USA > California > San Luis Obispo County > History of San Luis Obispo County, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 2
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CHAPTER XXXIII. VIGILANCE COMMITTEE CONTINUED.
Anti-Vigilance Newspapers-Review of the Evidence-A Veteran Bandit-The Case of Pio Linares-Defense of the Committee -Desperate Acts of Linares-The Necessity of a Vigilance Committee-The Criminal Element-The Vigilance Pledge- Roll of Members-Vigilance Subscriptions-The Evidence- Murder of the Basque Frenchmen .. .. 300-304
CHAPTER XXXIV.
CRIMES.
Murder of Read and Family-Society in San Luis Obispo-Indian Raids-Joaquin Muriatta-Pursuit and Capture of Murderers- Murder of Wall and Williamson-A Reminiscence of 1849- Killing of Bonifacio Manchego - A Barbarous Murder - A Strange Murder-A Strange Verdict-Doc Stewart-Waylaid and Killed-An Indian Murder-A Fiendish Crime-A Chinese Assassination-Attempted Assassination-An Unknown Mur- der-Order Prevails. . 304-311
CHAPTER XXXV. MAILS, ROADS, AND RAILROADS.
The Ancient System-Regular Mail-A Post-office-Alexander Murray-Tri-Weekly Stage-Daily Stage-Coast Line Stage Company-Perils of the Flood-Upset in the Creek -- A Noble Red Man -- The Flood Abates-Not an Unusual Event -- San Luis Obispo Post-office-J. J. Simmler-Postal Business- Business in San Luis Obispo-Cambria Stage-Cayucos and San Miguel Stage-Post-offices in San Luis Obispo County- Wagon Roads-Railroads-Pacific Railroad Survey-Southern Pacific Railroad-Southern Pacific Branch Railroad Company -San Luis Obispo Railroad Company-Opposition Wharves and Steamers-San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria Valley Rail- road-Pacific Coast Railway -- J. M. Fillmore. . . ... 311-322
CHAPTER XXXVI. COAST OF SAN LUIS OBISPO.
Coast Survey-Pismo Wharf-Bay of San Luis Obispo-North of San Luis Obispo-Bay of San Simeon-The People's Wharf- Rates of Wharfage-Petition for a Breakwater-In the Assem- bly-San Luis Obispo a Port of Delivery-Wreck of the Har- lech Castle. . 322-326
CHAPTER XXXVII. METEOROLOGY.
December in San Luis Obispo-Climate-The Seasons-The Wet Season-Rain-fall at San Luis Obispo-Rain-fall at Paso de Robles-The Dry Season- Temperature during 1874 and 1875-Earthquakes-Tidal Wave-Tornado-Effects of the Climate-W. W. Hays, A. M., M. D ....... .... 326-331
CHAPTER XXXVIII. TOWNS AND LOCALITIES.
The Northern Coast Towns-San Simeon-The Wharf-Improved Business-San Simeon Township-The Climate and Products- Piedras Blancas Light-house -The Farmers-R. J. Hazard-A Whaling Station-Fight with a Whale-Captain Clark's Whal- ing Business-Luis Vori. . .. 331-334
vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS-ILLUSTRATIONS.
CHAPTER XXXIX. TOWNS AND LOCALITIES CONTINUED.
Cambria-Increasing Population-Mining Excitement-The First - School-John McCormick Whitaker-Mail Route Established -Business Improving-The First Store-William H. DeNise -Naming the Town-Excelsior Cheese Factory-Societies- Railroad Talked Of-Prosperity-Dairying-O. P. McFadden -- Jeffrey Phelan-John C. Hill-Frederick J. Peterson-Cam- bria in ISSO-Santa Rosa Valley-Mammoth Rock-Timothy Murphy-Julian Estrada .. . 334-34I
CHAPTER XL. TOWNS AND LOCALITIES CONTINUED.
Leffingwell's Wharf-Cayucos-Capt. James Cass-Cass' Wharf- Jeremiah Francis Muir-Business at Cayucos-Town Laid Out -Dairying Interest-Emil Royass Freeman-G. A. Freeman -George T. Shipp-Joseph Muscio-Abramo Muscio-Ales- sandro Tomasini-James Badasci-Charles Mabel-Thomas S. Mabel-James Quincy Buffington-David C. Powell-Samuel Kingery-Cayucos in IS80. 341-347
CHAPTER XLI. TOWNS AND LOCALITIES CONTINUED.
