A LINK WITH A GREAT PAST.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 469, 19 August 1909, Page 3

A LINK WITH A GREAT PAST.

END OF A ROMANTIC CAREER.

Dudedin, August 12

. The death of Mr J. Eskdale at Palmerston South yesterday, at the age of 84 years, brought to a dose a most romantic career. Deceased was born near Dumfries in 1825, and when 14 years old went to Hull to join an uncle in the drapery trade, but he tired of this life, and went to America. After a year’s life on a ranche, he took up saloon-keeping at Seadville, where the ill-fated Victor Galbraith, who was afterwards tried by court martial and shot, and whose death was immortalised by Longfellow, saved his life. Eskdale was attacked by 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 the Indian Territory and Mexico, and on one occasion deceased was badly wounded by a tomahawk thrown by redskins. Mr Eskdale served in the Mexican 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 goods and a wagon-train, and with this set out for California. They had to cross the Arizona desert, and so great were their privations that out of 90 members of the party only Mr Eskdale and two other survived. In a little over a year, however, Mr Eskdale had amassed ,£20,000, and he returned to England, where he married. Deceased was next heard of ii> 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 the Thames as a commission agent he arrived in Dunedin, where he managed several businesses.

Mr Eskdale was seriously injured at Oamaru by a wheat stack falling on him some years ago, bis sight, hearing, taste and smell being injured. His wife died before he came to New Zealand.