Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-11
HIS MIDAS TOUCH.
How Claus SpreckeIs Became Million
aire,


Claus Spreckels, commonly known as
the sugar King OF the Sandwich Isl
ands," says a San Francisco letter. Yields
power more autOcratic, if not greater.
than that Of any other menopolist in the
world. He is something more than a
Warwick, because he has not remained
content with making the King, but has
guided all MS movements like puppet,
SO that he is actually the ruler Of the
pigmy realm and It's financial ministry.
His dream Is to exercise equal sway on
this coast. Spreckels is a South German,
born IN Hanover, man of small educa-
ton, who came to this country about
Iooe, and started in the retail grocery
business in Church street, New York. He
made the impression on those who knew
him there as a man Of great business
shrewdness and Of the thrift which is
prOVerOial with his race. He came out
70 California soon after the gold fever
broke out, and at once engaged in the
grocery business ia this city, preferring it
70 the hazards and hardships of mining.
Everything which he touched seemed TO
turn to gold. He made large profits in
mis- business. Combining with several Of
his brothers who had come out to the
coast, ne bought quarter interest in the
Albany brewery in this city for $4,000.
This was the foundation of his present
large furtune and commercial impOr-
lance. After running the brewery a few
years his keen business instincts saw in
sugar-retining far more profitable field
OF enterprise. The story Of his conquest
Of tue Sandwich Islands in a nutshell is
that he took advantage of a King who
wanted money and that he works his
coolies to death.
OF Spreckels' wealth it is impossible to
form any accurate estimate, because
much of his property is mOrtgaged, and
IL is understood the greater part of his
/ fortune is embarked in the sugar business
which is apt to depreciate. He makes
daily, the year round, however, 600 bar
rels of sugar, containing 30 pounds Of
sugar each, worth an average OF $50 a
| parrel. This makes a business of 5000
a day or $6,510,000 year. He makes a
| clear profit Of $40 a barrel, or $4,000 a day,
/ which amounts to 81, 1870, 900 year. He
/ controls the entire sugar trade of the
/ coast, which represents $40, 600, 600 a year.
! Down at Honolulu ne puts on more the
airs Of an autocrat, and his course there
/ lately has put him into disiavOr with
both the native and foreign population.
| Last January he loaned the King $1,000
| 900. Among his employees Spreckels is
| probably more popular than any other
/ millionaire on the coast, because he has
always treated his people well.
lie is OF medium height, cOmpactly
| built and dresses neatly. He has the face
/ of a typical German, with the high cheek
I bones, fair skin, and blue eyes of the
| Fdtnerland. His eye is as clear as that
! Of a young man, and his skin, though
Drowned be- exposure, il also clean and
healthy. His round head is covered with
| - thick growth Of hair rapidly changing
rom gray to white. This is the only in
dicati0n OF his years. lie has the alert
/ look and movement of a man of thirty,
aud in his steely-blue eyes is a look which
| go far TO reveal his character. He
married years ago, when he was a poor
/ man. a cOmely German girl, who was
| then employed as a domestic in the fam
l lily Of a large Eastern sugar Iehner, and
I 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 Cilb,
| I'm this city, where tn sons are general
( favoritgs. They are all fine-lOOking men,
| Of po. shed address, and have Travelled
| much in Europe.
Mr.. Spreckels is an easy man to get
1 access to. but it is another matter entire
! IL 10 draw any information out Of him.
| When told of the object of the visit, he
| said: 'YOu may putt down that always
! know what IS good for Claus Spreckels,
! and never fail to turn this knowledge TO
| account"