USA > California > Tulare County > History of Tulare County, California with biographical sketches > Part 8
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The Californian is not more different from the tribes cast of the mountains in his physical than in his moral and intellectual qualities. They are easily domesticated, not averse to labor, have a natural aptitude to learn mechanical trades, and, I believe, universally a fondness for music, and a facility in acquiring it.
INDIANS OF THE MISSIONS AT LABOR.
" The Mission of St. Joseph, when in its prosperity, had 100 plough-men, and I have seen them all at work in one field each with his plough. It had also fifty weavers, twenty tanners, thirty shoe-makers, forty masons, twenty carpenters, ten blacksmiths, and various other mechanics. They are not nearly so much addicted to intoxication as is common to other Indians. I was for some years of the opinion that they were of an entirely different race from those east of the mountains, and they cer- tainly have but little similarity. The only thing that caused me to think differently is that they have the same Moccasin game that is so common on the Mississippi, and what is more remarkable, they accompany it by singing precisely the same tune! The diversity of language among them is very great. It is seldom an Indian can understand another who lives fifty miles distant; within the limits of California are at least 100 dialects, apparently entirely dissimilar. Few or no white per- sons have taken any pains to learn them, as there are indiv- iduals in all the tribes which have communication with the set- tlements who speak Spanish.
INDIANS EASILY DOMESTICATED.
" The children, when caught young, are most easily domesti- cated and manifest a great aptitude to learn whatever is taught them; when taken into Spanish families, and treated with kindness, in a few months they learn the language and habits of their masters. When they come to maturity they show no disposition to return to the savage state. The mind of the wild Indian of whatever age, appears to be a tabula rasa, on which no impressions, except those of mere animal nature, have been made, and ready to receive any impress whatever. I remember a remark of yours some years ago, that "Indians were only grown-up children." Here we have a real race of infants. In many recent instances when a family of white people have taken a farm in the vicinity of an Indian village, in a short time they would have the whole tribe for willing serfs. They submit to flagellation with more humility than the negroes. Nothing more is necessary for their complete subjugation but kindness in the beginning, and a little well- timed severity when manifestly deserved. It is common for the white man to ask the Indian, when the latter has committed any fault, how many lashes he thinks he deserves.
INDIAN SIMPLICITY.
" The Indian, with a simplicity and humility almost incon- ceivable, replies ten or twenty, according to his opinion of the magnitude of the offense. The white man then orders another
46
INCREASED IMMIGRATION TO CALIFORNIA.
Indian to inflict the punishment, which is received without the least sign of resentinent or discontent. This I have myself witnessed or I could hardly have believed it. Throughout all California the Indians are the principal laborers; without them the business of the country could hardly be carried on.
" I fear the unexpected length of this desultory epistle will be tedious to you, but I hope it, will serve at least to diversify your correspondence. If I can afford you any information, or be serviceable to you in any way, I beg you to command me. Any communication to me can be sent through the American Minister at Mexico, or the Commanding Officer of the Squad- ron in the Pacific, directed to the care of T. O. Larkin, Esq., American Consul in Monterey. I am, sir, very respectfully,
" Your obedient servant,
" HON. LEWIS CASS.
JOHN MARSH."
[Dr. Marsh was murdered on the 24th of September, 1856. It occasioned much excitement at the time, as the Doctor was one of the oldest residents of the State. The murderers were Mexicans, who followed him as he was on the road towards home from Pacheco. The discovery of the horse and buggy in Martinez at early daylight, was the first knowledge of the affair. One of the murderers was arrested the next day. He was tried, but escaped from jail and eluded pursuit for ten years. He was again arrested, with his accomplice, P. Moreno, who was sentenced to State Prison for life, while the first was discharged. -EDITOR.]
INCREASED IMMIGRATION.
1840 .- In the first five years of the decade commencing with 1840, there began to settle in the vast Californian valleys that intrepid band of pioneers, who, having scaled the Sierra Nevada with their wagons, trains, and cattle, began the civil- izing influences of progress on the Pacific Coast. Many of them had left their homes in the Atlantic and Southern States, with the avowed intention of proceeding direct to Oregon. On arrival at Fort Hall, however, they heard glowing accounts of the salubrity of the Californian climate and the fertility of its soil; they therefore turned their heads southward, and steered for the wished-for haven. At length, after weary days of toil and anxiety, fatigued and foot-sore, the promised land was gained And what was it like ?
CALIFORNIA IN A STATE OF NATURE.
