Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-07-07
Gen. John Augustus Sutter.
The Narcelous and Romantic Story of the
DiScoperer Of Californian Gold Fields.
New York Times.

New York Times.
Gen. John Augustus Suffer, upon whose
farm gold was first discove red in Cali
fornia, died at Meade's Hotel, in Wash
ington, on the 18th inst, IN the seventy
eighth year of his age, He had been SUIT
fering TOR q week with Inflammation of
the kidneys, but his death was quite un-
expected. He was in full possession of
all his faculties up to the last moment.
The llfe-story of Gen. Suffer is ro-
nance In itself, and forms, 10 great ex-
tent, the early history of the State Of Cal
ifornia. From poor man, he gained by
his energy and perseverance the position
of the wealthiest man CD the Pacific coast
at one time, only 10 be impoverished
again by the discovery of gold, which en-
rlched his state and so many of his fel
low men, and to die at last petitioner TO
his Government for the means of sustain.
ing his family. Few men, even IN this
country OF strange experiences, have
passed through such varied course ct
adventures as Gen. Suffer. In his latter
years he was an object of curiosity to all
who came within his reach. His head
was bald, with the exception Of patches
of snowy hair on either side, and his face
was ornamented with side whiekers,
O
and goatee, air of pure white. The old
gentleman bore his years we'll, and was
always very courtly and dignif1ed, enter
tanning friends and strangers to The last
with the same hospitality which charac-
terized him in his earlier and happier
DAYS, and few who have sat at his board,
or listened to his stories of young Cali
fornia, will soon forget the patriot who
passed away while begging for what he
deemed his just rights at the hands of the
Government
Gen. Suffer, whose original name was
Suter, was born at Kandern, Baden, Feb.
10, 1903. In his childhood he evinced an
aptitude for the military profession, and
his ambition was gratifed by his parents,
who were undoubtedly well off. He was
given liberal education, and sent to the
military school at Berne, Switzerland,
where he was graduated in 1929. He
went to France and Joined the army of
Charles X, being commissioned by that
King as General. Alter the revolution of
July, 1880, however, he became weary OF
his military life, and, casting bis eyes
about for some country in which to seek
adventure and fame, he chose the New
World as offering the best field for his
restless spirit, and emigrated to this &C un.
try. He had but little ready money, but
America was but sparsely settled then, and
brains and courage were more IN demand
here at that time than fortunes. The
young emigrant settled first in the west.
ern part Of Missouri, but as the popula.
ton Of that State increased he moved
further West, always flying before the ad
vance of the pioneers, and determined, as
he said once, in telling his story, to be
the pioneer of pioneers. He finally, IN
1887, reached what is now New Mexico.
and established himself at Santa Fe.
where he began trading with the Indians
His gentle manners and strict honesty in
dealing with them soon won the hearts OF
the savages, and Gen. Suffer prospered IN
his business with them. He learned their
language, took "a interest in their vel
fare and taught them many useful things.
The result was that they confded in the
man who trusted in them, and told him
of the wonderful beauty of the country
across the Rocky Mountains, the fertility
OF its soil, and the mlldness and salubrlty
OF It's climate. Fired by these reports
of his dusky friends, Gen. Suffer finally
determined to cross the Rocky Mountains,
and In 1888 he passed over into California,
which was then under the control of the
Mexican Government.
Gen. SHtter first went to Fort Vancou.
yer, and from there, spurred on by the
restless spirit of adventure which cha-ac-
terized him, he sailed to the Sandwich
Islands. He saw little chance to win
either fame or fortune among the idle and
unambiLlous Kanakas, and he soon left
the islands, sailing for Alaska. From here
he engaged in trading trip down the
Pacific coast, and this voyage eEded July
3, 1889, by his being ship-wrecked in the
Bay of Yerba Buena, now known as the
Bay OF San Francisco. He had saved a
little money from the wreck, but rot
enough to enable him to fit out for anoth-
er trading voyage, and he wisely resolved
to begin over by engaging in agriculture,
and working again with his old friends
the Indians. With great difficulty, be-
cause of his ignorance OF the country and
the natives, he penetrated to the interior
up the Sacramento river. and arriving at
the point where the city of Sacramento
now stands, he saw the advantages Of the
location, and pitched his camp at once.
He chose a site in the Sacramento Val.
ley, about three miles back from the river.
one of the most fertile spots in all Califor.
MIA, and naming it New Helvetia, settled
there with the intention Of staying. He
pCL Ill III 6CtlCC HIS OlQ tdCtlCS III LIS treat
ment of the Indians; instead of slaughter.
ing them, he made friends OF them. He
taught them the rude arts of agriculture,
which were within their comprehension,
and also intrusted them with firearms
and instructed them in their use. In a !
remarkably short space of time New
Helvetia was thriving settlement, and
Gen. Suffer, by raising large crops for
which there was always a ready market
In Yerba Buena, was rapidly becoming a
wealthy man.
1t was the only white settlement IN that
section OF the country, and the influence
of Gen. Suffer was felt far and wide.
New Helvetia was the stopping place for
al white men who crossed the country,
and its commander was very popular
with the Russians of the North and the
Mexicans who surrounded him. In 1841
his influence with the Indians had be.
come 80 great that the Mexican Govern
ment found it advisable to secure the