USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles county, Volume I > Part 12
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1856-Vigilance committees were organized in Los Angeles and
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San Gabriel. The people were greatly disappointed because the Gov- ernor's Thanksgiving proclamation failed to show up until the day had passed.
1857-During this year oysters and ice made their first appearance in this county. Sheriff Barton and party were murdered by Flores and his dreadful band of outlaws near Santa Ana. Much excitement obtained here in September, 1857, on account of the report of the Mountain Meadow Massacre in which the Mormons actually murdered the "Gentile" emigrants. Mass meetings were frequently held in Los Angeles that autumn and winter, at which resolutions were passed, and local dealers were condemned for selling fire arms or ammunition to the Mormons. The noted and successful Anaheim colony was organized this year.
1858-This proved to be a year fraught with many exciting and quite important events, some of which should here be narrated as it is valuable history. Indian depredations between various tribes were frequent. In January, 200 soldiers arrived, only twenty-six days from New York, on their way to San Bernardino. Los Angeles had a fifty thousand dollar fire originating in Childs & Hales store. In July, 150 dragoons under Captain Davidson, arrived from Fort Buchanan, on their way to Fort Tejon. Regular terms of the United States Dis- trict Court were held, commencing on the first Monday in March and December, that year. In July, workmen engaged in digging where the Childs building had but recently been burned, discovered $5,000 in gold coin, which they naturally appropriated, although it was claimed by Mr. Childs that a dishonest clerk of his had stolen it from him and hidden it there. The arrival of the first semi-weekly stage, twenty days from the Missouri river, was celebrated by the firing of cannon. Los Angeles City then had voters to the number of 600.
Camels used as pack animals formed one of the strange sights during 1858. On January 8th of that year, Lieutenant E. F. Beale arrived with a drove of fourteen camels from Fort Tejon. Each animal carried a thousand pounds of provisions and military stores, traveled thirty to forty miles a day, and found its own subsistence, in a most barren country. Afterward these faithful camels were frequently seen on the streets of Los Angeles. Under President Franklin Pierce's ad- ministration, in 1856, the government became possessed of that portion of Arizona known as the Gadsden Purchase, which covered a large desert tract. As an experiment, the government concluded to purchase camels to be used as pack animals in traversing these vast wastes, and accordingly Commodore David D. Porter met Philip Tedro, popularly known as "Hi Jolly," whose services were engaged and through whom he bought seventy-six camels; and these were shipped directly to Indianola, Texas, thence across to Albuquerque, where they arrived in fine condition, in charge of Hi Jolly. There an expedition was fitted out, under command of Ned Beale, and the camels were first brought into active service. The objective point was Fort Tejon, and the route lay along the thirty-fifth parallel. The expedition consisted of forty- four citizens with an escort of twenty soldiers, and the camels pro- vided the packing, in some instances carrying as much as a hundred
Vol. I-3
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gallons of water. They arrived safely at Fort Tejon, then made a trip back to Albuquerque and again to Fort Tejon. Tiring of the camels, the government condemned them, and they were sold at Benicia to two Frenchmen, who took them to Reese River, Nevada, where they were used in packing salt for Virginia City. The animals were later taken to Arizona, and for sometime used in packing ore from Silver King mine to Yuma down to Gila River. For some cause the Frenchmen became disgusted with their property and turned the camels loose upon the desert, near Maricopa Wells. Their presence frightened the mules in the freight teams and many of the camels were killed on that account by the drivers. In the fall of 1882, several were caught and shipped east for a show, and the others were wantonly killed, except possibly two, which were so wild that they were seldom afterwards seen.
1859-In February of this year, a contract was let to John Temple to build a market house and city hall for the sum of $30,000. Thirty years later or about 1889, the building was used as the Los Angeles County courthouse. In the year 1859, there were, in the county, eleven lawyers and nine physicians practicing their chosen professions. Utah trade was active and sixty wagons left Los Angeles for Salt Lake; one firm alone sent out forty teams. Times were financially very hard. Telegraph communication was established between San Francisco and Los Angeles, on October 8, 1859. The first message was sent to and from the cities named by their respective mayors. General John C. Fremont visited the county in July of this year, and was greeted at Los Angeles by the firing of a military salute of fifteen guns.
