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 17

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 17

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also held successful fairs for the several years following.

1872 .- Angust 5 was celebrated as a day of lamentation by the Chinese all over the world for the loss of their countrymen who were lynched in Los Angeles the preceding year. Four priests came from San Francisco to con- dnet public services.

October 26, that portion of Los Angeles known as Sonoratown was entertained by a gennine bull-fight, one of the relies of the bar- barons ages that have not yet been thoroughly obliterated by civilization. A large number of persons, principally native Californians, of ali ages and both sexes, had assembled, and occu- pied elevated seats in the circular arena wherein the bull-fight was to take place. At the hour of commencement three individuals dressed as clowns stepped into the pit, each one bearing in his hand a red flag attached to a small stick. These were the picadores. One of them was well advanced in years, and shortly after the first animal had been turned into the arena and had become sufficiently enraged to make it some- what warm for his tormentors, the old fellow, not having the elasticity of youth, was impaled by the infuriated brnte against the fence, and finally tossed over it. Besides being badly gored, it transpired afterward that some of his ribs were broken. He did not appear again, however, in the pit, which was seemingly a source of much disappointment to the specta- tors, not in consequence of his misfortune, but because he was reported to be the best of the three picadores. The other two continued to worry the poor bull, and succeeded for some time to avoid all his plunges. Finally one of them, taking the wrong direction, was slightly elevated on the horns of the bull, the points of which had been såwed off. Nothing dannted, he continued to torment the poor beast with increased ardor. Several brads, to which were affixed various appendages in the way of rib- bons, leaves of colored paper, etc., were then passed to the matadores. With a brad in one hand and a banner in the other they await the

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onset of the bull, and as he came within reach proded him in the neck, and at the same time darted aside. The poor bull tore the ground with rage, the brad meanwhile sticking in his neck and a dozen various colored ribbons streaming in the wind as he rushed blindly, foaming at the mouth, at the agile picadores, who would then stand aside, to receive the plandits of the fair senoritas that were in at- tendance. The bull was then taken ont and the band struck up a lively air. The clown, who had heretofore kept at a safe and respectful dis- tance from the bull, being perclied on the fence, then danced a polka and sang a song full of Mexico and " Libertad." Another bull was then driven into the ring, and the same per- formance was passed throughi as before, the bull in the present case being more successful than his predecessor, inasmuch as he succeeded in tossing the picadores several times. What was considered the best sport of all, however, was the "Grand Ride" performed on the second bull. The animal being lassoed and thrown to the ground and a riata tied around his body, to this the picador was to hold to ride the bull; a novel crown, ornamented with fire crackers, and an immense back-gear made of wires, covered also with fire-crackers, were then placed upon the bull, being connected together by means of a fuse. The picador then ad- dressed the assemblage, and asked them to con- tribute their mite, as it would probably be his last ride. Mounting and grasping the riata the animal was relieved of its bonds, and the fire- crackers, attached to its tail ignited. Plunging around the ring at a breakneck speed both bull and rider seem enveloped in flame and smoke, which continued until the poor creature fell from sheer exhaustion. The enthusiastic de- light of the spectators beggars description. Cries were then raised for a third animal, which, being fresh and more furions than the others, soon compelled the weary picadors to abandon the field. The clown then extended an invitation to anyone from among thie audi- ence to take their places, but no one felt dis-

posed to do so, and the performance was de- clared at an end.

October 29, fire, originating in the explosion of a coal-oil lamp, destroyed Packard & Co.'s distillery on the east bank of the river, occasion- ing a total loss of about $60,000.

1874 .- Population of the city estimated at 11,000. During the summer the Spring and Sixth street horse railroad was completed. Sunday law began to be enforced. It was esti- mated that at least $300,000 was expended in the erection of business houses this year. September 14, Eagle Flouring Mills, costing some 840,000 eight or nine years before, totally destroyed by fire.

1875 .- Population of the city estimated at about 13,000. Catholic cathedral and many other large buildings erected this year, amount- ing in total value to $260,000. May 20, at night, two extensive fires. In December a movement was on foot among the merchants to have the steamers of Goodall, Nelson & Per- kins stop at Santa Monica. An effort was made by the citizens to have work resumed on the Los Angeles & Independence Railroad, build- ing from Los Angeles by way of Cajon Pass to Independence.

