History of Sacramento County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, 1923, Part 10

Author: Reed, G. Walter
Publication date: 1923
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1026

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Early Vicissitudes of the City

The council soon had a burden of troubles of its own. The community had enjoyed ro- bust health during the spring and summer months, but with the fall a terrible change came. Many of the adventurous immigrants had seemed to think that nothing was neces- sary to their success except to reach Califor- nia. Many of them were destitute on their arrival. Not one in a hundred had money to buy an outfit for the mines at the ruinous prices asked. Many were suffering from hard- ships and privations endured on the overland journey, or as steerage passengers saturated with scorbutic diseases or so depressed or de- spondent that they became an easy prey for disease. Nine-tenths of these adventurers poured into Sacramento, the nearest point for outfitting for the mines. Here they met an- other train of scorbutic sufferers straggling in from the East, debilitated and worn out by the hardships encountered.

From these causes Sacramento had become one vast lazar-house long before the city gov- ernment was organized, and the council imme- diately found a serious condition confronting it. This was intensified by the fact that as men became accustomed to these scenes of suffering, familiarity with them hardened their hearts, and cupidity took possession of them. The lure of gold beckoned them away. They could not spare time to relieve the distress of their fellows. They must press on to the dig- gings and begin to acquire their fortunes. Fathers abandoned their sons, and sons aban- doned their fathers when they required a little troublesome care. When they could be of no further use to each other friendship and kin- ship became mere words. One flagrant case was that of an old father, who had furnished the means for his son and other relatives to come to the new Eldorado, but was deserted by them as he lay dying with scurvy on the levee, where he soon passed away. The sick and suffering accumulated so fast that by July means of caring for them were entirely inade- quate. Creigan's Hospital at the fort and the one opened by Dr. Deal and Dr. Martin were filled, but the prices for nursing and board were prohibitive to four-fifths of those needing care. Miasmatic fevers added to the misery and distress of the scurvy.

But charity had not departed, and compas- sion and help were at hand in a limited degree. Two great fraternal orders were represented among the community, not organized into lodges, but numbering many individual mem- bers. The feeling of brotherhood that had bound them together, also bound them to re- lieve distress as far as lay in their power, and nobly did they come to the front and face the

HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

stupendous task. The first effective efforts for relief came from members of the fraternity of Odd Fellows. They came together and bound themselves into an informal organiza- tion and devoted themselves with earnest zeal to the relief of the distressed. A. M. Winn was elected president of the association, a Mr. McLaren secretary and Captain Gallup treas- urer. Every member of this body became a visiting committee and an immense amount of relief was dispensed.

They were joined by the members of the Masonic fraternity in their efforts to take care of the sick and destitute. "The two noble orders contributed money and exertions as freely as if their lives had been devoted to the exclusive function of human kindness," says Dr. Morse, "and their fair names are inscribed in indelible and living characters upon those pages of history which California ought to and must preserve." But their combined efforts, assisted by those of the council, could not do all there was to do. The people were appealed to in a public meeting to come forward and assist in the general effort for relief. The pres- ident of the council was dispatched to Monte- rey for the purpose of laying the case before General Riley and procuring from him some of the public funds then in his possession. But their mission was a failure, as General Riley, the military governor of the territory, did not consider he had the right thus to use the na- tional funds.

Sacramento was then thrown upon her own resources, and with her treasury empty and low credit, she did all that was possible and by cooperation with individual effort and the two fraternities she succeeded in furnishing a tol- erable shelter and medical attendance for the sick. Rough pine coffins had ranged from $60 to $150, and even then the supply was far from sufficient, so hundreds had been buried without coffins and even without being wrapped up in a blanket. The Odd Fellows spent thousands of dollars for coffins and when General Winn became the executive officer of the city, no man was refused a coffin burial. The scenes of those days were terrible and the description of their horrors is almost unread- able.

