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 56

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 56

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Oranges Christmas to Jnly

Lemons All the year

Limes All the year

Figs. July to Christinas

Almonds .October

Apples

July to November

Pears .July to November

Grapes July 15th to December

Raisins . October 20tlı (new)

Peaches . June 15th to Christmas

Apricots . June 15th to September

PlnIns and Prunes. June 1st to November

Cherries

.. June

Japanese Persimmons. . November Guavas Nearly all the year Loquats .May 15th to June 15th Strawberries

Nearly all the year round

Raspberries .June 15th to January

Blackberries June 15th to September

Currants . . May 15th to June 15th

Gooseberries 23

June

Watermelons .July to October

Muskmelons .July to October

Mulberries July to December

Nectarines .Angust

Olives . .December to January

Pomegranates September to December

Quinces . October to December

The constant ripening of fruits and the ma- turing of vegetables in this county, as shown by the city market, astonish persons unfamiliar with the peculiar nature of the soil and climate. Fruits and vegetables are maturing every month of the year.

Of garden products, green peas are in the market nearly all the year, and so are new pota- toes, carrots, cabbages, salsify, asparagus, lettuce, cauliflower, turnips, onions, beets and radishes. Cucumbers, squashes, pumpkins and melons are in the market from June to December, so that every month of the year is productive of the " fatness of the land " for the benefit of all dwellers therein.

Of citrus fruits Southern California is the natural home, both soil and climate being admirably adapted to the culture of oranges, lemons, limes, etc. Some of the finest and largest of this class of fruits are produced in Los Angeles County. The localities most favor- able for them are in the smaller valleys of the " foot-hill region," sheltered from the trade winds and exposed to intense heat, with a very dry atmosphere during a large portion of the year. The crop requires thorough irrigation and a great deal of care and labor, but with all this outlay it is very profitable. The orange industry of the country is immense, as is also that of grape-raising and raisin-making, and both are steadily increasing in magnitude. The grape crop is next in importance to the orange crop. There are over 16,000 acres in grape culture within the county, the fruit comprising every variety of grapes produced in Southern California.

Of the 103 proprietors of town-farms in 1848, eight were foreigners: Abel Stearns, Louis Bouchet, Louis Vignes, Juan Domingo, Miguel N. Pryor, William Wolfskill, Louis Lemoreau,

354

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

Joseph Snooks-an Englishman, a German, three French, three "Yankees"-so has the city ever been, cosmopolitan. Under the sound policy adopted at the beginning, for the dispo- sition of pueblo lands, the natural course of business, and family changes, the proprietor- ship of real property is much altered. Those of Spanish origin retain good agricultural tracts. Within the patent of the city are 17,752 acres. The increase of culture of fruit trees-and or- namental too-is remarkable. In 1847 prob- ably were set out 200 young walnut trees. The almond was unknown. San Fernando and San Gabriel had a few olives. Long before 1840, the Californians had the fig, apricot, peach, pear, and quince. Plums were introduced by (). W. Childs. Seeds of the sweet almond, in 1855, were first planted by William Wolfskill, which were brought from the Mediterranean by H. F. Teschemaker, of San Francisco.

O. W. Childs, in 1856, introduced bees. He paid $100, in San Francisco, for one hive and swarm. Afterward, Sherman & Taylor brought here hives for sale.

In 1850 there was one pepper tree, lofty and wide-branching, over the adobe honse of an old lady living near the hills a short distance north of the plaza, the seeds of which came from a tree in the Court of the Mission of San Luis Rey. January 31, 1861, John Temple planted a row in front of his Main street store. This the utilitarian woodman has not spared. But all the city is adorned with this graceful tree; and flowers of every name and clime -- to rival an undying fragrance of the solitary Rose of Castile thirty-five years ago.

STOCK-RAISING.

