Ingersoll's Century History Santa Monica Bay Cities (Being Book Number Two of Ingersoll's Century Series of California Local History Annals), 1908, 1908a, 1912, 1908, 1860s, 1850, 1850s
[p. 121] Chapter I. Santa Monica Bay Region
. . . [p. 139] In early days it [La Ballona] was chiefly occupied as a stock range, although some grain was raised and orchards of various fruits were planted about the haciendas. The district was occupied by a number of families in the fifties and sixties and was one of the first townships set aside, originally including San Vicente, Boca de Santa Monica, Malibu and a large territory. It was organized into a school district during the sixties and was a factor in the election of early days.
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[p. 157, 1850, 1850s] Chapter II Laying the Foundations. 1870-1880.
. . . [p. 157] But when the news of the gold discoveries of California penetrated the country and called to every youth with a bold heart and adventurous blood, young John Perceval Jones joined forces with several other young men who were as eager for the change as himself. They secured a small vessel, sailed through the lakes and the St. Lawrence river and started on the long and perilous voyage around "the Horn." They were months on the ocean and experienced many hardships and dangers before they finally reached San Francisco Bay, in the spring of 1850. The young adventurer at once hastened away to the mines to seek his fortune. For many years he was a typical California miner, sometimes finding his hopes fulfilled, often finding them dashed.
In those days when thousands of men sought gold with fierce energy, living without homes, without comforts, without the restraints of civilization, it was only strong character and true manhood that withstood the temptations of the environment. Young Jones came of sturdy stock and proved himself a man and a leader, even in these early days. He served as sheriff in county of Trinity at a time when the office required a stout heart and level head for-to a large extent-the sheriff was the law.