Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-09-15
For the Spy.
The Late Horaafo Gates.

The Late HOratto Gates.
MEssRs EDiTeRs:-I have now at hand your
Daily Of March Sth, with a communicable (signed
Charles Hersey,9 in regard 10 the death Of the late
Mr. Heralio Gates Of your city, and also brief his
tory OF his journey and life, while he lived in the land
Of gold, And, as he speaks Of some fTiends,' Of
Mr. Sates's here, and particularly mentions myself,
deem it proper to respond to the statements of Mr.
Hersey, that your readers, here as we'll as
elsewhere, may know hefacts in regard TO MIR Gales
and family. | have the information which l now
furnish YOU, from the family, and have every Just
reason To infer that the statements as authentic
as those guessed at by Mr. Hersey.
He says, he thought It might no, be unintertst
ing Your readers kNow netting Of the history
of Mr. CAFES, since he left his native land for the
land Of gold.' | would now ask him. how he can
furnish you with anything like correct account, or
history he it, of Mr. Gates and family ,since
they left Worcester, having had no communication
from them, whatever, from which 10 gain any cor
rect knowledge; and again where dId he gain the
Information, that Mr. Gates had $4,000 in his nunk,
when he started. This (as your readers will readily
perceive) like all his statements, is mere suppose
ton.
MIR Gates, with his family, left Worcester on the
18th OF Sept. last, (and, is natural to supposed
with the regrets of their friends and relations, but
not contrary to their circumstances; for, when at
the depot there, and about starting, his own brother
said TO him, Il wish my property was all disposed
Of, would go with YOU His vile was quite un.
well when they started, caused principally by over
exertion in preparing for the journey, and taking
leave of her aged mother aud other relations and
friends But, afteI they left New York, her health
improved somew hat, she was able 10 attend TO the
calls Of her family, but she (ike all who who are
unaccustomed to travelling by water,) quite TN.
we'll times, until thew arrived at the IsIhmus and
like thousand while there, they we're all taken with
the Isthnus fever, or ague, and some OF them had
he hint hey NprP Al mn SIpk hat
they could not render each other all necessary
sistance during the voyage.
They, (as Mr. Hersey says, intended TO go tor Or
egon.' This, we admit, but why, | ask, did they
not go therel was it because their funds were gone?
says MIR Hefsey, but it was not so They
influenced TO come here by those who had been here,
stating that they could make more money, and in an
easier way, here, than in Oregon, Sc, and ALL at
the time being unwel, they concluded to come here
and remain until spring. and then proceed to Oregon.
But, after they arrived here, Mr. Gates was taken
worse than usual 1t was not occasioned by the jour
ney from San Francisco, for this short and much
more pleasant than had been their journey previous
y, but despite alIsaid from physicians and family, he
continued TO grow worse, and none OF them, at the
time, being able to labor to provide the necessaiies
Of life, their funds, in short time, began to lessen,
from pay ing physicians, rents, and Tor the thousand
little necessaries for family
And now, would ask, where is the parent, who
distressed and homesick? Quite ofen did he ex.
press desire to his native State, and also,
wish that he had not come here. About Two weeks
previous TO his death, being informed that he could
live hut short time, he seemed to lose all care Tor
himse IT, and nothing seemed occupy his mind but
the thoughts Of the family he about TO leave, in
the situation in which they were then placed He
well knew that friends around him, but he could
endure the thoughts o! leaving them in the hands
Of friends, in their sick and almost destitute condi
tiaa.
The minister called often TO visit him, and day
two previous to his death, being asked whether
be fell willing and ready to meet his God, he repli.
ed, Il am willing To die; have suffered much, and
feel perfectly ready meet my Maker, for shall
then be AT peace He bore his sickness with lorti.
tude, and calmly breahed back his spirit to God
who gave it, the 1llh day OF January last, the
age OF 81 was with him much Of the time during
his sickness, and the night previous TO his death,
and at no time did ever hear any such expressions
escape his lips, as, 20 carry me back, 30 carry me
back TO Worcester but, as said before, he often
expressed desire to return TO his native State, and
about the last words he heard to utter, were, Il
wish my family 10 return 10 Worcester as soon as
possible, and remain their friends.
His funeral respectfully attended. by friends
and citizens Of this place, but the travelling being
very bad and the family being quite unwe at the
time, but three Of them followed his remains t. their
Their friends here in Columbia presented them with
800, the evening after he died
Here, would very respectfully inform Mr. Hersey
that it was not myself who presented this money.
have merely rendered them assistance, from time to
time, as could conveniently, in the way of provid.
ing watchers, &c, during their sickness. He, [blr
Hersey,) also says, that the 500 was about srffi-
cIenI TO defray heexpense OF the funeral. Here,
will again inform him. that the whole expense of his
funeral was but 500, and this was for his coffin and
Stroud | may now very respectfully return Mr.
Hrrsey my most sincere thanks for his kind wish
that God will bless Inc for The present of the 500
which did not give. May he ever wish His bless
ing upon me, for what have done and whatever
may hereafter engage in.
Mr. Gates's little grand daughter followed hun to
the spirit land the 4h of February, at the age of
ii months. The family all quite well, and
in very comfortable circumstances, they have large
circle Of friends, and respected By all who know
them this vicinity, and any assistance needed b,
them will he cheerully rendered, for Califurnans
are free to give and withhold from those in need
May the blessing Of God ever attend them IN all
lneir undertakings is the with of their friend.
SAINT l.. THOMPSON.
Columbia, Cal. July %, 1858.