USA > California > History of California, Volume VI > Part 26
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camp and left suspended on a tree for a fortnight, undisturbed till the owner returned to claim it. Vig., MS., 2. Most pioneers unite in extolling the security prevalent in those days. 'Property was safer in California than in the older states.' Delano's Life, 359. Gov. Mason wrote nearly to the same effect in Oct. 1848. U. S. Gov. Doc., Cong. 31, Sess. 1, H. Ex. Doc. 17, p. 677; Burnett's Rec., MS., ii. 142-3; Brooks' Four Mo., 67. In previous chapters has been shown the extent of crime in 1848, as instanced in the Californian, Feb. 2, 1848; Cal. Star, Feb. 26; Star and Cal., Dec. 9, 1848, etc. See further, for both years, Winans' Stat., MS., 14-16; Olney's Vig., MS., 1; Neall's Stat., MS., 3-5; Sutton's Stat., MS., 10; Sac. Transcript, Apr. 26, 1850, etc .; Fay's Facts, MS., 2; Gillespie's Vig., MS., 5; Friend, vii. 74; Little's Stat., MS., 16; Findla's Stat., MS., 6; McCollum's Cal., 62; Staples' Stat., MS., 14; Cal. Past and Pres., 162-3.
20 Sayward, Pion. Rem., MS., 32-3, states that after the Missourians began to come, insecurity increased. In 1850 things had reached such a pass that mail agents were afraid to carry gold, lest they should be murdered. Woods' Sixteen Mo., 141; Crosby's Stat., MS., 41-2. Helper, Land of Gold, 36-8, paints the criminal aspect in dark colors; Cox's An. Trimty Co., 62-3. Bar- stow, Stut., MS., 10, points to the Irish as the rowdy element. Chamberlain's Stat., MS., 1; Sayward's Rem., MS., 33.
21 Brooks, Four Mo., 142-3, 168-9, 187-8, 201, refers to several bands, as do Burnett and others. For criminal records, I refer to my Popular Tribunals, and for cognate data to a later chapter on the administration of justice
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SOCIETY.
friends who might inquire into their disappearance. An armed man was supposed to take care of himself.22 The lack of judicial authorities tended further to pro- mote the personal avenging of wrongs by duel,23 which took place frequently by public announcement.
In the northern and central mining districts the preponderance of sedate yet resolute Americans with a ready recourse to lynching inspired a wholesome awe; but along the San Joaquin tributaries, abounding with less sober-minded Sonorans and Hispano- Ameri- cans, this restraint diminished,24 the more so as race animosity was becoming rampant. Swift and radical penalties alone were necessary in the interior, on account of lack of prisons; and even San Francisco found these measures indispensable in 1851, despite her accessories of police and chain-gangs.25 The ever- moving and fluctuating current of life proved a shield to evil-doers, and fostered the roaming instinct which had driven so many westward, and was breeding per- nicious habits of vagrancy and loafing.26 Every camp had its bully, who openly boasted of prowess against Indians, as well as of his white targets, and flaunted an intimidating braggardism. Likewise every town possessed its sharpers, on the watch for gold-laden and confiding miners.
22 Helper, Land of Gold, 29, 158, estimates in 1854 that since the opening of the mines Cal. had 'invested upwards of six millions of dollars in bowie- knives and pistols.' The same fertile inquirer finds for this period 4,200 murders and 1,400 suicides, besides 10,000 more of miserable deaths. For early years no reliable records exist in this direction, but those for the more settled year of 1855 show 538 deaths by violence, whereof two thirds were white persons, the rest Indians and Chinese. Further data in a later chapter.
23 Revolvers were the most ready instruments. A common practice for principals was to place themselves back to back, march five paces, turn and fire till the pistol chambers were emptied or the men disabled. Shooting on sight was in vogue, involving no little danger to passers-by. 'I mistook you for another, was more than once the excuse to some innocent victim. Olney's Vag., MS. 3; Hittell's Res., 377; Alta Cal., July 3, 1851, and other numbers. See also Du Hailly, in Revue deux Mondes, Feb. 1859, 612; Truman's Field of Honor, and my Inter Pocula and Pop. Tribunals.
