Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 101, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 March 1916 — Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 [ADVERTISEMENT]

THE LAST OF THE FORTY-NINERS ----- Man Who Crossed the Plains During California Gold Rush Found Indians Friendly. One of the few "Forty-Niners” who is still living is C. R. Post of this city now 90 years old. He crossed the great divide to California, starting from St. Louis when it was a town of 8,000 or 10,000. He was one of a party of 400 who went West in search for gold, most of them being Illinoisans, Post’s former home being in Sangamon county. The party on leaving St. Louis had 100 oxen to draw the wagons, but Post found this method of traveling too slow, and so, with a few companions and four oxen, he set out ahead and beat the rest of the party to California by a month. Post is still vigorous, and takes great interest in business and church affairs. In September he returned from a visit to San Francisco, where he had been in its early days and had seen some of its thrilling events, many of which are mentioned in “The Gray Dawn,” a story by Stewart Edward White. Post knew Judge Terry, who was sought by a mob, and other characters whom White names. On his visit to San Francisco Post was able to find the site of the old boarding house where he stayed more than a half century ago, now part of Portsmouth square. The journey across the great plains was not accomplished without great hardship. Often they ran short of food, and frequently there was insufficient grass for the cattle. On the way they caught up with one party that had been reduced to such straits that its members became cannibals and actually ate one of their number. While modern novels and the movies depict the Forty-Niners as having been attacked by Indians, their women stolen, men scalped and killed, Post says he found the Indians exceptionally friendly all the way across, although their party was a small one. Even the Sioux were hospitable. After reaching ’Humboldt river the party followed the stream until it disappeared under a desert, to reappear after a stretch of many miles. Post’s party took two days to cross the desert, two of the oxen dying on the trip. But, once across, there was the river again, cool and refreshing, and Post recalls how he stood on its banks for 10 minutes contemplating it as the most beautiful sight he had ever seen, before quenching his thirst. Post was one of the fortunates who found gold. He located near Downeyville, and soon after beginning his hunt he dug his spade behind a rock in a shallow stream and drew it forth laden with “pay dirt” containing $200 worth of gold. Later Post engaged in the lumber trade, as San Francisco was paying sky-high prices for building material. He sawed trees into lumber and made big money at it. In 1852 he left San Francisco for St. Louis, via the Isthmus of Panama, and crossed the isthmus along a mountain trail used for several centuries. While every Western town and mining camp was largely given over to gambling and drinking, Post says he has never taken a drink in his life, and that he gambled but 10 cents. This was in 1852 in San Francisco, when he loaned a man in a dance hall that amount and lost. Mr. Post is the father of the late C. W. Post, the millionaire manufacturer of Battle Creek, Mich., who left him $50,000. He does not appear to be over 70. His wife, a St. Louis woman, died only a year ago. —Ft. .Worth (Texas) Cor. New York World. -----

AN INDIANA DAILY I’OR $1.50 If Subscribed For in Connection With The Democrat, Both for $3.00. The Democrat has just completed clubbing arrangements with the Indiana Daily Times of Indianapolis whereby it is enabled to offer to rural route subscribers The Democrat and the Times, both a full year for only $3,00. This is the greatest daily paper offer you ever had, and if you want a good daily paper at a bargain price, now is your opportunity to secure it by sub scribing for The Democrat—or renewing, as the case may be—and paying $3.00 for the two papers a full year. This offer may be withdrawn at any time, so send in your subscriptions at once. ts Sample copies of the Indiana Daily Times, the big daily paper given in connection with The Democrat to country or rural route subscribers, at only $3 for the two papers, may be seen at The Democrat office. * ts You should see the greatest line of boys’ and children’s clothing in our city. Call for Perfection Brand. To fit all ages. Novelties and plains at Duvall’s Quality Shop.—C. EARL DUVALL.