An illustrated history of Sonoma County, California. Containing a history of the county of Sonoma from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, Part 13

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 786


USA > California > Sonoma County > An illustrated history of Sonoma County, California. Containing a history of the county of Sonoma from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time > Part 13


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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ing, A. J. Gordon, J. Griffin, J. J. Goodin, Dr. J. B. Gordon, G. G. Gardner, W. Gordon, C. Griffith, J. Grigsby, R. A. Gill, G. Grigsby, P'. D. Grigsby, A. J. Galbraith, J. T. Grigsby, E. Gillen, P'. Gessford, J. Henly, W. Hood, T. Hopper, HI. Hall, L. M. Harmon, C. Humph- ries, H. Hill, W. M. Hill, D. Hudson, J. Henry, T. B. Hopper, C. Hopper, B. Hoen, Il. II. Hall, S. II. Hyman, A. Hixson, A. Harasthy, E. C. Hubbard, H. P. Holmes, J. W. Harlan, T. F. Hudson, W. B. Hagans, C. Ilazelrigg, J. B. Hollaway, W. II. Holleday, J. B. Horrel, J. Henry, W. Hargrave, M. Hudson, J. Hudson, J. Harbin, M. Harbin, G. Hallet, W. 1. Has- kins, J. Haskins, W. A. Haskins, Jr., L. Hig- gins, F. M. Hackett, J. II. Howland, I. Ilowell, J. Ilowell, D. Howell, P. Howell. M. R. Hardin, R. S. Hardin, C. Hartson, R. D. Hopkins, W. Houx, A. Ilenry, L. Haskell, R. 1. Ilarvey, M. Ingler, R. Jones, B. Joy, E. Justi, E. K. Jen- ner, D. Jones, C. Juarez, J. A. Jamieson, G. E. Jewett, A. Krippenstapel, F. Keller, H. Kreuse, A. Kohle, J. Knight, R. Kennedy, R. L. Kil- burn, T. Knight, W. Kilburn, I. Kellogg, W. W. Kennedy, A. W. King, 1. Kilburn, C. W. Lubeck, N. Long, R. Lennox, G. W. Lewis, J. II. Lane, C. H. Lamkin, J. A. Losse, J. Lut- gens, II. H. Lewis, Il. D. Lay, A. J. Lafevre, B. Little, J. F. Lamden, J. B. Lamar, G. Linn, Dr. T. M. Leavenworth, HI. Ludolph, J. E. Mc Intosh. N. E. Manning, R. McGee, W. E. McConnell, J. MeLaughlin, W. Mock, S. Me- Donough, W. Montgomery, J. Il. McCord. J. M. Mansfield, R. G. Merritt, D. B. Morgan. P. McChristian, G. W. McCain, A. J. Willis. J. Munday, M. T. Mcclellan, J. McCormick, L. W. Mayer, J. W. Morris, J. R. Moore, Jr., A. (. McDonald, W. J. March, W. 11. Manlove, J. II. Moore, J. Martin, C. Musgrove, W. Mc- Donald, J. Moran, H. Mygatt, A. Monmert, G. MeMahon, R. MeGarvey, W. McReynolds. W. II. Morris, J. Neil. P. G. Norburn, S. S. Noble, W. Neil, L. A. Norton, E. Neblett, W. II. Nash, J. M. Nichols, G. W. Oman, A. A. Olmstead, A. P. Overton, HI. Onsley. S. Orr, J. II. Orr, W. Ousley, J. N. Palmer, G. Pearce, W. Potter,


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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.


