The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-09-21
RalstOn's Reckless Social Life.

RalstOn's Reckless Social Life.
1t was in Virginia City that Ralston
became acquainted with Sharon and
Jones, who were then inexperienced su-
perintenderts of mines, working upon a
salary, and with nothing more than this,
except great deal of Presumption
They built the Reno and Virginia City
railroad, or rather the Bank of Califor-
MIA did, which was monopoly. The
bank reached ont its tentacles and gras-
ped everything financially and CONNER,
cially. 1t established branches in nearly
every city. 1t put It's money into cor
porations. 1t finally got hold of the
quicksilver mines, in which business
Ralston had once been engaged, and
soon monopolized the trade. In short,
the institution began to raise its impres-
nable head of monopoly Ralston at
this time became generally known as a
business man, and his social life was at
the same time matter of comment
among the people Of the slope. He
was known as the man who set all So
cial conventionalities at defiance. He
cared nothing for public opinion. He
lived only for w. G. Ralston and the
pleasure that individual experienced.
He outraged what little there was Of de-
cency in the mining camp, and lived a
life of wild and almost utter reckless
ness He maintained fast women with
in stones throw of his house, where
lived his wife and children, and lavished
money and gems upon abandoned char
acters in sufficient sums to make scores
Independent for life Money came and
went like the steady. profuse flow of a
deep stream. He did nothing by piece
meal. In conjunction with his compan-
ions he scattered wealth with the lavish
hand of a modern Cresus. A circum-
stance which happened during his So
journ in Virginia City will serve to Illus
trate as we'll as could anything else the
prevailing characteristics of this strange
man. John Mccullough, the tragedian,
was in the height of his glory on the
coast. He made visit to Nevada, end
had played several nights in Virginia
City to crowded houses. He was a
special favorite of Ralston, Sharon, and
a couple of others. Mccullough had
closed his engagement and was ready
to leave the city. His trunks were
packed and at the stage station, ready
to make their journey to Reno. 1t was
in the early evening and after business
hours, when Ralston and a few others
conceived the idea that it would be a
capital thing to have Mccullough play
once more, so they sent word to him
that they wanted him to appear that
night in the 'sGladiator" John sent
back word that it was impossible; he
was prepared'to go to San Francisco,
and he could not delay his journey
This would not do, play he must. Mes
sengers were sent to bring his baggage
back, to light ur the theater, and make
everything ready. The theater was a
small affair, and would not seat more
than TOO or 500 people. Mccullough
saw that it would not do to refuse the
men who had been his best patrons and
bankers, and so he made ready. There
was no doorkeeper that night 1t was
free to all; but there was man in the
box-oflice who sold tickets simply fol
the sake Of appearances.
1t was grand blow out gotten up by
the bank people. The receipts thai
night amounted to the unprecedented
figure of $4,000, and it was all con
tributed by three or four men, mos
conspicuous among whom was W. c
Ralston. In short it was grand drunk
and money was as free as the air o
heaven The plan pursued was for al
concerned to 60 to the ticket Office anc
buy $500 worth of tickets each, afte
which all would adjourn to wine Gel
lar and wager basket of wine tina
each one could tear his tickets up in th'
soonest time. When they had concu
ded this game the box Office was out o
tickets There was $4,000 in the till
Mr.. Mccullough had finished the play
the floor was strewn with tickets ant
the whole party was as drunk as me-
could we'll get. This, in short, was tn
grand incentive which ruled the natur
of w. G. Ralston. After the excite
ment of Virginia City, Ralston went t.
San Francisco and took charge of th
bank as cashier. That he was success
full there can be none to deny. Unde
the management of the officers unde
his regime the bank was one of tn
most successful institutions on the cor
| tinent It was looked upon as a ban
, that was as firm as the adamantine mill
, which guard the Pacific slope. 1t wa
J found iu every enterprise that was inar
, gurated. II ramified into nearly ever
town in the State Of California.
} short. the bank was the State, it cor
! trolled cverything-fnances, industrie,
politics 1t was one gigantic combn:
tion,a reat moneyed ring.