Collection: Books and Periodicals

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Title: A Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California (1891) Collection Type: Books and Periodicals Publisher: Lewis Publishing Company Published: 1891 Copyright: In the public domain or published before 1925 Source(s): Google Books # of Pages: 713 Download PDF: User Login Required Download OCR Text: User Login Required

Date Scanned: 2024-07-22 00:25:09 Item Sourced From: PDF First Created: 2025-03-17 03:11:29 Last Updated: 2025-03-17 06:30:36

Original Held At: Searls Historical Library Location: 161 Nevada City Hwy, Nevada City, CA 95959

Page: of 713  

40 HISTORY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. the Plaza, under the presidency of William B. Ide, Dr. Robert Semple being secretary. At this conference Semple urged the independence of the country, stating that having once commenced they must proceed, for to turn back was certain death. Before the dissolution of the convention, however, rumors were rife that secret emissaries were being dispatched to the Mexican rancheros, to inform them of the recent occurrences, therefore to prevent-any attempt at a rescue it was deemed best to transfer their prisouers to Sutter’s Fort, where the danger of such would be less. In order that the conquest of California should be accomplished in a decent and orderly way and the record thereof be properly handed down to future generations, Captain William B. Ide formulated the following declaration of purposes which was duly published to the world on the 18th of June: A proclamation to all persons and cttizens of the distract of Sonoma requesting them to remain at peace and follow their rightful occupations without fear of molestation. The commander-in-chief of the troops assembled at the fortress of Sonoma gives his inviolable pledge to all per_ sous in California, not found under arms, that they shall not be disturbed in their persons, their property, or social relation, one with another, by men under his command. He also solemnly declares his object to be: First, to defend himself and companions in arms, who were invited to this country by a promise of lands on which to settle themselves and families; who were also promised a Republican government; when, having arrived in California, they were denied the privilege of buying or renting lands of their friends, who instead of being allowed to participate in or being protected by a Republican government, were oppressed by military despotism ; who were even threatened by proclamation by the chief officers of the aforesaid despotism with extermination if they should not depart out of the country, leaving all their property, arms and beasts of burden; and thus deprived of their means of flight or defense, were to be driven through deserts inhabited by h-stile Indians, to certain destruction. To overthrow a government which has seized upon the prosperity of the mission for its individual aggrandizement; which has ruined and shamefully oppressed the laboring people of California by enormous exactions on goods imported into the country, is the determined purpose of the brave men who are associated under my command. I also solemnly declare my object, in the second place, to be to invite all peaceable and good citizens of California who are friendly to the maintenance of good order and equal rights, and I do hereby invite them to repair to my camp at Sonoma without delay to assist us in establishing and perpetuating a epublican gvernment, which shall secure to all civil and religious liberty; which shall encourage virtue and literature; which shall leave unshackled by fetters agriculture, commerce and manufactures. I further declare that I rely upon the rectitude of our intentions, the favor of heaven and the bravery of those who are bound and associated with me by principles selfpreservation, by the love of the truth and the hatred of tyranpy, for my hopes of success. I furthermore declare that I believe that a government to be prosperous und happy must originate with the people who are friendly to its existence, that the citizens are its guardians, the officera its servants, its glory its reward. WiuuiaMm B. Ipg. Thus far the revolution had been a bloodless one, but it was not destined to continue so to the end. There were two occurrences of thrilling character that came in quick succession— the killing of Cowie and Fowler and the battle of Olompali. As Robert A. Thompson, who has gathered much of the early history of Sonoma County, got his information about the battle referred to from one of the participants therein, we here incorporate his graphic account of those two events. About this time one of the most distressing events of the revolution occurred. It was discovered that the garrison had an insutticient supply of powder. It was known that Moses Carson, at the Fitch ranch, on Russian River, had sumne on hand. Two men named T. Cowie and —— Fowler, who had joined the party in Napa, volunteered to go and get the powder. They imprudently took the main traveled road, or returned to it near Santa Rosa, and were captured by a scunting party, or, rather, a roving band of cut-throats and thieves under the lead of Jnan Padillo. The two men were kept in the Carillo house all night. The next morning they were taken up the little valley, near the present county farm, were first inhumanly treated, and then shot. Not satistied with this, their bodies were mutilated in a horrid manner and were then thrown into a ditch. An Indian named Chanate, who knew the men, told Moses Carson of their fate and condition, and he came and buried them under a pine tree, piling up a few rocks to mark the spot. Finding that Cowie and Fowler did not return, there was much uneasiness in Sonoma. A party was sent up the valley to make inquiry, who learned the circuinstances of their cruel murder and mutilation. Two others of the party, who were out in search of horses, had been taken, and it was feared that they, tuo, would be killed. The Bear Flag men were not of the class to