History of San Luis Obispo County and environs, California, with biographical sketches, Part 6

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

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SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS

asked for aid. He was at Monterey, nearly five hundred miles to the north, and it was presumed that the intervening country was filled with hostile Cali- fornians. In Gillespie's command was a man bearing a name later to become immortal, the name of John Brown, christened by the Californians Juan Flaco (Lean John). He volunteered to ride with the message to Stockton. He worked his way through the enemy's lines, but was soon discovered and given chase. A horse was shot and killed under him, but he fled on foot for nine leagues, about thirty miles, until he reached the house of an American and secured a fresh mount. He reached Monterey September 30, having cov- ered four hundred sixty miles in fifty-two hours and walked about thirty miles of it. Stockton was in Yerba Buena, one hundred forty miles farther north, and it was vital that he get to him. He had a few written words signed by the American alcalde rolled in a cigar carried in his hair. Colton says : "He was quite exhausted. I ordered him a bowl of coffee and a hearty supper. He slept three hours. In the meantime I secured fresh horses for him, and penned a permit to press others when these should flag. He was up and away before dawn." Colton was not inclined to give credit when not due, especially to those of the lower walks in life, so we may believe this story of an awful ride over the trails and mountain passes between Los Angeles and San Francisco, or Yerba Buena, as it was then called. "Juan Flaco" died at Stockton in 1863.

Gillespie surrendered to Flores with the understanding that he might march under arms to San Pedro and embark for Monterey. The garrison at San Diego escaped on board a whaler that lay at anchor in that harbor. This garrison was in the command of Captain Merritt of Bear Flag fame. Lieutenant Talbot at Santa Barbara, though having only ten men, refused to surrender when surrounded by two hundred Californians on horseback. The little garrison escaped in the night and were hunted over the hills and through the canons back of the town for some time. The country was even set on fire to rout them out of their hiding, but a little canon of pines concealed them until Cholo, an Indian chief, found them and conducted them safely to the San Joaquin valley. From there, though half starved, they made their way to Monterey, traveling probably fully five hundred miles.

Flores seemed to now have the country at his disposal with an army of three hundred to do his bidding. He issued a proclamation promising death to all Americans and confiscation of property. lle called upon all Californians between the ages of fifteen and sixty to rally to arms and promised them death if they opposed him. When Stockton received John Brown's news he sailed in the "Savannah" for San Pedro, where he found Gillespie and his men on the "Vandalia" in the harbor. October 7, the forces were landed and started for Los Angeles. They were met by a party under Flores and Jose Antonio Carrillo on horses, and having a four-pound field piece. The Americans on foot, armed with muskets, were no match for their enemies ; so after five of them were killed and others wounded, they retreated. The next day they re-embarked and sailed for Monterey, another opportunity for ending the rumpus gone.

Stockton sailed from San Francisco, October 25, and when he reached San Diego, found that Merritt had retaken it. He set his men at work making saddles, harness and bridles, preparatory to marching on Los Angeles.

In September, when Fremont was holding San Diego, he started Kit Carson and a small party to Washington to tell of the capture of California.

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS

They went by the old Santa Fe route and on the Rio Grande met Stephen W. Kearny and an army on their way to California. When Kearny heard that his army was not needed here, he left it in New Mexico to help hold things even there, and with one hundred dragoons, guided by Carson, has- tened on to California, reaching the crossing of the Colorado in November with exhausted men and famished horses.

There he learned of this second uprising and the need of his army left in New Mexico. Stockton was sent word of his arrival and of his condition. Stockton sent fifteen men under Gillespie and Beal to help the forlorn rem- nant to San Diego. On December 6, at San Pasqual, an Indian rancheria, they were met by one hundred sixty Californians under General Don Andres Pico. A fight ensued. Three officers and sixteen men were killed. The horses drawing one of the howitzers became scared, stampeded and Mere lost, cannon and all. Kearny took position on a rocky elevation, but having neither food nor water, knew he was doomed unless help came. That night Carson, Beal and an Indian made their way through the enemies' Hi all succeeded in reaching San Diego. Lieutenant Gray and others went to the rescue, Pico fled, and at last Kearny and his dragoons reached San Diego. January 8, 1847, the Americans with Kearny and his men, a force num- bering six hundred, met the Californians, five hundred in number, at the San Gabnel river. The Americans forded the river, drove the enemy from their enfrenchments and camped on the field. January 9, the battle of the Mesa toul Place, victory being with the Americans. On January IO they took Jisc-ton of Los Angeles, while the Californians, with glistening lances, Woked on from the near-by hills.

