Santa Clara County CA Archives History - Books .....Chapter II 1922
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Book Title: History Of Santa Clara County

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 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 opposing factions in Mexico had been satisfactorily arranged.

  The adjustment, however, created misunderstandings 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 Central
Government and General Micheltorena was secretly dispatched north to settle the
differences between Governor Alvarado and General Vallejo by taking over the
powers of both. On seeing the turn the affair had taken, Alvarado and Vallejo
laid aside their bickerings to make common cause against Micheltorena, whom they
designated as an usurper. Aided by General Castro they sought to drive
Micheltorena out of California. The triumvirate 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 insurrection. He advanced to within twelve miles of
San Jose and then finding that this portion of the country was up in arms
against him speedily beat a retreat to San Juan Bautista. In spite of his
defense, the insurgents captured the town in November. 1844. From this blow
Micheltorena never rallied and in February, 1845, he paid $11,000 for a passage
on board the bark Don Quixote, Captain Paty, his destination being San Blas. On
the termination of the strife Don Pio Pico, brother of Don Antonio 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
Washington for the purpose of organizing a third expedition for the
topographical survey of Oregon and California. He left Kent's Fort in April, his
force consisting of sixty-two men, among them Kit Carson and six Delaware
Indians. Crossing the Sierra Nevadas in December 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 seventeenth 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 Alviso at the lower end of the Santa
Clara Valley. On the twenty-second they proceeded to San Jose where Fremont
received word that the missing explorers were encamped on the San Joaquin. At
once two companies under 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, verbally, but when
asked for the necessary permit 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 Fisher'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. Shortly after this, on February 20, Captain
Fremont 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 animals 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 myself, consisted in his being driven or ordered to immediately
leave camp. After having been detected in endeavoring to obtain animals under
false pretenses he should have been well satisfied to escape without a severe
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 immediately 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 magistrates in your towns on the complaint of
every straggling vagabond who may chance to visit my camp. You inform me that
unless satisfaction be immediately made by the delivery of the animals in
question, the complaint 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 Edward Petty Hartwell. While here he received, late in the afternoon
of the fifth a dispatch from Don Manuel Castro, prefect of the district.
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 conclusion. 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 construction 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 United States to survey the limits of Oregon. This person
presented himself at my headquarters 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 behind 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 operations
and today, the sixth, I march in person to join it and see that the object is
attained. The hurry with which I undertake my march does not permit me to be
more diffuse and I beg that you will inform His Excellency, 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."

  Castro'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 Gilroy, an old Scotch settler, after
whom Gilroy 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. Gilroy, 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 enter. 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 emergency. Rumors were rife. Governor Pico looked upon them
with deep hatred, their arrival 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 California 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 us with her extortionate minions who come here in the
guise of soldiers and civil officers to harass and oppress our people. . . .
Perhaps what I am about to suggest may seem faint-hearted and dishonorable 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 threatened 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 connect
ourselves with one of the powerful European 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 beautiful country?
I pronounce for annexation to France or England and the people of California
will never regret having taken my advice. Then may our people "go quietly to
their ranches and live there as of yore, leading a thoughtless and merry life,
untroubled by politics or the cares of state, sure of what is their own and safe
from the incursions of the Yankees 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 patriot 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 beginning 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 California, he
commenced his career in the army as an ensign and in this humble grade he
volunteered to establish a colony on the north side of the Bay of San Francisco
for the protection of the frontier. He thoroughly subdued 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 cession
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 monarchy, 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
dominion 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 Mexican domination.
Our position is' so remote, either by land or sea, that we are in no danger from
Mexican invasion. Why, then, should we still hesitate to assert our
independence? We have taken the first step by electing our own governor, but
another remains to be taken. I will mention it plainly and rationally-it is
annexation to the United States. In contemplating this consummation of our
destiny I feel nothing but pleasure and I ask you to share it. Discard old
prejudices, disregard old customs and prepare for the glorious change which
awaits our country. Why should we shrink from incorporating ourselves with the
happiest and freest nation in the world, destined soon to be the most wealthy
and powerful? Why should we go abroad for protection when this great nation is
our adjoining neighbor? When we join our fortunes to hers we shall not become
subjects but fellow-citizens, possessing all the rights of the people of the
United States and choosing our own federal and local rulers. We shall have a
stable government and just laws. California 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 intelligence. His arguments failed to carry conviction 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 concerning
the weighty question on which the Californians had met to deliberate. On
retiring from the Junta General Vallejo embodied 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 returned 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
number of Americans, finding themselves numerically 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, General 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 adventurers, who, regardless of
the rights of men, have daringly commenced ah invasion possessing themselves of
the town of Sonoma and the military commander of that border. Fellow countrymen:
The defense of our liberty, the true religion which our fathers possessed and
our independence call upon us to sacrifice ourselves rather than lose these
inestimable 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 bosoms 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 vacillate 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
                              JOSE CASTRO,
          "Headquarters, Santa Clara, June 17, 1846."

  The second proclamation promises to protect all Americans who shall refrain
from taking part in the revolutionary movements and winds up as follows: "Let
the fortune of war take its chance with those ungrateful men, who with arms in
their hands have attacked the country, without recollecting they were treated by
the undersigned with all the indulgence of which he is so characteristic. The
inhabitants of the Department are witnesses of the truth of this. I have nothing
to fear, my duty leads me to death or victory. I am a Mexican soldier and I will
be free and independent, or I will gladly die for these inestimable blessings."

  As there were rumors afloat that General Castro was on his way with a large
party of Mexicans, to attack the garrison at Sonoma, Fremont, with force
augmented, hastened to the relief of his compatriots. He arrived at Sonoma on
the morning of June 25, having made forced marches. There he found that Castro
had not carried out his threat, but had placidly remained near San Jose,
carefully guarded by his soldiers.

  About this time a small party intended for service under the Bear Flag, had
been recruited by Capt. Thomas Fallon, then of Santa Cruz, but afterward a
long-time resident of San Jose. This company, consisting of twenty-two men,
crossed the Santa Cruz Mountains, entered the Santa Clara Valley at night and
halted about three miles from San Jose at the rancho of Grove C. Cook. Here
Fallon learned that Castro, with a force of 200 men, was close at hand.
Therefore, believing discretion to be the better part of valor, he fell back
into the mountains and there encamped.

