June 1951

YOSEMITE

Nature Notes

'VOL. XXX JUNE, 1951 NO. 6

Fort Miller on the South Bank of the San Joaquin River. This regular Army post was garrisoned from May 26, 1851, until June 1858, and again in August 1863 until August 1866. It was from this post that the third military expedition into Yosemite started in June 1852. Copies of the post returns submitted each month by the commanding officer are possessed by the Yosemite Museum. Near the fort the town of Miller (called Rootville in 1854-1855) sprang into existence. It became the county seat of Fresno County in 1856 and the Fresno Times was printed there every Saturday. An undated report by Joseph K. Mansfield, Inspector General, War Department, states that within 75 miles of Fort Miller are "500 warriors who are under different local names and armed with bows and arrows, and are disposed to work for miners, and others by the day, but do not wish to remove to the reservation. The American population at Millerton, and this immediate vicinity may number 500, and this country is filling up with miners and the good lands being taken up. A post office should be established at Millerton where there is a ferry across the San Joaquin." In 1853 William Parks, mineralogist with Lt. R. S. Williamson's transcontinental railroad survey, wrote from Fort Miller: "As many as five or six hundred Indians may be here at any time. They live in the usual manner in brush huts, his warriors a short distance below the fort." The above sketch is one of four plates from the records of the Office of the Quartermaster General now preserved in the National Archives, Washington, D.C. The undated plates are accompanied by a statement regarding the condition of the fort's buildings as they were in March 1858. The buildings described in the report agree in all particulars with the structures shown in the undated drawing. The sites of Fort Miller and the town of Millerton are now covered by the waters of Millerton Lake. Cover Photo : Cascade Fall, Merced Canyon below Yosemite Valley. By Ansel Adams from "Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada, " text by John Muir, 64 photographs by Ansel Adams, by production by kind permission of Houghton Mifflin Company.

THE MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE YOSEMITE NATURALIST DIVISION AND THE YOSEMITE NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION, INC.

P. Russell, Superintendent D. E. McHenry, Park Naturalist C. Parker, Assoc. Park Naturalist N. B. Herkenham, Asst. Park Naturalist

VOL. XXX JUNE, 1951 NO. 6 THE GEOGRAPHY OF THE MARIPOSA INDIAN WAR

(No. 3) By Carl P. Russell, Park Superintendent V. The Third Punitive Expedition into Yosemite Valley In a preceding note (No. IV of the Its site is now covered by the waters current series) reference was made of Millerton Lake where the Nato the mustering out of the Mariposa tional Park Service conducts a recreation disaffection in July of 1851. This break- al program. The first developup of the local military force did ment consisted of a log blockhouse not take place until the United States and an adjoining tent camp to government guaranteed that the southern which the name "Camp Barbour" whites should have the protection of was applied honoring Col. George congressional soldiery. Under date of W. Barbour of the U. S. Indian Commission- February 22, 1851, orders had been issued. Here, on April 29, 1851,

issued by the 10th Military Department, San Francisco, for the establishment of Fort Miller. On May 26, 1851, even prior to the arrival of Lieutenant Moore, delegates from 16 Indian tribes had assembled and in the presence of Adam Johnston, Indian agent, and several regular Army officers, agreed to keep the peace. The Yosemites were again post to his superiors. conspicuous by their absence, from Fort Miller was erected on the this conclave. south bank of the San Joaquin not The Camp Barbour treaty provided above the present Friant Dam. that a tremendous Indian reservation. Lieutenant Moore enters the general Mariposa scene with his arrival at Fort Miller from the River on May 26, 1851. His unit was referred to in the first post return as "a Battalion of the 2nd Infantry commanded by 2nd Lieut. T. Moore 2nd Infantry stationed at Fort Miller San Joaquin River California." The battalion at this time was made up of "B" and "K" companies with a total force of 2 officers and 51 men. In September 1851 Moore was promoted to first captain. From June 15 to August 17, 1852, he commanded his company on the third punitive expedition to Yosemite. On February 10, 1853, he left Fort Miller on detached service and subsequently he is shown as "sick at Benicia Barracks" after March 17, 1853. Following his return to Fort Miller on May 10 of that year he then transferred to duty at Benicia Barracks on May 20, and his name does not appear upon the Fort Miller records after May 1853. Lieutenant Moore is said to have christened his fort on the San Joaquin after Maj. Albert S. a veteran of the Black Hawk, Seminole, and Mexican Wars, and Moore's commander at these after 1850. The name, Fort Miller, appears on the first post return submitted by Moore Its end of May 1851.

