The morning call., 1894-09-12

commission which was ordered by the
Governor 10 try some charges against a
citizen. in which the precedence OF civil
over the military authority came up and
was Tehemently contested. Pho Pico be-
came Governor in 1882, and held Office as
Gobernador INFERNO of Alta California,
but he afterward became Gobernador Pro-
pietaries. or Constitutional Governor, of
the department, including both the Cali
fornias. Don Pho was Governor at the
time of The change of the Government, and
did his best to defend the Territory, but
the contest was hopeless one, and espe-
cially after the capture of the national
capital by the American army. He ac-
cepted the Inevitable and became good
American citizen. He has for many years
been striking figure, his hair and beard
snowy white, but he was as vigorous and
conItly as cavalier of %.
The Pico House on Main street, one of
the landmarks of Los Angeles, was built
by him, and was at the time it was built
one of the finest buildings in the city. Don
Pio was an extensive landowner, having
acquired great possessions during his pub
lie career, Among his ranches was that
of Santa Marguerite at San Juan Capis-
trano, an immense tract of land inciuding
thousands of acres. At tue time OF his
death, however, nothing of all this re-
NAMED in his possession. Don Pho was
liberal, generous and a gentlem an of the
OLD school
Pho Pico was one of the few remaining
Dons" of early California. Like
many another boy of Spanish birth
he served as an altaT-boy acolyte in
the old mission when it vas new; but he
soon ceased waiting incense at the altar,
preferring to li>ten to the vapid incense
arising from political triumphs. Atthe age
of tweDty-Dine years, or in 1880, Pico ap-
peared as one of the leading spirits in enc
of the series of revolutions that began al
most Immediately after Mexico separated
from Spain.
General Victoria, supported by bat
talon OF convict soldiers, had arrived
from Mexico to succeed Echeandia as
Governor. The native Mexicans, or Cali
forniaps, as they styled themselves, were
opposed TO this ''carpet-bag" style Of gov
ernment, and it required very little agita-
ton TO furnish the Mexicans with their
national amusement-a revolution. But
Victoria was on his guard, and issued an
order banishing Pho Pico, the chief pro-
nouucer, and put his brother, General An
dreas Pico, in the Calibazo. Instead of
leaving the country Pho Pico secreted him.
self at tho Mission San Juan for few
weeks and began to organize tor the revo-
luton. The deposed Governor Echeandia
and himself marched upon the capital of
California, tnen the pueblo of Los An
geles, released his brother and other pris-
oners of state. and put the alcade in the
guard house, together with several men,
bers of Victoria's Cabinet.
Governor Victoria and troops, with Gen.
eral Pacheco's battalion. were entrenched
at Cahuenga Pass, twelve miles north west
of the pueblo capital, awaiting the "pro-
nouneers." When these armies met, about
500 men on each side. few cannon shot
were exchanged at distance OF 1000 yards.
The smooth-bores were mounted on OK
wagons, and as the caretas were backed up
for action the opposite army sought safety
under cover of hill.
In few hours the revolutionists re-
treated to Los Angeles. Napoleon once
saved his army with twenty cavalrymen.
The revolutionists saved the day by the
action of three men. But it was through
the means of revenge, not patriotism. Vic
tnria had imprisoned man named Avila.
On his release by Pico he joined the revo-
lutionists. Avila and two other mon did
not run. They wanted shot at the ty-
rant Victoria. These three Spartans, or
Mexicans, charged upon the advance guard
of 100 men, led by Victoria and Pacheco-
father OF Ex-Governor and ex-Congress-