A memorial and biographical history of northern California, illustrated. Containing a history of this important section of the Pacific coast from the earliest period of its occupancy...and biographical mention of many of its most eminent pioneers and also of prominent citizens of today, Part 78

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago : The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1000

USA > California > A memorial and biographical history of northern California, illustrated. Containing a history of this important section of the Pacific coast from the earliest period of its occupancy...and biographical mention of many of its most eminent pioneers and also of prominent citizens of today > Part 78

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After a short stay in San Francisco Dr. Wilkens engaged for a time in mining; mean- while he attempted to turn the Trinity River

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from its couse by means of a sand-bag dam. This proved nnsuccessful, and having spent the summer and all his available means in this fruit- less effort to compel the river to give up its hidden treasures, he abandoned the mines for- ever. In 1853 he returned to his native State and attended his first course of medical lectures at the Memphis Medical College, where he graduated, after a second course, in 1861. Ile was married in 1855 to Miss Matilda Pegram Brander, a native of Virginia, who died in 1867. He has one son living, Benjamin S., who is now practicing law in Napa. In 1877 he married Miss Camilla Price, a daughter of John R. Price, and a niece of General Sterling Price of Missouri, of which State she is a native. The maternal grandinother of Dr. Wilkins was Eliza- beth Lewis, a daughter of Lawrence Lewis and Eleanor Parke Custis; Lawrence Lewis being a nephew of General Washington, while Eleanor Parke Custis was the daughter of John Custis, the son of Mrs. Martha Washington; and he is probably the only descendant of Mrs. Wash- ington now living in California. On his return to California in 1854, after disposing of his plantation in Louisiana, he brought with him thirteen of his favorite slaves (who of course became free as soon as they landed in San Fran- cisco), purchased 160 acres of land on the Feather River in Yuba County, and placed then in possession. They not only own this valuable farm now, but have added 160 acres to it, and are living a most respectable life, prosperous and happy.

On receiving his diploma Dr. Wilkins re- moved to Marysville and has since given un- divided attention to the study and practice of his profession, particularly to that branch which relates to the care and treatment of the insane. The Governor of the State, H. H. Haight, having been anthorized to appoint a com- missioner to compile all accessible information as to the construction and management of asylums and the different modes of treatment of the insane, Dr. Wilkins was chosen for the important mission. In carrying out this

arduous undertaking he visited some fifty of the leading institutions on this side of the Atlantic, and then spent from March, 1870, to December, 1871, in traveling and inspecting about 100 asylums of Great Britain and on the continent of Europe, comparing and exchanging views with the most experienced, able and learned anthorities on his chosen specialty. Appointed by Governor Booth as one of the commissioners to select a site for the new asylum, and also on the advisory board on the adoption of snitable plans, his powerful influence in securing the ad- ditional institution, his marked ability, and his intimate acquaintance with the whole enterprise, naturally suggested this distinguished alienist as the proper person to assume its management as resident physician. He was elected to this most important position in 1876, and is now serving his fonrth consecutive term as superin- tendent. In 1885 Dr. Wilkins introduced into the Legislature a bill providing for the es- tablishment of a third institution, which was passed, and in accordance with its provisions he was appointed one of five commissioners to select a site for the same. This bill also re- quired that the plans should be approved by Dr. Wilkins and Dr. Brown of the Stockton Asylum before they could be adopted by the board of trustees. The location selected was at Agnews, Santa Clara County, near San Jose, and all the defects of the Stockton and Napa asylums were avoided in its construction. It is to-day one of the most perfectly planned institutions of the kind in the world. Dr. Wilkins has been a member of the Masonic order since 1849, now belonging to Corinthian Lodge, No. 9, and Washington Chapter No. 13, and Marysville Commandery No. 7, Knights Templar. He is also a member of Napa Lodge, No. 18, I. O. O. F.

Aside from the profound knowledge and skill displayed as a specialist in his profession, and which have won him high honors among the scientific students and investigators of the causes and cure of insanity, his able management of the institution under his charge has stamped

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Dr. Wilkins as a man of highest administrative ability. The grounds are the perfection of land- scape gardening. A fine orchard and vegetable garden add greatly to the comfort of the in- mates, and the good order and general harmony among all connected with the great hospital are evidences of the discriminating supervision of a master mind.