1861-On May 25th, a few weeks after the opening of the Civil war, a great Union mass meeting was held at Los Angeles. The national banner was presented by Phineas Banning, for the Union Club of the city, and it was accepted by C. Sims, president, who made a fine speech. A large procession marched around the Plaza, down Main Street to Spring, and past the courthouse. The national colors were unfurled to the breeze, the band struck up "The Star Spangled Banner," and thirty-four guns were fired-one for each State in the Union. Enthusiastic speeches were made by General Drown, Major Carlton and Captain W. S. Hancock, who later became General and was the Democratic standard-bearer for the presidency in 1880, when James A. Garfield was elected. A company of volunteers were raised as a part of the 5,000 ordered from California. The old United States Hotel and the Bella Union had been placed under military control by Captain Davidson, on account of their secession influence, but in Sep- tember a German took the former hotel over and then was raised the United States flag and loyalty obtained throughout the Rebellion. In October, the regular troops were concentrated at San Pedro to take passage on a Panama steamer for the East. A subscription of one hundred dollars a month was raised by the citizens to receive daily dispatches from the seat of war.
1862-One writer of the "war days" remarked: "In 1862 small- pox, measles and secession raged in Los Angeles-several fatal cases
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and heroic remedies were frequently resorted to." In January, three steamers were unloading troops at one time at San Pedro harbor and on the 19th 4,000 soldiers were encamped there. Another large num- ber of Union soldiers were camped at Fort Latham, under Colonel Forman. In November, the small-pox broke out in great fury among the Indians of Los Angeles and vicinity and spread rapidly.
1863-The small-pox still raged, and by the close of the year but few of the Indian population were left. In the fall of this year large numbers of miners passed from, and others through, this county, to the "gold diggings" of La Paz and on the Colorado River. Soldiers had to be stationed in Los Angeles all of this year in order to preserve peace. On Christmas Day of 1863, Captain B. R. West ordered all persons to leave Santa Catalina Island before February 1st following.
OLD HOUSE
In September, the soldiers were withdrawn from Catalina Island, and about that date Fort Tejon was abandoned.
1865-April 19th, a public funeral and memorial service was held in respect to the death of President Lincoln. All business was sus- pended in Los Angeles and the streets were heavily draped in em- blems of mourning. A procession was escorted by Captain Ledyard's military company. The sermon for the sad occasion was delivered by Rev. Elias Birdsall. Several arrests were made in this county of parties who glorified in the assassination of the President.
1867-A fire originating in the Bell block, caused the loss of prop- erty valued at $64,000. The city was first lighted by gas in 1867. On July 1st a brass band was organized. The population of county was 25,000. The Los Angeles & San Pedro Railway Company was incor- porated ; the stock was owned by the county. Work commenced this year by the Canal & Reservoir Company upon the canal which later supplied the ice works and woolen plant with water. The First National Bank was organized with a $100,000 capital. The Masonic Temple was dedicated September 29, 1867.
1868-There were no three story buildings in the county, said Ben-
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jamin Hayes, in writing his centennial notes of Los Angeles and the county. The hills above town and across the river, later dotted with pretty houses, were bleak and unsettled. East Los Angeles had then been unthought of.
1870-The authorities in the city of Los Angeles ordered the houses and business places to be numbered, in order to facilitate the making of a city directory. Liquor was regularly sold at one hundred and ten places in the city. Some of these resorts were certainly vile, if all accounts be but one-half true.
1871-In this year an ice-making machine was placed in successful operation here. Ice sold at four cents per pound. On September 15th of each year, the Mexican population of the county celebrate the Independence of Mexico. In October occurred the much talked of Chinese Massacre, spoken of in detail in the history of the city of Los Angeles. The city gave a considerable sum toward the relief of the Chicago fire sufferers. Mails commenced being sent three times each week between Los Angeles and San Bernardino.
1872-A bull-fight was among the attractions this year. October 29th saw the fire caused by a kerosene lamp, destroying Packard & Co.'s distillery valued at $60,000.
1874-The population of Los Angeles city was 11,000. The sixth street horse street railway was completed. Sunday laws began to be enforced for the first time. In September, the $40,000 flouring mills built eight years before, were destroyed by a sweeping fire.
1876-Eagle Flour Mills again burned. In June, anti-Chinese mass-meetings were frequently held. The greatest Fourth of July celebration ever held in the county was that observed in the city of Los Angeles in 1876.
1878-An area of over 18,000 acres of land was burned over in the San Fernando Valley in September.
