A Picture of Pioneer Times in California, Illustrated with Anecdotes and Stories Taken from Real Life
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A picture of pioneer times in California, illustrated with anecdotes and stories taken from real life. By William Grey [pseudonym] A PICTURE OF PIONEER TIMES IN CALIFORNIA ILLUSTRATED WITH ANECDOTES AND STORIES TAKEN FROM REAL LIFE. BY WILLIAM GREY. AUTHOR's EDITION. SAN FRANCISCO: PRINTED BY W. M. HINTON & CO., 536 CLAY STREET. 1881. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1881, by WILLIAM M. HINTON, A picture of pioneer times in California, illustrated with anecdotes and stories taken from real life. By William Grey [pseudonym] http:// www.loc.gov/resource/calbk.181 In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. INTRODUCTION. This book is respectfully dedicated to the boys and girls born on the Pacific Slope, of pioneer parents. Its object is to draw a correct and faithful picture of pioneer times in California, and thus expose the misstatements of itinerant lecturers and thoughtless or vicious writers, who seem to delight in wholesale misrepresentation of the habits and character of the first American settlers of this coast. The time has come when this matter should be discussed and set right; for the pioneers are fast passing away, and in a few short years not one will be left to contradict and expose the slanderous charges now constantly put forth against them. In the picture I have drawn, I have sought to avoid claiming for the pioneers one virtue not fairly theirs; nor have I attempted to conceal their errors. When speaking of individuals, I have tried to avoid undue praise or unjust censure. How far I have succeeded in making my picture a truthful representation, I leave my fellow pioneers to judge. The destinies of the great young States of the Pacific are fast passing into the hands of the children of the pioneers, and we, the parents, cheerfully resign our trust, feeling sure that the amor patriœ with them is most heartfelt, and, burning brightly, will be “the pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day” to guide them onward, and ensure a great future to the States of their birth. In resigning our leadership, it ought to be our ambition that our children should honor our memory, and feel proud that they are the children of California and Oregon pioneers. It is this ambition that has prompted the writing of this volume. It is directly addressed to our young people; but I hope it will be found attractive and interesting to every American citizen, and especially so to all our pioneers, who, day by day, as the shades of evening fall on their path, and their numbers lessen, grow nearer and nearer to each other, and more and more attached to all the A picture of pioneer times in California, illustrated with anecdotes and stories taken from real life. By William Grey [pseudonym] http:// www.loc.gov/resource/calbk.181 recollections of the days when, as a band of brothers they, with cheerful hearts, faced every danger, side by side, and aroused into life this whole Pacific Coast. If my fellow pioneers find that I have performed the task I assigned myself but indifferently, I hope they will at least credit a good intention and an earnest endeavor to the author. WILLIAM GREY CONTENTS Chapter I—“The Annals of San Francisco.”—Their unpardonable errors—The founding of the Missions—The good they accomplished—Their great wealth—Influence upon the Indians— The traducers of the Mission Fathers—Mr. Dwinelle's address at the centennial celebration of the founding of the Mission Dolores—Miss Skidmore's poem 1 Chapter II—“Reflections of the “Annals.”—The future of the American Republic—Our true policy—The London “Times” and the civil war 16 Chapter III—The conquest of California—The absurd account of it given in the “Annals.” Exaggerations and misstatements—Stockton, Kearny and Fremont—Stockton's march to Los Angeles—His reception at San Francisco—His alleged project of invading Mexico—Second reduction of California 20 Chapter IV—Conditions which made the conquest of California an easy one—The murder of Foster—The tell-tale revolver—The vaquero's story—Capture of Mariana— His examination—Subsequent escape—Mr. Breen's story—The old woman and the dying man— Mr. Breen and the man—The Mexican's confession—The murder of his affianced and an American —Death of the Cary brothers—The Mexican's murder of his own friend—His remorse—Father Anzer's visits—The burial—Other murders 31 Chapter V—Discovery of gold by Marshall— Unsuccessful endeavor to keep the matter secret—Life in California—Incorrect account of it in the “Annals.”