Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-10-11
MISCELLANY.
Death Of James Lick, the Cali
fornia Millionaire.

The death is announced of the ia
nous California millionaire, Mr..
James Lick. He died at San Francis
co Sunday morning. after a gradual
sinking of strength for about week.
1t will be remembered that about a
year or two since Mr.. Lick bequeath-
ed his entire fortune, estimated at
about $5, ,0OO, 900, as trus. fund for
various public bencvolences, such as
the endowment of university, the
the establishment of an observatory,
the erection of monument to the
author of the "Star-Spangled Ban
ner,' fountains, etc.-all benefits be-
ing confined to his own State, and a
good share to the enrichment Of the
city of San Francisco. Trustees were
appointed to carry out his plans, and
certain of them have progressed fav-
orably, though not without a rupture
between Mr.. Lick and the original
Board of Trustees, which led him to
call for their resignation and appoint
others in their places.
Mr.. Lick arrived in California in
lS49, having accumulated some $50, 900
while in Chill by working at his
trade, that Of a carpenter. He inves-
ted his means mostly in real estate in
San Francisco and Santa Clara coun-
ties, III the latter county establishing
a Touring mill, the woodwork of
which was, peculiarly enough, con-
structed entirely of mahogany. Heal
estate in the city Of San Francisco at
that time was very cheap, whole
blocks being purchased at as low a
price as $l5-the Russ Hotel block for
instance. Mr.. Lick did not make any
Improvements on his property, but
simply leased the ground, and those
leasing it putnp cheap wooden struc-
lures.
The first building of any conse-
quence erected upon any of his prop
erty was the celebrated Lick House.
1t was built three stories high in
front, and four in the rear. the walls
being very massive, and constructed
to resist earthquakes, its
owner having had a great deal of cA-
periencc while in South America in
"quakes." as he called them. The
hotel is, therefore, an earthquake-
proof caravansary, since any shock
that would shake il down would level
every brick structure in the city. The
great feature Of the hotel is its hand
some dining-room. 1t is octagonal
in shape, and the height of two
stories. Each alternate space in the
circle contains magnificent pier
glass or a beautiful painting of noted
scenes in California. The upper story
of the dining-room contains circle
Of boxes, similar to those of theatre,
entirely around the room.
novelty is the floor, which
of all kinds of inIaid woods,
as substitute for carpets, which
would have to be replaced every five
years. Mr.. Lick himself constructed |
the door at the main entrance-a !
piece of work. In this |
building was given the grand banquet |
rendered to the Chinese Commission
ers, while under the conduct of the |
late Anson Burlingame, on their way
10 Washington. The hotel and its
lining will long remain as
models for hotel builders, especially |
he dining-room. as its elegance is not
in the world. The struc-
ture remains part of Mr.. Lick's es-
ate.
Mr.. Lick leaves one son, Mr.. John
Lick, of Fredericksburg, Lebanon
county, Pa, who was appointed one
Of the Trust-Fund Committee. and
who alone of all the old members
'efused to resign, though requested
% by his father.
In carrying out the charitable de-
signs of Mr.. Lick, the trustees say
here need be no contliction, unless |
Mr.. John Lick contests his fathers |
lction, which is fearcd.-Chjrago |
Journal.