The Butler Weekly Times Newspaper, April 26, 1894, Page 2

airy A FORTUNE WAS WASTED. | Remarkable Career of a Canny Young Scotchman. i In « Few Months He Wasted Hundreds | ot Thousands.and Was Reduced to a Tramp’s Condition. Teledo Blade. I dined one evening last week at a New York hotel, with five Western imen, the poorest of whom was worth a million dollars, and all of whom, within the memory of men younger than themselves, would have been glad to work for ten dollars a week One of these men, Captain Burr, of New Mexico, but formerly of Pennsylvania, from which he went into the army as a drummer boy of sixteen, and came out at ‘the close of the war with a captain’s commis sion, has made five separate fortunes of about a million each, and been four times reduced to absolute pov- erty by his efforts to double his “pile” by the quick process. When the cigars were lit, the sub ject that occupied the conversation during dinner was continued. Captain Burr, a sturdy, bronzed man of middle age, settled himself comfortably back in his chair, and with his lean finger tips together and his eyes fixed reflectively on the ceiling, he gave expression to this trite aphorism: “I have had a rich and varied ex perience in fortune hunting, and I’ve ccme to the conclusion that almost any fool can make money, under fa vorable circumstances, but that it takes a wise man to hang on to the pile after he has got it. Now there was Duncan Ross, his was a case in point.” The captain stroked his thick eye brows against the grain, with a thumb and forefinger, as if rallying his memory, then told the following odd story of a sudden fortune: Duncan Ross was born in Glasgow, Scotland, sometime in the early for ties. Along about the close of the American civil war, Duncan saw in the Clyde a ship bound for San Francisco, and without consulting his parents,or the employes to whom he was apprenticed, he secured a place before the mast, and sailed for the land of sudden fortunes. Once inside the Golden Gate at *Friso, he ran away from the ship, and on foot started for the diggings along the western slope of the Sier- ras. After a good deal of starving. Duncan secured a place, but ne was quick to see that at the wages he was earning, it would take from July to enternity to lay by a modest com petency, even if he saved every cent. While working in the diggings, Duncan Ross did a great deal of quite thinking, and this is how he reasoned: “All the free gold that is found along these streams must havo come from some great deposit further up and back in the mountains, I notice that much of this alluvial gold is fastened to bits of quartz, and so if quartz is not the mother of gold, they are at least closely related. Now, if I follow up one of these gold streams to its source, I should come upon the quartz rocks from which some of it has been washed away, but the greater part must be left behind. If, therefore, I can reach the original deposit, the gold headquarters, as it were, I shall strike it rich. It’s a new wrinkle at any rate, and I'll try it.” He began this search in 1865, and the spring of ’67 found him prospect- ing about the head-waters of Kern river, to the east of Tulare lake. One evening, ragged and dirty, Duncan Ross called on a weekly mining operator at the Occidental Hotel in San Francisco. He looked so disreputable that Mr. Baldwin, “Lucky” Baldwin was about to order his visitor out, when he advanced to the table and laying a soiled hand kerchief down on it with a bang, he said in his rich Scotch accent: “Mr. Baldwin, there's a wee bit somethin’ in yon, I'd like you to take a look at,” pointing to the handker- chief. “Open the rag yourself,” said Baldwiv, brusquely. The young man complied, ahd brought to light about six pounds of rich, angular gold nuggets, the bits of glistening, adhering quartz showing at once that they were not obtained by washing. “Great Scott!” cried Baldwin, as he leaned over the table,” ‘‘where did that come from?” “From a place,” replied Duncan, | “where there's no end more of stuff just like it.” “And who owas the find?” layout—the “Well,Mr. Baldwin,” said Duncan. | as he held up the handkerchief, “that claim is mine for every fogt that the law allows.” “And you want to sell?” “That's what I'm here for. If I can get anything like the price, I'll sell, and take things kind of easy for a while,” was the reply. Baldwin was not the man to let slip through his fingers a thing so full of promise. With some friends, he investigated, and the out come of it was that Ross got $500,000 for his interest, and the parties, who bought cleared ten times that sum. Duncan Ross had shown the most admirable qualities while struggling for wealth; now tbat he had won, his manhood was to be put to a severe test in spending It should be accorded to his ered- it, that immediately, and before he