Ex-Governor Lilburn W. Boggs- (deceased). Was the eldest son of John M. and Martha Oliver Boggs,and was born
in Lexington, Kentucky, January 14,1798. TFHa parents emigrated from the eastern shores of Maryland at an early
day, and his father died when he was quite young. At the age of sixteen he went with the Kentucky troops to the
War of 1812, under Governor Shelby, his company being commanded by Captain Levi Todd, of
Fayette County, Kentucky. He was at the battle of Thames or Tippecanoe. He was absent eighteen months, and on his
return from the Indian war he accepted a situation as book-keeper for the old Insurance Bank of Kentucky. At the
age of eighteen he went to St. Louis, Missouri. He married Miss Julia Bent, daughter of Judge Silas Bent, of that
city. He then removed to Franklin, on the Missouri River, opposite to where now is the city of Boonville, where he
was engaged in mercantile business; and, after failing in business, he settled up his affairs at Franklin, and
obtained a situation at Fort Osage with George C. Sibley, as deputy factor for paying Indians their annuities.
While there his wife's health became delicate, and he returned to St. Louis and took her to her father's home,
where, after giving birth to her second child (Henry), she died. He then returned to his situation at Fort Osage,
and in the spring of 1821 he was joined by his mother and family. The whole family suffered with sickness, and it
was decided that they should return to Kentucky. They left in the fall of that year, and went to St. Genevieve,
Missouri, and remained there until the spring of 1822, and then proceeded to Kentucky. After leaving the family
at St. Genevieve, Lilburn returned to his occupation at Fort Osage. He was part of the time engaged in business
at Marias DuCene, in connection with Ballio & Sibley.. He was married the second time in 1823 to Miss Panthea G.
Boone. She was the daughter of Jesse Boone, son of old Daniel Boone, of Kentucky fame. At once, with her and his
two children, Angus and Henry, he removed to and resided at Harmony, Missouri, an Indian agency on the Neosho, a
branch of the Osage River, at which point he was extensively engaged in trading with the Indians for furs and
peltries. While at this place his first child by his second marriage was born, Thomas Oliver Boggs—now a resident
of Las Animas, Colorado, where he has resided for the past forty years, and where he was engaged by Bent's company
of fur traders as a trader among the Indians. After remaining some time at this post, Mr. Boggs removed to a farm
near Fort Osage, Jackson County, Missouri, and settled in that rich and fertile region known for many years after
by the name of the Six-Mile Settlement At this place his second son, William M. Boggs, was born, in October, 1826.
About this time he selected the town site of Independence, Missouri, for many years the frontier town of the Far
West, where he continued in the mercantile business. While the family were residing at the Marias DuCene a little
incident occurred worth relating, as it shows what presence of mind the \mtufcored savage of the prairies possesses.
