anaheim-gazette 1940-12-12

Anaheim, Calif., Dec. 12, 1940 Spanish Period History Of Portola's Party First to Arrive Jose Antonio Yorba Member of Expedition Blazing Northward Trail BY RUSSELL R. McCOMB The present county of Orange did not become a separate political subdivision of the state of California until 1889, but to trace the history of that beautiful and wealthy county, one must start 120 years earlier. The real history of Orange county begins only a few weeks after the coming of the first white people to Alta California to establish settlements. It played its part, and a rather important one, in that first overland expedition in the present California which Gaspar de Portola commanded during the year 1769. In the words of Terry E. Stephenson, probably the foremost historian of Orange county, the "actual dawn of civilization for this western land and for Orange county was Portola's first expedition in 1769. The trail which Portola carved was destined to become the main travelled road up and down the Spanish province of California." Great were to become the names of many of the men who followed Portola as he worked his way northward from San Diego Bay to Monterey Bay, but none was more Great were to become the names of many of the men who followed Portola as he worked his way northward from San Diego Bay to Monterey Bay, but none was more significant in Orange county history than that of Jose Antonio Yorba, a 20-year-old corporal of Catalan soldiers. More than 170 years ago, Jose Antonio Yorba walked upon land that he was later to own and pass on to his descendants, some of whom yet hold title to property that has never been out of the hands of a Yorba. Among others of the personnel of 64 men who were with Alta California's first governor were Fernando de Rivera y Moncada, comandante of California from 1773 to 1777; Pedro Fages, first comandante of California, 1769-1773, governor, 1782-1790; Jose Francisco de Ortega, pathfinder, explorer; discoverer of the Golden Gate and of Carquinez Strait, lieutenant and brevet captain, comandante of the presidio of San Diego, of Santa Barbara and of Monterey, founder of the presidio of Santa Barbara and of the missions of San Juan Capistrano and San Buenaventura, and Jose Raimundo Carrillo, later alferez, lieutenant and captain, commandante of the presidio of Monterey and of Santa Barbara, and founder of the great Carrillo family. Not to be forgotten either are Engineer Miguel Costanso and Fathers Juan Crespi and Francisco Gomez, who also are important in California history. The entire party numbered 64 men. First Baptisms Portola's party had barely arrived in the confines of the present Orange county when the first event of historical importance took place—the first Christian baptisms in California. The expedition had made camp near the mouth of Christianitos canyon to spend its first night in Orange county. A scouting party which had been sent out returned to the camp and reported that two Indian babies were dying at a nearby rancheria. Fathers Crespi and Gomez hastily went to the rancheria and obtained permission to "Rio de los Temblores" but the soldiers called it "Rio de Santa Ana" and that is the name by which it is now known. The next camp was made in the La Habra valley near Brea and the following day the party crossed the Puente hills, thus leaving the present Orange county. Not until five years later does Orange county again have a part in some special phase of the development of California. Captain Juan Bautista de Anza was the leading figure in this episode, although the trip of some of his men through Orange county was only an incidental event in connection with Anza's first expedition from Sonora to Monterey. It was after arriving at San Gabriel mission in 1774 that Anza dispatched some of his soldiers to San Diego, over Portola's trail, to bring food and supplies back to San Gabriel and to his own party. Anza, himself, passed through Orange county at the time of his second expedition to Monterey, when his journey was interrupted at San Gabriel by news of the San Diego uprising, and he accompanied Gov. Rivera and Father Pedro Font to the southern mission to put down the revolt. Mission Founding The establishment of San Juan Capistrano, destined to become one of the leading missions in the state, now becomes the center of attention in Orange county. Decision to establish the mission was made on August 12, 1775, at Monterey by Father-President Junipero Serra: Father Fermin Francisco de Loyola and Father Gregorio de León. 1776 following the restoration San Diego mission, when Serra left the latter mission Father Pablo Mugartequi, Amurrio and 11 soldiers to the site previously selected Father Lasuen. They four cross which Father Lasuen erected still in place, and the bells had been disinterred a hut of boughs had been constructed, Father Serra celebrated the first holy mass on November 1776, and thus formally esthetized the mission. Father Zephyrin Englehard recounts an interesting epiphany connection with the mission says, "Eager to advance them (Serra) went to San Gabriel procure supplies and cattle, number of neophytes to her erecting the buildings. On way back he walked a little with only one Indian and didier. About midway between two places the three war suddenly found themselves rounded by a horde of army painted savages, who yelled fully and threatened to kill. When the neophyte observed intention he shouted in the guage of the aggressors that should beware, because these soldiers were coming up who