Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-22
Voyage Was Important.

Although Niscanio was not the first dis
coverer of California, his voyage WAS the
most important because OF the mans If
the coast and the authentic information
which Padre Antonio and the other friars
were able to furnish Europe regarding
that part OF the world
The Island of Santa Cruz received it's
name from the fact that one of the early
explorers lost there a crucifix of great
sanctity. which was found by the natives
and returned as the vessel was about to
sail.
In 1851 George Nidever, a ranchero of
Santa Barbara, found human footprints
ST. Nicholas, which was supposed to be
uninha bited. He was reminded OF a
story that had been widely circulated
about an Indian woman who had been
abandoned there. and made thorough
search. On the first day he was I'M
successful; on the second day he found
evidences of human existence. including
a basket rudely made of reeds: on the
third day he found three small huts made
OF the ribs of a whale and covered with
brush. In one of these huts was an In
dian woman. with long hair falling over
her bare shoulders, and wearing a single
garment made of the skins of birds She
showed no signs OF alarm, but when Mr.
Nidever and his companions approa ched
she offered them roots and pieces of
seal blubber to eat She had entirely
lost the faculty of speech and never
recovered it, When Mr. Nidever told her
that she was TO accompany him TO the
mainland she understood readily. showed
much pleasure and gathered together her
little belongings. which consisted of bas-
kets woven of grass, jars filled with peb-
bles and other little mementos.
Cared for Till Death.
Upon reaching Santa Barbara Mr.. Md
f0ol her 10 h{u
was kindly cared for until her death
three or four years later. Although she
was never able to express herself so as
10 be understood, she had not forgot
ten the art of housekeeping. and per-
formed the duties of a servant as long
as her strength permitted her to do So
She was of happy temperament and
while at her work frequently sang hymns
that were taught at all the missions.
An investigation developed the fact that
in the year 1885 the padres sent a schoon-
er to the islands to collect all the Indians
that remained there and take them over
10 the missions. When they we're ready
to depart one of the women could not find
her child, and ran from the boat into
return a violent storm arose. and as
there Is no harbor. and the anchorage is
insecure. il became necessary to move out
into the open sea. The captain intended
10 return Tor the woman, out IoT several
days the ship was driven southwark by
the violence OF the gale, and finally land
ed its passengers at San Pedro. now the
port of Los Angeles. A few days later
the captain started northward with a
cargo of lumber for Monterey. intending
TO stop at the island and take on the
woman but another gale capsized the
schooner and all hands were lost. So the
woman was forgotten and remained for
sixteen years alone. like Robinson Crusoe.
II ia hoIieyed thar her child died shor, ~
after the desertion from exposure to the
weather.
In 1879 Sir Francis Drake. that famous
buccaneer of Queen Elizabeth. cruised up
this coast after burning and footing sew