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 42

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

USA > California > Sacramento County > 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 42

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of Sacramento, Amador and Eldorado Coun- ties. May 9, 1861, another act regarding the militia was passed, but it did not affect Sacra- mento as regarded its brigade position. April 24, 1862, the law passed organized the militia into one division and six brigades. It made the 4th Brigade comprise the counties of Sac- ramento, Yolo, Sutter, Eldorado, Amador, Placer, Nevada, Yuba and Sierra. April 12, 1866. Alpine County was added to the 4th Brigade.

In August, 1862, James Collins was ap- pointed brigadier-general, commanding the 4th Brigade, and was commissioned on the 30th. He died in Nevada City July 18, 1864, and Josiah Howell was appointed to succeed him. receiving his commission July 25, 1864; he resigned November 14. 1874. W. L. Camp- bell was appointed to the position December 1, 1874, and received his commission on the same day. He resigned November 19, 1875. Gov- ernor Pacheco appointed Wentworth T. Crow- ell to succeed him November 27, 1875. but the Democratic senate refused to confirm him, and he held the office only until his successor was

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

appointed. His successor was J. G. Martine, who was appointed to the command April 4, 1876, and resigned on April 8. His resignation was caused by a severe attack on him by some of the newspapers in the district. Crowell re- sumed command and continued in the office until March 3, 1877, when he resigned.

M. S. Horan was appointed March 3, 1877, and commissioned on March 5. He resigned November 4, 1878, and T. J. Clunie was ap- pointed by Governor Irwin December 30, 1878, to fill the vacancy, but the Republican senate did not confirm him. John F. Sheehan was appointed January 15. 1880, commissioned on the 17th, and resigned in May, 1882. Lewellyn Tozer was appointed May 19, 1882, but the subsequent Democratic senate refused to con- firm him. John T. Carey was commissioned February 10, 1883.

The 4th Regiment of Infantry, N. G. C., was organized in 1864, with E. R. Hamilton as colonel; B. Eilerman, lieutenant-colonel; and James Adams, major. The regiment was reor- ganized in December, 1865, when L. L. Baker was elected colonel, and the remaining officers continued in the same positions. August 22, 1866, Hamilton was again elected colonel; James Adams, lieutenant-colonel; and John F. Sheehan, major. In pursuance of special order No. 44, issued July 8, 1868, the regiment was mustered out of service and the compa- nies were ordered to remain unattached until further orders.

The 4th Regiment was reorganized under special order No. 7, dated February 7, 1872; and in March following, C. V. Kellogg was elected colonel; B. Eilerman, lieutenant- colonel ; and H. F. Page, major. Kellogg and Eilerman resigned in July 1874, and W. T. Cromwell was elected colonel, and H. W. Thain, lieutenant-colonel. This regiment was disbanded and mustered out of service March 31, 1877. It was immediately reorganized as the 1st Battalion of Infantry, and Thomas J. Clunie was elected the commander. He was subsequently succeeded by Creed Haymond, and when the latter resigned, he was succeeded by T. W. Sheehan. When Sheehan became brigadier-general, J. W. Guthrie was commis- sioned colonel.

The militia did not monopolize all the mili- tary glory and fame. From the early days volunteer companies had been formed, and many names well-known in the early and sub- sequent history of the city were found upon their rolls.

The Sutter Rifle Corps was organized June 27, 1852, with B. D. Fry, captain ; M. D. Corse, first lieutenant; John L. Brown, second lieu- tenant ; and W. Bryerly, third lieutenant. The company was noted especially for its liberality on all public and private occasions. In 1853,

it paid $1,200 for choice of the first seat at Catherine Hayes' concert. and presented. the ticket to General Sutter. Those were the days when men's hands were open to their friends, and their purses also. M. D. Corse, the first lieutenant, afterwards became captain of the company, and also held other offices in the city. In 1857 he returned to the East, and his name as "General Corse" finally adorned the list of Sheridan's prisoners in 1865.

When the governor in 1856 called on the militia for duty against the vigilance commit- tee in San Francisco, the Sutter Rifles met on June 4, and voted to respond to the governor's call. E. E. Eyre was at that time lieutenant commanding: H. S. Foushee, second lieuten- ant; and John C. Keenan, orderly sergeant. The company disbanded soon after, but reor- ganized in 1875, with E. E. Eyre, captain ; Charles J. Torbert, first lieutenant ; Joseph H. Vigo, second lieutenant ; W. R. Covey, brevet second lieutenant. The company showed little vigor, however, and soon died.

