USA > California > Sonoma County > An illustrated history of Sonoma County, California. Containing a history of the county of Sonoma from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time > Part 1
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1800,
Glass F868 Book STI3
GPO
1
590 17E9
Here. Leage & Johnsen, Attorney- General of Califor
AN
ILLUSTRATED HISTORI -- -OF
ONOMA COUNTY
CALIFORNIA.
Containing a History of the County of Sonoma from the Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with Glimpse of its Prospective Future; with Profuse Illustrations of its Beautiful Scenery, Full-Page Portraits of some of its most Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of Many of its Pioneers and also of Prominent Citizens of To-day.
51
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY, 113 ADAMS ST., CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. 1889.
HT
2-24.29
Recati Vo June 5/28
'S.
INTRODUCTORY
1-3
CHAPTER I.
A CHAPTER OF C'ENTI'RIES,
California Discovered-Origin of Name-Sir Francis Drake-Monterey Bay Discovered by Viscaino-San Franciscan Friars Plant the Cross at San Diego-Bay of San Francisco Discovered-Monterey Founded and Mission Established-San Francisco Bay Explored -Presidio and Mission Established at San Francisco-Cali. fornia Weak and Defenseless-t'entury Ends and no Settlement North of Yerba Buena - 4-11
CHAPTER II.
THE RUSSIANS AT ROSS. The Russian American Fur Company-Razanof Visits San Francisco in 1805-Fishing for Otter along the Coast-In 1809 Kuskof Anchored in Bodega Bay-In 1811 the Russians Established Fort Ross-What the Frenchman, Durant C'illy, said of Ross in 1828-Ross a Busy Bee-Hive of Industry - 12-19
CHAPTER III.
THE SPANIARDS NORTH OF THE BAY.
After Forty Years the Spaniards Secure Lodgment North of San Francisco-A Branch Mission Established at San Rafael in 1818-Exploring Expedition under Captain Arguello in 1821-In 1823 Padre Altimira Visited Petaluma and Sonoma Valleys and Chose Sonoma as a Mission Site-Mission Dedicated as San Francisco Solano, April 4, 1824 . 20-28
CHAPTER IN.
THE RUSSIANS AND ROSS TO A CONCLUSION.
The Russians Realize they have 100 Narrow a Field-Will Buy more Territory or Sell their Establishments- Overtures not well Received by Mexican Authorities-Vallejo Commandante at Sonoma in 1834-Russians Sell to Captain John Sutter in 1811 and Depart for Alaska-Bidwell and Bennitz at Ross-Fort Ross in 1888 29-26
CHAPTER V.
MEXICO URGES COLONIZATION NORTH OF SAN FRANCISCO.
Governor Figueroa Sets on Foot a Colonization Enterprise-Attempts to Establish Settlements at Petaluma and Santa Rosa in 1833-In 1835 Sonoma Laid Out and made the Center of Military Power and Secular Coloni- zation North of the Bay-Vallejo Authorized to Offer Colonists Grants of Land-Becomes the Controlling Power-Makes an Alliance with Indian Chief Solano-In 1838 Small-Pox Among the Indians - 37-14
iv
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VI.
THE CAPTURE OF SONOMA.
Mexican Rule Nearing its End-California Leaders Quarreling Among Themselves-War Expected Between United States and Mexico-Americans in a Ticklish Position-What Larkin was Expected to do-What Fre- mont did do-Bancroft's Instructions to Commodore Sloat-Vallejo-Sutter-Fremont and Gillespie-Midnight Attack by Indians-Fremont's Return Down the Sacramento Valley-Sonoma Captured-Capture of Vallejo- Taken to Sacramento-How Received by Fremont - 45-56
CHAPTER VII.
THE BEAR FLAG-STARS AND STRIPES.
Revolutionists Found a New Government-Bear Flag Adopted-How and by Whom Made-Captain Ide Issues a Proclamation-Lieutenant Missroon Arrives-Killing of Cowie and Fowler at Santa Rosa-Battle of Olom. pali-Castro Leads Troops Across the Bay -- Fremont Hastens to Sonoma-Goes to San Rafael-California Bat- talion Organized-Fremont Starts After Castro-Captain Montgomery Dispatched Lieutenant Revere to Sono- ma with an American Flag, and July 9 the Bear Flag came down and the Stars and Stripes went up . 57-69
CHAPTER VIII.
THE PAST AND PRESENT.
