Death of a Millionaire.

Manawatu Herald, 24 March 1892, Page 3

Death of a Millionaire.

The death of Mr Samson Wertheiiner, adds one more name to the list of wealthy* men whose deaths, though regretted by their friends and acquaintances, cannot but rouse some agreeable, if secret, emotions in the breast of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Mr Wertheimer was the grandfather of Mr Isidore Wertheimer, who figured so prominently in the Dunlo Divorce Case, and in some respects was a remarkable man. According to a recent sermon of Canoa Scott Holland's at St Paul's the " mere accumulation of wealth serves no purpose human or divine," but whatever, the purpose the Russian Jew who landed in London sixty years ago, barefooted, penniless, and unable to speak English, died a week ago to day a millionaire. He began his up-hill journey from a cellar in Leicestersquare as a maker of metal mounts in imitation of ancient work, and so excellent was the workmanship that even to this day the best judges in London are deceived by them. Working early and late, and living almost, it is said, "on the smell of an oil rag," Samson Wertheimer rose to affluence, far beyond the " dreams of avarice," from a "potentiality" which even Dr Johnson would have spurned. His extreme penury gave rise to various anecdotes of which it can w»ll be said, " Se non c vero c been trovato." For instance, long after the wealth of the entire family was fully assured, one of the younger members becoming horrified at the appearance of the old man, who by the way, never wore European clothes, but in a long black coat like an old fashioned gaberdine, and a skull cap, could be seen any day up to the end of last week standing in the front of his shop, presented him

with a fine fur coat, for which he gave the sum 6f £150. The old man Was very delighted at the present, but was not satisfied until he had ascertained what it it cost. Afraid to tell him the truth, his grandson said he gave £40 for it. Old Wertheimer flung up his hands in horror, and no more was said on the matter until two days later, when with a chuckle he said to the lad, " You vun clever poy, I sold zat goat for sixty pund."