USA > California > San Joaquin County > An illustrated history of San Joaquin County, California. Containing a history of San Joaquin County from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its future prospects; > Part 26
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The first officers were William Kierski, L. Lewis, E. Simon, M. Stamper, J. Gross and M. Marks. Tlie rabbis (lecturers) have been Revs. Vinthen, Shiepero, Frank Lowenthal and H. Davidson. The latter has been here many years.
Auxiliary to the foregoing are the two follow- ing:
The Hebrew Ladies' Benevolent Society, or- ganized October 19, 1868, with twenty charter members, and of which Mrs. B. Frankenheimer is president. It now consists of fifteen mnem- · bers.
The Hebrew Ladies' Beneficent Society (Chessed shiel Emeth), whose exclusive duty is to take care of the burying-ground. Of this association there are thirty-five members, and Mrs. E. Gumpert is president. Mrs. B. F. Kohlberg is secretary of both these societies.
Hope Lodge, No. 126, I. O. B. B. (B'nai B'rith, sons of the covenant), was organized February 7, 1869, with twenty-three charter members, and the following as officers: J. J. Seldner, P .; J. M. Morris, V. P .; M. Marks, Sec .; B. Arendt, Treas .; Samuel Marks, A. M .; M. Arendt, S. M .; J. Conway, G. J. Marks is the present president, and the number of members sixty-five. The order is therefore very strongly sustained.
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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
Stockton Dramatic Society .- During the summer of 1873, an invitation was extended by the Champions of the Red Cross of this city (a society now extinct) to the Dramatic Society of the State University, to play for the benefit of the Champions here. In the University or- ganization were Messrs. W. M. Gibson, James H. Budd and J. E. Budd, of this city. The in- vitation was accepted, and that society produced here, July 27 and 28, that season, the "Ticket- of-Leave Man" and " Sheridan's Rivals," at the Stockton Theater. The effect was so favorable that during the fall of 1874 the "Stockton Literary Society " was organized, and they de- cided to give a series of public entertainments, including a dramatic performance. Their suc- cesses were so conspicuous that on February 24, 1875, the "Stockton Dramatic Society " was formed, consisting of Messrs. W. M. Gibson, James H. Budd, S. L. Terry, L. B. Noble, G. E. McStay, J. A. Hosmer, S. L. Carter, W. B. Starbird, W. W. Stone, C. W. Curtis, C. H. Plait, F. M. Kelsey, J. W. Glenn and J. E. Budd, and Misses Russell, Lula Hogan and Nellie Myers. The first officers were: L. B. Noble, Pres .; J. A. Hosmer and F. M. Kelsey, V. Ps .;- C. H. Plait, Sec .; W. M. Gibson, Treas .; W. B. Starbird, Stage Manager; John E. Budd, J. A. Hosmer and W. B. Starbird, Play Committee.
The first entertainment of the society, after the organization, was given for the benefit of the Kansas sufferers, on March 7, 1875, when the comedy of "Caste " and the farce of " Toodles " were played, resulting in raising $500. May 8 following they gave the tragedy of " Damon and Pythias," for the benefit of Charter Oak Lodge, Knights of Pythias, as part of their anniversary pageant, In June the society assisted A. P. Burbank, the celebrated elocutionist, in the production of " Rip Van Winkle." The yellow fever scourge called forth the sympathies and highest efforts of the organ- ization, and on September 20 and 21, 1878, they performed the celebrated drama, the " Oc- toroon," for the benefit of the sufferers. It was
put on the stage with new costumes, scenery and scenic effects, and a full cast, embracing over twenty-five persons. October 22 and 23, that year, the society closed the season with the drama of " Led Astray," which they performed as well as any professional troupe could have done.
One of their performances was for the benefit of a young lady who had suffered a terrible burn in attending a party. They raised $250 for her. Other ladies, not previously mentioned in this account, who participated in the plays, were Misses Minnie Clifford, Althea Hickman, Lou Haste, Sue Hunt, etc. This dramatic association continued in the literary and his- trionic art until about six or seven years ago, when they discontinued.
Stockton City Cornet Band .- This was first organized in the early days, first under the name of the Stockton Cornet Band, and prior to the last war it was known as the best organ- ization of its kind in the State ontside of San Francisco. Richard Condy was its leader for many years,-from the time of its organization until about 1878,-when he was succeeded by Fred. Schmidt until 1883; the latter thien re- signing, afterward organized the Sixth Infantry Band, which is now flourishing. During the war, while Mr. Condy was absent, a man named Saunders was leader of the Stockton Band. This company discontinued its organization about three years ago.
