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 36
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 36
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Among other characters who floated to the surface in an early day in the vicinity of Calistoga was Peter Storm. This old pioneer was born in Christiansend, Norway, in September, 1799. When he was fourteen years of age he left his home and followed the sea until he came to California in 1833, having traveled over many parts of the earth. His life in the early days of California was full of adventure. While he lived in this county he followed hunting and trapping mostly in this and Lake and Mendocino Counties. He was a member of the Bear Flag Party, and many believe him to be the man who made the Bear Flag. Such, however, is not the case. There is a flag in existence which is known as the Storm Bear Flag and which was made by him, but it was made several years after the occa- sion of using the first Bear Flag, and was designed in imitation of the original, and was used on the occasion of some celebration of Admission Day in Napa or Sonoma.
In November, 1873, Rev. Asa White of the Methodist Church died in Calistoga. He was the pioneer preacher of California, coming here in 1849. He held his first services in a tent on Powell street, San Francisco, and he built the first Methodist Church ever erected in that city on Powell street.
Col. M. D. Ritchie came into the township in 1850. He was born in Pennsylvania April 19, 1805, went thence to Indiana at a very early day, and thence to Illinois, where he engaged in the Blackhawk War, having command of a regiment during that time, and hence his title of Colonel. In 1846 he crossed the plains to California, there coming with him in the same train his son-in-law, Hon. John S. Stark, who was afterwards Sheriff and County Judge of Napa County. Col. Ritchie settled in Sonoma County, where he resided until 1850, when he came to Napa County, and located in Ritchie Cañon. He remained there until 1865, when he moved to Napa City, where he resided until August 20, 1874, when he died, being
E. J. Weekms M. D.
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then in his seventieth year. He was a Justice of the Peace in Hot Springs Township for several years, and was also an Associate Justice for Napa County at one time.
TOWNS .- The two principal towns in this township are Calistoga and St. Helena, both of which are lovely, thriving places. There are some em- bryotic places along the line of the railroad, which may in time spring into quite villages. For convenience we will consider Calistoga first, and then pass on southward, taking the places in their regular order as they come.
CALISTOGA .- The beautiful town of Calistoga is situated in the upper end of Hot Springs Township, and near the head of Napa Valley, and is the terminus of the Napa Valley branch of the Central Pacific Railroad. It has become famous on account of its medicinal springs, its great mining re- sources, fine scenery and lovely climate. To Samuel Brannan belongs the honor of being the founder of the place, and in this connection we will in- corporate a biographical sketch of this gentleman, which we find in Mr. Menefee's " Sketch Book :"
"Samuel Brannan was born at Saco, Maine, in 1819, and there spent his youth and received his education. In 1833 he moved to Lake County, Ohio, and was apprenticed to learn the printing business, but did not serve out his full time. In 1836-7 he was infected with the great mania for land speculation that so raged in those years throughout the whole Union. But he did not succeed so well in this land-jobbing arrangement, and soon re- turned to the press, and for the next five years traveled from town to town, and from State to State, experiencing the grim delights (fully known and realized only by his fraternity) of a journeyman printer. During these five years of toil and vicissitudes he learned much of the world, that was afterwards used to advantage. In 1842, having become acquainted with Joe Smith, the great Mormon Prophet, he connected himself with that sect, and for years labored in disseminating its doctrines. He was for a con- siderable time engaged in publishing the Mormon organ, the New York Mes- senger. In 1846, having heard so much of the Pacific Coast, he determined to come here, and, if possible, establish a colony.
" He chartered the ship 'Brooklyn,' fitted it up for passengers, and invited adventurers to embark with him. Two hundred and thirty-six pas- sengers, about sixty of whom were women, and forty children, embarked. These passengers were mostly, if not entirely Mormons. Mr. Brannan at that time, most likely, entertained the idea of planting this Mormon colony on the coast, gradually growing powerful, till this coast should be in posses- sion of the sect, and an independent government established. Mr. Brannan provided a liberal outfit for his colony for a new country. Among the articles supplied was a printing press, types, and a stock of paper, machinery for
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flour mills, and various agricultural implements. The ' Brooklyn ' sailed from New York on the 4th day of February, 1846, and five months after touched at the Sandwich Islands, where provisions, arms and ammunition were purchased for the colony, and they arrived at Yerba Buena, (now San Francisco) on the 31st of July of the same year. His colony settled on the sand hills back of Yerba Buena, and all their business was carried on under the firm-name of S. Brannan & Co., until 1847, when the concern dissolved. In 1846 Mr. Brannan erected two flour mills in that place, and in January, 1847, he commenced the publication of the pioneer paper of San Francisco, the California Star. This paper was the parent of the Alta.
