chairman, and Mr. Clark as 
 
 365 
 
his attorney. The latter presented our case to 
 the mayor, who after hearing our wants, re- 
 quested the writer to send him a letter and 
 state our case. The writer, apprehensive that 
 it might be opened by a clerk and consigned to 
 the waste basket, sent his office boy to his 
 honor, to inquire what time would suit his 
 convenience to have the writer call on him. 
 My friend the mayor answered that any time 
 that suited me he would find convenient. In less 
 than fifteen minutes I appeared before the door- 
 keeper, who had orders not to admit any one. 
 After repeating the message I had just re- 
 ceived from the mayor, he remembered that I 
 was the only exception, and admitted me at 
 once. After a friendly chat, the mayor ex- 
 plained that although he was perfectly willing 
 to grant my request, he had no funds for that 
 purpose. My committee had made arrange- 
 ments to meet me that evening. To them I 
 told the following story. A Mr. Lasky who 
 lived in Poland failed in business. The un- 
 fortunate merchant owed his friend and neigh- 
 bor, one Joroslasky, quite an amount. Joro- 
 slasky called on his friend Lasky, and asked 
 him, "What have you done for your life-long, 
 confidential friend ?" Mr. Lasky thereupon re- 
 plied, "I have had many sleepless and troubled 
 
 3 66 
 
nights thinking how I could show you a prefer- 
 ence. I have come to the conclusion that the 
 only preference I can show you is to let you 
 know to-day that you will get nothing, while 
 my other creditors will not learn this for 
 months/' The committee required no further 
 explanation. 
 
 In a few days, however, Mr. Clark called 
 again, and the writer showed him an account 
 of an appropriation which had been passed for 
 some work, but which, on account of the great 
 steepness of the street, the company was un- 
 willing to undertake to guarantee. This re- 
 fusal left the city about double the amount 
 required to asphalt our street. Mr. Clark and 
 the writer at once called upon the mayor, who 
 promised to investigate the matter, and see 
 what he could do for us. Next day we were 
 delighted to learn that we had been successful. 
 I later heard the following amusing report of 
 these proceedings. The boot-black on our cor- 
 ner told my son, Otto, that there was an old 
 man, a friend of the mayor's, who lived on the 
 block, and through his influence the block had 
 been asphalted. 
 
 About the same time my friend, Mr. Jacob 
 F. Cullman, who knew me to be a friend of the 
 mayor's, asked me to please see the mayor, and 
 
 367 
 
request him to perform the ceremony at his 
 marriage. I made this request, and the mayor 
 replied that he had never done this before, 
 but if it would be a favor to me, and if he 
 were well enough, he would gladly do it. My 
 friend's brother later called on the mayor and 
 reminded him of this promise. The mayor 
 declared that he was ready to perform the cere- 
 mony, and shortly afterwards I accompanied 
 him to the wedding of my friend. After 
 drinking the health of the happy couple we left, 
 and Mr. S. W. Weiss accompanied the mayor 
 after having seen me home. Mr. Cullman sent 
 him a hundred dollars for his favorite charity, 
 and a hundred fine cigars. I next met the 
 mayor at his office when calling on him for his 
 usual donation to the Hospital Saturday and 
 Sunday Association. I later met him again at 
 Mr. Bernheimer's funeral, when, while walking 
 with me, he remarked, "I wonder who of us 
 two will be the next to follow our mutual 
 friend. ,, 
 
 Mr. Lauterbach, our friend and lawyer of 
 the Mount Sinai Hospital, through his unceas- 
 ing energy has managed to have a law passed 
 
 3 68 
 
by the legislature, allowing our city author- 
 ities, at their discretion, to assist the hospital 
 by furnishing a sum of money to meet in part 
 our immense expenses. These expenses are 
 constantly increasing on account of the increas- 
 ing number of patients we have been treating 
 gratis, and because of the fact that we are con- 
 templating building a much larger institution, 
 thereby increasing our capacity twofold, and 
 our expenses in a corresponding degree. Be- 
 cause of the immense amount of money we 
 received both from our members and patrons 
 for a new building, the board of directors hesi- 
 tated to decide upon the new building, without 
 further investigation. A committee was ap- 
 pointed, consisting of Mr. Wallach, chairman, 
 Mr. Isaac Stern, Mr. George Blumenthal and 
 myself, to wait on the city authorities, and 
 ascertain what aid we might expect from them. 
 We encountered the opposition of the comp- 
 troller and of many young doctors. The doc- 
 tors complained that we were taking the bread 
 out of their mouths; while the comptroller, 
 although he spoke in the highest and most 
 complimentary terms of our institution and 
 the management thereof, said that we were rich 
 enough, and did not require aid from the city; 
 while the city, on the other hand, was poor, 
 
 369 
 
and needed all her income herself. Despite 
 this opposition, we succeeded in our worthy un- 
 dertaking, and have been the recipient ever 
 since of about one-fifth of our expenses. We 
 owe our thanks to Mr. Lauterbach, who has 
 worked for us gratuitously ever since I have 
 been connected with the institution; to Mr. 
 Wallach, president of the board of directors, 
 who worked with untiring energy notwith- 
 standing the fact that he was not in the best 
 of health; to Mayor Strong, one of the best 
 mayors we were so fortunate as to be blessed 
 with, who at all times unselfishly acted for the 
 best and who was always the friend of the 
 poor. We also owe our thanks to Mr. George 
 Blumenthal, both because of his .liberal sub- 
 scription, and also because through him we 
 were saved the necessity of paying much inter- 
 est monies ; and to the entire board of directors, 
 without exception, who all did their parts most 
 nobly. 
 
 In February, 1896, we visited Cincinnati. 
 Of this visit I retain many pleasant recollec- 
 tions. First, there was the wedding of our 
 niece, Alice, daughter of brother Nathan and 
 
 370 
 
sister Ricka ; a most happy event in our family 
 circle. It pleased us greatly to be with our 
 dear brothers, sisters, children and grandchil- 
 dren, and our numerous nieces and nephews. 
 We also participated in many feasts and were 
 grateful at having escaped a doctor's bill. A 
 pleasant event was the birth of dear Belle's 
 most lovely boy, Tom, who was born on Feb- 
 ruary 2 1 st. May the newcomer grow up to 
 be a fine man, the pride of his dear parents and 
 grandparents, and may he give pleasure to all 
 who have his interest at heart. 
 
 We went to Arverne for the summer of 1896. 
 Carl with his dear family had rooms next to 
 ours. We again had as pleasant a time as we 
 had enjoyed the previous year. But Carl and 
 his family left rather early. Dear Carrie, by 
 the advice of her physician, had engaged rooms 
 for herself, her two children, Louis and Carol, 
 and their nurse, at the Grand Hotel in the 
 Catskill Mountains. Mr. Weiss, who had ac- 
 companied her there returned the next morning. 
 Carrie, who went there for her children's 
 health, soon found the hotel unaccommodating 
 and unreliable. She was not treated as she had 
 been promised, for she was placed on the third 
 floor of the hotel, and there was no elevator 
 in the building. Despite the doctor's orders, 
 
 371 
 
she determined to return, as she felt her chil- 
 dren would be better off at home than in a 
 place where they were so inconvenienced. The 
 summer was one of the hottest we had had for 
 years, and Carrie returned in the midst of a 
 hot spell. The Saturday after her return she 
 and her family visited us at Arverne, and we 
 managed to persuade her to remain with us and 
 send for the necessary clothes. She stayed 
 with us the rest of the summer, and we were 
 delighted to see baby Carol improve from day 
 to day. Although the summer was exception- 
 ally hot, we always managed to be comfortable, 
 and quite luckily we had but few mosquitos 
 that year, although as a rule they were very 
 plentiful there. Altogether, we spent a very 
 pleasant summer, seeing a great deal of our 
 dear ones from Far Rockaway. At the end of 
 the summer we all returned in good health, 
 including dear Carol and Louis, who had also 
 been slightly indisposed. 
 
