Evening star., 1904-04-16

He arrived at San Francisco IN May, 1850.
and Immediately engaged in mining with
pick and shovel in Nevada county, and in
this way accumulated some money. Two
years later he began the study of law and
still later was appointed district attorney.
In 1854 he was appointed attorney general
of California. In 1860 he removed TO Nir-
ginia City. New, in which state he was des-
tined to play most prominent part.
He was largely engaged in early mining
litigation and in the development Of the
Comstock lode.
Elected to United States Senate.
Senator Stewart was chosen a member OF
the territorial council in 1861. in 1862 he
was elected a member of the constitutional
convention and was elected to the United
States Senate in 1864. taking his seat Feb
ruary 1. 1865. He served a second term.
and in 1875 resumed the practice OF law in
Nevada. California and the Pacific coast
generally. He was thus engaged when
elected to the United States Senate in 1881
to succeed James G. Fair. democrat.
Senator Stewart has always been re-
publican, except during the few years when
he supported Bryan and the free silver
issue. He is the author of that much
quoted phrase, ''crime of I3
After supporting Bryan during two CAM
paigns Senator Stewart returned TO the fe-
publican fold. He always clafmedsthat IN
50 doing he was entirely consistent on The
principle of free coinage for which he aad
fought. He was satisfied that with the in
creased production of gold which when ne
again lined himself up with the repupn-
cans. was twice great as was the produc-
ton of both gold and silver when ne sep
a,ated from his party. the amount OF money
being placed in circulation was sufncient
to do the business of the world. In fact, ne
claimed that the increased circulation he
wanted to secure through the free coinage
of silver was had by means of the iree
coinage of the enormous output OF gold
e. s, Nrac h aofn h IL
heen one that has kept him prominently
before the public. When he came hese
forty years ago he was known as tine
great silver king" and his wealth was
supp,Jsed to rank him as one OF the richest
men of the entire country. His mining
nYonerties were regarded as almost limit
less in value He spent his fortune with
a lavish hand.
Stewart Castle.
Stewart Castle which he built over
looking Dupont Circle. was. nearly thiry
years ago, far on the outskirts or the cry.
Ir deed it was so far removed from the resi-
Dental part of the town as to excite com
nent on the part of all who trudged out
there to see 1t.
Ar the time ii was built Stewart Castle
was probably the most elaborate private
residence of the city. 1t was furnlsheo IN
magnificent style, all the furniture being
purchased IN france anu SfipPcd " Aib@
country Mrs. Stewart went abroad to Sc
lect the furnishings. The first consignment
of rare Par,sian furniture sent TO TINS coui-
try for Stewart Castle was lost at sea
A second order. largely duplicating ihe
first was given and that arriving safely
made Stewart Castle" probably the most
handsomely furnished private residence IN
the District at that time.
Later Senator Stewart experienced some
financial reverses and return ng TO Nevada
again built up a great fortune. That was
during the period when he was out OF the
Senate He again occupied the mouse wbeh
he returned here, but after some years iie
rented il and II was long the home OF the
Chinese legation. Several years ago he
sold the property to Senator Clark of Mon
tana who tore down the house Senator
Clark still owns the land.
Interested in the District.
Senator Stewart has always been inter-
ested in the District of Columbia He was
one of the foremost men in the formation
of the syndicate that was involved in the
Chevy Chase Land Company. though long
ago he disposed of that interest. He has
always been thorough believer IN the uii-
mate greatness of the District.
AS a member of the Senate committee on
the District of Columbia during many years
he has been greatly Interested IN local al
fairs few years ago he bought a tract
of 1OOO acres near Ashburn, Va, where he
conducted, largely as recreation, dairy
farm This enterprise was always regarded
as one that should be ciassed along with
Horace Greeley's farming pursuits. 1t.
however. Interested him in securing legisla-
fion to provide purer dairy products for the
District. in which he has taken personal
interest.
Several years ago Mrs. Stewart was
killed in an automobile accident in Califor-
MIA. and some years later, when the senator
was in his seventy-fifth year. he again mar
ried.
Senator Stewart has no definite plans az
to the future but speaking of his retirement
today, said that he had discovered that
public men who get I'm the eighties seldom
add TO their reputation and he had no de-
sire to remain in public life He viii be
seventy-seven years OF age on his next
birthday.