History of Mendocino County, California : comprising its geography, geology, topography, climatography, springs and timber, Part 56

Author: Palmer, Lyman L
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: San Francisco : Alley, Bowen
Number of Pages: 824


USA > California > Mendocino County > History of Mendocino County, California : comprising its geography, geology, topography, climatography, springs and timber > Part 56


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76


CITY ORDINANCES. - Our space forbids us to reproduce the city ordi- nances verbatim, but we will give a short summary of them so that their import may be gleaned :-


Number 1 .- The Marshal and Treasurer shall give bonds in the sum of $2,000 each.


Number 2 .- The stated meetings of the Board of Trustees shall be on the second Mondays in February, May, August, and November.


Number 3-Fixes the fines for disorderly conduct as follows : Section 1 .- For fighting and profane language the fine shall be from $5 to $100. Sec- tion 2. - For drawing deadly weapons, except in self-defence, from $5 to $100. Section 3 .- For vagrancy and indecent .exposure, from $5 to $50. Section 4 .- For assault or resistance to an officer, from $5 to $100. Section 5 .- For driving and riding at a furious gait, or for riding on the sidewalk, from $5 to $25. Section 6 .- For the discharge of fire-arms within the city limits, from $5 to $25. Section 7. - The above penalties may include imprisonment at the rate of $1 per day, or both at the discretion of the Police Judge.


Number 4 .- Relates to the running at large of animals.


Number 5 .- Relates to nuisances, and the penalty is fining from $5 to $25, or imprisonment, or both.


Number 6 .- Section 1 .- Fines (net) shall be paid into the Treasury. Sec- tion 2 .- No money in the Town Treasury shall be drawn out except on a warrant signed by the Clerk, and upon the order of the Board.


Number 7 .- Section 1 .- The Marshal shall be the Chief of Police, and shall serve all processes. Section 2 .- He shall receive the same for such ser- vices as a Constable would.


Number 8 .- The Treasurer shall receipt for all moneys paid him.


Number 9 .- To prevent dogs from running at large. Section 1 .- Dogs shall have a tag, for which the owner shall pay the sum of $3, good for one year. Section 2 .- Dogs without tags must be killed by the Marshal. Sec- tion 3 .- Owners of dogs who do not take out licenses shall be deemed guilty of misdemeanor, and fined, upon conviction, from $5 to $10. Section 4 .- The Marshal shall receive fifty cents for every dog killed.


Number 10 .- Prohibits boys of a certain age and under from being on the street after a certain hour at night. Its provisions are: Section 1 .- No boy under sixteen years of age shall be permitted on the streets after 8 P. M.


491


UKIAH TOWNSHIP.


Section 2 .- It shall be considered a misdemeanor and the fine shall be not more than $10, or imprisonment ten days, or both. Section 3 .- The Marshal shall arrest all offenders.


Number 11 .- Salary of the Marshal. Section 1 .- Each day at road work, $3. Section 2 .- He shall also receive the sum of $30 per month.


Number 12 .- Obstruction on the sidewalks. Section 1 .- On all streets running north and south the sidewalk shall be twelve feet wide, and on all running east and west, eight feet. Section 2 .- No obstruction shall be placed upon the sidewalk. Section 3. The penalty shall be a fine from $5 to $10, or imprisonment.


Number 13 .- Fixes the rate of taxation.


Number 14 .- Fixes the rate of Poll-tax.


Number 15 .- Fixes the rate of licenses as follows: Section 1 .- All busi- nesses, circuses, shows, or theaters must pay a license. Section 2 .- Stores, saloons, livery stables, and hotels shall pay an annual license of $12. Sec- tion 3 .- Theaters, plays, and shows, except circuses, shall pay $3 for each exhibition. Section 4 .- Circuses must pay for cach performance, $10. Sec- tions 5 and 6 refer to the fees of the Marshal for collecting the licenses above enumerated. Section 7 .- The penalty for non-compliance shall be a fine from $5 to $25, or imprisonment.


Number 16 .- Fire-crackers, etc. Section 1 .- No bombs, Roman candles, sky-rockets, or any kind of fire-works, except small crackers, shall be ex- ploded within the city limits. Section 2 .- The penalty shall be a fine of from $5 to $25, or imprisonment.


