USA > California > Contra Costa County > History of Contra Costa County, California, including its geography, geology, topography, climatography and description; together with a record of the Mexican grants also, incidents of pioneer life; and biographical sketches of early and prominent settlers and representative men > Part 51
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The present pastor, Rev. R. S. Symington, commenced his labors Janu- ary 1, 1876. At that time there were thirteen members in good and regular standing in the church. The foundation of the church edifice was laid ; a subscription of fifteen hundred dollars was all that could be raised to pay a debt of thirty-five hundred. Since that time (a period of six years and
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four months) the building has been completed, the debt paid, the church furnished, carpeted and cushioned. The Session has received to communion in the church one hundred and twelve persons, eighty of this number have been upon examination, thirty-two by letter, (some of those received upon examination had once been members of some church, but had lost their standing as members). Of this number twenty-three have received letters of dismission, three have died, and seven have left the country. In all this success they acknowledge the hand of God.
DANVILLE GRANGE, No. 85, PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY .- This Lodge was organized by Worthy Deputy R. G. Dean, October 1, 1873, with the follow- ing lady and gentlemen members: Mrs. Jonathan Hoag, Mrs. Sallie Boone, Mrs. Charles Wood, Mrs. J. M. Jones, Mrs. S. Labaree, Mrs. R. B. Love, Miss Olivia Labaree, Miss Lizzie Stern, Miss Hattie Van Patten, Miss Frances P. Rice, Jonathan Hoag, A. W. Stone, Charles Wood, D. A. Sher- burne, Wade Hayes, R. O. Baldwin, Leonard Eddy, R. B. Love, William Bell, J. B. Sydnor, J. J. Kerr, Isaac Russell, Thomas Flournoy, John Stern, W. W. Cox, Francis Matteson, D. A. Caldwell, John Camp, Hugh Wiley, James O. Boone. We have been unable to procure the names of the first officers of this Grange, but those of the present are: D. N. Sherburne, Master; James M. Stone, Overseer ; Charles Wood, Secretary; M. W. Hall, Steward; S. D. More, Assistant Steward ; R. S. Symington, Chaplain ; R. O. Baldwin, Treasurer; C. E. Howard, Secretary; S. F. Ramage, Gate- keeper; Mrs. C. E. Howard, Ceres; Mrs. S. Labaree, Pomona; Mrs. W. Z. Stone, Flora ; Miss Olivia Labaree, Lady Assistant Steward.
LAFAYETTE .- This hamlet was founded by Hon. Elam Brown on his arrival in the district in 1847; that is to say, that he built the first among the cluster of houses that now make up the village, but it was left to Mr. Shreve to give to the place the name it now bears. That gentleman, pass- ing through the village in the year 1852, was induced to remain among them, and taught the school there during the Winter of 1852-53, presumably one of the first in the county ; while here, too, at a very early date, were laid out a cemetery, and a church built.
In 1853, Milo J. Hough, at present residing near Walnut Creek, settled in Lafayette, and built a hotel there in that year, which he conducted until his removal in 1855. Here, too, in 1853, was erected the first grist mill in the county. Mr. Brown, feeling that the journeys to San José with grist were somewhat of an undertaking, purchased a horse-power mill at Benicia, and transporting it to Lafayette, placed it on the site now occupied by the store and residence of Benjamin Shreve. The building was destroyed by fire in the year 1864.
The life of Lafayette, like most of the other small towns in the county, has been principally composed of prosperity and adversity. Stories are
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told of the days when the thoroughfares were lined with teams from the redwoods, whose drivers spent their hardly earned money with reckless profusion. It had some instinctive feeling for the necessities appertaining to a town; blacksmith's shops were duly opened, houses of entertainment sprang up as if by magic, while a taste for culture developed itself. On January 21, 1860, the Lafayette Library Association was organized, but we much fear that the society has long ago died a natural death. With the promise of a railroad at no very distant date, it is thought the prospects are brighter ; while we feel certain that were its beauties known, and its locality more easy of access, Lafayette would become a Summer resort second to none in California.
SAN RAMON .- This is the name given to the Post-office at what is usually known as the village of Limerick, which we believe also once re- joiced in the name of Lynchville. It is situated in the lovely San Ramon valley, near its head, in the extreme south of the county, three miles above Danville, and eight from Hayward's in Alameda county.
