USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles county, Volume I > Part 39
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The sketch to which we refer gives the following account of his inter- esting career :
The early years in the history of the new towns of the West were produc- tive of eccentric characters-men who drifted in from older civilizations and made a name for themselves or rather, as it frequently happened, had a name made for them by their fellow men.
These local celebrities gained notoriety in their new homes by their oddities, by their fads, their crankiness, or some other characteristic that made them the subject of remark. With some the eccentricity was natural ; with others it was cultivated, and yet again with others force of circum- stances or some event not of their own choosing made them cranks or oddities, and gave them nicknames that stuck to them closer than a brother.
No country in the world was more productive of quaint characters and odd geniuses than the mining camps of early California. A man's history began with his advent in the camp. His past was wiped out -- was ancient history, not worth making a note of. What is he now? What is he good for? were the vital questions. Even his name was sometimes wiped out, and he was rechristened-given some cognomen entirely foreign to his well known characteristics. It was the irony of fate that stood sponsor at. his baptism. "Pious Pete" was the most profane man in the camp, and Pete was not his front name. His profanity was so profuse, so impressive, that it seemed an invocation, almost a prayer.
There was another class of eccentricities in the cities and towns of Cali- fornia where life was less strenuous than in the mining camp. These were men with whims or fads sometimes sensible, sometimes half insane, to which they devoted themselves until they became noted as notorious cranks.
San Francisco had its Philosopher Pickett, its Emperor Norton and a host of others of like ilk. Los Angeles had representatives of this class in its early days, but unfortunately the memory of but few of them has been salted down in the brine of history.
In delving recently among the rubbish of the past for scraps of history, I came across a review of the first book printed in Los Angeles-the name of the book, its author and its publisher. But for that review, these would have been lost to fame.
It is not probable that a copy of the book exists, and possibly no reader of that book is alive today -- not that the book was fatal to its readers; it
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had very few-but the readers were fatal to the book; they did not preserve it. That book was the product of an eccentric character. Some of you knew him. His name was William Money, but he preferred to have the accent placed on the last syllable, and was known as "Money." Bancroft says of him: "Scotchman, the date and manner of whose coming are not known, was at Los Angeles in 1843." I find from the old archives he was here as early as 1841. In the winter of 1841-42 he made repairs on the Plaza Church to the amount of $126. Bancroft in his Pioneer Register states : "He is said to have come as the servant of a scientific man, whose methods and ideas he adopted. His wife was a handsome Sonorena. In '46 the couple started for Sonora with Coronel, and were captured by Kearny's force. They returned from the Colorado with the Mormon batal- lion. Money became an eccentric doctor, artist and philosopher at San Gabriel, where his house, in 1880, was filled with ponderous tomes of his writings, and on the simple condition of buying $1,000 worth of these I was offered his pioneer reminiscences. He died a few years later. His wife, long divorced from him, married a Frenchman. She was also living at Los Angeles in '80. It was her daughter who killed Chico Forster."
Bancroft fails to enumerate all of Money's titles. He was variously called Professor Money, Doctor Money and Bishop Money. He was a self-constituted doctor and a self-anointed bishop. He aspired to found a great religious sect. He made his own creed and ordained himself "Bishop, Deacon and Defender of the Re-Formed New Testament Church of the Faith of Jesus Christ."
Doctor Money had the inherent love of a Scotchman for theological discussion. He was always ready to attack a religious dogma or assail a creed. When not discussing theological questions or practicing medicines, he dabbled in science and made discoveries.
In Book II of Miscel. Records of L. A. County, recorded September 18, 1872, is a map or picture of a globe labeled "Wm. Money's Discovery of the Ocean." Around the north pole are a number of convolving lines which purport to represent a "whirling ocean." Passing down from the north pole to the south, like the vertebrae of a great fish, is a subterranean ocean. Beyond this on each side are the exhaustless fiery regions, and outside, a rocky mountain chain that evidently keeps the earth from bursting. At the south pole gush out two currents a mile wide marked the Kuro Siwo. There is no explanation of the discovery and no statement of which ocean, the whirling or the subterranean, that Doctor Money claimed to have dis- covered. Evidently a hole at the north pole sucks in the waters of the whirling ocean and are heated by the exhaustless fiery regions which border that ocean ; then these heated waters are spurted out into space at the south pole. What becomes of them afterward the records do not show.
