The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-13
DOWN In THE DEPTHS.
From Wealth to Poyerty-Clos
Of Checkered Career.
Death of Austin Kelly, Who at One Time Was
Well-Known Citizen of San Francisco.
A Victim of the Demon, Drink.

Austin Kelly, who has had quite career
in this State, and who has been known to
thousands OF Californians, died at the Sac
ramento County Hospital Yesterday, says
| the Sacramento Bee of last evening, in alb
| ject poverty and broken-down, helpless
| inebriate.
| heely was an old-time Californian. In
early days he worked in the mines, and
afterwafd Kept saloon at Folsom, when
that burg was one of the most flourishing
| towns In the State. 1t was while there that
| he met daughter of Mrs Rice The
latter was conducting a ranch near Clarks-
vile, HI Dorado County. Mrs. Rice was q
very strong-ninded, woman. She had been
married IN New Orleans. and in 1919 her
husband came to California among the thou
SANDS OF Others, attracted by the fabulous
stories OF the discovery of gold.
In 400 the wife followed but the daugh-
ter 0I the two was sent to a convent ia Ken
lucky to be educated.
On arriving in this city in 1850 the wife
inquired for her husband, and was told that
he would be found in the Sazerac Building,
at Second and ] streets, which was at that
| time one CT the most noted gambling houses
In the State. When the woman entered she
found her husband running game of rou-
lette. She simply said: Il will meyer live
with you again."
| And she never did.
The woman went to Ell Dorado County
and took up SOME land near Clarksvile.
ohe ran the place herself, though she mar
rled ana lived for some years with man
named Rice. When the latter went the way
| OF all the world Mrs Rice continued her
work, and added to her possessions until
she owned near 5000 acres of land. She
| could drive four or six horses as we'll rs any
/ nTnaS sty lanta
PLOTTED MORE THAN ONE oX-TEAM
| To Sacramento and back to the mountains.
| Mrs. RIce was, in fact, q masculine woman.
| she was OF very strict convictions, and one
| OF her strong characteristics was her hatred
| OF gamblers. She could see no good in them.
Il could forgive man who made a mis-
| take, she was wont TO say, but man
! VINO continuously and premeditateiiy
| follows calling that he knows is no better
than robbery, l want nothing to do with
| him."
After some fifteen years of her peculiar
| life in the foothills, Mrs. Rice sent for her
| daughter. The latter arrived fresh from
| the convent an educated, refined young
| woman. Her feelings naturally revolted at
| her mothers rough manners and style of
| living, and 1T was not long before she
| sought more eongeuIal companionship by
! sewing In families in FL Dorado and at Nor
| mon Island.
1t was at the latter place she met Austin
heely, dashing young sport who had en-
| gagged IN tine saloon business in Folsom and
was making money rapidly. They fell in
| love with each other and were finally mar
rled In this city against the mothers wishes,
| who said:
You have married gambler. Never set
| foot within my doors again"
The command was ubeyed for nearly
| twenty years.
When Folsom got on the down grade of
prosperity, however. Keely and his wife
| went TO San Francisco. -Keely started sa-
| loon at L hird and Howard streets aud made
| money hand over fist He was fortunate in
| mlning-stock Speculations also, and wealth
rolled in upon him.
| lie was a natural spendthrift, however,
| and money went as easily as ii came. He
! Samoied, took an active interest in politics,
/ aud 1t was one Of his chief delights
TO TAKE A LOAD OF HIS FRIENDS,
| Behind spanking four-in-hand, to the Cliff
! House. where all the Injuries 10 be had at
| the place were enjoyed at Keely's expense.
| The tide OF fortune finally turned. Stocks
| took disastrous tumble, and Kseiy became
financial wre k. His business was swept
away, and those who had courted his COM
| pany during his prosperity would scarcely
recognize him in his adversely.
He took to drink. and il is said that his
| MUD was affected. His wife was neglected
and 81 times was in actual want. she at
| last, some time in the '70's, resolved to go 10
her mothers. She did So, was warmly well
| COHlhl anu MIS-. ISlcc even lDSlsIeu tnaC MT.
Kelly should be sent for lie was commu-
| nicated with and was soon quartered also
| on the Ell Dorado Ranch, where he made
himself useful by doing chores about the
| premises.
Her lonely and rough life had not sweet
| ened the disposition of Mrs. Rice, however,
and it was difficult to get along with her.
| One day, some SIX OF seven years ago, she
and Mrs. keely quarreled, and the daughter
| left the house and went to a ncighbor's to
/ remain Until the storm blew over
kealy, it appears, knew nothing OF the old
| lady's rage and he shortly afterward en-
| tered the house carrying u number of eggs,
| which he suggested would be good for hatch
| ing purposes.
Take them to your wife, shrieked Mrs.
| Rice, and then she applied vile epithet to
| her daughter.
Keely objected to such language in refer
| enee to his wife, and Mrs. Rice seized
| hammer and advanced on her son-in- law.
Keely seized his mother-in law by the
| throat and disarmed her. When he lJosened
his hold the old woman fell to the floor.
KELLY ATTEMPTED TO AROUSE HER,
But in vain. She was dead.
Kelly was tried for murder, was defended
| by 4. I. Catlln of this city and Hon. G. G..
| Blanchard of Placerville and acquitted, the
| jury believing that he had no Intention of
| numbering Mrs. Rice.
After the trial Keely's wife obtained a d.
vorce, and he drifted back to Sacramento.
| lie kept oar at times, but was himself so
addicted to strong drink that he could not
long hold job.
In the natural course of things he crawl
tated to the County Hospital, where he has
been for several days past.
Day before yesterday he came to the city
and received a letter from a brother VINO
resides IN Portland. Me. The epistle doubt
! less revived memories of by-gone days, and
! heely began drinking.
by 10 O'Clock at night he was very drunk.
ana was put to bed in downtown hotel.
About midnight lie was heard moving. aud
investigation proved that he was in very
bad way. His muscles were cranned and
! he appeared to be paralyzed
lie became unconscious, and early in the
| morning Was taken to the hospital. He lin
gered until about noon, when he died.
Inc ftr mer Mrs. Keely is in the CITY. and
| mas Oeen Tor several days. She fell heir to
her mothers estate, but The prosecution of
| Key, administration upon the estate. etc.
has left The property heavily incumbered
| DIR. White held an autopsy on the body of