Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-26
ME BONANZA KINGs.
Gossip About Them, with Some Hints
Concerning the Nevada Bank Mystery.


/ From He st. Louis Globe Democrat.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 19.-The report
ers for several days have been trying to
get at the real causes which have led to
the retirement of Senator Fair from the
Nevada Bank. This took place last No
vember, but so reticent is every one con-
nected with this institution that it only
leaked out few days ago. The bank is
one of the largest financial institution son
the coast, and was Incorporated in May,
1878, about the time when the bonanza
excitement first began to show signs Of
waning. It's capital stock was 100000,
and the incOrpOratOrs were the bonanza
kings-Flood, O'Brien, Mackay and Fair
and Louis McLane, the head OF Wells,
Fargo Il Co.'s great express company.
McLane retired in about two years, and
since thence the bonanza men have ruled
the bank by means of dummy stockholders
about as effectively as though it were a
mine on the Comstock. The bank has been
little mint in revenue to the mining mil
liOnaires, as they have used it as a tender
TO all their speculatiOns, and its accounts
have given them a fine knowledge of the
moneyed strength of the chief operators
on Pine street. Last fall it seems that
Mackay and Fair had "A serious falling
out, and Mackay declared he would either
sell out to Fair or buy the Senator's share.
Fair replied that he wouldn't sell unless
Flood would sell also, or he would buy
out both. He thought at the time that
Mackay was crippled by his telegraph
and cable schemes and could not accept
his offer. Mackay, however, promptly
agreed to his terms, and, it is said,
bought the shares of Flood and Fair,
Ia, 1.f colo Of
bank. Flood, as a dummy stakeholder,
remained in the Presidency and will con-
tinue to discharge the duties OF that office
until next November.
Fair is credited with being the sparpest
and most INSCRIPTIONS of all the bonanza
milli0naires. Old Uncle Billy O'Brien
never had any capacity except for drink
ing whisky, and his chief service in his
last years was to ornament the front of
the bank, leaning against one of the big
pillars and giving out false pointers in
stocks to the credulOus crowd who be-
lieYed that he had inside information of
rich strikes of ore. He died. and his sole
memorial is a huge granite and marble
tomb in the Catholic cemetery, for the
erection OF which he had the shrewdness
TO leave in his will a handsome sum.
Flood is as square dealing as a man who
manipulates mining stock can be, and his
word is said to be as good as his bond in
any business transaction. Mackay is
more popular here than Flood, and there
is even more confidence in his integrity.
Like Flood, he is very reticent and has
great disinclinatiOn to any nOtoriety,
never appearing in the newspapers when
he can avoid it. Personally he doesn't
spend $4,000 a year upon himself, as he
dresses very plainly in SLOUGH hat and
an ordinary business suit. but it must
take the revenues of IA millionaire to meet
the bills of his wife in Paris. Flood is
also very simple in his own tastes and is
seldom seen at any place of amusement,
but he has an expensive family, and is
building a brOwnstOne palace on Mob
Hill, which will cost 1000, 900 before il is
completed and furnished.
The Nevada silver Senator keeps no
establishment since his wife secured
divorce and $4 100000 of the common
property. Public opinion was against
him at the time of the divorce suit of the
wife, and nothing has since changed it.
She has lived quietly with her children in
her handsome residence on Pine street,
"A few blocks beyond the railroad million
aires palaces; she goes into the best So
ciety and gives very handsome entertain
ments. The secret of her success is not
that she has education or culture, but
that she is without any pretense, and is
woman of much social tact and common
sense. Her charities are many and unOs-
tentatiOus. About a year ago there were
rumOrs of her approaching marriage 10
journalist of this city, who was always
welcome guest at her receptions, but as
their relations haven't changed in this
time this is perhaps the best retutation Of
the truth OF the rumOrs. The Senator.
meanwhile. has prepared a fine lot ON the
crest of Mob Hill ready for building, but
no one can learn anything of his plans.