Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-02-20
SrARTLlNG DISCLOSURES.
Over Twenty Thousand DOllars Lost
An Old PiOneer's Statement,
HOW a Fortune Was Spent In Vain
An Eventful Career-Rescued
Al Last

DAN rkANClsCO, CAI~-Ine UOAV CnrO71fcle puO-
nshes the following editorial communication from
Capt W. F. Swasey, tn oldest pioneer In San Fran
cisco, gentleman well-Enown throughout the
coast, which viii be seif-explanatory:
Editor Of the Chronic,e:-SIR: Anything con-
corning the history Of old Californian especially If
he Is extensively and favorably known throughout
the Pacific coast never fails to attract attention
put when the circumstances attending bis career
are OF such peculiar character that a knowledge
OF them VIII benefit the public at large the impart-
Ing OF such knowledge becomes not only pleas
ure, out duty as well Therefore, the writer
deems the following brief sketch not only eminent
y proper, but also feels confident that it will
prove deeply interesting and beneficial to the thou
sands who will read it.
colonel d. j. Williamson, the subject OF this let
Ter, entered the Union Army In 1851 as Regtmental
Quartermaster OF the Fourth California Infantry.
ana In 1868 ne was appointed by President Lincoln
captain QUartermaster OF the United States Army
He served with distinction to himself and honor to
the Government until 1857, at which time he left
the military service and became prominent opera
tor In stocks in San Francisco. In this business he
continued until 1870, when he received from Pres-
cent Grant the appointment Of United States Con.
Sui al CallaO, Peru. In 1874 he was appointed by
president Grant Consul at Valparaiso Chill, and
also Charge d. Affairs Of that Republic, which lat
ter positions he was compelled by III health to re-
sign in 1873.
In the winter Of 1862, winter that was un.
usually nclenent, while on military duty at Sac
ramento. Colonel Williamson was obliged to sleep
In tents, and then first contracted the terrible
scourye OF rheumatism, from which he at times
sunercd circulating pain, although he was not in
capacitated from duty. After he had left the SER
vice and entered upon business pursutts the dis
ease pertlnaciously chung to his system, although
he resorted to the most eminent medical advice
and to every known remedy for relief When he
arrived In Peru where rheumatism Is very preva-
lent, the disease assumed still more virulent
type and his suffering became 80 utterly intolerable
that he was obliged to submit to the applica-
ton OF hypOdermic injections Of morphia, fire.
Quently 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 Cocuenes, and
afterwards to the baths on the summit Of the An
des, which latter are celebrated throughout the
world for their efficacy in the OF rheumatism
He still found no relief, however, and in 1878 his
knees and lower extremltes became SO powerless
from the disease that he was obliged to resign his
position and return to California. He at once re-
paired to the Paso Robes Springs. In San Luis
Obispo county, where he received but Slight tenn
pOrary relief, the malignant complaint continuing
to torture and rack his Frame almost without ces-
sation- From 1878 until within about two months
ne mas Deen TOTALLY deprived or 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.,, Secretary OF the Cali
fornia Pioneers TO try St. Jacobs OIL 1t is for
tunate he did so. for to-day, after long years OF
intense agony and utter prostraton, he Is able to
walk about with comfort and without the a Id OF
either cane crutcheS He has discontinued all
medical treatment and the use OF all narcotics and
he gratefully and most emphaticaly attributes
this happy result solely to the use Of st. Jacobs
OH. The writer of this letter having himself been
a sufferer from rheumatism, and having been thor
oughly cured by the same remedy, feels impelled
by sense OF duty to afflicted humanity to impart
this Information TO the public.
Yours respectfully,
w. F. SwAsEy.
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL
To Captain n. r. S,rdsey, Pioneer Hall, City
DEAR CAPTAIN: Having carefully read the forego.
Ing, cheerfuly add my unqualified attestation to
the truhfulness OF the statements contained there
In. or course. no language is adequate to convey
realistic sense of the fearful suffering and agony
have passed through In the last eight years, dur
Ing which time have expended at least $4,000 for
remedies, medical attendance and an enforced resi-
dence at different bathing resorts l cheerfully
add this testimony becaue feel perfectly certain,
that a knowledge OF yc , by st. Jacobs OIL will
prove the means of reliev hundreds Of sufferers