It was winter time, and the river near the trading post was frozen over, so much so that it became necessary to cut
a hole in the ice to procure water for the use of the family and persons around the post. The two boys, Angus and
Henry, were amusing themselves sliding on the ice, and the eldest slid a little too far and fell into the opening,
and the swift current swept him down under the ice to where there was an air-hole. An old Indian, whose wigwam
was near by, was looking at the boys from his camp, and he seized a rail, ran down on the ice, and laid flat
on his stomach and shoved the rail along in front of him over the thin ice until he reached the opening where
the boy was clutching at the edge of the thin ice that gave away as fast as he grasped it. But he soon became
benumbed from cold, and would have sunk out of sight, but the Indian by this time reached out and caught him,
and hauled him out upon the ice, and soon had him in his father's arms, who, on hearing the scream of the
younger boy, stood paralyzed with fear that his son was lost. A few hours rubbing and warming brought the
youngster around all right. The Indian, who had risked his life to save the boy, stalked off to the lodge
as though nothing unusual had occurred. But soon a message .from the " Big Trader," as the subject of this
sketch was called by all the border tribes at that time living along the frontier of Missouri, called him;
and on being questioned as to what he most desired, he said, pointing to a huge pile of trade blankets, "
One blanket." But instead of receiving one, they were heaped upon him until he was loaded, with not only
blankets, but whatever else he could carry that an Indian would most desire. Such treatment of the Indians,
in thousands of instances, made him a great " father" among them, and he was remembered by the chiefs and
leading Indians for many years as the man with a "big heart." While residing at Independence, Missouri, he
was pursuing his mercantile business, and was not only the merchant, but also lawyer, doctor and postmaster
of the place, and his house was always open to the new-comer, and hospitality was a reigning feature in his
character. His extensive knowledge of the surrounding country enabled him to point out to the new-comers the
most desirable places to settle, and he would often leave his business, and accompany parties for days in
looking at the best points to locate and open up new homes. Jackson County, Missouri, was his most favorite
place; 'twas there that all his children, by his second marriage, were born, excepting one named George W.,
who was born on the 22d of February, at Jefferson City, the others being born in and about 'Independence,
Missouri. He was a man of fine physical development, the very embodiment of health, and gifted with the art
of pleasing conversational powers, and his quiet and pleasant manner of talking always interested his hearers,
who listened to him while he was conversing with them as though he were reading a book, and many times in the
first settlements of the West would he enjoy himself in some new-comers' log cabin, with a bevy of rosy cheeked
children around a huge log fire, and entertain them with anecdotes and good advice, how to grow rich, etc.,
etc., which always pleased the old lady of the family, and with a little one or two on his lap, would pass
away nearly the whole evening, supremely happy. His popularity soon spread over a large section of the new State, and he was among the first
number who framed the laws of his favorite State, Missouri. He was in her Legislative Councils, then in the
Senate, and then Lieutenant Governor and afterwards Governor. But prior to his engaging in public life as a
leading statesman, he embarked among the first overland merchants in the Santa Fe" or New Mexican trade, and
took goods out to Santa Fe', and returned to Independence about the year 1829, At that time the country west
of the Missouri State line was only inhabited by roving tribes of Indians, many of whom were hostile, and it
required a strong party and much caution to make the journey to Santa Fe". His description of the plains and
the herds of buffalo and wild horses was graphic indeed. They were sometimes in danger of being run over by
the vast herds of buffalo. His early associations in the Far West brought him in contact with the most noted
of frontiersmen, mountaineers, trappers and guides; men like the celebrated " Bill" Sublette, Capt. Joe
Walker," Peg Leg" Smith, "Bill" Williams, the Choteaus, and many of the leading business men in St. Louis.
In the year 1836 he was elected Governor of the State, and removed with his family to Jefferson City, his
family at this time consisting of twelve children, all living — nine sons and three daughters, including
the two eldest by his first wife. Angus and Henry were at this time grown men, and Angus was associated
with his father in the mercantile business, and the firm name was A. L. Boggs & Co. They bought out the
store of a Mr. Fisher, formerly of Baltimore. This business did not prove a success. The Governor,
although an experienced merchant, and attending to the business in person, was not a success. He went East,
as far as Philadelphia, and purchased largely. About this time the new State House was built in Jefferson City,
the old one having been burned a year previous. Governor Boggs was empowered to act in procuring certain
material while East for roofing and finishing the Capitol. He was authorized to buy copper for roofing, and
lumber for finishing up the building. This splendid edifice was begun about the year 1837 or 1838, is built
of fine white freestone, and has six fine granite columns in front, that are thirty feet between cap and base,
six feet in diameter, and are placed in a circle in front of the Capitol and the main entrance to the building,
over which is a large stone slab, with Governor Boggs' name cut in large letters, giving the names also of the
officers of the State under him. His political troubles now began to appear. Colonel Thomas H. Benton was
and had been the ruling spirit of the Democratic party—the party in power—and Governor Boggs was elected over
his opponent, General Ashley, by a very large majority, and was about as popular as Colonel Benton in the party.
