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 41
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The First Baptist Church .- This church was first organized at a school house abont four miles below Healdsburg in the summer of 1854, with a membership of ten persons, under the pastoral care of Rev. S. S. Riley. Subsequently a house of worship was erected in Healdsburg, where the congregation held their meetings. The building was located about two blocks sonth of the plaza, near West street. In 1868, a new church edifice was constructed, and dedicated on July 31, 1869, by Rev. J. B. Saxon, who labored in Healdsburg for six years or there- abouts. The new building, which is the one now ocenpied, is 34 x55 feet, and has a seating eapaeity of 300.
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The First Presbyterian Church of Healis- bury .- The history of this church begins with the early history of the place-being among the first of the churches established. It was or- ganized on the 10th of October, 1558, by the Rev. James Woods. The following named per- sons formed the church: Mrs. Elizabeth Bled- soe. Mrs. Jane Drum. Mrs. M. M. Bonham, Mrs. E. A. Woods. Cyrus Alexander. A. P. Wilson, Charles Shult, A. B. Bonham, H. M. Wilson. Cyrus Alexander was chosen ruling elder, and having previously been ordained in the Presbyterian church of Santa Rosa, was immediately installed in office.
The Church of Christ. This, usually desig- nated as the Christian church, was organized in Healdsburg on December 5. 1857, by Elder F. M. Marion, upon the Bible, and the Bible alone as its foundation. The building is situated in North Healdsburg, on West street. Originally the membership was few, only ten; William Il. Tombs was elected bishop and Nathan More- house, deacon.
Advent Church, Healdsburg. - The Seventh- Day Adventists of this place have a comfortable house of worship, free from debt, built in s. D. 1571, with a seating capacity of 200. The or- ganization was effected by Elder J. N. Lough- borough, November 5. 1869.
Protestant Episcopal Church. The Episco- pal parish at Healdsburg was first founded as a mission early in the year 1878, with the Rev. T. W. Brotherton, M. D., as Missionary; F. C. S. Bagge, Senior Warden; John N. Bailhache, Junior Warden, and R. H. Warfield, Treasurer and Secretary. Services were held in the Methodist Episcopal Church. South. One year afterward it was changed to a parish, with Rev. Dr. T. W. Brotherton as rector: F. C. S. Bagge, Secretary, and B. G. Lathrop. Dr. J. M. Willey. R. H. Warfield, R. D. Moore and W. G. Swan, Vestrymen.
Notoyome Lodge, No. 123, F. c .I. M .- The first meeting of this lodge was held under dispensation on January 23, 1858, the charter being subsequently granted under date. May
13th of that year, the members making applica- tion being John N. Bailhache, Worshipful Mas- ter; E. Sondheimer, Senior Warden and Ransom Powell, Junior Warden. The first meeting under the charter was had on May 30, 1855; the officers at the time being, John N. Bail- hache, Worshipful Master; E. Sondheimer, Senior Warden; R. Powell, Junior Warden; J. G. MeManus, Treasurer: A. B. Aull, Secretary : Joseph Albertson, Senior Deacon: Johnston Ireland, Junior Deacon: William Thornton, Tyler.
Healdsburg Encampment, No. 56, 1. 0.0. F. -- This encampment was instituted March 7, 1876, the charter members being: J. H. Cur- tis. l. F. Seaman, J. L. Bates, George J. Tur- ner. William B. Tucker, George Allison and John R. Paul. The first officers were: John R. Paul, C. P .: George J. Turner, II. P .; George Allison, S. W .; William B. Lucker, J. W .; John L. Bates, S .: Jesse F. Seaman. T .: J. Il. Curtis, Sentinel.
Healdsburg Lodge, No. 63, 1. 0. 0. F ... This lodge was originally started in Analy Township, the meetings being for the most part at the town of Bloomfield. Its number then was the same as that borne by it now. but in the year 1563 it was moved from that place to Healdsburg and its name changed from Analy Lodge, by the Grand Lodge, to that which it now bears. The following officers served from their election in November, 1863. when the lodge was moved, and were re-elected on January 1, 1564, their names also appearing on the charter granted by the Grand Lodge: H. M. Wilson, N. G .: John Young, V. G .: D. Lam- phier, Secretary; Ransom Powell, J. J. Piper and G. Allison.
Star of Hope Lodge, No. 32. 1. O. G. T .-- This lodge was instituted May 12, 1861, by D. S. Cutter, of San Francisco, the following being the charter members: Mary Jane Downing, Mary E. Fenno, E. Antoinette Bagley. Livonia M. Lombard, Vesta L. Macey, John D. Hassett, Henry D. Ley. J. H. Colwell. T. O. Thompson. W. A. Maxwell, Henry Sargent, Edwin Collins.