The H. T. Dorrance Cornet Band, organized by the Odd Fellows, is strong and influential.
Stockton Union, No. 337, B. of C. and J. of A., and probably several other societies are in existence in Stockton, and many were organ- ized in times past which are not now kept np, and therefore not mentioned on these pages. Small circles for mutual aid and social enjoy- ment is a law of nature; and no matter how many go down, a sufficient number will arise in their place, with improved methods to satisfy all classes.
It may be appropriate here to add that moneyed aristocracy is conspicuously absent in
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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
Stockton society. The visitor does not see here that great contrast between extravagant palaces and desolate hovels so common in other cities, especially in the East. The people here have earned their money by hard work, and have not forgotten how to sympathize with all others who are still trudging along tlie same old road over which they themselves had come. Not
every poor man is so by his own mismanage- ment; most of them are poor by unavoidable accident. But in San Joaquin County there are very few poor people. Wealth is well dis- tributed in this section, because there are so few grinding monopolists as compared with most other places.
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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE COURT-HOUSE.
HAT is now the Court-House Square
was originally called the "County Square," and was for a long time used as grounds for packing mules and as a camping place for mule packers. Up to 1852 there were no American buildings around this area, the American settlement being west of Hunter street and south of Levee. A few tents were north of the slough. A branch of Mormon slough flowed northwesterly, passing diagonally across the southwestern portion of the County Square and emptied into Stockton channel; and the grounds were two to three feet lower than the present grade. The first public use of the square began about 1853, when the first court- house was built.
In September, 1850, a tax of 25 cents per $100 was levied to create a building fund for the erection of a court-house and city hall, but a plan was not accepted until June 14, 1853. It was devised by Ayres and Higgins and furnished by William Brown. Two days thereafter the spec- ifications were advertised, aud at the expiration of a monthi proposals were received. The con- tract was awarded to Theodore Winters, wlio completed the building in due time, for $83,- 920. The corner-stone was laid August 6, 1853, by the Odd Fellows. E. W. Colt and George Ryer delivered addresses. April 3, 1854, the city council, then called the "common" council,
met in this building for the first time. On the 17th the structure was dedicated, Rev. Mr. Phillips delivering the address.
The whole edifice was built of brick manufac- tured in Stockton and vicinity. The face brick, made by a man named Day, was furnished at $30 a thousand; the inner brick were supplied at $15. The mortar was made from Frencli- Camp sand, which was hanled to the city by Andrew, Jacob and R. Meyers. They employed ox teams, which had crossed the plains from Ohio the year before. The sand, however, con tained loam, and was therefore inferior. John Reynolds, since then a farmer in this county, was one of the masons. He began work on the building September 15, 1853, and contin- ned until the structure was completed. The masons were paid on an average $10 a day. Among them were a Mr. Tinkhamn, Mr. Castle and two brothers named McHenry. The brick work was under the direction of a Buffalo (N. Y.) man named Morey, whose head mason was a Cincinnatian named Rhodes.
In February or March, 1854, Gilbert B. Clai- borne, the connty clerk, moved his office into the building. Two or three years afterward the ground was enclosed withi posts and chains. The south hall of the court-house up stairs was used as a council chamber, and rooms be- low by city officers, while the county depart- ment occupied the north end of the building.
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SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY COURT-HOUSE.
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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
Indeed, the building was the joint property of the city and county, and both city and county clerkships were held by one man. Previous to the erection of this building the city and coun- ty anthorities occupied a frame building on the northwest corner of Hunter and Channel streets, and public meetings were sometimes held at the residence of a squatter on the ground.
As to the title to the court-house ground, see page 100, chapter VII.
In the course of time the county ontgrew the above described court-lionse, and the Board of Supervisors passed a resolution providing for plans and specifications and at the same time calling an election whereat the people should vote on the question of issuing bonds to the extent of $250,000, for the purpose of building a new court- honse and jail. The bonds were voted, and were readily sold at a premium, bearing interest at four per cent. The board accepted the plans of E. E. Myers & Son, of Detroit, Michigan, architects of inany State capitols and other large buildings in the East, and let tlie contract to J. A. Norcross & Son, also of Detroit. Work was commenced April 14, 1887, and the structure will be completed probably during the spring of 1890, before this volume is delivered to its patrons. The cost will be about $229,000. The walls are of brick, trimmed with granite, the brick being furnished by the San Joaquin Improvement Company, of this county, and the granite by G. Griffith, for $100,000. The roof is of slate, from Amador County; the iron work is from Rochester, New York; the tile used in the walls and corridors are from France; and the cement is of the "Portland " brand.
