USA > California > Mendocino County > History of Mendocino County, California : comprising its geography, geology, topography, climatography, springs and timber > Part 55
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During this year there was some excitement about a railroad from Ukiah to tide-water at some point on the Bay of San Francisco, but that is a dream yet to be realized, although it is possible that the long-hoped-for locomotive may some day in the near future send forth its shrill shriek from the very heart of the city.
In May Captain J. P. Simpson recruited a company of volunteers at Ukiah, who were mustered into service as Company E, Second California Volunteers.
Communication with the outside world was slow in those days. The stage left Petaluma in the morning and reached Cloverdale that night, where it remained till the next morning, reaching Ukiah at noon of the second day. Thus it required two whole days to travel from San Francisco to Ukiah. There is just a difference of thirty-nine hours between the time then required to accomplish the trip and that taken now. The passenger leaves the city now at 7 A. M. and at 4 P. M. of the same day is landed in Ukiah.
The first number of the Constitutional Democrat was issued July 2, 1863, under the proprietorship of A. T. Perkins & Co. with Hou. William Holden as cditor. The paper was Democratic in politics, and was really started by a joint stock company. The Herald was Republican in its politics, and of course a county with a Democratic majority in it, must needs have an organ for the dominant party.
During the fall of this year a lodge of Good Templars was established, but nothing is known of its history except as noted below.
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HISTORY OF MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
1864 .- The Good Templars lodge surrendered its charter in April, after an existence of only six months.
During the month of August of this year immense fires prevailed in the forests adjacent to Ukiah. Their fury and grandeur had not been seen before, nor has it since.
During this year an effort was made to divide the county, making Calpella the seat of government for the northern half of it.
In November an Auxiliary Society of the Sanitary Commission was organized at Ukiah.
1865 .- On Monday evening, January 2d, about 9 o'clock, there were two distinct and sharp shocks of earthquake, and also on Sunday, February 12th, there was a slight shock.
To give the reader an idea of how much property has appreciated in Ukiah in the last fifteen years we will record the fact that in January, 1865, a part of the block lying south of the Court-house was sold at public auction by the Sheriff, and the prices ranged from $30 to $150 per lot.
In February of this year. it was decided by the School Trustees of Ukiah district to have a new school-house, which was to be built contiguous to the old one. We are not aware that the latter clause of this order was carried out, for the building now stands on an out-of-the-way and unfrequented street in the south-western portion of town. It is in a very dilapidated con- dition, and looks as though it had served the period of its usefulness long ago. The first school-house, built by" Messrs. Perkins & Short in 1858 is still standing on its original location.
In June of this year company E, Second California Volunteers, were mustered out of service, and returned to Ukiah.
In July 1865, the management of the Herald changed hands, Edward D. Pepper assuming control, than whom no man who ever resided in Ukiah seems to be better remembered. The political status of the paper remained Republican.
A number of brick kilns were burned during the season, and the brick were found to be of excellent quality.
In November the Methodist Episcopal people erected a parsonage, sixteen by twenty-four feet, on the lot adjoining their church.
February 19, 1865, the first issue of the Mendocino County Democrat appeared on the streets of Ukiah, Mat. Lynch, editor and proprietor.
1866 .- In February of this year the Board of Supervisors rescinded the order noted above relating to religious services in the Court-house, restricting the use of the court-room to political conventions and courts.
On Sunday, June 15th, at 7 P. M., there was an earthquake shock felt here, but it was slight and did no damage.
September 28th, there was a movement put on foot to supply the city with water. The report says: "The intention is to build a dam across the creek
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a short distance west of G. W. Gibson's residence, and take the water thence to the plaza, a distance of four hundred feet."
Catholic service was held in the Court-house by Rev. Father Bernardino Sheehan, of Mendocino City. We are unable to state whether or not this is the first service held in the town by the Catholic clergy, but should not think it was.
October 26th a large number of town lots were disposed of at public auction, owing to their belonging to the grant and the parties who claimed them either would not or could not purchase them a second time from the grant owners.
At the head of the editorial column of the Democrat, under date of November 9, 1866, we find the following, which shows that the earlier resi- dents of the place had a very keen relish for theatricals, and appreciated a good troupe when such came to their town :-
UKIAH CITY, November 6, 1866.
