284 CHANNEL ISLANDS OF CALIFORNIA 



islands a marvellous story would be the result; and 

 none more pathetic than that which saw the decima- 

 tion of the natives who in the old days, before Cabrillo 

 and Vizcaino, had on these isles of summer an ideal 

 home and knew few of the trials and tribulations 

 which attend modern life. 



Santa Rosa, one of the most attractive of the Santa 

 Barbara Islands, has been the scene of many a romance, 

 from that of high-bred Castilians to that of half- 

 Indian and Mexican herders. In 1541 it belonged to 

 the natives; but in 1834 it was granted by the Spanish 

 crown to Don Carlos and Don Jose Carrillo, members 

 of one of the oldest and most aristocratic families of 

 Southern California, whose descendants still live here. 

 Don Carlos had two daughters, famed for their beauty 

 and many graces. J. P. Jones, United States Consul 

 to the Hawaiian Islands, met one at the Casa Car- 

 rillo in Santa Barbara and married her, while the 

 other sister married Captain A. B. Thompson. The 

 dowry of both brides from Don Carlos was joint owner- 

 ship in the fair island — practically a domain of forty- 

 five thousand acres, seven or eight miles long and ten 

 in width; well watered, made up of mountain, caiion, 

 vaUey, and mesa, with valuable fisheries. A princely 

 gift even in the early days, and to-day valued at 

 several millions even as a cattle ranch. 



The two families owned the island jointly, and for 

 years carried on the business of sheep-raising, then 

 very profitable. The island ranch house was the 

 scene of many gay entertainments, especially at the 

 shearing time, when large parties of friends were taken 

 over and the event celebrated by a jollification ex- 

 tremely picturesque from its interesting environment. 