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
S. E. Ilassett, Thomas Rl. Ley, John W. Bayley.
The Bank of Healdsburg. - This institution was organized on June 3, 1874, with a capital of $100,000, paid up, in United States gold coin. Its original management was under W. S. Ca- nan, President, and Charles E. Hutton, Cashier; the directors being W. S. Canan, J. B. Smith, John D. Hassett, II. M. Wilson and J. N. Bailhaehe. The bank building occupies a prominent position on the northwest corner of the Plaza, where a general banking and ex- change business is transacted. It issues letters of eredit available in all parts of the United States and Europe, while its correspondents in San Francisco and New York are Lazard Freres. and Lazard Bros. & Co. in London.
The Sonoma County Tribune was founded by Isidore Abraham and Lonis Meyer in Ilealdsburg, California, on March 21, 1888. On that day the first number of the paper was issued. It has a fair eirculation, and has found a permanent footing in the confidence of the people in Northern Sonoma. The first- named is an attorney at law and graduate of Hastings College of the law (State University law department), elass of '84. He is now practicing law in conjunction with the editing of the Tribune, and is its editor-in-chief. Ife has been a resident of this county for about eighteen years, during which time he was a merchant in Cloverdale, and as a lawyer, prae- tieed respectively at Cloverdale and Santa Rosa and Healdsburg. Lonis Meyer is a young man of eighteen, and a practical printer. He re- 1 ceived his education at the Litton Springs Col- lege (now located in San Mateo County) under the eare and guidance of its eminent head, Prof. John Gamble. He is young in years but old in experienee as a printer, his entrance into that profession dating almost back to his in- faney. The Tribune is a staneh advocate of Republieanisin, and its columns were devoted during the last campaign to the advance- ment of that party to power and to its old-time prestige.
ISIDORE ABRAHAM, editor in chief of the Sonoma County Tribune, is a native of Eastern Prussia, boru March 14, 1859, his parents being Casper and Sophia Abraham. The father fol- lowed mercantile pursuits in his native country. In 1866 the family came to America, loeating for a time in San Francisco. Afterward they removed to Oregon, and after a residence there of two years, they came to Sonoma County, locating in Santa Rosa where the father engaged in business. Isidore Abraham, the subject of this sketeh, received his education in the publie sehools of Santa Rosa and Cloverdale. In 1872 he came to Healdsburg and engaged as clerk with his brother-in-law, Samuel Meyer. In 1875 he went to Cloverdale and there took the place of an elder brother (who had gone to Ore- gon) in his father's store. By 1878 he had accumulated enough to bny his father's interest, and the firm beeame R. Abraham & Bro., and so continued until 1883. In the meantime he had decided to adopt the profession of law, and in 1881 went to Ukiah, Mendocino County. where he read with Thomas L. Carothers, a gentleman prominent in legal and politieal cireles. After seven months of elose appliea- tion he entered Hasting's College of the Law (law department of theState University), from which institution he graduated in May, 1884, and on motion of Professor Pomeroy, was ad- mitted to practice in the Supreme Court of California. ITe soon commenced practice in the firin of Abrahamn & Schlessinger, San Francisco. Eight months later he returned to Sonoma County, and after a short time spent in practice at Cloverdale, removed to Santa Rosa, and in January, 1888, located at Healdsburg.
On the 21st of March following, in com- pany with Louis Meyer, he issued the first number of the Sonoma County Tribune, which was soon established on a paying basis. Mr. Abraham is conductor of Lodge No. 64, I. (). O. F., Healdsburg, and a member and officer of Encampment, No. 56. He is Past Master Workman of Cloverdale Lodge, No. 32, .1. (). U. W., and belongs to Bay City Lodge, No.
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117. K. of P., San Francisco, of which he is N. S. G. W., and is Vice Commander of the Past Chancellor. He is also a member of local lodge, Legion of the West. Curtis Lodge. No. 140, A. F. & A. M., Clover- dale. Politically, he is a Republican, and sup- ports the party in an able manner through the columns of his paper. He conduets his jour- nalistic and legal business with singular skill and snecess, and his high character and unimpeach- able record as merchant, lawyer and journalist, extending over a period of eighteen years, have placed him high in the estimation and confi- dence of the people in the county.
Healdsburg Enterprise .- This is a combina- tion of the Flag and Enterprise. There have been many changes of proprietors. The present proprietors are J. M. Alexander and C. II. Pond. They publish a good local journal.
