USA > California > Napa County > History of Napa and Lake Counties, California : comprising their geography, geology, topography, climatography, springs and timber, together with a full and particular record of the Mexican Grants, also separate histories of all the townships and biographical sketches > Part 10
USA > California > Lake County > History of Napa and Lake Counties, California : comprising their geography, geology, topography, climatography, springs and timber, together with a full and particular record of the Mexican Grants, also separate histories of all the townships and biographical sketches > Part 10
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Arrangements were all completed and everything got in readiness so that the first ground was broken November 21, 1864, a short distance below Napa City.
In accordance with the provisions of the railway bill a tax of twenty- five cents on the $100 was levied for 1864 by the Board of Supervisors.
By January 10, 1865, the road was completed as to grading and track- laying from Soscol to Napa City. It was built by Messrs. Patterson & Gray for the sum of $32,000. The rolling-stock, which had then been ordered, consisted of two cars, with a capacity of 105 passengers, and a pony engine. The track entered Napa City by way of Main street, and was laid along that street to Third. Most of our readers will remember the old arrange- ment in this regard. The rolling-stock did not arrive until about July 1, 1865, and on the 11th of that month the first train passed over the track. A collation was spread at the Revere House and free rides were given to all who wished to embrace the opportunity.
At the first annual election the following officers were chosen: President, A. Y. Easterby; Vice-President, R. B. Woodward; Secretary, A. Badlam, Jr .; Treasurer, S. Brannan ; Directors, S. Brannan, A. Y. Easterby, C. Mayne, J. H. Goodman, J. Lawley, C. Hartson, and R. B. Woodward.
November 4, 1865, a new locomotive was purchased to take the place of the " pony," which had first been put upon the road. The driving wheel
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General History and Settlement.
was four and a half feet in diameter, and the cost of the engine was $9000. It was named "Napa City."
The business done by this little railroad at that time may be gleaned from the following report, rendered December 31, 1865, and covers the first six months of its existence :
RECEIPTS :
Passengers
$2,525.75
Freight
2,213.63
$4,739.38
EXPENSES :
Fuel, oil, etc.
$841.69
Salaries
1,969.60
$2,811.29
Total Profits
$1,928.09
Average per month.
321.35
Any one good at calculating interest can soon find out how much the road was paying on the investment. The trains ran to Soscol, where con- nection was made with a steamer for San Francisco.
In January, 1866, Mr. Hartson introduced a bill before the Legislature providing for the additional subscription by the county of Napa of $15,000 per mile to the proposed railroad from Napa City to Calistoga. This met with a considerable opposition, and the following petition was signed quite extensively and sent to the State Senate :
" To the Honorable House of Representatives of California : We, the undersigned, citizens of Napa County, respectfully protest against any bill appropriating or in any manner using the money or credit of the county for the purpose of making or building a railroad from Napa City to Calis- toga, or to or from any other place in said county. The reasons for thus protesting are in print as follows : The road will not pay the expenses of running when completed, therefore every dollar subscribed or loaned by the county will be lost, and have to be collected by taxation from taxpayers, amounting to more than one-tenth of the assessable valuation of the whole county. It will not be of any practicable use to more than one-fifteenth of the agricultural lands of the county, and we believe not one-fourth of the people of the county will be benefited thereby ; that the county is already deeply indebted for a subscription made to a road already con- structed ; that in consideration and in consequence of the present high taxation from various sources, it will place a burden too heavy to be borne, and that it will be a gross injustice to put a heavy tax on the whole for the benefit of the few."
The above petition did not prevent the passage of the Hartson bill, for it was approved January 25, 1866. Its provisions were as follows: The
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History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
Board of Supervisors shall direct a special election to be held on the third Wednesday of February, 1866, for the purpose of voting on the proposi- tion of taking stock in the railroad to the extent of $10,000 per mile for each mile of the portion of the said road which is unfinished within the limits of the County of Napa. The Board may levy a tax sufficient to pay the interest on the bonds ; and in the ycar 1880, and every year thereafter till the bonds are all paid, the Board may levy a tax not to exceed fifty cents on the $100, for the payment of the bonds.
