USA > California > A picture of pioneer times in California, illustrated with anecdotes and stores taken from real life > Part 17
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I hope that nothing that I have said conveys the idea that I favor that political heresy, the so-called "Woman's Rights" movement, for I not only do not do so, but I look on it with almost contempt, because such a movement must come from men who are incapable of appreciating the character of a true woman, when faithfully fulfilling those duties so manifestly assigned to her by God himself. Yes; I look on the movement with pity and regret, because it comes also, in part, from women who, not seeing their true exalted position, seek to de- grade themselves to the rough and rugged ways forced upon man, in his fierce battle through the world. God made woman fair and beautiful in person, and endowed her mind and disposi- tion with charms far more alluring and attractive than even those of her person. He gave her a sphere of duties totally dif- ferent and of a more beautiful, if not of a higher character, than he assigned to man. Men are created rough, strong and stern; unyielding in mind and purpose. To them He assigned the labor of subduing the rugged earth to cultivation and fruitfulness. To them He assigned the defence of the nation, even when it leads to the battlefield, where, without feeling or mercy, they are to cut down and slaughter the national enemy. To them He has assigned the duty of bringing to even-handed justice the wicked and villainous of the community, imprisoning the one and strangling the other, as the safety of the community may demand. To them He has assigned the duty of enacting the laws necessary to govern the community, from which duty they cannot shrink, though arguments, quarrels and personal strifes may be the consequence, and the necessity sometimes. To them He has plainly given the protection of women from all harm or aspersion of character, in the performance of which they must, if necessary, yield life itself, or be recreant to the great trust reposed in them. To woman is given the exclusive care and control of household duties, for which her loving nature, her quick perception and gentle disposition are all so necessary, so
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absolutely indispensable. Under her fostering care the simplest surroundings become beautiful and charming. Where woman is there is sure to be all that can refine and elevate our thoughts and aspirations above the groveling things with which our daily duties may compel us to mingle. To woman is given to lessen the austerities of the battlefield, or the terrible fate of the crimi- nal. To her is especially given the care of the unfortunate of both sexes. To her is given the divine mission of bringing to the household the joyous presence of children, and to her watchful care and Heaven-inspired, unselfish, devoted love are assigned all the young years of those children, to form and adorn their characters with all that shall make them pleasing to God, and valuable members of the community in which they live. Above all good gifts, it is given to woman to excel in her devo- tion, piety and faith in God. To her is given the power, the duty to beckon back to the paths of rectitude and virtue erring men; for to her persuasive, gentle words the proudest man will often listen when he has scorned all others.
From this sphere of glorious duties, so necessary to the well- being of the community, shall we take gentle woman and thrust her rudely into the field of party politics, with its wrangling and bitter contentions ?- a field that even strong, rough men feel loth to enter, for there the bitterest hates and enmities are often engendered, degrading to all. Never, I trust, shall such a a thing be permitted, while woman respects herself, and man values and honors her as he has a right to do. It is a woman's right that every avenue to profitable employment suitable for her should be thrown open to her, and, in many cases, reserved for her by provision of law. If this were done, women would be more independent in their choice of partners for life, and consequently more happy. This is the sort of " woman's rights" I would most cheerfully join in advocating.
I think I have said enough to satisfy any one that the "Annals of San Francisco " is no authority as to the character of the pioneers, either men or women, and that you, their children, have nothing to be ashamed of in their regard, but much to be proud of. We, the pioneers, feel proud of the great young State we are turning over to your charge. Yes; we are proud, for look at our schools; they are to be found in every nook and corner, so that no boy or girl in the State can have an excuse for not acquiring a reasonably good education. Look at our high
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schools, academies and colleges, all over the State, both public and private, affording to all the very highest grade of education. Look at the number of California pioneers who have distin- guished themselves in the literary world. Look at our book and publishing houses; their great success in business reflects credit on us. We can also claim that the newspaper press of our State, taken as a whole, will compare favorably with that of any other State in the Union. We claim that it is remarkably free from unfairness in its contentions, either in religious or political mat- ters. Of course, there are some exceptions to this, but the ex- ceptions are few, and are generally of so low a character that they are not worth a notice.
