The San Francisco call., 1897-05-10

county, lnQ., at the ola Iamily houe siA
miles from Louisville, KY, across the
river. His father was a contractor and
builder in that city, and the deceased
grew up in that business. After the panic
of 1887 there was removal to Cincinnati.
In 1858, some time after the death of his
father, he abandoned Cincinnati and came
to California.
He mined for while at Indian Creek,
north of Marysville, in Ell Dorado County
and at Michigan bar, and then went into
business as contractor and builder at
Sacramento in partnership with Stephen
Winans, William Allen and K. G. Redd.
The firm later became Winans d Carr, ana
after 1860, when Winans died, Carr carried
on the business alone.
Mr.. Carr built many OF the important
structures of that city, and among his con-
tracts was one on the foundation OF the
capitol building. After the floods OF
1862 63, he and William Turton built the
levees about Sacramento.
During his Sacramento career he took
an active interest In politics. In January,
1864, he was married Dy Thomas starr
King to Miss LIZZIE Macy of this City,
descendant of one OF the original founders
of the Nantucket colony, and later in that
year he located in San Francisco.
lie became interested in the Western
Pacific Railroad, and he and Charles Nc
Laughlin built thirty miles OF it.. his
interest was sold to the Central Pacific
Company, and he was for time large
owner OF the stock OF that company.
Late in the sixties he had acquired con-
sidera bic wealth by his industry, shrewd-
ness force of character and his readiness
and ability to manage big enterprises.
There was boldness and spirit OF enter
prise in his nature. He was not man OF
culture but he was man OF more than
ordinary intellectual power and native
ability. He added to this care OF his
character, reputation and physical
health.
II was at this period of his career. about
1867, tnat he assumed a commanding
mace in California Republican politics.
1t was through mis- dominance of the party
machine that George G. Gorham was
nominated for Governor TO be defeated
by Haight Carr continued at the party
helm Gorham went to Washington, and
later became secretary OF the Senate.
A. A. Sargent, then a Congressman and
friend of Carr's. aspired to the Senator
ship, and the memo orable battle over Sar-
gent followed. Carr backed Sargent with
all his political resources and conducted
his fie hit in masterful way, with George
c. Gorham as one of his associates. Sar-
gent triump phed, and owed his election
m ainly to the political leader, William B.
Carr. Added to Sargent and Gorham was
Congressman Page of Alameda to uphold
Carr's power.
1t was thus that through large por-
tion of Grants administration Carr die
| tated the apportlonment OF Fed eral patron
age in California. He never concerned
himself with local politics, and early in
! the eighties he wholly retired from the
political field and never thereafter re-
en- cred it, often express ng piece OF wis
dom to the effect that man was fool to
dabbe in politics. The men OF his day
| rbo the asti ha
was a master as an organizer OF men.
Il part of his success was due to a
faculty of making friends and popularity
among them.
Before he eft politics he turned to Kern
County and its rich expanse OF arid valley
| lands. There had been an opening to set
| tlement OF Government lands there dur
ing Sargent's Senaiorshlp and the rail-
road owned much of the domain he COW
eted. 1t was in 1872 that he began the ac-
quirement of great tracts of this land, and
he early conceived a great plan of irriga-
ton and settlement.
During the seventies j. B. Hagg;n
bought large holdings ere also, but Carr
proceeded independently for many years.
In 1899 he associated his interests with
those of ]. B. Haggin, and 1891 Carr, H ggln
and LLOYD Tevls formed the Kern County
Land Company and the Kern County
Canal and Water Company. These inter
ests extended the irrigation system al
ready greatly developed mainly by Carr,
and began more extensive efforts at colo
nization and development. In 1895 Carr's
interests were bought by Haggin and
Tevis.
This irrigation system to which the de-
ceased devoted SO many years of his llfe
com prsing over 300 miles of bitches and
canals leading from Kern River, one ca
nal, the Galloway, being 800 miles long,
120 feet wide at the top and 30 feet wide
at the bottom.
The whole enterprise is y stupendous
! one and has made great section of the
upper end of the San Joaquin Valley bios
| som as the rose. The Haggin and. Carr
| holdings conn prised 400, 600 acres. and the
management of the enterprise demanded
men of great ability.
| Last year as an experiment. Mr.. Carr
bought $4,000 worth OF Canaigre roots in
| Mexico and planted them on land in
Kings County. This and the budding
sugar-beet enterprise mentioned were two
| OF the latest enterprises which interested
this active and ready man. He did large
work, commanded the respect of all, and
! his death will cause many regrets.