The Bear Flag, how male-Names of Revolutionists-State Seal-General M. G. Vallejo-General J. A Sutter-Sonoma District Pioneers-Native Sons of the Golden West 70-99
CHAPTER IX.
MILITARY AND POLITICAL HISTORY.
Sonoma Under Military Rule-Civil Officers Appointed-How Justice was Administered-Constitutional Con- vention-First Election-California Admitted into the Union-Machinery of Civil Government Set in Motion- Agitation of County Seat Removal-Santa Rosa Chosen-Early Court Accommodations-County Buildings 89-101
CHAPTER X.
LOCATION AND TOPOGRAPHY.
Boundaries of Sonoma County-Her Mountain Ranges-Forests and Valleys 102-106
CHAPTER XI.
AMERICAN OCCUPATION.
Sonoma a Central Point after the Bear Flag Revolution-Effect of Discovery of the Mines-F. G. Blume's Statement-First Settlers at Petaluma-Bachelor Ranches-County as it was in 1854-Assessor's Report for 1855-First Fair in Sonoma County 107-117
CHAPTER XII.
REMINISCENT OF A THIRD OF A CENTURY AGO.
An Epitome of the First Year's Record of the Sonoma County Journal-The Geysers in 1856-The Petaluma Hunters in 1860 118-128
CHAPTER XIII.
THE COUNTY DEVELOPING. Immigration Pours into Sonoma County - Products of Country Between Petaluma and Bodega-Santa Rosa and Russian River Valleys-The Year 1861-Land Troubles-Bodega War-Healdsburg War-Muldrew Shadow- Miranda Grant-Bojorques Grant 129-141
4
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XIV.
GEOLOGY, MINERALOGY AND FOSSILS. Basalt Rock-Asbestos-Chromic Iron-Cinnabar-Sulphur-Copper-Fossil Remains-Petrifactions 142-147
CHAPTER XV.
MEXICAN LAND GRANTS OF SONOMA COUNTY.
Ranchos Musalacon-Cotate-Guílicos-Canada de Pogolome-Llano de Santa Rosa-El Molino-Huichica- Yulpa-Guenoc-Sotoyome-Bodega-Blucher-Callayomi-Muniz-Laguna de San Antonio-Arroyo de San Antonio-Senode Malcomes-Roblar de la Misera-Canada de la Ioniva-Estero Americano-German-Peta- luma-San Miguel-Tzabaco-Caslamayome-Cabeza de Santa Rosa-Agua Caliente 118-156
CHAPTER XVI.
RAIL. WAYS, HIGHWAYS, WATER COURSES AND BAYS.
San Francisco and Northern Pacific Railroad-North Pacific Coast Railroad-Santa Rosa and C'arquinez Rail- road-Public Highways-The Last Stage Driver-Rivers and Water Courses-Bays and Coves-Colonel Peter Donahue - 157-164
CHAPTER XVII.
EVENTS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER. A Record of Years-Incidents-Accidents-Discoveries-Developments, etc. 165-170
CHAPTER XVIII.
INDIAN MASSACRES.
Ill-fated Sonoma Conntians-Doctor Smeathman -Canfield, Van Ostrand and Borton-Barnes-Judson, Woodworth, Baker and Old Benjamin-Leihy -- Mrs. Sallie Ann Canfield - 171-177
CHAPTER XIX.
SONOMA AND MARIN COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
When Organized-Its Changes in Organization-Its Fairs and Officers-Change of Location of Fair Grounds- Its Good Effect on Our Industries - 178-183
CHAPTER XX.
NATURE'S LABORATORY-THE GEYSERS.
The Geysers-Visited in 1865 by Vice-President Schuyler Colfax and Samuel Bowles, Editor of the Springfield Massachusetts, Republican-What Mr. Bowles Wrote-Clark Foss-The Earthquake, 1868 184-188
CHAPTER XXI.
REDWOOD FORESTS.
Extent of Redwood Forests -- Lumber Output of Mills-Colonel Armstrong's Grove-A Monster Tree -- The Big Bottom Forests, etc. 189-194
CHAPTER XXII.
NAMES BELONGING TO HISTORY. President Rutherford B. Hayes, General William T. Sherman and Secretary of War Alexander Ramsey-Colo. nel Rod Matheson-John Miller Cameron -- Salmi Morse - 195-200
CHAPTER XXIII.
ZOOLOGICAI.
