 The Romance of the Ranchos New Mexico 1841 workman Roland party starts for California Los Angeles 1846 American's lives saved by revolt Los Angeles 1876 panic closes Southland banks The title insurance and trust company of Los Angeles presents the Romance of the Ranchos a weekly Dramatization of the colorful events which make up the history of our southern California each week our wandering Vecchero Frank Graham tells another true story of famous people and happenings rich in romance and adventure Now a word from the title insurance and trust company about a kind of insurance that takes precedence over all others today Victory insurance That's what your regular purchases of defense bonds and stamps really are For the money that's made available to our government in this time of greatest need We'll provide the planes tanks guns and bombs that alone can ensure our victory And don't forget that in buying this victory insurance. You're also ensuring the future financial well-being of your family Defense bonds are a sound business investment guaranteeing a definite and substantial return So put your dimes and dollars to work for America and for you do it now Do it regularly do it often and now here to tell us the story as our wandering Vecchero Frank Graham We're not no chase senior assi senores Our story tonight concerns two of the Southland's early pioneers Partners in ownership of a vast tract of land in the fertile San Gabriel Valley The great ranch on a pointy of William workman and John Roland here is a story rich in the romance of the ranchos Our story starts about the year 1841 when two business partners in the little New Mexican town of Taos near Santa Fe Discussed an important matter But John does this mean that our partnership is to solve that you're striking out on your own of course not Bill Who ever said anything like that? Well Well the firm of William workman and John Roland is gonna go on as long as we live as long as we live and maybe longer Now that ain't the idea at all It's just that we'd be well transferring operation somewhere else, but you want to go to California. Oh sure sure I want to go to California. You want to take a look around See if it looks like a good place to settle down and start our business all over again You know we can't stay here. No, we can't Get him more unhealthy every day Sure, Ben Wilson says that are me. Oh the governor has gotten word somehow rather that the Texas boys are Organizing to march in here and take over new Mexico Bad enough for Americans here now, but when that happens none of us will be safe from these new Mexicans and Indians And we got to get out while there's still a chance. Yes, you're right, but then California That's a long way off. It's another Mexican province. There aren't many Americans there Why don't go back to Missouri back to civilization? What chance did we have? No, Bill. We ought to go out there where we can start something Well, we have a chance to really make a place for ourselves Not just get in on the tail end Yes Well, perhaps you're right Seems like a peculiar place to start a business out on the wilderness where there's nobody to do business with Yeah, you may be right. That's what I want to find out Why I'm going out there Anyways, I've always had a hankin to see it Ever since the first time I heard tell about California. Oh, it must be a mighty nice place to live. All right Yeah, more than that though. If it's such a nice place to live sooner or later people are gone gonna live there merrigan And they're spreading farther west every day Won't take them long to get out there and well, we'll be in on the ground floor. I trust your judgment, John Go on see what you can find Whatever you decide will be all right with me as long as we have to move anyway. It might as well be west I suppose good. I'll make arrangements to leave right away. Man, that's a hard trip In fact, nobody's ever made it except a few trappers. How'd you get there? He seemed to forget Bill. It well, I've been a trapper Oh, yes, I've done a lot of exploring around this West and I haven't forgotten all I knew I'll find my way to California All right, and I'll be back in the spring Back in the spring ready to take both our families back to a new home in California So John Roland took leave of his partner William workman and made the hazardous journey across Indian infested mountains and deserts to the remote Mexican province of California Once in Southern California, the young American was pleased with what he saw and back He went to Taos determined to persuade the others He arrived in the new Mexican town in the nick of time to find his family and friends considerably upset Listen to them John. He's right. You've been getting worse and worse Governor Armijo has whipped them up into a frenzy against them. No Americans have been attacked, have they? No, not yet, but if this keeps up, it'll only be a matter of days They've been threatening several times. We've barricaded the doors and windows just in case how many of us are there about 20 men with their families All together about 40 Americans Men Wilson and I have rounded them up and taken whatever measures we could to ensure their safety, but we're outnumbered 20 to 1 more than that Well, thank heavens. I got back in time. They still have a chance to escape Bill we'll call them all together tonight. I'll aim a plan before them. What is it California? That's right We'll find safety in a future fortune there and non-proposin that we stock up and get ready to leave as soon as possible The American pioneers of Santa Fe accepted John Rowland's proposition and escaped the trap of the new Mexicans just in time Across the parched plains and hazardous mountains the tiny caravan plotted and after almost two months of difficult travel On November 5th, 1841 they came down through Cajon Pass into the promised land of Southern, California It was the first party of American settlers who come to the Southland with the idea of making it their home The vanguard of that great westward migration which made world history As such the workman Rowland party with its honor roll of future great names in Southern, California