 In 1897 we again engaged rooms at Arverne. 
 Our family visited us quite frequently, and in 
 the intervals we visited them. The Iglauers 
 had taken rooms in Atlantic City on their doc- 
 tor's recommendation, as Carl did not feel very 
 well. But at the end of his vacation he re- 
 turned in good health. The Weiss family 
 
 372 
 
spent their vacation on the Jersey coast. All 
 our children frequently visited us. Dear Syl- 
 van's business, always laborious, required all 
 his attention. Indeed frequently we did not 
 see him for a week at a time, for he usually 
 left the house even before the servants had 
 arisen, and returned after we were all in bed. 
 Therefore his frequent visits to us during this 
 summer were the more astonishing. But the 
 time he spent in our company was short, for the 
 attraction which drew him to Arverne was not 
 his parents, but a stronger loadstone of flesh 
 and blood. Sylvan seemed to me rather young, 
 and as though he had not as yet saved enough 
 to support a family properly, to my mind. But 
 in the face of my opposition the marriage was 
 consummated. I wish now to declare my sin- 
 cere appreciation of dear Florence. Her most 
 beautiful conduct has proven her worthy and 
 deserving of our love and admiration, and I 
 am greatly pleased to think that each and every 
 one of my family entertain the same sentiments 
 towards her that I do. 
 
 On March 16th of the year 1898, Sylvan 
 and Florence were married. The members of 
 both families were the happy witnesses of this 
 event. We feel most proud to be able to count 
 Florence as one of our family, and I am sure 
 
 373 
 
that she and her husband will have a happy 
 and successful life. 
 
 In 1898 we decided to change from our usual 
 course of summer procedure, because dear 
 mother did not feel so well at the end of the 
 season at Arverne. So we arranged to stop 
 at the United States Hotel at Saratoga. I 
 wrote to all my brothers and sisters to try and 
 meet us there. Sister Caroline and sister Han- 
 nah were unable to do so on account of previous 
 engagements, while Mrs. Henry Stix could 
 not leave home as she was busy preparing for 
 the approaching marriage of her daughter 
 Adele. These were the only ones missing 
 from our reunion. My wife and I met William 
 Stix and his wife, Nathan Stix and his wife, 
 and Henry Stix, and we enjoyed ourselves 
 greatly, and we all consider this reunion as one 
 of the pleasantest events of our lives. Despite 
 our pleasure, the extreme heat did not tend to 
 cause us to prolong our stay, it being so in- 
 tense that I was confined to my couch part of 
 the time, having been affected by it. Many left 
 very soon for cooler quarters in the mountains, 
 or by the sea. Henry Stix returned home. 
 William Stix and his wife went to Niagara to 
 join their children who were spending the sum- 
 mer there. Nathan Stix and his wife remained 
 
 374 
 
to take the water cure, while we engaged rooms 
 at the Kaaterskill Hotel and left as soon as 
 possible. Although I very reluctantly wore a 
 light overcoat at the start, before we arrived 
 at our destination I felt the want of a heavy 
 coat. We found the change most agreeable, 
 and the mountain air most invigorating. We 
 met many pleasant and congenial friends, and 
 found the accommodations very good in every 
 respect, except that our rooms were not all we 
 could have desired. We soon changed them 
 and got two of the best in the hotel. These 
 quarters we occupied for the next three sea- 
 sons. Otto visited us quite frequently, but 
 the other members of the family we missed 
 greatly, especially as we had been accustomed 
 to see many of them almost daily. In August 
 when dear mother learned that the Iglauers 
 were living at our house in New York, she 
 wished to return and see them, but Otto tele- 
 graphed us that it would be foolish to return 
 to the city as the heat was awful. This tele- 
 gram also kept many of the other guests who 
 had expected to leave. But I could not induce 
 dear mother to remain after August 28th, so 
 we returned then. W e had had a very pleasant 
 summer, and felt the benefit of it during the 
 following winter. We found Rosa, Zillah and 
 
 375 
 
Florence Iglauer at our house in New York, 
 and we were all greatly pleased to see each 
 other again. 
 
 The next summer, though we intended to 
 return to the Kaaterskill Hotel, we both felt 
 quite unwell. I myself had been under the doc- 
 tor's care for some weeks, but was feeling bet- 
 ter and hoped the mountain air would restore 
 me to my usual health. Mother, however, was 
 not so ready to go. She, too, had been ill, and 
 we found it necessary to get a trained nurse 
 for her, after her daughters had helped her for 
 a few nights. We were thinking of taking a 
 nurse to the mountains with us, but Carrie, 
 who was always ready to help us in every way 
 she could, volunteered to accompany us and 
 take the part of a nurse. She took her two 
 younger children, Louis and Carol, and their 
 nurse with her. Dear mother had a very good 
 trip and improved very rapidly, and soon she 
 had no trouble at all. The two little children 
 were a source of great pleasure and entertain- 
 ment to us all. Otto, Aaron, Rosa and her 
 children, and Mr. Weiss visited us during the 
 summer, and we enjoyed seeing them very 
 much. On the whole we had a very pleasant 
 time, and we both had good cause to be thank- 
 ful for our improved health. We again met 
 
 376 
 
many friends whom we had seen the previous 
 summer, and these all helped to make our stay 
 enjoyable. 
 
 My grandson, Louis Stix Weiss, used to en- 
 joy looking out of our windows and watching 
 the baseball games from there. Once, when in 
 the room, he saw my watch lying on the table 
 and seemed to admire it very much. So I re- 
 marked, "Louis, you have my name, and as I 
 am quite an old man, it is probable that you 
 will live longer than I. After my death I 
 promise that you shall be the owner of this 
 watch." His answer, coming from a five-year- 
 old child, seemed quite wonderful. "I hope I 
 may not get it for many years to come." Pro- 
 fessor Rice stopped at our hotel with his wife 
 and six children. He often invited mother and 
 me to go driving with him in a stage he had 
 hired for the season. We accompanied him 
 occasionally, but Carrie and her children went 
 with them almost daily. After she felt sure 
 that mother could get along without her, Carrie 
 returned home with her children. The chil- 
 dren were especially benefitted by their stay in 
 the mountains. 
 
 On June 21st, 1899, Charlotte Stix was born. 
 May she grow up to be a lovely girl, a help to 
 her mother and a pleasure to all who may know 
 
 377 
 
her. We were fortunate enough to see much 
 of Charlotte and her dear parents as they lived 
 with us during the summer that Otto was in 
 Europe, and kept us from missing him as much 
 as we should, had we been alone. At this time 
 also Zillah and her family moved to their coun- 
 try home at Far Rockaway. 
 
 During the summer of 1899 while we were 
 in the mountains, Zillah, her husband and 
 Howard spent their summer in making a lake 
 trip to Alaska, while Joe Jr. was in Maine. 
 Joe Sr. sent his son Joe a small sum of money 
 for Fourth-of-July fireworks. He found a 
 more useful way of spending it by sending the 
 money to the colonel of a New York regiment 
 to buy delicacies for sick soldiers. The colo- 
 nel answered him by a fine letter and had an 
 account of Joe's self-sacrifice published as a 
 noble example. While at Yale Joe joined a 
 society for the bettering and educating of the 
 poor, and while he was at work bathing some 
 children, the building caught fire. He man- 
 aged, however, to rescue all the children al- 
 though his hair was burnt. 
 
 378 
 
ABOUT this time, in collecting for the Hos- 
 pital Saturday and Sunday Association, 
 notwithstanding the hard times, my friends 
 and patrons contributed in their usual gener- 
 ous manner, although other collectors failed 
 to come up to their usual amounts. Thus, al- 
 though I had surpassed my previous record, 
 because of the falling off in receipts of the 
 other collectors, there was a deficit, and Mr. 
 Cornelius Vanderbilt remarked, "We want 
 more Mr. Stixes." "Not at all," I replied, "we 
 want more V anderbilts," for I was aware that 
 it was his practice to make up any deficiency 
 in his church-collections if they fell short. 
 
