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 42

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 42

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Torpedo Boats Visit Stockton

One of the most extraordinary events in the state occurred July 3, 1909, when four of "Un- cle Sam's" fighting craft anchored in Stockton

HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

Channel. It was the first time that vessels of that class had ever ran up the inland water's, and it proved conclusively that ocean-going craft-the Lawrence drew fourteen feet of water-could reach this city. The Chamber of Commerce got in touch with the commandant at Mare Island and succeeded in having the flotilla ordered to Stockton. A general com- mittee was appointed to make arrangements for the events and Frank Guernsey and George S. Melone were appointed as a reception com- mittee to go to Sausalito and escort the fleet to this city. The four boats under the com- mand of Lieutenant H. E. Howe and Ben Jar- vis as pilot left Antioch on the morning of July 3 and arrived at 4 o'clock P. M. The steamer McDonald, with a band of music on board and a large number of citizens, steamed down the river, and met the flotilla at Wakefield's land- ing. As she passed each boat the steamer dipped her flag, the band playing and the fleet responded by dipping their flags. At the mouth of Stockton Channel, the gateway to the city, as it was called, the McDonald blew a long blast on her whistle. All the whistles in the city began tooting and the bells ringing, and immediately an immense crowd began hurry- ing to the wharf. As the four boats moved up the channel, the flagship Lawrence leading, and the Farragut, Goldsborough and Davis trailing at a distance of 400 yards apart, it was a thrilling sight. The crowd cheered and cheered until they were hoarse, and even after the boats were tied to the wharf they continued cheering. The flotilla remained here until July 10 and visitors were permitted on board every day. Over 20,000 persons, men and women and children visited the boats, from the boiler room to the pilot house, and every- thing was explained to them by the jackies. During their visit 160 of the number were given shore leave at the same time and were tendered a banquet at Oak Park, free rides on the street cars and free swimming at the Min- eral Baths, now just purchased by the city. A dance was also tendered them in Masonic Hall. The officers were entertained at the Yosemite House by the general committee. The entire command were in line in the parade of July 4 and in their line formation they moved as one man. On the morning of July 10 the order was given to cast off and in less than two minutes every boat was in the middle of the stream on the way to Antioch. The Davis, the smallest boat, in command of Lieutenant John W. Lew- is, shot away like an arrow at a thirty mile an hour speed. The other boats were in charge of three pilots from the California Navigation and Improvement Company, as the Lawrence grounded on a sand bar in rounding one of the points, and lost one of her propeller blades. There was a delightful sequel to this visit of

the torpedo boats for in the following year, on May 12, Lieutenant Lewis of the Davis was married to Lenora Musto, a daughter of the pioneer merchant, Peter Musto.

The Liberty Bell

One of the precious relics of the Revolution- ary War, the old Liberty Bell, now resting in the state house at Philadelphia. This bell rang out the thrilling news on the afternnon of July 4, 1776, that Congress had signed the im- mortal document, the Declaration of Independ- ence. On this bell are inscribed the words, "Proclaim liberty through all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." The Philadelphians cherish this bell with an almost sacred devo- tion, and although tens of thousands of persons have visited it, they would not permit the bell to be taken from its first surroundings until the Panama Exposition at San Francisco in 1915. At that time a Pennsylvania building was erected upon the grounds, and the guar- dians of the bell permitted its transportation across the continent to San Francisco. The bell was badly cracked and to prevent any fur- ther injury, from the vibration of the train, a special gondola car was built for its transpor- tation. The train of six coaches containing all of the officials of Philadelphia was routed to the Exposition over the Southern Pacific by the way of Stockton, but although arrange- ments had been made for the detention of the special train, all along the route no arrange- ments had been made for its detention here. Finally some citizens and the Chamber of Com- merce got busy and the time schedule was changed for the stopping here of the train for one-half hour. The train arrived July 16 at 5:50 o'clock P. M., one hour late because of the immense crowd at Sacramento. Long be- fore that hour the track at the depot was jammed with a crowd of at least 20,000 people, and the late comers could not get within a half a block of the car. The Stockton and Moose bands were on hand to salute the bell and a reception committee comprising Mayor Rich- ard P. Reibenstein, Mrs. Herman C. Meyers from the Philomathean club, Charles K. Tow- er from the Rotary club, Mrs. J. D. Young from the Daughters of the American Revolution, and Raymond Miller from the Merchants' As- sociation to receive and entertain the party but there was no time for receptions. As soon as the train stopped Miss Loraine Klack, the president of the Native Daughters, stepped aboard the open car and placed a wreath of laurel on the bell, she making a few appropri- ate remarks. There was no further ceremony, and at the expiration of the allotted time the special sped on to the Exposition grounds.

