USA > California > Marin County > History of Marin County, California also an historical sketch of the state of California > Part 43
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"The great evil presenting for remedial action in prison life is self-abuse, a vice that undermines the constitution and debases the moral instincts more than all other causes combined. It kills body and soul; and if the subject of this vice is so fortunate as to serve out his sentence, he returns to the community a fit subject to adopt crime as a profession for life. This dis- gusting vice exists as a primary cause of the principal diseases with which convicts are afflicted, and to repair the resulting injury is the principal study of the Prison physician; and its eradication is also of primary importance in a moral point of view."
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This change is marked, and the number of cases now presenting for medi- cal relief, from the vice itself and injuries resulting physically and mentally therefrom, have very materially lessened.
From the accompanying tables, to which your attention is called, it is apparent that the health of the Prison has been excellent, and that there is a remarkable degree of exemption from diseases common to cell life, originat- ing from blood poisoning called zymotic, and also of malarial origin, the few cases occurring of this class having received the germs of disease before their arrival here. But there has been an increase in the number of chest dis- eases, and the death rate from this cause has been augmented. This is mainly caused by the sudden change of temperature, produced by the removal of the convict from the close air of the cells to the cool atmosphere which is common here in the early morning. As a rule in these cases, the subject visits me suffering from a cold, more or less severe, affecting the first air passages. The same cause of disease still operating, the case may present itself with chronic inflammation of the larnyx, phondix, or trachia, some one or more of these organs, which by easy grades passes to chronic bron- chitis, and finally terminating in bronchial consumption. But by reference to the column of unclassified diseases, which is mainly made up of cases of this character, it appears that the ratio of cases originating from this cause is exceedingly low. The remedy for this state of affairs would be the con- finement of the prisoners in their cells until a late hour in the morning, a thing which is impracticable in a work-prison.
By reference to accompanying tables you will see that the ratio of deaths to all reported cases of sufficient magnitude to. require medical attention, is one per cent., and to those which were diagnosed and classified, two and sixty-four one-hundredths per cent. All cases that were aggravated at their inception or then indicated such condition during their anticipated course, and all persons who were physical "wrecks" at the time of their reception in the prison were treated in the hospital, consequently the ratio of deaths for those treated in the hospital only, gives no practical in:lication of the sanitary condition of the prison. The death rate of this class of cases is twenty-five per cent.
The question affecting the best manner of conducting a prison is one of magnitude, requiring for its solution great experience and thorough practical knowledge of the subject in all its bearings, and will, probably, for many years, like the tax question, be antagonized by diversified views. Persons generally of the least experience will give tone to public opinion and shape legislation in the premises. In the discussion of this subject, two antagoniz- ing ideas are generally advanced: one of which contemplates a course of discipline, having as an objective point the infliction of misery, degradation, and shame in the extreme, thus dissipating the last relic of humanity in the subjects and degrading them to the level of the brute creation; the other,
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from an opposite standpoint, are influenced by a maudlin sympathy, affect- ing them to such a degree that they would condone all crimes, and, in fact, impress into the minds of the convicts the idea that they were a badly mis- used class, improperly deprived of their liberty, and that a system which holds to punishment following conviction for crime is morally and radically wrong-thus advancing doctrines which, if prevalent, would be utterly sub- versive of all government, and equally as detrimental in its effect on com- munities and the family circle, where it would become the germ for misdemeanor and the progenitor of crime.
I do not intend' to attempt the task of reconciling these discordant ideas, or of suggesting a happy medium, if there be one, or of offering a solvent for the subject matter, but will content myself with a short reference to some of the bearings of the question that pertains more particularly to the med- ical department. It is apparent to me that the aggregation of convicts as practised in this prison, and which is necessarily unavoidable from the con- struction of the prison buildings, and the system of labor utilized, is clearly . injurious to their health and morals, renders the duty of enforcing discipline more arduous, and is disastrous in its effect on every phase of the question of reformation. On the other hand, the silent non-intercourse system affords punishment not accompanied by the degree of degradation which accom- panies the present plan. It avoids the general recognition and familiar acquaintance of one with the other, and carnal intercourse, which is detri- mental to health and morals, and prevents identification elsewhere, which is so prolific of evil to those who leave here with serious intention of reforming.
