Squatter sovereign., 1856-08-26


to promote order and tranquility. to per-
form efficiently and fairly all the trusts COM
nitied to his Charge. He possesses ad-
minIstralive ability Of the highest order,
and has been admirably trained for his
new duties by his extended experience as
Colonel in the Mexican war, as Aicade,
and subsequently, first Mayor of San Fran
cisco. and in other capacities.
A correspondent sends US the following
interesting sketch of Col. Geary's life.
COL. JOHN w. .GEARY.
MEssRs. ED1ToRs: see by this morn
ing's telegraphic dispatch that Col. ]. w.
Geary has been appointed 10 succeed Gov.
Shannon in the Goyernorship of Kansas.
A slight sketch of his life from one who
has known him intimately for the last
twenty years. may not be uninleresting or
amisS at this time.
He was born in Salem. Westmoreland
county, Pennsylvania, and passed the first
twenty years Of his lie there beneath his
parents roof, assisting his father. ike a du-
tiful son, 70 provide for tie wants of the
family.
He received nothing more than COM
| mon school education, but by severe ap-
plication be fitted himself for the duties of
teacher, which profession he foIlowe i
for several winters in his native county,
generously degotins his whole earnings to
the support Of Of his aged parents.
+ He never WAS civil engineer, as the
dispatch states. He has always been q
staunch Democrat, and under q former
Administration held an office or the Port
age Railroad Oh the Allegheny Mountains
/ : This Office he held when the war with
Mexico broke out. He was Captain OF a
| fine military company On the 'tSumnit,' y
and when the call was made for a Second
Regiment of Volunteers from Pennsylsa.
mia, he and his company Immediately Of
fered their services, which were Instantly
accepted. The rendezvous of the regi
ment was at Pittsburgh, where Geary i'm
mediately repaired with his men. Here
an election was held for officers, ard hi
was elected Lieut.. Colonel OF the regi
ment. Here appears 10 have been th,
commencement of his good fortune, whicl
has never yet deserted him.
j / neglected to mention that a year o
two before, he had married a beautiful an,
anliable lady of his native town; '5ut Iear
ing her and sacrificing friends, and til
comforts of home, he nobly left his natiy
land to fight the battles OF his country.
/, He landed at Vera Cruz and was en-
J. gagged in lis bornbaidment. He was de
tanned in this vicinity some time with tn,
regiment, many of whom We're Ill and dy
ing in the hospital-a:nong these he move,
; self sacrificing giy-ministering to thei
wants aud cheering the poor fellows wit
, words Of comfort. He afterwards reioine
General Scott, and participated in severa
, of the brilliant victories which crowned on
arms. In one battle he was severed
wounded by grape shot. Enrious spil
: its, however, could not hold their slandel
:. Gus tongues, and base reports were SCI
4 home and circulated regarding his cor
4 duct, but coming to his ears were triumph
s antly diSproved, and their author-an off
/ Ger of his own regiment-cashiered an
: sent home in disgrace.
Upon the death of Col. Roberts, Lieu
Col. Geary was elected TO fill the va ;anc,
and continued at the head of the reglmel
through the war, and until he landed the
safe in Pittsburgh and saw them dlsban,
ed. He then returned to his family
Westmoreland, but in few months Pre-
ident Polk, in reward for his services, a
pointed him Postmaster OF San Francisc
b He instantly prepared to go out, and tai
e ing his family with him, sailed from Ne
: York in 1919.
:, Upon arriving there he found everythir
= in almost inextricabIe confusion-no sy
tenn or arrangement about the Post Oflic
which was kept In a canvass house of sma
III 6hlCAl ilG Ad6 IOiSSu WI
,f his family to take up his residence. e
}. superhuman exertions, however, he soc
! brought matters to rights, and systematizt
n the whole department. to the great cony'
nience of the citizens of San Francisco
A new administration coming into powe
he was displaced, and his successor a
:, pointed. He was Immediately appoint,
= Alcalde of the city by Gen. Riley, al
continued to perform the duties of
ofTice-which were those of Judge, Jun
= counsel, prosecuting attorney and arbitr
: tor, all combined in .one-to the great S;
isfaction of all who had dealings with b
= I-(and I much question whether just
has ever since been more equally meted