The San Francisco call., 1897-02-26
THE PASSING OF
THOMAS B, SHANNON
%.
:.
a Great Throng of Pioneers
=;
=. in Attendance at His
= Funeral.
Left $4,000 Life Insurance and
=. the Residue of a Large
q. Fortune.
Strange Incidents in the Career of a
e. Tinner-Had the Confidence of
Lincoln and Grant.

"A throng of old-time residents of San
- ranclsco, among them many of the earli-
est OF the pioneers attended the obsequies
OF ex-Congressman Thomas B. Shannon
at Pioneer Hall yesterday afternoon. The
large room was packed, and out on the
sides were many who were obliged to see
" and hear what they could from distance.
Over. geo people went away, having been
unable 10 get into the hall.
The ceremonies were conducted by the
Rev. w. w. Case of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church, after which the burial service
cf the California Pioneers was read by one
Of the members. The pau.bearers were
Deputy Collector E. B. Jerome, Major T.
}. Blakeney, E. B. Dinsmore, J. Lux f.
Z. Nreeland and J. B. Richmond, long the
Confidential clerk of Mr.. Shannon. The
remains of the man who hau led such a
busy lie were laid away in the Masonic
cemetery. 1t was one OF the longest
d funerals seen here for long time.
The ex-Congressman was to have left
Tor Washington, D. c., yesterday. He
and Mr.. Richmond had talked it all over
and that was the date set. After thew had
. discussed the matter, however, Mr.. Shan
non tound he could not well get off till
March l. He would miss the inaucura-
ton, but he would visit his old friend Nc
hlnley at the White House after it was all
ever: lie was close friend of both Major
ana Mrs. Mckinley, and he was Of D. A
Mchinley, the ex-Minister OF Hawaii, " no
not long since died here.
: Much interesting matter relative to Mr..
fSpannon Is told by J. B. Rich mond who
knew him intimately during the years of
his life IN California and who was his
chief clerk when Mr.. Shannon was Re-
celyer of the United States Land Office.
Mr.. Richmond says the only thing left
out OF the once large fortune of Mr.. Shan
non IS has life insurance money.
M = shannon was native of PennsyI-
wanna and atterward lived in Illinois,
SAID Mr.. Richmond. He started across
the plains in 1S49 for California during
the gold excite ment- Arriving here he
went to PIumas County and there started
unshop, for he was timer by trade
Eventually he sold out to his partner.
and taking another partner he engaged in
the general erchandising business. He
also engaged IN mining and bought in a
large ditch.
About this time he was elected a mem
.beT Of the Assembly from Plumas County,.
and aiterward Senator from Plumas and
Sierra or Lassen. Later he came TO San
francisco, and from here he was elected
to Congress. After his term had expired
ffeSldent LlncoI appointed him surveyor
OF the Port here, anu he served as Collector
for four years. Then President Grant ap-
pointed him Collector of Customs, and in
that position he served eight years.
THAT. was the last Office ne held till
President Harrison appointed him Re
ceiYer OF the United States Land Office in
San Francisco. He filled that place four
years, and gained the respect and friend
ship OF all. Even men who came to ask him
favors but could not have them granted
were his friends. He was courteous 10
every body.
In the palmy days of mining specula-
ton Mr.. Shannon accumulated fortune
o!Sl50, 900, but he lost it all eventually, so
that when he died he had only $4,000 in
surance money, which is all Als family
viii get
Two years ago. while vet at the Lick
House, he had partial paralytic stroke,
which affected his brain Iittle but be
got over this, and his mind was as clear
as bell. 1t was while attending mis- all
ing fatler-in-law out at his house recently
that he caught a neuralgia OF the back,
and from this followed the paralysis of
the brain which carried him away.
He was a close friend of Major Nc
Kinley and was also friend OF Mrs. Nc
Kinl "
1t is conceded that had he lived he
would probably have been given a good
office bv MEX inlav