Scope and Content
During the years covered in this volume, Stephens moves from Canada to San Diego. He buys property and builds a house there,
then begins to work for the Mexican Land and Colonization Company until quitting in 1890. He travels throughout Baja California
surveying land for the company from 1885 to 1890, and independently after his 1890 resignation. Stephens buys two tracts of
land during his work for the company: Rancho San Ramon and Rancho Huecos y Baldios. Much of the diary consists of notes regarding
the corruption and illegal actions of the Colonization Company as well as land disputes Stephens was involved in. This is
the most detailed and extensive of the five volumes of diaries.
Entries of interest:
Begins with personal autobiography and poem written in deceased sister’s honor (prior to page 1)
June 8, 1885: “Why do I leave Canada?... The most disagreeable thing about Canada – is the climate” (page 6). He didn’t like
the climate’s effects on horticulture which was his “chief delight.”
Leaves for California on June 9, 1885.
November 27, 1885: Meets Wallace Parker who is seeking a Draftsman to go to Mexico
“Long interview with Parker. He presses me to go down to Ensenada on Todos Santos Bay, in Lower California, Mexico, to work
up Plans of Surveys, for a Company who have a Concession to a large tract of land in that country, from the Government of
Mexico. They offer me $125.00 for work to last about two weeks – or a month at most, and all expenses paid. It appears my
work on the map of San Diego has brought me somewhat into notice. Thinking it may still further advance my chances to gain
an opening in my profession, and wishing to see something of Mexico.” (page 19)
Leaves for Mexico with Mr. Scofield of Mexican Land and Colonization Company on November 28, 1885.
December 2-5, 1885: “Work on skeleton maps, coastlines, till Mr. [William] Denton the Company’s Engineer who is out on surveys
returns with his Field Notes.” (page 19)
December 7, 1885: “Mr. Denton the Company’s Engineer who has been engaged in fieldwork during the past summer returned with
his outfit, and notes of surveys.” (page 19)
December 8, 1885: “Work in office. Denton and Lemon – Outline of maps. Denton working up his field notes.” (page 19)
Notes in red ink (added later by Stephens): “Inauguration of Company’s enterprise. Is it a fake?... Query? July 1890 – It
took several years to solve this query. When positively assured the company would never comply to the obligations to the Government
and people of Mexico – Sense of justice compelled me to cut loose.” (pages 20-21)
December 20, 1885: “I find this job will take more time than was expected. Only four days to Christmas – and the maps scarcely
commenced. Mr. Denton’s notes are extremely meager. He has made no actual surveys, and his trigonometrical work does not conform
to the coast surveys. This scheme of his is to make four maps – each extending from the Ocean to the Gulf… I tell Huller and
Scofield plainly – ‘This sort of work is simply fake!’ A kind of work I have never before attempted, nor been asked to perform.
Of course Denton assumes the responsibility as Chief Engineer. Sooner or later the fraud will come to light! But what can
be done? The Co. have a little empire here if properly managed.” (page 20)
Description of San Quentin (pages 39, 91-98)
Stephens is commissioned by Co. to explore a feasible route for a railway they want to establish (page 46)
March 4, 1889: “Our camp is located at foot of Sosio’s Canyon, close to the road which leads from San Diego to the new gold
diggings – Alamo – or Mexican Gulch! A constant stream of gold hunters are moving in the direction of the reported Placers;
with every sort of an outfit that can hop or trundle! Men on foot, with packs and without. Men on horses, mules, burros, in
wagons, carts – slung on poles, dog-carts, push carts, pull carts, wheelbarrows and baby carriages. A few women and kiddies!
Some well-supplied with provisions and blankets – others without either! Our cook kept tally today of over 300 beguiled mortals,
of all sorts, sizes and sexes – going to seek the nuggets.” (pages 71-72)
June 15–July 7, 1889: Stephens ill with an infected protrusion on his neck, confined to bed. (pages 75-76)
September 23, 1889: “The London Syndicate in taking over the International Company’s holdings in Lower California – as well
as the Charter for the Railway – were but superficially acquainted with the character of the country – especially the obstacles
to be surmounted in Railway building. . . It being certain that no vigorous prosecution of Railway work is contemplated at
present – I asked and obtained leave of absence for a couple of months to visit Canada.” (page 78)
Description of Ensenada and surrounding land (pages 80-86)
Explanation of land titles issues in Mexico (pages 86-87)
Description of incident involving Mrs. Ruiz Burton and her land claims (pages 88-91)
Descriptions of different Baja California towns/areas: Santa Maria (page 99); San Quentin Plains (page 99); San Ramon (pages
99-100); Camalu (page 100); San Telmo (page 100); Colnett and the Salado (pages 101-102); San Vicente (pages 102-103); and
Santo Tomas (page 103-104).
April 16, 1890: Bought Rancho Huecos y Baldios from Sra. Dolores Morena de Flower (page 118)
April 20-27, 1890: “The truth must come to light sometime! The land is as nature made it. I have only provided for a first
class, standard gauge, permanent way, and no grade exceeding 2%! If other Engineers can build the road for less, I shall be
glad to see it done—So the country is opened up and settled, and its resources brought to light. That will come to pass sometime
in the distant future. But, the present management are not the people to do it. Therefore, I tender my resignation.” (page
118)
December 1, 1892: “Visited Miss Kate Sessions, flower gardens, got Crysanthemums for S.S.” (page 156)
Notes on Garratt/San Ramon case – called by both names (Canadian man employed by International Co. who stole gold bar from
Mexican government, and swindled investors out of money, including Stephens) (pages 209-210). Remainder of diary is a recount
of this case with copies of letters and documents related to it.