Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-11-06
B IN February 2s, 1904,
at Kandern, Baden,
Died June Is, 1880
at Washington, ID. G.
REQUIESCAT IN PACEM.


......#
There is long story of an eventfu
life between those two dates. The nam,
inscribed above them is the name o
General John Augustus Suffer, who's
mill race on the bank of the Sacramento
was the source Of the mighty stream o
gold that has flowed from California. h
who is low first only in this very hum
BILE community whsre all others ar
equal, made the discovery that shool
the financial centers of both hemispheres
won half continent of civilization, AMI
created bonanza kings to the senator
and their wives to be the envy of tn
most decollete and distinguished societ,
abroad. Buried along with those VIII.
abhorred war and would not fight OF
any account, he in his life time wore
sword in the armies of three nations
Once in possession of land now worth
100000, 200, he lived the last sixtee1
years OF his life dependent on an allow
ance from the state of California. 81
made millionaires and died a pensioner
He was always wanderer. Born il
Baden in 1903, he graduated from the
military college at Berne at the age o.
20 and enlisted in the Swiss Guard Of
the French army, the successors of that
famous band of mercenaries vino were sc
faithfully butchered in the marble halls
of Versailles thirty years before. After
seven years service he changed his COL
ors and entered the Swiss army, where
he served four years. Then he put of
his uniform and shortly came to this
country. In 1888, with six companies
he went across the plains of Oregon and
down the Columbia river to Vancouver,
whence he sailed to the Sandwich islands.
There he got an interest in trading YES
sci, with which he sailed to Sltka and
the Seal islands up towards Behring's
sea. Turning southwark after some
profitable trading, he arrived in the Bay
of San Francisco, July 2, 1889. The ap-
pearance of the country pleased him and
he decided to remain.
He made settlement some distance
up the Sacramento river, built grist
mill, tannery and fort, founded a
colony and called it, for the sake of hav-
ing an Alpine murmur in his ears, New
Helvetia. His restless energy was still
He took a commission as
captain in the Mexican service, and after
ward served as magistrate under the
same government. He took no active
part in the war against this country, and
after the annexation he was Alcade, In
dian commissioner and member of the
California constitutional convention.
In 1S48 came the discovery that en-
richei the world and impoverished him.
Marshall laborer, digging out a new
race to Suffers mill, picked up curious
lump of something yellow, which Suffer
at once recognized as gold. The mill
race was never finished. The laborer
turned his pick to more ambitious pur-
pose and set out to dig himself fortune.
The miller bought himself a shovel and
went forth to take toll OF the yellow sand
The stream that was to turn the mill
wheel became suddenly worth more than
any grist that it could grind. The Sc
luel is well known. The rushing tide
If Argonauts overwhelmed the little col
ony of New Helvetia and washed away
Suffers imperfect title to his land.
He made brave fight and long one.
He laid claim to thirty three square
leagues of land, including that on which
the cities of Sacramento and Marysville
low stand. After long delay the COM
missioner of public lands allowed the
claim, and after more delay the supreme
,ourt of the United States reversed the
lecision. Then General Suffer carried
lis claim before congress, to go through
he tedious experience of most people
Who take claims there. He was still
prosecuting in 1871, when he happened
o come to Lititz to drink the wholesome
waters Of its spring. The quiet of the
,lace and the peaceful life of its people
ppealed to the restless old man, who
vas beginning to get tired of his long
'attle, and he made his home there
until I get my claim through" he said.
He was at Washington, still getting
lis claim through, when death overlook
i'm in 1880. His Moraviar neighbors
made room for him in corner of their
urging ground, although, as he was not
member of their congregation, he could
OF be buried with the trombone. When |
Moravian dies, at whatever hour of the |
az or night, man mounts the tower of
be quaint, squat church and blows
oeful signal on trombone. The from
one player also marches at the head of
,e funeral procession, playing solemn
lusic."