The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-06
DEATH OF SAMUEL DEAL,
He Was a Veteran of the Mex
lean War and a
Pioneer.
Wounded Fifty Years Ago-The
Funeral Takes Place To-
morrow Morning.

Thousands of his friends and acquaint-
ances throughout the Pacific States were
grieved to learn of the death of Samuel
Deal, which occurred after a lingering and
very painful illness Tuesday night at his
family home on Mission street.
From sketch of his life written by
Henry B. Livingston, historiographer of
the Society of California Pioneers, the SUBJ
joined excerpts are taken:
He was born at shippensburg, Pa, March 81,
1S2z, and at an early age pursued the ayoca-
ton OF harness-making. AS early as 1916 he
enlisted in his country's service as private in
Company d, Second Regiment Pennsylvania
Volunteers.
no less parsonage than John w. Geary, sub
sequently alcalde of Yerba Buena, first Mayor
OF San Francisco, and afterwards Governor of
Pennsylvania. In May the young soldier went
Vera Cruz and the memorable battlefield of
Cerro Gordo, arriving the night after that bril-
liant but bloody engagement
In September, 1S47, at Puebla, young Deal
was attached to Stept0e's battery, which he ac-
companied to the valley of Mexico. On the
day OF the capture of the city of the Montezu-
mas he did gallant service in Company Ell of
the Third Regiment of Artillery (regulars). He
was wounded in the side, but keeping stiff
upper lip he never finched or fa1tered. He
entered the City of Mexico with his battery of
four guns and eighty horses and encamped on
the plaza. Shortly thereafter he Transported
the sick and wounded OF his Pennsylvania
comrades to the army hospital at Jalapa
After the war was over Deal went to st. Jo-
seph in Missouri, but news of the gold dis
covery having reached there he at once turned
his face Pacidcwards, reaching Suffers Fort
August 81, lS49. He mined proftably on the
south fork OF the Yuba and also engaged in
teamlng. He erected the Union Hotel on X
street in Sacramento, of which he also became
the proprietor.
An eventful era in his life history soon
dawned. He was elected lieutenant of the
police force of Sacramento. How efficiently
duties devolving upon him during the ensu ing
ten years the writer of this sketch can bear
truthful testimony inasmuch as q. portion OF
leading daily journal of that city.
When Captain Deal was indicted into that
once there was very ugly element in the
carried on openly, and at the sci Dorado" and
other extensive gaming halls desperate affrays
and deadly encounters were almost of nightly
occurrence. Other houses of disrepute were
openly patronized by prominent citizens who
having lett their families thousands of miles
away, felt themselves under no moral restraint,
and consequently INDUCED in conduct no less
reprehensible than that of the culprits on the
prison brig or in the calaboose.
1t required greater nerve, bravery and reso-
luton to wage war against the turbulent and
reckless element of Sacramento society in those
early days than it did to face the swarthy foe
on the fields of Mexico. But before the expira-
ton OF Captain Deals term of office he, with
his able coadjutors, had produced SO radical a
transformation in the police department of
the city government that Sacramento could
justly be ranked among the most orderly and
law-abiding cities of the commonwealth
Under Governor Haight's administration Mr..
Deal occupied prominent position for four
years in the State Treasurer's Office. In 1875
he made San Francisco his permanent home.
Almost immediately he received the appoint
ment OF chief detective of the Central Pacific
Railway Company. To his courage, sagacity,
sound judgment and untiring zeal this corpo-
ration was indebted for invaluable services
rendered them in the capture and conviction
OF culprits who had destroyed and endangered
lives, committed forgery, perjury. arson and
for other offenses rendered themselves amena-
Bile to the criminal laws of the State.
During the last year the captain occupied q
position in the United States Mint but was
compelled owing to i'll health to tender his res
burg, Pa, to Miss Jane Blair in March, 1S49.
BY her he had q daughter since deceased; also
two sons, Samuel Deal Jr. and William c., both
OF whom are members OF the Pioneer Society
The father was also life mem Der of the frater-
n1ly, member of the Associated Mexican War
Veterans and prominent Mason and Odd Eel
low.
He was a useful and honorable member of the
community. Like all brave men, he was modest
and magnanimous Resolute and unflinching
in the hour Of danger, he was nevertheless pos
sessed of disposition so genial and compan-
ionable as to endear him to hosts of friends
throughout the State.
The funeral will be held in Pioneer Hall on
Friday morning at 10 O'Clock. Pallbearers will
be selected from the Pioneer, Masonic, Mexican
Veterans and Odd Fellows societies. The re-
mains will be conveyed to Cypress Lawn Gem
etery and there incinerated. The deceased was
70 years old.