An illustrated history of Southern California : embracing the counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the peninsula of Lower California, from the earliest period of occupancy to the present time; together with glimpses of their prospects; also, full-page portraits of some of their eminent men, and biographical mention of many of their pioneers and of prominent citizens of to-day, Part 124

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1038

USA > California > Los Angeles County > An illustrated history of Southern California : embracing the counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the peninsula of Lower California, from the earliest period of occupancy to the present time; together with glimpses of their prospects; also, full-page portraits of some of their eminent men, and biographical mention of many of their pioneers and of prominent citizens of to-day > Part 124
USA > California > San Diego County > An illustrated history of Southern California : embracing the counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the peninsula of Lower California, from the earliest period of occupancy to the present time; together with glimpses of their prospects; also, full-page portraits of some of their eminent men, and biographical mention of many of their pioneers and of prominent citizens of to-day > Part 124
USA > California > Orange County > An illustrated history of Southern California : embracing the counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the peninsula of Lower California, from the earliest period of occupancy to the present time; together with glimpses of their prospects; also, full-page portraits of some of their eminent men, and biographical mention of many of their pioneers and of prominent citizens of to-day > Part 124
USA > California > San Bernardino County > An illustrated history of Southern California : embracing the counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the peninsula of Lower California, from the earliest period of occupancy to the present time; together with glimpses of their prospects; also, full-page portraits of some of their eminent men, and biographical mention of many of their pioneers and of prominent citizens of to-day > Part 124

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).

After paying his brother a short visit his in- tentions were to return home; but months passed without any vessel touching these then almost unknown shores, and the longer he re- inained the more he became attached to the country ; so he was prevailed upon by the court- eons, kind-hearted and hospitable residents to cast his lot among them, his professional serv- ices being in demand by them. During the winter of 1843-'44, while visiting Los Angeles, whither he had been called to perform some difficult operations, a petition signed by all the leading people, native and foreign, was presented

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

to him, inviting him to remain among them and practice his profession. In reply, he stated that he had not made up his mind to stay in the country; but if he should remain he would reside at Los Angeles. He then returned to Santa Bárbara on professional business, and shortly afterward went to Monterey, the seat of government, to arrange some minor official matters. In the meantime he received several letters from his kind friends in Los Angeles reminding him of their invitation, and, con- cluding to accept it, he returned to Los Angeles the latter part of July, 1844, and remained until the breaking ont of the gold excitement.

From the Medical Directory of 1878, the following paragraph is taken: " It is of record that Dr. R. S. Den, in obedience to the laws of Mexico relating to foreigners, did present his diplomas as physician and surgeon to the Gov- ernment of the country March 14, 1844, and that he received special license to practice from said government."

In 1846-'47, during the Mexican war, he acted as Chief Physician and Surgeon of the Mexican forces located in Southern California. Among the American prisoners confined in Los Angeles, he treated Don Benito Wilson and party, and Thomas O. Larkin, the only Ameri- can consul ever appointed in California while under Mexican or Spanish rule. Becoming surety for Larkin, he secured his removal to more healthful quarters and attended him through his illness. Governor Flores, com- mander-in-chief of the military forces in the Californias, despite the reports to the contrary, Dr. Den insists was very considerate and humane to the prisoners. In behalf of those who were wounded, he sent an urgent request to Captain Gillespie, in command of the Ameri- can forces, for the services of a physican, and Captain Gillespie sent this request to Dr. Den, asking him to comply with it, which he did. The Doctor urged their removal to town, where they could have proper care. Flores not only readily consented to this, but he also acted ou any suggestion offered by Dr. Den that would

alleviate the condition of the prisoners. It may also be mentioned in this connection that Don Lnis Vignes, long since dead, who was the pioneer of the French colony of Los Angeles, and who planted the extensive " Aliso Vine- yard," which also is a thing of the past, fur- nished comfortable quarters for Mr. Larkin, and did much for the wounded American prisoners. Don Luis had a high adobe wall around his dwelling-houses, cellars, etc. During the war the wives and children of certain residents used to seek and receive hospitable shelter within Don Luis's capacious castle.

Throughout those stirring times Dr. Den assiduonsly and untiringly ministered to the wants of suffering humanity, irrespective of nationality, and he was loved and respected by all the good people. He permitted no prejudice to overcome his zeal for his chosen profession, the benefits of which, in a crisis like this, lie held it, was his duty to bestow on all alike. Consequently he remained neutral during this time, when a bitter feeling existed between the Americans and Californians, the latter of whom believed they were being stripped of their rights by the former.