annals made history Besides the leaders there were Don Benito Wilson, Lemuel Carpenter, John Reed and many others Most of them were to make their homes here Many of them would have followed much the same procedure that John Rowland did One day he had costed his friend Don Benito Wilson. Well, that's what I said How about coming up north with me to see the governor and get some land? You mean all you got to do is just ask for it? That's the size of it I've got some real nice country picked out for Bill and me and I'm going up to claim it. How about you, Ben? Oh, no, not me. I'm not even to settle down here and like I told you before there's plenty more places to see Now don't intend to live die and be buried and one out of the way spot like this I still think you'll change your mind, but well, I'm going anyway Very won't come along. Who said I won't look what they're with you But only because I want to find a ship that's headed for China now Maybe I'll be lucky enough to find one in Monterey Anyway, it's worth a try. All right, you old rolling stone. We're all for Monterey North to Monterey wrote the two friends and John Rowland paid a visit to Senor Agüeyo the prefect of the district Senor Rowland did you say? What can I do for you? Well, I understand you're the man who can help me prepare the proper petition to obtain a grant of land A grant of land? Uh-huh. Oh, but you Senor are an American or are you not? See, well that is I was born an Americano, but I'm a naturalized citizen of Mexico. Here are my papers I'm a resident of the Department of New Mexico. I married a Mexican wife. In fact, I've produced seven little citizens of Mexico You really do Senor and in that case, I shall prepare your petition. I can get the land Do not know but you have passed the first requirement Tell me Senor, where is the land you want? The lands to the east of the San Gabriel River near the bridge La Piante Known as the Exmission Lands of San Gabriel The Padres will not like that But no matter, there is government land now, so you are entitled to it See, that would make a good place for a rancho. That's what I think. Then you'll prepare the petition Oh, I shall draw it out. Uh, when can I take possession of the land? As soon as the provisional grant is issued. Uh, but when will that be? I mean, well you see, I was planning on going back to my family and partner and I'd like to know I had the land before I left. Oh, yes, of course And when are you planning to leave, Senor? Oh, on a day or two Santa Maria, a day or two Senor, you, you Americanos are too impatient You shall be lucky if the grant is issued in two months, let alone two days Is that so? Well, that seems a long time just to say yes or no Senor, wait until you have been here a while. You will understand. It is much easier. Just take your time See, senor. In fact, here it is easy to forget time Oh See, senor Time was made for slaves In spite of the Californian's contention that time was nothing John Rowland and William Workman chafed at the bit until in 1842 their provisional grant was issued They were able to take up their abode on their rancho la puente Once on their land the two friends and partners built homes close by one another and started the irrigation and cultivation of their land But when the final provisions had been lived up to they received their title papers Discovery was made. Bill, I don't know how I could have made such a mistake. It's all right, John We have the land The grant is legal. Everything will be all right But the grant is made out only to me and not to both of us in partnership And it doesn't really matter but it does legally you couldn't will your part to your children or I couldn't anyway neither of us can That's a provision in the grant. Well, it isn't right. We're going to have this changed You're my partner on this lake on everything else half of this ranch is yours and i'm going to see that you get it Yes, and your children too. We'll have it re-granted without any provisions at all And john rollin did have the rancho la puente re-granted to himself and william workman Thereafter the two partners shared evenly in the profitable growth which followed The two men had arrived in california at a period of extreme upheaval and within four years after their arrival They would take part in the great events In 1845 when the army of governor michel terena was being defied by southern californians both mexican and american It was william workman who aroused the local americans to support the defenders of los angles Michel terena is advancing on los angles He'll be in the city tomorrow. Let's be stuck. He must be stuck I appeal to every one of you. Do all know what this man's army means to us We ever want to have any degree of self-government here in california If we want to live in a society which has respect for law and order If we ever want to be rid of the brigandry of michel terena's lawless mob We must end firm and fight beside our neighbors. The californians. Are you with me? With workman as leader don venita wilson john roland william mckinley and some 50 other americans did stand firm with the californians And defeated michel terena in the battle of cahuenga They made po pico governor and now calm was restored For the last there were only a short time For an 1846 came war with the united states The american forces of commodore stockton took los angles as the commodore moved on He left a small force to guard the city It was then that word came to john roland bill. It's revolt a general revolt of all the californians It's bad. It's bad. Surely gillespie's men can stop it stop it that handful be annihilated as they don't get help It's really serious one florie's is the head of the insurgents and they're out to get every american That's bad. I'm having a horse settled. I've got to write out and warn ben wilson Yes, he has a squad of soldiers. Maybe he can get to gillespie with help I'm afraid we'll have to have more than ben squad. They were just organized as a border patrol Now i've got to warn ben to save himself florie's has sent out a hundred men to round him up but john you're an american too If you're caught with captain wilson, you