Until recent years, stock-raising was the chief industry in Los Angeles County as well as in nearly all other portions of Southern California. The lands of the county were believed to be unfit for anything but stock ranches, and conse- quently immense herds of cattle and sheep roamed in the valleys and browsed among the foothills. But later on the fact was developed

that the country also possessed excellent natural qualities for agricultural purposes, and now this fact is emphasized by farm products which astonish the world.

Stock-raising, however, continues to be car- ried on in the county extensively and success- fully, especially the raising of fine stock, in- elnding thoroughbred horses, which compete with the best of animals raised in Kentucky. Cultivated feed has taken the place of wild hay. Alfalfa especially is a most valuable adjunct to the stock or dairy farm. It permits of the keep- ing of a large number of animals on a small space of ground.

Following is a table from the County Asses. sessor's report giving the value of live stock in the county at the beginning of the year 1888:

Calves. .$ 51,000

Beef cattle. 4,425

Stock cattle.

306,763

Colts.

136,799

Cows, thoroughbred

18,750

Cows, American

4,535

Cows, graded .

348,145

Goats, common.

1,516

Goats, Angora

2,250

Hogs 22,552

Horses, thoroughbred

27,835

Horses, American

374,617

Horses, Spanish

503,985

Jacks and genets .

2,990

Mules

102,600

Poultry .

335,075

Sheep, imported or fine

1,500

Sheep, graded.

168,070

Sheep, common 163,333

Lambs

3,775

Ostriches 7,400

In 1870 a few cashmere goats were brought to Los Angeles County by F. Bonshard. He brought 500 or 600 heads, of various grades. He and J. E. Pleasants were about the only parties engaged in raising such animals for several years after the date above mentioned. Now, however, there are several persons in the county who have cashmere goats of all grades, from the lowest up to thoroughbreds. Mr. Pleasants has had 300 to 500 thoroughbreds, the wool from which is worth 25 to 40 cents a

355

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

pound. A good thoroughbred goat is generally worth abont $50. Those first brought into the county cost $150 each.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

For this history of the public schools of Los Angeles, the publishers are indebted to Pro- fessor J. M. Gninn.

Before the secularization of the missions bnt little if any attention was given to the cause of popular education in Alta California. The sons of the wealthy were sent to Mexico to be edn- cated, while the children of the poorer classes and those of the neophytes we allowed to grow np in ignorance.

The earlier school reports are very meagre in details. The first we find recorded in the city archives bears date of September 29, 1827, and is a receipt for the payment of $12 by the alcalde for a bench and table purchased at San Gabriel " for the use of a school in Los Angeles." In 1833 -'34 the Mexican Government "took measures to extend education to California;" and when the missions were secularized, one authority states that "experienced teachers were sent for the public schools to be established at each mission." The Government's intentions were no doubt good, but, like most of its good designs, were badly executed. The "experienced teachers," if sent, seem not to have arrived, for in 1836 the ayuntamiento petitioned the Governor to detail an officer of the army for a schoolmaster, as no one qualified for the position could be found in the town. Ensign Don Gandalupe Medina was granted leave of absence to act as preceptor. He seenis to have been a very efficient educator as well as a very useful person in other capaci- ties. The reports of the first complete census taken in 1836 were copied by Medina.

Shortly after this auspicions beginning the canse of popular education seems to have fallen into a state of "innocuons désuetude," for in 1844 Don Manuel Requena congratulated the ontgoing ayuntamiento on having established a primary school in the city of Los Angeles, " the recollection of similar institutions having been

lost in this unfortunate country." This must have been a second venture at school-keeping by Medina. One hundred and three children attended this school, but in less than six months it suspended, the Governor recalling Medina to his military duties. Four months later he laid down the sword again to resume the birch, but the school-house being required for a military barracks, the pupils were turned out and school once more suspended. The pioneer schoolmas- ter seems to have retired from the profession. Ile has left on record the following inventory (translated by Stephen C. Foster):

LANCASTERIAN SCHOOL OF LOS ANGELES.

