USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles county, Volume I > Part 49
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reach Los Angeles, where we could have gone in a couple of hours, but in consequence of the constant apprehensions manifested by them at almost every half mile, and resolve not to deliver themselves up to be shot. At every stopping I had to argue the question again and again, assuring them that the course advised by Mr. Workman and myself was the safest one for them. Finally arrived in town; they were still in great fear. I succeeded in getting them dismounted, and to the foot of the stairs of the house where Commodore Stockton had his quarters. The Commodore was yet commander-in-chief. The command had been conceded to him by General Kearney, in consideration of the great services he had already rendered in California, and for other reasons. Stockton, on or about the third day of his arrival in Los Angeles, went away to rejoin his flagship, the Congress, at San Pedro, to which port he had ordered her from San Diego. Kearney then assumed the chief command. I went up and saluted Stockton, being the first time I had met him after the day when he commissioned me as a captain, told him in a few words the condition of things, and informed him there were two more unfortunate than I was, at the foot of the stairs, who were anxious to see him. He asked who they were, and I gave their names. He then tried to put on a stern countenance, but I could detect under the frown a look of satisfaction at having these two important persons again at his mercy. He replied to me: "Let them come up." I went down to the foot of the stairs, and requested them to go up. They showed consid- erable anxiety to know how the commodore felt towards them. I said that I thought all was right, although he had not said so. We went up together to the commodore's presence. The commodore stood up and saluted them, but showed a good deal of sternness in his demeanor, but not more than was proper for him to show. Some hasty allusion was made to the past, and the two brothers begged the commodore not to mention those particu- lars. They had violated the laws of war in breaking their paroles, and were there at his mercy. The commodore then said very sternly: "You have given me a great deal of trouble, but neither the Government of the United States, nor myself wish to treat harshly the native Californians. Can I rely upon you, if I again give you your liberty ?" They emphatically answered: "Yes, we are tired of the war, and have paid dearly for our errors." Stockton then asked: "Will you proceed at once to Monterey, your home, if I give you passports, and allay some existing discords threat- ened up there?" They said: "Yes, sir, and we will neither stop to sleep or eat on the way, if you so order us." The passports were then and there issued to them, and they departed the same evening for Monterey. I never saw them again, but I understood that they fulfilled all their pledges, and were ever after during their lifetime good and loyal citizens. In the mean- time, we heard that Andres Pico, and the small force under him, had met Colonel Fremont, at San Fernando, where he made capitulation and deliv- ered up his arms. This gave rise to no little dissatisfaction to Commodore Stockton and General Kearney. On the eleventh, learning that Andres Pico was in the upper part of town, I repaired there, and on the way up met a man with a message for me from Don Andres. I was still riding his favorite "Blanco Chico." Found Pico, and in answer to his anxious inquiries gave him all the news, particularly that relating to the Torre brothers. He informed me that he had capitulated to Fremont, but still
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showed himself conscious of the fact that there were men of higher rank than Fremont in town and insisted, after the good fortune the Torres had met with, I should accompany him to the commodore, which I did. On arriving at the commodore's quarters, the commodore did not hesitate to give Don Andres to understand, and very positively, that neither his (Pico's) nor Fremont's course was in order, as he (Pico), after the fight of the eighth and ninth, and being enough of a military man to know his duties and be aware to whom he should surrender, had gone out of his way to surrender to a subordinate officer, and not to the commander-in- chief. It was generally known that Fremont had designedly delayed on his way from Santa Barbara, by taking circuitous routes on the mountains, so as to keep himself out of danger from the Californians. Commodore Stockton had sent dispatches to him by one Daniel Sexton and others, at great risk to the carriers, through the mountains, urging him to hurry his march and meet him south of Los Angeles with his command. The com- modore did not expect with his few marines and sailors, and a handful of volunteers, he would withstand the whole force of the Californians, who were probably the best horsemen in the world and all mounted on fine horses-probably the finest cavalry horses in the world at that time; for their fleetness, endurance and easy management by the rider. Daniel Sexton, whom I have mentioned above, went from San Diego, on foot, with a knapsack on his back to near San Buenaventura, where he met Fre- mont. To fulfill his mission he had to travel on foot, through the moun- tains, some two hundred miles, occupying about ten days. All this trouble and suffering, as well as those of others, went for nothing, as Fremont made no effort to comply with the commodore's wishes. Commodore Stockton was exceedingly angry with Fremont's conduct, from beginning to end, and did not hesitate to express it in the strongest terms to all, par- ticularly to Don Andres, who had unfortunately got himself into the false position of ignoring his undoubted authority. Don Andres felt humiliated and tried to apologize. The commodore, who was generous as he was gallant, said to him, "Whilst I do not recognize any authority, or even justification in Fremont, for making to you the pledges appearing in his agreement at San Fernando, I, as commander-in-chief, say to you that we do not wish to have any ill feeling shown to anyone, and much less to the natives of California, who in all probability will have to be citizens of our common country, and in that spirit I will make known, that if you have to come in real earnest, and in good faith to yield and surrender yourself and comrades, there will be no punishment for past acts." I may not have given above the very words used by the commodore, but I am certain that I have given the substance of what he uttered.
