davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-30
A Postmaster-G General IN the Golden State.

One of the many valuable historical
documents which the late Frank McCop-
pin had in his possession was an order
establishing the office of Postmaster Cen
eraI in California in 1S48. Very few people
are aware that California, mere State,
ever boasted Postmaster General. Will
liam V. Voorhies was his name, and. by
virtue of the commission he held from the
chief 0 fthe Postoffice Department at Wash
ington he was authorized to establish
and maintain postal system west OF the
Rocky Mountains. This was nearly fifty
years ago. The result of his lapors has
been practically obliterated by the rapid
growth and development of the Pacific
Slope and his identity lost sight of, until
a historical document came to light the
other day which on its face shows the re-
sponsible and stupendous task he under
took to perform.
The document referred to is the COM
mission of William v. Voorhies from
the then Postmaster-General, G. johnson,
ito act as agent for the United States
Government in making arrangements for
the establishment of postefices and for
the transmission, receipt and conveyance
of letters in California" It is dated No
vemb ber 1, 1848, and subsequent events
show that agent or Postmaster-General
voorhies was not long in getting into the
field.
The interesting old relic came recently
into the possession of Postmaster McCop-
pin, it having been sent to him by gen.
tleman living in Sonoma. Where the COM
mission has been since the time OF Mr..
Voorhies would be hard to tell, the last
owner merely writing that he found it
slowed away in an old trunk, ana had no
knowledge as to how long it had been
there or where it came from.
1t is curious old document, written in
sirlish hand, upon legal cap paper, and
neatly tied with green ribbon. from which
the luster has long since faded. They did
not have typewliting machines in those
days, but there can be no rightful CON-
plant on that score, for the chirography
is exceedingly legible, despite its age.
The commission itself is interesting
reading as it outlines the establishment
of postal system in California that could
grow and expand with the growth ana ex-
pansion of the country without entailing
an extra expense at any time on the
country. The document reads as follows:
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-30

theUnied States Governments
entofb
the animals known
to haven the
until the evenuec cutters from
United Government 1t
future
of
of
the
hopefully the first to declare
which everybody might
sections needed tabng
the Dogs had plenty and the little
small sled with miners outfit for miles and miles hard frozen
animal needed Oxen tried failed than owing
weh m a be eel n SO
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-30

lantic coast, andl 1919 cents between any
places on the Pacific. Double, treble letters
and SO on, will be chargable with double
treble and the like increase in rates. am re-
spectfuily, your obedient servant.
c. JOHNSON, Postmaster-General.
WILLIAM V. VOORHEES, ESQ, Present.
Evidently when Mr.. Voorhies arrived
in California he found that his chief in
formation on the needs of the country
was incorrect, for although he established
nine postoffices in this State during 1S49,
only one point suggested by Postmaster
General Johnson was included in the list.
OF course the rush of gold-hunters which
occurred about that time must have had
some effect upon the selection of settle
ments that could support postoffices ac-
cording to the Postmaster ideas.
The points at which Offices were located
in 1849 are as follows: Monterey, Salt
Lake, Vernon, Stock on, San Jose, Colo
ma, Sacramento City, Benicia and So
noma.
1t was not until April, 1S49, that San
Francisco had a postmaster. Samuel
Yorke At Lee, the gentleman mentioned
in the conn ission, refused to venture into
the far West. as did also Stephen J.
OdlidS, VINO WAS dppOlutcQ tWCltc Qdyo
later and John W. Geary commissioned
January %, 1S49 Jacob B. Moore finally
accepted the appointment OF Postmaster
at San Francisco, assuming the duties OF
office April Is, 1849. He served until
March 26. 1858, when he was succeeded by
Thomas ]. Henley. Since then the fol-
lowing postmasters have served in this
City, the date of appointment being after
their names:
Charles L. Weller, July 10, 1854; Sam
uel H. Parker, April 4, 1861; Richard F.
Perkins, January %. 1864; Holland Smith.
July 25. 1868; James Coey, May 81, 1869;
N. b. Stone, May IL, 1870; James Coey,
March 80, 1874; Samuel Backus. May e.
1882; WNam ]. Bryan, June 81, 1886;
Samuel Backus. May IA. 1890; Frank Nc
Coppin, August A. 1894. who held the
office until his death last Wednesday.
William V. VOORHEES, served as Post
master-General OF the Pacific Coast until
1860, when he returned to the East, finally
settling in Ohio. where ne died a few
years ago. Colonel ]. D. Frye, now presi.
dent OF the California Safe Deposit and
Trust Compony, was connected with the
Pacific Coast department of the postal
service and served several years under
Mr.. Voorhies.
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-30

