The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-31
STARTLING DISCLOSURE.
Over $4,000 Lost-An Old Pioneers
Statement.
How a Fortune Was Spent in Vain-An
EventfuI Career-Rescued at
Last.

SAN FRANCIsCo, Cal.-The Daily Chronicle
| publishes the following editorial commune
cation from Captain w. +. Swasey, the old
est pioneer in San Francisco, a gentleman
| we'll known throughout the coast, which will
be self-eX planatory:
Editor of the Chroncle-Sir: ANYTHING
| concerning the history of an old Californian,
| especially If he is extensively and faYOrably
known throughout the Pacific coast, never
fails to attract attention, but when the cir
| cumStances attending his career are of such
a peculiar character that a knowledge of
them will benefit the public at large, the inn
! parting OF such knowledge becomes not only
| a pleasure, but duty as we'll Therefore,
| the writer deems the following brief sketch
! not only eminently proper, but also feels
confident that it will prove deeply interest
ing and beneficial to the thousands who will
| read it.
| Colonel D. J. Williamson, the subject of
| this letter. entered the Union army III 1861
| as regmental quartermaster of the Fourth
| California Infantry, and in 1853 he was APP
| pointed by President Lincoln, captain quar-
! termaster Of the United States Army. He
served with distinction to himself and honor
| to the government until 1867, at which time
| he lett the military service and became d
| prominent operator in stocks r an Fran
| CISCO. In this business he continued until
| 1870 when he received from President Grant
the appointment of United States consul at
|
| President Grant consul at Valparaiso, Chilli
and also charge d. affaires of that republic
| which latter positions he was compelled by
| ill-health to resign in 1873.
| In the winter of 1862, a. winter that was
unusually inclement, while on military duty
! at Sacramento, Colonel Williamson was
| obliged to sleep in tents, and then first con-
| tracted the terrible scourge of rheumatism,
| from which he at times suffered excruciatng
| pain, although he was notincapacitated from
duty. After he had left the service and en-
| tered upon business pursuits the disease
| pertinaciously chung to his SYSTEM although
| he resorted to the most eminent medical adj
vice and 20 every known remedy for relief.
| When he arrived in Peru, where rheumatism
| is very prevalent the disease assumed still
more yirulent type and his suffering became
| so utterly intolerable that he was obliged to
| submit to tine application of hypodermic in
| lectiOns OF morphia. frequentl administered
as often as twenty-five times in twenty-four
| hours He visited the famous baths OF that
| country without avail, and when he reached
Chill, resorted to the baths Coquenes and af-
terward to the baths on the summit of the
| Andes, which latter are celebrated through
| out the world for their efficacy in the cure of
rheumatism. He still found no relief how
ever and in 1873 his knees and lower eXtrem-
tiles became so pOWerless from the disease
| that he was obliged to resign his position and
return to California. He at once repaired to
| une FaSo fCODieS springs, IN san LUIS ODlSpo
| county, where he received but Slight tenn
porarv relief, the malignant complaint con-
! tinuing to torture and rack his frame, al
most without cessation. From 1873 until
| within about two months, he has been to-
| tally deprived of the use of his lower limbs,
| being absolutely unable to perform the
most simple physical act, without assistance
| Some six months ago he was induced
! by his friend, Ferdinand Vassault ESQ, Sec
rotary of the California Pioneers, to try ST.
Jacobs Oil. 1t is fortunate ne did So for to-
day, after long years of int use agony and
utter prostration he is able TO walk about
with comfort and without the aid of either
cane or crutches. He has discontinued all
medical treatment and the use of all mar
coties, and he gratefully and most emphatic
ally attributes this happy result solely to the
use of st. Jacobs Oil. The writer of this let
| Ter, having himself been a ufFerer from rheu-
matism. and having been thoroughly cured
| by the same remedy, feels impelled by a
sense of duty to afflicted humanity to inn
part this information to the public. Yours
respectfully, W. F. SwAsEY
!