USA > California > San Luis Obispo County > History of San Luis Obispo County and environs, California, with biographical sketches > Part 23
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h refore. I pray your Excellency to be pleased to grant my petition, miwie Le lfreceive favor.
San Miguel January 4th 1841. J. Mariano Bonilla."
de die Tary plof this petition, which was accompanied by a diseño Kowane The wa sting of the land asked for, the Governor referred the same
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for information to the Father Minister of the Mission of San Luis Obispo, as follows:
(Translation)
"Monterey, January 16th 1841.
Let the person in charge of San Luis Obispo report on the foregoing petition after consulting with the Revd Father Minister as to whether or not the land petitioned for may be granted without prejudice to the Community. Alvarado."
Thereupon Father Ramon Abella, the Priest in charge of the Mission of San Luis Obispo, made to the Governor the following report :
"In relation to the foregoing petition dated on the 16th day of January 1841, I say That I am of the opinion, that the said place may be granted for the uses set forth, but on condition, that the grantee, shall not put thereon more than six or eight cows for supplying the family with milk and some horses for his use, otherwise the establishment of San Luis Obispo cannot be maintained, since this place being surrounded by hills, it is a convenient place for the milch cows of the Establishment and the horses which are necessary for the use of the same, the greater part of which are kept there.
God preserve you many years.
San Luis Obispo, February 1st 1841. Fr Ramon Abella."
This report was concurred in by Vicente Canet, the person having charge of the Mission establishment, who endorsed said report as follows :
(Translation)
"I agree in the above report, and not knowing how to write, I make the sign of the cross date as above
Vicente Canet"
On the 14th day of April, 1842, Governor Alvarado made the following decree :
(Translation)
"Monterey April 14th 1842
In view of the petition with which these proceedings commence, the report of the Father Minister, and of the Majordomo of San Luis Obispo. with all other matters necessary to be considered in conformity with the laws and regulations on the subject, I declare Don Mariano Bonilla owner in property of one half a square league, from the Arroyo of the Encino towards the Cuesta of Santa Margarita as far as the mouth of the Cañada on the principal road from San Luis Obispo. Let the corresponding title issue; Let registry be made thereof in the respective book, and let the same be delivered to the interested party for his security and let this expi- diento be directed to the Most Excellent Departmental Junta for its ap- proval. His Excellency, Señor Don Juan B. AAlvarado, thus ordered decreed and signed."
As another sample of old-time transactions, we give the following: Don Jose de Jesus Pico goes to Santa Barbara shopping. Perhaps the Doña goes along. From the items one is almost sure she did. This old account was found in the office of the county clerk recently. The account is with Thomp-
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SSA HVIS MAMSPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS
evre More. The nobli items are: 1 wash basin, $2.00; three striped shirts, S. WA Gormi Tre, =10.40; 1 doz. tin plates, $5.00: 6 pieces white dimity, SIXIEL, I bes Tow flannel. $17.00; 12 doz. plates, $4.40; 4 tin pots, $3.00; Amrest wife brenne, $36.00; 3 muslin dresses, $24.00; 6 axes and handles, 21.00 Trines: 1 horse, $30.00; hides, $100.00; 6 bags tallow, $58.50; ileri in olker yapelition, $10.00.
CHAPTER XVII A Chapter of Political History, and Items from the Tribune
It is not our purpose to go minutely into the political history of San Luis Wb-po County, but rather to touch upon the more important political events that have had considerable influence on its general history. Since the settle- ment of the county, every political party, new and old, has found adherents among the growing populace. The first polling place was at San Luis Obispo. On August 1, 1849, the first election in the county was held at San Luis Obispo to choose delegates to help draft the state constitution, and to elect local officials. Henry A. Tefft and Jose M. Covarrubias were elected delegates to the state convention, John MI. Price and Esteban Quintana were elected alcaldes, and Joaquin Estrada, regidor. This election was called by General Riley, acting governor. When the constitution was voted upon and the election for governor was held, forty-five votes were cast, all for W. S. Sherwood.
