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 56
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Six places of business and four dwelling houses were lost sight of when the flames died away. Eighteen thousand dollars' worth of property was destroyed, upon which there was about ten thousand dollars of insurance.
In the records of the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa county, we find the following petition for the incorporation of the town of Antioch, under date February 6, 1872. We reproduce the document and the names attached thereto, as a matter of curiosity and interest :
" We, the undersigned (being a majority of the Town of Antioch, and qualified electors and residents thereof for more than thirty days last past, the said town containing more than two hundred inhabitants,) do now most respectfully petition Your Honorable Body to incorporate the said town, under the name of Antioch, the same being about one mile in width by about three miles in length (but not exceeding the same), and situate on the San Joaquin river, adjoining the New York grant in this county, as per plat or map hereto attached; said town to be incorporated for police purposes, and other purposes, pursuant to the statutes of this State. And your petitioners will ever pray, etc. M. Dolan, Joseph Galloway, M. A. Morrisey, Cyrus Cheney, William Jones, Oliver Wolcott, H. Gardner, M. S. Levy, W. Rountree, J. C. McMaster, Charles Kohn, J. J. McNulty, H. W. Fassett, George Miller, G. S. Carman, R. B. Hard, Stephen Jessup, Francis Williams, Abraham Low, Stephen Abbott, Job E. Warren, T. O. Carter, Jay Tuttle, George McCoy, J. A. Chittenden, George W. Brown,
Townsip Number Five. 489
S. Franklin Pitts, J. T. Cossan, Van W. Phillips, Joseph Ott, Robert West, F. Wilkening, James Martin, G. B. Robbins, Wm. C. Johnson, James Ewing, Frederick Vollmer, I. Lobree, Charles Wein, D. Macartney, Joseph Scheir- welup, J. R. Howard, H. Rietoro, Oscar M. Jessup, H. L. Farland, P. Griffin, J. H. Lewis, A. Brown, S. T. Page, H. W. Brewer, Joseph L. Smith, R. R. Fuller, John Skillconn, R. U. Fuller, Henry N. Baker, Charles Peers, Ferdinand Stain, W. A. Brunkhorst, George P. Rochford, George Thyarks, James Conroy, George Grunewald, Albert Brinck, G. W. Kimball, T. N. Wills, D. Mayon, H. H. Dearien, D. N. Cleaves, J. E. Bollinger, R. J. Wally, R. G. Houston, James T. Cushing, John W. Strickler, George Perry, S. S. Pitts, J. Nicholson, M. H. Jacobs, T. Aug. Heinoch, John B. Turner, Thomas Martin, G. E. Wright, A. M. Marble, H. B. Reed, J. P. Abbott, Joseph Baules, E. J. Fuller, James Gard, John Tappeinen, Peter Dolan, Christian Humble, Frank McFarlane, George A. Swain, H. A. Foster, P. McDermott, H. William- son, H. Seers, R. Taylor, S. B. Joslin, Warren Abbott, D. P. Mahan, M. Horn- berg, J. Strickfield, Joseph P. Barron."
December 8, 1873, we have to record the death of J. J. MeNulty, a member of the County Court, which passed appropriate resolutions on his demise ; while, on the 29th of the same month, a Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry was instituted with the following officers : J. P. Walton, Master ; William Davidson, Overseer; J. Wills, Lecturer ; W. J. Smith, Steward ; W. G. Sellars, Assistant Steward; W. W. Smith, Chaplain ; G. W. Kimball, Treasurer ; James Darby, Secretary ; D. K. Benedict, Gate-keeper; Mrs. P. B. Benedict, Ceres ; Mrs. S. A. Sellars, Pomona; Mrs. Jane C. Smith, Flora ; Miss Alice Wills, Lady Assistant Steward. On March 13, 1875, a Fire Company was organized in the town ; while on January 24, 1878, the Advent Christian church was dedicated, the house being Gothic in style of architecture, thirty-two by fifty-two feet in dimensions, and costing two thousand dollars.
