The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-05-06

IlOns
CHICAGO, Ills, May5,-The richest Of
all women is loon to visit Chicago, She
is Sonora 1sadora Consinso, otherwise
known as the Countess OF Monte Crls-
TO-" OF Santiago, Chile, compared with
whose wealth the colossal fortunes Of
Mrs. Hetty Green and certain other
American ladies sink into inslgnlG-
canoe.
donna Consino is already making
her arrangements to visit here" said a
prominent Chilean citizen now in the
city, but who was prevailed upon to
give up his intimate knowledge OF the
circumstances and movements Of the
Countess" only after exacting a pledge
that his name would BIO omitted.
"rhe story OF the extent ofthis Chilean
lady's wealth reads like u page from a
fairy tale, 1t is doubtful II she herself
really knows the extent OF her posses.
sions. Even before the death OF the old
don, her husband, she was in her own
right the wealthiest woman in South
America. He managed his own estate
and she hers, and II Is said that tho
woman was the better manager OF the
TWO. Upon the death OF her husband
his vast possessions, In the way OF mines,
railroads, manufactures and lands,
passed into her hands, and she has
since directed the affairs OF the estate
personally with moro shrewdness and
success than most men could display
under a similar burden.
HER INCOME.
Donna ConslEo has moro wealth
than any person or corporation in
Chile, except alone the Catholic church.
Exactly what her income is cannot DO
told. 1t is known to reach several
millions per annum. Its derived from
mines, railroads, manufactures, her
plantations, and from commerce. She
own q fleet OF ships varying from 1000
to 5000 tons burden. which trade be-
tween various South American ports.
From her coal mines alone she realizes
$4,000 per month. Tho town Of Lolita
she own outright, and all OF it's 1000
inhabitants are her dependents. Cor.
ouei, n town Of about the same
size, is almost entirely owned
by her, and in these two towns Alono
slo pays out $4,000 in wages each
month. At Lolita are her copper
mines, and hero, too, she has a mansion
that has cost over q million dollars.
The architect and the skilled mechan-
les were imported from Paris, as also
the building material, which Donna
Consino conveyed to Chile in her "
ships. Over 81, 900, 900 more was spent
in improving the natural beauty OF the
grounds surrounding the mansion.
There arc $50 acres in tho private park
alone. There arc artificial lakes, grot.
toes, and flower gardens in which hall
a hundred skilled gardeners-most OF
them from Scotland-are constantly
employed.
Donna Consino has q plantation
near Santiago which is said to DO the
finest in South America. Here are her
grain fields, orchards, vine gardens,
herds OF cattle and hocks Of sheep.
The vineyards supply the market OF
SLllo WIN Sll1llH ulu ClhIGI- 4hGEt III
q wine cellar here, 50Oxl0O feet in size,
which is always GlIed. There are 400
men employed at all seasons on the
plantation, and 1000 poems are at
Sonora Consino's command at any time.
E PRlNcELY HOME.
"In the city OF Santiago Donna Con.
sino has two residences. One is built
in the American, the other in Spanish.
American style. Tho latter was decor.
atod and fitted up in Partisan style at
an enormous cost; but Donna Consino
spends very little time Mt either OF
these houses. Thirty miles outside OF
Santiago there il another large estate,
also owned by tho donna.
like most South American mon and
women, the donna is intensely fond OF
sports, and especially OF horse racing.
She has n splendid stud ut Santiago, and
she backs her backs her horges right
royalty. Should she conclude to be-
come a %'plunger' on tho race courses
hero in Chicago sho might cause some
OF the big bettors to open their eyes.
She is more likely, however, to devote
her attention to the pleasures of soci-
city, and il she entertains half rs royalty
here as ct home, or during her recent
sojourn in Paris, society circles will
have enough to talk about. When in
Chile Donna Consino frequently fits up
and decorates one OF her vessels, invites
u large party OF young men and women,
and all go upon a voyage OF pleasure,
lasting sometimes for weeks. On these
trips the guests are entertained in O
princely manner, regardless OF expense.
The receptions and balls she gives from
time to timo arc on the same magnitl-
cout scale. She Is particularly fond Of
the society OF young people and is al
ways surrounded by them. She is
quick to form likes and dislikos and is
the posseasor Of very decided opinions.
"The senior is still on the sunny side
OF 30, and is u well preserved woman OF
many charms. She comes OF a Spanish
family, and her foreiathers wero Qmoug
those en- terprising adventures who
came over with the conqueror Of Peru
and Chile. Sonora Consino has q son
OF so, and her daughters are 20 aud %
respectively. Tho son assists his moth.
or Ia tho management OF her estates,
and tho daughters arc In tho iloodtido
OF their social career.
"That Chicago socioty-as did the
most exclusive circles In New York
city. some years ago-will open It's arms
to Donna Consino, since she Is Of an
1870 a - N- - 80