Transcriber’s Notes: Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). The whole number part of a mixed fraction is separated from the fractional part with -, for example, 2-1/2. Additional Transcriber’s Notes are at the end. * * * * * ADOBE DAYS * * * * * [Illustration: LLEWELLYN BIXBY Aet. 33] * * * * * ADOBE DAYS BEING THE TRUTHFUL NARRATIVE OF THE EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF A CALIFORNIA GIRL ON A SHEEP RANCH AND IN EL PUEBLO DE NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LOS ANGELES WHILE IT WAS YET A SMALL AND HUMBLE TOWN; TOGETHER WITH AN ACCOUNT OF HOW THREE YOUNG MEN FROM MAINE IN EIGHTEEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY-THREE DROVE SHEEP AND CATTLE ACROSS THE PLAINS, MOUNTAINS AND DESERTS FROM ILLINOIS TO THE PACIFIC COAST; AND THE STRANGE PROPHECY OF ADMIRAL THATCHER ABOUT SAN PEDRO HARBOR BY SARAH BIXBY-SMITH [Illustration] REVISED EDITION THE TORCH PRESS CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA 1926 * * * * * _Copyright 1925 by Sarah Bixby-Smith_ _Second Edition, 1926_ The Torch Press CEDAR RAPIDS IOWA * * * * * _To My Father_ LLEWELLYN BIXBY Born in Norridgewock, Maine October 4, 1825 Arrived in San Francisco, July 7, 1851 Died in Los Angeles, December 5, 1896 CONTENTS CHAPTER I BACKGROUND 11 II THE VERY LITTLE GIRL 18 III DOWN IN MAINE 32 IV FATHER’S STORY 45 V DRIVING SHEEP ACROSS THE PLAINS 55 VI RANCHO SAN JUSTO 69 VII LOS ALAMITOS AND LOS CERRITOS 76 VIII THE RANCH STORY CONTINUED 109 IX FLOCKS AND HERDS 125 X EL PUEBLO DE NUESTRA SEÑORA LA REINA DE LOS ANGELES 133 XI MORE ABOUT LOS ANGELES 151 XII THE BACK COUNTRY AND THE ADMIRAL 164 XIII SCHOOL DAYS 185 XIV PIONEERING AT POMONA COLLEGE 194 XV CONCLUSION 208 FOREWORD Several years ago I wrote a short account of my childhood, calling it _A Little Girl of Old California_. At the suggestion of friends, I have expanded the material to make this book. The recent discovery of diaries kept by Dr. Thomas Flint during two pioneer trips to this coast which he made in company with my father, and the generous permission to make use of them granted me by his sons, Mr. Thomas Flint and Mr. Richard Flint, have added much to the interest of the subject. I at first contemplated including them in this volume, but it has seemed wiser to publish them separately and they are now available through the publications of the Southern California Historical Society. My information regarding the earlier history of the Cerritos Ranch was supplemented by data given me by my cousin, the late George H. Bixby.