The appointing of the State officers was vested in the Governor, and he* proceeded to make some appointments which displeased Colonel Benton, whose power over the different Governors and whose will was almost
supreme in filling the offices of State with his favorites. Governor Boggs had appointed the Secretary of
State, State Auditor of Public Accounts and State Treasurer without consulting Colonel Benton, or, as he was
termed, "Old Bullion." Colonel Thomas H-Benton, United States Senator from Missouri for thirty years; he
whose motto was "Union, harmony and self-denial; everything for the cause, nothing for men"—he whose will
was law in the party, the control of which he had held for thirty years, became offended at the presumption
of the Governor of Missouri for daring to make appointments outside of his personal or political friends,
and he made some threats, which he never carried out. Governor Boggs remarked, on hearing of Colonel
Benton's displeasure, in his usual quiet and easy manner, that if Colonel Benton was going to act as Governor
of the State, he would take his family back to their home in Jackson County, and he would retire from public
office and resign, but as he was elected Governor he would remain at Jefferson City and discharge the duties
of chief executive of the State, regardless of Colonel Benton or. any of his friends. This decided course
gathered around him quite an array of warm personal friends, many of whom took issue with Colonel Ben-ton on
political questions, and thus began the " Anti-Benton " party in Missouri, which finally caused that great
statesman's downfall and final defeat in bis own State. During Governor Boggs' term of office at Jefferson
City, he maintained and kept an open house. His parlors in the Governor's residence were always full, and
his hospitality became proverbial. The poor and the rich were alike welcome to his home and board.
While at Jefferson City the Governor received much company, and his house was scarcely ever clear of guests.
He was particularly fond of receiving his old backwoods and frontier friends, and with treating them with
great cordiality. He appointed one of his old neighbors from the Six-Mile Settlement State Treasurer.
After the resignation of the old State Treasurer, Mr. Walker, Governor Boggs appointed Abraham McClellan,
an honest old man who had been for many years a neighbor of the Governor at Fort Osage, in the Six-Mile
Settlement. This honerable old man was put in charge of the State Treasury about the time of the
commencement of the new State Capitol building, and the business of the office required close attention.
On the loss of the old capitol building by fire, the Governor had the office of State Treasurer removed to
his store, and the Secretary of > State, James L. Miner's office, placed in a building opposite the
Governor's residence, and Governor Boggs rendered the various officers of State all the assistance and
advice necessary to carry on the State affairs with exactitude and good management The old State
Treasurer, an honest old fanner, formerly from Tennessee, was inexperienced in the duties of his office,
but the Governor kindly aided him and kept everything moving on correctly. After the completion of the new State Capitol
building, Mr. McClellan, being tired of office, tendered his resignation, and on settling up his accounts,
the committee appointed by the Legislature to settle with the retiring officer, found that there was some
six hundred dollars more money than belonged to the State, and the old gentleman could not account for it
or tell how it came into the State Treasury, and it was tendered to him as belonging to his private funds,
but he declined to accept it, stating that it was not his money and he would not have it. Governor Boggs
made several appointments of State officers that displeased some of Colonel Benton's hangers-on, and
consequently created some ill feeling towards the Governor. Among the appointees was Hiram H. Baber,
Auditor of Public Accounts. He was a brother-in-law of the Governor arid was residing at Jefferson City,
which had been bis home for many years. Mr. Baber was an intelligent and competent man, and proved to be
one of the most efficient officers the State ever had; so much were his services appreciated by the State
that he was retained in that department by succeeding Governors until his health prevented him from the
further discharge of the duties of the office. Another appointment of Governor Boggs was made under very
peculiar circumstances. On the Governor's arrival on the north side of the Missouri River, opposite the
city of Jefferson, on his way to occupy the Governor's house, his family accompanying him, the party
arrived late at the ferry landing. The Governor concluded to pass the night at a new log house, that
was erected by the owner of a farm near the ferry. A man with a family was encamped near the ferry landing
who seemed to be poor, but had evidently seen better days. His wife, daughters and two sons appeared to be
very nice people. The Governor, as usual with him, began to make inquiries about their destination, etc.,
and was informed by the father of the family that he had suddenly been deprived of his property and was
seeking a new home ; was without means, and did not know where to go to better his condition, but thought
he would rent a house somewhere if he could get one, until he could look around and get something to do.
