Mariposa Obit transcribed by Steve Miller Mariposa Chronicle Friday February 17, 1854 (public notice) A meeting of the citizens of the Merced River was held, pursuant to notice, for the purpose of an expression of public feeling on the death of James W. Ruddle, Esq. On motion, A. C. Bulloch was called to preside, assisted by J. M. Laseter and J. William as Vice Presidents, and Samuel H. P. Ross was appointed Secretary. On motion, the chair was requested to appoint a committee of six persons, to draft a Preamble and Resolutions, expressive of the feeling of this meeting; whereupon the following named gentlemen were appointed said committee, vis: J. W. Smith, A. J. Laseter, S. H. P. Ross, T. C. Edwards, J. M. Laseter, S. G. Fisher, and on motion the Chairman was added to said Committee. Whereupon the following Preamble and Resolution were submitted, and unanimously adopted: Whereas, we the citizens of the Merced Valley, are deeply afflicted by the death of one of our earliest citizens, James W. Ruddle, who has been called from a life of usefullness; from the bosom of a beloved and interesting family, and from a community in which those high attributes of a kind husband and father, a firm and sincere friend, and overpowering neighbor, and worthy citizen, were highly appreciated, and which rendered the deceased the esteemed of this fellow citizen, therefore, Resolved, That we recognized in J. W. Ruddle, those qualities which adorn the character of the husband and parent, the neighbor and the citizen, and that his family and this community have experienced a great and irreparable loss. Resolved, That we heartily sympathise with the family of our late deceased friend, on this their sad bereavement. Resolved, That the Secretary of this meeting is hereby instructed to forward a copy of its minutes to the family of the deceased, J. W. Ruddle, and a copy to the Mariposa Chronicle, Mariposa, for publication. On motion, the meeting adjourned sine die. Merced River, Feb. 12, 1854 A. C. Bulloch, Chairman. Samuel H. P. Ross, Secretary. j17-1t