History of San Luis Obispo County, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 13

Author: Angel, Myron; Thompson & West
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Oakland, Calif. : Thompson & West
Number of Pages: 538

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A GREAT CEMETERY.

The tribes of California, with the exception of the Olchones, buried their dead. In excavating for a road some years since, on a bluff overlooking the San Luis Obispo landing, an ancient Indian burying-place was unearthed, showing skeletons packed closely together in a squatting position, indicating that the dead had been brought from some distance in large numbers, and their remains were discovered situated from twenty to thirty feet apart.

INDIAN BOATS.

Vancouver, speaking of the Indians, says that many visited his ships in canoes of the country, which he describes as being made of rushes-probably tule-and dried grass, of a broad leaf, made into rolls of the entire length of the canoe, and tapering to a point at each end. They were lashed firmly together, and propelled by double-bladed paddles, like those used by the Esquimaux. The men went naked, but the women wore petticoats made of rabbit and hare skins.

EARLY MISSIONARIES.

In the earliest ages of Christianity, it was usual for Christians to go into distant lands to preach the gospel. Gregory the Great sent St. Augustine with forty associ- ates to preach the gospel to the Saxons of Britain. The . principal missions of the Catholic Church in later times were those to China, Japan, the East Indies, North and South America, and some minor ones in Africa. In 1812 a Catholic mission was sent to Thibet. A princess, whom an Italian had converted to Christianity, appointed him her first minister, and requested of the propaganda eighty missionaries for the conversion of her subjects; several were accordingly sent.

But the most singular in its effects was the Jesuit mis- sion to Paraguay. Whatever poets and philosophers have fabled of the golden age and the world of innocence, the Jesuits, as Raynal says, realized in a distant zone. The people of Paraguay had no civil nor criminal laws. Their only laws were the precepts of the gospel, There was no distinction of station, and it was the only society on earth where men enjoyed perfect equality, and where poverty, taxes, and lawsuits, those terrible scourges which everywhere else afflict civilized man, were unknown.

THE CALIFORNIA MISSIONS

Were started on principles somewhat similar to those adopted by the Jesuits in Paraguay; but they did not meet with the same success, from a variety of causes not necessary here to enumerate particularly. Governmental interference and the measurable intelligence of the Cali- fornia Indians, were great impediments. Some of the California missions were more extensive than others, but in design they were similar, and built of the same mate- rial, the adobe, or mud-brick. In all were apartments for store-houses, granaries, and for blacksmiths, carpenters, soapmakers, and weavers. The churches were all con- tiguous to the mission buildings. The Indians resided

HISTORY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY.

some distance from the mission edifices, in long rows of adobe huts, which were termed rancherias. A small gar- rison of five soldiers and a Corporal was kept at each mis- sion, which served the double purpose of keeping the re- fractory neophytes in subjection, and of adding to the numerical strength of the mission, by making occasional raids with the Christianos viejos, old mission Indians, to the Tulares, to induce the gentiles, or heathen Indians, to come within the fold.

A MISSION DESCRIBED.

Duflot de Mofras, an attachè of the French Legation to Mexico, was directed in 1840 by Marshal Soult, then French Minister of War, to make a reconnoisance of California. He thus describes the mission of San Luis Rey, near San Diego, in its full working order: "The building is a quadrilateral; the church occupies one of its wings; the façade is ornamented with a gallery. The interior is formed by a court; upon the gallery which runs around it open dormitories of the monks, of the major- domos, and of travelers; small workshops, school-rooms, and store-rooms. The hospitals are situated in the most quiet parts of the mission, where the schools are also kept. The young Indian girls are kept in the halls called the monastery, and they themselves are called nuns; they are obliged to be secluded to be secured from out- rage by the Indians, placed under the care of Indian matrons, who are worthy of confidence. They learn to make cloths of wool, cotton, and flax, and do not leave the monastery until they are old enough to be married. A certain number are chosen among the pupils who display the most intelligence, to learn music, chanting, the violin, the flute, the horn, the violincello, and other instruments. Those who distinguished themselves in the carpenter shop, at the forge, or in agricultural labors, are appointed alcaldes, or overseers, and charged with the direction of a squad of workmen.

MISSION GOVERNMENT.