In 1848 Dr. Den organized, at his own ex- pense, a prospecting party, and started north for Sullivan's Diggings, near what is now An- gel's Camp, in Calaveras County. The party mined with varying success during that and the following year (1849), when the Doctor, per- eeiving that his professional services were needed on account of the prevalence of inter- mittent and malarial fevers in that district, dis- charged his men and entered into the practice of medicine. He did this not so much for pecuniary gain as to relieve the sufferings of his fellow-men, a man's purse forming no in- ducement for his services, for he treated all alike, whether they had money or not. Never- theless, it may be recorded that in one day he was paid over $1,000 for medical attendance. At that time gold dust was the medium of ex- change, being valued at the mines at $5 to $6 per ounce, but was worth in San Francisco $14,

t.o. Omnem.&

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

the rate at which the Doctor received it. After a few months' practice in the mines, he went to San Francisco, and while there he was one of the seven original organizers of the Society of California Pioneers. They met in 1850 at the office of William D. M. Howard (who was at one time also a resident of Los Angeles), on Montgomery street in that city. Soon after- ward the Doctor returned to Los Angeles.

In 1854 he went again to Santa Bárbara County, where he was engaged some twelve years in looking after the interests of his San Marcos rancho of eight leagues, which was. stocked with cattle. About the year 1859 he made a conditional sale of this ranch and stock, intending to visit his old liome and purchase a place which his ancestors had held for over 450 years before the confiscation; but the sale fell through, and later, during the great drought in California, he lost alnost all his stock, over 2,000 head of horned cattle, so that he was forced to indefinitely postpone the trip.

In January, 1866, he moved to Los Angeles, where he has ever since lived, practicing his profession.

Dr. Den is averse to becoming involved in any litigation except where his principles are at stake, preferring to relinquish his material in- terests rather than have his good name sullied by coming in contact with certain minions of the law. His faith in mankind has resulted in the loss of considerable property, brought about by fraud and false testimony, which his sense of right revolts against, as all those who have ob- tained wealth by such means have always been scorned by him.

The Doctor ranks among his patients some of the leading men and women of California. both of the past and of the present, and from the period of his arrival in this country has highly distinguished himself as a physician, as a surgeon and as an obstetrician, and all who know him well speak in the highest praise of his inany noble qualities. Honor, integrity and lofty-minded strength of purpose, with a scru- pulous regard for the true ethics of his pro-

fession, are qualities he possesses and holds dearer than anything else upon this eartlı. Al. though in his sixty-eighth year, the highly pre- served state of his health visibly indicates a long life.

Many of the Spanish people in old times, and some even now, have such faith in Dr. Den's skiil that their oft-expressed confidence in himn has crystallized into this proverb: Despues de Dios, Doctor Don Ricardo (After God, Dr. Don Richard). The pleasant relations that have ex- isted between Dr. Den and the people of thic country, and the trust they have reposed in him, is fully appreciated. Indeed he cherislies with genuine pride, as he well may, the esteem and kindly regard in which he has been held by the good people of this community during the many years that he has lived in Southern Cali- fornia. His learning and skill, his high sense of professional honor, and his kindly nature, have combined to give him a warm place in the hearts of the old Californians. They fully be- lieve that as a physician he has been the means of saving hundreds of lives; and only those who are familiar with the affectionate way in which the respectable Spanish people speak of " Don Ricardo," can appreciate how strong is their friendship for him.

DR. H. 8. ORME,

ex-President of the State Board of Health of California, was born in Milledgeville, Georgia, March 25, 1837. He grdanated as A. B. at Oglethorpe University in 1858, and attended his first course of Medical lectures at the Uni- versity of Virginia. He afterward graduated as M. D. in the medical department of the University of New York, in 1861. In 1868 he came to California, arriving at Los Angeles July 4, of that year, and has been actively engaged in the practice of medicine ever since. Dr. Orme has filled many official positions in both medical and Masonic societies during his residence in Los Angeles. He has been pres- ident of the Los Angeles Medical Society, the California State Medical Society; is now a

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

member of the American Climatological Asso- ciation, Medico-Legal Society of New York, American Public Health Association, and has also been Vice President, and is now an active member of the American Medical Association, and is a Professor of Hygiene in the Univer sity of Southern Calitornia. Of local Masonic lodies, he has been a past officer of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery, and also Grand Master of Occidental Consistory of Los Angeles A. A. Scottish Rite, Thirty-Sec- ond Degree, of the State. He is now Past Grand High Priest of the Chapter, Royal Arch Masons of California; Past Grand Master of the Grand Council, Royal and Select Masters; Past Grand Commander of Giand Commandery Knights Templar, an officer of the General Grand Council, Royal and Select Masters, and of the General Grand Chapter Royal Arch Ma- sons, U. S. A.

