USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles County, California, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, residences, fine blocks and manufactories > Part 33
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There were many Indian depredations, and some murders were also committed by neighboring tribes; a corresponding activity in military circles was visible. In January two hun- dra soldiers arrived from New York en route for San Bernardino (twenty-six days from New York), and in July one hundred and fifty dragoons under Captain Davidson, bound from Fort Buchanan to Fort Tejon The novel spectacle of camels, as pack animals, was now frequently soon in the streets.
JANUARY 8th -A drove of fourteen camels under the management of Lieutenant Beale, arrived in Los Angeles. They were on their way from Fort Tejon ta Colorado river and the Mormon country, and each animal was packed with one thousand pounds of provisions and mili- tary stores. With this load they made from thirty to forty miles per day, finding their own subsistence in even the most barren country. and going without water from six to ten days at a time.
JULY 21. 1858 .-- The camels, eight in number, came into town from Fort Tejon, after provisions for that camp. The largest ones pack a ton, and ean travel (light) sixteen miles an bour.
In this year the " Pacific and Atlantic Telegraph Com- pany," organized under Act of the Legislature, to construct a line of telegraphie communication from San Francisco to San Antonio, Texas, ciu. Los Angeles, and the line of the Great Over- land Mail Route from San Francisco to Memphis, Tenn.
Regular terms of the United States District Court, were held, commeneing on the first Monday of March, September, and December, in each year.
There was considerable trade with the frontier during this year. Thus we read under date-
MARCH 14 .- Captain Banning, with a wagon train of seven ten- mnle teams, passed through Los Angeles, runuing from San Pedro to Fort Ynma. Each team was loaded with fifty cwt., and made Fort Yuma from Los Angeles in thirteen days-two bundred and eighty miles. No accident and good success.
Early in June, all public records of Los Angeles county, per- taining to the history thereof under Spanish and Mexican rule, were demanded by the Surveyor-General of California from the Recorder of the county. The basis of the demand was an Act recently passed by the Legislature. The Recorder at first refused, but subsequently was obliged by his sureties to give in, and the records were removed to San Francisco. The local papers denounced the proceeding as an outrage.
In the Los Angeles Southern Vineyard, of September 18. 1858, was published the following list of
THE WEALTHY MEN OF THE COUNTY.
From the Assessor's returns as corrected by the Board of Equaliza- tion, we copy the following list of tax-payers, whose property is assessed at ten thousand dollars or more :--
$42.317
Machado, Maria .1. .$10,120
Beaudry. P
14.000
Machado, Andres. .
35,790
Bishop & Beale
47,900
Mellns. Francis (agent) 12.0000
Banning & Co.
2,000
Mascarel, Joe (agent). 11.110
Bachman & Co.
22,000
Palomares, Ygnacio 11,410
Coronel. Antonio
14,950
Pico, Andres & Pio
Pico & Colis. .
15,180
C'arbitt & ltibblee Carpenter, Samnet
12,650
Reqnenn Mannel
15,372
Childs, O. W ..
13,790 Sepulveda, Jose Dolores
16,387
Ponunguez, Manuel. .
10.342
Sepulveda. Jose
26,000
Domiugnez, Navario .
15.930 Fainsevaine, Bros
10,000
Domingo, Juan. .
11,61( Salazar, Jose
11,505
Del Valle. Ygnacio
23,063
Stearn-, Abel
186,586
Dalton, Henry
14,915 Temple, John
89,036
Ducommun, Charles
13,000 Temple. Francis.
Forster, Juan
19.945
Vejar. Ricardo
42,004
Gritlin, John S.
15,000
Wilson. B. D.
26,645
Keller, Matthew
35,295
Workmmm, Willian
Lugu, Vincente
220.100 Wolf-kitt, William
$12,000
Los Angeles Vineyard Co. . 10.0000 Yorba, Bernado
Lazard & Wolfskill.
15,000
Yorbn, Teodorio
12,88%
Machado, Augustin.
