The Eighth Tribe, 1977 (4. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1977-08-01 / 8. szám
Page 4 THE EIGHTH TRIBE August, 1977 was unveiled at the historic Buena Vista estate at Sonoma, two decades ago. The widow of Auguste Rodin-trained Sándor Finta, herself an artist of renown, parted with this superb bronze to serve as a reminder in San Diego of Haraszthy’s pioneer years spent there as sheriff. True, there was a Haraszthy Street there, but the building of the Pacific superhighway obliterated it. Now the Hungarian Pavilion in Balboa Park, where the marker is placed on view, makes amends for that omission — thanks to Mrs. Finta! • * * THE HARASZTHY STORY Louis Kossuth roused millions of Americans in scores of eastern cities 125 years ago, while simultaniously another great trailblazer, Ágoston Haraszthy inched westward from Wisconsin, where in 12 years he introduced intensive farming methods and model co-operatives. He grew the first hops for Milwaukee’s breweries and established the first steamship service on Upper Mississippi. It took his wagon train 9 months to reach the Pacific Ocean. He became the first elected official in San Diego... In San Francisco, he was entrusted to establish the only mint outside of Philadelphia. The gold coins struck there are now sought by connoisseurs at $5,000 apiece. For settling a multitude of luckless sourdoughs, “the Count” as he was nicknamed, was elected member of the Sacramento legislature. He was commissioned to sail around South America to bring back choice vine cuttings. From Bordeaux to Tokaj he gathered a quarter million of them and upon returning he distributed them gratis. The many unemployed who turned vintners with Haraszthy’s gifts and advice, succeeded in squeezing out the Czar’s fur trappers —■ Russian military in disguise — who dominated Northern California. Another brilliant Haraszthy maneuver was to befrind the last Mexican governor of the West Coast, thus easing transition from foreign occupation. Is it then any wonder that the original Bear Flag of the California Republic flies on this National Historic Site, once Haraszthy ground. For the entire last week of every September, villagers of SONOMA honor this greatest of Magyar immigrants in a memorable Vintage Festival, which has become a tourist attraction. The local newspaper devotes a special edition to his achievements, shopwindows display a wealth of treasured Haraszthy memorabilia. San Francisco TV sends a crew to record the pageant depicting the life of “Hungary’s Son — California’s Pioneer.” Jack London made this Valley of the Moon a literary landmark, after Haraszthy made it flourish. Nowadays young talent reenact their Grand Old Man’s story, the northernmost Franciscan Mission furnishing the backdrop to the open-air stage. There a Padre “marries” Mexican Governor Vallejo’s two daughters to Haraszthy’s sons, Attila and Árpád — a double happy ending! Entertaining VIPs and celebrities at the lifesize bronze relief of Haraszthy — last masterpiece of sculptor Sándor Finta — one finds U.P.I. Chairman Frank Bartholomew, who saved “Széptáj” (Buena Vista), homestead of the “father” of a multi-million dollar viticulture. There, in a thousand-foot-long cellar, the first American champagne was born, together with many prize-winning varietal “nectars of the mountain”. The late Cardinal Mindszenty led a pilgrimage to Sonoma where he was joined by the Bishop of Santa Rosa, to bless the Haraszthy vineyards, founded by the one-time friend of Honvéd General Lázár Mészáros, and the “greatest Magyar,” Széchenyi. As sung by poet Petőfi, the end of September is indeed abloom with “flowers” in Sonoma. Groups of Magyar beauties from afar stroll the main thoroughfares in their colorful folk costumes. While doing the tricky Bottle Dance, they sing a tune perhaps by now appropriate to many an oldtimer who hails from Hungary: “Kukorica, édes máié — Öregember vagyok már én...”