California as a state in those days was strongly Democratic; but in our county the Whig doctrine was popular among the Spanish, a pastoral people. In 1851, party lines were drawn and San Luis Obispo County began to vote the Whig ticket. In November, 1851, Antonio de la Guerra of Santa Barbara was elected state senator from this district, and Mariano Pacheco, Assemblyman. In 1852 California for the first time voted at a presidential election. Our county cast one hundred twelve votes for Gen. Winfield Scott, W hig, and eleven votes for Franklin Pierce, Democrat. In 1853 the county vote was for governor : William Waldo, Whig, one hundred thirty-seven ; Bigler, Tyto r. t. mine. In 1854 the county cast an almost solid vote for George W Boot. hig candidate for Congress. That year William J. Graves was chase I to the assembly. In 1855 the county cast one hundred eighteen 1001 For 1. le, Democratic nominee for governor, and forty-five votes for Ty b. .. running on the new American party ticket, whom the state 66 Mb 464 0: San Ettis Obispo was the smallest county vote cast in Mole otro was sent to the assembly from San Luis Obispo
Do the State of California had to be reckoned with ; o Patty, strong in the Eastern and Northern states, Ein policy to avoid sectional disputes, and the first G. lifornia met with much abuse, mobbing being Top First Republican state convention met at Sacra- Pooled by representatives from thirteen counties. W000 1856 was held, San Luis Obispo cast one Pren mt. Republican nominee. Our county
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in those days seemed always to vote on the losing side. In 1857 Romualdo Pacheco of San Luis Obispo was elected to the state senate and Henry M. Osgood was sent to the assembly. In 1858 Walter Murray was elected assem- blyman. Up to August 3, 1859, all county voting had been at the county- seat, but now the supervisors divided the county into precinets as follows, viz .: San Miguel, Paso Robles, Estrella, San Luis Obispo, Costa and Arroyo Grande. The first judges, inspectors and places of election were Estrella : Alfred Smith, inspector ; James Wayland and William James, judges; place, Smith's house. San Miguel : B. Palmer, inspector ; M. G. Noble and William McCrutchen, judges; place, San Miguel House. Paso Robles: G. Cruthers, inspector ; B. J. Jones and J. Pruett, judges ; place, Paso Robles House. Costa: C. Mathers, inspector ; place, Santa Rosa House. San Luis Obispo : F. Hillard, inspector; B. Lascano and J. Bunce, judges : place, county court- house. Arroyo Grande: F. Z. Branch, inspector; C. Dana and L. Martin, judges ; place, F. Z. Branch's house.
In 1859 San Luis Obispo County cast two hundred eighty-four votes for Milton S. Latham, Democrat, for governor ; later, January 9, 1860, Latham was elected United States Senator by the legislature and Lieutenant Governor John G. Downey became governor. Horace Greeley visited California on a campaign trip in 1859. On one occasion, the historic old stage driver with whom he was riding on a wild drive yelled to him : "Keep your seat, Horace; I'll get you there on time!" -- and the mud flew.
In 1860 the first national presidential convention to meet in Chicago con- vened and nominated Abraham Lincoln on the Republican ticket. The doc- trines of both great parties were fully discussed. Great things were at stake ; war loomed on the horizon, and San Luis Obispo County became stirred, as did the whole country. At the election held November 7, 1860, the vote of the county was: Lincoln, one hundred forty-eight; Breckinridge, one hundred fifty-five; Douglas, one hundred twenty ; Bell, none. Charles H. Johnson received one hundred fifty-six votes for assemblyman, and Wiliam L. Becbee, one hundred fifty-two. The state for the first time cast a plurality vote for a Republican president, Lincoln's vote being 38,734.
The state election of 1861 was a hard-fought battle, ending in the election of Leland Stanford, Republican, for governor. In this county Stanford re- ceived one hundred seventy-six votes, and McConnell, the Democratic nomi- nce, two hundred votes. Romualdo Pacheco was elected Senator. C. W. Dana, representing San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, was sent to the assembly. In 1863 the county gave a Republican majority to F. F. Low, two hundred sixty votes against two hundred nineteen cast for J. G. Downey, Democratic nominee for governor. In 1864 San Luis Obispo County cast two hundred fifty-nine votes for Lincoln, against one hundred forty-nine for McClellan. In 1865 P. W. Murphy was elected to the state senate. He was a Democrat, but having friends in both parties, won the election. In 1867 the state went Democratic, but this county came out decidedly Republican.
In 1869 the county seemed to "turn over." as most of the county officers elected ran on the Democratic ticket. In 1871 it went Democratic on the vote for governor, but was about evenly divided on the county officers chosen. In 1872 the county cast four hundred fifty-five votes for Grant and three hundred twelve for Greeley. In 1873 the first Republican county 11
SAY UND CHERRY COUNTY AND ENVIRONS
copyenquad core 100 Tecolution was passed favoring re-election to office as & coros ba Eribrod service. In 1875 the county went Democratic. In That di anal ginglad of votes cast in the county was 1,736, Tilden receiving 941 1.6x 72 16 1877 P. W. Murphy, Democrat, was elected state senator, Tod L. 3 Wirdrie Dimocrat, assemblyman, with 1,028 votes. In 1879 our cemile KAL 1.DAR Votes for, and six hundred sixty against, the new con- There were many parties in the field, and in some cases two or monte joties would finite on a candidate. Warren Chase was elected senator by the Workingmen's and New Constitution parties. H. Y. Stanley was che ont assembly man on the Union ticket. In 1880 the county went Repub- lican. Song Gght hundred twenty-eight votes for Garfield. In 1882 there were eighteen election precincts in the county. In that year the first official mention Es made of a Prohibition vote. Forty-five votes were cast in the county for McDonald, Prohibition nominee for governor of the state. Some strides have been taken by prohibition since.
