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 14
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 14
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 14
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 14
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139
J. M. Julian, Ed. J. Bacon and Julian Regan established, in 1885, the Democratic San Die- gan, which was sold in February, 1889, to Sul- livan & Waite, the present publishers, who issne it daily and weekly.
A few years since, Clara S. Foltz, in conjunc- tion with Messrs. Cothran and Benjamin, estab- lished the Bee, which. after one or two changes, became absorbed by the Union Company.
The Bennett Brothers, in 1887, established the News, which they issued as a daily for six months, and then removed it to Ensenada, Lower California. During the " boom " period
86
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.
a number of other publications sprang into ephemeral existence, only to expire again very shortly. The Coronado Argus, the Sunday Telegram, the Sunday News, and the Pacific Beach, are among these ill-fated children of the press.
Besides the journals already mentioned as surviving, San Diego city has at the present time (December, 1889) the following: County Reporter, weekly; Neuigkeiten, weekly; Ar- gosy, weekly; Enterprise, weekly; Sued-Cali- fornia Deutsche-Zeitung, weekly; Informant, weekly; Great Southwest, monthly; Young Men's Journal, monthly; West American Sci- entist, monthly; and Golden Era Magazine, the oldest illustrated magazine on the Pacific coast, established thirty-seven years ago.
In the interior the following are the points which support local newspapers, the names of which, together with those of their editors, are appended: San Jacinto, The Register, Arthur G. Munn; Escondido, The Times, James Trownsell; Oceanside, The Herald, J. M. Mar- tin; Del Mar, The Coast Vidette, Sam. F. Da- vis; Julian, The Sentinel, J. A. Jasper; Otay, The Press, A. J. Jenkins; Perris, The Valley Union, H. McPhee, National City.
FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS.
The Masonic order is the oldest in date of the fraternal organizations of San Diego. The senior lodge, San Diego Lodge, No. 35, was granted its charter May 6, 1853. The first offi- cers were: James W. Robinson, Master; Philip Crosthwaite, S. W., and William H. Moon, J. W. This lodge met in Old Town until 1877, when it removed to its present lodge rooms.
San Diego Lodge, No. 153, of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized March 23, 1869. Its first officers were: John R. Porter, N. G .; Alex. M. Young, V. G .; F. Marlette, R. S., and S. Cnlverwell, T.
Monument Lodge of Good Templars was in- stituted April 2, 1869. A list of its first ofli- cers is not obtainable.
The following is a list of the secret orders or
fraternal societies at present existing in San Diego:
A. O. F. Court of San Diego, No. 7,592, or- ganized January 1, 1870. Has ninety- five mem- bers. A. O. F., Court of San Diego, No. 1,799, organized 1889. Has fifty-four members.
A. O. U. W., Point Loma Lodge, No. 248, organized June, 1887, membership, 100; San Diego Lodge, No. 160, organized January 30, 1880, membership, 85; Loyal Knights, Cuya- maca Legion, No. 20, organized June, 1889, membership, thirty; A. & A. S. R., Constans Lodge of Perfection, No. 15, organized May 13, 1887, membership, 22; Caledonian Society, organized 1889, membership, eighty-four; F. & A. M., San Diego Chapter, No. 61, R. A. M .; San Diego Commandery, No, 25, K. T .; South- ern Star Chapter & Order of the Eastern Star, No. 96, organized 1889, membership, eighty; G. A. R., Heintzelman Post, No. 33, organized 1881, membership, 325; I. O. O. F., Coronado Lodge, No. 328, organized December 1, 1886, nem bership, 105; Canton Lodge, San Diego, No. 22, membership, thirty-two; Centennial En- campment, No. 58, membership, 110; General Relief Committee; Silver Gate Rebecca Degree Lodge, No. 141, organized 1889, membership, fifty; Knights of the Golden Eagle, San Diego Castle, No. 2, organized August 22, 1887, and reorganized February 6, 1889, membership, fifty-two; Knights of Pythias, Red Star Lodge, No. 153, organized September 28, 1887; San Diego Lodge, No. 28, organized 1872, member- ship, 125; Native Sons of the Golden West, San Diego Parlor, No. 108, organized June, 1887, membership, eighty-four; O. C. F., San Diego Council, No. 92, organized 1881, membership, forty ; Concordia Turnverein, formed February 1, 1890, by an amalgamation of the San Diego and the Phoenix Turnvereins, membership, 100; Sons of Veterans, U. S. Camp, No. 21, organized September, 1889, membership, twenty-eight; Royal Arcanum, San Diego Council, No. 1,214, organized December 5, 1889, membership, thirty-three; I. O. B. B., Lasker Lodge, No. 370, organized 1886, membership, thirty.
