The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-03-28
The bonanza King.

Illustrated Correspondence Ne,c North. West.
The career of Mr. John w. Mackay has
been most remarkable. From laborer in
In the mines he has become one of the
wealthiest men in the world. He has re-
Gently given his personal influence and
large amount Of capital for the promotion of
the postal telegraph scheme, in which lie
seems TO be inspired by the purest motives
for the public good.
He was born In Dublin about the year 1884,
and came TO New York when very young.
The wealth and pleasures of the metropolis
filed him with a longing for riches, and
while u boy playing In the streets, he knew
b, sight all the millionaires Of the city.
Soon after the discovery of gold in Califor-
MIA, reports came that men were making for
tunes there In a day Young Mackay, with
many others, started for the EIdorado. Like
every one else who had caught the infection,
he began sitting and picking the gravel IN
running streams, tramping alone with his
blanket and tools, living in mining camps
and sleeping on the ground. He SOON made
the acquaintance of BILLY" O'Brien and
James II. Flood, two intelligent and enter
prising young men, who had Giso come from
New York. They had money and Mackay
had ideas. The three talked of business
compact An engineer named Fair became
known TO them and the four formed an
ISOLATION known rs the Bonanza firm. IL
prosper~i wonderfully. Mackay had a two
ffths interest in the proceeds, and became
known as the Bonanza King. BY the dis
covery of the Big Bonanza in the famous
Comstock lode, they realized fabulous sum.
Mackay was about TO abandon the lode In
despair when his workmep struck vein
which was TO yield Sill 100000. This wa: IN
1871. Other mines began to swell the reve-
nues OF the firm, aud within n remarkably
short time u stupendous income was at their
disposal. 'Mackay's alone was estimated ut
$500, 900 per month. Soon after the setting
In Of this golden harvest O'Bren died, leav-
ing several millions. Fair was elected TO a
seat In the Senate of the United States, and
Flood assumed control of the Nevada bank
and the California business.
Mr.. Mackay IL happily married, aud has
one child, a daughter. OF late years he has
spent much time IN Europe He is noted for
liberality and courtesy, is a consistent Cath.
Ollie, and has established Catholic Orphan
Asylum in Nevada City. 1t is rumored that
he has heavy financial interest in the Hoff-
man House, of New York. Mr.. Mackay
has also, in connection with Mr.. Bennett, Of
the Herald, q controlling interest In a Trans
Atlantic Gable Company
Mrs. and Miss Mackay now reside In Paris.
The former has Just created decided sensa-
ton by destroying portrait Of her by Meis-
sonier, the greatest living French artist who
is not, however, Of special excellence as n
portrait painter. The price asked was $1,000
francs. Mrs. Mackay deemed It bad like
ness, paid for 1t, aud committed the $4,000
worth OF canvas TO the flames A contro-
versy between the Gautois and Gu Bias on
the subject has led 10 a challenge by NJ.
Meyer, editor of the former, TO NJ. Nelson
ier's son, the age of the painter making
duel with himself matter not to be thought
nf