  At sunset on June 27, Castro, placing himself at the head of his army, marched
out of Santa Clara to chastise the Sonoma insurgents. Passing around the head of
San Francisco Bay he reached the San Leandro Creek from whence he dispatched
three men to reconnoiter. They were to cross the bay in boats. On the water they
were captured and shot. As they did not return Castro, guessing what had
happened and fearing a like fate for himself, marched his company back to Santa
Clara.

War With Mexico Declared

  In the meantime great events had been occurring without. The United States had
declared war against Mexico, General Scott, after a series of brilliant
exploits, had captured the City of Mexico and Commodore John Drake Sloat was
approaching Monterey. On July 7, 1846, Monterey was taken and the American flag
hoisted over the town. Two days later Henry Pitts, courier for Commodore Sloat,
rode into San Jose, and after announcing the triumph of American arms, sought
out General Castro and delivered to the redoubtable Mexican warrior Commodore
Sloafs communication. After reading it Castro, with moody brow, called out his
men and forming in line in front of the Juzgado, or Hall of Justice on Market
Street, shouted, "Monterey is taken by the Americans," and then proceeded to
read the written words of the Commodore.

  "To the inhabitants of California-
  "The central troops of Mexico having commenced hostilities against the United
States of America by invading its territory and attacking the troops of the
United States stationed on the north side of the Rio Grande, with a force of
7,000 men under command of General Arista, which army was totally destroyed and
all their artillery, baggage, etc., captured on the 8th and 9th of May last by a
force of 2,300 men under the command of General Taylor, and the city of
Matamoras taken and occupied by the forces of the United States, and the two
nations being actually at war by this transaction, I shall hoist the standard of
the United States at Monterey immediately and shall carry it through California.

  "I declare to the inhabitants of California, that although I come in arms with
a powerful force, I do not come as an enemy to California. I come as their best
friend, as henceforth California will be a portion of the United States and its
peaceable inhabitants will enjoy the same rights and privileges they now enjoy
together with the privilege of choosing their own magistrates and other officers
for the administration of justice among themselves, and the same protection will
be extended to them as to any other state in the Union. They will also enjoy a
permanent government under which life and property and the constitutional right
and lawful security to worship the Creator in the way most congenial- to each
one's sense of duty, will be secured to which, unfortunately, the Central
Government of Mexico cannot afford them, destroyed, as her resources are, by
internal factions and corrupt officers who create constant revolutions to
promote their own interests and oppress the people. Under the flag of the United
States California will be free from all such troubles and expenses;
consequently, the country will rapidly advance and improve, both in agriculture
and commerce; as, of course, the revenue laws will be the same in California as
in all other parts of the United States, affording them all manufactures and
produce of the United States free of any duty, and for all foreign goods at
one-quarter the duty they now pay. A great increase in the value of real estate
and the products of California may be anticipated.

  "With the great interest and kind feelings I know the government and people of
the United States possess toward the people of California, the country cannot
but improve more rapidly than any other on the continent of America.

  "Such of the inhabitants, whether native or foreign, as may not be disposed to
accept the high privileges of citizenship and to live peaceably under the
government of the United States, will be allowed time to dispose of their
property and remove out of the country, if they choose, without any restriction;
or remain in it observing strict neutrality.

  "With full confidence in the honor and integrity of the inhabitants of the
country, I invite the judges, alcaldes and other civil officers to execute their
functions as heretofore, that the public tranquility be not disturbed, at least,
until the government of the territory can be definitely arranged.

  "All persons holding titles to real estate, or in quiet possession of lands
under color or right, shall have these titles guaranteed to them. All churches,
and the property they contain, in possession of the clergy of California, shall
continue in the same right and possession they now enjoy.

  "All provisions and supplies of every kind furnished by the inhabitants for
the use of the United States ships and soldiers, will be paid for at fair rates,
and no private property will be taken for public use without just compensation
at the moment.

                        "JOHN D. SLOAT, 
"Commander-in-Chief of the U. S. Naval Force in the Pacific Ocean."

  The reading of the foregoing concluded, General Castro is said to have
exclaimed, "What can I do with a handful of men against the United States? I am
going to Mexico. All who wish to .follow me, right-about-face. All who wish to
remain can go to their homes." Only a very few chose to follow Castro into
Mexico, whither he proceeded on the following day, first taking prisoner,
Charles M. Weber, a merchant, and not releasing him until Los Angeles was reached.

  Upon hearing of Castro's departure Captain Fallon left his camp in the Santa
Cruz Mountains, marched into San Jose, seized the Juzgado and arrested Dolores
Pacheco, the alcalde. He caused Pacheco to surrender the keys and pueblo
archives as well, and appointed James Stokes justice of the peace. On July 13 he
hoisted an American flag on the staff in front of the court house, the first
flag of the Union to wave in Santa Clara county. While in San Jose Fallon
received the following communications from Captain Montgomery, stationed at
Yerba Buena (San Francisco):

                          "U. S. Ship Portsmouth,
                          "Yerba Buena, July 13, 1846
  "Sir: I have just received your letter with a copy of Mr. James Stokes'
appointment as justice of the peace of the pueblo: also a dispatch from the
commander-in-chief of the U. S. Naval Forces at Monterey, for which I thank you.
By the bearer of them I return a dispatch for Commodore Sloat,. which I hope you
will have an opportunity of forwarding to Monterey.

  "I received your letter of July 12 and wrote to you, by the bearer of it, on
the 13th in answer advising you by all means to hoist the flag of the United
States at the Pueblo of St. Joseph (San Jose) as you expressed to do. If you had
sufficient force to maintain it there; of course you understand that it is not
again to be hauled down . . .

  "Agreeable to your request I send you a proclamation, in both languages, from
the Commander-in-Chief, which I shall be glad to have distributed as far and
generally as possible; and be pleased to assure all persons of the most perfect
security from injuries to their persons or property, and endeavor by every means
in your power to inspire them with confidence in the existing authorities and
government of the United States.
  "I am, sir, your ob't servant,
                   " JOHN B. MONTGOMERY,
             "Commanding U. S. Ship Portsmouth.
"To Capt. Thomas Fallon, Pueblo of St. Joseph, Upper California."


                           "U. S. Ship Portsmouth,
                           "Yerba Buena, July 18, 1846.
  "Sir I have just received your letter with the official dispatch from
Commodore Sloat, which has been accidentally delayed one day in its transmission
from the pueblo and am much obliged to you for sending it to me.