87
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.
None of the organizations heretofore enu- merated own the buildings wherein they hold their various meetings. The edifice known as "Odd Fellows' Hall," and also as " Masonic Hall," is owned by a stock company composed of repre- sentatives from these two societies, associated with another party; thus, while the building is devoted to the purposes of these fraternities, it is not controlled by either one exclusively. I is a three-story edifice, substantial and with good appointments.
There are, moreover, the following organ- izations: Sons of Temperance, Golden Gate Division, No. 50, organized November, 1889, membership, twenty-one; San Diego Typo- graphical Union, No. 221, membership, sixty ; United Endowment Associates, organized Octo- ber, 1889, membership, thirty-two.
Furthermore, there are various societies of a miscellaneous character, with interests scientific, philanthropic, social, and athletic, including: San Diego Society of Natural History, organ- ized November 2, 1874, membership, thirty-six; Society for the Improvement and Beantifying of San Diego; San Diego County Medical So- ciety, organized December, 1886, membership, forty-two; President, Dr. T. L. Magee; Vice- President, Dr. F. R. Burnham; Secretary and Treasurer, Dr. Edwin Carson; the Cnyamaca Club, membership, ninety one; the Mizpah Club, organized July, 1888, membership, sixty; Excelsior Rowing & Swimming Club, organized June, 1888, membership, seventy; Silver Gate Athletic Club, organized September, 1889, membership, 100; Seventh Ward Lyceum, or- ganized September, 1889, membership, 100; Women's Industrial Exchange, organized in 1887, for the aid and the general benefit of women; the Young Men's Christian Associ- ation, organized April 27, 1882, reorganized September 29, 1884; Women's Christian Tem- perance Union, organized 1881 for the county, whose membership is forty; for city, organized 1883, incorporated 1890, having a membership of forty-seven; Young Women's Christian Tem- perance Union, organized in 1890, as an aux-
iliary of the San Diego Union; Women's "Central" Christian Temperance Union, organ- ized April, 1887, membership, thirty.
The City Guard Band was organized on January 7, 1885, and their first public engage- ment was during the great local exhibit of agricultural products at Armory Hall in the same year, shortly after the completion of the California Southern Railway. At that time the leader was C. A. Burgess, who was succeeded in the following year by C. M. Walker. In the month of August, 1887, the late R. J. Pennell and J. M. Dodge conceived the idea of sending the band East for the purpose of advertising the city and county. Within three weeks no less a sum than $8,000 had been subscribed, and the band, numbering twenty-one pieces, started out. They were absent forty-two days, and journeyed to Boston and back, and spent eight days at the G. A. R. Encampment at St. Louis, where they were given the place of honor at the head of the procession, in which nearly fifty bands, from all parts of the Union, partici- pated. Before returning they visited every im- portant city in the States, and did much good work. They carried with them a banner bear- ing the legend, "San Diego, California," besides considerable literature of value for general dis- tribution. The band is in a better condition now than ever before. It has magnificent quar- ters, a library valued at over $4,000, and owes nothing.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
San Diego can boast of one of the most efficient brigades on the coast. It was organ- ized by the Board of Fire Commissioners created by the charter. This board is composed of J. P. Burt, president; J. K. Hamilton and E. F. Rock- fellow, the last named being the long term mem- ber. Henry Bradt is the secretary. The board elected A. B. Cairnes as chief on the 5th of June last, since which date, under his efficient supervision, the department has been made what it is. The total strength of the department is forty-two, in addition to which there is still a volunteer company doing duty in the Land and
88
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.
Town Company's addition. The force consists of one chief, two engineers, five foreinen, six drivers and twenty-eight firemen. There are two steam fire engines, two hose carriages, one hose wagon and two hook and ladder wagons. There are eleven horses, all in the best condi- tion, and a credit to those who have them in their care. There is a good electric aların sys- ten, by whichi the various companies are noti- fied simultaneously in case of fire.
Since the reorganization of the department in June last, there have been eight fires, resulting in a loss to property of $3,200, the loss in every instance being fully covered by insurance.
BANKS.
The Consolidated National is the successor of the Bank of San Diego (the first in the county, established in 1870) and the Commercial Bank. The union of the two banks in the present establishment took place in 1879, the president then being O. S. Witherby, and the manager Bryant Howard. Its stockholders represent over $7,000,000 worth of property. Its present presi- dent is Bryant Howard, and the vice-president and acting cashier, J. H. Barbour.
