The morning call., 1892-10-17

form Of Mr.. Bell, dressed in his nghtcothes
only, lying apparently lfeless on the carpet.
He summoned assistance. and when the
aged capitalist was returned to his couch
it was found that he was still alive. but
doubtless badly injur ed. and unconscious.
DR.. Peter a. Kearney. who was DR.. Bells
physician, was summoned, and when he
arrived he found that his patient had sus-
tanned violent conclusion OF the brain,
and, in addition. had cerebral hemorrhage.
Bell was beyond medical aid. and, as
stated, he brestned his last at l 80 without
recovering consciousness.
Investigations were made, and from them
the following theory OF how the accident
occurred was arrived at.
Bells bedroom is connected with bath
room. which also has as outlet through
door leading directly to the winding stairs,
at the foot of which be was found.
1t is supposed that he visited the bath
room and, becoming absent-mnded, mis-
took the door that leads to the stairs for his
bedroom door when he wanted TO return to
the latter apartment
He was very weak and exhausted from
his Illness, so when he stepped across the
threshold and lost his footing he could not
recover his balance, and fell over the low
balustrade down TO the bottom of the stair
WELL
Thomas Bell vas native of Scotland and
was little over 20 years old.
There are few men in this city who have
who are more widely known in the world of
finance and commerce than he.
When quite a boy Bell left his native
country TO go to Valparaiso, where he be-
came clerk in a large mercantile house.
and it was as an agent for that firm that he
first visited San Francisco. early in 1850.
He decided to make California his home
at that time, but first he returned to VAL
paraiso to sever his connection with his en-
ployers there.
In ha Of mart af tno @ m ha
rived here for the second time, and for
forty-two years he has resided con nstantIy
in San Francisco.
Presley c. Hyman, the mining man, who
has been most intimate friend of Bell dur
ing all these years, gave his career In this
city yesterday to CALL reporter.
Shortly after arriving here he associated
himself with two Others, and they founded
the firm of Bolton, Barron & Co., which
after few years became Barron & Co.
Eustace and w. e. Barron and Thomas
Bell were the partners in this latter firm,
which for many years was the leading
broker, mining and commission house on
the Pacific Coast.
1t was during these years that Bell laid
the foundation for what later became a
large fortune.
There was no mining deal In the great
Comstock days that he had not something
to do with.
He and his partners were the agents for
HI Tie buIOpcdu dHQ OOutH AllcIIEdu
houses who did business with California,
and when the Barrons died somewhere in
1872 or 1873 the business all fell into the
hands of Bell, who took George Stake into
partnership, and so created the present firm
of Thomas Bell & Co.
Bell was one of the originators and incor-
porators of the first Bank of California in
1864. and when that institution closed its
doors years afterward it was Bell who. with
ID. o. Mills, cabled to the RothschiIds! and
got them to become responsible for the
banks paper. thereby enabling it to resume
business.
Bell, besides his other multfarlous busi-
ness connections, was also the quicksilver
magnate OF the Pacific Coast. controlling as
he did the New Almaden, the New Adria
and the Standard quicksilver mines.
| He was also the owner OF the Triompho
silver mine near San Bias In Mexico, and
when his estate is settled it will be found
that he owns mining properties In many
parts of the country.
1t was Bell who built the Central hmeri-
can Railroad, which runs from Guatemala
to San Jose de Guatemala, and which he
sold some four years ago to syndicate.
Iu Santa Barbara County there is mag
nificent ranch covering 10000 acres owned
by Bell, and another ranch located in
Sonoma County Is owned partly by bis
widow and partly by Mrs. Mary E. Pleas
ant. the Nanny Pleasant of Sharon trial
fame, who for over twenty years has been
Bells trusted housekeeper and confidential
friend.
The very valuable property on Octavia
and Sutter streets, where the Bell family
resides, was some years ago decided to his
wife by Bell.
Mrs. Bell was out Of town when the acci-
dent which resulted so sadly occurred. one
was at her ranch in Sonoma County, out
dispatch was sent her yesterday ana she Is
expected home to-day.
Besides the widow Bell leaves SIX cnll-
dren, three boys and three girls Inc eid-
est son Fred. is 1S years old, and has just
returned from Atlanta, Ca, where he has
heen at college. The oldest daughter is 16
wears of age and Is a pupil in the Oakland
Convent. The other younger children are
at home.
Bell was a very quiet and almost un.
sociable man, but he spent large amounts
of money in an transformations way for
charitable purposes, and there are many
people in this community who are largely
indebted to him for the timely assistance
he rendered them in the hours of need.
OF late years Bell preferred to spend all
the hours he did not devote to business at
home. He was not connected with any
fraternal organization and never str0ve for
political honors.
On Change in London. Glasgow. New
York and San Francisco for many years his
name has been synonymous with honesty,
pluck and clear business Judgment
| The funeral will take place on Wednes-
| day FROM the family residence.