USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles County, California, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, residences, fine blocks and manufactories > Part 44
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IMCOMPLETE.
In allition to the foregoing, we insert the following notes, collated from various sources. We have used every endeavor to complete the histories of these organizations, and much regret our failure to do so, through lack of the necessary data. Blanks were duly furnished by us to their respective officers, and inter- views had with most of them, but without success.
RED MEN.
Under date May 13, 1869, we find the following in the Los Angeles News :-
I. O. OF R. M .- A lodge has been organized in Los Angeles, of the Independent Order of Red MIen. Quite a large number Irve become members of this benevolent order.
VETERANS OF THE MEXICAN WAR.
We clip the following from the " Historical Sketch of Los Angeles County" :1876) ;-
The Veterans of the Mexican Wur were organized into a society at the city of Los Angeles, September 27, 1873. The mumme and nativ- ity of residents are as follows :-
OFFICERS,- President, General George 11. Stoneman, New York; Vice. Presidents, Peter Thompson, New York, and W. Todd, Illinois; Secretary J. D. Dunlap, New Hampshire; Treasurer, G. W. Whitehorn, New York: Marshal, Captain Win. Turner, Isle of Wight.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. Fenton M. Slaughter, Virginia; Dr. Wnt. B. Dunne, Ireland; George W. Cole, Illinois; G. W. Whitehorn, New York ; Robert T. Johnson, Tennessee.
MEMBERS. Province af Maine -- Nelson Wilhamson, Joseph R. W. lland. MInine-Stephen C. Foster, Albion C. Libby. New Hampshire -David M. Main. Vermont-Myron Norton. Rhode Island-Lewis A. Wilmot. New York-Edward E. Ilewit, George Carson, James B. Caywood, Gabriel Allen, George Davis, James II. Stewart, Abraham Maricole, Albert Clark. Pennsylvania-Henry C. Wiley, James F. Wilson, Maryland-Jonathan Knott, Ephraim Forbush, Joshua Tal- bott, John J. Mills, Thomas B. Wade, Johu F. Staples. Distriet Columbia-George Smith, George Diggs. Virginin- Dr. John S. Griffin, Thomas Enroughty, James W. Spratt, Archer C. Jessie, Pleasant Byus, Wm. W. Brown. North Carolina-Robert C. Dubson, Wm. C. Hughes, Lewis G. Green. Tennessee-Thomas J. Ash, Robert T. Johnson, Jo. seph Bridger, John T. Davis, Wm. T. Henderson, F. 11. Alexander, Benjamin D. Wilson, James M. Smith, Anderson Wright, Kentucky -Charles MI. Benbrook, James JI. Kaston, Pinckney C. Molloy, Shupley P. Ross, James Thompson, James W. B. Davis. Ofrio-Wilson Beach, Charles Chaney, Isaiah Smith, Garcia C. Norris, Marcus Ferrott, Augus- tus C. C'bnuvan. Illinois-Andrew J. Cole, Charles O'Niel. Georgia -Clement C. Goodwin, John P. 11. Chew, Pauldo G. Rushmore. South Carolina-Allen W. Neighbors. Mississippi-Edward J. C. Kewen, Edward Il. Cage. Indiana-James W. Taggart, F. M. Matthew. Irc- land-Matthew St. Clair Gardner, David W. Alexander, Paul Ryan, Nicolas Keating, Michael Halpin. Canada-Elijah T. Moulton. Eng- land-Jobu Roach, John V. Moore, Wm. O. Baxter, Robert W. Allen. Germany-August Ehlers, John Shmnacher, Augustus Tipple, Valentin Mand. Austria-Gotfried Voight. Russia-Alexander Saurwird. Prussia-Augustus W'. Timms. Philipine Islanda- Win. P. Reynolds. Deceased members were Johan Carl Escrich, Andra Weinsbank, John Reed and Thomas Standifer-the last, dying June, 1875.
CATHOLIC ABSTINENCE SOCIETY.
