USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles County, California, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, residences, fine blocks and manufactories > Part 53
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Ilaving been a guest at these wells for several weeks, and observing the effects of the waters, I think that I can safely say that they com- pare favorably with any with which I am acquainted, for all diseases of the secretory system, such as those of the liver and kidneys, and complications arising from malarial affections. It is also useful for cutaneous diseases, as well as rheumatic und dyspeptic affections.
The locality is free from malaria, and with the tonic mountain air and healthful sen-breeze, there is no place of superior advantages to the invalid, or a more quiet, restl'ul retreat for the overworked.
E. R. VERNON, M. D.
December 26, 1879.
What is claimed for these wells hy Doctor Fulton, can best be explained by his circular, which reads as follows :--
FULTON'S SULPHUR WELLS-THE GREAT HEALTH RESORT OF SOUTH- ERN CALIFORNIA.
These wells are located two miles north of Norwalk Station, on the Los Angeles and Anaheim Railroad. Express from Norwalk every train. This remarkable water, which has but recently been brought into notice, and is gaining reputation so rapidly on account of its won- derful beneficial results iu all diseases where an alterative is required, such as all cutaneous diseases, chronic kidney and liver complaints, scrofula, rheumatism, neuralgia, dyspepsia, etc., is obtained from flow- ing wells, three hundred to three hundred and fifty feet deep, contain- ing, beyond a question, as fine medicinal properties as any water found on this coast. and is. perhaps, not inferior to any in the world, as the following analysis will show :--
Analysis-In one gallon, or two hundred and thirty-one cubic inches: Bicarbonate of soda, 2.20 grains; bicarbonate of linie, 12.00; bicarbon- ate of magnesia, 16.50; bicarbonate of iron, 13,00; sulphate of soda, .90; chloride of sodium, 10.40; silica, .30; large percentage of iodine and potash.
Volume of gases estimated in two hundred and thirty-one cubic inches, or one gallon of water: Sulphurated hydrogen gas, 4.00; car- bonic acid gas, 7.00; nitrogen gas, 3.00.
The new hotel is just completed, aud accommodations will be good and charges moderate. The locality, as to healthfulness, climate and
ORANGE GROVE AND RESIDENCE OF M.V. ADAMS, ORANGE, LOS ANGELES CO CAL.
PUBLISHED BY THOMPSON & WEST.
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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
scenery, cannot be sugared in southern California. The proprietor. An experienced medical practitioner, will be on hand to give advice and instruction as to the nse of the water, will ulno prescribe medicines where it is desired and be considers necessary. 1. 2. mail every day. 1. 3. FriTox, M. D., Proprietor.
AICTESIA.
For the following information regarding this settlement, we are indebted to Mr. Daniel Gridley, the original founder of the colony:
The settlement of Artesia is situated three miles from Nor- walk, and nine from Anaheim Landing. Mr Gridley pur- chased a tract of one thousand six hundred acres from the Coyotes Ranch, in 1869 He sold live hundred and fifty acres of this to the Artesia Company, incorporated, the members of which were principally from Los Angeles. Milton Thomas, C. E. White, Demman, and - Town were the prime movers. The company bought also two thousand four hun- dred agres from other parties. A town site was surveyed, and a school-house, costing five thousand dollars, was built in the spring of 1875. The company continued in existence about four years, and soll many lots. These, however, were not all paid for, and the company failing, these lands reverted to the original owners. The schoolhouse was purchased by Mr. Gridley, and he in turn sold it to the Artesia School-district, which now owns it.
This is a graded school, having two departments, with an average aggregate attendance of one hundred pupils.
The Methodist and South Methodist, Christian and Baptist Churches all hohl regular meetings in the school-house. The Methodist South and Baptists cach have resident ministers, the first being Kev. Cuttle, and the second Rev. Freeman.
There is a Good Templars' lodge, and a Farmers' club. The Farmers' club was organized in the fall of 1879, and has for its object general information and culture and the promotion of Farming interests.
The club has recently establishedt a sugar factory, and has sent for the necessary machinery. The factory will be erected near the school-house. One hundred aeres of cane is to be raised, in fifty plats of two acres cach, on as many different farms.
Almost every farmer in this district has one or more flowing artesinn wells. Upon his ranch of three hundred and fifty neres, Mr. Gridley has five wells, all flowing and in good order.
The lands in this section are for the most part moist bottom corn lands, the surface water not over seven feet deep.
The only stock raised for exportation are hogs and a few beef cattle. The principal crops are corn and Odessa wheat, the latter crop largely on the increase. There are some small dairies.