The tower is 172 feet high, and in the dome alone there are 750,000 brick. Good stairways lead to the top of the dome for the use of spectators, who from the exterior tramway therc can see every point in the county. The tower is surmounted by a statue of Justice. The building is 56 x 126 feet and three stories highi. The first story is secured for the use of city
officers for a term of twenty years; the rest of the building is of course devoted to county offices and the courts. The structure is lighted and heated with natural gas from a twelve-inch well bored at the expense of the county on a lot one block distant. Steam heating apparatus is supplied throughout the building.
JAIL.
The new jail, costing about $60,000, will be erected on the corner of San Joaquin and Chan nel streets, occupying the area of two lots. For a tiine it was the intention to build it nearer the court-house, to be connected with it by a subterranean tunnel.
COUNTY HOSPITAL.
This fine institution is located just outside the eastern limits of the city of Stockton, at the head of Mormon avenne. The hospital had been kept for many years on the plat adjoining on the north. In the present plat of ground are about thirty-six acres. The main building, erected about ten years ago, cost probably be- tween $10,000 and $11,000. Two wings have since been added, the last about two years ago, at a cost of abont $6,000. The buildings alto- gether have a capacity for properly accomino- dating 175 inmates. Three years ago they were very muel crowded. The highest number of ininates at any one time was 157. The average number for 1887 was 120; 1888, 105g, and for 1889 probably about 115. Average cost of keeping each patient for 1888, $156.60}, or 42} cents per day.
The county physicians have been Drs. Clark, Aiken, Charles A. Ruggles, A. S. Hudson, William A. Washington, three years, J. D. Young, commencing in March, 1887, S. P. Crawford, and since January 9, 1889, W. E. Gibbons. The above list may not be quite complete. C. W. Ward has been superintend- ent since February 16, 1882; preceding him were first Mr. Kelly, then Charles Garrow and John Qualtrough.
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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
STATE ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.
In 1876 Dr. G. A. Shurtleff, medical super- intendent, published the following as a history of this institution np to that date:
" Twelve years ago I undertook the task of collating and tabulating the general statistics of the asylum from its opening, with regard to the patients. I then found, to my great em- barrassment, that the records of the institution did not furnish the data for the completion of the desired work. The deficiencies were sup- plied only by recourse to the appendices to the legislative journals, to contemporaneous news- papers, and personal knowledge. From such sources the tables were completed witli tol- erable accuracy, and they have since been con- tinued from year to year with mathematical exactness. Much valuable information was there- by rescued from irretrievable loss. The follow- ing history of the dates and cost of the numer- ons improvements and additions to the asylum, and other events connected therewithi, I found, likewise, could only be obtained from various sources. They are here brought together in a form which will secure preservation and acces- sibility ..
" As the whole, in its present vast dimensions -- it being the largest State institution of the kind on the American continent-lias in a great measure grown out of additions inade from time to time from imperative necessity, tlie dates and records of expenditures, with regard to its sev- eral parts, are of valne for future reference.
" The State Asylum for the Insane, situated at Stockton, had its initiation in the State Gen- eral Hospital, established at that place in 1851. This hospital commenced its operations in the heart of the city, in cheap wooden buildings rented temporarily for the purpose, on the cor- ner of El Dorado and Market streets. It was opened for the reception of patients in August, 1851.
" In 1853 the General Hospital was abolished by act of Legislature, and the Insane Asylum of California was permanently established at
Stockton. By this act the buildings and appur- tenances were dedicated to the care of the insane exclusively, and the institution became solely an hospital for the insane, July 1, 1853.
" In 1853 the brick building, known now as the ' old wing' or the south wing of the present chief structure for the inale patients, was built at an approximate cost of $33,000.
" In 1854 the main or center building of the male department was erected, for which the Legislature of that year appropriated $80,000, and the building was finished for that sum.
" In 1855 the kitchen, dining-room and other improvements were constructed, at a cost of $15,000.
