Santa Clara County

History

Pen Pictures From The Garden of the World or Santa Clara County, California, Illustrated. - Edited by H. S. Foote.- Chicago:  The Lewis Publishing Company, 1888.

THE GARDEN OF THE WORLD

AS IT WAS

THE NATIVE RACES

        THE reader will have acquired a good idea of the topography of climate and general characteristics of Santa Clara County from the foregoing sketch from the pen of the Honorable D. Belden. In regard to the people who inhabited this lovely spot prior to its occupancy by the whites, we have very little knowledge either by record or tradition, nor is it necessary that we should have. They were a race of mild-mannered, ignorant, and generally inoffensive Indians, without language, customs, or history, that would be either instructive or entertaining to the general reader. The only interest we have in them is that they were the immediate predecessors of the white race in this beautiful valley. They were called the Olhones, sometimes Costanes, and subsisted on the spontaneous fruits of the soil, together with small game which they were enabled to kill or capture with their rude implements or weapons. Like nearly all the natives of the Pacific Coast, both of North and South America, they worshiped the sun, but this was about the only point in which they resembled their Southern neighbors. While Cortez and Pizarro found in Mexico and Peru a sort of civilization, the natives of California had nothing that redeemed them from absolute barbarism. They believed in an evil spirit, and their religious rites and ceremonies were principally devoted to its propitiation rather than to the adoration of a Supreme Being, with power to protect them from the anger of their evil god. In this they seem to have resembled the Chinese.

        Their religious idea of rewards and punishments appertained to their material existence. If they had any belief in a future state they had nothing to indicate it except, perhaps, in their funeral ceremonies, in which they decorated the corpse with feathers, flowers, and beads, and, placing his bows and arrows beside the remains, burned them amid shouts and cries. They had one custom which was common to all the Indians along the coast, but whether it was a religious ceremony, a sanitary measure, or a recreation, we are not informed. It was called the temescal. An adobe house, in the shape of a dome, was built on the banks of a creek. It had a hole in the top for the escape of the smoke, while an aperture at the side served the purpose of a door. The ceremony, if it can properly be called such, consisted in packing the interior of the hut with people, raising the temperature by means of fires to as high a degree as possible. When the heat became unendurable they would rush from the hut and with cries and shouts plunge into the waters of the creek.

        They had no villages, in the ordinary sense of the term, but at certain seasons of the year they would herd together at certain fixed places, which the Spaniards named rancherias. They were generally peaceable. We have no record of any wars in which they were engaged, nor have any relics of prehistoric battlefields been found by their successors. After the secularization of the missions there was at one time a rumor that the Indians were on the war-path and were making threatening demonstrations toward this valley; but it was only a rumor, and we can find no authentic account of any overt act that could be logically construed into organized hostility.

        They had no prominent men or noted chiefs whose names survive. The Seminoles had their Osceola, the Shawnees had Tecumseh, the Pokanokets had King Philip, the Sacs and Foxes had Blackhawk, the Cayugas had Logan, but the Olhones have left not even a ripple on the sea of oblivion into which they have so recently passed. Not much can be said of these natives that would be interesting—nothing that would be instructive. Our history begins where theirs ended. Their existence here served as a motive for the establishment of the Mission of Santa Clara, which was the beginning of civilization in Santa Clara Valley, and the real starting-point for our history.

SPANISH OCCUPATION.

        In 1776, the natal year of our republic, California was a province of Spain and was governed through the viceroy of Mexico, whose headquarters were established at the city of Mexico. The Spanish monarch at that time was Don Carlos III., and the Mexican viceroy was Felipe de Neve. The banner of the Holy Church had been carried in the van of the Spanish forces in all their military operations in the Western Hemisphere, and all their conquests had been made in nomine Dominis. The introduction of the arts of civilization into the conquered provinces proceeded on the same principle. The first step was to afford religious instruction to the natives, and to this end missions under the control of the church were established at such points as were deemed advisable. At the time of which we write, seven of these missions had been established in Upper or Alta California, to wit: The Mission San Diego, at San Diego, July 16, 1769; the Mission Carmel, or San Carlos, at Monterey, June 3, 1770; the Mission San Antonio, at San Luis Obispo, July 14, 1771; the Mission San Gabriel, at Los Angeles, September 8, 1771; the Mission San Luis Obispo, at San Luis Obispo, September 1, 1772; the Mission Dolores, at San Francisco, October 9, 1776; the Mission San Juan Capistrano, at Los Angeles, November 10, 1776.

