A history of California and an extended history of Los Angeles and environs : also containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present, Volume I, Part 68

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 500


USA > California > Los Angeles County > Los Angeles > A history of California and an extended history of Los Angeles and environs : also containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present, Volume I > Part 68


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THE DAILY AND WEEKLY HERALD.


The Daily and Weekly Herald was founded by C. A. Storke, now an attorney in Santa Bar- bara. The first number appeared October 3, 1873. Mr. Storke conducted the paper until August, 1874, when he sold it to a stock com- pany, the membership of which was largely made up of grangers or patrons of husbandry. The paper was edited and managed by J. M. Bassett in the interest and as the organ of the Grange. With the decline of the patrons their organ was sold, J. D. Lynch, who had retired from the Express, becoming editor and publisher of the Herald. He continued to edit and manage the paper until the fall of 1886, when he sold a half interest to Col. James J. Ayers. Ayers and Lynch were old time newspaper men and made the Herald the leading Democratic journal of Southern California, if not of the state. In October, 1894, Lynch and Ayers sold the Herald to a syndicate of leading Democratic politicians.


Next year it was sold to John Bradbury. Brad- bury, after sinking considerable money in the venture, discovered that he was not cut out for a newspaper man and disposed of his burden. In 1895 W. R. Creighton was editor-in-chief. In 1896 William A. Spalding became business man- ager of the Herald Company. He retired early in 1900 and was succeeded by Randolph H. Miner.


On the 7th of July, 1900, the Herald was sold to a syndicate composed largely of men inter- ested in the petroleum industry. Its publication was conducted, as formerly, under the Herald Publishing Company. The officers of the com- pany were: Wallace L. Hardison, president and general manager ; H. G. James, manager; Guy L. Hardison, vice-president and secretary; W. Benjamin Scott, treasurer ; R. H. Hay Chapman, managing editor. The politics of the paper was changed from Democratic to Republican by the new managers. The Herald was enlarged and greatly improved in its typographical appearance by its new owners. Its motto was "No enemies to punish-no special friends to serve."


In 1904 the Herald was sold to a syndicate of which Frank G. Finlayson was president. Its politics was changed to Democratic. In 1911 it was bought by the Los Angeles Examiner. The Morning Herald ceased publication and the Evening Herald appeared November 2, 1911. Guy B. Barham, president, and Frank F. Bar- ham, business manager.


THE RURAL CALIFORNIAN.


The predecessor of this illustrated monthly magazine was the Southern California Horticult- urist, the first number of which was issued in September, 1877, at Los Angeles, by the South- ern California Horticultural Society, L. M. Holt, editor. Its columns were devoted to the interests of horticulture and agriculture. The size of the magazine then was 6x9 inches. In January, 1880, Carter & Rice obtained control of it and published it under the caption of Semi-Tropic California and Southern California Horticultur- ist. The size of the page was enlarged to 9x12 inches. Carter retired after the third issue and George Rice obtained sole control of it. He changed the name to its present form. In 1881


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he sold it to Coleman & Dickey. They conducted it about a year, when Dickey died. Rice bought it of Coleman, and in 1883 sold it to Fred L. Alles. Charles A. Gardner bought a half inter- est and for a time the firm was Alles & Gardner, while later Gardner became its sole owner until George Rice again came into possession of it. In 1891 it passed into the hands of C. M. Heintz.


LOS ANGELES WEEKLY MIRROR.


The first number of the Weekly Mirror ap- peared February 1, 1873. It was a small sheet IOXI3 inches, four pages and three columns to the page. It was published every Saturday by Yarnell & Caystile, and distributed free. March I, 1873, William M. Brown became a partner and the firm name was changed to Yarnell, Cay- stile & Brown. In 1875 the Mirror was en- larged to a twenty-four column sheet 17x22 inches, its subscription price being $1 per year. Brown retired from the firm on account of ill- health. In August, 1880, S. J. Mathes came into the firm and the paper was enlarged to an eight column paper, 24x38 inches; subscription price, $2 per year; S. J. Mathes, editor. After the Daily Times was started, in December, 1881, the Mirror became practically the weekly edition of the former, but retained its original. name.


THE LOS ANGELES DAILY TIMES.


