Stuff You Missed in History Class SYMHC Classics: James G. Fair
Mar 23, 2024
Explore the scandalous divorce of James G. Fair, rumors of romantic entanglements, his rise in the silver mining industry, strategic business maneuvers, legacy of family turmoil and legal battles, and the dual personality of this famous miner.
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Hands On Miner Built A Silver Fortune
- James G. Fair built his fortune through hands-on mining expertise and ruthless attention to operations.
- He inspected mines daily, wrote checks himself, and personally managed tunneling decisions that led to massive silver yields.
How The Big Bonanza Was Secured
- The Consolidated Virginia mine produced the Big Bonanza after Fair and partners tunneled and bought up surrounding stock.
- They discovered a widening 50-foot vein in 1873, then bought outstanding shares and land to control the bonanza.
Publicity Used To Inflate Mining Stock
- Fair and his partners engineered public interest to inflate mine stock value before leveraging sales.
- He invited press, rivals, and brokers to the mine as part of a campaign to maximize market value before exits.