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 13

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 13
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 13
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 13
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 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).

The First United Presbyterian Church is situated at Nineteenth and G streets, Rev. R. G. Wallace being its pastor. The society or- ganized in 1888, with a membership of twenty, and worshiped in the court-house on D street for a short time. The building now used for worship was erected in 1889, but it is still in

HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

an unfinished condition, owing to the very large decrease in membership caused by the exodus from the city of a number of families of the church, the great depression in business and the consequent lack of employment being directly responsible for this.

The average attendance at the Sunday services is abont forty.

The Presbyterian Chinese Mission, organized in 1888, and located on Eighth street, between D and E, is connected with the First Presby- terian Church, and supported by it, and at present in charge of Mrs. Mckenzie.

There is an attendance at the present time of about twenty pupils.

The Presbyterian School for Chinese Chil- dren, organized in 1888, is located on Third street, between K and L, connected with the First Presbyterian Church, and supported by it, and now in charge of Miss Johnson.

There are abont fifteen pupils in the school in regular attendance at present.

In both of these Chinese institutions sessions are held during the day. In the Mission is conducted on Sunday evenings a gospel service, with a large number in attendance.

The National City Presbyterian Church was organized March 18, 1886, at National City. Pastor, Rev. Mr. Long. The church member- ship numbers forty, and there is an attendance of about 100.

The Pacific Beach Presbyterian Church is located at Pacific Beach, Rev. R. Dodd, pastor. The church was organized in 1888, and its meinbership at the present time numbers thirty.

The congregations on Sunday number about fitty.

El Cajon Presbyterian Church was organized in 1883, by Rev. Dr. Dodge, and is located in the valley of the Cajon-the only Protestant church in the valley. The society owns its fine edifice, which is free from debt. There is a membership of fifty, and an attendance of 100. There is no pastor here at present.

The Coronado Presbyterian Church was or- ganized March 18, 1888, at Coronado Beachı,

under the direction of Rev. H. L. Hoyt. At present there is no pastor.

Present membership, forty-five, with an at- tendance of sixty.

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized in 1897, Rev. L. Clay, pastor. Present attendance, fifty; membership, twenty.

The National City Baptist Mission is located at National City, with Rev. J. F. Childs in charge. It was organized in 1889, with a mem - bership of thirty. The present attendance does not exceed this number.

The Grand Avenne Baptist Church is located on Grand avenue, between Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth streets, and is a mission of the First Baptist Church.

It was organized in February, 1889, with a membership of thirty. Clifford Hubbell, super- intendent.

The congregation worshiped at first in a store-room on Olive avenue, and on the comple- tion of its own house of worship, in August, 1889, moved into its present quarters.

The present attendance is eighty. The super- intendent is W. R. Guy.

The Coronado Baptist Mission, located at Coronado Beach, has Rev. J. F. Childs for pas- tor. It was opened September, 1888, with a membership of twenty, being a mission of the First Baptist Church of San Diego. The con- gregation at present worship in a school-house. Present attendance, thirty-five.

The Old Town Baptist Mission is located in the Old Town of San Diego, and under the direction of Mrs. L. Crego. The mission was organized in 1888 with a membership of twenty- five, under the auspices of the First Baptist Church of San Diego, and in charge of H. S. Hanson.

The congregation worship in a chapel of their own, erected in 1888, and number about thirty - five. It is a fact of some importance that this is the only Protestant religious organization in the town, and the only one that was ever in ex- istence there.

The Chollas Valley Baptist Mission, located

HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

in Chollas valley, was organized November, 1887, as a mission of the First Baptist Church of San Diego, with a membership of twenty.

The present house of worship is a school- house, near the cemetery. Attendance at the Sunday services numbers thirty. C. B. Allen is the superintendent.

The Second Baptist (Colored), organized in 1888, has Rev. W. E. Sykes as pastor.

The present membership is fifty-five, with an attendance of about seventy-five.

The Central Christian Church is located on Thirteenth street, near F. The elder in charge is A. B. Markle. It was organized October, 1886, with a membership of thirty-five, under the eldership of G. R. Hand. The present edi- fice was erected in 1888; previous to that time meetings were held in the Louis Opera House. The present membership is 180, with an attend- ance of seventy-five to 150. The society con- trols property worth $5.000.

The Lutheran Church was organized in 1888, with a membership of thirty-two. Services are held in the old Methodist Church on Third street, under the direction of Rev. E. R. Wag- ner.

