Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-08-22
WILLIAM 7. HIGGINS.
CLOSE OF THE CAREER OF A PRoMr
NENT POLITICIAN.
The Chief Turning Points of His Life
His Early Career as Miner
and Politician.


complaint being the worst feature of his
illness, and at various times he had been
reported as being at deaths door. De-
ceased was well-kIown in Sacramento.
where be had lived for many wears, and
almost every old resident is familiar with
MS earlier career in this city. To none.
however, are the chief events of his life
so well known as to P. W. Cafferty, who
had been intimate with Mr.. Higgins from
the irst and from the latter's own Inns had
often heard the story of his life.
In an interview with this gentleman yes-
terday RECORD UNION reporter learned
that deceased was born in 1929, in County
Longtord, Ireland. Hisparents emigrated to
BOSTON Whlle he was quite young, and died
few years afterward. Young Higgins
was reared by his uncle, fashionable hat
Ter OF Boston, who gave, him a good educa-
qon, the intention being to have him or.
dained priest. While he was quite a
youth his uncle took him to Ireland to
complete his education in a college, and
after taking the trip through England the
uncle returned to Boston. only to find
William ready there. Young higgins
for some years was in his uncle's employ
as clerk, and finally married Boston
young lady, and soon afterward came to
California in the latter part of 1S49 or early
IN 1850. He went to mining in the yicin-
ity of Mormon Island and Negro Bar, in
this county, where he remained couple of
years. While there A. P. Catlin was then
prominent owner in the Natoma Ditch
Company. Some miners jumped claim
belonging to Mr.. Catlin, and failing ooust
them, he selected Mr.. Higgins-whom he
regarded as young man of ability-to
aroltrate the conflicting Claims To this
the jumpers agreed. Higgins decision was
accepted, and the trouble amicably settled
Along about 1856 or 1857 Mr.. Higgins re-
moved to Sacramento and lay i'll for long
time with sclatic rheumatism, but finally
recovered under the treatment of DR.. G. l..
summons. Aiterward he entered the en-
ploy of Move & Carroll in the Bay State
Mill, at Front and r streets, as clerk.
About this time he began to take an active
part IN local politics. He was warm
friend OF John f. Madden, and these two
trained together in the political arena. He
was also close friend of B. B. Redding.
John CONFESS and other Douglas Demo-
Gratis then prominent in politics. After the
Hood of 1862, in which the mill was
ruined, he removed to San Francisco.
That winter the Legislature was removed
sion as CLERK IN one of the Committees
The smallpox broke out in Sacramento
that winter and became very bad Mad
den, who was a deputy in County Clerk
Jared Twins office, getting frightened, was
vaccinated, and contracted a malady from
which he died. While on \ his death bed
he requested that his friend Higgins be
given his place, which was lgranted, and
Higgins returned and fulfilled the duties
of the position.
He was warm partisan of James Nc
CATCHY when the latter ran for Sheriff, and
it was supposed that he would be one of the
latter's deputies, but he did not receive the
appointment. Shortly after that the White
Pine mining excitement broke out, and
Higgins went there with party of friends.
There s,e was again taken down i'll with
rheumatism, and was brought to Steamboat
Springs, where he remained several
months. From there he went to San Fran
cisco, and purchased the Metropolitan Sa-
loon on Montgomery street, There be fell
in with all the prominent politicians and
business mel Of the metropoh and began
to take lead in local politics. I'D after
ward sold out his business to Chris Buck
ley, and devoted himself chiefly to politics.
He was delegate to the Convention that
nominated Gorham for Governor, and was
the latter's right-hand man in that men,
orable contest for the nomination. A few
years later he was appointed TO place in
the United States Mint, and while there he
was sent by The Government on an official
visit to Mazatlan. After being two years in
the Mint he resigned, and since then has
devoted his energies TO getting other people
into Office
The later events of his life are familiar to
all who have kept pace with current events.
Mr.. higgins was man of far more than
ordinary Intelligence and education, and
was natural leader of men. He took to
politics as naturally as young duck takes
to water, and although numerous rivals
had sought repeatedly to down him, he
generally came out on top. Richard Chute
and Mike Conroy few years ago organ
lied an opposition to him within the Re-
publican ranks seeking to obtain control
OF the party machinery, but the redoubt-
able Higgins was too shrewd, and possessed
too firm a hold thereon, and the Chute
Conroy faction met with overwhelming de-
feat and the leaders fell into obscurity.
Conroy is dead and Chute is now seldom
heard Of
Referring to the dead politician, last
nights Bulletin says:
Mr.. Higgins first became prominent in
local politics as a leader or Boss in 1870,
during the Independent Republican move
ment which resulted in the election OF
Newton Booth TO the Governorship. He,
with his lifelong friends, Colonel James
Cannon and Richard Chute, became the
enemies of the Carr. Gorham faction of the
Republican party, and took part in the split
which resulted in the overthrow of those
manipulators. Higgins was the intellectual
as well as the physical leader of the three
and he soon came TO be regarded as the
Boss of the local Independents, who were
striving to rise on the ruins of William B
Carr's machine. When the Independent
movement went TO pieces in 1875, it carried
with it the machine of the regular Repub
hcan organization. George G. Gorhan
went East, and William B. Carr retired
from politics anjentered upon the develop
ment of the Kern county deserts, in whict
he was interested with J. B. Hsggin. Hig
gins being the abiest of the local wire
pullers who had Joined together to over
throw Carr, naturally became their leader
He gathered about him many of the young
and daring politicians, and won over some
of the soldiers of fortune who had formerly
trained with Carr.
Mr.. Higgins was not what might bs
called a successful boss, because he wa:
constantly being defeated when his follow
ers believed he should be successful. Hav
ing great confidence in his own ability, ht
was impatient of restraint and at time:
overbearing and dictatorial. He was stronE
in his friendships when his friends obeyeC
orders, but weak in them at the slightes
sign of independence or spirit. The loca
Republicans never had square chance tC
reject his leadership that they did not make
their feelings felt at the ballot. box. He wa.
an expert lobbyist, and always attended tn,
sessions Of the Legislature. The last ses
sion, when he was too i'll to visit Sacra
mento, was the first session be had misset
for many years.
II is understood Mr.. Higgins has plo
in Mount Calvary Cemetery. The time o
the funeral has not yet been determined.
JUST THE OTHER WAY.