An illustrated history of Sacramento County, California : containing a history of Sacramento County from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospective future portraits of some of its most eminent men, and biographical mention of many of its pioneers and also prominent citizens of today, Part 22

Author: Davis, Winfield J., 1851- 4n
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 916

USA > California > Sacramento County > An illustrated history of Sacramento County, California : containing a history of Sacramento County from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospective future portraits of some of its most eminent men, and biographical mention of many of its pioneers and also prominent citizens of today > Part 22

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OTHER ENTERPRISES.

The first lumber yard for the sale of Califor- nia mountain lumber was established in the early part of 1852, by C. C. Ilayden, at the northeast corner of Fourth and L streets, where the Figg residence now stands, and occupying nearly half of the block south of the alley and the lot opposite. The Inmber was obtained principally from Nevada County aud Grass Val- ley, and hauled by teams. The cost of this transportation was from $15 to $20 per thousand feet. the lumber selling at that time at the rate of $80 per thousand. The reason the freight charges were so low was the fact that the teams were principally engaged in hauling supplies to the mines, and the drivers would rather haul back Inmber at those rates than return empty.

For several months after the great fire of No- vember, 1852, this mountain lumber sold for $300 a thousand, the freight having advanced to $100.

In the summer of 1858, while the Figg house was in process of construction, Hayden closed his lumber business and turned his attention to conveyancing. He was a native of Boston, Massachusetts, where he was a member of the firm of Hayden & Whipple, booksellers and publishers. He arrived in California in Sep- tember, 1849, on the brig Rodolph.

Pottery .- The first pottery ever made in Sacramento was by Jacob Knauth, of the Sutter Floral Gardens, who, being in need of flower- pots that he could not otherwise supply, made them so successfully himself that in 1853 he established a small pottery. In 1857 Clark & Mahoney started the Sacramento Pottery, then on the north side of J street, near Twenty-sixth. They made only Rockingham ware, the dark- brown glazed earthenware, and soon failed for want of patronage. After the war period two Swede brothers, John and Martin Bergman, ex- pert potters, bonght the property, then on the east side of Thirtieth street, between M and N. They first wisely prospected for the best clay in this part of the State, and, after an expenditure of $7,000, found at Cook's and Michigan bars, in this county, beds of clay equal in quality to the best in the world, thus enabling themselves to produce yellow ware and terra cotta of the best quality.

The Sacramento Smelting Company was incorporated February 18, 1874, with a capital stock of $50.000. The stock was held by promi- nent capitalists here, and the works, located north of the north levee at Twelfth street, were immediately erected and put in operation. The enterprise proved unprofitable at the end of abont three years and operations suspended. The building remained idle, and was destroyed by fire January 21. 1879, at 7:15 A. M

The first officers were: Julius Wetzlar, President; Samuel Poorman, Secretary; R. C. Woolworth, Treasurer; and G. N. Gerrish

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HISTORY OF. SACRAMENTO COUNTY.

Superintendent. The principal building was 60 x 200 feet.

Capital Packing Company .- In the fall of 1881 two practical men came here from San Francisco, for the purpose of looking up the establishment of the fruit-packing interests. They enlisted the sympathies of John HI. Carroll, now deceased, and in the spring of 1882 matters had progressed so far that operations commenced in two small stores on Front street, between K and L. Mr. Carroll was an enterprising man, had just been president of the Pacific Mutual Insurance Company, and he saw that there might be a prosperous future to the fruit business here. In 1883 they secured two additional stores adjoining and enlarged their business, and continued there until the fall of 1886. Thus far, however, it proved unprofitable; and it was . seen also that more room was needed to carry on the business, and it was decided to move out of their present location on the corner of Eleventh and B streets. They established them- selves there that fall. The next year Mr. Car- roll died, and the business management was thrown upon Edgar B. Carroll. It is now on a profitable and solid basis, the season of 1888 demonstrating that fact. A market for the prod- ucts is found all over the United States, Eng land, Australia and China. When the cannery was started it was found that Sacramento was the best point in the State, and that fruit could be obtained by buying direct from the orehards. It was also learned later from experience that as San Francisco was a larger market, fruit drifted that way; and they found that they could buy in San Francisco and transport to this point cheaper than they could buy direct from the producers; hence the packers of San Francisco had the advantage, and, besides, the best fruits for their purpose are not grown in this vicinity. They have, however, now learned the localities where best to buy. They make a specialty of packing the best brands of fruit. Four hundred hands are employed during the busy season, when labor is scarce, too; and this fact in 1888 prevented the filling of some orders. In addition

to the buildings originally on the site, they ereeted one 60 x 160, and afterward two others 50 x 160. They now occupy these buildings, with the adjacent yard 160 feet square, and also a fire-proof warehouse 150 feet square.