From some cause Dr. Money disliked the people of San Francisco. In his scientific researches he made the discovery that that part of the earth's crust on which the city stands was almost burnt through, and he prophesied that the crust would soon break and the City of the Bay would drop down into the exhaustless fiery regions and be wiped out like Sodom and Gomorrah of old!
The review of Doctor Money's book, which I have mentioned, was written by the genial Col. J. O. Wheeler, then editor of the Southern
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Californian, a paper that died and was buried in the journalistic graveyard of unfelt wants forty-eight years ago. Colonel Wheeler was a walking library of local history. He could tell a story well and had a fund of humorous ones, but I could never persuade him to write out his reminis- cences for publication. He died, and his stories of the olden times died with him, just as so many of the old pioneers will do, die and leave no record behind them.
Doctor Money's book was written and published in 1854. Colonel Wheeler's review is quite lengthy, filling nearly two columns of the Cali- fornian. I omit a considerable portion of it. The review says: "We are in luck this week, having been the recipients of a very interesting literary production entitled 'Reform of the New Testament Church,' by Wm. Money, Bishop, Deacon and Defender of the Faith of Jesus Christ.
"The volume by Professor Money comes to us bound in the beautiful coloring so much admired, and is finely gotten up and executed at the Star office in this city. Its title denotes the general objects of the work which have been followed out in the peculiar style of the well-known author, and in the emphatic language of the Council General, Upper California, City of Los Angeles, we pronounce it a work worthy of all dignified admiration, a reform which ecclesiastics and civil authorities have not been able to comply with yet.
"The work opens with an original letter from the aforesaid Council General, which met August the 7th, 1854, near the main zanja in this city ; said letter was indited, signed, sealed 'by supplication of the small flock of Jesus Christ' represented by Ramon Tirado, president, and Francis Contre- ras, secretary, and directed with many tears to the great defender of the new faith, who, amid the quiet retreats with which the rural districts abound, had pensively dwelt on the noble objects of his mission. and, in fastings and prayer, concocted this great work of his life.
"The venerable prelate, in an elaborate prefix to his work, informs the public that he was born, to the best of his recollection, about the year 1807, from which time up to the anniversary of his seventh year, his mother brought him up by hand. He says, by a singular circumstance (the particu- lar circumstance is not mentioned), I was born with four teeth, and with the likeness of a rainbow in my right eye.
It would seem that his early youth was marked by more than ordinary capacity, as we find him at seven entering upon the study of natural history ; how far he proceeded, or if he proceeded at all, is left for his readers to determine. At the age of twelve, poverty compelled him to "bind himself to a paper factory." Next year, being then thirteen years of age, having made a raise, he commenced the studies of philosophy, civil law, medicine, philosophy of sound in a conch shell, peculiar habits of the muskrat, and the component parts of Swain's vermifuge. Thirsting for still further knowledge, four years afterwards we find him entering upon the study of theology; and he says: "In this year (1829) I commenced my travels in foreign countries," and the succeeding year found him upon the shores of the United States, indefatigable in body and mind ; the closing of the same year found him in Mexico, still following the sciences above mentioned, but theology in particular.
About this time he commenced those powerful discussions with the
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Roman clergy in which our author launched forth against the old church those terrible denunciations as effective as they were unanswerable, and which for thirty years he has been hurling against her.
