The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-11-17
TWO BONANZA KINGS.
Gossip About MacEay. Fair and the Nevada


The retirement of James c. Floo
and his business friend K. H. Follis a
directors from the Nevada Bank, of Sa
Francisco, and the continuance of eH
Senator Fair as president has create
comment in business circles here, bu
no surprise. 1t is rumored that Toh
w. Mackay, whose relations with Fai
have been strained for years, contem
plates Withdrawing soon and leaving
his ancient friend and modern rival il
complete possession OF the immens,
banking concern. Those who know
Mackay say that he had much rathe
withdraw, even if he lost several mil
lions, than to remain and continue
business relations with Fair, for whom
he has an antipathy too strong to over.
come.
One of the new directors, an old
business associate of the ex Senator,
Mr.. A. E. Davis, is quite character Of
the Pacific slope, and is said to play a
wonderful game of poker. He is 70
years old, and had an interest in the
South Pacific Coast Railroad. He is
not even millionaire, and his reputa-
tion for financial ability is not quoted
at par. But according to al accounts
he is great friend Of Mr.. Fair. A gen.
tleman from San Francisco, speaking of
Fair and DAVIS, SAID: "Davis is not
worth over 100000, but ex-senator
Fair wants him around always to act as
his man Friday. 1t is curious sight
to see the par together. Davis is still
active and shrewd, and does not hesi-
tate to assist the ex Senator in any OF
his enterprises. The connection of
Davis with the bank means that the
president is getting ready TO have all
his friends directors and run things to
suit himself.
"Yes," he continued, "the Nevada
Bank as great moneyed institution
has mad quite history. 1t was started
October I, 1875, by the four bonanza
kings, Flood, Far, O'Brine and Mackay.
The latter owned two fiths of the shares
and the others one fifth each. The
Comstock was paying then and the
bonanza was in full blast. These four
money kings concluded to do the bus
mess for mining enterprises and launch
ed the bank. Things went on prosper
ously and no one dreamed that a day
would ever come when the bank would
call for assistance from an outsider.
The bank was supposed to represent in
its aggregated wealth the riches of |
great nation. In 1879 or along about
that time, O'Brine died and left SII,-
ooo, 900 in the bank. His widow con-
Iinued as partner for some years.
Fair and Mackay could not agree and
finally they had a quarrel and have not
spoken since. Then regular war COM
menced and ended by Flood and
NJ Mackay forcing Fair to entire from the
bank. In the settlement they gave him
among other collateral what they sup
posed would forever be white elephant
he South Pacific Coast Railroad. He
it in every way imaginable aud
made the road pay. His idea was to
,et nd of it Immediately. By persis.
ency and pure luck he managed to
ell the road at clear profit of S., ,ooo,-
300. He never touches anything that
toes not turn into gold. Fair became
'ery bitter against Mackay after he left
he bank and always took occasion to
ay something against his former part
,er. Not many months ago the bank
became anxious to enter into CONNER
>ial relations with business houses gen.
,rally, and in order to get its hand in
thoroughly 1t backed Dressbaugh in bis
yreat wheat operation to corner the
wheat market of the world. How the
corner bursted and came near swamp
ng the bank is well known. 1t cost
Flood cool S6,ooo,ooo and Mackay
, like amount, and strained the bank
somewhat. AT this critical juncture Fair
came 10 the assistance of the bank with
several millions. He was glad to do it
because he desired to get back and
himself as the head of great
banking concern. Since hls return the
have not been like affection
lte brothers. For the past six months
Flood, l hear, has not spoken to Fair
except through third party. Vice Pres
dent Blgelow, it is said, carries mes
'ages from Fairs room to Floods, and
hat is the way business between them
S conducted.
"Fan has not forgotten the hand
Flood and Mackay took in preventing
his reelection to the Senate, and he
waited for just such an opportunity as
he wheat corner of get even with his
former associates. The personnel of
The bonanza kings is study. Fair and
Mackay were miners, roughing it, and
vainly trying TO strike it heavy. Many
stories are told of the hardshps they
and the terrible ups and downs
hey had before they suddenly found
themselves wealthy beyond the dream
Of avarice. In one of the mining towns
Mackay met his wife, who kept a min
ers' boarding house. She was a hard
widow, with her little daughter
10 support, now the Princess Colonna.
Mackay tell in love with the industrious
and married her. He was not
wealthy at the time of his marriage, but
very soon AFTERWARDS he had millions to
his credit. He was a rather genial man
and is generally we'll liked. For very
wealthy man he has many warm friends.
is not so popular and keeps him