Californian its tenor ready received from
artists with homes stretching from San francisco
to New York
further condition that the contestants be in some
way directly indirectly connected with the State University
the confines Of the institu
From Mark Hopkins Art Institute came the greater
portion of the work submitted while from the class In indus
number received. 1t
sealed contest Sidney Armer OF the
Mark Hopkins school should the first prize and that
n Scammon the Berkeley department the second prize
the San being first and the Berkeley
school second in rank
On the whole the designs reflected mucn credt upon the
and artistic competitors Many
artistic standpoint fell short OF
black and white some being
coored Others being detail for reproduction While
others produce that restfunes to
the that comes onlv from the
The conception of the hrstprize winner Is e&cenel"y
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-30

In figure 1.
No of the designs though from The point OF view OF it's
conception it wholly and radically opposed to the first still
features of Caornahe fruits and the flowers
In the upper panel of eschscholzas while in the
lower is to be the festive grape
third design that submitted by Mrs Alice Curtis of
merit, but the lines fine and the
details successful reduction the scale
required In the awarding this design placed the
list of those receiving honorable mention.
A fourth design that of Miss Maud Wilkinson of
Berkeley The title of the publication is surrounded by
ecschotzia in bold lines but in it highly
the original
While the design lacks balance and equal distribution
with which the details executed worthy of
honorable mention.
In the remaining designs offered, other features
California life places events and products depicted In
OF the university buildings, in another
grizzly bears supporting medallion which is inscribed
university emblem, another is Jesuit of ITO and beside
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-30
PoSToFFICE DEPARTMENT, J
November l, 1S4S. I

Sir: Being authorized by an act OF Congress
approved 14th August. 1848, to employ an
agent in making arrangements for the estab-
lishmentsof postoffices and for the transmits
sion, receipt and conveyance of letters in
California, hereby appoint you such agent
The duties with which you are to be charged
will not be confined to any one branch of the
department. They will embrace whatever
may appertain to the operations of the con-
tract, appointment and fiscal bureaus OF the
department in California.
route having been created by law and the
same being put in operation by the employ
ment of steamships extending along the
whole coast OF California, your first duty will
be to proceed to the selection of suitable per-
sons for Postmasters at San Diego, San Pedro,
Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Monterey
and at such other points on the Pacific at
which the United States steam mail packets
shall touch as may need such appointments.
For San Francisco q Postmaster has already
been appoin ted-Samuel York At Lee ESQ.,
who will repair by the first opportunity to
that place. OF course, you will not take steps
for appointing Postmasters at any of the
above named places on finding that the ap-
pointments would be inexpedient or unneces-
sary by reason of not having a mail supply or
for any other cause.
On making such selection you will report
the same 10 the department at washington
for appointment, in the mean time placing the
nominee in the performance of the duties of
his Office by temporary letter of appoint
ment signed by yourself, to cease on receiv-
ing q commission from the Postmaster-Gen-
erai or official information that the appoint
ment has been refused With your report of
the nomination of any postmaster you will
forward his bond. duly executed by himself
and sureties, certified by you to be sufficient
and filed with such an amount as you shall
deem adequate for the case. You will also
cause him to be duly sworn on entering upon
his duties.
You will make report by every mail OF the
condition and prospects of the business under
your charge, and viii be careful at the expira-
ton of each quarter to render those official
returns which will show the state OF all pecu-
mary arrangements of the department in Cal
ifornia, and the indebtedness and credits OF
each party, whether postmaster, contractor or
others; and to keep the Postmaster General
advised from time to time of the state and prog
ress of settlements in the country, and what
routes should be created by law to furnish
them with the mail
The postage for California is 40 cents on
each single letter (Which is letter not ex-
ceeding half an ounce in weight) between any
place in California and any place on the At
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-30

