The San Francisco call., 1903-01-11
KINDNESS GAINS
ITS JUST REWARD
Prospector Leaves For
tune to Men Who
Staked Him.
Keeps His Prom 'se of Years
Ago and Makes Them
Rich.

Some forty years ago two friends Mi
chaeI G. Sears and Timothy Foley, left
county Kerry Ireland together TO seek
their fortunes in the United States, their
sole stock in trade being health, strength
and determination to succeed. On their
arrival In America they went to Spring
field Mass. where they worked for five
years. saving their wages and accumulatA
ing few hundred dollars for future ven
lures. In 1868 the partners came TO Cal
ifornia and in the following year started
in the liquor business in this city at the
corner of Broadway and Davis street
The young Irishmen soon built up a prof
liable business and prosperity showered
upon them from the start.
Sears E. Foleys became the resort OF
all navigators of the coast and was known
t. seamen from Panam to Puget Sound
Sears aspired to political influence and
politicians congregated about the place
and added greatly to the value of the
business ana hundreds of dollars were
daily taken over the bar. In 1875 the firm
removed to more commodious quarters at
the corner of Washington and East
streets, and the firm held on to all its
OLD patrons in the new location.
1t was in the height of their prosperity
that james Francis Gillespie, a prospec-
tor, found his way to their saloon one
morning twenty-five years ago.
GILLESPIE TAKEN ILL.
lie was flush" having just sold mine
for many thousands of dollars. Gillespie
took a great liking to the proprietors and
made their place of business his head
quarters and for several weeks spent his
money freely. Unaccustomed 10 such
continued Indulgence, Gillespie took sick
and had it not been for the care taken of
him by Sears and Foley probably would
have died. The partners tended him till
he regained his health and was able tc
resume his profession of mining. on his
departure Gillespie made them each a
handsome present and declared that If
he ever struck II rich again he would
share his winnings with them.
Gillespie next showed up in Idaho,
where he became well known as sue
cessful prospector. Some time later Gil
lespie returned once more to San Fran
cisco and appeared one day at Sears &
FGley's place. He was without a cent,
but he was made welcome TO the best the
house afforded and subsequently enough
cash was advanced 70 stake GIlIsspie ~
a new ca feer as prpspeetor. Sometimes
success seemed to be assured him, but
only bare living was the result of the
weary trampings and Industrious search.
Occasionally Gillespie would return to
Washington and East streets and seemed
always confident, but his visits became
less and less frequent and for the last
few years had ceased altogether.
MAKES LAST WILL.
One day last February a messenger
came to Sears from an attorney at Tuol-
umne, urging his immediate attendance
at the bedside of Gillespie. who lay dying
of consumption and desired to make his
will Sears started at once and reached
the dying mans bedside i'm time. A will
was made leaving Sears & Foley the te:s-
tator's entire estate which consisted OF
a large balance in bank and the testator'
interest in some of the best mines in
Tuolumne County.
1t was discovered that Gillespie owned
controlling interests in the Black Oak
Dead Horse, Confidence, Hand of Provi-
dence and Coyote mines, besides inter
sests in other promising leads The first
named had been bonded for $4,000 and Z
bond had been offered for an equa
amount on the Coyote.
The aged prospector died his will has
been duly probated and nothing but the
necessary lSgal delays has prevented the
acquisition by Sears q Foley of the en-
will realize $3.50, 900 from the mines alone
The partnership of thirty-three years con.
tinues and after alternating successes and
failures now stands on the broad basis
of prosperity.