The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-29
BONANZA MILLI0NAIRES.
MEN WHO MADE GREAT FORTUNES
IN NEVADA MINES.

AEN w NJ MAOh CIT uA rOhl ONIS
IN NEVADA MINES.
How the Vast Wealth Taken Out of
the Oomstoclx Lode Was Divided
Men Now Unknown Who Came. in
for Millions bach Out of the $780,
100000. Aggregate.
From the Chicago inter. Ocean.
WINNEMUccA. New, May 26.-The $780,
000, 900 IN silver and gold extracted from
the bowels of the Comstock lode since 1859
Ito say nothing of the 10000, 900 from the
outside districts within our states border,
making total Of about $3.50 900, 900 has
enriched tho financial world TO that extent,
and the annual flow of millions from the
same sources still continues, although con-
siderably diminished in volume. Many en-
terprising men invested their time. labor,
or money in the development Of the justly
famous lode, and many have stayed with it
from the old surface groupings down to the
3,3OO-foot level. the lowest mining depth
attained ON the American continent.
How many have been favored to the ex-
tent of becoming millionaires through the
Comstock gate to fortune is difficult to as
certain or state beyond those prominently
known aud recorded in public memory, but
hundreds have realized their hundreds of
thousands, and thousands have realized their
many hundreds, yet many Comstock fav-
orite of fortune has since died poor, or is
still struggling to regain the smiles of the
aotoriously tickle goddess. Following will
Oe recognized as an approximate representa-
ton of prominent Comstock millionaires, as
near &c can be figured or estimated at the
present time:
Into conspicuous prominence comes the
famous bonanza firm" Mackay Fair,
Flood & O'Brien, realizing their immense
fortunes from the sensationally rich bo-
nanza developed and principally controlled
by them in the Consolidated Virginia and
California mines, on the northern section of
the Comstock.
The firm dissolved years ago, but before
they did SO they had divided 1874, 100000
among themselves exclusive Of what went
TO the many hundreds of outsiders who
invested with them. Their ownership was
1fths, and the others one-fifth each, there
fore the dividends took that shape OBrien
and Flood were removed by death. Fair
sold out and removed permanently to Cali
fornia, and Mackay is the only one of the
/ firm who stayed and still stays with the
Comstock source of their affiuence.
John w. Mackay came from the Cali
fornIa gold mines on the western slope OF
the Sierra Nevada in 1859, and engaged In
The development of this new mining discov-
sry. He owned most of the location known
as the California ground at the time of the
consolidation, hence his more extensive in
terest, and his actual realization therefrom
nay be placed at S45. 100000. As before
remarked, he still continues his interest
| in the old lode.
James @. Fair took away sS5, 100000 as
| his share Of Comstock mining and stock
| profits, and has since engaged in railroad
| and heavy real estate transactions in Cali
forDia- He has been very successful, and is
| probably richer than either Of his former
| bonanza partners.
j. Z. Flood realized about $50, 600, 900
| from the Comstock before he died in 6aa
| Francisco. He was also president of the
| Nevada bank, owned and controlled by the
bonanza firm. Mackay and Fair are still in
that to controlling extent.
W. s. OBrien died In San Francisco be-
| fore the full realization of his great bonanza
| affiuence was upon him. His fortune was
| figured at about GIG, 900.
| William Sharon realized about SIG, 000, 600
| from bis Comstock mining operations and
| speculations. The Yellow Jacket aud
| Belcher mines were his favorites, and under
| his control. He and w. G. Ralston and ID.
| 0. Mills ran the California bank and built
| the Virginia and Truckee railroad. besides
| being engaged in real estate and other en-
| terprises. Sharon died in the Palace hotel,
| San Francisco, the largest house in the
| world. built by Ralston and himself.
| W. @. Ralston. who died in San Fran
| cisco. August 81, 1875, was one of the lead
ing spirits and potent influences in the sarly
| development of the Comstock. He welded
| both moneyed power and influence, aud
| used both very effectually in conjunction
| with Shaton and Mills. His direct returns
| from actual Comstock investments may not
| have amounted to more than s., 000, 900 or
| $4,000. 600, but he was deeply engaged in
many outside interests in connection there
| With. One of the most enterprising and
| valuable men for the Pacific coast or the
J Comstock lode died when William c. Rails
| ton closed his eyes for the last time on
earth.
| d. o. Mills also figured among the early
| developers of the Comstock and got away
with 81, 0OO, 900 or So 900. 900, same as Rails,
| ton-perhsps more. His personal outside
| moneyed operations since then have largely
| included real estate In San Francisco and
| New York, in both places OF which he Is at
| home. But he is the principal owner and
| controller of the Virginia and Truckee and
F, the Carson and Colorado railroads, two OF
| the greatest and most important enter
| prises in connection with the Comstock or
+, the development of the resources Of Western
and Southern Nevada. His present estate
\ is estimated at over 100000.
| John p Jones, in bonanza days, wa:
stated to be $10,000.000 ahead on his Gold
| Hill, or southern end Of the Comstock, III
| the Crown Point mine, but he lost more
/ than that in subsequent outside specula-
| lions in California and elsewhere. HI
wisely held fast to Crown Point control
however, and acquired very remunera.
| tive interest in the famous gold mine OF
Douglass Island, Alaska. He is also en-
gagged prosperously in mines in Idaho anc
| elsewhere, and his Santa Monica. Cal, sea-
side ranch and public resort property ha'
constantly increased in value. His for.
tune can safely be estimated at SIC. 000, 900.
Alvinza Hayward of San Francisco wa
interested with Jones in the Crown Point
mine and elsewhere on the Comstock real
izing S10,000,000 He subsequently, witt
! w. g. Hobart, became a principal owner il
the Virginia and Gold Hill Water company
| and the Nevada Mill. recently erected il
49, .la -,