THE LATE JOHN KENNEDY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2701, 4 January 1910, Page 7

THE LATE JOHN KENNEDY.

“HUSTLING” IN AMERICA. N In referring to the death of John Kennedy, a millionaire New York banker (who began life in Glasgow as an errand boy), the correspondent of the “Daiiv Telegraph” says:—A few years ago he bought land for a summer residence, and an architect prepared the plans for a magnificent house, costing £160,000. Mr. Kennedy stipulated that the ground must be cleared and) the house ready for occupation within six months, and must “look as though it were twenty-five years old.” He himself took a part in superintending the operations. The men worked night and day, and within six months a veritable dream castle, with rooms like those he had seen in palaces abroad, was reared. When the union labor mem protested about the overtime work, he paid them a third more than the union overtime rates, and lie gave his experts l fabulous prices for sticking on the job twenty hours a day. He did all. the magnificent furnishing within three days. Furnishers and art decorators protested that such speed was impossible.“ Yes, . you can,” said Mr. Kennedy. “I’ll pay for the stuff ready money,” and within three days, by means of special trains and a small army of men, the castle was furnished from basement to attic. In honor of the opening of his summer residence, Mr. Kennedy entertained 100 friends, and all the workmen and their wives and, families. [Mr Kennedy died worth fifteen milliop sterling,’..and bequeathed half of that sum to churches, and charities.] ,/