The record-union., 1891-04-23
Hints About Sutter,s Fort.

EDS. RECoRD-UNIoN: AS the commit
tee for the restoration of Suffers Fort are
about commencing their labors, would
like to submit to them my few sug-
gestions-that is, if you think they are
worthy of attention. 1t looks to me as if
there should be no unnecessary delay;
procrastination may cause it to be inn
possible to save the structure. The adobe
walls should be underpinned at once, by
first-class work. and not be done by
noyiceS. Good specimens OF such work
can be seen along the southern route
from New Orleans to Arizona, especially
in the neighborhood of Santa Fe along
the banks of the Rio Grande.
The writer has lived in adobe buildings
in South America, and in Chile some Of
the finest buildings are of that material.
| would suggest that the committee
should lose no time in getting the bricks
made so that they may be of proper con-
sistency and hardness when the base of
the building and the brick wall are re-
! placed by adobe. 1t would not be diff
cult to engage party OF Mexican adobe
| builders. This is the proper season to
| prepare the work. If we'll done it will
! last for generations III our fine climate.
In carrying out the restoration, the
| building should show every popularity
Of native work during the occupancy by
| General Sutter. 1t would be unwise to
simply make it a museum, or repository
of California curiositieS, as visitors pre-
| fer de fdctO-the old scene restored. The
city museum is the proper place for such.
! The old rooms of the fort were measured
by the writer few years ago, and they
would be too small for such a purpose.
Visitors could not pass along, neither
would they wish at such times to see
articles not associated with memories of
the old landmark.
Strangers generally are anxious to visit
our city and see the only relic that is left
to us of other days. 1t is an heirloom
that should be treasured byus; and thou
sands will gladly visit the old fort ii it
| is restored in truthful manner. It's
rooms should be filled and furnished as
if the spirit of the old General still kept
watch over his domain. And, as at
Mount Vernon, let those who have any
of the old fort articles restore them to the
committee.
Before our gold discovery the General
had his rancheria titled by his Indian
and Mexican laborers. / would suggest
that the blacksmith shop within the fort
be restored with its forge and tools, with
modelled figures representing Mexican
blacksmith surrounded by Indian help
ers, and group of Indians under one OF
the sheds Gn the fort inclosure) grinding
their corn. In illustration, the writer
recently saw several modelled Indian
groups (life-siZe) amongst the shrubbery
at the Sydenham Crystal Palace, London
and in the Trocodero and the Invalides in
Paris. There are skilled workmen or
this coast who could carry out these ideas
of illustrating rancheria life.
The Generals sitting-room could repre-,
sent a scene wherein Marshall and the
General could be seen examining the
first gold discovered at the mill. The old
guns should be remounted and placed al
the gates. The roof Of the fort should
have its shingles replaced by its ole
Spanish tiles. In fact, it should be The
old fort restored.
a great responsibility rests on the com
mittee, as it will be open TO the criticism
of thousands of pilgrims to the scene o.
one of the remarkable events of this age
the discovery of gold on this coas
and the wonderful development of ou
beautiful Pacific slope. GEO. BoYNE.