HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 2018 SLOWhatHistory of SLO: Pioneers'Story
®® WITH JOSEP CAROTENUTI, CITY HISTORIAN/ARCHIVIST
1
SLO Pioneers 7
Samuel Adams Pollard
As with so many of our pioneer civic ancestors, Samuel
Adams Pollard came to California dreaming of riches
from gold but soon decided a merchant's — not a miner's
- life was more to his liking. It wasn't because he had a life
of ease before his adventures in the west. Serving in the
Mexican -American War, struggling against the elements
to reach the Pacific shores, he knew that life would be
what he could make of it and not a gift from anyone else.
Let's continue.
Last time you talked about settling in the central coast
and opening a store with another important civic resident,
William Beebee. How did that work?
"Considering we were not flush with cash, you might
say we wanted to open a merchandise store using hopes
for money. Fortunately, we met poor Henry Tefft and
borrowed funds from him'
Why do you say "poor Henry Tefft" if he had money to
lend?
"I wasn't talking about his money but his life. Henry
came west and married into the local Dana family. After
statehood, he became the county's first judge as well. He
drowned not too long after helping us out. I especially
remember Henry as some years later, I married his widow.
But that's another story."
I agree, but let's return to how you established yourself
here. How did Tefft help?
"Beebee and I were able to have the store built but it was
so expensive, we didn't have any money to buy supplies.
On the other hand, Tefft was paid for his judgeship but
needed the draft cashed in San Francisco. So, we made
a deal. I'd go to San Francisco to cash the drafts and he'd
let us borrow money for six months with no interest. You
need to remember traveling overland from this county
was a very dangerous proposition... let alone traveling
with money. More than one poor soul was found dead...
or simply disappeared'
Did that work?
r 7
"Oh, yes. You see, our store was a big event for the
settlement's progress. Once completed, we invited
everyone to attend a grand opening ball. Just about
everyone came and the event was remembered years
later as a civic landmark in terms of the growing
settlement. At the time, the few living here, mostly
from somewhere else, envisioned a settled community
with more than one church, stores and services, and a
peaceful environment. We were a long -way off in that
ever happening.
So, having a store meant more people would come
to town for supplies and this would lead to more
commerce. In fact, our little venture became the first
post office as well. The mail carrier would ride in and sit
a spell while folks read the San Francisco newspapers.
Our little store became a popular spot along the coast.
Did you know part of the California state seal was
designed here? Or that the famous John C. Fremont
slept in the store?"
No, I don't. But I do know of your many other
contributions to the development of the county. Let
hope we can meet again to discuss some of those.
As a last question, do you have a recommendation for
someone to talk about their adventures getting here?
"Well, first thank you for your interest in my story. I
suggest you talk to my partner, William Beebee next.
Contact: jacarotenuti@gmail.com
Visit: www.joefromslo.com 03/2018