Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-07-21
COLONEL OBRiST.
EXPLOITS OF A MONUMENTAL SWIM
DLER OF EARLY DAYS.
Mr.. Laufkotter Relates Some of His Ex-
periences in st. Louis-Sutter's Santa
Fe Expedition.

Here had good opportunity to learn the
prior career of John A. Suffer in the old
country. After l had all my trunks, chests
and boxes stored away and had dressed
myself, I took walk in the city to find
others of my old acquaintance. After
supper many Germans came to the hotel,
some to hear news from the newly arrived
immigrants, some for conversation, and
others to join party at whist. In this l
took part myself as it was then my fayorite
game. Next morning as l was standing in
the door, Suffer introduced himself by in
quirlng if would join in starting colony,
as l was young and strong, and had so
many implements. told him did not
know yet; | would look around first, and
then taking drink together, our friend
ship was made.
The Swiss gentlemen had many occupa-
tons, from the learned Professor down to
mechanic, but not one of them tried to
make use of it. Everyone looked with dis
like on every kind of business, almost with
aversion. Only two at last made start
under engagement to the American Fur
Company, and left for the Rocky Noun
tains. Suffer and 1 joined the German
Club, where there was plenty to drink
newspapers, whist-playiDg and conversa-
ton. Most of the members had situations:
some were employed in the Land Office
some were doctors, some lawyers. mer.
chants and saloon keepers. Under these
circumstances money was spent freely
Everybody made money except few of us.
Under the circumstances our good sense
told US that something had to be done, but
the advice volunteered by our friends and
the merchants caused only confusion in
our minds. At this stage of the situation
l fell in with person who told me about
proposed trading expedition to Santa Fe.
This exactly suited me. / wanted to travel.
and Immediately laid the matter before
my friend Suffer, who readily assented to
JOIN 1t. We were at loss to know how to
take hold, however, owing to our inexper-
fence in frontier life, but a third person,
named Kanopka, clerk in a wholesale
store, came to our rescue with an expressed
desire TO join US. But the German business
men had no confidence in Suffer, and thew
induced our new friend and supposed ally
to withdraw from the scheme. These Ger
mans knew that Suffer had been a mer-
chant in the old country, and his aversion
to engaging in any legitimate business in
st. Louis-haviDg his eye constantly on
visionary projects of an adventurous char
acter-made them suspicious of him.
At This juncture there appeared on the
scene a distinguished looking parsonage
with military air. He proved to be an
imposter, but before the discovery was
made he had managed to live on the fat
of the land" for many months. This indi-
vidual inspired young Suffer with long
ing to cut a figure in the world-to pose as
a military man and have the common herd
look up TO him as great hero.
This VRS pf middle auo onI
stalwart, imposing proportions with con-
fding, honest. appearing countenance like
Suffer. He represented himself as having
Just come down the Missouri river from
Prairie du Chen, where he claimed to be
proprietor of great hotel, at which all the
officers of the Fort stopped. This state
ment struck the Germans-who knew some
thing about military customs-as being
little odd, but they lett pass, thinking that
perhaps it was one of the ways of doing
things in America.
The adventurer was full of resources
He represented that his steamboat would
soon arrive al st. Louis, to be loaded with
goods and supplies, and this statement Sc
cured him solid footing among the Ger
man merchants, who were anxious to Sc
cure his orders. He also impaired the in
formation that he was formerly Colonel
IN the Russian army, and afterward Adiu-
tant to the Crown Prince of Prussia. His
military bearing gave credence to his story,
and awakened in Suffer the liveliest inter
est in and admiration for the adventurer
Suffer likewise became one of his numer-
GUS creditors. Our military friend honored
a frst-class German boarding house keeper
with his presence, and-never paid cent
But he had unlimited credE, and every
body was glad to furnish the great man
with everything he needed.
Suffer took great pleasure in securing his
enrolment in the German Club as an hon
orsry member. At one of our evening
meetings this fraud had the audacity to in
form US that he had been in Santa Fe, and
related incidents of his residence there
He urged Suffer and myself to carry out
our proposed scheme of trading expedi-
ton to that place, which-as it afterward
turned out-he had never seen.
At one of these club meetings he invited
ali of the members who could provide
themselves with horses to join him on
ride to the Prairie House, some distance
outside the city, where he would open a
hundred bottles of champagne. He did
rot mind the expense at all-he was rich,
and before taking his departure for the far
Northwest he desired TO do the handsome
thing for his German friends in St. Louis,
who had shown him, a stranger such uni
ior'l klhohess ana received MIN with open
arhs.
Most of the members accepted the
princely invitation, and on the following
day, under the leadership of " the Colonel
Herr Obrist), the Cavalcade moved out to
the Prairie House. Here the Colonel, with
pompous air, ordered all the champagne
we could drink, and before the crowd left
they had cleaned ont the proprietor's
supply. When we were ready to depart
the Colonel told the proprietor to send his
bill to him at the - Hotel, and he Guild
send him the money. The poor hotel man
had not a word of protest to offer. He was
proud of the distinction shown him by the
visit of SO many prominent merchants,
aud the wealthy gentleman from the far
North, that If the latter had ordered every
thing in the house he would have been
only too happy TO have complied.
And so il went on from day 10 day. The
Colonel's clothes were getting a little
shabby, but he had no difficulty in procur-
ing new suit at the leading tailoring es-
adjustment. as there were always plenty
of responsible persons to go his security
for whatever he required. pending the ar
rival of his steamboat and money.
Money was getting short with me, and as
the Santa Fe expedition had not made any
progress, decided to strike out. | took a
partner, and we went first to Belleville;