The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-06-14

Hon. Robert A. Thompson of the So
mona Democrat, and brother of the pres
emit Minister to Brazil, read lengthy his
toricaI ESSAY 1t was full of interest to
residents old, new and visitors alike. AS
the only acknowledged historian OF the
county, his authority. carried weight where
interest was not lacking, and his hearers
were more than edited. He began with
the edict of General Castro when he or
dered the Americans to leave the country
and the general was afterward forced to
flee from Santa Clara-and traced the move
ments of the early pioneers down to the
raising of the Bear Flag.
Speaking of Mr.. Dewell, one Of the flag
raisers, he continued:
"Mr. Dewell says that very soon after
the capture the matter of flag came up.
The general idea was that one should be
made, and the intention was, without imi-
tating, to follow the general idea of the
American flag. He says he got needles
and thread and some new red flannel and
domestic from Mrs. W. B. Elliott and that
some blue cloth was elsewhere procured.
Himself and Thomas Cowie sewed the flag
together. They had each worked while
at the saddlsr's trade and knew how to
use needle. W. L. Todd painted the star
and bear on the flag. The star was in the
upper corner and the bear on the body OF
the flag. The bear was rudely drawn,
with head down, and looked as much like
hog (coche) as a bear. The bear meant
that the party would never back out, but
if necessary would fight out.
"'There were says Mr.. Dewell, mo
halyards on the flagstaff. We dug up the
staff, lowered it to the ground, attached
halyards and ran up the flag
ION January 10 the battle of La Mesa was
fought. The Californians were defeated,
Stockton again occupied Los Angeles and
all opposition to American rule came to
an end. But Don Jose Maria Flores tossed
a bone of contention among his followers
as parting shot, which split them
asunder. He fed north, met Fremont
and surrendered to him. Fremont, with
out consulting either of his superior of
fcers, made the celebrated treaty OF
Cahuenga. He had whipped Flores the
day before, and made any treaty possible,
and by this strategy he won victory.
cerned in it except Flores, who had moth.
ing to lose.
1.-THE controversy spread rapidly over
the State and reached Washington. All
the high officers were ordered home.
Stockton resigned from the navy in less
than year; Fremont was court-martialed
and dismissed from the service; Kearny
was dead. The contention got to Con-
gress, spread over the country and ragged
| as cyclone when Fremont ran Tor Presi-
dent. 1t is here to-day in, the question,
Who conquered Californian Some say it
was Stockton, some Fremont, some Kearny
and some sloat, and W. B. Ide dreamed
that he did it."
After another patriotic air from the
band the "grand orator of the day." Mer-
ton G. Allen, was presented to the audi
ence and delivered mastery grafton.
He opened with glowing tribute to the
memb ers of the Bear Flag party and then
spoke of the influence which that one act
of elevating the bear-emblazoned bunting
had on the future destinies of California.
He led up in graceful oratorical style to
the historical incidents as they followed
one after the other In logical sequence,
and gave his hearers the benefit of his in
innate knowledge of California history.
1t was fine effort and duly appreciated.
The barbecue was next in order and but
little was left of the bountiful supply of
roasted beans and small cattle when the
hungry thousands had t'dulled the keen
| edge on their appetites.''
The remainder of the afternoon was
spent by the visitors in viewing the points
of historic interest in the town, but it was
long after sunset before the place resumed
| its normal ASPECT.