I favor, then, the silent, non-intercourse single cell plan generally, and for this prison as near approach to the same as the exigency of the case will admit, as a promoter of health and morals, and a preserver of self-esteem and manhood, and the germs of virtue, which are found in all who are not totally depraved, these principles being essential ingredients in the consider- ation of the question of reformation.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SAN RAFAEL .- The following interesting record of this church we glean from a sermon preached by the Rev. James S. McDonald, July 16, 1876, which has been courteously furnished by that gentleman. For something like a year previous to the organization of the church, the Revs. Charles R. Clarke and W. H. Cain preached occasionally in San Rafael, but it is not known positively who was the first Presbyterian clergyman that ministered to the wants of the residents. The Church Records inform us that on September 26, 1869, religious services were held in the public school-house in San Rafael by the Rev. W. H. Cain, at the close of which the following request was read :- "San Rafael, September 11, 1869; We, the undersigned, do hereby request you, the Rev. W. H. Cain, to form us into an organization to be called the
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HISTORY OF MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
First Presbyterian Church of San Rafael, under the care of the Presbytery of California and Synod of the Pacific. Signed, Ai Barney, Harriet B. Shaver, Euphemia Murray, Louisa B. Stillwell, Sarah J. Anderson, James Munley, William J. Dickson, David A. Brown, Jean H. Brown, R. Jane Dickenson, John McElnay, James S. McElnay, A. Elder." After the request was read, the above-named persons being present, with one exception, pro- ceeded to the election of Ruling Elders, a proceeding which resulted in the choice of Ai Barney and D. A. Brown. On the day following, Monday, the 27th, a meeting was held in the Court House for the purpose of electing a Board of Trustees, the Rev. W. H. Cain being Chairman, and Judge Barney, Secretary, and resulted in the nomination of William J. Dickson, Alexan- der Elder, D. A. Brown, Ai Barney and J. C. Dickson, who were elected for one year, or until their successors were appointed. Hereafter the pulpit was occupied by Revs. W. H. Cain, A. Williams and A. W. Loomis until November 21st, when, at the end of the service, the Rev. Albert Williams, acting under commission from the Presbytery, completed the organization of the church by ordaining and installing the Ruling Elder elect and administering the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. From this date on till June, 1870, the church was supplied for one or more Sabbaths by various ministers. In addition to those already named, the Revs. P. V. Veeder, now a Professor in the Imperial College of Japan; O. Hemstreet, Thomas Kirkland, James Woods, T. E. Taylor and E. Park held services for one or more Sabbaths. At a meeting held June 21, 1870, the Rev. Town- send E. Taylor was invited to take charge of the church for a year, a call which he accepted, entering upon his labors July 3, 1870. During his pas- torate, which terminated July 20, 1873, sixteen persons united with the church, all but one of them by letter. In April, 1871, steps were taken towards raising a fund to purchase a church building lot, and about May Ist the present plot of ground whereon the church now stands was pur- chased at a cost of one thousand dollars. August 5, 1873, a meeting was convened, with W. N. Anderson, Chairman, and A. Lee, Secretary, when on motion of Mr. Barstow, a unanimous invitation was extended to the Rev. James S. Hawk, of Watsonville, to become pastor of the church. Mr Hawk accepted the call and entered upon his duties September 1, 1873. He was a man of marked ability and zeal. Owing to failing health he had been compelled to resign the pastoral charge of a large, influential and warmly attached church in Pittsburg, and came to this coast, hoping to find relief and to continue his labors in the cause of God. With gradually receding strength and health he labored for a year with undiminished zeal, but in the very meridian of life he was gathered to his Father. During the ministration of Mr. Hawk, five persons were admitted to the church. The congregation was once more left without a pastor. At the urgent request of some influential ministers and friends the Rev. James S.