The passage of this bill fell like a bombshell upon the community. Every man who opposed the measure appointed himself a committee of one to secure votes against what they termed an outrage. On this subject, under date of February 17, 1866, the Register says :
" Every voter in the county who values his home and property should turn out on Wednesday next (the 21st) and vote against the scheme which, if successful, will surely bring bankruptcy and ruin upon' himself and family. By voting "no" upon the railroad bill he will discharge a duty required by every consideration of reason and justice toward himself and all who are dependent upon him. Let no lack of interest in the matter keep men from the polls or prevent them from working for the defeat of the iniquitous and burdensome measure. Its defeat will be worth more to every farmer than the entire value of his crops, and no fears of pecuniary loss by leaving work should cause any man to stay away from the polls on that day. Its friends are working for its success, and having an abundance of means wherewith to control the vote of the floating population, will make close work for us, even with our strength."
When the day of election came, February 21, 1866, it was demonstrated that the people had all the railroad debt to carry that they desired, and that they would have no more, as will be seen by consulting the following vote :
SUBSIDY.
MAJORITY.
NAME OF PRECINCT.
Yes.
No.
Yes.
No.
St. Helena
115
69
46
Calistoga
143
3
140
Soscol.
25
75
50
Napa City
66
636
570
Carneros.
0
38
38
Gordon Valley
0
43
43
Las Putas. .
0
15
15
Sebastopol
66
94
28
Pope.
1
64
63
Totals
416
1037
186
S07
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General History and Settlement.
Real majority " no," 621. Out of 702 votes cast in Napa City only 66 were for the proposition. The vote of Carneros, Gordon Valley and Pope Precincts were rejected, on the grounds that there was no evidence that the officers of election were sworn. This reduced the majority to 477, which was, all things considered, very overwhelming.
The railroad parties had gotten a set-back at the above election, but that did not daunt them any. They then set about to get a grander scheme than ever foisted upon the people, and a bill was passed April 2, 1866, which provided that an election should be held for the purpose of deciding whether or not the railroad company should have donated to them as a free gift the entire amount of bonds that had been previously voted. About the same time a party sprung into existence who advocated the feasibility of a Macadamized road to Calistoga instead of a railroad. Finally, the matter culminated in an election, which was held September 5, 1866, at which the proposition of a Macadamized road and the donation of the bonds to the railroad company were both voted upon. The vote was as follows :
NAME OF PRECINCTS.
Macadamized Road.
Donation to Railroad.
Yes.
No.
Yes.
No.
Napa
76
192
64
202
Sebastopol
3
60
54
12
St. Helena
3
82
73
11
Calistoga.
50
54
Pope Valley
18
18
Totals
82
402
241
243
Majorities
320
2
It will be seen by the above that the vote was not nearly so large as at the previous election, and that the railroad company only lacked three votes of getting a majority in favor of donation. The people seemed to realize the fact that they would have the bonds to pay any way, and that the railroad company would eventually get possession of them, and that they might as well get them first as last, hence let that matter go by de- fault.
A new trouble now presented itself to the railroad company. The Board of Supervisors refused to issue the bonds in accordance with the provisions of the Act of the Legislature and the vote of the people. A mandamus was served upon the Board to compel them to issue the bonds, which they contested and the matter was carried to the Supreme Court, which body decided that the Board must subscribe to the stock.
80
History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
The following list will show the date of issuance, numbers of the bonds issued, and total amount issued on each several day :
DATE.
NUMBER.
TOTAL.
October 15, 1866
1 to 60
$30,000
May
7, 1867
61-171
14,500
June
4,
172-191
10,000
20,
192-211
10,000
July 3,
212-231
10,000
18,
232-251
10,000
August 15,
252-271
10,000
Septem. 10,
272-291
10,000
Decem. 10,
292 -311
10,000
Feb'y
29, 1868
312-331
10,000
May
20,
332-371
20,000
July
21,
372 -411
20,000
August 24,
412-424
6,500
Decem. 19,
425-468
22,000
Janury 14, 1869
469-470
1,000
Total.
$194,000
In April, 1867, the work of constructing the road up the valley was begun, with Calistoga as the objective point. September 2, 1867, the rate of interest tax on railroad bonds was increased ten cents on the $100. In October, 1868, the road was completed to Calistoga, and a grand excursion was had. Samuel Brannan, with his characteristic hospitality, assumed the role of host upon the occasion and feasted everybody right royally.
May 27, 1869, the Napa Valley Railroad was sold to Messrs. Rulofson & Ryder, for the sum of $500,000, which put the road under the management of the California Pacific.