Number 17 .- Fixes the rate of taxation.


Number 18 .- Fixes the rate of Poll-tax.


Number 19 .- Fees of Marshal, amending number 7; provides that in case · of suit, if his fees are not collected from the defendant, he is to receive no compensation for the arrest.


Number 20 .- Fixes the rate of taxation.


Number 21 .- Fixes the rate of Poll-tax.


Number 22 .- Smoking opium. Section 1 .- The penalty for smoking opium is a fine of from $25 to $100, or imprisonment, or both. Section 2 .--- For keeping an opium den the penalty is fixed the same as in the preceding section.


Number 23 .- Licenses. Section 1 .- This ordinance shall be an amendment to ordinance number 15. Section 2 .- Same as in the last mentioned ordinance. Section 3 .- If the annual sales do not exceed $300, the license shall be $3. Section 4 .- If the annual sales are between $500 and $1000, the license shall be $6. Section 5 .- For all above $1000, the license shall be $12. (These amendments refer solely to stores, hotels, and livery stables). Section 6 .- Retail saloons shall pay $25. Section 7 .- Theaters, shows, plays, except cir- cuses, shall pry $3. Section 8 .- Circuses shall pay $10.


492


HISTORY OF MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.


Number 24 .- Water rates in Ukiah shall be in accordance with the fol- lowing schedule: Court-house per month, $8; livery stables, $6; grist-mill, $6; hotel, $4; barber shop, $1.50; barber shop with bath, $3; saloon, $1.50; store, $1; wash house, $6; restaurant, $2; blacksmith and wagon shop com- bined, $1.50; dwellings, $1.50; and for irrigating with a three-fourths inch hose, per hour, 10 cents.


CITY EXPENDITURES .- The following figures will show the amounts ex- pended by the city authorities for the respective years mentioned: 1876, $1,112.90; 1877, $1,411.49; 1878, $1,140.36; 1879, $1,041.25, making a total for the four years of $4,706. When it is considered that $640 was spent on the Court-house fence, $700 for fire apparatus, and $386 for the removal of the bodies from the old cemetery, it will be seen that the city government is economically managed.


BANK OF SANTA ROSA .- This was the first enterprise of the kind ever set on foot in Ukiah, and was established in 1873, and continued in business until June 1, 1876, when its interests were purchased by the Bank of Ukiah. It was a branch of the Bank of Santa Rosa, and had its place of business at first in the brick building just south of the Court-house. In 1875 this firm erected the brick building on the corner of State and Standley streets, occu- pied by the Bank of Ukiah at present.


BANK OF UKIAH .- This banking institution was organized January 10, 1874, with a capital stock of $250,000, of which $206,000 was paid up. The trustees of the bank have always been R. McGarvey, A. F. Rede- meyer, John P. Hoffman, and John E. Chalfant. Samuel Wheeler has been its cashier since its organization, also. The presidents have been- 1874 and 1875, A. F. Redemeyer; 1876 and 1877, T. B. Bond; 1878 and 1879, John S. Reed; and 1880, R. MeGarvey. When the bank began bus- iness, it was located in the Redemeyer building, on the north-east corner of State and Perkins streets. After purchasing the interests of the Santa Rosa Bank, in 1876, it was moved to its present quarters. The building is a fine brick, with imitation stone front. The size of the vault is eight by ten feet, and the locks are all fine burglar-proof affairs, with all the modern improve- ments. The bank does a general business in its line, and when last exam- ined by the State Board of Commissioners, was unhesitatingly pronounced in first-class condition. It is a local institution, and is worthy the confidence of the citizens of the county in general. The following is the report made by the Bank Commissioners of the result of their examination of the affairs of the Bank of Ukiah, doing business at Ukiah, Mendocino county, May 21st, at the close of business on that day: Assets, banking house and lot, $15,572.82; loans on real estate, $155,235.19; invested in county warrants, $7,036.86; loans on stocks and warrants, $7,351.59; loans on personal secur- ity, $105,089.99; money on hand, $14,285.14; interest accrued, $10,762.99;


493


UKIAH TOWNSHIP.


expenses, taxes, etc., $1,590.03. Liabilities, capital paid up, $260,000; sur- plus, $27,948.17; due depositors, $59,440.53; due banks and bankers, $7,- 716.71; interest account, $15,819.20. Total assets and liabilities, $316,- 924.61.