The doors of the California National were opened for business January 9, 1888. On De- cember 31, 1889, this bank had a paid up capi- tal of $250,000; undivided profits of $60,000 cash; sight exchange of $350,000, and a line of deposits of almost $900,000. The officers are: William Collier, president; D. D. Dare, vice- president; J. W. Collins, cashier.
In the same building and under the same management is the California Mortgage, Loan and Trust Company, with a paid up capital of $125,000.
The Savings Bank of San Diego County oc- cupies the same rooms as the Consolidated National Bank, and was the first savings bank established in the county. It has been very successful, having paid its depositors larger dividends than any other savings bank in the State. As the State law holds the stockholders
liable for deposits in proportion to the demands of their capital stock, without limit, and as the stockholders of this bank are nearly the same as those of the Consolidated National Bank, this is among the strongest and safest institutions in California.
The first National Bank opened in 1884, with a capital of $50,000. Its paid up capital is now over $300,000 in gold coin, being the greatest of any bank in the county. It has paid liberal dividends, and has a surplus of $700,000. Its present officers are: J. Gruendike, presi- dent; R. A. Thomas, vice-president; Jerry Toles, cashier.
TRAFFIC.
The traffic to and from San Diego is carried by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fé system, the San Diego, Cuyamaca & Eastern road, the Pacific Coast Steamship Company, the Spreckels line of clipper ships, the pioneer line from New York, and the Mexican, International, Pacific and Gulf of California steamship lines. All these companies report a good business, with prospects of a very prosperous year for 1890. Other railroad and steamship lines are ex- pected to reach San Diego in the near future, which will be an important feature in her growth.
The year just closed has been a successful one to the California Southern (of the Santa Fé system). The following record of freight ship- ments shows a fair increase for the year:
FREIGHT RECEIVED AT SAN DIEGO.
MONTH.
POUNDS.
REVENUE.
January.
8,253,996.
. $53,069.50
February
.5,770,778
24,816.09
March.
.3,473,207.
22,434.14
April.
5,336,404.
18,270.48
May
.4,641,080.
19,852.53
June
.6,388,213.
26,203.03
July.
.9,849,970.
36,365.24
August.
.8,032,209.
31,944.70
September.
.8,698,779.
29,045.88
October
.8,607,313
25,515.58
November
.7,745,160.
24,858.06
December.
4,482,397
22,377.88
Total
81,296,414
$338,802.19
89
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.
FREIGHT FORWARDED FROM SAN DIEGO.
MONTH.
POUNDS.
REVENUE.
January
9,355,600
$18,763.06
February.
7,842,950.
14,346.23
Marcb
9,023,750.
17,449.35
April.
9,695,370.
59,490 03
May.
11,689,150.
20,359.85
June.
9,041,360.
16,285.11
July
9,952,660.
14,919.90
August.
10,560,770.
17,178.18
September
7,326,960.
16,701.25
October
16,172,270.
35,730.25
November.
8,449,930.
21,585.79
December
4,566,250
50,794.10
Total.
113,694,980
$223,402.48
The two tables show a very good percentage in favor of San Diego. During the year 81,000,- 000 ponnds of freight were received, and 113,- 000,000 pounds were shipped. There were 32,000,000 pounds more shipped than received. The bulk of the shipment ont has been coal, lumber and general merchandise to Los Angeles and surrounding towns, while the shipments in are largely from the East, so that the revenue derived by the railway is larger from the long haul than from the short haul out.
Owing to discriminating rates against San Diego by the Santa Fé many thousand bushels of wheat and barley fromn San Jacinto and other rich sections of the county naturally tributary to San Diego have been shipped to San Fran- cisco via Los Angeles. The matter of discrim- inating rates has been investigated by the Chamber of Commerce, and the Santa Fé people have pledged themselves to give San Diego an equal show with Los Angeles. This means that San Diego will get the business, for lower rates prevail from San Diego by ocean than from Los Angeles, which must also include a rail ship- ment of nearly thirty miles before reaching the ocean.
The passenger business of the year is repre- sented by the ticket sales which have amounted to $200,000 during the year. The number of pieces of baggage received during the year was 16,130. The number of pieces forwarded was 15,849, showing nearly 1000 more pieces re- ceived than forwarded. 6
During the past year but two steamer lines entered the port. The year has seen one other begun, and the plans laid for still others.
From the Pacific Coast Steamship Company plying between San Francisco and San Diego and intermediate ports, the following report is received regarding its use of the harbor:
MONTH.
