USA > California > Glenn County > History of Colusa and Glenn counties, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the counties who have been identified with their growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 24
USA > California > Colusa County > History of Colusa and Glenn counties, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the counties who have been identified with their growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 24
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CHAPTER VIII THE YEARS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING COUNTY DIVISION
Factions Created by County Division
One of the most unfortunate results of the long struggle for county division was the internal strife and dissension created within the confines of the new county. The inhabitants of the extreme northern portion of the county, although the first to broach connty division, were not in favor of it as enacted by the Divisionists centered around Willows. They were in favor of a plan whereby Orland would become the county seat; and one of the most prominent residents of that vicinity brought suit to test the validity of the act creating the new county. The snit dragged through the courts until 1894, when the Supreme Court handed down a decision in favor of Glenn County. Upon the receipt of this decision, I. V. Devenpeck, A. A. Nordyke, S. P. Sherfey, T. H. Newsom and A. W. Sehorn were released from a bond which they had signed guaranteeing the expense of this snit, and were also tendered a vote of thanks by the board of supervisors for such a substantial evidence of their confidence in and fealty to Glenn County in its hour of need.
The Panic of 1893
The period immediately following the formation of the connty was one of national financial depression known as the Panic of 1893. Although crop conditions were about normal, Glenn County suffered acutely during this period of stringency, because the prices of her principal staples, wheat and wool, touched bottom at this time. The Willows Daily Journal of that year contains the following illuminating item: "U. S. Nye, a prominent sheep man of the county, is busily engaged in two occupations these days, superintending the shearing of his sheep and figuring out whether the clip will pay the cost of the shearing and the sacks." The low prices of staple commodities made it impossible for the farmers to pay interest on borrowed capital. Banks were forced to call the loans of many of the larger farmers, who were unable to raise the money; and foreclosures were common. More peti- tions in bankruptcy were filed in 1893 and 1894 than in any other two years of the county's history. Work on the irrigation project was stopped by litigation during this period also; and the pros- perity so hopefully prophesied by the proponents of the new county was several years late in arriving.
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The transaction of the county business in Willows, and the building of much-needed roads and bridges, alleviated conditions a little by keeping in circulation the money collected as taxes.
Construction of County Roads, Bridges and Buildings
The first year after the organization of the county, the tax- payers of the county began to realize what advantages a new county held for them in the way of improved roads and bridges. The policy of the first board of supervisors and its chairman, Mr. H. C. Hulett, was to build the best possible public roads and bridges consistent with good business management. This policy has been consistently followed by successive boards of super .. visors, until today Glenn County is known throughout the state for its good roads and its fine bridges. The county has erected a steel bridge across the Sacramento River at Butte City; and at Hamilton City an electrically operated span steel bridge costing three hundred thousand dollars was constructed in 1909, by. direct taxation, at the joint expense of Butte and Glenn Counties. Steel bridges have been erected at Elk Creek, Wins- low, Grindstone Creek, on Kelley Road across Stony Creek, at Rockville across Stony Creek, at the Simpson Ranch across Stony Creek, and at St. John. Since the fall of 1912 the county has adopted the policy of replacing all wooden bridges and culverts with concrete structures or corrugated iron pipes, thus doing away with the heavy annual maintenance costs. Hundreds of miles of new roads have been constructed to ac- commodate the new settlement on recently subdivided lands in the Orland and Central Canal Irrigation Projects. In the year 1910 the people of the county voted bonds in the aggregate amount of four hundred thousand dollars for roads and bridges. This expenditure of bond money was necessary to raise the standard of Glenn County's roads and bridges to the ever increasing demands of the taxpayers and the traveling public.
The people had faith in the future of the community and expressed it even in the midst of hard times by voting bonds for the erection of county buildings. The first officials of the County of Glenn had temporary offices in Odd Fellows Hall and some of the buildings further north on Tehama Street; but in 1893 the grand jury recommended the erection of suitable quar- ters for the county officials. Accordingly, bonds to the amount of eighty thousand dollars were voted for that purpose, and carried at a ratio of six to one. The next matter of absorbing interest was the selection of a proper site. Every one with prop- erty to develop tried to secure the location of the county build- ings on, or near, his interests. The present site was chosen from
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seventeen competitive bids, and was purchased from Dr. J. A. Randolph for five thousand dollars. A contract for seventy-nine thousand dollars for the construction of the courthouse and jail, in accordance with the plans and specifications of John H. Cur- tiss, was let to H. H. Burrell, of the California Bridge Company. Work was commenced immediately, and the corner stone was laid with great ceremony on February 17, 1894.
