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[Illustration: _L. H. Bunnell_]
DISCOVERY OF THE YOSEMITE,
And the Indian War of 1851, Which Led to That Event.
by
LAFAYETTE HOUGHTON BUNNELL, M.D.,
Of the Mariposa Battalion, One of the Discoverers,
Late Surgeon Thirty-Sixth Regiment
Wisconsin Volunteers.
Third Edition--Revised And Corrected.
Fleming H. Revell Company,
New York: | Chicago:
30 Union Square: East. | 148 and 150 Madison St.
Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1880-1892, by
L. H. Bunnell,
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
DEDICATION.
TO THE
HON. CHARLES H. BERRY,
THIS BOOK,
IN REMEMBRANCE OF KINDLY SUGGESTIONS,
IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
I. MAPS FRONTISPIECE.
II. PORTRAIT
III. THE YOSEMITE VALLEY 13
IV. EL CAPITAN 54
V. BRIDAL VEIL FALL 59
VI. HALF DOME 74
VII. NORTH DOME AND ROYAL ARCHES 75
VIII. CATHEDRAL ROCKS 77
IX. GLACIER FALL 84
X. VERNAL FALL AND ROUND RAINBOW 86
XI. NEVADA FALL 87
XII. CACHES, OR ACORN STOREHOUSES 129
FIRE STICK 134
XIII. THREE BROTHERS 146
XIV. YOSEMITE FALL 166
XV. MIRROR LAKE 204
XVI. SENTINEL ROCK 213
XVII. THE INDIAN BELLE 219
XVIII. LAKE TEN-IE-YA 236
XIX. LAKE STARR KING 290
XX. BIG TREE 333
XXI. RIDING THROUGH A TREE TRUNK 339
TUNNELED TREE 340
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Incidents leading to the Discovery of the Yosemite
Valley--Major Savage and Savages--Whiskey, Wrangling and
War--Skinned Alive--A brisk Fight--Repulse--Another Fight, and
Conflagration 1
CHAPTER II.
The Governor of California issues a Proclamation--Formation of
the Mariposa Battalion--The Origin and Cause of the War--New
Material Public Documents--A Discussion--Capt. Walker--The
Peace Commissioners’ Parley and the Indians’ Pow-wow--The
Mysterious Deep Valley--Forward, March! 29
CHAPTER III.
March Down the South Fork--Capture of an Indian Village--Hungry
Men--An able Surgeon--Snow Storms--Visit of Ten-ie-ya, Chief
of the Yosemites--Commander’s Dilemma--Unique Manner of
Extrication--Approaching the Valley--First View--Sensations
Experienced--A Lofty Flight Brought Down 40
CHAPTER IV.
Naming the Valley--Signification and Origin of the Word--Its
proper Pronunciation: Yo-sem-i-ty--Mr. Hutchings and
Yo-Ham-i-te--His Restoration of Yo-sem-i-te 57
CHAPTER V.
Date of Discovery--First White Visitors--Captain Joe
Walker’s Statement--Ten-ie-ya’s Cunning--Indian Tradition--A
Lying Guide--The Ancient Squaw--Destroying Indian
Stores--Sweat-houses--The Mourner’s Toilet--Sentiment and
Reality--Return to Head-quarters, 70
CHAPTER VI.
Out of Provisions--A Hurried Move--Mills where Indians take
their Grists, and Pots in which they Boil their Food--Advance
Movement of Captain Dill--A Hungry Squad--Enjoyment--Neglect
of Duty--Escape of Indians--Following their Trail--A
Sorrowful Captain--A Mystery made Clear--Duplicity of the
Chow-chillas--Vow-chester’s Good-will Offering--Return of the
Fugitives--Major Savage as Agent and Interpreter 92
CHAPTER VII.
Campaign against the Chow-chillas--The Favorite Hunting
Ground--A Deer Hunt and a Bear _Chase_--An Accident and an
Alarm--A Torch-light Pow-wow--Indians Discovered--Captain
Boling’s Speech--Crossing of the San Joaquin--A Line of Battle,
its Disappearance--Capture of Indian Village--Jose Rey’s
Funeral-pyre--Following the Trail--A Dilemma--Sentiment and
Applause--Returning to Camp--Narrow Escape of Captain Boling 105
CHAPTER VIII.
A Camp Discussion--War or Police Clubs--Jack Regrets a Lost
Opportunity--Boling’s Soothing Syrup--A Scribe Criticises
and Apologises--Indian War Material and its Manufacture--The
Fire-stick and its Sacred Uses--Arrival at Head-quarters 123
CHAPTER IX.
Starvation Subdues the Chow-chillas, and the Result is
Peace--Captain Kuykendall’s Expeditions--An Attack--Rout
and Pursuit--A Wise Conclusion--Freezing out Indians--A
Wild Country--A Terrific View--Yosemite _versus_ King’s
River--Submission of the Indians South of the San
Joaquin--Second Expedition to Yosemite--Daring Scouts--Capture
of Indians--Naming of “Three Brothers” 135
CHAPTER X.