The Governor informed him that he would aid him to get a house as soon as he could cross the river into
town, and that he would also try to find him employment This so pleased the gentleman that he grasped
the Governor's hand and pointed to his family, at the same time stating that he had made them his friends
for life. On the Governor's arrival in Jefferson City the next day he procured a comfortable residence the
first thing he did for this homeless family, and some few days elapsed when the gentleman received a note
from the Governor, desiring to see him at his office. The gentleman, whose name was Burch, called promptly,
and was somewhat surprised when the Governor handed him an appointment to fill the office of Warden of the State
prison, an office that pud a handsome salary and provided a fine two-story stone building, furnished,
for the Warden and his family. This placed the newly-made acquaintance of the Governor hi comparatively
easy circumstances, his family among the best of society, and enabled him to educate his children, one
of whom has since represented the Northern District of California in Congress, and is at the writing
of this article a prominent lawyer and politician in this State - the Hon. John C. Burch. Governor Bogg's
quiet and independent manner of discharging his official duties made him many warm personal friends,
while at the same time it created some bitter political enemies even in his own party. About this
time much trouble was created by the Mormons, a religious sect who had been driven some years before
from Jackson County, Missouri, from the immediate neighborhood of Governor Bogg's old home at Independence.
These Mormons, led by Joe Smith, Lyman White, Sidney Bigdon and other prominent men of the faith, after
their expulsion by a mob of citizens from Jackson County, settled in the north-western part of the State,
and caused so much trouble by their peculiar laws and customs that the people of that section petitioned
the Governor to do something to relieve them of their disagreeable neighbors. The Governor advised
patience and forbearance, hoping that the civil authorities would be able to quell all disturbances,
but the complaints and petitions of the people continued to reach the Governor and finally he was informed
that the citizens were arming for their own protection. He at once issued a proclamation and called for
five thousand troops or volunteer State militia, which call was promptly answered by various counties in
the State sending armed, uniformed and equipped companies to the seat of war. Several fine mounted military
companies passed through Jefferson City and presented themselves to the Governor, who by this time had
appointed his staff of officers and proceeded to review the troops under his command. He appointed General
John B. Clark, an experienced and highly intelligent gentleman, to take command of the expedition, with
orders to remove the Mormons from the State, which were promptly executed by General Clark without
bloodshed, save some little skirmishing by the Jackson County troops, under their old commanders,
Generals Lucas and Wilson, acting without orders from their superior officers. They proceeded to the
scene of difficulties and attacked the Mormons near Far West, capturing their leaders and the town of
Far West before the arrival of General Clark and the main body of the troops under his immediate
command. The Governor, on learning of the capture of Smith and his confederate leaders, sent a messenger
post-haste to General Clark commanding him to torn over the prisoners to the civil authorities at once,
to be tried for the crimes and charges preferred against them, which order was promptly obeyed by General
dark's command. It is much to be regretted that the official
acts of Governor Boggs, and much, if not entirely all of his official correspondence has been lost
and destroyed, so much so that dates and events are only to be obtained from those whose recollections
and personal intimacy with the Governor could give account of these proceedings in a general way. Barrels
and bundles of public papers preserved by him during his lifetime which have been lost and destroyed,
would have thrown much more more light on his very eventful public as well as private life. The
necessity that cajled forth this public act of Governor Boggs, in causing the Mormons to be removed
from the State, embittered them against him as the chief cause of their difficulty in establishing
the " Church of the Latter Day Saints," as they termed themselves, in Missouri, and it brought down
on him the revenge of Mormondom. It was prophesied by Joe Smith, in the New Temple, at Nauvoo, Illinois,
