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 30
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 30
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constantly being made. All members of the art department are first re- quired to take model and object drawing before they can work with crayons or colors. The class spend one afternoon of each week in sketching from nature.
In the commercial department theory and practice are combined. In the latter the student will receive careful drill in actual business practice, and will be required to draw up and use in his transactions the various forms of business paper. Throughout the course the student receives individual instruction, and thus is not kept back by others of less ability and application. Commercial law and political economy are required in this course. The first class graduated in 1874, and each year the number of the alumni has been increased and now numbers fifty-two.
The institute was one of the first schools on this coast to proclaim its belief in co-education. To-day the majority of the leading schools of the State admit ladies and gentlemen. Everywhere under wise Christian influence, the plan refines and enobles, and is working well. With each sex occupying separate buildings, and in each building teachers living with the students, a healthful home-like influence is secured. The improvement under these conditions in manner, self-reliance and social culture, and the development of manhood and womanhood is often marked. More than fifteen hundred students have received instruction in its halls since 1871, and more than two thousand since its first opening. Old students are found in all sections west of the Rocky Mountains, and others are scattered in some twelve States. The Faculty is progressive and energetic ; the Board of Trustees efficient and liberal. The day is not far distant when, with liberal endowments and increased facilities, its course of study and influence will be greatly enlarged.
The Napa Ladies' Seminary .- We are under obligations to Prof. D. W. Hanna for the historical notes of this institution: The Napa Ladies' Seminary was established under the auspices of Miss Harris, and conducted by her as principal during a term of four years. After her resignation, and an interim of a few months, the school was resumed by Miss Maria S. McDonald, through whose untiring energy and indefatigable labors it yearly increased in numbers and influence, by accessions from home and abroad. Miss McDonald assumed the position in 1864, and conducted the institution for five years. It is but due to her memory to speak of her eminent executive ability, her rare art of discipline, her tact and originality, and more than all, her scholarship and Christian character, all of which adapted her pre-eminently for the profession she had chosen, and in which she achieved such signal success. After the death of Miss Maria S. Mc- Donald, which occurred in 1869, her sister, Miss Sarah F. McDonald as- sumed the active management of the school, and conducted its affairs in
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such a manner as to win for herself and the school an enviable reputation throughout the coast. For ten years Miss McDonald discharged with fidel- ity and success the arduous duties devolving upon her. She was succeeded by her nephew, Mr. F. A. McDonald, who had been connected with the school for some years previous to his aunt's death, and who managed the business of the school for two years, resigning his position at the close of the school year, May 25, 1881.
The school is now in charge of D. W. Hanna, A. M., who has taken hold of the work with an energy and zeal that warrants success. Having had, with his wife and daughter, large experience in this work, the future pros- perity of the seminary is fully assured. The present year opened with a large increase of attendance, which has been so greatly augmented that at this time the limit which he has set has been almost reached. The grounds are being beautified, walks laid out, a large fountain has been placed in the yard ; bath-rooms have been added, gas brought into the buildings, and in fact everything put in the very best condition. Neither have other things been neglected. The corps of teachers is full, and of the best talent; a special teacher of elocution has been employed, and a philo- sophical and chemical laboratory is being added to the other apparatus of the seminary.
Oak Mound School .- Prof. C. M. Walker, principal of this school, has kindly furnished us with the following: In the year 1872, a few enterpris- ing and liberal gentlemen, among whom were Geo. E. Goodman, W. C. S. Smith, Jesse Grigsby, A. G. Boggs and W. C. Wallace, seeing the necessity for increased educational advantages for boys, to prepare them for admission to the State University or for the active duties of life, established a school under the instruction of Rev. Mr. Blake. The following year they erected a small but well arranged building in the southern part of the town, and procured the services of C. M. Walker, A. B., a graduate of Bowdoin College, Maine, to take charge of the school. The term opened with ten pupils. In three years the number had increased to sixty. The building was enlarged to twice its original size, and other teachers employed to meet the growing demands of the school. The great aim of the Board of Directors is to have a select and good school.
The curriculum of studies embraces all the English branches, usually taught in the high schools of the country, together with the ancient and modern languages. Bookkeeping and business forms also receive special attention. The school is exclusively for boys and is non-sectarian. It is in a word, a high school for boys. Many pupils, having completed the course of study at Oak Mound, have entered the State University or some Eastern college, while others are filling positions of responsibility in business.
