Litchfield enquirer., 1850-05-09
kaveplnres q an Adventure.
From q PrOvidencs Post.

return 10 lnls k9tate " MI .OtoPhc" a.
lVright, from California, aftsr an ab.
scence Of several years, 10 which he had
succeeded in accommodating q snug little
fortune Of about half million Of dollars.
Mr.. Wright, whose home Is in s. Kings
town, called on rs a few days since, in
company with our friend, Mr.. John d.
Austin, and we enjoyed the pleasure Of
familiar COMPENSATION With him of half
an hour OF SO, in which he reMted to US
some Of the more important Of bis move
ments since he left Rhode Island, about
twelve years ago.
Mr.. Wright lived in South Kingstown,
in comfortable circumstances. working at
his trade, which was that Of BLACKSMITH
down to the year 1888. ln the Spring
III that rear, In company with his family,
then small, and several friends, he started
for the West; and after passing short
time in Illinois, without realizing the hope
be had set out with, pushed bis way into
iowa Territory, and settled upon the Des
Moines River. Here he stopped nearly
two years, and then removed some 400
miles to Council Bluffs, trading depot,
where he followed bis trade as black
smith, IN The employment of the Indian
Department, or Bureau, of the United
States Government.
A: the end of six years hard toll he
found himself in very to.erable circum-
stances-haying accumulated about $25,-
900; but the impaired health Of himself
and his fam ly warned him away and
after much deliberaiion he determined in
the Spring Of l846, to start for California,
then unknown cs a gold region, across
the mountains. This purpose fixed in
his mind, he made the necessary prepar-
atoms and was soon on his, way, with no
more important object than the recovery
Of his health, by the relaxation Of his
mind and muscles from the tolls of his
vocation. the inhaling Of the mountain
air. and the enjoyment Of The ipspiritipg
adventurous scenes which belong to
mountain life. He started with f9ur
large wagons, sixteen yoke Of oxen, four
horses, eight COW, the ordinary cooking
and camp untensils,a and something more
Than a full equipment arms and amuni-
zion. His wife, five children, andsix enter
prising young men. also hore him company.
The journey across the mountains was
pot one of pleasure wholly, but rather Of
almost constant peril. II occupied about
i've months. Several times thelrh0rSes and
atlle were stolen by mauraHding Indians,
And were only recovered by the prompt and
Somelimes periioss efOl IS Of the lilile party
of adventurers. From all their faiieues
and perils, however, they finally emerged
an the Bib of October, 1916, a riyingon that
tday in the country which has since been
hailed as the land Of OVERCOMING wealth by
SO many IL their c0untrymen.
Al the tine OF their arrival In California
the attempt 70 plant the AaS Of che United
States was frst being made there, and Mr..
Wright and his companions al once entered
the service Of their country. Mr.. Wright
freely advanced 10 The officers In command
tae arms, ammunition and provisions he
mad with him, and still further accomoda.
led them in their straiiened CIRCUMSTANCES
with loan OF 5000 in specie. He re-
manned in the S rv.ce six months. and
shared in the Observation-Disclosures, all Of
,hem--which marked the progress of our
arms at that tins.
Leaving the service now, he went TO
Monterey and employed what capital he
had in the erection of several houses
While he was there. The discovery Of gold
was announced. and people began 10 flock
40 the mines. He settled up his business
and followed on, but did not remain long
He went to San Francisco settled down,
and commenced a career which resulted in
making him independent for life. He COM
inenced by building houses, Of which h.
erected Twenty-Five ia npmber-paying for
much of his lumber at the rate Of $6Ol Per
thousand feet. He also established, owned
and managed, in company with two others,
The Miners Bank, which proved an accom-,
mediation TO business men and source Of
profit to himself.
J On the approach of the rainy season, last
fall, he began 10 conten.p plate return 10 his
old home, As the only meals Of avoiding the
complete destruction ri his health. In ac-
cvrdance with this idea, he commenced
settling up his affairs and disposing of his
properly but SO slowly did the work pro.
i:eed that In February he found il necessary
10 make great sacrifices in order TO gel clear
Of the unhealthy climate and save his life
4.ftsr Withdrawing from the fire as many OF
his irons as possible, he finally disposed OF
what property yet remained toaMessrs Pal
msr, Cooke and Co. for The sum Of three
hundred thousand doliats. Taking with
him his family and effects, he left San
fr .ncisco ON the frs. of March. and reach>
I'll his old home and friends in Sou,h
Kingstown some two weeks ago, in iolerab.e
health and, a. may be imagined. in fine
spirits.
a The firm we have mentioned asshaying
.pnrchasea aporlion Of Mr.. Wrights prop
ertv ins sRn Francisco comprises several Of
ne mos aEliye and .intelligent Of the bust
ness men Of The new country--among them
Hon. George w. Wright, lately elected a
Representative 70 Congress. Previous 70
s.is departure, the gentleman presented him
with very massive gold chain, which he
exhibited 70 rs, and ,wh;ch We should Judge
would weigh no. less lhan len or Twelve
punces. In The chain are three small da-
gerreotopes poFti aits--one Of George w.
fright, another Of Joseph Palmer. and a
uhird az Edward Jones. ali of ,hn firm ref.r.