The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-04-18
B. +. DENNISON DEAD.
A Famous Old Pioneer 0f Cal
ifornis and Washington.
CROSSED THE PLAINS IN 's4s.
I x1unupr PnrarsAgs, shs ChiaAGo Whoae
speculasor, who Woa and Loss
Millions, Dead.

OLYMPIA. April r.-spec,al--Judse b. =.
I,eunison died at II O'Clock last night X
his home In this city. Of dropsy-
BENJAMIN r. Dennsion was one OF the
Arxonauis Of California He Was born IN
Burke Caledonia county. VT. IN iszs. HE
was fitted for college al the Newpury
Methodist university, and graduated In
LA, from Dartmouth college at Hanover.
n H. During the -Tippecanoe campaign
In 1870 though not old enough 90 vote, ne
was an active member OF the Wing poli'i-
cal club OF his college, and was a partici-
.ant Ia the county and state demonSfra-
fIons listening to the speeches OF Web
ster clsoate johnson and other great ora
tors of that period. After his graduation
he went to Akron. o.. and engaged In the
reading of Law, which he continued az
Cleveland In the office OF Reuben WOOD,
vino was subsequently elected supreme
Judge and governor of the state. and was
admitted 10 practice In the court of com
mon pleas and lit the supreme court IN lsf
lie then opened an Office for the purpose
OF practicing. but upon the discovery OF
gold In California, inbued with the spirit
Of adventure. he joined company OF sew
en- young men. who proceeded to Louisville
and purchased prairie outfit. with mule
teams, and ia the spring OF bfs started
across the plains for California. Being IN
experienced In prairie travel. Their prog
ress was fraught with many dangers and
adventures. Their teams soon became ex-
hausted from too rapid driving. and by
making haste in the start their arrival IN
California WIS delayed. They were chased
By wild Indians. and saved from massacre
only by reaching camp OF enisrants.
About so miles o.it from Sacramento they
were oserpowered IN the night. robbed Of
their mules and left almost destitute
They then made small packs OF their sup
plies, and each with one blanket set forth
on foot. The Digger Indians gave them
much trouble at night. and. though caught
IN the mountains in snow. they dare not
make fire for fear of Indians With scanty
supplies OF food and clothing they were
miserable indeed. Their food ultimately
gave out and for three DAYS they lived on
sugar and water alone. Six months were
consumed In this weary journey, and they
arrived In the Sacramento valley In half
starved condition, with only their clothes
upon their backs financially dead broke"
even pawning a revolver for q square meal
Mr.. Dennison began mining upon the
south fork OF American river. but soon
contracted fever and ague and became un-
ut for labor. He then went to Sacrament
TO. and after recuperating presented a
letter of credit which he brought from
New York city. drawn upon Simmons &
Hutchinson. merchants of that city.
After he had described his condition and
circumstances Mr.. Hutchinson gave Dem
nison $50 and an order for a bill OF goods.
which he advised him to take to Marys-
Vile and sell, that being a central point
for miners. He followed his advice and
with t200 worth of sugar. bacon and camp
supplies he hired boat and two men
to take him to that place. Accomplishing
his journey. his stock was quickly sold at
100 per cent. net profit. and he thus raised
his FIRST stake. Returning to Sacramento
and paying his bills. he then went to San
Jose for his health. and after gaining a
little strength he hired two Indians and
went to tho Mariposa mines. where he
was successful. though unable to do any
thing himself. After about two months
he went to Los Angeles. then a city of
adobe houses and vineyards. He engaged
In tho practice of law. was elected one OF
three county Judges. and also engaged In
tho wholesale grocery and hardware busi-
ness. under the firm name OF Chiids Hicks
4 Dennison. and continued business for
two years. realizing very large profits He
then sold out and by private carriage
drove north with view OF returning to
Ohio. but upon arriving at Stockton and
learning that cholera was very fatal upon
the isthmus he changed his plans and
sailed for tho Hawaiian Islands. taking
with him quantity OF California saddles,
brides. etc, for sale. These sold rapidly
In the market OF Honolulu. paying a very
handsome profit and affording him a con-
siderable amount OF ready cash. The OPP
por,unity Judge Dennison improved. and
returning 10 San Fancisco sold his drafts
at : premium thus converting his pleas
ure trip to one or considerable profit
Judge Dennlson then located In Monterey
and resumed tho practice Of his profession
In tho courts OF that city. Santa Cruz and
San Jose.
In ISIS Judge Dennison came to Puget
sound and located at whatcom. which
was then a settlement of 3ooo people iiv-
ing In tents awaiting the opening OF the
trail 10 the Fraser river mines The ROAD
was subsequently, decided impracticable
and the people dispersed. many going to
Victoria and advancing by water. The
Judge opened his office and engaged I'm
practice. meeting among others Mike Sim
mons, the old Indian agent. Il. &, Fitx-
hugh. who was subsequently, appointed
district Judge OF Washington TERRITORY
aud Col. II. II. Shaw. now OF Vancouver
With the scattering of the miners What
com became very quiet. and Judge ponni-
son removed to Port Townsend and =
tabltshed n home and continued hts rro-
fession. In 1868 he was appointed terri
toriai associate Judge and in 1863 terrific
rial chief justice by President Grant. but
after one year resigned to follow his Iarg.
and lucrSiye practice as attorney for the
representative min companies then To-
Gated upon the Sound. About 1870 the
Judge moved TO Olympia; subsequently, 10
Portland. Where ne practtceu In partner
ship with Gov. A. .. Gibbs for two ya,rs
and then TO Vancouver. where he followed
general practice until iSSa. While 81
Portland he married Miss Hattie Menefee.
native OF Iowa. who was appointed post
mistress at Vancouver by President Ar
thur. and discharged the duties OF that
office for Ave years. In 1879 the Judge re-
turned 20 Olympia and devoted his time
TO cases In the Federal. and supreme
courts through which he has carried many
an intricate and complex case to sue
cessful termination.
Tho FIRST snit ever brought In the terri
tory TO establish the right Of dover was
brought by Judge Dennison before Juare
William Strong In behalf OF Mrs. Ehv.
widow OF Col Ely. collector OF customs
who was masSacred on WILDLY island hv
tho Northern Indians. The Jadse defend
ed the widows rights and established aer
claims. and that decision has since Stood
upon the statute books never having been
called In question. Commencing HIS no.
ltcal life rs WhlE. Judge Dennison then
jOined the Republican party, aud ever
continued one OF its earnest and faithff,,
sdhercn;s. Tie served tao terms in IRE
territorial legislature. one term as prast-
dent Of the council and one in The lower
\ house