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FRED LOCKLEY
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GEORGE H. TINKHAM
MEN and EVENTS

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TIME 1769 1890

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-BY—
GEORGE H. TINKHAM
Author of "History of Stockton," "Monterey County,
"San Benito County" and "Hall Century
of Odd Fellowship."

..•.••.-•»¦•••.••»

Copyrighted 1915 by
George H. Tinkham,
First edition published in February, 1915.
Revised second edition published in December, 1915.

Cv^s.v^

Printing- and Binding:
Record Publishing- Company, Stockton, California.

Halftones from Old Prints,
Stockton Photo Engraving Company

3te&trati0tt

To my Father, a pioneer of 1849, and my
Mother, 1853, in ever loving remembrance,
I dedicate this history.
To the Pioneers in general, we, their sons,
are ever grateful, for they builded strong
and well.
They were a brave and hardy band, for
as the poet Joaquin Miller said, "The cow
ards stayed at home, and the weaklings fell
by the wayside."

PREFACE
In this little volume the compiler has made no effort to write
in the so-called literary style. He has simply attempted to record,
in a brief and an interesting manner, a few of the many events in
the days forever past.
To save space, he has crowded many of the important incidents
into the notes, and so do not overlook the notes.
Authorities, yes, he has not forgotten them. The author, dur
ing the past thirty years, has read or glanced through, everything
that "came his way" regarding California history.
It would be waste of space to enumerate the many books relating
to California events. Two-thirds of the number, save those written
of pioneer individual experiences, are a '"rehash" from the few
original sources of information, namely, Spanish records, written
principally by priests; books published by early world explorers;
and pioneer manuscripts.
The following books are the best and the original authorities
on California history: Bancroft's "History of California;" Hall's
"History of San Jose;" Hittell's "History of California;" Mc-
Glashan's "History of the Donner Party;" Hittell's "History of
San Francisco;" and Powers' "The Missions of California." The
magazines, Harper's, Hutchings', Pioneer, Overland Monthly, Out
West, Sunset and Grizzly Bear, had many articles of value. Then
we find many events in the books written by individuals of their
California experiences, among them Burnett's "Pioneer Recollec
tions;" Bayard Taylor's "El Dorado;" Barry and Patten's "Men and
Memories of 1850;" Colton's "Three Years in California;" Dana's
"Two Years Before the Mast;" William Taylor's "Scenes in Cali
fornia;" Dr. Sillman's "The Golden Fleece;" St. George Cooke's
"The Mormon Battalion;" Walker's "Filibustering Expeditions;"
and Willey's "Personal Memoirs." Last but not least the news
papers have published hundreds of valuable articles from which
to select material for a California history. The author believes
the newspapers the best source of information, and for thirty years
he has been cutting scrap book articles from one or more news
papers. The author occupies a rather unique or peculiar position. It is
between the twilight and the sunrise, so to speak. In boyhood he
mingled with the pioneers. He attended the public schools and
grew to manhood with other pioneer sons. He has seen the major
ity of the '49ers pass on to the land whose streets are paved with
gold. And he now sees a second generation of native sons spring
into birth and active life.
Hence, enjoying the greater part of his days in California
atmosphere, he knows whereof he writes.

ILLUSTRATIONS Page
Carmelo Mission  14
Father Junipero  21
Mission Dolores  23
The Serra Monument  23
General Marino G. Vallejo  35
Mrs. Benecia Vallejo.  35
Ex-Governor Pio Pico:  35
Juan B. Castro  35
John C. Fremont  45
General Stephen A. Kearny  45
Christopher Carson  45
James W. Marshall  59
Sutter's Mill  59
Marshall's Cabin  65
Sutter's Fort  70
San Francisco in 1848  76
Sacramento in 1850  78
Colton Hall  84
Peter H. Burnett  88
Samuel Purdy  88
First State Capitol  98
Oldest House in Valley  110
Old-time Stage Coach  114
Big Freight Wagon  114
Henry Meiggs  125
Samuel Brannan  125
Gambling Houses, San Francisco  143
Stockton in 1850  143
James King of William  150
William T. Coleman  150
Vigilance Committee Headquarters  155
State Capitol, 1854, 1860  155
David C. Broderick  166
William M. Gwin  166
David S. Terry  166
Prayer Book Cross  173
John Swett  178
Bishop Kip  178
James Woods  178
Thomas Starr King  185
Edward D. Baker  185
Reuel C. Gridley  185
Leland Stanford  209
Captain John A. Sutter  222
John Bidwell  222
Captain Charles M. Weber  222
Driving the Golden Spike  248
William C. Ralston  277
The James Lick Medallion, Observatory  280

CONTENTS CHAPTERS

1 — Following the Padres.
2 — Spain Colonizes California.
3 — Mexican-California Events.
4 — The California Conquest.
5 — The Cry of Gold.
6 — On to California.
7 — Organization of State.
8 — Administration of Governor Bigler.
9 — Commercial Events.
-10 — The Foreigner and the Slave.
11 — Crimes and Criminals.
12 — Exciting Events from 1850-56.
13— Political Events, 1854-60.
14 — Pulpit, Press and Public Schools.
15 — California During the Civil War.
16 — Political Revolutions.
17 — The Chinese vs. Kearneyism.
18 — The Age of Railroads.
19 — Unplaced Events.
20— Ten Political Years.
21 — Miscellaneous Events.

CARMELO MISSION
The home and burial place ol Father Junipero Serra. The
photo was taken before the restoration ol the
Mission by the Native Sons.

CHAPTER 1.
FOLLOWING THE PADRES
The desire for fame, power and wealth is one of the
strongest ambitions of individual and nation, and in the
last half of the fifteenth century we find the four most
powerful kingdoms— Spain, Russia, France and England —
either through conquest or discovery, seeking new lands.
Spain had come into the possession of the entire Pacific
coast, because of the discoveries of Balboa (1513) and
Cabrillo (1542). The navigator last named sailed as far
north as Cape Mendocino. All nations acknowledged the
Spanish claim and her title was undisturbed until 1580.
Then the famous English navigator, Sir Francis Drake,
claimed all of the land north of San Francisco bay for
Elizabeth, his Queen, on account of his explorations. Two
years previous Drake sailed into the north Pacific, in his
ship, the Golden Hind. He captured many Spanish gal
leons, as they sailed from Manila to Panama, laden with
valuable treasure. Having filled his ship with vast wealth,
he sailed northward and expected to reach England through
the reported northwest passage. The strait of Anian was a
myth. Turning southward, he sailed along the California
coast, where he discovered and anchored in the bay now
known as Drake's bay. He landed and took possession
of the soil in the name of England's Queen. While on shore
Fletcher, the chaplain, on June 24, 1579, held divine service.
This was the first religious service on the Pacific coast.
The British Queen paid no attention to the new land
and Alta (upper) California remained unexplored, almost
forgotten, for nearly two hundred years.
In the meantime Baja (lower) California had been set
tled and explored by the Jesuits. They had occupied the
peninsula since 1697, but in 1767 they were driven from the
15

16 Men and Events

soil by the government. The Franciscans were put in full
possession of all the missions and Jesuits' property.
In the following year (1768) King Phillip learned that
the Russians had crossed Behring's straits and were en
croaching upon Spanish soil, for Spain claimed all the
territory south of the strait of Juan de Fuca.
Immediately the King got busy. He commanded Jose
de Galvez, the Inspector General of Mexico, to colonize
upper California. According to national law, all claimants
to land must occupy the soil. The government could not
compel citizens to immigrate to the new land and Galvez
sought the assistance of Father Junipero Serra, then presi
dent of the California missions. The good padre quickly
assented, as he was anxious to carry the gospel banner to
the Indians.
In the colonization scheme it was agreed that the Fran
ciscans were to found the missions, attend to the religious
work, and have full control of the Indian converts. The
government was to found pueblos (towns), presidios (bar
racks) and have full charge of the military and the civil
power. They were to guard all mission property and, when
required, provide a military escort to the friars.
In carrying out so large a project Galvez planned four
expeditions to San Diego bay, two overland and two by
water. The vessels were to be loaded with agricultural
implements, seeds of various kinds, food supplies, and
sufficient church furniture to found two missions. The
land parties were to take with them cattle and pack animals.
After much preliminary work, the ship San Carlos was
fitted out, and Father Serra blessed the vessel, the crew
and the flag. Leaving La Paz January 9, 1769, she arrived
at her destination April 29th. It was a voyage of suffering
and death. The companion ship of the San Carlos, the
San Antonio, sailed from Cape St. Lucas February 15th,
making a quick trip and arriving April 11th at San Diego.
The first land party, that in command of Captain Rivera y
Moncada, reached their new home May 14th. March 24th
they left Velicata. In command of Gaspar de Portola,
then Governor of California, the second land party on
March 9th left Loreto. President Serra accompanied this

Following the Padres 17

expedition. After four months of travel they arrived July
1st, and were greeted with salutes and cheers, a party going
out to escort the Governor into camp.
There had been much suffering and loss of life. In the
four expeditions 219 soldiers, Indians and sailors started
for San Diego; 126 only survived. On the morrow, how
ever, July 2nd, this little pilgrim band celebrated a solemn
high mass. The "Te Deum Laudamus" was sung, accom
panied by salvos of musketry.
Mourning not for their dead nor delaying any longer
than necessary the work of the church, the zealous padres
immediately began preparation for the founding of the two
missions; one at San Diego, the other at Monterey. The
ship San Jose, loaded with supplies, was despatched to
Monterey harbor. Unfortunately, however, she was lost
on the voyage.
The mission of San Diego de Alcala, July 16, 1769, was
founded by Father Serra. Governor Portola was then on
his march northward, accompanied by Fathers Crespi and
Gomez and sixty-four soldiers, muleteers and Indians, he
having left the harbor July 14th. In this famous march,
now twice celebrated by San Francisco, his destination was
Monterey bay. Portola had neither guide nor map, but
he believed he could locate the harbor by the description
of it as given by the navigator Vizcaino. This famous
navigator discovered the bay in 1602 (a).
But when the Governor reached Monterey he found no
vessel at anchor. Thinking the harbor was farther north,
he continued his journey. Three months later the party
was in great distress. Its supply of food was fast dimin
ishing. Starvation seemed not far distant. While traveling
in what is now San Mateo county, November 2nd, a few
soldiers climbing a hill to look for deer discovered on the

(a) Father Ascension, who was with the Vizcaino expedition in
1602, celebrated mass in this historic spot. Again was mass cele
brated in 1769 by the Portola party. Father Serra was the third
padre to celebrate mass there. A small wooden cross bearing upon
its arms the date June 3, 1770, together with the small oak tree, stood
there for many years. I saw it in 18S4. Later the tree and cross
were cut down and a full-sized marble statue of Father Serra was
erected. There is a similar statue in Golden Gate park.

18 Men and Events

east a big body of water, San Francisco bay. Immediately
they rejoiced, for they believed that they had found Mon
terey bay, and soon would have a supply of food. They
hastened back and reported. The next day the entire party
traveled along the shore looking for the ship San Jose.
The Indians by signs communicated with the party. They
understood the savages to say a vessel lay near the ocean.
Traveling to what is now the Cliff House, they saw and
recognized in the north Point Reyes and San Francisco
(Drake's) bay (b). They now returned to San Diego
(January 24, 1770), and announced their arrival by the
firing of guns.
In the meantime events were very discouraging in the
mission. There had been no progress. The Indians had
attacked the Spaniards, badly wounding the blacksmith and
killing a boy. The food supply was fast disappearing.
Governor Portola commanded that March 20th the entire
party should return to La Paz unless relief came. Fathers
Serra and Crespi declared that they would not leave San
Diego, but would take their chances of life with the Indians.
All of the padres began a novena, or nine days of prayer.
The novena ended on the evening of March 19th. Strange
to say, the following morning a ship was seen upon the
ocean and a few hours later the San Antonio entered port
laden with food supplies.
The ship's captain brought good news to Father Serra;
Galvez commanded that a mission be founded at Monterey
immediately. The San Antonio was sent on with food and
church furniture. The party (April 17, 1770) again began
their march for the historic spot, and, arriving May 24th,
they camped on Carmelo bay. Fresh water was plentiful
there. The bay was so named in honor of the three bare
footed Carmelite padres who accompanied the Vizcaino
expedition.

(b) This bay (Bodega), together with Point Reyes, was dis
covered in 1595 by Sebastian Cermenon, a Manila pilot. He named
the bay San Francisco and the point, Reyes. Hence the misunder
standing of the navigators and padres in 1769. They confounded the
two names and believed that the soldiers had re-discovered the bay
named by Cermenon.

Following the Padres 19

As soon as the vessel arrived the entire party moved
down to the beach at Monterey. "Beneath an oak tree near
the water's edge," wrote Father Crespi, "a brush wood
shelter was erected. An altar was arranged and the bells
suspended. The celebration began with the loud ringing
of the bells. Then President Serra, vested with alb and
stole, the entire company knelt and sung the hymn of the
day, 'Veni Creator Spiritus' (Come, Holy Spirit). The
President then blessed the water and the great cross which
had been erected. He then sprinkled the shore and all of
the surroundings with holy water 'in order to drive away
all infernal enemies.' Thereupon High Mass was cele
brated at the altar of Our Lady. At the close of the mass
'Salve Regina' (Hail to Our Queen) was sung, and the
whole ceremony closed with the 'Te Deum Laudamus'
(Thee, O God, We Praise)."
In this manner (June 3, 1770) was the mission San
Carlos founded. It is now in use as the Catholic church
of Monterey. Father Serra was not pleased with the mis
sion location. There was no fertile soil in that locality, and
it was too near the soldiers' barracks either for the best
interests of the Indian converts or the young women.
Permission was given by the King, and in November, 1770,
the mission proper was removed to the beautiful Carmelo
valley. A temporary building erected upon a high knoll
was used as a mission until 1791. The corner-stone of the
present mission was laid in 1793. Four years later the
church Avas dedicated (c).
Father Serra was a great admirer of Francis de Asis,
founder of the Franciscans, and he was anxious to have a
mission founded in his honor.

(c) This mission building was the largest and best in California.
Its walls were built of a soft yellow sandstone, found in that vicinity,
which hardens in the air. The cement between the blocks was made
of soft mud mixed with finely powdered sea shells. The roof timbers
were formed of small oak trees, transported from the hill on the
shoulders of the Indians. The roof timbers were fastened together
with nails imported from Spain. As the supply was limited, the
padres made use of long narrow strips of cattle hide. The roof
covering was of sun-dried brick, oval shaped. Stone steps gave
access to the two sauare towers, the one a bell tower, the other
opening into the choir loft.

20 Men and Events

When Galvez named the mission to be founded, Father
Serra exclaimed : "Is there to be no mission to our Father
Saint Francis?"
Galvez replied:
"If St. Francis desires a mission, let him show us his
port and we will build one there."
Serra, learning of the discovery of the bay, believed
that God had guided the Portola party to that point, and
he declared: "Our Father St. Francis has made known
to us his port, and we will build a mission there."
Serra knew not that the port was on the north side of
the Golden Gate (d), a point inaccessible to them; so they
transferred the name to the present San Francisco bay.
Fathers Cambon and Palou, the latter a very intimate
friend of Serra, were sent to San Francisco in June, 1776,
to find a mission site. They selected the spot then known
as the Dolores lagoon (a spring of water) having there
been found in 1773. As the day set apart for the founding
of the mission drew near, padres, soldiers and Indians
assembled at the presidio. It had been several months
established. When all things were ready the company
marched along the winding horse path from presidio to
mission. The distance was about five miles. An Indian
led the procession, bearing a banner of the cross. Behind
him marched a second convert carrying an image of St.
Francis, raised high upon a pole. On arrival, Father
Palou planted and blessed a large cross. He then cele
brated high mass, assisted by three other padres, who had
come north from Monterey. The ceremony closed with a
discourse upon the life of St. Francis.
A temporary church was erected and thus used until
1787. In 1795 the present mission building was completed.
Until 1888 the old landmark was a place of worship. In
that year the present modern edifice was built. Remark
able as it may appear, the great fire of 1906 destroyed not
this venerable mission. Upon reaching the edifice the
flames suddenly changed their course.

(d) The Golden Gate was so named in 1844 by John C. Fremont.

FATHER JUNIPERO SERRA
President of the Missious, 1769-1784.

Following the Padres 21
An event very unusual took place in this state Novem
ber 24, 1913, for the Governor, Hiram W. Johnson, declared
it a legal holiday in honor of the 200th anniversary of the
birth of Father Junipero Serra. It was a commendable
honor, for the good padre was California's first and most
remarkable benefactor.
Born on the Isle of Majorca, Spain, November 24, 1713,
Serra at the age of 17 joined the Franciscans. He studied
for the priesthood, and in 1749 sailed for Mexico, there to
labor with the friars of the San Fernando college. He was
assigned to missionary work among the Indians of Sierra
Gorda. In 1768 the Franciscans were placed in possession
of the peninsula missions, and Father Serra was appointed
president. He arrived at Loreto April 1, 1769, and remained in full
charge of the Alta California missions until 1784. Then
71 years of age, he was rapidly failing in health. The death
of his intimate friend, Father Crespi; the news that the
college was unable to send him more padres for the found
ing of new missions, and the fact that his authority to
confirm converts ended in July hastened his death. He
died August 28, 1784, and was buried in the "sanctuary
fronting the altar of Our Lady Dolores." It was thus
recorded in the church record (e).
Two days previous to his death, although very feeble,
he insisted on taking communion before the altar. There
he knelt during the entire service, and he made confession
to Father Palou. At his death the bells were tolled.
Weeping Indians came and placed flowers upon his body
and half-hour guns were fired at the presidio, Monterey.
Father Serra was a religious fanatic. His entire thought
and talk was of a religious nature. Extremely austere in
habit, he always slept upon a board. He would wear
neither shoes nor stockings, sandals only keeping his feet

(e) Some thirty years ago Father Cassova was in charge of the
Monterey parish. In looking over some old ' records he found the
register of the death and burial of Father Serra "on the gospel
side." To prove the record correct, workmen were called. Digging
at the recorded spot, they found the bodies of Fathers Serra, Crespi
and Lasuen. The padre last named was the successor of President
Serra.

22 Men and Events

from the earth. He would drink no wine, and ate only
the plainest kinds of food. He was also extremely penitent.
Often he would inflict self-punishment, after the manner
of St. Francis. And Father Palou, his biographer, wrote
that Serra at times would beat himself with a stone or
chain upon the breast, while in the pulpit, until, bleeding
and bruised, he sank to the floor unconscious. Sometimes
he blistered his flesh with a burning torch.
The missions of Alta California were all planned by the
padres, the Indians performing the manual work. They
were located in the most fertile spots along the coast, the
padres being good judges of soil. Some of the missions
had a crude system of irrigation. They were about a day's
journey apart, and the well known pathway over which
the friars trod is now known as "El Camino Real," the
king's highway.
In regard to the mission inhabitants, they were all
Indians, and in charge of priests, two padres to each mis
sion. In number they varied, according to the zeal of the
fathers in charge. For instance, La Soledad at one time
had 493, San Antonio 1,046 and La Purisima 1,500 men,
women and children.
To obtain converts the soldiers were sent out into the
surrounding country to capture and drive in the wild
Indians. On one occasion they were unsuccessful. General
M. G. Vallejo was sent out with a company of soldiers to
bring in a band of Indians. The savages, however, were
commanded by a chief named Estanislao, who was a run
away mission neophyte, and, making a severe fight on the
Stanislaus river, Vallejo was compelled to retreat.
Life in the mission was somewhat similar to that of the
slave in the south. The padre was master and. overseer
and the Indian was obliged to go or come as he com
manded. He was awakened at daylight and compelled to
attend mass. Then breakfast was eaten. From sunrise
until eleven o'clock the males labored in the fields, sowing
or reaping grain; in the orchards, cultivating vines and
fruit trees ; on the pasture lands guarding stock, and in the
mission buildings manufacturing clothing, blankets and
various other goods. The women also labored, engaged

MISSION DOLORES
This view of the Mission
was taken in 1856.

THE
SERRA MONUMENT
This memorial was
ereeted at Monterey in
1890, by Mrs. Jane La
throp, Stanford.

Following the Padres 23
in housework, making blankets, sheets, tablecloths and
towels. After they labored until five o'clock the angelus
bell rang out at sunset. For a moment the padres and
Indians stood with heads bowed, then to church they has
tened for evening prayers.
The women of the mission were confined in a nunnery,
and they were closely guarded by an old female Indian.
The padres encouraged the marriage of the young girls to
the soldiers. Hence it was that many of the dusky maidens
married at an early age, twelve years, just to obtain their
freedom. Every person, Indian or Mexican, upon conver
sion was baptized. Each new born child was also baptized
into the church and the name of every baptized person was
placed upon the church register.
In their splendid work for California the mission fathers
were prosperous and content. The missions were not only
self-supporting, but they exported hides, tallow and food
stuffs. Wine and brandy they also exported in considerable
quantities; in 1830 San Fernando mission alone manu
factured 2,000 gallons each of brandy and wine. Their
property was principally stock. But in 1826 the four mis
sions, Soledad, San Juan Bautista, Carmelo and San
Antonio, all now in Monterey county, had $136,000 worth
of foodstuffs, 220,000 cattle, 18,000 horses, 45,000 hogs and
240,000 sheep.
The independence of Mexico in 1821 sounded the death
knell of the missions. The Mexican constitution declared
the freedom of all citizens, but the political power of the
church succeeded in keeping the missions intact until 1834.
First the church and then the anti-church party ruled the
government. In 1833, however, the anti-churchists, in
power, passed a law secularizing the missions. They ap
pointed as Governor of California Jose Figueroa, himself
a half-Indian. Following his instructions in 1834, the mis
sion Indians were given their freedom.
With astonishing rapidity the missions crumbled. The
buildings began to decay. The stock was stolen or wan
dered astray, and in a few years nothing was left save the
fast falling walls, rotten timbers and broken tiles. This
sudden destruction of California's first civilization may be

24 Men and Events

shown by a single example, that of San Diego de Alcala.
In 1831 the mission register recorded the names of 1,506
Indians. At that time the fathers had 1,196 horses, 8,822
head of cattle and 16,581 sheep. Twelve years later, 1843,
there was left not an Indian and only 48 horses and 110
head of cattle.
In that year the Mexican government sold the missions
and the remaining mission property to private individuals
at ridiculously low prices. The United States boundary
commission of 1854, of which Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary
of State under President Lincoln, was a member, restored
the mission churches and surrounding land to the Arch
bishop of the Catholic church, Joseph Alemany.

CALIFORNIA'S PASTORAL DAYS
LEADING EVENTS

1769 - 1834.

Beginning of Civilization.
Founding of Missions.
Slavery of Indians.
Priestly Rule.
Crude Form of Government.
Plenty of Food and Drink.
Peace, Contentment and Happiness.
Mexican Independence.
Freedom of Indians.
Agriculture and Horticulture.

CHAPTER II.
SPAIN COLONIZES CALIFORNIA
The King of Spain had long desired a harbor on the
western coast where the Manila galleons could obtain wood
and water. When /he learned of the discovery of San
Francisco bay he commanded that it be explored and that a
presidio be founded there. Lieutenant Ayala was directed
to explore the bay. Sailing from Monterey July 14, 1775,
in the San Carlos, on the evening of the ninth day he
entered the Golden Gate, (a) The ship was anchored off
what is now known as Black Point. The party remained
in the harbor nearly forty days, and Ayala explored the
waters as far east as the mouths of the San Joaquin and
Sacramento rivers (b).
The presidio, or barracks, was to be the quarters of the
soldiers and their families ; for it was decreed that all of the
soldiers must be married men with families, healthy and
robust, and likely to lead regular lives. Thus they would
set a good example to the natives. They must be recruited
in Mexico. Maidens could accompany the soldiers, pro
vided they were willing to wed the unmarried soldiers and
bring up families.
Captain Anza was sent to Mexico to find recruits. He
succeeded in persuading 207 soldiers and colonists to make
California their future home. In October, 1775, they left
Tubac, Mexico, and traveling overland, March 10, 1776,

(a) This was the first vessel to enter the San Francisco harbor.
Some years later the San Carlos was stranded on the mud flats of
San Francisco bay, and in our time workmen digging at the corner
of Clay and Battery streets found the old hull deeply embedded in
the mud. Spikes from the old relic are now on exhibition in Golden
Gate park museum.
(b) These rivers were discovered in 1772 by Father Crespi and
Lieutenant Fages. At this time they were walking along the Contra
Costa shore looking for a crossing to Port San Francisco.
27

28 Men and Events

they arrived at Monterey. Several weeks later, starting
June 17, Lieutenant Moraga in charge of seventeen soldiers,
each with a large family, together with seven married col
onists, journeyed to San Francisco. They arrived June
27th and camped near a spring of water, which is now the
corner of Howard and Twenty-first streets. The following
day the party moved to the bay shore to the point now
known as Fort Mason. A few days later the San Carlos
arrived with supplies and building material. The following
month, September 17th, the presidio was dedicated. The
ceremony included the celebration of mass, accompanied
by cannon salutes.
Presidios were founded at different places along the
coast (c). They were so located as to protect the padres
from Indian attacks, and also protect the coast from a
foreign invasion. The presidio points were Los Angeles,
Santa Barbara, Monterey and San Francisco. Pueblos or
towns were also established. They were located at the
presidio points, also San Diego and San Jose. The pueblos
were governed by certain rules and regulations prescribed
by the King (d).
California was an unknown paradise to all the world
save the Spaniards until 1785. In that year the French
diplomat Jean Galaup de Perouse, in his exploring expe
dition around the world, arrived September 14th at Monte
rey. He remained ten days and was cordially received by
the mission fathers. Several scientists accompanied the
expedition, and during that time they took copious notes

(c) The presidios were all built alike. The walls usually were
made of adobe, twelve feet in height and four feet in thickness Their
length and width were from 300 to 400 feet. A cannon was placed
at the corner of each of the four walls and at the only entrance a
fifth cannon was set. Inside the inclosure family houses, a church
padres' home, storehouses and corrals for stock were built.
(d) Bach colonist must live within the bounds of the pueblo
which was six miles square. The government provided him with a
house, lot, farming land, seeds, agricultural implements, horses
mules and cows, two of each kind. In return the farmer paid the
government from the profits of his rancho. After the debt was paid
he must sell his produce to the soldiers at a fair profit, if they wished
to buy. Each colonist was compelled to build a house and irrigating
ditches. He must do his part in working on the roads and streets
keeping them in condition for travel. He must hold himself in readi
ness at all times for military duty.

Spain Colonizes California 29

of the flora and fauna of Monterey and sketches of the
mission. Eight years later (November 14, 1792) George Van
couver, an Englishman, sailed into San Francisco bay.
During his stay he visited the Santa Clara mission. He
was the first foreigner to travel that distance inland. A
few weeks later he visited Monterey. Two years later he
returned and was coldly received. The Spaniards wanted
to know why he so quickly returned.
The Russian ship Rurick, in command of Otto Kotzebue,
touched at San Francisco October 2, 1816. It was another
world exploring party. One of the scientists, Johann
Eschscholtz, discovered the golden poppy. It was named
eschscholtzia after its discoverer. It is now the state
flower. In the latter part of the century the merchantmen and
other vessels sailing in the north Pacific began touching at
the California ports for wood and water. The first vessel
to arrive was the United States man-of-war Otter, Captain
Ebenezer Dorr. She carried six cannon and a crew of
twenty-six men. Entering the port of Monterey, her cap
tain was supplied with wood and water. When ready to
sail he asked permission of Governor Borica to land eleven
English sailors who had secretly boarded his vessel at
Botany bay, Australia. The Governor refused his consent.
It was a violation of Spanish law to land any foreigners.
The shrewd Yankee captain, however, that night forced the
sailors at the point of a pistol to go ashore. He then
speedily put to sea. Borica was very angry. Making the
best of the situation, however, he put the men to work as
carpenters and blacksmiths. Their wages were 19 cents a
day. Spain was at all times suspicious of foreigners and the
Californians were prohibited from trading with foreign
vessels as an almost prohibitive custom house tax was
imposed. This, however, did not prevent the custom house
officers from receiving bribes, nor did it prevent the citizens
from secretly buying goods. The smuggling of all kinds
of goods was extensively carried on under both the Spanish
and Mexican governments.

30 Men and Events

The first vessel to engage in this illegal traffic was the
Alexander, Captain Brown. He entered San Diego harbor
February 26, 1803, giving as his excuse his supply of water
and wood was limited. The commandante gave him water
and permission to cut wood, but he seemed to require an
extra" large amount, for his men were eight days at work.
During this time the captain was also busy. With the
natives he was exchanging goods for otter skins. He suc
ceeded in getting 490 fine ones. Then the custom house
officer caught him and confiscated the entire stock. The
skins were stored in the government warehouse on the
beach. Brown was ordered to leave the port. He sailed
directly for San Francisco bay. The second ship entering
that port was the Eliza, 1799, Captain Rowen.
A few days after the sailing of the Alexander, (March
17, 1803) the Lelia Byrd, Captain Shaler, entered the San
Diego port. The captain came for the express purpose of
seizing the otter skins taken from Captain Brown, Shaler
having heard of the affair at San Bias. The Lelia Byrd,
175 tons, loaded with general merchandise, rounded Cape
Horn, and, touching at the ports of Mexico, exchanged
$10,000 worth of goods for 1,600 otter skins.
The custom house officer with an escort of five soldiers
boarded the vessel. The captain made known his wants,
and the officer promised to furnish wood and water the fol
lowing day. Rodriguez, the lieutenant, left the ship,
leaving the guard on board. Shaler in conversation with
the sergeant, punctuating his remarks with coin, learned
that over 1,000 skins lay in the warehouse exclusive of those
taken from the Alexander. This was indeed a rich prize,
and that night Shaler sent out two boats to get the lay of the
land. One of the boats, containing a mate and two sailors,
was captured. The prisoners, strongly bound, were left
upon the beach under a guard of three dragoons. Early
in the morning First Mate Cleveland, accompanied by four
sailors, each armed with a brace of pistols, easily released
their shipmates and rowed rapidly to the ship, which
immediately set sail for the open sea, with the Spanish
soldiers on board.
The gunners at the fort, seeing that the enemy was

Spain Colonises California 31

about to escape, fired a nine-pound ball across the ship's
bow. The ship then answered with a broadside from her
six-pounders. Cannon balls rattled lively in the rigging of
the vessel, but she ran beyond the range of the battery
without receiving any serious injury. The captain then
landed the terrified guard upon the beach and put to sea.
So happy were they because of their release, they shouted
"Viva los Americanos!" (Hurrah for the Americans!)
The Russians, in 1803, crossing Behring straits, settled
at Sitka, Alaska. The country was cold, barren and unpro
ductive and the colonists came near starving to death.
They were saved, however, by the timely arrival of the
American ship Juno, 206 tons, loaded with foodstuffs and
other goods. The colonists bought the ship and cargo for
$8,000 and the provisions gave them partial relief. As
Alaska was then a desolate, unproducing soil, the Russian
Ambassador, Rezanoff, sailed to San Francisco in the Juno
in April, 1806. His object was to open up trade with the
Spaniards. As he entered San Francisco bay, April 5th,
and attempted to sail past Fort San Joaquin, the sentinel
on duty shouted in Spanish, "What ship?" "Russian,"
was the reply. "Let go your anchor!" "Si, senor; si,
senor!" The wise captain ran out of range of the old
cannon; then he cast anchor.
The Ambassador was accompanied to San Francisco by
the famous naturalist, Langsdorff. As the two men stepped
from the boat to the shore they were received by Com
mandante Luis Arguello, with an escort of twenty dragoons,
and Father Uria. Langsdorff, speaking in the Latin tongue,
explained the mission of his party. This explanation was
satisfactory to the commandante. Later the Ambassador
and his officers were entertained by Luis Arguello and his
family. Governor Arrillaga at Monterey was immediately in
formed of the presence of the Russians. He came up from
the capital on horseback and in the French language greeted
Rezanoff. The trading proposition was discussed; and
although the Russian was a suave talker and a keen diplo
mat, he could not persuade the Governor to permit any
violation of the Spanish law prohibiting trade with foreign

32 Men and Events
nations. Even the clink of coin failed to swerve him from
his duty.
The Commandante Arguello was a close friend of the
Governor. Learning this, the shrewd Ambassador began
making love to the Commandante's daughter, and suc
ceeded in winning her hand in marriage. Through Arguello,
Rezanoff then succeeded with the Governor and an
exchange of goods was permitted. The Ambassador, un
loading the cargo of the ship, took in exchange such goods
as he required — beans, peas, tallow, butter, flour and wheat
— $5,000 in value. Sailing from the harbor May 21st, he
fired a salute while passing the fort. The guns of the fort
answered. Russia even in the early day had no fear of Spain, and
in 1809 a company of Russians, landing at Bodega bay,
during a six months' hunting and trapping season, obtained
over 20,000 otter skins. Kuskoff, the leader also explored
the country with the object in view of establishing there a
Russian settlement. In January, 1810, he again landed at
Bodega, accompanied by ninety-five Russians, twenty-five
of them being mechanics of various trades. They erected
log cabins and blockhouses for defense, and lived there and
flourished for thirty years (e). At the end of that time,
September, 1841, they packed their household goods in
ships and returned to. their native land. They sold over
$30,000 worth of property to John A. Sutter. In the collec
tion was the famous Sutter cannon, now in the museum,
Golden Gate park.
We are now approaching that time when the Mexican
nation would no longer shout "Hail to the King!" The
last Spanish Governor was Lieutenant Pablo Vincente de

(e) General Marino G. Vallejo visited Fort Ross in 1833. bearing
instructions from the Governor demanding that the Russians leave
the territory. He found a happy, prosperous community of nearly
three hundred persons, men, women and children. They enjoyed all
the comforts of life, and, the high officials, its luxuries They had
expensive furniture, a fine library, a piano, and the music of the best
composers. The colonists raised all kinds of stock and fowl and
harvested wheat from 20,000 acres of fenced land. They had in bear
ing peach, cherry, prune and apple trees, also grape vines They
manufactured their own lumber with a pit and whipsaw, tanned their
own leather, ground their own flour and made all kinds of iron tools

Spain Colonizes California 33
Sola. He arrived at the capital Monterey, August 30, 1815,
and priests, soldiers and Indians came from all parts of the
territory to welcome him. A celebration and reception
were given him on the second day of his arrival. The
twenty padres, forming in procession .marched from the
mission to the presidio, led by native musicians and singers.
On arrival the friars sang a "Te Deum" because of the safe
voyage of the Governor from Mexico. Then followed a
military review on the plaza. Sola then addressed the
troops and was- greeted with "Viva ! Viva el Sola !"
The social reception was the most pleasing as the
Governor was quite a "ladies' man." The women took
charge of the executive mansion, a one-story adobe house,
and as the Governor arrived he was welcomed by twenty
young and pretty senoritas. Each girl in turn kissed the
Governor's hand and received from him gifts of bon-bons.
An address of welcome was then given by Dona Magdalena
Estudillo, the wife of the commandante. The reception
concluded with a feast. The tables were laden with various
kinds of meat and game, olives from San Diego, oranges
from San Gabriel, and the famous "oven fruit" of San
Antonio flour. The dishes were decorated with beautiful
flowers from the garden of Felipe Garcia. After the ban
quet the militia, dressed in full costume, gave exhibitions
of horsemanship. Then followed a bull and bear fight.
The festival ended with a grand ball in the commandante's
house, tendered to the Governor by the ladies of Monterey.
In September, 1821, Mexico declared her independence
of Spain. She established an imperial government, and
Iturbide was declared Emperor, to be hailed as Augustin I.
The news of the change in government was not known in
California until February, 1822. The militia and the Cali
fornia junta (legislature) then assembled at Monterey and
took the oath of allegiance to the new government. Then
followed religious services and a sermon by Father Padres.
The evening closed with illuminations, the firing of salutes
and cheers — "Viva la independencia Mejicana!" (Hurrah
for the independence of Mexico!) The citizens and the
majority of the priests in mission and pueblo took the oath.

34 Men and Events

Some padres, however, strong royalists, refused to take the
oath of allegiance. They were banished from the territory.
Governor Sola, although he had boasted of his strong
loyalty to Spain, turned traitor immediately, and was
rewarded. He was the first Mexican Governor. His full
name was Augustin Fernandez de San Vincente Sola. In
August several flags of the new republic were brought to
California by a high church official. Then the flag of
Castile, which floated over the capitol and the custom
house, was lowered and the standard of Mexico broken to
the breeze. The citizens and the militia again shouted
"Viva la independencia ! — Viva el Emperor Augustin I !"
It ended with a feast and a ball. Two years later the
Mexicans dethroned their Emperor Iturbide and established
a government similar in some respects to that of the United
States.

FAMOUS NATIVE BORN SPANIARDS
General Marino G. Vallejo, his wife Benecia, after whom
Benecia was named, ex-Goyernor Pio Pico,
and Juan B. Castro.

CHAPTER III.
MEXICAN-CALIFORNIA EVENTS
The Mexicans were intelligent enough to free their
country from Spain, but they could not peacefully govern
it. And during their twenty-five years' possession of Cali
fornia there was an almost continuous quarrel over civil
and church affairs.
One cause of trouble was the location of the capital.
In February, 1825, the Imperial Congress appointed Jose
Echeandia as Governor of Baja and Alta California. For
convenience he selected San Diego as the capital seat.
Monterey up to this time had always been the capital.
When Luis Arguello, the retiring Governor, left Monterey
to deliver the official documents to Echeandia he appointed
no person as Governor. The council at Monterey, how
ever, appointed Jose Estudillo Governor. There was a
quarrel over the question of the capital, which continued
for several months. The Congress then, to avoid all further
dispute, appointed Manuel Victoria Governor. He selected
Monterey as the capital seat.
After a short time in power, however, he left California.
Before his departure he appointed ex-Governor Echeandia
as Governor. He returned to San Diego. Then Monterey
rose up in arms. Captain V. Zamorano of that pueblo
raised a force and declared himself Governor. Los Angeles
now came into the fight. The "junta" of that town elected
Pio Pico as Governor and congratulated him on being "a
son of the soil." Again, to settle the fight, the home gov
ernment sent Jose Figueroa. Three years in office, Figu
eroa died at San Juan Bautista mission on September 29,
1835. Before his death the dying official appointed General
Jose Castro, of Monterey, Governor. The Los Angeles
citizens refused to recognize Castro. Doing politics, they
succeeded in having their citizen, Nicholas Gutierrez
35

36 Men and Events

appointed Governor. They also succeeded in having the
Mexican Congress pass a law that henceforth Los Angeles
should be the capital of the territory.
The Los Angeles Governor was driven out of the coun
try by Juan Bautista Alvarado and his army from Monterey.
Alvarado was then proclaimed Governor. San Diego and
Los Angeles, joining forces, revolted and proclaimed Carlos
Carrillo Governor. He declared Los Angeles the capital. On
the day of his inauguration, December 6, 1837, salutes were
fired from the big cannon brought over from San Gabriel.
"The city," says Guinn, "was illuminated for three succes
sive evenings. Cards of invitation were issued to the people
of the surrounding country to attend the ceremony, they
to be dressed as decently as possible." As the Governor
took the oath of office the artillery thundered forth a salute
and the bells rang out a merry peal. The Governor made a
speech, then all attended church, where high mass was
celebrated and the "Te Deum" sung. An inauguration ball
closed the celebration. Outside the ballroom the tallow
dips flared and flickered from the portico, bonfires blazed
in the streets and cannon boomed salvos from the old plaza.
Then Alvarado arose in his wrath and charged upon the
happy Los Angeles people. He had as his assistants Jose
Castro and Pio Pico, two of the best commanders in the
territory. Organizing an "army" of 200 men, by forced
marches they soon reached Los Angeles and routed the
enemy. Shortly after the surrender of the pueblo, word
was received that the supreme government had appointed
Alvarado as Governor.
At this time the Mexican government became alarmed
at the rapid increase of foreigners. To check this immigra
tion General Jose Micheltorena was sent to California with
an army of 400 men. They were recruited principally from
the jails and streets of Mexico.
Micheltorena came as Military Commandante and Gov
ernor of California. He landed at San Diego September,
1842. On his march to Monterey he was given an ovation
all along the route. Los Angeles paid him high honors, for
the people believed the Governor would make that pueblo
the capital. The national fiesta, September 16th (inde-

Mexican-California Events 37

pendence day), was postponed until his arrival. Then
salutes were fired, speeches made and for three days the
city was illuminated "that the people might give expression
to the joy that should be felt by all patriots in acknowledg
ing so worthy a ruler." The general remained in Los
Angeles nearly a month. The citizens were glad to see
him go, for his army of criminals had been committing all
manner of thievery and other crimes.
The citizens of Monterey submitted to the criminal acts
of this vagabond army until November, 1844. Then they
arose in rebellion. They formed an organization with Pio
Pico and Jose Castro as leaders. "Drive out the cholos!"
was their battle cry. The Governor quieted the tumult and
promised to ship the criminals from the territory. He
broke his promise, however, when he learned that Captain
John A. Sutter with 100 men, the Sutter Rifles, were
coming to his assistance. Sutter, leaving the fort with his
company January 1, 1845, joined the Micheltorena forces
near the Salinas river. Marching south near the Cahuenga
pass, February 28 they were confronted by General Castro.
Each general was in command of about 400 men, including
many foreigners. The leading Americans persuaded all of
the foreigners to withdraw from the fight. This so crippled
Micheltorena's army that after six hours' cannonading, in
which no one was injured, he surrendered. A few weeks
later Micheltorena and his 200 men were banished from
California. They marched from Los Angeles to San Pedro
"with all the honors of war, trumpets playing and drums
beating," and embarked on the American brig Don Quixote.
The citizens paid the captain, John Paty, $10,000 to carry
the "army" to Mexico.
The cause of Micheltorena's banishment was his encour
agement and the importation of criminals into California.
That was not the first time that the government had sent
criminals into the territory, and the citizens were deter
mined to resent it. As early as 1816 a band of pirates
burned and pillaged Monterey. The Governor, Pablo de
Sola, had not sufficient soldiers to defend the capital, and
the following year he requested the government to send
him troops. Mexico sent him soldiers recruited from the

38 Men and Events

lowest class of population. Sola shipped them back to
Mexico as soon as possible. In 1829 the Mexican Secretary
of Justice advised that all convicted prisoners be deported
to California instead of Vera Cruz. Carrying out that ad
vice, in 1829, 130 criminals were sent into the territory.
Early in the century hunters and trappers began moving
westward; hunting and trapping, they opened a pathway
over the trackless desert and blazed a way across the moun
tains into the great San Joaquin valley. Ofttimes they
discovered safer and shorter routes of travel. In after years
Kit Carson, Jim Beckworth, Jim Bridges and others acted
as guides to immigrating parties. The trappers opened up
trails and traveled to California, some by way of Santa Fe,
New Mexico; others followed along the Platte river, Fort
Laramie, Fort Bridger, Salt Lake, the sink of the Hum
boldt, Truckee and Sutter's Fort. One at least, Joe Walker,
entered California through the pass which bears his name.
The first of these "men of the forest" to enter California
was the trapper, Jedediah Smith. He arrived at San Diego
in December, 1826, over the Santa Fe and Colorado route.
Smith visited the settlement for a supply of food, and hav
ing no passport, he was arrested by Governor Echeandia
as a spy. At the request of several foreigners he was
released. The following year Smith was killed by Indians.
The same year, 1827, James Pattie, accompanied by his
son, a boy of 15 years, led a trapping party into California.
Visiting San Diego, Pattie and the boy were arrested as
spies. While in prison the father died. The son on being
released returned home. A minister, hearing a recital of
the terrible suffering and hardships of the party, published
a book. President Monroe in his message to Congress gave
a short sketch of the trapper's life. Ewel Young, another
well known trapper, in 1828 came into the territory in com
mand of thirty men. Young returned in 1830, accompanied
by the trapper, William Wolfskill, later one of the first fruit
growers of Southern California. The party came from
Santa Fe. They brought with them a large quantity of
closely woven colored blankets, Mexican manufacture,
which they proposed trading to the Indians for beaver and
otter skins.

Mexican-California Events 39
The trappers were preceded by many foreigners, who
arrived in trading ships and whaling vessels. The first to
arrive was the Scotchman John Gilroy, after whom the
town of Gilroy was named. Gilroy landed in 1814 from the
brig Isaac Todd. He became a naturalized Mexican citizen,
married a Spanish senorita and grew up with the country.
Thomas Doak, arriving at Monterey in 1816, was the first
American settler. There were fourteen foreigners in the
country in 1822, coming from England, Ireland, Portugal,
Scotland and America. This number included Robert
Livermore, after whom Livermore valley was named.
Among these foreigners there were a number of bright
business men, who located in California for various causes.
William Gale, an American, located at Monterey in 1821
for the purpose of opening a direct trade between Monterey
and the Boston house of Bryan, Sturgis & Co. (a). This
was the first foreign-established house in the territory.
The next year, 1822, two Englishmen, W. E. P. Hartnell
and William Richardson (b), the mate of a ship, located
at Monterey. Hartnell came as the agent of the English
firm, John Begg & Co., with a branch house in Lima, Peru.
He was a fine scholar and readily spoke the English, Span
ish and French languages. He established a trading house
and, marrying one of the Carrillos, reared a family of
twenty-seven children. He was followed in 1824 by the
second American trader, Jacob Leese (c). David Spence,
the Scotchman, came to superintend the meat-packing es-

(a) Up to this time all merchant ships touched at Chinese ports
before coming to California.
(b) William Richardson became a naturalized citizen and married
into a prominent Spanish family. He opened up a general merchan
dising: business, but in 1833 he removed to Yerba Buena (good herb).
His reason for the removal was that Governor Figueroa made him a
warden of that port. Richardson was also given a pueblo lot, 100
varas square. A vara is 33 1/3 feet. Richardson selected a lot on
Dupont, now Grant street, midway between Clay and Washington.
He carried on an extensive business, exchanging goods for hides,
tallow and furs. Whaling ships now began entering the harbor in
large numbers. They anchored in what is known as Richardson bay.
The enterprising Englishman removed to that point, and purchasing
two sailing vessels of the mission fathers, began an extensive busi
ness with the whaling ships.
(c) Jacob Leese first began business in Los Angeles. Governor
Chico and many ship captains advised him to remove to Terba Buena,
and in 1836 he located there. . Selecting a lot 200 varas square on

40 Men and Events

tablishment of Begg & Co., 1826. He was naturalized,
married, obtained a large tract of land in Monterey county
and held several government offices. John Marsh, arriving
overland in 1836, located on a grant at the foot of Mt.
Diablo (d), the Devil's mountain. Marsh there built a resi
dence later known as the "stone house." Many years after
the place was bought by John Muir, the California natu
ralist, and was occupied by him until he died in 1915. Pierre
Sansevain, a French carpenter, in 1839 arrived direct from
France. Years after he became one of the leading vine-
yardists and winemakers of California. In that year, 1839,
W. D. M. Howard, after whom Howard street, San Fran
cisco, was named, arrived by water, and John A. Sutter
came overland.
In 1840 there was considerable excitement in the western
states regarding California. Many letters had been received
by residents and the western press published articles and
letters regarding the land beyond the Rockies. They told
of the warm climate, the fertile soil and the land free of
cost. It created a desire among the ever restless rovers to
emigrate to the far west. One of the first parties to cross
the plains was the Captain Bartelson company of 32 per
sons. It included Mrs. Benjamin Kelsey and her child,
Josiah Belden, later of Santa Clara county ; John Bidwell,
founder of Chico , and Charles M. Weber, founder of Stock
ton. The party left Kansas May 18, 1841. They reached

the southwest corner of the streets now known as Clay and Grant,
he erected a small one-story building from lumber shipped from
Santa Cruz. It was the first wood-built structure in California. It
was completed July 4, 1836, and in it was held the first 4th of July
celebration. Upon one end of the roof floated the stars and stripes,
and upon the opposite gable fluttered the Mexican standard. About
sixty persons from across San Francisco bay came to the celebration.
Leese provided a dinner and the event closed with a dance, which
continued throughout the following day. While in Santa Cruz Leese
met the sister of General Vallejo and April 7, 1837, they were mar
ried. The following year at Terba Buena, April 14, 1838, a daughter
was born, Rosalie, the first white child in California.
(d) Regarding the origin of this peculiar name, there is an
Indian legend and a Spanish story. The Indians said that many
moons ago fire belched from the mountain top and the mountain split
asunder. It is of volcanic formation, say the geologists. One day
a party of Spaniards camped there. The devil came out to drive them
away. They lassoed his majesty, but he wiggled out of the riatas
and ran back into the hill. The Spaniards named it because of this
event, El Diablo.

Mexican-California Events 41
John Marsh's rancho November 4th. Then followed the
J. B. Chiles party of 1843. It comprised 28 persons, men,
women and children, and included Samuel J. Henslev, who
became prominent as a steamboat owner and San Jose
capitalist, also Pierson B. Reading. In 1844 there was an
immigration of 36 persons to California from Oregon. In
that same year Elisha Stevens brought overland a party
of 50, including the famous Murphy family of San Jose.
In 1846 the tide of immigration was moving towards the
Pacific coast and, says Bancroft, "from May to July some
2,000 emigrants with about 500 teams of oxen, mules and
horses plodded their way over the plains between Inde
pendence, Missouri, Fort Laramie and Fort Bridger." Some
were traveling to Oregon, others were bound for California.
Among those traveling to California was the Donner party,
comprising a company of 90 persons, over one-half being
families. George Donner, the captain of the trains, was
quite wealthy, and with an eye for business, he was carry
ing a stock of merchandise to California to be placed on
sale. The company left the frontier, Independence (e),
Missouri, in the spring of 1846. As they journeyed along,
other emigrants joined their train as a protection against
Indians. At one period the train was over two miles in
length, and consisted of some 200 wagons and about 500
persons. The train divided July 22nd, about one-half turn
ing north for Oregon.
On arrival at Wadsworth, now a railroad station, the
Donner party was in a pitifully weak and starving condi
tion. They had lost much time, twenty-two days, by the
unfortunate mistake of trying to pass through Hastings
cut-off. The Indians had stolen many cattle and horses,
and, leg-weary and weak from starvation, the animals could
only travel slowly. Fortunately, at this time, however,
William T. Stanton, accompanied by two Indian guides,
met the party with seven mules loaded with beef and flour,

(e) St. Louis and Independence were the two principal cities
from which all emigrants started for the far west. Thousands of
prospective emigrants would gather there during the winter preced
ing their emigration to purchase goods, food, etc., for the long
journey. These were known as the frontier towns.

42 Men and Events
generously provided by Captain Sutter. Realizing some
weeks previous that the entire party would starve if relief
were not obtained, Stanton and William McCutcheon
started for Sutter's fort. McCutcheon was taken sick and
could not return.
Arriving at what is now Reno, Nevada, they camped
four days to rest. This was their most unfortunate mis
take, for on the night of their arrival at Donner lake, Octo
ber 30th, two feet of snow fell. They tried to move out of
the valley and failed. On the third night a heavy, blinding
storm was upon them. The stock wandered away and
perished in the drifting snow. The men succeeded in find
ing a few of the animals by means of long poles. They
were saved for food.
For three weeks the party endeavored to leave its snow
bound prison. Every effort left them weaker and less liable
to succeed. Finally fourteen of the immigrants, known as
the "forlorn" party, concluded to start for Sutter's fort and
obtain assistance. The party included William Stanton
and five mothers of families. They said the food supply
would last a little longer if they were gone. They left the
camp December 16th on snow shoes which they had made.
They took a six days' supply of food only, this consisting
of slices of beef, a little coffee and sugar. They suffered
terrible hardships from cold and hunger. During a heavy
storm they were compelled to lie buried between their blan
kets under the snow for thirty-six hours. Christmas day
six of the band had died of cold, weakness and starvation,
this including the brave and self-sacrificing Stanton, a bach
elor, who had not a relative or kin in the party. The
food supply had long since been eaten and they subsisted
on human flesh and pieces of moccasin. Seven of the party
on January 27, 1847, succeeded in reaching Johnson's
rancho. Word was sent to the fort that a party of immi
grants was in a starving condition at Truckee Meadows.
A relief party of trappers was immediately organized and
with pack mules loaded with food they started for the lake.
On arrival, February 19th, they saw a terrible scene. The
cabins were covered deep with snow. Within, many of the
occupants were dead, and those alive, scarcely able to walk,

Mexican-California Events 43

were living on human flesh, cattle bones and rawhide,
softened in boiling water. The party carried with them
twenty of the survivors to the settlement. The second and
third relief party brought out all but five. The fourth relief
party found only one person alive. Ninety persons that
eventful night, nearly four months before, camped on the
shore of beautiful Lake Donner, so named after the party ;
only forty-eight lived to see the settlements. General
Stephen Kearny on his way east in 1847 camped at that
spot and burned all the evidence of that horrible tragedy.
The most useful population immigrating to California
at this time were the Mormons. Driven out of Nauvoo in
1845 because of their polygamous practices, they were seek
ing some place of rest. Thousands marched westward and
located at Salt Lake. About 500 joined what was known
as the "army of the west." Under the command of General
Stephen Kearny they left Council Bluffs July 20, 1846.
Traveling by the Santa Fe route, they arrived at Warner's
rancho, near San Diego, January 21, 1847. Accompanying
the battalion were nearly fifty women. It was a march of
great danger and suffering. On several occasions the army
came near starving to death. From Santa Fe the army was
under the command of Colonel St. Cooke and Lieutenant
George Stoneman, of California.
Another party of Mormons, comprising 70 men, 68
women and 100 children, left New York February 4, 1846,
in the 370-ton ship Brooklyn. They were in charge of
Elder Samuel Brannan (f). The ship was loaded with

(f) Samuel Brannan, born in Saco, Maine, in 1819, was a natural
speculator, and early in life he traveled in every state in the Union,
speculating in land. On arrival in San Francisco he immediately took
the lead in every social, commercial, political and reformatory event.
He surprised thousands of persons by his reckless extravagance or
money, his bold speculations, his bravery in defying the criminal
class and finally his dissipation, for he became a continuous drinker.
He spent thousands of dollars for and with his friends, and died a
pauper, crippled and diseased, almost alone, in Escondido, Mexico,
May 7, 1889.
His enterprises were many. He established a store at Coloma,
founded a colony on the Stanislaus river, built two flour mills, en
gaged in the China trade (1849), purchased a large number of San
Francisco lots and built houses upon them. "They were distinguished
for their strength and magnificence,' said the Annals, and formed
some of the most striking and beautiful features of the city. In
that same year, 1851, he visited the Sandwich islands, bought land

44 Men and Events

everything necessary for founding a colony, such as agri
cultural implements, tools of every kind, seeds and plants,
the machinery for three flour mills and the complete news
paper plant of Brannan's New York paper, The Prophet.
After an uneventful voyage around Cape Horn, the Brook
lyn anchored in San Francisco bay July 31st, after a ten
days' stop at Honolulu. When the ship left New York war
had not been declared, and the Mormons believed that they
were going to Mexico, and when they saw the United
States flag over the fort and the custom house they were
bitterly disappointed. Brannan is reported as exclaiming,
"There is that damned flag again !"
This immigration was, as I have stated, of great benefit
to the territory. The immigrants were all industrious and
of the hard-working class. If a pick and shovel man was
wanted, there was a Mormon ready to do the work; if a
blacksmith, carpenter or painter, there was a handy man.
The women were also industrious, and they did sewing,
washing or housework. For a season the Mormons in Yerba
Buena were in the majority. At that time, 1847, William
Leidsdorff gave a ball in honor of Commodore Stockton,
and nearly all of the women present were Mormons.
Trouble with their leader, Brannan, soon after their
arrival broke up the colony. Some traveled south and
founded San Bernardino, making it a beautiful town. Brig
ham Young in 1858 called all of the faithful home to Zion.
Selling all of their property at a sacrifice, they returned to
Utah. Quite a number of colonists under Brannan's direc
tion founded a settlement on the Stanislaus river, which
they called New Hope. They built a sawmill, cabins and
fences and planted eighty acres of grain. They irrigated
it in ditches from the river water. They soon quarreled,
however, and abandoning the place, in 1851 returned to
Salt Lake.

and built houses. He gave liberally to churches, schools, individuals
and various charities. He imported breeds of sheep and blooded
horses, reclaimed tule lands, invested in railroad, telegraph and ex
press company stock, stimulated small farming, and opened Callstora
springs, Sonoma county, as a health resort.

MEXICAN WAR LEADERS
Captain John C. Fremont, General Stephen A. Kearny ami
Christopher Carson.

CHAPTER IV.
THE CALIFORNIA CONQUEST.
The American immigration to California was no chance
movement, but a well understood scheme to colonize the
land and make of it an independent territory like Texas, or
at the proper time assist the United States in its acquisition.
It was well known that the South desired California, and
the government, says Rhodes, was "goading on to war" the
Mexican nation. The object of the war was aptly explained
by Lowell in his Bigelow Papers:
"They just wanted this Californy
So's to lug new slave states in,
To abuse ye and to scorn ye,
And to plunder ye like sin."
The United States was not alone in this desire for Mexi
can domain. France had upon this coast eight naval vessels,
and her Vice Consul, M. Eugene Deflot de Mofras, declared
"California will belong to any nation that will take the
trouble to send, a ship of war and 200 soldiers." From 1841
until 1842 he remained in the territory working in the
interest of France.
Did England desire to annex California? The Hudson
Bay Company's agent, George Simpson, declared "San
Francisco will, to a moral certainty, sooner or later fall into
the possession of the Americans unless England takes it."
And England at that time, 1842, had four men-of-war cruis
ing the Pacific waters. Each of these nations had a Pacific
coast fleet superior to that of this government, and for what
purpose is not publicly known. The United States believed
that they had been sent to this coast to seize the territory
as soon as Mexico declared war.
In the spring of 1842 Commodore Ap Catesby Jones in
command of five vessels of war was lying at Callao, Peru,
"awaiting events." His instructions from the government
45

46 Men and Events

were to sail immediately and seize California if war were
declared between Mexico and the United States.
He was cut off from all communication with Washing
ton, and he had no means of knowing if war were declared
except by reports. Early in September, however, he believed
the fight was on. Sailing September 7, on October 19 he
anchored in Monterey bay.
The following morning 150 marines landed on the beach
and took possession of the pueblo. The Mexican flag was
lowered and the stars and stripes broken to the breeze.
Commodore Jones then issued his proclamation. It was
read to the people in English, then in the Spanish language.
The next day Jones learned that all of the newspaper
reports were untrue. Neither Thomas O. Larkin, the
United States Consul, nor any of the Mexicans had heard
of any war. The Commodore, now believing that he had
been over hasty, ordered the marines again to board the
ships. The Mexicans again raised aloft their flag. Jones,
firing a salute to the Mexican standard, October 21 sailed
from the harbor.
After the Monterey affair the Californians became very
suspicious of the Americans, and when, in January, 1846,
Captain John C. Fremont appeared at Monterey dressed in
the full uniform of a United States officer, General Castro
inquired his business. Fremont replied that he was engaged
in an exploring (a) expedition. His men were on the fron
tier of the department. They were out of supplies, and he
had come to purchase food and clothing.
Fremont asked permission, which was granted, to winter
his men and animals in the San Joaquin valley. Two
months later Castro was surprised to learn that Fremont
and his "explorers" were camped at Hartnell's rancho, in
the Salinas valley, Monterey. A messenger from General
Castro the following day commanded Fremont to leave the
department, such being the orders of the supreme govern
ment.

(a) Fremont's explorers comprised sixty rough, hardy path
finders, together with twelve Delaware Indians. The men were all
dead rifle shots. Bach man was armed with a tomahawk, two pistols
and a rifle. They were led by the famous scout, Christopher (Kit)
Carson.

The California Conquest 47
Instead of complying with the request, Fremont rode to
the summit of the Gavilan mountains. Selecting a good
location near Hawk's peak, he erected strong earthen
fortifications, raised "Old Glory" and awaited events.
General Castro at San Juan raised a company of some
200 horsemen. They maneuvered back and forth over the
plains in sight of Fremont's command, loading and firing
three pieces of cannon. They made no movement towards
attacking the camp. As Bancroft states, "it would have
been foolish for Castro to lead his men up the steep sides
of Gavilan peak against a force of sixty expert riflemen,
protected by a barrier of earth and logs."
Fremont remained in camp until the night of March 9.
He then began his march for Oregon. While in camp on
Lake Klamath he was much surprised late one evening to
receive private dispatches from Washington. The bearer,
Archibald Gillespie, had come direct from the seat of gov
ernment. What were these dispatches? The public has
never learned. They were of sufficint importance, however,
to cause Fremont to retrace his steps. May 28 he was in
, camp at the Marysville buttes, just north of Sutter's fort.
On arrival Fremont found the settlers in that vicinity
were greatly excited over the report that General Castro
intended to drive all of the Americans from the country. A
second rumor said that he had instigated the Indians to
massacre all of the families and burn all of the crops. This
was indeed alarming news, but it was not true.
For some time previous the trappers in that vicinity had
been talking of making California an independent territory.
Many of them were daring, reckless men, anxious for a fight,
and they declared it a good time to seize Sonoma and de
clare their independence of Mexico. Under the command
of Merritt, who had been elected captain, the party left the
buttes at midnight, June 14, 1846, and at dawn the following
day they reached the pueblo. The number had increased to
thirty-two, and Robert Semple declared "all of them dressed
in leather hunting shirts, many of them very greasy and as
rough a looking set of men as one could imagine."
The Merritt company easily captured the town. Then,
quietly surrounding the home of General Marino G. Vallejo
about daylight, four of the party entered the house and took

48 Men and Events

Vallejo, Victor Pruden and Salvator Vallejo prisoners. The
general, with his accustomed liberality, brought out his
finest wines and liquors, and soon the entire party was
sleepy drunk (b). Later Jacob Leese was arrested and all
of the prisoners were taken to Sutter's fort.
Some of the party became much alarmed when they
learned that Fremont had not commanded the capture of
Sonoma. They wanted to retreat and fly with their families
into the mountains, fearing the vengeance of the Mexicans.
Then the hero of the occasion, William B. Ide, arose. He
defied the enemy (c). His bravery gave encouragement
to his companions and they elected Ide captain. The town
was then fortified, the bear flag manufactured (d) and with
cheers it was raised upon the Mexican flagstaff. That night
Ide wrote his famous proclamation, and it was sent all along
the coast.
Some time after this William Todd, who was going to
Yerba Buena on business, was taken prisoner by the Mexi
cans. As soon as the settlers learned of his capture a party
of nineteen picked men was selected to effect his rescue.
Unexpectedly the company under the command of Lieu
tenant Ford came upon a body of sixty Mexicans under the
command of Lieutenant Joaquin de la Torre near San
Rafael. The Californians charged upon the Mexicans. The
trappers were dead shots. Eight riderless horses galloped
over the plains. Torre's men then turned and fled at full
speed. Ford's men quickly followed. In the running three
more Mexicans fell dead. Two badly wounded fell from

(b) In writing of this affair Ide said: "As he entered the house,
there sat Dr. Semple, just modifying a long string of articles or
capitulation. There sat Bzekiel Merritt, his head fallen; there sat
William Knight, no longer able to interpret, and there sat our new
captain, Grigsby, as mute as the seat he sat upon. The bottles had
well nigh vanquished the captors."
(c) Ide shouted, "Saddle no horse for me. I will lay my bones
here before I will take upon myself the ignominy of commencing an
honorable work and then fleeing like a coward, like a thief, when no
enemy is in sight. We are robbers or we must conquer."
(d) The flag was made of unbleached cotton cloth. A strip of
red flannel about four inches in width was sewn lengthwise along
the lower edge. In the upper left hand corner William Todd with
Indian ink had outlined a grizzly bear; beneath the bear he had
painted the words, "California Republic." In commemoration of this
event, June 14, 1914, a bear flag monument was unveiled at Sonoma.

The California Conquest 49

their saddles. The Americans found their companion in the
camp uninjured. This was the first battle of the Mexico-
California war.
In the meantime very important events were taking place
along the coast. Commodore John D. Sloat, who had been
lying at Mazatlan in command of the Savannah, Cyane and
Levant, left that port June 2, 1846, and, sailing to Monterey,
July 7 took possession of the pueblo. As the flag was raised
over the custom house the man-of-war fired a salute of
twenty-one guns. Word was sent to Captain Montgomery
(e), then at Yerba Buena, to take possession of the pueblo.
Landing fifty marines, they marched up to the custom house
and, lowering the Mexican flag, broke to the breeze the
starry banner. Flags were also sent to Sonoma and Sutter's
fort. The courier reached the fort just before dark. The
next morning, July 12, "Old Glory" was flung to the breeze
and given a -salute of twenty-one guns.
Commodore Sloat was relieved from duty July 15 by the
arrival of Commodore Robert F. Stockton in the famous
man-of-war Congress. He was received with great en
thusiasm. His fame was national and his exploits known
throughout the world. He was a brave and conscientious
commander, but extremely self-conceited, hot-headed and
imprudent. He believed that force only could accomplish
results; and refusing to listen to the peaceful measures
proposed by the leading Americans, he caused the California
war and blood was unnecessarily shed.
The policy of the government was not in accord with the
actions of Stockton. Commodore Sloat declared when
he took possession of Monterey: "I declare to the inhabi
tants * * * I do not come among them as an enemy;
* * * I come as their best friend * * * and its peaceful
citizens will enjoy the same rights and privileges as those
of other territories." Bancroft, then Secretary of the Navy,
wrote to Sloat, June 24, 1845 : "You will be careful to pre
serve, if possible, the most friendly relations with the inhabi
tants." It was this same peace policy which the Americans

(e) Montgomery street, San Francisco, was named after Captain
Montgomery. Portsmouth square, where now stands the Stevenson
monument, was named after Montgomery's flagship Portsmouth.

50 Men and Events

such as Thomas O. Larkin, Charles M. Weber, John Marsh,
William Leidesdorff and others were trying to adopt when
they persuaded the Americans in the Castro and Michelto
rena armies to withdraw. They pointed out the fact that if
the settlers fought in the factional fights they would make
enemies of both sides and thus destroy the peaceful settle
ment of the territory later on.
General Castro was on the parade ground with his com
pany when he learned of the capture of Monterey. Turning
to his men, he exclaimed: "What can I do with a handful
of men against the United States? All who wish to follow
me, right about face ; I am going to Mexico." Later, chang
ing his mind, he and Pio Pico fortified Los Angeles.
When Commodore Stockton learned of Castro's stand at
Los Angeles, he immediately made preparations to capture
the town. Fremont, who had come to Monterey from
Sutter's fort with his battalion (f), was ordered to San
Diego. He was to take that harbor, and marching north,
meet Commodore Stockton near Los Angeles. Fremont
sailed July 26 on the Cyane.
The Commodore a week later, August 1, in the Congress
with 350 marines and sailors, left for San Pedro. After a
week of drilling land tactics, they began their thirty-mile
march to Los Angeles. During the march messengers from
Castro tried several times to effect proposals of peace.
Stockton, however, rejected all terms. Then Castro tried
a bluff, and sent word to Stockton that "if he marched upon
the town he would find it the graves of his men." Then
came the Commodore's laconic reply, "Tell the General to
have the bells ready to toll, as I shall be there tomorrow."
That night the Californians made a hasty retreat. The fol
lowing afternoon, August 13, with band playing and colors

, (f) Walter Colton in describing this cavalcade as it entered
Monterey, says: "Fremont riding ahead, dressed in a blouse, leggins
and felt hat, was followed by his men, riding two and two, the rifle
held in one hand across the pommel of the saddle. Their dress was
a long loose coat of deerskin, tied in front with thongs, with pants
of the same material. Their long knives, pistols and rifles glittered
in the sunlight, while their untrimmed locks, flowing out from under
their foraging caps, and their black beards and white teeth gave
them a wild, savage aspect. They were allowed no liquor and their
discipline was very strict.' '

The California Conquest 51

flying, Commodore Stockton and Major Fremont took pos
session of Los Angeles, without a man kill or gun fired.
A few days later Stockton declared the town under mar
tial law (g) . Leaving Captain Gillespie in command of fifty
marines, the Commodore sailed for Yerba Buena. He was
there received with distinguished honors, a procession, a
collation and a ball forming part of the celebration. The
ball took place in Leidesdorff's house, September 8, 1846,
and it was the first dance under the stars and stripes. About
100 Mexicans and Americans were present, including the
officers of the Portsmouth.
The placing of the pueblo under martial law greatly
angered the Californians. A revolt was started by General
M. Flores, and over 300 Mexicans took a solemn oath not
to lay down their arms until they had driven out "the
accursed Americans." A few days later nearly 600 well-
armed Mexicans surrounded the town and demanded its sur
render. As Gillespie was caught in a trap, with a few men
only, and no supplies, September 30 he surrendered. He
was permitted to march out with all honors. He retired to
San Pedro. Before his surrender John Brown, an American,
called by the Mexicans "Juan Flaco" (Lean John), suc
ceeded in breaking through the Mexican lines. Riding with
all speed to Yerba Buena he delivered to Commodore Stock
ton a dispatch from Gillespie. It was rolled in a cigarette
paper and fastened in his hair (h).
Immediately Captain Mervine in command of 400 ma
rines was ordered to Los Angeles. Landing at San Pedro,

(g) This law prohibited any of the inhabitants from carrying
arms, and all persons must be in their houses from ten o'clock at
night until sunrise in the morning.
(h) This life and death ride is one of the most remarkable on
record. Juan Flaco rode the entire distance from Los Angeles to San
Francisco in six days, and with scarcely any rest. He left Los
Angeles about eight o'clock at night, pursued by the Mexicans, who
mortally wounded his horse. , Carrying his spurs and reata in his
hand, he traveled 27 miles and there obtained a second animal.
Riding over rocky mountain pathways and swimming • streams, he
reached Monterey, says Colton, on the evening of the 29th. He had
then ridden 460 miles in 52 hours. He expected to find Stockton at
Monterey. Taking a little coffee only, and sleeping some three hours,
he was up and away for Yerba Buena, 140 miles distant. Gillespie in
the Los Angeles Star said, May 28, 1858: "Before sunrise on the 30th
Brown was hiding in the bushes in front of the Congress, awaiting
the arrival of the early market boat from the frigate. Before seven
o'clock Commodore Stockton had the dispatches.'

52 Men and Events

fie began his march for the pueblo. Before traveling many
miles he was attacked by over 200 Californians. A severe
battle was fought. The result to the Americans was disas
trous. They lost some fifteen or twenty men and Mervine
was compelled to retreat to the Cyane (i) . A few days later
Commodore Stockton arrived at San Pedro on his way to
San Diego. He wisely concluded to continue on his course
and retake Los Angeles from the south.
As Stockton's future movements will end the California
war, as briefly as possible we will review the events in
central California. It was feared that the Flores revolt
would incite the northern Mexicans to kill the settlers'
families, and also the incoming immigrants. Scouts were
sent out to inform the immigrants of the war between the
two nations, and guide them as quickly as possible to the
Santa Clara and San Jose settlements. To guard the towns
two companies were organized, Joseph Aram, an immigrant
of 1842, being in command at Santa Clara, and Captain
Charles M. Weber (j) of the San Jose volunteers guarded
that pueblo.
While the company was out "rounding up" horses for
Fremont's battalion, word was received by Captain Weber
that Lieutenant Washington A. Bartlett (k) of the sloop
Warren had been taken prisoner by Francisco Sanchez.
Captain Hull requested Weber to rescue Bartlett, if pos-

(i) In this battle, Captain Weber informed me, the Mexicans
fired copper bullets, and many of the marines died in terrible agony.
The day was very hot and over-heated, thirsty men, finding a barrel
of aguardiente, a vile Mexican liquor, drank large quantities of it
and became beastly drunk. Many died from its effects.
(J) Captain Charles M. Weber, a naturalized German, came to
California in 1841. For several months he worked at Sutter's fort
In 1843 he opened a general merchandise store at San Jose, and also
engaged in the cattle and horse raising business. His commercial
relations with the Mexicans placed him on very friendly terms with
them, and at one time General Castro offered to make Weber a cap
tain in the Mexican militia. He refused, as he believed to be an
American was the highest honor that could be conferred. He also
wished to avoid any troublesome alliances with the Mexicans, as he
foresaw the trend of events. During the war Weber was commis
sioned as captain by Hull of the sloop Warren. He obtained a tract
of land in the San Joaquin valley, there built the first house and
founded Stockton. He named it after Commodore Stockton. He was
born in February, 1814, and died in May, 1881.
(k) Bartlett with five men went on shore to purchase cattle for
food. They were warned by the settlers to beware of the Mexicans,
and not heeding the warning, soon fell into Sanchez's hands.

The California Conquest 53

sible. As Sanchez had over 200 men under his command,
Captain Marston with a company of marines and artillery
was sent to assist the San Jose volunteers. Sanchez heard
of the coming of the marines and anticipating an easy vic
tory, he exclaimed : "Now we will have good American rifles
and overcoats."
During the summer, there grew, in a dry creek, near
Santa Clara, a heavy growth of mustard. It was impossible
to proceed except by roadway. The Californians made no
attack until the marines entered the mustard patch. Then
the Californians made an assault, firing and then retreating
around the hillside. This nearly demoralized the regulars.
They could neither open fire, nor could they rapidly ad
vance. Upon reaching the open ground a battle took place.
After a two hours' fight Sanchez withdrew with four killed
and four wounded. The Americans had only two wounded.
This was the famous battle of Santa Clara (1), fought
January 8, 1847. Sanchez was soon after taken prisoner.
We left Commodore Stockton on his way to San Diego.
On arrival he found himself in a peculiar position. He had
no supplies, and the Californians would not sell anything
to him. Hence he had to skirmish for food. While the men
were engaged in making repairs to their saddles, bridles,
clothing, etc., word was brought to Commodore Stockton
that General Kearny wished to open communication with
him. Captain Gillespie with twenty-six men was ordered
to meet Kearny, and that evening, December 3, 1846, he
left for Kearny's camp.
In May, 1846, General Stephen A. Kearny was instructed
by William G. Marcy, then Secretary of State, to organize
what was known as the "Army of the West." This army
was in two divisions, the Mormon battalion forming the
first division. The second division comprised some 300
dragoons. Leaving Fort Leavenworth July 6, 1846, the
dragoons arrived at Santa Fe in August. The pueblo sur
rendered to Kearny without any resistance. Continuing on
to California by way of the Rio Grande, he was surprised,
October 6, to meet Christopher Carson. The scout, accom-
(1) The women stood on the housetops at Santa Clara and
anxiously watched the battle. After the battle the regulars marched
into the pueblo and were given a rousing reception and a dinner.

54 Men and Events

panied by fifteen men, was on his way to Washington,
bearing dispatches from Commodore Stockton, then in Los
Angeles. The dispatches were sent on by Lieutenant Fitz-
patrick. "Carson was commanded to act as Kearny's guide
to California. Two hundred dragoons were ordered back
to Santa Fe, as Carson stated that the California war was
ended. With 100 dragoons and two mountain howitzers Kearny
rode on. The march was long and weary and men and
animals almost starved. On arrival December 2 at Warner's
rancho seven men alone ate a full-grown sheep, so hungry
were they.
Captain Gillespie, meeting General Kearny December 5
at the Santa Maria rancho, informed the General that a
force of Californians was camped about seven miles away.
Kearny was rashly anxious to rout the "stupid Mexicans,"
as he called them. Kit Carson strongly advised him not to
make such a foolish attack, for his men and animals were
in no condition to defeat a strong body of mounted Cali
fornians. Kearny, like Stockton, was overly wise, and made his
attack at dawn, December 6. Throughout the day they
fought, and that night both sides rested. Kearny, however,
had met with a heavy loss, two captains, four non-commis
sioned officers and twelve dragoons being killed.
Early on the morning of December 7 he began his march
for San Diego. The Mexicans now began a guerilla war
fare and during the day Kearny lost five men. That night
he camped on the San Bernardino river. The next day the
Mexicans, now 230 strong (100 more having come from Los
Angeles), made a furious charge. Kearny, retreating to the
hills, found himself trapped. He was surrounded on all
sides by Mexicans and the men could get neither food nor
water for themselves or their animals. In the consultation
regarding their situation, Carson declared, "If we stay here
we are all dead men," and he offered to go to San Diego
for assistance. He was accompanied by Lieutenant Edward
F. Beale and the two brave men that night started on foot
on their dangerous journey.
While they were absent the Mexicans attempted to drive
a band of horses into the Kearny camp. Their object was

The California Conquest 55

to stampede, if possible, the animals of the camp. The effort
failed, but three fat horses were killed by the Americans,
and "they formed, in the shape of gravy-soup, an agreeable
substitute for the poor steaks of our own worked-down
brutes, on which we had been feeding for a number of days."
The Americans could not have withstood the siege very
long, but fortunately Carson and Beale succeeded in reach
ing Stockton's camp, and December 11 Lieutenant Gray
arrived in command of 180 marines, with plenty of food and
clothing. Kearny the following day resumed his march
unmolested and December 12 he was courteously received
by Commodore Stockton.
The combined army now numbered nearly 600 men. On
December 29 they began their march for Los Angeles. At
two points on the march while crossing the San Gabriel
river and upon the "Plains of Mesa" the Mexicans, 600 in
number, tried to rout the troops. They were each time
repulsed, the Americans losing three killed and nine wound
ed. The Mexican loss was nine killed and fourteen wound
ed. Stockton again took possession of Los Angeles January
10, 1847, the Mexicans making no resistance.
Two days later Lieutenant Colonel Fremont ended the
California war by his treaty of peace at Cahuenga.
After the war was over troops continued to arrive. In
January, 1847, the Lexington anchored at Monterey. She
had on board company F, Third artillery. In the company
were several notable men, among them Lieutenant William
T. Sherman and Henry W. Halleck, both famous generals
in the Civil war, and Private Benjamin Kooser, editor and
newspaper proprietor for many years. The famous Steven
son regiment, numbering over 800 men, also arrived a few
months later. The first ships to arrive were the Thomas
Perkins, March 6; the Susan Drew, March 19; the Loo
Choo, March 30, and the Brutus, April 2, 1847. In the fol-.
lowing year, February, 1848, the ships Isabella and Sweden
arrived. A lieutenant on the vessel last named was Colonel
Thomas E. Ketcham. He was a colonel in the Civil war
California Volunteers, and is now living in Stockton ninety-
two years of age.
The population of California in 1842, as given by the
Frenchman Duflot de Mofras, was about 5,000, not includ-

56 Men and Events

ing the Indians. He classified them as follows : 4,000 native
sons or Californians, 90 Mexicans, 90 Germans, Italians and
Portuguese, 80 Spaniards, 80 Frenchmen and 360 Scotch
men, Irishmen and Englishmen. Bancroft says at the close
of 1847 the population had increased to 14,000, the natives
counting 6,000. The only pueblo with a population of any
size was Yerba Buena. In August, 1847, Edward Gilbert,
a lieutenant in Stevenson's regiment, found the population
to be 459. Six months later, says the Annals, the population
was nearly 900, with merchants, mechanics and professional
men numbering 157.
One of the leading firms of the town previous to 1846
was the Hudson Bay Company, an English corporation
dating back to 1808. Employing several thousand men,
French-Canadians principally, they trapped throughout
Canada and British Columbia, and as early as 1825 found
their way into California. For several seasons they trapped
and hunted in the San Joaquin valley, near Stockton.
Their headquarters were at Vancouver, British Colum
bia. In 1841 Sir James Douglas, coming from that point to
Monterey, succeeded in establishing trade relations with the
Mexicans, with headquarters at Yerba Buena. William
Rae, a brother-in-law of Chief James McLaughlin, was sent
to the bay to take charge of the new firm. Rae purchased
the two-story Leese building. He was not a commercial
success. He was, however, a good customer of "John Bar
leycorn." After losing about $15,000, on January 19, 1845,
he shot and killed himself. His was the first inquest in San
Francisco. The body was buried in the yard, and in 1854
uncovered by workmen digging a sewer. This was one of
San Francisco's historic spots, as later the banking house
of James King of William was there located.