Laying of the Corner Stone of the Courthouse
The ceremonies began with a long parade from Tehama Street to the site of the courthouse on Sycamore. Dr. L. P. Tooley was grand marshal of the day. The parade formed on Tehama Street in the following order: Silvey's Cornet Band, followed by Company G, National Guard of California. The Mon- roe Lodge of Odd Fellows formed the next unit; and then came the Laurel Lodge of Masons, followed by citizens in carriages and on foot. The parade marched to the courthouse, where a temporary platform had been erected. Here H. C. Hulett, chair- man of the board of supervisors, requested the Masonic Order to proceed with the laying of the corner stone according to their ritual. Deputy Grand Marshal J. B. Stevens, of Napa, pro- ceeded with the ceremony. In the corner stone a copper box was deposited which contained the following articles: A silver dollar coined in 1882 (the year in which agitation for county division was started); a list of the officers of Laurel Lodge, F. & A. M., and also one of Monroe Lodge, I. O. O. F .; a copy of the proceedings of the laying of the corner stone of the Masonic Temple, San Francisco; a copy each of the Willows Review, Orland News, Willows Daily Journal, Willows Weekly Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, and San Francisco Examiner, of the date of February 17, 1894; a bill head from Freeman's Hardware Store; an aluminum Midwinter Fair souvenir key, Mrs. J. H. Hoever; a silver peneil, J. H. Mitchell; a letter head of Hochheimer & Company, with the autographs of Moses and Amiel Hochheimer; and a souvenir World's Fair goblet, B. H. Mooney. Judge Millington was the orator of the day, and made a very impressive speech. The day's programme closed with a dance at the Armory, under the auspices of Company G; and a big banquet at the Crawford House, at which A. C. Burrell, the courthouse contractor, acted as toastmaster.
Organization and Service of Company G
During 1893, Company G of the California National Guards was organized in Willows with the following members: William H. Sale, Duncan P. MeCallum, L. J. Stearn, George Q. Hoag,
COURTHOVS
It Willows Glenn Co. Cal
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G. W. Kopf, George Niswonger, L. E. Wiekes, Benjamin C. Ratliff, Arthur Wade, Engene Duncan, Leland Johnson, Henry Keeran, Frank Williams, William Niswonger, William Killebrew, Herbert McCartney, Alston Ayer, Michael Kahn, Edgar O. Bailey, John Il. Graves, J. O. Longmire, William Shearer, Maurice Shea, Thomas Ajax, T. S. Daugherty, D. C. Andrews, Cyrus MeMath, Bert MeMath, W. W. Woolf, Harry C. Compton, Louis M. Reager, Tracy Crawford, William V. Freeman, Frank Bondurant, M. H. Lathrop, M. J. Keys, Charles F. Clark, A. R. Eichler, F. L. Roberts, G. S. White, Max Gutfield, Ammon Daugh- erty, S. A. Gibson, Frank Zumwalt, Simon MeIntyre, C. F. Parker, Jesse W. Patton, Kirby MeIntyre, John J. West, Henry K. McMath, Robert Wilson, Edgar Hunter, William M. Finch, Alfonso J. Burgi, Marion W. Pratt, Warren Sutherland, Clarence R. Wiekes, Charles E. Studebaker, Amiel Peters, Henry Walker, John F. Sersanous, Marion Pirkey, J. H. Ball, Charles McCanley, Gilbert Whiting. The officers chosen were: Captain, Dr. M. Pirkey; First Lientenant, Prof. M. W. Pratt; Second Lieutenant, H. W. Walker.
In the act of the Legislature authorizing the raising of ten companies (of which Company G was one), monetary provision was only made for five; and therefore the companies were forced to do with half the usual amount of funds. This condition was partially remedied by Company G by holding a three days' mili- tary fair as a benefit for the company; and they were very gen- erously supported in their endeavor by the people of the com- munity.
During the strike in 1894, Company G was called to Sacra- mento, and formed part of the Eighth Regiment stationed there on guard duty. The boys were away five weeks. On their return they were treated to a rousing demonstration, nearly all the pop- ulation of the town being at the depot to welcome them and wit- ness their march to the Armory, where they were dismissed by Captain Pirkey in a very appropriate speech, commending them for their courage and the excellent discipline maintained by them while at their post of duty. The Sacramento Bee of that date very highly praised the men of the Eighth Regiment, to which Company G belonged, for their valor and honorable conduct while in Sacramento.
