History of San Joaquin County, California : with biographical sketches of leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 35

Author: Tinkham, George H. (George Henry), b. 1849
Publication date: 1923
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1660

USA > California > San Joaquin County > History of San Joaquin County, California : with biographical sketches of leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 35

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

county judge, George W. Tyler, 1996, J. K. Shafer, 1720; sheriff, Thomas K. Hook, 2010, John W. O'Neal, 1709; county clerk, H. E. Hall, 1984, S. R. Chalmers, 1616; recorder, Roley E. Wilhoit, 2115, J. M. Neal, 1576; treasurer, J. M. Kelsey, 2075, Mark A. Evans, 1633; district attorney, Henry B. Underhill, 2145, Joseph H. Budd, 1570, Cyrus Collins, 2107 ; ^surveyor, George E. Drew, 2107, Dun- can Beaumont, 1684; assessor, Joseph M. Long, 2070, J. F. Neeley, 1604; administrator, L. C. Van Allen, 2085, N.E. Noel, 1593 ; super- intendent of schools, Cyrus Collins, 2019, Al- fred N. Blake, 1659.

Union Men Rejoice

In 1863 President Lincoln proclaimed a day to be given to prayer and fasting. Ser- vices were held in the Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Robert Happersett preaching the ser- mon. On a former occasion, when Lincoln appointed September 26, 1861, as a day of fasting and prayer it was almost universally observed for the future of the nation look dark and gloomy but now the day was scarcely noticed. The citizens took it for enjoyment, and the storekeepers were on the lookout for the silver dollars and the greenback. Kip- ling's admonition to the English people- Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Let us for- get, lest we forget-would have been applica- ble to Stockton's citizens, for Grant and Sher- man were sweeping the land and Farragut and Porter were cleaning the sea, and the people seemed to forget Garfield's sublime cry, "God reigneth." The Union men were now in no mood for prayer. They wanted to yell, and yell they did with all the lung power within them when the news came September 8 of the second Bull Run battle, this time the bull run- ning south instead of north. Saturday even- ing the news was received and the Union men went wild. All the bells of the city were rung, the cannon was fired, the Fire Department turned out with its engines and a band of music marched the streets, rockets and Roman candles were burned, and in every possible manner men gave vent to their feelings. As a finish, the speakers' stand was carried to the front of the Weber House, men immediately began speaking, and the people cheered until they were hoarse.

The state election was soon to be held. The Union County Committee at this time com- prised seventeen members, C. O. Burton being chairman and Charles Grunsky, secretary. committee assembling May 16, called a con- vention to be held in the City Hall June 13 to nominate a county ticket and elect dele- gates to the state convention at Sacramento June 17. At the appointed date the convention met, every delegate being a well-known Union

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man. The delegates were called to order by C. O. Burton, then just appointed as post- master. M. S. Thresher was elected temporary chairman and I. R. Wilbur and G. C. Holman of Lockeford, secretaries. Preliminary busi- ness being completed, the convention ad- journed until one o'clock. Again assembling, M. G. Cobb, a prominent lawyer, was chosen chairman, and Holman, secretary. On motion of Thomas R. Mosely all the county officers were nominated viva voce. The resolutions passed by the by the convention had in them a defiant tone, for the news from the East was very encouraging to the Union cause. Among the most prominent were the follow- ing: "Resolved, that the old flag must wave triumphantly over every inch of soil owned by the Government, Resolved, that when the last traitor in the land shall have laid down his arms and submitted unconditionally to the lawful authority of the Government of the United States, then we shall be in favor of peace, but not until then. Resolved, that this county can and will give 600 majority for the Union ticket in September next."

Hook's Sensational Speech

When nominations for sheriff were called for, Thomas K. Hook's name was presented. This was a surprise, for many in the conven- tion questioned his loyalty. When called upon to appear before the convention, Hook, knowing that his loyalty was doubted, made the most sensational speech ever heard in a San Joaquin convention. Trembling with emo- tion, he said in part: "Let me be accused of everything that is offensive in the eyes of God and man, place me in the lowest grade of criminals if you will, but in Heaven's name don't charge me with being disloyal to my Government. When this convention shall have adjourned, let each delegate go home assured that if a drop of disloyal blood shall flow in my veins, if I can find out its location, it shall see the light." He was nominated unani- mously. The nominations were in nearly every case repetitions of the nomination of 1861. R. E. Wilhoit was named for recorder, J. M. Kelsey for treasurer, George E. Drew for surveyor and Morris H. Bond for coroner. The entire ticket was elected.