2+ Placer Times, July 20, 1849.
25 Steps were taken in 1850 to prevent the entry of convicts, Cal. Statutes, 1850, 202, yet many succeeded in landing. Alta Cal., May 10, July 15-16, 1851.
26 As complained of already in 1850. Pac. News, Jan. 5, 1850.
231
DISCOMFORT AND DISEASE.
Much of the growing crime took root during the wet winter of 1849-50, which brought starvation and sickness to the inaccessible camps. Ill health was wide-spread, and more lamentable owing to the isolation of sufferers, devoid of friends and means, and remote from doctors and medicine. The seed of dis- ease was frequently laid during the voyage out, in the unwholesome food and atmosphere of crowded vessels. Then came new climates and surroundings, unusual and exhausting labor, standing in water or on moist ground under a broiling sun, the insufficient shelter of tents or sheds, beds made upon the damp soil, poor and scanty provisions, excitement and dissipation. All this could not fail to affect most of the inexperi- enced new-comers, especially with fever, bowel com- plaint, and rheumatism; while scurvy, cutaneous, syphilitic, and pulmonary diseases, claimed their vic- tims.27 In October 1850 came the cholera; and al- though disappearing with the year, it is supposed to have carried off fifteen per cent of the population at Sacramento, and about half that proportion westward,28 besides frightening away a large number. The strain of excitement, with attendant disappointments and windfalls, predisposed to insanity, while lowering the
27 The report from the state marine hospital at S. F. shows the proportion of 262 diarrhea cases, 204 dysentry, 113 acute rheumatism, 93 intermittent fever, 47 chronic rheumatism, 46 scurvy, 40 gonorrhea, 37 typhus, 29 pythisis, 28 bronchitis, 26 pneumonia, among 1,200 patients. Cal. Jour. Sen., 1851, 921-3. Diarrhea killed 10 out of a party of 19 on Trinity River. Pac. News, May 9, 1850. Dysentery was equally common, with ulcerated bowels. Dows' Vig., MS., 2; Unbound Doc., MS., 20; Barstow's Stat., MS., 2-3, 12; Larkin's Doc., vi. 172, 175. Destitution and death by starvation is mentioned in Pac. News, Dec. 13, 1849; Garniss' Early Days, MS., 11. A remedy for scurvy was to bury the patient in earth, all but the head. 'Whole camps were some- times buried at once, except a few who remained out to keep off the grizzlys and coyotes.' Sawtelle's Pioneers, MS., 5; Morse's Stat., MS.
28 At San José ten per cent, at S. F. five. Burnett's Rec., MS., ii. 241. It caused a rush of passengers by the Panamá steamer. Some died on board, but within a week the pest disappeared. Crary's Vig., MS., 1. It raged in Ophir, etc. Pac. News, Nov. 1, 1850; Cal. Courier, Oct. 24, Dec. 21, 1850; S. F. Picayune, Oct. 23, 25, Nov. 4, 6, Dec. 5, 1850. Judge Hoffman suc- cumbed. A cholera hospital was opened at S. F., on Broadway. S. F. Direc- tory, 1852, 17; Ver Mehr's Life, 367; Sac. Transcript, Oct. 14, 1850, says it broke out at S. F .; Polynesian, vii, 98, 110, 114, 118, 138; Shuck's Repres. Men, 936. It reappeared in 1852.
