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 27
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 27
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H .A. Fellero
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Napa Township.
Markets .- The following prices current will show that the cost of many things in 1856, were not so very much in excess of the present rates : Flour, $9; wheat, $2 to $2.27}; barley, $2.12} to $2.18; oats, $2.18 to $2.20 ; sweet potatoes, 3} cents ; onions, 5 to 6 cents ; butter, 45 to 50 cents ; eggs, 60 cents ; chickens, $5 to $7; corn, $2.25; hay, $18 to $20; bags, 13 to 13} cents ; hams, 22 to 28 cents ; coffee, 16 to 17 cents ; sugar, 122 to 17 cents ; rice, 16 cents ; lard, 27 cents ; syrup, $1.25 ; dried apples, 16 cents ; dried peaches, 40 cents ; bacon, 12} cents ; mess pork, 22 to 25 cents ; lumber, $35 to $40, and shingles, $6.50 to $7.50.
1857-New Year's Day .- The following description of this occasion is taken from the Reporter, and the introduction is characteristic of the times in which it was written: " Another year has rolled around, and every ani- mate being is one year older than twelve months ago-a natural conclusion. All we have to say of 1856 is, Good Bye, old Muggins ! Many a hard tussel we have had together. You are defunct now. Good Bye, old Mug! On New Year's Day in Napa, everybody became convivial, even Joseph D. and Captain V. P. hugged each other in the manner in which Damon and Pythias were supposed to have done. The first day of January passed most pleas- antly in Napa, for the people in this place are proverbially distinguished for sobriety (in a horn as big as that of Plenty). Mr. Fuller gave a ball on Thursday night, and Messrs. Baxter, Wolfe, and ' Uncle Tommy, and others did the good thing, and everybody wished everybody a Happy New Year, long life, etc.' We were in high luck that day. A good-looking young lady condescended to say 'I wish the printer much happiness.' We touched our hat, and retreated under a shower of egg-nog. Such was the day in Napa."
Trial of Ned McGowan .- One of the most interesting events of 1857 was the trial of the then famous Ned McGowan. All old settlers of Cali- fornia will well remember what a great excitement there was over the at- tempted capture of Ned McGowan by the Vigilance Committee in San Francisco. In the course of time, after being hunted like a wild beast from house to tule and from tule marshes to mountain fastnesses, receiving shelter and food at long intervals at the hands of God's ministering angels-women, who could not see the man starve, no matter what his crimes, he came back to the city and demanded a trial at the bar of Justice. This was granted him; and on the 29th day of May, 1857, his trial began in Napa City, with the following gentlemen on the jury : David Hudson, P. D. Bailey, R. C. Gillaspie, W. H. Younge, James Glassford, Charles McBride, George Ware, Thomas Twist, Ralph L. Kilburn, Harrison Hornback and Charles Stillman. The jury was out only ten minutes, when a verdict of not guilty was rendered.
16
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History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
Napa Guurds .- The first election of this military company occurred November 23, 1857, and resulted in the selection of the following officers : Captain, F. S. Vaslit; First Lieutenant, J. Bell; Second Lieutenant, A. J. Cox; Third Lieutenant, T. Moyer; Surgeon, W. W. Stillwagon ; Quarter- master, J. Darnies; Orderly Sergeant, G. Dennison; Second Sergeant, C. H. Clark; Third Sergeant, G. Crawford ; Fourth Sergeant, A. Raymond.
1858-An Odd Advertisement .- In the issue of the Reporter of Sep- tember 25, 1858, the following curiosity appeared :
BIBLES AND RELIGIOUS BOOKS. For sale by F. BATES, Bible Agent.
I expect to be at the coming race,
There I shall see many a smiling face ;
I'll have Bibles and books of many kinds,
And such as are best to store and improve the mind.
Now the best bet that you ever wou
Is to buy Bibles and books to carry home.