EDGAR B. CARROLL, the manager of this in- stitution, was born in Sacramento, September 15, 1862, commenced his school education at the age of six years in private schools, continu- ing the next ten years at Perry's Seminary, and afterward the grammar department of the city schools and the High School, graduating in 1880. His father desired-him to go to the University, but he felt that the experience in business which he had determined to follow would be of more benefit than university education, having de- cided at the same time to study, which he did for two years. In business he started out in the wholesale liquor business for James I. Felter & Co. At the end of three years he was at the head of the institution. In 1884 his father de- sired him to enter the fruit-packing business with him; but, having served an apprenticeship in a business entirely different, he knew what it would be to start in again where he would require considerable time to reach the higher positions. His father was urgent, and he finally consented. Thus, he left a position of $125 a month to accept a foremanship in his father's establishment at $2 a day. He passed through the different departments, working six months in the can shop, perfecting the workings of the different departments as he went along; and in the spring of 1887 he became assistant manager of the institution. In the meantime, when he went into business they wished him to imme- diately enter the office; he refused, but it was fortunate that it came along at that time; for before his father's death business became un- profitable and all were discouraged. Great pecuniary losses lastened his father's death. Edgar, however, thought he foresaw a fortune in the fruit-canning business, and he concluded to give it another year's trial, which indeed proved a success.

Mr. Carroll is a member of Concord Lodge,

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY.

F & A. M., of the Sacramento Chapter, R. A. M .; Sacramento Council, and Sacramento Cominan- dery ; at present he is Senior Warden of Concord Lodge. He has been a member of Grand Lodge of the State, and refused the position of Master of that lodge on account of the pressure of bnsi- ness. He is also a member of Sunset Parlor, N. S. G. W., having held the different chairs in that body. In 1882 he was a private in the State militia, and since then has been promoted through the different positions, until in 1884 he was elected Junior Second Lieutenant of Company B, and afterward Senior First Lieuten- ant; but in 1888 his business was so pressing that he had to leave the service. In his political principles he is a Republican, and takes con- siderable interest in the questions of the day.

The first street cars in this city were started in Angust, 1870. The cars, ouly two in num- ber, were built by the Kimball Manufacturing Company, of San Francisco. Electric motor (strong battery) was first applied to the running of street cars here in 1888, but was soon tem- porarily suspended.

BUSINESS COLLEGES.

E. C. Atkinson's Business College is a fully equipped institution in Hale's Block, corner of Ninth and K streets. It was founded in 1873, and has graduated many competent pupils.

Bainbridge Business College and Normal School .- If the test of worth is to be found in gennine success, then truly the college whose name stands at the head of this article is one of the best. Founded October 3, 1887, less than two years ago at date of writing, it has grown from a beginning of only five scholars to an average attendanceof about 140, and whereas the principal, Prof. J. C. Bainbridge, with his wife, Mrs. Belle C. Bainbridge, were the only teach- ers, now there are six regular teachers and several specialists. This is but the beginning, too, of still further extensions, as will be noted further along. The situation of the college is good, being located in a spacious building on J street, in the heart of the city, where the fit-

tings and arrangements are made with special reference to the requirements of sncli an insti- tution. As we learn from the last catalogue, the courses of study are so arranged and graded as to forward the student at the greatest speed commensurate with good work, and are of the modern and practical nature that cominend themselves to the business feelings of this age. In fact, after a careful examination of the meth- ods adopted by the Bainbridge Business College, we are led to conclude that it is one of the best representatives of that most popular modern in- stitution, the business or commercial college. It goes farther than most, however, in supply- ing to its pupils the branches ordinarily taught in a normal school, in such a simple and practi- cal manner as to make them most serviceable.

