The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1892-12-03
FIGHTING JOE" HOOKER.
A VISIT TO THE GENERALS
OLD CALIFORNIA HOME.
Many Interesting Relies That Are to he
Seen Therc--A Deserted Garrett
Valuable Rubbish In tho
Sonoma NaIlrr.

San Francisco takes one to the station
OF Aqua Ca.iente in the midst of Tho
picturesque and historical sonoma
Valley. Ton miles to the South the
head waters Of San Pablo Bay play in
tho sunlight and 10 miles TO the
North the valley dwindles to n mar
row pass between the high banks OF
Sonoma and the Napa Mountain
ranges. says the New York Advcr
tiscr
AS early rs 1919 there was built at
Aqua Calicnte an adobe house that
was occupied rs IL Spanish inn. and in
$4,000 this building was the home
OF Lieutenant Joseph Hooker who
afterwards rose to military fame.
was allowed one day TO climb up
10 the loft in the Hooker house where
was told would find Il lot of rub
bish' that was at one time the proper
ty CT tho general,
In one corner OF the loft 1Iad an
old army saddle with Hooters name
traced in the brass trimmings OF the
pommel. Rats had gnawei mt the
surcngio aud stirrup straps Near
the saddle was IA broken camp char
and u lantern OF primitive pattern.
The chair had been fastened together
with wire, and the Initials -. ii.
were cut into the back. The lautCsn
was cumbersome affair, with IA mica
chimney. Inside was the remnant of
q candle.
\ muskct and horsepistol that
were once the property OF Hooker had
been more carefully laid away. They
were hanging on Il rack suspended
from the rafters. They were rust
oatcn and fcstoouei with spiders
web. \ scrap OF diarF foGud among
Hooker's private papers in tho leather
trunk tolls the history OF the musket
which is not uuiuterestins. 1t was
presented 10 Lieutenant Hooker by
Colonel j. w, Mckenzie, who got
possession OF it in the following man
ner: At the storming of the gates of
San Cosmo Mexico September II
1917 Mckenzio's only piece OF artill.
cry. l2-pound Eowitzer WIS moved
forward to a ANAL earthwork within.
200 yards OF the fortifications.
Nearly all OF McKenzics men had
been killed or were disabled and
having but five rounds of grapesh OF
left, he sent two men-all that were
able to walk-to the rear for anmu-
milton. He had fired his last round
of powder when an infantry soldier
came from his place OF shelter under
the arches of the grand alueduct TO
assist HIM, and while crossing the
road to whore Mckenzie lay he was
Killed- Mckenzie ran to the fallon
man, secured his musket and ammu-
milton belt and returned to sholtet
receiving but slight wound in lis
left hand. With the ammunition that
he secured Mckenzie kept up the
fight until help came to him from the
rear.
Dust-covered and broken found an
old-style mahogany dressing case and
II card-tablc that had belonged to
Hooker. Tho card-table was an clabo-
rate piece of furniture. il was inlnid
with pearl. and was evidently i'm
ported. for the designs and clevornoss
of the workmanship evidenced the
def fingers OF japanese artisans
Rockers Falls are located at the
head of deep canyon in the Napa
Mountains. a stream OF water tum-
bles down the rugged side of the ia.
vino into broad. deep pool, sur
rounded by tail redwood trees. The
trail that leads from the valley to
Rockers Falls is n very dangerous
one to follow. 1t winds along the
side of the canyon and In many
places 1t is SO narrow that two per.
sons cannot pass on it.
The guide tells II rather exciting
story OF how one day Hooker who
was hunting in the canyon. mot Mt
one of these points in the trail a bear
and after vain attempt to kill the
brute with u ball from his rifle. he
closed with il aud fought the animal
desperately with a hunting knife
During tho fight man and bear rolled
down tho side of the canyon. Hooker
wounded and bleeding. lodged in the
limbs of redwood tree. and was
taken down few hours later by II
searching party that had come out
for him. Tho bear was found at the
bottom of the ravine dead. -
Lieutenant Hooker was but one OF
IL coteric OF young army officers who
1913. and across Sonoma creek from
the Hooker ranch stands Tho Rem
devious where the young army Off
GERS were in the habit of meeting Mt
cards. chess and other social pastimcs
which were sweetened by the banquet
of the native wines that had been
caskcd for years in the musty cellars
of Pedro Curilo n wrinkled Spanish
miser, who threw tho doors OF his
ranch house open to visitors only when
they were willing to pay handsomely
for their entertainment.
About the building which is still
habitable, broad limbed oak trees
cast their shadows and tall flag
stall. erected by Pedro Curilo at the
request OF his military patrons stands
in tho yard. From. this staff when
there were important questions to DO
discussed or AN entertainment to be
given. the American flag was sus-
pended. and those of the select coteric
of habitues OF The Rendezvous who
saw il floating in tho breeze made
haste to obey its call.
From the country road that no W
runs through the back yard of The
Rendezvous II winding trail asccnds
the side OF Sonoma mountain and
crossing its summit drops in a deep
shadowy canyon that is filed with
the magnitied roar of Sonoma Falls Il