USA > California > Riverside County > History of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Volume I > Part 20
USA > California > San Bernardino County > History of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Volume I > Part 20
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The financial report of the board of trustees, of January, 1897, impressed upon the body the necessity for a radical reform. The term of Judge Otis as superior judge having expired with the year 1896, he was succeeded by Judge Frank F. Oster, his successor on the bench. At a meeting held January 11, 1897, the board was reorganized by the election of Judge Oster as president and Mr. Chapman as secretary. At this meeting the board of trustees concluded that it was necessary, as an cconomic measure, to do away with the services of a librarian, and from
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that time further those desiring to consult the books were compelled to secure admittance through the services of the janitor. At the close of the year 1900, the library was moved to a large and commodious room situated on the ground floor of the old Court House, in the former assessor's office. The board of trustees, through the exercise of rigid economy, paid off a large indebtedness and the subscription for several current reports, and have likewise added materially to the books. An inspection of the shelves will find that there are several thousand volumes, consisting for the most part of statutes, reports, digests, textbooks, etc. The library is a valuable and comprehensive one, and from small begin- nings, has developed into an asset of much value to the members of the San Bernardino County Bar.
CHAPTER XIII MILITARY HISTORY
The great World's war of recent date which united the manhood of every part of the country with the bonds of a common cause completed the work of eliminating any feeling that may have existed in California as the aftermath of the great civil struggle of the '60s which disrupted homes, broke up friendships of a lifetime, set brother against brother and caused whole communities to run amuck with the blood lust that only war can generate. There are those who would say that California's part in the Civil war was one of not the slightest importance; on the contrary, conditions were of an alarming nature in this state during a long period of doubt, and only prompt action on the part of the loyal residents of the commonwealth saved California from the stigma of deserting the Union at a time when it was in need of its full strength.
The state was placed in a peculiar position, for while the loyalty of the larger part of the population was not to be denied, the residents were composed of immigrants from all portions of the country, who had brought into the state the traditions and prejudices of their former con- munities. As there were at that time no native-born Californians who had attained manhood, there was no class to make up an entity of state pride and thought free from the influences of former associations. For the greater part men were sympathizers of the Federal cause if they had come into California from the North; if they had come from a Southern state, they were definitely and positively in favor of the cause of Seces- sion, or if they did not declare themselves thus then they were avowedly against any attempt by force of arms to coerce the seceding states.
Such a state of affairs, naturally, caused much uneasiness and a gen- eral unsettled condition. So unsettled in fact, that there was strong talk indulged in of an independent Pacific Republic. Likewise, the reports received by the administration at Washington, as to what might be Cali- fornia's stand upon the great issues of the coming conflict, were greatly conflicting, and the authorities of the War Department eventually dis- patched from Washington, with all haste and secrecy, Gen. Edwin V. Sumner, an old officer of the regular army and of known lovalty, to relieve Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, who was of Southern birth and family connections, from the command of the Military Division of the Pacific and the Department of California. In speaking of the relief of General Johnston, Ingersoll says: "It is due to the memory of a general who afterward became distinguished in the Confederate Army to say that no one who knew General Johnston ever entertained grave doubts that, whatever his personal feeling or sentiment might have been, he would have been true to the flag of the Union so long as he retained his commission in the United States Army. His established reputation was that of unquestioned ability, and the highest and keenest sense of honor. But times were dangerous and those in authority, realizing the wide dis- affection among officers of the army and navy, hardly knew whom to trust, and where the shadow of doubt rested, deemed it best to place in anthority those whose fealty was unquestioned."