The improvements now being made under the direction of the Doctor will make the Napa Asylum as near perfection as is now possible with such an institution, and surround it with the setting best calculated to ameliorate in the highest degree possible the condition of the un- fortunates under his charge. The following account of the asylum and grounds, taken from the columns of the Napa Register, of May 16, 1890, is sufficiently extended to give a very good idea of the work which has been accom plished by Dr. Wilkins.

California owns no finer property than that on which her asylum for the insane is established near this city. It includes 1,187 acres of beauti- fully situated hill and valley land and presents a picture of rare loveliness during most sea- sons of the year. Here nature's work has been performed with a lavish hand. Her canons are wild and majestic, and through them the waters of winter roar and the more gentle streams of spring and summer sing as they fall and flow toward the system of pipes and reservoirs which gather and utilize them. Her hillsides are carpeted with green and studded with oak, madrona and hazel, and here and there in the openings the invasion of man is marked by the broken earth and the newly planted olive, apri- cot, peach or pear.

Smooth roads of easy grades encircle these high places and at various points command views, broad, extended and inspiring, because they cover the most charming valley in the world, and take in mountain ranges that are punctuated to the southwest by towering Tamal . pais and are barred on the north by horizon- kissing Mt. St. Helena. In rolling fields the live stock of the farm finds rich pasture, and on

the more level lands orchards bloom and bear luscious fruitage; alfalfa that if irrigated yields five crops a year, and gardens grow berries and vegetables that come fresh in their respective seasons in appetizing form to the tables of officers, attendants and patients.

The grand pile, erected by a considerate and generous State, at a cost of $1,500,000, for the shelter and care of her unfortunate children, occupies a most sightly place and casts no chill by surroundings which one might expect to find " crazy." The honey-snckle clambers up its walls, clings to the columns of its grand porches and fills the air with sweet and fragrant per- fume. A roadway, ninety feet wide, 1,600 feet long and as smooth and well rolled as well sprinkled gravel can make it, leads from the main county road to its portals, and on either side of this carriage drive there is a wide walk, arched over with the branches and foliage of ornamental trees and bordered by variegated plants and blossoms, where friends, lovers or those who meet by chance may promenade.

The two infirmaries, one on the south, the other on the north side of the main structure, are fast approaching completion. They will cost in the neighborhood of $30,000, and will accommodate the sick of the two sexes in a manner not possible with the present limited room.

In the grounds are ornamental trees and shrubs and flowering plants of the choicer va- rieties to be found. These are in charge of a skillful gardener, Mr. Chalmers, who scours every promising field for the rare and beautiful and propagates from seeds and tender slips what cannot be transplanted in a large hot- house provided for his convenience. Drives, walks, arbors, cosy retreats, grassy lawns, cro- qnet grounds, shaded settees and every means and appliance that a fertile brain could suggest are here found and liberally enjoyed by the multitude with minds diseased-unfortunate ones in one sense, extremely fortunate in an- other.

The number of patients in the institution at

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the present time is 1,341-777 men and 564 women. The number committed to the insti- tution monthly exceeds that of those who drop out by discharge, death and elopement. ()n April 26, were received, fewer than usual; six- teen were discharged and nine died-more than usnal. Thus far, in May, seventeen have been received, nine discharged, two have died and two have escaped.

The wants of these people are looked after by the resident physician, Dr. E. T. Wilkins, and his three assistants, Drs. L. F. Dozier, A. M. Gardner and Griesbach Smith. A large corps of experienced attendants, male and female, are employed in the various wards and yards, and on the grounds strict surveillance is maintained over those who find a temporary or permanent abiding place as patients in the institution.

