USA > California > San Diego County > San Diego county, California; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 47
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La Mesa is in the frostless zone, and the growers here run no risk of dam- age to their crops on account of cold, nor are they put to the worry and expense of smudging to keep away the frost, as in other citrus sections of the state. The elevation is five hundred and thirty feet, and the rolling tableland, which the name La Mesa signifies, is well protected by the surrounding mountains and hills. Climatic conditions are ideal, not only for the production of citrus fruits but also as a place of residence. The citrus grower living at La Mesa is able to enjoy practically all the advantages of country life, in one of the finest climates in the world, with most of the conveniences of the city, and at the same time be within a few minutes' ride of San Diego.
CHAPTER XLVI
THE LITTLE LANDERS
This colony whose real existence dates back but three years is located in the beautiful, salubrious valley of the Tia Juana, on a direct line about twelve miles southeast of San Diego, on two railroads, the S. D. & E. and the S. D. & Yuma -in course of construction as a direct transcontinental. The S. D. & E. gives three trains daily.
The settlement contains more than one hundred heads of families, more than fifty school children, has a money order office, express office, good hotel, con- modious club house and school building with three teachers, a general store, church and literary societies, German and French science classes and excellent social and literary advantages not generally found in rural communities.
The park is a central feature embellished with plants and statuary, the soil is fertile and diversified, so all products of the temperate and semi-tropic zones are successfully grown. It is true in the broadest sense that the climatic condi- tions are equal to any and superior to many parts of even the genial conditions of California. The water supply is adequate and capable of extension to meet increasing demands. The residents are intelligent, cultured people and the conditions of life are made desirable by the mutual commercial interest the entire colony shares by united and personal effort. Desirable sites for homes, fifty by one hundred and forty feet, may be purchased for $200 and acres suitable for different purposes, either vegetable or fruit raising, range from $350 to $600 per acre.
DELIGHTFUL SCENERY
The scenery is delightfully composite, giving views of ocean five miles distant, mountain and valley.
The term "Little Lander" suggests the occupant or owner of a small tract of land which is thoroughly and scientifically cultivated so the very best returns can be produced from it; it further suggests the elimination of either tenant or landlord, but is tilled by a family or head of family and only so much land is cultivated as can be successfully maintained at a productive point by the labor of the family without hired help.
The incorporation-for the institution is incorporated under the laws of the state-requires neither fads nor frills, no special form of religion, politics or occupation. All are free to follow their chosen preferences; no particular distinguishing dress or garb; all are free to worship according to their own dictates, though there is a decided preference for united action and development of mental and spiritual thought, rather than be divided in minor hostile camps.
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The environment sought to be created is one of unity of action as far as possible. without sacrificing principles. The government is one of simple liberality and consideration for the rights of all. All owners of land of both sexes are entitled to a voice in deciding affairs that have been formulated by the board of directors, who serve gratuitously, and at stated sessions bring before the entire body their recommendations and the questions under parliamentary rules are discussed and finally disposed of by a majority vote, all being entitled to a vote if they have subscribed to the constitution and paid their fee of one dollar as prescribed by the state law, whether a person owns only a lot or an acre or more. Several who own more than one acre are desirous of disposing of the extra, finding that it is more profitable to cultivate one well, than several indifferently.
FINANCE METHODS
The financial methods of the colony are arranged so that in any business transaction where there is a commission to be gained by the sale of land, the funds so acquired go into the general fund of the colony and are used in defray- ing the expense that otherwise would have to be raised by direct taxation. In this way during the past year the very efficient board of directors have brought to the colony credit more than $5,000, which has been used to defray the general expense of running the water plant and conducting the general business.
The water system is in course of extension and when complete, as it is antici- pated it will be within a few months, it will be made adequate to all coming demands of the present requirements of the colony and is at present, and will be more distinctly so, the best and cheapest water supply in the county, being fur- nished as it is by the great underflow of the Tia Juana, covering several thou- sand miles of water shed possessing so adequate a supply that if there were no rains for five years the internal supply would meet all demands. The charge has been only one dollar a month for an acre or for a house lot, and domestic use with discount of twenty-five per cent if paid before the Ioth of each month. The water supply and its future economical distribution are the vital strength of the colony, as it is owned by the people in perpetuity, giving assurance of no interposition to raise rates or cut off supply, assurance is guaranteed that the colonist will share in earnings of the business, thus reducing the individual rate of payment. The business is run for the benefit of the entire colony and a con- dition that exists nowhere else is to be found, as those living under our system though not active members receive the benefits awarded to the member of the incorporation. This is being more than just.
