USA > California > Marin County > History of Marin County, California also an historical sketch of the state of California > Part 13
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After the year 1840, among the earliest to arrive were Ramon Mesa and Bartolome Bojorques, both of whom obtained grants and settled in San Antonio township, in the years 1844 and 1845 respectively. Both were men of families, but little can be gleaned, even from their descendants, save that they came from one or other of the southern Spanish settlements and located in Marin.
In the year 1844, James Miller and his father-in-law, Martin Murphy, undertook the guidance of an overland journey to California. This was no ordinary trip, for it must not be forgotten that at that time the magnitude of the undertaking had not been as yet tested. Accompanied by his wife and family and a company of about sixty individuals, one-half of whom were Americans, they followed their weary way westward, the tedious routine of each day being unrelieved. As night succeeded night, and day- break burst on each successive morn, the labors were the same-the horses were unharnessed and watered; the wagons were arranged for shelter and defense; the animals were led to pasturage; food was cooked, and the nightly guard mounted. Of the overland journey, an experienced author says: " To be able to endure this routine of duties, not to speak of crossing rivers and mountains, and sliding down the sides of precipices ; to do these things for a week, or a month, would seem at present to be a most difficult under- taking. But, to continue a labor of which the above is only a brief and imperfect summary for six or eight, would seem to be a peculiar task indeed. Let anybody think, who has ever crossed the plains, of having to face the red sun every day, whose rays were dazzling; of having to encounter the breath of these sometimes hot and sometimes cold, rainy winds ; of having to suffer that almost continual thirst from the blinding alkali, drifting in ridges like snow-banks ; of having to lie down under the poor shelter of a clumsy tent; of having to rise in the morning without fires to warm the
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limbs; of having to go miles, perhaps, in search of chips, or the dried drop- pings of the buffalo, to burn for fuel; of having to endure heat, cold, hunger, fatigue and sadness every single day during the long, long period of eight months, and that before the discovery of gold to elevate the spirit; who can realize these, and a thousand other trials the overland passenger had to undergo, must acknowledge that the undertaking was truly heroic and sufficient to immortalize those who succeeded in its accomplishment ! At length there is a change in the monotony of the dreary plains. The hill and snow-capped mountains are reached, which in their solemn grandeur inspire the mind by their sublimity, and by their friendly shadows protect the wayfarers from the scorching rays of the sun.
"For a few days the change of scene encourages the despairing and kindles within the sinking breast a hope that from the summit of the highest pass through the mountains all could get a view of the land which they were seeking to possess. But this brief imagination, inspired by hope, was soon dispelled when it was found that the mountains, if they cheered their spirits, also retarded their progress to their destination.
" There was a not unfounded fear, too, that at any moment, while defiling through the narrow passages of the mountains, they may be attacked and scalped by the savage tribes which make their homes in the sombre valleys of the 'snowy range.' At length after a tedious voyage, the plains and mountains are passed and the divide reached, where the streams, rivers and creeks change their courses, all flowing toward the west and southwest instead of the opposite direction. This change of scene too had a cheerful, effect upon the traveler, who began to imagine that, as the face of nature seemed to be turned smilingly toward the west, and as their journey hence- forth would be on an inclined plane toward the Pacific, they would soon get a glimpse, if not a full view of California."
Of Mr. Miller's journey Dr. Quigley * tells us : " Here, then, by the banks of the Humboldt river, when they reached what is called its 'Sink,' on November 10, 1844, the party resolved to rest themselves for about ten days, to gather strength and provide for the remainder of the journey. The cattle, were let out to grass, the horses unharnessed, while the men and women too busied themselves with repairing outfits, mending damaged vehicles washing soiled clothing, and the younger members shot game, which, in the shape of wild ducks, geese, sage hens, as well as antelopes and deer, were very abundant, and scarcely heeded the presence of their pursuers.
Refreshed and renewed though they all were, men and animals, after ten days rest and recreation, yet this delay possibly occasioned most of the sufferings which the party were soon to undergo in the defiles of the Sierras, near Truckee lake.
The sun withdrew his pleasant face from where they camped a day or
* The Irish Race in California.
