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 26
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 26
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Duncan's law office, Sherfey & Nordyke's butcher shop, Allen & Callahan's saloon, Sehorn & Calder's store, Smith's barber shop, Duncan's bakery, saloon of Wm. Bentz, saloon of Samuel Culver, F. W. Stone's jewelry store, Hansen's drug store, J. A. Thomp- son's grocery, the Gutman building, Bates' saloon building, the Journal office, O. R. Coghlan's law office, Hochheimer & Com- pany's general store, post office, Willows Hotel (F. G. Crawford, lessee), Palace Hotel, Brooks' saloon, Isaacs' general merchandise store, W. L. Robinson & Company's hardware, Ketchum's saloon, Mrs. Jones' house and millinery stock, I. A. Lawrence's under- taking rooms, Mrs. E. P. Price's hotel, Clark's tailor shop, Central Hotel, Kaminsky's jewelry store, Putnam's drug store, Mellor's blacksmith shop and residence, and J. Kahn's clothing stock. The total loss was estimated at over $200,000-a serions if not irrep- arable loss, one would be tempted to assert, for a young town which had only four years before been a portion of a large cattle range, were he not aware of the energy, plnck, perseverance and confidence in the future of their town, which the people of Wil- lows had always so manifested as to invoke the admiration of every newspaper in the state. The loss was not, however, a calamity at which despair was permitted to dolefully officiate. It was a temporary affliction, involving discomforts and some finan- cial inconvenience which could, with good judgment, be removed or overcome. Willows had been tried with fire. She had now passed her crucial period, her citizens claimed, with a feeling almost of satisfaction. To become a leading town in Northern California, this baptism of fire is a necessary process ; for, argued they, there is scarcely a city that has grown to prominence or reached eminence in the West, but has gone through the same ordeal. This destructive fire seemed to them both a precedent and an augnry of success; and so, before the ashes of their burned business houses had cooled, telegrams flashed over the wire for brick and lumber with which to rebuild. Mechanies were sent for, and building contractors were making estimates before the insurance adjusters had reached the scene of disaster. An instance in point exemplifies the energy and confidence of these people. When F. G. Crawford, the landlord of the Willows Hotel, was burned out completely at two o'clock in the morning, he had breakfast prepared for his guests in another building at seven o'clock the same morning, while he was a few hours afterwards engaged in selecting a spot on which to erect a new hotel. This was only one of the many instances of never-faltering pluck and unswerving devotion to their handsome, thrifty town. It is this spirit of enterprise, of mutual cooperation of purpose, which caused Willows to be rebuilt larger and more substantially than
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before, with business houses unsurpassed in the county, and with churches and schoolhouses and warehouses which some towns in the state having five times her population cannot vie with."
On October 11, 1886, Willows suffered an experience of striking similarity to the one just related. The fire originated in about the same location, this time in a small stable back of the Central Hotel. A strong north wind was blowing; and the entire block, except the bank building, was completely destroyed. Prac- tically the same people were losers, to the extent of $140,000, with about sixty per cent. of this amount of insurance. Nothing daunted by this second misfortune, they again rebuilt the town, with the same pluck and energy which characterized their pre- vious endeavor. Besides rebuilding the business portion of the. town, over fifty new homes were erected in the town of Willows in the year 1886.
Organization for Protection against Fire
In 1887, the Willows Water and Light Company was incor- porated, with Milton French, president ; B. H. Burton, vice-presi- dent ; P .. H. Green, secretary; and the Bank of Willows, treasurer. With the installation of the pumps and tanks of the new com- pany, the fire menace was materially reduced. The town organ- ized two hose companies, with sixty members and the following officers: Chief, Henry Bielar; Foreman Hose Company No. 1, J. F. Sersanous; Foreman Hose Company No. 2, J. D. Crane.
Although serious conflagrations still occurred, they were com- bated with so much zeal and energy on the part of the citizens that Willows was never again subjected to the scourge of fire to any considerable extent.
