USA > California > San Benito County > History of San Benito County, California : with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, farms, residences, public buildings, factories, hotels, business houses, schools, churches, and mines : with biographical sketches of prominent citizens > Part 30
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9.406 00
Dr. Tuylor
1,750 00
Andrew G Randall
9.361 00
S. F. Woodworth
750 00
lohn B. Mason
625 00
John Wilson .
Juan Jose Hanklo
770 00
Dr. MeKco ...
600 00
Charles White
330 00
l'almer. Choke & Co.
590 00
"MIrs. Homie
10.919 00
"John Wallare
320 00
Janac &. Wall ...
4,000 00
Petra Allen
380 00
Thomas Smith
400 10)
City of Monterey
18.000 00
John B. R. Cooper
32,179 00
Santa Rosea
75 00
· William D. Robinson
1,950 00
William Roach
0,773 00)
Peter Devis
3.523 40
Thomas Allen .
150 00
Thomas Colu
2.370 00
G. W. Ball
..
250 00
Edward S. Canby
100 00
Charles 11. St. John
4.150 00
Samnel Belcher
Manuel Junnero
10,865 110
* Those marked with a l'ar are now dend
FIRST JURY TRIALS AND VERDICTS.
THE list grand jury drawn after the organization of the county, was June 10, 1850. by order of the Court of Sessions for Monterey county, as follows: H. Wright, Win. Bowen, E. Kennedy, James Chaney, Peter Davidson, and Henry Cocks. The next day " the Court asked Trinadal Espenosa if he was ready for trial, and he answered in the affirmative; wherenpon the above-named persons were sworn as jurors in the case. The same day the jury returned a verdict as follows: ' We find a verdict to acquit the prisoner.'" But the records fail to inform us what this trial was about.
At this early date the jury not only found a verdict, but also Exed the punishment or penalty, and we find recorded such verdicts as the following: "Guilty of assault, and assess the fine at 12g cents." Another: " We find the defendant guilty of taking the Inmber, and assess a fine of one dollar and costs." Another: "Guilty, and fine the prisoner $23 and one month in the county jail."
HUNG BY AN ARMED MOB.
On date of August 9, 1850. "We, the jury, find the pris- oner, William Otis Hall, guilty of grand larceny, and do award him to be punished by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary for the term of four years." The next day the Sheriff reported to the Court that " between one and two o'clock this morning a party of unknown, armed men broke open the prison, bound and gagged the jailor, and proceeded to the cell of Hall by force of arms, and there produced death upon the prisoner by stran- gulatiou.“
TO DE MUNG FOR GRAND LARCENY. .
We find from the records of June 11, 1852, that Francisco Martincz was triel for grand larceny, and the jury " do lind the prisouer guilty of the crime alleged in the indictment, and sentence him to death, but at the same time recommendl him to the increy of the Court." The prisoner was sentenced to be hung on the 6th day of August, 1852. He was, however, pardoned by the Governor Angust 21st, according to the record. From the differing dates, it is probable that somne stay of pro- ceedings had taken place in date of execution, although that fact is not mentioned in the records, which simply state, " F'ran- eisco Martinez pardoned, August 21, 1852"
FIRST DIVORCE RECORD.
The following is another of tlre old records, certified to by the Alcalde of the district, living at Sutter's Fort : "This is to certify, that I, Rebecca Fowler, the lawful wife of Wm. Fowler, have, by my own free act, left liis ' bed and board,' and do not consider myself longer under his protection and carc, and no longer acknowledge his control over ine as a husband. Fur- thiermore, I do give my consent, without any threats or influence, that said Mr. Fowler should receive a legal divorce from me, dissolving the contracts of matrimony which at this time exist between us.
In witness whereof I have fixed my signature.
JOHN A. SUTTER."
Nueva Helvetia, February 2, 1845.
2.200 00
350 00
146
NEWSPAPERS OF MONTEREY COUNTY.
Newspapers of Monterey.