Readers, did you note the inscription on the Liberty Bell, "Proclaim liberty through all the

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land?" Two years later the "Sons of Lib- erty" were fighting on French soil that power- ful nation, a Bismarkian United Germany, for the freedom of the world. In that terrible time San Joaquin County lost ninety-one of her loyal sons, two in airplane accidents, twelve from wounds, twenty-two from disease, twen- ty-five from various causes and twenty-five in action. Westley Allen Stone was the first San Joaquin boy to fall in action and his body was brought home to rest in his native soil, and he was buried with the honors of a loyal soldier. Where he fell thousands died and by the poem of Lieut .- Col. John McCrae we hear them say :

In Flanders' fields the poppies grow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place, and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly, Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders' fields.

Early in November, 1918, the Germans, to save their capital from destruction for the allied troops, with the Americans in the lead, were fast closing on Berlin, raised the white flag and armistice was declared. This indi- cated the end of the war and as soon as the news was received in Stockton, "Pandemon- ium broke forth, and the people went wild." The news spread like wildfire and in a few minutes all of the whistles of the factories and steamboats were blowing and the bells of the city ringing out the good news. The foremen of factories gave their men a half holiday and in their working clothes they came upon the streets to learn as quickly as possible the full particulars. At 11:30 the fire department was on the streets parading and until 1:30 the en- tire force of the Holt Manufacturing Company were marching the streets in their working outfits, the women carrying flags and the men setting off firecrackers and firing revolvers. An hour later there was a citizen impromptu pro-

cession, and led by the Sampson Factory band, the Home Guards, High School Cadets and hundreds of citizens passed through the streets cheering and dancing. It was a parade aimless in its character, but it served to relieve the high tension of the people's nerves during the previous two years.

The Home Welcoming

Weep as we may for the heroes slain, yet we rejoice that so many were spared to return to their loved ones and friends, and Governor Stephens proclaimed November 11, 1919, as an "Armistice Day," a time to welcome home the boys. To celebrate the day in a becoming manner $3,000 was raised by subscriptions, the money to be used in paying for parade ex- penses, a barbecue for the ex-soldiers and sail- ors, fireworks and dancing. The parade was formed on Hunter Street with Frank Boggs as grand marshal and Dr. S. W. Hopkins, E. W. Drury, J. P. Watkins and M. P. Shaughnessy as aids. It was very appropriate that these men, as members of the city and county ex- emption board, had sent the boys to war, and now they led the procession and welcome them home. The parade comprised the Home Guards, Rawlins Post, G. A. R., the Woman's Relief Corps, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Union Band, Spanish War Veterans, Marine Band, Boy Scouts, Red Cross service nurses, Gold Star float, soldiers of the Army and Navy. The exercises were held in the T. & D. theater, Col. Charles E. Stanton of General Pershing's staff making the principal address. Upon the stage with him were the members of Rawlins Post, the Women's Relief Corps, and Mayor Alexander Oullahan, who made the opening address. At twelve o'clock the soldiers and marines were given a barbecue picnic at Oak Park, and over 1,600 were fed. During the afternoon, in behalf of the Woman's Relief Corps, Mrs. Celia Klack, the president, pre- sented a beautiful American flag to Karl Ross Post, American Legion. Warren Atherton received it for the Post.