The first number of the Daily Times was issued December 4, 1881, Cole & Gardiner (Nathan Cole and James Gardiner), publishers. It was a seven column folio. Gardiner retired with the first issue and Cole continued the publication until January 1, 1882, when he sold the paper to the publishers of the Weekly Mirror, Yarneil, Caystile & Mathes, who continued its publica- tion as a Republican morning journal. Immi- gration had set in from the northwestern states, which were then as now strongly Republican. This brought a change in the political complex-


ion of Los Angeles and made the successful pub- lication of a Republican journal possible. In April it was enlarged to eight columns and in July to nine columns to the page. August I, 1882, Col. H. G. Otis became a partner in the firm and editor of the Daily Times and of its weekly issue, the Mirror. On the 22d of May, 1883, A. W. Francisco bought Mr. Yarnell's in- terest and in the following October was made business manager, a position which he filled until his retirement in 1884. Mr. Mathes retired from the firm to engage in other pursuits. In Septem- ber, 1884, the paper was again enlarged and the telegraphic service increased. In October of the same year the Times-Mirror Company was in- corporated with a capital stock of $40,000, which was increased in 1886 to $60,000 for the purpose of erecting the Times building on the northeast corner of Broadway and First street. In April, 1886, the Times-Mirror Company was reorgan- ized, Albert McFarland and William A. Spald- ing acquiring stock in the company. The former was elected vice-president and the latter secre- tary, Col. H. G. Otis being elected president. In September, 1886, Charles F. Lummis ac- quired an interest, and in August, 1887, L. E. Mosher became a member of the company. In March, 1888, Col. C. C. Allen bought an interest and was elected vice-president. He was appoint- ed adjutant-general of the state by Governor Markham, and severed his connection with the paper. William A. Spalding also retired from the company.


In 1897 Harry Chandler became business man- ager, and during General Otis's service in the Philippine war had full charge of the business part of the paper. The present officers of the Times-Mirror Company are H. G. Otis, president and general manager; Harry Chandler, assistant general manager and treasurer; Harry E. An- drews, managing editor ; F. X. Pfaffinger, assist- ant treasurer ; Marian Otis-Chandler, vice-presi- dent and secretary.


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CHAPTER LIX.


EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.


U NDER Spanish and Mexican rule there were no collegiate institutions of learning nor any church schools founded by the dominant church in Los Angeles. What little was done in the way of education was done through the public schools supported by muni- cipal funds. A change of rulers seems to have effected a change of sentiment in regard to the necessity of educating the youth of the city, for shortly after the acquisition of California by the United States we find in the city archives peti- tions to the ayuntamiento from Catholic clergy- men for tracts of land on which to build church schools.


At the session of June 9, 1849, a petition was received for a tract of unappropriated pueblo lands for a college, from the Bishopric of Cali- fornia, signed by Reverend Fathers Sebastian Bongronvanni, Juan Crissostomo Olvien and An- tonio Jimenez del Recio.


The ayuntamiento resolved "That the Holy See of California be granted from amongst the municipal lands of this city and adjoining the caƱada which leads to the San Francisco road, a square lot measuring 150 varas on each of its sides, subject to the following conditions: First, this land cannot be sold, transferred or hypothe- cated directly or indirectly ; second, the building erected thereon shall at all times serve the sole and exclusive purpose of public instruction." This tract lies immediately north of College street and west of Buena Vista street. College street took its name from this tract.


At the same meeting a grant of 150 varas square in the southeastern part of the town was made to the Sisters of Charity to establish a con- vent and school, on the same conditions as in the grant named above. At the meeting of the ayun- tamiento, in May, 1850, a petition was received from the Rev. Father Antonio Maria Jimenez del Recio "For the plat of ground in the angle forming an elbow with the church and parochial


residence." "To put up a new building on this plat (so he says in his petition) would result in closing up a quadrangle which would be a very good thing for two reasons: First, as an im- provement to the Plaza, adding to its symmetry ; second, as a convenience to the clergymen who are to teach in it, as well as to the pupils, on account of its proximity to the church."


This he does "for the sake of the youth of the city who could be made educated citizens and good Catholics, but who receive no other instruction now than the sad example of rus- ticity and loose morals." He will establish "a primary school principally to teach the duties of Catholicism, and shall do all that within my power lies to impart primary instruction; and what is more needed, to teach the duties of our religion, towards which my compassion particu- larly draws me." At the meeting of June 15, 1850, the council granted the land for the pur- pose indicated in the petition.


