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Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage O-Zone Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad July 19, 2006 Food & History Jeff Cheek Sam Brannan of California California has produced more than it’s share of colorful characters. Sam Brannan will be near the top of every list. There are Sam Brannan parks and school and highways all across the Golden State. If Brigham Young had listened to his advice, Californina instead of Utah might have earned the nickname “the Mormon state.” Brannan had the Midas touch, but his personal life did not conform to the disciplined, prayerful life of the Latter Day Saints. He was married but had a roving eye for young actresses. One of his best friends also commented that Sam “was rarely sober after lunch.” Eventually, the LDS disconnected itself from their obstreperous deacon. Born in Maine in 1819, Brannan became a newspaper reporter and printer. He was an early convert to the Mormon faith. When Brigham Young led his followers west in l846, Sam took an easier route. On February 4, 1846 he and 220 LDS members sailed from New York on the USS “Brooklyn.” They reached San Francisco July 31. Deacon Brannan built a tent city along the coast, opened a general store and started the city’s first newspaper, “The California Star.” Then he headed east to intercept Brigham Young. “Don’t stop in Utah,” he advised.” Keep going to California.” He bragged about the fertile soil, ample rainfall and mild climate, contrasting it to the high dry desert of Utah. Young wisely rejected his suggestion. Utah was “God’s Footstool.” He also knew the isolated territory provided his people a safe haven. Sam returned to San Francisco. When he heard that gold had been discovered in the Sierras, he quickly bought every pick and shovel in town, then made a fortune selling them to prospectors. His store and newspaper were thriving. Sam soon became California’s first millionaire. News of his success was passed along to the struggling Mormons in Utah. Brigham Young sent a delegation to collect “the Lord’s due,” to help the colony at Salt Lake City. Brannan rejected the request, saying he would only send the money “if the Lord himself signs the receipt.” Brannan’s biggest financial coup, and his biggest goof, was founding the city of Calistoga, California. As a boy he had visited the health spas at Saratoga Springs, New York. He purchased three thousand acres of land around some springs north of San Francisco and developed a health spa he planned to advertise as “the Sararoga of California.” The city would be given that name. En route to the ceremony, Sam stopped off at a saloon for a few drinks. He had planned to say “I hereby proclaim this is the Saratoga of California.” Instead, the half-plastered entrepreneur shouted,” I hereby proclaim this is the Calistoga of Sarifornia.” The city that grew up around his spa still bears that name. Brannan served as state Senator for a time but his primary interest was building his adopted state. But he died broke. His long suffering wife finally divorced him. The courts awarded her the bulk of his estate. But the old swashbuckler held on to his dreams. In his papers they found half a dozen new projects he planned to develop. Sam Brannan was a unique representative of California. So is California marinade. It gives beef a delightful flavor and provides a special benefit. It tenderizes the cheaper cuts of beef. Cut the meat into two inch cubes and marinate them for at least 24 hours before grilling. INGREDIENTS: 1 cup salad oil 3/4 cup soy sauce 1/2 cup lemon juice 1/4 cup Worcestorshire sauce 1/4 cup mustard 1 tablespoon cracked peppercorns 2 cloves garlic, minced Salt to taste PREPARATION: Combine all ingredients, mix well, and refrigerate until needed. While marinading the beef, turn the pieces occasionally to be sure all are coated. --> Copyright © 2006 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.