December 2005 Issue Explore Historic California - Magazine for Enthusiasts
 

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Burro Schmidt's "Famous Tunnel" now has a group of "friends" trying to preserve and protect the site.   

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The Panamint Breeze is a new publication highlighting the history and legends California and Nevada.  

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Exploring California's Early Christmas Past:

Before and After The Gringos

 by Cecile Page Vargo

          Know then, that on the right hand of the Indies, there is an island called California, very close to the side of the Terrestrial Paradise, and it was peopled by black women, without any man among them for they lived in the fashion of the Amazons. They were of strong and hardy bodies, of ardent courage and great force. Their island was the strongest in all the world, with its steep cliffs and rocky shores. Their arms were all of gold, and so was the harness of the wild beasts which they tamed and rode. For in the whole island, there was no metal but gold.  

          Thus wrote Garcia Ordonez de Montalvo in The Adventures of Esplandiam, which was published in Madrid, Spain in 1510. This romantic science fiction novel more than likely inspired the Spanish conquest of the golden state of California, although they were slow about doing so. In spite of the promise of Amazon women and gold riches, it would be another 25 years before Hernando Cortez would land in and explore the area. Yet another seven years would go by before Portuguese born sailor, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, would set foot in what we now know as the harbor of San Diego, under the flag of Spain

Corneille Wytfliet. Granata Nova et California. Lovanii, 1597-Maps of the Pimería Early Cartography of the Southwest

Image courtesy of: parentseyes.arizona.edu

            While the timeline of our state's history shows other explorations, it took another 227 years before Europeans actually settled in what was known as Alta California . Therefore, we find no mention of  the Christmas celebrations of any kind until Governor Gaspar de Portola sets out for his search for Monterey in 1769. We can thank Franciscan Father Juan Crespi for diaries that he kept while accompanying the Governor on his explorations.

          December 24, 1769 :  On this day before Christmas...we set out in the morning on the same road by which we came…The march covered three leagues, and we halted on the same spot as on the 10th of September, which was in the valley of El Osito de San Buenaventura. It was God's will that we should celebrate the "Nativity" joyfully, which was done in this way: more than two hundred heathen of both sexes came to visit us in this place, bringing us Christmas gifts, for many of them came with good baskets of pinole and some fish, with which everybody supplied himself, so that we had something with which to celebrate Christmas Day. Blessed be the providence of God, who succors us more than we deserve! These gifts were returned with beads, which pleased them greatly.

          December 25,1769 :  On this day of the "Nativity of Our Lord" we could not celebrate in any other manner than by saying Mass….The cold is so biting that it gives us good reason to meditate upon what the infant Jesus, who was born this day in Bethlehem, suffered for us. We made three leagues and a half, and went to stop a little farther to the south of the estuary of Santa Serafina, close to a small village of Indian fishermen, from whence a great deal of fish was obtained in exchange for beads, with which all provided themselves. So we celebrated Christmas with this dainty, which tasted better to everyone than capons and chickens had tasted in other places, because of the good sauce of San Bernardo hunger which all had in abundance.

Captain Juan Bautista de Anza (Courtesy National Park Service)

A Christmas Baby in Coyote Canyon

          It is not until six years later, during the winter of 1775 that we see mention of the blessed holiday once again in the annals of California history. Journey with us back in time as we travel with Captain Juan Bautista de Anza and a party of 240 persons, which included 30 soldiers, 29 of which had their wives accompanying them, four colonist families, and a total of 115 children. Our intrepid explorers also took 355 head of cattle and 450 saddle horses and pack mules. They traveled  from Sonora, Mexico, to Monterey, California. As the Christmas season came to pass, the de Anza party found themselves on a cold and foggy day in Coyote Canyon which is located in present day Riverside County. Somewhere during their travels from  the southern Arizona presidio of Tubac and Coyote Canyon three more children had been born, and one woman had died. It was Christmas Eve, and the soldiers enjoyed brandy that was given to them by their commander.

