History of San Luis Obispo County, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 80

Author: Angel, Myron; Thompson & West
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Oakland, Calif. : Thompson & West
Number of Pages: 538

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 80

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).

great measure, to the courteous, precise, and accommo- dating manner in which these have been administered that the deceased had become so popular in this com- munity. He seemed to take an actual pleasure in doing favors, and was, withal, a perfectly just man. Large- hearted, disinterested, and generous; no one ever ap- pealed to him in vain to assist a charity or lend a helping hand to the deserving. There was no disguise about the man; outspoken and straightforward, every one could see the genial heart within him. After a life so spent, when death came he had nothing to fear. His many good qualities, at this last moment, were so many at- tendants about him, which, in the language of Lord Bacon, "won the great combat for him." The funeral ceremonies were conducted by Master Masons of the San Simeon Lodge, and brethren of the Masonic Frater- nity.

TRI-WEEKLY STAGE-DAILY STAGE.

The two-horse system of stages and weekly mail con- tinued for some years, but at last the southern people grew more ambitious and enterprising and required more frequent mails. In 1861 a tri-weekly stage and mail was put on from San Francisco to Los Angeles, which in r862 was increased to a daily, with four horses, making the trip in three and a half days. The war was then in prog- ress, soldiers and citizens moving about, all anxious to learn something of the important news, and business generally was greatly enlivened. W. N. Ballard was the agent of the stage line through this section of the route, having his headquarters at El Alamo Pintado, now the town of Ballard, Santa Barbara County. He was a very popular agent and the stage line was managed success- fully, proving of great advantage to the business and ad- vancement of the county.

The San Francisco and San José Railroad, now the Southern Pacific, was completed to San José in January, 1864, and extended to Gilroy in March, 1869, shortening the distance of stage travel between San Luis Obispo and San Francisco, eighty miles. In 1870 this railroad was * transferred to the owners of the Central Pacific who changed the name to Southern Pacific, and in 1873 extended it to Salinas, and in 1874 to Soledad, 143 miles from San Francisco. This extension greatily facilitated travel and made the coast line of stages a convenient and important line of intercommunication.

COAST LINE STAGE COMPANY.

The Coast Line Stage Company in 1873 made its con- nection with the Southern Pacific at Salinas. This line was run for some years by Flint, Bixby & Co., under the name of the San Juan and Los Angeles Stage Co. The principals of this company now are W. Buckley, Jesse D. Carr, and W. H. Taylor, the last acting as General Superintendent, and George B. Staniford and J. C. Ortega, agents at San Luis Obispo. The time to San Francisco was thirty-six hours, fare $17.00, stopping over night at the crossing of the Salinas. The line has been run very successfully, and with very few accidents. But accidents have occurred as the following from the Trib- une of March 11, 1876, shows :---

PERILS OF THE FLOOD.

On the 3d of March, 1876, the up stage departed at the usual hour, having on board, besides Mr. Hendricks,

J. J. himmelen

ـمـ

313

MAILS, ROADS, AND RAILROADS.

the driver, Mr. Wm. Buckley, General Superintendent of the stage company, Mr. W. H. Taylor, Division Agent, and Messrs. H. Reinhardt and J. H. Mitchell, passengers. It slowly climbed the mountain through torrents of descending rain, and cautiously threaded its way down the opposite slope, through the level valley of the Santa Margarita, toward the Paso Robles. At I o'clock it brought up on the bank of a small creek, that unites with the Paso Robles near its junction with the Salinas River, known as Graves Creek. This creek that ordinarily is but a silver thread among the yellow sands, was swollen to a raging torrent, that in its mad career was sufficient to appall the stoutest hearts. The Coast Line Stage men have become so accustomed to these sudden freaks of California streams that their raging never deters them from plunging in and making the crossing, or, die in the attempt. So upon this occasion the horses were forced into the stream, to plunge and struggle against the tide, fortunately making the opposite shore. About three hundred yards further on they came to Paso Robles Creek, which was clearly impassable to anything except the fowls of the air, and as the travelers were not pro- vided with wings, they turned about with a view to re- turn to Campbells Station to await the abating of the floods.

UPSET IN THE CREEK.

