Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-04-09
SAN BERNARDINO PIONEERS.

y very interesting book has been
published In California, called the His
tory of San Bernardino Valley, from
the Padres to the Pioneers" II takes in
the period from 1910 to 1851 1t has
some particulars with kindly mention
about the Mormon settlement Of San
Bernardlno, a part Of which is hereto
appended, The author Is Rev, Father
Juan Cabaleria, and It appears that his
work has been In much demand. Mr.,
VIM. j, Silver OF this city has a copy
and sent to Father Caballerla for an
Other and received the following letter,
which we publish because of its liberal
expressions towards our people;
Los Angeles, Cal, March 10, 1904,
Mr. VIM. j. Silver, Salt Lake.
Dear sir-In answer to your favor
ian inst, ! have TO say that the His
tory Of Santa Barbara II out OF print,
as the whole edition Is sold. Some time
this year we win print the second edi-
ton and | may be able TO send copy
TO you AS you say the Mormon
pioneers were good people and II is but
Just to say so, especially today when
some people take pleasure In running
them down. Let US do our best In the
world, In the assurance that God Will
bless US all and there Is no necessity
for us 10 ind fault with our fellow men.
Believe me to be sincerely yours,
FATHER CABALLERIA."
Here are a few paragraphs from the
book relative to the Mormon colon
lists: ...
TT was toward thesolose Of the war
between the United States and Mexico
that a regiment was recruited from
among the Mormons for service in the
L, $, army. This regiment was known
as the Mormon Battalion. After their
return from Mexico they were quarter
ed Tor some time In southern Callfor-
MIA and while here received final dis
charge from service, They We're law
abiding, God-tearing men and gained
the respect OF the people Of California,
indeed the citizens OF San Diego found
them 50 useful and desirable as neigh
Dors that a general petition was clrcu-
lated and signed by every inhabitant Of
the town requesting them to make a
permanent settlement among them, and
many of them remained IN that part Of
California.
Captain Jefferson Hunt was the
first OF the Mormons TO come into San
6ernardn0 valley and 1t was chiefly
through his efforts that the Mormons
colonl2ed here, lie was man Of more
than average energy and ability and
whose honesty and integrity OF charac-
ter was unquestloned.
I'm March, 1851, large party OF emil
grants, consisting of about 800 persons,
with cattle, horses, ETC., left Salt Lake
for San Bernlrdno valley. This train
was under command Of Captain Hunt,
who was to take the lead and pilot them
through 10 their destination, AS IL was
impossible for them 20 travel as one
company, on account OF scarcity OF for
age and water in crossing the desert,
the train was divided into three sec.
lions, The first section under Captain
Hunt came into san Bernardno Val
ley and enCamped at Sycamore Grove,
at the mouth of Caion Pass, on st,
Johns day, the Gath Of June, 1851.
"Amasa Lyman and Charles G. Rich,
two of the original Twelve Apostles Of
Brigham Young, We're with this party
OF colOnsts. They at once opened ne.
gotiatIOns with the Lugos for the pur-
chase Of the Rancho de SAN Bernardluo.
During the summer the transfer was
.IfartpI and tRnlF .
the property, The purchase price was
$1,000 The coldnists aid not have the
money 70 pay for the property and FL
ders Lyman ana Rich with Captain
Hunt as agent, went 70 San Francisco.
where they negotiated loan for the
amount The money was borrowed OF
Haywood and Morley and was paid in
three nstallments.
1T Is not within the province Of this
chapter to criticize or discuss doctrlnal
points, tenets OF faith or the clrcum-
stances which brought the Mormon
Church into conflict with the govern
ment OF the United States. II Is sul-
Gent to say that the Normons who
first came 10 san Bernar1lno Valley
were ideal Colonists They were farm.
ors mechanics and artIaans Of the va
rlous crafts So far as material nd
vontages went there was perfect equal
llv There was wealth and no poverty
'mong them The system upon which
the government Of the Mormon Church
was based was purely patriarchal and
Il was carried out IN the religious. do
nestle and social life Of the Mormon
people. They were tho extreme Of con-
'erFatIves. and sufficient unto Them
selves did not desire or tolerate outside
influence or interference. As commu-
nifty they were honest inlustrious law
nh'7'nr peaceful citizens and under
ihrlf thrifty management the beautiful
valley bloSsomod into marvellous pro-
Iucureness. Tho Church laws were sur
Ocirnt TO regulate an public matters
unN' state laws were established All
minor discussions among thamoe'yos
wore carried into the Church council
AMI there submitted 10 arbitration
There was no anucal 10 other tribunal
Tnelr moral conduct was beyond re-
nroach ldleness drunkenness, gam
Ming and vice was unknown among
MON until a later day when another
th0m '''''
such were tho people who co,onlzad
SAN Pornariino Valley T,et credit and
honor be- given whore credit and honor