The New York herald., 1871-12-02
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Hen. Johp DlgioF, Ex-Governor Of California.
Hon. John JBgier, Ex-Governor Of the State OF
California, died In Sacramento on Thursday. He
was sixty-seven years Of age. Governor Bigler was
remarkable man made and by his life career
illustrative OF the workings Of A'erlcan institutions
and the elevating influences or hesslshy, unre-
stricted democracy.
John Bgler was born in Cumberland county,
Pennsylvania, ON the 9TH Of January 1904. and
was the Oldest Of twelve children, ten OF whom were
living some lew years since. In the year 1915,
short time after the close OF the war with England
In which the father had taken an active part, the
family removed west OF the Allegheny Mountains, to
the county OF Mercer then very sparsely popu.
lated. and settled upon piece Of Wild land four
miles distant from any neighDor The family arrived
at their destination In the month Of June, aud with
little delay erected rude log cabin dwelling,
and commenced improving the homestead, where
the aged mother OF the Governor still resided In
1853 The father died IN the fall OF the year 18ls
leaving his widow and twelve Children most Of the
children too young to be of material assistance to
the older brothers, John and william, afterwards
Governors OF two great States-Pennsyvania and
California. The whole burden rested on John and
his brother William, who not only labored diligently
upon the farm at home but worked out by the day
cate the younger members Of the household In the
year 1921 John bound himself with the consent OF
MS brother, an apprentice to the printing business,
in the town OF Mercer, where he remained about
one year, and then left for the city OF Pittsburg
where he closed his apprenticeship. In the fall OF
the year 1926 John lett Pittsburg for Harrisburg,
where he was employed by Murray 4 Cameron as
journeyman printer. During the time that he
was engaged in this ofice he spent his nights and
spare hours IN reading law, under the direction OF
Mr.. David krouse In the summer Of 1926, at the
earnest solicitation OF his uncle, Judge Dock, and
General Philip Barner, leading democrats he was
induced take charge of the centre county Demo-
crat, which he continued to publish until after the
first election Of General Jackson. In this contest
he took an active and effective part and was chosen
o member OF the Legislature. He married In the
spring OF 1929. and soon after, in company with his
father.in.aw, removed TO ONO, and served one
year as Secretary Of the Canal Board. After the
re election Of General Jackson he was rendered q
p0sluon IN the Post Onice Department under Mr..
Kendall which he filled about one year. and then
resigned aud returned to Pittspurg, where
he took an active part In political affairs.
1t Is circumstance known to Pennsylva-
mans that Governor Bigler was the first public
in the State that took position in favor OF the
annexation Of Texas, ana in the public meetings at
annexation were offered and advocated by him, he
stood almost alone. After the election Of President
Polk. at the instance OF democratic friends he took
charge o the DGuV Morning Post which he edited
with maj ked ability for more than year; but the
concern proved Improbable, and he was compelled
to dispose OF the establishment At considerable loss
Mnle engaged IN editing ne prosecuted his law
Of 1915. In the fail OF that year he removed to
Brown county, Illinois, where he esta ablisned o
Democratic paper, and was soon elected Commis
authenticated statements had been received OF the
discovery Of gold. Governor Biger determined 70
is4a. crossed the mississippi River at War Var
S sSSns 81 is 81 hs ans . % s
May nc passed the Missouri River driving four yoke
Of oxen, on his way for the land Of gold Compare
& xsy and Sw al q eR Rasssas gIsa sna ID
many privations. OK driving was a new business
OF the journey, and although he enjoyed good health
such was his anxiety OF mind and the fatigue en-
he arrived in California than when he left Illinois.
On the route, ike the emigration Of 1s49 generally,
he encountered great di1cu!ties and faced danger
by The Indians, who We're daily seen hoyeiing
ssng pser ana Se n IN
WIN hm were , ,our day days n e erecting crossing
the e. SesA Sesr 4 s9 s ws4e % es
to unload sEzr wagons, take them
ase ea Of as css Ss on when @
laden, SUNK deeply under water which in so rapid
crossing exceedingly hazardous ~ and in fact. dur.
Ing the four days occupied IN passing, SIX lives
by danger ana death the Governor renamed un.
shaken IN purpose, and never Tor moment relaxed
his efforts TO prosecute the Journey and secure his
family against surrounding perls. At DEVILS Gate
near independence Rock, the men travelling with
the Governor, impaticnt to proceed more rapidly,
compelled TO struggle alone, SO far as driving team,
guarding mis- family and nerding stock were con.
S night M ao IN aa
unyokinR the oxen. Although the party endured
fatigue and many prvations, but little occurred wor-
travel what is now known as the Lawson route.
During the afternoon or the first day after leaving
Mile Desert, Virginia, his only child, then IN her
eighth year. fell ont OF the wagon and the wheel
was the hour that tried the parents. Governor
Bjglcr took his darling child In his arms, with but
e nope a sne e e acct
the first team behind. He immediately came for
ward and rendered his services. The child was
fractured limb was then set and dressed as well as
possible After The limb was taken care Of the
the neck Of her distressed father and said, Father.
alone am 70 blame for this-I was careless: but
viii bear the pain without complaining The little
company held consultation and determined that
speedily @ as possible, un hey had passed tho Desert
At this time the party had few bundles OF rushes,
cut on the Humboldt rs food for tho cattle, and
about fifteen gallons OF water They then moved
on. but after travelling a short tme owing TO the
roughness OF the road, 1t was found necessary to
swing q board TO the bougns OF the wagon and put
feather bed upon II, so as 10 protect The fractured
limb from the effects oil the J0tng Of tho wagon.
This done the mother took seat by the side Of her
child and held the board steady when passing over
rocky places In the road, and over The small streams
which were quite numerous. Tue party crossed the
Sierra Nevada, IL oregon, near Goose Lake. II was
ound necessary, the oxen being greatly exhausted,
to double teams IN crossing the mountains, which
was enected in about Two days. Along Plum Greek
aud around Goose Lake the Indians were numerous
and quite hostile, requiring great vigilance to
preserve their own lives and the lives OF their stock
during the night that the Governor and ms family
were encamped IN the nttle valley at the FOOT OF the
mountain the Indians killed and wounded quite q
number OF cattle.
me party was about twenty-five DAYS In travelling
! from Goose Lake to sacramento Valley, near Law
| sons Ranch. During most or the tourney the Gov.