would kill them all artifice succeeded, for they dropped their weapons. The Father now approached made the sign of the cross forehead of everyone, as custom distributed glass and dismissed them as frieze." San Juan Capistrano is half way between Los Angeles and New York. The expedition had made camp near the mouth of Christianitos canyon to spend its first night in Orange county. A scouting party which had been sent out returned to the camp and reported that two Indian babies were dying at a nearby rancheria. Fathers Crespi and Gomez hastily went to the rancheria and obtained permission to baptise the children. The date of this event was July 22, 1769. Stephenson has written that during the first full day in Orange county, Portola crossed San Juan creek a few miles north of San Juan Capistrano and the name Santa Maria Magdalena was given to the valley. Alberta Johnston Denis says, however, that Portola's party stood near the site of the present San Juan Capistrano mission on July 24, and viewed the islands which Sebastian Vizcaino had named San Clemente and Santa Catalina. The expedition reached the Santa Ana valley on St. Anne's day, July 26, 1769, the valley first being viewed from the region of El Toro. On July 27, the Santiago creek was reached and named by Father Crespi. Portola crossed the Santiago above McPherson and continued to the northwest along the skirt of the mountains. It was on July 28 that the party reached the wide Santa Ana river and that date also marks the first recorded earthquake in California. The expedition had camped on the banks of the river for a day's rest, but their relaxation was interrupted by a series of four earthquakes, the first of which Portola describes as having lasted "about half as long as an Ave Maria." The original name which had been given to the river, "El Rio del Dulcisimo Nombre de Jesus" was thereupon changed by the padres Mission Founding The establishment of San Juan Capistrano, destined to become one of the leading missions in the state, now becomes the center of attention in Orange county. Decision to establish the mission was made on August 12, 1775, at Monterey by Father-President Junipero Serra. Father Fermin Francisco de Lasuen and Father Gregorio Amurrio were selected to be the padres, and six soldiers, four from the presidial force and two from the missions of San Diego and San Carlos, were assigned to the new undertakng. Father Lasuen had been attending the presidio of Monterey and Father Amurrio was a supernumerary at San Luis Obispo when they were assigned to San Joan Capistrano. The site for the mission was explored by Father Lausen and Ortega, and the former established the mission on October 30. Many Indians witnessed the first mass on that day, and they manifested their satisfaction by helping to cut and bring in the timber required for the construction of the chapel and temporary dwellings. Work on the establishment of the mission and erection of buildings had begun on only eight days when one of the uprising of the Indians from San Diego reached San Juan Capistrano. Lieut. Ortega depended immediately for the southern mission, taking with him a few soldiers. Father Lausen ordered the two church bells to be buried, after which the remainder of the party, which by now included Father Amurrio who had just arrived from San Gabriel with cattle and supplies, hastened to San Diego. Work on the San Juan Capistrano mission was resumed in companyed Gov. Rivera and Father Pedro Font to the southern mission to put down the revolt. San Juan Capistrano is half way between Los Angeles and San Diego on rolling lands rises between two valleys through the valleys runs streams Trabuco and Sam Two and a half miles to this is the Pacific ocean. The place known by the Indians as Father Serra spoke of it Quanis-savit and Father H called it Acagcheme. Theodore H. Hittell's description of the site of the mission is worth quoting. He says, "Of Mission San Juan Capistrino delightfully situated on ground overlooking the coast front of it lies a roadsteepected from winds on the north a high promontory. On this side runs a stream of fresh which empties into the ocean forms a sort of creek, vessels can take in and dis cargo. From the first she seen to be one of the pleas on the coast and the charming all the year There were sufficient rains proper season; and these we moisture furnished by them enabled abundant crops of corn and beans to be raised out difficulty. In a show after starting their establishment the missionaries raised end only to support themselves soldiers and neophytes but exchange for all the clothing required. The neighboring Mission Founding Important Event First Christian Baptisms in California Took Place in Orange County also afforded pasture for numerous heads and flocks, which on account of the excellence and abundance of their food increased rapidly. But one of the most notable productions of the place were the wild vines, which in some spots seemed almost to cover the country. These suggested to the Spaniards the planting of some of the grape stocks, brought from Lower California, which had originally been introduced from Spain. They succeeded beyond expectation and in a short time produced wine in plenty. Besides grapes, other Castilian frnits were planted and throve, among which were pomegrantes, peaches, nectarines and quinces. The Indians on their part were more tractable then the California tribes in general; and the work of conversion and baptism went on rapidly. The new mission became one of the most