Agricultural Association and the Races
Soon after the formation of the county, the Legislature made appropriations for district agricultural associations to be formed throughout the state for the purpose of fostering an interest in the breeding of fine stock. Such an association was immediately
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formed by the progressive men of Glenn County, and received support from the state to the extent of three thousand dollars. The first fair of the Glenn District Agricultural Association was held in Agricultural Park (now Pittsburg Addition to the town of Willows) in August, 1893. Much fine stock was exhibited and twelve hundred dollars was distributed in premiums. There were also good exhibits of agricultural and horticultural products in the pavilion, as well as displays by the leading merchants and business men of the county; but the chief interest of the fair centered in the races. Several other counties had formed asso -. ciations also; and by holding the fairs at different dates a rac- ing circuit was formed in Northern California comprising the towns of Chico, Marysville, Red Bluff, Woodland, Willows and others. The stores and nearly all the attractions of the fair closed in the afternoons, so that every one might see the races; and whenever the local favorite was pitted against a winner from some other county the interest was intense. Some of the most prominent owners and breeders of racing stock in and around Willows at that time were: W. W. Marshall, Col. F. G. Craw- ford, Dr. J. A. Randolph, J. R. Troxel, and Charles and Will Merrill. These fairs were annual events until 1897, when Gov- ernor Budd vetoed the appropriation and state support was with- drawn. That year the Pacific Coast Trotting Horse Breeders' Association stepped into the breach; and upon each district asso- ciation guaranteeing a purse of one thousand dollars, five days' racing was held in each town in the circuit. The old local pride and zest had departed, however, and so far as Glenn County was concerned, racing soon became a sport of the past. For many years Col. F. G. Crawford maintained his stables, in the hope of better times in the racing world; but upon his death the horses were all sold. In 1910 the Sacramento Valley Irriga- tion Company bought Agricultural Park, tore down the old build- ings, and subdivided the race track into town lots.
Famous Trials
The years following the Panie of 1893 were years of retro- gression rather than of progress. Low prices and the shortage of money caused a decline of all values in the county, but par- tienlarly of land valnes. The assessment roll decreased from $12,135,640 in 1893 to $8,768,060 in 1897. Toward the latter part of the decade, signs of returning prosperity began to mul- tiply; and the next few years thereafter witnessed the inception of many new enterprises. In the interim, however, the chief interest of the people centered in the management of the new county ; and there were two very important trials in this connec-
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tion. The first was the outcome of an action on the part of Sheriff Clark, in which he exceeded his authority as sheriff by taking possession of some property of Mr. Horan without first qualifying as receiver. Mr. Horan immediately brought suit against Sheriff Clark, and obtained judgment. At the next meeting of the board of supervisors, there were seventeen appli- cants for the office of sheriff; and from this number the board appointed George Baker to the position. Clark protested that no vacancy existed, and tried to maintain his hold on the posi- tion. Finally, as a result of the action Thruston vs. Clark, charging the sheriff with the collection of illegal fees, Judge Millington of the Superior Court handed down a decision declar- ing the office of sheriff vacant; and Baker finished out the term. He was a candidate for re-election, but was. defeated by H. C. Stanton.
The second trial arising from a controversy over county management was the trial of H. C. Hulett, chairman of the board of supervisors, for alleged extravagance and mismanagement of the county funds in the matter of letting bridge contracts. The grand jury brought five indictments against Mr. Hulett on the evidence of Johnson and Wilson; but by the time the case came to trial Johnson had left the country and could not be located, and the evidence given by Robert Wilson was entirely circum- stantial and failed to connect Hulett definitely with any of the alleged transactions. At the close of the trial the jury was out four hours, and stood nine to three in favor of acquittal, when the judge dismissed them. This hasty action on his part neces- sitated a second trial, at great expense to the county. In the end Hulett was acquitted.
There was another case tried in the Superior Court during this period, which, although of a purely civil nature, was of even greater interest to the people of the county generally, on account of the array of legal talent on each side, the expert testimony given, and the prominence of the parties to the suit. This was the famous "Murdock Note Case." William Murdock was one of the early pioneers of the county, and had amassed a fortune. Murdock had never married; and upon his demise he bequeathed an estate valued at a quarter of a million dollars to his brothers and sisters and their children. Shortly after his death, there began to be rumors afloat of a hundred-thousand-dollar note against the estate. When at last the note was presented, the executors refused to allow it, and suit was instituted by the owners to force payment. The note was for one hundred thou- sand dollars, bearing interest at one per cent. a month, and purported to have been given to Mary Helen Murdock (Mrs.