know what it will mean. I know bill But i've got to warn him and then i'm going with you know bill this is one time you're not with me You're an englishman not an american if you stay here out of the way they probably won't bother you Look here man. I'm not going to stand the side and do nothing to help We're supposed to be partners on everything. All right then partner The best way for you to help me is to stay here and take care of the ranch I'll be all right. This will all blow over in a little while And i'll want to come back here to a ranch. It's been kept up. Yes, but look no buts about it I'm on my way. Take care of things. I'll be seeing you soon. But john john Roland reached captain benjamin wilson and his men just as the californians were closing in And together they would be sieged in the williams ranch house at chino The time they held the attackers off, but There we can't hold them off much longer john. No the ammunition's almost gone. No, wait a minute. Do I smell smoke? It's a fire they've set the roof on fire. It's going up like tinder. Hurry men get out back out in the patio Well, they'll smoke us out even there then. I know we're done for. I will give up right now. We're prisoners and may god help The americans undertone benito wilson were hurted into an improvised prison in los angles There they remain for some time in great physical discomfort. Then one day Won't you sit down? I have something important to talk to you about Well, I've not seen you for some time No, not since this trouble started I only come now senior because of word i've received from my good friend john roland Those you know has held prisoner here. I know it is unfortunate senior. I come to you because you're an honest human gentleman As our most californian. That is in your I know that even though our sympathies may not lie on the same side You are a man of honor And you will not countenance dishonor among your countrymen Design a senior among us californianos Come senior workmen speak up very well I have received word from my friends that general floris plans to send them as trophies of war To the government at mexico city Your you are sure see or so floris has already told them During not your you will not allow him to do anything so inhumane so dishonorable. Will you in your Many of us have not liked floris treatment of the americanos But we have felt uh, we could do nothing The royal you sent here from me he called see When the americanos forces come back he will flee to mexico again Leaving you californianos to bear the shame of his dishonorable dealings. I know that senior His whole unpleasant matter is much to be regretted senior workmen But you have my word for it. There shall be no more to be regretted floris will not carry out this scheme Don't ignore. So I knew you would not allow it. I shall call my friends together right away And we shall take action with force if necessary Quickly don't in us your polymaris gathered the honorable california don't surround him and challenge general floris command of the insurgents Anxiously the prisoners waited in their quarters The sound of firing ringing up to them Then seems to be fading away there's not as much firing as before here sounds like it's peter now I'm afraid with some john Only we could do something not just sit here in prison waiting and praying when Out there our fate is being decided. I'm afraid it's been decided The firing's almost stopped I didn't think floris would give up that easily then we'll Soon be on our way to mexico Then wilson it's bill workman Bill what are you doing here workman how in the world all of our men you're safe We've just finished off the last of floris men who held out but how Most of his own men were on our side general floris is in irons and you're safe Whom do the public records show to be the owner of the land upon which you're living right this minute Do you know for sure? Do you know what they show about who owned it before the present owner acquired it? What rights or claims or interest any person or any corporation or any municipality has in that land Suppose you didn't know the answer to all those questions But you wanted to know and surely you would want to know if you were buying that land Or if you were lending money with that land as security It is the business of title insurance and trust company of los angles to determine from a mass of millions of different records The answers to all these questions When that determination has been made not only from an examination of these records But by an interpretation of these records it issues what is called a policy of title insurance This ensures you against any loss you may suffer by reason of mistakes and the policy of title insurance as to any of these matters When you buy real estate or lend on real estate just think title insurance is my protection The americans under captain vengerman wilson were freed from the threat of being taken to mexico city as trophies of war By the prompt action of the californians pluris was later restored to his command after promising to refrain from any mistreatment of the american prisoners From now on roland wilson and the others fared better, but they were still captives Then on january 8th 1847 the day before the battle of the san gabriel General andres pico visited them in herself. You mean henderal pico. You're releasing us See me amigo for we have no one to guard you all of our men go to the battle and you would not be safe here The mob might get out of hand here in depueblo. You're letting us go for our own safety See but on one condition that you promise not to join the americano forces against us I'm sure that you have our promise henderal You're being more generous. Thank you We have never had any ill will toward you senores. I only wish that this unpleasantness could have been avoided See henderal pico that goes both ways But i'm sure that whatever happens we can all live here in this grand country together peacefully and happily On general andres pico's horses wilson and roland make good their escape and return to their homes The next day the californians were defeated at san gabriel And all californian knew