" In 1856-'57 the north wing, completing the design of the present principal structure of the male department. was erected, the appropriation thereto being $40,000. Some time after, con- tracts were awarded for the erection of this building, and when the work was commenced the decision of the Supreme Court was made declaring the State debt above a certain sum specified in the Constitution-which amount had been already far exceeded-unconstitn- tional and illegal. This decision rendered the appropriation unavailable, pending contracts based thereon and in the midst of work for which it was designed to pay. The losses and extra expenditures incurred thereby by the con- tractors were mnet by the passage of relief bills in 1857 and 1859, amounting to about $8,600, thus making the nominal cost of the north wing $48,600.
" In 1857 the present brick residence of the medical superintendent was erected, the appro- priation for whichi was $4,500. Subsequent additions have been made thereto, making the approximate cost $7,500.
" In 1858 the two strong wards, under the antiquated and liarsh appellation of 'mnad houses ' or ' cells,' were constructed; also, the grounds in the rear of the principal buildings were enclosed by high brick walls, making the airing courts; and other valuable improvements, in- cluding the frame tower and water tank, were
5
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STATE INSANE ASYLUM AT STOCKTON.
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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
made, all of which were specifically authorized by the Legislature of 1858, and for which a special appropriation of $40,000 was mnade and expended.
" In 1863, the institution having become full and crowded, a special tax was levied for ' the erection of additional buildings, yards, and other improvements,' which continned at the rate of five cents on each $100 for two years -- 1863-'64. From the funds derived from this tax were erected, in 1863, the large second story of brick over the dining-room and kitchen, known as the ' Sixth Ward,' the brick building designated as the 'Upper Tentli Ward,' additional airing courts in connection with the old asylnm build- ing, and wooden outbnildings; out of this fund also were purchased the two blocks of land adjoining the one on which stands the old asylum building -- one block east and one block west thereof. Abont $61,000 were expended in connection with the present male department.
" It was from this fund that the commodious new building for the accommodation of the fe- male patients was commenced, and the first part, or the transverse section of the south wing, including engine honse, stack, and temporary kitchen, was finished at a cost of $66,885.34. This part of the present new building was opened and 125 female patients were trans- ferred thereto October 1, 1865, leaving about forty-five still in one of the additions to the old building, and emptying the entire north wing of the old building, to be occupied by male patients.
" In the spring of 1867 the front, or longi- tudinal, section of the south wing was finished, completing the entire wing. The forty five patients remaining in the old building were transferred to this new structure June 23, 1867, leaving the old building and its dependent addi- tions to be henceforth occupied exclusively by the males. This section of the new building cost $40,400.
" In 1868 the centre building and centre wing were completed at a cost of $62,714 66.
" In 1869, the male departinent again becom-
ing excessively crowded, the row of wooden buildings called the 'Cottage Ward' was com- pleted and occupied, accommodating 160 pa- tients. It cost about $15,000.
" September 12, 1870, the wooden building used as a lanndry and engine house was destroyed by fire.
"In 1871-'72 a spacious brick building, designed for an engine honse, laundry, work- shop, and also for sleeping accommodations in the npper stories for employés and a harmless class of patients, was constructed at a cost of about $33,000, and has been in use for the above-named purposes since its completion in 1872.
" As provided for by act of the nineteenth session of the Legislature, the north wing of the building occupied by the female patients was completed in 1874, at a cost of $79,500.
"This section of the female asylum was opened July 1, 1874, and its construction com- pleted the entire structure on the plan originally adopted, at an aggregate cost of $249,500. It will comfortably accommodate 325 patients.
" During 1875 the asylum property was en- closed with a substantial and comely fence, with appropriate gateways. The whole length of fence is 9,149 feet, and it cost, including the gates, curved flanks corresponding with width of streets at the three entrances, and two coats of paint over the entire fence, $14,780.
" In January, 1875, a new cemetery was pur- chased for the use of the asylum. It contains abont fourteen acres, is situated west of and ad- joining the ' Stockton Rural Cemetery,' and cost $2,751.
" The asylum grounds proper contain 107 acres, or thirty-six blocks with the inter-current streets on the plan of the city survey. The land was nearly all donated to the State by Captain C. M. Weber, when the asylnın was permanently located at Stockton in 1853.