The first house erected in the village is that now occupied by George McCamley ; it was built by John White in the year 1852, and remained there in solitary grandeur until a man named Eli Brewin constructed a blacksmith's shop on the site now occupied by J. H. Dutcher. About the same time, which was in 1857, Reuben Harris put up a building which was destroyed by fire in 1880, while a Doctor Caldwell, who afterwards moved to San José, erected a frame house to the south of the creek. He disposed of this fabric to a man named Slankard.
On April 22, 1860, we find that the Catholic Church was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies-its Patron being St. Ramon ; while, in or about 1863-4, Peter E. Peel opened a store, which he afterwards sold to one Con- way. In 1864, J. D. Horan built the house now occupied by James Barrett, and, in 1867, the handsome new school-house was completed. The building is in size forty-six by twenty-six feet, with walls that give a clear height of thirteen feet.
WALNUT CREEK .- A dozen miles from the county seat, and situated near the northern end of the San Ramon valley, lies, sequestered in the vale, surrounded by mountains, and overlooked by the beetling cliffs of Diablo, the beautiful village of Walnut Creek, the most thriving of all the smaller towns in the county.
We have seen that, in 1849, William Slusher built a small cabin near where the present Walnut Creek House stands. In 1852 he had already sold it to George Thorn, and when William Wells arrived in the country it was the only place with a roof to it in what is now Walnut Creek. The next house to go up was the hotel, built in 1855, by Milo J. Hough, who had come over from Lafayette. It stood on the north side of the creek, at
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the entrance to the town, was called the Walnut Creek House, and was burnt down April 3, 1867. It occupied the lot where now the Widow Shan- non resides. The third house to be erected was one by Thorn, who had abandoned the Slusher place and built the premises now occupied by Thomas E. Middleton, but in what year we have not been able to discover.
In the hotel, which was twenty-four by forty feet, Mr. Hough conducted the first store in Walnut Creek, and in the following year opened a black- smith's shop.
How a village came to be started at this point, we are informed, was in this wise : it was the point where the great arteries of communication con- verged. Here the principal thoroughfares from the valleys of the interior crossed the road from Martinez to San José, Oakland and San Francisco. The land belonged to the above-named George Thorn who sold it to Pen- niman, who, about the year 1860, changed the county road, which then followed the sinuosities of the creek, and opened the main street. He also offered lots for sale, which were soon purchased, and thus was the pretty little town firmly launched into a premanent existence.
In or about 1859, a man named Searles opened a store in the village, and in 1861 or 1862, McDonald & Whetmore established their mercantile business where now stands the Walnut Creek House. In 1863, or there- abouts, Lawrence G. Peel opened his store and conducted it until 1869, when he died, and his establishment was purchased by Albert Sherburne. It stood on the ground now occupied by Antone Silva ; indeed, the old store, with its former internal fixtures, may still be seen there.
The little town would appear to have progressed during its first years ; in point of fact these were its most prosperous times. It became in 1864 the centre of a considerable staging business. Through here Brown & Co's conveyances to San Ramon ran in connection with those to Oakland ; while in 1867, during the general excitement in regard to railroad building, it was here that the principal meetings to further the scheme were held. On May 12, 1872, the Methodist Episcopal church was dedicated, while, in regard to the schools, the earliest we have been able to learn about, was one which stood in 1857 on land now owned by Mrs. Hargreaves.
From the publications of the time, we glean the following distressing catastrophe, which may be thought worthy of record, and is here produced so that our younger readers may be reminded of the dangers that may at- tend the use of fire-arms by those who are of not sufficient age to fully re- alize the risks they incur to themselves, and the dangers in which their fellows may be placed by their want of due caution and lack of experience.
On Monday, September 22, 1873, two step-sons of I. T. Sherman, Colo- nel and Lincoln Grant, the former thirteen and the latter ten years of age, were finding amusement in firing an old pistol at a mark near the bridge, a few yards from Walnut Creek village. The younger boy, Lincoln, was to
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shoot in his turn, but the cap missed fire; and the elder, Colonel, was as- sisting in putting on a fresh cap, the younger lad holding the butt of the pistol, and at the same time holding the hammer back with his finger, as, from some defect, it was not self-holding when set back. While thus en- gaged, the older boy, Colonel, having hold of the barrel of the pistol with one hand, and with the other placing the cap on the nipple, the hammer escaped from the finger-hold of the younger boy, and the pistol was dis- charged, the ball entering the abdomen of the elder, from the effects of which the poor lad died that same day, to the intense grief of his be- reaved relatives.