I should have mentioned before, that almost before the salutations had been gotten through, between the Commodore, and Don Andres Pico, the latter manifested his good faith, by telling the commodore where the can- nons were concealed, with which he had fought at the action of the eighth and ninth. The commodore asked me what kind of cannons they were, I told him they were common short heavy cast-iron guns ; to which he answered that they were not worth looking after, and would not send for them. I told him then that if he would give them to me I would make them posts to keep the carretas off the entrance to my store. He gave them to me, and
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being told by Don Andres where they were, I hired a man with a carreta to bring them in and placed them at the head of Commercial Street, in the City of Los Angeles, where they may be seen to this day. At that interview, Commodore Stockton told Pico to go among his people and keep them orderly, assuring them that they would receive no harm at the hands of the Americans if they conducted themselves peaceably and minded their busi- ness. "What I have already done to you, and to your brother officers, should be received as sufficient evidence that we mean well by you," or words to that effect. He directed me to mount my horse, go among the people ; ascertain what was going on and if everything was quiet. I did so, and returning in the evening reported that all was quiet, and that it was reported that Fremont was marching with his force towards the Mission of San Gabriel, where he purposed to encamp. Up to this time Fremont had not reported to Stockton. The streets were full of rumors that Fre- mont did not intend to recognize the superiority of Stockton or Kearney. When I reported these things to the commodore, he broke out; "What does the damned fool mean?" He then had a few words of conversation with me, and said; "I must go away I am in an unpleasant position, and only by courtesy of General Kearney, the commander-in-chief." He felt that he was the head officer as long as he remained, because Kearney had told him: "As long as you are here, you are commander-in-chief. After you are gone, I will be." He gave me to understand that if he was to remain he would bring Fremont to terms, but as he was to leave the next day, he would let Kearney settle the matter with Fremont. The latter was still claiming to be Military Governor of California, under the appointment given him by Stockton himself, in the previous year, 1846. After Stock- ton's departure (which I think was on the next day), with all his officers and men, General Kearney had with him a mere bodyguard of dragoons, some fifteen to twenty men, and one officer, Major Emory (now General). Kearney had seen me several times with the commodore; sent for me to come to his rooms. I obeyed his summons. He asked me what was going on, and was informed that nothing of importance was occurring. He asked me if I was in no haste to leave town, as he desired me to stay with him. He had then no one with him that he could trust, and who knew the people. He followed up his conversation saying: "Fremont's course towards me is very extraordinary. He declined to recognize me as commander-in-chief. I have no power to enforce my authority. Fremont has a large force with him of undisciplined men, and I hear all kinds of rumors of his intentions and acts. I only now propose to remain here a few days to give Mr. Fre- mont full time to deliberate. Perhaps he will then acknowledge my authority, if. not I will leave." He repeated several times some of the words and requested me to communicate with my friends ; and we all kept him posted of what was going on. These conversations lasted about two days. In the evening of the second or third day, he sent for me, and said he was going to leave in the morning, prefacing the information with the remark that he had heard no word from Fremont. He wanted me and some of my friends to ride with him. Next morning I waited on the general with two or three reliable native Californians. I think that among them were Don Jose Sepulveda, father of Judge Ignacio Sepulveda, and one of the Lugos. I was much surprised to find the general after we were out of