tion should be established between About the that the Kaweah and the Chowchilla white settlers in the foothills were tribes. This "district of country " was showing their lineal contempt for this to extend from the Chowchilla River and all other treaties, the Yosemite at a point "immediately at the junc- Indians were staging their last savtion of the first two main forks of age acts against the white man. In said river in the foothills " southwest. May 1852 eight prospectors entered westerly in a straight line to the top Yosemite Valley and almost immediately of Table Mountain near Camp Bar- upon making camp in the bour (the later Fort Miller), thence lower end of the valley were atsouthward in a continuing straight tacked by the natives. Two members line to the Kaweah River. The south- bers of the prospector party, Sherern boundary of the reservation ex- burn and Rose, were killed. Then tended down the Kaweah for 15 marked graves, not far from Bridalmiles, "thence back [northward] to veil Fall, constitute one of the very the middle of the Chowchilla River few remaining relics of the white to a point 15 miles distant [west] man's affairs of the fifties which can in a straight line from the starting be viewed by the present-day Yopoint as aforesaid on the Chow- semite visitor. Others in the party chilla River. " This elongated terri- made a get-away and reported their tory was some 75 miles long and horrifying experience in the mining approximately 15 miles wide and it camp, Coarsegold. embraced the eastern edge of the No time was lost by the miners San Joaquin Valley throughout the testing the effectiveness of the proregion just east of the present cities tective forces stationed at Fort Miller of Chowchilla, Madera, Fresno, and On June 15, 1852, Lt. Tredwell Visalia. The 16 tribes who were Moore (commanding), Lt. W. H. Mcparties to the agreement were "to Lean, Dr. William Edgar and anhave and to hold the said district of other unnamed surgeon, and thirty country, for the sole use and occu- four of the rank and file of Company pancy of said Indian tribes forever." B, 2nd Infantry] left Fort Miller There is no reason to believe that the Indian commissioners and the en route for the head waters of the 5 Army officers who shaped the pro- Merced River, and arrived at visions of the treaty and who signed Camp Steele between the Middle it at the same time that 57 Indians and South forks of the Merced on affixed their X's ("his mark ") had the 20th of June..." Army records any intention of breaking their word show that the unit in the mountains as given in writing. There is plenty was made up of 1 first lieutenant, 1 of evidence, however, that a number second lieutenant, 2 assistant surgeons of pioneer settlers in the region af- 2 sergeants, 3 corporals, fected had their tongues in their musician, 27 privates, and " 1 noncheeks at every juncture in the commissioned officer on extra duty, ' negotiations with the Indians. The a total of 4 officers and 34 non-commissioned impressive document and its many and privates. The return which prosignatures had not yet reached the vides this information is titled ''U.S. seat of government in San Francisco before the whites violated its terms, Troops in the Field—Camp Steele and this attitude continued during June 1852 " and is signed by First the entire period of the Mariposa Lt. T. Moore, commanding. The same Indian War. return, copy of which may be examined

examined in the Yosemite Museum and Mono Pass (the route which had library, it informs us that nine men been followed as they pursued the [a] sergeant and eight privates Indians eastward), thence to Tuol- on detached service at Fort umn Meadows, Little Yosemite, Miller in charge of the post, " at the and back to the mining camps via the time this expedition started into the the ancient Indian route which mountains, passed just south of Yosemite Valley. No official report on the experi- ley. Members of this party displayed ences of Lieutenant Moore and his some of the Mono mineral specimens on the upper Merced River has mens in Mariposa, and Leroy Vining to light, but the ever depend- —a Mariposa miner organized a able L. H. Bunnell in his Discovery party to inspect the new mining of Yosemite relates that the ex- field. This party established camp pedition was guided by a volunteer in the canyon now known as Lee-

