The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-01-04
James r.. Keene, Millionaire
Turfman, HOstIer at Ft. Riley.
Came to SunflOwer State When
Father Lost Fortune.
MOURN "OLD GRAY FOX"
Operations Which Bankrupted
Many Forgiven at Death.
Friends Estimate Estate at
From 5 to 20 Millions.

New York, Jan. 4.-There was real
mourning in sporting and financial cir
cles over the death of James r. Keena
Out of the market for more than n
year, and a chronic invalid for alrnost
TWO, his operations which had taken
millions from optimistic operators who
persisted in playing the market to rise
hau been almost forgotten and I'm Soma
part forgiven. The name of Keene
once a power to threaten, had become
one of tradition.
Always Took the Cream.
Inc old Gray Fox of Wall Street -
he had been known for years. Heart
less, many called him, and there was
no doubt that he was ruthless in his
methods. The very last big operation
with which his name was connected
the Hooking Valley pool-which COL
Iapsed because it was asserted he had
"double-crossed' his associates and
which brought ruin to dozens of small
investors in the Middle West and East
was one of his characteristic deals. He
SKINNED the cream and left the others
to take the thin milk that was left.
soon after that spectacular operation
keene went to London. 1t was given
out that he was sick unto death but
ne appeared to recover. An operation
was performed and it was said to ba
successful. This was in the fall of
1911. Keene has been unable to take
any active interest in business since.
Three months ago Keene returned to
America. He went to the Waldorf and
never left his room. Two days ago he
was taken to the private hospital
James r. keene had two passions
his son, Foxhall, eXcepted-operation
on the bear side of the stock market
and horse racing. At both he made
millions He was born in London in
1888 Tutored by private teachers, young
Keene went to Trinity College, Dublin.
to complete his education
Soon after he entered his father be-
came bankrupt. Believing his field
limited, the older Keene recalled his
son and they came to this country,
going West.
Begins Work as HostIer.
At Fort Riley, Kan, Keene got a job
as a hostler, sticking to that job only
long enough to outfit himself as a
miner.
He passed several years mining and
editing country newspaper and fight
ing Going to San Francisco he began
specializing in mining stocks, then, as
he was always, on the bear side, and
soon piled up a fortune. He met Miss
Sarah Daingerfield there, and they
were married in 1869. A year later the
market went against him and he was
soon broke. He owed $500, 900 after the
crash. but within a week had made a
connection with Senator FELTON,, then
assistant treasurer of the United States.
Keene took Feltons seat on the San
Francisco Mining Exchange.
Keene opened an attack on Bonanza
mine stock, then selling at $500 share.
Gould could not withstand the raid
Keene cleared up million dollars per-
sonally and fortunes for his friends
n aha Tn
the resultant panic the Bank OF Call
fornia failed and its president. William
c Ralston, killed himself Keene re-
organized the bank and then went to
Europe returning to Wall Street this
time to fight Gould. The latter soon
stripped the young Englishman. getting
everything. even his famous picture OF
the Horse Fair by Rosa Bonheur. Gould
hung it on the wall saying:
He Always "Came Back"
There is Keene's scalp. 1t looks
good, for he came here to take mine"
back. In 1880 Keene had another fortune,
s12, 900. 600 this time. Then he coupled up
with Russell Sage and Sage got his Sl2.-
10000. But he came back again and in
1868 made an alliance with the Have
meyers and picked up 100000 in three
years.
In 1903 he fought Hartman and LOSE
part of his fortune. He soon got most OF
t back. He had the reputation Of beiaf
and the king of them all'' used Keene IN
mis- steel operations of 1901 to boost tae
price. This one of the very few
lines that Keene was on the bull side oC
anything.
What Is Estate Worth?
Discussion among his friends found
wide diversity Of opinion today. Some Of
Mr.. Keene's friends think his will is Ger
-ain to dispose of fortune of so. 100000.
others who claim they are in position
% know say that not more than $5,oo0,O0O
will be shown.
1t is generally understood that Mt
Xeene made a will some time ago dispos-
ng of his property. If any one outside
Of Mr.. Keene himself, knew much of his
affairs, it is not generally known. He u
Known to have had many ups and downs
With the ups in the majority. Within a
year he was compelled to pay $4,000 10
he creditors of a stock exchange firm
wrecked in a deal he manipulated. on
setting this he is known to have made
more than 800 900 in one season with his
-acing stable five years ago
The friends who know of this later
winning and others comprise the class
who believe the financier's fortune will