A General Scout--An Indian Trap--Flying Artillery--A
Narrow Escape--A Tragic Scene--Fortunes of War--A Scout’s
Description--Recovery from a Sudden Leap--Surrounded by
Enemies 148
CHAPTER XI.
Camp Amusements--A Lost Arrow--Escape of a Prisoner--Escape
of Another--Shooting of the Third--Indian Diplomacy--Taking
His Own Medicine--Ten-ie-ya Captured--Grief over the Death
of His Son--Appetite under Adverse Circumstances--Poetry
Dispelled--Really a Dirty Indian 160
CHAPTER XII.
Bears and Other Game--Sickness of Captain
Boling--Convalescence and Determination--A Guess at
Heights--A Tired Doctor and a Used-up Captain--Surprising an
Indian--Know-nothingness, or Native Americanism--A Clue and
Discovery--A Short-cut to Camp, but an Unpopular Route 175
CHAPTER XIII.
The Indian Names--Difficulty of their
Interpretation--Circumstances Suggesting Names of Vernal,
Nevada and Bridal Veil Falls--Mr. Richardson’s Descriptions
of the Falls and Round Rainbow--Py-we-ack Misplaced, and
“_Illiluette_” an Absurdity--An English Name Suggested for
Too-lool-lo-we-ack, Pohono and Tote-ack-ah-nü-la--Indian
Superstitions and Spiritual Views--A Free National Park
Desirable--Off on the Trail 198
CHAPTER XIV.
A Mountain Storm--Delay of Supplies--Clams and
Ipecac--Arrival of Train--A Cute Indian--Indian Sagacity--A
Dangerous Weapon--Capture of Indian Village--An Eloquent
Chief--Woman’s Rights _versus_ Squaw’s Wrongs--A Disturbed
Family--A Magnificent Sunrise--On a Slippery Slope--Sentiment
and Poetry--Arrival at the Fresno 222
CHAPTER XV.
The Flora of the Region of the Yosemite--General
Description of the Valley and its Principal Points of
Interest, with their Heights 240
CHAPTER XVI.
A Trip to Los Angeles--Interview with Colonel McKee--A
Night at Colonel Fremont’s Camp--Management of Cattle by
the Colonel’s Herdsmen--Back to Los Angeles--Specimen
Bricks of the Angel City--An Addition to our Party--Mules
_versus_ Bears--Don Vincente--A Silver Mine--Mosquitos--A Dry
Bog--Return to Fresno--Muster out of Battalion--A Proposition 257
CHAPTER XVII.
Captain Boling elected Sheriff--Appointment of Indian
Agents--Ten-ie-ya allowed to Return to Yosemite--Murder
of Visitors--Lieut. Moore’s Expedition and Punishment
of Murderers--Gold Discoveries on Eastern Slope of
Sierras--Report of Expedition, and First _Published_ Notice
of Yosemite--Squatter Sovereignty--Assault upon King’s River
Reservation--The supposed Leader, Harvey, Denounced by Major
Savage--A Rencounter, and Death of Savage--Harvey Liberated
by a Friendly Justice--An Astute Superintendent--A Mass
Meeting--A Rival Aspirant--Indians and Indian Policy 272
CHAPTER XVIII.
Murder of Starkey--Death of Ten-ie-ya and Extinction of his
Band--A few Surviving Murderers--An Attempt at Reformation--A
Failure and Loss of a Mule--Murders of Robert D. Sevil and
Robert Smith--Alarm of the People--A False Alarm 291
CHAPTER XIX.
Engineering and History--Speculation and Discouragement--A
New Deal--Wall Street--A Primitive Bridge--First Woman in
the Yosemite--Lady Visitors from Mariposa and Lady Teachers
from San Francisco--Measurements of Heights--First Houses and
their Occupants--A Gay Party and a Glorious Feast 301
CHAPTER XX.
Golden Theories and Glaciers 319
CHAPTER XXI.
Big Trees of California or Sequoia Gigantea--Their Discovery
and Classification 333
CHAPTER XXII.
Statistics--Roads and Accommodations--Chapel and Sunday
School--Big Farms and Great Resources--A Variety of
Products--Long Hoped for Results 343
[Illustration:
By Courtesy of the Publishers.]
[Illustration:
MAP OF THE YO SEMITE NATIONAL PARK
SITUATED IN TUOLUMNE, MARIPOSA, FRESNO, AND MONO COUNTIES, STATE OF
CALIFORNIA.
