Project Gutenberg Editor's Note: There are many Frenchwords in this file which have missing letters or invalid symbolsbecause the character set in which this file was produced did notsupply letters with the needed diacritic marks. If any readerwith skill in the French language is able to correct all theseproblem words, it would be much appreciated. DW
Forty-two years have passed since California's golden starfirst glittered in the flag of the United States of America.
Its chequered history virtually begins with the rush for goldin '48-'49.
Acquired for the evident purpose of extending slave-holdingterritory, it was occupied for years by a multitude ofcosmopolitan "free lances," who swept away the defencelessIndians, and brutally robbed the great native families, the old"Dons."
Society slowly made headway against these motley adventurers.Mad riot, wildest excess, marked these earlier days.
High above the meaner knights of the "revolver and bowieknife," greater than card sharper, fugitive bravo, or sly wanton,giant schemers appeared, who throw, yet, dark shadows over therecords of this State.
These daring conspirators dominated legislature and forum,public office and society.
They spoiled the Mexican, robbed the Indian, and paved the wayfor a "Lone Star Republic," or the delivering of the greattreasure fields of the West to the leaders of Secession.
How their designs on this grand domain failed; what might havebeen, had the South been more active in its hour of primaryvictory and seized the Golden West, these pages may show.
The golden days of the "stars and bars" were lost by theactivity of the Unionists and the mistaken policy atRichmond.
The utter demoralization of California by the "bonanza era" ofsilver discovery, the rise of an invincible plutocracy, and thesecond reign of loose luxury are herein set forth.
Scenes never equalled in shamelessness have disgraced theHalls of State, the Courts, and the mansions of the suddenlyenriched.
The poor have been trampled by these tyrants for twentyyears.
Characters unknown in the social history of any other land,have been evolved from this golden eddy of crime andadventure.
Not till all these men and women of incredibly romanticfortunes have passed away, will a firm social structure rise overtheir graves.
Throttled by usurers, torn by gigantic bank wars, itsresources drained by colossal swindles, crouching yet under theiron rule of upstart land-barons, "dashing journalism," and sternrailroad autocrats, the Californian community has gloomilystruggled along.
Newer States have made a relative progress which shamesCalifornia. Its future is yet uncertain.
The native sons and daughters of the golden West are the hopeof the Pacific.
The homemakers may yet win the victory.
Some of the remarkable scenes of the past are herein portrayedby one who has seen this game of life played in earnest, theshadowed drama of California.
There is no attempt to refer to individuals, save as membersof well-defined classes, in these pages. This book has absolutelyno political bias.
THE AUTHOR.
NEW YORK CITY, May 15, 1892.
CONTENTS