The valleys were an interminable grain field; mile upon mile, and acre after acre, wild oats grew in marvelous profu- sion, in many places to a prodigious height-one glorious green of wild waving corn-high overhead of the wayfarer on foot, and shoulder-high with the equestrian; wild flowers of every prismatic shade charmed the eye, while they vied with each other in the gorgeousness of their colors, and blended into daz- zling splendor.
One breath of wind and the wild emerald expanse rippled itself into space, while with the heavier breeze came a swell whose rolling waves beat against the mountain sides, and, being
hurled back, were lost in the far-away horizon; shadow pursucd shadow in a long, merry chase.
The air was filled with the hum of bees, the chirrup of birds and an overpowering fragrance from various plants. The hill- sides, overrun as they were with a dense mass of tangled jungle, were hard to penetrate, while in some portions the deep dark gloom of the forest trees lent relief to the eye. The ahnost boundless range was intersected throughout with divergent trails, whereby the traveler moved from point to point, progress being, as it were, in darkness on account of the height of the oats on either side, and rendered dangerous in the valleys by the bands of untamed cattle, sprung from the stock introduced by the missions and early Spanish settlers. These found food and shelter on the plains during the night; at dawn they repaired to the higher grounds to chew the cud and bask in the sunshine.
THE HARDY PIONEERS.
What a life was that of the early pioneer, and how much of life was often crowded into a year, or, sometimes, even into a day of their existence! Now, that the roads are all made, and the dim trail has been supplanted by well-beaten and much- traveled highways, how complacently we talk and write and read of their deeds and exploits.
It has been theirs to subdue the wilderness, and change it into smiling fields of bright growing grain. Toil and priva- tions, such as we can little appreciate now, was their lot for years. Poor houses, and even no houses at all, but a simple tent, or even an Indian wickiup, sheltered them from the rigors of the storm and the inclemency of the weather. The wild beasts of the woods were their night visitors, prowling about and making night hideous with their unearthly noises, and working the nerves of women, and often, perhaps of men, up to a tension that precluded the possibility of sleep and rest. Neigh- bors lived many miles away, and visits were rare and highly appreciate d.
LAW AND ORDER PREVAILED.
Law and order prevailed almost exclusively, and locks and bars to doors were then unknown, and the only thing to fear in human shape were the petty depredations by Indians. For food they had the fruit of the chase, which afforded them ample meat, but bread was sometimes a rarity, and appreciated when had as only those things are which tend most to our comfort, and which we are able to enjoy the least amount of. But they were happy in that life of freedom from the environ- ments of society and social usage. They breathed the pure, fresh air, untainted by any odor of civilization; they ate the first fruits of the virgin soil, and grew strong and free on its strength and freedom.
ARRIVAL OF CAPTAIN SUTTER.
The southern portion of California was essentially Spanish and Mexican in its population, while the northern part was left to the occupation of foreigners. The Sacramento Valley was
47
ARRIVAL OF PIONEER PARTIES.
comparatively unnoticed until after the settlement of Captain John A. Sutter at New Helvetia, but following that event, it became the theater for grand operations and achievements. Sutter's Fort was the nucleus about which congregated nearly all of the early emigrants, and the annexation of California is largely due to the influence of that gentleman and those asso- ciated with him. Ever hospitable and generous, he was a friend to whom the early settlers and explorers repaired for advice and sustenance.
1839 .- Captain John Augustus Sutter was born in Baden Germany, at midnight, February 28, 1803, of Swiss parents After the completion of his education he became a Captain in the French army, but becoming tired of the superficial nature of French society and customs, he set out for America, to find some secluded spot where he might surround himself with a home and associations more in consonance with his ideas and tastes. New York was reached in July, 1834, and from there, after a sojourn of only one month, the Captain went to the far- famed " West." From here he journeyed to New Mexico and having heard of the marvelous beauty and fertility of Califor- nia, he joined a party of trappers, expecting soon to reach his destination. But the journey ended at Fort Vancouver, and Captain Sutter's only way to reach California was to go to the Sandwich Islands and from there to take a sailing ship to Mon- terey. After waiting a long time in Honolulu he took passage in a ship bound for Sitka. By singular good luck the vessel was driven into San Francisco Bay, July 2, 1839.
Captain Sutter, having reached the goal of his ambition, received permission from the Mexican authorities to select a place for settlement in the Sacramento Valley. After much difficulty he finally succeeded in reaching the junction of the Sacramento and American Rivers.