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town, on the road bound to San Diego, under some apprehension of foul play to his person by some of the Fremont party. This produced in me a most disagreeable impression, though I then as now believe his apprehen- sions unfounded. I was anxious to leave in the evening for the first day's camping time for my ranch ; but he asked me particularly to camp with him that night, saying that we are not out far enough from those fellows, meaning Fremont, and his party. I accompanied the general, as far as the Santa Ana River. There I bade him goodbye. He expressed himself very thankful. I left for my ranch, and never saw him afterwards. In that same fall of 1847, I moved up all my stock, about two thousand head of cattle ; passed through the Tulare Valley by way of Cajon de las Uvas. There was not a white man living on that route, from San Fernando Mis-
· sion to Sutter's Fort. Passing by what is now Stockton, I learned from some friendly Indians that Charles Weber was coming there to settle on his ranch, which he got from Mr. Gulnac. I swam all my stock, without losing any, across the Sacramento River at the place now called Knight's Landing, and drove up the foothills north of Cash Creek, at the place known as Lone Trees, and then left them in charge of my companion in arms, Nat Harbin. Returned to Los Angeles City where I was engaged in mer- chandising.
Nothing worthy of mention happened till 1849, when a convention was called by General Riley to form a Constitution for California. At this time, this part of the country was much depopulated by the rush to the gold placers that had been discovered in the spring of 1849. We held a public meeting and selected the best men we could find-Abel Stearns, Manuel Dominguez, Stephen C. Foster, etc. We had no directions to give our representatives, except that we wished not to be a State as yet, but if we had to be a State, we, although most of us Southern men, were very positive that we wanted no slavery. We had enough of a variety of races, and the character of the country was not favorable to any but free labor. The following year California, having been voted in the Constitution a State, we held a convention of the Southern country in Santa Barbara, at which I was a member, for the purpose of sending a protest to Congress, that in the case California was admitted as a State of the Union, the Southern portion would be allowed to form a Territorial Government, and allowed to remain as a Territory of the United States. Our efforts proved unavailing. After the State was organized, I was elected the first Clerk of the County of Los Angeles, making the condition with my friends that I should not serve personally, but would appoint Doctor Wilson Jones, now of Arizona, my deputy, to run the office and have all the emoluments. When the town of Los Angeles was incorporated as a City the people elected me its first mayor. I only served a few months, and then resigned.
My wife, Ramona Yorba Wilson, died on March 21, 1849.
In 1852, I was appointed by President Fillmore, Indian Agent for the Southern District, accompanied with a letter particularly requesting my acceptance, to help arrange Indian affairs in California, in conjunction with General Beale (then lieutenant), who had been appointed General Superin- tendent for the State. I did accept and accompanied Beale, and assisted to lay the Reservation at the Tejon, passing through the Tulare Valley and holding council with different Indians, and then returned home by way of
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Santa Barbara. During that trip and subsequent events, I became thor- oughly convinced that I could not continue in the office, in harmony with the superintendent and others, especially in regard to the moneys appro- priated by the government; so I resigned. My commission bears date September 1, 1852 ; is signed by Millard Fillmore, president of the United States, and by Daniel Webster, secretary of State, and bears the seal of the United States ; term of office, four years from date.
In February, 1853, I married Margarate S. Hereford, widow of Dr. Thomas Hereford.
In 1855 I was elected State Senator, and served out my term; again served, in 1869-70. Since then I have spent my time as a horticulturist, in Los Angeles County, at Lake Vineyard. My family consists of a wife, and three daughters-one by my first wife and two by my second wife-all living, and four grandchildren. Hope to pass the remainder of my days in peace with God and man, as well as myself.
