Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-12-22
UP LIKE A ROCKET
Ard Then Down Again Like the
Dead Stick.
Yes HamiIton's failure---A Remarkable
Career---A Wheeling Boy in the
Role Of a Monte
Christie.

Clever and shrewd Yes. Hamilton has
met with a reverse and is nosv living as
modestly as other men. Readers OF the
REGISTER will remember the several &C
counts of the wonderful exploits and un-
known wealth of Mr.. Hamilton, who, after
leaving Wheeling, suddenly turned up in
New York, like second Count of Monte
Christie, living in a magnificent palace on
Fifth avenue, and in general style that sur
passed even the Astors and the yanderbilts.
Then, suddenly, after going up like rocket
he has come down like the stick, how, is
not definitely known.
About ten years ago Sylvester NJ. Ham
ilton came here from WoodsGeld, O., and
entered the dry goods establishment Of
Simpson & Hoge, where he learned the
business. He then secured position as
travelling salesman of New York white
goods house and then after marrying Miss
Blanche, second daughter ofW. l.. McAfee
ESQ.,, of this city, he went into business as q
commission merchant, in St. Louis. HIS
Office was burned some four or FIVE years
ago, and with the money for which it had
been insured, he went West and was lost
sight of in the mining fields of Leadville.
Occasional word was heard of him and
overtime he had just made some lucky
strike in the mines. Finally he reappeared
in New York and in the role Of bonanza
king, In some manner he had accumu-
lated fortune and his name soon became
familiar on Change and in Wall street.
He paid $4,000 for a palace on Fifth
avenue, near the park, and $50, 900 for dec
Grating and upholstering it. He had the
second finest private stable in the Metropolis
and his general style of living was in keep
iug with these facts.
About one year ago, he paid Wheeling a
Hying visit and at that time the REGIsTER
contained an account OF his wondrous
wealth and business Shrewdness. He was
associated with Tilden and Garrett in
Superior copper mines; he had silver mines
IN Colorado and lead mines in Minnesota
and to the writer's certain knowledge he
had coal land in Kentucky, for which he had
lust refused an offer of 100000 cash. Still,
he was the same pleasant, genial, extrava'
CANT talker as of old,told freely of his income
and possessions and looked, TO the end, the
happy possessor of an abundance OF this
worlds goods aud are easy conscience.
Nobody professed a familiarity with the
means BIZ which he had become so rich, but
his wealth was undoubted and he was the
envy of all his Whilom Wheeling friends.
Wheelingites who visited New York return
ed with fabulous accounts of his splendor;
and his affairs were fruitful! subject OF
gossip and speculation.
During the past few months nothing has
been heard from him until suddenly comes
the news OF his collapse. 1t is reported on
the best authority that he has failed for a
large amount and is almost, il not entirely,
ruined. lie gave up his palace and retired
TO modest life at the New York Hotel. His
office furniture and fixtures were sold out by
the 'sherif and nothing seems left OF his
former grandeur but the name. Judgments
aggregating S250,t0O have been entered
against him in the New York courts and
there seems 10 be insufficient assets to satisfy
them. The information is unaccompanied
BY any details, but the story is told in the
single word-ruined.
He will have plenty Of sympathy from his
friends and acquaintance here, who will a.
least respect the genius Of the man who, a
less than 81 years Of age, could accumulate
the wealth that was evidently his. No foo
could have done it.