USA > California > Napa County > Historical and descriptive sketch book of Napa, Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino : comprising sketches of their topography, productions, history, scenery, and peculiar attractions > Part 5
USA > California > Lake County > Historical and descriptive sketch book of Napa, Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino : comprising sketches of their topography, productions, history, scenery, and peculiar attractions > Part 5
USA > California > Sonoma County > Historical and descriptive sketch book of Napa, Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino : comprising sketches of their topography, productions, history, scenery, and peculiar attractions > Part 5
USA > California > Mendocino County > Historical and descriptive sketch book of Napa, Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino : comprising sketches of their topography, productions, history, scenery, and peculiar attractions > Part 5
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Looking at the facts thus far presented, it would seem that the County had made a very bad bargain. But in fact, the County has been evidently a great gainer. An impetus has been given to every branch of business, and both County and City have awaked as if from a long slumber. The value of land in the upper half of the County has been enhanced from 100 to 300 per cent., and this advance alone would repay the subsidy four-fold. The railroad, by giving us the means of rapid communication with San Francisco, and all parts of the State, and the East, has called attention to our town and valley, and caused a heavy immigration of the best class of citizens. If the railroad were to be removed, a million of dol- lars would not cover the loss. It is not here intended to defend or
57
PROGRESS OF THE CITY AND COUNTY.
apologize for the management, or heavy rates of fare and freight charged on this road, but merely to state the general proposition, that nothing yet has done so much to call forth the latent resources of the County, and increase her wealth and population, as the railroad. The upper portions of the valley have been specially benefitted. St. Helena and Calistoga have risen into thriving towns, and lands in their vicinity are dotted over with vineyards and villas, where nothing of the kind before existed. Within five years it will double the population and wealth of this county, and the market value of every acre.
The progress of the town has never been rapid until within the past two years. Still it has been constant and sure.
From 1854 to 1858 there was a period of stagnation all over the State, and Napa made comparatively small progress. There was lit- tle immigration. The Harry Meigs frauds were followed by heavy bank failures, and the organization of the Vigilance Committee in San Francisco produced many disastrous results in city and country alike. Still, more and more attention was given to agriculture. Some small exportations of wheat were made, and individuals here and there commenced the planting of vineyards. The discovery of the Frazer River Mines in 1858, for a while depleted the population of California, and rendered real estate almost unsaleable.
In 1862 the discovery of rich mines in Washoe, poured immense wealth into the State, and city and county received a fresh impulse. In spite of the war between the States, business and population in- creased, and Napa shared in the general advancement.
Instead of having no churches and no schools as in 1858, we have now seven churches, several of them fine edifices, a Collegiate Institute, a flourishing Ladies' Seminary, two public school houses and several private schools.
The " Town of Napa City " was incorporated and the provisions of a special Act of the Legislature, passed at the session of 1871-2, and the first officers were elected under its provisions on the 6th of May, 1872. John Even, J. A. Jackson, T. F. Raney, Henry Fow- ler and Louis Bruck constituted the first Board of Trustees. E. Biggs was elected Marshal, and C. E. Comstock Treasurer ; S. F. Smith Clerk of the Board.
58
NAPA COUNTY AS IT WAS AND IS.
The town had long needed a separate and independent organiza- tion for the protection of its citizens and for securing a better local government than could be well furnished by a Board of Supervi- sors. The municipal regulations established thus far appear to work advantageously and economically. No public debt has been thus far created, and it is safe to say that our citizens will never con- sent to the election of a Board of Trustees that will create any city indebtedness. The income of the corporation is small, and its ex- penses small in proportion, yet the beneficial efforts of a city organ- ization are already manifest on every hand.
A constant improvement in streets, sidewalks and buildings has gone forward with the increase of population and wealth. The principal streets, formerly almost bottomless in Winter, are filled with gravel or stone, and the buildings are generally of a better class than are commonly found in a place of the size of Napa City. Many of the private residences are elegant and substantial structures. The town is mostly built of wood, excepting its principal business houses, the grain warehouses, banks, and the Collegiate Institute. Thousands of shade trees and shrubs have been planted within a few vears, adding greatly to the beauty of the town, which now ranks as one of the most pleasant and prosperous in the State. In general, each citizen owns his own house and lot, and the evidences of good taste and thrift are seen on every hand.
