Evening star., 1905-11-06
THE ORIGINAL FORTY-NINER.
Capt. Sutter Went to Hunt Gold From
Kansas City.
From the Kansas City Star.

From the Kansas City Star.
Although the fact is not generally known,
Capt. John A. Sutter. the discoverer of gold
in California in 1S49, was once a resident
Of Kansas City, or rather Westport where
he was engaged in the mercantile business
Captain Suffer lived here two years and
had store at the present site Of the old
Harris house at Westport avenue and
Shawnee street, where he handled a general
stock of goods for the trade in the south
west by way of the Santa Fe trail Capt
Suffer was thirty-three years old when he
came to Westport from New York in 1896.
He was born in Baden, Germany. February
2S. 1SO3 of Swiss parentage. On coming of
age he studied military tactics in France
ana served In the army of that nation until
he was thirty years old, retiring with the
rank of captain. He then came to the
United States. and after rowing about the
country for three years settled in West
port.
Where his home was in the town has
been the subject Of some dispute residents
of the old town of Westport at that time
differing as to the location of his house
According to Joseph s. Chick, who remem-
bers Capt. Sutter well. the pioneer of Cali
fornta lived near the present site of Sum-
NIT and 39th streets. Others say that he
lived near Shawnee and High streets next
to the Old Sager home. which recently has
position was not suited to the mercantile
business, however, and in 1898, in company
with fur trapping expedition bound for
the Rocky mountains, he left for the Pa
ctfic coast. From the mountains he con-
tinued his course westward. and in 1s49,
after rowing over almost the entire state of
California and making a trip to the Ha-
wafian Islands, he made the discovery that
caused his name to be repeated around the
world.
II remember Capt. Sutter WELL" said
Judge James Hunter In reply to Inquiries
regarding the famous pioneer. although I
was but boy at the time he lived In West
port He boarded with my father for some
time before he became permanently located
in the town. He used to tell the boys
stories about his experiences in the French
army, and tales that had been told to him
by the soldiers who served under Napoleon
The business in which he was engaged.
however, did not seem to pay. so he started
west over the trail to Santa Fe with a COM
pany Of trappers.
Capt. Sutter was one of the best known
men in Westport from 1896 to 1885," said
Joseph s. Chick, who was living there at
that time. His store was well patronized.
but he did not seem to enjoy the confine-
ment of that business. One habit of his
can remember distinctly Every morning
about o'clock and in the evening at sun
down he would blow an old army bugIe he
had brought with him from France, sound
ing ON the instrument calls which corre-
spond to 'reveille' and taps Although he
lived almost half mile from my fathers
home. you could hear the calls distinctly"
Although / did not meet Capt. Sutter
while he lived in Westport, said Judge w.
r. Bernard. Il remember well in 1S49 when
the news came back to Westport OF his dis
covery of gold in California Louis Vogie.
founder Of the large family of Vogles in
Westport; Henry Sager. the caoinetmaker.
and number Of other intimate friends
of Sutter were very much excited over their
friends success. Vogle. too, was just the
least bit Jealous. but finally consoled him
self 'Vell,' he said, after several moments
OF deep thought. I'm chust as rich as him
all de time"