1876 .-- City still rapidly improving. During June anti-Chinese meetings were the order of the day. Jnly 4 was celebrated with ten times more pomp and noise than usual; the greatest celebration of American independence ever had in the city. Phineas Banning was president of the day, James J. Ayers poet, and James G. Eastman orator. General Andrés Pico and Mannel Requena died this year. December 28, second burning of the Eagle Mills.

1877 .- August 4, Hon. Benjamin Hayes, for- merly district judge, died. He had been a resident of Los Angeles County twenty-seven years, and the author of a chapter in the Cen- tennial History of Los Angeles, and an inde- fatigable collector of historical scraps. In October a grand fair of the Horticultural and Agricultural societies was held.

1878 .-- In January, a fight between the squat-

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ters and natives occurred at the Ranchito, resulting in the killing of two Mexicans. June 8, there died at the San Gabriel Mission Eulalia Peres de Guilen, born at Loreta, Lower Califor- nia, and claimed by some to be over 140 years of age! but was probably abont 110. This year was built the grand pavilion on Temple Street Ilill, by the Southern California Horticultural Society. The first fair in this pavilion was held in October. An area of 18,000 acres of land was burned over in the San Fernando Valley in September. February 1, the I. O. O. F. Hall dedicated. Building going on more than ever be- fore. In September over $500 was raised in the city for the yellow-fever sufferers of Memphis.

1879 .-- Unearthing of the successive defalca- tions of Treasurers Mellus and Butler, and Tax Collector Carrillo. The deficiency was found to be over $17,000. Vigorous measures adopted for the renovation of Chinatown. Washington's birthday celebration by the military and fire companies of the city. Jnly 4 also duly cele- brated. Extensive fires in the mountain forests, in June. In November died E. J. C. Kewen, a soldier, orator and lawyer of considerable note.

1880 .- March 26, Samuel R. Hoyle, an old defaulting tax-collector from Georgia, was ar- rested in the city, and while awaiting the requi- sition papers shot himself in the connty jail April 20. During this year General B. F. But- ler, of Massachusetts, visited Los Angeles. Pop- ulation of the city, according to the census, 11,183.

1881 .- September 5, centennial anniversary of the founding of the city of Los Angeles cele- brated. Twenty minutes' time was required for the procession to pass a given point. Main street was decorated with festoons bearing the dates 1781-1881. General George Stoneman, afterward Governor, was grand-marshal of the day. A prominent feature of the procession was a Mexican cart drawn by oxen and contain- ing two Mexican women, aged respectively 103 and 117 years! Business generally was sus- pended, and the people gave themselves a free holiday. The horticultural fair was held this

month in the Temple Street Pavilion, and the attendance was very large. On the 27th the obsequies of the late President Garfield were observed by a large procession and literary ex- ereises.

1882.

January 10, the Esperanza Block, opposite the court-honse on Main street, was burned; total loss, including the stores, $75,000. This year was commenced the construction of the Nadeau Block, the first four-story building in the city ; also the State Normal School building; and the United States Magnetic Observatory was removed here from Madison, Wisconsin. April, an excursion of 150 Texan editors ar- rived in the city on their way to San Francisco, and spent several days enjoying the town and surrounding country.

The principal political agitation occurred in the spring, when an attempt was made to enforce the Sunday-law, especially that part which re- lates to the closing of saloons. The saloon . keepers had a strong organization known as the " League of Freedom," which resisted all efforts of an opposing organization known as the " Law and Order League." The courts were filled with litigation on this question, almost to the exclu- sion of other business and with great expense to the tax-payers. As a sequence the Sunday-law figured in the political campaign of the latter part of the year. R. R. Haines drew up a strong Sunday-law plank, which was incorporated in the Republican platform, and subsequently be- enme a plank in the State platform of that party, and was squarely opposed by the Democracy. An immense Democratic majority throughout the State followed, and the next Legislature wiped the Sunday-law from the statute books.

A most remarkable case was tried in the Su- perior Court of Los Angeles this year, Judge J. D. Hines, of Ventura, presiding. A Mormon named Josiah V. Smith lived with his family on a lonely island in an ocean slough on the sea-shore, about thirty miles southwest of the city. He gained a precarions living by fishing. In November he claimed to have received in &