_COMPRISING 42 TOWNSHIPS, COVERING AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,500 SQUARE
MILES, BEING APPROXIMATELY 960,000 ACRES OF LAND; LESS 36,111 ACRES
CONTAINED IN THE “YO SEMITE VALLEY GRANT.” ABOUT 700,000 ACRES OF THE
“YO SEMITE NATIONAL PARK” IS MOUNTAINOUS, WELL WATERED, AND HEAVILY
TIMBERED WITH PINE, FIR, SPRUCE, HEMLOCK, TAMARACK, OAK, CEDAR,
MADROÑA, LAUREL, SEQUOIAS, AND MOUNTAIN MAHOGANY. 260,000 ACRES
COMPOSED OF MOUNTAIN VALLEYS, MEADOWS, LAKES, STREAMS, E.T.C._
_Copyrighted 1892_]
INTRODUCTION.
The book here presented is the result of an attempt to correct existing
errors relative to the Yosemite Valley. It was originally designed to
compress the matter in this volume within the limits of a magazine
article, but this was soon found to be impracticable; and, at the
suggestion of Gen. C. H. Berry, of Winona, Minnesota, it was decided to
“write a book.”
This, too, proved more difficult than at first appeared.
Born in Rochester, New York, in 1824, and carried to Western wilds in
1833, the writer’s opportunities for culture were limited; and in this,
his first attempt at authorship, he has found that the experiences
of frontier life are not the best preparations for literary effort.
Beside this, he had mainly to rely upon his own resources, for nothing
could be obtained in the archives of California that could aid him.
It was not deemed just that California should forget the deeds of men
who had subdued her savages, and discovered her most sublime scenery.
Having been a member of the “Mariposa Battalion,” and with it when the
Yosemite was discovered, having suggested its name, and named many of
the principal objects of interest in and near the valley, it seemed
a duty that the writer owed his comrades and himself, to give the
full history of these events. Many of the facts incident thereto have
already been given to the public by the author at various times since
1851, but these have been so mutilated or blended with fiction, that a
renewed and full statement of facts concerning that remarkable locality
seems desirable.
While engaged upon this work, the writer was aided by the scientific
researches of Prof. J. D. Whitney, and by the “acute and helpful
criticism” of Doctor James M. Cole of Winona, Minnesota.
Since the publication of the second edition of this book, and an
article from the author’s pen in the _Century_ Magazine for September,
1890, numerous letters of approval from old comrades have been
received, and a few dates obtained from old official correspondence
that will now be introduced.
In addition to what may properly belong to this history, there have
been introduced a few remarks concerning the habits and character of
the Indians. This subject is not _entirely new_, but the opinions
expressed are the results of many years acquaintance with various
tribes, and may be useful.
The incidental remarks about game will probably interest some. To the
author, the study of nature in all its aspects has been interesting.
The author’s views regarding the gold deposits and glaciers of the
Sierras are given simply as suggestions.
His especial efforts have been directed to the placing on record
events connected with the _discovery_ of the Yosemite, for description
of its scenery he feels to be impossible. In reverent acknowledgment
of this, there are submitted as a prologue, some lines written while
contemplating the grandeur of his subject.
WONDER LAND.
Hail thee, Yosemite, park of sublimity!
Majesty, peerless and old!
Ye mountains and cliffs, ye valleys and rifts.
Ye cascades and cataracts bold!
None, none can divine the wonders of thine,
When told of the glorious view!
The wild world of light--from “Beatitude’s” height,
Old “Rock Chief,”[1] “El Capitan” true!
Thy head proud and high! white brow to the sky!
Thy features the thunderbolts dare!
Thou o’erlookest the wall would the boldest appal
Who enter Yosemite’s “Lair.”[2]
Fair “Bridal Veil Fall!” the queen over all,
In beauty and grace intertwined!
Even now from thy height water-rockets of light
Dart away, and seem floating in wind!
And thou, high “Scho-look!” proud “Ah-wah-ne!” invoke
To receive from “Kay-o-pha”[3] a boon!
That flowing from pines, in the region of vines,
May temper the heat of bright noon.
“Nevada” and “Vernal,” emblems eternal
Of winter and loveliest Spring,
No language so bold the truth can unfold--
No pen can thee offerings bring!
And yet dare I say, of the cool “Vernal Spray,”
In the flash of the bright sun’s power,
I welcome thy “ring,”[4] though a drenching it bring,
The smile of a god’s in the shower!
And thou, “Glacier Fall,”[5] from thy adamant wall,
And winter-bound lakes at thy head--
Thy nymphs never seen, except by the sheen
So fitful from “Mirror Lake’s” bed.
Ye North and South Domes,[6] “Ten-ie-ya’s” lake homes,
“Cloud’s Rest,” and high “Tis-sa-ack” lone;
Mute “Sentinel,” “Brothers,” ye “Starr King,” ye others--
Oh! what of the past have ye known?
To you has been given the mission from heaven
To watch through the ages of earth!
Your presence sublime is the chronicled time,
From the æon the world had birth!
[Illustration: VIEW OF THE YOSEMITE.