 For years I considered it wrong on my part 
 not to hand in my resignation as a director of 
 the Mount Sinai Hospital and of the Training 
 School. While I was reluctant to do this, still 
 I did not feel that I had any right to occupy 
 these positions to the exclusion of a younger 
 and more useful man. I could not help 
 noticing that the president had for years been 
 careful to place me on committees where my 
 position would entail but little work. In hand- 
 
 379 
 
ing in my resignation I had so worded it that 
 the Board could accept it without hesitation, 
 and I felt sure it would be accepted. However, 
 not hearing from the Board for some time, I be- 
 came rather annoyed. Then I received notice 
 that a committee had been appointed to wait on 
 me at my office at any time convenient to my- 
 self. Mr. Wallach, President of the Board of 
 Directors, was chairman, and the other two 
 members were Mr. David Weil and Mr. Max 
 Nathan. They met me at my office, and after 
 excusing themselves for being late, they told 
 me that it had required all their time to go over 
 the English and American statutes to find 
 whether there was any law requiring them to 
 accept my resignation, but they had found no 
 law to that effect; and further, whether I at- 
 tended their meetings or not, they proposed to 
 keep me a director till the day of my death. 
 When I found they were firm in their resolve 
 I suggested a compromise. In the first place, 
 I was to be allowed to resign from the Training 
 School board, to avoid the necessity of night 
 meetings ; secondly the Board was to accept my 
 resignation as a member of the executive com- 
 mittee, but I would still remain a director. 
 They agreed to this and I was forced to be 
 content. Adulation had weakened the old 
 
 380 
 
man's determination, and this compliment from 
 one of the most influential bodies of men in 
 New York had changed my strongest resolve. 
 Still I was fully aware that my capabilities 
 were not such as to entitle me to such honor 
 and consideration. I still remained interested 
 in the hospital collection. When first started, 
 the Hospital Saturday and Sunday Association 
 contained twenty institutions and the yearly 
 collections amounted to about twenty thousand 
 dollars. To-day there are forty members of 
 the association and they collect about seventy 
 thousand dollars annually. 
 
 The summer of 1900 was the third summer 
 we spent at the Kaaterskill Hotel. Dear 
 Frankie accompanied us, and she, her husband, 
 Dorothy, Ruth and their nurse, spent part of 
 the summer with us. They all were a source 
 of great pleasure to both mother and me. The 
 children were the best known and most popular 
 children in the hotel and general favorites with 
 every one. To please grandma was their great 
 pleasure, and they were continually striving to 
 do that. Ruth often came to my rooms for ice, 
 as I managed with a little care to keep mv ice 
 
 381 
 
all night. So as not to leave us without any 
 one of our children, at the end of Mr. Mann's 
 vacation, when he and his family left, Carrie 
 and her three youngest children came up, ac- 
 companied by a very obliging nurse. The chil- 
 dren with their good mother made us feel as 
 if we were at home. Mr. Weiss and William 
 visited us for a short time, as did Otto, Aaron 
 and Belle, who had come from Canada where 
 they had spent their summer. We had written 
 Belle and Aaron not to come because of the 
 tiresome journey, so were very much surprised 
 to see them. Our pleasure was short-lived, 
 for the mountain air proved too much for dear 
 Belle. She complained of headaches, dizziness 
 and loss of appetite, and had to leave soon. 
 Otto, Aaron and Carrie were all very attentive, 
 sending us a case of champagne, some wine and 
 whiskey. We had to call Dr. Baruch, our phy- 
 sician in the city, to come up to the mountains 
 to prescribe for mother. He gave her some 
 medicine, but it did not seem to help her, so 
 he said a change of climate and diet was essen- 
 tial. We decided to go to Far Rockaway and 
 stop with Zillah. We returned to New York 
 on the 22nd of August. We had a cool and 
 pleasant trip and remained in New York for a 
 day or two, the weather being fairly comfort- 
 
 382 
 
able. The day we left for Far Rockaway, 
 however, was the hottest day of the year. Yet 
 when we reached the trestle on the way to our 
 destination we felt quite uncomfortable without 
 our coats. At Zillah's mother recuperated 
 rapidly, and soon was herself again. All of 
 our family visited us frequently. Rosa and her 
 children had rooms at the Edgemere Hotel, but 
 the greater part of their time was spent with 
 us. Howard, the darling boy, was most atten- 
 tive to his grandmother. He would come of 
 his own accord to lace grandma's shoes, and 
 would inquire if there was nothing else he could 
 do for her. Y\ 'hen she moved from place to 
 place, he would jump up and follow her closely, 
 with her footstool and shawl. Joe Jr., who 
 had just returned from Yale, hardly had time to 
 help as willingly as Howard, but nevertheless 
 he was very attentive. He was busy all day 
 with his friends, but was a good boy, respecting 
 his grandparents, obedient to his parents, and 
 much sought after by both boys and girls. He 
 was strong and full of fun. Howard, who is 
 up to all tricks, had learned some time before 
 that I rewarded any one of the grandchildren 
 who ate apple sauce. I did this, because dear 
 mother, who is very fond of it, and who eats 
 it quite frequently, always wished me to do the 
 
 383 
 
same. I got very tired of it, and overcame the 
 difficulty by paying fifty cents to any of my 
 grandchildren who happened to be present 
 when apple sauce was served, and would par- 
 take of it in my stead. Howard got the cook to 
 prepare some, and had it served daily. Then 
 he claimed the money due him for eating it at 
 the rate of fifty cents a day. This money he 
 gave to the Society for the Prevention of Cru- 
 elty to Animals, to help erect a watering-trough 
 for animals. At a meeting of the society every 
 one handed in his subscription, and when it was 
 seen that Howard's was much larger than that 
 of any of his comrades, who had made theirs 
 by selling things on the streets, he was ques- 
 tioned as to whether his parents were aware 
 that he was giving so much money to the so- 
 ciety. He replied that the money was his, and 
 he was entitled to use it in any way he wished. 
 The Far Rockaway paper published an article 
 praising his generosity, which article you will 
 find among my letters. I also have some letters 
 written by him which I considered worth keep- 
 ing. In one of his letters he asks his father 
 for some of his own money, telling him for what 
 purposes he wished to use it, except a certain 
 sum, with which he intended to buy his father 
 a birthday present. He wrote a beautiful let- 
 
 384 
 
ter from Cincinnati to his mother in St. Louis, 
 and at six years of age he wrote a German 
 letter to his grandmother. He is a good bright 
 boy, always standing well in school, and obedi- 
 ent and ready to help any one. W e have many 
 other letters from our different grandchildren, 
 the Manns, the Weisses, Robert's and Aaron's 
 children. 
 
 The anniversary of my eightieth birthday 
 we decided not to celebrate in the usual man- 
 ner, as dear mother was too nervous. We 
 promised to make up for this in celebrating 
 our approaching golden wedding. At this 
 time we met our new grandchild Walter and 
 his mother, who was born in the same house as 
 my wife. He took supper with us, and at this 
 meal met all our New York children. My wife 
 was taken ill after supper, and we immediately 
 summoned a doctor. He gave her some medi- 
 cine and she was much improved by morning. 
 
