History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 5

Author: Sawyer, Eugene T
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1934

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"We soon reached and ransacked the wag- ons, hoping to find something to eat, but found nothing. Taking the tar bucket that was hanging under one of the wagons I scraped the tar off and found a streak of rancid tallow at the bottom. I remember well that when I announced what I had found, Herren, who was sitting on a rock near by, got up halloo- ing with all the strength he had and came to me. I handed the tar paddle to him. It had on it some of the tallow about the size of a walnut. This he swallowed without giving it a smell. I then took a piece myself but it was very respulsive. Herren craved more and I gave him another piece. Still wanting more, I positively refused, stating that it would kill him. After leaving the wagons, probably fifty yards, I became deadly sick and blind. In resting myself against a rock I leaned my head on the muzzle of my gun. Herren, seeing my condition came to me and said, 'My God, Mr. Reed, are you dying?' After resting a few minutes I recovered, much to his joy.

"The wagons were within a short distance of the steep hill going down into Bear Valley. After descending the first steep pitch I dis-

covered wagons in the valley below us. 'Her- ren,' said I, 'there are wagons in the valley.' When he saw them he gave vent to his joy, hallooing at the top of his voice, but on ac- count of weakness he could not have been heard ten rods off. On reaching the wagons "we found several families of emigrants who supplied us with bread. I here met Mr. Stan- ton, with two Indians, on his return to the company with provisions supplied by Captain Sutter. Next morning Stanton started for the company and I went on to Sutter's Fort."

At the Fort Reed found Mccutchen, who had been prevented by illness from accom- panying Stanton. Captain Sutter furnished horses and saddles with which to bring the women and children out of the mountains. The expedition failed on account of the snow which at some points was eighteen feet deep. The party returned for more help, but, unfor- tunately, the Mexican war was on and every able-bodied man was away. At Captain Sut- ter's suggestion Mr. Reed went to San Fran- cisco to see if he could not procure help there. He was compelled to make the journey by land and reached San Jose when it was in a state of siege. Arrived at San Francisco, a public meeting was held and relief parties fit- ted out. Mr. Reed and Mr. Mccutchen ac- companied the first of these, which went by the river. On the route he met his wife and children rescued by a relief party that had gone ahead of them. He only stopped a few minutes for greetings and then pushed on to the relief of the other sufferers whom they reached about the middle of the next day.

The first camp was that of Mr. Breen. Mr. Reed says: "If we left any provisions here it was a small amount, he and his family not be- ing in want. We then proceeded to the camp of Mrs. Murphy, where Kessburg and some children were. Here we left provisions and one of our company to cook for and attend to them. From here we visited the camp of Mrs. Graves, some distance further east. A num- ber of the relief party remained here, while Messrs. Miller, Mccutchen, another and my- self proceeded to the Donner camp. We found Mrs. Jacob Donner in a feeble condi- tion. She died after we left. Her husband had died early in the winter. We removed the tent and placed it in a more comfortable position. I then visited the tent of George Donner close by and found him and his wife. He was helpless. Their children and two of Jacob's had come out with the party that went ahead of us. I requested Mrs. Donner to come with us, stating that I would leave a man to take care of both George Donner and Mrs. Jacob Donner. She positively refused, de-

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

claring that she would not leave her husband in his enfeebled condition.

"We took the remaining three children of Jacob Donner, leaving a man to take care of the two camps. Leaving all the provisions we could spare and expecting a party from Sut- ter's Fort would be in in a few days, we re- turned to the camp of Mrs. Graves. Notice was given in all the camps that we would start on our return to Sutter's early next day. About the middle of the day we started. taking with us all who were able to travel."

The relief party that came after Mr. Reed did not reach the sufferers as soon as expected and disasters occurred. The full details of the suffering of the unfortunate party would fill a book. Each of the relief parties, especially that conducted by Mr. Reed endured suffer- ings equal to those experienced by the unfor- tunates in the winter camp. History has no parallel to the heroism displayed by these peo- ple in their efforts to rescue suffering relatives and friends.

CHAPTER II.

