USA > California > Marin County > History of Marin County, California also an historical sketch of the state of California > Part 38
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In November, 1863, we find that the State Telegraph Company had com- menced operations in the court house, with D. T. Taylor as operator, and in July of the following year two stage lines were started, the first by A. Starke, to run between San Rafael and Petaluma, and the other by Morse & Bassett, the route being from San Rafael to Tomales, via Novato, Peta- luma and Two Rock valley.
The event of greatest consequence, which occurred in the year 1865, was unquestionably the dastardly assassination of Abraham Lincoln in Ford's Theater, Washington, D. C., by John Wilkes Booth, on the evening of the 14th of April. Perhaps no calamity of a like nature had ever occurred to any nation; is it any wonder, then, that the whole land was flooded with tears, and each mourned as if a father had been taken, and was he not a father to the people ? In him was vested the rule and safeguard of the peo- ple, at a juncture when a wise head and a pure heart, above all, was needed; he had labored indefatigably in their behalf, was even then toiling to bring about an honorable peace, honorable to friend and foe alike, and then to be cut off in the zenith of his power, is it any wonder, we say, that the Nation, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the Lakes to the Gulf, wept as one gigantic household for him who had led them through the uncertain quick- sands of statecraft. In San Rafael the intelligence was received with every
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sign of respectful grief; stores were closed, business suspended, while the Journal donned a sable garb for the occasion. Of the catastrophe that periodical said: " As soon as the first benumbing effect of the shock had so much abated that the mind could comprehend the atrocity of the awful tragedy, a deep mute wail of the heart was depicted on the countenance of every one, and an overwhelming gloom enveloped the town. Loyal men hurried to and fro in the street, or met in knots, and in subdued tones expressed their doubts or fears of the truth of the hellish deed. Every expression of sorrow and anguish was manifested. Those who heretofore had prophesied, or hoped, or prayed for the consummation of this horrid deed of blackness, seemed too awe-stricken, that one at length had been found so bold and base as to strike the blow their instinctive cowardice dared not face.
" The solemn tread of a mourning nation, in procession, clad in all the habiliments of woe and grief, slowly stepping time to the beat of a muffled drum and the deep refrain of the funeral dirge on Wednesday, April 19, 1865, attended the earthly remains of him who filled the hearts of his coun- trymen, to the resting place of the dead. From the highest peak of the hill of Fame his spirit soared to the Spirit-world. His name and deeds are left with us, and will be treasured and revered as long as man shall tread the earth. No monumental pile is needed to preserve the name and memory of ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
" The Nation is draped in the deepest gloom of mourning. A project gendered in the hellish conclaves of treason has been accomplished. The assassin's bullet, by cowardly stealth, has reached the heart and fully mur- dered the Nation's idolized chief. The blanched fire of discomfitted rebel- lion, with quivering limbs and vengeful heart, for failure in blasting our country's expanding bud of freedom has spat its last spite upon our coun- try's savior. But may we not say, and with reverence, as did the Savior of the world, when, by similar hands, in the zenith of his glory and manhood, he was cut off from being among men-it is finished !
" The God that planted and cared for our Republic is still the Ruler among and the God of Nations. His chastening road, though severe, is the sure guarantee of His continued fatherly care and protection.
" The work that PRESIDENT LINCOLN was appointed to, has been accom- plished and well-done, and like many others of the world's brightest benefac- tors, he has fallen a martyr in the cause of humanity."
Softly, tread softly, for on yonder low couch The head of a nation is sleeping. Around him are gathered the chiefs of his staff, Who are anxiously watching and weeping.
His pillow grows damp from the tears of old men, That are shed for the Statesman now dying,
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And loud thundering curses on him who has caused This great grief, through the air are fast flying.
A wife lingers over him, bathing his wound In the blistering tears of her sorrow ;
To-day she can claim a fond husband, but knows That a widow she'll be on the morrow.
The sands of his life are fast running their course And the angel of death is now calling, While over the continent flashes the news, And the tears of a nation are falling.
He hears not, he sees not these tokens of grief, Which as tributes are paid to his worth;
He beholds but the swift-winged angel approach, Who will bear him away from the earth.