The Solar Eclipse of 1889
The year 1889 was ushered in with a great deal of promi- nence for Willows in the scientific world. A total eclipse of the sun occurred on the first day of January of that year; and scien- tists had figured out that the obscurity of the sun's rays would be greatest at Willows. Professor Pickering, of Harvard College, Professor Roach, of Blue Hill University, and Professor Upton, of Brown University, with their assistants, had erected an observ- atory at Willows; and excursion trains were run from various parts of the state. The eclipse began a little after eleven a. m .; and so dark did it grow that all the chickens went to roost. The time from the beginning of the eclipse until the moon left the disc of the sun was a little over two hours; and during this time the temperature dropped six and one half degrees.
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Musical Organizations
An organization that wielded a beneficent influence on the social life of the town during this early period was Silvey's Cornet Band. The people of the town contributed funds for the instruction of those who wished to join; and under the efficient leadership of M. J. Silvey the band became one of the best in Northern California. For many years the Saturday night open air band concerts during the summer months were one of the most cherished institutions of the town. John A. Apperson, editor and proprietor of the Willows Review, gathered about him a few kindred spirits and organized Apperson's Orchestra. For fifteen years, no local fair, celebration, dance or amateur theatrical took place in which one or both of these organizations did not take part.
Clubs
During these times of busy material progress, the lighter side of life was not neglected. Realizing that "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy," the townspeople took the keenest interest in sports. The Willows Jockey Club was organized, with J. R. Troxel as president; and a track was laid out. This club was finally merged with the Willows Agricultural Association, of which mention has been made in a previous chapter. Many promising colts were tried ont on this track; and a great stimulus was given to the breeding of fine stock in the community, in consequence of the friendly rivalry engendered on this course.
On Jannary 16, 1890, the Willows Athletic Club was organ- ized by the younger men of the town, and the keenest interest in baseball was manifested by the citizens of the community. Rivalry with neighboring towns was intense; and although some of the scores seem Indierons when compared with the more professional games of today, whatever the players lacked in the way of skill in the finer points of the game was more than compensated by the increased enthusiasm and partisanship of the fans when every player in the home team was a home boy.
The Period of Growth
From 1891 to 1894 Willows experienced quite a building boom, incident to becoming the county seat. Several briek build- ings were erected, among them the I. O. O. F. Hall, the Newman Building, and the Crawford Hotel. The county courthouse was erected during this period, and also the present grammar school building. The hard times following the panic of 1893 put a stop to this activity, and the business portion of the town remained practically at a standstill until the coming of the Sacramento Valley Irrigation Company in 1909.
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During the three years which followed the reorganization of the work of the irrigation project under the Sacramento Valley Irrigation Company, the population of the town more than doubled. The hotels were unable to accommodate the newcom- ers. Buildings for rent sprang up everywhere. The Sacramento Valley Irrigation Company bought Agricultural Park, subdivided it into town lots, graded the streets, planted street trees, and commenced a lot-selling campaign in the Pittsburg Addition to the Town of Willows, as their subdivision was called. Here they built the Land Sales Office, Administration Building, Company Mess Hall, Company Garage, Company Rooming House and six. bungalows on Sacramento Street. The Presbyterian and Epis- copal Churches were both erected in this subdivision during this time, and about twenty modern homes ranging in price from twenty-five hundred to ten thousand dollars. In South Willows even greater additions were made to the town. A section of four blocks in width and three in depth was built up solidly with . modern homes, set in the midst of lawns and flowers. In fact, the town expanded in every direction, and fine homes were erected on choice building sites throughout the town. New streets were graded, and the town passed an ordinance requiring every one to lay five-foot cement sidewalks in front of his property.