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vision a command from God to sacrifice his fourteen-year-old son. The boy was called, and, obedient to the parental command, kneeled be- fore his father, who stuck a butcher's knife into the son's breast and watched his life-blood flow out upon the ground! The father then threw the knife away and carried the body to the house, where he held funeral ceremonies and, buried the corpse near by. In a few days a hunter, who was accustomed to hire the boy to row a boat, came and inquired for him, when the father told him the awful story of the " sacri- fice," and indicated the place of burial. The body was dug up and an inquest held. The father was arrested and brought to the city, where he made the defense that he did with his son only what the Lord had commanded Abra- ham to do with his, and admitted that he ex- perienced great disappointment in the non- fulfillment of the promise of a resurrection of the child. He was ably defended by Walter B. Stephenson, now deceased, who, on the ingenious plea of insanity, secured for his client the lighter sentence of imprisonment for life. While being taken to San Quentin, Smith jumped from the cars near Tehachepi when the train was in mo- tion, and was run over, both legs being crushed. The train was stopped, and he was taken on board and died at Tulare. His widow and chil- dren now live at Santa Ana.

December 31, the city was lighted for the first time by electricity. .

1883.

January 20, terrible railroad accident in Te- hachepi Pass, in which over twenty persons lost their lives. It was about three o'clock in the morning and very dark, when the passenger train bound for Los Angeles stopped at the station of Tehachepi, which is just west of the summit of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. A very strong, cold wind was blowing down the snowy monnt- ain pass; the engine was detached for the pur- pose of going ahead to get water; the conductor went into the office to make his report; the brake- man, in his haste to accompany a young lady from the train to the station house, forgot to fix his

brakes, and the cars were started by the wind down the heavy grade. When the conductor came ont he saw that his train was gone, and, looking down the road he saw the bright light of the burning cars some two or three miles away! The cars had, of course, obtained great velocity before the passengers had any suspicion that anything was wrong, and leaped the track into a ravine, where they were massed in a crushed heap, and the lamps and stove-fires set the pile of splinters thus made on fire. The surviving passengers crawled ont of the debris in their night-clothes and rescued whom they could. Among those saved was ex-Governor Downey, but no traces were ever found of his wife. The dead and wounded were brought to Los Angeles, where a few of the twenty-two corpses were identified and taken by relatives and friends, while the others were buried in Evergreen Cemetery.

In February Miss Maggie O'Brien, of Los Angeles, was murdered near Colton by William McDowell. Miss O'Brien was living in Los Angeles, and had been intimate with McDowell, arousing the jealousy of his wife. They sent for her to go to Colton, where the crime was committed. McDowell was convicted and hanged at San Bernardino, March 28, 1884.

In July and August numerous delegations of Knights Templar visited Los Angeles on their way to attend the Triennial Conclave at San Francisco.

In this year (1883) Henry Amidon, a loco- motive engineer, was murdered at his place on San Fernando street.

1884.

Jannary 9, Charles Whitehead, editor of the Republican, a daily evening paper, was shot in his office in the Nadeau Block, by T. S. Harris, the ex-foreman of the paper. Harris was con- victed and sentenced to imprisonment at San Quentin, but pardoned by Governor Stoneman in less than a year.

February 18, there occurred a destructive flood. The river rose rapidly after several days of heavy rain, swept away a number of houses,

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destroyed considerable other property and caused loss of life.

May 24, the first opera house or theatre built in the city, by O. W. Childs; it was dedicated by Mlle. Rhea, who appeared in the " School of Scandal."

During the year the city council built sub- stantial bridges across the river on Aliso and First streets. Also the fine and commodious Sisters' Hospital on Beaudry Park Hill was com- menced. The Presidential campaign was par- ticularly lively in Los Angeles. Four parties, strongly organized and with full tickets, were in the field,-Republicans, Democrats, Prohi- bitionists and " Greenbackers;" and for the first time since the formation of the county in 1850, the Republicans were able to elect a majority of the officers. In a Democratic procession cele- brating the election of Cleveland to the presi- dency, one transparency bore the significant inscription, " The Court-house for the White- house."

In October the Chinese celebrated their great triennial festival.

In December the municipal election was overwhelmingly Republican.

The population of the city this year was esti- mated at 31,000. This year the city purchased of G. J. Griffith his fractional interest in the title to the water of the river for $50,000. Ig- nacio Sepúlveda resigned his position as supe- rior judge and removed to the city of Mexico.

1885.

January 25, José Preciado was killed by Juan Pantojas on Aliso street, for alleged criminality with the latter's wife. Pautojas was acquitted.

March 8, Phineas Banning died at San Fran- cisco, and was buried on the 12th, in Rosedale cemetery. 20, Adolfo Silvas and Francisco Martinez were hanged for murder by a sher- iff's guard. Silvas had murdered James A. McIntyre, on New Iligh street, July 21, 1884. Martinez had killed a Mexican named Gabriel Chavez on June 20, 1884, in Verdugo Cañon.

