Exterminate Them: Written Accounts of the Murder, Rape, and Enslavement of Native Americans during the California Gold Rush

Chapter 2: Native American Reaction to the Invasion [Includes Image Plates]

Chapter! ********************************** NATIVE AMERICAN REACTION TO THE INVASION With the coming of the Gold Rush, thousands of non-Indians converged on California in hope of becoming wealthy. They established mining camps in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and erected communities throughout what became the Golden State. This constituted an invasion, for these outsiders entered the homelands of numerous Native American peoples without their consent. Anglos, Englishmen, Germans, Chileans, Chinese, Mexicans, and others moved into areas already occupied by Indians. Foreigners came to take, to rob the region of its mineral wealth. They viewed the indigenous inhabitants of California as obstructing their ability to mine gold. Miners likely did not reflect on the impact of their incursion into California. They polluted rivers and streams, killed local game, destroyed plant habitats, and upset the lives of thousands of Native Americans. Prospectors frequently attempted to force Indians off their native lands so that they could search for gold. During the 1850s and 1860s, the United States government sought to place some indigenous peoples of California onto reservations and teach them Christianity and American farming techniques . Others the government ignored, allowing state officials and local law informants to establish rule over Indians. Miners, immigrants, and government officials oppressed the original inhabitants ofthe Golden State. Despite overwhelming numbers of invaders, Native Americans in California resisted. They strived to continue their traditional lifestyles, yet expediency demanded that they also mobilize. After the Spanish intrusion, California Indians became increasingly warlike in order to preserve and protect themselves, their families, and their cultures. By the Gold Rush era, some Native Americans in California were adroit raiders. They successfully 55 56 "EXTERMINATE THEM" seized horses, livestock, and supplies from miners, ranchers, and immigrants in order to survive. With the depletion of traditional game, Indians had no other alternative but to steal from non-Indians. The following documents reveal the effectiveness of native raids on Americans and other foreigners. Indians from all parts of the Golden State, as well as from Utah and Ariwna, conducted such campaigns quickly and effectively. In this manner, Native Americans manifested their displeasure regarding the invasion of their lands. A few of the articles also focus on the Glanton killings on the Colorado River, when [Quechans] sought reprisals against a gang of oudaws. Daily Alta California. January 8, 1851 You are doubtless aware that, early last winter, a company of American outlaws stationed themselves at the crossing of the Colorado, immediately at the mouth of the Gila and established a ferry over that great thoroughfare. Its leader, John Glanton, formerly of Texas, was a man of the most desperate character, and if report does not do them injustice, his associates were not a great deal better. Glanton had killed several men before he left San Antonio, his former place ofresidence. Coming into Chihuahua, he engaged in the service of that government in the delectable employment of killing Apaches, at so much per head. Finding it not to pay as well as he expected, and coming into contact with some Mexicans, whose tonsil [tousle] appearance resembled Indians, he coolly despatched [sic] them, and brought their scalps to his Excellency the Governor, and received from him for the murder of his own countrymen, the standard pro rata for killing Indians as far as Glanton was concerned. The atmosphere of Chihuahua became uncomfortable. Its government finally offered a reward of $8000 for his head, an act which at least showed how much higher it estimated the head ofan American than it did that ofanApache, the highest price paid for the latter being but $250. Upon this Glanton and his party"sloped;' and the next we hear of him is in connection with a Dr. Lincoln and his party at the river Colorado, engaged in crossing over its turbid waters the Sonoranian Hordes, whose presence in the southern mines this summer has been the cause of so much excitement and bloodshed. But Dr. Lincoln's previous history is equally pertinent of remark with Capt. Glanton's and partially is a fault which, as a historian, I am most anxious to avoid. Dr. L. was we believe a native of Tennessee, but previous to his leaving for this country he had been residing for several years at Shreveport, on the Red River in Louisiana. On his way hither he became "flat broke;' and he threw himself upon the hospitality of one who to the knowledge of the NATIVE AMERICAN REACTION...