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Gawn Murdock), of Olympo, seventeen years before. At the time of its presentation the note and accrued interest amounted to $303,566.60, enough to wipe out the interest of the other heirs in the estate, if allowed. Suit was filed for the owners of the note by Campbell, Metzon & Reddy, of San Francisco, but was prosecuted in court by Frank Freeman and Grove L. Johnson. F. C. Lusk, of Chico, attorney for the estate, was assisted in the defense by Richard Bayne and Gen. W. H. L. Barnes, of San Francisco. Theodore Kytka, the famous handwriting ex- pert, was called upon to testify to the authenticity of the signa- ture, which the defense claimed to be a forgery. The trial con- tinued for forty days; and the most intense interest was mani- fested by the people of the community, the court room being packed each day. The result was a hung jury, and the matter was finally compromised out of court. By the compromise the owners of the note received fifty thousand dollars, and the balance of the estate was divided among the heirs mentioned in the will.
New Enterprises
In 1897 an agitation for creameries swept over the valley, and many were established in neighboring counties. On April 12, 1897, a creamery association was formed in Glenn County, with A. Hochheimer, chairman; W. H. Sale, secretary; and C. E. Keeran, P. R. Garnett, A. D. Duncan, Henry Bielar and A. Carttenberg, directors. Stock was subscribed; and B. F. Sweet, the promoter of the enterprise, was given a contract to erect a building and install the necessary equipment. After tentatively selecting two or three different sites, the association finally located their building just east of the railroad track on Wood Street. An incident which happened in connection with the ac- ceptance of this building from the contractor seemed a forebod- ing of the fate of the new enterprise. Each of the parties to be present at the final test evidently depended on someone else to supply the necessary milk; and when the time came to try out the machinery, there was no milk provided and the test had to be made with water. It soon became evident that this inci- dent was typical of conditions in the county. They had the build- ing and equipment, but no milk; that is, in commercial quantities. It did not pay to milk cows on dry feed during the summer, and the enterprise flagged. The backers of the creamery were just ten years ahead of their time. They had the vision of the pos- sibilities of the county in the way of development, but they were not successful in imparting that confidence and enthusiasm to the average farmer. Dr. F. X. Tremblay and his associates tried to revive interest in the creamery situation again in 1903; but it
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COLUSA AND GLENN COUNTIES
was not till after the completion of the river branch canal and the subdivision of large holdings into intensive farms, in 1907, that dairying became a firmly established industry in the county.
In 1903 great excitement spread over the county over the prospect of striking oil. Many who claimed to be experts in detecting oil-bearing strata examined the territory lying in the foothill belt and gave out the most encouraging reports. Several companies were formed, and selling shares of oil stock became one of the most lucrative occupations of the time. Stockholders had visions of "gushers," and imagined themselves rolling in opulence in consequence. Three companies actually started wells, but two became discouraged before going very deep. The Wash- ington-California Oil Company, whose well was located on the Nye Ranch, actually, struck several small veins of oil-just enough to keep them hoping-but after drilling over three thou- sand feet without striking anything more satisfying than brack- ish water with a slight oily scum on top, the well was finally abandoned.
The county as a municipal corporation has from its very beginning been ably managed in the interests of its taxpayers. For reference, there is appended here a list of the county officers and state legislative representatives of this district, from the date of the formation of the county to the year 1917.
List of County Officers 1892
State Senator, J. H. Seawell; Assemblyman, W. A. Vann; Superior Judge, Seth Millington; Sheriff. P. H. Clark; County Clerk, W. H. Sale; County Auditor and Recorder, John H. Graves; Treasurer, James M. Millsaps; Assessor, L. R. Stewart; District Attorney, George Dudley; County Surveyor, T. L. Knock; Coroner and Public Administrator, Dr. F. X. Tremblay; Superintendent of Schools, William M. Finch; Supervisors: First District, H. C. Hulett; Second District, David Markham; Third District, N. B. Vanderford; Fourth District, P. R. Garnett ; Fifth District, W. Frank Miller.
1894
Assemblyman, William Ash; Superior Judge, Frank Moody; Sheriff, H. C. Stanton; County Clerk, W. H. Sale; Recorder and Auditor, John Graves; Treasurer, J. F. Sersanous; Assessor, P. O. Eibe; District Attorney, George Dudley; Coroner and Public Administrator, J. O. Johnson; County Surveyor, T. L. Knock; Superintendent of Schools, William M. Finch; Supervisors: Sec- ond District, Vincent Cleek; Fourth District, H. A. Logan.
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COLUSA AND GLENN COUNTIES
1896
Assemblyman, A. E. Bridgeford; Supervisors, First District, James Boyd; Third District, Asa M. Jackson; Fifth District, W. Frank Miller.