 385 
 
ON Saturday, the 9th of March, 1901, we 
 were overjoyed to see all our dear ones 
 from the West who had come East to celebrate 
 with us our golden wedding. These had all 
 come two days in advance, that they might wit- 
 ness the presentation to me of a loving-cup by 
 the board of directors of the hospital. Joe 
 Cullman, a member of the board, had told 
 them that this was to occur on Saturday after- 
 noon. As I had received an inkling that my 
 colleagues intended to assemble in my house to 
 congratulate me, I had written down some few 
 words to answer them. But as they all came 
 in a body, and every one of the family was 
 present, except sister Hannah, who could not 
 be reached in time, you may well believe that 
 words failed me to enable me to reply to the 
 elaborate presentation speech made by Presi- 
 dent Wallach in presenting a most beautiful 
 golden loving-cup to me. No directors were 
 absent, except those few who were out of the 
 city. I shall never forget the day, nor will 
 my dear ones. The presentation of the cup as 
 a token of the esteem of the board was a great 
 
 386 
 
compliment; and the speech of Mr. Wallach, 
 so affectionately expressing the good-will of 
 all his colleagues, so overcame me, that, al- 
 though prepared for the occasion, I broke 
 down, and was unable to answer suitably. I 
 am sure you will excuse the writer's having 
 dwelt at such length on this subject, but I felt 
 the honor very deeply. On one side of the cup 
 was the inscription, "Honor is the reward of 
 virtue," while on the opposite side was en- 
 graved, "Mr. and Mrs. Louis Stix on the 
 fiftieth anniversary of their wedding, from the 
 directors of the Mount Sinai Hospital. March 
 nth 1 901." After the presentation we filled 
 the cup with champagne and had a light lunch. 
 As I have already said, this event made a last- 
 ing impression on me. 
 
 The following Monday was our golden wed- 
 ding day. The house was taxed for room to 
 accommodate even the flowers sent us on this 
 happy occasion. A veritable flower-garden 
 was the offering of my old friend Jacob F. Cull- 
 man, who had been compelled to go to Europe 
 for his health from whence, sad to say, he never 
 returned alive. At first we objected to receiv- 
 ing any presents, and even went so far as to 
 return some, but we soon found out that we 
 could not hope to return all of the flood of 
 
 387 
 
gifts which came, so we decided to keep them. 
 One of the presents was a silver loving cup, 
 with the inscription, "1851 L. S. Y. S. 1901," 
 presented to us by our old friend Mr. August 
 Richard. Our children made up a purse of 
 three thousand dollars and presented it to the 
 convalescent fund of the Mount Sinai Hospital, 
 my particular hobby, of which I was considered 
 the founder. Formerly when money had been 
 needed for this purpose the directors only had 
 subscribed. 
 
 We at first expected to celebrate our golden 
 wedding festivities at our own home, but we 
 soon found that we could not possibly accom- 
 modate the number of guests we had invited. 
 So we engaged a room at Delmonico's for about 
 sixty-five guests for dinner, and we had about 
 the same number after dinner at a reception. 
 We would gladly have invited many others, but 
 we did not wish any more gifts. The greater 
 number of the directors of the hospital, accom- 
 panied by their wives, attended the reception. 
 As far as I could judge, the occasion was one 
 of unalloyed pleasure for all, and I feel very 
 much gratified that it turned out so well. 
 
 I owe my thanks to my son Otto and to Joe 
 Cullman for having attended to the details of 
 the arrangements, and for the perfect smooth- 
 
 388 
 
ness with which everything progressed. The 
 music was very good, the food excellent, and 
 the dancing most pleasing. There was a 
 beautiful family circle made by all the children 
 and grandchildren after supper, which pleased 
 every one. All my friends helped to make 
 the supper a great love-feast, and although 
 ever so willing, I fear I could never do 
 justice to the occasion. Now that this long- 
 looked for and joyous event has passed, we 
 shall look forward to our diamond wedding 
 with the same pleasure. 
 
 At the yearly meeting in 1901, members of 
 the board of directors voted to allow me to 
 resign my membership as active director of 
 the Mount Sinai Hospital, and after my resig- 
 nation they immediately elected me honorary 
 member for life, so that I might not sever my 
 connection with the institution. For this I 
 was very thankful to the board, and especially 
 to Mr. Wallach, who informed me of this 
 change in a very complimentary letter. 
 
 One day my wife was putting away some 
 clothes in her store-room. Owing to the dark- 
 ness of the room she made use of a lighted 
 
 389 
 
candle, which accidentally overturned and set 
 fire to some garments. My wife was fortunate 
 enough to escape any injury, but the fire in- 
 surance company met its first loss at our hands 
 after sixty-one years of insuring. 
 
 After this we went to Lakewood with Flor- 
 ence Iglauer. We found her most lovely and 
 attentive, and she made a perfect nurse for dear 
 mother. 
 
 In the summer of 1901 my wife did not feel 
 well, so Zillah insisted on our spending the 
 summer with her at Far Rockaway. Zillah's 
 care and attention, and all Howard's considera- 
 tion, helped to make our stay very pleasant. 
 We regretted the absence of Joe Cullman who 
 had gone to Europe, to be with his brother 
 Jacob, who was very sick. Few brothers ever 
 showed a truer and more affectionate attach- 
 ment for each other than these two. Mr. 
 Jacob Cullman's untimely death left sorrow in 
 its train. We knew him as a devoted son, hus- 
 band, father and brother. We returned at the 
 end of the summer much improved in health, 
 especially my wife, so that we felt able to under- 
 take a journey to Cincinnati which we had been 
 contemplating for a long time, and where we 
 were the guests of my son Aaron and his wife, 
 Belle. The main object of this trip was to al- 
 
 390 
 
low us to be present at the wedding of our 
 grandchild Zillah to Mr. Walter Friedlander. 
 Although we did not know Walter himself very 
 well, we were well acquainted with his family, 
 my wife having been a life-long friend of his 
 mother. I myself knew his father as a model 
 man, and can hope nothing better for Walter, 
 than that he may follow in his father's foot- 
 steps. We were most delighted to see all our 
 dear ones in Cincinnati, and shall never forget 
 the right royal way in which we were treated. 
 We were feasted daily by some member of the 
 family including Sophie Wyler, and my old 
 "Schatz," Setty. These absences from Belle's 
 did not much profit her, because when we were 
 at home, any number of the family would join 
 us at our meals. On her birthday anniver- 
 sary, even at breakfast, she was called upon to 
 rearrange the table not less than five times, and 
 so it was at all the meals that day. We ad- 
 mired our bed quilts very much. Belle, to 
 show her Spanish blood, sent them to us, which 
 pleased us immensely. Knowing my dislike 
 for walking, they had considerately arranged to 
 have a carriage at our disposal during the 
 whole of our stay there. Dear Belle was a 
 lovely and perfect hostess, if under her loving 
 care one could escape the gout. Her chil- 
 
 39i 
 
dren were a source of constant pleasure to us. 
 We agreed to pay them the traditional fifty 
 cents for every plate of apple sauce they ate, 
 and they seemed well pleased with the scheme. 
 These children were certainly better than mine. 
 It was a great joy to mother and me to think 
 we had been spared to see the wedding of 
 our dear granddaughter Zillah. She was so 
 happy at the time of her wedding that it seems 
 to me, all we can do, is to wish that she may 
 never have less joy than she had at that time. 
 I was particularly pleased and affected when 
 dear Zillah, on approaching the altar, and 
 catching sight of me, stopped and gave her old 
 grandpa a hearty kiss. 
 
 Again did we deem ourselves fortunate when 
 after our return from Cincinnati, no perma- 
 nent harm came to Joe, Zillah, Carrie or Sam, 
 who had been visiting Joe Jr. at his dormitory 
 at Yale University when a fire broke out there. 
 
 A peculiar conceit as to events occurs to me : 
 I was born in 1821. 
 Emigrated to America in 1841. 
 I was married in 1851. 
 
 392 
 
Celebrated our golden wedding anniversary 
 in 1901. 
 
 Our daughter Rosa celebrated her silver 
 wedding anniversary in 1901. 
 
 Her daughter Zillah was married in 1901. 
 
 393 
 
Where there has been so much to tell, and 
 so many to speak of, omissions of incidents and 
 persons may have occurred, but it has always 
 been unintentional. 
 
 1902 Birthday Louis Stix. 
 
 THE END. 
 
This summer of 1902, in which grandpa 
 resumed his pen only to note lovingly the birth 
 of his namesake, found him and grandma 
 staying at the Fort Washington home of their 
 daughter Carrie, There, on the night of July 
 25th, while he was seated peacefully in his own 
 favorite arm-chair, came the end. 
 