Inventory of the books and furniture in the above institution belonging to the ayuntamiento: Thirty-six spelling books, eleven second readers for children, fourteen catechisms by Father Ri- paldi, one table withont cover, writing desk, six benches, one blackboard.

GAUDALUPE MEDINA. ANGELES, February 2, 1844.

A contract is on record made June 21, 1850, between Don Abel Stearns, President of the city council, and Francisco Bustamente, in which the latter agrees "to teach the scholars to read and count, and, so far as he is capable, to teach them orthography and good morals." When the pupils were ready to be examined he agrees to give notice to the council, that the members might attend the examination. His contract was for four months at $60 per month and $20 for house rent, to be paid from the municipal funds.

The pioneer English school was opened in 1850 by the Rev. Dr. Wicks and John G. Nichols.

The first well-matured ordinance for estab- lishing and regulating common schools was framed June 19, 1855, and signed by the Mayor, Thomas Foster.

In the same year the first school buildings, two in number, were erected in the city,-pub- lic school No. 1, on the corner of Spring and Second streets, where the magnificent Bryson- Bonebrake Block now stands; the other, school-

256

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

house No. 2, on what was then known as Bath street, a short street running north from the Plaza. This building was demolished two years ago, when Bath street was widened and changed to Main street.

In January, 1855, the Stur informis us that there " are now 1,191 children between the ages of four and eighteen, in Los Angeles, El Monte and San Gabriel school districts; yet not more than 150 in all attend school." In 1856-'57 there were seven schools in Los Angeles County, four of these being located in the city. The school funds were so limited that two of the schools closed in February. and the other two shortly after. William Wolfskill generously donated $600 for school purposes, which enabled the board to reopen one of the schools. In 1863 the number of census children in the county was 2,398, and the amount of State fund apportioned, $4,581.95.

The subdivision of a number of the large ranchos into sınall farms in 1868-'69, and the transition of industries from cattle-raising to grain and fruit growing, brought quite an in." flux of immigrants into the county. Amnong these were several educated and progressive teachers, whose influence was soon felt in im- proved methods of teaching and an increased interest in the public schools. Prominent among these educators may be named Dr. T. H. Rose, William M. McFadden, Anna McAr- thur, J. M. Guinn, Professor William Lawlor and P. C. Tonner.

October 31, 1870, the first teachers' institute was organized, William M. McFadden, County Superintendent, President; J. M. Guiun and T. Il. Rose, Vice-Presidents, and P. C. Tonner, Secretary. Dr. O. P. Fitzgerald, State Super- intendent, was in attendance part of the time. The sessions were held in the old Bath street school building, north of the Plaza, that being considered more central than the school-house, corner of Second and Spring streets. The ex- ercises were more than usually interesting, and did much to stimulate the growing interest in the public schools. Thirty-five teachers (the

entire teaching force of the county) were in attendance.

In 1872 the Central, or as it was then called, the High School building, was erected on the site now occupied by the new court-house and jail. The structure cost $20,000, and was the most commodious and handsomest school build- ing in Southern California. In 1885 the site was sold to the county for $75,000, and the building removed to Sand street.

In 1873 Dr. W. T. Lucky, ex-Principal of the State Normal School, was appointed city super- intendent, who then thoroughly organized and graded the schools. The High School was or- ganized this year. The first High School class was graduated in 1875.

The following is a list of the city superin- tendents, with the length of time each served: Dr. W. T. Lucky, 1873-'76; C. H. Kimball, 1876-'80; Mrs. Chloe B. Jones, 1880-'81; J. M. Guinn, 1881-'83; L. D. Smith, 1883-'85; W. M. Friesner, 1885 to the present. A list of the county superintendents will be found under the head of "County Officers."