Fire, that fell destroyer, once more visited the vicinity of our beautiful little town in 1875. On the last day of that year, the dwelling of Dr. Rowan, at Bareges springs, succumbed to the devouring element. The Doctor had gone to Walnut Creek, and, while there, was attracted by smoke in the direction of his house. He started for home at once, to find on his arrival his all in ashes. Thanks to generous hearts, however, a subscription for his relief was immediately set on foot, and before long a handsome sum realized.
These are the chief incidents that have occurred in Walnut Creek since its commencement, so far as we have been able to gather. To-day it is one of the most charming localities on the Pacific Coast, and for it we predict a great future. We can safely assert that depression in business is not everlasting. With facilities for rapid communication with San Francisco, Walnut Creek must become a place of resort; it has the best climate within ken of the Bay of San Francisco ; it is, even now, but from two to three hours by stage from Oakland; while, when the country is opened up by the promised line of railroad through the valley, we shall have spring up a host of pleasure-seekers in one of the most delightful districts in California.
ALAMO LODGE, No. 122, F. AND A. M .- This Lodge was formally opened Under Dispensation, January 9, 1858, and a Charter granted to it by the Grand Lodge on May 13th of the same year. The Charter Members and officers Under Dispensation were : John E. Mitchell, W. M .; F. Vander- venter, S. W .; I. N. B. Mitchell, J. W .; S. Maupin, Secretary; John C. O'Brien, Treasurer ; I. N. Morgan, S. D .; J. T. Flippin, J. D .; William Wyatt, Tyler. On the granting of the Charter, the following were the officers chosen : John E. Mitchell, W. M .; S. Maupin, S. W .; I. N. B. Mitchell, J. W .; G. W. Gobell, Secretary ; J. M. White, Treasurer ; J. T. Flippin, S. D .; J. C. O'Brien, J. D .; J. L. Labaree, Tyler. The membership of the Lodge, which is in a very flourishing condition, is fifty-five, while its officers for the current term are :' J. M. Hinman, W. M .; A. Williams, S. W .; C. Sharp, J. W .; E. L. Baker, S. D .; W. E. Hook, J. D .; J. S. Huntington, Treasurer; J. B. Sydnor, Secretary ; J. M. Wilson, Farmer Sanford, Stewards; G. W. Yoakum,
8. Васот
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Marshal; N. Graber, Tyler. The day of meeting is on Saturday of, or after full moon.
This Lodge was first started in the town of Alamo, where it had a hand- some brick building. The edifice was destroyed by the earthquake of October 21, 1868, when permission was granted to the Brethren by the Grand Lodge to remove to Danville. Here, February 29, 1869, they held their first meeting, and Under Dispensation, dated January 4, 1873, moved to Walnut Creek, first rented a house where they met, until the present Lodge was built. The first meeting in the new building was held Novem- ber 23, 1878.
MOUNT DIABLO LODGE, No. 91, A. O. U. W .- Was instituted April, 4, 1879, with the following Charter Members :- A. G. Annis, M. L. Gray, J. M. Wilson, Thomas Johnson, J. E. Rockwell, M. M. Shuey, M. Kirsch, C. Sharp, Robert Thomson, P. Thomson, Charles Thompson, James Hammond, Farmer Sanford, J. E. Pearson, J. M. Simpson, John McCullough, Henry Miller, Charles Niner, D. E. Cameron. The first officers were : M. L. Gray, P. M. W .; J. M. Wilson, M. W .; Thomas Johnson, F .; M. Kirsch, O .; James Hammond, Recorder ; Farmer Sanford, Financier ; M. M. Shuey, Receiver ; A. G. Annis, G .; J. E. Rockwell, I. W .; R. Thomson, O. W. The lodge, which is in a flourishing condition, has a membership of seventy, while the officers for the current term are : C. Sharp, P. M. W .; T. Middleton, M. W .; James Hammond, F .; W. A. Rodgers, O .; E. S. Moore, Recorder; J. M. Wilson, Financier ; H. S. Shuey, Receiver ; M. Kirsch, G .; E. Ford, I. W .; Frank Webb, O. W. The lodge meets at their hall in Walnut Creek, at the corner of Main and Bonanza streets, on Friday of each week. The hall is thirty-six by sixty feet, and well-appointed. To this lodge is the honor of being the first in the State of California, in the Ancient Order of United Workmen, to own its own building.