Mrs. Augusta Sherwood Wilton and Mrs. Lovina H. Beatty-
LADIES: As a testimonial of the high esteem in which you are held by us as representatives of the historic art, and as an acknowledgment of the pleasure and gratification you have afforded 'us in the dramatic entertain- ments in which you have won the admiration and plaudits of our village, we ask you to accept a joint complimentary benefit in this place, at such time as you may designate. Signed: J. B. Southard, J. B. Lamar, E. R. Budd, Mat. Lynch, H. P. Williams, J. R. Moore, T. C. Philbrick, J. McFet- rish, T. W. Cuningham, Ben. Chambers, T. B. Bond, Ben. Stamps, and thirty-nine others. The benefit was accepted, and the play rendered was " Colleen Bawn."
1867 .- January 22d a new paper was set afloat upon the sea of adversity, at least so it proved in this case, for it only issued three numbers. Messrs. Stiggins & Stilts were at the helm of the craft, on whose pennant floated the name Town Talk. There is not generally room enough in a small town for a paper of a character such as its name would indicate it to be. The citizens themselves can do about all that is necessary in the way of " town talk," without the assistance of a newspaper.
Under date of April 20, 1867, the following report was published, showing how much money had been raised for what was known as the "Southern Relief Fund": Ukiah, $295; Potter Valley, $31.50; Redwood Valley, $15.00; total, $341.50.
November 11th, the flour-mill which had been located at Calpella was moved to Ukiah, and after various and sundry remodelings, remains to the present time as the Ukiah City Mills. - Wickelhausen was the owner of the mill when it was moved.
At the State Democratic convention in this year, Hon. William Holden
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HISTORY OF MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
was placed in nomination for the Gubernatorial position, with Hon. H. H. Haight at the head of the ticket. When the news reached Ukiah his friends were very enthusiastic over it, and one hundred guns were fired in honor of the event, and when he returned home he was given a rousing wel- comne. He was elected to the position, his own county giving him a hand- some majority.
1870 .- We will now pass on to this year, as we find no records of any events worthy of note in the meantime. February 28th, the Board of Supervisors passed the following order : "It is hereby ordered, that T. B. Bond, R. MeGarvey, and W. E. Willis are hereby appointed locaters to locate the streets and roads in the town of Ukiah City, according to the recorded plat or map of said town now on file in the Recorder's office of Mendocino county: that they notify the owners of the land and obtain the right of way if possible and make due report thereof to this Board at the next regular term in May, 1870."
1871 .- Instead of reporting at the time designated in the above order, the locaters of the streets in Ukiah did not file their report until February 20, 1871, or one year later, lacking only eight days. Subjoined are the exceptions to their report, as recorded in the minutes of the Board of Super- visors. We were unable to find the original, hence are unable to give it. "Oak street shall be sixty feet wide; Pine and Bush streets shall be fifty feet wide; also all parallel streets west of Bush shall be fifty feet wide. Oak street shall be described as follows: It shall run parallel with School street, and its east line shall be two hundred feet west of School street; Pine street shall run parallel with Oak street, and its east line shall be two hundred and twenty feet west of the west line of Oak street; and Bush street shall run parallel with Pine street, and its east line shall be two hundred and thirty feet west of the west line of Pine street; Clay street shall be thirty feet wide from Main to State street, and shall be extended from State to School street, and from School street westerly it shall be forty feet wide. Main street, from where it intersects Smith street on the north, thence running north, shall be sixty feet wide; and shall, from said point north, be as it is at present used and traveled."
1872 .- This was a year of great importance to Ukiah as the three prin- cipal events occurred in it which go to make up a country city, to use an adapted expression, viz. : the erection of a fine Court-house, the introduction of gas, and incorporation. A larger building for county purposes had become a sorely pressing necessity, and the people of the entire county seemed willing to bear their share of the burden of taxation in order to have the requisite building. In the early part of the year bids and plans were solicited for the building and before the fall rains set in the county officers were nicely housed in their new quarters. In the interim between the tearing down of the old and the completion of the new Court-house, the
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officers had their quarters up-stairs in the upper story of the brick building on the north-east corner of State and Perkins streets. A full description in detail of the new building will be found in the body of this work in the chapter on Political History. Suffice it to say here that it is a very sub- stantial and handsome structure, and is an adornment to the city and a credit to the enterprising citizens of Mendocino county, who are proverbial for doing well whatever they undertake, no half-way marks being indicated on the register of their energy and enterprise.