Captain George W. Kimball, one of the best known pioneer residents of Contra Costa county, died at Antioch, November 18, 1879. He had been a resident of the town since his arriyal in California in 1850. In command of a ship built under his direction and supervision in Maine by an associa- tion composed of lumbermen, mechanics and seamen, who cut the timber, built the ship, he made the voyage in her to this State. In a published sketch of Captain Kimball's life, he thus speaks of occurrences after his arrival in Antioch in 1850: " My brother (S. P. Kimball) and I hired men and cut hay on Sherman and Kimball Islands. I took it to San Francisco in my scow and sold it for sixty dollars per ton.
" Mr. Smith afterwards moved away from Antioch, so that I became the first permanent settler. I built two small wharves for receiving coal. I was the first Postmaster, first Notary Public, first Justice of the Peace, and first School Trustee in Antioch. I supposed I owned the section I lived on
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until 1865, as I had bought all the titles I knew of. Garcia told me his New York ranch did not reach me, but they finally located it over my claim, and covered my improvements, and the Courts said it was all right. " After the New York Grant took my land, I bought a few parcels of land to save some improvements, and then fled to the tule island opposite Pittsburg Landing with my stock. I spent part of two seasons there, dairy- ing and raising hogs. I also bought the litttle island opposite Antioch ; from this island my son, Edgar H. Kimball, supplies Antioch with milk."
Captain Kimball was known as a man of generous and humane feelings, marked intellectuality, originality and independence of thought; and though infirmities of age had somewhat withdrawn him from the active currents of neighborhood intercourse, his death made a vacancy long to be regretted.
In regard to early surveys of the town, we have learned that in 1862, Messrs. Wyatt and O'Brien entered upon the State Tule lands, situated to the west of the town, and having it surveyed, laid it out into blocks and lots, these lying to the west of what is now Galloway street. On this land Wolf & Co. built a brick store, while Kimball & Co. had a store on the plot of ground known as Morrisey's corner. Galloway and Boober then paid a thousand dollars to Captain Kimball for one block of land, but finally pur- chased the west half of section thirteen and the east half of section twenty- five, embracing the town and what is now Mr. Wills' farm, which they had laid out, and is now known as the Eddy survey. It may be mentioned that Mr. Wolf died on the cars while on his way to San Francisco, Septeni- ber 12, 1878.
The manufacturing industries of Antioch are not a few, while their history is interesting. As long ago as 1852 a company was formed for making brick at Antioch, by J. C. McMaster, - Barker and others. The remains of dilapidated kilns and trenches may still be seen in their unorna- mental simplicity. No less than four attempts have been made to establish potteries in the town, but only one survives the shock of time, the Albion. Antioch, however, boasts a distillery, finer than which there is none on the Pacific Coast. The establishment is an immense one, with a prosperous and increasing trade. We have already alluded to the smelting works, founded in 1864. In 1875, a company was organized for the purpose of preparing tules for the manufacture of mattresses and such like articles of upholstery. In 1878 Mr. Cooley embarked in, and has since successfully perfected the enterprise of making tule covers for bottles for the San Francisco market.
Communication between Antioch and the outside world was started in January, 1851, by Captain Miller, who had a schooner plying to San Fran- cisco. In the following year Captain Charles Bartlett continued the trade in a like craft, purchased for the especial purpose of conveying butter, eggs, cheese, and such other freight, and returning with passengers and goods. For the convenience of the boats, W. W. Smith constructed a platform
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between Antioch and the Beener House; and about 1859, Mr. Galloway, and in 1871, Mr. Boober, constructed the present Granger wharves.
It will be remembered that the first postmaster in the district was John Beener, located at New York of the Pacific, the official name being Junction. He was succeed by H. F. Toy. In 1852 the name was changed and the office moved to Antioch, G. W. Kimball being appointed postmaster. Dur- ing the visit of that gentleman to the mines, J. C. McMaster was deputed to attend to the duties of the office, who in turn was succeeded by Mr. Eddy.
The first cemetery belonging to Antioch was situated to the south of the town. Here, under the wide-spreading branches of a white oak tree, was the Rev. Joseph H. Smith, committed to the earth from whence he sprang. After the town site had been surveyed, two blocks of land were set apart and fenced in as a burial-ground, where most of the dead in the district found their last resting place. This "God's Acre" soon became crowded ; then a company was formed by the Free Masons and Odd Fellows, and a tract of land, located among the live oaks, two miles and a half from town, selected. Hither are being gradually removed the bones of those buried within the town limits.