SUTTER'S FORT LOCATED
1840 .- A location was made, and Captain Sutter commenced the construction of a house. The spot was named "New Hel- vetia," in honor of his mother country. On account of the strength, armament and formidable appearance of the build- ings, the place was called by all the early settlers, "Sutter's Fort," which name is even now the most general one. This fort was commenced in 1842 and finished in 1844. In 1841, when his grant of land was to be made, it became necessary to have a map of the tract, and he employed for that purpose Captain Jean Vioget, a seamen and Swiss by birth. The sur- vey was made by lines of latitude and longitude. Sutter made his application under this survey of 1841, the same year the map was completed. The Mexican laws allowed only eleven leagues to be granted to any one person, but Sutter's map con- tained fifty leagues or more. Nevertheless he got the idea that he could hold it, and with this came the idea that he could sell it. The original claim embraced a considerable por- tion of Sacramento and Placer Counties, all of Sutter, the valley portion of Yuba, and a little point of Colusa.
PIONEER PARTY OF 1839.
1839 .- In the early part of 1839 a company was made up in St. Louis, Missouri, to cross the plains to California, consisting of D. G. Johnson, Charles Klein, David D. Dutton, mentioned earlier as having come to the country with Captain Smith and William Wiggins. Fearing the treachery of the Indians this little band determined to await the departure of a party of traders in the employ of the American Fur Company, on their annual tour to the Rocky Mountains. At Westport they were joined by Messrs. Wright, Gegger, a Doctor Wiselzenius and his German companion, and Peter Lassen, also two missionaries with their wives and hired man, en route for Oregon, as well as a lot of what were termed fur trappers, bound for the mount- ains, the entire company consisting of twenty-seven men and two women. At Fort Hall, Klein and Wiselzenius returned, thus reducing the number to twenty-five.
GEN. JOHN A. SUTTER.
In September, the company reached Oregon, and sojourned there during the winter of that year; but in May, 1840, a ves- seł arrived with missionaries from England, designing to touch at California on her return. Mr. William Wiggins, now of Monterey, the narrator of this expedition, and his three com- panions from Missouri, among whom was David D. Dutton, at present a resident of Vacaville, Solano County, got on board.
The vessel put in at Bodega, where the Russians were. The Mexican Commandant sent a party of soldiers to prevent them from landing. At this crisis, the Russian Governor ordered the Mexican soldiers to leave or be shot down. They then retired. ] [Here our travelers were at a stand-still, with no means of proceeding on their journey, or of finding their way out of the inhospitable country; they therefore penned the following com- munication to the American Consul, then at Monterey :---
PORT BODEGA, July 25, 1840. "To the American Consul of California- "DEAR SIR: We, the undersigned citizens of the United States, being desirous to land in the country, and having been
48
FIRST SETTLEMENTS IN THE VALLEY.
refused a passport, and been opposed by the Government, we write to you, sir, for advice, and claim your protection. Being short of funds, we are not able to proceed further on the ship. We have concluded to land under the protection of the Rus- sians; we will remain there fifteen days, or until we receive an answer from you, which we hope will be as soon as the circum- stances of the case will permit. We have been refused a pass- port from General Vallejo. Our object is to get to the settle- ments, or to obtain a pass to return to our own country. Should we receive no relief, we will take up our arms and travel, con- sider ourselves in an enemy's country, and defend ourselves with our guns.
" We subscribe ourselves, " Most respectfully, " DAVID DUTTON, WM. WIGGINS, J. WRIGHT."
" JOHN STEVENS, " PETER LASSEN,
PIONEER PARTY OF 1841.
1841 .- May 8, a party of thirty-six persons left Independence Missouri, bound for California. They passed near Salt Lake to Carson River, and then to the main channel of Walker's River. Near its source they crossed the Sierras, and descended into the San Joaquin Valley. They crossed the San Joaquin River at the site of the present railroad bridge; and, reaching the ranch of Dr. Marsh, at the base of Mount Diablo, the eyes of the party werc refreshed with the first signs of civilization which had greeted them from the time of leaving Fort Laramie.
Of this adventurous little band who braved the hardships and dangers of a journey, then occupying months, which can now be compassed within a week, a number are still living in Cali- fornia, among whom may be mentioned General John Bidwell of Chico-of which he is the honored founder-having filled high public stations which mark the esteem and confidence reposed in him by his fellow-citizens, not only of his own imme- diate home, but of the entire State; Captain Charles M. Web- er, one of the most prominent of the pioneer citizens of Stock- ton, who died in 1880; Josiah Belden, one of the oldest resi- dents of San Jose.