THE DAYS OF GOLD
LEADING EVENTS

1848 - 1860
Discovery of Gold
A Riot of Crime
Scarcity of Women
Organization of State
Founding of Religion
Corruption of Politics
Enforcement of Lynch Law
Organization of Political Parties
Religious and Fraternal Societies
Mercantile and Commercial Activities
Restless Condition of People

JAMES W. MARSHALL
The discoverer of sold.

SUTTER'S MILL
Where gold was found.

CHAPTER V.
THE CRY OF GOLD.
The cry of gold,
Around the world
It rolled,
And legions of men
All young and bold
Rushed to the Golden State.
The battle of Molino del Rey closed the Mexican war.
In the treaty signed at Guadalupe Hidalgo, February 2,
1848, Mexico ceded to the United States, for $18,000,000, all
told, all of the territory then known as California. Bounded
on the north by Oregon, the east by the Rocky mountains
and the south by Mexico, it was a vast empire ; yes, it was
greater than several empires combined. It was larger than
Italy, Spain, Wales, Scotland and England, and as large as
France, England and Germany.
The accession of this vast domain caused great rejoicing
throughout the South, for it gave the Southerners a new
field for the extension of slavery — so they believed. The
discovery of gold, however, destroyed all of their plans ; for
in the rush of immigration there came thousands of those
opposed to slavery. They organized California as a free
state. The man to ruin the slavery men's cherished hopes was
the eccentric, unlearned immigrant, James W. Marshall (a).

(a) James W. Marshall was born in New Jersey in 1819. He
learned the wheelwright trade. Emigrating to the west in 1845,
he crossed the plains and locating at Sonoma, he began raising horses
and cattle. When the war broke out he joined Fremont's battalion.
In the gold rush he was entirely forgotten. He made no money by
his discovery of gold, and later several legislatures voted him
monthly pensions. Idolizing the spot where he found gold, he built
a little cabin and lived there until his death, May 10, 1885. Several
years after his death, at a cost of $9,000, the state erected at Colma
a life-sized bronze statue of Marshall. 59

60 Men and Events

He was a volunteer in Fremont's battalion, and at the close
of the war he visited Sutter's fort looking for work. Mar
shall was a good mechanic, and Sutter gave him a job
making spinning wheels. Later he sent Marshall into the
mountains to find a good location for a sawmill. The em
ployes selected a spot at the place now known as Coloma.
Ox teams and men were sent to the place. In January, 1848,
the carpenters had partly completed the frame of the mill.
A mill race was also dug and January 24th Marshall, accom
panied by Peter L. Wimmer, while walking along the race
noticed something shining in the sand. What it was they
did not know, as they had never seen any gold. It was a
very scarce metal in that day. After an unsuccessful
attempt to break it, they took a piece of the gold to Mrs.
Wimmer and asked her to boil it in saleratus water as a
further test. She was making soap, and, throwing the gold
into the boiler, the following morning it was fished out
brighter than ever. Marshall, still doubtful, concluded to
saddle his horse, ride to the fort and ask the Captain's
opinion. Sutter was an oracle among the settlers. His
wisdom was certainly correct in this case. After testing it
with acids and weighing it according to the formula in the
encyclopedia, he declared it pure gold, twenty-four carats
fine. Sutter was not surprised at the discovery, as gold in
considerable quantities he knew had been found in other
parts of the territory (b).
Marshall, now greatly excited, hastily returned to the
mill in a heavy rain, although Sutter tried to persuade him
to remain over night. Marshall on arrival found that Wim-
mer's two little boys had found about four ounces of gold.
He was very angry. He wanted to keep the discovery a
secret. The laborers on the mill, mostly Mormons, soon
learned the secret and began digging for gold. Marshall

(b) It had been known for many years that gold existed in
California. General Vallejo said that in 1824 he saw a Russian dig
ging gold in Kern county. A priest informed William Davis, author
of "Sixty Years in California," that Indians found gold in Sacramento
valley in 1840. Mexican vaqueros in 1841 accidentally found gold on
San Francisco creek, near Los Angeles. The place was worked and
over $6,000 worth of gold taken from the creek. It was gold dust,
however, and sent east in payment for goods. The Philadelphia mint
declared it pure gold.

The Cry of Gold 61
ordered them from the land, claiming that he owned it.
Traveling down the river some fifteen miles, they found
plenty of gold. In less than six months over 300 Mormons,
with roughly constructed cradles, tin pans and Indian
baskets, were averaging each man eight ounces, $128, per
day. The place took the name of Mormon Island.
Mrs. John Wolf skill, in writing of the discovery, says:
"Sam Brannan came riding breathless into our place in
Benicia, and asked my husband for a fresh horse. He said
that gold had been discovered and he was going up there
to locate all the land he could and then go to Monterey and
file on it." Sutter, however, was ahead of him. The Captain
first made a treaty with the Culuma Indians (c) . He then
sent two couriers with specimens of gold to Monterey, with
a request to give him (Sutter) a pre-emption claim on the
land. The couriers showed Governor Mason the specimens,
and Sherman declared it looked like Georgia gold. Mason
refused the favor, saying he had no authority to dispose of
Mexican lands.
The news reached San Francisco some time in February.
Parties at that time offered gold in payment for goods. The
jewelers, testing it, pronounced it pure gold. The mer
chants refused to accept it, believing it worthless. Finally
they took the metal at a fifty per cent discount, and they
added another fifty per cent to their selling price for good
measure. The citizens also were skeptical. They declared
the reported discovery was one of old Sutter's schemes to
populate the wilderness. Day after day, however, the gold
rolled into Yerba Buena. At last they were forced to admit
the truthfulness of the discovery. Then the merchants
hurried to the mines. Seeing gold by the ton, they hur
riedly returned to San Francisco, nailed up the doors and
windows of their business houses and started for Coloma.
For several weeks launches were seen loaded with merchan
dise and household goods, often the family sitting on top

(c) The Indians with whom Sutter made his treaty were known
as the Culuma tribe, hence the name Coloma. By the terms of the
treaty Sutter agreed to give them food, clothes, ornaments and beads
yearly to the value of $200. They in turn promised not to kill the
stock or game nor burn the grass within the limits prescribed, 12
square miles.

62 Men and Events

of the trunk, sailing up the San Joaquin or Sacramento
rivers. Some of the merchants intended opening stores,
others to dig for gold.
The two newspapers of Yerba Buena, the Californian
and the Star, changed their opinion in less than sixty days
regarding the discovery. In a two line article March 5th,
the Californian said: "Gold dust is an article of traffic at
New Helvetia, Sutter's fort." Then it declared the dis
covery a humbug. Two months later, however, the pro
prietor published an extra, saying "the editors, the printers,
even the devil himself has gone to the mines. The whole
country from San Francisco to Los Angeles resounds to the
cry of gold, Gold GOLD !" In September the same paper
said : "Explorations have been made sufficient to prove that
gold was to be found on both sides of the Sierras from lati
tude 41 as far south as the waters of the San Joaquin, a
distance of 400 miles in length and 100 miles in width."
The men from the fort on their way to Monterey stopped
overnight at Tuleberg, now Stockton. . This was the half
way point between the fort and the pueblo of San Jose.
Sutter instructed the men to keep secret their mission, but
they informed the settlers of the discovery and showed them
specimens of the gold. The trappers, much excited, under
Captain Charles M. Weber's direction, organized the Stock
ton Mining Company. It was the first corporation in the
territory. Procuring picks, shovels and food supplies from
Weber's general merchandise store, they traveled to
Coloma, and locating on Weber's creek, began mining and
trading with the Indians. They obtained "banks of gold."
William H. Carson declared "they daily sent out to the
settlements mules loaded with gold." Hall, the San Jose
historian, further declares that in December, 1849, Daniel
Murphy, one of the partners, had as his profits for one year
$2,000,000 in gold.
News did not then, as now, flash over the land in a
second, and the discovery was not known along the South
California coast until the middle of May. In Monterey the
news greatly excited the population. Merchandise, horses
and wagons immediately advanced 500 per cent in price.
They were quickly purchased, however, and the buyers
hurried to the mines. When the teams were all sold, the

The Cry of Gold 63

citizens started for the mines on foot, their blankets on
their backs. They also hastened, fearing that the gold
would all be dug before their arrival. The town was de
populated and, said Walter Colton (d) in his diary, June
20th, "I have only a community of women left and a gang
of prisoners." The old San Jose settlers laughed at the
report. They declared it foolish, the rumor of so much gold
being found. When they saw their fellow citizens return
ing week after week, actually loaded with gold, they also
caught the fever and hastened to the gold fields. San Jose
was soon depopulated, and it was feared that the Mexicans
would organize and destroy the pueblo.
Governor Mason as a United States officer believed it
his duty to visit Coloma and report to Washington the
extent and value of the wonderful discovery. Accompanied
by Lieutenant, later General, William T. Sherman and four
soldiers, June 7th he left Monterey and rode horseback to
San Francisco. Crossing the bay to Sausalito, swimming
their horses, they traveled to the mines. All along the road
the Governor found the mills idle, the houses unoccupied,
the grain fields overrun with stock and the gardens in ruins.
At Coloma he saw 4,000 men, all digging for gold, and
taking, per month, from the river bed from $50,000 to
$100,000. Their only tools were butcher knives, shovels and
shallow pans. Two miners finding a "pocket" of gold in
Weber creek cleared up $17,000 in' one week. The Indians
working for John Sinclair brought in $19,000 in ten days (e) .
Satisfied regarding the richness of the gold mines, Gov
ernor Mason sent Lieutenant Loser with dispatches to
President Polk. He took with him an oyster can filled with
gold nuggets. The Lieutenant was instructed to reach the
capital before the assembling of the thirtieth congress, so

(d) Walter Colton as alcalde was the first official in California
to empanel a jury. He was also the first American architect, he
planning and building Colton hall.
<e) The Indians at first had not the slightest idea of the value
of gold. They willingly worked and dug gold for food, clothes,
flimsy trinkets and beads, which they prized highly. John Swain
of Monterey relates that, taking from his store a quantity of beads,
he traded them to the Indians for gold nuggets. The beads were
worth 25 cents, the gold $100. Joaquin Miller, later the California
poet, says that on one occasion an Indian gave $25,000 worth of gold
for some glass beads worth 50 cents.

64 Men and Events

that the President could announce the discovery in his
annual message. He failed to reach Washington in time,
because of many delays (f), but on arrival at New Orleans
he telegraphed the President. The following day, Novem
ber 24th, the news of the gold discovery was published in
the New Orleans Commercial Times.
The gold from the mines of California revolutionized the
finances of the world. At that time the gold production was
exceedingly limited and financiers were seeking for some
means of commercial exchange. The gold output has been
so enormous it is impossible to give its value. From 1847
up to and including 1901 the custom house reported an
exportation of $1,345,512,689. This is a part only, for there
is no record of the millions of dollars carried from the state
by miners in trunks, tin cans, boxes and in gold belts (g).
The largest known amount taken from the- mines in one
year was that of 1854, $69,433,512. From that time on the
amount gradually decreased until from fifteen to thirty mil
lions a year was the limit. The average annual amount,
however, for the first fifty-three years was $25,387,032. Of
late years dredger mining has kept the average yearly
product at $20,000,000.

(f) At this time there was no direct communication with the
east. Hence Lieutenant Loser was compelled to sail from Monterey
to Payta, Peru; from Payta he took an English steamer to Panama;
crossing the isthmus, he sailed to Kingston, Jamaica, and from there
by vessel to New Orleans.
(g) These gold belts were made for the purpose of carrying
gold dust. The material was buckskin, and they were usually fas
tened around the naked body just above the hips. In this way the
gold dust was hidden, and a large, strong man could easily carry
$3,000 worth of gold without inconvenience. There were no gold
notes in those days, nor paper money of any denomination.

MARSHALL'S CABIN
This is a typical cabin of the "days of gold.'

CHAPTER VI.
ON TO CALIFORNIA.
The news of gold in California was carried along the
coast as far south as Peru, then to Australia, Manila, China
and Japan. The first foreign port to learn of the discovery
was Manila. The captain of the ship Rhone succeeded (a)
in sailing from San Francisco for the Philippines early in
the spring of 1848. The schooner Louise carried the news
to Honolulu June 17, 1848. She also carried a few speci
mens of gold. The Polynesian published the news June 24
and immediately freight and passenger rates rapidly ad
vanced. In less than five months over 300 natives,
"Kanakas," as the pioneers called them, sailed for San
Francisco. Australia also heard the news in June. The
streets of the principal cities were billed with posters
announcing in big headlines "Gold in California." In a
short time it was difficult to obtain passage on the many
ships that were bound for San Francisco. Many of the
immigrants were "Sydney Ducks" and "Botany Bay" con
victs. They caused an endless amount of trouble. Canton,
China, learned of the discovery in October, 1849. In Feb
ruary of that year fifty-four Chinamen arrived. Before
the close of 1850, 4,000 Chinese had landed, all bound for
the mines.
Oregon in July, 1848, first heard the news. They did not
believe it. Later a second vessel arrived. The new arrivals
not only confirmed the first report, but they had a copy of
the California Star containing a full account of the dis
covery. An overland party just from "the diggin's," they

(a) When the sailors on board the merchantmen in San Fran
cisco harbor heard of the gold discovery they immediately deserted
and started for the mines. It was very difficult to get sailors. The
captain of the ship Rhone, however, bound for Manila, succeeded in
getting a crew, he agreeing to pay them $200 per month.
65

66 Men and Events

said, rode into Oregon. They had specimens of gold and
they declared that "the rivers were full of gold." The news
thrilled the inhabitants. The people went wild, abandoned
farms, houses, stock and everything and rushed away to the
gold fields (b), over 6,000 of Oregon's population emigrat
ing inside of a year (c).
The gold excitement was not confined to the western
coast. Upon the Atlantic shore the agitation was equally
great, as in a short time the people believed the exaggerated
reports that California's "streams were rivers of gold" and
that it "sparkled in her coronet of cliffs." The papers were
filled with the news of gold (d) and everywhere the con
versation was on that subject. The pulpits discoursed upon
the evils of gold, and as soon as possible the preachers
started for California. A song composed on this subject
when sung in concert or theater was loudly applauded (e),
long after the author, Jonathan Nichols, had started for
California. In November, 1848, the movement of vessels first began.
In December, says Bancroft, "it had attained the dimension
of a rush." All of the eastern ports sent out their quota of
ships, and in December, 1848, and January, 1849, sixty-one
vessels left for California, each vessel averaging fifty pas
sengers. In February, 1849, sixty ships sailed from New
York and seventy from Boston and Philadelphia. Before
the spring of 1850 vessels to the number of 250 had cleared
from eastern ports bound for San Francisco. In one day

(b) Peter Burnett, later California's first governor, standing on
the streets of Oregon City, proposed the immediate organization of a
company to emigrate to California. It met with a quick response
and eight days later, September 1st, 150 men in wagons drawn by
oxen and horses started for Coloma. In November they reached
Long's bar and there, camping, began mining.
(c) "I think," said Burnett, "that fully two-thirds of the popu
lation of Oregon capable of bearing arms left for California in the
summer and fall of 1848." The Oregon Spectator affirming the same
report, said "almost the entire male and a part of the female popula
tion of Oregon has gone gold digging in California."
(d) The first paper to publish the news was the Baltimore Sun,
it receiving a letter September 20, 1848, from its California cor
respondent, B. P. Kooser. About the same time Bennett of the New
York Herald received a vial of gold, 10% grains, from Thomas O.
Larkin. On receiving it Bennett exclaimed, "Let us see if this be
gold." An assayer tested it and declared it was almost pure gold,
21 % carats fine.

On to California 67

forty-five vessels entered the Golden Gate. Many of these
vessels were notable, among them the Edward Everett (f),
which sailed from Boston in December, 1848, with 152 pas
sengers. Others were notable because of their smallness
(g), scarcely larger than the caravel in which Columbus
discovered America. Some of these ships were chartered
by companies, and they were fitted out with provisions
sufficient to last two or more years. Others were loaded
with gold-digging machines, fire arms and ammunition (to
kill the wild Indians), house frames, brick, in fact, hundreds
of articles the emigrants believed would be necessary in
a new, uncivilized country. One of the gold seekers, a
brick mason, brought with him several hundred brick. Cap
tain Weber paid him one dollar a brick to build, in his
home, the first brick chimney in the interior of California.
On arrival in San Francisco hundreds of pioneers aban
doned their vessels and hurried to the mines, leaving in
charge the captain (h). Others sailed to Sacramento or
Stockton, and leaving their ships there, hurried on, fearing

(e) This was one of the favorite songs among a certain class of
pioneers, and one verse read as follows:
"I'll soon be in 'Frisco,
And then I'll look around.
And when I see the gold lumps there
I'll pick 'em off the ground.
I'll scrape the mountains clean, my boys,
I'll drain the rivers dry,
A pocket full of rocks bring home,
Susannah, don't you cry."
(f) The ship, which was chartered by 152 well educated young
men, was named after the famous statesman, Edward Everett. At
that time he was president of Harvard college, and he presented the
company with 300 volumes of standard authors. The vessel left
Boston January 10, 1849, and arrived at San Francisco July 7th.
The company brought with it a knock-down steamer hull, cabin,
boilers and engine. She was put together at Benicia and launched
August 12th. Five days later, August 17th, says Willard B. Farwell,
the little Pioneer sailed up the Sacramento river, reaching that point
early in the morning, August 19th. The miners cheered the first
steamer until they were hoarse. The day was given up to jollifica
tion and whisky.
(g) In December, 1849, a party of seven persons left Nantucket
in a vessel of 44 tons measurement. She was called the Mary and
Emma and she arrived safely at San Francisco after a voyage of 149
days. The San Francisco Call, June, 1901, says the schooner Polly
that sailed around Cape Horn in 1849 was only 61 feet long and 13
feet wide.
(h) One illustration as to results: My father came around Cape
Horn in 1849 with a company of fifty Bostonians. They chartered the
bark Lenark for a two years' voyage, and placed on board sufficient

68 Men and Events

that all of the gold would be dug before their arrival. Some
of these vessels at San Francisco were purchased and used
as store ships or stores, among them the ship Apollo and
the famous Niantic, over which the Niantic hotel was built.
At Sacramento a few were used for lighters, and one was
a prison brig. At Stockton over one hundred of these ships
were destroyed by fire, as they obstructed navigation.
There was, as I have stated, a positive belief that the
gold product was limited. This belief caused a feverish
desire on the part of the immigrants to get to the gold
mines in the quickest time possible. Hence many of them
on reaching Panama left their ships and tried to purchase
tickets for San Francisco on the northbound steamers. This
was almost impossible, unless some passenger died on the
voyage (i) as every steamer from New York to Aspinwall
was overcrowded. Immigrants were continually pouring
into Panama from New Orleans, Jamaica and other points,
and finding a steamer delayed, would charter sailing vessels
and start for San Francisco. Without any knowledge of the
distance, the adverse winds and tides, or experience in sail
ing a ship, these crazed voyagers suffered terribly from
thirst and hunger, and hundreds perished miserably before
the ship reached San Francisco (j).
The voyage around Cape Horn was long and tedious —
seldom less than six months and sometimes a year. After

supplies to last them during their short visit to California. Leaving
the bark at San Francisco in charge of the captain, the entire party
hurried to the mines. The captain immediately after their departure
sold the provisions for a large sum of money and sailed for China.
(i) On one occasion there were over 3,000 passengers in the
dirty, unhealthy town of Panama, awaiting passage to San Francisco.
Offers were made of $600 for a steamer ticket, but the offer was not
accepted. Finally one of the passengers died. A Mr. Adams, hearing
of the death, immediately sprang from his chair, exclaiming: "Had
he a through ticket?"
(j) An eye witness at San Francisco of one of these arrivals
said: "A sailing vessel reached here yesterday from Panama, having
on board 130 persons. They were 114 days from that port, and 30
persons had died of hunger. I saw several of the poor fellows and
they looked horribly emaciated and famished."
One party of foolhardy men left Panama in the log canoes of the
natives. They had no idea of the distance to California, and they
believed that they could reach San Francisco in those frail boats
Nearly all of them perished of hunger and exhaustion.
Another party chartered the small schooner Dolphin and without
captain or pilot put out to sea. Because of head winds their progress

On to California 69

the first excitement had quieted the immigration came by
steamer, the Panama Steamship Company putting on a line
of steamers from New York to San Francisco by the way
of the Isthmus of Panama. Those, however, who came by
the isthmus found the sufferings, dangers and hardships as
bad as, or even worse than, by the Cape Horn route. The
steamers were frequently overcrowded, their accommoda
tions very poor and their connections with the Pacific line
very uncertain. Panama was a very unhealthy town be
cause of the miasma and the raging of the cholera (k).
Until J856 the passengers were compelled to cross the
isthmus riding on a mule and by small boats propelled up
the Chagres river by natives using long poles. In that year
I the forty-three miles of railroad was finished. It is said to
I have cost over $7,000,000. The money was paid out princi
pally for labor, as thousands of laborers died of diseases
contracted while working in malarial swamps. Today
Panama is one of the most healthful places, made so by the
government under scientific and enforced sanitary laws.
Although previous to 1869 the majority of California's
population arrived by water, thousands braved the dangers
of an overland journey. They were the pioneers who had
settled up "the Far West." Ever restless, ever on the
move, the cry of gold in California reaching their ears, they
again packed their families and their household goods into
their wagons and "on to California."
The frontier towns of Independence, St. Joseph and St.
Louis would be their winter camping places. In those
towns they would purchase their supplies for their long
six months' journey. In the early spring they began their

was very slow, and at Cape St. Lucas they left the Dolphin, expecting
to make San Francisco on foot overland. They nearly starved to
death and after living on cacti, herbs and rattlesnakes, naked and
nearly famished, the party succeeded in reaching San Diego. Some
of California's best citizens were in that company, among them A.
W. Schmidt, later one of San Francisco's famous civil engineers, and
James W. McClatchy, sheriff of Sacramento county and founder of
the Sacramento Bee.
(k) The passengers from the Atlantic side were at one time
compelled to wait three weeks at Panama for the long delayed
steamer California. The crew had deserted the vessel and gone to
the gold mines, and it was difficult to get sailors. At this time the
choleia was raging and from twelve to fifteen deaths were daily
reported.

70 Men and Events

march, hoping to reach the western valley before the winter
snows of the Sierras blocked their way.
The emigrants, seldom knowing anything of the route,
followed the trail by the general directions given them,
trusting to luck and Providence until they arrived at Salt
Lake. Beyond that point those who were wise engaged
guides. These guides were always necessary, for so many
were the horses and oxen on the trail, feed and water were
very scarce. Then there was great danger from the Indians,
for they would attack trains, especially small trains, steal
the stock and murder the travelers.
Another source of danger, ever present beyond Fort
Laramie, were the hot desert winds. They shrunk the
wagon wheels until they frequently fell to pieces. They
dried the emigrants' bodies, causing them great suffering
from thirst; and so weakened the animals that they could
travel but slowly. Because of these manifold evils, destruc
tion followed in the track of every emigrant train. In their
weakened condition they could not stop for rest nor linger
even to bury the loved ones stricken with disease (1). Time
to them meant life, and they were compelled to hurry on,
leaving the dead on the desert to be devoured by wolves
and coyotes. The entire trail, it has been stated, 2,000

(1) This disease was the cholera. It raged fearfully in the bor
der states the first year of the overland emigration, 1849, and later
in California. As the emigrants entered the wilderness they carried
the germs of the disease. Persons were suddenly seized with the
most violent symptoms. There was no possible cure, and they were
left behind to die. The emigrants hastened on to reach, as soon as
possible, the high altitude beyond Fort Laramie, as the pestilence
disappeared in the high mountain air. From cholera alone the first
400 miles west of the frontier was marked with dead bodies "and
newly dug graves. Over 4,000 persons of all ages died of disease.
The cholera reached California in the spring of 1850. Because of
the unhealthy conditions, such as poor food, bad water, a lack of
comfortable houses, clothing, medicines and attendance, the disease
raged fearfully. This was particularly true of Sacramento. Although
90 per cent of her population were young and strong men, in Novem
ber of that year "the deaths ranged from thirty to fifty a day for
nearly twenty days," said Dr. John Morse. "The daily mortality
became so great as to keep men constantly carrying away the dead."
The plague raged to some extent in San Jose, about 10 per cent of
the population dying. Stockton also suffered about 5 per cent. In
San Francisco 5 per cent of the population were stricken and died.
John C. Pelton, the first public school teacher, said in his report in
January, 1851, that one-fifth of his pupils, thirty-nine, were orphans,
"many of them made so by the recent ravages of cholera." The
mountain towns were not affected, as the disease dies out above the
1,000 foot level.

e
I« aB© a

41

On to California 71

miles, was at one time marked with broken wagons, dead
horses and cattle, household goods and human bones.
Every immigrant rejoiced as he drew near to Sutter's
fort, for it was "the Mecca" of his long, weary journey.
General Sutter always gave the newcomers a hearty wel
come (m) and if destitute and starving he often provided
food and clothing free of cost. To none was he a greater
benefactor than to the Donner party. Without his gener
osity all would have perished.
In the summer of 1848-49 California saw a greater
change in its population and trade than history has ever

(m) General Sutter, one of the most active, enterprising and
benevolent of California's early pioneers, was born in the grand
duchy of Baden, March 1, 1803. He was born of religious parents and
received a common school education only. Engaging in the wine
business, the wine growers in 1834 sent him to the United States to
buy land. He located at St. Charles, Missouri, and became an Ameri
can citizen.
Then came the reports of the fertile land in the far west, and in
April, 1834, Sutter with six others, joined a trapping party bound for
the Rocky Mountains. From this point horseback they rode to Van
couver, reaching that point in December, 1838. Sutter's destination
was California; the only way of getting there was by some trading
ship. In the brig Clementine he sailed to the Sandwich Islands, then
to Monterey, arriving there in August, 1839.
Learning that land grants were given free to naturalized citizens,
Sutter became a Mexican subject. He then selected and was given
a grant of land, thirty-three miles square, on the Rio del Sacramento.
He called it the New Helvetia, after his own native province. Why
he selected that locality is a problem. It was 100 miles from San
Jose, the nearest settlement, and his neighbors were wild Indians and
wild animals.
Sutter reached his grant in a small schooner seven days from
Yerba Buena. He had a happy faculty in making friends with the
Indians. He made with them a treaty and then employing them with
the assistance of a few white men he built Sutter's fort. The walls,
made of adobe, were two feet thick and fifteen feet high. The fort
was mounted with cannon, purchased from the Russians. A sentinel
constantly stood guard at the only gate. Within the fort Sutter built
dwellings, storehouses, workshops and manufactures. He had in his
employ about thirty white men, mechanics of various kinds, together
with several hundred Indians. They were engaged in the manufac
ture of leather blankets, soap and various other articles, also in
raising vegetables, wheat and- stock.
When gold was discovered he had as a part of his property 8,000
head of cattle, 2,000 horses and mules, nearly 1,000 sheep and 1,000
hogs. Then came the gold rush, and Sutter lost everything. The
lawless class stole his stock, cut down his timber, trampled over his
wheat fields and "squatted" upon his land. Finally losing all of his
property through bad debts and swindlers, he applied to the state
legislature for a monthly pension. The legislature voted him a pen
sion for several years, and then subsequent legislatures refused
further assistance. The old man returned to Pennsylvania and peti
tioned Congress for assistance. While they were debating the
momentous question of granting the old pioneer $100 a month, June
17, 1880, he passed away. Not even a decent monument today heads
his grave.

72 Men and Events

before seen in any period. The population in 1847, exclud
ing Indians, was 7,000. The centers of trade were the
pueblos of Monterey, San Jose and Yerba Buena. San
Diego, Los Angeles, Sonoma and New Helvetia contained
a small population.
Then came the cry of "gold," and in a few months the
population had increased to nearly 100,000 persons, people
from every land and every clime. Over 32,000 sailed
through the Golden Gate; 42,000 crossed the Sierras, and
thousands came by the Santa Fe and other trails.
Day after day steamers and sailing vessels landed their
passengers at San Francisco and they hurried on to the
mines, up the San Joaquin river to Stockton, then by stage
or on foot to the Southern mines, or up the Sacramento
river to Sacramento, then by stage to the Northern mines.
What was the result? Sacramento and Stockton, from
small, unimportant settlements, became hives of business
and industry. Mining camps came to life in a day. James
town, Sonora, Columbia, Murphy's Camp, Chinese Camp,
Big Oak Flat, Mariposa, Snellings, Placerville, Marysville
and a hundred other camps became busy marts of life
and trade.
Stockton was founded in 1849 by Captain Charles M.
Weber. When first he saw the land he believed in some
future time it would become a city of great commercial
importance because of its deep water outlet to the sea.
Weber as early as 1844 obtained this land, some 10,489
acres, from his San Jose partner, William Gulnac. The
land was designated by the Mexicans as Campo de los Fran
ceses, the camp of the Frenchmen. Gulnac, being a natu
ralized Mexican citizen, obtained the grant free of cost.
Weber obtained it for a mere song.
In trying to populate the grant in 1847, Captain Weber
offered any settlers a lot in the town and 160 acres of land.
They laughed at the offer, and one immigrant, Thomas
Doak, declared he would not give ten cents an acre for all
the land between Weberville and Sutter's fort.
In 1847 the owner succeeded in getting some twenty
settlers, trappers and sailors to settle upon the grant. Then
came the discovery of gold, January, 1848. In the fall of
that year he built the first house in the San Joaquin valley.

On to California 73

In the spring of 1849 he saw the realization of his dream
and resurveyed the town. In this resurvey he laid off a
city one mile square, divided into blocks 300 feet square.
Each street was open to the channel, and streets ran along
the water front. Two years later speculators offered him
thousands of dollars a front foot for lots on the water front.
He refused all offers, saying the water front must be kept
open for the use of the general public. Today the citizens
appreciate the wisdom of the founder.
In the spring of 1849 the immigrants began arriving, and
as James H. Carson declared, "a rush and whirl of human
beings was constantly before the eye and a city had arisen
at the bidding of the full-fledged Minerva." A tent city of
1,000 people had arisen as if by magic. Christmas morn,
1849, the city was in ashes, swept by a half-million dollar
fire. Again was the town rebuilt. Ship after ship entered
the harbor. The navigation of the channel was obstructed
by the incoming vessels, and in February, 1850, merchants,
107 in number, petitioned Captain Weber to remove the
obstructions. In the spring of that year there were over 2,000 people
living in Stockton, more than sufficient to incorporate a
city. The citizens began discussing city incorporation, and
in less than two months, August, 1850, the city was incor
porated and city officers elected. Captain Weber then
deeded all of the streets, alleys and public squares to the
new city of Stockton. Six months later Stockton had her
local government and laws and ordinances governing com
merce and society, a well equipped fire department, private
schools, religious and secret societies and two daily news
papers. Steamers ran daily to San Francisco and stages to
the mines. She had her banking and express offices, post-
office, hotels, stores and shops, commission houses and
traders, all doing a thriving business with the merchants
of the Southern mines.
Sacramento and Stockton are the only two cities in Cali
fornia founded by individuals. The latter, as we have
seen, was founded by Captain Weber, and the latter by
Captain John A. Sutter. The enterprising Swiss on his
arrival in the territory became a naturalized Mexican citi
zen. He then obtained a grant of land on the Rio del

74 Men and Events
Sacramento, which he called New Helvetia. Building his
fort some three miles east of the river bank, it was
previous to 1844 the only trading post in northern Cali
fornia. Sutter then established a ferry across the Sacra
mento river. It was much traveled, as the distance to
Yerba Buena by the way of Semple's ferry, Benicia, was
much shorter than by the way of Tuleburg. Sutter also
became a town builder. He founded a town on the river
bank, three miles below Sacramento. He named it Sutter-
ville. The little burg flourished until the gold discovery,
then faded away. In the spring of 1848 Sacramento con
sisted of two houses, a whisky shop and a small cabin, both
upon the river bank. In the latter part of the year it con
tained sixty houses and a population of 300 persons. Lieu
tenant Warner, an army engineer, obtained a leave of
absence from Governor Mason and, employed by Sutter,
he laid off Sacramento. Most of the surveying was done
near the fort, Sutter contending that no permanent town
could be founded upon the river banks because of the high
waters. When the sale of lots took place in the spring of
1849 the greatest demand was for land along the river
front. These were sold and a transfer of business then
took place from the fort to First, Second, Third and K
streets. The citizens elected their first alcalde in the fall of 1848.
In January, 1849, they held their first regular election,
choosing men to fill the offices of magistrate, recorder,
alcalde and sheriff. They also appointed a board of com
missioners to frame a code of laws for the government of
the district. The commissioners met the citizens assembled
under an oak tree, then at the foot of J street, and made
their report. Their code was accepted and by these laws
Sacramento was governed until after California's admission
as a state.
During the floods of 1849 and 1852 the people learned to
their sorrow that Sutter was right. Then began the
expenditure of millions of dollars in filling up the land.
They spent on J street alone, one year, 1855, over a half
million.

On to California 75

The population of Sacramento in July, 1849, numbered
some 1,500, which had increased in the summer of 1850
to 10,000. The main streets were constantly crowded and immi
grants by the hundreds were in camp on the outside of the
town. In September nine lines of steamers ran up the
Sacramento river; stages left the town every morning for
the mines, and the banking and express offices, together
with the merchants, were carrying .on an immense business.
Before this time the citizens had adopted a city charter,
elected a town council and were holding political meetings.
The Placer Times claimed a circulation of 500 at $12 a year
subscription rates, and its job and advertising work was
over $2,000 a week. Real estate had advanced in price far
beyond its real worth, and choice lots sold at $3,000 each.
Rents were very high and Sutter's sawmill at Coloma was
removed in sections to Sacramento and finished as the City
Hotel, renting for $30,000 a year. The proprietor charged
$5.00 a day or $20.00 a week for the plainest meals. The
completion of the hotel was marked by a ball July 4, 1849.
The tickets were $35.00. All of the women of the town
were present, eighteen in number. Each lady had ten
dancing partners and a few more.
Business was very brisk. Merchants were taking in
over $3,000 a day across their pine board counters; clerks
were receiving from $300 to $500 a month, and gambling
and whisky saloons were doing such a profitable business
that they were paying $1,000 a month rent.
San Francisco until 1847 was known as Yerba Buena
(good herb) . That year, however, the alcalde, Washington
A. Bartlett, by official proclamation changed the name to
San Francisco. At this time the population was about 900.
Four years later the census marshal reported a population
of 56,871. When the first survey was made, in 1835, a Mexican
surveyor believed one street sufficient for all purposes. He
laid off a single street, calling it "La Calle de la Fundacion."
In 1839 a new survey was made by the Frenchman, Jean
Vioget. He gave the town a frontage upon Yerba Buena
cove. He laid off as the boundary of the new town what is
now Post, Leavenworth and Francisco street. He included

76 Men and Events

the water lots then just east of Montgomery street, between
the two land marks, Rincon point on the south and Black
point on the north. The land at the time was one or two
feet under the water; nevertheless it was divided into
16j4 by 50 vara lots.
When General Kearny arrived in San Francisco the
speculators, looking to the future, requested him to place
on sale these water lots. He had them put up for sale. In
three days over 200 lots were bought up, ranging in price
from $50 to $600 each. In August a second sale of lots
was made. These were sandhill lots, and they sold from
$12 to $25 a lot. The gold discovery sent those dry lots
a-booming. Before the close of 1849 they rose in value and
$10,000 was paid for single corner lots. Then the wise ones
made their fortunes by the same methods through which,
in later years, speculators grabbed all of the best California
lands. One of these speculators was Captain Joseph Fol
som, at that time quartermaster of the custom house. The
limit of purchase was three lots. Folsom bought the limit.
Then he bribed his clerks to buy more lots for him. In
this way he obtained many lots and cleared, by selling them,
a million dollars.
Folsom advised Lieutenant William T. Sherman to buy
lots. He thought it a waste of good money. Some years
later Sherman in relating the incident said : "I felt insulted
that he should think me such a fool. They were not worth
$16 before the gold discovery, and are higher now than they
ever will be in the future. The mines will be exhausted
and the country will become a desert again."
The rapid growth of San Francisco was astonishing not
only in its sudden increase in population but in its increase
in improvements and in wealth. Within four years the
streets, impassable in winter because of mud, were planked
and nearly two miles of wharves built. The people had
already begun to cut away the hills and business had ex
tended into Happy valley, now a part of Market street.
Upon every side the sound of machinery was heard and
steam engines were busy. The streets at night were lighted
with whale oil until 1854; then gas was the lighting
material until electricity took its place. Omnibuses began
running to North beach in 1854 and they were the public

SAN FRANCISCO IN 1848
The sketch was taken from the Clay Street hill. Note the large
number of ships in the harbor.

On to California 77

conveyance throughout the city until 1860; then the first
horse car line ran up Market street to the "Willows." The
cable cars were first started on Clay street, August 1, 1873.
Oakland. — All of the country around about Oakland was
owned by the Spaniard, Don Luis Peralta. Governor Sola
gave him the grant in 1820. Peralta lived in the foothills
with his family and raised horses and cattle. When the
state was organized in 1850 he divided his land among his
four sons. Vincente Peralta obtained that part where now
lies Oakland.
The first settlement was by the Patton brothers, in 1850.
They located at what was then known as Brooklyn, now a
part of Oakland, and began raising wheat. They had good
water communication with Yerba Buena by the way of
San Antonio creek, and they built an embarcadero at that
point. Since 1847 the mission fathers had been using that
creek, and in small boats they had been shipping hides,
tallow and a few vegetables from San Jose mission to the
deep water vessels anchored in the bay. A trading store
was opened near the mission after the gold discovery, and
at once a line of travel was established to Yerba Buena over
the Brooklyn line.
The point at this time was known as the Contra Costa
landing. Edson Adams, A. J. Moon and H. J. Carpentier,
observing that the embarcadero was a good shipping point,
in 1850 squatted upon the land. That is, they took posses
sion, claiming that Peralta had no right to his father's
estate. Upon the spot now known as Broadway they
located 160 acres and, erecting a small dwelling, they named
the future town Oak-land. The ground was thick with live
oak and sycamore trees. The town grew and in 1852 Car
pentier succeeded in inducing the legislature to pass a law
incorporating a city. The three men became the town
trustees. These honest fellows then deeded to Carpentier
the whole of the Oakland water front. In consideration of
this gift, Carpentier built a wharf for public use, and a
public school. Amusing as this transaction appears, it has
cost Oakland millions of dollars, and was finally settled less
than four years ago, after ten years of litigation.
The city was laid off in blocks 200x300 feet, with streets
eighty feet wide. Broadway, however, is 110 feet wide.

78 Men and Events

The bounds of the town were Fourteenth street on the
north; West street on the west, including 300 feet into
the bay; Oakland creek on the south, and Lake Merritt
on the east.
Communication between Oakland and San Francisco in
early days was by a small steamer which made two-hour
trips. Opposition in 1857 reduced the fare and increased
the number of trips. The San Antonio creek route was
abandoned in 1863 and a long wharf was built over the mud
flats to deep water. Then two large steamers, the Contra
Costa and Oakland, began making two-hour trips. The
fare was fifty cents each way. In 1869 the Central Pacific
railroad obtained control of the ferry, and running its trains
through Seventh street, made the steamer ferry trips con
form to the running time of its trains. The Oakland
climate, less foggy and chilly than that of the peninsula,
appealed to the wealthier class of people, and building
houses in Oakland, they began making it their home. Thus
the city grew until it became known as the sleeping room
of San Francisco. The destruction of that city by fire in
April, 1906, was Oakland's opportunity. Its population,
now over 300,000, nearly equals that of the metropolis.
New York of the Pacific. — It was the height of the
ambition of many pioneers, among them Colonel J. D.
Stevenson, to found a town. He founded New York of the
Pacific on San Pablo bay, south side. Stevenson had an
idea that his town would become a miniature New York,
his native city. As ocean ships could sail to that point, he
believed Tuleburg (Stockton) and Sacramento would be
come deserted villages. Stevenson engaged William T.
Sherman and Richard P. Hammond to lay off the town.
He promised them for their work $500 cash and ten town
lots. They surveyed and sounded San Pablo bay and found
thirty feet of water. Quite a number of lots were sold.
When it was learned, however, that 400-ton steamers could
easily ascend the rivers to Stockton and Sacramento
throughout the year, New York of the Pacific and Benicia
found their Waterloo.
Vallejo and Mare Island. — The island was so named
because the early settlers there found a number of wild
mares. In 1849 six government officers from the army and

SACRAMENTO
Front street in 1850 from an old lithograph.

On to California 79

navy selected Mare island as the site for the establishment
of government works. The state legislature in 1854 deeded
the island to the government. Then commenced the con
struction of the works.
No government employes were permitted to reside on
the island. The enforcement of this rule gave birth to Val
lejo, on the opposite side of the strait. The land belonged
to John Frisbie. Laying off a town, he named it Vallejo,
his wife's maiden name. The town is principally populated
with government employes,, their wives and children.
Jamestown. — Jamestown was named after the first dis
coverer of gold in that vicinity, William James. Its growth
was rapid. Carson, visiting the spot in May, 1849, after a
year's absence, said : " * * * On the large flat we found
a canvas city under the name of Jamestown, which, similar
to a crop of mushrooms, had sprung up in a night. A
hundred flags were flying from restaurants, taverns, rum
mills and gambling houses."
Cornelius Sullivan and his companions at this time were
on their way from Monterey to Coloma. In camp one night
a Spaniard came along and said: "Oh, my friends, there is
lots of gold, chunks as big as my fist, on the Stanislaus."
The party then turned from Coloma to Jamestown. "Never
will I forget the impressions of the scene before us," said
Sullivan to the writer. "Under a brushwood tent supported
by upright poles sat James D. Savage, measuring and pour
ing gold dust into the candle boxes by his side. Five
hundred or more naked Indians, with belts of cloth bound
around their waists or suspended from their heads brought
the dust to Savage, and in return for it received a bright
piece of cloth or some beads."
Sonora. — Sonora was located in 1848 by the Woods
party. It took its name, however, from a number of expert
miners, natives of Sonora, Mexico, who, finding gold,
located there in large numbers. They were quickly driven
away by the Americans. The place grew rapidly. In
November, 1848, a town council was elected. In the fol
lowing year, 1852, Sonora had 100 business houses. They
carried a stock of a half million dollars. In 1856 with its
population of 5,000 it had its secret organizations of Ma-

80 Men and Events

sons, Odd Fellows and temperance societies, public and pri
vate schools and four religious denominations, the Catholic,
Presbyterian, Episcopal and South Methodist, each holding-
weekly Sunday services. On Saturday nights the street
was crowded with miners from the hills and gulches, seek
ing their mail, the news and their weekly supply of pro
visions ; and music, heard from all sides, attracted the curi
ous to the gambling tables, where was seen the miner with
his hard-earned gold "bucking the tiger."
Columbia, three miles from Sonora, was created through
the accidental discovery of gold. A party of prospectors
bound for other diggings in March, 1850, camped there for
the night. While drying their blankets the next morning
after a heavy rain they began prospecting and found gold.
The news flew on the wings of lightning. In four days
there were forty tents upon the ground. Eight months
later 8,000 miners were at work. Prostitution and gambling
ruled the camp. One hundred and forty monte banks, with
a capital of $500,000, carried on their favorite game.
Late in the spring of 1851 water for mining was very
scarce. The entire population save ten left the camp. That
winter they returned. In 1852 Columbia had 152 places of
business, this including 30 gambling saloons, 40 grocery and
dry goods stores, 4 banks, 3 express companies and a brew
ery. That year the Tuolumne Water Company brought a
stream of water three feet wide and two feet deep into the
town. This gave assurance of prosperity. In 1854 the town
was incorporated and George Sullivan elected mayor. The
town cast 9,858 votes. In July, 1854, the place was de
stroyed by fire, loss $600,000. The gold output began to
decrease, and in 1858 the inhabitants began leaving "the
gem of the mountains." Real estate fell in value rapidly.
Ten years later the camp was almost deserted.
Murphy's Camp, on the road to the famous Calaveras
big trees, was founded in 1849 by a prospecting party. At
one period over 3,000 miners lived in that locality. It was
a remarkably rich spot. Ground sixty feet square yielded
over a half million in two years, and from that vicinity over
$2,000,000 was taken. The place was named after Murphy,
one of the prospectors. He later opened a hotel. In 1858

On to California 81
James Sperry erected a stone building and opened a hotel
for tourists. In the destructive fire of 1860 it was burned
out, but was again refurnished.
Placerville. — The place was first known as Kelsey's
Diggin's. A party of friendly Indians guided Kelsey to the
place. About Christmas, 1848, the miners hung Irish Dick
and two other murderers from an oak tree. The place was
then known as Hangtown. Later it was incorporated under
its present name, Placerville.
In 1852 the wealth, population and the political power
of the state centered in the gold mines. The census mar
shal that year reported a population of 224,435, and of this
number the seven counties of Calaveras, El Dorado, Ne
vada, Tuolumne, Placer, Sierra and Yuba contained 126,853
inhabitants. Early in the '60s because of the gradual decrease of the
gold output the gold diggers believed "the mines were
played out," and they began leaving by the hundreds and
locating in the valleys and coast towns. Soon the small
camps and then the largest diggings were deserted. Stores
were closed, families left their pretty little cottages and gar
dens and thousands of dollars' worth of property was left
to ruin and decay. In one camp a brick building erected
at a cost of $4,000 rented for $100 a month. Later it found
no tenant at $5 a month. In one town in 1853, 5,000 miners
crowded its streets every Saturday night. Ten years later
not 500 persons could be found there. Now the camps that
contained the population, highest intellects and wealth of
the state are but the skeletons of their early life. They
await the prosperity that will again come, through the
electric railroad and horticulture. For fruit raising no soil
in the state equals that of the mountain lands.

CHAPTER VII.
ORGANIZATION OF STATE.
Government in some form is indispensable in every com
munity. Therefore, soon after the war the citizens of San
Jose, San Francisco, Stockton and Sacramento assembled
in mass meeting and adopted the Mexican system of gov
ernment. They were familiar with this form of government
and it served their purpose, as the population was limited
and the citizens peaceful and honest. The rush of immigra
tion, however, caused a complete change, not only in the
morals of the people, but in the commerce and trade of the
territory. Life and property became unsafe because of the
criminal element. Business was in an unsettled condition,
and, to make matters worse, the government demanded
gold or silver coin for all custom house duties. As there
was but little coin in the territory, gold dust depreciated
over 50 per cent. Hence it was necessary to organize not
alone local, but a territorial or state government.
A clash took place at this time between the military
governor and the town council of San Francisco, this fight
showing another reason why a government should be or
ganized. General Bennett Riley, "Hero of Contreras," as
he was called, arrived in San Francisco April 12, 1849. He
came in command of 650 soldiers. Nearly all of them de
serted and hastened to the mines. Riley came as Cali
fornia's Civil Governor, but soon after arrival he dissolved
the town council of San Francisco. He gave as his reason
that the people had no right to elect any officers without
the consent of Congress. Commodore Sloat took the oppo
site view. He advised them to "elect their own magistrates
and other officers for the administration of justice." Peter
H. Burnett, then a well known lawyer, assailed Riley's
position and maintained that as Congress had failed to give
82

Organization of State 83

California a form of government, the people themselves had
a constitutional right to organize a government for the
"protection of life and the pursuit of happiness." It was a
question of people's rights, and Burnett was ably seconded
by Senator William M. Gwin (a), who had arrived in Cali
fornia June 4, 1849, for the express purpose of assisting the
people in forming a state government, and returning to
Washington a United States Senator.
Although Riley opposed the people's taking any action
without the approval of Congress, he finally gave way to
public opinion and called a convention to assemble Septem
ber 3, 1849, at Monterey ; the delegates to the convention to
be elected June 3rd by the people of the several districts.
The territory was divided into ten districts, the number of
delegates in each district ' being governed by the district
population. San Joaquin was the largest district, "all of the

(a) The name of William M. Gwin was well known in politics
long before he saw the state that elected him its first United States
Senator. Born in Tennessee, October 9, 1803, he received his educa
tion in the Lexington, Kentucky, University. He then began the
study of medicine. His father being an intimate friend of President
Jackson, the latter appointed young Gwin his private secretary. In
his new position he learned the tricks and schemes of politics. A
"natural born" politician, from that time on he gave his entire atten
tion to the lust for power.
After the retirement of President Jackson, Gwin in 1833 located
in Mississippi and was appointed United States Marshal. Seven years
later he was elected United States Senator from that state.
While engaged as superintendent of the New Orleans custom
house there came to him the breezing report of gold in California.
With far-sighted judgment he saw a new state looming up in the Far
West, and in Willard's hotel, Washington, he said to Stephen A
Douglas: "On the morrow I shall be en route to California to urge
that policy (the organization of a state), and to become a candidate
for United States Senator, and within a year I will present my
credentials." He arrived in San Francisco June 4, 1849. He sat upon his trunk
on the hillside as the flames swept over the town, San Francisco's
third great fire. He was elected as one of San Francisco's five dele
gates to the convention, and at once became its leader. From then
forward until 1862 Gwin was the leader of the Southern California
wing of the Democratic party. In that year he was arrested by the
United States authorities and imprisoned in New York. When re
leased he went to Mexico as an ally of Maximilian. From that time
on he was known as Duke de Gwin.
Gwin was a man of impressive personality, tall, well formed,
polished in manner and in speech, positive in his opinion and a fine
orator. He made many friends and held them with bands of steel.
He died in New York, September 3, 1885.

84 Men and Events

territory south of the Consumnes lying between the Sierra
Nevada and the Coast Range" (b) .
This convention, which assembled in Monterey at the
time appointed, was in some respects the most remarkable
body ever in session. The delegates came from every state
in the Union, and five from foreign parts. The seven native
Californians could not speak a word of English. For iheir
benefit an interpreter, W. E. P. Hartwell, was appointed.
He received $23 a day for his work. None of the delegates
had a two years' residence, and four had resided in the
territory less than five months. Forty-four of the forty-
eight delegates were under fifty years of age, and nine were
under thirty. Politically, by states, seventeen favored
slavery, twenty opposed slavery and eleven were neutral —
being either foreigners or native born. According to occu
pation or profession there were fourteen lawyers, eleven
farmers, eight merchants, two printers, three soldiers and
ten of other occupations.
Assembling on the appointed day, Monday, September
3d, in Colton hall (c), then the only building in the territory
large enough for such a body, they organized by electing
as president Robert Semple, an anti-slavery delegate ; Will
iam A. Marcy, a son of the Secretary of State under Presi
dent Polk, was elected as secretary and J. Ross Browne
was made reporter. Browne was later Minister to China
and one of Oakland's prominent citizens.
One of the first questions before the convention was,
"What kind of a government shall we create?" Burnett,
who assisted in the formation of the Oregon government,
wanted a civil provisional government. Three districts
favored that form. A few delegates wanted a monarchial

(b) San Joaquin was a good sized election precinct, 40 by 100
miles. The district was allotted five delegates. So rapidly did the
population increase in number, they elected fifteen delegates.
Through the efforts of Gwin they were all seated.
(c) Colton hall, now kept in repair by the state, was built by
Walter Colton by prison labor. Colton was the chaplain of the man-
of-war Congress. Commodore Stockton appointed him as alcalde of
Monterey. While thus acting he would make the prisoners work out
their punishment. The building is constructed of the same material
as Carmelo mission, and the masonry was done by men of Stevenson's
regiment.

&m

W^ffriiniwuui "»'«»ii»i> »>iV"i»^»wii.i# '-¦&•£-» ' !P^pSP^P^SSfc3W||ftAl^jM^P!

m

jd\ I fe

^3^S^
COLTON HAIiL
Built by Walter Colton in 184G.
Organization of State 85

government, and many an independent government. Gen
eral Riley asserted that Congress would not sanction the
form of government last named. Some wanted a territorial
government. This was quickly voted down, however, and
finally they decided upon a state form of government.
The boundary of the state caused a long and heated dis
cussion. The friends of the South, defeated in their effort
to make California a slave state, now endeavored to make
a state so large that later it could be divided into six states.
Each state was to border upon the Pacific ocean, and it was
proposed to have two of the states south of Mason and
Dixon's line. After many days of wrangling, Robert Sem
ple exclaimed : "Take the Sierras as our natural bound
ary!" Major Hill definitely outlined Semple's idea, and the
summit of the Sierras was adopted as the state's eastern
boundary line.
Before the convention had been many days in session
William Shannon of New York introduced as one of the
sections of the declaration of rights, "Neither slavery nor
involuntary servitude unless for the punishment of crime,
shall ever be tolerated in this state." Many believed that
this section would cause a hot fight. The Congressional
House had turned down Stephen A. Douglas' California
bill because of this provision. The delegates knew that a
Whig Congress would not admit a slave state. Therefore,
two of the districts, San Francisco and Sacramento, had
pledged their delegates to oppose slavery; in fact, the dis
trict first named passed a resolution instructing its dele
gates "to oppose any incipient act that might tend to its
(slavery's) introduction." The Shannon section was passed
unanimously. Many of the delegates had no love for the Negro. While
the slavery question was being discussed McCarver of
Missouri offered an amendment prohibiting the immigra
tion of Negroes, free or slave. At once party lines were
drawn. The anti-slavery men contended that the Negro
would compete with white labor, and that slave owners
would bring their slaves to California by the thousand, work
them in the mines and get all of the gold. The pro-slavery
men laughed at this absurdity. They declared that the

86 Men and Events

Negro would be a benefit. Slave owners would not dare
to bring them to a free state, as then they would be free.
The amendment was defeated by a strict party vote. The
pro-slavery men, fifteen in all, voted aye; the twenty-two
anti-slavery men voted no.
The color line in another form created quite a breeze
when the committee reported that all Negroes, Indians and
their descendants be deprived of the right of suffrage. The
committee quickly found that they would have to amend
the report. Several of the Mexican delegates were of Indian
blood and Manuel Dominguez, a delegate from Los
Angeles, was a pure-blooded Indian.
The convention provided for the organization of public
schools and made a provision for laws against dueling and
gambling. Before adjournment sine die, they declared
December 15, 1849, as the time of meeting of the first legis
lature at San Jose. They also selected November 15th as
the time of election for state officers, the people to elect for
a term of two years a Governor, Lieutenant Governor and
a legislature. They were to declare their choice for two
congressmen and vote for or against the constitution.
The convention finished its work October 13th and each
delegate signed his name to the constitution. As they began
signing about one o'clock in the afternoon, the United States
flag was floated to the wind and the cannon upon the hill
began its welcome salute.
The delegates were all very tired and sleepy, for the pre
vious evening they had been dancing at the first state ball.
The convention that day had adjourned long before noon.
The room was cleared of benches and tables and the walls
decorated with pine boughs, Monterey cypress and flags.
To give light to the gay and festive scene a wooden chande
lier in the form of a cross was made and suspended from
the center ceiling by a rope. The lights were candles, home
made. About 200 persons were present, this including
twenty American women and some sixty Spanish and Mexi
can senoritas (d). At midnight supper was announced and

(d) The women at this ball were dressed in handsome silk
gowns. The men, many of whom had gone to the convention garbed
in their hickory shirts and flop hats, were at their wits' end for a

Organization of State 87

the dancers marched to the banquet hall in the first story.
The tables were loaded with meats, fish, bread, cake, wines,
liquors and cigarettes. After supper the dance continued
until daylight.
The first political campaign was in some respects
similar to the campaign of 1914. There were no political
parties, and each office-seeker was obliged to "paddle his
own canoe" — in the words of a song of that day. There
were two candidates for Lieutenant Governor and five can
didates for Governor: Peter H. Burnett (a well known
lawyer), John A. Sutter (the founder of Sacramento), Wil
liam Sherwood (an Irish legislator from New York), John
W. Geary (postmaster of San Francisco, who was sent out
from Washington) and William Steuart.
At this time there were but three newspapers and job
offices in the territory, the Placer Times at Sacramento and
the Pacific News and Alta (e) at San Francisco. These
offices were kept busy day and night printing ballots and
copies of the constitution. The candidates, taking these
copies, visited every county in the state and as far as pos
sible distributed them. It was an unusually wet winter and
the mud in both mountain and valley made traveling almost
impossible. For this reason many voters had no knowledge
of any election, while others received no ballots. On elec
tion day it rained heavily in the Sierras and three-fourths
of the American miners did not leave their tents to go to
the polls. Thousands of the voters had never seen nor
heard of the candidates, and as one miner remarked, "I went

suitable costume. They borrowed from one person a white shirt,
from a second a pair of trousers, from a third a waistcoat. Not a
pair of kid gloves could be found, and $50 was offered for a pair of
patent leather boots. The orchestra comprised two violins and two
guitars. They had but three pieces of music. Before dawn the
dancers were humming the ' tunes.
(e) The Alta was the child of the Californian and the California
Star. The Californian, the first newspaper ever published in the
territory, was first issued August 15, 1846, as a four-page weekly.
The paper was published by Walter Colton, who had had some ex
perience as an editor, and by Robert Semple, a printer.
In 1847 Colton sold his interest to Semple, and in May Semple
removed to Yerba Buena, believing that was the coming town.
Semple in removing to the harbor came in competition with the Star,
Samuel Brannan's paper, first published January 17, 1847. B. C.
Kemble was the editor of the Star and he and Edward C. Gilbert,
purchased both papers, then brought out the Alta.

88 Men and Events

it blind when I came to California, and I guess I'll go it
blind now." Peter H. Burnett was elected Governor (f).
The vote was: Peter H. Burnett 6,716, William Sherwood
3,188, John A. Sutter 2,201, John W. Geary 1,475, William
Steuart 619 ; John McDougal was elected Lieutenant Gov
ernor, 7,324, and Edward Gilbert and George W. Wright
members of Congress. The total vote was 14,229. Twelve
hundred voted for the constitution and 811 against it.
The legislature assembled at San Jose December 15,
1849. Five days later they met in joint session to vote for
United States Senators. It was one of the most important
of joint sessions, for upon their choice depended perhaps the
state's admission into the Union. The legislature was non
partisan. Its first choice for Senator, however, was the
Whig, John C. Fremont, as it was presumed that he being
the son-in-law of Thomas H. Benton, that famous leader
would work hard for California's admission. Their second
choice was William M. Gwin; he would have great influ
ence with the Southern members. The candidates were
John C. Fremont, William M. Gwin, Henry W. Halleck,
John W. Geary and Butler King. The latter had come to
California in the interests of President Taylor. Each can
didate worked hard for the honor. Money was freely
expended and high-priced wines, liquors and cigars were
free to legislators and friends. For a two-year term Fre
mont was elected on the first ballot. Gwin was elected on
the second ballot, his term being four years.
Before the final vote for Congressmen several legislators
resigned from office, for, as we say, "there was nothing in
it." The first to retire was Senator Nathaniel Burnett from
the San Francisco district. He resigned to become Asso-

(f ) Peter H. Burnett was born in Tennessee, November 15, 1807.
Burnett with his wife and six children removed to Oregon in 1843.
He there assisted in organizing that territory into a state, and acted
as a legislator. In 1848 he removed to this territory and became
Sutter's agent, taking charge of his lawsuits, collecting rents and
selling town lots. Two of his children were young ladies when he
arrived in California, and this fact increased his popularity among
the young voters. Retiring from office, he later became a banker and
organized the Pacific bank. In middle life he became a Catholic and
wrote a second book, "Why Am I a Catholic?" He lived a quiet,
temperate life, and died in San Francisco, May 17, 1895.

PETER H. BURNETT
The State's first Governor.

'''"'¦'¦¦:¦...':.

~-:^:--:'-^- ¦-¦:-,--¦¦. ,¦::¦¦¦¦::¦ .

SAMUEL PURDY
Twice elected Lieutenant Governor.

Organization of State 89
ciate Chief Justice. The vacancy was filled by David C.
Broderick (g), who had had considerable political experi
ence in the Tammany Club, New York. Soon after taking
his seat January 8, 1850, Governor Burnett resigned to go
into business. He was the only Governor to resign except
to fill a higher place, as did Milton S. Latham and Newton
Booth. The succession of John McDougal as Governor
caused a vacancy in the chair of the Senate. David C.
Broderick was elected. As president of the Senate Brod
erick had a strong pull and he now began that political
warfare which ended in his tragic death.
The first legislators were fond of perpetrating jokes, and
one member introduced a bill, which went through the usual
course, levying a tax of twenty-five cents per month on all
bachelors between the ages of 20 and 60 years. Herein lay
the joke: The census report shows that in the year 1850
(g) David Colbert Broderick, the man who by his indomitable
will and forceful tactics compelled the Democratic party to acknowl
edge his power, was born of obscure parents, February 14, 1820, in
the city of New York. The father, a stone cutter, died when the boy
was but fourteen years of age, and young David then learned the
same trade, that he might the better assist his mother and younger
brother. In 1844 Broderick was alone, his mother and brother both
dead. Long before this time he had become an active Bowery leader
and foreman of Engine Company No. 34. He was a great favorite,
for none could cope with him in wrestling, and he was also an ex
cellent boxer. At that time in the Eastern cities, later in California,
the fire department members were active workers in politics and
backed their candidate to a man.
Broderick even at that early day was ambitious to become a
United States Senator, for as he later said in California, "My goal is
the United States Senate and I will arrive if living. Why, to sit in
the Senate of the United States as a Senator for one day, I would
consent to be roasted on a slow fire on the plaza."
Broderick, although but one year over the constitutional limit,
received the nomination from his district for United States Senator,
but was defeated by the "plughat uglies," as the aristocratic friends
of President Polk were called. Broderick's anger was intense and,
says James O'Meara in his book, "Broderick and Gwin," in June,
1849, he left New York for California and swore that he never would
return to it until he should go as a Senator of the United States.
Eight years later he made good his word.
Broderick on arrival in San Francisco immediately found two
old friends, Jonathan D. Stevenson and Charles D. Kohler. The last
named was engaged in coining money, and Broderick became his
partner. He also took an active part in the organization of the fire
department and "was elected foreman of Empire No. 1. After the
fatal duel it was renamed Broderick and so remained until the dis
solution of the department in 1869.
A few months after Broderick's arrival he was elected to the
Senate, and from that time on until his death his life formed a part
of the political history of the state.

90 Men and Events

the population of California was 120,000. Under 20 years
of age there were 7,791 males and 3,606 females; between
20 and 30 years, 44,720 males and 1,569 females; between
30 and 40 years of age, 21,460 males and 986 females. Five
hundred and seventy-six men were found over 40 and less
than 60 years of age. This census included the whites,
Mexicans and Chinese. From this we see that between the
ages of 20 and 60 years there were 75,796 males and 3,110
females. To escape that penalty, where would the baches
find wives?
The Senate had no love for the colored man and they
passed that unjust law sent up from the Assembly that all
men of color (h) could not, in a court of justice, give evi
dence against a white. Under this law a Negro, Indian or
Chinese could be beaten, robbed or murdered by a white
man and no punishment could follow unless there were
white witnesses to the act. Petitions were sent up from
various parts of the state to subsequent legislatures to have
this brutal act repealed. Yuba county at one time sent up
over half of her votes, but so bitter was the prejudice
against the Negro that no legislature would take action (i).
Assemblyman James T. Farley, later United States Senator,
in- 1857 endeavored to remove the disgrace from California
under the cover of a bill to quiet land titles. It declared
that all persons could testify in a court of justice. The
pro-slavery men of the Assembly speedily crushed it. If
passed it would have given the Negro his rights.
The capital was the cat's paw of many a scheming poli
tician, and not until its final location at Sacramento did it
cease to be such.

(h) The Supreme Court at that time declared that all men of
color included the Negro, the Indian and the Chinaman.
(i) The colored men of San Francisco in 1853 sent a petition Lo
the legislature asking that the law be repealed. It created as much
excitement in the house as would a sizzling bomb. One member
moved that it be thrown out of the window; another member moved
that the infamous document be thrown aside. The legislature of
1854 received from some Quakers living in London, England, an
abolition address in pamphlet form. So foolish and angry was
that dignified body that on April 14th a resolution was introduced to
burn the documents. The resolution created a long discussion and
finally it was indefinitely postponed. Henry A. Crabb, a pro-slavery
man. said it should have been received with silent contempt.

Organization of State 91

When the constitutional delegates began discussing a
capital location the citizens of Monterey endeavored to have
that town selected, but the delegates were so dissatisfied
with the poor accommodations that they selected San Jose.
The San Joseans had also made many promises, among
others the donation of thirty acres of land, worth $60,000,
and suitable legislative buildings thereon, if San Jose
became the capital.
The legislature found the accommodations at San Jose
worse than at Monterey. Speculators had engaged all of
the rooms and they were renting them at exorbitant rates.
The streets were muddy and well nigh impassable ; and, to
make matters worse, the buildings were unfinished. Citi
zens hired a small building for legislative use. They paid
$4,000 a month rental. In less than three days after the
organization of the legislature Tingley of Sacramento
offered a removal bill. It was tabled, however, as the citi
zens bribed the members by tendering them, December
27th, a grand ball. The Governor, his staff and the state
militia were present. There was still much grumbling,
however, and January 29th Selim E. Woodward of Mon
terey, son of the poet who wrote "The Old Oaken Bucket,"
introduced a resolution (which was passed) that the chair
man on public buildings (Broderick) report a bill for the
location of the capital (j). The legislature, however, left
the matter to the people. They voted for Vallejo.
The legislature assembled at Vallejo January 5, 1852,
under anything but pleasing conditions. The streets were
almost impassable because of mud; the state house was
incomplete, and the hotel accommodations so poor that

(j) After the legislators passed the resolution favoring a new
capital location, free whisky, cigars and champagne were nowhere
to be found. Not a single citizen said "Come, let's take a drink."
At that time the members were paid their salary and mileage in state
scrip, worth 50 cents on the dollar only. The merchants and hotels
had been taking the scrip at par value. Now they had no use for it,
and members were compelled to pay coin or gold dust. The members
did- not forget this, as it was an actual hardship. The legislators
were all poor and at times they were compelled to borrow money to
pay board and lodging bills. .
The City hotel was the only lodging and boarding place in San
Jose. For board only they asked $5 a day, $2 for a bed and $1 for
space to sleep in your own blankets on the floor. As the members
received $16 a day only, in scrip, their legislative lives were one of
trouble and philanthropy rather than pleasure and wealth.

92 Men and Events
there was a scarcity of chairs, food and beds. The legis
lators were compelled to use boxes for chairs, and sleep on
the floor. Over a hundred persons slept on the steamer
Empire, which brought the Southern members from San
Francisco. Under these conditions, especially as golden ducats were
in sight, about the first subject of debate after organization
was the removal question. Sacramento now came to the
front with a strong and influential claim for permanent
location (k). In the previous year she had made a strong
fight for the capital. Pierre B. Cornwall, a leading Sacra
mento merchant, had resigned in the interest of capital
location and a strong booster had succeeded him.
The Assembly after a short debate, by a vote of 29 to 27,
resolved to meet in Sacramento January 13, 1852. The
Senate balked, nor could Sacramento's friends win out, for
Broderick was fighting their claim. He was pulling in
another direction, and January 8th and 9th (Friday and
Saturday) they fought. On Sunday some potent influence
moved its magic spell over the Senate, and on Monday by
a majority of two they voted to meet in Sacramento (1).
On arrival Tuesday morning they were met at the wharf
by a large crowd of citizens. The bells were rung, salutes
fired and a hearty cheer given for the state legislature. That
evening the members were tendered a ball and supper in
the Orleans Hotel, the citizens putting up $20 each for
tickets. Over 100 ladies and 300 men from all parts of the
state were present. Finishing the session in Sacramento,
they adjourned May 4th to meet again in January, 1853, at
Vallejo. It was during the session of this legislature that Brod
erick, March 17, fought his first duel, and by a singular

(k) During the year the county had erected a fine two-storv
brick building and the Court of Sessions tendered the legislature
the use of it. The citizens then appointed a committee, and visiting
Vallejo they offered the legislature the free use of the building, free
tickets to the American theater and to a grand ball, a welcome to
their homes and the freedom of the city.
(1) Said a correspondent to the San Joaquin Republican: "On
the afternoon of that day on board the steamer Empire the legisla
ture took passage for Sacramento, and if all the champagne and
whisky which was drunk on that occasion had been poured into the
channel, the levee city would have been as badly overflowed as in '49."

Organization of State 93

incident he saved his life. In the Democratic convention
held that year in Sacramento to elect delegates to the Balti
more convention, Broderick in a speech offended Governor
Smith of Virginia. His son, J. Caleb Smith, challenged
Broderick. He accepted the challenge, and the duel was
fought on the day mentioned. The spot selected was in
Alameda county, now about the center of Oakland. An
excursion boat was run from San Francisco to the Oakland
embarcadero, and over 200 persons were present, including
the sheriff of the county and the father of young Smith.
The weapons selected were navy revolvers. The men's
distance apart was ten paces. Just before the pistols were
handed to the principals, Broderick, taking his gold watch
from his fob pocket, held it out to his second. "Put your
watch in your pocket," replied the second. "If you are
shot, die like a gentleman." Broderick smiled and returned
the watch to its place. After exchanging six shots without
injury to either party, the sheriff stopped the duel. The
onlookers were disgusted with such poor marksmanship.
Upon examination of Broderick's clothing, it was seen that
Smith's second bullet had flattened against Broderick's
watch. It was found in his pocket. The watch had saved
his life. His work was just begun, fighting for California
and the Union.
The California Senators, William A. Gwin and John C.
Fremont, arrived in Washington late in February, 1850.
They found Congress fiercely fighting over the state's
admission. President Fillmore in his annual message had
recommended that California be admitted, and Stephen A.
Douglass had again introduced his California bill. The
Southern leaders fought it with all of the influence and
power at their command, as the admission of California as
a free state would give the north the balance of power.
There were at the time fifteen free and fifteen slave states.
John C. Calhoun declared it was an infamous act, the
organization of a state without the consent of Congress.
Robert Toombs boldly asserted that if California were ad
mitted the South would secede from the Union.
During the struggle Henry Clay introduced his cele
brated compromise, or omnibus bill. It provided for the
admission of California to the Union as a free state, and

94 Men and Events

conceded certain measures to the South. Daniel Webster's
famous seventh of March speech in favor of this bill became
historic. The Clay compromise passed the Senate August
13th by a vote of 34 to 18. In the following month, Sep
tember 7th, by a vote of 150 to 56 it passed the House of
Representatives. All of the Southern members voted
against it. The President on September 9th signed the bill
and it became a law. The new state constitution was
delivered to John Bidwell, who had gone east to work for
the admission of the state. It was confidently believed in
this state that the bill would pass. Anxiously the people
awaited the arrival of the news. Months passed, however,
and there were threatening talks of forming an independent
state.- "In Sacramento," says Bancroft, "Judge Thomas of
the district court openly reproached the government for
neglect, and Bear Flag sentiments were heard in the
streets." The press, however, counseled patience and hap
pily averted great confusion, if not anarchy.
For weeks the lookout on Telegraph Hill had been
unusually vigilant awaiting the news. On the morning of
October 18th he was rewarded, as a steamer entered the
Golden Gate covered with bunting and flags from stem to
stern and at her mizzen mast bearing the pennant, "Cali
fornia is a state." Immediately the watchman knew the
meaning, and throwing out both arms of the semaphore,
which indicated an approaching steamer, he raised aloft
the Stars and Stripes. The steamer fired a signal gun and
continued firing. Citizens, hearing the cannonading, wildly
rushed to Clark's point (m) to learn the news. When they
learned that California had been admitted to the Union,
they embraced each other, yelled, shouted, threw high their
hats in the air and danced around as though insane. The
news quickly spread through the town. Merchants, some
of them hatless, left their stores unattended and came run
ning breathlessly to the steamer.
As the hours passed the excitement seemed to increase.

(m) Clark's point was so named after William Clark a pioneer
of 1846. In 1850 he built the first wharf in San Francisco, and there
the steamers landed. It is now the corner of Sansome and Clay
streets.

Organization of State 95

Flags of every nation were run up to ship's mast and house
top, and cheers were given again and again for Henry Clay,
Thomas Benton, the Union and California. The flagstaff
halyards of the Plaza were then out of order, and $200 was
quickly contributed "for the fellow who shinned up the
flagstaff" and fixed them. Then the two cannon of the
revenue cutter were hauled to the Plaza and during the day
they sent forth their welcome reports. In the evening the
public thoroughfare was crowded with smiling faces. Al
most every public building and all the saloons and places
of amusement were brilliantly illuminated, music from
many bands assisted the excitement, balls and parties were
hastily gotten up, bonfires blazed upon the hills and rockets
were incessantly thrown into the air until the dawn of
another day.
The San Francisco press issued extras containing the
news, one hour after its arrival. They sold for one dollar
each, and the New York papers brought five dollars
per copy (n).
Again was the event celebrated, October 29th, by a
procession, oration, an illumination and a grand ball. The
procession comprised bands of music, five fire engine com
panies, military companies, the California pioneers, civic
and secret societies and a body of Chinamen dressed in
their gorgeous costumes. They carried a banner inscribed
"The China Boys." They were the principal feature of the
procession. The orator was Nathaniel Bennett and the
postess was Mrs. N. P. Willis.

(n) At that time two lines of stages were running to San Jose,
Crandall's and an opposition line. Both stages filled with passengers,
the drivers drove furiously for their destination. As the stages were
drawn over the road, bounding from side to side, the farmers came
hurrying to the road to see what was the matter. The passengers
would shout "California admitted to the Union." In a cloud of dust
the stages rolled on to San Jose, one beating the other five minutes
only in their sixty-mile race.

CHAPTER VIII.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BIGLER.
The first political conventions in California were held in
1851, the Democrats assembling May 19th in Benicia and
the Whigs May 26th in San Francisco. The Benicia con
vention was composed of a solid body of Democrats who in
after years became famous in state and nation. In their
platform they censured the government because it had not,
as they claimed, guarded the frontier against the Indians,
provided postal facilities for California, nor built a mint at
San Francisco. They glorified the party and declared
Thomas Jefferson was its founder. Alexander Hamilton
was the father of "Whiggery," declared the Democrats.
The Whigs found no fault with the government, for, if the
Democratic platform told the truth, the President had filled
all of the federal offices of California with Whigs from
other states.
The Whigs in their platform favored giving subsidies to
steamship companies running steamers from San Francisco
to the Sandwich Islands, and to railroad promoters who
would build an overland railroad. They favored a pre
emption law that would give 160 acres of land to actual
settlers; that the government should preserve the mineral
lands for the miners free of cost, and give to the state liberal
grants of land for educational purposes.
The Democratic nominee for Governor was John Bigler
(a), selected because of his big heart, generous nature and

(a) John Bigler came to California overland in 1849. He was of
German birth and having to work in early life he obtained a limited
education only. Persevering and industrious, however, he first
learned the printer's trade, and then began studying law Locating
in Sacramento, he found no opening as a lawyer and he became an
auctioneer. Then for a time he chopped wood, and later he tock a
job unloading freight from the Sacramento steamers. He received
$2 an hour for his work. Soon after this he was elected to the
Assembly and then received the Democratic nomination for Governor.
96

Administration of Governor Bigler 97
strong sympathy for the unfortunate (b). He was un
polished, gruff in manner and ignorant in many respects,
and because of this the Southern wing of the party dubbed
him a "Northern mudsill." The Southerners worked and
voted for the Whig nominee, Pierson B. Reading, a man of
Southern birth, a quiet, refined and educated pioneer of
1844 and a large landholder of Northern California. The
miners voted for Bigler and he received 22,613 votes to
Reading's 21,531 (c). It was the closest gubernatorial vote
in state history.
Bigler in his inaugural address severely denounced the
Chinese and recommended that laws be passed checking
the immigration of "coolie labor." In only one way could
such immigration be checked and those who were here
forced to emigrate, and that was by taxation. Then the cry
went forth from merchant and citizen, "tax the Chinese."
There are two ways of persecuting a people or race, by law
or by physical force. In the case of the Chinaman both
ways were employed. The civilized and intelligent used
the law ; the ignorant and degraded made use of brickbats,
stones, clubs and fire. The legislature again enforced the
"foreign miners' tax," with this difference, Chinamen only
were the victims. As a starter, in 1852 they enacted a law
taxing all Chinese miners $3.00 per month. John kept on
(b) In recording this period of suffering and death Dr. John
Morse says, "Bigler braved every danger and with his own hands
administered relief to the suffering. On the 23rd of October, 1850, the
deaths were many and John Bigler stayed at the cemetery until dark,
with an assistant, burying the dead."
(c) It was said that the moneyed power of San Francisco sent
over $200,000 into Tuolumne county to beat Bigler.
The people's nag, he can't be beat,
It matters not how long the heat,
Let the moneyed power bring on their tin,
The mountain boys will rope it in.
The manufacturers' groveling press
May all pitch in and do their best;
The working men are -wide awake
And honest John will win the stake.
CHORUS:
We're bound to run all night,
We're bound to run all day,
We'll bet our money on the people's nag
And win on election day.
— Miners' Campaign Song.

98 Men and Events

digging gold. Then the legislature passed a law taxing all
foreigners $4.00 per month, the Chinaman's tax increasing
yearly $2.00 per month. The Whig legislature of 1855
passed a uniform tax law of $4.00 per month.
Then came the cry for a Chinese law, and it was enacted
that all aliens on arrival must pay a $50 head tax; if not
paid within three days the ship was made responsible. As
this touched the ship owners' pockets, they made up a test
case. "Unconstitutional," said the Supreme Court. In
1858 the legislature tried it again, by passing a law prohibit
ing all Mongolians from landing upon California's shores.
Any captain landing an alien was guilty of a misdemeanor.
The ship owners again sent a case to the Supreme Court,
with the same decision, "unconstitutional." That word
appears to be the shibboleth of capital, the knell of labor.
The legislators apparently discouraged, the subject was not
again under discussion until 1860. Then a petition with
8,000 signers came up from San Francisco asking the legis
lature to pass a "coolie bill." The petition was laid upon
the table, as there were questions before them of far greater
importance. The Chinese question did not again claim
legislative action until 1871. We will again consider its
history. In the earlier history of the Chinese question the opposi
tion to Chinese immigration was limited. The constitution
prohibited slavery, but it said nothing about cheap labor.
The merchant wanted more customers to buy his goods, the
capitalists wanted cheap labor to work in the gold mines,
building bridges and flumes and digging canals., The
immense tule and marsh lands of the interior are splendid
rice fields awaiting development. Across the water, a four
weeks' journey, there is an army of cheap labor ready and
willing to come and do the white man's work. Why not
import and work them? It was the question asked by the
pro-slavery pioneers. A bill was passed by the Assembly
"to enforce the observance of labor contracts made without
the state." It was intended to apply to Chinese only, and
it made valid, in California, contracts made in China for
coolie labor, the wages running from $8.00 to $10.00 per
month. The time of servitude was not to exceed five years.
Had the bill gone to Governor McDougal he would have

Administration of Governor Bigler 99

signed it. In his inaugural he declared that the Chinese
were the most desirable of adopted citizens. The Senate
voted down the bill. Broderick strongly opposed it because
he disapproved of slavery in any form, Negro or Chinese.
Phillip Roach, one of the leading Democrats until his death
in 1889, contended that cheap labor, especially of the servile
class, had a tendency to degrade white labor, and a wrong
to the working class was an injury to the state. This was
the only bill ever introduced into the legislature in the
interest of the Mongolian.
In the state election of 1854 Governor Bigler was again
elected Governor. He and Governor Hiram W. Johnson
were the only Governors twice elected to that office. Big-
ler's popularity was great, but that of his running mate,
Samuel Purdy, was even greater. Purdy's integrity was
tested and found true. At that time several parties in San
Francisco had planned what was known as the "big steal."
It was their purpose to grab a large part of the water front,
have the legislature legalize their act and give the state a
few lots for salvage. The Governor, "Honest John," favored
the scheme, for the state was heavily in debt and he believed
if the bay were filled in a distance of 600 feet the newly
made lots could be sold for a round sum and a part of the
state debt paid. The Assembly passed the bill. The Senate
gave a tie vote. Broderick denounced the bill, and asserted
that in previous schemes of water lot extension the state
had been robbed of over $2,000,000, while Captain J. L.
Folsom, Talbot H. Green and others had made millions out
of it. President Purdy of the Senate had the deciding
vote. He had been offered $50,000 to vote "yes," but he
voted "no."
The fourth session of the legislature assembled at Val
lejo in January, 1853. General Vallejo had not been able
to fulfill his promises and the friends of suitable locations
began agitating the removal question. Benicia, Sacramento
and San Jose sought the honor, but the legislators had no
love for San Jose because of their past experiences in the
City Hotel. Sacramento was not favorably considered, as
during one session the capitol was surrounded by water for
two weeks. Benicia now held out very favorable induce
ments. The citizens promised to pay the entire cost of

100 Men and Events

removal, give the legislature the city hall rent free, and
introduce them to their twenty or thirty marriageable
young ladies. The legislature voted to meet in Benicia.
Wagons were provided, and February 1, 1853, the capitol
equipment was moved to Benicia (d).
The legislature of February 2, 1854, met in Benicia, and
the most important topics of discussion were the Senatorial
and the removal question. "There is only one thing cer
tain," said a writer, "you need not look for much legislation
for the people until the capital and the Senatorial questions
are settled." Sacramento had been spending money freely
among certain doubtful Assemblymen, and in spite of all
the tactics of Benicia's friends the Assembly passed the
removal bill by two majority. There was a heated debate
in the Senate over this question. Broderick now favored it,
for Sacramento had promised him assistance in his Sena
torial fight. Broderick was a power in the Senate, and
February 25th that body voted for Sacramento. For the
second time the legislature sailed up the Sacramento river
(e) and March 1st reassembled in legislative session (f).