" Mr. Brannan was also engaged in farming in the San Joaquin Valley and in merchandise at Sutter's Fort. In the first he failed entirely, but in the latter succeeded beyond expectation. The discovery of gold drew crowds to California, and his store was the only one in the whole Sacramento Valley, so that fabulous prices could not only be asked but obtained. It is stated on good authority that during 1848 and 1849 the average monthly sales reached the enormous sum of $150,000. At the same time Mr. Bran- nan was a large speculator in town property in the then infant city of Sacramento; and, owing to the unprecedented rise in real estate there, caused by the great mining excitement, he found himself suddenly possessed of vast wealth. In 1849, in addition to his business as a land jobber in San Francisco and Sacramento, he embarked in merchandising with China, and in 1851, purchased extensive property in the Sandwich Islands. In nearly all of his early business transactions in California he was eminently successful. Indeed, it seemed that, Midas like, whatever he touched turned to gold, till he was considered the richest man on the coast.
" In 1859 Mr. Brannan came to Napa Valley and purchased of Capt. Ritchie a square mile of land at Calistoga, on which tract are situated the famous Hot Springs. Soon after he purchased other lands from Messrs. Fowler and Hargrave, till his landed possessions about Calistoga exceeded two thousand acres. It was his design to make this place, called by him the Saratoga of the Pacific, a great watering place. His expenditures for buildings, laying off of grounds and other improvements at this place has probably not been less than half a million dollars. Mr. Brannan has spared no efforts to make his chosen town of Calistoga and the whole upper part of the county prosperous. He has, since permanently locating there, added largely to his landed possessions, and has ever been liberal to actual settlers and those desiring to carry on trade and business, calculated to enhance the value of property by making the community more prosperous.
"Since locating in Napa Valley, Mr. Brannan has continued his various business affairs, but it seems that his talisman is gone, for of late years serious financial reverses have overtaken him. He has, since the foundation
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of the State Government, taken deep interest and performed an active part in all public measures."
Added to his financial troubles was the great clod of marital infelicity, which eventually led to a separation between himself and wife, and a divi- sion of the property. He had a regal estate in Santa Clara County, in which he resided for years. Lately he has gone into a grand land scheme, Mexico being the scene of his operations. He has got a claim on a vast domain of land there, and as soon as he gets his title perfected he expects to open it for settlement, and intends establishing a colony there. That is the key that will open the doors of that rich and grand country to American settlers. A few colonies established on a thoroughly good basis there, would do much to insure success and establish confidence. We do not know that he expects to colonize it solely with Mormons, but it is possible that he is working in the interests of that sect, who doubtless know and feel that they have about had their day on free American soil.
In April, 1868, an event occurred in Mr. Brannan's life, which it is proper to record in this connection. It would seem that he had gotten into a dispute about the ownership of a mill, to which some parties laid claim, and one night as Brannan was approaching the mill he was shot. The following, taken from the Register, of Napa City, will detail the particulars of the affair : " Brannan had arrived at Calistoga on Thursday, the evening of the affair, and from evidence it appears, that while in the store, at the premises, some remarks were made about taking the mill. Brannan turned to the defendant, McDowell, and asked to go to the mill. He replied, 'all right.' After some further parleying, Brannan started out of the store in the direc- tion of the mill, accompanied by Swift. There were some six or eight in the crowd leaving the store, but only Brannan and Swift advanced nearer the mill than some hundred or more yards. It was shown that no one of those leaving the store was armed, and that none of the party, with the exception of Brannan, Swift and Garrett, went upon the mill grounds. Brannan commenced advancing towards the mill, but was ordered by some one in the mill to halt. They continued, however, to advance until within some fifty or sixty feet of the mill. Snyder, as Brannan was advancing, asked Brannan what he wanted. Mr. Brannan replied, ' I want the mill.' Snyder said ' You cannot have it, I have possession of the mill and intend to hold it.' Brannan then said ' I will come in the daylight and take the mill.'
