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About Capital city courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1885-1893 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 17, 1892)
CAPITAL CITY COURIER, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1892 INTERESTING RELICS. VISIT TO GENERAL HOOKER'S OLD CALIFORNIA HOME. In MHO MiMitxnnnt Idtakar Dwfttt In thn tlitnntlriil Sniuuim Vnlttijr A Cor respondent "luila Horn Intumitlng "Itubhlah" In n Df.rrtml Uarrnt. .Hpoolal Cnrroipoiulolien.) Aqua Cai.ikntk, Cnl., Sopt. 10. A .two hours' rldo northward from Sun Francisco on tlio Bantu Rou mid Car quinoz ruilro((l takes ono to tlio Htation of Aqua Callento, in tlio midst of tlio picturesque and historical Sonoma val ley. Ten miles to tho Kotith tlio hontl wators of Sun Pablo bay play in tho nun llKlit, and ten miles to tho north the valloy dwindles to a narrow pass be tween tlio high backs of tho Sonoma and the Napa mountain rangim. OF.NF.UAI, IIOOKKIl'H 01.1) 1IOUKK. Sonoma is an Indian term, moaning "Tho Valloy of tho Moon," and tradi tion Bays that, in coiiHoqiionco of tho mountain ranges that hold back tho mists that roll in from tho oca, tho light of tho moon is never obscured in this flholtored spot. In their early search after fields for Christian labor tho Fran ciscan monks penetrated Sonoma valley, and on tho 4th day of July, 18:K1, Father Altimlra planted a cross at tho foot of Napa mountain and established n mis sion there. Near this spot the famous "Boar flag" was flung to tho breezo, and hero, too, were the headquarters of the United States military forces during that exciting period when California was wrested from Mexican power nn. I added to the domain of tho American government. This happened in 1840. nearly a half a century ago. As early as 1BI0 thoro was built at Aqua Call on to an adobo liouso that was occupied as a Spanish inn, and in 1840-fiO this building was tho homo or Lieutenant Joseph Hooker, who after ward rose to military fiuno. In tho latter part of tho year 18.0 Lioutenant Hooker purchased of General M. G. VallejoOlU acres of land a mile north of this building, and upon a high knoll, sheltered by ancient livo oaks, ho built a modest dwelling which for Fovoral years was his home. Up and down tho valloy and to tho west tbo Holds aro broad and level, and whon in 1C58 Hooka" disposed of tho projiorty it bore Severn! hundred acres of splendid vine yard oi his own planting. portion of this vinoyard is in existence today. In 1858 Jlookor sold tho ranch to Mr. Ueorgx C. Watriss, and the liouso that HIMTARY RELICS OF OENEIIA1. HOOKER. was onco tho resldonco of tho horo of Lookout Mountain is now used for tho accommodation of farm hands. It is a small building containing four small rooms. 1 was allowed ono day to climb up to the loft in tho old Hooker houso, where 1 was told 1 would find a lot of "rub bish" that was at ono tlmo the property of tho general. In overhauling the piles of broken fuinlturo nnd wornout farm ing Implements that I found stowed away under tho eaves I camo across a leather trunk battered and gnawed by mico. On tho front of tho trunk was fustonod a brass plate bearing In fine script tho nauio Joseph Hooker. The trunk was half full of musty documents, nnd some of them havo tho signature of Alexander Forbes undor date of 1815. Thoro wero also several letters of a pri vato character addressed to Lioutenant Joseph HooKor. Thero was also a pamphlet containing a list of graduates from tho United States Military acade my at West Point from 1801 to 1841. in clusive. This pamphlet, published In 1841, boro tho signatures of Joseph Hooker and Irvln McDowell, first lieu tenant First artillery, adjutant Military academy. In ono conior of the loft 1 found an old army euddlo with Hooker's naino traced In the brass trimmings of the pommel. Rats had gnawed at the sur cingle and stirrup straps. Near the saddle was a bioken camp chair and a lantern of primitive pattern. Tho chair had boon fastened together with wire, and tho initials "J. H." wore cut Into tho back. The lantern was a cumber somo affair with a mica chimney. In side was the remnant of n candle, A musket and a horse pistol that were once the property of Hooker had been more carefully laid away. Thoy were hanging on a rack suspended from the rafteis, They wero rust eaten and fes tooned with spiders' web. A scrap of diary found among Hooker's piivnto 1 ?