The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1856-07-12
Fremont; or, 1he Ride of the One Hun.
drod

dred.
In the early part of the year lS47, bu
slness called me to Alta California. .-
Having been long residen, on the Pa
clfic coast, and being familiar with tn,
language and customs of the people,
was selected to effec, large contract O
hides for one of our eastern firms, tn,
trade being nearly paralyzed a, the tim,
by the war then in progress between GU
country and Mexico; where handful 0
noble men were accomplishing deed
which have given them place in histor,
by the side Of Leondas and his braves
The CALIFORNIA; had become to us de-
sideratum; although their mineral wealth
still slumbered, waiting for that enchan
ter OF modern days, Yankee enterprise
their splendid harbo-s, the con,igulty o
eur possessions in Oregon, and the ia
ciites for trade with China, were sul
ficlent incentive. Commodore Stockton
bad hurried up from Calao in the frgate
Congress, and General kearney had
crossed the plains from the Missouri
River, with force of armed hunters, foi
the purpose OF taking the country and
holding it as gage for a satisfactory
treaty.
The rative Caliiornians, who had long
groaned beneath the imposts of distant
government and venial governors, had
themselves invited our over,ures; but a
few of their leaders, with a deadly ha-
tired toward the Yankees, and hope OF
personal reward from Mexico, were as
siduously endeavoring to stir the people
up to 4 revolt-in many cases with too
great success. Manuel Castro, a veal
thy and influential ranthero, noted for
his determined opposition to all change,
and enmi,y 10 the 'Grlngos,' had arrang-
ed for an attack on the Puebla los Ange-
los. the head quarters of kearney, held
by small force OF marines and volun-
teers. His agents were in all parts of
the country, inaaming the inhabitants
and urging them to JOIN him. BY some
means his plan leaked out.
was at this time at the ranch of nv
old friend, General Martinez Vallejo, on
the Senoma Creek; my companion was
Capt. D, who has since espoused
one OF our hosts daughters. Vallejo
was one Of the larges, land owners in
California, owning some sixty square
miles, with forty thousand head of cattle
and several hundred horses, cattle and
horses at that time being mans avail.
able wealth. He had been formerly mil
ilary governor Of the country, aud was
considered fair spoil by our people though
In justice must state that he was kindly
disposed toward the Americans. The
house was substantial edlfice of two
stories, surrounded by corral, with a
stout gateway; the household consisted
Of sone twenty persons.
We had all retired TO rest, and were
wrapped in slumber, when the loud bark
ing of the dogs and haIoing of men
aroused US suddenly from our dreams.
Expect ing an attack from the Bear Parry
Ca baud Of lawless desperadoes who in.
Tested the country,) all rushed TO the
courtyard armed as well as time permit
ted and in costumes the most picturesque
az primltiven IS is usually considered
so. The General, sabre in hand, came
last, he challenged the intruders witt:
'Qnien es laf (who is there.
'Americanos amigos, abre la puelta.'
Americans and friends, open the gate, ,
was tic response, blow accompanying
the words that made the floor shake
again.
Tie demand was perforce complied
with, and band of some fifty men were
presented to our view, mounted and ar
rayed as trappers and hunters, and arm
ed to the teeth. Foremost among them
on black mustang, was small, sincw-
y, dark man, evidently their leader, with
'an eye like Mars to threaten and com.
mand, countenance expressive Of the
greatest determination, and bearing
that, notwithstanding his rough dress
stamped him as one born to command -
TO LEAD.
This was Fremont.
i am an officer OF the United States
he said, Il am on my way to Los Ange-
los; l must have horses
Blu. - said Vallejo.
i said, sir, | MUST have them; you will
be recolnpensed by my government. |
ORDER you, sir, 10 deliver to my men
what holscs you may have in corrall.'
Finding remonstrance would be of no
avail with such a man, Vallejo called his
vaqueros and gave the requisite drcc-
,ions. In the meanwhile my friend D.
made himself known to Fremont, having
met him IN Washington.
i have information ot Castro's inten-
ton to attack Los Angeles. | lhave six
days to reach there before the outbreak,
for that need these horses, for | mpst
be IN at the death.
But the distance; six hundred miles,
said D.. The roads
i shall do it, he replied, and turned
away to supervise his arrangements.
In half an hour they departed as un-
as they came, taking with
them some three hundred horses, aud
leaving Us astounded at this raid TO won
der il we We're yet awake, or whether il
was all an unsubstan,ial dream.
Los diablos, exclaimed the general,
they have even taken my wifes saddle
horse.' 50 thovoughly had Fremont
lieutenant executed his order.