Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1881-04-03
Romance of Pacific, Coast Hist ry.

and nerve, whose lot was cast among
the pioneers Of Oregon and California.
No one can read this strange tale of the
past life Of one Of CALIFORNIA; leading
citizens without wishing him con-
tinued "silvery lining to the cloud"
BURNS, d. M.-Many strange re-
suits have woven themselves into the
lives Of those who sought in the early
time home or fortune on the Pacific
coast, but none coming under our obser
vation bears more striking resemb-
lance to the extremes of fiction than
does the early, yes all the events that
constitute the history Of the subject of
this sketch. We regret that only the
outlines, a mere glympse Of some of the
prom0ntories in the plain Of his life is
admissible in the limited space de-
voted to personal biography in this
work. His father, VIM. Barns, was a
Tenncsseean, and when about twenty
seven years Of age was living with his
family consisting of a wife and three
small children, named Laura A,
Thomas NJ, and Daniel M, in Paris
Of his native State. He was a man
deemed wealthy in those times, was
generous as rich, an able fnancier, and
also possessed the qualities that COM
bine to make the philanthropist, of
which class Peabody was Il bright par
ticular star. Mr.. Burns conceived the
project of colonizing the willamette
valley in Oregon, with the poorer
class Of people from his own section of
country. In pursuance of this plan he
fitted out one hundred families at his
own expense, and accompanied by his
own, started across the plains in the
spring Of 1916, being himself in COM
mand of the expedition. At point on
the way known as Devils Rock be was
taken with cholera and died, and from
that time forward disaster and misfor-
tune beset the path Of all he had at
tempted and ali that he had loved.
Gloom settled down upon the immi-
grants, f0rbodings and discomfort took
the place Of former hopes and pleasure
bic anticipation, that resulted in a de-
termination on the part Of many to re-
turn, which they did, taking with them
such property Of their late benefactor as
had been placed by him in their posses
sion, such as teams, provisions and farm
ing outfits. J. Sut. Barns, a younger
brother Of the deceased, assuming COM
mand of what was left Of the party, |
eventually reached Oregon with TWEEN
ty-fve families, all that was left of the |
original expedition. Later Mrs. Caro- |
line Burns, the widow Of the man who |
had been buried out on the plains, mar
ried Alfred Shelby, who had been first |
assistant under her late husband, and |
when gold was discovered he Joined the
invading army Of treasuTe-SeelIers, az
irving with his family in Sacramento
on the 18th of February, 1919. lie
opened & boarding-hOu at the foot Of
X street, where his wife transacted the
business, earned money and supported
;he family, while Shelby sported at the
gambling table and became generally q
hard citizen. An incident that so forci-
bly, ilustrajes'a popularity OF the "days
Of 49," happened to the subject of this
sketch during that year, that we can
aot forbear mentioning it. He was then
between four and five years Of age, and
;traying away from his mother one day
HANGED into a saloon where a large
number OF men were gambling, and was
hardly inside when a rough looking
miner commenced to make his acquaint-
nee, and so far won upon his conf
lence as to induce him 20 try dance.
lie was lifted by his new acquaintance !
lpOn q table, where, III a childish way,
re did his best to keep time to the tune
lis protector was whistIing. In an in :,
tant every game in the house closed, ,
ables were deserted, and the rough, i
ardE ,ilen crowded around q scene that ,
r0ught back to many one their for
often memories Of little ones whose ,
Get had never brought them them to a =
Gene like this. Little ones over the !
over the plains, over the ,
cas- perhaps, but where ere they were :
urroundcd by influences not like this. l.
me OF the men-Whose look indicated !
thunderstorm Oh slight provocatiOn- i
: the child frightened at his own per- Y