USA > California > Riverside County > History of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Volume I > Part 10
USA > California > San Bernardino County > History of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Volume I > Part 10
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FORT BENSON was named after its founder, one Jerome Benson, a former Mormon who had left the church, who in 1854 came to San Ber- nardino and located on a piece of land three miles southeast of the city. which later became known as the Ambrose Hunt place. Fearing his opposition, the Mormon elders did not care to sell land to Benson, who believed that he had located on Government land, inasmuch as the grant had not been definitely surveyed at that time. When it was found, later, that he was on the grant, he was ordered to vacate by the owners, and upon his refusal to do so the sheriff was called upon to eject him. Benson thereupon called upon his friends among the Independents, and these assisted him in throwing up earthworks about his house, also arming themselves for resistance. From San Bernardino was brought over a cannon, which had been obtained for the previous year's celebration of Independence Day, and which, it is said, according to Prof. J. M. Quinn, was one of four which were brought to California from Mexico in 1818 for defense against privateersmen. As the Fort Benson party, while having powder, had no ball, the cannon was loaded with small rocks. It cannot be found that a real fight occurred at the place, but some of the old settlers have stated that the sheriff's party made its appearance, only to retreat after one discharge of the cannon. Benson was accordingly left in possession of the land, to which he was later able to give a clear title.
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In a community divided by two factions with such widely divergent views, it was but natural that there should be much hard feeling and many conflicts of varying seriousness. One of these clashes, which aroused much indignation at the time, culminated in an attack upon William McDonald, an Independent, by Marion Perkins, of the church party, and the subsequent stabbing and death of Perkins, an act for which McDonald was not indicted.
THE RECALL OF THE MORMONS. For some years prior to 1857 there had been disputes of constantly increasing frequency between Brigham Young's State of Deseret and the United States authorities, and these culminated in that year when A. Cumming was sent to Utah as gov- ernor of the territory in place of Brigham Young. The expedition of 2,500 troops met with difficulties on account of the late season and opposition on the part of the Mormons to having an army sent against them in time of peace as they claimed that they had committed no hostile act against the United States Government. In belief that an armed conflict was imminent. Brigham Young issued a call to the Mormons who were scattered over the country in various colonies to return to Salt Lake City, and this was generally answered by the Mormons of San Bernardino County, many of whom, in their haste to answer the president's manifesto, disposed of their entire earthly possessions at unbe- lievable sacrifices, seeking only to gain the wherewithal with which they might make the long journey. Some of the settlers, being Josephites and not in sympathy with Young's policy or the practice of polygamy, remained in the valley, and the remainder of the church property was placed in the hands of Ebenezer Hanks, who had previously purchased a one-third interest in the grant, and who later sold the property to Richard G. Allen, F. L. Tucker. W. A. Conn and Bethel Coopwood.
Thus the Mormon Church ceased to be a controlling or even important factor in the life of San Bernardino County, although the influence and example of the early Saints continued to be felt for some years after their exodus. Their industry was proverbial and their well-directed community efforts had resulted in the founding and development of a prosperous community, and the establishing of the fact that agriculture and small farms were practicable and profitable. For the most part, the San Bernardino Mormons did not believe in polygamy, although some practiced it as a matter of duty to the church. They were of peaceful disposition, most sincere and earnest in their religious convictions, and their residence in the county, while comparatively short, forms an impor- tant part of its history.
THE FATHER OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY. No history of the Mor- mon period of this region would be complete that did not make men- tion of Capt. Jefferson Hunt, the pioneer of the settlement of the Faith- ful, who has also been termed the Father of San Bernardino County. He was an officer of the Mormon Battalion, later was one of the guides of the Mormon colonists, took a prominent part in the building of the fort, being the leader of the military organization, and under his direc- tion was constructed the road to the timber region through the Twin Creek Canon. In 1852 he was chosen a member of the State Assembly. and it was he who presented the bill the passage of which created the County of San Bernardino, and represented this county until his depart- ure from the state in 1857. In 1855 he was commissioned a brigadier- general in the state militia. Of him, Ingersoll states: "Captain Hunt was a man of strong character, deeply pious by nature. He believed with
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all his heart in the divine revelation of the Mormon doctrines, although he found many of them a sore trial to his faith. Energetic, clear-sighted and indomitable in will, he was especially fitted for the leadership which he always acquired, in whatever position he was placed. Generous to a fault, his home was always open to his less fortunate brethren, and he gave a helping hand to many a needy man-saint and gentile alike- for he was above petty distinctions. He deserved a large place in the memory of the citizens of San Bernardino, for he filled a large place in the early and vital events of the history of the town and of the county."
