History of San Luis Obispo County and environs, California, with biographical sketches, Part 5

Author: Morrison, Annie L. Stringfellow, 1860-; Haydon, John H., 1837-
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company
Number of Pages: 1070

USA > California > San Luis Obispo County > History of San Luis Obispo County and environs, California, with biographical sketches > Part 5

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Other prominent families of those early days were the Pico, Estrada, Villavicencio, Olivera, Canet, Cantua, Linares, Boronda, Avila, Sparks, Branch, Dana, Garcia, Narvaez and Bonilla families, and probably a few others. These families all obtained grants which will be more particularly spoken of elsewhere. The roads were merely trails leading from one ranch to another, and from mission to mission. Everyone rode horseback. The carreta was a two-wheeled cart-the wheels, sections of logs sawed off- the whole rudely bound together with thongs of rawhide. To go joy-riding in a carreta was surely an experience.

The story is told of how once upon a time a set of society belles and matrons set out from San Luis Obispo, escorted by their cavaliers on horse- back, to attend a fandango given by a valiant dame at Avila. Her spouse was opposed to balls and giddy goings-on, so she got him safely locked in his room carly in the evening. The carretas, with all aboard, tried to cross San Luis creek. The tide had backed up and the carretas were swamped. The stiffly starched, voluminous petticoats of the ladies hung limp and dripping when they were at last carried out the rest of the way on horseback. \11 save one. This wise señorita caught up over her shoulders all but one of her skirts, and had only to slip off the wet one and go to dancing, while all the

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS

others had to dry theirs or be fitted out by the hostess before they could trip a step. No need to say who was the belle of that ball.

Julian Estrada owned the Santa Rosa rancho. This story is told by the son of Rufus Burnett Olmstead, the first American who settled in Green val- ley. He came there in 1860, taking possession of land claimed by Estrada. The government survey was soon made, and Mr. Olmstead got legal pos- session of his land. Don Julian liked to do things up with eclat, so when he paid social calls on the neighbors he went in state, dressed in all the grandeur of his station as master of the rancho. Before him galloped Indian outriders on their ponies, and a guard followed, each displaying all the horsemanship he could. When guests were to be entertained, the don had a bear lassoed, and a bear and bull fight took place. Mr. Olmstead says the bear would be tied to a great oak tree, and several bulls driven up; then the bear would be loosened and the fight was on. ITard on the four-legged animals, but no doubt pleasing to the onlookers.

Joaquin Estrada owned the Santa Margarita ranch, and it was his enterprise that brought the first circus to the county. The circus had ap- pcired at Santa Barbara, the writer was told, and Don Joaquin hired the wifit to come to his ranch. He invited the people from all directions and all distances, and entertained them for two weeks with a circus every after- noon, dancing in the evening, and feasting all the time. No matter just where the circus came from, it is certain it was there for two weeks, and more than one old man remembers hearing his elders tell of the time when they went to a circus for two weeks at a stretch.

I rancheria of about seventy-five Indians lived in Green valley just about where The Olmstead schoolhouse now stands. Smallpox got in among them, fel all but three died. They knew only one mode of treatment for all ills. The would build a great fire and dance and leap in its heat until the poi-piration was streaming from every pore, then rush into a swimming-hole fios Houl in the creek. It is no wonder that but three were left after they io bien this "nature cure."

Mr Ohinstead, the pioneer of Green valley, raised some very fine water- man- Wishing to be neighborly, he invited Don Julian Estrada up to help muy whom He came in all his state, and as a return favor arranged a bear am Tasi Geht in honor of Mr. Olmstead. His son, now an old man living in Smrt His -A - the Indians of the rancheria used to find both food and ( wwe Amouing rats, probably the big wood rats common in the hills. wtlel waltere the James Taylor house now stands was a low, swampy plus After % storin the rats to the number of hundreds would take to the um-, 400 mw boy he watched the Indians shoot them with their bows

In Front &M & there were no other Americans living save the Olmstead Tammy: Frontalone Graciola, a Spaniard, lived in the valley. Jerry John- SAME mit ad Hardy were "baching" in a little cabin on Santa Hoca wy A she ome, the Mathers lived near Rocky Butte, back of Wpug Cammo Tivo, Jud the Leffingwells lived up in the pines above the They started a sawmill there, and ran it by horse- paper Boy Puth Med was justice of the peace in Green valley. Many him ; but to prove their guilt was impossible.

