Jim Tumbls.

James Hutchings was one of the first settlers in Yosemite Valley. He published an illustrated magazine, Hutchings’ California Magazine that told the world about Yosemite and the Sierra. He was a tireless promoter, of himself and Yosemite.

After Yosemite Valley was dedicated as State Park in 1864, Hutchings, through his interpretation of existing preemption laws, believed he was entitled to 160 acres of land in the Valley. He sued, unsuccessfully, to have 160 acres from Yosemite Valley deeded to himself. He did, however, get a generous payment from the state to help compensate for loss of land use.

James Hutchings, while visiting Yosemite on October 31, 1902, was killed when his horse reared and threw him from his buggy.