Animals Native of Sonoma County -- Grizzly, Brown and Black Bear -- Panther -- Fox-Wolf-Coyote -- Wild ('at-Mountain Cat-Elk, Deer, Antelope, etc. - 20t-204 .
CHAPTER XXIV.
OUR FLORA AND CONIFERA.
205-209
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXV.
" LO THE POOR INDIAN."
The Indians-Mission Record of Tribal Names-Vallejo's Estimate of their Number-Number at Time of American Settlement-Complexion and Stature-How they Lived-Their Implements-Interview with Caskı. bel and Jose Viquaro-John Walker's Statement . 210-213
CHAPTER XXVI.
GENERAL HISTORY TO A CONCLUSION.
From 1850 Onward-The Southern Counties Open to Settlement-Its Effect-Sonoma Prospers Without a Change in Her Industries-Grain and Potatoes not Grown so Largely-Stock, Hay and Fruit Growing-Rail- roads Stimulate the Lumber Business-Statistical and Otherwise-Sonoma County's Future 214-922
CHAPTER XXVII.
SANTA ROSA.
Township History-Growth of the City-Business Interests-Address of Hon. G. A. Johnson-Churches- Schools-The Press - 223-249
CHAPTER XXVIIL.
PETALUMA
Township History-Origin of Name-Chronological-Business Interests-Churches-The Press 243-264
CHAPTER XXIX.
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES.
Mendocino-Cloverdale-Sonoma-Analy-Bodega - Russian River -Washington-Redwood-Ocean - Salt Point-Knight's Valley-Vallejo- 265-306
{ BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, K
A.
Barlow, S. Q.
.521
Byce, L. ('. .. 548
Barnes, E. IL.
640
Barth, Adam
.733
Adams, John .439
Agnew, S. J. .533
Baylis, T. F
572
Cady, M. K. 434
('aldwell, Albert
545
('ampbell, Joseph
Campbell. J. T. .. 602
Alexander, L. M
.311
Allen, Otis.
395
Bloch, George 999
Bodwell. C. A. 603
('arithers, D. N. 429
Amesbury, William.
722
Anderson, L. S.
6.5
Anderson, T. H. B
483
Andrews, Robert. .
.. 531
Bowman, J. II. 497
Carroll, Patrick 415
Arata, B. .
.402
Braunern, William.
Cassiday, Samuel.
258
Auradou, J. A
633
Briggs, Robert. 419
Brooke, T. J. 407
Castens, Henry .672
Cavanagh, John.
560
Chalfant, J. E.
554
Brown, Il. (' 567
398
Champlin, C. ('
('hart, Obed. 501
Bailey, J. H. 466
Bryant, D. S.
C'hase, M. E. 500
Bailiff, John 588
Burnett. A. G .400
Chauvet, Joshua
525
Baker, A. M. 729
Burnham, Albert 708
Clark, Benjamin 412
Bale, Edward T. .703
Burris, L. W .683
('lark, James, 532
Barham, J. A
.315
Butt, All'red. .626
Clifford. Rev. G. B.
.677
('
Aguillon, C'amille
Bell, R. W
616
Akers, Stephen
736
Alexander, J. M
270
Berry, S. B
Bidwell, Ira.
415
C'anfield, W. D.
('ary, Bartley 716
Allen, S. I
Bolle, Henry
,336
Carr, Mark -119
Bohlin, F. A. .497
Carriger, C. C .. 630
Bonton, Andrew
Carriger, Nicholas 609
Cassidy, J. W 465
Austin, Charles
.400
Austin, James
.313
Austin, J. S.
534
Brown, F. T 700
Champion, John .541
B.
Brown, John
Baer, G. B. .271
Brotherton, T. W .331
Byington, H. W. 599
Abraham, Isidore. .269
Bayler, John 511
Berry, B. B
318
Brooks, Elmont. 507
vii
CONTENTS.
Codding, G. R.
440
Gibson, John. 565
K.
Coffey, Ilenry. 1.634
Gibson, J. R.
.568
Kelly, J. W ..
Colgan, E. P.
699
Glaister, T. S. 5: 9
Glynn, F. B. . .563
321
King, G. F . 650
King, John 4:15
Kirch, llenry .431
Cooper, James.
.604
Grainger, W. C. .338
Conner, John
.31G
Granice, II. H.
:81
Craig, O. W
428
('ralle, L. J.