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS

Fear of the thieves or their kin closed the mouths of those who could have proven their misdeeds.

Boats stopped at Santa Barbara and Monterey, but only very occasionally at our port, and as there was no wharf, passengers and freight were ferried out or back in rowboats or scaled the cliffs by rope ladders. There was almost no money; hides and tallow were traded for rations, silks, laces and broadcloth. The food was mostly what the ranchers produced. The wheat pounded by Indians in mortars made the bread, tortillas. Frijoles, red peppers, garlic or onions were raised in the gardens; the cattle and sheep furnished abundance of excellent meats; the fruit trees, especially pears, fur- nished preserves for great occasions ; and ther, were often thrifty grapevines.

After Figueroa's death in 1835, three men. Jose Castro, Nicola Guiterrez and Marino Chico, held the office in turn until Juan B. Alvarado was ap- pointed in 1836. He continued governor until December, 1842. Then Manuel Micheltorena served from December, 1842, to February, 1845, when Pio Pico took the office and held it to the American conquest in 1847.

As soon as the mission lands were known to be available, Americans came into Southern California. They married Spanish or Mexican women, and to all intents and purposes were Spanish. The Americans north and east of San Francisco bay cared little for the Spanish. Their interests were purely personal. They were in California for gain, for the enjoyment of its climate and scenic beauties, much as they are today. The "Californians" then meant those of pure or mixed Spanish blood and those naturalized Mexican citizens who were once Americans or of other nationalities.

THE CONQUEST

The Mexican government had resented the indifference or open disregard of the Californians for the parental rule ; and taking advantage of the jealous- ies and quarrelings of those in authority in the province of Alta California, started in to pay up old scores. Santa Anna had risen to be the head of the Mexican government. In February, 1842, he ordered an army of three hun- dred convicts and about one hundred fifty others to be sent to Cali- fornia under Micheltorena, who was also appointed governor. He arrived in San Diego in August, and as a new governor meant feasting, balls, bull- fights and general hilarity, he was joyfully received. Ile started northward, but before he reached Monterey he got news that set him footing it back to Los Angeles. This was that Commodore Jones of the United States navy had sailed into Monterey bay and hoisted the American flag. AActing Gover- nor Alvarado preferred this to being deposed, and took things as they came. Micheltorena ordered the Californians to drive all their cattle and horses into the mountains. Jones hauled down the Stars and Stripes after they had floated over the "Castillo" for just one day, being assured that there was no war between the United States and Mexico. He retired from the Bay of Monterey, and sent dispatches to his government explaining his mistake. Micheltorena removed all the military stores, guns, etc., from Monterey to the Mission San Juan Bautista, near the present town of Hollister. This was to prevent the Americans, or any one else, from sailing into port and cap- turing them.

The convict-soldiery was an offense to the Californians, and they were tired of Mexican rule. Alvarado, Castro and Vallejo united for an insur-

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS

rection. Micheltorena had promised Sutter rich grants of land in the Sacra- mento valley for himself and American friends in return for his friendship. November 14, 1842, the insurrectionists captured the guns and ammunition stored at San Juan Mission; Castro retreated, followed by Micheltorena, to San Jose, where he expected aid from the foreigners, the Americans. They failed him, and he continued his retreat up the east side of the bay. At San Jose was Charles M. Weber, who had purchased and brought there a large store of fine goods. Fearing that if the convict-soldiers entered San Jose his goods would suffer, he went out to meet Micheltorena and begged him not to enter the town. With Weber went a number of Americans and Californians. They meant resistance if the troops tried to come into the town. Castro, hearing of this, came back, and Micheltorena agreed to return to Monterey. About this time a family of note arrived at Sutter's fort. It was Martin Murphy with his wife, sons and daughters. Of this family, P. W. Murphy wood James Murphy became residents of San Luis Obispo County, owning the Santa Margarita and Atascadero ranches. Sutter got his men together, and in January, 1845, started south to help Micheltorena. He had about one hun- dred fifty Indians and sixty Americans. Soon the Americans learned that it was only their countrymen of the Sacramento who favored Michel- torena, and they began leaving Sutter. Castro had gone south and Michel- torena followed. The two forces finally came together near Los Angeles. \ battle took place, but in the end Micheltorena was induced to surrender and return to Mexico. Pio Pico was declared governor.

