An illustrated history of Los Angeles County, California. Containing a history of Los Angeles County from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospective future and biographical mention of many of its pioneers and also of prominent citizens of to-day, Part 15

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1092

USA > California > Los Angeles County > An illustrated history of Los Angeles County, California. Containing a history of Los Angeles County from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospective future and biographical mention of many of its pioneers and also of prominent citizens of to-day > Part 15

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Under this act Los Angeles County com- prised the whole of what is now San Bernar-

dino County, and also a large part of what is now Kern County. This aet, together with several acts amendatory thereto, were repealed by an act of the second Legislature, passed April 25, 1851, which defined the boundaries of Los Angeles County as follows:

SECTION 3 .- Beginning on the coast of the Pacific, at a point parallel with the northern boundary of the rancho called Malaga; thence in a direction so as to include said rancho to the northwest corner of the rancho known as Tri- umfo, running on the northerly line of the same to the northeast corner; thence to the summit of the ridge of hills called Santa Su- sanna; thence in a direct line to the rancho of Casteyne and Lejon, and along their northern line to the northeastern corners; and from thence in a northeast line to the eastern bound- ary of the State, and along said boundary line to the junction of the northern boundary of San Diego County with the Colorado; thence follow- ing said line to the Pacific Ocean, and three miles therein; thence in a northwesterly direc- tion, parallel with the coast, to a point three miles from land, and opposite to the southern boundary of the rancho called Malaga; and thence east to the place of beginning, including the islands of Santa Catalina and San Clemente. The seat of justice shall be at Los Angeles.

By an act entitled " An Act for dividing the county of Los Angeles, and making a new county therefrom, to be called San Bernardino County," approved April 26, 1853, it was provided :--

SECTION 3 .- The county of Los Angeles is hereby divided as follows: Beginning at a point where a due south line, drawn from the highest peak of the Sierra de Santiago, inter- sects the northern boundary of San Diego County; thence running along the summit of said Sierra to the Santa Ana River, between the ranch of Sierra and the residence of Ber- nardo Yorba; thence across the Santa Ana River, along the sunmit of the range of hills that lie between the Coyote and Chino (leav- ing the ranches of Ontiveras and Ybana to the west of this line), to the southeast corner of the ranch of San José; thence along the eastern boundaries of said ranch, and of San Antonio and the western and northern boundaries of Cncaimonga Ranch, to the ravine of Cucai-

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

monga; thence up said ravine to its source in the Coast Range; thence dne north to the north- ern boundary of Los Angeles County; thence northeast to the State line; thence along the State line to the northern boundary line of San Diego County; thence westerly along the north- ern boundary of San Diego to the place of be- ginning.

SEC. 4 .- The eastern portion of Los Angeles County, so cut off, shall be called San Bernar- dino County, and the seat of justice thereof shall be at such place as the majority of voters shall determine at the first county election, hereinafter provided to be held in such county, and shall remain at the place so designated until changed by the people, as provided by law.

By an act approved March 26, 1856, amend- ing the act of April 25, 1851, the boundaries of Los Angeles County were prescribed as follows:

SECTION 1. Beginning on the coast of the Pacific at a point parallel with the northern boundary of the rancho called Malaga; thence in a direction so as to inelude said rancho to the northwest corner of the rancho called Triumfo, running on the northerly line of the same to the northeast corner; thence to the summit of the ridge of hills called Santa Susanna; thence in a direct line to the northwestermost corner of the tract of land called Castec, where it ap- proaches nearer to or touches the tract of land called Yejon, up and along its western line to the northwestern corner thereof; thence along the northern line of the said traet of land called the Tejon to its northeastermost corner; thence in a northeast line to the eastern boundary of the State; thence along said boundary line to the junction of the northern boundary line of San Diego County with the Colorado River; thence along the boundary line of San Diego Connty to the Coast Range to the boundary line of San Bernardino County; thence down and along the boundary line of said San Bernardino Connty to the boundary line of San Diego County; thence to the Pacific Ocean; thence along the coast of said ocean to the point of commencement, including the islands upon said coast.

The easterly portion of the county, as above defined, would appear to have already formed the county of San Bernardino under the act of April 26,1853. This mistake was corrected by

an act approved April 2, 1857, which defined the limits of San Bernardino County, and de- clared the acts of the authorities of said county in the meantime to have the same force and effect as if the above amendment of 1856 had never been passed. (See Hittell's General Laws, Sec. 1,155).