Ho, Everybody ! Come and buy
Bibles and books a good supply,
At the Christian State meeting, near Younts Mill,
I will be happy your orders to fill ;
I have Bibles both common and fine,
So as to suit everyone's mind.
When you come to know the price You will say they are nice.
I have books of many descriptions,
Religious, historical-but no fictions.
Come, young and old, married and single,
Buy Bibles and books and let the money jingle.
F. BATES, Bible Agent.
1860-The Stone Bridge .- The stone bridge across Napa River on First street was constructed in 1860, by - Murphy. This bridge fell in during the flood of January, 1881, and a fine truss structure now spans the stream at that place.
1861 .- Good Templars .- Franklin Lodge, No. 36, of this Order was in existence at this time, and the following officers were elected April 1st of this year: Samuel Heald, W. C. T .; J. M. Hamilton, W. V. T .; J. Van Doren, W. S .; Miss L. A. Willett, W. T .; Martha C. Heald, W. F. S .; George W. F. Carter, W. M .; Rev. P. V. Veeder, W. Ch .; D. B. Magee, W. I. G .; and R. T. Montgomery, W. O. G.
1862 .- Academy for Boys .- Rev. P. V. Veeder opened an academy for boys in March of this year. As to the success of the venture, we are not informed.
1863 .- The Napa Register was launched upon the sea of journalistic
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Napa Township.
existence August 10th of this year. It was a five-column folio, Republican in politics, and under the management and proprietorship of J. I. Horrell.
Hanging of Charles Brittian .- This execution was the crowning event of the year, viewed from a sensational standpoint. The drop fell at twenty minutes past three P. M., August 7th. The convict manifested the utmost indifference to his fate to the last moment, and obstinately refused all counsel from the priests who visited him. This was the first execution in Napa County.
Sanitary and Soldiers' Relief .- During the war of the Rebellion, quite an amount was raised in various ways in aid of the above-named objects. On Christmas evening, 1864, a fair and festival was held in Napa for the benefit of the former which netted $516 in gold, equal to $700 in currency at that time. For the latter there was raised $100, equal to $140 in green- backs. The society also shipped at this time four boxes of goods for the Soldiers' Relief, and one for the Sanitary Commission.
1864 .- Napa Guard .- The annual election of officers for this organiza- tion, in January, 1864, resulted as follows : Captain, E. S. Chesebro; First Lieutenant, Jacob Blumer ; Second Lieutenant, E. Kimball; Second Brevet Lieutenant, L. B. Kester; Orderly Sergeant, J. G. Norton ; Second Sergeant, August Miller ; Third Sergeant, Joseph Elliott; Fourth Sergeant, - Imrie; Fifth Sergeant, D. Fairfield ; First Corporal, C. B. Walker ; Second Corporal, T. J. Dewoody ; Third Corporal, W. R. Cooper; Fourth Corporal, Oscar Steinback; Treasurer, E. S. Chesebro; Investigating Committee, E. S. Chesebro, J. Dukes, R. J. Van Doren, E. Kimball and E. S. Smith ; Auditing Committee, W. R. Cooper, T. J. Dewoody and W. C. S. Smith; Music Committee, E. Kimball, J. Haskins and M. Dorr.
Artillery Company .-- In 1864 Napa City boasted the only Artillery Com- pany outside of San Francisco.
