July 1929

YOSEMITE NATUR E NOTES

The Yosemite Museum Volume V111

JULY,

1929 Number 7 Department of the Interior Ray Lyman Wilbur. Secretary National Park Service Horace M. Albright, Director

YOSEMITE NATURE NOTES THE PUBLICATION OF THE YOSEMITE EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT AND THE YOSEMITE NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION

Published monthly Volume VIII July 1929 Number 7 Last of Yosemite Indians Visits Valley After a 75-Year Absence By C. P. RUSSELL Yosemite VALLEY, July 13.-In June, 1928, Yosemite Nature Notes, the writer described a visit with Maria Lebrado, the last of the Yosemite Indians who were in the famous valley when it was discovered by white men in 1851. Since being dispossessed of her Yosemite valley home, this ancient squaw has resided on a small ranch which was homesteaded by her Mexican husband. For some 75 years she has steadfastly refused to return to the beautiful haunts of her childhood. In June of 1929 she was prevailed upon by one of her grandsons to travel in an automobile from her ranch in the Mariposa region to the Yosemite valley. A good personal friend among the local Indians Informed the writer of her presence in the valley and he took opportunity to again spend three hours with the amazing old lady. Maria talks Spanish and Indian. developed in a gambling game. Her daughter served as Interpreter. Maria declares that Tom "Hutchings," the Yosemite Indian befriended by J. M. Hutchings, attended to In this last conversation with her many friends new facts were revealed, but it was gratifying to disthe burning of the bodies and packcover that she held to her story of ed the charred remains upon his 1928. It is significant to note that own back from Mono Lake to Hites her description of the killing of old Cove. There a great "cry" was held Chief Tenaya checks with what she for two weeks, the remaining Yohad said in 1928. She maintains semite Indians and all of their that the Yosemite chief and four of friends bewailed the loss of Chief his followers were killed at Mono Tenaya and the four tribesmen. Lake by Piutes during a brawl that Maria did not disclose the exact

spot where the charred bones were the wealth of local ethnological maburied. terials exhibited in our Indian room. A real attempt was made to learn She is very reluctant, however, to something of Major J. D. Savage. mingle with white people, and Maria described the killing of Tenshould her visit materialize it will aya's son in Yosemite valley, of be because her intelligent descendwhich account she was an eye witants prevail upon her to make this ness, and attempted to picture Savinformation available to the geneage, the commander of the invadrations of white men and Indians ing forces of white men. As in the who will follow. previous interview, she maintained By way of describing her philosothat his clothes were red. She dephy of life and her attitude toward scribed his hair as falling about his the white man she explained that shoulders and his beard as coming as she sat in her daughter 's camp half way to his waist. She again a few days ago four white ladies aprefused to acknowledge any love on proached her. Maria was practicing the part of the Yosemite Indians the ancient custom of preparing for this leader of the tribes that inacorn food. She was cracking the habited the hills west of Yosemite. acorns and grinding their meats. She did admit that he was held in The white ladies expressed a desire high regard by the Indians of the to buy some acorns. They purFresno, but described her idea of chased five each and paid Maria him as "no good." at the rate of 1c per acorn. Maria She spoke of Galen Clark and exexplained that after experiencing pressed appreciation for the helptheir loss of stored food in 1851 and ful friendliness which this Yosemite the very great loss of domain in pioneer always displayed for the Intheir removal from Yosemite valdians of the region. ley that she would gladly accept $5 She knew nothing of Dr. Bunnell, each for all acorns which she might member of the Mariposa battalion, gather and dispose of to the white who wrote the one and only account,men in her remaining years of life. of the discovery party. She did, In Maria we have indeed a last however, describe a man who eslink of the past and it behooves corted Chief Tenaya from Tenaya, those of us who are interested in Lake to Yosemite valley at the preserving the story of past events point of a gun. This man, accordin Yosemite to obtain from her all ing to Bunnell's account, was Bunthat she may have to tell. In renell himself. turn we might very well attempt to It is hoped that Maria can be insupply her with the necessary duced to visit the Yosemite museum worldly goods which will make for and supply much needed informaher comfort during the few years tion on the use and preparation of that she has to live.'