The following is clipped from the "Historical Sketch of Los Angeles County," before referred to :--
The Catholic Abstinence Society has as President, Patrick Connelly; Vice-President, John P. Moran, Jr .; Secretary, David Weldt; Chap- lain, Rev. Peter Verdeguer.
126
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
GRANGES.
The grange movement has been quite popular throughout Los Angeles county in past years, though at present wholly abandoned. We chip the following from the "Herall Pan- plilet" of 1876 :--
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
Los Angeles continues to be the banner county in the grange move- ment on the Pacific coast. thoughi no new granges have been organized during the past year, and one has surrendered its charter-Vineland Grange, No. 186, located at Tustin City. The list of granges now stauds as follows :-
Los Angeles Grange, No. 36, Los Angeles; S. A. Waldren, Master- elect.
Compton Grange, No. 37; J. E. McComas, Master-elect. Enterprise Grange, No. 38, located in La Dow District. Fairview Grange, No. 39, Anaheim; David Evey, Master-eleet. Orange Grunge, No. 40.
Silver Grange, No. 41, located ut Downey City.
New River Grange, No. 42, located on New river, three miles north- west of Artesia.
El Monte Grange, No. 43. Los Nietos Grange, No 44, located at Okl Los Nietos.
Eureka Grange, No. 66, located uear Pomona. Fruitland Grange. No. 72, located at Santa Ana.
Alliance Grange, No. 75, located near Azusa settlement.
Azusa Grange, No. 94, located at Azusa.
Florence Grange, No. 95.
Westminster (frange, No. 127.
Spadra Grange, No. 166.
Under the new law of the order, Pomona Grange, No. I, of this State (a county grange composed of delegates from the subordinate granges), wny organized last August by Judge J. M. Hamilton, of Lake county, Master of the State Grange, and has held monthly meetings ever since. llon. Edward Kvey, of Anaheim, is Master of Pomona Grange; Judge George C. Gibbs, of San Gabriel Mission, is Secretary, and Mrs. L. J. Garey, of Pomona, the highest lady officer in the Grange, which works in the fifth degree.
Mrs. A. Garey, of Los Angeles, and Edward Evey, of Anaheim, are deputies for Los Angeles county.
At the last session of the State Grange, Thomas A. Garey was elected Overseer of that body for the term of two years.
The Grange Co-operative Company still continues business in Los Angeles, its snles reaching several thousand dollars monthly. Noother business enterprises have been put ou foot in this county, and the aggressive work of the order has ceased so far as this locality is con- cerned.
MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.
THE LOS ANGELES RANGERS.
This company was organized in June, 1833, at the time Joa- quin Murietta was raiding southern California, and was com- posed of the best citizens of Los Angeles county. The first ollieers of the Rangers were: Alex. W. Hope, Captain; David Brevoort, First Lieutenant; Wmn. B. T. Sanford, Second Lieu- tenant; Win. Getman, Jr. Second Lieutenant. The company consisted of sixty active members (one hundred enrolled), among whom were Montgomery Martin, Grant Oury, Jno. Q. A. Stan- ley (afterwards Captain of the company), H. N. Alexander, Geo. MeManns, W. W. Reader, Green Marshall and Wiley Marshall (two brothers), O. Morgan, Cyrus Lyon, W. W. Jen- kins, Ilorace Allanson, Ww. Foster, Myron Norton and Horace Bell. At this time the power of the law was so weak, and the
offenders so strong, that the sheriff's could not execute their authority. The Rangers organized for the purpose of captur- ing offenders, placing them in jail, and seeing, that they did not escape until «lischarged by the Courts. Scouts were con- stantly placed at prominent points throughout the county to observe the movements of the bands of thieves. On discover- ing a band of offenders, the scouts would ride into Los Angeles, inform the Rangers, who would immediately turn out, capture the robbers, and have them lodged in jail before the citizens were aware of thieves being in the vicinity. The Rangers also received much information from the Indians and well-disposed Spaniards as to the whereabouts of thieves. Leading citizens contributed to the ontfitting of the company in arms and goods. They also received several appropriations from the Legislature. In 1854 they received four thousand dollars for their equip- ment. The Rangers proved always efficient, and performed much good service for about four years, when they disbanded.