(d) Benicia was founded by Robert Semple, the owner of the
"Californian," and named Francisca. It was believed that it would
be a fine locatioh for a big city. It was on the direct route to Stock
ton and Sacramento, there was planty of deep water and ocean ships
could there safely anchor from any storm.
Semple removed to the place from Yerba Buena, and he and
General Vallejo began town building. The town was laid off and
lots sold from $20 to $50 each. Semple built a sidewheel ferryboat,
propelled by horse power, to run across Carquinez strait, and made a
fortune. Just previous to the gold discovery over twenty houses had
been erected and over two hundred lots sold.
The discovery of gold greatly increased the population, but a
change of name injured somewhat the growth of the town. Semple
chose the name Francisca because San Francisco was known all over
the world. Many ships were chartered for that point and sailing
past Yerba Buena they touched at Francisca. Benicia was then the
rival of Yerba Buena, and in 1847 Washington A. Bartlett, then
Alcalde of Yerba Buena, proclaimed through the "California Star"
that henceforth the bay town would be known in all official docu
ments as San Francisco. Semple was very angry because of Bart-
lett's action. He could do nothing, however, but swear. He then
changed the name to Benicia, that being the name of General Val-
lejo's wife. In 1849 the army commissioners selected Benicia as the
arsenal and military headquarters, and it is still in use as govern
ment barracks. It was also the storage or laying up depot of the
Pacific Mail Steamship Company.
(e) In the Wilson G. Hunt they landed at Sacramento, 110 miles
distant, in six and one-half hours. They were welcomed by a joyous
crowd, including the Sutter Rifles. Marching up the street preceded
by a band of music, they broke ranks in front of the Orleans Hotel.
(f) Immediately the wide-awake citizens began discussing the

Administration of Governor Bigler 101

Five days later Governor Bigler was inaugurated. The
letter writers tell us that "the scene was imposing and
impressive." The Helen Hensley came up to Sacramento
from San Francisco with a large crowd on board, the
number including the new military company, the San Fran
cisco Blues. The Governor in his address recommended the
speedy reduction of the state debt; the encouragement of
education ; the exclusion of coolie labor, and an amendment
to the constitution, making the legislative session biennial.
He declared that in one session alone the clerk hire had cost
the state over $100,000. The change would save the state
over $175,000.
In this session Broderick tried to force what was known
as an "election bill." His scheme was bold, audacious and
startling. He sought to have the legislature pass a bill
authorizing itself to vote for a United States Senator,
two years before he could take his seat. It was a very
unusual proceeding, as United States Senators had always
been elected the previous year. None could say that such
an election was illegal and Broderick believed that if such
a bill were passed his election as United States Senator was
assured. The Assembly was safe for him. His Sacramento
friends did not forget his work for the capital. The Senate
only was doubtful. The Democrats, who had been split
asunder in a political feud, now united to defeat this auda
cious plotter. He was not alone, for behind his political
friends stood the bank of Palmer, Cook & Co. The opposi
tion, led by William M. Gwin, anxious to succeed himself,
also had a strong money pull with the Panama Steamship
Company. Money was freely used. Palmer offered Senator
Peck of Butte $5,000 for his vote, he being opposed to the
bill. Peck in open Senate declared Palmer tried to bribe
him. An investigation and trial were held, but nothing
came of them.

question of locating the capital permanently at Sacramento. They
succeeded in preventing any further removals. In 1860 a law was
passed making Sacramento the capital seat. A law was also enacted
for the construction of a capitol building. The grand lodge of
Masons laid the cornerstone May 15, 1861. The Legislature on De
cember 16, 1869, formally took possession. This beautiful granite
structure cost $2,590,000. At that time it was one of the finest
capitols in the United States.

102 Men and Events

The bill was to come up in both houses March 6 and the
previous day, Sunday, was a very exciting Sabbath in Sac
ramento. Senator Peck was a prisoner in the Magnolia
Hotel, guarded by friends among the Broderick men. Two
days previous supposed friends had taken Peck carriage
riding. Purposely upsetting the vehicle, they tried to
cripple Peck so that he could not appear in his seat.
Severely lamed, he hobbled back to town. Another Senator,
Jacob Grewell, a Whig from Santa Clara, was also a pris
oner in the Fountain House, closely guarded by Broderick
men. Grewell had opposed the election bill, but had been
persuaded to change his views. The Gwin faction, learning
this, hastened to Santa Clara, whither he had gone, and
brought Grewell back to Sacramento. The Broderick men
then captured Grewell and kept him a prisoner.
The Assembly quickly settled the "election bill" by a
vote of 41 to 38. In the Senate the contest was to take
place. They were nearly evenly divided upon the question,
and none could tell how Lieutenant Governor Purdy would
vote. When the bill was called up Broderick was present,
and says an eye witness, James O'Meara, "pale, eager, nerv
ous, but with jaws firmly set, his deep blue eyes gleaming
with the fire that possessed him, and all the forces of his
mind at their extreme tension." The Senate began voting
amidst the deepest silence. A hundred pens recorded every
vote. The result was a tie. Samuel Purdy voted "aye."
With shouts and ringing cheers, the Broderick men rushed
to congratulate their leader. The victory, however, was
not yet won.
The Gwin men were extremely angry at the result and
they resolved to kidnap Grewell. The friends of Broderick,
suspecting such a plot, had again placed him under guard.
The Gwin faction hired a desperate character named Allrich
to kidnap Grewell. Allrich entered the room where he was
confined and found his watchman stupidly drunk. Putting
a pistol to Grewell's head, he commanded him to follow.
On the street he was quickly pushed into a hack in waiting
and driven to the Magnolia house, Gwin's headquarters.
He was there interviewed by Henry A. Crabb, the Whig
leader, who bitterly opposed Broderick. Grewell for some
reason was in mortal fear of Crabb, and he promised to

Administration of Governor Bigler 103
recant. The next day at the proper moment Grewell arose
and moved a reconsideration of the election bill. The
motion carried by a vote of 18 to 16. The following day
the Assembly passed a bill fixing March 20, 1855, as the day
for electing a United States Senator. Broderick stood face
to face with his second defeat.
In the constitutional convention one of the questions
which frequently came up for discussion was that of state
division. The South strongly opposed the boundary of the
state as it now stands. The only occupation of the South
erners even as late as 1870 was stock raising. They declared
that they had no common interest with the North, and they
feared their large acreage of land would be heavily taxed
while they received no benefit. In 1854 the legislators from
the South voted for Sacramento as the permanent seat upon
the promise that the state would be divided. In July of that
year a paper called the California was established and de
voted to state division. It asserted that all of that part of
the state south of Mt. Diablo, meridian 38, north latitude,
would form a part of the new state. Slavery, it declared,
could not exist in the new state. In the following year a
state division bill was introduced in the Assembly. The
pro-slavery members tried to introduce a slavery clause.
That killed the bill.
The legislators from the south of the Tehachapi moun
tains in 1859 strongly opposed Sacramento as the capital.
During their opposition they succeeded in having a law
passed permitting San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Los
Angeles, San Diego and Santa Barbara counties to vote
upon the proposition of a new state. It carried almost
unanimously, and through Governor Latham their petition
was presented to Congress. That body refused to permit
any change. The matter then rested until 1886, when Wil
liam Vandever, Congressman from that district, tried to
revive the state division question. He was unsuccessful.
The Native Sons of the Golden West stand on record as
unanimously opposed to any division of the state.
The sixth Democratic legislature assembled in Sacra
mento January 1, 1855. It was a remarkable body. It was
a legislature a half century ahead of its time. It defied
public opinion and enacted four moral laws prohibiting the

104 Men and Events

most pernicious vices of the state, namely: Gambling (g),
intemperance, the social evil and Sabbath breaking. At that
time virtuous women were coming into the state in large
numbers, and they sent up petitions requesting the repeal
of the license gambling law. Their prayer was heard, and
April 17th Governor Bigler signed the law prohibiting any
form of gambling (h).
Another vice worse even than that of gambling was
liquor drinking. Liquor was drunk as freely as water, and
it was sold by the quart, gallon and barrel to consumers.
The liquor drinking habit increased to an alarming extent,
and the better class of citizens began organizing temper
ance societies. They petitioned the legislatures to pass
prohibition laws and close up the saloons. No heed was

(g) When the first Legislature convened, it found the state
expenses very heavy. Believing that a large revenue could be de
rived from the gambling fraternity, a law was passed licensing all
gambling games, from $10 to $15 for each table. The saloon keepers
quickly paid the license, for it protected the game. They rented each
table, sometimes getting as high as $1,000 a month. The attic of the
Parker House, San Francisco, was used entirely for gambling pur
poses, and the proprietor from the rent of gambling tables alone
received as high as $60,000 per annum.
Gambling was engaged in by every class of citizens, judge, law
yer, mechanic, clerk, merchant and laborer. Gambling was carried
on continuously day and night, and persons were known to have lost
as high as $20,000 on the turn of a single card.
As soon as the gambling law passed, lotteries sprung up. They
were suppressed. Then the people began gambling in stocks and
betting on the results of elections. These after a time were pro
hibited. Pool selling on race tracks was then prohibited and all the
state obeyed the law save the capital city; Sacramento defiantly
broke the law. In 1883 the council passed an ordinance permitting
public gambling during the state fair. Again in 1888 she permitted
public gambling. When Chief of Police Rodgers in 1890 declared that
he would stop the game under state law, the president of the Agri
cultural Society endeavored to prevent him from performing his
duty. There is now no gambling at the state fair.
(h) The heavy winter rains would stop all travel. Then two-
thirds of the miners, taking with them thousands of dollars in gold
dust, would visit Sacramento, Stockton and San Francisco to spend
the winter in amusements, gambling and riotous living. There were
no homes, no societies, no place to go save the saloon. In these
saloons the miners always found company. There assembled the
judges, the clerks and the office seekers, to discuss politics and the
questions of the day.
The saloon proprietors knew well their business. There could
be found all of the latest papers, warm, comfortable rooms, bars
fitted up in costly style and hung with fine French mirrors, lewd
pictures upon the walls, first-class musicians to play and sing, and
beautiful women imported chiefly for their beauty to deal out monte,
and supply drinks to customers. Thousands of men became gamblers,
drunkards and outcasts, taking their first downward step in the
saloon.

Administration of Governor Bigler 105

given to their prayer until 1855. In that year petitions
were sent up from the woman of El Dorado county, from
the citizens of Tuolumne, Santa Cruz and 500 residents of
Iowa Hill, praying the legislature to pass a prohibition law.
A bill was introduced prohibiting the manufacture of any
spirituous or intoxicating liquors except for medicinal,
chemical, mechanical or sacramental purposes. It was a
fake bill, introduced evidently to deceive and quiet the agita
tion. It did not prohibit the sale of liquor. As all of the
liquor was imported (20,000 barrels of whisky, 13,000 bar
rels of brandy, 4,000 barrels of rum, 9,000 hogsheads of beer
and 3,400 cases of champagne in a single year), how would
such a law prevent the drinking of intoxicating liquors?
The wise solons, either blind or serpent wise, bitterly
fought the bill. They contended that the wine consumer
should be exempt from its provisions; that each county
should regulate the liquor traffic, and that the people should
decide the question. The legislature so decreed. In the
election, September 5, 1855, by a majority of 5,362 the
people voted against prohibition. The mining districts
voted in favor of the law, the cities against it. Even in
that day the saloon controlled politics. One measure along
prohibition lines the legislature approved without any dis
sent. A bill was introduced, passed the Senate and was
approved by the Assembly (37 to 16) called the saloon law.
It prohibited the sale of liquor within two miles of the
state's prison !
The next question that came up for legislative action
along moral lines was a Sunday closing and amusement
law (i). Citizens protesting against "high carnivals" on

(i) The Mexicans engaged in many of their national sports on
Sunday. The Americans continued the practice, and it became a day
of high carnival, licentiousness and barbaric sport. It became the
most disorderly day of the week, and was given over to bull and
bear fights, horse races, cock fighting, drunken brawls and a murder
or two. The Legislatures of 1850-51 passed laws prohibiting these
barbarous amusements and then largely patronized them. In 1850
the Assembly discharged the doorkeeper for neglect of duty. He
enjoyed a prize fight. Later a resolution was introduced appointing
a committee to obtain the names of the members who attended a bull
and bear fight the Sunday previous. They sat down on that resolu
tion by a vote of 18 to 7. The Legislature of 1851 was no better. It
is on record that April 14th "little business was transacted in either
house, a majority of the members having gone to witness the combat
between a bull and a bear."

106 Men and Events

the Sabbath petitioned the legislature of 1852-53 to pass a
Sunday law, but without effect. The mountain counties
cried out for relief in 1854. The Assembly then enacted a
Sunday law, 37 to 14. The Senate killed it. More petitions
were sent up to the 1855 legislature. The members passed
a Sunday law which was signed by the Governor prohibit
ing all barbarous or noisy amusements, and all Sunday exhi
bition of shows. This law was repealed in 1883. In the
meantime several state and local laws were passed. It was
found impossible, however, to convict any violator of
the law.
Trappers who have taken the trouble to estimate the
Indian population of California have stated that never did
it exceed 100,000. Diseases and pestilence would at times
carry the Indians off by the hundreds. Then they would
increase until the next scourge came. One of these death-
destroying periods was in the winter of 1832-33. A trapper,
J. J. Warner, states that at that time a very violent type of
intermittent fever swept down the valleys of the Sacra
mento and San Joaquin, destroying hundreds of Indians.
The presence of the Spaniards and Mexicans in the territory
did not decrease their numbers to any noticeable extent.
But when the gold-seekers arrived, their frightful diseases,
together with "fire water" and bullets, in a few years nearly
exterminated the race.
The Indian, with no friend or law to protect him, was
often wantonly shot down by the white man. One of these
outrages was the beginning of the so-called "four years'
Indian war." During this war hundreds of savages were
killed and thousands of dollars looted from the state
treasury. The first attack was at Volcano. A party of
Indians was there digging for gold. A party of miners came
along and began digging. Soon after this a miner lost his
pick and he accused an Indian of stealing it. The Indian
chief then started on the run for the rancheria to make
inquiry about the pick. The miner, believing him guilty,
raised his rifle and shot dead the chief. The Indians raised
the war cry and began arming for a fight. The miners then
aroused the white men of the vicinity by circulating the
report that the chief had killed a white man. The whites

Administration of Governor Bigler 107

then drove the savages from the place, killing a large
number of them.
In the south, in Fresno county, the Indians made the
first attack. The whites, they declared, had driven the
game from their hunting ground. They had poisoned the
streams and killed the fish, and they said their people would
starve if things so continued. In January, 1850, the savages
threatened to exterminate the whites if they did not leave
the country. Soon after this threat they swooped down on
the miners and drove off all of their horses, mules and cattle
to the Indians' mountain rancherias. Detached companies
of whites were organized and the armed miners pursued the
thieves. In one skirmish two members of the company
from Big Oak Flat were killed.
At this time James A. Savage (j) was conducting two
stores, one on the Fresno river and the other at Agua Fria.
Late in December, 1860, the Indians made an attack. Strag
gling into the Fresno store, as was their usual custom, as
if to trade, with their bows, arrows and hatchets, they killed
three of the whites. Brown, a second clerk, was saved by
a friendly Pohono Indian. He escaped and reported the
news of the massacre. In the meantime the savages stripped
the dead of all their clothing, broke open the safe and took
all of the gold dust and hastened away, driving with them
all of the horses and cattle of that vicinity. About the same
time Savage's Agua Fria store was also attacked. Two men
were killed and the store was robbed and Savage's wives
were taken prisoners.
Many depredations were made and as the Indians con
tinued on the warpath, Governor McDougal authorized the
sheriff of Mariposa county to enlist 250 men forduty. The
men were to furnish their own horses and equipment and
the government provided food and transportation for bag-

(j) James A. Savage, born of Irish parents, was a native of
Missouri. Immigrating to California in 1848, he located upon the
Chowchilla river and took to himself two Indian squaws. He opened
two stores and did a thriving business with the Indians because of
his friendly relations with them. In August, 1852, Savage was shot
and killed by Walter H. Harvey, then judge of Mariposa county
Savage, in very strong language, declared that the settlers had
swindled the Indians in dealing with them. Harvey took offense at
his remarks and during their hot talk Savage struck the judge.
Judge Harvey then shot Savage four times, killing him instantly.

108 Men and Events
gage. The Indian peace commissioners also visited Mari
posa to see if they could not arrange terms of peace, as
it was well known that the Indians had been abused and
unjustly treated by the settlers. Indians friendly to the
whites were sent to all the surrounding tribes, inviting
them to come in and meet the commissioners. Some of
the tribes sent their agents. The majority failed to respond ;
they feared the treachery of the whites. Among the latter
was the Yosemite tribe. Their chief, Ten-ie-ya, told the
messenger, Pon-wat-chee, that they would remain in the
mountains. This settled the question with the Yosemite
tribe, and it was finally resolved to drive them out of their
secret fortress, then unknown to the white man (k) .
Major Savage now sent a special message to Ten-ie-ya
to come and see him. The old chief came, and said the
tribe would come the next day. They failed to come. Then
the Mariposa battalion of forty picked men was organized
to march in and drive out the Yosemite tribe. The company
was under the command of Major Savage and Captain
Boling, and they compelled the old chief to lead the way
to the Sierra fortress. Some fifteen miles from their starting
point the company met a number of the tribe coming from
the valley. They were loaded down with Indian goods and
slowly floundering through the snow. The old chief now
declared that there were no more Indians in the mountains.
As there were no warriors among the Indians, Savage knew
that some two hundred braves had been left behind. The
old chief was permitted to return to Savage's camp. A
young savage was compelled to act as guide, and the com
pany pushed on through the snow, from three to five feet in
depth. Traveling on, they reached a high cliff and the
beautiful valley came into view. The battalion now began
its descent, and traveling five miles along a deep and narrow
pathway, on the night of May 5, 1851, they camped in the

(k) The tribe believed that in their secret Gibraltar they were
safe from any attack. Said one Indian, "There are many places that
we can go to where the white man cannot follow. In one of the
places you will be corraled like mules and horses," meaning the floor
of the valley.

Administration of Governor Bigler 109
wonderful Yosemite (1). The following morning they
began hunting for the braves. All that they found were
the smouldering campfires of the Indians. They had
retreated far back into the mountains. Remaining two days
in the valley, the company returned to Savage's camp.
The Indians who had come to the upper valley were now
permitted to return to their Yosemite home, as it was
believed that they would give no further trouble. Imme
diately they began to make hostile demonstrations. A
second expedition consisting in part of United States troops
was now organized and scouting the country in all direc
tions, took several prisoners. Among the number were
Ten-ie-ya's three sons, who were captured upon the cliffs
now known as "Three Brothers." The next year the Indians
again, began their murderous work by killing five miners at
work in Coarse Gold gulch. The settlers, alarmed, sent
word to Fort Miller and a detachment of regulars under
the command of Lieutenant Moore started in pursuit. On
finding the Indians, five of them were dressed in the dead
miners' clothing; as this was considered positive proof of
their guilt, they were shot. The balance of the tribe fled
far back into the mountains. Expecting that if they would
push on they would find the old Chief Ten-ie-ya, the troops
kept in pursuit. They were rewarded for their fatiguing
work by the discovery of a lake, which they named Mono,
after the Indian tribe found in that locality, and it is now
so called. The troops failed to find any Indians and returned

(1) The valley in 1854 was brought to the notice of the public
by Lieutenant Moore of Fort Miller. It was first visited by James
M. Hutchings in 1855. He was then publishing Hutchings' Magazine.
The Rev. J. C. Simmons, South Methodist, in July, 1856, preached the
first sermon. July 4th he delivered the first oration. Congress in
1868 deeded the Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Big Trees to Cali
fornia. Mr. Hutchings was appointed as guardian and with his
family lived six months of every year, prisoners, unable to leave the
valley because of the deep snow on the mountain top. In 1873 the
rights of the settlers, J. M. Hutchings, J. C. Lemon, A. G. Black and
Ira B Folsom, were purchased by the state, and a wagon road built
into the valley. The Stoneman House was erected and a line of
stages run from Merced. Up to this time all tourists had been com-
Delled to ride twenty-five miles on horseback A few years ago the
state tired of the upkeep of the valley, which it had shamefully neg
lected, and returned it to the United States government. Regulars
were sent to guard the valley from further spoliation and began to
improve and restore its natural beauty. Now, under strict military
regulations, automobiles are permitted to enter the valley.

110 Men and Events

to Fort Miller. In 1853 a fight took place between the
Yosemite and Mono tribes. The Yosemite tribe was com
pletely destroyed and the Monos, on catching old Ten-ie-ya,
stoned him to death.
Trouble also took place in the south. In February, 1852,
a party of thirteen ferrymen living on the Colorado river
were attacked and only three escaped to tell of the fate of
their companions. They reported the massacre to Major
Bean of San Diego. He called on the sheriffs of San Diego
and Los Angeles for assistance. Volunteers to the number
of 180 at once responded, but upon reaching the spot they
learned that the Indians had fled to Arizona.

OLDEST HOUSE IN THE SAN JOAftUIN VALLEY
The home of Captain Charles M. Weber. The house was bnilt iu 1848.
Notice the ocenn-snillng vessel In the background.

CHAPTER IX.
COMMERCIAL EVENTS.
One of California's problems today is quick and cheap
transportation. The Panama canal will solve this problem,
in a measure. But the problem of early days was to get
any kind of transportation, and at any price. Happily for
the rapid progress of the state, the government before the
gold discovery made a contract with the Pacific Mail Steam
ship Company to run a line of five steamers from New York
to Aspinwall. They were to connect across the Isthmus of
Panama with a line of three steamers from Panama to
Oregon. The steamers were to make monthly trips.
The company was incorporated in New York, April 12,
1848, with a capital of $500,000. They made money rapidly,
and in 1866 capitalized for $20,000,000. The first Pacific
Mail steamer was the "California." This vessel was 203
feet in length, 50 feet in width, and registered 800 tons.
Leaving New York October 6, 1848, the California passed
through the straits of Magellan and touched at Panama
January 30,' 1849. At that point she made connection with
the Falcon from New York. That steamer left port Decem
ber 1, 1848. The "California" had accommodations for 100
passengers only, but she took on board nearly 400 gold
seekers. Some of the passengers paid $1,000 for sleeping
places on deck.
On arrival of the steamer at Monterey, February 23d,
the people went wild with joy, for they had not heard from
the east for nearly six months. The cannon on the hill
fired a welcome salute and William T. Sherman ran hatless
to meet the steamer. The steamer ran short of coal and,
says Sherman, "for two days the vessel lay at Monterey to
obtain a supply of wood. The captain paid soldiers and
citizens $10 a day each to cut and haul the fuel."
ill

112 Men and Events

The people of San Francisco were anxiously awaiting
the appearance of the steamer. As the lookout on Tele
graph hill, February 28th, announced the approach of a
steamer, the news quickly spread over the town. The mer
chants closed their places of business and hurried to the
summit of the hill that they might get a view of the pioneer
steamer, which was crowded with passengers. As the vessel
came to anchor the frigate "Ohio," the sloop "Levant" and
the merchantmen in the harbor displayed their flags. The
steamer was greeted with loud cheers, cannon salutes and
music from the ship bands.
The entire crew of the steamer deserted and started for
the gold mines. This caused a two weeks' delay before the
captain could engage a crew for the return voyage to
Panama. He was compelled to pay each seaman $200 per
month. The darkey cook received $400 a month. The
captain of the Oregon, the second steamer, heard of the
desertion of the crew of the California. On arrival, March
31st, he ran the steamer alongside the Ohio. The crew was
transferred to the frigate and there held prisoners until the
Oregon was ready to sail. The Panama, the third steamer,
arrived April 30, 1849.
William Vanderbilt in 1851 established a splendid line
of steamers by what was known as the Nicaragua route.
It was 700 miles shorter than by the Panama route. Pas
senger and freight rates were cut one-third and it was
believed the opposition had come to stay. Bad luck, how
ever, followed the new line. The North America, the finest
steamer on the Pacific, ran upon a rock February 27, 1852,
and was a complete loss. She had on board 1,010 pas
sengers, among them the operatic singers Madames Celeste
and Biscaccanti, who were under engagement to Thomas
Maguire. Then came the loss of the 850-ton steamer Inde
pendence (a), February 15, 1853, followed by the wreck,

(a) The Independence with 1,400 passengers on board struck a
sunken reef off the coast of Lower California and the ship began to
fill with water. She was backed away and run for the beach. She
was successfully run to shore, but immediately the cry of fire was
heard and the vessel was in flames. The great heat from the boilers
had set the woodwork on fire. Everything was now in great con
fusion. The few women on board began screaming, crying and pray
ing, while the men began cursing and struggling for life. Boxes,

Commercial Events 113

two months later, April 6th, of the S. S. Lewis. These
disasters following so closely each other so frightened the
traveling public that they refused for a time to travel on
the opposition line.
The Pacific Mail Steamship Company controlled the
entire traffic of the territory, California, Oregon and Ne
vada. The California Steam Navigation Company incor
porated March 1, 1854, held within its power the inland
waters. The first steamer to run upon the bay and river was the
little side-wheel steamer Sitka, built at Sitka. She was
thirty-seven feet in length, and in 1848 was run to Sacra
mento. She made the trip in six days and seven hours.
The following year Captain Farnham brought out from New
Orleans a little iron boat called the McKim. He paid for
the hull, engines and boiler $2,800 ; he sold her for $60,000.
Her new owner ran her to Sacramento and made twice what
he paid for the boat. In September, 1849, the splendid
steamer Senator arrived at San Francisco, intended for the
Sacramento trade. She steamed around Cape Horn, and at
Panama took on 500 passengers. In October she began
running on that route in connection with the New World.
The fare was: Cabin, $30.00; steerage, $15.00; meals and
berths, each $2.00. The Senator alone netted her owners
$5,000,000 in four years.
The Captain Sutter, the first steamer on the Stockton
route, cleared her owner, Captain Warren, $300,000 in eight
months. She first appeared in November, 1849. Before the
close of 1850 the interior waters were alive with small
steamers, from two to four steamers each day leaving

chairs, tables, doors, in fact everything that would float was thrown
overboard in the hope that it would save life. Over 200 perished, this
including thirty-two women and children. Those who were saved
were compelled to remain upon the barren coast until March 3rd.
They were then taken to San Francisco in sailing ships.
Four days later, March 6, 1853, the Tennessee of the P. M. S. S.
Company ran aground four miles north of the Golden Gate, the first
officer losing his bearings in the heavy fog. Fortunately the steamer
swung round lengthwise and Mate Dowling then swam to shore with
a rope and was successful in fastening it. Boats were then lowered,
and cowardly men attempted to enter. At the point of a revolver
Thomas Gihon, then Wells-Fargo agent, kept the men back until the
one hundred women and children were safely landed. Of the 600
passengers not one was lost. The spot was later named Tennessee
cove.

114 Men and Events

Stockton and Sacramento for San Francisco. Competition
was strong and sometimes passengers were carried for
twenty-five cents, occasionally free. Racing on the river
was common and boiler explosions with great loss of life
was the result. There were nine boiler explosions within
three years due to careless engineers and faulty boilers.
Over 200 passengers were killed and badly scalded. At that
time there were no licensed pilots and engineers nor boiler
inspectors. The California Steam Navigation Company when incor
porated purchased every steamer in the state and monopo
lized all river traffic for over twenty years. It was a splen
did change, however, for the public and the merchant. They
put on first class steamers and ran them with gentlemanly
officers and experienced pilots and engineers. The usual
run was from eight to ten hours, the boats leaving San
Francisco at 4 :00 p. m. The Antelope on one occasion ran
from San Francisco to Sacramento, 120 miles, in six hours
and forty-five minutes. The freight and passenger rates
were fair, times considered — $5.00 for passengers and $3.00
a ton for freight. The merchants were always complaining
of high rates and the company had at times considerable
opposition. Owners would start competition for the pur
pose of being bought off at an exorbitant price. Their
strongest opposition was on the Sacramento, James Kidd,
the Nevada silver mine owner, putting on the route the
Nevada and Washoe.
Stage lines ran to all of the mountain camps, Monterey,
and Portland, Oregon. On the last named line the Cali
fornia Stage Company had sixty stations, employed thirty-
five drivers and used 500 horses in the 710 miles of staging.
The principal lines ran from Sacramento and Stockton, the
stages carrying passengers, baggage, mail and express
matter and from $10,000 to $20,000 in gold dust or coin.
Stage robberies were frequent and over 400 robberies are
on record. The longest mountain trip was Mariposa, 120
miles, a two days' journey. The fare in 1850 was $30, and
in 1860 $12. -The usual average fare was about ten cents
per mile. Staging was a long, tiresome trip, through the
hot sun and deep dust of summer, and the heavy rain and
deep mud of winter. Competition was rife for a time and

Commercial Events 115

many were the exciting races over the road (b). The lines
finally merged into a monopoly, the California Stage Com
pany controlling all of the northern routes and Dooley &
Co. and Fisher & Co. the southern rates. The pioneer line
of the state ran from Sacramento to Mormon Island in
September, 1849. The fare was $16, distance fourteen miles.
In April, 1850, a stage line was established between San
Francisco and San Jose, fare $32.
During the first decade the mining camps consumed the
greater amount of foodstuffs and material, and the trans
portation of freight gave employment to thousands of
commission men, teamsters and animals. Stockton and
Sacramento were then, as they are now, the terminal water
points. From those places all- articles were transported by
pack mules or big freight teams. First pack mules were
used and from 50 to 100 would complete a train. Each mule
would carry a load of perhaps 400 pounds and safely he
would travel over the long, narrow trails and up the steep
mountain grades.
Then it was learned that at a much less cost and a saving
in time and security freight could 'be transported in big
wagons. The mountain trails were widened and graded and
big wagons, known as "prairie schooners," (c) drawn by
mules, were used in transporting goods. The traffic was
heavy, especially from Stockton. Six hundred tons of
freight was weekly carried to the southern mines, and over
800 teamsters were employed, handling 3,000 mules and
horses. The wholesale merchants for a few years carried on
business in a hazardous and unstable manner. The prices

(b) At the time of the great Sonora fire, October 3, 1S52, two
lines of stages were running to that camp, Alonzo McCloud and
Fisher & Co.'s lines. Leaving the camp before the fire had burned
out, 3 a. m., they ran their teams all the way to Stockton, sixty miles.
and arrived at 8:45 a. m., just five hours and twenty-five minutes on
the road. (c) These big wagons were so called because of their immense
size, as they would each hold from six to ten tons of freight. One
wagon was built at a cost of $1,000 and held twelve tons. The body
of this big wagon was 28 feet in length, 8 feet wide and 5 feet high.
Sixteen big mules drew the load. Usually smaller wagons were used,
a large wagon and one or two trailers fastened to the larger wagon.
In this way a teamster hauled to Mariposa 22,000 pounds of freight
He made the round trip, 110 miles, in seven days.

116 Men and Events

of goods were so fluctuating that business was really a
gamble. One week a staple article would be very scarce
and its price would soar 200 per cent above its original
selling price (d). The following week perhaps the same
article could not be sold at any price because of a glutted
market. Everything then used in California was brought
into the state by steamer or ship. By steamer it took six
months to send an order east and get returns. So high
was the price of steamer freight, all heavy or bulky goods
were shipped by vessel around Cape Horn. This took from
eight to twelve months' time.
To shorten the time of delivery a large number of vessels
known as clipper ships were engaged in the California trade.
They were first built in 1840 for the China sea trade. These
vessels, known as ocean greyhounds, with their immense
spread of canvas, would literally fly before the wind. They
could carry from 1,000 to 3,000 tons of freight, according to
size (e), and make an average run of 200 miles a day. The
owner received $50 a ton for freight. In a single voyage he
would sometimes make the cost of the vessel.

(d) At one time saleratus, worth 4 cents a pound in New York,
sold for $12 a pound in San Francisco because of its scarcity. It
remained at that price until the arrival of a shipload. A barrel of
alum that cost $9 sold for $100. A speculator bought up all of the
candle wick in town at 40 cents a pound. He sold it for $2 a pound.
A passenger on his way to San Francisco brought from Chiie ten
barrels of apples, just for fun, he said. On arrival they went like hot
cakes at 50 cents apiece. Another individual purchased a bunch of
bananas in San Bias, Mexico. He paid 75 cents for the bunch and
sold it in San Francisco for $30. One day there came into port an
eastern consignment of nails. It was then the tent era. Nails were
not in demand. An old sea captain as a wildcat speculation bought
them at one-half cent a pound. Two days later came a great fire.
He made a small fortune on his nails, selling them at 50 cents a
pound. Losses were just as heavy as profits. Lumber, at one time worth
a dollar a foot, dropped to $400 a thousand. Tobacco was scarce and
it went up to $2 a pound. Merchants then ordered large quantities
from the East. They overstocked the market. It could not be sold
at any price, and the merchants that winter actually threw boxes of
tobacco into the mud to make stepping-stones across the streets.
Potatoes were worth $1 a pound. In came large consignments, and
they were left upon the beach to rot. Rents were very high, interest
10 per cent a month, and it did not pay to store goods and hold over
for a rise in price. The market was too uncertain.
(e) The Flying Cloud in 1851 ran from New York to San Fran
cisco in eighty-nine days, averaging 233 miles a day. The Sovereign
of the Seas in 1853 ran 6,245 miles in twenty-two days. One day of
twenty-four hours she ran 419 miles. The largest of these clippers
was the Great Republic. She was 325 feet long, 53 feet wide and 30
feet deep. She carried 16,000 square yards of canvas.

Commercial Events 117

Eastern firms frequently sent consignments of goods to
California. This sometimes would overstock the market,
causing a heavy loss. Then again, it would give a fortune
to the merchant who purchased the cargo. The merchants
were ever on the alert, looking for these "soft snaps," and
some of the merchants of San Francisco employed oarsmen
and boats, ready at a moment's notice to pull out and meet
the incoming ship (f).
We little appreciate the comforts and advantages we
enjoy. We sit in our homes and offices and the letter carrier
brings us our letters, papers, magazines. We give it not
a passing thought, but sixty years ago to receive a letter
was a delight, and a paper of a late date, six months old,
was a treasure (g). In those days the only means of send
ing a letter east or receiving any news was by merchant
ship or whaling vessels that occasionally touched the coast.
Each ship carried a mail bag and in mid-ocean they would
heave-to in passing and exchange mail matter.
Kit Carson in 1848, accompanied by F. X. Aubrey and
the trapper, Roubideaux, brought the first overland mail to
California. It was a soldiers' line established by the Adju
tant General. Starting in September, 1847, these brave and
daring men traveled by the way of Fort Leavenworth, Santa
Fe and Los Angeles to headquarters, Monterey, arriving in
May, 1848. A soldiers' mail line was then established from
San Francisco to San Diego, with intermediate stations at
Monterey and Nepoma. Jim Beckworth, an old trapper,
and Kit Carson were two of the mail carriers, and Lieu
tenant Sherman was the Monterey postmaster. On the

(f ) On one occasion Charles L. Ross and W. D. M. Howard, rival
merchants, sighted an incoming ship. Running to the beach, their
oarsmen strained every nerve to first reach the ship, three miles
away. Ross pulled ahead and, climbing on board, he quickly inquired
of the supercargo: "Got any woolen shirts?" "Yes," he replied.
"one hundred dozen." "What will you take for your entire cargo,
everything in the ship?" "One hundred per cent on the New York
invoice," replied the captain. "It's done," replied Ross, "and this
binds the bargain," as he handed the supercargo $100. Just then
Howard clambered on board. Ross made a small fortune on the
shirts. They -were then priced at $50 each. There were none in the
state, and every miner wore them.
(g) When Christopher Carson arrived from the Bast with the
first overland mail, Cornelius Sullivan, a soldier, offered Carson $5
for the reading only of a newspaper six months old. Carson refused,
as he dare not break the seal.

118 Men and Events

steamer Oregon came John W. Geary. He had authority
to establish a complete United States mail system, and soon
postoffices were established in every town and the principal
mountain camps. At that time letter postage was forty
cents for each letter. Wells-Fargo would deliver these
letters for fifty cents each. The letter would be addressed
to San Francisco and the agents would deliver them in the
mountain camps.
In San Francisco when the mails arrived the people stood
for hours in long lines, sometimes all night in a pouring
rain, that they might be the first in the morning when the
office opened. To hear from home men would pay five,
ten, twenty dollars for places in line and others would make
money selling food and drink to those who waited . And
then such scenes, when the office opened, were never beheld
before nor since. "John Smith? No letter for you, sir,"
and the man turned away with tears in his eyes. A year
from his family, six months no tidings, are they dead? The
next receives a letter awaited for many months, but delayed
by irregular mails. The family is all well and the baby boy
now lisps his father's name. The father reads, his face
shines with joy and he dances and hops about as one insane
(h). There is another; his hand trembles violently as he
opens a letter five months old, with deep lines in black upon
the envelope, and reads, "Wife died two days ago." He left
that wife a bride and went to make his fortune in California.
The next morning a dead man was found. The coroner said
another suicide. 'Twas all they knew about him. The blow
was too heavy and death ended all.
These are true pictures of common occurrences through
out the state for the first five years. Then the mail became
more regular and the steamers usually brought a mail
through in twenty-six days.
Some places were inaccessible to stage travel and some,
too small in population to pay stage expenses, and places

(h) A song of that day ran thus:
"Good news from home,
Good news for me,
Has come across the deep blue sea,
From friends that I've not seen in years,
From friends that I have left in tears."

Commercial Events 119

such as these held mail communication with the world by
means of express riders. These were light, wiry men, brave
and strong, and the ever welcome guest of every miner.
They carried the letters for some express company and fof
Uncle Sam, money, valuables and newspapers. At first they
\ifere common carriers and received as high as a dollar and
a half each for every letter they delivered to the address or
deposited in the Sacramento or Stockton postoffices. On
the journey they carried and sold the illustrated papers,
Harper's Weekly, the New York Tribune, Boston Journal
and New Orleans Picayune, receiving $1.50 apiece, each
tavern taking five or more papers. On their trips they
often endured many hardships and were in danger at all
times from wild animals, Indians and highwaymen. Every
rider carried his pair of revolvers ready for use upon the
moment, yet many were killed, scalped or robbed.
The currency of the state, like the people, has seen many
changes. First it was the gold era, nothing but gold. Then
came the silver era, with tons of silver from Nevada. And
now the copper era, in which the one-cent coin figures. In
1849 gold was so plentiful that everybody had his pockets
full of dust.
Every bank and every merchant had his gold scales
sitting upon the counter, and the merchant weighed the
gold by the ounce or measured it by the quantity in pay
ment for goods. Its value was changeable. An ounce of
gold in San Francisco was worth twice what it was in the
mines. A big pinch of gold in the mines was called $16.
Its actual value in San Francisco was $24. In September,
1848, the San Francisco merchants agreed to call an ounce
of gold $18.
Coins of any kind or denomination were very scarce.
Those fortunate enough to possess coin could obtain twice
its face value in gold dust. As it was almost impossible
to carry on business without some coin value, several
persons began the manufacture of coin. They turned out
$2.50, $5.00, $10.00 and $20.00 pieces. The actual value of
each coin was from twenty to forty per cent less than its
commercial value. Wm. D. Kohler, a jeweler with some
knowledge of metals, started the business, and later he took
in as partner D. C. Broderick. The firm made plenty of

120 Men and Events

money (no joke) and in December, 1849, they sold out to
Baldwin & Co. from Australia. The new firm began alloy
ing the gold to such an extent as to make it worthless. In
1853 it was thrown out of the market. Wass Moliter &
Co. at this time were also coin makers. They turned out
such fine work and of so true value that Adams & Co.,
bankers, insisted that their coin be kept in circulation. At
this time the solid gold bar known as the "slug" was put
in circulation. It was of octagon shape, three and a half
inches long by one-half inch in width and worth $50. In
1854 the San Francisco mint was established. From that
time on gold coin was plentiful. The San Francisco mint
June 15, 1915, coined 3,000 exposition memorial "slugs."
They were the first "slugs" ever coined by the government.
President Charles C. Moore of the exposition received the
first one coined. Colonel George Goethals, builder of the
Panama canal, was sent Nos. 24 and 29.
Soon, however, there was a demand for smaller coin.
Some sharp foreigners supplied the demand. They shipped
into the state barrels of foreign coins. Then the people
carried in their pockets half dollars from Mexico and Peru,
the French franc, the Russian rouble — and for pocket pieces
the China cent, with a small square hole in the center.
Then some citizen, afterwards a famous banker, imported
several barrels of ten-cent pieces. The merchants would
not handle anything, however, smaller than twenty-five
cents. Soon there was plenty of United States coin and the
banks began to drive out the foreign coin by depreciating
its value. The French twenty-five cent franc fell to eighteen
cents value only. The merchants for a long time, however,
held on to the Mexican half dollar and the twelve and one-
half cent piece. It made exact change in 2's, 4's, 6's and 8's.
They called the smallest value a "bit," hence our term
today, "two bits."
During the Civil war neither banks nor merchants would
handle the United States paper money (greenbacks) if
possible, although none were more patriotic or liberal in
giving for the Union. At one time greenbacks were worth
fifty cents on the dollar. Even in the flush of victory they
did not go above seventy-five cents. They were taken at

Commercial Events 121

par for all custom house duties, court fines and judgments,
and for government contracts.
In 1873 the government unwisely coined what was
known as the China trade dollar. It contained a few grains
more of silver than the American dollar. The object of its
coining was to induce the Chinese in their native country
to put it in use in trading with Americans. As soon as they
learned of its increased value they began sweating it; that
is, wearing off the extra silver by shaking in a sack. The
San Francisco banks beat them to it, however. They
declared a discount on all trade dollars. The public lost
heavily. The "dollar went into the bank vaults. Then it
was shipped to China, melted and recoined and thirteen
cents profit made on every dollar. Now California's king,
gold, has been dethroned. Nevada's silver queen has fallen
and the long despised nickel is in circulation, and even the
one-cent copper is often seen. These were at first intro
duced by a dry goods firm.
The pioneer tankers, Naglee & Swinton, opened their
bank in San Francisco in January, 1849. Before the close
of the year the banks were five in number. In 1854 there
were fifteen banks with branch offices in every valley, town
and important mining camp. The constitution prohibited
the legislature from passing any law chartering banks. It
permitted their organization under the general laws only
for the purpose of receiving or lending money. The only
money the banks had to lend was that deposited by citizens.
This money, with their own individual coin, was loaned out
at one per cent a month. As their loans were made upon
real estate and merchandise that had a heavy fluctuating
value, and with men that were wealthy today and penniless
tomorrow, through fire perhaps or bad speculation, or debts,
banking was a wild-cat speculation.
From 1848 to 1854 were flush times in California ; then
came a reaction. Men young in years and in business expe
rience purchased high priced lots, erected costly residences
and stores, contracted for large quantities of eastern goods,
paid exorbitant interest and rents, heavy taxes for street
and other improvements, lived in extravagant luxury and
speculated wildly, expecting that if they lost money they
would in a few months again be flush. In 1854 the gold

122 Men and Events
output fell short five millions. Then came the cry, "the
mines are exhausted," and miners by the hundreds hurried
from the gold fields to the towns, many going east. The
eastern checked the western immigration nearly one-half.
The consequence was a failure in business in camp and
town. The mountain merchants lost their customers, many
of them leaving unpaid bills, and the merchants failed. As
the Stockton and Sacramento merchants had credited largely
the mining camp merchants, they also failed, and with them
the San Francisco jobbers and wholesale dealers, who had
consigned goods to the dealers named. Coin now became
very scarce. The laborers who had been getting $16 a day
in '49 could not now obtain work at any price. Rents of
stores, rates of interest and goods in price fell rapidly, and
out of a thousand places of business in San Francisco fully
two-thirds had "To Rent" upon their doors.
The hard times of 1855 were followed by a mercantile
crash. Every bank in the state was compelled to suspend
save the banks of Parrott & Co., Wells-Fargo & Co. bank
and express, Lucas, Turner & Co. and Palmer, Cook & Co.
(i). The bank last named was the political bank of the
state. It entered deeply into the political contests and suc
cessfully backed Senators Fremont, Broderick and Gwin and
Representative Wright. This gave the bankers government
patronage and they amassed a fortune. In 1857 they again
backed Broderick, but met with a heavy loss and soon
suspended. The bank first to suspend was that of Page, Bacon & Co.
It was the "king pin" of banks and made good its title by
buying in a single year $20,000,000 worth of gold dust. The
California house sent east monthly to the main office at St.
Louis a cool million. Nevertheless that house became in
volved. To avert the anticipated suspension, if possible,
one of the eastern firm, quietly coming to California in

(i) Palmer, Cook & Co. consisted of Joseph C. Palmer, Charles
W. Cook, Edward Jones and Edward Wright. The two first-named
reaching San Francisco in 1849, started a bank in a small adobe
building then standing on Portsmouth square. Their only capital
was a small rough board counter, some stationery, a bottle of ink
and a small iron safe. Soon after opening they took in as partners
the two men last named, Wright at that time being California's
representative in Congress.

Commercial Events \2l

February, 1855, began sending east all the gold he could
get. The news of the failure of the eastern firm was learned
accidentally as soon as the Oregon (February 19th) arrived
(j). The report spread like wild fire and immediately a run
was made on every bank in the city and for a time great
excitement prevailed. The heaviest run was made on Page,
Bacon & Co. Men with baskets on their arms broke their
way through the windows that they might get their coin.
Others battered their way like rams through mahogany
doors and returned triumphantly with their hats full of
slugs. That night Page, Bacon & Co. sent their silent
partner, Henry H. Haight, to the other banks for assistance.
They all refused help. The bank refused to show its books.
The run continued until February 23rd, the bank having in
the meantime paid out $600,000, closing its doors with the
announcement, "In want of funds, must suspend for a few
days." So severe was this shock to public confidence that
the people refused to part with their money at any price,
although offered ten per cent a week interest, their security
United States mint certificates, redeemable at par after ten
days' notice (k).
Another bank and express that went down in the crash
was Adams & Co. Their suspension was caused principally
because of the rascality of one of the firm, Isaac S. Woods,
who stole a good part of the dust (1). In the employ of the
firm at this time was James King of William (m). He knew

(j) It was the usual custom for the mail steamers to sail close
to Meiggs wharf before docking, so as to permit Wells, Fargo & Co.'s
agent to throw off the express letters for quick delivery. As she
slowly moved past the wharf a passenger on board called out to a
friend whom he recognized: "Page, Bacon & Co. have failed in New
York." (k) In the Parrott & Co. bank a Frenchman, nearly squeezed
to death in the press, finally reached the counter, presented his
certificate and demanded his money. Upon receiving his coin, he
stood for a moment, confused, as if he knew not what to do with it.
At last he exclaimed: "If you got the money, I no want it; but if
you no got it, I want it like the devil."
(1) They carried on the largest business of the six express com
panies then existing. They had offices in every important city, town
and mining camp of the state, and they handled annually millions
of dollars in gold dust and packages. After the failure, Wells,
Fargo & Co. got their business.
(m) James King of Wiliiam, himself a banker, had failed in
the first of the panic, 1854. He then entered the employ of Haskell

124 Men and Events

of the robbery that was being planned, but a mistaken idea
of honor kept him quiet. The bank closed its doors. Imme
diately the courts appointed A. A. Cohen, a lawyer, as
receiver. That night Cohen transferred the coin in the
vaults to the bank of Allsop & Co. As his reason for this
act, Cohen said he feared a mob would break in and take
possession of the money (n). A second court declared
Cohen's appointment as receiver illegal. Palmer, Cook &
Co. were then appointed assignees, and the coin, $600,000,
transferred to their vault. The case came to trial and Cohen
and Edward Jones of Palmer & Co. were imprisoned for
contempt of court, they refusing to tell what became of the
money. Cohen was tried for embezzlement and it came to
light that $269,000 supposed to be in his possession was
missing. The books of the bank could not be found. One
day, however, they were discovered floating in the bay and
upon being recovered, the days' transactions of February
21st and 22nd had been torn out. About the same time
I. S. Woods suddenly departed for Australia, and to this
day it is not known what became of the money stolen from
the depositors in Adams & Co.'s bank, the full amount being
nearly two millions of dollars.
Following the swindle of the bank, the gigantic rascality
of Henry Meiggs, planned and successfully carried out, is
probably the greatest on record. Meiggs, arriving in San
Francisco in '49, engaged in the boldest of speculations and
began what proved to be the heaviest of forgeries. Meiggs,
who was born in New York in 1811, in middle life engaged

& Co. under a two-year contract. Carrying with him the business
of his old banking friends, it increased the business of Haskell & Co
King saw the plan to rob depositors, but he believed his honor as a
servant sealed his mouth. He could have resigned, but he hoped,
until it was too late that something would take place that would
absolve him from secrecy. '
(n) In some of the mining camps the officers of the law, through
the process of attachments, seized the bank coin and paid it out to
the depositors. They took the expenses of collecting, in some cases,
from the same fund. In Sonora, scorning the assistance of law, they
broke open the bank vault and each depositor, presenting his certifi
cate of deposit, received its face value. In Grass Valley the agent
was Alonzo Delano. He received orders from Adams & Co. to pay
out no money either on public or private deposits. Calling together
the depositors, he read to them his instructions. He then said, pay
ing out the coin: "You shall have what is yours, so long as there is
a dollar in the safe."

ENTERPRISING CITIZENS

HENRY MEIGGS
Baililer of Meiggs Wharf,
San Francisco.

SAMUEL BRANNAN
Pioneer business man and vigilante.

Commercial Events 125

in the lumber business. Loading with lumber a packet
ship, he reached San Francisco in July, 1849. He sold the
lumber and cleared $50,000: Then building a saw mill at
North Beach, 500 men cut logs for him in Contra Costa
county, floated them to the beach, and they were cut into
lumber. Clearing a profit of half a million dollars, he now
began speculating on a large scale, building fine residences,
churches, a large saw mill in Mendocino county, factories,
a music hall and Meiggs wharf, which was two thousand
feet long. Then he began to invest heavily in North Beach
real estate, believing that was to be the wealthiest part of
San Francisco, and he spent large sums in improving, grad
ing and leveling sand hills. In his expectations Meiggs was
disappointed, and when in 1855 the depression in business
took place, he could not realize on his property the half that
it had cost him. Then came heavy street assessments and
Meiggs found himself a bankrupt. He kept up his high
style of living and expenses, and as he was generous, kind
and obliging, none knew or noticed that he was deeply
involved. One way he could redeem himself, he believed,
and that was to forge city warrants. At that time city
affairs were very carelessly managed and it was the custom
of the mayor and auditor to sign a large number of warrants
and leave them until required for use. Meiggs knew this,
having been a councilman in 1851, and obtaining a large
number of warrants he began paying his debts. As he
handled large sums of money none surmised that he was
forging city funds, and before they began to suspect him,
Meiggs had signed warrants and notes aggregating some
$800,000. At last they began to see that something was
wrong, and Meiggs then collected about $10,000 and, with
his wife and children, suddenly sailed for Chile. His de
parture created a scene among his creditors and the city
officials and everybody, from the butcher and baker to clerk
and judge, found that they held the worthless paper of
Harry Meiggs.
Meiggs in Chile began a new life. A man of high intel
lectual ability, strong mind and self-confidence, he now
began railroad building and took a contract to build the
Santiago & Valparaiso road at a cost of $12,000,000. It was
a most difficult piece of engineering, but in two years the

126 Men and Events

road was finished, Meiggs making a million. He then went
to Peru and built over 800 miles of road and received over
a hundred million of dollars for railroad work. In 1873 an
agent coming to San Francisco paid every one of Meiggs'
debts, principal and interest. Then his old friends peti
tioned the legislature of 1874 to pardon "Harry, the exile
from home and country," and March 23rd they passed the
remarkable law, commanding any of the state courts having
any jurisdiction against Harry S. Meiggs prior to January,
1855, to dismiss them. Governor Booth vetoed the bill and
returned it to the legislature. The law makers, by a two-
thirds vote, passed it over his head, although unconstitu
tional, the pardoning power not being vested in the legis
lature, lawyers said. Meiggs, however, feared to return to
California and four years later (September 29, 1877) he died.

CHAPTER X.
THE FOREIGNER AND THE SLAVE.
The pioneers of the early '50's were very antagonistic
to the foreigners. They believed that these immigrants,
the Peruvians, the Chileans, the Mexicans and the Chinese,
would dig all of the gold and return to their native land.
It was the law of self-preservation that actuated the pioneer,
the same law that influences the citizens of today regarding
the Orientals and the Hindus.
Before the Argonauts landed upon California's soil the
idea of driving out the foreigners prevailed, and a corre
spondent writing to the Panama Star said, "If foreigners
come, let them till the soil, or do any other work that may
suit them — the gold mines were preserved for Americans —
we will share our interest in the mines with none but
Americans." The legislature, voicing the same opinion, declared the
foreigners trespassers upon American soil and in a memo
rial they asked for Congressional relief. In this memorial
they asserted "that during the year, swarms of foreigners
had come, worked in the mines, and extracted thousands
of dollars, without contributing anything to the support
of the government or people." They declared that the
foreign element were slaves, and they had no interest in
California, except to dig and carry away its gold. The
memorial also affirmed that the young men, just from home,
were in danger of moral destruction in associating with the
criminal foreign element, many of them just from Botany
Bay, and their increasing immigration would prevent the
settlement of American families and the country's pros
perity would be checked.
Congress seldom gives to petitioners the relief for which
they pray, especially on the race question. The legislature,
127

128 Men and Events

then taking action, passed what was known as the "foreign
tax law." It was a law compelling all foreigners to pay a
license of $20 per month. If any person refused, the col
lector was empowered to seize his working tools or other
property. The estimate was made of 200,000 foreigners
then in the mines, and it was believed that the enforcement
of the tax would monthly increase the state treasury a half
million dollars. The legislature had not counted on the
amount stolen by the collectors.
In some localities the foreigners protested and holding
indignation meetings declared that they would oppose the
collection of the tax by force if necessary (a) . Wild reports
were spread that the foreigners intended to attack the
Americans and in haste the citizens of Columbia hastened
to Sonora, four miles distant. Then came the report from
a would-be joker that the Mexicans were organizing to burn
Sonora and that one of the citizens of Columbia had been
killed (b).
A few days later a second joker on horseback rode to all
of the surrounding camps and repeated the rumor of an
attack. In a short time 150 men were organized, and armed
with guns, revolvers, knives and swords, they marched to
the Mexican camp. They found the foreigners quiet and
peaceful. A second time they were "sold." With fife and
drum they returned to Sonora, and visiting every whisky
saloon many became too "weary" to further march.
The time set for the collection of the tax was June 1,
1850. From all indications and reports, trouble was expected
in making the collections. On that day some 300 men, form
ing into companies, led by the sheriff of the county and
Collector Bascom, marched to the Mexican camp. They
found the frightened Mexicans, their wives and children

(a) Three thousand foreigners assembled at Mormon Diggings
and defying the Americans to collect the tax they threatened to burn
the town if the attempt were made. In Tuolumne they raised their
national flag, denounced the tax as an outrage and urged the citizens
to remonstrate against its enforcement.
(b) A company of armed men was hastily formed, and led by
Rochette, a lively little Frenchman, carrying a large American flag
they marched from Sonora to Columbia. Upon learning that they
had been sold, to quiet their excited nerves they began drinking and
feasting at the expense of Charles Bassett, the supposed corpse.

The Foreigner and the Slave 129

pulling down their tents and hastily packing their little
property upon their mules and burros, starting as soon as
possible for other parts of the land. Crowds upon crowds
were already in full retreat, the Mexicans and Chileans
fleeing from the country to save their lives, as they believed.
The exodus was alarming to merchants and they indig
nantly protested against the outrage. Many of the mining
camps were entirely deserted, as the foreigners formed
one-half of the mining population. Sonora lost a third of
her people, and in Columbia but ten persons remained. Real
estate fell fifty per cent ; the mountain merchants saw bank
ruptcy staring them in the face, and a general stagnation of
business took place.
In Stockton and Sacramento there was great indignation
and excitement, especially among the merchants, for they
were dependent entirely for business upon the northern and
southern mines (c). At Stockton a mass meeting was held
on the plaza. The president of the meeting was David S.
Terry. Strong resolutions were passed condemning the
law, and the people asserted that it was "odious and an
unjust infliction upon the mining population, an outrage
upon the miners, and as a public measure its continuance
was a robbery."
The merchants of Sonora passed it up to the Supreme
Court. There it was declared unconstitutional. The legis
lature of 1851 repealed it. This repeal was published and
circulated in three languages, Spanish, French and English.
The Chileans, Peruvians and Mexicans understood Spanish.
The love of gold was as strong in the mind of the foreigner
as in the American and long before the publication of the
repeal they began returning to the mines.
The race hatred between the Americans and the for
eigners still continued. The ignorant, degraded whites
began a series of insults, abuses and maltreatment of the
foreigners, and the innocent and the guilty alike suffered.
Their abuse was especially directed against the Mexicans

(c) Even at this early stage of the game we find that the mer
chant, capital, cannot do business without the laborer. The miner
would have starved -without the merchant. Capital and labor are
identical, not antagonistic.

130 Men and Events
and the Chileans, the Americans even outraging their wives
and daughters. The Mexicans, retaliating, began to rob
and murder. An open warfare was declared and in every
crime that was committed the Mexicans were considered the
guilty parties. Many American criminals for a time escaped
detection because of this belief. Innocent Mexicans were
arrested, tried and convicted for supposed crimes, and sev
eral punished by whipping (d). Others were hanged (e).
One of those cases in which three innocent Mexicans
came near being executed took place at Sonora. At that
time (July 10, 1849) four Americans rode into camp bring
ing with them three Mexicans prisoners. The Americans
asserted that the "greasers" had killed two Americans at
Green's Flat. When arrested they were endeavoring to
burn the bodies. The Mexicans declared that the bodies
were those of their companions, two Mexicans who had died.
They were burning the corpses in accordance with • the
custom of their country.
The justice of the peace summoned a jury to give the
prisoners a preliminary trial. While the trial was in prog
ress the crowd rapidly increased. At this time a man named
Thornley, accused of murder, had been acquitted. The mob
were in an angry, drunken mood, thirsting for blood, and
soon they began shouting, "String them up, hang them,
we'll have no mistake this time !" Surging into the court
room they overpowered the officers. Then rushing for the

(d) Illustrating the severe and cruel punishment inflicted not
only upon Mexicans, but ofttimes upon Negroes for criminal offenses,
I cite one case of a sentence executed upon a Mexican at Jamestown,
convicted of stealing. The sentence of the judge was a dozen lashes
upon the bare back. The prisoner's back was uncovered, then he was
lashed to a tree with ropes and the executioner began laying on the
blows. Bach stroke caused the victim to cry out with pain. The
brute, in his fiendish delight, laid on thirty-six blows. Then a doctor
who was present commanded him to stop, fearing that murder would
be committed. The Mexican then, loosened from the tree, sank un
conscious to the earth. Restored to consciousness, they washed his
lacerated back in no gentle manner -with salt water, and the follow
ing morning they gave him but two hours to leave the town or
"swing from a tree." Although very weak, the Mexican knew his
persecutors would have no mercy and to save his life he succeeded in
leaving the town.
(e) Stealing at this time, 1852, was a death penalty offense, and
under this severe law, two white men -were together hanged in
Stockton for horse stealing. One of them -was a murderer -who had
never before been caught. This was the only legal execution for
stealing, as the law was repealed in 1853.

The Foreigner and the Slave 131

presumed criminals they placed a rope around the neck of
each and carried them to a distant locality.
A mob jury was chosen and they were about to try the
Californians when the officers of the law appeared. They
succeeded in getting the Mexicans and quickly took them
to jail. In the meantime the mob had been gathering in
numbers from the surrounding camps. Three days later
an armed force of nearly 2,000 desperate, excited men, each
armed with a pistol, rifle or shotgun, appeared before the
jail and demanded the prisoners. The "Court of Sessions"
at that time was sitting in Sonora. The officials were brave
men and although standing out against great odds they
were determined that the Mexicans should have a fair trial.
When the case was called the courtroom was crowded. The
court had appointed a strong guard to protect the accused
men. One of the guard accidentally or purposely dropped
his revolver. It was fired. Immediately the scene became
exciting. Some believed a fight was on and instantly
revolvers were drawn, bowie knives flashed in the air, and
the tumult became indescribable. In the excitement others
attempted to leave the courtroom. In their frantic efforts
to escape chairs were broken and windows smashed. An
alarm of fire increased their fright. In the confusion several
shots were fired at the prisoners. The trial was postponed.
The mob, "going on a spree," finally returned to their
camps. The Mexicans were afterwards tried and acquitted.
There was no evidence whatever showing their guilt.
Sometimes the Mexicans themselves retaliated on the
whites, and the bloody career of Joaquin Murietta and his
gang was due in some measure to the brutality of a party of
white men. At the time of his exploits Murietta was but
nineteen years of age, yet he was the most daring, cool
headed and quick witted desperado of any on the coast. He
is said to have been a handsome, light complexioned Mexi
can, with light brown curly hair and deep blue eyes. He
was of extraordinary muscular strength, agile as a cat, a
splendid horseman and a dead shot with either pistol or rifle.
During the Mexican war he was one of the famous Jurate
guerrillas and and in 1849 he came to California with a
circus and located at Los Angeles. While there he fell in
love with a handsome senorita, Rosita Felix, a daughter of

132 Men and Events

Spain. The father, however, objected to the marriage of
his daughter to a Mexican. The couple then eloped and
were married.
Later they rode to Shaw's Flat. Joaquin there dis
covered rich diggings and began mining. A few days later
a party of cowardly brutes came along and attempted to
drive Joaquin from his claim. They asserted that "Greasers
are not allowed to take gold from American ground, and
you had better git." Joaquin, defending his position, said
he had complied with the law and he had a right to dig
for gold. The brutes then insulted Murietta's wife. When
he resented this he was knocked down and severely beaten,
and in his presence his young wife was outraged. The
ruffians then fled. Joaquin, stifling the revengeful feelings
in his mind, retired deeper into the mountains, where he
hoped the Americans would not come.
Not long after this event he visited Murphy's Camp
riding a horse owned by his half-brother. Again a company
of toughs greeted him with the remark, "You damned
greaser, where did you steal that horse?" Without waiting
for a reply, they seized Joaquin, bound him to a tree and
upon the bare back whipped him severely. Then unfasten
ing him they exclaimed, "Now, vamoose, and never come
back to these diggings if you don't want to be hung."
Burning with a deep seated hatred because of his three
great wrongs, for in the meantime the mob had hanged his
half-brother, he swore that he would have revenge and a
hundred Americans would pay the penalty. Organizing a
band of some twenty of the worst desperadoes in the state,
he began a career of robbery and murder that continued for
nearly three years. His band terrorized the citizens of the
mountain camps and the valley towns and they never knew
when Joaquin would appear (f).

(f) On one occasion he visited Marysville and, entering a saloon
began playing monte. During the play the conversation turned to
Joaquin Murietta and his crimes. One of the braggarts at the table
exclaimed, "I would give $1,000 for a shot at Murietta." The daring
bandit sprung upon the table and shouted, "You cowardly gringo,
look, I am Murietta." Before the astonished players could collect
their senses, Joaquin jumped from the table, ran to his horse and
quickly rode from sight.
At a fandango one evening it was reported that Joaquin would
be present. Quietly a party was organized to catch him. The would-

The Foreigner and the Slave 133
In his criminal acts he was protected by his many Mexi
can friends. They would send the officers on the wrong
trail, act for him as spies, hide him if necessary, and at all
times furnish him with the strongest and fastest horses in
the country. For this he paid them liberally.
The Governor offered a reward of $5,000 for the body of
the desperado, alive or dead. Scouting parties endeavored
to catch him, but all failed. Finally the legislature of 1853
authorized Harry Love, a famous fighter, to organize a
company and hunt down the bandit. Love and his party
of twenty were as unsuccessful as the private scouts, for
his. movements were reported daily to the chief.
Finally Love, by a strategic movement, succeeded. Dur
ing the daylight the party would hunt for the desperado,
riding in one direction only. That night they would back
track. This movement confused Joaquin's informers and
they were unable to follow Love. While riding in Fresno
county (July 25, 1853) the posse discovered far off a suspi
cious smoke on the open plain. Riding towards the campers
in a slow, unconcerned manner, they soon observed that it
was a Mexican camp. The men were sitting around a camp-
fire, smoking cigarettes, others playing cards upon a serape
spread upon the earth.
The Mexicans believed the approaching party were trav
elers. Too late they learned their mistake. Immediately
giving the alarm, they ran for their horses and fled. The
Love party followed in hot pursuit. Murietta, who had

be detectives entered the room and made inquiry of every one present
if they had seen Murietta. One dancer replied to the deputy sheriff,
"Yes, I have seen him, but I do not know where he is at present."
The next day the deputy was chagrined to learn that he had been
conversing with the much sought bandit.
Joaquin's most daring exploit was at Stockton. Upon a house
there was tacked a large poster:

• 98000 *
* for the body of *
* Joaquin Marietta *
• DEAD OR ALIVE *
» *
While a number of persons were standing reading the poster a
Mexican rode up. Dismounting, he wrote beneath, "I will give $10,000
myself — Joaquin Murietta." With a quick spring he again mounted
his horse and swiftly rode away.

134 Men and Events

been asleep, jumped on his horse bareback, with only a
reata to guide him. William Byrnes, who had known the
desperado for many years, discovered him and shouted,
"This is Joaquin, boys, we've got him at last." Swift
pursuit was now given to the chief. Shot after shot was
fired at him, and one shot striking the horse, he staggered
and fell. Joaquin quickly leaped from the wounded animal
and ran. Several shots were then fired at him. Two shots
took effect. He fell to the earth, exclaiming in his death
struggle, "No tira mas, yo soy muerto" (Don't shoot any
more, for I am dead). When his pursuers reached him
Joaquin was dead. A ball had passed through his heart.
The head was severed from the body. It was preserved in
alcohol to show that the bandit had been killed. Later by
an exhibitor it was shown about the state, "admission
twenty-five cents."
In the mining camps, as we have seen, the Mexicans
were shamefully abused. A similar treatment was given
the Negro. The Mexican was a free man, but the colored
man was regarded as a slave. He could not testify against
a white man in a court of law, and prior to 1855 he could
claim no rights as a free man (g).
Quite a large number of Southerners brought their slaves
to California. It was their object to work them in the mines
or lease them for labor. So numerous were the runaways,
however, and so frequently were the Negroes persuaded and
assisted in their flight by anti-slavery men, that the legisla
ture passed in 1852 what was known as the fugitive slave
law. It was introduced by Senator Henry A. Crabb, a

(g) In 1849 a slave owner brought his slave to California. Not
wishing to take the Negro back to his native state, Alabama, he con
cluded to sell him at auction. An advertisement was put in the pa
pers. The boy was purchased at $100 by Caleb T. Fay, a strong
abolitionist. He gave the boy his freedom.
A Mississippi slave owner brought several slaves from that state
promising to give them their freedom in two years. They all ran
away save one, Charley Bates, when they learned that they were
already free. The owner, finding that mining did not pay, started
Bast, taking Charley with him. On the Isthmus of Panama, Charley
was persuaded to leave his master. He returned to California and
Stockton with his new found friend. On the street one day he was
recognized by a party who had lent money to Charley's master. The
debtor got out an attachment for the former slave as chattel prop
erty, and in accordance with the state law the Negro was put up and
sold at auction. A number of anti-slavery men bought the boy for
$750. He was then given his freedom

The Foreigner and the Slave 135

Stockton lawyer. The law authorized any slave owner who
claimed a runaway slave to procure a warrant for his arrest.
Any civil officer was compelled to serve the warrant and
make the arrest. If in a court the slave owner proved the
Negro to be his property, he could take him by force if
necessary from the state. Any person assisting a slave to
escape was liable to a fine, imprisonment or civil damages
brought by the owner.
Notwithstanding the fact that the constitution declared
neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, unless for the
punishment of crime, shall ever be tolerated in this state,
this law was enforced. It remained in force until 1854. The
legislature of that year, the anti-slavery Democrats in the
majority, so amended the fugitive slave law as to make it
null and void after April 15, 1855 (h).
The Negro was not the only person subject to slavery,
for the same legislature, that of 1852, passed a law per
mitting the slavery of the Indian. It was lawful for any
white man to capture an Indian, man, woman or child, and
compel them to labor, the only conditions upon his part
being a bond of a small sum given to the justice of the peace

(h) Under the provisions of this law, in May, 1852, Justice of
the Peace Fry, of Sacramento, returned a Negro to a Mr. Lathrop.
He claimed that he brought the Negro to California in 1849. The
boy ran away late in 1851 and his owner, learning of his residence,
had him arrested. In June, 1852, three more runaway slaves were
arrested. This case was taken to the Supreme Court on the ground
that the law was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court at this time
comprised Hugh C. Murray, Chief Justice, and Solomon Hydenfelt and
Alexander Anderson, associates. They gave it as their decision July
30, 1852, that the law was constitutional and the slaves were given
to their owners immediately, without cost. They were returned to
the South and slavery.
Another case more cruel was that of the mulatto woman as
reported September 24, 1852, in the San Francisco Herald. "Yester
day Justice Shepherd issued a warrant for the arrest of a mulatto
woman as a fugitive slave, claimed by T. J. Smith, of Missouri. She
was brought by him to California in 1850 with other slaves and a few
months ago married a free Negro and ran away from Smith. Her
owner learned that she was secreted on the clipper ship Flying Cloud
and she was arrested, given into his possession and taken back to
slavery." The following advertisement appeared September 12, 1852, in the
San Joaquin Republican: "Escape of a fugitive slave — Mr. O. R.
Rozier called upon us yesterday and stated that his slave Stephen,
whom he had brought with him from Sonora and was taking back
to Alabama, made his escape from the steamer Urilda, while lying
at the wharf in San Francisco. Mr. Rozier is still in this city at the
St. Charles Hotel, where he will be pleased to receive any informa
tion of the fugitive.'

136 Men and Events

of the county where he resided that he would not abuse or
cruelly treat the slave. Under the provisions of the same
law, Indians could be arrested as vagrants and sold to the
highest bidder within twenty-four hours after their arrest,
and the buyer had the privilege of their labor for a period
not exceeding four months. An Indian arrested for a viola
tion of law could demand a jury trial, yet he could not
testify either in his own behalf or against a white man. If
found guilty of any crime, he could either be imprisoned
or whipped, the whipping not to exceed twenty-five lashes.
The Negro question occupied considerable of the time
of the first legislatures. When that body assembled in 1858,
early in the session petitions were sent up asking a repeal
of the Negro evidence law. This law prohibited a Negro
from testifying against a white man in a court of law. It
was a very unjust law. Yet the pro-slavery Democratic
press strongly denounced any repeal of the law, asserting
"that no man's life or property would be safe" if the law
were repealed. A bill to repeal was introduced in the
Assembly but it was quickly killed in the committee room.
Another bill equally outrageous was introduced in the
Assembly by A. G. Stakes, then judge of San Joaquin
county. This bill "prohibited free Negroes and other ob
noxious persons from immigrating to the state." It also
provided that any slave escaping to this state could be
reclaimed by his master without further trouble. The bill
passed the Assembly by a vote of 39 to 8. It also passed
the Senate by a large majority and was signed by Governor
Bigler. The last section of the law was passed to cover a special
case, that of the Negro Archy Lee, who had escaped from
his master while in this state. Charles Stovall in 1857
brought the boy from Mississippi, and locating at Sacra
mento taught school. In the meantime Archy Lee, learning
that he was free, ran away. Stovall succeeded in finding
and capturing him. The Negro's friends now interfered
and a writ of habeas corpus was sworn out before George
Penn Johnson, United States commissioner. The boy was
given his freedom. Lee was again arrested by his enemies
and a writ of habeas corpus issued, returnable before the
Supreme Court. That profound body, Peter H. Burnett,

The Foreigner and the Slave 137

Stephen J. Field and David S. Terry, gave the youth to his
master. According to the construction of the law, however,
they declared the Negro free. This decision deeply aroused
the anti-slavery whites.
Stovall took the boy to San Francisco, intending to take
him back to Mississippi. The case had aroused so much
excitement that Stovall traveled in a carriage by the way
of Stockton to the metropolis, where he planned to quietly
board the ocean liner as she passed through the Golden
Gate. The Negroes of San Francisco, however, got busy
and had issued habeas corpus No. 3. It was placed in the
hands of the officers and they remained up all night waiting
for Stovall. They expected to find him on the Stockton
steamer. Suspecting, however, that Stovall was playing a
strategic game, Deputy Sheriff Thompson kept watch of
•the outgoing steamer. As she passed Angel Island a boat
put out from the shore. In the boat was Stovall, the Negro
boy and four friends. The deputy intercepted the party and
served on Stovall two writs, one for Archy Lee, the other
for Stovall, the latter being charged with kidnaping. Stovall
and his friends drew their revolvers and Stovall exclaimed,
"The boy has been given to me by the Supreme Court and
I'll be damned if any state court shall take him away !"
The deputy, however, returned to San Francisco with
Stovall as his prisoner. Upon a technicality of the law he
was acquitted of kidnaping. The writ for Archy Lee came
up before Judge Freelon on March 17th. The colored men
had engaged Edward D. Baker to defend the boy. He was
given his freedom. Immediately he was again arrested
under the fugitive slave act of 1858. In the meantime
Stovall, facing a suit for damages, had left the state. Archy
was again brought before Commissioner Johnson, under
habeas corpus No. 4, and was discharged. The question of
slaverv in California was settled.