19,592
1859.
JANUARY 9th -About fifty ladies and gentlemen of Lox Angeles, by invitation of Phineas Banning, Esq., enjoyed an excursion by stage to San Pedro, thence in U. S. Surveying Steamship Active to Santa Catalina Island, and return.
Trade with Utah was good this year.
February 11th we read :---
The trade throngb and from Los Augeles to Utah is rapidly on the increase. This is caused partially by the growing ability of the inhabit. ants of U'tal to purchase a greater amount of goods. The principal cause of the great trade through our city is owing to the fact that it is breom. ing known by men engaged in introducing goods into ftah, that the goods can be taken over this route with less expense and less risk, und in le- 4 time, than by any other route. Since the first of Jannary there has lett this city abont sixty wagons loaded with goods for that market. the value from sixty thousand to seventy thousand dollars. There is now on the way bere not less than one hundred tons of goods in transit to Iltah. The transportation will take abont one hundred six-mnle teanıs.
MARIA Ist-Since the first ult,, including those that will louve to-day. there has left this city not less than one bnudred and fifty wagons loaded with goods for IJtah. The gross value of the goods here must be about one hundred and eighty thousand dollars.
MARCH 11th-Goller & Tomlinson sent forty teams to Sult Lake loadel with merchandise.
In April, Bachman & Co.'s agent returned from a three months' trip to Salt Lake with six loaded terms of goods. His own share of the profits amounted to two thousand dollars per month.
APRtt. 19th-The contract was let for erection of telegraph line from San José to Los Angeles.
APRIL 23d-A company of dragoons from Fort Tejon passed through Los Angeles, escorting a treasure wagon bearing five hundred thousand dollars to Salt Lake to pay off troops.
In August, a dispute occurred between José Rubio, a d'ali- fornian, and Doctor Downey about a debt, resulting in a chal- lenge from Rubio to Downey. Gen. Andres Piro was bearer of the hostile message. Dr. Downey refused to fight, upon the ground that Rubio was not his equal, whereupon Gen. Pico, as per code, adopted the quarrel as his own, and challenged
204350
Corbitt & Barker
12,000
12.000 Roland, Juhu. 35,512
1
Abila. Juan ..
96
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Downey A marting sermed inevitable, but the affair was settlol by intervention of friemls.
The following domestic produce was shipped from San Pedro ehning the year emling August 31. 1859: -
Grapes, 1,350,000 1b4 .. llides, 9,000. .
Value 8 67,000 35,000
Corn, 500,000 Ibx .. 10,00)
Wine, 200,109 gals. 139,10(1)
Wool, 200,000 1bs .. 13,000 ..
Miscellaneous proluce, 1,000 packages 20,1HH)
Total. . .
.. $284,000
Under date October 29th, we fiml the following:
On the 29th the tri-colored flag of France was nofurled to the breeze for the first time in our city, hy a resident representative of that Gov. ernment. Mr. Mocrenhant, who has been appointed consul by the French Emperor to reside in this city, raised the consular flag, amblst the cheers of a large nmuber of French citizens, accompanied by a unmber of Americans.
At [, p. M. ahunt seventy-five gentlemen met at the Potrero of Dont Ianis Sainsevuine, and ufter electing Dr. Gibelin du Poy President of the meeting, a procession was then formed which proceeded to the conanlar residence, where an oration was pronounced hy M. Souza. A salute of eleven gnus was fired by the city artillery from the emi- uence in the rear of the city, during which the flag of France wus displayed. The ussemblage, preceded by the Consul, supported by the Muyor of the city, D. Marshexanlt, and the President, M. G. du l'oy took up the line of march on its return to the heautiful grove of M. Fuinsevaine; u lumml of music marched in wolvance of the procession. Passing through the principal streets of the city and around the plaza, the company arrived on the grounds, where a collation wna spread. About eighty persons sat down at the tables.