Santa Clara County During the Mexican Rule-The Adventures of Captain Fremont-Don Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo-Raising the Bear Flag- War With Mexico Declared-The Capture of San Jose-Reminiscences of the Strenuous Days of 1849-The Discovery of Gold-Killing of Young Pyle-Local Government-Grandma Bascom's Story.

In 1836 a revolution broke out in Mexico the town in November, 1844. From this blow but it did not extend to California, though a few of the Spanish settlers in San Jose left the pueblo to take part in it. While the strife was progressing Governor Alvarado was appointed to rule California, an office which he held until 1842. after the differences between the oppos- ing factions in Mexico had been satisfactorily arranged.

The adjustment, however, created misun- derstandings between the two highest officials in the Department of California. The civil and the military authorities could not agree. Each one complained of the other to the Cen- tral Government and General Micheltorena was secretly dispatched north to settle the dif- ferences between Governor Alvarado and Gen- eral Vallejo by taking over the powers of both. On seeing the turn the affair had taken, Alvarado and Vallejo laid aside their bicker- ings to make common cause against Michel- torena, whom they designated as an usurper. Aided by General Castro they sought to drive Micheltorena out of California. The trium- virate proclaimed California independent and declared war against the representative of Mexico. General Micheltorena, having had the gauge of battle thrown in his teeth, took the field hoping to speedily end the insurrec- tion. He advanced to within twelve miles of San Jose and then finding that this portion of the country was up in arms against him speed- ily beat a retreat to San Juan Bautista. In spite of his defense, the insurgents captured

Micheltorena never rallied and in February. 1845, he paid $11,000 for a passage on board the bark Don Quixote, Captain Paty, his des- tination being San Blas. On the termination of the strife Don Pio Pico, brother of Don An- tonio Pico, of San Jose, was elected governor of California and Jose Castro was appointed general of the military forces.

Captain Fremont Arrives

In the month of March, 1845, Brevet-Capt. John Charles Fremont departed from Wash- ington for the purpose of organizing a third expedition for the topographical survey of Oregon and California. He left Bent's Fort in April, his force consisting of sixty-two men, among them Kit Carson and six Delaware In- dians. Crossing the Sierra Nevadas in De- cember they arrived at Sutter's Fort on the 10th of that month. After two days' stay the company left to search for a missing party of explorers. Not being able to find the men, and having either lost or consumed most of his horses and cattle Fremont determined to retrace his steps to Sutter's Fort which he reached January 15, 1846. On the seven- teenth he with his men left the fort on a launch for San Francisco. They arrived there on the twentieth; the twenty-first saw him and Captain Hinckley sailing down the Bay of San Francisco to the embarcadero at Al- viso at the lower end of the Santa Clara Val- ley. On the twenty-second they proceeded

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

to San Jose where Fremont received word that the missing explorers were encamped on the San Joaquin. At once two companies un- der Kit Carson were dispatched to guide the men into the Santa Clara Valley. Fremont and Hinckley, after visiting the New Almaden mines, returned to San Francisco. On the twenty-fourth Fremont was once more on the move. He started from San Francisco, then known as Yerba Buena, and on the morning of January 27. 1846, reached Monterey. In company with Thomas O. Larkin, United States Consul, Fremont called on General Castro and stated the object of his journey. He was out of provisions and asked that his party be permitted to pass unmolested through the country. The request was granted, ver- bally, but when asked for the necessary per- mit in writing, the General excused himself, said he was not well and that no further assurance than his word was needed. A call of the same nature was then made on Don Manuel Castro, the prefect of the district, the same statement made and the same verbal permit was granted. Fremont received funds and provisions from the consul and then made all haste to San Jose where he was joined by his band. Not finding here such stores as were still needed he resolved to return to Monterey. A fortnight later he camped in the Santa Clara Valley on Capt. William Fish- er's ranch, the Laguna Seca. While here a Mexican made his appearance and laid claim to certain of Fremont's horses on the bold statement that they had been stolen. Short- ly after this, on February 20, Captain Fre- mont received a summons to appear before the alcalde at San Jose to answer to a charge of horse-stealing. Fremont send back the following reply :

"Camp Near Road to Santa Cruz, February 21, 1846.