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SOCIETY.
physical and mental tone.29 The lack of remedial facilities in the mining camps directed a stream of in- valids to the towns, especially to San Francisco, despite its unfavorable winds and moisture. There were also constantly left stranded new-comers, reduced by Pan- amá fevers and the hardships attending badly fitted vessels, made desperate by destitution and suffering, from which only too many sought escape by suicide. 30 Little ceremony attended the burial of these unfortu- nates in the cities, but in the mines a procession of miners usually attended to consign a comrade, often shroudless and uncoffined, to a shallow grave.31 The high cost of treatment by doctors and at private hos- pitals, with over-crowding and neglect in the public wards, tended to keep the death-rate high during the first two years of the mining era.32
Obviously in a community of men the few women present were very conspicuous. There were whole groups of camps which could be searched in vain for the presence of a single woman, and where one was found she proved too often only the fallen image, the center of gyrating revelry and discord.33 In San
29 In 1850 twelve persons were cast upon the care of S. F., with an increase to three times that number by 1852, and legislative steps were taken to pro- vide for the afflicted, at first in a brig anchored at North Beach. Cal. Jour. Ho., 1850, 1341; Cal. Polit. Code, 297-306; Fernandez, Cal., 189; Mines and Miners, 795-6; S. F. Herald, Sept. 30, 1851.
30 By the close of 1854 the suicides were estimated at 1,400. Helper's Land of Gold, 29. Some went to the Hawaiian Islands.
31 At S. F. pauper burials were contracted for in 1850 at the reduced rate of $35, formerly $50 to $100. S. F. Minutes, 1849-50, 68, 79-82, etc .; Garniss' Early Days, MS., 10; Wheaton's Stat., MS., 2. Mr Gray came from New York in 1850, as a professional undertaker. Pac. News, May 1, 1850; S. F. Alta, June 11, 1853; Feb. 26, 1863; Polynesian, vi. 110; Hutchings' Mag., iii. 133, 252. The interments at S. F. prior to 1850 are estimated at 970. For the year ending July 1851, when cholera raged, they rose to 1,475, then fell to 1,005, rising again to 1,575, with a proportionate decline after July 1853. Annals S. F., 593-6.
32 Hospitals are spoken of under Sac. and S. F. annals. A board of health was organized in 1850; also a medical society, June 22d. Pac. News, May 18, Dec. 14, 1850; Cal. Courier, Oct. 23-4, 1850. The fee-bill of the latter ranged from 'an ounce,' $16, the lowest price, upward; visits were rated at $32; ad- vice and operations were specified as high as $1,000. Miscel. Stat., MS., 3-4; Armstrong's Exper., MS , 9.
33 The place of women at dances would be taken by men. In 1850 more women began to come in, although composed largely of loose elements. Num-
233
ABSENCE OF WOMEN.
Francisco and other large towns, families began to settle, yet for a long time the disreputable ele- ment outshone the virtuous by loudness in dress and manner, especially in public resorts. In the scarcity men assumed the heroic, and women became worshipful. The few present wore an Aphrodite girdle, which shed a glamour over imperfections, till they found themselves divinities, centres of chivalric adorers. In the mining region men would travel from afar for a glance at a newly arrived female, or handle in mock or real ecstasy some fragment of female ap- parel.34 Even in the cities passers-by would turn to salute a female stranger,35 while the appearance of a little girl would be heralded like that of an angel, many a rugged fellow bending with tears of recollec-
bers 'from the east,' observes Barstow, Stat., MS., 4. The preponderance in this class lay, however, with Hispano-Americans, not excepting Californians, says Cerruti, Ramblings, MS., 50. Hundreds were brought from Mazatlan and San Blas on trust, and transferred to bidders with whom the girls shared their earnings. Fernandez, Cal., 190-1. The Peruvians were sought for danc- ing-saloons. Australia sent many. Polynesian, vii. 34. French women were brought out to preside at gambling-tables. 'Nine hundred of the French demi- inonde are expected,' announces the Pac. News, Oct. 23, 1850, to reside on Stockton and Filbert sts. The number dwindled to 50. Sac. Transcript, Nov. 29, 1850. Indian women were freely offered at the camps, and the number was increased by kidnapped females from the Marquesas Islands. See outcry on this point in Alta Cal., Dec. 21, 24, 1850. One noted prostitute claimed to have earned $50,000. Garniss' Early Days, MS., 7. For first published case of adultery in 1849 at S. F., see Richardson's Exper., MS., 27; also Miscel. Stat., MS., 2; Hayes' Scraps, Cal. Notes, v. 60, etc. The Home Mis- sionary, xxii. 163-7, xxvii. 159, intimates that half the women in S. F. were of the loose element. Bolton vs. U. S., 99-101; Velasco, Son., 325. The Cal. Courier, Oct. 21-2, Nov. 16, 1850, inveighs against the demi-monde, while the Alta Cal., Dec. 19, 1850, commends the improved morals. So does S. F. Picayune, Sept. 27, 1850, although it admits that even the higher classes were dissolute. Armstrong, Exper., MS., 12, speaks of the personation of women and the sale of a wife. In Oct. 1849 there were not over 50 U. S. women in S. F., says McCollum, Cal., 61.
