The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-07-08

GEN. JOHN BIDwELL. as she had done
in gold. He did much to fulfill his own
prophecy, establishing one of the finest
vineyards on the coast, but when con-
verified to prohibition he had every vine
torn up and the roots burned!
He has had remarkable and varied
career. Born Aug. 5, 1919, in Chautau-
qua county, N. Y. and taken in early
boyhood to Erie, Pa, ne went thence to
Ashtabula, o., for an education, and
then taught school in Ohio and Missouri.
neer band to California which has fur
nished SO many materials to local histo-
rian and romancer. This was the first
band of settlers to cross the plains and
was six months on the way from Mis-
souri,. All the rest has been told by the
general himself in his admirable sketches
in The Century Magazine.
He was interpreter and aide-de-carnp
to Governor Michel Torena for year,
until the revolt of 1874 and 1S45 re-
suited in Governor Michel Torena's ex-
pulsion. Bidwell returned to Suffers
employ.
In ls49 he was member of the first
constitutional convention, and the fol-
lowing year was elected to the state SEN
ate. In 1855 he was a delegate to the
Democratic National Convention. Dur
ing the war he was brigadier general.
in command of the Fifth Brigade, Cali
ifornia militia. He was a member of
Congress from 1864 to 1866. In 1875 he
was candidate for governor. on the non
partisan and anti-monopoly ticket, but
was defeated, and few years later was a
candidate for governor on the prohibit
ton ticket
General Bidwell has acquired wealth
variously estimated at from 81 100000 to
81, 100000. For years his residence has
been in Butte county. There he has
one OF the largest fruit ranches in the
state, comprising more than 25, 900 acres.
His early connection with the govern
ment of California gave him knowledge
of land and titles, and he selected the
choicest soil in the state for his farm.
Of course General Bidwell planted
grapes. Moreover, they were wine
grapes. Five hundred broad acres were
nearly all in wine and brandy grapes.
When his output became large he set
up great winery and still house for
making brandy, with powerful engines
ana cosby machinery. For ~ years his
name stood next to the head in the list of
California's wine and brandy producers.
Some six or seven years ago General Bid
well found a second wife Her ideas
were strongly against the wicked liquor
traffic, and not long after his second mar
riage the wine grower became Prohi-
bitionist. He publicly announced he
would forthwith go out of the wine and
brandy business. All the vines that
were distinctively for the bearing of,
wine grapes he rooted out of the soil.
General Bidwell still raises grapes, but
he claims not for making wine. In re-
cent letter he stated the product of his
150-acre vineyard was more than L.
100000 pounds. These are classified as
table grapes. Bidwell sells his grapes,
and for what becomes of them he is not
responsible. There is not market for
250,000 tons of table grapes year from
the Rancho Chico, and they do not make
raisins in Butte county. 1t is figured,
moreover, that there is still in existence
much brandy and good red wine from
the Rancho Chico. But apart from all
this the Prohibition nominee is very
much of man. Tall, erect, in spite of
his three score and ten, with keen, deep
set eyes, broad, high forehead, clear
cut features and the full flowing beard
of a pioneer, personally General Bidwell
is a candidate who is good to look at.