that it was to become a part of the united states of america But the course of events changed the even tenor of life on la puente but little For a time at least on the workman roland property grew up a virtual community in itself In 1855 workman built the first brick house in california, which still stands Beside their crops and vineyards the cattle and horses John roland built a flour mill in a winery this plower and the guaguente supplied many in the pueblos Those were prosperous years during the 50s for settlers were pouring into california Gradually with growth conditions changed from the sleepy frontier village Los angles began its growth as an american city of commerce and industry As the years passed the american ron cheros took an active part in the development William workman joined with his son-in-law francis f p temple and isaac w helman to go into the banking business Later on in 1870 workmen and temple established a bank of their own and for a while prospered Then three years later on the little barren plot of ground on rancho la puente A sad scene was enacted Don't you think we'd better be getting back to the house mr. Workman sir. No francis just a minute more I want to stay here with him a minute more, but it's getting late I can't believe it yet francis There under the soil he loved so well Lies john roland. It's where he'd want to be sir. Yes Yes, it's where I want to be too francis Remember that when the time comes John and I lived and worked and fought together We've been friends and partners most of our lives And where it comes to me too I should be like to Like to be laid right here at francis Here beside my old partner John. I promise you it will be done, sir But what are we talking about? That's far in the future. You'll probably outlast me many years. Oh son I have a feeling that Now john's gone and won't be very long for me And william workman was to live only a few years longer contentedly at home on his rancho la puente Surrounding him were his children his grandchildren his sons and daughters-in-law Among them many names illustrious John read francis temple There were the boils and john roland's family including william the sheriff who captured the bandit boscus The old pioneer left his banking business pretty much in the hands of temple And all went well until in 1874 workman was hastily called to the bank Oh Mr. Workman, I'm glad you're here. What are all these people doing here? It's a run a run on the bank It's getting worse and worse. It's a panic sir a panic, but why what's the cause of it? Well yesterday in san francisco the bank of california closed its doors and all over the state one bank after another is following suit Close but francis. There's no need for us to close is there? Yes, sir. I'm afraid there is We can't keep open in the face of a panic like this. We've given out almost all of our cash now That's why I asked you to come. I want your permission to to close the doors Should I lend money to a bank every one of them's closed but the scare is over I'm sure if we can reopen we'll be all right. Mr. Baldwin the helman's reopening tomorrow ej And we want to do the same if you'll put up this money. We can you say you want three hundred and ten thousand Huh, that's a lot of money. Let it's safe ej both francis and i are willing to stake our property on it Yes, we'll give you a mortgage for our combined real estate All right, all right. I'll do it, but I don't envy you fellas looks to me like you're jumping from the frying pan into the fire Well francis, how does it stand you've been pouring over those figures for hours. It doesn't look good sir You mean yes, we can't liquidate our assets. We can't call back enough loans and our money is gone And that means We'll have to close again. Yes, but this time for good and our land the rancho la puente. It's gone The shock was too much for william workman in the short time later They carried him to his final resting place Besides his old friend in this little liquor of god Just where he wanted to be May he rest in peace We who knew him shall never forget him Not forgotten is william workman or john roland pioneers of early los angles Today, there are many descendants of prominent in southland affairs Including a famous president of the city council the honorable boyle workman Who was written much about his kinsman and his life in early california They are remembered to on the land of rancho la puente where today prosperous farms and homes And the thriving cities of covena puente and baldman park are located For it is men like these who have helped to make southern california as it is today Such is the romance of the ranchos When you deal with land you deal with people Because things which happen to people may affect their land You must know for example what legal disabilities if any a person might have which might prevent him from or affect him in dealing with land Now suppose you were buying a lot from catherine jones spelled with a c Suppose the records disclose that one catherine jones spelled with a k is incompetent Is that the same person? It doesn't appear to be but it might be It's the business of title insurance and trust company of los angles to establish the identity of these persons And to ensure you against loss by reason of any mistake in any such identification Incidentally, there are at least 24 different ways to spell the name catherine Does this give you some idea of the magnitude of the work which must be done by the title insurance company? Now frank, what's the story for next week next week? We'll trace the history of catalina and the channel islands along the coast where the romantic sea otter trade was carried on And there's a tale about the lost woman of san nicolas a fascinating chapter in the romance of the ranchos So until next week, this is your wondering vaquero frank graham saying Hasta la vista The romance of the ranchos a presentation of the title insurance and trust company of los angles Featuring frank graham as the wandering vaquero is dramatized by john dunkel and produced by ted blitz with special music arranged by urbano bob lomond speaking This is the columbia broadcasting system