The Saloonkeeper Who Struck It Rich

Among the few who have leaped from comparative poverty to wealth in this country in the past half-century, none stand out more prominently than John Mackay, the California millionaire. Few people are acquainted with his early life, and the fact that he was once a resident of this city has never been made public. A gentleman standing at the corner of 12th Street remarked, 'You see that building over there?' pointing to one on the northwest corner of 12th and Main. He continued: 'It would surprise a number of people to know that Mackay once lived there and kept a saloon. He came to this city with one or two others in search of employment. An old log story stood at the corner, and the front room had been used as a saloon. The proprietor closed up a few months before, however, and the building was left without a tenant. Mackay had some little money and resolved to start a room there. He made a bargain with the proprietor and cleared the place, opening up about a week later. The room and its fixtures would be in strong contrast to the saloons of the present day. The walls were covered with a simple coat of white paint, and the counter was just a narrow piece made out of pine boards. Behind it was a shelf on which sat some bottles and his company was not taken much notice of. He was an energetic and industrious man, polite and attentive to his customers. He soon built up a very good trade, but it was evident he was not intended for such an avocation in life; he was restless, and like Micawber, constantly waiting for something to turn up. The long-looked-for day finally arrived, and he started for California in 1849. He sold his property interests for a small sum, and that was the last heard of him until he jumped suddenly into the lap of fortune.'