LOS ANGELES GUARDS
Was admitted into the State service September 8, 1874, and at that time had thirty-two members, including the following officers: Louis 1. Sacrest, Captain; Dennis F. Fitzpatrick, First Lieutenant; Charles Hagan, Second Lieutenant. The company has had as high as ninety-two members; the present member- ship is fifty-one. The present officers are; P. M. Darcy, Captain; W. R. Stephenson, First Lieutenant; F. H. Steel, Second Lieu- tenant. The company is finely uniformed, and is in a good financial condition. Regular meetings are held every Wednes- day evening, at Military Hall.
FRENCH ZOUAVES.
This company existed a few years ago, and had a short life. The officers were: V. De Mondran, Captain; -- Trivolet, First Lieutenant.
THE GUARDIA ZARAGIZA,
Composed entirely of Spanish-Americaus, was organized in March, 1873, under the name of the Ritteros de Los Angeles, Pantaleon Zabaleta, Captain. The company has at present forty members, under the following officers: Pantaleon Zaba- leta, Captain; J. C. Villalobos, First Lieutenant; N. Valencia, Second Lieutenant.
WASHINGTON GUARDS
Organized in 1876, by the Workingmen's party. The com- pany was not uniformed or armed; was organized principally for political purposes, and had a short life. The officers were: H. J. Stevenson, Captain ;_ T. J. C'uddy, First Licutenant.
In addition to the foregoing, we find brief mention of the following military organizations :-
City Gnards, Captain W. W. Twist. First reference to this company is February 22, 1855.
Ringgold's Light Artillery, organized June 7, 1855.
A rifle company under Captain Twist, formed March 26, 1837.
French Infantry Corps, one hundred and five strong, Cap- tain, C. A. Faralle, formed May 9, 1857
Southern Rifles, reorganized in April, 1861.
Los Angeles Grays, in existence 1861.
Capt. Moore's Company, in existence 1861.
Native Californian Company, in existence 1864.
Several military gentlemen of Los Angeles have our thanks for their very full promises of assistance in working up the history of these several companies. Unfortunately, these prom- ises were not fulfilled.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
COUNTY HOSPITAL AND ALMSHOUSE,
Erected in 1878, at a cost of about twenty thousand dollars, is located on the east side of the Los Angeles river, one mile from the Court House. The building faces the north- west, and com- mands a fine view of the city and whole valley, both up and down the river. The main building is a large two-story frame edifice forty-four feet high, seventy-two feet front by forty . four fect deep, with a projection sixteen feet by fifty-eight feet, which is surrounded on three sides by a broad portico. The main floor is about four feet above the ground, and is reached by a wide flight of steps that lead up to the portico and through a vestibule into a hall ten feet wide, which runs through the entire building. On the right as you enter is the dispensary, with the store-room attached for medicines. The first Hoor of the main building is occupied by the male inmates and is divided into four large wards provided with twelve beds each. This Hoor has also bath-rooms (hot and cold water), storc-rooms, closets, etc. The second Hoor is for the women, and is arranged the same as the first (having all con- veniences), except that one of the wards is divided into sleeping rooms for the overseer, nurses and cooks. The rear buildings are each one-story high, and are separate from the main build- ing. Two of them are twenty by twenty-six feet each, and are used as wards for contagious diseases. The third, which is twenty-three by thirty-three feet, is used as the dining room. The whole building is supplied with water from the city water-works. The farm, consisting of forty acres, is all uuder enltivation, and is worked by the inmates. The actual cost to the county for each inmate for food and medicine (including even necessary liquors) does not exceed five dollars and fifty cents per month. The average number accommodated is from fifty-five to sixty-five. There have been as high aseighty-two accommodated, and there is room for one hundred. If patients enter the hospital entirely destitute they are provided with comfortable clothing, which they take away with theul
RESIDENCE OF H. L. MONTGOMERY, LOS NIETOS TR LOS ANGELES C., CAL.
