Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1884-04-09
MACKEY'S RISE.
From louisville Bar-Keeper to q
Bonanza King.
Luck in California and Consolidated
Virginia. WOoius and Win.
ming Charming
Widow.
louisville Courier-Journal.l

Louisville Courier-Journal.l
Among the numbers of men who have
leaped from comparative poverty ana oo-
security in this country, in the past half CEN
fury, none stand out more prominently than
John w. Mackey, the California millionaire,
at present living in Paris Although much
has been written and said about him, as
matter of course, but few persons are &C
quainted with his early life, and the fact that
he was at one time resident Of this city has
never been made public. As reporter was
passing down Main street yesterday, gentle
man standing at the corner Of Twelfth street,
remarked: "You see that building over
there'" pointing to the house on the north
west corner of Twelfth and Main. Upon the
reporters replying in the affirmative, he con-
tinucd: Il suppose it would surprise num-
Der of persons TO know that Mackey once
lived there, and kept saloon. The story Is
not generally known, as he was not q man or
wide acquaintance, and when he left the
city all thought of him died out. OF those
who used to take drinks from his hands across
the counter, but few recognize him in his new
sphere
BEHIND THE BAR.
"Along about 1916, Mackey came to this
city in company with one or two others in
search OF employment. He was a young
man, strong, active and willing to work at
almost anything which would afford him
good living. An old two-story frame build
ing stood at the corner over there, and the
front room had been used as a saloon. The
proprietor closed up few months before,
however, and the building was left without
tenant. Mackey had some little money, and
as the location was good one he resolved to
start bar-room there. He made a bargain
with the proprietor and secured the place.
opening up about q week later. The room
and its fixtures would be in strong contrast
with the fine saloons of the present day, with
their gilded counters and fancy bars. The
walls were covered with a simple coat of
white paint and the counter was a long mar
row one made out of pine boards Behind it
was a shelf on which sat some bottles and
glasses. His coming was not taken much
notice of and none felt enough interest to in
quire from whence he came or who he was
He was an energetic and industrious man,
polite and attentive to his customers and
his short figure aud smiling face could be
seen at all times behind the bar. He soon
built up a very good trade, but he never ap-
peared satisfied. 1t was evident that he was
not intended for such an avocation in life,
as he was restless and like Micawber, con-
stantly waiting for something to turn up.
OFF TO CALIFORNIA.
THE long looked for day finally arrived,
and he started for California, little expecting
that such good fortune as fell to his lot was
awaiting him. In 1910 the gold fever was at
its height, and every day emigrants were
leaving for the Pacific coast, eager to reap
the harvest Of gold which they confidently
expected was waiting for them. Mackey
was one Of the first persons in this city to be
afflicted with the fever and he endeavored to
induce number of friends to go with him.
4 party of about twenty-five was finally
made up and he was one of the leaders in it.
He sold his property interests for a small
sum, and that was the last heard of him until
he jumped suddenly into the lap Of fortune.
HIS CAREER.
Il was" said the gentleman, in California
at the time of his arrival there, and watched
his career with considerable intereAH He
had previously known Flood and O'Brien and
they were very fast friends. They were at
that time keeping q saloon in San Francisco
and Mackey worked in the mines. The two
famous fields of wealth then were the Cali
fornia and the Consolidated Virginia. and he
worked in both of them. He was very
Shrewd man, tolerably well educated, and
had some little knowledge of civil engineer
ing. He clearly saw that money invested in
the stock Of either of these mines was sure to
bring good results, and every dollar he could
raise was invested in t. way At his in
stance Flood and O'Brie went in with him,
and the three purchased stock at So share.
Soon afterward it went up to 81, and gradu-
ally increased to SIS. In this simple manner
their fortunes were made, and almost before
they knew it they were wealthy men. Mackey
then lived in frame house on Suffer street,
and his figure became familiar one to the
frequenters Of the mines.
WINNING TIE WIDOW.
''He was not married then, but met the
woman who became his wife soon afterward.
This in itself is a little romance and illustrates
his character. She was widow when he be-
came acquainted with her, and was the
daughter of Maj. Hungleford, of New
Orleans. She married doctor and moved
to Nevada City, where the husband died
some time afterwards. He was a poor man,
and left his wife and child in rather destitute
circumstances. Mackey heard of this some
months later, and started subscription for
the widows benefit, contributing literally
himself, and raising a neat little sum. This
so touched the widows heart that she called
on him to thank him for his kindness. She
was young and pretty, with childish face
and winning ways, and captured Mackey's
heart completely. His courtship was quiet
one, and of short duration, and soon the
pretty widow united her destiny with his
Mackey was then a rich man, but he kept
widening his field of action until in connec-
ton with Flood O'Brien and Fair he estab-
ished the Nevada bank, and Louis McClain
went from Baltimore to manage it.
AND SINCE.
"Since that time Mackey's career has been
familiar to almost every schoolboy. I'm
like the majority Of men, however, he does
not forget that he was once dependent him
SELF and his charity has been great. He is a
member of the Catholic church, and estab-
lished an orphan asylum for the children Of
that denomination in Nevada City, which he
still supports. He is always ready to give
for charity's sake, and in addition is polite
and courteous to everybody"
Correcting a Poet.
bismarck Tribune.]