Fremont Goes North for Recruits

Now we must go back to Fremont, who was in the northern part of the -Inte acking more help. In November, 1846, he organized a battalion of White Inundred twenty-eight men. Among them were his mountaineers who omos of the plains with him, some Walla Walla Indians, and a few men Thiel arrived from the East. No gay uniforms clothed this army. Buck- dem willes of all colors, slouched hats or coon-skin caps, clothed the white ment. Mie Indians wore their nakedness, paint and war bonnets. The only IMHAF WIE a battered bugle. All were mounted and four hundred horses, o mit Tade-mules and beeves, were driven along.

Um Moyeniber 15, former Consul Larkin was captured while on his way m Sto lem The Californians proposed to make him write notes to different wiemla+ 10 Fremont's battalion, asking them to come to him. He refused, Brno des the object was to capture them if they came. He was threat- cool ofta Ja. I'ut refused to write. They carried him prisoner to Los No le, oft hewas not restored to liberty until the Americans won the Hlnt Sovember 28. I remont left San Juan, and reached San Miguel Decem- Tier 10, The code brought along for food were all gone, but the sheep at ISaw Wiem| Inrm-hed mutton instead. His horses were worn out, as there Wys AThol todosross left at this season ; so they were turned loose with brilles om Ale gand driven forward by the horse guard. The battalion let Sall Milque on Fon. December 14, the rain pouring. At noon cattle were Lillyx 27 drawer Ijust meat ) prepared.

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS

San Luis Obispo Captured

The battalion reached the foot of Cuesta grade during the night, the rain still coming in torrents. Don Mariano Bonilla and his family lived in the cañada and were made prisoners to prevent them from warning the enemy that was thought to be in waiting for them at San Luis Obispo. In reality there was no military force at San Luis Obispo. Fremont's men struggled along in the pitchy, wet night and the foremost halted on the outskirts of the town, waiting for the rest to come up. The artillery was still in the rear with the pack animals. What a trip that must have been over the old Cuesta road! Picture, if you can, getting any sort of artillery over the mountains in the deep mud and inky darkness with tired, worn-out, half starved animals for power. The town lay in darkness and Fremont supposed, when he saw one solitary light go out or disappear, that an armed force was waiting to receive him. Fremont formed his men in column, the bugles sounded "Charge" and three hundred horsemen dashed down the main street, the Indians sounding their war-whoops. The row aroused the sleeping people and panic ensued. All were declared prisoners and San Luis Obispo was taken "without blood- shed."

Two are said to have escaped and carried news of the capture to the outside populace on the ranchos. The soldiers were quartered in the Mission buildings and some in the church, where a guard was set to see that the altar and church decorations were not disturbed by sacrilegious hands.

Pico a Prisoner

Don Jose de Jesus Pico, who had taken part in several insurrections or revolutions, was brought in from the house of a friend and made a prisoner. He was tried on the charge that he had written a letter to some of his friends denouncing the manner in which Fremont's army was taking horses from the Californians, depriving them of caring for their cattle, in thus taking away the horses. Also that he had broken his parole and was inciting the Californians against the Americans. A most natural thing to do, surely. all considered ; still it was held punishable with death and the court-martial so pronounced it. The letter. Pico was accused of having written had been found on an Indian, December 15. The Indian had been tied to a tree. Indians from a near-by rancheria driven in to witness the proceedings, and a file of soldiers ordered to fire upon the wretched creature. It is said the letter was never made public. This occurred just south of San Miguel, near Paso Robles.

The day after entering the town Fremont's men threw up carth-works on the elevation just beyond the present Andrews Hotel and back of the courthouse, the artillery so placed as to command the approaches to the town, for it was believed a large force of Californians was somewhere close at hand. Pico was sentenced, on December 16, to be shot the next day. 1Te was not in arms when taken, and the whole thing has since been con- demned.

Pico's Life Saved

Early on the morning of December 17, a procession of women, with faces covered, some weeping audibly, led by a stately, beautiful woman with face upturned as if in prayer, passed down the corridor of the Mission to

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS

Fremont's headquarters, where, on bended knees, they besought his mercy, begging for the life of their friend and relative, Don Jose de Jesus Pico. Fremont was obdurate at first, but the women still knelt before him and at last, a few minutes before the time when Pico was to have been shot, pardon was granted, at least his life was spared. He was taken with Fre- mont, a prisoner to Los Angeles. The beautiful woman who led the pro- cession was Doña Ramona Wilson, mother of Romualdo Pacheco, whose father had been killed at Los Angeles by Avila. This son later became governor of the state.