There are in this neighborhood some ten farms, of ten acres carl, plantel in small fruits and vegetables which conduct also a small dairying and poultry lavines, and make a girl living for the owners and their families
Tobacco, castor- lxans and flax have all been raised here in small quantities, and snecred well.
There are many bands of sheep, running from one thousand to five thousand, pasturing on the vacant lands.
Wood ( willow) is very plentiful, and increasing rapidly .1 single acre will supply a moderate family continuously with wood. It sells here cut into stavewood at two dollars for cord, on the ground. Good willaw land yiohls thirty-live eords to the acre, and the wood grows up every five years, Artesia is principally peopded by New Englanders.
The growth of pumpkins in this section is very large. Mr Gridley has, during the past season, soll over fifty wagon loads of one and a half tons cach, at one dollar per load. When but- ter sells at thirty-live to forty cents per pound, comment is unnecessary.
There are several small vineyards in the neighborhood.
We Find the Following in a Inte number of the Express:
SORGHUM TO HE TESTED.
A sngar company was organized at Artesin last saturday evening. the purpose of the company being to test the practicability of growing sorghum, and making sugar therefrom. It is a stock company, with a capital of five bnodred dollars, in fifty shares at ten dollars each. Nearly all the stock is taken. It is propused to get a crusher and an evaporator of sufficient capacity to make a fair test, for which it is thought five hundred dollars will be sufficient. The officers are five Trustees, as follows: M. B. Foster, Mr. Lynn, Mr. Brunch, Mr Gumer and Mr. Hay. The Trustees organized by choosing Mr. Hay. President. Mr. Gomer, Secretary, and Mr. Foster, Treasurer. A committee wa- also appointed to draft by-laws, as follows: Messrs. Potter, Lyun nud Gumner, the committee ta report at u meeting of stockholders to be held on Saturday, February 21st.
NORWALK.
This is a small station on the Anaheim railroad, located about 1875. There is a hotel, post office, saloon, etc. There are a good many artesian wells in this neighborhood.
CHAPTER XLL. ANAHEIM TOWNSHIP.
Area of the Township-Ranches Therein-Water Supply-The Cajun Ditch- Stearns' Ranchos-Crops-Fruit-Grapes and Wines-Principal Viue. yards and Orchards-Stock -Schools-Centralia -- Orangethorpe - Fair- view-Anaheim-History of the Settlement aud its Growth-Water Sys- tem of the Town-Fire-Industries-Newspapers-Churches-Societies.
ANAHEIM township contains in round numbers some sixty- eight thousand acres of land. About fifty-eight thou-and acres of this is of good quality, being level agricultural land lying in the Santa Ana valley. The remaining ten thousand
acres are for the most part rolling land, suitable for pasturage. The township contain the following ranches : -
NAVE.
AIRE. TO WHOM CONFIRMED.
Rancho san Juan J'aion de santa Ana 31.501.99 Juan Pacifico Ontiveras.
Kancho I.s Habra (A part of lam Coyides,1
GREIT Andre's Bien.
WATER SUPPLY
The Santa Ana river thous along the south west boundary of Anaheim township, a distance of alant five miles From this river the umin water supply is procured. The list diteles were built by the Anaheim Vmeyar 1 1'ompany ntwant 187. und these beenme the property of the Anahem Water 10- pany on it- organization about 15(il)
The Anaheim Water Company has two main ditches, loth tapping the Santa Ana river The one tirst loult is known as the Anaheim ditch, und taps the river uhant six miles ubaye the city. In the winter time, when the river is full, this chiteli affords u antliciency of water. It was built in 1537 by the Vineyard Company, and cost sonwe five thousand dollars in the first instance It measures six feet in with by two fort in depth.
The other ditch is known as the t'ajon ditch, and to the river in the Best Rock Canon, sobre eighteen miles alove the city. This ditch is three fort deep and eight Feet wide, and cost about one hundred thousand dollars. It was completed in 1878, and supplies an almindance of water even in the dry. est summers. It runs through a tunnel ahunt bwa hundred vards.
These two ditches have sonw ten miles of side ditches brauch- ing therefrom, and supply water to about one thousand eight hundred acres.
The Cajon ditch was built by the Cujon Ditch Company, incorporated in 1877. President, - Shanklin; Trastor4. Golman, Hayderbrick, and MeFachen
In 1879 the Anaheim Water Company bought a half inter. est in this ditch for twenty thousand dollars, which interest they still hokl.
The Cajon Company water about one thomand eight hun- dred acres of cultivated land with their share of the ditch.
