Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-03-17
A Minneapolis Cresus.

reStcO III knowing tnat former MIN
nesota boy has suddenly become mill
ionare, and is one of the four who are
ranked as by far the wealthiest men in
the world. The young man referred
to is William S. O'Brien, of the East
Division, and brother of Burke o.
Brien, the plucky driver of the "greas-
ed lightning" and distributor of the
Pioneer in Minneapolis, at 81 per
month
William S. is about 20 years of age
at the present writing, and was born
of poor but honest parents. He was
reared in St. Anthony, and appeared
bright and smart, like the balance of
the O'Brien family. When Fisk s
last expedition was organized to cross
the plains, w S. was filed with an ir-
resistible desire to join it, and did.
The first night he camped out with
the party near University, E. D., and
was initiated into camp-life by one of
his companions, who accidently stuck
his foot into dish OF yeast from which
a batch of bread was to be made.
William took it (the yeast) philosoph-
ically, and said the fellow had his stock
ing on, so it didn't hurt it (the yeast)
very much.
Well, young O'Bricn crossed the
plains with Fisk's expedition in the
capacity of "bull-whacker," in 9TH
er words, was chief engineer of a yoke
OF stags,- and had sixty dollars of
borrowed money with which to meet
Incidental expenses of the trip.
He reached Helena, Montana, final
ly, with fifteen cents in his pocket,
and subsisted on the enemy as best he
could. In search of an opening, he
footed it to Virginia City, Montana );
thence to Virginia City, Nevada,
where he went to work as day labor
err, in the silver mine which has now
become so famous, taking the larger
portion of his earnings in the mining
stock. These stocks were extremely
low, as the mine was not regarded val
liable; and in the course of time
about the time they "struck it rich"
-four young men, one Of whom is
William s. O'Brien, as aforesaid,
found themselves the owners of two
thirds of the stock, and the possessors
of untold wealth.
He has not written home for two
months past, and is, perhaps, fearful
that it is all dream; he don't want
to make fool of himself, and doubt
less proposes to know for fact that
there are millions in it" before he
sends his family and friends in this vi
entity to the luuatic asylum by over
whelming them with the whole truth.
Evidently, he don't propose to put his
foot In the yeast, even with the stock
ing on.
Naturally enough, the young mans
parents rejoice with exceeding great
JOY at the good fortune OF their son
and brother. 1t is the all absorbing
topic of conversation in the family
circle, especially during the eyenin z
hours; and after getting worked up to
fever-heat, Wetmore CHATS bis father)
will remark: "Well, we'll what's the
use of getting excited over it 2"
And then he will offer up the custo-
mary family prayer, 60 to bed, and
lie awake all night to assure himself
that, however it may affect the balance
Of the family, he isn't excited over it.
st. Paul Pioneer.
The JAMES BRoTHERs.-A gentle
man just down from Yankton reports
that there is rumor afoat in that
country to the effect that the James
brothers, the notorious Missouri despe-
radoes, are living somewhere in the
Jim River Valley. He says that
man of good appearance entered the
town of Gayville couple of days ago,
and represented himself as one of Pin
kerton's detectives. He said he was
looking after the James brothers, who
were living somewhere on Jim River.
The stranger came down the valley
and returned the same way. It has
since been determined by the people
of Gayville that the presumed detect
i've was none other than one of the no.
torious brothers, and that he came in
to that town to learn the news, and
find out what the state of Missouri in
tended to do regarding the proposition
tie brothers has made to surrender
themselves on certain conditions.
There is some excitement at Yankton
over the matter.
SAwN AsUNDER. Friday morning
Eugene Brown Of Oshkosh was en-
gagged in his work as head sawyer in
Wharton and Bro 8 Mill at Little