- EBBS- 1 r. " " pajiem in the leather trunk tells th his tory of tho musliet, which Is not uninter esting. It was presented to Lieutenant Hooker by Colonel J. W. McKeiuio, who got possession of It In the following manner) At tho storming of tho gates cf Can Cosmo, Mexico, Sflpl. Ill, 18-17, MeKenzie's only pieco of artillery, a 18-pound howitzer, was moved forwarl to a small earthwork within 200 yards of tho fortifications. Nearly all of McKotizlo's men lind been killed or were disabled, and having but (Ivo rounds of grapeshot loft ho sent two men all that were able to walk to the rear for ammunition. Ho had fired his last round of powder when an in fantry soldier came from his place of shelter under the arches of tho grand aqueduct to assist him, and whilo cross ing tho rond to where McKcuzio lay he was killed. McKcuzio ran to tho fallen man, secured his musket and ammuni tion licit and returned to shelter, lecolv ing but a slight wound in his left hand. With tho ammunition that ho secured McKonzlo kept up the fight until help came to htm from tho rear. Dust 'covered and broken 1 found mi old stylo mahogany dressing caso and a card table that had belonged to Hooker, Tho card table was an elaborate pieco of furniture. It was inlaid with pearl and was evidently imported, for the designs and cleverness of tho workmanship evi deuced tho deft fingers of Japanese nr tisaus. In early days Lieutenant Hooker was a proininont figure in tho politics of So noma county. In 18.!1 tho Democrats headed their ticket with his name as nominee for the assembly. Tho Settlers convention (theie was no Republican party in Sonoma county In those days) nominated in opposition to Hooker a pio neer of tho name of Jain s Bennett. The contest between Hooker and Bennett hinged directly on tho question of re moving the county seat from tho town of Sonoma to Santa Rosa. The fight was a hard ono and resulted In a tio vote. A OKNKU.W. IIOOKER'H TRUNK. second election was held, and Hooker was defeated by eight votes. Tho rec ords of Sonoma county show that tho saiiii- year Joseph Hooker was appointed road overseer in Sonoma township. Hooker's falls aro located at tho head of p deep canyon in tho Napa mountains. A rM'eaui of water tumbles down the rug;ed side of tho ravine into a broad, deep pool, surrounded by tall redwood trees. Tho trail that leads from tho valldy to Hooker's falls is a very danger ous ono to follow. It winds along tho sido of tho canyon, nnd in many places it is po narrow that two persons cannot pass on it. Tho guide tolls u rather exciting story of how ono da Hooker, who was hunt ing in tho canyon, mot at one of these points in tho trail a bear, and after a vain attempt to kill tho bruto with a ball from his riflo ho closed with it, and fought tho animal desperately with a hunting knife. During tho fight man and bear rolled down the sido of the canyon. Hooker, woumtru and bleeding lodged in tho limbs of a redwood tree, ami was taken down a few hours later by a searching party that had como out for him. Tho bear wiis found at tho hot torn of tho raviuo dead. Lioutenant Hooker was but ono of a coterio of young army officers who wero quartered in Sonoma valley in 1848, and across Sonoma creek from the Hooker ranch stands "Tho Rendezvous," wheio tho young nrmy officers wero in tho habi of meoting weekly to pass nn ovening a' cards, chess and other social pastimes which were sweetened by tho banquo' of tho native wines that had boon casked for years in tho musty cellars of Pedr" Curillo, a wrinkled Spanish miser, who throw tho doors of his ranch hous