Perhaps the most memorable of all his efforts was the occasion of the last arguments had with the Roman clergy concerning abuses which came off in the Council of Pitaquitos, a small town in Sonora, commencing on the 20th of October, 1835, which continued to May 1, 1840, a period of five years. This convocation had consumed much time in its preparation, and the clergy, aware of the powerful foe with whom they had to deal, and probable great length of time which would elapse, selected their most mighty champions ; men who in addition to a glib tongue and subtle imagina- tion, were celebrated for their wonderful powers of endurance. There were seven skilled disputants arrayed against Money, but he vanquished them single-handed.
The discussion opened on the following propositions: The Bishop of Culiacan and he of Durango disputed that Wm. Money believed that the Virgin Mary was the mother of Jesus, but not the mother of Christ. William Money makes his application to God, but not to the Virgin Mary.
These and other learned propositions were discussed and rediscussed constantly for five years, during which writing paper arose to such an enormous price that special enactments were made, withdrawing the duties thereon. Time would not admit of detailing the shadow of what tran- spired during the session.
Suffice it to say that through the indomitable faith and energy of Mr. Money, his seven opponents were entirely overcome; one sickened early in the second year and was constrained to take a voyage by sea ; two others died of hemorrhage of the lungs; one went crazy; two became converted and left the council in the year 1838 and were found by Mr. Money on the breaking up of the council to have entered into connubial bonds, and were in the enjoyment of perfect happiness. The other two strenuously held out to the year 1840, when, exhausted, sick and dismayed, the council, in the language of the author, was broken up by offering Money to give up his sword, the Word of God, but he protested, saying: "God keep me from such treacherous men, and from becoming a traitor to my God."
Thus ended this famous disputation of which history furnishes no parallel. From the foregoing our readers can form an idea of this great work. It forms a volume of twenty-two pages, printed in English and Spanish, with notes.
Doctor Money seems to have considered his call to preach paramount to his call to practice. In a card to the public, published in the Star of November 3, 1855, he says: "I am sorry to inform the public that since the Reformed New Testament Church has unanimously conferred on me the office of Bishop, Deacon, and Defender of the Faith of said apostolic church, it is at present inconvenient for me any longer to practice my physical system. My California Family Medical Instructor is now ready for the press, containing my three physical systems, in about 200 pages and 50 plates of the human body. It will likewise contain a list of about five thousand patients that I have had under my physical treatment in the course of fifteen years' practice, from the port of San Diego to that of San Fran- cisco. Out of this large number only four, to my knowledge, have died
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while under my treatment. I do not publish this for the purpose of getting into practice, but only to get out of it."
His Family Medical Instructor was probably the second book written in Los Angeles, but whether it was ever published is not known. Some twenty-five years ago, when the public library was in the old Downey Block, he had on file in it a set of plates of the human body. He removed to San Gabriel, where he lived in a curiously constructed adobe house. He died in 1890, at San Gabriel. His books and papers were lost.
It is of the greatest interest to go back over the records and find what folks were doing concerning sanitation and the effort to preserve the public health in the old times of Los Angeles before the men and women who inhabit it now were born.
For instance, we find that in the year 1847 one Julian Chavez sent the following communication to the honorable Town Council of Los Angeles :
"It being one of the principal duties of any municipal body when it sees that an epidemic begins to attack the community, to enforce cleanliness, fumigation and similar measures, I respectfully suggest that you instruct the Syndic to spend three or four dollars in causing all the heads and remains of cattle as well as dead animals that can be found, to be gathered into a heap in the borders of the town and set on fire at the hour of six in the evening to be thoroughly consumed and the air purified. Also that you admonish the people to keep their premises clean and sweep in front of their houses and on no condition to throw any garbage, filth or offal of the cattle they slaughter in the streets. Also that the work on the zanja be pushed to an early completion because our citizens who live further below are suffering greatly for lack of water, which is also one of the causes why the epidemic lasts so long. In making these recommendations, I beg of you to give them your immediate consideration."
From one of the annual reports of Dr. L. M. Powers, for many years the efficient and well-beloved health officer, we gather some intensely inter- esting facts. For instance, it is learned that in the year 1850 police regu- lations were promulgated which declared it "the duty of the police to attend to everything touching the comfort, health and adornment of the city." And the following two important articles :
"Article 6. On Saturdays every householder shall clean the front of his premises up to the middle of the street, or for the space of at least eight varas.