3+ A story is told of the excitement over the discovery of a bonnet, attended by a dance around it, hoisted upon a May-pole. Some add a stuffed figure to the bonnet, and put a cradle by its side. Winans' Stat., MS., 17; Letts' Cal. Illust., 89-90. An acquaintance of Burnett, Rec., MS., ii. 38-9, related that he travelled 40 miles to behold a woman. Steamboat agents would cry out, 'Ladies on board !' to draw custom. Gamblers and proprietors of public resorts used to board vessels to offer flattering engagements; but even then women were soon married. Concerning claims to being female pioneers in different counties, see San José Pioneer, July 7, 1877, etc .; S. F. Bulletin, May 5, Aug. 11, 1876, etc .; Record-Union, May 4, 1876, etc.
3> The attention often made modest women uncomfortable, while others encouraged it by extravagant conduct. Loose characters flaunted costly attire in elegant equipages, or appeared walking or riding in male attire. Farn- ham's Cal., 22-3; Barry and Patten, Men and Mem., 138-9.
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SOCIETY.
234
tion to give her a kiss and press a golden ounce into her hand. The effects of these tender sentiments re- mained rooted in the hearts of Californians long after the romance age,36 the only mellow trait with many a one, the only thing sacred being some base imitation of the divine image.
As modest virtue regained the ascendency with the increase of families, indecency retreated, to be sought in the shadow by the men of all classes who, during the earlier absence of social restraint, hesitated not to walk the street beside a prostitute, or yield to the al- lurement of debased female company midst surround- ings far more comfortable and elegant than their own solitary chambers.37 With the subordination to some extent of the grand passion, gambling and other dissi- pations received a check, and higher pastimes and the home circle rose in favor. As any semblance of a woman could be almost sure of speedy marriage, in- tending settlers hastened to bring out female friends and relatives; benevolent persons sought to relieve the surplus market at home,35 and successful men recalled some acquaintance in their native village with whom
36 It was for a long time difficult to find a jury which would convict a woman.
37 Balls were frequently attended at these places by public men of promi- nence, where decorum prevailed, and champagne at high prices was made to pay the cost of supper.
38 Mrs Farnham issued a circular in N. Y., Feb. 1849, offering to take out a number of respectable women, not over 25 years of age, each to contribute $250 for expenses. Mrs F. fell sick, and the enterprise was left in abeyance. Farnham's Cal., 25-7. Subsequently she did bring out a number, adds Clark, Stat., MS., 1-2; Revue Deux Mondes, Feb. 15, 1859, 948-9. A similar futile Parisian enterprise had in view a share of the marriage portion. Puc. News, Nov. 11, 1850. Advertisements for wives were not uncommon. In Sawtelle's Pioneers, MS., 10, is related the repeated contests for and frequent marriage of a Mexican widow. Placer Times, Dec. 15, 1849, boasts of a wedding at- tended by 20 ladies, and the display of dress-coats and kid gloves. A mer- cenary fellow of Shasta advertised admission to his wedding at $5 a ticket, which brought a snug sum with which to start the household. Hutchings' Mag., ii. 567; Cal. Steamer, 25th Anniv., 50-1; Pac. News, Nov. 4, 11, 1850. Adver- tisement for 200 Chilian brides, in Polynesian, v. 202. It is said that Burnett owed his election for governor greatly to being married and having two daughters; his opponent was a bachelor. Hall's Hist., 204; Woods' Sixteen Mo., 75; Pioneer Mag., ii. 80; Hesperian, ii. 10, 494; Shinn's Mining Camps, 137; Fremont's Am. Travel, 100-3, 112. A writer in Overland, xiv. 327, denies the rarity of and stir caused by women, but on insufficient grounds. Merrill's Stat., MS., 10; Soule's Stat., MS., 4.
