Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-05-09
TIE LATE ". 5. o,BRiES.
Further "Reminiscences OF the he
eeaBed Mlll1onaiFe.

1nE LAl Z Us De UBhIENs
Further "Reminiscences OF the DE.
ceased Mill1onaiFe.
New York HeraIdl aol
Ex-Alderman William H. Nc.
Uarthy, during an interview with
the Herald representative, said:
In 1871 / took trip to San
Francisco, and while there formed
the acquaintance of Mr. 0'Brien.
| may say here that the place was
not altogether strange to me, as my
father was the first Street commits
sioner ever elected in that city, he
having been chosen for the position
at the same time that David Brod-
erick was elected United States SEN
ator. According to the best infor-
nation, Mr.. 0'Brien came to this
country from Ireland when a mere
boy. He arrived in New York,
and after remaining here for few
years he set ont for California while
yet a very young man. 1t think it
was about the year 1849 or 1850
when he left this city for Califor-
MIA. Shortly, after his arrival in
the latter State he formed the ac.
quaintance Of Mr.. Flood, aud, /
think, that soon afterward they
started what was called there, and
it is to this day, a "bit" house.
The "bitp houses were different
from the hotel bars in this particu-
lar, that the latter charge two
fbits," or quarter of a dollar, for
a drink. Mr.. 0'Brien continued
in that husines torsome years, until
he amassed considerable money and
then he commenced speculating in
the stocks Of the different mines
there. ts ile1
1t was about this time that he
formed the acquaintance Of Mackey,
the real discoVerer Of the Big Bo-
nanza, known as the Virginia Con-
solidated, and tho adjoining Cali
fornia mine, both Of which proved
very rich. Previous to this time
Mr.. Mackey had been working as a
miner. 1t generally believed that
Mackey leaaFlood and 0'Brien into
the secret Of the richness of those
mines, and went to work, and, ]
think, spent at least 81 100000 be-
fore striking the ore. They worked
patiently and in secret for two or
three years, relying solely on the
information impaired BY Maokey,
and were ultimately we'll rewarded
for their outlay. Their operations
were carried on in such a manner
that none outside Of their immedi.
ate friends knew the progress they
were making or the almost fabu-
lous wealth ofymineraf they were
When the goal was
finally reached the stock on the
market jumped from something
like $50 or $40 to about $500 per
share. 0i
1r. AN UNAssUMING NAN.
q In disposition Mr. 0'Brien was
a remarkably liberal man, and, not
withstandlng his great wealth, he
was noted for his plain and unas-
suming manners. | don't think he
was known to ever drive more than
one horse alta time. Whoever he
took liking to, if he found them
financially distressed he never fail
ed to open his purse 10 them. II
know of one gentleman in particu-
lar who had been in business all his
life and considered himself rich
after making about $50, 900, and |
who was so advised By Flood s.
O'Brien in regard to the judicious
of his money, that after
speculating a shert time in mining |
stocks he found himself a million
aire. The firm of Flood & 0'Brien,
unllka many other bankers, were
never known to DECEIVE strangers
who. sought their advice IN regard
to investing money.iiI ao3ao3
| remember that Just before the
stock Of the Virginia Consolidated
went down a friend of mind asked
the advice of Mr.. 0'Brien about
some money in mining
stocks. His advice was, $50 and
invest your money in 10 per cent.
gas stock Of San Francisco" In
3 short time aiterward the Virginia
Consolidated and California mining
stock went down, and has remained
50 ever since, BIr. 0'Brien was
clever Wholesouled man, and | i
don't believe heeyer refused assist
auce to any one who asked him for
aid. He was free and joyial in his
disposition, and never ignored the
companions Of his early days. In