620
Crane, Joel
.556
C'rane, Robert
.405
Curtis, J. Il
478
Grover, C. D) 410
199
Gunn, J. O. B
510
Lapum, llicks 537
Laughlin, A. D. .456
Laughlin, J. II 46%
Laughlin, J. M.
448
Lee, A. G.
731
Le Febvre, O. M
508
De Hay Brothers
415
Delafield, R. II
446
Denman, Hon. Ezekial
.543
lardin, J. A
.4990)
De Turk, Isaac. .
.319
Hardin, L. A.
669
Dickenson, J. R.
464
Ifarmon, G. W
485
Dickenson, W. L.
363
Harris, Jacob.
450
Dietz, Gerhard. .
725
Drayeur, A. & Brother
.516
Harris, G. S.
687
IIartsock, Mrs. I. M.
630
Hasbrouck, H. B.
481
IFaskell, Barnabas
316
Loomis, F. C. 514
Losee, J. A. 635
Hathaway, E. L.
.731
Luce, Jirah.
345
Ilayden, E. W
449
Eardley, W. J .. .522
llayne, W. II.
415
Edwards, J. L. .384
Heaton, S. O.
.628
Ely, Elisha.
.311
Hendrix, Lewis
.629
Espey, G. T.
Higgins, Asa.
701
Evans, E. W. M
Hill, Dickson & Goodfellow
454
1Till, J. M.
451
Ilill, William
.352
Ililton, W. H.
661
Manuel, II. (.
Farquar, C. S. .442
543
Ferguson, W. W
542
Fifield, E. . ]
396
Fischer, G. F
569
Fisher & Kinslow
665
Hopkins, S. J
.540
Fisk, Rev S. S.
.541
llowe, Robert ..
617
McClelland, Buchanan 911
Fowler, E. J.
626
lHubbard, Henry
.594
Mc Donnell, William.
Fowler, S. C
Hudson, II. W
411
McGee, J. Il
600
Fowler, S. L.
624
Hudson, Martin
709
McHarvey, Charles 641
314
McNabb, J. II.
257
McNear, J. A
Meacham, Alonzo
643
Mecham, Harrison
6-4
Melson, J. R.
425
Fulton, Thomas
.524
Ink, W. P .. .4.12
Ivancovich, George. .331
Merrill, J. P.
516
Meyer, Claus
.583
Gale, D. R. .612
Michaels, August. .
.700
Gale, Ofis. 521
Jewett, D. G 368
Michaelson, L. ('
630
Gallaway. A. J. 3-5
Jewett, E. G. .515
Millington, Seth
Gannon, J. P 310
Johnson, G. A 386
Miller, A. J. 420
Gaver, A. P .. 693
Johnson. J Z. 421
Miller, C. S.
Gearing, Charles $17
Iones, W. D. 156
Miller, G. T.
510
=
Davidson, J. E.
194
=
Davidson, S. E. 498
Davis, G. W. & E. W
Haehl, Conrad 109
Hall, George 545
Itall, J. W 487
Hall, L. B 487
Lehn, Charles
591
Hall, Robert. 517
Leininger, Joseph.
Lewis, J. B
470
Lewis, R. E
380
Lewis, W. A
606
Light, E. II.
Likens, Levi 730
Lippitt, E S. .637
Litchfield, Durant.
638
Dunn, M. II
,646
Dunn, T. M . .564
Dunz, C. J.
452
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Luce, M. Y
493
Ludwig, T. J. .370
Lyon, R. B.
711
Manion, William.
Manion, W. II. 379
Farrar, M. (. 503
Ilinkle, J. B
.536
Martin, Mrs. F. McG .642
Hoag, O. 11 ..
593
Martin, W. II .406
Mather, J
Matheson, Col. Rod 346
Holst, Peter.
582
Matthews, C. W 523
Hood, William
326
Maynard, F. T ..
McChristian, Owen 598
McChristian, Patrick 5.0
Fitch, II. I)
.403
Howell, Orrin.
619
McConnell, W. E. 650
Fowler, J. E
.623
IFudson, David
$10
McGaughey, L. J. 401
Fox, llenry .333
Hunt, J. IF
141
Mc Means. A. ('
Frasee, ('. D). 467
Huntley, G. W 481
Fulkerson, John .328
Fulkerson, Richard. .327
Fulkerson, S. T. .330 Fulkerson, T. S .399
Merchant, T. S
Ci.
lIolloway, J. C.