CHAPTER XI.
CRIMES AND CRIMINALS.
The lure of gold attracted to California thousands of
criminals of every degree, from the petty thief to the bank
forger. The convicts from Mexico already here were joined
by convicts from "Botany Bay" and New South Wales, the
"Sydney Ducks" from Australia, and the vilest of women
from New York, New Orleans, France and England. Some
of this class came to continue their criminal work in
a larger and less hazardous field, others to escape recogni
tion and punishment for previous crimes.
The time and the conditions were such that crimes could
easily be committed with but little danger of being detected.
There were no buildings or store houses for the safe keeping
of goods, no banks, vaults or safes for the deposit of money
or valuables. There were no prisons or jails, no well organ
ized police force, either local or state, no telegraph lines, no
quick communication between town or camp. No man had
any knowledge or acquaintance with his neighbor. Ever
restless, ever on the move, men would be in Sonora today
and gone tomorrow. No one paid the least attention to
their coming or going. It was very easy for the criminal
to escape punishment unless caught in the act.
The pioneers or first gold seekers were as a rule honest,
law abiding and industrious citizens. Governed by no law
save that of honor, they promptly paid all debts, fulfilled
all contracts to the letter, sacredly regarded the rights and
property of their neighbors and cheerfully submitted to
arbitration all disagreements of rights. In the towns mer
chandise was left unprotected upon the streets or in the
little canvas tents. Gold dust was deposited in old tin cans,
boxes, buckskin purses and trunks and left exposed in all
manner of places, without either locks or guard. In the
mines the same degree of trust and honesty was seen.
138

Crimes and Criminals 139

Miners left their shovels, picks and crow bars (then worth
sixteen dollars each) for days at a time where they had
been working, and returning they would find them un
molested. Thousands of dollars in gold dust the miner
would carelessly leave in his cabin or place under the cabin
floor, while thousands of dollars would be left night after
night in the sluices. All were honest, the better class from
principle and the rascals because of the fear of the swift
and severe punishment that awaited the guilty. Those were
the few months of peace and harmony and it was of these
few months that the Argonauts ever sung :
Oh cherished be forever,
The days of auld lang syne,
Those golden days, remembered days,
The days of '49.
The "reign of terror" inaugurated by the criminal class
compelled the law abiding citizens to take some measures
to protect their property and lives and they called upon
"Judge Lynch" to preside. He held office in some parts of
the state for many years. His decisions were not always
impartial or just, and his punishments were oft-times severe,
brutal and excessive; nevertheless they were effective and
over-awed to some extent the criminals. The miners'
criminal laws were simple and easily understood. They
were condensed in one sentence, "touch not that which
belongs not to you." Their trials of criminals were short.
From their decision there was no appeal and their sentences
were speedily executed. In the trial of every person accused
of crime a competent person was appointed judge. Twelve
good men were selected to act as jurymen. Attorneys, the
most able in the district, were appointed to defend and
prosecute the criminal. Witnesses, both for and against the
defendant, were compelled to appear and testify as to the
guilt or innocence of the accused person.
It is perhaps a strange incident that the first person
hanged in the mountain camps was a woman, she being the
first and only woman thus punished. This was in Downie-
ville, July 5, 1849. The town at that time contained a large
number of Mexican residents. Among this class was a
woman, Juanita by name, quite pretty and small in stature.
She was a woman of the camp, a monte dealer, and lived

140 Men and Events

in a shanty with a companion. Late on the evening of July
4, 1849, a number of men who had been celebrating passed
the woman's tent. One of the number, Joe Cannon, in his
drunken mood kicked in the frail door. The following
morning, calling at the tent, he insulted Juanita. Drawing
a bowie knife she drove it deep into his breast. The Scotch
man reeled backward to the street and died in a few minutes.
The woman ran to the saloon of one Croycraft for pro
tection. A large crowd soon gathered and the mob, rushing
to the saloon, soon found the murderess and dragged and
carried her to the plaza.
A "Judge Lynch" court was organized and twelve jurors
were quickly found willing to bring in a verdict of guilty,
regardless of any extenuating circumstances. Two young
lawyers, anxious to strengthen their friendship with the
miners, volunteered to prosecute the victim ; but not a
lawyer offered or dared to defend her. "One citizen
attempted to speak in defense of Juanita," says Calvin B.
McDonald, "but he was kicked off the platform, and the
crowd below opening a gangway, he was beaten off the
ground and driven across the river, fleeing up the hill and
leaving his hat and mule behind him." The evidence was
quickly presented and the jury brought in a verdict of
guilty. The judge sentenced her to be hanged by the neck
within four hours.
As soon as sentence was passed a number of men began
the construction of a rude gallows on the bridge across the
Yuba river. At the hour named the woman was taken to
the scaffold and placed upon the trap. Calmly and quietly
twisting and fixing her long black hair, she smoothed down
her dress and with her own hands placed the rope in the
proper position, the knot just under the right ear. Then
with a ringing laugh and a graceful salute of the hand she
exclaimed, "Adios, Senors." Immediately the signal was
given for the men to cut the ropes that bound the trap to
the bridge. One of the men bungled his work and the poor
victim, instead of falling some four feet straight downward,
rolled from the plank and was strangled to death.
Brutal and cowardly was the execution of the woman.
Right, however, was the mob which in September, 1850,
took the life of the sporting man of Placerville. "Irish

Crimes and Criminals 141

Dick," in a gambling game, stabbed and killed a companion.
The news of the murder ran like wild fire throughout the
mining camps and in a few hours over one thousand excited
men armed with everything deadly, from a rifle to a pick
handle, assembled in Placerville. In the meantime Dick
had been arrested and placed in prison. His preliminary
trial took place that afternoon, and while the prisoner was
sitting in the courtroom, some one dexterously threw a
lariat over his head. /He was quickly dragged from the
room, through the street to an oak, and the lariat being
thrown over the limb of a tree the criminal was strangled
to death. In the following year, February 25, 1851, a similar execu
tion took place in Sacramento. A man named Frederick
Rowe was gambling with a stranger in the Mansion House.
About 2 :00 o'clock in the afternoon a dispute arose regard
ing the deal and they began fighting. Charles Myers, a
blacksmith passing by, stopped and requested them to cease
quarreling. Rowe immediately exclaimed, "What the hell
have you to say?" and whipping out a revolver shot Myers
through the head, killing him instantly.
Rowe fled, running into a friend's house near by, but
was soon caught and taken to jail. A large crowd of people
gathered and crying for revenge they shouted, "Hang him,
hang him!" A committee of twelve of the best citizens
were selected to investigate the affair and after examining
witnesses, found that it was a cold blooded murder and so
reported. The mob remained at the jail awaiting the report. As
soon as they learned the verdict, they broke down the door
and seizing the young man, ran with him to Haymarket
square. It was now dark and the mob, increased to about
four thousand in number, built a large bonfire and erecting
a stand under an oak tree, placed the criminal upon it. A
clergyman was then called and after brief religious exercises
they fastened the rope around Rowe's neck. It was then
thrown over the limb of the tree and three men drew him
from the platform into the air. Several citizens pronounced
the man dead after a few minutes and the body was lowered.
The first legal execution did not take place until May 9,
1851. Then Charles Baker, a young man of twenty-two,

142 Men and Events

was hanged for stabbing George Turner in a drunken
quarrel at Stockton. On the day of the execution young
Baker — seated upon his own coffin, his hands tied behind
him and accompanied by a clergyman, Rev. James Wood —
was drawn upon a two-wheel dray to the place of execution,
followed by a large crowd. Baker made a short speech, the
black cap was then drawn over his head, the rope placed
around his neck and poor Baker's body was left to dangle
in the air.
In June, 1850, the citizens of San Francisco concluded
that it was about time to form an organization to check
if possible the rule of criminals. Robberies and murders
were almost of daily occurrence. Threats had been made
to burn the town. The press (a) asserted that the courts
were friendly to the criminal class, and perjured evidence
was always ready when required to acquit a prisoner. An
organization was quickly formed and nearly two hundred
of the best citizens were in the ranks. Each man took a
solemn oath to assist in the protection of life and property,
and they all declared that no criminal should escape punish
ment either "through the quibbles of the law, the insecurity
of prisons, the carelessness of the police or the laxity of
those who pretend to administer justice." The headquarters
were on Battery street and day and night a guard stood on
duty either to give assistance or sound the alarm (b).
After the committee was organized the question was
asked again and again, "Dare they break the civil law?" It
required men of nerve, brave and fearless, to carry out the
work they had attempted; but when on the 10th of June,
1851, the alarm bell summoned them to duty every man
hastily responded. They had been called out to try one

(a) The Stockton Times said: "It is idle to preach about the
sanctity of the law. The courts do not do their duty, and sentence
in their hands has been only a legal farce for the past year. We
fear that California will become a land of murderers and highway
men worse even than Mexico."
(b) The alarm was a quick stroke on a bell then hanging in a
tower on the Monumental engine house on the west side of the plaza
now known as Portsmouth square. Three strokes were given a
minute pause between each stroke. This was the first bell in the
city and cost its weight in gold, 180 pounds weight at one dollar a
pound.

SB wi ndj «" r>

£3Jsss_
ill P^BiS©#^¥ :: - -

SAN FRANCISCO AND STOCKTON, 1850
The upper picture shows the famous gambling houses, corner of Clav
and Kearney Streets, also the waters of the bay
washing Montgomery Street.
STOCKTON
The illustration is taken from an old daguerreotype.

Crimes and Criminals 143

John Jenkins for the stealing of a safe (c). The prisoner
was a "Sydney Duck" and a well known brutal and foul
mouthed desperado. The trial took place that evening in a
little dingy room, corner of Bush and Sansome streets. As
the evidence of his guilt was positive, he was sentenced to
be hanged before daylight. When asked if he had any
thing to say he replied, "No, I haven't anything to say, only
I want a cigar." This was given him, also some brandy
and water. A clergyman talked and prayed with the
doomed man until 2 :00 o'clock.
At that hour the bell upon the Monumental engine
house began to toll. Soon the march for the plaza was
begun. The committee, each with a drawn revolver,
marched in the form of a hollow square, with Jenkins
closely pinioned in the center. Again the police tried to
get possession of the prisoner, but Captain Ray was quietly
told to stand back. On arrival at the plaza a rope was
placed around Jenkins' neck and thrown over a projecting
beam of the old Mexican custom house, then standing on
the northwest corner. The signal was given, and for two
hours Jenkins' body hung dangling in the air. The mem
bers relieved each other as they tired holding the rope.
During this time there lay in jail a desperado named
Stuart. He was charged with an assault with a deadly
weapon upon a storekeeper named Jansen (d). In the trial
of Jenkins evidence was brought out showing that Stuart
had murdered Sheriff Moore of Auburn, and knocked
insensible a captain of a schooner while trying to rob him.
The authorities made no move towards trying Stuart. The
vigilantes resolved to try him for the assault. How they
got possession of Stuart is not known. However, on the
morning of July 11, 1851, the Monumental bell sent forth

(c) Jenkins late that afternoon, rowing under Long wharf, cut
a hole through the floor of the shipping office of George Virgin, and
stealing the safe took it into the boat and rowed away. Seen by
several men and pursued, he threw the safe into the bay. It was
recovered with grappling irons and Jenkins was arrested and hurried
to the committee rooms.
(d) Stuart and a companion named Winfred on the evening of
February 19, 1851, entered the store of Jansen, Bond & Co. They
informed C. J. Jansen that they wanted to look at some blankets.
As he turned they felled him to the floor senseless, with a slung shot,
then robbing the store of some $2,000, the men fled.

144 Men and Events
its short, quick alarm. The members hastened to head
quarters and the trial took place. Throughout the trial
Stuart appeared indifferent and unconcerned and sat chew
ing the tobacco given him by a member. The verdict was
guilty. He was sentenced to be hanged at 3 :00 o'clock. At
midnight the prisoner was given the services of a clergy
man, the Rev. Flavius S. Mines (e). A gallows had been
erected upon a lighter at the foot of Market street. At the
appointed hour the committee marched three abreast to the
wharf, each man carrying a loaded revolver in his right
hand. Stuart was strongly bound and upon reaching the
scaffold he made a short speech acknowledging that his
punishment was just. He died without a struggle.
In August the committee came in conflict with the
county officials. At that time they held as prisoners two
men named McKenzie and Whitaker, found guilty of
murder and arson. The time set for their execution was
August 20th. The officials, however, were wroth over the
acts of the vigilantes and Governor McDougal issued a writ
of habeas corpus commanding Sheriff Hays (John Calhoun
Hays) to produce the bodies of McKenzie and Whitaker
in court. The sheriff, accompanied by a policeman, hastened
to the committee rooms just before sunrise, and knocked
at the door. The guard, taken by surprise, unfastened it.
Hays pushed his way in. The prisoners were quickly
found. They were placed in a hack and hurriedly taken
to the county jail. Three days later the committee out
witted the brave "Jack" and again had the prisoners in the
committee rooms. In less than twenty minutes from the
time the men were taken from the Broadway street jail
they were hanging from the end of the beams. The com
mittee was firmly determined that no civil authorities should
this time checkmate justice.

(e) Stuart said that he had received a Christian education in
the English Episcopal church and would like to see a clergyman of
that denomination. One of the guards was a member of Trinity
church and he went to the home of Rev. F. S. Mines, then the onlv
Episcopal minister in San Francisco. The family being aroused
Mrs. Mines came to the door and opposed her husband's going out'
as he was quite ill. The rector heard the conversation and called out'
"I will go with you. Wait until I dress."

Crimes and Criminals 145

These four executions caused an exodus of all of the
worst criminals from the city. For a season the citizens
rejoiced. The press in their editorials asserted that the law
abiding people could now walk the streets after dark or
live in poorly defended houses without fear of the assassin
or the burglar. The committee remained in active opera
tion until September, then they disbanded. Five years
later they were again called into existence, and went
through precisely the same record on a much larger scale.

CHAPTER XII.
EXCITING EVENTS FROM 1850-56.
The value of land depends upon three conditions, the
richness of the soil, its productiveness, watered by natural
or artificial means, and the density of the population upon
and surrounding the land. Under Mexican government
California land had no commercial value. It was given
indiscriminately to Mexican citizens, regardless of bounds
or location. Then came the gold seekers. The land now
became very valuable, especially along the water lines and
in the more productive valleys.
Many grant owners extended the boundary of their lands
beyond the prescribed lines. Hundreds of persons claimed
land to which they had no title. And so great were the
complications and difficulties regarding property rights, the
government in 1853 sent a boundary commission to Cali
fornia to clear up the tangle. The chairman of the com
mission was Edwin Stanton, later Secretary of War under
Lincoln. The commission found that a lifetime could be
spent in clearing up titles. They rejected six hundred
claims, however, and confirmed many hundred titles.
Among them was the title of Charles M. Weber to the
Campo de los Franceses grant. When President Lincoln
in 1862 signed the patent he thought it "a pretty big farm."
The unsettled condition of lands led to the creation of
what was known as "squatters" or land jumpers. These
men, finding a title defective or imperfect, would "squat"
upon the land and claim or attempt to hold it, either by
law or force of arms. For more than twenty years these
land troubles existed and thousands of dollars were ex
pended and many persons killed in defending or settling
land. The first of these squatter disputes occurred in San
Francisco. Rincon hill, then a government reservation,
146

Exciting Events from 1850-56 147

was rented to Thomas Shilaber. When he went to take
possession February 18, 1850, he found it occupied by a
band of "Sydney Ducks." They refused either to pay rent
or leave the hill. Shilaber notified the Presidio comman
dante. Captain E. D. Keyes, with a squad of infantry,
marched up the hill, tore down the shanties of the squatters
and drove them to the streets.
The "Sydney Ducks" and an organization called "The
Hounds" caused a great deal of trouble and it was this
gang that set the six terrible San Francisco fires previous
to July, 1851. The last of these fires June 22, 1851, caused
a loss of $3,000,000. It burned over the whole of ten blocks
and a part of six other blocks. The fire swept away the
last of the old buildings of Mexican days, including the
old city hotel on the plaza. Thomas Maguire's theater, the
"Jenny Lind," was for the sixth time destroyed.
In the fire of May 4, 1851, the burned district extended
one-third of a mile west from the water front, then Mont
gomery street, and three-fourths of a mile north and south.
Over 2,000 buildings were destroyed, many of them of
brick from three to five stories in height. The streets were
planked and the fire ran along the streets, says the "Annals,"
almost as if it were a train of gunpowder. Every printing
office, save the Alta on Clay street hill, was destroyed.
The, following morning said A. C. Russell to me, "a solid
stream of type metal ran from the office to the bay." One
man by the use of vinegar saved his warehouse. He had
no water and he threw 80,000 gallons of vinegar on the
flames. One year previous Sacramento saw its first flood. Cap
tain Sutter had warned the settlers against locating upon
trie river bank. They laughed at his fears. The waters of
the Sacramento river began rising January 10, 1850, at the
rate of six inches an hour. The people persisted in remain
ing in their shanties and many were drowned. At midnight
the entire town was flooded and the next morning hundreds
of persons were upon the house tops awaiting deliverance.
That day many took their departure by steamer for San
Francisco. In the flood of March, 1852, Sacramento was the Venice
of California. Gondolas, in the shape of rafts, tubs and

148 Men and Events

boats, floated through the streets bearing some sedate
Senator or some gay senorita, the boatman singing "Over
the Ocean Wave," or "A Home on the Rolling Deep." The
water for two weeks covered the entire city and stood two
feet deep around the capitol building. The flood was disas
trous. In the mountains it swept away flumes, water
wheels, mining tools, provisions; in fact, everything
movable, and carried all that was floatable to the Pacific
ocean. At sea for miles ships passed the wreckage. The
whole valley of the San Joaquin was for a time under
water, so immense was its volume.
Sacramento lots at this time were very valuable and
Sutter had sold a large number. The claim was made by a
party that Sutter's title was imperfect. Taking possession
of several lots, one of the squatters remarked, "If those
speculators are ready to fight, so are we." The court
decided in favor of the Sutter purchasers and August 14,
1850, the sheriff, driving the squatters from the house they
occupied, placed the lawful owner in possession.
Soon after this a party of armed men, led by one
Mahoney, marched to the house and drove out the occu
pants. Mayor Bigelow, springing upon his horse, rode to
the several corners of the streets reading the riot act. He
called upon all good citizens to arm themselves and defend
the law. There were then several hundred law abiding
citizens ready for a fight. Assembling at the prison brig
(a) they placed themselves under the command of the
mayor and sheriff. Marching up the street they found the
rioters drawn up in line. The mayor called upon them to
lay down their arms and consider themselves as prisoners.
The only response was a brisk but wild fire from the rioters.
The citizens then opened fire and in a few minutes the
squatters were disarmed and taken prisoners. In the short
skirmish Mahoney and three of his men were killed, and
one wounded. Several citizens were wounded and two,
including the mayor, died (b). During this excitement

(a) The jail at that time was on board a vessel that lay near
the river bank.
(b) The news of the riot reached San Francisco that evening by
steamer. Mayor John W. Geary called upon the citizens to assist

Exciting Events from 1850-56 149

Sacramento's first military company was formed. Complet
ing their organization, they were known as the Sacramento
Guard. The squatting on a few lots at Sacramento was insignifi
cant in comparison with the land grabbing scheme of Wil
liam Walker, the "grey-eyed man of destiny." He wanted
an entire kingdom. William Walker (c) imagined that he
was destined to establish the dominion of the United States
over Mexico and Central America.
To obtain funds for this scheme, bonds were issued and
sold, payable by the "New Republic of Sonora and Lower
California." Headquarters were established in San Fran
cisco. Hundreds of people enlisted under the banner of
the new republic. As the Arrow was about ready to sail
with a large company on board, she was seized (August,
1852) by General Hitchcock for a violation of the treaty
law. He was immediately recalled by President Pierce (d).
The filibusters now openly and actively carried on their
work. The Caroline, a larger sailing vessel, was purchased
and all of the arms and equipment were transferred to the
new vessel. Walker, in command of forty-six men, sailed
(October 16, 1853) for La Paz. Proclaiming Lower Cali
fornia an independent republic, he marched inland to
Muerta. From that point he sent to the California press
glowing accounts of his victories. The effect was as he

Sacramento "at the earliest possible moment." The following day
at noon two military companies in command of Captain Geary left
San Francisco for the capital. All was quiet on their arrival at
midnight. Royally they were feasted by Sacramento's citizens. They
returned home the following day.
(c) Born in Tennessee in 1824 of Scottish parentage, Walker
graduated from one of the best southern universities. He then spent
several years in study in the best medical schools and hospitals of
Europe. Returning, he located in New Orleans and there practiced
medicine. He then began the study of law. Soon tiring of this pro
fession, he became editor of the New Orleans Crescent. In 1849 he
came to San Francisco. As editor of the San Francisco Herald he
poured hot shot into the criminals and corrupt judges. He then
became a filibuster. Walker was a man of light complexion, light
blue eyes, freckled features and red hair. He had a fascinating eye,
great power to command, and although small in stature, weighing
less than one hundred pounds, he had no fear of man or beast.
(d) His successor, John W. Wool, arrived in California February
15, 1854. He was instructed not to interfere with any illegal expedi
tions. The military headquarters -were removed from Alcatraz island
to Benicia. He there could see no violation of international law.

150 Men and Events

intended — hundreds of men now hastened south to fight for
the new republic (e). With an increased army his troubles
were many. Food was scarce ; the Mexicans harassed them
in every possible manner. Many of his followers deserted,
and finally, with a handful of men, Walker retired from the
field. This ended the filibustering farce until 1860.
At that time Nicaragua was engaged in a civil war. The
fight was between the Spaniards of Granada and the Indians
of Leon. Walker, with sixty men, sailed from San Fran
cisco to assist the Leonese. He was placed in command
of the "army" and October 15, 1860, captured Granada. The
Spanish government was overthrown. Cornelius Vanderbilt
was then running a steamer line across the territory and
Walker demanded certain concessions. Vanderbilt refused
to grant them. Walker then seized the steamers running
on Lake Nicaragua. Vanderbilt now took part in the fight.
He succeeded in uniting the two factions. They seized the
steamers, cut off Walker's supplies and prevented any
recruits reaching him.
For nearly two years skirmishing took place upon the
Isthmus. They fought regardless of the passengers that
were traveling back and forth from New York to San Fran
cisco ; at different times several passengers were killed and
others wounded from stray bullets. Walker, nearly starved
out, was driven to the town of Rivas. There he surrendered
to Lieutenant Charles Davis, in command of the St. Mary,
then lying in that port.
No effort was made to punish Walker. Keen for another
season of warfare in Nicaragua, he sent Colonel E. J. C.
McKewen, Attorney-General in 1850, to the south. Mc-
Kewen recruited an army of nearly eight hundred men and
began making arrangements for their transportation to
Central America. The news received ended the movement.
Walker, sailing to the scene of his former triumphs, landed
at Honduras. He was immediately arrested and tried for

(e) The news of the revolutionist victories rapidly spread over
the state, and the stages and steamers for San Francisco were
crowded with adventurers eager to join Walker's army Upon their
departure from the town, they would march to the steamer with
banners flying, fife and drum sounding, cheering and yelling for the
new republic.

JAMES KING OF WILLIAM
Founder of the San Fran
cisco Bulletin.

WILLIAM T. COLEMAN
Leader of the vigilance
organization, 1851-1S56.

Exciting Events from 1850-56 151

his crimes. Found guilty (September 3, I860),. he was shot.
Thus ended the history of California's most erratic and
impetuous pioneer.
In times of great danger, fear or distress, the people are
justified in taking extraordinary measures of relief. Such
were the days of 1854-56. Crime throughout the state was
on the increase, and in three years over 538 persons had
been murdered. The San Francisco Herald, commenting on
this fact, asserted that "in striking a balance from the homi
cide calendar of 1854, we have come to the conclusion that
one person in every six hundred will be killed in 1855."
This condition of affairs was the result of corrupt courts
and judges. The grand jury reporting this fact (February,
1854) said, "There are those among us who boldly assert
that no man, however criminal, who has money or friends
who will advance it will ever be hanged in this county."
The San Francisco Chronicle declared "crime, drunkenness
and degradation reign in San Francisco. The theaters at
night are the halls of unblushing vice. The Cyprian walks
the streets in open day. The rowdies engage in their
drunken orgies and defy the law." Under the conditions
the law abiding citizens must either leave the city or reform
it. The reform could be accomplished in only one way;
organize and enforce the law.
The newspaper editors everywhere fearlessly denounced
the corrupt officials and the criminals. Nbne, however, was
more fierce in attack than James King of William (f), editor
and proprietor of the San Francisco Bulletin.
The Bulletin of May 14, 1856, contained an article declar
ing that James Casey, editor and proprietor of the Sunday
Times, a disreputable sheet, "had been an inmate of Sing
Sing prison, New York, and had stuffed himself through
the ballot box when elected supervisor" (g). Soon after

(f) James King of William was born in Virginia in 1822. He
received a good education and came to California in 1848. After the
failure of the bank of Haskell & Co. through the rascality of one of
the partners. King resolved to publish a newspaper and show up the
criminal acts of the "higher ups." The result was the San Francisco
Bulletin. i
(g) Casey was a convict from New York, having been in Sing
Sing prison. Immigrating to San Francisco, he added a middle letter
to his name, making it James P., and resumed his former occupation,

152 Men and Events

the paper appeared upon the street, Casey entered the Bul
letin editorial room. Approaching King, he asked, "What
do you mean by that article which says I was formerly an
inmate of Sing Sing prison?"
"Is not that true?" inquired King.
Casey replied, "That is not the question; I don't want
my past life raised up. On that I am sensitive."
"Are you done ? There is the door," said King, pointing
in that direction. "Go ; never show your face here again !"
An hour later King started for his home, where a wife
and six children awaited him. Casey had already planned
to kill King. Meeting him on the corner of Montgomery
and Washington streets, Casey exclaimed, "James King of
William, are you armed? Draw and defend yourself."
King slowly folded his arms, looked Casey in the eyes
and replied:
"Are you in earnest?"
"Yes," answered Casey; "draw and defend yourself."
Casey then fired. The shot penetrated King's breast.
Staggering into the Pacific express office, he fell to the floor.
Casey then entered a hack in waiting, in which sat David
Scannell, the sheriff of the county, and was driven to the
Broadway jail for refuge from the angry crowd. They had
followed after the hack shouting, "Hang him, kill him!"
On arrival threats were made to break into the jail, take
Casey and hang "him. Before they could put their threat
into action, the building was strongly guarded by the police
and city militia.
That night the vigilance committee of 1851 was reorgan
ized, with William T. Coleman as chairman of the executive
committee, Charles Doane as marshal and Isaac Bluxome
as secretary. In a short time Doane was in command of over forty
companies, one hundred men to each company. They were
well armed and had plenty of ammunition. Nearly every

that of politician. He was appointed twelfth ward ballot box in
spector. In 1855 Casey, with accomplices, elected himself supervisor
of the twelfth, ward by means of a ballot box with false sides and
bottom. Until elected it was not known that he was a candidate.
The vigilance committee in 1856 found this box. In it were 800 votes
for James P. Casey for supervisor.

Exciting Events from 1850-56 153
company of the city militia disbanded. They joined the
vigilantes, carrying their muskets with them. Taking pos
session of the building on Sacramento street, the hall of
which had been formerly used as the "Know Nothing"
headquarters, they turned it into an arsenal and day and
night a company of vigilantes was on hand.
Three days after the shooting (Sunday, May 18th)
King's wound was reported fatal. The vigilantes then
resolved to take possession of the two prisoners, Cora and
Casey. Early in the forenoon two brass cannon had been
placed in front of the jail. About noon the vigilantes, two
thousand in number, marched to the spot. A few minutes
later Doane and Coleman demanded of Sheriff Scannell the
two prisoners. He refused to comply with the demand.
"Mr. Scannell, we give you five minutes and no more,"
said Mr. Coleman, holding his open watch in his hand; "if
at the end of that time the two men are not surrendered
we shall take them by force; the doors of the jail will be
blown open and you will be taken, Mr. Scannell, as well
as Casey and Cora."
The sheriff hesitated until the fourth minute. He then
unlocked the jail door. The committee then took charge
of the prisoners and in closed carriages they were taken
to the vigilante rooms (h).
King lingered until May 20th and died that day soon
after 1 :00 o'clock. The excitement was intense. The
courts adjourned. The merchants closed their places of
business and draped their buildings in mourning. The bells
of the city began tolling and the flags were lowered at half-
mast. In all parts of the state the same signs of sorrow

(h) Soon after the vigilantes arrested Cora and Casey, it was
reported that the law and order party intended to release their
friends. The fort was built of a poor quality of brick and could
easily be destroyed. The vigilance committee had no defense except
their guard,' and that night they began strengthening the fort. Two
hundred of their strongest men were summoned. Going to a sand
hill near by, they filled "gunny bags" with sand and these were taken
to the building in carts and drays. A shot proof barrier five feet in
height, thirty feet in depth, and two hundred feet in length, was
erected. Portholes -were left in the -walls, cannon obtained from
ships in the harbor, and the artillery was so planted as to command
every part of the street. This fort was built in a night and it was
both bullet and cannon ball proof.

154 Men and Events

were seen. King's family was left destitute. Before the
funeral, however, $30,000 was raised by subscription and
given to them.
The funeral took place on the 22nd. The procession
comprised the seven Masonic lodges, the California pio
neers, the fire department (save Crescent City No. 10, Casey
being its foreman) , the Sacramento Guard from the capital,
and hundreds of citizens. They marched to Lone Mountain
cemetery, the bands of music silent. As the procession
wound its way up the hill, some looking back to the vigi
lante rooms saw a thrilling sight — two men hanging by
their necks.
When King's death was reported Cora was tried for
the murder of Richardson (i) . That night Casey was tried ;
he also was found guilty. The sentence was death by
hanging. The time fixed was the hour of King's funeral.
By the request of the two criminals, Archbishop Alemany
and Father Hugh Gallagher attended them. Casey was
absolved. Cora was refused absolution until after his mar
riage to Belle Cora. They were married by Father Accoti,
a Jesuit priest, shortly before the execution.
As the hour of death drew near the two men were
pinioned, then placed upon two platforms built out from
the second story windows. The ropes around their necks
were fastened to the projecting beams above their heads.
The beams had been used in early days for the hoisting of
freight. Suddenly the sound of tolling bells was heard.
The funeral cortege was moving. A small piece of white
paper fluttering in the air fell to the earth. "Present arms !"
The companies salute. The two men were pushed from
the platform and died without a struggle.
The vigilantes, continuing their good work, banished
over thirty gamblers and politicians, some judges and a few

(i) Charles Cora, a well known gambler and sport, came from
New Orleans to California in 1849 locating in Sacramento. His bold
gambling bets astonished the natives, he often winning or losing
$20,000 on the turn of a single card. Later he removed to San Fran
cisco and (November 4, 1855) in a drunken fight shot and killed
William Richardson, the United States marshal. His trial took place
in January, 1856. His consort, Belle Cora, employed eminent counsel
to defend him, including the gifted E. D. Baker. The result was a
disagreement of the jury. She expended over $30,000, her entire
fortune, including her jewels, in his defense.

VIGILANCE COMMITTEE HEADQUARTERS
Notice the bags of sand in front of the building.
The two crosses mark the windows from
which Cora and Casey were hung.
STATE CAPITOL,, 1854-1860.

Exciting Events from 1850-56 155
lawyers. The sudden departure of over eight hundred
criminals was also noted. Among the banished was Charley
Duane, chief engineer of the fire department; Wooly
Kearny, a ballot box stuffer ; and Billy Mulligan, the right
hand man of Dave Scannell. Ned McGowan, a notorious
rascal, could not be found, and Yankee Sullivan saved him
self from banishment by committing suicide.
Early in June the vigilantes arrested a distinguished
person, David S. Terry, justice of the Supreme Court. His
arrest was occasioned by a singular event, the capture of a
schooner containing one hundred and fifty muskets for the
law and order party. The two men on board, Jack McNabb
and Reuben Maloney, were arrested but later released.
They threatened to shoot the men who arrested them
and boastd that the vigilantes were afraid to keep them
prisoners. Police Officer Hopkins was sent out to arrest them.
He found Maloney alone in the office of United States Naval
Agent Dr. Richard P. Ashe, but facing the revolvers of
Ashe, David Terry and George Bowie, he quickly retreated
for assistance. In the meantime Ashe, Bowie, Terry, Rowe
and Maloney, each armed with a double barreled shotgun,
left the office and hurried toward the armory of the San
Francisco Blues, corner Dupont and Jackson streets. Hop
kins, returning, met the party on Jackson street near Dupont
and attempted to arrest Maloney. In the struggle someone
fired a shot. Terry, it is said, thinking that Hopkins had
fired at him, drew a large bowie knife and drove it into
Hopkins' neck. The party then ran upstairs into the armory
and slammed shut the iron door.
A little later the organization was summoned by quick
taps upon the bell. Draymen in the middle of the street
stopped their teams and rode to the vigilance committee
rooms, storekeepers and merchants closed their places of
business and hurried on, blacksmiths left their anvils, car
penters their benches, and in a short time company after
company was formed and ordered to the Blues Armory.
Coleman, on arrival, knocked loudly upon the iron door.
In response Richard Ashe appeared at the second story
window. Marshal Doane then demanded the immediate

156 Men and Events

surrender of the armory. Ashe replied, "I will open the
door on condition that our safety be guaranteed." "There
is no condition about it," replied Doane; "open the doors
or I will blow up the building." Judge Terry declared to
his friends, "It is I they want; I will surrender to them."
After parleying for some length of time the doors were
opened and Terry and Maloney were arrested and taken as
prisoners to the vigilantes' rooms.
Terry was held six weeks a prisoner in "Fort Gunny
Bags," awaiting Hopkins' recovery or death. After his
recovery Terry was tried for three different crimes. The
two committees could not agree upon a verdict (j). Terry,
therefore, being a Supreme Judge, was discharged. That
evening he took passage on the steamer Helen Hensley for
Sacramento. In the capital city he was honored by a torchlight
procession and speeches of congratulation by Volney E.
Howard, Edward D. Baker and Mayor Gregory. The ladies
also showed their appreciation by presenting him with a
handsome silver service set (k) . From Sacramento he went
to his home at Stockton. A delegation of citizens on horse
back and in carriages met him upon the road and escorted
him into the city. Flags floated from a few buildings, the
cannon boomed, speeches were made, and that night three
of the principal hotels were illuminated.

(j) The executive committee found Terry guilty of resisting
an officer and an assault on Evans, another member. The board of
delegates believed him guilty of the higher assault to kill. They
demanded that Terry be hanged. Terry at this time was a Mason
and Rhodes, a Mason, newspaper man, vigilante and intimate friend
of Terry, saved his life. So declared Geo. E. Barnes in the Bulletin
June 2, 1896.
(k) The inscription on the set was as follows: "Honorable
David S. Terry, from the ladies of San Francisco, who admire his
courage, honor his patriotism, and take the highest pride in his
heroic resistance to tyranny."

CHAPTER XIII.
POLITICAL EVENTS— 1854-60.
In California's politcal history, four times only have the
two great parties, Democratic and Republican, met their
Waterloo, defeated by a third party. Five times, however,
from the same cause, the Democrats have been dethroned.
The first of these defeats took place in 1855, the Ameri
can, or "Know Nothing" party, sweeping the state. The
old Whig party had passed from history and the new party
was composed of Whigs and Democrats, many of them
deserting the old party to ride into office and power in the
new hybrid. The Americans held all of their meetings in
secret. They had secret passwords, signs and grips, and
when inquiry was made regarding the origin or purposes
of the party, they knew nothing, hence their nickname,
"Know Nothings."
Hailing each other as brothers, they assembled in con
vention August 7, 1855, in the Methodist Episcopal church
at Sacramento. J. A. Benton was then pastor. They
adopted a platform at that time strange and unusual. They
declared for the Union and the constitution; they favored
universal religious toleration, the purity of the ballot box,
registration laws, and Americans only in office; they
opposed the union of church and state and fraud and cor
ruption in high places.
One of the candidates for Governor was W. W. Stow,
later one of the high employes of the Central Pacific rail
road. The convention's choice for Governor was J. Neeley
Johnson, he receiving the nomination on the fourth ballot.
The nominee was born in Indiana in August, 1825, and
before he was twenty-one years of age he was admitted to
the bar. In 1849 he crossed the plains to California and
arrived at Sacramento "dead broke," as was the expression.
157

158 Men and Events
He received his first money by hauling flour from Sacra
mento to Stockton for George Belt. For his team and four
mules he received $16 a day. He opened a law office in a
tent. Sacramento in her first city election, April 1, 1850,
elected him city attorney.
The election September 5th came as a complete surprise
to the Democrats. They believed themselves invincible.
They would have been victors had their adherents stood
by the party. Many of the Southerners opposed Bigler
because of his Kansas-Nebraska sentiments. The mountain
camps (a) also polled a heavy vote for Johnson, as they
had no love for the foreigner. Bigler took his defeat good
naturedly, became Minister to Chile under President Bu
chanan, returned to California in 1861, established the State
Capital Reporter and was its editor at the time of his death,
November 29, 1871. The state legislature appropriated
$1,000 for a monument over his grave. The money was
expended under the direction of Governor Newton Booth.
The Democrats realized the fact that they had to fight
no common foe, for the several local elections the previous
year indicated to some degree the "Know Nothings' "
strength (b). They assembled at Sacramento June 27,
1855, and about their first business transaction was to ex
clude from nomination any candidate who was a "Know
Nothing" or had any sympathy with that party. In their
platform they declared that the powers of the government
were limited, and Congress had no right to interfere with
state institutions. They asserted that the efforts of the
abolitionists to interfere with slavery would lead to danger
ous consequences, and they would oppose all Congressional
effort to renew the slavery question. They believed that

(a) As an illustration of the popularity of the American party
principles in the mountain counties, we give the vote of one county,
El Dorado: In 1851-53 that county gave Bigler a majority of 42,151,
but in 1855 they gave Johnson a majority of 4,937; the county vote
of that year — Johnson 51,157, Bigler 46,220. Note the exceedingly
large number of voters in a single mountain county.
(b) The new party had figured somewhat in 1854 and in 1855
in Sacramento the entire city "Know Nothing" ticket was elected.
In Marysville, March 5, they elected their entire ticket, although
their nominations were not publicly known until the morning of the
local election. Every town and camp in the state had its American
party organization.

Political Events — 1854-60 159

sober men, and sober men only, should be presented for the
suffrage of moral and intellectual freemen, and they declared
that "we will respect the moral sentiment of the state in the
nominations we are about to make."
It will be observed that the Democratic party was on its
knees, so to speak, pleading for the support of moral men.
Heretofore they had disregarded that class of men, espe
cially the "temperance cranks," and had oft-times elected to
•office men unfit for their positions either in morals or intelli
gence. The result of this awakening we have already noted ;
for the legislature of that year, timing itself to the moral
sentiment expressed in the resolution, passed the first
morality laws, those prohibiting gambling, prostitution and
Sabbath-breaking. The shameful proceedings of the Democratic convention
of 1854 clearly showed the necessity for a more dignified
body of political leaders; for of all conventions that have
come down in history, it was the worst. Broderick was the
cause of the fight, and he was making it very warm for the
Southern, or secession, wing of the Democratic party.
Neither day nor night did he cease working for the
ambition of his life, a seat in the United States Senate.
Failing to pass the election bill, he now planned to elect
delegates favorable to him for Senator.
The convention assembled July 18, 1854, in the First
Baptist church, Sacramento. There were two factions
claiming seats as delegates, as the party had been split
asunder two years previous over the recognition of Stephen
A. Douglas for President. The Broderick faction opposed
Douglas because he was then catering to the slave owners.
Broderick was chairman of the convention. He planned to
have his delegates seated in the front rows of the church
before the arrival of his opponent. His scheme failed, for
about thirty of his opponents, breaking in the church door,
marched in. At the same time they met the Broderickites
entering the back door.
When the convention was called to order T. L. Vermule,
a Stockton lawyer, was, according to Broderick's program,
nominated for temporary chairman. Immediately the other
side nominated ex-Governor John McDougal for chairman.
Broderick gave no attention to McDougal's nomination.

160 Men and Events

He called the vote and declared Vermule elected. Then
both factions attempted to seat their chairman. They
crowded around the platform, many of them with drawn
revolvers, violently gesticulating and shouting. Finally
one of the officers was seized. At that moment Reuben
Maloney, in his excitement, dropped his pistol and it ex
ploded. Then there was a rush to get out of the over
crowded building as soon as possible, and doors and win
dows were broken.
As soon as order had been restored efforts were made to
unite the two factions. All efforts failed. Throughout the
day and until 9:00 o'clock at night the double-headed con
vention sat, and, said the Historian Winfield Davis, "each
side tried to sit the other out." The trustees of the church
finally persuaded the delegates to adjourn. They met the
next day, the Broderick men in Carpenter hall and the
Southern men in Music hall. Both factions nominated Con
gressman. The Music hall delegates nominated for Con
gressman, Jas. W. Denver, later the founder of Denver, and
Philip T. Herbert, who dishonored the state by killing a
Negro in Washington. In the state election these two men
were elected.
Broderick knew no such word as defeat. Foiled in his
election bill, outnumbered in his convention scheme, his
next move was to prevent or cause to be postponed the
election of the United States Senator until 1856. He then
believed that in the American party he could win his fight.
In the legislature of 1855 in joint session the Whigs num
bered 43 and the Democrats 68. The Democrats could not
elect their nominee unless they voted solidly for one man.
The Whigs would vote solidly for their nominee, hence it
was Broderick's move to split the Democratic vote. The
Democrats met in caucus and named William M. Gwin as
their nominee for Senator. This offended the eleven legis
lators who favored John W. McCorckle. They left the
room. In joint session January 17, 1855, the legislature
began voting for United States Senator. Fifty-six ballots
were necessary for a choice. On the first ballot the vote
stood: William M. Gwin, 42; Colonel Edwards, the Whig
nominee, 36; J. W. McCorckle, 13; D. C. Broderick, 12.
Voting every day until January 26th without making any

Political Events — 1854-60 161

choice, the Democratic press now began to berate Brod
erick. They asserted that he was wasting the people's
money, and that he, the man of one idea, was leading and
controlling the faction. After balloting fifty times without
making any choice, February 26th they adjourned sine die.
Broderick was on the march to victory. He must next unite
the party.
John Bigler sixty years ago sounded the alarm against
monopolies and exorbitant corporation rates. Had the
people then honestly and intelligently acted upon his advice,
it would have been unnecessary for Hiram Johnson to go
automobiling through the state crying, "We'll kick the
Southern Pacific out of politics." Bigler in a special mes
sage to the legislature April 8, 1854, declared that the legis
lature under the constitution had the right to carefully
guard the manifold public interests, and calling attention
to the defects of the corporation law, he recommended "that
they be so restricted * * * as to protect the people
against unreasonable and exorbitant charges."
The people at this time were crying out against the
monopoly of the newly organized corporation, the Cali
fornia Steam Navigation Company. The merchants of
Marysville, Sacramento and Stockton held indignation
meetings and bitterly denounced the company. They de
clared that the progress of those towns had been retarded
by the company's exorbitant charges. To remedy the
imposition, opposition boats were placed upon the San
Joaquin and Sacramento rivers. The merchants pledged
themselves to patronize none but the opposition boats (c).
No legislature took action until 1856. The agitation
against the steamboat company had increased because of
their methods of destroying any competition (d), and the
legislators believed that if they passed a freight and fare

(c) The opposition line reduced the fare to %Z for cabin passage
and $1 on deck. The old line had been charging $5 cabin and $2
deck, but when they reduced their passenger fare to $2 cabin and 50
cents deck the opposition was compelled to withdraw for want of
patronage. (d) The company's method was to purchase, buy off, lease or
run off by lower rates any opposition. At this time the California
Steam Navigation Company had over 18 large passenger and freight
steamers lying idle on the Tolo side of the Sacramento river.

162 Men and Events

bill they could lower freights and fares. A bill was there
fore introduced into the assembly prohibiting the California
Steam Navigation Company from charging more than three
cents a mile for passengers nor more than one and one-half
cents a hundred for freight. When the bill came up for
action the newspapers openly published the fact that "Mr.
Briber is well supplied with rocks and he knows where to
fly them." The bill was easily voted out of existence and
the same paper informed the public how easily it was
accomplished: "Every approachable man was approached
according to his temper and price. If brandy cocktails
would take him, cocktails he had to his heart's content; if
oyster suppers, cigars and champagne, they took him off in
his mood ; if it took gold to buy him, agents were ready to
pay it down." History has been repeating itself for the past
fifty years in the bribing of legislators to vote for or against
the passage of bills.
In the mines the people also had their troubles over
the monopoly question. The spirit of greed is the one great
besetting sin of commerce and trade. In 1854 the so-called
Tuolumne Water Company (e) began charging the miners
from six dollars to ten dollars a day for the use of water
in mining. They complained bitterly of the extortion. An
opposition company was organized. In September, 1855,
they began their work on canals and ditches. The miners
rejoiced, and they held a celebration over the event. They
had music, a procession and speeches. One orator, James
Coffreth, during his spread-eagle speech prophesied that
there would be no more water monopoly. One year later
the Tuolumne Water Company bought out the opposition.
The high rates were again enforced. The vigorous protest
of the miners was unheeded. Then they declared war.
The citizens were assembled in Columbia, March 13,
1855, from the surrounding gulches and ravines, by the
firing of cannon and the ringing of bells ; to the number of

(e) To the miner water was of the greatest importance, for he
must have it for daily use and for the washing out of gold. Some
times it was scarce, often far distant, and so it became necessary to
build large reservoirs and many miles of canals around steep moun
tain sides and by pipes across deep chasms. So heavy was the ex
pense it caused the formation of small companies, they in time bein=-
absorbed and bought out by the Tuolumne Water Company.

Political Events — 1854-60 163

3,000 they came. Organizing in mass meeting, they de
clared that their claims were paying poorly and so high
were the water rates they could not pay their honest debts,
the merchants, boarding house keepers and others. "Many
of us are nearly reduced to a starvation point and have
families at home in an equally reduced condition." They
declared that they would not pay more than four dollars a
day for water nor allow others to do so if they could prevent
them by any lawful means. "Resolved, That we place a
notice on our claims in large letters, '$4.00 for Water and
No More' as a tombstone denoting that our claim is buried
for a season." This they did three days later. With music,
flags and banners flying, the miners of Columbia visited
Shaw's Flat, Yankee Hill and other mining camps, firing
their six-pound cannon as they approached the places, and
urged them to resist the "monster water monopoly." They
were everywhere received with approving cheers. So unani
mous was the determined resistance to paying more than
$4.00 a day for water the company yielded to their demands.
The sweep of the "Know Nothing" party so astonished
both Broderick and Gwin that these two champions, who
had been continuously fighting each other, concluded to
form a partnership. Gwin's term in Congress expired on
March 4, 1855, and he desired a re-election. John B. Wel-
ler's term as Senator expired in 1857 and Broderick was
seeking his position. Both men knew they had no look-in
with the new party. Hence they became partners to prevent
if possible any election of United States Senators that year.
In joint session the Americans were largely in the majority.
There was no law, however, compelling the two bodies to
assemble in joint session. Neither body could independ
ently elect a Senator. The Senate was Broderick and
Gwin's field of operation. After a ten days' skirmish over
the Senatorial question, Ben S. Lippincott, a Broderick
adherent, offered a resolution which was carried, 19 to 14,
that the election of United States Senator be postponed
until January 18, 1857.
The Democracy was jubilant. The Assembly, however,
composed principally of "Know Nothings," raved and
swore. They refused to abide by the Senate action, and
March 6th came near reversing the Senate vote. On that

164 Men and Events

day the most of the Democratic legislators were attending
a state convention a few blocks distant from the capitol.
Their absence gave the "Know Nothings" a Senate ma
jority. The question of electing a Senator was introduced
arid Senator Oxley proposed a concurrent resolution that
they meet with the Assembly March 12th to elect a United
States Senator. Immediately the few Democratic Senators
present began to talk against time. In spite of their efforts
the resolution passed, 48 to 21. As soon as the vote was
announced Judge Hahn of Nevada county ran with all
speed to the state convention and exclaimed, "The Sena
torial question is sprung at the capitol!" A roll was then
being called upon a vote, but awaiting not the result, the
convention hastily adjourned and with a fierce yell, followed
by a crowd, the delegates ran to the capitol. The Senatorial
vote was reconsidered and again Broderick and Gwin were
happy. Broderick now began to curry favor with the
friends of Gwin and make future plans for his election. The
vigilance committee interfered with his arrangements for
several months, causing him to leave the state, but he
returned in time to seat several of his friends in the legis
lature of 1857.
The triumph of Broderick and Gwin was a bitter dis
appointment to Henry A. Crabb, then leader of the Whig
party. He had long aspired to the office of United States
Senator, but his opportunity never came, until the "Know
Nothings" carried the election. He was a Mississippian of
bright intellect, and so honorable in character that even his
opponents acknowledged it. "Gentle as a woman," said
James O'Meara, "yet lacking in her qualities of persistency
to win or die, Crabb retired from the Senate a heart
broken man."
The fates gave him a tragic death. Crabb in 1853, then
but twenty-six years of age, married a Stockton senorita
named Filomela Ainsa. Her father, a Spaniard, belonged
to one of the wealthy and influential families of Mexico, and
claimed a close relationship to Captain Ainsa, the leader of
the first land expedition to San Francisco.
The revolution in Mexico in 1857 involved Ignacio
Pesquerira and Governor Gandara. The former, raising an
army, drove the Governor from power. Ainsa at this time

Political Events — 1854-60 165

was an officer in the revolutionary army, and he wrote to
•his son-in-law, Crabb, to raise a filibustering army and join
the revolutionists. Yielding to the pleadings of his beau
tiful wife, Crabb raised an army of 200 man. They sailed
for Mexico, expecting to meet him at Liberdad. Crabb,
leading a second company of 100 men, marched overland
by the way of Los Angeles and Fort Yuma.
In the meantime, the Mexicans had settled their quarrel.
Crabb, not knowing of their agreement, pushed on to
Cavorca. He was there attacked by the Mexicans, but
repulsed the enemy with a loss of twelve men. He then
entered the town and took possession of several dwellings
opposite the church. He expected that the company of 200
filibusters would there meet him. The government had
stopped the sailing of the vessel. Crabb and his men were
trapped. For eight days he and his men, fighting against an
army of 700 Mexicans, made one of the most heroic battles
of history. During this struggle twenty-five men were
killed. The Mexicans then set fire to the buildings which
had been their fort. Compelled to surrender, the sixty-four
living then marched out bearing a white flag. They ex
pected fair treatment as prisoners of war. Now was shown
the cruelty of a Mexican's revenge. Their arms were
pinioned behind them, and taken to a corral, they were
there confined without either food or water until the next
morning. Then in squads of five they were taken out and
shot. Crabb was reserved for a more cruel death. He was
permitted to write to his wife ; then, led to a post, his hands
were tied above his head, and in this position his body was
filled wTith a score of bullets. His head, cut from his body,
was then placed upon a table, and the populace jeered and
scoffed as they passed by. It was then preserved in a jar
of mescal. This ended the history of the filbustering
expeditions. The "Know Nothing" party died, but one year old. In
its place arose the Republican party. The first assembly
of the new party took place at Sacramento, April 19, 1856.
When the speaker attempted to address the small audience
present, the rowdy element rushing forward overturned the
stand. The meeting then adjourned. A public discussion

166 Men and Events

was advertised in the capital city, May 10, between George
C. Bates, Republican, and J. C. Zabriskie, Democrat. Rotten
eggs flew fast at the Republican speaker. As this had been
anticipated, the police were present to restore order. The
first Republican state convention assembled in Sacramento
April 20, 1856. So insignificant was the party that only
thirteen counties sent delegates. One-half of the number
came from San Francisco and Sacramento. They elected
delegates to the national convention, which met at Balti
more June 17th, and they refused to indorse John C.
Fremont for President.
The defeat of John C. Fremont in no manner discour
aged the California party. Assembling in state convention
in July, 1857, they nominated for Governor a North Carolina
Whig. He was about the poorest candidate they could have
named, although he was an old politician. They had much
stronger men in the body of the ticket, among them Leland
Stanford for treasurer and A. A. Sargent for attorney
general. Their platform indorsed the national platform of
1856, declared slavery within the control of Congress,
asserted that "the Dred Scott decision merited the reproba
tion of every freeman," favored the speedy construction of
the overland railroad and a subsidy for it, approved of the
speedy settlement of land titles, and welcoming the honest,
industrious immigrants from Europe, denounced all at
tempts to persecute them because of foreign birth.
The Democrats also met in July. They named John B.
Weller for Governor. For Supreme Court Judge they
nominated Stephen J. Field. Indorsing the Cincinnati plat
form, they advocated the building of wagon and state roads,
favored giving every settler a home, and considered the
state debt an obligation that should be paid. So heavy was
the state debt, the legislature considered repudiation the
best way to pay it, and left the question to the people. They
voted by a big majority to pay the debt. The Democrats
swept the state and John B. Weller, 57,661, received more
votes than Stanley and George W. Bowie ("Know Noth
ing") combined.
The Governor-elect, John B. Weller, was a man of high
character and a clean political record. Born in Ohio, Feb
ruary 22, 1812, of German parentage, he received a splendid

POLITICAL LEADERS

David C. Broderick.

David S. Terry.

William M. Gwin.

Political Events — 1854-60 167

education and then studied law under Jesse Corwin, the
famous Whig lawyer. He was twice elected to the House
of Representatives. In 1848 he was defeated for Governor
bcause 400 electors voted for John Weller, not John B.
Weller. In 1849 he was selected by the government to run
the boundary line between California and Mexico. Reach
ing San Diego in June of that year, by way of New Orleans,
he began the survey. He was later succeeded by Mayor
Emory of the topographical engineers. Weller then located
in California, became United States Senator, then Governor,
and retiring to private life, died August 17, 1875, in New
Orleans. When the Democratic legislature assembled in Sacra
mento, January 5, 1857, there were twelve candidates in the
field for United States Senator. Among the number stood
John B. Weller, for re-election; Milton S. Latham, elected
Senator in 1859 ; Stephen J. Field; later of the Supreme
Court ; A. P. Crittenden, killed November 3, 1870, by Laura
Fair; John W. Denver, Henry A. Crabb, William M. Gwin
(for re-election), Aaron A. Sargent, later Congressman, and
David C. Broderick. The political complexion of the legis
lature stood: Senate — Democrats 19, Americans 11, Repub
licans 3 ; Assembly — Democrats 61, Americans 8, Repub
licans 11. A. A. Sargent, the only Republican in the bunch,
expected the vote of the Republicans and the Americans.
Not one of them had a ghost of a chance, however, save
Broderick and Gwin. They had the election in their pocket,
so to speak, for the two men, deadly enemies two years
before, had formed a partnership and united their sup
porters. It was agreed between them that Broderick was to have
the long term Senatorship, six years, and Gwin the shorter
term, four years. Broderick wanted two votes to make his
election secure. Meeting two of Latham's friends, Brod
erick said : "If you will give me your support for Senator
for the long term, I will give Latham my support for the
short term and defeat Gwin." Latham's friends accepted
the dishonorable proposition. Broderick had no intention
whatever of fulfilling it.
The legislature met in joint session January 10th. After
voting down a motion to elect both Senators at once, they

168 Men and Events
began balloting for Senator for the long term. Broderick
upon his first ballot, 79 votes, was declared elected. Two
days later Gwin was elected. To Broderick "it was his hour
of glory, the presage of his doom."
The newly elected Senators sailed for Washington a
short time after their election. Both men wished to see
President Buchanan inaugurated. On arrival they began
scheming for political influence and official positions for
California friends. Gwin was among his friends, for Con
gress was then strongly in sympathy with the South.
Broderick received scarcely recognition, for his views
regarding slavery met the disapproval of Southern Senators.
This, for California, was unfortunate. Gwin, receiving most
of the state appointments, filled the custom house, postoffice
and other federal positions with men who favored slavery
and state rights.
The legislature of 1857, favoring the Kansas-Nebraska
bill, which favored slavery, instructed its United States
Senators to vote for it. Naturally Gwin gave the measure
his vote. Broderick, lining up with Stephen A. Douglas,
not only voted against the bill, but defied the party. In his
Congressional speech he declared that the administration's
policy towards the territories was due "to the failing intel
lect, the petulant passion and the trembling dotage of an old
man, just on the verge of the grave." This speech against
President Buchanan so aroused the indignation of the legis
lature that it called on Broderick to resign "from the high
office he so unworthily fills, as he no longer represents the
state" (f). Again in 1859 the legislature demanded his
resignation. Giving no attention to the demand, however,

(f) So indignant were some of the rabid Democrats that lan
guage was scarcely strong enough to express their feelings. The
Del Norte county convention, June 23, 1858, resolved that Broderick
"by his votes, by his treachery to the party which elected him * • *
and by his league with the Republicans » * » should only receive
at our hands the scorn and contempt which he so justly merits."
Even the press, the Sacramento Mercury, roasted the Senator: "Let
the Broderick and Stanley men go over to the Republicans, where
they properly belong; let us wipe out this incubus that has been
festering and eating out the very life of our party * » * since its
first organization."
The state Republican convention, meeting August 5, resolved
that Broderick's conduct is worthy of approval "and evinces a regard
for the interest of free labor and free men equally becoming the
state which he represents and the station he occupies."

Political Events — 1854-60 169

Broderick remained throughout the session. He returned
to California in time to take a very active part in the state
election. In the campaign of 1859 the Democratic party was hope
lessly split asunder. It had divided over the question of
slavery or no slavery in Kansas. The Lecompton party,
led by Gwin and Terry, declared that Kansas must accept
the slavery constitution provided by President Buchanan or
none at all. The anti-Lecomptonites, led by Broderick and
John C. McKibben, espoused the Douglas doctrine, that the
territory had the right to accept or reject slavery. The
Lecompton convention, assembling in the Congregational
church, Sacramento, June 22nd, nominated Milton S.
Latham for Governor and John Downey for Lieutenant
Governor. Latham was a Northern-born Democrat and in
his speech accepting the nomination he mystified his friends
by declaring he "indorsed the Democratic principles, and
above all things I stand by the Union." The anti-Lecomp-
tons, meeting in the same place June 15th, nominated John
Curry for Governor. He, a Republican, nominated by a
Democratic convention. The Republicans also assembled
in the Congregational church at Sacramento June 8th. They
nominated Leland Stanford for Governor. The party op
posed slavery. Being the weakest party, however, Horace
Greeley, who had arrived in California in July, wrote a
letter to that party advising them to unite with the anti-
Lecomptonites. In case they united it was presumed that
Stanford would withdraw. He refused to withdraw, and he
declared that his party would maintain an unbroken front.
Frank Pixley, denouncing both Gwin and Broderick, urged
the Republicans to stand together. H. H. Haight, then
chairman of the anti-Lecompton state central committee,
said no coalition would ever take place.
The campaign as it progressed was one of the most
bitter and personal of any in California history. Curry
challenged Latham, and together they stumped the state.
The greater interest centered in the speeches of Gwin,
Terry and Broderick. It was the first time that Broderick
had made a state campaign. In their speeches the three
men were very abusive and personal, and they gave out
many of the political tricks and schemes of past years. The

170 Men and Events

vote given Latham on election day (62,255) exceeded the
combined vote of Curry (20,847) and Stanford (10,110.)
Stanford's vote was less than that of Stanley in 1857. It
was a complete political surprise. The politicians inquired,
"Where do we stand?"
The reign of the Lecompton party was of short duration,
its future defeat being due in part to the tragic death of
Broderick. In the Lecompton convention David S. Terry sought
the renomination for Supreme Justice. The nomination
was given to C. C. Cope. In his speech (g) Terry took
occasion to abuse his former friends, those of the anti-
Lecompton party. Broderick resented the insult. A few
days later, June 26th, Broderick met D. W. Perley, a friend
of Terry. During the conversation Broderick called Terry
"a miserable wretch." "I have hitherto spoken of him
* * * as the only honest man on the bench of a miserable,
corrupt Supreme Court. * * * He is just as bad as the
others," said Broderick. Perley, quite indignant because of
this assertion against his friend Terry, challenged Brod
erick. Broderick refused to accept it, saying in his letter of
refusal : "When I entered this campaign it was suggested
to me that efforts would be made to force me into diffi
culties, and I determined to take no notice of attacks from
any source during the canvass."
The day following the election, September 7th, Terry,
losing no time, sent Broderick a challenge. He accepted.
Some of Broderick's friends tried to persuade him to refuse
to fight. They declard that he had been engaged in a long
and tedious campaign and was in no condition to stand
before the cool, calculating Southerner. Other friends,
knowing Broderick to be a dead shot and a brave man,
urged him on to his death. They argued, "the fight has
got to come some time; it might as well come now."

(g) Terry asserted: "Who have we opposed to us? * * * A
miserable remnant of a faction, sailing under false colors, trying to
obtain votes under false pretenses. * » * They belong heart and
soul, body and breeches, to David C. Broderick. They are ashamed
to acknowledge their master and are calling themselves, forsooth,
Douglas Democrats."

Political Events — 1854-60 171

It was to be a duel royal between two official giants, an
ex-Justice of the Supreme Court and a United States Sena
tor. Everything was arranged for the duel. They met,
principals, seconds and about sixty persons, at sunrise, Sep
tember 12th, near Lake Merced, San Mateo county. Chief
of Police Thomas Burke of San Francisco appeared and
stopped the duel.
That night, secretly, arrangements were again made, and
the following morning about the same time principals and
seconds met about two and one-half miles southeast of the
lake. As the duelists took their places, about ten paces
apart, "Broderick appeared nervous," says James O'Meara,
"and, straining his nerves to the utmost tension, stood stiff
and unnatural. His opponent, cool and calculating, stood
erect and firm and in an easy position awaited the command
to fire." According to the arrangements, the second chosen was to
repeat the words "Fire — One, two." Neither duelist was to
raise his pistol before the word "Fire" nor discharge it after
the word "two" had been spoken. Near the hour of seven
David Colton, Broderick's second, exclaimed : "Gentlemen,
are you ready?" Both men replied "Ready." Colton then
spoke the fatal words, "Fire — One, two." With the word
"One" Broderick's pistol was discharged. The ball struck
the earth about nine feet in front of Terry. Just before
"Two" was spoken Terry fired. His ball penetrated Brod
erick's right breast, piercing the lung. Broderick slowly
dropped to the earth. Terry, addressing his second, said:
"The shot is not mortal ; I have struck two inches to the
right." Broderick was taken to the home of Leonidas Haskell,
then living on Black Point, which is now a part of the
United States Presidio. He lingered between life and death
until September 17th. He then died from internal hem
orrhage. The body was taken to the Union Hotel, on
Kearny street, near the plaza, Broderick's headquarters.
It there lay in state until Sunday, September 18th, and was
visited by thousands of citizens.
The funeral service was held on the plaza, Portsmouth
square. The speaker, Edward D. Baker, a warm friend of
Broderick's, pronounced the funeral oration, today one of

172 Men and Events

the classics in California literature. Every society and every
official in San Francisco attended the funeral. The fire
department was out in full numbers, led by David Scannell.
Broderick was then foreman of Empire No. 1. The body
was buried in Lone Mountain cemetery, on top of the
highest hill. The citizens erected a plain marble shaft, and
Governor Leland Stanford laid the cornerstone.
Dueling was an unlawful act, and the farce of trying
Terry for murder was played. He was arrested and placed
under $10,000 bonds and held to answer before Judge M. C.
Blake of San Francisco. Terry's friends wanted the trial
held in another county. The case went to the Supreme
Court, Stephen J. Field, Chief Justice, and Joseph G. Bald
win and W. W. Cope, associates. They decided that a duel
was not murder, and the case could be tried in any county.
The case finally reached Marin county, San Rafael. The
judge of that county went on a vacation and Judge J. H.
Hardy of Mokelumne Hill, a close friend of Terry, was
chosen to preside. The trial was set for July 6, 1860. The
witnesses were called to appear at 10:00 o'clock that day.
As the time drew near, some honest yeoman set the clock
ahead one hour. At 9:00 o'clock, true time 10:00 o'clock,
court room time, the innocent judge called the court to
order. The judge, officers of the court and jury were all
present. The judge asked the prosecuting attorney if he
was ready for trial. He replied, "Ready." The names of
the prosecuting witnesses were then called. None answered.
They were in a sailboat on San Francisco bay bound for San
Rafael. Joseph P. Hoge, counsel for Terry, demanded that
the case be given to the jury. The judge read his charge,
instructed them to bring in a verdict acquitting the prisoner.
Without leaving their seats the jury gave in its verdict,
"Not guilty." Terry walked from the courtroom a free
man in the eyes of the law. Not so with the general public,
however. They branded him as a murderer. Wherever he
went he was pointed out to strangers as the man who killed
Broderick. He outlived every man present at the duel save
one spectator, yet he was shot down and killed (August,
1889) by the bodyguard of Chief Justice Stephen J. Field.

PRAYER BOOK CROSS
This cross, erected in Golden Gate
Park, San Francisco, commemorates
the first religious service on the Pacific
Coast. It is the gift of George W.
Childs, Philadelphia, at a cost of $10,000
and it was unveiled January 1, 1894.

CHAPTER XIV.
PULPIT, PRESS AND PUBLIC SCHOOL.
Religion is the foundation of civilization, and far in ad
vance of civilization we find the banner bearers of the cross.
They were with Balboa (1519) when he first saw the Pacific,
and with Cortez, Vizcaino, Cabrillo and Ferrello when first
they saw the land, bays and islands of the far west. The
Jesuits settled Lower California, the Franciscans built up
Alta California, and in the rush of '49 there came ministers
of God to found churches, schools and societies in every
town and mountain camp.
To the Episcopal denomination belongs the honor of the
first Protestant representative upon the coast, Chaplain
Fletcher of the Sir Francis Drake expedition holding service
in 1579. Again the Episcopalians led in 1847. In that year
(April 12th) the ship Brutus arrived at San Francisco. Her
chaplain, Rev. Thomas M. Levenworth, had a two-fold
position. He was the acting surgeon and ordained rector,
having letters from the Bishop of New York to found an
Episcopal church in California. His sermon in Yerba Buena
on May 12, 1847, was the first Protestant sermon preached
on the coast. Dr. Levenworth built a frame house of wor
ship. No parish was organized until the arrival of Flavius
S. Mines, July 8, 1849. Then July 22nd, Trinity church was
organized and October 8th the rector preached his first
sermon. In 1852 the rector died. His body now lies in a
vault of the present place of worship.
In 1853 Leonidas Kip, a rector of New York, then forty-
two years of age, was consecrated as Bishop of California.
In December of that year he arrived and for nearly forty
years he filled the position. Old in years and nearly blind,
he was succeeded by Bishop Nichols, and died in April,
1893. The first Episcopal church was in a sheet iron build-
173

174 Men and Events

ing on Pine, between Montgomery and streets, now the
California Market. Purchasing a lot at the corner of Powell
and Post streets for $30,000, they erected a handsome brick
church, which was dedicated in September, 1867. The lot
was sold for $243,850 in 1890 and Trinity was removed to
Bush and Gough streets and the handsome stone edifice,
costing $90,000, was dedicated in September, 1891. It was
outside of the great fire zone. There is now in process of
building at the corner of California and Jones streets the
magnificent Grace cathedral. It will be complete in 1920.
It stands on the mansion location sites of Charles and
William Crocker, the lots being a gift from the heirs after
the fire that swept away the mansions.
The first Protestant missionary was Walter Colton, a
Presbyterian minister. He preached no sermon so far as
known and organized no church. The Rev. John C. Damon,
seaman's chaplain at Honolulu, arrived and visited San
Francisco in July, 1848, and held services. Then sailing to
Stockton, July 12th, he delivered a sermon on board the
vessel. In November, 1848, the American Board of Mis
sions sent several young theological students to California,
among them the Congregationalist, Samuel H. Willy, and
the Presbyterians, Sylvester Woodbridge, Thomas Douglas,
Albert Williams and James Woods ; the Baptists sent O. C.
Wheeler. The Rev. Mr. Woodbridge going to Benicia, April 18,
1849, founded the first church society. The first San Fran
cisco church was organized May 20, 1849. Its first pastor
was Albert Williams. The second church in the order of
time was the First Baptist. It was organized July 6th by
0. C. Wheeler. In August they built "a meeting house"
and October 21st the first baptism took place at North
Beach. Early in the summer of 1849 St. Francis church on
Vallejo street was founded by two Jesuit priests from
Oregon. Two years later St. Patrick's church was founded
by Archbishop Alemany, he succeeding Archbishop Gon
zales. Father Joseph S. Alemany, living in Rome, was con
secrated Archbishop of California in 1850, he being thirty-
six years of age. He labored faithfully in the work until

Pulpit, Press and Public Schools 175

seventy-one years old. Then returning to Spain, his birth
place, Patrick W. Riordan assumed the duties of the office.
Archbishop Riordan died in San Francisco December 27,
1914, aged seventy-four years. During his thirty years in
California he performed a valuable work, not alone for the
church, but for the state.
The little wooden church, St. Francis, was called the
cathedral until 1854. At that time St. Mary's church, corner
of Grant avenue and California street, was erected. The
Archbishop then changed his residence to "Old St. Mary's,"
as it is now called. It was destroyed in the fire. The walls
stood intact, however, and the building was rebuilt for
worship. The cornerstone of St. Mary's cathedral, corner
of Van Ness and O'Farrell streets, was laid in 1887. The
building was completed January 11, 1891, at a cost of nearly
$2,000,000. The naval chaplain, Timothy Dwight Hunt, a Congre
gationalist, reached San Francisco from Honolulu in No
vember, 1848. He was appointed town chaplain and until
July 29, 1849, he held services in the little school house
on Portsmouth square. No Congregational society was
organized until September, 1849. In February, 1850, the
denomination erected a house of worship.
The Methodists claim that they are the oldest Protestant
denomination in California because of the fact that the Rev.
Roberts in 1846, then on his way to Oregon, organized a
"Methodist class" in San Francisco. He was followed in
1847 by that masterful preacher, Father William Taylor.
He held services in a tent and preached to crowds of people
on the street corners. Not until October 7, 1849, was the
first Methodist church built. It was a little wooden building
about 25 x 40 feet in size.
The first Unitarian church society was organized Octo
ber 20, 1850, in a hall on Commercial street. Their first
church was dedicated July 19, 1853, by the Rev. Charles A.
Farley. The building was on Stockton street, between Clay
and Sacramento. The Rev. Thomas Starr King, a very
eloquent preacher and lecturer, accepted a call to this
church in April, 1860. Two years later they erected for
him a costly stone building on Geary street, between
Stockton and Grant. Starr King died March 4, 1864, after

176 Men and Events

his valuable services for the Union. His remains were
buried in a plot in front of the church. He was succeeded
in September, 1864, by the Rev. Horatio Stebbins, another
scholarly pastor, who at once took high rank in the scholas
tic circles of the state. In 1887 the church building was
removed stone by stone and it became a part of a larger
and handsomer edifice on Geary and Franklin streets. There
now rests the body of Thomas Starr King.
The Rev. J. C. Simmons, a pioneer pastor of the Metho
dist Episcopal church (South) denomination, said, "Church
services were held under trees, in miners' cabins, bar-rooms,
ten-pin alleys, and gambling houses, and many times he
preached while standing behind a bar-room counter, with
bottles and barrels, bowie knives and pistols around him."
The first San Jose Congregational service was in a car
penter shop, rough seats being made of boards. Rev. Mr.
Woods preached in Sonora in a hall. The room below was
filled with gamblers engaged in card playing, drinking and
smoking. Preaching in Stockton in a temperance store, a
blacksmith was shoeing a horse in the back part of the store
during service. The following Sunday he hired a less noisy
place. After the sermon he learned that his congregation
had been sitting on barrels filled with whisky.
Father Arden built St. Bridget's church, San Francisco.
Eli Corwin, a carpenter and preacher, assisted in the erec
tion of the First Methodist church, San Jose. William
Taylor, first preaching in a tent, later went into the forest
and, cutting his own timber, built a church. The first
building in California erected for church services only was
built at Stockton. The Rev. James Woods, getting a lot,
obtained a bag of gold by subscription and erected a build
ing at a cost of $4,000. The head carpenter, John M.
Buffington, received $16.00 a day. Four years later he was
mayor of the town. The building was completed in ten
weeks and dedicated March 5, 1850. One of the choir
singers in, this church, Maggie Kroh, later Mrs. Blake
Alverson, became the leading contralto of the coast.
The Rev. Mr. Woodbridge slept in a sailor's hammock
in the school room, taught school six days in the week and
preached on Sunday. Mr. Simmons was first sent to Grass
Valley and says he slept on "Irish feathers" mowed from

Pulpit, Press and Public Schools 177

the field with a scythe, "with pillows of the same luxurious
material." He was prepared for this, as the Bishop said to
him before leaving New York, "If you cannot sleep on bear
skins and eat bear's meat, you are not fit for a missionary."
Rev. Mr. Anthony, Methodist, going to Vallejo in 1854
found that the former pastor had been sleeping in a hole cut
in the pulpit floor. John B. Hill, Methodist, arriving in
California in 1852, was given a charge at Weaverville,
Trinity county. From Sacramento he was compelled to
walk the entire distance. The Rev. W. G. Canders, a
bachelor, taught school five days in the week, delivered
sermons twice each Sunday, and lodged and cooked his own
meals in the back part of the church. The Rev. James
Woods was more fortunate. He was married ; his wife was
sickly, however, and often he cooked the food, washed the
dishes, nursed his wife, preached twice each Sunday, taught
school, visited the sick, buried the dead, and married those
fortunate enough to find mates. Many of these pastors were
men rough in manners, ungrammatical in speech, and very
severe in their condemnation of the sinner. They were,
however, honest, enthusiastic, and energetic in their work
and accomplished much in the building up of California's
moral and spiritual life.
Closely connected with religion is the history of schools,
for the first pastors and their wives were the pioneers in
school work. The first teacher, however, was Mrs. Olive
Mann Isabell. A teacher before marriage, she came with
her husband to California in 1846 and located at Santa
Clara. In December of that year she opened a free school
for the children of the pueblo. They had no pencils, slates,
paper or blackboard, and only a few boks. In April, 1847,
the family journeyed to Monterey. That night the trustees
of the town engaged her to open a public school. She was
to receive $6.00 per pupil for a term of three months. The
custom house was fitted up, and before the close of the term
Mrs. Isabell had fifty-two pupils. In 1848 O. C. Wheeler
arrived on the Oregon and taught school for a few months
in Colton hall.
The Rev. Thomas Douglas, who was a graduate of Yale
college, taught the first public school in San Francisco. The
school trustees built a little house on Portsmouth square.

178 Men and Events

The teacher received a salary of $1,000 a year. The school
opened April 3, 1848, with thirty pupils. Mr. Douglas
taught school six weeks only. Then the cry of gold scat
tered his flock. During the excitement John C. Pelton, a
Baptist layman, and his wife arrived in San Francisco. The
Baptists gave him the use of the church for a school room.
He opened his school December 26, 1848, with three pupils.
In a short time, assisted by his wife, he taught one hundred
and fifty children. The only money they received were
voluntary subscriptions and from the sale of school books,
they having brought a supply from the eastern states. In
June, 1850, Thomas J. Nevin, a philanthropist, opened two
public schools and employed teachers. In 1851 he was
selected school superintendent. There were then seven
schools organized.
The legislature in 1852 passed its first state school law.
It provided a state school fund, but every town was obliged
to maintain a public school three months before it could
receive any state money. Stockton at once took advantage
of this law and February 23, 1853, opened her public schools.
The boys and girls were segregated and separately taught.
To establish the first school fund each councilman gave
$50.00, and $500.00 was collected by subscription. San Jose
opened her public schools in March, 1853. Sacramento had
a school fund of $1,000 in that year, but her public schools
were not established until 1854.
The previous year there came to California a young
teacher named John Swett, who is now hailed as the "Father
of the Public Schools." First he tried mining on the Feather
river. Late in the fall of 1853 he drifted back to San Fran
cisco. He took charge of Rincon Hill school and there acted
as teacher and principal until 1862. In that year he was
elected Superintendent of Instruction and held the office
until 1867. During that time he did splendid work and laid
the foundation of our present public school system. He
drew up laws and succeeded in causing the legislature to
pass them, appropriating money for a better condition of
school buildings, an extended school term, higher standard
of teachers, better salaries, and other laws improving and
elevating the school system. Free school books are now
provided to all public school children.

EDUCATIONAL LEADERS
1 — John Swett, a life-long public school teacher. 2 — Bishop Leonidas
Kip, forty years a bishop. 3 — Rev. Woods, builder
of California's first church.

Pulpit, Press and Public Schools 179

The State Normal School was founded in San Francisco
in 1862. It was removed to San Jose in 1871. Charles H.
Allen was the principal for fifteen years. The Los Angeles
Normal was established in 1881 and the Chico Normal
in 1887. In 1853 Henry Durant, a Congregational minister,
opened a school of three pupils in a store in Oakland. The
school was a success. Mr. Durant then, concluding to found
a college, purchased a block of land for that purpose. A
party of squatters tried to drive him off the property, but
the bravery of this minister and several friends, armed with
Colt's revolvers, won the victory. In that year, 1855, the
College of California was founded. In 1867 Mr. Durant
deeded the college to the state, and the legislature appro
priating $300,000, the state university was established,
Henry Durant being its first president. In 1870 the univer
sity was removed from Oakland and the new site was named
Berkeley. The Leland Stanford, Jr., university at Palo Alto, south
of San Francisco, is a university magnificent in all its parts,
buildings, courses and objects. A friendly rival to the state
university, it was founded under peculiar circumstances.
Leland Stanford and wife, accompanied by their only child,
a boy sixteen years old, were traveling in Italy for the
benefit of the boy's education. While in Florence, 1884,
the son contracted typhoid fever and died. The parents had
worshipped the boy and now that he was dead they had
no object in life. Wealth to them now had no value; it
was to them as dross. While sitting at the bedside of the
boy before his death, the father, worn out by constant
watching, fell asleep and dreamed. The dream took the
thought of his conscious mind, that if the boy died he "had
nothing to live for." The boy replied, "Live for humanity,
father." Whether or not the story of the dream be true,
the father put the thought into results, "live for humanity."
As the son loved learning for itself alone, he resolved to
found a Leland Stanford, Jr., university, where all alike,
rich and poor, male or female, might acquire an education
that would fit them for any station in life. The university
buildings were erected at Palo Alto of Moorish design, in
marble and sandstone. The buildings cost of $3,000,000

180 Men and Events

and were badly damaged by the great earthquake. The
magnificent chapel was completely destroyed. The best
professors in the United States were selected as instructors,
with Dr. David Starr Jordan as president. To support the
institution, Stanford deeded to the university all of his
lands, of the estimated value of $20,000,000. The university
was opened in the fall of 1891. Leland Stanford died at
Palo Alto, June 21, 1893, and father, son and wife now
rest in a handsome marble mausoleum in the Arboretum.
A marble statue memorial stands in the center of the quad
rangle of buildings. Mrs. Stanford died in Honolulu in 1905
and willed her entire property to the university.
California in its newspaper and magazine circulation
leads the world. There are today published, monthly, 907
periodicals; this includes 167 daily and 557 weekly news
papers. The twenty-four hour circulation of the twelve
leading daily newspapers is 635,853 copies, over 19,000,000
copies per month. As the voting population, men and
women, over twenty-one years of age "as registered," is
1,944,000, and the entire population is 2,379,549, it may be
readily seen that Californians are a reading people.
These silent moulders of public opinion had their origin
in the little two-column sheet, the Californian, first pub
lished at Monterey August 15, 1846. The entire plant was
purchased from the Mexican government by Commodore
Stockton for the purpose of publishing government orders
and news. Walter Colton, chaplain of the Portsmouth, was
editor and two soldiers of Stevenson's regiment, John R.
Gould and B. P. Kooser, did duty as compositors, pressmen,
foremen, devil and bookkeeper. A crowd anxiously awaited
the first issue. So numerous was the Spanish population
that several columns of each issue were printed in Spanish.
Mr. Kooser, who was a good Spanish scholar, acted as
editor. Colton sold his interest to Robert Semple, his
partner, in 1847. The paper was then removed to Yerba
Buena and reappeared May 22nd.
Semple in removing to the pueblo found a strong rival
in Samuel Brannan's paper, the Star. It was brought from
New York, as we have recorded, and January 17, 1847, the
first copy was issued. Its size, 12 x 15 inches, was a little
larger than the Californian. At that time there were only

Pulpit, Press and Public Schools 181

six printers in the territory. On arrival of Stevenson's
regiment, Brannan, hastening to the beach, found thirteen
printers. They were immediately set to work and Brannan
printed a small special edition of 2,000 copies of the Star.
They were printed for circulation in the eastern states and
gave a graphic account of the "vast resourcs of California."
April 1, 1848, the first California expressman started over
land on horseback, carrying the Star and letters. He
expected to reach Independence, Missouri, in sixty days.
In September, 1848, the Californian and the Star were
purchasd by E. C. Kemble and Edward Gilbert. The two
papers were consolidated and January 1, 1849, the Alta
California appeared (a). It was the first daily paper and
was Whig in politics, changing in 1856 to Republican. It
passed through various hands until 1883. At that time it
was purchased by a syndicate, and advocating Chief Justice
Stephen J. Field for President, became Democratic in poli
tics. From the first issue it lost money. Field's presidential
aspirations failed to mature. The "old granny," as the press
called it, the Alta struggled along until June, 1891, and then
gave up the ghost.
The first power press in the state was used in publishing
the Pacific News, first issued August 27, 1849. In the spring
of 1850 several papers were started in San Francisco. They
were all destroyed in the fire of May 4th save the Alta. The
printers, packing such material as they had saved from the
fire on the backs of mules, scattered in every direction.
They started papers anew in all parts of the state from
Shasta to San Diego. So fast did they multiply, the San
Jose Journal, issued in March, 1851, became the sixteenth
newspaper then published in the state.
The editors of the early press were men of strong con
victions, and forcibly expressing their opinions, were often

(a) After the purchase of the two papers Gilbert and Kemble
had no use for two presses. The old Ramage press on which the
Californian had been printed was sold to B. F. Washington. Taken
to Sacramento, the first paper, the Placer Times, was printed on it
April, 1849. Returned to San Francisco, it was later sent to Stockton.
August 22, 1850, the first number of the Stockton Times appeared.
Then hauled to the mountains, the Columbia Star was published on
the press. For the first copy of this paper a French woman paid $1B.
Later during a lawsuit some person set fire to the office and the old
press was destroyed.