open to visitors only when they wero willing to pay handsomely for their entertain ment. About the building, which is still hab itable broad limbod oak trees cast their shadows, and u tall flagstaff, erected by Pedro Curillo at tho request of his inili tary patrons, stands in tho yard. From this staff, when thero wore important questions to be discussed or an enter tainment to bo given, tlio American flag was suspended, and those of the select coterio of habitues of "Tho Rendezvous" who saw it floating in tho breezo made haste to obey its call. OKNKHA1. HOOK Kit's CI1RSS TAUI.K. From the county road that now runs through tho back yard of "Tho Rendez vous" a winding trail ascends tho sido of ' Bonoina mountain, and crossing its sum mit drops into n deep, shadowy canyon , tlmt is filled with tbo magnified roar of Sonoma tails, a i ihhnu of foaming water i that leaps down a rocky steep from a 1 height of more than 200 feet to the bot tom of the gulch. Thomas Hoi.mks. Tho elevation of Denver being 5,!.70 foot over one mile above sea level mnkos the atmosphere rare, dry and clear, thero being on an average less than six days each year without sunshine. Ms. , MIJ W-w fifrr v Miim i i r ' aaJDIj ' iP K"3S) Qftil " I FICKLE DILL VAN LOON. A Hlorjr of tlnrriiilliil l.ovo unit lllifi llllllllll-lll. While driving from dcovlllotn CnterlyV Comers, In the big hemlock belt of lVtiti Aflvntila, I ms npproachlug a backwoodn farpihouso that MihxI near the mad when . shook headed liny, about sixteen yea is old, oauie running toward me from the house, lie threw up one hand niiA jelled "Hry, therot Hold on a spoilt" I Mopped my horse. "He you a squlref" he asked eagerly. I was compelled to confess that I was not. "Lnwyorr" "Not a lawyer, either." "Not even a ilomlnlof" persisted the hoy, looking disappointed, "No," said I, "Notovenn dominie." "this Ih all II red hard luekl" exclaimed the boy. "We've got Hill In the humor now, an If you win only a squire or a law Tor or a dominie wo would clinch thothiui, right here an have him high an dry." Just then a lean, lank and sallow mid die aged woman came to the door of the liouso, nnd peering over her shoulder uas a handsome red cheeked girl not moie than eighteen. "Is he a sqtihv, Sim" screamed the wo man. "Nawl" replied the boy, In a tone of dls Kiist. "Ho hain't even a ilonilnlel" "Shucks!" exclaimed the woman; "If we hadn't 'a' wanted odd all powerful bad jlst now, ev'ry squire In the township M lion iiosiu 'round here 'leetloueerln, and not Iom than half a ilo.eu dominies 'd ben dropplu In fer dinner, an wautlu jailer log j chickens at Hint, Now hero's Hill, chnnu I orliler than milk in a thunderstorm, an If j wo don't clinch him now It'll he jlst like i him to back out an Jliiehlscleailnsom'orcH olsel Shucks, I wij I This Is down haid I luck, even fer those sun hot barrens!" i "Is some one ilylngf" I asked, not know ing just whatto say, with tho light I had "Not p'tlcklar djln for sure," put In the rod cheeked git I, "hut jlst dyln to liev Hill Van Loon an his eloarlu clinched while he's in the humor." "Woddiiil" letnarked the shoukhcadod I boy sclitcutlously. "Leastways, theie would be one if you was only a squire or i even ndoinlnle." I They seemed to hold It up against me be en usu I was Inconsiderate enough not to I have been either one or the other. I "Where's the lirldor" I asked the Iwy. The rod cheeked girl in tho doorway over ' heard tho question and answered It her self. "I'm herl" she said. "Pervldln I could git Hill clinched right now." "Where's the happy bridegroom," I I nsked, "I diinno as he's so ovorpoworln happy," aid the shook headed boy; "but he's out with pop, lookln the eloarlu over." It was only throe miles to Covorly's Cor ners, and I restored a degree of cheerful ness to the eager family by saying that If It would he of any service to them I would fetch a squiie or a domlulc to their house as soon as I could dilvo to the Corners and back. "tioshl" exclaimed the red cheeked Irl. "If ye do that jo kin kNs the bride! Not now!" she said, as I began to cllinl) down out of the wagon. "Whon yocomu hack!" "I'll fetch a squire." I said, "or kill a horso!" 