But the greatest improvement took place in the business sec- tion of the town, which was practically rebuilt during this time. Beginning at Tehama and Willow Streets, brick buildings were erected by P. B. Lacroix, M. J. Silvey and Frank Burgi. The din- ing room and lobby of the Palace Hotel were remodeled. Klem- mer Brothers put a new front on their store and an addition at the back, which doubled their stock capacity. The brick store on the corner of Walnut and Tehama was replaced by the present handsome structure of the Bank of Willows. P. H. Green erected the fine store building on the corner of Butte and Walnut which is occupied by A. D. Pieper's general merchandise store. The Wetzold Building, the Masonic Temple, and the City Hall were all erected on this block during the same period. On Sycamore Street, building activity was even greater than elsewhere. The Purkitt Building, the Willows Opera House, the Glenn County Savings Bank Building, the Barceloux Building, the Orr Build- ing, and the Reidy Building are all substantial brick structures which were erected between 1910 and 1912. The Crawford House was remodeled along modern lines, and an addition was made to it to house the First National Bank of Willows. Hochheimer & Company remodeled their store and added to it, so that it is now conceded to be one of the finest department stores north of Sacramento.
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The Passing of the Saloon
Where there is so much building and development going on, there is bound to be a large floating population, some of whom are more or less undesirable, or even desperate, characters ; and Willows was no exception to the rule. After two or three bad shooting and stabbing affrays in the saloons, the more conserva- tive element of the population decided that such a condition of affairs must be remedied. Regulation was tried, without pro- ducing the desired results; and in 1913 a bitter wet and dry agita- tion divided the town. All the odium attached to the acts of this transient population fell on the saloon as an institution; and many people who were not prohibitionists from principle voted to close up the town as a relief from existing conditions. The first measure tried was merely a blow at the licensed saloon. It was a special ordinance drawn up by the attorneys of the town, allow- ing liquor to be served in restaurants with a twenty-five cent order, and permitting the sale of bottled goods. This also was unsatisfactory in effect; and people claimed that it was unjust, and discriminatory against the poor man. Finally, after much agitation pro and con, the town was voted dry at the next election under the Wylie Local Option Law. Whether because of our near- ness to Orland or on account of the ease with which people who will drink can obtain liquor lawfully, it is difficult to say; but at any rate, the evils of blind-pigging which the Wets prophesied would follow the abolition of the saloons have not materialized. Some few cases there have been; but these have been prosecuted so severely by the officers of the law, and have been meted out such summary punishment by the courts, that if any still exist they are so obscure that their influence is negligible.
After the election under the Wylie Local Option Law, the block on Tehama Street between Walnut and Sycamore under- went a complete transformation. Stores, restaurants, and two soft-drink parlors occupy the block where formerly almost every other door was a saloon.
The Churches
The spiritual, social, and intellectual needs of the community are amply provided for. Seven religious denominations are rep- resented, and are attended by large congregations. They are the Methodist, Baptist, Catholic, Presbyterian, Christian and Epis- copal Churches, and the Church of Christ, Scientist.
The Methodist Episcopal Church has the distinction of being the pioneer church of Willows, its congregation having been the
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first to erect an edifice in the town, in 1879. Willows was then a wide expanse of plain, with no trees and few houses to break the force of the wind; and on March 8, 1880, the new church was lifted several inches off its foundation by a strong norther. This condition was soon righted, and the building served the needs of the congregation until its capacity was outgrown by the increased membership during the boom, when the present handsome edifice was erected. Back of the church, there is a neat and commodious parsonage.
The Baptist Church was organized in 1879, with fourteen constituent members; but for some years the growth of the con- gregation was impeded by the lack of a house of worship. The members first held services in a schoolhouse near I. V. Deven- peck's place; and later, through the courtesy of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the privilege of worshiping there was extended to them. In 1886 the present church building was erected. It has been remodeled and enlarged several times, to keep pace with the growing congregation. Next door to the church, there is a comfortable two-story parsonage.
The first Catholic services in the town were held in the court- room of the first justice of the peace, Judge Caroloff. The pres- ent church, St. Monica's, is a substantial brick structure which has recently been enlarged to accommodate the growing congrega- tion. The old parish house has just been replaced by a fine mod- ern building, which speaks more eloquently than words for the number and liberality of the parishioners.
The Presbyterian Church, and the manse adjoining, were built in 1910 on lots donated for that purpose by the Sacramento Valley Irrigation Company. The church is an artistic building of cream stucco, with a very attractive interior.