where they had established themselves, and had become prosperous for a time, that the ex-Governor of
Missouri would die by violence inside of twelve months, and in order to fulfill his prophecy, he employed
one Orin Porter Rockwell to proceed to Independence, Missouri, whither the Governor had removed at the
expiration of his term of office, and where he was residing at his old home with his family of little
children around him in peace and quietude. This emissary of the apostle Joe Smith came to Independence
in disguise, and hired to a citizen of the place as a common hostler, and made himself familiar with the
ex-Governor's habits, his place of residence, and all the surroundings of his home at Independence, About
this time the ex-Governor was a candidate for senator from his old senatorial district. This midnight assassin,
Rockwell, had so managed as to get a discharge from his employer, and after the elapse of some two or three
weeks returned to Independence, and at the dead hour of night, under cover of dense darkness, stole up to
the Governor's house, and fired through the window close to the Governor's head, discharging a heavily
charged German holster pistol, containing some sixteen balls, into the back of the Governor's head, four
of which took effect, two of them penetrating the skull and lodging in the left lobe of his brain, and one,
passing entirely through the hollow of his neck, came out at the roof of his mouth; the fourth one lodged
in the fleshy part of his neck. The remainder of the charge struck the plastering of the room, passing all
over and around the heads of his two younger daughters, one an infant in its crib, immediately in front of
him, and the elder child, standing in range with his body and the window, was rocking the little one. The
other members of the family were yet in the supper-room with their mother. The sudden scream, loud report
of a pistol, and the noise of jingling broken glass all seemed simultaneous, and the family rushed into the
room, filled with smoke and smell of gunpowder, to find their father, who a few moments before left the supper
table in the perfect health and strength of matured manhood, a mass of blood, stunned and bleeding, with
his head hanging back over his arm-chair, unconscious,and apparently dead. The noise, and screams
of wife and children, soon brought the surrounding neighbors in the suburbs to his residence. The news
spread rapidly, and in half an hour or less some two or three hundred of his fellow townsmen, with
physicians, had gathered in. After getting him out on the porch he came to, and was perfectly conscious
of all that was passing, but very weak from loss of blood and sick from what he had swallowed. The
doctors, some four being present, one of whom, Dr. J. 0. Boggs, was his brother, questioned him as to
his wounds, and he expressed himself as not knowing that he was shot; felt no pain, and seemed to
be perfectly rational and easy. The examination of the head showed that two balls had penetrated
the skull to the frontal part, the others as described above. These wounds, either of which the
doctors said was sufficient to kill an ordinary man, did not end his mortal career, but came very
near doing so, as it prostrated him for one entire year, but did not prevent his election to the
Senate, and he returned to Jefferson City the following winter. His efforts that winter in the Senate
to do something to relieve the distress brought on by the very hard times of the years 1838-9 is well
remembered by the citizens of Missouri. His bill for the relief of hard times was prepared and circulated
long before he took his seat, and was fully discussed by all parties. It passed the House, but was
defeated in the Senate. The writer, although present at the debates on the merits and demerits of the bill,
was not old enough to remember the provisions of the bill, but it was popular with those who understood
its merits. It is utterly impossible to give a full and complete history of the public life of
ex-Governor Boggs, which extended throughout his entire residence in Missouri for over thirty years,
as it would be too voluminous for this work, and too incomplete for want of proper data and public
documents long since destroyed. He officiated at the laying of the corner-stone of the new State Capitol,
erected and completed in 1840. His name is cut in stone over the main entrance to the building,
and will no doubt remain.there as long as the Capitol stands. While the Governor was at Jefferson City
for the last time as Senator, one morning, whilst conversing with some members of the Legislature on the
portico in front of the Capitol, one of the balls.that entered his neck had worked its way out, and,
