The morning call., 1891-08-09
INDUCING In
RETROSPECTION.
Anniversary Of the Arrival Of the EARLY
White Settlers.
q Tale Of the olden Time Primitive Days in
Yerba Buena-How the Missions Were
Built-Early Farming-Indians.

Forty-fve years ago, July 81, 1916. the
good ship Brooklyn sailed into the harbor OF
San Francisco, having on board 236 passen-
gers, GO OF whom were women. Because of
political and religious troubles colony was
formed in 1916, about one-half of whom
were of the Mormon faith, gathered from
several of the Eastern States. They organ
lied themselves into a sort of stock COM
pany, elected officers, Sam Brannan being
President chartered the Brooklyn, stocked
her with everything needful TO carry on the
many different trades represented among
the men, and sailed away from Philadelphia
for the new land of promise on the peace
full Pacific. Nothing eventful occurred upon
the journey, and early in July, 1916, they
stopped al the Sandwich Islands. where
they first heard of the troubles in Callfor-
MIA from Commodore Stockton, who was in
the harbor just ready to depart under Or
ders TO San Francisco. The Brooklyn fol-
lowed slowly. 1t was the plan of the col
onistS to continue farther north into the
Russian possessions if they found the
troubles still continuing. but when upon the
3lst of July as they neared the harbor they
saw the American flag floating they sailed in
with colorS flying with shouts and laughter
and tears, the first immigrant ship TO enter
the Golden Gate after the raising of the
American flag.
The 236 eolonists made no small addition
To the tiny hamlet. A few of the younger
members still live to tell of good Old days,
and the names Of more than half are linked
with the history of the city or State. The
statement has been often made that San Fran
cisco narrowly escaped becoming Mormon
settlement, and that finding it impossible,
they. all immigrated to Salt Lake, state
ment which IS absolutely false, as one small
Danu or family OF eight or nine persons only
found their way TO Salt Lake and remained
there.
The plan OF the colony was TO remain to-
Ge:Aer Tor two years, those having trades to
follow them and those wishing to do so TO
take up land and be assisted TO make a start
IN farming, the object being to give all an
equal opportunity 10 make a new beginning
IN new land, and two years being conSid-
cred ample time 10 do so. However, trouble
arose regarding the management, and the
colony dtsbanded before the first year was
out, and they became scattered far and wide.
THE FIRST FARMING TOOLS
Brought to California were brought on the
Brooklyn; also The first printing outfit with
which the California Star, weekly was
printed, by two of them, Edward Kemble
and John Eager; the first tiour-mll was also
brought and put up in Union City, where it
still stands, venerable landmark; the first
tanning outfit and the first shoemaker's
tools, which are in use to-day by the same
hands that made shoes generation ago in
quiet shop in Mission San Jose. The first
public school in San Francisco, or indeed
IN the State. was organized by some of its
members Daniel Stark, John Surhine,
Joseph Nichols and Others and the building
Itself made by others of its members. The
first wheat produced by Americans was
raised by another member, ana later these
same people were the first to bring improved
farming tools, about 1850, and to plant
IN rtC and TarnF 10, - @,1I
In true American style. So through the
long list. When they first landed they
camped upon what Is now Portsmouth
square for few days or until permanent
quarters could be found. A few OF them in
looking about for farm land ran across the
old Mission Dolores, and half a dozen fam
HES moved there, taking up their quarters
III some OF the empty adobe houses, being
permitted 10 do so by the kindly Fathers
lhey remlned year. Indeed few found
II so desirable that they orther descendants
are sui living, many Of them, almost within
stones throw Of the old church,
Inc old Spanish famllies-names familiar
10 every Calltornlan-SaneheZ, Noe Bernal.
san Miguel or a half dozen others
all had their city homes, SO to speak. clus-
tering about the Mission, while the ranches.
or cattle ranges, stretched away for miles
of it.
The Americans were made welcome. Fish
Ing and hunting were good, and when beef
was killed they were given a portion.
NaternelonS were plentiful. Potatoes were
grown, but so small that the largest was not
more than an inch through. In return the
Americans taught them many of their
trades and gave them lessons in a rude yav
ID farming. Beans, corn, potatoes and
onions were grown near the bay, and for
several years large sums were realized from
me vegetable gardens established then
ne young men did carpentcring in the busy
Ililage OF erba BueDa, OF chopped wood in
Happy Valley or on Russian or Clay-street
hlli or assisted the Spaniards with their
cattle, Tor already quite a trade had been
established between The Spaniards and Rus
sans IN hides and tallow. Bears were occa-
slonally seen, and deer were plentiful No
american horses were to be seen until 1913.
but a lew mules were owned, commanding
Inc prices.
IN The open court back of the church bear
ana pull lights were of frequent occurrence.
On one occasion the bear escaped from his
Gnans, causing the greatest confusion
Women screamed, lOng-robed priests dashed
Wildly about and gayly dressed Spaniards
IEled Valnly to catch him. In his mad en-
deayor TO escape. he sprang at one of the
supports,
MOUNTED TO THE ROOF
VI the low extension, to the right of the
church Qong since gomez. and from thence
assembled to the peak of the church, where
he marched back and forth for some time
bear nights occurred as late as 1865. Where
Today the convent stands a well-kept gar
den and orchard, 800 or 400 feet SQUARE.
was walled about by a broad and high
ADOBE wall, portions OF which are still stand
Ing, to keep company with the few scragglv
o!d pear or apple trees or grape vines which
are scattered about.
Hearing from the Fathers of the fine Or
cnard at the Mission OF San Jose, a couple
OF the young men hired boat. sailed over
Tor boat-lOad of fruit and returned with
such marvellous tales of the beauty of the
country the richness of the soil, ETC., tn at
early in AZ eight or nine families moved
into the valley, where they were treated as
kindly by the Spaniards as in Mission Do
Iures, took up large tracts of land, and have
lived, they or their children, ever since.
About 1913 Mormon church was built in
the valley, but as no converts were made
or wanted IL gradually died. and the old
building itself has been destroyed many
Years ago.
In their widest flights of Imagination it
would have been impossible for the old mis-
slonarles to have imagined the realities of
To-day; where, about Mission Dolores were
thousands of acres covered by countless
nerds OF cattle, owned by few wealthy
families, and tended by hundreds of faithful
servants, to-day mighty city has enfolded
II all in its grasp, and the crumbling rem
nant OF the church, with its silent bells, its
faded Vestments, its few and rare old altar
decorations, its carefully kept records,
stand waiting for the end. On this side of
tile bay the church was destroyed by fire
about eight years ago, only a few books and
Valuables having been kept.
With good glass, on clear day, one can
easily stand at either mission aud see the
other, thirty miles away. In telling Of the
building of the missions some of the most
interesting facts are never told. In founding
the missions large grants of land were made
TO Spanish gentlemen, through the priests,
provided they would bring their families and
live at the missions. So sort OF an aristoc-
12cy grew up about the missions, composed
Of cultivated aud refined people, having
large landed property and herds OF cattle
ana It was not long before the Russians
bought tallow and hides in exchange for
faces, Jewels and rare cloths from Europe;
aho IN many household to-day, descended
from these families, are rare Iaces mr. lifts of
t4lestry or china OF fine nieces Of fnrn iinre