Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-07-30

was one OF the largest landholderS Il
California, owning some sixty squar
miles, with forty thousand head of cas
tie and several hundred horses, at tha
time being a mans available wealth.
He had been formerly military Cover
nor cf the country, and was considered
fair spoil by our people, though in jus
tice l must state that he was kindly dis
posed toward the Americans. The
house was substantial edifice of two
stories, surrounded BY corrall, with {
stout gateway the household consisted
of some twenty persons.
We had all retired to rest, and were
wrapped in slun Der, when the loud bark
ing of dogs and halloing of men aroused
US suddenly from our dreams. Expect.
ing an attack from the bear party, "a
band of lawless desperadoes who infest
the country, all rushed to the court
yard, armed as well as the time permit
ted, and in costumes the most pictures
que, as primitiveness is usually eonsid
cred SO. The General sabre in hand,
came last F.; he challenged the intruders
with
"Quien es la p" (Who is there?
"Americanos amigos, ara Ia puerta, -
Americans and friends, open the gate,
was the response, a blow accom-
panying the words that made the floor
shake again.
The demand was perforce complied
with and q band of some fifty men
were presented 10 our view, mounted
and arrayed as trapPers and hunters,
and armed TO the teeth. Foremost amcng
them, on black mustang, was a small,
sinewy, dark man, evidently their lead
er, with San eye like Mars to threaten
and command" counlenanee express
i've of the greatest determination, and a
bearing that, notwithstanding his rough
dress, stamped him as one born to com
mand-tolead.
This was Fremont.
Il am an officer of the United States" :"
said he Il am on my way to Los An
gelos l must have horses"
But" said Vallejo.
Il said, sir, mast have them you
will be recompensed by my Government.
l order you, sir, TO deliver to my men
what horses you may have in corrail."
Finding remonstrances would be of no
avail with such man, Vallejo called his
vaquerors aud gave the requisite direc-
tions. In the meanwhile my friend
D. made himself known to Fremont,
having met in Washington.
81 have information of Castro's inten
ton to attack Los Angeles. 1 have six
days to reach there before the outbreak;
for that l need these horses, for l must
be there at the death"
"But the distance; six hundred miles, F"
said D.. "The roads
81 shall do it." be replied, and turned
away to supervise his arrangements
In half an hour they departed as un-
tremendously as they came, taking some
-hree hundred horses, and leaving US as
founded at this raid, to wonder if we
were yet awake, or whether it was an
dream.
"Los diaJlos, " exclaimed the General.
- they have taken my wife's saddle
horse !" so thoroughly had Fremont's
lieutenant executed his order.
From Sonoma TO Yerba Buena, the
title hamlet where now stands the queen
:ity of the Pacific, San Francisco, he
his stock to fifteen hundred,
clearing the country and
hen commenced one of the most pecu-
lar races for a .fght ever probably known.
'arely pulling bride to devour a STEAK
ut from the quarter of scarce dead
bullock; driving them before their spare
Iorses-On, on, they went I; the roads at
il times bad, at this time were horrible;
ifty miles being hard days journey
or even Californian.
As their exhausted beasts dropped
nder them they tore off the saddles and
lacing them on others, hurried on, leav
lg the poor animals TO be devoured by
ne cayotes, or recover, as chance might
ring about. Ever at the head-the last :
dismount and the first to leap into the
lddle was this companion of Kit Car
on this pioneer of empire +! Fremont!
.arely speaking but 70 urge on his men,
r TO question some passing native,
king the smallest n.odjeum of refresh !,
tent and watching while others snatch
moments repose, was he wrapped
p in his project and determined to hare
me .fgAt.
Through San Pablo, and Monterey,
Id Josepha, they dashed like the phan-
m riders of the Artz Mountains, start
lg the inhabitants, and making the
ght watcher cross himself in terror as
cir band flew on. The river Sacri-
'ios was reached, swollen by the rains,
rolled on, rapid, muddy stream-his Ii
en- paused. a