  "I am gratified to hear that you have hoisted the flag of our country and
cannot but feel assured, as I certainly hope, that your zealous regard for its
honor and glory will lead you nobly to defend it there.

     "I am, sir, your ob't servant,
                  "JOHN B. MONTGOMERY,
                           "Commander.
"To Capt. Thomas Fallon at the Pueblo San Jose, Upper California."

  Before the arrival at Monterey of Commodore Sloat it was believed in many
quarters that the English government had a covetous eye on California. John
Parrott, a prominent citizen of San Francisco, was in Mexico in the spring of
1846, and in a position to learn something of British intentions. Ascertaining
that a movement was about to be made to hoist the English flag over the capitol
at Monterey, he sent a courier to Commodore Sloat warning him that England was
about to steal a march on the United States. The commodore immediately went to
sea. He reached Monterey Bay, and as has been related, hoisted the American flag
over the capitol on July 7, 1846. Admiral Seymour, of the British navy, arrived
soon afterward, but having no authority to inaugurate hostilities with the
United States, was powerless.

  The necessity of holding San Jose induced Captain Montgomery to dispatch the
purser of the Portsmouth, Watmough, to the pueblo with thirty-five marines, as
soon as it was learned that Fallon had gone south. He made his headquarters at
the Juzgado and strengthened his command by the enlistment of a few volunteers.
The tide of war, however, had flowed southward, and with the exception of a
short expedition against the Indians of the San Joaquin Valley, the military
operations did not amount to much. Watmough returned to his vessel in October.

  At this time Commander Hull of the U. S. sloop of war Warren, was in command
of the northern district of California and from him issued commissions to
Charles M. Weber as captain and John M. Murphy as lieutenant of a company to be
enlisted in the land service to serve during the war. They raised a company of
thirty and established headquarters in an adobe building on the east side of
what is now known as Lightston Street. This company did good service in scouting
the country and preventing depredations by the straggling remnants of Castro's
command and in securing supplies for the use of the troops.

  About the time Weber and Murphy received their commissions a body of emigrants
arrived at Sutter's Fort where they were met by Captain Smith, of Fremont's
Battalion, who had been detailed as a recruiting officer. Among the emigrants
was Joseph Aram, who afterwards became an honored resident of Santa Clara
County. Aram immediately enlisted and was appointed a captain. With his
volunteers he proceeded to escort the families of the emigrants to Santa Clara
where he made his headquarters in November. The accommodations were very
inadequate and the season being a rough one, fourteen died before February and
many more became seriously ill. Captain Aram had a force .of thirty-one men and
hearing that a Colonel Sanchez with a large force of mounted Mexicans was
threatening the Santa Clara Mission, he proceeded to put it in as good a
condition for defenses as his means would permit. Wagons and even branches cut
from the trees on the Alameda were used as barricades across the various
approaches.

  At the time Captain Aram took possession of the Mission, Captain Mervin of the
U. S. Navy sent Lieutenant Pinckney, of the Savannah, and sixty men to reinforce
Weber and Murphy at San Jose. On the afternoon of November 2, this force took
possession of the Juzgado and transformed it into a barracks, entrenching the
position by breastworks and a ditch. Videttes were stationed on all the roads
and a sentinel was posted on the Guadalupe bridge. In addition to these
precautions Weber and Murphy's company were almost continually in the saddle,
scouting the country in all directions. This was absolutely necessary as the
Mexican Sanchez, with a large force, was hovering around the valley picking up
stragglers and looking for a favorable opportunity for a sudden attack. At the
same time the Americans were anxious to meet Sanchez on a fair field, but the
Mexican's movements were so erratic that he could not be brought to bay.

  In the first days of September, Sanchez, by means of an ambush, surprised and
captured Lieutenant W. A. Bartlett of the U. S. sloop "Warren. Bartlett was then
acting as alcalde At San Francisco. He, with five men, were out looking for
supplies of cattle and reached a point near the Seventeen Mile House in what is
now San Mateo County, when Sanchez and his men dashed out from the brush and
made the Americans prisoners. Martin Corcoran, afterwards a prominent resident
of San Jose, was with the captured party. The prisoners were taken to Sanchez
camp among the redwoods in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Range. Word was
brought to San Jose that Sanchez was somewhere in the northern part of the
valley and Weber and Murphy, with their company, started out in pursuit. After
advancing a few miles they learned that Sanchez had received large accessions to
his force and was occupying a strong position in the hills back of San Mateo.
Captain Weber's little company being too small to render an attack advisable,
the march was continued to San Francisco, where Weber reported to the Commander.

  As soon as Weber had passed on, Sanchez came out of the hills and encamped on
the Higuera ranch, north of San Jose. Two days later he started for the pueblo
thinking he could capture it without a fight as Weber's defenders had gone. He
took up a position on the Alma-den road, south of town and sent in a flag of
truce, demanding surrender and stating that he had with him two hundred men
whose eagerness for battle could with difficulty be restrained; but if the
American forces would leave San Jose they would be permitted to depart
unmolested. Lieutenant Pinckney refused the offer, doubled his guards and
prepared for battle. That night was one of great anxiety to the little band
behind the intrenchments on Market Street. Every one was on the alert and
although each nerve was strung to the utmost tension there was no flinching.
During the night Sanchez circled round the town and carefully inspected the
position of the Americans from every point. When he saw the preparations made
for his reception, his heart failed him and he rode off with his command and
went into camp about five miles north of Santa Clara. He kept with him
Lieutenant Bartlett and his men. At that time J. Alexander Forbes, the acting
British Consul was at Santa Clara. Taking a small English flag in his hands, Mr.
Forbes visited the camp of Sanchez for the purpose of negotiating for the
release of the prisoners. Sanchez was willing that Bartlett might go with
Forbes, but would not consent that Bartlett should go to the Americans unless
they would deliver up Capt. C. M. Weber in his place. Forbes communicated this
proposition to the Commander at San Francisco and pending a reply took Bartlett
to Santa Clara. Word came quickly that Sanchez' proposition could not be
entertained and Bartlett was returned to the Mexican camp.