Among the earlier teachers and school officers who, previous to 1868, took an active part in educational work, may be named Don Ignacio Coronel and his son, Don Antonio F. Coronel, J. G. Nichols, H. D. Barrows, Thomas Foster, William McKee, Thomas J. Scully, Miss Mary E. Hoyt, Miss Belle Swift, Miss Jane Swift and Miss Eliza Madigan. Of the early pioneer teachers, T. J. Scully is the only one who still continues to wave the pedagogical birch. He began teaching in the public schools of the county in 1853. In those days Mr. Scully, like Aristotle, belonged to the peripatetic, or tramp, school of pedagognes; but, unlike Aristotle, had no Arcadian groves in which to impart in- struction to his pupils. The school funds were very meagre; Mr. Scully would teach in one district until the funds were exhausted, then "tramp" on to the next. As there were but four or five districts in the county, Scully was able to supply each school with a teacher and a course of instruction that was uniform!

357

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

The year 1868 may be considered the be- ginning of the new era of growth and progress of Los Angeles County. From that date until the present the advancement in all that pertains to educational work, and the increase in the school population of the county, has been truly remarkable.

From Connty Superintendent H. D. Barrows's report for the year ending June 30, 1868, we find the total number of children between five and fifteen was 3,662; number under five years, 1,533. Total number of children enrolled in the schools, 960. Number of school districts, 19. Number of teachers-inale, 17; female, 10; total, 27.

In 1869 the number of teachers was: Male, 13; female, 15 ;- the " schoolmarms " getting the lead of the masters, and have kept it ever since. Ten years later, in 1878, there were 10,446 children of school age, sixty districts, and 129 teachers.

In 1888 the total number of children between five and seventeen was 27,250; under five years, 10,148. Number enrolled in the schools, 19,- 575. Number of teachers-male, 72; female, 273; total, 345. Number of school districts, 119. Total receipts of school funds from all sources, $504,044.83. Total paid for teachers' salaries, $233,280.77.

From County Superintendent W. W. Sea- man's report for the school year ending June 30, 1889, we obtain the following statistics:

Number of census children between five and seventeen years, 27,799; under five years of age, 11,853; total under seventeen years of age, 39,652. Number enrolled in the schools, 22,327. Number of teachers-male, 98; female, 332; total 430. Number of school districts, 133. Total expenditure for all purposes, $642,- 568. Average monthly wages paid male teachers, $88.55. Average monthly wages paid female teachers, $75.38.

MILITARY.

The rising of Antonio Garra, chief of Agua Caliente, in the fall of 1851, spread fear through

Los Angeles of a general insurrection, from San Diego to Tulare. The danger soon passed away. The regulars and San Diego volunteers were under Captain George Fitzgerald. General J. H. Bean commanded the Los Angeles volun - teers; Myron Norton, Colonel and Chief of Staff; S. Boliver Cox and B. S. Eaton, Corporals. Hon. H. C. Rolfe, William Nordholdt, and many who are dead, were in service on the oc- casion. Estimable for many virtues, General Bean met an untimely end at San Gabriel, Sep- tember 9, 1852. The exposed position of this region for a long time thereafter, in the Kern River and Mojave wars, and other troubles, kept officers of the United States army here, and not seldom in active service. They pos- sessed the regard of the people-Colonel B. Beall, Majors Edward H. Fitzgerald and George R. Blake, Captains Davidson and Lovell, and General Winfield Scott Hancock.

MILITIA.

In the spring of 1850, the resident popula. tion of the city scarcely exceeded 2,500; aug- mented by January, 1853, to about 3,000, in- cluding 300 from the United States, and among these a large proportion of families. In those days of disorder the peaceful slumbers of the citizens were guarded by the voluntary police of 100 men, under Dr. A. W. Hope, as chief. Among the lieutenants, or privates, were, July, 1851, Messrs. Alexander, Olvera, S. C. Foster, Ogier, Brent, Joseph Yancey, Wheeler, J. G. Downey, Nichols, F. L. Guirado, Juan Sepúl- veda, Keller, Hayes. Often later were the streets enlivened by the martial tread of the military companies required from time to time. The 22d day of February, 1855, was celebrated by the City Guards, Captain W. W. Twist, and their first anniversary ball was given in May. Ringgold's Light Artillery organized June 7, of that year. The Los Angeles Rangers was older. The Legislature of 1854 appropriated $4,000 for their equipment; they celebrated their first anniversary August 6, of that year. They had proved always efficient. March 26,

