A FOURTEEN-YEAR PERIOD 313 



duty it is to attend to loading arid unloading of incom- 

 ing vessels. My patience is at last rewarded, as I am 

 given a very nice room in our new warehouse. The view 

 upon the little harbor and the grand ocean repay me 

 amply for the privation of months. At a distance I see 

 the picturesque island of Catalina. All went well 

 until the end of August when some political differences 

 arose which I had so far very carefully avoided. How- 

 ever, the time for election drew nearer and I could not 

 conceal my view and maintain my manhood. I for one 

 shall never be justly accused of being untrue to the dic- 

 tates of my own convictions. A 



Political Quarrel 



arose, when some Arch- Yankees in name branded me as 

 a "German trouble maker," and as soon as the Demo- 

 cratic supervisors of Los Angeles county appointed me 

 inspector of election for the district of San Pedro, the 

 camel's back was broken. About twenty of those 

 rowdies gathered about my headquarters on the eve of 

 election day and tried in vain to coax me outside, while 

 I sat, a pistol in either hand, ready for a bloody defense 

 should they dare to break down my door. To do this 

 they proved too cowardly, though even the mouth of a 

 loaded ship's gun had been turned toward my room with 

 evil intent. When I realized that I might have to sit 

 up all night, six-shooters in hand, I resolved to beat my 

 way through to Banning 's residence. At eleven o'clock 

 I went upon my porch, then down stairs and faced the 

 mob with piercing look and ready pistol. A few made 

 motions to attack me but the better element became evi- 

 dently ashamed to attack a single opponent, twenty to 

 one. I reached the house unharmed and had the good 

 fortune to meet Mr. Sanford ( Banning 's partner in San 

 Francisco), and the U. S. quartermaster, Lieutenant 

 Morgan, whom I informed of what had happened. Both 

 were incensed and the latter promised me military pro- 

 tection should I decide to attend the election in my offi- 

 cial capacity. I declined with thanks, as it would have 