The Departure of Fremont

On December 18, about ten in the morning, the army started south, the expected enemy not having appeared. Fremont and his frontiersmen first, then the settlers who had joined him, then the Walla Walla Indians, and last a small band of California Indians under their chief, Antonio. All were in bad shape, draggled, wet and dirty. They traveled on through mud and rain for a week, then went into camp at Santa Ynez Mission, December 24. Fremont seems to have taken his men over difficult moun- tain trails in order to avoid an encounter with the enemy he believed traveling to meet him by the easier road along the coast. They were now in sore straits for food and the "aguardiente" they found in the Mission in abundance turned the men for the time being into hungry, but happy drunks. They drowned with liquor their memories of happier Christmases, as men in like straits have often done. Christmas morn broke bright and cheerful. Fremont, having been warned by Capt. Isaac J. Sparks and Mr. Foxen not to attempt Gaviota pass, as it was strongly guarded, led the men over a narrow trail now known as San Marcos pass. On top of the mountain a fearful cold blast almost froze the men, but they rolled and stumbled on, for rain and wind now tore down the canon, almost sweeping the men into the gorge below. Some of the horses did go over into the canon and perished. The horses were turned loose to do the best they could for themselves. The two pieces of artillery were left somwhere on the Santa Ynez mountains.

Picture those men, half clad, hungry and some shoeless, crawling and stumbling over the rocky pass in the storm on Christmas day, 1846, and take off your hats to those who saved this state to be one of the brightest stars in the galaxy of our national diadem. At the foot of the pass on a strip of level land the battered soldiers tried to make camp. A few little fires were got to burn, but the cold was terrible. All night men half dead Invi exposure straggled into camp. The army found no resistance at Santa Barbara and went on to Los Angeles too late to take part in the fighting in the south; but they had certainly shown their zeal for the cause, winning Kalibrdia for the United States. The Californians surrendered to Fremont aliensa pass, a treaty of peace was negotiated and the war of conquest eraled January 13. 1847.

Terms of Peace

Fremont sent Tajor Pearson B. Reading, Lieutenant Louis McLane and Captain William H. Russell to Cahuenga pass, where Jose Antonio Carrillo and Augustin Olivera of the California forces met them. The treaty was arranged and signed January 13, 1847. By its terms all the Cali-

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS

fornians were to deliver all guns and artillery to Fremont, return peaceably to their homes, promising to obey the laws of the United States, and not again take up arms during the war between the United States and Mexico, but to aid in preserving peace in California. Fremont guaranteed protec- tion to life and property, and no one had to take the oath of allegiance until a treaty of peace between the United States and Mexico was made and signed. Any Californian so desiring could leave the country, and those choosing to remain should have all the rights and privileges of American citi- zens. Three days later, at Los Angeles, another item was added whereby all prisoners of both parties were released and all paroles and terms thereof canceled. The men from both sides appointed to arrange this treaty signed this and Fremont affixed his signature as Military Commander of California. This ended the insurrection. The Californians knew a nation stronger than themselves possessed the land; and thus was born the state of the golden poppy.

Governors of California after the Conquest

When Sloat raised the flag, July 7, 1846, at Monterey, California passed under the government of the United States. Sloat, by virtue of his office as commander of the American vessel that raised the flag, was governor ; but he never assumed the title, only issued a few proclamations. On July 17, 1846, he resigned his authority to Capt. Robert F. Stockton, who added governor to his title. After the second occupation of Los Angeles, Stockton, on January 15, 1847, appointed John C. Fremont governor, and himself returned to the command of his ship. As has already been told, Gen. Stephen W. Kearny had arrived in California without his army, having left it in New Mexico. He carried orders from Washington to organize a civil goverment in California if he conquered it. He certainly had done very little, compared with Fremont, in conquering the state. Stockton felt that he should be ahead of Kearny. Fremont's men blamed him for holding them back by his many detours, thus preventing them from getting to Los Angeles in time to share in the fighting. They could not get their pay; they blamed him for the awful hardships of the winter march, and for his liberality towards the Californians in allowing them all to go unpunished. Ilis soldiers returned north, but Fremont remained in Los Angeles, calling it the capital. The Californians liked him because of his generous treaty terms, and in the south he had no trouble being governor. Early in March letters from Wash- ington arrived for Kearny addressing him as governor, and that settled it. Kearny sent out a circular proclamation by couriers to all parts of the state, and when the news reached Los Angeles it resulted in Fremont's great ride.

