USA > California > Mendocino County > History of Mendocino County, California : comprising its geography, geology, topography, climatography, springs and timber > Part 30
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Disbursements .- State fund, $7,102.87 ; county general fund, $3,762.96 ; general road fund, $83.53; indigent fund, $28 ; road district fund, $363.23 ; interest fund, $118.04 ; public building fund, $1,777.50 ; State school fund, $7,963.40; county school fund, $2,022.89; school library fund, $602.18; school district building fund, $37.33 ; unappropriated county school fund, $49.81; redemption tax fund, $123.18; special bridge tax fund, $2,325; total, $26,359.92.
Summary .- Balance on hand May Ist, $44,736.98; receipts, $15,215.87 ; total, 859,952.85; disbursed, $26,359.92; balance on hand August 1st, $33,- 592.93.
MENDOCINO'S SCHOOLS .- A writer in a local paper under date of Febru- ary 24, 1865, has this to say about the school-houses of that day : "In traveling over Mendocino county one is impressed with the peculiar style of architecture exhibited in the public school-houses which he sees upon the road. The purpose for which these buildings were erected is apparent from their position, form and general appearance. They are generally too small for barns, too deficient in just proportions for dwellings, and too nondescript and repulsive for anything but school-houses."
It is more than probable that the author of the above was altogether too severe in his criticism. The traveler through the county now does not meet with any of those nondescript buildings spoken of above, with possibly an exception or two. As a rule the school-buildings are neat, tidy and com- fortable.
From County Superintendent Thomas' report for the school year commenc- ing July 1, 1879, and ending June 30, 1880, we glean the following inter- esting facts in regard to schools: Number of first grade schools in the county, twenty-three; second grade, thirty; third grade, eleven. Number of male teacher, thirty-two; female teachers, thirty-two. Average monthly salary paid to male teachers, $74.90; female teachers, $63.90. Number of schools maintained for six months and less than eight months, forty-eight : maintained for eight months and over, nine. Number of census children in the county, three thousand five hundred and four; number that attended public schools, two thousand six hundred and forty; number that attended private schools, fifty-two; number of visitors to the schools, nine hundred and four. Average length of time schools were maintained during the
264
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HISTORY OF MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
year, seven and nine one-hundredths months. Average length of time the same teachers taught, five and sixty-six one-hundredths months. Nuinber of children now entitled to participate in the apportionment of the school funds: whites, three thousand two hundred and seventy-four; negroes, five ; Indians, two hundred and twenty-five; total, three thousand five hundred and four.
Under the heading of " Miscellaneous Remarks," the Superintendent adds: "I am happy to say that the public school system, as it is realized in this county, is doing a very good work. During my official visitations for the last school year I saw much that was pleasing to us in the general conduct and condition of the schools of this county. . The school buildings, without being elegant, with few exceptions [are commodious and comfortable, and the outfit quite adequate to the wants of schools of primary and grammar grades. A large majority of the teachers intend to make teaching a life- long profession, and are trying to fit themselves more and more for the noble work they have taken in hand. Their spirit and their methods are generally good, of course, with some variation. While I was in the schools I saw very little to offend against propriety. Decorum seemed to be the rule, and exceptions very rare. I think we are making progress in the good work of public school education. It is our conviction that the capacity and faithful- ness of our ex-Superintendent, John C. Ruddock, have contributed largely to the improvement and efficiency of the public schools in Mendocino county."
Apportionments were made to the several districts of the county on August 21st, as follows : Ukiah-teachers, five; State, $306; library, $34. Round Valley-teachers, three; State, $183.60; library, $20.40. Big River, Buchanan, Caspar, Cuffey's Cove, and Manchester - teachers, two in each ; State, in each, $122.40; library, in each, $13.60. Each of the remaining districts has one teacher, and received for its State fund $91.20, and for library $6.80. Walker Valley is discontinued from the apportionment, not having enough census children to constitute a school. Mountain View receives its first apportionment, having been set apart by the Board of Supervisors in May last. The whole amount apportioned by the State Superintendent, $285,296.59. The amount apportioned to Mendocino count y $4,624; amount per child, $1.32. Mendocino county is twelfth in the number of children, being outranked by San Francisco, Alameda, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Sonoma, San Joaquin, Nevada, Solano, Humboldt, Butte, and Santa Cruz, in the order named. Number of teachers in the county, sixty- eight ; amount paid per teacher, $68.00.