Morro-Morro Rock-Morro Bay-Town Founded-Land Titles- Business Men of Morro-William Langlois-John Greening- Legend of Morro Castle-Avila-Don Miguel Avila-Port Harford .. 347-350
CHAPTER XLII. TOWNS AND LOCALITIES CONTINUED.
Arroyo Grande-William Henry Ryan-Progress of the Town- Pismo Wharf-Railroad-Daniel Henry-Henry Hess-The Vicinity-H. A. Vachell-Hasbrouck's Ranch ..... 350-355
CHAPTER XLIII.
TOWNS AND LOCALITIES CONTINUED.
City of the Olive Tree-San Luis Obispo-Collecting Toll-Town Survey-Pueblo of San Luis Obispo-Town Lands-Hon.
Charles H. Johnson-Town Organization-City Incorporated -City Officers-City Finances-Town Improvements-Prog- ress in 1876-Condition in 1883-Goldtree Block-Bank of San Luis Obispo-Water-Works-James G. Abbott-Francisco Estevan Quintana-Pedro Quintana-Stillman F. Breed -- Christjan Hansen Jespersen. 355-363
CHAPTER XLIV. TOWNS AND LOCALITIES CONTINUED.
East of the Santa Lucia-The Carrisa Plain-Valley of the San Juan -- San Jose Valley-Pozo -- Owners and Farms in 1877-80- Naming the Post-office-Don Ynocente Garcia-Santa Margar- ita-Seen by J. Ross Browne-Bear Catching-The Santa Lucia Range-The Eastern Valleys-Eagle Rancho-A Gal- lant Hunter-A Lovely Park-Falls of the Atascadero-J. Henry Baron von Schröder. . 363-369
CHAPTER XLV. TOWNS AND LOCALITIES, CONTINUED.
Valley of the Salinas-El Paso de Robles-Purchased by Black- burn-The Improvements-The Main Spring-Chemical An- alysis-The Mud Bath-Other Springs-Resident Physician- Routes of Travel-D. D. Blackburn-J. H. Blackburn- D. W. James .. . .. 369-376
CHAPTER XLVI.
TOWNS AND LOCALITIES CONCLUDED.
San Miguel-George W. Proctor-Estrella-Las Tablas-C'ho- lome- Bull and Bear Fight. .376-381
CHAPTER XLVII.
OBITUARIES.
Obituaries of Pioneers. .
. 381-385
GLOSSARY OF SPANISH NAMES. .386
PATRONS DIRECTORY . 387-391
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Abbott, Austin
Facing Page 120
Langlois, Wm
Facing Page 348
Badasci, G
66
66
108
Lee, Chas
66
136
Bean Bros
60
r84
Mabel Bros
66
345
Blackburn, J. H
66
96
Mayfield, B. F
I28
Blackburn Bros. and James
McFaddin, O. P
340
Branch, J. F.
66
220
McFerson, J. C
60
181
Breed, S. F
Mission San Luis Obispo
66
16
Brians, Morgan.
Mission San Miguel
60
24
Buffington, J. Q
60
II2
Muir, J. F.
יר
342
Cass, James.
Murphy Timothy
66
181
Court House
Muscio, A.
60
152
Dana, John F
Muscio, G ..
66
144
Dana, W. C ..
66
I20
De Nise, W. H
Paso Robles Hot Springs I
66
44
60
66
88
Petersen, F. J
66
339
Fowler, J. D
60
I28
Pierce, B. B
66
66
160
Freeman, E. R
Powell, D. C.
56
Freeman, G. A
Proctor, G. W
Goldtree Bros
68
Price, John M.
64
Greening, John
Quintana, Pedro
66
66
361
Hardie, A. M.
Ryan, W. H
66
56
Henry, Daniel
Tomasini, A
60
66
80
Hess, Henry
Tribune Building
66
12
Hill, J. C.
Van Gordon, Ira
66
66
91
Hollister, J. H
Warden, H. M.