We point to the circulation of our daily press as a marvel, and being mostly well deserved a credit to us. Look at our agricultural resources and developments. We already begin to feed the outside world with grain which commands a higher price than that of any other country on earth. Our farmers, too, can- not be surpassed in bold enterprise and skill, that should insure to them success. Look at our infant manufactories. They now, in the character of their products, though of course not in quan- tity, outrank those of any other State in the Union. Look at our leading mercantile houses and banking institutions; for honor, enterprise and stability they stand first among the first, the world over. In what city in the world do we find such a young giant in the business of banking springing into existence as the Bank of Nevada ? It is a California wonder. May success attend the enterprising men who control its destinies.
Look at the judiciary of our State. The judiciary everywhere is a good index by which to judge of the moral worth of the community, for a pure judiciary can only come from a good peo- ple. For years our Supreme Bench, taken as a whole, with Wallace as its chief, could challenge comparison with that of any State in the Union.
We have reason to be proud, too, of the brilliant talent of our Bar, where such men as Wallace, Mckinstry, McKee, Felton, Patterson, Wilson, McAllister, Hoge, Cohen, Doyle, Haight, Barnes and Casserly, not forgetting the pride of the Working- men, Clitus Barbour, and many others, have won distinction and more than a State reputation as jurists.
Look at our railroad enterprise. It equals, if it does not excel, that of any State in the Union, or that of any country on earth.
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We may condemn the policy and management of those railroad men, for beyond all doubt they do many outrageously wrong things; but we cannot help feeling proud of these mighty works that, if managed in the interest of the people, would make our State great and prosperous. Nor are their projectors that class of men who, having made riches among us, rush off to the East- ern cities to spend it. For such no true Californian has muy respect, even if they do give a dinner in New York once a year to glorify themselves as Californians. As to the railroad ques- tion, now so agitating to the public mind, the trouble comes from the fact that our means of transportation and locomotion are put into the hands of corporations, which gives the corporations a power over us by which they can make us the veriest slaves that over served a master. It gives them a power as great almost as if by right they could control the air we breathe or the water we drink. The people will soon wake and comprehend the remedy, which is to take the ownership of all railroads into their own hands and run them exclusively in the interest of the people and the State. The new Constitution, just adopted, made a bold effort to control the exactions of the railroad monopolies, by providing for a Board of Commissioners, with full power to do so. But the Commissioners elected by the people have proven recreant to the great trust reposed in them. Two of them, with perfidy unequaled in the political history of our State, having openly deserted the people, and now, with shameless impudence, exhibit themselves as pliant tools in the hands of that great mo- nopoly. That these creatures are despised by all good men, is no relief to the pillaged people.
If there is one location on earth a California '49er loves more than another, it is that of, to him, dear San Francisco; that proud young city of the Pacific coast. It is identified with all the trials, hopes and joys of his early manhood's struggle for an honorable position in life; and, no matter where his lot may be cast, San Francisco holds a place in his memory that it is sweet for him to dwell on. Her growth and prosperity is a pride to every true '49er. To you, boys of San Francisco, I take the liberty of a '49er, who did his part in helping to lay the foundation of your prosperous city, to suggest to you to im- prove her dress by sweeping from her streets, by enactment of law, with one dash, the names of her despoilers and her " no- bodies;" and replace them with the names of our old patriot
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Presidents and the names of the Eastern States of the Union. Your doing this will bring a home feeling and a respectability to each of the streets now burdened with the name of a thief or a scalawag. At the time Eddy made his map of the city he took the authority upon himself of naming the streets. He first named one for each of the members of the gang of worthies for whom he worked, of course saddling one with his own name. He then gave out that for a basket of champagne or three gallons of whisky " anybody" could have a street called after him. In this way the little rascal kept himself half drunk for about a year. Go to work, boys, and do not let an unworthy name rest as a blight on a street in your city. In all the future guard her from the schemes of grasping, selfish men, and when you find there is danger and you are hard pressed, call on the boys of the whole State to help you; and fear not, for your call will be re- sponded to, as in those days when she was saved by Governor Downey from wholesale robbery. We leave you a city and a State in a high state of prosperity. Do not fear to send them ahead with every inch of canvas spread; if you only keep the right man at the helm, all will go well. A few breakers or sunken rocks lurk treacherously beneath the waters ahead of you, always there, though only showing them- selves much in stormy weather. They are the Chinese curse, the unsolved railroad problem, the growing power of all the monopolies, over-taxation, unfairness in its levy, and the craving for public office that besets so many of our young men. These dangers avoided or overcome, nothing can stop your on- ward career to a position of greatness never attained by any nation on earth.
