The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-03-01
GEORGE HEARST.
A Typical American OF the Self Made Sort
His Busy Life.

A Typical American OF the Self Made Sort
His Busy Life.
Senator Hearst was one of the most re-
markable of the self-made men who have
built up the Pacific coast. He was in
every sense of the word typical
American, the son of farmer
and product Of the public schools.
His family came originally from South
Carolina, but his father moved to franklin
county, Missouri, and settled on farm
there early in the century. There George
Hearst was born Sept. 3, 1920. His early life
was one of toll, but he attended the district
school regularly and was bright and atten-
tive pupil. Hehelped his father ON the farm
during his youth and early manhood, and
in 1850 started out for California to make
his own way in the world. The brilliant
success which attended his efforts was the
best evidence of the native ability and
worth of the man. Starting out forty
years ago with no capital but pair Of
strong arms. a healthy constitution, a stout
Veart and clear head, he died worth from
$40 OOO, 600 to 5000, 600, the proprietor of
extensive mines in this country and Mexico
and OF large and productive stock farms,
the employer of thousands Of men and the
chosen representative of his state in the
United States senate.
On his arrival in California he started ont
as working miner. 1t was in the days
| when men made fortunes in a few weeks
and lost them i'll an hour through gambling
| or reckless speculation. when luck counted
for great deal but individual character
| for much more. MIR. Hearst's clear head
and steady habits soon lifted him above the
position of common miner. He prospect
ed successfully and located mines which
fy1rv nnt Htn1 VhAp In
business ability enabled him to raise the
capital to run them. He was among the
! first to adopt improved methods in min
ing and to avail himself of machinery
| in getting the most out OF the ore. In u
| few wears his mines gave employment to
| 1900 men and his quartz mills crushed GOO
| tons of ore per day. After he had become
| rich, when most men would be tempted to
| seek n life of luxurious ease. his active
mind and energetic temperament sought Oc-
cupation in the active pursuit Of business,
| and he remained to the last an enterprisirg
miner. farmer and stock raiser, and con-
nected with some of California's leading
industries. MIR. Hearst was one Of the
largest stockholders in the corporation
owning ana operating the Anaconda mines
and smelters in Silver Bow and Deer Lodge
counties and had some other profitable in
vestments in Montana.
Although he always took an acti We inter
est i'll politics Senator Hearst never sought
a political Office for himself until 1866, when
he was elected to the state Legislature. He
was u candidate for governor before the
democratic convention held at San jose in
1882, and in 1895 the democrats. who were
then in minority in the Legislature, made
him their candidate for the United STATES
senate by unanimous vote. The dea til of
John +. Miller left vacancy in Califo MAS
representation in the United States senate,
and Gov. Stoneman filed it in March. 1856.
by appointing Mr.. Hearst, The democrats
having secured control of the legislature, he
was chosen senator to succeed Abram =.
Williams. republican, and took his seat
March 4. 1887.
MIR. Hearst's political influence in Cali
fornia was greatly enhanced by the pur
chase of the San Francisco Examiner, OF
which his son Will Il. is the editor. The
paper was literally on its last legs when Mr.
Hearst decided to take hold of 1t. and It's
influence was at zero. by enterprise and
good management the fortunes of the paper
were retrieved, it's circulation built up and
its editorial tone elevated until IL finally
became the great democratio organ OF the
Pacific coast. II is now a fine paying prop
erty.
la Washington Senator Hearst soon be-
| came general favorite, irrespective of
party ties. For some years Mrs. Hearst has
| been one of the social leaders at the
national capital and her entertainments