Napa City-A Reminiscence .- The following resume of Napa, as it ap- peared in 1854, was published in the Register of February 27, 1864: "This town, by some aspiring genius of early days, misnamed Napa City, has passed through great changes within the last ten years. The city ten years ago did not contain over forty buildings, all of wood, and mostly of the most primitive and slovenly style of architecture. The streets were just as nature made them, excepting the continually increasing upper stratum of old hats, boots, broken bottles, and sardine boxes contributed by the pioneers of our civilization. Wheeled vehicles, excepting for transporting heavy loads, were comparatively rare, almost all traveling being done on horse- back. It was a common sight to see over one hundred horses tied to the fence on First street, of a Saturday or Sunday, waiting to take their owners home at night-fall. Occasionally some hombre would get oblivious and leave his Rosinante with nothing but redwood rail diet for twenty-four
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History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
hours together. Small as the place was, Napa was one of the busiest little towns in the State. A vast quantity of goods were sold at high prices. The credit system was next to universal, and seemed to work well, for most men were not only able but willing to pay. The country around produced abundant crops of wheat which sold from three to four cents a pound ; cattle were worth five times their present price, and the cost of raising them was nominal, as one-half of the country was devoted to stock ranges. About half of the farmers were squatters on other people's land, and so had neither purchase money or taxes to pay, hence it is no wonder that money was plentiful. Most everybody had a pocket full of silver or some other Cali- fornia coinage, which came easily and went still more so. The floating population was much more numerous than at present. Scores of young men, engaged in various pursuits, crowded the hotels. Among them were chaps of every shade of character, but the spirit of merriment pervaded them all. All manner of jokes were perpetrated, and fun was the upper- most object of one-half the population. They bucked 'ye tiger,' drank freely, worked hard, enjoyed themselves hugely, and were ready for any semi-innocent piece of devilment. There was more real amusement in a week then, than in a year now. There was at one time in full blast, a lyceum, a reading-room, a theater well attended, a company of minstrels, a band of music, an Agricultural Society and a Jockey Club. Our streets were pathless in wet weather, but we floundered through them cheerfully, caring very little for mud, or indeed for anything else except present enjoy- ment. Diggers of both sexes used to sun themselves at street corners by the score, in all the dignity of dirt and drunkenness. Churches we had none; schools only semi-occasionally. The Court-house was a wooden shanty, and we relied upon other counties for jail accommodations."
Earthquake .- Several shocks of earthquake have been felt at Napa, among the heaviest of which was that on the 12th of March, 1864.
Freedmen's Aid Fund .- The people of Napa City have always sus- tained a reputation for generosity and liberality. No worthy charitable object was ever presented to their consideration, and allowed to go away illiberally subscribed to. May 28, 1864, a subscription of one hundred and forty dollars was raised at the Methodist Church, in aid of the Freedmen's Aid Fund.
Contributions to the Christian Commission .- As a further proof that the assertion made in the last paragraph is true, we have it to record, and with pleasure we do it, that the total contributions to this most worthy object amounted to three thousand dollars on the 9th day of July, 1864. George Fellows subscribed two hundred dollars, and several of Napa's other citizens did nearly or quite as well. It will thus be seen that the fire of patriotism was burning brightly in the bosom of this people in the hour of the Nation's direst need.
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Napa Township.
1867 .- Gas .- Permission was given to William Smith and others, May 11th of this year, to lay gas pipes in the streets of Napa. Nothing further seems to have been done in the matter until December 14th, when the Board of Supervisors issued an order locating the street lamps of Napa City as follows : One at each stone bridge; corner of Main and First streets ; corner of First and Brown streets; corner of First and Randolph streets ; corner of First and Coombs streets ; corner Second and Main streets ; corner Third and Main streets ; corner of Fourth and Main streets ; corner of Second and Brown streets ; corner of Third and Brown streets ; corner of Third and Randolph streets, and the corner of Methodist Church and Randolph streets. The gas company were to receive the sum of nine dollars per month for supplying each lamp.
