The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1875-09-24
RALaTON.
PerSOnRl "Reminiscences and
RecoIbnrlaies Of Ghe Great
Bank PRECEDENT


Anything concerning the care err
or surroundings of the fallen mon
ey king will at this time be eagerly
welcomed and read. A gentleman
lately from San Francisco, and con-
Versant with many interesting facts
relating to the great spendtrift, con-
tributes the following:
1t is probable that no living man
in San Francisco was capable of so
shaking to it's foundation the bull
wark of society as VIM. G. Ralston
II that were not known before, the
present great financial and conse-
quent social upheaval fully demon
strates il. John Z. Jones, Senator
Sharon, and one or two other men
welded like means to their immense
wealth have never created half the
local stir and life in Frisco that
Ralston, the profligate, has seemed
10 make without an apparent effort.
On the Pacific coast, not to know
RalstOn argued not only yourself
unknown, but stamped you as al
most criminally ignorant of that
phase of life which has given the
Pacific metropolis wocld wide no.
toriety. San Francisco probably
contains more palatial residences
than any other city OF twice or even
thrice its size. The houses of Stan
ford, Cotton, Haggan and others,
are palatial in every sense of the
word, each numbering from so to
100 rooms. But more beautiful than
any of these, and rivaling chat of
royalty itself, stands the residence
and clubhouse of VIM. T.. Ralston.
Located nearly upon the summit of
what is known as Clay street hill it
Commands q charming view of the
entire city, and it is itself conspic-
uous thing among the "sights" of
the town. The clubhouse is a mar.
vel of elegance and convenience. In
shape and style it Is not unlike the
chamber of commerce of Chicago
upon a not very reduced scale, az il
Is capable of accommodating up
ward of 100 guests. Its color is a
rich subdued yellow or cream. But
iG must not be supposed that Rails
ton would support SO magnificent an
establishment merely to amuse his
friends and distinguished visitOrs.
was master, contributed not less
than $4,000 yearly to be expended
in junketing, but always with pur-
pose.
When the magnificent club house
sparkled with light, and music lent
it's sweet strains To thrill the .cent-
{ d air aud II legion of sable attend
ants were rushing to and fro amid
..a nIS Il
glasses, all Frisco knew that Rails
tsOn WAS siInplY putting his money
where il would do the most good.
| Another railroad WAS about to be
swallowed into the Unsuitable nav
of the greatest financial combination
that modern days have known; GER
tain stocks were about TO take a
rise, and lucky dog was he who
happened to be on the "side."
Thomas g. Chard, manager of the
Chicago agency of the Flreman's
Fund Insurance company of Cali
fornia, knew Mr.. Ralston and gives
some interesting facts as to his
character and life. He says he was
q man of many good traits and al
though his private life was by no
means unexceptionable, yet he had
done so much for the city and the
State that he was almost universal
ly popular.
Two months ago, Mr.. Chard trav-
eled extensively over California,
and was astOnished at the numer-
Gus ramiflcatiOns of the Bank of
California Its imprint was on all
the Industries of the country. Rails
ton, with all his energy, was n mod
est man. At one time, when a new
railroad had been opened, the di-
rectors asked permission to name
one of the stations after him, but he
peremptorily refused. ThereupOn
they named it Modesto, Spanish for
modesty, and by that name it is
known. He was a liberal man, Civ
ing to churches as we'll as thcalers.
His motto was "Anything to help
California" OH the theory that any
thing that would help California
would help it's great bank, the two
were so intimately identified. Mr..
Chard is of the opinion that the
bank will eventually resume, now
that Ralston is out of the way, and
will thereafter do q strictly legiti-
mate banking business. "Mr. Rails
ton always reminded me of Gen.
Sherman" said Mr.. Chard. "His
mental alertness was perfectly mar
velous, and his manner was quick
and soldier-like." Mr. RaistOn's
princely hospitality was notorious
the world over. Whenever q gen.
tleman from abroad presented let
ters of Introduction, or was intro
duced by friend, it was his custom
to invite him TO visit him at his ele-
gait country mansion at San Mateo,
twenty. six miles out of the city. If
the invitation was accepted Mr..
Icalston at once handed his future
guest a railroad ticket. and when
he arrived at the depot of his desti-
nation, a splendid carriage was in
waiting to convey him to Mr.. Rails
tons residence. On one occasion q
gentleman, all unused to California;
hospitality, offered to pay Ralston
for the ticket, whereupon the great
financier became highly indignant.
His favorite days for entertaining
guests were Saturday and Sunday.
On Sunday his four-horse chariot
was flying over the surrounding
country, conveying visitors to the
principal places of interest.
Gen. Arson Stager, manager OF
, the Western Union Telegraph COM
, pany, visited Mr.. Ralston at San
Mateo five years ago, In company
with Mr.. Orion, president of the
Telegraph company. They went out
on the train, and were met at the
depot by Mr.. RalstOn and were driv.
en- 10 his residence in q magnificent
fourth hand, They spent the night
: aud breakfasIed and diRed the mex
day aud were greatly impressed
with the ability of their host, III
we'll IS the remarkable ease snG
grace with which he entertained hi
d 80 or 40 guests. Gen. Stager say
3 Ralston informed him that his rea'
= son for driving to and from the city
, daily, 8 distance OF SO miles, wa,
that it benefited his health, a. II wal
] the only relief ne enjoyed from the
: cares of q mammoth business. In.
f stead of spending two or three
= mouths annually III travelling
abroad, he took, by the advice of his
8 physician, daily exercise in thii
l way. He was q fearless driver, ant
a always handled the reins himself
a He was courteous and pleasant, aht
!, always made his guests feel com
Portable.