The San Francisco call., 1896-08-08

an estate to typewriter in San Francisco,
was like Senator Fair. He loved widows,
but unlike the Senator his only estate
consists of promissory notes long since
overdue and few unpaid loans.
Half of Alameda County is interested in
]. @. Simonds, railroad promoter, lawyer
and ardent lover. Two widows and one
very estimable young lady were ap-
preached by the man of imaginary
wealth and some of his love affairs were
considered as still pending when news OF
his death and of his will and of his for
tune were received. He was known in
bank and commercial circles and was not
a stranger in some sections of society, and
his name was on every tongue to-day.
About a year ago Judge Simonds came
to Oakland and tried to interest prominent
people in some railroad enterprises that
he was anxious to promote. Some special
meetings of the Board of Trade were held,
and Judge Simonds appeared and outlined
his plans. He brought with him some
contracts from railroad builders, and the
terms seemed altogether too easy. The
plans were submitted to the banks and
some inquiry was made, but the bonuses
and subscriptions asked by simonds were
not readily granted.
Correspondence was opened with Chi
cago, and after that the schemes were
looked on with less favor than ever. His
purpose was to promote the construction
Of a railroad from Oakland eastward to
connect with some overland trunk line.
His plan was first to connect with the
Santa Fe, but when he found the Valley
road would preoccupy that route he con-
ceived a plan for a line up the Sacramento
Valley from this point to join the Union
or Northern Pacific.
However, his plans were either imprac-
tfcable or too exacting to meet with favor.
President Keller of the Board of Trade
was particularly active in assisting the de-
ceased in presenting his promoting enter
prises until he found his efforts were SIM
ply waste of time.
After being disappointed in Oakland
Judge Simonds moved to San Francisco,
but was no more successful A few months
ago he reopened communications with this
city, and on his last trip here be presented
some new ideas, and it was thought he
was still trying to build railroad on the
the coast when news of his death was re-
ceived.
simonds introduced himself to M. j..
Keller on his arrival in Oakland. He at
once laid his plans before the merchant
and asked for his influence in interesting
capital to construct competing railroad
in California. Mr.. Keller dispatched let
ters East asking information OF the man
and his backing. Simonds did not claim
to have any capital, but was simply work
ing to invest Others capital.
He was often short of funds, and asked
a small loan OF various friends until he
could get remittance. In this way he
became indebted to almost every man
with whom he became acquainted. When
asked about the matter to-day Mr.. Keller
said:
aSimonds was a peculiar man. He
would borrow money of every one. He al
ways went to the theater and usually took
some lady with him. Mrs. S. S. Austin
of Twenty third avenue was great
favorite with him for a time. He would
telephone for her to go to the City or the
Macdonough Theater several times week.
Then ne took up with Miss Shaw,
school teacher as old as himself. We did
not receive very favorable reports from
the East when we asked about him so
declined to have any more to do with his
schemes.
II understand that this man Poole, who