The success of the ticket was due to the formation of Union clubs throughout the county. I have no positive data regarding the formation of the first club, but French Camp seems to have the honor. A club was formed there May 18, 1861, with Samuel Myers as president and F. J. Woodward as secretary. July 2, 1863, a Union club was formed and met in the Davis schoolhouse on Cherokee Lane. John Grattan, then one of the hardest

of party workers, was president and William D. Ashley, secretary. Other clubs were formed throughout the county, but the prin- cipal club was in Stockton. Two years pre- vious there had been a Republican club, but as a Union organization, a club composed of. both Democrats and Republicans, its forma- tion dates from July 29, 1863. A few days before that date this call was published : "Union men, attention. There will be a meet- ing in the City Hall Monday evening for the purpose of forming a Union club. Let all those who are in favor of laying aside all party names and associations and are opposed to copperhead and secession Democracy, and their peace propositions attend and enroll them- selves upon the side of our country and Gov- ernment."

Hundreds signed the roll. At that time General Grant was hammering at Vicksburg and General Meade was gathering his forces at Gettysburg. Then came the most terrible battle of the war on the first three days of July, and General Robert E. Lee, that grand man and heroic leader, fled towards Richmond in defeat. The following day Vicksburg sur- rendered. The news was received at Stockton Saturday evening, July 9, and at the club meet- ing that night, Rev. Hendrickson, pastor of the Baptist Church, was called upon for a speech and he declared that the rebellion was "on its last legs." Hendrickson, who soon after the close of the war took charge of the First Baptist Church, San Francisco, was the most eloquent pulpit orator in Stockton. Let me quote the closing remarks of his sermon, August 6, 1863: "My fellow citizens, stand by your country, obey her laws and defend her constitution against all enemies, and, by the blessings of God she will stand firm amidst the wildest storm of human passion. Her glories will shine forth with even in- creasing brilliancy, and the rectitude and grandeur of her sway will be enjoyed until the end of time. When from the pine forests of Maine to the rock-ribbed mountains of California and to the evergreen glades of Flor- ida will be heard the magic shout, Alleluia, the Lord God omnipotent reigneth; for He has caused our country to triumph gloriously." The victories of Grant, Meade and Halleck could not be passed silently by, and on July 11 there was a jollification previously unsur- passed. All the business houses and resi- dences of Union men were brightly illumin- ated. The bells were rung and the cannon's boom and the rockets' red glare gave proof through the night that something was doing in Stockton. The Union Guard, Stockton Light Dragoons, the First Cavalry, California Volunteers, companies G, I, K, and M, to-

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

gether with the Union clubs of the county, paraded the streets led by the Stockton Cor- net Band playing continuously the tunes, "John Brown," "The Union Forever," and "The Red, White and Blue." The speakers' stand had been placed in the street, and Charles H. Chamberlain, afterwards senator and author of the famous bill giving the negro equal rights in a court of law, addressed the audience. He was followed by Samuel Myers, Rev. Hen- drickson, Thomas B. Shannon, Cornelius Cole and M. G. Cobb. Frank Pixley was expected, but he sent a telegram saying: "Illness in my family prevents me being with you to- night. When Lee is annihilated, Richmond captured and Charleston burned, I will visit Stockton and preach the funeral oration of the rebellion." Till midnight the people lingered, then, moving to the wharf, witnessed a beauti- ful sight as the steamer Cornelia, brilliantly illuminated, came slowly up the channel.

The Democrats assembled in county con- vention July 20, under very discouraging cir- cumstances. They had no chance whatever of electing their state or county ticket, and their party organs, the San Joaquin Republican and the Stockton Argus, had been suppressed by the order of Brigadier-General Wright. The delegates, among whom were John B. Hall, N. C. Hilke, Frank Moss, John Quinn and Samuel Eldridge, elected William H. Lyons, chairman and L. R. Chalmers of Collegeville and William Biven, secretaries. The conven- tion protested against the many arbitrary acts and usurpations of President Lincoln, and con- demned as tyrannical the arrest of C. L. Val- landigham of Ohio, who had denounced the draft. They also declared the Stockton Beacon their official advocate, Biven having started this paper after the suppression of the Argus.

