USA > California > Contra Costa County > History of Contra Costa County, California; with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 28
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along the water's edge, every building resting on piles. Fire rapidly spread towards McNear's warehouse, taking every building in its path.
The wharf was also damaged, and several thousand bushels of wheat and eight cars. The loss is only partly covered by insurance. Four hotels, three saloons, eight freight cars and eighty tons of wheat were destroyed.
November 17, 1883 .- Mr. Ipswich, late purchaser of the Centennial Hotel, has had a force of carpenters and painters repairing and renovating the building.
The Hook & Ladder Company of Concord have appointed a com- mittee to receive bids for the erection of a handsome hall.
December 1, 1883 .- Charles B. Porter, for eighteen years editor of the Gazette, has disposed of his interest in the paper.
The Pacific Coast Steel & Iron Manufacturing Company desire to locate in Martinez if they can sell $50,000 of stock here, which is offered at half-price.
The California Redwood Company filed notice of application for a wharf franchise. They have bought twenty acres near Pinole for their yards. They desire a franchise on the water's edge.
December 8, 1883 .- The Petroleum Refining & Developing Company has incorporated for the purpose indicated by the title. The principal place of business is Haywards. It is claimed that first-quality petroleum has been discovered in the Livermore Mountains and development work is soon to begin.
The Commercial Hotel was opened to the public Monday evening, and a large number of people took advantage of the occasion to inspect the establishment. There is certainly no hotel in the county superior to the Commercial. The proprietor, J. Ipswich, spread a sumptuous supper for his guests.
From 3500 to 4000 tons of coal per month are being taken out of the Empire Mine.
December 13, 1883 .- This week's weather has been cold, foggy and disagreeable. Ice and fog is a condition we seldom have in Martinez.
D. P. Griffin has bought a half-interest in the Pacheco Flour Mills.
The farmers of the Danville section look for a dry year and have stopped plowing, as the ground is very hard.
.A. C. Tichnor, of Los Angeles, claims to have invented an electrical process which will do away with telephone and telegraph wires and poles. [Query : Was this an early experiment in wireless telegraphy ?]
December 22, 1883 .- A meeting of subscribers and others interested in the proposed new steel works at Martinez will be held at the Exchange Hotel this afternoon at two o'clock.
The total amount of real estate sales for the last five months of 1883, through the office of Matthews & Sayre, amounted to $167,450.
December 29, 1883. - Rainfall to date 2.13 inches. The farmers generally have resumed plowing.
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CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
At a meeting of the State Teachers' Association in San Francisco this week, D. J. Sullivan of San Pablo was placed on the Committee of Nom- inations.
Port Costa is being rapidly rebuilt. Several houses have been erected and others are going up. The new Catholic church is nearly completed.
The Point of Timber Landing Company are engaged in constructing a canal, thirty-six feet wide and four and a half feet deep, from a point in the slough near their old wharf, where their buildings are located. It is to be about 4000 feet long. At the ordinary high tide this will fur- nish over six feet of water, and at low tide two feet.
Ninety-six trains per day run over the road between Port Costa and Oakland.
January, 1884 .- The year 1883 was ushered in by a remarkable snow- storm; New Year's Day, 1884, was mild and pleasant.
Contra Costa County began the new year with $118,946.76 in its treasury.
The tunnel of the Martinez Water Company is now in 300 feet, and prospects for additional water grow gradually better.
January 26, 1884 .- The American Exchange Hotel, corner Main and Wyatt Streets, in Antioch, was entirely destroyed by fire early last Mon- day morning. John Griffin, son of the owner of the hotel, and Patrick Hines, a section-hand, perished in the flames. The hotel was built in 1871 by Patrick Griffin, but was destroyed by fire the same year. It was rebuilt of brick, being the only brick hotel building in the county.
February 2, 1884 .- Rainfall to date, 6.12 inches.
St. Patrick's Church, at Port Costa, will be dedicated tomorrow.
