ROMANTIC CAREER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2580, 14 August 1909, Page 5

ROMANTIC CAREER.

DEATH OF A CALIFORNIAN PIONEER. (Per Press Association., DUNEDIN, August 13. The death of Mr J. Eskdale, at Palmerston, at the age of 84 verirs, brought, to a close a most romantic career. Deceased was born near Dcfmfiies in 1825, and when 14 years old went to Hull to join his uncle'in the drapery trade, bathe tired of this lile, and went to America. After a year’s life on a ranch he took up saloon keeping at Leadville, where the ill-iated \ ictor Galbraith, who was afterwards tried by court-mar-tial and shot, and whose death was immortalised by Longfellow in poem, saved his life. Eskdale was attacked bv a ruffian, who was about to strike him down with a knife, when Victor Galbraith fired, and broke the desperado’s arm, the knife falling to the ground. After two years of saloon-keeping Eskdale joined'a party of fur traders plying between Indian country and Mexico, and on one occasion deceased was badly wounded by a tomahawk thrown by redskins. Mr Eskdale served in the Mexicau war, during which he was wounded in the leg. While with the troops he witnessed the unfortunate incident which led to 'the execution of Victor Galbraith. After the war Eskdale and a party of fur traders received 30.000 dollars compensation for the loss of a waggon train, and with this they setout” for California. They had to cross the Arizona desert, and'so great were the privations that out of 90 men only Mr Eskdale and two others survived. In a little over a year Eskdale had amassed £20,000. and he returned to England, where* he married. Deceased was next heard of in Paris (Ontario), and two years later he came to Oldburne, his fortune having previously left him. Subsequently he came to New Zealand, and after living for a time at Thames he came to Dunedin, whore he managed several businesses at times. *Mr Eskdale was seriously injured at Oamaru by a stack of wheat falling on him some years ago, his sight, hearing, taste, rind smell being impaired. His wife died Irefore he came to New Zealand.

[Victor Galbraith served as a trumpeter in the United States Volunteer Cavalry in the war with Mexico (1845) and was shot at Monterey for a breach of discipline.]