In the year 1864 there were two Grange Associations started in the township-one at. Antioch and the other at Point of Timber. The first mentioned purchased a wharf and fixtures from Mr. Boober, for which they paid ten thousand six hundred dollars, dividing the land accompanying it into small lots to suit purchasers, thus hoping to liquidate the debt. They built a good hall at each place, but the Antioch Grange Association failed in its operations, and is now defunct property, without value.
In the year 1877, or thereabouts, the proprietors of the Empire mine completed a narrow gauge railroad from the mine to the water front at Antioch, where there are all the appliances for shipping coal. While in the matter of railroads for public uses we may remark that there was a survey for a line from Antioch to Visalia, Tulare county, made in 1871, and much of the stock subscribed, but the scheme was not carried out by its projectors. In the meantime the Central Pacific Railroad had stretched out its octopus arms, and completing their line from Oakland to Tracy, the first train passed through Antioch September 9, 1878.
In conclusion of our remarks on the town, we boldly assert that Antioch is destined to be a very important commercial and manufacturing point so soon as capitalists take the trouble to inquire into its numerous advantages. It is situated far enough from the ocean-about fifty miles-to escape the harsh trade winds to which other places nearer the Bay of San Francisco are subjected ; is at the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, and being at the head of ocean navigation has a depth of water at low tides of twenty-four feet, where the largest ships can load and go to sea with ease. Vessels can also lie in fresh water while in port, which is a great advantage, as it cleans their hulls from barnacles and other parasites.
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The channel from Suisun bay to Antioch was surveyed in July, 1878, by General B. S. Alexander, who pronounced the lowest depth of water at low tide to be twenty-two feet. The General, at that time, expressed the opinion that the advantages of Antioch as a shipping point were unsur- passed. He stated that the channel is not tortuous; that with the prevailing westerly winds ships could easily sail directly to the wharf ; that the an- chorage is good, with plenty of room and no hidden dangers, and that during the high tides vessels drawing twenty-five feet of water could go to sea. One of its great advantages as a grain shipping point is that the wheat from those immense valleys, the Sacramento and San Joaquin, can be brought to this point in barges, which can easily navigate the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers for hundreds of miles north and south, but which are too frail to live in the rough waters of the Carquinez Straits and San Francisco Bay. There is also ample room for warehouses, as the deep water front extends for over two miles.
In addition to the advantages above enumerated, Antioch has unrivalled facilities for the establishment of manufactories of many descriptions, among which may be mentioned woolen mills, flouring mills, foundries and pot- teries. For the latter there is an unlimited supply of the best quality of potters' clay, from which, it is claimed, the finest porcelain can be made ; there is both soft and hard clay in various colors, with different proportions of kaolinite, silica, feldspar, lime, magnesia, etc. Mr. I. Nicholson is now extensively engaged in working this clay, although his operations are con- fined to the manufacture of stove linings and piping. For manufacturers requiring steam power, fuel is plentiful and cheap, as there are hundreds of tons of coal brought into the town daily by rail, from mines which are only five or six miles distant. Another advantage which manufacturers here could have is that they would not be confined to the water outlet for the transportation of their productions, as the San Pablo & Tulare Railroad runs past the town.
Among other advantages, which go to make a large and prosperous city, possessed by Antioch, is an immense area of the finest agricultural lands. An illustration of what this land is capable of is related by a prominent merchant of Antioch. From this gentleman's statement it appears that a certain party purchased a quarter-section of land in that vicinity for fifteen dollars per acre, and seeded it in wheat. His first crop paid for the land, and left him a surplus of six hundred dollars. Wheat is not by any means considered the most valuable crop that these lands will produce, as they are peculiarly adapted to grapes and fruits of various kinds.