Everybody is smiling this week on account of the rain. The farmers and merchants are all happy. Up to Friday noon of this week 3.36 inches of rain had fallen at Martinez. Other sections benefitted in like manner.
February 9, 1884 :- The following notice was presented and adopted at a meeting of the Pacific Coast Steel & Iron Manufacturing Company, held at Melrose :
"Notice is hereby given to all whom it may concern, that in pursuance of the written consent of the stockholders of two-thirds of the capital stock of the Pacific Coast Steel & Iron Manufacturing Company, and which consent is in writing and duly filed in the office of the said company, that the office and the principal place of business of the Pacific Coast Steel & Iron Manufacturing Company will be changed from Melrose, Alameda County, to the town of Martinez, Contra Costa County, Cali- fornia, and that hereafter said office and place of business of said Com- pany will be at Martinez aforesaid."
February 9, 1884 .- The Catholics of Lafayette, Moraga Valley, Alamo and Walnut Creek are preparing to erect a church not far from Walnut Creek.
February 23, 1884 .- A large force of men and teams are at work
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CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
on the foundation of the new steel works. The buildings and machinery are to cost over $110,000.
During the past week there have been eight ships loading at the Ne- vada Docks, and seventeen at Port Costa.
The Antioch Ledger was revived last week as a Democratic paper, Charles F. Montgomery being its new editor and proprietor. The Ledger makes a good showing on its local page, and its editorial columns are original and interesting.
Vincent Hook has purchased the Fish Ranch between Martinez and Pacheco, containing over 1000 acres.
March 8, 1884 .- Up to ten o'clock Friday afternoon the rainfall at Martinez had amounted to 1.68 inches, making a total for the season of 12.19 inches.
March 15, 1884 .- The total rainfall for the season is now 16.25 inches.
March 15, 1884 .- The Gazette has purchased another job press, making four now in operation.
The efforts of the Martinez Water Company have been rewarded. Now 62,000 gallons daily come from Maraschi Canyon, six miles from town. The tunnel is in 360 feet. Five or six miles of pipe will be required, and its fall will be 800 feet. A reservoir will be built on the hills near Martinez and the water piped into town.
March 22, 1884 .- The damage to crops on Roberts Island by the breaking of the levee is estimated at $500,000.
Six thousand sacks of wheat were shipped by car this week from the Grangers' warehouse here to the Grangers' warehouse on the Straits.
Treat & Whitman, experienced horticulturists, are setting out from eighty to one hundred acres in fruit trees and vines on their place in Ygna- cio Valley.
March 29, 1884 .- A severe earthquake was felt in this county on Tuesday, at seventeen minutes to five o'clock p. m., followed by a slight shock one hour later. The quake seems to have been quite general throughout the State. In San Francisco brick buildings were cracked in many places.
April 5, 1884 .- A question now before the citizens of Martinez is that of incorporating. It is believed the proper time has arrived for such a move.
The month of March had 8.50 inches rainfall.
April 19, 1884 .- The new El Dorado Hotel at Antioch opened last week.
The Concord Sun has gone into an eclipse; whether partial or total is not known.
E. W. Hiller has secured the Antioch ice-house for this season and is now prepared to furnish ice at that point.
May 10, 1884 .- Martinez is to be incorporated under the general laws.
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CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
Today the first run of steel will be made at the works to test the cupo- las and to see that everything is in running order.
The new Presbyterian church at Walnut Creek is going up rapidly.
The Steel Company is making molds and shells for castings. The men engaged in the work are experienced and skilful.
It seems to be definitely settled that Moore & Smith will locate their extensive lumber yards here in Martinez during the summer.
Work progresses on the California and Nevada narrow gauge, and it will reach Walnut Creek this summer.
