The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-06-15
ANOTHER PIONEER PASSES AWAY.
Death of DR.. William W. Light Last
Evening.
A Man Who Had Experienced Many
Vfcissitudes-Ups and Downs
In Mexico.

DR.. William W. Light. the well-known
dentist and President of the Pioneer
Society, died at his home in this city last
evening at the age of IS years, 10 months
and 10 days.
Few among the early settlers were bet
ter known in this part of the State than
DR.. Light He was somewhat eccentric"
In his ways-at least hs differed from the
general run OF men, being man OF strong
individuality and very set in his views
on many things. He was bluff and plain
spoken to degree that caused those who
did not know and understand him to re-
gard him as somewhat rough, but ne had
big heart and was generous almost to
fault. In reality he was a man OF most
kindly heart, and those who knew him
best loved and esteemed him most. lie
was especially popular among his fellow
Pioneers, who at their last election made
him their President.
He was a member of Tehama Lodge,
No. 3, +. and A. NJ, which body will
have charge of the funeral. The services
will take place at p NJ. on Sunday from
Masonic Hall.
DIR. Light was born on the Doth of July,
1919. on farm near the town of Bethel,
Claremont County, Ohio. General Grants
birthplace was near by, and they were
schoolmates in their boyhood days.
Young Light was among the first to con-
graduate Grant when the latter received
his appointment 10 West Point. lie
studied medicine in Cincinnati at Is years
OF age, and was in partnership with his
brother George in a chemical laboratory.
In 1910 he began the study OF dentistry
and practiced that profession IN Cincln-
natl until he started for California III
January, 1S49. coming by way OF the
Isthmus. There was much sickness at
Panama, and DR.. Light being delayed
there two months did much for those at
tackled by the fever. Finally he and 362
others secured passage on the old whaler
Humboldt and after hard passage OF
l02 days reached San Francisco.
Dr.. Light came direct TO Sacramento
and at once secured employment with the
Ormsbys, who had set up a primitive
sort of mint and we're coming money In "a
double sense. DR.. Light got $50 day Tor
his services, but the mining fever struck
him ana he quit and went TO Weaver
vile, near Placerviile, and there dug for
gold with Indifferent success. Then he
went to the vicinity of Single Springs,
where he did better.
After q while he went to Tuolumne
County, thence TO Stanislaus, following
the rumors of rich gold strikes, and
finally III 1851 he turned up again in Sac
ramento. He then engaged in the prac-
tice of medicine with Drs. Ames ana Nc
X emile, and the cholera epidemic of the
following year gave them plenty to do.
He engaged in the practice of dentistry
after the Hood of 1852 and was in partner
ship with DR.. Pierson up to 1863 He
still had mining interests. but they were
in Sonora, Mex, and in 1868 he went
there to inspect the mines. He refused
to make glowing report of the prop
erty, but the others interested effected a
sale of the mines, DR.. Lights share
amounting to $4,000. This money the
doctor never received, for the agent to
whom it was paid decamped and went to
Europe.
DR.. Light officiated as surgeon during
the Macmillan war, and the story is told
that a soldier whom he had betriended
directed him to mine OF fabulous rich
ness. DR.. Light named it the Dos Her
manos, erected a smelter and got out
great quantities of bullion, which was
sent by pack train to Hermosillo.
one day DIR. Lights camp was attacked
by Indians. His brother, A. A. Light,
and his nephew were killed, and DIR.
Light himself was several times wounded
IN fierce hand-to-hand fight with the
savages, but he drove them Oft. He finally
abandoned the mine, leaving it to be
worked on percentage system, but the
men who took it soon left.
DIR. Light came to Sacramento to organ
ize a company, but could not get the kind
OF men he wanted to engage in the enter
prise, SO he abandoned it. The Govern
ment, it was then thought. would annex
Sonora, as it had heavy claims against
that State, among them being that of DIR.
Light for $500. 900, but the money never
materialiZed.
Mrs. Light died while they were in
Mexico. She was formerly Mrs. Z. NJ.
Weber, and was woman of talent. DIR.
Light again took up the practice of dem
tistry here, and followed it until his
death.