Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-03-02


Veins of Gold Found
What this emissary OF Baldwin's found be-
meath the earths surface was veins OF gold
the like of which in richness never had been
known before. Baldwin Immediately dis
patched agents to gather up every aValiapie
share OF stock in the Ophir mine, but all the
time he kept in the background. He did not
want 1t known it was he who was buying the
stock that the scheming bankers and brokers
were unloading. He wanted to get absolute
control of the mine, and he knew II word
leaked out his opportunity would be lost.
Lucky Baldwin soon secured the position In
the mine that he desired. He then made pup
lie his connection with the Ophir. and the
stock Immediately began to soar. Prices shot
UP like rockets and people went mad trying
to buy it. Baldwin made $3,O00,o0O on this
deal alone. and before the Comstock craze
had subsidized he had cleared more than Wv
0OO 900.
Lucky was inclined in the same direction; SO
he came to this section of the state and bought
the Ell Santa Anita ranch This ranch is one
OF the most noted in the world. II Is known
in both hemispheres and thousands or tourists
have visited IL each year. Not satlsned with
this $4,000 acres in San Gabriel valley, Bald
win secured other great tracts OF land IN
MERGED county, San Francsquita and in Los
Angeles city Two dollars an acre Is all he
is said to have paid for most OF these lanas,
which would bring nearly hundred times thls
much IL placed on the market at the present
time -,
Baldwin went forth on business trip and
while in San Francisco had the great BALDWIN
hotel constructed. He went 70 Lake Iahoe
where he secured more large holdings and then
returned to his ranch in Southern Caiitorhia'
Starts Breeding Farm
At that time Kentucky the only state
where thoroughbred horses of any note
thrved. Believing this section OF California
had advantages conducive to the breeding Oh
the best horses, Baldwin started breeding
farm. 1t was in 1872 when he first began &C
quiring his large property holdings. soon
Lucky Baldwin was turning out from his ranch
horses whose speed set the entire sporting
world talking. Kentucky soon learned that IN
Southern California she had a rival Ihose
were the days of the two and three-mle races
where CUPS were awarded to the winners
horses and Baldwins stock soon began TAX
ing everything in sight -.
Nobody really knows just how much wealth.
Baldwin has left He always remained reti-
cent when discussing this phase of his az
fairs. 1t is believed, however, his estate is
worth approximately SS5, 100000
How he came to be called Lucky always
has been a mystery to him. His close asso-
ciates say it was not luck that made his great
fortune. Baldwin himself has been quoted
with declaring he was not an exceptionally
lucky man, but that he outguessed, outing
ured and outplayed a gang of sharpers who
had set out not only to fleece him but hum
he never ventured into any deal without see
ing the end and declared IL he had been sue
cessful 1t was because he had been willing to
back his judgment with every dollar he mad.
Lucky Baldwin was loved and respected by
ali who knew him personally. His employees
thought the world of him and would have
done anything for him had the occasion de-
manded it, People with whom he had busi-
ness dealings deny he played other than a
straight game, and all speak in terms of the
highest praise when referring to the man
who was called lucky because he had been
successful