USA > California > California gold book : first nugget, its discovery and discoverers, and some of the results proceeding therefrom > Part 29
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The manner in which these fields were formed is not wholly theoretical. In the Buena Vista district are two wells which may be properly called asphaltum geysers. These are situated on opposite sides of a gulch, and some 200 feet apart. One has a mouth about five feet across and the other about three feet in diameter. They are evidently connected underground. One is always resting while the other is in ebulition, and they "spell " each other thus : Natural gas forces its way up from below, and swells the top layer of liquid asphalt until it puffs up like a balloon, finally breaking and discharging a quantity of asphalt over the rim of the well. Then the surface will quiet down, and immediately the other well, 200 feet away, com-
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mences to inflate and finally breaks, and promptly the same performance is commenced at the other well. This alternating process goes on without rest, and the mounds are getting larger slowly but surely, and no one can doubt that in this manner the other mounds were builded.
The development of this mine of wealth, and bring- ing into use the vast deposits, amounted to very little until the organization of the [Standard Asphalt Com- pany October 27, 1890. Solomon Jewett and H. A. Blodgett, bankers of Bakersfield, had meditated bring- ing the fine material to the notice of those having use for it, and at this time they associated with them Henry F. Williams, of San Francisco, and Sutherland Hutton and Louis Blankenhorn, of Los Angeles. These were men of affairs who had had great exper- ience in the oil fields of the State, and in the use of bituminous rock and asphalt as applied to paving purposes. These gentlemen compose the Standard Asphalt Company. The Southern Pacific Railroad Company was interested to the extent of building a line of road forty-eight miles to Asphalto, in the Buena Vista district, and nearly thirty miles of it must depend for support almost exclusively npon the pro- duct of the asphalt deposit. The company assumed no risks. With its own engineers the fields were carefully surveyed and the probable amount of freight they would supply was closely estimated. Upon the report made the line was rushed to completion, and solely as a safe business proposition. The railroad company have no interest in the Standard Asphalt Company beyond that of common carriers, who will have a monopoly of the business between the refining
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works at Asphalto and the outside world, which is becoming rapidly wedded to the belief that there is nothing in nature which can take the place of asphalt for roadways, sidewalks, the lining of cellars, reser- voirs, irrigation canals, and one thousand other uses for which its inestimable value is now recognized. As no one has ever accused the Southern Pacific management with wasting money by building permanently unprofit- able branches, it may be assumed that they know the extent and value of these deposits and the business ability of the men composing the Standard Asphalt Company. Without cheaper freighting facilities than the old-time burro or mule team there could be no hope of getting this high grade material into the hands of Eastern contractors at a price which would compel its use instead of the inferior article from the island of Trinidad. Much of the crude asphaltum mined at Asphalto is as rich in fixed bitumen as the refined Trinidad. When refined, as it is prepared for ship- ment, the Kern county product assays from eighty to ninety-five per cent. bitumen, and the refined Trinidad under sixty per cent. Large quantities of the refined article have been sent to market. One train of eleven cars was sent to Sedalia, Mo., in June, 1892, and much has been sent to Portland, Oregon, Kansas City, Salt Lake, Denver, and all the prominent towns and cities in California. This was all refined at the works in Sumner, near Bakersfield, and the crude material had to be hauled from the mine to that point, or more than thirty miles by mule team, and the possible profits were dissipated. There is not a doubt that the ener- getic members of the Standard Asphalt Company became very sensible of the true meaning of that oft-
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used sentence, " All that the traffic will bear." Nor is there a doubt that they are now blessing the policy of the Southern Pacific Company, which has become as fixed as fate and as common as lovely weather in Cal. ifornia, of building a branch of their road to any point where there is a prospect of future business, and where railroad conveniences are likely to improve and settle up the waste lands of the State. The result in this case was that the road was completed in an unus- nally short time, and the mule teams have been dis- carded. Thousands of tons of the refined asphaltum will reach Eastern and European markets during the World's Fair year, and the purity and excellence of the article will prove a revelation to contractors, and will help to acquaint the world with the marvelous wonders of God blessed California.