1868 .- Napa City as it was then .- Under date of January 11th of this year, the Register has the following: "To say that Napa is one of the few prominent towns in the State that have from the first maintained a prominent and healthful growth, will be but repeating a fact that is already generally known. Our citizens have justly felt a pride in the usually thrifty appearance of the town, and of late have given another substantial proof of their enterprise, by encouraging the introduction of gas works and liberally patronizing the enterprise. The stranger coming into our town after dark, now finds a generous gas light at nearly every street corner, and one can hardly believe, though having witnessed the transformation, that the Napa of to-day, with its excellent and fine schools, churches and public buildings, its streets and shops lighted with gas, and its railroad facilities, to be the same hamlet of a half dozen years ago. But because we have far advanced in modern improvements, and have outstripped some of our neigh- bors, we must not be idle, while more remains to be done. Particularly what Napa now requires most is some kind of local government, some practical and economical plan that will answer all the purposes of a town incorporation, without entailing the usual expenses of such. The popula- tion is becoming numerous enough to warrant this, and some system of street improvement is needed, that can be reached through a local govern- ment. Streets and sidewalks are now allowed to become abominations, because there is no help for it, but if property holders were compelled to improve their premises as the same should be, the value of property would be increased to such an extent as to more than balance the extra taxes."
Incorporation .- Evidently the above article had the desired effect and set the ball for incorporation to rolling in fine shape, for under date of February 29th, we find the following: Several meetings have been held for the purpose of incorporating the town of Napa, but for some cause no acceptable plan was hit upon. At one of these meetings there was a com- mittee of three appointed to draft a charter, but they could not agree, and
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History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
the result was that there were three reports brought in, one by each mem- ber of the committee. Some were in favor of incorporation under the general law, and others under a special Act of the Legislature.
1869 .- Small-pox Epidemic .- Early in this year the small-pox broke out in "Spanishtown " in a virulent form, and had quite an extensive run. A Sanitary Committee was appointed, who took charge of the matter, and on the 20th of March made the following report :
To the Citizens of Napa: Your committee respectfully report that they have discharged the duties assigned them in such a manner as they trust will meet your approval. The total number of cases of small-pox in the county was 60, as follows :
CASES.
DIED.
In Spanishtown, whites
6
1
In Spanishtown, Spanish
46
7
In Spanishtown, Indians
1
1
In the Redwoods, whites
6
2
In the hills east of town, Spanish
1
0
Total
60
11
The total disbursements by the Committee to date amount to $7681.04. Bills yet to be paid will raise the sum, in round numbers, to $9000.
The following is the financial statement of the attending physician, Dr. W. W. Stillwagon :
NAPA COUNTY.
Dr.
Cr.
To cash paid for sundries in Hospi-
By cash from Sanitary Committee. $165 50
tal
8213 00
By cash from Father Deyaert. . . .
5 00
To cash paid nurses
303 00
By cash from J. Mckenzie 10 00
By order, General Fund, $922 at 90 cents . 829 80
By order, Indigent Fund, gold. . . 216 00
By greenbacks, $216 at 80 cents. . 172 80
Balance 616 90
82,016 00
$2,016 00
Actual amount received for services, $883.10.
At this meeting of the citizens the following resolutions were unani- mously adopted :
Resolved, That, in the opinion of this meeting, the above amount of $883.10 is inadequate remuneration for the invaluable services rendered the county by saving it from the dreadful scourge with which it has been threatened.
Resolved, therefore, That this meeting considers it inexpedient and illibe- ral to cut down the moderate charges of the physician and nurses, to whose
To medical services
$1,500 00
-
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Napa Township.
attention and skill this community is mainly indebted to for its present immunity from the disease.
Resolved, That the Board of Supervisors be respectfully requested to reconsider their action in the premises, and to pay the county indebtedness to Dr. Stillwagon in full, he having been authorized by the Sanitary Com- mittee, at the urgent request of the citizens in mass meeting, to spare no expense in fighting the disease.
1873 .- The bridge across the river at Third street was completed in April of this year, at a cost of $9,000. It is a draw-bridge, and a fine structure.
Old Indian Graveyard .- In cutting the crossing of Franklin and Laurel streets, the workmen came upon the bones of over one hundred skeletons, also a stone mortar, pestle, and other aboriginal implements. The place had doubtless been used by the former denizens of this vicinity as a place of sepulture.
