The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-01-02
The Sugar King.
How Claus sprecke'- Became q MiIlieR-
AiFs,

/
San Francisco Letter To St. Louis GlobeDemo-
srAt)
Claus Spreckels, commonly known as the
sugar King Of the Sandwich Islands,"
wields power more autocratic, II not great
er, than that of any other monopolist 10 the
world BE is something more than War
wick, because he has not remained content
with making the King, but has guided all
his movements like a puppet, so that be is
actually the ruler of the pigmy realm and its
financial ministry. HIS dream is to exer-
else equal sway On this coast. Spreekels is
South German, born in Hanover, man Of
small education, who came to this country
about 1880, and started in the retail grocery
business in Church street, New York. He
made the impression on those who knew
him there as man of great business shrewd-
ness and of the thrift which Is proverb al
with bis race. He came out to California
soon after the gold fever broke out, aud at
once engaged in the grocery business in this
CITY, preferring 1t to the hazards and hard
ships OF mining. Everything which he
touched seemed to turn TO gold. He made
large profits in his business. Combining
with several of his brothers who had come
out to The coast, he bougns a quarter inter-
est in the Albany brewery 10 this city for
$4,000. This was the foundation Of his
present large fortune aud commercial impor-
lance. After running the brewery few
years bis keen business instincts saw in su-
gar refining far more profitable field of en-
terprlse. The story of his conquest Of the
Sand wich Islands in a nutshell IL that be
took advantage of the ignorance of king
who wanted money and that he works his
coolies to death.
OF Spreckels's wealth it is impossible to
form any accurate estimate, because much
OF his property is mortgaged, and it is under
stood the greater part Of his fortune is en-
oarked in the sugar business, which Is apt
to depreciate. He makes daily, the year
round. however, 900 barrels of suar, contain
ing 27o pounds of sugar each, worth an aver
age OF $50 barrel. This makes business
OF $4,000 day or $3.50. 600 year. He
makes clear profit OF $40 barrel, or &c.
OOO day. He controls the entire sugar
trade OF the coast, which represents 10000
OOO year. Down at Honolulu he puts on
more the airs of an autocrat, and his course
there lately has put him into disfavor with
both the native and foreign population. Last
January he loaned the King SO, ,000, 900.
Among bis employees Spreckels Is probably
more popular than any other millionaire on
the coast, because be has always treated his
PeOplo well.
He is of medium height, compaetly built
aud dresses neatly. he has the face OF
typical German, with the high cheek bones,
fair skin, and blue eyes of the Fatherland.
His round head is covered with a thick
growth of hair rapidly changing from gray
20 white. This Is the only indication of his
years. He has the alert look and movement
OF man OF thirty, and in his steely-blue
eyes Is look which goes far TO reveal bis
character. He married years ago, when he
was poor man, comely German girl,
who was then employed as domestic in the
family of large Eastern sugar refiner, and
she has proved good wife and mother.
They have four sons and one daughter. The
father and the three elder sons, among
whom is Adolph, who shot De Young, are
members of the Pacific Club, in this city,
where the sons are general favoriies. They
are all fne-loOking men, of polished address,
aud have travelled much In Europe.
Mr.. Spreckels is an easy man to get access
to, but it Is another matter entirely 10 draw
any information out of him. When told Of
the object of the visit, he said: "Yon may
put 1t down that always know what is good
for Claus Spreckles, and never fail to turn
this knowledge to account"