In 1883 the state was divided into six Congressional districts, the sixth containing San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, San Benito, Los Angeles, Ven- tura. San Bernardino, San Diego, Kern, Tulare, Fresno, Inyo, Mono and Alpine counties, with a population of 127,136 and 22,860 voters-men over twenty-one years of age. In 1882 Judge Steele had been declared elected state senator on the Republican ticket ; but in the beginning of 1883, Brooks, the Democratic candidate, contested the election, and the result was thus expressed by Steele in a telegram to a friend: "Sacramento, Cal., Feb. 21, 1883. The railroad got me. Brooks is seated. Steele."
About 1873 the farmers of the county began to organize "Granges," the members being known as Patrons of Husbandry. The first Grange in the county was organized at Cambria, No. 25; and during the same year another was instituted at Arroyo Grande with twenty-three charter members. Other Granges were organized at San Luis Obispo, Old Creek, and Morro; and one, Confidence Grange, was located, the writer thinks, in Green Valley. We find these Granges protesting, March 10, 1874, in a resolution sent to the repre- sentative in the assembly, against a bill pending "To build and equip a railroad from the Bay of San Luis Obispo to Santa Maria valley." "We believe said bill unjustly discriminates in favor of said company and against this and Santa Barbara counties ; we believe it would create an oppressive monopoly and we request that bill be amended so as to fix similar rates of charge as all other railroads now being built or hereafter to be built in this county for moving freight and passengers." Signed, William Jackson, Master, 5.11 L. 1 . Reed, Secretary. The Grange, and later the Farmers' Alliance, bike factors to be reckoned with in county politics.
The"( or Iry" campaigns of these last few years were presaged, and d y Len the "Order of Good Samaritans" was instituted in the In I lieber of this order was organized at Morro, November 21, one on the Los Osos in May, 1879; and Garden Street Diepar w. - organized May 3, 1879. A strong lodge of inl built a hall in Arroyo Grande. These, with the Tim. Good Templars, did valiant work along tem- Trys now become a vital political issue.
for given, may be gathered some idea of the dvr Thirty years of the existence of our county.
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The two powerful parties have been the Democrats and the Republicans. Other parties have usually, after a try-out alone, voted with one or the other, compromising on certain candidates. As between the two main parties, for many years it was pretty safe to run on the Republican ticket in San Luis Obispo County.
Another question has entered into politics, one not to be downed, and that is, Shall the saloon go? They have gone from Paso Robles, Templeton, Santa Margarita, Arroyo Grande and several other old stands. Paso Robles and Arroyo Grande as incorporated cities voted them out. In the other localities they were closed when, as supervisoral districts, the people voted them dry. As a result of a vote taken in the county in 1907, the saloons were closed for about three months, but the saloon men contested the election on some technicality, and in July of that year the saloons were reopened. The Wylie local option law has been taken advantage of at other times. Sev- eral hard-fought anti-saloon elections have been held in the city of San Luis Obispo, each time coming a little closer towards winning, but so far the saloons have won. The last of these elections was held early in 1916. There is a large foreign-born element predominating, Swiss and Portuguese; and these, men and women alike, usually favor the saloons.
In 1890 a movement calling itself the Farmers' Alliance became prominent. E. S. Rigdon took an active part in organizing these bodies. At several elections the Farmers' Alliance people were able to hold the balance of power, and the Democrats and Republicans each sought to get the Alliance vote. In 1892 E. A. Spangenberg, an Alliance man, ran for auditor, but was defeated. In 1894 he again ran, this time to win, and held the office for twelve years. The Alliance became identified with the Populist party, and they were able to elect several men. J. K. Burnett was sent to the assembly on that ticket. A. E. Campbell was sent to the state senate by the Democrats, and Warren M. John, a popular young Republican, was sent to the assembly for two or three terms. E. S. Rigdon is the present state senator from this district, and C. W. Green is assemblyman, both Republicans.
