The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-10-30
CALIFORNIA nuL.roS.sRs.

During the year 1878 death has robbed
San Francisco OF four Of her millionaire,
Hopkins, Reese, Cotton sad O'Brien. They
all started in life poor, and all are credited
With making their fortunes honorably.
Three OF these men, Hopkins, r ,ese and
Cotton, were worth So ,00O, 600 and O'Brien's
es'ate swells the sum total OF the
four mems wealth to $50, 100000 All
died childless except Cotton, who leaves
two daughters to inherit his wealth. Neither
o. the parties ever gave anything, excepting
Reese, who gave s.. 000to purchase Leber's
library for tue state university. The Alta
California slys:
Hopkins strict, economical, fond o,
business for the sake OF business, itn strong
sense of duty, IL dist ke Oi display snd o. any
Anticipation ia political mans cement. He
was a quiet. just man, liked ana trusted by all
who Knew him wei fitteu IL thrive by pru.
Deuce ami thrlfi, avoiding everything that
looked TO him IKE spa Gu atlon, tut not unable
comprehend or unwilling TO undertake.
great enter prls-s Su IA as he central Pacific
Cotton was a vely off rent man. He began
life as an office holder, was q natural poll
tician, and was fond OF participating LA public
movements and influencing IneL about n N.
de han natural liking Tor speculation, and
made many Investments which would ever
nave found favor with Hopklns. but he WAS
much more careful than the rage spccu-
latoT. he enjoyed the spending "a well az The
making of hts m Jney. He was proud Of his
magnificent home, "A. q was the o Ily one OF
the Jour III t had one, Hopkins dying before
The completion OF his palace, which he built
rather rs a sense of duty To California than TO
Sratlfy his own taste. Like the Others, Cotton
mad an excellent reputation for fair dealing.
IL would, we Imagine. be no Injustice to
Michael Reese to call him a gebteeI miser.
he had genius for lending money. ex-
cellen Judge OF men aud sOuDd ID mixer, he
carefully studied the Investments offered 10
nun before accepting them. Ii was his rule TO
rely exclusively on his own Judgment, and
never 10 take large risk merely Dec tuse Of a
possibility OF large gains. Reasonable GER
ion, the fast requisite IN a business transac-
lion. Alter he had acquired his first million
he borrowed largely; and NOBODY knew better
where TO borrow cheap or 10 lend dear. He
provided himself with a god stock OF
available securities, from which no could
really ob ain money from people who
fumes at very short notice. lie loaned at much
higher rates Ii is said by Ihuse w0o ought 10
Know, that he made t2VV,0Vg annually on Dor
W. =. O'Bri-n had no uncommon capacity la
any respect, auu ia the o dIuary course Of
events he would never have maut more than
n moderate fortune. He owed much of his
great success TO genial manners AS a good
fellow he h td few superIors He always had
acheerlul word for everybody, ana everybody
10 give n start TO he house % Flood q O'E3rien
anu ne was lOrtun be enough 10 I've associated
with men whose Specla kBOwlt dge and talents
raised the firm to princeIy we alIh-
Each of these men had it IN their power to
have endeared themselves to mankind BY
acts OF benevolence which, while they would
have been blessings to the state, need not
have detracted from the comforts which
money can secure. They preferred 70 hold
on TO their millions and die With them in
their grasp. They will soon be forgotten.