Records of Napa City .- The " Town of Napa City " was incorporated by a special Act of the Legislature, approved March 23, 1872. From the minutes of the Board of Trustees we have compiled what follows :
The first Board was composed of John Even, J. A. Jackson, T. F. Raney, Henry Fowler and L. Bruck. The first meeting of the Board was held May 9th. The officers of the Board were: Chairman, L. Bruck; Clerk, S. E. Smith, who was also Treasurer.
May 10, 1872, Trustee Raney introduced the following motion : "That the trustees of this corporation do not recognize the authority of any con- tract made by the Board of Supervisors of Napa County for the supplying of gas for the town of Napa City after the organization of the corporation." It will be remembered that the Board of Supervisors ordered street lamps to be erected at certain places, and that an order was also promulgated that the sum of nine dollars per month be paid for each lamp to the gas com- pany. The motion quoted above was the beginning of a warfare between the city and the gas company, which ultimated in leaving the streets of the city in Egyptian darkness; and now the stranger arriving in the city after night is surprised to find a place of this size with gas works within its limits without a single light throughout its length and breadth.
J. Even introduced the following motion, May 10, 1872: That the Board of Supervisors of Napa County be requested to turn over to this corporation the engine house, together with any other property paid for by the Napa City Improvement Funds. The Board of Supervisors complied with the request.
The second Board of Trustees was composed of the same members as the first. The Chairman of the Board was T. F. Raney ; Clerk, J. C. Pier- son ; Treasurer, C. Haller ; City Marshal, Jesse Grigsby, and City Assessor, C. E. Comstock.
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History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
September 29, 1873, a Babcock Hook and Ladder Truck was purchased by the city, for which $950 was paid.
The city officers for 1874 were as follows: Trustees, George N. Corn- well, Z. W. Keyes, H. H. Knapp, W. W. Stillwagon and C. H. Allen ; Mar- shal, Thomas Earl ; Clerk, John Kean; Chairman of the Board, George N. Cornwell, and City Attorney, G. W. Towle.
August 19, 1874, it was ordered by the Board that William P. Hum- phreys make a map and establish the grades for the streets of the town, and also establish a system of sewerage. The sum of $2200 was the price agreed upon for this service.
The officers for 1875 were the same as for 1874, except that S. E. Smith was Clerk and Treasurer.
December 6, 1875, the office of Chief of Police was filled by vote of the Board, which resulted in the choice of J. B. Walden.
February 23, 1876, J. C. Pierson was appointed Clerk and Treasurer, vice S. E. Smith, resigned.
A law went into effect in 1876 by which three of the members of the old Board should hold over for one year. This was determined by lot and C. H. Allen, Geo. N. Cornwell and Dr. W. W. Stillwagon were the ones chosen.
The officers of the city for 1876 were: Trustees, for the long term, Dr. Benjamin Shurtleff and T. F. Raney, and for the unexpired term of C. H. Allen, S. B. Wilson, and these together with G. N. Cornwell and Dr. W. W. Stillwagon formed the Board; Treasurer and Clerk, J. C. Pierson ; Marshal and Assessor, Thomas Earl ; Attorney, C. B. Towle; Chairman of the Board, Dr. Benj. Shurtleff.
For the celebration of the Centennial Anniversary the Trustees appro- priated the sum of $200.
March 5, 1877, C. B. Seeley was appointed to the position of Clerk and Treasurer, and on the same date H. Fowler was appointed a member of the Board of Trustees, vice G. N. Cornwell.
The city officers for 1877 were: Trustees, G. Barth, Jos. Henry, W. R. Cooper, Dr. Benj. Shurtleff and T. F. Raney. Chairman of the Board, Dr. Benj. Shurtleff. Marshal, W. H. Holliday ; Clerk and Treasurer, J. N. Wall- ingford.
