an important factor in the sum of events in Potosi, the Hon. J. W. Seaton, says: "He was a man of athletic build, of fine form, and though advanced in years and broken in health at the time I knew him, the indomitable energy of his nature was unquenched, and would show itself in the strong sententious language that expressed the independence of his thoughts and the energy of that will which laughed at the difficulties that subdue and conquer weaker minds. Of his early life and personal history previous to his entrace to the mines, I am uninformed. He was among the very first that reached 'Snake Hollow,' as the Potosi mines were then called, and, by a lucky turn in Fortune's wheel, he was one of the first she smiled upon, and the place where she opened up her glittering treasures to his wondering gaze is still known as 'St. John's cave.' It is said to have turned out a million of mineral, but that is a 'big pile,' and some allownace must be made for the authority of the story and the number of times it has been told. At all events it proved a valuable lode, and has been profitably worked down to a recent date. Its site is near the summit of the bluff opposite the place where the Catholic Church now stands. On the opposite side of the road, he built what was known as an 'ash furnace,' and did his own smelting. He was soon enabled to purchase real estate and other valuable property, and was long esteemed for his great generosity, kindness and manly traits of character. The Methodist preachers, who follow in the wake of civilization, soon found him out, and they never lacked for their favorite dish - yellow-legged chicken - while his roost was full. They taught him, too, their favorite texts, 'God loveth the cheerful giver,' 'Cast your bread upon the water,' etc., and St. John was the man ever ready to practice all good precepts. Through his instrumentality the Methodist Episcopal Church at Van Buren was built, and the quarterly dues of the local preachers and Elders were promptly met; and all went smoothly on till there came a crisis in the monetary affairs of the State Bank of Illinois. This, with other reverses of fortune, crushed the old man with its accumulated weight of trouble, and he never rose again. I have often listened to his sad story, which he would repeat with thrilling effect, and wondered at the mysterious Providence that could thus cast him off. He felt keenly the loss of the property that once gave him influence and position, but more keenly the cold shoulder and averted looks of those whom he had once befriended. Poverty, with all its deprivations, he could endure, but the neglect of those who should have given him succor in the hour of need, galled his high spirit and made him curse the race of man. He was warm and genial in his friendships, but bitter in his hates and scathing in his imprecations. For years the shadow of his once strong frame might have been seen moving slowly and sadly about our streets - a wronged and ruined man - emaciated by disease and only awaiting the end he knew was drawing nigh.

This biography generously submitted by Roxanne Munns.