The following teachers are at present employed: C. M. Walker, A. M.,
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Principal ; F. O. Mower, A. B .; Prof. G. Schulte ; Miss Carrie E. Walker. Special teachers in penmanship, elocution and other branches are employed, from time to time, as the interests of the school require.
NEWSPAPER BIOGRAPHY .- Under this head the Napa Daily Gazette published the following: "The first newspaper published in Napa City was the Napa County Reporter, by A. J. Cox, in 1856, and is at present (1870) published by Lank Higgins. The next was the Weekly Herald, in 1858, which ran but a short time as a Democratic paper, and then died. Next came the Napa Sun, a small weekly paper, by A. J. Cox, in 1859, which lingered but a short time. In 1861 the Pacific Echo, published by Alex. Montgomery, came upon the stage. It was run as a Democratic paper (of the secession caste of sentiment) until the assassination of President Lin- coln, when it wisely folded its tent and quietly stole away. In 1863 the Napa Register made its appearance, published by Horrell & Strong as a Republican paper. In 1866 the Daily Reporter was started by Higgins & Leach (Lank Higgins and Frank A. Leach). Higgins withdrew shortly after, leaving the management to Leach & Gregg, which they managed very successfully for nearly one year. They then sought a better field, and moved to Vallejo and established the Chronicle. And, not last of all, comes the Daily Morning Gazette, an independent paper, which was started March 1, 1870, by L. S. Barnes & Co., with W. J. Bowman, editor."
The Register copies the above, and then adds: "This 'Biography ' is very well as far as it goes, but it is incomplete as it omits the Napa Times, and to mention several newspaper men who have had quite as much to do with the papers of Napa County as the persons named, and perhaps a little more than either of them, or all of them together. It would seem to us that a newspaper biography for Napa County without the name of R. T. Montgomery and that of Mason D. Brownson must be about as deficient as Hamlet with the ghost left out, or Paradise Lost without the devil. These men have probably performed more newspaper head and hand work than all the rest combined. R. T. Montgomery became a half owner of the Re- porter in 1856, a few months after its establishment by Mr. Cox. The paper was then a small affair of four columns.
" The material consisted of four small founts of second-hand type, an old Washington hand press, whose platen was 14 x 17 inches, the whole scarcely more than a dray-load, and the paper was in articulo mortis, with- out patronage or support. Indeed, it could hardly claim to be a fully estab- lished newspaper until the firm of Montgomery & Cox purchased new material and enlarged the paper, began to publish it regularly instead of semi-occasionally, and made it a newspaper instead of a sheet more than half full of dead advertisements, which no one ever read or paid for. Not
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until February, 1857, did the Reporter command anything like a decent circulation or even make its expenses. From that time may be dated its prosperity and influence as a public journal.
" In April, 1857, Lank Higgins began his apprenticeship under Mont- gomery & Cox, and remained in the office until April, 1860. On the 6th of September, 1858, Mr. Cox left the concern, and, in connection with Frank Farrell, since deceased, started the Napa City Semi- Weekly Sun, which was published less than six weeks. Mr. Cox removed to Sonoma County the spring following, and for the past twelve years has neither edited nor published a paper in Napa County. Mr. Montgomery, in connection with M. D. Brownson, A. M. Parry and J. I. Horrell, as printers and co-editors continued to publish the Reporter until October, 1863, when it passed into the hands of Miner & Higgins, and finally the latter became sole proprietor. Mr. Brownson was connected with the paper for more than five years, and was recognized as an able contributor to its editorial columns. In 1870, he was still doing yeoman's service on the Daily Vallejo Chronicle. At the same date Mr. Parry was editor and publisher of the Independent, at Eureka, Humboldt County.
"The Register was started August 10, 1863, by J. I. Horrell, under the name of the Napa Valley Register. October 20th of that year, L. Hoxie Strong became a half owner in the concern, and on the 14th day of the following November, he died of apoplexy. On the same day, less than four weeks after he severed his connection with the Reporter, Mr. Montgomery took editorial charge of the Register, where he remained until January 1, 1864. Mr. Horrell then sold a half interest to N. E. White, Mr. Montgom- ery still contributing to its columns, and at the end of a month he pur- chased Mr. Horrell's interest in the establishment, and remained a partner with Mr. White until January 1, 1866, when he sold to the latter. On the 1st of May following, Mr. Montgomery became sole proprietor, and so con- tinued till October 23, 1869, excepting a period of six months, ending July 1, 1868, during which Mr. White was sole proprietor, and Mr. Montgomery was connected with the San Francisco Daily Times.
