ture and gold, with no other capital than indomitable energy and perseverance, to a field of labor where he trusted these qualities would find an ample field for their employment.

From New York he took passage for Chagres, and crossing the Isthmus, reached Panama in the month of September, 1849. Here he met the first severe trial of his life, which, though it did not destroy, certainly for a time somewhat dampened his ardor. Misfortunes commencing at so early a period of his adventure, were by no means a satisfactory assurance of future success. Through carelessness on the part of the agents of the Steamship Company, he lost his entire baggage, and left for San Francisco in the steamer Panama with nothing in the world that he might call his own. Even the clothing he wore were borrowed from a friend. This was a sorry condition for one commencing a voyage of over two weeks, and destined to a country of which he knew but little, and where he expected to meet none other than strangers. Still his heart was light, and his hopes ran high. Arriving in the last named city, his circumstances would not allow him to remain long idle; he, therefore, instantly sought after the means to employ his time and talents to their best advantage. Connecting himself with Mr. W. J. Sherwood, they opened the well-known auction-house of Payne & Sherwood, and were immediately doing an extensive general auction business. Whilst conducting this establishment, by his courteous deportment, agreeableness of manners, and prompt attention to his patrons' interests, he gathered around him a large circle of substantial and influential friends. At the same time he took an active part in all matters of public concern, associated himself with the prominent institutions of the place, was present at the various conventions of the people on public occasions, and in many other respects so employed his leisure as to draw toward himself the favorable consideration and esteem of the people at large. In October, 1850, his connection with Mr. Sherwood was dissolved, and shortly after he united with Mr. S. P. Dewey in establishing the present popular real estate auction-house of Theodore Payne & Co. The business and profits of this concern were immense; for besides the extensive sales of private property which they continually effected, they were chosen by the com

missioners to sell the great landed interests of the city, the benefits of which appointment they still enjoy. In the prosecution of this business many and great opportunities occurred for lucrative speculations in real estate, of which Mr. Payne so judiciously availed himself, that in a very brief period he accumulated valuable property to a very considerable extent.

Like

In the mean time he had met with serious reverses. almost every other business man in San Francisco, he was a heavy loser by the frequent terrific conflagrations that swept over the entire populous portions of the city. On more than one occasion his whole earnings were suddenly snatched from him by these wholesale and frightful calamities. But still he never sunk into the slough of despondency, but bore his severe losses with admirable philosophy, retained his extraordinary cheerfulness of disposition, and never slackened his efforts, nor suffered his energies to diminish for a single moment. "Onward" was his motto, and when thrown down by one calamity, he was soon up again, and at work, to repair the injuries sustained.

In the gloomiest days that San Francisco has ever knownwhen the city was involved in debt to an immense amount, and very few could discern by what means its liabilities could ever be met, or its difficulties overcome-when many lost all confidence, and even left the place in despair-when real estate had deteriorated in value to almost nothing-when the corporation script could not be sold for one third its face value-when, in fact, the great mass of the population were fast relinquishing all hopes of its future prosperity-Mr. Payne was among the few clear-sighted and far-seeing citizens who doubted not its subsequent greatness. A large portion of the city property had been sold at sheriff's sale under executions in favor of its creditors, at mere nominal prices, redeemable six months after date of sale. The limited time expired; but the commissioners were without funds to redeem the property. Mr. Payne took a lively interest in the matter, and perceiving that this large amount of property was likely to be inevitably sacrificed, nobly stepped forward and offered to the commissioners the needed relief, which was gladly accepted. Messrs. T. Payne & Co. drew a check on Messrs. Page, Bacon & Co., for the large amount of $17,696, which was the sum

required to meet the emergency. Thus Mr. Payne continued to exhibit an unwavering confidence in the future ability of the city to meet its liabilities and recover its earlier prosperity. It was at this period that his rare business qualifications and remarkable powers of discernment were rendered most conspicuous. With great exertion, and patient toil, and persevering effort he succeeded in calling the attention of capitalists to the true condition of things and the ultimate value that would be attached to the city property, and his labors, as much as those of any other individual, tended to effect the rapidly increased value of lots within the city limits; always maintaining that San Francisco would become a great commercial metropolis, and that neither fire, nor flood, nor earthquakes, nor storms, would arrest its progress. Even as far back as 1849, he advocated these views. At that period much was said in favor of Benicia ; and many sensible people contended that that city would take precedence of any other in the State. On this ground Mr. Payne was strongly urged to remove to the latter named place; but he ridiculed the idea, and pointed out very clearly the superior advantages that San Francisco then possessed and would ever maintain. The result shows the propriety of his judgment. Many persons through his persuasion were induced to invest their limited means in land purchases, through which they have suddenly accumulated handsome fortunes. The advice he gave to others he followed himself, and thus became one of our wealthiest citizens.

Mr. Payne has signalized himself by the active part taken by him in many of the popular excitements that have agitated San Francisco. In the memorable affair of February, 1851, when the enraged populace had resolved upon lynching and hanging the men Burdue and Windred, for an alleged assault upon Mr. Jansen, he was chosen one of the Committee of Safety, and did himself credit by wise and judicious counsel. During the "Colton Grants" excitement which threatened to result in serious public disturbances, he did service to the city by his active opposition to the attempts made by certain parties to possess themselves of the property of others and the city on the plea of holding those fraudulent and worthless titles. He was the means of arresting several, who, upon this pretence, had taken possession

of and were piling in the public slips. For his services in this matter he was presented by a number of prominent merchants with a superb magic-case watch richly set with diamonds. He was among the most active of those who, to prevent a useless squandering of the public funds, opposed the purchase by the common council of the Jenny Lind Theatre at the extravagant

Formerly the Jackson House, south-west corner of California and Montgomery streets.

price of two hundred thousand dollars. Indeed, whenever and wherever the interests of the city were about being jeopardized, Mr. Payne was sure to be found among its supporters and defenders-a strenuous advocate of its rights, and a fearless and determined opposer of every corrupt and selfish official scheme. Although a firm and stanch democrat, he kept aloof from all cliques and party caucusses, whose ends were personal advancement rather than the public good.

Since the fall of 1849, Mr. Payne has been a useful and efficient member of the Fire Department, and is now one of the Trustees of its Charity Fund. He early became a member of the first Masonic Lodge established in San Francisco, and con

tributed generously to the many works of charity performed by that benevolent institution. In fact, when an act of generosity was to be done-when donations for the relief of the sick or distressed were required—the kind-hearted subject of this sketch was never appealed to in vain. His sympathies were ever as large as his purse, and on some occasions they drew forth charitable contributions which the latter could but ill afford.

In September, 1851, Mr. Payne was elected by the people to the office of Street Commissioner, and for a time performed its duties. But before the term for which he was elected expired, he for sundry reasons vacated the situation, and turned his entire attention to his business, which was far more agreeable to his feelings and beneficial to his interests. Having removed his family to San Francisco, he is now among its permanent, most useful and valued citizens. Besides other prominent associations to which he is attached, he is a highly respected member of the well-known "Society of California Pioneers."