Wade Johnston, a son of Benjamin Johnston, III and Katherine Byrd, was born in Jefferson County, Missouri in 1832. In the 1920's, Wade Johnston's daughter, Effie, recorded many of her father's earlier life recollections. "THE FAREWELL PARTY AND THE HASTY DECISION On April 3, 1854 brother Austin and I played for a farewell party at the home of Billie Ellington's mother, Mrs. Sutherland. It was given for Billie Ellington, Jacob Mershbarger, Hal Richardson and the Hensley brothers, all of whom were to start for California in the morning. Just before daylight the Hensley brothers backed out. Then Hal Richardson came to me and said "Do you want to go to California?" I replied "I expect to go some time." He said "Now is your chance. I'll furnish you with a horse, saddle and bridle, and grub you through to go as a cattle driver." And I consented to go. I had to walk four miles back home to get my clothes. My father was not at home. Sarah and Emma were the only ones at home. Moriah was at Mrs. Waters'. Enfield and cousin Betty Byrd were at Mag Winers. Mag was the only one of my sisters married then. Sarah and Emma got my clothes ready. I had hard work to make them believe I was going to California. They gave the Hensley boys fits for backing out. If the others had been there, I guess they would have held an indignation meeting. I didn't eat any breakfast. It was drizzling rain. The grass was about two inches high. And with my clothes and my violin under my arm we said good-bye for five years. Then, I had to walk seven miles to the Meramec to catch up with the train. On the way I passed Richardson's place, and Virginia Richardson walked with me down to the Meramec. WHEN THE EYES SPEAK THE GENTLE GOOD-BYE A crowd had gathered at the Meramec River to see us off. Perhaps fifty people. My father was there. [Whatever took place between Wade Johnston and his father at the Meramec affected him so deeply he couldn't talk about it without choking up and changing the subject.] We said good-bye for five years. And with two four ox wagons and a hundred and thirty head of cattle, we started for California on April 4, 1854. The Train consisted of eleven men, Hal Richardson, the boss, Billie Ellington, Jake Hirshbarger, James Gamble, Jacob Snyder, Gideon Adams, John Q. Adams (no relation), Jo Martin, who kept a diary, Lewis Fine, from Arkansas, Yankee Bill ( I didn't learn his sir name) who joined us at St. Joseph Mo., and myself Wade H. Johnston." **** Wade Johnston's cousin, Betty Byrd Hascall, wrote in 1922 "The Johnstons were a very agreeable and happy family... I often think of when Wade left for California. Enfield and I were at Margaret Winers staying all night. When we got home Sarah said 'Wade has gone to California.' I knew home was broke up. Charley gone, now Wade gone. I sat out on the porch and cried for a long time. When I think of it now I can hardly keep back the tears..." ****************** Wade Johnston lived the remainder of his life in California. He is buried in Calaveras County, California. Effie Johnston donated her papers and father's recollections to the Calaveras County Historical Society. submitted by Alice McGuffie