The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-06
THE LATE j. I. BRADY.
"Reminiscences of Once Prominent s.
ErancIsco SioCkbroker.

"Reminiscences OF Once Prominent San
Francisco Stockbroker.
Colonel John L. Brady, former promi-
nent and successful tockbroker of this
city, died at Virginia City, New, on Friday
evening last, of pneumonia. aged about As
years. He was well known among San
Francisco operators, and the news of his
death WAS received with deep regret
An old and prominent stockbrOker. who
knew Colonel Brady well In the bonanza
days, was seen by representative of The
CALL and gave some interesting reminis-
cences OF the colonel during the flush time S
Of the '7Os. In those days be was a clerk
in a leading brokers' Office In this city, and
while faithfully attending to his duties
engaged in occasional speculations on his
own account. At one time. being in posses
sion Of news that Con. Virginia and Cali
fornia would reach high figures, he advised
a friend 10 buy on their joint account 200
shares OF the above-named stocks at the then
very low figure Uf about S75 per share. His
advice was followed. and in about sixty
days afterward Brady and his friend real
lied on their investment net profit OF
500, 000-S50.000 apiece. Consolidated Viz
ginia went up to $500 ana California reached
nearly the same figures, but the Brady syn
dictate uuloaded at 5000.
After this transaction, which was ver-
liable bonanza TO the hitherto almost
lmpecunious clerk. Brady resigned his posi-
ton at the desk and went up to the COM
stock as an expert. There he soon gained
many friends. He always made 1t a point
to associate closely with working miners OF
good judgment, who were engaged at points
where developments were on the way. So
cautious was he in advising that his friends
dubbed him Judge" and the term was no
mlsnomer, for his judgment was excellent.
Brady continued to expert on the Com
stock and made that his home. He occa-
sionaily came down to the "Bdy" to settle
with people with whom he. dealt in stocks,
who bought and sold Oh his advice as ex.
pert. From 1880 to 1885 he engaged as
clerk In the Savage company at Virginia
City. but was eventually discharged after
having been accused of having posted his
San Francisco friends that Savage was not
good buy, but a good short.
During Brady's incumbency of the Saw
age clerkshp he dabbled considerably in
politics. running for County Clerk on the
Democratic ticket, and his popularity NAV
be imagined, said The CALLS informant,
by the tact that be was defeated by only
seventeen votes. He was bitterly opposed
by mining monopolies on account of his
"beafing" qualities and his advice of the
true condition of the mines to his San Fran.
cisco as sociates. He also figured promi.
ncntly Tor one term in the Nevada Legisla-
ture.
"Brady died." concluded THE CALLS in
formant. in moderate circumstances. He
probably lost his fortune in speculation.
His case parallels that of the lady who
went 70 Senator Fair and be walled her un-
fortunate Investments and who received
this reply from the Senator: NV dear
woman, you stayed in the bath too long and
took cod,'
BRADY was hail fellow we'll met
always smiling aud cheerful. very far from
a. pessimist. and so liberal that he would
share bis last dollar with a friend. He was
fond OF high rolling and greatly enjoyed a
lark. He was courteous and genial, and
his accomplishments were of the highes
description, he being highly educated. His
cbirography was rs iegible and fine as print
and he was an expert bookkeeper aud cor
| respondent"