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McDonald visited and preached in San Rafael, November 1, 1874, in Masonic Hall, where regular services were held and for which a rent of twenty-five dollars per month was paid. As to the call of this gentleman the Records inform us :- " At the close of the public service in the Presbyterian Church at-San Rafael, California, on Sabbath morning, November 15; 1874, a meeting of the congregation worshipping with said church was held, in accordance with notice given from the pulpit on the preceding Sabbath, for the purpose of considering and taking action as to the call of a pastor for said church. Rev. Dr. Burroughs, of San Francisco, who had preached the morning sermon, acted as Moderator; and, after stating the purpose of the meeting, offered prayer. J. M. Haven was chosen Secretary of the meet- ing. Rev. Dr. Burroughs, in an appropriate and feeling address, presented the necessity and usefulness of the pastoral relation; and read from the Presbyterian Book of Church Discipline, the requirements of formal pro- cedure to be observed in making a call. On motion of Mr. Trumbull, seconded by Mr. Dickson, it was unanimously voted that the meeting do now proceed to call a pastor. A call for nomination of pastor was made by the Moderator, and Mr. Dickson nominated the Rev. James S. McDonald of Eureka. A vote was taken, and Rev. Mr. McDonald received the unanimous call of the meeting. The Moderator then rendered thanks to God for the unanimity of the action which had been taken, and prayed for a Divine blessing thereon. On motion, a committee of three was appointed, consisting of Messrs. Trumbull, Haven and Cook, to present the call of the meeting to the Rev. Mr. McDonald. On motion, Judge Barney was appointed by the meeting to prosecute the call of Rev. Mr. McDonald through the Presbytery." The call was accepted and Mr. McDonald com- menced the labors which he now continues, on January 5, 1875. Immediately on the assumption of the pastoral care of his parish, Mr. McDonald com- menced earnestly to work for the erection of a suitable church on the lot which had been already acquired. He saw his noble efforts crowned with success by the opening of their present beautiful house of worship on the first Sabbath in January, 1876. The structure, including the furniture, is valued at six thousand dollars. Up to the time of writing there have been fifty members admitted to the church, while thirteen of these have united during Mr. McDonald's pastorate. The present membership is about sixty- five. The Sabbath School numbers one hundred and thirty, and is superin- tended by Thomas B. Morris, while the Ruling Elders of the church are :- Ai Barney, R. J. Trumbull, Thomas B. Morris and A. C. Nichols.
METHODIST CHURCH .- In the early history of San Rafael, religious services were held only occasionally; the inhabitants were few and settlements in the districts north of the Bay of San Francisco very sparse, hence a large territory was assigned to one minister. As early as 1851 or 1852, Rev. S.
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D. Simmonds, now of San Francisco, held services in several places in Marin and Sonoma counties, and among these San Rafael was included. In 1859 L. K. Walker and A. L. Bateman alternately visited San Rafael and minis- tered to the people, gathering together the few Methodists and those of other churches who had settled there, and forming the nucleus of a society. As the inhabitants of San Rafael and the country north of the bay increased, the demand for more ministers and smaller fields arose, which was met in 1862 by the appointment of Rev. Noa : Burton to San Rafael and one or two outposts. As yet the people as well as the pastor, were compelled to labor under many disadvantages, arising from want of a church building with services every Sabbath. These were held however in the old adobe Court House. Under the pastorate of Rev. A. J. Burlingame, in 1866 and 1867, as well as under that of Rev. B. W. Rusk in 1868 and 1869, the same order was continued as formerly, but in 1870, under the auspices of Rev. W. Hulbert, property was purchased and a neat church erected, which gave to the society a permanent home, without which an organization is apt to be unsettled and transitory. With the addition of property and building, a church anywhere is destined to have greater prosperity. The first pastor in the new edifice was Rev. Aaron Williams, who continued but one year when he was succeeded by Rev. Noah Burton, who continued for three years. At the session of the Annual Conference, held at Powell Street Church, San Francisco, in 1875, Rev. E. A. Ludwick was appointed to the work in San Rafael, but after six months he was compelled to leave on account of impaired health, still during his short stay he endeared himself to church and people. During the remaining portion of the year until the session of conference the vacancy was filled by Rev. R. L. Harford, who had then lately arrived from the East. Rev. G. W. Beatty, successor to these, served the church accepta- bly for three years, when, at the session of Conference held in San José in 1879, Rev. W. M. Woodward was appointed pastor and still serves the church. Never was the prospect for continued prosperity more cheering than now, and never did Methodism stand on as firm a footing in San Rafael as at the present time .. With the foundation she now has she is destined to go forward in increasing prosperity.
MARIN LODGE, No. 191 F. AND A. M .- The first meeting for the organi- zation of a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in San Rafael was held in Short's Hall, February 1, 1868, when there were nineteen Master Masons present, Henry McCrea being President and S. Bear, Secretary. Applica- tion was made to the Grand Lodge, and Dispensation granted June 11th, and the first meeting under such was had on July Ist of the same year, when the following officers were chosen : William N. Anderson, W. M .; Oliver Irwin, S. W .; William L. Barnard, J. W .; Bradley Hall, Secretary ; S. Bear, Treasurer; Thomas H. Hanson, S. D .; Hiram C. Buster, J. D .;
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John P. Bustin, Tyler. The charter was granted October 15, 1868, to the following members : William N. Anderson, Oliver Irwin, William L. Bar- nard, Thomas H. Hanson, Stephen Holden, Hiram C. Buster, Kenry Kirk White; John Clarke, William Hunter, Daniel Olds, Sr., John P. Bustin, Bradley Hall, Solomon Bear, Aaron Schroyer, Ira Weid, William Holden. The present membership is forty-three, while the office-holders are: George W. Davis, W. M .; William H. DeGroot, S. W .; James P. Christieson, J. W .; C. Grosjean, Treasurer ; R. K. Weston, Secretary ; F. J. Jacobs, S. D .; C. E. Bartlett, J. D .; W. J. McElnay, Marshal; J. H. Bugbee, E. Nelson, stewards, and John Dixheimer, Tyler. Lodge meetings were originally held in Short's Hall, until their removal to their present commodious and well- appointed quarters on B street. Meets on the Wednesday on or preceding the full moon.