The State is most fortunate in having a man like Dr. Wilkins in charge of such a grand charity. In him medical and executive skill are happily combined. Having first made a study of the insane and their care and treat- ment in our own and in foreign lands, he was placed in charge of this institution soon after its establishment and has since performed a work which probably not one man in a thousand similarly situated would have attempted, to say nothing of accomplishing. First, he recognized the great need of all public institutions of the kind -water. With plenty of pure water he knew that the most wholesome fare would be insured for the many months to be fed; life and property would be protected against fire; the farm would be made to blossom as the rose. So, with the work of opening roads, building fences, plant- ing orchards, etc., he prosecuted vigorously that other work of developing new resources of water supply. The result is to-day seen in lakes and reservoirs, which no rainless season could run dry, which no fire-fiend could easily exhaust. Lakes Camille, Como and Lucerne, like a three-leafed clover, beantify the land- scape above and back of the asylum. They are now full of catchment water and overflow from the streams, springs and tunnels that supply

the institution through a well planned system of inains. Near the asylum building, and 150 feet above their base, is a fine reservoir in which 3,000,000 gallons of water are stored, and npou which draught is made only in case of fire or drill by the fire department. With these sources at hand, water can be used without stint in irri- gating grounds, sprinkling roads and freshening vegetation.

The live-stock on the place is sleek and fat. The best blood is drawn upon in breeding and in the stables and pasture. The visitor to-day sees yonng and trimly-bnilt roadsters growing into horsehood and draft animals that would do credit to any stock farm in the country. From fifty to seventy-five cows represent the dairy feature of the place and furnish milk and cream to the asylum population of 1,400 or more.

The orchards are in fine shape. Of cherries there will be a good crop. The pear trees are also heavily loaded. In spots peach trees are suffering from curl leaf and the yield of that fruit and apricots will be light. The almond trees, which line one of the back avenues, and those in the vicinity of the Hermitage, are pretty well loaded, and the older olive trees (there are abont three acres of these on the farm) will bear this year. A quantity of fig trees have just been planted. The vineyards are in prime order, and the vines are clean and thrifty and well set with fruit.

The work of the farm is carried on with the help of the patients, who, to the number of about seventy, labor faithfully and cheerfully in varions capacities on different parts of the prop- erty. Some were yesterday plowing, others were digging and hoeing about trees, others were teaming. They give little trouble under the wise management that directs them.

The cottage plan for caring for the insane is exemplified at what is called the " Hermitage." Here in cheaply constructed cabins a number of patients eat and sleep, and on the ground sur- rounding their little homes they grow produce, make gardens and employ their time in a way that is agreeable to themselves and profitable to

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the property. Mr. Barrington, a patient, is proprietor of the Hermitage and acts the part of host in a most gracious manner, appreciat- ing greatly the praise of the visitor who admires and expresse; wonder at his work. Near by, the " Little Giant," another peeuliar character, resides. He has made an attractive spot in the wilderness where he lives by building walks among the rocks, making crooked ways straight and rough places smooth. He raises poultry and has a basement to his chicken house.

But we must not weary the reader. A visit is more enjoyable than can be a recital, and to those who drive or walk we say, occasionally pay a visit to the Napa Asylum, as we did yes- terday, and you will more highly appreciate the public institutions of your country and the favor that Napa finds in having so important a one within her boundaries.

A pictorial view of the above described iusti- tution is given opposite page 168.

AWRENCE D. STEPHENS .- Prominent among that coterie of substantial men identified with the great financial institu- tion, the Bank of Woodland, stands the gentle- man with whose name this article commenees. He is a native of Cooper County, Missouri, born abont ten miles from Booneville and only two miles from the site of the present town of Bunce- ton (which has been built sinh his birth), in the year 1835. He was reared there to farm life, and received the edneational advantages af- forded by the schools of the neighborhood of his birth. He was yet a boy when his uncles crossed the plains to California, and the favor- able reports sent home by them early turned his thoughts in that direction. Thus it was that in 1852, though only sixteen years of age, his own footsteps were turned toward the Pacific. In company with his unele, Andrew J. Stephens, now a resident of Texas, he commeneed the long journey in April, 1852. Besides himself and uncle there were bnt two others in the party,