.
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two, ere they renewed their journey. The sky became clouded, and the first. fall of mountain snow warned them to make haste and depart. They did set out, but their progress was very much slower than before, through the alkaline and sandy drifts of the mountains. Before it was the glare of the red, angry sun that annoyed them, or the blowing blasts of the dusty plains that almost suffocated them. But now it was the snow, the snow that blew into their eyes, like fine sand, or gathered into high ridges to stop them, or treacherously filled deep ravines and pits, as it were, in order to lure them on to destruction. This was a dreadful journey to pursue for about a month, when, as the cattle and teams were on the point of starvation, and the entire party wearied and almost frozen, they came to the resolution of building- some cabins to protect the weaker members of the party from the weather, and thus save them from inevitable destruction.
Accordingly, log-cabins were built, all of the cattle that were not needed for work around the camp or used by the men to go in search of relief, were killed, and the flesh carefully preserved for the subsistence of those in camp. It was in December, 1844, when the party was secure in their shelter of rude log-houses, roofed by poles extending across the walls and covered by the hides of cattle that had been butchered, that the men were prepared to depart in search of some settlements.
After having confided the women and children to the care of Mr. Miller, the brave men who volunteered to go in search of settlements or other evidence of civilization, departed. These, after many days travel, reached "Fort Helvetia," the residence of Captain- Sutter.
When they reached Sutter's Fort, they found the country in a state of war, a rebellion having broken out against Micheltorena's authority, in which many of the Mexicans joined, and most of the Americans, aided by Captain Mckinley. The party of emigrants joined in this uprising or were probably compelled to do so, as they marched as far as San José, as a part of the revolutionary forces. They were soon, however, allowed to return to the Sierras, but several weeks elapsed before they got back. In the mean- time provisions were scarce among the inmates of the log cabins. All their flour, which consisted of only three barrels when they entered camp, was now consumed; and no wonder, when about fifty persons had to subsist on that limited supply. The starvation stage of their existence now com- menced, and dire destruction began to stare them when they were obliged to cook and try to eat the hides that protected them from the weather, on the roofs of the cabins. And no doubt the fate of the Donner party would have been theirs, but for the presence of mind and cool deliberation of James Miller, the true guardian of the whole party, who, rather than see his people die of starvation, resolved himself to go in search of relief. Accordingly, with his gun, a blanket, and an ax, with a small supply of meat, as well, he started almost in spite of the advice
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of the inmates of the camp, who felt, when he had gone, that they had no protector. Accompanied by his son, William J., then a child of only a dozen years of age, he set out with the tardy consent of his affectionate wife, who, with a heroism worthy of epic renown, was satisfied that her husband would sacrifice his life for the flock committed to his charge. He traveled on for four or five days with his son, like Itlus, following at a distance in his father's tracks. Finally, the little hero who volunteered to go with his father, became entirely exhausted, and lying down on the snow at the brow of a precipice, he flung the cup which he carried to drink out of, and his blanket, over the cliff, after which he slept soundly. When he awoke from his slumbers he felt thirsty, and finding he had not his cup, he seized on one of his father's boots, who also was taking a needed rest, and drank copiously from a snowy rivulet. Their small supply of food was already spent, and death by starvation would be their inevitable fate, had not the intrepid and active pioneer providentially encountered some game, which he shot, and soon prepared for food, supplying his empty haversack with some of which, he was prepared to continue his journey towards the southwest, when the boy, William, who was a little ahead of his father, and whose hearing was most acute, ran back to report that he heard the jingling of bells. In a few moments afterwards, horses appeared, and a party of men, whom the good man recognized as his companions who had gone in search of, brought relief. The journey back to the camp was made in one day, where the famishing inmates of the cabins were soon rejoiced and refreshed by the plentiful sup- ply of food sent by the benevolent Captain Sutter."