May 31, 1884 .- Oakland and Carquinez Railway Company filed ar- ticles of incorporation with the county clerk of Alameda County, with a capital of $500,000. The projected road will run from Oakland harbor over the San Antonio range of hills to Moraga Valley, Contra Costa County, and thence to the Straits of Carquinez.
News from Crockett and Wheatport state that the Sunday school has an average attendance of forty; the public school, an attendance of thirty-five. Two dwellings have been erected, a variety store opened, and a new butcher shop put in operation. Heald's Agricultural Ware- house is going full blast, and Starr's Mill is completed to the second story.
The assessment roll of the county will probably foot up between $12,- 000,000 and $13,000,000 this year.
A new tannery is about to be started near Martinez by two Benicia men. The schooner Columbus is here with a cargo of bark for the en- terprise.
The new officers of Martinez, elected May 31: F. M. Warmcastle, Samuel Robin, Dr. H. Bernett, Dr. John Leffler, trustees; John O'B. Wyatt, clerk; J. J. Jones, treasurer; Frank Pitts, marshal. There was a tie vote for the fifth member of the board of trustees between J. H. Borland and Henry Potter, and it was declared neither was elected.
June 14, 1884 .- The rainfall brought the total up to 24.23 inches.
San Ramon Hotel will be opened today as a first-class country hotel, with Joseph Kaster, proprietor; Joseph Willard will be the manager.
The rain damaged the hay crop of the entire State, and much of the heavy grain is badly damaged. The loss in the State will run up into the millions.
June 21, 1884 .- J. H. Borland was declared elected the fifth member of the board of trustees of Martinez at a special election.
A run of 10,000 pounds was made at the steel works last Monday.
Matthews and Sayre sold during the last twelve months more than 8049 acres, totaling $372,500, and making an average price of $46 per acre. This means the development of ranch property and new settlers.
July 12, 1884 .- The new Congregational church at Stewartville will. be ready for occupancy in ten days.
The old and new fire organizations of Martinez were consolidated at a meeting Tuesday evening at the court house. President, L. C. Wit-
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CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
tenmyer; foreman, Neal Hurley; treasurer, James Braire; treasurer, J. H. Borland; secretary, J. O'B. Wyatt.
Report of Superintendent Borland, of Contra Costa Telephone Com- pany: 54 miles of line; 34 instruments; balance on hand, $384.08.
August 9, 1884 .- The board of supervisors have engaged William Minto and T. A. McMahon to draw a correct county map.
August 16, 1884 .- The dedication of Bennett's new hall was a grand success.
Blaine and Logan Clubs are being organized all over the county.
September 6, 1884 .- The display of fruits, vegetables, cereals, etc., from this county in San Francisco made by Matthews & Sayre equaled any display ever made there and was in many respects superior to similar exhibits from other counties heretofore made, and yet the fruit repre- sented but a few of our best orchards. Among those who contributed were Messrs. Raap, McBride, Dr. Strentzel, Fish, Dudley, Sickal, Thomas, John Gambs, Dick and Dukes. Following is a list of the products ex- hibited : Grapes-seedless, Sultanas, Sweet Water, Rose of Peru, Flaming Tokay, Zinfandel, Muscat, Palestine, Mission, Victor, Black Hamburgs, and Golden Chasselas; numerous varieties of peaches, pears, plums, ap- ples, oranges, lemons, cucumbers and melons; wheat, seven feet high ; barley and oats, nine feet high; rye; chestnuts; corn with six ears to a stalk and fourteen feet high.
The Twenty-fourth Annual Fair of Contra Costa County Agricul- tural, Horticultural and Mechanical Society was held at Pacheco Sep- tember 8 to 13.
The county was treated to a fine rain Sunday night. Very little dam- age was done, as the threshing was practically finished.
Thirteen schooners were loaded with hay and grain at Antioch this week by W. A. Brunkhorst.
Bray Brothers have shipped 2557 bales of hay this week.
September 27, 1884 .- The fleet of the Pacific Yacht Club will visit Martinez today.