BAYLEAF LODGE NO. 7, DEGREE OF HONOR .- Was instituted April 6, 1881, with the undermentioned charter members : J. M. Wilson, Mrs. M. J. Wilson, G. W. Yoakum, Mrs. R. A. Yoakum, T. E. Middleton, Mrs. T. E. Middle- ton, J. M. Stow, Mrs. Alice Stow, T. E. Moore, Mrs. Nellie Moore, E. L. Baker, M. Kirsch, Mrs. M. Kirsch, Thomas Johnson, Mrs. T. Johnson, E. Ford, Mrs. E. Ford, Charles Niner, Mrs. Charles Niner, C. Sharp, Mrs. C. Sharp, Miss May Lawless, M. E. Hook, Robert Jones, Mrs. Nettie Jones, Mrs. W. Ren- wick, Fred. L. Foster, H. S. Shuey, Mrs. H. S. Shuey, J. E. Worden, Mrs. J. E. Worden, H. M. Waterbury, James Hammond, David E. Cameron, Mrs. D. E. Cameron, Mrs. Mattie Slitz, Miss Lizzie Frazer, Walter A. Rogers. The first officers to serve were: Mrs. Thomas Johnson, P. W. S. of H .; Mrs. H. S. Shuey, W. S. of H .; Mrs. R. A. Yoakum, S. of H .; Miss May Lawless, Secretary; Mrs. J. M. Wilson, Treasurer ; Mrs. M. Kirsch, S. of C .; Mrs. E. S. Moore, S. U .; M. Kirsch, I. W .; F. L. Foster, O. W. The Lodge,
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which is in a flourishing condition and numbers thirty-seven members, has for its present officers : Mrs. H. S. Shuey, P. W. S. of H .; Mrs. G. W. Yoakum, W. S. of H .; Mrs. E. S. Moore, S. of H .; Mrs. Lizzie Frazer, Sec- retary; Mrs. J. M. Wilson, Treasurer; Mrs. M. Kirsch, S. of C .; Mrs. E. Ford, S. U .; M. Kirsch, I. W .; G. W. Yoakum, O. W. The Lodge meets on the first and third Monday of each month, at the A. O. U. W. Hall.
WOODBINE CHAPTER, NO. 43, ORDER OF EASTERN STAR .- Was instituted May 8, 1880, with the undermentioned charter members: A. Sherburne, W. S. Burpee, Farmer Sanford, A. Williams, I. E. Baker, G. W. Yoakum, N. Graber, J. Zable, John Simms, John Atkinson, J. M. Hinman, Mrs. B. B. Hinman, Mrs. C. L. Sherburne, J. M. Wilson, Mrs. R. A. Yoakum, Mrs. M. J. Wilson, Mrs. M. L. Burpee, Miss Minnie Sanford, Mrs. F. Sanford, Mrs. J. Zable, Miss Laura Zable. The first officers who served were: J. M. Hinman, W. P .; Mrs. B. B. Hinman, W. M .; Mrs. C. L. Sherburne, A. M .; J. M. Wilson, Secretary; Arthur Williams, Treasurer; Mrs. R. A. Yoakum, Conductress ; Mrs. M. J. Wilson, Assistant Conductress ; Mrs. M. L. Burpee, Ada ; Mrs. F. Sanford, Ruth; Miss Minnie Sanford, Esther; Miss Laura Zable, Martha ; Mrs. M. A. Williams, Electa; John Atkinson, Warder; N. Graber, Sentinel. The Lodge, which is in a flourishing condition, has a present membership of thirty-two, while the officers now serving are: C. Sharp, W. P .; Mrs. R. A. Yoakum, W. M .; Mrs. C. L. Sherburne, A. W .; W. S. Burpee, Secretary; A. Williams, Treasurer; Mrs. M. C. Burpee, Conduc- tress ; Mrs. M. C. Sharp, Assistant Conductress ; Mrs. B. B. Hinman, Ada; Miss Lydia Hinman, Ruth; Mrs. Minnie Middleton, Esther; Mrs. M. J. Wilson, Martha ; Mrs. L. A. Williams, Electa; A. Sherburne, Warder; N. Graber, Sentinel. Meets at the Masonic Hall, on the second and fourth Tuesday in each month.