During the brief period since the passage of the stage, the waters had perceptibly arisen, but, hoping for the best, they plunged in again, and had proceeded but a few yards before one of the horses stumbled into a hole that had washed out since their passage. The poor animal fell to rise no more. He became entangled in the traces and could not recover his feet, and thus miserably per- ished as did his mate. About this time the coach upset, plunging driver, superintendent, and division agent into the flood to struggle for life. Messrs. Reinhardt and Mitchell were inside, the first-named gentleman falling under, but still kept from entanglement under the coach by the strength of the curtains. They scrambled out to find all confusion, and the chances against their rescue.

A NOBLE RED MAN.

At this juncture, an Indian, one José Luis, on horse- back, appeared on the scene, and dashed in to the rescue of the driver, Hendricks, who had become detached from the coach, and was in the art of sinking for the third and last time; but, as good luck would have it, the native threw his lariat and caught him by the arm, and hauled him safely to the shore. All parties were now clinging to the coach for dear life. The Indian plunged in again coming as near to the coach as possibly, throwing his lariat, which was made fast to Mr. Reinhardt's right arm, and he was taken safely to the island shore. In he plunges again, until all are rescued but Mr. Taylor, who was making an effort to save the remaining horse, two having drowned, and one been cut loose and got ashore, when Mr. Buck- ley sung out for him to come ashore, but Mr. Taylor was grit, is grit, and always will be grit, until he ceases to be, kept on in his efforts, and aided by his native ally, he saved the horse, mail, express box, and baggage. The stage in the meantime had washed down the stream un- til it struck on a sand bar that had formed between the currents of Graves Creek and the Paso Robles, where they came together and mingled their turbid waters. His efforts by this time had nearly exhausted him, and he was helped ashore, there to shiver and shake until a fire could be kindled to keep life in the drenched party. During the entire day the rain had been falling in torrents, and the difficulties in getting a fire can well be imagined, but the feat was accomplished much to the relief of the party. The creek rose two feet during the brief time in

which all these events happened. Toward evening the savior of the party again mounted his horse and swam the torrent to the south side, near which is a small house occupied by a California family, who loaded him down with a pot of coffee, and tortillas, which he took to the Crusoes, on this inland island, who feasted thereon, thinking the meal, though of homely fare, as delicate a repast as many a better and more abundant one served under more pleasing circumstances.

THE FLOOD ABATES.

Between 8 and 9 o'clock the water of the stream had run down so that José Luis, with his never-failing horse, took all hands to the house on the main-land, where the kind-hearted people made all as comfortable as possible until morning, when they were brought into San Luis Obispo, sadder, better, and wiser men than when they departed in the morning. Mr. Reinhardt, who is a member of the firm of Pierson, Curtis & Co., of San Francisco, and who was traveling for the firm, lost his wallet containing about $300 in gold notes. Mr. Taylor gave the noble red man, who rescued the party, $20.00 and Mr. Reinhardt paid him in San Luis last Tuesday, the sum of $100 as a token of the value he put upon his individual life.

NOT AN UNUSUAL EVENT.

The foregoing is but one of the many similar events that occurs every year, during the rainy season, in ford- ing the treacherous but evanescent streams of southern California. To the traveler who goes over the coast line road during the dry season, such stories, no doubt, sound Munchausenish in the extreme. He sees but few run- ning streams, and those so diminutive that it seems im- possible that they should ever present an obstacle to travel. Even the Salinas, Nacimiento, San Antonio, Santa Maria, and Santa Ynez are but long stretches of yellow sand, with here and there a thread of water precolating and seeping through, giving not the faintest idea of torrents. Those streams all head high up in the long steep mountain ranges that run parallel to the coast, and give thousands of square miles of water-shed, that pour down during the winter rains myriads of rivulets, that soon cover the sands, and in a few hours, when united, swell into torrents. They abate as rapidly as they rise-it is in these rapid rises that the danger lies. The stream may be fordable now, but impassable half an hour later. Against these ob- stacles the Coast Line Stage Company has fought for years, and must continue to do the same until the county be- comes so thickly populated and rich that it can afford bridges, which will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. The present has been an unusually long and severe winter, and has tried the courage of the company and its employés, as no other has done. For their and their country's sake we wish them well over it.

SAN LUIS OBISPO POST-OFFICE.

For many years the only post-office in the county was that of San Luis Obispo. S. A. Pollard acted as the first Postmaster, succeeded in 1855 by Alexander Murray, who held the office until his death in March, 1870, J. J. Simmler acting as deputy. Walter, Murray then received the appointment, Simmler continuing as deputy, and soon thereafter becoming Postmaster, which position he has held, with a slight intermission, until the present time.