358

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

1857, a rifle company was formed, under Cap- tain Twist; and May 9, the French infantry corps, 105 strong, Captain C. A. Faralle. The Rifleros de Los Angeles, Pantaleon Zavaleta, Captain, were established March, 1873; the Los Angeles Guard, September 8, 1874, Captain, James Bartlett; First Lieutenant, Thomas Bow- lin; Second Lieutenant, Charles Hagan.

The Eagle Corps was organized June 9, 1881, with sixty-three members. Its first officers were: W. II. H. Russell, Captain; Hamlet R. Brown, First Lientenant; E. G. Barclay, Second Lieu- tenant. The first armory was in a building erected for a skating rink, a temporary wooden structure, where now stands the Moore-Maxwell Block, on Court- Honse street, opposite the old court-house. This armory was used for two years. Then an armory was fitted up in Ar- cadia Block, on Los Angeles street, but was oc- cupied only a short time. The third armory was fitted up in the Bush Block, on the north- west corner of Requena and Los Angeles streets, which was used for two years. The fourth armory is the present one in Mott Block, on Main street.

In the spring of 1833 the discipline of the company became rather lax. Some of the members were inclined to regard the enlistment as boys' play, while others were guilty of non- attendance, ineligibility and drunkenness. For these causes thirty-three members were court- martialled and dishonorably discharged from the service. In spite of this vigorous weeding- out, the company grew large enough to be di- vided, and accordingly, in 1884, a second com- pany was organized. The first became Company A; the second, Company C. The San Diego City Guards were made Company B, and the whole was organized into the Seventh Battalion, N.G. C. The following were the officers: W. H. H. Rus- sell, Major Commanding; A. M. Green, Captain and Adjutant; Cyrus Willard, First Lieutenant and Quartermaster; C. N. Wilson, First Lieu- tenant and Commissary; J. D. Gilchrist, First Lientenant and Inspector of Rifle Practice; T. M. Plotts, First Lieutenant and Ordnance

Officer; Dr. J. Hannon, Major and Surgeon; Rev. P. W. Dorsey, Captain and Chaplain.

The National Guard of California consists of 4,417 officers and men all told. There are fifty companies, of which Southern California has seven. The State appropriated $70,000 two years ago for the maintenance of the National Gnard, and $46,000 more for nniforming the men. The United States Government appro- priates 860,000 annually for the purpose of arming the National Guard of the several States, and of this sum California receives about $12,000, with which to purchase arms. Los Angeles is the headquarters of the First Brigade, N. G. C., and this command consists at present of seven companies. The annual allowance to each company is about $1,750, or 812,250 per annum, for the present force. This money goes direct to the several companies, and is disbursed for rent of armory and otlier expenses.

The First Brigade consists of one Brigadier- General, with fourteen staff officers; one Colonel, with thirteen staff officers; one Lieutenant-Colo- nel, one Major, twenty-one company officers and 430 men. Brigadier-General E. P. Johnson is in command.

THE COLORED PEOPLE.

The colored people have figured in the history of Los Angeles City from the beginning. Two of the founders of the city-Mesa and Quin- tero-were negroes. Thomas Fisher, a negro, was captured from Bouchard's privateers in 1818. There were undoubtedly others in ante- American days.