THE ANTIOCH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH .- Was organized June 25, 1865, with the following members : D. S. Woodruff, J. P. Walton, Almira Walton, Francis A. Barrett, Mrs. Agnes Barrett, Mrs. M. H. Boothby, Miss Ida Ful- ler. Following are the names of the several pastors in the order in which
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they served : Rev. B. S. Crossley, Rev. C. Morgan, Rev. James Wood, Rev. Albion Johnson, Rev. T. Beaizley, Rev. William N. Meserve, Rev. E. O. Tade, Rev. C. T. K. Tracy, Rev. John Carrington, Rev. C. R. Hager. Present pas- tor, Rev. C. R. Hager. During the pastorate of Rev. James Wood, the Con- gregational church was built, mainly through his exertions. The building is hard-finished, with bell tower and steeple, and will seat about two hun- dred people. The present membership, May, 1882, is twenty-nine. Follow- ing are the present officers of the church: Trustees-H. W. Brewer, S. Broacher, G. F. Hawley ; Clerk, Charles H. Smith ; Treasurer, G. F. Hawley; Moderator, William W. Smith ; Deacons, H. W. Brewer, S. Broacher.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- This sketch, we inform the reader, is not confined to the history of the church at Antioch alone, but to the entire Methodist organization in the eastern portion of Contra Costa county.
In the year 1867 Rev. W. S. Corwin was appointed to the charge of the eastern portion of Contra Costa, and in the following year was succeeded by Rev. Noah Burton, who, shortly after his arrival, organized a Board of Trustees, as follows : Thomas Murphy, Thomas McCabe, R. C. Pennington, Alonzo Plumley and William S. Paige. In this year a parsonage was built at Point of Timber. In 1869, Rev. C. A. E. Hertell was appointed to the work, then called Point of Timber and Eden Plain. This gentleman re- mained in charge until September, 1872, the name being changed in 1871 to Point of Timber and Antioch.
In 1870, Rev. V. Righmeyer was sent to Clayton and Somersville, where he remained two years. In 1872, Rev. J. H. Jones was appointed to Som- ersville and San Joaquin, which included Antioch and Point of Timber, and remained two years. In 1874, Rev. A. C. Hazzard supplied the work ; in 1875, Rev. E. Jacka was appointed to Point of Timber, and Rev. Wm. Gafney to Somersville, both remaining one year. In 1876, Rev. J. M. Hinman was appointed to Point of Timber, and Rev. G. G. Walter to Som- ersville and Antioch, at the latter of which places he remained three years. In 1877, Rev. William Gafney was appointed to Point of Timber, where he remained three years. In 1879, the parsonage was moved to Brentwood, and Mr. Gafney took charge of Somersville and Antioch also, preaching at Point of Timber, Eden Plain, Brentwood, Antioch and Somersville. In 1881, Rev. E. A. Winning was appointed to the work now called Point of Timber and Antioch. The church has a small house of worship at Som- ersville, while the present membership of the whole charge is about fifty.
ANTIOCH LODGE, No. 175, F. AND A. M .- This lodge was organized Oc- tober 12, 1865, with the following charter members: Francis Williams, Rozwell Hard, J. P. Walton, D. H. Cleaves, Norman Adams, Stephen Jes- sup, J. J. McNulty, J. C. O'Brien, John E. Wright, Richard Charnock, Jack- son W. Ong, Thomas Cryan, E. T. Mills. The officers Under Dispensation,
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dated May 21, 1865, were : Francis Williams, W. M .; Seth W. Bedford, S. W .; John C. O'Brien, J. W. On the Charter being granted, the follow- ing officers were elected : Francis Williams, W. M .; Seth W. Bedford, S. W .; John C. O'Brien, J. W .; John E. Wright, Treasurer; Mark Kline, Secretary; Norman Adams, S. D .; Stephen Jessup, J. D .; Emory T. Mills, Tyler. The lodge, which is in a flourishing condition,has a membership at present of forty- six, owning their hall in partnership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The names of the officers serving for the current term are: J. P. Abbott, W. M .; N. W. Smith, S. W .; S. H. McKillips, J. W .; J. C. Rouse, Treasurer; W. R. Forman, Secretary; A. K. P. Nason, S. D .; M. H. Jacobs, J. D. ; John G. Chase, Tyler.