  During this time Weber's force in San Francisco was joined by other forces,
and placed under the command of Capt. Ward Marston, U. S. Marine Corps, of the
Savannah. The composition of this small army was as follows: Thirty-four marines
commanded by Lieut. Robert Tansell; a six pound ship's gun and ten men commanded
by Master William F. D. Gough, assisted by Midshipman John Kell; the San Jose
Volunteers, a body of thirty-three mounted men nuder command of Capt. Chas. M.
Weber and Lieut. John M. Murphy with James F. Reed, seeking relief for the
Donner party, as second lieutenant; Yerba Buena Volunteers under command of
Capt. William F. Smith and a detachment of twelve men under command of Capt. J.
Martin. The whole force numbered 101 men. They left San Francisco and on January
2, 1847, came in sight of Sanchez' forces about four miles north of Santa Clara.
The Mexican force was about 250 men but notwithstanding the odds were two to one
against them the Americans advanced to the attack with confidence and
enthusiasm. Sanchez, whose scouts had brought him intelligence of the aproach of
the troops from San Francisco, first sent his prisoners toward the Santa Cruz
Mountains and then with great show of valor made ready for battle. As soon as
the Americans came in sight of the enemy they pressed foward for an attack.
Sanchez fell back and the Americans continued to advance. They brought their one
piece of artillery into position but at the third round it was dismounted by the
recoil and half buried in the mud. The infantry however, kept up a hot fire,
whenever they could get in range, which owing to the extreme caution of the
Mexicans, was not often. A good deal of ground was thus traversed until finally
Sanchez made a strong demonstration around the right flank of the Americans,
hoping by this maneuver to cut off and stampede a large band of horses that were
in the charge of the United States troops.

  The reports of the artillery and the volleys of the musketry had aroused the
people of the Mission of Santa Clara. They ascended the house tops to witness
the battle. Capt. Aram, with the men under his command wished to join the
conflict, but as all the women and children of the country were under American
military protection, Aram did not feel at liberty to abandon them, especially as
Sanchez in his retrograde movement, was approaching the Mission. But when the
Mexicans made the demonstration on the American right, he marched his men with
speed to attack Sanchez' right wing. At the same time, Weber and Murphy's
company charged, the combined forces driving the Mexicans from the field and
toward the Santa Cruz Mountains while the Americans marched in triumph to the
Mission. The Mexican loss was four men killed and four wounded. The Americans
had two men slightly wounded.

  Soon after Sanchez had been driven from the field he sent in to the Mission a
flag of truce offering a conditional surrender. The reply was that the surrender
must be unconditional. Sanchez replied that he would die rather than surrender
except on the conditions proposed by him. At last a cessation of hostilities was
agreed upon until such time as his proposition could be submitted to the
Commander of the district at San Francisco.

  During the armistice and the day after the battle, January 3, Capt. Aram went
to the Mexican corral to look for some horses that had been stolen from the
Americans. While in the Mexican camp word was brought in that another American
force was advancing from the direction of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Sanchez, who
seemed in great fear of an attack, requested Capt. Aram to go out and meet them
and inform them of the armistice. As no reinforcements were expected from that
direction Aram could not imagine what this force could be, but he rode out to
meet them. The acting British Consul, J. Alexander Forbes, accompanied him. It
seems that the hope that England would take a hand in the affairs of California
was not entirely abandoned, for as Lieutenant Murphy stated, Forbes carried with
him, concealed under his saddle, a small British flag, presumably for the
purpose of invoking the aid of the strangers should they prove to be English.
Several of the men in the escort saw the flag and said afterward that had an
attempt been made to induce British interference, the bearer of the flag would
not have survived to tell the story of his negotiations. As it happened,
however, the new party proved to be a force of fifty nine men under command of
Capt. Maddox of the U. S. Navy. They were disappointed to hear of the armistice
but respected its conditions. Three days after this event a courier arrived from
San Francisco informing Capt. Marston that Sanchez' surrender must be
unconditional.

  On the next day, the 7th, Lieutenant Grayson arrived at the Mission with
another reinforcement of fifteen men and on the 8th Sanchez unconditionally
surrendered his entire force. His men were allowed to return to their homes,
which the majority of them did, to afterward become good citizens of the United
States. Sanchez was taken to San Francisco and for a time was held prisoner of
war on board the Savannah.

  The battle of Santa Clara was the last of the hostilities in this county. The
theater of war was transferred to the south and no hostile gun was afterward
fired in the beautiful Valley of Santa Clara. But few months elapsed after this
engagement before the soldiers on both sides were mingled together in the
friendliest kind of business and social relations. This will not seem remarkable
when it is remembered that the inhabitants of California had, for years, been
dissatisfied with their relations to the Mexican Government. They had
contemplated a revolution and had, in a manner, accomplished it when they drove
Micheltorena from the country. It is true they had no love for the United
States, but that government having taken possession of the country, they
accepted the situation as being much better than their former condition,
although not what they had hoped to achieve. The equal justice which was
administered by the Americans soon reconciled them to their lot and in a few
years they congratulated themselves over the fact that things were much better
than they had expected.

  Hostilities between the United States and Mexico ceased early in 1848 and on
February 2nd of that year the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed. By its
terms California was ceded to the conquerors. This treaty was ratified by the
President of the United States on March 16, was exchanged at Queretaro on May
30, and was proclaimed by the President on July 4th.

  California was now the property of the United States but had neither
territorial nor state organization. In fact it had no territorial existence
until 1849. During this time its affairs were administered by the senior
military officers stationed in California. These military governors were:
Commodore John D. Sloat, July 7, 1846; Commodore Robert F. Stockton, August 17,
1846; Col. John C. Fremont, January 1847; Gen. Stephen W. Kearney, March, 1847;
Col. Richard B. Mason, May 31, 1847; Gen. Bennett Riley, April 13, 1849.

