New-York tribune., 1910-01-05

steamer for Callao. He hoped to find
suitable ships at some intervening port
/ But at Buenaventura, Guayaquil and
Payta. successfully. he found that rep
rescntative of one of the largest houses
in Panama had preceded him by about
ten days and chartered all the available
sailing vessels. AT Callao they found
the bark Massachusetts,, and after con-
siderable bargaining over supplies and
accommodations succeeded in engaging
her to take hundred of the party to
San Francisco for $4,000. While the
bark was fitting out, Mr.. Mills had tina
for run of eight OF ten days up to Lima
On June s, 1S4s, the ship arrived off the
heads at San Francisco after passage
of sixty days, of which nearly half was
spent In dead calms near the equator. 1t
had been hard voyage. with much dis
comfort from overcrowding, bad cook
ing, etc. But, as usual the young bank
cashier was the least sufferer; he had
arranged for special accommodations.
But after the vessel had been out few
days several of the other passengers, in
Guiding some whom he had assisted in
held an indignation meeting and de-
msnded that the privileges Of his little
cabin should be shared in turn by all.
Mr.. Mills at once quietly made over his
entire interest in the cabin to those who
wanted it. procured the use of one of the
boats swinging in davits from the ships
side. transferred the belongings of the
party of four or five constituting his
mess to this airy perch. and, with the
aid Of special stores which he had prov
identity purchased In Callao, made the
rest of the voyage in even greater COM
fort than the cabin afforded.
A NEWCOMERS START.
The ship was off the entrance 10 the
Golden Gate, so the captain supposed
but for some reason he delayed going In
Mr.. Mills was unwilling to wait longer
and was prepared to take a considerable
risk. So he secured small boat, ana
with six others started from point
some miles outside the heads to row into
a harbor of which all of them were abso-
luteIv ignorant and which their captain
apparently was not even certain he had
u. d
and in a few hours Mr.. Mills landed
from a small boat on the sandy water
front of San Francisco.
By the time the ship made port he had
looked over the place, found some ac-
ouaintances, heard the latest stories
from the diggings, abandoned any idea
of washing gold, and had laid his plans
for a trading expedition to Stockton, In
the San Joaquin Valley, then the head
quarters for the business of the south
ern mines He took as partner fell
low yoyager who was well recommended.
bought a small sailing craft and stocked
it with goods. Part Of these he was able
to buy for cash; the rest We're consigned
to him by a shipowner and trader whom
he had met on the journey out, and who
was Influenced in placing his confidence
in Mr.. Mills partly by the young mans
credentials, but quite as much by his
personal bearing.
At Stockton the cargo of his little craft
was sold at prices that should have
shown a handsome profit, and he made
his way down the rivers again to San
Francisco. Not liking his partners
business methods, however he sold out
the vessel on his return, and so closed
the venture, with small loss.
He had now found out that Sacra-
mento was better base of supplies for
trade with the mines than Stockton, and
his experience had taught him just what
kinds of goods to take. In association
with two old acquaintance he invested
his entire capital, excepting a trihe for
personal expenses, and then bought on
credit or secured on special consignments
enough more goods to furnish nearly the
entire cargo for small schooner about
to sail for Sacramento. The freight bill
was more than $1,000 due on arrival.
and he had not $40 left in his pocket.
Arriving at Sacramento, he ordered his
goods discharged and asked the captain
to make out his bill. Meantime, he be-
gan selling goods at the landing as they
We're put off, and before the bill was
presented he had taken in money enough
to pay it.
This venture proved highly profitable.
and Mr. Mills at once began a regular
business in Sacramento selling general
merchandise, buying gold dust and deal
ing in exchange on New York. In the
mean time his brothers James and Ed
gar had been making their way by
sail around the Horn. Landing at last
at Sacramento with their goods almost
the first man they met was the success
full young merchant and banker whom
they supposed to be still at work as
bank cashier in Buffalo.
FUTURE DETERMINED.
In accordance with the ARRANGEMENT
made with his cousin and partner in
Buffalo before starting, "p. o." closed
out his Sacramento business in Novem-
Der, 1S49, and started back with about
$4,000 as the net profits Of his seasons
work. OF course, his future was now
determined. He was delighted with his
experience, pleased with the country and
so satisfied with its resources and pros
poets that he was already resolved TO
make 1t his home. He arrived in Buffalo
Ill December, having been absent inst
about q year, and proceeded to close
out his interest in the bank. His part
her, Townsend, wished still, however. to
have half interest in the California
business, and put in capital to that
amount. The two partners busted them
selves during the winter in loading a
bark and part Of a ship with goods which