The society is a flourishing one, with a mem- bership of 125, and an attendance of about 100.

The Sunday-school connected with the church is an unusually large one, there being 166 scholars enrolled.

The Theosophical Society has three branches in the city, kuown as Point Loma Lodge, Gua- tama Branch and Upasana Branch.

The Point Loma Lodge is the pioneer branch and was established in 1887. Meetings are held at No. 643 Sixth street every Sunday af- ternoon and led by Thomas Docking, M. D., the president of the branch. The membership of this branch is five, and there is an attendance of twelve at the Sunday meetings.

The Guatama Branch is an offshoot of the Point Loma Lodge and composed mainly of its disaffected members. It was organized in 1889, with G. H. Stebbins as president. Meetings are hekl at Ash and Second streets every Sun-

day, being open to the public only on alternate Sundays. This branch has twelve members.

The Upasana Branch is the largest in the city, having a charter membership of nineteen. It was organized in 1890, with the aid of Bar- tram Keightly, private secretary to Madam Blavatsky. The meetings of this branch are held in the Winona House, and are always open to the public. Sidney Thomas is the president.

THE BENCIL AND BAR.

The organization of the bench of San Diego County took place September 2, 1850, when the First Judicial Court convened, the Hon. O. S. Witherby, Judge, presiding; Richard Rust, Clerk.

This court was in session, as also were the Court of Sessions and Probate Court, which convened October 14, 1850, until January 6, 1880, when the Superior Court was established; this court up to the present date has absorbed the work of the earlier courts and is able to ac- complish all the work.

In the early history of the courts Los An- geles and San Diego counties comprised the First Judicial District; San Bernardino County then being a part of Los Angeles County. The first judge also was appointed by the Legisla- ture and not elected by the people as is the present custom. Judge Witherby, the first presiding judge, las related some very interest- ing experiences of his early years on the bench; at that time, the only means of traveling long distances in this section was in the saddle. The judge was obliged to travel three times a year to Los Angeles to hold court, and the round trip occupied about seven days,-a very lonely jour- ney, the country being but sparsely settled, not more than half a dozen houses being seen during an entire day.

During this period there were about 150 voters in San Diego County; any man of the proper age was permitted to vote without re- gard to nationality. Judge Benjamin Hayes was the first judge elected by the people and lie

HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

immediately succeeded Judge Witherby, Jan- uary 20, 1853.

There seem to have been few aets of lawless- ness of especial interest to note during the early history of this court; but two criminal executions, sanctioned by the court, have oc- curred in the history of this county and district up to the present day. One was for murder; the other (in 1850) for stealing. In the latter case the criminal was tried under Judge John Hayes in 1850, in the Court of Sessions. The charge was that said criminal (an American) broke into a store and stole some property.

The law at that time providing that a man convicted of stealing should be hung, the court had no alternative in the matter and was obliged to pronounce the sentence of death.

Below are named the judges of all courts in this district, from the organization of the bench to the present day :

FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT.

JUDGE. APPOINTED.

O. S. Witherby September 7, 1850

Benjamin Hayes.

.January 20, 1853

Pablo de la Guerra

January 11, 1864

Murray Morrison

July 13, 1868

Horace C. Rolfe

April 8, 1872

W. T. McNealey . January 12, 1874

SUPERIOR COURT-January 6, 1880.

JUDGE. APPOINTED.

W. T. McNealey, holding over.

John D. Works October 4, 1886

Edwin Parker

. August 29, 1887

John R. Aitkin

December 19, 1888

George Puterbaugh

April 3, 1889

W. L. Pierce April 3, 1889

THE COURT OF SESSIONS AND PROBATE COURT.

JUDGE. APPOINTED.

John Hayes

. October 14, 1850

C. S. Couts, presiding . March 29, 1854

D. H. Rogers March 29, 1854

John Curry.

March 29, 1854

D. B. Kurtz, presiding November 19, 1854

JUDGE.

APPOINTED.

H. C. Ladd November 19, 1854

C. G. Saunders

November 19, 1854

W. H. Noyes, presiding . October 1, 1860

A. B. Smith .

October 1, 1860

D. H. Hollister, presiding

June 10, 1861

W. H. Noyes.

June 10, 1861

P. W. Huddleston

June 10, 1861

Julio O'Suna.

March 7, 1864

Thomas H. Bush

November 4, 1867

Moses A. Luce

Jannary 3, 1876,

to December 31, 1880, when the Superior Court was established; during the present year (1889), the new law giving to San Diego three Judges and three Superior Courts, has gone into effect.