THIE following article was written by the editor of the Mont- erey Californian, J. J. Shinabarger, from which paper we obtain it :-
A great deal has been said about the newspapers of this county, the first ones establishedl, we mean. Having been inti- mately connected with thein for the most part of the past eleven years, we will attempt to give their history.
THE FIRST NEWSPAPER.
The first paper published in the State was in Monterey-the Californian-by Walter Colton, in 1846. It lived but a few years and was removed to San Francisco, and its name changed to Alta California, which is yet running as we all know. Next eamo the Pacific Sentinel, by J McElroy, in 1855-6, afterwards (in 1836) removed to Santa Cruz, where it gravitated into the Santa Cruz Sentinel. Then the Monterey Gazette. Then the Republican, by Mr. Huff, who gave up the paper in 1871, and died in Los Angeles a few years after.
In 1866 or '67 the Monterey Democrat was started by a joint stock association, with Rasey Biven as editor. It was afterwards purchased by J. W. Leigh, its present editor and owner, who, in 1872, removed it to Salinas City. In March, 1869, the Argus was started at Castroville. Iu 1868 J. S. Brittain started the Salinas Standard, which was the first paper in Salinas City. In 1870 he sold it to Jesse D. Carr and E. M. Reading, the latter being its editor. They, in 1871, transferred it to Harry V. Morehouse, who, in the spring of 1862, remover it to Santa Rita, where it run but a short time under the cog- nomen of the New Republic Journal, half of it being printed in the Spaniah language. Morehouse left it for the more eon- genial vocation of school teaching, and J. M. Soto condueted it awhile. He afterwards employed Jose Arzaga (now of the Santa Barbara La Gaceta) to manage the concern. It died a hard death for want of experience at the helm.
SALINAS CITY INDEX.
In the spring (we think March) of 1872, Melville Byerly threw up his paper at Hollister, brought his material over and started the present Salinas City Index, which (and we make the admission freely) has been the leading paper of the county ever since the first day it was issued. It took that rank and has jealously maintained it for nearly a decade. It was started in a little frame tenant building adjoining the United States (now Central) Hotel on the north-where Sheehy's place of business now is, and we had the honor of working off tlie first edition. Byerly ran it until he died, in 1875, when his brother-in-law, S. M. Shearer, present County School Superin- tendent, took charge, and conducted it until it was purchased,
in 1876, by W. J. Hill the present owner and editor. After the county seat was taken away from Monterey, the "ancient city by the sea " had no newspaper until the fall of 1874, when George and Steve Clevenger started tho Herthat, which died in 1875.
In 1876 Wm. L. LaRose startel the present Californian, which he continued to conduct up to the time of his death. In May, 1880, the paper was purchased of his widlow by the present proprietors, the Mouterey Publishing Company.
The Salinas Democrat is the oldest living paper in the county.
County Statistics.
WE gather the following statistics, says the Salinas Index, from Assessor Carpenter's report, showing the quantity, quality and elass of real estate, the amonnt of improvements on each class and the class of personal property in the county of Monterey, for the year 1879-80, with the average and actual cash value of each kind of property :-
Real estate other than eity or town lots. . . $4,655,576
Improvements on same where assessed to 392,800
same owner 445,613
City and town lots
Improvements on same where assessed to 353,820
same owner.
Improvements on all property assessed to others than owners of land
23,465
Actual cash value of all descriptions of real estate. . 5,871,274
Value of personal property . 1,233,998
Total value of all property . 7,105,272
There are 762,963 acres of land assessed at an average value of $6.10 per acre.
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY AND VALUES.
Money on hand .. $ 18,756|Graded sheep, 4560 @ $1.50 .. $ 6,810
Goods and merchandise. 105,680 Common shecp, 80,750 @ SI .. 80,750 32,250
Wagons and other vehicles ... 75,850 Mules, 045 (@) $50 ..
Harness, robes, suldles. etc ... 50,340 Hogs, 10,167 @ $2.50. 25,417
3,075 Bec-hives, 3145 @ $I. 3.145
Libraries. . 70,280
24,750 (Frain, 10,810 tons @ $6.50 ..