The officers for 1878 were: Trustees, Dr. Benj. Shurtleff and J. H, Mallet elected, and the hold-over members of the last Board ; Marshal. George Allen; Clerk and Treasurer, J. N. Wallingford; Attorney, G. W. Towle.
The officers for 1879 were: Trustees-J. Henry, W. R. Cooper and G. Barth, elected ; Marshal, G. W. Allen ; Treasurer and Clerk, E. S. Gridley ; Chairman of the Board, Dr. Shurtleff.
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Napa Township.
The officers for 1880 were: Trustees-A. Sampson and H. H. Knapp, elected ; Marshall, G. W. Allen; Treasurer and Clerk, J. N. Wallingford ; Chairman of the Board, H. H. Knapp.
The officers for 1881 are: Trustees-C. B. Seeley, Dr. E. Haun and W. W. Thompson, elected ; Clerk and Treasurer, T. F. Raney.
Legislative Enactments .- The following Acts of the Legislature have reference to Napa City, either specially or generally.
Bridge Across Napa River .- March 5, 1852, an Act was passed to con- firm the action of the Court of Sessions of Napa County in relation to ยท granting a franchise to John B. Horrell to erect and conduct a toll-bridge across the Napa river. We may state, as a matter of history, that this bridge was subsequently purchased by the individual subscriptions of the people of Napa, and made free. Mr. Thomas Earl took the lead in this worthy and business-like enterprise, and circulated the subscription list himself, which the late Hon. Nathan Coombs headed with $200.
Wharf at Napa City .- March 9, 1857, a franchise was granted to Brice Grimes to construct a wharf at the foot of Fourth street, in Napa City, said franchise to extend for ten years.
Animals at Large in Napa City,-April 10th, 1862, the following Act was approved : From and after May 1, 1862, it shall not be lawful for any horses, mules, cows or other horned cattle, goats or hogs to run at large in the streets of Napa City. April 17, 1863, this Act was so modified that any resident or householder in Napa City " may have and let run at large one cow, but he shall be responsible for all damages done by said cow."
Napa City Improvement .- April 1, 1864, the following Act was approved: The Board of Supervisors are hereby authorized and required at their next meeting, to levy a tax of half of one per cent. on each $100, of the assessed value of all taxable property, both real and personal, in Napa City and all its additions, which money shall be under the control of the Board of Supervisors, for the purpose of constructing cisterns, for building a truck or engine house, for purchasing new hose for the engine, and for repairing the engine. The Board is authorized to construct one cistern in the Court- house square in Napa City, and pay for the same out of the county fund.
January 24, 1870, an Act was passed as follows : A sum not to exceed $2,500, shall be set aside by the Board of Supervisors, which shall be em- ployed for the purpose of lighting the streets and supplying the cisterns with water, and repairing the engine house. The Board may also establish the grade of the streets, and a system of drainage for Napa City.
Incorporation of Napa City .- The Act incorporating the "Town of Napa City " was approved March 23, 1872, and the following boundaries were established. Commencing at the north-west corner of Spencer's addi- tion on Lincoln avenue; thence, eastwardly along said avenue, including
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History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
the same, to Trancas street ; thence south-westerly to its intersection with Lawrence street in Cornwell's Addition ; thence at right angles, eastwardly to Napa River; thence down said river to the north-east corner of Napa Abajo ; thence westwardly along the southerly line of said Napa Abajo, to the south-west corner thereof ; thence southerly along the westwardly line of Napa Abajo to the south-east corner of Cornwell and Hartsons Addition ; thence westwardly along the southerly line of said Cornwell and Hartsons Addition to the south-west corner thereof; thence northerly along the westerly line of said Cornwell and Hartsons Addition, to the north-west corner thereof; thence northerly to the south-west corner of Boggs Ad- dition ; thence northerly along the westwardly line of Boggs Addition, to the south-west corner of Spencers Addition; thence northerly along the west-side of Madison street of said Spencers Addition to the place of beginning.
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