"Sir: I received your communication of the 20th, informing me that a complaint has been lodged against. me in your office for refusing to deliver up certain animals of my band which are claimed as having been stolen from this vicinity about two months since, and that the plaintiff further complains of having been insulted in my camp. It can be proven on oath by thirty men here present that the ani- mals pointed out by the plaintiff have been brought in my band from the United States of North America. The insult of which he complains, and which was authorized by my- self, consisted in his being driven or ordered to immediately leave camp. After having been detected in endeavoring to obtain ani- mals under false pretenses he should have been well satisfied to escape without a se-

vere horse-whipping. There are four animals in my band which were bartered from the Tulare Indians by a division of my party which descended the San Joaquin Valley. I was not then present, and if any more legal owners present themselves these shall be im- mediately given or delivered upon proving property. It may save you trouble to inform you, that with this exception, all the animals in my band have been bought and paid for. You will readily understand that my duties will not permit me to appear before the mag- istrates in your towns on the complaint of every straggling vagabond who may chance to visit my camp. You inform me that un- less satisfaction be immediately made by the delivery of the animals in question, the com- plaint will be forwarded to the Governor. I beg you will at the same time indorse to His Excellency a copy of this note.

"I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

"J. C. Fremont, U. S. Army. "To Senor Don Dolores Pacheco, Alcalde of San Jose."

From the Laguna Seca, Fremont moved by easy marches in the direction of the Santa Cruz Mountains which he crossed about ten miles from San Jose at the gap where the Los Gatos Creek enters the Valley. On March 1, he encamped on the rancho of Ed- ward Petty Hartwell. While here he received, late in the afternoon of the fifth a dispatch from Don Manuel Castro, prefect of the dis- trict, charging him with having entered the towns and villages under his (the Prefect's) jurisdiction in contempt of the laws of the Mexican Government and ordering him out of the country, else compulsory measures would be taken to compel him to do so. On receiving this communication Fremont did not display much hesitancy in arriving at a con- clusion. That evening he struck camp and ascending Hawk's Peak, a rough looking mountain on the Gabilan range, about thirty miles from Monterey and 2,000 feet above the level of the sea, commenced the construc- tion of a rude fort. It was protected by felled trees. Stripping one of the limbs he nailed the Stars and Stripes at the top, forty feet from the ground. The morning of the sixth of March found him waiting for developments.

On the day that saw Fremont established on Hawk's Peak, Castro sent the following letter to the minister of Marine at the City of Mexico :

"In my communication of the fifth ultimo I announced to you the arrival of a captain at the head of fifty men, who came, as he said, by order of the government of the Unit-

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

ed States to survey the limits of Oregon. This person presented himself at my head- quarters some days ago accompanied by two individuals (Thomas O. Larkin, U. S. consul, and William A. Leidesdorff, vice-consul,) with the object of asking permission to procure provisions for his men whom he had left be- hind in the mountains. The permission was given, but two days ago, March 4, I was much surprised on being informed that this person was only two days' journey from this place (Monterey). In consequence I immediately sent him a communication ordering him, on the instant of its receipt, to put himself on the march and leave the Department, but I have not received an answer. In order to make him obey, I sent out a force to observe his opera- tions and today, the sixth, I march in per- son to join it and see that the object is at- tained. The hurry with which I undertake my march does not permit me to be more dif- fuse and I beg that you will inform His Ex- cellency, the President, assuring him that not only shall the national integrity of this party be defended with the enthusiasm of good Mexicans, but those who intend to violate it will find an impregnable barrier in the valor and patriotism of every one of the Californians. Receive the assurance of my respect, etc. God and Liberty."

In his hastily constructed fort, every avenue to which was commanded by the trusty rifles of his men, Fremont calmly awaited the speedy vengeance promised in the communication of the prefect. To carry it out Don Jose had summoned a force of 200 men which was strengthened by one or two cannon of small caliber, but nothing beyond a demonstration was attained. In the language of the late General Revere (then Lieutenant) "Don Jose was rather in the humor of that King of France, who with 20,000 men, marched up the hill and then marched down again."