This party disbanded at Dr. Marsh's, and became scattered throughout the State. Many of these emigrants have played such important parts in the early history of California that a few of the principal names are appended :---
COL. J. B. BARTLESON, Captain of the party. Returned to Missouri. Is now dead. Resides in Chico, Butte County. Resides in St. Helena, Napa County. Resides at San José and S. F. Resided in Stockton. Died in 1880.
GEN. JOHN BIDWELL, COL. JOSEPH B. CHILDS, JOSIAH BELDEN, CHARLES M. WEBER, CHARLES HOPPER, HENRY HUBER, MICHAEL C. NYE, GREEN MCMAHON,
Resides in Yountville, Napa County. Resides in San Francisco.
Resides in Oregon.
Resides in Vacaville, Solano County.
BENJ. KELSEY and wife, Reside in Santa Barbara County. ANDREW KELSEY, Killed by the Indians at Clear Lake.
ROBERT H. THOMES, Died March 26, 1878, at Tehama.
ELIAS BARNETT, Lives in Yountville, Napa County.
J. P. SPRINGER, Dicd at or near Santa Cruz.
FIRST SETTLEMENTS IN THE VALLEY.
1841 .- It is a fact that there was not a house in the Sacra - mento or San Joaquin Valleys in 1841, except those of Sutter and Dr. Marsh. Sutter had one adobe house and a few huts, but his fort was not completed until sometime afterwards.
After the settlement of New Helvetia, the next point where a dwelling was located was about two miles northeast of the fort on the American River, in 1841. This was settled by John Sinclair for Captain Elias Grimes and Hiram Grimes, to whom Sutter afterwards sold it. It made a fine ranch and farm, and was extensively stocked.
1842 .- Nicolaus Allgeier, in 1842, was placed on what is known as the town of Nicolaus, on the cast bank of Feather River. The next two places of Gordon and Baca were settled in the fall of this year. Hock Farm, which subsequently became the home of Captain Sutter, was established and made his principal stock-farm, the animals ranging over that part of Sutter County lying west of Feather River, and south of the Butte Mountains.
The land in the vicinity of Marysville was lcased to Theo- dore Cordua. Cordua made a stock-farm of it to a limited extent. Marysville is located where he erected, at what is now the foot of D Street, an abode dwelling-house, a store-house or trading room, culinary department and out-houses. The walls of the dwelling were thick, and well constructed for withstand- ing a siege. The spot was named "New Mecklenburg " by Captain Sutter, in honor of the place of nativity of Cordua. It soon became known, however, as Cordua's Ranch.
William Gordon settled on his ranch on Cache Creek, in Yolo County, in the fall of 1842. The place now known as Vacaville was settled about the same time by Manual Baca, from New Mexico.
PIONEER PARTY OF 1843.
1843 .- In the fall of this year, a party arrived across the plains via Fort Boisc and Pit River. They came down the west bank of the Sacramento River into what is now Colusa County, crossed the river below the mouth of Stony Creek.
Major P. B. Redding, who was with this party, sketched the land about the mouth of Stony Creek, and not being entitled to receive a grant himself, gave the map to the wife of Dr. Stokes, of Monterey, who was a Mexican woman, and she obtained a grant, giving Redding two leagues, or perhaps half the grant, for his locations. This was the first grant made within the limits of Colusa County, and the first settler on the grant was a man by the name of Bryant, who built a house and raised some corn in 1846.
RANCH RESIDENCE OF M.M. BURNETT. 6 MILES SOUTH OF TULARE CITY, TULARE CO .. GAL.
THE
HOME OF . A. D. NEFF. COR. H. & OWENS STS. TULARE CITY, TULARE CO. CAL. .
.
49
PIONEERS SETTLE IN ALL PARTS OF THE STATE.
Wolfskill settled on his grant on Putah Creek, south of Cache Creek, and south of Gordon's grant, in 1843.
General John Bidwell says: "In my trip up the val- ley, in 1843, I went as far as the present town of Red Bluff. 1 was in pursuit of some stolen animals, and was in haste to overtake a party going to Oregon, which I did, and recovered the animals. My party consisted of Peter Lassen, James Bru- ham, and an Indian.
