The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-02
SAN FRANCISCO
IN EARLY TIMES.
When the Metropolis Of California Was
Known as YGrba Buena.
One Of the Traditions Of the Indians in Regard
to the Golden state-A Correspondents
Views Of the Bay City.

Just think Of General Vallejo telling some
American tourists when standing in the
courtyard of the Palace Hotel, that in
earlier times he lassoed bear with his RI
alta, or rope, just where they were all stand
ing, writes San Francisco correspondent
to the Cincinnati Enquirer. That was in
the days of long ago, when this city was
called by the dignied name of Yerba Buena,
and. as the General remarked, it was a little
better than forest of wild beasts.
AS late as 1889 the name was retained,
and the inhabitants were chiefly Indians.
In 1888 Boston bark visited the Coast, it
was called the Volunteer. Thomas Sha W
was the captain. j. G. Jones the owner and
supercargo. Jones went to the Sandwich
Islands in about 1920 or 1921 and became
United States Consul. From there he often
made voyages, going to Boston, returning
to the islands, and then visiting other
points. In 1888 he came to the harbor of San
Francisco, anchoring in the cove known as
Yerba Buena or Iona Alta Cove. Iona
Alta is known to the residents here as Tele-
graph Hill and Yerba Buena was San Fran
cisco proper. w. III. Davis was one of the
party and had come TO this city in 1881, sew
enteen years before the gold discovery at
the old Suffer mill. From him we learn that
Captain Shaw prided himself on having the
fastest boat on the water, but as the TEST had
never been made it was still matter of
opinion with the captain, for the English
vessel, the Areeucha, was known and ac-
ceded by all the captains, save Shaw of the
Volunteer, to be the very fastest on the
Coast On this trip, when fully twenty-five
miles from the bay, being Decalmed and
compelled to lie to on account of dense
fog,
IMAGINE sHAw's DELIGHT
When at about noon the fog vanished, and
very near by was the celebrated English
boat Arecucha, becamed also. Here,
thought the captain, is the longed for OPP
pOrtunty. 1t was evident the one idea had
taken possession of the English captain too,
Tor both boats were preparing for race.
1t was very exciting both vessels doing
their best. For time the Arecucha was
ahead, but slowly the Volunteer was gain
ing on her. When almost abreast Captain
Shaw shouted through speaking trumpet:
How, do you do, Captain Wilson,"
the reply: Il am very well, thank
you, Captain Shaw. You are gaining
on me fast" Not only did they gain on
them, but anchored fulya quarter OF an hour
before its rival, and beating her record
of being the fastest boat on the Coast. Both
boats were flying their national colOrs when
racing. In the evening the defeated captain
came aboard OF the victorious bark and
spent several hours talking over the race
and drinking many glasses Of something
stronger than water. The kindest feeling
prevailed, but each captain was intensely
proud of his own nationality.
At the military post all the soldiers were
| native CalifornianS. and Captain NJ. G. Vale
10, afterward General Vallejo, was in COM
mand. Castle Point was also under his com.
mand. 1t was well garrisoned and had the
Spanish name of Punta del Castillo. The
trade was at that time water trade, the cur
rency being hides, tallow, sea and land otter,
beaver skins, etc.
AT THE DOLORES MISSION,
In 1888. there were fully 1000 Indians, well
fed, well clothed, learning t. be industrious
and becoming Christianzed. Among them
were some good masons, shoemakers, car
penters blacksmiths and shipwrights. All
spoke Spanish, and many could both read
and write. At the head 0f this mission was
Padre Quijas, who had thousands of horses
and mares, 10000 head of cattle, besides
vast numbers of sheep. The Padre was
very s0ciabe and entertained his guests
with native California wine (redl nlanufac-
| tured ut the Santa Clara aud San Jose mis-
st0ns, and which was considered very fine.
Rich in stock as the Dolores Mission was,
1t WAS poor, very poor, when compared
with the two above mentioned.
l quote from an old resident, who says in
1888 there was mot a single inha bitaut of
what is now known as the city or county of
San Francisco outside of the Preside and
the Mission"
The first merchant of Terba Buena and
Monterey was Nathan Spear OF Boston.
The goods we're shipped from point TO point
by little schooGars.
In 1889 Captain John Suffer was making
excursions aud examining the country,
searching for suitable place to settle. He
was DESTROYS of obtaining large grants from
the Mexican Government. He finally came
to what is now Sacramento City, and there,
with his Swiss mechanics and several others,
planted
arms ready for defense against the 200 or
500 Indians that had met him in their tule
canoes on his arrival. The precaution was
unnecessary, for they gave no trouble.
However, he thought it
WISE TO BUILD A FORT
In case of any hostility or any trouble of
the Department of California. Captain
Suffer was native of Switzerland, and
an accomplished, cultivated gentleman and
delightful companion.
from the Mexican Government, and under
this lease they were shooting from their
boats the sea offers, which were not only in
San Francisco Bay. but both north and
south of it. Their skill in killing these ami
mails was SO great that they nearly exter-
minated them. After skinning them the
hides were shipped to st. Petersburg, Rus
STA. About 1871 John a. Suffer purchased
everything the Russian Fur Company had
for the sum of $4,000 He was TO pay in
wheat, stock. soap and furs, and five years
were given him TO cancel his Indebtedness,
and it was done in the time named. All
about Sacramento, in that great valley, he
raised his acres OF wheat.
Fourth of July was first celebrated here
in 1889 by a few Americans. They invited
their friends, and in patriotic style kept the
national holiday.
There is curious tradition among the In
dams in regard to the Golden Gate, as it is
called, or entrance into the bay. An old
servant of Captain Richardson named Mon
lea related 1t to party Of gentleman in 1888
when lie was so years old, very vigorous and
still good boatman, his work being to con-
vey goods by boat TO the different points.
This man sand his ancestors had handed
down the story from very remote period.
1t was as follows: In the long ago there was
only mountain where now is the famous
Golden Gate. The natural outlet for the
waters was through the Santa Clara Valley
across the plains to the Bay of Monterey,
and by q mighty CONFUSION of nature
the mountains were in part uprooted and
the entrance from the bay to the ocean made.
which Is now The only passage to sea, and
through which all ships must pass, and is
called
THE GOLDEN GATE.
As seashells have been brought to the
surface from the depth Of 100 feet in many
places where this natural outlet was said to
exist, it seems to be proof that it is not alto
gether Imagination. A scientific French
man hearing the story was very much inter-
ested, and spent much time making obserya-
tons, and finally expressed himself as being
of the opinion, from the geological evidences
and indications, that the story was founded
on fact.
In the very center Of the business portion
of this city, about Kearny and Washington
streets. was lake OF salt water, and inhn-
enced by the tide, being fed by little
creek with water from the bay. AS the city
built up this became a troublesome thing
with muddy banks, and finally it was deter
mined to bridge over the creek. When it
was done the people came from all diIec-
tions to see the wonderful structere, for
they were getting progressive, and took
very soon to public improvements. Then
jumping and wading daily was getting to be
too primitive.
Captain Hinckley, the Alcalde. who was
the first 10 see the necessity of having the
bridge, and 10 whom it was due, had a sur