The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1913-01-11

james Robert Keene, one-time-owner of tn,
most famous string of race horses in tn,
United States and the most spectacular oper
ator on the New York stock exchange, wa
born in London, England, in 1888. Here h
attended Lincolnshire private schools until h,
was IA years of age, when his parents migrated
to California and settled in Shasta County II
1852.
Mr.. Keene's first job came soon after the
given a position as the guard of animal pet,
at Fort Reading, California. Young Keens
saved his wages for q few months and then he
bought q miners outfit and prospected for
gold. He met with Indifferent success, how.
ever. and after engaging in stock raising and
freighting for a while be became editor Of O
country newspaper.
Comes To Ne0ada
The clerical nature Of his duties, however,
proved to be ungenial, and Keene, after two
years, quit his newspaper and left for Ne
vada, once more to attempt fortune in the
mining business. Mr.. Keene's arrival in that
State was propitious. "Comstock lode had
just been discovered, and by dealing judicious-
ly in this property he was able to make about
S125, 000, enough money to return to San
Francisco and engage in the stock specializing
business.
He married at that period of his career Miss
Sarah Daingerfetd, q daughter of Col. Leroy
Dainger6eld of Virginia. She had gone to
San Francisco to reside with her brother,
William P. Daingerfeld. then o United States
judge.
In the crash that followed the first Com
stock boom, however, the young ~financier
went broke. At this time the b~rilliancy of
young Keene-he was then 26-attracted the
attention of several men of money, and he
was offered remunerative positions, all Of
which he refused, declaring that he had q
talent for speculation.
This might be said to have been the begin
ming of a code of a philosophy that has since
made him famous in the United States and
abroad. Later he said that "all that life con-
sists Of is the taking Of chances" and that
Providence has impressed in mans heart and
brain the betting instinct"
Following this line of reasoning, young
Keene continued to daily in the San Fran
cisco stock market until he attracted the at
tention of Senator G. N. FELTON,. Senator
FELTON, thought he saw a latent genius in the
young operator and commissioned him to
handle his business. Subsequently he let
Keene have his seat on the stock exchange.
Mi. Keene's.career on the San Francisco
stock exchange was meteoric. He made friends
rapidly, and in q short time had accumulated
rs, 000. 900, chiefly through speculation in the
-ecurities of the bonanza mines Of the Com.
stock Company.
= Increases Fortune
In 1877, at the age Of SO, the fnancier's
health gave out and he set out for Europe.
When he arrived in New York, however, he
found the stock exchange demoralized and at
once gave over his intention of seeking rest
for a strenuous campaign Of speculation. In
two years he had increased his fortune to
80, 1000 900. Then, in 1879, he got his trip to
Europe. On his return he settled permanently
in New York.
Mr.. Keene then tried to take Jay Gould's
scalp" but he lost his own. Gould beat him
in an attempted wheat corner and, after var
ious ups and downs, Keene. in April, 1884,
threw up his hands and failed tor 50, 900, 900.
Since then Mr.. Keene, In the opinion Of
Wall street. has got back all he ever lost, and
more. At the time Of his death he was re-
ported to be worth from $40. 900, 900 to S40,-
O0O, 900.
Noted Horsemon
1t was. perhaps, as a horseman that the a.
nancier was best known to the public at large.
From 1905 to 1909 his colors each year
headed the list Of winning owners by a wide
margin, while his Castleton stud, in addition
10 furnishing practically all Of his horses in
training, sent many another famous race
horse 10 the races.
It was in 1907 that the Keene stable reached
the zenith Of its success. Mr.. Kesne's total
winnings during that year were said TO hav.
reached the princely sum of 800, SO6-s
worlds record.
MS famous racing stable was headed BY tb,
great sysonby and numbered such other no
I table race horses a. Domino, Conroy. Horn
. pipe Delhi. supermAn, Celt, Maskstts an,
o Sweep.