182 Men and Events

called to account on the "field of honor." Many of these
scribes were southern born, hot headed, quick to resent an
insult and ready to accept a challenge. If they refused to
fight they were branded as cowards. The editors of the
north were also bold and outspoken in their editorials and
they also were ready to fight. If they refused they also
would lose their influence as editors and leaders of thought.
Hence before the Civil war duels were very common,
and not alone editors, but judges, senators, lawyers, politi
cians and physicians engaged in the "code of honor." A
state law prohibited dueling. It was a state prison offense
to challenge or accept a duel. Probably three or four hun
dred duels were fought within the time mentioned. Some
were amusing in their results; in others the parties were
crippled for life, while frequently the consequences were
fatal. The press duels were in most cases between the
editor and some party who had a grievance. Occasionally
editors would fight and that fact caused the Republican
scribe to write, "Editors have enough to do nowadays to
defend themselves against the outside world without quar
reling among themselves."
One of the first duels was that of Edward Gilbert, United
States Representative and editor of the Alta. Elected to
Congress in 1850, he bitterly denounced the immigration
laws as swindling schemes. John W. Denver, their author,
+ook offense and challenged Gilbert. The young editor, who
had been a lieutenant in Stevenson's regiment, accepted the
challenge. The parties fought with rifles August 2, 1852,
at sunrise, near Oak grove, Sacramento. At the first fire
both duelists missed their mark. The rifles were again
loaded. Again they fired and Gilbert was shot in the abdo
men, and fell mortally wounded. He died in a few minutes.
A duel at Stockton was that between John Mansfield of
the San Joaquin Republican, then the State Democratic
organ, and John Taber of the Stockton Journal, a Whig
paper. They had been writing very abusive articles of each
other regarding the city printing. Taber, suddenly meeting
Mansfield on the morning of June 22, 1854, drew a revolver
and shot Mansfield. He died the following day.
As this was not a pre-arranged murder, as duels are
always premeditated, Taber was arrested and tried for

Pulpit, Press and Public Schools 183

murder. He was found guilty and sentenced to be hanged.
The case was now made a party question. A petition of
nearly 100,000 names, including senators, assemblymen,
lawyers, judges and citizens, was sent to Governor Bigler
praying him to pardon Taber. Prayers were offered in the
church that the Governor might temper mercy with justice,
and the legislature of Texas, his native state, sent a petition
asking a reprieve. Under the immense pressure and fearing
that it would be used against him in the ensuing election
if he permitted Taber's execution, on March 9, 1855, Bigler
signed the pardon.
In March, 1854, ten shots were exchanged between B. F.
Washington of the Times and Transcript and C. F. Wash
burn, then editor of the San Francisco Herald. Washing
ton, taking offense at some of the articles in the Herald,
challenged its editor. Washington shot to kill. His second
shot passed through the rim of Washburn's hat. His third
bullet struck his antagonist in the shoulder. This ended
the duel.
The San Francisco Herald had a regular fighting editor
named John Nugent. He was engaged in several duels.
One of his duels, that of June 11, 1853, was with John C.
Hays, then sheriff of San Francisco. Hays resigned from
his office to fight this duel. They fought on the Ridley
ranch near the bay shore. As Hays was the party chal
lenged, he chose rifles as the weapons. At the second shot
Hays' ball shattered the bone of Nugent's arm from
shoulder to elbow.
George Penn Johnson, editor, shot and killed Senator
William Ferguson. They had trouble over a young lady.
They fought on Angel island, San Francisco bay, August
2, 1855. They used revolvers and, standing ten paces apart,
they each fired three shots without any effect. Then moving
forward six paces they again began snooting. At the fourth
shot Ferguson was struck in the thigh, shattering the bone.
He refused to have the leg amputated and, suffering great
pain, he died September 14th. After the duel Johnson be
came a changed man. Remorse took possession of him and
he lived secluded and alone. He died March 9, 1884, at that
time editor of the Examiner.

PATRIOTIC LEADERS

Thomas Starr Kins'.

Edward D. Baker.

Reuel C. Gridley.

FROM SLAVERY TO FREEDOM.
"And the star spangled banner
In triumph shall wave,
O'er the land of the free
And the home of the brave."

CHAPTER XV.
CALIFORNIA DURING THE CIVIL WAR.
The life of a republic, like that of an individual, is made
up of many events. Crucial events, a few of them, and the
turn of the dial may decide the destiny of the nation.
In 1860 the United States had reached the turn of the
dial. For more than a half century the south had been
fighting for state rights, slavery and territorial extension.
The North had opposed her claim. The Republican party,
opposing slavery, had come into existence and rapidly grew.
Fearing its power, the south declared "If Abraham Lincoln,
the Republican nominee, is elected President, we will secede
from the Union." Abraham Lincoln was elected. True to
their threat, the south seceded. Two months later (April
12, 1861) South Carolina fired upon the old flag, then flying
over Fort Sumpter.
Immediately the states declared their loyalty or dis
loyalty to the Union. How stood California? None could
tell. The presidential election of the previous year indi
cated that the state was almost equally divided between the
three parties (a) . The balance of power lay with the Doug
las Democrats. Everything, however, favored the seces
sionists. The custom house, the postoffice and the mint
were under the control of their friends. Officers of southern
birth were in command of the arsenal, the forts and presidio.
Many persons believed that Albert Sidney Johnston, the
commander-in-chief, was disloyal. The state legislature
was Democratic. The Governor's loyalty was questioned,
and California's Congressmen were friendly to the south.
Three of them proved to be disloyal.

(a) In the election Lincoln received 38,734 votes, Douglas 38,023,
Breckenridge 33,975, and Bell 9,136. 186

California During the Civil War 187
Secession was in the air. For several years, in case of
war, the southerners had been planning to take California
out of the Union and form a Pacific Republic. The republic
was to comprise California, Oregon and Nevada (b). The
project was openly declared on the streets and in the
press, and Congressmen and southerners boasted of the
scheme (c).
To carry out their plan of secession, they formed an
organization known as the "Knights of the Golden Circle."
They were organized in all parts of the state. They held
their secret meetings, had their passwords and signs known
only to the members, and drilled weekly. They claimed to
have 20,000 men. At the opportune moment they intended
to revolt and seize the forts and government buildings.
Waiting for the time of action, John B. Floyd, then Secre
tary of War, had secretly sent 20,000 stand of arms to
California. Arms and ammunition were stored in the
Benicia arsenal.
In looking for a leader they approached Charles Doane,
marshal of the Vigilantes. He was a man of southern birth
and they believed him disloyal. A committee waiting on
him showed him a list of seven hundred prominent men
identified with the plot and requested him to take command.
He told them he would give them an answer the following
day. That night Doane informed Colonel Stevenson of the
plot. The colonel the following morning saw David Scan
nell. "Dave, what force can you depend on?" Looking at
his watch, Scannell replied, "It is now 8:00 o'clock; I will
report to you at 12 :00 o'clock." Scannell, meeting Steven
son at the" hour named, said, "At any hour after 1 :00 o'clock
three taps upon the fire bell will bring into the plaza one

(b) In 1859 the legislature, then dominated by the Southern
men, passed a law permitting a division of the state. The law
authorized the South to form an independent state, a Pacific republic,
in case the plot failed.
(c) Congressman John C. Burch in his letter of January 4, 1861,
published in the San Francisco Herald, said: "The people of Cali
fornia should all be of one mind on this subject (a Pacific republic),
raise aloft the flag of the hydra-headed cactus of the western wilds
and call upon the enlightened nations of the earth to acknowledge
our independence and protect us from the wreck of a once noble
Union."

188 Men and Events
thousand men, well armed and equipped, and every man
will carry twenty-five rounds of ammunition." A consulta
tion was then held with Governor Downey, the mayor and
the commander-in-chief, Albert Sydney Johnston, and plans
laid to checkmate the plot. As the Union men were now
on guard no further efforts were then made.
The arrival a few weeks later of General E. V. Sumner
baffled completely the hopes of the secessionists. His
arrival was a complete surprise to both citizens and militia,
and was the result of a letter sent to Colonel E. D. Baker
by James McClatchy (d) informing him of the disloyalty
of the commander-in-chief. General Sumner arrived April
24th on the Golden Gate (e). He increased the number of
regulars at Alcatraz Island, Fort Point and the Benicia
arsenal, and telegraphed to Oregon for the companies there
stationed to immediately sail for California. In a few weeks
Sumner had the forts well protected and troops ready at
an hour's notice to march to any point.
The California life was too slow for Sumner. He wanted
to be in the midst of the fight. At his request he was
relieved and General George Wright sent to this coast.
Sumner was accompanied east by the Sixth infantry from
Oregon and the Third artillery band. They left San Fran-

(d) Says the Sacramento Bee: "One evening James McClatchv
was conversing with Edmond Randolph regardinf the sign of war
Randolph declared that it was inevitable. He holed 'that California
may be saved from its horrors.' All looks well,' he declared 'hut
there is great danger,' as Albert Sidney Johnston was at heart a
traitor and would give Southerners every opportunity to take nos
session of the state." Twenty thousand men, he dVctared, were rePaaV
to take up arms in favor of a Pacific republic. McClatchv that VTithr
wrote a letter to Colonel E. D. Baker detailing the flcts of the cfse
Baker, an old friend of President Lincoln, was at once "received and
Sumner sent to California. Sumner was instructed to .leave secretly
Nevertheless eastern friends of Johnston learned of the movement
and immediately, by pony express, sent word to California Johnston
received the letter the night before Sumner's arrival Jonnston
(e) The Golden Gate the following year, July 27 1862 was en
tirely destroyed by fire. On her downward trip off the f' coast of
Mexico the cry of fire was heard and the steamship was immediately
£Un }2es£OTe Wltn fll speed. They succeeded in reaching the land
but 198 lives were lost and over a million dollars in gold Many of
theyPsunekBlikSe Tead. S°W be"S Hlled W"h g°ld Japing ov^dard!

California During the Civil War 189

cisco for Panama on the steamship Orizaba October 21,
1861 (f) with the state safe from any local strife.
No person was more bitterly disappointed because of
General Johnston's removal than was Senator Gwin. And
three months previous, says Kennedy in "The Conquest of
California," orders came from the War Department, by
Gwin's recommendation, that his friend Colonel Albert
Sidney Johnston be placed in command of the Pacific
department. Gwin, accompanied by Calhoun Benham, also
sailed on the Orizaba. But as they were engaged in a secret
mission in the interests of the Southern Confederacy, they
now sought no public honors or applause. They were
bound for Havana, there to meet Mason and Sidell, the
Confederacy ambassadors. The two men quietly boarded
the steamship early in the morning and remained in their
staterooms out of sight until after the steamer passed the
heads. The presence of the distinguished passengers was
reported to General Sumner, together with the well known
secession proclivities of Gwin. As the steamer approached
Panama, Sumner, on general principles, ordered the arrest
of both Gwin and Benham. Upon being arrested Gwin,
excusing himself for a moment, stepped into his stateroom
and quickly threw out of the cabin window the carpetbag
which he had brought on board. The few passengers who
saw it floating upon the waves little suspected its impor
tance to Uncle Sam. At Panama Gwin strongly protested
against his arrest and threatened to call upon the Nicaragua
government for protection. He was taken to New York
and there confined for a few weeks in Fort Lafayette. On
his release he went to Paris. Later he was interested in
the deal of France to seize Mexico. From that time until
his death September 3, 1885, he was known as Duke
de Gwin.

(f) As the steamer lay at the wharf ready to sail, the band be
gan playing "Dixie Land." A lieutenant immediately stopped them.
He reported to General Sumner. The general turned white and ex
claimed: "Damn it, let them play 'Dixie;' there's where we are
going." As the steamer moved towards the Golden Gate, salutes were
fired from the forts. The British man-of-war also saluted the Gen
eral, and her sailors, manning the yards, leaned far out, cheering
and waving their hands. General Sumner ordered the band to play
"God Save the Queen." England then was friendly. Two years later
she favored the Southern confederacy.

190 Men and Events

In the early days of the Civil war it was almost impos
sible to make Union men believe that California was in any
danger. They seemed to be asleep regarding the move
ments of the southern leaders, and in San Joaquin county
a young man named George W. Tyler, then thirty years of
age, resolved to awaken them. Coming to Stockton from
Vermont (in 1860) he was positively convinced that the
nation would soon be engaged in a civil war. He knew that
the secessionists were planning to capture California and
the Union men must be put on guard. But how? Tyler
believed that if an attempt were made to hold a Union
meeting in a secession stronghold they would show their
hand and purpose. It was advertised that (May 15, 1861) a
meeting would be held at Woodbridge for the purpose of
organizing a Union club. Near by was Liberty, a strong
secession precinct. The meeting was held in a carpenter
shop, the only place large enough for a public assembly.
The meeting was organized. Then a series of resolutions
were read, eulogizing the Union, recommending the forma
tion of a Union Club, and a call to all Union men to stand by
government. Speeches were made in favor of and against
the resolutions. When the chairman called for a vote upon
the resolutions, Mark Evans, a county official and strong
secessionist, jumped from the bench and exclaimed, "Tyler,
you'll never live to see those resolutions enforcd." The
threat caused great excitement and confusion. Efforts were
made to continue the meeting. It was impossible, however,
as the secessionists far outnumbered the Union men. The
scheme had worked like a charm. The news that a Union
meeting had been broken up in San Joaquin county was
telegraphed over the state and there was great indignation
among the Union men regarding the outrage.
In San Francisco (May 11th) a demonstration was held
to test the sentiment of the people. Everywhere the Stars
and Stripes were seen. Montgomery and other streets were
literally hidden in bunting, and the sidewalks were crowded
with men, women and children wearing the colors of the
Union. The procession, the largest ever seen, was com
posed of all the military, civic and benevolent societies of
the city. Piatt's hall was crowded and the strong Union
sentiments of the speakers, Milton S. Latham, General

California During the Civil War 191

Sumner, John McDougall and General Shields, were loudly
applauded. The Fourth of July, 1861, was the day of days. No such
patriotic celebrations have since been seen. It seemed as
if the spirit of 1776 had again arise to inspire the people
with patriotic fire. Every heart beat to the "music of the
Union," save a few thousand secessionists who were seek
ing to destroy. A Democratic school teacher had remarked
"that the Fourth of July was played out," but the demon
stration on that day proved California's loyalty. There
were a few local difficulties, but cool and wise heads pre
vented anything serious happening. At Stockton a Miss
Davis boastingly declared that when the procession passed
she would wave a Confederate flag from the balcony of the
hotel. Her friends prevented her from attempting such a
rash act. The militia that day marched with muskets loaded
and three extra rounds of cartridges. In Sacramento a
newspaper editor raised a flag with thirteen stars only, upon
the plea that it was the only flag he possessed. He later
raised a thirty-five star flag. The colors over the Masonic
Temple were raised, but soon after lowered upon the plea
that Masonry did not interfere in politics. All day, how
ever, Old Glory waved oyer the hall. During the early
morning some individual spiked the cannon of the City
Guard. It required some two hours' work drilling another
hole before they could fire the national salute. During the
afternoon two men marched past the St. George hotel carry
ing a cane with a rebel flag. They were promptly knocked
down and the flag captured. In Oroville a horseman rapidly
rode through the streets waving a rebel standard. He was
immediately shot and the trophy secured. At Snelling, Los
Angeles and other southern points the three-barred flag
waved throughout the day unmolested. The Union men
were far in the minority.
In the United States marshal's office, San Francisco, a
small Confederate flag waved from a miniature man-of-war
named Jeff Davis. A change of marshals (April 30, 1861)
hauled down the Confederate flag. August 16th a secession
flag was discovered waving from the window of the Ports
mouth house. The owner withdrew it before the police
could capture it.

192 Men and Events
On the morning of October 1, 1861, early risers in Stock
ton noticed rebel flags flying from several public buildings,.
including the court house. The stars and stripes had been
taken down. The new colors had been run up during the
night by the southern sympathizers. They were hastily
hauled down and the old flag refloated. One of the flags
was hoisted on Banner island. This so enraged the owner,
Captain C. M. Weber, that, lowering the standard, he
rammed it into his cannon and blew it into a hundred
pieces. Then, hoisting aloft "Old Glory" 120 feet in height,
he fired a salute of thirty-five guns.
At this time the quickest news that could be received
was by the "pony express" (g) which arrived every eight
days from St. Louis, Missouri. Strange as it may appear,
the same day as General Sumner's arrival (April 24th) the
"pony" brought the news that the south (April 12th) had
fired upon Fort Sumpter. Shortly after that event President
Lincoln called for an enlistment of 75,000 men for a term
of three months. California was expected to supply her
quota of 6,000 men (h). So threatening was the situation,
however, "not one loyal man could be spared from the
state." Volunteers, however, were received for state and
coast duty. Recruiting offices were opened and men enlisted
for garrison duty, preventing Indian massacres, guarding
the overland mail and keeping quiet the secessionists in
southern California and Nevada. For these purposes eight

(g) The pony express was established in 1860, the first "pony"
leaving St. Louis April 3d. The riders were light, wiry men, and they
traveled the entire distance, 2,000 miles, in from eight to ten days
They rode day and night, each man traveling 25 miles. As a rider
arrived at the station, another rider with a fresh horse was ready
and waiting. Jumping into the saddle, he grabbed the mailbags and
hastened on. They carried nothing but special letters and dispatches,
written upon tissue paper of very light weight. Letters were car
ried for $5, each not exceeding one ounce in weight.
(h) When the war broke out there was a general commotion
among the state militia. Many of the members of the various com
panies were friendly to the South, while others stood firmly for the
Union. The Marysville Rifles took the oath of allegiance to the
government. They expelled their captain, who refused to take the
oath. The National Guard, San Francisco, offered their services to
General Sumner for three months' time to guard the forts. The
Stockton Blues disbanded. Immediately the Union members organ
ized a new company, the Union Guard. The ranks were soon filled,
and they tendered their services to the government, to serve where
called.

California During the Civil War 193

regiments of infantry and three regiments of cavalry were
organized (i). Hundreds of citizens went east and joined
the regiments of other states. Many of them had been
prominent in public life. None, however, was more promi
nent than Colonel Edward D. Baker (j), who was killed
at Ball Bluff (October 21, 1862) while leading his regiment.
His death was California's greatest loss during the Civil
war. Many friends blamed him for thus sacrificing his life
upon the battlefield. They declared in living he could have
been of far greater service to the Union, the party and
society. Baker believed in practicing what he preached, and
thought it was his duty to go to the front.
When Baker arrived at San Francisco, October 19, 1861,
from Oregon, salutes were fired from Fort Point as the
steamer passed. He was then on his way to Washington
as Oregon's United States Senator. The citizens asked
Baker to deliver an address, and in the American theatre
(October 26th) he delivered one of the most masterful
orations ever heard, his subject being "Freedom and the
Republican Party." Men came from all parts of the state
to hear him. William Kennedy, author of the book "Baker
in the Days of '61," came all the way from Marysville. The
lecture was printed and sent broadcast over the state. Many

(i) Among those who enlisted and went east was a company of
cavalry known as the "California Hundred." Their captain was
Salvator Vallejo, and they were engaged in twenty-three battles.
(j) Born in London, England, in 1811, his family in 1816 moved
to America and later settled in Illinois. At the age of 19 years
young Baker was admitted to the bar. Two years later he took part
as a private in the Black Hawk war. Later he fought in the Mexican
war, 1846. He served the state in the Senate in 1840 and in 1844.
Defeating Abraham Lincoln, he was sent to Congress. In 1848 he
again entered the United States Senate. With Abraham Lincoln he
stumped the states of Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota for Taylor for
President. In San Francisco he landed with his family in 1852. His fame
as a lawyer and public speaker had preceded him and he at once
took rank with the leading lawyers and speakers of that day. In
almost every celebration of note he was the orator. "For," said
Attorney General Williams of Grant's cabinet, "Edwin D. Baker was
the most eloquent man I ever heard speak. He had a clear, ringing
voice, with an easy flow of beautiful language, and withal was an
exceedingly handsome man." I have been informed that speaking
in a whisper, it could be heard in all parts of the house.
Baker was a leading Whig politician, and he was desirous of
representing California in the United States Senate. But, popular as
he was, the Democratic majority wanted no Union man to represent
them. Failing to reach his goal, in 1860 he located in Oregon. The
"Webfoot" state that year elected Baker as its United States Senator.

194 Men and Events

believed that this address "broke the backbone of the rebel
lion in California."
Upon arrival in New York, Baker there recruited a regi
ment, taking command as colonel. At the same time he
performed his duties as United States Senator. I will close
this brief sketch in the words of James G. Blaine, as given
in his work "Twenty Years in Congress." "From the far-
off Pacific came Edward Dickerson Baker, a Senator from
Oregon, a man of extraordinary gifts of eloquence. In per
sonal appearance he was commanding, in manner most
attractive, in speech most irresistibly charming. Perhaps
in the history of the Senate no man ever left so brilliant a
reputation for so short a service. Baker was in command
of a California regiment and on August 1st he entered the
Senate and took his seat in uniform. He laid his sword
across his desk and for a time listened intently to the debate
then in progress. The discussion was up a bill to suppress
insurrection and sedition, and Breckenridge of Kentucky
was strongly reflecting the sentiments of the Confederate
convention then in session at Richmond. Baker became
restive and excited under the stinging remarks of the
speaker and when he closed Baker sprang to his feet. In
his eloquent reply he said, 'Are not the speeches of the
Senators from Kentucky intended for a disorganization?
Sir, are they not words of polished treason even in the very
capitol of the republic?' It was impossible to describe the
effect produced by his magic words, for in the history of
the Senate no more thrilling speech was ever delivered."
He went out from the Senate and a few months later lay
dead in the camp, killed by the blundering charge of Ball's
Bluff. His body was brought to California. He was buried
with imposing ceremony in Lone Mountain cemetery.
Thomas Starr King delivered the funeral oration.
The population of the southern portion of the state at
that time was composed principally of Mexicans and immi
grants from Missouri and Arkansas. The country was
thinly populated. Their occupation consisted in the raising
of cattle and sheep. Nearly the entire population were in
sympathy with the Southern Confederacy, and several
months before the firing upon Fort Sumpter bear flags were
waving in the breeze in Los Angeles and San Bernardino

California During the Civil War 195

county. Los Angeles was so bitter against the government
that General Sumner stationed there three companies of
cavalry. In his report he declared "there is more dissatis
faction at that place than at any other in the state." Their
Assemblyman, E. J. C. McKewan, was arrested in October,
1862, for uttering treasonable language and confined in
Alcatraz. Two weeks later he took the oath of allegiance
and was released on giving a $5,000 bond.
Another hotbed of secession was Snelling (k), Visalia
and Merced. In Merced county Union men were very much
in the minority and in every campaign P. D. Wiggington
stumped the county speaking for the secession candidates.
He was accompanied by Jim Wilson, who sang songs with
violin accompaniment. Two of his favorite songs were
"We'll Hang Abe Lincoln to a Tree" and "We'll Drive the
Bloody Tyrant Lincoln From Our Dear Native Soil." The
Merced Banner said (April 24, 1862) "the United States
officers will go to any length to sustain their master, Abe
Lincoln, whose cringing slaves they are." Soldiers were
also stationed at Visalia, the Visalia Delta declaring
(August 22, 1861) "treason against the government con
stitution is preached from the pulpit, printed in the news
papers and openly advocated in the streets and public places
of Visalia." The Expositor printed an abusive rhyme re
garding Lincoln. Two days later the soldiers mobbed the
office, completely destroying it.
Sympathy for the south was also expressed in religious
circles and traitors were found in the Methodist (South)
Catholic and Episcopal denominations. They asserted that
religion had nothing in common with politics and the church
was a place too sacred to be polluted (I).

(k) When the news was received August 9, 1861, of the federal
defeat at Manassas Junction, the rebel citizens of Snelling fired
cannon salutes and rejoiced that 10,000 Yankees had been killed.
(1) One pastor of the Methodist church, South, Stockton, be
lieved the church so sacred that even the bell should not be rung on
July 4th morning, although that had been the usual custom. It had
been reported that the pastor, a rabid secessionist, would oppose the
ringing of the bell. And the citizens had obtained permission of the
trustees to ring it. The pastor, however, lacked the doors and re
fused to give up the keys. A Yankee pioneer, however, crawled in
the window and at sunrise the old bell pealed out. The minister,
hurrying to the church from the parsonage across the street, at-

196 Men and Events

There were thousands of loyal Christians, none more
loyal, however, than in the Methodist (North). They not
only preached loyalty, but at all times they displayed the
flag and publicly rejoiced over every Union victory. Most
of the clergymen who believed in state rights had the good
sense to publicly remain silent. The only exception to this
rule was the Rev. William Scott (m), the famous pastor of
Calvary Presbyterian church, located where now stands the
St. Francis hotel. In his prayers he insisted on praying
"for all presidents and rulers and all officers of the army and
navy." As the feeling over the war grew more intense, it
finally created trouble in the congregation and the reverend
gentleman resigned and visited Europe.
His resignation was caused by an incident which took
place in September, 1862. In that month the San Francisco

tempted to stop the ringing by hanging to the rope. The shipbuilder
twisted the bell rope around the pastor's wrist with a vise-like grip,
and he soon let go his hold on the rope, crying out with pain.
The incident was soon the talk of the town. It caused great
excitement, for the secessionists had boasted that the bell should not
be rung at sundown. One of the number, Thomas Laspeyre, foolishly
asserted that if the bell was rung it would be rung over his dead
body. The Union men declared that at sundown the bell would be
rung or the building would be torn down. During the afternoon a
small cannon loaded with powder and scrap iron was placed in front
of the edifice, ready for the fight. At sundown a large crowd began
to assemble on the street. Union men smashed in the doors and the
bell began its joyful peal. Laspeyre attempted to stop the ringer,
but a John Sullivan blow sent him reeling through the door onto the
sidewalk. (m) The Rev. William Scott, of Scotch-Irish descent, was born
in Tennessee. A highly educated scholar, especially in the classics,
he came to California in 1854 and at once became an associate of the
leading minds of San Francisco. Accepting the call of the Calvary
Presbyterian church at a salary of $5,000 a year, his popularity rap
idly increased until 1856. He then made many enemies and caused
a division in the church by denouncing the acts of the vigilance com
mittee. He not only denounced the committee, but he prayed for
those who had been persecuted. One morning an effigy was found
hanging over the front door of the church. The doctor was so
grieved over the event that he sent in his resignation. The congre
gation refused to accept it. Soon the incident was forgotten He
arose to his former position as one of the ablest divines of the coast
and one of the most beloved.
After the close pf the war Dr. Scott returned to the United
States and for several years preached in New York. Strong was the
love of many of the members of Calvary for their old pastor Re
ceiving dismissal cards from that church, they organized in 1870
St. John's Presbyterian church. Dr. Scott accepted their call and he
remained in charge until his death in January, 1885. When the con
gregation removed to the corner of California and Octavia streets,
they placed within the building a magnificent memorial window for
their late pastor. The church was re-dedicated July 13 1889

California During the Civil War 197

Presbyterian synod by a vote of eight to one passed a series
of Union resolutions. Dr. Scott voted against them, he de
claring "that Jefferson Davis was no more traitor than
George Washington." On the following Sunday morning
an effigy of the pastor was found hanging from a sign board
opposite Calvary church. It was placarded "Death to
Traitors." The same party had raised two small flags upon
the church and fastened a large flag to one of the lamp posts
at the front entrance. Soon after this a woman church
member tore down the large flag. The crowd rushing
forward to capture it, by mistake severely beat the owner
of the flag. His only regret was that the crowd took him
for a secessionist.
The crowd continued increasing until the hour of service
drew near. In the number were 500 Union men, sent there
by the Union secret club to assist the police in keeping
order. Dr. Scott's friends, fearing that personal harm would
befall their beloved pastor, used every possible argument to
prevent his preaching that morning. The building was
crowded, but only a few women were present. Dr. Scott
entered by a side door and in his prayer, carefully guarding
his words, made no allusion to magistrates. He delivered
as usual a masterly sermon; everything was quiet, and
after the benediction was pronounced, the congregation
poured out into the street. The crowd outside opened a
passageway for them. They immediately closed the gap,
however, whent he pastor appeared, leaning on the arm of
Mrs. Thomas Selby. In the meantime the large flag had
been refastened to the lamp post. As the pastor descended
the steps to the carriage in waiting, a person catching hold
of the corner of the flag stretched it across the steps, thus
compelling Dr. Scott to walk beneath Old Glory. This
pleased the crowd and they hooted and yelled. Soon after
this event Dr. Scott received several anonymous letters
threatening his life if he remained in the state. The trustees
accepted his resignation. In October, on the Uncle Sam,
he sailed for New York and then for Europe.
In marked contrast to the action of Rev. W. Scott were
those of Thomas Starr King. At the time when some Union
men were paralyzed with dread because of the actions of the
south, and others undecided which way to turn, Thomas

198 Men and Events

Starr King from pulpit and rostrum traveled over the state
bolstering up the weak hearted and urging the loyal men
to stand firmly for the Union. In his lectures, "Washing
ton," "Daniel Webster," "Lexington and Concord," "The
Great Uprising" and "The Rebellion in Heaven," in unan
swerable arguments and matchless eloquence he kindled the
patriotism of the people into a glowing flame. He con
sidered his country next to his God, and it is conceded that
no individual did more to keep California in the Union than
did Thomas Starr King. He did not live to enjoy the result
of his labors. He died March 4, 1864 (n).
When it was learned that the south was determined to
secede there could be but one result, a civil war. Thousands
would be wounded and die upon the battlefields or in the
hospitals. To relieve their sufferings as much as possible
the loyal northern men organized the three commissions.
They were known as the sanitary, the Christian and the

(n) In Golden Gate park there stands a handsome bronze statue
of Thomas Starr King, erected at a cost of $15,000. He is regarded
as one of the greatest patriots in American history, and he is the
only civilian whose memory was officially honored by the federal
army and by foreign nations. At the time of his funeral, March 7,
1864, minute guns were fired from Alcatraz island and answered by a
battery on Union square. The Governor and his staff were in the
line of parade. Flags were at half-mast upon all of the private and
public buildings and government buildings, including all of the for
eign consuls of the city. The shipping in the harbor was also at
half-mast, this including the ships of England, Russia, Hamburg,
Colombia and France.
The pastor thus honored for his work and loyal devotion to his
country was born in Boston, Massachusetts, December 16, 1824. His
father, a Universalist minister, hoped to see his son enter the min
istry. With that object in view his education was planned. He
learned rapidly, especially in languages. At the age of ten he could
read in French and in Latin. When nineteen years old Theodore
Parker said of him, "King's a capital fellow, who reads French,
Latin, Italian, a little Greek, and now begins German." During this
time he was the only support of the family, his father having died
in 1849. The young man taught school, did clerking, etc., until 1844.
He then entered the ministry and four years later took charge of the
famous Hollis street church, Boston, organized in 1832. He there
remained until 1859. He was then given a leave of absence because
of failing health. Calls were then given him from Chicago, Brooklyn
and Cincinnati, but accepting the call from San Francisco, he arrived
in April, 1860. Thomas Starr King's fame as an eloquent speaker
had preceded him and at every service the edifice was crowded. In
the latter part of 1863 a fine large stone church was erected through
Starr King's efforts, the congregation during that time also paying
off a $20,000 church debt. The new building was dedicated January
10, 1864, and the pastor preached eight sermons within its walls. He
died March 4, 1864 of throat disease, while repeating the twenty-third
psalm.

California During the Civil War 199

freedman's commission. The leader of the movement was
Henry W. Bellows of Massachusetts, a co-laborer in Chris
tian work with Thomas Starr King. In 1862 he wrote to
King asking him to organize branch commissions in Cali
fornia. The movement was started and in the fall of that
year California sent east to suffering soldiers $480,000. All
classes contributed, even those who favored the south, for
the sanitary or Red Cross commission, which later devel
oped, made no distinction in assisting the wounded. In
October, 1863, Mr. Bellows telegraphed to King, "the sani
tary funds are low. We have already distributed over
seven millions of dollars. California has been our main
support in money, and if she fails we are lost." King
responded, "We will send you $25,000 a month." And
Mr. King, putting both body and soul into the work of
collecting funds, made good his promise. California con
tributed over $1,250,000 gold to the sanitary fund and
$34,000 to the Christian fund. The amount was equal to
over a million and a half in currency, for nothing but green
backs was in circulation in the eastern states. California
with her gold helped to save the Union. Of this amount
$275,000 was collected by Reuel C. Gridley (o) through the
repeated sale of his Austin sack of flour.
When the news of the threatened Civil war reached
California, the southern wing of the Democratic press
sneered at the idea of any war and declared the reports
untrue. During the time that they were denying the reports
of war, their friends were secretly planning to secede. When
the fact was undeniable that war existed, then they began
abusing the government. The majority of the Democratic

(o) Reuel C. Gridley in April, 1864, was engaged in the grocery
business in Austin, Nevada. As the city election came on he bet a
sack of flour with Dr. Herrick that the Douglas-Democrat would be
elected mayor. Gridley lost the bet. Its conditions were that the
loser was to carry the flour from Austin to Clifton, a distance of a
mile and a quarter. At the appointed time Mr. Gridley appeared car
rying the flour on his shoulder, neatly trimmed with ribbons and
flags. A procession was then formed of citizens of both parties and
preceded by a band of music they marched to Clifton.
On arrival the saloon keeper invited the crowd in to take a drink.
While in the saloon there was much joking regarding this fifty-
pound sack of flour. At last Mr. Gridley said, "The crowd of people
have had their fun at my expense; let us see now who will do most
for the sick and wounded soldiers. We will put this sack of flour

200 Men and Events

press took good care to keep within the bounds of martial
law. The San Jose Tribune, San Joaquin Republican,
Stockton Argus, Visalia Expositor and Merced Express
abused the government and the United States troops. They
were excluded from the mails by the orders of General
Wright and thus suppressed (p).
During the war this press continued its abuse, and it
culminated April 15, 1864, in the destruction of several San
Francisco offices by a mob. When the news was received
of the assassination of President Lincoln, on the morning
of April 15th about 8:00 o'clock, it created intense excite
ment throughout the loyal state. In San Francisco a body
of men rushed to the Democratic Press and smashed things
generally, and ended by throwing all of the type out of the
window. The crowd howled. Beriah Brown, the editor,
started hurriedly for San Leandro. The police dispersed the
crowd, but again forming they served the Catholic religious
paper, the Monitor (q) as they had served the Press. Then

up at auction to be sold for cash, with the understanding that the
buyer is to return it, to be sold again for the benefit of the sanitary
commission." Ready for any kind of excitement, the proposition was quickly
accepted. The chairman of the local commission acted as auctioneer.
It was sold and resold for $4,400. Then taken to Gold Hill, It was
sold for $5,225. Taken to other places the sales were lifeless without
the inspiration of Mr. Gridley. This patriot then, leaving his busi
ness and paying his own expenses, traveled throughout the Pacific
coast and a few of the eastern states, selling the famous sack of
flour. Mr. Gridley died in Stanislaus county November 24, 1874, of con
sumption, the result of overwork and exposure during his travels.
He was later buried in the Soldiers' Grand Army plot at Stockton.
Rawlins Post erected over his grave a magnificent marble monument
and life-size statue.
(p) William Hall, of the Merced Democrat, July 24, 1864, was
arrested by a squad of United States cavalry for uttering treasonable
language and confined in Alcatraz prison.
The following day C. L. Weller, ex-postmaster and president of
the Democratic state central committee, was arrested in San Fran
cisco for uttering treasonable language in a public speech. He also
was imprisoned. The Democrats held an indignation meeting in
Hays park and violently denounced the federal government. After
three weeks' confinement Weller took the oath of allegiance and was
released. (q) The Monitor was founded by James Brady, so said his son
in the Bulletin, 1913. He was a passionate advocate of secession and
every issue of his paper bore flaring articles in support of the south.
The evening following the assassination of Lincoln, he jumped upon
a stand in Montgomery street and making a speech said, "It served
Lincoln right because he had gone to the theater on Good Friday,

California During the Civil War 201

followed in turn the News Letter, edited by the Englishman
Frederick Marriott, and the Occident, published by Zacha-
riah Montgomery, one of the bitterest secessionists in the
state. Burning the printing cases of these papers in the
streets, the mob started on the run for the office of the
French paper, the Echo de Pacifique. The Alta, owned by
Fred MacCrellish, was in a part of the same building. Mac-
Crellish succeeded in pacifying the mob and thus saved a
part of the French paper. The police now succeeded in
driving back the mob and soon after General McDowell put
the city under martial law and United States soldiers
guarded all of the streets.
The ships Sawnee and Saginaw were sent to California
in August, 1865, to capture the rebel privateer Shenandoah.
She had been preying on the commerce of the North Pacific
and obtained many prizes. The Panama steamers ran each
night without lights and were armed with Daphlgren guns,
revolvers and cutlasses, for they were in constant fear of
this privateer. No steamships were captured. They would
have been a rich prize, for every steamer carried from
$1,000,000 to $2,500,000 in gold.
In the spring of 1863 an attempt was made by a party
of secessionists to fit up a vessel for privateering purposes
and to capture the gold of one or more steamers. They
also believed that they could stop the exportation of gold
to the east (r). The leaders in the plot were Aubrey Har-
pending, Ridgley Greathouse and Alfred Rubery. Letters
of marque and captain's commission were issued to Har-
pending and $250,000 subscribed to finance the scheme. The
three men purchased for their purpose a very fast sailing
vessel called the Chapman. She had made a record breaking
voyage from New York and was bought through an agent
named Edward Travers.

thus insulting one-third of the population of the United States, the
Catholics." "The crowd dragged my father from the stand and
would have hanged him, but he was rescued by General McDowell
and a company of soldiers then marching down the street. The mob
then rushed to the office of the Monitor, on Clay street, and wrecking
the office, tried to burn the building."
(r) Jefferson Davis realized the importance of shutting off the
great gold shipment and said, "It would be more important than
many victories in the field"

202 Men and Events

The vessel was loaded with two twelve-pound cannon,
ammunition and small arms ; everything was heavily boxed
and marked "machinery," and to avoid suspicion, as they
supposed, they took on a large quantity of general mer
chandise, goods that were salable in Mexico. An able body
of seamen was engaged to man the Chapman and twenty
picked men, all southerners, were invited to take part in
the work. Everything being in readiness for the voyage,
the men on the night of March 14th boarded the vessel.
"Our clearance papers," said Harpending, "we received from
the custom house with a readiness that might have sug
gested suspicions to more alert minds and the Chapman was
certified to sail for Manzanillo with a cargo of machinery
and mixed merchandise." The entire plot had been revealed
and before the Chapman could put to sea Chief of Police
Lees and the naval officer, Willard B. Farwell, boarded the
schooner from a tug-boat. About the same time two boat
loads of armed marines boarded the vessel from the sloop
of war Cyane. All of the men were arrested but soon after
released, except Harpending, Greathouse and Rubery. They
were tried in the federal court and convicted of an attempt
to commit piracy on the high seas. They were sentenced to
ten years in a federal prison. Greathouse and Harpending
were shortly released under the amnesty proclamation of
President Lincoln. Rubery was pardoned by the President
through the intercession of his uncle, John Bright, the great
English labor leader (s).

(s) Aubrey Harpending, 74 years of age, wrote up this story
for the -San Francisco Bulletin, October, 1913, together with the
famous Arizona diamond swindle.

THE WHEAT AGE
LEADING EVENTS

1865-1890
Labor Strikes.
Concentration of Wealth.
Persecution of Chinese.
Formation of Labor Unions.
Settled Condition of People.
Adoption of New Constitution.
Organization of Corporations.
Exportation of Food Products.
Building of Overland Railroad.
Rapid Increase of Population.
Building of Beautiful Homes.
Opening of Nevada Silver Mines.
Development of Southern California.
Grabbing of Mineral and Timber Lands.
Higher Intellectual and Moral Living.
Founding of Libraries and Universities.
Increase of Benevolent Societies.
Organization of Workingmen's Party.
Construction of Costly Public and Private Buildings.

203

CHAPTER XVI.
POLITICAL REVOLUTIONS.
When the legislature of 1861 assembled at Sacramento,
members true to the Union were in the majority. And
they resolved that no disloyal man should again represent
California in Congress. Senator Gwin's time expired March
4, 1861, and the aspirants for the office were Timothy G.
Phelps, Republican ; John McDougall, Douglas Democrat,
and John Nugent, Breckinridge Democrat or secessionist.
The legislature stood in joint session: 57 Douglas Demo
crats, 33 Secessionists, and 24 Republicans. Neither party
could elect without votes from one of othe other parties.
In the voting Phelps took the lead. John Nugent was a
close second and gaining rapidly. On the twenty-first ballot
the vote stood : Phelps 55, Nugent 44 and McDougall 22.
Phelps, fearing that Nugent would be elected, withdrew his
name (a). Phelps' votes were then given to John A. Mc
Dougall and he was elected (b) Senator to serve until
March 4, 1867.

(a) In withdrawing his name Mr. Phelps declared, • * * "I
believe this is a time when patriotism should be above party, and
when all party considerations should be made subservient to the
greater interests of our country."
((b) As soon as McDougall's friends learned of his election, a
salute of thirty-four guns was fired on the river bank in his honor.
Then hauling the cannon to the front of the Orleans house, it was
again fired. The concussion broke over one hundred windows in the
Orleans and Union hotels. Before the smoke had rolled away every
body was invited into the saloon. Then J. M. McCleary offered the
toast: "The health of General McDougall, whom no poor man ever
applied to for assistance in vain." ,..,_.. ,
James A. McDougall, if reports be correct, was the brightest
Senator ever in Congress from California. Born in Albany, New
York in 1817, he early in life emigrated to Illinois. At the age of
25 he was elected Attorney General of that state, and there came in
touch with such men as Thomas Corwin, Edward D. Baker, John A.
Logan Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas. He came to Cali
fornia in 1849 and the following year was elected Attorney General.
At the time of his election as United States Senator he was a very
205

206 Men and Events

A series of Union resolutions were introduced early in
the session. They indorsed the Republican administration
and denounced traitors. These resolutions caused some
very heated debates, especially from the friends of the south.
Four of the Senators were natives of Mississippi, Alabama,
George and South Carolina, and they made strong secession
speeches (c). Henry Edgerton, a native of Vermont, was
the Union leader in the Senate, and he made an unanswer
able argument in support of the resolutions. His speech
caused a sneering remark from Thomas Laspeyre in the
Assembly. John Conness came to the defense of Edgerton
and it caused a sensation (d).
Another difficulty occurred in the Assembly between
Showalter of Mariposa, a secessionist, and Percy of San
Bernardino, a Douglas Democrat. The result was a chal
lenge by Percy, a duel and a tragedy. The preliminary
arrangements were made in Sacramento. The duel was
fought May 24th near San Rafael. The weapons used were
rifles. The duelists stood forty paces apart. At first fire
both duelists missed their mark. Percy's bullet, however,
whistled close to Showalter's head. Percy was shot through
the mouth at the second fire. Falling heavily to the earth,
he died in a few minutes. Showalter was then thirty-two
and Percy but twenty-four years of age. Showalter was a
rabid secessionist and in 1862 he was arrested and confined
in Fort Yuma, on the Colorado river. In 1866 he was shot

intemperate man. He was often drunk in the Senate, sometimes
picked up from the streets of Washington and carried to his hotel.
He deeply disgraced the state and died soon after his term expired
in Albany, New York, September 3, 1867, a victim of the social drink
ing custom. (c) One of the speakers, R. D. Crittenden, of South Carolina,
said in closing an eloquent speech, "Heaven's blessing attend her.
Whilst I live I will cherish, proteet and defend her. And when this
tongue fails to speak in her behalf, or when this right arm fails to
strike in her defense, palsied be the one and withered the other."
(d) Conness remarked that Laspeyre had used "unparliamentary
and discourteous language in speaking of a members of another
house." Laspeyre replied, "You tell what is false." Conness then
replied, "You are a dirty dog." An inkstand then flew at Conness'
head. It missed its mark, but ink was spattered freely over the
members. Conness then hurled an inkstand at Laspeyre. More
spattering of ink. Laspeyre then, drawing a dirk knife, started for
his assailant. He was quickly held and disarmed.

Political Revolutions 207

at Mazatlan, Mexico, while engaged in a drunken fight and
died from the effect of the wound.
The election of a Union United States Senator was but
the commencement of the fight. The next and most impor
tant contest was to elect none but Union state officers. The
Republicans were first in the field. Assembling at Sacra
mento June 11, 1861, they nominated Leland Stanford for
Governor. For Attorney General they nominated the
staunch Republican, Frank Pixley (e). The southerners
called him "the abolition editor." The Republicans in their
platform repudiated the doctrine of state's rights and they
resolved that "the doctrine that a state is superior to the
federal government * * * and has the right of secession
* * * is repugnant to the constitution, of every principle
of our system of government, and can only result in the
destruction of our Union and the establishment of general
anarchy." The Union Democratic convention composed of Douglas
men July 4th assembled at Sacramento and organized. The
following day they adopted a platform. It indorsed the
government. It differed from the Republican in this very
important principle: They opposed any coercion of the
south. For Governor, John Conness, John Bidwell and
John G. Downey were placed in nomination. Ex-Governor
Downey (f) was their choice.

(e) Frank Pixley, then editor of the San Francisco Herald, was
thus stigmatized as an abolitionist by the secessionists because he
wrote, "I am in favor of giving a pardon to every Negro belonging
to a rebel in the Union." Pixley, who was a pioneer, in partnership
with Frederick Somers, a writer, in 1877 established the Weekly
Argonaut. Pixley was a very able but pungent editor, and in later
years he injured the popularity of his paper by his repeated attacks
on the Pope and the Catholic church. He was the editor at the time
of his death, August 11, 1895.
(f) John G. Downey, born in Ireland June 24, 1827, came to
America at the age of 15 years, to live in Virginia with his two
sisters. He had a fair education, and his sisters again sent him to
school. They wished him to study for the priesthood. He learned
to compound drugs, however, and arrived in California in 1849 with
only $10 in his pocket. Purchasing a shipload of drugs at a 20 per
cent discount, he shipped them to Los Angeles and cleared $3,000 on
their sale. The election of Milton S. Latham placed him in the Gov
ernor's chair and he won the plaudits of the state by vetoing the
bulkhead steal bill and for his loyalty to the Union. Retiring from
politics, he invested in land, cattle and sheep, and dying March 1,
1894, left a half million. At the age of 26 he had married a Spanish
girl, daughter of Don Rafael Guirdon. She was killed in the
Tehachapi railroad disaster January, 1883, and he was badly injured.
In his old age the ex-Governor again married, a young woman
named Rose V. Kelly.

208 Men and Events

The Breckinridge, or secession convention, as it was
called, assembled July 11th at the capital. The platform
presented by the committee and adopted by the convention
was so permeated with treasonable sentiment that some of
that committee presented a minority report. It declared
"that we are opposed to the employment of force against
the seceding states. * * * Resolved, that if the Union
cannot be preserved by constitutional guarantees which will
be acceptable to both sections of the Confederacy * * *
then we are in favor of the recognition of the Confederate
States * * * and a treaty of amity and peace between
them and the United States."
For Governor they nominated the well known seces
sionist, John R. McConnell. The speakers in nominating
the various candidates gave expression to many treasonable
sentiments. They were all heartily applauded. None re
ceived greater applause, however, than the passionate
address of Edmond Randolph (g). In closing he said,
"Gentlemen : My thoughts and my heart are not here
tonight in this house. Far to the east, in the homes from
whence we came, tyranny and usurpation, with arms in its
hands, is this night perhaps slaughtering our fathers, our
brothers, and our sisters, and outraging them in every con
ceivable way shocking to the heart of humanity and free
dom. To me, it seems a waste of time to talk. For God's
sake, gentlemen, tell me of battles fought and won. Tell
me of usurpers overthrown, that Missouri is again a free
state, no longer crushed under the armed heel of a reckless
and odious despot. Tell me that the state of Maryland lives
again, and oh, gentlemen, let us read, let us hear at the first
moment that not one hostile foot treads the soil of Virginia.
If this be rebellion, then I am a rebel. Do you want a

(g) Edmund Randolph was of the famous John Randolph family
of Virginia. He inherited the good and bad qualities of his ancestors,
a bright, active mind, a generous, hot headed, erratic nature, a strong
love of state, and a noble character. He was a loyal citizen until the
secession of Virginia. Then he became a strong secessionist. In
this speech he concentrated all of the energy, sarcasm, bitterness and
eloquence of a Randolph. His friends were astonished and one of
them exclaimed, "Great God, did you ever hear eloquence like that;
Randolph seems to be on fire." It was the flame of wasting vitality
(tuberculosis) brightening before its death. At the age of 35 years,
he died September 8, 1862.

LELAIVD STANFORD
Railroad Builder, founder of Leland
Stanford, Jr., University and
United States Senator.

Political Revolutions 209

traitor, then I am a traitor. For God's sake speed the ball,
may the lead go quick to his heart — and may our country
be free from this despot usurper, that now claims the name
of President of the United States."
The campaign of that year was the hottest and most
bitter of all political contests. It was a struggle for union
or disunion. On the one side stood the Republicans for the
Union, one and inseparable ; on the other side fought the
southerners, determined if possible to make of California
the leading state in a Pacific republic. Halting between two
opinions were the Douglas Democrats. Broderick had splitl
asunder the Democratic party over the question of slavery!
or no slavery in Kansas. For this he was challenged and "
died for the Union. The southerners, knowing their cause
was weak, now attempted to reunite the old party. But
when news came of the attack on Fort Sumpter all further
efforts for reconciliation were useless. The Douglas Demo
crats were true to the Union (h) and although they still
held their party intact, thousands of them, deserting their
standard, voted the Republican ticket. As a result Stanford
(i) . polled 56,056, McConnell 32,750 and Conness 30,944
votes.

(h) The day following the news of the firing on Fort Sumpter,
May 8th, the state committee of the Douglas Democrats met and
resolved "that the people of California in the past have been most
anxious for peace throughout the land* * * at the same time
they are, above all things, for the Union, the country and the flag;
against all assailants."
(i) California's war Governor was born in New York, March 9,
1824. He received a common school education and when of age began
the study of law. Soon after this he moved to Wisconsin and there
met and married Jane Lathrop. In 1852, following after his brothers
who preceded him, he came to California. After engaging in mining
a short time, he and Charles Crocker established a general merchan
dising store in Sacramento. One of the founders of the Republican
party in 1856, he later became a Republican leader. Defeated for
State Treasurer in 1857 and for Governor in 1859, he was chosen in
1860 as a delegate to the Republican national convention and cast
his vote for Lincoln. In 1861 he was elected Governor, in 1885 Cali
fornia's United States Senator, and in 1891 re-elected. He served the j
full term, and died June 21, 1893. *"fl poiiHp.nl Ufa was highljc-rawn- i
mendable. As Governor he did everything possible to maintain Cali- ,
f ornia as"a loyal state and he gave freely of his money and time to '
the Union cause. In the Senate his "loan land" bill indicated his >
sympathy for. the laboring man. In the Industrial world none accom
plished more for California than he. As one of the four who built
the Central Pacific railroad he was abused and vilified beyond meas
ure Ten years later he was praised by press and people. His work
ceased not with the building of the overland railroad. He purchased
and began improving three of the world's largest ranches, Palo Alto,
Vina and Gridley, and finally deeded them to the state for the cause
of education, with Leland Stanford Junior University.

210 Men and Events

The loyal men were now assured that California was
safe for the Union. The Republicans had elected their com
plete state ticket and they had a strong majority in the
legislature. To keep the state in line, it was necessary to
continue none but Union men in office. Early in April,
1863, the Union state committee published a call "to all
citizens who were willing to sustain the national adminis
tration, in its effort to suppress the rebellion," to meet in
state convention.
The party assembled June 17th in Sacramento. In their
platform they favored a continuation of the war "without
regard to cost or sacrifice until the last rebel is disarmed,
and with no party advocating 'peace upon any terms' while
there is an enemy of the Union in open rebellion against
the government." Still further they called "upon all loyal
citizens to unite with us in rebuking and defeating at the
polls in September next, the malignant tribe of copperheads
(j) who, falsely claiming the name of Democrat, seek
* * * to discourage our armies in the field and to corrupt
the patriotic sentiment of the people."
Their nominee for Governor was Frederick F. Low, and
for Congressman from the middle district William Higby
was nominated. He had been expelled from the Douglas
state committee because of his endeavor to form a fusion
with the Republicans.
The desertions of the Douglas Democrats from their
party and the small following of the Breckinridge Demo
crats so paralyzed the leaders that both parties failed to
materialize in the election. A number of Democratic clubs
uniting, organized and formed a fusion Democratic party.
They held their convention July 8th and bitterly opposed
the continuation of the war. In their platform they de
nounced the emancipation, the arrest of civilians by the

(j) The men designated as copperheads were of that class not
willing or courageous enough to fight for the South, but in an under
hand, sneaking manner they did everything possible to injure the
Union cause. The name was derived from the copperhead snake.
It crawled through the grass keeping itself continually hidden and
hissed at every object. One evening while Starr King was lecturing
he expressed a sentiment not pleasing to a secessionist and he was
hissed. The lecturer quietly remarked, "There's the hiss of the
serpent now." For several minutes he was unable to proceed because
of the laughter and applause of his audience.

Political Revolutions 211

militia, the suppression of free speech of the press and the
"fanatical" attempt to place the Negro on an equality with
the white man. Believing that John G. Downey would poll
thousands of Union Democratic votes, they nominated him
for Governor. Their belief was not well founded for
Downey received only 44,843 votes. Low received 64,447.
An amendment to the constitution that year provided
that state officers thereafter should hold office for four years.
Hence there was no state election until 1867. In the mean
time events were taking place which disrupted the Union
party and again gave the Democrats full control. One of
these events was the formation of labor clubs and their
agitation against Chinese immigration. Another event,
more serious to the party, was the formation of a political
machine with John Conness and his friends in control.
The trouble first began in 1865 in San Francisco. Gov
ernor Low was then an aspirant for the United States
Senatorship to succeed John McDougall. Conness was his
backer, and he so endeavored to "gerrymander" the districts
as to elect legislators favorable to Law. For his purpose
he called to his assistance the tough or "short haired" class
of citizens. It was a renewal of the Broderick tactics, with
this difference, however, an educated political man was in
the lead, and secret, silent work was to succeed the bold
faced public work of Broderick. Each county was manipu
lated in the interest of Conness. "Federal officers, Governor
Low's appointees and two-thirds of the county officers,"
said the Placerville Mirror (July, 1865), "have been steadily
working for months trying to carry El Dorado county for
Conness and Low." Whenever the Conness faction were
defeated in any county convention, they bolted the party
and affiliated with the "copperheads"
The two factions, the anti-Conness men being known as
"long hairs," had a lively fight July 25th at Sacramento.
The result was that the "long hairs" suddenly left the con
vention, some of them by the window route. The county
convention assembled in the Assembly room of the capitol,
then on J street. The desks were removed and chairs
substituted. The Low men were all seated together ready
for a scrap. After the calling of the convention to order,
two persons were nominated for temporary secretary. The

212 Men and Events

chairman announced that W. H. Burton, the "long hair,"
was elected. The "shorts" said the election was irregular.
Then the trouble began. As the secretary started for his
desk, the "shorts" blocked his way. Then the two factions
clashed. Finally solid hickory canes came into play on the
heads of the "long hairs." Spittoons flew like bomb shells
on a battlefield. Inkstands took the place of solid shot.
Pistols were drawn and used as clubs. Several of the anti-
Low men jumped from the windows and the "shorts" took
possession of the room. After the battle, which continued
fully five minutes, the "shorts" were called to order. Nomi
nating their elective candidates, they instructed their legis
lative nominees to vote for F. F. Low for United States
Senator. Two weeks later Low declined the honor, saying
that after such proceedings he could not honorably accept
the position.
Those persons who have read this history from the be
ginning will remember that previous to the Civil war the
leading political issue was slavery. During the war it was
union or disunion. In the campaign of 1867 the two issues
were Chinese immigration and the Central Pacific railroad.
Anti-coolie clubs had been formed and they were an impor
tant factor in the contest. The railroads were now asking
for everything in sight. They now entered politics for two
reasons : First, to block a band of legislative grafters who
endeavored to legislate them out of existence unless they
"put up." Second, to elect if possible men to the legislature
who would further their plans.
As the campaign opened three Republicans announced
themselves as candidates for Governor ; George C. Gorham,
up to this time unknown in politics ; John Bidwell, pioneer
and farmer, and Caleb T. Fay, a nonentity. The Anti-
coolie Club addressed a letter to each of these candidates
asking their views on the Chinese question. In answer,
John Bidwell replied, saying that he was "opposed to
slavery in any form." Caleb T. Fay declared that he was
opposed to Chinese immigration and labor. The letter of
George C. Gorham was remarkable because of its honest
ring, free from any misconstruction or subterfuge, a quality
seldom found in politicians. He declared, "I am opposed
to human slavery * * * Because I am opposed to the

Political Revolutions 213

coolie system, I am not the enemy of its victims. I believe
in the Christian religion, and that rests upon the universal
fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. I am as
emphatically opposed to all attempts to deny the Chinaman
the right to labor for pay, as I am to the restoration of
African slavery whereby black men were compelled to labor
without pay."
The Republican convention assembled June 12, 1867, in
Sacramento. The contest for Governor narrowed itself to
Gorham and Bidwell. The San Francisco delegates, sixty-
three in number, were solid for Gorham. He had worked
the wires in the workingmen's convention and by the
promise of an eight-hour law had captured their votes. In
that convention they had outnumbered the people's and
the Union party. The delegates from many interior
counties, "cow" districts, Pixley called them, were pledged
to Gorham. The people in general opposed Gorham. They
believed him a "railroad man" (which he was) and a dictator
bound to rule or ruin. Their choice was John Bidwell, "the
honest farmer." The convention organized for business.
It was then learned that Sacramento had two sets of dele
gates seeking admission. It was the faction of 1865, the
"short" and the "long" hairs. The former were pledged to
Gorham for Governor and they favored W. W. Stow for
chairman. The latter intended to vote for Bidwell, with
J. G. McFarland as chairman. The convention by a vote
of 142 to 132 elected W. W. Stow chairman. The vote
indicated Gorham's strength. The "shorts" were admitted.
Gorham was nominated for Governor and with him his
entire state ticket.
For the first time in California politics party nominations
were forced down the throats of the people. It was a nau
seous dose and they soon cleared their stomachs of it. As
a result thirty-six of the Union papers, among them the
Sacramento Union (k), San Francisco Bulletin, Alta and

(k) Said the Sacramento Union, then the leading Union paper
of the state, "If the Union party is to be run for the benefit of corrupt
schemes, we must expect to see the people take passage in a safer
political conveyance." It called Gorham "a fraud" and Josiah Howell
and William Parks, candidates for Secretary of State and for Con
troller, "no better than Gorham."

214 Men and Events

Call, bolted the party and, uniting, formed a National
Republican party. They nominated John Bidwell for Gov
ernor. He declined the honor, saying, "Having been in
the field once, I cannot consent to be a candidate again."
The party then nominated Caleb T. Fay. He had no follow
ing, and as he campaigned the state he was jeered and
ridiculed by the small audiences assembled.
At this time the old line Democrats had returned to their
party, for they asserted that "the question involved in the
late rebellion had been settled by the war." Assembling in
San Francisco June 19, 1867, they nominated for Governor
the war Democrat, Henry Huntley Haight (1). Said Judge
Crockett in nominating Haight, "I have never known a
better, more honest, more upright man than he." The
Democrats advocated the cause of the laboring man and
"favored making eight hours a legal day's work." They,
however, believed it impractical to maintain republican
institutions based upon the suffrages of Negroes, Chinese
and Indians. This was an arrow shot at Gorham's (m)

(1) The Governor-elect was in 1860 chairman of the Republican
state central committee, and throughout the terrible struggle he was
a war Democrat. At its close he returned to the party of his early
life, the Democracy. Of English descent, Rochester, New York, was
his birthplace and Yale college his alma mater. In 1844, then 19
years of age, he began the study of law; two years later he was
enabled to practice before the Missouri Supreme Court. Forming
in California a partnership with James McDougall in 1850, the year
of his arrival, he took no active part in politics until 1864. He then
declared that McClellan was his choice for President and for him
stumped the state. He was nominated for Governor by the conven
tion, unanimously, as they believed him opposed to the Chinese and
the railroads. (m) In my boyhood days I heard every speaker on the stump,
the rough, coarse nominee Broderick, the refined and polished orator
Milton S. Latham, the handsome, tall, suave candidate William M.
Gwin, the fiery eloquent debater, Henry Edgerton, and the orator
sublime in eloquence Thomas Fitch. George C. Gorham was my
hero. Handsome in appearance, tall, but 32, vigorous and ambitious,
the honest ring of his voice convinced his hearers that in him there
was no deceit. He preached that which he honestly believed. Hence
his defeat. No honest politician has any place on earth. The millen
nium is far distant. Gorham was born in New London, Connecticut,
in 1833, and coming to California in 1849 became a clerk in Stephen
J. Fields' office, in Marysville. In 1855 he was editor of the Marys
ville Herald, in 1856 editor of the San Francisco Nation, and in 1861
associate editor of the Sacramento Union. In 1856 he was city clerk
of Marysville. In 1862 clerk of the United States Circuit Court, and
in 1864 private secretary to Governor Low. Soon after his defeat
Gorham was given the position of secretary of the United States
Senate, one of the best offices in the nation. In the following cam
paign he stumped the state for the Republican Governor. Another

Political Revolutions 215

doctrine, "the brotherhood of man." "We regard the right
to regulate suffrage as belonging exclusively to the several
states of this Union," they declared. State rights again
loomed up, and they held "that the power to regulate foreign
immigration is vested in Congress, and it is the duty of that
body to protect the Pacific states from an influx of Chinese
and Mongolians." The Republicans in their platform
deemed the passage of an eight-hour law eminently proper,
declared that the Chinese immigration should be restricted
by legislation and believed that the future primary elections
of the party should be held under the primary election law
and all persons not of the party should be excluded from
voting. The result of the election was at no period doubtful.
The Democrats swept clean the entire state.
The cause of the defeat of the Republican party was
clear enough. They entered the contest with the mistaken
idea that the war had settled not only the question of
slavery, but the question of state rights and suffrage. They
declared in their platform that the importation of Chinamen
or any other people of the Mongolian races * * * "is in
every respect injurious and degrading to American labor."
Then they declared that this was a free country, the Chinese
were here by treaty and we must make the best of it. They
approved of cheap labor because it was impossible to build
the railroads without the industrious Chinese. They ap
proved of railroad monopoly. And a few days later the
convention accepted a free ride to Chico. They were pre
sumptuous enough to believe that the rank and file were so
well broken to harness that they would pull anything, even
a railroad. There the machine was mistaken. Some years
later, however, the party began pulling the railroad and
they so continued until 1910. Then something happened.
Governor Haight's inaugural was the finest of the state
up to this time. Accompanied by Lieutenant Governor

defeat. For the third campaign he was again coming, but the Re
publican leaders wrote back, "For God's sake, don't come." Gorham
for twelve years, says the Oakland Tribune, was one of the most
influential members of the national Republican committee. In 1884
he retired and engaged in literary pursuits, writing the biography
of Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of State under Lincoln. "He was one
of the brightest and most potent of the galaxy of brilliant and
brainy men who figured in the early history of the state. He died
February 21, 1909.

216 Men and Events

Holden, ex-Governors Stanford, Downey, Low and Bigler,
he was escorted to the capitol by the Sacramento Hussars
Light Artillery, the City and Emmett Guard, together with
the San Francisco McMahon Guard and Ellsworth Zouaves.
The oath of office was administered by Judge Lorenzo
Sawyer of the Supreme Court. The inaugural address from
the steps of the new capitol, then nearly finished, was de
livered before thousands of people from all parts of the
state. A grand ball in the capitol completed the event. The
Governor in his address not only surprised but pained many
of his Union friends by his disloyal sentiments. He gra
ciously accepted the results of the war. But he opposed
the reconstruction policy of the administration as destruc
tive of the end of federal government. He disapproved also
of the act of Congress in keeping the ten rebel states under
military rule and declared "it was a disgrace to our country
and the age in which we live."
The politicians at this time first began to notice the
laboring man because of the strength shown by the Car
penters' Eight Hour League (n). In San Francisco they
were strong enough to elect several Democratic legislators.
They were pledged to an eight-hour law. The legislative
body, believing it good policy to favor the league, February
21, 1868, passed an eight-hour law (o).
The people are fast learning that party platforms are
not worth the paper on which they are printed, unless they
voice the sentiment of the general public. They are simply

(n) The Carpenters' League in 1867 demanded of the San Fran
cisco Supervisors that they pass an eight-hour ordinance, and that
body December 16th passed an ordinance that eight hours should
constitute a legal day's work. At that time William C. Ralston was
building the Palace hotel. He refused to comply with the law. The
mechanics then refused to work. Ralston then, sending East, im
ported several hundred mechanics. Upon learning of the condition
of affairs, they struck for eight hours. They made a compromise on
nine hours. Before the building was completed, hard times came on.
There was no work and the men then were willing to labor at any
price. (o) The law declared eight hours a legal day's work, unless
otherwise agreed. Agricultural, horticultural and domestic labor
were exempt from the law. The law also made it a misdemeanor,
punishable by fine or imprisonment, to work any child over eight
hours. As early as 1855 the Assembly passed a ten-hour law. It de
clared that any employer requiring a person to labor more than ten
hours a day or sixty hours a week could be fined $100 for each
offense, or imprisonment until the fine was paid.

Political Revolutions 217

created to deceive the ignorant and catch votes. The work-
ingmen learned this when they voted by the thousands for
the Democratic ticket. Governor Haight declared "it is a
short sighted policy which consents to curse our children
* * * with a swarm of Asiatics whose presence will be
a moral leprosy." And the party platform declared that the
importation of Mongolian labor was degrading to the
American race "and an evil that should be restricted by
legislation." Yet they passed no restrictive law nor a single
Chinese law until 1870. In that year they passed a law
prohibiting the kidnaping of Chinese females and bringing
them into this state. They passed a second law authorizing
the appointment of a Chinese commissioner of immigration
(p). James Mandeville, a prominent Democratic politician,
was appointed commissioner. In the newly created office
he made a fortune.
In the state campaign of 1871 the principal and only
issue was the subsidizing of railroads. The Republican
party, profiting by their experience in 1867, now turned
right about and opposed all subsidies. They asserted in
their platform June 17th that "the subsidizing of railroads
or other private corporataions by grants of public land or
taxation of private property * * * is productive of gross
corruption and abuse * * * and we hereby pledge the
Republican party to uncompromising opposition to any and
all legislation for such purpose." In discussing the leader
best fitted to carry Republicanism to victory, they selected
Newton Booth (q) by acclamation. He was an eloquent
speaker, a man of fine educational attainments, and strongly

(p) The law authorized the commissioner to issue certificates
to all Chinese of good moral character immigrating to California.
(q) Newton Booth, born in Salem, Indiana, December 25, 1825,
received a good education and began the study of law. Immigrating
to California in 1850, he located in Sacramento and opened a general
merchandising store. In 1860 he began campaigning the state in
favor of the Union, and courageously he championed her cause. In
1863 he was elected State Senator, in 1871 Governor, and in 1874
United States Senator. At the expiration of his term as Senator he
traveled for several years in Europe. Returning, he again settled
in Sacramento and then, an old bachelor, in February, 1892, he mar
ried the widow of his deceased partner. In that same year, July 14th,
he died of cancer.

218 Men and Events

opposed to the railroad because of business (r) and political
interests. The Democratic convention, believing that H. H. Haight
had given good satisfaction to the people, again chose him
as their banner bearer. As he walked upon the platform
the delegates, all save San Francisco, rose and greeted him
with cheers. The latter opposed him because he signed the
tide land bill. He had further opposition also from those
who declared that he was a railroad man, because he signed
so many railroad bills. Other divisions followed and finally
the party was divided into three wings, the one led by Isaac
Friedlander, the wheat baron ; Eugene Casserly, United
States Senator, and Frank McCoppin, ex-Mayor of San
Francisco. The result was the defeat of Haight, he receiv
ing 57,520 votes and Booth 62,581.
Governor Haight had made himself very unpopular.
One of his acts causing much disapproval was the signing
of the bill reducing the state militia (s). The Democrats
had no love for the militia, and when they obtained control
of the state government, under the plea of retrenchment,
they cut the military appropriation bill fifty per cent and
limited the local companies to 2,000 men. The military men
construed this as an insult (t). During the Civil war they

(r) Booth in 1865 ran for State Senator from Sacramento against
a candidate slated for the office by the Central Pacific railroad.
Fearing that Booth would be elected secretary, they threatened to
withdraw all patronage from the firm if he persisted in running for
State Senator. Booth & Co. were then wholesale merchants and
liquor dealers in Sacramento and they were carrying on an extensive
business with Stanford & Co. Booth in reply said, "My goods have
always been on sale, my principles never." Booth was defeated. He
lost the trade of the Central Pacific and ever after he fought that
corporation. (s) In 1862 the Legislature passed a law giving the commander-
in-chief the power to recover from any company its arms and equip
ment. The object was to prevent traitors from getting possession
of state arms.
In 1865 the Legislature amended the law of 1862 by giving the
commander-in-chief authority to disband any company evincing a
mutinous, disobedient or disorderly spirit.
(t) Among the pioneers the spirit of militarism was in the
blood. Thousands of '49ers took part in the Mexican war. Captains
and colonels were numerous, and these men organized local military
companies in various parts of the state. There was, for instance, the
Columbia Grays, the San Francisco Hussars, the Stockton Blues, the
McMahon Guards and the Sutter Rifles. The companies held their
picnics, target shoots and grand balls. They were the top-notch of

Political Revolutions 219

had freely given their time, money and services in the
saving of California to the Union and many companies
disbanded (u).
The legislature of 1871 posed as the opponents of the
Central Pacific, yet by some mysterious means they elected
as United States Senator the railroad's best friend (v),
Aaron A. Sargent. He was no novice either in politics or
Congress, for he had been a Representative in 1861 and
1868. A printer in 1850, he worked several years at the
trade. During his term as Senator he was charged with all
manner of jobs and tricks in the interest of the Central
Pacific. One of his put-up jobs was the "tape work" ticket
at Mare Island (w). Sargent again ran for United States
Senator. He was defeated by James T. Farley. His can
didacy was bitterly opposed by the San Francisco Chronicle,
because he sued them for libel. He began suit in several

society. Ball tickets, including supper, have been sold as high as
$10 per couple. The Civil war caused an estrangement. Many com
panies disbanded. When Governor Downey called for troops in
August, 1861, many of the disbanded companies reorganized with
none but Union men in the ranks. Many new companies were re
cruited and in 1865 the state militia comprised 140 infantry, 20 cav
alry and 5 artillery companies, all told 8,250 men.
(u) One of the five artillery companies was the "Stockton Light
Artillery." They were hard hit by the reduction of appropriations.
Being, however, men of fair means and having great pride in their
company, they resolved to keep up their organization and pay the
extra expense from their own pockets. They had a full battery, four
six-pound cannon and caissons, and upon every proper occasion they
would fire salutes. These being the only cannon in the city, they
offered their services to the Democrats. They refused to accept them.
In the presidential election of 1868 Grant and Colfax were the
Republican nominees for President. May 23rd the artillery company
fired a political meeting salute. The local Democrats believed it the
height of impudence, firing salutes for Grant, the general who had
whipped their friends. They made complaint at Sacramento. Three
days later, June 16th, there came an order to disband the Stockton
Light Artillery for "disorderly conduct." At the time Adjutant Allen
of the Governor's staff arrived. He was received by a salute of
eleven guns. That evening all of the property of the company was
turned over to him. As soon as the battery was delivered "the
citizens" gave three rousing cheers for Grant and Colfax.
(v) Collis P. Huntington from Washington in 1877 wrote to D.
D. Colton regarding Sargent, "If he comes back to us as our friend,
he is worth to us as much as any six new men."
(w) In those days it was customary to print the election tickets
in colors. Each ticket had a party distinguishing mark on the back
of the ticket. By this means a person could tell the party ticket
voted. The Sargent ticket, however, was printed in such small type,
set solid with scarcely any margin, that it was impossible for the
voter to substitute any other name. The employes on the island
were compelled to vote this ticket or lose their situations.

220 Men and Events

different counties of the state. Sargent, after his defeat for
the Senatorship, was appointed as Minister to Germany.
Serving his term, he retired to private life and died in
August, 1887.
In the campaign of 1871 a new feature in politics was the
announcement of Mrs. Laura de Force Gordon (x) as a
candidate for State Senator from San Joaquin county. At
that time woman suffrage organizations were in existence
in the larger cities and the San Joaquin organization nomi
nated Mrs. Gordon for Senator. She had been lecturing in
Oregon on woman suffrage. In a newspaper card she
accepted the nomination and gave her reasons for so doing.
Mrs. Gordon stumped the county, although she knew she
could not serve if elected, and sarcastically stated that the
law excluded from voting, "Idiots, Chinese, paupers and

(x) Laura De Force Gordon was born in 1843 in Pennsylvania
and through her veins ran the blood of Ethan Allen of revolutionary
fame. At the age of sixteen she was in the lecturing field. Soon after
the Civil War, 1868, she came to California, and some years later
locating at Stockton, she purchased a defunct newspaper plant and
republished it as the Stockton Leader, an advocate of woman suf
frage. It failed to pay expenses. Later she tried to manage and
edit the Oakland Democrat. Again she failed.
While editing the Democrat Mrs. Gordon began the study of law.
Because of her sex, the Hasting's law college, San Francisco, re
fused to admit her as a student. She then began her long persistent
fight for admittance. The press, the men and even those of her own
sex ridiculed and taunted her. No sarcasm could check her and
Anally, through the court's decision she was admitted. She was
graduated with honor. Fighting every step of the road, she next
compelled the Supreme Court to give her a hearing. She passed a
satisfactory examination, and in December, 1879, she was admitted
to practice. Still unsatisfied, Mrs. Gordon knocked at the door of the
Supreme Court of the United States. Again successful, February 3,
1883, she was admitted, the second woman in the United States to
be thus recognized. Clara Foltz was admitted to the same court
March 4, 1890.
The Republican party along in the 70's refused to endorse woman
suffrage. Mrs. Gordon stumped the state for the Democratic nomi
nees. In some precincts, however, so strong was the prejudice
against her sex, that the committeemen would not permit her to
speak. As the Democrats also refused to give her sex recognition,
she went into the workingmen's camp, and campaigned the state
advocating the boycott and the expulsion of the Chinese.
In her demand for woman suffrage Mrs. Gordon was ably as
sisted by Clara Foltz, another woman lawyer. These two women,
in 1874, hammered the legislature until it passed a law March 12,
making eligible to any state educational office, any woman over
twenty-one years of age, except those officers from which they were
excluded by the constitution. Under this the first woman suffrage
law, Mrs. Coleman of Shasta county, was elected county superin
tendent. She held the office until 1886.

Political Revolutions 221

women" (y). After her acceptance she began stumping the
county and August 28, 1871, delivered her first speech for
woman suffrage. Mrs. Gordon at that time was about
thirty years of age, pretty and of handsome form. Her hair
was cut short and in curls. Her speeches were all delivered
with her head uncovered. One of the Republican papers, a
little worried, declared that she was speaking in the interest
of the Democratic party. She could not fill the office, as the
constitution declared none but qualified electors could serve.
Mrs. Gordon was the most interesting feature of the cam
paign, but she polled only 116 votes.
At this time there had been organized what was known
as "Patrons of Husbandry" or farmers' clubs. There were
clubs or granges in every farming community in the state,
and they were organized to fight monopolies, corporations
and railroads. Assembling in convention in Sacramento
September 24, 1872, they declared that "the freight rates on
our railroads are ruinous to our interests." They believed
that the corporations were the creations of law, and there
fore the maximum of rates on freight should be so fixed as
to prevent extortion. They declared that the state's prison
labor should be utilized in the production of grain sacks, to
be sold to the farmer at cost. They believed these matters
were political, hence "we will cast our votes and send to the
legislature such men as will carry our views into effect" (z).
Newton Booth was the farmers' hero, for he made them
many promises. The goal of his ambition when nominated
for Governor was the United States Senate. Winning out

(y) Without any fanfare of trumpets or even a general advo
cacy of the movement the Legislature of 1911 submitted to a vote
of the electors an amendment omitting the word "male" from the
state constitution. It was a special election October 10th upon
twenty-three amendments, among them home rule for counties, equal
suffrage, recall of state officers, initiative and referendum, working
men's compensation, municipal ownership and a state railroad com
mission. They were all approved, the woman suffrage having a
majority of nearly 4,000.
(z) As we know, their recommendations were adopted by the
Legislature and for nearly thirty years the farmers have been using
state's prison-made grain sacks, sold at cost. A railroad commission
was created. But for twenty years they accomplished nothing and
only wasted the farmers' coin. In 1910, however, a railroad commis
sion was created by the progressive Legislature that gave results,
and now corporations and railroads, are the servants, not masters of
the people.

222 Men and Events

on the anti-railroad platform, he worked that platform for
all there was in it. The Republican party was then under
the control of the railroad machine, run by George C. Gor
ham and A. A. Sargent. Many of the leading Republicans
now received no pie. Because of this they were sore, and
with the cry, "anything to beat the railroad," led by Newton
Booth and John'F. Swift, they organized an Independent
Republican party. They adopted an anti-monopoly plat
form from top to bottom, and they welcomed into their
ranks "sore heads from any party or by any name." The
Republicans called them the "Doily Vardens" because they
were most decidedly mixed (a*).
The election of that year (1873) was for legislators and
county officers only. That legislature, however, was an
important body as two United States Senators were to be
elected. One to fill the unexpired term of Eugene Casserly,
who had resigned. The other to succeed Casserly. Al
though Booth was Governor, he began his diplomatic work
for the Senatorship and succeeded in electing quite a large
number of farmers to the legislature. It was the most
motley legislative body ever assembled, as it comprised men
who four years previous had been known as Republicans,
abolitionists, war Democrats, peace Democrats, seces
sionists and copperheads. When the time of the election
was at hand (December, 1873), the Democrats nominated
James T. Farley, the Republicans James M. McShafter,
later Supreme Judge, and the "Dolly Vardens" Newton
Booth. On the fourth ballot Booth was elected to succeed
Casserly by a majority of one. His (b*) term began March
4, 1875. When his election was announced a yell went up
from the gallery and lobbies, which were densely packed.
Ladies within the bar waved their handkerchiefs and men

(a*) About this time a new pattern of calico was put upon the
market. It was composed of many colors and figures and called by
the trade "Dolly Varden."
(b*) Before Booth's election as Governor it was whispered that
he was seeking the United States Senatorship. Booth promised that
if elected Governor he would seek no other office while acting as
Governor. The breaking of that promise led to the passing of a
law that session making the Governor ineligible to the United
States Senatorship while in office. This law was repealed at the
state election held November 3, 1914.

PIONEER INDUSTRIAL
LEADERS

John A. Sutter, founder of
Sacramento.

John Bidwell,
Chico.

founder of

Captain Charles M. Weber,
founder of Stockton.

Political Revolutions 223

threw up their hats, for Booth's agreeable manners, hand
some features and splendid ability as a speaker made him
popular with both sexes. Governor Booth then astonished
all modest men by his staying qualities, as he stuck to the
Governor's chair until February 27, 1875. He was then
compelled to resign in order to reach Washington by
March 4th. His successor was the Lieutenant Governor,
Romualdo Pacheco, a native son of Spanish parents, who
occupied the Governor's chair nine months only.
The Dolly Varden legislature on the question of tem
perance stands pre-eminent. In its two sessions it passed
seven anti-liquor laws. And Governor Booth, although en
gaged in the wholesale liquor business, signed every law.
All honor to him! The laws were aimed directly at the
liquor traffic. Three of them made it a criminal offense to
sell liquor to minors under sixteen years of age, within two
miles of the state university, or within one mile of the Napa
asylum. They declared that no saloon keeper could collect
a liquor debt over $5.00 in amount. They prohibited the
selling of liquor on election days during the voting hours.
Then, to feel the public pulse on the temperance question,
March 18, 1874, they passed the "local option and civil
damage bill" (c*), but the legislature found that they were
fifty years ahead of public sentiment, for not only the
Supreme Court, but the people "sat down upon it" heavily.

(c*) This law declared that where one-fourth of the legal
voters of a city or precinct by petition called upon the Superior Court
so to do, said court should call a special election to vote upon the
question of license or no license of saloons. If the majority voted
against license, then the saloon must close. Drug stores selling
liquor for medicinal purposes were exempt from this law.
Although this Legislature passed these laws, it was by no means
a non-liquor drinking body. A saloon was near every capitol build
ing and in the second Legislature many of the members became
beastly drunk, even during session hours. At Vallejo the saloon was
too far distant and a new saloon was opened directly opposite the
capitol. At Sacramento the saloon was too far distant and in 1871,
the Governor being a wholesale liquor dealer, they opened a "well"
in the basement of the capitol. That "well" continued to flow until
1893, notwithstanding the fact that in 1880 they passed a law pro
hibiting the sale of liquor upon the capitol grounds or within a mile
of the building. The legislators of 1886 and 1890 disgraced them
selves and the state by their drunken carousals and licentious acts
with women clerks. When the attention of the Legislature of 1890
was called to their violation of law, morality and decency, the Senate
refused to even take action on the resolution. In the session of 1893
the "well" was again opened as usual, but Assemblyman Bledsoe, of
Sonoma, succeeded in having the infamy closed.