The towns of St. Helena, Yountville and Calistoga have im- proved quite as rapidly as Napa City. St. Helena, in particular, has grown into a place of importance. It is one of the most beautiful villages in the State, and is the center of the vineyard district, which produces an immense amount of wine and brandy for exportation. All the quicksilver from the Redington, Manhattan, California, and Pope Valley Mines is transferred to the cars at St. Helena on its way to Napa City. From present indications it is probable that Yountville may eventually dispute the palm with her in the export of wines. Calistoga is also growing into a considerable inland busi- ness center, being the Northern terminus of the valley railroad, and a center of trade for the people of Lake County. Monticello, in It is improving Several stores, Berryessa Valley, is a new town, not five years old. year by year, and has now 300 or 400 inhabitants.
1
59
PROGRESS OF THE CITY AND COUNTY.
a fine hotel, and most kinds of mechanics' shops, accommodate the inhabitants of this great wheat region. Knoxville (now again a part of Napa County), has grown up since the discovery of the Redington Quicksilver Mines eleven years ago, into an important business place. Ten years ago its site was called the "Buck-Horn Ranch," with only a single house upon it.
The great outlines of valley and mountain remain as in early days, but the filling up of the picture is entirely different. Three c'egant and substantial stone bridges span Napa River and creek at the County Seat.
The roads are everywhere greatly improved throughout the coun- ty. The principal one-that from Napa City to Calistoga being heavily gravelled for eighteen miles to St. Helena. Beyond that point the soil is such as to require little more. This is also true of the valley road East of the river. Many more and important roads have been opened, and substantial bridges built wherever needed for public convenience.
We have now many beautiful drives, comparatively free from dust, most of the heavy teams having left the highways, and the freighting business having been transferred to the railroad. Popu- lation is increasing all along the line of the road, and new build- ings, many of them elegant mansions, are becoming numerous, where room existed before the advent of the iron horse. The great ranches of other days have been, and are being constantly subdivi- ded and cultivated. The result is better and more thorough culti- vation, increased production, the multiplication of schools and churches, and the general improvement of the county.
There are very few spots on the earth's surface more beautiful than Napa Valley, especially in Spring-time. The magnificent moun- tain scenery on both sides, the rich verdure of grain-fields, vineyards and orchards, the scattered oaks in foliage, and the cosy dwellings embossed in flowers and shrubbery, form a picture of surpassing loveliness, which thousands of travellers and tourists have already learned to appreciate. Every year increases their number, as the valley increases its attractions. If it is lovely now, with only twen- ty-two years of cultivation and improvement, what will it be twen- ty years hence, when taste and wealth shall have completed its adornment?
60
NAPA COUNTY AS IT WAS AND IS.
But it is not alone the beauty of this county that commends it. The soil and climate of Napa are almost unrivalled. We have nei- ther extreme heat, nor extreme cold. The land is remarkably fer- tile, even far up among the foot-hills. There has never been a fail- ure of crops since its settlement by Americans, an assertion that can be truly made by few other counties in the State.
The means of communication and transportation are ample from almost all parts of the county. The cross-roads of the main valley and those leading to the minor valleys all serve as feeders to the valley railroad. There are two daily lines up and down from Calis- toga, passing through St. Helena, Oakville, Yountville, and Napa City, to Vallejo, and connecting at that point with steamers for San Francisco, so that a resident of almost any part of the county can visit the Metropolis and return within twenty-four hours, while from most parts of the valley the same journey can be made in twelve hours. A tri-weekly steamer also runs between Napa City and San Francisco, and a large freighting business is done by means of . schooners.
There are six feet of water at Napa City at high tide, in the dryest season. Many vessels of one hundred tons are constantly employed in river transportation. Napa, is moreover, directly connected by rail, express and telegraph with all the lines in California and the At- lantic States. Thus connected with all points, and possessing within itself so many elements of attraction, it is evident that Napa must always be a favorite resort of tourists, and a section of the State to which immigrants from the East will be sure to turn their attention.
SCHOOLS.
The first school house in Napa County was built by Wm. H. Nash, near Tucker Creek, above St. Helena, in 1849. In it a pri- vate school was taught by Mrs. Forbes, whose husband perished with the Donner party in 1846.
61
PROGRESS OF THE CITY AND COUNTY.
In no respect has the county made greater progress than in the facilities provided for education. Down to 1854 there was not a public school in Napa County. Two or three private schools were opened previous to that time. In 1855 a public school house was erected by subscription in Napa City, which is still occupied as a school for colored pupils.
In 1857 there were only 911 children in the county (this includ- ing Lake) between the ages of four and eighteen years, and only thirteen teachers. In 1858 the official returns show that less than half the children between four and eighteen attended school. Labor was so dear that parents generally could not well afford to send their boys to school more than a short time during the Winter, and many did not care to send them at all. A large proportion of the popula- tion then consisted of hardy and worthy frontiersmen who had little appreciation of the value of book-learning, and who considered it more important to teach their sons how to ride a wild mustang and handle a rifle with skill, than to fathom the mysteries of grammar or arithmetic.
