The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-11-24

The next that was heard from the Suliote
was by the arrival of New London whaler
that had spoken her to the westward of Cape
Horn. She brought the sad intelligence thai
the Captains son, Edwin p Simpson
(brother of the editor of this paper) was
washed overheard on the night of April 10th
while off the Horn, in terrible gale. He
was Is years of age, the youngest person on
board, general favorite, and the only one
who died on the passage.
The vessel put into Valparaiso, where the
stories of the immense yield of the California
mines had grown ten fold since the depart
ure of the voyagers from Maine, and each
one imagined himself already a millionaire
With short stay in port, the Suliote pointed
her Prov up the coast before the steady trade
wind, and on the 10Th of July arrived at San
Francisco, 100 days from Belfast Her pas
sengers at once plunged into the eager excit
ing and feverish pursuit of gold Some were
successful and accumulated wealth, many
came back disappointed, and some found
their graves in that distant land In looking
over the list, we can trace the subsequent
history of but few. Mr.. Griffin, for many
years editor of this paper, now resides neal
Syracuse, N. Y. Mr.. Torrey is in San Fran.
cisco. Mr.. Andrew Bean is in trade in this
city. Capt. Simpson returned in 1850, and
died ten years after. w. II. Weeks, after a
checkered career in California, died there
about five years ago. Probably the majority
of those who sailed in the vessel have been
gathered to their long homes.
1t is instructive to review the changes
which twenty-one years have made in the
appearance of the Pacific coast and in the
facility of intercourse. Then it was almost
an unknown land, dim distant and uncertain,
reached by long and weary voyage of five
months. 1t was rough, primitive, almost
savage, filled with adventures and despera-
does. Now California may be reached in a
weeks delightful ride by railroad, and is a
land of wonderful beauty, elegance and re-
inement.
From the files of the Journal we copy a
few paragraphs showing the earliest returns
from the voyagers of the Sullote-
CALIFORNIA GOLD. A canister of gold dust
weighing fourteen ounces directed to Mrs. Decrow
of Freedom, arrived in town by express on Satur-
day. 1t came by the Empire city, and was sent by
the husband of the lady, who went to California on
the bark Suliote.
GREAT PROFIT. H. II. johnson, j. F. Hail. and
Elisha Hall, have realized $14 900 from 500 worth,
of lumber which they sent out in the Suliote, and
have got the cash.
A curious incident occurred on the return
of Mr. A. H. Johnson, of Saltwater. He
had accumulated several thousand dollars in
gold, which he wrapped up in dirty old
blanket, secured by a leather strap BY
some means this bundle was put ashore from
the steamer at the wharf in this city, while
the owner continued on to Bangor. 1t Law
about the wharf all day, appearing too
worthless to be stored, until the owner came
by express from Bangor to claim it.
The Suliote returned to the Atlantic coast
and remained in the hands of her original
owners until 1867, making voyages in the
Atlantic. In that year she was dismaste ed
towed into Boston Il wreck, and was sold
and rugged into schooner. And now, after
almost quarter of century's voyaging,
she comes back to her original starting point,
to call up the "reminiscences we have record =
ed