The amount of wheat received at Bray's each day amounts to from forty to fifty tons.
October 4, 1884 .- There was a sharp frost in the San Ramon Valley Thursday morning.
October 18, 1884 .- Construction work on the new Congregational church building at Crockett has begun.
During the past week the rainfall in the county has been 1.13 inches.
November 22, 1884 .- Over sixty men are at work excavating and grading for the site of the new Selby's Lead Works, a short distance be- low Vallejo Junction. This large enterprise will add to the business and wealth of the county.
December 6, 1884 .- Eight street lamps were placed in position this week in Martinez at advantageous points. These lamps will give suffi-
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cient light for all present purposes, as there are several private street lamps which will continue to be used.
The great event at Point of Timber last week was the opening of the Landing Company's Canal, which is three-quarters of a mile long cut through the tules from Indian Slough to the company's yard on the main- land. The stock is all owned by residents of Point of Timber. A schooner with 50,000 feet of lumber is expected in the canal in a few days.
The first new sidewalk on the official grade in Martinez was con- structed this week by Robin & Maloche in front of their blacksmith shop on Main Street.
December 17, 1884 .- William P. Netherton, oldest son of J. S. Netherton, graduated from Oakland High School last week.
On December 17 the Byron Hotel burned; insurance, $7000.
December 20, 1884 .- It is stated that the Black Diamond coal mine will shut down within a few weeks owing to operating expenses.
January 3, 1885 .- A new sidewalk has been placed, leading to the Court House.
January 17, 1885 .- Articles of incorporation of the Antioch & Men- docino Lumber Company have been filed with the Secretary of State; paid up capital, $200,000. Antioch is to be made the forwarding point for all kinds of lumber on the Southern Pacific.
January 24, 1885 .- The Martinez Water Company has proved a success. An abundance of water, sufficient to supply a city of 20,000, has been obtained. The work has been carried on by John and Harry Porter, who back their faith by their work. The tunnel is 900 feet long and is situated 840 feet above Martinez.
January 31, 1885 .- Rainfall to date, 8.19 inches.
At Port Costa all the wharves are lined with ships, and wheat is being poured out of car, warehouse and barge for nine hours daily, six days of the week. Many of the ships work three gangs at once.
February 21, 1885 .- The Empire Mine is shipping 125 tons of coal per day.
A tax was voted at Crockett for a new school building; fifty votes solid.
The Three Brothers, the second largest ship afloat under sail, loaded 45,000 sacks of wheat this week at Port Costa.
March 7, 1885 .- The marriage certificate of W. P. Netherton and Maggie M. Glassford was filed this week.
The new Catholic church at Pinole will be dedicated March 8 by the Most Reverend Archbishop Riordan.
March 14, 1885 .- Lumber is being hauled for a new large "Cash Store" building in Martinez, to be built for L. M. Lasell, of Nortonville.
March 28, 1885 .- A meeting for the organization of a N. S. G. W. Parlor at Martinez was called for Monday evening at the office of Jus- tice F. M. Smith.
General Canby Post No. 78, G. A. R., organized in Martinez, is the first organized by Civil War soldiers in the county. G. W. Bowie is Com-
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CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
mander : M. H. Bailhache, Senior Vice; O. L. Marsh, Junior Vice; R. N. Doyle, Q. M .; Dr. H. Bernett, Surgeon; Harry Heinz, Chaplain; George H. Wellington, Officer of the Guard; and A. L. Gartley, Adjutant.
The first passenger train on the narrow gauge left Oakland at nine o'clock Sunday morning with a number of officials and invited guests on board, and made the trip to San Pablo and return. All were pleased with the smoothness of the road.
April 18, 1885 .- A communication of the Water Company, offering to sell its works to the town for $25,000, was received and laid over until April 28.