" While standing in this position, and after some person in the mill had requested Swift to stand to one side, the firing commenced. At the time they were ordered to halt, Quinn, one of the defendants, remarked that if they, Brannan and Swift, advanced a step further, they would blow their brains out. And Lee, defendant, also said, 'If you come a step further I
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will put a hole in you.' Some one in the mill said, 'Step aside, Swift,' then an expression by one of the mill parties, 'Give it to the s- of a b-h;' then came two or three shots. Swift said, ' I am shot.' After he was shot an order was given by Snyder, 'Come away, boys.' Brannan turned and walked towards Garrett, who was standing in the rear, and eight or ten steps to one side, and remarked, ' I am shot.' Brannan then walked a step or two and fell. After he fell some two or three shots were fired. He was then taken to the road-side, being dragged there by one or two men, and found to be unconscious ; his clothes were very bloody, and he was bleeding very freely from a bullet wound in the neck. The coat that he wore was all riddled with shot, all showing that the firing was upon Brannan while he was in the act of retreating. Mr. Brannan received some eight shots in all upon his person. One wound, the most dangerous one of all, was in the neck. It came from the right and rear and entered upon the right side, passing the trachea and œsophagus, injuring the 'Adam's apple.' One passed obliquely through his right arm about four inches above the elbow. One close down to the hip, passed from the rear and right to left of the spine.
" It was shown that the defendants had heard that Brannan intended to take possession of the mill, and had armed themselves for the purpose of resisting any such attempt ; that they had shot-guns, revolvers, and that one or two of the defendants left Brannan and his party and ran to the mill and got the others in readiness for receiving Brannan. No shots were fired by Brannan, or any one with him, and no one of the party leaving the store was armed. Some thirty shots in all were fired from shot-guns and revolvers. Right away after the first firing Brannan commenced walking back to the place where he fell, and had gone some fifteen or twenty steps when he dropped. The firing commenced from the mill. The evidence of some two or three witnesses fastened the order to 'fire' or 'come away, boys,' upon the defendant Snyder ; and the words, 'Give it to the s- of a b-h' upon defendant Larbig."
In this connection the Register has this to say editorially concerning Mr. Brannan : " Mr. Brannan has done more, perhaps, than any one or two other men, for Napa County-has expended his means freely and extensively in developing the resources of the valley, and should his death follow from his wounds, his place would not be filled. It is only now, when death seems about to rob us of him, that his good qualities are recognized and appre- ciated according to their real merits."
In 1866 Messrs. Henry Gettleson and M. Friedberg came to Calistoga and erected a store building 20x36, one-story high, and put in a stock of goods. This was the first place of business ever opened in the place, and they came at the solicitation of Mr. Brannan. There were no improvements or build-
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ings there then, other than those which Brannan had erected in connection with the springs. The Fowler house stood across the creek to the west, and the store was located about midway between the two places, and about in the heart of the present town. Mr. Friedberg is still in business in the original building, which stands on the north side of the main street of the place, and just east of the Lodi Stables.
The name of Calistoga was given to the place in the fall of 1867, by Mr. Brannan. It was his boast that he was going to make the place the Saratoga of California, so he just spliced the names and called it Cal(is)toga, the middle syllable being inserted for euphony. The place had already been previously called Hot Springs by the few Americans, and Agua Caliente by the Spaniards and Indians.
While Messrs. Gettleson & Friedberg may justly claim the priority of doing business in the town proper, a man by the name of Woodward must really come in for the honor of having the first business place in that part of the valley. He had a small store and kept the post-office, near the Fowler House, when the former gentlemen arrived there.
G. B. Clifford built the Lodi Stables in 1868. Messrs. Letter & Chesebro built and opened a saloon in that year. Then the railroad reached the place, and a number of business places sprang into existence, and a number of people settled in the place. At the time of the completion of the rail- road there was an excursion train, which brought three thousand people into the place, and Mr. Brannan tendered the visitors a grand reception. J. M. Finley, an old miner, was the first man to make the discovery of quick- silver in this section, and he located the Great Western Quicksilver Mine, in Lake County. But, as is usual, the locator never reaped any great benefit from his discovery, and he fell from a bridge and was drowned some years later, dying a poor man. The first hotel in the place was built by Mr. Delosh, and he called it the Mountain House.
Calistoga Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons .- Calistoga Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 233, was organized March 21, 1874, with the following charter members: John D. Crittenden, L. H. Hopkins, H. H. Mitchell, H. Get- tleson, F. P. Nicholson, James Mitchell, D. J. Gloyd, C. A. Demick, W. P. Boyce, J. T. Noel, William A. Hopkins, T. H. Rickman, W. F. Fisher and J. A. Chesebro. The officers U. D. were: J. D. Crit- tenden, W. M .; L. H. Hopkins, S. W .; H. H. Mitchell, J. W .; H. Gettle- son, Treasurer; and F. P. Nicholson, Secretary. The charter was granted by the Grand Lodge October 24, 1874, and the first officers elected U. C. were: F. P. Nicholson, W. M .; J. Drysdale, S. W .; C. A. Demick, J. W .; H. Gettleson, Treasurer; and J. T. Noel, Secretary. The following named gentlemen have been honored with the position of W. M .: J. D. Crittenden, F. P. Nicholson, J. S. Fruits, L. H. Hopkins, J. R. Wright, W. N. Harley, E.