  Capt. Thomas Fallon, who raised the first American flag in the Santa Clara
Valley, accompanied Fremont in the pursuit of Pio Pico. After the war ended he
took up his residence in San Jose, erecting what was then considered the finest
mansion in the pueblo. It stood on San Pedro Street at its junction with what is
now San Augustine Street and extended back to Chabolla Alley. The grounds were
spacious and were planted in fruit trees and flowering plants. Here the
hospitable captain kept open house for years. He had three daughters by his
first wife, a native of Mexico. They were looked upon as the three beauties of
the pueblo. The oldest, Anita, married John T. Malone, who was a graduate of
Santa Clara College and a lawyer of standing and ability. While he was deputy
district attorney he was seized with the stage fever. Abandoning the law he
studied for the stage and in the early eighties made his professional debut in
San Francisco appearing as "Romeo" to the "Juliet" of Miss Eleanor Calhoun, a
San Jose girl, who had adopted the stage as a profession and who is now (1922)
the wife of Prince Lazarovitch of Serbia. Malone starred several years in the
East, and was secretary of the Players' Club, New York City when he died. His
wife became an actress before his death. Another of Captain Fallon's daughters
married Nat J. Brittain, a prominent San Francisco clubman. In 1862 Fallon ran
for state senator on the Democratic ticket but was beaten by Joseph G. Wallis,
of Mayfield, Republican. In 1867 he was the successful candidate for county
treasurer, defeating Moody, Republican, by sixty-one votes. He held no other
important public office.

  Lieut. John M. Murphy, who was Captain Weber's second in command during
hostilities in Santa Clara Valley during the Mexican war, was the son of Martin
Murphy, Sr., and after the discovery of gold, went to the mines, taking with him
a stock of goods. He employed the Indians to prospect and dig for him and
probably had more gold in his possession than other miners on the coast. He was
the first treasurer of Santa Clara County and was afterward elected recorder and
then sheriff. His wife was Virginia F. Reed, daughter of James F. Reed and one
of the survivors of the ill-fated Donner party. Murphy has been dead for many
years. His widow died in Los Angeles February 15, 1921.

  Charles M. Weber was a merchant in San Jose where he formed his volunteer
company to defend the pueblo. He acquired a large tract of land in the county,
raised thousands of cattle and died in San Joaquin County many years ago.

Gold Is Discovered

  The discovery of gold in January. 1848, created the greatest excitement in San
Jose. The news came after the grain crop had been planted. All business was
suspended and everybody rushed to the mines. Many succeeded in obtaining a good
supply of the precious metal, but many more did not succeed.

The grain in the fields grew and ripened, but waited in vain for the reaper and
was finally wasted or devoured by the roving hogs. Each report of a rich find
intensified the excitement while the numerous stories of disappointment seemed
not to allay the fever. Town and county were deserted. There being no crops for
lack of harvesting all food supplies went up to fabulous prices. The flour used
was brought chiefly from Chile and sold for twenty dollars a barrel. Everything
else in the way of food, except meat was proportionately high. Labor, when it
could be procured was from ten to eighteen dollars per day. Lumber cost $100 per
thousand feet for hauling alone. For two years the onions raised on about six
acres of ground where the Southern Pacific depot stands yielded a net profit of
$20,000 a year.

  The two most prominent towns in California in 1848 were Yerba Buena (San
Francisco) and San Jose. When the gold discovery was made Charles E. White was
alcalde of San Jose and Harry Bee, alguazil, or sheriff. All the males, with few
exceptions, joined the stampede, leaving behind only the old men and the women
and children. On account of the favorable location and quietude of the town men
from other settlements came to San Jose, left their wives and families and then
hurried off to the mines.

  Harry Bee then had under his charge in the calaboose ten prisoners (Indians),
two of whom were charged with murder. When Alcalde White announced his intention
to leave for the mines, Harry asked him what disposition of the prisoners should
be made. "Do what you like with them," was the answer. Harry considered awhile
and at last came to the conclusion that it would never do to leave the Indians
in the pueblo with none but women and children about, for he, too, had made up
his mind to go to the mines. He finally determined to take the Indians along
with him and with his father-in-law and brother-in-law started out. Before
leaving the lockup the Indians promised faithfully not to escape and to serve
Harry well in return for which service they would, after a time, be restored to
liberty. The party located at Dry Diggings on the American River and for three
months the Indians behaved splendidly. All the dust they took out was given to
their employer and they seemed to care for nothing except food and shelter. At
the end of two months the miners thereabout began to talk to them about the
shabby way in which they were treated, telling them that they were under no
restraint, that the gold they took out was their own property and wound up by
giving them the curse of the aborigine, "fire water." Harry soon noticed a
change in their manner and as he had cleaned up a good pile he resolved to
return to San Jose. Accordingly he left the Indians in full posession of his
claim with all the tools, etc., and departed homeward. He afterward learned that
the Indians only worked one day after his departure and then devoted what dust
they had in getting on a glorious drunk, which was not unmixed with bloodshed.
Not one of them ever returned to San Jose.

  Hon. S. O. Houghton, who died in Los Angeles a few years ago, passed through
San Jose in the fall of '48 to find the place comparatively deserted. All the
male population had departed for the mines, business had stagnated and
everything appeared to be going to rack and ruin. No provision had been made for
the coming season. Mr. Houghton, while at Monterey on his way northward,
purchased of Capt. Joseph Aram, a redwood board for the purpose of making a
rocker for which he paid one dollar per foot. Sawmills were a paying business
those days. After returning from the mines Mr. Houghton employed men in a
sawmill, paying them as high as sixteen dollars per day. When the gold
excitement broke out the following persons were in and about San Jose. Moses
Schallenberger, Frank Lightson, Charles E. White, J. W. Weeks, Ephraim Fravel,
George Cross, A. Pfister, Isaac Branham, Dr. Ben Cory, John M. Murphy, Thomas
Campbell, Capt. Joseph Aram, William Gulnac, Charles M. Weber, W. C. Wilson,
Edward Johnson, Peter Davidson, Josiah Belden, Zachariah Jones, P. Haggerty,
Jonathan Parr, the Pyle family, M. D. Kell, Peter Quincy, Hiram Miller, Samuel
Young, Joseph Stillwell, Arthur Caldwell, James F. Reed, Clement Bugbee, Wesley
Hoover, James Enright, Harry Bee. This does not complete the list, but nearly
so. Parties were organized for the mines and explorations were carried on until
just before the rainy season when the major part of the gold seekers returned.
Before the opening of spring, when new expeditions had been fitted out, the
population had largely increased and the city was left in a more secure
condition. Numbers had already increased their store of gold to a satisfactory
extent, while others wished to try their hand again.