CHAPTER XIX HISTORY AND PROGRESS OF EDUCATION

A LTHOUGH Stockton, along civic lines had not progressed very rapidly, she has made splendid progress along educa- tional lines in the erection of handsome and convenient buildings for school purposes, em- ploying an efficient corps of teachers, and the encouragement of education in every possible way. From the earliest history of the city we find men giving their time and money for the education of the boys and girls not only in public but in religious schooling. The first attempt to establish a school was made by Charles M. Blake, who later become a geolo- gist. To assist him in his laudable efforts, Capt. Charles M. Weber, at a cost of some $600, erected a small schoolroom on Main Street, where later was located Hale's Dry Goods Store. He was unable to establish a school, there being only a few children in the town, and went to San Jose, where he was more successful. The small school which Weber built was later used as a Presbyterian parsonage until the erection of the brick church. In the following spring, 1851, through the efforts of several liberal minded citizens, namely Edward Canavan, R. S. Ellsworth, Dr. Richard P. Ashe, and Dr. Christopher Grattan, a public school was established. Dr. William P. Hazelton, a dentist by profession, was induced to take charge of the school. The parents of children were given notice of the school by the following advertisement in August, 1851: "The public are informed that free public school is opened in the Academy building, where all orderly children, of suitable age, may receive instruction free of charge." The teacher in his report to the state superin- tendent said: "All children are admitted whether they pay or not, a small amount being subscribed by citizens towards defraying somewhat the expenses of the school." Dr. Hazelton, in his report to the state superin- tendent of instruction, John G. Marvin, said : "There are but two schools in the county and they are at Stockton." "The one under my charge was opened about a year ago. The whole number of children who have attended during that time is 116; average weekly at- tendance, 31; whole number of males, 76; whole number of females, 40. The other school has been open only two or three months. The teachers report eight scholars in attendance. In my school the scholars are admitted free. The result of this arrangement has been to nearly double the previous number of scholars

in school; a large majority are from the West- ern states." Dr. Hazelton's school was of short duration as he was compelled to give it up on account of poor health.

In the meantime a Mrs. Newman an Eng- lish lady, quaint but well educated, established a school in the South Methodist church and declared herself as "The Pioneer Educator of San Joaquin," and she stated "She was pre- pared to receive a few lady boarders." Soon after this Rev. W. G. Ganders opened a school in the Christian church on San Joaquin Street near Weber Avenue. Rev. John B. Saxton, who founded the Baptist church, married a former schoolteacher, and his wife brought with her from the East a number of school books, with the idea of opening a private school, and in March, 1853, she announced : "The subscriber wishes to inform her friends and the public that she will open a select school for young ladies in the Baptist church on Monday, the 4th of April next. From her long experience in teaching and the fact that only a limited number of pupils will be ad- mitted she hopes to give entire satisfaction." Three months later Mrs. Clara F. Woods, the wife of Isaac Woods, a brother to the pastor of the Presbyterian church, announced "a select school of young ladies" in the new school room on the north side of the slough, in which the usual branches of the English lan- guage will be taught. In the meantime the public free school was established and Mrs. Woods was induced by the school trustees to give up her private school and take charge of the girls' public school. Her private school was then continued by Miss Mary Kroh, the eldest daughter of the Rev. Henry Kroh. After a time Mrs. Woods resigned and Miss Kroh was induced to fill her place. The pioneer schoolhouse, where now the Washington school is located, was vacant until 1855, when Miss Sarah Hutchinson announced, "A select school will open this morning, August 1, at 9 o'clock in the building formerly occupied by Miss Mary Kroh for a smiliar purpose."

In the earlier days there was a tendency among some of the Christian denominations to establish sectarian schools, and the Presby- terians opened a school in the church in Aug- ust, 1852, and called it the "Stockton Female Seminary." The trustees, C. G. Rynerson, C. W. Phelps, Henry A. Crabb and Samuel C. Grove, were all Presbyterians. The Method- ists then established a school for boys under