The Anaheim Water Company's stock is divided into three thousand shares representing one acre rach. Only two thou- sand shares are in the market; ouy thousand being reserved for the present until a sufficiency of water shall be assured beyond possibility of failure. The present par value of the Anaheim water stock is eight dollars per share, but this price is constantly being increased by the annual assessments, which are charged up pro rata against the unsold stock. There are about one thousand six hundred shares sold, and about four
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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
hundred shares yet offered for sale. The ditches are now all in first-class order. Every spring the water is turned off, and The ditches are then che med thoroughly from weeds and other accumulations, thus to insure a free flow.
There are four artesian wells in Anaheim township, owned raquotively by Alexander Henry,- Schultz. -- Metcalf, and William Smith. They are all Howing wells
The following extract from the Anaheim (hvertle of Novem- ber 23, 1878, throws much light on the extensive water system of this lawuship:
A DAY OF REJOICING.
PICNIC AND BARBECUE AT FLJ'ME NO. 8.
The Cauxstomation of a Gigantic Irrigation Scheme Fitty Celebrated-Re.
joining at the Completion of the Cajon bitch -A Large Assemblage- An Excellent Programme Carried Out to the Letter.
( In last Saturday morning the hot puffs of wind which came in fitful gusts dampened the expectations of those who had looked forward to a Ideasant day on which to celebrate the cuundetion of the great Cajon ditch. The atmosphere near the foot-hills was charged with dust, and there was every indication that the pleasure of the day was to be marred by what is known as n " Santa Ana wind." But these disu- greeable symptoms disappeared to n great extent, and on the whole the weather proved quite propitions. There is no doubt, however, that many were deterred from attending the barbecue by the threatening aspect of the atmosphere in the morning,
Flume No. 8, seven miles from Anaheim, had been fixed upon as the place of assembly, and at Ho'clock .v. M, there was a great congregation of people at that point, By twelve o'clock, neurly, if not quite, a thou- sand people had guthered-all sorts of people, in all sorts of convey- ances, and from all sorts of pouces, Had u strauger happened along, he would have had no difficulty in determining that the people he saw had come together for a day of merry- making, and to celebrate some great triumph. It was plainly discernible, every face bore that intense lauk of satisfaction born of a triumph over difficulties and obstacles. The good humor and sense of exultation was contagious, und if any went there feeling morose or " blue," that feeling was quickly dispelled by the jollity of the surroundings.
The donations had been made with that lavishness characteristic of our people. To use a C'eltic phrase, there were ">lathers " of every- thing. And although the strain on the refreshments was unceasing throughout the day, there was no apparent diminution in the supply. The Anaheim brass band discoursed most excellent music throughout the day, and they contributed in no small degree to the enjoymeut of the occasion.
Beside the flume two long tables had been made, and at noou these tables had been covered by a perfect avalanche of touthsome things. For four and twenty hours previous a huge ox and several shecp aud hogs had been slowly cooking, burbeene fashion, and now the chefs mononuced them " done to a turn." This was the sigual for the guests tu commence the work of destruction. But this veracious chronicler will forever hold his peace as to the gastronomie feats which he that eventful day was witness to, Ile will venture to say, however, that there were many in that throng who, on the following day, in the words of Carlyle, " were made painfully aware that they were possessed of it stomach."
A large platform, -creened from the rays of the sun hy a roof of willows, and furnished with an abundance of seats, had been made directly in front of the speaker's stand. After dinner the seats ou this platforin were occupied by the multitude, who, having satiated the cravings of their physical system, were prepared to receive the mental repast which the literary committee had in store for them, Mr. 1. M. McFadden called the audience to order, and in a few well- chosen words bade them welcome. Ile then read the following letter, which had been received from Mr. J. W. Shanklin, the President of the l'ajon Irrigation Company, who was unable to be present :-
Trustees of the Cajon Irrigation Company-
GENTLEMEN: I congratulate you upon the completivu of the main canal in the system of irrigation works projected and necessary for the fall development of the agricultural capacity or resources of your -ec- tion of Los Angeles county.
