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 27
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As stated above, the two Indiaus accompany- ing Leihy and Everts were not found-and opinion was divided as to whether they, in con- certed treachery, had led their over-confiding companions into an ambuscade of fellow savages; or whether they had themselves been taken prisoners. and reserved for still more cruel tor- ture and nintilation than that which had been visited upon the lamented Leihy, whose head had been literally pounded to a pulp with stones. Some six months after the tragic ocenr- rence above narrated, the Arizona Miner pub- lished the following, which would seem to exonerate the missing ludian companions of Leihy from the suspicion of treachery :
"Among some Apache prisoners lately cap- tured by Colonel Ilgis in the Mazatzal Moun- tains and taken to Fort McDowell, was a squaw who, through an interpreter, gave the following particulars concerning the murder of George W. Leihy. superintendent of Indian affairs for this Territory, at Bell's Canon, November 18. 1866. From the circumstantial and connected, way in which they are told they are believed by the officers at Fort McDowell to be entirely correct:
" A band of Apaches from the Sierra Ancha Mountains (probably Tontos) had been visiting the Colorado River Indians, and were on their return. with passes given them upon the river. Upon reaching Bell's Canon they proposed coming to Fort Whipple for rations, thinking the passes would protect them and also procure the supplies they were in need of. While in consultation upon the subject, an Indian in their company, who had spent much time on the Colorado, saw Leily and his clerk, Everts, approaching by the road, and announced to the band who they were. It was then concluded to kill Leihy; to kill the great chief of the whites, as they thought him to be, would alarm the whole white population and soon restore the country to the peaceable possession of the In- dians. Acting at once upon this idea, they brutally murdered the superintendent and Everts; and to make the work more shocking to the whites, the bodies were mutilated in the inost terrible manner. The Indian taken in the famous Skull Valley fight (Angust 13. 1866), for whom Mr. Leihy, in mistaken kindness, had obtained a release from Fort Whipple, and whom he was taking to La Paz, is reported by the squaw to have been an Apache Mohave, and to have been killed in the attack. She does not state, however, whether it was intended to kill him. The other Indian, a Mohave, who went from here with Leihy, was taken by the band to be a Maricopa. It will be remembered that he had just been on a visit to the Marico- pas. He insisted that he was a Mohave, but the band denied it and charged him with being
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afraid to acknowledge his tribe. He was taken some distance in the hills and tortured to deatlı, according to the usual manner in which the Apaches deal with the Maricopas. Ilis scalp was taken and the band started for their ran- cheria, near Meadow Valley, where they had a grand dance over it. A sub-chief. the husband of this squaw, was sent to Big Rump's village on the Saliseus River, near the month of Tonto Creek, with a request that Big Rump would have mescal ready by the next full moon, when the band from the Sierra Anchas would be there to have a jubilee over their killing of the white chief, his clerk, and the Maricopa. On his journey upon this mission, this sub-chief and his companion, including his wife (the squaw in question), were attacked by Colonel Ilgis's party. The sub-chief and the other were killed; the squaw and others captured, as already stated."
Thus ends all that will, probably. ever be known in reference to the motive and manner of the massacre of Leihy and his companions. In this act of pertidy, the Indians of Arizona struck down their best friend, for Mr. Leihy, in honest faith, was their contiding friend, and we know it from his own lips that he believed that the Indians of the Pacific Coast were "more sinned against than sinning." We account it a duty discharged to place this token of remem-
. brance upon that lonely grave in Arizona. in the deserts of which Aztec semi-civilization seems to have met its sunset.
MRS. SALLIE ANN CANFIELD.
