USA > California > Merced County > History of Merced County, California with biographical sketches of prominent citizens > Part 10
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50
PROCLAMATION FOR REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT.
pounds of flour were purchaval on the creslit of the government, and deperitel with the garrison And an account was opened. on teriny agreed upon, for a supply of beef and a few barrels of salt constituted our main supplies, Whisky was contra- banded altogether. After the first round of duties was per- formed, as many av could be spared off' guard were called to- gether and our situation fully explained to the men by the comman lers of the garrison."
Will S. Green mys: "We have seen it stated by some writers, thut Captain Jolin Grigsby was chosen to the com- mand after the capture of Sonoma, and also that Ide was so chosen, but both of them went with the prisoners to Sutter's fort. We have talked with both Ide and Semple about the Bear Flag war, and we are certain that ble was not the military commander, but that it was in n civil capacity that he issned the proclamation above given. Ford, although nominally a lieutenant, was the real military leader of the Bear Fing party. He had served four years ns Sergeant in the U. S. Dragoons. and understood the drill and discipline better than those more nble to dircet the policy to be pursued. Ide and Semple were the leaders in that."
A messenger was dispatched to San Francisco to inform Captain Montgomery, of the United States ship Portsmouth, of the action taken by them, he further stating that it was the intention of the insurgents uever to lay down their arms until tho independence of their adopted country hail been estab- lished.
A TRAGIC AND FEARFUL, DEATH.
Lieutenant Ford, finding that the magazine was short of powder, seut two men, named Cowie and Fowler, to the Soto- yome rancho, owned by H. D. Fitch, for a bag of rifle powder. Two miles from Santa Rosa, they were attacked and slaughtered by a party of Californians. Two others were dispatched on special duty; they, too, were captured, but were treated better. Receiving no intelligence from either of the parties, foul play was suspected; therefore, on the morning of the 20th of June, Sergeant Gibson was ordered, with four men, to proceed to the Sotoyome rancho, learu, if possible, the whereabouts of the missing men, and procure the powder. They went as directed. seeured the ammunition, but got no news of the missing men. As they were passing Santa Rosa, on their return, they were attacked at daylight by a few Californians, and turning upon their assailants, captured two of them, Blas Angeliua and Bar- nadino Garcia, alias Three-fingered Jack, and took them to Sonoma. They told of the taking and slaying of Cowie and Fowler.
The story of their death is a sad one. After Cowie and Fowler had been seized by the Californians, they encamped for the night. and the following morning determined in council what should be the fate of their captives. A swarthy New Mexican named Mesa Juan Pedilla, and Three-fingered Jack,
the Californian, were loudest in their deunciation of the pris- oners as deserving of death; und, unhappily, their counsels pre- vailed. The mifortunate young men were then led out, stripped naked, Inund to a tree with a larint, while, for n time, the iuhuman monsters practiced knife-throwing at their nuked bodies, the victims, the while, praying to be shot. They then commenced throwing stones at them, one of which broke the jaw of Fowler. The tiend, Three- fingered Jack, then advancing. thrust the end of his riata (a rawhide rope) through the mouth, ent an incision in the throat, and then made a tie, by which the jaw wasdragged out. They next proceeded to kill them slowly with their knives. Cowie, who had lainted, had the flesh stripped from his arms and shoulders, and pieces of flesh were ent from their bodies and erammed into their mouths, they bring finally disemboweled. Their mutilated remains were afterwards found and buried where they fell, upon the farm now owned by George Moore, two miles north of Santa Rosa. No stone marks the grave of these pioneers, one of whom took so conspicuous a part in the event which gave to the Union the great State of California.
Three- fingered Jaek was killed by Captain Harry Love's Ran- gers, July 27. 1853, at Pinola Pass, ucar the Merced river, with the bandit Joaquin Murietta; while Ramon Carrillo met his death at the hands of the Vigilantes, between Los Angeles and San Diego, May 21, 1864.
W. B. IDR'S PROCLAMATION.
At Sonoma Captain William B. Ide, with the consent of the garrison, issued the following :-
" A proclamation to all persons and citizens of the District of Sonoma, requesting them to remain at peace, and for- low their rightful occupations without fear of molestation.
" The commander-in-chief of the troops assembled at the fortress of Sonoma, gives his inviolable pledge to all persons in California, not found under armns, that they shall not be dis- turbed in their persons, their property, or social relations, one with another, by men under his command.
