The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-25
OakIanderS Hold Titles to
Land in Lower Cali
fOrnia.
THE GOVERNMENT INTERFEREs
Federal Officials VIII Watch the
Preparations Of the
Schooner.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, !


SUS broadway, Sept. "a.
The dispatch from Washington referring
to the fitting out of schooner in Oakland
Creek for the purpose of taking possession
of some land in Lower California caused
much interest in this city, where the plans
of the expedition have been common talk
since the story was first published in The
CALL on September 10. The name of the
vessel Satapa, although chosen for the
schooner has not yet been printed on her
stern, and this element of mystery has
doubtless helped to battle the Custom
house people at San Francisco, who Sc
cured orders from Washington several
days ago to see that the neutrality laws
were not violated.
The vessel on which the explorers in
tended going has been dismantled, and it
was discovered Saturday that it would cost
too much to prepare her for the trip and
so vessel now lying at Hunters Point
has been surveyed and will be substituted.
The Satana was an old whaler, which has
been out of commission for some years
and condemned, which accounts for the
name not being on the Pacific Coast
register.
Nearly all of the promoters of the expe-
dition live in this city, and since the affair
| have expressed their desire to take stock
| in the enterprise. One of the leading
! spirits is Alfred Baroteau, who was a
mem Der of the firm of Bethune, Friers &
| Baroteau of San Francisco, which -four
| ished ten years ago.
1.-The Government has evidently wrong
| idea of our plans" said Mr.. Baroteau to-
night. "There is nothing to conceal, and
do not fear arrest or confiscation. Sew
eral years ago Hamburg, CARRIER & Co.
were the agents of the Ensenarda Land
| Company of Lower California. at that
time the land in Lower California
seemed to be anybody's who had pluck
enough to take ii and hold on to it. Some
of the settlers had deeds, some had Next
can grants, and some had obscure convey
ances, and Others had nothing but the fact
that they were there and preferred to stay.
The Ensenada Land Company had large
! offices at the corner of California and
Montgomery streets, and many of the dis
! puted claims were intrusted to them to
have verified. Latterly several of the
claims were given to the firm of Bethune,
Friers d Baroteau for services rendered
the clients of Hanbury & CARRIER.
81 was the interpreter and general claim
agent Of our firm because of my ability to
| speak five languages. When our firm
broke Up the partnership several of the
deeds came into my possession and l have
them yet, and 1t Is on one OF these papers
that we intend to assume possession
Some are in English, some in Spanish. but
they are all either deeds, plats, convey
ances or Mexican grants. OF course as
you know, possession is nine parts OF the
law, and that if we are on the ground we
shall be greatly strengthened. The Gov
eminent must have oVerestimated the
| amount of arms we are taking with US
| We shall only take sufficient for hunting
purposes. We do not propose to slaughter
anybody we find on the property. That
is the history of our claims"
Major Ellis Powell of the firm of Lodge
& Powell, Fruitvale, knows the property
to which Baroteau lays claim, and was
down there several years ago.
Part of the land consists of an island, u
said the Mayor, "and l do not believe
there is soul living on it. | was left on
that island once when | was cruising
down there, and was deserted for joke
| by my companions. | was on the island
for seven days, and it is one of the most
beautiful places | have ever seen. Thou.
sands of Angora sheep run wild, the
vegetation is very luxuriant and there are
several kinds of minerals to be found
there. l had an experience there that
| shall not soon forget. While lying down
in the old deserted cabins | could hear as
distinctly as if l were at telephone. The
sounds of sheep breathing and of insects
many yards away could be heard with
wonderful disti1ctness, and it can only be
accounted for by the fact that the ground
! must be largely composed of mineral tore
| It is perfect garden down there, and the
! land would be bonanza to any one who
| would settle on it'