Jrues M. ALEXANDER, of Healdsburg, is a native of Sonoma County, having been born in Alexander Valley, October 14, 1857. llis father, Charles Alexander, came to California from Illinois in 1850, and for eleven years re- sided in Sonoma County. In 1861 he went to San Jose, three years later came back to So- noma County and has lived at Healdsburg ever since. The mother of the subject of this sketch, whose maiden name was Achsalı Smith, was born in Wayne County, New York. Julius M. Alexander was reared mostly at Healdsburg and received his early school training in Alex- ander Academy. He afterward attended Napa College, from which he graduated in the class of 1875. with the degree of B. S. After leav- ing school he entered the office of Wells, Fargo & Co. In the year 1582 he was ear express and baggageman on the Carson & Colorado Railroad. After this he located at Sonora. Tuolumne County, where he was operator and express agent for a year. He then came to Healdsburg and became a member of the general mercantile firm of Alexander Bros. & Co. That partner- ship continued until 1883, when he bought out the dry goods department, and ran it alone un- til the firm beeame C. II. Pond & Co. Hlis next undertaking was in the newspaper busi- ness. He is Past President of Sotoyome Parlor,
CHARLES II. Posp, of the Enterprise Publish- ing Company, Healdsburg, is a native of Cali- fornia, born at Todd, Placer County, February 13. 1558, his parents being 1. 1. and Olive M. (Constable) Pond. His father came to Califor- nia in 1849, and located in Placer County. In the early days he ran a pack train between Sac- ramento and the mines, and became a large mine owner and operator. He died in 1850. Charles H. Pond, the subject of this sketch, re- eeived a public school education in Placer County, and afterward attended Napa College. where he graduated in 1877. For three years after he was engaged in mining in Placer County, and then went to Hollister, San Benito County, where he was in the drug business for a year and a half. He then went to San Fran- ciseo to complete his education as a druggist and pharmacist, but his father's death caused his return home to settle up the estate. lle next opened a general merchandise establish- ment at Los Gatos, and after a year returned home. In May, 1856, he came to Healdsburg and engaged in the grocery business in the firm of C. H. Pond & Co. With Julius Alexander he became a partner in the publication of the Healdsburg Enterprise. the first number being issued by the firm March 2, 1585. Mr. Pond is a member of the A. O. U. W., 1. 0. 0. F .. and is President of Sotoyome Parlor, N. S. G. W. In the latter order he is District Deputy for Sonoma and Marin counties, having been elected in April, ISSS.
DONA JOSEFA FITCH.
As history, at best, deals mostly in dry de- tails of prosaic oceurrenees, it is a real relief to the reader to be relieved by an occasional inter- polation of the spice of romance. Mrs. Dona Josefa Fitch, who long resided in Mendocino Township, and who is yet living, a very aged matron, is the heroine of the following romanee, as related by Hubert Howe Bancroft:
" Here I may introduce the romantie episode
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
of Henry Fitch's marriage to a daughter of Cal- ifornia, a lady still living in 1889. The young American sailor had first arrived in 1526, and had soon surrendered to the charms of Dona Josefa, daughter of Joaquin Carrillo, of San Diego, who in turn was won, as she states in a narrative written fifty years later, by the hand- some person and dashing manners of the Cap-
· tain. In 1827 he gave her a written promise of marriage. There were legal impediments on account of the fact that Fitch was a foreigner; but the young lady's parents approved the match, and a Dominican friar consented to per- form the ceremony. It was hoped there would be no interference by either civil or ecclesiastical authorities, yet a degree of seereey was observed. As an essential preliminary, Padre Menendez baptised the American, April 14, 1829, at the presidial chapel of San Diego. The friar promised to marry the couple the next day; preparations were made and a few friends as- sembled late in the evening at the house of the Carrillos. At the last moment, however, Dom- ingo Carrillo, unele of the bride, refused to serve as witness; the friar's courage failed himn, and the ceremony could not proceed. Neither the arguments and angry ravings of the Yankee norio nor the tears and entreaties of the noriu could overcome the padre's fears and scruples; but he reminded Fitch that there were other countries where the laws were less stringent, and even offered to go in person and marry him anywhere beyond the limits of California. " Why don't you carry me off, Don Enrique?" naively suggested Dona Josefa. . Captain Barry approved the scheme, and so did Pio Pico, cousin of the lady. The parents were not eon- sulted. Fitch, though somewhat cantions on account of his business relations and prospects on the coast, was not a man to require urging. Next night, Pio Pico, mounted on his best steed, took his cousin Josefa up on the saddle, and carried her swiftly to a spot on the bay shore, where a boat was waiting; the lovers were soon reunited on board the Vulture ; and before morning were far out on the Pacific.