"Before the civil power was substituted for the paternal government of the missionaries, the administrative body of each mission consisted of two monks, of whom the elder had charge of the interior and of the religious in- struction, and the younger of the agricultural works. To maintain order in the missions they employed only so many whites as were necessary, for they well knew that their influence was wholly pernicious, and that an asso- ciation with them only developed among the Indians the habits of gambling and drunkenness, to which they are unfortunately too much inclined.

DAILY CUSTOMS.

"The Indians were divided into squads of laborers. At sunrise the bell sounded the angelus, and every one set out for church; after mass they breakfasted, and then went to work. At eleven they dined, and this period of repose extended to two o'clock, when they returned to labor until the evening angelus, one hour before sunset. After prayers and the rosary the Indians had supper, and then amused themselves with dancing and other sports. Their diet consisted of fresh beef and mutton, as much as they chose, of wheat and corn cakes and boiled pud- dings. They also had peas, large or small beans, in all an almud, or the twelfth part of a fanega, a week. For dress they wore a linen shirt, pantaloons, and a woolen blanket, but the overseers and best workmen had habits of cloth like the Spaniards. The women received every year two chemises, a gown, and a blanket. When the hides, tallow, grain, wine, and oil were sold at good prices to ships from abroad, the monks distributed hand- kerchiefs, wearing apparel, tobacco, chaplets, and trink-

ets among the Indians, and devoted the surplus to the embellishment of the church, the purchase of musical instruments, pictures, sacerdotal ornaments, etc. Still they were careful to keep a part of their harvests in the granaries, to provide for years of scarcity."

THE RICH MISSIONS.

Such was De Mofras' description of the discipline and regulations of one of the richest of the California mis- sions. The others were conducted on similar principles. Santa Clara, San Luis Obispo, and San Luis Rey were among the most prosperous. They possessed vast herds of cattle, sheep, and horses, and large areas of land were kept under cultivation; orchards comprising all the fruits of the temperate zone, together with olive, lemon, and orange groves, were found at the missions where the cli- mate was propitious to the growth of these different va- rieties of fruits.

THE SECULARIZATION.

The Mexican Congress passed an Act as early as 1833 to provide for the secularization of the missions of Upper and Lower California. Hence, Governor Figueroa pub- lished provisional regulations on the 19th of August, 1834, for the secularization in Upper California, in con- formity with the aforesaid Act. The secularization was not, however, fully carried out until as late as 1845, when the Departmental Assembly at Monterey, on the 28th of May of that year, declared that, agreeably to the provis- ions of the Act of the Mexican Congress, passed in 1833, some of the missions should be rented, and others con- verted into pueblos.

ERAS OF PROGRESS.

A century has now elapsed since the founding of the missions in California. A century, however, is but a short period in the history of our country. In the world's history it is comparatively but a watch in the night. There are, nevertheless, certain periods, not even embrac- ing so many years as a century, that are remarkable for the extraordinary events and changes which have hap- pened in them, and which have made them ever memo- rable, standing out in bold relief against ages of apathetic dullness. Such was the period of Athenian greatness, which was almost as short as the life of an individual, but of such dazzling brilliancy as to have eclipsed, prob- ably, all others that preceded it.

THE WORK OF THE CENTURY.

The mission of San Luis Obispo was formally founded on the Ist of September, 1772. From the church rec- ords it appears that the mission was built under the care and protection of the Catholic King, Charles III. The administrators of the Apostolic College of San Fernando, Mexico, for the propagation of the Catholic faith, were commissioned for this purpose. They were His High- ness, Don Carlos Francisco de Croix, Viceroy and Gov- ernor of New Spain; and Don Jose Galvez of the Royal Council and Supreme Government of the Indies. Then follows a certificate signed by Father Junipero Serra, President. "Wherefore, the undersigned certifies, that he arrived here on the 19th of August, 1772, and on the ist of September following, assisted by Father Joseph Caballar, blessed and put in its place the holy cross, and the first mass was sung amidst a vast number of Indians." Thus was inaugurated this Christian town.

Great events and mighty changes have taken place in the last one hundred years, but nature presents the same features to-day that she did upon the day of the arrival here, one hundred years ago, of those earliest pioneers of civilization on this coast, who, doubtless, admired the violet summits of the surrounding hills as we admire

.A. Hollister

HON. JOHN H. HOLLISTER.

