USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles County, California, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, residences, fine blocks and manufactories > Part 12
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During all this time he had been heavily engaged in mer- chandising in Los Angeles, as well as in cattle ranching at Inrupa. In 1850 he was a delegate to a convention hell at Santa Barbara for the purpose of procuring a division of tlu State-the southern portion to remain as a Territory. This project, however, failed. After organization of the State, he was elected the first County Clerk of Los Angeles county, Dr. Wilson W. Jones acting as his deputy and receiv- ing all emoluments of the office. Mr. Wilson was also elected Mayor of the city in 1851. In 1852, he was appointed lucian agent for the southern district, by President Fill- more; and assisted Gen. Beale in forming the reservation at Fort Fejon. In 1854, he succeeded the widow of Hugh Reid in ownership of large landed interests at San Gabriel. In 1855, he was elected State Senator from Los Angeles, and served the ensuing term; also in 1869-70. From that time until his death, March 11, 1878, he resided on his Lake Vine- yard Ranch in San Gabriel valley. His first wife having died March 21, 1849, he married Mrs. Margaret S. Hereford, Febru- ary 1, 1553, who survives him, and still resides at Lake Vine- vard with her two unmarried daughters. A daughter of Mr. Wilson, by his first wife, is married to J. De Bath Shorb, Esq., of San Gabriel valley.
WILLIAM WORKMAN was born in England, A. D. 1800, and came to America while quite young. He settled in St. Louis, Missouri, then a frontier town, and engaged in business. From there to Santa Fé. New Mexico, where for a number of years he followed trapping and trading. He accompanied his partner Rowland to Los Angeles in 1841, and they settled
together on the Puente Ranch. He was a partner of F. P. F. Temple in the banking business at las Angeles, INS to ISTS 6, and the failure of that enterprise so preved upon his minel that he committed suicide May 17, 1876. His renmins were interred in the little chapel at La Puente.
F. P. F TEMPLE, a native of Massachusetts, arrived in las Angeles by water during the summer of 1841, and engaged in luisiness with his brother, John Temple, then a leading mer- elunit of the city. He subsequently established a stock ranch near Fort Tejon, and disposed of this (1868) to engage in banking at las Angeles, in partnership with 1 W. Hellman and William Workman. In 1871 this limm dissolved, and the banking honse of Temple and Workman succeeded. This bank failed 1875 5 Mr. Temple died at his ranch April 30, ISSO.
DAVID W. ALEXANDER, an Irishinn by birth, came to Los Angeles from New Mexico, about 18+1 or '12. He ranched at. the Kincou Rauch, San Bernardino county, for a time; also kigt a store in los Angeles. He was elected Sheriff of the county September 5, 1855; served the ensuing term; and again lilled that office in the years 1876 and 77. He now resides at Wilmington.
ALEXANDER BELL was born in Pennsylvania, 1801. tu 1823 he emigrated to the city of Mexico, where he resided until 1842, when he came to Los Angeles, In 1844 he married Dona Nieves Guirado. They had no children, but according to 11. 1) Barrows, Esq., sustained the relation of " padrinos" (godfather and godmother) to more children than any other couple in California. He was engaged in mercantile pursnity in Los Angeles until 1854, and built the block of buildings known as "Bell's Row," fronting on Los Angeles and Miso streets. During the war of ocenpation he commanded a com pany as Captain. He died at Los Angeles July 24, 1871.
IUCHARD S. DEN, M. D., a native of Ireland, landed at Santa Barbara September 1, 1843,' and soon afterward removed to Los Angeles, where he was licensed to practice medicine by the Mexican authorities. During the war of 1846 7, he acted as chief physiciau and surgeon of the Mexican forces in southern California. He also treated the American prisoners continued at Los Angeles Inring the war, including Benjamin D. Wilson and party, captured at the Chino Ranch; Thos. O. Larkin, the only American consul ever appointed in California, etc., etc. Dr. Den has never changed his nationality. Hle still resides in Los Angeles.
HENRY DALTON, English, resided in Los Angeles prior to 1845, and was a merchant there at the time of the American vecupation. He still resides at Azusa.
JOSE MASCAREL, French, arrived in Los Angeles in 1844, and las resided there ever since. He was elected Mayor of
38
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
the city in 1865, and has served several terms in the Common C'ouneil. He has erected several fine blocks of buildings in the city, and has also been largely identified with orchards and vineyards in the neighborhood. Is still a resident.