When the rains set in the misery was in- creased. Many of the sick, with typhus and other fevers, lay without shelter from the piti- less storms. Finally Drs. Morse and Stillman aroused the sympathies of Barton Lee, whose name should occupy an honored place in the city's history, and induced him to erect a story and a half hospital, 40 by 50 feet, at the corner of Third and K Streets. The city determined also to erect a two-story hospital, 20 by 60 feet, between I and J, Ninth and Tenth Streets, and $7,000 was expended for lumber, but when

it was partially erected it was prostrated to the ground by a rain and wind storm, and the timber so injured as to make it almost useless for building purposes.

But the future city was doomed to pass through a yet more trying period. An enemy came like a thief in the night, for which she had made no provision. The reckless specula- tors had declared there was no danger of in- undation and the people had been credulous enough to believe them when they declared that the city's site had remained free from flood during the sojourn of the oldest Califor- nians. The people had not raised their build- ings, but had built on the ground wherever their lots happened to be. The rains through the latter part of December and the first part of January had awakened anxiety. The Sac- ramento and American Rivers were rising rap- idly and the back country seemed to be filling up and cutting off communication with the higher lands. But the citizens, with fatuous confidence in the assertions that a flood could not harm them, made no preparations for the deluge. Hence, when it came, there was no adequate protection for life or property. Many were drowned, some in their beds, some in trying to escape, and many from the terrible exposure. The few boats belonging to the shipping at the Embarcadero were pressed into service to rescue the women and children and the sick, that were scattered over the city in tents and canvas houses. Some of the wo- men were found standing upon beds or boxes, in water a foot or two deep. Sick men on cots were floating about helplessly. By mere acci- dent a boat in which Capt. J. Sherwood was manager passed the hospital and was attracted by the cries of the sick for help. He immedi- ately proceeded to rescue them and took them to safety in Mr. Brannan's house.

Most of these poor sufferers died and after being placed in coffins, were buried across the river. One of the men detailed for this duty was a Dutchman who was very suspicious of everyone so far as his money was concerned, and having accumulated about $2,000 in gold dust carried it in a belt around his waist. They placed the coffin across a small boat, and when they had reached some distance the boat ca- reened and sank. The Dutchman, who was a good swimmer, called to his companion that he would swim ashore and get a boat, but weighted down with the gold that he loved better than his life, he sank. His companion hung on to the coffin and reached shore safely. The description given by Dr. Morse of the neglect of the sick and their condition is al- most beyond belief.

After the January flood in 1850, prices of everything rose enormously and continued high for a long time. But the high prices of

HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

real estate did not shrink on account of the flood and destruction. Here are some of the current prices in the city in April and May :

Filtered water, per barrel, $1.50; washing and ironing, per dozen, $7; private boxes at the theater, $4; ordinary boxes at the theater, $3; pit seats at the theater, $2; musicians in gambling houses, by the day, $16; hauling lumber from First to Second Street, per thou- sand, $3; hair cutting, $1.50; shaving, $1 ; bil- liards, per game. $1; saddle horses, per day, $10; lodging, without blankets, per night. $1 : celery, per head. 20 cents ; peas in the pod, per gallon, $2; radishes, every size, per bunch, $1 : turkeys, per pair. $16 ; apples, small, but good. each. 50 cents ; specked apples. each, 25 cents ; Colt's pistols, medium size, $75.

Up to the 6th of August the amount of $100,000 had been issued by warrants to meet the expenditures for the city government, as shown by the mayor's statement. The esti- mated sum to be expended for the construction of the levee and the city government inclusive footed up $300,000. Sacramento endured grievous troubles in August and September. The contests about titles, the breaking up of confidence in the general value of property thus situated, the pecuniary embarrassments that were plunging men into bankruptcy and ruin, and the heavy taxation necessary to sus- tain the city government and complete the public works necessary to protect the city from floods, were enough to utterly discour- age the citizens and destroy their confidence in the city's future. But the community was com- posed of men of iron; men who had come thousands of miles through all sorts of dan- gers and perils to found on the shores of the Pacific a great empire, although they were at that time unconscious of the fact and looked not far beyond the present. Their energy was unconquerable and inextinguishable, and the greater the burdens imposed by fate, the more manfully and determinedly they strove to overthrow them.