Looking up the valley from a height of about 1,000 feet above the
Merced River, and above sea level 5,000 feet, giving some faint idea
of the beauty, grandeur and magnitude of this magnificent work of
nature.]
DISCOVERY OF THE YOSEMITE.
CHAPTER I.
Incidents leading to the discovery of the Yosemite Valley--Major
Savage and Savages--Whiskey, wrangling and War--Skinned Alive--A
brisk Fight--Repulse--Another Fight, and Conflagration.
During the winter of 1849-50, while ascending the old Bear Valley trail
from Ridley’s ferry, on the Merced river, my attention was attracted
to the stupendous rocky peaks of the Sierra Nevadas. In the distance
an immense cliff loomed, apparently to the summit of the mountains.
Although familiar with nature in her wildest moods, I looked upon
this awe-inspiring column with wonder and admiration. While vainly
endeavoring to realize its peculiar prominence and vast proportions,
I turned from it with reluctance to resume the search for coveted
gold; but the impressions of that scene were indelibly fixed in my
memory. Whenever an opportunity afforded, I made inquiries concerning
the scenery of that locality. But few of the miners had noticed any
of its special peculiarities. On a second visit to Ridley’s, not long
after, that towering mountain which had so profoundly interested me was
invisible, an intervening haze obscuring it from view. A year or more
passed before the mysteries of this wonderful land were satisfactorily
solved.
During the winter of 1850-51, I was attached to an expedition that made
the first discovery of what is now known as the Yosemite Valley. While
entering it, I saw at a glance that the reality of my sublime vision
at Ridley’s ferry, forty miles away, was before me. The locality of
the mysterious cliff was there revealed--its proportions enlarged and
perfected.
The discovery of this remarkable region was an event intimately
connected with the history of the early settlement of that portion of
California. During 1850, the Indians in Mariposa county, which at that
date included all the territory south of the divide of the Tuolumne
and Merced rivers within the valley proper of the San Joaquin, became
very troublesome to the miners and settlers. Their depredations and
murderous assaults were continued until the arrival of the United
States Indian commissioners, in 1851, when the general government
assumed control over them. Through the management of the commissioners,
treaties were made, and many of these Indians were transferred to
locations reserved for their special occupancy.
It was in the early days of the operations of this commission that the
Yosemite Valley was first entered by a command virtually employed to
perform the special police duties of capturing and bringing the Indians
before these representatives of the government, in order that treaties
might be made with them. These wards of the general government were
provided with supplies at the expense of the public treasury: provided
that they confined themselves to the reservations selected for them.
My recollections of those early days are from personal observations
and information derived from the earlier settlers of the San Joaquin
valley, with whom I was personally acquainted in the mining camps, and
through business connections; and also from comrades in the Indian war
of 1850-51. Among these settlers was one James D. Savage, a trader,
who in 1849-50 was located in the mountains near the mouth of the South
Fork of the Merced river, some fifteen miles below the Yosemite valley.
At this point, engaged in gold mining, he had employed a party of
native Indians. Early in the season of 1850 his trading post and mining
camp were attacked by a band of the Yosemite Indians. This tribe,
or band, claimed the territory in that vicinity, and attempted to
drive Savage off. Their real object, however, was plunder. They were
considered treacherous and dangerous, and were very troublesome to the
miners generally.
Savage and his Indian miners repulsed the attack and drove off the
marauders, but from this occurrence he no longer deemed this location
desirable. Being fully aware of the murderous propensities of his
assailants, he removed to Mariposa Creek, not far from the junction
of the Agua Fria, and near to the site of the old stone fort. Soon
after, he established a branch post on the Fresno, where the mining
prospects became most encouraging, as the high water subsided in that
stream. This branch station was placed in charge of a man by the name
of Greeley.
At these establishments Savage soon built up a prosperous business. He
exchanged his goods at enormous profits for the gold obtained from his
Indian miners. The white miners and prospecting parties also submitted
to his demands rather than lose time by going to Mariposa village. The
value of his patrons’ time was thus made a source of revenue. As the
season advanced, this hardy pioneer of commerce rapidly increased his
wealth, but in the midst of renewed prosperity he learned that another
cloud was gathering over him. One of his five squaws assured him that
a combination was maturing among the mountain Indians, to kill or
drive all the white men from the country, and plunder them of their
property. To strengthen his influence over the principal tribes, Savage
had, according to the custom of many mountain men, taken wives from
among them, supposing his personal safety would be somewhat improved by
so doing. This is the old story of the prosperous Indian trader. Rumor
also came from his Indian miners, that the Yosemites threatened to come
down on him again for the purpose of plunder, and that they were urging
other tribes to join them.
These reports he affected to disregard, but quietly cautioned the
miners to guard against marauders.
He also sent word to the leading men in the settlements that
hostilities were threatened, and advised preparations against a
surprise.