The Martinez Warehouse property, the warehouses and real estate on Pacheco Creek, schooners Martinez and Melrose, and the steamship Tulare, now located in Martinez, all being a portion of the assets of the estate of W. A. Bray (Bray Brothers), will be sold at 226 Clay Street, San Francisco, today to the highest bidder. The sale is under the direc- tion of assignees, C. A. Knox and Frank Otis.
April 25, 1885 .- At the sale of the Martinez Warehouse property, Blum & Company of Martinez put in the highest bid, and the property was sold to them. They will soon remove their offices to the old Bray offices.
May 16, 1885 .- The following schooners arrived at Martinez this week for Blum & Company: The Christina Stephens, with a cargo of 7500 posts; the John McCullough, with 120,000 feet redwood; the Mar- tinez, with a load of bricks; and the Melrose, with a load of coal, lime and lumber.
The furniture and fixtures of the late Good Templars Lodge in Mar- tinez were sold at auction on May 23 by W. A. J. Gift.
A Chapter of R. A. M. was recently instituted in Antioch.
The dedication of the new Pythian Castle of Black Diamond Lodge No. 29, K. of P., of Martinez, will take place on June 5, upon which occa- sion a grand ball will be given. This lodge has erected a fine two-story structure on Main Street.
The Martinez Cash Store and Wholesale Grocery, Lasell & Com- pany, proprietors, will be opened to the public Monday morning.
Mr. Norris, of Concord, is laying a real city sidewalk around his premises, constructed of cobblestones from the quarry near town. Other property owners please take the hint.
William Thomas has had erected, at his own expense, a water-foun- tain on Main Street at the Knights of Pythias corner for the benefit of the public. The water comes from a spring on his father's premises and is of good quality.
June 6, 1885 .- The thermometer reached 100 degrees in the shade Friday, the 29th of May, at Walnut Creek.
July 4, 1885 .- Of the $38,000 bonded indebtedness of the county, $9000 has been paid, leaving $29,000 still outstanding.
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CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
The residence of John Murphy, near Concord, was burned Sunday morning, with a loss of $3000.
The firm of Matthews & Sayre has dissolved, Mr. Sayre going to Lakeport. Mr. Matthews has united with Easton & Eldridge of San Francisco under the firm name of Pacific Coast Land Bureau, and will remain in Martinez as agent of the bureau. Since coming here Mr. Matthews has been active in selling lands for his company. The first year 8049 acres passed through their hands and sold for $372,500. The second year 14,973 acres were sold for $838,532.
July 25, 1885 .- The Gazette is dressed in mourning out of respect to General Grant.
August 1, 1885 .- Up to yesterday forty-five schooner-loads of hay, 12,000 bales, had been shipped this season from Blum & Company's ware- house.
Preparations are under way for the Twenty-fifth Annual Exhibit of the County Fair. The Grangers of Contra Costa are discussing the pro- priety of combining for making a general display of farm products.
The Martinez postoffice has been raised to the dignity of a third- class salaried office.
Our warehouse capacity is shown in the subjoined table, which in- cludes all the warehouses in the county except that of the State Grangers' Business Association located on the Straits :
G. W. McNear, Port Costa 42,000
tons
Contra Costa County Grangers', Martinez
6,200
tons
Starr & Company, Crockett 50,000
tons
Blum & Company, Martinez, (two grain warehouses)
2,700
tons
Blum & Company, Martinez, (two hay warehouses )
900
tons
Blum & Company, Pacheco, (two grain warehouses )
2,550
tons
Blum & Company, Pacheco, (two hay warehouses )
500 tons
Blum & Company, San Pablo
1,500
tons
Blum & Company, Brentwood
2,500
tons
Blum & Company, Byron
1,500
tons
B. Fernandez, Pinole
3,400
tons
Nevada Warehouse & Dock
90,000
tons
Contra Costa County Grangers', Crockett
10,000
tons
Total warehouse capacity for County 213,750 tons
August 29, 1885 .- The bell for the Congregational church arrived a few days ago. It weighs 900 pounds.
