The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-11-24
REmlNIscENcE OF OLD California
DAYS

A REMlNISCENCE OF OLD CALIFORNIA
DAYS.
The announcement in Our local columns,
that the schooner Suliotc put into this port
on the 18th, damaged from getting ashore,
brings to the mind the first voyage of that
vessel.
She was, in the fall of 1913, new bark,
for the remarkable events of that year on the
Pacific coast, might have sailed on in the
old and nnexciting ways OF commerce. But
in February Of that year, Capt. Suffers men
had found, at the tail OF his saw-mill, some
shining particles which proved to be gold.
From that small beginning the search was
prosecuted, and tales were told, until the air
grew thick with rumors of the marvellous
riches of California, and dreams of sudden
wealth haunted the slumbers of half the peo-
pie of the country. The more daring and
sanguine began to stream across the plains,
or to cross the isthmus and trust to the slow
and uncertain voyage of sailing vessels up
the western coast.
When the Suliote was ready for sea- the
stories of golden haryests had been verified
by the reports of government officials, and
other reliable persons, and a good many peo-
pie in this vicinity were stricken with the
'fever." The captain determined to adver-
| tise her for San Francisco direct, and to sail
if sufficient number of passengers could
be secured. Accordingly the following ad-
vertisement appeared in the columns of the
Journal
For San Francisco, California.
TO SAIL ON OR ABOUT THE
ktNM LIST OF JANUARY.
ASE The new and superior fast. sailing, coppered
and copper fastened Parque SULIOTE, JOSIAH SNIP.
SON, Master, will Sal. as above provided sufficient
All kinds of Freight taken on reasonable terms.
Special accommodations will be prepared for the COM
fort and convenience of about forty passengers.
For further particulars enquire of the Master board
or of ASA FAUNCE.
Belfast. Dec. 20, 1s4s. As
To the establishment of the projectors of
the voyage, who had scarcely expected it to
succeed, persons came forward in large num-
bers to take passage, and in less than thirty
days the voyage was made up, and forty
passengers were pledged, a number that
was finally swelled to fifty. The freight that
offered was of curious and miscellaneous
kinds Old stocks in the stores were sfted,
and the less marketable portions sent out as
ventures. Dry goods, groceries, clothing,
medicines. and all imaginable truck and
dicker went. Many of the passengers were
torecasting enough to provide small frame
buildings ready to put up, and these proved
hold Of the vessel to a suitable height for
the construction Of passenger accommoda-
tons, a large lot of hemlock boards, the
readest thing that came to hand, was bought
on ships account, and taken ill., This
lumber, which cost about $40 per thousand,
was sold in San Francisco at $500 per thou
sand-a crowded and shelterless population
having forced building materials up to that
enormous figure.
Towards the end of January, everything
was in readiness. The event was one of no
small Importance, and created much excite
ment in all this region. The Bangor passen-
gers, on their arrival, were met by deputa-
ton of citizens and escorted into town with
band of music. On the q tn, a meeting
was held in Washington Hall, now the
billiard room, on High street, where q col
lation was spread and partaken of by the
voyagers and their friends Elk Gov Ander-
son presided; speeches were made by Rev.
Dr. Palfrey, Rev Mr. Cutter, w. H. Weeks,
Esq, Capt. Simpson, Benz. Griffin, Esq, w.
o. Poor and others. And it is remarkable to
note the fact, that Notwithstanding the ad-
venturers were about to sail to an almost un-
known land, the foreshadowed future in
their speeches was almost precisely what
California is to-day-a region of wonderful
resources, great development and unbound
ed wealth, pervaded by New England enter
prise and controlled by its regard for law
and order.
On Tuesday, Jan. 30th, at o'clock, the
bark sailed. Her decks were crowded with
passengers and crew, as she lay at the wharf
with lines ready to cast off, and notwth-
standing the day was bitterly cold, with a
biting northwest gale, the shores were lined
with people. At length the last straggler
was on board the topsals sheeted home, the
lines cast off, and the vessel sped across the
bay like a race horse. The following is a
list of her passengers
Thos. Farrow, Carpenter Belfast.
Benz. Griffin, Printer and editor, do.
C. B. Merrill, Boat builder, do.
W. L. Torrey, Artist, do.
F. Patterson, Sailmaker, do.
Tendon S. Straw, Dentist Bangor.
Charles Webb, Mason, do.
Elisha Webb, do, do.
John Webb, Ship Carpenter, do
Peter l.. Webb. do. do.
Geo. C. c. Fits, Watch maker, do.
Joseph Hanson, Lumberman, do.
VIM. Short Surveyor do.
Sam'l. S. Short, do, do.
A. r. Raynes, Merchant, do
r. B. Cram, Apothecary, do
Joseph Day Dr. Lumber dealer do