The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1903-11-07
VIM. ]. BRYAES FORTUNE
HAS BECOME A WEALTHY MAN
Became FamoSs savsn HsArs Ago -
PrsaIdsatiaI Candidate and leading
Advocate Of Free Coinage Of SilVsr-A
FrIsnd Of the People.

rapid strides toward that honor,
writes a Lincoln, Neb., correspondent
to the New York Sun. After the
election Of 1896 he issued an address
to his supporters, in which he said;
THE republican candidate has
been heralded as the advance agent of
prosperity. II this proves to be true
We will all share in that prosperity. "
For once the colonel had the gift
of accurate prophecy. He has pros
pered, and prospered very we'll.
Lincoln bankers hesitate about
placing an estimate upon Colonel
Bryan's weaIth. One said that he
was easily worth $3.50, 900. Another
placed IL at e30O, 900.
In actual visible property less than
e75, 900 is put TO Colonel Bryan's
credit. OF this sum the home at
Fairview represents possibly 500, 900
The house, a large, Substantial brick
structure OF % rooms, stands on
large knoll in the midst Of the Bryan
farm. The house was originally
planned to cost ego, oO0 II actually
cost after the usual notifications
and changes, nearly twice that sum.
The outbuildings are Of brick and
stone and represent pretty sum.
The land itself ia valuable.
Mr.. Bryan disposed of the down
town residence, which achieved CON
siderable pictorial fame in his two
years campaigns some months ago.
He parted with IL for t5, 5O0cash to q
banker.
The money was at once invested in
q down town lot, Whereupon in the
near future a building to house the
CommOner will be erected. His other
holdings ID and about the city are
valued at about 81 900 or ss, 900.
Mr.. Bryan's flrst draft on the fame
he won as democracy's standard bear
or in 1896 was for $40, 900, the pro-
ceeds Of his book, ''The First Battle. -
Half Of this sum was invested in
government bonds and the remainder
went as a contribution to the silver
cause.
Between 1895 and 1900 Mr.. Bryan
made a very large income by lectur-
ing. He was able to command his
own terms.
He never made any charge for the
political speeches he made, but when
ever an admittance fee was charged
he exacted his share Of the proceeds.
The stories circulated in 1900 that
he charged for the political addresses
arose from the fact that, the national
committee being without funds &c
pay for his special train, the variou:
state and local committees were
assessed by the speakers bureau foI
expenses.
In January, 1901, Mr.. Bryan began
the publication of his weekly news
paper. 1t has been q Tremendous
money maker 1t began with q
circulation, fully paid, of $4,000
Last week the issue was l4s, 900.
II the concern were capitalized on
the basis Of its net earnings at 6 pei
cent It would be worth ali the way
from $3.50, 900 to $500, 900. LOca
publishers estimate Its net earning
all the way from $40, 900 to Gao, 900
q year At the Commoner Office M
hint Of the real cleanup Is given.
When Mr.. Bryan was first elected
90. kn &,
$4,000 a year as a lawyer. This va
doing about as we'll as the averag
practitioner Of his age here.
Mr.. Bryan was not remarkable a
an astute attorney; he had not tim
to leave any imrpess upon the bar o
the state before he was whirled int
politics. He was recognized as
very good jury lawyer, and the Judge
say they liked to listen to his argu
meuts because Of his lucid method
Of presentation.
He came back to Lincoln from tw
terms In congress with his prsctie
somewhat demoralized, but in the tw
years between then and his nomins
ton for the presidepcy be had mos
than regained the lost ground. Sine
1896 be has done very little la
work, and be definitely abandoned
in 1897.
The eoloners ability as none
maker was demonstrated after his flr
defeat by the success Of his bool
Additional evidence was given whe
be began the publication Of his new
paper.
With sublime confidence in his ow
powers, he disdained the advice
secure a practical newspaper man
his business manager. He Unstable
his brother In that post, but he bin
self has been the man behind u
project. without the aid or couns
Of men experienced in newspap
circulation departments, he secure
apaidup circulation Of %, 900 week
hNgora the first issue was printe.