Starting again for the Pacific coast soon after the civil war was began at Sumpter, he included a trip to British Columbia in his travels. At Lewiston, on the Columbia River, he began to think of the outfit needed for the journey. His effects inventoried one gold pencil, a single-barreled pistol, and $15 cash. To his brother-in-law, Mr. Charles Wright, who was one of his traveling companions, and much better provided with equipments, he intimated that he must do a little trading before he could proceed. In half a day he had exchanged his jewelry and pistol for a pair of horses; sold one of them again at a clean profit of $50; paid $15 for a third; and early in the afternoon returned to camp with two good animals, fine revolver, saddles, blankets, and about $60 in money. Trading was his special success—speculation invariably a failure. For a distance of 1400 miles through the northern wilderness, that Lewiston revolver brought down most of the game upon which the company feasted by the way. In the Salmon River country, trees and the feathery snow furnished most comfortable bedding. They sold their surplus provisions to a British customs officer on the route, at a profit of 66 per cent. At Lytton, they replenished their stock, and loaded five of their horses with saleable goods. They found a market at Williams' Creek for flour at $1.00 per pound, and for bacon at $1.25.
Arriving at the Cariboo mining district, the party bought the "Darkey's Claim." It was a rich prospect, and they worked the lead until snow closed the operations, taking an ounce of gold from a bucket of dirt. At this time the claim would have sold for thousands of dollars. After wintering at Victoria they returned to make their fortunes, securing a force of workmen at $10 a day. After working four feet further their riches "jumped" and vanished beyond recovery. Not a hundred feet off three miners were taking out 75 ounces per day, and others doing equally well. But the "Darkey" had "run out," and the owners accepted $200 for their lost treasure. Mining has had no attraction for him to this day.
When Mr. Horton reached San Francisco again, his financial condition would have caused a "panic" in any other man. In capital he was "broke," but in nothing else. Then as now, there were the strength and elasticity of steel in the man's spirit and nerves. He first tried a stall in the market; but the dollar a day realized caused him to retire from business in a short time. Buying and selling a ranch in Rio Visto concluded his real-estate operations in that part of the State. He was a dealer in second-hand furniture in San Francisco, when he first heard San Diego discussed as one of the great cities of the future. The value of its harbor and climate was the topic of the evening at a private literary gathering where he was a frequent listener. What he had heard so impressed itself in his thoughts that he could not sleep that night, until he had jumped out of bed, and satisfied his inquisitiveness by a careful study of the map of California. The situation seemed revealed as a prize especially for him. He determined to secure it, and—slept.
Here was the opportunity long sought and never despaired of. In three days the stock was disposed of, and the store closed. The proceeds were small—perhaps less than $500. No one among his friends could be induced to join him in his visionary enterprise. Alone, on the 6th of April, 1867, Mr. Horton reached San Diego. It exceeded his expectations, and obstacles in the way of purchase were quickly swept aside by his indomitable energy. The few people there were having such a quiet time, that they had become indifferent to the charm of office. The first work was to get an election called for Trustees, those officers only being empowered to sell lands belonging to the city. Candidates were provided and elected. The desired property was legally advertised and sold, and on the 11th day of May following, a deed of some 750 acres was made. Thirty-six cents an acre, and but one bidder! Mr. Horton was the happy purchaser, and little did he care that his investment was looked upon by most of the 150 people then in San Diego, as a wild expenditure of money.
The work of advertising the new city was immediately commenced. The tin case in which he carried the first map of "Horton's Addition to San Diego," through the streets of San Francisco, is carefully treasured in his office, and could not be bought for its weight in gold. Horton was everywhere, and irresistible in glowing dreams of the future of his city. His labors were untiring from the time he measured off blocks and lots with a tape-line, and laid out the streets for his workmen to clear from cactus and sage-brush, until the winter of 1869-'70, when his sales averaged $15,000 a month. From $3,000 in 1867, his receipts increased to nearly $85,000 in 1869. His money built up the place as fast as received, and it is safe to state, that $300,000 have been used by him for that purpose.
This is but an imperfect sketch of Mr. Horton's business career in San Diego. He has richly earned the sobriquet of "Father of the City," and the respect and best wishes of his fellow-citizens. His faith and works have been the life of the place, when crops failed for want of rain, railroad hopes were delayed, or croakers insisted on publishing its death as a certainty. Long may Horton live, and great the prosperity he may witness in the pet child he has so bravely matured—his own San Diego!
Mr. Horton is a man of liberal views, and has always been an ardent and practical advocate of political and religious freedom. To the poor, both black and white, he has been a faithful friend. To-day, an honest man in homespun receives as cordial a grasp of his hand, as the man in broadcloth and fine linen. That he has the sympathy and respect of the masses of his fellow-citizens, was manifested in a most gratifying manner in the vote given him in his county for State Senator, in the contest of 1871. His opponent was the Democratic chief of the county, that had never before failed to give a large Democratic majority. San Diego honored the Republican Horton with a majority of 50, and he only failed in election by the adjoining county (forming the balance of the district) voting as usual, largely Democratic. Socially he is a warm-hearted, affable gentleman, true to his friends, and watchful of those who play him false. Temperate in his habits, and always active in mind and body, his health is as robust, and his personal appearance as young as most men at 50 years. Last and best tribute to his character, is the kind care for his parents in their helpless age, and that love for his Mother, which to her was the dearest and last earthly tie broken in her departure to the better Home.
VII. Lucy Jane, daughter of [Erastus Horton and Tryphena Burleigh], born at Scriba, N. Y., 7 April, 1835; married at Hebron, Jefferson Co., Wis., about 1857, William W. Bowers, Esq., born at Whitesboro', N. Y., 20 Oct., 1834. They reside in San Diego, Cal.
Children, all born in San Diego:
1. Grace, born 6 Dec., 1869. 2. Vine, born 17 July, 1873.