Sharp County record., 1878-05-31
"reminiscences of W. s. OBrien, the
Deceased Millionaire.

"reminiscences OF W. 81 " DTIens tHc
Deceased Millionaire.
Ex.Alderman William H. McCarty,
during an interview with the Herald
representative, said: sin 1871 took a
trip to San Francisco, and while there
formed the acquaintance of Mr.. O'Bri-
en-. may say here that the place was
not altogether strange to me, as my
father was the first Street Commissioner
ever elected in that city, he having been
chosen for the position at the same time
that David Broderick was elected United
States Senator. According to the best
information, Mr.. O'Brien came to this
country from ireland when mere boy.
He arrived in New York, and after re-
naming here for a few years he set out
for California while yet a very young
man. | think it was about the year
1S49 or 1850 when he left this city for
California. Shortly after his arrival in
the latter State he formed the acquaint-
ance of Mr.. Flood, and, | think, that
soon afterward they started what was
called there, and is to this day, 'bit'
house. The 'bit' houses were different
from the hotel bars in this particular,
that the latter charged two bits or a
quarter of dollar, for drink. Mr..
0'Brien continued in that business for
some years, until he amassed considera-
BILE money, and then he commenced
speculating in the stocks of the different
mines there. 1t was about this time he
formed the acquaintance of Mackey, the
real discoverer of the Big Bonanza,
known as the Virginia Consolidated, and
the adjoining California Mine, both
of which proved very rich. Previous
to this time Mr.. Mackey had been work
ing as miner. tits generally believed
that Mackey led Flood and O'Brien into
the secret of the richness of those mines,
and they, taking advantage of the in
formation, went to work, and, think,
spent at least S1,0O0,000 before striking
the ore They worked patiently and in
secret for two or three years, relying
solely on the information impaired by
Mackey, and were ultimately well re-
warded for their outlay. Their opera
tions were carried On in such manner
that none outside of their immediate
friends knew the progress they were
making or the almost fabulous wealth
of mineral they were approaching.
When the goal was finally reached the
stock on the market jumped from some
thing like $50 or $40 to about $500 per
share.
/" In disposition Mr.. O'Brien was re-
markably liberal man, and, notwith-
standing his great wealth, he was noted
for his plain and unassuming manners.
l don't think he was known to ever
drive more than one horse at time
Whoever he took liking to, if he found
them financially distressed, he never fail
ed to open his purse to them. | know
of one gentleman in particular who had
been in business all his life and con-
sidered himself rich after making about
$4,000, and who was so advised by
Flood & O'Brien in regard to the judi
cious investment of his money, that af-
ter speculating a short time in mining
stocks he found himself millionaire.
The firm of Flood & O'Brien, unlike
many other bankers, were never known
to deceive strangers who sought their
advice in regard to investing money. |
remember that just before the stock Of
the Virginia Consolidated went down
friend of mine asked the advice of Mr..
O'Brien about investing some money in
mining stocks. His reply was, Go and
invest your money in 10 per cent. gas
stock of San Francisco In a short
time afterward the Virginia Consolidat-
ed and California mining stock went
down and has remained so ever since.
Mr.. O'Brien was clever, whole-souled
man, and | don't believe he ever refused
assistance to any one who asked him for
aid. He was free and jovial in his dis
position, and never ignored the COM
panions of his early days. In regard to
his wealth, it can safel y be stated that
he was worth at least $20,000,000 at the
time of his death. He never married,
but he left sisters residing in California.
His age could not have been more than
45, as when | saw him in 1871 he was a
comparatively young man, and looked
4 hn int,, % l. Uon