ST. VINCENT'S COLLEGE.


The first collegiate institution founded in Los Angeles was St. Vincent's College. The corner stone of the college building was laid in August, 1866, on the block bounded by Sixth, Seventh, Fort and Hill streets. The first building was two stories high, with an attic and basement ; the main building was 40x80 feet on the ground, with an extensive wing at each end. This build- ing was completed in 1867.


The college was erected under the auspices of the Fathers of the St. Vincent de Paul Mission, and a staff of professors was secured from the Atlantic states and Europe with a view to mak- ing the curriculum as thorough as possible. The curriculum included not only scientific and clas- sical courses of study, but also a full commercial course. The first executive officers were Father McGill, president; Father Flynn, vice-president ; and Father Richardson, treasurer.


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In 1884 the building was remodeled and en- larged, and an additional story added. Early in 1887, during the boom, the college grounds and buildings at Sixth street were sold for $100,000 and a new site purchased on the corner of Wash- ington street and Grand avenue. Commodious college buildings were erected on these grounds. The institution is ably conducted, and many of its graduates have obtained distinction in the different professions.


Military instruction has recently been intro- duced into the college. Cadet companies have been formed and regular drill is given in mili- tary tactics. The cadets wear a neat and tasteful uniform. The college has a high reputation for thoroughness in both literary and military in- struction.


UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.


This is the oldest Protestant educational insti- tution in Southern California. The idea of building up a university in Los Angeles origi- nated with Judge R. M. Widney. He consulted with the Rev. A. M. Hough, E. F. Spence, Dr. J. P. Widney, Rev. M. M. Bovard and G. D. Compton. It was decided to attempt the build- ing of a Methodist college or university in or near Los Angeles. As soon as their design was known they received offers of land in East Los Angeles, Boyle Heights, Temple street and West Los Angeles. A majority of the trustees de- cided in favor of West Los Angeles. July 29, 1879, J. G. Downey, O. W. Childs and I. W. Hellman deeded to A. M. Hough, J. P. Widney, E. F. Spence, M. M. Bovard, G. D. Compton and R. M. Widney, 308 lots in the West Los An- geles tract, in trust as an endowment fund for the University of Southern California. In addi- tion to the lots about forty acres of land were donated by owners of adjacent tracts. In 1880 thirty of the lots were put on sale. Their market value probably did not exceed $50, but the friends of the institution took them at $200 each. The place selected for the site of the college buildings and the campus is on Wesley avenue near Jef- ferson street.


From the proceeds of the sale of the lots a frame building, now used for a music hall, was erected. At the time of locating the institution


at West Los Angeles the tract of land donated was covered with tall wild mustard stalks, the streets were undefined except by stakes and there were no houses near. In August, 1880, Revs. M. M. and F. D. Bovard entered into a contract with the trustees to carry on the educa- tional work of the institution for five years. The Rev. M. M. Bovard was elected president. A small endowment was secured partly from the sale of lots and partly from gifts. In 1886 the present four-story college building was erected and the school moved into it. The college soon began to branch out. In 1882 Messrs. George and William B. Chaffey, the founders of the Ontario Colony, made a tender of a deed of trust to a large body of land for a Chaffey col- lege of agriculture of the university.


A brick building was erected on the grounds and a preparatory school opened in it. Later it was transferred to the colony for a high school. The College of Medicine founded by Dr. J. P. Widney in 1885, at one time affiliated with the University of Southern California, has been trans- ferred to the University of California. and the building erected for it on North Broadway is now used for a clinic and hospital. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Los Angeles became an integral part of the University of Southern California, August, 1909. It ranks high among the medical colleges of the country. It has an enrollment of 160 students. Its building is located at 516 East Washington street. The College of Law is located in the Tajo building. It has an enrollment of 620 students.


The growth of the University of Southern Cali- fornia has kept pace with the wonderful growth of Los Angeles since the beginning of the present century. In 1901 the enrollment was 518, in 1905 770; at the end of the first decade (1910) it was 1608, and the present year (1915) it numbers 2,773. It fits teachers for high school certificates by a course of study requiring a year of graduate work.


The Maclay College of Theology was estab- lished in 1885, at San Fernando. Hon. Charles Maclay donated about $150,000 worth of lands as an endowment and erected a building for its use. The school was closed at San Fernando in


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1893 and opened at the university in West Los Angeles in October, 1894.


