HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 2018 SLOWhatHistory of SLO: Pioneers’ Story
WITH JOSEPH CAROTENUTI, CITY HISTORIAN/ARCHIVIST
Parker Hardin French
We have been speaking with Parker French on how
he arrived in California and San Luis Obispo. So
impressive a man, several contemporaries wrote
about their experiences (not all unfavorable) with
him while he hasn’t left any personal recollections.
One described him as “rather below medium height and
weight with a build that…suggested more than physical
power.” Furthermore, “he had an eye that could read
his man at a glance, was fluent in conversation, affable
in manner, and seemed to combine all the qualities a
gentleman could possess.” Another remembered that
“…he appeared to be in command, and in business –
sharp practice…as if he had been a noted cavalier…”
Later in his trip west, he was characterized as “arbitrary
and dictatorial to the last degree, and would often say he
intended to be the Lord High Admiral while he stood
on the deck. He would not for a moment entertain a
suggestion of any kind from any one.” This, of course, led
to “no affection for him” by the men he sought to lead.
However, when we last spoke, you were organizing
an expedition for prospective gold miners to go to
California but decided going by ship wasn’t the answer.
“Yes, not directly by sea. I still believed there was a good
business to be made bringing settlers west. In time, I
decided a wagon train from Texas would be quicker that
trying to do so by sea. So, I relocated to New York City
and began recruiting men who wanted to go west for
a modest fee. (NOTE: Cost was about $200 per man.)
If I do say so, it was a bold plan as there had
been few to try before I organized the overland
expedition. I was positive strong men with strong
convictions could make the trip in 60 days. So
positive, I hired a secretary to take notes for
a book I planned to write about the venture.
Contact: jacarotenuti@gmail.com Visit: www.joefromslo.com 11/2018
(NOTE: No book was ever written.) In late April
1850, about 100 men sailed from New York
via Havana, New Orleans, and then to Texas.”
Where you on schedule to arrive in California in 60 days?
“Unfortunately, plans needed to be adjusted. I did
not go on this trip but stayed behind to make further
arrangements but I learned that not all the wagons and
mules were available for the men. Some decided to go
ahead with what was available and it took them about a
month to go 150 miles. In the meanwhile, I had obtained
letters of credit for $2000 to buy supplies from the Army
for the land caravan in July. (NOTE: These proved
worthless.) This disturbed the planned time for the
expedition. I could only buy what animals and supplies
were available, but some of the men were ungrateful for
my efforts and decided to continue west on their own.”
(NOTE: Later, several men wrote of the expedition and
during this time recall it became increasingly clear that
this was not going to be the pleasure trip promised by
French when they joined in New York. Many decided to
form their own expedition in order to reach California.)
“It became increasingly more difficult to lead to
the goldfields. I even had to have a bodyguard
as some of the men became unruly and even
stole from me. I couldn’t allow this and it led to
the unfortunate conflict at Corralito in Mexico.”
(Pictured Above: Wagon Train)