After purtaking of wine und refreshments, the " sparkling California " of Mesara. Sainsevaine mude its appearance, when the President proposed the health of the Conant, to which Mr. Moerenhaut briefly but perti- uently responded, mul in conclusion proposed the health of the Eut- peror Napoleon III., which was received with great acclamation. D. Marshessalt, Mayor of Los Angeles, then gave-The health of the Presblent of the United States, which was drank amidst prolonged ricas. M. Delasgre gave a toast America and her citizens. Col. 1. .. Warner gave a toast. To eternal friendship and perpetual harmony between France and America und their citizens. M. Mulet drank-To France und the prosperity of the French in America. M. Delangre gave The beulth of the Mayor aud Mr. Warner, member elect of the Legislature. Mr. Sainsevaine gave-To the union of the French resi- dents of Los Angeles, their good spirit and conduct. MI. Delangre drank to the President und M. Sainspvaine.
After a good time generally, and the spontaneous ontbursts of fraternal feeling, the company, preceded by music, escorted the Consul to his residence, where three cheers were given to the French flag, and three more for the Consul, when the company dispersed, highly gratified with the occasion und with one another.
In December, 1859, " hard times" was the tune throughout las Angeles county, and money was hard to raise.
1860.
In the spring of 1SGD there was considerable emigration to Texas from Los Angeles county. This was attributed to the lillienlty experienced by white laborers in procuring work, must uf the vineyards employing Indians and Chinamen.
The event of the year was the completion of the telegraph line From San Francisco to Los Angeles. The first intelligible message was rrecived in the latter city from the former about S oclock P. M. of October 8th. A grand ball was given in Los 1
Angeles that night in honor of the event. During the evening speeches were made by E. J. C. Kewen, Esq., and F. MeCrelish, Esq. The following messages were also sent and received :-
Los ANGELES, Monday Evening, October 8th, 10 o'clock P. M. II. F. Techemacher, Esq. President Board of Supervisors, Son Francisco: Allow me, on behalf of the citizens of Los Angeles, to send you greeting of fellowship and good feeling on the completion of the fine of telegraph which now binds the two cities together.
HENRY MELLUS, Mayor Los Angeles.
SAN FRANCISCO, October 9, 1860.
Henry Mellus, Esq., Mayor Los Angeles: Your dispatch has just been received. On behalf of the citizens of San Francisco 1 congrat- ulate Los Angeles, trusting that the benefit may be mutual. II. F. TESCHEMACHER, Pres. Board Supervisors.
The next morning, Senator Latham, assisted hy a vast con- course of citizens, planted the first telegraph pole for the line extending east from Los Angeles. Toward this line about eighteen thousand dollars in stock was subsequently subscribed hy the citizens of Los Angeles county.
1861.
The year 1861 was an anxious period for the whole Union, and Los Angeles county bore her full share of the current trib- ulation. There were " wars and rumors of wars," and every man distrusted his neighbor. They who had formerly met as friends, met now as enemies; and a man's foes were they of his own houscholl. Political differences lie not within the province of this work; suffice it only to say that throughout that mighty struggle, while the life of the Union pulsed feebly and painfully, as though a breath might overturn the balance, Los Angeles county ever polled an overwhelming Democratie majority, and no Republican could hope for office.
MAY 21st-Hon. Isaac S. K. Ogier, United States District Judge of the Southern District of California, died of apoplexy at Bear valley. His funeral took place on the 23d, and was attended by all officers of the United States then in town, Judges, members of the Bar, and a large concourse of citizens. Company K of the First United States Dragoons, escorted the remains.
MAY 25th-There was a grand Union demonstration in Los Angeles. A national banner was presented by Major P. Banning on behalf of the citizens to the Union Club, and was accepted by C. Sims, Esq., President of the Club, in an appro- priate speech. The following account of the procession is from the News :-
The procession formed in the following order: Marshal and two aids ; Band of First Dragoons ; Los Angeles Greys, thirty men ; Cali- fornia Pioneers; clergy; Union Club, one hundred and fitty members ; Company K First Dragoons, fifty men ; Mayor ; Common Council am] Municipal officers ; Freuch Benevolent Society ; Los Angeles Band ; citizens on foot : citizens on horse.