" During the year 1850, there were fourteen insane persons sent to the station house in San Francisco. It is estimated that at the close of the year the whole number of the insane was
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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
twenty-two. They were accommodated in San Francisco. Some received care and medical treatment in the State Marine Hospital, and others were temporarily secured on the old prison brig ' Euphemia.'
" In 1851, the State hospitals at Sacramento and Stockton afforded accommodations for the insane. During the same year the hospital at Sacramento received thirty-four and the one at Stockton thirteen, making the whole number forty-seven.
" In 1852 the Legislature ordered all the insane to be sent to Stockton and placed in the Stockton Hospital. During this year 124 patients were admitted into the insane depart- ment of the State General Hospital, including those transferred from receptacles in San Fran- cisco and Sacramento.
"In 1853, as has already been stated, the Legislature abolished the State Hospital at Stockton and created in its stead the 'Insane Asylum of California.' All the sane patients were removed July 1, 1853; and this date, therefore, properly stands as that of the opening of the Insane Asylumn.
"On the 8th day of October, 1853, the pa- tients were removed from rented quarters, on the corner of El Dorado and Market streets, to the then new asylum building, now the south wing of the old building."
After giving a table of statistics concerning the inmates from the commencement in 1851 to 1876, the Doctor adds the following interesting particulars:
"The greatest number of patients ever re- ceived into the asylum in one year was in the year ending June 30, 1875, when 615 were admitted.
" The greatest number ever received in one month was sixty-seven, in the month of July, 1875.
" The greatest number of patients at one time was 1,361, on the 29th day of October, 1875, there then being 952 males and 409 females.
" Since November 15, 1875, when the Napa Asylumn was opened, the number in the asylum at Stocktou has diminished."
During the year ending June 30, 1888, 463 patients were admitted to the asylum, and a total of 1,553 were there for treatment, which is nearly half more than the institution can properly accommodate. During the same year 214 were discharged as recovered, fifteen in- proved, fonr unimproved, 130 died and seven escaped.
It is a noticeable fact that the commitments to this asylum have been largely in excess of those mnade to the Napa asylum, the average there being only seventeen aunually while over sixty are brought to the Stocktou institution. The number of patients receiving care and treat- inent in this asylum increased sixty-seven during the year ending June 30, 1887, and ninety-three during the year ending June 30, 1888, at which time there were 647 patients in the institution. This number is at least 500 in excess of the number the buildings are designed to accom- mnodate, and in consequence not only are the various wards excessively crowded, but the corridors and attics are necessarily used to fur- nish sleeping rooms for the large number of patients who have been forced upon the care of the managers of the institution. The Legisla- tive provision to transfer about 200 to the new asylum at Agnew, Santa Clara County wonld scarcely make a perceptible difference in the extent of service in this large institution.
The numbers admitted to the two State Asy - lunis during the past four years are as follows: In 1885, 820; in 1886, 850; in 1887, 810; in 1888, 818. Considering the sturdy growth of the State in this period, these figures show a falling off in the ratio of those attacked with insanity.
At the close of the year, the number of in- mates in the two asylums was 3,115. Estimat- ing the population at 1,150,000, the proportion of insane to population is oue in 370. Com- paring this with the ratio of insane in other conutries and States, it will be seen that there is no foundation for the supposition that insan- ity is undnly prevalent here. The ratio in New York is 1 in 365; in Massachusetts, 1 in 350;
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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
in Australia, 1 in 375; in Great Britain, 1 in 345; in France, 1 in 400; in United States, 1 in 545, excluding idiots, 1 in 300, including idiots.
It has been found that while one-seventh of the whole population are foreign, of the insane, not one-seventh, as might have been expected, but one-third are of foreign birth. Thus it ap pears, that while but one in every 662 of the native population is insane, the ratio among the foreign born was one in every 250.
Turning to our own State, we find this signifi- cant showing repeated and intensified. No State in the Union has so large a proportion of foreign born, except the neighboring State of Nevada. Over a third of the population of California, in 1880, were born outside of the United States. The number returned as insane in that year was 2,503, of whom 1,618, or two-thirds, were of foreign nativity. That is to say, one-third of our population (the foreign born) produced two- thirds of our insane. Or, stated in another form, while one in every 646 of our native born is insane, the ratio among our foreign born is one in every 180. Giving these remarkable figures their weight, it will be seen that a low rate of insanity in our State would,. under pres- ent circuinstances, be akin to a miracle.
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