By extended experiment the customers of the Standard Asphalt Company have learned that the liquid maltha furnished by that company is superior to any other substance known for tempering the refined asphalt, and preparing it for use as pavement, roofing, cement or any other purpose for which it is adapted. The supply of liquid asphalt or maltha is believed to be unlimited. The explorations at Sunset and Buena Vista have extended over but a fraction of the territory known to contain the substance. The supply is far beyond the demand at this time, and future develop- ments promise to keep it so.
In the immediate vicinity of these great beds of asphaltum are several other deposits which will develop into inines of great wealth. There is one bank of kaolin, almost pure white, and carrying thirty-five per cent. of aluminum. Alongside of this is a vast deposit
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of nearly pure sulphur, mixed with scarcely any sand. When these, with the minerals yet undiscovered, and which the region of volcanic formation promises to reveal are developed, the district will be greatly sought after by the curious as well as careful investors. The enterprise and State pride of the Southern Pacific Company has removed every obstacle in the way of thorough development of every interest, and whatever the earth thereabouts contains of value will be found.
CHAPTER XIX.
THE PRESS.
One of the great instrumentalities for the spread of the gospel of progress and prosperity is the newspaper, and California has been specially fortunate in attracting large numbers of active and brainy men, who have given themselves to the work of earnestly and persistently aiding every worthy enterprise. It is the help of these great engines of intellectual strength which has spread abroad descrip- tions of the wonders of California, until all reading peoples are familiar with the loveliness of its climate, the fertility of its soil, and the picturesque beauty of mountain, canyon and valley.
There are about nine hundred of these disseminators of information-daily, weekly and monthly- prepared and printed in the State of California. They will rank with the best published in the oldest sections of the world, and very many of them are conducted, in whole or in part, by native sons and daughters of the Golden State. The first paper printed in California was issued at Monterey, then the capital of Alta California, in
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August, 1846, on type and press brought there from Mexico, on which to print public documents. When Sam Brannan, then a Mormon, came from New York with his Mormon pioneers, he brought with him print- ing material, and issued the first number of the Cali- fornia Star, January 7, 1847, with Dr. E. P. Jones as editor. On May 22d, of the same year, Robert Semple issued the first number of the California, as editor and proprietor, he using the material which had done duty at Monterey the year before. These were weekly publications. Juan de la Rosa, the printer who brought the material to California, lived to the advanced age of 101 years, proving the healthfulness of the craft in California.
Soon after the discovery of gold was confirmed, the forces of both papers went to the mines, and no papers were issued until after the return of the editors, by which time there was no scarcity of practical printers in San Francisco. Both papers were revived, but were soon combined, and for a time appeared as the Star and California. These papers passed into the Alta California, with E. C. Kemble and R.C. Hubbard as editors. Soon the city became too metropolitan to be satisfied with news a week old, and the tri-weekly Alta California appeared. A month later it was a daily, and the next day appeared the Journal of Com- merce and the Pacific News, both being published daily. A long list of journals saw light apparently for the sole purpose of dying, though they doubtless planted principles which lasted longer than their brief lives. The Alta California had an unlucky name or an unfortunate beginning. It was burned out twice, and was at one time owned by Pickering, Fitch & Com-
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pany, but in May, 1858, was purchased by Frederick McCrellish & Company, who published it until it finally succumbed for want of patronage in 1891.
The Morning Call is the oldest morning paper printed in English in San Francisco. It was started by an association of printers. Their names were James J. Ayers, now of the Los Angeles Daily Herald ; Charles F. Jobson, David HI. Heggins, Llewellen Zublin and William L. Carpenter. It got its name in a peculiar way. After the force was organized there was a differ- ence of opinion as to the selection of a name which should prove a veritable mascot. It was decided to settle the matter by resorting to " jeffing,"-throwing from the hand five square pieces of type metal, techni- cally known as "em quads," with a nick on one side. As they were getting ready to settle the question in this primitive manner of casting lots, a bill poster stuck up a theatre program announcing the performance of a farce styled " Morning Call." That was instantly and unanimously adopted, and the Morning Call has been a power ever since. The first number appeared in December, 1856. The whole outfit cost $130. George A. Barnes, as well and favorably known as any news- paper man on the coast, bought out Carpenter soon after, and Peter B. Foster purchased the interest of Zublin. A peculiarity of the proprietors was that each could fill any place about a morning paper, and they changed posts of duty every week, so that no one could complain that he was doing more than his share of work. When the Frazer river excitement began the paper developed into a gold mine for its proprietors, and large dividends were paid weekly. In 1866 the Call passed under the control of Messrs. Pickering,
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Fitch & Simonton, and Loring Pickering was man- aging editor until his death soon after the presidential election of 1892, his constant labors during that cam- paign having hastened that event. George A. Barnes is still with the Call, now as dramatic critic, and he has the warmest place in the regard of newspaper men and theatrical people.
