USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles County, California, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, residences, fine blocks and manufactories > Part 3
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San Diego Mission was founded July 16, 1769. Monterey June 3, 1770.
CHAPTER III.
THE ABORIGINES.'
Past and Present foropared-Tribe and Language-Government-Religion- Tradition of the Creation-Food and Raiment-Marriage-Births-Buri- als-Medicine and Disease-Customs-Fewls-Commerce-Money-Uten- ails-Games -- Feasts and Festivals-Funeral Feasts-Engle Feasts-Leg- ends and Traditions-The Pleiades-Orpheus and Eurydice-The Son of God-The Cuwot-The Moon Mother.
A SEA-NYMPH, fresh from her native surge ! An Aphrodite, new-born! A Ceres, at rest! A Bacchante, wrapped in shim- ber ! Her head pillowed upon the mountains; her brows girt with odorous pine; her breasts with orange, and myrtle, and clustering vines-her zone with yellow graiu-hier limbs with wild flowers. With one hand nestling mid snowy summits, the other toying with sun-lit waves; she rests-the chosen of Apollo, and bathed in his glances ever, dreams, and dreams, aud dreams the years away !
Such might be esteemed a poetic picture of Los Angeles eounty to-day, but how different was that scene which met the gaze of the Spanish missionaries. Truly-
The hills, Rock-ribbed, and ancient as the sun; the vales Stretching in pensive quietness between; The venerable woods: rivers that move In majesty, and the complaining brooks That make the meadows green; and poured round all Old Ocean's gray and melancholy waste-
All these were here, as now; but tradition tells of a time, long distant in the lapse of years, when this great valley, throughont its whole expanse, was a mighty cienegu, covered with leafy forest oaks and sycamores, willows, and underbrush. Drought and the vandal hand of man have shorn the robe of nature, yet at the period whereof we now write, enough remained to indicate what once had been. Even then it was not the puny rivulet of to-day, ravished of its store by count- less ditches, that opposed the foot of the wayfarer, but the lordly " Porciuncula," deep and rapid, on whose banks the wild deer full, and on whose bosom floated myriads of water- fowl.
Where stands the " Angel City " now, in stately pride of brick and stone, then stood the Indian village " Yang-na," in all its primitive simplicity of reeds and twigs. Here dwelt the aborigines by the cairns of their ancestors. Here, oblivious of civilization with its injustices and cruelties, its doubts and per- plexities, and happy in their ignorance, they reigned-first occupants, sole possessors, and-as they believed, paramount lords of the soil.
TRIBE AND LANGUAGE.
The Indians inhabiting what is now Los Angeles county, were formerly comprised in one great tribe or family, divided into villages under distinct chiefs, speaking the same language throughout, with but slight local differences of pronunciation. Civil war was noknown among them, and common cause way ever made against a common enemy. They had, in all, some forty villages, including settlements upon the islands of Santa Catalina and San Clemente. The Indians of San Bernardino constituted a distinct tribe, and were regarded as an inferior race by their Los Angeles cousins, who called them " Serranus" or mountaineers.
The valley Indians made their huts of stieks, and covered them with flag mats. Each village contained from 500 to 1,500 huts. "Suunga" was the most populous, and was of great extent. This tribe had no distinguishing appellation. The word " Cuhuille," in their language, signified simply " Master." With this title they saluted their Spanish visitors, and through a blunder of these, by this name have they ever since been. known.
Their language is described as having been " soft and musi- eal, simple, rich, and abounding in compound expressive terms." Thirty years ago, it had become-in its purity. a thing of the past, and is now probably quite extinet.
GOVERNMENT.
Their government was invested in chiefs, cach village hav- ing its own. The office was hereditary, and when the direct line ran out, the nearest of kin was elected. There was lunt little crime. Roblery was unknown. Murder and incest were punished with death. So much in abhorrence was this latter crime held, that marriage between kinsfolk was uot allowed. Differences between members of the same lodge were deeidled by the chief upon the evidence. Between members of distinct lodges, each chief heard only the testimony of his own people, then the two chiefs met and agreed on a decision; or, failing to agree, called in a third chief, and his decision was final. Corporal punishment was not practiced. Fines were paid in shell-money, food, or skins, Marital infidelity (on the part of the wife) was punishable with death at the hand of the aggrieved husband ; or he might, at discretion, compel an exchange for the spouse of her paramour. Children were under control of their parents (or nearest relations) until the age of puberty, when they came within the jurisdiction of the chief. Wizards (they had no witches) could be punished only by brethren of the craft, sinee such conversed with the "Great Spirit." War was declared by a council of all the chiefs, and prisoners were tortured to death only in the pres- ence of a similar council. The war-tlanee is said to have been " grand, solemm, and maddening."