" In the summer of 1843, a company arrived from ' the States via Oregon, where they had wintered. This party was under the lead of L. W. Hastings, and N. Coombs, of Napa, was one of the party. Hastings was so well pleased with the land lying on the west bank of the Sacramento River just below the present town of Colusa, that he got me to make a map of it, intending to apply for a grant. He did not succeed, however. Some two or three of Hasting's party-their names I do not now recall-were in the habit of shooting at Indians, and had killed two or three before reaching the Colusa village, which was the only known point within about forty miles above, and thirty miles below, where horses could be watered from the river. At last the Indians became alarmed, and the tribe ahead had notice of the coming of the Oregon party. On attempting to approach the river at Colusa the Indians attacked them. For this they were reported hostile, and Sutter went with about forty men- mostly Indians whom he had taught the use of fire-arms and whom he employed as hunters and trappers-and punished them severely. Many Indians were killed-mostly of the Willy tribe. Sutter's forces crossed the river six or seven miles above Colusa on a bridge built by the Indians-the Duc-Ducs, I believe-for fishing purposes. This bridge was about sixty feet wide and very long, for the river was wide but not deep.
"On my return from Red Bluff in March, 1843, I made a map of this Upper Sacramento Valley, on which most of the streams were laid down, and they have since borne the names then given them.
FIRST SETTLEMENT NORTH OF SUTTER'S FORT.
" Peter Lassen then selected what afterward became his grant on Deer Creek (now in Tehama County,, and it was the first place selected and settled north of Sutter's grant. He started there in December, 1843, but camped at Sutter's Buttes (now called Marysville Buttes or Butte Mountains) till January or February, 1844, before proceeding to his destination. Several other places were examined and mapped in 1843, but little was done in this line till 1544, because those who wanted the land had not been here long enough to become citizens and be entitled to receive a grant."
Knight's grant, on the Sacramento River, was settled by himself, in 1844. The settlement by Samuel Neal and David Dutton on Butte Creek, about seven miles south of Chico, was made in 1844. About the same time Edward A. Farwell, with Thomas Fallon, settled on his grant on Chico Creek, about a
inile below the present town site of Chico. The same year, but a little later, a settlement was made on the present property of General John Bidwell, by William Dickey, who obtained the grant.
PIONEER PARTY OF 1844.
1844 .-- This party consisted of eleven wagons, twenty-six men, eight women and about a dozen children. Let us give the names: Dr. John Townsend and wife; Martin Murphy, Sr .; Martin Murphy, wife and four sous-James, Martin S., Pat- rick W., Bernard D .; James Murphy, wife and one child- Mary F .: Bernard Murphy (unfortunately killed on board the Jenny Lind in 1853 ; Miss Ellen Murphy (the present Mrs. Weber, of Stockton); John M. Murphy, Daniel Murphy, Jas. Miller, wife and four children ; Allen Montgomery and wife, Captain Stevens, Mr. Hitchcock, Mrs. Peterson and family, Mat Harbin, Moses Schallenberger, John Sullivan, his sister and two brothers, Robert and Mike; John Flomboy, Joseph Foster, Oliver and Francis Marguet, Mr. Mastin, Sr., Dennis Mastin, Pat Mastin, John and Brittain Greenwood, and old Mr. Greenwood. About May 1, 1843, these intrepid pioneers started from Council Bluffs to undertake the untried journey which lay before them, little thinking of its thousand dangers and vicissitudes, hardships enough to deter the bravest.
From December until March, 1844, the party encamped near Donner Lake, and while at this place the first child of white parents born in California saw the light. This was a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Martin Murphy, a young lady who received the name of Elizabeth, and afterwards became Mrs. William P. Taffe.
Martin Murphy purchased a property on the American Fork, from a man named Rufus, comprising two leagues, and there dwelt until 1850, when he disposed of it and removed to Santa Clara Valley, when he purchased the homestead on which he now resides.
The golden anniversary of their wedding was celebrated on the 18th of July, 1881, with all the éclat that wealth could throw around it, an I the thousands of friends who paid their respects on that day loudly demonstrated the high estimation in which Martin Murphy and his family are held by the people of California, who look upon him who first broke a wagon trail across the Sierras as the avant courier of a higher civil- ization.
TRUCKEE, THE INDIAN GUIDE.
The dangers of the plains and mountains were passed, and the party reached the Humboldt River, when an Indian named Truckee presented himself and offered to guide them to Cali- fornia. After questioning him closely, they employed him as their guide, and as they progressed found that the statements he had made about the route were fully verified. He soon became a great favorite among them, and when they reached the lower crossing of the Truckee River, now Wadsworth, they gave his name to the beautiful stream, so pleased were
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