New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-01
\ SENATOR HEARST DEAD
THE END NOT UNExPECTED-A SKETCH OF
HIS CAREER.

Washington Feb. Ex-senator Hearst died al o'io
tonight after long illness. He has been growing
weaker day by day. and his death wa expected at any
hour.
George Hearst was a native Of the Territory OF
Missouri which not admitted to the Union unui
nbout year after his birth. His father, william G
Hearst emigrated with his family about the beginning
~ the century from South Carolina, and settled in
Missouri which was then recent acquisition from
France In 1917 lie married Elizabeth Collins, and
George Hearst was born on september 3. ls2o. Inc
elder Hearst farmer who paid special attehon
10 the care OF live stock and the son remained ID te
same business until he about thirty years OF age
IN 1850 he became interested in the wonderful stories
from the far West OF the gold discoveries on the Panc
. Coast Along with many who had been hS neiehpors
Tin Missouri made his way overland to California.
October, 1850. found him settled at Pacerviie' I'll
Dorado County, where he engaged In placer mlnihg'
in the following December however, he, in company
with Others discovered rich ledge OF god-bearing
quartz After year at Placerville. Mr.. Hearst gain
cred up his earnings and went into the business OF
general merchant at sacramento, hut ne was uisueu
to the occupation and in 1855 his capital was reduced
TO $40 in cash. with which he began mining aic"'
this time in Nevada County. Cal.
The real turning point in his fortunes came on July
ga 1859. company Of friends, who had heard the
rumors Of rich discoveries in what was long aerwsu
celebrated as the Comstock Lode supplied the neces-
sary outfit and sent Mr. Hearst TO the new dggngs.
first one consisted of only fifteen persons lie ana
his companions travelled to the new mining region
on horseback and, 1t Ia said, Mr. Hearsts nhahces
were et so low ebp that he was only saved from
arrest for debt the California boundary by the con-
tribntions OF his friends. The Comstock region was
soon crowded with men wildly anxious to secure
claims The result was q complication Of disputes
and contests, and vast amount OF husatioh' III
which Mr. Hearst's familiarity with mining and MS
practical shrewdneSs made him extremely suecessim.
lie remained at the new mines about six weeks anu
obtained an interest In the Opjnr winch nc soiu tno
next year for $4,000.
After visit to Missouri. where his mother died IN
1851 Mr.. Hearst on returning to the PACING COAST
became associated with the firm of Haggin d Tevs'
acting as agent in the purchase OF mining properly.
by 1866 he hid accumulated about Si,ooo'ooo' put
lost all III that year. Some fortunate transactions IN
real estate put him in possession of about S15ooOo
and he became an owner the Ontario mine in Utah.
the Homestake mines in the Black HIS, ana the
Anaconda Of Montana. He enlarged his investments
IN real estate end In 1856, when he first entered the
Senate his fortune was estimated at $20,o00.oOo
on the turf Mr.. Hearst known as the "Patent
Senator" His long gray beard gave him the ap-
pearance of patriarch. He talked slowly ana
walked slowly never permitting himself to be hurried
His intimates addressed him as Uncle George ana
he liked the sound of it, Never was there such reslg
nstion in man as observed day after day. week
after week. in him when his horses. badly trained,
badly ridden and badly placed, lost race upon race
fhat they ought TO have won. lie never lost pa
tence, never complained. but only waited or MS turn
" lie began his active turf career with sensation.
paving $4,000 for yearling colt. King Thomas. by
King Ban out of Maud Hampton. an unheard of price
and the talk Of racing men for, months II was
iRsa even e0S infested the turf King TSoma;
was the most worthless. He never won a race, ana
of opprobrious epthets and rldicule. But the SEN
stor found revenge His colt Tournament developed
into the champion three-ycarold OF 1890, winning
among numerous rich stakes the fat Realization worth
200 His total earnings amounted TO nearly
SO 900 and he retired from an arduous campaign as
sound as a roach. In Yosemite the senator had
after being persevered with for two seasons, was
retired 10 the stud in 1859, q hopeless cripple che
was one of the eetest horses ever seen on the Ame
shorty before his death Mr.. Hearst took his son into
partnership and all the entries that had eeeh naae
In the Jockey Club stakes transferred 10 }earo
UH Uncle nus Georse was fond Of seeing
his colors in and it did not seem 70 mai matter
whether he won or lost hayward was MS JOCKEY
Though he was an uneducated man, his native
shrewdness and wit and his varied ehperieh REM.
made him popular leader S Which MS he was
lifelong adherent, made him legitimately an
,spirant for political honors. lie was member, in
ls65'66, OF the California LEGISLATURE Where ne voice
Jefferson Davis for treason. He was proposed as
Democratic candidate for Governor OF the State In
1882. but was defeated IN the convention he re,
states Senator in 1855 When senator stanford was
elected by the Republicans. Upon the death OF Sen.
ator Miller in the following year, Governor St0neman
appointed him 70 the vacant place. senator Hearst
was elected and his present term would have enced
in 1898. 60 -,
ne had son. the proprietor of The san Francisco
Examiner.'