314 EAST PRUSSIA TO THE GOLDEN GATE 



embittered the hot heads and might have led to blood- 

 shed sooner or later. Personally I felt keenly the sym- 

 pathy of the two noble men and returned to my room 

 after midnight, passing but a few of the early disturb- 

 ers. The following day I spent at work at the SS. 

 "Brother Jonathan," without even approaching the 

 polls, as in all probability my appearance would have 

 given cause for new trouble. The next day I settled 

 with Banning and left, followed by the kindest encour- 

 agement of my employer and companions. 



On my arrival in Los Angeles I found myself lionized, 

 and many political friends tried to indemnify me for the 

 temporary loss of employment. Surveying and clerking 

 for the country kept me busy from the first. In the for- 

 mer occupation, I mention the Chino Ranch, sub-division 

 of San Pedro Ranch for Ph. Banning, Manuel Dominguez 

 and others, which brought me to Wilmington where I 

 met no further annoyance. 



Work has positively been showered upon me since I 

 left Banning 's employ, but as the winter puts a stop to 

 outdoor measurement, the latest favor, an appointment 

 as deputy county clerk comes like a happy surprise. 



I qualify as deputy county clerk on November first 

 and am to draw one hundred dollars from the public 

 treasury. Thus ends one of the most successful and 

 eventful years of my life. 



January-December, 1863. 



My position is agreeable and my mode of living sim- 

 ple. I roomed first at J. M. Griffith's house, then at 

 Nordholdt's and board at Dockweiler's adobe inn, the 

 "Lafayette," for thirty dollars a month. 



A great shock to me and to the many concerned was 

 the explosion of the SS. "Ada Hancock" at Wilmington. 

 Loss of twenty-nine lives, ship totally wrecked. This 

 happened on April 27th, 1863. Mr. Banning himself was 

 on board of the vessel at the time of the explosion and 

 was thought to have been dangerously wounded. He 

 sent me word by express to come to his aid at once, 



