USA > California > Santa Barbara County > History of Santa Barbara county, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 35
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AMERICAN OCCUPATION.
Board has been compelled to fix, and has already fixed the rate of tax, based upon the assessed valu- ation of the total real and personal property in the whole county; that such rate is barely sufficient in the judgment of the Board, to meet the necessary county expenditures; that the withdrawal of a large part of such assessed property will cause the revenue of the county to fall far short of its expenditures, and seriously clog the administration of its affairs; that any disturbance of such levy may endanger its legal- ity, occasion litigation, and throw the finances of the county into confusion.
Resolved, that it is our duty as public officers, rep- resenting the whole county, to remonstrate, as we here do, against the passage of sa'd bill, and to pre- sent the foregoing to the Honorable Senate and Assembly of the State of California, for their con- sideration. (Signed) ANTONIO MA. DE LA GUERRA. Supervisor of Second District, President. THOMAS R. BARD, Supervisor of First District. THOMAS B. DIBBLEE, Supervisor of Third District.
DIBBLEE'S REPORT.
The undersigned, who was requested by the Board of Supervisors of Santa Barbara County, to furnish a statement of certain facts applicable to the question of a division of this county, to be appended to the resolution of the Board in the above matter, presents the following :-
Total amount of tax of Santa Barbara County per assessment roll of 1869, and necessary for State and County purposes, for present fiscal year of 1869-70, $47,608, of which tax the amount assessed in prop- erty in first Township (the section proposed as a new county) has consi lerably less than one-third, namely, about $13,400.
Total number of names registered in the county up to January 1, 1870, was 1,625, of which number there is in the said Township 469.
N. B. Many of these are names of transient per- sons who have removed from the county.
Total number of votes cast in this county at the last general election 1,177, of which number there were in the first Township 382.
Population of Assembly District, composed of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties, 11,000 to 12,000.
Population of first Township of Santa Barbara County (the proposed new county now demanding for itself in the Bill one member of Assembly) 1,900 to 2,000.
Distance from Santa Barbara, the county-seat of the present county, from San Buenaventura. named as county seat of the proposed new county, twenty- seven miles, with regular daily mail stage each way; traveling time, 4} to five hours.
(Signed)
THOMAS B. DIBBLEE.
A remonstrance was also extensively circulated through the county, and received the following sig- natures :-
James L. Ord, Charles Fernald, M. HI. Biggs, Samuel Levy, Albert F. Thompson, S. B. Brinkerhoff, Ben S. Rowe, John C. Fairbanks, S. R. Cohens, Geo. P. Tebbetts, J. E. Goux, C. B. Bates, Gaspar Orena, F. A. Thompson, C. A. Thompson, H. Cook, Clarence Gray, C. J. Shaw; Thomas B. Dibblee and Antonio Maria de la Guerra, Supervisors; J. B. Ashley, M. Kahn, Henry Carnes, D. S. Sebendelfer, Cas. Kundel, Geo. E. Childs, E. Van Valkenberg, C. W. Shaw, F. D. HIavens, H. H. Linville, A. A. Cranston, W. W. Fur- long, C. M. Opdyke, James Ward, Robert P. Nash, A. L. Packard, D. Flaying, M. J. Woodles, P. J. Barber, F. T. Hare, S. E. Bisbey, Wm. A. Streeter, S. R. I. Sturgeon, M. HIarlow, A. Packard, Richard King, E. S. Lowrey, Geo. Hernster, John Seollan, J. II. Brad- ley, H. H. Snow, J. E. Orr, N. M. Jones, G. W. Leland, James Kays, S. H. Olmstead, E. Bodie, J. B. Shaw, Charles Gilman, W. E. Greenwell, Newton M. Coates, Chas. C. Chamberlain, José M. Loureyro, T. Wallace More, Cyrus Marshall, Crowson Smith, Wm. MeCloud, Michel Wurch, Robert M. Smith, Silas Bond, A. L. Follet, F. B. Brown, A. W. Russel, Alfred Davis, M. O. Hammar, E. H. McCulley, J. C. Townsend, W. R. Gift, John II. Neale, Wm. H. Nor- way, Thos. G. Williams, H. G. Crane, L. W. Musick, C. E. Alvord, J. J. Ryle, Wm. H. Johnson, John C. Kays, Wm. W. Hollister, S. Martin, L. Conklin, E. B. Boust, John P. Stearns, T. M. Lewis, J. J. Elizalde, Russel Heath, A. Warner Rose, Henry J. Dully, C. J. Weldon, T. B. Curley, C. E. Ablett, M. D. Lane, P. Y. Cool, John O. Pierce, J. C. Fruchey, Samuel Brownhart, S. G. C. Willett, W. H. Wallace, Wm. R. Thompson, J. S. Roberts, Isaac Ferguson, W. W. Haynes, D. M. Rice, A. W. Williams, J. Dunshee, Thomas Williamson, Pedro Lugo, C. C. Rynerson, D. C. Maxfield, John Shields, B. W. C. Brown, D. W. Thompson, P. Varnum, Robert B. Ord, M. T. Hig- gins, I. N. Caldwell, Peter Davis, Albert Doty, John Saunders, James Logan, F. Cooley, J. B. Wentling, James B. Freer, A. Hopper, Sevier Stringfield, J. C. HIamer, M. B. Keep, J. H. Summers, B. Gutierrez, J. A. Nelson, F. J. Maguire, Francisco V. Carrillo, J. W. Eames, Charles E. Iluse, L. Kohn, José Loren- zana, Ramon Gonzales, José Lobero, H. B. Blake, O. N. Ames, José Gallego, A. P. More, J. Broadbent, J. Hanford, D. W. ap Jones, H. G. Trussell, E. Cov- ert, F. W. Frost, Ben Burton, J. S. Bell, Ramon J. Hill, P. F. Aubrey, James W. Burke.