          Gertrudis Linares, one of the soldier's wife, was in labor that Christmas Eve as the party camped in Coyote Canyon, and she had been since the day before. Because of her long and trying ordeal, Gertrudis was sure she was going to die. Father Pedro Font listened to her confession, and consoled her throughout most of the day. After Font retired for the night, Gertrudis finally gave birth to a son. Christmas day, we find Father Font making note of the child's birth in his diary:

          December 25, 1775:   Because a little before midnight, on this "Holy Night of the Nativity", the wife of a soldier happily gave birth to a son, and because the day was raw and foggy, it was decided that we should remain here, and I solemnly baptized the boy, naming him Salvador Ygnacio.

Los Pastores

          During the oncoming years, the Spanish took over California, building missions up and down the state. The church played a major role in the settlers and the native Indians lives during this time period. At Christmas, the traditional Los Pastores play was performed to commemorate the birth of Christ as told in the Gospel of Luke. It was presented in missions, chapels, plazas and patios throughout the land, not only on the holiday itself, but for several days afterwards, as well. Church performances played inside were primarily verbal, but outside performances were physical. There were both religions and non religious versions of the popular play. Parades of children could be seen following players up and down the streets, taunting the actors that portrayed the six shepherdesses, the clownish hermit Ermitano, the lazy vagabond Bartolo, Lucifer the Devil, and the angel Gabriel. Lucifer was carefully avoided, of course. It was customary after the performance for the hosts to serve guests and performers alike, the crisp fried sweetened cakes known as bunuelos. Hand worked ornamental tokens were given as gifts.

          The night of Christmas 1838, a pastorela was being performed as General Jose Castro and his troops surrounded the home of Juan Bandini at the base of Presidio Hill in San Diego. Bandini himself, active in the current rebellion against Governor Juan B. Alvarado, was not present this night. Five men were taken prisoners, two Carillos, two Picos, and Joaquin Ortega. The justice of the peace, Jose' Antonio Estudillo, also wanted, hid in the loft of the chapel of the Estudillo house, while his wife Dona Victoria talked to General Castro. She convinced him that her husband was several miles away at the tiny settlement of La Playa. The General took the prisoners he had captured further north and released them at a later time. Pio Pico recalled playing the devil during the Los Pastores, but claimed that Castro arrived on December 27, not December 25. Judge Benjamin Hayes didn't remember a Los Pastores at all, but claimed a grand ball was going on at the Bandini House instead.

Christmas Before The Gringos

          As the days of the Spanish missions died down, the lands they occupied were turned over to individual churches and Mexican rancheros. The Christmas season was remembered by Governor Pio Pico's nephew, Jose Ramon Pico for the San Francisco Call of December, 1899 in an article entitled "Before the Gringo Came." Cattle ranching was the predominant activity of the time period. All of November was filled with preparing hides and tallow for the Yankee traders. Then December came and the adults enjoyed the seasonal fun as much as the children. Christmas Eve at the Pico hacienda, was full of Mexican and Spanish guitar and mandolin music, dancing in the patio, coffee and cigaritos on the veranda, and lots of singing.

          One particular night before Christmas, Jose remembered a moonlit frosty night, and a beautiful horseback ride to the Mission Santa Clara. Jose and 25 or so young men and women friends, donned horses dressed in silver decorated saddles, bridles and spurs for the ride. As they approached the mission they noticed the ruddy glow of an Indian encampment holding ceremonious dances. The Indians cooked and ate, then disappeared in the darkness except for some of the elder men and women. Suddenly loud yells were heard, and the Indians that had disappeared came running from behind the trees on the flat and the rocks on the nearby hills, appearing as if they were going to murder and scalp those left at the fire. Another war cry was heard and more Indians rushed to defend the elders, in a mock battle, laughing, wrestling, and rolling on the ground till too tired to go on.

          Their play ended as the padres came to take them to the night mass at the mission, where the story of the Christ child was told, as they gazed upon scenes from the Old Testament on the walls. Following this observance, Jose and friends galloped to the hacienda, and to the patio where dark Mexican coffee, tortillas and tamales de las gallinas (chicken) awaited them. Dancing went on until the first light of Christmas morning, when everyone took to hammocks under verandas until lunch time bell rang. Christmas celebrations lasted throughout the week.

