Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-01-20
A MILLIONAIRE,s RISE.
John W. Mackay's Jump from the Posi-
ton OF Bar Keeper in Louisville to
That of a Bonanza King in the Golden
West-A Favorite Child of Fortune.

John W. Mackay's Jump from the Posi-
ton OF Bar Keeper in Louisville to
That of a BONANZA King in the Golden
West-A Favorite Child of Fortune.
LOuisrile Post
Among the numbers Of men who have
leaped from comparative poverty and OBJ
security in this country, in the past half
century, none stand out more prominently
than John w. Mackay, the California mil
lionaire, at present living in Paris. His
name IS known all over the continent, aud
the vast project Of laying another cable
across the Atlantic, bringing the other
continent into instantaneous connection
with ours, with which he is so greatly
identified, brings him before the people
again. To those familiar with his career
in the past few years. and knowing his
immense wealth and splendid surround
ings, it seems almost miraculous that,
within the memory OF comparatively
young men, he was poor and obscure,
without dollar in the world. Although
much has been written and said about
MIN, as a matter Of course. but few per-
sons are acquainted with his early life,
and the fact that he was at one time
resident OF this city has never been made
public. As a reporter was passing down
Main street Yesterday, gentleman stand
ing at the corner OF Twelfth street, re-
marked: "HOu see that building over
thereE' pointing To the house on the north
west corner Of Twelfth and Main. Upon
the reporter replying in the affirmative,
be continued: Il suppose 1t would sur
prise number Of persons to know that
Mackay once lived there, and kept n sa-
loon. The story is not generally known,
as he was not a man Of wide acquaint-
ance, and when he left the city all thought
Of him died out. or those who used to
take drinks from his hands across the
counter, but few recognize him in his new
sphere.
Along about 1s45. Mackay came to this
city in company with one or two others
i'll search Of employment. He was young
man, strong. active, and willing to work
at almost anything which would afford
him a good living. An old twO-stOry
frame building 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 a tenaAt. Mackav 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
no about a week later. The room and its
! fixtures would be in strong contrast with
the line saloons Of the present day, with
/ their gilded counters and fancy bars. The
walls were covered with a simple coat Of
narrow one made out of pine boards. Be-
hind it was a shelf on which sat some bot
1 ties and glasses. His coming was not
I taken much notice OF, and none felt
enough interest to inquire from whence
he came or who be was. He was an en-
ergetic and industrious man, polite and
attentive to his customers, and his short
/ figure and smiling face could be seen at
all times behind the bar. He soon built
/ up very good trade, but he never APP
peared satisfied. 1t was evident that he
was not intended for such an avOcatiOn in
! life, as he was restless and, like Micaw-
/ Der, constantly waiting for something to
turn up.
"Ihe long-loOked for day finally arrived,
and he started for California, little expect
ing that such good fortune as fell to his
lot was awaiting him. In 1S49 the gold
fever was at its height, and every day
/ emigrants We're leaving for the Pacific
Coast, eager to reap the harvest of gold
/ which they confidently expected was
waiting for them. Mackav was one of the
first persons in the city to be afflicted with
the fever, and he endeavOred to induce a
/ number OF friends to go with him. par
ty OF about twenty-five was finally made
up, and he was one OF the leaders in it.
| de sold his property interests for q small
sum, and that was the last heard Of him
until he jumped suddenly into the lap of
/ fortune.
Il was,' SAID the gentleman, Gin Cali
fornia at the time of his arrival there, and
/ watched his career with considerable in
terest. He had previously known Flood
and OBTien, and they were very fast
friends. They were at that time keeping
! saloon in San Francisco. and Hackay
/ worked in the mines. The two famous
fields Of wealth then were the California
and the Consolidated Virginia, and he
/ worked In both Of them. He was a very
shrewd man, tolerably we'll educated, and
had some little knowledge OF civil engi-
neerlng. He clearly saw that money in
vested in the stock OF either Of these
\ mines was sure to bring good results, and
every dollar he could raise was invested
IN that way. At his instance Flood and
/ O'Brlen went in with him and the three
/ purchased stock at 50 a share. Soon after
ward it went up to 81, and gradually in
creased to SIS. Ia this simple manner
their fortunes were made, and
almost before they knew it they were
wealthy men. Mackay then lived in
! frame house on Suffer street, and his
figure became familiar one to the fire.
/ quenters of the mines.
He was not married then, but met the
woman who became his wife soon after
ward. This in itself is little romance
( aud illustrates his character. She was a
widow when he became acquainted with
her, and was the daughter OF Major Hun
[ gefOrd. Of New Orleans. She married a
/ doctor and moved to Nevada City, where
the husband died some time afterWard.
lie was poor man, and left his wife and
child IN rather destitute circumstances.
/ Mackay heard of this some months later,
and started a subscription tor the Widows
! benefit, contributing lbeI ally 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 a childish
4 face and winning ways, and captured
Mackay's heart completely. His court
ship was quiet one, and OF short dura-
/ ton, and soon the pretty widow united
/ her destiny with his Mackay was then
a rich man, but he kept widening his field
of action, until, in connection with Flood,
O'Bren and Fair, he established the Ne
Vada Bank, and Louis McClain went from
Baltimore to manage it. Since that time
Mackay's career has been familiar to al
most every school boy. Unlike the ma
jOrity OF men, however. he does not forget
that he was once dependent himself, and
his charity has been great. He is Il men,
Der 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 every
BODY
ASLEEP X \ GRAPE ARBOR.