TWILIGHT LODGE, No. 331, I. O. G. T .- This lodge was instituted June 10, 1880, with the following charter members: Rev. J. M. Hinman, Mrs. B. B. Hinman, Miss L. B. Hinman, H. Steele, Mrs. L. A. Steele, Miss Alice Trevits, Miss Florence Trevits, Miss Katie Shannon, Miss Lydia Hinman, Frank Stone, T. J. Dunnagan, L. S. Jones. The first officers were : Mrs. B. B. Hinman, W. C. T .; Miss Florence Trevits, W. V. T. ; Miss Katie Sherman, W. Chaplain ; Miss Lydia Hinman, W. Secretary ; Frank Stone, W. Fin. Sec .; Miss F. Trevits, W. Treasurer ; Miss Alice Trevits, W. Marshall ; T. J. Dun- nagan, W. I. G .; L. S. Jones, W. O. G .; Rev. J. M. Hinman, P. W. C. T. The membership at present is forty-nine. The lodge meets every Monday evening, and is in a flourishing condition, while the officers for the current term are : H. S. Raven, W. C. T .; Miss M. E. Murry, W. V. T .; B. Gallo- way, W. Secretary ; N. Graber, W. Fin. Sec .; Miss Lydia Hinman, W. Treasurer; A. E. Hodges, W. Marshall ; J. Larkey, W. I. G .; J. Dunnagan, W. O. G .; Mrs. B. B. Hinman, W. Chaplain ; Miss Artie Stone, W. R. H.S .;
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Township Number Two.
Miss Katie Shannon, W. L. H. S .; Miss Mamie Baker, W. Asst. Sec. ; Miss Minnie Putnam, W. Asst. Marshall ; Rev. J. M. Hinman, P. W. C. T.
THE BAREGES SULPHUR SPRINGS .- These springs are situated near the town of Walnut Creek, in the Ygnacio valley, and are the property of John Denkinger. When they were discovered we know not, but in 1875, Dr. Rowan, the then proprietor, had a residence on the spot which was destroy- ed by fire in that year, since when no building for the entertainment of guests has been constructed. Bath-houses, however, there are, which are open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The medical and curative virtues of these waters are well established, and their chemical analysis is identical with that of the waters of the world-famous Bareges springs of the Spanish Pyrenees. They are situated in one of the most charming rural neighborhoods of the State, and easily accessible from all directions.
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TOWNSHIP NUMBER THREE.
Geography .- Township Number Three is bounded on the north by the Suisun Bay ; on the east by Township Number Four; on the south by Townships Numbers Four and Two; and on the west by Township Num- ber One.
Topography .- The topography of this township, though not as varied as that of the others, yet has its differences from fertile hill slopes to equally fruitful valley lands. The Ygnacio valley has no peer in the wide extent of the State for prolific yields of grain, while the oaks, which spread their wide sheltering branches in all directions, lend a sylvan beauty to the scene, which once seen, is not to be forgotten. Through it the two considerable streams known as the Monte del Diablo and Walnut creeks find their way past the town of Pacheco, a little distance from which, mingling their waters, they pass through the belt of tules which faces the northern face of the township and fall into Suisun Bay.
Soil .- In this township the soil of the valleys and along the foot-hills is alluvial, although their are certain portions composed of adobe, which is the best adapted to wheat growing. A large portion of the township has known no other product since 1853, and though not as prolific as in the earlier years, still the crops are wonderful. A system of rotation, it is thought, would rectify this.
Products .- Wheat holds first rank among the products of this town- ship, although the other cereals are grown to a considerable extent. Stock- raising and dairying, too, have their adherents, while every farm house has its well filled orchard of every manner of fruit and thriving grape vines.