C'astro's next move was the concocting of an epistle to Fremont, asking for a cessation of hostilities and suggesting that they join forces, declare the country independent and with their allied armies march against Governor Pio Pico, who was then in Los Angeles. To John Gil- roy, an old Scotch settler, after whom Gil- roy was named, was entrusted the delivery of this piece of treachery. He reached Hawk's Peak on the night of the tenth and found the fort untenanted. Fremont had tired of waiting for Castro to attack and had made a forced march to the San Joaquin Valley. Gil- roy, on his return, told of the retreat, which so elated Castro that he at once resolved to attack the fort, which he was the first to en- ter. Then he sat down on one of Fremont's discarded pack saddles and penned a dispatch

to Monterey describing the glorious victory he had gained and promising that his return need not be looked for until his promise, long ago given, had been fulfilled.

And so matters rested for a time. The American settlers began to feel far from safe and it was the consensus of opinion that no time should be lost in preparing for an emerg- ency. Rumors were rife. Governor Pico looked upon them with deep hatred, their ar- rival and settlement was to him a source of poignant jealousy, while his feeling inclined him toward England, should the country ever change hands. At a convention held in San Juan Bautista to decide which one of the two nations, Great Britain or the United States, should guarantee protection to Califor- nia against all others, Pico is reported to have said: "To what a deplorable condition is our Country reduced. Mexico, professing to be our mother and our protectress has given us neither arms nor money, nor the material of war for our defense. She is not likely to do anything in our behalf, although she is quite willing to afflict tts with her extortionate minions who come here in the guise of sol- diers and civil officers to harass and oppress our people. . Perhaps what I am about to suggest may seem faint-hearted and dis- honorable but to me it does not seem so. It is the last hope of a feeble people, struggling against a tyrannical government which claims their submission at home and who are threat- ened by a band of avaricious strangers from without, to voluntarily connect themselves with a power able and willing to defend and preserve them. It is the right and duty of the weak to demand support from the strong. provided the demand be made upon terms just to both parties. Is it not better to con- nect ourselves with one of the powerful Euro- pean nations than to struggle against hope as we are doing now? Is it not better that one of them should send a fleet and an army to defend and protect California rather than that we should fall an easy prey to the lawless adventurers who are overrunning our beau- tiful country? I pronounce for annexation to France or England and the people of Cali- fornia will never regret having taken my ad- vice. Then may our people go quietly to their ranches and live there as of yore, leading a thoughtless and merry life, untroubled by poli- tics or the cares of state, sure of what is their own and safe from the incursions of the Yan- kees who would soon be forced to retreat into their own country."

Don Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo

But at this moment California found a man whose views were more enlightened than those of the rulers of his country. As a pa-

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

triot he could not silently witness the land of his birth sold to any monarchy, however old, and he rightly judged that although foreign protection might postpone it could not avert that assumption of power which was begin- ning to make itself felt. Possessed at the time of no political power and having had but few early advantages, still his position was so high and his character so highly respected by both the foreign and native population that he had been invited to participate in the proceedings of the Junta. This man was Don Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo. Born in Cali- fornia, he commenced his career in the army as an ensign and in this humble grade he vol- unteered to establish a colony on the north side of the Bay of San Francisco for the pro- tection of the frontier. He thoroughly sub- dued the hostile Indians of the region and laid the foundation of a reputation for integrity, judgment and ability unequaled by any of his countrymen. Although quite a young man he had already filled high offices and at this time was living on his estate in the vicinity of the town of Sonoma. He did not hesitate to oppose the views of Pico and Castro. Among other things he said: "I cannot, gentlemen, coincide in opinion with the military and civic functionaries who have advocated the ces- sion of our country to France or England. It is most true, that to rely any longer upon Mexico to govern and defend us would be idle and absurd. It is also true that we possess a noble country in every way calculated from position and resources to become great and powerful. For that reason I would not have her a mere dependency upon a foreign mon- archy, naturally alien, or at least indifferent to our interests and welfare. Even could we tolerate the idea of dependence ought we to go to distant Europe for a master? What possible sympathy could exist between us and a nation separated from us by two vast oceans? But waiving this insuperable objection, how could we endure to become under the do- minion of a monarchy? We are republicans, badly governed and badly situated as we are, but still, in sentiment, republicans. All will probably agree with me that we ought at once to rid ourselves of what may remain of Mex- ican domination. Our position is so remote, either by land or sea, that we are in no dan- ger from Mexican invasion. Why, then, should we still hesitate to assert our independ- ence? We have taken the first step by elect- ing our own governor, but another remains to be taken. I will mention it plainly and ration- ally-it is annexation to the United States. In contemplating this consummation of our des- tiny I feel nothing but pleasure and I ask you to share it. Discard old prejudices, disregard 4