James Miller, who is justly entitled to the merit of having saved what is called the Murphy immigration party, in 1844, from the terrible fate which befell the Donner party in 1847, is still a resident of Marin county, where he resides on his farm, formerly called Las Gallinas. On arrival here there were only two residents, outside of the mission, in the now prosperous town of San Rafael, namely, Don Timoteo Murphy and Don Antonio Osio. Mr. Miller built the first house in the township outside of the town, which was in 1845, and consisted of what is popularly known as a 'shake shanty;' in 1846 he substituted another of a more substantial character, made of split redwood; in 1847 he constructed an adobe residence, which still stands and is used as a store room, while in later years he erected the commodious man- sion known as Miller Hall, where he now resides. This residence is situated about four miles north of San Rafael, on the Petaluma road, and is a square, massive edifice, with a verandah and observatory. The house stands on a knoll in a pretty vale of about a mile in width, and surrounded on three sides by a ridge of hills, which, like walls, shelter it from the chilling blasts of the ocean, as well as protect it from the scorching sirocoes of the north. The building faces eastward, and there is a view in that direction of the Bay and the ever changing hue of its waters, disturbed
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almost continually by the paddles of steamers or the keels of sailing vessels, interrupting the natural changes of its surface. In the same direction, but beyond the bay, stand Mount Diablo and the bronzed and weather-beaten hills of Contra Costa, looking down upon the bay with their burned crowns and parched peaks, reminding one of the Titans of mythology begging a. drop of water to moisten their burning brows.
From the above account of the difficulties which one party encountered in procuring themselves homes in California, an opinion may be formed of the courage and perseverance which were needed by others who successfully accomplished the journey across the plains at that early day. But, though multitudes succeeded in making the overland journey successfully, numbers failed in the attempt, and the many shallow graves all along from Omaha to Sacramento prove that hundreds, if not thousands, sacrificed their lives in the perilous undertaking.
In the year 1846, there came to reside on Point Reyes Samuel Smith, and three others named respectively McCaulley, Westgate, Irish, and Higgings, where they eked out a precarious livelihood, but in what manner or by what means, even tradition is silent.
In 1846 there also arrived in San Rafael, Mrs. Merriner, and her sons, J. O. B., and Jacob Short, where they still reside. They were the second to build in that now flourishing town, their construction being an addition to an old adobe which formerly stood on the present Court House block. The Short Brothers have flourished as the years went by until to-day they are accounted among the wealthy citizens of Marin.
Nicasio township is chiefly composed of the grant of that name made to Pablo de la Guerra and Juan B. R. Cooper in the year 1844; it was, how- ever, afterwards divided and allotted to Henry W. Halleck (afterwards General), Daniel Funk, William Reynolds, James Black and B. R. Buckelew. For services performed as Surveyor, Jasper O'Farrell received that tract known as the Black estate, which he afterwards exchanged for the Cañada de la Jonive Rancho in Sonoma county, a grant which James Black had received, and upon this being perfected in 1847 or 1848 the latter took up his abode in Nicasio in this county. Of these individuals, Don Pablo de la Guerra was Administrator General " de la rentas," at the time of California becoming the territory of the United States, and after serving on the Con- vention which framed the original Constitution of the State, represented the district of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo in the Senate of the first California Legislature. Juan B. R. Cooper died in San Francisco February 9, 1872, at the advanced age of seventy-nine years and five months. He was a native of the Channel Islands and came to America when a mere child, being reared in the vicinity of Boston. Before he attained his major- ity, he adopted the mariner's profession, and in the course of his voyages visited California, where he settled in the year 1823. He once occupied the
