The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-17
THE DIAMOND KING.
From the rost-Express.

AlOll lHe IOSl-EApI1sos
The death of Barnett Isaacs, better
known as Barney Barnato, the diamond
king" ends a singularly romantic anu In
some respects, fascinating career. III ls
but three or four years ago that thls re-
markable being a John Law III the oup-
bles he 1oated and a Monte Cristo III tpe
magnifcence of his extravaganza, caihe
dazzling into the life and business OF
London town. He was the reputeu. pos
SCISSOR of untold millions, ana ne CARRIED
himself with an easw assurance Wnlcn re-
vealed his mastery of men. i4e was w w
owner of many diamond mines ~ tnN
dark continent, which had suo,enis' .
through the genius Of Cecil Rhodes, DC
come in the esteem Of the Englishmen, u
mighty empire, marvellous in its resources,
and holding in its recesses the promise
of untold millions. Barnato reached Eng
land on the crest OF the South African
tidal wave, and by his audacity ana
certain charm of manner bore everything
before him. He was reputed 10 cottIo' I
properties yielding a revenue or $zo'Vo'
900 year. paying this on capllal Oh
$40, 900, O0O He placed his shares upon Ihe
stock market, and they went up ana up
on the board, as the mercury in oarom-
eter I'm the summer solstice. a 1eVer OF
speculation ensued, similar to that OF tho
South sea excitement. Prices rose by
the tick of the watch. Fortunes were
piled upon fortunes, i'm securities. Every
body was getting richer. The name OF
Barnato was one to conture wltn' ne
was a FoItunatus scattering gold as ne
walked and the incense of adulation was
in every breath he took.
Suddenly came the collapse. Prices
tumbled. The fever had spent its force.
The inevitable reaction and weakness en-
sued. Fortunes vanished as quickly as
they had been exhaled. Barnato was ex-
ecrated in the places where he mad besn
lauded, and even his own riches dimin-
ished If they did not dwindle to nothing
| ness. His reign was over. His day was
| past. Meanwhile he had been banqueted
| by the lord mayor, had sat at the table
with the prime minister and discussed
| finance with the magnates OF the land'
| He builded a mansion in Mayfair, the
| stateliest of its kind, and essayed the
| role of q prince Of hospitality. Society
| did not however, take kindly to him.
| He was blackballed by the clubs the doors
| of which cannot always be unlocked WIN
| golden keys. His origin was questioned,
but, more than that, his honesty was as
sailed, especially as fortune began TO
turn against him, but he was seen clear
| ly TO be the possessor of some qualities
which revealed a man of great force OF
character.
| Who was he? The story is briefly told.
| He was an English Jew, born IN lohuoll
nearly forty-hve years ago. He Is said
| to have had a good education at the
hands of private tutors. He tried COM
mercial career at home, but in 1873 he
sailed for South Africa, intent on lie
| of adventure and speculation. Within
three years he owned diamond mines In
| the neighborhocd of Kimberley, whlcn
| FIVE years later he sold for $o75,mO. lie
kept buying, however, and, profiting by
a period of depression, he accumulated
large properties at small figures. his
wealth became colossal, and with 1t MS
| influence. He Joined hands with Cecil
Rhodes in various enterprises and, when
| the time was ripe, returned to England
| for the episode we have sketched. he
still, we believe, maintained London
residence and was going thither when on
the voyage he committed suicide, under
circumstances that indicate that his mind
was unhinged. The story Is curious one
but we are not aware that it has any
| moral significance. The man was polo
| and smart and, doubtless, INSCRIPTIONS.
He has left dupes and victims behind him,
| and. upon the whole, the world is no bet
ter because Of his having lived in 1t.