old customs and prepare for the glorious change which awaits our country. Why should we shrink from incorporating our- selves with the happiest and freest nation in the world, destined soon to be the most weal- thy and powerful? Why should we go abroad for protection when this great nation is our adjoining neighbor? When we join our for- tunes to hers we shall not become subjects but fellow-citizens, possessing all the rights of the people of the United States and choos- ing our own federal and local rulers. We shall have a stable government and just laws. Cali- fornia will grow strong and flourish and her people will be prosperous, happy and free. Look not, therefore, with jealousy upon the hardy pioneers who scale our mountains and cultivate our unoccupied plains, but rather welcome them as brothers, who come to share with us a common destiny."

Those who listened to General Vallejo were far behind him in general knowledge and in- telligence. His arguments failed to carry con- viction to the greater number of his auditors, but the bold position taken by him was the cause of the immediate adjournment of the Junta, no result having been arrived at con- cerning the weighty question on which the Californians had met to deliberate. On re- tiring from the Junta General Vallejo em- bodied the views he had expressed in a letter to Don Pio Pico and reiterated his refusal to participate in any action having for its end the adoption of any protection other than that of the United States. In this letter he also declared that he would never serve under any government which was prepared to surrender California to a European power. He then re- turned to his estate there to await the issue of events.

Raising the Bear Flag

In the meantime circumstances tended to keep General Castro moving. A large num- ber of Americans, finding themselves numer- ically too weak to contend against the natives, but relying on accession to their strength in the spring, determined to declare California independent and free and raise a flag of their own, which they did. The famous "Bear Flag" was given to the breeze June 14, 1846, in Sonoma on the pole which before had floated the Mexican standard. The town was captured and with it the commanding officer, General Vallejo, Lieutenant Colonel Victor Prudon, Captain Salvador Vallejo and Jacob P. Liese, an American and the general's brother-in-law. The news of the declaration spread like wild-fire, both parties hurriedly prepared for a conflict and while the Bear Flag party guided their affairs from Sonoma, Gen-

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

eral Jose Castro, from his headquarters at Santa Clara, issued two proclamations. They are curiosities in their way and as such worthy of reproduction here. The first follows:

"The contemptible policy of the agents of the United States of North America in this Department, have induced a portion of ad- venturers, who, regardless of the rights of men, have daringly commenced an invasion possessing themselves of the town of Sonoma and the military commander of that border. Fellow countrymen: The defense of our lib- erty, the true religion which our fathers pos- sessed and our independence call upon us to sacrifice ourselves rather than lose these in- estimable blessings ; banish from your hearts all petty resentments, turn you and behold yourselves, these families, the innocent little ones, which have unfortunately fallen into the hands of our enemies, dragged from the bos- oms of their fathers, who are prisoners among foreigners, and are calling upon us to succor them. There is still time for us to rise en masse as irresistible as retributive. You need not doubt that Divine Providence will direct us in the way to glory. You should not vacil- late because of the smallness of the garrison of the general headquarters, for he who will first sacrifice himself will be your friend and fellow citizen

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History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 5

Author: Sawyer, Eugene T Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co. Number of Pages: 1934

Author: Sawyer, Eugene T
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1934