Although it numbers among its members some of the pioneer settlers of the town, the Christian Church was not established until 1886. The church is centrally located, and has a neat and commodious building.
The Episcopal Church is an attractive building located in the Pittsburg Addition to the Town of Willows. Services are held there every second and fourth Sunday in the month. The church and its furnishings are now free of debt, and the congregation hopes soon to provide a rectory and have a resident minister.
The Church of Christ, Scientist, is probably the youngest re- ligious organization in the town; but it has an active and growing membership. Services are held Wednesdays and Sundays in the church building on Walnut Street.
15
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Secret Organizations
The following secret organizations, each in a flourishing con- dition, with a large and active membership, have lodges in the town: The Masons, Laurel Lodge, No. 245, and the accompanying Marshall Chapter, No. 86, O. E. S .; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Monroe Lodge, No. 289, and the Daughters of Re- bekah; the Woodmen of the World; the Native Daughters of the Golden West; and E. Campus Vitus, No. 5, popularly known as the "Clampers." This latter organization probably has a membership equal to the other lodges combined. While it is organized as a lodge, with initiation ceremonies, etc., for the good- fellowship which these create among the men, the "Clampers" are in reality a boost organization for all movements tending toward the civic and economic betterment of the town. The lodge maintains a brass band, which is making wonderful progress under the leadership of R. N. Fenton. Any movement which the Clampers back is sure to be put through with vim.
The Schools
Willows has always been proud of the high standard main- tained by her schools, and has also been most liberal in their sup- port. In 1878, when barely two years old, the town voted ten thousand dollars in bonds to provide adequate school facilities. In 1890, only twelve years later, bonds to the value of fifteen thon- sand dollars were voted without a dissenting ballot, and the present grammar school building was erected. This building is now taxed to its full capacity; and unless the town receives some severe setback, either the building will have to be replaced with a larger one or an additional school must be built within the next year or so. There are at present ten teachers in the grammar school, all doing excellent work: Principal, H. G. Rawlins; vice- principal, J. E. Birch; assistants, Miss Olive M. Farnham, Miss Grace Bell, Miss Mabel Hunter, Miss Gladys Campbell, Miss Gladys Parks, Miss Lulu West, Miss Donna Silvey, and Miss Sadie F. Reidy. The parents as a whole speak with pride of the progress made by the children.
In 1903 the first Glenn County High School building was erected at a cost of six thousand six hundred fifty dollars. Through the rapid increase in population of the town and sur- rounding country from 1910 on, the building became so inade- quate to the sudden extra demands made upon it for space, that a large tent room was used in addition, while seventy-five thousand dollars in bonds was being voted and the present splendid struc- ture was under process of construction. So much interest in
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the school is felt by the people of the community, that the large auditorium is completely filled and even standing room is at a premium whenever the students give a play or an entertainment. The Glenn County High School is an accredited institution, and a large number of its graduates go on to college each year.
The Library
In 1904, a movement to provide a free reading room was started by some of the public-spirited women of the community. Mrs. A. J. Burgi, Mrs. B. O. Cobb, and Miss Inez Garnett were appointed a committee to solicit and receive subscriptions for that purpose. They collected four hundred dollars. With this amount, and donations of books and magazines, a free reading room was established in the Newman Building on Walnut Street. On March 15, 1906, this reading room was taken over by the town. There- after it was known as the Willows Free Public Library, and was supported by taxation. Finally the Women's Improvement Club, during the presidency of Mrs. Charles L. Donohoe, secured a ten-thousand-dollar donation from the Carnegie Corporation; and the corner stone of the Carnegie Library, on the corner of Plumas and Walnut, was laid with appropriate ceremonies on November 16, 1910.
Sheridan Park
Another civic improvement for which the Improvement Club must be given credit, and one which added greatly to the esthetic enjoyment of life in Willows, was the transformation wrought in "Fox Tail Park," as it was popularly called from the only ver- dure adorning it. The lot belongs to the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, who seemed very much averse to having anything done with it; but the Woman's Improvement Club, backed by the Busi- ness Men's Association of the Town of Willows, succeeded in having the lot parked. The park is maintained by the railroad company, and is called Sheridan Park in honor of one of the company officials.