The Campaign of 1863

The campaign of 1863 was very lively, Jos- eph H. Budd, John B. Hall, Samuel A. Booker, Charles Weller and Joe Hamilton speaking for the so-called Democrats and Moses G. Cobb, George Tyler, Charles H. Chamberlain, Henry B. Underhill, Joseph W. Cavis and Wm. L. Dudley defending the Union cause. One of the largest meetings of the campaign was that held in Agricultural Hall August 27 ' and "an immense audience filled every spot in the spacious building." It was in part a military meeting as the speaker of the even- ing was Colonel Van Arman of the 127th Illi- nois Regiment, and in his honor many of the vice-presidents were military men. The meet- ing was called to order by C. O. Burton, chair- man of the Union County Committee. Colo- nel Oscar M. Brown was elected as president and Captains T. A. Storms, L. E. Lyons, T. K. Hook, C. J. Jennings, J. L. Merriam and L.

M. Gardner, vice-presidents and Lieutenant P. S. Rowe and George Vaugh, secretaries. During the speaking an "Independent" extra was read telling of the bombardment of Fort Sumter by the Federal army. "The audience were perfectly wild with excitement and cheer upon cheer rent the air as the reading pro- gressed." At its conclusion the people arose to their feet and gave three cheers for Colonel Gilmore, the commander of the Federal forces and the band at the same time struck up "Yan- kee Doodle." At intervals the Euterpean club sang patriotic songs, and a quartette com- prising Mrs. J. P. D. Wilkins, Mrs. Edward Delano, Wm. Cobb and Amos Durant sang the "Flag of Our Union," which was loudly encored. Cheers were then given for the army and navy and the success of the Union ticket.

The Union party, October 14, over twenty days previous to the election, had their big cel- ebration. The city workers, assembling in the afternoon, marched to the Mormon Slough bridge over Center Street and after greeting the county delegation escorted them into the city. That night the streets were lively. There were salutes by the Stockton Light Ar- tillery, two bands of music (one from San Francisco), a procession with some 1500 torches and transparencies in line, fireworks and speaking. For the first time Hunter Square was occupied as the political assembly room, with the arch of God overhead and the stars of the Union shining. As the procession was led into the square, rockets, stars and blue lights filled the air. The space was crowded, over 5000 persons being present ; some had come over twenty miles to listen to those eloquent speakers-Frank Pixley, Wil- liam Higby and Henry Edgerton-and until the midnight hour the speakers proclaimed the party principles. It seemed as if the very air was then saturated with Unionism, for even the boys caught the fever. About 150, with Frank Wilkins as grand marshal and George R. Sanderson and George Warfield as aids, October 19 formed a torchlight procession and marched the streets. They were led by fife and drum, Herbert Condy playing the fife and Willie Browning the snare drum. After an hour's parade they returned to the hall and listened to addresses from H. B. Underhill and Rev. Mr. Buel of San Francisco.

In the meantime General W. T. Sherman had been making his famous march through Georgia and in the twilight hour of September 3, 1864, the telegraph flashed across the conti- nent the splendid news, "Atlanta has fallen," and that night around the Democratic head- quarters all was darkness and silence, but around the Union stand noise was King. The Union men had a good laugh on the Demo- crats over the old iron cannon that had for so many years belched forth fire and smoke.

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Some spiteful persons had toppled the old gun into the slough. The Democrats had fished it out and they had fired salutes for McClellan that afternoon. At night it rattled the win- dows livelier than ever before because Atlanta, the capital of Georgia, had been destroyed by Sherman's army. The occupation of Atlanta by the Federal troops, many of them negroes, gave rise to a negro melody, which was sung in church by Mrs. Wilkins: Look out dar now, we's agoin' to shoot, Look out dar. don't you understand Babylon is fallen, We's agoin' to occupy this land." Sherman marched quickly from Atlanta to the sea, and George F. Root then composed the war song, "March- ing through Georgia."

The State Campaign of 1864

The state campaign opened in September, and on the 17th the Union party's first meet- ing was addressed by Judge S. H. Brockway of Calaveras and A. A. Sargent of Nevada. The same evening the Democracy held a meet- ing in front of the St. Charles Hotel and Sam- uel H. Beeker introduced the first speaker, Charles L. Weller, as "just out of Alcatraz, put in by General McDowell's orders." Weller, one of the shining lights of the party, was at that time chairman of the State Central Com- mittee. Because of remarks made at a politi- cal meeting he was arrested and confined on the island.

In three weeks, however, he was released, after giving $25,000 bonds and taking the oath of allegiance. The Democrats, who had worked very hard all through the campaign to carry the county for McClellan and Pendle- ton, held their biggest meeting Saturday even- ing before the election. Early in the afternoon the farmers from many miles distant began to assemble in the city, and at 7 o'clock the pro- cession began forming. In the line were hun- dreds of torches and banners, and the novel feature was a company of horsemen, each rider carrying a new broom with the inscription, "The Democrats Will Sweep the State." The showing they made was a surprise to their opponents, and their paper declared: "The procession was well arranged and had a very fine appearance." About 9 o'clock the voters gathered at their old stamping ground, and their local speakers declared the war a failure and the government a despotism.