After his return to Salt Lake in 1858, Captain Hunt took up a mail contract from that city to Humboldt, also secured land in Utah and later had a large ranch in Idaho. He founded in 1860 Huntsville, a flourishing agricultural community near Ogden, Utah, and died at Oxford, Idaho, in the spring of 1866.
One of the interesting and at the same time tragic incidents of Captain Hunt's career, a career lacking in none of the elements of romance, was that concerned with the Death Valley party. Death Valley is a narrow valley between the Panamint and Funeral mountains, in California, and is traversed by the Amargosa River, which is usually a dry channel. The level of the valley is covered with salt, supposed to have been brought by the torrents from the surrounding desert and left on the evaporation of the water. It is considered to be the hottest and dryest place in the United States, and a temperature of 122 degrees Fahrenheit has been observed. This was the setting for the tragedy that overtook a party of goldseekers of the Mormon faith who reached Utah Valley late in the summer of 1849. It was too late for them to go to California by the northern route, and as it was feared that the Mormon settlers could not furnish sufficient supplies for so large a party during the winter, it was finally agreed to make the trip by the southern route, Captain Hunt offering to act as guide. The party consisted of seven sections, or 100 wagons, and commenced the journey September 30, 1849. After a period of good travel the trail became lost, and with it went the party's confidence in the leader. Therefore, .when the party came up with another train, under the leadership of a Captain Smith, Hunt's follow- ers were ready to listen to Smith and to accept as authentic a map in his possession. A meeting was called and the majority were in favor of following the Smith route, but when the point was reached where the trail divided, seven wagons continued to follow Hunt. After two or three days the Smith party reached a point where it seemed impossible for the wagons to go any further, and accordingly about sixty or seventy wagons turned back and started after Hunt. The greater part of this party reached Southern California in safety. The remainder of the Smith party soon divided up into small groups and each made its way as best it could, taking its own course. At least thirteen of the party, after suffering untold torture of hunger, thirst and heat, perished in this barren desert, which since that time has been known as "Death Valley."
Vol. I-4
CHAPTER IV
A PERIOD OF ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT
Up to the time of the exodus of the members of the Mormon colony, in 1857 and 1858, the history of San Bernardino County had been one of progress along various lines of industry. The withdrawal of these people had its immediate effect and the subsequent breaking out of the war between the States likewise exacted its toll. The result was that the period between 1858 and 1875, while not exactly one of stagnation. was one of arrested development. The syndicate which had purchased the unsold San Bernardino Rancho lands disposed of them to W. A. Conn, who rented and sold them to settlers, but these newcomers, as a rule, did not have the energy or general ability of the Mormons.
During this period military history of a more or less important char- acter was being made. For the purpose of punishing the Indians of the San Gorgonio Pass for their depredations. a volunteer company was formed in 1855 under the leadership of Capt. Andrew Lytle, and for a time a corps of men were encamped at the Weaver Ranch under Ord. Serg. H. C. Rolfe. In 1861 a company of infantry was formed under the command of Capt. C. E. Bennett. and in 1862 and for several years thereafter a body of California Volunteers was kept in the vicinity of San Bernardino.
