events and picnics at "a beautiful grove" near his ranch house. This description 

 of one such event in 1867 appeared in the San Rafael newspaper: 



PICNIC AT OLEMA. A May-day picnic and festival 

 given for the pupils attending the Public and Sunday 

 Schools came off at Olema in a beautiful grove near 

 the residence of L. K. Baldwin on the 1st instant. It 

 was largely attended and proved a complete success. 

 The day was magnificent; the breeze, soft and balmy, 

 laden with the perfume of a thousand wild flowers 

 went sighing through the grand old oaks, stirring the 

 foliage of the evergreens whence issued the melodious 

 warble of the linnet and the joyous carol of the robin. 

 Along the outskirts of the grove a stream of crystal 

 water ran babbling and murmuring; troops of bright- 

 eyed, gaily dressed, well behaved children frolicked 

 about upon the green sward or swung in the swings 

 suspended from the branches of the oaks. All was joy 

 and gladness. In the afternoon a table bountifully 

 supplied with everything in the way of edibles that 

 could charm the eye or tempt the palate was set in 

 the shade and everybody partook until satisfied. The 

 repast being finished there was some excellent singing 

 under the admirable leadership of Mr. Stickles, of the 

 Powder Mill, after which Rev. Mr. Barlingame was 

 called upon who responded in a neat little address 

 replete with imagery and abounding in metaphor, 

 exactly suited to the day and the occasion. The 

 behavior of the children was unexceptionable, and 

 reflects the highest credit on their teachers, their 

 parents and themselves. Altogether it was a most 

 pleasant affair, and we trust it will be repeated next 

 May-day." 135 



While Baldwin's business and social life was one of acclaim and success, 

 his family life had its share of tragedy. His oldest daughter Clara was listed in 

 censuses as "dumb" and "idiotic," and a daughter Satella, born on the ranch in 

 1863, died at age seven. The couple had one other daughter, Mary, born on the 

 ranch in 1867. Also in residence at the ranch was Baldwin's wife's mother and 



135 Santa Cruz County, p. 332; Marin County Journal. January 9, 1864, May 4, June 22, and 

 July 6, 1867. 



247 



