The record-union., 1895-04-30
THE LIFE OF PIONEER WIN. GWYNN.
Some Interesting Points in His Long
and Active Career.
He Was the First Postmaster OF Au-
burn, Placer County, and a Leader
In Many Enterprises.

died In Durango, Mexico, which fact was
duly chronicled in the local press. MIR.
Gwynn was a member of the Pioneer
Society of this city, which body appointed
a committee, composed of II. 7. Holmes.
E. D. Shirland and T. II. Russell, to pre-
pare sketch of his life, as he was prom
inent figure in public affairs, especially
during the years embracing the organiza-
ton of the State, and 1t was deemed hitting
by his pioneer associates that some recog-
milton be made of his enterprise and
public spirit. This committee reported
at the last meeting of the society, as fol-
lows:
Mr.. Gwynn was born at Baltimore,
Maryland, April IA, 1922. He was a son
of j. K. Gwynn. he received his educa-
ton In the city OF Baltimore, and was tor
time Secretary of the Commercial
Library of that city. He left Baltimore
on the 10th of December, lS4S, and came
to California, via Panama, arriving at
San Francisco, May Is, 1919. he began
business in Sacramento City, with
branch house at Woods Dry Diggings,
now Auburn, Placer County.
Mr.. Gwynn was one Of the parties that
named Auburn. He was Auburn's first
Postmaster, and was, in fact, leader Of all
the business Of the transactions of that
town. He built the National Hotel, at
that time the only frame building of the
kind in Auburn.
The Legislature of 1851, by an Act Gre
sting the new counties of Nevada, Placer,
Trinity and klamath, cut the town off
from SuEter, again bringing it within the
boundary of the new county of Placer
and declaring it the county seat This
Act also provided for the holding of
special election for the organization of
the county, and appointed Joseph
Walker, II. NJ. House. d. Fry, William
Gwynn and lothian Roberts commit
Eeeman of said election. The election
was held and officers duly elected.
lie was the leading spirit in starting
the first newspaper published in Placer
County now the Placer Herdtd), and
donated lot for that purpose. He erected
saWmlIls upon Bear River, operated
lime works above Auburn, was one of
the parties who started the first telegraph
line in this State, then known as the Alta
California Telegraph Company, building
the line from Auburn to Nevada City and
Grass alley, afterwards extending the
line from Auburn south to Georgetown,
PIacerville and to Sacramento.
lie was the dIscoverer of the Alabaster
Cave IN FL Dorado County. He was a
man full of energy and perseverance,
and was several times during his life a
rich man. He left Auburn and went to
Marysvllle about the year 1888 and estab-
lished himself in the lime business, erect
ing lime works on the west branch of the
Feather River and at Wolf Creek, Ne
vada County, also at Auburn, where he
received his supplies, He remained in
Marysville and conducted busip 9ss until
1863, when he went to Sacramento and
associated with his brother-ln- law, II. L.
Holmes, in the lime business.
While in Sacramento he was one of the
parties TO promote the erection of Pio-
= 4Dl hat fl,N Il
have building of their own, aud he be-
came life member. He attempted the
reclamation of the Lisbon District, on the
\ Olo side Of the river, at an enormous
expense. he raised leyee all around
the district, but before completion a
freshet came and destroyed miles of it.
Again ana again was the levee built, only
TO be washed away by the force of the
water. After sinking his entire fortune
in the enterprise he was forced to give it
up.
He then went to Mexico, hoping to re-
trieve his fortune, having small inter-
est in mine in that country. When he
arrived at his destination he found that
the mine was good one, but with their
crude way OF working it could not be
made to pay. 1t was hundreds of miles
away from any road, all machinery or
supplies were landed at Mazatlan aud
mule-packed over the mountains With
Ia
Gwynn, he proceeded with the work with
determination TO make it pay and sue
ceeded so well that when the writer of
this article visited the mine about one
year ago he found that hundreds of thou
sands had been invested for the latest
improved machinery, which was all in
good order and working at the mine. He
was informed that the outlay, with these
improvements, was paid out of the earn
ings OF the mine, and that every dollar
paid out was returned back in dividends
but at that time the price of silver was so
low it was not profitable to disburse it.
With an experience Of thirty-five years
with Mr.. Gywnn in business, l consider
him an honest man. He erred many
times with persons who came in contact
with him in business. He was poor
judge of the character OF many, as he
considered them honest, especially those
who came TO him for loans aud assist
ance, Hundreds and thousands went
away ungrateful for his kind acts. His
residence was the daily throng of many
tramps who made it their rendezvous,
and they never went away without re-
ceiving his aid.
Death has claimed another of the mem
bers of this society-WiIliam Gwynn. 1t
is but due to his memory that we should
record our estimate of his character as
we have observed it in the years Of our
association with him. lie was true
representative of the Pioneers OF Cali
nia-a man of indomitable energ- of
tireless activity and of strict integrity.
In the enterprises in which he engaged
in the community in which he lived, he
was far-seeing, progressive, and a leader
He was never daunted by reverses that
swept away his entire fortune. Age did
not quench the fire of his enterprise.
When a reverse came upon him at time
of life that would have disheartened the
most reliant he met it with his old-time
energy. and in a measure Tegaiued his
fortune. The impress he made on the
communities in which he has lived will
remain TO exercise its influence for good.
II will be gratifying to consumers to
note that the quality of the baking pow