From the catalogue already referred to we learn that the names of the faculty are as fol- lows:

Principal, J. C. Bainbridge, Teacher of Busi- ness Penmanship, Book-keeping, Commercial Law, Actual Business and General Superintend- ent of Courses of Study; G. E. Riley, Ph. D., Principal of Normal Department and Professor of Languages; M. N. Kimball, Assistant in Business and Normal Departments, and Teacher of Arithmetic and Business Penmanship; Mrs. Clara E. Bartholomew, Assistant in the Normal Department; Prof. Christian Dahl (late Di- rector of St. Thomas Governmental College), Teacher of French, German, Spanish and the Ancient Languages; Miss Emma C. Ervin (late of Central College of Eclectic Short-Hand, Chi- cago), Teacher of Short-HIand, Type-writing and Correspondence; Mrs. J. C. Bainbridge, Teacher of Voice and Piano; Prof. Chas. Iley- wood, late of King's College, England, Vocal Music; F. O. Young, Expert Teacher of Plain and Ornamental Penmanship, Lettering and Er .- grossing; C. A. Neale, Teacher of FInte and Piccolo; Miss Lonise Kaibel, Teacher of Violin, and Miss Mamie W. Bainbridge, Teacher of Elocution.

The Business Course includes book keeping, commercial arithmetic, commercial law, bnsi-

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY.

ness writing, grammar, letter writing, spell- ing and defining, thus conbining both theory and practice. Then there is a course in actual business, in which one is carried through all the details and formalities of actual business life, to facilitate which elegant offices are placed in the department, each being furnished with a complete and costly set of books. These include real estate and insurance office, transportation office, bank, etc.

In the Normal Department there is a two- years' course in the English branches and also a teachers' review course, to aid teachers in the preparation for their examinations. The Short- Hand Department is very complete, the system adopted- namely, Eclectic short-hand-being considered the best. A Telegraphy Depart- ment, under a competent instructor, has been recently added. The Musical Department is one of peculiar excellence. It is under the di- rect management and control of Mrs. Bain- bridge, assisted in the culture of the voice by Prof. Chas. Heywood, who is well known asone of the most distinguished vocalists and musi- cians on the continent. This department is about to develop, in the hands of Mrs. Bainbridge, into the Bainbridge Conservatory of Music, modeled somewhat after the type of the cele- brated Boston Conservatory of Music.

To conclude, we may say that the rates of tuition are very reasonable, and all the arrange- ments are carefully made.

THE CALIFORNIA MUSEUM ASSOCIATION, THE E. B. CROCKER ART GALLERY, AND THE LADIES' MUSEUM ASSOCIATION.

Judge E. B. Crocker, who died in Sacramento, June, 1875, was one of the pioneers of Califor- nia; coming from the East in 1852, he located in Sacramento and entered upon the practice of the law. He became eminent in his profession, and was appointed to the chief justiceship of the Supreme Bench, where he served with dis- tinction. There were born to him in Sacramento a large family of daughters.

After his retiracy from the bench he became

attorney for the Central Pacific Railroad Com- pany. On giving up active work in his profes- sion, he, with his family, made a tour of Europe. Possessed of artistic tastes and intense love of the beautiful, he had not the opportunities in California, of course, to cultivate them by ob- servation of the best masters of the established schools of art. Having amassed a fortune, he resolved to expend a goodly portion of it in works of art. He therefore purchased, while in Europe, a large collection of paintings, maitily of the German schools. Some, however, were of the Italian, and some of great value because of their age and the eminence of the artists.

On his return to California he also patronized · local artists liberally-both landscape and por- trait painters. He then proceeded, at the corner of Second and O streets, adjoining his beautiful residence, to erect an art gallery, which was completed after several years' labor and the ex- penditure of a very large sum of money. Just what the building cost, no one knows; but the lowest estimates place the expenditure-by the Judge, and after his death by his widow-at not less than $200,000. The building is fire-proof, splendidly lighted, and finished in the best style of modern architecture and embellishment. It occupies spacious grounds, terraced and set with semi-tropical plants and rare shrubs and flowers. It is a massive building, 122 feet in length by sixty-two feet in width. It has three floors. The basement was originally intended as a rec- reation room and hall; the second floor for offices, museum and library; and the third for the art gallery. The second and third floors are finished in the highest style of architecture, and frescoed with an elaborateness not to be found anywhere else in the State. All the wood-work is heavy, richly carved and French polished, while the glass is all cut, and delicately etched in fine designs; and the floors are laid in Roman tiling. That of the museum his widow subse- quently laid in fancy woods in ornamental de- signs. The art gallery consists of a vestibule, a main hall, and the east, west and south halls. ·