Farming utensils. . . . 3,000 Sewing machines, 2065 @@ 812. Thoroughbred horses,3@$1000 38,520 Watches, 2643 @ $15 .. 35,580 39,645
Half- breed horses, 3135 @ $40. 125,400 Jewelry or plate. 79,580
36,080 Furniture. ..
12,160
Colts, 355 @ $10. ....
1,900 Musical instruments, 297 @ ..
Thoroughbred cows, 19 @@ $100
48,480 $100. . 29,700
13,701
Mixed cows, 2545 @@ $) -....
30,540 Poultry, 4567 oz. @ $3 2,940
Spanish cows, 675 @ $11
7,425 Fire-arms.
39,000
Calves, 1315 @ $3 ..
4,115 Lumber.
25,728
Goats, 340 @@ $1
340 Railroad rolling stock 50,035
TAXES COLLECTED.
The total amount of money collected for taxes in the year 1880, was as follows :-
Assessor.
Tax Collector 110,223.84
113,900 72
State's proportion
43,384.89
County property . . 70,515.83
Balance on hand in treasury January 1, 1881, $97,929.08.
4,500
American horses, 042 @ $60 ..
Spich horses, 2132 () $15 ...
3,850 Fixtures of saloons, stures, etc.
American cows, 3030 @ $16 ..
Stock cattle, 11,454 @ $1 ..
103,086 Machinery.
$ 3,676.88
147
MANY SPRINGS AND PLEASURE RESORTS
THE PAKAISO SPRINGS
The Paraiso Spring, water is fainel throughout the State for its curative effects They are situated near Sollal, which iy the present terininns of the Southern Pacific Railroad in Monterey county. They lal been known to the early Span- iards and Indians for generations. Mossrs Rerv & Fine, pur- chanel the property fromn Don Pedro Zavala, in 1574, arl have spent a large amount of money in the creation of first-class buildings. It is now quite a village with its pretty cottages scattered around its healing waters. As you leave the cars and the great valley, the climate changes as you approach the springs, and on arrival you seem to be transported to an entirely different atmosphere. So great is the change that it can only be realized ly experience.
These remarkable springs are situated in a small valley opening out to the cast of the main range of mountains lying West of the Salinas valley. This little valley is surrounded on the north, south and west by high hills, which completely shut ont the harsh winds which often sweep up and down the great valley.
The springs are situated one thousand four hundred feet above the sen and one thousand and forty feet above the valley. and are, therefore, above the fogs that envelope the valley at times, The mornings are clear and bright, and the fogs of the valley below look like a sea with its rolling billows. The situation and elevation gives the clearest and purest air, mak- ing a climate very desirable for a change from the cold winds of the bay.
The buildings about the springs are superior, being well con- structed, and the cottages are so arranged as to be occupied by families or single persons. The hotel building lately erected, has good rooms on the upper floor. On the first floor is the ollice, bar and billiard room. There is also an established post-office and railroad and telegraph communication within a half hour's distance. From the verandas of the hotel and cot- tages are some fine views of the Salinas valley, and of the Gabilan range of mountains beyond.
Surrounding and near the hotel are twenty-five neatly fin- ished one and two-story cottages, well furnished and cheer- ful, from each of which a beautiful outlook may be had of the grounds, monntains and valley. There is a post-office, express office and livery stable in connection with the hotel.
The bath-rooms are of the most approved construction, and always clean and in good order for a hot or cold sulphur bath. There are springs of hot and cold sulphur water, iron and soda. The average heat of the hot soda spring is one hundred and seventeen degrees, of the sulphur spring, average one hun- dred and twelve degrees, while the iron spring is cold water.
The following is an analysis of the water, by A. Cielii, S. J., professor of chemistry in Santa Clara College: In one gallon of water were found-
ANALYSIS OF PARAIN) SPRINGS
Matter volatile on ignition. so-called
organic matter .
grains
Silica
Alumina alol Icon 1 60
.
Magnesia Tiare
Culori-le of Pota-inin
Chlorile of &xliumn.
30
..
Sulphate of Kula ..