Doctor Orme married Mary C. Van de Graaff in 1873, and has one son, Hal McAllister, born March 4, 1879. Dr. Orme is a genial, cultured and popular gentleman, a good citizen in all relations in life, whether public or private; and he is skillful in his profession, in which he takes a gennine pride. Dr. Orme has written various valuable papers on the climate and diseases of Southern California; as also other important papers, for the State Medical Society and State Board of Health, on leprosy.

THE PRESS.

Los Angeles County has its due share of worthy newspapers and periodicals; and, like all intelligent, enterprising communities, its high- ways are strewn with the graves of dead jour- nals and the wrecked hopes and fortunes of ambitious but mistaken journalists. The fol- lowing is a list of the periodicals of the county, perished and surviving, published in the county since 1850:

The Los Angeles Stur was established in 1851, its first number appearing May 17, of that year, printed in English and Spanish, ap- pearing weekly. John A. Lewis and John Mc-

Elroy were the publishers. It underwent various changes of partnership and owners up to 1864, when it was purchased by General Banning, who removed the plant to Wilmington, where it was used for the publication of the Journal. In 1868 the Star was again established at Los Angeles, published and edited by Mr. H. Hamilton. From that time it suffered many changes of editors, management, and political affiliation, and probably no other journal in the county could show on its rolls so many names which were notable in the history of the county, .and not a few of them over wider territory. The Star ceased publication early in 1879.

The Southern Californian, published weekly, was founded by C. N. Richards & Co. The first number appeared July 20, 1854, William Butts, editor. After various changes, it was finally discontinued in 1857, and the following year its plant was used to publish the Southern Vine- yard.

El Clamor Publico, a Spanish publication, was established in 1855, by Francisco P. Rami- lez, making its first appearance on June 18 or 19, and continuing as a weekly until December 31, 1859, when for lack of support,it suspended. The materials of the office were transferred to the Los Angeles News.

The Southern Vineyard was established on March 20, 1858, as a four-page weekly, 22 x 30 inches in size. It was devoted to general news, and appeared every Saturday morning. In De- cember of this year it became a semi-weekly, 20 x 26 inches, issued Tuesday and Friday mornings. It continued under the management of its fonuder, Mr. J. J. Warner, until June 8, 1860, when the plant was transferred to the Los An- geles News.

The Christian Church, a monthly paper, devoted to religions subjects, made its appear- ance April 10, 1859. published by William Money. It was printed in Spanish and English, at the office of El Clamor. Receiving little support, it issued but a few numbers before it was discontinued.

The semi-weekly Southern News, independ-

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ent, issued every Wednesday and Friday, was established in 1860, by C. R. Conway and Alonzo Waite. The sheet was enlarged in six inonths and again in thirteen months. On October 8, 1862, the paper was styled the Los Angeles Semi- Weekly News, and so contin- ued until January 12, 1863. It was frequently enlarged and modified between this and the early part of 1873, when it finally suspended.

The Amigo del Pueblo, printed in the Spanish langnage, made its appearance November 15, 1861, published by José E. Gonzales & Co. It was a weekly, and in politics independent. In May, 1862, it announced its suspension for want of adequate support.

The Los Angeles Chronick, a German weekly journal, published by F. G. Walther, was first issned May 19, 1869. It continued until August, 1870, when it stopped publication for lack of support.

It may as well be here stated that while it appears that more newspaper ventures prove abortive than any other class of business under- takings. they are so conspicuous that they are more likely to be noted, and thus made to ap. pear more numerous when in reality they are not.

The Evening Republican was founded in June, 1876, by W. W. Creighton. It was continued with various modifications, until September, 1878, when the daily was discontinued for lack of support, the weekly continuing until January, 1879, when it also ceased publication.

The School-Master was established in 1876, edited by Dr. W. T. Lucky, at that time super- intendent of the city schools. It was the organ of the public schools of the county, and was a very valuable publication for those interested in educational matters. The death of Dr. Lucky cansed the paper to be discontinued after a few months.

