Anne.. MOTHER LODE The Story of Californias Gold Rush by Louis J. Stellman "A figure of almost equal interest and importance with the ill-starred Fremont, insofar, as Mariposa County's history is concerned, was John D. Savage. A "savage" man he was by name and character, although he was at heart a just and kindly one. And with the savage tribes of Mariposa County he was very seriously concerned. He came there as a trader in the latter forties, when the Central California Indians were a menace to the whites. But Savage seems to have made friends with them. He learned their tongue, he respected their ways. He succeeded in winning their frienship. And, to make alignments with them more assured, he married five of their squaws. They were the daughters of five different chiefs. An uncouth border man who lacked both culture and distinction, he was yet a diplomat and statesman of no mean attainments. In fact, so greatly did the Indians trust and like this bearded giant they made with him a common cause against their own blood brothers, the Yosemites. Savage held a powwow with the chiefs who were his friends-and for the most part fathers-in-law. He began a march into the stronghold of the hostile tribe. These guides led Savage and his men into a strange and beautiful country up steep and slippery trails, through groves of towering sequoias, and, after several days of marching, to a spot now known as Inspiration Point. They rounded up their quarry & without use of arms, persuaded them to return & ally themselves. A year after Savage's discovery of the Yosemite Valley, he led the first white settlers into a new country south of the Merced River. In April 1852, the party led by Savage held the first election within its borders, It seems to have been an extraordinary proceeding. It seems to have been a political gesture without much purpose except establishing a precedent. For on the following day Savage, with most of the voters and elected candidates, returned to Mariposa County, leaving the infant county once more to the mercy of its Indian settlers until a reservation on the King River was established by Savage as Indian agent for the government. Savage's death was a result ofa controversary between he and a man named Walter Harvey. The latter being a ringleader in illegal attempts to wrest reservation lands from the Indians and Savage denounced him to the government. When Harvey heard this he dared Savage to fight. Savage, fearless as he was blunt, mounted his horse and rode forth to accept the challenge. Savage knocked Harvey down (but he was only playing possum) & when Savage's back was turned, he was treacherously shot, inflicted with a fatal wound. Harvey was permitted to go free, but public disapproval forced him soon thereafter to depart". Jackie in California [email protected]