bought a gold watch, a diamond pin, and expensive clothes for himself, he sent a thousand pounds to his old father in Glasgow. This done, he proceeded to mowa wide swath down the meadows of pleasure, with the aid of all the modern appliances for such work. He started overland for New York on his way to Paris, after having carminated San Francisco for a month, and became so attached to some new found friends that he of- fered to pay the expenses of four of them as far as New York, and the unselfish gentlemen were persuaded. He was just two months making the trip from ‘Frisco to New York, and as this was only half way to Paris, Duncan saw that he must make better time—if he weuld see the fair then in progress. One morning after he bad been ten daysin New York, he took an account of stock, and was startled to find that one-half of his fortune was gone. He felt like freeing himself of his friends, whose true characters he began to suspect, but he tacked the moral strength. At length and by desperate effort Duncan got started for Paris, but on board the steamer, though he bad not paid their passage, he found two of his friends. Paris isa charming place at all times,and it was particularly so dur- ing the fair. The two weeks stretch- ed into two months of wild extrava- gance and reckless dissipation. One morning, Duncan went to his bank and found that his last franc had been drawn. He examined his pocketbook and found that he had but afew coins left. He wert to the Grand Hotel to find his friends —but they had taken unto them selves the wings of the morning and vanished. He was alone in a great city mon eyless, and as consequence, friend less. He sold his diamond pin and gold watch ata sacrifice, got drunk to drown bis humilation,was robbed in a dive, got into a fight, and brought up iv a lock-up. He was released on condition that he should leave the country at once He sold all his clothes but tho suit he had on, and after settling his ho- tel bill he had just enough money left to pay for his ticket to Calais, and over to Dover. From Dover, Duncan tramped all the way to London, and through the influence of the American con- sul secured the position of assistant cook ona sailing vessel, his only compensation being his passage. Just thirteen weeks to a day from the,time he left New York {in gsuch home, money or friends. the mother of gold. “It was in January, 1868,” contin- ued Captian Burr, “and I was about to start with sote government wag- ons and escort of Eighth cavalry from Wickersburg in Arizonato La A bun-|~ dred miles of wild country, infested tion of a torpedo boat. The com- by Apaches lay before us, and I was . anxious to travel syickly andin light | authority be given the Secretary to} H.L. Tucker. Paz on the Colorado river. splendor, Duncan Ross found him- self back in Battery park, without A tramp of the tramps, he at once started out to “beat” his way back to the land where he had discovered marching order. As we were about to start a ragged, dirty young man begged me almost on his knees, to permit aim to travel with the pro tection of our party to the Colorado! river. Seeing that the man was poor and that he was willing to walk | and to work. I gave abalf reluctant | consent. | “That was Duncan Ross. On tbe! way, he relieved the tedium of the journey by telling me this remarka ble story. At first I was not inclin clined to believe him, but ou reach | ing San Francisco some time after, | found him corroborated in every particular. “Just ten months from the date of his discovery, he bad spent a half million dollars, and poorer than when he began, he was back in the Tulare valley searching for another mother of gold. “And so I'll end as I began, sud den fortunesa e dangerous, and it requires more brains to hold on to money than it does tomake it” said, Captain Burr in conclusion. PRESENT NAVAL STRENGTH. House Committee Makes a Comparison With That ot Foreign Powers. Washington, D. C, April 18.— The present and prospective naval strength of the United States in comparison with that of foreign transform the United States steamer Vesuvius into a torpedo cruiser, if in bis opinion, such transformation will add to the efficiency of the ship! for uaval purposes.” This will give a total of four new torpedo boats, and if the Vesuvius is changed, five The total is $25,- 280,966, which is an advance on last year, but a considerable decrease from the estimate of this year The main item of decrease is $4,000,000 for arwor plate which is $2,500,000 less than the estimate. War Department Preparations, Washington, D C, April 17.