Fremont's Great Ride

Fremont at once set out for Monterey to see what could be done. With hiim were Don Jesus Pico, whose life he had spared at San Luis Obispo, and who was now a strong friend; also a servant, Jacob Dodson. They left with three horses apiece, so as to be able to change every twenty miles or so. They left early in the morning of March 22. Dodson or Pico lassoed the horses, which ran loose with the riders, when they desired to change mounts. Over the rough mountains and across decp canons the riders sped until, at El Rincon, they were obliged to ride for fifteen miles in the surf that at 3

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS

times almost covered them. Twilight was creeping over the sea when they at last reached the home of Don Thomas Robbins, who had married a sister of William Dana's wife. They had ridden one hundred and twenty miles. They stayed at the Robbins ranch over night, and the horses refreshed themselves on the abundant green grass. The next morning they were away over the spurs of the Santa Barbara mountains and close to the steep ridge where, the Christmas before, Fremont had taken his men over San Marcos pass through the awful storm. By evening they were at Captain Dana's home on the Nipomo, where they ate supper ; but Don Jesus's home and friends were at San Luis Obispo, so they pressed on, reaching there at nine o'clock, one hundred thirty-five miles for that day's ride. The friends of Pico and Fremont were bent on entertaining the guests royally, and an elaborate breakfast was insisted upon; so it was eleven o'clock when, with eight fresh horses, the party resumed the ride.

.At eight in the evening they lay down in their blankets for a few hours sleep, seventy miles from San Luis Obispo. There bears stampeded the horses. They were at length caught up, and early in the morning the party rode forward. At sunset they rode into Monterey, having ridden ninety miles that day. Fremont had an interview with Kearny, who showed him no orders, but commanded him to return to Los Angeles and send his soldiers to Monterey by sea ; while he, himself, was to follow by land.

Colton tells this story of the return ride. "The two horses ridden from San Luis to Monterey were a present to him from Don Jesus, who now desired Fremont to test their strength. They were brothers, one a year younger than the other, both beautiful satin-coated (los canelos). Fremont mounted the older of the two, that with tossing head and streaming mane gallantly led the rest. They started at four o'clock in the afternoon, the day after their arrival, rode forty miles that evening, and Fremont on the same Imorse rode ninety miles the next day. When thirty miles from San Luis Obispo he changed to the younger horse, though Pico insisted the one ridden So far that day could easily finish the remaining thirty miles. However Fremont turned him loose, and he led the loose horses while the younger one swept ahead of all those under the saddle. The older horse, after carrying Fremont ninety miles, entered San Luis Obispo in the lead on a sweeping gallop, neighing with exultation and joy at the return to home por tures. All the eight horses had traveled one hundred and twenty miles ettch that day. A rainstorm held the party in San Luis Obispo until noon the next day, when they left on the horses ridden from Los Angeles and 1:01 . the rest of the trip in equally good time. In all, they had ridden eight hundred cod forty miles in seventy-six hours.

Kefrilly : - general had rank over Fremont as captain. Envy and jealousy ( gel & I;rde part in trumping up charges of disobedience to a superior . Pr. Iran it was ordered to Fortress Monroe, Va., where he was tried and Orderel di mi sa from the service. The President, after signing the Erder for domhiss |from the army and the service, at once re-instated him to His Gunk od asked him to enter the service. Fremont refused. He had endured enough of "military precedence." The people, to show their sym- pathy, nominated him for President, and he made a close run with his opponent. He entered the Civil War as a volunteer and was mustered out Major General. He died in New York, July 13, 1890.

