The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1899-12-14
Semi-CentenniaI OF Forty-Niners.

The fiftieth anniversary of the sailing of
California was observed by the survivors
last Friday evening, There are but three
survivors now living in Belfast, and they
met, by invitation. with Mr.. and Mrs. Henry
Dunbar at their home on Park street.
There were present Mr.. and Mrs. Dunbar
Mrs. Joseph l. Havner and Mrs. Sophia w
Lothrop. A letter was read from Henry J
Woods of Orono, who was unable to be
present An excellent supper was served,
after which Mr.. Dunbar entertained the
company with an account of his expe-
riences in California. where he engaged in
mining. His account of the successes and
Cisappointments of a miners life was told
III a highly interesting manner. He was
once driven from his claim by freshet,
and once by the Indians and found when
he returned to Sacramento that his best
clothes and other property which he did not
take with him into the mines, had been
burned in the building where they We're
stored.
This was the tenth reunion of the sur
vivors Of the company, which numbered
fifty when the vessel left this port Follow
ing is brief report of the various reunions:
The first reunion of the survivors was
held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John n
Stewart on Main street. Saturday, Dec s.,
1888 Eight Of the survivors and their
ladies' We're present. There were then liv-
ing, as far as was known, 26 of the original
80 persons who sailed on the bark. Capt
William o. Alden, the venerable commander
and for whom the vessel WAS named, was
present. A turkey supper was served, and
a very enjoyable evening spent.
The second reunion was held the next
year with Mr.. and Mrs. George f, Wight
Saturday evening, Dec. I 1899. Eight sur
viyors We're present, including Capt. Alden
and second mate, G. D. Palmer, Fred I. B.
Young and the Belfast residents, together
with a number Of ladies' and few invited
guests. An excellent supper was served.
The third reunion was held with Mr.. and
Mrs. Henry Dunbar on Park street, Monday
evening, Dec. s, 1890. Five survivors and
several members of their families were pres
ent and letters We're received from many of
the others. Capt, Alden, Mr.. Palmer and
Mrs. Wight had died since the last reunion.
A turkey supper was served.
MIR. and Mrs Francis Whitmore entertain
ed the survivors Tuesday evening, Dec, s,
1891. Six survivors, with their wives and
other members of their families, We're pres
ent; also Mrs, James Craig, widow of one of
the original party and several invited guests.
An elaborate supper was served. The reun-
ion cake bore the dates 1919 1891, 1t was then
though that thirteen OF the original fifty
were living.
The fifth reunion was with Capt and Mrs
Joseph L. Havner on Market street, Thurs
day evening, Dec. 5, 1892. Five survivors
and members Of their families We're present,
also Mrs. Sophia W Lothrop. widow Of one
Of the party, and number of other invited
guests. An excellent supper was served.
Letters were received from several absent
members.
Tie sixth reunion was held with Fred I.
B. Young OF Rockiand, Me, Friday evening,
Dec. s, 1898. Seven were present from Bel
and n. Il. Ma1ey. had died, and Mr.. Young
the host had lost his life partner during the
year. The supper was a redit to Mr.. ouug
and his daughter. As one expressed it " We
were gwen the best Vi earth, air and sea-
Mrs Lothrop entertained the party at the
seventh reunion Saturday evening, Dec. s.
1894. Twelve guests were present, five Of
them members of the 5ark's company. A
turkey supper served,
Mr. and Mrs j n Stewart again enter
taned the company Monday evening, Dec 9,
1926 Eleven persons were present, includ-
ing FIVE members aud two widows of deceas-
ed members, In memory of the first meal
eaten on board the bark the first course of
the supper consisted Of stewed beans. The
repast was a credit to the host and his fami-
ly. An interesting literary and musical pro
gram presented, u addition to the usual
"reminiscences and letters from those who
We're unable to be present.
The reunion the following year was held
with Mr.. and Mrs, B. P Hazeltine on Court
street. Tuesday evening, Dee. Sth. Fifteen
were present, including six of the original
party. An excellent supper was served, and
Mr Hazeltine read extracts from journal
which he kept during the voyage
The bark William O. Alden was built in
lS49, and her first voyage was TO California
to carry out party Of gold hunters. She
left Belfast December 8th and arrived in
San Jacinto after a long passage. The mem
bers separated IN California and returned by
various routes after longer shorter stays
in the land of gold. Tie bark was manned
by four officers seven men and cabin boy
and had So passengers. OF those then on
board seven are now living: Lorenzo G.
Coombs of Globe, Ariz., and Henry Dunbar
Jr., Of Belfast OF the crew, and Stephen
Caldwell OF California, William West of
Boston, Henry J. Woods of Orono, John n.
Stewart and Joseph L. Havner of Belfast.
A Belfast Boy in the Philippines.