Sons In
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Amador County Branch 96 - Jackson, California |
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THE OXEN’S TALE # 9 JOHN SUTTER AND HIS FORT Part #2 By Frank Tortorich
John A. Sutter was nearly broke when he came to the United States in 1834. He became involved in the Santa Fe trade business out of St. Louis. His second year in this business, he decided to go on his own. Sutter was able to convince 14 men to invest in his business. Sutter had an engaging personality and was able to operate ON CREDIT! His business was a disaster. In Santa Fe, Sutter sold off what he could of the trade items and left for the small town of Westport, MO. He did not want to return to St Louis and face his creditors. With the cash in his pocket, Sutter started over in Westport. He paid cash for a farm and bought a second farm, ON CREDIT! Sutter was able to start several other businesses, ON CREDIT! One of his adventures was the building of a hotel in Westport, called the Far West Hotel. He hired Indian labor. It is not clear how he got the money to pay the laborers. Some think he was selling illegal items to the Indians. In 1838, Sutter left town in the middle of the night due to mounting debt and disgruntled creditors. Next time we will talk about Sutter’s round about way to California. |
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