and the trip was accomplished with one emi- grant wagon, most of the time alone, but oc- casionally joining large trains when it was supposed protection might be required from the Indians. Four months were consumned on the trip, and in the meantime our subject's seven- teenth birthday had come around. On the 10th of August he arrived on the spot where Wood- land now stands, though then there was no in- dication that there would ever be built up the rich and prosperous community which occupies that site to-day. Ten miles west of there, and in the vicinity of the present town of Madison, his uncles, John D. and George D. Stephens, and John D. and D. Q. Adams were engaged in stock raising; and he joined them, making his home with them, and rendering himself useful about their raneh during the winter. The fol- lowing year he rented from them a piece of land and on it commenced farming operations for himself. The next year he engaged in stock- raising in connection with his brother J. J., and for the purposes of the business they purchased 520 acres of land near Madison. They pros- pered to a very satisfactory degree, and met with no set-backs worthy of particular mention until the dry year of 1864. In the spring of that year he and his brother drove their stock into the foothills of Placer County, just north of Newcastle, where they experienced a winter so terrible that when they returned to Yolo County, in May, 1865, they counted up just thirty-tive head as the reinnant of their fine band they had driven to the mountains the year be- fore. At this time the eoudition of affairs in California had much changed from the early days when a man eond safely leave his gold in the tent while he went about his work at mining, and many of the roads were infested with thieves who occasionally beeame wonderfully bold in their operations. They were men, too, who did not allow human life to stand between them and the gratification of their greed for plunder.

While with his stock in Placer County Mr. Stephens started for his home raneh during

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the month of December, 1864, and on the trip had an experience which he will always remem- ber. He had reached a lonely place on the road between Yankee Jim's and Auburn, where he was suddenly startled by hearing a voice com- manding him to stop. Looking in the direction of the sound, he saw the form of a man half hidden in the bushes, his hat drawn over his eyes, below which was bound about his face a handkerchief. In his hands he held a double- barreled shot-gun, both triggers cocked, and leveled full at Mr. Stephens. The latter, seeing that the highwayman had the "drop " on him, came to a halt as directed, and the robber, com- ing up to within ten feet of him, with the gun still in position, demanded his money. Mr. Stephens, being in the ruffian's power, handed over his purse, which contained nearly $600, and was then allowed to proceed upon his journey. Our subject never recovered a cent of his money, but derived some consolation from the fact that his despoiler was subsequently cauglit, tried, and sent to the penitentiary.

This occurrence added to the loss and disap- pointment of this ill-fated year, and in 1865 the brothers found themselves practically with no- thing left but their land, and another start in life to make. Our subject had up to this time not been interested inuch in mining, though he was well acquainted in the camps, where he had been driving cattle for years, and selling them to butchers. In 1866, however, leaving his brother in charge of the ranch, he went into the moun- tain countries on a mining expedition, and at Grass Valley was elected superintendent of the Omaha Qurtz Mining Company. He held the position for a year, but as operations were not successful he relinquished the superintendency and the mine was abandoned, after he and six others had put from $7,000 to $10,000 into it. Subsequently the mine became a paying con- cern, but he was then not financially interested in it. He next returned to the ranch, resuming farming in 1867, and within a few years the whole surroundings became one great grain field. To his ranching operations he gave almost his

whole attention until 1873, when he came to Woodland and assumed charge of the Grangers' Warehouse, his brother meantime remaining on the ranch and giving it his personal attention. He had control of the warehouse mentioned for three years, and then embarked in the grain business on his own account, handling vast quantities of grain with gratifying success.

May 10, 1876, Mr. Stephens was . married to Miss Alice E. Hunt, a native of Woodland, and daughter of W. G. Hunt, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. After the marriage the couple made an extended tour through the Eastern and Central States, taking the oppor- tunity to visit the centennial exhibition at Phila- delphia en route. Among the cities visited on the trip were New York, Chicago, Baltimore, Washington, Cincinnati and Louisville, from which point they went to Mammoth Cave, Kentucky. Returning to Louisville, they pro- ceeded to St. Lonis, and later to Cooper County, Missouri, where they spent about two weeks in the vicinity of Mr. Stephens' birthplace. On the return trip they stopped a few days each at Salt Lake City and Lake Bigler or Tahoe.