1898
State Senator, John Boggs (died in office, 1899; succeeded by J. W. Goad) ; Assemblyman, J. P. Glynn; Superior Judge, Oval Pirkey; Sheriff, H. C. Stanton; County Clerk, W. H. Sale; Aud- itor and Recorder, John H. Graves; District Attorney, R. A. Long; Assessor, P. O. Eibe; Treasurer, John F. Sersanous ; Super- intendent of Schools, Frank S. Reager; Coroner and Public Administrator, John Franey; County Surveyor, J. F. Weston; Supervisors: Second District, V. C. Cleek; Fourth District, P. R. Garnett; Fifth District, J. W. Albery.
1900
Assemblyman, T. J. Sheridan; Supervisors: First District, George C. Prentiss; Third District, Asa M. Jackson; Fifth Dis- triet, W. H. Hodgson.
1902
State Senator, J. B. Sanford; Assemblyman, Benjamin H. Howard; Sheriff and Tax Collector, J. A. Bailey; County Clerk, W. H. Sale; Auditor and Recorder, John H. Graves; District Attorney, R. L. Clifton; Assessor, W. H. Markham; Treasurer, L. J. Klemmer; Superintendent of Schools, F. S. Reager; Coroner and Public Administrator, L. R. Stewart; County Surveyor, T. L. Knock; Supervisors: Second District, David Brown; Fourth Dis- triet, J. R. Troxel.
1904
Assemblyman, Ernest Weyand; Superior Judge, William M. Finch; Supervisors : First District, George C. Prentiss; Fourth District, for the unexpired term of J. R. Troxel, deceased, Seth W. Stanton; Third District, Asa M. Jackson; Fifth District, J. W. Albery.
1906
State Senator, J. B. Sanford; Assemblyman, F. H. Smyth; Sheriff and Tax Collector, J. A. Bailey; County Clerk, William H. Sale; Auditor and Recorder, M. Golden; District Attorney, C. F. Purkitt; Assessor, W. H. Markham; Treasurer, L. J. Klem- mer; Superintendent of Schools, S. M. Chaney; Coroner and Public Administrator, Jos. M. Reidy; County Surveyor, Thomas L. Knock; Supervisors: Second District, David Brown; Fourth District, Seth W. Stanton.
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COLUSA AND GLENN COUNTIES
1908
Assemblyman, J. B. Mendenhall; Supervisors : First District, P. O. Eibe; Third District, Frank C. Hurlburt; Fifth District, H. D. Wylie.
1910
State Senator, J. B. Sanford; Assemblyman, J. B. Menden- hall; Superior Judge, William M. Finch; Sheriff and Tax Collec- tor, J. A. Bailey; County Clerk, W. H. Sale; District Attorney, Claude F. Purkitt; Auditor and Recorder, M. Golden; Treasurer, J. W. Monroe; Assessor, W. H. Markham; Superintendent of Schools, S. M. Chaney; Coroner and Public Administrator, Jos. M. Reidy; County Surveyor, Luther C. Stiles ; Supervisors: Sec- ond District, W. L. Thompson; Fourth District, S. W. Stanton.
1912
Assemblyman, Harry Polsley; Supervisors: First District, P. O. Eibe; Third District, J. S. Sale; Fifth District, H. D. Wylie.
1914
State Senator, Claude F. Purkitt; Assemblyman, Elmer Sis- son ; Sheriff, J. A. Bailey; County Clerk, W. H. Sale; District Attorney, Benjamin F. Geis; Auditor and Recorder, M. Golden; Treasurer, J. W. Monroe; Assessor, E. C. Harelson; Tax Collec- tor, Mrs. Mae Blondin; Coroner and Public Administrator, D. C. Tucker; County Surveyor, Bayard Knock; Superintendent of Schools, S. M. Chaney; Supervisors: Second District, David Brown; Fourth District, Leon Speier.
1916
Assemblyman, Harry Polsley; Superior Judge, William M. Finch; Supervisors: First District, P. O. Eibe (deceased; suc- ceeded by Charles Lambert, appointed by Governor Stephens) ; Third District, J. S. Sale; Fifth District, H. D. Wylie.
CHAPTER IX
THE ERA OF IRRIGATION
The need of irrigation of the lands of Glenn County was recognized by the progressive men of the years 1875 and 1876. In May, 1875, an irrigation meeting was held in Colusa, the county seat of Colusa County, which at that time embraced the area which is now Glenn County. Will S. Green, Honorable John 14
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Boggs, Colonel Hagar, J. B. DeJarnatt, L. F. Moulton and others discussed the possibilities of irrigation, and were agreed as to the many advantages offered in the use of water by that method. Immediately following that meeting, many private water rights were filed and located.
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