The fact was soon established that California would support the Union by the ease with which regiments were recruited and the many wildly-enthusiastic meetings which were held in all sections of the state, for General Sumner had brought with him full authority to raise and
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equip volunteer regiments and to put the commonwealth in a complete state of defense. Like all soldiers who take up arms voluntarily, the officers and men of the California volunteer regiments were greatly desirous of getting into action at the front on the eastern theatre of war, a large majority explaining that they had no fear of an outbreak at home and that they had enlisted with the expectation and hope of being sent into immediate action. That they were sincere in these statements is to be seen in the fact that they offered to pay their own expenses in the way of transportation, a noteworthy instance of this kind of patriotism being the tender of Corporal Goldthwait, a man of some means, of a check
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for $5,000, to the colonel of his regiment, the Third California, for such expenses. Much to the disappointment of the volunteers, however, the War Department came to the conclusion that it was a wise policy to keep the Californians nearer home. For one thing, the trip via the Isthmus of Panama was too expensive and that across the plains too long, in addi- tion to which the activities of the hostile Indians at that time made the latter trip impracticable. It was felt, also, that no harm would be done if the Mormons were kept under armed surveillance. Accordingly, Cali- fornia troops were distributed in Utah and adjoining territory; one column operated in Arizona, New Mexico and as far east as Northern Texas, and the troops got their fill of military life. That these men did
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not come into actual conflict with the forces of the Confederacy is not to assert that they did not play an important part in the winning of the war. Long, dangerous marches over the burning plains were a part of their regular routine; they endured intense suffering from heat, thirst and fatigue ; and they were almost constantly engaged in scouting and in actual warfare with the Indians. They fought the Navajos in New Mexico, the Apaches in Arizona and the Kiowas and Comanches in Texas, and throughout their service they displayed the maximum of bravery and fidelity. A part of the California volunteer troops were sta- tioned in the locality of San Francisco; for the fortifications of the harbor had been deprived of the services of the regular garrison, which had been sent to the East to join their respective regiments. In addition to ten regiments, one battalion and four companies of volunteer troops, there were the California Hundred and Battalion which went to the East and became a part of the cavalry forces of the great Army of the Potomac. The men making up these commands participated in more than fifty engagements with the enemy, beginning at South Ann Bridge in Vir- ginia and ending at Appomattox. Also, in various regiments of the castern states, there were numerous individual Californians, and one regiment, recruited by Sen. Edward Baker, of Oregon, at Philadelphia, was largely composed of old Californians and was known generallv as the "First California." Taking these facts into consideration, as well as the fact that California contributed millions of dollars to the Union cause and very largely to the Sanitary Fund, it is not to be denied that this State did its full share in the preservation of the Union.
THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. Fifty-five years have rolled away since that notable body of men gathered, April 6, 1866, at Decatur, Illinois, and organized the Grand Army of the Republic, with its motto of charity and loyalty and its avowed purpose of teaching patriotism to the younger generations. Among the leaders in this movement were soldiers who, on many a fierce field of battle, had proved their valor and patriotism, and they were well fitted for the task they had under- taken. The great organization then formed still continues, although, in the course of nature, it yearly grows less and less in membership, but it has proved a mighty factor in the lessons it has taught and in the work it has done in the upbuilding of solid American citizenship.
The originator of the Grand Army of the Republic was Dr. Benjamin F. Stephenson, a Springfield, Illinois, physician, who had served during the war as a surgeon in the Fourteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. After spending many weeks in studying the situation and outlining plans, he made a draft of a ritual which he sent by Capt. John S. Phelps to Decatur, where two veterans, Messrs. Cottrin and Prior, owned a printing establishment. With their employes, who had also been in the service, these men were first sworn to secrecy and the ritual was then set up in type in their office and a number of copies printed. These Captain Phelps took back to Springfield. In the meantime, comrades at Decatur had become so interested that, with the active assistance of Capt. F. M. Kanan and Dr. J. W. Roth, names sufficient for the secur- ing of a charter were procured, and Doctor Stephenson was prevailed upon to go to Decatur, although a post was already being organized at Springfield, although not ready for muster. Decatur thus had the honor of being the birthplace of this great organization, with Gen. Isaac Pew as post commander and Captain Kanan as adjutant, and the title "The Grand Army of the Republic" was formally adopted at the organization, April 6, 1866. Post No. 2 was organized at Springfield soon thereafter,
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and at a national soldiers' and sailors' convention, held at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the following September, prominent citizens were empow- ered to organize posts. From that time forward organization was rapid, until it became one of the strongest bodies in the Union, possessing and exercising a powerful influence for good.
