The morning call., 1890-09-07
John A. SUFFER-.

John Augustus Suffer, whom Suffers Fort and
me goid discoveries made famous, was OF Ger
man birth, but OF Swiss parentage. He was born
in 1903. In the Grand Duchy of Baden. In 1884,
driven by poverty to be an adventurer, he left
his home and emigrated to New York. From
there he dtited TO New Mexico where he heard
much OF Upper California from the trappers who
occasionally wandered his way. In 1887 he de-
termined TO see the country for himself. Ac-
coidingiy he joined party OF trappcTs and pro-
ceeded with them to the Rocky Mountains
where he lett the expedition. Then, with party
of SIX hoTsemen. he crossed the ridge, and after
Vancouver. 1t was then winter, aud he
learned that 1t was imposs to con-
tnne his journey by land. No other
destinatioi than TO take passage for the Sand
wlch Islands, where ne hoped 10 fall In with a
men would accompany him the trip. Both
embarked and had no trouble In reaching the
Islands. There, however, the prospect Of getting
weary waiting Suffer shipped as supercargo,
Without pay, Tor Alaska, the only way lie saw OF
a acc u, Us purpose After osposng OF
owners, sailed down The coast Ia. iJas SUr,ss.r
drove him into San Francisco Bay, on July -
1889. The Mexican officials, with an armed
party, Immediately boarded his vessel and Or
deied him 10 Monterey. The only port Of entry
at tie time. He arrived there a few
days later, and expressing desire to
settle in The country. Governor Alvarado
gave him the necessary PERMISSION Tbeieupon
expedition to explore the Sacramento RIVER
which none OF Tue Spanish or Mexican settlers
had ever seen. Search for The mouth OF Tie river
consumed eight days. after which the exploring
party made quick progress until point Ten miles
above The present State capital was reached
Here an armed band OF Indians stopped their
progress, but having satisfied them OF their
friendly intent and that they were not Spaniards
against whom tie indians were particularly Dit
ter, they were allowed TO proceed. He got a
considerable distance up the Feather River when
the increasing hostility of the Indians alarmed
his men, who would proceed no further and
forced MN 10 return. On his descent lie entered
the American River, and on August 10, 1899,
landed on The south bank OF the stream, at a
poiut now within The limits OF Sacramento CIV
Three weeks LATER he removed to spot upon
which he subsequently erected Fort Suffer,
whose historic remains have been preserved
from w;ntou destruction through tne energetic
action uf the Native Sons
during the early days OF the settlement Suffer
was frequently beSet by the indians but he was
always successful IN frustrating their attempts,
ana eventually wen them over To be his best and
most sleadiast friends. TuereupOn lie began 10
cuilVale The surrounding fertile lands, aud TO
engage III The Cattle industry. His stock lie
bought from the Spanish ranchers around San
FRANCISCO and from The Russian settlement IN
bodega s: IN 1910 he was Joined by the i've men
who lett nm at Fort Vancouver. These were a
welcome addition 10 his little colony, which now
numbered twenty-five, eight of whom we're
hanahas IL Was at TINS time tnat the Mok eumne
Ihuiaus uegan 10 make raids upon his herds,
anu III sel'defense lie was obliged 10 make open
war upon them. They were defeated, sued for
PS"NS' N'e' "itcE kept away from his tcIIi-
tory. lhe news OF his Indian victories brought
MN iaihe ana fresh recruits for his settlement,
in mo vi whom were overland immigrants from
the oniteu States These ever accorded him UNI
slnled praise for his hospitality and unselGsh-
ness.
In 1874, finding his original grant OF eleven
leagues from governor AIvarado too small for
MS constantly Increasing herds, he petitioned
NiGneIviena Tor u grant OF the surplus lands
Win, 'ie boundaries named in the Alyarado
Grant. Inns was allowed In 1916, but after the
American conquest his right was confirmed only
10 tle lanus acquired under Alvarad0. Immedl-
a.e,y a., niteI lnis the troubles between Mexico
anu tne ohiteu States eliminated IN war
ana Suller entered the Mexican service.
Even then he continued TO act IN the
sioa. and p Mnn 10 The Immigrants, and when
over monterey and San Francisco he, upon
si,aple, request, did the same for Sacramento.
guns, ~ should be stated, he obtained in 1S4I,
from me russians, when he purchased their set
liemehi at bodega, One OF them Is at the pres
California Pioneers
Aier ms submission to the American Govern
me me, %enefai suffer was left In command OF his
lori win mixed garrison Of whites and Indians
lie was then Ia The full tide OF prosperity and
was Immensely wealthy. In 1913 he had just
competed al OF the conditions OF his grants,
anu, III aaaitlon to bis fort, owned all
Oh the land In sight, with $4,000 htad OF
no,ses, cattle, sheep and hogs, flour and saw
Of cold an at extensive tannery The discovery
Vehtuiers oVerran his possessions, carried of
MS catiie, ruined his crops and finally sqnatted
upon MS lands. In a few years his large possess
sions awinuied down to modest home on the
Feather River. In the county which bears his
name. mere lie resided with his family from
lSoO uhtil shortly before his death IN $780,
During the Interval he enjoyed q pension OF
$3.50 per month from the State for a period OF
fourteen years, which enabled him to make sew
eral trips TO Washington TO urge his claims
against the general Government for the losses
he sustained at the hands or the American
immigrants. II was on Que Of these trips
tnat the sickness which proved fatal
overlook MN at Washington, d.. G. Swasey, IN
| the good qualities here claimed for him, and
represents him as an intrguer who used every
means 10 further his own interests at the ex-
pense Of others; deserter from the Government
| be sWore allegiance to, In It's time Of peril; an
adventufer who quarreled with every associate;
o merchant who never paid a debt he could
avoid; and scheiner whose energy was but a
phase OF reckless enthusiasm, aud whose execu-