The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1875-09-25
THE DEAD BANKER.

Pacific Coast,
w. G. Ralstop, the president of the
bank of California, who is supposed tc
have drowned himself on Friday last
was, in many respects, the most re-
markable man Of the present century.
He was intimately known to many O!
our leading citizens, several of whom
we're entertained at his beautiful
country residence within the past few
weeks.
Ralston was born on a farm nea,
Wellsville, in Columbiana. County,
Ohio, and in early life served as clerk
on boots between Portsmouth and
points on the lower Ohio. He also run
in the trade to ST. Louis. and in our
hlan line here. He prospered, and in
lime built the old steamer Memphis
here in 1847, and run her in the Mem
phis and New Orleans trade. In this
trade he made fortune of 800, 900.
He was afterward captain of boat that
ran from New Orleans up the Missis-
sippi and Missouri, and afterward drifted
to California, where he first appeared
as clerk in bank. Later he became
cashier of another bank, and during
this time speculated with remarkable
success. he was afterward appointed
cashier Of the bank of California, an
institution greater in its influence, if
possible, than the bank of England.
Ralston held this position in ~, and
shortly after became president Of the
bank. He was no Jim Fisk, in any
sense of the term. He was the pro-
jector of the Pacific coast, prominent
among which were the Kimball manu-
featuring company, an establishment
employing 1900 men. and engaged in
the manufacture of furniture, railway
coaches, etc; the Pacific watch COM
pany; rolling.mills and machine shops;
and not the least among them all, the
Palace Hotel, one of the largest in the
world. In the construction Of this vast
building he personally superintsnded
and directed the work. compelling the
architect TO conform to his plans. In
the management of this hotel he devoted
two hours daily, amid the multifarious
duties that devolved upon him.
He was always ready to assist in any
enterprise that would advance the in
terests of his section, and never failed
to give hearty encouragement to bust
ness men. Belmont, his country resi-
dence, situated about thirty miles from
San Francisco, near San Jose, was a
structure. 1t would lodge
sixty two people elegantly, and every
was on the most superb
scale. His stables contained nearly
one hundred of the finest horses that
could be purchased; and his carriages.
Of various kinds, were proportionately
numerous.
He entertained large number of
people daily, but particularly on Satur-
lays and Sundays his invitations were
extended and accepted. No
hotel could vie in profusion and luxury
With Ralston's entertainments. His
guests. if they travelled by rail, would
be met at the depot with elegant car
,iages, drawn by four horses, and were
iriven to Belmont through delightful
,cenery.
he was the modern Monte Cristo.
Ills power to command gold seem ed to
De unlimited. In his personal appear
moe Ralston was plain and unassnming.
0lo upPAKcl EAfO uO 1uulCablOu Oh
wealth. He was the personi6cstion of
business.
Only few weeks ago, while visiting
3an Francisco, Mr.. George w. Morris,
DR.. Dennis Long, MIR. W. Hite, Jr.,
Mr. Muldoon, and everal other citizens
II Louisville who had known Ralston
or years, and admired him, partock of
liz generous hospitalitv at Belmnnt
Ills death will be sincerely regretted BY
lis Louisville friends. Those who
new him intimately Judge him well.
The morning the telegraph announced
he failure of the bank, and the ex-
,itenient consequent upon it, gentle
nan in this city just from the Pacific
'oast predicted that Ralston would not
,e able to endure the disgrace of his
all. The prediction was too true. He
lied in the prime of manhood, amid a
wreck of falling fortunes and the ruin
# vast interests.