Daily Republican., 1879-08-15

Properties In . Manner That wa
Reckless - ''shfp MY Money
Half q Million. '-How our Citi
sens were " Bone for. "a Still
Hunt for the Millionaire.
His name was Kelley-William Kel.
ley with P. Our readers remember
him from the article published in yes
terday's REPUBLICAN,. He had only
been here about one week, but in that
short space Of time he had done more to
upset the financial equilibrium OF our
"solids" than all the combined panics
of twenty years back. His head was
bald, he was game.eysd, in short be
was confirmed specimen Of snide.
The people didn't know it, and didn't
want to know 1t, for that matter. His
fair promises, like the tails of his coat,
ill concealed the mans effectiveness.
1t was on Friday morning when he
came into Wilmington. He asked for q
hotel and was directed to the Swan
He said he was from the mines Of Cali
fornia and Nevada and that he was 20
ing to make Wilmington his home. H.
intended to reside here with his nader
sister. He was only a persmbulatine
cash box and wac tired Of a rambling
life. He began 10 have ideas that fair.
ly astounded his few acquaintance and
they began in imagination to enumer-
ate mansions in proportion to his fabu-
lous fancies. A man that would turn
up his nose at massive marble front
was certainly an entity Of consequence
and they began to look upon him as an
individualized bank of England. He
called up the boys and paid for the
treats. He hired fast horses and took
his boarding mistress out riding. He
played his cards recklessly and the girls
around the Swan began to wonder if he
was married.
This had its effect. Offers of parner-
ships began to come in from the bust.
ness meL aid the number who wanted
to sell out was simply astonishing. No.
he wanted to start in business himself,
and he refused all these and magnani-
mously offered to give the disappointed
parties thousand or so to allay the
soreness occasioned thereby. He was
introduced to Mr.. Samuel McClary, anG
this gentleman being completely de-
ceived took him around and introduced
him to tho cashiers of the several
banks. He entered into negotiations to
purchase the property of McClary and
gave his check for $36, 900 which was
to be honored On Saturday next. He
then telegraphed to Mackey, cashier of
the Bank Of California: "Ship my
money--half a million; as I intend to
locate in the charming city efWilming-
ton p
In order to have something to do he
leased for five years the empty store at
Alb Market street, lately occupied by
Simmons & Bro. as a confectionery, and
known as the Mcdonnell property. He
was to pay $500 on Saturday as con
sumation of the lease. Henry Lape was
engaged to tear the store out, and yes
terday was engaged in putting up
shelves. He intended as was said to
start Mr.. Lape in the wholesale grocery
business. He was going to purchase
the Greenman property next door, and
make the buildings one and have an
imposing iron front.
To all young men he would take a
fancy to he wonld at once employ them
at salaries of $1,000 and $4,000. He en-
ployed MIR. George P. Monck, a young
bricklayer to performhis work guar
anteeing to pay him $25, 900 cash. Mr..
Monck set about hiring men with the
intention of beginning work at once.
Mr.. Kelley employed Thomas Lally,
Esq, as his counsel, aud Mr.. Lally was
sent to New Castle by him to search
the records there. He wanted more
property. His desires like his gsner-
ositv began 10 grow upon him. Hap
pening to meet Thomas Burke,a butcher
in Second street mai ket, who had been
in the mines and was acquainted with
some of Kelley's companions, the owner
of half million, informed him that he
could draw on him for any amountfron
hundreds to thousands and consider it
as a gift" Mr.. Burke was munificent
in his thanks, firmly believing in kel-
ley's ability to make such a sacrifice
without inconveniepcing himself.
The newly developed croesus grew
more reckless and the "gold bugs and
real estate agents began to buzz around
him in numbers. Samuel Culbert call
ed on him yesterday in relation to some
purchases. David Lemon was to have
some Of his fine property purchased from
him to-day. A jeweler was made hap
py with the promise of a purchase of
two gold watches, one tor the maiden
sister who was to come on Saturday and
the other for the millionaire. He or
dered several fine vehicles and regotia-
ted for number of very fine horses to
have records nothing less than 2.2o.
His transactions becoming common
talk there was a manifest desire on the
part of every one to gaze upon the in
dividual and see if his coat tail pockets
we're really plugged with United States
bonds and greenbacks, as represented.
Yesterday there was quite a gathering
at the hotel awaiting his appearances.
In the crowd were several whom he had
invited to come and "break bottle
with him." some who wished to sell
eligible sites, and others were merrily
anxiOus to feast their eyes upon real,
live millionaire.
An hour passsd ou, and he came not.
Two hours went by and still the bald
headed and game eyed Californian
fingered. The big clock slowly licked
and as the ticking thereof became
the crowd grew restless.
Mr.. Dunn, the bar tender, with" face sad
passed out the back way
and encompasssd the depot. Croesus
wasn't around. /
A police was put upon the search and