DIEBEST OF THOMPSON & WOOT.
127
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Undertaking is contracted for at ten dollars each, including cothin, carriage, etc. Dr. J. Hannon is the present superin- tendeut ; H. Craemer, steward.
LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
Was founded July 11, 1859, by the election of the following officers: Jolin Temple, President; J. J. Warner, Vice-Presi- lent; Francis Mellus, Treasurer ; Israel Flicshman, Secretary ; E. Drown, J. H. Lander, J. Frohling, H. Mellus, R. Emmerson, S. F. Reynolds, and J. E. C. Kewen, Directors. Their read- ung-room was opened September 15th of the same year in Don Abel Stearns' block on Los Angeles street. Henry Mellus donated his private library to the association; Governor Downey gave valuable books; loans and donations were also made by other members. Arrangements were maile by which the newspapers of California, the valley of the Missis- sippi, Atlantic sea-boards and the Northern frontier werc
regularly received by the overland mail. For a number of months the reading-room was an attractive resort for the resi- lents, as well as for strangers visiting the city. The transfer of the overland mail to the northern route, the consequent delay and irregularity in the arrival of newspapers from the East, and other circumstances growing out of the approaching crisis in the affairs of the nation, caused the Library to gradually die out.
December 4, 1872, a meeting was hekl by the citizens of Los Angeles to again establish a Public Library. A com- mittee was appointed to solicit subscriptions. At the next meeting (December 14th) the committee reported that they had secured one hundred and fifty members, nine life members at fifty dollars cach, also other money donations, amounting to about four hundred dollars, besides numerous gifts of books, including many valuable and standard works. Gov- ernor Downey offered the use of suitable rooms free of rent for three months. At this meeting the following named gentlemen were elected officers: Hon. J. G. Downey, Presi- dent; General J. R. McConnell, Vice-President ; J. W. Tem- plc, Treasurer; H. K. W. Bent, Secretary. In January, 1873, the Library was opened in Downey Block, where it is still located. For the first few years the institution was supported by private subscription. It is now supported by a dircet tax on the property of the eitizens, being established under Act of the Legislature and the eity charter in 1878. The Library at present comprises two thousand one hundred volumes, and has a membership of about one hundred and fifty. P. C. Connolly, Librarian.
TIIE COUNTY JAIL ..
June 25, 1850, Samuel Whiting was appointed jailer of the county jail by the Court of Sessions. On the following day we find this order entered on the minutes of the Court :-
Ordered that the jailer be allowed seven dollars and fifty cents per day, until further orders of this Court, as compensation for hi- services as jailer, he furnishing a competent assi-tant, at least one of whom to be at the jail at all times.
That the allowance for feeding prisoners shall be fifty cents for each prisoner; that each prisoner shall bave per day an amount of hread to the value of twelve and a half cents, or it- equivalent in rice and beans. and the balance of the amount first mentioned in good meat.
November 22, 1851, the Court of Sessions ordered their clerk to publish for proposals to buibl a jail.
December 29, 1851, the following appears on the minutes of the Court of Sessions :-
It is agreed by the Court on the one part, and Juan Domingo on the other part, by his Attorney, J. Lancaster Brent, specially authorized thereunto, that the Court shall lease from the said Domingo the lot and building now occupied by the county & # public jail, at the rate of fifty dollars monthly; that two hundred and fifty dollars he given to said Domingo for back rents, and that an order be is-ned for the pay- meut of the same. Said lease to commence on the 24th of December. A. D. 1851.
January 8, 1852, the Court of Sessions ordered a reward of one hundred dollars, to be offered for the apprehension of Matias Cortaza, an escaped convict, who escaped from the county jail during November, 1850.