31 50
Carbonate of Sola
4 :3
Salphate of Lime
4 34
Carbonate of Linie
1.43
Tatal.
58 50
The water contains 35,30 grains to the gallon of sulphate of This sulphate of son (written otherwise Clanber's salt) is used universally as a cathartic.
Business men of the city will be only about seven hours from San Francisco, andI can join their families and spend a day or two at this favorite resort. In the immediate migh- borloool is es good hunting grounds as there are in the State, and mountain tront fishing in the Arrayo Seco, a short distance off. The range for hunters is from twenty to thirty miles in mountains, a wild and unexplored region.
Visitors can visit the ruins of the old Soledad Mision, or they may ride or ramble up the Belese canon and My the wildest of scenery, aud explore the caves ent out of tho sandstone cliffs. Close to the springs is a hill of five hundred feet elevation, and a zig-zag path up its siles affords grand exercise for a moraing walk ; or a horse may be used by those unable to climb its steep sides. In the early sumner, the mountain sides are covered with a mantle of flowers. About the grounds of the springs and hill-sides are scattered the Cali. fornia oaks, preventing a beautiful appearance in the landscape, and affording a cool shade for a quiet honr.
Rates of board are mno lerate, and guests receive every possi- ble courtesy. The table is supplied with everything required for a first-class resort. The groun Is pro lace all kinds of vege- tables, and small fruit in abundance.
The efficacy of the water is established as being thorough in respect to rheumatisin, scrofulous disorder4, dyspepsia, entaneous affections of every kind, and numerous other diseases.
The waters being a powerful appetizer, conduces to sound sleep, and so thoroughly renovates the boly and invigoratey the system, both physical and mental. that, wirether from man- ual labor, mercantile pur-Hits, professional duties, political strife, or fashionable dissipation, the minl andl boly have become weakened and are fast verging to disease, one or two months' quiet rest at these springs, with a generous use of the waters, will so build up the entire systein, thist the patient can return to his ordinary routine of business with the satisfaction of knowing that he has taken a new lease of lije.
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148
FAVORABLE SITUATION OF SALINAS CITY.
The Tassajara Hot Springs.
ABOUT forty-five miles fromn Monterey. There are here some dozen hot mineral springs-reported to be very effective reme lial agents. " All the ills that flesh is heir to," barring con- sumption, may here find alleviation or cure. The late Dr. C. A. Canfield, forwardel some of the water to the Smithsonian Insti- tute, to be analyzed; and it was reportedl the richest spring then known in the United States. Thirty-two distinct ingre- dients were foundI therein. The water reaches the surface of the carth at one hun Irel and forty to one hundred and fifty degrees Fahrenheit. But these springs are in the mountains, and alınost inaccessible except by a trail distance forty miles south of Monterey. A new road over the mountains to Tassa- jara has assisted travel to those springs, and we frequently bear of the wonderful sanitary virtue of the waters. The climate is incomparable. These springs are especially valuable in kid- ney diseases and rheumatism, which often yield after only a brief use of the water.
Slate's Springs.
THESE springs are situated on the coast in the south-castern portion of Monterey county. Mr. 1. B. Slate, the proprietor, says that they never have any frost or very cold weather. There are about twenty settlers living near the springs, which are reached by road via Monterey and the Sur rancho, a county road having been made as far as the Post Rancho, and from thence by trail about twenty miles. Mr. Slate says that he located the springs in 1870. He was traveling for his health, as he was suffering most severely from dyspepsia, and had come along the coast from San Luis Obispo, and on arriving at the place of his present residence he stopped to rest at these springs, and in a very short time realized the great hencfit from the use of the water, both fromn drinking and bathing. Any one who knows Mr. Slate now would never imagine that he had ever been an invalid and given up by the doctors. The waters of these springs have most wonderful curative properties in all cases of indigestion, dyspepsia and all diseases of the stomach.
A CENTENARIAN OF MONTEREY.