AMONG the names conspicuous in the development of he agricultural interests of California, that of Hollister tands most prominent. Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and other counties bear the narks of the great intelligence and enterprise of mem- ers of this family. The history of agriculture in Cali- ornia, in its various branches of improved stock, grain, nd fruits, would be barren without chief reference to he works of the brothers, William Wells and Joseph Hubbard Hollister, the latter being the father of Hon. ohn H. Hollister, of San Luis Obispo. This gentle- nan is a native of the Buckeye State, born in Newark, Ohio, November 27, 1856, his parents being Joseph H. nd Ellen (Mossman) Hollister. When he was a child of even years, the family removed to California, his father Having crossed the plains with thoroughbred sheep many ears before, and acquired large property in California.

In this State the young man grew to manhood, cquiring an excellent education, and graduating at he State University at Berkeley. Since 1866 San Luis Obispo has been his home. His present residence is on he beautiful rancho, El Chorro-the waterfall - five niles northwest of San Luis Obispo, where upon his ,000 broad acres he conducts the business of dairyman nd farmer. A view of the place is shown in this book. In 1879 he was elected Supervisor of the county, robably the youngest man ever chosen to so important position, and the duties were performed in so intelli- ent and faithful a manner as to draw commendation rom all sides. Before the expiration of his term as upervisor, he was nominated by the Republicans as heir candidate for the Assembly. The campaign of 882 was a noted one, resulting in the great Democratic

"boom," but not to the exclusion of Hollister, as he was triumphantly elected. He made the canvass of the county, and his speeches were of marked ability, greatly exceeding what his most admiring friends had expected. All his pledges he kept.

The Assembly was largely Democratic, therefore a Republican was not expected to exercise much power, but Mr. Hollister was one of the foremost, notwithstand- ing his being in the minority. The Anti-Oleomargarine Law, the law to extirpate fruit tree pests, and to prevent diseases in fruit trees, and other measures of great im- portance to the agricultural interests, were introduced by him and pushed through by his energy and manage- ment.

Mr. Hollister was married April 12, 1880, to Miss Flora May Stocking, a native of Bloomfield, Sonoma County, California, and two children, a daughter and son, have been born to them. Col. J. H. Hollister, his father, died in San Luis Obispo January 5, 1873, and his mother, September 3, 1867, both being buried in the county of San Luis Obispo.

His three sisters, Mrs. Jack of San Luis Obispo, Mrs. Stowe of Santa Barbara, and Mrs. Banning of Los Angeles, are among the most elegant, accomplished, and admired ladies of the Golden State. Mr. Hollister is an active and respected member of the Patrons of Husbandry, of the Masonic Order, and the Knights of Pythias, and connects himself with all public matters in an intelligent and progressive manner. Although yet young, he has become prominent among his fellow- citizens, who look with pride upon his advances and success.

'CHORRO RANCH" RANCH, DAIRY AND RESIDENCE OF J. H. HOLLISTER, SAN LUIS OBISPO CO. CAL.

THE MISSIONARIES.

them, and the Santa Margarita Range, with its deeply furrowed sides, and the mantle of silvery mist which at times it throws around its brow, when the bleak winds from the ocean rush along the valleys, and scream through its narrow gorges and wooded defiles.

THE DARK AGES.

- -

It has ever been, and is even yet, a custom with the thoughtless to attempt to undervalue the inestimable serv- ices rendered to the world by the missionaries of Christ. The migration of successive hordes of barbarians, issu- ing from northern and central Asia, and spreading over northern and western Europe, culminated in the fifth century, in the destruction of the Western Roman Em- pire; which great event marked the commencement of what is known as the Dark Ages, and overwhelmed west- ern Europe with a flood of ignorance and savagery un- exampled in the history of mankind. Cities which had withstood the storms of a thousand years, inclosing within their walls the richest products of the civilization and refinement of ages, were involved in the general ruin. So terrible was the visitation, so incalculable the amount of human suffering which ensued, that it was proclaimed, and confidently believed, that the end of the world was near at hand. But they were false prophets, those who prophesied. All efforts of mere brute force are short- lived, and at best produce but temporary anarchy and confusion. It has been said, and it is an impregnable truth, that the meek, silent light can mould, create, and purify all nature; but the loud whirlwind, the products of disunion, of weakness, passes and is forgotten.

No! it is not the rush of devastating armies, clothed with all the vulgar pomp and circumstance of war, sweep- ing over the face of the earth with sword and firebrand, like fiends fresh from hell, that produce permanent effects in human affairs. They are but physical appliances, and of necessity, and in accordance with unvarying laws, can leave no lasting impression upon the fortunes of the human race.

