Homer guardian., 1890-04-04
OLD GABRIEL DEAD.
An Indian Over $50 Years Old


old age. Authentic records fix
his age at Isl years.
OLD GABRIEL
was one Of the most remarkable
characters on the coast. So far
as can be learned by tradition he
was born about l740, though there
is no record OF his birth, and even
in the early days, when California
was still the rovlng ground of the
Mission Indians, around whom so
many romances have been built,
Gabriel was too aged for the old
men OF the time to remember his
childhood. AS a venerable chief,
who died a taw years ago at the
age Of ll5, put 1t, Gabriel was
an old man when the Indians of
his age were still boys"
The story of the old fellows life
is interesting, chiefly on account
of the length of years it covered,
and not by reason of valorous
| deeds or relentless warfare. He
was on the whole a peaceable
creature, ignorant and faithful.
Sickness was unknown to him and
the magic charms Of the medicine
man never needed. He seldom in
dulged IN excesses, and never
Tithin his recollection had he
tasted liquor or tobacco.
lie was virtaors, too, as Indians
go, and though seven times mar
ried, renamed faithful to each
wife as long So she lived. Child
rs4a saa grandchildren he had by
the-2core, but he outlived them
all; be has no direct decendarts,
and so far as. known no living In-
dian can now claim klnship with
him.
Tbs story of his life has been
handed down among the Francis
cau missionaries, who came into
California moro than century
ago, and when father Janlpero
arrived in Monterey in 1850, Ca
brisl, then a grandfather, was
among the little band who receiv-
ed him. The missionary toek an
interest IN the man, who was OF
that time strappiag fellow ofslx
feet. and not long aftarward bap-
t.Gsd hin, and guided him into the
Catholic faith.
He worked for the church coz
scientifically continuing his deyo-
tions until few years since, aad |
one OF the few things which during |
his last days broaght back the old |
light in Gabrieps dim eyes was |
tho mention Of Father Junipero's |
name.
II drew out from him in broken |
Spanish the story of Father Juni- |
pers's first mass under q tree, and |
tho building Of the Carmclo mis-
sion of abode, its oblitsration and
It's reconstruction in stone, much
of which was cut by old Gabriel's
own hands. HIS services were
also demanded during the build
ing Of the Soledad and San Antonio
missions in 1871.
From that time on his life seems
to have been unusually quiet, and
though Father Sorrentine made q
search ofthe records and gathered
together all the current stories Of
the remarkable fellow, little of q
sensational nature ever came to
light, though his great age was
clearly established. Gabriel lived
in Monterey for years, but toward
the close of his career he was
familiar figure on the streets of
Salinas, we'll known for his lore of
bright colors, with which his
clothes were patched from should
er to shoe.
His personal habits were worthy
a cultured white man, and to
them no doubt was partially due
his long life. His food was of the
simplest character and his prac-
tices a model Of regularity. He
paid particular attention to bath
ing, and, as old age and circum.
stsnces deprived him Of The means
of attending to this custom, in