MARKETING SYSTEM
The marketing system has been a problem of much gravity, as it is one of vital interest for the colony life-the finding of a market for the produce of the gardener after it is raised. For a long time it was the problem to dispose of what was raised and with one horse and wagon the products were sold from door to door, but later the management has provided an auto truck to assist in moving the products and the daily service of the train is invoked to carry the produce to the public market, where the quality of the produce sent has won a notable place
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in the growing want of the buyer, and the question now is to grow sufficient to supply the demand. Poultry, eggs and fruit will be added in larger quantities and eventually the market will be segregated under our exclusive control. There are difficulties connected with the project, but each as it appears finds a thought- ful, careful solution, because the interest of the single individual is bounded by the prosperity of all.
The social, mental and spiritual life is the binding cord of the hope of the "Little Lander." We have not destroyed poverty, but are showing the way for the future progressive builders of our country to model the future state, when the good of all will be conserved by the efforts of the individual to bring about a nobler social life. We have our classes in science, agriculture, language, art, religion, ethics and manual training in the fields. Our club house is the democratic shrine where the spirit of true republicanism is by various means of social and educational application made a place of profit to all, where each may participate and help mold the community to a homogeneous unit, the great aim of the Little Lander.
RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL
School, church, social, society gatherings, where the whole community is the guest, except those who gladly serve as host, is one of the delightful features of our daily life. Lonesomeness and despondency are overcome by the delights of life in either a humble or exalted way, where no one looks down on his neighbor because he only lives in a one hundred dollar house, or is struggling with former debt and despondency. The genial skies forbid a dreary look into the simple ways and path of life. There are no restrictions, only that a person must have a reputation worthy of imitation and in his deed he agrees to a forfeiture if he sells or permits others to sell intoxicating beverages, or rents to Asiatics, Mexicans or undesirable persons. It means a clean and wholesome, humble life, guarded by the hand of ever returning supply from labor of the united family. San Ysidro means the patron saint of husbandry and the Little Lander is the enlivening factor that makes the saintly calling of agriculture and horticulture mean more to the individual because it comprehends infinitely more in improved methods and to the state because it is the guiding star toward the long hoped for future, when the sons of the soil will be glorified in their mission of sanctified toil.
CHAPTER XLVII LOCAL HISTORIC SPANISH FAMILIES
By WV. E. Smythe
The names and annals of Spanish families, conspicuous in the social, commer- cial, religious and political life of Old San Diego, will always be treasured as an interesting and vital part of local history. It would be quite invidious to attempt to present them in the order of their importance. Hence, the alphabetical plan is adopted in this arrangement of facts obtained from a great variety of sources :
Aguilar, Blas, son of Corporal Rosario, born at San Diego, 1811, outside the Presidio walls. Was majordomo at Temecula in 1834; settled at San Juan Capis- trano and was a petitioner for land in 1841; was alcalde there in 1848; married Antonio Guiterrez.
Aguilar, Rosario, corporal of the mission guard at San Diego soon after the year 1800; had a house on the site of the present town in 1821; majordomo of San Diego Mission, 1838; Juez de paz in 1841 ; removed to San Juan Capistrano soon after and obtained land there; died there in 1847 leaving several children, of whom Blas Aguilar, mentioned above, was one; his daughter Rafaela was married to Jose Antonio Serrano.
