The record-union., 1896-03-12
SUFFERS FORT MUSEUM.
Relics Of Early Days That Have Been
Placed There.
A Few of Our Citizens Have Formed a
Nucleus, and Others Will Doubt
less Gladly Give.

A Record Union" reporter yesterday
.ook trip out to Suffers Fort TO De-
come acquainted with it. so to speak,
thing that it is to be feared many Sac
ramentans have not done since it was
turned over to the Native Sons and
dedicated.
AS everyone knows, the old fort mas
been repaired and renovated and re-
stored as nearly as possible TO the out
ward appearance that it bore IN the
days when the sight of 1T cheered the
weary immigrant after his long journey
of months across the plains ana over
the mountains toward the setting sum-
and when its big-hearted owner wei
coined Hospitality the sick and the un-
fortunate and gave to them from his
store
Outwardly, the appearance has been
restored, but the appearance that the
inside presented in those days will never
again be seen.
The usual accompaniments OF the
trading post the vaqueros, the Indians,
the hangers-on, the shelves full of goods
and the hustle of business have all
disappeared forever. In their place
reigns silence, except when Custodian
Todd, the old pioneer who cares for the
place, shows an infrequent party of
visitors through it and expatiates as
much as possible on the meager array OF
relics that are gathered there.
Only half century has passed since
General Sutter stood at the entrance to
welcome the immigrant trains that had
descended to the valley, and many are
now living in the State who gladly
A. - 1,;- 70 nd of "a
fort. Notwithstanding this, although it
is several years since the fort was rem
ovated, with the partial intention of
making it a museum of relics of the
early days, there have been very few
contributors to that end.
A year or two ago Charles Watt, who
was in the East, secured a large guam
tity of relics from Gettysburg at an ex-
pense of several hundred dollars and
presented them to the Native Sons, who
are the trustees of the fort. Since that
time Mr. and Mrs. F. w. Fratt and Van
Tine Arcega, with one or two others,
seem to be the only persons who have
thought of presenting any relics to be
placed in the fort. There must be
number of residents of the city and
State who have articles of the pioneer
times that would make valuable ad-
ditions to the collection, and who only
need to have their attention called to
the matter in order to induce them to
respond and to feel sure mat their do
nations viii be gladly received.
An inspection shows that at present
the relics and donations are as follows:
In the room known as Suffers Dis
tillery," f. w. Fratt has presented sew
eral pictures, one representing a griz-
zly bear killed about three miles from
Sacramento, where the Bryte ranch
now is, on September 9, 1850 (Admis-
sion Day., by Captain Pierce and Ed.
Gordan. The bear weighed 400 pounds
and was purchased by Mr.. Fratt Ger
81 1000. Next comes large picture of
the dam and power-house of the Fol-
som Power Company; a picture of a
bear, with motto t'Welcome N. S. G.
W.; a picture of the grizzly bear ''Mon-
arch,' which weighed 1000 pounds, and
a picture delineating the welcome given
by '49ers to the first steamer that ever
ascended the river to this city. She was
the Edward Everett, Captain William
V. Wells, which arrived at Sacramento
on August 10, 1S49. Among the miners
who are assembled are Mackey, Fair
and other well-known men.
In this room are a picture of a bear
and one of a bear cub and mule, painted
by Van Tine Arcega and presented by
him. There are also several sets of elk
and deer antlers, presented by M. F.
Odell
In the main fort, in the storeroom, are
a large drum left on East Middle street
in Gettysburg by the Louisiana Tigers,
and also a Union drum found there.
There are also two cases of Confederate
relics of that battle and a large number
of Union relics. These were presented
by Charles Watt. Then comes the
saddle of Marshall, the discoverer of
gold, and the rocker used by him, the
first used in the State.
Next is a faro lookout chair made in
Sacramento in 1S49 and used in the old
FL Dorado gambling saloon by Henry
Dart, who was afterward killed in a
fight at Second and J streets. This is
presented by Mr.. Frat, as are some
Christmas OK tails, and Mrs. Fratt pre-
sents cabestro, or lady's riding rope
holya y jarro, or drinking cup, and
water jug, known by the same name.