The State Highway
The State Highway runs through one of the main business streets of the Town of Willows; and for a distance of three blocks, through the business portion of the town, the entire width of the street is paved. The completion of this pavement in December, 1915, was celebrated with a huge municipal Christmas tree, put up in the middle of the crossing of Sycamore and Tehama Streets. Bands played on the corner, and crowds of people danced on the pavement. The weather was perfect, being clear and just cold enough to give zest and snap to the affair. The sidewalks were
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thronged with people, and everywhere the holiday spirit shone in the faces of the dancers who made merry, and of the spectators who exchanged the greetings of the season with friends on the sidewalks.
The Federal Building
In the summer of 1917, work was commenced on a seventy- five-thousand-dollar Federal Building located on the northwest corner of Shasta and Sycamore Streets. The building will be completed by the fall of 1918, at which time it will house the Post Office, the Glenn County farm advisor's office, and the office and headquarters of the supervisor of the California National Forest.
Stability and Growth
The latter part of the year 1913, together with the year 1914, was a period of misgiving in Willows, due to the financial up- heaval in the Sacramento Valley Irrigation Company. It was rumored that water would be turned out of the canal, and that the settlers would lose their equities in the land if the bondholders took over the company; and grave fears were felt for the effect of this on the business of the town. Many, frightened at the first breath of adversity, predicted that the bottom would fall out of prices, that the town was overbuilt, and that there would be a general slump. A number of settlers did leave, preferring to start in again to facing uncertainty; but those who braved defeat and stuck to their land are now more prosperous than at any other time since their advent to the community. Not only has water continued to run in the canal, but on account of furnishing water for rice, the new cereal crop, it has been run to the fullest capacity and additional pumps have been installed near the headgate to insure a greater supply.
The growth of Willows was very rapid, but it was not an inflated boom. This is proved conclusively by the fact that the town withstood the shock of the failure of the company to which she owed her rapid growth, and that now, within two years after that shock, there are no vacant houses in town, business is flour- ishing, and the hotels are often unable to supply accommodations for all who desire them. The prosperity of the town is rooted deep in that of the county. Everywhere development has been steadily going forward-more rapidly in some localities than in others, it is true; but all over the county the march of progress has been steady. That the farmers are more prosperous than ever before is evidenced by the fact that Glenn County was the first county in the United States to subscribe its maximum quota of the second Liberty Loan of 1917, the greater portion of which was taken through the banks of the town of Willows.
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CHAPTER XI
ORLAND
Choice of the Name
Orland was settled about 1875, and was part of a farm owned by a man named Chamberlain. The following interesting incident of how Orland received its name is copied from the Orland Regis- ter, issue of January 10, 1917, commemorating the death of Jonathan Griffith, one of the pioneer founders of the town:
"Most interesting of all is the story of the naming of the town of Orland. Mr. Chamberlain and Mr. Griffith, assisted by Mr. Brown, got together to petition for a post office, each suggest- ing a name for the new town. Mr. Griffith suggested Leland, after Leland Stanford; while one of the others-Mr. Chamberlain, it is understood-suggested Comstock. Mr. Brown stuck for Orland, the name of the town of his birth in England.
"The deadlock could not be broken, each sticking for his favorite. At last the names were written on slips of paper and placed in a hat. Destiny, in the shape of an interested youth, drew out the name of Orland; and Orland it has been, to this day."
Settlement and Early Development
In 1875, Joseph James and T. H. Dodson located in Orland, and the latter opened a hotel and store. Other settlers followed rapidly, and in 1879 agitation was started to extend the railroad to Orland.
Nearly all towns of rapid growth have suffered disastrous fires; and Orland was no exception to the rule. On October 30, 1880, the town was laid in ashes, twenty-three buildings being consumed, at a loss of forty thousand dollars.
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