 He was followed by grandma, on August 
 1 6th, 1905, while she was visiting at the sum- 
 mer home of her daughter Zillah at Far 
 Rockaway. 
 
Illustrations 
 & 
 
 Index 
 
Illustrations 
 
 Photogravure of Author 
 
 . . . Frontispiece 
 
 Sylvan L. Stix 
 
 2nd Frontispiece 
 
 My father and mother 
 
 Facing page 8 
 
 The Demmelsdorf home 
 
 "18 
 
 My wife's parents 
 
 * 143 
 
 Key to Demmelsdorf 
 
 
 home and view of 
 
 
 same 
 
 " 162 
 
 Our 14th Street home 
 
 " 204 
 
 Our 71st Street home 
 
 " 206 
 
 Earning the traditional 
 
 
 fifty cents 
 
 " 392 
 
 My wife and grandson 
 
 
 Louis Stix 
 
 " 394 
 
 Index 
 
 
 Adler, Mrs., (a reminder) 322 
 Aub, Mr., (a friendly referee) 53 
 
 Backer, A., (a faithless friend) 324 
 Bake, Eliza, 64 
 
 Barby, Henry, (business friend, part- 
 ner of Richard, Iselin & Co.) 266 
 
 Baruch, Dr. Simon, 382 
 
 Beard, John, (land-owner) 43, 238 
 
 Butterfield, Fred, (business friend) 
 258 
 
 Byrd, George, (business friend) 300 
 
 Clapsadle, Mr., (real estate transac- 
 tion) 239 
 
 Clarke, Mr., (Secretary of American 
 Exchange National Bank) 169 
 
 Clay, Henry, (a political figure) 44,61 
 
 Coe, Mr., (President of American 
 Exchange National Bank) 169 
 
 Cohen, Aaron, (maternal grandfather) 
 2, 3 
 
 Cohen, Conendal, n£e Moses, (mater- 
 nal grandmother) 2, 3 
 
 Cohen, Henry, (uncle) 2 
 
 Cohen, Moses, (maternal great-grand- 
 father) 1 
 
 Cohen, Moses, (cousin) 2 
 
 Conklin, Richard R., (temporary 
 partner) 73 
 
 Corwin, Mr., (attorney) 154 
 
 Corwin, John, (state attorney of Ohio) 
 48 
 
 Corwin, Hon. Thomas, (one-time 
 Governor of Ohio) 48, 62, 154 
 
 Cullman, Joseph F.,Sr., (son-in-law) 
 
 3I3» 3i6, 339.. 342, 355, 378, 386, 
 
 388, 390, 392 
 Cullman, Joseph F., Jr., (grandson) 
 
 321, 337, 342, 356, 361, 378, 383, 
 
 392 
 
 Cullman, Howard S., (grandson) 
 _ ,337,342,356, 378,383,390 
 Cullman, Jacob F., (friend) 367, 387, 
 390 
 
 Cunningham. Mrs., (boarding house 
 keeper) 57 
 
 Daly, Hon. Joseph F., Justice, (ac- 
 quaintance) 302 
 
 Davis, Mrs. Jefferson, (a purchase) 
 215 
 
 Devoe, Wm. P., (business friend) 199 
 Dodd, Mary, (acquaintance) 41 
 Dodd, Squire, 56 
 
 Einstein, George, (friend) 306 
 Ellis, John YV\, (business friend) 114 
 Elsas, Jacob, (married fiancee of de- 
 ceased brother Charles) 24 
 
 Fechheimer, Miss, (fiancee of de- 
 ceased brother Charles) 24 
 
 Fechheimer, Marcus, (a friendly 
 referee) 53 
 
 Feminine friends, 57, 64 
 
 Friedlander, Walter, (grandchild by 
 marriage) 385; marriage of, 391 
 
 Friedlander, Mrs., (mother of Wal- 
 ter) 385, 391 
 
 Friedlander, Mr., (father of Walter) 
 391 
 
 Galland, Estate of, 158 
 Gerster, Dr. Arpad G., 314, 324, 336, 
 338 
 
 Glasser, Mr., (business acquaintance) 
 191 
 
 Grant, Gen. Ulysses, (my physical 
 resemblance to) 269 
 
 Grifnt, Babette, and sister, (benefac- 
 tors) 29 
 
 Gundersheimer, Isaac, (husband of 
 my wife's sister Louisa) 348 
 
 Gundersheimer, Louisa, n£e Hackes, 
 (my wife's sister) 187, 348 
 
 Gunther, Mayor of New York City, 162 
 
 Hackes, Zidone, (my wife's mother) 
 143, 182, 194; death of, 208 
 
Hackes, Simon, (brother-in-law) 183 
 Hackes (Sidney) and Springer, (fail- 
 ure of) 327 
 Hazelhurst, Mr., (merchant) 100 
 Herman, A. S., (brother-in-law) 119, 
 
 120, 168, 271 
 Herman, Moses, (boyhood friend) 16, 
 26, 29 
 
 Hill, Mr., (partner of Wm. Lattimer) 
 261 
 
 Hogan, Mr., (business rival) 55, 56 
 Hoguet, Mr., (business friend) 303 
 Holmes, Mr., (conspirator) 55 
 
 Iglauer, Carl, (son-in-law) 307, 341, 
 
 343. 35L37I 
 Iglauer, Florence, (grand-daughter) 
 
 341, 343. 35'. 353. 363. 376, 383, 
 390 
 
 Iglauer, Zillah, (grand-daughter) 310, 
 343. 35L 353. 363. 375. 383. 39i, 
 393 
 
 Iselin, Adrian, (business friend and 
 benefactor) 167, 258 
 
 Johns, Mr., (merchant) 36 
 Jones, John, (clerk) 148 
 Jacobi, Dr. Abraham, 314 
 
 Kebler, John, (friend and attorney) 
 91, 96, 166, 283, 284 
 
 Kornblieth, Mr., (merchant) 34 
 
 Krouse, Jacob, (friend) 109 
 
 Krouse, William, (gratuity for friend- 
 ly service) 272 
 
 Kuhn, Mrs. Simon, (Setty Swarts, 
 niece and "Schatz") 352, 391 
 
 Kumler, Elias, (friend) 66 
 
 Kupfer, Henry, (friend) 244 
 
 Lattimer, Wm., (business friend and 
 
 benefactor) 126, 258 
 Lincoln, Abraham, (an inspiration) 
 
 174 
 
 Livingston, Dr., 312, 314 
 Lowman, James, (friend) 197 
 
 Mack, Abraham, (friend) 32, 38, 49 
 Mack, Henry, (lifelong friend) 13, 32, 
 38 
 
 Mack, Martin, (brother-in-law of 
 
 Henry Mack) 57 
 Mahan, Mr., (hotel proprietor) 56 
 Mann, Aaron, (boyhood friend) 318 
 
 Mann, Dorothy Gudrune Stix, 
 
 (grand-daughter) 79, 320, 364, 
 381,385 
 
 Mann, Jonas F., (husband of daugh- 
 ter Frances) 318, 381 
 
 Mann, Ruth Zidone Stix, (grand- 
 daughter) 364, 381,385 
 
 Marsh, Charles, of Jordan, Marsh & 
 Co., (business friend) 223, 225 
 
 Menken Bros., (friends) 163; oil spec- 
 ulation, 274 
 
 Menken, Jacob S., (friend) 157, 159, 
 163, 306 
 
 Menken, Captain Nathan, (friend) 
 153 
 
 Menken, Mrs. Nathan, (friend) 153 
 
 Michaels, Ray Stix, (daughter of 
 brother Aaron, deceased) 252 
 
 Michaels, Elias, (husband of Ray 
 Stix) 252, 343 
 
 Montgomery, Miss, (acquaintance) 40 
 
 Moses, Michael, (maternal great- 
 grandfather) 1 
 
 Musgrove, Dr., (friend and benefac- 
 tor) 45, 48, 332 
 
 McAlpine, George, (merchant) 190 
 
 Noyes, General, (acquaintance) 282 
 
 O'Shaunessey, Mrs. T., (one-time 
 creditor) 202 
 
 Peabody, Mr., (merchant) 114 
 Pendleton, Mr., (merchant) 190 
 Pendleton, Mrs., (solicitor of charity) 
 189 
 
