The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-08-30

scattered wealth with the lavish hand
Of a modera CrGsus, A circumstance
which happened during his sojourn in
Virginia City will serve to illustrate as
we'll as could anything else the prevail
ing characteristics Of this strange man.
John Mccullough, the tragedian, was in
the height Of his glory on the coast, He
made visit to Nevada, and had played
several nights in Virginia City to crowd
ell houses. He was a special favorite Of
Ralston, Sharon, and couple Of others.
Mccullough had closed his engagement
and was ready to leave the city. His
trunks were packed and at the stage sta
ton, ready TO make their journey to Reno.
II was in the early evening, and alter
business hours, when RalstOn and few
others conceived that 1t would be capi-
tai idea to have Mccullough play once
more, so they sent word that they wanted
him to appear that night in the "GlVdiA-
tor" John sent back word that 1t was
impossible; he was prepared to go TO San
Francisco, and he could not delay his
Journey. This wonld not do: play he
must. Messengers were sent to bring his
baggage back, to light up the theatre and
make everything ready, The theatre was
a small affair, and would not seat more
than seven or eight hundred people. Me-
CullOugh saw that it would not do to re-
fuse the men who had been his best pat
rons and bankers, and so he made ready.
There was no doorkeeper that night. It
was free to all; but there was n man in
the box.OffiCe who sold tickets, simply for
the sake Of appearances. ltwas a grand
blowout, gotten up by the bank people.
the receipts that night amounted to the
unprecedented figure of $lS,2O0, and 1t
was all contributed by three or four men,
most conspicuous among whom was
W, G. RalstOn, In short, II was
u grand drunk, and money was as
free as the air Of heaven. The plan
pursued was for all concerned to go to
the ticket-offiCe and buy $500 worth Of
tickets each, after which all would ad-
iourn to wine cellar and wager a basket
Of wine that each one could tear his
tickets up in the shortest time, When
they had concluded this game the box
office was ont Of tickets, there was $l3, 200
in the till, Mr., Mccullough had finished
the play, the floor was strewn with tickets,
and the whole party was rs drunk as men
can well get. This, in short, was the
grand incentive which ruled the nature Of
W. G. RalstOn.
After the excitement OF Virginia City
Ralston went 10 San Francisco and took
charge OF the bank as cashier. That he
was successful there can be none todeny.
Under the management Of the officers I'M
der his regime the bank was one OF the
most successful institutions on the Cont
npnt. II was looked upon rs n bank that
was "a firm Us the udamantine hills which
guard the Pacific slope. II was found In
every enterprise that was inauguratel. 1t
ramilied into nearly every town in the
State Of California. In short, the bank
was the State, II controlling everything
finances, industries, politics. II was one
gigantic combination, great mOneyed
ring.
Ralston here began to expand his eS.
trayaganCc. His mansion at San Mateo
was one OF the most elegant residences on
tHc Slope ~ wis HlUTe llke puluVc
than humble dwelling; 1t entertained
people IN all the magniilicence ofan Ara
bian dream. It's owner lived like n king.
He kept his relay OF horses on the rOad
between the city and his country house,
and travelled in all the style OF an Orien.
tai prince. II was the resort Of dis
tinguished visitors To the coast, and was
maintained with money which was set
aside for TINT special purpose by tho
Bank OF California. Many n one who
has been entertained beneath this hospita-
bic roof has closed his eyes and wondered
how long this style Of extravaganza could
possibly last.