September 5, 1885 .- The County Fair will open Monday on the grounds of the society near Pacheco.
September 12, 1885 .- Dr. Strentzel shipped this week a large assort- ment of fruit to the Louisville Exposition and will continue shipments during the Fair.
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CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
The Alhambra Grange of Martinez will celebrate its eleventh anni- versary at Grange Hall next Saturday afternoon by a harvest festival.
Entries at the County Fair were almost one-half less than last year.
September 19, 1885 .- A small distillery outfit was captured above Antioch by United States officers.
M. Cohen, of Danville, announces that on account of ill health he will sell his business and retire.
September 26, 1885 .- Patrick Brown was appointed supervisor for District No. 4, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of John D. Bowen.
The sale of delinquent steel stock took place Saturday at the office in the Gazette Building. The amount received on the assessments will pay all debts of the county. An offer has been accepted from a Stock- ton man to rent the building for a foundry, but he has not qualified as yet.
Thomas & Baldwin have fitted up a drug store in the new Fernandez Hotel building.
October 3, 1885 .- Dr. Strentzel has succeeded in getting grapes to Eastern markets safely. The fruit was carefully packed in carbonized bran, which appears to have answered the purpose. He packed four boxes in a different manner and shipped them as an experiment.
The Cook ranch stock, which has won premiums at the Golden Gate, State and Stockton Fairs, were returned to the ranch Monday.
The board of directors of Martinez Free Library and Reading Room met last Tuesday evening, organized, and elected the following officers : A. Tait, president; Miss Maggie McMahon, treasurer ; Miss Alice Bush, secretary; John L. Chase, librarian. It was determined to open a read- ing room at once, and the public was invited to make use of its privileges.
There are but few residents remaining in Nortonville. Somersville is a little better situated, as the Rankin mine is still working. Just now the outlook for coal is not very bright.
At Selby's Smelting Works about $30,000 in gold and 30,000 ounces of silver are being handled each day. The well at the works is now down 620 feet.
On the night of October 6, the Orinda Park School was destroyed by fire, the work of an incendiary, no doubt.
Martin Bonzagni has purchased the interest of his partner in the soda works at Pacheco and will conduct the business alone.
November 14, 1885 .- The new Congregational church was dedi- cated Sunday at Martinez, and C. S. Vaile was installed as pastor.
November 21, 1885 .- The warehouses at Port Costa are about filled with wheat, most of which is being loaded into ships direct from the cars.
Point of Timber rejoices over another rain.
The Landing Company have gotten through the first year of their canal, as boats come and go without getting stuck in mud.
Byron Hotel, built on the ruins of the old one, is about completed and adds much to the appearance of the town.
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CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
D. R. Thomas, of Martinez, will soon commence tunneling for water in the hills on his own premises near town. He already has two tunnels, one 184 feet and the other over 200 feet long, and during the summer he has supplied several with good water. He proposes to extend the tunnels and run two more. If he can furnish Martinez with one-fourth of the water required, it will be a benefit.
The new county map was completed a few weeks ago and accepted by the supervisors. It is an admirable work and will prove valuable for reference and general information regarding the outlines of the county, its water-front, roads, rivers and creeks, boundaries, grants, towns and general topography.
The marriage of Miss Baudelia Soto and A. J. Galindo, Jr., was cele- brated December 13, 1885.
December 26, 1885 .- Martinez Cornet Band has been organized with the following members: A. E. Blum, G. Shirley, T. A. McMahon, J. L. Chase, A. J. Soto, F. Berryessa, W. A. Hale, R. Harvard, F. M. Smith, Henry Curry and W. R. Matthews. Prof. Fred Schmidt, of Stock- ton, was engaged as instructor.
January 1, 1886 .- Rainfall to date, 13.83 inches. The farmers in the county are anxiously waiting for the ground to get dry enough to plow.
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