putting up his hand to the back of his head, as was his custom long after receiving these wounds, he
gently squeezed the affected part and the ball slipped into his hand, and holding it out to one of
the gentlemen, said, " See here, I can pick bullets out of my head." This little incident happened in
the morning before the usual hour for the Legislature to assemble, and Governor Boggs was the
topic of the day, and was frequently spoken of as the man with his head full of bullets. He returned home
to his family at the close of the session, having left his wife and younger children at the farm of his
son, Henry C Boggs, some twenty-five miles south of Independence, where they had passed the winter. From
there the family removed to a farm a few miles farther east on the prairie, and after remaining only a
few months at this place the family removed to Independence again for a short time, when the Governor,
in company with his brother-in-law, Alphonso Boone, eldest brother of his wife, purchased a fine farm
in Cass County, where both he and Colonel Boone moved with their families. About this time his son Thomas
the eldest boy by his last wife, left home and went to the Rocky Mountains, and engaged to Bent's company,
on the Arkansas, as a trader with the Indians. The Governor made some improvements on this new home, but
losing his eldest daughter Martha at this place, he became dissatisfied, and after interring his daughter
at Independence, he returned and disposed of the farm, and together with his family removed to a small farm
near Independence, where he erected a comfortable home again, in the vicinity of some fine springs of
cold water, and at this place he and his younger sons engaged in farming. His attention at this time was
taken up with an idea that he had for a long time been meditating, and that was a removal to the Pacific Coast.
His constant theme of conversation was directed to a map of California, on the Pacific Ocean. This was
about the years 1843-4, and a party of his old neighbors from Jackson County had gone out to explore the
country west of the Rocky Mountains, had penetrated as far as the Pacific Ocean. Among this party was
Captain John Rickman, Charles Hopper, (the same Uncle Charley Hopper who died recently and was buried in
Yountville, Napa County, California,) Colonel Bartleson of Jackson County, a large man, a good judge of
new countries. These men gave good accounts of the climate and natural resources of the country, but could
not see how emigrants with families could make the journey safely, as the country was unexplored and there
were many difficulties to overcome. Notwithstanding all this, Captain Rickman believed that the country
would eventually fall into the hands of the Americans, and he had been, as far in California as Yerba Buena,
now the city of San Francisco. Captain Rickman was an enthusiast and advocated the idea of an overland railroad
across the continent, and he and Governor Boggs would converse for hours over the feasibility of constructing
a railroad to the Pacific Ocean, from some point on the Missouri River, and the old man actually purchased
forty acres of land on the Missouri River near Independence, and proceeded to cut and fell the timber with
the view of making that his starting point and depot for the great overland railroad, which was to follow
over the route which he had made with such difficulty on pack mules, a year or two previous. The Governor wrote an
article in 1842 on the subject, which was addressed to the editor of the St. fouls Reporter, edited by
Shadwick Penn. This article described the route over which the road was to pass, also an estimate of the
cost, basing his calculations on the costs of the railroads of Pennsylvania. He chose the route by way of Santa Fe,
which is about the same as that of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Road, only his starting point was to be
from Independence, Missouri, and the terminus was to be at San Diego, Lower California, along the thirty-fifth
parallel. This original article on that important subject, at such an early day, is not far from the correct
estimate, and cost of construction of the roads now being built along that route. The document is still preserved
and was handed over to the Pioneer Association at Sonoma as a relic. The emigration to Oregon had been talked of,
and one or two parties had started from Independence. Governor Boggs declared his intention of removing with his
family to California, and he and his old friend Captain Rickman talked often and discussed the best means and
method of making, at that time, what was considered a very hazardous trip, especially with families. Before