J. C. Peavy, R. J. Preston, J. Powell, M. Powell, A. P. Petit, C. Peterson, G. W. Peter- son, l'. 11. Pharris, II. L. Pierce, D. Powell, T. J. Poulterer, E. D. Phillips, S. Porter, J. D. Patton, J. A. Pugh, T. Partin, Il. Porterfield, E. 11. Pierce, l'. Polsten, J. V. Porter, D. Pat- ton, J. Powell, R. Poppe, J. Poppe, C. Poppe, D. Quinliven, J. Robeson, T. Rochford, V. Robin, C. Rogers. W. B. Reed, II. Robinson, J. M. Robers, J. L. Ronner, D. Ripley, T. W. Richards, S. H. Rupe, J. Reynolds, A. F. Rede- meyer, J. Regan, G. Reeve, B. Robinson, J. Robinson, B. L. Robinson, Col. Ritchie, A. J. Raney, S. F. Raney, W. H. Russell, J. Selling, R. Spence, J. Smith, F. Starke, D. W. Sroufe, N. O. Stafford, E. W. Sax, P. Sneed, P. Shar- vein. J. W. Sharp, D. Spencer. J. K. Smith, S. M. Shinn, J. Sedgley, J. H. Seipp, J. Singley, F. Sears, J. Stewart, 1. Salaman. J. II. Sturte- vant, C. J. Son, J. F. Shinn, C. Stewart, T. Smith, J.Stiltz, W. C. Smith, J. J. Swift, J. Somers, A. Stines, Dr. B. Shurtleff, J. Short, S. D. Towne, G. Tomking, E. Towne, W. S. Thomas, C. C. Toler. C. Talbott, R. Tucker, J. Theker, G. Tucker, William Truebody, J. True- body, John Truebody, W. Truebody. S. Tucker, T. H. Thompson, William Topping, G. W. Thompson, J. Udall, F. Uhlhorn, F. Van Hallen, P. J. Vasquez. A. Von Quitzow, P. Van Berver, A. J. Van Winkle, M. G. Vallejo, S. Vallejo, D. Wharff, F. Wilsey, C. Weise, J. J. Weems, L. C. Woodworth, W. Webb, W. S. M. Wright, Joseph Wright, II. L. Weston, 11. M. Wilson, J. A. Williams, J. Walton. A. A. White, D. W. Walker, J. Wooden, W. Il. Winters, J. Wilson, J. Westfall, R. B. Woodward, C. B. Wines, J. B. Waldan, J. M. White, l'. Ward, D. York, H. York, J. York, L. W. Znager.


NATIVE SONS IN SONOMA.


The first Parlor of the Native Sons of the Golden West, instituted in Sonoma County, was in the city of Petaluma. It took the appropriate name of Bear Flag Parlor. It was organized on the 1st of March, 1884, by District Deputy Grand President Charles W. Decker, of San


Francisco, assisted by Past Grand President Grady, Past Grand Secretary Lunstedt and others. It is No. 27 in the order of its institu- tion. The following persons were elected and installed as its first officers : J. B. Schlosser, P. P .; M. E. C. Monday, P .; John F. Naugh- ton, 1st V. P .; C. R. Peters, 2d V. P .; W. King, 3rd V. P .; Frank P. Doyle, Treas .; L. F. Ellsworth, Rec. Sec .; F. C. West, Fin. Sec .; Fred Chamberlain, Marshal: J. Fenger. I. S .; James Wright, O. S .; A. Newburgh, C. W. Brascombe and F. Green, Trustees. After the ceremonies were over, there was an agreeable entertainment, and Bear Flag Parlor was fairly launched on its career of usefulness. The following 11th of May, the Bear Flag hoys gave a pienie at Laurel Grove, San Rafael. All intoxicants were ruled out of order, and a most agreeable day was spent beneath the shade of a grove of native laurels. Following is a complete list of the present officers and members of the Bear Flag Parlor, for which we are indebted to the courtesy of Recording Secretary, D. II. White :


Officers Sr. P. P., W. E. King; P. P., Il. Mc C. Weston; Pres., C. E. Dillon; 1st V. P., Dan Brown, Jr; 2d V. P., W. Il. Robinson; 3d V. P., J. 1. Jewell; Rec. Sec., D. II. White; Fin. See., F. C. West; Treas., N. G. Crowley; Mar., J. A. Fenger; O. S., F. E. Dowd; I. S., R. J. Facey ; Trustees, G. L. Young, J. F. Dolan and Il. C. Thompson; Surgeon, J. H. Crane, M. D.