The following table shows the number of white children in this county, by school districts, between the ages of five and seventeen years, on the 1st day of July, 1880, as returned by the school census marshals :--
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STATISTICAL HISTORY OF MENDOCINO COUNTY.
NAME OF DISTRICT.
Boys.
Girls. Total.
NAME OF DISTRICT.
Boys.
Girls. Total.
Albion
38
27
65
Little River.
37
53
90
Anderson.
21
37
58
Long Valley
36
35
71
Big River
70
66
136
Manchester.
54
60
114
Big Rock
9
8
17
Mill Creek
17
19
36
Bridgeport
22
20
42
Mountain View
9
11
20
Buchanan
79
69
148
Nevarra.
22
29
51
Cahto
29
24
53
Noyo
10
8
18
Calpella.
11
13
24
Ocean ..
13
15
28
Carroll.
27
20
47
Caspar
70
45
115
Ponio.
22
19
41
Central
27
27
54
Potter Valley
28
22
50
Comptche.
29
28
57
Redwood.
25
27
52
Con Creek.
11
16
27
Round Valley
71
77
148
Counts,
25
17
42
Sanel
27
24
51
Cotta Neva.
25
12
37
Sawyer's.
37
29
66
Covote ..
9
9
18
Sherwood
25
23
48
Cuffey's Covc.
50
67
117
Sylvan
12
7
19
Eel River.
21
15
36
Ten-mile River
32
22
54
Elk Creek
4
14
21
Ukiah.
172|
178
350
Farley
21
25
46
Union.
31
35
66
Fish Roek
17
20
37
Westport.
37
29
66
Galloway.
21
25
46
Whitcomb ..
9
10
19
Garcia
18
15
Whitehall
7
8
15
Gaskill
7
12
19
William's Valley
6
6
12
Gualala
29!
28
57
Willitsville .
43
41
84
Hopland
23
24
47
Willow
28
26
54
Hot Springs ...
7
10
17
Yorkville .
27
20
47
Indian Creek
23
21
44
Lima. .
15.
12
27
Little Lake
40
45
85
Total
1,659
1,615
3,274
In addition to the above, there were five negro children between five and seventeen years of age; two hundred and twenty-five Indian children between five and seventeen years of age living under the guardianship of white persons; one thousand five hundred and thirty-nine children under five years of age ; two thousand three hundred and thirty-five between five and seventeen years of age who have attended public school during the year; sixty-two who have attended private schools; seven hundred and eighty-two who have not attended any school; four Mongolian children under seventeen years of age, and one blind child.
CENSUS .- The following is a complete census return of the population of Mendocino county by townships :-
Anderson and Sanel .
1,547
Arena
1,691
Big River
3,100
Calpella
1,253
Little Lake.
1,513
Round Valley
742
Ukiah.
2,068
Ten-mile River
865
Total
12,779
WOOL INTERESTS .- The wool shipments from Cloverdale for the half-year ending June 30, 1880, foot up in round figures six hundred and ninety-two
33
11
Oriental.
266
HISTORY OF MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
thousand two hundred and fifteen pounds. This wool at thirty cents per pound brings just $207,664.50. To give the reader an adequate idea of the extent and importance of this industry to Mendocino county we append the following figures to show the yield of one clipping on some of the principal ranches: George White, forty tons; Asbill Bros., twenty; Crawford & Faulds, eight ; Henly Bros., twenty ; J. Updegraff, thirteen; Mr. Anthony, ten; Mr. Foster, two and a half ; Johnson & Brown, ten; L. D. Montague, six ; and Townsend & Carey, ten. These figures only embrace a small portion of territory of this county.
THE FUTURE .- The future outlook for Mendocino county is certainly bright and flattering. Her great resources are just really beginning to be known and appreciated by the outside world. A railroad is her greatest immediately pressing need, and while we cannot say that the prospect is very bright for having one soon, the time cannot be far distant when that want will be supplied.
We will now close this part of our work, referring the reader to other chapters for further information on special subjects. We have preferred to make the township histories as complete as possible, leaving this chapter rather meager, than to fill up here and rob the townships of their just history.
