Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1875-09-12
A SECRET FLIGHT.
George N. Pinney's Departure for
South America.

IN c1rculatlOn Tor the last lew uayS al
to the whereabouts of George NJ
Pinney, gentleman well known in
California street as Spectator in
stocks, and holding at the same time
a position in the Paymaster's Depart
ment. These reports Of the disap-
pearance of Mr.. Pinney-not to visit
Montana, as was at first suggested,
but to make trip of more than a
brief character-were confirmed yes
terday. The Oakland "Tribune y
has ferreted out some of the facts
connected with Pinney's departure.
1t says:
"The gentleman was in Oakland
last on Monday night. August
Both. He then informed his family
that he was going away for short
time. AS near as can be ascertained
Mr.. Pinncy left San Francisco on
Wednesday election day. Three
vessels beside the China steamer
sailed from San Francisco on that
day. The Baron Blantyre and Mary
L. Stone, bound for Liverpool, and
the bark Jalawar, bound for the Pa
cific Islands and Cork. MI. Pinney
went aboard the vessel from the vi
cinity of Green street wharf in a
Whitehall boat. All his preparations
must have been deliberately and care
fully made, as he carried no baggage
with him from the dock. 1t is said
he purchased the ship in which he
sailed, a la Harry Meiggs, but which
of the three we are not informed.
Gentlemen who are intimate with
Mr.. Pinney's business matters, say
that
THE ONLY TRANSACTION
which in any way accounts for his
strange conduct was this: He had
Endorsed the notes of several wildcat
companies to considerable amount,
and the stringency of the money mar
ket ensueing, the parties holding the
securities pressed him for the money.
Pinney concluded that they were
putting up job t. ''cinch" him, and
he swore that he would never pay
them. 1t was at this juncture that he
disposed of his seat in the Board of
Brokers, and placed his property out
of reach Of these voracious creditors.
1t is we'll known to Mr.. Pinney's per-
sonal friends that he has for more
than year been thinking of trying
his fortune in South America. He
has mining interests in that country,
and talked about going down there
last winter, when he was in the hight
of his prosperity; and even proposed
to a gentleman Of this city to go, say
ing that he would pull up at week
notice."
The amount Of money that Pinney
took is not known. He was at one
time a man of considerable wealth,
but of late it is said he has suffered
many business reverses. Some three
months ago he sold his seat in the
Board of Brokers. Last winter Pin
ney had an account of 100000 with
his banker, but as he was man who
had hundred irons in the fire, it is
not known how much of his fortune
was preserved.
HIS ANTECEDENTs. ...
Pinney came to California from
Montana in July, 1870. In that Ter
ritory he had been engaged in bank
ing in Helena, and was also the pub
Usher of the Montana "Post." He
was unfortunate in business, and when
he left the Territory there were many
unsettled accounts standing against
him, which he afterwards liquidated.
While he was banker he was attack
ed in his own Office. The assailant
fired several times at Pinney before
the latter drew his pistol. Pinney
then killed him at the first shot, was
tried and acquitted. His first stop
ping place in California was Oakland.
Shortly after his arrival he took the
temporary editorship of the Oakland
"News," and then got place in the
Mint, which he retained only for a
short time. When the great
RISE IN SAVAGE
took place, Pinney made handsome
pile. This money he invested in
every imaginable enterprise. His
position of Purchase and Supply
Clerk in the Naval Department he
retained up to his departure. Char
ges of defrauding the Government
were preferred against him, but were
dismissed on investigation. He has
a wife and four children who did not
accompany him in his secret fight.
about a year ago he purchased a
beautiful residence in Oakland, on