224 Men and Events

Wherever a local option election was held whisky came out
ahead. Defeated in Alameda county by a vote of 2,382 to
2,331, the temperance people carried the case to the Supreme
Court. "Unconstitutional," the court declared.
In the state election of 1875 both Republicans and Demo
crats worked hard to defeat the Independent Anti-Monopo
lists. There were four parties striving for state control, the
three mentioned and the Temperance Reform party. The
Republicans nominated Timothy G. Phelps for Governor,
and then many of the rank bolted the party and joined the
Independents. The cause, Phelps was a monopolist and a
big land owner. The Independents, however, nominated
John Bidwell, "king of Tehama county" and owner of
10,000 acres of fine land. The Temperance Reformers
wanted Bidwell for their candidate also, but he telegraphed
them, "I stand upon the people's independent platform.
Believing firmly in temperance, will accept no further nomi
nations. The temperance people nominated W. E. Lovett.
The Democratic standard bearer was William Irwin.
The Republican party now played the baby act and cried
out that the Central Pacific had caused the defeat of the
party by their "past schemes and political intrigues."
George C. Gorham received more than his share of denun
ciation, the Republicans asserting that he was a better
friend to the Central Pacific than to his party. The new
issue, freights and fares, was touched upon. They declared
that the government had the right to regulate them. Can
didates, they asserted, should pledge themselves "to oppose
any discrimination between places." They opposed cor
porations and monopolies and then nominated the wealthy
land owner, T. G. Phelps. Now graciously greeting the
farmer, they earnestly invited his co-operation in the cost
of transportation and a reduction in taxes and the inaugura
tion of a plan of irrigation by representatives of their own
selection in the legislature.
For the first time in California politics the color line was
erased and they adopted a resolution "that all citizens, with
out distinction of color, are entitled to equal advantage of
public school education." Four years previous one of the
features of the campaign were the Republican colored clubs,
and they declared "in the future our political watchword

Political Revolutions 225

must be admission to our public schools for every child in
the state, without regard to color" (d*).
Neither the Republicans nor the Independents touched
upon the Chinese question, which was of far more impor
tance to the workingman than freights and fares or cor
porations. The Democrats, quick to notice this oversight,
in convention June 29th asserted that the local government
was sufficient to stamp out the Chinese evil and it was
not necessary to go to Congreses. They demanded an
amendment to the Burlingame treaty which would make it
a treaty for commercial purposes only. They opposed all
monopolies. They favored irrigation. And they recom
mended the calling of an election for delegates to a constitu
tional convention. The measure had been opposed by the
Republicans. William Irwin (e*) was elected by a big
majority, the action of Congress over the Chinese question
defeating the Republicans. The voted stood, Irwin 61,509,
Bidwell 20,752, Phelps 31,322.
As the legislature had been elected upon certain issues,
they catered to their party and passed, first, a law authoriz
ing the supervisors of San Francisco to appropriate $5,000
from their general fund. The money was to be expended
in sending delegates to Washington to solicit Congress to
modify the Burlingame treaty and check Chinese immigra
tion. They also passed a cubic air law applying to San

(d*) There was much trouble over the school question and in
other ways. On the Fourth of July the colored men accepted a posi
tion in the parade. The firemen of Sacramento and Stockton, learn
ing of their acceptance to parade, declared, "We won't march with
the damned niggers." The colored men then withdrew. In Sacra
mento, however, they replied, "Well, we would have been humiliated
anyhow to march with copperheads, secessionists and traitors."
(e*) William Irwin, a very honest and conscientious Governor,
was born in Ohio in 1828. Graduating from Marietta college, he be
gan studying law. To Yreka, California, he immigrated in 1852 and
for several years he published the Union. In 1862-63 he was in the
Assembly from Treka, then locating in Siskiyou county he was
Siskiyou's Senator in the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth ses
sions. As the new constitution was adopted during his term he held
office four years and nine months. At the time of his death, March
15, 1886, he was harbor commissioner. He was buried in the state
plot at Sacramento, not a monument, not even a headstone, marking
his resting place until 1892. Then Senator Price called the attention
of the Legislature to this shameful neglect of the honest, faithful
Governor and $5,000 was appropriated for a suitable monument.

226 Men and Events

Francisco only (f*). Its object was to compel the Chinese
to leave the city. It was declared unconstitutional. They
also passed a law authorizing the Governor to appoint three
railroad commissioners at a salary each of $5,000 a year.
Soon after Governor Irwin took his seat there came into
existence an organization later known as the workingmen's
party. It was composed of common laborers and mechanics
and for a season they kept the citizens and politicians busy.
They had no political strength except in the four largest
cities. They succeeded in carrying several local elections
and sending to the legislature quite a large representation
and causing the adoption of a new constitution. Assem
bling in San Francisco October 7, 1877, they organized by
electing Dennis Kearney, president ; John G. Day, vice
president, and H. L. Knight, secretary. "The Chinese must
go," was their slogan, and they denounced all capitalists,
railroads and corporations (g*).
They succeeded in sending to the legislature of 1880
ten Senators and sixteen Assemblymen. Among them was
John W. Bones, a railroad conductor, elected from Alameda
county. Nathan Porter, one of the brightest and best men
of the state, died January 3, 1878, and January 22nd an
election was held for his successor. Alameda was a strong
Republican county and the Republicans anticipated an easy
election of their nominee, W. W. Crane. It rained heavily
on election day. The Republicans polled a light vote. The
workingmen, putting forth extra efforts, elected their man.
In the previous September election the workingmen polled
only 118 votes out of a total of 7,118. In January they
polled 2,730, the Republicans 2,138 and the Democrats 572.

(f*) This law prohibited any person from sleeping in a room
having less than five hundred -cubic feet of space. All police officers
were authorized to search houses and see that the law was obeyed.
(g*) They declared "the object of this association is to unite
all poor and working men and their friends into one political party
for the purpose of defending themselves against the dangerous en
croachments of capital upon the happiness of our people and the lib
erties of our country." Then followed a long list of the reforms they
proposed to carry out to wrest the government from the hands of the
rich, to rid the country of cheap Chinese labor, as soon as possible
to abolish banks, to destroy the land monopoly and the great money
power of the .rich by a system of taxation, to provide decently for the
"poor and unfortunate, and to elect none but working men and their
friends to office.

Political Revolutions 227

The San Francisco clubs were so delighted over the result
that they tendered Senator Bones a rousing ovation. The
monster parade indicated that the party possessed both
numerical as well as physical strength. Soon after this the
workingmen of Oakland and Sacramento elected several
candidates in their local elections. A few of the news
papers, believing that they were the coming power, began
assisting and advocating their cause (h*).
The most important work in which the new party
figured was on the formation and adoption of the new
constitution. They believed that a new constitution formu
lated by them would cause the millenium to appear. In
1873 the question of a new constitution had been discussed.
No action was taken, however, until September 5, 1877.
On that date the voters declared by a small majority that
they desired a new organic law. The Democratic party,
from which most of the workingmen had strayed, was
anxious to again have them within the fold and if a new
constitution would bring them back, well and good. So
the Democratic legislature (March 30, 1878) passed a law
calling for a special election to be held June 19th for the
election of 154 delegates to a constitutional convention.
The workingmen now labored with great enthusiasm to
elect at least a majority of the delegates. As their nominees
were not qualified to fill such an important trust, the old
parties were compelled to unite. Organizing what they
called a non-partisan party, they gave plenty of time and
money that they might elect men well qualified to form
a new constitution (i*).
The convention convened in the capitol building Sep
tember 28, 1878, and adjourned sine die March 3, 1879. It
was a fairly representative body and contained some of the

(h*) Their principal advocate was the San Francisco Chronicle.
It called Dennis Kearney "a great political leader" and gave him
unstinted praise. After his refusal, however, to submit to their dic
tation, the Chronicle could say nothing mean enough of the party
leader. (i*) It was fortunate that the two old parties united. As an
illustration of incompetency, take Kearney's San Francisco nominees.
Nineteen of the delegates were foreign born, and fifteen were non-
taxpayers. Notwithstanding the poor quality of the San Francisco
delegates, they carried that city. In the convention there were 51
workingmen, 81 non-partisan, 11 Republicans, 7 Democrats and 2
Independents.

228 Men and Events

state's brightest minds. The lawyers (56) and the farmers
(36) outnumbered those of all other occupations or profes
sions. Among the workingmen the trades were well repre
sented, there being one or more each of carpenters, plumb
ers, printers, cooks, tailors, gas fitters, butchers, etc. The
president of the convention was Judge Joseph P. Hodge,
a very able man and one well qualified to preside by forty
years' experience as a lawyer. When we consider the
circumstances, the constitution adopted was a fairly good
one. It was not framed by cool headed, reasonable, well
qualified minds, but by a body of men, one-half of whom
were excited, strongly prejudiced and hating with a bitter
hatred the very things upon which they were to legislate.
In the beginning the most rabid Chinese haters, anti-
monopolists and anti-railroad men tried to capture the con
vention. In this movement they were led by David S.
Terry, who had been elected on the non-partisan ticket (j*).
The new constitution was ratified by the voters May 7,
1879, by the following vote, 77,598-67,134. The farming
communities favored it, while the stock and mining counties
were about equally divided. San Francisco, Alameda, Sac
ramento and Santa Clara opposed it. And San Joaquin,
Sonoma and Los Angeles counties gave majorities for it.
As the constitutional convention was called principally
by those opposed to the wealthy class and the Chinese,
strong measures were adopted regarding them. The right
of citizenship was denied the Chinese (k*). No Chinese
could be employed on public work. They also asserted
that no corporation could employ them. This was a blow
at the railroads. They created a board of railroad com-

(j*) It has always been a mystery, even to his intimate friends,
why David S. Terry deserted his friends and went over to the enemy.
The only reason that can be assigned was his hatred for corporations
and his desire again to sit upon the Supreme bench. As a leader on
the -working man's measures he believed he could command their
votes. After the close of the convention he united with the new
constitution party and in their convention he was placed in nomina
tion for Justice of the Supreme Court. The spirit of Broderick,
however, arose to confront him and during the heated debate his
name was withdrawn.
(k*) The state constitution adopted in 1880 declared a Mon
golian was ineligible to citizenship; nevertheless in 1896 over 500
Chinese, native born, registered and as citizens voted at the state
election.

Political Revolutions 229

missioners with full power to regulate freights and fares.
In order that they might tax the rich for full value, every
taxpayer must swear to the value of his property at 12
o'clock meridian, March 1st of each year. Land and
improvements were separately taxed. The holding of large
acreages over 1,000 acres was discouraged. They also
opposed women's suffrage, but after much labor, Clara
Foltz and Mrs. Laura de Force Gordon succeeded in having
introduced and passed a section that no person on account
of sex should be disqualified from carrying on any lawful
business, profession or vocation.

CHAPTER XVII.
THE CHINESE VS. KEARNEYISM.
In the legislature of 1913 an event took place without a
precedent in American history. William Jennings Bryan,
the Secretary of State (April 28th), sat with the presiding
officer in the Senate. During the session he spoke upon the
Japanese question. He came direct from President Wilson
at Washington to prevent, if possible, the enactment of an
anti-alien land law (a).
It was the old, old question which has appeared in every
party platform and been threshed out in many legislatures
since that time when Governor Bigler sounded the alarm
against Mongolian immigration. At first the pioneers not
only encouraged, but they petted the "little brown man,"
as they called him. In the Admission day celebration of
1850 the "China boys" took part, and were one of the
features of the procession.
In 1846 the Chinaman first made his appearance (b). In
1852 they began arriving in large numbers. Thousands of
them went to the mines to dig gold. It was- feared that
they would get all of the nuggets. Then the legislature

(a) This law declared in effect that aliens ineligible to citizen
ship shall not hold land or leases longer than one year. Bryan
succeeded only in causing the Legislature to change the wording of
the law. And they enacted and passed the law (May 3rd), which
was signed by Governor Johnson, in effect that aliens ineligible to
citizenship may not hold land.
(b) In that year they came as cooks on board merchant vessels.
In 1848 on board the Bark Eagle two Chinamen and a Chinawoman
arrived from Hongkong. In 1850, 787 Chinese arrived, this including
two women, and in 1852, 4,000 immigrants landed at San Francisco.
The pioneers believed that the entire population, 400,000,000, were
coming. The agitation at that time, however, decreased the immi
gration until 1870. 230

The Chinese vs. Kearneyism 231

began taxing the Chinese (c), but they continued mining.
In San Francisco they opened restaurants and stores con
taining fine Chinese goods. The merchant was a novelty,
his goods were also a novelty and the miners, investing
thousands of dollars in China toys, silks, satins and various
fancy articles, sent them by Adams Express to children,
wives and sweethearts in the east. Two years later the
cry went up against the Chinese and for a few years the
immigration practically ceased (d).
Since the organization of the state the mercantile
interests had been desirous of opening up a trade with the
Orient. They believed with John C. Calhoun that "a vast
market will be created and a mighty impulse given to
commerce" (e). Every legislature had petitioned Congress
to subsidize a line of steamers from San Francisco to China.
Senator Cole introduced a bill into Congress which was
passed, and the Oriental Steamship Company was organ
ized. The steamer Colorado was especially fitted up for
the initial voyage. She was advertised to sail January 1,
1866 (f). On the morning of her departure the hills were
black with people and an immense crowd surged upon the
wharf. Amid the cheers of thousands and salutes from
Alcatraz and Yerba Buena islands the Colorado passed out
the Golden Gate.
While the merchants and the capitalists were congratu
lating each other upon the great benefits to be derived from
this enterprise, the middle and the poor class saw only

(c) The counties in which the tax was collected received quite
a revenue from that source. In fact, it saved them several times
from bankruptcy. After a time they learned that the Chinese miner
was a benefit. He was content with small earning. Working the
ground considered worthless by the white men, he obtained gold
which never would have been put in circulation.
(d) The Chinese immigration during these troublesome times
was somewhat alarming, as it comprised men only. Very few
Chinese women have ever come to California. Hence 1 compare the
Chinese immigration with the voting or male population of 1860:
Voters 119,868, Chinese 44,000; 1870, 120,101-49,310; 1880, 164,397-
75,025. (e) Speech in 1845 on the Oregon question.
(f) In honor of the occasion the merchants enjoyed a banquet
New Tear's eve in the Lick house. Governor Low presided, and in
his speech he asked, "Who can foretell all the intimate results of
commercial relations between these two countries (China and Japan)
during the next ten, twenty or fifty years?"

232 Men and Events

misery and starvation for them. This enterprise would
cause a large immigration of Chinese. This meant cheap
labor and gloomy were the prospects. At this time a
contractor was engaged in filling up the low lands now
occupied by the railroad offices, Fourth and Townsend
streets. Before the return of the Colorado he discharged
his Irish laborers, and he employed Chinese, paying them
sixty-two and one-half cents a day, only one-half the
former rate. This aroused bad blood and a party of nearly
three hundred hoodlums attacked the Chinese with stones,
bricks and clubs. The foreman of the gang was knocked
senseless. The fifteen yellow men were beaten and badly
bruised, the crowd shouting, "Kill them ! kill them !" One
Chinaman was killed. The Mongolians then fled and the
toughs set on fire the Chinese shanties, destroying them.
"Now clean out the rope walks," they yelled, and running
to Hunter's point, where another gang of Chinamen were
employed, they fired the buildings. The Chinese fled to the
hills. Twelve of the rioters were imprisoned by Judge Rix.
The increasing hatred of the Chinese by the workingmen
led to the organization of anti-coolie clubs. Their first
meeting was held in San Francisco, February 20, 1867. It
was addressed by Zachariah Montgomery. During this
meeting the boycott movement was started. The members
resolved "that we will not patronize any person who will
in any manner encourage or employ Chinese labor." A
similar meeting was held in Sacramento February 26th and
among the speakers was ex-Governor Bigler, father of the
anti-Chinese movement. In the metropolis a second large
meeting was held March 7th, which was very exciting. An
effort was made to break it up, as the president, J. J. Ayers,
introduced resolutions denouncing the Central Pacific. The
company employed Chinese. He might have denounced
with greater propriety the Oriental Steamship Company.
They were the first corporation to hire Chinese labor (g).

(g) In January, 1867, discharging the white firemen on the
Great Republic, they hired Chinese. Then the white sailors were
"fired" and at lower wages John Chinaman became a sailor boy to
plow the deep blue sea.

The Chinese vs. Keameyism 233

The policy of the steamship company in hiring cheap
Chinese labor was adopted by the capitalist and middle
class. They began to employ them as cooks and house
servants, and before the condition of affairs was generally
known the Chinamen had crowded out of employment hun
dreds of white men and girls.
The manufacturers of San Francisco, finding "John" a
good imitator and keen to learn a trade, thought it a bright
idea to teach him to make cigars, clothing, boots and shoes,
etc. As soon as he had mastered the trade he began busi
ness on his own account. He could sell the same class of
goods much cheaper than his former employer, and the
white merchant lost trade. The poor crowded from work
by the Chinese now began purchasing Chinese-made goods.
Then capital and labor adopted the same slogan, "The
Chinese must go," and both demanded legislative and con
gressional action.
Anti-coolie clubs were now organized to stop, if possible,
the sale of Chinese-made goods. Each member was pledged
neither to patronize a Chinaman nor buy of those merchants
who sold Chinese-made goods. Then the union adopted a
stamp, "white man goods," and all white manufactured
clothing was supposed to bear the union stamp. The
stamped goods were higher in price. Many dealers refused
to handle union stock. Then the unions adopted the boy
cott system. Men paraded in front of the stubborn mer
chant's door bearing a placard "all honorable men boycott
this man." The merchant, protesting, had the parader
arrested. The Supreme Court declared it contrary to all
civil law in a free government to compel any merchant to
deal with certain parties only.
At least seven-eighths of the Chinese population of the
state lived in San Francisco and as they encroached rapidly
upon the trades, efforts were made to drive them out by
prohibitory ordinances (h). The Supreme Court, however,

(h) One of the ordinances prohibited the Chinese laundrymen
from carrying on business in wood structures. Another ordinance
prohibited the Chinese laundrymen from continuing business after
10 o'clock at night. To save expense they worked day and night with
two shifts of men. Another law compelled the laundrymen and
vegetable peddlers to pay an unreasonable license. Street rag pick
ers and Chinese vegetable peddlers were prohibited from walking

234 Men and Events

declared them unconstitutional. One plan would have been
effective, to refuse them all work and patronize none but
white men. But it was then learned that it was almost
impossible to get along without them. They had displaced
unskilled white labor and now the white labor refused to
perform the menial work of the Chinese. They had created
new industries, laundry work and vegetable peddling from
door to door. They worked cheaply and sold at small
profits. The whites would not undertake the work.
The Chinese, notwithstanding their industrious habits,
peaceful dispositions and frugal manners, have been a moral
leper upon the body politic. They introduced the habit of
opium smoking, to which thousands of whites became slaves
and human wrecks. They brought filth and disease. They
crowded out the young man and woman from the unskilled
work of the manufactory and home, and finally the young
became impressed with the idea that such work was degrad
ing. A common expression was, when asked to do certain
menial work, "Do you take me for a Chinaman?" As a
result, hundreds of young men became what were then
known as "hoodlums."
The year 1877 was a hard year. Money was scarce and
all kinds of business slow and lifeless. There was much
suffering in San Francisco, and the labor agitators attributed
the cause to the presence of the Chinese, corporations and
monopolies. The twenty-one labor unions then in existence
in the bay city began a crusade. Among other demands,
they demanded the expulsion of the Mongolian, the reduc
tion of labor to eight hours a day, the increase of wages,
and the limitation of apprentices in foundry and shop. They
imported from the east a noted labor agitator named James
de Arcy, and July 23rd nearly 6,000 men assembled upon
the "sand lot" (i) to listen to De Arcy on the labor question.
At the close of his speech resolutions were passed denounc-

upon the sidewalks with their baskets. Then they passed the "cubic
air ordinance." Then followed an ordinance prohibiting the ship
ment of the bones of deceased Chinamen to China. As I have stated,
all of these ordinances and many more not enumerated were declared
unconstitutional. The prohibition of gambling and opium smoking
stood the test of the Supreme Court.
(i) This now historic spot was a large open space near the
corner of Market and McAllister streets.

The Chinese vs. Kearneyism 235

ing in fiery language the "granting of subsidies and the
grabbing of public lands." They regretted also "the use of
force and riotous incendiary action but * * * all other
resources failing, physical force and resolutions are not only
justifiable but patriotic and commendable."
Much to their surprise, perhaps, the band of hoodlums
immediately put the agitator's resolutions into practice.
Running down the street they cried "On to Chinatown!"
They stoned Chinamen as they ran, smashed the doors and
windows of Chinese wash houses, and setting fire to one
building, it was destroyed, as the toughs cut the fire hose
as fast as it was laid.
The following day, as a few hundred hoodlums had
threatened to burn the city, the people of San Francisco
were very much excited. The mayor issued a proclamation
against riotous conduct and Archbishop Alemany published
a caution (j). No disturbance occurred on that day. On
the evening of the 25th, however, an immense mob gathered
at the corner of Fifth and Mission streets; a large extra
police force had been sworn in, but they were unable to
disperse the crowd. Finally, 200 rioters breaking away
started for the woolen mills, where Chinese were employed,
threatening to burn it. They set fire to several wash
houses. The mill, however, was protected by a strong
guard. While these acts were in progress another laundry
far distant was attacked by fifteen rioters. They fired
several shots into the building. The inmates fled. The
hoodlums then robbed and set fire to the house, burning to
death a Chinaman.
Finally the citizens awoke from their slumber. A com
mittee of "public safety" was organized. The leader was
WilUiam T. Coleman, who was the leader of the vigilance
committee of 1856. In his short and pointed speech to his
men he said, "Use your clubs on the heads of your oppo
nents." That evening while they were organizing into com-

(j) Mayor Bryant published a proclamation declaring "any
attempt to incite a riot will be crushed, as the law is supreme and
must be maintained at all hazards." Archbishop Alemany published
a caution to the faithful, saying to all persons, Catholics in particular,
"Injuries are often hard to bear, but to seek redress by joining the
wild fury of the rioters is most criminal, for the remedy lies not in
the wild track of anarchy."

236 Men and Events

panies, word came in from Chief of Police Ellis for one
hundred men. Immediately one hundred men, under the
command of H. A. Cobb, and armed with short clubs and
pick handles, hurried to Beale street. A fire was there
raging, started by the rioters. They expected it would
spread across the street and destroy the dock of the Pacific
Mail Company. In every manner possible the rioters had
been obstructing the work of the firemen.
They cut the hose and from the high bluff threw stones
at the fire workers. The Cobb brigade charged up the
bluff and using freely their clubs routed the hoodlums.
Again rallying, they shouted, "Charge the cops!" During
the skirmish several shots were fired. A police volunteer
was shot and died the following day. Several of the rioters
were arrested. Near Lotta's fountain their companions
tried to release them. Again the pick handles and clubs
were freely used. In their haste to escape th fugitives ran
into saloons, and broke in doors and windows of private
houses. For over an hour the fight was on; the rioters
then had enough.
Any further disturbances would have been serious, as
the authorities had concluded to have no more boys' play.
The mob would have been saluted with ball and cartridge.
On the third day (July 27th) in all of the newspapers the
mayor warned all parents to keep their boys under age off
the streets, "as more vigorous means will be employed to
suppress riotous proceedings." All the armories were
strongly guarded. Sentinels paced the streets, and no
traveling along the street was permitted after 10 :00 o'clock.
The Pensacola and the Lancaster steamed from Mare
Island and anchored near the city front. Their sailors and
marines could be landed at short notice. For the use of
the committee 4,000 stand of arms had been brought from
Benicia, and 6,000 men well armed would have met the
rioters. The Chinese, the innocent cause of all the trouble,
dared not venture on the streets. Their doors and windows
were heavily barred and they had purchased large quantities
of arms and ammunition, ready to fight to the death if
attacked. The preparations for war completely subdued the
hoodlum class.

The Chinese vs. Kearneyism 237

The hoodlums had had their day. There arose, however,
in the fall of 1877 another apparently dangerous class. They
shouted for social reforms and "Drive out the Chinese."
Meetings were held upon the sand lot Sunday afternoons.
The laboring class was then at leisure and at times from
5,000 to 10,000 persons would assemble and listen to and
applaud the speeches of the incendiary agitators. The
meetings were first started by Dr. C. C. O'Donnell (k). He
was, however, soon superceded in popular favor by the
Irish teamster, Dennis Kearney (1). His speeches at times
were infamous and calculated to incite anarchy (m). No
vember 3rd, under the Gibbs act, passed by the supervisors
to meet his case, he was arrested for using incendiary lan
guage. The political influence and power of the laboring
men was strong; in a few days Kearney was given his
liberty. In honor of Kearney's freedom, the workingmen
Thanksgiving day held a monster parade. Every trade in
San Francisco was represented. Over 7,000 mechanics,

(k) Dr. C. C. O'Donnell was one of the disreputable physicians
of San Francisco. Seeking notoriety and office, he shouted "the
Chinese must go.' Running on an independent ticket for Mayor, he
declared that if elected he would run the Chinese out of San Fran
cisco within twenty-four hours.
(1) Dennis Kearney was born in Ireland in 1847. He followed
the sea as sailor boy and officer, and in 1867 he landed at San Fran
cisco as first officer of the clipper ship Shooting Star. In 1870 he
married. Two years later he engaged in the draying business and
made big money. The merchants boycotted him after he became a
sand lot orator and he was obliged to sell his business at a heavy
loss. After the Chinese crusade he engaged in stock mining and
became wealthy. In the '90's his uncle died and Dennis was left a
fortune in Fresno property. Kearney's entrance into stock deals
made a complete change in the man. Wells Drury said in 1899,
describing him, "The canvas overalls and jumper had disappeared.
Gone was the drayman's leather apron, fastened by copper rivets.
Before me was the Dennis Kearney of today, the prosperous specu
lator in wheat, sugar and oil. His powerful hands are no longer
knotted and clenched, but white and soft. The chin no longer pro
trudes, and the jaw has less of the appearance of aggressive promi
nence." "Watching the wheat game is harder work than excluding
the Chinese," said Kearney. He died in Alameda April 29, 1907. His
beautiful home was destroyed in the San Francisco fire.
(m) In one of his speeches Kearney declared San Francisco
would meet with the fate of Moscow if the condition of the laboring
classes was not changed. In his December speech he denounced the
rich and declared that "Judge Lynch is the judge wanted by the
working man. I advise you all to own a musket and a hundred
rounds of ammunition." On one occasion in his tirade against the
Legislature he shouted, "If the members ever step over the line of
decency, then I say hemp, hemp, hemp, that is the battle cry of
freedom."

238 Men and Events
bearing emblems, banners, mottoes and hundreds of Ameri
can flags, marched the streets. The broke rank at the sand
lot and the demonstration ended with music, a poem and
an oration.Kearney continued his tirade against the city and
county officials, not forgetting the Chinese. In the meeting
of January 16, 1878, Kearney shouted, "Are you ready to
march down to the wharf and stop the leperous Chinese
from landing?" With a yell his auditors shouted "Yes."
The next day Kearney was arrested. At this time several
of the clubs had been engaged in military drills. One com
pany of eighty men was well armed. The authorities,
anticipating trouble over Kearney's imprisonment, called
out the National Guard. Two warships about the same
time anchored off the water front. Kearney had threatened
to blow up the Pacific Mail steamers' dock if any more
Chinese were landed.
The legislature was then in session at Sacramento and
the San Francisco supervisors, in secret session, appointed
a committee to visit the capital and seek protection. As a
result the legislature, under a suspension of rules, imme
diately passed the "Murphy riot act," which prohibited the
gathering of doubtful assemblies or the delivering of incen
diary speeches. Kearney was tried by jury and acquitted.
Then he invited the legislature to come to San Francisco
and hear him speak. A joint committee was appointed
from both houses and they visited San Francisco. They
attended the meeting of February 2nd. The assembly was
as quiet and orderly as at a church service and Kearney's
speech was as free from slander as a minister's sermon.
That committee, with political aspirations in view, reported
to the legislature that the workingmen had not committed
any overt act, the passage of the riot act was ill timed and
should be repealed, and that the police had used unwar
ranted roughness in dispersing meetings.

The Chinese vs. Kearneyism 239

The flip-flop of the San Francisco Chronicle (n) at this
time was quite amusing. Charles de Young, the managing
editor of the Chronicle, seemed to .have been impressed
with the idea that it was his misison to give the state a new
constitution. As the Republicans failed to show any en
thusiasm over his idea, he deserted the party and tried to
enter the Democratic fold. They had no use for him, and
De Young then turned to the workingmen. They accepted
his services, but they refused to desert their leader, Kear
ney, or permit the Chronicle to dictate their policy. This
angered De Young. Again changing his colors, he began
his abuse of Kearney.
At this time a San Francisco Baptist minister named
Isaac C. Kalloch began attracting considerable attention,
not only by reason of his ability as a speaker, but because
of his views regarding the workingman (o). From his
preludes the workingmen soon learned that in the Baptist
divine they had an able friend and advocate, one who would
not decline a seat in the United States Senate. There he
would champion the cause of the poor. Learning that as
a stepping stone to that high office Kalloch would accept
the nomination of mayor of San Francisco, June 7, 1879,
the workingmen unanimously nominated him for mayor.
The Chronicle now began firing its vitriolic poison upon
Kalloch. It endeavored by persuasion, intimidation and
threats to compel him to decline the nomination. Finally
De Young sent an agent to demand the pastor's non-

(n) The De Young brothers, Charles, Michael H. and Gustavus,
were reared in San Francisco. They were newsboys and January 16,
1865, Charles de Young started a little four-page paper called the
Dramatic Chronicle. In September, 1866, Mike de Young became a
partner in the Chronicle. The brothers soon had a large circulation,
and in September, 1868, they began selling their paper by subscrip
tion at 12% cents a week. In 1890 the Chronicle proprietors erected
the first steel building in California, at their present location in San
Francisco, corner of Market and Kearney streets.
(o) The reverend gentleman arrived in San Francisco from
Kansas early in the '70's to take charge of the Second and Fourth
Consolidated Baptist churches. A circular structure known as the
Metropolitan temple was erected for him, and he drew each Sunday
an immense audience, averaging an attendance of 5,000. He was a
man of medium size, heavily built, florid complexion, sandy hair and
whiskers. He had a loud, clear, pleasing tone of voice, and was
eloquent and convincing in his remarks. It was his custom each
Sunday evening in a prelude to his sermon to discuss the political
questions of the day, both state and local. He swayed his audience
at his will and ofttimes referred to events in very plain language.

240 Men and Events

acceptance. Kalloch refused to surrender. The agent then
informed the pastor that De Young "had the ammunition
in the pigeon hole of the Chronicle office to destroy him,
both as a politician and as a preacher" (p). Kalloch sent
his compliments to Mr. De Young and told him "to go
to hell." The following day the Chronicle began a series
of the most abusive tirades ever seen in print. Kalloch
paid no attention to them until an editorial appeared reflect
ing upon the honor of his deceased father. It was an article
written for the express purpose of arousing Kalloch. De
Young had finally succeeded in his object. It aroused the
lion-like wrath of the pastor and in his memorable speech
August 23, 1879, he most unmercifully scored the Chronicle
proprietors (q).
Smarting under the minister's stinging rebuke, Charles
de Young resolved to kill Kalloch. The day of duelling was
passed, so he resorted to a more cowardly method of dis
posing of his antagonist. Armed with a large sized Colt's
revolver, De Young rapidly rode to the temple in a closed
coupe, a messenger boy by his side. Upon his arrival at
the temple, side entrance, Kalloch was just leaving his
study. De Young said to the boy, "Do you see that gentle
man with a duster on? Tell him that a lady wishes to see
him." The messenger obeyed. As Kalloch attempted to
open the door of the coupe, De Young fired. The ball
struck the pastor two inches below the heart. Kalloch
staggered backward and the murderer, springing from his
seat to the ground, again fired, shooting Kalloch through
the thigh. De Young then attempted to enter the coupe
and escape, but he was quickly seized by citizens. In the
struggle the coupe was overturned. The newspaper pro
prietor was kicked and trampled by the angry crowd and
finally rescued by a policeman and taken to jail (r). Kal-

(p) Charles de Young sent a special agent east to learn of
Kalloch's licentious record in his younger days.
(q) The speech was too bitter for general reading. See the
San Francisco papers of the following day.
(r) That afternoon the Kearneyites held a very excited meeting.
One of the speakers declared, "It is not the Chinese now, we are
after De Young's blood." Said another speaker, "The Chinese must
go, and we demand that the De Youngs must go." "Hang them,
hang them," cried the mob.

The Chinese vs. Kearneyism 241
loch, although pronounced mortally wounded, recovered
and acceptably filled the office of mayor, to which he was
elected while recovering from his wounds. Charles de
Young remained in jail until September 1st, awaiting Kal-
loch's recovery. He was then released on $25,000 bail. This
ended that affair. The tragedy came later.
Charles de Young, failing to kill Kalloch, still continued
his newspaper tirades, until the best and most conservative
class began to think that patience might cease to be a virtue.
Kalloch's son, then a young man of perhaps thirty years of
age, silently stood the abuse heaped upon his father until
he saw in circulation the sixty-page pamphlet, "The Life
and History of Isaac C. Kalloch" (s). The mother of
young Kalloch was also suffering under the terrible hound
ing of the Chronicle. Arming himself with a Colt's revolver
about dark April 23, 1880, young Kalloch in passing the
Chronicle building observed his victim in the office. Push
ing back the swinging door, Kalloch entered and quickly
fired three shots at De Young. He missed him every shot.
De Young then ran behind the counter and stood over as
if to get a weapon. Kalloch, then reaching across the
counter, again fired. The ball entered De Young's mouth
and brain, killing him instantly. Kalloch was at once
arrested and taken to jail.
There now occurred one of the most disgraceful scenes
ever witnessed in San Francisco, the brutish acts of a howl
ing mob. A large crowd gathered and they began laughing
loudly, talking and even hooting. And the policemen were
even compelled to beat them back with their clubs in order
to clear the way for the morgue wagon. As the body was
placed in the wagon, the mob began to hoot, yell and cheer,
and following on to the morgue they continued these dis
graceful actions. So bitter was their hatred for the dead
that the crowd lost control of all the decent promptings
of human nature. It caused the better class of citizens to

(s) This pamphlet claimed to give the life history of I. C.
Kalloch, and it brought out in detail the adulterous acts of the
pastor in his former homes in Massachusetts and Kansas. As it
was known that De Young had sent an agent east to look up the
minister's record, the son believed him responsible for the publica
tion of the book.

242 Meir and Events

blush with shame, for although De Young had his faults,
he also had his virtues (t).
Kalloch, tried for the murder of Charles de Young, was
defended by the pioneer criminal attorney, Henry E. High-
ton. The plea was self-defense. After considerable delay,
a witness was found with "X-ray" sight. While passing
the Chronicle office at the moment of the shooting, looking
through French plate glass figured windows, he saw De
Young fire the first shot. Kalloch was acquitted. But
the witness Clemshaw was sent to state's prison for perjury.
It was believed by the anti-Chinese agitators that the
new constitution, together with the Congressional laws
adopted, would stop all further Chinese immigration. But
they soon learned that laws alone would never block the
"Heathen Chinee," as Bret Harte called him.
Then a new plan was advocated and enforced, namely,
the boycott. In February, 1886, the convention that as
sembled at San Jose declared that the "Chinese must go."
They favored the boycott as the quickest means of obtain
ing that result, and they demanded the enforcement of the
Chinese penal laws (u).
A meeting of like character assembled March 10th at
Sacramento. The second day's proceedings came near
ending in a free-for-all fight, as John Bidwell, an employer
of Chinese ; A. A. Sargent, in touch with the railroad, and
Frank Newlands, voicing the opinions of the capitalists,
denounced the resolutions as measures severe and unjust.
The resolutions favoring the boycott were finally passed.
In the latter part of March a monster anti-Chinese mass
meeting was held in San Francisco. Speeches in sympathy
with the movement were made by Horace Davis, Morris
M. Estee, Patrick Reddy and other prominent office seekers.
The boycott movement was unanimously endorsed.

(t) Charles de Young was the head and brains of the Chronicle,
and he placed it in the front rank of journalism. At heart he was a
man generous and genial; strong in his likes and dislikes, he was
both feared and loved. A full sized marble statue erected by his
brother now marks his grave in the 1. O. O. F. cemetery.
(u) The president of the convention, C. F. MacGlashan of
Truckee, was an editor, the author of "The Donner Tragedy" and
leader in the anti-Chinese movement.

The Chinese vs. Kearneyism 243

In the meantime while public speakers were talking, and
conventions were resolving what should be done, in many
of the smaller communities the citizens were doing (v).
The Chinese problem as a national question dates back
even to 1866. At that time Congress passed over the Presi
dent's veto the so-called "civil rights" bill. President
Johnson vetoed it because he declared the Chinese as well
as the Negro "were made citizens of the United States."
In his message to Congress in December, 1869, President
Grant suggested such legislation as would prevent the
landing of slaves (Chinese coolies) on our soil.
The Democrats of California in convention in 1875 de
manded an amendment to the Burljngame treaty. They
sent a committee to interview' Congress. The result was
the Chinese "fifteen passenger" bill. President Hayes
vetoed it because "of its abrogation of a treaty without
notice" (w).
A commission sent by the President to China obtained
a modification of the treaty. General John F. Miller of

(v) The events here recorded give only a few of the abuses.
They are sufficient, however, to show the state of feeling, for a few
months, against the Chinese. January 6th Sacramento boycotted all
of the Chinese merchants, and they were compelled to close their
places of business. The following day the Chinese wash houses went
out of business because of the want of patronage. A week later the
San Jose paper mill discharged all of its Chinese employees. About
the same time, January 15th, Truckee "fired" her 300 Chinamen and
over 100 left the town. The citizens compelled Sisson Crocker &
Company to rescind all Chinese wood contracts, and discontinue
doing business with the Chinese. In contracts aione the firm lost
over $8,000.
The Chinese laundries of Santa Rosa closed February 15th and
the Chinese merchants offered their goods on sale at cost. Four
days later, February 19th, Nicolaus drove all of the Chinese from
the town, the citizens paying their fare to Sacramento. At Wheat
land on the 25th, a mob marched to three large ranches and driving
out the coolies, they burned their shacks and destroyed all of their
property. Three times the Chinese were driven from Eureka, the
act originating from the death of a citizen killed by a stray bullet
during a tong war.
(w) When the citizens learned of the veto in some localities
they became unreasonably excited. In Hollister and in Sonoma they
hung the president in effigy. In mass meeting the citizens of San
Jose declared "the president totally ignores the wishes of the people
of the Pacific Coast and we will help ourselves peacefully if we can,
forcibly if we must." The Republicans called it a national disaster
and the party was defeated in city, county and state elections. In
Stockton for instances, the Republicans carried the county for seven
teen successive years. That year every Republican on the county
ticket was defeated save one, Sheriff Cunningham.

244 Men and Events

California (x) then introduced a bill (1882) prohibiting for
twenty years the immigration of Chinese. Both houses
passed it, but President Arthur vetoed it. He declared,
"the time was unreasonably long." A second bill, making
the time ten years, the President signed May 3, 1882 (y).
The bill failed of its object because of the bogus certificates
issued. It was amended in 1884 and again became law.
The wily Chinese evaded it. Then was passed in 1888 the
famous Scott bill, which was another failure as to results.
Thomas J. Geary, California's representative, then tried to
frame a law without any loopholes. It prohibited the immi
gration of any Chinese except Chinese officials and their
servants. Any Chinese resident leaving the state could
never return. The bill, bomb-proof all right, was bitterly
fought by the eastern merchants and by Collis P. Hunting
ton as detrimental to Oriental trade. The religious denomi
nations also opposed it as un-Christian. President Harrison
in May, 1892, affixed his signature, thus making it a law.
It was amended later so as to permit Chinese students to
enter the United States, and resident Chinese to return.
The door, under various pressures, opened wider each year ;
no Chinaman was barred out. Then came another door
closer, "The Chinese Exclusion Bill," which passed both
houses in less than twenty days and was signed by Presi
dent Roosevelt, April 29, 1902. Then to evade this law
the Mongolians immigrated to British Columbia and to
Mexico and quietly crossed the boundary into the United
States. Bret Harte in his poem truly sang,
"In ways that are dark
And tricks that are vain
The heathen Chinese are peculiar."

(x) General John F. Miller, the peer of the most noted Senator
of Congress, was born in Indiana. A lawyer by profession he entered
the ranks in the Civil war, 1860, and made a high record. Coming to
California he engaged in business and later became president of the
Alaska Fur Company. Elected in 1881 as United States Senator, he
made a gallant fight for California, and a masterly speech for the
passage of the Chinese bill that stood unrefuted. He died during his
term of office, March 8, 1886, from the effects of a gun shot wound
received during the war.
(y) Both parties, the Republican and the Democrat, claimed the
victory, and both celebrated the event with speeches, music and
bonfires.

CHAPTER XVIII.
THE AGE OF RAILROADS.
The building of the overland railroad was the greatest
enterprise of that period, and regardless of the "roast" criti
cisms and abuse that have been showered upon the four
builders, Leland Stanford, Mark Hopkins, Collis P. Hunt
ington and Charles Crocker, they stand as among the state's
greatest benefactors. They are entitled to high praise (a).

(a) Collis P. Huntington, the financier of the Central Pacific,
was born in New York, October 22, 1821. His father was a wool
merchant. Huntington at the age of 22 engaged in general merchan
dising. In 1849 he came to California and opened a store of hardware
and miners' supplies in Sacramento. In 1855 he took in as his partner
Mark Hopkins, and this partnership continued until Hopkins' death
in March, 1878.
Charles Crocker was another New Yorker, born September 16,
1822. At ten years of age he began working, as his parents were
very poor. He worked on a farm, in a sawmill, and in a forge and
mastered the trade. Coming to California in 1850, two years later
he engaged in the dry goods business in the capital city.
Mark Hopkins, the oldest of the four railroad kings, was also
born in New York, September 1, 1813. He was clerking at the age of
sixteen, studying law eight years later, and landed in San Francisco
in August, 1849. A few months later he reached Sacramento, and
loading an ox team with groceries, traveled to Placerville and opened
a general merchandising store.
Leland Stanford we have already noticed in another part of this
work. These four men in Huntington's store on K street listened at
tentively to an engineer and surveyor, Theodore D. Judah, while he
explained to them the practicability, the importance and the possi
bilities of an overland railroad across the Sierras.
These men believed such a railorad possible, and with a com
bined capital of only $200,000 they had the nerve to attempt to carry
out an enterprise that would cost millions of dollars and several
years of hard work.
With the highest confidence in T. D. Judah they organized the
Central Pacific Railroad Company. Then Huntington and Judah
visited Congress and succeeded with others in having passed the
overland railroad bill. Then came the work of construction They
were compelled to employ cheap labor. And as labor on this coast
was scarce and high priced, agents were sent to China to import
coolie laborers. They posted notices in the two Chinese ports of emi
gration, Canton and Hongkong, that the Central Pacific railroad
wanted laborers. They would be given free passage to California
and $25.00 per month. These coolies did nothing but pick and shovel
work. I understand 6,000 were employed. Then there were the for-
245

246 Men and Events

For many years the people of California had been talking
of a railroad' across the Sierras. Some said that it could be
built, some that it was an impossibility. William M. Gwin
introduced the subject to Congress in 1854. He proposed a
southern line (where now runs the Santa Fe), its western
terminus San Diego. Then came sectional jealousy and the
northern Congressmen fought for a northern line, over the
Lewis and Clark survey of 1804, now the James J. Hill
road, ending in Oregon. Then came the Civil war and the
northern men at once saw the helpless condition of the
Pacific coast. They saw that an overland railroad was a
necessity, a war measure, for the transportation of troops.
A central overland bill was introduced by Senator James A.
McDougall, granting money and lands to the Union Pacific
and Central Pacific railroads. The bill passed both houses
and July 1, 1862, it was signed by Abraham Lincoln (b).
It need not be stated that there was much preliminary
work before even this much was accomplished. It was
necessary to interest the people so that they would be
willing to bond the counties through which ran the road.
In California in 1860 a Pacific railroad convention was held.
Nearly all of the counties in the state sent their delegates.
The attention of the convention was called to the fact that,
in case of civil war, the state was in a dangerous position
both from civil and foreign foes. They were reminded that
commerce and trade were greatly retarded because of the
long delay in shipping goods from the east. Then there
was the China and Japan trade which might be controlled
through an overland road. The resolutions were unani-

ests to cut, ties to make, bridges, sheds and buildings to erect, rock
to blast and cars and locomotives to build, and this gave work to an
army of mechanics and white laborers. In the Sierras alone, to say
nothing of shop work, over 9,000 white men were employed for three
years in various occupations. In their blasting over five hundred
kegs of powder were used daily. The company was compelled to
ship all of their material from the east by ship and the freight on
ten locomotives cost $20,000, the engines themselves costing $19,000
apiece. (b) When the news arrived of the signing of the bill, California
was celebrating our national day. About noon at Stockton the citi
zens were on parade. One of the citizens, turning to a second in
quired, "What're the bells ringing for?" Soon he learned, as down
the street the newsboys ran shouting, "Extra, extra, signing of the
Pacific railroad bill."

The Age of Railroads 247

mously adopted advocating the Pacific railroad. The Cen
tral Pacific was then organized in June, 1861, and the
directors employed fine speakers to travel over the state
advocating the issuing of bonds. The scheme was well
planned and soon the people went wild over the railroad
questions and the issuing of bonds (c).
Governor Stanford at the end of his term of office gave
his entire attention to the work of construction, and Feb
ruary 22, 1863, at the foot of K street, in the presence of the
legislature and a large crowd of citizens, the ex-Governor
shoveled the. first earth of the road. Speeches were made by
Charles Crocker, J, H. Warwick, the actor, and Leland Stan
ford. In his address Stanford predicted that in 1870 the
road would be finished. In November, 1867, the road was
in running order to the highest point of the Sierras, 105
miles, and 6,300 feet above sea level. An excursion train,
bearing the officers, a half dozen editors and several ladies,
was run to that point November 30th.
In the winter of 1869 track laying was rapidly carried on
by the Union and the Central Pacific, each company racing
for the bonus given for extra road building. In May the
Central Pacific was fast moving on Promontory point, and
May 10th was the day set for the driving of the last spike.
A celebration was arranged for the grand event. Sacra
mento was the place selected. The telegraph lines had been
arranged so that at the first blow of the hammer driving
the spike the news would be telegraphed to all parts of the
United States. From 5 :00 in the morning until 10 :00 o'clock
thousands began assembling in Sacramento from Reno,

(c) The largest amount of bonds issued was in 1863. In that
year San Joaquin county voted $250,000 in bonds to the Western
Pacific and later $100,000 to the Stockton & Copperopolis. Tuolumne
and Calaveras counties each gave $50,000 to the Copperopolis road.
El Dorado gave $250,000 to the Sacramento & Placerville. Sacra
mento voted $300,000 in bonds to the Central Pacific, taking in pay
ment 3,000 shares of stock, and Placer county gave $250,000 in bonds
provided the road ran through the county to the state line by the
way of Clipper Gap and Dutch Flat. The company changed the route,
yet they tried to collect the bonds, and under the name of the Dutch
Flat swindle over thirty years the litigations were in court. San
Francisco voted $1,000,000 in bonds to the Western and the Central
Pacific. The Legislature voted the Central Pacific warrants calling
for $200,000 at the completion of every twenty miles of road. The
limit was fifty miles. The directors agreed to haul free of cost all
exhibits for the state fair, all convicts and public messengers and all
troops in time of war.

248 Men and Events
Nevada; Stockton and San Francisco. The twenty-one
locomotives of the company were drawn up in line on the
water front and as the signal was given the engineeers
opened wide their whistles. The noise of whistles, bells
and cannon for a time drowned out all human speech. There
was an immense procession, an oration by Governor Haight,
a poem and vocal and instrumental music. The day was
also honored in San Francisco by a procession, decorations,
an oration and an illumination ; at Placerville and Yreka by
bell ringing and illuminations, and at Stockton by bells and
a salute of thirty-eight guns.
October 31st the Pacific railroad was completed from
the Atlantic to the Pacific. Two months earlier the roadbed
was laid to Stockton and August 11th Sacramento and
Stockton for the first time extended friendly greetings. An
excursion had been planned and the Sacramento pioneers
became the guests of the pioneers of the San Joaquin.
About a fourth of the population of the capital accompanied
the pioneers, and about 11:00 o'clock a.m. forty-two cars,
drawn by two locomotives, rounded the curve of the road
into Stockton. The firemen, pioneers, mayor and council
and "the town" were in waiting to meet their Sacramento
brethren and with music and flying banners they marched
on the principal streets. Collations were spread for all of
the visiting organizations and at 5 :00 o'clock homeward
they returned.
In 1860 a miner named William Reed, while prospecting
for gold in the Sierras east of Stockton, discovered copper.
The mines were opened and an immense bed of copper ore
was found. A railroad project was next started and in 1862
the Stockton & Copperopolis road was organized. It was
believed that the freight of copper alone would pay all
running expenses. San Joaquin county gave the company
bonds to the amount of $100,000. The government granted
sections of land on each side of the road. In December,
1870, the citizens of Stockton were delighted when the first
locomotive ran over a principal street to the water front

The Age of Railroads 249

(d) . Ten miles of roadbed in good running order were laid.
Then the bottom fell out of copper.
The stockholders could not extend the road. It was
purchased by the Central Pacific. To obtain the bonds and
the land, they built the road thirty miles to Milton.
The Copperopolis line was the fourth railroad then run
ning in California. The pioneer of the coast was the Sacra
mento & Folsom. It was built by the enterprising merchants
of Sacramento to catch the trade of the miners of the
southern mines. The twenty-two miles of road were com
pleted in February, 1856, and February 22nd a free excur
sion was given. The legislators were invited. They were
also given passes for themselves and families. The road
was a paying proposition from the beginning, as over 8,000
tons of merchandise was weekly lajtided at the Sacramento
wharf, consigned to the mining camps.
The second railroad, known as the California Pacific,
was projected from Sacramento to Vallejo in 1857. County
subsidies amounting to $120,000 were given to the road.
Lack of money, however, retarded its progress. It was not
completed until 1869. Then a bitter fight took place be
tween that road and the Central Pacific over the crossing.
The Central Pacific had laid its line along the entire water
front, and the California Pacific could not enter the city
from the Yolo county side. Finally in April, 1871, the Cali
fornia Pacific, through its president, Milton S. Latham, sold
out to the Central Pacific.
The third railroad enterprise was the San Jose & San
Francisco, which was chartered August 16, 1860. The citi
zens of the counties were desirous of a railroad and the
legislature authorized the people to vote upon the issuing of
$500,000 in bonds to the stockholders (e) . The contract to
build the road was let to A. H. Houstan and Charles Mc-

(d) Years later this street roadbed, over which ran tooting loco
motives and long trains of freight cars, became an intolerable nuis
ance. There was no law, however, that could prevent it. Finally
the merchants gave the Central Pacific $10,000 to remove their track.
(e) On the question of bonds, San Mateo county voted yes 7,309,
no 1,932; Santa Clara County, yes 1,467, no 735. Later by a large
majority San Francisco county voted $600,000 in bonds. The com
mon council refused to issue the bonds. When the Central Pacific
obtained possession of the road the company commenced suit against
the city and won it.

250 Men and Events

Laughlin (f) and January 16, 1864, the first train, an excur
sion, ran from San Francisco to San Jose. The train was
drawn by a locomotive built in San Francisco by H- J-
Booth. In 1869 this road was extended to Gilroy.
The first regular passenger train from the east arrived at
Oakland November 8th. This was preceded some five weeks
by an overland excursion train. It was chartered by the
Sovereign Grand Lodge, I. O. O. F., assembling that year
in San Francisco. The Grand Lodge was met at the state
line by brothers from Sacramento, and tarrying in that city
for a day, September 15th, they laid the cornerstone of the
Odd Fellows' temple. Spending an hour with Nathan
Porter, of Alameda, September 16th, the excursionists were
then transported to San Francisco. There they were wel
comed by the order in California and under the escort of the
National Guard and a procession of several thousand Odd
Fellows they passed through the principal streets to the
California theater, where several addresses were made. The
next day they made an excursion around the bay and out
upon the Pacific, and during their stay they were royally
entertained by brethren and citizens. It was an important
occasion, as they were the first national organization to visit
California. Many years before the completion of the overland, local
lines were running and one of these lines ran from Oakland
to Brooklyn, a distance of six miles. As Oakland lies upon
the beach, to reach the ferryboat and deep water a wharf
three-fourths of a mile long was constructed. Trains were
running over this line by September, 1863, and in April,

(f) Charles McLaughlin, who later became a millionaire and one
of the Central Pacific's principal agents, was shot and killed Decem
ber 13, 1883, by Jerome B. Cox, a sub-contractor who did thousands
of dollars worth of work for McLaughlin, and he refused to pay Cox.
Time and time again Cox obtained judgment in the courts, but the
new trials were granted the defendant. After nearly twenty years
of worry and trouble, Cox entered McLaughlin's office on the day
mentioned and demanded a settlement for the $40,000 due him on
past contracts. The men were alone. Outsiders, hearing three shots,
rushed into the room. They found McLaughlin mortally wounded
and dying. Cox declared that he shot in self-defense, as McLaughlin
tried to stab him with a bowie knife. Cox was discharged in the
preliminary examination. Public opinion justified Cox. After twenty-
one years of litigation the courts gave Cox the money due. To honor
the man, September 28, 1886, the united labor party made Cox their
nominee for Governor.

The Age of Railroads 251

1865, Brooklyn was reached. Three years later (July 4,
1869) the first of those terrible railroad accidents took place
at the ferry landing. A large crowd from San Francisco
visited the parade in Oakland. As the visitors were about
to return to the metropolis by the 5 :00 o'clock boat, they
met upon the apron the crowd from the bay city. Jamming
and pushing, the weight was too heavy. The chains holding
up the apron broke and over a hundred persons were thrown
into the water. Two heroic Italians, with others, jumped
overboard to save life, and although the Italians saved a
dozen persons, they were drowned, together with twenty
more. The most fickle guide to things right or wrong, just or
unjust, is public opinion. For twenty years the people were
clamoring for railroads. When the opportunity was offered
they gave liberally of their money and time to railroad
propositions. In less than ten years the people were as
bitterly fighting the railroads as previously they had been
praising them. For this change of sentiment there were
many causes. Some reasons were just, others unjust.. The
causes of complaint were all local, and the first came from
Alameda county. That county gave bonds to the "Western
Pacific," on condition that all of the money should be
expended for road building in that county. The Western
Pacific, unable to carry on the work, sold out to the Central
Pacific. That company, building four hundred miles of
roadbed, found it inadvisable to perform special work in
Alameda county. The county refused to deliver the bonds.
The railroad commenced suit and for nearly forty years
Alameda county was at enmity with the Central Pacific.
I have not the space to enumerate one-quarter of the
battles between the people and the railroad. One only will
I record, that of San Francisco over the Goat island ter
minus. The metropolis voted bonds in large amounts, but
when they learned that Sacramento was to be the terminus
of the Central Pacific the supervisors refused to issue the
bonds. Later Stanford acquired the Western Pacific and
the road was extended to Oakland. San Francisco was first
jealous of the capital. Then she was jealous of Oakland,
and fearing that Oakland would get all of the interior trade,
San Francisco asked the Central Pacific to bridge the bay

252 Men and Events

and run their trains into San Francisco. The company
agreed to the proposition, providing the metropolis voted
the company bonds to the amount of $3,000,000 to build
the bridge. The citizens voted the bonds. Again the super
visors held them up. Then was begun a long contested
lawsuit. Unable to quickly win the suit, and naturally irritated
because of the fight, the Central Pacific now sought a per
manent terminus of the road. Oakland proper was out of
the question, as the low marsh lands prevented the docking
of steamers either large or small. Compelled to make deep
water their terminal point, the company petitioned the gov
ernment for Goat island. Then arose the merchants of San
Francisco as one man and strongly protested. Searching
diligently, they found engineers who asserted that the
occupation of Goat island by a bridgeway would injure its
military defense. And the Chamber of Commerce March,
1872, appointed a committee of one hundred to defeat the
measure in Congress if possible. The government refused
to permit the occupation of the island.
Oakland was wise and some time previous (March 10,
1868) the legislature, at the request of Oakland, granted
the Central Pacific submerged and tide lands for depots and
commercial facilities. The company at once took possession
of these lands, filling in a solid roadbed from Oakland to
deep water. They constructed a depot of glass and iron and
made further improvements amounting to millions of dol
lars. From that point ferryboats began running to San
Francisco, steaming the four and one-half miles in fifteen
minutes. Fifteen years passed ; the animosity against the railroad
was greatly lessened and once more the Goat island subject
came before the people. Now public sentiment favored the
Central Pacific ; the citizens of the state and many in San
Francisco said, "Let the railroad occupy the island." In
March, 1893, the legislature in joint session passed a resolu
tion calling upon the California representatives in Congress
to use all legitimate means to secure the passage of a bill
ceding Goat island to California, that she might lease it to
the Central Pacific, and not a voice was raised in opposition.
Again in 1895 the subject was brought forth in the Senate,

The Age of Railroads 253

and now the state is willing that the railroad should occupy
Goat island. It is well adapted for a railroad terminus and
San Francisco could be reached by ferry in ten minutes.
Completing the central division of the great overland
railroad, the company in 1872 began building a railroad
down the valley. It was their object to connect at Mohave
with the Atchison & Topeka, then building westward from
New Orleans. The Central Pacific, along its proposed
route, demanded tribute of every farmer and of every town.
If the farmer or the town refused to accede to the "hold-up,"
then the rancher was put to every possible inconvenience
and new towns were founded in opposition to those already
established (g).

(g) The farmer who gave the company the right of way free
of cost received as a compensation a siding or side track, or perhaps
a flag station. Towns that put up money and gave the right of way
were given depots and perhaps terminal privileges. If they refused,
opposition towns were founded. A town was founded in opposition
to Stockton and named Lathrop in honor of Stanford's wife, her
maiden name. It was built to "cause the grass to grow in the streets
of Stockton." Fortunately, the city had deep water communication
¦with San Francisco bay. Modesto was founded and named Ralston.
Because of William C. Ralston's modesty, he refused this honor. The
named was then changed to Modesto, a Spanish word meaning mod
est. Then came the fight with Knights Ferry for the county seat.
Railroad money was freely used and Modesto won.
Visalia with a population of 2,000 inhabitants was unable to pay
the tribute. Then the railroad founded Goshen, six miles distant.
Bakersfield was a large town. It wouldn't cough up and Sumner
was started only two miles away and the people of Bakersfield were
compelled to walk to the new station. When the Santa Fe track
was laid it ran to Visalia and Bakersfield, thus compelling the
Southern Pacific to extend its lines.
For nearly twenty-five years the state, or a large part of it, was
antagonistic to the Southern Pacific. There were hundreds of rea
sons for this antagonism. I will take Stockton to illustrate a few of
these reasons. Stanford asked for a right of way through a prin
cipal street near the waterfront. The council refused. He asked for
another street. The council could not agree as to the street they
would grant him. The company could not wait. They laid their
track outside the city limits. Four years later the people extended
the city limits beyond the roadbed. The coming of the railroad had
increased the outside population. Stanford was compelled to pay-
city taxes and he was hot. Later a company of "honorable" citizens
organized the Stockton & Visalia road. It was their agreed purpose
to build a railroad from Stockton to Visalia. It was to be an oppo
sition road to the Southern Pacific The city and county went wild
and voted them $500,000 in bonds. The citizens built a road ten miles
south from Peters, a station on the Copperopolis road. Then they
sold out to Stanford. He called for the bonds. After twenty years
of litigation a compromise was made of $300,000. During this time
the Southern Pacific did all things possible to injure the city. Maps
were published;; Stockton was not on the map. Lathrop, with less
than two hundred inhabitants, was a large dot. Thousands of tons
of wheat were then being raised and shipped. Stockton was a wheat

254 ' Men and Events

The Southern Pacific road began at Lathrop, twelve
miles south of Stockton. There was established a railroad
center and a fine large hotel was built. In the extension of
the road the company in crossing the Tehachapi mountains
performed a very remarkable piece of engineering work (h).
After several years of labor and at a heavy expense, the
natural obstacles were surmounted and upon reaching the
desert "Mohave" was founded. A branch road in Septem
ber, 1876, was completed to Los Angeles.
At all of their towns the company erected good hotels,
comfortable depots and made them shipping or terminal
stations. They laid their track over the sandy desert where
roamed wild deer and jackrabbits by the thousands. The
land was of no value except for pasture, and the traveler
would journey for many miles, seeing no signs of civiliza
tion save bands of sheep and herders' tents. Twenty years
have passed, and lo ! what a wonderful change ! The land
then worth but $2.50 an acre arose to $50.00, $100.00 and
even $200.00 per acre, after the irrigation canals were built.
The desert was literally made to "blossom like the rose,"
gardens, orchards and vineyards covered the land. The
counties grew with astonishing rapidity. Stanislaus, with
a population in 1870 of 6,497, in 1890 had 10,040, increased
in 1910 to 22,522; Merced in the same time from 2,097 to
8,035, and in 1910, 15,148; Tulare in 1870 had 4,533, in 1890
had 24,574, and in 1910 had 35,440. Fresno in population
exceeded all. In 1870 the population was 6,336, in 1890 it
rose to 32,026, and in 1910 to 75,657.
When the Southern Pacific, and a few years later the
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad, entered Los Angeles

depot, but the company carried wheat to Port Costa, a fifty-mile
farther haul, twenty-five per cent cheaper than they would bring it
to Stockton. For years the city was a way station, not a terminal
point, and freight shipped from the east consigned to Stockton mer
chants was not side-tracked here until it had gone to Oakland and
returned. We had at that time a railroad commission. It was pre
sumed to regulate these railroad grievances. But as Governor John
son said in his campaign speech in 1914, "You had the railroad and
the railroad was the commission. The railroad commission did one
work * * * it drew its salary every month for thirty years."
(h) The roadbed there crossing itself forms a complete loop
three-fourths of a mile in length. The highest point of the road is
3,694 feet. In reaching the loop the train was compelled to travel
fifty-five miles.

The Age of Railroads 255

the dawn of a new era arose in Southern California. The
people were no longer dependent upon the ocean steamer
and the slow traveling coach for communication by the way
of San Francisco with the outside world. The old Mexi
cans, born in adobe huts or upon ranchos, living indolent,
lazy lives, were to witness under more favorable circum
stances and under a higher form of civilization the repeated
story of 1849. Again letters were sent east boasting of the
climate, soil and wonderful productions of Califorina. Tons
of printed matter were then distributed, describing in
glowing terms the "new south." Once again the name of
California resounded along the Atlantic shore. Regarding
the land of gold ? No, the land of orange groves and health
giving resorts. The distance was great, but the way was
easy. No need now of an iron frame and a rugged constitu
tion to reach the Golden State. No six months' journey
across the plains or dangerous voyage upon the stormy
waters was necessary. The pioneers, God bless them all,
had made the way smooth and easy, and with only a five
days' ride in a handsome palace coach the traveler could
enter the new land and there find accommodations equal to
those he had left behind. The judicious advertising of
Southern California soon produced results. The people
came by the thousands and the tidal wave of 1849 was
again repeated. Were they seekers of gold? No, some
came to purchase land, millionaires visited the coast to
spend the winter, and the sick came to regain their health.
The old pueblo became a live, hustling, bustling modern
city. Her population increased with astonishing rapidity.
In 1850 her population was only 1,610, in 1870 it was 5,728.
From that on it jumped by leaps and bounds; in 1880,
11,183; 1890, 50,395; 1900, 102,479, and 1910, 310,108.
As the result of this "boom," which stopped not at
Los Angeles, but spreading through all the smaller towns
reached San Diego, the south grew with marvelous rapidity.
The flush time which San Diego enjoyed in early days again
returned, and awaking from her forty years of siesta she
took on life, energy and enterprise, unparalleled by any
other city of the coast, save her rival one hundred miles to
the north. Her harbor, next to San Francisco the finest
on the coast, was alive with steamers and ships, and her

256 Men and Events

population, less than 5,000 in 1870, twenty years later had
increased to 16,000, and in 1910 was 30,578. The county
population during the same period increased from 8,618 to
34,987, and in 1910 was 61,665. The limits of the old pueblo
were extended in every direction, fine blocks of stores and
dwellings were erected, a magnificent summer resort costing
a million and a half was built on Coronado Beach, and mil
lions spent in constructing Sweet Water Dam, a wonderful
piece of work.
Although the Central Pacific railroad was given large
blocks of government land in central California, it received
no land along its coast line, as the soil was in the possession
of hundreds of pioneer settlers long before the coming of
the iron horse. This was true also of many acres of central
California. Settlers had occupied the grants, for many years
improving the lands and rearing their families. Regardless
of this fact, the railroad claimed thousands of acres, much
of it long-cultivated, improved tracts. The result was many
lawsuits and in some cases the shedding of blood. The first
of these lawsuits took place in San Joaquin county over
Lodi land early in 1870. The settlers, however, won the
fight. More trouble upon the same grant, the Los Moquele-
mos, took place in 1883. Samuel Markley took up a section
of land near Clements, under the pre-emption law. Charles
McLaughlin, a railroad agent, bought or made a pretense
of buying the same piece of land from the railroad, he claim
ing that it was railroad land. To hold it McLaughlin put
in an Irishman named Patrick Breen. The Settlers' League,
organized to meet just such "land steals" as this, declared
that Breen was not a bona fide settler, but a gun fighter
employed by the railroad to hold possession of Markley's
land. They sent word to him one day to vacate the premises
or suffer the consequences. Breen was living in the house
with his wife and two children. He was no fighter, and
was quarrelsome only when drunk, but he declared force
only would cause him to leave the place. A few days later,
September 3rd, in the afternoon, a part of about forty men
on horseback, well armed, rode up to Breen's house and
crowded upon the porch. The family were in the house and
the leaguers ordered them to get out. Breen in reply closed
and locked the door. Immediately Markley, kicking in the

The Age of Railroads 257

lower panel, put his revolver through the broken door and
fired. Mrs. Breen cried out, "You have killed my husband 1"
The bullet struck Breen just above the heart and sinking to
the floor he died a few minutes later. Markley quietly put
his weapon into his pocket and the leaguers rapidly galloped
from the scene. Five of the settlers were arrested and
Markley was tried for murder. A preponderance of evi
dence was given in his favor and he was acquitted. It was
one of the most brutal murders in California's bloody record.
During that same period things were very lively in
southern California, the trouble culminating in what is his
torically known as the Mussel slough tragedy. In that
section of country, now known as Kings county, a large
number of settlers had located on, as they believed, govern
ment land. The Central Pacific, building its line to the
south, called it the Southern Pacific. Then the company
claimed hundreds of sections of earth, granted them by the
government. The settlers' ranches and homes they also
claimed, asserting they were a part of their indemnity belt.
The courts decided in favor of the railroad. The company
then offered to sell the land to the settlers at a government
price of $2.50 an acre. The settlers, believing it a "steal,"
nothing less, refused to buy and resolved to defend their
rights and homes by force if need be. United States Mar
shal Poole was directed by the court to proceed to Mussel
slough, eject the settlers and put the railroad authority in
possession of the land. On arrival at Hanford, March 10,
1884, he found the town under intense excitement. Threats
had been made to kill the marshal if he attempted to enforce
the law. And the Settlers' League (i) had taken a solemn
oath to stand together in defense of their rights.
The next morning Marshal Poole, accompanied by
Walter Crow, a man named Hartt and two others drove
to the ranch of William Baden, a "bachelor," to evict him.
Baden was absent and his household goods were dumped
on the road. The marshal then drove to the home of John
Brewer. While evicting the family, the marsal was sud-

(1) The Settlers' League was a body of well armed men said to
have been about 700 in number. They were bound together by a
solemn oath to kill any member who endeavored to buy or make
any compromise with a railroad agent, regarding their land.

258 Men and Events

denly confronted by a large company of horsemen, who
commanded him to halt (j): The marshal was then ordered
to surrender. He refused, but considering the circumstances
and the condition of affairs, he promised to leave the county.
While the officers were parleying over the matter, an
other group of settlers had gathered around the wagon
where stood Hartt, and Crow, a railroad land agent. Crow
had taken a very active part in displacing the settlers and
bitterly they hated him. Making some very stinging re
marks regarding the trouble, one Harris who was "fighting
drunk" drew his revolver and shot Crow, slightly wounding
him in the thigh. Quickly pulling a shotgun from the
wagon, Crow shot dead his assailant. The fight was on
and seven were killed and two wounded. Then some settler
shouting, "We have gone far enough and had better stop,"
the battle suddenly ceased. Thomas Jefferson McQuiddy,
who had been a major in the Confederate army, then said
to Marshal Poole, "You had better leave the country." So
quickly taking this advice the marshal left for San Fran
cisco on the first train. As soon as the fight ended, Walter
Crow, shotgun in hand, was noticed running along the fence
in a stooping position. Some believe that Chris Evans (k),

(j) The members were attending a May Day picnic near Han-
ford. About noon a messenger reached them with the exciting news
that the Marshal was evicting the settlers on Mussel Slough. A
party, immediately mounting their horses, hastened to the scene.
(k) Chris Evans while on parole from imprisonment for his
numerous robberies, said in reference to Crow, "He opened the battle
with a shot gun. He had been promised a 160-acre ranch for his
dirty work. All he got was a 6x4 grave. He came near getting away
though. He got through an alfalfa patch and over some hay » * «
when somebody blew the top of his head off with a shot gun."
Evans dispossessed of his property now had an intense hatred
of the "machine" as he called it. He resolved to be revenged, how
ever, by holding up railroad trains and robbing Wells-Fargo Express
boxes. In this work he was assisted by George and John Soritag.
Their first hold-up was that of January 21, 1884, at Goshen Junction.
They made a rake up of $900. Officers were immediately sent out in
pursuit of the outlaws. Evans and the Sontags were under suspicion
as the parties wanted. Ten thousand dollars was offered as a reward.
The men, however, seemed to hold charmed lives and before the trio
were arrested they held up six different express trains and seven
persons were killed and two badly wounded while seeking their
capture. George Sontag was arrested early in the game, but Evans
and John Sontag were not caught until April, 1893. They put up a
desperate fight from the cabin to which they had fled, and Sontag,
shot in the shoulder, later died of blood poisoning, while Evans was
shot in the left eye, destroying his sight and in the left arm, shat
tering the bone. He was tried and found guilty of killing an officer,

The Age of Railroads 259

later the famous railroad hold-up man, followed him, for a
few hours later they found Crow in a wheat field. He was
dead, shot in the back, the loaded gun in his hand.
The leaders were arrested later for resisting a United
States officer in the performance of his duty. They were
tried, found guilty and sentenced to six months' imprison
ment in the Santa Clara jail (1). Serving their term, the
affair ended happily for William Baden, for soon after he
returned to Santa Clara and married the jailer's daughter.
They had learned to love each other while he was a pris
oner (m).
The steam railroads of the state have been fortunate in
keeping themselves free from any of the labor agitations
or labor strikes in the past twenty-five years. Once only
has there been any trouble, and that trouble was between
the Southern Pacific and the American Railway Union.
This union includes all of the railroad men in the United
States except the locomotive engineers and firemen. The
union in Chicago, having had some trouble with the Pull
man company, went on a strike and refused to handle any
of their sleeping coaches or to make up any trains, to which
Pullmans were attached. The California union was called
out June 27, 1894, in what is known as a sympathetic strike.
They also refused to handle Pullmans (n) nor would they

and February 20, 1894, sentenced to life imprisonment. A daughter,
under the parole system, a few years ago established, succeeded in
May, 1911, in having her father paroled. And what a pitiful sight
he was, this former strong bodied, self-willed man, old, nearly blind,
palsied and a helpless wreck. His spirit still defiant, he said to a
reporter, "I have nothing to regret. I was not a rebel, not a thief.
I fought a robbing corporation and for my home and for my family."
(1) The workingmen of San Francisco assembled on the day
of the tragedy, again "roasted" the railroad and passed resolutions
of sympathy for the settlers. After the imprisonment of the leaders,
the working men sent a monster petition to James G. Blaine, then
Secretary of State, asking him to pardon the prisoners. No reply
was received.
(m) "The Octopus," a novel written by the famous young-
California novelist, Frank Norris, now dead, was founded partly
upon this tragedy.
(n) The Union, however, said to Superintendent Fillmore, "Make
up your trains without Pullman sleeping cars and we will run them
and declare the strike off." Fillmore replied, "Our trains are for the
accommodation of passengers, baggage and express. Our contract
with Pullman compells us to run sleeping cars with all trains. If
we are not permitted to furnish these accommodations we will not

260 Men and Events

permit other persons ("scabs") to handle trains: As a result
business throughout the state was paralyzed. Passengers
and mails were delayed, thousands of tons of fruit was
rotting, and food products became very scarce. For several
days the Southern Pacific tried to run a few of its trains,
and each' time failed. The issue must, however, be met
somehow, it was decided, and the trains run under govern
ment protection if necessary.
The National celebration was at hand and thoughtful
men inquired "is our Natal day a mockery, are we a deluded
or a free people?" As if in answer, the tramp of feet was
heard July 2 and the regulars from Angel Island took
passage for Los Angeles. The following day' Governor
Markham called out the militia or National Guard. Before
the daylight hour of July 4th three , hundred militiamen
were hurrying to Sacramento. The morning sun beheld a
strange scene, soldiers well armed at Sacramento, Los
Angeles and West Oakland, guarding the railroad and
property. The depot at Sacramento was crowded with strikers.
The militia were given the command to charge. Incom
petent, however, to carry out any serious work, they failed
to clear the depot of its turbulent, violence-threatening
mob. The strikers remained in possession until, by orders
from Washington, Colonel Graham of the United States

run trains. As to the mail service I am in doubt. We carry mails
on our regular trains. We are not, I assume, expected to run special
trains for mail cars alone." It was purely a business proposition.
The company preferred breaking their contract with the United
States, rather than to break it with Pullman, as there was more
money in the transportation of passengers than in the carrying of
mail bags.
As soon as the strike was on Superintendent Fillmore telegraphed
to United States Olney, regarding the stopping of trains. Word
came back, "the Pullman coaches are a part of the mail train." That
settled the question, for it immediately brought into conflict the
Union against the United States government. No question as to who
would win the fight. In less than a week public sentiment was with
the government, and the majority declared the government must rule.
The Union had no grievance whatever against the Southern
Pacific. But it is a principle with the unions in all strikes to injure
alike, friend or foe, in order to gain their point.
I have gone into this strike in detail because it is a verv im
portant question still unsettled. Which in this nation is the higher
power, the National Unions or the United States government? The
Federal Industrial Commission through Congress may solve the
problem.

The Age of Railroads 261

troops arrived on the ground. Sailing by steamer from
San Francisco in command of six hundred men, he reached
Sacramento about six o'clock, July 11th and marched
directly to the depot. The crowd were now quickly driven
from the spot by a bayonet charge and they ran in every
direction. There were at this time about three thousand strikers
at the capitol. One hundred and fifty men with fire arms
came from Truckee and about the same number from
Dunsmuir, the latter bringing over two hundred stand of
arms. The Sacramento strikers also had arms, they having
forty rifles taken from the armory of the Bersaglieri Guard
and from many other sources.
The station being cleared preparations were hurried to
run to San Francisco, over the Vallejo route, the overland
which had been delayed from the beginning of the strike.
There were no passengers. A guard of nineteen regulars
from Battery L accompanied the train. Five of the regu
lars rode on the engine and tender. The engineer, Samuel
Clarke, was one of the oldest engineers of the company.
His fireman was Dene Kemp. Superintendent Fillmore
was highly pleased to be able to send out a train, but his
pleasure soon turned to sorrow, for some fiend in human
shape had unspiked a rail on the trestle, some two and one-
half miles from the depot. As the locomotive struck the
loosened rail, it toppled over into the water, the two cars
falling on top. Engineer Clarke (o) and three regulars
held beneath the engine were drowned in six feet of water.
Four regulars were badly injured. A reward of $7,000 was
offered for the train wreckers. Four strikers, including
Harry Knox and S. D. Worden, were arrested and charged
with the crime. S. D. Worden, the principal, was tried,
found guilty and sentenced to be hanged. His sentence

(o) Buried at Stockton, the Brotherhood of Engineers erected
over his grave a beautiful memorial tablet inscribed:
SAMUEL C. CLARKE
of
Leland Stanford Division, No. 283,
Brotherhood Locomotive Engineers.
Died Performing HiB Duty at Trestle No. 87, at
Yolo County, July 11, 1894.
Courage Fidelity

262 Men and Events

was then commuted by the Governor to life imprisonment
and later he was paroled. Although this was a strike,
general throughout the state, seven only were killed, four
at the trestle, one by the regulars firing into a crowd, and
two by skirmish firing.
All things considered, the strikers had a kindly regard
for the railroad, as with fire and hammer they could have
destroyed millions of dollars worth of property. Neverthe
less they did great damage by soaping engine boilers, run
ning from them the water, burning bridges, tearing up rails,
jamming freight cars into switches, stealing engines to
carry their members from point to point, and beating up
engineers and firemen who attempted to run trains.
For two weeks the A. R. U. was practically in possession
of the state. During that time trains were occasionally
run, but they were guarded by the guards and the regulars.
The guards were sent as far north as Dunsmuir and as far
east as Truckee. They had a "jolly" time and bronzed and
toughened from their war experience. July 30th they were
ordered home. The regulars remained on duty at Oakland,
Los Angeles and Sacramento a few days longer. The strike
was then declared off.
Behind it all there lies a pleasing incident. Mrs. Leland
Stanford was at this time a prisoner, so to speak, on her
estate, Vineland, just above Sacramento. She expressed
her desire to return to Palo Alto. It was during the worst
period of the strike. Scarcely an engine was moving in
California. Promising the A. R. U. leaders that her private
car only would be attached to the locomotive, an engine
was fired up, the road was cleared, and she was quickly
transported to her San Mateo county home. All along the
route she was greeted by the union members with a friendly
ovation, and she accomplished that which few persons
could have accomplished, at that time, not even the Presi
dent of the United States. It was the highest honor that
could be paid to this noble woman. Eleven years later,
while visiting in Honolulu she died, March 28, 1905, far
from friends and home.

CHAPTER XIX.

UNPLACED EVENTS.

