The record-union., 1891-11-07
THIRTY YEARS AGO.
Napa Presents a Sword to Major
Edward McGarry,
"A Brave But Eccentric Soldier His
Bear River Battle-Singular Act
Of a Mariposa Teamster.


There are many old Napaites who can
recall the night of November 6, 1861.
when the members of Pioneer Fire Com
pany Of that town presented Edward Me-
Garry with a handsome and valuable
sword. McGarry had just received an
appointment as Major in one of the vol
unteer cavalry regiments, and it was ex-
pected that the regiment would be called
East to take an active part in the war.
McGarry was Mexican War veteran,
and one of the bravest men that ever
wore an American uniform. Instead Of
his regiment going East, however, it was
ordered out to Utah to relieve the regu-
lars doing Indian duty. Patrick Edward
Connor of Stockton was the Colonel. Be
fore tackling the Indians, however, a
portion Of the regiment, under Major Nc
Garry's command, was quartered at
Camp Union at Agricultural Park, and
while there Sacramentans had good OPP
poTtunity 10 become well acquainted with
Che Major.
He had one failing-an appetite for
strong drink-which, however, he in
dulged only at intervals. When in his
cups McGarry did very queer things.
He was the owner Of a thoroughbred
charger, presented TO him by Nathan
Coombs, his steadfast friend and admirer.
The horse was by the famous racer Billy
Cheatham, and bore in its veins the bluest
blood of the blue grass region in Ken
lucky. The Major was a superb horse
man, and when mounted on his beautiful
and high-Spirited sorrel, he was the very
picture of an American soldier. If he
happened to have a few drinks aboard
then something was sure to happen.
At such times the Major would distin
guish himself by riding his horse into
The leading saloons and hotels attempting
10 ride down Secessionists on the streets,
and all such capers.
Finally Major McGarry was sent out
into Idaho TO punish some Indians that
aad gone on the warpath. One night, in
the dead of winter, he marched his little
band through sixty miles of snow and
surprised the savages in their stronghold
at daylight A bloody hand-to-hand bat
sic ensued, and the Indians were routed
after several hours hard fighting. The
tight was known as the Bear River battle,
and is said to have been one of the most
desperate fights between whites and In
dians that ever took place on the CONT
nent. The credit for the victory achieved
belonged to McGarry and his brave men.
McGarry was made Lieutenant-C Colonel
of the regiment, and remained in the
service until it was mustered out. He
She army in the East, but before favora-
Die action was taken on his application
ne became Respondent and took to drink
While under the influence of liquor
he one day sent a bullet through his brain
IN his room at the Occidental Hotel in
San Francisco.
Colonel McGarry was one of that class
of men who chafe under the restraint of
idleness. Ifhe had been in the East dur
ing the war there is little doubt that he
would have achieved great distinction in
the army-indeed, his friends believed
hat he would have risen rapidly to one
Of the highest positions. His disappoint-
ment broke his heart and sent him to
suicides grave.
.......A singular affair occurred near
Keysville MaripOsa County. John A.
herman left the "hay camp in Keiso
canyon one morning with a load of hay
drawn by four mules. After he had gone
about five miles he came to a rather sharp
grade, up which his team was unable to
pull thelOad.
Herman became so frantic from mingled
rage and disappointment that lie took out
his knife and cut the throats of two of his
mules, turning the other two adritt. He
then mounted his load of hay, got out his
pistol and killed himself.
1.-THE pony.express era was a brief
one. In 1860 it was inaugurated, and on
The 26th of October the order was given
for its diScOntinUanCe. This was in cOnSe-
quence ofthe completion Of the overland
telegraph, the forerunner of the railroad
which, a few years later, Spanued the
continent and brought the East and West
into close relations.
...D. O. Mills was appointed by the
Secretary Of the Treasury Subscription
Agent for Sacramento for the first na-
tional loan asked for by the Government.
......On the 31st Of October, 1861, there
occurred here what was then regarded as
a great two-mile-heat race between Col |
Onel T.. >. LathrOp's horse Langford, A.
=. GrlgsDy's Dashaway, and w. NJ. Will
iamson's Miami. Langford won the first
heat by a nose but broke down in the
second, and Dashaway took the race. The
heats were made in $500, 1852, 4:033. The
papers spoke Of Dashaway as a great
horse, but he would be nowhere in a race
to-day.
Frost and ice had put in their ap-
pearance in Sacramento as early as the
lst of November in 1861. That was the
winter Of the great floods.
.........On the Sd of November a large
quantity of clothing, a flag, and other
articles arrived from Grass Valley for
Captain Thayer's company at Camp
Union. The consignment was accom-
panied by letter signed, m. B. Delano, |
President of the Ladies' Association - |
containing words of cheer for the brave
recruits from Nevada.
Lieutenant Frink offered series of
resolutions expressive of the soldiers
appreciation of the kind act of the Ne
vada ladies, which were adopted amid
cheers.
Flowing by steam-power is not
new idea, by any means. 1t was sue
cessfully tried in Pennsylvania thirty
years ago. The traction-engines were of
elve-horse-power.
WANT FREE WATER