ANOTHER RARE ACCESSION FOR THE YOSEMITE MUSEUM

By Mrs. H. J. Taylor "Mountain View House—Chas. E. 2 we find the name of Galen Clark. Peregoy" is the inscription on the Fred Leidig registered in July. All cover of an old register that was of these are prominent names in given to the Yosemite Museum in the early history of this valley. June, 1929, by Mrs. Lucy -Peregoy In July we find registered G. Milburn. It is a rare and muchGaribaldi, B. Ardizzi, Nestor Randprized gift; an interesting and' valseype and A. Vohl of Mariposa. The cable book. Hotel registers interwriting of each name is labored, esting? Yes, very. In recording yet it reveals character. Are these their names the many authors write men from the unknown throng, history. who through their labors make Mountain View House register easy the road for others to travel? has entries from September 10, 1869, If so, we rejoice that the love of when five guests registered, to Ocbeauty and grandeur remained in tober 24, 1874. There are no' furtheir hearts and led them to the ther entries until June 5 and 7, Valley to satisfy their hunger. 1878, when a small party is cared There is an unspeakable thrill as for by Mr. and Mrs. Peregoy. In a we read in the old register : "July letter dated at the Sentinel Hotel, 27, 1870, Mark Hopkins and wife, Yosemite, April 23, 1872, John Muir Williamstown, Mass." Literally we advises his friend, Mrs. Carr, after did not "sit on one end of a log leaving Clark's, to stop "at Perewith Mark Hopkins on the other" goy's, five or six miles south of the to get our education, but in reality Valley at the Westfall Meadows." thousands have sat at the feet of This was the starting place for the his spirit and learned of him. He Valley via Glacier, Snow's Casa de was in this Yosemite and has left Nevada at the head of Nevada here something of his spirit as an Falls, thence into the Valley. educator and author. His book, In 1870, between May 16 and Oc- "The Law of Love and Love as tober 26, 514 guests registered. Law," stands the test of years. Among these names we find on Peregoy's Mountain View House July 6, 1870, Terese Yelverton, Viswas known far and wide for the countess Avonmore, England, who unusual hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. ' wrote "Zanita, a Tale of the YoPeregoy, their excellent beds and semite." Zanita is Florence Hutchwonderful food. Often the guests ings, the first white child born in pay tribute in the register to their Yosemite Valley. Kenmuir is John host and hostess on leaving the Muir. Other characters also. reprehotel. The guides are also the sub-; sent pioneers of Yosemite. Octoject of most favorable comment. ber 5, 1870, J. M. Hutchings and Leldig's Hotel was also highly recMiss Florence Hutchings register ommended. On July 25, 1870, a from Yosemite Valley. On October guest, on returning from the Val.

