The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1899-06-24
In Memory Of John McFadm.


The discovery OF gold in large guam
titles on the American river, California,
DecsmUer 25, ls47, created great OK
element throughout the country. The
news spread over the country during
the fall and winter of lS4s, and the
excitement caused by the reports Of
increasing richness Of the mines caused
many to prepare to 90 to that distant
land in the spring OF 1919.
On the 18th day Of April, ls49, seven
men, citizens of Lexington, with two
wagons loaded with supplies left their
homes and friends and started on the
p%erilous journey to the Eldorado Of the
west. The w men were Gabriel
Brown, John McFadin, William Jones,
James Harnett, William p. Tyree,
James Hale and the writer.
They went to New Santa Fe, an
Quitting post near Westport, and
eight miles south of Kansas City, then
known as WestpOrt Landing. There
they united with thirty-two others,
having eleven wagons, and organized a
company. Gabriel Brown was elected
captain.
The company left New Santa Fe
May I'd. lS49. The country from there
to the settlements in Sacramento valley,
a distance of 1900 miles, with the
d. exception Of a few whites at the three
military posts on the route, was in
habited by wild beasts and many tribes
Of savage Indians, some Of them hostile
to the whites. The trip was one of
Il p~rivations, hardships and dangers.
Many who started became discouraged
and returned to their homes. None but
the strong, determined and courageous
II pursued the journey.
II We were informed by experienced
8. travellers over the plains that the trip
er could not be made in less than one
y hundred and twenty days, and with
l. many 1t required six months.
v, Our company, with one exception
was composed Of young, vigorous men
I. anxious to reach the new land Of 0phir
:. We determined to shorten the time anC
Il. make the quickest trip of the year, Ii
this we succeeded, and reached Sacra
rs, mento city the first day OF August, jus
,rs ninety days from the time we left Nev
,rs Santa Fe.
in l can not give a histsry Of thi
interesting trip, but will refer to on
es incident, as it is connected with a sa
event Of recent occurrence.
On the night Of the 18th day Of Junt
lSi9, fifty years ago today, the compan
camped in the south pass Of the Rock
Mountains, on a highland, described b
sss Fremont in his guide book as tn
az Summit. 1t was $500 feet above tn
an level of the sea, and was the highe'
his ground over which the emigrant roa
passed before reaching the snow covert
ranges Of the Sleras. To the east
short distance we're springs who
we'd waters flowed eastward into the Atlant
Ocean. West Of the camp q half mi
was Pacific Spring, the waters Of viii,
through a long, tortuous journey foul
re. their way into the Pacific. This poi
the was regarded as the halfway post
Ible California. We had made it In fort
the five days.
t as The scenery around us was grand a
the sublime. To the south was high rang
hey of mountains, whose tops were whiten
neii with snow. To the north, in the d
lance, was the Wind River Mountain
has, whose peaks, covered with eterl
o,es snow, reached high in the heavet
beyond the ken Of man. AS we ste
the there, almost lost in admiration,
Is so were inspired with buoyant hopes Il
this we would soon end u journey {
arm reach the land Of gold.
noes Today, just fifty years after {
' event, l followed the remains Of j
McFadin, n of my mess mates, to
r,na cemetery, and assisted in laying
the away in the grave. At the grave st
I the two, James Hale and myself, who "
with him that night.
'ents Another was there who is conne(
but with his trip to California. In G.
a ioI pany with Capt. Meredith T. NJ,
oleu he left San Francisco on his ret
VIZ in November, 1851, and arrived in
,.,,n Louis in January, 1852. Capt. M
The has recently removed to Lexington,
was present to pay the last tribut
es TO respect to his memory.
,rary There were but few better men
made the eventful trip that year.
I but of energy and determination, he
take always at the post of duty. No ser
was too great for him to perform.
'nA post too dangerous for him to occI
~, His honor and integrity was N
questioned in California, that Ian
and decentralization, and he left it for
can home with a character "untarnished.
,ne is l may be forgiven for the egotisl
lance mentioning the name Of one Q
not member of that company, 1t is vii
} pro- r. Morrison, of Illinois. On that
sciate he went with US, and displayed t
ilting qualities of mind and ,eart that s
'nou' elevated him to the high positio
now occupies before the country,
thirty
neyed across the wilderness to Califo
'ooose ROBERT Hal