235
THE OLD HOME.
to open correspondence with a view to matrimony. As a class, the women of this period were inferior in education and manners to the men; for the hardships of the voyage and border life held back the more re- fined; but as comforts increased the better class of women came in,39 and the standard of female respecta- bility was elevated.
Distance did not seem to weaken the bond with the old home,40 to judge especially by the general excite- ment created by the arrival of a mail steamer. What a straining of eyes toward the signal-station on Tele- graph hill, as the time of her coming drew nigh ! What a rush toward the landing! What a struggle to secure the month-old newspaper, which sold readily for a dollar! For letters patience had to be curbed, owing to the scanty provisions at the post-office for sorting the bulky mail Such was the anxiety, how- ever, that numbers took their position in the long line before the delivery window during the preceding day or night, fortified with stools and creature comforts. There were boys and men who made a business of taking a place in the post-office line to sell it to later comers, who would find the file probably extending round more than one block. There was ample time for re- flection while thus waiting before the post-office win- dow, not to mention the agony of suspense, heightened by the occasional demonstration of joy or sorrow on the part of others on reading their letters. 41
The departure of a steamer presented scenes hardly less stirring, the mercantile class being especially earnest in efforts to collect outstanding debts for re- mittance. At the wharf stood preeminent sturdy
39 And diminished the number of California widows left in almost every town of the eastern states; many of them pining and struggling against pov- erty for years in the vain hope of meeting again their husbands.
# As proved, indeed, by later incidents, the war of 1861-5, the railway connection, etc.
# The scene at the post-office is a favorite topic with writers on this period. Instance McCollum's Cal., 62-3; Cassin's Stat., MS., 16-17; Kelly's Excurs., ii. 252-5, with humorous strokes; Borthwick's Cal., 83-5; Cal. Scraps, 126-7; Alta Cal., Ang. 28, 1854, etc.
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SOCIETY.
miners girdled with well-filled belts, their complacent faces turned eastward. Old Californians they boasted themselves, though counting, perhaps, less than a half- year sojourn; many strutting in their coarse and soiled camp attire, glorying in their rags like Antisthenes, through the holes of whose clothes Socrates saw such rank pride peering. Conspicuous by contrast were many haggard and dejected faces, stamped by broken constitutions, soured by disappointment. Others no less unhappy, without even the means to follow them, were left behind, stranded; with hope fled, and having relinquished the struggle to sink perhaps into the out cast's grave.
Housekeeping in these days, even in the cities, was attended by many discomforts. The difficulty of ob- taining female servants, which prevailed even in later years, gave rise to the phenomenon of male house-ser- vants, first in Irish, French, or Italian, and later in Chi- nese form. Fleas, rats, and other vermin abounded; 42 laundry expenses often exceeded the price of new underwear ; 43 water and other conveniences were lack- ing,# and dwelling accommodations most deficient, the flimsy cloth partitions in hotels forbidding privacy.45
For the unmarried men any hovel answered the purpose, fitted as they were for privation by the hard- ships of a sea voyage or a transcontinental journey.
42 The city swarmed with rats of enormous size. Poison being freely scattered to exterminate them, they were driven by pain to the wells, which thus became unfit for use. Torres, Perip., 109. Barry and Patten, Men and Mem., 91-2, allude to the species of rats brought by vessels from different countries, notably the white, pink-eyed rice rat from Batavia. Wilmington Enterprise, Jan. 21, 1875.
43 So that soiled shirts were frequently thrown away. Mrs Tibbey, in Miscel. Stat., MS., 20. The largest laundry flourished at Washerwoman's lagoon, at the western foot of Russian hill. Much linen was sent to Canton and the Hawaiian Islands to be washed.
