[Illustration: NEVADA FALLS (height 617 feet). Yosemite Valley.] STORIES OF CALIFORNIA BY ELLA M. SEXTON NEW YORK THE MACMILLAN COMPANY LONDON: MACMILLAN & CO., LTD. 1903 _All rights reserved_ 1902, BY THE MACMILLAN COMPANY. Set up, electrotyped, and published September, 1902. Reprinted October, 1903. Normond Press J.S. Cushing & Co.--Berwick & Smith Co. Norwood, Mass., U.S.A. FOREWORD To recount in simple, accurate narratives the early conditions and subsequent development of California is the purpose of this book. In attempting to picture the romantic events embodied in the wonderful history of the state, and to make each sketch clear and concise as well as interesting, the author has avoided many dry details and dates. Several of the stories endeavor to explain the remarkable physical characteristics of California. The work to this end was rendered lighter by the hope that the reader might find the book merely an introduction to that larger knowledge of personal observation and inquiry. But the writer's chief aim has been to interest the children of California in the beautiful land of their birth, to unfold to them the life and occurrences of bygone days, and to lead them to note and to enjoy their fortunate surroundings. Among the many authorities consulted for the work, special acknowledgment is due to the historians, Theodore H. Hittell and H.H. Bancroft. CONTENTS CALIFORNIA'S NAME AND EARLY HISTORY THE STORY OF THE MISSIONS AND OF FATHER SERRA BEFORE THE GRINGOS CAME THE AMERICANS AND THE BEAR-FLAG REPUBLIC THE DAYS OF GOLD AND THE ARGONAUTS OF '49 MINING STORIES HOW POLLY ELLIOTT CAME ACROSS THE PLAINS THE BUILDING OF THE OVERLAND RAILROAD STORY OF THE WHEAT FIELDS ORCHARD, FARM, AND VINEYARD THE STORY OF THE NAVEL ORANGE THE LEMON FLOWERS AND PLANTS THE BIG TREES AND LUMBERING OUR BIRDS OUR WILD ANIMALS IN SALT WATER AND FRESH ABOUT CALIFORNIA'S INDIANS THE STORY OF SAN FRANCISCO MEN CALIFORNIA REMEMBERS OUR GLORIOUS CLIMATE SOME WONDERFUL SIGHTS ILLUSTRATIONS NEVADA FALLS (height 617 feet), YOSEMITE VALLEY FATHER JUNIPERO SERRA MISSION CHURCH, MONTEREY OLD SAN DIEGO MISSION. Founded 1769 MISSION SAN LUIS REY. Founded 1798 MISSION DOLORES. Established 1776 SANTA BARBARA MISSION. Founded 1786 UPPER SACRAMENTO RIVER PLACER GOLD MINING. Washing with Cradle AN ORANGE TREE WITH FRUIT AND BLOSSOMS PALMS OVER 100 YEARS OLD AT LOS ANGELES HOP VINES AMONG THE HOP VINES WHITE SANTA BARBARA POPPY WILD CALIFORNIA POPPY IN A MISSION GARDEN A CHRISTMAS GARDEN "WAWONA" (28 feet in diameter) THE GRIZZLY GIANT (33 feet in diameter) BIG TREES AT FELTON, SANTA CRUZ CO. YOUNG TOWHEE BABY YELLOW WARBLERS. From photographs by Elizabeth Grinnell CALIFORNIA RED DEER. From a photograph by George V. Robinson LEAPING TUNA BLACK SEA BASS HUMPBACK WHALE (57 feet long) TROUT FROM LAKE TAHOE INDIAN WOMAN WITH PAPPOOSE INDIAN WOMAN WITH BASKETS INDIAN BASKETS