Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 July 1906 — RUSSELL SAGE'S CAREER CLOSED [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

RUSSELL SAGE'S CAREER CLOSED

Celebrated New York Financier Is Gathered in by Death. WAS NEARLY NINETY YEARS OLD His Final Decline Was Rapid, Owing to the Infirmities of Old Age. Some Points in the Career of the Famous Money Maker—Norcross’ Attempt to Kill Him with Dynamite. New York, July 24.—Russell Sage Is dead at his summer home in Lawrence, L. I. Enfeebled for the last few years by the infirmities of old

age. he passed away after a rapid final decline of several weeks. He was preparing with great pleasure for the celebration of his 90th birthday on Aug. 4, an event which ■was made memorable each year by the visits of the old residents of Lawrence and other intimate friemte, to whom the aged fiancler was always known as “Uncle Russell.” Never a Popular Man. While interest will be expressed here Mr. Sage's death, this city will show little regret. Sage was not a popular man; he was not even widely Respected. Perhaps there never has been a better summary made of Mr. Sage's status in the eyes of bls fellow citizens than that voiced some years ago by one of his enemies, who said: “He is feared by many, respected by some, admired by few, envied by none and loved by his wife.” The reason that Sage did not make any appeal to tbe sympathy or affection of bis fellow men was to be found in the fact that he was too much of a money-making machine and too little of a human being. He was like some remarkable bit of mechanism, constituted for the sole purjiose of scheming ways to make money and of putting them into effect, with little of average human warmth of heart, generosity of feeling or kindness of spirit. Points About the Financier. Here are some of the points about Sage and his career which will give a better understanding of the man: He was worth between $100,000,000 and $150,000,000. He would argue about the price of two apples or quarrel about the cost of a haircut. He was saved from bankruptcy by Jay Gould. He returned tbe compliment by saving Gould from financial ruin. He narrowly escaped Imprisonment for usury. He began money making at tbe age of 19. He had made $75,000 when he was 25. He served in congress between 1852 and 1856. Early tn his career he was a rum seller. His word was as good as most men’s bonds. He went to church every Sunday. He gaVe scarcely anything for public or charitable purposes. He appeared almost absolutely to lack nerves. He wore tbe cheapest of clothes and his tastes were of the plainest. Attempt on Sage’s Life. On Dec. 4, 1891, a stranger called at his office and presented a letter purporting to be from one of the Rockefellers. In reality It was a demand for $1,200,000. It stated that in case the demand was refused the stranger would drop the black bng he had In his hand, and presently an explosion that should annihilate the financier would take place. Sage refused, and the bag was dropped. The explosion occurred, and the office was wrecked. By some chance Sage was not killed. The stranger was, however. His head alone was not destroyed and later served to Identify him as a Bostontan named Norcross. Russell Sage was ft total abstainer most of his life and always of extremely temperate habits. He never smoked but once. In religion he was a Presbyterian. New York, July 26. The World says: “Every dollar of Russell Sage’s great fortune Is left to Mrs. Sage by a will made in 1901 except an insignificant t>equest made to Mrs. Fannie Chapin, of Oneida. N. Y., an only sister, who died two years ago.

RUSSELL SAGE.