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position of a Commander in the Mexican Navy, but aside from that had never figured in any public position. He married a sister of General M. G. Vallejo in the early portion of his residence in California, and passed most of his time on his ranch in Monterey county, though latterly he had removed his residence to San Francisco. He was a good man, always ready and willing to assist the unfortunate, and, while quiet and unobtrusive, was kind and true to those with whom he came in contact. It requires no effort of ours to sketch the career of General Halleck, his history is that of his country. In the Summer of 1846 he came to the Pacific coast and served during the Mexican war as a Lieutenant, but for gallantry was breveted to the post of Captain in 1847. His name is closely identified with the early history of California, acting as Secretary of State under the military governments of Generals Mason and Riley, and during the same period as Auditor of the. Revenues. He was a prominent member of the Convention assembled in 1849 to form a State Constitution; and as an active member of the drafting committee, had an important part in the preparation of that instrument; being distinguished also for his able and determined opposition against all attempts to engraft African slavery upon this State. In 1854 he commenced the practice of law in San Francisco, and held many responsible positions in that city, until the breaking out of the war in 1861, when, on the recom- mendation of Lieutenant-General Scott, he was appointed a Major-General . in the Army; what his services in that trying time were the reader knows too well, therefore it will be unnecessary here to touch upon them. Of James Black, that well-known pioneer, a full sketch will be found in the history of Nicasio township, suffice it here to say that he was born in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands of Scotland, in the year 1807. He died on June 12, 1870, at his residence near Novato. He came to California in 1832, and by his industrious habits and sound judgment he had secured a large fortune which enabled him to gratify his natural disposition for reliev- ing the necessities of those less fortunate than himself. His remains were interred in the Catholic cemetery in San Rafael, on Monday, June 20, 1870, attended by a large concourse of people from every part of the county, and by the Society of California Pioneers, of which association he was a life member. One of the most amiable traits of the character of James Black is the brotherly love, akin to that of Jonathan for David, which he evinced to his pioneer comrade Edward Manuel McIntosh. From the early days when they first met in Monterey, they were together, until in the old age and broken health of McIntosh he found a home with his warni friend. Edward Manuel McIntosh was also a native of Invernessshire, Scotland, where he was born February 14, 1784; he died November 7, 1871. In his early days he followed the sea for a livelihood, and in the war of 1812 served on board an American privateer. He came to California in 1813, where he remained but a short time, returning in 1823, as first officer of a hide-drogher, and,
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HISTORY OF MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
abandoning his vessel, remained here until the day of his death. In 1834 . he became a Mexican citizen, and subsequently received a grant of land in Sonoma county known as the Rancho Estero Americano. In 1844, when Governor Micheltorena was driven from the country, he served under General Sutter. He was Second Alcalde for San Rafael district about the year 1847, while in his private relations he was universally esteemed.
On January 19, 1848, gold was discovered at Coloma, on the American river. The noise of it soon reverberated across the continent and over the oceans to Europe and Asia. Discovery followed discovery, and a rush for the California gold mines took place in every country. It was a year of commotion. Europe had risen in a state of revolution, and many of the defeated and disappointed patriots soon turned their attention to the Pacific coast. Mexico, Central and South America, sent their thousands this way; even the subjects of the far-off Flowery Kingdom soon appeared upon our shores. The places where the precious metal was found were far in the interior, in the beds of creeks and rivers, near the foot-hills. Travel, at first, was nearly altogether by land, and the Livermore Pass became one of the principal routes to the mines. Nearly all, at first, rushed off to the " diggings," rancheros and vaqueros, and every one who could possibly get away. Most of the farmers, however, soon returned. A great demand for farm products sprung up, and cattle were wanted in the mines. On the development of this trade the keen sighted residents of Marin were not behind- hand; several of them drove large herds of cattle thither, and realized prices bordering on the fabulous; others established trading posts, but the greater number pursued the search for gold with varied hopes, some to be rewarded but the larger proportion to return to the more certain, and in the long run more profitable industry, of raising bread for those who remained at the mines.
Consequent upon the gold discoveries the tide of immigration set towards this coast and people flocked in thousands to the mines, it being estimated by General Mason, who visited the diggings at Coloma, in June, 1848, that there alone, there were two thousand American and Europeans, and two thousand Indians at work ; and it is known that there were a great many other localities, where washing and prospecting for gold was then being carried on.
