Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-05-05
WHEELER,S BANKS IL.

~>A O~~~ ~. w hCClCl, UuO
lionaire of Aspen, COL, is 81 ~ oe d.
the end of his string after 1--WE years
of unqualified success. H rs iepu'oo
TO be worth at one time o mere irom
one TO five millions, and ie inelcah.ile
ngeucies said that the IL s'l lsulo WIS
Il closer estimate of his NVune lnan 'He
former.
He practically built 'o"n vi A.
pen, and by the fre use ol mohey
raised it from The lev OF a small lnln
lug camp to tow nion; une'f of ~ 'n'
uanic, supported s,'opulation OF ~,
of $50 O00 and sto I'D bank that main
tsjned Ini,nnsa' able credit through
the manic in snit of the fact that the
doors were closi for few days while
weiting for thf'trlVai VI currencS ii"u
New York.
So confder were the depositors of
tbe security their funds that even al
ter the door were opened they did not
Withdraw cent of their deposits.
Wheeler as the owner Of the famous
Asnen me, that netted him at the
lowest 9. innate $3,000,000.
Whe. at the zenith of his success
Wheel visited Manitou and was SO
well ,leased with the place that he or
dered )ne of the finest villas in the
Wes.to be built on the side of the old
,rai.eading TO the summit OF Pixies
Pes, and there he held forth season
afor season, entertaining with lavish
r,ss that astonished those who came
rom the East as his guests.
He acquired the reputation that once
was attached to Senator Tabor as a
lucky speculator, and every one at.
tempted to tail after him in the matter
of investments, for be never failed to
make handsome returns from anything
that he touched.
A residence at Manitou was not
enough for a bonanza king, who might
want the use Of large sums at any hour
of the day, so be started bank that in
the summer season controlled the busi
ness between the watering place and
the East.
One day quiet little fellow named
Cnsserleigh from Kansas City walked
into the office of the millionaire and
made demand for possession of the
Aspen mine and share of the profits
that Wheeler had been storing away
for ten years.
Wheeler ordered him out of his Of
fee, and then Casserleigh, who had
spent five years in procuring testimony,
went to the heirs Of deceased pros
pector and told them that they wer.
entitled to $l,000,000, according t.
proofs in his posses ion.
He told them Wheeler had defraui
ed poor miner named Woods out Of
the property by representing that the
mine would never pay, and getting
for the nominal sum Of
$3.50.
The old man, who was imposed
upon, died, and the family scattered,
most OF them suffering for want of food
during the rest of their lives. When
Casserleigh found them they were in
actual want, and one had been com
United to an insane asylum.
Judgment was rendered against
Wheeler for $3.50, 900 and the litigation
was carried to the highest courts,
where the findings were approved and
thus encompassed the downfall of the
He has residence at
Manitou that cost $500, 900, and owns
the Manitou Mineral Water Company
works, that is estimated to be worth
S500,000 He originally went to Den
yer from New York with little or no
money Both his banks at Aspen and
Manitou were turned over to assiguees
on Monday.
This action was taken under instruc
tons from Mr.. Wheeler by telegraph
from New York, where he resides. NJ.
A. E Idly was named as the assignee of
the Manitou Bank and W. l. McNair at
Aspen. Mr.. Wheeler is now Oh his
way to Denver and is expected to ar
rive Friday.