I don't know what newspaper this came from.
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Mendocino March 27, Nathaniel
Smith, familiarly known as "Nigger
Nat," died at his home on the south
side of Big river on March 21st.
Nat was one of the oldest settlers on
the coast, coming to the county with
the late Charles Fletcher, who located
at Navarro. Nat settled at Cuffeys
Cove with the late "Portuguese Frank,"
and always referred to himself
and Frank as the first "white"
men who settled there. Nat was a
good natured, jovial fellow and was
well liked. He held some good
properties at times, but preferred a
different life to farming. He was a
good vaquero and liked racing. He
spent the later part of his life fishing
until his health failed him last
fall. His age and birthplace were
unknown, but he was doubtless away
up in his eighties.