starting to that distant land his old friends would often advise him to give it up, but his knowledge of a
great portion of the route derived in former years from his old trapper friends, enabled him to overcome all
scruples or fear of taking his family on so dangerous a journey. His two eldest sons, Angus and Henry, were
residing on farms in Jackson County, and appeared to be permanently settled. Thomas, his first son by his
second marriage, was in the Rocky Mountains, or at Bents Fort, now Colorado; his next oldest son, William M.,
had been out to New Mexico, and spent one year with the Indians on the Plains, and in the Rocky Mountains had
associated with experienced men of the Plains like Kit Carson and other noted guides, and, of course, was ready
to accompany his father to his new home on the Pacific Slope. The outfit was prepared at Independence in the
spring of 1846, and about the 10th of May started on the long journey with ox-teams. The overland party of
that year consisted of about one hundred wagons and families, among whom was the Conner family, that suffered in
the Sierra Nevadas in a snow-bound camp. William M. Boggs married, just before starting, Miss Sonora Hicklin,
daughter of John Hicklin, Esq., a former friend of the Governor's, who, when a young man, often accompanied the
Governor in his business of trading with the Indians on the frontiers of Missouri. William, with his bride,
embarked on the journey for a bridal trip a few days after bis wedding, in fine spirits, with a good rifle
and fair outfit, consisting of a good supply of clothing and provisions, and plenty of pluck. He was elected
captain of the emigrant train at Ash Hollow, on the Nebraska River, and conducted his father's party safely
through to California, hunting and scouting most of the
time, and always bringing to his party plenty-of buffalo-meat, and finding good camping-grounds. Hie Governor
arrived at Sutters Fort in the month of November, 1846; but previous to bis arrival in the Sacramento Valley,
he had been met by Colonel Fallen, of Fremont's party, who informed him that the American flag was flying in
California, and that hostilities had actually commenced; and the Colonel's business was gathering recruits for
the army of Colonel Fremont, who was then at Sutters Fort organizing his forces. The Governor was kindly received
by Captain Sutter; and after spending a few hours in his hospitable fort, he took leave of him, and crossed to
the west side of the Sacramento, and reached Sonoma about the 8th of November. After camping a few days during
a heavy rain, he was visited by General Vallejo, and Lieutenant Revere of the United States Navy. General Vallejo
tendered him the use of his house on the Petaluma Rancho, where he spent the winter of 1846 - a long and dreary
wet winter, with no society but the members of his family and an occasional visit from General Vallejo, whose
hospitality knew no bounds. His son William recruited a small party of volunteers and crossed the bay and
tendered his services and those of his party to the United States officers at San Francisco, and was despatched
at once to reinforce the troops at Santa Clara and Monterey, and served until the close of the Mexican War. The
Governor returned in the spring to the town of Sonoma, and entered into the mercantile business with a Mr. William
Scott, who had a small stock of goods. Colonel Mason, the Military Governor of California, appointed him Alcalde
of the Northern District, his jurisdiction to extend to Sacramento, including Sutters Fort; thence northward to
the Oregon line and down the coast to the bay, and all the country north of the bay of San Francisco. The duties
of this office were to try all cases that would now come before a Superior Court, and to preserve and maintain
order in his department, with authority to call on the military when he needed assistance. These duties the
Governor discharged to the entire satisfaction of the commanding officers and Military Governors who succeeded
Colonel Mason. About this time a trial was to come off before his court at Sonoma wherein Captain Sutter was a
party to the suit, and charged Armijo, of Suisun, with kidnapping his Indians, and the cause or complaint was
made to the Alcalde, at Sonoma. Governor Boggs sent a summons by his Sheriff for Captain Sutter to appear on
a certain day for trial, at Sonoma. The distance, about one hundred miles, to Sutters Fort, was made on
horseback in those days. Captain Sutter failing to put in an appearance, judgment for costs of suit was entered
against him - costs amounting to something near $300. The Alcalde was surprised one morning by an Indian handing