In 1881 he became a salaried officer of the Bank of Woodland, with which he has been as- sociated as a stockholder and director since its organization, in 1868, and he has ever since lent huis most efficient efforts toward the upbuilding of its present vast business. In 1881 also, in company with his brother, J. J. Stephens and J. H. Harlan, he purchased some 3,000 acres of land ten miles south of Fresno, in Fresno County, which they have converted into a stock ranch, besides carrying on general farming upon the place.

His interests already mentioned and others monopolize all the time he has to devote to busi- ness affairs, aud are more than many men would care to handle. Being, however, entirely devoid of grasping, sordid instincts, Mr. Stephens finds sufficient opportunity to devote to social duties, and is no where happier than in his home life. He has many traits of character which render him welcome to a large circle of friends, and is

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considered one of the most genial of men. His success in life has not been due to scheming in any sense, but to the exercise of sound business principles and the improvement of opportunities which have presented themselves since he came to California with his fortune to make.

Mr. and Mrs. Stephens have three children, viz .: Rowena Alice, born May 27, 1878; Law- rence Hunt, born June 17, 1881; and William G. Hunt, born September 3, 1885.

DOLPHE FLAMANT, while not an early settler in California or Napa County, has, in a few years of his residence here, so prominently identified himself with an interest of great value in the future development of our resources, which will bring so much wealth to the people of the State, that we deem his efforts worthy of full recognition in this volume. On becoming familiar with California he instinct- ively recognized in the climate and soils of cer- tain portions of the State a marked similarity to those of northern Italy and the south of France, whose rugged hillsides furnish to the world the finest products of the olive, both in oil and the pickled fruit. Born in the district of Gard, in the southern part of France, and near Saint Chamas, where the celebrated agriculturist of the last century, Picholin, brought to the notice of the world that variety of olives which has since borne his name. Mr. Flamant's earliest memories are connected with the culture of olives, the pressing of the oil, and the pickling of the green berries. As a boy he was familiar with all these processes, and when he had grown older he assisted his grand- fatlier, Francois Serre, at whose mill the great bulk of the olives of that section of the country were made into oil, in the purchase and manip- ulation of that erop and its products. Deeply impressed with the value of this tree to Cali- fornia, concerning which the Italians. have a proverb to the effect that " an olive plantation is a gold mine on the surface of the earth," he

soon commenced the planting of an orchard of sixty acres, setting out about 6,000 rooted cut- tings of the Picholin variety. The land se- lected was so rugged that most of it was inac- cessible to the plow, and the labor was largely done by hand, the trees being cultivated by the hoe. Meanwhile, and naturally, Mr. Flamant had become a diligent student of the literature of the olive, as well as a discriminating observer of the peculiar acquirements of the tree in Cali- fornia. He made a systematic collection of all the authorities on the subject in Europe as well as in America, and familiarized himself with their experience and teachings. It was appa- rent to him that there was a vital need for sim- ple and comprehensive information, which could be placed before the people of the State in a practical form, and he decided to make an ef- fort to supply that need. With this end in view he published in 1887 " A Practical Treat- ise on Olive Culture, Oil-making and Olive Pickling." This was first written and pub- lished in the French language, but Mr. Flamant translated the work and had it published in English. This volume received unstinted praise from the press of this State and that of Nevada, and it was heartily recommended to those who had land adapted to olive culture, as well as to those otherwise interested. The Napa Register said that " it would, without doubt, be wisdom on the part of the supervisors to circulate this treatise of Mr. Flamant alongside of the Napa County pamphlet." Following its publication came many inquiries in regard to varieties, how to obtain reliable rooted cuttings, etc., from persons wishing to engage in the business. This induced Mr. Flamant to produce a large supply of cuttings from that variety to which he liad devoted his sixty-acre orchard, and which his knowledge on varieties in France, and his study of the best authorities, had led him to choose, namely, the Pichiolin. This variety is, as we have read in some of the French authorities shown us by Mr. Flamant, described by De Wailly, Bescherelle and Napoleon Landais and others, in their several dictionaries as " Olive

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A memorial and biographical history of northern California, illustrated. Containing a history of this important section of the Pacific coast from the earliest period of its occupancy...and biographical mention of many of its most eminent pioneers and also of prominent citizens of today, Part 78

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago : The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 1000

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago : The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1000