ยท For the matters related in this chapter, we are indebted largely to the very able essays of the late Hugo Reid, published in the Los Angeles Stur, 1832, and republished in that paper in 1869 .- ED.
IDIOM
. DICATA
SUB CONVOCATIONE SANCTE VIBIANAE V.
A.D.18.7.6
PUBLISHED BY THOMPSON & WEET.
VIEW OF CATHEDRAL & BISHOP'S RESIDENCE, LOS ANGELES CITY, CAL.
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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
RELIGION.
They believed in one Good, the Creator, whose name-" Qua- "-ar!" was rarely spoken, and never save in a low and reverend voice. They usually referred to him by one of his attributes, as " Y-yo-ha-ring-main"-"The Giver of Life"-they had but one word for life and soul. Their theolegy knew no devil, and no hell, prior to the advent of the missionaries; and they have ever since maintained, that these, being a foreign innova- tion, concern the foreigners only. They looked for no resurrec- tion of the body, but firmly believed in a spiritual existence after death. The souls of wizards were supposed to enter animals-especially bears. Eagles, owls, crows, and porpoises were held sacred. The first in memory of a mighty chief, who took on that form at death. The second as a harbinger of death. The third as foretelling the approach of strangers: The fourth as appointed guardians of the earth, constantly encompassing it to see that all is safe.
Their tradition of the creation runs-that at first chaos reigned. Out of this God formed the world, and placed it on the shoublers of seven giants, created to that end. Each has his name, and when either moves, an earthquake is the conse- menee. Next, animals were formed, and last of all, the man "Tobohur" and the woman "Pubarit." These were wrought by the Divine hand from different strata of earth, and presented, each to each, mutually to comfort and to bless. Then God ascended up into Heaven, where he awaits and receives the souls of all who die.
Each village Ind its church, woven of basket work, and circular in form. This building was saered ever, yet was con- seerated anew whenever used. A similar, but unconsecrated building served for rehearsal, and the religious education of youth designed for the priesthood. Only scers and captains, male dancers, and female singers (all of whom took part in the service), were permitted to enter the consecrated church except on funeral occasions, when near relatives of the deceased were also auchmitted. The services consisted in asking vengeance on enemies, returning thanks for victory, and rehearsing the merits of dead heroes; together with the appropriate dances, songs, and gesticulations. Invocations were addressed to the Church, ns the nearest approach allowable to speech with the " (ireat Spirit."
FOOD AND RAIMENT.
For food they used deer, cayotes, squirrels, rats, badgers' gophers, raccoons, skunks, wildcats, crows, blackbirds, hawks, ground owls, and snakes, but not the rattle-snake. Bear-meat was generally rejected on superstitions grounds. Locusts.and grass-hoppers were toasted before the fire, and eaten as a dainty. Fish, seals, whales, sea-otter, and shell-fish, formed the principal Food of the coast and island villages. Of vegetables
they used acorns (made into mish , wild cherry pits, seeds, and berries. All their food was eaten cold, and salt need very spar- ingly,-" because it torned the hair gray."
The men went entirely naked, lost the women had each a drer skin or sea-otter skin, wrapjul about the middle. Rablit skins, ent square and sewed together, formed a covering at night, Rings in the nosse were not used, Int both men and women wore car-rings; the former, pieces of read only, lait the latter, most elaborate affairs, constructed out of whales' treth, shells, and feathers. The women wore also necklaces and bracelets, composed of money-shells, whales' teeth, and small Hack stones. During the flower season, both women and children decked themselves in great splendor, entwining flowers in their hair, and also plaiting them into long hoas, which they wore about their necks.
MARRIAGE.
When a girl arrived at the age of puberty, it was hailed as a joyful event by all her relatives. She was now purified in the same manner as was a woman at chill-hirth, and the fact of her lwing marriageable was published far and near.