At his trading posts he treated the rumors with indifference, but
instructed the men in his employ to be continually on their guard in
his absence. Stating that he was going to “_the Bay_” for a stock of
goods, he started for San Francisco, taking with him two Indian wives,
and a chief of some note and influence who professed great friendship.
This Indian, Jose Juarez, was in reality one of the leading spirits in
arousing hostilities against the whites.
Notwithstanding Juarez appeared to show regard for Savage, the trader
had doubts of his sincerity, but, as he had no fears of personal
injury, he carefully kept his suspicions to himself. The real object
Savage had in making this trip was to place in a safe locality a large
amount of gold which he had on hand; and he took the chief to impress
him with the futility of any attempted outbreak by his people. He hoped
that a visit to Stockton and San Francisco, where Jose could see the
numbers and superiority of the whites, would so impress him that on his
return to the mountains his report would deter the Indians from their
proposed hostilities.
The trip was made without any incidents of importance, but, to Savage’s
disappointment and regret, Jose developed an instinctive love for
whiskey, and having been liberally supplied with gold, he invested
heavily in that favorite Indian beverage, and was stupidly drunk nearly
all the time he was in the city.
Becoming disgusted with Jose’s frequent intoxication, Savage expressed
in emphatic terms his disapprobation of such a course. Jose at once
became greatly excited, and forgetting his usual reserve, retorted in
abusive epithets, and disclosed his secret of the intended war against
the whites.
Savage also lost his self-control, and with a blow felled the drunken
Indian to the ground. Jose arose apparently sober, and from that time
maintained a silent and dignified demeanor. After witnessing the
celebration of the admission of the State into the Union--which by
appointment occurred on October 29th, 1850, though the act of admission
passed Congress on the 9th of September of that year--and making
arrangements to have goods forwarded as he should order them, Savage
started back with his dusky retainers for Mariposa. On his arrival
at Quartzberg, he learned that the Kah-we-ah Indians were exacting
tribute from the immigrants passing through their territory, and soon
after his return a man by the name of Moore was killed not far from
his Mariposa Station. From the information here received, and reported
murders of emigrants, he scented danger to himself. Learning that the
Indians were too numerous at “Cassady’s Bar,” on the San-Joaquin, and
in the vicinity of his Fresno Station, he at once, with characteristic
promptness and courage, took his course direct to that post. He found,
on arriving there, that all was quiet, although some Indians were
about, as if for trading purposes. Among them were Pon-wat-chee and
Vow-ches-ter, two Indian chiefs known to be friendly. The trader had
taken two of his wives from their tribes.
Savage greeted all with his customary salutation. Leaving his squaws to
confer with their friends and to provide for their own accommodations,
he quietly examined the memoranda of his agent, and the supply of goods
on hand. With an appearance of great indifference, he listened to the
business reports and gossip of Greeley, who informed him that Indians
from different tribes had come in but had brought but little gold. To
assure himself of the progress made by the Indians in forming a union
among themselves, he called those present around him in front of his
store, and passed the friendly pipe. After the usual silence and delay.
Savage said: “I know that all about me are my friends, and as a friend
to all, I wish to have a talk with you before I go back to my home on
the Mariposa, from which I have been a long distance away, but where I
could not stop until I had warned you.
“I know that some of the Indians do not wish to be friends with the
white men, and that they are trying to unite the different tribes for
the purpose of a war. It is better for the Indians and white men to be
friends. If the Indians make war on the white men, every tribe will be
exterminated; not one will be left. I have just been where the white
men are more numerous than the wasps and ants; and if war is made and
the Americans are aroused to anger, every Indian engaged in the war
will be killed before the whites will be satisfied.” In a firm and
impressive manner Savage laid before them the damaging effects of a
war, and the advantages to all of a continued peaceful intercourse. His
knowledge of Indian language was sufficient to make his remarks clearly
understood, and they were apparently well received.
Not supposing that Jose would attempt there to advocate any of his
schemes, the trader remarked, as he finished his speech: “A chief
who has returned with me from the place where the white men are so
numerous, can tell that what I have said is true--Jose Juarez--you all
know, and will believe him when he tells you the white men are more
powerful than the Indians.”
The cunning chief with much dignity, deliberately stepped forward,
with more assurance than he had shown since the belligerent occurrence
at the bay, and spoke with more energy than Savage had anticipated.
He commenced by saying: “Our brother has told his Indian relatives
much that is truth; we have seen many people; the white men are very
numerous; but the white men we saw on our visit are of many tribes;
they are not like the tribe that dig gold in the mountains.” He then
gave an absurd description of what he had seen while below, and said:
“Those white tribes will not come to the mountains. They will not help
the gold diggers if the Indians make war against them. If the gold
diggers go to the white tribes in the big village they give their gold
for strong water and games; when they have no more gold the white
tribes drive the gold-diggers back to the mountains with clubs. They
strike them down (referring to the police), as your white relative
struck me while I was with him.” (His vindictive glance assured Savage
that the blow was not forgotten or forgiven.) “The white tribes will
not go to war with the Indians in the mountains. They cannot bring
their big ships and big guns to us; we have no cause to fear them. They
will not injure us.”
