La Junta tribune., 1909-03-20
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To the stranger and tourist from
the East, San Jose offers many points
Of exceeding interest, number OF
which not being mentioned In tourist
guides and real estate circulars. are
missed by those who would most ap-
preciate them. Lick Observatory.
the Ostrich Farm. Alum Rock Park ,
and Congress Springs. have become
well known to every visitor to the
famous Santa Clara Valley. but be-
sides these there are places Of great
historical interest which are entirely
unknown even TO the majority OF San
Joseans, who pass them by with unap-
preciatiye. because unopened. eyes.
AZ the first capital city ef the
great Golden State. San Jose was he
center of the wild and eveutful life
before the early lO's. Here was es-
tablished the Indian Pueblo in con-
nection with the great Santa Clara
mission, and betwene the two places
stretched the long Alameda, which for
over two hundred years has been q
delightful avenue OF shade. 1t is
still the main avenue between the
cities of San Jose and Santa Clara.
but few OF those who dwell In the
handsome homes that line 1t. or who
ride between Its long lines Of cot
tonwood trees. know that this was
the path trodden by pious fathers or
worshipping Indians In the days be-
fore the gold-worshipping Grinsos
found their way across mountains and
plains. The remains Of the old mis-
sion church at Santa Clara are still
in a good state Of preservation. ana
form the Mecca for many an appre-
ciative antiquarian.
These places are too well known 10
deserve more than passing mention
AS capital for the Spanish govern
ment. San Jose was the residence OF
the governor, who erected here what
was at one time large and imposing
mansion. Remains OF this structure
are still to tie found on the vest
side of Market street. close to the
present city hall. To the uninitiated
it is but an ugly. moss-grown. dilapi-
dated adobe hut. Inhabited by the
lowest class Of people-a blot upon
the fair face Of the city. cumberer
Of valuable ground. To the well-in-
formed, 1t is the pitiable link be-
x11 nf rn.
mantle past, and the substantial ere
ations Of 4 practical present.
Here was the home OF the chiv-
airy Of Spain and Mexico, the cav
alier of the New Eldorado. the dread
ed bandit. the dark-eyed senorita. for
whose sake duels were fought and
blood was spilled in those wild days
of adventure.
After California passed under the
control of the white man, this man
sion became the home OF Joaquin
Murietta, the Mexican bandit, ~ho
was better known sAss the Terror
Of the Mines" AZ San Jose was at
that time the converging point Of all
the principal trails leading up and
down the coast. this house became
the rendezvous OF the gang Of rob-
bers Of whom Murietta was the lead
er. All sorts Of wild orgies were
held here and several murders were
committed within It's adobe walls.
After the death Of Murietta. In 1860.
the old house still continued to be
the home Of desperadoes. the scene
Of crimes Of various kinds, and he
rendezvous for all the most wicked
characters OF those troublesome times
until the capture and execution OF
vasquez. the last leader Of the gang.
drove the rest of the bandits from
this haunt Of terror and vice.
For several years past the old
house has been cheap lodging
house for Mexican or Italian labor
ers. Nothing remains but the stories
of it's former magnificence and Of
its dead-and-gone occupants.
On the extreme side Of the city,
ON the very bank of the Coyote
Creek. stands Q house which repre-
sents the other element In those
early days Of civilization. In March.
1850, Gen John sutter. the discOysrer
of gold In California, brought this
house around Cape Horn In sections
and erected It where 1t still stands.
It was the headquarters Of the ranch
ers and cattlemen. 1t was In room
of this old house that the first vigil
lance committee was formed and The