Las Posados

        A sixteenth century liturgical ceremony conducted by priests turned into a nineteenth century Christmas pageant popular primarily in Mexico, known as Las Posados. December 16 to December 24, friends and neighbors make processions from house to house as they hold candles and images of Mary, Joseph, and an angel. In song, participants ask for a place to rest, as they stop at the homes along the way, symbolizing Mary and Joseph searching for a birthplace for the Christ Child. One home each evening invites them in for entertainment. At the very last stop, the participants ask for shelter, which is denied, until he learns who they are. Singing, dancing, and the breaking of the piñata are enjoyed. Las Posados was originally performed for the benefit of the mission Indians but was probably not enjoyed by the Spanish aristocracy controlling Presidio towns. Many modern Mexican-American families in Southern California continue this custom today, however.

Capt. John A. Sutter

Captain Sutter's Golden Christmas

          Captain John Sutter was one of the first gringos to settle in California. His fort in the settlement of New Helevetia provided a welcome resting place for the immigrants that survived the rugged continental crossing to the golden state. By the end of 1847 with California in the hands of the Americans, Sutter had much to celebrate. James W. Marshall had a site selected for a sawmill in the Indian Valley of "Culuma". People up and down California were beginning to understand Sutter, and appreciated his kindness and generosity. Even Governor Vallejo who had once considered Sutter a pestilent intruder, was now his good friend. 

A new map of the gold region in California by Charles Drayton Gibbes, 1851.
(Courtesy Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division)

          In a grand effort to make Christmas one that would be forever remembered, Captain Sutter declared there would be a great feast at the fort. The fattest of his cattle were slaughtered. Burros were provided for the Indians favorite delicacy, fried jackass meat. Frijoles, tortillas, and salmon were served. Wine was drawn into panikins and pitchers from barrels. Sutter's own wine made from the wild grapes found in surrounding valleys was a favorite of trappers, hunters and Indians. The fiery liquor, aquardiente, made from the juice of pressed sugar cane was served in bottles to European guests.

          Guests would travel from cities as far away as San Francisco and Sonoma. Families from rancheros rode in on horses, the women with couriers sitting  behind them to hold them straight on their horses. The men were dressed in silk jackets, embroidered waist coats, and velveteen breeches. The ladies wore sleeveless silk or crepe gowns, satin shoes, and scarlet or flesh colored stockings. They made a colorful sight as they enjoyed the great feast Sutter presented, and drank his wines. Following the meal, Sutter directed everyone to the long room where he held balls and assemblies. The master of ceremonies would take every lady in the room one by one and dance a few steps with them, as they sang an improvised verse. The bomba, the zorrita, the fandango, the jarabe, and the contra danza went on until early morning.

          During the height of the merriment and dancing, Sutter disappeared with a few friends. As they sipped from goblets of aquardiente, they discussed California's future. For the most part, the Hispano-Mexicans were sure that the occupation by Americans would mean ruin for them. Sutter himself was  not so sure of that. He reached in his pocket and pulled out a metallic object. He passed it around to everyone there in his private chamber, and watched as they turned it over in their fingers in silence. 

          "That is gold," he informed them." The gold was found from a stream ten miles from the fort, and Sutter speculated what would happen if more rich streams were found in the area. "Would not the find be followed by a rush of people who would neglect the profits of horticulture and agriculture?" he asked.

          Vallejo, who was in the room, laughed at the prospect of California becoming a land of gold. Sutter, however did not laugh. "I am puzzled," he said, "I do not pretend to be a prophet, nor do I know enough of geology to form an opinion whether or not nuggets of gold will be more abundant here than they are in the East of Europe. But this I am sure of. If gold is found here in large quantities the real resources of the country which I am spending my life in trying to develop, will be passed over by the gold seekers, my object in founding New Helevetia will be defeated and I may die in the poor house."

          Ironically, a month from that Christmas day, John Marshall came to the fort from Sutter's very own mill with a bag of gold nuggets under his arm. Sutter's prophecy would become true.