1 didn't lose any time In getting to the Corners, for I was Interested III having that pretty, rod cheeked girl clinch the trifling Hill Van Loon, although ho didn't deserve such luck. I wasn'tontlroly disinterested, cither, for Sally had said that I could kiss the lirlde, .mid she was a decidedly klssablo lhe hoy who had come with in. person seemed to have a better opinion of a squire's tfllclency in the emergency than he had of dominie's, soon found the former noil hack we started with theliuportaiitnfllclnl. I didn't spare the horse, and we got back to the clearing In good time. Sally's mother met us at the door. She was severe and gloomy. "Turn round an go back!" she, said. "Vor loo late!" Sally sat on a chair kicking her heels gainst the floor in a loud and spiteful tattoo. She was squealing and sobbing and her cheeks were fiery. "I wouldn't 'a' keered a snap," she obbe.l, "hut I know he'll go nn marry that siiifllin, redheaded Kit Cooley, con tarn his inconstant plctur! An It's all your fault, yo keerlcss Sim, you!" slio ex claimed, turning on her shockheuded and surprised brother. "Yo went an left a hull turnip in the cow's chop, an she went an choked on it! Hoo-woo! H-o-o-o-o!" The iron hand of fate had Indeed closed on tho family with remorseless clutch. While I was driving my horso well nigh to death, so that Hill Van Loon might be clinched while he was in tho humor, what should the Jersey cow up and do but choke to death ou a turnip. "Well," the businesslike Mr. Van Ixxin hod said, "of course that's all tlia lie to itl" and walked away to open negotiations Isewhere. It had never occurred to me before, but 1 feel It now, that a man can't travel in that part of the country and do to others I as ho would be done liy unless he Is either a squlro or a dominie. If 1 had been either one or t'other on that trip. Sally would nave been the mistress of Hill Van Loon's farm. And better than all, she'd have kissed mo! Kd Mott in New York Sun. Tho lllnliup'i Juke. The bishop of London sometimes comes out in the facetious Hue, and comes out well too. He has just performed the proverbially difllcult feat of "scoring off" a London cabman. Dr. Temple took a cab from the house of lords to Fulham palace, and on reachiuc his destination ' ii.wlf.riM. fitiliv li(u ti.friil f it ft ttt linlf .. crown. Jehu remonstrated after the man nernf his kind, mid asked the bishop If he thought that.'Taul" would have lived at Fulham palace if he had been with us now. "No," sail the bishop; "ho would. have boon archbishop and lived at Lambeth: the faro therulsonlya shilling." Tlt-Ults. A Hme '1'hlnif. few Adelaide--Why are jou so sure he loves you' .Madeleine lieenuse he slums me the leiioisjou write to hlin, HiooUyn Life, wi Ktffp A llupny 'I liiit,lit. In the walling loom of the military com mission In a Hussion town sat two fathom of families In deep anxiety about the fate of their ens, which would bo shortly do elded by the said eomiulsslou, "1 am at a loss," said one, "what to say If I am asked the age of my son. If I make him out to bo younger than he Is he w 111 be sent to school; If I make him too old they'll stick him In the army. What am I to dor" "How would It bo If tun told the coin mission his exact agof" inquired his friend. The first speaker looked up In ninnr.o nient. "What a capital Idea; I had never bought of that!" Dusehlorfrr Anzulger. All I'.irrptltMi. tt.