1
They were married on the evening of July 3, at Valparaiso, by the eurate Orrego, Captain Barry being one of the witnesses. Subsequently they returned to Callao and Lima.
" The elopement of Senorita Carrillo was nat- urally much talked of in California; runnors were current that she had been forcibly abdnet- ed from her home, and the ecclesiastical anthor ities were greatly scandalized. Next year, however, Fitch made his appearance in command of the Leonor, having on board also his wife and infant son. Ile touched at San Diego in July, 1830, and thenee came up to San Pedro, Here he received a summons from Padre Sanchez at San Gabriel, vicar and ecclesiastical judge of the territory, to present himself for trial on the most serious charges; but he merely sent his marriage certificate by Virmond for the vicar's inspection, and sailed up the coast for Santa Barbara and Monterey. Sanchez at once sent an order to Monterey that Fiteh be arrested and sent to San Gabriel for trial, Dona Josefa being ' deposited ' in some respectable house at the capital. This order was executed by Echeandia, at the end of August on the arrival of the Leonor. The lady was sent to Captain Cooper's house, and the hus- band was placed under arrest. Ile claimed, however, to be unable to travel by land. Ilc protested against imprisonment as ruinous to his business, complained that the trial had not been begun at San Diego and asked that at least he might be allowed to travel by sea. Jose l'a- lomares, to whom as fiscal, Padre Sanchez sub- mitted this request, gave a radical report against Fiteh. September 17th. deelaring him entitled to no coneessions, his offenees being most heinous, and his intention being evidently to run away again. Yet Sanchez concluded to permit the trip by sea, on Virmond becoming bondsman for the culprit's presentment in due time: and on December 8th, Fitch arrived at San Gabriel and was made a prisoner in one of the mission rooms.
Meanwhile Mrs. Fitch petitioned Echeandia at the end of October for release, and permis- sion to go south by sea. The Governor con-
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sented, and Dona Josefa sailed on the Ayacucho for Santa Barbara, whenec she proceeded on the Pocahontas to San Pedro, arriving at San Ga briel on November 24th, where she was committed to the care of Eulalia Perez of later centenarian fame. When her husband came, the house of Dona Eulalia was deemed too near his prison, and Josefa was transferred to the care of Mrs. William A. Richardson. The fiseal pronounced Echeaudia's act a gross infringment on ecclesiastical authority, declared him a eul- prit before God's tribunal, and urged that he be arrested and brought to trial. But Viear Sanchez, though taking a similar view of Echeandia's conduet, thought it best, in view of the critical condition of affairs and the nearness of the time when Victoria was to take command, not to attempt the Governor's arrest.
a bell of at least fifty pounds in weight for the church at Los Angeles, which barely has a borrowed one. Moreover, the couple must pre- sent themselves in church with lighted candles in their hands to hear high mass for three dins festivos, and recite together for thirty days one- third of the rosary of the holy virgin. Let us hope that these acts of penance were devontly performed. The vicar did not fail to order an investigation of the charges against Padre Menendez, who had acted irregularly in ad- vising the parties to leave the country. but nothing is recorded of the result."
THE WICKERSHAM TRAGEDY.
To Mendocino Township ean be accredited one of the most tragic occurrences in connection with Sonoma County history. The Petaluma .Irgus of January 23, 1886. contained the fol- lowing:
" About three o'clock p. M. Thursday, the citi- zens of Petaluma were shocked by the receipt of a telephone from Skaggs' Springs to I. G. Wickersham, announcing that his nephew, J. C. Wickersham, had been found murdered on his mountain ranch, abont twenty miles west of Cloverdale. The news was carried from mouth to mouth, and soon the horror was the theme of conversation on every hand. Following the tele- phone came a dispatch to Coroner King similar in import, but with the additional information that it was supposed that Mrs. Wickersham, who is a sister of the wife of I. G. Wickersham of this eity, was also murdered. This but intensi- fied the excitement, and added to the gloom of our people.