ually become a State worthy OF stand.
ing with the others in the Union some
draft animal must be provided. AS in
every other new country the transporta-
tion problem here was of the first consid-
Grafton, and when David Johnson advo-
Gated the importation and breeding of
reindeer for this purpose his idea met
with ready approval
Mr.. johnson was man of vast expert
ence in the Northwest, and knew all about
reindeer and where they were to be OBJ
tanned. They were not indigenous to that
part of Alaska where they were needed,
but there seemed no reasons why they
should not thrive there. In fact, it seemed
as if they should do splendidly, as the
climate was milder than in Siberia, their
native country.
The work done by reindeer in Siberia is
wonderful. A pair of males in good health
have been known TO draw sleigh con-
tanning six people and considerable bag
gage over 80 miles through raging snow
Storm in day. TIL. y are not very heavy,
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-30
UNCLE SANS BIG REINDEER FARMS.

addition
plainly they are just wha' h0
in Alaska
before
the went "
started
reindeer
these
until On the Go Verh
of
In in
trouble obtaining all the reindeer they wanted
| provs ions and O clio
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-30

him miner of 1s49 with the Mission Church gold
fields behind them, while still another has for
features two studentsa boy and grepresenting
tion.
Still others wrought in ancul manners, wherein
figures of after the Aubrey Beardsey STYLE
features One particularly meroous design the
maiden California springing forth full grown from
OF a beautiful golden poppy
Taking the contest whole it the general
opinion that great credit is reflected upon
of State University. Both standpoint
originality accuracy detail of the designs offered
rival closely the of Eastern schools of longer standing
greater facilities. WILL c. RUSSELL.
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-30


TACOMA, WASH, May 23.-David john
son, who has been in Northwestern
Alaska for six years, mas just arrived on
the Sound en- route to Chicago on vaca-
ton. He reports the Governments herd
of reindeer in the vicinity of Teller station
dying at an alarming rate from "footrot."
Many that do not die have to be killed
because of the decaying of their feet.
Although the dispatch only refers to
Teller station it is quite probable that the
same or a similar state of affairs prevails
at the other stations. The conditions are
about the same at all of the stations
There are spring thaws that leave the
ground wet. This causes all the trouble,
as the reindeer, accustomed to the hard
ice and snow OF Siberia, suffer from damp
ness. It's to be hoped that something can
be done to save the herds. II they could
be removed to a place in the mountains
where there is snow all the time the
trouble might be overcome. This would,
of course, cost large sums of money. but
better spend that than have the enter
prise turn out fat failure.
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-30
Vienna Will Make Her Own Gas.

Beginning November 1899. Vienna will make its
The fifty lease of the gas expires then.
The city recently proposed to buy the but
alton asked too high price. Vienna then arranged build
municipal plant and the company promptly capituated
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-30

of securing for front cover design
oc the the University OF California
gazne recently prize contest 1t an absolute
ndon of the award that of the design
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-05-28
State Notes.

The secretary of the interior has au-
thorized contract for an additional
school building at Mount Pleasant In
dian school in Michigan, to cost $40, 900.
At Cincinnati, the Western Gas asso-
citation has decided to meet next year al
Mount Clemens, Mich, May 10. 20 and
81. Many papers were read and dis
cussed
Many Michigan wheat fields will be
plowed up and planted to corn or beans.
Wheat will not yield so per cent. of
average crop.
Michigan postoffices discontinued: In
terror, Ontonagon county, mail will &c
to Barclay; Pines, Mackinac county,
mail will go to Ozark.
East Tawas, Mich, people are utiliz-
ing the old stumps of Norway pine trees
by manufacturing from them an ex-
cellent quality Of tar and turpentine.
The people of Munith, Mich, are
trying to pass an ordinance prohibiting
the trains from going through town SC
fast the passengers can't see the sights.
A Brimley, Mich, lad placed bottle
full Of powder, with a lighted fuse, I'M
der a pan the then sat down on the pan.
lie was picked up on the other side of a
woodpile, more dead than alive
Mrs. Martha Buchanan of Allegan.
Mich, aged SO years, was killed by fall
ing downstairs.
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-05-28
CONTEST OVER COLT WILL.
Charge That Death Was fastened by
Overdose of Medicine.