SCHOOLS.
One of the results of the Americanization of Santa Barbara was the creation of schools which increased faster even than the population. Schools were estab- lished or had an existence in Santa Barbara and San Buenaventura in Spanish times. It is said that not one scholar in the San Buenaventura school could read, and that the teacher, who was from Chili,
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HISTORY OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY.
thought the largest river in the world was a little stream in Chili, which was but a little larger than the Ventura River. The following school districts were organized soon after the American Occupation :--
Santa Clara Valley, August 13, 1868; Springville, November 10, 1868; Santa Paula, August 3, 1869; San Pedro (near New Jerusalem), August 5, 1869; Ojai Ranch, Angust 5, 1869; Santa Maria, September 23, 1869; Los Alamos, September 23, 1869; Pedregosa (Hope District), December 22, 1869; Briggs (part of Santa Paula), February 8, 1870; Live Oak, May 3, 1870; Pine Grove, September 3, 1870; Las Cruces, November 1, 1870; Sespi, November 7, 1870; Ocean, December 19, 1870.
Palle de la Guerra
DON PABLO DE LA GUERRA.
Among all the names of distinguished persons who have been connected with the history of California during the last half century, his stands pre-eminent for ability, character, and a happy influence. Whether we consider him as a member of a family who were almost hereditary rulers, settling the difficulties of neighbors and friends, who instinctively turned to him for counsel; as interposing between a proud but humiliated people and their conquerors, counseling a peaceable and respectful submission on the one hand and a moderate and considerate course on the other; as a member of Legislative bodies, framing constitu- tions and laws or acting as a presiding officer and guiding their deliberations, or as sitting as magistrate in the highest courts, expounding the law and admin-
istering justice. we find him equal to any emergency in which he was placed, retaining, unimpaired, the confidence of the people in his ability and integrity to the end.
He was born in Santa Barbara November 29, 1819. His father was Don José Antonio de la Guerra y Noriega, who was at that time in command of the Presidio of Santa Barbara. He was educated at Monterey by the fathers of the Catholic Church, and while at that place held the office of Surveyor of Customs. Some years later, when California had become a Territory of the United States, he was elected a delegate from Santa Barbara to organize a State Government. He was successively United States Marshal for the Southern District of Califor- nia, Judge of the First Instance, and Mayor of the city of Santa Barbara, State Senator during four successive terms, President of the California Senate, and Lientenant-Governor, and was elected Judge of the First Judicial District of California, then com- prising the counties of San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo. When the Second Judicial District was created out of the northern part of the First, he was elected the first Judge, which office he held until the progress of a fatal disease compelled him to resign.
Don Pablo de la Guerra, perhaps, exerted a greater influence over his countrymen than any of the native Californians. His unselfishness, generosity, charity, liberality of opinion, and unswerving honesty, with the inherited prestige of family, which, with the Spanish population, is a power unknown in other races, made him the natural counselor and father of all who came in connection with him.
The influence which he exerted during our late Civil War, in moulding the native population into advocates and defenders of the Union, more than anything else, endeared him to the American popula- tian. When Southern California seemed ripe to fall into the Confederacy, he came to its rescue. Though promises of place and power were made him if he would turn his friends and countrymen towards dis- nnion, he remained true, and to his and his family's influence is due the fact that Southern California became a bulwark of defense. His family raised and officered a company of cavalry, which did effective service on the frontier in resisting the Indians.