Aguirre, Jose Antonio, a native of Basque, Spain, born about 1793. At the time of the Mexican revolution he was a merchant at Guaymas. Remaining loyal to Spain, he was driven out of Mexico and settled in Upper California ; owned brigs Leonidas and Joven Guipuzoana, and engaged in coast, island and China trade. On arrival of the Hijar colony at San Diego in 1834, gave a ball in Hijar's honor. It was at this ball that certain modern dances are said to have been first introduced into California. He divided his residence between San Diego and Santa Barbara, at which latter place he owned the finest residence in 1842. In 1843, he was grantee of the Tejon rancho. In 1848 and 1849, en- gaged in trade with William Heath Davis, and in 1850 he and Davis, with four others, founded new San Diego. He was at San Diego April 1, 1850, and appears in a list of the voters at Old Town. In September of the latter year he served on the first grand jury in San Diego county under American rule. He married Francisca, daughter of Prefect Jose Antonio Estudillo, of San Diego, and after her death married her sister, Maria del Rosario Estudillo. He was a large man and on that account was sometimes called "Aguirron" (big Aguirre). He was a fine type of the old Spanish merchant and left a large estate to his widow and four children. A son, Miguel Aguirre, lives in the neighborhood of the San Jacinto rancho. A daughter was married to Francisco Pico and lives Vol. 1-26
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in the same vicinity. His widow married Colonel Manuel A. Ferrer, of San Diego.
Alipas, Damasio and Gervasio, mentioned by Juan Bandini as members of the revolutionary junta of fourteen which began the revolt against Governor Victoria in November, 1831. A third brother, Santos Alipas, was one of the men killed in the Pauma massacre, in December, 1846.
Damasio Alipas married Juana Machado, daughter of Jose Manuel Machado, and had three daughters: Ramona, whose first husband was William Curley and her second William Williams (Cockney Bill), and who is still living in Los Angeles; Josefa, who married John Peters, and left San Diego in 1854 or 1855; and Maria Arcadia, who became the wife of Captain Robert D. Israel and lives in Coronado. Damasio Alipas went to Sonora before the Civil war and was killed there. His widow then married Thomas Wrightington.
Altamirano, Jose Antonio, was the son of Tomas Altamirano and Dolores Carrillo, and was born at La Paz, Lower California, May 31, 1835. His mother was a sister of Joaquin Carrillo, the father of Mrs. Henry D. Fitch; another of her brothers was Pedro C. Carrillo, who once owned the San Diego (Coronado) peninsula and sold it for $3,000. Jose Antonio Altamirano came to California in 1849 and was first engaged in mining. In 1859 he went into stock-raising on a large scale near San Jacinto. He owned the Valle de las Palmas rancho, near Tia Juana, in Lower California, which is still in the family, and was at one time the owner of the Algodones grant, on the Colorado river, near Yuma. In the Mexican war he served on the American side. He lived at Old Town, where he married Ysabel de Pedrorena, daughter of Miguel de Pedrorena, and had a large family.
Miguel is unmarried and lives on Las Flores rancho; Antonio is married and lives at Paris, France; he was formerly a San Diego councilman; Jose is unmarried and lives in San Francisco; Robert died at the age of twenty ; Dolores married first Harry Neale, of San Diego, and had three children, and second she married Robert Burns, of Sacramento; Ysabel married E. W. Ackerman and lives in Old Town; Tula, Victoria and Mary are unmarried; and Maria Antoinette is deceased.
Alvarado, Francisco Maria, first regidor of San Diego, 1837; treasurer, 1840-I; Juez de paz, 1845; grantee of Penasquitas rancho in 1823, 1834 and 1836, on which he lived; and grantee of Soledad rancho in 1838; was an elector at San Diego, April 1, 1850.
Alvarado, Juan Bautista, first regidor of San Diego, 1835; comisario de policia, 1836; daughter Maria Antonia was married to Captain Joseph F. Snook.
Arguello, Jose Ramon, son of Santiago Arguello; second alcalde (juez de paz) in 1845. Davis related that on a trip into Lower California with Don Ramon as guide, he found that gentleman addicted to eating rattlesnakes.
Arguello, Santiago, son of Jose D. Arguello, born at Monterey, 1791 ; pay- master at San Diego in 1818, and in 1821 had a garden in Mission valley. In 1827-31 he was lieutenant of the San Diego Company and commandant from 1830 to 1835; from 1831-5 was captain of the company and took part in the revolt against Victoria ; in 1833-4 he was revenue officer at San Diego; in 1836 he was alcalde and held several other offices; during the Mexican war he was
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friendly to the Americans and gave them considerable aid; soldiers were quar- tered at his house and he held a commission as captain in the California battalion ; was a member of the legislative council in 1847 and made collector of the port.
