In the late 1890s
a Hungarian immigrant named Martin Weiss arrived in New York City
without family or friends. His poor, widowed mother sent him to
America as a young man with $84 sewn into his coat. His first job
was helping a blind violinist around New York , but soon he moved to
Texas to live with the violinist's sister, whose daughters taught
Weiss to read and write. After years of earning and losing money, he
finally became wealthy after purchasing a millinery supply company on
Elm in downtown Dallas. Weiss also began to build properties in the
1920s, such as this strip along the east side of Bishop.
Weiss became a
much-loved philanthropist in Oak Cliff, giving away his money to
orphanages and to nearby Methodist Hospital. Each year he gave gold
watches to the top students at Oak Cliff High School. He said he did
this because he could never repay the United States for giving him
such opportunities.
Standing in front
of Hattie's and looking up, you can see his name carved into the
facade of his building.
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