USA > California > San Luis Obispo County > History of San Luis Obispo County, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 65
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CLAIMS BONDED.
Within the last two months some of the prominent claims have been bonded and leased to, and purchased by Messrs. Bower, Pemberton & Harrison, of Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, and an increased force of men are now engaged thereon in extracting the ore. And we understand that the purchasers intend to construct works near the mines for the purpose of concentrating the ore. A striking feature in the chrome district among the ser- pentine formations is the peculiar bareness of the sur- rounding country, and a person will scarcely fail to observe and recognize its characteristics even at a con- siderable distance.
SILICA POLISHING ROCK.
Several deposits of silica have been found throughout the county, particularly in the vicinity of the bay of San Luis Obispo, San Carpojoro, and the Corral de las Mulas.
The deposits at the latter place have so far proven of the greatest value. This substance is generally known as silica, and is the remains of minute infusoria, deposited in the course of ages, and by chemical agents changed to the form in which it is now found. It cannot be formed by chemical process, but is the result of the workings of natural agents during the period of ages. The substance produced by the Pacific Magic Polish Mines has been subjected to several analyses, the latest giving :-
Silica, SO2 70.23
Alumina, Al2O3
16.55
Lime, CaO 1.06
Magnesia, MgO
.59
Potash, KO II.32
Undetermined
.25
100.00
THE PACIFIC MINES.
The deposit of the Pacific Mines lies in a valley imme- diately under the adobe soil; is about six feet in thickness, and comprises some twenty-five acres, so far as devel- oped. The owners have recently received a mill from New York, for the purpose of grinding the substance into an impalpable powder, and to be prepared into several articles for the general market and use. Among the preparations will be a black paste polish for harness mountings, for which it is admirably adapted, without in any degree affecting or injuring the quality of the har- ness. Another is an unparalleled dentifrice, as it contains ingredients harmless to the teeth and of superior polish- ing quality. Another, and the most important to which this substance will be applied, is a polish for gold, silver, plated ware, nickel, glass, and everything susceptible of a high polish. The article will be known as "Pacific Magic Polish," and as it contains more pure silica than any other known natural or prepared polishing powders, is less liable to scratch or deface the surface to which it is applied. The owners have testimonials from jew- elers, cutlers, railroad officials, and numerous persons who have tested it, and pronounce it without a superior. As it is a natural product it can be sold at a much lower price than the inferior articles now sold as polishing powders. The substance will be sold for several other purposes for which it has been found fitted.
ASPHALTUM.
Large bodies of asphaltum are found dispersed through- out the county, the principal deposit being on the Arroyo Grande Rancho. At that place it is found in a liquid state, and considerable of it has been shipped to San Francisco and used for pavements. This supply is inex- haustible. Between this city and the coast large quan- tities of solidified asphaltum are dug out of the soil, evi- dently being deposited there by the ocean at some re- mote period. Considerable of the hard asphaltum is be- ing dug out and sent to San Francisco, and used princi- pally for roofing purposes, and gives the shippers a hand- some profit thereon. In connection with asphaltum, we will state that the ocean, at different points along the coast of this county, is at times covered with petroleum, attesting the fact that immense deposits of that article is contained within our county limits, and offers special en- couragement to prospectors. The decreasing supply of Eastern wells will soon require a scientific examination of the Pacific Coast for a new supply.
GOLD
Has been found in the various gulches and creeks of the county. Specimens worth over $5.00 have been found at the head of the Santa Rosa Creek, and the placer dig-
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MINES OF SAN LUIS OBISPO.
gings at San José and La Panza are sufficient proof of gold existing in paying quantities. We have been informed by merchants here that over $100,000 worth of gold has been taken out of the two districts named during the past two years. Scarcity of water prevents the working of these mines during the summer months, hence the labor is confined to two or three months in winter, and a little dry rocking during the summer. Competent en- gineers have examined the water system of the La Panza District, and say abundant water can be obtained within two miles of the mines, and by an investment of $10,000 can be conducted thereto. It appears to us to be a small risk and expenditure for a scheme that might prove of incalculable value to the projectors, and great benefit to our county. We draw the especial attention of our read- ers to this probable source of profit.
SILVER.