(Signed) B. D: WILSON. Lake Vineyard, Cal. December 6th, 1877.
NOTE :- Mr. Wilson died March 11, 1878, leaving his widow and three daughters-the eldest, a daughter by his first wife, being Mrs. J. DeBorth Shorb, and the other two, Annie Wilson and Ruth Wilson, by the second marriage. Ruth Wilson married George S. Patton, on December 11, 1884, by which union two children were born-George S. Patton and Annie Wil- son Patton.
CHAPTER XXXIII
SAN GABRIEL
San Gabriel is the oldest settlement in Los Angeles County, its site being where one of first Catholic Missions of California was established, in 1771. The old Mission church buildings are among the ever sought-out attrac- tions of the place, by visitors in this part of California. The Mexican popu- lation of the town clusters around the old Mission, while the American residences are usually found a mile or more distant and to the south. It is ten miles from Los Angeles City, on the Southern Pacific steam railway line. For decades that section of California has been noted for its health- ful climate and long-lived people. For an account of the Old Mission the reader is referred to the chapter on the Missions of the county in this volume. One mile from San Gabriel was the once famous Sunny Slope Vineyard, which was sold to an English company for more than $750,000.
The altitude of this place is 410 feet above sea-level; its present popula- tion is not far from 2,000. Here one finds stores, shops, hotels, banking facilities, churches, two grammar schools and a Catholic parochial school ; also a Chamber of Commerce to look after the business interests of the town. The surrounding country furnishes a large amount of fruits, grain and choice vegetables. But what has really put San Gabriel on the map to a greater extent than any other, is the fact that it is the home of the "Mission Play," an account of which has been given in the section treating of the City of Los Angeles. It has been enjoyed by many thousands who have come far for the sole purpose of witnessing this superior, impressive drama, which so graphically depicts early times in California.
The Mission of San Gabriel was founded in 1771; the city of San Gab- riel was incorporated April 28, 1913 .*
Among the attractions of this quaint old place may be named the Mis- sion Church ; the "Mission Play ;" and the largest grape vine in the world, the same having been planted there in October, 1775, one year prior to the beginning of our National Independence. This immense grape vine is now enclosed by a high brick wall and is trained to run neatly over a strong trellis roof which covers about a quarter of a city block. Within this beautiful bower is a retreat-a resting place where travelers by the pay- ment of ten cents, may sit at leisure. There are tables and seats planned for and much used by visitors in eating their lunches, etc. In connection with the grape-vine arbor there is also a fine eating house known as the "Grape Vine Inn," where thousands get their meals on visiting the Mission. Various estimates have been placed on the square surface covered by this grape vine, which is in reality three vines after it reaches a few feet from the ground. Each vine is from ten to fourteen inches in diameter which
*See Municipal affairs later in this chapter.
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is certainly a great vine growth. It is usually thought the vine and its thousands of branches and heavy leaves shade, in round numbers, about ten thousand square feet. The many grapes here grown annually are excellent for eating, for jelly-making, and for the production of wine. Originally, this property belonged to the Catholic Church, but now it is owned by Mrs. Kate C. Bayly McCormick. Not far distant on the same street, one will see another old and immense grape vine which is not far behind in size, beauty and age.
The old Mission Church buildings stand about as when first constructed more than one hundred and fifty years ago, and more. The priest's house, located between the parochial school and the Old Mission itself, is now being moved north through the Mission grounds to Santa Anita Street, where it will be converted into an apartment house. On the site of the old structure, built in 1903, will arise a beautiful $50,000 brick structure to be used as a padres seminary. Other improvements are being planned for the increase in students at the parochial school.
It goes without saying that for the last dozen or more years the most attractive place in the city is the building used in presenting the popular "Mission Play." This fronts on the main street of the place and has served its day and a new brick and steel structure is now under construction, not far distant, on another thoroughfare, and ere long it is intended to present this impressive and truly historic drama, which has now been played 1,977 times, in the new structure.