We cannot mnore fitly close this chapter of Indian horrors experienced by Sonoma County residents than by appending the following obituary notice taken from the Petaluma Argus of Mrs. Sallie Ann Canfield, an aged lady whose name was almost a household word in Sonoma County, and who, although dying peacefully surrounded by her family, had passed through ex- periences of savage atrocity such as will give her name a certain passport to future generations: " It is with deep regret that we announce the
death of Sallie Ann Canfield, beloved wife of William D. Canfield, of BIncher Valley, which occurred at 10 o'clock Tuesday evening, April 3, 1588. Mrs. Canfield's maiden name was Sallie Ann Lee. She was born at Arlington, Vermont, August 20, 1810, and married to Mr. C'anfield June 10, 1828. In 1837 they moved from Arlington to Springfield, Pennsylvania, where they remained two years and then re- moved to Jensen County. Illinois. In 1842 they again took up their westward line of march and settled in Iowa, upon the present site of the now flourishing city of Oskaloosa. Here Mr. Canfield erected the first house and laid out the public square, the lines of which have not been changed to this day-though the city has an estimated population of 40,000. In May, 1847, Mr. Canfield started through the wilderness with his wife, five children and a small party of friends, for Oregon. They reached Whitman's Mission in Walla Walla Valley. in October of that year, where they proposed to spend the winter and look around for a favorable location. In this they were doomed to disappointment, for in a little more than one month from the time of their arrival the treacherous Indians surprised them and killed all the men of the settlement except Mr. Canfield and a man by the name of Osborn, who made his escape. Mr. Canfield was badly wounded, but managed to conceal himself in an old adobe honse until the fellowing night, when he was informed by some children that the Indians intended to hunt him up and put him to death in the morning. He made a heroic effort. on foot, and reached Lap- way Station, in Washington Territory, a dis- tance of 140 miles, in a few hours less than one week. The women and children were all made prisoners and servants of the Indians, except Mrs. Whitman, who was killed. When it was ascertained that Mr. Canfield had escaped the red devils put on their war paint, surrounded the house that contained the poor women and children and were on the point of massacring them all, when . Old Beardy,' a former chief, rode suddenly into camp and standing upright
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upon his horse pleaded eloquently for the lives of the prisoners. The savages' after listening spell-bound to the old man's oration, informed the prisoners that their lives would be spared. Here a long story could be told, if space per- mitted, of the efforts of Mr. Canfield, and the trials of the party, but it is sufficient to state that he interested the men of the Hudson Bay Fur Company, in behalf of the prisoners, and in one month's time the good Peter Ogden, chief of that company, arrived from Vancouver, and after an effort of three days and nights succeeded in purchasing their freedom-paying the Indians in blankets. guns, ammunition, knives and trinkets. After getting possession of the prisoners he made a contract with the Nez Perces to bring Mr. Canfield's family to Fort Walla Walla where he joined his grief-stricken wife and children who had mourned him as dead. Peter Ogden took the remainder of the party down the Columbia River in three small boats, landing at Oregon City Jannary 12, 1848. Mr. Canfield and family had lost everything ex- cept the scanty clothing upon their backs, but as soon as they were comfortably situated, he joined a party and went back to punish the In- dians. The chief and four of the Indians were
brought in and afterward hanged at Oregon City. March 4, 1849, Mr. Canfield and family sailed for San Francisco, where they landed on the 10th of that month. They remained in San Francisco until August 1, 1850, when they became residents of Sonoma County, first settling in the old town of Sonoma. They have occupied their present beautiful home in Blucher Valley ever since January 1. 1852. Ilere they have been honored and loved for all these long years by all who came in contact with them. llere the good old lady passed away, surrounded by all the surviving members of her family, and thus closed an eventful life. ller daughter, Mrs. James H. Knowles, of this city, and her son Oscar, who arrived from Idaho a few days before her death, are the only surviving children. We now have before us an invitation to their ' Golden Wedding,' which was celebrated June 10, 1878, and it recalls many pleasant reminis- cences of the past. Mrs. Canfield will have been laid away in the family burying ground, on their own place, before this notice reaches our readers. If there is any reward beyond the grave-and we trust there is-for a long life of virtue, honor and unselfish usefulness, our friend is well provided for now."
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
SONOMA AND MARIN DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
CHAPTER XIX.
WHEN ORGANIZED ITS CHANGES IN ORGANIZATION- ITS FAIRS AND OFFICERS-CHANGE OF LOCATION OF FAIR GROUNDS-ITS GOOD EFFECT ON OUR INDUSTRIES.
HE history of this society is a part of the history of Sonoma County, and among its promotors in the early days will be found many names of Sonoma County pioncers.