MUNICIPAL OFFICERS AND CITY AND COUNTY SCHOOL

BOARDS.

CITY OFFICERS ---

Mayor

Douglas Gunn

City Attorney .

James P. Goodwin

City Clerk .

William M. Gassaway

City Anditor and Assessor

G. W. Jorres

Treasurer and Tax Collector J. M. Dodge

City Engineer

T. M. Shaw

Police Judge

M. S. Rawson

Health Officer

Dr. D. Gochenaner

Chief of Police

James Coyne

Sewer Inspector

I. T. Goldthwait

Street Superintendent

Amos Pettingill

Plumbing Inspector

J. H. Ponder

City Justice.

T. J. Hays

The Board of Aldermen comprises nine members, elected at large, and a " Board of Delegates," consisting of two elected from each of the nine wards.

The Board of Public Works is composed of four members.

The police commissioners are four in num- ber, besides the Mayor, president ex officio. There are three fire commissioners, and seven members of the City Board of Health.

The amount paid out monthly to maintain the city government is, in round figures, $5,000.

HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

COUNTY OFFICERS-

W. W. Bowers ...... Senator Fortieth District

Nestor A. Young. . Assemblyman "

W. D. Hamilton County Clerk

S. A. McDowell Sheriff

Ely Haight

Recorder and Auditor

S. Statler Treasurer

H. W. Weineke

Tax Collector

J. M. Asher Assessor

H. C. Sangrehr Surveyor

O. J. Wellsworth,

Constables

José Cota,

W. A. Sloan,

Justices of the Peace

T. J. Hays,

SUPERIOR COURT.

Department No. 1.

Jolın R. Aitken . Judge

J. W. Girvin . Clerk

F. K. Gallagher . Reporter

Department No. 2-

George Puterbaugh .Judge

S. C. Foltz Clerk

F. Meakin Reporter

Department No. 3.

W. L. Pierce Judge

J. McNulty . Clerk

W. W. Whitson Reporter

J. S. Callen Court Commissioner

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

J. S. Buck First District

J. H. Woolman Second District

Chester Gunn Third District

J. M. Woods

Fourth Dist., and Chairman

Fifth District

A. J. Stice

E. H. Miller, Deputy County Clerk and ex officio Clerk of Board.

SCHOOLS.

The present fine educational system in Cali- fornia grew from small beginnings. The chil- dren of Spanish blood came of ignorant parents, mostly low-caste soldiers, who themselves could neither read nor write. Officers taught their own children, and sometimes women would

gather their own and the little ones of their neighbors into a sort of dame's school, whichi not infrequently included an ambitions soldier. In 1793 a royal order commanded that a school be established in each pueblo, apparently for the instruction of the Indians. Governor Borica began to stir in the matter, and sought out available teachers. At San José a retired ser- geant, Manuel Vargas, had opened the first school in the public granary. With character- istic enterprise, the citizens of San Diego con- tributed $250 per year to induce him to transfer his enterprise thither, and by Septemn- ber, 1796, he was established there, having twenty-two pupils. The doctrina cristiana was ordered to be taught first, then reading and writing. The paper for copies was supplied by the officials, and when it had served that purpose it was collected for wrapping cartridges. Borica was an ardent patron of these early educational efforts.

Don Pio Pico remembers having been a pu- pil in a class taught in 1813 by one José An- tonio Carrillo, and having covered many sheets of paper with the name "Señor Don Felix María Callejas." Also there was a school in 1818. In 1829 there was a school, with eighteen pupils, taught for a time by Padre Menendez, who received from $15 to $20 per month from the municipal funds. During this decade, edu- cational matters were greatly fostered by Gov- ernor Sola, who contributed largely to their support from bis private purse.

In 1868 a public school was taught in the barracks. Shortly thereafter, the trustees of the school district acquired the land which is now ocenpied by the present school buildings. The people residing in the eastern part of the town organized a separate district, and built a school- house.

The first private school was the academy of Professor Oliver, established in 1869. In 1873 this gentleman sold the school building to Miss S. M. Gunn, who removed it to another site, improved it to such an extent that it was snb- stantially a new building, and in it established

HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

the San Diego Academy. Later, in 1873, Rev. D. F. McFarland opened a private seminary, which suspended in 1875; aud still later, in 1873, Mrs. O. W. Gates established the Point Loma Seminary.