San Luis Obispo, in common with all the California missions, has, and holds to the customary legend of rich silver mines having been formerly worked in this vicinity by the Indians and the old Spanish padres, and on the independence of Mexico were closed so that no out- ward trace thereof can be found, and the old Indians · look wonderously wise about it; but their lips have been sealed by injunctions of eternal condemnation on the part of the old priests, should they ever reveal the where- abouts of these mines. We have among us a few be- lievers in their story, and who are confident of an early discovery of a great hidden treasure.
At times an old Indian, under alcoholic inspiration, will disclose a little about the manner the mines were worked, and how far distant from town, and the general direction, which results in a new prospecting expedition with the invariable returns of non est inventus. An old shaft in the vicinity of Chorro Creek was worked last winter by a company who had the locality "revealed" to them by this aboriginal source, and after considerable reticency, expenditure of money, time, and hopes, aided by inability to keep the water out, have temporarily shut down on work. The mine, however, is not for sale, but labor will be resumed when the next revelation will be made by an aboriginal clairvoyant. On the road between here and Santa Margarita, near La Cuesta, a prominent citizen of our city, with a perseverance and confidence worthy of the highest aspirations, has expended a large sum of money and muscle toward the development of silver, and expects large returns from his venture.
LIME.
Limestone abounds in every locality of the county, particularly on the easterly slope of the Coast Range, and on, and in the vicinity of the Nipomo Rancho. It is found in vast bodies on the rancho named, and is of a pe- culiarly soft nature, so much so that plows cut through it, but on exposure to the air and subjected to heat, be- comes hard, and when burnt produces an excellent qual- ity of lime. The immense beds or strata of fossil clams and oysters near the Oceanic Mines and on the Santa Margarita Rancho, when burnt, yield a superior article of lime, which has been used extensively in the retorting of quicksilver.
IRON.
This metal is found in almost every variety of form, the prevailing ones, however, are the peroxide and pro- toxide of this metal. Magnetic iron and hematites are also abundant. The absence of a cheap and accessible fuel prevents a profitable working of this branch of min- ing.
COPPER
Is widely distributed throughout the county. The ores are principally carbonate, sulphuret, and silicate, and are found generally disseminated among the trap and met- amorphosed rocks. The float is extensive, having very rich, large bowlders assaying as high as seventy per cent. A peculiar ore known as Cuban exists in abundance on the Santa Rosa Creek. One bowlder is known to exist which is estimated to weigh over 1,000 tons; it is very hard to break, being so nearly pure metal that it cannot be drilled or broken by hammers. Small bodies of malachite have been found, also vitreous copper.
GYPSUM
Is found in large quantities on both slopes of the mountains, on the head-waters of the Arroyo Grande, and on Navajo Creek, but is of no present value. It has been determined to be of great purity, and one day will add materially to our local income.
ALABASTER
Of an extremely pure and beautiful character has been discovered in the vicinity of the gypsum deposits, and experiments made in San Francisco by experienced stone- dressers, prove it to be of a high grade, capable of the finest polish, and will ultimately become prominent in our exports. A vast body of this mineral has been opened up, and we learn that the mine is now bonded to out- si de dealers.
ONYX.
This is one of the most valuable of stones for orna- mental work; used in table-tops, mantels, fire-places, vases, etc. A large deposit of onyx is found in the Santa Lucia Range, near the head-waters of the Arroyo Grande, some of which has been quarried and worked into orna- ments in San Francisco. The rock takes a high polish, and the deposit in this county is regarded as one of the largest and most valuableknown. The principal deposits, or mines, of onyx, are the property of J. and F. Kessler, of San Francisco, who are also the owners of a deposit in Solano County, and are said to be holding the San Luis Obispo mine in reserve until the other becomes ex- hausted or the demand increases. Cheap transportation is necessary to encourage the development of the quar- ries of gypsum, alabaster, onyx, and other mineral sub- stances in the mountainous regions of San Luis Obispo.
SALT.
The name of Salinas was given to the principal river of San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties, because of the saline springs on its banks and tributaries. In the mountains about its head-waters are many salt springs of the strongest brine, and inexhaustible deposits of rock salt. Black Lake is a small sheet of water half a mile in diameter and of irregular contour, situated near the summit of the San José Mountains. This is so intensely salt as to form a brine for the preservation of meat with- out further concentration.
