HOME HISTORY STORIES RESOURCES	Interesting Family Stories Jose Ramon and the Bear Jose Ramon Carrillo, Maria's second son, was famous for his horsemancship and hunting skills. He was especially noted for his fights with grizzly bears, using only a knife and shield (at this period in time, bears were very common in California). One day, as he was riding alone through the woods, he saw a bear a short distance away. Jose Ramon took off after him on his horse intending to lasso him. The countryside was overgrown with low brush and suddenly the bear plunged in a ditch that was 6 feet deep. Before Jose Ramon could stop his horse, they were in the ditch also. He knew what could happen and that he would have a hard time defending himself with no room to maneuver. The bear, frightened, was trying to climb the steep sides of the pit. Jose Ramon, with great presence of mind, braced his strong arms under the bear's hind quarters and, pushing with all his strength, gave him a giant push. The bear took off at a run. Jose Ramon and his horse climbed out more slowly, both badly bruised. A Night to Remember In 1850, author and adventurer Frank Marryat visited the Cabeza de Santa Rosa. Jose Ramon, his wife, and two sisters, welcomed his party warmly. They were invited to bathe in the creek behind the house and then to a dinner prepared by the Mexican cooks. During the meal, several Indian girls constantly fanned the air with long green boughs to keep off flies. After dinner, one of the "vaccaros" played the guitar and everyone waltzed. Don Jose Ramon showed his guest to their rooms, bid them good night, and left. Immediately they were attacked by fleas. Frank Marryat wrote that he had experienced fleas in all corners of the world but none as vicious as these Santa Rosa fleas. The next day they discovered that their room had contained animal hides and had been cleared out for their use. As a general rule, California houses were alive with fleas. They thrived in the cracks of mud brick walls and in the hides that often covered the floors. Californio's never gave the little "malditos" a thought! Stealing the Rancho Maria Marta Carrillo, one of Maria's daughters, was 22 when her mother died. She was left about 1600 acres of the Rancho Cabeza de Santa Rosa. This property was between Santa Rosa and Matanzas creeks from San Rosa Avenue on the west to the hills of Bennett Valley in the east. Her brother-in-law, Salvador Vallejo, repeatedly threatened her if she would not give him this property. Marta was an expert horse-woman and could handle a rope as well as her brothers, but she could neither read nor write and spoke very little english. One day, Salvador served her with a "notice of ejectment" and when she protested, he showed her a deed with what he said was her signature. He made the sale, recieved the money, and Marta got nothing! She was so crushed by her brother-in-law's deception that she gave up and refused to fight any longer.