" He also solemnly declares his object to be: first, to defend himself and companions in arms, who were invited to his country by a promise of lands on which to settle themselves aud families; who were also promised a republican govern- ment; when, having arrived in California, they were denied the privilege of buying or renting lands of their friends; who instead of being allowed to participate in, or being protected by a republican government, were oppressed by a military despotism; wbo were even threatened by proclamation, by the chief officers of the aforesaid despotism, with extermination, if they should not depart out of the country, leaving all their property, arms, and beasts of burden; and thus deprived of their means of flight or defense, were to be driven through deserts inhabited by bostile Indians, to certain destruction.
51
REMARKABLE JUDICIAL. PROCEEDINGS.
"To overthrow a government which has wiz ! upon th property of the missions for its individua aggrand ament which has ruined and shamefully oppressi the flooring people of California, by enormous exactions on road imported into the country, is the determined purpose of the brave men who are avviata under my command.
" I also solomaly declare my object. in the sound places, to I to invite all praccable and good citizens of California who are friendly to the maintenance of good order and equal rights. and I do hereby invite them to repair to my camp at Samma, without delay, to assist us in establishing and perpetuating a republican government, which shall secure to all civil and religious lilarty ; which shall encourage virtue and literature; which shall leave nushackled by fetters agriculture, commerce. and maunfactnies.
"I further declare that I rely upon the rectitude of our intentions, the favor of heaven, and the bravery of those who nie bonud and associated with me by the principles of self- preservation, by the love of truth and the hatred of tyranny. for my hopes of sitecess,
When the testimony was all in, Ide addressed the jury, pre. wenting first the side of the prosecution, and then of the defense, " I furthermore declare that I lecheve that a goverment to winding up with a plea for mercy. Then he got ou the bench be prosperous and happy must originate with the people who . again, and instructed the jury cahnly mil impartially as to the are friendly to its existence; that the citizens are its guardians, the officers its servants, its glory its reward.
" WILLIAM B. IDE.
" Headquarters, Sonoma, June 18, 1846."
JUDGE IDE'S HISTORY.
Captain William B. Ide was born in Ohio; came overland reaching Sutter's Fort in October, 18to. June 7, 1847, Gov- ernor Mason appointed him land surveyor for the northern district of California, and the same month he was appointed Jus- tice of the Pence at Cache Creek. At an early day he got a grant of land which was called the Rancho Barranca Colorado, just below Red creek in Colusa county, as it was then organized. lu 1831 he was elected County Treasurer, with an assessment roll of three hundred and seventy- three thousand two hundred and six dollars. Moved with the county sunt to Monroeville, at the mouth of Stouy creek, September 3, 1851; was elected County Judge of Colusa county, and practiced law, having a license. Judge Ide died of small-pox at Monroeville on Saturday, December 18, 1832, aged fifty years.
ANECDOTE OF JUDGE IDE.
Ide was the presiding Judge and Deputy Clerk, and Huls was Associate Justice and Deputy Sheriff. The prisoner was brought iuto court by Huls, and the indictment read to him by lde as Clerk. He was on trial for horse stealing; the pen- alty at that time was death. The Judge mounted the bench aud informed the prisoner of his rights, including that of hav-
mg orun lawign I him for his din This the prisoner ok I Hr. was a dilemma There was to be uselatt orney.
lesever, was always . mul to any emergentes and he ligo led that lu himself kal leen over at Hamilton a few days 1- foto atten ling Judge Sherwood's e mrt and halben almitte las a practicing attorney, and he dil not er why he should not defen I the prisoner.
This was suggested to the defendant at the bar, who was delighted with the arrangement of being defended by the pre iling Julgo. There Ising to District Attorney present. it was expected that the presiding Judge would also look out be the interest of the people. With the court this organized, the trial login. Ide would question the witnesses, raise his points of law on either side, an I then get on the bench to help decide them, take exceptions to his own ruling, and then as clerk make the entries.
law of the case. The jury retired nud iu n few moments brought in a verdict of " guilty."