F. M. Jolly, Census Enumerator in the San Antonio District, has, it is helieve l, found the oldest person in the State, heing an Indian named Juan Capistrano, whose age is one hundred and thirty-three years. Buing interrogated in the Indian tongue, his vernacular, he says he came to San Antonio about the time of the founding of that mission, one hundred and seven years ago, and had then a wife and two children. Having been taught Latin hy tbe priest, he was a singer in the choir there about one hundred years ago .- Democrat.
Salinas, the County Seat.
SALINAS is a central place for business for the whole valley, and directly on the line of the great southern railroad.
The population of Salinas city, by ccusus of 1880, is as fol- lows: White males, 973; white females, 782; Chinese males, 97; Chinese females, 5; colored persons, 8; total, 1,865.
Its main street is admirably macadamized, built up on both sides in fine city fashion, while the whole town is supplied with gas and water. It has all those facilities for the arts, sciences, conveniences, and benefits expected in connection with such a place. Its county buildings, churches, schools, hotels, stores, shops and residences cause it to rank among the first of its size in the State. The town is embowered in trees and adorned with pleasant gardens and lovely flowers. The aspect of the whole is that of a true, enterprising, progressive, permanent American city.
FAVORABLY LOCATED FOR BUSINESS.
It is located on the Southern Pacific Railroad, about one hundred and eighteen miles from San Francisco, ten miles from tide-water at Moss Landing, and eighteen miles by way of railroad from the harhor of Monterey. From Salinas an immense amount of grain, mostly wheat, is shipped to San Francisco. The white Australian variety is raisedl almost exclusively through this whole region.
The plain where Salinas now stands was an immense mustard patch, and pasture for roving bands of cattle. No one would helieve it would produce grain. David Jacks, as late as 1864, offered portions of the Chualar Ranch at $1.00 per acre, without purchasers.
FIRST HOTEL IN SALINAS.
Half-way House was built in 1856 by Deacon Elias Howe, who had purchased it from Jacob P. Lecse, and the land now called " Riker Tract." The house was used as an inn, store and meeting-house for county conventions and elections, The house and lands changed hands in 1865, and fell to the lot of A. Tresony for $800. This was the first building erected in what is now Salinas. It stood, until lately, at corner of Gahi- lan street and Lincoln avenue, when it was moved to the north-eastern part of the town.
FIRST ATTEMPTS AT GRAIN GROWING.
Tbe Camphell Brothers tricd their hand at grain growing, having found water at the first attempt, and the first year made enough out of two hundred and thirty acres to pay their seven years' lease. This fact established the fertility of the valley.
DANDY.
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Y
1
12
CASA BLANCA DAIRY RANCH. OF JOSEPH
STEFFANI. NATIVIDAD , MONTEREY
CO. CALIFORNIA.
149
SALINAS AND ITS BUSINESS HOUSES.
FILLST MILL. IN SALINAS VALLEY
The Cooper ranch house stood near the E-troda crowing, and here way a grist-mill for grinling wheat by mule power. This inill and ranch way in charge of Bill Matthew, and from hay- ing charge of the mill the untive Californians called bin mole- nera-the miller. This mill was moved from near the river, in 1853. Not enough wheat way raised then to supply home demand, and it was brought from Santa Cruz or Soquel. It male sweet bread-not bolted and plenty of bran in it.
SALINAS CITY LAID OUT.
A. Ricker at this time became the fortunate purchaser from the doubting Tresony at a low figure, and in the year 1867, hve and his partner, Jackson, on one side of the fence, and Eugene Sherwood on the other, laid out plans for a town to be called Salinas City, upon portions of the Sausal and Nacional Ranchos.
FIRST BUSINESS HOUSES.
No sooner was the project of a village started than new settlers began to come in and locate, among them was a Mr. Conklin, who claims the honor of renting the lirst store, which was built by Raiker & Woods. J. Lacy was the first blacksmith. A. Groves and Mr. Brannon conducted the first saloon, The town grew rapidly; and within two years the population iucreased to six hundred. The advent of the Southern Pacific Railroad gave a fresh impetus to the town and all business enterprises.
ACT OF INCORPORATION.