It is gratifying to note the great change in public sentiment which has since taken place with regard to the importance of education. Probably no county in the State of like population is now better sup- plied with facilities for education than Napa. Besides the Collegiate Institute and Ladies' Seminary at Napa City, both institutes of high merit, the county has now thirty-five public schools. Many of the school houses are neat and commodious edifices, such as would compare well with those of the Eastern States.
The present public school house in Napa City was erected in 1 868-9, upon a lot 240 feet square, at a cost of about $17,000, the cost being defrayed by a special tax upon the inhabitants of the Dis- trict. It is an elegant and commodious building, and accommodates 300 pupils. Very commodious and elegant school houses have also been erected at St. Helena, Calistoga, Yountville and Soscol, and many others of smaller dimensions at various points throughout the county.
By the Report of the Superintendent it appears that there were on the 30th day of January, 1872, 2,071 children in these districts be- tween the ages of five and fifteen, and 1,011 under the age of five
62
NAPA COUNTY AS IT WAS AND IS.
years. Of these, from five to fifteen, 1,011 were boys and 999 girls. Number attending public schools, 1,533 ; private schools, 100 ; attending no schools, 446. The total expenses of these schools for the year was $26, 136.50, of which $23,460 was for buildings and apparatus ; $23,092.51 for teachers' salaries ; $142.34 for libraries, and $2, 314. 35 for rents, repairs, and contingent expen- ses. Number of school houses of wood, thirty-six, of concrete, I. Male teachers, 21 ; females, 23 ; average wages of male teachers, $7.7.58 ; female, $67.10.
It is most gratifying to record such a progress in school matters. Few portions of the New England or Middle States are better sup- plied with the facilities for a good Common School education than Napa County. The schools are generally well attended, and are accomplishing much good for the great success of the rising gene- ration. Of course they can, here as elsewhere, only furnish the ru- diments of a thorough education, but even these are of incalculable value. For those who desire to study higher branches, the Colle- giate Institute and the Young Ladies' Seminary in our own county furnish ample facilities. In addition to these two excellent institu- tions, Prof. C. W. Blake has lately opened a high school for boys, at which a limited number can be accommodated, and instructions given in all the higher branches, including the Classics. Also, in connection with the Public School of St. Helena, one of the finest Public Schools of the county, there has for several years been a department especially designed for giving instruction in the higher
branches.
The State University and Normal
School also
furnish to the youth of California the means of persuing a course of study as thorough and comprehensive as in the best institutions of older States. For the present flourishing condition of our schools, the thanks of the public are due especially to Rev. Mr. Higbie, Rev. E. J. Gillespie, and the present Superintendent, Rev. G. W. Ford. They have done their utmost to secure the co-operation of our citizens in elevating the standard of instruction, in promoting the building of proper school edifices, the purchase of libraries, and in securing teachers of sound attainments and character. Excepting San Fran- cisco, there is probably no county in the State that has a more ef- ficient corps of teachers, or that can boast a higher standard among pupils.
63
HISTORICAL MISCELLANY.
CHAPTER V.
HISTORICAL MISCELLANY.
In the earlier records there appears considerable confusion ; ap- parently it took some time for the people to understand whether they were under Mexican or American rule. The first deed re- corded in this county is dated April 3d, 1850, from Nicholas Hi- guera "of the County of Napa and State of California ". to John C. Brown, and acknowledged before M. H. N. Kendig, Recorder. Many of the records are in the Spanish language.
The second is dated February 15th, 1850, from Nathan Coombs. and Isabella his wife, to Joseph Brackett and J. W. Brackett " of Napa Valley, District of Sonoma, in the Northern Department of California." The property conveyed was " Lot 3 in Block 5, Napa City," acknowledged before "R. L. Kilburn, Alcalde."
The next deed recorded is dated November 29th, 1848, from Nicholas Higuera to Joseph P. Thompson, acknowledged before " I .. W. Boggs, Alcalde of Sonoma."
64
NAPA COUNTY AS IT WAS AND IS.
Another early deed is dated October 1Sth, 1845, from George Roch to Jacob P. Leese, conveying the grant called "Guenoc." It is in the Spanish language and acknowledged before "José de la Rosa, Seventh Constitutional Alcalde of Sonoma."