When the time for sentence came, the Judge ordered the prisoner to stand up, and he addressed him in substance as follows: " You have had a fair and impartial trial by a jury of your peers. You have been ably defended by counsel appointed ly this Court. The jury have found you guilty of grand larceny, the penalty of which, under the benign laws of this State, is death. It is therefore the judgment of this Court that you lie taken by the Sheriff to some convenient place, on the - day of -, and then and there hanged by the neck until you are dead, dead, dead, and may the Lord have mercy on your soul."
Turning to Associate Huls he ordered the Sheriff to take charge of the prisoner. A day or so before that set for the exvention Huls went over after his prisoner, but found that he had been parloned out by the Governor, without the officers of Colusa county knowing anything about it.
FIGHT UNDER THE BEAR FLAG.
The only real fight of the war occurred on the 25th of June, between a body of about eighty Californians and some twenty men under command of Lieutenant Ford. These few men were put to tlight, and continued their march across the bay. Fremont arrived at Sonoma two days after the fight, still hesi- tating. He wanted, so we are toll by Semple and Ide. (who informed Will S. Green of Colusa,; to occupy a position where be might reap the benefit of a victory and not suffer from defeat. After the return of the Californians across the bay, the Bear
-
52
PROGRESS OF THE BEAR FLAG WAR
Flag party urgel Fremont to capture the ship Moscow, then lying at Saucelito, cross the bay, capture Castro, and by one bull stroke end the war. Captain Phelp of the Moscow, was in full sympathy with the movement, and even went so far as to put a lot of provisions on a launch near enough to thein to be captured by the party of revolutionists.
Commodore John D. Sluat took possession of Monterey, and three days afterwards the Bear Flag party heard of it, and the stars and stripes took the place of the Bear at Sonoma.
FLAG RAISED IN MONTEREY.
On Saturday, July 11, 1846, came the astounding news from Monterey, that Commodore Sloat had arrived there in the United States frigate Savannah, and had raised the United States fag, and had taken possession of the country in conse- quenee of war, which had broken out between the United States aml Mexico. It was understood that Commodore Sloat requested Captain Fremont to go with all possible dispatch to Monterey.
The United States flag was raised in Monterey on July 7th. If the messenger started immediately, he was four days on his way to Fremont's camp. But Fremont appears to have been uine days on the way to Monterey, reaching there on Sunday, July 19th. If the question is asked, why this slowness, when speed woukl be so certainly looked for, the reply must be that no answer is apparent.
CAPTURE OF MONTEREY .*
" Concerning the capture of Monterey," says Will S. Green, " we were fortunate enough to hear the recital by Commodore Sloat himself. War was anticipated between the United States aud Mexico long before it occurred, and Commodore Jones, then in command on this coast, was instructed to take Monterey, the capital of California, as soon as he heard hostili- ties had commenced. As we have seen, he acted too hurriedly, and, on the instance of the American Minister, he was removed. Sloat, who succeeded, had the same instructions, and was lying at Mazatlan with a frigate and a sloop-of-war, anxiously watelling the signs of the times. It was known that there was an arrangement with England to take possession of Cali- fornia, and hold it for Mexico in case of war. Admiral Seymour, of the British navy, with the line-o'-battle ship Collingwood, was also at Mazatlan waiting orders. One day Seymour got dispatches, and Sloat got none. Sloat set a watch on the Admiral's movements and found him in close consulta- tion with the leading Mexicans, who avoided the American commander. He guessed that hostility had eominenced, and when Seymour went on board his vessel and began to make ready for departure, he felt certain of the fact; and the white
sails of the Collingwood hal not disappeared in the distance before the two small, American vessels were under way for Mou- terey. Every possible much of canvass was spread and a quick voyage was made. On arriving at Monterey a demand was made for the surrender of the plare, which was complied with without the firing of a gun. In a day or so the lookout announced the approach of the Collingwood. Not knowing how the Admiral would interpret his order to take possession of Monterey, the Commodore had his two small vessels got in readiness for action. The huge Englishman sailed up between the two American vessels and dropped anchor. Sloat sent an officer on board with his compliments to the Admiral, and the latter came in person to see the Commodore. He told Sloat that he knew that he had received uo official information of the existence of war, and added that no officer in the British navy would have taken the responsibility he had done, Ho then asked Sloat in a sort of bantering way what he would have done if he had come into port aud found the British fag flying. "I would have had you sink these two little ships for me," was the Commodore's reply. It was thus owing to the prompt action and courage of Commodore Sloat that we became possessed of California.
