The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-27
FRIENDS OF '49
WILL MISS HIM
Old Pioneers Mourn the
Loss Of Captain
Swasey.
To Be Buried by the Soclely
of California Pioneers
To-Day.
He Was a True Friend to This State
in Deeds as Well as in
Words.

There was an air of solemnity and sad
ness pervading the rooms OF the Society
of California Pioneers yesterday. No man
in the society was better known than
Captain William +. Swasey, whose death
occurred Friday night, and he was uni
versallv popular. For the last few years
he has been a daily visitor at the society's
rooms in the Pioneer building and among
those with whom be thus came in contact
and whose friendship extended back to
the days when the State was young the
news of his death was a severe shock.
Captain Swasey's funeral will be con-
Quoted from Pioneer Hall to-day at 80
o'clock by the Society of California Pio-
neers, who are expected TO turn out IN
large numbers. The services will be con-
Quoted by Rev. W. W. Case and the music
is TO be furnished by the kuickerbocker
Quartet. The interment will be in Pho
neer plat OF the Masonic Cemetery.
Captain Swasey's memory is revered by
his comrades in the early battles OF Cali
fornia, not only on account OF the valiant
part which ne himself took in the struggle
but for the vigorous manner in which he
has defended from slurs and aspersions
the brave men who fought and toled By
his side. His work, The Early Men and
DAYS of California" is considered by tie
earlv settlers q most fair and exhaustive
history of California, and the kindly and
generous manner in which he has dealt
with all the builders OF the State common
wealth but betokens the character of the
man.
Although Captain Swasey himself p aged
a remarkable part in the preservation Of
California for the Union, lie is extremely
modest in recountlng his own deeds and
only in occasional incidents, introduced to
show the spirit of the times. Is the energy
and bravery Of the man partially revealed.
The following extract from his work Is In
point:
Early in March, 1916, l started for
Monterey. On arriving ut San Jose the
news reached there OF Fremont being en-
camped on the Gavilan Peak, on the east
side OF Salinas Valley, and surrounded by
a force of MeIicans under General Castro.
Captain G. NJ. Weber Immediately called
together the Americans residing at San
Jose for the purpose OF taking some action.
3 II was concluded TO send a courier north
10 arouse the American settlers and mes
senger to Fremont. John Daubiness was
selected 10 go north and | was selected TO
take the message to Fremont.
'At that time Captain Weber kept a
public house (or fonda) i'll San Jose. In
the barroom a crowd OF Californians were
piaying monte. Their horses were
hitched outside Daubiness surreptitious-
" took one and l another. He started
north and l south on our missions. On
nv way south, after passing through q
gap in the hills about fourteen miles
below San Jose, overlook a band OF
Indians driving lot of horses they had
stolen toward Tulare. l hesitated some
time, not knowing how L was to get by
them. Finally l struck the spurs into
my horse, and, with an American yell,
dashed through Them, they scattering on
every side panic-stricke1. l never turned
my head, but kept right on, and was not
followed
The courier had more serious adven-
ture on this ride, for when the foothills
north of San Juan Mission were reached
he came in plain sight of mum Der of
Castro soldiers. To prevent being taken
as spy he rode boldly into the Mexica n
camp. explaining his presence by exhibit
ing credentials TO Consul Larkln, then in
Monterey. Castro vigorously cross-ques-
tione ed the American as to the whereabouts
of Fremont, but Swasey feigned Ignorance.
The: Mexican: commander then insisted
that Swasey: should ride with his party to
Monterey: but Swasey made his escape
the. next.day with little difficulty and sue
cessfully: delivered his message into the
hands General Fremont.
:. Captain S3wasey. afterward joined Gen =
eraI Fremont.in whose service he prove
a brave sold Ter. A. detailed biography wa s
published in 4 he CALL yesterday morning.
Captain: sw asey ieaves a widow, Mrs. H.
2 Il. Swasey,,:: two: daughters, Miss Ada
Swasey. OF New York, who writes under
the name of AdaLee Bascem; Mrs. Travor
Cory, and son, Henry S. Swasey, both
of this City,: A. brother, Judge G. A.
Swasey, and a sister. Mrs. Amanda Heron,
live in Alameda. There are other rela-
tives in the East.