"Wet or dry" has been the greatest issue at most of the county elections for the last few years. The law that admitted supervisoral districts to vote for or against saloons resulted in the first district, Cliff supervisor, voting "dry" in 1911. This district comprises the northeastern part of the county, in which San Miguel, Shandon, Creston and Cholame are situated. In 1913 the fifth district voted dry. This closed saloons in Templeton, Santa Margarita, and Pozo, and shut up a few roadside deadfalls. Cambria, Cayucos, Avila, Pismo, Edna, Oceano, Nipomo, and San Luis Obispo still harbor saloons, but the "wet or dry" question comes up at every state and county election in some shape. If it's nothing else, it is an amendment, or three or four, to the state laws. The strongest feeling prevails on both sides, but true it is that every party out for votes is anxious to conciliate the "dry" vote, and "wet or dry" has about as much significance now as "slavery or no slavery" had in 1860, and certainly bears a wider relation to humanity, as it affects all men, white or black.
Items of Interest Taken from the Files of the Tribune
Saturday, August 7, 1869, the first issue of the Tribune prints the Repub- lican ticket and other political news. Delegates to state convention : Walter
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SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS
Murray. I. B. Jones W. L, Beebee. To district convention, J. C. McCollum, Ferrer Steel, Tay Van Gordon, Jose M. Munoz, James Lynch. Republican Damit Teket E. M Dana, clerk; O. K. Smith, assessor; J. M. Munoz, short- Fohn Bajos. treasurer; J. C. McCollum, coroner; A. L. Cervantes, surveyor. Jose Cantua, administrator. Supervisors, A. M. Hardie, J. M. Ince Thomas Dickinson. Constables: J. G. Kester, George Davis of San Summea0, 1. J. Schiefferly, Zenobio Pico, Rafael Huera, San Luis Obispo; Paw, Mama. Paso Robles. Justices of the peace: William Leffingwell, R. 5 Thrownauf San Simeon; J. J. Findley, J. J. Simmler, of San Luis Obispo; Vo Lerer and J. R. Smith for Salinas valley. Central committee, C. L. Kul, Mathers, George Stone, A. M. Hardie, J. F. Dana. B. Lazcano, W. Monos w ilham Jackson. J. Findley, F. Branch, George Steele, James Lynch, Williso vogden.
The first editorial says: "Our politics will be in accord with the party of the ) won, that party to which under Providence we owe the preservation At the Republic through five years of war succeeded by three more of political (Yes- We seek peace rather than strife."
Qaquber 4, 1869 .- Teachers' institute met at Cambria September 22, 1869. Present, County Superintendent of Schools J. H. Gooch and nine teachers tall in the county ) : L. Rackliffe, Miss Campbell, Miss Cox, James Beckett. I. G. Stewart, J. F. Beckett, Miss Balser, Mrs. Morris, F. E. Darke, Among the topics discussed was whispering, and the band played at several sessions. Institute lasted for several days.
October 18, 1869 .- The supervisors at their last meeting let the contract for a bridge over the first creek north of the Santa Margarita House to P. Dunn for $123.00, the county to deliver free the lumber on the banks of the Creek. Also $295.00 is allowed for repairs to courthouse. The iron roof is to be removed and replaced with shingles. (This was the old adobe on Monterey street used as a courthouse.)
December 9, 1869 .- At Calaveras river, twenty miles from Stockton, I rank Medina, a storekeeper, and four others were murdered and the bodies found in a gulch 400 yards back of the store, gagged and piled in a heap- Medina, his clerk, two Mexicans and a negro. The store was in great dis- offer Some men had reported passing the store early in the day and hearing Crest commotion, but supposed it was just a row and passed on without mer ering
Offried In Santa Barbara, February 14, 1870, by Rev. F. G. Williams, chivas Banning of Wilmington and Miss Mary Elizabeth Hollister of
xml 2. 1870 -We lately competed with the Standard for the county wo sci cojste : nd won it at a fair figure.
\ 2. 150-Notice. Capt. D. P. Mallah has received notice that the 0 6 " em" wol rry merchandise at reduced rates, $5 per ton ; wool, 11 Hewitt. Captain Mallah also states that he has das Ho -1 0 15000 $1.25 to $1.00.
essment roll of San Luis Obispo County shows
1 8 12.108,307.77.
Pornoin Cable, carpenter and builder. Particular uma quo de moler. Constantly on hand, zinc-lined coffins of all
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SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS
A number of distinguished visitors have been in town this week: Senator Booth, Governor Pacheco, W. W. Dodge, Captain Archie Harloe, port war- den of San Francisco, Captain Marcus Harloe, Captain Engalls and Purser True to the steamer "Los Angeles," Don Juan Castro of Piedra Blanca, Alex- ander Forbes of San Francisco.