In August the council made itself decidedly unpopular by one or two of its acts. The mem- bers appropriated to themselves a salary of $200 a month each. In addition to this, the taxpayers saw the appointment of various committees to duties that were but little more than nominal, and these drew $25 a day for their services, in addition to their salary.

After the bankruptcies of September and the squatter riots of August, affairs settled down to a degree of quiet and the people began to engage more systematically and soundly in business. which was augmented extraordina- rily by the heavy demand for goods and their transportation to the mines. During the pre- vious winter the people in the mines had suf- 5

fered greatly from privations and were thrown into a desperate and almost starving condition from the scarcity of provisions and the cut- ting off of communication with the city by the floods. As a natural consequence, in the fall. soon after the revulsion in finance, there sprang up a brisk demand and an immense and profitable trade was inaugurated and car- ried on between the merchants and miners. The situation being thus relieved, the effect upon the city was such as almost to restore its former prosperity.

News of California's Admission

At this time a public question began to awaken interest in the men's minds and to cause them to watch every arrival from Washington and the news brought, with in- tense anxiety. This was the question of ad- mission as a state to the Union. The consti- tution had been adopted, the application made, but congress still delayed action and the com- munity was in a state of painful suspense as to what the outcome would be. One can readily imagine, then, the relief to the tension when the news came that California was a member of the great Union of states. Early in the morning of October 15, it is stated, the rapid firing of cannon on the levee awakened the citizens to the fact that the news had arrived and that our admission was an assured fact. It was a season of rejoicing that for the moment almost obliterated the memory of the past misfortunes. A number of Sacramento's citizens returned by the steamer that brought the news.

The Epidemic of Cholera

But Sacramento's cup of sorrow was not yet full, and even in this season of rejoicing, a calamity heavier than any that had gone be- fore was hovering over the devoted city. The same fostering breezes that had attended the steamer bringing the news of admission had also borne on their wings a ghastly pestilence. and on the steamer itself many of the passen- gers had fallen victims to the dread scourge. A most malignant cholera was sweeping on toward California and many were the un- known graves that it was to fill in the new state ere its violence should be abated. City and country were alike to it and the urban dweller and the miner in his cabin were alike to pay toll to the dread Reaper. The tale that is told by the pioneers who escaped the pesti- lence with life harrows the soul of the listener with the vivid pictures of distress and destruc- tion. Each successive day brought news from San Francisco that the passengers on the ill- fated steamer were still being decimated by the terrible scourge. Not only this, but the

HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

accounts of the visit of the disease to San- dusky, Rochester, St. Louis and other places began to fill the hearts of the people with a dread of impending disaster. The stories of its relentless malignity and the wide-spread destruction that accompanied its progress fell like a pall on the community, and terror fell on all. It is doubtful if history records a par- allel of the destructive panic that followed its appearance on this coast and in this city. The hardships and disease that had prevailed dur- ing the summer and which were sufficient to crush all progress and energy in a less buoy- ant and determined people, had been too re- cent to allow a recuperation of their health and strength and rendered them an easy prey for the insidious disease.

As is well known, in cases of epidemics the mass of the people are filled with fear and dread, and in the fevered state of mind pre- vailing it was easy for the disease to develop to terrific proportions. Panic predisposed the people to receive its attacks, and it hardly needed an imported case to spread the disease. Early in the morning of October 20 a person was found on the levee in the collapsing stage of the dread disease. Medical aid was sum- moned, but he was too far gone and soon died. The cholera was in the city. The news spread as if by magic, the circumstances grew in hor- ror with repetition and the pall of despair seemed to settle down like a black cloud over the city. It is well known by experience that the fear of disease and the dwelling on its symptoms are very often followed by its ap- pearance, and so it was largely in this case. The next day several more fatal cases were reported ; and as the stories spread and were constantly augmented in their description, it is not to be wondered at that fear should have become an auxiliary to the disease and that the epidemic was soon in full progress.