The Southern California Horticulturist was first issned in September, 1877, by the Southern California Horticultural Society, L. M. Holt, editor. This was a monthly periodical in pam- phlet form, 6 x 9 inches, devoted to the interests

of horticulture and agriculture in Southern California. It was sent free to all members of the society and to others on subscription. After ,January, 1880, it was issued by another management, in enlarged tormn, as Semi-Tropic California and Southern California Horticult- urist, devoted to the same interests as formerly. Its contributors numbered several able writers. It was succeeded by the Rural Californian.

The Los Angeles Daily Commercial, estab- lished by W. H. Gould, was first issued March 6, 1879. It was Republican in politics, and it was devoted to the development and interests of the Pacific coast. D. M. Berry was its editor. Its publication was discontinued some years since.

The Daily and Weekly Journal was started in 1879 by J. C. Littlefield, the first issue being June 23. At the close of the political campaign, in September of that season, Mr. Littlefield with- drew, and the Journal was conducted until its publication ceased, by Mr. Hewitt, as editor and proprietor. It was Republican in politics.

The Weekly Rescue was an eight-page sheet, devoted to temperance, current literature and general news, being the official organ of the Grand Lodge of the Good Templars of the State, and published under the direction of its execu- tive committee. It was printed at different times in Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles. While it was issued here, Messrs. Yarnell & Caystile, then publishing the Mirror, printed it by contract for three years, beginning November 1, 1877.

The following are the periodicals published in this county in the year of 1889:

The Los Angeles Evening Express enjoys the distinction of seniority, and it is, with one exception, the oldest daily newspaper published in Southern California. It was founded and first published by an association of practical printers comprising Jesse Yarnell, George Yar- nell, George A. Tiffany, J. W. Painter and Miguel Verelo. The first number appeared March 27, 1871, and consisted of four pages, six columns to the page. In March, 1875, it

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

was purchased by James J. Ayers and Joseph D. Lynch, who enlarged and otherwise improved it. The following year Mr. Lynch retired from the Express, and Mr. Ayers continued in editor- ial charge and practical management of the paper until his appointment as State Printer by Gov- ernor Stoneman in 1882, when he removed to Sacramento. Mr. Lynch now resumed respons- ible charge of the Express, which he published in connection with the Herald, in the same building and on the same press, but with a sep- arate editorial and local staff. In 1884 this journal was sold to H. Z. Osborne and E. R. Cleveland, with whom, as editor and manager and city editor, respectively, it was first printed on August 18 of that year, and under whose administration it has ever since continued. In August, 1886, these gentlemen organized the Evening Express Company as a corporate body, to facilitate business, and transferred the news- paper property to that company. The paper has for some time enjoyed a steadily increasing prosperity, well known throughout Southern California, and it is one of the most influential of the State. It lias a splendid plant of modern presses and material, and a book and job printing establishment equal to any in the State ontside of San Francisco. The company has aleo acquired in perpetuity the exclusive fran- chise of the Associated Press, the greatest newsgathering association of the world, for all its despatches. The paper is now a handsome eight-page issue, with three daily editions.

The Los Angeles Herald, the oldest morning daily in Southern California, was founded by C. A. Storke, its first appearance being October 3, 1873. Some two years later it was sold to J. M. Bassett, and shortly afterward to Joseph D. Lynch, formerly editor of the San Diego World, who had been in the newspaper business from boyhood, and who had been attached to the staff of various leading eastern papers. He alone edited and owned the Herald until the fall of 1886, when he sold a half interest to Colonel James J. Ayers, who since " the days of '49" had been engaged in newspaper work in this

State, having been connected with several notable journalistic enterprises, and who was the founder of the Call in San Francisco. Thus this journal has proceeded with perhaps fewer changes than any other in Southern California. At all times it has been a clean, conservative newspaper, Democratic in the true Jeffersonian and Jacksonian sense. As a coll- servative advocate, the managers take great pride in building up what is good in the com- munity, and in consistently extending the faine of the merits of the section. The Herald is now an eight-page journal, ;containing all the important news, given in prompt and readable style.