CHAPTER XIII.
POLITICAL DISTURBANCES.
(1835-1845.)
llijar's Revolution -- Its Result-Figueroa's Death-Jose Castro-Nicolas Gu- tierrez-Mariano Chico-Gutierrez Restored-I'rabam's Revolution-Al- varado Governor- War with Carillo-Carillo Imprisoned-Arrests at Los Angeles-Arrest of Graham nud His Companions-Character of Alvarado's Government-Revenue Frands-Arrival of Manuel Micheltorena-Fetes aml Festivities -- Seizure of Monterey by Commodore Jones-AH a Mistake -A Terrified Governor-The Earthworks on Fort Hill-A Disputed Ques- tion-Account of Com. Jones' Visit to Los Angeles-Physical Appearance of the Country-A Brilliant Reception-Extraordinary Demands-The Ball-Return of the Articles Unapproved-The Departure-A Historie House -- Micheltorena Assumes Control-In Bad Odor-Alvarado's Revo- Intion-Americans versns Americans-A Terrible Engagement-Fearful Bloodsbed-Diplomacy-An Armistice-Capitulation-Micheltorena Ban. ished-l'in l'ico Governor-" That Mule."
IN a former chapter (X ) we have described Hijar's colonization expedition of 1834, and how he failed of becoming Governor in place of Figueroa. He appears to have been treated by the latter with all courtesy, and was given territory at San Fran- cisco Solano -- on the north side of San Francisco Harbor -- for his colony. But this was not what he wanted. He had come to California as Governor thereof, and he set about accomplish- ing his original purpose, in true Mexican style. Two of his agents, named respectively Torres and Apalatey, departed secretly for Los Angeles; organized a force of some fifty mal- contents at Los Nietos Ranch; proclaimed Hijar Governor; marched into Los Angeles on March 7, 1835; took possession of the town; were betrayed by their followers the same after- noon, and were packed off to Mexico by Governor Figueroa, a few days later as prisoners, along with the man whose cause they had so unwisely esponsed. Thus began and ended the Hijar revolution -all in one day. Upon September 29, 1835, Governor Figueroa died, and his remains were interred with many ceremonies at Santa Barbara. He had b. en a good Gov- ernor, and very popular with the better classes of people, who sincerely mourned his loxs.
He was succeeded by José Castro, who aeted as Governor, cul interim, from August, 1835, to January, 1836, when he gave place to Nicolas Gutierrez, who assumed control under the will of Figueroa and served from January, 1836, to April, 1836, when he was in turn displaced by Mariano Chico, sent up by the home government. Chico's tyranny, however, made
him so unpopular that a few months later he was expelled from the Territory, and in August, 183G, Nicolas Gutierrez once more assumed the gubernatorial seat.
In November following, a revolution was inaugurated at Monterey, by Isaae Graham and other American residents, against Gutierrez, in favor of Juan Bautista Alvarado, a native Californian, who for some years had been Secretary of the Territorial Depntation. One shot from a brass four-pounder, directed at the presidio-where the Governor had intrenehed himself-brought him to terms, and Alvarado became Gov- ernor. He immediately proclaimed California a free and independent State. Mexico, as usual, fulminated many quires of furious proclamations ; promised dire vengeance to Alvarado, and appointed his uncle Carlos Carillo, Governor of the Territory. Los Angeles espoused the cause of Carillo, and declared its adherence to Mexico. Carillo immediately declared war; but Alvarado sent Graham and a few more Americans down, took his belligerent uncle captive, imprisoned him at Santa Barbara, despatched a letter of explanation to Mexico detailing all he had done, was duly applauded-his acts ratified -and his seat confirmed by the pusillanimous Home Govern- ment.
Yet he was not wholly at ease, as the following incident will show: We quote from Col. Warner's "Historical Sketch," before referred to.
In April, 1838, a small body of men, under the command of Clemente Espinosa, an ensign, was sent from Santa Barbara hy Colonel Jose Maria Villa, a partizan of Governor Alvarado and General Castro, to capture certain persons suspected of being engaged in a plan to over- throw the government of Alvarado, and replace Governor Carillo in authority. The party of Espinosa entered Los Angeles in the night, and camped on the open space in front of tho old Catholic church. The inhabitants discovered upan opening the doors of their dwellings on the following morning that the town had been captured, or rather that it was then held by armed men from abroad, who soon commenced a general search in the houses of the citizens for suspected persons. Quite a num' er were arrested, among whom were Jose Antonio Car- rillo, a hrother of the deposed Governor: Pio Pico, Andres Pico and Gil Ybarra, the then Alcalde of Los Angeles, together with about half a dozen more of the most prominent native citizens of the place. They were all taken north as prisoners of war. The only casualty which occurred was the breaking of the arm of J. J. Warner, by one of Expi- nosa's men, in consequence of his inability to inform them where Don Pio Pico could be found, and his resistance to an order of arrest for refusing permission to have his house searched for suspected per- sons.