During this period the locality of the post-office has been repeatedly changed as the improved condition of the town and the increase of business demanded. The

314

HISTORY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY.

first office was in a small adobe building on the north- west corner of Monterey and Chorro Street-a large brick block now occupies the lot-then, in 1857, in a building owned by Walter Murray, opposite the mission on Monterey Street, where it remained until 1860, when it was moved into an adobe structure of Quintana's, on the northwest side of Monterey Street above Chorro; then in 1865 to the southeast corner of Monterey and Morro Streets, where it remained until 1872; then back opposite the mission, and in 1873 into one of the rooms of the mission building; then to the northeast corner of Monterey and Morro, where it remained three years. The bank of San Luis Obispo then constructed a build- ing for Simmler on Court Street, where the post-office re- mained until 1880, when the increase of business de- manded larger and more convenient quarters, and it was removed to the present locality in the large brick build- ing on the northwest side of Monterey Street, on the site where it had formerly been in the little adobe.

J. J. SIMMLER.

The post-office of San Luis Obispo and this gentleman bear very intimate relationship. Mr. Murray and Mr. Simmler have been the Postmasters through nearly all its history, and the latter has so long performed its duties that the majority of the present residents know no other incumbent.

John Jacob Simmler was born in the city of Mul- hausen, Department of Upper Rhine (Haut Rhin), France, July 18, 1826. His parents were John George Simmler, a native of Zurich, Switzerland, and Elizabeth Benner, a native of Mulhausen. The father came at an early age to the latter city, there obtained his education, married, and reared his family, and there spent his long and useful life, dying, in 1878, at the ripe age of seventy- eight years. He had in youth been a pupil of the cele- brated teacher Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi, who intro- duced a new system of education in Switzerland and in France in the latter part of the eighteenth and early in the present century. John George Simmler, educated by this distinguished teacher, became a professor in the college at Mulhausen, which position he held for thirty years.

J. J. Simmler spent his childhood and youth in his native city by the banks of the River Ill, amid the vine- clad hills of France, attending school until fifteen years of age, after which he spent three years in learning the busi- ness of painting. The usual custom of a handicrafts- man, in Europe, after serving his apprenticeship, is to travel from place to place, working at his trade in the different towns and cities, obtaining the knowledge and customs of each, and thus perfecting himself in his art, and while so engaged, is treated with much consideration and liberality by all classes of people. From the age of eighteen to twenty, Mr. Simmler traveled in France, Germany, and Switzerland, working at his trade. These were very pleasant years, though profitable only in the increased knowledge obtained of his business, which he intended should be the resource of his life, and instruc- tion in the ways of the world.

The travel, however, had rather unsettled him for the fixed condition of society in the Old World, and, in February, 1847, he left the land of his birth to seek a new home in the land beyond the sea. In May following he landed in Texas, locating in the old town of San Antonio, a young emigrant not yet twenty-one years of age, but well prepared by education and his trade to make his way in the world. Being courageous and hopeful, he went to work, learning the language and the ways of the people, and kept busy and prospered. The Mexican War was then in progress, contesting for the right to annex Texas to the United States, and in the following year that was settled, taking also California into the Union. Soon thereafter came the discovery of gold and the rush of emigration to the Pacific Coast. In May, 1852, Mr. Simmler joined the throng, and, journeying across Mex- ico, embarked at Mazatlan for California. Taking a sailing vessel the voyage up the coast was attempted to San Fran- cisco as the port of destination. Such a voyage has often been described. During the summer are periods of calms, or light winds from the northwest prevail near the shore and for many miles at sea, almost entirely forbid- ding progress. The ship had many passengers, and was totally unprepared for a long stay at sea, the consequence being terrible suffering and distress, seven of Mr. Simm- ler's companions dying of starvation before land was reached. After a two months' struggle, the port of San Luis Obispo was reached, and there Mr. Simmler and a few others, among them the noted Parker H. French, disembarked, and there he remained. Working at his trade and other lines of business, employed his time until 1855, when he undertook farming and hog-raising on the rancho of Don Juan Price, which he continued until he had lost everything he possessed, as it was a business with which he was not an expert. He then took charge of the St. Charles Hotel in the town of San Luis Obispo, and this he successfully kept until 1859. In this year he married his present wife, Rosa Butron, widow of Vicente Canet. From 1866 to 1868 he was a member of the firm of Pollard & Simmler, carrying on the business of general merchandise.