THE IDEAL ELEMENTS

Alone are indestructible in their effects. The creative energy of mind, faith, genius, truth-they shape the out- ward man, and direct his course onward, and ever on- ward, far into the realm of thought, where may be found the grand intellectual powers that will give us the golden key to knowledge, and with which we may even unlock the portals of the depths of space, from whence we may discover and understand the immutable laws which gov- ern the universe, and hold systems of worlds within their iron grasp. In the dark night which followed the overthrow of the Western Roman Empire, could be discovered the light of the gospel of Christ shining through deep gloom, which hung like a pall over the ruins of ancient civiliza- tion and refinement. It was upheld by fearless, intrepid men who braved all dangers in the interest of Him whose purpose it was that wars should cease, and that peace should reign on earth.

THE GOOD WORK OF THE MONKS.

Indeed, it were difficult to estimate the value of the services rendered to mankind, during this period, by the missionaries of the Christian Church. They threw themselves fearlessly in the midst of the most appalling dangers, armed only with the fervor of religious zeal; and with spiritual weapons alone achieved triumphs, com- pared with which the mightiest efforts of the genius of war pale into utter insignificance. Modern civilization and refinement may be traced directly to their efforts in be- half of humanity. They went forth boldly to barbarian Kings on the banks of the Rhine, the Danube, the Elbe, and the more distant shores of the Baltic Sea; and suc-

ceeded in Christianizing and civilizing barbaric hordes, whose fierceness was seldom equalled, never surpassed. And during the same period they preserved the inestima- ble remains of Athenian and Roman genius-all that was left of the past eras of human civilization and refine- ment. After laying deep the foundation of modern European civilization, we see them still pushing outward to the farthest extremities of the known world, despising all dangers, enduring the most terrible privations, suffer- ing hunger, thirst and martyrdom, aggravated by the most exquisite torture that savage cruelty could inflict.

But the places of those who fall are soon filled by others, who lift again the banner of the cross and march on; now piercing the frozen regions of the North, and crossing mountain chains, where the fierce and wintry blasts start the avalanche, hurling it headlong down the steep declivities; now braving the deadly miasmas in the wilds of fiery climes; ministering unto those who, stricken down by pestilential disease, recline "beneath the spreading tamarind, which shakes, fanned by the breeze, its fever-cooling fruit."

Crossing the Indian Sea they came to the Moluccas, thence to Japan, to China, in the heart of Asia, in the Indies, in Ethiopia, in South Africa, among the warlike Kaffirs; then, crossing the stormy Atlantic, they pierce the heart of this continent; now in Canada among the Hurons, now on the banks of the Mississippi, in Brazil, in Paraguay, in the country of the Montezumas; and 100 years ago, as the sun was slowly sinking behind the Islay hills, throwing lingering rays of light across the valleys, like farewell smiles, tinging the rugged slopes of the Santa Margarita with a purple hue, they arrived here, weary, worn, and travel-stained, and rested beside the limpid waters of the stream which flows past us, almost at our feet.

Looking back through the dim vista of 300 years, we find nothing in the history of the race that can compare in true grandeur and sublimity, and in enduring effects, with the achievements of these servants of Christ, who went forth to preach his word to all nations, provided with neither gold, nor silver, nor scrip, for their journey. The Sesostrises, the Alexanders, the Hannibals, the Scipios, the Cæsars, the Napoleons, supported by veteran armies, and backed by the resources of powerful States, and encouraged by the applause of multitudes, astonished mankind by the brilliancy of their deeds; but, meteor- like, they followed each other rapidly, leaving tracks of dazzling radiance, producing only temporary effects, which were soon swept away, and disappeared forever in the dark mists of time. But the deeds of those intrepid soldiers of the cross are as indestructible as time itself, for they are not based upon the spirit of murder and wholesale slaughter, nor upon the tears of the widow and the cries of the fatherless, but upon the noblest principles, faith, hope, charity, brotherly love, and appeal only to the immortal part of our nature, pointing ever heavenward, and teaching us the value of that most wonderful of all the known works of the Almighty-the human soul.

CALIFORNIA EXPLORERS.

In the year 1542 Cabrillo discovered California. The coast was afterwards visited by Sir Francis Drake, and, some years later, by Vizcayno. But it was not until the year 1769 that the work of laying the foundation of the Pacific Empire was fairly commenced by Father Junipero Serra.