— War Department cfficials are begin ning to talk about what they cau do to protect Washington from the iu The government, it is stated this evening, has formulated ite plans of defense and protection of government property, and is pre duetrials pared at a moment’s notice to bring into Washinuton a force sufficient to aid the civic authorities, if the as sistance of the government be need ed. The militia, while as yet not under orders, will be placed under them very soon. A militia officer said today that he expected Gen. Ordway to issue an order for the district national guard to be in read- iness for instant call. Officials in the war department powers set forth in the report of the House committee on naval affairs, presented to-day by Chairman Cum mings. The report states the com mittee has reluctantly concluded not to recommend the construction of a new battle ship, because of the de- pleted condition of the Treasury. It is urged, however, there must be no halt i: building up the navy. “Eng land proposes,” says the report,” to begin seven battle ships of the first class; six cruisers of the second class; and two sluops,Italy,with a depleted treasury, is preparing to build three first-class battle ships,three cruisers, twelve torpedo boats and four trans- ports. Germany, France and Russia are going to even greater lengths to secure an increase of their navies. In view of these facts, it certainly would not be safe for the United States to build no more battle ships. With increasing prosperity the work should go on until the American navy is strong enough to stand all exigen- cies. The shght increase proposed by the committee will not burden the country with taxation during the coming year and with renewed pros- perity, the work can be continued in the future without ever burden- ing the nation. The tetal loss of the Kearsarge leayes the Hartford, Admiral Farragut’s flagship, the only vessel in the new navy, aside from the frigate Constitution,around which historic memories cluster. The committee, in accordance with the wishes of the Navy department,have recommended liberal appropriations for her preservation and improve- ment, believing public sentiment demands it. The committee haye put into the uralization of alien sailors and ma- rines on vessels who have served five consecutive years and have been granted honorable discharges. The Secretary recommended some provision for the naturalization of aliens enlisted in the navy The re- port of the judge advocate general of the navy calle attention to the fuct that aliens who have served twent years in the navy have had no opportunity to become citizens of the United States. In reporting this provision the committee thinks some steps should be taken towards en couraging the enlistment of Ameri- can sailors. There are several bills bofore the committee which have this object in view, and which, it is hoped, may become laws. In accordance with the suggestion of the Secretary of the Navy amends he be authorized to use “for the construction of one additional cruis- er of the Vesuvius type,” the $450,- 000 appropriated by the act of March 2, 1889, for the construction of three torpedo boats to cost altogether not more than $450,000. By the act of March 3, 1893, $200,000 was appro priated for building a sub marine boat. The committee recommends that the Secretary be authorized to use this $200,000 for the construc- mittee further recommends that say that up to this time no request has been made by the district com- missioners for military areistance. No orders for two batteries of artil- lery from Fortress Monroe or troops from Governor's Island have as yet been issued. This would not be done until a request is formally filed by the commissioners, unless the army Officials considered it necessary to protect government property They expect to do this, but say that there are more than enough troops now here for that purpose. One of the officials‘said that the light bat- tery could easily repulse all of the forces that the industrials will ever be able to muster. Besides the light battery there are five heavy batteries of artillery at the barracks, four troops of cavalry at Fort Myer and the marines at the navy yard One plan is to bring forces to Fort Mc- Henry, located in the suburbs of Baltimore. The object is to have them within easy reach in case of disturbance. The two batteries at Fortress Monroe are armed with rifles and can serve as infantry and the batteries consist of gatling guns. Troops can be brought from Fort Henry in one hour. This was done in 1878, when Cohen’s rioters parad ed the streets with banners inscrib- ed, “Bread or blood.” Missourt and Missourian. Representative Charley Morgan of Missouri is a very mild man,but has a record for personal bravery which many might envy. He was a Union soldier from Wisconsin, and fought in many ofthe greatest battles of the civil war. He was repeatedly captured, and made his escape from Confederate prisons five times. One te a of his escapes was extremly novel. ill a clause providing for the nat-j He and other prisoners were locked up in