TONS OF FREIGHT
RECEIVED.
TONS OF
FREIGHT
SHIPPED.
NUMBER OF
PASSENGERS
ARRIVED.
NUMBER OF
PASSENGERS
DEPARTED.
January.
3057
390
343
46 3
February
4019
483
344
545
March.
2381
454
568
601
April.
1721
585
314
695
May.
2145
623
318
607
Juue
1552
420
353
603
July.
2054
720
362
508
August
2930
663
512
631
September
2321
1146
475
594
October
1858
941
349
383
November
1995
977
333
563
December
1939
842
351
382
Total.
| 26,024
8454
4621
6612
During part of the year steamers of the line arrived every three days, and part of the time every four days. The steamers have been changed several times, and at present the two vessels on the line are the Corona and Mexico. The latter has, however, made her last trip, and the Santa Rosa, a much larger and speedier boat, takes her place on the next trip.
During the year 1888 the number of tons of freight received was 50,145; shipped 2,792; passengers arrived 10,849; passengers departed 17,058. The same year three boats were run- ning part of the time, and there was a heavy tourist travel.
The Pioneer Line .- Henry L. Davis, repre- senting several New York shipping firms, has gone to the great metropolis of America to start the first ship of the Pioneer Line to San Diego. The object in establishing this line is to do a general freighting business between New York and Southern California, San Diego being the landing point for the vessels on the line. Mr. Davis has built a large warehouse here, and states that New York merchants are beginning to take a special interest in San Diego, as it will
90
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.
be the nearest western harbor to the western ontlet of the Nicaragua canal.
The Spreckels Line .- J. D. Spreckels has also put on a line of ships from New York to San Di- ego and controls more ships than any other man whose wares cross the Pacific. The freight rate for goods shipped by vessel fromn New York to San Diego is only about one-half that of goods shipped by rail, and hence these new lines will be largely patronized. Mr. Spreckels is one of America's shrewdest shippers, and now has ten or fifteen ships en route from the various parts of the world to San Diego.
The Mexican International Line .- The full name of the above company is the Mexico, In- ternational, Pacific and Gulf of California Steamship Line. Two steamers are owned by this company-the Manuel Dublan and Carlos Pacheco. The former, which is much the larger of the two, makes three trips a week to Ensen- ada with passengers and freight, and two trips a month to San Quentin. The Carlos Pacheco alone was used until about three months ago, when the business increased so rapidly that the Manuel Dublan was put on in her stead.
Importation and Exportation Line .- The Southern California Importation and Exporta- tion Company was recently formed here by W. De Silva and Ohlineyer Brothers & Company. These people have seen the advantages of run- ning a line of steamers from this port to - Mexi- can and Gulf of California ports, and propose to occupy the field. Their San Diego office is in the Louis block, and as soon as the steamer which they have purchased in London, and which is now coming around the Horn, arrives, she will be put into service. The steamer is about the size of the Corona. If her operation proves a success, and there is no reason to be- lieve she will not, other steamers will be put on the line with her.
The Opposition Line .- Within the past two months another San Francisco line has begun running a steamer into this port, making the trip about every ten days. The steamer Santa Maria is the only one of the line thus far put
on, but it is the intention to increase the service should the business warrant.
THE CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
The San Diego Benevolent Institution, to re- lieve the deserving poor, was organized some years since. Its income is from voluntary con- tributions and from an allowance of $100 monthly from the county funds.
The San Diego County Hospital and Poor Farm, established July 1, 1872, had received up to July, 1889, 1,237 patients. Its capacity is some sixty patients.
The Catholic Ladies' Aid Society, organized April, 1888, is a well equipped and organized body for the succor of the poor of all creeds and nations.
The Brewster Sanitarium is not yet running, though the property for its establishment, val- ued at $25,000, in Paradise Valley, has been deeded for the purpose by Mrs. Elizabetlı A. Brewster.
The Free Dispensary, founded by Dr. G. H. Schmitt, early in 1888, treated, during the year 1889, cases to the number of 1,910. In con- nection with it, is established a system of med- ical insurance against illness and accident.
The Hospital of the Good Samaritan, under the management of a number of the leading ladies of San Diego, receives as patients gratis those unable to pay for attendance, as well as paying patients. This hospital was incorporated November, 1877.
PENAL INSTITUTIONS.
The County Jail, situated in the basement of the court-house was built in 1872, and has ac- commodation for ninety male .and ten female prisoners. It is under the immediate charge of the sheriff and his deputy.