Members --- M. V. Holton, W. A. Chapman, W. F. Chamberlain, Chas. Towne, M. E. C. Munday, C. H. Myers, J. R. Denman, J. T. Studdert, L. B. Towne, J. F. Naughton, J. W. Cowles, J. Tighe, E. O. Lefebre, T. F. Purring- ton, F. J. Bryan; S. G. Stockdale, II. J. East- man, B. E. O'llara, J. E. Mallen, F. A. Wickersham, J. Adler, C. E. Morris.


WESTERN STAR PARLOR.


Western Star Parlor, No. 28, Santa Rosa, was instituted March the 13th, 1884, by Dis- triet Deputy C. II. Decker, assisted by Grand Vice-President John A. Steinback, Grand


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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.


Lecturer, M. A. Dorn, Past President, Frank 1. Higgins, and aeting Grand Secretary, II. Lunstedt. Pacific, California and Bear Flag Parlors were represented. President Ilarmon, of the Historic Parlor, California No. 1, occupied the chair during the initiatory ceremonies, sup- ported by Grand Lecturer Dorn and Messrs. Yale and Shannahan, of San Francisco, and other Grand and Acting Grand officers. At the close of the initiatory ceremonies the follow- ing officers were installed: Past President, Il. L. Branthaver; President, Geo. Homor Meyer; First Vice President, W. F. Russell; Second Vice President, L. W. Juilliard; Third Vice President, R. A. Ilarris; Recording Secretary, Emmet Seawell; Financial Secretary, George B. Dunean: Treasurer, George Hood, Jr; Marshal, Aubrey Barham ; Inside Sentinel, Alphens Reed; Outside Sentinel, E. B. Rohrer; Executive Committee, Chas. M. Ostrum, J. MeReynolds and John W. Lambert. After the installation there was an entertainment which passed most pleasantly. Messrs. Steinbaek, Iliggins, Deck- er, Dorn and Lunstedt, Hartman, Meyer and Jefferies, making timely and eloquent ad- dresses.


Following is a complete list of the present officers and members of Western Star Parlor No. 28, in the order of their admission into the parlor:


Officers-Geo. B. Duncan, P. P .; W. F. Rns- sell, l' .; Don Mills, 1st V. P .; T. J. Hutchinson, 2d V. P .; John MeMinn, Jr., 3d V. P .; J. H. Adams, R. S .; L. W. Juilliard, F. S .; Geo. Hood, Jr., Treasurer; F. G. Gerichten, Marshal; J. W. Irwin, I. S .; Chas. Underhill, O. S .; John Hood, W. B. Atterbury, HI. L. Branthaver, Trustees.


Members Geo. Il. Meyer, R. A. Ilarris, R. A. Badger, J. A. Barham, J. M. MeReynolds, J. W. Lambert, HI. Barney, W. M. Dunean, John Creagh, W. H1. Manion, W. M. Irwin; G. .I. Barnett, Emmet Seawell, J. W. Adams, J. F. R. Cook, Douglas Badger, W. A. Ford, C. H. Holmes, Jr., J. S. Childers, F. R. MeCutchin, R. L. Adams, F. G. Gerichten, J. N. Norris, W. 6


S. P. Coulter, C. V. Tupper, Dan P. Carter, Il. G. llahman, E. P. Colgan, M. F. Ilanek ; J. S. Ross, Julian Holman, R. D. Cannon, W. E. Healey, L. W. Burris, W. R. Carithers, W. T. Spridgeon: J. P. Overton, R. A. Long, Win. Wilkins, J. S. Titus, Jr., M. II. Durbin, F. S. Lowell.


On Admission Day, September 9, 1885, the National Sons of the Golden West had a grand celebration at Santa Rosa. Every Parlor in the State was represented. There were about 1,000 Native Sons in the procession, marking time to the inspiring music of nine brass bands. It was a gala day long to be remembered. The liter- ary exercises were held at the Santa Rosa Athe- næum. J. II. McGee delivered the address of welcome, and Governor Stoneman spoke of pioneer times. The annual address was delivered by Charles T. Weller. It was as follows:


His Excellency the Governor-Ladies and Gentlemen-Native Sons of the Golden West: Fifty years ago a lonely herdsman looking over the quiet harbor of Yerba Buena, watching the waves as they lazily drifted up to the shore, kissed the sand and then receded to the bosom of their mother, Ocean, watching the priests as they went about their different tasks in the little inission, whilst over all shone the rays of an almost tropical sun, bathing the sand plains with its radiant splendor and glorifying the good fathers as they taught their little wards of the life which was beyond.