ley, records: "We remained in the 1871, D. H. Temple,, Bloomfield, N. Valley nine days, stopped at Leidig's J., writes : "Returning from the Hotel, which we take pleasure to valley. The first tourist through by recommend as a first-class hotel." the new trail from the Nevada From May 8, 1871, to October 4, Falls through the Little Yosemite. 1871, over 1300 guests registered. ' In Left Snow's at 6 1 a, m. Eli Stump, 1872 about the same number; in Guide." 1873,,960 ' guests; 1874, 700 guests. The words of praise for Peregoy's This closed the register, except for were very generous. July 7, 1871, June 4 and '5, 1878, 'when a party a party says : "Our first party here of 22 from New York and Oakland was delightful and we were more registered, than glad to. return because of the June 4, 1871, we find the followgeneral neatness and generousness ing ' entry: "For the first time a reof the fare. God help the host and ligious service was held under hostess." Chapel tree on Glacier Point, SunJuly 15, 1871, T, DeWitt Talmage, day, June 4, 1871. A sermon was Brooklyn, N. Y.," appears on the preached by Rev. Lewis Frances register and awakens memories of from the text, Psalm 100:2, 'Serve early Chautauqua days and his popthe Lord with gladness.' There ularity as a preacher. Talmage's were present the persons whose Brooklyn tabernacle, three times names are inclosed within brackets consumed by fire, was widely upon the opposite page, with the known. guides, James A. Ridgeway, Eli July 17, 1871, a party records: Stump and Thomas Treamer." BeWe went into the Valley sides the guides there were 18 By the Point of Inspiration guests. And returned from there today "Among the guides that seemed By the 'Road of Desperation, ' the most popular we find these And have only time to say comments on the register : That it met with Expectation." "Joseph Ridgeway—and a No. August 9, 1872, we find written 1 Guide." in beautiful penmanship: "Eli Stump-an A No. 1 Guide." Not Peregoric but Peregoy! "Garvey and Ridgeway—the A name of comfort and of joy! Lord's Guide." Here the tired traveler racked with We were guided by E. Stump." pains, And we voted him a trump." A little of his strength regains "Eli Stump, best Guide in AmerHere, too, forgetting all his woes Ica." Fresh courage takes and Clark- "E. Stump best Guide in the wise. goes!" world." Eighteen hundred and seventyOn June 20, 1871, a, party records : two has some very interesting en- "The views from Glacier Point and tries.- "May 24, 1872, A. Bierstadt,: Sentinel Dome are grand and beN. Y.," is on the register. This yond description. The whole Yoname has special interest. A few Semite valley in all its beauty and months ago. "Domes of Yosemite,', sublimity can be seen from these painted by this German-American two points and nobody should fall artist in 1864, was presented to the to make the trip." On June 29, Yosemite Museum. It came through

Sophie F. Boyler, Santa Barbara, Herbarium, one of Harvard's priceCalif.. from the estate of. Charlotte less treasures, he will continue to Bowditch. He made many sketches guide and inspire. of mountains on his tour to the "August 14, 1872, Horace Greeley, west. Much of his work was deNew York." Hated and beloved in stroyed when his studio in New his time. Hate dies, love survives York was burned. and Greeley's name is great in hisJune. 4, 1872, J. A. Kasson, tory. Every school child joined the Iowa." Kasson is a name honored chorus of "Hurrah for Greeley! and beloved not only in Iowa but Grant 's elected." throughout our country. June 1, 1873, a party writes in June 4, 1872, a party writes : "56 the register : "To their kind host tourists caught here in a pitiful and hostess Mr. and Mrs. Peregoy snowstorm and. harbored here for for their more than courteous hospitality. Tourists passing this way shelter 18 hours; all found as well as could be expected with accomwill do well to avail themselves of modations for 16." the comfortable beds and luxuriant "June 12, 1872, Joaquin Miller, table of the Hotel Peregoy." Oregon," arrests the eye. We do. June 1, 1873, another writes : "The not associate him with Oregon but best house we have found west of with California and his home near the Rocky mountains." Oakland. On his 70 acres this proJune 2, still another writes: "Valneer of the West, this poet of the ley of Yosemite, fare thee well, thy Sierra, expressed his life in a most tranquil river, thy beautiful casunusual yet most significant way. cades, thy towering cliffs. We may He planted trees in the form of a never again look into thy bosom, cross on the hills slope—to all manbut we take with us photographed kind. He erected a pyramid of in our memory thy every wonder rock to Moses, the Lawgiver; a and thy every charm. a lingering, tower to Browning, the poet of the long farewell." soul; another to J. C. Fremont, pioneer. "June 16, 1873, John Muir, Yosemite valley," is recorded. A name Recently Oakland made Joaquin Miller's home into grounds a beloved. The beauty and grandeur park. of nature's book he has taught us June 18, 1872, a guest records : to read and his spirit will continue "A good regular repast and to teach throughout the years. The guter wein." boulder, with bronze tablet on Lost "July 12, 1872, J C. Lamon, YoArrow Trail marks the side of the Semite," again. registers. Lamon little cabin that was Muir's home had the first house In Yosemite, for two or three years. built in 1859. John Muir speaks of "July 17. 1873; Bret Harte, N. Y." him as kindly and hospitable to The "Luck of Roaring Camp " is any one who came to his door. before us and other wonderful tales "July 15, 1872, Prof. A. Gray and that only Bret Harte could write wife, " Cambridge, Mass.," almost The last days of July are full of startles us. Asa Gray! The foretributes to the splendid host and most name in botany of his time. hostess of Mountain View House: To countless thousands he has been-. 'The best host and hostess I have a help and guide. Through Gray's found in California."

