The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-06-07
THE LATE CAPTAIN SAMUEL DEAL.
Something of the WeIl-Known De-
tectiye's Life.
His Gallant Service in the Mexican
War-A Terror to Eyii-DoerS
in This City.

Captain Samuel Deal will be buried in
San Francisco at 10 O'Clock to-day. and
delegations from the Pioneers, Masons,
Mexican War Veterans and odd Fellows
will join with other citizens in paying
due respect to his memory. The body
will be incinerated. From a sketch Of
his life written by Henry B. Livingston,
historiographer of the Society of Calitor-
MIA Pioneers, The following is taken:
He was born at Shlppensburg, Penn,
March 81, 1872, and at an early age pur-
sued the avocation OF harness-ma AS
early as 1916 he enlisted in his country's
service as private in Company ID, Second
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers.
The Lieutenant-ColOneio OF the regiment
was no less a parsonage than John w.
Geary, subsequently Alcalde OF Yerba
Buena, first Mayor OF San francisco, and
afterwards Governor of Pennsylvania.
In May The young soldier went to New
Orleans, and from there journeyed to
Vera Cruz aud the memorable battlefield
of Cerro Gordo. arriving the night after
that brilliant but bloody engagement.
In September, 1917, at PneUla, young
Deal was attached To Steptoe's Battery.
which be accompanied TO tho valley Of
Mexico. On the day of the capture of
the city OF the MonteZumaS he did
gallant service in Company ii of
the Third Regiment of Artillery
tregulars). He was wounded in the
side, but, keeping a stiff upper lip. he
never tlincheI or faltered. he entered
the City of Mexico with his battery of
four guns and eighty horses, and en-
camped on The plaza. Shortly thereafter
he transported the sick and wounded OF
his Pennsylvania comrades to the army
hospital at Jalapa.
Alter the war was over Deal went to
ST. Joseph, in Missouri, but news Of the
gold discovery having reached there he
at once turned his face Paciticwards
reaching Suffers Fort August 81, 1919.
He mined protitably on the South Fork
OF the uba,N and also engaged in teaming.
He erected the Union Hotel on Second
street in Sacramento, OF which he also
became the proprietor.
An eyentful era in his life history soon
daWned. lie was elected Lieutenant of
the police force Of Sacramento. How
efficiently and satisfactorily be per-
formed the arduous duties devolving up
on him during the ensuing ten years the
writer of this sketch can bear truthful
testimony, inasmuch as portion of that
period he was one OF the editors of the
leading daily journal of that city.
When Captain Deal was indicted into
that office there was a very ugly ele-
ment in the criminal class of Sacramento.
Gambling was carried on openly, and at
the eel Dorado' and other extensive
gaming halls desperate ARRAYS and deadly
encounters were almost of nightly occur
renee. Other houses of disrepute were
openly patronized by prominent citizens,
who, having left their families thousands
of miles away, felt themselves under no
moral restraint, and consequently in
dulged in conduct no less reprehensible
than that Of the culprits on the prison
brig or in the calaboose.
it required greater nerve, bravery and
resolution to wage war against the turbu-
lent and reckless element of Sacramento
society in those early days than it did to
face the swarthy foe on the fields of Mex
leo. But before the expiration of Captain
DEALS term of office he. with his able CO.
adjutors, had produced so radical trans
formation in the police department of the
city government that Sacramento could
Justly be ranked among the most orderly
and law-abiding cities OF the common
wealth.
Under Governor Haights administra-
ton Mr.. Deal occupied prominent posi-
ton for four years in the State Treasurer's
office. In 1875 he made San Francisco
his permanent home. Almost lmme-
diately he received the appointment Of
chief detective of the Central Pacific Rail-
way Company. To his courage, sagacity,
sound Judgment ana untlrlng zeal this
corporation was indebted for invaluable
services rendered them in the capture and
conviction OF culprts who had destroyed
and endangered lives, committed forgery,
perjury, arson and for other otfenses rem
dered themselves amenable to the crimi-
nal laws of the State.
During the last year the Captain occu-
pied position in the United States Mint,
but was compelled, owing to i'll health, to
tender his resignation. The deceased was
married in Pittsburg, Pa, to Miss Jane
Blair in March, 1S49. By her he had a
daughter, since deceased; also, two sons,
Samuel Deal, Jr., and William c., both of
whom are mem bers of the Pioneer So
ciety. The father was also life member
of the fraternity, member of the Assoc
ciated Mexican War Veterans and
prominent Mason and Odd Fellow.
He was useful and honorable member
of the community. Like all brave men,
he was modest and magnauimous. Reso-
lutte and untlinching in the hour of dam
ger, he was nevertheless possessed of a
disposition so genial and companionable
as to endear HIM to hosts Of friends
Throughout. The State.
Captain Samuel Deal was brother of
DR.. ". Grove Deal, who represented
Sacramento District in the first Assem- bly,
of the State.
He was also a brother of Rev. David
Deal. pioneer Methodist minister and
at one time Presiding Elder of this dis
trict. Both are dead.