" It appears, then, that Mr. Montgomery has been connected with the Press of this county fully twice as long as any other editor or publisher in the county, and since the days when Napa was a hamlet. The name of J. D. Lillard, editor and founder of the Herald, must be mentioned, those of his successors, Wm. D. Townes and Thomas J. Tucker. The Daily Reporter was not the first daily paper issued in Napa City. The Napa Daily Adver- tiser was the first, started by R. T. Montgomery, on the 22d day of Sep- tember, 1866; but the publisher had the sagacity to abandon it after two issues."
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Napa Reporter .- The following sketch of this paper has been furnished us by Mr. John Walden, the present editor :
" The Reporter was the first paper published in Napa County. The first number was issued on the 4th of July, 1856, by A. J. Cox. R. T. Mont- gomery became joint proprietor in the following December, and in the next February new material was purchased. When the paper was first estab- lished Napa had neither business nor population to support it. During the first six months it maintained a sickly existence, being issued sometimes once a week and at others two and sometimes three weeks would elapse between issues. It was a small sheet of four columns, with two pages constantly filled with dead advertisements. The subscription list in 1857 did not contain twenty paying subscribers.
" The office was a rickety old shanty about eighteen feet square, next below the American Hotel on Main street. It was neither ceiled, plastered nor papered, and the floor was of rough lumber, through which were cracks an inch wide. In the roof was a large hole, apparently left for a flue or chimney, through which the rain descended in torrents. There were no windows except a couple of sashes nailed securely to the wall. It was with great difficulty in winter, even when wood was obtainable, that the place could be kept warm enough to work in; and it often happened that wood could not be had at any price, in consequence of the horrible condition of the roads. In the winter of 1856-7 the publisher paid $5.00 for as much as filled the box of a buggy. It was hauled less than twenty rods and the seller got 'stalled' on Main street, buggy and horse sinking in the mud, and it cost him more in 'treats' than the price of the wood to get the outfit on terra firma. The editorial lodging room was in the garret, and an iron camp-bedstead and a few blankets comprised the entire furniture.
" The material of the office was on a par with the building. It con- sisted, all told, of a Washington hand press, foolscap size, with a platen 14x17 inches, on which the paper was printed one page at a time; a small fount of second-hand Minion, and another of Long Primer. There was no jobbing material whatever. This press, which is now in the possession of the Sonoma Pioneers, was brought to San Francisco from Mexico, at the close of the war, and taken by Mr. Cox to Sonoma, where it was used some three years in printing the Sonoma Bulletin. He then moved it to Vallejo, and in the fall of 1855, in connection with Dr. E. B. Eaton, published the Vallejo Bulletin, for a few weeks. In June, 1856, he brought it to Napa, where the Reporter was printed on it until February, 1857, when a new press was purchased, and the office removed to the corner of Third and Main streets, where Hartson's brick building now stands. On the 6th of September, 1858, Mr. Cox left the Reporter, and in the division of the ma- terial the old press fell to his share, and was used for three months by Cox
J. S. Tubody
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& Farrell in publishing the Semi-Weekly Sun. Shortly afterwards Mr. Cox removed his office to Healdsburg, and used the same press in printing the Review, of that place. Thence the press went to Lakeport, Lake County, and did service in printing one or two political papers, each of which died a natural death. Probably its labors are now at an end, as in the hands of the Pioneer Association it will be kept as a relic of the olden times. Of this press R. T. Mongomery says: 'The writer (himself ) has earned many a thousand dollars, and performed many a hard day's work upon it in the days of high prices, when very common cards and bill-heads were three dol- lars per hundred, and small sheet posters thirty dollars per hundred.'