.530
Holmes, II. P ..
Longmore, William 607
IFaskell, W. B ...
.820
IFarris, T. L.
.366
Dresel, Julius .50G
Litchfield, Martin .660
Davis, M. S.
408
Davis, W. S.
608
Grant, J. D. 40-1
Green, P. F. .691
Gregson, James
Griffith, E. J. 412
Lafranchi, Giuseppi .732
Lang, J. B. 1.52
Cooper, S. R.
.649
Goodman, L. S.
.702
Cooper, E. M.
.484
Goss, John.
605
Knapp, A. I]. .734
Knapp, W. L 550
Knust, Charles $14
Kroucke, P. W.
5.1
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Gundlach, Jacob.
Kennedy, G. II .526
Colson Brothers. . .587
.402
Gobbi, P. & J. J
Killam, A. F. 724
Comstock, William.
C'ottle, B. Il.
Grant, C. F 405
Davis, 11. IF 488
Lauter, Nathan & Co.
Haran, Owen
.590
456
F.
Ferguson, J. N
Fifield, W. E
Hooper, G. F.
.647
Huntley, Will
1.
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CONTENTS.
Miller, T. B.
347
Mills, A. J. .547
Rutledge, Thomas. .. 690
Warboys, J. W .365
Ward, T. M. .667
Moore, Robert 6×1
Mordecai, Thomas
180
Morris, J. I. P
353
Morrow, E. E
514
Mulgrew, F. B. 691
Mulgrew, J. F.
351
Scammon, C. M .459
Wells, W. R ..
314
Schnittger, C. II. ,594
Schocken, Solomon 450
Near, C. D)
668
Norton, L. A.
124
('Brien, John
.689
Oliver, J. S.
695
Ormsby. G. W.
433
Ort, Julius ..
Overton, A. P. 332
Overton, J. 1I. 714
Pacheco, F. J 651
Page, T. S. 6-6
Parker, Freman 511
Parkerson, C. J
Springer, Christopť
726
Parks, D. 11
474
Passalaqua, F.
723
Stearns, F. R
Steele, Frank
+26
Stephens, William
205
Pepper, J. T.
.401
Pepper, W. II .489
Stewart, David.
49%
Peters, A. N.
Stofen, P. N
615
Peters, J. T.
482
Peterson, A. J
350
Petitdidier, N
.798
Piezzi, Victor
.367
Piggott, J. K .413
Pond, C. II. .270
Poulson, (. ]
Pratt, E. F. .655
Pressley, J. G .580
Prindle, William 426
Proctor, T. J 377
Pumphrey, A. .671
Putnam, D. W. C 513
Putnam, T. C. 50
Racklitt, W. G 620
Ragle, G. J. .338
Ragsdale, J. W. 309
Range, Charles .505
Rankin, J. 1I. 420
Raschen, Henry .472
Reid, J. B.
Reiners, C. A .574
Ricksecker. L. E 659
Ridgway. Jeremiah .436
Robinson, W. J .549
Rodgers, A. W .358
Rodgers. J. P. .345
Rogers, E. A .343
Rose, J. R .579
Ross. Losson .554
Rufus, Ernst 538
Runyon, Armstead
Russell, W. F ... . 671
Walters, Sol
709
Sarguisson, t'ornelius. 557
Sauborn, G. N 560
Savage, C. W 735
Sbarboro, Andrea 488
Wells, Pleasant
317
Schmidt, Peter .727
Weske, Adolph
.535
Weyl, Henry 443
Whallon. Murray
656
White, Harrison White, J. 11.
381
Sears, Franklin 577
Whitney, A. L. & Co
617
Whitney, A. P.
447
Whitney, W. B
681
Shaw, S. II.
409
Shaw, William
690
Wilcox, W. O.
111
Wiley, J. W.
597
Williamson, J. R.
:23
Wilson, J. E
130
Skillman, Theodore
.688
Wilton, T. G
.314
Smith, R. P
662
Winans, D. M.
692
Winkle, llenry
619
Winkler, Clayton
.627
Winter, T. S.
.502
Woodward, C. W
615
Woodworth, F. A. .373
Woolsey. E. W
5+6
Worth, W. Il 355
Wright, F. (' 358
Wright, W. S. MI
Yandle, F. J
655
York, C. W.
Young, B S.
374
Young, J. S.
.592
Z.
Zartman, William.