As illustrative of the value of money at an early day we mention a mortgage dated October 20th, 1850, from José S. Berryessa to W. R. Basshaw, for $1,000 at 10 per cent. interest per month ! Strange to say, the money was paid within a few months.
So far as it is now possible to ascertain from the records of Napa County there must have been an election for county officers previ- ous to July, 1850. The date of the first entry in book "A." of the Records of the Court of Sessions bears date August 4th, 1851, but there is no record extant of such an election. The first pro- ceedings of the Court of Sessions are not recorded, but filed on separate sheets of paper. The earliest of these bears date July 30th, 1850.
John S. Stark was Judge, and M. D. Ritchie and S. H. Sellers were Associate Judges ; M. W. McKimmey, Sheriff, and G. N. Cornwell, Deputy ; H. H. Lawrence was Clerk, and P. D. Bailey, Deputy Clerk ; District Attorney, Bristol. Contract was let at the December Term for building a Court House 20x30 feet, "to be erected of good substantial materials, with a corridor the whole length six feet wide, covered overhead by an extension of the roof, the stairs to be in said corridor, outside ; the second story to be di- vided by a hall four feet wide running through the center, and into four rooms 13x10 feet each ; all rooms to be ceiled, both walls and overhead ; seven doors, fifteen windows, a plain desk and railing for the bar, and six benches eight feet long."
A right to establish a ferry across Napa River was granted to N. McKimmey. Following are the rates of ferriage :
Wagon and 4 animals, $3.50.
2.00. 1.00. יו 2 66 Carriage of every kind, . 3 2.50.
Each horse or mule attached to carriage, 50.
Horse or mule, and rider, 1.00.
without rider,
50.
Footman, 25.
Each head of cattle, 50.
SHARE-& BURR
R. T. MONTGOMERY.
HISTORICAL MISCELLANY.
65
Sheep and hogs per head, 20.
Money was plenty in 1850, but not more plenty than was neces- sary to pay such charges for crossing a small river, which every citi- zen can wade across at numerous points free of expense.
In the proceedings of the October Term, 1850, the name of C, Hartson first appears as District Attorney.
It used to cost something to take care of prisoners in those days. At the May Term, 1851, the following items were allowed :
To N. McKimmey for taking charge of prisoner,
N. McCauley, charged with the murder of Sellers,
a Justice of the Peace, .
$126,75.
To B. F. Weed for services as guard,
280, 00
E. H. Cage, .
121,00
1. R. McCombs, "
44,00
Charles Leach,
74,00
W. W. Stillwagon,
..
44,00
Wm. Streets,
26,00
H. H. Lawrence, room rent for prisoners,
62,50
James N. Edmondson, guard,
112,00
L. Miller, 66
36,00
James M. Watson,
1 12,00
Erastus Pond,
94,00
Jason Smith,
44,00
$1176.25
McCauley was tried and convicted at the March Term, (records of which are missing.) J. D. Bristol, District Attorney, was or- clered paid $120 for his services.
McCauley was confined in the upper story of the building on the southwest corner of Main and Second streets, the first story of which was occupied by Lawrence, Kendig & Kilburn, and subse- quently by Pauli & Schultze, Muller & Schultze, and by A. Y. Easterby & Co., as a store. Great efforts were made by his friends to obtain a reprieve from Governor McDougal, and were finally successful. On the day appointed for execution, one report states that Stephen Cooper, now of Colusa, arrived from Benicia with the reprieve, but was refused a passage across Napa River at the Ferry, and compelled by parties inimical to the prisoner to proceed up the river to the " Trancas," some three miles North of the town in or-
5
66
NAPA COUNTY AS IT WAS AND IS.
der to cross. While he was making this brief journey, the people took the law into their own hands, imprisoned the Sheriff and hanged the prisoner in the room where he was confined, in spite of the re- prieve, which they well knew was in the hands of Mr. Cooper.
At this distance of time we cannot give any details, except as they are given to us by the pioneers of those days. All accounts agree that McCauley was illegally hanged, but the circumstances are dif- ferently related. Mr. Wm. H. Nash, who was subsequently one of the Coroner's Jury in the case, slept on the night of the hanging in the building on Brown street, then occupied by Angus L. Boggs, as a store, and states that about two o'clock in the morning officers from Benicia came to the door and asked Mr. Boggs if he thought it would cause any public excitement if they attempted to serve the notice of reprieve upon the Sheriff. Mr. Boggs thought it would not. They returned at daylight and told Mr. Boggs that they had visited the building where McCauley was confined, before coming to his house, and that they had found a rope extending out of the door of the upper story and fastened to the railing of the outer stair. From this they were satisfied that the prisoner had been hanged before their arrival. Whoever his executioners were, they were never discovered. They first broke the padlock to his fetters and hanged him by one of the collar beams of the building. The evidence was that he was hanged by "persons unknown."