In closing this chapter, which in its historical matter embraces the entire county, we would ask the reader to go in imagination with us to the top of somne of the highest peaks of the coast range of Mendocino, and let us take one farewell look at the beautiful panorama of the whole county which spreads itself out before us. From our lofty height what a grand prospect opens to our view ! Farms, herds, golden fields of grain, neat, tasty residences, abodes of wealth-comfort, contentment and happiness sit enthroned wherever the eye reaches. The beauty and grandeur of this scene cannot truthfully be touched by a poet's pen or a limner's pencil ; but as best we can let us paint it in words. Far away to the eastward the mountains around Round valley lift their snow-capped summits as if to meet the clouds and catch the drippings of heaven's dew ere it has been tainted by contact with lower and viler stratas of the atmosphere, or to kiss the rosy-mantled chcek of the golden- charioted Aurora as she unbars the gate of light to let in the glorious mid- summer's day. In whatever direction the eye is turned, the vista reaches far out and takes in range upon range of mountains, and hills, and valleys. and timber, and streams, which, mantled with the mellow halo of an autumn day, presents a scene that would have coquetted with the fancies of the old masters, whose paintings have enlisted the enthusiastic admiration of art connoisseurs everywhere. Beneath us the valleys teem with life, with homes of happiness, culture and refinement, handsome houses and well-kept gardens blooming with flowers that fill the air with perfume and richest
267
STATISTICAL HISTORY OF MENDOCINO COUNTY.
incense ; golden fields of ripening grain, the wealth and support of the peo- ple; busy husbandmen ; smiling, contented matrons ; gleeful, hopeful maid ens, and laughing, joyous children tripping along their way to school-Amer- ica's sentinel-posts that dot the valley and hill-sides all over the county. Rivulets, creeks and rivers shimmer in the sunshine like ribbons of silver, and chassa along through the gorges of the mountain-pass, or the wider and peaceful valley, one ripple chasing another over the smoothly-worn gravel of their beds, or leaping time-worn rocks, rushing on to kiss the hem of Mother Ocean. Anon, a church steeple points to the sky, the home of God and the city of golden paved streets. Here and there nestles a village with its stores and shops and mills, and its busy sons and daughters of toil, whose strong arms and deft fingers fashion the useful and beautiful, and add to the wealth of the nation in which they live.
In the center of all this grand prospect stands the city of Ukiah, with a population of busy people whose intelligence and wealth will bear favorable comparison with any city of its size in the State, and far outstrip many of greater pretensions. Her public and private schools, with their accom- plished and experienced teachers, her numerous and elegant church edifices, large congregations and learned and devout ministers, bespeak a refined and desirable condition of society.
Turning to the westward, the panorama is just as beautiful. Mount- ain range and beautiful valley follow each other in succession down to the very ocean. Streams innumerable have their sources in the mountains, and thread their silvery way down their course to the sea. Great redwood forests line their banks and spread out in one solid array of ever-vernal beauty, mantling all the hill and mountain sides in a robe of living green. Along the coast towns are built which are truly busy marts of trade, and the schooners plying to the ports are the arteries through which flows the won- drous wealth of that section. And far beyond it all, extending to the hori- zon's limit, is the grand blue of the old Pacific, on whose bosom is borne the argosies of the world. Skirting the horizon, vessels are passing to and from all the ports of earth, bearing in their holds the freight of nations. As they pass out of the Golden Gate, and "trim their sails" and "shape their courses," what a varied destiny and destination is theirs! Some seek the far-away north-west whaling grounds where the snows and ice of cen- turies are to be encountered; others sail away to the tropics, where the spice-laden breezes of the Indus and Cathay will waft them over seas of sil- ver; while others bear the great burdens of California's cereals to European ports, where they supply the wants of the moiling millions on the other side of the Atlantic.
What a grand picture! And yet the subject is scarcely touched. The pen is powerless and words are vain. It was the hand of the divine Archi- tect that unfolded this garden of beauty, that spread out these picturesque
268
HISTORY OF MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
valleys, that fashioned the courses of the brooklets and streams and rivers, that hollowed the basin of the mighty Pacific, and supplies the never-failing fountains from which its depths of water are replenished. All this is the fruit of his superlative greatness and incomprehensible wisdom. "Oh, that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men !"
We cannot close this chapter more appropriately than to reproduce the whole of one-and a portion of another of the sweet songs that have been sung of Mendocino county by her own eminently gifted poetess, Mrs. Anna M. Reed :-
A willing, fair, and perfect child, In joyous eagerness to-day she stands To meet her mother's smile, and hear The fruitful training of her gentle hauds.