To this wateher, standing carelessly there in the sunshine, no dream of the future splendor of that scene could come. Hlad you told him of a time but a few years distant, when thon- sands of men from all the nations of the earth would crowd upon that sand, he would have thought you mad, for what was there to canse this human flood? . Nothing but vast sandy plains and the everlasting hills-mute monu- ments of the Creator's power-presented them- selves to the eye. Surely this was not a land that would tempt a man to leave the fertile hills and valleys of the East and brave all dangers to reach its barren shores.


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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.


Truly, the priests had come. For a hundred years their missions had been planted on the coast and they had endured privation, suffering, yea, even death itself for the canse they held so dear; but the world was used to this sight. Where in all the earth had the zeal of the holy fathers not carried them? No journey was too hard for them to attempt -ready at the word to go into the ends of the world. The pages of h'story have rarely shown such perfect organiza- tion. Never such implicit obedience as they exhibited. And so the quiet life of the old missions ran on one day so like another that the flight of time was scarcely marked, save when some old father. weary with the burden of his years and the labor performed for the good of his fellow-men, failed to appear at morning prayers, and his brothers going to his cell would find that he had been called to his reward.


I love to dwell on this phase of the old life of our native State. It presents a picture so quiet and restful that one living in the wild rush of the present can hardly realize that it is not all a dream. Amid the universal strife for personal advancement so prevalent in our day, we have but a dim light with which to dis- cern the nobler humanity that led the fathers of old to sacrifice their all for the good of their fellows. What though the recipient of their life work was but an ignorant savage-lowest, we are told, of the entire human race? Enough for them to know that he had a soul to save. The world's truest heroes are not always those whose names are on every tongue, and to whom monuments of marble pierce the sky. In many a lowly grave in the old mission churchyard, with naught save a simple cross to mark the spot, lies, perhaps, a brave, true heart, who, having sacrificed himself without a murmur for the welfare of his brethren, is more worthy of praise than a Napoleon.


But we must away from the pleasant picture of California life under the Padres. Suffice that now it is forever dead, and whilst with reverent hands we draw the curtain over that calm past, we cannot fail to acknowledge what a noble


lesson to poor weak humanity the life and works of the holy fathers have been.


The history of California before the discovery of gold and settlement by Americans, resembles that of the South American Republics of to-day. Ruled first by Spain and then by Mexico, California in turn revolted from each three times. The Mexican power was broken. In- deed, in 1836, the successful Governor. Alvarado, was aided by a Tennesseean named Graham, who evinced, at an early day in the history of onr State, the fondness Americans are said to have for politics. Alvarado repaid his debt of gratitude to his friend by soon sending him, with others, in chains to San Blas, only to see them return in a few months much the better for their exile.


California at this, as in former times, was ever ready for a revolution. As a rule no one was hurt, and it generally required only one shot, as at the capture of Monterey by Alva- rado, to establish the downfall of one governor and the succession of another. And so the life of the Californians went on, the population at this time being less than 15,000, mostly engaged in stock-raising. For the herds of cattle intro- duced by Governor Portal and Father Junipero Serra had increased to vast members and the trade in hides had become quite extensive, the Boston traders keeping two ships on the coast, thus enabling the native Californians to indulge their love of finery. which had hitherto been repressed.


But a different race was now to appear upon the scene, and henceforth revolutions were to be something more than a name. Early in 1846 Fremont arrived upon the frontiers of Califor- nia, and, with his company of some sixty odd men, halted about 100 miles from Monterey. He then proceeded alone to that place to inter- view the Mexican General Castro, asking of him permission to proceed to the San Joaquin Valley, that he might there rest and recuperate his party, who were on their way to Oregon. The request was freely granted, but no sooner had Fremont departed than Castro began to stir


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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.


up the Californians. The explorers were be- sieged for some four days near Monterey, but the Californians did not care to push the fighting, so at the end of this time Fremont and his men took up their route for Oregon. They were soon recalled, however, for the time had at last arrived, when California should come under the protection of the stars and stripes.