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B. Wooley, and J. C. Wright. The present officers are: J. C. Wright, W. M .; J. B. Brown, S. W .; N. Conner, J. W .; H. Gettleson, Treasurer; and F. A. Freeman, Secretary. The present membership is thirty-five, and the lodge is in a prosperous condition.
Calistoga Lodge of Independent Order of Odd-Fellows .- Calistoga Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 227, was organized August 8, 1874, with the following charter members : H. H. Nunnally, Enoch Snow, T. T. Walker, J. Cyrus, C. A. Menefee, C. W. Northupp, J. D. Crittenden, W. D. Owsley and G. W. Gullaver. The first officers were T. T. Walker, N. G .; J. Cyrus, V. G .; C. W. Northupp, Treasurer ; C. A. Menefee, Secretary. The following gentle- men have filled position of Noble Grand: T. T. Walker, J. Cyrus, C. A. Menefee, W. D. Owsley, S. W. Collins, George Lillie, Charles Lillie, O. P. Cash, B. F. Bradshaw, M. Murphy, O. H. Linscott, G. W. Weeks and James Yarrington. The present officers are James Yarrington, N. G .; R. P. John- son, V. G .; R. Decker, Treasurer ; A. M. Gardner, Recording Secretary ; and S. W. Collins, Permanent Secretary, The present membership is forty-five, and the lodge is in a healthy condition. The meetings are held in a very nicely furnished hall.
Monroe Lodge Independent Order of Good Templars .- Monroe Lodge, I. O. G. T., No. 368, was organized December 3, 1879, with the following charter members, W. R. Teale, J. H. Blunt, J. Muir, Annie Jewell, Mary Tucker, Helen Bryant, J. H. Downey, W. M. Ingram, C. L. Cole, E. S. Mur- phy, William L. Amies, O. H. Linscott, F. B. Lardner, M. Murphy, L. S. Cherry, J. McFarling, J. W. Cyrus, Mary A. Cyrus, Fannie Downey, Mrs. M. E. Mather, Mrs. W. S. Bryant, Grace W. Jewell, Mrs. E. B. Butler, E. Light and W. S. Bryant. The first officers were, J. McFarling, W. C. T .; Fannie Downey, W. V. T .; Grace W. Jewell, W. S .; W. R. Teale, W. A. S .; E. Light, W. F. S .; and James Cyrus, W. T. The present officers are W. B. Crossis, W. C. T .; Miss H. E. Bryant, W. V. T .; F. B. Lardner, W. S .; Miss E. Downey, W. A. S .; F. Athearn, W. F. S .; and Miss M. Cyrus, W. T. The present membership is forty-five, and the lodge is increasing in numbers and interest all the time. The meetings are held in the elegant hall of the Odd- Fellows.
Presbyterian Church .- The Presbyterian Church at Calistoga was or- ganized by Rev. Thomas Fraser, Synodical Agent on the Pacific Coast for that denomination, January 28, 1871. The organizing members of this church were: A. Safeley, Mrs. Margaret Safeley, Miss I. G. Safeley, Miss A. R. Safeley, Thomas F. Towle, Mrs. Josephine Towle, J. I. Logan, Mrs. U. J. Logan, Mrs. Ann M. Fairfield, J. G. Randall, M. Garnett, Mrs. Cath- erine A. McDonald, Mrs. Lizzie McCrory, John McCausland, Mrs. Rachel R. McCausland, Mrs. Annis F. Wass, Miss Lizzie R. Wass, Gallen M. Fisher, Mrs. Susan F. Fisher, Miss Florence Fisher, John Wass, Mrs. Eliza A. Wass,
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J. R. Wright, Mrs. E. Wright, Austin J. Roberts, Mrs. Mary A. Tavor, Miss E. Tavor. Rev. C. H. Crawford worked the church up, and was instru- mental in its organization. In June, 1873, Rev. James Mitchell took charge of the church in connection with the Presbyterian Church in St. Helena, preaching in both places every Sabbath, alternating the morning and even- ing services. He has served the people very acceptably indeed, and has built up strong churches in both places. When he came to Calistoga the church was not in a very prosperous condition, but now it is flourishing. They have a building which is 54 x32 in size, and of very handsome architecture. It was erected in 1872, at a cost of $2300, and the lot and furniture added made the cost of the property $3000. The present mem- bership is forty-seven, and gradually increasing. There is a Sunday School connected with the church, but it is small, the attendance being about fifty.
