Lake and Walker lake and river, over the Sierra near the head waters of the Merced, and down into the San Joaquin Valley.[1]
Whatever the route, they reached Monterey in November 1833; and all authorities agree that with fandangos and aguardiente they passed a gay winter at the capital; though somewhat strangely their presence there has left but slight traces in the archives.[2] George Nidever and John Price are the only members of the company known to have remained in California, though Frazer and Moz were probably of this party. Several other men known to have arrived in 1833 may have belonged to it.[3] In the spring Walker with most of his men started to return, skirting the Sierra south ward and discovering Walker Pass. Thence they kept to the north-east, and by a route not exactly known, rejoined Bonneville on Bear River in June 1834.[4] That officer was altogether disgusted with
- ↑ Biographical sketches of Capt. Jos R. Walker in Sonoma Democrat, Nov. 25, 1876; and in S. José Pioneer, Sept. 1, 1877. Thompson of the Democrat was well acquainted with Walker; and the article in the Pioneer was founded on an interview. One account says he saw Mono Lake, and the other that he discovered Yosemite. On Walker's tombstone is an inscription: 'Camped at Yosemite Nov. 13, 1833.' According to the Pioneer, 'his first attempt to descend to the west was near the head waters of the Tuolumne, which he found impossible; but working a little to the south-west he struck the waters of the Merced.' Nidever states that they came down between the Merced and Tuolumne, and soon arrived at Gilroy's rancho.
- ↑ The only allusions to Walker's party that I have found are, 1st, a letter of Wm L. Saunders to Walker of June (Jan.) 1, 1834, in relation to a bill against S. left with Capt. Cooper for collection. Vallejo, Doc., MS., xxxi. 91; and, 2d, John Price's petition for a permit to remain, in which he is said to have come with Walker late in 1831. Dept. St. Pap., Ben. Cust.-H., MS., vii. [201].
- ↑ A writer in the Sta Cruz Sentinel, June 14, 1873, names John Nidever. John Hoarde, Thos Bond, Daily, Capt. Merritt, Wm Ware, and François Lajeunesse as having come with Walker.
- ↑ Irving says 'they passed round their southern extremity [of the mountains], and crossing a range of low hills, found themselves in the sandy plains south of Ogden's River; in traversing which they again suffered grievously for want of water.' Two Mexicans had joined the trappers on their return, and gladly aided in their atrocities. Stephen Meek says they 'left on April 1st, and in 10 days struck the snow bank on the south side of the Salt or California mountain. Before reaching the plains on the north side of the mountain, they had to leave 30 horses, 9 mules, and 25 cattle in the snow. In the fore part of May, reached St. Mary's River,' and July 4th the Bear River. Warren says the return route was nearly that of Frémont in 1842, known as the Sta Fé trail to California. Finally Joseph Meek carries his party to the Colorado, down to the Gila, back to Bill Williams Fork, across to the Colo-