The first organization of the society was made under the name of the Sonoma Agricultural and Mechanics' Society. on April 12, 1859. Pursu- ant to a call made by publication a large num- ber of subscribers to the Sonoma County Fair met at the Masonic Hall, Healdsburg, ou Thurs- day evening, March 24, 1559, to devise the necessary ways and means of carrying out the enterprise. A temporary organization being deemed advisable, llon. W. P. Ewing was called to the chair, and stated the object of the meet- ing. James B. Boggs appointed secretary. A committee of two from each township was ap- pointed to solicit further subscriptions. committee of five was appointed to report per- manent organization and rules and regulations, to report at a future meeting. Meeting then adjourned to April 12. 1559, at which time the society was duly organized, with the following officers: President, Washington P. Ewing, and nine Vice-Presidents ; Secretary, J. B. Boggs ; Corresponding Secretary, G. W. Granniss: Treasurer, Lindsay Carson: and a Board of nine Directors, consisting of Colonel 1. Haraszthy, Major J. Singley, C. J. Robinson, Josiah Morin, G. P. Brumfield, J. N. Bailhache, Julio Carrillo,
J. W. Wilbur, and D. D. Phillips. The first fair was held at Healdsburg. At the election of officers for the next year, J. Q. Shirly was elected President, and I. G. Wickersham, Secre- tary. At a meeting of the society held March 3. 1660, on motion of Mr. Weston. a committee of' five was appointed to confer with agricultural societies of the counties of Marin, Mendocino, Napa and Solano, and in ease no society exist in those counties, then with some of the promi- nent agriculturists and stock-raisers therein. upon the subject of establishing a District Agri- cultural Society, to be known as the Sonoma and Napa District Society. H. L. Weston. I. G. Wickersham, Jasper O'Farrell, J. S. Robberson and Rod Matheson were appointed said com- mittee. The second fair was held at Petaluma, on the grounds of Uriah Edwards, and for it premimin lists were prepared under the direction of Mr. Wickersham. Col. Haraszthy made the opening address. Petaluma Band gave the music for the occasion, at the price of four hun- dred dollars. The records of the society for that year are very full and complete. made by the secretary, S. D. Towns, who had been elected to till the place of Mr. Boggs. E. Latapie was the marshal of the week.
At the election held at the close of the fair. Dr. John Heudley was elected President; Wing- field Wright, Vice-President; W. H. Crowell,
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Secretary, and J. H. Holmes, Treasurer, and it was resolved to hold the next fair at Santa Rosa. Thereafter the fair was held at different points, until 1867, when the society was reorganized, with J. R. Rose, President, and Phillip Cowen, Secretary. That year the pavilion was erected, and a large part of the cattle stalls and horse stalls constructed, and the society, under its management, held its first fair; J. P. Clark was marshal; N. C. Stafford, superintendent of the pavilion, and M. Doyle, superintendent of the stoek grounds. To make the purchase of per- manent grounds about 250 life memberships were sold at the price of $25 per share, with privilege of free admission to all subsequent fairs and right to exhibit. The old race-track, about two miles from the city, was still used for all races. The second annual election of the society was held on the second Saturday of May, 1868. The counties of Sonoma. Marin, Mendocino and Lake constituted the district at this time. J. R. Rose was re-elected President; Andrew Mills, Vice-President, and Phil. Cowen, Secretary, with nine Directors. The fair for 1868 was held at the new grounds, September 21st to 25th, inelusive. George Pearee made the open- ing address, and E. S. Lippitt the annual ad- dress. J. P. Clark aeted as marshal, and F. W. Longee and M. Doyle as superintendents of pavil- ion and stock grounds. This year, for the first time, the society conferred diplomas for meri- torious exhibits.
At the annual election, in May, 1869, J. R. Rose was unanimously elected President; 1. Mills. Vice-President; P'. Cowen, Secretary; I. G. Wickersham, Treasurer; with the same num- ber of Directors. The fair this year was held September 27th to October 1st. N. L. Allen acted as marshal, D. W. C. Putnam was super- intendent of pavilion, and Thomas Rochford, superintendent of stock grounds. The fair was very ereditable, and the society felt the need of more room. A committee was appointed to seeure more ample grounds for the fair and race-track.
On the 15th of Jannary, I. G. Wickersham presented a petition to send to the Legislature 12
to solieit State aid, and a meeting of life mem. bers was called to meet April 2, 1570, to select new grounds for the fair. The result of the action of the meeting was to buy grounds adja- cent to the oll fair grounds, and upon them construet a half-mile race-track, grand stand, and other conveniences for a permanent fair ground. The new board of officers were elected in Dee- ember. 1870, and consisted of E. Denman, President; Lee Ellsworth and Il. Mecham, Vice- Presidents: J. Grover, Secretary; and William IIill. Treasurer. Society during this year duly incorporated, and J. R. Rose, to whom the several parcels of land of the fair ground had been deeded, as trustee for the society, deeded them to the society. A committee, of E. Den- man and C. Tempel, was also appointed to make arrangements to pay the large indebtedness of the society.