By an act approved April 2, 1866, entitled " An act to create the county of Kern, to define its boundaries, and to provide for its organiza- tion," it is provided :-

SECTION 1. There shall be formed out of por- tions of Tulare and Los Angeles counties a new county, to be called Kern.

SEC. 2. The boundaries of Kern County shall be as follows: Commencing at a point on the western boundary line of Tulare County two miles dne south of the sixth standard south of the Mount Diablo base line; thence dne east to the western boundary of Inyo County; thence southerly and easterly following the western boundary of Inyo County and northern boundary of Los Angeles County to the northeast boundary of Los Angeles County; thence south along the eastern boundary of Los Angeles County to the line between townships eight and nine, north of the San Bernardino base line; thence due west to the Tulare County line; thence sontherly along the said Tulare County line to the south- west corner of Tulare County; thence northerly following along the western boundary of Tulare County to the place of beginning.

In June, 1869, the line between Los Angeles and Kern counties as now existent was agreed upon and run by George W. Orth, for Kern County, and William P. Reynolds, for Los Angeles County. The present boundaries of Los Angeles County are defined by Hittell's Code (1876) as follows:

SECTION 3,945. Beginning at the southeast corner of Santa Bárbara, in the Pacific Ocean, at a point on extension line of the northern boundary of the rancho called Malaga, western corner; thence northeasterly, so as to include said rancho, to the northwest corner of the rancho called Triumfo, running on northerly line of the same to the northeast corner thereof; thence to the summit of the ridge of hills called Santa Susanna; thence in a direet line north- westerly to the southwest corner of Kern, as

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

established in section 3,941, forming the north- west corner of Los Angeles; thence east, on southern line of Kern to the western line of San Bernardino, as established in section 3,943; thence southerly on western line of San Bernar- dino to its point of intersection with northern line of San Diego, as established in said section; thence sonthwesterly on San Diego line, as es- tablished in section 3,944, to northwest corner of San Diego, in Pacific Ocean; thence north- westerly, along ocean shore to place of beginning, including the islands of Santa Catalina, San Clemente and the islands off the coast included in Los Angeles County.

County seat, Los Angeles.

By an act of the Legislature of 1889, the county of Orange was set off from Los Angeles, including the southeastern part of the county. The bill, as introduced by IIon. E. E. Edwards, defines the boundaries of Orange County as follows:

Beginning at a point in the Pacific Ocean three miles southwest of the center of the month of Coyote Creek, proceeding up said creek in a northeasterly direction, until it intersects the township line between townships three sonth, of ranges ten and eleven west; thence north on said township line to the northwest corner of section six, township three south, range ten west; thence east on said township line until it intersects the boundary line between San Ber- nardino and Los Angeles counties; thence along said boundary southeasterly until it intersects the boundary line of San Diego County; thence along said line southwest until it reaches the Pacific Coast; thence in the same direction to a point three miles in said Pacific Ocean; thence in northwesterly line parallel to said coast to the point of beginning.

THE TRANSITION FROM MEXICAN TO AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

Says Benjamin Hayes:

" A thousand things combined to smooth the asperities of war. Frémont had been courteous and gay; Mason was just and firm. The natural good temper of the population favored a speedy und perfect conciliation. The American officers

at once found themselves happy in every circle. In suppers, balls, visiting in town and country, the hours glided away with pleasing reflections. For hospitality the families were unrivalled through the world, and really were glad that it had not been worse at San Gabriel. ' Men capable of such actions ought not to have been shot,' they said in softest Castilian, admiring the American dash and daring displayed on that occasion. General Andrés Pico and his com- padre Lieutenant Stoneman, made the race against Sntler Sam Haight and a native turf- man -- when Old Oso of the Pieos and Work- man, staked by the General and Lieutenant, beat Dr. Nicolas Den's 'Champion of Santa Bárbara,' name forgotten, a thousand yards. On the other side a fascination seized them for the Queen of Angels. Army officers are be- lieved to be no indifferent judges of wine. Dr. Griffin says the day after their entry-' It is of excellent flavor; as good as I ever tasted. The white wine is particularly fine. I ate of a fine orange. Taking everything into consideration this is decidedly one of the most desirable places in which I have ever been.'"