In 1840, occurred a disturbance which, as it involved the liberties of many Americans and other foreigners, requires more than a passing notice. There have been many accounts of the affair, more or less conflicting in detail. We select that contained in "Tuthill's History of California," page 145.
As Alvarado grew easy in his seat, the rememberance that he owed his elevation tu foreigners began to chafe him. There were subjects of his who slapped him on the shoulder, and forgot the dignity that belonged to the executive. Graham, the Tennessean, was especially obnoxious, for he did not mind telling the Governor to his face that. but for his aid, his excellency would still be simply a clerk. It was at
last an absolute necessity to get the Tennessean out of the way. The unisance was intolerable, and fortune provided an early excuse l'ar abating it. Graham had challenged all the country to produce a switter hor-e on the race-course than the one he had trained. A Yan- kee accepted the challenge, and, to make the bargain sure, the terms of the race were drawn up in writing. The spies of Alvarado got a passing glimpse of the document, and construed it into a terrible plot to overthrow all that was stahle in California.
Castro was sent with an armed force to arrest Graham, in the dead of night. Other Americans, and some Enropeans, about a hundred in all, were seized and taken to Monterey. Some, who were considered the most dangerous, were conducted to Santa Barbara, and afterwards fifteen or twenty of them were embarked, in chains, to San Blas, This event, which was celebrated with a mass and a general thanksgiving. occurred in May, 1840. Two months later, a French ship, and the American man-of-war St. Louis entered the harbor of Monterey. Now was Alvarado in a most unhappy predicament. Vallejo was not pres- ent, and Castro had gone to Mexico with the prisoners. Fortunately. in the very nick of time, he heard, or feigned to hear, of a disturbance among the Indians in the interior. He slipped off at once to attend to that, nor did he return till the ships of war, finding no party to get an apology from. had sailed again. Then everything went on in its old career of quiet dilapidation until 1842.
To the consternation of Alvarado. and the amazement of everybody. in July of that year the exiled foreigners returned to Montercy. They came in a Mexican vessel, were much improved in personal ap pearance, and admirably armed. In their absence they had been maintained by government, and now they were sent home at its expense. This extraordinary issue of their exile had been accomplished through the urgency of the British consul at Mexico, who succeeded besides in getting the guard of the prisoners themselves imprisoned.
In opposition to this, we refer the reader back to what Mr. Benjamin D. Wilson relates of Graham's character, and to his version of the affair. (Chapter XII, " Pioneers," biography of Isaac Graham.)
From the record of the United States Exploring Expedition, 1841. it would seem that Alvarado's government was none of the hest. Referring to the ports of Monterey, Santa Barbara and San Pedro, the writer says :-
The destruction of the missions, and the onerous laws, duties and prohibitions, have nearly destroyed the little traffic that once existed, and it is now all transferred to the Bay of San Francisco. There a few hulks may be seen lying, furnished with every needful article. These keep up an illicit intercourse hy connivance with the officers of the Customs, by whose cupidity the Revenne laws are openly infringed. and what of right belongs to the Government goes to enrich the Gov. ernor and his officers. Although I was prepared for anarchy and con- fusion, I was surprised when I found a total absence of government in California, and even its forms and ceremonies thrown aside. When soldiers were drafted, they insolently refused to serve.
In August, 1842. General Manuel Micheltorena arrived at San Diego from Mexico, empowered to assume control as Gov- ernor of the Californias. He had already achievedl some repu- tation as a soldier, under Santa Ana, in the Texan campaign, and everywhere the people received him with demonstrations of joy.
He marched to Los Angeles, and his progress through the country was marked by a series of ovations. Arrived in the city, he was received with distinguished honor. A series of grand dinners, fandangoes and bull-fights kept him so well amused, that it was the middle of October before he again resumed his journey toward Monterey.
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PUBLISHED BY THOMSON L WEST
"VILLA DE PAREDON BLANCO" RESIDENCE OF J.E.HOLLENBECK, 114 MILES SOUTH-EAST OF LOSANGELES, CAL.