San Diego is now behind none in educational facilities. The new charter assures to the eity a judicious and well managed school system, and a progressive board of education insures its carrying out. Some idea of the recent growth of the schools may be gained from the follow- ing figures: On September 18, 1888, there were 1,639 pupils and 37 teachers. On March 8, 1889, there were 1,847 pupils. During the month of December, 1889, there were enrolled 2,215 pupils, and a constant corps of 61 ex- perienced teachers. Handsome new school- houses have replaced the poor and inadequate buildings of a year ago, and others are projected. During the past year have been erected the Sherman Heights building, which cost $25,000, and the B street building, costing $26,750. They each contain four basement rooms, eight session-rooms, a large assembly-room, a princi- pal's office, closets, store-roonis, and laboratories. The halls are very large and airy, the ventilation perfect, and the architectural effeets very pleas- ing. Another building is to be erected shortly, of the same size as these, which will favorably bear comparison with other school edifices wherever. There are also two other large build- ings, the Russ and the Middletown school, of eight to ten session-rooms each; and there is the Coronado school with five rooms, the East with five, the Sherman with four, the North with two, and five suburban schools of one room each. The enrollment for December in all the schools was 2,215. The number of teachers employed is sixty-one, including a special teacher of music, and a special teacher of drawing. The High School, which is in the Russ building, has ninety-two pupils. The course covers sufficient ground to enable grad- nates to enter the State University without ex- amination. The curriculum includes Latin, French, and German. Such pupils as complete

only the common-school course are thoroughly grounded in the common-school branches of an English education, with an elementary knowl- edge of the modern sciences; and those in the eighth grade receive such a thorough drill in elementary book-keeping as fits them to take charge of the books of any common small business.

Rev. B. F. McDaniels, a member of the board of education, is an enthusiastic and energetie worker. He introduced into the schools this year a system of savings banks, which is a complete suc- cess. The children have deposited $1,376.14 in the savings bank in the four months since it was introduced into the schools. Besides saving so much money from useless and sometunes harmful expenditure, the children are acquiring habits of thoughtful economy and thrift, an appreciation of the value and the proper use of money, and some practical knowledge of the manner of transacting business in banks.

It is proposed also to give the pupils of the public schools of San Diego the benefit of manual training in connection with industrial drawing.

The total number of pupils enrolled is 3,282; the average daily attendance is 1,973.

In addition to the public schools, there are vari- ous private institutions of learning, as follows:

The Southwest Institute, established by Mrs. M. E. Pierce in 1886. This is a boarding and day school for girls and boys. Since 1889 it has been under the charge of Miss May and Miss Kinney. Some ninety pupils are in at- tendance.

The Academy of Our Lady of Peace. was established in 1882 by the Sisters of St. Joseph. It is under the management of the main con- vent at South St. Louis. This is a boarding and day school. There are some 225 pupils in attendance, under the immediate supervision of Mother Valeria, the Sister Superior.

Miss Phillips' School for Boys and Girls is an institution established in 1890, for the pri- mary and intermediate grades, admitting day pupils only.

HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

The San Diego Business College was organ- ized April 1, 1888, under the direction of Pro- fessor Phillips, as the business department of the University of Southern California, but it is now operated independently. At present there are twenty-five pupils in attendance.

The Indian Training School is located at Old Town. It is under the direction and manage- inent of Father Ubach, of the Roman Catholic Church of St. Joseph, at San Diego.

This school was established in 1866. It has at present in attendance some seventy-five pu- pils, mostly Indians.

There are in charge as teachers four Sisters of the Roman Catholic faith, and also a farmer and a mechanic, who give special instructions in their respective branches.

The Conservatory of Music was established in September, 1887, as a branch of the Uni- versity of Southern California. It is commonly known as the musical department of the College of Fine Arts, which is in course of construction on University Heights, San Diego, its comple- tion being retarded by the great financial de- pression existing at present. This institution is now conducted independently of the Uni- versity. Professor J. H. Hill is at its head at present, having under his charge ninety pupils pursuing the course of the different depart- ments. A number of prominent citizens, in- eluding Mrs. W. J. Hunsaker, Altamirano, M. Johnson and Mrs. H. L. Story, have offered valuable medals to the pupils most diligent and most successful in their studies, the awards to be made at the annual public concert (held in June) of the institution.

THE COUNTY SCHOOLS.

