The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-12-29


in Spain, in looking over some of the
old books and manuscripts in Madrid
library, came upon an interesting vol
nme in Spanish relating to an American
discovery. 1t proved to be the log or
diary of Ferello, the pilot of the expedi.
ton of Cabrillo, made in 1913. This was
valuable discovery, and threw much
| light on many points Of interest relating
coast
When the first Americans came to
| California, or within fifty or seventy five
years, the islands off the southern por-
ton of the State were uninhabited, but
showed evidences of a large population,
though not within hundred or more
years. In many localities deposits of
shell, great mounds and graveyar6s were
found. but the people who made them
had SO utterly disappeared that they
might have been swept away by some
cataclysm. In Arizona and among the
cliff jewellers it was supposed that lack
of water might have caused the people
to desert their homes, but here the is
lands, especially that of Santa Catalina,
were as rich in winter green's as the
mainland, with good supply of water,
the shores Astounding in fish of all kinds.
The TRANSLATION of the diary of the Span
ish pilot threw no light on the subject
of the sudden disappearance of the is
landers, but added to the mystery, as it
proved beyond question that $50 years
ago the island of Catalina supported
vigorous population, Ferello describing
the appearance of the natives. their GUS
toms and their canoes, which held TWEEN.
ty or more people.
Later another work was found, being
the voyage of Viscaino. written by the
priest, Torquemada, who accompanied
him. According to the latter the island
of Santa Catalina was inhabited 160
years ago by race of people vastly su-
perior to those on the mainland. Be.
tween this time and about 100 years ago
these people became extinct, and the
same may be said of the mainland
tribes.
That the natives belonged to to race
of an American stone and shell age is
certain, and that they had some inter-
course with the Spaniards is equally
we'll proved by excavations which throw
gonna liOht IN tha suhipct
Catalina Island is to-day fashionable
resort for southern Californians. 1t is
large island made up of mountain
ranges and deep "a IONS, virtual bit of
the coast range of the Sierras that seems
to have strayed off shore, and whose
peaks, from one thousand to twenty-five
hundred feet. project from the blue
ocean like emerald gems; their sides pre-
cipitous, often perpendicular, cut here
and there by little bays that form the
mouths of canyons that are in various
tells. Avalon is the largest of these set
Elements, standing directly on a ores
cent shaped beach-the mouth of a deep
canyon that reaches back into the noun
tains that are gradually lost in the blue
haze that hovers about their peaks.
Avalon is crowded in summer with south
ern Californians, and possessing a won
derful climate that makes each day like
its fellow, never too warm and never too
cold, it fills up with Eastern tourists in
the winter, winter in name alone, as
the island is then covered with wild
flowers.
Almost the first thing one hears here
are the legends about the old islanders
and mysterious temple that was away
off in some canyon, temple to the Indian
god. Chinghinich. Then, if it is ridi
culed, some one quotes old Torquemada,
and gives almost verbatim his descrip-
ton of the temple, which is to the effect
that when he landed the natives took
him to the so called temple, that was a
circular place surrounded by fence Of
stones and posts driven into the ground.
in the center of which was a huge god
that had the sun ard moon painted on
it's sides, while the posts we're decorated
with pictures and feathers, certain birds,
the Spaniards learned. being sacred to
the god The temple has totally disap-
peared, but has been the object of search
ever since the description of it was
found.
The curiosity stores of the little town
abound in strange objects in stone that
havebeen taken from the graves mounds
of the natives. and there are many things
to arouse the curiosity and interest of
the visitor. The principal Indian site
has been covered by the Hotel Metro
pole, but from this place tons of mate
rial. it is said, were taken some years
ago and sent to various institutions.
Recently in wandering through the
island about fifteen miles from this To-
cality, came upon several sites where
the natives had lived, easily recognized
by the black earth that had been discol-
ored by the fires built upon them for
ages. This earth was mixed with aba
lone shells, speaking evidence of native
occupation, as the localities were two or
three miles from the coast where the