Wichita eagle., 1889-06-02
SAMUEL BRANNAN
He Was Pioneer Of the Golden
State, California.
ONCE HE BECAME A MORMON.
But He Became Dissusted Because Brig
ham Young Would Sot Go to tho Pacific
Coast, Left the Saints and Prospered.
How His Wealth Finally Disappeared.

TIE news Of the death Of Samuel Brannan
was recently given 70 the world without e1-
citing any great counouon But there was
a time when bis decease would have been fol-
lowed BY columns on columns IN the news
papers, especially on the Pacific slopa
He died at Escanaba, San Diego county,
Cal, Of Inflammation Ct the bowels
Samuel Brannan was a born Spectator,
who made a princaly fortune iu'ten years,
lost Il IN another decade, and year ago,
though then broken IN health and shattered
IN fortune, was confident OF winning second
fortune from huge land grant II Sonora
Ee was born IN Maine, and IN Ohio learned
the printers trade. When be was 10 he
bought up bis time and plunged into real
estate speculation, coming out with no more
cash than be went in, but learning valuable
lessons In business experience
Then he stroned about the country IS
iourney-aan printer Il this way he came
IN contact with the AormonS, and, being
struck with their creed, joined them, and for
three years IN New York city published their
organ, The New York Messenger. 1t was in
1913 that be conceived the plan Of forming
Mormon colony in California. than Mexican
territory. he secured the approval OF Brig
ham Young, chartered the ship Brooklyn,
fitted her UP for passengers. stocked her with
food and with al ulannar OF agricultural i'm
PIGMENTS and tools, not forgetting printing
press and paper, secured 236 passengers, mostly
Mornons, and then set sail for the new
western land.
Il was five months before the party reached
TIE Sandwich Islands, where they made
brief stay. Then they were transferred to
San Francisco. Some stayed II the city, but
the majority went into the country, settling
at a place called Mormon Island, On the Sac
ranento river.
DISCUSSED By yoCNG'S CYPEoGEESSIyE
SPIRIT.
Braonan showed great administrative abil-
ity in his management Of this party, but
when he got ell his oolonists wei settled
he was intensely Disguised to learn that
Brigham Young had decided not TO move
the headquarters OF the Latter Day Saints to
the Pacific coast Brannan made g Trip TO
Salt Lake City 10 see Young, and being un-
able to shake his decision he returned to San
Francisco with his Mormon enthusiasm
greatly cooled
In the following year he..wound up the con-
Germs Of the Mormon enterprise and began
business On bis own account he erected
two -four mills II San Francisco, established
The Star, the first newspaper published on
the coast, started large country store at
Suffers Fort, on the Sacramento river, and
speculaoed n town lots. The discovery Of
gold proved the first step to Brannans great
fortune. When be learned the news Of Mar
shalls discovery in the mill race On Suffers
farm be at once bought large quantities Of
goods IN San Francisco and shipped them TO
his store near the fort. When the gold rush
came, few months afterward, be did an
enormous business, his sales amounting TO
$4,000 a month, On which the profit was
fully tbree-quarterS
The city Of Sacramento, afterward the cap
ital Of the state, grew up around Brannans
store. He made thousands by selling of
town lots, but he soon found Sacramento too
cramped for his speculative ability. He
carried On mining as Mormon Island, went
into the China trade IN San Francisco and
bought heavily Of real estate IL the young
and growing city. He improved everything
that be purchased, built fae business blocks,
opened up streets and took a lively interest in
the municipal government. He was president
OF the first vigilance committee and one OF
the vice presidents Of the great vigilance
committee Of 1856.
As early as 1857 hs was recognized as tie
richest man In California, and he occupied
this position as late as 1864 His energy ap-
peared inezhaustible. Now he was develop
ing the resources Of sugar and fruit planta-
tons in tie Sandwich Islands, and now OPEN
ing new mines il Nevada and Utah Every
one with a scheme for developing tie country
went 70 Brannan for aid n those years, just
as they went ten years later to Ralston.
MELTING OF A GREAT FORTUNE
For fifteen years Bralnaa was the leading
citizen Of San Francisco. He was man OF
immense force Of character and great origi-
nahty and Independence. In every public
enterprise he was foremost and his EberalitT
kept pace with his fortune. In an Ualucky
hour he purchased the Calistoga estate IN the
Upper Nepa valley end started in TO make it
a great public resort
He built costly railroad to the place and
spent hundreds q thousands trying 70 beau
tfy what was naturally q sterile and noun
famous spot. He lost not less than five nil
Hons by this ventura. Then oae after az
other his mining schemes failed Like most
OF the A-sorau-5 who lived at high pressure
and rlada fortunes II month, he drank
great deal, and Eheo his fortunes began 70
decline he was seldom sober after midday.
Thus the nan who was noted as an organizer
ard whose sirewdness was proof against al
tricks, TEL an easy victim 20 swindlers Re
had his vices, also, and che of tie costliese
was his passion for actresses he lavizhed
fortune on Lola Noutez when she was the
rage II San Francisco. Ills Charities kept
pace with his extravagances, and It was soon
seen that Brsnnan's prestige and wealth were
both ou the wana
Il took fewer years 70 scatter than 70 gath
er hisinpe-iai fortune. Alros. before the
public was aware Of il, Brauaan lad dropped
oct Of prominence Tie new generation that
had come IN from TIE east eibowed hin aside,
although IN his wreck BE was greatly s1p--
rlor 70 them II ability CT enterprise Hs
soon lost bis grip entirely. and he would have
been LETT stranded without norsy CT friends
had i. not been for one Of his sets Of enter
prise years before, which now bore fruit in
bis dark days Re bad always been IL favor
Of TIE Mexican people, and VIXEN Ma1iniiia1
tr!sd 70 capture TIE thr0oe- end large uz-a-
ber q AEsricars, headed oy Duke" Gvin,
were scheling 70 aid tie foreign Bsupr,
Bra1aa ,gs-e money and eo-tp2ei . regi-
r,c-r ~ rroc-a er std THE PH-yrIt~a- ra-ss