1881-The centennial anniversary of the founding of Los Angeles was held. Twenty minutes time was given for the parade to pass a given point. Main street was festooned and decorated; "1781-1881" was placed in the numerous floral designs. A Mexican cart drawn by oxen and containing Mexican women, one aged 117 and one 103 years, was a prominent feature. The obsequies of the lamented President, James A. Garfield, were held in the city and were largely attended.
1882-This was the year when Los Angeles built her first four- story business block, the Nadeau block. The United States Magnetic Observatory was removed from Madison, Wisconsin, to Los Angeles. In April of this year, one hundred and fifty editors from Texas visited the county. On December 31st, Los Angeles was first lighted by electricity. The saloon keepers' organization, styled "League of Freedom," opposed the enforcement of the Sunday laws of the State and after many months of litigation and law-making, the Legislature finally wiped the law from the code of California. It had come to be a fight between the two great political parties and the Democrats won out in the final contest.
1883-A terrible railway accident occurred January 20th, in Tehachepi Pass, in which twenty persons were killed. It was at three
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o'clock in the morning and was caused by the hand brakes not being properly set on a passenger train not yet provided with air brakes. The train was derailed and burned from the stoves with which it was heated and the lamps by which it was lighted. The first regular theatre or opera house in the county, was dedicated May 24, 1884. It was built by O. W. Childs. For the first time in the history of the county the Republicans were able to elect a majority of the officers.
1884-At the December municipal election the Republicans won by an overwhelming majority.
1885-On May 8th, United States Senator John Sherman, of Ohio, was a visitor to this county. Memorial services, in honor of Presi- dent U. S. Grant, were held. J. J. Upchurch, founder of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, was tendered a reception. During the summer of this year the first City Hall in Los Angeles was built on Second Street. The railway between San Gabriel and Los Angeles was completed.
1887-President Grover Cleveland signed the bill for appropriating $150,000 to construct a Federal building in Los Angeles. Oil well No. 6, at Puente, gave the first flow of oil in the district in January. Catalina Island was sold by the Lick estate to George R. Shatto in July. The first vestibuled passenger train to enter Los Angeles County came direct from Boston, Massachusetts, arriving here November 21st.
EARTHQUAKES
The terror of earthquakes in this county and state is not nearly so great as it is when one gets a thousand miles away! No permanent or very serious injury has ever come to our people in California on this account, save in the San Francisco disaster in 1906. On December 8, 1812, when the San Juan Capistrano disaster occurred, the first record was made since the whites settled the coast. Again in July, 1855; on April 14, May 2 and September 20, 1856, and on the morning of January 9, 1857, moderate earthquake shocks were felt. Following the last named shock, for a number of days, others occurred. These shocks were felt in California counties both north and south, but more especially severe were they at Fort Tejon than at any other point. This was the greatest earthquake period since that of 1812.
The following from the pen of Mr. Barrows, a correspondent of the San Francisco Bulletin, dated January 28, 1857, reads as follows: "The great earthquake here felt on the morning of the 8th instant was rather more extensive in its operations than we at first anticipated ; it did some appalling execution in various places. In the vicinity of Fort Tejon, one hundred miles north of Los Angeles, the effects were the most violent. The ground opened in places for thirty or forty miles and from ten to twenty feet wide. The line of disruption runs nearly northwest and south- east in an almost straight line passing near Lake Elizabeth. The ground appears to have opened in the form of a ridge and then to have fallen back leaving the earth pulverized and loose about twelve feet wide, generally so that in many places it was almost impossible to pass. An eye witness
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY
saw large trees broken off near the ground; he saw cattle rolled down steep hillsides ; and he himself had to hold onto a post in order to stand up. The people in the fort were unceremoniously honored with a shower of plaster and a general crumbling down of walls and chimneys ; and it seems providential that none of them were killed. He judged that it would take months to repair the buildings at the Fort. The officers and men are now camping out in the tents.
"We had a heavy 'shake' in 1868 and also another in 1872. With these two exceptions the earthquakes we have had in Los Angeles since those of 1857 have been unimportant.
