The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1880-07-09
GENERAL JOHN A. SUFFER-.

From the n \. Tribune.
General John A. Suffer, the discoverer
of gold in California, and one of the ear
lest pioneers ON that coast, died ut
Modes Hotel in Washington, June 49,
He had been sick for about "A week with
Inflammation of the kidneys, and died
quietly, In full possession of his facul-
ties. The news of his death was at once
sent To his home at Litz, Lancaster cOun-
ty, Pennsylvania, where his wife resides
His remains will be taken To LitZ for in
terment
General Suffer was native of Swift
Zerland, and was about scventy-seven
years of age. lie came TO this country
IN 1884, and spent many years on the Pa
chic coast. During the past
thirteen years he lived ut
the old Moravian village of LitZ, nine
miles north of Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Soon after landing in this country, Gen
eral Suffer went overland to Oregon,
and down, the coast to California. He
then sailed To the Sandwich Islands,
and thence TO Alaska During these
movements he suffered many hardships,
and was at one time shipwreclGed Re
turning to California in his brig Glenn
entine, he dropped anchor at Yerba Blu
ena (San Francisco9 He was ordered
away by the MeXicans, but, being in dis
tress, was finally allowed to receive all
needful supplies. In 1899 he was sent
to the north by the Mexican government
to look after the Indians. He was given
fun authority and held rank of captain
He made headquarters at Sacramento
where he built fort, supplying some of
the ordnance at his own expense. He
soon made friends among the Indians,
and in one year had from 500 to GOO
Indians engaged In farming and cattle
raising. Liberal offers Isl 900 900 and
| upward) were made by MeXicanS for his
property at Sacramento, but he refused
them 1T the request of his neighbOrs.
This refusal lac always regretted because
the United States government afterwarl
refused TO recognize his claims to his
| lands. General Suffer held many re-
| sPonsible positions under the United
States government, and took very prom
inent part in organizing Indian troops
He was the founder of Sacramento, as
we'll as the discoverer of gold.
| The discovery of gold on his lands
was followed by anarchy among the men
who rushed down 10 American river. II
was u year before civil authority could
be established, but during that lime the
squatters took his cattle and whatever
else they wanted and occupied his lands
THE lands" said General Suffer, few
| years ago, were mine, and up to the
time of the gold discovery both Mexico
aad the United States had recognized
my proprictorship. OF course, claim
cd and shall continue to claim damages
until / succeed. Two tribunals-ont
the United States land commission anC
the other the Y. s. district caurt-de
cided in my favor, when II came befor,
the United States supreme court, tn,
decision was in favor of the SQUAT
tiers; not because the land was not mine
but because of "A mere technical point
Thus he lost his lands, and for many
years was dependent on IA pension from
the state of California. He had paiC
SIS, 900 or $S4, 900 in taxes on the land
but this sum was never refunded to him
He asked congress TO pay him the gov
ernment price for the land (about 81 ,65
acresl, upon which lac had expended owe
! 1926, 900, but in this he was unsucccess
full, although, as General Sherman re
Gently stated, 10 him, more than any 9th
, er person, the United states was indebl
ed for the conquest of California and il
treasures. He leaves widow, four son
and daughter.