We recommend this locality as The old register is full of interit beats the best hotels in the city." est and full of history. It is a treas- "This hotel is the best in California." original source of historical mateIn the brief period of four sumvial but it serves as a priceless mers, Mountain View, House did reminder of many of these pioneer splendid service to practically 5000 nature lovers who have done much people, who came to look into the for Yosemite and the Nation. We heart of what since 1890 is. Yosemare grateful to Mrs. Lucy Peregoy ite National Park. These guests Milburn for this gift. It was prized came from every statethen in the by the giver and parting with it union and from the territories of was a joy through pain. She realWyoming and New Mexico, They ized its value to all who are and came from twenty-two foreign who are yet to become interested countries and from the Hawaiian, in the early life and history of YoPhilippines and West Indies, semite and gave it to all these: Islands.

YOSEMITE SCHOOL OF FIELD NATURAL HISTORY

By C. A. Harwell The Yosemite School of Field each year, and the popularity and Natural History opened for its fifth worthwhileness of the undertaking annual session July 1. This school is proved by the large waiting list is unique in a number of ways. It of applicants. is operated by the National Park Ranger-naturalists and visiting Service and is the first and only scientists constitute the faculty of school of its kind in our national the school under the Immediate diparks. The museum,,especially derection of Dr. Harold C. Bryant. signed to provide class room, libraStudents enrolled for the present ry and work room facilities, is head-, session include Marion Avery, Doquarters for the school, but the rothy Burgess, Joseph Burgess, most important work of the stuGuard C. Darrah, Alice G. Atwood, dent. group is done, in the field, Lois M Ballou, H. Wraith, Mrs. where the 1125 square miles of the Guard C. Darrah, Sumner L. Evans. park, and especially the floor of the Maurice Greenly, Myra Jones, Wal- ' valley, furnish abundant material ter W. Powell, Clifford Presnall, R. for first-hand observation and study W. Richardson, M. L. Russell and of the living,thing or formation in George Unnewehr, from California; its natural setting. Dorothy P Barrus, from Minnesota, The. group Is limited to twenty and Dorothy Negowen and Virginia Weigel, from Illinois.

A RELIC OF RARE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

By C. P. Russell One of the pleasures of Yosemite this very early negative. That the Museum work is the making of conprint is genuine seems to be a fact. tacts with individuals who have Its donor, Mr. Rosenblatt, as a had personal relationships with small boy resided within a few phases of the human history story blocks of the Hutchings San Frantold by Museum exhibits. Frequentcisco home on Pine street. Mr. ly, throughout the year, museum Rosenblatt and his brothers played visitors call upon the park naturalist, who is the director of the museum, to tell him of the thrills they with the Hutchings children. In 1880 the Hutchings home was destroyed by fire. The small boys of have experienced in discovering the neighborhood searched the demementos that pertain to their imbris for objects worth saving, and mediate family. Through such conIrving and Wallace Rosenblatt saltacts the Yosemite Museum has acvaged a pack of large water-stained quired a mass of material bearing photographs. Arthur Rosenblatt upon pioneer affairs in the present with forethought mounted these park region Many of the museum pictures in an old scrap book. He possessions have considerable value has cherished them through the from the standpoint of the collector years that have passed. In June of of California and a few items are 1929 he visited the Yosemite Mupriceless treasures, unique and unseum and was interested in the hisreplaceable. torical exhibits. In his study of the One such valuable relic came into displayed materials he came upon our possession a few days ago a photographic copy of the old through the thoughtfulness of a drawing of the "Hutchings house" San Franciscan, Arthur C. Rosenwhich had been taken from "In the blatt. It is a print made from the Heart of the Sierras." He recogvery first photographic negative to nized it as identical with one of the be exposed in Yosemite valley. Stuold photographs which he had predents of Yosemite history have long served since 1880. He made his find known that the pioneer, J. M. Hutchings, had credited one C. L. Weed known to the park naturalist, and immediately phoned to his San with taking the first Yosemite picture. San Francisco home and requested that In Hutchings' book "In the the old scrap book be mailed at Heart of the Sierras," he makes once to the Yosemite Museum. mention of his presence in the oldUpon its receipt the old hotel phoest of Yosemite hotels soon after tograph was segregated from the its formal opening in 1859. Hutchings states that at that time he others and comparisons were made witnessed Mr Weed take a picture with the drawing in the old Hutchings book and with the building itof this hotel. He has reproduced self which still stands. There is no drawing made from this picture. doubt that the print is from the In spite of serious attempts to original Weed negative. procure more information on this In acquiring it, the Yosemite Muphotographer of 1859 nothing has seum is possessed of a relic of first come to light. It was then a real importance. Presumably it is the thrill to find ourselves in possesone and only print of this first Yosion of an original print made from Semite photograph in existence.

