78

IN TAMAL LAND


   While the Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks and later Gauls and Romans were weaving the first few threads of our planet's history in the old world, the aborigines of America roamed our trackless, primeval forests, boundless save for two shimmering oceans and a blue canopy overhead.
   Fearless, they plunged into the thickets, swam the streams, hunted game, caught the bear and bison, trapped the fowl, and dauntlessly lived on in fear of neither nature, beast nor man--

Picture

COURT HOUSE, SAN RAFAEL.

primitive--just a savage, but possessing the fundamental requisites from which all civilizations, sects, isms, or communities have been evolved--a human being with a soul.
   Therefore the red man is to America what the cave man is to Europe--the father of his country.
   In the history of our State the aborigines played an allimportant part, as the founding of the missions by the Friars was with the avowed intention of reclaiming these children of the wilderness, to teach them civilization.


 

Picture

ESCALLE VINEYARD AND WINERY.


IN TAMAL LAND

81

Picture

"FAIRHILLS."

   The first mention made of the Indians in Marin County is found in an old legend which states that about the time of the erection of the Mission at San Francisco a party of Spaniards crossed the Straits at what is now known as Lime Point and traveled northward. It was late in the season, and they found no streams of running water until they arrived at Olompali, so named from a great and powerful tribe of Indians who dwelt at this place, the Olompalis. Here they were kindly received by the natives, and all their wants were supplied as far as it lay in their power. The party was so well entertained that the leaders decided to remain a fortnight and recruit their horses and become thoroughly rested, preparatory to proceeding on their arduous journey. In return for the kindness received, they taught the Indians how to make adobe brick and construct a house.



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©1999, 2000, 2001 for MARDOS Collection, T&C Miller