Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1889-02-22

and iron resolution. BY his advice the new
firm made their first stroke by obtaining the
control of the Hale and Norcross mine,
(which lies on the pathway of the Comstock
as it turns toward Gold Hilln They paid for
it a mere song. At once they went to work
to develop the great wealth of which they be-
heved themselves possessed.
The first fruits of the operations of the great
firm was remarkable rise in the Hale and
Noreross, by which they were enriched
good many hundreds of thousands The
rise continued steadily until it amounted
altogether to 600 per cent. At the same time
ore was taken out in great quantities In the
years 1865, 1865 and 1867 the profits of the
partners from the Hale and Norcross mine
were more than Sl,00O,0O0. Four years from
the date of the copartnership had elapsed
when Mr.. Walker withdrew from it and MIR.
james G. Fair took his place.
The firm at once extended its operations
The mining claims known as the California
and Sides, the White and Murphy the Gem
trail and the Kenney, all ION the Comstock,n
were to be had, and it bought them They
were imperfectly developed, and to Mr..
Mackay and Mr.. Fair is chiefly due am early
perception of their future possibilities.
Out of all these properties, and Others as
well, the Consolidated Virginia, synonym for
visions Of abounding gold, was formed. Still
later, however, part of them were segre-
gated under the name of the California mine.
They began their deep explorations in 1871.
The cid shaft of the Central mine was utilized,
and they pushed drift northwari from the
!, 100 foot level of the Gould and Curry across
the Best and Belcher and into the old ''Vir-
gina ground The distance was more than
1900 feet, through rocks of the most difficult
character.
A disaster occurred during the long period
of exploration, which for a time arrested its
progress. In October, 1910. confagration
swept away the buildings and all the valuable
machinery of the Consolidated Virginia COM
pany The energy of the Bonanza firm
quickly repaired tnis damage and the work
went ons
Meanwhile the public watched its progress
without much faith i'll successful issue
Suddenly the report was whispered about that
rich ore had been struck. AID it was aston
ishing how quickly doubt and gloom were
changed to the exhllarstion OF JOY.
Tie stock of Consolidated Virginia went up
to a fabulous figure anl all the world was
eager to obtain it. The quantities of ore
taken justified the enthusiasm of investors
The product of that and the California has
simply staggered the world. In six years
they yielded in gold and silver S1s2, pa. 27O,
and from 1915 to 1879 the dividends which
they paid were S15,000,000.
In the height of their prosperity the Com
sclidated Virginia and the California CONF
pany received from che mines, as their gross
product. $5,000,000 a month. Each of the
bonanza partners drew from them at one time
about $4,000 a month as his individual
share of the profits. In six years the Conn
stock lode yielded more than 500. 900, 900 in
ore.
ghe great ssbonanza laoomn having subsidized
and the four partners having secured each his
individual share of its fruits by means of wise
investments, their interests began little by
little to draw them apart. Mr. O'Brien died
in 1872. leaving an enviable reputation for
charity and generosity and naming Mr. Flood
as one Of his .executorg Mr.. Fair invested
several of his many millions in n narrow gauge
railway running down the California coast
from San Francisco to Santa Cruz
Mr Flood acquired an immense quantity OF
San Francisco real estate much OF it in the
faArest portion Of tho CITY, One of his most
co3zpicuous enterprises was the erection ct
the grsat bailsl ng known as the Nevada
block,on Montgomery street, in which the
Offices and counting rooms of the Nevada
hank are situated. The cost ran up into the
millions.
Alr Floods late residence Is tue most mag
nificent In San Fsanei e., aud it fairy rivals
these Il She Vandsrblts Il required four90r
ne yenrs 10 baiia il, ali az the trowh st6ne
ef which 1t Is Oh ely construetel having been
transported from the Atlantic coast. The
total cost Of the mansion and is accessories IS
sid to have beess abosat S's.g0auQ4
air Klaoa also PISS SD country house
ii aign.v Rark, resu ~ Pal0 AIpo fsx1lf y