The portals of heaven are opening to him, And the clouds that envelop the Throne Are breaking away, and beckoning forms Are now waiting to welcome him home.
'Tis over, the last sand has run through the glass, The soul swiftly speeds to its God,
And all that remains is but dust, which to dust Must return and be laid 'neath the sod.
Thus passes away the great patriot chief, Stricken down in the height of his power, But his name shall survive in the nation's heart 'Till crumbles the marble tower.
He fought a good fight, and freedom has lost A champion noble and brave, But the fight shall ne'er cease till all that remains Of treason lies stark in the grave.
The earthquake which created such sad havoc in San Francisco on Octo- ber 8, 1865, was felt in this town but save the inconvenience to the residents of a severe shaking and the stopping of sundry clocks, no appreciable dam- age was sustained.
In March, 1866, one writer to the local prints reviews the prospects of San Rafael in these words: " After fifteen years of whirling about and flit- ting up and down the coast, and to every point of the compass inland, in search of eligible places of resort, the pleasure-seeking public have at length discovered that right here in San Rafael, only sixty minutes from the emporium of the Pacific, and in its suburbs is the most desirable place in all California, for home family residences, or for a' few days, weeks or months sojourn for the recuperation of health, or the over-taxed mental energies of those who are compelled to pursue their callings in the pent-up city. Here all the advantages of a quiet country life is secured as well as the inestim- able luxury of inhaling the pure unadulterated and invigorating ocean air.
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" Facilities for quick and easy communication between San Rafael and the city are improved. The marsh road is completed and the stage time to the steamboat-landing reduced from one hour to twenty minutes over a smooth road, and the ferry boat will run direct from San Quentin to San Francisco twice a day. Our hotels and boarding houses, constantly crowded to overflowing, indicate the appreciation of our genial climate by the public, and, which is also more substantially confirmed by the rush for lots and plats of ground for permanent family residences. Five or six buildings are under way, or under contract to be commenced immediately; and life and energy seems surely to be taking the place of the dull monotony which heretofore reigned supreme in San Rafael." At the end of the same year the writer further pursues his theme : "Within the past few years our little town has improved very much. When we first became a resident of this place, nearly fifteen years ago, San Rafael boasted of ten houses, besides the Mission buildings, one store, one boarding house and one whisky mill. The buildings were all make-shifts-not one substantial house among them except the residence of the late Timothy Murphy, now owned and used by the county as a Court-house. No fencing or other improvements were visi- ble save a corral or two. Now we have three stores, two hotels, two board- ing houses, one restaurant, two livery stables, public school, an academy a newspaper, telegraph office, three bootmakers, two blacksmith shops, one harnessmaker, butcher shop, clockmaker, barber, three lawyers, a physician, etc. The town contains about seventy-five or eighty houses, amongst which are some costly residences, with tastefully laid out grounds, the property of new-comers who have found in our delightful valley a desirable location for a home."
