The herald., 1894-03-02
DEATH OF EX-GOVERNOR DowSEY.

But very few persons in the city
knew that Hon. John G. Downey, ex-
governor of the state of California, had
been out of his usual health when his
death was made public shortly after
noon yesterday. 1t seems, however,
that he had been i'll for several days
from q malignant cold, and that last
Saturday symptoms of pneumonia set
in. He rallied from this, however, but
soon after q relapse took place, and he
kept on growing worse till the end came
at noon yesterday.
Ex-Governor Downey has played so
conspicuous part in the history of this
state, and especially OF this county, that
his death will be the subject of concern
and comment in all parts of California.
He was born in Ireland. but came to the
United States when lad. He arrived
in San Francisco in 1850, where he
staid but short time, when he came to
Los Angeles, and with DR.. J. r. Nc
Farland opened a drug store. He has
been citizen Of Los Angeles ever since.
In 1869 he was elected lieutenant-gov-
ernor of the state on the ticket headed
by Milton S. Latham. At the meeting
of the legislature Latham was chosen
United States senator, and Mr.. Downey
became governor.
His administration was marked by
vigor, energy, business ability, patriotic
loyalty and shrewd conservatism fhat
| Yeunzrva :. .-s..s..sl,- -spuIar. His
strength OF character was brought prom
inentlv out in his veto of the famous
bulkhead bill. Levi Parsons, man OF
great resources and enterprise, had or
ganized a corporation to build a bulk
head in front of the city and take pos
session OF the whole harbor wharfage.
After one of the most exciting struggles
ever witnessed in the Legislature the bill
was passed, and only the governor stood
between the placing of the entire COM
merce of California under toll to a prl-
vste corporation and the control OF the
harbor front by the state. The measure
was backed with tremendous and almost
irresistible influence; but Governor
Downey had the backbone to veto the
bill and save San Francisco and tn
state from great calamity.
The war of the rebellion broke out
during Governor Downey's administr a.
ton, and from the fact OF his associa'
tions and his presumed sYmpathles, 1t
was feared by many that he would
throw the weight of his influence IN
favor Of neutral policy on the part o.
this state. But those who thus though
were greatly mistaken. He pursued {
strictly loyal course, approved all The
steps taken for the maintenance OF the
union, armed and equipped six Cali
fornia regiments to take the field II
Arizona and Texas and to prevent o
put down any Indian or other troubled
in Utah or the frontier territories. Th
raising OF these regiments put an end t
, all talk about Pacific republic, Whicl
was a somewhat taking topic in thes
= southern counties at that time, an
, operated to preserve the integrity OF tn
, union on this coast beyond the perad
venture OF doubt.
The dead ex-governor has lived a yer
! unobtrusive life for the past eleve
T years. Tbs tragical termination OF hi
4 frat wife in the Tehachspi railroad dis
,, sster, in 1888, from which he himsel
e sscsned as if by q miracle. cast shsdo
i over his career from which he never en-
= tirely emerged. He married yer
u estimAbie lady four years ago, and he
g death, q yea- since, WAS another sever
ii domestic blow TO him.
q Ex-Governor Downev became lars
4 landholder in this county at vel
y early day, and his property in this Gil
!. was very coRsiderAble. His wealt
= twelve yesrs ago was estimated by or
familiar with bis affairs at 81, 500, 90
d We very much doubt whether it cou
t. now be appraised st more than tn
n figure, as some important portions OF
ia have rather detcriorsted than advance
# in val1e. At one time he wss the own
10 of the Santa Gertrudes rsuchc, a tract
al land Of 80, 600 acres, including within
to limits Downey City, and the rich vail
is lands known as Los Nietoa. At
n. early date he cut up this fine ranch in
IN email farms and sold it at the rate of
tn an acre on easy terms, and 1t becSu
re one Of the most fourishing and produ
II tive gections Of our county.
in Governor Downey was peculiar
d. GONE respects, and was very set a
We immovable in those opinions he h
nd deliberately formed. At the time of t
to exciting contest over the new constit
:" tion he took strong and determin
is stand ia favor of that instrument. I