As the election day drew nigh a large num- ber of business men published the following notice: "We, the undersigned merchants and traders in the city of Stockton, believe that the coming election to be the most important of any that has yet been held in our state; and we believe it to be the duty of every true patriot to make any reasonable sacrifice, for the public good, do hereby mutually agree with each other; that we will close our re-

spective places of business on the coming election day to wit, Wednesday, the second day of September, 1863. Wm. P. Miller, J. Pierce Underhill Co., Webster Bros., Mills & Doll, Louis M. Hickman, C. J. Newcomb & Co., Alfred Blake, R. B. Parker & Co., V. Mar- ratt, Thomas & Albert Ecstrom, H. C. Hilke, Timothy Paige, Kierski Bros., Henderson & Belding, Harry F. Fanning, Charles G. Er- nest, Rufus B. Lane, George Natt, Louis Han- sel, Wm. B. Young, John O. Keefe, H. S. Chase & Co., Baker & Hamilton, H. S. Sar- gent, Jones & Hewlett, M. L. Abramsky, Stockwell & Mosely, Adolphe Dolhaguy, Thomas Gallagher, Seifert & Fell, Nash & Fogg, Mrs. R. Johnson, Dohrmann & Small- field, Thomas Cunningham, Peter Mengel, Wm. Christian, McShane & Oullahan, Owens & Moore, Geo. H. Sanderson, Richard Condy, H. M. Gage, H. Barly, Wm. Fogarty & Co., H. P. Bridges, M. L. Bird, J. P. D. Wilkins, H. O. Mathews, H. S. Matteson, Keep & Briggs, Woodman & Stockwell, L. Howard, John McLean, Roseman & Yates, Sidney Newell, and John T. Hickinbotham. The polls opened at 8 o'clock and closed at sunset, and at midnight the guns were roaring, the bands playing and the voters cheering for the city had gone Lincoln, 717; McClellan, 389. Neither did the Democrats get comfort from the county, for as soon as the votes of each precinct were counted, a rider upon the dead run brought the returns to the Union head- quarters, and the result figured up: Lincoln, 1849; McClellan, 1429. Over the result of the contest the Union men rejoiced November 12, the telegraph having brought the news of Lin- coln's reelection.

Close of the War

The army of the North was now pressing harder and closer the army of the South, and the people saw not far distant the time of which they sang: "When Johnny comes march- ing home again, Hurrah!" But to thousands of homes Johnny would never march back ; 227,000 had fallen in Southern fields. This thought suggested George F. Root's pathetic ballad: "We shall meet, but we shall miss him; There will be one vacant chair ; We shall linger to caress him, While we breathe our evening prayer." In rags and tatters, some- times with scarcely enough to eat, the brave boys in gray manfully struggled for the cause they believed to be right; but against the powerful, well-fed army led by Sherman and Grant they were helpless. Robert E. Lee, one of the grandest men and bravest generals the nation has ever produced, finally gave way and on April 9, 1864, he surrendered to General U. S. Grant.

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The news reached Stockton at 8 o'clock in the morning of April 10th, and never again will such a scene be witnessed as on that day. In their triumphant shouts of joy, it seemed as if men's hearts would leap from their breasts, so happy were they that the terrible strain was at an end. Immediately a detachment of the light artillery fired a national salute, under the command of Sergeant Charles F. Whale. At the same time all the bells of the city began their joyous peal, and heard above them all was the big fire bell. Continuously for over three hours the steamer Cornelia's bell sounded, ""Tis well, 'tis well," and the fire- man of the Globe foundry shoveled in coal, while the shrill whistle blew for many hours. The musicians in those days, like the minute men of the Revolution, were always ready and were called out, a procession was formed, the firemen with their engine being on hand, and they marched the streets, cheering, cheering, cheering. For change they would halt, and some speaker, jumping upon a cannon would address the excited listeners. All the business houses were closed, and all the morning the people marched, sung war songs and hurrahed.