 Powler, Mr., (merchant) 199 
 
 Rader, Mr., (neighbor) 210 
 Ransehof, Dr., 317 
 
 Reus, Mr. and Mrs. Seligman, (par- 
 ents of Henry Rice) 344 
 
 Rice, Mrs. Jonathan, (Aurelia Stix, 
 niece) and children, 345 
 
 Rice, Henry, (friend) 233, 261, 268, 
 306, 316, 318 
 
 Rice, Mrs. Henry, (niece by mar- 
 riage) 316 
 
 Rice, Prof. I. L., (acquaintance) 377 
 
 Rice, Hannah, (married to brother 
 Aaron) 233, 236, 252, 374, 386 
 
 Richard, August, (business friend) 
 258, 265, 267, 388 
 
 Rowl, Dr. and Mrs., (friends) 65 
 
Sands, Prof., (physician) 314 
 
 Sewart, Martha, 57 
 
 Simons, (benefactor) 28 
 
 Snelbaker, Squire, 58 
 
 Solomon, Kosnman, (paternal grand- 
 father) 1; his wife, (paternal 
 grandmother) 1 
 
 Springer, Mr., (nephew by marriage) 
 failure of, 327 
 
 Springer, Ida Hackes, (niece by mar- 
 riage) illness of, 328 
 
 Stadler, Martin, (friend) 35, 51, 52,53, 
 57. 93 
 
 Stadler, Max, (friend) 16, 26, 29, 35, 
 
 51, 52, 53, 57 
 Stadler, Mrs,, (mother of Martin and 
 
 Max) 53 
 
 Stallo, judge, (friend and attorney ) 
 
 191,284 
 Stallo, Mrs., 191, 284 
 Stewart, A. T, & Co., (merchants ) 133, 
 
 263 
 
 Stewart, the Misses, (customers ) 51 
 Stix, Aaron, (brother, 233, 245; death 
 of, 250 
 
 Stix, Aaron, (son and wife Belle) 340, 
 341, 342, 35L 376, 382, 3QO 
 
 Stix, Aurelia, (sister; death of, 23 
 
 Stix, Addie, (grand-daughter) 363 
 
 Stix, Carrie, (daughter) 253, 309, 315, 
 318, 321, 335. 339, 340, 34i. 354, 
 356, 357. 37i. 376, 382, 392, 395 
 
 Stix, Charlotte, (grand-daughter ) 3*7 
 
 Stix, Charles L., (son and wife Fred- 
 die) 254, 315, 340, 341 
 
 Stix, Charles A., (son of brother 
 Aaron, deceased) 253 
 
 Stix, Charles, (brother; 15, 23, 25, 27, 
 29, 35, 49. 51. 52 
 
 Stix, Deoorah Cohen, (mother) 1, 2, 
 6, 9, 14, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 53, 85, 
 233, 246, 320, 354 
 
 Stix, Edgar, (grandson) 362, 385 
 
 Stix, family name of, 5 
 
 Stix, Frances, (daughter) 253, 256, 
 257, 309, 316, 3^8, 339, 340, 341, 
 343. 357, 381 
 
 Stix, Hans, (grandson) 343, 351, 363, 
 385. 391 ' 
 
 Stix, Henry, (brother) 27, 29, 52, 59, 
 67, 174, 250, 305, 309, 345- 352, 374 
 
 Stix, Mrs. Henry, (Pauline Turnauer 
 — first wife) 345 
 
 Stix, Henry S., (son of brother Hen- 
 ry's first wife by a previous mar- 
 riage.. 345 
 Stix, Herman, (brother) death of, 23 
 Stix, Joseph L., son^ 13", 172, 340, 
 342, 351 
 
 Stix, Louis, preface; ancestors, 1; 
 tributes to parents, 9, 170; school 
 days, 1 1 ; apprenticeship days, 17, 
 24; philosophy in life, 21, 148, 173, 
 246, 2S0, 354; post-mortem in- 
 junctions, 24:; flight from Germ- 
 any, 20; key of the homestead, 
 343; arrival in New York City and 
 journey west, 32; hrst partner- 
 ship, 35; life of a pioneer pedler 
 ano prices in the time of 1S41, 35, 
 50; hrst Cincinnati partnership 
 and its dissolution, 51, 52; Mason, 
 Ohio, store ana experiences, 54; 
 Billingsville. Indiana, store, ex- 
 periences and Mexican war years, 
 68; business enterprises, includ- 
 ing auctioneering, 8 J ; disastrous 
 partnership with Victor Waiiach 
 and other experiences, 89, 95, 
 197, 350; courtship and marriage, 
 107; business experiences and the 
 Jewish question, 103, 113, 137,143, 
 152, 165, 185, 193, 213, 258; home 
 in Race Street, Cincinnati, 143; 
 a one-track mind, 151; The Men- 
 ken Association, 153, 159; social 
 experiences, 132, 164, 172, 174; 
 Civil War days in the United 
 States, prices and losses, 175, :6„; 
 distorted sense of humor, 184, 
 271; sense of personal rights, 187; 
 charity, 27S, 286; move to New 
 York City, 192, 104; Utk Street 
 heme, 203, 208; 71st Street home, 
 206, 212; reminders of early days 
 and how I disappointed a one- 
 time admirer, 231, 331; real estate 
 transections, 258, 28"; specula- 
 tions, 274, 2-5; questionable cour- 
 age, 291; Mount Sinai Hospital, 
 fairs, and the Hospital Saturday 
 and Sunday Association, 104, 294, 
 36S, 3-9, 389; silver wedding an- 
 niversary, 103, 305: summers and 
 solidarity, 309, 318, 342. 35c, 352, 
 370, 374, 381; trip to Cincinnati, 
 
3go; bank runs and bank accur- 
 acy, 310, 329; illness, 312, 321; 
 pleased with my own business 
 perspicacity, 333; birthday anni- 
 versaries, 341, 385; reminiscences, 
 350; civic service, 365; my four 
 daughters and descendants gen- 
 erally, 357; golden wedding an- 
 niversary, 386; a chronological 
 table, 392; death of, 395 
 Stix, Lawrence, (grandson) 362, 385 
 Stix, Louis, (grandson) birth of, 394 
 Stix, Mae, (grand-daughter) 363 
 Stix, Nathan, (brother and family) 
 
 333. 349. 352, 374 
 Stix, Otto L., (son) 182, 340, 375, 376, 
 
 378,382,388 
 Stix, Robert L., (son and wife Lena) 
 
 170, 340, 341 
 Stix, Rosa, (daughter) 303, 307, 310, 
 316, 340, 341, 343. 35L 353. 357. 
 371,375.383, 393 
 Stix, Sarah, (sister) death of, 23 
 Stix, Solomon, (father) 1, 4, 6, 9, 15, 
 16, 18, 20, 23, 24, 27, 52, 57, 84, 
 135, 170, 201, 233, 235, 243, 354 
 Stix, Sylvan L., (son) 255, 309, 318, 
 
 340, 373, 378 
 Stix, Mrs. Sylvan L., 373, 378 
 Stix, Thomas L., (grandson) 371, 385, 
 391 
 
 Stix, Wm., (brother) 20, 237, 244, 251, 
 306, 315,374 
 
 Stix, Mrs. Wm., 237, 374 
 
 Stix, Yette, (wife n6e Hackes) pref- 
 ace; courtship of, and marriage, 
 107; courage of, 292, 335; silver 
 wedding anniversary, 305; acci- 
 dent to, 337, 389; golden wedding 
 anniversary, 386; death of, 395 
 
 Stix, Zillah, (daughter) 253, 313, 316, 
 32i, 336, 338, 340, 341, 342, 355, 
 357, 378, 382, 390, 392, 395 
 