Independent Order of Odd Fellows .- Ukiah Lodge, No. 174, I. O. O. F., was organized July 20, 1870, with the following charter members: E. W. King, M. D., Nathan Ellis, Charles Hofman, John R. Short, James P. Clark, Robert White, W. W. Cuningham, and W. H. White. The first officers were: E. W. King, M. D., N. G .; Charles Hofman, V. G .; N. Ellis, Secretary; and John R. Short, Treasurer. The following gentlemen have held the position of Noble Grand: E. W. King, M. D., Charles Hofman, J. B. Lamar, M. A. Kelton, P. V. Lempke, James Fowzer, J. H. Seawell, W. H. White. W. W. Cuningham, J. H. Donohoe, L. S. Sullivan, J. L. Wilson, L. T. Day, B. W. Day, B. Dozier, M. D., George McCowan, C. W. Tindall, Hale McCowan, and R. S. Clason. The present officers are: R. S. Clason, N. G .; J. T. Rodgers, V. G .; A. H. Day, Recording Secretary ; R. F. Gilmore, Trea- surer ; and George McCowan, Permanent Secretary. The present member- ship is eighty-two, and the lodge is in a very flourishing condition. They have a very fine library, to which large additions are being made yearly.


I. O. O. F. Encampment .- Sanhedrim Encampment, No. 49, I. O. O. F., was organized November 17, 1874, with the following charter members: E. W. King, M. D., C. A. Irvine, James Fowzer, C. H. Hofman, J. H. Seawell, W. A. C. Smith, and W. F. Holiday. The first officers were: E. W. King, M. D., C, P .; C. A. Irvine, H. P .; W. F. Holiday, S. W .; J. H. Seawell, J. W .; James Fowzer, Scribe; and C. Hofman, Treasurer. The following gentlemen have filled the executive station: E. W. King, M. D., W. A. C. Smith, C. A. Irvine, James Fowzer, J. H. Seawell, W. H. White, W. F. Hol- iday, L. T. Day, Ben. W. Day, W. W. Cuningham, J. L. Wilson, and J. C. Schlarbaum. The present officers are: J. C. Schlarbaum, C. P .; H. J. Ward, H. P .; W. H. White, S. W .; L. T. Day, J. W .; J. L. Wilson, Scribe ; and James Fowzer, Treasurer. The present membership is twenty-five.


Free and Accepted Masons. - Abell Lodge, No. 146, F. & A. M., was organized under dispensation June 19, 1860, and the charter was granted May 16, 1861. The charter members were: J. B. Price, M. V. Cleveland, N. S. Fanning, William Henry, L. M. Warden, O. H. P. Brown, and James A. Shore. The officers under dispensation were: J. B. Price, W. M .; M. V. Cleveland, S. W .; N. S. Fanning, J. W .; William Henry, Treasurer; and L. M. Warden, Secretary. The first officers under the charter were: J. B. Price, W. M .; M. V. Cleveland, S. W .; N. S. Fanning, J. W .; William Henry, Treasurer; and G. Canning Smith, Secretary. The following gentle- men have filled the Master's chair: J. B. Price, N. D. Witt, James Anderson, William Holden, C. C. Cummings, T. L. Carothers, J. B. Lamar, E. W. King, M. D., William H. Barnes, W. H. Haskell, T. B. Bond, J. H. Donohoe,


494


HISTORY OF MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.


and George McCowan. The present officers are : George McCowan, W. M .; E. W. King, M. D., S. W .; Charles D. Ambrose, J. W .; Samuel Orr, Treas- urer, and Hale McCowan, Secretary. The present membership is sixty-five, and the lodge is in a flourishing condition. It owns the building in which it meets, which was erected in 1874. The lodge-room is thirty-two by fifty, and is neatly furnished, and is lighted with gas. The building is thirty-two by seventy, and two stories high. The lower floor is used for offices, etc. The Odd Fellows meet in the hall also.