To Savage’s extreme surprise, he then boldly advocated an immediate
war upon the whites, assuring his listeners that, as all the territory
belonged to the Indians, if the tribes would unite the whole tribe
of gold-diggers could be easily driven from their country; but, if
the gold-diggers should stay longer, their numbers will be too great
to make war upon, and the Indians would finally be destroyed. In
his speech Jose evinced a keenness of observation inconsistent with
his apparent drunken stupidity. Savage had thought this stupidity
sometimes assumed. He now felt assured that the chief had expected
thereby to learn his plans. To the writer there seems to be nothing
inconsistent with Indian craft, keenness of observation and love of
revenge in Jose’s conduct, though he was frequently drunk while at
“the bay.” While Jose was speaking other Indians had joined the circle
around him. Their expressions of approval indicated the effects of his
speech. During this time Savage had been seated on a log in front of
the store, a quiet listener. When Jose concluded, the trader arose,
and stepping forward, calmly addressed the relatives of his wives and
the Indians in whom he still felt confidence. The earnest and positive
speech of the cunning chief had greatly surprised him; he was somewhat
discouraged at the approval with which it had been received; but with
great self-possession, he replied, “I have listened very attentively to
what the chief, who went with me as my friend, has been saying to you.
I have heard all he has said. He has told you of many things that he
saw. He has told you some truth. He has told of many things which he
knows nothing about. He has told you of things he saw in his dreams,
while “strong water” made him sleep. The white men we saw there are
all of the same tribe as the gold-diggers here among the mountains.
He has told you he saw white men that were pale, and had tall hats on
their heads, with clothing different from the gold-diggers. This was
truth, but they are all brothers, all of one tribe. All can wear the
clothing of the gold-diggers; all can climb the mountains, and if war
is made on the gold-diggers, the white men will come and fight against
the Indians. Their numbers will be so great, that every tribe will be
destroyed that joins in a war against them.”
Jose observing the effects of these statements, excitedly interrupted
Savage by entering the circle, exclaiming: “He is telling you words
that are not true. His tongue is forked and crooked. He is telling lies
to his Indian relatives. This trader is not a friend to the Indians.
He is not our brother. He will help the white gold-diggers to drive
the Indians from their country. We can now drive them from among us,
and if the other white tribes should come to their help, we will go to
the mountains; if they follow after us, they cannot find us; none of
them will come back; we will kill them with arrows and with rocks.”
While Jose was thus vociferously haranguing, other Indians came into
the grounds, and the crisis was approaching. As Jose Juarez ended his
speech, Jose Rey, another influential chief and prominent leader,
walked proudly into the now enlarged circle, followed by his suite of
treacherous Chow-chillas, among whom were Tom-Kit and Frederico. He
keenly glanced about him, and assuming a grandly tragic style, at once
commenced a speech by saying: “My people are now ready to begin a war
against the white gold-diggers. If all the tribes will be as one tribe,
and join with us, we will drive all the white men from our mountains.
If all the tribes will go together, the white men will run from us, and
leave their property behind them. The tribes who join in with my people
will be the first to secure the property of the gold-diggers.”
The dignity and eloquent style of Jose Rey controlled the attention of
the Indians. This appeal to their cupidity interested them; a common
desire for plunder would be the strongest inducement to unite against
the whites.
Savage was now fully aware that he had been defeated at this impromptu
council he had himself organized, and at once withdrew to prepare for
the hostilities he was sure would soon follow. As soon as the Indians
dispersed, he started with his squaws for home, and again gave the
settlers warning of what was threatened and would soon be attempted.
These occurrences were narrated to me by Savage. The incidents of
the council at the Fresno Station were given during the familiar
conversations of our intimate acquaintanceship. The Indian speeches
here quoted are like all others of their kind, really but poor
imitations. The Indian is very figurative in his language. If a literal
translation were attempted his speeches would seem so disjointed and
inverted in their methods of expression, that their signification could
scarcely be understood; hence only the substance is here given.
The reports from Savage were considered by the miners and settlers as
absurd. It was generally known that mountain men of Savage’s class
were inclined to adopt the vagaries and superstitions of the Indians
with whom they were associated; and therefore but little attention was
given to the trader’s warnings. It was believed that he had listened
to the blatant palaver of a few vagabond “Digger Indians,” and that
the threatened hostilities were only a quarrel between Savage and
his Indian miners, or with some of his Indian associates. Cassady, a
rival trader, especially scoffed at the idea of danger, and took no
precautions to guard himself or establishment. The settlers of Indian
Gulch and Quartzberg were, however, soon after startled by a report
brought by one of Savage’s men called “Long-haired Brown,” that the
traders’ store on the Fresno had been robbed, and all connected with
it killed except himself. Brown had been warned by an Indian he had
favored, known as Polonio-Arosa, but notwithstanding this aid, he had
to take the chances of a vigorous pursuit.
