“Pioneer’s passing sent Madera into mourning”
Madera Mercury — April 26, 1894
“At 3:15 A.M. Tuesday, the Grim Messenger came and called from our midst that noble and grand, good old man, Captain Russel P. Mace. Mr. Mace had been in comparatively good health most of the winter, and up until recently no immediate danger was apprehended. At 3:15 o’clock this morning his family was awakened by a noise in his room. They went to his assistance at once, and seeing that he was feeling badly, helped him up in bed. He sat on the edge until it was thought that he was in a faint. They laid him gently down and summoned a physician, who together with loving friends did all that could be done, but to no avail. The spirit took its flight to that haven of rest where no physician is needed. He was conscious to the end. The cause of his death was heart failure. He was 73 years, 11 months, and 10 days of age.”
“There is much of historical interest connected with the lives of pioneers but few have passed through more thrilling adventures than the subject of this sketch, who was born in Boston, Massachusetts, May 14, 1820.”
“Anticipating the delights of a sea life, though still but a lad, he went to Boston, and as a cabin boy shipped on board a coaster bound for New Orleans. But this life was not all his youthful dreams had pictured, and he found one trip quite sufficient. At New Orleans he left the ship and with an old friend led a rambling life, spent one season with a French trader in visiting the Comanche country and trading with the Indians. He then went to Independence, Missouri, and joined the trading train of the American Fur Company en route for Bent’s Fort on the Arkansas River. The train was loaded with blankets, shotguns, blue and red cloth, beads, and a general stock of Indian goods to trade for otter and beaver skins and hides.”