The morning call., 1893-12-10

vice OF the American legation. Hero he
became fluent Spanish lnguist. AT the
age of % he entered the United States
army. and served through the Mexican
War on the staff of General Shields. He
arrived in California by wav of New Or
leans and Panama May 20, 1S49, settled at
Benlcla and became partner in the firm
of Semple, Robinson & Co. The same year
he was admitted to the bar.
On the rejection of the Mexican grant TO
were left without title to their lands and
houses. Mr.. Miner set about at once cor
rectlng the trouble and prepared bill,
which pa sed Congress. donating all the
land in the town TO the parties in possess
sion. As State Senator he also secured the
ne essary legislation to enforce the
national laws, and took several cases
which arose on the construction of those
| laws TO the Supreme Court, and was sue
cessful In all Of them. His worth as q
lawyer and legislator met with recognition.
and for the next twenty years he was con-
nected with all the more important legisla-
ton arising In Solano and Contra Costa
counties.
On the formation of the State Govern
ment he was elected Associate Justice of
The first Court of Sessions of Solano County.
In 1858 he was appointed by President
| Pierce as Collector of Customs for the
Northern District of California. In 1868
President of the Upper House of the State
Legislature.
In May. 1889, Mr.. Miner was appointed
by President Harrison Minister to the
Central American Republics. and by medi-
| alton did much toward the restoration of
peace between beligerent countries. His
career as diplomat. which promised TO
shed luster on him as we'll as the nation he
represented, was cut short BY the famous
Barrundis episode in August. 1890.
Jose Martin Barrundia, Minister of War
under Barrios, was held to be respons BILE
for barbarities committed during former
disturbances in Central America, and
when the last war broke out in Guatemala
was living in Mexico. He collected and
armed band at Tapachula with the in
tention OF entering Guatemala and raising
revolt against Barillas. He was arrested
while attempting to cross the boundary by
| Mexican soldiers, but released on condi-
tion that he leave Mexican soil. He was
deported al Acapulco. where he took pass
age on the Pacific Mail steamer Acapulco.
| Though he felt safe under the American
| flag thesGuAtemalan Government ordered
his arrest when the steamer should touch
at San jose. advices having been re-
| celved OF his coming. Captain Pitts
of the Acapulco would not al
low the Guatemalan officials to board
| his ship Some correspondence ensued
between Minister Miner and the Guate.
| malan Foreign Minister, in which the la T.
ter promised Barrundia should have fair
trial and not be put to death. Captain
Pitts called ON Captain Reiter of the
United States ship Ranger for assistance.
The latter asked for instructions from the
American Minister. who replied that il
the steamer Acapulco was in Guatemala u
waters the Guatemalan authorities could
exercise their legal jurisdiction. Captain
Fits obeyed, under protest. formal de-
mand for Barrnndia's surrender. When
Pitts Informed Barrundia that the Guaie-
malan officers had come to arrest him Bar
ruHdia rushed out with two revolvers.
which he had concealed. and fired at the
officers in charge of the arrestng party,
who fed into stateroOm. Going out OF
the cabin Barrundia was shot by five
soldiers, who fired their rifles simulta-
neousiy. Mr.. Miners return to this coast
soon afterward is two recent to need more
than mention.
He leaves a widow. one daughter-Mrs
Chase-and six sons-Willam g., Lansing,
Edgar, Addison. Hervey and Wilson. He
was life member of the California Pi0-
neers and belonged to Benicia Lodge No. g.
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
The funeral will take place Tomorrow al
II o'clock from st. PauI's Church, Benieia
and will be conducted by the Masonic
order. The interment will be in the fam
| lily plat In Benicia Cemetery.