Methodist Episcopal Church .- The following historical sketch of the Calistoga Methodist Episcopal Church has been kindly furnished us by the present pastor, Rev. M. D. Buck :
In 1868, under the labors of Rev. W. S. Bryant, the foundation for the church was laid in Calistoga. Soon after, the railroad company needing the lot, purchased it. Sam Brannan gave another lot, and in 1869 the church was completed. The society has been served by the following pastors :
1869-70, W. C. Curry ; 1870-1, G. W. Henning; 1871-2, H. B. Shel- don ; 1872-3, R. M. Williamson ; 1873-4, William Gordon ; 1874-6, H. C. Tallman. During this time a parsonage was built ; 1876-7, A. R. Sheriff; 1877-8, J. F. Burkholder; 1878-9, S. Kinsey ; 1879-81, M. D. Buck. In 1880 the parsonage was sold, and a debt of $800 on the church property was canceled. The value of the church and lot is $1000. The building will seat one hundred and fifty persons. The society numbers sixty members. It has, during most of its history, been united with the society at St. Helena, and under the charge of one pastor. The first trustees were William McDonnell, Peter Teale and Alonzo Hopkins.
Calistoga School .- The building was erected in 1873 at a cost of $6000, and is a model of neatness and good taste. There are two depart- ments, and the attendance is about two hundred and twenty-five. The best of teachers are employed, and good schools are always maintained.
Calistoga Flour Mill .- This mill was erected in 1880 by a joint-stock company, of which Mr. E. B. Wooley was President, and W. H. Harley Sec- retary. It is 40x80 and two stories high, and cost $8000. There are three run of stones, two for wheat and one for corn, and it has a capacity of fifty barrels every twelve hours. There is a forty-horse power engine in the mill, and all the latest improvements in the way of machinery, and the flour manufactured at this mill is second to none in the State. Mr. William Hansen is the present lessee.
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Business Directory .- The business interests of Calistoga are as follows : One bakery, three livery stables, two blacksmith shops, two shoe shops, three stores, one furniture store, one carpenter shop, one confectionery, one tailor shop, two hardware stores, two meat markets, one barber shop, two hotels, one saddlery, two millinery stores, one jeweler, one drug store, one carriage shop, one paint shop, three doctors, one real estate agency, one newspaper, and five saloons.
Calistoga being the terminus of the railroad, is consequently the point from which numerous stage lines diverge. From here there is a stage line running to Lakeport, one to Lower Lake and Sulphur Bank, one to Harbin Springs, one to the Geysers, one to Kellogg, and perhaps others, but these are the main ones. The place presents a very lively appearance during the summer season upon the arrival of the passenger train from San Francisco. Scores of tourists are rushing helter-skelter, seeking for the stage they are to take, or inquiring for routes and desirable places. All this makes busi- ness for the hotel men and livery men, not to mention the enormous stage business that is done Mr. W. F. Fisher, the owner of the two Lake County stage lines, keeps the best of stock and drivers upon his routes, and when one of his large passenger wagons, with six horses attached to it, filled to over- flowing with passengers and baggage, swings into the street, and starts out upon the " keen jump," as the drivers say, it presents a fine sight.
Calistoga has a post-office, and Wells, Fargo & Co. express office, and has telegraphic communication with San Francisco, and with all points along the line extending from that place, through Lake County to Colusa.
"THE BUNGALOW."-Among the places of summer resort and resi- dences in Napa County, the home of Mrs. Lillie Hitchcock Coit stands in the front rank. She owns about three hundred and twenty acres of splen- did valley land, situated about four and a half miles south-east of Calis- toga. It is all valley land, very rich, and is kept in a high state of cultiva- tion. On the place there are from three to seven acres of orchard, and about sixty acres of vines, among which are some very choice varieties. The proprietress is a fine stock fancier, and on the place may be found some of the best blood in Napa County and in the State. In cattle she has fine specimens of Jersey Downs and Durhams ; in horses she has the little mare " Tom-boy," which captured a premium in San Francisco in 1874 ; also a fine four-in-hand team, over which she draws the reins with an ease and grace that would cause the envy of any Jehu. Her house, the "Bungalow," is her pride, however-and well it might be. It is constructed just as the houses in India are. There is a verandah entirely around the building, with two main halls passing through it at right angles. There are four rooms, one in each corner, and the doors of them open upon the verandah.
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