- The San Francisco Chronicle was started on January 27, 1865, as the Dramatic Chronicle, being really a small-sized theater program, containing a limited number of free advertisements. It was a success from the start, and was the first local paper to print the news of the assassination of President Lincoln, and appeared draped in deep mourning for a week thereafter. By July, it had a circulation of 6,000 copies. The Dramatic Chronicle had been started by Charles de Young. In September, 1866, M. H. de Young joined with his brother, and the firm name of the proprietors was Charles de Young & Company. The senior died April 23, 1880, since which time M. H. de Young has been sole owner and manager of the great metropolitan journal. It has always been enterprising, and has given, with the fullest details, all great events as they have transpired. It has been generally aggressive, attacking objectionable persons and principles with spirit and power, and has made for its proprietor enemies as well as friends ; but in dealing with questions of interest to all the people, and fostering enterprises proposed in the line of progress, the Chronicle has evinced unusual energy, and has performed an immense deal of good. It has become renowned for its big papers and mammoth editions, which are sent to all parts of the world by the thousands. Its last annual, issued
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January 1, 1893, was a masterly paper, giving a detailed history of every corner of the State. Of its absolute correctness there could be no doubt, and very much of it was so exactly adapted to the purposes of the Cali- fornia Gold Book, and prepared with such care and literary ability, that it appears in these pages, after its facts had been verified by such careful investigation as left no room to doubt its historical value. It comprised a history of events, persons and economic enterprises, which left nothing out worthy of having a place in a standard history of California. John P. Young, managing editor of the Chronicle, is an experienced newspaper man. His first training was received in the editorial room of John W. Forney's Washington Chronicle, and afterwards as the Washington cor- respondent of the Chicago Times. No better school can be found in any city, and he came from there a thoroughly trained editor, charged with a fund of information in regard to men and measures which have served to make him the most prominent and influential editorial writer on the Pacific coast. He is aided by a staff of true artists in their several departments, and the Chronicle is the equal in interest and influence of any of the Eastern journals. Mr. de Young, besides being president of the International League of Press Clubs, vice-president and California commissioner of the World's Fair, and performing the important duties required of the incumbent of each position ably and conscientiously, neglects none of the details of his own great business. Even his enemies admit that he has done more to forward the material interests of Cali- fornia than any man in the State, and will continue to work in her interest so long as he lives,
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The Examiner first sought public favor as an even- ing paper in June, 1865. W. S. Moss owned it, with B. F. Washington as managing editor. Its editorials manifested great ability. The late Senator George Hearst purchased it in October, 1870, and immediately changed it to a morning daily. It became a power at once, being democratic in politics. In 1887 the propri- etorship and management of the paper passed to W. R. Hearst. Young Hearst had just graduated from Harvard, having been thoroughly prepared for a course there by previous experience in the schools of San Francisco and a preparatory school at Concord, Conn. He entered upon the duties of managing editor with creditable ambition, and at once organized a staff of assistants and heads of departments which would have been unexpected in any but a trained journalist. Mr. C. M. Palmer, his business manager, was a pronounced success before Mr. Hearst obtained his services. A. B. Henderson, who has charge of the editorial columns in the absence of Mr. Hearst, was thoroughly trained on the editorial staff of the Chronicle. Readers every- where know of Ambrose Bierce, whose caustic pen very frequently raises a blister on the pride and self- esteem of ambitious pengraphers, if it causes them no other inconvenience. He enlivens the Sunday issue of the Examiner, and is admired by even those he scores. All the writers on the Examiner please and interest its army of readers, and in many of the startling enter- prises inaugurated by the Examiner to gather sensa- tional news from the ends of the earth it has no superior in the world. The people of the country, not confined to San Francisco and California, know that if there is spicy news or exciting incident originating
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anywhere some of its corps of reporters or cororrespond- ents will prepare it for the readers of that paper.