scout, A. A. Gray, who had been a vining Canyon and out of their prospecting there, a member of Captain Boling 's company. In prospecting grew the finds which later during both of the earlier Yo- brought such names as Lundy, semite expeditions. Gray told Bunnell Tioga, Monoville, Bodie, Aurora, them about his experiences with the Benton, and Mammoth into the regular Army unit in Yosemite. He world's news. related that the party entered the The August return at Fort Miller valley in the night. Five Indians indicates that Lieutenant Moore's were captured, each of whom had company ( "B " Company now with an article of clothing that had belonged to the murdered prospectors. The unit was joined on its return by an additional 42 men) "Joined from detached service on August 17th 1852." During the 2 The naked bodies of Rose and months of Lieutenant Moore's absence, burn were found and buried. additional units of the regular When Lieutenant Moore had satisfied that the captured Indians had participated in the murder, and the Army were assigned to Fort Miller led himself that the captured In- "A" and "E" Companies of the 1st Indians had participated in the murder. Dragoons and "M" Company of the Upon his order they sentenced them to be shot. 3rd Artillery--as well as the original his order, they were executed without further ado. Tenaya and his followers made their force, "B" and "K" Companies of the without further ado, and Tenaya's 2nd Infantry. One hundred and warriors witnessed the executions. The old twenty-two men then called Fort quick and his followers made a Miller their post. quick departure up the north walls During the period of the 1852 of the valley and proceeded on troubles in Yosemite no other wideacross the mountains to their Piute spread Indian disturbances develallies in the Mono Lake region. oped in the southern mines. The Their trail was found but the soldiers adequate military force at Fort Miller did not overtake the fugitives. and the story of Lieutenant Moore's Never did Lieutenant Moore succeed in drawing from the Piutes any prompt action in the mountains may information regarding the where- have had some influence in this conabouts of the Yosemites. nection. But local disturbances were This 2nd Infantry unit explored rather frequent, and without excep- Mono Lake country and discovered tion they were occasioned by hateful mineral deposits and collected attacks made upon small family specimens of ore. The return westward groups of Indians by unprincipled made through Bloody Canyon white settlers. Of this aspect of the

Mariposa Indian War Bunnell of this unwholesome element" was made use of by an unprincipled politician by the name of Harvey, whom it was understood was willing to accord with office-holders, when Bunnell writes : During all this time [summer, 1852] no to accord office, when a division of Mariposa County indications of hostilities were exhibited by any county should have been made, or when of the tribes or bands, although the abusive vacancy of any kind should occur. treatment they received at the hands of some The political aspects of the final was enough to provoke contention. They quietly remained on the reservations. As far as I was stage of the Mariposa Indian War able to learn at the time, a few persons will be reviewed in the next (conenvied them the possession of their King's cluding) installment of this series of River reservation, and determined to '"squat " upon it, after they should have been driven articles.

BIRD'S-NEST FUNGI

By O. L. Wallis, Park Ranger The diminutive bird's-nest fungi, contains many tiny seed-like bodies, Cyathus spp., are among the most which superficially resembles a interesting fungi to be discovered in bird's nest with a cluster of eggs. Yosemite's cool, damp forests in The cup stands about a quarter of an winter. Their presence can easily be inch high and the distance across overlooked because of their size and the mouth is about the same. the fact that they grow on logs and In reality the "eggs" are minute twigs close to the moist earth. Dur- puffballs, each containing a multiing last December and January they tude of speck-sized spores. When they were collected in moist, snow-free dry and mature the spore cases beareas along streams near the South come detached from the "nest" and Entrance Ranger Station and at are dispersed by the wind. The cases Wawona. On February 18, others then rupture to release a cloud of were found on the Mirror Lake loop spores. Each spore when it alights, trail in Yosemite Valley. remains dormant and waits for ar- These specimens are the first addi- rival of damp conditions. Moisture tions of their kind to the Yosemite causes the spore to grow and event- Museum study collection. Their ually develop into a mature individabundance in selected locations ual fungus. suggests, however, that they may The heavy rains of last November, have been observed previously in coupled with periods of little snow Yosemite, although not collected or or frost, made the woods very moist. recorded. This condition was especially ideal The small trumpet-shaped cup for the growth of many kinds of fungi in Yosemite National Park. Fungi are saprophytes or plants which lack the ability to manufacture their own food and must depend upon dead organic material for a livelihood. Many forms require much moisture in which to make their development. Other common saprophytic fungi found in Yosemite include many forms of puffballs, mushrooms, and bracket fungi.