Hartford, Conn.,, May ga suit for
$1,000,0O0 has been begun in the United
States court here against Mrs. Eliza
beth II. Colt of this city by James B.
Colt of Washington. and Norman B.
Colt of Seattle. Wash. nephews Of
Samuel Colt, who died in 1862
The suit is the result of the revoking
of legacies to the plaintiffs by Samuel
Colt who made a fortune out of the
manufacture Of firearms. In the COM
plant it is charged that Mrs. Colt in
fuenced her husband to revoke certain
codicils to his will which gave to the
plaintiffs a share in his estate. 1t is
alleged that Mrs. Colt was moved by
hatred. She also induced Samuel Colt
Ito believe, it is alleged, that letters con-
tanning scandalous matter were writ
ten and sent by James b. Colt, or his
wife, or some one acting under his di-
rection. 1t is further asserted that
Samuel Colt desired a reconciliation
with James b. Colt, but that Mrs. Colt
prevented it, and that Colonel Colts
death was soon thereafter caused or
else unduly fastened by the improper
use of medicines, viz, an overdose
thereof to Samuel Colt.
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-05-28
STATE NEWS NOTES.
MICHIGAN ,1GHS WHICH WILL BE OF
GENERAL INTEREST.

Short X view OF the Work OF the state
est from All Owes the Great State Re-
ported by Telegraph.
Lansing, Mich, May 22.-The confer
ence committee upon the Merriman bill,
increasing the specific tax upon rail-
road earnings, has made it's report. The
report is great disappointment to the
friends of largely increased taxation. 1t
increases the tax over that under the
present law about $205, 900, and over the
bill, as 1t passed the senate, about s32,-
600. A new item of taxation Is the union
depot companies earnings. The follow
ing is the rate of taxation agreed to:
Earnings less than $1,000 rer mile, 2lh
per cent; between $4,000 and $4,000, 3A
per cent? between $4,000 and 1000, 4
per cent; between $4,000 and $4,000, Az
per cent; over $4,000, < per cent; on
gross income O union depot companies,
with income in excess of $40. 900 per mile.
10 per cent,
Lansing Mich. May 26.-The house In
committee Of the whole agreed to an
antitrust bill which prohibits any COM
bination to increase or decrease the price
Va Soiiiioui'ies anu provinces a penalty
fol violation of not less than $500 nor
more than $4,000 The bill was holly at
tackled on constitutional grounds, and is
not believed by lawyers to be able to
stand the scrutiny OF the courts. A bill
was also agreed to increasing the fran
chise fee Of corporations from u mill to
1E mills upon each dollar Of the capital
stock. 1t also increased the minimum
fee from S. to $40
The house yesterday afternoon, by
an almost unanimous vote, adopted the
amendments recommended by the con-
ferrees of both houses on the senate bill
increasing the specific taxes upon rail-
road earnings. The Pingree representa-
'tives, who had fought for much higher
taxes upon railroads, voted solidly for
the measure as amended, as being the
best that could be had at this session.
The bill increases the assessments upon
railroads by over 100000 annually As
at first amended and passed by the
house the increase would have been up
wards of 100000. The bill goes to Gov
ernor Pingree for his signature:
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-05-28

prison, reported last night that the par
don was irregular, and intimated that
Sybrant Wesselius, state railroad COM
missioner, was responsible for it. The
committee reported testimony to the eff
feet that Wesselius was to have gotten
$500 for his influence in securing thepar-
don, and charges that the railroad COM
missioner is guilty of contempt in hav-
ing failed to respond to a subpoena
summoning him before the committee.
The committee reports that Deputy
Warden Wiesman. who is a friend Of
Wesselius, interested himself in getting
WiXom pardoned out on the supposition
that he would receive $4,000 for it, and
that Wesselius was in all probability in
strumental in obtaining the pardon.
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-05-28