--T.i :a "Some one said tislay that the new minister preached over the heads of the congiogathiu Do you thhikso." "lie did, g. pleach over my head. Iliad on my thouTor hat." Mfe. I'lili-fiicr'n IMiiro lo (lot HIT. Hluo railed, scarlet fringed messenger Iiojh of Chicago maintain a circulating library, Each toltimn starts somewhere out of the weekly earnings of an Individ mil, and when It has done the rounds It Is too studiously dogeared for even the owner to lecognlo it Hut the way those books clrculatel Whooping cough In a primary school Is cold moliissos compared to ill A messenger boy, with his eyes glued tu a closely paragraphed page of one of these volumes, sat In a North Clark street car the other night as It clanked across the tracks at Randolph street, and dived Into the tunnel. In reality he was returning lo the Chicago avenue ofllco, but In spirit, he was out on the borderland of civilization, boating the olllce record In galloping his Imagination after "Diamond Dick, the Daring Devil of the Dugout." He paid his fare, but In his eye, which stuck out about two Indies, wns such a look as might havo boded 111 to that eon doctor had the car only boon a few thou sand miles farther west. A coo, scornful smile played about his lips as he settled back to his book again. The conductor was a wag. He used to be a boy and he knew how It felt. Just ns tho car crossed Superior street ho stopped opposite tho reader. "Whoop!" with a flourish at the bell strap. "Hlg Thunder say paleface skip!" Then to the ear: "Chicago avenue." And the messenger boy and four other passengeis got off, hut the messenger boy looked awfully tired. Chicago News-Record. Nut Tlmt I .on (j. In the recent general election In Croat Hrltnin there has been a good deal of die niiuclatlou and very little wit, and theie has been a conspicuous abseiicu of good nature. The hard hitting that illstln mifulli-fl lifillltr-nl llfitfif .ilil u-nu liilnhiriiil , ,y (.,,KrlnH, nnd even fun; all this seems , to ,mvu ,u,,,M.,irCMl; neither the Primrose dames nor their fair antagonists are the cause of any pretty speeches. Nobody of fors to light their pipes at their eyes, as lu the case of the electioneering duchess, nor do they receive any oucouraKcmciit to da so. Kven tho sister of serious Mr. Wilbur force, when canvassing for her brother at Hull, Indulged in a pleasant stroke of hu inor; when his partisans shouted, "Mist Wilberforcc forever!" she replied, "I thank you, gentlemen, for your good Intentions, but I do not wish to be 'Miss Wilhcrforco forever!' " One would havo voted for that young lady's brother whatever were his politics. Argonaut. lllii Mulilrn fljuTcli. Wife (at night to husband returning home lute) Why, Fran., It Is !1 o'clock! Husband I could not get away any sooner, wifoy dear, I have been making a speech and that kept us rather late. Wife You make a speech I1 That must have been a nice performance! Husband Well, it was universally ap plauded. I said, "Gentlemen, let us re main here a bit longer." lllnkender Uote. Very rrompt. Hojock Some people have their wishes fulfilled very promptly. Toindlk Are you prepared to specify? llojaok Well, I knew a man lu Kansas who put up a sign, "This House for Sail," and the very next day a cyclone carried ll into the next county. Harper's Hazar. On tliu Dark Continent. A darky, who has obtained a: spolnt ment at a station 011 a new line of railway just completed In the colony of Natal, lately wrote a letter to the manager of lhe company asking him to send a can of rod oil and a can of green oil for the night sig nals. Petit Marselllals. A Cnrillul In Itiitlnn, Servant A gentleman at thu door sas hu doesn't like to annoy you, hut here is ,1 little bill. Mr. Murray llill-Oh, tell him I'm not annoyed at his calling. On the contrary, I would be very much pleased to Imvu him call again. Tit-Hits. Mopped Then. Mr. Nagloy I suppose you think you never maile a mistake since you werelsiru. Mrs. Nagloy I can't say that, but I haven't made many since I was married. Kate Field's Washington. An KiplniiHtlim. "John, what is the matter with this milk; it looks sodroadfully bluer" .John I suppose the follow has made mistake ami is using colored chalk. Chicago Inter Ocean. .Millie Tlieni hail. 8ho loved tn mku lii-r mandolin and sit a while to pin); She pllnkcd It with tlio plectrum In n uuiijt ecstatic way. But the incmluTH of tlio family la sadness lieu. In roam, for the iml) tune she oer lenrntd