" The Reporter was started as an independent paper, and took no part in politics until the great split occurred in the Democratic party, on the Kan- sas question, when it became the advocate of the principles of Stephen A. Douglas. Mr. Montgomery, in connection with M. D. Brownson, A. M. Parry and J. I. Horrell continued to publish the paper till October, 1863, it being under their management a supporter of the Lincoln administra- tion, and an advocate of the principles of the Union party. At this date it passed into the hands of Miner & Higgins, and finally into the hands of Lank Higgins alone. The political character of the paper was then changed, and it became a vehement opposer of the Lincoln administration. In the winter of 1870, it was sold to W. F. Henning, who still continued it as a Democratic paper. In October, 1871, R. T. Montgomery purchased the es- tablishment. Soon, C. A. Menefee became a partner and in August following became sole proprietor. Shortly after this a half interest was sold to A. A. R. Utting, and the paper was published under the firm-name of C. A. Menefee & Co. During this administration the Daily Reporter was estab- lished, and still continues to be issued in the morning. In 1875, Capt. G. W. Gift purchased an interest in the paper and continued its management until he died, which occurred in 1878. The paper is now conducted by his wife, with John Walden as editor and business manager, and is a bright, newsy, and well-conducted journal, receiving a just and liberal share of the city and county patronage. There is also a fine job department connected with it."
Napa Herald .- In 1858, the Napa City Herald first made its appear- ance. It was owned by a joint stock company, comprising. the most in- fluential Democrats in the county, and was a strong advocate of the meas- ures of Buchanan's administration, and of the Southern view of the slavery question. J. D. Lillard, a young lawyer from Kentucky, was its first editor, and he was succeeded by Wm. H. Townes and Thomas J. Tucker. The paper, however, proved unsuccessful, and was discontinued within a few months. The establishment came into the hands of Frank Farrell and J.
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Wallace Higgins soon after ; and in 1859, they issued a paper of the same character under the name of the Napa Times. This paper also died in a few months from lack of support.
The Echo .- July 20, 1861, Alexander Montgomery commenced the pub- lication of the Napa Echo, which violently opposed the measures of the administration of President Lincoln, and every measure taken to subdue the Southern rebellion. Its circulation and patronage were limited, and in a pecuniary point of view it was never successful. Its publication was sus- pended the morning after the assassination of President Lincoln. Mr. Montgomery then went to Marysville and thence to other parts, and finally became proprietor of the Mendocino Democrat, and he was in Ukiah in 1880.
Napa Daily and Weekly Register .- In addition to the above general statements of the history of the Register, we have been supplied with the following sketch by Mr. G. M. Francis : " The Register was started in Napa by J. I. Horrell, August 10, 1863, under the title of Napa Valley Register. In October of the same year, L. Hoxie Strong became associated with Mr. Horrell in its publication, but his sudden death a few weeks afterward terminated the partnership thus formed, and the founder of the paper was again alone in its management. January 2, 1864, Mr. N. E. White bought an interest in the paper, and at that time its title was changed to The Napa Register. February 6, 1864, N. E. White became sole proprietor, and R. T. Montgomery, editor, the paper remaining under this management until April 28, 1866, when Mr. Montgomery came into full possession. He enlarged the paper to seven columns, and remained at the helm until Nov- ember, 1867, when the office was turned over to an association, Mr. Mont- gomery being retained as editor and business manager. In January, 1868, Mr. N. E. White again became publisher and proprietor, but in a few months thereafter, turned the property over to its former owner, Mr. Montgomery. October 30, 1869, Montgomery sold out to R. D. Hopkins and John M. Coghlan, the business being conducted under the firm-name of R. D. Hop- kins & Co. up to October 29, 1870, when G. M. Francis, its present publisher, purchased Mr. Coghlan's half interest in the paper, shortly after enlarging it to thirty-two columns. February 10, 1872, G. W. Henning succeeded Mr. Hopkins as half owner; May 17, 1873, Charles A. Gardner in like manner succeeded Mr. Henning; January 9, 1875, Mr. Gardner sold to S. M. Tool ; May 8, 1875, Mr. Francis purchased Mr. Tool's interest, and was alone in the management of the paper from that date to December, 1876, when H. S. Spalding bought a half interest. The partnership of Francis & Spalding continued to February 1, 1881, when G. M. Francis again be- came sole proprietor. The Register was started as a Republican paper, and from the day of its birth has advocated Republican principles. November
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25, 1872, a daily evening edition was started in connection with the Weekly Register, and has since been published regularly, having been twice enlarged, and gained a large circulation and extensive advertising patron- age. An extensive job department is connected with the press-room.