72
Howe, E. W
Warden, Lew M
160
Jespersen, C. H
80
Whitaker, J. M.
335
Kingery, S.
332
Yori, Lewis
1
I
1
I 1
66
352
Hazard, R. J.
66
1
1
I
1
1
1
1
1
1
.
1
66
48
66
1
.
1
1
1
1
1
4
1
1
.
.
I
1
66
180
332
66
66
3.56
353
136
Nelson, L
66
88
Danglada, J. M
O'Connor, P
228
336
Estrada, Mariano
Fink, Chas
96
Phelan, Jeffry .
66
168
343
66
344
66
349
1
1
1
4
335
66
341
9
66
IO5
104
64
Shipp Mrs. Harriett
1
.
93
66
1
364
229
44
viii
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-PORTRAITS.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
PAGE.
PAGE.
Abbott, James G
362
Johnson, Chas. H
357
Angel, Myron
276
Kingery, S
346
Avila, Don Miguel
350
Langlois, Wm
348
Badasci, James.
345
Mabel, Charles
345
Bean, E. P.
232
Mabel, Thos. S
345
Bean, R. M .
183
Maxwell, Chas
276
Blackburn, 1). D
372
Mayfield, B. F.
92
Blackburn, J. H
374
McFaddin, O. P
339
Bonilla, J. M
284
McFerson, J. C
182
Branch, Francis Ziba
216
Muir, J. F.
342
Branch, J. F.
219
Murphy, P. W
32
Breed, S. F .
362
Murphy, Timothy
341
Brians, Morgan
229
Muscio, A.
344
Buffington, J. Q
345
Muscio, Joseph
344
Cass, James
341
O'Connor, P
229
Crenshaw, J. H
280
Osgood, Henry M
142
Dana, John F
107
Petersen, F. J
339
Dana, W. C.
IO7
Phelan, Jeffry
339
Dana, W. G
IOI
60
DeNïse, W. H
336
Powell, D. C.
345
Doyle, H. H
279
Proctor, G. W.
377
Estrada, Julian
341
Price, John M
63
Fillmore, J. M.
321
Quintana, F. E.
362
Finney, Porter S
182
Quintana, Pedro
362
Fowler, J. D
183
Ryan, W. H
351
Freeman, E. R
343
344
Freeman, G. A.
343
Simmler, J. J
314
Goldtree Bros
361
Sparks, Isaac J
220
Greening, John
349
40
Hardie, A. M
179
Steele, Geo .
165
Hays, W. W
330
Stone, George 92
344
Henry, Daniel
353
Vachell, H. A
353
Hess, Henry
353
Van Gordon, Ira
91
Hill, J. C.
339
Warden, H. M
72
Hollister, J. H.
48
Warden, Lew M
160
Howe, E. W.
92
Whitaker, J. M 335
James, D. W
375
Yori, Lewis
333
Jespersen, C. H.
363
PORTRAITS.
Branch, Francis Ziba
Facing Page 216
Simmler, J. J
Facing Page 313
Dana, W. G ...
66
Steele, E. WV. (steel)
40
Hollister, J. H. (steel)
48
Stone, George (deceased)
92
Murphy, P. W. (steel)
66
32
Warden, H. M. (steel).
66
72
Phillips, C. H. (steel).
60
Warden, Lew M.
66
I60
Quintana, Francisco E.
84
1
4
.
Steele, E. W
Hazard, R. J
332
Tomasini, A.
1
I
1
1
I
4
Phillips, C. H.
1
Shipp, Geo. T
.
66
COURT HOUSE, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CAL.
:
HISTORY OF
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
BY MYRON ANGEL.
INTRODUCTORY.
