DEATH OF "SILENT” SMITH.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8816, 18 May 1907, Page 1

DEATH OF " SILENT” SMITH.

“Silent” Smith, one of tho most remarkable of America’s multi-mil-lionaires, whoso fortune is estimated at £15,0000,00, died onMarcli 26th of heart disease, at Kyoto, in Japan, which ho was visiting witli his wife on their wedding tour round tho world. Until 1890 ho was James Henry Smith, a taciturn, reserved man, witii a small office in Wall street, Now York, and a small flat in an unfashionable part of the city. With the exception of the hour a day lie spent at tho Union Club he was never seen outside his office or his home. In that year his still more eccentric cousin, “Chicago” Smith, died at the Reform Club in London, where lie had lived at a maximum cost of 18s a day, and loft him a fortune of nearly £13,000,000, From being tho least obtrusive of Now Yorkers, “Silent” Smith became the most prominent. Ho joined twelve of the leading social and sporting clubs, and had the distinction of being launched into society by Mrs Stuyvosaut Fish, as one of.the world’s richest bachelors.

He always drove a four-in-hand, and bought the best horses that money could purchase. His entertainments were as freakish as they were magnificent. His valentine ball at Sherry’s, and the musicale in the Fifth Avenue Palace, - bought from Mr W. O. Whitney’s executors for £400,000, at which lie paid Caruso £6OO to sing four songs, will be long talked of in New York. At this mansion he entertained the Duchess of Manchester and the foremost leaders of American society. He was the elusive catch of many seasons; but last year he chose as his bride the beautiful Mrs Rhinelander Stewart, of Baltimore—a sister of Mrs A. J. Drexel.

Soon after their wedding Mr and Mrs Smith started on a tour of the world, with the Duke and Duchess of Mancehster, in Mr Drexel’s magnificent steam yacht,. the Margherita. The groat appreciation in the value of real estate in Chicago added largely to Mr Smithis millions, and his railway stock holdings were also immense.