Page 28 - lareina1929

24 LA REINA LOS ANGELES IN THREE CENTURIES

The old T emple Block at the height of its glory Nadeau Hotel,
under construction, in distance
A Scotchman Marries an Indian Princess
ROBABLY because of the historical material right at hand, and more accumu-
P lating rapidly Southern California has developed many historians, and inspired
others gifted with the faculty of observation to write of their impressions. Hugo
Reid, a Scotchman, went into merchandising upon his arrival in 1834, took to wife
Victoria, daughter of the chief of the Gabrielenos Indians, and a product of the
San Gabriel Mission's efforts to civilize the native. Reid thereby came into posses-
sion of the vast Rancho Santa Anita, later made famous by its owner "Lucky"
Baldwin. In 1843 we find him living as encargado de justicia at San Gabnel. In
1846-the last year of Mexican government-William Workman and he were granted
the huge estate of Mission San Gabriel, as payment for services rendered the govern-
ment. After the signing of the Treaty of Cahuenga, General Fremont learned that
at the Mission had been manufactured all the powder used against the Amencans,
whereupon he ousted Reid. The latter had disposed of the Santa Anita Rancho just
before the surrender
Apparently unembittered by his experiences, Reid set about rendering loyal
support to the new government, and served as a member of the State Constitutional
Convention which petitioned Congress for admission of California to the Union.
However, his outstanding work was the writing of a series of articles in 1852 for
the Los Angeles Star the first newspaper describing in detail the language, govern-
ment, religion, food, •raiment, medicine, customs, sports, traditions, legends, missionary
life, etc., of the Indians of the then far-spreading Los Angeles County Through
him we see the Indian as he lived day by day and we come to know him intimately
Reid took advantage of his prosperity to travel extensively abroad, but he was
loyal to his Indians, and especially to his wife and family It is told of him that,
upon returning from an Oriental trip, he brought silks and richly embroidered shawls
to his Victoria, and even diamonds and strings of pearls to adorn her dusky person.
Still the Indian, this woman squatted upon the ground, while she ordered her servants
about and instructed her children. A private tutor taught them English and French.