The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-15
A TURN OF FORTUNES WHEEL.
John w. Macl<ay's Rise from Bartender to
Millionaire,


Louisville Courier Journal.
As a reporter was passing down Main street
yesterday gentleman standing at the corner
of Twelfth street, remarked: You see that
building over therel" pointing to the house on
the corner of Twelfth and Main Upon the re-
porter's replying in the affirmative, discontinued:
Il suppose it would surprise number of per
sons to know that Mackay once lived there, and
kept a saloon The story is not generally known,
as he was not man of 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.
"Along about IS45, Mackay came to this city
i'll company with one or two others in search of
employment. He was young man, strong, ac-
tive 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
tenant. Mackay had some little money, and as
the location was a good one, he resolved to start
a bar-reom there. He made bargain with the
proprietor and secured the place, Opening about
a 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 not taken much notice
whence he came or who he 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, bnt he never
appeared satisfied. 1t was evident that he
not intended for such an avocatiOn in life, he
was restless and, like Micawber, constantly wait
ing for something to turn up
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 lS49 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. Mackay 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. 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.
Il was said the gentleman, ''in California at
the time of his arrival there, and watched his
career with considerable interest. He had pre-
viously known Flood and O'Brien and they were
very fast friends. They were at that time keep
ing saloon in San Francisco, and Mackay worked
in the mines. The two famous fields of wealth
then were the California and Consolidated Vir-
ginia, and he worked in both of them. He was
IA very shrewd man, tolerably well educated and
had some little knowledge of civil engineering.
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 in
vested in that way. At his instance Flood 81
OBrien went in with him, and the three pur
chased stock at So a share. Soon afterward it
went up to 81, and gradually increased to $lS.
In this simple manner their fortunes were made,
and almost before they knew it they were wealthy
men Mackay then lived in a frame house on
Suffer street, and his figure became a familiar
one TO the frequenters of the mines.
He was not married then. but met the woman
who became his wife soon atterward This in
itself is little romance and illustrates his char
acter. She a widow when he became ac
quainted with her, and was the daughter of MAJOR
Hungleford, of New Orleans. She married doc
tor and moved to Nevada City where the hus-
band died some time afterward. He was poor
man. and left his wife and child in rather desti-
tute circumstances. Mackay heard of this some
months later, and started a 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 a childish face and winning ways, and
captured Mackay's heart completely. His
cOurtship was quiet one and of short duration,
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 con
nection with Flood, OI3rien and Fair, he estab-
lished the Nevada 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 majority of
men, however, he does not forget that he was
once dependent himself. and his charity has
been great. He is member Of the Catholic
church. and established an orphan asylum for
the children of that denomination in Nevada
City, which he still supports He is always
ready to give for charitys sake, and in addition
is polite and courteous to everybody"