4 Ver Mehr credits Gillespie with the first carriage in S. F. Mrs Fremont claims it for herself. Am. Travel, 118. Posterity may let them both have it, and lose nothing. Water was at one time brought from Sauzalito in boats and distributed by carts; some wells were then dug, the carts continuing the service.
+ These disturbing causes tended to the breaking up of homes, as instanced by desertion and divorce petitions in 1849-50. Pac. News, Dec. 22, 1849; Jan. 15, 1850; Placerville Democ., Apr. 24, 1875, etc.
237
DRINKING AND GAMBLING.
The bunk-lined room of the ordinary lodging-house, 46 the wooden shed, or canvas tent, could hardly have been more uncomfortable than the foul-smelling and musty ship hold. Thus the high price prevalent for board and lodging, as well as the discomforts attend- ing housekeeping and home life, tended to heighten the allurements of vice-breeding resorts.
Californians have acquired an unenviable reputation by reason of their bar-room drinking propensities. At first this was attributed to the lack of homes and higher recreations; but the increase of drinking- saloons and wide-spread indulgence point for explana- tion to other causes, such as temperament, excitement, strain, and some have said climate.47 The tendency is cognate with the exuberance of the people, with their lavishness and characteristic tendency toward excess, which has also fostered the habit of not drink- ing alone. Solitary tippling is universally stamped as mean; and rather than incur such a stigma the bar-keeper must be invited. Yet the excess is mani- fested less in actual inebriety than in frequent indul- gence at all hours of the day and night, which with the vile adulterations often used, succeeds effectu- ally in killing, or undermining the constitution and morals of thousands. In early days the subtle attrac- tion was increased by contrast between a dismal lodg- ing and the bright interior of the saloon, with its glittering chandeliers, costly mirrors wreathed with inspiring banners, striking and lascivious paintings, inviting array of decanters, perhaps music and sirens, some luring with song and dance, some by a more direct appeal.48 Until far into 1850, when San Fran- cisco introduced street lamps, the reflection from these illuminated hot-beds of vice was about all the light
46 As described elsewhere in connection with dwellings and hotels.
47 The climatic excuse was general as early as 1849. Moore's Pio. Exper., MS., 7.
48 In Sacramento a number of saloon-keepers combined to save the expense of music, but failed. Sac. Transcript, Oct. 14, 1850.
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SOCIETY
the city had, the canvas houses glowing with special effect upon the muddy streets, or throwing their weird light far out into the waters of the bay. In the saloons of the mining towns comfortable chairs and the central stove presented the only relief to a dingy interior, with its card-table, cheap pictures, well- stocked bar, and ever-thirsty hangers-on. The pro- prietor, however, was often a host in himself, as local dignitary, umpire, and news repository; the hail fellow and confidant of everybody, who cared for the wounded and fallen after the knife or pistol skirmish; himself, perhaps, safe behind his sand-bag fortification. The casualties were particularly heavy after an occasional dearth of whiskey, from interrupted traffic during the winter.49 Notwithstanding the forbidding aspect of the field, temperance advocates were present as early as 1849, vainly endeavoring to curb the passion by words.50
Public gambling flourished as a legally authorized vice at all saloons, yet its prevalence led in the cities to the establishment of special gambling-houses. Mining, being itself a chance occupation, gave here an additional impulse to the pastime, which some culti- vated as a mental stimulant, others as an anæsthetic. With easy acquisition losses were less poignant. In San Francisco the plaza was the centre of these re- sorts, with the El Dorado saloon as the dividing point between the low places to the north and the select clubs southward.51" Gay flags and streamers and de- coy lamps strike the eye from a distance; within a blaze of light reveals a moving silhouette of figures.
49 It can readily be understood that such general devotion to the cause must have brought forth many innovations and inventions in the range of drinks. For instances, I refer to Overland, July 1875, 80-1; May 1874, 477; Aug. 1868, 146; Helper's Land of Gold, 66. Also, Saxon's Five Years, 26; Cal. Pilgrim, 54, 136; Mayne's B. Col., 163; Cremony's Apache, 348.
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