W. H. LONG POST, G. A. R. It was not until the winter of 1883-84 that any definite action was taken toward the organization of a post of the Grand Army of the Republic at San Bernardino. The efforts of Capt. Frank T. Singer at first met with indifferent support, but vigorous agitation eventually developed the fact that there were many veterans in the community and the requisite number of names were obtained. This was followed by the obtaining of a charter and April 24, 1884, W. H. Long Post, No. 57, G. A. R., Department of California and Nevada, was regularly mustered in with a membership of twenty-four. The post was named in honor of a close friend of Maj. T. C. Kendall, formerly of the Sixth Army Corps, Col. W. H. Long, a wealthy Boston merchant, who presented the new organization with a handsome silk banner, suitably inscribed.
When Memorial Day was observed for the first time at San Ber- nardino, May 30, 1884, the people of the city and the surrounding coun- try turned out in full force, the Knights of Pythias shared in the cele- bration, the public school children, fraternal bodies and civic organiza- tions joined in the parade, and the occasion was the greatest thus far in the history of the city. Weekly meetings served to swell the membership and when the banner arrived from Colonel Long the occasion was cele- brated by another gala affair, held in two large store rooms on Third Street, which included a banquet and ball. The exploitation of this event by the newspapers brought to the attention of the leading officials of the Grand Army of the Republic the fact that, contrary to the rules of the organization, the post had been named after a man who was still alive, and the charter was promptly revoked.
W. R. CORNMAN POST, G. A. R. The post, however, was allowed to retain its number, and December 5, 1884, it was renamed W. R. Corn- man Post, which succeeded to all rights and privileges of its predecessor, and was mustered in with forty-two members. The post was named in honor of Lieut. William Raymond Cornman, a native of Illinois, born at what is now East St. Louis, December 19, 1844. In 1861, while a resident of Stillwater, Minnesota, he joined the United States Army and saw active Indian fighting in the frontier states. Later he joined the First Minnesota Infantry, rose rapidly in the ranks, and at the time of his honorable discharge held the rank of second lieutenant. Soon thereafter he came westward and after mining in Utah reached San Bernardino in 1875. He engaged in the livery business and handled wagons, carriages, grain, etc., but his career was cut short August 15, 1877, when he perished on the Mojave Desert for the want of water. Like other posts, the San Bernardino body has in recent years been sadly depleted by deaths. Since its organization, 231 names have appeared on its rolls, but at the present time there are but 55 members.
Following is the list of commanders from the organization to the present time :
1884
Frank T. Singer
1885 T. C. Kendall
1886.
E. C. Seymour
1887
E. A. Smith
1888.
C. N. Damron
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1889
Frank T. Singer
1890
James E. Mack
1891
Samuel Leffler
1892
. Joseph Marchant
1893.
.N. G. Gill
1894
Wesley Thompson
1895
G. L. Hattery
1896.
A. Fussel
1897
Ward E. Clark
1898
. M. P. Sutinger
1899
James la Niece
1900
T. C. Chapman
1901
Joel A. Taylor
1902.
E. C. Seymour
1903
W. L. Vestal
1904
W. L. Vestal
1905
T. L. Palmer
1906
A. M. Brown
1907
W. C. Clark
1908
E. Davis
1909
N. H. Barton (died in office)
1910
L. B. Walker
1911
W. H. Weight
1912
E. C. Seymour
1913
N. B. Weed
1914
J. Harding
1915
.L. McHugh
1916
J. H. Maxwell
1917
W. D. Hoover
1918
A. M. Brown
1919
E. C. Seymour
1920
E. C. Seymour
1921
E. C. Seymour
G. A. R. officers for 1921 : Post Commander, E. C. Seymour ; Senior Vice Commander, J. G. Wood; Junior Vice Commander. W. W. Dal- geish ; Adjutant, Edward Davis, served twelve years; Quartermaster. B. Pierson, served eleven years ; Surgeon, S. K. Wilson ; Chaplain, W. H. Weight ; Officer of the Day. W. C. Clark : Officer of Guard, J. Thompson ; Patriotic Instructor, J. N. Waddell; Sergeant Major, T. E. Moon ; Quartermaster Sergeant, J. H. Ladd.
SOLDIERS AND SAILORS MONUMENT. On April 15, 1916. the unveil- ing and dedication of the soldiers and sailors' monument in Pioneer Park was made the occasion for a holiday, in which the patriotic organizations of Southern California participated.
Rev. Eli McClish, chaplain at the Soldiers' Home at Sawtelle. and himself a veteran, was orator of the day, while Hiram P. Thompson, commander of the Department of California and Nevada, and Mayor George H. Wixom were speakers.