The salt deposit of the Carrisa Plain appears like the bed of a dry lake, being five miles in length, and from half a mile to two miles in breadth. The salt covers the bed to a depth of from six inches to two feet, and is suf- ficiently pure as to be used for many purposes. This is chiefly used for stock, being hauled away in wagons to
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HISTORY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY.
the ranchos twenty or more miles distant. Water in- tensely salt is found at a depth of two or three feet beneath the surface in the vicinity of the deposit. With cheap means of transportation the salt of this region will become a valuable article of commerce.
BEDS OF ASPHALTUM.
The frequent occurrence of asphaltum, or bitumen, throughout the southern coast of California, is one of the peculiar features of the country. San Luis Obispo is exceedingly rich in this mineral. The presence of as- phaltum is presumed to indicate the existence of petro- leum in the earth, and has led to boring for the oil in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, with satisfactory re- sults. The bitumen, as a dark, viscid liquid, exudes from the earth, and in this condition is usually called tar, or by the Spanish, brea. Formerly it was used in lubricat- ing the axles of the carretas, and in covering the roofs of houses, for which latter purpose it is now used exten- sively in San Francisco and other cities. When ex- posed to the air it soon hardens. For use it is boiled and thus condensed, and when applied solidifies suffi- ciently to resist the heat of the sun. Deposits of great extent are found in the earth, intermixed with the soil, and these are mined for commercial purposes. Messrs. McDougall, Neuval, and others are the principal miners of this substance for exportation, the product in 1883 be- ing about one hundred tons monthly. The localities where it is mostly obtained are on the Corral de Piedra, Pismo, and Santa Manuela Ranchos, and its mining con- stitutes an important and growing industry. The follow- ing extract from the Tribune, of March 30, 1883, presents the condition of one of these mining companies at that date :-
A RICH MINE.
Messrs. Somerville & Neuval, who for some years past have been digging and shipping asphaltum from their land in this county, to San Francisco, a few days since uncovered a deposit of great extent and purity, and there- fore of great value. The new mine lies near the road leading from Steele's Station, on the Pacific Coast Rail- way, to Pismo Wharf. In the past years a great amount of asphaltum has been mined in the vicinity, and works, or furnaces, have been erected to refine it, or melt it so as to separate the most valuable part from the soil, sand, and rock which attach to it usually. In digging near these furnaces, a stratum of from three to five feet in thickness, of nearly pure asphaltum, was found but a few inches below the surface of the ground. This has been uncovered, and found to be so extensive as to promise a supply of one hundred tons per month for shipment to San Francisco. So easily is it obtained that only one man is required to dig the asphaltum, wheel and dump it into the kettles, and keep up the fires. So pure is it that from twenty-five tons refined there was less than 500 pounds of waste. The owners have contracted with the railroad company to take one hundred tons a month to the wharf, for shipment by steamer to San Francisco, and trains will be quite busy at the work.
CHAPTER XXIX. PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Missionaries as Teachers-Going Abroad for Education-Schools in the Last Century-School Regulations in 1811-Constitu- tional Provisions for Schools-Public Schools in San Luis Obispo-Teachers and Superintendents-Schools from 1850 to 1860-Tabulated History of the Schools-Report for the Years Ending Oct. 31, 1861, and Oct. 31, 1863-Census Statistics- School Statistics-Financial Statistics-School Property-Mis- cellaneous Statistics-School Census 1882-Apportionment of Funds-School Directory-Review of Statistics-The Schools in 1882-Arroyo Grande School-Ascension School-A Mountain District-Branch School-Canon School -- Central School-Cienega School-Corral de Piedra School-Cuesta School-East Santa Fe School-Estero School-Estrella School-Excelsior School-Fair View School-Franklin School-Harmony School-Hesperian School-Home School -Hope School-Huasna School-Huer-Huero School-Jo- sephine School -- Laguna School-Lincoln School-Los Osos School-Mammoth Rock School-Mission School-Mountain View School-Oak Dale School-Oak Flat School-Oak Grove School-Pacific School-Paso Robles School-Rincon- ada School-Salinas School-Sand Hill School-San José School-San Miguel School-San Simeon School-Santa Manuela School-Santa Rosa School-Someo School-Spring School-Stowe School-Summit School-Washington School -Teachers' Institute-Academy of the Immaculate Heart- Private Schools-Prof. C. H. Woods' School.