This enterprise was truly a great undertaking for the Cajon Com- many, but you had the determination nud energy that spring from the " Ions of home " staring you in the face. unless this canal could be completed. Though failure has uften threatened your work, your courage bas never flagged, and thanks to the people of Anaheim who rame to your assistance in the hour of need, yon ure to-day rejoicing equally with them, that the silver stream of the Santa Ana river now wind+ along its bluffs for over Fourteen miles, and brings within its fruitful influence over ten thousand acres of as rich and valuable agricultural land as Los Angeles county can boast. This watery ele- ment to-day brings tu you tears of joy instead of tears of saduess, with hopes of golden harvests in the near future reduced to a certainty. would gladly to-day have been at your harbene beneath the great Hume to rejoice with you, but cannot, for I have known your labors nud necessities since you begun the work and before, and well know the dangers that threatened the whole neighborhood by those who should have been its friends. Cheerfully therefore have I contributed what I conld to aid you, and with tbankfulness of heart I rejoice with yon on the completion of your labors, and thank the people of Ana- heim for their timely assistance, which prevented the Cajon Company frum finding their last ditch, as was predicted by certain knowing unes of San Francisco, I trust the event which you this day celebrate may be the beginning of renewed prosperity for Anaheim and vicinity, and that the two companies who own the canal may long dispense its waters to the thirsty plains, making them blossom as the rose with fruitful farus and happy homes, Yours truly,
J. W. SHANKLIN.
After reading this letter, Mr. McFadden said that it had been sng. gested that it would be proper for bim to give a brief history of the Cajon ditch. Ile said :-
Three years ago the Superintendent of Irrigation petitioned the Board of Supervisors to order an election, under the Bush Irrigation Law, at which the question of building a ditch should be submitted to the people of this district, The petition was granted, the election was held, aud the result was that a large majority voted in favor of building a ditch. The work was commenced in March, 1875, but owing to the failure of many to make their payments, the work was abandoned after eight miles of ditch had been constructed. For two years nothing was done, but in Juue, 1877, the Cajon Irrigation Com. pany sprang into existence. Seven men inaugurated this grand enter- prise, and through good and evil report they have adhered together and worked with a vim to achieve the success which we are bere to-day to celebrate.
Fifty thousand dollars have been expended on the ditch. It is fifteen miles in length, eight feet in width at the bottoui, has a carry- iug capacity of four thousand inebes of water. with a J'all of thirty incbes to the mile, and will irrigate over ten thousand acres of land. Four miles of the ditch had to he excavated through solid rock, and fumes aggregating one mile in length had to be constructed. In huilding these flumes, three hundred thousand feet of lumber were used. If you will take the trouble to walk but a short distance you will see a flume one hundred fect longer and ten feet higher than tbe one beside us. You will also see a cut of five hundred feet, which required an expenditure of three thousand dollars. This will give you a faint idea of the maguificeuce of the work, and the obstacles which its builders had to encounter.
I desire, on behalf of the Cajon Irrigation Company, to return thanks to the many people who have befriended us and giveu us their counsel and assistance. To the Yorbas we owe a great debt of gratitude. For more than a year our men bave been swarming over their ranchos, destroyiug timber and injuring it in various ways. but these noble ueu never murmured or made complaint. Few men would silently endure what they have, and the Company will ever hold them in kindly remembrance. Our sincere thanks are also due to the merchants of Anaheim, who have doue everything in their power to help us. They have stood by us nohly, furnishing us with supplies at low rates, and waiting uncomplainingly for their money. To Mr. Scibert, the cashier of the Bank of Anaheim, we owe much. In the hour of need he came
to our assistance and advanced money, having faith iu our work, and to his timely help is dne ju no small degree the carly completion of our enterprise, If Mr. Shanklin were here to day, I would not spenk of him as I now propose to do. You have all heard his letter, but with characteristic wodesty aud manliness he does not allode to the great sacrifices which he himself has made in order to complete this great undertaking. To Mr, Shanklin, above all others, this county is indebted for the inauguration and carrying on of this canal. Let me tell you what he has done: Ile paid three thousand five hundred dol- lars in taxes, levied by the District Commissioners under the Bush Law.
When the work under that law censed, he waited until his patience became exhausted, and then proposed to incorporate a company and caniplete the wock which had been abandoned. He took five thousand dollar's worth of stock, and loaned the company four thousand dollars; more money was wanted and he furnished six thousand dollars; again lunds ran short and he advanced an additional five thousand dollars; and subsequently he furnished at various times the further mount of nine thousand dollars; making a grand total of twenty-seven thousand dollars which this one man advanced to enable this enterprise to be carried on. It is true he awus a large body of land which is made val- uable by this ditch, but it is a question whether it is worth the amount af money wbich he advanced to the company, He has put in more than one-balf of all the money that has been expended in constructing the ditch, and I think that I'am justified in directing public attention to his munificence,
At the close of Mr. Mel'adden's address he introduced Stephen M. White, Esq., of Los Angeles, us orator of the day. The andience settled themselves in comfortable attitudes and prepared to enjoy the oratorical feast which they knew was in store for them. Mr, White ix possessed of a clear, resonant and sonorous voice, und a style of elocu- tion at once original and pleasing. He was evidently "i' the vein," and his well-rounded sentences and graceful periods were listened to with numistakable relish and pleasure by the intelligent audience, He began by stating that when the invitation to deliver this uddress was tendered him he was disposed to decline, owing to the fact that pressure of other business and brevity of time necessarily prohibited adequate preparation, But when the request was pressed he deter- mined that if those who had always extended to him the hand of friendship desired to meet and greet him on the scene of their labors, he would willingly accede to their solicitation.