The oldest daily paper on the coast is the California Demokrat, a German paper founded in 1853, by Dr. Von Loehr. In 1858 Frederick Haas purchased it, but continued Dr. Von Loehr as editor till his death, in 1877, when Mr. Gruenblatt was placed in charge as managing editor, and has continued in the position ever since. The Demokrat is influential and successful. Another German paper is the Abend-Post, which began as a daily in 1859. Since it has been under the man- agement of Adolph, Charles and Leon Samuels it has attained great influence. There are 185,000 persons of German birth in California, and 60,000 in San Fran- ' cisco, a magnificent number to whom to look for . support for a paper in their own language.
The Evening Bulletin was first published Oct. 8, 1855. It took the side of the people in a vigorous manner, and was a success from the start. Its first editor, James King, was murdered by a desperado for exposing his crimes. He was succeeded by his brother, Thomas S. King. In June, 1859, Geo. K. Fitch bought an interest in the paper, and soon after Loring Picker- ing secured enough to give them full control, which they have since held. Mr. Fitch has been managing editor. The paper has ever had a reputation for cleanness and ability, and its clientage is among the most cultured and wealthy persons in California.
The Evening Post is one of the brightest and most enterprising evening papers in existence. It was started in 1871 by a few newspaper men as an experi- ment. The Post became the property of George Heazelton in 1889, and he has made it a financial and
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influential success. Mr. Heazelton was an experienced newspaper writer before purchasing the Post. He had graduated on the Chronicle as reporter, news editor, and Washington correspondent. and was fully equipped for efficient newspaper work.
The Daily Evening Report has been published since 1863, first as a weekly and later as a noon daily, to give the mining and stock board reports. In 1875 it was purchased by Wm. M. Bunker, who had previously been on the Bulletin as an editorial writer for eleven years. He was born with an editorial quill in his fingers-metaphorically-his father and his grand- father both having been editors. In 1877 Mr. Bunker sold Mr. A. C. Heister an interest in the paper, and he was given in charge the business management. Mr. Heister was a newspaper man of experience before he became associated with Mr. Bunker; between them they have built up a valuable property and have made an influential newspaper.
The Journal of Commerce is devoted to the business interests of San Francisco. James O'Leary is editor, and is probably the best posted statistician and economist in the city. The paper was established in 1872 and has had varying fortunes, being on the top wave when all kinds of business was prosperous, and contesting for life with the fates when business was slack. A. F. Chapman is business manager.
The Mining and Scientific Press is now in its forty- sixth volume, and nearly from its inception it has been under the editorial management of W. B. Ewer, its present managing editor. In 1847 Mr. Ewer was employed on the Superior Mining Journal, published in Boston, and owned by the brother of Elias Howe,
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the sewing machine inventor. There was at the time considerable excitement over the copper discoveries in the Lake Superior region, and while that was domi- nant came news of the discovery of gold in California. Mr. Ewer made immediate preparations for going across the plains to the gold fields, intending to prose- cute quartz mining. The late Loring Pickering was a companion on the journey, and October 9, 1849, the company arrived at Lawson's ranch, now the Vina vineyard, belonging to the Leland Stanford Junior University. Pickering went to Long's Bar and engaged in merchandising, but not long after bought an interest in the Placer Times and Transcript in connection with a Mr. Lawrence.
In 1851 Mr. Ewer started the Nevada Democrat, and. in 1856 the Mining Journal at Grass Valley, which was the first exclusively mining sheet in California. The Mining Press was started in San Francisco in May, 1860, by Julins Silversmith, and was changed to the Mining and Scientific Press November 30th of the same year. The character and ability displayed by Mr. Ewer induced Silversmith to offer him the editorial management of his paper. This offer was peremptor- ily declined unless he was allowed to purchase an interest in the paper. Negotiations ended in W. B. Ewer becoming editor and proprietor of this mining paper November 8, 1862. Later T. W. Dewey pur- chased an interest and became business manager. The Mining and Scientific Press has had great influence with mining men during all the years of its existence. Its information has always been reliable, and its editor has had no interest in any schemes, and has advocated the interests of legitimate mining. Not once has it
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made a mistake in regard to the worth of a mining camp, and its advice has been wise and for the benefit of investors. It has never been connected with stock deals. For several years Mr. Ewer has had as assistant editor Mr. Chas. G. Yale, a careful writer.
