The record-union., 1891-10-07
A FULL CENTURY old.
Spanish Tiles Obtained for the Roof
of Suffers Fort.
Trustee Gregory Found Them in Mon
terey-Senor Malarin's Sacrifice
Of an Historic Landmark.

Tor some time past the Board of Sutter
Fort Trustees have been trying to solve
the problem of securing old-fashioned
Spanish clay tiles wherewith to roof the
buildings of that famous property. The
manufacture of that particular kind in
the State practically ceased some forty
years ago, when modern edifices began to
supplant the old-time and universally
used adobe buildings with their attend
ant tile roofs.
AT the last meeting of the board it was
decided to, if possible, secure the required
covering from some of the adobe build
ings still standing in certain portions of
the State. A member of the board (Eu-
gene J. Gregory was commissioned to
make the necessary arrangements for
supplies in that line. He accordingly
visited Monterey, as the nearest adobe
inhabited place, and finally decided to
negotiate for the tiles now in position on
the roof of the ''Olarte" building-a large
and imposing structure that was erected
IN 1924, and which has since acquired
much historical celebrity.
In due time the owner of the property,
Mariana MaIarin, was found at his ranch
near Gilroy. Mr.. Gregory explained his
mission and desire to purchase the tiles
in question. At the same time he in
formed the gentleman concerning their
intended use. To use, Mr.; Malarin's
own language, expressed in that cOurte-
Gus tone Of dignity and affability (which
is so truly indicative of the typical Span
ish gentleman Of chiValric times:
''To remove the tiles means the demoli-
ton of the buildings. | will therefore
give you letter TO my agent, with in
structions to remove the tenants, deliver
hI1i1l
ing:
these tiles from me, for | would not place
any price on them; but | consider it an
honor TO be represented in the restoration
OF Suffers Fort and similar historical
properties that have become closely iden-
titled with the history of my native State
It will ever be a source of pleasure for me
to feel that l can affiliate with the spirit of
loyalty which prompted others in pro-
noting that most laudable work. They
and the State are deserving Of much credit
for the noble efforts put forth in the di-
rection named, and / am only too proud
OF the opportunity thus afforded to con-
tribute, in a measure, to its successful
consummation. You are therefore well
come to the material mentioned, and to
any other service which may lie in my
power to extend"
1t is hardly necessary to say that Mr.
by the board and the public in general,
especially in view OF the historical sig
nifcance connected with the matter. Mr..
Malarin was born in the city of Monterey
OH January 10, 1927 and in the same
house in which his mother first saw the
light of day. He is, therefore, one of the
States oldest Native Sons in the State.
In early life he was prominently identi-
fed with the important political occur
rCnces of the times-notably the first
Constitutional Convention, which was
held in Cotton Hall in Monterey in De-
cember, 1919, at which time our State was
practically founded, and given its lease OF
life.
General John a. Sutter was among the
Sacramento delegates present. That Con-
stitution created Senor Malarin one of a
board of three Election Canvassers, who
presided over and counted the returns of
the first election held in the State.
These and other facts have imbued the
old gentleman with an unusual degree OF
pride in the development of California,
and in the preservation and perpetuation
Df those historical memories with which
he has become so thoroughly familiar.
The tiles in question have done nearly
century of service, and now present a
g Heather-worn, mOSS-cOVered appearance
HAT will admirably serve the use intend
ed, while their elements OF strength and
durability guarantee that degree of per-
manency which cannot be otherwise OBJ
Eined