St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-07-13
KEENE's BONNIE BRIDE.

|
| lions Won and Lost by the Dauntless FL
nancter.
Jim Keene has had severe reverses in his
! day. said well known broker at the Wind
sor hotel. ''He has been up and down al
most score Of times; he has seen fortune
OF $40, 100000 shrink to less than 81 ZOO, 900
in month, and in a few days has dropped
cool So, 900, 900 in the street. often won
der If these frightful experiences in the tinan-
cial maelstrom have been considered by him
as tempestuous as those through which he
passed while counting the then famous
beauty of the Pacific slope, Miss Danger
field.
Mr.. Keene was the son of English parents
but is Virginian by birth. He was born
in Lynchburg nearly fifty years ago. He
| got his education in the south, and was orig
inally trained for the bar His birthplace at
that time was a sleepy little village, and Of
fered few advantages to young man en-
| lowed with the fiery and intrepid spirit Of
Mr.. Keene. He early determined to ''hang
out his shingle'' in one of the large cities.
He visited Baltimore and Washington, aud
| subsequently came to New York. He waa
then attracted by the marvellous growth and
possible advantage for shining legal light
! in San Francisco. Once convinced was to
act and act quickly, and in a few month he
sailed into the Golden gate full of bright
| hopes, few well thumbed law books, q
scanty wardrobe and scantier pocketbook.
| He soon felt the bitter pangs Of disap-
pointment; he found that lawyers were moi
in demand in the mining districts; financial
| disputes and territorial rights were not sub
| jected to the laws delay, but were quickly
settled at the mouth of Derringer. Powder
and ball were the judge, jury and counsel,
and young Keene soon recognized that his
occupation in that neighborhood was gone.
After drifting about for several months he
found himself almost penniless, and was re-
duced to the necessity of peddling milk at
Shasta, CAL While engaged in this occupa-
ton he did not relinquish the hope OF
some time returning to his profession.
He saved a few dollars, and when severa
years later affairs on the slope were con-
Quoted in more orderly manner, he deter
mined to return to San Francisco and resume
the profession for which he was educated.
After his removal to that city, while still
young man, he was engaged as counsel in
some mining suits, and from his investiga-
ton of them he gained a familiarity with
mining operations that prompted him to
speculate in mining stock. He gradually
abandoned law to take up the stock brokerage
| business.
At this time he met Miss Dangerfield. She
was the sister of Judge Dangerield, who was
then well known as an astute and successful
| jurist. Mr.. Keene became deedly impressed
with the fine accomplishments, the beauty,
and the lovely character of the young lady.
With characteristic energy he pressed his
suit, and, though favorably received by Miss
Dangerfeld, he was bitterly opposed by heI
brother, the Judge. He refused to listen to
the entreaties of his sister and snubbed Mr..
Keene, called him ''curbstone broker, ''and
threatened to disown his sister if she married
him. Her woman's love, stronger than he's
brothers. mandates, conquered, and she
married her ardent sutton.
Just prior to Black Friday, in 1868, Mr..
Keene, by shrewd and quick venture in the
mining districts, amassed a comfortable for
tune, and Judge Dangerield began to feel
that, as brother-in-law, Mr.. Keene was worthy
of recognition. They were on fair terms
until 1870, when Mr.. Keene was struck by q
financial cyclone; he went under and his
household effects were sold out at auction.
He suffered from extreme deprivation for
two years, but during all those weary months,
when the necessary food was often lacking
to sustain his young wife and baby boy, she
gave him the fondest affection and encour-
agement. During the early part of 1872 Mr..
Keene was so reduced that he was unable to
buy himself pair of shoes. He made
little hit through the assistance of an old
mining friend, and his affairs became
brighter. He finally pinned his faith to the
great bonanza stocks, bought them largely,
and shared the marvellous prosperity that the
great mining boom showered upon Flood,
O'Brien, John W. Mackey and Ralston, Of
the bank of California. He held on to his
bonanza stocks until the fall of 1874, when
he sold out at an enormous profit. When
Ralston, of the California bank, committed
suicide, and things were going to smash
generally, Mr.. Keene, with $4,000, 900 OF
"a, OOO, 900, came to this city. He expended
large sums in fitting up a mansion for the
lovely wife who had been SO true to him in
the day of trial. He gave her
costly diamonds, fine turnouts, and
every luxury that his great wealth could
command. In 1877 Mr.. Keene formed an
alliance with Mr.. Gould, and through the
successful management of the stock market
increased his fortune to over $4,000, 900.
Mr.. Keene subsequently objected to a GER
tain course which he insisted Mr.. Gould was
pursuing; they quarreled and became bit
ter enemies Mr.. Gould vowed he would
break Keene, and early in 1873 he accom-
plished his purpose. For the second time
Mrs. Keene was compelled to give up her
home through the reckless speculation of her
husband, but no complaint passed her lips,
With the great boom in the fall of 1878
and the years of 1879, 1880, and 1884, Mr.
Keene again came TO the front, and, though
bitterly opposed to Gould, he amassed the
colossal fortune of $40, 100000. He re-
established his wife in house Of greater
splendor, purchased cottage at Newport,
and all that his consideration could devise
was showered upon the little lady who had
twice seen him wrecked. His son, Fox
, hall, then quite youth was envied by his
associates. His father lavished every luxury
upon him-a fine stable, beautiful yacht,
and vast sums of money
Mrs. Keene has for years been known fol-
her quiet and judicious charities. She is 9
devoted member of the Catholic church, and
has given largely of her private means to the
many institutions under its control
He Chung to His Cello.
Musical World