Under the Mexican constitution slavery was positively forbidden, and California came into the Union with free soil. Between the time of American occupation and the admission of the State slavery was practiced to a slight degree. Thus, early in 1850, a Dr. T. Earl and a Colo- nel Thorn brought to Los Angeles from the Southern States a large number of slaves, whom they proposed to work in the mines. Two of these asserted their freedom on arrival, npon

359

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

which one was beaten and the other shot at, but both ran away. One J. H. Purdy was at the time acting as a police officer and marshal, and in discharge of his duty made complaint against the parties who assaulted the negroes. The re- sult was that Purdy was given forty-eight hours within which to leave the town, and the au- thorities being powerless to protect him, he was obliged to go.

The following extracts from the docket of Abel Stearns, Esq., then alcalde of Los Angeles, are furnished by Stephen C. Foster:

POLICE REPORT.

On the night of the 24th inst., an assault and battery was committed, by persons unknown, upon the bodies of Allen Sandford and one other person, whose name is unknown.

Witnesses Dr. T. Earl and Edwin Booth.

On the same night, a breach of the peace was committed by the firing of pistols at one Ste- phen Cribbs, by persons unknown to the police.

Witnesses, Dr. T. Earl, Dr. Clark, Esq., Blodg- ett, Ross and Alex. Bell.

On the night of the 25th inst., an assault and battery was committed on the body of Allen Landford, by some person unknown to the un- dersigned. J. H. PURDY.

February 27, 1850.

POLICE REPORTS.

Captain A. Bell, Dr. Clark, M. Martin Ross and Captain H. threatened personal violence to J. H. Purdy if he do not leave the city within forty-eight hours. Witnesses: Colonel S. Whit- ing and L. Granger.

Charles Matthews entered the counting-room of IIon. Abel Stearns, with pistol in hand, and threatened personal violence. Witnesses: J. B. Barkley, Moses Searl, and Clark.

Said Matthews then proceeded to the court- room and scattered the papers over the floor, threatening personal violence to all who should oppose him; and then assaulted J. H. Purdy in the door of the court room, drew a pistol, and fired on him. Witnesses: Jesus Guirado and Juan Rieva.

Two persons unknown to the undersigned rescued Charles Matthews from the custody of J. II. Purdy, while he, Purdy, was endeavoring to bring Matthews into the court-house.

March 5, 1850.

J. H. PURDY.

The remainder of the slaves were taken up to the mines finally, but the white miners stam- peded them; they all ran away, and their own- ers did not get even the cost of bringing them here.

In his official report of this matter to Gov- ernor Burnett, Mr. Foster said:

"Quite an excitement has been cansed within a few days, by an attempt on the part of some slaves introduced from Texas to assert their rights to freedom. One person, who had taken the negro's part with more zeal than judgment, was ordered by a committee of five, appointed by a meeting of Americans, to leave town within twenty-four hours. He appealed to the authorities for protection, but they were unable to give it, and was forced to leave at the desig- nated time. Mob law, to use the harsh but truthful term, is triumphant as regards the ex- istence of negro slavery in this district."

Says the Historical Sketch (1876): "In the spring of 1850, probably three or four colored persons were in the city. In 1875 they num- ber about 175 soals; many of whom hold good city property, acquired by their industry. They are farmers, mechanics, or some one or other useful occupation; and remarkable for good habits. They count some seventy-five voters. Robert Owen, familiarly by Americans called ' Uncle Bob,' came from Texas in December, 1853, with 'Aunt Winnie,' his wife, two daughters, and son, Charley Owen. They sur- vive him. He was a shrewd man of business, energetic, and honorable in his dealings; made money by Government contracts and general trade. He died, well esteemed by white and colored, August 18, 1865, aged fifty-nine years. Of the society of Mexican veterans are five colored men: George Smith, George Diggs, Lewis G. Green, Paul Rushmore and Peter Byns. The last named was born in Henrico County, Virginia, in 1810, and served with Colonel Jack Ilayes, General Z. Taylor, and Captain John Long. He was at the battle of Monterey. Rushmore was born 1829, in Georgia; served on Taylor's line. Ile drove through the

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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