After this Mr. White procceded to describe the many difficulties which had to be encountered and overcome before the consummation of the enterprise; what sacrifices had to be made, and wbut untiring energy was expended in pursuit of the desired object.
The agricultural interests of the county and of the section iu imme- diate proximity to the ditch were here discussed. It was shown that lands, heretofore regarded as worthless, would by virtue of prescut improvements, be converted into prolific sources of wealth, Where one man now earned a scanty subsistence a hundred would dwell in abundance. Whatever benefited the farmer added to the glory of all, The common supposition that the life of the agriculturist is all pleasure, contentment and ease has no foundation iu fact. He has his trials and his troubles. The recompense he realizes for his toil is controlled by the great grain markets of the world. IIc caunot, as may the merchant or professional man, dictate the reward of bis exertions. Ile is subject to the exactious of corporate power; and if, unfortunately, he falls into the icy grasp of the mortgagee it is not improbable that he will live to see the family hearthstone desolate and no covering for his wife and children save the canopy of heaven, The speaker then proceeded to demonstrate that it is for the interest of communities and governments to protect agricultural interests and to fuster all enterprises which will aid the farmer in achieving pecuniary independence. That the only reason that there exists so many prosperous larmers in our State is hecause of their unflinching energy and ceaseless efforts, Their ser- vices to the State are admitted; no one dares to charge them with corruption, and tbe hallot of the farmer is proverbially an honest vote. From this the couclusion was drawn that the completion of the work iu question should be hailed ay a general blessing,
The orator next proceeded to prove that the eucouragement of pub- lic works has always been conclusive evidence of enlightenment. Nu nation has ever been truly great which has not developed its natural resources, The wonderful monuments of antiquity demonstrate the
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ORANGE GROVES KO RESIDENCE OF L.G. BUTLER, ORANGE, LOS ANGELES C.9 CAL.
PUBLISHED BY THOMPSON & WIFF.
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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
advanced civilization of their creators, and we have to day in perfeer preservation the unimpeachable witness of ancient splendor.
The speaker theu alluded to the necessity of concerted action in all matters of importance, and clearly pointed out the disastrous coune. qneuces of petty dissensions. He then spoke of the jummibilities of the future; of the great valleys of California, now only tenanted by the herder, which would ere long be turned into sources of wealth more Jasting than the mines of the Sierras. The streams which llow down the mountain's side would be poured on the thirsty plains, and the hum of numberless happy homes would rejdace forever the solitude of desolation. A few years hence those who have constructed the present work will hardly realize their present habitations. Such are the legit- imate fruits of hanest labor intelligently and faithfully directed.
The address was delivered without notes, und was entirely an off- hand effort.
Theodore Lyuill, Esq,, was next introduced, and was received with marks of favor. Mr. Lynill is n speaker of rapid utterance und great connuad of language, and his short speech on this orcusion was in admirable tuste. He commenced his address by remarking thut, in the language of Breckenridge, he felt like un exploded valeano, the orator of the day, Stephen M. White, Ka, having so thoroughly ex- hansted the subject in hand. He thought this character of celebra. tion should be more encouraged than that class which celebrated victories on the field of battle. Triumph, such as the completion of the great work nader discussion, regnired the same qualities to insure success ay trimmphs in war, nud Jeft none of the hard feelings behind; fur they innred to the benefit and glory of nature from whom they were born, and were not disturbed by recallretions of the shrieks af the wounded and the groans of the dying. They promoted the prosperity und welfare of all und injured none. They called furth all the nobler qualities of man withont awakening his savage instivets. They were eminently noble works, calling forth mun's best attributes and tending to elevate him to thar level of the great model in whose image he was crented. This class of enterprise ulsa impressed ujum ull the necessity af union, Without unity there could be no success; with it no failure. No nubler enterprise could be carried ant than such a oue as this, which has for its object the conversion of the hitherto unproductive lands into a valley teeming with every variety of vegetable wealth.
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