USA > California > Santa Barbara County > History of Santa Barbara county, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 44
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111
The meeting was generally very enthusiastic.
Wigginton, Democratic candidate for Congress, also spoke in Santa Barbara a short time before the election.
Friday, October 20, 1876, great mecting of the Republicans. Governor Pacheco present. Torch- light procession, Dr. Brinkerhoff acting as President. One thousand persons supposed to be present. Dr. Brinkerhoff introduced Pacheco as a native of Santa Barbara; was elected to the Legislature when he was but twenty-one; served in the Senate, and after- wards as State Treasurer, then as Lieutenant-Gov- ernor, and finally as Governor, all of which places he had filled with honor; was now before the people as candidate for Congress,
24
182
HISTORY OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY.
Pacheco said that he had been a resident of Santa Barbara from a child to manhood; that in coming back he felt that he was at home, and most sincerely appreciated his reception; urged his friends to vote the Republican ticket; gave a resume of the great deeds the Republican party had achieved.
The meeting was addressed by Trout, Gray, and Richards.
October 12, 1876, the Democrats held a meeting, Judge Freelon presiding. Harry George of San Francisco addressed the meeting at length.
The Democrats evinced more industry in the con- duct of the campaign than was usual.
October 18, 1876, a meeting was addressed by José Arzaga, who pledged the native population to Tilden and Hendricks. Maj. A. W. Franklin, Ra- mon J. Hill, and Caleb Sherman also addressed the meeting.
When the count of the votes showed that Santa Barbara had given its usual majority for the Repub- lican ticket, the Index gracefully yielded, and ex- pressed itself willing to drop politics and attend to local matters.
ELECTION RETURNS, 1876.
PRECINCTS.
Hayes.
Tilden.
Pacheco,
Wigginton.
Kenfield.
Brown.
Pierce.
Dillard.
Carpenteria
67 63
60 38
70
56 93
67
60 38
Santa Barbara, 1st Precinct =
46
2d
290
203
349
147
290
202
308
Hope.
71
31
70
32
71
49 88
44 51
Las Cruces
7
28
21
Lompoc ..
108
76
108
75
109
76
Guadalupe
54
81
56
79
54
81
Santa Maria
63
36
56
41
63
36
La Graciosa
41
49
46
43
41
49
Ballords ..
9
5
9
5
9
5
Total vote Majorities
1174 431
1263 613
650
1171 432
739
680 259
421
There was a remarkable uniformity in this elec- tion, the Presidential electors receiving the same number of votes, with the exception of James H. Budd who received one more than his fellows. A Temperance ticket run in some locations in the State received one or two votes, and some one scratched a name, and put on Budd.
STATISTICS.
Assessment rolls of Southern California :-
1874.
1873.
Santa Barbara
$ 6,010,309
$4,941,482
Ventura
2,982,081
2,682,541
Los Angeles
12,080,336
9,854,593
San Bernardino
1,708,346
1,411,649
San Diego
3,104,600
2,941,864
Tax-payers in 1874 on $30,000 and upwards :-
PROPERTY.
TAX.
J. B. Ashley
$ 30,851
$ 518 30
R. T. Buell
76,626
1,279 52
Luis T. Burton
60,098
1,026 45
M. H. Biggs
29,650
498 12
J. S. Bell
82,495
1,385 92
32,759
550 35
Cariega & Harris
56,810
954 41
Concepcion O. de la Guerra
32,290
543 47
Dibblee, Dibblee & Hollister
325,625
5,806 50
Almira H. Eddy.
39,650
498 12
Wm. M. Eddy
44,411
780 21
Thomas Hope
67,298
1,130 61
Hollister & Cooper
159,305
2,676 32
W. W. Hollister
196,446
3,300 29
Hill & Jones
73,894
1,241 42
Heirs of Lavieaga and Hartnell
51,440
864 19
SCHOOLS.
The Superintendent, J. C. Hamer, applied to the Board of Supervisors for a levy of an especial school tax, to be applied to the various districts in propor- tion to their taxable property. It was denied for the reason that in the present condition of the assess- ment rolls it was impracticable to ascertain the amount of property in each school district.
NEW BUILDINGS IN 1874.
The new hotel before mentioned.
ODD FELLOWS HALL on State and Haley Streets; 60x90. Frank Walker, architect. Three stories high; brick, with concrete ornaments. First story, stores; second story, Odd Fellows Library, reading- room, hall, etc., also Santa Barbara club rooms; third story, three large halls-one for Odd Fellows, one for other organizations, and one for concerts and dancing. Cost, $20,000. Prosser and Buckingham brick work.
CITY HALL on de la Guerra Plaza to cost $8,000; brick. Containing Council Chamber, room for Police Court, City Clerk's office, engine room, and City Jail.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, P. J. Barber, architect, 42x66. Tower, 14x14, forty-one feet high; spire, eighty-six feet; total height from street 130 feet. Basement story brick; superstructure frame. Cost, $15,000.