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the name of the "Stockton Academy." The school was located at the corner of Market and San Joaquin streets, where the Lafayette school was located. The Stockton Academy was soon moved to Sutter Street and girls were then admitted to the school. Many of the better class preferred to send their children to pri- vate schools because of the bad repute for several years of the public schools. The chil- dren of the public schools were composed of all classes, American, Irish, German, Jews and Mexicans. There were at the time no Japanese in the city. Many of these families were dirty and filthy, and the children were no better; they would lie, steal, use vile language, scrib- ble on the walls and send obscene notes to the girls. It was not surprising that many parents sent their children, especially their girls, to private schools or seminaries. Another class, anxious to educate their chldren, permitted them to select their own schools, and the writer attended the public school, and Collins and Van Doren's seminary all within the space of two years. As there was a change of books, teachers and classes in each school a scholar did not make much headway. The first semi- nary in the county was established in the Hen- rietta House, the locality later being known first as Collegeville and now Eight Mile Cor- ners. The announcement declared, "The first session of the San Joaquin Female Seminary will commence the first Wednesday in Octo- ber, 1855, under the direction of Mr. D. A. Morris. It is located on the road leading from Stockton to Mokelumne Hill, in a retired and healthful location, and is a comfortable and pleasant home. As this is the only female seminary in this section of the State, it should be well patronized." This college was in exist- ence as late as September, 1867. The propri- etor stating that "The San Joaquin College, situated on the Mariposa road, eight miles from Stockton, is proverbial for the salubrity of its climate. The faculty consists of the fol- lowing: Rev. John Wheeler, president; J. J. McConnell, H. Z. Morris, A. B .; L. R. Chal- mers, M. D .; Mrs. N. J. Miller and Mrs. M. Neumiller, teachers. Thirty pupils are now enlisted and twenty more will arrive in a few days."

The Stockton Female Seminary

In September, 1858, Dr. Cyrus Collins, a Maine Yankee, conceived the project of found- ing a seminary where the scholars might have the advantage of an education higher than that taught in the public schools. He inter- ested in the project as trustees such reputable citizens as Dr. E. S. Holden, B. W. Bours, P. Edward Connor, Jeremiah Sarles, Dr. Chris- topher Grattan and Andrew Wolf, Austin Sperry, John M. Buffington and Henry H. 13

Hewlett. Purchasing the block of land on which is now located the Congregational Church and erecting a two-story brick build- ing, he stated, "The edifice is new and built especially for this purpose." During the high water there was a running stream through the southeast corner of the block into McLeod's Lake, and on the same ground there was a pretty grove of small oak trees. The first ses- sion of the school was opened in March, 1859, for a five-month term ending in July. For a term the fees were: "Board and room, tuition, English branches, $150; tuition in common English, $30; with natural science and higher mathematics, $40; piano or guitar, $50; ancient or modern language, $25; drawing and paint- ing, $25; boarding pupils must provide their own bedroom furniture. At the end of the term a two days' examination was held and a visitor stated that "much proficiency was dis- played by the young ladies in the higher branches as well as in the ordinary studies. The examination will continue today and it is hoped that Dr. Collins and his lady will be greeted by a large number of vistors." On that evening the young ladies gave a ball in the school room, for the purpose of obtaining money to purchase a school library. The offi- cers of the seminary library association were Mary Buffington, president; Maggie McLel- lan, vice-president; Mattie Sanders, secretary, and Sarah Hammond, treasurer; Mary Pat- rick, librarian. The membership fee was one dollar or books equivalent to that amount. In time they "collected quite a goodly sized library." Dr. Collins and his wife conducted this seminary until 1861. At that time he was elected county superintendent of schools, in the Republican sweep of that year, and the seminary was leased to Dr. William Van Doren.

William Van Doren was a professor of mathematics in Wentworth College, Missouri, but was compelled to leave the state because of his Union proclivities. Coming to California he first located in Napa, but, hearing of Dr. Collins' seminary, he came to Stockton and leasing the building advertised, "The Stockton seminary lately occupied by Dr. Cyrus Collins would be opened on Monday, March 2, 1863, as a first class boarding and day school for young ladies and boys." Under his manage- ment this seminary became a historic building of national importance because of the fact that Thomas B. Reed, later speaker of the House of Representatives was for a few months one of the teachers. Reed, a graduate of Bow- doin College, Maine, came to California look- ing for work. How he came to visit Stockton and met Dr. Van Doren I know not, but he was engaged to teach mathematics and Latin.