February 21st State street was extended as far south as Budd's lane, a small by-way leading eastward just south of that gentleman's residence.
February 23d permission was granted to the Maxim Gas Company to erect their works in the town of Ukiah. A more extended notice will be found further on.
April 24th, it was ordered by the Board of Supervisors that the old Court-house be sold to the highest bidder on the 5th day of May, which was done.
August 20, 1872, the following petition was presented to the Board of Supervisors :-
" To the Honorable, the Board of Supervisors of Mendocino County, State of California-
" We, the undersigned, as a majority of the qualified electors of the town of Ukiah City, in said county, and who have resided in said town for the last thirty days, would respectfully represent that the plat hereto attached sets correctly forth the meets and bounds of said town; that the population of said town exceeds two hundred in number, and we pray to be incorporated under and by virtue of an Act of the Legislature of the State of California, entitled ' An Act to provide for the Incorporation of Laws,' approved April 19, 1856, and the Acts amendatory thereto. The center of the city is the Court-house, from the center of which shall be drawn a line due north one-half mile; due south one-half mile; due east one-half mile, and due west one-half mile ; making the town one mile square, with the Court-house in the center. Signed, R. H. Warren, R. H. Loomis, G. W. Sloper and niuety-nine others."
The town was bounded and described as follows: " Commencing at the south-east corner of Cleveland's land, thence north along Cleveland's, Per- kins', Todd's, and Gibson's lines to Orr creek ; thence up Orr creek to Todd's east line; thence south along Todd's east line to Gibson's creek ; thence up Gibson's creek to Gibson's line; thence south, following H street, as laid out and produced. to a point from which a direct line easterly and at right angles would strike the north line of the land south of Budd's; thence along the north line of said land to the point of beginning."
Following is a transcript of the minutes of the Board of Supervisors in re- lation to the matter: " Upon reading and filing the petition of the citizens of the town of Ukiah City, praying for an order of this Board incorporating
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HISTORY OF MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
the town of Ukiah City, it is hereby ordered that the petition be granted, and that the meets and bounds of the town be one mile square, with the Court- house of Mendocino county as the central point, from which a line drawn due north, south, east and west, shall describe the square. And it is further ordered, that on Saturday, the 31st day of August, A. D. 1872, an election shall be held at the Court-house in the town for the election of five Trustees, a Marshal, Treasurer and Assessor ; and that Thomas L. Carothers as In- spector, N. Ellis and T. L. Barnes as Judges of Election, are hereby ap- pointed officers to conduct said election."
In accordance with the above order an election was held for town officers which resulted as follows : Trustees, R. N. Willing, J. R. Moore, E. W. King, M. D. and Samuel Orr ; Treasurer, I. Isaac. The first meeting of the Board of Trustees was held September 2, 1872, and R. N. Willing was appointed temporary Chairman, and T. L. Carothers temporary Clerk. At this meet- ing a special election was ordered to be held September 7, 1872, to fill the vacancy found to exist in the Board of Trustees, and in the office of Mar- shal, and T. L. Carothers was elected to fill the former and Thomas Chal- fant the latter vacancy; R. N. Willing was then chosen permanent Chair- man, and Thomas L. Carothers permanent Clerk of the Board.
In January of this year an Act of the Legislature was passed authorizing the School Board of Ukiah district to purchase the building known as the " Ukiah Institute " and the land on which it was located for school pur- poses.
1873 .- March 31st William Ford was appointed City Treasurer, vice I. Isaac deceased.
The annual municipal election was held May 5th, and resulted as follows: Trustees, R. N. Willing, Samuel Orr, James R. Moore, James Fowzer, and G. B. Mathers; Marshal, J. B. Caneza; Assessor, J. L. Wilson, and Treasurer, William Ford. The Trustees elected failed to qualify and the old Board held over, and continued the administration of the municipality. R. N. Willing was elected Chairman again, and M. Marstellar was appointed Clerk, vice T. L. Carothers resigned.
