The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-10-09

From the New York Herald.
John Mackin, Of Chicago, millionaire
and cock fighter.
These are the two distinguished
marks of a man who is q sportsman
Of q peculiarly interesting type. Not
only Is he cock fighter, but he keeps
his feathered friends-sometimes sew
eral hundred cocks and hens-in his
palatial residence in one Of the most
aristocratic drives in Chicago. This
high and mighty roosting place for his
game fowls, 1t Is safe to say, makes
the most expensive hennery in the
world
This man, who loves cock fighting
enough to literally share his costly root
with hds pugnacious pets, is conspic-
uouS figure in cock fighting contests
all over the country. For twenty two
years he has gone about with his birds
and won most of the fights he has en-
tered over birds with brilliant records
in the pits. His last big victory was
on Jan. % of this year, when he broke
the fighting cock records of Casey, Of
Boston, and incidentally won $4,000 in
prize money. This sum may be gained
almost any old night, according to the
redoubtaible Mackin.
JOHN NlACKIN'S FORTUNE.
The story Of John Mackin's fortune
which makes 1t possible for him to live
IN g. great gray stone mansion sur
rounded by every appointment Of lux
ury, including his Growing hens and
pugnacious cocks, reads like romance.
His father was Thomas Mackln, who,
as an untutored boy, landed from the
Emerald isle without a penny in his
pocket. He amassed a pile of money
about $1,000, 900 all told as contractor
and builder
He erected at the corner of Lake
View and DiVersey avenues, six years
ago, the elegant edifce which John
MaCkin inherited at his fathers death,
four years ago. The rest Of the estate
was divided between John Mackin's
sister and stepmother
John Mackin is an interesting study.
AS he sits in his down town Office each
day to gather in the rents from his
army Of wealthy tenants, he looks for
all the world like a prosperous farmer
who has come to town for day to
sell q load Of corn.
He is a siX-footer Of the athletic type
fat, fair and forty His head, which
is as round as a bullet, resembles that
Of the irrepressible small boy who sell
dom comes in contact with comb, or
when he does it is only the forehead.
His cloths are communicating. The
necktie that adorns the soft shirt may
have cost 25 cents once upon time.
His shoes are stiff and heavy, and his
whole makeup, in short, bespeaks the
man who cares Infinitely more for
something other than apparel.
BRUSQUE AND BIG HEARTED.
Though bit brusque in conversation,
John Mackin is as big hearted as the
day is long, shreWd in businesS-a man
who would with a glad hand give some
OF his cock fighting proceeds to the
first charity that came along and, in
short, an all around good fellow"
AS to education, that was somewhat
he was too animated chap to be al
lowed to stay in one institution long
at time, though he finally did wind
up with a short business course in his
native city.
His house, which is also the hennery,
cost precisely $250,000 It's thirty-four
handsomely furnished rooms are kept
immaculate by a retinue of servants.
1t is a three story structure, OF striking
architecture, partly covered with vines,
and made even more picturesque with
flower boxes at every curve. The sur
rounding lawn is beautiful with bril-
liant flower beds. It is one Of the most
delightfully."- located homes in the city.
facing Lincoln Park and the blue
waters of Lake Michigan.
COSTLY VEGETABLE GARDEN.
The $25O,OOO does not take into con-