HE establishing of schools in Califorina may, in the extreme sense, be regarded as contemporary with the establishing of the missions, as the fathers came to convert the Indians to Christianity, and to teach them the arts and customs of civilization. The priests were edu- cated people, and it must be presumed that they gave in- struction in such branches as would aid them in carrying on the work, and to some extent this would include the teaching of reading and writing. But few Indians prob- ably ever obtained much familiarity with books.
GOING ABROAD FOR EDUCATION.
At a later date, however, when children of the officers and soldiers and settlers began to appear, schools were maintained at the different missions, and the wealthy rancheros engaged teachers at their homes for their chil- dren and dependents. A few of the children of the most prominent families were sent abroad to Mexico, Peru, and Spain, to the schools and colleges of those countries. Such fortunate ones, and the frequent change of officers of the Government, kept up the intercourse with people and countries of education and refinement, and thus maintained society.
SCHOOLS IN THE LAST CENTURY.
While education was generally at a very low ebb, there were some well-educated people. The manuscript in the county and State archives show much chirographical skill, and good penmanship is evidence of some education and careful training. A sample of the copy-books used by children in 1796-97 are now in the State archives, the writing being in an old-fashioned, round hand, much like children's copy-books of the present time. Among the "copies" for the children to follow are the good Scripture texts, translated: "The Ishmaelites having arrived;" "Ja- cob sent to see his brother;" "Abimelech took her from Abraham;" all showing the pious sentiments of the peo-
255
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
ple. These were from the schools of the presidio of Santa Barbara. Records of San Luis Obispo are so rare -very few in existence-that we must take those of other localities, and infer that similar institutions were maintained at the missions in this county, in that degree proportionate with their population and wealth.
In the earliest statute of California, "Reglamento para el Gobierno de la Provincia de Californias; aprobado por S. M. en real orden, de 24 de Octubre, de 1781," it is re- garded as necessary to maintain the office of teacher at San Diego and Monterey, those being the principal estab- lishments at that time. Thus we can see that a "school system" came with the first civilized occupants of the land. The curriculum of the schools was not very ex- tended, as we are apprised in one of the regulations that "the children of the pueblo and vicinity should be taught to read and write, and the doctrine."
SCHOOL REGULATIONS IN 18II.
An officer of a pueblo in 1811 dictates the following in establishing a school :-
Firstly .- The pay of eighteen reales annually by each and every head of family, I think, is quite sufficient for the teacher, and as it is all they can give, in virtue of which, the Commissioner will be obliged to collect the same at the proper time, in order to deliver it to the teacher. The teacher, in virtue of the pay which is to be made to him, will also be obliged to perform his obliga- tion with the greatest vigilance and strictness, without giving his attention to anything else but teaching. The hours at which the children shall be at school are these: Six in a day; three in the morning, and three in the after- noon; in the morning, from eight o'clock until eleven; and in the afternoon, from two until five; it being the duty of the Commissioner to compel the fathers to make their children attend, and to see that the teacher in no instance fails.
Every Thursday and Saturday afternoons, the children will not write or read, but explanations will be given them these two afternoons, of the doctrine (faith), at which times the Commissioner will attend, and advise the teacher that he must answer for the little ones, and make explanations which he may make.
When the teacher observes the absence of any of the pupils at the school, he will notify their fathers, who will give some satisfactory reason why they were absent on that morning or afternoon; and if they should be absent a second time, then he will notify the Commissioner, who will compel the fathers to send their children, without receiving any excuse or pretexts, particularly from the mothers, because they will all be frivolous, since the chil- dren have sufficient time to do all that they are required to do.