In these halls are hung the collection of virtu,

E. B. CROCKER ART GALLERY.

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY.

consisting of over 700 oil pastel paintings, including in their number Thomas Hill's cele- brated landscape of Yosemite, the largest ever executed, and works from those of Tintoretto, Gnido, Vandyke, etc., down to the floral color- ing of Charles Nahl. In the library, on the second floor, Judge Crocker collected 3,000 studies, from eminent artists in all parts of the world, and some of the finest examples of litho- graphic work and of the engraver's art. One great value of this gallery is its magnificent collection of portraits of men of California.

By the death of Judge Crocker the property passed to his widow, Mrs. Margaret E. Crocker, who for many years held it as a sacred trust and a monument to his memory. It was the inten- tion of the Judge not to have sequestered his valuable collection of paintings, which is esti- mated to be worth not less than $400,000, bnt to have made it a means of cultivating the art tastes of his fellow citizens. His widow con- ceived it to be her duty to promote the same object. It was always open, therefore, at proper hours, to proper persons for inspection, and was very often thrown open to the general public for charitable purposes.

On December 5, 1884, a number of gentlemen met and formed an association of a scientific character, naming it " The California Museum Association," its purposes being to foster art, science, mechanics, literature, the development of the resources of the State and the encourage- ment of social intercourse among the patrons; also to establish a repository for the collection and exhibition of natural curiosities, scientific objects, antiquities, etc. The association was very modest in its beginning, having about twenty members and holding private meetings, at which papers were read for a few weeks.

In January it had attained snch courage and favor that it resolved to erect a hall for its own and public uses. To secure a fund as a nucleus, it proposed an art loan exhibition, and called a meeting of ladies to aid it to that end. Mrs. Margaret E. Crocker, the widow of Judge Crocker, learning of the association and of its

endeavors, and being foremost in all good works and charities in Sacramento -- known indeed as " Sacramento's Lady Bountiful," her money be- ing represented in nearly every church, charity and local good work of the city-sent word to the association that, if it pleased, the E. B. Crocker Art Gallery was at its disposal for the purpose of holding the said exhibition. The proffer was accepted, and in March, 1885, the immense building was filled with the strangest collection of curiosities of the pioneer era, of art, science, antiquity, discovery and of handi- work, contributed by the citizens of Sacramento and of San Francisco. From the latter place, contributions were made by the Alaska Fur Company, Mr. Irving M. Scott, Alexander Bad- lam, and many ladies of the city. The exhibi- tion continued for more than two weeks, and was, from the outset, a financial and social suc- cess, attracting attention from all parts of the State. In its midst Mrs. Crocker called the president of the association, David Lubin, and stated that it was her desire to present the gal- lery and all its collection of paintings, furniture, etc., to the association. When the announce- ment was made to the public, it was received with universal expressions of gratitude and love toward the donor. The association, however, deemed it wise to accept the property only upon the self-imposed condition that the citizens would raise a fund of $100,000 to be perma- nently invested for the maintenance of the gal- lery. While this fund was being gathered, it was found to be difficult to accumulate the entire amount in so small a community, on short notice. The society therefore proposed to Mrs. Crocker that if she would transfer the property to the City of Sacramento and make the association a co-tenant with the city, it would not be neces- sary to raise the $100,000. To this she kindly acceded. The pulse of the people was felt, and they were found willing to accept the trust. The association thereupon incorporated, Marchi 20, 1885, and Mrs. Crocker made a deed of the valuable property to the city, stipnlating that it should be managed and controlled by a joint

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY.

board of the city and the association- the mayor representing the city, and the Board of Directors representing the association, each corporation having but one vote. It was provided, also, that the association might forever use the prop- erty for the purposes of its work as heretofore outlined.

