The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-03-16
OLD-TIME CUSTOMS.
An Interesting Chapter of Cali.
fOrnia "reminiscences.
srecial to THE MORNING GAIL


greatest interest anything that may be
written concerning the history of California,
sometimes forgetting that we may number
among our friends some Old-timerS that
could tell us interesting stories, with the
added interest of personal participation.
There are several gentlemen, not so old
either in and about Niles, who will tell you
of the customs of forty or forty-fiye years
ago, and Of the methods of living and earn
ing money then.
Of course the main industry was cattle
raising and the Americans who first came
into this valley were allowed the use of the
land to pasture the cattle, which they bought
of the SpaniardS for a mere trle. and at the
annual rounding-up, or "r0deo," Ameri-
cans and Spaniards joined amicably in the
work of branding the cattle and the festivi-
ties following, which often lasted many
days. Sometimes these we're held near
Santa Clara, sometimes near Haywards and
sometimes on the very town-site of Niles.
The last one was probably the last one
held in this part of the State, and was in
1866 in Palomares Canyon, q few miles
northeast OF Haywards. The Mexican and
Indian herdeTs would gather the cattle to-
getber, ana the owners and their families
would gather at the appointed place, aud
after the work of branding, which gave
ample opportunity for the display of fine
hOrSemanshlp, the families would spend the
several days in dances, bull and bear fights,
which was one of the regular institutions as
late as 90, pienics and games and display
ing their hOrsemanship. just north of
Niles there still stands on the old road a
heavy, square post or so, about 10 or Is feet
high and or 10 inches square. which were
the gate posts of the old corral. About two
miles west, in the Bell Ranch. stood, until
quite recently, large bell, which rang to
call the herderS, both Mexican and Indian,
TO their meals, and in the California Nur-
serY Grounds still stands large adobe
Quilting, i'll a fair state of preservation,
where they ate and slept in Il sort of attic
overhead. Across the road, in the Chtten-
den Ranch, was another adobe where the
OYeTSeerS lIYei. In Niles, directly back Of
the old mill, stands another adobe, built by
j. J. Vallejo, which was occupied as a resi-
dence, sometimes by himself and which is
still used as a residence. Still further in the
canyon, mile. perhaps, In most romantic
spot, is an old adobe uSeu as Il stable, and
which was the home OF one of the
relatives of the Vallejos. What little wheat
was raised was painted after the ground
had been scratched over by the old iron
plows, cut with a sort oil hand-Scythe, and
then stacked in great piles. fence built
about it and horses turned in. The Indians
who were on the stack throwing down the
grain, kept urging the horses around, Occa-
SIOnally springiug down and turning the anil
n,ais about. One of these threshiug grounds
was just south of 5. Stiver's barn, and the
grain was threshed in this manner until
early in the tiftieS, when threShing ma
chimes were brought out The grain was
cleaned by being thrown in the air some
windy day, but the thrifty housewife, who
ground her own wheat for flour tor Dread
first washed the wheat and dried 1t before
grinding.
Potatoes were raised by the Spaniards,
but none were larger than an inch or SO in
diameter and poor in quality. The Anerl-
cans raised onions, potatoes, cabbage and
lettuce near the streams, which they sent 10
the city on the many Schooners which came
to buy provisions, beef tallOw, etc, getting
81 pound for onions and pOtat0ps and 81
apiece for CaObageS. The taIlOw they tried
out and ran into the hides of the beeVes,
which were sewed up, and shipped it in that
way. As soon. however, as the gold dIScov-
cry became known the thousands of gold
seekers poured through the valley on to the
Mission, taking the pass through the hills
toward Stock ton, and bought every bit OF
green produce possible to be grown.
In 1850 the Vallejo flour mills were built;
cattle were driven to the hills for pasture
and the valleys were settled quickly by
squatters, who planted to grain. The In
dams followed the fortunes of their Spanish
protectors ana employees or were driven into
the foothills, and lacking the care and pro-
lection and the good housing which they
had had died bv hundreds every year. uu-
til now there are but few about the towns
living in tumble-dOwn shanteS and working
by DAYS work. In Niles there are perhaps
thirty altogether, six OF them being neO-
phytes of the mission in its palmy days.
On the Meyers place have teen found sew
eral relies of the old Indian camping grounds;
a spring in the hillside had been walled up
with cement and stone; several fine speci-
mems of grinding stone and pestleS, and on
tie hilltop one OF their piles of stone for
devil worship, upon which were thrown bits
of crockery or beads, which the children
often pick up nowadays. Below in the
almond orchard, is a hollow where the
temescal, or sweat-house, was built, and at
the mouth of the little gulcb, handy TO wood
and water, were their little adobe huts.
To-day every vestige Of the life and means
OF living fifty years ago are gone but the
few old adOUes falling to pieces, an old set
tier or so living in peace ard plenty, and
few, very few. old Indians, making rare
pllgTimages to the beloved old mission,
plodding slowly along the roadway their
fathers trOd before them, returning to their
hutS to wait but little longer for The end.
The orange trees in MaYhew's grove are
ripe and ready for shipment. Last year
few were sent 10 market which compared
most favorably in size and color with any
sent from Southern California. This sea
son more will be sent. Mr.. Mayhem has
duueu 10 us grove ulilH HOW He Has pEOD-
ably 400 trees, which, when they are all in
bearing. will be no small addition to his in
come. He also has several lemon trees SO
loaded with fruit in all stages, from the
blossom to the ripe fruit, that the limbs lie
on the ground.
busy finishing blowing and doing the late
planting The prospects for this seasons
crop are particularly good.
The result of the spraying processes seems
to have been quite satisfactory, and the
orchards are looking cleaner than for the
past two years.
The roadways are in splendid condition,
not rut or drop of water or sand.
The Farmers Alliance held a meeting
last Monday evening at the residence of j.
a. Bunting, every member being present.
Two new members were initiated. The
club seems to be quite PROSPEROUS. New
members have been initiated at every meet
ing. 1t was decided to have some one MEN,
Der at each meeting read a paper upon the
live issues of the day. the other members to
read the subject up and join in discussing
it afterward. The subject for the next
meeting is The Silver Question" the pa
per TO be prepared by j. G. Shinn.
Mrs. II. a. Mayhem gave tiddledewinks
party last Friday evening in honor of Miss
Baker. About twenty-five guests were
present. The parlors had been profusely
decorated with almond blossoms by Miss
played in progressive manner prizes being
offered as in progressive euchre. Miss Grace
Chisholm and Mr. Eaton won the star prizes
and Mrs. Davis and Mr.. Cameron the BOBBY
prizes Dainty refreshments were served
during the evening.
Sunday last was one of Gods days-per-
feet. During the day the many trampers
attracted much attention, by twoS, by threes
and by the half dozen. They were on the
roadways, the canyons and on the hills.
The day was SO clear that every point for
miles could be clearly discerned-from San
Jose in the south to The hills back OF San
Francisco. turn in the hills just hiding the
city and Oakland.
Special musical services are being pre-
pared for Easter Sunday.
Almost every day people are looking for
business openings in town or for houses
to let MRS. l.. T.. THANE.
Nites, March u, 1891.
Swallowed Hot Spud.
The Receiving Hospital had an unusual
case in Frank Simonds of 124 Fourth street
last night. He was eating in hurry and
toll a. ti.n