They tell us we never can be a manufacturing state, as
we are too far distant from the cheap fuel supply, coal, the
market and cheap labor. This may be true, but we have an
immense electrical power, which is cheaper than coal; and
we have an ocean of fuel oil. We need not go to the market
to sell our manufactured goods. The market is coming to
us. As to cheap labor, no man can foretell the results
arising from the Panama canal. Admitting that we may
not become a manufacturing state, we are rapidly becoming
the garden spot of the nation. Today the exportations from
California of fruits, vegetables, cereals and wines (a) are
enormous. Yet we have thousands of acres of mountain,
valley and marsh lands, fertile and productive, not yet
touched by plow or spade.
As the men of 1849 landed in California they rushed to
the mines, regarding not the fact that agriculture and horti
culture were soon to become the greatest source of wealth
(b). Those inclined to farming believed it impossible to

(a) I will give a few figures only, those of 1912. In that year
California produced over 6,000,000 bushels of wheat and 41,700,000
bushels of barley, this being second to Minnesota. We grew 3,825,000
tons of hay for stock feed, including horses, notwithstanding the
fact that Californians have expended over $50,000,000 for automobiles.
Then of potatoes 10,000,000 bushels were raised. Most of the tubers
were raised upon reclaimed tule lands, the haunts, thirty years ago,
of millions of wild ducks and geese. Speaking of beets, we beat ali
states, 1,087,283 tons being raised, this principally in Monterey and
San Benito counties. It produced in sugar 163,300 tons, crushed for
the greater part in the largest sugar mill in the world at Salinas.
Fresno county included, we produced 120,000,000 tons of raisins. And
Los Angeles county grew oranges and lemons valued at $25,000,000.
Fruits were dried to the extent of 230,000 tons and 45,000,000 gallons
of wine were produced.
(b) The old Spaniard, Don Luis Peralta, realized this fact when
his sons were anxious to hasten to the gold mines. He said to them,
"My sons, go to your ranch and raise grain, and that will be your
best gold field, because we all must eat while we live."
263

264 Men and Events

raise grain upon soil that was dry six months of the year,
and they wrote east to friends, "Don't come, to California,
for so rainless is this region it is impossible to raise any
thing except along the river banks" (c). A few of the old
pioneers, gaining wisdom from the mission fathers, planted
grain and to some extent exported it. That the wealth of
the wheat crop alone was far in excess of the value of the
gold output is an undeniable fact, as a few figures only will
show. In 1860 the state wheat crop was 2,530,400 bushels ;
in 1870, 6,937,038 bushels ; in 1880, 29,017,707 bushels, and
in 1889, 40,869,337 bushels. This was the state's crown
point in the production of wheat. It was the largest crop
of any state in the Union save Minnesota. This immense
yield, figured at one dollar a bushel (it was often worth
more, never less), equaled the entire gold output previous
to 1853, and nearly doubled the gold production of any two
years succeeding 1855. This of wheat alone, to say nothing
of oats, barley, hay, corn and other cereals. In 1852 the
state produced 90,100 bushels of barley; increasing yearly,
the crop in 1879 was 11,000,000, and in 1892, 15,000,000.
Barley is never less than ninety cents a bushel.
The long, dry summer of the San Joaquin valley permits
the standing for two or more months of the ripened grain.
So vast was the yield, however, great improvements in agri
cultural implements were necessary. The Russians plowed
their land with a long bent beam, to which was fastened a
pointed flat piece of iron. The pioneers, cultivating from
400 to 1,200 acres in each farm, first used the single plow.
Then two plows were fastened together. Next came the
gang plow, one man and eight horses plowing ten acres a
day. It cut a three-foot swath. Now they cut a furrow
eight feet wide, sow and harrow at the same time, using an
oil burning engine.

(c) George C. Yount in 1836 raised wheat in Napa county.
Wheat in 1848 was raised at Stockton. The Mormons raised wheat in
1847 on the upper San Joaquin. They also dug irrigating ditches and
drew the water from the river by endless chain buckets. In 1850 a
new settler, taking up land near Hayward, Alameda county, planted
grain. The old settlers, laughing at his folly, said, "You are throwing
away your time, you can't raise grain on these plains. A little grain
can be raised on the creeks, but not here." Four years later, the
county was one vast grain field, yielding seventy-flve bushels to the
acre.

Unplaced Events 265

Captain Sutter cut his grain with scythes in the hands
of several hundred Indians, and threshed it by driving loose
horses over the grain. The chaff was separated from the
grain by tossing it Up in blankets in a strong wind. This
was the work of several months. The pioneer first used
the old fashioned mower for cutting the grain. Then was
invented the "California header," which, cutting a swath
twenty feet wide, sent a steady stream of grain into the
wagon which accompanied it. Later came the immense hay
fork, lifted by horse power, which quickly lifted the grain
from the wagon and stacked it. After 1852 the McCormick
thresher was used. Still later the steam power thresher was
sent into the field. The engine was so constructed that
straw, instead of wood, was used for fuel. It threshed 2,000
bushels a day, but that was not enough. In 1860 James
Marvin, a farmer of San Joaquin, invented a combined
header and harvester. It was not a success. After his
death, however, improvements were made from time to
time. Then this immense machine, drawn by thirty horses,
cut, threshed and sacked fifteen acres of grain in a single
day. Now the horses are gone and the huge machine is run
by its own motive power.
The farmers of the great Sacramento and San Joaquin
valleys received a severe setback in 1862. It was the year
of the record breaking flood (d). For nearly two weeks the
entire basin from Sacramento to Visalia was under water.
About fifty lives were lost and over $50,000,000 worth of
property. The ocean of water running through the Golden
Gate prevented sailing vessels from entering port, and the
steamships could scarcely breast the swift running tide. So
great was the property lost that for over twenty miles along
the coast a continuous body of wreckage was seen. This

(d) The cause of the flood: It began snowing heavily Decem
ber 22nd all along the Sierras and so continued until January 8,
1862. The entire mountain range was covered with snow, in many
places thirty feet deep. During the same time heavy rains fell in
the valley, filling with water the dry, parched earth and the rivers.
Then suddenly the weather moderated. The warm sun shone brightly
on the Sierras' high cliffs — Mount Whitney for one, 18,000 feet in air.
The melting snow rushed on to the valley. Once only have we had
too much irrigation. By the Newlands conservation bill, now pending
in Congress, it is proposed to hold back the heavy flood waters and
give the state a given amount of water, in proper season.

266 Men and Events

wreckage comprised dead animals, houses, lumber, trees,
cordwood, mining sluices, windmills, etc.
The flood of 1862 was followed two years later by a dry
year. Scarcely any rain fell in the winter of 1863 or during
the following spring (e). As a result, the farmers cut but
little hay. The wheat crop was a complete failure. Hay
arose in value to $60.00 a ton, and wheat was scarce at $5.00
a bushel. Horses, cattle and sheep died by the thousands
of starvation. Black beef, poor and scrawny, sold for food
at twenty-five cents per pound. The horses of the cities
and farms— poor and weak from hunger — staggered as they
walked. The street car company of San Francisco had
great difficulty in maintaining its service. Hay and barley
were imported from Oregon and Nevada. There was
stagnation in all kinds of business and thousands of men
were out of employment. Now irrigation canals can offset
a dry year to some extent, and thousands of tons of alfalfa
are yearly raised.
A great assistance to the state at that time was the
importation of silver from the Nevada silver mines. The
mines were discovered about the time of the decline in
gold mining. Thousands of people rushed into the territory.
Almost in a day Virginia City was founded and it became a
large and flourishing capital. The Comstock, Hale & Nor-
cross, Ophir and Gould & Curry silver mines were developed
and worked, principally by citizens of San Francisco. There
William Sharon, J. B. Haggin, Flood and O'Brien, William
C. Ralston, George Hearst and Adolph Sutro (f) made their
millions and in San Francisco spent it like lords. Many

(e) From November to May are our days of rain. Three
months of this time, November, December and January, we call
winter. From January to November we have bright sunshine. Dur
ing the rain-day months of 1863-64 less than seven inches of rain
fell at Stockton. During the rain months of 1861-62 over thirty
inches of rain fell. In 1871-72 lt was another dry year. It was not
disastrous. Irrigation had then been introduced. The average rain
fall of the state varies according to locality. Along the coast from
thirty to fifty inches of water falls In this interior ten inches of rain
is the average.
(f ) It was the silver from these mines obtained by the generous
pioneer Frenchman, Adolph Sutro, that built Sutro Heights and the
new Cliff House, San Francisco. Now it is a resort giving welcome
to all visitors. He also gave to San Francisco a very valuable library
of ancient volumes and documents, valued at $1,000,000.

Unplaced Events 267

of the finest buildings were erected and money flowed, as
in the earlier days of California's wealth. About this time
were organized the San Francisco stock boards. They were
a moral blight upon the state, a curse not yet destroyed.
Stock gambling became contagious. All classes, from the
child to the gray haired man, engaged in gambling. It
demoralized business, disrupted homes, caused murders and
suicides, and ruined the lives of thousands of young men
and women.
Almost simultaneously with the discovery of Nevada's
silver, copper was discovered in June, 1860, in the Sierras
east of Stockton. Cornish miners were imported from
Cornwall, England, to work in the mines. A town was
immediately founded. Within five years Copperopolis had
a population of 10,000 inhabitants. A new industry was
created for the mule teams, and at one time 800 tons of
copper in 100-pound sacks were daily loaded upon the water
front. It was then landed upon a steamer built for the
copper trade and in San Francisco bay the copper was trans
ferred to a sailing vessel bound for England. Within six
years copper was discovered in Michigan. A metal was
also found that at a cheaper price would take the place of
copper. The price of copper fell twenty per cent and the
Copperopolis mines were shut down. Over a thousand men
in the mines alone were thrown out of work and the town
was deserted.
One of the demoralizing effects of the gambling mania
was the lottery October 31, 1870, of the San Francisco
Mercantile Association. The association, although com
posed of the wealthiest and most influential citizens of the
city, became very heavily involved. As the creditors were
about to seize the library and building, the association
planned an immense lottery and concert to pay the debt.
By law the lottery was prohibited, yet the legislature Feb
ruary 10, 1869, passed a special act empowering the asso
ciation to hold a lottery. The scheme was patronized by
thousands of citizens throughout the state. The drawing
for prizes took place as advertised and over a million
dollars was distributed. The highest prize was $100,000.
The concert included a three days' program, commencing
February .22, 1870. It was the largest musical celebration

268 Men and Events

of the Pacific coast and, later, once only has it been excelled.
Singers, twelve hundred in number, from every singing
society in the state took part, one hundred coming by
special train from Nevada. The orchestra of two hundred
instruments was accompanied by fifty anvils in the "II
Trovatore" chorus and an immense bass drum. Rudolph
Herold held the baton. Camilla Urso, the world wide
famous woman violinist, was present and she was the prin
cipal attraction. An audience of twelve thousand each
afternoon filled the Mechanics' pavilion.
Two years previous, October, 1868, San Francisco was
given her first earthquake fright. The shock was felt at
7:50 a.m., and for a period of forty-two seconds the sus
pense was terrible. The cheeks of thousands of citizens
blanched with fear. Hundreds ran into the streets scantily
clothed. Six persons were killed by falling walls and by
jumping from lofty heights. The city suffered a damage
of over $500,000. Outside of San Francisco the loss was
very small. In San Jose men reeled as if intoxicated. Many
persons became deathly sick. The artesian wells increased
their flow of water. San Leandro creek, a running stream
two feet in depth, became dry. The earth opened in places
several feet wide. In Stockton the shock was slightly felt
at 7:51. The time of travel of the wave just one minute.
The city lies northeast of San Francisco some eighty air
line miles (g).
Inyo county on March 26, 1872, suffered the most violent
shock in California up to that date. The terrible destructive
wave ran along the base of the Sierra Nevadas, and it
was felt from Red Bluff to Los Angeles. San Francisco,
Stockton and San Jose knew nothing of it until the tele
graph reported the news. The principal buildings in every
town affected were destroyed. The face of the county was
changed. In places the earth crust sank several feet; in
other places it was thrown up in ridges, forming embank-

(g) Earthquakes were first recorded in 1818-24. From 1850 to
1880 forty-six distinct shocks were felt along the coast. San Fran
cisco was severely shaken in the earthquake of 1851 and again Octo
ber 8, 1865. In the shock last named several persons were injured
by jumping from second story windows. Property depreciated in
value. Over one thousand persons returned to the eastern states to
reside.

Unplaced Events 269

ments ten feet high. In places lakes disappeared and
springs ceased their flow. In other spots springs were
created. In the hills near Visalia trees were uprooted and
immense rocks were thrown into the canyon. Over one
hundred persons were injured and thirty-four killed in
various ways. The shock came at 2 :00 a. m. It was pre
ceded by a low rumbling. There were three hundred
distinct shocks and for three days the earth trembled.
The legislature assembled at Sacramento January 5,
1862. At that time Sacramento was from two feet to ten
feet under water, and in rowboats or high gum boots the
legislators reached the capitol. They adjourned January
23rd to meet the following day in San Francisco. The law
makers took passage of the Chrysopolis and they paid the
company $1,000 for the trip (h).
The year 1862 was a very disastrous one for shipping
and the California owners lost over six and one-half million
dollars from the destruction of steamers and sailing vessels.
Oregon at that time had no communication with the eastern
states except by the way of San Francisco.
Steamers ran semi-monthly between the last named port
and Portland. The Northerner of this line was wrecked in
January, 1860, and seventeen passengers lost. All of the
women passengers save one were saved through the heroic
efforts of Arthur French, the third mate. Pulling to the
shore, trailing a rope, he succeeded in fastening it. Two
boatloads of women were safely landed. The third load was
swamped and all were drowned, including French.
Another marine disaster five years later was the loss of
the famous steamship Brother Jonathan. As she left her
San Francisco pier bound for Portland a heavy wind was
blowing. She had on board one hundred and ninety pas
sengers, including James Nisbet, one of the proprietors of
the Bulletin, and Brigadier General Wright and family.

(h) Because of the removal, many of the citizens of the capital
were angry. The Sacramento Union in an editorial, sneeringly re
marked that they thought the pioneers could stand hardships. As
semblyman Bell of Alameda strongly opposed the removal. As the
legislators gathered at the landing the crowd gave three cheers for
Bell and three groans for Attorney General Frank Pixley. He gave
it as his opinion that the transfer of archives to San Francisco was
lawful.

270 Men and Events

The general was on his way to Oregon to pay off the troops
and he had $2,000,000 in gold and greenbacks (i). On the
second day at sea (July 31, 1865), the wind increasing to a
gale, Captain De Wolf concluded to put into port at Cres
cent City. Eight miles from the harbor the ship struck a
sunken rock. She went down in forty-five minutes. The
boats were launched, but they could not live in the raging
sea and only seventeen passengers were saved. Later
General Wright's body was washed ashore and with full
military honors he was buried in the sate plot at Sacra
mento. Had General Wright lived until this date he would have
been despised by the laboring classes, as they declare they
have no use for the militia. So declared the miners of the
gold quartz mines at Sutter Creek, Amador county. They
struck for higher wages in July, 1871, and the employers
refused their demand and employed non-union labor.
Then the miners, marching from mine to mine, threat
ened to beat up the non-unionists. They stopped work.
The mines began to fill with water; the employers then
called upon the sheriff for protection. The county official
called upon Governor Haight, and two companies of the
National Guard of San Francisco, in command of W. H. L.
Barnes, sailed June 18th on the steamer Yosemite for the
seat of war. The militia on arrival guarded the mines and
the non-union men were set to work pumping out the water.
The damage was in excess of $100,000. After a month of
these conditions the mine owners compromised with the
"Union League." It was, they thought, a costly proposi
tion paying non-union miners to pump water out of the
mines and militia to guard them. During the trouble two
men were killed, Edward Hatch, the bookkeeper of the
Amador mine, and John McManey, the leader of the strike.
Hatch was killed by a stray shot. McManey, assaulting

(i) The greenbacks were sealed up in rubber tubes and then
placed in metallic cases. So large was the amount of treasure lost
several attempts have been made to recover it. Only within a year
or two, said a newspaper February 14, 1894, "Efforts to recover
$1,000,000 in gold bullion and three hundred barrels of whisky from
the wreck of the sidewheel steamer Brother Jonathan are being made
by several Oakland merchants"

Unplaced Events 271

the bookkeeper at a dance that evening, was killed the
following day in a quarrel by a friend of Hatch.
The Amador war was succeeded two years later by what
was known in history as the Modoc or Indian war. It was
the last Indian fight, the end of the massacre of the poor
savages, once the sole owners of California's soil. I can
touch but lightly upon the cause and the result of this fight.
The Modocs were a tribe of brave Indians who lived in
northern California on the banks of the Pit and Lost rivers.
They had in early days been massacred and maltreated in
every manner possible — and they retaliated in kind. In
1856 the government established a military post in Surprise
valley. An Indian campaign was then begun, which con
tinued until 1864. Then a treaty of peace was signed
between the government and the Modocs. The Indians
were compelled to go to a small reservation near Klamath
lake. There they were to be supplied with food and cloth
ing through Indian agents. The agents stole all they could
carry and the Indians were scantily clothed and only half
fed. Then the settlers began encroaching upon their
reservation, killing their game and occasionally a Modoc.
Finally the tribe was reduced to such a condition that it
was starve or fight.
Fortifying themselves in the center crater of the lava
beds, the Indians killed several settlers and then defied the
whites to come and take them. After an encounter January
17, 1873, in which General Wheaton lost forty men and
several muskets and one thousand rounds of ammunition,
the government concluded again to make a treaty of peace.
Three peace commissioners were appointed, A. B.
Meacham, then one of the Indian superintendents; Rev.
William Thomas, a Methodist pastor; Dyer, an Indian
agent, and General E. R. S. Canby. Efforts were made
several times to make a treaty. The Modocs, fearing
treachery, would make no treaty which compelled them
to leave the lava beds. Andther conference was arranged
for April 11th. Frank Riddle, a white man, was the inter
preter. His squaw wife advised the commissioners not to
meet the Modoc committee that day. "They will kill you,"
she said. Heeding not her advice, on arrival they found
seven Modocs sitting on the earth. According to the

272 Men and Events

agreement there should have been five only. Fearing no
treachery, the commissioners dismounted from their horses.
Dr. Thomas addressed the Indians in a short speech and
said in closing, "I know their hearts are all good (these
Modocs). We want no more blood shed." Just then
Meacham, observing a suspicious movement on the part
of one Indian, exclaimed, "What does this mean?" The
commissioners were unarmed, and Captain Jack, drawing a
revolver which had been concealed, shot and instantly killed
General Canby. Three Modocs armed with rifles, who had
been concealed in the bushes, now took part in the fight.
Boston Charley shot and killed Dr. Thomas. Meacham fled,
but as he ran he was shot in the shoulder by John Schonin.
Dyer and Riddle saved themselves by flight. From the
bluff a squad of soldiers saw the massacre. Hastening to
the spot, they found General Canby stripped of his uniform
and clothing. Dr. Thomas' clothing was partly gone.
Meacham was unconscious and badly wounded.
Orders now came from Washington to drive out the
Modocs with shot and shell if necessary. Their fortification
in the lava bed was almost impregnable. General Gillem
in a three days' engagement April 15th was surprised and
nineteen killed and twenty-eight wounded, over forty-seven
men having been killed during this campaign. General
Gillem was superceded by General J. B. Davis. He fought
the Modocs as they had fought, from behind rocks and
barriers. He shelled heavily every point before he ad
vanced, using mountain howitzers, and May 15th he reached
their stronghold, an extinct crater. Not a Modoc in sight.
They had all fled. Later Captain Jack, John Schonin and
Boston Charley were captured. They were tried for mur
der, found guilty and together hanged (October 3, 1873) at
Fort Klamath.
While the Modocs were causing considerable excitement
arount Mount Shasta, a band of Mexican desperadoes led
by Timburcio Vasquez was making things lively in Mon
terey and other southern counties. Vasquez in some re
spects followed the plan of Joaquin Murietta. He would
quickly ride from place to place, committing robberies and
murders. At one time the band operated in San Joaquin
county. At that time an Italian named Frank Medina kept

Unplaced Events 273
a store some twenty miles east of Stockton. A teamster
passing December 10, 1869, found the building burned to
the ground. Search being made for the proprietor, he and
five others were found murdered. Three of the Vasquez
desperadoes had committed the murder. In 1870 they were
taken prisoners, tried, convicted and hanged. Vasquez, the
chief, who had been committing robberies and murders for
nearly twenty years, continued his depredations. In July,
1873, he committed what was known as the Tres Pinos
murder in Monterey county. One Snyder at that town kept
a store. Vasquez and two of his companions killed the
proprietor and three others, and robbed the store. He
was now such a terror to the southern country that
the legislature of 1874 appropriated $5,000 reward for Vas
quez, dead or alive. The money was placed in the hands
of Harry Morse, of Alameda, three of the best officers of
the state, Harry Morse, Thomas Cunningham and Benjamin
Thorn of Calaveras working together.
After several months of travel and dangerous experi
ences, they captured the outlaw (May 13th) near Los
Angeles. During the fight, says Morse, "The bandit threw
up both hands, crying, 'No shoot, no shoot !' " Almost
instantly he fell wounded by a charge of buckshot. Vas
quez recovered from his wound and was tried at San Jose
for the Tres Pinos murder. He was found guilty and
hanged in the courtyard of the jail March 19, 1875.
Harry Morse was a pioneer and a member of the Cali
fornia Pioneers, that society that decreases in numbers as
the years fly on. On the 9th of July, 1850, President Zacha-
riah Taylor died. The steamer California August 23rd
brought the news. The citizens of San Francisco August
29th honored the deceased Whig President by a procession,
oration and music. All pioneers were requested to assemble
and march in the procession. It was their first appearance,
those sixty founders of the state. Samuel Brannan was
the grand marshal. A few days later they organized a
pioneer society, with W. D. M. Howard as president. That
year they celebrated California's admission in grand style.
During the day they were presented with a handsome

274 Men and Events

banner designed by George Derby (j). Since that time not
a year has passed uncelebrated. And in processions, ban
quets, orations, poems, songs and dances they have kept
alive that memorable event, September 9th. In July, 1853,
they reorganized with Samuel Brannan as president. In
their ninth celebration they mourned the death of the gifted
young poet, Edward Pollock, also the veteran pioneer,
Thomas O. Larkin. That year (1858) the pioneers were
deeded a lot on Montgomery street, near Pacific, by James
Lick. A handsome building July 8, 1863, was dedicated,
with Thomas Starr King as the orator. Occupying this
building until 1890, they then removed to a handsome
building on Fourth street, near Market, built with money
contributed by James Lick, deceased. In their room of
"memorable days" they gathered thousands of relics of
California's past. The fire of 1906 swept nearly everything
out of existence. In the early '60's pioneer societies were
organized in every large city. Now the gray haired pioneers
are but a few, "waiting the judgment day."
The California Pioneer Society was the only body of
its kind in existence. From its loins there sprung the
Native Sons of the Golden West (k). The first parlor,

(j) George H. Derby was a lieutenant on the staff of General
Benett Riley. He was one of the most humorous men of that day
and his book, "Phoenixiana," was a classic of humor. He was always
playing jokes. One of his most severe jokes was on Judson Ames,
in 1851 proprietor and editor of the San Diego Herald. Ames was a
strong Democrat and favored Bigler for Governor. Visiting San
Francisco for two weeks, he left Derby in charge. Then the fun
began. Derby changed the politics to Whig and, being a good car
toonist and brilliant writer, he berated and made all manner of fun
of Bigler. Ames on his return was boiling over with anger. He and
Derby had a rough and tumble fight in the editorial room. They
became friends, however, and Derby in the Herald gave a most
laughable description of the skirmish.
(k) The organization is the outgrowth of the idea suggested
by General A. M. Winn, that the native sons form a society. Winn in
18.69 was grand marshal of the San Francisco parade. At his sug
gestion, a large number of boy native sons took part in the proces
sion. Six years later the General worked out his idea, and in June,
1875, a notice appeared in the papers calling upon the native sons
over seventeen years of age to assemble June 29th for the purpose
of celebrating July 4th. A large number took part in the parade.
Forming ;their organization July 11th, their first celebration was
September 9th. On that day, forming in procession and escorted by
the French Zouaves, they marched to Woodward's gardens. One of
the features pf -the procession was a moth-eaten stuffed bear which
the boys had found, and a bear flag made of canvas and painted by
John Steinbach and Paul Harmon. During the day they were pre
sented with a handsome flag, the gift of the native daughters.

California's Native Son Governors

George C. Pardee.

The twentieth Governor of
California was George C. Par
dee. Born in San Francisco
July 25, 1857, he attended the
public schools of San Fran
cisco and Oakland. He gradu
ated from the University of
California in 1879. Then study
ing medicine, in 18S.S, he grad
uated from the Lepsic German
University. He was elected
Governor November 4, 1902.
He is now engaged in state
conservation work.

Hiram Warren Johnson, the
oldest son of Grove L. John
son, the well known attorney
and politician, was born Sep
tember 2, 1866, in Sacramento.
At the age of 18 he graduated
from the Sacramento High
School. Two years later, 1886,
he began the study of law, and
was admitted to practice in
1888. He removed to San Fran
cisco in 1902, and he and his
brother, Albert M., opened a
law office. He first came into
public notice through the Abra
ham Ruef trial. By the citi
zens at large, he was nominated
for Governor at the first direct primary election, and elected
Governor November 8, 1910. He was re-elected in Novem
ber, 1914.

Hiram Wan-reai Johnson.

Unplaced Events 27 S

California No. 1, was organized July 11, 1875, with twenty-
five members, none less than seventeen years of age. This
was the only parlor in the state until December, 1877. Then
a branch was instituted at Oakland. A third parlor was
organized March 28, 1878, at Sacramento. In 1880 (June
8th) the Grand Parlor was instituted and in April, 1883, the
thirteen parlors then organized resolved to celebrate each
Admission Day (September 9th), the first celebration taking
place in Stockton, and there were one thousand Native
Sons in line.
The celebration of 1890 in San Francisco was as fine
perhaps as any that has been celebrated. The festivities
continued three days, commencing on the evening of Sep
tember 6th with a parade, open air concert and fireworks.
The following day was Sunday. On Monday there was
boat and barge racing on the bay. From all parts of the
state the boys assembled and each parlor tried to outshine
every other parlor. The parade of September 9th was
grand. Every organization in San Francisco took part —
the militia, pioneers, veteran firemen, county officials, Mexi
can veterans and over thirty parlors. Twenty thousand
were in line and sixty brass bands furnished the music.
There were twenty large and handsome floats. Quite a
number of them were contributed by the Native Daughters
of the Golden West. Their first parlor was organized in
September, 1886, at Jackson, Amador county.
San Francisco is the winter quarters of the floating
population of the state. Naturally there is at times among
such a class much suffering and hardship. In 1874, to
partly relieve the distress, Charles Crocker gave employ
ment to several hundred men. They filled up Mission bay,
where now stands the Southern Pacific railroad building.
The San Francisco Benevolent Association in 1876 ex
pended over $10,000 in relieving distress. In the following
year they fed over one thousand persons during the winter.
In November a bread riot was threatened and a committee
appointed quickly collected $20,000 for relief. The suffering
continued and in January, 1878, Dennis Kearney at the
head of one thousand men marched to the city hall and
demanded of the mayor, "Bread or a place in the county
jail." The winter of 1889-90 was another period of extreme

276 Men and Events

destitution. The sum of $20,000 was raised and work was
given to the unemployed in Golden Gate park. Married
men were given the preference. So eager were these men
to earn their "one dollar" a day, on one occasion for three
days they labored in a heavy rain. Some of those men had
but a crust of bread for their noon meal.
Aside from the panic of 1855, the heaviest financial crisis
of the coast was the failure August 26, 1875, of the Bank
of California, the "King of California banks." It was incor-
ported in 1864 with a capital of $2,000,000. Its directors
were among the wealthiest men of San Francisco and
behind them the Nevada silver mines. The bank imme
diately took rank with the leading banks of America and
Europe, and its stock at all times brought a high premium.
It exerted a strong influence in the state. Rival banks
declared that the Bank of California was controlling the
finance and the legislators of both California and Nevada.
The assertion was true.
In what manner the news became public I do not know.
Near the hour of noon, however, on August 26th, the public
began making a run on the bank. The few soon increased
to hundreds and the poorly dressed men and women pushed
and crowded each other in order to reach the counter and
withdraw their hard earned deposits. Finally so great was
the press it became necessary to close the doors and compel
them to enter one by one. The crowd continued increasing,
but at 3 :00 o'clock, the usual time of closing, both doors
were locked. The directors, now assembling, began an
examination of the books. Much to their dismay, they
found the bank had on hand $100,000 only, and that their
liabilities (including their reserve fund of $1,000,000 and
their capital stock of $500,000) amounted to $19,538,000.
They had given full confidence to their president, W. C.
Ralston, and he, presenting false statements, had exhibited
for their inspection money borrowed from other banks. He
had been spending money lavishly, they knew, but he had
also been making immense sums of money in speculation.
Examining his accounts, they found his assets were $8,000,-
000, but his debts exceeded his assets by $4,000,000. The
bank lost $5,000,000. This was a trifle only, for the directors
were each worth from five to twenty million. The bank

WILLIAM C. RALSTON
The King of Bankers.
THE "BANK OF CALIFORNIA," 187.'

Unplaced Events 277

again opened for business October 3rd. Every clerk was
in his accustomed place and today the bank pursues the
even tenor of its way.
One officer only was absent from the bank on its opening
day, William C. Ralston — the boldest, gamest speculator
on the Pacific coast, the brainiest man of all state financiers.
Born in Ohio in 1825, he received a common school educa
tion. Then he learned the ship carpenter's trade. His next
occupation was clerking on a Mississippi river steamer. In
1850 he started for California, but remained at Panama as
the agent of the Garrison & Morgan steamer line. The
company in 1853 transferred Ralston to San Francisco and
he became a clerk in their bank. The young man, indus
trious, frugal and saving, soon had acquired quite a sum
of money, and he purchased the bank of his employers. He
now took in a partner named Fretz and they continued the
banking business until 1858.
Ralston now began planning for the ambition of his life,
namely, to become the king of California bankers. With
this object in view, he interested Darius O. Mills (1), Wil
liam Sharon and others and in 1864 the Bank of California
was incorporated. D. O. Mills was the first president and
W. C. Ralston the cashier. The success of the bank sur
passed even their highest hopes, as it paid a one per cent
monthly dividend. D. O. Mills resigned in 1873, and the
directors having great confidence in the ability, business
tact and honesty of their cashier, elected him president.
With gold unlimited at his command, Ralston now plunged
into gigantic enterprises, schemes which fairly astonished
his friends and brought forth praise from press and people.
He built a beautiful and costly mansion at Belmont, San
Mateo county (m). Then, with others, he engaged in enter-

(1) In the rotunda of the state capitol there stands a beautiful
group of marble statuary, costing $10,000. It represents Columbus
at the throne of Queen Isabella. It was presented to the state by D.
O. Mills. (m) This property after the death of Ralston became the resi
dence of Mrs. Mark Hopkins, the widow of the railroad builder. She
died in New York, August 7, 1891, worth $70,000,000, then the wife of
Edward Sears. Ralston in his palatial home lived in sumptuous style.
He there entertained all of the distinguished men who visited the
state. With a beautiful double team of trotters, black and white,
he would go to and from the bank morning and evening to San Mateo,
making the distance, twenty miles, in just one hour.

278 Men and Events

prises and speculations far in excess of any other capitalist
on the coast. Among his enterprises was the Mission
woolen mill, the Cornell watch factory, the Kimball car
riage works, the San Joaquin and Calaveras irrigation
scheme, the building of the Palace hotel (n), the erection
of the California theater (o), and the north extension of
Montgomery street. It was customary at that time for
bank presidents to borrow money from themselves, and as
the directors knew that Ralston was a man of tremendous
ability and unlimited credit, they did not worry. But he
was too sanguine regarding his own ability. The crisis
came and he could not meet it. Yet said Ashbury Harpen
ding in 1913, had Ralston been spared another month, he
would have emerged from all difficulties, as he had property
and stock worth $15,000,000.
The day following the closing of the bank the directors
requested Ralston to hand in his resignation. He complied,
and immediately leaving the bank was not again seen in
life by the officials. It was about 4 :00 o'clock and Ralston,
rapidly walking to North Beach, entered the Neptune bath
house, intending to take a swim in the bay, as was his
usual custom. A boatman advised him not to enter the
cold water, as he was too warm. Heeding not the advice,
Ralston, who was a strong swimmer, plunged headlong into
the bay from the end of Meiggs' wharf and struck out boldly
for Alcatraz island. A few minutes later the boatman
noticed the swimmer struggling in the water. Rowing
quickly to his side, the boatman carried the unconscious
man to the beach. A few minutes later he died. A hack
driven at full speed up the streets stopped at the bank and

(n) This hotel, then the largest in the world, was built by
Sharon and Ralston at a cost of $3,250,000. Seven stories in height
it had a frontage of 270 feet and a depth of 250 feet. In the center
was an open court 120 feet in height from the marble floor to the
glass-covered roof. Work was begun in 1872 and the hotel opened
in October, 1875. It had 750 rooms and would accommodate 1,200
guests. The great fire destroyed the building. The walls were
dynamited and a new building erected.
(o) This theater on California street was the handsomest and
most costly theater on the coast. It was opened January 18, 1869
by John McCulloch and Laurence Barrett. Among the performers
were Annette Ince; Emelie Mellville, who died October, 1914; Mrs E
S. Sanders, John T. Raymond, Harry Edwards, Willie Edouin, John
Terrance, Mrs. Judah Fanny Marsh and E. W. Buckley

Unplaced Events 279

a man running into the office shouted, "Ralston has killed
himself!" The news spread like wildfire and soon thou
sands were hurrying to North Beach.
The suicide theory was prevalent among the enemies of
Ralston, but the physicians declared that he had died of
congestion of the lungs and brain. After a careful analysis
no poison was found in the stomach, yet the Call and the
Bulletin both declared it a case of suicide. The papers
charged him also with forgery fraud and embezzlement.
The assertion created the greatest indignation and hundreds
of San Francisco's best citizens fought the assertion. His
death was looked upon as a common calamity, said one of
his partners now living, and no spectacle has ever been
witnessed in modern times such as his funeral presented.
By common consent business of all kinds was suspended in
San Francisco and thousands attended the last service. He
was buried in Lone Mountain cemetery (p). Thomas Fitch,
the silver tongued orator, delivered the funeral oration.
The year following Ralston's death another notable
figure died, a man the exact antithesis of Ralston, and yet
he was to mankind a far greater benefactor. While living,
the world called him eccentric, selfish and an old skinflint,
yet after his death no praise was too lavish for James Lick
(q), for in his will, leaving $150,000 only to his son, and

(p) Done Mountain cemetery, now called Laurel Hill cemetery,
was laid off in 1854 for a burial ground by a corporation. It was
dedicated May 30th with appropriate ceremony. The first San Fran
cisco burial places were Telegraph hill, Russian hill and Clark's
point. In 1850 the town council designated Yerba Buena as the
place where all bodies should be buried. Later it was the city hall
site. When the announcement was made, long trenches were dug
at Yerba Buena, and the bones by the shovelful were dug up from
the old burial places and carted to the new cemetery. In the moun
tain camps so eager were the miners to get gold they had not even
common decency. They tore down burial fences, undermined the
graves and threw the dead to one side to get the gold. In 1854 a
law was enacted protecting graveyards. In 1860 a law was passed
permitting the incorporation of cemetery associations.
(q) Regarding the life of James Lick we have only a meager
account. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1798 and, with a limited
education, learned the cabinet making occupation. Then he fell in
love with a wealthy miller's daughter. The little knowledge that we
have of this love making seemed to indicate that the miller opposed
the match because Lick was a struggling young mechanic. Lick
then resolved to emigrate and make a fortune. He sailed for Buenos
Ayres and resided there and in Rio De Janeiro several years .making
about $10,000. Coming to California in 1847, he invested all of his
money in San Francisco property. Lots then had but little value.

280 Men and Events

not one cent to other relatives, he left $4,000,000 to be
expended for humanity. To the Old Ladies' home he left
$100,000; for the building of a public bath house and free
public baths $150,000; for statuary representing California
history $100,000; for a school of mechanical arts $540,000;
a bronze statue of Francis Scott Key, author of "The Star
Spangled Banner," $60,000; and for an astronomical ob
servatory with a telescope lens larger than any yet made
(r) $700,000.
The year 1878 was a notable one in many respects. Not
the least was the death of five prominent men. Four of
the number were millionaires, and the fifth, ex-Governor
Haight, was wealthy. Two of the deceased, Mark Hop
kins and David D. Colton, were Central Pacific railroad
directors. Michael Reese and William O'Brien became
wealthy through the Washoe, Nevada, silver mines.
O'Brien was an Irishman. He came to California in 1849
and became a ship chandler. He then became a whisky
dealer, his partner being James C. Flood, who died in Eng
land in February, 1888. Among their patrons were many
stock brokers and mining men. The two partners kept
their ears open and they picked up considerable knowledge
regarding stocks and mining. Finally they concluded to

He paid for the lot where now stands the Lick house $300. Its value
now is above the half million mark.
In a spirit of revenge, because of his rejection by the miller's
daughter, he built a mill at San Jose, and making it finer than the
"old gentleman's mill," he finished it in California laurel, the most
expensive of native woods. This foolishness cost him $200,000.
Aside from this extravagance, he spent but little money, dressed
shabbily, and building in 1861 the magnificent Lick house, rented it
and lodged alone in one of the cheapest rooms. He there lived in
dirt and filth and would not even permit the washing of the windows.
In carrying on his business, he rode about the streets driving an old
horse, in an old buggy tied up with wire. The harness was tied
with strings. The public laughed and joked about "the old man
and his rattle trap." His yearly income at this time was about
$250,000. (r) The making of the telescope was a task beyond human
experience. It was impossible, all telescope makers believed, to com
ply with the provisions of the will. Finally one firm undertook the
manufacture of the world's largest instrument. After several fail
ures because of defective lenses, they succeeded. The glass when
finished was thirty-six inches in diameter, six inches larger than any
previously manufactured lens. There are today only two larger than
the Lick telescope. The tube is thirty-six feet in length. So strong
is this lens it brings the moon within sixty miles of the earth. It was
elevated upon Mount Hamilton, near San Jose, 280 feet above the
valley. Beneath the telescope dome sleeps James Lick.

THE JAMES LICK MEDALLION
Lick Observatory, Mt. Hamilton,, near San Jose. This photo
was taken during a snow storm, a very unusual event.

Unplaced Events 281

go into the stock brokers' occupation. They invested
heavily and became partners with John W. Mackey and
William G. Fair, afterward a United States Senator from
Nevada. The two last named were practical miners. They
remained in the mines. Flood and O'Brien played the bull
and bear in the San Francisco stock board. It was a firm
almost invincible because of their united strength and
shrewdness. In their first deal they made a half million
dollars. Buying the stock of several mines, they consoli
dated two of the best mines. William G. Fair, then going
to Washington, offered to supply the government with
$10,000,000 in silver per month. They put in circulation
over $100,000,000 in silver. When the California bank
failed, each partner was worth $20,000,000. In October,
1875, they established the Nevada bank with a capital of
$5,000,000. They soon increased the capital to $10,000,000
and erected a handsome bank building costing $1,500,000.
Andreas Pico in early Mexican days applied for and
received a grant of land eleven square leagues in what is
now San Joaquin county. It was known as the Los
Moquelmos grant, which now includes Lodi, the "home of
the Tokay grape." Farmers in good faith purchased and
located on the land and improved it. The land commis
sioners in 1852 for some reason refused to confirm Pico's
title. He continued selling lands, however, and nothing was
said regarding a clouded title. The farmers builded fences,
erected homes, reared families of children and remained in
undisputed claim of the land until 1869. The Central Pacific
then claimed the land under its twenty-mile subsidy. The
settlers fought for their homes under the "Newhall vs.
Sanger" case and won their suit. The Supreme Court of
the United States sustained the state court and May 8,
1876, Senator Newton Booth wired their decision. This
was among the first suits whereby the Central Pacific
endeavored to drive from their homes farmers who had
lived from five to twenty years upon their land.
The settlers greatly rejoiced, and wishing everybody to
rejoice with them, May 19th they celebrated at Lodi. The
entire surrounding country, including Stockton, took part
in the happy occasion. There was a procession, oration,
music, dancing and feasting throughout the day. The

282 Men and Events

farmers paid the entire expense. Cattle, hogs and sheep
were barbecued and the 15,000 people had plenty to eat and
drink, Lodi furbishing an 800-gallon barrel of claret.
The great social movement of national organizations
was inaugurated in 1883. In that year (August 23rd) the
Knights Templar assembled in San Francisco in their
twenty-third conclave. As the Knights Templar of the
metropolis were among the most intelligent, wealthy and
influential citizens of the state, the celebration was one of
the grandest. The city was decorated as never before, and
the buildings were one mass of banners, flags, mottoes and
Masonic emblems. The national guests were tendered a
free concert and ball, excursions by steamer around the bay,
and by cars to Santa Cruz and Monterey. During the week
competitive drills took place for five magnificent prizes.
The material of which they were made was marble, onyx,
silver and gold. An immense parade was held, there being
over five thousand Knights in line. The Boston and the
St. Louis commanderies, with their $5,000 uniforms, were a
special feature. Marching to Golden Gate park, the com-
mandery with appropriate ceremony laid the corner stone
of the Garfield monument. At all hours of the day and
night marching bodies of Knights paid fraternal visits, and
the music of the bands gave San Francisco a week of
melody. Before daylight on the morning of January 19, 1884, as
the Los Angeles express approached the Tehachapi moun
tain, the passengers were sleeping soundly. The night was
cold. There was a heavy frost upon the rails. Slowly the
two engines, rear and front, over the steep grade of 125
feet to the mile, moved the heavy train up the hill to the
Tehachapi station. The relief engine then ran back to
Caliente. The pulling locomotive ran ahead for coal and
water. Suddenly the train began moving backward. The
air brakes had slackened. Efforts were made to use the
hand brakes. They were out of order. The train, rapidly
increasing its speed, was running at a fearful velocity.
Striking a curve, the train jumped the track and the cars
fell one upon the other in the canyon below. The cars then
caught fire and a terrible scene was witnessed. Twenty-
seven of the passengers were killed or burned to death and

Unplaced Events 283

a like number badly injured. The accident was due to
careless trainmen and worthless brakes.
The fortunes of politics are as surprising as the fortunes
of war. In 1854 a young captain named U. S. Grant was
stationed for a time at Knight's Ferry, Stanislaus county.
Returning to the east, we heard nothing of him until the
Civil war. Then rapidly rising in military rank from colonel
to general, we see him finally accepting the surrender of
General Lee's army. Then the people's hero, in 1868 he was
elected to the Presidency of the United States. California
gave him, however, only a small majority — Grant 54,583,
Seymour 54,077. Again elected President in 1872, the state
gave Grant 54,020, Horace Greeley 40,718.
Crowned as hero of the Civil war and as ex-President
of the United States, in 1879 he made a tour of the world.
He followed in the footsteps of William H. Seward in 1870.
Everywhere welcomed with distinguished honors, he was
nowhere more royally welcomed than in his pioneer state.
For many days previous to his arrival from China extensive
preparations had been made for his reception. As soon as
the City of Tokio, twenty miles at sea, was sighted from
Point Lobos September 20th, the news was wired to
the Merchants' Exchange. It was then telegraphed over
the state. In San Francisco as if by magic flags were run
to every housetop and flags and streamers decorated every
steamer, ship and yacht in the harbor. Bells were run,
whistles blown and cannon fired. Thousands of people
then joined the multitudes upon the hillsides until they
were black with the excited throng. Steamers and sailing
vessels now began moving toward the Golden Gate. Near
7:00 o'clock the heavy black smoke over Fort Point indi
cated the arrival of the Tokio within the bay. Cheer after
cheer from thousands of throats now filled the air. The
Tokio as she moved along the shore led the procession of
shipping craft crowded with people. The cannon of Alca
traz and Angel islands responded to the signal salute from
Fort Point and the air, heavy with powder smoke, almost
obscured the triumphal parade. Upon reaching the wharf
General Grant was welcomed to the city by Mayor Bryant,
and a long procession of military, civilians and old friends
escorted him to the hotel. The ex-President remained

284 Men and Events

several days as the city's guest and excursions, dinners and
entertainments formed only a part of the program arranged
in his honor. Wherever he visited, San Jose, Stockton and
Sacramento, he found the same joyful greeting, and his
return from San Francisco to Washington was one con
tinuous ovation across the continent.

CHAPTER XX.
TEN POLITICAL YEARS.
The state election was now on. The officers were elected
to serve only two years. All three parties, the Working-
men's, the Democrats and the Republicans were early en
gaged in campaign work, each party anxious to elect the
first new constitutional officers.
The Workingmen's party assembled June 3, 1879, in
San Francisco. They had been approached by men about
to organize a new party, but they resolved "not to affiliate
with the proposed New Constitutional party." Their plat
form comprised forty planks. Some of their resolutions
were crystallized into laws, years later. They opposed the
granting of subsidies to corporations and declared they must
be regulated by government. They must discharge their
Chinese help or go out of business. Foreigners eligible to
citizenship should not be permitted to carry on business
(this meant the Chinese, the Japanese then were not con
sidered). They advocated the compulsory education of all
children between the ages of eight and fourteen, and free
school books, the books to be printed at the state printing
office. They favored eight hours a day as sufficient labor
on public work, and denounced criminal contract labor.
They advocated the election of United States Senators, the
President and the Vice President of the United States by a
direct vote of the people. The establishment of a govern
ment postal savings bank, they also favored. Their nominee
for Governor was William F. White.
Their resolution not to unite with the New Constitution
party was the result of the efforts of the new party to form
a partnership. The Chronicle immediately following the
adoption of the new constitution had suggested the forma-
285

286 Men and Events

tion of a new party to be composed of those friendly to
the new organic law. The party was organized with
Charles de Young as its prime mover, and June 25th they
assembled at Sacramento. Their nominee for Governor
on the first ballot was Hugh J. Glenn of Colusa. He was
the wealthy owner and cultivator of 65,000 acres of choice
land, and employed Chinese as laborers and servants (a).
De Young failing to obtain the support of the Working-
men, he next turned to the Democrats. His proposition
was to give them the support of the Chronicle and the San
Francisco delegation of the N. C. P.'s. By this union he
hoped, at one master stroke, to annihilate the Republican
and the Workingmen's parties and Kalloch also, who by the
Workingmen, June 18th, had been nominated for Mayor of
San Francisco. The proposition was immediately voted
down and it created considerable discussion not favorable
to the Chronicle (b).
In his efforts to unite the two parties De Young was
ably assisted by Andrew J. Clunie (c), who had been
promised the support of the Chronicle in his fight for Con
gressman against Horace F. Page, the railroad's choice
from the second district. Clunie asserted that the Demo
crats were a small party and they had better unite with the
new Constitutional party, as it comprised "some of the most
gallant leaders the party ever had."
Although the Democrats refused to affiliate with the
N. C. P.'s, they appropriated their nominee for Governor in

(a) This nomination caused Kearney, the Chinese agitator, to
exclaim, "The head of the ticket is a nice specimen of a reformer
with his 90,000 acres of land and his army of Chinamen." His em
ployment of Chinamen gave origin to the campaign song which
materially assisted in his defeat, the chorus of which ran,
"Oh where is Glenn?
He's down in Colusa
With his gand of Chinamen."
(b) One delegate hotly exclaimed, "I am astonished that a.
representative body like this, should voice such a proposition with
out falling down and worshipping that immaculate man. » » »
No person on earth will ever make me bow to that plug hat worn
by de Young."
(c) Andrew J. Clunie, at the age of 18 years, was by the legis
lative act of 1868 declared of legal age to vote and hold property in
his ownname. He had large property interests at stake, nence the
law. This is the only case on record of a minor holding property
before he was 21.

Ten Political Years 287

convention, July 1st, at Sacramento. Glenn was placed in
nomination by the staunch old "war horse" and humorous
campaign speaker, Joe Hamilton of Placer. He was elected
by acclamation. The convention wired Glenn of its
action. In response he said, "I have not at this time read
your platform. * * * I was an ardent supporter of the
new constitution * * * my administration will be Demo
cratic." The reading of his telegram in the convention
brought forth prolonged cheers and huzzas.
How was it with the Republican party, which convened
at Sacramento June 3rd ? Were they at a loss for candidates
for Governor? On the contrary, so confident were they of
victory, a strong fight was made for the chairmanship of
the convention, as the presiding officer-elect was presumed
to indicate their choice for Governor. The nominees for
chairman were : Dr. Obed Harvey, who favored George C.
Perkins; George L. Woods, who represented George S.
Evans, a Mexican war veteran, and Frank L. Pixley, who
was making the fight for John F. Swift. Pixley was elected
chairman, the vote standing, Harvey 198, Woods 143 and
Pixley 206. The Swift men rejoiced, for they believed his
nomination secure. But he killed his nomination by his
speech, in which he said he doubted whether his views were
in accord with the platform. Although Perkins was opposed
by many of the San Francisco delegates, he was elected on
the first ballot. Perkins received 215, Evans 106, Horace
Davis 53 and Swift 31 votes. The San Francisco manufac
turers were much pleased with Perkins' nomination and the
telegram wired Perkins by Irving M. Scott, "We will give
you 20,000 majority," proved true.
There was never a doubt as to the result and Perkins (d)

(d) George C. Perkins who this year retires after a twenty-one
years' clean record in the United States Senate, was born in 1839 at
Kennebunkport, Maine. It was a seaport town, and early in life
he learned to love the sea. Shipping as a cabin boy at the age of
12 years on the Golden Eagle, he roamed the ocean until 1855. He
then came to California around Cape Horn, and going to Oroville
began mining. Then he became in turn a teamster, a lumberman
and a merchant. Making money and saving it, he next built a flour
mill, and bought stock in the Butte Bank, then being organized.
Mr Perkins even that early in life had won the respect and
esteem of the citizens, and although the county was strongly Demo
cratic they elected him 1869-74 State Senator. At Sacramento he

288 Men and Events

received 67,965, Glenn (e) 47,655 and White 44,432 votes.
The Democratic party was badly demoralized. In some
counties the Democrats refused to nominate a full county
ticket. In other counties Democrats voted with the New
Constitutional party and vice versa, Workingmen voted for
Democrats. The result was, candidates were elected from
all three parties. Both the Workingmen and the Demo
cratic nominees were elected judges of the Supreme Court.
I. C. Kalloch was elected mayor of San Francisco by a big
majority, De Young's pistol greatly assisting in the Baptist
minister's election.
The Republican convention for the campaign of 1882
assembled at Sacramento August 30th. The chairman of
the state central committee, W. W. Morrow, called the
convention to order. Newton Booth, by acclamation, was
called upon to preside. Finishing their preliminary business
the convention adjourned (f) until the following day, await
ing the arrival of Morris M. Estee. It was reported that
the convention's choice for Governor lay between M. M.
Estee, a large land owner, and M. C. Blake, one of the
judges of San Francisco. On the first ballot, however, Estee
was nominated, he receiving 238, Blake 20, J. M. McShafter
11 and Joseph Russ 2 votes. Los Angeles, then casting but
16 votes, gave them to Blake. Mr. Estee, who had long
been an aspirant for official honors, now believed that he
was to see his dream realized. Unfortunately, however, for
the party, the Chinese tidal wave was to sweep them from
the rock of victory, and for eight years leave them flounder
ing in the political sea.
In their platform the Republicans lamented the death of
President Garfield, and pointed with pride to the Republican
administration. Denouncing the "railroad contract system,"
they demanded that Congress pass laws regulating "freights

met Mr. Goodall and the result was an interest in the firm of Goodall,
Perkins & Company, the Pacific Steamship line. Mr. Perkins' record
is clean, not Only in political but in social life, and he is one of the
honored citizens of the state.
(e) Mr. Glenn, February 17, 1883, was killed by his ranch
foreman, Hiram Miller.
(f) P. B. Cornwall, objecting to the postponement, declared
that it was the first time in the history of politics that a convention
proposed to send out and hunt up a candidate.

Ten Political Years 289

and fares" between states. They put themselves on record
as "unalterably opposed to Chinese immigration." And
they also congratulated themselves that the immigration
question had been settled by the treaty ratified by a
Republican administration.
The Democrats convening in San Jose, June 20th, viewed
the Chinese question from a point exactly opposed to that
of the Republicans. They tendered a vote of thanks to their
Democratic Congressmen for their long struggle with a
Republican administration against Chinese immigration and
they believed that the Republicans' action in Congress
would give them a state victory. Judge David S. Terry,
the chairman of the platform committee, gauging correctly
public opinion, made the life and principal topic of that
document opposition to the Chinese. "We condemn the
majority of the railroad commissioners (the two first
named) C. J. Beerstecher, Workingman ; Joseph S. Cone,
Republican, and George Stoneman, as being faithless in the
discharge of their duties. Resolved, that the most speedy
and effective means should be taken to compel the railroad
corporations to pay their taxes" (g).
Who was to carry the party standard during the cam
paign and lead on to victory? Two of the candidates,
George Stoneman and George Hearst, were of nearly equal
strength. Each of five other candidates believed that he was
the dark horse. Stoneman, expecting to win on his past
war and railroad commissioner record, depended on his
riches and the support of the San Francisco Examiner (h).

(g) The railroad at this time, was trying every legal technical
ity known to the law to evade the payment of its taxes. The best
and highest salaried attorneys in the state were presenting the
corporation's case, aiming to prove that under the new constitution
the corporation was exempt from payment.
(h) The Examiner was the rival of the Chronicle for state
patronage, and both papers are wonderful examples of newspaper
enterprise and progress, backed up by capital and energetic men.
The Examiner was first published June 12, 1865, by William Moss,
h« being the owner of the Democratic Press, suppressed by the
government, a few months previous. After Captain Moss' death the
paper passed through many hands and was bought in 1880 by
George Hearst. He changed it from an evening to a morning pub
lication. He gave the plant to his son, William R. Hearst, in March,
1887. The young man at once enlarged the paper to eight pages.
With unlimited capital at his command young Hearst purchased the
largest and most improved newspaper equipment, employed the best
of newspaper talent, and now issues two California papers, the San
Francisco Examiner and the Los Angeles Examiner.

290 Men and Events
One of his strongest opponents, however, was Chris Buckley
(i), he opposing Stoneman with his full strength because
the latter would not submit to Buckley's dictation. From
first to last the. San Francisco Buckley delegates voted for
George Hearst. And the interior delegates, strongly antago
nistic to "Buckleyism," voted for the hero of the Mexican
war. The San Joaquin county delegates, led by David S.
Terry, voted solidly their thirteen votes for Stoneman (j).
Hearst led up to the fifth ballot. Seldom have so many

(i) Chris Buckley: The ability of this blind Democratic boss,
or "blind devil," as he was often called, to control, for several years,
the Democratic party, was wonderful. Born of Irish parents, and
reared in New York, when a young man he came to California, and
engaged in the whiskey business, first in Vallejo, then in San Fran
cisco. He sampled often his own wares, and excessive dissipation
and lustful desires caused blindness. He was not entirely blind.
He could distinguish the forms of persons and things, but in travel
ing about he was dependent upon a guide. Turning over a new leaf,
he now became sober, temperate, virtuous, and a "political boss."
The vilest class in the city hung around his saloon, and they became
his first political manipulators. Every morning his guide read to
Buckley the political news of the state, and possessing a remarkable
memory, he remembered the facts and the names of every politician
or legislator introduced to him. Years might pass and again meeting
the same person, remembering his voice, Buckley would call his
name. His power was gradually extended from precinct, ward and
district and then he had the county politics at his command. . Then,
going into the Democratic State Convention, the state nominees were
compelled to "go and see Buckley." Sitting in a side room, some
times himself a delegate, his henchmen coming and going would
report to him the movements of the convention and take his orders.
In 1882, the Stoneman year, he succeeded in commanding a part of
the state ticket. In the Stockton convention, 1884, he was strongly
in evidence. And in 1890, E. B. Pond was his nominee for Governor.
At one time he was partly in control of the Republican politics, and
for ten years he held control of the San Francisco government. Then
the Republicans gained control and Buckley was down and out. For
years the better class of Democrats had been fighting "Buckleyism"
and placing Judge William T. Wallace on the bench, he instructed
the grand jury to look into the affairs of the city officials, including
"the boss." Chris Buckley then concluded to travel, "for the benefit
of his health," he said. He returned after a season, no longer,
however, in politics.
(j) George Stoneman was born in New York, August 8, 1822.
Graduating from West Point in 1846, he joined the first Dragoons.
The following year, he came to California in charge of the Mormon
Battalion. In the Civil War he rapidly arose in rank, and became a
general in the cavalry service. He took a distinguished part in many
engagements, and in 1865 was assigned to a command in Arizona.
He retired to private life in 1871 and became a farmer, locating near
Los Angeles. Governor Irwin appointed him as one of the three rail
road commissioners. As Governor he was controlled by David S.
Terry. While in office he pleased neither the Democrats nor Repub
licans. He granted pardons to criminals to an unlimited extent.

Ten Political Years 291
ballots been cast for a convention candidate. The following
was the vote :
Hearst  159 - 166 - 169 - 170 - 174 - 170 - 170
Stoneman  132 - 133 - 147 - 166 - 189 - 204 - 243
Disgraceful as it may seem to many persons, the resolu
tion that caused the greatest excitement, confusion and
anger in the Democratic convention, and the greatest rejoic
ing in the Republican body was the Sunday resolution. The
Sunday law had been upon the statute books since 1855.
The Democrats, led again by Terry, denounced it as "sump
tuary legislation" and an infringement upon personal lib
erty. And to their lasting disgrace the delegates, by a
vote of 209 to 167, pledged themselves to have the law
repealed (k).
The Republicans regarded this question as one of great
importance to every moral and Christian community and
their resolution declared "in favor of observing Sunday as
a day of rest and recreation — and we favor the maintenance
of the present Sunday law." The reading of the resolution
was greeted with prolonged applause. Frank Pixley, ex
citedly jumping upon a chair, wildly swung his hat and
moved three cheers and a "tiger" for "the triumph of this
glorious plank." As if by one impulse the convention arose
to its feet and for several minutes tumultuously applauded.
The Christians of both parties believed that this would be
one of the principal issues of the campaign, and the Chris
tian Democrats and moralists would for once, at least, vote
with the Republican party. But vain was the delusion, for
the Sunday law cut no figure whatever in the contest. The
Chinese question overshadowed everything else. The
Democrats elected their legislature by a large majority.
They held that majority until 1890, and repealing the

(k) This was Terry's pet resolution, and he declared "he was
opposed to sumptuary laws in general, and the Sunday law in par
ticular." Holliday asserted that "to repeal the Sunday law would
cut the Democratic party into two pieces." W. H. Grady of Fresno
replied, "I know no Democrat who is a member of the church will
scratch his ticket on account of the Sunday law. The South Metho
dists never scratch."

292 Men and Events

Sunday law in 1886, California became the only Godless
state of the Union (1).
In the campaign of that year, 1882, a new element came
into politics, and crying aloud for their rights, demanded
the suppression of the liquor traffic. Ignored and insulted
by the two old parties, they now resolved to enter the
political field and fight for the temperance cause until "King
Alcohol" was driven from the land. They had previously
taken no part in politics as a party except in 1854. But
receiving no relief from the "demon rum" in the old parties,
(September 28, 1882) they assembled in the Young Men's
Christian Association hall, San Francisco, and organized
the Prohibition Home party of California.
They nominated a full state ticket and selected as their
nominee for Governor, R. H. McDonald. He was a leading
druggist of San Francisco and had become wealthy from
the sale of a vile concoction, "Walker's Vinegar Bitters,"
a preparation of herbs, vinegar and whisky. In their plat
form they asserted that their party could be intrusted with

(1) Unfortunately for the law it was advocated by extremists,
and in their zeal they disgusted their friends and aroused strong-
opposition among, their enemies. During the agitation, the pro
hibitionists, June 17, 1882, organized the Home Protection Associa
tion, to advance the temperance cause. As an offset the liquor men
organized the 'League of Freedom" and as liquor men controlled
both parties the result was easily predicted.
In 1855 the legislature passed a Sunday law. It was generally
observed because of the silent moral force within the state. A few
violated the law. Then the fanatics caused their arrest. In defense
they appealed to the Supreme Court. It came before the court in
1858, and Judges Terry and Burnett, Field dissenting, declared the
law unconstitutional. Stephen J. Field was a communicant of the
Protestant Episcopal and ex-Governor Burnett, a communicant of the
Catholic church. Terry was a non-religionist. A second Sunday
law was passed. And the Supreme Court of 1861, Judges Baldwin,
Cope and Field, declared the law constitutional. There was no
further agitation along the morality question until 1873; then the
crusade broke out afresh. The butcher, baker, barber, druggist,
saloonist and stable keeper were arrested for breaking the Sunday
law. What was the result? A few convictions and many acquittals.
The Republican legislatures favored the law, and would not repeal it
Matters rested until 1882; then "the righteous indignation" again
started and in a single month in San Jose, eighty tradesmen were
arrested for selling goods on a Sunday. The citizens became dis
gusted. Grady of Fresno favored the repeal of the law, asserting
that as district attorney, out of twenty arrests he had failed of a
single conviction. After the law was repealed the moral force
began working. Then the unions' crusade for shorter working hours
and a day of rest gave a strong influence for a rest from business
This year, however, 1915, the Barbers' Union, introduced a barbers'
Sunday closing law. It failed to pass.

Ten Political Years 293

political control of all questions involving the moral and
the material interests of the people. They declared against
the manufacture, sale and use of alcoholic drinks, and the
prohibition by constitutional amendment, of the manufac
ture of liquor. "We protest," they declared, "against all
subsidies for the encouragement of intoxicating drinks from
grapes and against the appropriating public funds for horse
racing at county and state fairs. We are in favor of in
structing the public school children in regard to the evil
effects of alcoholic drinks."
When the returns of November 7, 1882, began coming
in, the Republicans were sad, for they soon saw that the
Democrats had swept the state from Shasta to San Diego —
Stoneman 90,694, Estee 67,175, McDonald 5,772, and T. J.
McQuiddy, the American party nominee, 1,020. The Re
publicans were not only badly beaten in the state ticket, but
the strongest Republican districts had gone over to the
enemy. The Republican district of San Francisco which
had given Horace Davis a majority of 2,000 in 1880 now
gave W. S. Rosecrans a majority of 1,059. The second
district, the strongest in the state, Republican since 1861,
now gave its nominee, Horace F. Page, 19,246 votes, his
Democratic opponent, James H. Budd (m), receiving

(m) Horace F. Page, at one time a driver of the Placerville
stage, was very friendly to the Central Pacific. The people had in
1873-75-77 and 79 elected him as a Representative from the second
district. Consequently in 1882 he believed his "calling and election
sure." His district included the railroad centers of Sacramento and
Oakland. The Democratic convention itself, believing Page invin
cible, almost forced the nomination on James H. Budd. Mr. Budd
believing that ofttimes apparently "dead things crawl" resolved
after accepting the nomination to "do or die." Possessing keen sense,
quick at repartee, a good judge of men and a favorite where ever
known because of his sincere sympathy for the unfortunate, he
started out on his campaign, relying principally for support upon
the mountain districts and the farming communities. Naturally plain
in dress, he wore a common suit of clothing and wearing a broad
brimmed felt hat, he campaigned the district on an old buck board,
drawn by a bay horse. In this he was the exact opposite to his
opponent, Page. He wore a black beaver hat, clothing of broad
cloth, and diamond rings and scarf pin. He traveled over the district
in Southern Pacific cars on free passes. Budd promised that if
elected he would not spend his time working for the "Espee" as the
Southern Pacific was colloquially called, and for the Oakland harbor,
but for the best interests of the people. Upon his return to his home
town he was given a great ovation, by citizens irrespective of party.
On the morrow came the election. The railroad's heretofore invinci
ble candidate was not in the running. Page's own county, El Dorado,
gave Budd a majority of 251. In Alameda, Page beat Budd 189

294 Men and Events

20,229 votes. The cause of this political landslide was the
strong Republican sentiment, throughout the east, for the
Chinese and the veto of President Arthur.
The Democratic state convention which met at Stockton
June 10, 1884, to elect presidential delegates, was the most
famous convention in the history of California politics.
It not only ex-communicated several old and deep-dye
Democrats, but it roasted severely an Associate Chief
Justice of the United States, Stephen J. Field (n). He was
anxious to be selected as the Democratic presidential
nominee and his California friends hoped to send the dele
gation to the national assembly pledged to Field. It was
soon learned that a few only, favored him. The majority
denounced him as a corrupt judge and a receiver of bribes
from monopolies and corporations.
The platform contained twenty-four resolutions, and
the committee on platform and resolutions had a stormy
session lasting until midnight before the platform was
approved. The first resolution reaffirmed the party's adher
ence to anti-monopoly. The second approved and excused
the extra legislative session of 1882. The fifth read out of
the party, as corrupt traitors and pledge breakers, several

votes only. Budd won out by 422 votes in the district. It was a
remarkable victory as in one instance, 1879, Page beat his opponent,
Thomas Clunie, 6,539.
Morris M. Estee in 1894 was again the Republican nominee for
Governor. The rank and file were again displeased because of the
nominee forced upon them. Jim Budd said, "I've got a fighting
chance, boys." Nominated by the Democratic state convention, he
again made a "buck board campaign" whenever possible. Again
winning the contest he beat Mr. Estee, the former receiving 110,738
and James H. Budd, 111,944 votes. Again he kept the campaign
promise which he made, to reduce state taxation. Many appropria
tions were cut out. Among others he vetoed all of the agricultural
fair appropriations except the State Fair. Twenty-six county fairs
were put out of commission at a saving yearly of $100,000.
(n) Stephen J. Field, notorious for his political jugglery and
trickery, was born in Massachusetts in 1816. He was graduated
from college, studied law and became an able jurist. Arriving in
California in 1849 he located in Marysville. He was a fine linguist,
speaking fluently the English, Greek, Latin and Turkish languages,
and the citizens elected him alcalde of the district. In 1850 they
sent him to the legislature. The state then learning of his high
legal ability made him an associate Judge of the Supreme Court.
He became Chief Justice when Judge Terry resigned, 1859, to fight
his duel with Senator Broderick. President Lincoln called him to
the Supreme Court of the United States in 1863 and he there re
mained until his resignation in October, 1897. He was an able jurist,
but, said Judge Terry, "corrupt and dishonest in all of his decisions."

Ten Political Years 295

Senators, the railroad commissoiners Carpender and Hum
phrey, Lieutenant Governor Daggett and Attorney General
Marshal (o). The last resolution repudiated Stephen J.
Field as a political aspirant. Before it was put to vote an
exciting act took place and many speakers in very abusive
words denounced the Chief Justice. In that entire conven
tion Field had but one friend, Frank J. Newlands, a brother-
in-law of William Sharon. He faced that angry body,
sometimes interrupted by hisses and insulting remarks, and
bravely and eloquently, in a lengthy speech, defended the
name of Chief Justice Field. His splendid defense of a
corrupt judge changed not a single vote in the 13 against
and 466 votes for the resolution.
The Prohibition party, discouraged not by their dismal
showing in 1882, was the first party to enter the campaign
of 1886. Assembling at Sacramento May 12th, the conven
tion was opened with prayer. George B. Katzenstein, a
leading worker in the Sons of Temperance, was selected
as chairman. An Alameda farmer, Joel Russell by name,
was unanimously chosen as the Prohibition standard bearer.
Their platform, the shortest ever adopted by any party,
was prohibition from Alpha to Omega, first to last. The
platform as adopted began, "Relying upon the power of
Almighty God and the justice of our cause." Although they
opposed all sumptuary laws, they believed it the "bounden
duty of the state to prohibit the manufacture, sale and
importation of all alcoholic beverages." They voted down
a Sunday law resolution, also a resolution opposing the
citizenship of foreigners "unless they have some knowledge
of our institutions and politics."
The gathering of the Republicans at Los Angeles three
weeks later, August 25th, is noticeable because of the place

(o) The convention accused the railroad commissioners of break
ing their pledge at San Jose. Ned Marshall, they asserted, broke his
pledge by not forcing the railroad suits, to compel them to pay their
state taxes. The commissioners made no reply, but Marshall stepping
to the platform, in an able and eloquent speech, denounced as "liars"
those who asserted that he had been unfaithful to his duty. Subse
quently the truth was revealed and Marshall's honesty and integrity
were proven.

296 Men and Events

of assembly (p). The chairman of the convention, W. H. L.
Barnes, was a general in the Civil war, a strong Republican
when the nominees were satisfactory to him, and one of the
most eloquent speakers of the state. The platform advo
cated the encouragement of free intellectual labor, and it
declared that co-operation among laborers was for the best
interests of society. It favored the protection of the mining
interests, individual water rights and the free coinage of
silver. The leading candidates for Governor were William
H. Dimond and John F. Swift. Dimond led with 153 votes,
Swift 108. On the eighth ballot Swift was nominated, the
vote standing, Swift 325, Dimond 74, Charles F. Reed 20
and Chancellor Hartson 36. The nomination was not favor
ably received by the party, as the San Francisco delegation,
led by Barnes, forced the nominee upon the convention.
May 31st, in I. O. O. F. hall, San Francisco, the Demo
crats met. The friends of Governor Stoneman believed he
would be a winning card. The general belief was that to
defeat the Republicans again, the nominee must come from
San Francisco, the home of John F. Swift. George Hearst
was urged to accept the nomination. He declined the
honor. Washington Bartlett was the convention's choice,
elected on the second ballot. Michael F. Tarpey, defeated
for Governor, was nominated for Lieutenant Governor, and
Jeremiah F. Sullivan, strongly endorsed by Judge Terry,
was nominated for justice of the Supreme Court. The
nomination was considered as an indorsement of his deci
sion in the Sharon versus Sharon divorce case.
Stephen J. White, a native son and a rising young
lawyer, then aspiring to a seat in the United States Senate,
was elected chairman of the convention. He had filled
the same position very creditably in the stormy Stockton
convention. The platform resolved, "that the administra
tion of President Cleveland * * * receives our cordial
endorsement." It favored the free coinage of gold and

(p) The assemblying of the convention at Los Angeles is re
markable, as for the first time a political convention or convention
of any sort, met south of San Jose. Los Angeles was now becoming
a power in politics, second only to San Francisco, and although her
nominee for Governor was defeated she named the second place for
R. W. Waterman, who became Governor.

Ten Political Years 297
silver, liberal wages and free labor, and it opposed the tariff
on wool, sumptuary legislation and Chinese immigration.
It demanded the abrogation of the Burlingame-Swift treaty,
and deemed a good National Guard "a necessity to the
safety of our country and institutions." It may be recalled
that in Governor Haight's term the party opposed the
National Guard. Now the unions are demanding its
abolishment. The election was a complete surprise. There were five
parties in the campaign, the Democratic, Republican, Prohi
bition, American and the United Labor party. The Ameri
can and Prohibition parties, together with C. C. O'Donnell,
who ran independently for Governor, drew from the Repub
licans and Democrats just votes sufficient again to elect
a mixed ticket. Bartlett (q) was not a favorite with the
workingmen, they claiming that he was "in with the rail
road." The printers voted against him, declaring that
Bartlett was a "scab." Yet he was elected Governor by a
plurality vote of 67. The vote as counted stood: Bartlett
84,967, Swift (r) 84,311, Russell (Prohibition) 6,432, Wig-
ginton (American) 7,347, and O'Donnell 12,227. Mike F.
Tarpey was defeated by Robert H. Waterman, the Repub
lican nominee, just 2,431 votes. Judge Sullivan also was
defeated, his defeat being attributed to the friend of Sharon.

(q) Washington Bartlett was one of "God's noblemen," beloved
by all persons. Born in Georgia in February, 1824, he learned the
printer's trade and then removing to Florida established a news
paper. The news of gold started him for California and arriving in
1849 bringing with him a new' newspaper plant, he published January
23, 1850, The Journal of Commerce, the' first daily newspaper of the
coast. Later he started several other papers, among them, Evening
News and the True Californian. Wandering into politics he was
twice elected county clerk, of San Francisco, 1859 and 1867, then two
terms as Mayor, 1862 and 1864. He was appointed a harbor com
missioner in 1870. Elected to the Senate in 1873 as a Democrat, he
bolted the party, and assisted John F. Swift in sending their friend
Newton Booth to the United States Senate. Governor Bartlett did
not live through his term of office, dying at Oakland September 12,
1887 The Lieutenant Governor, R. W. Waterman, then became Gov
ernor. He also passed on, April 12, 1891, soon after the adjournment
of the Legislature.
(r) John F. Swift soon after his defeat for Governor was ap
pointed by President Harrison, Minister to Japan. He died in Tokio,
February 11, 1891.

298 Men and Events

It is a curious incident, perhaps, that following the
election of James T. Farley as United States Senator, his
term ending in 1885, three Senators died in office during
the following ten years. It was a very unusual chain of
events. Senator John F. Miller dying March 8, 1886, the
Governor appointed George Hearst to fill the unexpired
term, less than one year. In the extra session called by the
Governor, the Republicans, in the majority, elected A. P.
Williams as Senator. The state election of 1886 again
placed the Democrats in power, and they elected George
Hearst as Senator (s), his term ending March 4, 1893. He
"crossing the divide" February 28, 1891, Charles L. Felton
was elected to fill the unexpired term. Felton served out
the term. His successor was Stephen F. White, the author
of the resolution requesting Congress to authorize the
election of United States Senators by a direct vote of
the people.
As the end of the term of Senator Farley drew near in
1885, there was a cry ringing all over the state, "Down the
monopoly" — the Southern Pacific railroad. It was asserted
that the Central Pacific again was boosting Aaron A. Sar
gent for United States Senator. He served from 1873 to
1879, and Huntington declared he was worth more to the
railroad than half a dozen new men. If accounts be true,
the people had no choice in the matter, as both the Repub
lican and the Democratic legislatures were run by the paid

(s) In Franklin county, Missouri, George Hearst was born.
His father was engaged in farming, stock raising, and lead mining.
After his death young George attended to the business. He was
not successful, however, and selling out his property in 1850 he
crossed the plains with a company of gold seekers. Locating in
El Dorado county he began mining. Not fortunate in that, and when
in 1859 the silver mines of Nevada were discovered, Mr. Hearst
hurried to Virginia City. He began trading in mining stock and
each deal fattened his purse. In 1862 returning to Missouri, he
married the sweetheart of his early life, Phoebe Elizabeth Apperson,
the lady who dearly beloved, is now one of the wealthiest citizens
of California, and the giver of many splendid gifts, especially to the
State University of which she has been a regent and the first woman
in the state given that honor.
Mr. Hearst in 1865 bought the San Simion ranch, 45,000 acres in
San Luis Obispo county. Later he and James B. Haggin became
partners. Together they dealt in horses, cattle, lands and mining
stocks and made immense fortunes. In political life Mr. Hearst was
elected to the Democratic Legislature of 1865. His convention de
feat for Governor and his election as a United States Senator, have
already been recorded. He died February 28, 1891, as he had lived,
"one of nature's noblemen."

Ten Political Years 299
railroad lobbyists (t). It was also reported that Leland
Stanford, a former president of the Southern Pacific, was
seeking the Senatorship. This he denied. Stanford's
friends, however, were secretly planning his election, and
several strong Stanford men had been elected legislators.
In the Republican caucus, Stanford was nominated by a
vote of fourteen over Estee, Sargent and Perkins. Surpris
ing changes now took place, for Senator Wright of Solano,
a strong Sargent man, and Senator Boone of San Francisco,
a supporter of Estee, seven days later highly eulogized
Stanford. The legislature met in joint session January 28,
1885, and Assemblyman Parks of Yuba, nominating Stan
ford, said in closing, "honor us * * * honor the state
by electing Leland Stanford, United States Senator." The
Democrats placed in nomination their candidates. When
the vote was tallied (Farley 2, Hearst 37, Stanford 78),
there was long continued applause.
The majority of the citizens, submitting to the cannot-
be-helped fact, quietly declared, "If we must have a railroad
man, give us the king." Curiously they awaited the result.
Taking his seat in Congress, Senator Stanford astonished l
the people by his honest, clean record. He not only voted/
for the best interests of the people, but he introduced and"
worked hard to have passed the "two per cent loan" bill.
Returning to California in October, 1890, he was every
where received with an ovation such as never before was
tendered to any man save ex-President Grant. The Stan
ford university was then being erected and, irrespective of
party, he was hailed California's greatest philanthropist (u).

(t) Said the Chronicle, "both he (Sargent) and the Democratic
party, are in league with the railroad." And a Republican Senator
declared in the Senate "that the railroad owned the Republican
party." (u) On arrival at Sacramento, October 14th, he was escorted
to the pavilion by the Markham brigade, and before an immence
crowd A. L. Hart introduced the Senator. At twelve o'clock the fol
lowing day, Senator Stanford and his wife at Stockton were greeted
by thousands of citizens. As the Senator with music was escorted
to the pavilion, hundreds of mechanics left their work and joined the
procession. The public schools closed for the afternoon, and 2,000
children and hundreds of citizens shook Mr. and Mrs. Stanford by
the hand Resting for a season at his home, Palo Alto, he again met
the citizens. He was greeted by crowds everywhere, and cannon
salutes, bonfires and illuminations were given in his honor.

300 Men and Events

He was the hero of the hour, and the election of November
4, 1890, was his triumph for re-election to the Senate. Said
a correspondent, January 6, 1891, "now that the organiza
tion of the legislature has been effected, the way is clear
for the re-election of Senator Stanford." This was true, for
the Republican caucus, January 7th, gave Stanford 87 votes
and W. W. Morrow only a few. In the Senate, January 13th,
Stanford received 27 and Stephen M. White 12 ballots. The
Assembly gave Stanford 57 and White 18 votes. The
following day in joint session they declared Leland Stan
ford the next Senator, to succeed himself. It was known
that he was unfit to act as Senator because of age and
sickness, but so popular was he that the people were willing
thus to honor him for the second time. Returning to Cali
fornia, he died at Palo Alto June 20, 1893, and his successor,
George C. Perkins, was appointed by Governor Markham.
The year 1890 was a notable year in political history for
two reasons. First, it closed the ledger of pioneer Gov
ernors. Looking backward, the entire list were pioneers;
looking forward, the first Governor was a "late comer,"
the second James A. Budd, the son of a pioneer. Second,
there came into leadership a new section of the state, as
represented by Los Angeles. The "solid south" in conven
tion assembled cast 175 votes. Up to this time San Fran
cisco had controlled every convention, social and political;
henceforth she must reckon with the new power.
The Republican party, infused with new life and ginger,
assembled in Sacramento August 12, 1890, with 667 dele
gates entitled to seats. For Governor, Los Angeles pre
sented the name of Henry H. Markham; San Francisco
was anxious to seat William W. Morrow, and Stockton
named its enterprising merchant, L. U. Shippee, an ex-
president of the state agricultural society. The selection, as
chairman, of Joseph C. Campbell of San Joaquin indicated
that Shippee's chances of nomination were good. The con
test lay between Morrow and Markham (v), as Shippee
(v) The Markham men worked like beavers, far into the night.
Markham had rooms at the hotel, and as fast as the delegates
arrived they were greeted by the Los Angeles delegates with the
inquiry, "Have you seen the Colonel? No? Then come and see him."
And the new arrival was almost pushed into the presence of him
with "the magnetic hand." One grasp of that hand and the delegate
was captured.

Ten Political Years 301
had no following. On the second day the nominations were
made and the state capitol assembly room was crowded
2,000 being present. Before the result of the first ballot
was announced, the delegates began changing to Markham.
It was a pre-conceived scheme to boom the candidate from
the southland before Markham had received sufficient votes
to elect him, his friends began cheering and yelling. No
final result was announced, but during the confusion the
reporter caught the result, Markham 233, Morrow 193,
Chipman 54, Shippee 37. San Francisco, however, elected
Markham, as it gave him 67 votes and Morrow only 60.
Los Angeles gave him 63 solid (w).
When the nomination for Secretary of State was called,
E. G. Waite of Alameda was elected by acclamation. He
was not popular among politicians. He was, however,
honest and sincere in his motives and the convention nomi
nated him as a rebuke to Chief Justice Field. In placing him
in nomination George A. Knight said, "For more reasons
than one I take great pleasure in introducing Mr. Waite"
(x). He was elected by an overwhelming majority. The
Democrats voted for Waite and he received 129,900 votes,
beating Markham nearly 4,000 and Pond 12,000.
The old party ties were gradually breaking up, and the
old party slogans were being cast to oblivion. The Repub
lican party began considering industrial questions, and
the convention resolutions favored excluding the Chinese,
deepening the channels of navigation, and the encourage
ment of reclamation and the irrigation of lands. They
commended Secretary Blaine's act in the Behring strait
difficulty, pledged their nominees to the enforcement of
an eight-hour law, declared fifty cents on the dollar suffi-
(w) The result was wired south, and Pasadena and Los Angeles
went wild. Flags were flung to the breeze, processions headed by
bands of music paraded the streets, cannon salutes startled the
nervous persons, speeches were made and that night public buildings
and private dwellings were illuminated in honor of the first victory
of the south.
(x) What was the reason? Waite, although a strong Repub
lican, in a magazine article, defended the name of Judge Terry.
Later President Harrison appointed Waite as the receiver of the San
Francisco Land Office. Judge Field so bitterly opposed the confirma
tion of Waite, because of his defense of Terry, that the President
was compelled to withdraw Waite's name.