There is a fact connected with the early settlement of this State which is complimentary. It is the marked favor with which returned Californians were always received in the Eastern States. Notably, we may point to Fremont, whose connection with California nearly made him President of the United States in 1856; John W. Geary, who became Governor of Pennsylvania; Rodman M. Price, who was elected to Congress from New Jersey and was afterwards her Governor; Caleb Lyons, an eccentric little man, who claimed the credit of fashioning the great seal of Califor- nia-and it was all he ever did, if he did that, while in California, to make himself known on his return to his native town in the State of New York-was elected to Congress, I think, three times
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in succession, and then got some government appointment. John Hacket, who practiced law in San Francisco for two or three years, on returning to New York, was for many years elected Recorder of that city. There was James W. White, who practiced law in San Francisco one year; on returning to New York was elected Judge of the Superior Court of that city. There was Benard, well known in this State, who, on returning to New York, was also placed on the Bench. I could fill a whole chapter with the names of favored returned Californians, without going into the military department, where we would find Sher- man, Grant, Halleck and a host of others, who were once iden- tified with California as civilians.
The loss of the Central America, on the Atlantic side, which occurred on September the 20th, 1857, serves to show what sort of material went to make up the true Californian. For brave, cool courage, under the most trying circumstances, they cannot, we believe, be surpassed by any people on the face of the earth. This steamer was on her trip from Panama to New York, filled with Californians, men, women and children. She sprung a leak off Cape Hatteras, which it was found impossible to stanch or overcome. After the most desperate and heroic efforts of the Captain and officers, the attempt to keep her up was aban- doned. Just at that moment came in sight the brig Marine, Captain Hiram Burt. She was signaled, and soon ran alongside the Central America. This brig was so small and her accom- modations so limited in every way that all she could do was to offer to take all the women and children. This was accepted by Captain Harndon, of the Central America, who was as brave a man as ever stepped on deck of ship. Then a scene was enacted that challenges the history of the world for its match in cool courage and unwavering fortitude. The Captain announced to the assembled passengers that the steamer could not float more than half an hour, and that the brig Marine, alongside, could only take the women and children. " Now," said he, " get your wives and children and every woman on board ready, and I will put them on the brig, and we men will shift for ourselves the best we can, trusting in God to aid us."
Every man present assented, calling out cheerfully: "All right, Captain, all right; we are satisfied."
The women alone objected, calling out: " Oh, Captain, that is too terrible. Let us stay, and all die together."