Lastly, during the time in which the children are at school, their fathers will be exempt from being responsi- ble to God for them, and the teacher will be the one who is thus responsible; as he will, also, in consideration of his pay, be responsible for the education and teaching of the holy dogmas of the religion; and the teacher is he who must be responsible to God, the parish priest, and to their authority. It is also understood that the fathers are obliged to examine their children at home, as to the advancement which they may make, and to complain to the Commissioner when they see no advancement, in order that he may remedy the matter if necessary.
As the teacher is responsible in the Divine presence for the education and good examples of his pupils, and as he
must answer to the Government for the fulfillment of his obligations, he has the right to correct and punish his pupils with advice, warning, and lashes, in case of neces- sity; and particularly he ought to do it for any failure to learn the doctrine, for which he ought not to accept any excuse, nor to pardon any one from punishment who fails to learn it, or who does not commit to memory the lesson which may be given him.
This unique document is a fair exposition of the man- ners and sentiments of the people of those days, not only of the Spanish people of California, but of the greater part of Christendom. The public schools were very simple institutions, the instruction exceedingly slight, but the government despotic and tyrannical. Religion and the faith took precedence, and to read and write was sufficient for the common classes. Compulsory educa- tion appears to have been established at a very early date, as the regulations ordered that all children should attend school, and the language indicates that there was the power and intention to enforce the order. The teachers of the present day would hesitate about bearing the responsibility to God for the behavior and acts of the children, even if the fathers were willing to relinquish their own responsibility or the law had power to impose such on any one. The document also shows the inti- mate relationship borne by the Government, the family, and the church, as the first, under the rule of the last, never hesitates to invade the family, direct the manage- ment of the children, and regulate all domestic affairs.
CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS FOR SCHOOLS.
From 1811 to 1849 is a broad space of time, which to Americans presents a corresponding change in the cus- toms of life and the conditions of society, but in Califor- nia such important and progressive changes had not been made. The school system found in California was but a shadow in comparison to that adopted in the most advanced States of the Union, and the incoming Ameri- cans brought with them the highest and most liberal ideas respecting the education of the youth.
The founders of the State Government looked pro- phetically forward to the time when families and children should follow in their footsteps to the golden land. In the Constitution of 1849 provision was made for the school system, which has carried the schools to the front rank among the high educational institutions of the Union. The Government of the United States grants to all new States and Territories the sixteenth and thirty- sixth sections of land in the public land surveys, and this grant and 500,000 acres also expected as granted to other new States for educational purposes, were devoted to the public schools by that noble instrument, the Pioneers' Constitution of California. The Legislature of 1849-50 failed to organize any school system or levy a tax for the purpose. The second Legislature in 1851 passed an Act concerning public schools, but no efficient system was adopted.
THE FIRST AMERICAN SCHOOL.
Schools, both public and private, had been established in the large cities and towns, though not through State
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HISTORY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY.
aid nor under State organization. The missions, of course, were the first schools of California. The first American school in California was a private enterprise, opened by a Mr. Marston, in San Francisco, in April, 1847. This he continued nearly one year, having twenty or thirty pupils, whose tuition was paid by their parents. In February, 1848, a meeting of citizens was held in San Francisco, and a Board of School Trustees was chosen. Mr. Thomas Douglas, a graduate of Yale Col- lege, was engaged as teacher, and a public school was opened April 3, 1848. In April, 1849, Rev. Albert Williams, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, organ- ized a private school, charging tuition. Late in the fall of 1849, Mr. J. C. Pelton opened a school in the Baptist church of that city, and these were the pioneer schools.
PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM ESTABLISHED.
John G. Marvin was the first State Superintendent of Public Instruction. In his report to the Legislature in 1852, he recommended several important changes in the imperfect school law of the previous Legislature. Among others that a tax of five cents should be levied on each $100 for school purposes; that the office of County Super- intendent should be created; that provision should be made for school libraries, and that the proceeds of the sale of swamp and overflowed lands, which had been granted the State, should be applied to the School Fund. He estimated the number of children in the State, between the ages of four and eighteen years, at 6,000. "In the second annual report, 1852, the number of public schools in the State was reported at only twenty. The sales of public school lands had produced a fund of $300,000; the number of school children was 17,821, and 3,314 attended school. He recommended that the County Assessor should be ex officio Superintendent of Public Schools; also that no Catholic schools be allowed any portion of the school fund.
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