The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-22
INTERIOR TOWNS.
Interesting "reminiscences From
Mission San Jose.
The Broad Domains Of Cd Families Now in
Possession Of Others Christmas Prep
arations at Healdsburg.

forth during the past week by the article
which appeared in last Sundays CALL re-
garding the old Vallejo family, who for
merly lived in grand style here at the Mis-
sion. Their old home here, at least the
main portion of the building, still stands,
and is the only one of the old adobes in this
part Of the country that still retains its
characteristic roof of picturesque old red
tiles.
Many are the stories told of the happy
days of the Spanish regime, when the old
Mission was in its halcyon days and life
here seemed one long summer dream.
We speak of these as Olden times, yet, in
reality they are not so ancient as the
changes wrought by the few intervening
years would seem to indicate. Hardly two
score years have passed since tho names of
Peralta, Vallejo, Castro. Higuera, repre-
sented the power and wealth of this section
for more miles than could be ridden over by
the tteetest horse from sun to sun. These
families lived in state on their vast tracts.
Their cattle r0amed for miles over the hills
and valleys, their horses were so numerous
as to be almost as much of a nuisance as
are the coyotes of the hills to-day. Every
conner was welcome in those days, and a
beef was killed daily to supply the needs of
the ESTABLISHMENTS.
Now, how changed is everything! As If
yeritable castles in Spain, the Peralta acres
have vanished before the encroachments of
the Anglo-Saxon. The cities of Oakland,
East Oakland and Alameda cover those
once fertile fields, and the old family is
scattered, many of its representatives
dwelling in obScurity and poverty, where
once their name was supreme. All that is
left OF the original old adobe house of the
Higuera family, whose holdings hereabouts
were extensive and valuable, is now used as
stable by Mr.. Henry Curtner, whose fine
residence stands on portion of the second
Spanish grant in this county, Los Tular-
citos.
Almost every Renaissance in connection
with member of even the Vallejo family
here Is accompanied by the significant
addenda on the part of the narrator, Il
wonder what ever became of hin? ?" which
shows more clearly than anything else how
complete has been the decline of the old
regime.
1t seems incredible to the one who hears
OF 1t Tor the first time that such extensive
possessions. such apparently established
homes, could so utterly vanish, as 1t were,
into thin air, in SO very few years. After
all, however, the modus opeTandi of the
change was very simple. The keen-eyed
Americana, when he came TO these parts,
realized-as the gentle, easy-going uncom-
merclal Spaniards never dId-the CONNER
clal value OF these tracts. He saw in his
mental vision cities and towns arising where
the cattle then grazed; the waving grain
giving way to the hard pave, and he
d
in the wealth that lay all about him. The
Spanish proprietor had lands and herds in
abundance, but broad gold pieces were scarce
with him. These the liberal-hearted Ameri-
eano had, and these, in the greatness of his
love for his fellows. he would lend. A
tn ousand dollars OF two, on such ample Sc
curlty, was rare investment for him. The
Senior would oblige him by accepting il. The
senior, often as favor to the American
rather than for real need of money, would
tn for
tritie seemed needless formality. Little
did lie realize the meaning of an English
pronissory note, payable one day after date
at per cent interest, to be compounded
monthly monthly with an accompanying lien upon
those broad miles of territory. Weeks come
and go. The months pass by. Years rolled
away. The Spanish gentleman lived easily
and happily and his lenient creditor is
apparently IN no hurry for his trifling sum.
Seven. eight nine years go by. The debtor
has received a note from the court,
few years back, in regard to that little
loan, but OF course that is all right. A
coupe OF thousand dollars and interest at
per cent Any time the gentleman comes
his money will be ready. The ninth year is
up, and the demand is presented for that
trltie, with interest compounded monthly,
vast sum, wanted at once.
Then comes the auction sale; the agent
of the creditor buys in those fair acres with
out competition, for less, far less than the
amount of the debt
This is the end for the unsuspecting
Spanlard OF the doom that began on the day
when, to please bis guest, he accepted that
trifing loan on his promissory note After
that, home. prosperity, easy life, exchanged
for the lot of wanderer, in poverty aud
amid hardshipS for which his previous life
has lily fitted him. Such Is the tale of many
Spanish downfall, and such the explana-
tlon oil the speedy decay OF the old Spanish
regime.
Life in the new Mission OF SIN Jose "
goes on with but little change from week to
week. As was chroncled in The CALL of
Tuesday we were called upon this week to
say farewell, for time, to another of our
pioneers, John Anton Laumeister. whose
funeral took place on Tuesday from the
Congregational Church. The funeral was
IL charge of the Masonic fraternity, to
which the deceased belonged. and an im.s
pressiye sermon was preached by Chaplain
L. u. Crump OF st. James Church, Center
vile. The interment took place in the
Odd Fellows Cemetery, Irvington.
very pleasant party was given Saturday
evening to Mr.. and Mrs. Whitfield, who
have taken possession of their new house
on the Folger Ranch, near town.
The Misses Maud and Bessie Stanley are
home, the one from Livermore, the other
from Oakland, enjoying their Christmas hol-
idays.
A meeting of the Dorcas Society was held
in the church on Wednesday to prepare for
Christmas tree and entertainment for the
Sunday school children. The little folks
will be given good time.
Mr.. j. Steinmetz has removed with his
family to Warm Springs, where he will en-
gage in the merchandise business.
A telegraph office has been opened in
town, and our people already find it great
convenience.
There is considerable sickness among the
children Just now, rash rembliug that of
scalet fever being very prevalent. On this
account the public school has been closed,
some time before the usual date. but there
is no general alarm felt. AE,
Mission San Jose, Dec. 20, 1890