        At this time the Spaniards had a military post, called a presidio, at San Francisco, which was then known as Yerba Buena. It seems that in all the enterprises undertaken by the Spaniards in the New World, the church had concurrent jurisdiction with the military authority. In fact, almost all the commands issuing from the crown placed the church first, and the military force was treated simply as an auxiliary in the work of introducing the Christian religion to the heathen inhabitants of New Spain. These two powers generally acted in harmony. There was no restriction of the Holy Fathers in their selection of sites for their missions, and no hesitation on the part of the military authorities in granting a guard of soldiers for their protection when asked for. Official information in regard to the founding and conduct of the missions was conveyed to the headquarters of church and State through two distinct channels, that is to say, the church received its report through the priesthood and the State through the commandants of the districts furnishing the military support.

        In 1776 the viceroy of Mexico learned, unofficially, that two new missions had been established near the Bay of San Francisco, and in September of that year he sent a communication to Don Fernando Riviera, who was at that time commanding at San Diego, conveying this intelligence and asking him to make an inspection and return a full report. This meant, for Don Fernando, a march of several hundred miles through a wild country and over rugged mountains, but military discipline did not permit him to hesitate. Accompanied by twelve soldiers, intended as guards for the new missions, he proceeded northward. After a long and tiresome journey the party arrived at Monterey. Here Don Fernando learned that the viceroy had been misinformed; that, instead of two new missions, only one had been established, and that one at San Francisco (Dolores). Father Tomas de la Pena, and another priest, who had been appointed to perform the religious duties of the expedition, joined the party at Monterey, and together they started on their journey to San Francisco. Their route was nearly identical with that now occupied by the Southern Pacific Railroad. During the march the party made a halt near the present town site of Santa Clara, and being impressed with the salubrity of the climate and the wonderful fertility of the soil, as evidenced by the natural vegetation, they determined to there locate a mission for the instruction of the mild-mannered natives, whose curiosity was barely sufficient to conquer their timidity.

        This was in the latter part of the month of November, a season when our lovely valley possesses a peculiar beauty, and which, it seems, was sufficient to entrance these holy friars, although they had long been accustomed to the delightful climate of what is now known as Southern California. This valley was then known as the San Bernardino. The party proceeded to San Francisco, which they reached on the twenty-sixth of November. Having discharged his official duties at the presidio, Don Fernando returned to Monterey, and, at the Mission Carmel, took the preliminary steps toward establishing a mission at the place which had so charmed him on his journey to San Francisco. A party, under the direction of Rev. Father Murguia, was organized and started for their new field. By the last of December all the soldiers intended for guards, together with their families, were mustered at San Francisco, and on the sixth day of January took their departure for this valley. The party consisted of Rev. Father de la Pea, the commandant of the presidio, and the soldiers and their families. On reaching their destination a cross was erected, and on the twelfth day of January, 1777, the first mass ever said in the valley was celebrated by Father Pena.

        This planting of the symbol of the church and the celebration of its rites marks the true beginning of the history of the Santa Clara Valley. The cross which was then upraised still stands erect and marks the dividing line between idolatry and Christianity—between barbarism and civilization. A few days after this Father Murguia arrived from Monterey with his party, and on January 18, 1777, the formal ceremonies prescribed by the church for the founding of missions were performed, and the Mission of Santa Clara was established; and from this time this valley, which had hitherto been known as San Bernardino, became the Valley of Santa Clara. That our readers may more readily comprehend the work of the missions we present the following brief general description, as given by Father Gleeson in his work entitled, "History of the Catholic Church in California:"

        "The buildings were generally quadrilaterals inclosing a court ornamented with fountains and trees, the whole containing the church, the Fathers' apartments, storehouses, barracks, etc. Within the quadrangle, at the second story, was a gallery running round the entire structure, upon which opened the workshops, storerooms and other apartments. The entire management of each establishment was under the care of two religious; the elder attended to the interior and the younger to the exterior administration. One portion of the building, which was called the 'monastery,' was inhabited by the young Indian girls. There, under the care of approved matrons, they were carefully instructed and trained in those branches necessary for their condition in life. They were not permitted to leave till of an age to be married—this with a view of preserving their morality.

        " In the schools, those who exhibited more talent than their companions were taught vocal and instrumental music, the latter consisting of the flute, horn, and violin. In the mechanical departments, the most apt were promoted to the position of foremen. The better to preserve the morals of all, none of the whites, except those absolutely necessary, were employed at the mission. The daily routine was as follows: At sunrise they arose and proceeded to the church, where, after morning prayer, they assisted at the holy sacrament of the mass. Breakfast next followed, after which they proceeded to their respective employments. Toward noon they returned to the mission and spent the time from then till two o'clock between dinner and repose, after which they repaired to their work and remained engaged until the evening angelus, about an hour before sundown. All then betook themselves to the church for evening devotions, which consisted of the ordinary family prayers and the rosary, except on special occasions, when other devotional exercises were added. After supper, which immediately followed, they amused themselves in divers sports, games, and dancing, till the hour for repose. Their diet consisted of an abundance of beef and mutton, with vegetables in the season. Wheaten cakes and puddings or porridges, called stole and pinole, also formed a portion of the repast. The dress was, for the males, linen shirts and pants, and a blanket which was to be used as an overcoat. The women received each, annually, two undergarments, a gown, and a blanket. In years of plenty, after the missions became rich, the Fathers distributed all the surplus moneys among them in clothing and trinkets."