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The Captain silenced all their cries by declaring that if the women wanted to give the men any chance for their lives, they would at once obey orders implicitly and go on board the brig. This brought acquiescence and prompt obedience from the women. Then came the quick and terrible parting of father and child, husband and wife, brother and sister, as terrible to them all as death itself. It cannot be imagined, much less described. Among all the men two only proved cowardly, and the Captain, with expressions of contempt, ordered them on board the brig with the women. The story of this steamer is well worth read- ing. My space will not permit me to say more of it. The Marine, with the women and children, it will be found, reached Norfolk, Virginia, in safety, where nothing could sur- pass the affectionate kindness of the people of that old town towards them all. A Swedish bark picked up some seventy of the men. General Sherman, in his memoirs, on page 135, gives the following account of the saving of these men, which is inter- esting:
"In the midst of this panic came the news that the steamer Central America, formerly the George Law, with six hundred passengers and $1,600,000 of treasure, coming from Aspinwall, had foundered at sea off the coast of Georgia, and that about sixty of the passengers had been pro- videntially picked up by a Swedish bark, and brought into Savannah. The absolute loss of this treasure went to swell the confusion and panic of the day.
"A few days after, I was standing in the restaurant of the Metropolitan Hotel, and heard the Captain of the Swedish bark tell his singular story of the rescue of these passengers. He was a short, sailor-like looking man, with a strong German or Swedish accent. He said he was sailing from some port in Honduras for Sweden, running down the gulf stream, off Savannah. The weather had been heavy for some days, and about nightfall, as he paced his deck, he observed a man-of-war hawk circle about his vessel, gradually lowering until the bird was, as it were, aiming at him. He jerked out a be- laying-pin, struck at the bird, and missed it, when the hawk again rose high in the air, and a second time began to descend, contract his circle and make at him again. The second time he hit the bird and struck it to the deck. This strange 'fact made him uneasy, and he thought it betokened danger. He went to the binnacle, saw the course he was steering, and, with- out any particular reason, he ordered the steersman to alter the course one point to the cast.
"After this it became quite dark, and he continued to promenade the deck, and had settled into a drowsy state, when, as in a dream, he thought he heard voices all round his ship. Waking up, he saw at the side of his ship, something struggling in the water, and heard clearly cries for help.
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Instantly heaving his ship to and lowering his boats, he was able to pick up sixty or more persons, who were floating about on skylights, doors and what- ever fragments remained of the Central America. Had he not changed the course of his vessel by reason of the mysterious conduct of the man-of- war hawk, not a soul would probably have survived the night."
General Sherman, in writing his memoirs, had evidently for- gotten the circumstance of the brig Marine saving the women and children, as he makes no mention of it, and says that all but those saved by the Swedish brig were lost.
One of the passengers saved, in giving the narration of the dis- aster, says:
" I was standing on the after part of the steamer with a life- preserver on, undecided how to act, when suddenly the vessel seemed to tremble all over, as if in fear, and then she made a dive forward and went to the bottom. I, of course, went with her, ingulfed in the roaring, closing waters. Down, down I went, as if to follow her; then suddenly I felt myself stop de- scending, and now I shot up as rapidly as I had descended, until my body fairly leaped out of the sea. As my head cleaved the water, I heard my mother's voice, as plainly as I ever heard it in my life, saying, ' Oh, Henry, how could you eat your sis- ter's grapes ?' Twenty years before, when a mere boy, I had a poor, sick sister, dying of consumption, for whom some grapes had been procured, I suppose with great difficulty. On coming across them, boy-like, I eat them; and that was my mother's exclamation on discovering what I had done. Others of the passengers who had made the same terrible dive I had, had the same strange experience on reaching the surface of the foaming sea. They believed they heard distinctly all around them voices familiar only in long past years."
The London Times newspaper, after giving the particulars of this shipwreck, concludes its remarks on it with the exclama- mation, " Americans, be proud of your countrymen!" And I say to you, my young readers, "Be proud of the California pioneers."
There is another fact worthy of note that we Californians have to be proud of. It is the superior moral tone of our first-class theatrical amusements; for it is a fact, that all our stage man- agers will attest, that of late years in the most fashionable the- aters of New York and other Eastern cities, plays are put on the stage, without objection, that would disgust and scatter a Cali-
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fornia audience. Californians are too proud and independent in their characters to be willing to sacrifice their sense of moral right for the sake of aping the immodest exhibitions of second- class French theaters. My dear young readers, in all the future ever foster and guard this purity of taste in your public amuse- ments which now marks our people. It is a glorious distinction, upon which you cannot set too high a value.