WAR DECLARED AGAINST MEXICO,
In the meantime Congress had (unknown to these parties) declared war against Mexico, and an expedition one thousand six hundred strong under General Stephen W. Kearny, was traversing the continent in the direction of the Pacific. Simul- taneously with Fremont's action in the north, Commodore Sloat seized upon Monterey; and his successor-Commodore Stock- ton-prepared at once for the reduction of the then principal city of Los Angeles.
With this end in view, he organized a battalion of mounted riflemen, of which Fremont was appointed Major, and Gilles- pie, Captain. This force was embarked on the sloop-of-war Cyane, and dispatched to San Diego with orders to co-operate with the Commodore in his proposed movement on the Ciudad de Los Angeles. On August 1st, Stockton sailed in the Con- gress, and on the 6th arrived at San Pedro, having taken pos- session of Santa Barbara on his way. He now learned that the enemy under Generals Castro and Andres Pico were strongly posted near Los Angeles with a force estimated at fifteen hun- dred men. He learned further that Major Fremout had landed at San Diego, but was unable to procure horses, and therefore could not join him. In the absence of Fremont's battalion, Stockton was wholly destitute of cavalry ; yet, impressed with the importance of celerity of movement, he disembarked his men. The force consisted only of from three hundred to four hundred marines, wholly ignorant of military drill; and their only artillery-six small guns, rudely mounted and dragged by hand.
* More fully given in the local " History of Monterey County," by Elliott & Moore.
2
RES.OF J. J. STEVENSON, ON THE MERGED
ED RIVER. 3 MILES EAST OF HILLS FERRY.MERGED CO.CAL. ME
53
CALIFORNIA IN A TRANSITION STATE.
A few days after landing, a day of tru . approach lower the hills, barne ly commissioner frum l'astro bearing to impress these with an exagymtel ils of the strength of his fore. Stockton direct I his little aring to march at interva , of twenty or thirty paras apart, to a portion where they would be shelterel from observation. In this manner the cominis- sioners were completely deceivel, and when on their arrival they were marchel nye to the month of an immense mortar, shrouded in skins save its huge aperture, their terror and this- comtiture were plainly discernible
Stockton received them with a stern and formidling canlu- tenance, harshly demanding their mission which they discheval in great enufusion They bore a letter from Castro proposing a truee; rach party to hold its own possessions until a general puritiestion should be had. This proposal Stocktou rejected with contempt, ninh dismissed the commissioners with the assur- unce that only an innnediate disbambineut of his forces and an unconditional surrender, wonbt shield Castro.
AAfter some skirmishing of the two forces l'astro surrenderrd, and the sobliers were permitted to go at large on their paroh of honor- not again to bear arms against the United States. Commodore Stockton now issued a proclamation declaring California a territory of the United States; and, as all resist. ater had ceased, proceeded to organize a civil and military government, himself retaining the position of Commander-in- chief and Governor.
About this time Stockton first learned that war had Iwen relarest between the United States and Mexico; and leaving fifty men nuder command of Lieutenant A. H. Gillespie to gar- rison Los Angeles, he proceeded north, to look after affairs in that quarter. This the whole great territory of Upper California had been subjected to American rule without blood- shed or ceen the firing of a gun.
TREATY OF PEACE SIGNED.
'The treaty of pence between the United States and Mexico was signed at Guadalupe Hidalgo, February 2, 1848; ratifica- tions were exchanged at Queretaro, May 30th, following. Under this treaty the United States assumed the Mexican debt to American subjects, and paid into the Mexican treasury $15,000,000 in money, receiving in exchange Texas, New Mexico, and Upper California, at the right of free navigation on the Colorado river and the Gulf of California.
FIRST AMERICAN GOVERNOR.
Sloat proclaimed himself Governor of California, and acted as such until the 17th of August, 1846, when he was super- seded by Commodore R. F. Stockton, who commenced at once a vigorous campaign against the Mexicans under Flores, whom he defeated January 8 and 9, 1847. In January, 1847, Stock-
ton appuistel Fremont Governor, but this of right blemgul to General & W. Kearney, who, on March Ist assumed that uffic. He was sie ht by tobomel Maan in May, and the Fifth of April, 1949 dineral Bennett Hikes was appatent Governor, and continued in office until he was succeeded by Peter H. Burnett, under the State Constitution,
CALIFORNIA IN TRANSITHIN
The year 1846 was the crisis-year in the destiny of Cali- fornia In loking back on the events of that year, touching this country, from this distance of time, their main purpose stands out clearly revealed, as it did not when these events were transpiring. It is plain enough now, that they were inspired from Washington.
