DEATH OF A LANCASHIRE. MILLIONAIBE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 98, 27 April 1895, Page 4

DEATH OF A LANCASHIRE. MILLIONAIBE.

Mr Hilton Greaves, of Oldham, a millionaire, and head of a great manufacturing firm, died at his residence, Derker Hall, Oldham, recently. He was one of the best known men in Lancashire. " While he was 'putting his thousands together,' " says the Manchester Guardian, "he usually preferred, when at home, to work amongst his men, keeping to the workman's garb, although he took care not to put off the master's character. In building his mills he took entire charge Jof operations himself, and thoroughly enjoyed a few hours of a 'navvy's graft' turning out the soil for a foundation. If the fancy took him he would run down from Oldham to the Manchester Exchange in his clayey dress, and few things delighted him more than to snr prise any raw hand who might be on 'Changei In this relation it is said that a stranger who had come from London to do business with Hilton Greaves went to the Derker mill and was directed to Derker Hall, not far away, where Mr Greaves lived. Passing a group of men at work amongat some stone and brick rubbish, the traveller inquired, with quite sufficient sharpness, the exact whereabouts of the house, was asked in return by one of the men what he wanted, and gave a careless reply. " You'll not find Mr Greaves at home,' was the conclusion of the man at work, ' either to-day, to-morrow, or next year ; ' and it was perfectly true, theiemark being that of Mr Greaves himself. He was particularly fond of a day with the Cheshire Hunt, but wtfnld not neglect business even for that. His plan sometimes was to have a carriage leady to bring him from any given point after • a run,' and go straight on to the Manchester Exchange in hunting costume. Mr Greaves was essentially a kind-hearted man, and although he did not take part in the management of any of the local charitable institutions he gave away a good deal. In the slack times that have come over the spinning I industry he would not stop either of his mills, running them to keep his people in pay* as well as in service. But with him there was no waste of money. He not long ago met a workman carrying a ' whippet ' pup, the sort of a dog that is used a good deal for afternoon r*acing. ' I have a mind to buy that dog,' he said, and was told the price was a guinea. ' A guinea, for a dog !' said he turning to the broad Oldham dialect. ' Dost know the price of bread, and shoe?, and clothing?' He was told in reply that ' the missus looked after they things.' 'Then get the "missus" to take charge of the dogs, too,' was the sharp comment of the master. That mau brought no dog to the mill again."