The processiou marched around the plaza to Main street. down Main to Spring, up Spring to First, down First to Main, up Main to the Court House, where the procession halted. preparatory to hoisting the flag. A prayer was then given by Rev. Mr. Boardman. At a signal
from the Marshal, the National Flag was slowly unfurled to the breeze. the hand struck up the " Star Spangled Banner," and thirty-four guns were fired-one for every State in the Union. Speeches were then made by the following gentlemen : General Drown, Major Carlton, and Captain Hancock.
AtorsT 16th-Was marked by the funeral, with miltary honors, of James Battey, oldest enlisted soldier in the First Dragoons.
SEPTEMBER 13th - A company of volunteers were being raised in Los Angeles, to form a part of the five thousand ordered from this State.
During this month the volunteer forces were eneamped on the Ballona Ranch. While there one of the companies from above had their coffee doctored with croton-oil by some malicious person, which came very near heing fatal to several of the men.
In Mr. H. D. Barrows correspondence of the San Francisco Bulletin under date September 26th, appears the following :-
The United States Hotel here, which was tabooed hy Captain Davidson on account of Secession influence, and an order issued that no soldier at this point should enter it, nor the Bella Union either, I believe, under penalty of conrt-martial, has changed hands, and is now kept hy a good Union German ; and the stars and stripes raised over it, and the order withdrawn.
And again under date-
OCTOBER 26tb-The regular troops stationed in the southern country are rapidly concentrating at San Pedro to take passage on the I'nam bound steamers eu ronte for the East. Major Ketchum's command, from San Bernardino, are already nearly all here ; Captain Davidson's and the dragoons leave here to-morrow.
A subscription of one hundred dollars per month has been raised by our citizens for which we are to receive daily dispatches from the East. OCTOBER 30th-Companies B and K' First Dragoons, left Los Ang- eles the 27th for New San Pedro, whence they will probably sail for the Atlantic States November 4th, on board the Pacific Company's steamer Golden Gute.
NOVEMBER 11th-The telegraph line between Los Angeles and New San Pedro was completed.
1862.
This year opened up with heavy rain-storms, but these were but the precursor to the exceeding drought of 1862-3, which destroyed many cattle. From this out the exports of hides and tallow fell off rapidly.
The county still maintained her now habitual military appearance, and in January we find three steamers at one time, unloading troops at San Pedro. On the 17th of that month there were one thousand men there encamped. There were also a large number of soldiers encamped at Fort Latham on the Ballona Ranch under Colonel Forman. The following account of the Fourth of July celebration at this latter camp, is from the Aers of July 9th :-
In pursuance of custom, at morning reveille a salute of thirteen guns was fired. About 10 o'clock a large number of ladies and gentlemen from Los Angeles and vicinity had arrived to attend the exercises : a grand review aml aress parade of the troops under command of Colonel Forman, which lasted about one hour. Washington's farewell address
'LAKE VINEYARD" RESIDENCE DF THE LATE HON. B.D. WILSON, SAN GABRIEL TP, LOS ANGELES CO CAL.
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AY THOMPSON & WEST.
PHALISHED
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*****
***********
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PUBLISHED BY THOMPSON & WEST
'SAN MARINO' RESIDENCE OF J. DE BARTH SHORB, SAN GABRIEL T!, LOS ANGELES CO, CAL.