successful in the county." Orange county played a part in another "first" event in California—the first public execution in the state. Although the executions took place in San Diego, they were as the result of Indian uprisings in San Juan Capistrano. Trouble began as early as June, 1777, as great tower crashing down on one of the domes, whole mass of masonry tumbling down upon the congregation. The number killed in the disaster has been given at both 39 and 43, while only a few persons escaped. Success of the San Juan Capistrano mission is well shown by George Wharton James in his book, "In and Out of the Old Missions of California." He declares that in 1800 the number of neophytes at the mission was 1046; horses and cattle 8500; sheep 17,000, and crops 6300 bushels, adding that in 1797 the presidios of Santa Barbara and San Diego owed the mission more than $6000 for supplies furnished them. In 1812, the mission population reached its peak of 1361 persons. The two groups of tribes that inhabited what is now Orange county territory were the San Juananos, or San Juan mission, Indians, and the San Gabrielinos, or those of the San Gabriel mission. The Indian name of the Juanenos was Acagchemen and the place name of the mission was Quanis-savit. The boundary line between the two tribes was the Alliso canyon. Father Geronimo Bosca served as missionary at San Capistrano for many years his death in 1831, further the Indians of the mission into two additional group groups, called the Playanans at the beach, and the other Serranos, lived in these tains, three or four leagues ant. Father Boscana describes Indians as being material having a vague idea of totality of the soul. The Jude had a calendar of 10 months the year being divided into stices. They waged revenge, but not for them. They wore but little clothing although of simple mince proved to be apt pupils' missionaries. The last phase of Orange county's history during the regime was the granting of tensive holdings known as Santiago de Santa Ana Jose Antonio Yorba and Juan Peralta on July 15. This was the first Spanish grant pertaining to Orange property and from it grew more during the Mexican then the California tribes in general; and the work of conversion and baptism went on rapidly. The new mission became one of the most successful in the county." Orange county played a part in another "first" event in California—the first public execution in the state. Although the executions took place in San Diego, they were as the result of Indian uprisings in San Juan Capistrano. Trouble began as early as June, 1777, as the result of the irregular conduct of the soldiers at the mission with Indian women. Corporal Carrillo killed three of the Indians and wounded others. Sergeant Aguiar was sent by Lieutenant Orega to investigate, and an Indian chief was found to have acted as panderer of native women to the mission guard. He was punished by the application of 15 lashes. Again in 1778 the Indians in the rancherias were threatening because of an Indian woman and a Baja California neophyte. The slaying of a San Juan Indian resulted in Ortega sending Carrillo to put an end to the affair. At Pomo, he surprised the plotters and killed two of them. Others were burned to death when they refused to come out of a hut in which they had taken refuge. Four chieftains, Aaaran, Acalculan, Aachil and Taguagui, were taken to San Diego, convicted of plotting to kill Christfans and executed. Father Serra returned to the mission during October, 1778, and in the 23rd of that month confirmed 57 neophytes. During his stay at the mission at that time, Father Serra confirmed a total of 147 persons, and their names, circumstances and sponsors were entered in a special book. Only once again did the first father-president of the California mission visit San Juan Capistrano, and that was in October, 1783, when he, assisted by Fathers Maugartequi and Fuster, confirmed 90 children. New Church Started Work on the permanent church building was begun on February 2, 1787. It was shaped like a Roman cross, was 180 feet long and 90 feet wide, and was probably the fines of all California mission structures. Built of quarried stone, material and a lofty tower adorning its "fachada," it justifies the remark that "it couldn't be duplicated today under $100,000." Fathers Vincente Fuster and Juan Jose Norberto de Santiago directed the construction and the mention he shouted in the language of the aggressors that they would beware, because many soldiers were coming up behind who would kill them all. The militice succeeded, for the Indians stopped their weapons. The good other now approached them, made the sign of the cross on the forehead of everyone, as was his custom, distributed glass beads, and dismissed them as friends." San Juan Capistrano is located half way between Los Angeles and San Diego on rolling land that lies between two valleys through the valleys run the streams Trabuco and San Juan. Two and a half miles to the west of the Pacific ocean. The place was known by the Indians as Sajivat. Father Serra spoke of it as Juanis-savit and Father Boscana called it Acagcheme. Theodore H. Hittell's description of the site of the mission is well worth quoting. He says, "The site of Mission San Juan Capistrano is lightly situated on elevated ground overlooking the ocean. In front of it lies a roadstead, protected from winds on the north by high promontory. On the other side runs a stream of fresh water which empties into the ocean and forms a sort of creek, where