While no regularly organized troops left San Bernardino for the struggle between the North and the South. many of the citizens left the community for the scene of hostilities, some to don the Blue and others the Gray, and among those who remained party feeling ran high. A large population had been brought into the vicinity of the Bear and Holcomb mining regions, and, there being a strong secession element. as well as an even stronger lawless element. there were constant conflicts both at the mines and at San Bernardino. In 1861. in support of the Government, John Brown, Sr., organized a Union League, of which "Uncle" George Lord was president, among the first members being William Heap, Moses Martin, Joseph Sawyer, Abner Blackburn, J. D. Potter, J. W. Wilson and Charles G. Hill. In spite of constant inter- ference and a number of attempts to disorganize it. the league gained strength constantly. and by 1863 had the satisfaction of seeing the county go republican by eighty-three votes, the first time it had ever given a majority to that party. An incident of this political controversy was the fight over the election of Piercy and Conn for assemblymen. Piercy took the seat in spite of allegations of chicanery, and subsequently met death in a duel with Showalter over the question of Secession and Union- ism. During the war between the States it was reported at one time that a band of filibusters, recruited in Visalia for the Confederate Army. was to raid San Bernardino. but this party proceeded quietly through on their way to Texas, and it is doubtful if they ever had any intention of molesting the citizens of this community.
While the declaring of peace between the North and the South and the expulsion of a large part of the lawless element from the mining dis- trict brought greater peace to the law-abiding residents, the Indians con- tinued to be troublesome, and numerous citizens met their deaths at the hands of scattered bands of the hostiles, who were ever alert to run off stock or to attack small parties of settlers. The Slate Range Quartz Mill and twelve buildings connected with the property of P. Beaudry
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of Los Angeles, were burned by the Indians in 1866, and to punish them for this and similar acts a party of volunteers was made up in 1867. Typical of the troubles of the times is the following article from a local newspaper of February, 1867:1 "For several years past our citizens have been greatly annoyed by roving bands of Indians who come into the valley and steal all the horses and cattle they find unguarded. Nor do they hesitate to attack stockmen and travelers, if an opportunity offers. Already Messrs. Parish, Bemus and Whiteside and a dozen others have fallen victims to their bloodthirstiness within the past four years. Growing bolder by impunity, on the 29th of January they attacked the sawmill of Mr. James, upon the mountain, a few miles east of this place, having previously robbed the house of Mr. Cain, carrying off five horses and burned down the house. The party at the mill, consisting of Messrs. Armstrong, Richardson, Cain and Talmadge, sallied out to meet them. A brisk fight followed, when the party, finding that most of the Indians had guns, and fearful of being overpowered, retreated to the mill. The next morning the party having been reinforced went out and were attacked again, the fight lasting for more than an hour. Two of the white men were wounded and two Indians killed and three wounded. A party was made up to pursue these Indians, and after following them found the Indians encamped on the desert at Rabbit Springs. The con- pany made an attack, the men having to climb up the steep mountains and over the rocks on all fours and the skirmishing lasted until dark. The skirmishing lasted for two days longer when the whites were com- pelled to withdraw because supplies were exhausted. Four Indians were killed and two of the white party wounded." The Mojave region came under the protection of Camp Cody, which was established as a regular military post in 1868, on the road between Wilmington and Northern Arizona territory, and about 100 troops under Colonel Ayers remained here until about 1870.
THE RESUMPTION OF AGRICULTURE. During the period between 1858 and 1865 the general class of newcomers to San Bernardino County, as before noted, did not measure up to the standards set by the Mormons, particularly as agriculturists. Among them there were, however, some men of industry and intelligent ideas, who took advantage of the oppor- tunities presented for advancement, so that agriculture began to show evidences of once again aspiring to its proper place. In 1859 Doctor Barton, who had purchased the Old Mission property of 640 acres for the ridiculously small sun of $500, set out 60,000 vines, and during the same year H. M. Willis set out a large vineyard at Old San Ber- nardino and H. M. Carpenter put out his vineyard in the foothill district that later became known as Craftonville. It was likewise during this period that the first orange trees in the county were set out, and the United States census for 1860 reported that there were 8,219 acres in the county under cultivation, the value of the livestock being placed at $141,661, and the value of the county according to the assessment rolls being $417,228.