302 Men and Events

cient state taxation, endorsed the silver bill and favored
stringent laws against trusts and monopolies.
The Democratic party August 20th assembled in the
Agricultural hall, San Jose. The citizens gave the delegates
a cordial greeting. The hall was "resplendent in plants,
flowers and garlands of evergreens" and a band of music
discoursed melody while the delegates were assembling.
The nominees for Governor were all old-time Democrats,
E. B. Pond, James V. Coleman and William D. English
from San Francisco, and A. C. Paulsell of San Joaquin.
Chris Buckley was present to capture the convention for
Pond. He led on every ballot and Buckley won his victory
on the fourth ballot, Pond receiving 455, Coleman 134,
English 67 and Paulsell only 5 votes. There was much
excitement over the victory of "Boss Buckley" and many
of the delegates were fighting hot. Nevertheless the friends
of Pond, taking him up bodily, carried him upon their
shoulders to the Auzerais house. It was soon surrounded
by some 2,000 Democrats yelling and shouting for Pond.
The platform denounced "Czar Reed" (the Republicans
praised him), the Lodge and the McKinley bills. It
favored the free coinage of silver, liberal appropriations
for all California improvements, the support of the militia,
an eight-hour law, the fostering of the wine industry, the
Australian voting system (y), a state superintendent of
printing (a new office) to be elected by the people, and an
election by the people of United States Senators.
The Prohibition party met April 9th in San Francisco.
There were 200 delegates present. There were several
delegates of bigoted opinions and aggressive natures, and
several times the convention was in an uproar. Selecting
John Bidwell as their nominee for Governor, they adopted
the most progressive platform of that day. They opposed
any further expenditure of state funds for the advancement
of the wine interest. They favored the closing of shops

(y) The Australian ballot law adopted by the Legislature of
1891, was one of the best laws ever enacted. The Democratic party
is entitled to much praise as it first advocated its adoption. And
James Maguire campaigning the state worked hard for, and spoke
earnestly in the advocacy of the Australian ballot system. The law
compelling all saloons to close on election day, was passed several
years previous to the adoption of the Australian law.

Ten Political Years 303

and factories on a Saturday afternoon, thus to elevate the
laboring class. They favored the Australian ballot system,
and the payment of state and county taxes semi-yearly,
the management of railroad and telegraph lines by govern
ment, a modification of the naturalization laws and woman
suffrage. The Republican victory was complete notwithstanding
the "old pard" letter (z) that was sprung on Markham.
It was a "whoop up" campaign from start to finish. Mark
ham, a man exceedingly agreeable in manner and strongly
magnetic, aroused enthusiasm wherever he traveled. Op
portunity was given to all persons to shake hands with "the
next Governor" and old and young crowded into the room
to "shake." Being a Grand Army man, throughout his
campaign Markham told the story of his lying wounded
upon the battle field. The veterans, then many in number,
rallied to his support. Pond was almost the antithesis of
Markham. He was a very exemplary man, but cold and
very formal in manner. He impressed a person as being
unsympathetic in nature. Then handicapped by Buckley,
he stood no chance whatever with the dashing colonel from
Pasadena. This was the climax of the boom campaign, as
a less expensive and more quiet plan of election was now
being proposed. The vote as counted stood: Markham
125,129; Pond 117,184; John Bidwell, American party,
10,073.

(z) In this letter Markham wrote to a friend "that one dollar
a day was enough for an Irishman."

CHAPTER XXI.
MISCELLANEOUS EVENTS.
The life history of a people is found not in their politics,
but mainly in their social and industrial affairs, the events
of yesterday, today and tomorrow. These are the things
which give us gladness or sadness, hope or despair.
Some were almost in despair as the telegraph flashed
the news July 2, 1881, that President Garfield had been shot
while in the Washington depot. And they exclaimed, "My
God, are we living in a free republic, that another President
should thus be assassinated!" The terrible event placed
the patriotic citizens in a very embarrassing position. The
preparations for the celebration of our natal day were
nearly complete, and they knew not whether to proceed
with or give up the celebrations. In some cities, San Fran
cisco for one, all proceedings were rescinded; in other
cities, they celebrated but in a very listless and despondent
mood. President James A. Garfield lingered until Septem
ber 19, 1881. News of his death was wired and throughout
the state mourning emblems were everywhere seen. With
out regard to politics or creed, all classes honored his
memory, in religious services, orations and funeral proces
sions. Today as a sainted hero, his memory is enshrined
in the hearts of the American people.
There is another of equal enshrinement, ex-President
Grant. We have written of his splendid ovation from the
Pacific to the Atlantic coast, and in the month of July, 1885,
the eyes of the nation were turned toward Mt. Gregory.
There the ex-President lay dying of cancer of the throat.
He had been sick for several weeks and July 23rd he was
called home. The north and south together mourned his
death and the hearts of the kings and rulers of foreign lands
beat in sympathetic union with the American heart. In
honoring the nation's hero, California thought best to have
304

Miscellaneous Events 305

her funeral ceremony August 8th, the day and hour corre
sponding in time with the ceremonies in the eastern states.
Governor Stoneman declared the day a legal holiday. He
commanded that for thirty days all public buildings be
draped in mourning. In San Francisco the exercises were
held in the Mechanics' pavilion and thousands marched in
procession to the roll of the funeral drum (a). Thirty of
the public schools of the city held commemorative services.
The pastors of the various churches made his death, as they
did his arrival from Japan, the theme of their Sunday
sermons. In the same year, December 17, 1885, a terrible accident
took place a half mile south of the Cliff House. Early that
morning the little whaling bark Atlantic sailed from port.
The captain, finding the wind too light to carry his vessel
out to sea, cast anchor. About 10:00 o'clock he again set
sail. The swell of the waves was stronger than the wind
and the bark began drifting. Then a heavy fog rolled in
and the anchor was heaved. It did not hold, and the second
anchor failed to check the drifting vessel. So dense was
the fog the captain was unable to locate his position, and
about midnight a big wave, carrying the bark upon the
beach, dropped her with force sufficient to stave a big hole
in the starboard side. All of the boats save two were
smashed by the heavy waves that now rolled over the craft.
The two boats were immediately lowered and filled with
men, but they were crushed against the side of the bark.
Now all hope was gone. Wave after wave, sweeping over
the deck, washed overboard the crew and before the morn
ing's dawn twenty-seven of the men were drowned. Eleven
others, nearly dead, succeeded in reaching the shore and
told the story of that terrible night.
The explosion on the schooner Parallel, loaded with
forty-two tons of dynamite was one of the most singular
disasters of the coast. Sailing from San Francisco on the

(a) One of the features in the procession was the presence in
line of 115 Confederate soldiers. They had been inyited by the "boys
in blue'" to unite with them in honoring the "magnanimous general."
They accepted the invitation In the same friendly spirit in which it
was given, and since that day "the blue and the gray" meet in social
friendship.

306 Men and Events

evening of January 15, 1887, before the vessel was fairly out
to sea she became unmanageable and began drifting.
Unable to control the schooner, the captain, taking no
chance of loss of life, exclaimed, "Boys, we must leave her !"
Launching the boats, the crew rowed to shore. The
schooner drifted towards the beach, and about midnight
struck the rocks some 800 feet north of the Cliff House.
The concussion exploded the dynamite, and scarcely any
of the vessel was found. The explosion was so heavy that
a part of the rigging weighing 3,000 pounds was thrown a
half mile distant. Two thousand tons of rock were shaken
from the cliff and in pebble size fell upon the beach. All
of the buildings in the vicinity were badly damaged and
one side of the Cliff House (b) was blown in. Not a life
was lost.
Terrible as was this explosion, it in no way compared
in loss of life with the explosion of nitro-glycerine April
16, 1866, in the assay office of George W. Bell on California
street. The explosive was at that time first brought to this
coast to be used in blasting rock in the mines, and no person
knew that concussion would immediately explode the stuff.
On the day mentioned two boxes of nitro-glycerine were
placed in the yard back of the assayer's office. That's all
they knewr about it. It is presumed that as one of the
boxes was leaking, some person gave the box a kick with his
foot. The explosion that followed was terrific. The walls
of the building were thrown down. The explosion was
felt all over the city. Along California street, a distance of
a half mile, doors and windows were smashed and the
damage to glass alone was over $30,000. Samuel Knight,
Wells Fargo & Company's superintendent, and George W.
Bell, together with fifteen clerks and other employes, were
killed, and ten badly wounded.

(b) The Cliff House was in early days San Francisco's famous
beach resort. There the millionaires enjoyed champagne suppers
with many of the city's virtuous daughters and made them presents
of diamond rings, costly silks and diamond studded gold watches.
It was also the pleasure place of thousands of sight-seers, visitors
from the east and west. The old pioneer building was destroyed by
fire Christmas night, 1894. The property was owned by Adolph
and handsomer building. This also was destroyed by fire, September
8, 1904.

Miscellaneous Events 307

The most important event of 1879 was the sailing of the
expedition fitted out by James Gordon Bennett of the New
York Herald to find a northwest passage from the Pacific
to the Atlantic. For six months the vessel lay at Mare
Island, getting ready for the long and perilous voyage. She
was equipped with every necessity and men only of the
most perfect physique and health were engaged to accom
pany the expedition. She was towed from the island to
San Francisco and two days later, July 9th, the Jeannette
sailed from the harbor. She was escorted to sea by the
government tug Governor Irwin — his excellency being on
board, — the San Francisco Yacht Club and hundreds of
smaller craft crowded with people. The wharves and Tele
graph hill were lined with friends and citizens eager to bid
that brave crew a prosperous voyage. Every ship dipped
her colors as the Jeannette sailed by, and cheers, cannon
shot and steam whistles filled the air with noise. Fort
Point fired a salute of twenty-one guns. And at the sea
buoy the escort left the Jeannette. In the frozen north the
vessel lies, her crew dead all save three, who, after terrible
suffering from cold and hunger, succeeded in reaching a
Russian settlement.
A boiler explosion that year in Stockton because of the
carelessness of the engineer was an accident like none in
California events. It was February 22nd. There had been
no celebration that day, and out of curiosity and with some
interest a large crowd of men, young and old, stood around
an old threshing engine to witness the trial of a new pump
recently invented. Suddenly the boiled exploded, and
thrown twenty feet into the air, it fell fifty feet distant.
The crowd was thrown in every direction. Some were
uninjured, others were crushed and killed by the concussion
or flying pieces of iron. Those who ran to the scene were
completely dazed, as they saw lying upon the street some
thirty persons, with legs and arms broken and breasts
crushed, some dead, others dying. The engineer was found
one hundred feet away, hurled against a brick wall. Thir
teen were killed, several of them young men, and two died
the following day.
Two of California's great problems of today are irriga
tion and navigation, and since 1880 the navigation of the

308 Men and Events

rivers has been a troublesome question. From time beyond
computation, the winter floods have been gradually filling
our two great rivers, the Sacramento and the San Joaquin.
The flow of debris was immensely increased by hydraulic
mining. The Yuba river was filled with debris, and the
floods, thick with earth, overflowing the banks, destroyed
thousands of acres of fine grain and fruit tree land.
Attorney General Hart in behalf of the state began suit,
and in May, 1882, Judge Temple restrained the companies
from dumping their debris into the river. The decision gave
great joy, and Sacramento fired one hundred guns. Marys
ville illuminated her dwellings, marched the streets with
band playing and caused her bells to "toll the death of
slickin's." The mining companies then appealed to the
United States court. In January, 1884, the decision of the
lower court was sustained and Judge Sawyer granted a per
petual injunction. He declared that mining companies had
no right to "destroy other persons' property, fill up naviga
ble streams or damage or ruin agricultural lands." Over
this decision there was much greater rejoicing by the citi
zens. Bon fires were lighted, whistles were blown and big
mass meetings were held in Grass Valley, Gridley, Nevada
City, Marysville and Sacramento.
In that year, 1884, the society circles, in San Francisco
especially, were highly delighted by the first appearance
on this coast of Adelina Patti, the renowned prima donna,
in grand opera. The performances were given in the grand
opera house, Market street, which had a seating capacity
of 4,000 persons. "Lucia di Lammermoor" was presented
the opening night, March 10th, with Etrelka Geyster as
the leading character. Patti appeared the third night, and
although the sale of seats had reached the sum of $30,000
up to that time, they increased $10,000 that day. Through
out the previous night men stood in line waiting for the box
office to open, and $50.00 was given for choice of seats.
When Patti that night came upon the stage, she was
almost buried in flowers, and for nearly five minutes it
rained choice, beautiful bouquets.
One of the most affecting operatic scenes ever witnessed
upon the California, operatic stage was the reception given
March. 23, 1885, to Emma Nevada, a native daughter, on

Miscellaneous Events 309

her first appearance. She appeared in the grand opera
house in "La Somnambula," after a three weeks' illness.
The house was filled from orchestra to ceiling. Being a
California girl, her ovation was unsurpassed. She was
showered with roses as she appeared, and men shouted
and women waved their handkerchiefs in their excited
happiness. Six times she was recalled and upon the last
recall the beneficiary attempted to sing "Home, Sweet
Home." Her voice failed her, however, and bursting into
tears she ran from the stage overwhelmed with happiness.
The strike which was on during the Patti concerts was
that of the carmen of the Mission street line.. It was the
first (c) of those strikes which were quite common during
the following fifteen years. The workingmen's organiza
tions of 1887 rapidly grew, and as we have noted, influenced
legislatures and elected to office some of their members.
Every trade had its union, and uniting under the general
name of "Knights of Labor," they began demanding from
their employers certain rights and concessions. Among
the organizations none was stronger than the "Carmen's
Assembly" of San Francisco. And July 14, 1886, two-thirds
of the conductors and brakemen on the North Beach and
the Mission street lines struck because the superintendent
of the last named road refused to reinstate two of their
discharged members. New men were placed on the cars.
And when an attempt was made to run them, stones, bricks
and other missiles were thrown at the horses, drivers and
cars. After all the windows had been smashed in the sixteen
cars sent out, the superintendent ordered the cars to be run
into the barn. The following day the cars were again sent
over the road. Nothing happened until 5 :00 o'clock that
evening. At that time 5,000 men had gathered at Mission
and Fourth streets. Placing timbers across the track, as
the "bob tails" came along the men cut loose each horse
and overturned the cars. The police, clubbing the mob,
finally succeeded in clearing the street. No further effort

(c) The first strike in California, that for higher wages, seems
to have taken place May 6, 1861, in San Francisco. Over 200 hod-
carriers struck. They held a meeting and resolved not to return to
work until the contractors submitted to their terms. If they em
ployed Chinamen, then there would be a serious row.

310 Men and Events

was made to run the cars until July 17th, the superintendent
having reinstated the discharged men. This was the first
and only strike in California wherein the union won a
complete victory.
The excitement from this strike had scarcely abated
when the citizens were called upon to entertain the national
body of the Grand Army of the Republic (d). For the
entertainment of the visitors each post of the California
department subscribed a certain amount of money, and the
state legislature appropriated $25,000. The commander-in-
chief, S. S. Burdette, and staff arrived from the east August
2, 1886, and received at the wharf, they were escorted to
the hotel by the 8,000 veterans in line. The encampment
assembled August 4th in the Odd Fellows' hall (e) and
previous to and following that date until August 14th there
was a continuous line of entertainments, military balls,
banquets, concerts, reviews and receptions. There was a
parade August 3rd and 35,000 citizens cheered the 11,000
"boys in blue" as they marched. Excursions were given
their "old comrades" to Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Rafael,
San Jose and around the bay.
Three weeks passed and there came an event such as
we seldom witness among organizations. It was a reunion
Septembr 17th of "the boys who ran with the machine"
and fought the enemy, not with powder, shot and shell,
but with water from the well (f). In the days of '49 hun
dreds of New York, Boston and Baltimore firemen came to
California and on the Pacific coast they welcomed their
friends of early manhood.
(d) The Grand Army of the Republic was organized in 1866.
The following year, May 16, the California department was organized
with Starr King Post. The name was later changed to Lincoln Post,
No. 1. When the organization assembled in Portland, Maine, in 1885,
the California department invited them to visit the Golden State
the following year. The Californians, it is stated, took with them a
carload of California wine. Maine being a prohibition state, it was
by strategy only that they succeeded in getting the wines sampled.
(e) Odd Fellowship was organized in California in 1847, by Mor
mons, under the leadership of E. P. Jones, editor of the California
Star. California Lodge No. 1 was instituted September 9, 1849, in
the "little school house" that stood on the plaza, San Francisco. The
Grand Lodge was organized in May, 1853 by Samuel H. Parker of
Vermont. The cornerstone of the present building was laid Mav 14
1884. (f) In those early days there were no hydrants in San Fran
cisco, cisterns or big fire wells being dug in the earth.

Miscellaneous Events 311

The success of the Mission line car strike elated the
Carmen's Assembly and in December, 1886, the conductors
and gripmen of the Sutter street and the Geary street (g)
cable lines demanded higher wages and shorter working
hours (h). The directors of the two lines refused these
just demands. December 8th over two hundred cable men
struck (i). For six weeks the strike was on and during
that time the company by every means possible tried to
run the cars. All the efforts failed, as the strikers and
their friends blocked the game. Stones, bricks and rocks
were hurled at the "scabs," smashing windows and doors.
Rocks and wooden wedges were firmly driven in the cable
slots. Some fiend on January 13th placed a bomb on the
Larkin street branch; it exploded, and wrecking the car,
three lady passengers were badly hurt (j). So many were
the policemen taken from their regular beats to guard the
company's property, the city was left unprotected. Rob
beries and assaults were numerous and the citizens began
to make complaint.
During the strike Superintendent McCord hiring some
twenty-five "toughs," they had a set-to with the strikers
at the end of the line. A spectator was killed by a stray
bullet, a gripman pulled from the car was badly beaten,
and several died injured by stray bricks. Although the
company was daily losing thousands of dollars, it refused
to give up the fight. It finally won a victory, as the
public, "tired of walking," compelled the strikers to sur-

(g) This line is now owned and operated by the city of San
Francisco, which began its operation in January, 1915.
(h) The carmen made a demand that the wages of each man
be increased from $2 to $2.50 per day of twelve hours work. The
men on some of the car lines were then working from thirteen to
fifteen hours per day, including Sundays. It was a slave's life and
truthfully as they claimed, they had not time enough to get ac
quainted with their families. The children were asleep when they
returned from their work at night, and when they left home at early
dawn. (1) The strike inconvenienced thousands of citizens, as some
of them were compelled to walk miles to and from their business.
They cheerfully submitted to the inconvenience, however, as they
knew that the carmen were right in their demands.
(j) This act caused the Legislature, March 27, 1887, to pass what
was known as the dynamite law. It declared it a felony to recklessly
handle or maliciously deposit or explode any explosive upon or near
any railroad track.

312 Men and Events
render. The carmen, however, practically won the fight
as it led to the enactment of the twelve-hour law, which
declared twelve hours a legal day's work, with double rate
per hour for overtime.
An event important when taken in connection with other
events was the death November 15, 1885, of William
Sharon. He was a pioneer, an ex-United States Senator
from Nevada, a man wealthy in silver mines, Bank of
California stock, and in building blocks, this including an
interest in the Palace hotel, and generally a man of high
standing. One of his daughters married Frank G. New-
lands, and a second daughter married Sir Thomas Hesketh
of England. Sharon was married in 1852, and in 1875 his
wife died. Soon after his wife's death Sharon, then in his
sixty-second year, became infatuated with a woman named
Sarah Althea Hill. She was a very handsome woman,
bright and shrewd, and living at the hotel, she became very
intimate with the wealthy widower. Sarah Althea in 1883
proclaimed herself Sharon's lawful wife, by a secret con
tract marriage. In proof of her claim she produced a mar
riage certificate dated October 23, 1880. Sharon denied
the marriage, and she commenced suit to prove the legality
of her nuptials. Her attorneys were George W. Tyler and
David S. Terry, the latter taking the case to "get even on
old Sharon" because he "went back" on Terry in 1856. The
trial was begun in Judge J. M. Sullivan's court March 10,
1884. The judge rendering his decision December 24th said,
"I have reached the conclusion that William Sharon, the
defendant, by virtue of his secret contract marriage, has
become and now is the husband of Sarah Althea Sharon,
the plaintiff in this case." The attorneys for the defense
were astonished, and they cunningly planned to obtain a
reversal of this decision.
The greatest and most successful strike in state history
was that of the Iron Moulders' Union, San Francisco, which
continuing for twenty months, was then called off. The
Engineers' and Foundrymen's Association for good reasons
refused to abide further by a high wage scale previously
made, and March 3, 1890, the president of the Iron Moulders'

Miscellaneous Events 313

Union ordered a strike (k). The moulders, 275 in number,
leaving their work, it threw over 1,000 men out of employ
ment. The association then informed the union that volun
tarily they had left their positions and it would not
recognize or make any terms with the union. The war
between capital and labor was now on, to be fought to the
bitter end. The manufacturers were determined to win the
contest, although they knew the cost would be heavy. They
sent east for iron moulders, paid their train fare and gave
them the California wages. A special train of two cars
arrived from Philadelphia March 10th, and in tug boats
from the Oakland mole they were taken to the four foun
dries. Fifty-two men started, but ten men deserted, thus
persuaded to act by strikers. Carload after carload arrived
to take the place of the strikers. They were all housed,
boarded and lodged within the foundries and they dared
not leave the building because of picket strikers on duty
night and day. Policemen and detectives were also on duty
guarding the buildings, property and men.
For a time the association men were sorely pressed.
They had on hand a large amount of contract work, and in
some cases they were compelled to send it east to have it
completed. Before many months, however, everything was
running smoothly and the foundries were full handed.
Whenever opportunity was offered, the strikers, by persua
sion, bribery, threats and even force, would try to have
the "scabs" desert and return to the east. Some deserted,
the union paying their fare. In time the strikers, finding

(k) The cause of this strike runs back to August, 1887. At that
time the Iron Moulders' Union demanded that $3.50 per day should
be the minimum rate of wages, and ten hours considered as a day's
work. The Engineers and Foundry Association agreed to the terms.
Later business was slack and the Union Iron Works, wishing to keep
their men employed, if possible, put in a bid, against the eastern
contractors for the building of a battleship. Wages and material
were so much cheaper than in California, Irving Scott was compelled
to bid very low in order to get the contract. He succeeded, however,
in getting the contract for the Charleston and the Monterey. The con
tracts were so low there was no money in the work for the firm, and
the association informed the union that on and after January 1, 1890,
the former agreement would be null and void. The union protested
against a wage reduction of fifty cents a day. They believed that
they had a cinch on the association, as it had contracted to com
plete the battleship within a certain time. Scott would listen to no
compromise propositions, and he declared that from March 10th the
agreement would no longer receive his attention.

314 .Men and Events

it a losing game, began stoning and beating the non-union
men wherever they found them alone or unprotected (1).
The Occidental foundry, employing a few men only, in
January, 1891, made peace with the union. Mr. Kerr, who
had a combat with some union men, was one of the pro
prietors of this foundry. The withdrawal of the Occidental
foundry cut but little figure in the fight. Finally the union,
as a last resort, tried to induce every union in the city to
declare a sympathetic strike. The plan proposed was to
have every mechanic strike on any building using non-union
iron work. Such a strike would have thrown thousands
of men out of employment and tied up millions of dollars
worth of work. In April all of the contractors and builders,
combining solidly, declared "we most emphatically disap
prove of such a course of action." The strike was continued
until November 4, 1891, and then declared off. The associa
tion having no ill will against the men, they returned to
work in the foundries.
The first cause of all of this trouble was the building of
the battleship Charleston, and the desire of Irving M. Scott
to keep his men employed. The contract was signed in
January, 1887, and the first battleship ever launched on the
Pacific shore was floated at high tide, 7 :30 p. m., July 19,
1889. Long before that hour thousands of citizens on foot
and in carriages were hurrying to the Union iron works

(1) Whenever the men left the foundries they went armed. One
evening four of them in a hack rode to the California theatre. The
strikers followed after them. On arriving at the theatre, the strikers
surrounded the hack, and the frightened "scabs" jumped from the
vehicle and ran up the street. The strikers followed and finally
surrounded the men. Two policemen arrived, and the non-unionists
were arrested and taken to jail for carrying concealed weapons.
Shortly after this, June 26th, James W. Kerr, one of the proprie
tors of the Occidental foundry, was walking up the street accom
panied by C. J. Clausen, a non-union moulder. They were assaulted
by fifteen men and Clausen was badly beaten. Three of the men
attacked Kerr and drawing a revolver, he fired and the shot struck
and killed Edward Cogan. The strikers then fled not even stopping
to assist their dying companion. Kerr was arrested and acquitted
by the jury. Two months later, August 2, Walter Rideout leaving
his work saw a party of strikers on the sidewalk, and to avoid them
he walked around the block and boarded a street car. Two strikers
followed him, and jumping on the car H. L. Siebert striking Rideout
a terrible blow in the face exclaimed, "I'll fix you, you dirty dog."
To defend himself Rideout drew a pistol, and in the scuffle Siebert
was shot. He died on the way to the hospital. The coroner's jury
declared that Ridenout shot in self defense and later he was ac
quitted, Judge Lawler presiding.

Miscellaneous Events 315

(m). Around the bow of the monster warship a platform
had been erected and upon it stood Generals McDowell and
Howard, Commodore Belknap, Governor Waterman, Mayor
Pond and army and state officers. The ceremony was short
as time and- tide wait for no man. All preparations being
made, Alice Scott, the daughter of Irving M. Scott, took
her place on the bow of the vessel, awaiting the signal to
break a bottle of champagne over the side of the iron
monster. As the signal was given the workman knocked
away the single wedge
"And see : she stirs ;
She starts — she moves, she seems to feel
The thrill of life along her keel,
And spurning with her feet the ground,
With one exulting, joyous bound
She leaps into the ocean's arms;
And lo, from the assembled crowd
There rose a shout prolonged and loud,"
and whistles screeched and cannon boomed, as the hull of
the vessel floated from the shore.
The building of this warship was but the beginning of
the construction of several war vessels, including two for
Japan. The company May 4, 1889, signed the contract for
a second iron-clad at a cost of $1,628,000. She was launched
the following year, 1890, and in honor of the city named
San Francisco. The citizens presented the officers of the
cruiser a $5,000 silver dinner set. One year later, April
28th, the Monterey was shot into the bay, President Harri
son witnessing the launching. Then came the Olympia in
November, 1892, followed in 1894 by the battleship Oregon,
which made such a splendid record during the Spanish-
American war. In 1901, May 28th, the splendid battleship
Ohio was given to the ocean wave, President McKinley
being present (n), and four years later, April 28, 1904, the
California was built.

(m) The Union Iron Works is the outgrowth of the little black
smith shop started in 1849, by Peter Donahue. The Donahue monu
ment representing labor stands on Market and Bush street.
(n) As President McKinley, accompanied by Secretary Long and
members of his cabinet, stepped on board the tug boat "Slocum," to
go to the ship yard the wharves were crowded with people anxious
to see the President. As the tug steamed into the bay and passed

316 Men and Events
The divorce suit of Sharon versus Sharon was one of
the most important cases on record, as it involved Stephen
J. Field, a justice of the Supreme Court of the United
States. On the one hand stood a poor, lone woman without
a relative fighting for justice; on the other hand, a Senator
several times a millionaire, his son-in-law Frank G. New-
lands, and his intimate friend, Justice Field.
The suit was called for the second time in the United
States court September 3, 1888 (o). Frank G. Newlands,
as the executive of the Sharon estate, now became the
plaintiff. And to obtain a reversal of the decision of the
California Supreme Court he made a motion for a "bill of
revivor." The court at this time comprised Judges Sawyer,
Sabin, Hoffman and Field, the judge last named presiding.
They again decided adversely to Sarah Althea Hill, now
Mrs. Terry (p). As Judge Field read that part of the deci
sion suggesting that the marriage certificate be cancelled
and destroyed, Mrs. Terry unexpectedly interrupted the

the Sheridan, the marines crowded to the side of the transport and
cheered lustily, the band playing "The Star Spangled Banner." The
Slocum was followed by hundreds of yachts, tugs and other boats
gaily decorated and as the parade neared the iron works a salute
of twenty-one guns was fired from the battleships Iowa and Wis
consin, the cruisers Adams and Philadelphia, and the torpedo boat
Farragut, also lying at anchor. On arrival the President ascended
the platform built around the iron clad, where stood Governor Nash
of Ohio, his niece,- Miss Dresler, Miss Barber, representing Mrs.
McKinley, who was too ill to be present, together with army, navy
and city ofRcers. President McKinley was then presented with a
gold plate, a souvenir of the occasion, and responded in a short
speech. At two minutes before high tide, 12:24 p. m., Miss Barber
pushed an electric button, which broke loose all the vessel's support.
At the same moment Miss Dresler, breaking on the side of the prow
a bottle of champagne, exclaimed, "I christen thee, Ohio."
(o) The attorneys of Sharon in order to obtain a reversal of
the decision rendered by Judge Sullivan, worked out a cunning
scheme. In carrying out the plot Sharon changed his place of resi
dence from California to Nevada. All suits between parties residing
in different states must be tried in a department of the United States
court. Judge Stephen J. Field was a close friend of Frank G. New-
lands. We remember Newlands defense of Field in the Stockton
convention. The Judge was under deep obligations to Newlands;
hence the transferring of the case to the circuit court.
(p) In the meantime, December 16, 1885, Cornelia, the wife of
Judge Terry since 1854, died almost heart broken. So enamored was
Terry of his client, that her picture hung in his home, friends so
declared. And January 8, 1886, Judge Terry and Sarah Althea
Sharon were married by a priest in the parsonage of the Stockton
Catholic church.

Miscellaneous Events 317

solemnity of the upright judges (q) and was quickly hustled
from the court room.
Judge Field continued reading the decision, after the
excitement, and the august body then adjourned. Again
assembling in the afternoon, neither Terry nor his wife
were present; they were adjudged guilty of contempt of
court. They were sentenced to imprisonment in the Ala
meda county jail, he not exceeding six months, she not
exceeding thirty days. After the speeding on of thirty-two
years, the ex-chief justice was again a prisoner.
Behind his prison bars, friends, sympathizers and report
ers visited Terry. Heeding not, however, the admonition
of all good lawyers to their clients, "silence is golden," he
freely conversed with all callers and threatened to "kill
old Field" (r). Strong efforts were made by Porter Ashe

(q) Mrs. Terry quickly rising to her feet angrily exclaimed,
"Judge Field, are you going to take it upon yourself to order me to
give up that contract?"
"Sit down, madam," quietly replied the judge. Her husband
tried to pull her down but failed.
"Justice Field, we hear that you are bought, we want to know
if it is true, and how much you have been paid by the Sharon people."
Pale in feature, Justice Field now commanded, "Marshal, put that
woman out."
As Marshal Franks moved to obey the order of the court, Judge
Terry, with eyes flashing, exclaimed, "Don't touch her. She is my
wife and I will take her out of the court room."
With equal brusqueness Franks roughly pushed Terry aside,
exclaiming, "I know my duty, sir."
Terry a giant in strength, six feet, three inches in height, and
weighing 220 pounds, immediately struck the marshal a blow that
sent him spinning among the chairs. Some witnesses declare, these
witnesses including the Justices, that Terry then drew a bowie
knife. He denied it. However, a half dozen men then jumped upon
Terry crowding him to the floor. For a minute or two he struggled
and then remained quiet. In the meantime three officers with Mrs.
Terry fighting and screaming, hurried her to an outside room and
guarded the door. Terry, subdued, was permitted to arise and go
to his Wife. He found the door guarded, and demanded admittance,
This was refused him Immediately drawing a bowie knife from
beneath his vest he said to the guard, "Damn you, she is my wife; I
will see her." Terry was finally quieted and allowed to enter the
room with his wife. While Mrs. Terry was being hustled from the
court room, she handed to Porter Ashe a little satchel, which was
her constant care. She sent for it. He started to give it to her
and refused to give it up when Marshal Franks called for it. His
good sense returned, he surrendered the satchel. Upon being opened
a 41-calibre revolver was found, one chamber empty, the hammer
resting upon the discharged barrel. We shall hear from this satchel.
(r) To one friend Terry said, "When I get out of jail, I will
horse whip Judge Field." But the former replied, "He will resent it."
"Then," replied Terry, "if he resents it I will kill him." To a reporter
Terry said, "I will have the Supreme Justices impeached for placing

318 Men and Events

and Thomas H. Williams, Jr., to have their old friend
released. Senators Regan, Coke and Crain of Texas and
Morgan of Alabama presented to President Harrison a peti
tion for pardon. He refused to sign it. The United States
grand jury September 20th indicted Terry and his wife
for assault. Mrs. Terry's bail was fixed at $5,000. The
time of her sentence for contempt of court expired October
3rd. Before that date, however, she was taken ill and she
was not able to leave the jail until October 15th. Her
child died. When Terry's sentence expired March 3, 1889,
he returned to Fresno, his home. Two months later, May
3rd, the famous Sharon marriage certificate was burned in
a fire that destroyed his office and law books.
In the meantime Justice Field had returned to Wash
ington. As the time drew near for the holding of the circuit
court sessions, the friends of the justice tried to persuade
him to send another judge to California, as rumors were
floating around, untrue, however, that Terry intended to
kill Field on sight. He refused to neglect his duty and on
his arrival a body guard was appointed for him (s).
On the evening of August 14, 1889, the editor of a Stock
ton paper who was an intimate friend of Judge Terry,
announced in his paper in big "scare" heads, "MUR
DERED. Cowardly Shooting of Judge David S. Terry by
United States Deputy Marshal David Nagle." Judge Field
and Nagle were on that day returning to San Francisco
from Los Angeles on the Southern Pacific overland. At
Fresno, Judge Terry and wife boarded the train. They
were on their way to the bay city, there to answer one of
the indictments found by the grand jury. Neither party
knew of the presence of the other. Upon the arrival of
the train at Lathrop at 7 :20 p. m., Field and Nagle entered

an unqualified lie upon the records, in saying that I committed a
murderous assault in the presence of the court." He declared most
emphatically that Judges Sabin and Sawyer had been bought in the
Chinese habeas corpus cases. To a second reporter he asserted, "I
shall get out of here after awhile, and Judge Field and I will meet.
I can say to you he will not be as pleased at the meeting as I will."
(s) The Attorney General of the United States telegraphed to
Marshal Franks "to protect Judge Field at all hazards." In obedi
ence to this order Franks made David S. Nagle a deputy United States
Marshal. He was a cool headed, brave man, and known as a gun
fighter. He could draw and fire his revolver quick as a flash.

Miscellaneous Events 319

the Lathrop hotel dining room, and side by side sat down
to dinner. A few minutes later, Terry and his wife
entered the room. They were shown seats at a table beyond
that occupied by Judge Field. Terry in passing did not or
seemed not to observe Field. His wife did see him, so
the witnesses declared. Sitting down to the table, Mrs.
Terry whispered to her husband, and immediately leaving
the room, she returned as quickly as possible and entered
the door — to find her husband dead. A tragic minute that,
national in its scope. While Mrs. Terry was gone Terry
observed Field. His eyes glistening with anger and his
lips firmly set, he arose. Approaching Field from behind,
Terry stooped over as if to speak to him, and suddenly
slapped his face upon the right and left cheeks. Nagle quick
as a flash drew a revolver, and firing twice, Terry slowly
sank to the floor, shot through the heart. The second shot
pierced Terry's ear as he fell. Mrs. Terry hastened to her
husband's prostrate body, and throwing herself upon it,
drew something from his breast (t).
Nagle was arrested, although Judge Field strongly pro
tested, and lodged in the jail at Stockton. Against the
advice of old and experienced attorneys, the young district
attorney issued a warrant for the arrest of Chief Justice
Field. It was served by Sheriff Cunningham. Immediately
the justice was released by Judge Sawyer of the United
States court upon a writ of habeas corpus. The same kind
of a writ was issued for David Nagle and August 16th,
about midnight, a hack drew up to the jail and he was taken
to a special train which carried him to San Francisco. He
was tried for murder in the United States Circuit Court
and acquitted. The Supreme Court of the United States
affirmed the verdict of the California Circuit Court and
alleged that Nagle only performed his duty.
It is said that justice is blind. Terry lay sleeping in
Rural cemetery, Stockton, near the beautiful monument he
himself erected many years previous to his death. On the

(t) The coroner's jury declared that Terry was unarmed. At
one time, however, Terry made an affidavit that he never went un
armed. HiB favorite weapon Was the dirk knife, which he carried
beneath his vest on. the left hand side. It was the safest weapon,
he said, especially in a close encounter.

320 Men and Events

one side lay his first wife, Cornelia; on the other his. son,
Assemblyman Samuel L. Terry. Not a half mile distant,
his second wife, Sarah Althea, a raving manic, was confined
in the insane asylum.
The fogs that prevail along the coast at certain seasons
of the year are sometimes so thick that the ferryboats
plying between Oakland and San Francisco cease running.
In one of these heavy fogs, August 2, 1888, the coast
steamer City of Chester left her berth, bound north. She
had on board seventy-one cabin and twenty-two steerage
passengers. Steaming along slowly, her whistle continu
ously blowing, another ship, the Oceanic from Hong Kong,
suddenly appeared, head on. The Chester's engines were
immediately stopped. Unfortunately, however, at that
point there is a strong eddy and it swung the stern of the
Chester across the bow of the incoming steamer. There
was a terrible crash and the Chester was nearly cut in two.
The Oceanic was uninjured, and the passengers of the
ill-fated vessel made a rush for that steamer. Many jumped
or were crowded overboard, and the crew of the Oceanic,
all Chinese, were so frightened because of the collision that
they neglected to lower the boats. The Chester floated a
few minutes and then sank in fifty fathoms of water.
Fifteen persons were drowned. The steamer was a total
loss. A diver sent down at a cost of $150 per day refused
to go down a second time, so horrible was the sight of dead
bodies floating around in the cabin.
There is danger to life everywhere, even in the gold and
silver mines. That immensely rich gold mine at Angels
Camp known as the Utica has been particularly unfortunate.
Gold was there found, in surface diggin's, in 1865. The
sinking of a shaft produced millions of dollars in gold. The
shaft was extended to a depth of five hundred feet. After
many years the timbers began to decay. Two days before
Christmas, 1889, twenty miners were sent down to put in
new timbers in the four hundred foot level. Suddenly the
ground sank, there was a crash, and seventeen of those
men were buried alive. Three escaped, and hastening
through the tunnel to a second shaft, they climbed, up the
ladders and reported the disaster. All, was now confusion-
and the scene was heart rending; Wives weeping for 'their'

Miscellaneous Events 321

husbands and children crying for their fathers. Men were
assembled as soon as possible and they strenuously began
work, hoping that they might save at least one life. They
were soon compelled to leave the miners to their fate, as
the water soaked earth continued caving and their heroic
labors were useless. In the passing of the year thirteen of
the bodies were recovered. Then occurred the second
disaster. Eleven men, January 5, 1891, were being lowered
into the shaft to dig for the remaining bodies. At a depth
of one hundred and fifty feet the inch and a quarter cable
broke, and falling one hundred and fifty feet, the men
were killed.
An event of unusual interest took place in 1890, in the
second visit (u) and the death of Kalakua, the King of the
Sandwich Islands. He arrived on board the cruiser Charles
ton December 4, 1890, and as the iron-clad vessel entered
the harbor he was welcomed by royal salutes from Fort
Point and Alcatraz. He was received at the wharf by
United States troops and by them escorted to the Palace
hotel, over which the Hawaiian flag was waving. His
arrival was considered by the "higher-ups" of great social
importance, and by the merchants of great commercial
importance, and to the swarthy King every possible atten
tion was given. Receiving for two weeks the adoration of
servile Americans, December 28th he visited Los Angeles
and San Diego, there to be adored. In those cities, both
men and women lowered their American birth right as they
had done in San Francisco. In Los Angeles Kalakua
was tendered a public reception and banquet, and attending
the opera "Carmen," he presented Emma Juch, the prima
donna, a beautiful bouquet, enclosing a costly diamond
brooch. Returning to San Francisco January 8th, he was
confined to his bed with bilious fever, caused by his
gormandizing habits and beastly living. Although a very
sick man, he arose from his bed January 14th to attend a
banquet of the Mystic Shriners, he being a thirty-third
degree Mason. That banquet finished him. A relapse

(u) King Kalakua first visited America in 1870, and it was then
reported that his visit was to annex, if possible, his kingdom to the
United States. A treaty of reciprocity was signed and the two- na
tions became very friendly.

322 Men and Events

followed which rapidly developed into Bright's disease ; he
died January 20, 1891. Even in his dying moments the
clerical snobs could not remain apart, and two of them for
over an hour prayed that the Lord would be most gracious,
particularly to the King. But he died just as would an
untitled, clean, poor man.
The royal ensign from the hotel flagstaff was then
lowered and folded — "the king is dead." But the American
flag was raised to half-mast — "long live the king." We
Americans are all kings. The news of Kalakua's death was
telegraphed to the Secretary of the Navy. He commanded
that the Charleston be ready to return, with full speed, to
Honolulu, bearing the body. The embalmed body was
taken to the mortuary of Trinity church, and there it
remained, guarded by a squad of United States militia, until
January 22nd. On that day services were held and the body
was then escorted to the cruiser by the regulars, the second
brigade National Guard and the Knight Templars. The
dead King was placed on the quarter deck, amidships, and
covered with the Hawaiian flag. The signal was given and
the Charleston sped away for a fast trial voyage to the
"Beautiful Isle of the Sea." Near the evening hour Feb
ruary 6th the Charleston hove to, with Honolulu twenty
miles away. The next morning the Charleston sighted the
Mohican in the harbor, and with flags signaled to the
steamer the King's death. The Mohican signaled the news
to the shore. Like wildfire it ran, for the Hawaiians adored
their King, and expecting his return, they had been making
great preparations to receive him. As the body lowered into
a launch was pulled for the shore, the minute guns fired
by the Charleston and Mohican ended an event without
parallel in this country. No King had ever before died or
even landed upon Columbia's shore.
Every American is a "king" by "Divine right" and now
we record the visit of those who, in early life, instruct the
kings and queens, namely the teachers of America. Their
visit was in July, 1888. They began arriving July 10th by
the carload and from every state in the Union they came,
nearly 3,000 teachers crossing the Sierras. Several thou
sand more from this coast assembled in San Francisco and
7,000 teachers registered. The teachers' National Educa-

Miscellaneous Events 323

tional Association assembled July 17th in the grand opera
house, no hall in the city being large enough to accommo
date such numbers. They were given a welcome to the
state by Governor Waterman, and to the city by Mayor
E. B. Pond. To entertain the "intellectual" guests three
concerts, vocal and instrumental, were given in the Me
chanics' pavilion, with 652 voices in the chorus. Hundreds
of teachers returned to the east as soon as the convention
closed, as their schools were about to commence a new
year. Those who remained were given excursions to
Monterey and to Santa Cruz, over one thousand visiting the
old pueblos.
In Stockton the teachers were given a welcome more
royal than in any other part of the state. The citizens of
both the city and county entered heartily into the prepara
tory labor, and time, food and money were cheerfully given.
The city was compelled to limit the number and six hundred
invitation badges were issued. A committee of leading men
and women met the guests at Lathrop, July 25th, and
escorted them into the city. They were welcomed at the
station by a large crowd of citizens, and preceded by a band
of music, they marched to the Agricultural pavilion. The
large building was tastily decorated with evergreens, plants
and flowers, and at one side stood a full sized log cabin
made entirely of ripe Lodi watermelons. The melons were
given to the teachers upon their departure. The tables,
with covers for seven hundred, radiated from a central point,
and the poem (v) gives two' of the articles on the bill of
fare. The waiters on this occasion were the leading citizens,
teachers, lawyers, judges and merchants, their wives and
daughters. Both waiters and guests were thus honored.
That evening a promenade concert and ball was given,

(v) "Teachers, be seated. There is
Chicken to the right of you,
Turkey to the left of you,
Our citizens around you.
Dressed up and honored."
Flash all your forks in air.
Ask for all on the bill of fare.
Our citizens are running this affair,
Charge on the watermelon there,
While the Silurians wondered."
— Arthur Levinsky.

324 Men and Events

5,000 being present. The following day there was a free
steamboat excursion along the delta lands, now pronounced
the most fertile in the world ; an excursion to Lodi ; a ride
into the country to see "the big farms," six hundred acres
each and more, and visits to the manufactories, the paper
and flour mills.
Following the visit of the teachers, California was hon
ored in April, 1891, by a second presidential visit, that of
Benjamin F. Harrison (w). First making a tour of the
southern states, the President reaching Lathrop April 25th
was there received by Stockton and San Francisco com
mittees. The President, accompanied by his family, Post
master. General Wanamaker and Secretary Rusk, was
escorted to the metropolis. Two days later 30,000 school
children passed by the President in review. He was shown
the sights of the city and by Adolph Sutro entertained at
the Cliff House. He cruised'around the bay April 28th on
the City of Pueblo. While the President was boarding the
steamer, the Charleston, all of the government boats, private
tugs and launches drew up in line, and saluted by dipping
their flags and cannon salutes were fired as the Pueblo
steamed ahead. All the vessels, gaily decorated with flags
and bunting, followed in the wake of the steamer. The
marine procession was a beautiful sight. Fully 20,000
persons were afloat. The presidential party reached the
Union iron works about 2 :00 o'clock p. m. The Charleston
came to anchor, and in a tug the President paid the officers
of the cruiser an official visit. Returning to the tug, he
landed at the wharf and ascended the platform built around
the cruiser Monterey, then about to be launched. Mrs.
Harrison touched the electric button and the monster slid
into the old ocean. Visiting Menlo Park, San Jose and Del
Monte, the President that night rested in the last named
beautiful spot. The following day the Monterey citizens
presented him with a solid silver card. Upon the one side

(w) California had the honor in 1880 of entertaining her first
presidential guest, Rutherford B; Hayes. Arriving at Colfax, May 9th,
he was there welcomed to the State by a Citizens' committee from
Oakland, San Francisco and Sacramento and escorted into the capitol.
The President remained in the State some two weeks, and then left
for Oregon.

Miscellaneous Events 32.5

was an engraving of "the old custom house, where the first
.flag was raised, 1846." On the reverse side it read "Greet
ing to our President, April 30, 1891." Next he visited Santa
Cruz, Oakland and Sacramento, and May 2nd the party
took train for Oregon.
In the previous year, 1890, there happened one of those
terrible railroad accidents which now, happily, seldom
occur. It was Decoration Day, 1890. A train of three
coaches was speeding over the Webster street line, Oak
land, bound for the mole. It was a dangerous piece of road
as it crossed San Antonio creek over a drawbridge. The
danger flag was set, but the careless engineer failed to notice
it. The bridge was open, as the yacht Juanita had just
passed through. A curve in the road prevented the engi
neer's observing the open draw until too late. Quickly he
reversed the lever, but the momentum of the train slid it
along the rails and the engine and one car crowded with
passengers fell into the creek. The breaking of the coupling
pin saved the last two cars. Fortunately, the coach floated,
but there was a terrible struggle for life and air. Clothing
was torn from many persons and the windows smashed.
Boats speedily came to the rescue, the roof of the car was
cut apart, and most of the passengers saved. Fifteen of the
number were drowned.
The crowning glory in church architecture is St. Mary's
cathedral, San Francisco. Could old Father Serra, who built
the first church of mud and tree branches, have seen this
splendid piece of work, his heart would have rejoiced to
overflowing. Good old priest, he could, not have dreamed
that in less than two hundred years following his death
more money would be expended in the building of a single
church than was spent in all the buildings he erected. Nor
could he have realized the grand scene presented in that
cathedral when, January 11, 1891, it was dedicated. The
magnificent altar of silver and gold, the grand organ with
its majestic swelling tones, the singers, a score, and the
worshippers, thousands, would have been to him a scene
of Heaven, not earth. This cathedral and its dedication
mark the climax of Catholicism on the Pacific coast. Other
edifices will be erected and dedicated, but none with the
same interest as this. Priests from all parts of the state

326 Men and Events

assembled to take part, and crowds pushed their way into
the edifice. The cathedral cost something like $2,000,000
and it was five years in building, the corner stone being
laid in 1886.
By a special invitation from the San Francisco Press
Club the International Press Association assembled in that
city January 15, 1892. It was their eighth convention and
one hundred and seventy-eight persons, representing all of
the eastern and southern press, came through in a special
train in six of Wagner's finest coaches. Most of them saw
California for the first time and it was a journey full of
novelty and surprise. Leaving New York in a heavy snow
storm, it continued with them as far as Leadville, Colorado.
Upon reaching Auburn, California, they were astonished
to see not only green fields, plants and flowers, but a citrus
fair there being held. At that point, leaving winter behind,
they saw bright days of sunshine every hour of their visit.
They were compelled to believe that, after all, Californians
were a truthful people even in regard to their climate. The
editors were magnificently entertained, the Californians
anticipating some fine "write-ups" by the easterners on
California's climate, soil, productions and people. But they
were disappointed (x) . The excursionists arriving over the
Central Pacific, visited Sacramento, Stockton and San Fran
cisco, and returning east on the Southern Pacific, visited
Fresno, Los Angeles and San Diego on their way.
We are living in an age of great possibilities, an era of
magnificent colossal undertakings. The magician waves his
wand, exclaims, "Presto, change!" and behold, the barren
spot becomes a city of beautiful and magnificent propor
tions. On the afternoon of August 24, 1893, 60,000 persons
assembled in Golden Gate park. There was a military
parade, an offer of prayers, vocal music, the playing of bands
and speech-making. But of all these things, the event of
greatest interest, the event which had drawn together the
thousands was the simple act of depositing a few ounces

(x) Very few "write-ups" were given California except in a few
of the largest cities. Said an old gentleman editor of a small county
paper, "If I should write about your State as we have seen it, all of
my subscribers would be emigrating to California, then what would
I do for a living?"

Miscellaneous Events 327

of sand in a casket of silver. So important was this cere
mony that a spade of silver was made for use on the occa
sion. And when Director-General Michael H. de Young
(y) dug the spadeful of earth and turned it into the casket,
a tumultuous cheer from the people arose, and reverberating
throughout "concert valley," along the coast and over the
world it proclaimed, "peace on earth, good will to men";
ground has been broken for the mid-winter fair.
One hundred and twenty-four days passed, and over
that same spot a marvelous change had come. Immense,
beautiful buildings such as had never before been seen on
this continent, save at Chicago, covered more than sixty
acres of the ground. The fair was opened January 1, 1894,
and continued during the following six months. Every
county in California worked for the success of the fair, and
each of the largest counties had a separate building. Thou
sands of people crowded the buildings, and visitors from
abroad declared that in no other section of the country,
save in the largest cities, could such a magnificent exhibi
tion be held. For California's entire population at the time
was less than that of either New York, Boston, Philadel
phia, St. Louis or Chicago. The fair was in every way a
splendid success. But it is so much inferior to the Panama-
Pacific International Exposition now in progress that any
further description of that fair seems useless.

(y) California made a splendid exhibit at the World's Fair at
Chicago, the legislature of 1892 appropriating $300,000 towards pay
ing the expenses. Michael H. de Young was one of the directors of
that exhibition. One evening in the California club room, Chicago,
May 31, 1892, he suggested that California hold a mid-winter fair.
He believed that the foreign exhibitors would agree to remove their
exhibits to California, and a mid-winter fair would show better than
anything else that this State was the land of sunshine and flowers.
The idea was unanimously approved and the mid -winter fair took
shape. That night telegrams were sent to Governor Markham, Mayor
Ellert of San Francisco, and leading citizens, and there was a
unanimous response. Hichael H. de Young was chosen as the
Director General, an honor he richly deserved, as from the beginning
to the end he was the master spirit. Four days after the fair was
suggested A. S. Baldwin subscribed $500. This was followed by
de Young with a $5,000 subscription, and the money began to roll in.
Ground was selected in Golden Gate park, and a call made for the
best building plans. The foreign exhibitors promised to remove their
choicest goods to the Pacific coast and Congress in short order passed
a resolution permitting the removal of bonded goods. In San Fran
cisco, everything was on wheels, and the wheels kept moving along
from May, 1892, until January 1, 1894, when the fair was opened. It
was in every sense a splendid success, and led no doubt to the
inauguration of the present Panama-Pacific International Exposition.

328 Men and Events

In this year 1915, so vast is the scope of everything, so
fast are we making history, all previous events pale before
it as a tallow candle in the mid-day sun. This thought,
however, we must ever keep in mind.
"Little drops of water,
Little grains of sand,
Make the mighty ocean
And the bounteous land."
It is the trivial things, the insignificant events, that
lead to or make the greater events of life. In closing this
work, let me ask four questions regarding California : Had
Father Serra never been born ; had the Mexicans not won
their freedom from Spain ; had Commodore Sloat not taken
possession of California; had gold not been discovered,
what would have been the result?
FINIS.

CALIFORNIA MISSIONS— WHEN FOUNDED.

San Diego de Alcala, July 16, 1769.
San Carlos de Monterey, June 3, 1770.
San Antonio de Padua, July 14, 1771.
San Gabriel, September 8, 1771.
San Luis Obispo, September 1, 1772.
San Francisco de Asis, October 9, 1776.
San Juan Capistrano, November 1, 1776.
Santa Clara, January 18, 1777.
San Buenaventura, March 31, 1782.
Santa Barbara, December 8, 1786.
La Purisima, December 8, 1787.
Santa Cruz, August 28, 1791.
Soledad, October 9, 1791.
San Jose, June 11, 1797.
San Juan Bautista, June 24, 1797.
San Miguel, July 25, 1797.
San Fernando Rey, September 8, 1797.
San Luis Rey de Francia, June 13, 1798.
Santa Inez, September 17, 1804.
San Rafael, December 14, 1819.
San Francisco de Solano, August 25, 1823.

329

Spanish Governors.
Gaspar de Portola— 1767-1771.
Felipe de Barri— 1771-1774.
Felipe de Neve— 1774-1782.
Pedro Fages— 1782-1790.
Jose Antonio Romeau — 1790-1792.
Jose J. de Arrillaga— 1791-1794.
Diego de Borica— 1794-1800.
Jose J. de Arrillaga— 1800-1814.
Jose Arguello— 1814-1816.
Pablo Vincente de Sola— 1815-1822.

Mexican Governors.
Pablo Vincente de Sola— 1821-1822.
Luis Antonio Arguello— 1822-1825.
Jose Maria Echeandia — 1825-1831.
Manuel Victoria— 1831-1832.
Pio Pico— 1832-1833.
Jose Figueroa — 1833-1835.
Nicholas Gutierrez — 1835-1836.
Mariano Chico — 1836.
Nicholas Gutierrez — 1836.
Juan Bautista Alvarado— 1836-1842.
Manuel Micheltorena— 1842-1845.
Pio Pico— 1845-1846.
Jose Maria Flores— 1847.

Military Governors.
John D. Sloat— July 7, 1846.
Robert F. Stockton— July 29, 1846.
John C. Fremont — January 19, 1847.
Stephen W. Kearny — February 23, 1847.
Richard B. Mason— May 31, 1849.
Persifer F. Smith— February 26, 1849.
Bennett Riley— April 12, 1849.
330

GOVERNORS— WHEN INAUGURATED.

Peter H. Burnett, Dec. 20, 1849  Democrat
John McDougal, Jan. 9, 1851  Democrat
John Bigler, Jan. 8, 1852  Democrat
John Bigler, Jan. 7, 1854  Democrat
J. Neely Johnson, Jan. 9, 1856  American
John B. Weller, Jan. 8, 1858  Democrat
Milton S. Latham, Jan. 9, 1860  Democrat
John G. Downey, Jan. 14, 1860  Democrat
Leland Stanford, Jan. 10, 1862  Republican
Frederick F. Low, Dec. 10, 1863  Union
Henry H. Haight, Sept. 4, 1867  Democrat
Newton Booth, Dec. 8, 1871  Republican
Romualdo Pacheco, Feb. 27, 1875  Republican
William Irwin, Dec. 9, 1875  Democrat
George C. Perkins, Jan. 8, 1880  Republican
George Stoneman, Jan. 10, 1883  Democrat
Washington Bartlett, Jan. 8, 1887  Democrat
Robert W. Waterman, Sept. 13, 1887  Democrat
Henry H. Markham, Jan. 8, 1891  Republican
James H. Budd, Jan. 11, 1895  Democrat
Henry T. Gage, Jan. 4, 1899  Republican
George C. Pardee, Jan. 7, 1903  Republican
James N. Gillett, Jan. 9, 1907  :  Republican
Hiram W. Johnson, Jan. 3, 1911  Republican
Hiram W. Johnson, Jan. 5, 1915..  Progressive

331

INDEX

A

Agriculture — Wrong idea regarding,
263; products of 263 (a), 264.
B
Baker, Edward D. — Broderick's funeral
oration, 171; great San rancisco ad
dress, 193; killed at Ball's Bluff, 193,
194; biography, 193 (j).
Banks — Pioneer, 121; Page, Bacon &
Co., 122, 123 (1) ; an excited French
man, 123 (k); "Bank of California"
fails, 276; see James King of William.
Battle — First of Mexican war, 48; of

Santa Clara, 53; San Pasquale, 54;
Mei
t, Willi
297.

on plains of Mesa, 55.
Bartlett, William A. — Elected Governor,

Battleships Launched — 314, 315.
Bear Flag — Party capture Sonoma, 47;
description of, 48 (d); William Ide,
48 (c).
Bigler, John — Elected Governor, 97;
re-elected,' 99; his inauguration, 101;
appointed Minister to China, 158;
biography, 96 (a).
Bidwell, John — Brings State constitu
tion, 94; Republican candidate for
Governor, 213; declines temperance
party nomination, 224; nominated by
Prohibitionists, 302; Presidential nom
inee in 1892.
Booth, Newton — Elected Governor, 218;
fights railroad, 218 (r); organizes . In
dependent party, 222; elected United
¦ tates Senator, 222; biography, 217(0^).
Brown, John Quan Flaco) — His peril
ous ride, 51 (h).
Brannan, Samuel — Mormon leader, 43
(f); brings first newspaper plant, 44;
hastens to gold field, 61.
Broderick, David C. — Elected Senator,
89; his election bill, 101, 102; dele
gates defeated, 159; prevents elec
tion of Senator, 160; election post
poned, 163; elected United States
Senator, 168; Democrats demand his
resignation, 168; biography, 89 (g);
see duels.
Budd, James H. — Makes a "buck board"
campaign,, 293 (m) ; elected Governor,
294 (m) ; see Horace F. Page.
Burnett, Peter H.— Hurries to gold
mines, 66 (b); elected Governor, 88;
resigns from office, 89; biography,
88 (f).
Buckley, Chris — The Democratic boss,
290 (i). C
California — Cabrillo discovers, 15 ; plans
to colonize, 16; Jesuits settle in Baja,
California, 16; King desires a harbor
in, 27; distinguished visitors arrive, 332

28, 29; foreign nations seeking, 65;
population in 1842, 55; in 1850, 89;
see Russians and State.
Camps Mining — Founded, 72; deserted,
81; Coloma, 61; Jamestown, 79; Co
lumbia, 80; Murphy's camp, 80; see
towns.
Campaign — First political, 87; songs,
97 (c), 286 (a); a very abusive, 169;
hot, 209; issues in 1867, 212; rail
road subsidy, 217; end of boom, 301.
Capitol — Fight over, 35; the convention
selects San Jose, 91; at Vallejo, 91;
removed to Sacramento, 92 ; removed
to Benicia, 100; permanently located
at Sacramento, 101 (v) ; removed to
San Francisco, 269.
Carson, Christopher (Kit) — Guides Gen
eral Kearny into California, 53; Ed
ward F. Beale and Carson saves
dragoons' lives, 53; first mail carrier.
Cemetery — Lone mountain, 279 (p)
Cholera— At Panama, 69 (k); in State,
„ 7° 0-).
Chinese — Governor Bigler, denounces,
97; heavily taxed, 97; immigration ot
desired, 98; cubic air law, 223; "slo
gan," 226; number in State, 230 (b),
231 (d); stoned by hoodlums, 232,
23s; learn trades, 233; ordinances
prohibiting, 234; boycott of, 243 (v)-
in National history, 245.-
Cliff House — Location first seen, 18;
destroyed by fire, 306 (b); again de
stroyed, September 8, 1907.
Clark, Samuel — Engineer drowned on
duty, 261.
Clubs — Anti-coolie, 232; boycott mer
chants, 233-242.
Colton, Walter — Newspaper man, 87
(e); builds hall, 84 (c); pastor, 174.
Conness, John — Defends Edgerton, 206;
fight with Laspeyre, 206 (b); in ma
chine politics, 211.
Crabb, Henry — An honorable politician.
164; his tragic death, 165.
Copperhead — Description of, 210 (j).
Criminals — Importation of from Mex
ico, 37; arrive from Botany bay, 138;
increase of, 151; famous outlaws, 111
272; Chris Evans, 258 (k). '
Commissioners — Immigration, 217; Chi
nese, 243; Democrats score railroad
289, 295 (v).
Commerce and Trade—Pioneer mer
chants, 39; merchandising a gamble
11s, 116 (o); a big bargain, 117 (f);
hard tunes, 122; merchant indigna
tion meeting, 129; denounce steamer
company, 161; see freight and fares.

INDEX

333

Convention — First constitutional, 84 ;
first political, 96; shameful, 159; Le
compton, 170; Union Democratic,
207; secession, 208; long and short
hairs, 211; of farmers, 221; second
constitutional, 227; anti-Chinese, 242;
Republican, 288 ; Stockton famous,
294/
Currency— Changeable in value, 119;
importation of, 120; greenback dis
count, 120; the china dollar, 121;
coining slugs, 120. D
Derby, George H. — Author and wit,
274 (j). „
Democrats — Seek the votes of temper
ance men, 159; bolt caucus, 160; op
pose Burlingame treaty, 225; turn
down de Young, 286; denounce "Czar
Reed," 302; endorse Australian bal
lot, 302 (y) ; see Sunday law.
De Young, Charles — Shoots I. C. Kal
loch, 240; killed by Kalloch's son,
241; monument to, 242 (t).
Diablo, Mt. — Origin of name, 40 (d).
Disasters— Loss of steamer Independ
ence, 112 (a); wreck of Tennessee,
113 (a) ; great San Francisco fires,
147; flood of 1852, 148; burning of
the steamer Golden Gate, 18S (1) ;
flood of 1862, 265; loss of Brother
Jonathan, 269; railroad Tehachapi
accident, 282; wreck of schooner At
lantic, 305; explosion of sloop Para-
lell, 306; boiler explosion, 307; sink
ing of City of Chester, 320; Angel's
Camp tragedy, 320; railroad crash
Oakland mole, 325.
Doane, Charles — In command of vigi
lantes, 152; loyal to Union, 187.
Downey, John G. — Biography, 207 (f).
Drake, Sir Francis— Discovers bay, 15.
Duels — Prohibited, 86; Broderick-Smith,
92; Terry-Broderick, 171; Gilbert-
Denver, 182; Mansiield-Taber ; Wash
burn-Washington, 182; Nugent-Hays,
Tohnson-Furguson, 182 ; Showalter-
Percy, 206. E
Earthquake — Of 1 868, 268 ; in Inyo
county, 269; great San Francisco,
April 18, 1906.
Estee, Morris S. — Defeated for Gover
nor, 293; again defeated, 294 (m).
Express — Pony, 192 (g).
Execution — First legal, 141.
F
Fair — Mid- winter, 327; World's, Febru
ary 15, 1915-
Field, Stephen J. — Elected Judge of
Supreme Court, 166; excommunicated
by the Democrats, 294; biography,
294 (n) ; see Stockton convention,
and David S. Terry.
Foreigners — Refuse to fight in Mexican
battles, 37; first arrival of, 39; peace
policy of, 49. '
Freights and Fares — Bill to regulate,
162; transportation, 115,

Foreigners — American hatred of, 127 ;
heavily taxed, 128; leave the mines,
129; terrible punishment of, 130 (d);
saved from execution, 131.
Fremont, John C. — In command of
riflemen, 46 (a); raises United States
flag, 47; his cavalcade, 50 (f); presi
dential nominee, 166.
G
Garfield, President James A. — Assassin
ated, 304; monument to 2S2.
Gilroy, John — Town named after, 39.
Glenn, Hugh J. — Nominated for Gov
ernor, 286; killed by his foreman,
288 (e).
Gold — First news of, 61; amount pro
duced, 64; belts, 64 (g); news in
China, 65; in the east, 66; first paper
to publish report, 66 (d) ; song of
67 (e) ; see camps.
Gordon, Mrs. Laura de Force — First
woman suffragist, 220 ; biography,
220 (x).
Gorham, George C. — His brotherhood
of man letter, 212; biography, 214
(m).
Governors — List of, Spanish, 330; State,
33i-
Grant, ex-President U. S. — Arrives from
world's tour, 283; funeral honors,
304.
Greeley, Horace — Visits California, 169.
Gridley, Reuel C. — His famous sack of
flour, 199 (0); monument erected to,
200.
Gwin, William W. — Elected United
States Senator, 168; gets all of gov
ernment patronage, 168; arrested as
a traitor, 189; biography, 83 (a).
H
Haight, Henry H. — Elected Governor,
214; inaugurated, 21s; biography,
214 (1).
Hunters and Trappers — Westward taiarch,
38; Jedediah Smith and James Pattie,
38.
Hearst, George — Elected United States
Senator, 298; biography, 298 (s).
I
Indians — Build missions, 22; make
treaty with Sutter, 61 (c); no idea of
value of gold, 63 (e) ; pestilence
among, 106; murdered by whites, 106;
fight at Fresno, 107; their Gibraltar,
108; massacre on Colorado river, no;
held as slaves, 135; the Modoc war,
271.
Immigrants — Overland first, 41; by wa
ter, 66; hasten to mines, 67; terrible
suffering of, 68 (j) ; trust to luck, 70.
Irvin, William — Elected Governor, 224;
biography, 225 (e). j
Johnson, J. Neeley — Elected Governor,
157- K
Kalloch, Isaac C. — Pastor of Baptist
church, 239 ; his vitriolic address, 240";'
elected Mayor of San Francisco, 288.

334

INDEX

Kalakau, King — Visits San Francisco,
321; death of, 322.
Kearny, General Stephen A. — Ordered
to California, 53; joins Commodore
Stockton, 55.
King, Thomas Starr — His patriotic lec
tures, 197; establishes sanitary com
mission, 199; biography, 198 (n).
Kearney, Dennis — Makes incendiary
speech, 237 (m); arrested, 238; leads
bread riot, 275; biography, 237 (1) ;
see Workingmen. L
Labor Unions — Carpenters* eight-hour
league, 216; eight-hour law, 216 (0);
crusade of, 234; strikers — American
Railway Union, 259; of miners, 270;
Mission car line, 300 ; Sutter street
line, 311; Iron Moulders, 312; Union
men killed, 314 (1).
Land — Of no value, 72, 146; grants,
146; squatter riot, 147; Sacramento
riot over land, 148; Moquelmos* difJ
ficulty over, 256; the Mussel slough
tragedy, 257; Lodi rejoices, 281.
Latham, Milton S. — Elected United
States Senator, 167; elected Gover
nor, 170.
Lick, James — California's great philan
thropist, 278, 279 (g) ; his great tele
scope, 280 (r).
Legislature — First, 88; enact joke bill,
89; excited over Negro petition, 90
(i); enact moral laws, 103; pass Mur
phy riot law, 238; Dolly Varden, 223;
enact liquor laws, 223; dynamite law,
3" (j).
Letters — From home, 118; carriers, 119.
Liquor — Free use of, 104; saloons, 104
(h); legislature pass licenses law, 223
(c); Capitol well, 223 (c).
Low, Frederick F. — Elected Governor,
211.
Los Angeles — Under martial law, 5 1 ;
troops there stationed, 195; rapid
growth of, 255; Republicans there as
semble, 296 (f); rejoicing over elec
tion of Governor, 301 (w).
M
Marshall, James W. — Discovers gold,
60; biography, 59 (a).
Mason, Governor — Visits gold field, 63;
sends report of to President Polk, 63.
Markham, Henry H. — His magnetic
hand, 300; elected Governor, 301.
Mexico— Gains her independence, 33; a
quarrelsome people, 35.
Micheltorena, Governor — His ovation at
San Diego, 36; banished from the ter
ritory, 37.
Miller, General John F. — His Chinese
exclusion bill, 243 ; biography, 244
McLaughlin, Charles — Killed by Jerome
B. Cox, 250 (f).
Millionaires1 — Pass on, 280.

Missions — San Diego founded, 17; San
Carlos, 19; Dolores, 20; life in, 22;
exports, 22 ; secularization of, 23 ;
sold to individuals, 24; list of, 329.
McDougall, John — Elected United States
Senator, 205.
Militia — Take oath of allegiance, 192
(h); "The California Hundred," 193
(i); spirit, 218 (t); the retrenchment
bill, 218; Governor disbands Light
Artillery, 219 (u).
Mining, Hydraulic — Prohibited by law,
308.
Mono Lake — Discovered and named,
109.
Monterey — -Bay discovered, 17; destruc
tion by fire, 37; captured by Commo
dore Ap Catesby Jones, 46.
Mormon Battalion — Arrival of, 43; in
dustrious people, 44; found San Bern
ardino and New Hope, 44; Mormon
island, 61; see Samuel Brannan.
Muir, John — -California's naturalist, 40.
Monopolies — The Stockton Mining Co.,
62; Panama Steamship Co., in; Cali
fornia Steam Navigation Co., 114;
Governor Bigler denounces, 161; Tu
olumne Water Co., 162; miners refuse
to pay high rates, 162; Central Pa
cific Railroad Co., 245; legislature
denounces, 298. N
Negro — Sold as slaves, 134(g); 135(h);
Archy Lee, 136; legislature enact
fugitive slave law, 134; Negro evi
dence law, 136; Negro immigration
prohibited, 136; demand public school
privileges, 224; firemen refuse, to
march with, 225 (d); see Democrats.
National Visitors — Sovereign Grand
Lodge I. O. O. F., 250; Knights
Templars, 282; Grand Army of the
Republic, 310; King Kalakau, 321;
Teachers' Association, 322 ; Interna
tional Press Association, 326.
Newspapers — Circulation today, 180;
the "Californian," 87 (e), 180; "Cali
fornia Star," 44, 87 (e); the "Alta,"
87, 181; first power press, 181; de
nounce crime, 151; fighting editors,
181; destroyed by mob, 195, 200; se
cession, 195 ; the "Argonaut," 207
(e); bolt the party, 213; Chronicle,
San Francisco. 239 (n) ; the "Ex
aminer," 289 (h).
Native Sons — Organized, 274; splendid
September 9th celebration, 275.
o
Opera, Grand — Adelina Patti, first ap
pears, 308; reception to Emma Ne
vada, 308; Mercantile library concert
and lottery, 267.
O'Donnell, Dr. C. C. — Noted agitator,
237 (k). P
Party — Popularity of American, 158
(a, b); Independent, Republican, 222;
New Constitution, 283.

INDEX

335

Page, Horace, F. — Railroad nominee for
Representative, 293 (m).
Patriotic Citizens — Celebrate, 191.
Phelps, Timothy G. — His patriotic sac
rifice, 205 (a).
Perkins, George C— Elected Governor,
288; appointed United States Senator,
300; biography, 387 (d).
Pioneers — -Honesty of, 138; "Lynch"
law, 139; leadership close, 301; soci
ety organization of, 273.
Pixley, Frank — Denounces Gwin, 169;
called abolitionist, 207; see newspa
pers.
Portola, Gaspar de — Marches north, 17;
discovers San Francisco bay, 18.
Presidential — Visitors, William McKin
ley, 318 (n); Benjamin F. Harrison,
324; Rutherford B. Hayes, 324 (w) ;
Theodore Roosevelt.
Privateers — Shenandoah and Chapman,
201.
Priest and Pastor — Flavius S. Mines,
144 (e) ; Bishop Kip, 173; Archbishop
Alemany, 174; Father Taylor, 175;
Rev. J. C. Simmons, 176; Rev. James
Woods, 176; Henry Durant, 179;
William Thomas, 271; see religion.
Prohibition Party — Nominates a com
plete ticket, 292; short platform, 29.5.
Purdy, Samuel — Vetoes water lot steal,
99. R
Randolph, Edmund — His strong seces
sion speech, 208; sketch of, 208 (g).
Ralston, William C. — Bank president,
277; great enterprises, 278; tragic
death, 278.
Religion — First service, 15; denomina
tions, 173; places of worship, 176;
pastoral duties, 177; dedication of St.
Mary's cathedral, 325.
Riley, General Bennett — Lands at Mon
terey, 82; call constitutional conven
tion, 83.
Republicans — First organized, 165; hold
first convention, 166; elect complete
ticket, 209; defeat of, 215; the Chi
nese bill, 288; consider industrial
questions, 301.
Railroad — Central Pacific, organization
of, 245; signing of railroad bill, 246;
beginning of, 247 ; bonds issued to,
247 (c) ; driving the last spike, 248;
first railroad lines, 248, 249; denied
use of Goat Island, 252; demand trib
ute of farmers, 253 (g); discrimina
tion against town, 253 ; cause won
derful growth in south, 254 ; see
land.
Russians — Encroach upon Spanish soil,
16; settle at Sitka, 31; buy food in
San Francisco, 32; land at Bodega
bay, 32; found Fort Ross, 32 (e).
s
Sargent, Aaron A. — -Defeated for At
torney General, 166; the railroad's
friend, 219 (v); his tapeworm ticket,

219 (w); appointed Minister to Ger
many, 220.
Secretary oi State, William J. Bryant —
Sits in Senate, 230.
San Diego — Awakes, 255; rapid increase
in population, 256.
Senators— The first elected, 88; bribery
of Peck, 101 ; kidnapping of Grewell,
102; many candidates, 167; die in
office, 298.
Serra, Junipero — President of the mis
sions, 16; biography, 21.
Scannell, David S. — Sheriff, 153; loyal
to Union, 187; died, March 30, 1893.
Secession — Knights of the Golden Cir
cle, 1 87 ; letter of John C. Burch,
187 (c) ; flags flying, 191; a hotbed
of, 194; songs, 195; disloyal pastor,
i9S (1); press ridicule idea of, 199;
arrest of Hall and Weller, 200 (p) ;
see Democrats and Randolph.
Sharon, William — His divorce suit, 312;
Mrs. Terry creates a sensation in
suit, 316; see Terry.
Scott, Rev. William — Hung in effigy,
197; biography, 196 (in).
Ships — Loss of San Jose, 17; first to
enter San Francisco bay, 27; smug
gling, 30; Lexington, 55; Edward
Everett, 67; store, 68; Clipper, 116;
Jeannette sails to Arctic zone, 307;
see battleships.
Ships — Loss of San Jose, 17; first to
enter San Francisco bay, 27; smug
gling, 3.0; Brooklyn, 43; Lexington,
55; Edward Everett, 67; store, 68;
clipper, 116; Jeannette sails to Arctic
zone, 307; see battleships.
Schools — Public, State provision for, 86 ;
first teacher, 177; first in San Fran
cisco, 178; John Swett, 178; see Ne
gro.
Stoneman, George — Elected railroad
commissioner, 289; elected Governor,
293-
Sola, Governor — Reception to, 33; turns
traitor, 34; see Mexico.
State — Boundary line, 85; first ball, 86;
Congressional fight over, 93; admit
ted to Union, 94; first celebration, 95;
division law, 103; loyal or disloyal,
186; see agriculture and California.
Steamers — First arrival of, in; first
inland, 113; reduce fare, 161 (e) ;
lying idle, 161 (d).
Stage — Line, 1 14; race to San Jose,
95 (n) ; time from Sonora, 115 (b).
Stevenson, Colonel Jonathan — Com
mands regiment, 55; loyalty, 187;
founds a town site, 78. _
Stanford, Leland — Republican nominee
for Treasurer, 166; elected Governor,
209; elected United States Senator,
299; great reception to, 299 (u) ; re
elected, 300; biography, 209 (i).
Stanford, Mrs. Jane - Lathrop — Honored
by union leaders, 262; death, 262.
Swift, John F, — Nominated for Gover
nor, 296; appointed Minister to
Japan, 297 (r).

336

INDEX

Sunday Law — Democrats denounce it,
291; repeal of, 292; history of, 292
(1); first law, 105.
Stockton, Commodore Robert F. — Lands
at Monterey, 49; captures Los An
geles, 50; ball in honor of, 51; saiis
for San Diego, 53; recaptures Los
Angeles, 55.
Sumner, General E. V. — Unexpected
arrival, 188; retui-ns to fighting line,
189.
Sutter, Captain John A. — His famous
cannon, 32; Sutter Rifles, 37; arrives
in California, 40; raises United States
flag, 49; builds fort, 71 (m).
T
Terry, David S. — Stabs Hopkins, 155;
confined in fort vigilante, 1 56 ; re
ception to, 156; offensive remark re
garding Broderick, 170 ((g); his trial
for murder, 1^2; dominates constitu
tional convention, 228; on sumptu
ary law, 291; attorney for Sarah
Althea Hill, 312; marries his client,
316 (p); again in prison, 317; shot
and killed by David Nagle, 318.
Tinkham, Henry — Expenience, 67 (h).
Towns — Frontier, 69; Stockton, 72;
Sacramento, 73; San Francisco, 75;
Oakland, 77; Placerville, 81; Benecia,
100 (d) ; Copperopolis, 267; see
camps. u
University of — California, 1 79 ; Stan
ford, Jr., 179.
Union — -Men asleep, 1 90 ; meeting bro
ken up, 190; great San Francisco
demonstration, 190. V
Vigilance Committee — Organize, 1 42 ;
execute Jenkins, 143; the Stuart af
fair, 143; hang Whitaker and Mc
Kenzie, 144; reorganization of, 152;
arrest of Cora and Casey, 153; a dou
ble execution, 154; see Terry.

w

Walker, William — Takes possession of
Baja, California, 149; seizes Nicara
gua, 150; captured and shot, 151;
biography, 149 (c).
Waite, E. G. — Elected Secretary of
State, 301 ; nomination opposed by
Judge Field, 301 (x).
Weber, Captain Charles M. — Arrives
overland, 40; organizes San Jose
volunteers, 52; strong patriot, 192;
biography, 52 (j).
Water — All important to miners, 162
(e) ; annual rain fall, 266 (e).
Weller, John B. — Elected Governor,
166.
Weller, John B. — Elected Governor,
168.
White, Stephen J. — Appointed United
States Senator, 298.
William, James King of — Shot by James
Casey, 152; death of, 153; biography,
i$i (f)-
Women — Number in State, 90; petition
for repeal of gambling law, 104; ask
for prohibition law, 105; Mexican
hung, 139; suffrage law passed, 221
(y) ; opposed in Constitutional con
vention, 229.
Wool, General John W. — Supercedes
General Hitchcock, 149 (d) ; drowned
on Brother Jonathan, 270.
Workingmen — Organization of, 226 ;
honor Kearney, 237; roast the rail
road, 259 (1); platform, 285.
Y
Yosemite — Discovery of, 108; something
about the valley, 109 (1).
Yerba Buena — First families of, 28;
reception to Commodore Stockton, 5 1 ;
name changed to San Francisco, 75,
100; headquarters of the Hudson Bay
Company, 56.

YALE UNIVERSITY
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