—Alleged dissipation of all classes—General indulgence in gambling—Amusements, etc 48 Chapter VI—The nature of our early immigration—Difficulties and expense—The writer's own experiences—The South Carolina—Character of the voyagers, and their amusements—The only lady passenger—Rio—Three scalawags and their fates—The Emperor's garden—Puzzling money —Slave trade and civil rights—Isaac Friedlander, Conroy and o'Connor—John A. McGlynn, W. A picture of pioneer times in California, illustrated with anecdotes and stories taken from real life. By William Grey [pseudonym] http:// www.loc.gov/resource/calbk.181 T. Shaw, D. J. Oliver, Wm. F. White—Air castles—Dead and living 67 Chapter VII—Island of Juan Fernandez—Escape of the convicts—Entering the Golden Gate—Unwillingness of captains to command California bound ships—Preparations to check mutiny—Mutinies on two ships, and their justification 79 Chapter VIII—First impressions of San Francisco—Its hurry of business— Meeting old faces—$7,000 gain on an investment of nothing—A lesson from “Tony”—First brick building—John A. McGlynn and one of San Francisco's two wagons—The monthly mail—Curious government accounts—Mr. McGlynn at the great fire 84 Chapter IX—The three classes of citizens —The gentlemen politicians—The cause of the Vigilance Committees—The typical miner— Welcome arrivals—Ingenious furniture. Early law courts 95 Chapter X—Bill Liddle—A dangerous pass in the mountains—Old Kate's intelligence—The meeting in the pass—Valor of old Kate— The discomfited conductor—The trial, and the Alcalde's decision—Comparison between the old and new methods of settling disputes—Life of a politician—A Cabinet Minister's advice to a young applicant for a position 115 vi Chapter XI—Strange recognitions—Stolen money returned—Monterey—Hospitality of its inhabitants—Its decay—A fandango—Don David Spense and Don Juan Cooper. Meeting of old friends—Talbot H. Green—His generosity—Refusal of nominations for United States Senator and Mayor—His marriage—Recognition by a lady—The Democratic Convention—Green's identification as an absconder—Denial of the charge—His departure from San Francisco— Subsequent career 122 Chapter XII—Wages and merchandise—A slow English firm—A customer for bowie knives. A shrewd speculation in sheetings 132 Chapter XIII—John W. Geary—History of his advancements—As Alcalde and as Mayor 139 Chapter XIV—The Society of California Pioneers—Their indorsement of the “Annals.” “Woman's rights”—True sphere of a woman— Resources of California—Newspapers, banks and manufactories—The judiciary—The railroads and the new constitution—Californians who have won laurels in the East—Loss of the Central America—Rescue of the women and children by the brig Marine—Terrible partings—Cowardice of two men—Others saved—General Sherman's account—A passenger's story 162 Chapter XV— Fascination of pioneer times—Anecdotes and stories in illustration 173 Chapter XVI—A California A picture of pioneer times in California, illustrated with anecdotes and stories taken from real life. By William Grey [pseudonym] http:// www.loc.gov/resource/calbk.181 miser—A speculation in hogs—A marriage of a bashful woman. A life saved by New York law— A lawyer's first appearance in court—A good speech reserved—Squatters dispersed by refusing to talk—A case won by using an Irish authority—A “divide” with robbers and lawyers—Dan Murphy loses his cash 179 ELLEN HARVEY; OR, THE WIFE's DISAPPOINTMENT. Chapter I—On board of the steamer II—A pleasant lunch party—Restrospect 219 III—The proposal of marriage 230 IV—Departure for California 236 V—Sickness—Susan Marsh, the nurse 241 VI—Mrs. Gabit —The wife's anguish 248 VII—Ellen and the Rev. Father 262 VIII—Frank's letter to his wife 273 IX—The wife's letter to her husband 282 X—Susan Marsh's subsequent history—Conclusion 287 ADA ALLEN; OR, THE HUSBAND's SURPRISE. Chapter I—Arrival in San Francisco—Captain Casserly 293 II—Edmund Allen—A beautiful girl 301 III—A troublesome column of figures 307 IV—The poor widow—Mr. Morehouse and Edmund 312 V—The song—The proposal of marriage 320 VI—News from California—A terrible dream 325 VII—Minnie Wagner—Brother and sister 329 vii VIII—The girl's errand—Ada and Minnie 337 IX—Desire to go to California—Departure 343 X —First letter from Edmund—Mrs. Bucket 348 XI—Mr. and Mrs. Morehouse and Mrs. Bucket 357 XII—The welcome letter from Edmund 365 XIII—The wife's anxiety—Departure 369 XIV— San Francisco—The pretty little cottage 383 XV—From the theater—The joyful meeting 387 XVI —Waiting for letters—Mrs. Bucket again 393 XVII—A housekeeper's difficulties—Conclusion 396 MINNIE WAGNER; OR, THE FORGED NOTE. Chapter I—A happy breakfast—Arrival in California 401 II—Sir John Cameron—Agnes and Lusk 409 III—A selfish child—Father and daughter 417 IV—The robbers trapped—Young Lusk 422 V—Escape—Capture of a Chilean vessel —The fight 430 VI—News from Walter—Mrs.