was "Miir. Klo Murpli)'" Home." -Wiislilnuton Star. One uf the Ilriiw liiieks. Thoin.li liiei, within the h.iiiiinoek's clout I'lnbriico, Tn wlillu sua) the llu-loni. silliiliier da). Vim wished tin hi ro In im ullu r place Knell lime 11 Ihir drops 011 )nil as )nu In), -New Yolk I.wiiIiik Milu 1 AT LINCOLN, at 20th and i Sts, FRIDAY, The Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth ! A Wombous Inhibition, Elegantly Presented, and with It this Scaon Hire Kiralfy's Sublime Historical Spectacle, COLUMBUSi And lhe Discovery of America, Forming the most stupendous miuut incut InMltlnn ever orgnnlcd, now exhibited lu all Its magnificent ami undivided greatness to delight oud bewilder the whole people, he Most Stupendous Hntcrtainmciit on the Face of the Globe i,3oo lllstotlciil ChiiiactciN UcniiiM'utcd. All seen at one lime, together with Wild lleasts and lliirses. The Life of the Great Explorer Illustrated, With all the Chief Historical I'vcnts connected therewith. j S x 1 ".II I ..-.-............ -,-.-.-....... i .--. Irmrirl QUEEH ISABELLA 0TO1NQ HER JEWE15- sMir The inoxl i.olus-,il, .M.igttllt.eut, Historic, Nautical, I'rocensloual, i'octlcnl, Mnrtlnl Operatic, Musical, Theatric and Dramatic Spertlcal ever ilctUed by man. Floods of Music and Choruses of Song Pitched llattlcs between the Cross and Qresccnt. Full Rigged Ships In Motion. Tournaments ou Foot ami llorncback, Overpowering i'roccsslons and Triumphal DUplats, Hclge of Da.a, and Captute ol Granada, Tl-ie First VOyapje to trie New World Lauding of Colutnbu mid taking I'oskcsIoii, Grand Reception nt Ihiicclonn by the Souvcielgn. I'culinnnd and Isabella's llrllllnul Court Romance mid Rrality comblded In Sublime Moorish and Spanish Scenes. Stupendous llaltct, with 300 Foreign AttlstN. Myrlidsof I'.nchnntlng and Thrilling I'vcnts. """ ICPLUMBU3 at tx -TOURNAMENT BEFORE THE WALLS - BAZA I ia?fi- . m j 1lw-.t-rtrt Exciting the Admlra Ion of the Refined. Etc Feat of Klnglv Splendors and linper- pcilal 1'agcants. Thousand of Men, Women, Children and Animals, hcencry costing jf 75,000. Wardiobcs worth Jfjo.oco. Armor, Trappings, llanncrsand Emblems worth 50 000. Horses worth $150,000. Combined with all the Marvelous Attractions of The Greatest Show on Earth ! Circus, Hippodrome, Museum, Elevuted Mages, 2 Menageries, Magic Illusions, lloise I' air. 3 Circus Companies In 3 lings 2 Menngeries of Wild and Trained Ileasts. 3 Elevated Stages for Olympian (James. 1 World' Frlr ol Modern Marvels. 1 Hippodrome, with all kinds of Races. 1 Gallery of weird, beautiful Illusions and Visions. 1 Columbus Singe, 450 feet long. 1 Mammoth Museum teeming with wonders. 1 Horse Fair, with fr-yA PHllPRB BJUJJET OF 300 BEAUTIES BEfORE THE MOORISH WWL., Dogs, Pigs, Goats, Cseso, Struks, Zebras, Elcphahls, Horso, Punic Deer, Lions, Tigers, llvcuas, Leopards, Panthers, Hears, Wolves, Pigeons, Giant Horse, 22 lla'nds High. Colossal 0 uS,U Hands High. Hairless Mare witlr not a single hair on it an where Pwarf Cattle ouh S hands high. Uiitintitbc Zebra ' 7 bands high. Wonderful Hull with three Ees, three Nostril and three Horns. A World cf New and Aston shing Attractions. Admission to All, 50 cents. Children under 9 enr, 25 cents ' I wo Exhibitions I).ill, at 2 and Sp M at the regular price, and Adml-slnn J. II, Hnrleys Un A Mighty, New Million Dollar Street Parade! Illustrating b living tableaux American lllstorv, A1.1hl.1n Nights' Tales, Nursery Uh ines and Children's Fables, at 9 o'clock, on morning of show Everibodi should see it Cheap Excursions on All Railroads. Will Exhibit in Beatrice Sept. 17th SEPT. 1 6th and n" smuvntfrmpw i 64 Cars, 4 Trains, 5 Advertising Cars. i3(i Agents 4 Acres of Painted Scenery, 10 crcs of Waterproof lenti. 50 Dens of Wild lleatts. 20 Pantomimic Clowns. 20 Animal Actors. 20 Exciting Roces. 100 Circus Acts irxi Circus Performer. to .erlellsts. 50 Jockey and Klilcrs. actually 40-. lloiscs Doors open an hour eirller Reserved seats tickets at umio' slight ndx.mce, at Store, 1 101 O S'reet.