'As a judge his rulings and decisions were such as to win the respect of litigants and attorneys. His name is frequent in all the history of Santa Barbara to the time of his death, which occurred February 5, 1874. His health had been failing for some time and he had been to some extent nnable to perform the duties incident to the office. When the report of his death reached the Capitol, the Hon. Philip Roach arose in his place and addressed the Senate as follows :-
" MR. PRESIDENT: I have just received a telegram, directed to Lieutenant-Governor Pacheco, announcing
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SANTA BARBARA RAILROADS.
the death of Don Pablo de la Guerra, at his late home in Santa Barbara. The deceased was a gen- tleman whose career was intimately connected with the early history of California. He was a repre- sentative of the Spanish-American population of our State, and from the time of the acquisition of Califor- nia by our Government until the time of his decease he had filled many positions of honor and trust by their election. He was a man of fine education, of the most courteous manner, and possessed of such advantages of person as to command the respect of all who knew him. For the past twenty-five years his life had been spent in the public service.
On the great questions of the day, which in that period of our history occupied the public attention, Senator de la Guerra displayed great ability, judg- ment, and knowledge of the science of government. He spoke our language with fluency, though with an accent that proclaimed that it was not his mother tongue; yet its liquid softness and his choice of words caused the Senate-chamber to be filled with an admiring audience whenever it was known that he would speak on an important question. In 1863 he was elected District Judge of Santa Barbara Dis- trict, which office he held until a few weeks ago, when illness compelled him to resign. He died on the 5th day of February, 1874, aged 55 years. He leaves a widow and four children to lament his loss, and he leaves to the people of California, whom he served so faithfully and long in various capacities, the memory of his stainless record as a public man. In moving that when we adjourn we do so in respect to the memory of Don Pablo de la Guerra (it is an homage due to official uprightness of character), as a proof of sympathy for his family and friends, and as an evidence of our desire to honor the memory of a man who was regarded as the representative of the native California population."
The following from the Times, a Santa Barbara newspaper, will give an idea of the universal respect entertained for him by the people :-
FUNERAL OF JUDGE DE LA GUERRA.
" A great tribute was paid to the memory of the late Don Pablo de la Guerra by our citizens, who attended in great numbers his obsequies on Sunday last.
" Never has such a throng gathered in Santa Bar- bara to pay the last mark of respect to a fellow- citizen. It is estimated that at least 2,000 persons had assembled to attend the funeral-not drawn by curiosity, but by a desire to show their regret at the loss to the community of a distinguished, honorable, and upright man, and the respect they held for his memory.
" The procession formed under the directions of our Sheriff, N. A. Covarrubias, at ten o'clock Sunday morning, in front of the late residence of the de- ceased. The pall-bearers were chosen from members of the bar, and consisted of the following gentlemen: F. J. Maguire, Chas. Fernald, J. H. Kincaid, R. M. Dillard, Clarence Gray, Jarrett T. Richards, and Thos. McNulta.
"The remains, encased in a metallic coffin, upon which was a silver tablet giving the name, time of birth, and death of the deceased, were placed in an open wagon and covered with the American flag. The following is an outline of the funeral cortege: First, Lobero's band in uniform; second the priests in their robes, the sisters of charity, and the orphans; third, the hearse and the pall-bearers, who wore
white sashes trimmed with crape; fourth, the mem- bers of the medical and legal professions; fifth, the family and relatives of the deceased; sixth, the mein- bers of the press, and lastly, the friends and acquaint- ances of the deceased.
" The procession was very imposing, and the funeral march was very solemn. At the chapel the nsual services were bad, which lasted about ten minutes, and the remains were then taken to the mission. The whole plain between the mission and town was dotted with pedestrians and carriages; hundreds followed the remains on foot. The view of the great moving throng from the mission steps was most picturesque. The whole scene was wonderfully impressive. The remains were taken into the Mis- sion Church, where a solemn requiem mass was celebrated. The church presented a beautiful, sug- gestive appearance. The pillars were draped in mourning, memorial festoons fell from the ceiling to numerous chandeliers; the altars, as well as every part of the church, were brilliantly illuminated with candles. In the center of the church a large cata- falque had been erected, blazing with numbers of lights, in front of which the coffin rested during the service .. After mass the remains were entombed in the family vault beneath the church.
" Everyone seemed deeply impressed by the serv - ices. The grief of the relatives of the departed one, rendered doubly intense by the solemnity of the obsequies, was sad to behold, and moved many a heart among the witnesses of the ceremonies.