The munificence of this gift and its unselfish character, together with the previous establish- ment of an Old Ladies' Home and its generous endowment by Mrs. Crocker, and her acts of benevolence in the community, led the people as by spontaneity to proffer her a testimonial. It took the form of a grand Floral Festival, held in May, 1885, at which 3,000 school children made floral offerings to Mrs. Crocker, and the great Pavilion of the State Agricultural Society -the largest public building in the State of California- was almost filled upon its lower floor with magnificent floral tributes. These ranged from a modest bouquet to spacious churches and towers and enormous allegorical designs, constructed entirely of flowers. Some of these structures cost as high as $500. The floral offerings came from all parts of the State, as far south as Los Angeles, and as far north as Shasta. Rich and poor, all churches, fraterni- ties and societies, all classes of people and of all creeds, thronged the hall; and on the evening of the festival the lowest estimate placed the number present at 15,000 people, who witnessed the ceremony of delivering the keys of the gal- lery and of acceptance of the trust. To no other female citizen in American history has such a rich tribute ever been paid.

On that evening, after the mayor had received the keys of the Art Gallery, the citizens of Sacramento presented to Mrs. Crocker a beauti- ful oaken casket, made from timber taken from that historical relic, Sutter's Fort. Within it were two volumes, one bound in velvet and gold, and one in silver and velvet. The first contained pages reciting the history of her benefaetions, the gift of the art gallery and the floral festival, executed in the finest style of fanciful typographic art. Each page was illumi-

nated by hand decoration in water colors by various artists and amateurs. The second volume contained a full account of all the matters lead- ing up to the event, with copies and extracts of press expression, from journals all the way fromn New York to San Francisco.

The Museum Association immediately entered upon its work in the Art Gallery. Its first step was to organize the Sacramento School of De- sign, Messrs. Weinstock & Lubin contributing $1,000 for the purchase of the necessary casts and paraphernalia. The school was opened in January, 1886, and has ever since continued. It is at once the pride of the city and a means of cultivating art and æsthetic taste, and of de- veloping art genius. In the three years of its existence it has taught over 200 pupils. Its sessions continue during eight months of the year, and it draws its pupils from Northern and Central California and from Oregon. Of course such an institution could not be expected at first to be put upon a paying basis. All such efforts grow to maturity and do not spring into ex- istence. The measure of success with which the School of Design has met has fully realized expectation.

The Museum Association, during the Loan Exhibition referred to, secured in Sacramento a large number of life members. Subsequently in San Francisco it secured a still larger num- ber. The revenue derived from these two sources and from the dues of a small number of dnes-paying members, and from admission fees to the gallery on those days when a fee is re- quired, and voluntary contributions by the gen- erons and public-spirited, constitute the means of its support; but they have been inadequate, simply because the purposes of the association are so varied and far-reaching, and in its infaney so much needed to be done. The most of its activity has been absorbed by the School of De- sign. It has, however, not neglected its other purposes. It has given to the people several lecture courses, art exhibitions and general en- tertainments. It has made the beginning of a collection in natural history, and has already a

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY.

very valuable herbarium. Its present purpose is to actively push the scientific and natural history branches of its work. It has received some very valuable gifts of minerals and natural curiosities from Californians and from citizens of other States. It has spent nearly $1,000 in support of its School of Design in excess of the income of the school, and has now advanced it to a paying basis.

In connection with the Board of Trustees of the City of Sacramento, it applied to the Legis- lature of 1887 for the custody of the State's Mineral Cabinet, heretofore located in the State Capitol. The Legislature passed an act author- izing the Governor to appoint three trustees to take possession of said cabinet and locate it in the E. B. Crocker Art Gallery, without expense to the State, that it might be more readily viewed by the people. Governor Bartlett ap- pointed three directors of the Museum Associa- tion for that purpose. The cabinet, in 1887, was therefore removed to the lower floor of the gallery. The State Mineralogist, Mr. Irelan, consented to his assistant, Dr. Schneider, being detailed to re-classify the cabinet. When that was done, its trustees, through their secretary, Dr. George Pyburn, began its arrangement in the cases, and the work was completed December 26, 1888, and thrown open to the public on Thursday, December 27. The State retains its property title in the cabinet, but its custody is as stated, and makes a valuable addition to the E. B. Crocker Art Gallery. The valuable col- lection of minerals and natural history exhibits and curiosities of an earlier association, known as the Agassiz Institute, has been given to the Museum Association, and is now in the Gallery.

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Author: Davis, Winfield J., 1851- 4n Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 916

Author: Davis, Winfield J., 1851- 4n
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 916