The Florida star., 1902-08-08
new STORIES OF
J0H... N. ...lAc!,.AY.
Side Lights On the Great Finan-
cier'S Character.
INCIDENTS OF HIS KINDLINEss.

Army-Ihc Joke
He Played ON General Grant-His
Generosity to nn Impecunious
Friend.
When a good man dies, he begins to
live. With the death OF John ".
Mackay comes Il flood of light on his
character, says the New York Herald.
His countless benefactions. the many
people he cheered in dark hours. the
unfortunate ones he set on their feet
and made happy, will be heard from in
the future and his good deeds told and
retold as the years roll by.
Mr.. Mackay began life in New York
a poor boy became Il ship carpenter
sailed for California in vessel he had
helped to build. turned miner there.
and after years OF hard work with pick
and shovel in the mines he struck the
greatest bonanza lode OF history and
made millions; then he returned to the
city of his apprenticeship and won an
other fortune in colossal business en-
terprises. During all these years Mr..
Mackay never forgot his friends. and
10 the end of his life he gave money
to the unfortunate and destitute with
generous hand.
An officer was about TO be cashiered
from the army for very serious In
discretion committed while Intoxicated.
He had IL wife and children depending
on him for support They were in
straitened circumstances. and Mr..
Mackay Wa so much concerned for
their welfare that he made Il special
trip To Washington and saw President
Mckinley at the White House in the
young mans Ech.:lf. The case waS
discussed for half an h"ur. The preSi-
dent sent for the papers, and they were
gone over III length.
Il see" said the president. that the
man is charged with deserving his post
when intoxicated. and his offense
seems serious matter. | do not SEE
why the law should not take its
course"
"But. Mr.. President, this is an un-
usual case The officer has good
record behind him. | have known him
since he was boy. l knew his wife
when she was Il child, left an orphan"
Mr.. Mackay continued pleading as FOR
one of his own blood. lie said ho
knew the man as IL faithful. competent
officer. His spree was the result Of
prolonged exposure, and he was tempt
ell, like many another youn" man. Mr.
Mackay assured the president that if
he would not destroy the young ofli
GERS career he would become reSpOn-
sible for his future conduct. Mr.
Mackay added, TO cashier man
from the army for an occasional spree
would he To bar out men like Sheridan
and others, indiScreet some time i'll
their lives"
President Mckinley said he would
do what he could, if possible he would
give the offender Il chance L. atone for
his misconduct. but the officer was
finally dismissed. Mr.. Mackay was
greatly disappointed over the news. To
friend he said: Il am going 10 see
that boy through. | know all about
him. know the kind of stun he is made
OF, and Ill see that he gets Il chance
TO make a career. Ills wife and chill
drcn >hall meyer suffer. Didn't | know
her father when she was but chick
of child and he was hardWorking
man. honest and true
MIR. Mackay was fond of good actin"
and the men famous on the stage. OF
John Mccullough lie had many rcmin-
isccncr~ TO tell. Il helped him out of
Al hol, when hc had come To the end Of
his money and knew not where To
turn" he said. III iS one of the things
/ look back To with pleasure" y Simi-
lar experience WAS related oI Law
renee Barrett. Mr.. Mackay prldcd
himself upon aiding friends SO quietly
that The world knew nothing of H.
Hearing from Il western friend two
or three years ago Of the sad plight OF
Il Nevada family, Mr.. Mavkay said: Il
knew Jim for years. He married the
daughter Of Il friend uf mine. can
see her NOW just aS she WAS when a
child. IA little thing lin Il blue dress,
running barcfuOtcd around the streets
OF virginia City. Tell them that they
shall never want for dollar while
John Mackay lives" And, putting
their name on his list" Mr.. Mackay
added. with Il twinkle in his eye, soft
~ and with great pride: Il have thirty
or forty more families just like them,
all deserving people. Its pleasure To
help them. What's money for, any
way. if YOU can't use it for friendE'
Ii was understood by Mr.. Mackay'S
close friends that General Grant re-
ceived substantial aid in the way or
loan from Mr.. Mackay during hlS
financial trouble. Mr.. Mackay's regard
for General Grant and appreciation or