The raisin or Muscat grape made its appearance about 1870 and the first Muscat raisins in the county were made by George Lord and placed on the market. By this year it had been demonstrated to the satisfaction of all that the orange would do well, and the industry was established upon a sound basis. In 1869 an organization known as the "Silk Cul- ture Company" began purchasing lands on the plains beyond the Santa
1 The Guardian.
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Ana, putting out lands and selling orchards, and from this small begin- ning has grown the present City of Riverside. During the year 1872 the county produced 300,000 pounds of wool, 250,000 bushels of grain, 300,000 pounds of potatoes, 3,500 tons of hay, and manufactured some- thing like 200,000 gallons of wine and brandy, and the county assessment of 1873 put the entire valuation of the county at $1,339,377.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE AND COMMERCE. The constructive work of John Brown, Sr., which resulted in the completion of the toll road through the Cajon Pass and the ferry across the Colorado River at Fort Mojave, in 1862, served to open up and give impetus to trade and commerce between Southern California and the States of Utah and Arizona. During the '60s a large amount of freighting to the mines of the desert and to Utah and Arizona was carried on, regular stage com- munications were maintained with Arizona, and grain, hay and flour produced in the valley, goods from San Pedro and mail and express matter brought from San Francisco and overland by the Butterfield Stage Company were distributed at San Bernardino, while by the year 1866 several stage companies were competing for business and giving regular service to different points in Arizona. In 1867 connections were made with Montana, and as early as 1869 mention is made in the local newspaper of a shipment of fruit made by Mr. Jacoby to Arizona.
During the early days of the county the mountains of San Bernardino were heavily timbered and furnished quite an industry. Probably the first sawmill in the county was located in the Mill Creek Canon, mentioned in the report of B. D. Wilson in 1852, and in 1854 the county records annotate the sale of the mill of Louis Vignes and Daniel Sexton to Julian (Col. Isaac) Williams, for $1,000. In 1859 the heirs of Mr. Wil- liams disposed of the "Chino Mill" to Len Nappy for $5,000. After building a road into the mountains, in 1852, the following sawmills were erected : in Seely Flat, one by A. J. Cox, the other by David Seely; in James' Flat by Captain Hunt ; and in Huston Flat by D. F. Huston. "Crisman's steam sawmill" was one of the early enterprises of its kind. in which Capt. Jefferson Hunt acquired a half-interest in 1854 by the payment of $6,000. Later it was found necessary to erect mills higher in the mountains as the timber disappeared from the lower flats, and timber hauled from the San Bernardino Mountains to Los Angeles brought $40 per thousand, while the cost of freighting was $15 per thousand. A report made to the State Board of Agriculture in 1873 stated that at that time there were four sawmills in the county which produced 3,000,000 feet of lumber and 500,000 shingles.
As was natural, the first grist mills of San Bernardino County, located at Chino and Jurupa, the latter known as Robidoux's Mill, were prim- itive in construction and awkward in action. The large flour mill built by the Mormons was for many years the leading one in Southern Cali- fornia and furnished flour not only for the immediate surrounding ter- ritory, but for points in Arizona and elsewhere. In 1859 was built on the Santa Ana what was first known as Meek's Mill and later as Math- ew's Mill, and in the early days a grist mill was also located at Rincon. According to a report made to the State Board of Agriculture in 1873 the three mills ground out 7,350 barrels of flour in that year.
The manufacture of chairs, tables and sets of drawers was com- menced at Old San Bernardino in 1859 by the Cram Brothers, who made use of the Mill Creek Zanja, into which was put a "breast" water wheel, while the timber growing along the creek, principally elder and willow, was used in manufacturing the product. The furniture, while primitive
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in style and character, met with a good sale in this community and the surrounding settlements, and its workmanship was such that it stood the test of many years of usage. Another manufacturing interest was that of coffins, made by William McDonald during the '60s and '70s. Also in the early '70s, W. S. Tittle began the manufacture of wagons, and was succeeded by Tittle & Brodhurst, the new firm developing one of the largest enterprises of its kind in the State and selling its product all over Southern California and as far east as Arizona. Rogers & Kier, in the latter '60s, conducted a harness manufacturing business and did a lively trade to various distant points.
It was estimated that during the period from 1863 to 1873, $115,000 in bullion was shipped from San Bernardino by Wells Fargo, a sum which was doubtless but a small part of the entire amount produced by the mines of the county. The Ivanpah district was opened up around 1860, producing quite a bit of silver ; the Holcomb and Bear valleys were largely exploited during the '60s and work continued in these districts well into the '70s ; hydraulic mining was carried on in Lytle Creek Canon ; the Twenty-nine Palm and Panamint districts came into prominence dur- ing the '70s, and about 1870 the borax mines of the Armagosa district were located and began to yield richly. The marble ledges near Colton were also uncovered although not worked to any considerable extent, and it was likewise known that a rich tin mine existed at Temescal.
