The San Francisco call., 1896-12-13

WfA4nlN Inc space OF a few square
w feet, in this City, are such inestima-
bic historical treasures as the origi-
nal Bear flag; the proclamation which,
issued by Commodore Sloat, Immediately
preceded the raising OF the American flag
at Monterey when the United States
formally took possession of California and
saved it from the English; the bell which
sounded in earlier days to call the Vigi-
lance Committee together; the saw, crank
and other paraphernalia from Suffers
mill; the battle flag of the First Califor-
MIA Regiment" otherwise known as the
Thirty-second Regiment of New York
Volunteers; Captain Jacks" war drum
from the lava beds and not less inter
esting the cannon which, originally pre-
sented by the Gear of Russia to the garri-
son of Fort Ross, was afterward used by
Commodore Stockton at San Pedro, Los
Angeles and San Pasqual.
These are all in a museum, of course,
but a museum which, in small compass,
en- bodies more State history than any
other museum in the United States. The
objects of historical interest already
enumerated, and many others. are in the
custody of the Society of California Pio-
neers. Securely sheltered in a building
which is in itself historical, as it marks
one instance OF the broadly manifested
public spirit of James Lick, the number of
these priceless treasures slowly increases
Tragedies and comedies, relics of war and
reminders of stern justice meted out IN
the spirit of but without the form of law,
provokers of smiles and "reminiscences for
tears - these and the magic glitter OF
4 81, 10 oil
a State, are in the keeping of their proper
custody, of those who were, in propriee
persona, State-makers in every sense of
the term. When the collection is COM
plete it will suggest the most unique page
of history that has been written in mod
ern times. They will help to make up the
most unique museum store upon earth.
Upon a pedestal in an angle stands
small iron chest. The lid of 1t rattles
whenever the chest is Jared. 1t once had
a key and until a short time ago, in fact.
Then some chance visitor learning of the
historical value OF the chest stole the key.
The chest very likely would also have
been stolen by the same visitor if it had
not been protected by its size and weight.
Small though it is the story runs that it
contained $16 600 when it was stolen by
John Jenkins from the shipping Office of
Virgin & Co. on Long wharf on the tenth
day of June, 1851. Jenkins had the con-
sp1cuous distinction of being the first
man lynched to secure order by the Com
mittee of Vigilance. Jenkins was dealt
with very promptly and the proceedings
were thorough and energetic. HE was
convicted" says a veracious chronicler,
that evening as an example to the law-
less characters then infesting the City"
The committee brought him to the plaza
and there they hung him from beam OF
the ola adobe house. He was left until
morning, relays of men holding the rope
BY which he was suspended.
Close to this little iron chest with
which Jenkins made away, and which was
saved from the bay after he had thrown it
in, is perfect treasury of objects which
have histories. A little to the left, not
more than two PAGES, there is a queer
little cannon. 1t is perhaps 81 feet long.
The chamber of it runs to a point at the
vent. Eight ounces of powder were
enough to charge it. On the top are what
looks like two handles TO carry it by. The
Gear of Russia presented this cannon to
the Russian garrison of Fort Ross and the
Russian flag waved over it for time.
Captain Sutter afterward received it,
He caused it to be mounted upon the wall
of his famous fort, large picture of which
is almost directly over the cannon. The
piece was one of those which banged a
salute when the American flag was first
raised upon that fort at sunrise on the
morning of July II, 1847. Then it became
q field piece and went with the command
of Commodore Stockton and was used by
him in mis- advance from San Pedro 10 Los
Angeles; again in the engagement at San
Pasqual, December 6, 1916; again at Los
Angeles on the 8th and 9Th OF June, 1847
1t was then transferred to Colonel Mason
Of the First United States Dragons, who
returned it to Captain Sutter. He pre-
sented it to the Society of California Pio-
neers.
Just beyond a stout wire partition at
the east end of the museum there is sec
tion OF what looks like an old-fashioned
mast. In reality it is a four-foot section
OF that flagstaff upon which Commodore
Soat ordered Midshipman Toler to raise
the American flag at Monterey, on the 7tn
day Of July, 1886 This section was the
base Of the pole. A piece Of the top part
is in another part of the museum; also
upon the wall, bearing the attestation re-
Gently placed thereupon by William P.
Toler now of Oakland, is long manu-