A Move by the Americans

Now was started a movement among the Americans designed to result in banding them together for mutual protection, and eventually to wrest the northern half of the state from the southern; but events were fast coming that were to settle the fate of California without their aid. In 1846 war was declared between Mexico and the United States. The results were bound to follow as they did.

Fremont

John C. Fremont was sent by the United States government on a third Grip across the continent. He was a captain of topographical engineers and Mig. no doubt, sent to be here in case of trouble with Mexico. He was thely known as the Pathfinder, and was seeking, on this trip, among other Homme, an casier route from the western base of the Rocky mountains to Th Panth of the Columbia river. Fremont visited Castro, stated his pur- Th and a-ked permission to continue his journey. Castro was all cor- mums and readily gave consent "on the honor of a Mexican soldier," as- wwy wmm of protection. With Fremont were sixty-two hardy soldiers and Transfer poch. among them Kit Carson. No sooner had Fremont started north thin Crepe bran pursuing him with his rabble army, dancing up in front of ! remonts men, but always keeping out of range of their bullets. He ordered Frubout to at once leave California or be annihilated. Fremont was not here to start trouble, so he left Castro and his circus-riders, and moved on to the north. May 9. 1846, he was overtaken near Klamath lake by Lieutenant A. Il Gillespie. U. S. Marine Corps, who had been sent out from Washington the previous November, with orders to overtake Fremont. Gillespie had had a long conference with U. S. Consul Larkin at Monterey, where he was

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS

known as a "private gentleman traveling for his health." Gillespie cer- tainly carried verbal messages from President Polk to Fremont (it was not intended that the messages should be taken, if the bearer were himself cap- tured), and he brought letters to Fremont from his father-in-law, U. S. Sen- ator Benton. In Congress much had been said about California in the event of war with Mexico. The slave-holding states were looking forward to getting another slave state, or at least the half that lay south of 36 degrees 30 min- utes N. Lat., the old Missouri Compromise line. Fremont and Gillespie talked long by the camp fire that night, and in the morning the horses were headed south on the backward trail.

The controversy with England over the northern boundary line was on. An English fleet was on the coast, and three nations were watching, each eager for the plum when California should finally drop from the parent tree. These were England, France and the United States. Castro was making a great ado over driving out the "Gringos," this to curry favor with Mexico in hope of being made governor. When Fremont got back to Sutter's fort, he found the settlers greatly excited. Castro had given orders for all the horses north of San Francisco bay to be taken and driven to the Santa Clara valley for his soldiers' use. A large band had been driven to Knights Landing on the Sacramento river to be swum across. This was reported at Sutter's as "a band of three hundred men approaching." The settlers about the fort joined Fremont's men, and it was decided to "go ahead." The Americans were thoroughly tired of Castro's boastings, and, it seemed, were determined to really let him get acquainted with the genuine "Yankee," and not allow him to have the horses he had gathered to use against them.

Ezekiel Merritt, with twelve others, was ordered to "get" the horses. On the night of June 9 they surprised the camp-De Arce was in charge- and drove the animals back to Fremont's camp. It is not definitely known that Fremont sent Merritt for the horses, but he certainly did not insist on their being taken back. No doubt Fremont understood that the United States government intended him to take a hand if he felt it was necessary, but he did not want to repeat Jones' error at Monterey four years before; so lie seems to have done things without definite orders from the government at Washington, yet fully assured that if necessary it would back him.

He knew that Commodore John Drake Sloat was sailing northward in the U. S. frigate "Savannah," closely followed by Admiral Sir George Seymour in the British ship "Collingwood," and that it was an ocean race, with California the prize. Ile probably knew that Secretary of the Navy Bancroft had ordered Sloat to take Monterey, and that the British Vice-Consul at Mon- terey was only waiting for Seymour and the guns to annex California to Great Britain.

The Trip to Sonoma

Fremont may not have ordered the thirty three men who left camp at 3 P. M., June 12, 1846, to take Sonoma, but he saw them start from his camp on the Feather river, and he knew their intentions. On June 13 they reached Grigsby's ranch in Napa valley, where others joined them. June 14, 1846, at daybreak the Americans rode into Sonoma and surrounded General Vallejo's big adobe house. Vallejo knew that California was bound to be annevel by one of the three nations after it. He preferred the United States, sp when he heard English words calling at his door, he dressed and ordered the

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS

men 15 enter. In spite of the writers who have tried to make this event dramatic, spectacular or ridiculous, it was really none of the three. Coman- dante Vallejo asked the callers their business, and by whose authority they made their demand. He was a Republican and quite ready to foil Castro and Pico, who were plotting to annex California to a monarchy. The Ameri- cans told Vallejo they arrested him by orders of Captain John Fremont, but said nothing about the United States. If trouble came, they were going to shoulder it, and not make it a matter for their country. If this was not true "love of country," then show a greater example.