SAN JOAQUIN LODGE, No. 151, I. O. O. F .- Was instituted January 11, 1869, the following being the charter members and original officers: Wil- liam Girvan, M. S. Levy, George Thyarks, R. Eddy, F. Wilkening. The Lodge is in a flourishing condition, with a membership of fifty-two on the roll. The officers for the current term are: A. A. Waldie, N. G .; A. M. Groves, V. G. ; W. H. Dobyns, R. & P. S .; D. Macartney, Treasurer; H. W. Baker, W. H. Dobyns, and William Renfree, Trustees.
ANTIOCH LODGE, No. 37, A. O. U. W .- This Lodge was organized by D. D. Barrows in June, 1878, with the following charter members and offi- cers : H. W. Baker, P. M. W .; Henry F. Beede, M. W .; E. L. Wemple, G. F .; Louis Dahnken, O .; William H. Dobyns, Recorder; John S. Killicum, Fin .; L. Meyer, Receiver ; H. W. Brewer, G .; H. C. Wenig, I. W .; Albert T. Beede, O. W. The present membership of the Lodge is forty-five, who hold their meetings in the Hall of the Masons and Odd Fellows. The present officers are: H. W. Baker, P. M. W .; H. F. Beede, M. W .; Wm. H. Dobyns, F .; R. P. Taylor, O .; E. L. Wemple, Finan .; A. K. P. Nason, Receiver; G. D. Darby, G.
ARIEL CHAPTER, No. 42, ORDER OF EASTERN STAR .- This Chapter was organized March 30, 1880, by Grand Worthy Patron, C. L. Thomas, with the following charter members: Elizabeth Williams, Alice Parkison, Katie E. Forman, Malvina G. Abbott, Alice Rouse, Mrs. T. B. Jacobs, Annie F. McKillips, Alyszan R. Jessup, Mary E. Frink, N. W. Smith, Mary E. Smith, C. H. Frink, G. Rouse, J. P. Abbott. The first officers to serve were: George C. Wright, W. Patron; Elizabeth Williams, Matron; Mrs. Alice Rouse, Associate; C. H. Frink, Secretary; Mrs. Mary E. Frink, Treas. ; Mrs. A. R. Jes- sup, Condt .; Mrs. Bertha Jacobs, Asst. Condt .; Miss Anna Mckillips, Ada; Miss Kate E. Forman, Ruth; Miss Mary E. Smith, Esther ; Mrs. N. G. Abbott, Mar- tha ; Miss Allie Parkison, Electa. The Chapter, which is in a flourishing condi- tion, has a present membership of thirty, while the officers serving for the cur- rent term are : M. G. Abbott, W. Matron ; A. C. Hartley, W. Patron ; M. E. Frink, S. M .; G. Rouse, Sec .; N. W. Smith, Treas .; Mrs. A. R. Rouse,
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Condt .; Mrs. R. Metcalf, Asst. Condt .; Louisa Willis, Ada; Kate Forman, Ruth ; Mary E. Smith, Esther; Allie Rouse, Martha; Mrs. Frank Pitts, Electa; J. C. Rouse, Warder; S. H. Mckillips, Sentinel. The Chapter meets on the first and third Mondays of each month, at the Masonic Hall.
YOUNG MEN'S TEMPERANCE AND LITERARY SOCIETY .- This association was organized April 8, 1882, with the undermentioned Charter Members : James Carolan, Charles Smith, R. H. Parkison, Cellus Biglow, John Tope, Frank Biglow, F. M. Wills. The present officers are : James Carolan, Ch. T .; Charles Smith, Marshal; R. H. Parkison, Secretary ; Cellus Biglow, Senti- nel ; John Tope, V. T .; Frank Biglow, Chaplain ; Frank Wills, Treasurer. The society's rooms are opposite the store of Rouse, Frink & Co., and are fitted up in a neat style, chiefly by subscriptions from the people of the town. Here all newspapers and periodical publications are free to the public. Meets every Wednesday evening at 8 P. M.