The fair for 1871 was held September 25th to 30th, and was well attended. The third stage of the society's existence had now evinmeneed. The receipts were largely in excess of former years, amounting to $3,370. The annual meeting for 1571 was adjourned until January 6, 1872. when an election of officers was had, with the following result: President, Lee Ellsworth: E. Denman and J. R. Rose, Vice-Presidents : Frank Lougee. Treasurer; and J. Grover, Secretary. The great expense of the new purchase and grand stand, and construction of race track, had been met by the generous action of the publie- spirited citizens of the city of Petaluma and county. who assumed the liabilities by their joint note, amounting to about $12,000. About forty signed the note. This amount was after- ward paid by them, as the note became due' ex- cept 85,000, which was paid by the city of Petaluma. The payment of this debt by these inen relieved the society from a great burden.
The society's fair for 1872 was held Septem- ber 9th to 14th, inclusive. B. Ilaskel was superintendent of pavilion. The receipts of the society this year were larger than any preceding year, amounting to 85,541, besides the sum of $2.000 appropriated by the State. At the annual
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eleetion held December 7, 1872, the retiring President, L. Ellsworth, made a report to the society of their progress, from its reorganization in 1567 to date, by which it appeared that the total receipts of the society had amounted to $29,633, and that the society had expended, for grounds, pavilion, grand stand and preminms, the sum of $40,751 leaving an indebtedness of 811,118, seenred as heretofore stated. The fol- lowing officers were elected for ensuing year : President, E. Denman ; Vice-Presidents, L. Ellsworth, William Zartman; Secretary, E. S. Lippitt; Treasurer, Robert Seavey.
The fair for 1873 was held October 6th to 11th, inclusive, Captain Watson acting as mar- shal. Rev. G. B. Taylor delivered the annual address. The receipts for the year were $6,- 200 besides 82,000 received from the State, most of which was expended in enlarging the accom- modations for stock and enlargement of the grand stand. The annual meeting for 1873 was held on December 7th, and the following oflieers were elected to serve for the ensuing year: President, J. R. Rose; Vice-Presidents, Lee Ellsworth and H. Mecham; Secretary, E. S. Lippitt ; Treasurer, A. J. Pierce: Directors, A. Morse and Robert Seavey.
The fair for the year 1874 was held Septem- ber 14th to 19th, inclusive. D. W. C. Putnam, was elected superintendent of pavilion, and Judge Shafter delivered the annual address. At the annual meeting in 1874 the following officers were elected to serve for the ensning year: P'res- ilent, J. R. Rose; Vice-Presidents, II. Mecham, G. D. Green; Secretary, E. S. Lippitt; Treasurer, 1. Morse; Direetors, P. J. Shatter and Robert Crane. The district was enlarged now by taking in Napa and Solano counties, and exhibitors restricted to the district.
At the fair held in 1875 Prof. Fitzgerald, State Superintendent of Public Schools, deliv- ered the annual address. This year the pavilion was enlarged by the addition of agricultural and horticultural halls. The receipts amounted to $5,614. At the annual election in 1575 the following officers were elected for the ensuing
year: President. L. Ellsworth; Vice-Presidents, A. P. Whitney and P'. J. Shafter; Secretary, E. S. Lippitt: Treasurer, A. Morse; Directors, Robert Crane and H. Mecham. Mr. Ellsworth having resigned, II. Meecham was afterward elected by the Board of Directors to fill his place.
The fair for 1876 was held from October 9th to 14th, and was in extent and quality greatly in excess of any heretofore held. The display of stoek was the finest exhibited at any of the fairs of the State, and the departments of agri- culture and horticulture were greatly in advance of former fairs. Major Armstrong acted as marshal. Judge Shafter delivered the annual address. At the annual meeting held December 2, 1876, the following officers were elected: President, Il. Mecham; Vice-Presidents, A. P'. Whitney, P. J. Shafter; Secretary, E. S. Lip- pitt; Treasurer, \. Morse: Direetors, G. D. Green, Robert Crane. By action of the society the distriet was enlarged to take in the counties west of the Sacramento and north of the bay, including Humboldt and Yolo. The fair for 1877 was held September 24-29. M. D. Bo- rnek delivered the annnal address, James Arın- strong acting as marshal. The receipts were the largest ever held by the society, amounting to $7,577. The pavilion was enlarged by ex. tending the west wing forty feet. A large number of stalls for horses and stock were built and the whole grounds thoroughly overhauled and repaired, which not only absorbed the large receipts but entailed a debt of 81,355. At the annual election this year, 1877, the old board of officers were re-elected and the time of fair fixed for September 21st to 25th inclusive. During this year the grounds had been greatly adorned by the planting of trees. An art gal- lery was built twenty-five feet wide by eighty feet long and other permanent improvements of the grounds and buildings.