During his long residence in San Luis Obispo, Mr. Simmler has led an active and honorable life, taking a prominent part in public and social affairs, and filling many important positions of trust. Of the social and benevolent societies, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the American Legion of Honor. In the early years of his citizenship he acted with the Democratic Party, but when the great and good Lincoln was assassinated, he became a Republican, and has ever since been a staunch member of that organization. For ten years he was Justice of the Peace, and when San Luis Obispo became an incorporated city, he was its first Police Judge. In 1874 he received the appointment of Postmaster, which office he still holds, having been re- appointed by President Arthur for four years, from De- cember 20, 1881. Besides the offices above mentioned, Mr. Simmler has held the positions of School and Town Trustee for several terms, Deputy Assessor for three years, agent of the Steamship Company, and others,

315

MAILS, ROADS, AND RAILROADS.

always taking a particular interest in the welfare of the community.

POSTAL BUSINESS.

The increase of postal business is a measure of the progress of civilization and enterprise throughout Amer_ ica. In 1672 the first post-office was established in New York, and in 1740 the mail was carried from that city to Philadelphia on horseback. In 1755, Benjamin Franklin was made Assistant Postmaster-General for the colonies, and after the independence of the United States was Postmaster-General, attending to the business without a clerk, and visiting on horseback the few offices in existence. He was succeeded by Samuel Osgood under Washington's Administration, when the business had so increased that he was allowed a clerk. There were then 75 post-offices, 1,800 miles of mail routes, and the revenue aggregated $38,000. In 1881 there were 50,000 post-offices in the United States, 342,000 miles of post-routes, with a Postmaster-General aided by 460 clerks and assistants, and 61,000 employés throughout the country. The yearly revenue was $37,000,000, and the following year reached $40,000,000. The rates of postage were first fixed in 1792, the highest rate being seventy-five cents for a letter of three sheets, a distance of 400 miles, and six cents for a single sheet under 30 miles. In 1799 rates for single sheets were fixed at ten, twelve and one-half, seventeen, and twenty cents, accord- ing to distance, the same added for each additional sheet. In 1845 cheap postage was adopted at five and ten cents for each half ounce, the latter being for distances over 300 miles. Letters to California in 1849 were taken at forty cents per half ounce, payable on receipt of the letter. Some years later the California rate from the East was fixed at ten cents, and a few years since at three cents for all distances, prepayment by stamps compulsory. Congress, in 1883, still further reduced the rate, to take effect October 1, 1883, of two cents per half ounce for all distances throughout the United States. After every reduction it has been found that the business increases so that the revenue under the cheapest postage exceeds that under the higher rates.

The envelope is an invention of the last thirty years. Formerly the letter was skillfully-or awkwardly-folded so that one part could be tucked in and sealed by wafer or sealing-wax, a blank space being left on the paper to form the outside and receive the address. Such are all old letters preserved from the "early days."

BUSINESS IN SAN LUIS OBISPO.

The increase of business in the post-office of San Luis Obispo, from the days of the semi-monthly horseback mail, can be shown only by the business of the present. The principal mail is received by stage from the north, usually consisting of four or five large sacks and pouches daily, aggregating about 300 pounds weight, going south by rail. Besides this, mails arrive and depart daily for Cambria on the north, and Port Harford on the west, and weekly, to Pozo, on the east. The weight of mail matter from San Luis Obispo carried on the Pacific Coast Railway, south, during thirty consecutive days

from April 16, 1883, aggregated 6,598 pounds, and to Port Harford 517 pounds. During the same period there was received 4,553 pounds from the south, and 477 pounds from Port Harford, making an aggregate sent by rail of 7,115 pounds, and 5,030 pounds re- ceived or a total of 12,145 pounds.

The business of the office during the six months end- ing June 30, 1883, is summarized in the following :-

AMOUNT. FEES.

Domestic money orders issued,

1,340

$20,450.02 $179.00

German, 37

1,048.05

16.50

British, 19 -

604.39

13.10

Swiss, 13.

394.00

6.15

Canadian, 7

219.50

3.40

French, 5

191.75

3.00

Italian, 2 .