ANTIOCH FIRE DEPARTMENT .- On December 18, 1874, the citizens of Antioch met and organized the Fire Department of that town, D. P. Mahan being Chairman and Francis Williams, Secretary. On a resolution being put that all those in favor of such an organization should sign their names to the roll, the following signatures were thereupon affixed : Francis Wil- liams, D. P. Mahan, William C. Johnson, M. S. Levy, Clarence Maclay, Stephen Jessup, S. B. Joslin, Charles Peers, John W. Gunn, John G. Chase, John S. Killicum, J. H. Patterson, Fred. Wilkening, Van Phillips; L. Dahn- ken, William Renfree, Joseph W. Galloway. The following officers were then elected : Francis Williams, President ; M. S. Levy, Secretary ; S. B. Joslin, Treasurer ; Stephen Jessup, Foreman ; Fred. Wilkening, First Assist- ant; Louis Dahnken, Second Assistant. The Department is now composed of thirty-one members, with the following officers : H. F. Beede, President ; D. Macartney, Secretary ; S. B. Joslin, Treasurer ; I. Nicholson, Foreman ; F. M. Wills, First Assistant; J. G. Kaiser, Second Assistant.
ROUSE, FORMAN & CO's LUMBER YARD .- This enterprise was started in the year 1864 by Mr. Galloway, who conducted it until 1877, when it was purchased by the present owners who now manage the concern. All build- ing material is here supplied, the lumber used being imported from Oregon and Washington Territory, for which a sale is found in the surrounding district, large quantities being shipped up the Sacramento and San Joaquin by both boat and sail. Antioch is essentially a distributing point. Rouse, Forman & Co. usually carry a stock of from one and a half to two millions of feet of lumber.
ALBION POTTERY .- I. Nicholson, Proprietor. The first establishment of an enterprise of this nature was by I. Lobree in 1865, which was discon- tinued in 1869. In 1868, Mr. Nicholson embarked in his present enter- prise, on the site it now occupies at the corner of Wyatt and Robinson
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streets. Here he is engaged in the manufacture chiefly of chimney and sewer pipes, Terra Cotta, and stove lining, in which he gives employ- ment to from six to eight men. The buildings are one story in height, and cover a space of one hundred by one hundred and fifty feet.
PIONEER SODA WORKS .- This was among the first establishments of the kind in the county. It was started by John Gagen, who conducted it until it passed into the hands of John Reilly in 1881. Here all manner of ærated waters are manufactured, including soda, ginger-ale, sarsaparilla, cider, etc.
THE WEEKLY ANTIOCH LEDGER .- Was established March, 26, 1869, by Messrs. Townsend and Wait. Mr. Wait shortly after retired, and for a time Mr. Townsend continued the paper alone. In December, J. P. Abbott pur- chased a half interest. The following year Mr. Townsend disposed of his interest to E. G. Fuller, who, in 1872, sold out to H. A. Weaver. Mr. Abbott retained his half interest during this time, and in May, 1873, purchased Mr. Weaver's interest, thus becoming sole proprietor. Mr. Abbott continued to conduct the paper up to November 1, 1881, when he leased it to Charles H. Smith, who is at present the editor and publisher. Mr. Smith is a native of the county, having been born upon the slope of Mount Diablo, above Clayton, in October, 1855. He entered the Ledger office as an apprentice in December, 1879. The Ledger has always been a strong Republican journal.
ANTIOCH DISTILLERY COMPANY .- In the Spring of 1869 this enterprise was started by George Russell, William Knight and George Gruenewald, and had a capacity of one thousand gallons. In the following year it was con- solidated with the Brannan street, Pacific and South San Francisco distil- leries, and became a stock company. It was continued thus for only six months, when Mr. Jost purchased the Antioch distillery, which he con- tinued until the Fall of 1876. Nothing was done on the premises till the Spring of 1879, when Mr. Jost was joined in partnership by Aaron Adler, the firm name being Jost & Adler. Since that time many valuable im- provements have been made, such as new machinery and warehouses, while the capacity has risen to two thousand four hundred gallons per day, on which a revenue of two thousand one hundred dollars per day is paid. The goods manufactured are Bourbon, Rye and Spirits, as well as the German compressed yeast, of which are turned out about two thousand pounds per week and shipped to the San Francisco market. The present proprietors are Jost & Adler, who employ about twenty men, George Miller acting as superintendent.
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