Capt. N. A. Greene, who was the first conductor on the Napa Valley Rail- road, was accidently killed on the Western Pacific Railroad, October 28, 1869, where he was running a freight train.
January 1, 1871, the right of way was granted to the railroad through Main street, Napa, but it was never used further than Third street.
After the road was extended to Calistoga, trains used to run up to the depot, at the corner of Fourth and Main streets, and then back down and strike the main track in the vicinity of the gas works, and then pass out through the western portion of town. January 4, 1877, the change to the present route through East Napa was made. The entire length of road in the county is forty-one miles.
81
General History and Settlement.
COURT-HOUSES .- Napa County has had three Court-houses. With the organization of the county in 1850, came, of course, the necessity for public buildings. At the December term of the Court of Sessions, a con- tract was let for the building of a Court-house, " which shall be 20x30 feet in size, erected of good, substantial materials, with a corridor the whole length, six feet wide, covered overhead by an extension of the roof, the stairs to be in said corridor, outside ; the second story to be divided by a hall four feet wide, running through the center, and into four rooms, 10x13 each, all rooms to be ceiled, both walls and overhead ; seven doors, fifteen windows, a plain desk and railing for the bar, and six benches, each eight feet long."
This building was located on the north-west corner of Coombs and Second streets, just west of the Revere House, and was a small two-story building, innocent of plastering, with Court-room below and clerk's office above. Persons sentenced for long terms were confined in the adobe jail at Sonoma, while petty offenders were placed in the upper rooms of the Court- house. The Court-room was often used as a place of worship, and also for itinerant lecturers, jugglers, etc.
Among the first Acts of the Legislature in reference to Napa County, is the following: " The Court of Sessions may levy a tax not to exceed one- fourth of one per cent. for the purpose of building a Court-house."
The subsequent history of this building is thus recorded in the Reg- ister : "The fire on Monday, August 25, 1875, destroyed a historic build- ing. This structure was the first Court-house in Napa. It was an old two-story frame building which was framed in the East, and brought around the Horn in 1849 or 1850, by a Mr. Ely, afterwards attorney in San Fran- cisco, and bought by the county for county purposes. It did duty in this capacity until about 1855, having the clerk's and perhaps other offices in it, and also apartments for petty malefactors, who were chained down to the floor. When the county sold it, C. Hartson bought it and moved it to where it stood when it was destroyed. The building was 20x40, and had a mate which was built in the East and came to this county with it." This building was then the residence of R. Peddie, on the east side of Main street.
The matter of a new Court-house began to agitate the minds of the people in 1855, as by that time the old building had become inadequate in all respects, and the want of a jail was keenly felt. Accordingly, bids were advertised for, and on August 11, 1855, the Board of Supervisors accepted the bid of Messrs. Webb & Kincaid of San Francisco, for the sum of $19,- 480. This action did not seem to meet with the approval of the people, and so, on the 31st of the same month the Board rescinded their action in
6
82
History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
the matter, and submitted it to a vote of the people, at the following gen- eral election, which occurred September 7th of that year.
There is nothing on record to show what the decision of the voters was at that election in reference to the matter. We find, however, that on April 8, 1858, the Board of Supervisors received a remonstrance signed by the citizens of Yount Township against the erection of a Court-house and jail.
A Court-house, however, had to be erected, for the old one would not longer answer the purpose. Hence we find that on May 5, 1856, despite the remonstrance, the following gentlemen were appointed by the County Judge for the purpose of selecting and appraising a site for the new county buildings : R. M. Hill, Riley Gregg, and George N. Cornwell. They decided that the location of the building should be as follows : The center of the building shall be in the center of the lot, east and west, and the front of the house on the center of the lot north and south, the building to front north. The site chosen is the same as is now occupied by the county buildings.