MARIN LODGE, No. 200, I. O. O. F .- This Lodge was instituted February 24, 1872, with the following Charter members :- Oliver Irwin, W. H. McGrew, J. Peterson, John Dixheimer, Julius Goedje, and Thomas Hansen, the original officers being :- Oliver Irwin, N. G .; John Dixheimer, V. G .; W. H. McGrew, Secretary ; J. Peterson, Treasurer ; A. F. Bailey, Warden ; Julius Goedje, Conductor ; Thomas Hansen, O. G .; A. McLeod, I. G .; Oliver M. Irwin, R. S. N. G .; George W. Bond, L. S. N. G .; John Simms, R. S. V. G .; John McElnay, L. S. V. G .; A. C. McAllister, R. S. S .; W. G. Davis, L. S. S. The present membership numbers one hundred ; the office-bearers are :- A. F. McLain, N. G .; T. J. Bowers, V. G .; George H. Marchant, Recording Secretary ; Thomas Hansen, Permanent Secretary ; William Dam- pier, Treasurer ; J. McElnay, Warden; W. J. McElnay, Conductor; N. M. Lund, O. G .; John Allison, I. G .; D. Sutherland, R. S. N. G .; H. Iverson, L. S. N. G .; George Mason, R. S. V. G .; E. Barry, L. S. V. G .; L. Polsen, R. S. S .; Isaac Askelon, L. S. S. This Lodge is in a flourishing condition, and meets in its own Hall on every Saturday evening.
SAN RAFAEL LODGE, I. O. G. T., No. 244 .- This Lodge was organized April 22, 1878, the Charter members being Mrs. E. Gardner, Charles F. Weekes, Antonio G. Wood, William Weekes, Miss Ida Hughes, Charles Crockford, George Taylor, Will. T. Hughes, Mrs. L. Bartlett, Albert La Rock, Robert Jones, Mrs. Mary Weekes, Mrs. M. Scott and Miss Emma Liberty. The officers elected for the first quarter were :- Antonio G. Wood, W. C. T .; Mrs. M. Scott, W. V. T .; William Weekes, Chaplain ; Miss Ida Hughes, Secretary; Robert Jones, Assistant Secretary; Will T. Hughes, Financial Secretary ; Albert La Rock, W. Treasurer ; Charles Weekes, W. Marshal; Charles Crockford, Dep. Marshal; Miss E. Gardner, Inside Guard; George Taylor, Outside Guard ; Mrs. E. Bartlett, R. H. S .; Miss E. Liberty, L. H. S .; Mrs. Mary Weekes, P. W. C. T. Since its incorporation the
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HISTORY OF MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Lodge has gradually increased in strength until now its membership is forty- seven. It is in a flourishing condition, and meets in the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Present officers :-- A. T. Kerr, W. C. T .; Miss C. M. Perry, W. V. T .; Mrs. Roville Gulclie, Recording Secretary ; Miss Ida Hughes, Asst. Secretary; Mrs. B. O. Burrough, Financial Secretary; W. M. Wood- ward, Treasurer; Palmer Shaw, Marshal; Miss Ida Taylor, Dep. Marshal; Miss C. Clark, R. H. S .; Miss Olivia Coulter, L. H. S .; Miss · Charlotte Weekes, Inside Guard; Houston Jones, Outside Guard; Miss Shaw, Organ- ist; Charles Miller, Grand Lodge Deputy; F. J. Jacobs, P. W. C. T .; Mrs. M. Fraitas, Chaplain.