The Sacramento Guards, Light Infantry, or- ganized August 11, 1855, with Henry Mere- dith as captain ; D. S. Woodward, first lieuten- ant : R. W. Wilcox, second lieutenant; John Arnold, brevet second lieutenant ; Josiah How- ell ensign ; L. L. Baker, orderly sergeant. De- cember 17, 1855, Baker was elected captain. Among the subsequent officers were D. A. McMerritt, L. Powers, Isaac Lohman and C. H. Cummings. The company numbered forty- five. During the excitement in 1856 over the vigilance committee, the governor issued a proclamation calling out the militia of the state to suppress the disturbance. The Sacra- mento Guards met June 4, 1856, and disbanded, turning their arms over to the custody of the Sutter Rifles. They reorganized at once, how- ever, as the Independent City Guards, and by the end of the year they were fully equipped. This was the only company in Sacramento in 1858.

The Young Men's Pioneer Guard was organ- ized in 1856, and was composed of the leading young men of the city. John Talbot was its captain : R. Simons, first lieutenant ; Samuel Richardson, second lieutenant; Charles Sin- clair, third lieutenant ; Oliver H. Worden, en- sign : John Foley, first sergeant.

The Sacramento Cadets organized May 17, 1856, with Edwin A. Sherman, captain; C. H. Watson, first lieutenant; George J. Prentice, second lieutenant.

The Independent (Sacramento) City Guard was reorganized under the state law on June 28, 1858, with L. L. Baker, captain; Josiah Howell, first lieutenant; L. Powers, second lieutenant; I. Lohman, brevet second lieuten- ant. Among the subsequent officers we find the names of S. P. Ford. Benjamin Peart,

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Joseph 1. Friend, Henry Starr, W. H. Raten- berry, C. L. Bird, L. B. Vanderburg. Among the privates were C. H. Cummings, H. S. Crocker, D. Gillis, P. J. Hopper, and J. H. Lewis. This company during the Civil War furnished several officers and some thirty men to the United States army.

The Sacramento Hussars were a German company of cavalry organized August 14. 1859. and reorganized June 11, 1863, and attached to the state militia. They were honorably dis- charged from the National Guard August 21. 1874, and continued for some time as an inde- pendent organization. At first there were only twenty-six members, and the first officers were: Fred Werner, captain; Charles Hein- rich, first lieutenant; F. X. Ebner, senior sec- ond lieutenant: Joseph Marzen, junior second lieutenant. Among the other early members were : L. Steudeman, A. Heilbron, E. Kraus, Charles Sellinger, A. Neubauer, D. Weiman. M. Arentz, C. Iser, G. Uhl, S. Gerber, John Batcher, M. Wetzel, James H. Groth. George Schroth, J. Korn, Julius Gregory, A. Menke, MI. Miller, A. Dennery, Andrew Ross, John B. Kohl, and Jacob Meister.

Granite Guard was organized at Folsom May 27, 1861, with fifty-eight men, and F. S. Mumford as captain.

The Washington Rifles were organized May 27, 1861, under the militia laws of the state, with eighty-one members, and they immedi- ately tendered their services to the governor, who accepted them, and they were mustered into the service of the United States. Their captain was Thomas I. Roberts; first lieuten- ant, W. A. Thompson ; second lieutenant, J. S. Hunter ; brevet second lieutenant, W. L. Ustick. Cornelius V. Kellogg and Henry Kline were also officers subsequently.

The Sacramento Rangers, cavalry, were or- ganized August 27, 1861, and were mustered into the service of the United States with sixty-two members. D. A. McMerritt was cap- tain : J. M. Ropes, first lieutenant : A. W. Starr, second lieutenant.

E. D. Shirland raised a troop of cavalry, known as Shirland's Cavalry, recruiting them principally around Folsom. They were mus- tered into the service of the United States and arrived in Sacramento by rail, seventy-five in number, September 5, 1861. Here they were joined by about forty recruits from this city, and proceeded to San Francisco on the steamer "Antelope." The citizens of Folsom raised $513 in two hours for the use of the company.