In the year 1849, were organized in the southern States two companies callel respectively " The Baltimore and Frederick Trading and Mining Com- pany " and the "Virginia Company," for the purpose of prosecuting any and every kind of business which might be available in the new California. The first named of these associations was originated in Baltimore on Janu- ary 23, 1849, under Mr. Weschie as President and Ai Barney, Vice President, the membership being confined to thirty members who subscribed one thou- sand dollars each. Goods of every description, and machinery of all kinds,
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were purchased and shipped around Cape Horn in advance, while the mem- bers themselves took passage and sailed on the 23rd April, in the chartered schooner ." Creole," for Chagres, then crossing the Isthmus of Panama, chartered the brig "Corbiene," which brought them to San Francisco on September 10, 1849. On arrival, the expedition camped on the site of Dupont and Washington streets, and looked around for the lumber country where they might proceed with the erection of their machinery and saws. Crossing over the bay to these shores, they established themselves on the Juan Reid Rancho in November, 1849, and forthwith commenced the erec- tion of a mill, which occupied ground on the northern boundary of Saucelito township, now owned by W. T. Coleman. In the mill there was a gang of fifteen upright saws; however, it was not run, for in April, 1850, it was dis- continued, the company disbanded, and the property sold to B. R. Buckelew for fourteen thousand five hundred dollars. Of those who arrived with this enterprise only Ai Barney and Daniel T. Taylor remain in Marin county, while other than . these, the sole survivors are Samuel S. and Henry S. Baechtel, now of Mendocino county, and David Clingan of San Francisco.
The Virginia Company was organized in April, 1849, in Richmond, Vir- ginia, for the purpose of coming to California and entering into the pursuit of gold. It was composed of seventy-five members, with Colonel Mumford of Richmond as President, and Mr. Moore, Vice President. They sailed from James' river in the ship "Glenmore" on April 6, 1849, she being freighted with a valuable cargo of tobacco, soap, houses, machinery and other appliances. The vessel arrived in the harbor of San Francisco, on October 6, 1849, and in the course of two or three weeks thereafter, the entire association was dissolved by the unanimous vote of the company, the ship, which was their property, and had originally cost thirty-six thousand dollars, being sold for twelve thousand, the cargo was landed to abide its fate, while for a time the tobacco, a commodity which afterwards rose to twelve dollars per pound, was cast upon the streets and there left to rot. On the dissolution, another company, composed of Seth Sheppard, James M., and S. Bolivar Harris, Thomas Meaux, and Doctor Taliaferro, came to Marin county in December, 1849, and rented the mission lands from Don Timoteo Murphy for farming purposes. Yet another association was formed out of the dissolved Virginia company, however, who also came to Marin for a like purpose. These were Ted. Parker, John Minge, Harper Sheldon, James L. Poindexter, and Messrs. Urquhart and Land. Dr. Taliaferro informs us that not much was done in the way of tilling the soil, but prodigies were per- formed in hunting, dancing and other pleasures. These two companies in the course of time also dissolved from the removal of the partners, and now Dr. Taliaferro is the only one remaining in Marin of the original association that left Virginia in 1849.
Happily for Marin county the members who composed the Baltimore and
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HISTORY OF MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Virginia companies were men of intellect and education, as on the organiza- tion of the county in 1850, they were much needed for public offices. David Clingan was Member of the Assembly for the county in 1850-1; Dr. J. A. Shorb, was the first County Judge ; J. A. Davis, the first County Auditor; and S. S. Baechtel, the first Sheriff. Ai Barney, was County Judge from 1851 to 1857 ; James L. Poindexter, County Clerk from 1851 to 1854; J. A. Davis, County Treasurer from 1852 to 1855; Dr. A. W. Taliaferro, Member of Assembly in 1853-4 and Senator from 1856 to 1858, and Daniel T. Taylor, County Clerk for fourteen years. Of these James L. Poindexter died in 1855; Parker in 1861; and Harris in 1864, the two latter being buried in the cemetery of the Episcopal church in San Rafael.
.Let us now attempt to enumerate as closely as we may some of the other settlers in the county during 1849. To Bolinas township there came Captain J. A. Morgan, Joseph Almy, Charles Lauff, - Henderson, B. T. Winslow, James Cummings, James Hough, Frederick Sampson, Dr. Grattan, Hiram Nott, W. F. Chappell and some others. They arrived to get out wharf timbers which were rafted down the Tomales bay, over the bar at its mouth and finally shipped to San Francisco on vessels waiting to receive them, where they were used in the construction of jetties and warehouses. Of this party only Joseph Almy and Charles Lauff remain.
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