FERGUSON, William Henry

Arizona Journal-Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory Thursday, February 12, 1913, page 3, col. 3 Another Pioneer Called By Death (From Thursday's Daily) Another one of those Arizona pioneers has answered the summons and the grim reaper claims W. H. Ferguson, his death occurring late on Tuesday night after an illness of many months, due to a general breakdown in health. The passing of this ‘Pilgrim of the Gila’ is a sad one, as there is removed to another sphere one, those men who helped to make history for the old territory and through whose diligence and industry the borderland was redeemed that others might enjoy the fruits of the hardships borne by the early Hassayamper who blazed the way and built after he finished the work that was attended with privations and dangers but few of this generation appreciate. The deceased was a typical frontiersman 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 and 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 always exemplified whenever the occasion arose for the blue and the gray to mingle. In short, he was a good man and an exemplary citizen. His death revives an incident in early manhood that few, if any, know in this community and which was filled 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 a gold seeking mission. After a long sea voyage, they disembarked at what is now the city of Townville. Later, they outfitted and went out to the northern part of the island and established a camp in the Mount Powell Range, where they prospected for the yellow metal. Success followed and the aggregate wealth of the party reached several thousand dollars. Returning to the nearest settlement after supplies, their nationality directed investigation and they were taxed to a “finish,” as the deceased 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 governor of the province to swear allegiance to the Crown of England. The Civil War began in the United States, and the motive for the extraordinary exaction was grasped in an instant. Other Americans from remote places 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 official prevailed. The handful of aliens banded themselves into a solid front and held a secret meeting. All emphatically 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, Mr. Ferguson advanced 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 lying in the harbor, when the fifty-nine boarded it, and inside of thirty hours, were sailing away. Arriving at Vancouver, the loyal Americans went across the line to their homeland again. All landed in San Francisco late in 1861, and the majority enlisted in the army to fight for the union. The deceased was assigned to Company I of the 4th California Volunteer Infantry, and sent to Drum Barracks, now Wilmington, 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 Tucson in 1865. He drifted to this section, and arrived in Prescott in 1866. He was given the position of chief quartermaster clerk at Fort Whipple in recognition of his military record, and which he filled capably. Afterward, his valuable services were secured by Hinds & Hooker, the contractors who were supplying the military of Arizona with meat, and the deceased had charge of that important duty. He was compelled to travel from one post to another, and in this line of work had a dangerous duty to perform, the country being infested with Apache. Leaving the military and the contracting firm above, the deceased followed mining in this field for over forty years, but with varying success. His once vigorous frame gave way to old age and privations of early days and the end came as though he was passing into a deep sleep, and without any struggle to resist the inevitable. He was born in Schenectady, New York, on August 4, 1832, reaching the ripe age of nearly 81 years. He was the last of his family, a sister passing away but a short time ago at the old home. He leaves a devoted wife, a daughter, Mrs. W. H. Dunte (Bunte), and a son, Gilbert Ferguson. He will be laid away by his comrades of the Grand Army and as he affectionately requested but a few hours before the end came.