The University includes the following colleges, each of which has a distinct faculty of instruc- tion : College of Liberal Arts, College of Med- icine, College of Pharmacy, College of Dentistry, College of Law, College of Music, College of Oratory, College of Fine Arts at Garvanza.


The productive endowment is over $500,000. Total assets of the University are about $1,000,- 000. The institution is not sectarian, but it is under the general control of the Southern Cal- ifornia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. During the year 1905 more than $50,- 000 were spent on buildings and improvements on the ten-acre campus in West Los Angeles.


POMONA COLLEGE.


Pomona College, located at Claremont, thir- ty-six miles east of Los Angeles, was founded by the General Association of the Congregational Churches of Southern California. The college was incorporated October 14, 1887. Several propositions for a college site were presented to the association. The most suitable location seemed to be a tract of land about four miles north of Pomona City. The following January, Rev. C. B. Sumner was appointed financial sec- retary. He secured plans for a central build- ing and the corner stone was laid. The first term of the school was opened in September, 1888, in a rented house at Pomona. Messrs. G. H. Fuller- ton, E. F. Kingman and F. A. Miller, of River- side, and H. A. Palmer, of Pomona, before the close of this term presented to the college a hall, together with a number of lots at Claremont, which thus became the permanent location of the preparatory school, and the second term of school work was opened in this hall. The first pres- ident, Rev. Cyrus C. Baldwin, was elected in July, 1890. In April, 1892, it was decided to abandon the original college site and to bring the college and preparatory school together per- manently at Claremont. The same year Holmes hall was built. It was erected as a memorial to Cyrus W. Holmes, Jr., by his wife and daugh- ter. It contains a reading room, faculty rooms, art room, chapel, society hall and recitation rooms for the classical and English departments. Pear-


son's Hall of Science is a donation from Dr. D. K. Pearsons, of Chicago. It is a building 60x90 feet, two stories high, with a basement. In this building are the biological department, the de- partment of physics, the chemical department, the astronomical and mathematical equipments and the library. The hall was dedicated in Jan- uary, 1899. Sumner hall is devoted to the itse of the young lady students as a dormitory. Pres- ident Baldwin resigned in July, 1897, and was succeeded the following Jannary by Rev. Frank L. Ferguson, who was succeeded in turn by Rev. George A. Gates, D. D., LL. D., who is the pres- ent president. The first class was graduated in 1894. The college has three courses of study that lead to Bachelor's degree-classical, literary and scientific.


Among the new improvements made to the college equipment is the Renwick gymnasium. Mrs. Helen Goodwin Renwick, in the memory of her husband, contributed the larger part of its cost. The remainder was subscribed or solic- ited by the students of the college. It is fur- nished with all the apparatus necessary for training in physical exercise.


Adjoining the gymnasium is a building con- taining lockers, showers and other equipment for the special use of athletic teams. In the year 1905, Nathan W. Blanchard of Santa Paula gave to the college sixty-five acres adjoining the col- lege campus proper on the east for a park and recreation grounds. The grounds have been thrown open to the public and drives have been made through them. These grounds are covered with oaks, sycamores and a variety of California shrubs. The new park with the grounds adjacent to the college buildings form a continuous cam- pus of nearly one hundred acres.


Actuated by the hope of widening its influence and building up a great educational institution the trustees of Pomona College in 1905 voted unanimously to invite the Baptists and the Dis- ciples of Southern California to join them in col- lege work. These two denominations have no collegiate institutions of their own in the south- ern part of the state.


The Baptists appointed a committee which has signified its approbation of the union. The ques- tion awaits the decision of the general body of


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the church. The Disciples at the annual meet- ing in Long Beach in August, 1906, without a dissenting voice, accepted the invitation to unite. They appointed a committee of conference con- sisting of the following-named gentlemen: C. C. Chapman of Fullerton, John Fleming of San Diego, W. L. Porterfield of Long Beach, Rev. A. C. Smithers of Los Angeles and the Rev. F. M. Dowling of Pasadena. The Baptists and the Disciples each will appoint five of their members on the board of trustees. Further details of the union are to be arranged.