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SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AAND ENVIRONS

CHAPTER V Spanish Grants and Old Families in San Luis Obispo County THE GRANTS

The following is a list of the grants made in San Luis Obispo County. A few Spanish grants were made prior to the secularization of the missions, but the most were made later by the Mexican government. By the treaty with Mexico, the landholders were guaranteed their possessions. \ com- mission was appointed to hear testimony and settle claims. The decision of the commission might be appealed to the United States District and Su- preme courts. In many cases long litigation followed the commission's de- cisions, and often the costs of the suits ate up the land in question. Taking the San Miguel Mission lands, they were divided into the Ascunsion rancho of 39,224.81 acres, and the Atascadero, 4,348.23 acres. These were at one time owned by Martin Murphy, and later by his sons, P. W. and James Murphy. P. W. Murphy also owned the Santa Margarita ranch, in all about 70,000 acres, in this county, and the Cojo ranch of 9,000 acres in Santa Barbara county. The Cholame grant of 13,919.82 acres was given to Mauricio Gon- zalez. The Santa Ysabel,. 17,774.12 acres, was granted to Francisco Arce ; the Huer-Huero, to Jose Mariano Bonilla, 15,684.95 acres. Paso de Robles grant, 25,993.18 acres, became the property of James and Daniel Blackburn and D. L. James, a brother-in-law of the Blackburn brothers. Piedra Blanca, 48,805.59 acres, was granted to Jose de Jesus Pico. Later owners were Juan Castro, heirs of Mariano Pacheco, and Peter Gillis. At present this and the Santa Rosa grant are owned by W. R. Hearst and are known as the Hearst Ranch. One of Mr. Hearst's vaqueros, it is said, is the son of Julian Estrada, who once owned the Santa Rosa grant and lived in feudal style. This ranch controls almost fifteen miles of seacoast and the fine harbor of San Simeon bay, where large seagoing vessels ean and do anchor at the wharf. The San Simcon grant of 4,468.81 acres was granted to Jose Ramon Estrada: San Geronimo. 8,893.35 acres, was granted to Rafael Villavicencio: Morro y Cayucos, 8,845.49 acres, to Martin Olivera and Vicente Feliz: San Bernardo, 4,379.43 acres, to Vicente Canet; San Luisito, 4,389.13 acres, to Guadalupe Cantua : Cañada del Chorro, 3,160.99 acres, to John Wilson and James Scott : El Chorro or Huerta de Romualdo, 117.13 acres, to an Indian, Romualdo, but it soon passed to another person; Cañada de Los Osos, 32,430.70 acres, to Victor Linares, Francisco Badillo, James Scott and John Wilson.

Potrero de San Luis Obispo, containing 3,506.33 acres, went to Maria Concepcion Boronda; Santa Fe, 156.76 acres, to Victor Linares; La Lyouna. one league mission land, 4,157.02 acres, confirmed to Archbishop Joseph Sadoc Alemany ; San Miguelito, 22,135.89 acres, to Miguel Avila ; Corral de Piedra, 30,911.20 acres, to Jose Maria Villavicencio; Pismo, 8,838.89 acres, to Isaac J. Sparks; Arroyo Grande or San Ramon, 4,437.58 acres, to Zeferino Carlon ; Santa Manuela, 16,954.83 acres, to Francis Z. Branch ; Balsa de Chemisal, 14,335.22 acres, to Francisco Quijada; Nipomo grant of 37,887.91 acres, to William G. Dana.

Suey was granted to Ramona de Carillo Wilson; the entire ranch con- tained 48,234.77 acres, 24,497 acres lying in this county and the remainder in

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS

Santa Barbara county. Huasna, 22,152.99 acres, was given to Isaac J. Sparks ; Tepesquet, 2,950 acres in San Luis Obispo County, and 5,950.75 acres in Santa Barbara county, to Tomas Olivera : Santa Margarita, 17,734 acres, to Joaquin Estrada : Atascadero, 4,348.23 acres, to Triphon Garcia; Ascunsion 39,224.81 aeres, to Pedro Estrada ; Paso de Robles, 25,993.18 acres, to Pedro Narvaez; Mission San Luis Obispo, 52.72 acres, to Catholic Church ; lot in Mission San Luis Obispo, one acre, to John Wilson. The public library of San Luis Obispo now stands on that lot.

In the majority of cases these great grants were literally sold for a song to the American settlers when they came in. At the present time only a very few are held in part by the heirs of those who received the grants. The Huasna rancho was divided by Mr. Sparks among his three daughters, Mrs. Flora Harloe, Mrs. Rose Porter and Mrs. Sallie Harkness. These ladies either still own part of their inheritance, or held it until it commanded a good price. The Nipomo grant was subdivided among the heirs of William G. Dana, and some of his sons still own portions of it. Members of the Branch family still own a small portion of the Santa Manuela and Arroyo Grande ranches. So far as can be learned, all the other great grants have passed out of the possession of the original holders.

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History of San Luis Obispo County and environs, California, with biographical sketches, Part 6

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