to Lydia e. Pinllharn's Vegetable Com
pound. 1t acts at once upon the organ
affected, and the nerve centers; re-
moves the cause, ani dispels effectually
the symptoms.
Mrs. Barris relates her experience
for the benefit OF others.
al had been sick with liberation
of the womb, causing all kinds of dis
agreeable experiences, such as irrita-
bility, sleeplessness, faintness, and at
times Mysteries. My physician said it
was the worst case he ever had. My
back ached leucorrhea very profuse,
and had n severe bearing-down pain.
The physicians thought should never
recover, and as the last remedy, they
procured your Vegetable Compound.
/ had not taken more than onc-fourth
of bottle, before l was male COM
Portable. l continued its use also the
Sanative Wash, and Liver Pitts After
using four bottles, / was able TO be
out, and do q 'most all my work. /
think the We rahlc Compound is the
only medicine that will cure female
complaints, and it will reach the worst
cases in very short ti.ac. l know it
saved my life. "-AiES. ". BARRIs,
Beaver Fails, Pennsylvania. All drug
GiSts.
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-05-28
LAKE VESSELS IN COLLISION.
The Steamer Florida Goes Down but Her
Crew Is Saved,

Port Huron, Mich, May 22-The
steamer Florida of the Lackawanna
line sank in Lake Huron off Middle ISL
and Thursday as the result of col
lision with the George w. Robey Of
Cleveland. AS far as known all the
crew were saved and taken to Port HUI
ron. The Florida was a wooden hulk
vessel built in 1889 and valued at $780,
600. 1T left Chicago May IS bound for
Buffalo with a load of grain and mer-
chandise. In the hold there were $4,000
bushels of wheat and on deck was q
cargo Of flour, beef and other staples.
The cargo was valued at $4,000. Both
vessels had wood hulks, but as far as
can be learned, the Robey was not in
jured.
Officers Of the steamer John NJ. Gid
den, which arrived in Sault Ste. Marie,
Mich, report having passed wreckage
and debris of the wrecked Florida.
There was a dense fog prevailing at
the time in the vicinity of Middle ISL
and and it is thought this caused the
collision. The Florida was owned by
the Lackawanna Transportation COM
pany, which has an office in the Mar
quette building. George l.. McCurdy
insured the vessel
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-05-28
AN IRREGULAR PARDON.
Governor Pingree Releases Convict WIKI
ON Under IA Misunderstanding.


ON Under IA Misunderstanding.
Lansing, Mich, May 26.-The legis-
lative committee which investigated the
pardon by Governor Pingree of Convict
Wixom, an inmate of the Jackson state
prison reported that the pardon was IT.
regular and intimated that Sybrant
Wesslius, state railroad commissioner,
was responsible for it. The committee
reported testimony to the effect that
Wesslius was to have gotten $500 for his
influence in securing the pardon and
charges that the railroad commissions
is guilty of contempt in having failed
to respond to subpoena summonirg
him before the committee. The commit
tee reports that Deputy Warden Wies-
man, who is friend of Wesslius, inter-
ested himself in getting WiXom par
doned out, on the supposition that he
would receive 5000 for it. and tina:
Wessllus was, in all probability instru-
mental in obtaining the pardon.
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-05-28
Michigan Sportsmen Protest.

Marquette. Mich, May 25.-Sports-
men in this vicinity protest against the
Graham game law. One of the provis-
ions makes it illegal to shoot deer till
November, 1899. The last open season
was in 1896. The law slipped through
without attracting attention from Up
per peninsula sportsmen. Deer hunting
is the autumn sport Of the peninsula.
The number shot in the county is esti-
mated at 1000 to $500. Probably 5000
were killed last season. The open sea-
son has been the entire month of Mo-
vember, but under the new law, begin
ming in 1899, the first open season will
be from Nov. to so, inclusive.
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-05-28
Pingree win Plead with soIons.

Lansing, Mich, May 24-It is stated
on authority that Governor Pingree has
reconsidered his determination to call an
extra session Of the legislature for the
purpose of equalizing taxation, but will
send a message to the legislature urging
that the session be prolonged until this
matter has been attended to as he de-
sires, which is $1,00O,000 more taxation
on railways. At present pretty much
all this anti-railway legislation is eth
er dead or in the hands of unfriendly
committees