a box car, to be shipped back into the interior of Virginia for con- finement in one of the Southern prison camps, of which he had ex- perienced a foretaste on a previous occasion. A Confederate guard was in the same car with the prisoners, to prevent their escape, and strict vigilance was kept on every move- ment. Morgan and a friend, never- the less, managed to regain thier lib- erty under the very eyes of the sen tinel. While lying on their blankets they cut a hole through the floor of the car with a knife, concealing the aperture with their blankets until they had produced an epening large enough to allow their bedies to pass through. So quietly was the work done thst neither the guard nor their fellow prisoners surmised the truth. As soon as an opportunity presented itself, and the car was dark enough te conceal their movements they opened the aperture and dropped through to the roadbed. They gain ed the adjoining woods and were furnished with provisions by an old negro couple. camp of the Union army. Whatis it? Ittsa bottle. What is in the boftle? Syrup. Why dol see it in so meny houses? Because everybody Likes it. What is it for? For colds, croup and consumption. What is its namc? Parks caugh Syrup. Sold by In the course of a few days they were again in the W YOU CAN REDUCE LABOR AND THE WEAR OF CLOTHES CLAIRETTE SOAP BEST PUREST AND BY USING MOST ECONOMICAL. SOLD EVERYWHERE “sw” THENK FAIRBANK COMPANY. Sr.Lous. AT THE O. H. F. 5. You will find the Best Grade of FURNITU RH, Carpets, And Carpet Sweepers, for the Window Shades, Picture Frames, money in Southwest Missouri. Also UNDERTAKING in All Branches. When in need of anything in my lize, let me quote you prices before purchasing, they will help you. c. B. HICKMAN. R. J. HURLEY, Psewivest. G. B. HICKMAN, Vice Pres. Bates Co, Elevator Co, (INCORPORATED.) BUTLER, Missouri. DEALERS IN Grain, Seeds, Flour, Feedand Farm Implements. Branch House at FOSTER and SPRAGUE. 8a" Flax Seed to Loan to Farmers. AUCTIONEER. I, the undersigned, will cry sales | in this and adjoining counties cheap asthe cheapest. Satisfaction guaranteed or no pav. Address me MAYESBU KG, Bates county, Mo. All orders promptly attended to. 17 3m* PETER EWING. MACK. This fine black Jack will stand the season of 1394 at the farm of J. F. Allison, 4 miles north and 8 miles east of Butler. MACK is a biack 15 1-2 hands high, was sired by Weldon. is a good breeder and sure foal getter. TERMS: $7 to insure a living colt. Money due if mare is parted with or leaves the county. ROCADERO. This noted stallion will stand the season of 1294 at the same stable with Jack. PEDIGREE AND DESCRIPTION: Bay starin face, was foaled May Ist, 1839. bred_by Mr. Meus, =—— Omdentale Flanders Bel- gium. Impor August 23d 1890, by Sol Kann, or Montrose, Mo , sired by Jules (1!70,) dam Alida (6907,) registered Vol,1 A. A I. and breeders of to insure a living colt, $6 for season and 85 for single leap. Care taken to prevent accidents but will not be responsible should any occur, Colt to stand good for season. 19-1m. ALLISON & BILLINGS, BARNEY Will stand this season of 1894, at my stable, eight miles due east of Butler, and 3-4 of a mile south of the Montrose and Batler road. Description and pedigree: cole black, mealy nose, 1% hands high, and was sired by McDonal. ne Mammoth Jack, dam was oue of Leonard’s fine Jennets, heis a sure and large breeder. Terms: $6 to insure s colt to stand and suck. Colt will stand good for season. After service has been rendered, anyone selling, trading or Temoying mare foreits ioeurance and money must be paid. Care will be taken io prevent accidente but will not be responsible should aryl alec ill also stand atthe same stable on sale terms as Jack, YOUNG stallion. Dewrt McDasiev. Dr. Kimberlin EYE EAR «.. Nose, Throat? Catarrl. Annual Announcement Free. Third Saturday of every month Office, Laclede Hotel. igian draft horses. TERMS: $7 | BARNEY ie 8; TIP, a fine sadde | rmazy Dr. Kimberlin will visit Butler the | | Megant World's Fair Views GIVEN AWAY —— The St. Louis Republic TEN PORTFOLIOS of WORLD'S FAIR VIEWS, each portfolio con- taining 16 views and each view ac- curately described. Views of the Mail Buildings, State Buildings, the Midway, Views of Statuary, etc. These ten portfolios will be given without cost to anyone who will | Send five new yearly subscribers to |The Twice-a Week Republic, with | $5.00 the regular subscription price. | Address THE REPUBLIC, St. Louis, Mo. | (. HAGEDORN | The Old Reliable _ PHTOGRAPHER North Side Square. { Has the best equipped gallery in | Southwest Missouri. All © Styles of Photographing ‘executed in the highest style of the art, and at reasonable pricex. Sth and Grand Ave., Kansas (ity, Me, Crayon Work A Specialty. | All work in my line is teed te give satisfaction. Galland see : samples of work. "| C. HACEDORN. \