The National Guard was organized October 7, 1862, with officers as follows: L. L. Baker, captain ; D. W. Welty, first lieutenant ; W. H. B. Morrill, senior second lieutenant; Prescott Robinson, junior second lieutenant. The ser- geants were: John Talbot, John Foley, R. H. 15

Daley, Paschal Coggins, and M. L. Templeton. Among the privates of this company were a number of men well known throughout the state, such as Newton Booth, M. M. Estec. Justin Gates, S. S. Holl, James McClatchy. Alex Badlam, and Sylvester Tryon.

The Sacramento Sharp-shooters organized June 6, 1863. with E. R. Hamilton as captain ; Thomas V. Cummings, first lieutenant : W. M. Siddons, senior second lieutenant. Chris Weisel, J. A. Conboie, and E. H. Heacock were the sergeants. This company numbered in its ranks as privates. L. Booth, E. M. Fry, A. Flohr, J. T. Glover. S. S. Holl, Israel Luce. J. H. McKune, Robert Robinson, Perrin Stan- ton, O H. Tubbs, and G. K. Van Heusen, all prominent men of Sacramento. The company was mustered out in 1886.

The Turner Rifles organized June 22, 1863, with forty-four members. Their captain was Charles Wolleb; A. Geisel, first lieutenant ; L. Lotthammer, senior second lieutenant : A. Nes- sel, junior second lieutenant. Among the pri- vates we find the names of John Bellmer, A. Heilbron, Charles Pommer, C. Weil. C. Klein- sorge. L. B. Mohr. and C. Weisel.

The Walnut Grove Union Guard was organ- ized at Walnut Grove in August, 1863, and for several years continued as part of the National Guard.

The Baker Guard was composed of over . fifty young men, most of them under twenty- one years of age, and was organized Septem- ber 15, 1863. W. T. Crowell was its captain : James Clunie, first lieutenant ; D. K. Zumwalt, second lieutenant : Samuel Carlisle, third lieu- tenant. This company was consolidated with Company D, National Guard, in June. 1866.

The Sacramento Light Artillery, unat- tached, was organized September 24. 1864, with Edgar Mills as captain; Wyman Mc- Mitchell, first . lieutenant W. M. Siddons, senior second lieutenant: D. W. Earl, junior second lieutenant. A. J. Senatz was prominent in the organization, and S. S. Montague. Jo- seph Davis, and J. L. Atwood were among the subsequent captains.

The 1st Battalion, Light Artillery, was or- ganized in September, 1866, with Edgar Mills as major ; L. E. Crane, first lieutenant and adjutant ; Paul Morrill, first lieutenant and quartermaster : W. R. Cluness, assistant ser- geant.

The Emmet Guards were organized March 19, 1864, with John Foley as captain ; F. A. Moran, first lieutenant ; John F. Sheehan. senior second lieutenant : John S. Barrett. junior second lieutenant. The other officers were: T. W. Sheehan, Owen Farrell, and M. McManus. The company was mustered out of the state service June 11, 1872.

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

The Sacramento Zouaves, an independent colored company, were in existence for several years.

Company G. Sarsfield Guards, was organ- ized in 1870, with William H. Ashton, Jr., cap- tain ; Charles Brady, first lieutenant ; Thomas Nolan, second lieutenant.

Troop B, cavalry, was originally organized in 1864, and was then known as the Sacra- mento Light Artillery. Its full official desig- nation was Company A (Sacramento Light Artillery), 1st Battalion of Artillery, 4th Brig- ade, N. G. C. The material of which it was formed included many of the prominent men in the city, as will be seen by the list of those who signed the petition to Judge Clark for the formation of the company. The list is as follows : Paul Morrill, Edgar Mills, George Rowland, James McClatchy. H. W. Bragg, George S. Evans, W. S. Mesick, O. D. Lam- bard, W. M. Mitchell, Isaac Lohman, William M. Harmon, R. W. Lewis, A. Lamott, M. M. Estee, William M. Lyon, C. C. Barnes, Robert Hamilton, Benjamin Peart, E. H. Heacock, S. S. Holl, James Carolan, J. B. Sanderson, George W. Chesley, L. Wilsey, J. H. Carroll, H. G. Smith, D. W. Earl, A. D. Whitney, C. N. Higgins, Robert Anderson, M. M. Spaulding, F. E. Mitchell, N. L. Drew, George Inglis, William M. Hoag, R. T. Brown, Charles Mil- ler, John McNeill, I. C. Aikles, James Mc- Cleary, George E. Duden, Prescott Robinson, C. P. Huntington, Charles H. Creed, W. H. Taylor, William L. Ustick, J. H. McKune, Henry Ramsey, John S. Miller, Joseph T. Glover, A. C. Bidwell, L. H. Foote, R. I. Gra- ham, Samuel Cross, J. W. Reeves, Justin Gates, L. S. Taylor, E. D. Wheatley, S. W. Butler, J. M. Avery, W. C. Felch, A. Briggs, Alex. Badlam, H. E. Cook, D. P. Coon, George Oulton, Theo. J. Milliken, Richard Dale, H. F. Holmes, A. H. Ault, Charles A. Peake, Albert Leonard, Thomas Ross, J. T. Griffitts, William E. Wise, Thomas C. Jones, George Cox, Thomas Brown, J. T. Brownell, I. Bailey, Charles Roberts, J. Davis, E. B. Mott, A. S. Bender, P. Stanton, Ben. C. Butler, P. Frank- lin, Joseph Bremer, Leland Stanford, William M. Siddons, John P. Hoyt, Frederick Gibbs, C. C. Knox, A. G. Richardson, T. M. Hubbard, S. E. Ladd, B. Cahoon, Paul Morrill, Jr., S. S. Montague, T. W. Ruce, L. Rotchford, Samuel Cross, E. A. Rockwell, E. M. Howison.