"One of the serious lessons that the people of Los Angeles and of California and the country at large, as they have only recently been admonished, should learn is that their buildings, especially if over one or two stories high, should be made, as nearly as may be, earthquake proof- that is, they should be strongly built-bound or strapped together firmly with wood or iron so that they cannot be easily shaken down. For of all the earthquakes that have happened in this country within the memory of the present generation, it is remarkable how few lives have been lost from this cause except from man's own fault. In other words, his own defective structures, it is true, have been shaken down about his head. But the earth, it is believed, has swallowed up no human life. In the great 'quake' of 1812 many lives were lost in the church of San Juan Capistrano because the tile roof of many tons' weight fell on the congregation. So of the great disaster at Charleston in 1886 and of others on this coast at different times. If human lives have been lost from earthquakes in this country it is only because man's own works have been thrown down by reason of their faulty construction and for no other reason whatever."
But it appears that no heed was taken of the above warning given by the writer, for in the awful disaster in San Francisco in April, 1906, it was seen that brick buildings had been erected in the form of modern sky- scrapers; also stone faced structures, without the least particle of an attempt at bracing with reinforcing rods or wires. Since that calamity, however, no building of any considerable size in any of our coast cities in California has been constructed without taking such precaution. The common style today is steel frames filled with cement and other fire proof materials, or the common cement buildings which are now always rein- forced by iron or steel wires or rods, making the whole as nearly safe as possible with our builders' present knowledge.
In the last decade or two this county has felt a few slight shocks. All that man can do is to prepare for emergency by constructing wisely and well, leaving the result with the Allwise Builder.
EARLY YEARS OF THE LOS ANGELES ORPHANS' HOME (BY ELMIRA T. STEPHENS)
In July, 1880, Miss Mary Simons (now Mrs. Frank A. Gibson) reported that there were ten or twelve children needing food, care and shelter in the district where she was teaching in Los Angeles. Realizing that if these children were to be saved it must be by individual effort, a few interested men and women met in Judson, Gillette & Gibson's office
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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY
and organized the Los Angeles Orphans' Home. Dr. Walter Lindley was elected president, and Miss Mary Simons secretary. Mrs. A. A. Peel, Mrs. D. G. Stephens, Mrs. A. H. Judson, Mrs. T. S. Stanway, Mr. T. C. Severance and C. J. Ellis were elected directors. Without a dollar and little or no experience to guide them, the directors worked without system.
An old shack on Fort street ( now Broadway) was rented and the chil- dren were gathered in. When it was discovered, according to the law, the pittance called State Aid could not be obtained until twenty orphan chil- dren were supported six months, the women directors bent their energies to secure and support orphans enough to make the claim upon the State. This question was often asked: "Is it wisdom for the state to spend more money in trying to cure delinquency than to prevent delinquency ?"
Of the first six months, it is hard to think without pitying smiles. Begging ran rampant. A sight common on our streets was a phaeton, top down and piled high with old clothes of all sorts and kinds, stale bread, eggs, butter, pumpkins, patotoes, etc., and also cracked dishes and leaky cooking utensils. Crowded into this mess sat two tired, dusty women. Stopping at the shanty on Fort Street, this motley load was unpacked with pride by the aforesaid women and the tired matron, amid exclamations of "That is just what we need !" After sorting out all articles positively unfit to use, these enterprising women again loaded the phaeton and turned the patient horse toward the junk shop, where a full load, minus the women, brought fifteen cents.
The women were encouraged when a mining man took pity on them and gave them five hundred dollars. Small amounts began coming in. Many citizens thought it impossible to support a non-sectarian orphans' home in Los Angeles and would wait until the home was established. The family grew and was removed to Figueroa street, where an open zanja ran through the grounds and fruit trees surrounded the house. Here, with unripe fruit to eat and dirty water to play in, the children were continually sick. The matron, cook and one teacher were all the help that could be paid for. School was in the building, church and Sunday school were in the same room.
The board had been enlarged and begging never ceased. Wearied by continual sickness and incompetent help to care for the children, it was decided to again remove the children. If $2,500, which seemed a fortune, could be raised in one week, the corner of Yale and Alpine streets could be purchased. By this time all but one man had quietly slipped from the managing board. However, there was a board of trustees of the sterner sex that met in council with the board of managers and advised them to beg the money and buy the property. The men were willing to beg, but modestly insisted that women were better beggars. The women were flattered and went to work with added zest. It rained day and night all the period. The streets were not paved ; there were but few board side- walks, no street cars, no auto or telephone. Nevertheless, the money was collected, and the property paid for within the week. Los Angeles was a small town-not a dollar where there are now millions! The officers and managers were mostly women who did all their own work, did much
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of the sewing for the orphans, cared for the sick children and assisted about the Home when it became necessary.