1874 .- The regular annual city election occurred May 4th, but the offi- cers elect failed to qualify, and the old Board refused to act farther in the matter, so the whole Incorporation bubble bursted, and Ukiah descended from her exalted perch as a city, to the place of a common country village, sic transit gloria!
At the election held June 10th of this year for the purpose of voting on the issue of " Local Option," the vote stood for license, one hundred and seven; against license, one hundred and eighty-seven, majority for against license eighty, which certainly shows that the public sentiment is on the side of temperance in the town. If the ladies of the place could vote, how these figures on the side of temperance and sobriety would have swollen !
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UKIAH TOWNSHIP.
During this year the people of Ukiah were called upon to pay a special school tax of 55 cents on the $100, to meet the first payment for the newly purchased school building.
1876 .- The event of prime importance which occurred during this year was the re-incorporation of the city by an Act of Legislature, by which the mantle of municipality was again placed upon the shoulders of the fair Ukiah. This instrument was drafted and introduced by Hon. R. McGarvey, who at that time represented Mendocino so ably in the State Senate, and its provisions were so replete with all that would redound to the welfare of the city that great credit is due to its originator. The date of the city election was changed from May to February, and the result of the first election was as follows: Trustees, T. L. Carothers, J. S. Reed, W. H. Forse, G. B. Mathers, and Sam Orr; Assessor and Marshal, A. O. Carpen- ter; and Pound-master, H. J. Ward. The first meeting of the Board of Trustees under the new regime, was held April 24, 1876, and T. L- Carothers was chosen Chairman, and A. W. Thompson, Clerk. Besides adopting several of the ordinances which had been promulgated under the old order of things, they fixed the rate of taxation for the year at one-fourth of one per cent on the $100.
It will be remembered that in the order of the Board of Supervisors for the erection of a new Court-house provision was made for fencing it also, but from some cause or other it was never done at the expense of the county. After Ukiah had assumed the dignity of a city again and they had the power to do so, the Board of Trustees determined to be rid of the forlorn looking sight of a Court-house, which had the dimensions and beauty of architecture of the one in Ukiah, standing out of doors in the open street all alone as it were. Therefore an order of the Board of Trustees was passed establishing the size of the Court-house plaza at one hundred and seventy-four by two hundred feet, and providing for the erection of a hand- some fence about it with turn-stiles at the four corners of the plaza and in front of the main entrance, to pay for which they set aside the sum of $640. After the town had gone to the expense of constructing the fence the Board of Supervisors assumed control of it at once, and ordered that sundry changes be made in it, all of which served to kindle the anger of the towns- people to quite an extent.
At some time away back in the history of Ukiah there was organized what was known as a "Library Society," and a number of entertainments were given for the benefit of the funds, as well as sundry private subscrip- tions, until the amount in the hands of Mrs. S. Wheeler, the Treasurer, amounted to $160. The "Library Society " project was eventually aban- doned, and the money lay in the bank awaiting a proper time to arrive when it could be expended for the best interest of the town, as it was money that belonged to the people of the place as a body. After the court-yar.l
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HISTORY OF MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
was fenced it was deemed that a very proper and fit thing to do with this money, was to expend it in ornamenting and improving the grounds, which was accordingly done, and the wisdom of the course is evidenced by the beautiful flowers that bloom within it limits, and is uttered by the rustle of the foliage toyed with by the light zephyrs of a midsummer's twilight hour.
1877 .- The annual election for this year, resulted as follows: Trustees, T. L. Carothers, J. S. Reed, W. H. Forse, G. B. Mathers, and Samuel Orr; Treasurer, James Fowzer; Recorder, J. T. Rodgers; Marshal, J. A. Jamison; C. C. Hamilton was chosen Clerk of the Board of Trustees.
April 18th, the Ukiah City Water Company was given the privilege of laying its mains and service pipes along the streets of the city.
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees, held May 2d, of this year, a memo- rial was presented, signed by the citizens of the place, asking that some sort of fire protection be provided for the town. No definite action was taken at that time, but a meeting of the citizens was held at the Court- house, in pursuance to a call, to consider the advisability of purchasing a fire apparatus. At this meeting, strong grounds were taken in favor of provid- ing the city with an engine of some kind, and also hooks and ladders.
The rate of taxation for this year was placed at one-fourth of one per cent on the $100, being the same as the previous year.