The city of Salinas was incorporated by Act of the Legisla- ture, March 4, 1874, aud the following persons elected, viz : J. J. Harvey, Mayor; William Vanderhurst, J. B. Iverson, Dr. Tuttle, Burbeck Hughes and - Wilcoxen, Councilmen. It was deter- mined to lay the foundation sure for a substantial city. They macadamized Main street, which is eighty-seven feet wide, and mado asphaltum sidewalks, at a cost of $30,000.
To-lay, Salinas City is a prosperous town, with good hotels for the traveling public, business houses with enterprising merchants, and private residences surrounded by trees and gardens.
CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, AND SOCIETIES.
There are seven churches, including Catholic, Episcopal, M. E. Church, M. E. Church South, Presbyterian, Baptist, and United Presbyterian, where services are generally main- tained throughout the year.
There is a large and flourishing public school, employing several teachers, more fully noticed elsewhere.
There are numerous flourishing secret and benevolent socio- ties, as well as othery of a literary character. It has a woll organized and equippul fire department
THE WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS
The Monterey Dem serut was established I about 1967, and is now in its fourteenth volume. At its name implies, it is an exponent of the Democratic party, yet quite independent and fearless in its advocacy of matters of public interest. It has, by many of its able and oft repeated articles done much to build up the town aml county. It is published by J. W. Leigh.
The Salinas Index is published by J. W Hill, as e litor and proprietor. It is in its ninth year. Its history is given in an article elsewhere. It has occupied a leading position among The journals of the coast since it came into posersion of tho present proprietor.
GAS AND WATER-WORKS.
The water-works is a private enterprise; and water is obtained from three or four wells, the deepest of which is two hundred feet. Water can be thrown upon the top of the highest house. There are twenty-two hydrants located in tho corporate limits, Gas- works are able to supply a larger town. Both cost $40,000.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
The following business directory will give to a stranger a good idea of the size, and amount of business transacted at Salinas :-
DRY GOODS AND CLOTHINO -Hale & Co., 99 Main street. Meyer & Friedlander, west side of Main street, near Gabilan. Solomon Bros .. corner Main and Gabilan.
C. P. Nance, west side of Slain, between Gabilan and Alisal.
GROCERIES AND PROVISIONS,-J. B. Scott, west side of Main, between Gabilan and Alisal.
J. F. Hay, west side of Main, between Gabilan and Alisal.
C. A. Dayton, west side of Main near Alisal.
Geo. Warren, West side of Main near post-office.
C. P. Nance, west side of Main, between Gabilan and Alisal. J. H. MeDougall, at the post-office.
R. Strelluauer, east side of Main street, between Sausal and Gabilan.
HOTELS .- Abbott House, Harrison & Smithi, proprietory, west side of Main street, between Central Avenue and Gabilan. Central Hotel, Jas. Jeffery, proprietor, east side Main street. Diamond Hotel, Mf. Tynan, proprietor, corner San Juan. Paraiso Springs Hotel, Reeve & Fine, proprietors. Hardwick Hotel, Wm. Nance, proprietor, Gonzales. Tidball's Hotel, T. T. Tidball, proprietor, Jolon.
MERCHANT TAILORS .- G. Bobland, Main street, nearly opposite the Abbott House.
H. P. Brown, west side Main street, between Gabilan and Alisal.
150
RESOURCES AND PROPERTY OF CASTROVILLE.
BOOKS AND STATIONERY .- J H McDougall, at the post-office. 1%. K. Abbott, at the Eagle Drug Store.
Lyon Cohen, under the Abbott House.
UNDERTAKERS .- J. E. White, Gabilan street.
J. P. Stanley, east side of Main street, between Gabilan and Sansal.
PHOTOGRAPHERS .- Eardley & Van Diveer, east side of Main, between Sausal and Gabilan streets.
Hemingway's Gallery, Gabilan street.
HARNESS AND SADDLERY .- M. Hughes, west side of Main St. TOBACCO AND CIGARS .- A. Mautner, west side Main street. Jax Hf MeDougall, at the post-office.
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