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He was a big awkward fellow about twenty- two years of age, big head, hands and feet and homely. The girl pupils began making fun of him the first day he entered the school room. It was his custom to open and read his letters during school hours and well do I remember St. Valentine's day, '64, I think it was. Reed began opening his letters, the girls watching him. Opening one letter, he turned red in the face and quickly tore it up and threw it into the waste basket, while throughout the room the girls snickered. It was a comic valentine of a teacher in school. Reed was very hot tempered and so bashful that he scarcely ever spoke to one of his girls outside of school hours, and, as I have stated, he was the butt of many jokes. He taught school a few months only and then, resigning, began the study of law in one of the Stockton law offices. He at that time had some kind of political pull, for, returning to the East, we learned that he had been appointed a clerk in the Washing- ton Navy Yard Department. After that he was elected to Congress and finally became speaker of the House, ruling it for several years with a dictatorial hand. The Democrats tried in every manner possible to dethrone him, and Reed was known throughout the country as "Czar Reed." He never forgot Stockton and whenever a Stocktonian visited Washington he was treated with the greatest courtesy. When Marion De Vries was elected to Congress in 1896 Speaker Reed was very courteous to him, although a Democrat, be- cause he was from Stockton, and materially assisted the Stocktonian in obtaining his first government position. Resigning at the end of the school term, June, 1864, Reed suggested that Professor Van Doren send East and en- gage as a teacher William E. Green. He ar- rived in Stockton before the opening of the fall term and Professor Van Doren announced that the fall term of the school would open September 4, 1864, with W. E. Green as teach- er of mathematics, Mattie and Mary Van Doren as teachers of the English branches; Nellie Whitney, then the organist in the Epis- copal Church, as teacher of piano, and Profes- sor Wilson, teacher of vocal music. William Green was the exact antithesis of Reed. He was tall and slim, cool and calculating and a good disciplinarian. It took him several weeks to discipline his pupils, but he succeeded. 1 know, for he stood me up in the corner of the schoolroom one day, facing the wall. Greene taught school about a year and then began studying law with John C. Byers. He then was nominated for county judge in 1867 on the Republican ticket, and was elected. Marry- ing Isabelle Webster, one of his former pupils, he removed to Alameda County. He was

elected a county judge and remained in office until his death about twenty years later.

Dr. Hunt's Seminary

Dr. Hunt, an ordained Methodist preacher, taught school for many years in the South. He was opposed to slavery, however, and in 1859 came to Stockton from Tennessee. He pur- chased the block of land cornering on the northwest intersection of El Dorado and Park streets, and erecting a two-story brick build- ing opened "Hunt's Female Seminary." The school was in a prospering condition for sev- eral years, but improvement in the public schools, and the coming of the Central Pacific Railroad caused a loss of scholars and in 1873 the school was closed. At that parents began sending their girls to Mills Seminary in Ala- meda County, others going to the State Uni- versity. Several of the Episcopalians sent their boys to a sectarian military school at Benicia. Dr. Hunt, beside teaching school, raised fruit, and he had a large number of fruit trees in the block. The trees were watered by a singular contrivance at the corner of El Do- rado and Park Street. There was consider- able water in the channel left over from the winter and spring freshets, and by small re- volving buckets he would lift the water by turning a crank and it would flow into the water troughs and be conducted to any part of the garden. Soon after the closing of the school Mr. Hunt died and the block was sold and cut up into building lots. Charles Beld- ing, the soda manufacturer, purchased the property, and building a handsome residence on El Dorado Street, used a part of the semi- nary building as a stable.

St. Agnes Academy and Catholic Schools

The first Catholic school was on the corner of Sutter and Lafayette streets, St. Clair Lever being the teacher, but it failed for want of patronage. In 1865 a second school was opened with Mary O'Donnell as teacher. In this school was Seraphine Bosche, formerly one of the brightest pupils in M. J. Ryan's class in the public. In later years she became very devout and in August, 1878, she entered St. Catherine's Convent at Benicia. In 1884 a boys' school was contemplated, and at Father O'Connor's solicitation four Brothers came from Dayton, Ohio, to take charge of the Brother's school. In the meantime, the old Catholic church was remodeled and fitted up as a school and Brothers' residence and in August, 1884, it was dedicated and consecrated by Bishop Riordan. "In the morning he per- formed high mass, with Professor Dohrmann at the organ, Lottie Crawford of St. Patrick's Church, singing the Ave Maria. In the after- noon the school was dedicated at its close, the

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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 42

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