CHAPTER XV.
FASCINATION OF PIONEER TIMES-ANECDOTES AND STORIES IN ILLUS- TRATION.
I will devote the remaining pages of this volume to anecdotes and stories that I think will convey to you a vivid picture of our pioneer times in California, without requiring you to wade through any dry descriptions. There was a spirit of off-hand, jolly fun in those days, that I want you to comprehend. It was neither "brave wickedness" nor "splendid folly," so praised by the "Annals," but a sort of universal free and easy cheerfulness, that encouraged all sorts of drollery and merriment to show themselves continually, mixed up with the sober realities of our daily life. The California pioneer that could not give and take a joke was just no Californian at all. Business that was transacted without some fun cropping out was dry and disagreeable. It was this spirit that gives the memory of those days that indescriba- ble fascination and charm, which we all feel when looking back to our pioneer life.
I had collected many anecdotes to give in illustration of this point, but my space compels me to lay several of them aside. The few I give, together with the three stories of "Ellen Harvey," "Ada Allen" and "Minnie Wagner," will, I hope, be sufficient to shade this characteristic of our people into my picture, and make it, as a whole, agreeably complete.
The anecdotes are just as repeated to me in the neighborhood of their occurrence.
The story of Ellen Harvey, I take from the following circum- stance:
A young married lady arrived from the East, on one of the Panama steamers, in 1850. She came to join her husband, who was in business in a town in the interior. Before her husband arrived from his place of business, a lady who had known her at home called to see her while she was yet on board the steamer, and told her some stories that were current of her husband's
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unfaithfulness. This threw the young wife into the bitterest and most passionate grief. She was of one of the first families of her native city, beautiful, of a high order of intellect, and of the most delicate purity of character. She refused to see her hus- band, except he could assure her of the falsity of the charges made against him. This, it appears, he was unable wholly to do. So the wife demanded of the Captain of the steamer on which she had arrived, that he would let her remain on board and take her back with him to Panama on his return. The husband heard that the Captain had consented to this arrangement, and for doing so he sent him a challenge. The Captain refused to fight, and made an explanation fully satisfactory. The parties, husband and wife, were both Catholics, and resort was had to a Catholic priest for guidance and advice. This priest turned out to be an old friend of the lady's family. Long negotiations en- sued, which resulted in a reconciliation in every way, except their immediate re-union. The wife was to return East and live with the husband's mother until the husband could follow her, which he was to do in a reasonable time. And so it was said that they parted, without even meeting each other in San Francisco. These circumstances were only known to a few who were more or less connected with the shipping interest of that day, but wherever known they aroused a feeling of the deepest sympathy for the parties.
I was very much interested myself at the time, and in some years afterwards I obtained full notes of the personal history of both husband and wife from the lady's cousin, with whom I was well acquainted. From these notes I have woven this story, keep- ing the main facts, as related to me, strictly in view. The Susan March scene, and her history, is almost literally true. It was related to me by "Black Bob," the washerwoman's husband.
The story of "Ada Allen" is all through nothing more than a grouping of actual occurrences, many of which were related to me by Captain Casserly, and are only altered and changed in the story to avoid offensive intrusion on individual private history.
Mrs. Doctor Bucket, and some others of the characters brought into this story, may be recognized by old Californians, or by the parties themselves, but I hope not in an offensive way to any of them.
The story of Minnie Wagner is of the same character in all respects.
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The Mrs. Lightheal of this story is no fictitious character. Nor is that of Johnny Lucky. He will be recalled to memory by many '49ers, and it may be owing to his wild stories that in 1850 there was a floating rumor in San Francisco, traceable to no very good authority, that a pirate ship had been fitted out in Sidney, under the command of a cashiered officer of the British navy, intended to intercept and capture the steamer conveying gold from San Francisco to Panama. That such a story was current about that time is certain, but how it got afloat is hard to determine.
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