Indians of the Yosemite Valley and Vicinity / Their History, Customs and Traditions

pplementary Table of Distances Interpretation of Indian Names Tables of Altitudes Name

Illust

CE: GALEN

E FALLS

N DANCER

ROTHERS

N PAUL

THER AND PA

′-CHUM,

N IN NATIVE DR

E HUNTER,

EAT HOUSE

H, Mrs.

ND ME-TAT

GATHERE

YOSEMI

D VIRGI

LAPINE

BASKETR

BASKETS INDIAN

T MAKER

, Bo

DOME,

N BEARE

PITAN

DOME

VEIL FA

and Sketch

ord the customs and traditions of the Yosemite Indians, but it was only after much persuasion that his friends succeeded in i

ronghold against their white enemies. Even in their diminished numbers and their comparatively civilized condition, they are still a source of great interest to all

t Mr. Clark has told the story of these people from their own standpoint, and with a sympathetic

eenth century, but he is a native of the Town of Dublin, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, born on the 28th day

on a farm during the summer, leading nearly the same life which was follo

occupation which he followed for some years, when he re

s attention was first attracted to this State by visiting the celebrated Crystal Palace in New York, wher

destination. In 1854 he went to Mariposa County, attracted thither by the wonderful accounts of the gold discoveries,

some of which passed through the celebrated "Mariposa Grant," the subject of prolonged and bitter litigation, both in this country and in Europe. He probably knows more about the actual facts c

t trip into the Yosemite Valley with a p

, and, whilst so engaged, by reason of exposure, had a serious attack of lun

ost beautiful of our mountain valleys, on the spot where Wawona now stands. He soon recovered his health enti

stopping place for travelers. This trail, as well as one from Coulterville, was completed to the Valley in 1857, and the trip to Yosemite then involved a stage

ngs; the peaceful valley, the swift-flowing Merced, and the surrounding p

d Fresno rivers. The Indian name for the place was Pal-lah′-chun. Whilst residing there Mr. Clark was i

Big Trees," belonging to the State of California. On this expedition he did not follow the route now traveled, but came upon the grove at the upper end, near the place where the r

il from Wawona to the Trees, and shortly afterwards built a log cabin in the grove, for the comfort

he State, and a Commission was appointed by Governor Low to manage and govern the Valley and the Big Tree Grove. Galen Clark was, of course, selected as one of the commissioners. He was subsequently appointed Guardian of the Valley, and under his administration many needed improvem

arrying with him the respect and admiration of every member of the Commission, of all the resid

sociated for so long a time, the following resolutions passed by the Board of Commis

closely identified with Yosemite Valley, and has for a

nd will, relinquished the trust confided

e beauties of Yosemite; his dignified, kindly and courteous demeanor to all who have come to see and enjoy its w

s Commission of the efforts and labors of Galen Clark, as Guard

and of the State; that he will be followed into his retirement by the sincerest and best wishes

twenty summers, and has also been a resident during many winters, and his descriptions of the Valley, when wrapped in snow and ice, are intensely interesting. Though always ready

mite; and he has made many trips on foot, both

Mr. Clark was met coming down the trail, having in charge a party of his friends, amongst whom was a lady with her two smal

ack which would fatigue a much younger man. Mr. Clark is thoroughly familiar with the flora, fauna and geology of the Valley and its surroundings. His kn

he Valley is deep and strong, and when he departs this life his remains will rest cl

is monument now rests in his grave, and when it is removed to receive his remains, will be used to mark his last resting place. His grave is surrounded

re he is called to occupy

. F

sco, Febru

OF THE