Napa Gold Dollar .- This was a little daily sheet, started in the fall of 1878, by - Ebersole. He sold an interest to J. H. Cooper, who eventu- ally became sole proprietor. Its field was limited, and was finally suspended.
Robert T. Montgomery .- Much of the above historical matter concern- ing the newspaper history of Napa is from the pen of Mr. Robert T. Mont- gomery, when not credited elsewhere. No man that ever lived in Napa was better fitted to write a full and correct history of the Press of the place, hence we have copied copiously from that chapter in the "Sketch Book." And in this connection it is fitting and proper that we append a short bio- graphical sketch of this pioneer journalist of Napa City. He was born in 1821, in Richmond, Virginia. He was apprenticed to the printers' trade, and followed it all his days, in all its branches, from the case to the tripod. In the latter position he was at his best, and in it he did a work in Napa City that will never be excelled and seldom equalled. He had a massive mind, a quick and keen perception, a good use of language, recognizing the delicate shadings of words. His expressions were always chaste in his editorials, and the moral sentiments inculcated always pure. He knew what was meant by the term gentleman, and such, when he was himself, he always was. He came to California in 1853, and engaged in school teaching until 1856, when he connected himself with the press of Napa City. June 10, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah B. Cox, sister of his partner, A. J. Cox. The issue of the Reporter of the 13th was printed in red ink, in commemoration of the event. His journalistic record has already been fully written up. Poor Montgomery! No man was capable of holding a higher and prouder position in his relations, social and intel- lectual, than he, and none suffered themselves to sink lower. His name is found on the records of church organizations, financial corporations, tem- perance societies, and the police court. The demon alcohol possessed him, and drove him from the summit to the chasm, and he died a vagrant in the county hospital, on the charity of the people he had so long lived among and so faithfully served in the discharge of his editorial duties. His death occurred December 4, 1878. Let us draw the veil of utter forgetfulness over his short-comings, and let only the bright spots of his genuinely true char- acter live. Requiescat in pace.
FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS .- Yount Lodge, No. 12, F. & A. M., was organized January 24, A. D. 1851, with the following charter members : W. D. Deering, J. M. Small, M. T. McClellan, W. W. Stillwagon, George C.
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Yount, Joseph Mount, B. Vines, Thomas Chapman, J. M. Moody, and M. H. N. Kendig. The officers U. D. were: W. D. Deering, W. M .; J. M. Small, S. W .; M. T. McClellan, J. W .; W. W. Stillwagon, Secretary, and George C. Yount, Treasurer. The charter was granted May 15, 1851. The first officers U. C. were W. D. Deering, W. M .; J. M. Small, S. W .; J. H. Seawell, J. W .; W. W. Stillwagon, Secretary, and George C. Yount, Treasurer. The following named members have filled the position of W. M .: W. D. Deering, J. M. Small, J. H. Seawell, Wesley Vaughn, Ed. McGarry, J. M. Dudley, Robert Crouch, H. H. Knapp, W. B. Carlton, F. M. Hackett, T. J. Tucker, Ralph Ellis, William Bradford, F. E. Johnson, and C. R. Gritman. The present officers are H. H. Knapp, W. M .; A. J. Hull, S. W .; F. N. Giles, J. W .; P. Van Bever, Treasurer, and F. M. Hackett, Secretary. The present membership is eighty.
Napa Chapter, R. A. M .- Napa Chapter, No. 30, R. A. M., was organ- ized U. D. November 10, 1860, with the following charter members : H. A. Gaston, H. H. Knapp, M. L. Haas, O. A. Peck, E. E. Harvey, W. B. May, D. Spencer, G. C. Yount, W. W. Stillwagon, and F. B. Gilmore. The first officers were H. A. Gaston, H. P .; D. Spencer, K .; G. C. Yount, S .; H. H. Knapp, C. of H .; W. B. May, P. S .; M. L. Haas, R. A. C .; W. W. Still- wagon, G. M. of third veil, and F. B. Gilmore G. M. of second veil. The following members have held the position of H. P .: H. A. Gaston, H. H. Knapp, R. Crouch, R. Ellis, W. Bradford and C. R. Gritman. The present officers are C. R. Gritman, H. P .; B. Johnson, K .; G. Bustelli, Scribe; P. Van Bever, Treasurer, and D. L. Haas, Secretary. The present membership is forty-one.
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