April 15, death of Henry Stassfortli, a well-

known citizen. 19 death of Andre Briswalter, leaving a large estate. 28, E. J. Baldwin was sned for breach of promise by Louisa C. Perkins. The case came to trial in February, 1886, and judgment was rendered for the plaintiff in the sum of $75,000. This was set aside as excess- ive, and Mr. Baldwin finally compromised by paying the young lady $12,000. 21, ground was broken at the intersection of Fort and Second streets for the Second Street Cable Railway, by Isaac W. Lord. The cars began running in October.

Early in the year the principal political item was the removal of Edward McCarty as chief of police.

May 8, Senator John Sherman visited Los Angeles.

June 5, Dr. Vincent Gelcich, a noted pioneer, died at the age of fifty-six years. 27, Colonel J. F. Godfrey, a soldier and an attorney at law, died, aged forty-five years.

July 10, John Lennox, who had in cold blood murdered an Italian at San Fernando, and was tried at his own instance without a jury before Judge H. N. Smith, was sentenced to be hanged. This sentence was commuted by Governor Stone- man to imprisonment for life, followed subse- quently by pardon.

Angust 8, imposing services in memory of U. S. Grant. 10, Father J. J. Upchurch, founder of the A. O. U. W., was given a reception by the order in Los Angeles. 17, Daniel Mooney, a well-known character, was accidentally shot and killed near Santa Monica. During this month, Sir Arthur Sullivan, of literary fame, visited Los Angeles.

During the summer the first City Hall on Second street was built.

September 2, J. E. Ilollenbeck, a noted pioneer, died, aged fifty-six years. 16, the completion of the Los Angeles San Gabriel Valley Railroad to Pasadena was celebrated by an excursion. 18, Colonel E. S. Blasdel died at Florence.

October 1, Loreto Robles was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment at San Quentin for the

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murder of his wife at Las Virgines Ranch May 12. Same day Charles Miles, County Recorder, was arrested for the embezzlement of $12,000. On the subsequent payment of the money in court, he was discharged from Custody. IIe was immediately succeeded in office by Frank A. Gibson. 9, remarkable disappearance of Miss Lizzie Parker from the residence of Mrs. Vantrees on Court-house street. 11, Duncan C. Ross and Captain O'Brien had a sword con- test at Agricultural Park, witnessed by several thousand people; won by Ross. 13, death of Al F. Scheffelin in East Los Angeles; he was one of the discoverers of the Tombstone mines.

1886.

January 19, great flood. River overflowed all that portion of the city lying between Wil- mington street and the bluff on the east side. A number of people were drowned, and much property destroyed. Levees were washed away and railroads washed out so extensively that all rail communication was cut off for about a week. During the day of the flood Martin Aguirre saved the lives of twenty persons, mostly children, by going to them on horseback, but he had a very narrow escape with his own life.

The year opened with a strong advance in real estate, the sales during the year amounting to $28,204,759!

In February occurred the trial of Perkins against Baldwin, for damages for breach of promise.

In September occurred the Republican State Convention in Los Angeles for the first time, in Mott Hall.

In the county the offices were nearly evenly divided between the Democrats and Republicans.

In November - Baynton murdered his wife and an old man named Kipp, on Olive street, in Los Angeles, and was convicted and hanged for his crime.

1887.

Jannary. Several large excursion trains from the East. 5, Andrés Martinez, a Mexican, was fatally stabbed by Marguerite Granillo, an

Indian woman. 14, Lorena, daughter of Dr. T. C. Gale, was run over by the cars on Ala- meda street, and died three days later. 15, death of Remi Nadeau, builder of the Nadean Block. 21, George Roberson, who kept a fur- niture store on Spring street, was arrested on the charge of arson, and while being taken to the city jail by a policeman committed fatal injuries upon himself, his death resulting in a few hours. 23, Samuel Keefer, a hotel man in Monrovia, committed suicide. 29, President Cleveland signed the bill appropriating $150,- 000 for the erection of a Federal building in Los Angeles. 31, Well No. 6 at Puente gave the first flow of oil in the district. During this month was founded the town of Clearwater, on the lands of a co-operative colony, who bought from the Cerritos Ranch.

