The times., 1897-06-16

Barnato Company, then modest concern,
fourteen years later became a stor IN cen
ter, around which Tevolyed the fortunes
Of scores of financial giants in England
and other European countries.
Rarnato's advent in London, two years
ngo, was the signal for an extension OF
the South African speculations that ap-
palied even the less conservative OF
European fina nciers. 'Barney y" Bar
nato, a man who had had no stauding In
financial circles, became at once most
notable figure. Appearing on the scene
/ while the memory OF the great South
Sea Bubble" was still fresh. and while
the minds of conservative Britons stin
were filled with facts about the Argentine,
Australian, and West Australian bo9ns.
the one time itinerant juggier successfully
launched what was regarded as the great
est OF all these booms the * Kaffirs.''. All
OF the preceding booms had burst In tarn,
at cost of hundreds of millions Of pounds
sterling to the investors. But Barnato
calmly ignored these mattesr OF then rece Mt
financial history. he made specula-
tion in '-Kaffirs" the controlling passion
in Engla nd. 1t became scarcely less
rampant in Paris and Berlin. 1t spread
fluenee felt, tn ough only slightly, in
Chicago and other American cities
But in London, the home of the boom.
every man, woman and child with money
to invest bought Kaffirs. The shares went
to unheard OF figures. Fortunes have been
made in day: other fortunes are in sus-
peDse.
He was returning to Africa when his
death occurred.
All London has been talking about him,
and for months past all manner OF runlors
have been current a bout BaTnato's affairs.
By some it was said that his Last jolrneyto
Africa was in order to try to pick up the
string OF FORUM that had gone to pieces.
The tale ha d to do with hefailure of mines
and the uncovering of giant frauds in his
titles, and it was even suggested in the
clubs that Ba rney Barnato's downfall would
not stop with the loss OF his fortune.
The report of Mr.. Barnato's suicide was
made at Funchal by the captain Of the
steamer Scot. His report was that Bar
nato, who had not shown the least sign
OF agitation, but who had kept rather
more closely to his cabin than was his
habit Oh board ship, suddeuiy appeared
Oh Geek, while most of the passengers
were in tie saloon, and, with a cry that
the second officer thought was a curse,
ard q passenger says was only an IN
meaning shrek, dashed over the side.
Ills body was recovered, but though
every effort was made TO restore anin;,
tion. success did not attend 1t, and the
richest man in the world had left all
his cares and worries behind him forever
more.
In the history OF the financial career
of this marvellous man, it is related that,
soon after his arrival in London, South
African stocks took such q jump that
European capitalists poured S75.oO0,OoO
into what was then termed ablind
pool" They did this, it was added, on
the word OF ''lucky speculator," man
who, a few months before, had had no
standing in the financial world OF Europe
The London Stock Exchange, and the
hourses OF Paris and Berlin became tre-
nendously interested in the fluctuations OF
the ..Kaffir'' stocks. The shares of the
Barnato Bank were floated at an enor
the transactions were considered to be
larger, the winnings richer and the losses
heavier than IN any other financial specu-
iations the world had ever known Shares
In the Barnato Bank that were issued at
So were sold On the day OF issue for
$23. The public was able to get none OF
these shares at the issue price. and the
ported to have been as high as $40 .o0O-