The stately monument. which was hewn out of marble by Peter Bisson, the Los Angeles sculptor, was unveiled by Master Jesse Wil- liam Curtis, Jr., son of Judge J. W. Curtis and his sister Helen. grand- children of Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Seymour, the former a past commander for California and Nevada. The monument cost $6,100, of which the board of supervisors of the county gave $1,500, and the city trustees,
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who also contributed $1,500; the balance being the donations of schools and private individuals and citizens generally-the results of hard work by the members of the G. A. R. and W. R. C. With the latter two organizations it was a long cherished dream, now realized.
Col. E. C. Seymour was master of ceremonies and Mrs. E. C. Sey- mour, whose inspiring courage enlisted the co-operation of friends, was in charge of decorations.
The monument, all told, stands about 30 feet high: first the base, then a beautiful pedestal, and topping this is the figure of a soldier at ease. On each of the four sides of the pedestal-a 4-foot polished gray marble-is cut an inscription.
On the west side:
1776-1812
"To those who established a government of the people, by the people, for the people."
On the south side :
1846-1848
"To those who carried the flag for freedom and gave us the beautiful Southland."
On the north :
"Those who rallied around the flag and gave freedom to Cuba and the Philippines."
On the east side :
"To those who sacrificed so much and preserved our Country under one flag.'
THE WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS. The Woman's Relief Corps, W. R. Cornman Post, No. 9, was organized at San Bernardino, January 9, 1885. Information concerning its earlier history is not available because the records were destroyed in a fire, but the corps from its start has worked in thorough accord with the G. A. R., aiding in all social and benevolent efforts and paying particular attention to looking after the families of old soldiers who have been in need of assistance. One of the most important enterprises undertaken by this body was the erection of a monument to the soldiers in City Park. The corps had a charter membership of fourteen, and its first president was Mrs. Jennie Har- grove, its secretary being Mrs. J. J. Whitney. The corps now has a membership of 150. Its officers are: Jennieveva Hasty, president ; Della Spangler, senior vice president; Mary Walker, junior vice president ; Eliza Sullinger and Elizabeth Felter, secretary; Anna Stiles, treasurer: and Flora Gowel, chaplain.
PAST PRESIDENTS RELIEF CORPS
1885
Jennie Hargraves
1886
Ada Suhr
1887
Elizabeth Singer
1888
Josephene Cornman
1889
Kate Reinohl
1890
Hattie Dixon
1891
Ida Seymour
1892
Martha M. Kendall
1893
Mary E. Buddington
1894
Minnie M. Gill
1895
. Emma Davidson
1896
Josephene Cornman Whitney
1897
Mary E. Hatterly
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1898
Eliza M. Sullinger
1899
Amelia Wood
1900.
Anna Levings
1902
Jennie Clark
1904
. Martha M. Seymour
1906.
Mary Y. Hoagland
1907
Eliza Dow Kimball
1908
. Orissa Osborn
1909.
Euphama Coburn
1910.
Jennie Huyck
1911
Flora Gowell
1913
Anna Stiles
1914
Georgia Armetrout
1915.
Florence Ladd
1916
Annie Maxwell
1918.
Rose Smith
1919
Elizabeth Felter
1920
Forest Pierson
1921
Jennieveva Hasty
FIRST BATTALION, SEVENTH CALIFORNIA INFANTRY, U. S. The his- tory of the San Bernardino County companies, from the time of the formation of Company G of Redlands, is that of the First Battalion of the Seventh Infantry, California National Guard, and United States Volunteers. When the addition of Company G and the Act of March 9, 1893, added another major to the personnel of the Ninth Infantry, an election was called at San Diego, held June 17, 1893, at which Frank C. Prescott was elected major of the Second Battalion, which included Companies C of Riverside, D of Pomona, E of San Bernardino, and G of Redlands. When the Seventh and Ninth regiments of the National Guard were consolidated, these companies remained in the same battalion, with San Bernardino's letter changed to K, and Riverside's to M. At the Santa Monico camp, in 1897, Company D of Pomona was trans- ferred to another battalion and Company B of San Diego placed in the battalion, thus giving Captain Dodge of San Diego, the senior officer of the regiment in point of length of service, the right of the line. The reorganization also had the result of the battalion becoming the First Battalion, as Major (later Gen.) Frank C. Prescott, who was re-elected, was the senior major.