It was the policy of the American Govern- ment, after obtaining possession of California, to make just as few changes as possible in the methods by which the people had been ruled, and to which they had for generations been accustomed. Thus, after the treaty of peace had become operative, the laws of Mexico were re- tained in full force, and under these civil officers were appointed, having exactly the saine func- tions and the same titles as formerly.

The ayuntamiento (town council), which had closed its sessions July 4, 1846, at the first sound of war, was restored in every detail accord- ing to the Mexican laws. The familiar words " Dios y Libertad" (God and Liberty), anthen- ticated their official communication among them- selves as if the Mexican banner were flying. The election took place February 10, 1847; the first meeting was on February 20. Its mem- bers were: First Alcalde and President, Don José Salazar; Second Alcalde, Don Enrquie

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

Abila; Regidores (councilmen), Don Miguel N. Pryor, Don Rafael Gallardo, Don Julian Chavez, Don José Antonio Yorba ; Síndico (treasurer), Don José Vicente Guerrero; Secre- tary, Don Ygnacio Coronel.

In December, 1847, the people of Los Angeles elected a new ayuntamiento, to take office Jan- nary 1, following. But it was the wish of Colonel R. B. Mason, then military Governor of Califor- nia, that civil offices throughout the Territory should henceforth be filled, at least partly, by Americans. With this view he appointed Stephen C. Foster (interpreter to Colonel J. D. Stevenson) first alcalde, and José Vicente Guerrero, second alcalde, of Los Angeles. These appointments being made known to the two gentlemen elected to those offices they consented to give way, but it was understood that the reg- idores and syndic elected by the people should qualify and serve. The sequel is best related in Mr. Foster's own words (we quote from one of his published letters):

" Colonel Stevenson was determined to have our inanguration done in style. So, on the day appointed, he, together with myself and col- league, escorted by a guard of soldiers, proceeded from the Colonel's quarters (which was the house now occupied as a stable by Ferguson & Rose) to the alcalde's office, which was where the City of Paris store now stands, on Main street. There we found the retiring ayunta- miento and the new one awaiting our arrival. The oath of office was to be administered by the retiring first alcalde, as stated. We knelt to take the oath, when we found they had changed their minds, and the alcalde told us that if two of their number were to be kicked out, they would all go. So they all marched out and left us in possession. Here was a dilemma; bnt Colonel Stevenson was equal to the emergency, and said he could give us a swear as well as the alcalde. So we stood up and he administered to us an oath to support the Constitution of the United States, and administer justice in accord- ance with Mexican law. I then knew as much about Mexican law as I did about Chinese, and

my colleague knew as much as I did. Guerrero gathered up the books that pertained to his office and took them to his house, where he es- tablished his office, and I took the archives and records across the street to a house I had rented, where Perry & Riley's building now stands, and there I was duly installed for the next seventeen months, the first American alcalde and carpet- bagger in Los Angeles.

" The late Abel Stearns was afterward appointed Syndic. We had instructions from Governor Mason to make no grants of land, but to attend only to criminal and civil business, and the cur- rent municipal affairs. Criminal offenders had been formerly punished by being confined in irons in the calaboose, which then stood on the north side of the plaza, but I induced the Colo- nel to loan me balls and chains, and I had a chain-gang organized for labor on the public works, under the charge of a gigantic old Mexi- can soldier, armed with carbine and cutlass, who soon had his gang under good discipline, and who boasted that he could get twice as much work out of his men as could be got out of the soldiers in the chain-gang of the garrison."

This office he held until May 21 of the ensuing year, displaying superior skill in its varions and often difficult business. The irrigation system every season had been a source of perplexity to the officers, and inconvenience and losses to the people, who never could find more than some temporary expedient to keep up the toma (dam) so necessary for the cultivation of the 103 vine- yards and gardens then existing. In February after his appointment, by a measure executed at insignificant cost to each proprietor, he put it in a condition that was not disturbed until the great freshet of 1861-'62. This civic-military rule lasted from Jannary 1, 1848, to May 21, 1849. On the 17th of that month, under an order of Major Graham, Los Angeles ceased to be a military station of the United States.