"This tribute of our people to the memory of the deceased, and their sympathy expressed towards the bereaved ones, will, in the future, be a source of great comfort and gratification to Don Pablo's afflicted family and friends."
CHAPTER XXIII.
SANTA BARBARA RAILROADS.
Southern Pacific-Railroad Meet ng January 5, 1870-Numbers of Railroad Projects-Ambitious Towns-Railroad Meet- ings-Failure Indicated-War Between the Press and Times -Opposition-Dr. Shaw Vindicated-What No Railroad Means-Before the Supervisors, September, 1872-End of the Railroad Project-Hollister to the Front-Huse to the Front-Sarcastic on Santa Barbara-Whoop 'em up Lively -Defeat of the Subsidy-New Efforts for a Road-Change of Base-Index, June 9, 1874-Railroad Meeting in the City Hall-Meeting of February 5, 1876-Railroad Bill-Board of Supervisors-Fourth Effort.
ALTHOUGH no great lines traverse the county, there has been, to use a Western phrase, " a heap" of talk and fight over the building of railroads, involving a great deal of effort. Even as a failure it was a credit to Santa Barbara, and can no more be left out of its history than other things which have resulted in success.
With the coming of the Americans in numbers came the project for a railroad. As early as 1868 the subject was agitated among the business men, and the benefits of a railroad communication to other parts of the world fully understood. In January, 1868, the matter began to assume shape, and an application to Congress was made for a charter to build a coast road and also asking for a donation of
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HISTORY OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY.
land along the line of the route. The grant was made to the "Santa Barbara Branch of the Southern Pacific Railroad," and named James B. Shaw, Thomas B. Dibblee, Pablo de la Guerra, Francisco de la Guerra, Thomas W. Moore, James L. Ord, John Scollan, Walter Murray, Jesse D. Carr, E. B. Boust, O. L. Abbott, M. H. Biggs, E. Van Valkenberg, Antonio Maria Gutierrez, M. M. Kimberly, Marcus Harloe, F. A. Thompson, Robert Ord, Mignel Smith, Bascom Williams, Gaspar Oreña, N. B. Jacobs, Livingston McGowan, Robert Cushing, William B. Hyde, J. G. Foster, David R. Patten, William P. Bagley, and Richard C. Kirby as incorporators. It granted the right of way for 200 feet wide, also the right to take timber, earth, stone, or other material from the public lands for the construction of the road, necessary ground for turn-tables, switches, work-shops, and stations; also every alternate odd section of public land for ten miles on each side of the road (not mineral) between Santa Barbara and the junction of the branch to the main line in Tulare County. The word " mineral" not to include iron, coal, or asphaltum; and provided that the lands granted should be sold to actual settlers in quantities not exceeding 160 acres, at prices to be fixed by the company, not exceeding $2.50 per acre; that patents for said lands should issue as fast as the road in ten-mile sections should be completed.
SOUTHERN PACIFIC.
About the time the Central Pacific was completed the same company proposed to build a road from their own line to the Colorado River, to intersect some of the roads which were projected to cross the Colorado River into California. This road was the one which eventually swallowed all the others, and defeated the hopes of Santa Barbara of being either a railroad terminus or of being on the line of a trans- continental road. In the strife which ensued the reader will have no difficulty in perceiving the agency of the Central Pacific shaping things to their own ends. It was to this company, when it first projected the Southern Pacific, that Santa Barbara addressed itself. When the route up the San Joaquin Valley was determined on by them, a junction with them east of Santa Barbara was songht for, and several meetings held to consider the project.
RAILROAD MEETINGS.
January 5, 1870, a letter was read from Dr. J. B Shaw offering the right of way through his land. Charles Fernald, Thomas B. Dibblee, and S. B. Brinkerhoff were appointed to draft resolutions ex- pressive of the sense of the meeting.
The committee appointed at a meeting of the citi- zens of Santa Barbara, held at the Court House on the 5th day of January, 1870, pursuant to public notice, for the purpose of considering the subject of the construction of a railroad through this county, having deliberated upon the matter, recommend the following resolutions as expressive of their views,
and, in their belief, of the views of all the intelligent men of this county :---
Resolved, 1st. That the rapidly-increasing popula- tion of this county, and the development of its great agricultural resources, require the speedy construc- tion of a coast railroad through this county.
2d. That in aid of the construction of such road to connect us with San Francisco and the Southern Pacific Railroad, the connty of Santa Barbara be authorized, by an act of the Legislature at its pres- ent session, to subscribe to the capital stock of such railroad at least 8500,000, gold coin of the United States; and that it pay such subscription with bonds bearing seven per cent. per annum interest, payable in gold twenty years after their issue.