The officers were Edgar Mills, captain ; Wy- man McMitchell, first lieutenant; Wm. M. Siddons, senior second lieutenant ; D. W. Earl, junior second lieutenant. March 19, 1880, the Sacramento Light Artillery, the City Guard, Nevada Light Guard, Placerville City Guard, Yuba Light Guard, and Sarsfield Guard were organized into a regiment known as the 1st

Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade, N. G. C. Shortly afterwards the Sacramento Light Ar- tillery became known as Light Battery B, 1st Artillery Regiment. July 1, 1893, it was de- tached from the regiment and designated as Battery B, Light Artillery, unattached. July 23, 1895, it was changed into a troop of cav- alry, and incorporated in August, 1895, with Troops A, C, and D, cavalry, as the 1st Squad- ron of Cavalry. In July, 1908, the squadron was discontinued, and the troop became known again as "Troop B, Cavalry," and is so known today. Troop B, Cavalry, was called into the federal service on August 5, 1917.

The 8th Infantry regiment was organized October 31, 1890, and the 1st Artillery, March 19, 1880. The 8th Infantry and the 1st Artil- lery were consolidated December 9, 1895, forming the 2nd Regiment of Infantry, N. G. C. Company A, 2nd Infantry, was mustered out in the same year.

Company E, 2nd Infantry, of this city was organized November 26, 1883, with Henry I. Seymour, later colonel, as captain. Company G of this city, and of the same regiment, was organized July 29, 1870, with Thomas B. Hall, now deceased, as captain. Both these compa- nies existed continuously up until 1911, when Company E was mustered out ; but it was later reorganized. Companies E and G, 2nd Infan- try, were also called into federal service on August 5, 1917. After the World War they were reorganized and consolidated into one company, now known as Company G, 159th Infantry, stationed at Sacramento.

Grand Army of the Republic

The greatest patriotic order that ever was instituted was organized in Sacramento early in its existence, and has numbered three posts and two relief corps, and one circle of the Ladies of the Grand Army, auxiliary thereto, all of which, except one post, are still in exist- ence and in flourishing condition.

Sumner Post No. 3 was instituted Novem- ber 25, 1867, with the following charter mem- bers: G. W. Bowie, Thomas J. Blakeney, George S. Evans, D. A. DeMerritt, W. L. Campbell, E. Engham, John F. Sheehan, E. S. Granger, W. C. Guirey, R. H. Harris, J. V. Gilbert, N. S. Hawley, R. W. Towne, and J. G. Garrison, the charter being signed by John G. Miller, department commander, and James Coey, assistant adjutant-general. The first officers were: W. S. Campbell, commander ; W. C. Guirey, Jr., vice commander, and J. F. Sheehan, adjutant. The post is still in a healthy condition.

Warren Post No. 54 was instituted August 4, 1883, with the following charter members : W. A. Houghton, Charles Reihn, C. W. Wal- lace, J. B. Pierpont, Fred Dustman, J. N.