Her redwood groves, they sing a living song; Her rivers to the sea rich greeting bear; Her farms are nestled in the vales; Her hills a smiling prospect wear.
Within her bounds dwell sons of noble toil, Whose lives, in usefulness, seem half divine, Within their hearts the echoed truth Of words thus offered at their country's shrine.
There is no place for apes of fashion here, No painted dolls or votaries of pride; An honest name and undefiled- This do they prize more than the world beside.
God bless the earnest, peaceful hearts that know The quiet joys that fill the farmer's life; And bless the ones who share their lot The careful mother and faithful wife.
Here in the valley of our favored choice, Well may we all with laugh and song rejoice, Far from tearful want and the blighting drouth, Over our sisters fainting in the South. Fields where but late the fruitful seed was sown, Promise us soon a plenteous harvest-home; Our redwood forests wave their noble crests O'er rivers flowing on toward the West; Lambs are straying over Mount Sanhedrim's slope, And blessed scenes for us, each future hope. Looking to the east, in her pride appears Lake, with her blue eyes filled with happy tears, Yellow-haired Sonoma, lying in the South With the kiss of summer waiting on her mouth; Humboldt on the north, in her youth divine, To the west the ocean, with its song sublime, Fair Mendocino, of them all the queen, Smiles upon us sweetly in her robe of green.
269
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF MENDOCINO COUNTY.
THE LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF MENDOCINO COUNTY.
ITS ORGANIZATION AND POLITICAL HISTORY.
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY .- The first organization of counties in the United States originated in Virginia, her early settlers becoming pro- prietors of vast amounts of land, living apart in patrician splendor, imperious in demeanor, aristocratic in feeling, and being in a measure dictators to the laboring portion of the population. It will thus be remarked that the mate- rials for the creation of towns were not at hand, voters being but sparsely distributed over a great area. The county organization was, moreover, in perfect accord with the traditions and memories of the judicial and social dignities of Great Britain, in descent from whom they felt so much glory. In 1634 eight counties were established in Virginia, a lead which was fo !- lowed by the Southern and several of the Northern States, save in those of South Carolina and Louisiana, where districts were outlined in the former, and parishes, after the manner of the French, in the latter.
In New England, towns were formed before counties, while counties were organized before States. Originally, the towns, or townships, exercised all the powers of government swayed by a State. The powers afterward assumed by the State government; were from surrender or delegation on the part of towns. Counties were created to define the jurisdiction of courts of justice. The formation of States was a union of towns, wherein arose the representative system, each town being represented in the State legislature, or general court, by delegates chosen by the freemen of the towns at their stated meetings. The first town meeting of which we can find any direct evidence, was held by the congregation of the Plymouth Colony, on March 23, 1621, for the purpose of perfecting military arrangements. At that meeting a Governor was elected for the ensuing year, and it is noticed as a coincidence, whether from that source or otherwise, that the annual town meetings in New England, and nearly all the other States, have ever since been held in the spring of the year. It was not, however, until 1635, that the township system was adopted as a quasi corporation in Massachusetts.
The first legal enactment concerning this system provided that whereas: " Particular towns have many things which concern only themselves, and the ordering of their own affairs, and disposing of business in their own towns; therefore the freemen of every town, or the major part of them, shall
270
HISTORY OF MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
only have power to dispose of their own lands and woods, with all the appur- tenances of said towns; to grant lots and to make such orders as may con- cern the well ordering of their own towns, not repugnant to the laws and orders established by the General Court. They might also impose fines of not more than twenty shillings, and choose their own particular officers, as Constables, Surveyors for the highways, and the like." Evidently this enact- ment relieved the General Court of a mass of municipal details, without any danger to the powers of that body in controlling general measures of public policy. Probably, also, a demand from the freemen of the towns was felt, for the control of their own home concerns.
The New England colonies were first governed by a "General Court," or Legislature, composed of a Governor and small council, which court con- sisted of the most influential inhabitants, and possessed and exercised both legislative and judicial powers, which were limited only by the wisdom of the holders. They made laws, ordered their execution, elected their own officers, tried and decided civil and criminal causes, enacted all manner of municipal regulations, and, in fact, transacted all the business of the colony.