APPY are the people," says " Montesquieu, "whose stories are brief in the history books." Such were the thoughts of a philosopher who regarded his- tory as the record of but wars, battles, and sanguinary strife; the contests of kings and the intrigues of royal courts; the splendors and luxuries indulged by royal tyrants; the deeds of great generals who led to slaughter the servile and obedient masses at the pleasure of the autocratic power or to satisfy a personal ambition. The great libraries of the world are filled with vast tomes whose pages are crimsoned with the blood of the nations whose history they relate. Bronze and marble and granite have been molded and hewn and piled in monuments com- memorative of oppressive rulers, licentious despots, and successful warriors. All the energies of the past ages have been devoted to the aggrandizement of the great, to the exaltation of the few, and the ennoblement of crime committed by power. The condition and deeds of the simple people were left to the lyric poets, to the romancist and the obscure story-teller, whose writings could not bear the dignity of history. The people were ever the sufferers; downtrodden and divested of all the rights of manhood; of a voice in the Government; of the acquisi- tion of property; of the choice of religion; of the attain- ment of knowledge; and of the pursuit of happiness. To
them history was but a record of their misfortunes, and well may it have been said, "happy was a people without a history."
But with modern advancement the spirit of mankind has changed. The people, as contradistinguished from their rulers, have risen to an appreciation of their strength and a knowledge of their rights, and other institutions than dynasties and crowns; other classes than titled nobility, and other individuals than kings and conquerors fill the field and furnish themes for the his- torian.
California, the fairest and happiest of lands, has a history to pack volumes with the most pleasant, inter- esting, instructive, and exciting details, yet thin would be its pages and dull its reading were it confined to a record of her wars and the tales of prowess of her military chieftains. Her history bears the bright features of a romance rather than the dark character of a tragedy. A romance gave her the mellifluous name she bears, and incited the conquistadores to her discovery. The first explorations of the coast, whose records are lost amid moldering archives, seem like voyages to fairy land, so enveloped are they in the misty shadows of the distant past. Her settlement by the mild-mannered missionaries of the meek and lowly order of Franciscans creates a sympathy for their self-imposed privations and an admi- ration for the religious enthusiasm that led them to the
2
10
HISTORY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY.
unknown land as the humble associates and instructors of the savages. Around them is thrown a halo of a rever- ential feeling as we observe their progress of develop- ment; as we attempt to exhume their story; as we reflect upon their simplicity, weakness, and devotion, the lovely land in which they had located, their surroundings of wild country, and dark-skinned children of nature, and as we witness the crumbling ruins of their crude but pretentious structures, in an architecture of a past age
and a strange people. We find a further romance in the happy pastoral life of the ranchero period, when great leagues and countless cattle made the wealth of the landed proprietors, and the graceful caballero and their fleet horses careered like centaurs over hill and plain, when the dark-eyed señoras and señoritas delighted in the dance, and maintained a society on the calm Pacific shore so different from the busy, ambitious world of the distant East. These scenes are interrupted by a short season of war, which, but for the imprudence of the officers in command, would have been bloodless, and California would have finished her course unmarred by the hand of violence. The brief contest was but an exciting episode in the story preparatory for a greater surprise, which arises almost to a superstition, and is the crowning fabric of the romance. California becomes El Dorado, the land of gold, and from the civ- ilization of the Middle Ages advances at a bound to the front rank of enlightened States. To these events are added the story of an excitement and movement of people not witnessed since the crusades; a progress and prosperity unequaled in the world, and all in a climate so lovely as to inspire with enthusiasm whoever mentions the subject.
To write of these is as if one were writing a romance and still adhere to the rigid facts of history. Happily it is a history in which the tales of war are not con- spicuous. California, in the nature of her settlement, resources, and development, has played an important part in the affairs of the world, and made more history than many of the States that count double her years and population. Her gold revolutionized the commerce of the world, and her vast area of mining-land which she opened to all mankind so exalted labor that the theories of all governments were changed, and greater comfort and liberties and civilization permeated to the lowest stratum of society. The conditions of life were advanced a century by her development. Manufactories were stimulated, great fleets were set in motion, capital was emboldened to the grandest enterprises, the financial security of the nation was fixed, commerce enlivened, and all countries of the world made to know each other.
These encomiums are due to California in whole and to every part. Our history is to be of San Luis Obispo County, but the history of the county so blends with the early history of the whole that to make it com- plete we will first relate the principal events pertaining to the entire country to the time when the State was created and the county organized. Till then San Luis Obispo was an undivided part of the whole, and the history of
California was her history. To this history we introduce our readers.
The ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY is a work combining the labors of different per- sons in their different parts under the general direction of THOMPSON & WEST, the publishers. In its prepara- tion every source of information has been sought to ren- der it a complete and authentic history-the State and „County archives, the files of newspapers and magazines, all books and publications that could be obtained relating to the subject, old letters and diaries, scrap-books, and interviews with all who could or would relate the inci- dents of the past and the facts of the present-all has been gleaned that seemed possible, and from these and with such aid as others have kindly given we have com- piled and written the History.
Throughout the volume the writings and statements of others will be found. To these we wish to make the due acknowledgment. The writings and lectures of Hon. Charles H. Johnson are familiar to the people of San Luis Obispo, and from them we have drawn at liberty. No person has paid greater attention to the early history of this section than he, being a resident of the county for upwards of a third of a century, and to no one could we go for a more intelligent source or more willing informant. Mr. Johnson is a student of a wide range, a close observer, and careful writer, and willingly imparts his accumulated knowledge to others. To this veteran pioneer we render our thanks and express the heartfelt wish that his declining years may pass as pleas- antly as his past has been useful and honorable. To W. WV. Hays, A. M., M. D., we are under obligations for much valuable assistance and many courtesies, whose scientific attainments and careful observations have aided us in the presentation of many facts of the geology, meteorology, and archæology of the county, and from whose excellent library we have drawn much of interest. To the venerable John M. Price we express our thanks for pleasant interviews and courteous hospitality. Mr. Price is one of the remaining few of that brave and stalwart body of English-speaking people, who, in manhood's prime, cast their lot in this secluded quarter of the earth, becoming as of the native born, and aiding in its strength and development. He is still well and vigorous, a living link uniting the era of the quiet past with the active present. Facts obtained from those who took part in the scenes of the distant past; saw the country as it then existed, and familiar with its social condition and political affairs, are doubly worth the statements and the reflections of those who have not, and we regard it as an important feature of this work that it has the opportunity to record the evidence of a living witness, for soon the last must pass from the stage of life. A biography of Mr. Price and frequent mention of him will be found in this volume. To Hon. Frederick Adams we are in- debted for information upon land matters, resources, area and ownership of the great ranchos in the eastern part of the county, and for his kindness in enabling us to visit that extensive and interesting region, and for infor- mation upon other important subjects. To Mr. E. W.
11
INTRODUCTORY.
Steele we shall in vain attempt to express the deep obliga- tions we are under for attentions and assistance at all times and in many ways. As one of the most energetic and enterprising business men of the county he has taken a warm interest in the history and liberally assisted in its success. To Mr. C. H. Phillips we express our grateful acknowledgments for much information fur- nished and the earnest and important assistance ren- dered. To Rev. R. W. Summers. we are owing for light thrown upon the history of the prehistoric races which once occupied this land, whose careful researches among ancient cemeteries have preserved much for the country and added important knowledge to the world. To Messrs. D. D. and J. H. Blackburn and D. W. James of Paso de Robles we are indebted for kind courtesies and many items of interest of the early history of the county of which they have so long been a prominent and con- spicuous part. To Mrs. Marcus Harloe (nacio Flora Sparks) we are happy to doff our sombrero in recom- pense for important matters of history kindly related and supplied. Mrs. Harloe is a daughter of Captain Isaac J. Sparks, a pioneer of 1832, and to the manor born. We will hope that her grand estate of the Huasna will during a long life afford her a happy home. To Messrs. Edward G., William, John, and Ramon Dana, of Nipomo, we return our thanks for items and documents of inter- est. To Hon. P. A. Forrester we are indebted for information regarding the mineral resources and remi- niscences of the mining excitement of 1863-4. To the various county officers we return thanks for courtesies extended, and to Hon. Nathan King, County Clerk, who kindly allowed us the privileges of his office and aided us in searching the records.
