THE FORTY-NINERS, A CHRONICLE OF THE CALIFORNIA TRAIL AND EL DORADO

CONTENTS

I. SPANISH DAYS
II. THE AMERICAN OCCUPATION
III. LAW--MILITARY AND CIVIL
IV. GOLD
V. ACROSS THE PLAINS
VI. THE MORMONS
VII. THE WAY BY PANAMA
VIII. THE DIGGINGS
IX. THE URBAN FORTY-NINER
X. ORDEAL BY FIRE
XI. THE VIGILANTES OF '51
XII. SAN FRANCISCO IN TRANSITION
XIII. THE STORM GATHERS
XIV. THE STORM BREAKS
XV. THE VIGILANTES OF '56
XVI. THE TRIUMPH OF THE VIGILANTES
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
INDEX






THE FORTY-NINERS





CHAPTER I

SPANISH DAYS


The dominant people of California have been successively aborigines,
_conquistadores_, monks, the dreamy, romantic, unenergetic peoples of
Spain, the roaring melange of Forty-nine, and finally the modern
citizens, who are so distinctive that they bid fair to become a
subspecies of their own. This modern society has, in its evolution,
something unique. To be sure, other countries also have passed through
these same phases. But while the processes have consumed a leisurely
five hundred years or so elsewhere, here they have been subjected to
forced growth.

The tourist traveler is inclined to look upon the crumbling yet
beautiful remains of the old missions, those venerable relics in a
bustling modern land, as he looks upon the enduring remains of old
Rome. Yet there are today many unconsidered New England farmhouses older
than the oldest western mission, and there are men now living who
witnessed the passing of Spanish California.

Though the existence of California had been known for centuries, and the
dates of her first visitors are many hundreds of years old, nevertheless
Spain attempted no actual occupation until she was forced to it by
political necessity. Until that time she had little use for the country.
After early investigations had exploded her dream of more treasure
cities similar to those looted by Cortés and Pizarro, her interest
promptly died.