The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-26
died TN AN OAKLAND
LODGING -HOUSE.
SUDDEN DEATH OF AN AGED
PIONEER MISSIONARY OF
CALIFORNIA.
TUMBLED SIXTY-FIVE FEET
NARROW ESCAPE OF A CARPENTER
FROM DEATH - WANT
FRANCHISE.

Rev. E. a. Hazen, the first Protestant
missionary to preach the gospel in Cali
fornia, died alone and in poverty in lodg-
lng-house at 517 Ninth street yesterday
morning. He had been suffering from
cancer Of the stomach for several months
past and left Tulare to come to this city to
be treated for the disease. When the land
lady, Mrs. Marsh, called him as usual yes
terday, there was no response, and an Off
Ger was called, who broke in the door and
found the body of the aged minister cold
in death.
From the indications death had come
suddenly. The features of the deceased
showed no signs of suffering.
Mr.. Hazen came to California by way of
Panama in 1851 and soon after established
a congregation at San Jose, later removing
TO Napa, where he was preaching the Cos
pei in 1854. In 1857 he preached at Yreka
and later at jacksonville, Grass Valley,
Santa Cruz and Bloomfield. Since that
time he has ministered to the spiritual
wants Of communities in various parts of
the State, his latest charge being at Tulare,
where he was stricken with the disease
which caused his death.
Several years ago Mr.. Hazen published
a book called Salvation to the Utter
AAOSl, III WnlCn he gave q Sk6tCQ OF his
life and the trials he had undergone while
following the vocation of an itinerant
preacher, drawing therefrom a strong in
ference as to the duties of man toward
Christianity. After the publication of the
volume he combined the occupation of
book agent for his own work as well as
that of other religious authors with his
preaching, in order to exc out livelihood.
Some years ago he separated from his
wife, who now lives in San Francisco,
where son, who is studying medicine,
also resides. Another son is engaged in
the practice OF law at MERGED.
Mr.. Hazen was 20 years of age and a
native of New York State. Early in life
he came West and graduated at Ann Arbor
College. Later he studied for the ministry,
becoming Methodist minister at the age
of 25.
The body was taken to the Morgue,
where an inquest will be held as soon as
the relatives OF the deceased can be COM
municated with.
Rev. DR.. Bentley of Berkeley, who was
intimately acquainted with Mr.. Hazen,
speaks of him in the highest terms, saying
that his teachings have been of vast benefit
TO the people wherever he has preached,
and paying high tribute to his self-sacri-
nee and religious convictions.
Lucky He Is Alive.
owen Pearson, a carpenter, who for some
time past has been engaged in the con-
struction of building at Seventeenth and
Broadway, can congratulate himself on be-
ing the Iuck1est man in Oakland to-day.
be was occupied yesterday morning in Sc
curing staging on the side of the build
ing slxty-hve feet from the ground, when
his loot caught in some of the lumber on
the seaffold and he was precipitated to the
grUufd below. A cry of horror went up
from those who witnessed the fall and a
number Of people rushed forward to assist
in gathering up his bleeding remains.
Their shouts changed to EXPLANATIONS of
wonder when Pearson was seen to alight
IN a buggy standing close to the building,
from which he rebounded into the street
He arose laughing, felt himself to ascertain
whether any bones had been broken and
then went back to his work. His almost
miraculous escape was due 20 his presence
Of mind IN grasplng at rope which was
dangling from the staging. Though he did
not get firm grip on the line, his hold
was sufficient to break the force OF the fall
and, instead of the broken bones which
must have otherwise resulted, all the in
iuries he now has to show are a couple of
skinned fingers where the rope slipped
through.
81 can hardly describe nv sensations
while falling" he said yesterday, "but l
must say that l am a firm believer in that
old saw about mans whole life passing
in review before his mind while he is fall
ing TO almost certain death. / used to
laugh at such ideas, but know now that
they are all right. That rope flashed past
my eyes as was falling, and put out my
hand and seized il almost instinctively
Otherwise ! would not be talking to you
now. Of course l feel sore from my bruises,
but unless something more serious de-
velops | shall not lose any sleep over the
matter.
Asking for Franchise.
Daniel Chisholm and II. D. Peterman
appeared before the Board of Supervisors
at the meeting yesterday and asked for a
franchise for an electric road to connect
Haywards, Mount Eden and Warm
Springs. They asked that the privilege be
granted for fifty years. A resolution was
passed calling for bids for the franchise,
and fixing Monday, the 18th prox., as the
date on which they are TO be opened.
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