The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-05-31
THE SHAWHAN FOLLY,

And the man who built $4,000 sta BILE and
became bankrupt before his house was fin.
shed.
1t Is true, AS every old timer r, members, and
more mammoth deacon's folly could not be
found in all the fifly-lour counties Of The Golden
State.
John E. Shawhan was his name. He liked
horses, was bit Of sport ana good deal OF
sockbroker. Long years he worked hard and
was poor.
One morning he wote up and look ed upon a
world that was paved with gold-for him. at
least AT night lie was poor; in the morning a
millionaire.
Virginia consols were the making OF his mil.
lions. II was In the days when the ascent from
tramp to CrGsus was often sudden and unex-
pected. lie bought largely when stocks were
low. The market shot up like seyrocket
and he became rich so fast that 1t made him
dizzy.
ALI al once be boughr a valuable lot on the
north side of California street, just west OF
Jones, and lie started i'll To build himself pala-
tial residenc
Perhaps 1t was the dizziness In his head, per-
haps II was-but no matter what The cause he
did start at the wrong end OF his lot 10 build
that palatal residence. He began on the
stable and finished it entirely before he had
The plans completed for his home.
Oh. 1t was a beautiful stable. There were
marble drinking-troughs for the horses and
stalls of poll shed oak and birdseye MAPLE The
! floors were OF inlau hardwoods and finely
| polished.
1t was all very magnificent. all but the feed.
aud that was common hay aud oats aud dried
alfalfa and mixed feed of the same sort that an
| ordinary cartnorse gets.
Mr. Shawhan grieved greatly that money
! could not buy some more costly ieed for his ex-
| eanimals--sOOp nf
ambrosia, made to the equine palate accent.
! able. But his regrets were vain. HIS splendid
horses, housed In such palace OF beauty and
wealth. had TO drink everyday Spring Valley
water and eat oats that were only 60 cents q
| bushel
Mrs. Shawhan had Il private boudoir in the
| stable, carpeied with The costllest of import ed
rugs and hung with tapestries that were worth
weeks wages yard.
And the carriages! No one In all the world
ever had so many carriages or such fine ones.
Money could buy no better ones, and he had as
many different kinds as there was room In his
| Ialatial stable 10 accommodate.
lie harness would have been more useless
but scarcely more expensive, had 1t been made
! OF solid gold.
One day In 1875. when the beautiful stable
was all hnished and lis magnificent vehicle.
! housed therein and its hgb-sieppnc and high
eye maple stalls. Mr.. and Mrs. Sbawhan gave 3
reception at their "equestrien home" to repre-,
sehtallvss OF The local press. They were re-
cefVed In Mrs. Shawhan's boudoir, and maiiy
baskets OF champagne were discussed amons
| item.
The hostess herself showed the gentlemen Of
tie press through the rooms OF the second stor,
OF lie "equestrien home," while Mr.. Shawbar
himself led the way into the birdseyc.m ma plt
stalls and showed on the housekeeping STOCK
| and Its expensive stabling.
Mrs. Shawban had Il beautiful whip for ever,
different set of FAIRNESS. They we're mostl,
gold Dutted, or, II not gold, then the handle.
were made OF some more rare or precious stuff
she was very proud Of her whips and tool
great delight In their ostentatious display 10 The
members OF the plcbeian press.
Then there was spin out to the park for the
visitors behind MI. Shawhans biooded stock
And in the m0rHing. behold, the papers cor.
ialned more or less glowing accounts of what a
iool Shawhan was with all his vulgar wealth
lie next event was the downfall OF Virginia
consols. Never did stocks fall so rapldIy