It will thus be seen that our little town was making rapid advances towards establishing for herself a reputation which it has since happily maintained as the sanitarium of the coast. On May 23, 1867, an informal meeting of Free-masons, residents in the town of San Rafael and vicinity, was held for the purpose of establishing a lodge; for this purpose, Mr. Angellotti offered to donate a lot of ground, and Mr. Short, the use of his hall, both of which were gladly accepted. We now remark that the acces- sories to a permanent state of affairs was fast assuming shape, and the hamlet taking the proportions of a town. What had been a few years before, a mere stopping place for persons brought together on county business, had become a place of fashionable resort. Good and substantial residences had been erected, so that the locality had almost passed beyond the recognition of that peculiar myth, "The oldest settler." In those early days of '51 and '52, the hardest work that fell to the lot of man, was to saddle his horse for a paseata, and dine on jerked beef, frijoles and tortillas, winding up with a whirl at a fandango at the house of some ranchero, but now the times have changed, improvements arise on every hand, while we find that
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HISTORY OF MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
a lumber yard was on the point of being opened by Isaac Shaver, nearly opposite the residence of R. N. Berry, and real estate was in great demand. It should also be mentioned, it was at this time contemplated to establish a water company on a gigantic scale; indeed, the certificate of incorporation of the Tamalpais Water Company was filed on January 23, 1868, the pur- poses of the association being to bring water from the Lagunitas creek to San Rafael; thence to Point Isabel; thence to the city of Oakland; thence to Yerba Buena (Goat) Island, and thence to San Francisco. The capital stock was five millions of dollars, divided into ten thousand shares of five hundred dollars each, the trustees being Oscar L. Shafter, James McM. Shaf- ter and Charles Webb Howard. Not only was this scheme m'ooted, but early in the month of March of the same year, a survey of a railroad from Saucelito, proposed to run through Marin county was commenced. While the question further occupied public attention, as will be seen by certain pro- ceedings had on January 12, 1869, for the purpose of taking into considera- tion the feasibility of constructing a railroad from San Rafael to San Quentin. The meeting was organized by calling S. V. Smith to the chair, and C. Stevens, Secretary. A committee of nine was appointed to report as to the cost, the procuring of right of way and other matters relating to the ways and means of accomplishing the project. Thereafter, in February, a com- mittee was named to solicit subscriptions for stock, which immediately entered upon the discharge of its duties with very favorable results. . The capital stock was fixed at fifty thousand dollars, divided into five hundred shares of one hundred dollars each. On February 19th, a meeting of the subscribers to the stock met at the court house, which was called to order by J. D. Walker, who proposed that S. V. Smith, Sr., act as president. Mr. Smith upon taking the chair, briefly explained the object which had brought them together. Following his remarks, the name of the "San Rafael and San Quentin Railroad Company " was adopted by the meeting, and the following named gentlemen chosen directors: A. Mailliard, J. Short, S. V. Smith, Sr., P. K. Austin, L. A. Hinman, J. D. Walker and James Ross. The necessary articles of incorporation were then made out and transmitted to the Secretary of State, according to law. A. Mailliard was chosen President of the corporation, Charles Stevens, Secretary, and J. D. Walker, Treasurer. There was much enthusiasm exhibited on every hand, for all appeared aware of the beneficial results likely to result from the enterprise. The estimated cost of building and equipping the road was set at about forty thousand dollars. Of the invaluable advantages which the San Francisco and Humboldt Bay Railroad Company* would be, not only the district, but the whole county, would derive from this scheme, it was deemed that no correct estimate could be made. More especially would these benefits be felt in the value of real
* Now the North Pacific Coast Railroad Company.
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estate in the bringing in of lands into the market, which were com- paratively worthless from its inaccessibility-the facility of transportation from points then isolated and almost unapproachable-the settling of such lands and consequent rise in value, and the impetus that would be given to all kinds of trades and mechanical arts, an increased demand for labor, all these tended towards offering a most gratifying future. On May 23, 1868, it was notified that a donation had been made to the San Francisco and Humboldt Bay Railroad Company for the purpose of commencing the grading of the road from the company's property at Saucelito to San Rafael whither the survey had been completed. On March 17, 1869, an informal meeting of the San Rafael and San Quentin Railroad Company was held for the purpose of discussing the proposed locations for the terminus of said road. Three sites had been proposed :-
First, At the foot of E street, on what is called Short's addition, where sufficient ground was offered for all purposes.
Second, The foot of B street, a little south of W. L. Barnard's house, on the sandy flat, and
Third, At the foot of Second street, at the edge of the salt marsh.
On July 10th of the same year, the proposals of Martin & Co., at nine- teen thousand eight hundred and seventy-five dollars, to build the line, was accepted by the Directors of the San Rafael and San Quentin R. R. Co., the work was forthwith proceeded with, and on Monday, March 21, 1870, the initiatory trip was made, since when the line has been in working order, and what a contrast was felt between "now, and then." Then, comers and goers to and from San Rafael had to pack into coaches and lumbering mud wagons, pile up on top and hang to the sides, stow away in the " boot," and then linger from one-half to three-quarters of an hour between town and steamboat landing, according to the condition of the roads and the pulling power of the horses, fully earning the half-dollar fare which they were obliged to pay. Now, we trip down to the depot, a short distance from the hotels, wait on the platform a few minutes for the last tap of the bell, step into an elegant car, and in eight or ten minutes step off of the car on to the steamer.
