Person:James Stilson (12)

DEATH BECKONS J. M'C. STILSON, CHICO PIONEER
Noted Collection of Indian and Pioneer Relics Loaned Display to State

Chico (Butte Co.), November 13 - James McCord Stilson, Butte County pioneer and one of the most colorful characters in Superior California, died last night in the Enloe Hospital in Chico at the age of 87 years. He was known throughout the state, in San Francisco and Sacramento, on account of his famous collection of Indian relics. He loaned a portion of his collection to the state several years ago and they are now in the Capitol in Sacramento. A portion of his pioneer day relics are displayed in Sutter's Fort.

Owned Ishi Relics
The Indian collection includes several hundred articles, many of the pieces having been made by the Ishi, the last chief of Yana Indians. In the collection of pioneer relics in Sutter's Fort, are Americana and Spanish spurs, miners' candle sticks and leg irons from the first Chico Jail.

Stilson was born in Connecticut [Goshen, Elkhart, IN] and is celebrated in connection with his war history for having been present at the capture of Jefferson Davis and was the first to carry the report of the capture ot General Wilson in Macon, GA. He was at that time serving as a private in Company A. First Wisconsin Cavalry.

Was Republican Leader

At the close of the war in 1868, he came to Chico and took a considerable interest in county politics and was for several years chairman of the Butte County Republican Central Committee. For years he attended every meeting of the encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic and held prominent official positions as such.
His wife died several years ago, since which time he has been living alone in the midst of his Indian relics in his home at Sixth and Salem Streets, where he was found on the floor a few days ago in a weak and helpless condition.

Military Rites Planed
He was taken to the home of a friend in Hamilton City for care and treatment but it was decided best to remove him to the hospital, where he died about 8 o'clock last night. Funeral arrangements are bing made by the Westfall Parlors and will be of a military nature in keeping with is career.

The only survivors at present ascertained are two nieces. Mrs. Lois Miller of Chicago and Miss Eleanor Stilson of Chico.

McC. Stilson last flew to Oakland to attend a banquet honoring the arrival in San Francisco Bay of the U.S.S. Constitution. McC Stilson presented the original log of "Old Ironsides" from March 2, 1835 to July 31, 1838 to the ship's commander. The log had been in McC. Stilson's possession since 1863 and was one of the very few missing from the archives of the navy.