The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-07-01
JOHN BIDwELL.
A FOrty-Niner, n Militia General an(
an Anti Chinese A gitator.

John Bidwell was born in Chautauqua county,
n. Y, August 5, 1919, both of his parents being
New Englanders. While he was yet a boy his
family moved to Ohio, and shortly after their
arriving John was sent to Kingsvilie academy,
Ashtabula county, for his education His
youthful life was very unsettled, and what
limited education he did receive was at
kingsville academy, located at Ashtabula
county, o. In 1888, at the age OF 10, he
lett his home to seek his fortune in the
West single-hanoed and without means He
first went TO Iowa, then into Missouri aud up
the Missouri river and the extreme western
boundary OF the state. In the spring of 1871, at
the early age of q. he helped to form the first
party TO cross the Rockies direct to California
At that time, General Bidwell thinks. there were
not over lU0 foreigners americans, British,
Germans and other nationalities) in California
scattered all over the state from San
Diego to sonoma. 1t was in camp
at Mount Diablo that General BidwelI
first heard of General sutter. who at
that time had begun a settlement land after
wards erected forD nea- tho Sacramento river,
within the present capital city of California to
which the general made his way. Since that
tine General Bidwells life has been a series OF
notable, stirring events. He engaged and re-
manned IN the employ OF Sutter; enlisted in de-
Tense OF California against insurrecton OF the
native chiefs. Castro and Alvardo, in
the revolt of 1874 and 1915. and acted as aid
de-camp 20 General Sutter till the war
ended by the expulsion OF the Mexican
Governor Niche toreua. shortly alter Caifor-
MIA had been admitted as q state, Young Bid
well then but u years OF age, was appointed by
General Fremont as magistrate OF SaSi Luis Rev
district. In the year of 1919, at the age OF 30 he
was chosen member OF the first constitution
convention OF California al Sacramento and in
the same year was elected to the senate OF the
first California Legislature. Ia 1855 he was a
delegate to the national Democratic convention
at Charleston. Eight years later he
appointed by Governor Stanford To
command the Fifth brigade. California militia.
serving till the close OF the civil war; In the
same year he was nominated aud elected TO the
Thirty ninth congress. Two years later he wa,
rendered denomination. but declined In 1873
he was nominated for governor of California on
the antimonopoly or non partisan state ticket.
He was delegate TO the anti-Chinese eonyen-
these he was the recipient of many other hoDors
equally great The following Iars General Bid
walls political sentiments as expYessed hv him
self MY politics are intensely Republican in
the sense OF that term used to bring that
party into existence in its mission TO pre-
serve the Union, tut am more than a RepubIi-
can; am II Prohibtionist, a native American
and anti-Chinese in the sense of wholesome re-
st-iction OF all foreign immigration, and anti
monopoist in the truest sense of the term
Personally General Bidwell Is tender, Kind
and benevolent TO q fault, and a strict Presbytc-
ran. BY his beuefact. ous he has acquired the
sobriquet of "Ihe Father OF Chico Among
his most noteworthy donations are an elegant
lot and sl3,501 toward the Presbyterian church
a 5000 site for the North California forestry
station, and Sl5.0J0 site for the Northern state
Branch Normal school, besides many theirs of
lesser note.