vessels can take in and discharge cargo. From the first the site was open to be one of the pleasantest in the coast and the climate warming all the year round. There were sufficient rains in the proper season; and these with the moisture furnished by the stream enabled abundant crops of wheat, corn and beans to be raised without difficulty. In a short time after starting their establishment, the missionaries raised enough not only to support themselves and the soldiers and neophytes but also to exchange for all the clothing they required. The neighboring grounds Work on the permanent church building was begun on February 2, 1787. It was shaped like a Roman cross, was 180 feet long and 90 feet wide, and was probably the fines of all California mission structures. Built of quarried stone, material and a lofty tower adorning its "fachada," it justifies the remark that "it couldn't be duplicated today under $100,000." Fathers Vincente Fuster and Juan Jose Norberto de Santiago directed the construction and the Indians brought boulders and rocks to the site from the canyon of Mission Vieja, sycamore logs from Trabuco canyon, and limestone for mortar from the quarry near El Toro. Tiles for the roof were made in the kiln in La Canada del Orno. A master mason was brought from Culiacan especially for the masonry work. The consecration of the new church took place on September 7, 1806, with Rev. Father Estevan Tapis, president of the missions of California at that time, in charge. Father Tapis was aided by padres from many missions and Governor Arrillaga and his staff attended the ceremony. Numerous soldiers and neophytes from other missions also were present. It was one of the most elaborate and pretentious events in early California history. Two days after the consecration services the bones of Father Vicente Fuster were transferred to their final resting place within the altar of the new church. The new church building had been in use only a little more than six years when it was partially destroyed by a severe earthquake. Many of the mission residents had gathered in the church on the morning of December 12, 1812, for a special mass being celebrated in observance of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin when the sharp shock of the earthquake sent the Father Geronimo Boscana, who served as missionary at San Juan Capistrano for many years until his death in 1831, further divides the Indians of the mission region into two additional groups. One group, called the Playanos, lived at the beach, and the other, called the Serranos, lived in the mountains, three or four leagues distant. Father Boscana describes the Indians as being materialistic, but having a vague idea of the mortality of the soul. The Juanenos had a calendar of 10 months, with the year being divided into solitices. They waged war for revenge, but not for conquest. They wore but little clothing, and although of simple minds, they proved to be apt pupils for the missionaries. The last phase of Orange county's history during the Spanish regime was the granting of extensive holdings known as Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana to Don Jose Antonio Yorba and Don Juan Peralta on July 1, 1810. This was the first Spanish land grant pertaining to Orange county property and from it grew many more during the Mexican period. The grant to Yorba and Peralta was a direct outgrowth of the coming of Don Juan Pablo Grijalva and his son-in-law, Don Jose Antonio Yorba, to Orange county as the first white settlers. Juan Pablo Grijalva was a member of the Anza expedition of 1776, together with his wife, Dolores Valencia, and their two daughters, Maria Josefa and Maria del Carmen. Maria Josefa married Jose Antonio Yorba at San Francisco on May 17, 1782, and Maria del Carmen married Padro Peralta on October 17, 1785. Grijalva, after he had retired from the army and established a residence at San Diego, first petitioned for a grant of land in what is now Orange county before the start of the 19th century. He indicated in his petition for the grant that he had been running a large number of cattle in the vicinity of the present city of Santa Ana for some time. The grant was never officially made, however, and Grijalva died in 1806. The next step involving the rancho's title came in 1809, when Jose Antonio Yorba and his eldest son, Tomas, concluded to seek definite title to the land, acknowledging Grijalva's prior possession of the land, but declaring that Grijalva's petition sought the property jointly for Grijalva and Yorba. The Yorba family in 1809 had been living along the east bank of the Santa Ana river, between Santiago creek and the present town of Olive, for a considerable length of time. The petition, written on November 24, 1809 in Santa Barbara by Tomas Yorba for his father, asked Gov. Arrellaga to grant the place known as Santiago de Santa Ana jointly to Jose Antonio Yorba and Juan Peralta. The decree was officially issued on July 1, 1810. Thus, in the brief span of less than half a century, the area in which Orange county is now located changed from a virgin territory inhabited only by Indians to the location of one of the most successful and prosperous of the many California missions, and one of the great ranchis established by decree of the civil government of the Spanish provinces. Its history was marked by several events of great and lasting importance, not only to the area itself but to the entire state of California: Distinction! 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