There are nearly one hundred weekly and monthly publications in San Francisco, and these generally have the appearance of being well sustained. The Argonaut, edited by Frank M. Pixley, is probably the best piece of property among them, and there are very many who assert that this is because it deserves to be. It is excellent from a literary standpoint. The News Let- ter, Wave, Wasp, and several others hold high rank.
Among the magazines, the Overland is the oldest, and the latest and spiciest is the Californian Illustrated Magazine. Both these periodicals enlist the services of the best intellects on the coast, and are very popular with the reading public. California is inaugurating a new class of light literature, and not all of the writers developed have deserted the coast as did " Mark Twain " and Bret Harte. Joaquin Miller was glad to return to this genial climate when surfeited with the plaudits of Eastern admirers, and most likely the others will hasten back to extend their lease of life.
Oakland supports three sparkling daily papers, the Enquirer, edited by Frank A. Leach ; the Times, edited by Frank J. Moffitt, and the Tribune, edited by W. E. Dargie. Like the papers elsewhere in California, these are proud of the locality in which they are published, and loyal to its interests. Illustrated editions are frequent, and no information which can benefit Oak- land or California is permitted to rust for lack of tell- ing. It is thus that the outside world is made
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acquainted with the marvelous beauties and advanta- geous possibilities of the place, so that those who are attracted to. Oakland by the newspaper photograph will recognize the place at once, and feel perfectly at home on their arrival.
The postal officials are aware that many times as many newspapers go from California to other parts of the world, as enter California from abroad. Nothing has had more to do with exciting and keeping alive an interest in the wonderful State and its more wonder- ful progress. The local paper is a transcript of events happening in its own vicinity, a business directory and a health report, and one that can be relied on as abso- lutely correct. The resident of California may send back personal letters, but they will be deemed partial and interested, while the local newspaper will be accredited as an impartial historian, with no private ends to serve. The people of California have learned this valuable lesson, and when their paper has been perused, mail it to some one abroad who will be glad to read of California. There is not an issue of any paper published in the State which may not be sent out as a messenger of glad tidings to those whose lines have not been cast in the pleasant places which cover and encircle all the glorious Golden State.
The Pacific Coast Women's Press Association is one of the most efficient instrumentalities for spreading throughout the East and Europe the wonderful attrac- tions and inestimable advantages of California. It is composed of the brainest and most cultured women on the coast, who were united in the association by the great and influential executive ability and rare tact of Mrs. Nellie Blessing Eyster and the lamented Emelie
Music Stand, Golden Gate Park.
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T. Y. Parkhurst, whose early decease was an irrepar- ยท able loss to society and literature. The members of the association are indefatigable workers, and very much that flows from their pens is descriptive letters teeming with pen photographs of the delights of life in California. Wherever they go they are in demand, as Eastern people never tire of the inexhaustible wonders of the gorgeous land under the setting sun. They are a power, too, in the communities in which they reside, and to them and their female friends is due the high standard of culture, refinement and true womanhood which is everywhere apparent on the Pacific coast. On the rostrum and with the pen Mrs. Eyster is a prophet who is most honored in her own country, where her rare eloquence and worth are best known and most highly appreciated.
CHAPTER XX.
FIREMAN'S FUND INSURANCE COMPANY.
This is the oldest and most popular local insur- ance company on the Pacific coast. It was organized May 1, 1863, with a capital of $200,000. Three increases have been made since. In 1865 the capital was increased to $500,000; in 1880 to $750,000, and in 1886 to $1,000,000. The splendid management of the company is best shown by the fact that the privilege of subscribing to the stock at the last increase commanded a premium of thirty to forty per cent. The stability of the company has been tried "as by fire" on several occasions, notably by the immense losses sustained when Chicago was practically swept from the earth, and a little later by the memorable fire
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at Boston. The losses by the Chicago fire aggregated a greater sum than the capital stock of the company at. that time, and by the Boston fire were immense considering the distance of the company from the scene of devastation. Besides, a good many destruc- tive fires have taken place on the coast, where the company is most popular ; but the managers and stock- holders have always proved equal to the emergency, and have satisfied every loss in full, and without calling for outside aid. Since its organization the company has received over twenty-three millions of dollars in premiums and has paid losses aggregating over twelve million dollars. For the year 1892 the income was $1,886,183, and the expenditures $1,703,- 340. The cash assets amounted to $3,037,706, and after providing for every possible liability, including $1,000,000 capital paid in. gold coin, it has a net surplus of $680,974.