During this period of the county's history, and especially during the '70s, a number of new schoolhouses were built, and the cause of edu- cation made considerable advancement. The six school districts that had been in existence in 1858 had increased to nine by 1861, and in 1862 County Superintendent Ellison Robbins called the first educational con- vention ever held in the county.
DEVELOPMENT OF SAN BERNARDINO. The City of San Bernardino, which had been incorporated in 1854, was disincorporated March 6, 1863 but was again incorporated as a town in 1869. In 1858 there were but three stores at San Bernardino; by 1866 this number had been increased to from eighteen to twenty, in addition to which there were two good hotels, a saddler's, a livery stable and a pharmacist's. The first brick block in the city is said to have been erected by J. H. Stewart, in 1867, at the corner of Third and D streets, and following that structure brick buildings began to take the place of adobe buildings generally. Richard Ralphs and Henry Goodsell were the first brickmakers in San Ber- nardino.
The little frontier town did not lack in social activities. One of the early organizations of this kind was the San Bernardino Dramatic Asso- ciation, founded in 1859, in which year there was also organized the San Bernardino Temperance Association. It was at this period that the San Bernardino Library Association also came into existence. Public and private May Day picnics, Fourth of July celebrations and balls and parties were all popular with the early residents.
The San Bernardino "Herald" seems to have been the pioneer jour- nalistic enterprise, making its first appearance June 16, 1860, under the editorial management of J. Judson Ames, who was succeeded in 1861 by J. S. Waite About the same time appeared the San Bernardino "Patriot," which, however, discontinued publication in the spring of 1862. In February, 1867, appeared the first issue of the "Guardian," under the editorial direction of H. Hamilton, who was succeeded by E. A. Nishet. Will D. Gould brought forth the "Argus" in 1873. In the early '60s, when the first telegraphic communication was established at Los Angeles,
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efforts were made to procure connection of this kind with that city, but were unsuccessful.
In addition to the two-story brick school building erected in 1874, several private schools were maintained, Capt. J. P. C. Allsop having a school of this kind on Fifth Street, between Grafton and Canal, from 1862 until 1867, Mrs. E. A. Nisbet also conducting a school of this kind. and Prof. C. R. Paine opening his academy and business college in 1867. A Union Sunday School had been started about 1858 and continued in existence for many years. A Congregational church, organized in the early '60s, was followed not long afterward by a Methodist church, and in addition to the Latter Day Saints church, at the corner of Second and Utah streets, a Catholic church was organized about 1865. This latter was destroyed by fire but was replaced in 1871 by a new church, then one of the finest in the country.
The year 1871 was made notable by the erection of a number of brick business structures, considered very modern at that time. These included the furniture and coffin store of William McDonald; Meyer- stein's General Store, a building at the corner of Fourth and Utah streets, built by Judge Boren, and the Masonic Hall, an ornate, two-story brick edifice on Utal Street, with imitation stone front, the first Masonic Hall built for the especial purpose in this part of the state, at the laying of the cornerstone of which elaborate ceremonies were conducted.
Transportation facilities at San Bernardino in 1866 included two different stage companies operating lines to Los Angeles, while the Ban- ning Company was running a weekly stage from Wilmington to Yuma via San Bernardino and the U. S. Mail Company sent weekly stages to LaPaz, A. T. In 1867 a weekly stage was started between San Diego and San Bernardino, via Temecula and San Luis Ray, and was main- tained for several years. However, the people were not satisfied with transportation conditions. It is true that there were many who were satisfied, apparently, with matters as they stood; but there were others who were willing and ready to agitate the question of railroads. Numer- ous projects were brought up and fell through, and it was not until the Southern Pacific Railroad was brought as far as Spadra, twenty-five miles east of Los Angeles, that there was any real hope of the city being placed in connection with the outside world by means of a railroad. The citizens at that time made an earnest and almost successful effort to secure the line for their city, and when Colton was awarded the honor it was a great disappointment.
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