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Moore. M. J. Smith, Dan Meagher, E. C. Jor- dan, M. Wood, N. Hamm, J. H. Carrington. Dr. C. F. Pinkham, N. T. Gould, W. W. Fuller. WV. W. Meyer, T. J. Kiernan. S. S. B. Brig- ham, W. C. Gnet, Charles Ludwig, J. H. Marsh, W. M. Wilbur, H. Yuhre, Charles Fos- ter, A. Richardson, E. P. Snyder, J. S. Easter- brooke, A. T. Browsher, George Vogelgesang, A. W. Sefton, J. J. Trarbach, J. T. Bartlett. and S. McKearney. It is still in existence. and has a good number of members.

Fair Oaks Post No. 120 was organized in May, 1886, and after continuing a number of years surrendered its charter.

Sumner Relief Corps No. 11, auxiliary to Sumner Post, was organized in March, 1884, and is still prosperous.

Fair Oaks Relief Corps No. 13 was organ- ized in May, 1884, as auxiliary of Fair Oaks Post, and is still in existence as an auxiliary of the G. A. R., although the post has been discontinued for some years, having united with Sumner Post.

Clara Barton Circle No. 11, Ladies of the G. A. R., was organized May 26, 1886. It is now known as Edward Roby Circle No. 2, Ladies of the G. A. R., and is in a prosperous condition.

Spanish War Veterans

J. Holland Laidler Camp No. 5. Department of California, United Spanish War Veterans, was chartered under the National Encamp- ment, Spanish-American War Veterans, April 18, 1904, as No. 286. Subsequently the gen- eral organization was amalgamated with other kindred associations, and became the United Spanish War Veterans. The camp was char- tered under the United Spanish War Veter- ans, January 17, 1905. Its charter members were as follows : O. J. Addison, J. Alexander, O. W. Anderson, F. F. Atkinson, W. D. Bes- sey, F. W. Birchmore, O. J. Boden, D. C. Bush, F. F. Canon, *John Cooke, F. W. Coyne, W. R. Coyne, M. J. Cunningham, *O. N. Faulkner, *A. P. Gadbois, *J. W. Gray, *Fred Gunter, *W. F. Hayden, J. H. Hayes, J. E. Hicks, W. J. Hanna, D. O. Hildebrand, E. C. Hunt, S. W. Kay, Rube Lee, S. W. Leitch, C. Lucey, F. L. Martin, *C. D. McDermit, *J. G. Merle, J. M. Milliken, L. C. Moore, Haywood Reed, J. F. Sherburn, W. O. Smith, H. E. Speas, H. G. Teasdale, C. H. Weden, W. I. Wood- man, Mark Wormer.

The first executive officers of the camp were : Commander, S. W. Kay; adjutant, J. Alex- ander : quartermaster, O. W. Anderson.

J. Holland Laidler, in honor of whose mem- ory this camp was named, was connected with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company's hos- pital in Sacramento prior to the commence- ment of the war between the United States and Spain. At the outbreak of hostilities (or when the opportunity presented itself) he joined the Hospital Corps, United States army, and was killed in action during the Phil- ippine insurrection, April 24, 1899, at Quin- qua, Philippine Islands. He was born in Elko, Houston County, Ga., July 11, 1876.

Admiral Robley D. Evans Camp No. 33, Department of California, United Spanish War Veterans, was organized through the efforts of Colonel F. F. Canon, assisted by a few other veterans. It was mustered in Au- gust 14, 1908, by Department Commander M. M. Moulton (now past department com- mander) at the armory of Company E, 2nd Infantry, National Guard of California, which was located at that time in the old pavilion, Sixth and M Streets.

The charter members were: G. A. Bahran, W. T. Hildebrand, C. C. Craver, W. H. Phil- lips, C. E. Connolly, Charles J. Stephens, B. W. Gardner, Johannes Gienger, F. F. Canon, T. H. McDaniel, F. C. Childs, E. Stor- ror, James Fricke, G. W. Waldron, F. W. Barber, F. E. Kimple, H. C. Carvell, F. W. Strachauer, F. E. Elliott, Fred Shrader, and Herbert Gray. The first executive officers of the camp were: Commander, F. E. Elliott ; adjutant, F. F. Canon : quartermaster, B. W. Gardner.

The camp was named in honor of the noted admiral of the United States navy, "Fighting Bob" Evans. About the time of organization Admiral Evans had just completed his trip around the world. Again, the naming of the camp was appropriate, for during the Span- ish-American War he had taken a very prom- inent part, and was in active command of the U. S. S. "lowa," off Santiago, during the naval engagement which resulted in the de- struction of Cervera's fleet, July 3, 1898. Camp Robley D. Evans has recently been com- bined with the J. Holland Laidler Camp No. 5.

