Los Angeles 1858 to 1859
History can come alive when presented by those who lived it. I ran across some old stories from Almira Hancock, the wife of Winfield Scott Hancock. Many of her stories I will share with you, but at present, I would like to share this one.
In 1858, Almira, with her husband and two small children, were stationed at Los Angeles. At the time, the town held roughly 4,000 people.
The main street was lined on both sides with adobe houses of the true Spanish style. The surrounding country was beautiful hills and valleys, snow capped mountains and variegated fields.
A small American colony was also present, but held only about a dozen individuals.
Shortly after arriving, the Hancock’s youngest, a baby girl, became ill with Panama fever, contracted on the Isthmus. For six weeks, the young child battled this illness and a recovery was looked upon as doubtful.
The town was small, so there was not much in the way of entertainment as would be in larger cities in the eastern part of the United States. However, the people who called Los Angeles fully excepted every lifestyle of this wilder, diverse part of the country.
Almira tells of how she and another lady would travel from Los Angeles to the ocean, about 18 miles in distance. The ladies would gather sea shells and gather moss from the shore, have a small lunch and make coffee.
The smell of the coffee would always bring around coyotes who would cry and howl. The driver of the wagon was furnished with several revolvers and if the coyote tried to get too close, would fire the weapons in the air to drive them back.
Almira mentions that the coyote, to them, were an excepted part of the beauty and life of the landscape they now called home. This is the experience that made living in the area such a novelty.
What is very interesting about this particular writing of Almira’s is that it reflects the views of the entire area at the time. The Americans staying in Los Angeles fully embraced every aspect of life in their surroundings.
At the time, Los Angeles was home to a high population of Spaniards, a group of rough American Adventures, many Indians, and a small number of United States military personal, such as Almira’s husband.
Almira tells of one story involving a very drunk Indian. She was sleeping in her bedroom when she was awakened by an Indian trying to loosen the blinds on the window so that he could gain entry. Fearing for herself and her two small children, she carefully positioned the light so she would remain in the dark. Keep in mind, the Indian is drunk. Almira had a six-shooter, which she knew how to use, so she positioned herself so as to guard the window. The Indian would work on the blinds for a bit, stop to try and see if he alerted anyone, then continue. Almira’s objective was to try and hold him off in hopes her husband would arrive soon and remedy the situation.
Finally, Almira’s husband arrived home. Winfield Hancock approached the Indian from behind and flung the drunken man into the streets. Almira watched as her husband “chastised” the Indian until he sobered up.
Almira acknowledged this as a part of life that was frequent, one of many “very-varying scenes of this one side of life known to but a few.” Situations such as this were forgotten and life went on.
Almira was Protestant as were a small number of others who called Los Angeles home. The population, being mostly Spaniards, were Catholic. Almira mentions of one time period in which she and a handful of other women held services in a small building, until a reverend by the name of Boardman arrived for the improvement of his health.
An organ was sent from San Francisco and Almira played the music and became head of a small choir. The congregation grew as people were drawn in by the beautiful music and songs. The women got together and built a small church for the growing congregation.
Before the church could be completed, the church was sold by the city as a Jewish Synagogue. The congregation had lost numbers due to death or people moving away from Los Angeles. When Almira asked how this could be, that the city would sell the church in which the women had built themselves, the answer from the Jewish was “He doeth according to His will, and none can stay His hand and say unto Him, why doest thou?”
Another story is very important to mention here. This time period is just prior to the civil war. As news filtered in, slowly, about the events happening back east, the Spaniards began to form a movement, wanting to become independent themselves, and form Pacific country. A movement was led to show in an old fashion way, a desire of war against the Americans at Los Angeles. Eight or twelve horseman in full regalia formed a line and slowly past the house of whom was seen as the leader of the Americans. This happened to be the home of Mr. Hancock.
Almira mentioned that she enjoyed watching the parade march by with such dress and looks until she was told by those around her of the implications of war that this ceremony represented. This event of demonstration happened twice.
The second time this happened, Hancock knew he had to make a move. A small amount of military supplies and ammunition were stored within the town and at the time, were not very secure. A plan became know of the Spaniards wanting to obtain those supplies so Hancock had them moved, hiding the ammunition boxes and supplies under bags of grain. He then surrounded the small area with wagons and with a few trusted friends, formed a tight barricade.
Hancock, worried that an attack might come upon his home and family, stocked his home with twenty Derringers. Hancock, at the time, was the only official of the United States within hundreds of miles of Los Angeles. Almira, ready to defend her home and husband, admitted she was a very good shot, having had to be so during there times in Florida.
Fortunately, the home was not attacked. The Spaniards, seeing the tight defense made around the ammunition, let the rebellion dissolve.
Prior to this event, the Mojave Indians began causing trouble for the small number of troops stationed at Los Angeles. Peace was finally established and the Indian chiefs and important members of the tribe were invited to meet with the Quartermaster. The Indians, when passing the stores and home of the Hancock's, shook their heads that such a great man would live in such a humble place. However, when the chiefs were led to the tents and from here could see the great supplies, their respect grew. One Indian who could speak English said with growing excitement “Much mulie and wagon, much pork and beanie,” then with a look of discontent, pointed to the home of Mr. Hancock and said, “house no goodie”.
The Indians loved the music that Almira would play on the organ, singing songs for hours. The Indians were than given clothes and hats to try on and have as gifts.
Almira told of another such meeting held with 5 or 6 Sioux chieftains. She had been requested to play music and after playing for hours, the chiefs offered gifts to purchase the “big captians” squaw along with the music table. Beads, blankets, robes, and many ponies, and an increasing number of trinkets were offered for Almira and her organ.
When the gifts were not accepted, the Indians lined up and left without looking in either direction or returning, no matter how hard the interpreter pleaded for the Sioux to stay.
Comments
Post a Comment