TRIBUTE TO THE PIONEERS.

And about the middle of this century the American pioneers, starting from the far East, some spreading their white sails upon the blue expanse of the ocean, others fighting step by step their way through savage tribes,

HISTORY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY.

across trackless plains and mountain ranges, and all animated with the undying vigor and terrible energy of the Anglo-American race, came to build the superstruct- ure upon the foundation already prepared for them. It is not yet completed, but in its still unfinished state, its beauty, its symmetry, the exquisite harmony of its vast proportions, strike mankind with mingled feelings of sur- prise and awe. The choice spirits, the picked men of all the nations of the earth, are flocking in upon us to help in the great work of rearing an empire based upon the indestructible elements of religion, courage, self-denial, genius, moral freedom, and dauntless resolution and enterprise. The mind is fairly bewildered when it even attempts to picture the future glory, power, and influence of a political fabric based upon such elements as these, placed in a position so commanding, and with surround ings so magnificent, situated where there is no beyond; on the shores of the grandest ocean facing the oldest, richest, and most populous countries of the world, which contains the hoarded treasures of the primeval dynasties, and backed and supported on the east by the untiring, restless energy of the master races of the earth, and containing within itself resources so varied and illimitable as to challenge the admiration and the wonder of nations.

Let us, then, rise to noble conceptions of our splendid destiny; let us feel that our work is not yet finished; that, having aided in carrying freedom, knowledge, religion, and a higher civilization across arid plains and deserts, and over stormy seas, to the utmost verge of the conti- nent; here in California, overlooking the white-crested waves of the Pacific, and fronting the effete barbaric despotisms of Asia, we are now erecting an empire which in time may eclipse all the others of the earth. Still we must remember that the great work will admit of no pause; to stop, to wait, would be but to recede, to perish.

Let us keep our fire burning; let us feed its breath, until it flashes afar over the broad Pacific, that other nations besides the Japanese shall cry out: A gleam! a gleam! not from Ida's but from California's heights. And farther and farther it will spread, from shore to shore, from cliff to cliff, across Siberian wilds and China's fruitful vales, to where the Tartar wheels his steed, till Himalaya's snowy peaks herald the giant flame o'er tents of turbaned hordes, to where the crescent shines and " Arab camels kneel," and lo! westward the Star of Empire has flashed its rays.

APOSTROPHE TO THE MISSIONARIES.

Then all hail, noblest pioneers of the Prince of Peace! harbingers of civilization, whose mission it was to teach mankind the sacredness of human nature; to save that which was lost; to lift up the fallen; to succor the misera- ble; to comfort and console those who "ache for the dark house and the long sleep;" and to point out the path which leads beyond the grave to a nobler existence, where the weary will find rest and where sorrow is unknown. Again, all hail to that gallant band of American pioneers who, following closely upon the footsteps of the scattered few who preceded them, came to rear the superstructure of the grandest moral empire the world had yet seen. When finished it will defy the attacks of time, and its daz- zling light is destined to dispel the darkness of Asiatic ignorance, and extend the blessings of civilization, free- dom, and knowledge to the primeval nations of the earth.

CHAPTER VII. CALIFORNIA UNDER MEXICO.

Pleasant Memories-Prosperous Rancheros -- Generous Hospitality -Californians in 1835-General Style of Dress of the People -Pure and Mixed Blood-Fine Voices-California Money- Methods of Travel-Californian's Easter Sunday-Singular Funeral-Cock Fighting-A Horse Race-Dancing-Descrip- tion of a Festival, January 10, 1836-Curious Custom-Love's Offering-Twenty-four Years Later-Captain John Wilson- Reminiscences-Return Voyage-California Customs-The Carrela-A Manly Race-Schools-Fecundity of the People- Their Tables -- The Family at Home-Weddings-The Ladies' Costumes-Caballero's Dress-Funeral Customs-Postal Sys- tem-Hospitable Californians-The Ranchos-The Rodeos -- A Changed Condition-Ecclesiastical or Monkish Government.

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History of San Luis Obispo County, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 13

Author: Angel, Myron; Thompson & West Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Oakland, Calif. : Thompson & West Number of Pages: 538

Author: Angel, Myron; Thompson & West
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Oakland, Calif. : Thompson & West
Number of Pages: 538