The college has made a rapid growth in the past four years. In 1902 the number of students in the college classes was 104; in 1906 the num- ber was 212. The income from tuition fees in 1902 was $10,500, in 1906 it was $23,500. The annual expenditures in 1902 were about $24,000, in 1906 about $50,000.


OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE.


Occidental College was founded in 1887 by an association of ministers representing Presby- terian Churches of Los Angeles and vicinity. Its first location was just east of the city, between First and Second streets. A number of lots and some acreage were donated to it. In 1888 a fine three-story brick structure was erected for the main college building. School was opened in 1888, Rev. S. H. Weller, president. He was suc- ceeded by Prof. J. M. McPherron, and he by Rev. E. N. Condit. In 1896 the building and nearly all its contents were destroyed by fire. After this the school for several months was carried on in the Boyle Heights Presbyterian Church; from there it was removed to the old St. Vincent College building on Hill street, between Fifth and Sixth streets, where it was conducted for two years. After considerable delay a new location was se- cured at Highland Park, about midway between Los Angeles and Pasadena. Here in 1898 a com- modious and attractive building was built and the classes transferred to it in September, 1898. Rev. Guy W. Wadsworth was president of the institution at that time.


In 1904 the principal college building, the Hall of Letters, was built. It is a brick structure of three stories and a basement with a frontage of 180 feet on Pasadena avenue, and a depth of 100


feet. The cost of the building complete was over $80,000. The library building was completed in 1905. It was the gift of Charles M. Stimson of Los Angeles and was erected at an outlay of $20,000. In 1905 a campaign was inaugurated to secure an endowment of $200,000. Mr. O. T. Johnson offered to contribute one-third of the amount. By persistent and tireless effort of the Rev. W. S. Young, secretary and chairman of the special fund committee, and the Rev. Hugh K. Walker, president of the board of trustees, the amount was secured early in 1906. In June, 1905, Rev. Guy W. Wadsworth resigned the presidency. The Rev. W. S. Young filled the position of presi- dent during the college year of 1905-1906. John Willis Baer, LL. D., secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions, was elected to take office at the beginning of the college year 1906-1907. He was installed October 26, 1906.


The college grounds in Highland Park were too small for the erection of more buildings, which were greatly needed, and it was decided to find a new site where ample grounds could be obtained. In January, 1910, partly by purchase and partly by gift, the trustees secured ninety acres just outside the northern limits of Los An- geles city in Eagle Rock Valley. On this campus near its eastern boundary three buildings have been erected-the Johnson Hall of Letters, the gift of Mr. and Mrs. O. T. Johnson, of Los Angeles ; the Fowler Hall of Science, erected by the daughter and granddaughter as a memorial to Mr. Eldridge M. Fowler, of Pasadena, and the James Swan Hall, a dormitory for men students, erected by Mrs. Frances B. Swan, of Pasadena, as a tribute to her husband, Mr. James Swan. The college classes moved into their new quarters Sep- tember 23, 1914.


THROOP COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY


This institution of learning, located in Pasa- dena, was founded by Hon. Amos G. Throop in 1891. The first name chosen was Throop Uni- versity. Its curriculum was planned to include a university course.


Father Throop, as he was reverently called, endowed the university with $200,000 and con- secrated all his energy to its support. Articles of incorporation were filed with the secretary of


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state September 23, 1891. On October 2nd the first board of trustees was organized. It con- sisted of the following-named persons: H. H. Markham, H. W. Magee, J. C. Michener, W. U. Masters, J. S. Hodge, George H. Bonebrake, Delos Arnold, T. P. Lukens, E. F. Hurlburt, T. S. C. Lowe, P. M. Green, F. C. Howes, Milton D. Painter, A. G. Throop and L. A. Sheldon. Hon. A. G. Throop was elected president ; L. W. Andrews, secretary, and P. M. Green, treasur- er. The Wooster block, a four-story building on the corner of Fair Oaks avenue and Kansas street, was leased for five years and preparations were made for the opening of the school. The university opened November 2, 1891, with a good attendance of students.


At the close of the first college year (1892) the name of the institution was changed from Throop University to Throop Polytechnic In- stitute, and it was decided to "make the manual training and polytechnic departments" the lead- ing features of the institution.


In 1892 a body of land was secured at the corner of Fair Oaks avenue and Chestnut street. On this a building known as Polytechnic hall was erected, and to this the shops and labora- tories of the manual training department were transferred.




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