TWHP


James Fair, 1831-1894   

A strong, handsome man known for his charm and apparent friendliness, James Fair was in fact a mean, greedy creature who considered his partners idiots, and shared that belief with others through clever stories designed to denigrate them subtly while elevating himself. He once even deceived his wife into investing her personal savings in a failing mine just for the fun of it. He actually made money in the gold fields, and his mechanical ability served him well as heavy industry replaced the picks and shovels of the early days. An efficient mine supervisor, he knew as few other investors what was really going on; when he became partners with Mackay, Flood and O'Brien, the foursome was uniquely suited to take advantage of the many opportunities in the Comstock Lode. After the silver played out, he ran for the Senate, won and moved to Washington, where he did nothing but provide a scandalous display as his wife sued for divorce because of his adulteries. He spoiled his sons, who became drunks, while his wife raised two daughters who married well. He saved his former partners' Nevada Bank when difficulties arose probably because his own finances would have suffered in a major panic, and he supplemented his silver riches with profitable real estate investments. He became one of San Francisco's great slum lords, and when he died, he owned 60 acres of prime property. None but relations mourned his death, and his daughters built the Fairmont Hotel to help memorialize him.


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