The children were now sent to public school and went to church with other children. Sunday school was always at home. Soon this house must be enlarged. It was decided to give dinners during Fair week. Today that would not be much of a task-with the auto, the 'phone and plenty of money. Conditions were different, but eleven hundred dollars were cleared and the board honored by having President and Mrs. Hayes and party for dinner. The City of Los Angeles gave $25.00 toward the dinner. The dignified and respected Mayor Toberlman regretted the city could not do more, but it was all it could afford. The dinner did not suffer. Turkeys, chickens, ham, roasts, fish, oysters, cakes, pies, fruit, jellies and jam in great abundance came from all directions.
The Home had now become permanently established and a popular charity. Again the house was too small. The trustees and several business men were called to council with the board. The conditions were explained and plans for a brick building presented. That with two extra lots and the furniture would cost $80,000 or $85,000 and not a dollar to begin with. The men agreed it was a thing to do, and for many reasons it was best to build on the site where the Home then stood. It would be a lighter task than heretofore, as the city was growing and there was more money. Again the men complimented the women as being the best beggars. This was expected and arranged for. Subscription papers had been prepared and were passed to each man present. Each one subscribed a thousand dollars-$11,000 in all.
It was not a rich community even then, but all gave what they could, and the brick building on Yale and Alpine was built, furnished and paid for, and a family averaging one hundred and seventy-five children was cared for at the same time.
One of the original buildings was kept for a hospital. The board was again enlarged, industrial work was established, cooking, sewing, tailoring, etc., were added.
Through all the trials, discouragements, joy and encouragements, there was always harmony in the board and friendships were formed for life.
CHAPTER IX BENCH AND BAR OF THE COUNTY
It may not be without interest to the reader of Los Angeles County History to trace through the following paragraphs something regard- ing the pioneer and subsequent lawyers who have had to do with both the civil and criminal practice of the county. The legal profession, as well as the medical, has always been an essential factor in the de- velopment of new countries-especially has this been true in the Western states. The United States Land Commission, appointed by act of Congress to pass upon the validity of Spanish and Mexican Land Grants in California, brought to Los Angeles County some of the ablest legal talent in the United States. In these cases the fees were large and many fortunes were founded on these claims, the attorneys frequently bargaining for half the lands contingent on confirmation.
The early lawyers arriving in the order mentioned were: Don Manuel C. Rojo, 1849; Russell Sackett, 1849; Lewis Granger, 1850; Benjamin Hayes, February 3, 1850; Jonathan R. Scott, March, 1850. The last four, as well as Mr. Hartman, were overland emigrants. Law books were scarce. The following lawyers all arrived before the last months in 1858: William G. Dryden and J. Lancaster Brent, in 1850; the last named owned a good law and general library. In 1851 came I. K. S. Ogier; in 1852, Myron Norton, James H. Lander, Charles E. Carr, Ezra Drown, Columbus Sims, Kimball H. Dimmick, Henry Hancock, Isaac Hartman. In 1853, the arrivals in the profession in- cluded Samuel R. Campbell. In 1854, came Cameron E. Thom, and James A. Watson, E. J. C. Kewen, W. W. Hamlin, all arrived between 1854 and 1856. In 1861, came Volney E. Howard, Alfred B. Chap- man located about 1858. Andrew J. Glassell and Colonel James G. Howard arrived on the same steamer, November 27, 1865. Myers J. Newmark was admitted to the bar in September, Andrew J. King in October, 1859, and Don Ignacio Sepulveda, September 6, 1862. Other attorneys before 1860 were Hon. S. F. Reynolds (later district judge of San Francisco), Joseph R. Gitchell (appointed district at- torney in April, 1858), A. Thomas and William E. Pickett. Casanenva & Jones advertised December 13, 1851. Scott & Hayes were law part- ners from March, 1850, until April, 1852; afterward came Scott & Granger; then Scott & Lander. Between 1852 and 1860 the land questions before the United States Commissioners brought almost as residents many distinguished lawyers-Messrs. Halleck, Peachey, Billings, Strode, Carey, Jones, Tompkins, Gregory Yale, Saunders, and Hepburn. Thomas H. Benton, father-in-law of General John C. Fremont, was among the lawyers who practiced for a time, but later
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