Royal Arch Masons. - Ukiah Chapter, No. 53, R. A. M., was organized under dispensation June 14, 1878, and the charter was granted April 9, 1879. The charter members were: J. W. Jenkins, J. L. Burchard, T. L. Carothers, J. H. Donohoe, T. L. Barnes, J. Updegraff, L. D. Montague, B. C. Bellamy, S. Hornbrook, J. Albertson, and George McCowan. The officers under dis- pensation were: J. W. Jenkins, M. E. H. P; J. L. Burchard, E. K .; T. L. Carothers, E. S. ; J. S. Reed, Treasurer; and George McCowan, Secretary. The first officers under charter were the same as above. The present officers are: George McCowan, M. E. H. P .; E. W. King, M. D., E, K .; G. W. Heald, E. S .; J. S. Reed, Treasurer; and Samuel Wheeler, Secretary. The present membership is twenty-six.


Independent Order of Good Templars .- Ukiah Lodge, No. 396, I. O. G. T., was organized June 28, 1870, with the following charter members: Rev. H. Hazel, H. C. Lyle, W. H. Vann, G. B. Hopper, E. Porter, Charles Ackerman, Thomas Smythe, T. Charlton, J. B. Caneza, S. Morse, Martha Short, Mary Short, Adaline S. Budd, Alice Davis, Francis Moore, and Jane Shelton. The first officers were: H. C. Lyle, W. C. T .; Mrs. Adaline S. Budd, W. V. T .; Thomas Smythe, Recording Secretary; Charles Ackerman, Financial Secre- tary ; and Alice Davis, Treasurer. The present officers are: Hale McCowan, W. C. T .; Anna Fowzer, W. V. T .; Charles Hughes, Recording Secretary ; George McCowan, Financial Secretary; and A. J. Smith, Treasurer. The present membership is twenty-four, which is the least it ever has been since the lodge was fairly organized. It is the oldest lodge now in the county, having been in existence for ten years.


Ancient Order of United Workmen .- Ukiah Lodge, No. 33, A. O. U. W., was organized May 14, 1878, with the following as charter members: E. W. King, M. D., J. T. Rodgers, F. O. Townsend, E. B. Gambie, L. S. Sullivan. C. Hofman, E. J. Handley, F. Gessler, C. W. Tindall, J. J. Philips, E. B. ·Hagans, A. W. Thompson, F. L. Bithers, James Lewis, James Logan, T. J. McGimpsey, C. D. Osborne, W. A. Hagans, J. S. Haile, E. B. Lynch, J. W. Shoemaker, P. V. Lempke, S. J. Chalfant. J. Mahurin, W. H. Young, and W. F. Whitney. The first officers were: J. T. Rodgers, P. M. W .; E. W. King, M. D., M. W .; E. J. Handley, G. F .; J. J. Phillips, O .; James Lewis, Recorder; E. B. Gambie, F .; A. W. Thompson, Receiver ; C. W. Tindall, G .; and F. Gessler, W. The Master Workmen have been E. W. King, M. D.,


495


UKIAH TOWNSHIP.


James Logan, B. Dozier, M. D., W. F. Whitney, and A. W. Thompson. The present officers are: A. W. Thompson, M. W .; H. A. Peabody, G. F .; G. Gessler, O .; A. O. Carpenter, Recorder; J. T. Rodgers, F .; C. W. Tindall, Receiver; T. J. Gibson, G .; and D. Ervin, W. The present membership is thirty-six.


Eagle Fire Company .- This company was organized March 7, 1877, with a membership of fifteen, has increased until they have thirty at the present time. Their foremen have been as follows: C. W. Tindall, James C. Lewis; T. L. Bithers and J. C. Schlarbaum have been Secretaries; and Frank Philips has been Treasurer since its organization. Their apparatus consists of a hook and ladder truck, and four Babcock fire extinguishers. The com- pany owns its own engine-house, and the lot on which it stands, and expects soon to purchase a fire bell. Their engine-house is twenty by fifty feet in size, and two-stories high. If there is one thing above another that should be fostered and co-operated with in a city, it is its fire department, for upon its efficiency oftentimes depends the safety of the property of the entire place.