The churches of this little city are the Catholic, Episcopal, Methodist Episcopal, Mexican Presbyterian and Union Church.
The place has a public library and a frame city hall building, situated on Mission Drive. The following are the present officers of the city corpora- tion : Trustees, George D. Dake (president) J. E. Brownrigg, George Lettler and B. A. Lugo; city attorney, H. S. Farrell; city clerk, Ira H. Stauffer ; engineer, George A. Wright; health officer, Gottfried Dakens; building inspector, Ira H. Stauffer ; marshal, L. D. Rogers; recorder, S. Sherman Hotchkiss ; treasurer, Frank R. Forgey. San Gabriel is a city of the sixth class. Its present bonded indebtedness is $23,500, the same being incurred for the construction of bridges.
In what is styled East San Gabriel the First National Bank has recently been organized and chartered.
A GREAT WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM
No more comprehensive account of the newly organized Water District can be given than to copy the editorial in the San Gabriel Sun of a few days ago which reads as follows: "Now that the San Gabriel County Water District has been formed, the bonds voted and ready for the sale with which to put a splendid water system in operation for this, the richest section of San Gabriel Valley, people outside and adjoining the district are beginning to realize that one of the biggest things in the history of Southern California has been accomplished, and a thing for which those most active in its accomplishment, will go down in the history of San Gabriel Valley as among our greatest benefactors-men with a vision who looked into the
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future and wisely provided for the happiness and prosperity of future generations, as well as for the people of the present time.
· "As a result of the forming of this district, which holds and impounds for future generations the water supply above and underlying this territory, there is already great clamor among property owners with large holdings, especially to the South, East and West, to come into the district, in order to share in the blessings of plenty of water such as the present district is bound to have for many years to come.
"In addition to the two thousand acres in San Gabriel County Water District there are, at least five hundred acres more that are knocking vigorously to be admitted."
When this system is finished, San Gabriel will have a modern system of water works.
CHAPTER XXXIV THE CITY OF PASADENA
Pasadena, signifying the Crown of the Valley, is in many respects the handsomest, finest improved of any of the many beautiful California cities. Without going into the tedious, perplexing task of describing what was or what might have been the condition of nature or perhaps civilized life in this section hundreds and thousands of years ago, as some writers have been in the habit of doing, the writer of this chapter on one of the beauty spots of Los Angeles County will start closer at home, as the saying is, and undertake to give the more practical and important facts concerning the settlement since the white race has been in evidence hereabouts.
The first visit of white men to this territory occurred January 17, 1770, one year before the establishing of San Gabriel Mission. It was when Governor Gasper de Portoloa, returning southward from the first land expedition sent from Loreto in search of Monterey, and having missed the trail along the coast, entered the San Fernando Valley through the Simi Pass and, moving on, having crossed the Verdugo Hills, mistook the Arroyo Seco, then a full stream, swollen by winter rains, for the stream now known as the Los Angeles River. The hungry, travel-worn soldiers there found the hospitable natives ready to aid and comfort them as best they could. It was not long before a well beaten trail was made by the travel between San Diego and Monterey and was known as Camino del Rey, over which all dispatches were transmitted northward from Mexico and Guatemala.
Manual Garfias, a popular soldier, received from his friend, the gover- nor, the title of the Rancho San Pasqual, which had been deserted by one Eulalia Perez, the famous nurse and midwife of San Gabriel Mission, to whom it was originally given by authority of the Mexicans. What was in those days termed a good dwelling was erected by Garfias, among the broad and spreading oaks on the banks of the Arroyo Seco. For a number of years this was quite a fashionable resort to both soldier and civilian. But suddenly its owner and his family left for Mexico and never returned. The improvements soon fell into decay and ruin. Nature had effaced nearly all of the early trace of human occupancy and civilized life by 1873, when the "California Colony of Indiana" sent out from Indianapolis a committee to select the most favorable spot for locating a settlement, and especially for the culture of oranges and other fruits of the clime.
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