him a letter and package from Captain Sutter, stating that owing to the discovery of gold on the American River,
his business was of such importance that he hoped the Alcalde would excuse him
for not obeying his summons, and in the package accompanying the letter was a bottle of gold dust amounting
to some $300, to pay costs of suit, etc. This was the first news that Sonoma had of the discovery of gold,
and fte Governor was kept busy for several days exhibiting the gold to the eager citizens of all classes,
and a rush was made to the mines. The Governor remained at Sonoma and pursued his mercantile business. The
returning miners brought sacks of gold and deposited with him for safe keeping, purchased largely of him, and
his business increased rapidly, and in a few years he was enabled to settle up his old debts, which were caused
from the hard times and failures in Missouri. These debts were all looked up and paid off. The Governor then
retired to his farm in Napa Valley, where he lived until he died in 1861. Among the many official acts of
ex-Governor Boggs, while acting as Alcalde in the occupation of California by the United States authorities,
and before the organization of any State Government, was that of performing the marriage ceremony, which duty
he took great pleasure in doing, and on many occasions would ride twenty-five or thirty miles on horseback to
accommodate parties who wished to be united in wedlock; and the Governor being the only judicial officer at that
time, and, in fact, the only authority outside of the Catholic Church, was frequently called upon to perform that
important ceremony. Among those whom he united in wedlock was Dr. Robert Semple, of Benicia, to Miss Frances
Cooper, daughter of the venerable pioneer, Stephen Cooper, of Colusa County. Dr. Semple being the founder of
the city of Benicia, and Mr. Cooper the first to erect a hotel in the place about the year 1848. The Governor
rode from Sonoma to Benicia on horseback to perform the marriage ceremony. He also married William Edgington,
Esq., an old resident of Napa County, to Miss Nancy Grigsby, daughter of Captain John Grigsby, one of the Bear
flag party. These families are now living in Napa. David Hudson to Miss Griffith, and Judge James H. McCord to
Miss Griffith, all of Napa County, and have large families. The Governor always set a good example to the bridegroom,
by first saluting the bride with a kiss. This little joke was always well received by the bridal party, as he had
a happy way of pleasing all present with his familiarity. He was assisted principally in his mercantile business
at Sonoma by his son, Albert G. Boggs, who for years was County Treasurer of Napa County, and who yet resides in
Napa City, attending to the duties of that office. As a farmer the Governor was not an expert; he followed farming
more from taste than as a profit. He was fond of seeing good farming, and was a great admirer of fine stock. He at
one time, about the year 1852, sent his son Albert, with his elder brother Thomas, to Missouri with some $15,000
to purchase blooded cattle. They succeeded in bringing across the plains a drove of fine Durham cattle, to Napa
County, purchased from the best stock-raisers in Missouri and Kentucky, and from this drove Napa County stock was
much improved. About the year I860 his health began to fail; his physicians pronounced his complaint dropsy
of the heart, which caused him much trouble for nearly a year. His strong constitution bore up against this
distressing malady for many months of suffering, but it finally terminated his life at his farm in Napa
Valley, March 19,1861. His correspondence "with the leading men of the country brought him many letters
from distinguished persons, one dated at Copenhagen, from the secretary of the Boyal Society of Northern
Antiquarians, written April 21,1840, informing him of his election by that society to number among its
members his name. This document is partly in the Danish language, and is a beautiful specimen of penmanship -
signed by the president and secretary of the society, with the seal of the society attached. Their object in
making Governor Boggs a member of their society was in furtherance of perpetuating the pre-Columbian history
of America. This letter was found among some of his old papers in a good state of preservation. His remains
were removed from the farm to the Tulucay Cemetery at Napa City. His wife survived him until September 23,1880,
and their remains rest side by side in the family lot near the center of the cemetery.
History of Napa and Lake Counties,: San Francisco, Cal.: Slocum, Bowen & Co., Publishers, 1881
Transcribed by Julie Appletoft, February, 2007 Pages 373 - 386
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