The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-01-25
DEATH OF TRAIL SCOUT
Was First Man to Go to California
by Wagon.

of the Mexican war, a scout, and plains
man, and the man who had the distinc-
ton of having taken across the Western
prairies the first wagon train to Callfor-
MIA died at Providence Hospital at ten
O'Clock yesterday morning. after an ILL
Tess of week, aged seventy-six years.
In spite of his age, Capt. Schell until
few days before his death. had been in
perfect health. He stood more than six
fet in height, was OF a powerful ply
sique. and his white beard and firm coun-
tenance made him conspicuous in WASH
ington, where he had lived for the last
twenty years. His death came as shock
to large circle of friends. Arrangements
for the funeral have not yet been COM
pleted-
Captain Schell had been for some time a
vhtchman in the war department, and he
vas on duty only two days before he was
stricken with an acute attack of Bright's
disease, to which his death was due On
Monday his right leg was amputated in
an endeavor to save his life.
Since coming to Washington nearly a
exciting and interesting career in the
west, Capt. Schell had held several po-
sitions under the government. He was
at one time assistant doorkeeper Of the
House of Representatives. and was n
lieutenant in the capitol police His home
was at No. 1876 street northwest.
He was born at Newmarket, Frederick
county, Nd. in 1927. and when boy of
fourteen went to Bloomington, Ind. where
he remained until the Mexican war. when
he enlisted. Just before the outbreak of
the trouble with Mexico, at the age of
nineteen, he married Miss Susan A.
Smith. of Jacksonville, Ind, and he was
obliged to leave his bride behind when
he entered the service of the United
States under General Scott.
During the war he acquitted himself
with distinction. He was at the taking
of Chapultepec. and took part in many
battles and skirmishes. At the close of
the war. he found himself on the frontier
with a naturally rowing disposition, al
ready excited by the life of the west. just
at this time the news came that gold had
ben discovred in California. and the boy
Of % caught the fever. He returned to
Indiana for his young wife. and together
they went to st. Joseph, the starting
point of the early travellers to Califor-
nia.
His training in the army fitted him for
the post of leader of the first expedition
to the Golden Gate, and he accepted the
charge. The route was the one usually
taken afterward, through Salt Lake. On
the tiresome journey across the plains the
party of adventures had many expert
euces with the Indians, and Capt. Schell's
GOODNESS frequently prevented serious
trouble and their escapes were numerous.
California was reached at last. and an
overland route TO the golG fields opened
TO others. Capt. Schell prospected for
gold in some of the famous localities in
California's early history. He staked out
a claim with the other men of the party.
and began washing gold, but with no
more than moderate success. A short
miners began fiocking to the region in
large numbers. and he found it more
profitable to start hotel. which he con-
Quoted for some time. During his life
in California he played a conspicuous
part in its affairs.
He remained in that state with the
exception of frequent trips east. for twen-
ty-five years, and during the period OF
the war between the states he took no
part on either side In his various trips
back and forth across the plains he be-
came familiar with the Indians. and had
many narrow escapes from death. An
with Col. William Cody was
formed at this time. and Buffalo Bill and !
Capt. Schel since then have been close |
friends.
He was man Of almost superhuman |
strength. and on one occasion carried |
sick woman found abandoned on the trail |
on his back for fifty-nine miles. After !
living in California for about twenty
five years. he removed to Indiana, and |
from there came TO Washington. where /
he remained ever since.
A history of his life, written by him
self. was completed Just before his death. /
and is now in press.-Washington Post 4
II is stated that from the mouth TO the {
source of the Rhine % castles. formerly
the homes of warlike chiefs, are TO be