The formal opening of the North Pacific Coast Railroad took place on Thursday, January 7, 1875. A train, consisting of six passenger and two express cars, drawn by two engines, conveyed the guests of the company over the entire length of the road, from Saucelito to Tomales. The morn- ing was dark and foggy, like the first beginnings of the work, but as the day advanced the sun shone brightly out, lifting and dispelling the mist, as the pluck and vim of the builders have overcome all discouragements. Nearly three hundred guests participated in the excursion, and the occasion was one of unalloyed enjoyment. The San Francisco gentlemen were astonished at the rugged character of the country traversed by the line,
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HISTORY OF MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
and charmed by the grandeur and beauty of the scenery. So thoroughly had the company done its work, and so well had their employees managed the arrangements that there was scarcely any delay on the way, and not the least accident of any kind. The long train moved steadily on, with its heavy load, with little to remind the passengers that this was the first trip. Signs of welcome and rejoicing were given by the people all along the line, flags floated in the breeze, and men, women and children waved their greet- ings from the hilltops and the porches of their dwellings, showing that they appreciated not only the value and importance of the great work to them, but also the magnitude of the difficulties that had been surmounted in its completion. But, if San Anselmo, San Geronimo, Nicasio, Olema and Marshall sounded their notes of welcome, the honor of outdoing them all was reserved for Tomales, for when the train came in sight of the town, the hilltops were lined with people, flags were flying, and the whole region had the appearance of a gay and festal time, while cheers of triumph, good will and rejoicing swelled over the hills and sent their echoes to the sea. Mr. Warren Dutton, in a few happy words, welcomed the hungry guests, in the name of the railroad company, the county, and the people of Tomales, and then threw open the door of the monster warehouse upon endless lines of tables, spread with turkeys, chickens, pigs, lambs, beef, with all the et ceteras, and a profusion of pastry, and invited all to partake. The collation was superb. Every dish had been prepared with as much care as if designed for the finest private table in the land, and it was the universal expression that its equal was never spread in California. The ladies of Tomales gained great credit for themselves and their town as adepts in the culinary art, and generous and efficient housekeepers. After the repast Mr. Dutton called the assemblage around a stand at the end of the warehouse, and a few informal and impromptu speeches were made.
The final remarks on the subject of railways will be that in March, 1875, the line of the San Rafael and San Quentin railroad was leased to the Narrow Gauge under the following conditions :- By the terms of the lease, the Narrow Guage agree to run three trips via San Quentin, and as early as April 1, 1876, to commence and run two trips daily via Saucelito. The fare to be between San Rafael and San Francisco, fifty cents.
Let us now retrace our steps. In the month of August, 1864, we find the school census for the San Rafael district to have been as under: Boys between four and eighteen years of age, seventy-one; girls, of the like age, fifty-nine; total one hundred and thirty. There were fifty-four white children under four years of age; one between eighteen and twenty-one; one hundred and fifty white children under twenty-one born in California; and twenty-seven between four and six years of age, thirteen of whom were attending the public schools. The total number of children attending public schools was sixty-three, and eleven attending private schools; while
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the total number of children between six and eighteen years of age not attending any school was thirty. There were four Indian children between four and eighteen years.
On September 4, 1868, a Baptist church was organized and addressed by Rev. Doctor Thomas and others, but how long the congregation was kept together we have been unable to gather. A certificate of incorporation was filed on the 13th of November of this year in San Francisco by the Tamal- pais Lumber Company. The association was formed for the purchase of such real estate in Marin county as should be necessary for carrying out their objects, and for the construction and erection of saw-mills and work- shops, and of dams and structures in connection with mills and shops, and for the construction of wagon roads and railroads for use in conveying lum- ber and other material to and from said mills and shops, and for the erection of docks, wharves, landings and buildings requisite for said business, and for the purchase and construction of steamboats, barges, sailing vessels and all other water craft requisite to carry on trade with ports on the inland waters of the Pacific coast and with all other portions of the world. The basis of the organization would appear to have contemplated as extensive and unre- stricted a business as the demands of Marin county, and the rest of the world, would admit. The capital stock-one million five hundred thousand dollars in fifteen thousand shares of one hundred dollars each. The trustees -S. F. Butterworth, Alvinza Hayward, W. C. Ralston, Lloyd Tevis, W. E. Barron, L. L. Robinson, and Charles Webb Howard.