Grant's Picture Brought $600

Finally the marchers halted in front of the Guards' Armory on the avenue. Rev. Lyford, then here in the interest of the Chairman Com- mission, mounting a cannon, began to address the crowd. To him was handed for the bene- fit of the commission a large pen and ink sketch of General Grant, the work being done by an insane asylum patient. Quick as a flash he caught the temper of his audience, and ex- tolling the victory of Grant, he finally ex- claimed, "How much am I bid for the man on horseback?" The bidding started at $20 ran up to $100, and it was sold to Charles T. Meader, then the copper king. He handed the auctioneer $100 in gold for the portrait. It was then sold to Captain Cushing of the steamer Cornelia for $50, then to R. T. Mose- ley for $100, to Meader again for $30, to Cush- ing for $20, to Andrew W. Simpson for $50, to L. U. Shippee for $30, to Kelsey for $50. and finally to Meader for $25. The picture all told brought $600, and for many years Mr. Meader kept it as a precious memento of the war. The procession was then dismissed and at 4 o'clock the light artillery, parading the streets, fired a 200-gun salute. That night the city was ablaze with light. All the dwellings were illuminated, and more music and a torch- light procession enlivened the night. Men, women and children "felt just as happy as a big sunflower that nods and bends in the breeze," little dreaming that before the close of another week they would be in gloom and despair and the city hung in black.

The City in Gloom

Such was the fact, for on the morning of April 15th, at 8 o'clock, the news came: "Presi- dent Lincoln is dead; shot last night by J. Wilkes Booth, while attending a play in Ford's Theater." The news for a time stunned the minds of the Unionists and they moved aim- lessly. At once the stores were all closed. the bells began tolling, and half-hour guns were fired throughout the day. Men with blanched cheeks and quivering lips, stood in groups upon the street corners, talking over the ter- rible deed, some fearful of a most terrible end- ing of the war, others crying for revenge. Some believed a massacre or riot would be the result, and, as we know, a riot did take place in New York, and Garfield's clarion notes ring- ing out upon the air, "God reigns, and the Government at Washington still lives," calmed the rising storm. In California we had no Garfield, but we had men of equally good sense and poise, and by their counsel and advice all trouble was averted.

Last Tribute to Lincoln

April 19th the nation paid its last tribute to the dead hero. In this city from sunrise to 11 o'clock, the hour set for the funeral cortege to move, the artillery fired half-hour guns. Early in the day the people came upon the streets in mourning, over 1000 wearing badges with the inscription: "We loved him in life : we mourn him in death." The Masons, Odd Fellows, military and citizens formed the pro- cession, the catafalque being drawn by four black horses, colored footmen walking at the head of each horse. The memorial exercises were held in Agricultural Hall. There was not a foot of standing room. First came the dirge by the band, a selection from the opera "Aida," "Rest, Spirit, Rest;" prayer J. D. Gassman of the Episcopal parish; hymn by the Presby- terian choir, "Sweet the Sleep When Chris- tians Die;" oration by Rev. Dr. Hendrickson; benediction by Rev. J. W. Ross. In closing this chapter on San Joaquin County in the Civil War, I quote the closing lines of Dr. Hendrickson's splendid oration, for the thoughts spoken to that mourning assemblage nearly sixty years ago regarding our coun- try's future, are as seen in the late Allied War, a part of history. Taking his text from the book of Samuel, "And the King said unto' his servants, know ye not that there is a Prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel. The Lord shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness," the speaker said : "The beauty of Israel is slain upon the high places ; how are the mighty fallen. Let the heavens be dark- ened ; let the ocean play its mighty dirge upon the eastern and western shores; let the winds

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catch up the mournful strain and bear to Heaven the miserere of the nation's grief. Our country has a high destiny. Her work is not yet finished. She has a high mission to fulfill. Standing in the front rank of nations, her flag -resplendent with beauty-high in the heav-

ens, she will lead on the world to peace and liberty and the righteousness of the milliennial age. Then among the names that were not born to die, will stand in eternal unity-Wash- ington the father and Lincoln the saviour of his country."

HOTELS OF OTHER DAYS

CHAPTER XVI

I T is the desire on the part of every progres- sive citizen to have one or more first class up-to-date hotels in his city for the accom- modation and comfort of invited city guests, tourists and those who best enjoy hotel life. A hotel such as this is a good investment for every city as it not only gives class to the town but it advertises the place abroad as a live, up-to-date city. It is not my purpose to treat of the Stockton's hotels of today

In the days of hustle The days of bustle The days of '22

but rather to treat in a general manner of the hotels during the first fifteen years of the city's history. Then, as now, there was an urgent desire for hotels, not of first-class build and service such as the Hotel Stockton, but any place that would provide food and shelter, no matter what the quality and price.

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History of San Joaquin County, California : with biographical sketches of leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 35

Author: Tinkham, George H. (George Henry), b. 1849 Publication date: 1923 Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co. Number of Pages: 1660

Author: Tinkham, George H. (George Henry), b. 1849
Publication date: 1923
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1660