The number of school districts in San Diego County, ineluding the eity, is 110. There are 181 teachers, who hold the following grades of certificates: Grammar school course or high school, six; grammar grade, 103; primary grade, seventy-two. The amount paid during the last school year, ending June 30, 1889, to these teachers, was $109,190.73, an average of

$69.75, or to female teachers $68.40, per month. The expenditures for the year were as follows:

Teachers' salaries .$109,190.73

Contingent expenses. 38,536.53

School Libraries. 2,317.58

Apparatus

1,857.34

School sites, buildings and furniture 95,894.58

Total. $247,796.76

The total amount received from varions

sources was:

State School Fund. $ 75,563.28

County School Taxes 72,786.33

City and District Taxes 170,573.85

Tolal. $318,923.45

The total amount invested in school lots, houses, furniture, libraries, apparatus, etc., is $310,543, divided as follows:

School lots, houses and furniture $293,148

Libraries .. 11,021

School apparatus 6,374

Total .$310,543

To the above must be added the value of school-houses and furniture, added, or now under contract, sinee the close of the last school year, which increases the above total by $50,000, making the present valuation $360,543.

The average number of months that school was in session during the year in the various districts was eight and two-tenths; the total number of children enrolled was 6,987; the average number belonging to sehool, 4,586; and the average daily attendance 4,279, or ninety- three per cent., a very large percentage of at- tendance.

The total number of census children (chil- dren from five to seventeen years of age) in the 110 districts is 8,319, divided as follows: whites, 8,197; negroes, eighty-seven; Indians under white guardianship, thirty; native-born Mongolians, five. Of the 6,986 enrolled ehil- dren before mentioned, ninety-four were in the high school grade; five in the grammar school course; 875 in the grammar grade, and 6,012 in the primary grade.

The City Board of Education is composed of

HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

a president, the City Superintendent of Schools, and two members from each of the nine wards of the city.

The County 'Board of Education comprises the County Superintendent of Schools and four other members from various school districts. This board meets on the Thursday preceding the first Monday in January, April, July and October.

There are 110 school districts in the county. The number of teachers employed, including San Diego city, is about 200.

The County Superintendent of Schools is R. D. Butler, and the City Superintendent of San Diego is Eugene de Burn.

THE PRESS.

San Diego's first newspaper, the Herald, was established by J. Judson Ames, on May 29, 1851. It devoted much space to transconti- nental railway news, and the meetings held to raise subsidies to bring a Southern railroad to San Diego, as elsewhere stated in the annals of this decade. State division was also canvassed at this early day, and became somewhat of a hobby with the Herald. This was a Demo- cratic organ, ardently espousing the interests of Governor Bigler. During the absence of Ames on political business in San Francisco, the Her- ald was edited by Lieutenant J. H. Derby, of the United States Topographical Engineers, who promptly changed its politics, nailing the Whig standard to the mast-head, and support- ing the ticket with great zeal and enthusiasmn. The wit of Derby, or, as lie was known in print, " Phoenix," was something phenomenal; and the columns of that remote provincial journal, while under his administration, sparkled with a brilliancy not common in metropolitan issues. In 1859 the Herald suspended. For nine years (1859 to 1868) San Diego had no newspaper.

On October 10, 1868, the San Diego Union was founded by Gatewood & Briseño. It was issued as a weekly until March 20, 1871, and thereafter as a weekly and daily. In 1869 Taggart & Bushyhead were the publishers; in

1870 and 1871 they were Dodge & Bushyhead; from July, 1871, to June, 1873, Bushyhead & Gunn; thereafter Douglas Gunn was the pub- lisher until the plant was sold in 1886 to the Union Company. For sixteen years (1870 to 1886) Hon. Douglas Gunn, now (1889) Mayor of San Diego, was the Union's editor, and his ability brought it up to a high degree of excel- lenee and prominence. It is now issued as a daily and weekly.

In May, 1870, W. H. Gould established the Bulletin, which was published as a weekly until May, 1871, and then, until June, 1872, as a daily and weekly.

The World was established June, 1872, by W. J. Gatewood, and continned about two years as a daily and weekly.

From 1875 until 1877 the News was pub- lished by J. M. Julian & Co.

Mrs. C. P. Taggart established the Sun, and sold it after a time to the Sun Publishing Com- pany, which comprised a number of the leading citizens of San Diego. In 1886 it was pur- chased by Warren Wilson, who with great sue- eess continued it until he sold it in February, 1889, to the present Sun Publishing Company, in which Walter G. Smith and W. E. Simpson are the principal stockholders, who issue it as a daily and weekly.

In May, 1885, D. P. St. Clair started the San Diego Californian, which encountered many vicissitudes during its career of some two months.

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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