The San Francisco officers are: D. J. Staples, presi- dent ; W. J. Dutton, vice-president ; B. Faymonville, secretary, and J. B. Levison, marine secretary. The central department is at 157 and 159 La Salle street, Chicago, with Thomas S. Chard as manager. The Eastern department is in the Mason building, Boston, with Charles W. Kellogg manager. The home office is in the company's magnificent building, corner of Cal- ifornia and Sansome streets, and where its foundations are laid vessels unloaded in 1849, it being almost upon the old-time shore line of the bay of San Francisco.
Vice-President Dutton is one of the ablest and most popular insurance experts on the Pacific coast. He organized the Marine Department of the Fireman's Fund a quarter of a century ago, and was the marine
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secretary until promoted. His successor was selected because of his rare fitness for the position, as have been all the other officers and representatives of this com- pany.
As the Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, through its officers, is a direct connecting link between the Argonaut era and to-day, a brief sketch of its president, David Jackson Staples, will prove historically interest- ing. One of his ancestors fought in King Phillip's war in 1660, and D. J. Staples, was born at Medway, Mass., May 3, 1824. At 11 years of age he commenced service in a cotton mill, and at 19 commenced learning the trade of machinist and locomotive builder at Taun- ton, Mass. In 1848 he married Mary Pratt Winslow, a descendant of Colonial Governor Winslow of Con- necticut. That winter, in copartnership with twenty- four others, he bought the bark Helen Augusta, and loaded her with such merchandise as was believed would be needed in the California market, and started her for San Francisco.
The owners came across the plains in the following year, arriving at Sacramento September 27, 1849. The vessel was already in port. The goods proved to be in demand, and were sold off at a profit, when the company disbanded. Mr. Staples gave mining a brief trial. About this time he purchased a large tract of land on the Mokelumne river. This he improved, paying $700 per 1,000 feet for the lumber with which his house was constructed. He planted a crop of wheat, and went East for Mrs. Staples, arriving with her at the new home on the coast in 1851.
Mr. Staples was a delegate to the Chicago conven- tion in 1860, and supported the candidacy of Mr.
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Lincoln, and became acquainted with him there. He was at his inauguration in 1861, and remained in Washington until the war was under way. When Sumter was fired upon, and the rebel element in Washington City was wild with excitement, and the life of the Nation hung by a thread, Mr. Staples, with three hundred others, formed the Cassius M. Clay battalion, and entered instantly upon the dangerous duty of guarding the Capitol. Day and night these gallant men were at their posts, until the hosts from the North came to the relief of the President. Then President Lincoln advised Mr. Staples to return to California, where the services of loyal adherents of the Union were more in demand than anywhere else in the country, and he reluctantly accepted his discharge, accompanied by a certificate from Secretary Cameron, endorsed by Mr. Lincoln, detailing the untiring manner in which he had performed his duty as guard while the Nation was in greater peril than at any other time during the whole war. No wonder that the Geo. H. Thomas Post, Grand Army of the Republic, considers itself honored by the membership of D. J. Staples. He was an original volunteer, enlisting even before a call had been made by the President.
The Board of Underwriters of San Francisco is com- posed of the best and most influential citizens. It contains the representatives of the principal local, Eastern and foreign insurance companies doing business west of the Rocky mountains. Through its efforts great good has been accomplished, and to it is due much of the wonderful efficiency of the San Francisco Fire Department, which makes a destructive fire next to impossible. For seventeen consecutive years Mr.
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Staples has been president of the Board of Under- writers.
The foregoing facts and figures explain in part the rapidly increasing popularity of the Fireman's Fund Insurance Company with that class which seeks and patronizes the safest and best, not alone on this coast, but in the large cities of the East. The further reason is the exact adaptability of the several officials to recommend everything they have in hand, and to encourage confidence by strictly deserving it. The Fireman's Fund Insurance Company will expand as rapidly as does the business and importance of San Francisco.
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