        From this it will be seen that the good Fathers had a care over the temporal as well as the spiritual welfare of their charges. Santa Clara Mission soon became a flourishing institution. The natives were teachable, willing to learn, and reasonably industrious. The land was fertile and yielded abundant harvests, and each year saw a gratifying increase in the numbers of those who relinquished heathenism for Christianity, and the habits of savagery for the arts of civilization.

        In 1784, nearly seven years after the establishment of the mission, came the ceremony of formal dedication, under the ministration of the Father Junipero Serra, president of the missions of California. This occurred May 16, and was attended by Don Pedro Fages, who had succeeded Neve as Governor of California. Father Murguia did not live to witness this imposing ceremony, he having died of a slow fever five days prior to the event.

        In June of the same year in which the Santa Clara Mission was established, Don Felipe de Neve suggested to his superiors the advisability of establishing a settlement on the Guadalupe River, forty-eight miles from the presidio at San Francisco and seventy-eight miles from Monterey. He described the extraordinary fertility of the country and demonstrated that it would not only furnish ample supplies for the troops quartered at the presidio, but would in a very short time yield a handsome revenue to the crown. The suggestion was several months in traveling through the Spanish circumlocution office, but it finally reached the end of its journey and was approved, and in November of that year, Don Jose de Moraga, a Spanish lieutenant commanding at the presidio at San Francisco, received orders to detail nine soldiers who had experience as agriculturists, two settlers, and three laborers, and proceed to form a settlement at the point indicated in the Governor's suggestion. This he did, and located his camp on the banks of the creek just north of the present city limits, and called it the " Pueblo de San Jose de Guadalupe."

He reported his location to the central government through the usual channels, and two years afterward, March 6, 1779, his actions were approved. In 1782, Lieutenant Moraga was directed to make an allotment of land to each of his troops, which he did, as will be seen by the accompanying diagram. The names of the original settlers were: Ygnacio Archuleta, Manuel Gonzalez, Jose Tiburcio Vasquez, Manuel Amesquita, Antonio Romero, Bernardo Rosalez, Francisco Avila, Sebastian Alvitre, and Claudio Alvirez.

        It was not long until the settlers discovered that they had made a mistake in the selection of a site for their town. The place was comparatively low, and during the winter frequently overflowed, much to the discomfort of the settlers. This caused much discontent, but no direct steps were taken to secure a relocation of the pueblo until 1785, when a formal petition was sent to the central authorities asking permission to move the settlement to higher ground. In his report on the subject, Lieutenant Moraga states:—

        " At the time I obtained command as commissioner of the pueblo, the water raised so high that a little more would have carried off our houses. Some of them were much injured, and we were deprived of going to mass and confession, not being able to pass to the mission without going round circuitously a distance of three leagues, to avoid the bad places, which were so numerous in such weather. And in the bad places many were left afoot without being able to use their horses; nor could they look after their cavallado (meaning their horses turned out to graze), nor use them to notify each other in case of any trouble or accident. Already in the pueblo, and in the adjoining mission, on such occasions, the wild, unchristianized Indians have committed depredations. Finally, for sowing wheat, corn, and other grains, the carrying of the mails, and the passage of pack trains, it (the new site recommended), offers great advantage, as well as for timber and wood; everything is nearer and more convenient, and I fully approve of the view of the citizens."

        Some of our older citizens now living can remember the miserable condition in which these lowlands were plunged at the time of high water, and could add something to Lieutenant Moraga's list of inconveniences. But since the improvement of the channel of the creek, under American occupation, nothing of this kind has been known. It required twelve years from the time the first petition was transmitted to the Governor before the removal could be accomplished, but it was finally effected in 1797, the center of the new site being at about the present northwest corner of Market and El Dorado Streets.

        At the death of Father Murguia, as noted above, the Mission of Santa Clara was placed under the direction of Father Diego Noba, and under his supervision continued the successful work of the institution. Looking at our beautiful valley at the present time, covered with orchards and vineyards and stately edifices, it is difficult to imagine what its appearance was at that time. The only writing which will approach a description is from the report of Captain Vancouver, the great navigator, who, having come into San Francisco Bay, visited the mission in 1792. It contains not only a statement of the appearance of the country, but the condition of the mission. He says :--

        " We continued our course parallel to the sea-coast, between which and our path the ridge of mountains extended to the southeastward, and, as we advanced, their sides and summits exhibited a high degree of luxuriant fertility, interspersed with copses of various forms and magnitude, and verdant open spaces encircled with fruit trees of different descriptions. About noon we arrived at a very enchanting lawn, situated amid a grove of trees at the foot of a small hill, by which flowed a very fine stream of excellent water. We had not proceeded far from this delightful place, when we entered a country I little expected to find in these regions.