Brown was a large man of great strength and activity, and as he said,
had dodged their arrows and distanced his pursuers in the race. Close
upon the heels of this report, came a rumor from the miners’ camp on
Mariposa creek, that Savage’s establishment at that place had also been
plundered and burned, and all connected with it killed. This report was
soon after corrected by the appearance of the trader at Quartzberg.
Savage was highly offended at the indifference with which his cautions
had been received at Mariposa, and by the county authorities, then
located at Agua-Fria. He stated that his wives had assured him that a
raid was about to be made on his establishment, and warned him of the
danger of a surprise. He had at once sought aid from personal friends
at Horse Shoe Bend--where he had once traded--to remove or protect
his property. While he was absent, Greeley, Stiffner and Kennedy had
been killed, his property plundered and burned, and his wives carried
off by their own people. These squaws had been importuned to leave
the trader, but had been faithful to his interests. The excitement of
these occurrences had not subsided before news came of the murder of
Cassady and four men near the San Joaquin. Another murderous assault
was soon after reported by an immigrant who arrived at Cassady’s
Bar, on the upper crossing of the San Joaquin. His shattered arm and
panting horse excited the sympathies of the settlers, and aroused the
whole community. The wounded man was provided for, and a party at once
started for the “Four Creeks,” where he had left his comrades fighting
the Indians.
The arm of the wounded man was amputated by Dr. Lewis Leach, of St.
Louis, Mo., an immigrant who had but just come in over the same
route. The name of the wounded man was Frank W. Boden. He stated that
his party--four men, I believe, besides himself--had halted at the
“Four Creeks” to rest and graze their horses, and while there a band
of Indians (Ka-we-ahs) came down from their village and demanded
tribute for crossing their territory. Looking upon the demand as a new
form of Indian beggary, but little attention was paid to them. After
considerable bantering talk, some tobacco was given them, and they went
off grumbling and threatening. Boden said: “After the Indians left we
talked over the matter for a while; none regarded the demand of the
‘Indian tax-gatherers’ but as a trivial affair. I then mounted my horse
and rode off in the direction in which we had seen some antelopes as we
came on. I had not gone far before I heard firing in the direction of
our halting-place.
“Riding back, I saw the house near which I had left my comrades was
surrounded by yelling demons. I was discovered by them at the same
instant, and some of them dashed toward me. Seeing no possibility of
joining my party, I turned and struck my horse with the spurs, but
before I could get beyond range of their arrows, I felt a benumbing
sensation in my arm, which dropped powerless. Seeing that my arm was
shattered or broken, I thought I would give them one shot at least
before I fell into their hands. Checking my horse with some difficulty,
I turned so as to rest my rifle across my broken arm, and took sight on
the nearest of my pursuers, who halted at the same time.”
At this point in his story the hardy adventurer remarked with a twinkle
of satisfaction in his bright, keen eye: “I never took better aim in my
life. That Indian died suddenly. Another dash was made for me. My horse
did not now need the spurs, he seemed to be aware that we must leave
that locality as soon as possible, and speedily distanced them all. As
soon as the first excitement was over I suffered excruciating pain in
my arm. My rifle being useless to me, I broke it against a tree and
threw it away. I then took the bridle rein in my teeth and carried the
broken arm in my other hand.”
The party that went out to the place of attack--Dr. Thomas Payn’s, now
Visalia, named for Nat. Vice, an acquaintance of the writer--found
there the mangled bodies of Boden’s four companions. One of these, it
was shown by unmistakable evidence, had been skinned by the merciless
fiends while yet alive.
These men had doubtless made a stout resistance. Like brave men they
had fought for their lives, and caused, no doubt, a heavy loss to their
assailants. This, with their refusal to comply with the demand for
tribute, was the motive for such wolfish barbarity.
It now became necessary that some prompt action should be taken
for general protection. Rumors of other depredations and murders
alarmed the inhabitants of Mariposa county. Authentic statements of
these events were at once forwarded to Governor John McDougall, by
the sheriff and other officials, and citizens, urging the immediate
adoption of some measures on the part of the State for the defense
of the people. Raids upon the miners’ camps and the “Ranch” of the
settlers had become so frequent that on its being rumored that the
Indians were concentrating for more extensive operations, a party,
without waiting for any official authority, collected and started
out to check the ravages of the marauders that were found gathering
among the foothills. With but limited supplies, and almost without
organization, this party made a rapid and toilsome march among the
densely wooded mountains in pursuit of the savages, who, upon report of
our movements, were now retreating. This party came up with the Indians
at a point high up on the Fresno. In the skirmish which followed a Lt.