Cynthia E. Moore Auxiliary, United Spanish War Veterans, auxiliary to Camps J. Holland Laidler No. 5 and Admiral R. D. Evans No. 33, was instituted in Elks Hall, Sacramento, January 15, 1909, with thirty-five charter members. The name Cynthia E. Moore was chosen because Cynthia E. Moore (born No- vember 9, 1873, and a graduate of St. Luke's Hospital. San Francisco) was a nurse in the United States army service, serving from No- vember 14, 1898, to September 30, 1900. She was honorably discharged because of illness, was cared for at the general hospital at the

* Deceased.

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY

Presidio of San Francisco, died May 11, 1901. and was buried in that city.

The first set of officers were : Gertrude Gould Speas, president ; Alice Milliken, senior vice- president; Ada Hildebrand, junior vice-presi- dent ; I. May Sydeham, chaplain ; Addie Kelly, secretary ; Mary. Kimple, treasurer; Mamie Kay, conductor ; Lillian Lee, guard.

The history of Cynthia E. Moore Auxiliary since its admission into the organization has been one of prosperity and success. Its mem- bers have ever striven for advancement and have placed the auxiliary upon a high plane.

The American Legion

The American Legion Post No. 61, of Sacra- mento, was chartered September 20, 1919, and is one of the most active among the patriotic ex-service organizations in the country. The

following names appear on the original char- ter: H. J. McClatchy, Carlos K. McClatchy, Harry R. Gimbal, Walter S. Tyler, George H. Olmsted, Charles Thomas, Butler Jack, Jr., George J. Raymond, Leo A. McClatchy, Harry E. Hosking, Walter J. Hicks, E. G. Wakefield, Wallace Shepard, Jay K. Henry, and Fontaine Johnson.

The present officers of the post are : Walter W. Wright, commander ; Roy J. Neilsen, first vice-commander ; Cluness S. Goethe, second vice-commander ; Edward Davis, third vice- commander ; William Hickey, sergeant at arms; Dewey Baker, chaplain; Chester Gan- non, historian; L. E. Deise, adjutant ; Marco Zarick, treasurer; W. H. Pope, chairman ex- ecutive committee, and H. W. McElrath, George L. Klumpp, and John B. Maloney, directors.

CHAPTER XXXIV

SACRAMENTO FIRE DEPARTMENT

First Organization and Early Fires

T HE FIRST fire department in Sacramento was organized in 1850. On April 4 of that year the first fire of any considerable extent occurred on Front Street, between J and K, eight or ten buildings being destroyed. with their contents, within thirty minutes of the time it started. The loss was stated at $100,000. A fire department was immediately organized. On November 9 following, another fire occurred, destroying the New York, Eagle, St. Francis, and Galena Hotels, the Home of the Badger, Rowe's provision store, and other buildings. On August 13, 1851, the Tehama Theater was burned.

The greatest fire of the early days occurred November 2. 1852, when fully seven-eighths of the city was destroyed and several lives were supposed to have been lost. This was the most widespread and disastrous fire in the history of the city, and the total amount of loss was estimated at $10,000,000. Although it was a frame building, the Congregational Church on Sixth Street was the only one out of the many churches that was saved. Through the efforts of the citizens the conflagration was prevented from extending east of Ninth Street and north of 1 Street. The fact that a strong wind was blowing when the fire started was undoubtedly the cause of its becoming so general.

The second general conflagration in the city's history occurred on the afternoon of July 13, 1854. It started in a small frame building in the rear of Newcome's furniture store, near the center of the block between J and K. Third and Fourth Streets. This time it was caused by the upsetting of a spirit lamp used for heat- ing a glue-pot. It reached the Sacramento Hotel almost immediately, and in a very short time the blaze was tremendous. The day was very hot, the thermometer standing at one hundred degrees in the shade. The firemen turned out in force, but the furious element would not be denied, and in spite of the heroic efforts of the members of the department and the citizens, it destroyed successively the Ori- ental Hotel, the American House, the old courthouse, the New England House, the State House, Congregational Church, the Sewanee House, Crescent City Hotel, and No. 4's en- gine house. By good luck the water-works had just been put into operation, and but for their efficiency the loss would have been much greater.

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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 42

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