Weekly journal-miner., 1913-02-12
ANOTHER PIONEER IS
 CALLED BY DEATH
(From Thursdays Daily)

w. H. Ferguson, his death occur
 ring late on Tuesday night after ar
 illness of many months, due to {
 general breakdown in health. The
 passing of this Pilgrim of the Gila
 is a sad one, as there IS removed
 to another sphere one of those mer
 who helped to make history for the old territory and through whose diligence and industry the border
 land was redeemed that others
 might enjoy the fruits of the hard
 ships borne by the early Hassay-
 amper who blazed the way and
 builded after he finished the work
 that was attended with privations
 and dangers but few of this gener-
 ation appreciate.
 The deceased was a typical iron
 tiersman, and among his virtues
 that will be cherished as time wears
 away was his splendid fellowship and a generosity that made him
 friends by the score in other days
 He was gentle in manners, but as resolute as adamant in his patriotic zeal. Although a soldier of the north during the civil war strife, and a patriot to that cause, he was magnanimous to those on the other side, and this characteristic was all ways exemplified whenever the oc- casion arose for the blue and the gray to mingle. In short he was good man and an exemplary citi- zen. His death revives an incident in early manhood that few, if any, know in this community, and which was filed with a thrilling experience. At about the age of twenty-five-he- left New York city with a party of about thirty for Australia on gold seeking mission. After a long sea voyage they disembarked at what is now the city of Townville Later they outftted and went out to the northern part of the island and established a camp in the Mt. Pow ell range, where they prospected for the yellow metal. Success followed and the aggregate wealth of the party reached several thousand dol lars. Returning to the nearest set tlement after supplies, their nation ality directed investigation and they were taxed to a finish" as the de- ceased stated, on many occasions in after years. After a few years in locating new gold fields of promise, and after exploring the country to ascertain the source of the metal, they were summoned by the gov ernor of the province to swear al legiance to the Crown of England The civil war began, in the United States, and the motive for the extra ordinary exaction was grasped in an instant. Other Americans from re- mote place were also rounded up, and the total strength was an even sixty. Protests were advanced against this arbitrary action of the ruler, but the iron will of that off cial prevailed. The handful of aliens banded themselves into a solid front and held secret meeting Ali em- phatically and indignantly refused to have the yoke placed around their necks with the exception of only one, and so informed the magistrate. They were ordered to leave the country in three days, but speaking for his party MT. Ferguson advanc- cd to the front with a demeanor that was firm and yet courteous, and asked for only one day in which the Americans would comply with the order. A sailing vessel was 1y- ing in the harbor, when the fifty nine boarded 1t, and inside of thirty hours were sailing away Arriving at Vancouver the loyal Americans went across the line to their home land again. All landed in San Francisco late in 1861, and the ma jority enlisted in the army to fight for the union. The deceased was as signed to Co. I of the Fourth Cali fornia Volunteers Infantry, and sent to Drum Barracks, now Whining ton, near Los Angeles, for further orders. The regiment was ordered to the front, and started on foot across the desert to Tucson, via Yuma. Three years passed and the deceased was mustered out at Tue son in 1865. He drifted to this sec ton, and arrived in Prescott in 1866. He was given the position of chief quartermaster clerk at Fort Whip pie in recognition of his military record, and which he filled capsbly. l