Skeane was killed, William Little was seriously wounded and some others
slightly injured.
This engagement, which occurred on January 11th, 1851, was not a very
satisfactory one to the whites. The necessity of a more efficient
organization was shown. The Indians had here taken all the advantages
of position and successfully repulsed the attack of the whites, who
withdrew, and allowed the former to continue their course.
Some of the party returned to the settlements for supplies and
reinforcements, taking with them the wounded.
Those who remained, reorganized, and leisurely followed the Indians to
near the North Fork of the San Joaquin river, where they had encamped
on a round rugged mountain covered with a dense undergrowth--oaks and
digger pine. Here, protected by the sheltering rocks and trees, they
defiantly taunted the whites with cowardice and their late defeat. They
boasted of their robberies and murders, and called upon Savage to come
out where he could be killed. In every possible manner they expressed
their contempt. Savage--who had joined the expedition--became very
much exasperated, and at first favored an immediate assault, but wiser
counsels prevailed, and by Captain Boling’s prudent advice, Savage kept
himself in reserve, knowing that he would be an especial mark, and as
Boling had said, his knowledge of the Indians and their territory could
not very well be dispensed with. This course did not please all, and,
as might have been expected, then and afterwards disparaging remarks
were made.
The leaders in exciting hostilities against the whites were Jose Juarez
and Jose Rey. The bands collected on this mountain were under the
leadership of Jose Rey, who was also known by his English name of “King
Joseph.” The tribes represented were the Chow-chilla, Chook-chan-cie,
Noot-chu, Ho-nah-chee, Po-to-en-cie, Po-ho-no-chee, Kah-we-ah and
Yosemite. The number of fighting men or warriors was estimated at about
500, while that of the whites did not exceed 100.
It was late in the day when the Indians were discovered. A general
council was held, and it was decided that no attack should be made
until their position could be studied, and the probable number to be
encountered, ascertained. Captain Kuy-ken-dall, Lieutenants Doss and
Chandler, and others, volunteered to make a reconnoissance before night
should interfere with their purpose.
The scouting party was not noticed until on its return, when it was
followed back to camp by the Indians, where during nearly the whole
night their derisive shouts and menaces in broken Spanish and _native
American_, made incessant vigilance of the whole camp a necessity.
A council was again called to agree on the plan to be adopted. This
council of war was general; official position was disregarded except
to carry out the decisions of the party or command. The scouts had
discovered that this rendezvous was an old Indian village as well as
stronghold.
The plan was that an attack should be undertaken at daylight, and
that an effort should be made to set fire to the village, preliminary
to the general assault. This plan was strongly advocated by the more
experienced ones who had seen service in Mexico and in Indian warfare.
Kuy-ken-dall, Doss and Chandler, “as brave men as ever grew,” seemed to
vie with each other for the leadership, and at starting Kuy-ken-dall
seemed to be in command, but when the assault was made, Chandler’s
_elan_ carried him ahead of all, and he thus became the _leader_ indeed.
But thirty-six men were detached for the preliminary service.
Everything being arranged the attacking party started before daylight.
The Indians had but a little while before ceased their annoyances
around the camp. The reserve under Savage and Boling were to follow
more leisurely. Kuy-ken-dall’s command reached the Indian camp
without being discovered. Without the least delay the men dashed in
and with brands from the camp fires, set the wigwams burning, and
at the same time madly attacked the now alarmed camp. The light
combustible materials of which the wigwams were composed were soon in
a bright blaze. So rapid and so sudden were the charges made, that the
panic-stricken warriors at once fled from their stronghold. Jose Rey
was among the first shot down. The Indians made a rally to recover
their leader; Chandler observing them, shouted “Charge, boys! Charge!!”
Discharging another volley, the men rushed forward.
The savages turned and fled down the mountain, answering back the
shout of Chandler to charge by replying, “Chargee!” “Chargee!” as they
disappeared.
The whole camp was routed, and sought safety among the rocks and brush,
and by flight.
This was an unexpected result. The whole transaction had been so
quickly and recklessly done that the reserve under Boling and Savage
had no opportunity to participate in the assault, and but imperfectly
witnessed the scattering of the terrified warriors. Kuy-ken-dall,
especially, displayed a coolness and valor entitling him to command,
though outrun by Chandler in the assault. The fire from the burning
village spread so rapidly down the mountain side toward our camp as to
endanger its safety. While the whites were saving their camp supplies,
the Indians under cover of the smoke escaped. No prisoners were taken;
twenty-three were killed; the number wounded was never known. Of the
settlers, but one was really wounded, though several were scorched
and bruised in the fight. None were killed. The scattering flight of
the Indians made a further pursuit uncertain. The supplies were too
limited for an extended chase; and as none had reached the little army
from those who had returned, and time would be lost in waiting, it was
decided to return to the settlements before taking any other active
measures. The return was accomplished without interruption.