In December, 1848, after peace was restored, Mr. Foster (by order of Governor Mason) had called an election under Mexican law, for an ayuntamiento to take the place of that then in

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

office. No attention being paid to this notice, the officers were instructed by the Governor to hold over until such time as the people should be willing to hold an election. In May, 1849, a second attempt proved more successful. The new ayuntamiento was inaugurated on the 21st. Its members were: First Alcalde and Presi- dent, Don José del Carmen Lugo; Second Al- ealde, Don Juan Sepúlveda; Regidores, Don José Lopez, Don Francisco Ruis, Don Francisco Ocampo, Don Tomás A. Sanchez; Síndico, Don Juan Temple; Secretary, Don Jesus Guirado. "()rd's Survey" of the city and other measures attest their usefulness. Their successors from January 2, 1850, were: First Alcalde and President, Abel Stearns; Second Alcalde, Igna- eio del Valle; Regidores, David W. Alexander, Benjamin D. Wilson, José L. Sepúlveda, Man- nel Garfias; Síndico, Francisco Figueroa; Secre- tary, Jesus Guirado, who held office until the city and county governments were organized under the State law.

December 9, 1847, a little after midnight, preparing to load a cannon at the guard-lionse, situated on the hillside where was the mansion of ex-Senator Bush, a careless soldier exploded a box of cartridges. Everything was thrown into the air-walls, soldiers; some of the tim- bers fell over into Main street. Not one adobe was left standing upon another. Four were killed outright and twelve wounded, dragoons and men of Stevenson's regiment. It was im- mediately rebuilt of adobes. The accident grew ont of an alarm produced by a sentinel who hailed a horse or cow grazing upon the hill, and for want of answer, fired. Carefully inquiring among residents of that period, and consulting the archives which are fully extant, not the slightest trace of any movement is visible among the Californians against the existing authorities, nor any real ground for suspicion or aların at any time after January, 1847, says IIayes.

In April, 1848, a special court, consisting of Stephen C. Foster and Abel Stearns, was ap- pointed for the trial of several members of the

Mormon Battalion at Los Angeles, on the charge of passing counterfeit gold coin. Each had a separate trial before a jury, and Lieutenant Ruel Barras was found guilty, confessing that he played monte with counterfeit money, and was sentenced to five years' hard labor; but Governor Mason, in consideration of his yonth and other palliating cirenmstances, reduced his term to one year. The others were acquitted.

The discovery of the mines in the year 1848 carried away many of the native population; ereated a new demand for the horses and cattle which the rancheros conld so amply supply; brought a multitude of immigrants from So- nora, as well as from the United States, and left the people at home here in a state of perpetual exaltation and excitement. During the sum- mer of 1849 and winter and spring of 1850, Los Angeles was a thoroughfare of travel. Few could be induced to stop long. Every head was turned toward the northern EI Dorado. Through the summer of 1850 thirty Americans could be counted, and most of these withont families. With or without means the in-comers had crowded forward; seldom destitute, for their necessities when known had met a gener- ous response from the bounty of the "Lugo family" at San Bernardino, a Williams at Chino, a Rowland and a Workman at La Puente. Nor only from these -native Californian liberality everywhere opened its full hand to the way- worn stranger.

In September, 1848, Colonel Stevenson left for San Francisco. January, 1849, a squadron of Second Dragoons, Major Montgomery Pike Graham commanding, fresh from Mexico, was posted at this city. IIis officers were: Captain Kane, Quartermaster; Captain D). II. Rueker; Lientenants Cave J. Couts, Givens, Sturgiss, Campbell, Evans and Wilson. Captain Rufus Ingalls was here in this year as Quartermaster. The arrival of Major Graham relieved Company C, First Dragoons, which then marched for So- noma, under its officers as before mentioned, and the Surgeon, Dr. Griffin.

From 1850 to 1860, and thereabouts, the cat-

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

tle trade and shipment of grapes were the main reliance for money. The cattle sold to go out of the county in the former year were esti- mated at 15,000 head, at $15 per head. Subse- quent years, until 1856, show a constant demand for stock, if not so great; in this year it was considered that $500,000 had been invested in cattle and sheep to be taken away. In 1860 there were still 78,000 head of cattle, three- fifths of which belonged to native Californians, and in part distributed as follows:

Abel Stearns, 12,000; Juan Abila, 7,200; John Roland, 5,000; Willian Workman, 5,000; Williams' estate, 5,000; John Temple, 4,000; Ricardo Vejar, 3,500; Bernardo Yorba, 3,500; Ignacio del Valle, 3,500; Teodosio Yorba, 3,- 500; Leonardo Cota, 2,500; Vicente Lugo, 2,- 500; Pio and Andrés Pico, 2,000; Augustin Machado, 2,000; Nasario Dominguez's estate, 2,000; Felipe Lugo, 1,000; Valdez family, 1,- 000; Enrique Abila, 1,000; Fernando Sepúlveda, 1,000.

