Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-26

getting too numerous in Alta California. so an
imperial edict was issued declaring that there
after the American and Russian population
combined must not exceed oue-third of the en-
tire population of the province. and guards
were stationed at Bodega bay to count the in
coming Russians and at the Columbia river to
keep tally on the Americans.
THE DISCOURAGED RUSSIANS.
As the years went by the Russians lost heart
Their enterprises were all failures their farms
would not produce, their waters had been
despoiled, none of their people ever came to
them, and when they could get away those who
had literally hewed home in the wilderness
turned their faces to the western sun and
watched for the white sails of the ships that
were TO bear them again to Siberia. Excepting
the wives of few of the officers no Russian
women ever came to the colony at Fort Ross.
The Russians intermarried with the Indians
and Mexican Indians and peculiar half-breed
race sprung up, which yet inhabits that section
Of the country, speaking queer Russian patois.
SOLD OUT AND DEPARTED.
Ten. twenty, thirty years went by, and as
quietly as they came the Russians prepared to
leave. Having every property right IN the spot
of ground which they had pre-empted they de-
clared their desire to be rid of the incum-
brance that they might get away from the
americans" who, despite the exclusion
edict." were crowding over the mountains into
California Just as the land lay. with the pillow
in the furrow. the horses in the stable. cattle on
the hills and the piano in the commandments
parlor, these Russian possessions passed into
the hands OF Capt. John Suffer, a thrifty Swiss,
who counted into the Russian governors hand
$4,000 and promised to pay in installments
80, 900 more.
REMAINS YET VISIBLE.
Fifty years ago last New Year day the Russians
evacuated the fort and left America to the
Americans" so far as the United States was
concerned. The remains of their quaint civil
iZatiOu Is yet visible. The chapel remains,
despolled of Its paintings and chime of bells,
and Is now used as a stable. its benches are the
chief ornament of the saloon which is located
In the Old ball room. The old barracks now
EFFORTS tribute from pleasure-seekers as a
summer hotel Its log walls have been sided
up and the interior treated to a serious at
tempt at decoration, but the red wood floors
held by nails like railroad spikes are as firm as
ever.
THE OLD cossACK CEMETERY.
Out on an open level some 400 yards from
the site Of the fort is the old Cossack cemetery
1t has, perhaps. hundred graves that can be
found, but the clumsy wooden tombstones
have long since lost their inscriptions and
decay and desolation reign over tie deserted
spot.
The orchard with its dwarfed and gnarled
largesse of natures fruit untouched by graft or
cross.
In Pioneer Hall, in San Francisco. there are
many mementoes of the Russian settlement. In
the deserted ball room was found music rack
and candle stick. which nobody claimed; three
cannon balls and one of the old cannons from
the block house and one of the millstones are
among the souvenirs.
HISTORIC SPOT.
A heap Of broken stones and rotten timbers
mark the site of the water mill This is a truly
historic spot, for through this race shining
yellow grains we're one day seen. and Captain
John Suffer learned that a golden fortune lay
In his acquisition from Russia. just back Of
the hill where the Cossacks had tried for thirty
years to farm themselves rich free gold was
found. and in a few short years repaid Captain
suffer an hundred fold on his investment
The grain the United States sends Russia to-
day may be considered by her Il slight rec
ompense for the thirty years Of almost unre-
Quilted labor her subjects expended in trying
to farm over gold mine in New Albion.
!. W. B.