Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-10-06
A MEMO I'VE INCIDENT OF THE FIRE
MONT CAMPAIGN.
Warning French Editors-Another
Massacre of Emigrants.

now hangs 24x36-inch painting of scene
that occurred during the California reyolu-
ton. The subject was the execution of an
Indian spy by portion of Fremont's bat
TALON near the Mission of San Miguel in
1916. The picture has no special merit
as a work of art, but the lapse of time
has ripened its tints and impaired the
soft, mellow effects which sometimes con-
zeal imperfectiors in worse pictures, thus
making them pass as valuable produc-
tons. But its chief interest is derived
from history.
"The California battalion, composed of
about four hundred mounted men, arrived
at the Mission of San Miguel on the 10th
of December, 1916. The troops encamped
short distance from the Mission, near the
Hot Springs in that locality, and the next
day were ordered, on account of the poor
condition of their animals, to turn the lat
ter loose and prepare to make the re-
mainder of their cold wet, toilsome march
on foot. Only the horse-guard. bringing
up such of the skeleton cabdttada as could
be driven, were permitted to ride, the of
fcers and men, led by Fremont, with
rife on his shoulder, filing out by compan.
les and steering southwark over mountain
and bog.
"On the next day an Indian, said to be
servant of Tortoria Pico, was taken prisoner
by the scouts. A letter was found upon him
which proved his completely with the oper-
made known to the battalion. He was a
large, muscular, intelligent fellow II
"brave" of one of the southern country
tribes. When brought before Fremont he
refused TO answer the questions put to him,
and said he knew his doom and was pre-
pared to die. He was adjudged spy, de-
serving of death, and was ordered to be
shot. The reason assigned was that it was
necessary to impress the neighboring In
dians-who were brought up to witness the
execution-as well as other prisoners taken
on the march, with the nature of the fate
that would be melted out to those who were
caught in the secret service of the enemy.
The poor fellow was led out to tree, tied
and blindfolded, and the battalion formed
about him. The prisoners were brought
out on the right of the line, under guard,
and addressed few words of warning by
the Colonel of the battalion. The horse
guard were then ordered to dismount, and
under command of the officer of the day
marched into the square. The rifles to be
used in the execution were one-half loaded
cartridges. The guard picked them at ran
dom, and at the signal delivered their fire.
Neither of them knew whether his own or
his comrades ball had pierced the Indian,
who sank riddled with bullets.
THE men were marched back, the
bugle sounded Forward! ! and the battal-
ion filed away from the scene of execution,
leaving the dead spy-who had met his
fate with remarkable courage and COM
posure-to be taken in charge by the mem
bers of his tribe.
These incidents, at the moment of the
execution, the artist succeeded in depict
ing very fairly, although the picture does
not show more than half the number of
men present. The scene of the tragedy
was beautifully timbered bottom, about
twelve miles south of the Mission of San
Miguel, with spur of the Coast Range in
view.
1.-THE picture (which was painted BY a
member of the battalion twas found in q
curiosity shop in this city by gentleman
who was with Fremont on his second ex-
petition to the South, and who recognized
the subject in which he had taken part.
He purchased and presented it to the Pho
neers." The picture has been missing
for many years, and members of the
society say they have forgotten ever hav-
ing seen it..
ION the 18th of September sensa-
tonal scene occurred in the Hotel de
L'Europe. on Kesrny street, San Francisco.
NJ. Derbec, editor of the Echo du Pdcifqte
was taking his dinner, when Leopold Nolf,
editor of lie Phdre, rival French paper,
entered and took seat not far distant.
Nolf called for plate of soup, into which
he poured large quantity of cayenne pep
per. Mixing it we'll into the SOUP he took the
nd 4 clai
the contents into his face, exclaiming:
VOLTA comment GU chatie les laches." (See
how / serve towards Derbec sprang to his
feet and drew the sword of his cane, but
before he could reach Nolf others inter
posed and he was prevented from using it.
Into the soup" is not such new idea
after all.
......Some ludicrous scenes were reported
as having occurred at the Todd's Valley
fire. to which the Placer Courier referred to
as follows: THE excitement was so gresl
during the fire that one man, during the
whole time, carried water and poured il
upon an old white oak stump which, by
extraordinary exertions, he saved from de-
struction. A lady is reported to have aban
doned her wardrobe and furniture, for the
sake of saving mirror of inconsiderablt
value, and many other ridiculous things
were DONE"
......It was the custom in those days for
the State Agricultural Society to publish
the official award of premiums to exhibit
ors at the State Fair by advertising in the
local papers. By this method all errors
were corrected, and the list, when pub
ished was official and reliable. For some
years past that custom has been lost sigh
of, and the result has been many mac
curacies in the reports and consequent dis
appointment of exhibitors. 1t is likely
that the old custom will be returned to, as
the newspapers have lately declined tC
publish these long lists gratis.
1.-THE Terry Broderick duel in 1859 re-
called to the UNION the following list of per
sons killed in duels in this State up to that
time: Edward Gilbert by Denver in 1852
DR.. Crane, by Mr.. Tobey, in 1858; Major
Woodlesf, by Achilles Kewen, in 1858; DR.
Dickson, by P. w. Tbomss, in 1854; Mr.
Tevis, by G. E. Lippencott, in 1855; w.
Ferguson, by George Penn Johnston, in
1858; D. G. Broderick, by D. s. Terry. in
1889; DR.. P. Goodwin, by w. J. Gatewood
in 1859.
ION the night of September 9th &
train of twenty four emigrant wagons was
attacked by Indians near Bear river, Utah
and some sixty persons-men, women anG
children-were reported to have been mas
sacred in cold blood by the redskins. The
massacre occurred near a point where 20s
United States soldiers were stationed.
..... Elder Heber G. Kimball, in a sermon
in the Mormon Tabernacle, in September
1859, declared that the Government and hel
combined could not drive them from theil
mountains" and said: "Old Tom Benton
is now shutting sulphur in hell, where b,
deserves to bel" Well, the Mormons ar,
still on the ground.
ION the ooh of September Georg,
Owen, while riding on load OF hop-pole
near the Costumes river, met with terri
bic death The wagon upset and he wa,
buried beneath the heavy load, where hi
body was found on the following day.
-. Psjaro valley, Santa Cruz county
was visited by heavy frost on the 18th o
September, 1859. The mention of this fac
may be of some comfort to those old resi-
dents who are constantly declaring tina
our California climate is changing.
ION the % of October the Mutus
Hook and Ladder Company voted to dis
band. The report recommending such &C
ton was submitted by a committee con
sisting of A. K. Grim. J. II. Culver, w.
Coleman, VIM. Greenwood, James Queer
and ]. a. Mason.
ION the 9Th of October B B. Reddinl
was appointed Under Sheriff of this county
and the UNION in mentioning the fact