July 6, 1877, the first issue of the Ukiah City Press appeared upon the streets. It was a six-column quarto, bright and newsy, and under the edi- torial management of E. J. Handley.
Q. Obermeyer was appointed Pound-master by the Board of Trustees, October 1st.
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees, October Ist, it was ordered that the sum of $700 be invested in a " Babcock " hook and ladder truck, and Thomas L. Carothers was appointed a committee of one to proceed to San Francisco and purchase the same.
November 2d, the fire aparatus was turned over to the charge of the Eagle Fire Company, with the understanding that the Board of Trustees was to have a general supervision of it.
Dr. T. L. Barnes was appointed to the position of Recorder, vice J. T. Rodgers.
December 26th, it was ordered that gas lamp-posts be established at certain street corners, and provision was made for lighting the jets on such nights as they were needed.
1878 .- The annual municipal election for this year, resulted as follows: Trustees, T. L. Carothers, J. S. Reed, G. B. Mathers, W. H. Forse and Samuel Orr; Treasurer, James Fowzer; Recorder, J. M. Newsom; Marshal, J. A. Jamison; C. C. Hamilton was again chosen Clerk of the Board, and the Marshal was constituted ex-officio Street Inspector.
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UKIAH TOWNSHIP.
On the 2d of May, the Board decided that the city had no further nse for street lights, and dispensed with the same.
May 9th, there were three slight shocks of earthquake felt in Ukiah.
May 13th, H. H. Mitchell was elected to fill the vacancy in the office of Recorder, caused by the resignation of J. M. Newsom.
1879 .- The result of the annual election was as follows: Trustees, T. L. Carothers, J. S. Reed, Samuel Orr, L. Van Dusen, and George McCowan; Treasurer, James Fowzer; Recorder, H. H. Mitchell; Marshal, J. H Hughes. G. E. Lloyd was chosen Clerk of the Board.
The contract for removing the bodies of the dead buried in what is known as the old cemetery, was let March 12th to D. Gobbi for the sum of $450.
April 2d, George McCowan was appointed Clerk of the Board vice G. E. Lloyd.
The rate of taxation for this year was placed at one-fourth of one per cent on the $100.
The Treasurer having failed to qualify, it was decided to place the money in the Ukiah City Bank.
The following financial statement was made to the Board of Trustees under date of November 25, 1879 : Value of property, $326,747; taxes levied, $816.86; taxes collected, $800.03; poll-tax collected, $119; collected from licenses and other sources, $328; total amount collected, $1,247.03; amount of delinquent tax, $18.09; amount on hand, $454.31. It will b noticed from the above that a remarkably small per centage of the taxes levied remained delinquent, which certainly speaks very highly for the financial condition of the citizens of the place.
During this year Ukiah was called upon to don the mantle of mourning for her most honored dead. On the 26th day of July Absosom Lidwell Perkins laid down the burdens of this life, and passed from the scenes of earthly living to that beyond the bright silver-white span that bridges the chasm between the two; slipping the leash of mortality and becoming enrobed with immortal existence. Mr. Perkins, who may well be denomi- nated the "father of pioneers," was born in the State of Texas in 1827, hence was fifty-two years of age at the time of his death. But little is known of his life previous to his location in Ukiah valley, except that he came from Arkansas to California, and first located in Yuba county, on the present site of Wheatland. As stated above, he came to Ukiah valley and located on the present site of the city of that name in 1857, and he con- tinued to reside there till his death. When the news of his demise spread through the town a feeling of deep and unfeigned sorrow pervaded the heart of every citizen, for none knew him but to esteem and respect him; and that a dne respect might be shown his memory, all places of business were closed in the city from the hour of his death until his remains were deposited in the bosom of Mother Earth. May his memory ever be kept fresh and
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HISTORY OF MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
hallowed in the hearts of the generations that are to come and possess and enjoy the beautiful city he founded and did so much to upbuild.
1880 .- The present city officials are as follows : Trustees, Thomas L. Carothers, John S. Reed, George McCowan, E. W. King, M. D., and G. B. Mathers ; Treasurer, Samuel Wheeler ; Recorder, W. W. Cuningham; Marshal and Pound-master, J. A. Jamison. George McCowan is the present Clerk of the Board.
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