39
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
At this time Commodore Ap Catesby Jones commanded the I'miled States squadron in the Pacific. Hearing a rumor That war had been derlared between the United States and Mexico, he wailed not for confirmation thereof, but straightway pourneed down with the Frigate United States and sloup of war Cyone, and took possession of Monterey. This was on the 19th of October, 1842. Alvarado surrendered the Capital without a blow, and Commodore Joney straightway hoisted the Stars and Stripes over the presidio, and declared California a part of the United States. Twenty-four hours later he learned of his mistake, and hanling down the lag so premna- turely raised, apologized to the local authorities for the " seare " he had given them, and departed- "a sadder and a wiser 121211."
General Micheltorena had reached the neighborhood of San Buenaventura on the twenty-fourth, when the news of Com- modore JJones' action of the nineteenth reached him by express. Then-
" There was mounting in hot haste."
Hle waited not to hear the sequel, but tled back to Los Angeles with such precipitation that his camp equipage was scattered along the line of his flight, and lost; the United States Goverment having subsequently to pay therefor upon hills presented by this shameless poltroon.
According to Colonel Warner, upon reaching Los Angeles, Micheltoren at once set his men to work throwing up cartha- works upon Fort Hill, overlooking the city: and had made considerable progress, when word came that Monterey had been restored, an apology made, and that. Commodore Jones would he happy to wait. on his Excellency, at Los Angeles, and pay his respeets to him. The work was then abandoned."
Relieved of his terrors, General Micheltorena speedily resumed all his wonted pomposity. He now prepared to receive this presumptuous gringo, who had dared to frighten him nearly out of his wits. The following somewhat Howery) account of Comnoilore Jones' visit to him at Los Angeles is compiled from a narrative thereof, written by one of' the Commodore's staff, and published in the Los Angeles Southern Vineyard, 1858 9:
On January 17, 1843, the United States sloop-of-war Cyane anchored in the port of San Pedro, and about 7 r. M a light was hoisted im shore as n signal. This was also followed by a discharge of small arms at intervals. A boat was thereupon dispatched to ascertain what was wanted, and shortly returned with an aid-de-camp, bearing a letter of invitation to the pueblo, from General Micheltorena to Commodore Jones.
Tlw invitatirai was acceptsl, and on the following morning the Commodore and his staff Fsembarked On reaching the shore the party were agrecably surprises to find that cooks had arrived, and preparations been made to serve theus with a bot lunch before starting The only hous then at the port was a large warehouse and hotel in our, quadrangular in form with transverse wings, owned by All Stearns, Iming without doubt the same building Richard II Dana had noticed eight years before, but some what enlargedl.
The escort sent by General Micheltorna consisted of the General's six-seated baronche, drawn by three horses abreast. in which was seated Major Medina, his chief aide-de-enmp, in full statt costume, displaying on his left breast three ligen. won on as many battle fields, sundry saddle horses some of them richly and gaudily caparisoned-a retime of ont riders. and a military escort of five aul twenty lancers, un ler a portly and happyy looking captain.
Alighting from the carriage, the aidede camp presented himself to Commodore Jones, saying that in obedience to the commands of his chief he had the honor to report himself, and to await commands from the Commodore. After dinner the party started for Los Angeles, the Commodore and chief otli- cers of his statl' being seated in the carriage, while the others followed on horseback. We now quote from the published narrative :-
As already said, the carriage was drawn by three horses; but these were attached to it in a manner peculiar to the Spanish people in the Ameriens. IFarness is entirely dispensed with, save the pote and strapa, which are lashed to the logger-head of the saddle of the center horse, and a single trace or tug-rope leading from the pommels of the saddles of the outside horses to the fore-axle-tree of the carriage. The horses are not conpled, nor in any manner attached to each other. consequently each one is governed by its own rider. In this manner the horses are urged on at the top of their power on level ground, and on rising hill. While descending a hill, the two outside horses sul- denly fall to the rear of the carriage, veering out enough of the tny ropes to clear the hind wheels, when all the power of these two horses is exerted in holding back. to keep the carriage from running over the me at the pole end, which it is clear from what has been said. camit hold back, or do more than keep out of the way of the pursuing vehicle.