The corner-stone to this building was laid with appropriate ceremonies by the Masonic fraternity, in the presence of a great number of Napa people. The stone was a square block with a hole cut down into it, which was covered with a piece of sheet iron, which was cemented down. On the side of the stone was the following inscription : "Laid July 29, A. D. 1856, A. L. 5856, by W. H. Howard, Grand Past Master of Masons for Cali- fornia." When this building was torn down to give place for a new structure in 1878, the contents of the corner-stone were removed. They were found to be a number of time-blackened and mildewed pamphlets and newspapers, and several coins. It was a wonder that the newspapers were so well preserved as they were, as there was no lining to the cavity in the stone. Some of the papers were almost rotted, but by careful handling could be read. There was a Masonic pamphlet dated 1856, a copy of the by-laws of Benicia Lodge No. 5, F. and A. M., and the following San Francisco papers : Daily Town Talk, P. B. Hall & Co., proprietors, and Richard H. Bowlin, editor ; number 3 of volume 1 of the Daily California Chronicle, Frank Soulé and W. L. Newell, editors and publishers ; Daily Herald, John Nugent, editor and publisher; Daily Evening Bulletin, Thomas S. King, editor ; Daily True Californian, edited and published by Rhodes & Bartlett. There was also the Sacramento Daily California American, the Napa County Weekly Reporter, dated Saturday, July 19, 1856, which was number 3 of volume 1 of that paper. The coins were one gold $3.00 piece and a $1.00 piece, both of the issue of 1856; a silver one-half and one-quarter dollar piece, of the same date; two dimes coined in 1853, and a three-cent piece coined in 1851.
83
General History and Settlement.
The jail cells were made of boiler iron, three-sixteenths of an inch thick, well riveted together, the top to be punched with one-half inch holes, six of them to the square foot. The doors were grated and securely hinged. The floor of the jail was of brick, laid edgewise in cement.
Originally, the jail occupied two-thirds of the lower floor. All the offices on the lower floor, except those of sheriff and clerk, were constructed five years afterwards. The whole of the second story has been again and again remodeled. The cupola was originally at the east end of the building, instead of the center as when it was torn down. Probably no other build- ing underwent so many or costly changes as did this one. It is stated by the local press, that probably from $50,000 to $60,000 was expended on the building from first to last. The original cost will be shown by the fol- lowing :
Contract to A. C. Latsom. . $19,990
Expended for box window frames 350
Expended for cupola 750
Contract to Benjamin & Sanford for jail, June 25th, 1859 7,000
James & Co., painting and re-glazing in Court-house,
June 5, 1865. 750
E. M. Benjamin, vault in clerk's office 1,900
Total $30,740
This building was completed, and accepted by the Board of Supervisors, December 16, 1856. The Court-house plaza was occupied in 1855, by Lawley & Lefferts, as a lumber yard. After the erection of the county buildings, the Supervisors contracted with John H. Waterson to construct a fence around it for $572. In 1857, A. D. Pryal took the contract of grading the grounds and planting shrubbery, the expense of which was partly met by the Board of Supervisors, which body ordered $200 to be paid, and the remainder was met by the private subscriptions of the citizens of Napa, amounting to about $300.
In 1864, great cracks were discovered to be making their appearance in the walls of the building, and it became a source of much concern among the county officials whether or not the building was safe. In March of that year, E. M. Benjamin was appointed to examine into the matter, and report to the Board. He did so, and measures were taken to stop the spreading of the openings. At the same time, bids were asked for for the construction of a vault and for other improvements. The matter went on for a decade, when the subject of erecting a new building came up for serious discussion on every hand. The old building was deemed to be in an
84
History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
unsafe condition by the occupants, and also by architects. The public press was clamerous for a structure that would do the place and the county credit, stating that the old one had long since outlived its usefulness. August 24, 1874, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Supervisors : " That any permanent repairs on the said building (the old Court-house) will be unwise and inexpedient, and a waste of the public money." Shortly afterwards, the Judge deemed the building so unsafe that he refused to hold the sessions of the Court in it any longer.
Strange as it may seem, after all this, the matter dallied along for an- other two years, with nothing definite being accomplished by the Board in regard to the matter. Finally, April 6, 1876, the following resolution was presented to the Board: "That the Board think it advisable to build a new Court-house and jail for the accommodation of Napa County." This was carried by the following vote : Deweese, Robinson, Mecklenberg and Safely, affirmative ; and Ink and Harris, negative. Still, two more years rolled by before bids were asked for, and it was not until June 25th, 1878, that the contract was let, on plans drawn by Ira Gilchrist, to John Cox, for the sum of $50,990.
The old Court-house building was sold to D. Ross for $400. The bonds for the new Court-house were placed upon the market in August, 1878, and sold for 63 per cent. premium, F. H. Woods being the purchaser.
