Peter Sebastian
Peter Sebastian known to many as Golden’s first mayor, wasn’t elected by an overwhelming majority or appointed by counsel, but rather was the brunt of many bad jokes.
In 1884, there wasn’t very much in Golden, just a few lock shacks that had been thrown up by a tough and determined group of people who enjoyed the challenge of a raw untamed land. Golden did however have a character named Peter Sebastian.
As Golden’s first African American citizen, Peter had to be thick skinned and opinionated just to hold his own.
Before coming to Golden, Peter had many accomplishments to his credit. He was the quartermaster of the “Donald McKay” the largest ship afloat in 1856. He worked on the Victoria Bridge in Montreal until its completion and was afterwards a miner.
It was mining that brought Peter to this area where he fulfilled a lifetime dream of owning his own mind. He staked a claim close to town and called it the “Annie Josephine,” and he then brought in samples for assay on an irregular basis. It seems that finally owning the mine was more important to Peter than actually making money from it.
The townspeople teased Peter about almost everything and the youth took this as a sign to pull practical jokes that often hurt more than his physical self.
Peter could tell the most wonderful stories and it was common to see him sitting surrounded by listeners, who were trying to sort out the truth from his tales.
Peter was born in the United States about 1820 and emigrated to Canada in 1864. He became naturalized in 1866. His parents (by his own words) were German and Scottish; hence his Dutch sounding name, he used to explain. Peter thought that each of us should be responsible for what went on in the world and kept up a steady correspondence with the likes of Earl Grey and Sir Wilfred Laurier. Although most of the replies to his letters were written in the Kootenay Hotel by locals, they suited his purpose and gave him renewed spirit.
While Peter was often the brunt of cruel jokes, the town took him into their hearts and cared for him when he became too old to care for himself. He never considered it charity but rather his due for a lifetime spent making the world a better place for those who followed.
Peter accepted gifts but he had no hesitation about looking a horse in the mouth dash even a gift horse. He needed wood and it was given him, but the wood must be fur, green spruce and saplings were turned down hard. All his needs were met through local people and Peter never wanted for anything including companionship.
Peter Sebastian died January 21st 1911 at the age of ninety six at the Golden Hospital where he had been confined for a short time with a cold great honour was shown him when all the flags in town flew at half mast. The following is extracted from the Golden Star January 21st 1911.
“He built better than he knew. In his way he did more to bring out the natural good qualities that are inherent in every man than many a preacher who had devoted a year or two of his life to our welfare. Peter reached the hearts of many who seldom see the inside of a church. Golden is a notoriously generous. How much of this is due to Peter? He fostered the habit of giving and taking. Unconsciously the people of the town who have supported the good old man since he has been too feeble to earn his own living, were being taught that they are their brother’s keeper, and that they have responsibility towards their fellow beings.”