Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-12-30
EX-SENATOR FAIR DEAD.
The BONANZA King Expired Suddenly In
the Lick House at san Francisco

the Lick House at san Francisco.
SAN FRANCISCO, Decem Der eek
Senator JamesG. Fair died suddenly az
the Lick House at 1920 this morning.
Senator Fair had been In poor health
for some time, suffering from asthma
A few days ago he caught cold while
going out in rain storm to view some
Of his property improvements at North
Beach. The cold did not apparently
affect his lungs but settled il his kid
neys. Last evening be was feeling bet
ter than for the past few days, and his
death was entirely unexpected.
Senator Fair was about 64 years old.
His only son, Charles g. Fair, whom he
disinherited about year ago, was with
his father at the time OF his death, q
reconciliation having been effected
some time ago.
Senator Fair was born In Ireland, and
was United States Senator from Neva-
da. He made his fortune in the Com
stock lode. and was a member OF the
famous bonanza firm OF Flood, Mack
ey, Fair 81 0'Brien. He largely in
creased his wealth by investments In
San Francisco and Calforni real estate,
and his fortune Is estimated at $40, 0O0,-
900.
When 1t was obvious that life could
not last long. frequent bulletins were
sent 10 Mrs. Hermann 0eirich and Miss
Virginia Fair, the daughters who are
In New York, by Charles Fair. This
son was the only relative Of tue Senator
present when he died.
DR.. Livingston, who was the Sena-
tors near friend, as well as his physi-
clan, says the ex-senator left NO special
message for his family or other persons.
Before the fatal attack came on him he
made a will in which he revoked the
action he had taken to disiDherit his
son Charlie. As 10 the value OF the es-
tate the doctor says that TWO years ago,
when the ex-senator was complaining
OF his physical suffering, he remarked:
II would not pass another such night
for every cent Of my SIS, 100000" The
doctor added that Fair knew almost eX-
actiy what he was worth. At that
time estate would aggregate about S40,-
000, 900 at a moderate estimate.
In the early '7O's Fair was poor
man. he had no prospects in his mines
and no one had the hardihood to pre-
dict fortuHe for him. He went In the
stock market with Flood, Mckay and
others, and the great manipulators won
fabulous wealth. Fair never gave up
his mining interests, but he abandoned
the speculative feature OF them Rnd
turned to the other fields He began 10
invest in local real estate and owned
acres of IL before he died. He owned
the Lick House, but 1t was simply an
item In q long inventory. he possessed
some of the best business and residence
property in San Francisco. His rent
roll each month was fortune for an
ordinary man. he was one OF the heav-
lest taxpayers In the city.
He owned 40 blocks Of land In the
northwestern part Of the city. For
months he has employed hundreds OF
men improving it and establishing a
desirable water front. South of Market
street Fair owned several manufactor-
les, some OF which he was directly In
tereSted in to the extent Of hundreds Of
thousands OF dollars. Most or his
wealth, however, was in his mines. He
had exclusive ownership Of many, not
only In this State, but Nevada. lie
owned them at the time OF his divorce
from his wife. Then they were consid-
cred of little value. In the last few
years boom gave them value. Nine
wears ago Senator Fair was worth no
more than 50, 600, 600.
A few months ago when Charles Fair,
the only son, married, his father decid-
ed to disinherit him. He tore up the
will which he had made and drafted an
other In which he left his son nothing
and the bulk of his property to charity.
The matter became public. When
Charles Fair returned from his wedding
trip efforts were made to effect a recon-
cilliation with his father. DR.. Living
ston acted as mediator and Fair
and son were once more friends
The Senator determined TO make
new will. Two months ago be
asked for the document in which he had
disinherited his son. 1t was given TO
him and was destroyed. Fair then
made another will. IL was autographs
and was not witnessed by any one. In
handing it to his secretary Fair said:
That is pretty fair division, think;
share and share alike" Fairs friends
construe this remark to mean that be
divided his fortune among his children,
share and share alike. These children
are Mrs. Herman Oelrich, Miss Virginia
Fair and Charles L. Fair.