Only the chiefs might practice polygamy; their subjects were restricted to one wife. When a match was made the 'act was duly advertised by both parties. On the appointed day, all the make relatives of the man, even to the nineteenth cousin, assemlded at his tent, and each contributed a small sum of shell-money toward the purchase-price of the bride; the amount expected from each being equivalent to abmt. twenty-five cents of our money. The assemblage then ad- journed to the bride's quarters, and divided the collection among her female relatives there assembled to receive it. A few days later these returned the compliment by taking to the prospective bridegroom's quarters baskets of meal, which was duly divided among his male relatives. These preliminaries over, a day was fixed for the marriage ceremony.
The bride being decked with innumerable strings of heads, paint, feathers, and skins, she was taken in the arms of one of her male relatives, who carried her, dancing, toward the bridegroom's tent. All- her family, friends, and neighbors accompanied her, dancing around, and casting food and seeds at her feet, which were duly scrambled for by the spectators. The relatives of the man met the procession half way, and tak- ing the bride, carried her themselves, dancing as they went, into the bridegroom's tent, where they placed her by his si le. Now baskets of seeds were poured over their heads-this to denote blessing and plenty, and this " bride's seed cake " hay- ing been duly scrambleel for by the attendant crowd. the couple were left to enjoy their honeymoon.
A grand dance followed the welding; at this hunters and warriors frequently appeared in character, each attended by
his wife, who went through all the mimiery of carrying and skinning game, or despatching wounded enemies, as the chosen avocation of her husband required.
From this time forth the loide never visited her relatives. though they might visit. her at will. If her lord ill- trentod her she gave notice of the fact to her kin, who would gather up the purchase money paid for her, return it to her hus- land, take possession of her, and at once re marry her to samme utl.cr.
BIRTHIS.
On the birth of a child the mother and babe were purified by the following process;
In the center of a hint a large hole was dng, an immense fire kindled therein, and stones heated until red hut. Now bundles of wild tansy were cast in, and the whole covered with earth, excepting only a small aperture in the middle. Over this the two were placed, wrapped in a mat, funnel fashion, while cold water was gradually poured in upom the tire below. The mecheated steam, rushing forth in volume, caused the poor woman to skip and leap not a little, and shortly produced in- tense perspiration Finally, mother and child lay down on the warin earth, and were carefully covered up. This operation was repeated morning and evening for three days, during which time the woman was allowed no food, and only arm water to drink. After this she was allowed vegetable food at. discretion, but no animal diet for the space of " two moons." At the end of this time, three pills, compounded of meat and wild tolawren in equal parts, were administered to her; and from henceforth she was free to eat whatever she pleased. Bat not until the chill conhl run about was she privileged to share her husband's bed. Asa rule, the children were remark . ably hardy, and soon learned the use of their legs.
When a child was born to a chief, the okl women immedi- ately assembled, and washing it, drank the water with great gusto. They then joined in a dance around the happy father, singing his praises, and prophesying the future renown of his little one.
BURIALS.
Upon a death occurring, all those of kin to the deceased collected from l'ar and near to mourn their loss. Then ensued a very babel of grief, each mourner crying or howling in a manner peculiar to himself; every voice being as easily distin- guished in the general discord as are the sounds of different instruments in a modern orchestra. After a time this was succeeded by a dirge, sung in unison, in a low whining tone, and having for accompaniment a shrill whistle, produced by blowing into the hollow leg-bone of a deer. A monotonous beating of the feet on the ground accompanied the ceremonies, which were kept up until the body showed signs of decay,
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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
when it was interred, together with offerings of seeds and food, according to the means of the family.
If deceased was head of a family, or a person of importance, the hut in which he lived and all his personal effects, were burned; only some small article, ay a lock of hair, being reserved, not as a memento, but wherewith to make a feast upon some future occasion.
MEDICINE AND DISEASE.
Their medical men were esteemed as wizards and seers. They created diseases and cured them; bewitched and poisoned those who offended them; made rain, consulted the "Good Spirit" and received answers; had power to change their forms at will, into the semblance of divers creatures; and pos- sessed foreknowledge of coming events. They were held in deep dread and reverence by the common people, who firmly believed in all their alleged powers.