The Angry Christmas Cook at Sutter's Mill

          Peter & Jenny Wimmer were amongst the many immigrants who arrived at Sutters Fort weary from their travels. Peter was employed by Captain John Sutter as James Marshall's assistant. He was in charge of the Indians that dug the mill race. Jennie became camp cook. A divided double cabin housed the mill workers on one side and the Wimmer family on the other. Jennie was forced to cook over an unvented open fire pit, unless the weather was nice and she could cook outdoors. Probably about the same time that Sutter was celebrating his golden Christmas at the fort, Jennie and the mill hands were preparing to celebrate theirs. By now there was a stone chimney over the primitive fire pit in the cabin, which helped with the smoke problem. The mill workers often complained that Jennie saved the best portions of food for her own family, but Jennie contended the mill workers were always late for meals, and this was why their portions were small. When Christmas Day arrived, the mill workers did not respond to Jennie's first call, and she refused to cook another meal. Jennie eventually changed her mind and cooked up meat, bread, and apple and pumpkin pies for a fine Christmas dinner.

          Jennie's original refusal to cook a meal on Christmas, was commemorated in a derogatory poem written by one of the mill workers, and read to the others:

On Christmas morning in bed she swore

That she would cook for us no more

Unless we cum at the first call

For I am Mistress of you all.

          Eventually a new cabin was built for the mill workers and they no longer relied on Jennie Wimmer to do their cooking. Jennie, however, went on to be a significant player in the discovery of gold at the fort.    When James Marshall found the first nugget of gold in the stream at the mill, Peter Wimmer was with him. The nugget was given to the Wimmer's son who took it to Jennie who in turn boiled it in a kettle of soap all day to test it to see if it was real or fool's gold. Sure enough, even after being submerged in a pot of caustic potassium carbonate, the gold piece was as bright as could be.

The Christmas Nugget

          The rush would soon be on, and a year after the great gold discovery at Coloma, much as Sutter had predicted, the 49'ers came from all over the world to "the diggings". For the most part the men went west on their own, hoping to spend a short time mining, then return home to their families with their riches. A few women, like Mrs. Wm. G. Wilson, decided to come to California with their husbands.

          The Wilson's were good Utah Mormons, and when Mrs. Wilson arrived, she was pregnant.  The couple decided it was better that the neighboring miners weren't told about her pregnancy. However, when Christmas day, 1849, arrived Mrs. Wilson gave birth to a healthy 12 pound boy, and the newborns cries were heard by two of the miners. They decided to drop in on the Wilson cabin to pay Christmas respects to the family and it wasn't long before the word was out in every gully and gulch that  "Bill Wilson struck it rich…found himself a 12 pound nugget." Soon hundreds of miners were lined up at the little family's door to view the nugget. A few miners at the time came to view the child, and each would leave the cabin exclaiming that the Wilson nugget was the finest they had seen. For three days men came from as far away as ten miles to see the huge Wilson nugget.

          Many of the miners who had a glimpse of the Wilson nugget were blessed with good luck afterwards, and they were lead to large gold deposits. Mr. Wilson himself unearthed more than $3,000 in gold. One nugget, worth $300, weighed in at 18.75 ounces.

          Thousands of immigrants would flock to the land where the Spaniards had originally expected to find Amazon women and gold, many in search of their own golden nugget. With them, the immigrants brought Christmas traditions from the countries they originated in, and these are still reflected in many celebrations up and down the state today.

          Here's to a Merry California Christmas and may each of our readers find their own golden treasure this holiday!


Bibliography

Christmas in the Old West, A Historical Scrapbook

by Sam Travers

Mountain Press Publishing

 

California Timeline of State History

http://www.shgresources.com/ca/timeline/

   

Christmases in California

http://www.sandiegohistory.org/journal/80fall/christmas.htm

 

Early California Christmas "Before The Gringo Came"

http://www.northpolewest.com/cali.html

 

The Far West

http://www2.tcu.edu/depts/prs/amwest/html/w10326.html

   

A 49'er's Christmas

http://www.co.el-dorado.ca.us/stories/49erChristmas.html

 

Golden Christmas Memories of Sutter

http://63.192.157.117/history/history122400.html

 

Jennie Wimmer Tested Gold In Her Soap Kettle

http://www.goldrushgallery.com/news/wimmer.html   


 
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