Connecticut western news., 1872-02-16

Hon, '. 1T. Sel6y,-Mr. Editor: You asked a few weeks ago, if some one of your correspondents would not inform your readers, "who is Hon. Thomas H. Selby." As, before he left New York for California, he was known to some of our townsmen, and having married his first wife in Stockbridge, and was known to many people living in the Housatonic val ley, 1 think it will interest many of your readers to learn something of the man in his present condition. MT. Selby is an ilustrious example of what our Yankee boys may become, if they will start in life us he did; with high resolves, indomitable energy and faith in themselves, with a conscientious determination to do right. Mir. Selby was one of the early settlers of California. He went there for purposes of trade and has made it his home. To show what kind of man he is, it is said that during one of those disastrous conf1a- grations which swept away large portions of the young city of San Francisco, while the fire was approaching his store, Mir. Selby gathered few of his men who were willing to assist him, and locking them selves into the building, determined to save it. The outside of the store was of iron, and all the night through, those few men fought the fire wherever they saw flame creeping in through some crack of a win dow or door. When morning came. all was desolation round them. Every other building in that portion of the town was destroyed! When told that such conduct was fool hardy, his quiet reply was, ''those who had trusted me with their property, would have lost it all" Mir. Selby has from the first taken an earnest interest in the development of the Pacific coast. Al law was worth nothing for the protection of life or property, MT. Selby with others formed Vigilence committee, and drove out the thieves and murderers who bao c"ngregated from every quarter of tht globe. For twenty years he has been g member of the city government and fol two years last past. it's mayor. He was the first nominee of the Reform party, and his election broke up the corrupt polit. ical Ring" in San Francisco. ~He de. clined renominatiOn for mayor unani nous nomination for member of congress from his district; witherew his name from the list of candidates for governor, when enthusiastic ''Selby delegations" had been l chosen from every ward of his city, and also declined an election by the legislature of the state to seat in the U. s. senate ; and aU Ats during the yedr 1871. MT. Selby is extensively engaged in business, and is said to give employment to thous ands. Perhaps tue most valuable work which he has performed for California, is the erection and successful operation of works for the smelling of lead, and the extraction therefrom of the precious metals, gold and silver, but principally silver. believe that all of the lead ore of the At lantic states, which bears the precious metals has to be sent to Europe for smelt- ing. The lead of the Pacific coast was almost valueless if it must be transported
 
 to Europe. Thousands upon thousands of dollars were lost in experiments before sue. cess was reached. None but a man of undaunted energy would have persevered. l trust that wealth from this source may flow into his pockets. MT. Selbys country residence is down Cor up) the San Jose valley; twenty three miles from the city. Nine years ago it was in it's native wild ness. Now his elegant dome is surroun
 ded by vast orchards of the apple and almond in bearing. Ornamental trees are scattered among the live oaks in his large park, and New Englander, not thinking of the rapid growth of trees in California would say that fifty years at least were required to bring his grounds to their pres. ent state of perfection. K.