The government of the United States had kept a careful watch of what was going on on this coast for many years. Ever after the famous explorations of Lewis and Clarke, who Were sent ont by President Jefferson, in 1804, our Government had kept itself thoroughly informed of everything that con- cerned Californin.
The hopes of England to acquire California, were also well known, and all her movements having that end in view, were carefully dbserver.
Mennwhile the Government at Washington continmust to seck all possible information concerning this country, then so remote and unexplored. Thomas O. barkin, who came here from Massachusetts in 1832, seems to have had a fancy nud a tact for gathering up facts and statistics. These he freely communicated to the Goverment.
By this menns, as well as in other ways, they were inade acquainted, not only with the geography and natural resources of the country, but with its inhabitants, both the native born and the foreign.
The Donner Party.
IS46 .- There are stories of human trial and suffering whose deep interest no amount of repetition can render stale, and such a story is the record of the ill-fated party of immigrants which furnished the actors in the terrible tragedy of Donner lake. Portions of the tale have been written by many hands. They have differed widely, and many have been plainly colored for effect.
The story of the Donner party, in its general features, is too well known on this coast to need repetition. Too many sufferedI the hardships of crossing the plains to allow the recollections of those days to die out. For years after the great rush of imini- gration in '40 no story was told more frequently or was listened to with more eager interest than the misfortunes of that party.
The Donner party proper was formed in Sangamon county, Ill., and was composed of ninety persons. Numerous additions
54
THE TRAGIC FATE OF THE DONNER PARTY.
were made to the train on its way, and when it left Independ- ener, Mo it numbered between two hundred and three hun- wagons, and way over two miles in length. The journey to Salt Lake wasinade without any noticeable incidents, save the extreme slowness of the march. At Fort Bridger the was of the Donner party began. Eighty-even persons-the survivors of the original ninety-determined to go by way of the Hastings cut-off, instead of following the old trail. The remainder of the train clung to the old route, and reached California in safety. The cut-off was by way of Weber canyon and was said to rejoin the old emigrant road on the Humboldt, making a saving of 300 miles. It proved to be in a wretched condition, and the record of the party from this time was one long series of disas- ters. Their oxen became exhausted-they were forced to make frequent halts; the stock of provisions ran low. Finally, in the Salt Lake desert, the emigrants saw plainly that they would never reach the Pacific coast without assistance. Two of their umber were dispatched with letters to Captain Sutter implor- ing aid.
At the present site of Reno, the party concluded to rest. Three or four days' time was lost. This was the fatal act. The storm-clouds were already brewing upon the mountains, only a few miles distant. The ascent was ominous. Thick and thicker grew the elouds, outstripping in threatening battalions the now cager fect of the alarmned emigrants, until at Prosser creek, three miles below Truckee, October 28, 1846, a month earlier than usual, the storm set in, and they found themselves in six inches of newly-falleu snow. On the suunnit it was already from two to five feet deep.
The party, in much confusion, finally reached Donner lake in disordered fragments, Frequent and desperate [attempts were made to cross the mountain tops, but at last, baffled and despairing, they returned to camp at the lake. The storm now descended iu all its pitiless fury upon the ill-fated imini- grants. Its dreadful import was well understood, as laden with omens of suffering and death. With slight interruptions, the storm continued for several days. The animals were liter- ally buried alive and frozeu in the drifts. Meat was hastily prepared from their carcasses, and cabins rudely built. One cabin (Moses Schalleuberger's, now a resident of San Jose); erected November, 1844, was already standing about a quarter of a mile below the lake. This the Breen family appropriated. Judge Breen, now of San Juan, gives his reminiscences of the Donner party in our history of San Benito county. The Mur- phys erected one three hundred yards from the lake, marked by a large stone twelve feet high. The Graves family built theirs near Donner creek, farther down the stream, the three forming the apexes of a triangle, and distant 150 yards or more.
The Donner Brothers, with their families, hastily constructed a brush shed in Alder Creek valley, six or seven miles from the lake.
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