 Stix, Krouse & Co., (faithful friends) 
 93, 250 
 
 Stix Bros., Herman & Co., 323, 324 
 Storer, Judge, ("Storer's Home 
 
 Guard") 176 
 Strauss, Mrs. Sophie, (mother of 
 
 daughter-in-law Belle Stix) 352 
 Strong, Mayor of New York City, 
 
 (business friend) 365, 370 
 Sulsbacher, Madeline, (wife of Henry 
 
 Cohen, uncle) 2 
 
 Swarts, J. L., (husband of sister Caro- 
 line) 94, 114, 129, 137, 146, 192; 
 death of and eulogy on, 280 
 
 Swarts, Mrs. J. L-, (sister Caroline) 
 201, 238, 243, 352, 374 
 
 Thompson, Miss Polly, ("Aunt Pol- 
 ly") 58 
 
 Trauenstein & Co., (faithful friends) 
 93 
 
 Ullman, James, (gambler) 96 
 
 Vanderbilt, Cornelius, (associate in 
 charities) 379 
 
 Waat, Mr., (of Waat, Dunham & 
 Graham — benefactor) 168 
 
 Wald, Meyer, (friend and benefac- 
 tor) 32 
 
 Wallach, Victor, (business partner) 
 89, 197 
 
 Wallach, Willie, (brother of business 
 
 partner) 95 
 Wall & Leaman, (merchants) 115 
 Walter, J. D. & Co., (one-time credi- 
 tor) 199 
 
 Weaver & Bros., (hostile mercantile 
 
 house) 44, 46 
 Weiss, Samuel W., (husband of 
 
 daughter Carrie) 290, 3 [9, 321, 
 
 339, 352, 356, 368, 371. 376, 382, 
 
 392 
 
 Weiss, Wm. Stix, (grandson) 320, 
 336, 339, 36i, 382, 385 
 
 Weiss, Nina H., (grand-daughter) 
 336, 339, 362, 382, 385 
 
 Weiss, Louis Stix, (grandson) 339, 
 363,371,376, 377,382,385 
 
 Weiss, Carol, (grand-daughter) 339, 
 354, 37i, 376, 382, 385 
 
 Wessel, Captain, (of the ship which 
 accomplished my expatriation) 31 
 
 Whitehouse, Mr., (business acquain- 
 tance and purchaser of my gift 
 carriage horses) 274 
 
 Williams, Mr., (self-invited compan- 
 ion in jeopardy) 39 
 
 Winter, Mrs., (tenant) 289 
 
 Wise, Mrs. Eva, (Wise estate) 158 
 
 Wise, Rev. Isaac M., 151, 251 
 
 Wyler, Sophie, (niece) 352, 391 
 
Descendants 
 of 
 Louis 
 Stix 
 
THE DESCENDANTS OF LOUIS STIX 
 
 January 1, 1962 
 
 Louis Stix (1821-1901) was the father of ten chil- 
 dren. They with their descendants now numbering close 
 to two hundred individuals, are listed as follows with 
 the names of their spouses. However, marriages without 
 issue that terminated in divorce are not included. 
 
