The morning call., 1891-11-29

TERED by the side of Mrs Hammond and
his son. Lieutenant Harry I. Hammond.
OF ENGLISH ANCESTRY.
Commissioner Hammond was born at Ha-
gerstnwn, Nd, II years ago. His ancestors
were English Hewas appointed cadet at
the West Point Military Academy from the
State of Arkansas in 1887. Four years later
lie graduated and entered the army as Bre-
vet Second Lieutenant of the Third Artil-
lery, and served in the garrison at Fort
McHenry from 1874 to 1912. He served also
at ST. Augustine, Fla, from 1912 to 1913.
The next year he was at Augusta. Ga,
assisting the Inspector General 10 investi-
gate the claims of Georgia ana Alabama
volunteers for losses during the war; He
was next attached to the Coast Survey in
1915 and served until January "a, 1916. In
that year Hammond was made First Lieu
tenant of the Third Artillery and went to
Mexico as ABIDE Camp and acting Assist
ant Adjutant-General 10 Brigadier-General
Shields, being engaged in the march through
Coahu!a in 1916 and at Tan pico.
BREVETTSp FOR GtIIANTRY.
His regiment participated in the siege of
Vera Cruz and in the battle of Cerro Gordo,
where he was brevetted CAPTAIN for gallant
and meritoriOus conduct. He also partici-
pated in the battles of CoDtreras aud Churu-
busco, where his gallartry wen hlm the
rank S,t OF BTevet- MAJOR. During the st9Lmlng
of Chepultepec hammond narrowly es-
capped dea h. His horse was shot from
under him and he was slightly wounded.
When the city of the Mnntezumas fell
into the hands of tile Americans, Major
Hammond was appointed Secretary of the
City Government and Acting Judge Adyo-
cate. From 1S47 to l84S he was Adjutant of
his regiment. After the close of the war
Major Hammond resigned from the army,
beat his sword into a plGwshare and made
his way to Stockton, where he was farmer,
counselor -at-law and land agent.
IN THE POLITICAL ARENA.
In 1852 he was elected Speaker of the
State Assembly, and in the following year
was appointed Collector of Customs for the
district of San Francisco, and held office
until 1885. In 1859 he presided over the
Democratic State Convention, was subSe-
quenly nominated for Congress and de-
feated. Leaving the political arena for a
time Major Hammond interes ted himself in
mining, and is said to have amassed consider
able wealth.
In 1866 he was General Superintendent of
the San Francisco aud San Jose Railroad.
In 1871. he was made Superintendent of the
old Southern Pacific Railroad Company and
held that office until 1875, when he became
connected with the Atlantic and Pacific
Telegraph Company. He was elected Pres
ident OF the California Pacific Railroad
Company in 1877, and in 1878 was appointed
Police Commissioner of this city, an office
which he held until his death.
Major Hammondi married daughter OF
HColonel Jack Hays, the Texas Ranger
who was once Sheriff of this county. Five
children, of whom four were sons, were the
| result of this union. His daughter, Miss
Matte Hammond, and three sons survive.
A MAN OF TENDER HEART.
The deceased Commissioner was an init
| mate friend of Generals Sherman and John.
| ston. He had wonderful wealth of nfor-
nation and marvellous memory. He was
| courteous and kind, man of tender heart
tyhn cid frNn ont
| stretched hand of want. Yet his subordi.
| mates, so Chief Crowley says. found him q
| strict disciplnarian and slave to duty.
| Commissioner Hammond's death has Gre
| ated no small stir in the Police Department,
| as it will result in the change of the polti-
| cal complexion of the governing board.
| Captain Dunleavy's watch, comprising
the harbOr police, met yesterday afternoon
and appointed committee to procure suit
| able floral tributes for the funeral.