The First Baptist Church in Ukiah City was organized by Rev. J. D. Bonner, June 25, 1859, with four constituent members, viz., Stephen Piner, Sarah Piner, Thomas A. Montgomery, and John Piner, and from this small beginning there has grown to be a body of influence and respectability second to none in the county. During the twenty-one years of its history, this church has had its reverses and successes, like all other bodies of its kind. Sometimes the candle has shown brightly under revival influence, then again the light has flickered into apparent weakness and discourage- ment, by the removals and departures from the faith by members, and had it not been for the true men and women who have been identified with the body from its earliest life, it would have faltered and, perhaps, ere this been extinct. The church has, up to the present time, had nine pastors, includ- ing the present incumbent. Their names are Revs. J. D. Bonner, D. G. Lovall, M. W. Howard, J. T. Barnes, J. N. Buroughs, D. T. Taylor, Joseph Roberts, L. R. Barnes, and C. A. Bateman. Honorable mention is deservedly made toward Rev. M. W. Howard, who has been five times elected pastor of this church, filling the gaps created by the retirement of others; and by his consistent life and faithful efforts much is dne for the present prosperity of the church. It is eminently in place to mention the name of Mrs. L. Dozier, who has not failed to bear her full part in sustaining the praise service of the church as leader and organist, together with John Todd, Samuel Orr, Thomas Gibson, Edward Cox, George Niece, John Higgins, James Hughes, William Istel, the lamented Mankins, Dozier and others who have been steadfast in their support of the church, these have been proof against all untoward events. Perhaps it is in place to state that at no time in the history of this body has there been more marked progress than the past


496


HISTORY OF MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.


year, under the leadership of Rev. C. A. Bateman. The congregations are second to none in the city. The Sunday-school, under the superintendence of C. D. Ambrose, has overreached all others in the county in efficiency and numbers. The weekly meetings are largely attended, and, in a word, pros- perity is enjoyed. The past year Mr. Bateman has not only served this church as pastor, but served the Baptist State Convention as general mis- sionary, the position held by him for five years past, and perhaps there is no better way to show his efficiency as a preacher of the gospel and indefatiga- ble worker for the cause than to insert the report given to the last Conven- tion, and published in the Herald of Truth, of Oakland, as follows :-


"I have labored two hundred and twenty-six weeks, solid work; preached one thousand three hundred and thirteen sermons; conducted nine hundred and thirty-one prayer and other religious meetings; gathered into the churches by relation and letter one hundred and fifty-five persons, and bap- tized three hundred and thirty-four candidates; have made one hundred and thirty-eight temperance and Sunday-school addresses; organized twelve Sunday-schools; attended three dedications; organized seven churches; administered fifty-eight communions; resusciated eight churches; attended six ordinations; made two thousand five hundred and sixty-two religious visits; wrote one thousand eight hundred and eighty-one missionary letters; traveled twenty-four thousand eight hundred and sixty-four miles in the discharge of my duties."


The church at Ukiah owns, in connection with the Methodist Episcopal South, a very nice edifice and other property.


Methodist Episcopal Church South .- This church was organized in the autumn of 1850 in this county, by L. C. Adam, with monthly service at Ukiah, Redwood Valley, Potter Valley, and Anderson Valley; J. N. Nuckolls class-leader, and Biddy Nuckolls, Wiley English, William English, J. S. Hughes, Mary J. Hughes, Charles Burris, Nancy Burris, H. P. Megee, and Elizabeth Megee members. Revs. T. Brown, Blithe, Glover, Burnett, Alverson, Edwards, Wright, Hayden and others had successively charge of the work.


Under the administration of Rev. Mr. Burnett, the church was built in Ukiah in conjunction with the Baptists. About the same time a church- house was commenced in Booneville, Anderson valley.


Potter and Anderson valleys were formed into separate circuits as the membership increased. Ukiah circuit now has a membership of over two hundred, thus showing a steady increase since its organization. It also has an elegant parsonage, built some five years ago, at a cost of $2,500, under the administration of L. D. Jeargis.


Christian Church .- The following annals concerning the work of this denomination have been kindly supplied by Rev. Harrison Price, its present


497


UKIAH TOWNSHIP.


respected Pastor, and are so complete that no word of ours can add aught to them :-


" The Christian Church, or Church of Christ in this place was first or- ganized under the preaching of that worthy pioneer, Rev. John O. White, who long since has left the Pacific coast, and I believe has finally gone to his reward.


"Leaving the more thickly settled portions around the Bay in the early history of our State, he made his way up into the free mountain air of Men- docino, and proclaimed in ringing tones the tidings of peace on earth good- will to men.