Killing of Young Pyle

  No single event created more interest and excitement in San Jose and vicinity
than the killing of young Pyle by a Mexican named Valencia in 1847. From a great
mass of stories the following facts have been gleaned: In 1847 young Pyle, son
of Edward Pyle, visited the ranch of Anastacio Chabolla for the purpose of
playing with the young Spanish boys on the ranch. During the play one of the
boys named Valencia, a nephew of Chabolla, accidentally injured the horse of
young Pyle. The horse was so nearly disabled that another had to be procured to
take young Pyle home. After young Pyle had left the ranch Valencia's companions
began to plague him about his awkwardness, saying, among other things, that upon
hearing young Pyle's story the parents would make Valencia's mother pay for the
injury. Valencia appears to have been a very sensitive boy and his companions
worked his feelings up to such a pitch that he determined to follow Pyle and
extract a promise to keep mum about the accident. Mounted on a fast horse he
soon overtook Pyle and with a throw of the lariat dragged the boy from his
horse. He then cut the boy's throat with a knife and dragged the body to the
foothills and covered it with brush.

  When young Pyle did not return home his relatives and friends instituted
search for him but without result. No clue to his whereabouts was discovered
until 1849 and the manner of the discovery was for years a subject of dispute.
Frederic Hall, in his history says that in 1849 a brother of young Pyle met in
the San Joaquin Valley a man who said he knew all about the killing. He was
brought to San Jose, the remains of the murdered boy were found and the arrest
of Valencia soon followed.

  Another story was related by the late Julius Martin, of Gilroy. In 1849 Martin
had a band of cattle in the vicinity of Mormon Island. One of his Spanish
vaqueros named Camillo Ramero was taken ill with a fever and Martin brought him
to his (Ramero's) home in the Santa Clara Valley. One night as they were riding
near the Bernal ranch, Ramero was taken with a chill, and fearing that he was
was about to die, told Martin all about the murder of young Pyle, who did it,
how it was done and where the body had been hidden. He said, among other things,
that after young Pyle had been dragged from his horse, Valencia rode away, but
soon after meeting his uncle was told that if he did not go back and kill Pyle
the Americans would hang him for what he had already done. The statement so
worked on the boy's fears, that he went back, killed Pyle and concealed the body
near Silver Creek, beyond Evergreen. Martin, after hearing Ramero's story came
at once to San Jose and meeting Cad. Keyes told him what Ramero had confessed.
Keyes chanced to find John Pyle in town and they made up a posse and arrested
Valencia.

  A party consisting of Peter Davidson, John Pyle, William McCutchen and a few
others went out to find the murdered boy's remains. They were found in the place
indicated by Ramero. It was afterward learned that Valencia had been living a
life of torment ever since the commission of the deed. From the place where he
lived to the spot where he had hidden the body of his victim a path had been
worn by frequent visits. It was said that hardly a night passed without seeing
him trudging the lonely path to the grave of his victim. After his arrest
Valencia was arraigned before R. H. Dimmick, Judge of the First Instance. He
confessed to the crime before his trial and the trial resulted in a conviction.
The execution took place on Market Plaza in the presence of Judge Dimmick and a
large number of  spectators.

Local Government

  Pending the meeting of the convention and the adoption of a new state
constitution in Monterey in October, 1849, the country was ruled provisionally
by American officials. Each large settlement had for chief officers an alcalde,
who under Mexican laws had the entire control of municipal affairs and
administered justice pretty much according to his own ideas on the subject,
without being tied down by precedents and formal principles of law. He could
make grants of building lots within the town boundaries to intending settlers
and really his right of administration, except in cases of grave importance,
seems to have been limited only by his power to carry his decrees into effect.
When the Americans seized the country they were obliged to make use of the
existing machinery of local government and the customary laws that regulated it.
They accordingly everywhere appointed alcaldes of towns and districts and
instructed them to dispense justice in the best possible manner, paying always
due regard for the national laws of Mexico and the provisional customs of
California.

  Such was the condition of the town government when that memorable year, 1849,
opened. The rulers in the Pueblo of San Jose were as follows: H. K. Dimmick, to
August, first alcalde; Richard M. May, from August to November, first alcalde;
John C. Conroy, from November, first alcalde; Jose Fernandez, second alcalde:
John T. Richardson, from November 2 to December 3, judge of the first instance;
W. M. Kincaid, from December 3, judge of the first instance. The Juzgado, or
court house, was located on Market Street, corner of El Dorado (now Post). It
was built of adobe and had a primitive and weather-beaten appearance.

  In 1847 a survey of the town had been made and streets laid out and in 1849
the three main thoroughfares were Market, First and Santa Clara streets, the
last named taking the lead as far as travel and business were concerned. There
were but few business houses early in the year. Lightston & Weber held forth in
an adobe building on the southeast corner of Santa Clara and Lightston streets.
There was no hotel in town then and emigrants or strangers had the alternative
of either sleeping in the open air or paying as high as $50 a month for a place
on the floor in the second story of Lightston & Weber's store or other adobe
structures. Josiah Belden and W. R. Basham trafficked in a tile-roofed building
on Market street at the corner of San Antonio street. J. D. Hoppe had a store in
an adobe on the corner of Market and El Dorado streets and William McCutchen and
B. H. Gordon (afterward a farmer in the San Felipe Valley) did business in a
frame structure on First street, near the corner of Santa Clara street. On the
Knox Block corner stood the handsomest and most aristocratic looking adobe
residence in the pueblo. It was occupied by Thomas and Frank West and what was a
wonder in those days, it was plastered on the inside. From that building down to
Market Street, a mustard patch flourished in all its pristine vigor. The bucolic
appearance was relieved somewhat by a collection of mustard huts put up by the
native California population. The long, hardy stalks were selected and with the
aid of a few willow branches and a liberal supply of adobe mud, a comfortable
abiding place was constructed. No pains appear to have been spared by these
children of the plains and the Sierras in thoroughly ventilating their
dwellings, and as ventilation and health go hand in hand, it is not to be
wondered at that the occupants were strong-limbed, hardy and long-lived.

  Antonio Maria Sunol sold general merchandise at his residence on the west side
of Market Plaza and a Chilean firm did business in Peter Davidson's adobe
building on San Pedro.