The Government at Washington had long east eager glances westward, and on the 2d day of July, 1846, Commodore Sloat, on board the frigate Surunnah, entered the harbor of Monte- rey. His position was a trying one, for if he did not take possession of the country in the name of the United States, other powers might interfere. At the time the Surannah left Ma- zatlan for Monterey, the English man-of- war Collingwood sailed from San Blas for the same port.


It was indeed a race between the United States and England on which perhaps depended the future of California.


At this time Sloat did not know that war had been declared between the United States and Mexico. Ile therefore hesitated to take a step which must provoke hostilities.


Before this, indeed, the shock of war had been felt here on your own soil, and the bear flag had fluttered in the soft breezes of the Sonoma hills.


This occasion, however, was different; the power of the United States was about to be invoked and woe to those who dared its might.


At last, on the 7th day of July, 1846, Com- modore Sloat raised the American flag and de- elared California henceforth a part of the United States, and on the 10th of the same month the stars and stripes reached Sonoma and were sub- stituted for the bear flag, under which our fathers won their first victory. Much was still to be done ere the question was entirely settled, for Flores issued a proclamation to the Califor- nians and gathered together some three hundred of them and made a last stand for independence. This emente was soon quelled, however, and the


United States were in undisturbed possession of Upper California.


In the spring of 1848 the treaty of peace was ratified between our country and Mexico, and early in the following year came a great change to ('alifornia.


On the 19th day of January, 1849, James W. Marshall, standing by a stream among the mountains of the present county of El Dorado, saw something glittering before him in the water. He gazes for a moment, then knows that it is gold, sought after through all ages. The seeret is kept for a little time but soon gets abroad, and flies on the wings of the wind to the uttermost ends of the earth. Then commences to break upon our coast that great tide of hu- manity which flowing from all quarters of the globe passed through the golden gate on to the golden shore.


Never in the world's history has such a sight been presented as that which now broke upon the vision of the quiet inhabitants of California. The best and worst elements of the older eivi- lization were set down on the sandy shore of the old mission Dolores, there to work out the eternal law of the survival of the fittest.


The times were most auspicious for the bringing together of the bravest manhood in this western world. The war with Mexico had closed and thousands of young men with the laurels of vietory upon their brows and used to a life of adventure, were more than willing to risk their all in search of the hidden treasure concealed in the mountain fastnesses of the New El Dorado.


There never was, there never can be a braver, truer race of men than those Argonauts, the pioneers of California, bound together as they were by no ordinary ties, far from home and kindred, with no family fireside around which to gather, with nothing to eall forth the better side of man's nature, engaged as each man was in the wild search for gold, still their friendship was heroie in its trust and faithful unto death. And was it not natural that it should be so! These men had encountered peril and danger


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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.


side by side, had kept guard at midnight on the barren plains of Mexico and stood shoulder to shoulder at the attack on Monterey. \ thou- sand times had they stood face to face with death and never quailed. Cemented by sneh tics, what wonder that there existed between these men a trust we can only imagine. The name of the pioneers of California has ever been a synonym for all that was bravest and truest in manhood.


At this time through all the broad land, from the Atlantic to the Mississippi, and from the Great Lakes to the Gulf, the ery was " West- ward-ho!" Old and young alike spurred on by the hope of bettering their condition, left the quiet steady life they had known so long and set forth with brave hearts for the new El Dorado. The sturdy New England lad leaving his old home among the hills where he and his fathers before him had seareely been able to make both ends meet, went side by side with the college graduate fresh from the hills of Harvard. Whilst from the plantations of the South and from the farms of the then West came a human tide slowly foreing its way across the broad plains and over the ocean with but one thought, one dream, one aspiration-that of reaching California. How sad it is to realize that so few of all these countless thousands found the sne- cess they hoped for on these shores.


