The herald., 1895-12-29

many events which would stimulate
the interest of the general reader and
ornament the space dedicated to their
narrative are lost to the historian.
Such as the great, enterprising expedi-
tions of private men, where heroism
and adventure are so conjoined as to
add a peculiar romance to truth, life
and valor more strange, fresh aud in
teresting than any found in classic
fiction.
1t was during the great excitement
over the discovery of gold in California
that the French expedition came into
existence. The story of untold wealth
on the Pacific to be had for the gather
ing was rapidly circulated throughout
the civilized world, captivating the
minds of men and, with the powerful
magnetic influence of the hope of great
wealth. drawing them hither from all
nations of the earth. The result. how
ever, WAS most marked in the United
States. L proximity and relation of
the 6 I'D fields to the settled portion of
the republic, the daring and adven tur-
Gus spirit Of American manhood,
caused thousands to emigrate with sud-
den dispatch to the Ell Dorado of the
western continent.
Parker FL. French was native of Ill
inois. In the year 1850 he came to
r, xas at he age of "a. He was a hand
some man OF the bloude ype, easy and
accomplish he'd IN his address and pre-
possessing In his manner. His distin-
guisned bearing Inspired confidence
end commanded respect. He arr we'd
in the early spring at the town of VIC
toria, in southern Texas, aud pro-
claimed his intention of fitting out an
expedition to California. He had in
his possession government passports
purporting to be duly executed and
signed by authorized federal officials.
These instruments gave French, AS
commander Of the expedition, full it,
ersss to aud authority to take what
ever supplies he needed from all gov
eminent posts on his route to CAlifor-
MA, by way of Ell Paso, Tex. Strange
rs 1t may seem, these Instruments of
writing, 20 cuuniugly contriv-d and 80
adroitly executed, aud apparently
stamped with authority of government,
were mass of forgeries.
Having won the conf ience of the
people of Vic oria by his high standing
with IN. government officials, as we'll
rs by his frank and engaging manners,
he p"ocsaded to I'll out his expedition.
To fiud entrants was of no moment.
They came in personal application from
every quarter. They were to give HIM
tie sun OF $3.50 each to transport them
to the gold fields, he to furnish con-
veyance and food for the journey, He
first purchased 100 head OF mules, for
which he gave checks on New Orleans
banking house, from which he showed
forged certificates of deposit. He then
bought wagons, am balances, provisions,
etc, for which ne gave checks on the
same firm of bankers. After favoring
the good people OF Victoria with his
very liberal patronage, GU May 8, 1850,
he set for b on his march westward at
the head of $50 people.
In n few days they reached San An
tonic, when French completed all his
arrangements, Il large number being
added to the adventures. His fame
had preceded him to the Alamo city,
and his prestige, financially and other
wise, rose high. His well-equipped
procession, large following, together
with his splendid personal advantages,
won confidence in his enterprise. He
was banqueted by the wealthy mer-
chants OF the city, while there was a
rivalry among them as to who should
have the privilege of moSt accommo-
dating him. Hs drew checks on vari-
GUS banks in the east, which the bank
ers or merchants of San Antonio read
lily cashed, French always producing
forged certificates of deposit Show
ing his authority from proper govern
ment officials at Washington, he took
all the stores he desired from the his
toric Alamo, which WAS then used as a
government warehouse. After COM
pleting every detail to his satisfaction,
the march WAS once more resumed.
His caravan was now swollen to 400
people, with ample accom- nodations in
the way OF wagons, ambulanoes and
teams. Everything went prosperously;
the immense procession moved vest
ward from the city with fluttering
banners, artial music. and amid the
loud chez ring OF the citizens.
At nightfall the caravan camped
upon the banks Of the streams, which
were separated at easy stages OF their
progress. At such times it seemed the
=, days of the long ago had returned, the
early dawn of history, when man
roamed at will over the earth, seeking
here and there the green pastures and
still waters for his flocks and herds. A
large number OF cattle and sheep we're
driven along to furnish meat for the
company, and at the twilight hour the
vast solitudes of the plains we're broken
by the familiar sounds of focks and
herds being driven into the inclosure
Of the camp. Aud then the campfires
cleaned brightly and could be seen for
miles in every direct ion, while the
tiuklinH OF musical instruments
blended harmoniou-ly with the witch
ink charms of night.
A stop of three or four days was
made at Forge InRe, ninety-three miles
west of San An ouio. 1t was at that
time frontier post Of the government.
1t was. however, long abandoned, and
now the ruins are interesting relics
to the ira eler seeking rhetorical spots
in the greai west. 1t then had as it's
commander Colonel Robe It e. Lee, the
afterward idolized gene Il of the
southern army in the civ var. Here
French rested the carava' king care
to provide himself with Eovisions,
etc, by virtue of his forged govern.
ment orders. A little episode occurred