February. 4, Bill passed the Legislature providing for two superior judges, making a total of four. 3, corner-stone of the Baptist College laid. 7, A. W. Hutton and W. P. Gardner were appointed superior judges. Same day, a banquet was given to Brigadier-Gen- eral Nelson A. Miles, commanding the Depart- ment of Arizona, at the Nadean House, for transferring headquarters from the Whipple Barracks, Arizona, to this city. 14, ship Ken- nebec, of 2,000 tons burden, and the Barkentine St. Louis, were totally wrecked in a storm at San Pedro. Sale announced of the Los Angeles & San Gabriel Railroad to the Atchison, To- peka & Santa Fé Company. Small-pox pre- vailed this month, thirteen cases proving fatal. A grand excursion to Ballona on the 14th, on the completion of the railroad to that place. Postoffice removed from Oxarart Block to the Hellman building on Main street, opposite Arcadia street.

March. 1, Woman's IIome on Fourth street opened. This enterprise is supported from the proceeds of an annual flower festival, held since 1885, for the benefit of women and girls out of employment. During this month the cele- brated apostle of American phrenology, Profes- sor O. S. Fowler, appeared in Los Angeles for

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the last time. Other noted visitors were Charles Dudley Warner and M. Capel. 26, discovery made that El Hammond, the County Tax- collector, had absconded with $12,000 of the public money, he having fled to British Co- lumbia.

April. 1, the rare spectacle of 500 men standing in line all night long on Court-house street, awaiting their turn to buy lots in the new boom town, the sale of which commenced the next morning at 9 o'clock; places in this line sold as high as $150! The Real Estate Exchange was incorporated in April, and ran about a year. 12, the annual flower festival was opened in Hazard's Pavilion. Hon. J. F. Crank and Herman Silver paid the city $10,000 cash for a donble-track cable road franchise; in 1889 it was transferred to a Chicago syndicate, headed by C. B. Holines, and the cars were set running June 8, 1889. 12, Mrs. E. A. Cox was run over and killed by the cars at the Downey street crossing. 18, the University Bank opened its doors.

May. 2, E. M. Ross appointed judge of the new United States District Court of Southern California. 11, Grettie Rozelle threw a cup of vitriol into the face of C. R. Petrie, a loco- motive engineer, who finally recovered; Mrs. Rozelle was acquitted, but her linsband, who was not present at the commission of the crime, was sentenced to nine years in the State prison ! 15, death of Dr. J. S. Baker, City Health Officer, by heart disease. 18, the MeLaughlin steam dninmy line of cars was completed from Second street to Cahnenga Valley. During this month the National Opera Troupe of 300 people performed at the Hazard Pavilion.

June. 1, Santa Fé trains commenced run- ning overland to San Bernardino. 6, ex- Mayor E. F. Spence donated $50,000 for the establishment of an Astronomical Observatory on Wilson's Peak. During this month two brothers named Ilutchinson killed in Tejunga Cañon a grizzly bear cnb weighing 700 pounds.

July. Judge W. A. Cheney, of the Superior Court, sustained the prohibition ordinance of

Pasadena City. Catalina Island was sold by the Lick Estate to George R. Shatto.

August. 2, Francisco Calzado shot and killed his wife in Los Angeles. 13, W. F. Williams shot and killed his wife also in Los Angeles; he was imprisoned for life. 14, cor- ner-stone of the new Turnverein Hall laid. 24, Downey street depot burned. 29, the old Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, South, on Spring street, burned. 14, cremation at the Rosedale Cemetery.

September. 20, A large number of members of the Grand Army of the Republic, with fruits and wines, left Los Angeles for St. Louis.

October. 7, mysterious murder of Dr. Charles N. Harlan, a dentist, near Compton. Miss Hattie Wolfsteen was charged with the crime, and the case became a causè celèbré in the criminal annals of Los Angeles. On the night of the above date a barn was burned near Compton, and the next day the charred remains of a human being were found in the ashes, the teeth of which were identified as those of Dr. Harlan. He had been known to keep com- pany with Miss Wolfsteen. She was defended by G. Wiley Wells and C. C. Stephens and acquitted. 21, the Chinese celebrate their triennial festival; the programme included a magnificent street parade. 24, Cardinal Gib- bons, of the Roman Catholic Church, visited Los Angeles. 26, corner-stone of Los Angeles College laid at the corner of Eighth and Hope streets. 28, Santa Fé depot burned. An oil train, being consnmed with it, prevented the extingnishment of the fire till it had run its course. During this month occurred trouble between the Aznsa and the Covina neighbor- hoods over the division of water in the San Gabriel Cañon. Both parties had armed forces in the canon. Further tronble was averted by the courts.

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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