RENOVATION OF THE YOSEMITE MUSEUM OIL PAINTINGS

By Norman B. Herkenham, Assistant Park Naturalist Among the many excellent exhibits in the Yosemite Museum, the collection of Yosemite oil paintings becoming increasingly esteemed and admired. Of the countless artists who have perceived the grandeur and beauty of the Yosemite scene, few have been pre-eminently successful in transferring their impression to the canvas. The names of Louis Jorgensen, Thomas Hill, Thomas Moran, William Keith, Albert Bierstadt, Ferdinand Burgdorff, Harry Best, and Charles Robinson rank high in this respect. Through generous donations to the Yosemite Museum the work of each of these artists is represented in its collection. The principal component of this group is a large number of the finest works done by Chris Jorgensen, most which are displayed in the popular Jorgensen Room on the second floor of the Museum. It may be mentioned in passing that the works of four other outstanding artists are included in the Yosemite pictorial collection, representing other than oil painting: Water colors by Gunnar Widforss, Color blockprints by William Rice, Pencil sketches by Thomas Ayres (done in 1855, the priceless first pictures made in Yosemite), and a photograph by Ansel Adams. Time and exposure had lessened the brilliance of the oil paintings. Old coating the surfaces became ingrained in the pigments, gradually reducing the intensity of some colors and often completely masking the more subtle tones. In addition, physical damage of one sort or another occurred during the life of the paintings had marred them to some degree. Apparently Jorgensen had the One of the Jorgensen oil paintings in the Yosemite Museum, "Sentinel Rock and Acorn Caches" (chuck-ahs). irreverent habit of rolling up his canvases tightly for storage or transportation. This produced creases and many small cracks in the layer of paint, seriously detracting from the appearance of some of the paintings. Others had suffered some form of gouging, piercing, or bulging, and many canvases had become slack and needed restretching or remounting. Negotiations were made by the National Park Service's Region Four office in San Francisco for hiring an expert technician to restore the Yosemite paintings. A special fund of $1500 had been made available for this long recognized need by the Director's office in Washington, D.C. The services of Mr. Gustav F. Liljestrom became available through

the Graves Gallery of San Francisco, and he agreed to undertake the renovation project. Mr. Liljestrom, who is Art Director for the renowned Bohemian Club in San Francisco, and a distinguished artist in his own right, is one of the most capable men in the profession of restoring and appraising works of art. Mr. Liljestrom began his assigned task in the Yosemite Museum on March 26 of this year. Four weeks were required to do the restoration wherein he treated 40 oil paintings. All of them were first carefully cleaned with a special fluid, and all were ultimately varnished. Twenty-one of the paintings required skillful repairs for some form of damage. Some of these oils had to be remounted under pressure on plywood backing, and the others were restretched in their frames. The results of Mr. Liljestrom's expert work surpassed all expectations. Striking as the paintings were before the renovation, they now exhibit a radiance that had not even been suspected. Particularly is this so for Chris Jorgensen two paintings done by Thomas Hill in 1889, one portraying Nevada Fall and the other Vernal Fall. Much of the intimate detail and richness of tone was concealed by dirt accumulated over the years. At the hands of Mr. Liljestrom the paintings again found their original freshness and warmth, the splendor of torrent and granite again expressed as it had been by the artist 62 years ago. Another remarkable example is the Thomas Moran painting of Bridalveil Fall, the last one done before his death, heretofore classified as "unfinished" because it was believed to be incomplete when the artist died. To Mr. Liljestrom's astonishment his treatment exposed Moran's unnoticed signature and thumbprint in the bottom corners of the painting. These would not have been added by Moran unless the painting were finished. Mr. Liljestrom states in his report of completion: "It is worthy of notice that you now have three splendid examples of Thomas Moran's work. In the exceptional case of the so-called "unfinished" painting of Bridalveil Fall, I found after cleaning and the use of the fuming method, that this process not only brought out his authentic signature and thumbprint, but an excellent 'finished ' painting of great charm and beauty." Mr. Liljestrom's skill in repairing physical damage to the painting is extraordinary. It is now virtually impossible to detect where the cracks and perforations had been. I observed him in one operation where his task was to eliminate an unsightly bulge in a canvas. It was necessary to cut out a narrow, wedge-shaped piece to make the bulge lie flat. He trimmed down the piece and then refitted it back in its place after mounting the painting on plywood. He finished by touching up

place with paint to match the he assigned a lower value than was original. I later inspected the spot previously assumed to some of the where I knew the bulge had been, paintings, he appraised most of but with the closest scrutiny I was them higher, so that the total worth barely able to find where anything of all objects far exceeds the earlier had been done to the painting. concept. Part of Mr. Liljestrom's contract At the conclusion of his project called for his services in appraising Mr. Liljestrom consented to compose the value of all works of art in the a brief statement on the quality of Yosemite Museum. Prior to this there Chris Jorgensen's work. This sigwas no firm basis for estimating the nificant estimation of one artist by worth of the collection. While another follows: An Expression of Appreciation of Chris Jorgensen Chris Jorgensen was a keen lover of the beautiful, and in Yosemite he found splendid opportunity for observing and communing with Nature. No phase of mountain life escaped him or failed to arouse his interest. In the setting of Yosemite Valley, where Nature is so strong and man so weak, he was impelled by the law of his being to follow the course marked for him to its inevitable conclusion. What he did accomplish was the intimate conquest of a territory for his own particular medium, and concerning the superiority of his smaller, more intimate subjects, it is distinctly the good. His smaller paintings are striking pieces of realism. We cannot but admire the harmonious color spacings, the bold contrasts and unerring judgment of tone, the almost unrivaled, true-to-nature colors of the cliff formations effects which gave a charm to most that he undertook. It is a good collection, rich in quality and variety. You have many firstrate examples, proving the vigor and independence of his art. If there be virtue in familiarity--as there should be—it may count a little that most of the pictures were painted practically from the artist's doorstep.