" Among the scattered settlements then gathered in this valley he found some willing to heed the Saviour's words, and organized a small band of brethren, who being left without preaching soon ceased to meet and the organization came to naught.


"In the year 1859, Rev. Jesse Derrick came to Ukiah from Sonoma county and held a protracted meeting in which he re-organized the church, since which time it has been continued uninterruptedly and with various degrees of prosperity until the present.


" About November 1, 1860, Brother James Anderson, at present residing in Santa Rosa, arrived here and went actively to work for the Master. He found the congregation in need of help and took hold manfully, preaching once a month in Ukiah, once in Little Lake, and once in Potter valley, for a period of about two years. For about eighteen months of the same time he preached once a month in Anderson valley.


" Those who lived in California during the time of the civil war know the depressing effect it had on religious effort in all parts of the State. At the end of two years Brother Anderson found himself compelled to follow secu- lar pursuits for a living, but he still preached for the church in Ukiah twice a, month as his appointments were withdrawn from the outlying territory. The interest in church matters growing still less and less, he ceased toward the close of the war to preach more than once a month and continued thus to preach until September, 1868, having accomplished by the aid of a few faithful ones in that time of trial and affliction the worthy object of holding together the remnant of Israel until a more propitious season should dawn upon the church.


" During Brother Anderson's stay he was visited in the year 1860 by old Brother Porter whose name was honored wherever his venerable and benig- nant face was known, and was assisted by him in a protracted meeting at Ukiah and in Little Lake valley.


" Old Father Thompson, the well-known father of disciples and pioneer preacher, also came in the fall of 1861 and held a protracted meeting in the Court-house which resulted in several valuable accessions, among others the Hon. J. B. Lamar, afterwards County Judge of Mendocino county, and at 32


498


HISTORY OF MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.


present Attorney-at-Law in San Francisco. By the efforts of Brother La- mar and others a movement was set on foot to build a meeting-house, for as yet the infant congregation was without a 'local habitation,' occupying generally a room in the Court-house.


" By referring to the records of Mendocino county I learn that on January 6, 1863, D. W. Smith ceded to James Anderson, Bennet Hereford and David Crockett, trustees of the Christian Church, block No. 23 in the town of Ukiah. This deed gave only a possessory elaim as it turned out, for afterwards the property was determined to belong to the grant instead of being government land. On October 26, 1866, S. Clinton Hastings, John Currey and Horace W. Carpentier, by their Attorney-in-faet, William Dev- lin, ceded to the same trustees the same piece of land. It was solely owing to the efforts of the Hon. R. McGarvey, at present Superior Judge of this county, that the last and only valid deed to the property was secured.


" As near as I can get at it the old house of worship was started in the year 1862, and a shelter was ready for the winter of 1862-3, though the struggling membership was not able to seat the building.


" In 1864 Brother J. N. Pendegast (familiarly and generally known as Uncle Pendy) and Brother J. W. MeCorkle held a successful meeting in the then new meeting - house. Brother Pendegast has lately gone to his reward. I stop here to offer my tribute to his incomparable worth. A genial Christian gentleman he was at home among the rich and poor, and it seemed to me that his almost boundless acquaintances felt for him a veneration and love which I never saw equaled. During this meeting occurred a scene which can be best described by quoting from a recent letter from Brother James Anderson. He says :--


"'One of the saddest seenes took place I ever witnessed. A Sister Thomas, of Potter valley, had come to attend the meeting. Apparently in good health, one night in coming to the house of worship, she complained of feeling unwell and shortness of breath. By the time she got in front of the door she was very much exhausted and sat down by the side of the door gasping for breath. A sister was with her, and finding she grew rapidly worse gave information to my wife and others in the house. By this time singing had begun. In a minute or two my wife rushed in the house and called for a doctor. Two being present, both answered the call - Doctors Pierson and Hall. I then went out to see what was the trouble, and found Sister Thomas struggling for breath, and both doctors trying to relieve her. By this time it had become known inside the house, and the utmost confu- sion resulted. The attending physicians ordered her to be taken inside the house, and in a few minutes she expired, and her spirit took its flight to that better land. This event paralyzed our meeting from which we never recovered during its continuance. From this I learned that intense excite- ments are not beneficial in protracted meetings.'




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.