Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-03-08
under ban this gratuitous wickedness
G. CAvERNo.
LOMBARD, Ill.,, March l, 1876.
The Bonanza Kings of the C0mstosk
Lode.

The Bonanza Kings of the Comstosk
VIRGINIA, Nevada February Is. -
Since the year 1859, when old Com
stock stumbled upon a deposit of led &c
rock among these hills, the yield of
silver had Amounted to total of $273,-
100000. Last year alone the Com
stock lode yielded about $50, ,0Oo,O
The most productive mines in this
lode, and their respective yields for
the year past, are as follows: Vir-
ginia consolidated, $11,067 ,902.70;
Crown Point, 4,874,322.5S; Belscher.
S. 1885, So; and Ophir, $1,04S,-
236 Is The State of Nevada added,
during 1875, not less than $4,000.
900 to the worlds aggregate of bull
lion. For 1876, the production of
the State will be at least SIS 100000
and of the whole Pacific coast, $780,
100000. So much for the figures.
The especial topic among mining
experts nowadays is the unparalleled
development Of the California mine,
owned by the bonanza kings, Mackay
Fair, Flood, and O'Brien. Their
mine adjoins the Consolidated Vir-
ginia, which has already produced
$50, 100000, and Prof. Rogers, who
accompanied the Government COM
mission sent here to investigate our
mining resources, officially endorses
the statement that the California
mine contains Got less than $3O0,00O,-
600. These are large figures, and
am glad to give them On such good
authority as that Of Prof Rogers of
the University of Pennsylvania. No
one here has any doubt that the esli-
mate is warranted by facts.
The four men controlling this stu
pendous wealth are John W. Mackey
who owns two-ffths, aud James G
Flood, James G. Fair, an6 William
O'Brlen, each Of whom owns one
fifth The members of the firm are H.
terssted, and in the same proportion,
in other mines Wherever tho firm
is interested it controls majority of
shares. Tbe bonanza kings are mou-
archs or nothing
Mackay is an Irishman, about forty
five years olGsS He is we'll made. has
clear blue eye, and wears a light
moustache. AT almost any hour of
the day you may see him among the
mines, his trousers tucked IN his boots,
and rough felt hat pulled down over
his forehead, padding along through
the snow from the Savage to the Hale
and Norcross, themes to the Gould &
Curry, and so onward to the Consoli-
dated Virginia and California. He
has none of the airs of monarch
Ii you happen to know him, be will
say few pleasant WORDS and bid you
good morning His demeaner is in-
variably quiet and modest, and the
most jealous eye can detect no bluster
in it. He seems to be somewhat dis
trustful Of his conversational powers,
and thinks more than he talks
Fair is a very different sort of a
fellow. He is full of bonhommie (the
people hereabouts cal! it blarney),
good talker, good looking, and par
tlcularly social He is rarely seen
afoot, but lays back in state in his
buggy and mentally puts up jobs on
the stock market. Very sly is 'Slip
perry JIM" as his admirers call him.
Flood is the fnancier of the concern,
and O'Brien the ornamental member.
He plays "cinch,' California form
of seven up, and draws his dividends
of $40, 900 month.
Now, having these photographs in
mind, which one of the quartet would
you prefer to see in the United States
Senate from Nevada? You may be
sure that one Of the four will be sent
when Jones time expires The pop
ulation OF the Pacific coast appreciates
merit when backed by blank shares in
the bonanza. Mackay is talked of
some, but doubt his ambition. He
is not an educated man, and knows
that he is not Then his business
here requires, and will continue to re.
qulre all his time for the next ten
years. Fair is the most intelligent Of
the quartet, and would perhaps make
the best Senator. Yet, notwithstand-
ing his social inclinations, he can
hardly be called popular.
1t has recently transpired that the
firm intends to send $4,000, 900 in
bullion for exhibition at the Centen
nial. This amount would require
fifteen cars for its transportation, and
would make the biggest pile of money
ever SHOWN to the American public.
This month the Consolidated Vir.
gina mine will produce more than
100000. When the new G. & G.
shaft is completed the combined
monthly production of Consolidated
Virginia and California will aggregate
/ S5 ,0oo, 900, a fact which may be
as interesting to those who are not
| bonanza kings at it is satisfactory to