Vallejo knew that Fremont was not the man to act hastily nor without authority, so he realized this was not just a mob he was dealing with. He could surrender and be relieved of his duties as a Mexican official, and he was ready to become an American. His brother, Salvador Vallejo, and Victor Prudon were arrested with him. The surrender of all the guns and govern- ment property in the castillo ended his official connection with Mexico, and pow it was "up to him" to show California hospitality ; so he invited all the compviny to breakfast. There were lively times in the old adobe kitchen for a while then all sat down to a bountiful meal. The Americans were toasted by the General in his own wine, and as Tom Gregory says in his history of Sonoma county, "Knight the interpreter didn't try to interpret. He let everybody eat and drink in his own language." The following paper was drawn up and signed, then presented to General Vallejo:

"Ile, the undersigned, having resolved to establish a government upon republican principles, in connection with others of our fellow citizens, and heming taken up arms to support it, have taken three Mexican officials Treener-, General M. G. Vallejo, Lieutenant Colonel Victor Prudon and Viptain Salvador Vallejo. Having formed and published to the world 110 malar plain of government, feel it our duty to say it is not our intention to bear mijure any person who is not found in opposition to our cause, nor will wellde or destroy the property of private individuals further than is neces- sur0 to our support. Signed, Ezekiel Merritt, R. Semple, William Fallon."

The Raising of the Bear Flag

Un futle squad of men who captured Sonoma, June 14, 1846, had a new Topu the voi their hands ; so the next thing was a flag for it. Bound to save Meuble for their "own United States," they did not raise her flag, but made ah oui then own. They used Old Glory's colors, red and white, a white square o with with a strip of red flannel sewed across the bottom. James McChris- mb The last known survivor of the Bear Flag party, lived at Sebastopol in IS an hold the story as follows: "Colonel Merritt told off Jack Rans- maal, Wwwwww.sport and John Kellar to 'do the heavy work.' In their cruise www@Mets. They came across Mrs. John Matthews, wife of the express madde In jagt 2000tis's fort and Sonoma. She gave them a red flannel petti- wed across the piece of white sheeting by Ransford. Wolfwww. Lhwin Laall, nephew of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln, was the artist. It 009 |is Osos,' emblem of strength and native of the held. And a star in the right upper corner. Across the lewar bari in good, w wiifornia Republic.' Some lampblack, a can of red raffle Weil had been commandeered. Henry Ford out- Tedy With (voresent ruke The countlines of the bear on both sides of the cloth, and

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS

Todd went to work. The bear came out more cinnamon than grizzly. The townspeople looking on pronounced it 'el porcino,' and an English sailor present said it 'looked like a bloomin' red 'og.' The flag of Mexico came down, and that of the Bear Flag Republic went up and stayed up for twenty- five days."

The Bear Flag was adopted by the new California Republic sixty-nine years to a day after Congress adopted the national flag June 14, 1777. It became the state flag March 3, 1911. June 8, 1880, the Native Sons adopted it as the standard of their order. At the request of J. R. Snyder of Sonoma, its bear was placed on the state seal. The only ceremony at this flag-raising, aside from the cheers of "Los Osos!" as the new flag fluttered from the staff from which the Mexican colors had come down, was an oration by Lieutenant Henry L. Ford, who with First Sergeant Granville F. Swift and Second Sergeant Daniel Gibson, composed the "Grand Army" of the new republic.

Ford's Address

"My countrymen, we have taken upon ourselves a damned big contract. We have gone to war with the Mexican nation, and that will keep us busy for some time. We are bound to defend one another or be shot. There is probably no half-way place in the matter. To make our object good and take care of ourselves we must have order, we must have discipline. Each of you have had a voice in choosing your officers. Now that they have been chosen, they must be obeyed. This is business, and there is no back out from it." Vallejo said "Bueno," and started right in being a good American citizen.

Sloat at Monterey

"Down on the Rio Grande" the two republics, the United States and Mexico, were bitterly fighting, but as yet the people at large in California knew nothing of this. Twenty-five days later, war in California was on in earnest. May 15, 1846, Secretary of the Navy Bancroft sent Sloat orders to take Mazatlan, Monterey and San Francisco, one or all, according as his force would permit. Arriving at the port, he learned more of Great Britain's schemes.