On this occasion uur postillions were taken from the military escorl. so that the novelty of the equipage was not a little heightened by the gay dress, the painted lance with its tri-colored flag flirting in the wind, and the carbine dangling on the thigh of the rider. or striking on the flank of the steed as he danced over the plain. The rate uf traveling on level ground was ten or twelve miles per hour, so that a change of horses was frequently necessary; hut this was effected with- out a moment's loss of time. The order given, a lancer from the rear would dart up to the horse he was to relieve. receive the tug-rope from the previous occupant, who, wheeling out of the track, would fall in the rear, when all woubl be right again, the speed of the carriage being not in the least interrupted.
Now fairly on the road. our party consisted of about forty, all told, and a more grotesque troop has seldom been seen anywhere, and never in the United States. Imagine the society of "1)dd Fellows." mounted upon odd-looking horses, oddly caparisoned, and no le-+ oddly appointed, and you may form a faint idea of our triumphant entry juto the " City of the Angels."
The ronte of this grotesque cavalcade lay over an arid plain
many leagues in extent. furrowed by deep, dry ravines, wholly destitute of herbage, and with no free or shrub in sight for the whole distance, save prickly cactus. As it happened. this was a dry year, and though now the middle of January, little or no rain had fallen Yet there was some evidence of past vege tabl lif . if nom at present. The writer continues:
But not with standing the almost total absence of living vegetation in this plam, we had ample proof of the amazing fertility of the unlin the growth of black mustard, then in a dry state. This plant, which in the best cultivated garden- of Virginia seblom attains three feet in light, on the plains of San Pedro reaches to eight or nine. Verily. not only do the birds of the air take shelter under its branches, hat the cattle of a thon-and hills grow fat on it; ant the inhabitants of the country use the dry stalks as paling to enclose their yards; even many of the home- in the town of the Angels are thatched with it.
In the following passage he probably refers to Sepulveda's Rancho, mentioned hy Dans. (" Twa Yrars before the Mast." p. 222, note. :
Two leagnes from the port is the first and only habitation for man, between the port of San Pedro and the village of Angel -. This is mstu- uted at the head of an arm of the sea where several of the ravines befure described disentbogue themselves, and where sweet watera frem living springs commingle with the salt of orean. Here, then, are two indispensables for the health and maintenance of cutthe tthe staple of Califormas final at one and the same spot. It is to this toxis voet herds of horned enttle and of horses resort for water and salt. mpf un this account pounds have been here provided, within which to collect the herds at stated periods, whether for the purpose of branding and marking, or for stanghter, to obtain the hides and tullow, the flesh being of little value, owing to lack of demand, * * * * * * * *
The whole of our journey way enlivened by innumerable flocks and varieties of birds, which coverrd the plin in every direction as far as the oye conhl see. Here were the large Spanish corlews, with several varieties of plover, the sweet little skylark, which abounds on the shores of the Potomac, the wild goose and white hrant, the latter cov. ering aeres and acres of ground, and so tame that they might love been shot From the carriage windows had we heen provided with fowl. ing pieces. * * *
Our journey was nuinterrupted by accident, though not witlant incident. A short distance beyond the rancho or settlement before mentioned. our attention wis attracted to a native horseman crossing the plain at foll speed, and directing his course toward n number of unfettered horse- browsing on the dry mustard. As the horseman approached the pack, brandishing his lasso over his head, and nitering a certain peculiar sound, to which the hordes of this conutry urr never dent; they suddenly formed into compact order, solid square, and at the word moved off at a rapid gait, taking a direction so as to interact the main road at a point we were then approaching. We were informed that this pack of horses were unclaimed property, subject to the use of any travelers needing them, and that the drove would attend ns for the purpose of furnishing relays, ax those of our cavalcade tired under the severe duty of the double trip of thirty miles cach way, withont food, and without water more than once. This new acquisition to our retinue formed what I suppose I must call the reserver corps, and fell to the rear. but not until a sufficient number had relieved anch of those on duty as had become too much wearied to continue the rapid speed at which we were traveling.
It was nightfall before the travelers reached the outskirts of Los Angeles, when a halt was called and couriers were dis- patched to give notice of their arrival. They then once more moved forward at the same headlong pace and drew np before the residence of Don Abel Stearns, who was to be their host. The writer continues :-
. This statement by Colonel Warner has called forth considerable contro- versy from Stephen C. Foster and several others, who maintain that ground was never broken upon this hilt until the arrival of Cook's Morwoon battalion, in 1547; and that they performed the first and only earth. wurk ever done there. Nevertheless, Colonel Warner stands by the statement contained in the text.
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