The town and principal business houses were lighted with gas this week. The light is very fine, a great improvement on our old oil lamps.
August 28, 1875 .- Captain Jack, a Chinaman who kept a stock of goods for sale at his house, was found by two white men, his friends, murdered. These gentlemen hired a man to dig a grave and take the coffined body to the burying ground and set an hour when they would come to bury Jack. At the hour named they set out in a buggy for the burial place, but met the grave-digger coming into town. He told them they would find the body lowered into the grave. They went on and filled up the grave, then went for a ride into the country. Returning, they decided to go to Jack's house and put away his goods. They opened the door and there lay Jack in his coffin. Needless to tell how they felt. After an investigation it turned out that a drowned man had been sent up from Port Harford for burial; and whether it was done for a "grave" joke or by mistake, his body had been placed in the grave instead of Jack's body. Today at eleven o'clock the gentlemen will themselves carry Jack to the burying ground, dig a grave and place him safely in it. The gentlemen are Colonel Harrison and Frank Grady.
September 4, 1875 .- Tuesday evening the up stage was robbed one mile from Lowe's station and three hundred feet below the foot of the grade. Two trees arch over the road here. Only one man was seen. The Wells- Fargo box contained over $1,000.
September 11, 1875 .- The contract for the new I. O. O. F. hall has been let to R. T. Osgood. It will cost $8,355.60, and when done will be the most imposing building in town. The material is all to be brought down from San Francisco.
Died-Murray .- At Cosmopolitan Hotel, October 5, 1875, Hon. Walter Murray, aged forty-nine years, one month.
October 7, 1875 .- The stage was robbed at the Lost Chance station on the up trip on Tuesday night. A masked man covered the driver and ordered him to throw off the box, which he did. Two more masked men were seen standing back in the shadows. It occurred just where a large tree droops its branches over the road. The sheriff of Monterey county had just got off and was walking a short distance behind the stage. He shot at the robbers and caused them to drop the box, which was speedily replaced. About a mile further on three shots were fired at the sheriff, who had mounted the seat beside the driver.
October 9, 1875 .- On the last trip, the steamer "Senator" landed fifty-five passengers for the county. We are now being recognized and are on the map. The stage fare has been reduced to $15.00 to Los Angeles, and $10.00 to Santa Barbara.
October 23, 1875 .- In this issue is discussed the proposition to build a cross-country road to Bakersfield.
December 4, 1875 .- A large vein of coal has been discovered at Cholame valley in Peach Tree township. . \ company to work it has been formed in
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SIS TEIS MAISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS
Thatsi FI Stwa E president : F. W. Blake and C. L. Weller of San Tr.memes ilecom mitsrested. Weller will be the general agent in San
TAtur 7 185- 1 mal rainfall to date for the season is 10.40 inches. V & Fimt-on. mancher on Old creek, visited our office this week and told w mitroy cor pe from death he and his family had while on a recent trip w Sant do risco. Himself, wife and four children were all on the gang mook when some one on the boat tried to pull it in and all of them were thrown into the bay. Mr. Hudson is a good swimmer, and with the aid of Others all were rescued from a watery grave.
January 29, 1876 .- H. S. Rembaugh, editor of the Tribune, in this issue publishes a whole page describing a seance of Spiritualists at Central City- now Santa Maria-held in the house of Samuel Lockwood. The medium was Mrs. George Smith. She was tied and doubled-tied in a chair. A trumpet was "washed out" by the editor and set big end down on the floor. Franklin Mauk went with Rembaugh ; also Mr. and Mrs. John Thornburg, Mr. and Mrs. M. Thornburg. and Mrs. Jessie Thornburg. The lights are ordered out, trum- pet sails around in the air and stops at each one in the room, giving messages. Mank's son through the medium and the trumpet tells his father he is glad he has quit swearing. Rembaugh says that Judge Murray's last words on earth were spoken to him and others, and were, "I will come back and see you." The trumpet floats to Rembaugh, says it's Murray and proceeds to distinctly say, "I am glad to meet you." [Spiritualism was rather a new thing and its "rappings" were held in awe by many.]
July 7, 1885 .- A shooting affray on the Estrella near the old adobe church built in 1878. We condense the many items into one. A young man named Sanders was teaching school and said a heading gang of men insulted him and demanded that the headers should apologize to him. The header men had shot-guns with them and had been shooting the rabbits that were very plentiful in the grain fields. As Sanders and his friends carried guns, shots were soon being fired. Two men were killed outright and one left crippled for life. Long trials cost the county large sums of money. Two men were sent to prison but eventually pardoned, one from each side. The shooting resulted not only in needless death but caused a feud on the Estrella that lasted for years.
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