The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-10-16
THE ORIGINAL FoRTY.NINER.
Captain Sutton Went West from Kan
sas City.
(Kansas City Starr

Although the fact is not generally
known. Captain John A. Suffer, the dis
coverer of gold in California in 1S49,
was once a resident Of Kansas City, or
rather WestpOrt where he was en-
gagged in the mercantile business. Cap
tain Suffer lived here two years and
had a 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 southwest by way of the Santa
Fe trail. Captain Suffer was thirty
three years old when he came 70 West
port from New York in 1886. He was
born in Baden, Germany, February 28
1903, of Swiss parentage. On coming
of age he STUDIED military tactics in
France and 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 sabout the country for
three years settled in Westport.
Where his home was in the town has
been the subject of some dispute, resi-
dents of the old town OF Westport at
that time differing as to the location Of
his house. According 10 Joseph s.
Chick, who remembers Captain Suffer
well. the pioneer OF California lived
near the present site of Summit and
Thirty-ninth streets. Others say that
he lived near Shawnee and High
streets, next to the old Sager home.
which recently has been destroyed.
Captain Suffers rowing disposition was
not suited to the mercantile business,
however. and in 1888, in company with
fur trapping expedition bound for the
Rocky mountains. he left for the Pa
ctfic coast From the mountains he
continued his course westward. and in
1919. after rowing over almost the en-
tire state of California and making a
trip to the Hawaiian Islands, he made
the discovery that caused his name to
be repeated around the world.
I remember Captain Suffer well, 3"
said Judge James Hunter I'm reply TO
Inquiries regarding the famous pioneer,
although ] was but a boy at the time
he lived in Westport. He boarded with
my father for some time before he be-
came 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 Ma
poleon. The business ia-Which ne was
engaged, however, did not seem to pay.
so he started west over the trail to
Santa Fe with q company Of trap
perg"
Captain Suffer was one of the best
known men in WestpOrt from 1886 to
1885, said Joseph 5. Chick. who was
living there at that time. His store
was well patronized. but he did not
seem TO enjoy The confnooienJ of that
business. One habit of his I can re-
member distinctly. Every morning
about 8 O'Clock and i'm the evening at
shutdown he would blow an old army
bugle he had brought with him from
France. sounding on the instrument
calls which correspond TO 'reveille' and
taps Although he lived almost half
q mile from my fathers home, you
could hear the calls distinctly
Although I did not meet Captain
Sutter while he lived in Westport." said
Judge w. r. Bernard. II remember
well in 1S49 when the news came back
TO Westport of his discovery of gold In
California. Louis Vogle. founder Of the
large family of VOgles in Westport;
Henry Sager, the cabinet maker, and a
number of other intimate friends OF
Suffer were very much excited over
their friends success. NOgle, too. was
just the leasts bit jealous. but finally
consoled himself. Veil. he said. after
several moments Of deep thought. I'm
chust as rich as him all de time "