 KEY 
 
 I, II, etc. Children of Louis and Yette Hackes Stix 
 
 1, 2, etc. Grandchildren 
 
 A, B, etc. Great-grandchildren 
 
 a, b, etc. Great-great grandchildren 
 
 i, ii, etc. Great-great-great grandchildren 
 
 I. Joseph L. Stix (1852-1934) 
 
 ,11. Charles Stix (1854-1912) 
 m. Frederica Bieber 
 
 1. Addie Stix (1878-1937) 
 m. Paul Oppenheimer 
 
 A. Margaret Oppenheimer (1904-1905) 
 
 B. Jane Oppenheimer b. 1905 
 m. Samuel Kootz 
 
 2. May Stix b. 1882 
 m. Benjamin Phillips 
 
 A. Ethel Phillips b. 1906 
 m. Paul Whitehead 
 
 a. Charles P. Whitehead b. 1929 
 m. Mary Lamb 
 
 i. Donald Whitehead b. 1956 
 ii. Michael Whitehead b. 1959 
 
 B. Carol Phillips b. 1911 
 m. Stephen P. Parke 
 
 a. Jill Phillips Parke b. 1946 
 
 b. Barbara Mary Parke b. 1950 
 
III. Rosa Stix (1856-1914) 
 m. Carl Iglauer 
 
 1. Zillah Iglauer (1877-1956) 
 m. Walter J. Friedlander 
 
 A. John Walter Friedlander b. 1902 
 m. Gladys Fleischman 
 
 a. Joan Friedlander b. 1928 
 m. Robert Steiner 
 
 i. Therese Steiner b. 1951 
 
 ii. Carl Steiner b. 1953 
 m. Lucien Walsin 
 
 b. Walter John Friedlander b. 1931 
 m. Maria Cooper 
 
 i. Catherine Friedlander b. 1957 
 
 ii. John Walter Friedlander 2nd b. 1958 
 m. Mary Kennedy 
 
 c. Judith Friedlander b. 1941 
 
 d. Mary Ann Friedlander b. 1946 
 
 B. Carl Iglauer Friedlander b. 1907 
 m. Louise Oppenheimer 
 
 C. Mary Friedlander b. 1910 
 m. James S. Plaut 
 
 a. Susan Plaut b. 1935 
 m. John M. Reed 
 
 i. Leslie Reed b. 1958 
 
 ii. Jennifer Reed b. 1960 
 
 iii. Adam Lord Reed b. 1961 
 
 b. Thomas Plaut b. 1937 
 
 2. Florence Iglauer b. 1881 
 m. Jesse Wyler 
 
 A. Katherine Wyler b. 1909 
 m. Alan Stroock 
 
 a. Robert Stroock b. 1934 
 
 b. Mariana Stroock b. 1937 
 m. Lawrence Leighton 
 
 c. Daniel Stroock b. 1940 
 
 B. Carl Iglauer Wyler b. 1913 
 m. Marjory Straus 
 
 a. John Wyler b. 1938 
 m. Joan Godfried 
 
 b. William Wyler b. 1946 
 
IV. Robert Louis Stix (1857-1915) 
 m. Lena Cullman 
 
 1. Lawrence Stix (1886-1957) 
 m. Babette Oppenheimer 
 
 A. Lawrence Stix Jr. b. 1915 
 m. Muriel Marks 
 
 a. Louise Arnold Stix b. 1946 
 
 b. Jennifer Ann Stix b. 1958 
 
 B. Edgar R. Stix 2nd b. 1920 
 m. Carol Hoffman 
 
 a. Allen Howard Stix b. 1945 
 
 b. Wayne Phillip Stix b. 1948 
 
 c. Roger Bruce Stix b. 1952 
 
 d. Gail Virginia Stix b. 1954 
 
 2. Edgar Robert Stix b. 1891 
 m. Ruth Fink 
 
 A. Robert Louis Stix b. 1916 
 m. Patricia Castle 
 
 a. Gary Castle Stix b. 1953 
 
 b. Christopher Terry Stix b. 1955 
 
 c. Mary Eleanor Stix b. 1957 
 
 B. Donald Stix b. 1920 
 m. Gloria Stewart 
 
 a. Nancy Jane Stix b. 1951 
 
 b. John Louis Stix b. 1953 
 
 c. Diane Elizabeth Stix b. 1959 
 
Zillah Stix (1859-1935) 
 m. Joseph F. Cullman 
 
 1. Joseph F. Cullman Jr. (1881-1955) 
 m. Frances Wolff 
 
 A. Frances (Nan) Cullman b. 1910 
 m. Robert Jacobs 
 
 a. Frances Nathan Jacobs b. 1937 
 m. Alan Solomon 
 
 i. David Alan Solomon b. 1961 
 
 b. Barbara Elsie Jacobs b. 1939 
 
 c. Robert Allan Jacobs Jr. b. 1946 
 
 B. Joseph F. Cullman, 3rd b. 1912 
 m. Susan Lehman 
 
 a. Dorothy C. Cullman b. 1939 
 m. Norman Treisman 
 
 i. Joel Harold Treisman b. 1961 
 
 C. William Arthur Cullman b. 1914 
 m. Cecilia Stein 
 
 a. William Arthur Cullman Jr. b. 1939 
 
 b. Peter A. Cullman b. 1941 
 
 c. Richard L. Cullman b. 1944 
 
 d. Beatrice A. Cullman b. 1946 
 
 D. Edgar M. Cullman b. 1918 
 m. Louise Bloomingdale 
 
 a. Lucy B. Cullman b. 1943 
 
 b. Edgar M. Cullman Jr. b. 1946 
 
 c. Susan R. Cullman b. 1949 
 
 E. Lewis B. Cullman b. 1919 
 m. Thais MacBride 
 
 a. Duncan T. Cullman b. 1947 
 
 2. Howard S. Cullman b. 1891 
 m. Elsie Gottheil 
 
 A. Hugh Cullman b. 1923 
 m. Nan Ogburn 
 
 a. Katherine Victoria Cullman b. 1953 
 
 b. Hugh Cullman, Jr. b. 1956 
 
 c. Alexandria Miriam Cullman b. 1959 
 
 B. Paul Cullman b. 1925 
 m. Georgia Brady 
 
 a. Daniel Hugh Cullman b. 1947 
 
 b. Candice Carol Cullman b. 1949 
 
 c. Steven Howard Cullman b. 1952 
 
 d. Laurel Caroline Cullman b. 1954 
 m. Marguerite Wagner 
 
C. Marguerite Patricia Cullman b. 1936 
 m. Allan Barry Stone 
 
 a. Allison Marguerite Stone b. 1956 
 
 b. Jeremy Patricia Stone b. 1957 
 
 c. Claudia Barry Stone b. 1959 
 
 D. Brian Henrv Cullman b. 1950 
 
 VI. Aaron L. Stix (1862-1955) 
 m. Belle Strauss 
 
 1. Carl (Hans) Stix (1890-1959) 
 m. Pauline Fishel 
 
 A. Tom C. Stix b. 1916 
 m. Jill Rainer 
 
 a. John Stix b. 1958 
 
 b. David Stix b. 1960 
 
 B. Nancy Stix b. 1920 
 m. Maurice Lazarus 
 
 a. Carol Lazarus b. 1946 
 
 b. Jill Lazarus b. 1950 
 
 2. Thomas L. Stix b. 1896 
 m. Regine Kronacher 
 
 A. Thomas L. Stix, Jr. b. 1923 
 m. Dorothy Kerstein 
 
 a. Stephen Louis Stix b. 1956 
 
 b. Julie Stix b. 1958 
 
 B. Barbara Stix b. 1925 
 m. Herbert Lipke 
 
 a. Peter Lipke b. 1950 
 
 b. Marian Lipke b. 1951 
 
 c. Alan Lipke b. 1953 
 
 d. Paul Lipke b. 1956 
 
 VII. OttoL. Stix (1864-1942) 
 
VIII. Caroline (Carrie) Stix (1866-1937) 
 m. Samuel W. Weiss 
 
 1. William S. Weiss (1888-1945) 
 m. Ray Levi 
 
 A. Samuel W. Weiss b. 1918 
 m. Vita Ortman 
 
 a. Ellen Weiss b. 1946 
 m. Louise Stieglitz 
 
 b. William S. (Billy) Weiss b. 1950 
 
 B. John K. Weiss (1920-1958) 
 m. Phyllis Warner 
 
 a. John K. (Kim) Weiss, Jr. b. 1944 
 
 b. Karen Weiss b. 1945 
 
 c. Robin Weiss b. 1948 
 
 d. Peter Weiss b. 1949 
 
 e. Jennifer Weiss b. 1952 
 
 C. Mary Ellen Weiss b. 1924 
 m. Gerson Goodman 
 
 a. Stephen Goodman b. 1949 
 
 b. Nancy Goodman b. 1952 
 
 c. Gerson (Gerry) Goodman b. 1955 
 
 2. Nina Weiss b. 1889 
 m. Carl S. Stern 
 
 A. Margaret Stern b. 1915 
 m. Journet Kahn 
 
 a. David Kahn b. 1947 
 
 b. Carl Kahn b. 1949 
 
 c. Stephen Kahn b. 1950 
 
 d. Judith Kahn b. 1951 
 
 e. Elizabeth Kahn b. 1953 
 
 f. Margaret Kahn b. 1955 
 
 g. Jonathan Kahn b. 1957 
 
 B. Anne Stern b. 1918 
 m. Boris I. Bittker 
 
 a. Susan Bittker b. 1950 
 
 b. Danny Bittker b. 1953 
 
 C. Carl Stern b. 1921 
 m. Charlotte Daniel 
 
 a. Christopher Stern b. 1956 
 
 b. Jennifer Stern b. 1961 
 
3. Louis S. Weiss (1894-1950) 
 m. Aline Pollitzer 
 
 A. Elizabeth Weiss b. 1920 
 m. Edwin L. Goldwasser 
 
 a. Michael Goldwasser b. 1944 
 
 b. John L. Goldwasser b. 1946 
 
 c. Katherine Goldwasser b. 1949 
 
 d. David M. Goldwasser b. 1951 
 
 B. Barbara Weiss b. 1921 
 m. Robert S. Merrill 
 
 a. David R. Merrill b. 1952 
 
 b. James V. Merrill b. 1955 
 
 c. Joseph D. Merrill b. 1958 
 
 C. Katherine Weiss b. 1926 
 m. Louis H. Pollak 
 
 a. Nancy Pollak b. 1953 
 
 b. Elizabeth Pollak b. 1955 
 
 c. Susan Pollak b. 1957 
 
 d. Sarah Pollak b. 1958 
 
 e. Deborah Pollak b. 1960 
 
 D. William P. (Peter) Weiss b. 1929 
 m. Joan Kennedy 
 
 4. Carol T. Weiss (1895-1952) 
 m. Gordon King 
 
 A. Jonathan King b. 1925 
 
 m. Cynthia (Toni) Bregman 
 
 a. Gordon B. King b. 1952 
 
 b. Austin A. King b. 1955 
 
 c. Nathaniel King b. 1957 
 
IX. Frances Stix (1867-1958) 
 m. Jonas F. Mann 
 
 1. Dorothy G. S. Mann (1894-1960) 
 
 2. Ruth Z. S. Mann (1897-1959) 
 
 3. Adrian Stix Mann b. 1907 
 
 X. Sylvan L. Stix (1871-1960) 
 m. Florence Deitsch 
 
 1. Charlotte L. Stix b. 1899 
 
 2. Louis Stix b. 1902 
 m. Caryl Corey 
 
 A. Louis Sylvan Stix b. 1931 
 m. Rosalie Anne Simpkins 
 
 a. Margaret Prudence Stix b. 1956 
 
 b. Louis Nicholas Stix b. 1958 
 
 B. Daniel Louis Stix b. 1934 
 m. Beverly R. McDonnell 
 
 a. Patricia Lynn Stix b. 1956 
 
 b. Robert Daniel Stix b. 1957 
 
 c. Cynthia Ruth Stix b. 1959 
 
 d. James Louis Stix b. 1961 
 
 C. Susan Hurd Stix b. 1939 
 m. Richard Blumenthal 
 
 3. Hugh Sylvan Stix b. 1907 
 m. Adine A. Haviland 
 
 A. David Field Stix b. 1940 
 
 B. Elizabeth Antoinette Stix b. 1942 
 m. Marguerite Gompertz 
 
 4. Susan Hilda Stix b. 1909 
 m. Donald Weisman 
 
 A. Hugh Stix Weisman b. 1939 
 m. Suzanne Steinfeld 
 
 B. James Stix Weisman b. 1941 
 
 C Donald Stix Weisman (1944-1951) 
 
— Notes —