OCCURRENCES OF GALLS ON OAKS

That the inter-relation of plants It is known that the original and animals hold an important cause of the gall is usually a minute place in nature's scheme of life, no fly, relative of the ants and wasps, one familiar with her ways can equipped with an ovipositor adapted doubt. In many instances the relato puncture the tender young tissue tion is mutually beneficial but in of buds, leaves, stems or roots. The others one member alone, more eggs are deposited singly or sevoften the animal, profits by the aserally. Each species causes a charsociation. An interesting example acteristic gall, always in a similar is to be noted in the gall flies (cinilocation on the plant. By a process pidae) and their plant hosts, not fully understood but possibly visitors to Yosemite occasionally due to a salivary excretion and the inquire of the ranger-naturalist physical irritation of the growing concerning certain unexpected larvae the galls develop, providing growth on the trees, particularly food and housing during the larval the oaks about the park. The and pupal stages. With the return branches of many of the huckleof spring the fully developed fly berry oaks (Quercus vacinifolia gnaws its way out and the life cycle Kell) along the trail to Nevada is repeated, except in those inFalls present a surprising knobby stances where there is an alteration and warty appearance. On the of generations. scrub oak (Quercus dumosa Nutt) Not all galls are harmful. Some of the lower reaches are to be obare useful and others beautiful. The served the "oak apples" (Andricus gouty oak gall (Andricus punctatis) Californicus), globular, fruit-like where it occurs in masses, as on the growths, green at first and perhaps trees of the Nevada Falls trail, may ruddy-sided, but turning brown interfere with the circulation of the with age. The twigs of the golden sap. Of the "oak apples" it may be cup oaks (Quercus chrysolepis) said that its host "entertains unnear the Yosemite museum and awares" for it cannot be regarded other parts of the valley floor supas detrimental to the life of the port attractive flower-like puffs of tree and in European countries has pink and white. Although visitors been useful as a source of tannin, usually recognize these as galls ink and dye. The pink and white they sometimes desire an explanaball of the wool sower (Andricus tion of them, but the ranger-natuseminatis) on the golden cup oak is ralist is of necessity conservative in a delicate creature and gives an his replies, for the best entomoloaesthetic pleasure by its attractive gists agree that the subject is one appearance.—J. S. Smith. requiring further research.

SPARROW HAWK PESTERS GOLDEN EAGLE

Distant views of a golden eagle and kept in close pursuit of the soaring above the towering cliffs of eagle as it towered higher and Yosemite are not unusual. To have higher along the cliff. Finally the one within a hundred yards, howeagle alighted on a small tree a ever, furnishes a thrill. The spethousand feet or so above the floor cial field trip for bird students on of the valley. The sparrow hawk Wednesday, July 10, viewed a persisted in diving at the perched golden eagle at a distance of 100 eagle until it finally drove it from yards. The bird was soaring below the perch. As the eagle disappeared the tree tops along the south wall around a point It was still being of the valley below the old village. pestered by the smaller hawk. The The party watched the larger bird greater speed of the sparrow hawk soar higher and higher. It was then appeared to enable it to attack the noted that a smaller bird was dartmuch larger bird. This habit of ing at it as it flew. The smaller the sparrow hawk in attacking bird proved to be a sparrow hawk larger birds of prey is a well known one.—H. C. Bryant.