        "For almost twenty miles it could be compared to a park which had originally been planted with the true old English oak; the underwood, that had probably attained its early growth, had the appearance of having been cleared away, and had left the stately lords of the forest in complete possession of the soil, which was covered with luxuriant herbage, and beautifully diversified with pleasing eminences and valleys, which, with the lofty range of mountains that bounded the prospect, required only to be adorned with neat habitations of an industrious people, to produce a scene not inferior to the most studied effect of taste in the disposal of grounds.          *          *          *          *

        "Soon after dark we reached the Santa Clara Mission. Our journey, except through the morass, had been pleasant and entertaining, and our reception at Santa Clara, by the hospitable Fathers of the mission, was such that excited in every breast the most lively sensations of gratitude and regard. Father Tomas de la Pena appeared to be the principal of the missionaries. The anxious solicitude of this gentleman and of his colleague, Father Joseph Sanchez, to anticipate all our wishes, unequivocally manifested the principles by which their conduct was regulated. The buildings and offices of the mission, like those of San Francisco, form a square, but not an entire inclosure.

        "It is situated in an extensive, fertile plain, the soil of which, as also that of the surrounding country, is a rich, black, productive mold, superior to any I had before seen in America. The church was long and lofty, and as well built as the rude materials of which it is composed would allow, and, compared with the unimproved state of the country, was infinitely more decorated than might have been reasonably expected. Apartments, within the square in which priests resided, were appropriated to a number of young female Indians, and the like reasons were given as at San Francisco for their bring so selected and educated. Their occupations were the same, though some of their woolen manufactures surpassed those we had seen before, and wanted only the operation of fulling, with which the Fathers were unacquainted, to make them very decent blankets. The upper story of their interior oblong square, which might be one hundred and seventy feet long and one hundred broad, was made use of as granaries, as were some of the lower rooms; all of which were well stored with corn and pulse of different sorts; and, besides these, in case of fire, there were two spacious warehouses for the reception of grain, detached from each other and the rest of the buildings, erected at a convenient distance from the mission. These had been recently finished, contained some stores, and were to be kept constantly full, as a reservoir in the event of such a misfortune.

        "The maize, peas, and beans are sown in the spring months and succeed extremely well, as do hemp and flax, or linseed. The wheat affords, in general, from twenty-five to thirty for one, according to the season, twenty-five for one being the least return from their fields, notwithstanding the enormous waste occasioned by their rude method of threshing, which is performed in the open air by the treading of cattle. Neither barley nor oats were cultivated. As the superior grains could be cultivated with the same labor that the inferior ones could, they had some time ago declined the cultivation of them. Here were planted peaches, apricots, apples, pears, figs, and vines, all of which, except the latter, promised to succeed well. The failure of the vine here, as well as at San Francisco, is ascribed to a want of knowledge in their culture, the soil and climate being well adapted to some sorts of fruits. The priests had a guard of a corporal and six soldiers." The great navigator did not dream that in less than a hundred years, this fertile valley would be sending her fruits to all parts of the globe and that her wines would be in competition with the products of the most noted vineyards of the Old World.

        The beginning of the present century saw both the religious colony at the mission and the civil colony at the pueblo fairly settled. There had been some dispute as to the line dividing the two jurisdictions, but it had been finally determined by locating it midway between them, or about the position of the Mt. Diablo meridian. The present Alameda was also laid out, for the purpose of affording easy communication between the pueblo and the mission. It was about one hundred feet wide, with a row of trees on each side, and one through the center. The trees were of black willow and sycamore, but the sycamores have long since disappeared. There was, originally, a ditch running through the center of the road for the purpose of drainage, but when the adjoining fields began to be cultivated, the water was diverted from the ditch, and it gradually filled up and was obliterated. There is a tradition among the older inhabitants that the trees were planted on the Alameda for the purpose of affording a refuge from the attacks of the cattle that were running at large through the country. This, however, must have been a mistake, for, at the time the Alameda was constructed, there were only one hundred and fifteen head of cattle owned in the district. Although this was not the object of their planting, there are many well-authenticated cases where these trees have afforded protection to pedestrians from the horns of infuriated steers.

        The history of Santa Clara County is divided into three distinct periods : The grazing, or stock-growing era; the agricultural, or grain-growing era; and the horticultural, or fruit-and-vine-growing era, and the lines between them are plainly marked. The mission and the pueblo were both pastoral communities, and

by them was inaugurated the first era; the second came with the American occupation, while the third dates its birth from the advent of the transcontinental railroads.

Contributed by Kathy Sedler.