British Consul Forbes, Governor Pico and Castro had talked over a fresh "declaration of war" on the part of California, and an appeal to Great Britain for protection. A British fleet was to be handy and, presto, California was to be "protected" by the British lion. Mexico owed large sums of money to Englishmen in Mexico; she was tired of her troublesome child, California : her enemy, the United States, would be cheated out of the chief prize of victory over Mexico, and by letting California go to Great Britain she saw a chance to pay her debts, get revenge, and be rid of trouble, so there was nothing to fear from Mexico if this little plan carried. Larkin had managed to let this plan be known at Washington, so Fremont, acting on the verbal orders Gillespie carried to him, had retraced his steps and gone into camp on the Sacramento river close to the Feather river. His civil engineering triin ing told him to get possession of Sonoma, for there he had a clear way to San Francisco bay. Sutter's fort was close at hand, where the Americans from the east gathered, and upon these he knew he could rely for help if he needed it.

While Sloat's ship, the "Savannah," lay idle in the port of Monterey, the "Collingwood," slow but sure, was coming, too. Sloat hesitated about raising

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS

the flag for fear he should be premature as was Jones four years before, but if Seymour got ahead of him on shore, then there would surely be trouble. Ile had been told to take any one of three ports and it was hard to under- stand his delay. He had heard of the capture of Sonoma and at last, July 7. 1846, hoisted the Stars and Stripes over Monterey, where it has ever since floated on the breezes of the blue Pacific, and from which it shall ever float while American men live to protect Old Glory.

The three men taken prisoners at Sonoma were removed to Sutter's fort. Vallejo communicated with Commander John B. Montgomery of the U. S. Sloop of war "Portsmouth" in San Francisco bay. Montgomery disavowed that his government had anything to do with Fremont's or Merritt's acts, and jomised to protect the people of Sonoma. It was the fashion to "disavow" Iremont in those days, but he was not the only one to suffer in the end. Sloat "disavowed" but finally stirred himself and obeyed orders, taking Mon- teres, though that did not save him from being rebuked by the government for his tardiness. He resigned his command, and Stockton took his place. Fremont kept on doing what he believed his duty, which meant terrible Hardship and considerable fighting, while the others "disavowed" and Squabbled.

Colonel Philip Coke thus describes the situation: "Colonel Kearny is supreme, somewhere up the coast, Colonel Fremont is supreme at Pueblo de Los Angeles, Commodore Stockton is supreme at San Diego, Commodore Shubrick the same at Monterey, and I at San Luis Rey. We are all su- premely poor, the government having no money nor no credit, and we hold the territory because Mexico is the poorest of all."

On July 8, 1846, the Stars and Stripes went up over Yerba Buena by Montgomery's orders ; on the 10th the Bear Flag was lowered at Sonoma, having floated there since June 14; and on July 13 the American flag was raised over the town of San Jose by Captain Robert Fallon.

Fremont Goes South

Stockton decided to take the southern towns, and July 27, by his orders, the "Cyane," with Commodore Dupont in command, sailed for San Diego with Fremont's battalion of one hundred and sixty volunteers on board. August 10, Stockton and three hundred soldiers on board the "Congress" sailed, intend- tp to take Los Angeles. August 12 the U. S. sloop of war "Warren," under Thill arrived with the news of war between the United States and Mexico. Want was realized that Fremont must have known what he was about, and Whisk ly and his followers would be protected.

A Blunder

Tro and his men had been paroled and Los Angeles garrisoned by El. mo While anh ton were left to hold Santa Barbara. The naval and Lawi Pier bol Love north. Gillespie at Los Angeles had tried reforms that amopinto ( dinin , who, led by Jose Maria Flores, rebelled, and there wor du sil "mettre tion" to quell.

Juan Flaco (Lean John) or John Brown's Ride

September 23, 18to. Flores with a large force demanded the surrender of Los Angeles. Gillespie refused and Flores began a siege. Stockton must be

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History of San Luis Obispo County and environs, California, with biographical sketches, Part 5

Author: Morrison, Annie L. Stringfellow, 1860-; Haydon, John H., 1837- Publication date: 1917 Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company Number of Pages: 1070

Author: Morrison, Annie L. Stringfellow, 1860-; Haydon, John H., 1837-
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company
Number of Pages: 1070