FAMILY LIFE

By George C. Turner, Ranger Naturalist Spring and bird life are indeed synonymous terms in Yosemite. The only repeated songs. Over a period of continuous chorus of chirps, warbles, days these songs became more and and calls identifies for the patient more predominant, until at length it listener a large variety of our early was a rare occasion when a differsummer visitors. The following ob- ent voice was heard. servations made a year ago are rep- One came to the realization that resentative experiences. territories had been established by The wildflower garden to the rear these birds. Intruders were immediof the Yosemite Museum seemed ately driven off if they ventured into especially abundant with our avian this area. Before long the observer guests. Confusing as it first ap- could readily locate within the space peared, the intent listener was soon of the wildflower garden three rather

indistinct boundaries for a western with the raucous call of the jays. tanager (Piranga ludoviciana), a black- The defensive birds seemed to deheaded grosbeak (Hedymeles m. pend more on their voices than their melanocephalus), and a western robin bills to dispel the intruders. A typical (Turdus migratorius propinquus). clash of this type might find the jay Life was not at all serene for these slowly but loudly ascending from small family groups. Almost daily branch to branch as he climbed high blue-fronted jays (Cyanocitta stelleri into a tree, the aroused neighbors frontalis) paid their rather dubious completely surrounding the culprit respects by a short visit to the area. and continuously emitting their calls. Their presence was immediately The commotion created seemed heralded by one of the ever watch- to be the invitation to all nearby jays ful residents. No time at all elapsed to join in the "fun." Curiously before these none too closely related enough these birds remained only families banded together and de- as spectators, lending their voices scended upon the unwelcome visitor. but not their strength to the strong battle. These members of the bird world The excitement ended as abruptseemed instinctively to know that ly as it began. Soon the scene discovery of their nests by this rob- of the recent disturbance regained its ber of the skies would eventually placid atmosphere and the individbring disaster to their young. ual songs once again drifted un- The clamor was deafening as the troubled through the Museum wildscolding of indignant parents united flower garden.

FRESH FISH DELIVERY

By Frank A. Patty Several people had gathered back into the water, it was soon about 100 yards from my tent quar- covered with bits of dried grass and ters in Camp 6 to watch some robins other debris. I picked up the fish and jays harass a Pacific horned and joined the group that was owl that was resting in a cottonwood watching the owl in the tree. I extree. I decided to join the group and plained to some of them what had followed a fisherman's trail about 50 just happened, and they all looked feet from the river. While walking at me as if I were having "pipe along the trail something fell out of dreams. " Not finding anyone who the skies at my feet and began would believe my word story, I flopping around before me. I rubbed hurried back to my tent with my my eyes and decided that the object squirming find to show it to my wife in the trail was neither a snake nor and son. We examined the fish and any other creature that crawls, but found marks on both sides of the a real live brown trout about 6 body. From these marks we coninches in length. I could tell by its cluded that a kingfisher had caught clean, fresh appearance that it had the fish, had become frightened by only been out of the water for a few the owl, and had dropped his prey seconds, for, in struggling to get at my feet.

DIGEST OF THE PURPOSES OF THE YOSEMITE NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION

Yosemite National Park, California INCORPORATED for the purpose of co-operating with the National Park Service by assisting the Naturalist Department of Yosemite National Park in the development of a broad public understanding of the geology, plant and animal life, history, Indians and related interests in Yosemite National Park and nearby regions. It aids in the development of the Yosemite Museum and library, fosters scientific investigations along lines of greatest popular interest, offers books on natural history applicable to this area for sale to the public, and co-operates in the publication of

$1.00 per year Subscription includes all regular and special numbers. Revenue derived from the activities of the Yosemite Natural History Association is devoted entirely to furthering the progress of research and interpretation of significant interests in Yosemite National Park.

Digitized by Yosemite Online Library Dan Anderson