The corner-stone to the new building was laid September 21, 1878. About 1 o'clock P. M., of that day, the Masonic fraternity to the number of eighty, all in regalia, marched from their hall, headed by the Napa Brass Band which discoursed appropriate music. The majority of those in line were members of Yount Lodge, No. 12, of Napa City, and there were also delegations from the Lodges at St. Helena and Calistoga, and among dis- tinguished Masons from abroad were Dr. J. M. Brown, Most Worshipful Grand Master, and J. W. Shafer, Grand Lecturer. The assemblage was called to order by F. E. Johnson, W. M. of Yount Lodge, who stated that before the exercises began, J. W. Brayton would photograph the scene, which was done in short order. It was estimated that about one thousand persons were present. The platform was filled with ladies and members of the Masonic Order. The exercises were opened with music by the choir, which consisted of J. A. Keller, organist; Mrs. Richard Wylie, soprano; Mrs. Dennis Spencer, contralto; Prof. W. A. Packard, tenor, and C. B. Stone, bass. The selection given was a Masonic hymn set to the tune of " Rule Britannia."
The oration was then given by Dr. J. M. Brown, M. W. G. M. of the Grand Lodge of California, which was brief and appropriate. The speaker referred to the time-honored usage, by which it had been the custom to delegate to the Masonic Order, the laying of the corner-stones of public
+
M. Fr. Fristen
85
General History and Settlement.
buildings. "This ancient fraternity rarely breaks its seclusion to attend public demonstrations of any kind. It covets retirement, not proselyting, never seeking public parades, but peaceful and independent lives by laws within itself. With raiments spotless, and teachings pure, it clings to the old landmarks, and only appears in procession on the public streets when in the performance of some public duty intrusted to it. Such an occasion is this to-day. The usage is essentially Masonic. It is fitting that a body springing from a band of positive Masons, should exercise the same duties in a public work of this kind, as though they were practical Masons.
" Apart from this, it is appropriate that Masons should lay the corner- stone, because they compose an organization whose members are quiet, peaceful citizens, and hold among themselves the great principles of law, liberty and equality. It is a fraternity which fosters political liberty. Power precedes liberty, and from the nature of things liberty is dependent upon power. The Masons are always the advocates of secular improvement. We live in an age of singular movements-a time when the foundations of States are shaken, and our form of government seems subjected to powerful solvents. But the aim of our Order is to perpetuate. It has stood long ages, by the ancient landmarks of truth, justice, loyalty and charity, and it still rises above the floods eternal as the stars in their course. To such a fraternity is entrusted the work of laying the corner-stone. On the edifice about to be erected may symmetry and order rest in each line and curve ; may strength and beauty grace each arch and pillar from base to capstone; and may the beautiful proportions of the whole structure be for the admiration of the beholder."
At the close of the oration there was music by the choir, and then the beautiful and impressive ceremony of laying the corner-stone was pro- ceeded with. When the metal box containing the deposits was placed in the cavity made for it in the lower stone it was cemented in by John Cox, the contractor, and the upper stone was slowly lowered on to it by block and tackle. After it was settled it was tested with the silver tools of the Order-the square, level, plumb and gavel. The list of articles placed in the stone was read, and corn, wine and oil was poured on it from gold and silver vases, with the usual salutes and responses. The M. W. G. M. then said : " It has been the custom from time immemorial, when requested to do so, for Masons to assemble to lay the north-east corner-stone of public buildings. It has also been the custom to deposit therein certain memorials of the age. The Grand Lodge have been invited by the Board of Super- visors of Napa County to superintend this duty. It is my will and pleasure to announce the ceremonies completed."
He then made a brief invocation to the Divine Architect of the Universe for His blessing on the work. Another hymn was sung by the choir, and
1
86
History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
the Masons proceeded to their hall to the music of the band. The inscrip- tion on the stone is as follows :
LAID JULY 29, 1856. RELAID SEPTEMBER 21, 1878.
The contents of the metal box deposited in the stone were : Specimens of all the United States postage stamps ; historical sketch book of Napa County : copies of the Daily and Weekly Register"; Napa City? Reporter, of July 19, 1856 (the one taken from the old stone), and of late date ; the St. Helena Star; Napa Classic; picture of the Collegiate Institute; charter and ordinance of the City of Napa ; local laws of Napa ; catalogue of Napa Female Seminary ; catalogue of Oak Mound School; reports from the Insane Asylum for 1876-7; Republican, Democratic and Independent State and County tickets for 1875 ; copy of proceedings of the M. W. G. L. F. & A. M. for 1877, together with all that was removed from the former stone.
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