At the same term John B. Howell received a charter for a Toll Bridge across Napa River, (near Vernon Mills), for twelve years. Tariff of charges : 4 horse team, $1.00 ; 2 horse team, 75 cents ; 50 cents for horse and buggy ; 28 cents for horse and rider, and 124 cents for footmen.
County Order No. I was issued to the Assessor for $258, for his services.
At the June Term, Judges Johnson Horrell and M. D. Ritchie presiding, the first licenses were issued, as follows :
To Hart & McGarry to sell foreign and domestic goods one year, and to retail liquors six months. Joseph Mount to sell foreign and domestic goods one year, and liquors three months at "Our House." also to sell liquors at his public house. Also, licenses to
67
HISTORICAL MISCELLANY.
sell liquors granted to James G. Baxter, Stephen Broadhurst and L. Miller.
$150 allowed H. H. Lawrence for rent of room six months for offices of Recorder, Treasurer, and County Clerk.
At a special session held in July, 1851, the Court examined the new Court House.
Hon. E. W. Mckinstry was in IS51 a practising lawyer in this county.
At the August Term it appears that fifty cents on $100 was levied for general county purposes, and twenty-five cents on $1oo to pay for the Court House. Edward H. Cage and E. G. Phelps were allowed for guarding the body of Hamilton McCauley $64 each. Joel P. Walker $200 for services as Assessor, and J. D. Bristol $200 for services as District Attorney.
At the October Term Hon. Johnson Horrell was presiding Judge and Matthew D. Ritchie, associate. License to Soscol Ferry re- newed to M. G. Vallejo and M. Brookerman on payment of $200. Rates of ferriage : 4 horses and wagon, $1.50; two horses and wagon, $1 ; horse and buggy, 75 cents ; horse and rider, 50 cents ; footman, 25 cents.
At the April Term, 1852, Hon. Johnson Horrell presided, M. D. Ritchie and David H. Steele were associate Justices. N. McKimmey, Sheriff ; C. Hartson, District Attorney, and John H. Seawell, Clerk. Edward McGarry resigned the office of Treasurer, to which he had been elected at the general election on the 3d day of September, IS51. Of this election no record can be found. Joseph D. Bristol was appointed Treasurer, vice McGarry resigned.
E. A. d'Hemecourt was at this date County Surveyor. At the May Term, IS52, Jesse C. Penwell was appointed Assessor in place of Wm. H. Nash, resigned.
VALUE OF LANDS IN 1852.
At the July Term the Salvador Ranch assessed at $5, was raised to $10. L. W. Boggs, 600 acres, raised from $5 to $S. John Grigsby's land assessed at $6, was raised to $8 per acre. Lands of
68
NAPA COUNTY AS IT WAS AND IS.
J. S. Stark, Wm. H. Nash, M. D. Ritchie, R. L. Kilburn, F. E. Kellogg, Fowler & Hargrave, Henry Owsley, Enoch Cyrus, and J. York, raised from $3 to $5 per acre. Nicholas Higuera, 1, 200 acres at $4, raised to $7. Ingle & Cook, 2, 560 acres, raised from $1. 50 to $3. Cayetano Juarez, 8,000 acres, raised from $3 to $5. A. Pierpont & Baxter, 64 acres, raised from $1. 50 to $4. Peter D. Bailey, 370 acres, raised from $8 to $10. Sisto Berryessa, 26,640 acres, assessed at $1.50, raised to $3. James Capel, 444 acres, raised from $1 to $2. Estate of Pope, 8,880 acres, raised from $1. 50 to $3. A. A. Ritchie, 39, 960 acres, raised from 40 cents to 50 cents. Many other assessments on land were raised from 25 to 60 per cent.
These facts are given as illustrations of the prices of land in this county twenty years ago. Much of the land named will now com- mand from $70 to $100 per acre, and probably none of it could be purchased for less than $18, except such tracts as are situated in the mountains.
At the October Term, 1852, the County was divided into three Townships, Yount, Hot Springs, and Napa, as it is still divided.
At this Term W. W. Culver was one of the Associate Justices.
At a Special Term held October 20th, a contract for repairing the bridges was awarded to Paisley Thompson at $1, 190. The Court at this Term made choice by ballot of Wm. Culver and Geo. F. Fulsom as Associate Justices.
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