"Article 7. No filth shall be thrown into zanjas, carrying water for common use, nor into the streets of the City."
From the same report we find the medicine men doing their best to help the city to keep clean and healthy as it gradually assumed the dignity of a city through the slow and happy growth of the years.
In 1853, the City Council passed an ordinance concerning the making of bread, requiring the use of good and wholesome flour, and uniform size of loaves.
In 1855 the Common Council passed an ordinance regulating the con- duction of a city slaughter house or corral and requiring a monthly fee or rental for the use of the same and the disposal of the offal in such a manner as not to be offensive. Also created the office of stock and meat inspector, who was to give bond of $500 and to receive fees for inspecting stock as
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follows : For meat cattle, 50 cents per head, and for sheep, goats and hogs, each 75 cents.
In 1868, when the County Hospital was only in name and the Sisters of Charity were paid per capita for the care of the indigent sick, and the police force consisted of the town marshal and one policeman, and the board of health, the mayor and two councilmen, appointed by the president of the Council, an epidemic of smallpox occurred and Dr. H. S. Orme was appointed health officer at a salary of $10 per day to care for smallpox patients and look after the sanitary conditions of the city.
In July, 1868, the main building now existing in Chavez Ravine and known as the pest house was built jointly by the city and county, for a smallpox hospital. Smallpox was quite prevalent ; many cases occurred among the Indians who were employed to pick grapes in the city and vicin- ity. These Indians when first attacked with the fever would often plunge into the zanja or river, and then lie around the banks until they were picked up in a critical condition or perhaps dead. The mortality during the epi- demic was great. The Sisters of Charity, with self-sacrifice and regardless of their health, rendered most faithful and efficient service during this epi- demic. Vaccination was enforced as thoroughly as possible and the disease was ere long eradicated.
It seems from 1869 that Drs. Pigne, Dupuytren, T. C. Gale and J. H. McKee served as health officers at different times. Dr. J. H. McKee was elected health officer on June 25, October 15, and again December 31, 1874.
In April, 1873, the City Council passed an ordinance creating the board of health, to consist of the mayor, president of the Council and two members of the Council to be appointed by the president of the Council. The salary of the health officer was $50 per month, and he was to be appointed by the board of health, subject to the approval of the City Council.
In 1874 the City Council passed an extensive sanitary ordinance provid- ing for free vaccination, reports of births, deaths and contagious diseases, etc., and another resolution regulating the prevention of nuisances and pro- viding for the public health, etc., including a section prohibiting the sale of adulterated milk.
In 1876 the Council passed a resolution fixing the health officer's salary at $75 per month. In 1877 the Council passed an ordinance repealing ordinances of July, 1873, and August, 1874, pertaining to the creation of the board of health and prescribing the duties of the health officer, etc.
In 1877 a report was made to the Council that one Mrs. Dominguez had broken quarantine because of the want of food. The Council author- ized the health officer to supply food to families in quarantine for smallpox.
Again, in 1878, the Common Council passed a resolution relating to the health of the City of Los Angeles, to prevent the spread of contagious diseases by providing quarantine regulations for the incoming trains, etc.
On January 2, 1879, Dr. Walter Lindley was elected health officer; at that time there was no board of health and the City Council elected the health officer. Dr. Lindley inaugurated the system of free vaccination of children attending the public schools and succeeded in securing the passage of an ordinance prohibiting the handling of swill and garbage through the streets between the hours of 9 A. M. and 5 P. M. He established the system of registering births and deaths, and secured a sewer system for
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the main streets ; he also made an annual report of the transactions of the office. Doctor Lindley's report made November 13, 1879, for the ten months previous to November 1, 1879, shows estimated population to be 16,000, number of births 223 and number of deaths 175, including still births.
