The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1860-05-18
Reverse of Fortune.


Louis, Alton and Chicago Railroad yes
terday morning, just before the arrival of
the train from the South, we noticed a
man whose countenance seemed familiar
to US. A few moments scrutiny satisfied
US that we we're not mistaken, and when
We accos;ed the individual referred to he
became quite communicative. When the
train arrived. he stepped into car and
was soon travelling Northward al the rate
of thirty miles an hour. He was one of
the richest men in California during tie
flush times of 1850, and for some
months after the discovery of the yellow
metal in Capt. Suffers mill race, he mos
norolized the mercantile business in San
Francisco. Until the DISCOVERY of gold
he was in rather poor circumstances at
least the profits which he made from the
sale of his merchandise were scarcely suf
ficlent for bis support. But when the dis
covery of gold MAS made known, he began
to coin money, as the saying is, for he had
the different kinds of goods that were
most needed in the mines. His word
was considered good for any amount du-
ring the summer aud fall of 1S48. He
was considered fair dealer when Judi,
ciously watched. In 1S49 he established
branches in various parts of the mines,
and it was rumored soon after lie failed
that his agents swindled him out of his
share of the profits. lie made bad fail
urs and some of his paper sold for ten cts.
on the dollar, Finding himselfquite used
up, as far as business was concerned, he
hired himself 10 s. hotel keeper, and for
several months he wore white apron
and waited upon the table. He finally
secured an interest in the hotel, and was
making money rapidly, when the great
fire of 1850 extinguished his property and
financial prospects at the same time
Soon after the fire he bought ranche, on
credit, and began the life of ranchero -
He was not particularly successful in that
branch of business, and years trial salts
fed him that he could DO better at some
thing else, lie certainly could do no worse.
We believe he next opened a boarding
house in the southern mines, and made
some money by the operation. But he
was destined to lose it, for on his arrival
in San Francisco lie was silly enough to
suppose that he had learned how to win
money from an old Frenchman who pre-
sided at rouge ct noir table. lie and
the polite old fellow had several animated
contests, but when ho won he pocketed
very small sums, and when lie lost the
Frenchman's bank WAS very materially
benefited. The matter ended in the usu-
al way, and the pigeon received a severe
plucking. lie finally became a hanger on
in the different gambling rooms of San
Francisco, and in time became an expert
faro dealer. Like all other gamblers he
had his ups and downs--ons day he was
worth thousands, and the next he was OBJ
liged to borrow money to pay for his din
ner. We do not know what he has been
doing for several years, but presume gam>
bling has been his principal business. He
informed US, however, when we saw him
yesterday morning, that he had reformed
His assertion need corroboration. When
we knew him intimately in 1S48, he was
pretty good man, barring a few sharp
business habits, buthis present appearance
and conversation are not altogether a la
mode. He claims to reside in St. Louis.
His age twelve years ago was probably
not far from twenty-eight years, and
casual observer at this time would sup
pose him to be between fifty and sixty-a
plain proof that such >dissipated life as
he has led for several years is calculated
to make men look older than they really
are. He had an excellent chance to make
himself millionaire, but he did not i'm
prove it, in which respect he was like n ost
of the early residents of the Golden State
The probabilities are that he will lead a
fast life for few years longet, and event
ually become tenant Of potter's Field.
-SpringfeM Journal.