July 19, 1832, the Board of Supervisors ordered publieation for bids for the building of a jail iu conformity to a plan then on file in the County Clerk's. office. Proposals to be received up to August 4th at 10 A. M.
August 4, 1852. the following appears on the Supervisor's minutes :-
Ordered that the jailer of Los Angeles county be allowed the sum of three dollars per day. one-balf casb and one-ball' serip, and fifty ceuts a day for candles, and two loads of wood per month, and that these shall constitute his only salary aud perquisites. besides the sum of twenty- five cents a day for the food, etc., of each prisoner.
The present jail was finally built in 1853, Mr. Stephen C'. Foster being the arehitect. He claims there has never been an escape from it. Under date of January 30, 1858, we find the following statement of its then condition :---
The yard is neat and clean: a brick pavement has been laid down leading to the entrance of the jail. The jail is a two-story brick building. The first floor is occupied as city prisou or lock-up, and is divided into two apartments, for males and females. The upper story is the county prison. The joists which support this floor are traversed with strong irou bars throughout, ahout six inches apart. Over there is laid down thick planking, then a covering of sheet iron, and over all planks again, forming a floor which it would be impossible to cut through without detection. The prison comprises a large room, well ventilated, aud >ix cells, deficient in that respect. The partitions are made of heavy timber, well secured by iron clamps. The doors are massive iron gratings.
We extract the following account of an attempted jail deliv- ery from the Express of October 22, 1878 :-
ALMOST OUT -THE HEROIC EXCAVATING WHICH SOME OF THE PRISONERS IN JAIL DID, AND HOW NEAR THEY GOT TO FREEDOM.
Three days ago, Jailer Thompson, when he was about to close one of the interior cells on the upper floor of the jail, discovered a little obstruction in the padlock, which prevented bis key from entering. , by the school officers, has not bee uiforwardel.
It was a fragment of one of the jail spoons which had been broken off' and dropped into the aperture. The jailer pretended that he did not nonce the circumstance, but he began at once to set up a thinking. The jail was watched very closely at odd times, amd it soon became evident that an attempt was on foot among some of the occupants to break out. Last night about ten o'clock mutlled blows, heard through the brick wall on the south-west side of the building, nitested the fact that the plot was attaining its climax. Sheriff Mitchell and several of his deputies, together with the jailer, took their stations in the yard armed with shot-guns and other implements of warfare, und prepared to resist any kind of an emrute that might have been attempted. Their actions were observed through the jail window on the south side. however, and the .would-be breakers, finding that their object was known, gave up further efforts. An examination of the jail this morning disclosed a most astonishing result. The division walls of four cells had been penetrated, admitting the occupants to the common apartment, where they had in turn began to dig through the onter wall. It is thought that the first movement was to wrench ont un irou bar fastened over the door of one of the cells, and thut with this, sup- posted by a knife, and possibly other tools, they did their work. The cells were lined with irou sheathing an eighth of an inch in thickness, fastened with half-inch bolts driven into the timbers to the depth of six inches. These Imdtts were pulled out and the sheathing torn aml twisted off to form an aperture large emnigh for the passage of a man's boily. In one instance the prisoners dug through u brick wall and tore off several planks, which supported the iron. With the four cells thus opened, the desperadoes began on the outer wall, as stated. but they had not removed nieb brick und mortar before they aban- doned operations. It is probable that the man Johnson, the Portland robber and murderer, was the instigator of the plot. nad that he did most of the work, first tearing his way out of his own cell and through the adjoining oue to gain admittance to the main room. Tapia, who is under conviction of grand larceny, and Wade, conflued on n charge of horse-stealing, were, no doubt, implicated with him. Johmon prob- ahly knew that officer Hudson, of Portland, was on his wny here to take him in charge, and he probably thought he would make a bold break for liberty before it was too late. In a visit to the jnil this morning, we'found Johnson and Tapia chnined tothe floor, in the "swent. room," and the other refractories ironed and contined in one of the lower apartments. Johnson will probably be taken ont to-morrow and started worthward in charge of the Portland officer. The prisoner in n young man, probably not over twenty-five or xix, but he is of large and powerful boild. He has the settled look of vice in his face, by which the hoodlum may always be distinguished.