The fair held in 1878 was the largest and most interesting of the whole series. The re- ceipts amounted to 87,665. The expenditures, 88,436. Leaving a small debt subsisting against the society.
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
The Legislature at the session of 1877-'8 enacted a new law in regard to agricultural societies, making the president and two directors to be chosen each year and the treasurer and secretary to be other than members of the Board. At the last election held December, 1878, the following Board of Directors was elected: Pres- dent, A. P. Whitney ; E. Denman and R. Crane. Directors forone year; J. MeM. Shafter and H. Mceham, for two years; A. Morse and R. Seavey, for three years. F. W. Lougee was by the Board elected Treasurer and W. E. Cox, Secretary.
During the last year the same enterprising spirit has been exhibited by the Board -- new gates to the park have been built and a new ticket office and treasurer's othiee. The grand stand was enlarged one-half its former dime - sions. New trees planted and new stalls ereeted. The last fair was equal to any that preceded it. J. P. Clark was marshal of the week; D. W. C. Putnam, superintendent of the pavilion. E. S. Lippitt delivered the annual address.
The fair of 1880 was held during the week commeneing Monday the 6th of September. Hon. A. P. Whitney was the president of the society. The fair that year was largely at- tended, and made memorable by the presence of President Rutherford B. Hayes, General Win. T. Sherman, Secretary of War Ramsey and Gov- ernor George l'erkins.
In 1881 the district fair was held at Petalu- ma, commencing Monday the 5th of September. A. P. Whitney, President; P. J. Shafter, II. Meeham and Wm. Zartman, Diretors. A very able annual address was delivered by Rev. E. R. Dillee.
Notwithstanding the large amount of money that had been expended in fitting up the " old fair grounds" in the northern portion of the eity of Petaluma, it was found that the society was cramped for room. The race-track was a half mile one, and the exhibits of stock was get- ting beyond the possible accommodations of stall room. Something had to be done. The society determined to sell the old grounds and purchase elsewhere. This change was made in
1882, and the grounds selected was a traet of 100 aeres in the eastern edge of the city limits. A mile track was graded and put into excellent condition; and the pavilion, grand stand and other movable buildings from the old grounds were pnt np. On the western side of the grounds, between the pavilion and grand stand was planted several acres of miscellaneous shade trees. There is now nearly a running mile of stall room, with space for further additions, as may be required. Taken as a whole this is now one of the finest fair grounds in the State, in all its appointments. In truth, it is a coneeded fact, that the Sonoma and Marin district fairs only rank second to the State fairs at Sacramento.
The fair for 1882 commeneed on the 28th of August and continued for a week. It was fully up to the standard of former fairs. A. P. Whitney elected President; Henry Lawrence and II. T. Fairbanks elected Directors. The annual address was delivered by Professor A. G. Burnett, then of Healdsburg.
In 1883 the annual fair commenced on Mon- day, 28th of August. The list of entries and premium awards were unusually large. A. P. Whitney, President; Robert Crane and E. Den- man were re-elected Directors.
The annual fair of 1884 commenced on the 27th of August. Judge JJames McM. Shafter was president of the society and delivered the opening address. Professor A. G. Burnett, the accomplished orator, delivered the annual ad. dress. A. P. Whitney, President; M. Page and P. J. Shafter were elected Directors.
On Monday, August 24, 1885, the district fair opened under most favorable auspices and was an entire success. J. 1I. White, President; J. II. White, H. F. Fairbanks and J. E. Gwin, elected Directors. Hon. E. C. Munday delivered the annual address.
The annual fair for 1886 fell on Monday, the 23d of August. J. HI. White, President; George P'. MeNear, John Switzer, elected Di- rectors. L. C. Byel was superintendent of the pavilion. P. J. Shafter, of Marin County, de- livered the annual address.
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In 1887 the fair was held as usual in the last week of August. It showed an increased attendanee. J. II. White was still President. J. E. Gwin and Wilfred Page were re-elected members of the Board of Directors.
The fair of 1888 was by far the most sue- cessful one ever held. Notwithstanding the great room-capacity of the stock-grounds, it was inadequate to meet all the requirements of ex- hibitors. The pavilion exhibits were better than ever before. This society has done a good work in promoting Sonoma County industries. Its present officers are: 11. Mecham, Presi- dent; A. L. Whitney, A. W. Foster, T. C. Put- nam, W. H. Gartman, O. Hubble, Directors.
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