St. Paul daily globe., 1888-06-17

ancient friend and modern rival III COM
plete possession of the immense bank
ing concern. Those who know Mackay
say that he had much rather withdraw.
even if he lost several millions, than to
remain and continue business relations
with Fair. for whom he has an antipa-
thy too strong to overcome.
One OF the new directors, an old busl-
ness associate of the ex-senator. A. +.
Davis, is quite character on the Pa
cific slope, and is said to play wonder
full game of poker. He is nearly seventy
years old, and had an interest in the
South Pacific Coast railroad. He is not
even millionaire, and his reputation
for
FINANCIAL ABILITY
is not quoted at par. But according to
all accounts he is a great friend of Mr..
Fair. A gentleman from San Francisco,
speaking of Fair and Davis. said:
'Davis is not worth over 500, ZOO, but
ex-senator Fair wants him around al
ways to act as his man Friday. 1t is
curious sight to see the pair together.
Davis is still active and Shrewd, and
does not hesitate to assist the eX-sen-
nectiOn 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
had quite history. 1t was started Oct.
/, 1875, by the four bonanza kings,
Flood, Fair, O'Brien and Mackay. The
latter owned two-fifths 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 tn do the huSinpSS for mining
enterprises and launched the bank.
| Things went on prOsperously and no
| one dreamed that day would ever
come when the bank would call for as
sistance from an outsider. The bank
was supposed to represent in its aggre-
gate wealth the riches of great nation.
In 1879, or along about that time,
O'Brien died and left S11.000,0O0 in the
bank. His widow continued as part
ner for some years. Fair and Mackay
could not agree, and finally they had
quarrel and have not spoken since.
| Then a regular war commenced and
ended by Flood and Mackay forcing
Fair to retire from the bank. In the
settlement they gave him among other
collateral what they supposed would
forever be
WHITE ELEPHANT,
the South Pacific Coast railroad. He
| lOOh III dIlu DtSdll w uI liz UOOlilCu
it in every way imaginable and made
the road pay. His idea was to get rid of
it as soon as possible, but he could not
dispose of it Immediately. By per-
sistency and pure luck he finally man
aged to sell the road at clear profit of
s., 2,OOo, 900. He never touches anything
that does not turn into gold. Fair be-
came very bitter against Mackay after
he left the bank and always took oc-
caSiOn to say something against his
| former partner. Not many months ago
the bank became anxious to enter into
commercial relations with business
houses generally. and in order to get it's
hand in thoroughly it backed Dress
baugh in his great wheat operation. 1t
was an operation to corner the wheat
market of the world. How the corner
bursted and came near swamping the
bank is well known. 1t cost Flood a
cool s6,OOO.OOO and Mackay like
amount, and strained the bank some
what. At this critical jumcture Fair
came to the assistance of the bank
WITH SEVERAL MILLIONS.
He was glad to do it because he de-
sired to get back and establish himself
as the head OF a great banking concern.
Since his return the members have not
been like affectionate brothers. For the
past six months Flood, l hear, has not
spoken to Fair except through third
party. Vice President Bi gelow, it
said, carries messages from Fairs room
to Floods, and that is the way business
between them is conducted.
"Fair 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
the wheat corner offered to get even
with his former associates. The per-
sonnel of
THE BONANZA KINGS
is study. Fair and Mackay were min
ers, rOughing it, and vainly trying to
of the hardShipS they endured and the
terrible ups and downs they 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 miners boarding
house. She was hard-working widow,
with her little daughter to support, now
the Princess ColOnna. Mackay fell in
love with the industrious woman 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 rather genial, man and is gen.
orally well liked. For very wealthy
man he has many warm friends. Fair
is not so popular, and keeps himself
shrouded with
AN AIR OF MYSTERY.
He never communicates any of his
projects to a soul, not even his own
son. 1t tickleS his vanity to have peo-
pie speak of him as the bonanza king.
When he went on a tour around the
world several years ago it was laugh
able circus to the party with him. He
declared that every king and potentate
knew of his approach. In Cairo, the
khedive, as is his custom, bowed to
Senator Fair and companion who
passed his palace In an open carriage.
'Ah! see that exclaimed the ex-senator,
did l not tell you he would know me?'
His domestic relations have not been as
forced to retire from the bank many
thought he had but few millions left.
He is so secretive, the extent of his
wealth became mystery. 1t is gen
orally known now, though, that he is
worth over S20,000,000. Fairs political
aspirations have been very
EXPENSIVE TO HIM; -
so much so that it is said he has de-
cided to let his ambition in that direc-
tiOn alone.
"Flood is worth perhaps $4,000. 900.
He is well thought of in San Francisco,
but is not as popular as Mackay. Years
! ago Flood and O'Brien kept saloon on
Montgomery street. in San Francisco,
and used to loan money to Mackay and
Fair to dabble in the Comstock lode
They struck it heavy with the two lat
; ter in the bonanza and gave up saloon
keeping. Flood is large man and has
many good points. 1t is generally sup.
posed that Mackay has transferred
nearly all his interests to the East, with
the exception of that in the Nevada
bank. No one believes he will remain
long in that concern. He rarely evel
comes to California. The report that Inc