This system, which was found to be eminently successful, became general, as territory was added to the Republic, and States formed. Smaller divisions were in turn inaugurated and placed under the jurisdiction of special officers, whose numbers were increased as time developed a demand, until the system of township organization in the United States is a matter of just pride to her people.
Let us now consider this topic in regard to the especial subject under review :--
On the acquisition of California by the Government of the United States under a treaty of peace, friendship, limits, and settlement with the Mexican Republic, dated Guadalupe Hidalgo, February 2, 1848, the boundaries of the State were defined. This treaty was ratified by the President of the United States, on March 16, 1848; exchanged at Queretaro May 30th, and finally promulgated July 4th, of the same year, by President Polk, and attested by Secretary of State, James Buchanan. In 1849 a Constitutional Convention was assembled in Monterey, and at the close of the session, on October 12th, a proclamation calling upon the people to form a government was issued " to designate such officers as they desire to make and execute the laws; that their choice may be wisely made, and that the government so organized may secure the permanent welfare and happiness of the people of the new State, is the sincere and earnest wish of the present executive, who, if the Constitution be ratified, will with pleasure surrender his powers to whom- soever the people may designate as his successor." This historical document bore the signatures of "B. Riley, Bvt. Brig. General U. S. A., and Governor of California; and official H. W. Halleck, Bvt. Capt. and Secretary of State."
271
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF MENDOCINO COUNTY.
In accordance with Section fourteen of Article twelve of the Constitution, it was provided that the State be divided into counties, and Senatorial and Assembly districts, while the first session of the Legislature, which began at San José, on December 15, 1849, passed, on February 18, 1850, “An Act subdividing the State into counties and establishing seats of justice therein;" which directed the boundaries of Mendocino county to be as follows :-
Beginning on the parallel of forty degrees of north latitude, at a point in the ocean three English miles from land, and running due east on said parallel to the summit of the Coast Range; thence in a southerly direction, following the summit of the Coast Range, and past Cache creek to Putah creek; thence following up said creek to its source in the mountain called Mayacmas; thence along the summit of said mountain to the head of Rus- sian river; thence down the middle of said river to its mouth, and three English miles into the ocean; thence in a northerly direction parallel with the coast to the point of beginning. The county was attached to Sonoma for judicial purposes.
Prior to the first partition of the State into counties, the section now known as Mendocino had been included in the district of Sonoma, a division which had originated with the Mexican authorities during their power, and that included all the counties now lying west of the Sacramento river, between the Bay of San Francisco and the Oregon line; it had not been interferred with on the accession of American rule, but retained the official designation given to it by the Spaniards.
On April 11, 1850, An Act of the Legislature was passed organizing a Court of Sessions, which defined its composition as follows :--
The Court consisted of the County Judge, who should preside at its ses- sions, assisted by two Justices of the Peace of the county as Associate Jus- tices, they being chosen by their brother Justices from out of the whole number elected for the county. The duties imposed upon this organization were multifarious. They made such orders respecting the property of the county as they deemed expedient, in conformity with any law of the State, and in them were vested the care and preservation of said property. They examined, settled, and allowed all accounts chargeable against the county; directed the raising of such sums for the defraying of all expenses and charges against the county, by means of taxation on property, real and per- sonal, such not to exceed, however, the one-half of the tax levied by the State on such property; to examine and audit the accounts of all officers having the care, management, collection and disbursement of any money belonging to the county, or appropriated by law, or otherwise, for its use and benefit. In them was the power of control and management of public roads, turnpikes, fences, canals, roads and bridges within the county, where the law did not prohibit such jurisdiction, and make such orders as should be requisite and necessary to carry snch control and management into effect;
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HISTORY OF MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
to divide the county into townships, and to create new townships, and change the division of the same as the convenience of the county should require. They established and changed election precincts; controlled and managed the property, real and personal, belonging to the county, and purchased and received donations of property for the use of the county, with this proviso, that they should not have the power to purchase any real or personal prop- erty, except such as should be absolutely necessary for the use of the county. To sell and cause to be conveyed, any real estate, goods, or chattels belonging to the county, appropriating the funds of such sale to the use of the same. To cause to be erected and furnished, a Court-house, jail, and other buildings, and to see that the same are kept in repair, and otherwise to perform all such other duties as should be necessary to the full discharge of the powers conferred on such court. Terms were ordered to be held on the second Mon- day of February, April, June, August, October and December, with quar- terly sessions on the third Monday of February, May, August and Novem- ber of each year.
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