  There were a number of private residences, constructed of adobe, in and about
the pueblo and many tents and a few wooden buildings put up for temporary use by
the Americans. In 1849 the town began to increase rapidly in population, on
account of the discovery of gold, the consequent tide of immigration and the
advantages offered by San Jose as a place of residence. The women of '49 deserve
a larger share of praise and credit than has generally been accorded them. They
were not hothouse plants, nor spoiled beauties, narrow-waisted, weak-chested and
doll-faced, who manifested more regard for fashion and the latest novel, than
housework. They were women of force and worthy coadjutors of the men who laid
the basis for the grand civilization of today. The habitations (adobe, tent or
shack) were not supplied with the many conveniences of today. Many of the
household utensils were of primitive design and in the matter of groceries the
stock was not as extensive and varied as may be seen in these later days. In
place of the handsome and convenient range, or gas stove, with labor-saving and
handy accessories, they were obliged to put up with an adobe fireplace or two
sticks driven into the ground, forked at their upper ends with a third stick
laid across the top upon which the kettles and pots were suspended above the
fire underneath. They did not have any bell-knocker or electric button on or
near the front door, nor a parlor with a piano and lots of chromos in it. In the
majority of cases the kitchen, dining room, bedroom, sitting room and parlor
were one and there was generally an absence of carpets and wallpaper. The women
worked hard in those days, adapting themselves cheerfully to the rough
conditions. Many of them are now living in costly dwellings, surrounded by
appurtenances of wealth, refinement and ease. They deserve the success they and
their husbands have achieved and it is all the more enjoyable after the hard
experiences of the early days.

Early Buildings of San Jose

  In the latter part of '49 the Bella Union Saloon was erected on a portion of
the ground now occupied by the Auzerais House on Santa Clara Street. The
proprietors were Joseph W. Johnson and a Mr. Whitney. The Mansion House was
begun by J. S. Ruckel on the ground where now stands the old Music Hall building
on North First street; and the City Hotel on the opposite of the street was
completed and opened to the public. Mine host was Peter Quincy, (since deceased)
and the prices charged for board and lodging were high enough to allow a
boniface to get rich in a month.

  Where the Bank of Italy building now stands was a large cattle corral and to
the east and south plains of mustard greeted the eye, an adobe house, occupied
by a native Californian, now and then dotting the waste and relieving the
monotonous expanse. The mustard stalks grew as high as young trees- higher than
a man's head and it was the easiest thing in the world to take a walk in the
shade of the yellow branches and get lost!

  The grand public place was the Plaza, then hard, level and treeless. Here the
native Californians were in the habit of congregating and enjoying themselves
according to the customs that had been handed down for generations. Horse
racing, bull fights, equestrian feats, fandangos and other divertissements made
up the program of pleasure.

Vivid Description of Early Days

  The condition of affairs in San Jose at this time was graphically described by
the late "Grandma" Bascom in a story transcribed by Mrs. M. H. Field, which
appeared in the Overland Monthly in 1887. The following excerpts are made:

  "We reached Sacramento the last day of October. Then we took a boat to San
Francisco. It rained and rained. I remember that at Benicia we paid $15 for a
candle. At San Francisco we hoped to find a house all ready to be put together,
which the Doctor had bought in New York and ordered sent around the Horn. He had
also sent in the same cargo a great lot of furniture and a year's supply of
provisions, but they never came until the next April and then everything was
spoiled but the house. We had also bought in San Francisco two lots for $1,700
each. The best we could do was to camp on them. The first night in San Francisco
Mr. Bryant came to take supper with us and the Doctor, to celebrate, bought $5
worth of potatoes. We ate them all for supper and didn't eat so very many of
them, either.

  "We had intended from the first to come to the Santa Clara Valley, for the
Doctor said that wherever the Catholic Fathers had picked out a site it must be
a good one. The children and I stayed in the city while the Doctor went on
horseback to San Jose and bought a house for us. Then he came back and we
started for San Jose with Professor Jack, while the Doctor stayed in the city to
buy and ship furniture and provisions to us. We came to Alviso in the boat and
paid $150 in fare, just for me and the children. From Alviso we came to San Jose
by the Pioneer stage through fearful mud and pouring rain, paying an 'ounce'
each for fare. On the boat I got acquainted with two nice gentlemen, both
ministers, whose names were Brierly and Blakeslee. They, too, were coming to San
Jose; also a Mr. Knox.

  " 'We haven't any place to lay our heads when we get there,' one of them said.

  " 'Well, I've got a house,' said I, just as if I was in Kentucky, 'and if you
can put up with what I'll have to you can come with me and welcome.' So we were
all driven straight to my house at the corner of Second and San Fernando
streets. It was dark and the 10th of December.

  "The house had been bought from a Mrs. Matthews and she was still in it.
Doctor had paid $7,000 for the house and two fifty vara lots. I expected to see
at least a decent shelter, but oh, my! it was just as one of the children said,
'Most as good as our old Kentucky corn crib.' It had two rooms and a loft which
was climbed into by a kind of ladder. The roof was of shakes and let the rain
right through, and the floor was of planks, laid down with the smooth side up
with great cracks between to let the water run out. I was thankful for that.
There was a chimney in the house and a fireplace, but hardly a bit of fire and
no wood. It was rather a forlorn place to come to and bring visitors to, now
wasn't it? Yet we had been through so much that the poorest shelter looked good
to me and besides it was our new home. We must make the best of it. Mrs.
Matthews had a good supper for us on the table and the children were overjoyed
to see a real table cloth once more.

  " 'Will you tell me where I can get some wood?" I said to Mrs. Matthews,
thinking that a fire would be the best possible thing for us all. 'You can buy a
burro load in the morning,' she answered. 'I've used the last bit to get supper
with?' Well, the end of it was that we took our supper and went to bed- not on
our nice Kentucky feather beds, but on buffalo skins spread on the floor and
without any pillows. Mr. Knox, Mr. Blakeslee and Mr. Brierly climbed up into the
loft and turned in as best they could. Mr. Knox was sick but I couldn't even
give him a cup of hot tea. I said to Mrs. Matthews that I wished I could heat a
stone to put to his feet. 'Stone!' said she. 'There are no stones in this
country.' "We slept as if we were on downy beds, we were so tired. The next
morning I bought a burro load of wood for an 'ounce'. Everything cost an
'ounce'. I soon got used to it. Wheat was 75 cents a pound, butter $1 a pound,
eggs $3 a dozen. A chicken cost $3, milk $1 a quart. But the prices matched all
around. Doctors charged $5 for pulling a tooth and other things were in
proportion. I don't know as if it made any difference. I divided my mansion into
four rooms, with curtains. Doctor came and brought us furniture and all the
comforts money could buy. He paid $500 to get shingles for our roof. Mr.
Blakeslee and Mr. Brierly stayed with us. We all seemed to get on well together.
It was not till spring that the Doctor found a black man who could cook. He paid
$800 for him. Folks said he wouldn't stay-for, of course, he was free in
California-but he did. He lived with us for four years.

