Rensselaer Union and Jasper Republican, Volume 8, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 June 1876 — A New York Miser Millionaire. [ARTICLE]

A New York Miser Millionaire.

Walking up a friend, W 6 passed an eccentric individual that set my thoughts running in a particular direction—the mode of life foL--1 owedby someofthe wel I-k no w n characters of ~ttamity, This man I had just passed is a study for an artist. In front of the St. Nicholas Hotel he went shambling along, with ,4ii» eyes- cast down,- a dirty briar-wood pipe in his mouth, a ragged coat on hisdiack, an old slouched hat on his head, pants sadly the Worse for wear, rolled up over dirty brogans. His whole get-up was strikingly suggestive. " How much wquld you give for what is on that old fellow?" I asked my companion. After he had turned and surveyed him from head to foot, the answer came: " Well, his old clothes might bring three dollars at a second-hand shop; but why do you ask that question ?” “Because,” I responded, "that old specimen of humanity is worth three or four millions, and he usually carries in those old clothes from $25,000 to $40,000 in United States And such are the facts. This man is named Connors. Manyyears ago he landed in Halifax from Ireland, with but eighteen dollars in his pockets. Strolling along Water street he saw, in a junk shop, a large quantity of old brass. An Idea struck him. Could he not make a successful deal in old brass ? He entered and inquired how much per pound would be accepted for the junk. His next move was in the direction of the piers on the river tront. He found a vessel about to sail for Boston in ballast-, and sought an interview with the Captain, who proved to be a countryman of his. From him-he ascertained the price of brass in Boston, and after a little calculation they found that they could clear about S4OO by buying out the junkman. The skipper advanced the _ money, the brass was transferred to the schooner. They set- -sail for the Hub, where they arrived in due time, and selling their cargo cleared $450. by the transaction, which they divided between them. Connors remained in Boston, where he made a few more lucky speculations of this nature, and then came to this city. He lived the life of a miser, in a dilapidated tenementhouse, cooking his own meals, and having as his only companion a little dog, with whom he divided his frugal meals. Every speculation, he entered into yielded him gold, and, finally, when he had accumulated about $5,000, he began to operate in real estate. He was remarkably shrewd, and everything he touched seemed to turn into gold as if by magic. All this time his wfre and children remained in Ireland, and rarely would he condescend to write to them, owing to the necessity of purchasing postagestamps that would be involved, fiis wealth doubled nearly every year; lots purchased for a mere song enhanced in value rapidly; and as he prospered he placed much in tenement-houses that gave handsome profits. Some years ago he purchased the Park Hotel, corner of Beekman and Nassau streets. Later the Central Park Hotel was erected by him, and still later the Astor Place Hotel, lie now owns, it is said, five Or six hotels and other real estate, valued in the aggregate at between $3,000,000 and $4,000,000. Connors is a miser in every sense of the word. A few years ago he sent to Ireland and brought out his eldest Soil, to aid him in the management of his large estate. The young man toiled diligently; but the old fellow did not give him "sufficient to pay his board, and the young man..left him, and is now running a foal estate office in Brooklyn on his own account. During all this time Connors carefully guarded from every one, including his son, his place of abode. None of his servants know where to find him except on rent day, when befalls promptly to the hour and demands, the uttermost farthing. Connors is but one of many fantastic characters that are met every day in the busy walks of life inthis city.=—AL X. Cot. Ht. Louis Globe-Denwcrat.