In the month of April, 1869, Messrs. Rice & Piper, late of California City, purchased a tract of land on the southern arm of the Santa Margarita creek, where they established a brick yard, which to-day is the property of a thriving company and a credit to the county. In the month of May it was resolved to erect a new Cotholic church, at a cost of from five to seven thou- sand dollars. The construction was proceeded with and the building duly consecrated October 22, 1870, by Bishop Croke, of New Zealand, while we find that the Episcopal body, in the month of August of the same year, were raising a structure of the following dimensions: size, twenty-six by forty- six feet exclusive of the vestry. Two rows of pews with an aisle in the centre ; capacity, one hundred and fifty to one hundred and eighty; and estimated cost four thousand five hundred dollars. The edifice was duly completed and formally opened October 9, the services being conducted by Reverends Dyer, Phelps and Bush. The building, which was constructed by W. A. Boyd, is gothic in architecture, of wood, with spire and vestry, and situated on the south-west corner of Fourth and E streets. The interior is finished with California redwood and Oregon white pine, oiled and var- nished. The building was consecrated July 21, 1872, the officiating clergy- men being the Right Reverend Bishop Kip, Dr. Lyman, of Trinity Church, San Francisco, and Mr. Lee. The cares of the St. Paul's Church are now in
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the hands of the Reverend Mr. Nixon, a clergyman of much amiability, worth, culture and refinement. On October 28, 1869, the Articles of Incor- poration of the San Rafael Water Company were filed, the association hav- ing for its object the supplying of the town with water. Capital, one hundred thousand dollars, divided into one thousand shares of one hundred dollars cach; time of duration of company, fifty years; and Trustees, F, W. McCue, Joseph Roberts, Jr., and William L. Barnard. It is presumable that the franchise was granted, for the Journal informs us, March 18, 1871, that " J. S. McCue is laying water pipes on Fourth street, from B to C streets, to supply the residents along the block with water from his reservoir. He has now in course of construction a large reservoir capable of holding sufficient water to supply the entire town."
We now have to record the demise of District Attorney Bradley Hall, on January 8, 1870. The immediate cause of death was pneumonia, this. disease having supervened during an attack of typhoid fever, which had been ushered in by a feverish state accompanied by considerable disturbance of the brain. Immediately upon receipt of the information of the death of Mr. Hall a meeting of the county officers was held at the Court House, and the following proceedings were had: "The county officers of Marin county, having become informed of the death of Bradley Hall, Esq., one of their number, an impromptu meeting of the officers of said county, and of the citizens of San Rafael, immediately assembled at the court-room, in the town of San Rafael, at two o'clock P.M. of this day (January 8, 1870), for the purpose of expressing their sorrow for so unlooked-for an event. The meeting was called to order by E. B. Mahon, who briefly stated its object. R. W. Osgood was appointed chairman. On motion of E. B. Mahon, seconded by J. Short, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted: Resolved, That we have learned with feelings of unmingled sorrow of the death of one of our number-a brother officer; one whose presence so lately cheered and encouraged us, has passed from this life forever. Resolved, That in the death of Bradley Hall this community has lost one of its most intelligent and praiseworthy citizens, the county one of its most faithful, energetic and devoted officers, the Bar one of its brightest orna- inents, and his family a true and kind protector; that his death has left a void in our midst which time cannot replace. Resolved, That we offer to the bereaved family of our lamented friend our warmest and most heart- felt sympathy in this trying hour, praying that 'He who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb' may strengthen and sustain them and make their burden light. Resolved, That the Court House be draped in mourning for the period of thirty days, and that the flag be placed at half-mast. Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the widow of the deceased, and that they be published in the Marin County Journal. Meeting then adjourned. R. W. Osgood, Chairman."
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