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OXEN’S TALE #13 John Sutter Builds His Fort PART #6 By Frank Tortorich
Using Indian labor and the common Californian brick making technique of sun drying adobe, it did not take Sutter long to begin slowly building the fort. In 1841, the Russians planned to leave California. They put their holdings at Fort Ross and Bodega Bay up for sale expecting the Mexicans to purchase it. The Mexicans, on the other hand, considering the Russians squatters, questioned why should they pay for what they already owned? Sutter perceived an opportunity. The Russians accepted his offer of $3000 down and the rest, $27,000, to be paid off in wheat over the next few years. Sutter’s interest was not in the land, but rather doors, windows, floors, walls, livestock, cannons, uniforms, and other firearms. John Bidwell, sent by Sutter, worked for 14 months to dismantle Fort Ross. Everything had to be shipped by way of the sea and up the Sacramento River to the fort. Completed in 1844, the fort’s walls would be 3 feet thick, 18 feet high with dimensions of 450 feet long and 150 feet wide. (This is 1/3 larger then the present reconstructed fort.) There would be a cannon bastion at both the southeast and northwest corners, jutting out enough to be able to protect the outer walls. Next time, Sutter loses his empire. |
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