In six days from its inception, the disease had made such progress that regular burials were but slightly attended to and nursing and attention were frequently wanting. Money, so powerful an agent in most cases, could scarcely purchase the offices of common kindness and charity. Affection seemed blunted and the fear of death seemed to sever all ties and develop elements of selfishness. But little could be done under these conditions to arrest the course of the disease, and it swept through the community with irresisti- ble force. In many such epidemics the per- sonal habits of individuals have a strong influ- ence in resisting disease or inviting it, but the case was different here. Men of the most reg- ular, careful and industrious habits were its victims equally with those who were intem- perate and irregular. In a few days many of the most prominent and substantial citizens

fell before the pestilence. None seemed im- mune to its attack.

It was reported that 150 cases occurred in one day, but such was the confusion and the panic in the community that no records were kept, nor can any accurate data be found in regard to the havoc made by this epidemic. As the number of deaths increased and men were kept constantly employed in the removal of the dead, the citizens began to leave the city in every direction, and soon not more than one- fifth of the residents remained. The most heart-rending abandonment of relatives and friends took place during the reign of terror. But a very small remnant resisted the instinct of self-preservation and remained to minister to the sick and dying. A few noble men, moved by sympathy, the divine attribute of our nature, remained to do what they could for the relief of suffering humanity, and their humane ministrations, regardless of danger and death, did much to ameliorate the situa- tion. Their names should be written in letters of gold in the history of Sacramento and Cali- fornia, but alas, they were lost to us and their only reward was the consciousness of having done their duty. One name, however, has been preserved, that of John Bigler, afterwards governor of California, whom Dr. Morse de- scribes as moving among the dead and dying, with a large lump of camphor in one hand. which he frequently applied to his nostrils, as an antidote to the disease. No danger of in- fection daunted him, however, and where mis- ery. death and destitution abounded, he was ever to be found in its midst, proffering aid and sympathy.

The physicians of the city did noble work. No danger appalled them. Night and day they responded to the call of distress, scarcely pausing to snatch a few hours of needed sleep and rest. Before the epidemic subsided seven- teen of them were deposited in the sandhill cemetery of the city-an almost unexampled mortality in the profession in a season of epi- demic. Not one in ten escaped the disease and not a single educated physician turned his back on the city in its extremity. In such a time of delirium and terror it is no wonder that no systematic records were kept. In fact it was impossible. Not only in the city, but on the roads, and even in the mines, many who were fleeing from the pestilence were stricken down by the awful malady and perished, un- known and unaided in many cases. In the latter part of the epidemic, the city authorities, who had from the first done all they could to relieve the suffering, obtained the use of a large frame building on L Street, where the destitute victims were taken and cared for.

"From the beginning, the local papers had endeavored, as usual in such cases, to conceal

HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

the extent of mortality, and their files of that date give no adequate idea of the fearful scourge," say Thompson and West in their history. On the 24th of October the city phy- sician reported seven cases of cholera to the council, five of which were fatal. Some of the doctors endeavored to quiet public apprehen- sion by giving the opinion that the disease was only a violent form of cholera morbus. The "Times" "felt confident that there was very little danger, and had not heard of a single case where the patient had not been previously reduced by diarrhoea." On the 27th, six cases were reported, and the "Times" "hoped that some precautionary measures would be taken." On the 29th twelve cases appeared; on the 30th, nineteen, and it was no longer possible to conceal the fact that a terrible epidemic had attacked the community. A Sacramento cor- respondent of the "Alta" says on November 4: "The daily mortality is about sixty. Many deaths are concealed, and many others are not reported. Deaths during the past week, so far as known, 188." On November 14, the daily mortality had decreased to twelve and on the 17th, the pestilence was reported as having en- tirely disappeared. But the precise number of fatal cases can never be known, as a great number were reported to have died of dysen- tery, fevers, and other diseases, for the pur- pose of quieting the public anxiety and restor- ing the confidence of the people. Many of the victims were buried in unknown graves and their very location was soon forgotten. Many a wife or mother or sister waited in vain for tidings of the loved ones that never came, and never knew when or how they passed away.