CITY SCHOOLS .*
Los Angeles City has the following schools :-
HIGH SCHOOL
Situated on Temple and Fort streets. This building eost twen- ty-five thousand dollars. The school has eight departments under as many teachers. Mr. Kimball (the present city super- intendent) makes this his head-quarters, and has overcharge of the entire building.
EIGHTII STREET SCHOOL
Has four rooms under the same number of teachers.
SPRING STREET SCHOOL
Has four rooms under the same number of teachers. This is one of the oldest school-houses in the city.
BATH STREET SCHOOL
Has two rooms under two teachers. This also is a very old building.
·Additional malter regarding the schools of Los Angeles City, promised us
128
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY CALIFORNIA.
GEARY STREET SCHOOL
Has two rooms under two teachers.
SAN PEDRO STREET SCHOOL.
Has but one room under one teacher. Is one of the early buildings.
GEORGIA STREET SCHOOL
Has but one room under one teacher.
PEARL STREET SCHOOL
Has but one room under one teacher.
EAST LOS ANGELES
Has one school divided into three departments, under as many teachers.
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS
l Ias one school, and but one department.
BOYLE HEIGHTS
Has but one school and one department.
Total number of children attending public schools iu Los Angeles City at date of last report :--
Boys
Girls. 632
667
Total 1299
Amount paid out monthly in teachers' salaries, two thousand seven hundred dollars.
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
This institution has only just been opened in West Los Angeles. On the evening of October 5, 1880, Rev. M. M. Bovard was duly installed as the first President. The exereises commenced with music (vocal and instrumental) by Madame Marra, Miss Clark and others. The address of installation was made by Judge R. M. Widney. President of the Board of Trustees, at the elose of which he presented the keys of the University to Professor Bovard. President Widney stated iu his address that the sum of five thousand dollars only had been asked for toward this undertaking, and that six thousand dol- lars had been promptly subscribed. The school opened ou the following moruing for the enrollment of pupils. A lecture (moral and religious iu character) is to be delivered in the chapel every Sunday afternoon.
CEMETERIES.
JUNE 3, 1858-At a meeting of the trustees of the ceme- tery, it was resolved that the grounds conveyed by the Mayor and Council of the city be accepted as a cemetery for the eity at large, without reference to religious distinction.
The plan presented by Mr. Moore, County Surveyor, was
accepted, and steps were taken to stake off the ground aud prepare it for enclosure. MIr. John D. Yates was appointed to solicit donations for this purpose.
A portion of the ground was set apart as a " potter's field " and the remainder was sold to private individuals and fam- ilies, the proceeds being applied to defray the expense of enelosing and ornameuting the grounds.
This was the origin of
THE CITY CEMETERY
Which is located on Cemetery avenue, Fort Hill. It contains about eighteen acres, ineluding the portions owned by the Masonie and Odd Fellows' fraternities. For sanitary reasons, the burial of dead in this locality has been nearly discon- tinued.
THE CATHOLIC CEMETERY
Is located on Buena Vista street, and contains some eighteen acres.
THE JEWISH CEMETERY
Is located in the northern part of the city, and contains four acres. It was dedicated in 1854.
EVERGREEN CEMETERY
Comprises seventy acres of high rolling land on the east side of the Los Angeles river, two miles from the Court House. It is owned by the Los Angeles County Association, and was laid out in 1877 by E. T. Wright, the present County Surveyor. Over four thousand trees of various kinds have been planted therein, and many of the lots are highly improved. This is a favorite burial ground for a large area of surrounding country. The present officers of the Association are: President, A. If. Judson; Secretary, I. W. Lord; Treasurer, E. F. Spence; Trustees, A. H. Judson, I. W. Lord, V. Ponet, I. A. Dansmoor, Fred Dohs.
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