The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1884-04-26
STARTLING DISCLOSURE.
OVER TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS LOST
AN OLD PTOWEER's STATEMENT.
How a Fortune was Spent in Vain-An Event
ful Career-Ressued at Last


SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.-The Daily Chron-
icle publishes the following editorial COM
munication from Captain w. f. Swasey,
the oldest pioneer in San Francisco, gen.
tleman well known throughout the coast,
which will be self-explanatory:
Editor of the Caero9sicle-SIR: Anything
concerning the history of an old Caiifor-
nian, especially if he is extensively and "a
vorably known throughout the Pacific
Coast, never fails to attract attention, but
when the circumstances attending his ca
reer are of such peculiar character, that
a knowledge of them will benefit the pub
lie at large, the imparting of such knowl-
edge becomes not only pleasure, but
duty as well. Therefore, the writer deems
| nently proper, but also feels confident that
| it will prove deeply interesting and bene-
| fetal to thousands who will read it.
Colonel d. j. Williamson, the subject of
this letter, entered the Union Army in 1861
as Regimental Quartermaster OF the
Fourth California Infantry, and in 1863 he
| was appointed by President Lincoln, Cap
| tain Quartermaster of the United States
Army. He served with distinction to him
self and honor to the Government antil
| 1867 at which time he left the military
| service and became prominent operator
in stocks in San Francisco. In this busi-
ness he continued until 1870, when he re-
| C6lfSQ from 1ToSIQSuI Tile dppO1HI-
ment of United States Consul at Callao,
Peru. In 1874 he was appointed by Presi-
dent Grant, Consul at Valparaiso, Chill,
and also Charge d Affairs of that Repub-
| lie, which latter positions he was COM
pelled by i'll health to resign in 1878.
In the winter of 1851 2, a winter that
was unusually inclement, while on mill
tary duty at Sacramento, Colonel William
son was obliged to sleep in tents, and then
first contracted the terrible scourge of
rheumatism, from which he at times suf-
fered excruciating pain, although he was
not incapacitated from duty. After he
had left the service and entered upon bust
clung to his system, although he re-
sorted to the most eminent medi-
cal advice and to every known remedy
for relief. When he arrived in Peru,
where rheumatism is very prevalent, the
disease assumed still more virulent type
and his sufferings became so utterably in
tolerable that he was obligedto submit to
the application of hypodermic injections
of morphia, frequently administered as
often as twenty-five times in twenty-fou
hours. He visited the famous baths OF
that country without avail, and when he
reached Chill, resorted to the baths Co
Quenes and afterwards to the baths on
the summit of the Andes, which latter are
celebrated throughout the world for theil
efficacy in the cure of rheumatism. He
still found no relief, however and in 1915
his knees and lower extremities became sc
powerless from the disease that he was
obliged to resign his position and return
to California. He at once repaired to the
; Paso Robles Springs, in San Luis Obispe
County, where he received but slight tenn
porary relief, the malignant complaint
continuing to torture and rack his frame
. almost without cessation. From 1873 un
til about two months, he has been totally
Il nf k1a <~f 1f otNeS
being absolutely unable to perform the
most simple physical act without assist
ance. Some six months ago he was in
duced by his friend, Ferdinand Vassault
Esq, Secretary of the California Pioneers
. to try st. Jacobs Oil. 1t is fortunate he dit
so, for to-day, after long years of intens'
agony and utter prostration, he is able t.
walk about with comfort and without tn,
|, aid of either cane or crutches. He has dis
y continued all medical treatment and th
use of all narcotics, and he gratefully ant
!, emphatically attributes this happy resul
> solely to the use of St. Jacobs Oil. Tn
;. writer of this letter having himself beer
!, sufferer from rheumatism, and havin,
: been thoroughly cured by the same RENE
2 dy, feels impelled by a. sense of duty t
afflicted humanity, to impart this informa
;, tion to the public.
" Yours respectfully, ". T. SWAsEY.
> SAN Francisco, CAL.
Captain ". Il. Slcasey, Pioneer Hall, City
DEAR CAPTAIN--Having carefully 'rea,
the foregoing, cheerfully add my unqual
flied attestation to the truthfulness Of th
: statements contained therein. OF course
8 no language Is adequate to convey real
istic sense of the fearful suffering an
j. agony | have passed through in the las
}; eight years, during which time have e2
d pended at least $4,000 for remedies, meo
ical attendance and an enforced residenc
}. at different bathing resorts. l cheerful
}; add this testimony because / feal perfectl
certain that knowledge of my cure b
9 ST. Jacobs Oil will prove the means of IT
o lieving hundreds of sufferers from til
pangs of the dreadful disease alluded te
:, Confident of being soon again able to re
! sumo my former active life, remain a
ways your friend, ID. j. WILLIAMSON,
. $40 Taylor street, San FRANCISCO, Ca
b A Miraculous Escape,