On February 1, 1873, appeared the first number of the Weekly Mirror, a diminutive sheet of three columns to the page, 10 x 13 inches. It was published and distributed free every Saturday, by Yarnell & Caystyle, who embarked in journalism with $500 worth of second-hand job printing material, which they had purchased on credit, their primary purpose being to do job printing. The little paper flourished far more than other such enterprises of ambitious beginning. On March 1, 1873, the proprietors, having taken a new partner, announced in a double-leaded editorial that, having abandoned the idea of publishing the smallest paper in California, they would set no bounds to the Mirror's growth. During the year that followed, it underwent repeated enlarge- ments and changes of personnel, some of the original founders always continuing in the firm, however, and by 1882 it was the largest paper published up to that time in Southern California. Its fifth enlargement took place in July, 1882,- six months after the Daily Times was started,- when the Mirror was made a double sheet of eight large pages. After the Times was started in 1881, the Mirror became practically the weekly edition of that paper, but retaining its original name, as being the older journal. In . May, 1888, it was changed to its present shape, -twelve pages of six columns each. Unlike the Times, it is not a partisan paper, although

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

it aims to give all the current political news. The Mirror's specialty is the development and advancement of Los Angeles and Southern California.

On December 4, 1881, was started the Los Angeles Times, as a seven-columnu folio. The projectors were Cole & Gardiner. With the first issne retired Mr. Gardiner, and on January 1, 1882, Mr. Cole also, leaving the Times in the hands of the proprietors of the Mirror, Yarnell, Caystile & Mathes, who continued this publica- tion they had bought, as a Republican morning journal. It grew and waxed strong from the outset, as no other Republican paper liad been able to do in Los Angeles. After several en- largements, a share in the paper was bought by Colonel H. G. Otis, who became the editor of the Times and the Mirror. Various changes successively ensued, in the make-up of the paper and in its administration, until, in October, 1884, the Times-Mirror Company was incorporated with a capital stock of $40,000, which was in- creased to $60,000, two years later, for the pur- pose of erecting the Times building. In April, 1886, the Times-Mirror Company was reorgan- ized, Albert McFarland and William A. Spald- ing, both practical printers, coming into the con- cern, the former becoming vice-president, and the latter secretary of the company. Mr. Mc- Farlaud has sinee been succeeded by another partner, but the other members still continue the administration. The Times is a standard seven column quarto, 35 x 47 inches.

The first number of the Los Angeles Daily Tribune was published on Monday, October 4, 1886, by H. T. Payne and Edward Records as publishers and proprietors. It was then a seven- column, four-page paper. With the advent of the Tribune were introduced some features new to Los Angeles journalism, as the publication of a paper every day in the year, including Sundays and holidays. The new venture was well received, and enlargements and further im- provements speedily followed. Able talent was employed in each departinent of the paper, the aim being to make it a newsy sheet without

its becoming sensational. The policy of the Tribune is thus set forth in its own language: " Politically it is stalwartly Republican, and labors for the interests and principles of that party, irrespective of the feelings of any one inan or set of men. Locally it has given a faithful and pure reflection of the news of the day, without any sensational attempt to ridicule or blacken the character of even the most humble citizen. Edi- torially it has fairly, honestly and manfully dis- cussed the issues of the day without fear or favor, awarding to Cæsar that which is Cæsar's, * * * honestly laboring for the honest rights of the people, and the best interests of the city and the whole of Southern California. Its course has been honorable, open, and upright." Gen- eral H. H. Boyce is at present editor-in-chief and general manager of the Tribune, and Ed. Gill managing editor.

'The Süd California Post, the only daily Ger- inan newspaper published in California south of San Francisco, was established as a weekly in 1874, by Conrad Jacoby, its present editor and proprietor. The weekly enjoys a prosperous career, having a large circulation among the German population in Southern California. In 1887 the daily made its appearance, and has been published ever since, as an afternoon paper. It is a four-page, eight-column sheet, 26 x 40 inches. Its weekly edition is the same size, with a supplement added. The daily has a general circulation among the Germans, nearly 1,100, in Los Angeles, and its advertising col- unns are liberally patronized by the business men.

La Cronica, a Spanish newspaper, was founded in 1872, by M. S. Arevalo, a native of Mexico: B. F. Teodoli, a native of Rome, Italy, and B. F. Ramirez, a native of Los Angeles. Mr. Teodoli was a practical printer and a thorough business inan, clear-headed and energetic. Mr. Arevalo was a musician, and of the artistic temperament. Mr. Ramirez was a lawyer, and a gentleman of fine edneation, but timid and retiring in character, so much so that his per- sonal courage was not equal to the vigor of his

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Author: Lewis Publishing Company Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : The Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1038

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1038