The First Battalion has been called upon for active duty on numer- ous occasions. On September 2. 1893, it was ordered to rendezvous at the armories of the respective companies for duty in suppressing anti- Chinese riots, threatened at Redlands, and assembled all night. On April 14, 1894, it was order to rendezvous and with Company K to proceed to Colton to protect railroad property from the riotous demon- strations of the notorious "Coxey's Army." Company K bivouacked one night at the City Hall, Colton. On May 5, 1898, the battalion assembled at the armories, and acting under orders started for San Francisco, May 6, 1898, camping at the Presidio on the following day and being mustered into the United States Volunteers for service in the Spanish- American war, May 9. It remained in camp at the Presidio until the 25th, when it took station at Fifth Avenue, Camp Merritt. San Fran- cisco, and changed station to First Avenue, June 28. On August 24 it returned to Presidio, and October 13 was furloughed. It rendezvoused at Agricultural Park, Los Angeles, November 12, and when mustered out, December 2, returned to duty with the National Guard.
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The battalion has been commended repeatedly in orders and has been distinguished for instruction, discipline and esprit. Its first tour of active duty was characterized by good judgment and efficiency, and Regimental Orders No. 14, Headquarters Ninth Regiment, First Brigade, N. G. C., San Diego, September 16, 1893, includes the following :
"The commanding officer desires to commend Maj. Frank C. Prescott and the officers and men of Companies C, E and G for the promptness with which they responded to the orders of the brigade commander upon the occasion of the recent threatened anti-Chinese riots at Redlands, and the manner in which they exemplified their readiness to discharge their duties under the law. The large percentage of attendance secured upon short notice, and the energy and efficiency shown in the discharge of duty, justifies the commanding officer's large faith in the fidelity and efficiency of his entire command and in its capacity properly to aid the civil authorities to meet those emergencies of public disorder the danger of whose occurrence justifies the National Guard's existence.
"Official, "By Order of Colonel Spielman.
"Ed. F. Brown, Adjutant."
During the period of the industrial trouble and unrest, the preserva- tion of pace was maintained by the battalion without immoderate zeal, but which with business-like directness that served to demonstrate to the malcontents that the situation was being kept well in hand by the military.
While in the service of the United States as the First Battalion of the Seventh California Infantry, U. S. V., this organization formed a part of the First Brigade, Independent Division of the Eighth Army Corps, and was always a part of the Expeditionary Forces. Its officers were Frank C. Prescott, major, and Harvey E. Higbey, first lieutenant. The tour of duty at the Presidio was one of discipline and instruction, and Major Prescott carried out the work to the uttermost limit and with splendid ability. The battalion, shortly after its arrival, was engaged in drilling in both close and extended order by trumpet signals; the infantry drill regulations were covered; the shelter tent drill and physical exercise with arms and to music were mastered, and the work cul- minated in the exhibition drills given by the different regiments on dif- ferent nights at Mechanics' Pavilion. The battalion was assigned the difficult duty of giving a battalion drill which should illustrate the school of the battalion as far as the floor space would permit, and despite the fact that the 400 men made a column the full length of the pavilion, the movements of the close order were fully exemplified. An instance which gave evidence of the perfection of drill and perfect discipline, and one which was noted and favorably commented upon by Major General Merriam, the reviewing officer, was that at the order "Arms!" the iron butts of nearly 400 rifles struck the floor together without a sound, this being in conformation with the infantry drill regulations which prescribe that the guns shall be lowered gently to the ground. The efficiency of the battalion was recognized by the regular army authorities who ordered it for a tour of duty wherein the captains were ordered to fall out and regular army lieutenants placed in command of the companies to test their proficiency of drill. The San Francisco newspapers reported this as follows :
"First and second lieutenants of the United States Army undergoing examination for promotion were examined in drill June 14, Major Pres- cott's battalion of the Seventh California Infantry, U. S. V., being brought over from Camp Merritt to the Presidio for the purpose of
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examination. It was a matter of universal comment among the officers of the Presidio what a fine body of men the soldiers of the battalion were excellently drilled and strong and martial in appearance."
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