SAN RAFAEL LODGE, A. O. U. W., No. -.- This Lodge was instituted March 11, 1878, the Charter members being the original office-holders, who were :- George W. Beatty, P. M. W .; Edwin Gardner, M. W .; S. M. Augus- tine, Gen. For .; O. Collister, Guide ; Charles S. Barney, Recorder ; A. La Rock, Financier; C. E. Bartlett, Receiver; Frank Jacobs, Overseer; John Woods, Inner Watchman; James T. Stocker, Outer Watchman. The mem- bership in good standing is now twenty-five, while the present officers are :- S. F. Barstow, P. M. W .; William F. Waite, M. W .; Thomas Hansen, General Foreman; Jacob Gardner, Guide; S. M. Augustine, Recorder and. Medical Examiner; J. H. Leszinsky, Financier; H. Iverson, Receiver ; Edward Eden, Overseer; James Duncan, Inner Watchman; James F. Stocker, Outer Watchman. The Lodge meets in the Methodist Church on the first and third Tuesday of each month.
SAN RAFAEL AND COAST RANGE MINES .- The following report will fully explain the probabilities, or rather, the possibilities of these mines, for we believe that their working has been suspended for a time at least.
SAN FRANCISCO, December 22, 1879.
To the Directors of the San Rafael and Coast Range Mining Companies, No. 646 Market Street, San Francisco -- GENTLEMEN :- I have the pleasure to report to you, after having carefully examined the property of your respective companies, and obtained by information from others, much of interest to you in connection with them, that the mines are located in Marin county, about four miles from the town of San Rafael.
They lie contiguous to the line of the North Pacific Coast Railroad and the county road, east, and west from San Rafael runs nearly parallel to the general course of the outcroppings, which can be plainly seen to extend from near Fairfax station, on the above mentioned road, for about four miles, in a south eighty degrees west course.
The foot wall of syenite as well as the hanging wall, can be plainly seen at various points over the four miles, and show a very wide and true fissure, these walls being from two hundred and fifty to two hundred and seventy-
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five feet apart. The croppings at many places over the entire distance are very heavy, and on the "San Rafael mine," where I measured them care- fully, they stand boldly above the surrounding soil to a height of from eight to ten feet, and show a width above the ground of eighty-five feet. I took from these croppings about nine hundred pounds of the ore, obtaining it from various places on them, and as fair an average of the ore, as in my judgment could be selected; this I retained in my possession and sent it to this city, and had about seven hundred pounds of it crushed and properly sampled by Messrs. Mendheim & Hofmann; sample bottles under their seal being delivered to my order. These I have had assayed by a number of assayers, who have made the following returns :-
William Gardner reports by fire assay :- gold, twenty-five and one one- hundredths dollars ; silver, ten and ninety-nine one-hundredths dollars; total thirty-six dollars. J. H. McCrorey reports by fire assay :- gold, eighty-four and thirty-three one-hundredths dollars; silver, twelve and twenty-eight one-hundredths dollars; total ninety-six and sixty-one one-hundredths dollars.
A vapor assay made by an entirely new discovery shows wonderful and startling results, which I need not refer to here, as any of the other assays shows sufficient gold to pay well for working the ore.
Upon the mines no work had been done beyond surveying for roads to the tunnel location, as well as surveying for a tunnel site, building a board- ing-house for miners, and blacksmith's shop near the proposed tunnel. A road from the county road to the mouth of the tunnel, can be made at a very small expense, nearly the whole distance requiring but the clearing out of the growth of the underbrush to make it suitable for all the ordinary uses. A side-track from the main line of the North Pacific Coast Railroad can be easily made, requiring little grading or other work than laying the ties and rails upon the ground.
Timber, lumber and wood can be had at extremely low rates; the whole Russian river country being the general source of supply, though a large amount of wood can be obtained in the immediate vicinity of the mines.
Water in sufficient supply for large mills can be had immediately at the mines, and every facility for successfully working them can be secured at the very minimum of cost.
Before making any suggestions for the future working of these valuable mines, I will state that after a careful examination of them at and in the immediate vicinity of the point from which my samples were mostly obtained, I proceeded in a general westerly direction upon the croppings, which continue at intervals to the extreme western end of the claims, each claim embracing an area of six hundred feet in width by seven hundred and fifty feet in length, upon the course of the out-crop.
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HISTORY OF MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
From the lowest point (at which I took the samples herein referred to) the surface of the ground rises very sharply and reaches a height, at the western end of the ground belonging to the " Coast Range Company," of some five hundred or six hundred feet above the railroad track. The land at the western end of the last mentioned claim falls very abruptly away, and at an angle of from forty to fifty degrees, opening a valley nearly two miles wide. All traces of the ledge are lost here, and do not appear again until the hills rise sharply on the opposite side of this valley.
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