The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1895-10-17
THREE MEN FROM THE WEST.
Millionaires Who Will Try to Enjoy Their
Riches In the Metropolis.


Three large western cities-Chicago,
Denver and Helena-have recently lost
three citizens to New York, citizens
whose combined fortunes are estimated
to be quite 500, 000,0 900. The three
men who have already bought property
in this city are Charles T. Yerkes, the
Chicago cable king; w. A. Clarke, the
silver mine Cr9sus of Montana, and u.
H. Moffat, the owner of the famous
Creede mine of Colorado.
These three money monarchs may be
expected to do something startling In
the building way. Mr.. Yerkes has al
ready set the pace for the other rich cit
liens coming here from the west. He
has practically completed his 800, 600
palace On Fifth avenue, at the south
east corner of Sixty eighth street. 1t
has frontal of 81 feet on Fifth ave-
nue. and 1876 feet on Sixty eighth street.
In the rear there is an addition 100 feet
long and 30 feet wide, in which will be
hung Mr. Yerkes' famous collection of
old masters, valued at over 81, 600, 600.
1t is said that this will be the richest
gallery in this country. The mansion
will be five stories high, of pure classical
design and built of very dark American
brownstone. The carving on the exterior
will cost a good sized fortune. The stoop
to the Yerkes mansion will be one solid
block of brownstone that will cost $780,
600
Another one of the new citizens OF
New York, Mr. David H. Moffat, whose
fortune is variously estimated from $780,
900, coo to $50, 900, 900, has had va
ried career.
When boy, he was a messenger in
the New Y ork Exchange bank, and he
now owns several banks in Colorado,
mines, stocks and gold galore. He prac-
tically owns all of the Creole mine He
took hold of the property which Creede
discovered and built railroad to it.
He developed the mines SO thoroughly
that Creede is one of the largest ship
ping points in the United States.
He left New York for Iowa score or
more years ago to take place as teller
in bank in Des Monies. While there
he attracted the attention of capitalist
who wanted to start bank in Omaha.
Mr. Moffat was made the cashier of
that bank. He was in Omaha when the
Pixies peak excitement began, and at
that time he went to Colorado. He
speculated in groceries and other staples
which were needed for shipment to the
mines, and he soon owned bank.
w. A. Clarke, the third money king
from the west who will settle down in
New York to enjoy his millions, has
purchased from School Commissioner
Guggenheimer the northeast corner of
Fifth avenue and Seventy seventh
street, nine blocks away from Mr.
Yerkes, for 1926. 1000. The lot has 80
foot front Oh Fifth avenue and runs
back $50 feet on Seventh seventh street
The Fifth avenue frontage of Mr.
Clarke's lot is II feet less than Mr.
Yerkes', but it is 25 feet longer on the
side street.
Mr.. Guggenheimer bought it about
year ago for $3.50, 900, SO he has made
$40, 600 by the transaction. 1t is Mr..
Clarkes intention to build a mansion
that will surpass any in New York
His fortune is estimated at $50, 900, 0OO
He owns three gold mines in the neigh
borhood of Butte City, Mon, and a
couple of paying silver mines and is
president of several railroads. He is
president of bank in Denver and one
in Butte City.
Despite his riches he has been twice
prevented from being United States
senator Mr. Clarke arrived in Mon
tana 30 years ago at the head of a mule
train with pick over his shoulder.
He opened general store at Butte City
and then bought mining claims, which
he and his wife worked with their own
hands. He is so proud of the hard work
he did in those days that the checks of
the banks of which he is president bear
pictures of himself in his rough miners
dress New York World.