In 1829 he was granted the Tia Juana rancho, in 1841 the Trabujo, and in 1846 the San Diego Mission lands. He married Pilar Ortega, daughter of Francisco Ortega, of Santa Barbara, by whom he had twenty-two children. Among the children who lived and married were Francisco, Ignacio, Jose Antonio, Jose Ramon, Santiago E. Refugio, who married Juan Bandini; Teresa, who married Jose M. Bandini; Maria Louisa, who married A. V. Zamorano; and Concepcion, wife of Augustin Olvera.
He died on his Tia Juana ranch in 1862 and his widow died in 1878. The ranch is still owned by his family. Davis takes pains to state that his sons were finely formed, well proportioned men. He was a man of ability and left an honorable record. His disposition was somewhat reserved and he was not universally personally popular.
Arguello, Santiago E., son of Santiago, was born August 18, 1813; collector of revenue at San Diego, 1833-4; took part against Alvarado in 1836-7; deputy in assembly and juez de paz in 1845-6; aided the Americans in Mexican war and had a claim for $11,548 for damages to his property; was in charge of the Otay and San Antonio Abad ranchos in 1836-7, and majordomo and landowner at San Juan Capistrano in 1841. He was an elector at Old San Diego, April 1, 1850; he married Guadalupe Estudillo, daughter of Jose Antonio Estudillo; he died at the Rancho de la Punta, October 20, 1857, and left two sons and several daughters. One daughter, Maria Antonia; was married to A. H. Wilcox, and another, Refugia, to William B. Couts. One son, Francisco, lives at Tia Juana and has a family.
Bandini, Juan, for nearly forty years an honored citizen of California, saw it pass from Spanish into Mexican hands and lived to take a prominent part in wresting it from the control of the Californians and making it an American state. Through all the intervening days of struggle, he took an important part and narrowly missed the highest political honors of his time. Estimates of his character and services vary somewhat and have been influenced by the financial misfortunes which pursued him, but it seems clear that his long residence and eminent public services in San Diego entitled him to be considered the first Spanish citizen of his day.
The name of Bandini is not originally Spanish, but Italian, the family origi- nating in Italy and there being a family of Bandinis of princely rank now in existence in Italy.
He was the son of Jose Bandini, who was a native of Andalusia. He was born at Lima in 1800 and received his education there. His father came to California as master of a Spanish trading vessel in 1819 and 1821, and it is possi- ble Juan was with him. The father took an active part in the Mexican revolu- tion and was made a captain. Soon after peace came, the father and son came to San Diego and built a house. His public services began in 1827-8 as a mem- ber of the assembly, and from 1828 to 1831 he was sub-comisario of revenues. His house at San Diego, which is still standing in a good state of preservation, was erected in 1829. In 1830 he was chosen substitute congressman. In 1831
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he took a leading part in the revolt against Governor Victoria; in 1832 he was appointed comisario principal ad interim, but Victoria refused to recognize his authority outside San Diego, and he soon resigned. In 1833 he went to Mexico as congressman and returned the following year as vice president of the Hijar colonization company and inspector of customs for California. His elaborate entertainment of Hijar has been alluded to. The colonization scheme was a failure, however. The California officials also refused to recognize his author- ity over the customs and brought a counter charge of smuggling which they succeeded in substantiating, technically at least. These failures of his hopes were a severe blow to Bandini, from which he never fully recovered. In 1836-7-8 he was the leading spirit in the opposition to Governor Alvarado and on one occasion, at least, had the satisfaction of a great public reception when the whole population of San Diego turned out to meet him on his return from the capture of Los Angeles, in 1837. His return at this time was due to Indian troubles. He was the owner of the Tecate rancho on the Mexican border, which was pillaged by the hostiles and the family reduced to want, but peace having been made, Alvarado made him administrator of the San Gabriel Mis- sion, and he was also granted the Jurupa, Rincon, and Cajon de Muscapiabe ranchos, besides land at San Juan Capistrano. He held other offices but con- tinued to oppose Alvarado and was present with troops at the battle of Las Flores, in 1838. On Christmas night, 1838, while the Pastorela was being per- formed at his house, all the prominent citizens of San Diego being present, the house was surrounded by General Castro, acting under Alvarado's orders, and the two Picos and Juan Ortega taken prisoners. Bandini was absent at this time and thus escaped arrest.