70.00

1.05

Total _ $22,977.62 $222.20

Total number money orders issued, 1,423. Money orders paid, $6,530.20.

Letters registered

Registered letters in transit

1,512

Registered letters received

470

Total handled

2,443

RECEIPTS.

Amount of stamps sold

$2,165.79

Box rent collected

423.25

On deposit for keys

145.00

Total $2,934.04

One clerk, Mr. Juan M. Estrada, is employed to as- sist the Postmaster.

CAMBRIA STAGE.

In 1867, a weekly stage was put on the route from San Luis Obispo to San Simeon and Rosaville, J. P. Lewel- ling, proprietor, leaving San Luis Obispo every Saturday, carrying passengers at $3.00 each. Rosaville was the name then adopted for the village which subsequently took the name of Cambria. The stage carried a mail to San Simeon, W. S. Whittaker being the Postmaster. In April, 1868, the line became the property of D. S. Miller, and was expedited to semi-weekly, leaving San Luis Obispo Tuesdays and Saturdays. At the present time the mail is carried six times a week, Messrs. Brown & Castro being the contractors, and running a well- equipped stage, accommodating the villages of Morro and Cayucos en route.

CAYUCOS AND SAN MIGUEL STAGE. -

In February, 1883, Messrs. Kester & Cass put on a line of stages running from Cayucos via Paso de Robles Springs to San Miguel, giving people along the route a chance to take the weekly steamer at Cayucos, or make quick connection with the Coast-Line Stage going north. A mail is also carried between Cambria and Paso Robles. supplying the office at Adelaida, which also receives the mails of Josephine, a former post-office.

POST-OFFICES IN SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY.

The following are the post-offices in San Lu's Obispo . County in 1883 :-

316

HISTORY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY.

Adelaida, Arroyo Grande, Cambria, Carrisa, Cayucos, Cholame, La Panza, Morro, Musick, Nipomo, Paso Ro- bles, Port Harford, Pozo, Root, San Luis Obispo, San Miguel, and San Simeon.

WAGON ROADS.

The public roads through California previous to the American occupation were simply such trails as the ground afforded in its natural state, permitting the pas- sage of cattle, people on horseback, and pack animals. Wheeled vehicles were almost unknown. The few rude caretas used upon the ranchos never moved far from their place of manufacture, and only when the natural ground was favorable. Artillery was taken from post to post, but this was rarely done, and then by great care and labor. According to Spanish laws passage through the country must be left unobstructed and free for trav- elers and for driving cattle. Such travel and droves of cattle made broad trails, and through San Luis Obispo opened a road that could be passed by wagons. The first important labor expended on a wagon road was by Captain Dana, in 1850, between San Luis Obispo and Santa Rosa Creek, to make a road over which he could haul the timber used in building the "Casa Grande" in the town of San Luis Obispo. During the first twenty years of the county's life but little work was done in road making, the highways being almost as nature made them. In 1868, the question was agitated of the State making a road from San Juan to Los Angeles, asking aid from the National Government on the ground that it was an important public highway over which the United States mail was carried, and that it was through a coun- try purely pastoral with ranchos from three to ten miles apart, and the people too few and too poor to make the necessary improvements.

In 1872, a law was passed at the instance of Hon. James Van Ness, then Senator, authorizing a tax to be used for road purposes of $2.00 upon each male person between the ages of twenty-one and sixty years, also the issue of $15,000 bonds for the making and improv- ing of roads in San Luis Obispo County. In 1876, bonds to the amount of $20,000 were issued for the pur- pose of making a road according to Harriss' survey, over the Santa Lucia Mountains, known as the "Cuesta Road." With these aids an excellent road has been made through the county from north to south, and an- other reaching from San Luis Obispo northwest to Cam- bria. A good road also runs from San Luis Obispo through the Laguna and Los Osos Ranchos, and one from Cayucos to Paso de Robles, all others being very much in their primitive state, or rudely improved. Where the roads pass through the occupied regions, ex- cepting the few trunk roads, gates and bars are frequent interruptions to travel. East of the Salinas fences are rare, and the roads are where one chooses to travel or where passage is most feasible.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of San Luis Obispo County, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 80

Author: Angel, Myron; Thompson & West Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Oakland, Calif. : Thompson & West Number of Pages: 538

Author: Angel, Myron; Thompson & West
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Oakland, Calif. : Thompson & West
Number of Pages: 538