97
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
was then read by Adjutant William Forrey. The Declaration of Independence was read by Lieutenant Matthew Sherman, which pro- duced many outbursts of enthusiasm. At one o'clock all were invited to partake of a most generous and wholesome collation prepared and spread for the occasion by the gallant commander of the Fourth Regi- aient California Volunteers. The dinner-hour heing interwoven with patriotic sentiments, sweet music, etc., etc. Everything passed of very pleasantly, and nothing occurred to mar the festivities of the day. The exercises of the day were closed with a salute of thirty-four guns,
In October following, Camp Latham was broken up, and the troops there stationed, removed to San Pedro. Under date October 3d, we read in the Newex :-
SANITARY FIND-A subscription paper is being circulated in Los Angeles for tbe alleviation of the sufferings of our sick and wounded soldier». One hundred dollars has already been paid in, and between three or four hundred dollars subscribed. One hundred dollars were subscribed at Old San l'edro, and four hundred and fifty dollars raised ut New San Pedro.
And again :--
-
NOVEMBER 14, 1862 .- Colonel Bown and staff arrived at New San Pedro on the 9th inst. with two companies, Fand K, of Fifth Infantry. The troops crossed the desert from Fort Yuma to New San Pedro in fifteen days.
In this latter part of November smallpox broke ont among the Indians of Los Angeles City and spread rapidly. A post- house was established on the outskirts of the city.
1863.
The small-pox which had broken out in November preced- ing spread rapidly with the new year, principally among the Mexican and Indian population. Nearly every house in Sonora town had out a yellow flag, and as many as fourteen were known to die in one day. When at last it did subsidle, about March following, it was only for want of material to work on. The majority of the Los Angeles ('ity Indians were lead, besides many throughout other portions of the county. especially at San Juan Capistrano, where it broke out and raged carly in the year.
During the carly mouths large numbers of troops left the county for Fort Yuma. Major Henry Hancock remained in command at Fort Drum (San Pedro).
The notable event of this year was the explosion in San Pedro Harbor of the steamer Ada Hancock, on April 27th, and a large consequent loss of life. The following account of this sad affair is abstracted from the columns of the Ver's :--
TERRIBLE ACCIDENT .- BLOW UP AND DESTRUCTION OF STEAMER " ADA HANCOCK" AND LOSS OF LIFE.
On Monday evening, April 27, 1863, one of the most terrible casualties that has probably ever occurred iu this State took place in the harbor of San Pedro, in the destruction of P. Banning's steamer, the Ada Hancock, and the loss of nearly all ou board. The steamer had inade one trip out to the Senator, which was to sail that evening for San Francisco, and lind started ont for the second, with all the passengers on board; when about half a mile from shore the explo- wion of her boiler took place. rending the unfortunate boat to fragments aad scattering her human freight in all directions, either killing them outright or seriously wounding mauy. It seems to be pretty generally understood that there were on board at the time of the ilisaster ahout
fifty persona, and of that umher fifteen or sixteen were saved, many of them burnt, or wounded hy particles of the wreck striking then. On reception of the intelligence in Los Angeles of this terribile disaster. which was received about eight o'clock in the evening. it created the greatest excitement and consternation, and those who had relatives or friends whom they supposed were on board the ill-fated steamer were nearly he-ide themselves with anxiety and fear for the worst couse. quences. Immediately a large number of the citizens procured carriages and proceeded to the scene of the calamity. Drs, llayes and Griffin also repaired to the spot and, together with Dr. Todd, U. S. A., mitigated as far as possible the sufferings of the unfortnuntes, The soldiers at Camp Drumn were also on hand to render assistance, and many of them acted nobly. Bonts were dispatched immediately after the explosion, to pick up every one that could be discovered, dead or alive. Sheriff Moore, from San Bernardino, had just arrived at the bench as the Ada Hancort: left the damling, and was a few minute- too late to get on board. He saw the explosion and says the scene was awful in the extreme; the boiler and wheel-house he saw precipitated intu the air probably a distance of twenty feet, and he also distin- guished the persons of four men in the air ut the same time. The vessel was shattered to fragments, with the exception of the portion below the water line, which, by the force of the explosion, was plunged deep in the sand. A citizen nmned Fred Kerlin, it is said, had some thirty thousand dollars (mostly in greenbacks) on his person when he left Los Angeles, and when his body was recovered not a dollar could be found, and it was afterwarils charged that many other bodies had heen robbed of money and jewelry.