Timber .- Save the umbrageous oaks, mentioned above, and the trees in the romantic canons about the base of Mount Diablo, but little timber finds space in Township Number Three, yet there is sufficient to meet the do- mestic wants of the population for many decades of years to come.
Climate .- Of the climate of Township Number Three, naught can be said but praise. What applies to the others also applies to this. The year is divided into the dry and wet season, the by no means too warm days of Summer and the cool period of Winter, never too cold, however, to preclude the performance of out-door labors. Wonderful geniality of temperature is the sum of climatic influences here.
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Township Number Three.
Early Settlement .- During the year 1828, the Rancho Monte del Diablo, comprising four leagues of land, was granted to Don Salvio Pacheco, a gentleman who was widely known throughout the Department of California, and held many high offices in the gift of the Mexican Government. At this time he was a resident of the Pueblo de San Jose, and it was not until the year 1834 that he took actual possession and commenced stocking his vast property with cattle, for be it remembered the early Californian was a stock-raiser rather than a farmer. Don Salvio died at his residence near Concord, where now resides his son Fernando. This gentleman came to the township in 1835, and brought with him some cattle, but only remained on the Rancho during a portion of each year. In 1845 he brought his family to the county and made his permanent home in Contra Costa, in 1851 mov- ing to his present house. In the early days the Pachecos owned fully five thousand head of cattle, while it may be stated, as showing that the Ranch- eros life was not always one of indolence, that it was usual to shut for the night as many as one thousand calves.
Up until 1852 there was no accession to the foreign population of the township under consideration. In that year we learn that Asa Bowen settled on the place now occupied by Silverio Soto and William C. Prince. He had in this year started the orchard now owned by Prince, the land be- ing jointly owned by him and Frank Lightston, of San José. In the same year, Benjamin Shreve had a short residence in Ygnacio valley, but after- wards moved to Lafayette, where he now lives.
We should have mentioned that in 1850 valuable lime quarries were discovered at the foot of Mount Diablo by Frank Such, who at once com- menced the task of developing them, and whence, in company with W. E. Whitney, of Township Number Five, he supplied vast quantities of the lime for mortar first used in San Francisco, the material being shipped from the landing, six miles from the mouth of Mount Diablo creek. Excellent kilns were there erected capable of burning four hundred and fifty barrels at one time, and yielding three thousand barrels per month. This industry is at present in abeyance, and yet the supply is said to be inexhaustible. It is presumable that for this staple, as well as for hides and tallow, came the first sailing craft up to the Embarcadero.
In November, 1852, Randolph H. Wight, for many years one of the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa county, settled in the New York valley, and resided with his brother until 1857, when he moved to his present residence. On his arrival Mr. Wight says he found the Olmstead and Strode families, the former living in a house erected in 1850-the first in that portion of the township-where now stands "the stone house," oc- cupied by Joseph Anderson, and the latter on the land now occupied by Daniel Cunningham. In this year the first orchards were planted in the New York valley section of Township Number Three.
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Our readers are all familiar with the stretch of territory forming the high land between Mount Diablo and Walnut creeks, now embraced in English and Kapp's property, comprising some three thousand acres in all, and usually called the Government Ranch. This name, however, is misleading. We are informed, on reliable authority, that the ranch was never the property of the Government, nor was it ever leased by them. It was purchased by two officers of the Quartermasters' Department of the United States Army, Majors Allen and Loring, in or about 1851, and from the fact of the army mules being pastured there during one year, the public gave the tract the name of the Government Ranch. It was one league of the Pacheco Grant and was sold to Majors Allen and Loring for twelve thousand five hundred dollars. Here the two officers erected several buildings shortly after the time of their purchase, but these have not been used as residences for years; they are now store-houses. They were constructed without nails ; the boards were imported from Norway; they came out numbered, each joist and plank fitting into each other. Major Allen never lived on the Ranch. On Loring's death, however, he acquired that gentleman's share, and afterwards sold out to Dr. L. C. Frisbie, of Solano county, who disposed of it to Judge S. C. Hastings. One-half of it was bought by G. W. Colby from the Judge, who gave the remaining moiety to his son, C. F. D. Hastings, who sold it to Barry Baldwin, and from him it passed into the hands of the present owners.
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