Smyrna times., 1874-12-09
James Lick Estate.

The most remarkable auction sale Of which
history gives us any account was held on
Tuesday in San Francisco. 4 portion of the
immense estate of James Lick given to
trustees for public uses, was sold for two mil
lion of dollars. The residue was Withdrawn
tor disposal at a future day. The time would
appear hardly favorable for the sale of real
estate, and yet suhciant sum has already
been realized to accomplish all the specific
purposes contained in the extraordinary deed
by which this public spirited citiz4n reduced
himself, few months ago, from vast opu
lence to position Of simple ease.
James Lick is a native Of Fredericksburg
Pennsylvania, who learned the trade Of Piano
making in Philadelphia ia the early years OF
this century. Having a taste for adventure,
which was with him not incompatible with
great industry and thrift, he went to South
America, where he passed several years
engaged in any business which offered, some
times making pianos sometimes dealing in
furs, but always getting ahead. WhGn tn
Mexican war threw California into our han l.
aud the rYmored discoveries of gold ex.nted
such interest among Americans on the Paci6o
Coast, Mr.. Lick resolved to seek his fortune
in FL Dorado. His business ia Peru was re-.
| lentessy sacrificed, aud he started for San
| Francisco Bay with $780, 900 in cash. the avail,
! of property worth twice that SUN. There were
very few of the early emigrants who h ID any
such sum Of money, and still fewer who hal
such g head. piece az was carried on tn.
square shoulders of the Pennsylvania piano
maker. He bought lot and a large aiohe
house on the northeast corner of Montgomery
and Jsckson-sts., to keep his safe full o.
doubloons in, and then began ~ look sbou,
him. He saw that a great town was sure tn
grow up on those sand hills, an1 h. lost no
time in selecting and buying the most eligible
positions in the future city. This WAS in 1913
when there was only struggling village thers
and the prices which Mr.. Lick paid wer,
usually above the marke. of the tune. H,
wanted only choice lots and secure titles. II,
kept his own counsel, and for years afterwards
when the vigorous young city was spreadiO.
cut on ever hand, there we're many vacan
lots and blocks occupying the best situation
whose ownership was a mystery 10 every on,
except the quiet spsculatOr.
he is now IS years Old aud does not choos
to wait until his death shall throw his propert
into the hands of bunglinx corp1r itions an
grasping heirs. He therefore made a deed il
July last giving his whole estate 10 seve
} trustees, Thomas II. Selby, d. D. Mills, Henri
NJ. Newhal William Alvord, George II. How
ard, James Otis, and John o. E,rl. for use
and purposes therein, specified. These pur
poses ara Of a remarkable character. SeVe
t Hundred Thousand Dollars are to be devote
: to the construction, on the borders OF LAX
: Tahoe, or elsewhere in the State of CalitorniS
/ of powerful telescope, superior to an
more powerful than any telescope ever ye
0 made" This is to be construed as rapid
h as circumstances shall permit Three Huudre
; Thousand Dollars are to be used to foun
and endow an institution to be called =" Th
| California School of Mechanical Arts, th
y object and purpose of which shall be 10 eC
| al in ha fio
IS arts of life," to be open to all youths Dor
in California. Two Hundred ani Fifty Thor
Z sand Dollars are 30 be spent in building
o monument designed to commemorate the hi
n tory Of California, and One Hundred an
Fifty Thousand are to be devoted to
If Bronze Monument to Francis Scott Ke
t. author of the Star Spanglsd BANNER
e probably the largest proportion Of monument
5. glory to the amount Of copy whiC
Dt record. One Hundred and Fifty Thousau
s Dollars are TO be spent in building free batl
TX for the San Branclscans, aud One Hundrc
r: Thousand in establishing Home for Old Ladi
of who have no means Of support. These q
1, tho principal purposes Of the trust, thou,
1t there are numerous gifts of So, 900 and 5000
50 to various charities. The family Of Mr.. Lii
is are seantily remembered. He gives $50
r apiece for gravestones for those who are gou
a and the same sum or less 10 those who survi
ID less than Fifty Thousand Dollars in a
Ie After these purposes are accomplished t
n; residue of his estate goes in equal portions
d, the California Academy of Sciences and the
er cicty OF California PiOnsers, to bs used ia t
erection of suitable buildings, and the pl
mt chase Of libraries, scientific collections, apI
Ic ratus, and other things useful to the advan
he ment Of science.
in The trust embraces every inch Of grou
IN, and oVery cent of money owned by Mr. Lii
rs, He places himself on che list Of his own bel
fcisries, ia curious manner. He reserves
,g- himself the use snd eajoyment during his
nd of his homestead property at San Jose,
ily Santa Clara County, which is to revert af
lat his death to the two societies last mentione