Syphilis, ardent spirits, and high-living, the " Erinn.yes" of modern civilization, were to this people unknown; therefore the practice of medicine resolved itself into a science of sim- ples. Toothache was unheard of, and they carried their teeth perfect to the grave. Rheumatism was treated with numer- ous small blisters, made by burning dry nettle stalk upon the flesh. These were immediately opened. Lumbago was cured by sweating the patient for twenty or thirty hours at a stretch. For fever, a bolus of wild tobacco was administered. Vomiting was produced by a decoction of herbs, accompanied by manipulation, and, in very extreme cases, a song by the Seer. Local inflammation was treated by blood-letting, sharp flints taking the place of lancets. For paralysis, stagnation of the Wood, ete., the patient was whipped with nettles, and given the juice of thorn-apples to drink. The flesh of mud- turtles was considered a specific for decline; but this disease was of very rare occurrence.
Strangury was cured by steaming the patient as in the puri- fication of women, only that marsh-mallows were used instead of tansy. After this a large ball of masticated tobacco was administered, which, causing great depression and relaxation of the nervous system, frequently had the desired effect. In obstinate cases this treatment was supplemented by sueking the surface immediately over the region of the bladder. This operation was performed with divers rites and ceremonies, such as smoking to the "Great Spirit," pressure and rubbing of the part, and the singing of a religious incantation.
Snake-bites were cured by the application of herbs and ashes to the wound; while herbs, ashes, and fine dust from the nests of ants, were also administered internally.
The poison for arrows was prepared by the seers. Fire was supposed to destroy its hurtful properties, therefore the flesh of animals killed by these weapons, was cooked and eaten with-
out fear. The fact was, that the alleged poison was only harmless gall, boiled down to the consisteney of honey. The seers also pretended to be acquainted with poisons so deadly that contact alone would produce death, while others, of which they had the secret, required one, two, or even as many as twelve moons, to accomplish that end. Thus an enemy could be killed instantly, or made to die a lingering death; the time of his dissolution being gauged by the will of his destroyer.
CUSTOMS.
Before starting on a hunting expedition, the hunters stung themselves all over with nettles, but especially in the eyes, the lids being opened, and the nettle leaves introduced underneath. This was to make them watchful, vigilant, and clear-sighted. The skin of a deer's head and neck was then drawn over the head of each; and thus equipped, they would steal upon a herd, skillfully counterfeiting the habits of the animal, and rarely failing to come so close, that their first arrows were a certainty.
To ensure hardihood (for dread of pain, even in women was esteemed disgraceful), they would lie down on the hills of the large red ant, and have handfuls of these plaeed upon their stomachs, and about their eyes. Lastly, to ensure a full dose, they swallowed quantities of the ants-alire !
The children were not without some education in the forms of politeness. If water was desired by an adult, the boy or girl wbo brought it must not taste thereof until their elder was satisfied. If two persons were in conversation, a child might not pass between, but must go around on either side. No male, from childhood, might call his sister "liar" even in jest.
Feuds were of long continuance, frequently descending through many generations; especially if between members of different tribes. They were only active however in annual " song fights " of eight days, duration, during which each party upbraided his enemy to his heart's content, in choice metrical " Billingsgate," and foretold tbe delight he would some day experience, in stamping on the grave of his adversary. In 1852 a feud of this kind, commenced in San Bernardino long before the advent of the Spaniards, was still celebrated in yearly " song fights" at. San Gabriel and San Juan Capistrano, where dwelt the respective descendants of the original belliger- ents.
The name of Deity was never taken in vain. The nearest approach to an oath, was-" Niomare !"-Bless me !"
Friends saluted each other with " Are aha ?"-" How are you ?" To which the response was " Tchepko"- " Well," or " Chainoc"-" Unwell," as the case might be. At parting, there was no farewell. The visitor said simply " Yamu nimi!" -" I am going !" and his host responded " Mea !"-"Go !" Paint, when used upon the person, had different significa-
tions. Warriors and dancers painted in varied colors. Youny females, " in love," painted sparingly on both checks with red ochre. Women of middle and advanced age, used the same plentifully, to prevent sunburn.
Summer began with the croaking of the frogs. By this season and by the declination of the sun, North and South, long periods of time were reekoned; shorter periods by days and moons.
Boys were trained as messengers, and continued in this ser- vice until worn out. Swiftness of foot was distinguished by a string of buckskin tied about the neck. Messages were oral, and must be delivered in the words and gestures of the sender, requiring a good memory on the part of the messenger.