In Deeember, Fitch and his wife were repeat- edly interrogated before the eeelesiastical court, and Fiscal Palomares for a third time ventilated his legal learning. Ile now admitted his belief that the motives of the aceused had been honest and pure, also that the affair might be settled without referring it to the bishop, but still maintaining the nullity of the marriage. Fiteh presented in his own behalf an elaborate argu- ment against the views of the fiseal, complaining of his business losses, and of the threatened illegitimaey of his son, but for which he would be glad to have the marriage declared null and to marry over again. Many witnesses were ex- amined, both at San Gabriel and San Diego. On the 28th of December the vicar rendered his decision, Christi nomine incocuto, that the fiscal had not substantiated his accusations: that " As it was near time for the up-train, Fred Wickersham, Coroner King and Marshal Blume got ready and started for the scene of the tragedy." the marriage at Valparaiso, though not legit- imate, was not null, but valid; that the parties be set at liberty, the wife being given up to the husband; and that they be relodos the next The down-train Saturday morning brought tidings that but lent density to the general gloom. Sunday, receiving the sacraments that ought to have preceded the marriage ceremony. Yet, The news came in the shape of a letter from considering the great seandal which Don ' Fred Wickersham to his father. I. G. Wicker- Enrique has caused in this province, I con- sham. the well-known banker. It was as fol- , lows: demn him to give as a penance and reparation
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
" CLOVERDALE, Saturday, 1 A. M.
" My Dear Father: Blume and I have just arrived here after an eight-hour ride. We found the dispatch too true. Unele Jesse and Anntie are no more. We got to the ranch at 9 o'clock Friday morning, and went immediately to the house. Jesse sat in his accustomed place at the table, with a table-eloth wrapped around his head and five buckshot wounds back of his ear, and a charge of the same in his side.
"Auntie was found in her bedroom in horri- ble condition. I have made all arrangements to have them taken to Healdsburg to-day (Sat- urday), and will have them placed in plain boxes for shipment, unless otherwise ordered by you, and they will be down on the 4 o'clock train.
" Meet us at the depot with all necessary preparations. Without a doubt the Chinese cook committed the aet, as he has not been seen this week. Ile fired the fatal shot while stand- ing about seven feet from Jesse, through a crack in the door. Will be with you this evening, and will explain further. Break this as gently as possible to mother. 1 have everything of value belonging to them with me. He was killed Monday evening at the supper table. Must go to bed and catch a few hours' sleep. Blume is doing everything possible to catch the Chinaman. Good-by. FRED."
The first information in reference to the tragedy was through J. E. Jewell, who has a ranch adjoining the Wickersham place. It seems that there were four Indians who had a camp on the latter raneh and were engaged in cutting wood for Mr. Wickersham. Mr. Jewell states that about half-past five o'clock on Wed- nesday evening, two of these Indians visited his place and asked: "You see Wickersham?" " No." I answered. " I no see," was the reply. Then they asked for some tobacco, which I gave them, when they again queried: " Where Wick- ersham " and then again: " You come Wieker- sham!" I pacified them by saying that I would go over the next day. I rode over early the next morning and got as far as to the barn,
when I looked over the pieket fenee and deter- mined to go and get the two Indians who had been to see me to accompany me to the house. They were encamped some 300 yards away. I asked them again when they had seen Wieker- sham, and they replied 10 A. M. Monday, but not sinec. They said they had gone down to the house, and fearful of approaching it, they had stood afar off and hallooed for Wickersham, but without an answer. Taking the two In- dians with me I attempted to open the door of the sitting room, but found it locked. The window was down and I pulled out the sash. The Indians suggested that I should come round to the dining-room. I did so. The door did not yield. I went to the window, pulled aside the blind, and there my eyes fell upon the rigid form of my old friend -- a blanket about his head and his feet in a pool of blood. 1 was horror-stricken. 1 left the spot immediately, knowing that the foulest of foul crimes had been committed, and I hastened to Skaggs' Springs to give the alarm."
From the time to which the above relates until 9 o'clock Friday morning the stillness of death reigned in the recently happy Wicker- sham home.
At about 8 o'clock Thursday night, Fred. Wickersham, Marshal Blume, and Constable Truett, of Healdsburg, with a man named Mar- tin as guide, left Healdsburg for the tragic scene. In consequence of the darkness and swollen condition of Warm Spring Creek, they, with great difficulty, reached Skaggs' Springs late in the night. Early in the morning they started forward, joined by JJ. E. Jewell and George Skaggs, and reached the Wickersham house about 9 o'clock in the forenoon.
They found Captain J. C. Wiekersham rigid in death, and in the same position in the chair at the dining-table as he had been seen by the horrified Mr. Jewell. Search was then made. and Mrs. Wickersham was found in her bed- room murdered in the most eruel and atrocious manner. So black and shocking would be the recital that it is but charity to the stricken rel
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atives living in our midst to refrain from par- ticularizing
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