As late as the year 1897 we still find some situations that were no doubt serious enough at the time, but which appear laughable now. Here is one of them :
It was decided to have the meat and milk of the city systematically inspected. During the first eight months, after the decision was put into force, much of the time was consumed in settling the question as to who had the right to the appointment of the sanitary inspectors, the Board of Health or the City Council. For three months, pending the decision of the court, we had two sets of inspectors calling at the office every morning, and there was also much trouble in securing the proper control of the street sweeping. During the fall a new inspector was appointed for street sweep- ing. The meat and milk inspector and a practical butcher was appointed meat inspector, thereby creating two offices.
It is a well-agreed-to fact that history is a thing that can be written only in retrospect. Men and events of our own time are too near to us to be judged. And this is one reason why, in this book, no attempt at detail is made concerning the status of medicine in Los Angeles at the present day.
It is enough to say that in no city of the world can the profession of medicine be found standing on a higher plane than it stands in Los Angeles. Nowhere in the world can physicians and surgeons be found more devoted to their profession, more skilled in its science or more faithful to the trust reposed in them. Not only have we, in the product of our own schools at home, medical men of the highest class, but we have also the products of the best schools in other parts of the world who honor and benefit Los Angeles by their presence among us.
Los Angeles has hospitals as splendidly equipped for service as any other city has, and its institutions of this nature keep pace with the best and latest thought of the scientific world.
And it is well that all this is so, for while it is true that owing to favored climatic conditions, there would not ordinarily be here the same great need of the physician and the surgeon that exists in less kindly climes, we are to remember that all the roads of the earth and the pathways of the seas bear to our doors the sick, whose hope of recovery lies in California.
And even with all this, the death rate here is less perhaps than it is in any other city of equal size. For this happy condition we have to thank both the doctors and the climate.
A CHURCH DISTRICT OF LOS ANGELES
CHAPTER XXVI
RELIGION AND THE CHURCHES
We have seen heretofore in this book that as a community requiring a civic and political government, Los Angeles was created under extraordinary circumstances, namely, "by order of the king." That is to say, Los Angeles was politically foreordained, because of the fact that it was founded and established by the royal edict of the King of Spain.
We are now to see that spiritually and in regard to the care of the souls of the people who came to inhabit the new city and to have their being there, Los Angeles became-though it may be indirectly-the subject again of what might be called Royal authority, for in those times the Pope of Rome ranked with other kings and potentates.
Now, as we have related, Los Angeles at the beginning of its career was looked after spiritually by the padres of San Gabriel and other nearby mis- sions in such measure as the time and abilities of these padres permitted. We learn that in the year 1784, three years after the Pueblo of Los Angeles was founded, and continuing until the year 1812, there was a chapel on Buena Vista Street where a Franciscan friar from San Gabriel held relig- ious services, saying mass every Sunday and on Holy days for the accom- modation of the settlers and their families. Then, between the years 1812 and 1815, the present old church still standing on the Plaza was built and placed under the pastorage of Father Blas Raho. But during all this time Los Angeles and all California were merely a part of the spiritual territory of Mexico, and specifically a part of the diocese of Sonora.
But as California continued to grow in population, the Mexican Con- gress petitioned Rome to separate Lower and Upper California into a sepa- rate diocese. In those days in Catholic countries, and in other countries as well, church and state went hand in hand. Mexico acknowledged itself to be a Catholic country, subject in all spiritual matters to the Pope.
In response to the petition of the Mexican Congress, Gregory XVI, then Pope of Rome, issued the famous bull creating the Diocese of California, of which Los Angeles was a part. The document is important and of great historical value, and since it gives us the real beginning of church govern- ment here, we feel it our duty to set it forth in full. It is as follows:
"GREGORY, BISHOP, SERVANT OF THE SERVANTS OF GOD, FOR A PERPETUAL MEMORIAL.
"1. The Apostolic solicitude which We feel for all the Churches should, as is evident, not only never be weakened or diminished by distances or the remoteness of the faithful, but should for that very reason rather be aug- mented and inflamed. Since, therefore, access to this Center of Catholic
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