  "People began to ask if they couldn't stay with us till they found some other
home, and then, somehow, they stayed on. Everybody had to be hospitable. The
Legislature was then in session and the town was more than full. The first thing
I knew I had thirteen boarders-senators and representatives, ministers and
teachers. Nobody who came would go away. I could always manage to make people
feel at home, and they would all say they would put up with anything and help in
all sorts of ways, if I would only let them stay. Mr. Leek (he was the enrolling
clerk of the Legislature) was a wonderful hand at making batter cakes. We got a
reputation on batter cakes and our house was dubbed **Slapjack Hall" by my boy,
Al. It stuck to us. Mr. Bradford, of Indiana, could brown coffee to perfection.
  *'Mr. Orr and Mr. Mullen always brought all the water. They were senators. I
used to think they liked the job because there was a pretty girl in the house
where they got the water. And that reminds me that several families got water
from the same well. It was just a hole in the ground, about eight or ten feet
deep and no curb around it. Once a baby was creeping on the ground and fell into
it. The mother saw it and ran and jumped in after it. Then she screamed and I
ran out. There she was in the well, holding the baby upside down to get the
water out of its lungs. 'Throw me a rope,' she screamed and I ran for a rope.
Then she tied it around the baby and I drew it up. Meanwhile our cries brought
men to the rescue and they drew up the poor woman. We kept the well covered
after that.

  "Before we got the black man it seemed impossible to get a cook. We even had a
woman come down from San Francisco, but she didn't stay when she found we really
expected her to cook. She said she was a niece of Amos Kendall and wasn't going
to cook for anybody. Professor Jack helped me steadily and, as I said, everybody
lent a hand. We had a very gay time over our meals and everybody was willing to
wash dishes and tend baby. T used to go to the Legislature and enjoy the fun
there as much as the members enjoyed my housekeeping. The March of that winter
was something to remember. People used to get swamped on the corner of First and
Santa Clara streets. A little boy was drowned there. It was a regular trap for
children.

  "Oh, did I tell you I built the first church and the first schoolhouse in San
Jose? I did. I built it all with my own hands and the only tool I had was a
good, stout needle. It was the famous 'Blue Tent' you have heard of. Mr.
Blakeslee asked me if I could make it and I told him of course I could. He
bought the cloth and cut it out. It was of blue jean and cost seventy-five cents
a yard. The Presbyterian Church was organized in it and Mr. Blakeslee had a
school in it all winter.

  "We had a good deal of party-going and gave entertainments just as if we had
elegant houses and all the conveniences. Some of the Spanish people were very
stylish. The ladies had dresses rich as silk and embroidery could make them, and
in their long, low adobe houses there were rich carpets and silk curtains
trimmed with gold lace. I went to the first wedding in one of those houses. Miss
Pico married a Mr. Campbell. It was very grand, but the odd dresses and* the odd
dishes upset my gravity more than once. Governor and Mrs. McDougall lived in an
adobe house on Market street and they had a grand party there. I had a party,
too, one day and asked all the ladies of my acquaintance. Mrs. Bran-ham had
given me six eggs and I made an elegant cake which I was going to pass around in
fine style. I began by passing it to one of the Spanish ladies and she took the
whole cake at one swoop, wrapped it up in the skirt of her gorgeous silk dress
and said, 'Mucha gracias'. I was never so surprised in my life, but there was
nothing I could do. The rest of us had to go without cake that time.

  "Cattle and horses ran about the streets and there were no sidewalks. We just
had to pick our way around as best we could.

  "In the spring my piano came. It was sent by way of the Isthmus. It was the
first piano in San Jose. It made a great sensation. Everybody came to see it and
hear my little girl play. Indians and Spanish used to crowd around the doors and
windows to hear the wonderful music, and many a white man, too, lingered and
listened because it reminded him of home.

  "We moved into a better house in the spring, very near where the Methodist
Church South afterward stood. We paid $125 a month for it. But when I look back
it seems that I never had such an intellectual feast as I had in old 'Slapjack
Hall'. The gentlemen who figured as cooks in my kitchen were the most
intelligent and agreeable men you can imagine. They were all educated and smart
and they appeared just as much like gentlemen when they were cooking as when
they were making speeches in the Legislature. I don't believe we ever again had
such a choice set of folks under our roof here in San Jose. Doctor and I felt
honored in entertaining and yet they paid us $20 a week for the privilege.

  "Of course you know General Fremont and his wife were here that winter and I
knew them both. Mrs. Fremont's sister, Mrs. Jones, and I were great friends.
Yes, indeed, there never were finer people than my boarders and neighbors in
'49. Let me see: There were the Cooks and Hoppes and Cobbs and Joneses, the
Branhams and Beldens and Hensleys and Williams, the Bralys, the Westers and
Crosbys, Murphys, Dickensons, Hendersons, Kincaids, Campbells, Reeds, Houghtons,
Tafts and Moodys. Then amongst them were the Picos and Sunols. Very likely I
have forgotten a great many, just telling them off in this fashion, but I never
forgot them, really. Many of the best citizens of San Jose now, with their wives
and children, yes, and grandchildren, were slim young fellows in those days who
had come to California to seek their fortunes. . Fine, enterprising boys they
were, too. Some of them boarded with me. C. T. Ryland and P. O. Minor were
inmates of 'Slapjack Hall' and Dr. Cory and the Reeds will remember it well.

  "In 1852 we moved out on the Stockton ranch and bought our own farm in Santa
Clara on which we built our permanent home, Somerville Lodge. I remember we paid
our head carpenter $16 a day. The house cost us $10,000. It would not cost
$1,000 now. We bought seeds for our garden and an ounce of onion seed cost an
ounce of gold. We paid $6 each for our fruit trees. A mule cost $300; a horse
$400. But doctor's services were just as high-priced and so we kept even."


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY CALIFORNIA
WITH
Biographical Sketches
OF
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth
and Development From the Early Days to the Present

HISTORY BY
EUGENE T. SAWYER

ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME

HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 
1922


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