The number of killed was twenty-six, among whom were the following: Thomas W. Seely, Captain of the steamer Soudfor: Win. Ritchie, express messenger of Wells, Fargo & Co .: Joseph Bryant, Captain of the steamer Ada Hancock: Wm. T. D. Sanford. Los Augcles; Thos. H. Workman, chief clerk of Mr. Banning; Albert Sidney Johnsou, Jr., Los Angeles; Dr. Il. R. Myles, Los Angeles: Louis Schlesinger, Los Angeles. The bodies of Captain T. W. Seely. Win. Ritchie, and F. E. Kerlin were taken on board the Senator and conveyed to San Francisco for interment. The funeral of Thos. 11. Workman took place from the residence of his mother in Los Angeles, on Wednesday, April 29th. Mr. Workman was an upright, high-minded nad honorable man and his untimely death was mourned by a large circle of friends.
Dr. H. R. Myles, also a resident of Los Angeles, was interred by Los Angeles Lodge, No. 35, 1. O. O. F., of which society he was an esteemed officer and member. He had for many years been a resident of Los Angeles county, and possessed a large circle of wartu friends. The body of Albert Sidney Johnson, Jr., wux recovered the 30th, and was taken to Los Angeles. Ilis funeral took place from the residence af Dr. J. S. Griffin the following day. The body of Mr. Louis Schlesinger was recovered May Ist. Ilis funeral took place on the 3d. Ile was interred in the Jewish cemetery. The remains were followed to the grave by a large uumber of citizens. The body of Mr. Levy, of San Bernardino, was not found until May 5th, when it was brought to Los Angeles the day following and also interred in the Jewish cemetery.
" At a meeting of the Los Angeles Lodge, No. 35, I. O. O. F., held Wednesday, April 20, 1863, the following resolution was offered and unanimously adopted :-
" Resolved, That from an unfeigned respect to our late Brother, Dr. Henry R. Myles, the chairx of the Past, Nohle and Vice Grand respec- tively, as also the Charter of our Lodge, be shrouded in black during the remainder of the present term: and as a further testimony of respect the members of Los Angeles Lodge, No. 35, I. O. O. F., will go into mouruiug and wear the usual hadge thereof for thirty days."
JULY 4th was passed without notice, the fate of the Union being about an even question at this time:
JULY 8th-Colonel Curtis arrived, and assumed command of the Los Angeles Military District.
Under date August 3d, H. D. Barrows writes :-
On July 31st n detachment of troops belonging to the Fourth Infantry, C. V., nrrived in Los Angeles from Camp Drum. New San Pedro, and camped ou the left bank of the Los Angeles river. The detachment numbered about one hundred wieu. They will he stationed in this
vicinity for some time, and it will be well for " unruly persons " to be a little quiet, especially when I'niou rejoicings take place.
AUGUST ITth General Ezra Drown, District Attorney of Los Angeles county, breathed his last at San Juan Capistrano, whither he had gone for the benefit of his health. Ile hind Iwen ill for some time, suffering from heart disease. The body was brought to Los Angeles 'A long procession followed the remains to their last home. The thugs in the city were lowered tn half-mast.
Under date of August 31st, we read in the News;
PIED .- In Los Angeles, August 30th, after a brief illness James R. Vineyard, aged 50 years, Col. Vineyard was a native of Christinu county, Kentucky: entered upon public life in early years, which hus keen his lot to pursue almost constantly up to the time of his death, at which time he was State Senator from Los Angeles county. Ilis funeral took jdare nt 5 p. M., Angst 31st, with Masonir homers, The flags throughout the city were dropped to half must, in token of respeet. lle leuves a large cirele of relatives, nn utfectionnte wife, and innu- merable friends to mourn his Just.
SEPTEMBER 21st The troops quartered across the river returned to Camp Drum, not being alde to procure suitable winter quarters in Los Angeles.
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