A writer who was one of the survivors of that terrible time says: "What with floods and fires, insurrection and the plague, the very stars seemed to fight against Sacramento in her infancy, and the foundation of her later prosperity was laid upon the ashes of her pio- neers." Before the disastrous visitation of the cholera, Dr. Stillman walked through the sandhill cemetery and counted 800 graves that had not yet been sodded over, and how many more were added by the still more terrible de- stroyer is not found recorded in the history of the time. Of a company of forty men who came out on the infected schooner "Montague," more than half died after her arrival ; and after her departure from Sacramento for Panama, the captain, second mate, and six passengers died of cholera before leaving San Francisco Bay.

This terrible calamity lasted in its malignant form only about twenty days, but under the circumstances and from lack of systematic rec- ords, the number of deaths will never be known. Its abatement lasted much longer than its period of beginning and virulence, and

began just as soon as the people became famil- iarized with its features and the terrible scenes in their midst, thus rendering them less liable to be attacked through a paralyzing fear. By the time it ceased, the city had become nearly depopulated and many thought it would never rise again from the disaster. But such prophe- cies did not take into account the sturdy per- severance of a strong people. Just as soon as the mortality began to obviously decrease, the fugitives began to return, and those who had remained to help their fellow-men, abiding by the fortunes of the city, recovered their elas- ticity of mind and energy. A transformation immediately commenced to take place in the appearance of the city. Confidence in its healthfulness returned ; men grew cheerful and hopeful and business communication with the mines was reopened. The previous prosperous conditions were restored and for several weeks business was good once more, and the beauti- ful winter that followed stimulated the com- munity to energetic efforts.

Subsequent Events

But the merchants and traders had unfortu- nately calculated too much upon a winter like those of 1848 and 1849. This induced them to transport at high prices large stores of goods into the mining regions, trusting that com- munication would be difficult, as it was in the former year. But these goods, in consequence of the lack of water in dry diggings and the roads that offered immediate communication with the mines all winter, were sold at ruinous sacrifices.

A synopsis of events in the spring and sum- mer shows that the city was divided into wards, April 15; the first mail left for Salt Lake, May 1; a city election May 5 polled 2.482 votes and James R. Hardenbergh was elected mayor ; the treasurer's report, May 6, showed the city's receipts for the fiscal year to have been $214,939.86 and the mayor's report showed the indebtedness to be $368,551.29 and that $80,000 of this was drawing interest at ten to twenty per cent per month, the balance from three to eight per cent per month. In June the city debt was funded at ten per cent per an- num in New York and twelve per cent in Sac- ramento. In September the popular vote of the county was 4,115. The Tehama Theater burned August 13 and Dr. Volney Spalding opened the American Theater September 9. On December 24 the courthouse was finished and January 14, 1852, the state offices and leg -. islature moved to Sacramento and the first leg- islative session opened January 16. One thou- sand persons arrived by steamer January 20: and on the 23rd, a brick building now on K Street was begun.

HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

At the municipal election, April 5, 2,802 votes were cast, C. 1. Hutchinson being elect- ed mayor. The debt had increased to $449,- 105.32 and the estimated revenue to $200,000. At an election July 17 the people voted for a wide levee through I Street, and also to erect a city hall and prison. October 8 there was an agricultural fair. The population at this time was between 10,000 and 12,000. On November 2 there was a terrible conflagration. December 17 there was a storm of four days duration and on the 25th the upper part of the city was flooded. By January 1, 1853, the water was higher than ever before known. January 13 the people voted for water-works, fire depart- ment, loan and three-quarters per cent addi- tional taxation. Many mercantile houses this month established branches at Hoboken, trade being entirely cut off from the city by reason of high water and impassable roads.

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History of Sacramento County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, 1923, Part 10

Author: Reed, G. Walter Publication date: 1923 Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co. Number of Pages: 1026

Author: Reed, G. Walter
Publication date: 1923
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1026