And, whereas, some of the largest land-holders in this county have, at this meeting, expressed their willingness to donate to said railroad the right of way through their lands, and so much as is necessary for depots, stations, etc., and also to donate tracts of land along the line of said road, in aid of its con- struction, and to subscribe to its capital stock;
Resolved, 3d. That all of the land-holders in this county be, and they are hereby requested to grant the right of way for said road through their lands. -
CHAS. E. HUSE, THOMAS B. DIBBLEE, Committee, { CHARLES FERNALD, S. B. BRINKERHOFF, THOS. R. BARD.
Thomas R. Bard, Charles Fernald, and S. B. Brink- erhoff were also appointed a committee to confer with the Southern Pacific Railroad and inform them of the sense of the meeting.
C. A. THOMPSON, Secretary.
A RAILROAD FROM SANTA BARBARA TO BAKERSFIELD.
[From Bakersfield " Courier."]
The Santa Barbara Index has been publishing a series of articles, now reaching the eighteenth num- ber, in regard to the "future railroad system of Southern California." Among the roads pointed out as necessary to be built, and that in course of time is certain to be constructed, is one connecting with the Southern Pacific Railroad at this point (Bakersfield) from Santa Barbara. The length of a practicable and easy route is estimated at 100 miles, and the advantage to both places is clearly pointed out. Santa Barbara having built herself up to the utmost extent possible on health, and even gone beyond the basis of tangible speculation, now feels the imper- ative need of a back country, if a damaging collapse is to be avoided. The only way of obtaining it is by establishing a connection with this important valley, the richest and most extensive in the State, by means of the proposed road. It is argued that all our import, trade and stock, etc., would scek this as the shortest and cheapest route. There is no doubt that while such a road would benefit us greatly, it would benefit Santa Barbara relatively still more. In fact, that place can hardly do without it, while we can. As soon as the Southern Pacific crosses Tehachapi, the most of our export trade, with the exception of wool, for a considerable time at least, will be to the immense mining region that borders us on the east,
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SANTA BARBARA RAILROADS.
and our immediate need of a convenient seaport will not be pressing. But, in course of time, as our boundless resources develop, a road to Santa Barbara will afford a convenient ontlet, and, as an opposition, serve to keep freights and fares at reasonable figures. To Santa Barbara, however, the need of this road is great and immediate. It is the only means by which, during the life of the present generation, it can con- nect with the railroad system of the State, attract a trade sufficient to sustain real estate valuations and its present prominence as a health resort.
NUMBERS OF RAILROAD PROJECTS.
This was about the time of the completion of the first line of railroad across the continent by Sanford & Company, and when the world began to awake to the grand success of what was considered a vis- ionary and impracticable scheme, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara, as well as other towns, immediately became ambitious to become the termini of transcontinental roads, and thereby become great cities. The plans for Southern California generally contemplated a route as far south as the 32d or 35th parallel. The San Francisco people proposed building a road also, which should make that city the terminus, and the cities along the coast way-stations. The San Francisco project was called the California Atlantic and Pacific Railroad Company. Alvinza Hayward, a successful miner, was the President of this company. The company contemplated a road from St. Louis to San Francisco, intersecting the 35th parallel, near the Rocky Mountains.
The report of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad reports distances and grades as follows: through Missouri, 330 miles; Indian Territory, 389; Texas, 200; New Mexico, 415; Arizona, 397; California, 656. Heaviest grades: In Missouri, near Dixon, 105 feet to the mile; Indian Territory, North Fork Canadian River, 96 feet; Texas, near the western boundary, 63 feet; New Mexico, 106 feet; Arizona, 105 feet. The alti- tudes in California are Colorado River, 664 feet; Cedar Pass, 5,187; Mohave River, 2,400; Summit of Soledad Pass, 3,215; at the head of Santa Clara River, 1,120; San Buenaventura, 20; Santa Barbara, 25; San Marcos, 868; Santa Ynez River, 532; Summit at Foxens, 1.141; Santa Maria River, 200; San Luis Obispo, 131 I oro Pass, 1,375; Watsonville, 28; between Watsonville and Santa Cruz, 400; Santa Cruz, 20; Tunnel near Pescadero Creek, 252; San Francisco tide water. Total length, 2,017 miles.
The prospect of being on a through line rather than on a branch line, turned the attention of the advocates of a road to these companies.
The Texas Pacific Company proposed to intersect the 32d parallel, hence the two roads were some- times known as the 32d and 35th parallel. The famous Thomas A. Scott, of Pennsylvania, was made Pres- ident of the former road, it was supposed on account of his oil interests, and became one of the great factors in the railroad problem.
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