I never eross the beautiful Bay of San Fran- cisco with its bright waters reflecting the rosy tints of the setting sun that my thoughts do not turn to the olden days, and looking out through the Golden Gate I can picture a gallant ship, with all sails set, slowly coming into port. Her sides are weather-stained with the hard usage she has encountered in beating around the Horn, and her passengers are more than weary with their months' of confinement. Yet the smile of hope is on every face, for at last they are in sight of the long sought land. Then the eager wish to get ashore and into the mountains to search for gold. After that! ah! who can tell their fate! A few successful in their search, but the great majority going on from one place to another nntil at last they sink exhausted by


the wayside, and the wife and children afar off in the little home on the rough New England hillside wait in vain for a step which never comes; for a voice that is silent forever; wait until even hope dies away and they know that their loved one is lost to them.


And this was the sad fate of very many who, setting forth with the hope of proeuring that which would gladden the hearts of the loved ones at home, found only a rough grave upon the mountain side, and the sleep which knows no waking.


With the vast influx to this coast of Ameri- cans from all parts of the United States came a desire to seeure the admission of California into the Union, but this was a favor more easily asked for than obtained. At the very threshold of Congress this ambition was met with that old question which had caused so much bitter- ness in the past and which was soon to bathe all the land in blood. Slavery stood in the way. It had long been the eustom in order to main- tain a political balance of power for Congress to admit two States at the same time-one being a slave State, the other free; but this was impos- sible at this time. No other State stood knock- ing at the doors of the National Capitol, and the question had to be squarely met.


Attempts to give a territorial forin of govern- ment to the new country acquired from Mexico had failed, three bills having such an object had been defeated in a previous session of Congress. And in 1848, Senator Douglas, of Illinois, in- trodneed a bill admitting California into the Union. The battle waged long and violent. all the old passions were revived and sectional spirit ran as high as during the time of the Missouri Compromise or the Wilmot Proviso. Mr. Douglas did all that man could do, but the opposition was too strong, and after an all night session, on Sunday morning, Mareh 4, 1849, at 7 o'clock, the Senate adjourned and California was still left without a State government.


In the meantime the people of California had not been idle. When it became known that Congress had failed to grant any relief, General


HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.


Riley called upon the people to eleet delegates to form a Constitution for the State. A conven- tion met for this purpose on the third day of September, 1849, at Monterey, and was in ses- sion some six weeks evolving the first Constitn- tion of California. This was soon after ratified by the people, and in December, 1849, the first session of the Legislature met at San Jose.


The question of the admission of California eame before Congress again at its next session, and the fight was renewed with the same bitter- ness. Early in March her Senators and Repre- sentatives were in Washington, asking for admission to the eonneils of the nation.


All summer the question engaged the giant minds in the Senate, and at times the issue seemed most donbtful, but at last the friends of the new State conquered, and on the 9th day of September, 1850, President Fillmore signed the bill admitting California into the Union.


To-day we are gathered together to celebrate the thirty-fifth anniversary of our admission in- to the sisterhood of States. Standing in this presence, viewing all the grand accomplishments of these few years, it is alinost impossible for us to realize that it is not all a dream; for thirty- five years is as nothing in the life of a country, and what wonders has our fair State not seen ? From a few missions seattered along the eoast have sprung a dozen cities, and the old Mission Dolores has grown to be the empire city of the West, sitting seenre upon her hills by the Gold- en Gate, proud mistress of the Pacific. To her has come tribute from the Orient and through her gateway go forth ships whose sails whiten every sea. Conld but the spirit of some old father revisit the scenes where he had worked in his little garden among the sand hills he would indeed think that the age of miracles had come onee more.


Where thirty-five years ago were a few scattered ranehes with herds of wild cattle running over the vast plains are now thriving towns and beantiful farms. In no other land has nature been so lavish in her gifts to the children of men. With us all climes seem to meet and


blend, and the hardy pine of the northern woods whispers beside the orange blossom of the south.


We have often been ridiculed for boasting so mneh of our elimate. Yet I am sure we are fully justified in the facts. Stretching as our State does for hundreds of miles along the coast, with its fine harbors, that of San Francisco one of the best in the world, and with a land capable of growing almost every prodnet of the tem- perate and torrid zones the past is but an earnest of what the future has in store for us. Great as has been our progress during the past thirty-five years, I look forward with a confi- dent hope of yet grander achievements.




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