In 1845-6 he was Governor Pico's secretary and supported his administration. After the Mexican war began, however, he adhered to the American cause and rendered valuable services. He furnished supplies for the troops and did every- thing in his power to aid them.
In 1847 he was a member of the legislative council and in 1848, alcalde. On April 1, 1850, he appears as an elector at San Diego, and was elected treasurer, but declined to serve. In this year he was keeping a store at San Diego and also erected a large building for a hotel, the Gila House, which is said to have cost $25,000. Soon after this he removed to a rancho which had been granted him in Mexico and resumed his Mexican citizenship. Here he took some part in politics, and was a supporter of Melendres and had to quit the country with his belongings, in 1855. He died at Los Angeles, where he had gone for treat- ment, in November, 1859.
His first wife was Dolores, daughter of Captain Jose M. Estudillo, and their children were: Arcadia, who married Abel Stearns and afterward Colonel Robert L. Baker, lives at Santa Monica and Los Angeles; Ysidora, who was born September 23, 1829, was married to Cave J. Couts, died May 24, 1897, and is buried at San Diego; Josefa, who was married to Pedro C. Carrillo, who was alcalde and a member of California's first legislature in 1847; Jose Maria, who married Teresa, daughter of Santiago Arguello; and Juanito. His second wife was Refugia, daughter of Santiago Arguello (a sister of his son Jose Maria's wife). They had the following children: Juan de la Cruz, Aofredo, Arturo and two daughters, one of whom, Dolores, was married to Charles R. Johnson,
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and the other, Victoria (Chata), to Dr. James B. Winston, who lives in Los Angeles. Bandini's daughters were famous for their beauty. All his family are in comfortable circumstances and several are wealthy. They live principally in southern California, have married well and are much respected citizens.
Perhaps the story of Bandini's personal appearance and characteristics can best be told by a few extracts from writers who knew him. Dana, whose opinion of California was intelligent, if not always sympathetic, saw him on a voyage from Monterey to Santa Barbara in January, 1836, and writes thus :
"Among our passengers was a young man who was the best representation of a decayed gentleman I had ever seen. He was of the aristocracy of the country, his family being of pure Spanish blood, and once of great importance in Mexico. His father had been governor of the province (this is an error) and having amassed a large property settled at San Diego. His son was sent to Mexico, where he received the best education and went into the first society of the capital. Misfortune, extravagance and the want of funds soon ate the estate up, and Don Juan Bandini returned from Mexico accomplished, poor, and proud, and without any office or occupation, to lead the life of most young men of the better families-dissolute and extravagant when the means were at hand. He had a slight and elegant figure, moved gracefully, danced and waltzed beauti- fully, spoke the best of Castilian, with a pleasant and refined voice and accent, and had throughout the bearing of a man of high birth and figure."
Upon the arrival at Santa Barbara, Bandini danced at the wedding of Alfred Robinson and Senorita de la Guerra y Noriega, concerning which Dana says : "A great deal has been said about our friend Don Juan Bandini; and when he did appear, which was toward the close of the evening, he certainly gave us the most graceful dancing that I had ever seen. He was dressed in white pantaloons, neatly made, a short jacket of dark silk gaily figured, white stockings and thin morocco slippers upon his very small feet."
Leiutenant Derby was well acquainted with the name and fame of Don Juan, and in his first letter from San Diego, in 1853, he pauses in his fooling long enough to write: "San Diego is the residence of Don Juan Bandini, whose man- sion fronts on one side of the plaza. He is well known to the early settlers of California as a gentleman of distinguished politeness and hospitality. His wife and daughters are among the most beautiful and accomplished ladies of our state."
Davis bears testimony to Bandini's worth. "He was," he says, "a man of decided ability and fine character."
Bancroft admits that he was one of the most prominent men of his time in California, of fair abilities and education, a charming public speaker, a fluent writer, and personally much beloved. He thinks, however, that in the larger fields of statesmanship he fell somewhat short-an estimate which is one of the penalties paid by those who, whatever their ability or deserts, fail of the largest success. There is also contemporary testimony to the fact that Don Juan possessed a gift of sardonic humor and was somewhat given to sarcasm.
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