TWHP


Robert Semple, 1806-1854   

Robert Semple arrived in California on Christmas Day, 1845, and within the year the Kentucky native had helped precipitate the American pioneers' Bear Flag Rebellion against the Mexican government and founded--with William Colton--California's first newspaper, The Californian. Semple started out as a printer's apprentice before studying law, medicine and dentistry; characteristically, nothing held his interest for long. Standing 6'8", the dynamic giant crossed the continent from Independence, Missouri, in just four months with the Lansford Hastings party; he kept moving even after arrival. He published his paper in Monterey, and its first number--dated August 15, 1846--announced the war with Mexico; meanwhile, he'd befriended General Mariano Vallejo while he had him in captivity, and they became real estate promoters together, along with Thomas Larkin. The three founded the city of Benicia. Then Semple established the first ferry service on the San Francisco Bay, connecting his new town with Martinez, across the Carquinez Straits. He managed to have himself declared president of the state's first constitutional convention, and his town, Benicia, named state capital in 1853. Somewhere along the way, he also helped establish the town of Colusa. There he died, ever on the move, in a fall from a horse.


~ ~ ~