This people were not mueh given to roaming. One of their numher, however, once traveled North to "where the geese breed," and he must have been a veritable Munchausen. He reported having visited one nation whose cars reached to the hips ! Another of dwarfs; and a third so perfeet, that they would take a live animal, and "inhale its essence," casting away the remainder, which on examination, proved to be ercrement.
They were acquainted with the North star " Romi: " and also with the cardinal points-" Fumi," North; " Kitumi," South; " Crumi," East; " Payni," West.
COMMERCE.
As a circulating medlimin, they used pieces of shells, circular in form, less in diameter than a five cent niekel, strung on long strings, a hole being bored through the centre of each. Eight yards of these ranked about the value of an American dollar. Their mode of measurement consisted in meting from the knuekles of the left hand to the point of the middle finger, thence round to the wrist, and back again the same way to within one ineli of the wrist. This quantity was called "pucu ponco," and a real. of Spanish currency subsequently received the same name. They counted up to seven times, but having no eight times in their vocabulary, they also adoptedl the Spanish dollar, which they called "puen peso." Thus they had a circulating medium and legal tender, wherewith to conduct trade, when barter could not be employed.
The coast Indians produced money, fish, sea-otter skins, and soap-stone pots; those of the interior deer-skins, seeds, ber- ries, etc .; and each exchanged with the other.
UTENSILS.
Hemp was spun from nettles, and served for nets, fishing lines, thread, etc. Needles, fish-hooks, awls, and many similar articles, were made from shell and bone. A knife of cune was used for cutting meat. Mortars and pestles were wronght with great labor, by means of sharp stones as tools, ont of solid
PUBLISHED BY THOMPSON & WERT.
VIEW SHOWING ORANGE & LEMON GROVES & RESIDENCE OF JOS . W . WOLF!
2
4
WOLFSKILL, BETWEEN ALAMEDA SAN PEDRO STREETS, LOS ANGELES. CAL.
C . SMITH & CO LITH. OAKLAND CAI ..
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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
granite. They were well- formed, usually ahont sixteen inches wide at the top, ten at the bottom, ten high, and two inches thick. The perseverance necessary to complete one of them, may be imagined. Their procent clay pots were at that time mknown, their manufacture being subsequently learned from the Spaniards. Their cooking pots were procured from the Indians of Santa Catalina Island, and were made of soap-stone. They were about an inch in thickness, and had covers of the same material. In addition to these they had numerous baskets, made of rushes; those used for liquids being plastered inside and out with pitch, called by them " sanot."
GAMES.
These were few, and all of a gambling character. The favorite was "chuchucke," (Sp. " pron") and consisted in gres- ing within which of the opponent's hands a small piece of stick was concealed. Four persons on each side composed a set. Singers, and an umpire were hired for the occasion. No word was spoken, all guesses being indicated by sigus. This game constituted their ruling passion, and upon the result they frequently wagered their little all even the favors of their wives, and sometimes their permanent. possession. The by- standers bet npon the result quite as heavily as did the players.
Football was nikuown, but was learned later from the Indians of San Diego.
FRASTS AND FESTIVALS.
They had many leasts, but two principal ones Funeral frasts, and Eagle Teusts, At such times, l'our poles were planted around the church building at the cardinal points; each pole being ornamented with a gay banner of feathers. Rehearsals lasted eight days, and were held in the unconsecrated place of worship before mentioned. On the ninth day the seers conse. crated the church proper ; and on the tenth, the least com- meneed therein.
FUNERAL FEASTS.
The women singers were seated in a circle around the inside wall of the church, while the men and boys, in all their pride of paint and leathers, proceeded to dance in the center. The Seer officiated as master of the ceremonies, and by his gestures directed the movements of the dancers. Each dancer represented some animal, but a simultaneous growl given at the end of every verse, was in honor of the bear. Food was served at short intervals, and the dance continued six days and nights, Praise of the deceased, his virtues his prowess, with prayers for the destruction of his foes, formed the burden of their songs.
On the eighth day the church was more profusely adorned than ever, Food was distributed to all present, including the spectators. At high noon, after eating, a deep hole was dng in
the center of the bnikling, a tire kinllel therein. and the articles reservel at the deaths of relatives were reverently committed to the flames. Baskets, money, and seels followed, while the Sear, chanting inystical incantations, constantly stirred the fire to insure total destruction of the gifts. When all were con- smmed, the hole was tilleul up with earth, this was trodden down: the guests departed; ail the feast was over
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