.555
Zimmerman, George.
.......... 503
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Allen, Otis, Residence of. .394
Adams, John. ,438
Auradou, J. A. .632
Bouton, Andrew, Residence, Or- chard and Nursery of .. 476
.Briggs, Robert 418
Colgan, E. P. 69%
Dickenson, W. L .. 360
Dickenson, W. L. Residence of . . 361 Glynn, F. B., Residence and Mills of. .562
Johnson, G. A. Frontispiece
MeChristian. Patrick .528
Ponlson, O. P. 720
Proctor, T. J. .376
Ragsdale, J. W 308
Runyon, Armstead.
.324
Scammon, C. M .458
Shearer, M. M ..
Sonoma County Court-House. 99
Stamer & Feldmeyer, Residence and Winery of .664
Stewart, David
.496
Stuart, A. B.
:40
Wiley, J. W
596
T.
Talbot, Coleman 559
Talbot, Holman .567
Taylor, J. S. 455
Taylor, O. A
641
Thompson, A. J 654
Thomson, E. P 653
Tivnen, John 412
Torr, C. L ..
653
Torrance, S. II
Trapet, J. B 551
Tripp, II. L .548
Tupper, G. A 355
Underhill, J. G
.. 357
Vallejo, M. G
Vollmar, P. 11
.613
Wagele, Conrad 7:19
Walden & Co.
569
Walls, David
.501
Ware, A. B. .553
Warfield, R. H.
644
Warner, A. L. .469
Wegener, Julius
.586
Wegner, Edward. .481
673
Seavey, S. A. .391
Shattuck, D. O.
552
Shaw, I. E
.459
Wightman, Chauncey
504
Wilbert, P.
Simi, G ..
673
Simpson & Roberts
674
Sink, W. D.
Snyder, J. R. .
.413
Soldate & Giacomini
498
Spencer, B. M .
334
Stamer & Feldmeyer
665
Patty, L. H .570
Pearce, George 682
Stevens, Lester
531
Perry, C. A. 604
Stewart, D. R
609
Stridde, Charles
.335
Strong, John.
G04
Stuart, A B.
2-11
Philips, Walter .575
Stuart, A. McG.
342
Stuart, C. V 430
Sullivan, I. W 349
Surryhne, Edward. 696
Swain, R. M. .392
Sylvester, D. W 512
713
Schroder, John 694
Seaman, J. F 652
Nay, S. A. . . 153
Moore, A. I'. 591
INTRODUCTORY.
T first seeming the writing of a county history does not present the features of a difficult task, but the work once entered upon, it is found that the very narrowness of the field but serves to perplex and render more intricate the labor. As an integral part of the warp and woof of a great State it requires great care and nice discernment to determine where the shades of legitimate county history end and State history begins. This is more particularly true of Sonoma County than of any ; other county in the State, for she is the warp beam back to which is traceable every thread of California history since it passed under the dominion of the Americans. Nowhere else in the State is there presented such a tangled skein of history to unravel as in this same Sonoma County. At the very outset we are confronted with four distinct and different conditions of humanity, each fulfilling an allotted life-work- all living history. Compassed by different envi- ronments, and battling with that destiny that marks the fittest for survival, each has a claim for recognition and justice from the pen of truthful, impartial history. Indians, Russians, Spaniards and Americans will each, in turn, re- ceive that attention and consideration that the importance of their respective being and life- mission may seem to warrant. There is now but a sad remnant of Sonoma County Indians left. Soon they will all have passed away. Of, and about them, coming generations will have 1
a right to expect to find in the pages of history somne authentie account. So, too, of the Rus- sians, who, in the early years of the century, and even before the Spaniards had tempted her wilds, had established a colony in the northern end of the now Sonoma County, it will be per- missible to give as extended an account as can be safely vouched for as being accurate and an- thentie. This Russian occupation doubtless ac- celerated the coming hither of those under Spanish authority, and whatever there was of friction on account of this seeming joint oceu- paney of this territory by Spaniard and Musco- vite, comes within the legitimate scope of Sonoma County history. Of the Spanish occupation and rule, it will be our aim to use just diserimi- nation in drawing conclusions between the con- flicting statements and claims of the different historians of that period. For two decades pre- vions to the hoisting of the Bear Flag at Sonoma, and which ultimated in the termina- tion of Spanish rule on this coast, there seems to have existed an anomalous condition of affairs in California. Under the old Spanish rule, the San Francisean friars had been granted liberal privileges, and with indomitable energy and zeal had extended their missions coastwise from San Diego to the center of the Territory. As the honey bee is said to be the forerunner of civili- zation, so too, Mexican immigration seems to have followed with sleepy steps the paths made safe by the more determined Padres. These
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