Making just allowance for defective assess- ments, the amount was probably considerably- one-third-beyond this estimate. The drought of the years 1863 and 1864, was more or less destructive throughout California. In Los An-

geles County, 1865 began with 90,450 head of cattle, 15,529 horses, 282,000 sheep. In earlier times, sheep made little figure in the annual calculations of gain.

From the organization of the county in 1850 to the creation of the board of supervisors in 1852, the court of sessions (consisting of the county judge and two associate judges) ad- ministered the civil affairs of the county.

The first election for supervisors was held June 14, 1852, and the following persons were duly elected: Jefferson Hunt, Julian Chavez, F. P. F. Temple, Manuel Requena and Samuel Ar- buckle. The board organized on the first Mon- day in the next month; Arbuckle was chairman and B. D. Wilson was clerk by virtue of his being county clerk.

The office of jueces del campos (judges of the plains) is a purely Mexican institution, but was in force several years after the conquest of Cal- ifornia, and in fact until the office died a natural death from lack of material whereon to exercise the official functions. Their duties were to hold rodeos (cattle gatherings) and recojedas (horse gatherings) throughout the country, to settle all disputes and see that justice was done between owners of stock.

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

STATE DIVISION.

CHAPTER X.

HIE Constitutional Convention of this State, adopted the constitution October 10, 1849; it was ratified by vote of the people, Novem- ber 13, and proclaimed by Governor Riley, De- cember 13. Los Angeles was represented by .José Antonio Carrillo, Perfecto Hugo Reid, Abel Stearns, Stephen C. Foster, and Manuel Do- iningnez. Mr. Reid died at Los Angeles, De- cember 12, 1852. He was a native of Scotland, of great intelligence, and always held in high esteem. Hle wrote some essays on the history, customs, and legends of the Los Angeles Indians, and vocabularies of several Indian tongues spoken in this section of the State, which have been published. Don José Antonio Carrillo died at Santa Bárbara, April 25, 1862, aged sixty- seven years. Don Manuel Dominguez died at his ranch near San Pedro in 1882. Stephen C. Foster is yet living.

It was natural that Southern California should protest against entering Statehood with the North. Reference has already been made to the continual friction between California del Norte and California del Sur in Mexican times, and how the South prevented the North from becom- ing a Mexican State. This time the protest was unsuccessful. In February, 1850, a mass meet- ing was held in Los Angeles, at which a formal protest was made against the admission of Cali- fornia as a State. The grounds of protest were the enormous expense of a State government,

and ruinous taxes; that a territorial form of government was for the time better suited for the South, that the Legislature favored the more thickly populated North, disregarding the inter- .

ests of the thinly populated Sonth, and that the proposed State was too large and its interests were too diverse. The meeting declared in favor of a separate Territory south of San Luis Obispo to be called Central California. Manuel Requena was president of the meeting, and Harry Dalton and Agustin Olvera were secre- taries. The protest was forwarded by Agustin Harazthy, of San Diego, to United States Senator Foote, who produced it in the Senate May 9, 1850, but objections being made it was not received.

Southern California was, however, restive under the newer order of things, feeling that its best development could only come with the stimulus and freedom of a separate political life. Animated by this feeling, a movement for the division of the State was made ten years later. In 1859 an act was passed by the State Legis- lature entitled " An Act granting the consent of the Legislature to the formation of a different government for the southern counties of this State." The line of division, as specified in the act, embraced the counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Bárbara, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Bernardino, and a portion of Buena Vista. The act, by order of the Legislature, was put to a vote of the people of the counties in question:

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

it was carried by an overwhelming vote. The returns, together with the act, were certified to by Governor Latham, and forwarded by him officially to the United States Government at Washington. The intense national excitement over the questions which led to the civil war delayed action, and with the breaking out of hostilities further action for the completion of the division was postponed. In the turmoil of war, and in the settlement of great national questions which agitated the country in the years that followed, the subject of further action in the matter remained in abeyance. Occasional allusions in the public print showed, how- ever, that it was only slumbering. In 1880 Governor J. G. Downey republished, over his own signature, in the Los Angeles Evening Express of May 8, the original act, together with a statement that he believed the act to remain valid despite the lapse of years, and that only the consent of Congress was needed to make the action final.

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Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1092

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1092