The morning call., 1894-12-29
PRICE FIVE CENTS.

WHICH iOcdnty ne c0nQO6ntIy l0uReQ 10r
some eventual and substantial develop
ment of the Comstock lode, then al
ready attracting the attention of thinkers
among the mining fraternity. With
varying fortune, but with fixed de-
termination to test his conclusions 10 the
utmost, he mined and prospected a number
of locations"
In 1865 his zeal, Judgment and excep-
tlonal executive ability attracted the at
tention of the then directory of the famous
Ophir mine, and he was rendered the
superintendepcy of the same. So success
ful was be in that important position that
two years later be was offered and as
sumed the direction of the Hale & Nor
cross mine.
This was followed shortly by his first
business connection with John ".
Maekay. aud later to the formation, with
the addition of Messrs. Flood ana O'Brien,
of the artnership of the world-famous
bonanza firm, OF which Messrs. Fair and
Mackay are the sole survivors. This quar-
tet of financiers and miners, probably the
most experienced association ever formed
in the annals of mining, soon obtained
virtual control of the Hale & Norcross,
which property. under the skillful man.
agpment of Fair, soon fortified the
capital of the partners with an additional
half million.
This was simply the preliminary step to-
ward the cOnsummation of their great ulti-
mate project, the systematic and thorough
development of the great "lode." To this
end they acquired in rapid succession the
control Of what was then known as the
California and some adj,inine mines and
locations, as well as the Kinney" and
Whi'e q Murphy Called the Central, Nos.
l and q mines. All these properties
were formed under the titles Of Consol-
dated California and Virginia. and the
work of discovering and unlocking the
great main Golfer of the ''mother lode"
began in earnest. 1t was a work that, il it
failed, would reduce Mr.. Fair and his
associates to penury. but despite the sage
warnings and sometimes disheartening
ridienle of their fellow rospeetors they
resolved TO hazard all and resOlutely con-
tinued their at first unpromising work.
The story of their wondrous "find," the
location and production of the vast de-
posits that in the space of three years
added at least $50. 100000 to the wealth of
the coast and made the four partners
richer than their widest dreams is a
thrce-told tale. Equally well known is
the history of Mr.. Fairs other and less
profitable mining ventures up to the period
when he turned his attention from mining
as speciality to engage in the more di-
versifed field of business investment.
About 1869 Mr.. Fair began his local in
vestments in real property, chiefly in San
Francisco and vicinity, and which he after
ward steadily continued with a sagacity
that added many millions TO his original
fortune.
But it is in other directions of enterprise
that Mr.. Fairs ability and forecast is
noticeable. Some dozen years ago he pro-
jected, and against obstacles and opposi-
li0n that would have more than dis
couraged an ordinary man, no matter how
| financially strong. he built and equipped
| the South Pacific Coast Railroad and
| its ferry system. This road, running
| from this city to San Jose and terminating
at Santa Cruz, afforded much needed
transit facilities to he east side or
the bay. Its loca ion, per and ferry prop
critics. with its ultimate prospects of east
| ern connection. made iI prac ically the
| key of the railroad situation. In fact its
bsorption by the Southern Pacific Com
| pany became a virtual necessity and to
| that corporation it was sold by Mr. Fair
in 1886 for the round price OF $1,000. 600.
In 1880 Mr.. Fair was chosen by the Ne
vada Legislature to represent that State,
in which he still retains many important
interests. as United States Senator. Dur
ing his Term he served not only the State
he Immediately represe ted but the whole
commonwealth of the Pacific with industry
and effect, his action in indorsiug and for
wardlng all ant-Chinese legislation being
| especially notable.