Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-03-07
1allp alennrbet. Journal
SOCIETY OF CALIFORNIA PIONEERS.
Memorial of the late George G. Wells or HaliowelI

MemOrlui INC lSeV WUvf8V We VohsS W ss'ssv"Ssa
At the last regular meeting of the So
ciety of California Pioneers in San Fran
cisco, the following report of committee
was adopted;
GENTLEMEN Your committe, appoint
ed forthe purpose, report the following as
a tribute to the memory of our late fellow
member, Capt. George G.. Wells, who,
beyond all reasonable, if not possible,
doubt, has long since closed his mortal
career.
Two years this last month, Capt. Wells,
in the fun vigor and maturity OF manhood,
freauented these halls. shedding an at
mosphere of cheerfulness around him by
the frank heartiness and general urbanity
of his manners, and inspiring regard and
respect by the sterling qualities of his
character Our places, that once knew
him. will know him no more forever. On
the 26th day of January, 1868, he sailed
from this port in command of the barque
.S,caHow, owned or chartered by the house
of Alsop & Co., bound for Java and Siam.
The vessel was model one of her class,
swift, staunch, and strong, and elegantly
equipped, a combination of merchantmen
yacht, all bade fair for prosperous voy-
age. Accompanied by his amiable wife.
he carried with him his household gods
and all that he held most dear. de arriv-
ed at Batavia on the 18th Of the succeeding
April, and afterwards ut Bangkok in the
kingdom of Siam, whence. having taken
on board his cargo, he sailed on the re-
turn voyageto San Francisco on the 9th day
of Nav, 1868. And here, this brief recital
necessarily draws to il close. We can
only ada missing ship--no tidings from
that day to this-no trace left behind.
Whether she went down in darkness and
in storm, or stranded on Il lone coral reef
far from human aid, or fell a victim to the
ruthless pirates of those seas, or succumb-
ed to some other of the thousand perils OF
the deep. there is none left to tell the tale
And thus has been added another to the
long list of lost, but not forgotten barques.
that have sailed from the shores OF time
to eternity, whose fate is shrouded in more
than spectral gloom, only to be dispelled
when the sea shall give up its dead and
these mortal frames shall put on the vest
ment of immortality. And thus persisted
as brave heart as of any that e'er trod
quarter deck, and as genial and true
gentleman as may be found enrolled in
our association. 4 loss to us. loss to his
country; for he belonged to that gallant
class of men, who once made England
mistress OF the seas. and who founded and
have maintained our maritime greatness.
From among US, in the present decay of
our commerce. they are rapidly passing
away. Time may come when their places
cannot be filed.
Captain Wells was born in Hallowell, /
Maine, in the year 1924. After receiving
agood school education, he became In
boyhood seaman. Under the strict train
ing of thirty years ago. he gradually work
ed his way up from before the mast, I'M
til he attained the rank of master. For
many years he has commanded ships sail
ing to various portions of the world with
uniform success up TO the time of his last,
and fatal voyage, and always meeting with
the appreciation of his owners and the re-
spect and confidence of his passengers.
He occupied high rank in the Masonic
Order, being a member of the Command
cry. And none are more ready to attest
his merits than his brother masons, who
knew him so well. He was a man of large
heart and generous impulses, valuing
money more for the good it would do TO
others, than for itself. He first visited
these shores in October, 1S49. About sew
en- years since, he came here with the view
of making this his home, and from that
time commanded various vessels sailing
out of this port.
Though not thoroughly educated man,
outside OF his profession, he was endowed
with keen perceptions. a retentive memo
~ and no ordinary literary tastes, and had,
in the course of his worldwide expert
encc, accumulated such fund of infor
nation, both instructive and amusing, as
rendered his conversation far more enter /
tanning than that of the mere scholar. In
conclusion we can truly say, that he was
alike at home in battling the storms Of the
ocean and in the amenities of social life. |
Your Committee submit the following |
resolutions:
WHEREAS, We are convinced beyond all
doubt, that our fellow member,
George G. Wells, has, by the inscrutable
and All-wise dispensation of Divine Provi |
dence, been removed from this life.
Resolred, That in his death, this Society
has been deprived of well beloved and
honored member, and that this commune
ty and our common country have lost a
most valuable and respected citizen.
Res0iCed, That though deprived by the
of this dispensation, to
which we humbly bow, of the privilege of
placing his mortal remains in their last
resting place and paying the customary
rites in honor OF the dead, yet his memory
is left to us, which we will ever cherish and
preserve as well in our hearts as in the
records of this society
''s''' s ~ ". : % ,Ss$s; Cor"
San Francisco, February 7th, 1870.