missions, whether or not they filled the full measure of expectations in the eivilizing and Christianizing of the aborigines of California, certainly paved the way for the advance of a higher order of civilization. These ecclesiastical institutions, under the exclusive dominion of cul- tured priests of Castilian nativity, were con- dueted with a strict regard to system and business methods little understood by the im- migrants from Mexico who followed in their wake. Rich in herds and with granaries well stored with cereals, these missions became pur- veyors to the advancing colonists, as well as the army of soldiers sent hither by the Mexican Government. In this thrift of the missions, their seeming strength, lurked the concealed danger that ultimated in their doom. As slow as had been the progress of Spanish coloniza- tion, yet in 1821, when Mexico threw off the Castilian yoke. a liberal share of California's population were natives of the Territory. The better elass had received the advantages of as liberal eulture as the parochial schools of the missions afforded, and, naturally enough, began to assert themselves as factors in the political affairs of the Territory. Mexican independence achieved, those here, natives of Spain became the subjects of suspicion and surveillance; and in this class was embraced all the mission priests, who certainly laid themselves open to watchfulness by stubbornly refusing to take any oath of allegiance to the newly fledged Repub- lie of Mexico. In setting in motion the new machinery of Territorial Government, as ad- ministered from the City of Mexico, there came to the surface yet another disturbing ageney, that gained foree with the advancing years, and that was a growing animosity between those native of California and those sent hither by the Mexican Government to fill either civil or mili- tary positions. With that supereiliousness not uneominon to those who have basked in the sunshine of a higher and more refined civiliza- tion, the Mexicans sent hither to fill positions of honor and emolument, erineed a contemptu- ous regard for those whose educational advan-
tages and social opportunities had been confined to the circuinseribed limits of mission and pueblo. This naturally met with the resent- ment at the hands of the "native sons " that it merited. This simply shadows forth existing conditions in California twenty years anterior to the commencement of American rule, and may be epitomized thus: The mission padres intuitively realized that republican govern- ment was the beginning of the end of the life- work to which they had consecrated the best years of their existence. The Government of Mexico, with an empty treasury, had already set lustful eyes upon the wealth of these mis- sions, the accumulations of years of depriva- tion, toil and danger, and as hush-money to eonseienee was willing to devote a share of the loot to the aid of colonization in California. The governing classes of the Territory were not averse to this confiscation of mission wealth. for they had already become used to exacting from the padres a liberal share of their sup- port and then the fact that the Padres were natives of Spain was sufficient to sanctity the rigorons end contemplated. And, finally, the native Mexicans had a contempt for native Cali- fornians and the latter had a very warm hatred for the former-in truth, everybody appears to have been jealous and suspicious of everybody else. A sorry beginning for experiment of re- publiean government, certainly! And to add to the seething of this kettle of broth, within the decade following Mexican independence there began to straggle into the Territory, over the erest of the Sierras, the hated Americans: more dreaded than the denizens from the frigid north who had so unceremoniously established themselves at Fort Ross. It was a rather cheer- less prospeet. this, for a Territorial government that was constantly receiving tloridly written orders from the parent government to guard every avenue of entrance to the Territory against the encroachments of foreigners, with no seem- ing thought or attempt to satisfy the eravings of an empty. Territorial, military exchequer. These fulminations from the ancient city of the
3
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
Aztecs, that were usually months in reaching the California government at Monterey, are only useful now to show how dense was the ignorance then in reference to the extent and topography of California. Why, a thousand American colonists might have entered the northern end of the Territory and sown and gathered a crop without the Governor of Cali- fornia knowing anything about it. As the years came and went the Territorial authorities were more and more brought to a realization of the fact that the snow-capped Nevadas could not be accounted a safe wall of protection against invasion from the East. With but a few forts scattered from San Diego to San Francisco, and they garrisoned by soldiers numerically few, and they, proverbially on the ragged edge of revolt on account of arrearages of pay, it is not a mat- ter of wonder that California became the poach- ing ground of hunters, trappers and all kinds of adventurers. The drift of such was naturally toward the northern end of the Territory. This,
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