To the newspapers of the county we owe much. The files of the San Luis Obispo Tribune during the fourteen years of its existence are full of the history of the county, and from its many volumes liberal extracts have been made. The founder of the paper and its editor for a number of years, Hon. Walter Murray, was peculiarly qualified for the work, and by his writings did much in preserving a great deal of valuable historical matter. Being a resident of California from the date of the con- quest, familiar with the Spanish language, a lawyer of prominence as well as a capable editor, he became con- versant with many historical incidents which he took the pleasure to record. The succeeding editors, Mr. O. F. Thornton, and Mr. G. B. Staniford, have also added their quota of interesting matter. To the people of San Luis Obispo we feel under lasting obligations, and will ever hold them in kind remembrance for their universal
courtesy. Coming as a stranger we were welcomed with a hospitality characteristic of a noble and generous peo- ple, and in our HISTORY we shall have but one thought, to do justice to all and to our subject and in our future life to endeavor to reciprocate the favors so kindly bestowed.
In the preparation of this HISTORY we have consulted and drawn from many books and public documents, to enumerate all of which would be tedious and useless. The great . mass of mitter gathered and the many histories published under the direction of Messrs. Thompson & West have been carefully studied and appropriate matter selected. The " Annals of San Francisco;" Colton's " Three Years in California;" Dana's " Two Years before the Mast;" Bryant's "What I Saw in California;" Hall's "History of San José;" Farnum's " Travels in California;" Fremont's " Explorations;" Lieu- tenant Parke's "Reconnoissance of a Pacific Railroad route in 1853-4;" Palou's "Life of Junipero Serra," and numerous other standard and not standard works have been read for data, correction, and statistics, and such extracts taken as necessary to make our history. Many of the above-mentioned and others are referred to as the work progresses.
With these authorities, the assistance given us by those previously mentioned, and with the recollection of some events, we write the HISTORY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. We do not aim at originality nor claim gran- deur of style, but by faithful and diligent work in the brief time allotted, we hope to have written and com- piled a volume valuable to the county, and of confident reference for the seeker of information and of statistics, as well as a pleasure to the readers.
To our patrons we owe a double acknowledgment, as without their aid no such history could be written, and no such book could be published. Each and all are worthy of public commendation. By their liberality and enlightened enterprise they aid in the preservation of important historical matter which would otherwise pass into oblivion as the generation of pioneers passed away; have preserved in lasting and elegant form the features and biographies of the living, active men of the present; the views of the homes and farms of the people; the state of the finances of the county and city; the political record of those chosen to office, the whole presenting a faithful delineation of the condition of the county and state of society contemporary with their lives. The history may be imperfect and incomplete, but with its object and its contents we believe it invaluable, and with confidence present it to our patrons.
I2
HISTORY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY.
CHAPTER I. EARLIEST HISTORY.
California's Genealogy-Spanish Possession of America- The Name of California-Seeking the Fabled Land-The Dis- covery-Further Explorations-Journey of Cabeza de Vaca- The Voyage of Cabrillo-Coast of San Luis Obispo-The Northern Coast-Death of Cabrillo-Voyage of Ferrelo- Landing of Sir Francis Drake-Drake's Historian-Viscayno's Expedition in 1602-Bay of Monterey-Puerto Francisco- Continued Voyage of Viscayno-Names on the California Coast-One Hundred and Sixty-six Years Later-The Jesuits in California-Father Kino -- Father Salva-Tierra -- Methods of Conversion-Expulsion of the Jesuits -- Midnight Parting -Father Junipero Serra-The Mission of Loreto.
CALIFORNIA traces her genealogy through centuries of great obscurity far back into the medieval period, from the gold-hunters of 1849, to the conquest in 1846; to the patriarchal days of the great rancheros; to the pious padres who gathered their neophytes within the sound of their Mission bells; to the enthusiastic church- men who propagated the faith in the wild regions of the new world; to the period of Cortez; to Mexico; to Colum- bus; to Spain, where the source is found. Over such a route came the civilization and the Christianity that settled upon this coast and redeemed it from the dark shadow of savage life. Of the savage races of the prehistoric per od, whence they came, what changes were effected, were there several distinct races and eras succeeding, conquering, or replacing each other; their religion, man- ners, dress, and customs; their degrees of intelligence, their methods of living, their means of warfare, the chase and defense, we know but very little, learning that little from their graves and the few marks and paintings found upon the rocks. The learned and patient archaeologist digs and seeks among the graves, where he reads the story told by the bones, the implements, the toys, and the refuse which tell of their daily life. Great interest is given to such history because of the skill and the patient enduring required to decipher it.
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