The City Prison is situated at the corner of India and F streets and is in charge of the chief of police. There are accommodations for fifty prisoners.
STREET CARS.
The San Diego Street Car Company closed the books of 1889 with ten miles of street car
91
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.
lines in operation, and eleven miles of motor lines. They have thirty-three cars, 150 horses, and give employment to sixty men. During the year they carried 1,587,807 passengers, a notable increase over the preceding twelve months.
The San Diego Cable Road Company was in- corporated in Angust, 1889, with a capital re- source of $500,000, represented by some of the wealthiest citizens of San Diego. In June, 1890, they have built four miles of track, on which twelve cars are in operation, with an in- creased number available at need.
MILITARÝ.
During the earlier years of existence, San Diego had no larger regular military force than others of the establishments, and it only became a regular presidio under a new reglamento in 1774.
.During the decade 1791-1800 there was maintained in California a military force of 280 men of the presidial companies, a governor and a surgeon; and, after 1796, ninety Catalan vol- unteers and artillerymen. Of officers, twelve were commissioned, thirty-five non-cominis- sioned; there were 260 privates, sixty pension- ers and four or five mechanics. The term of enlistment was for ten years, or eighteen years' service for retirement as invalids on half-pay. Recruits were so scarce that often pensioners were long retained in the service. The annual salaries ranged from $96, paid an invalid soldier, to $840, paid the Captain of Catalan volunteers, and $4,000 to the Governor, who was Lienten- ant-Colonel. Military discipline appears to have been very slack, and various nn-soldierly duties were imposed upon the men. No flags were possessed here until 1795, when one for each garrison was sent from Mexico. In 1797 arms and ammunition were distributed among the settlers, whom it was attempted to organize as militia, in view of apprehended foreign attack.
Down to 1819, the San Diego force was 100 men, including two officers, sixty-nine soldiers of the presidial company, twenty-three invalids,
fonr artilerymen and two mechanics. Of these some fifty-five were in San Diego presidio. When Portilla came with his Mazatlan company, fifty- five of them remained at San Diego; it must be remembered that this presidio still held military jurisdiction over San Gabriel. No soldier or officers received any pay during that decade.
By the decade 1831-1840, the garrison of San Diego was scarcely more than farcical, the forces had long been unpaid, and from 1837 the presidio was abandoned.
On his visit to San Diego in Jannary, 1842, Duflot de Mofras found a few soldiers and one officer at the pueblo, and a few cannon half- buried among the ruins and in the sand at the old presidio. These, together with the poten- tial balls to be found at the old fort, the prefect instructed José A. Estudillo to bring away, in October of that year; this removal was rendered unnecessary when, in the next month, Captain Phelps of the Alert, in connection with the Jones affair, spiked the guns and threw into the bay the rest of the small furniture. This prac- tically ended the old presidio existence, the last trace of which is found in a report made that inonth by the Alferez Salazar, that he had a total force of fourteen men, with neither guns nor ammunition.
The year 1846 witnessed the establishment of a military post at San Diego, the troops being quartered at the old mission until 1856. The post was commanded during various periods by Heintzelmau, Magruder, Burton, Winder and Fauntleroy. Captain Winder, who resigned from the army a few years since, and who is now a well-known citizen of San Diego, arrived at the post in 1854, with two companies of the Third Artillery. His company was assigned to escort the first survey for the Pacific Railroad under Lientenant Parke of the Topographical Engineers; this expedition set out March 26, 1855. It was under directions to explore the outlet of the Mojave river, and did discover the point of its disappearance at Soda Lake.
While Colonel Magruder was in command at the Mission, in 1854, a military exeention took
92
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.
place there, under sentence of a court martial, for the murder on the desert of Colonel Craig. A large concourse of spectators gathered at the post to witness their execution.
The barracks at New Town were built in 1851, but the building was not occupied by troops until the arrival of the volunteers in 1862, it having been originally designed for a military storehouse and depot. Major Mckinstry was in charge of the depot as Chief Quartermaster, and large trains were despatched thence with supplies for the troops at Yuma and other western points.
The Government maintained a military post at San Diego until 1867, although on the ont- break of the civil war, the regular troops were transported by steamer to the East, to partici- pate in operations there, while their place at San Diego was supplied by volunteer forces, Prior to this time the water supply for the bar- racks had been conveyed down thither from the Mission valley, but Captain A. S. Grant, who arrived with the volunteers, made the notable discovery that good water could be had by sink- ing a well, and the first one at the post was sunk by him, in what is now known as Sher- inan's addition.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.