NEW ST. VINCENT SCHOOL on the ruins of the old building. Cost, $15,000.
TEBBETTS' BUILDING, corner State and Haley, 38x80; three stories. Three store-rooms on ground floor; second story, offices and suites of rooms; third story, large hall 36x65. Cost, $13,000.
JOHN EDWARD'S RESIDENCE, 48x51; Italian Villa. P. J. Barber, architect. Cost, $8,000.
CHAS. PIERCE'S STORE, 25x68; two stories. $8,000. RUSSEL HEATH'S STORES, 25x60. $8,000.
J. HENRY STEVENS' DWELLING, P. J. Barber, archi- tect; brick; two stories. Cost, 84,000.
TAX RATES, 1875.
State Fund, 60} cents; County School Fund, 17 cents; General Fund, 50 cents; Hospital, 6 cents; Road, 30 cents; County Bond Interest, 6} cents. Total, $1.70 on each $100.
Total valuation of real and personal property for 1875, $6, 540,000. It was thought the Board of Equaliz-
285
115
291
107
281
113
235
150 176
La Patera
102 27
42
103
42
102
30 42 7
63
Montecito
78
743
Conway & Co.
183
HIGH TIDE OF PROSPERITY.
ation would make additions to the amount of $500,000 more. The gain during the year was nearly a mil- lion and a half.
Santa Barbara County Bank opened November 1, 1875. Capital stock, $100,000. W. M. Eddy, Presi- dent; E. S. Sheffield, Cashier; Wm. M. Eddy. S. R. Weldon, W. A. White. J. F. Morris, A. Garland. John Edwards, and A. L. MeCurdy, Directors.
August, 1875, Santa Barbara had six wholesale and retail grocery stores, nine retail grocery stores, four dry-goods stores, one ready-made clothing store, three wholesale and retail boot and shoe stores, two manufacturing boot and shoe stores, ten fruit and vegetable and candy stores, three hardware stores, thirteen saloons, one ten-pin alley, five billiard rooms, two banks, two auction and commission mer- chants, five real estate and house and land renting agencies, two warehouses and dealers on commis- sion, seven hotels, three restaurants, besides private lodging and boarding-houses, four barber shops, three hot and cold water bath-houses, sixteen laun- dries, two paint shops, four furniture stores, eight meat markets, four drug stores, four tobacco and cigar stores, five livery stables, four wholesale sugar stores, one ice cream and oyster saloon, three harness and saddle stores, four jewelry stores, three grocery and liquor stores, three book stores, two crockery and glass stores, six millinery and dressmaking estab- lishments, three tailor shops, two sewing-machine agencies, two clothing, boots, and shoes, hats, etc., two brick yards, three lumber yards, three sash and door factories, three planing mills, one flouring mill, one candy factory, one cigar factory, three carriage and wagon shops, four blacksmith shops, two archi- tects and builders, one tombstone cutter, four weekly and three daily papers.
THE BIG GRAPEVINE.
The story of this has been well read by the world. Very much in the way of romance and exaggerated stories have been written concerning it. There are numbers of vines around Santa Barbara that bid fair to be as large when they shall have attained the same age; one on the ground where the old one grew; one at Carpenteria, at José Arnaz, and other places. The secret of the great growth is probably in deep, rich, and moist soil. The stratum here is highly inclined, and is of tertiary formation, some of it being soft and argillaceous, and filled with fossil shells, which furnished materials for its ample growth. In its last years the place had been used for dancing parties. The ground was tramped hard around its roots, and the fumes of lager beer and whisky mingled with its leaves, and, as the temper- ance people say, broke its great heart. When it was found to be moribund, it was determined to remove it to the Centennial gathering.
A meeting was held at Tebbett's Hall, September 9, 1875, to take into consideration the removal of the big grapevine, and its exhibition at the Centennial.
J. P. Stearns was called to the chair, and the follow- ing statement was indorsed by the meeting :-
" This famous vine is undoubtedly the largest in the world. The celebrated vine at Hampton Court, England, grown under glass, is nine inches in diam- eter three feet from the ground. This vine is four- teen inches in diameter three feet from the ground, and nearer the ground has a diameter eighteen inches, while its foliage covers a space equal to 10,- 000 square feet. The Hampton Court vine produces annually from 1,500 to 2,000 pounds of grapes. The product of this vine. as estimated by Dr. Ord, now one of the State Commissioners to the Centennial, Judge Iluse, and others, has often reached the immense number of 7,500 clusters of an average of one and a half pounds each, or nearly 12,000 pounds.
" It is of the variety known as the Mission grape, and was planted by Dona Maria Marcelina de Domin- guez, at the birth of a child. According to the Mission records, its age is between fifty and sixty years. For several years it has shown evident signs of decaying vigor, and has now been dug up and boxed (after weeks of labor) for removal to the East. In view of this removal be it
" Resolved, That we take a deep interest in the fate of this vine which has been so long recognized as one of the chief curiosities of Santa Barbara; and that we heartily approve of Mr. Sarver's plan for exhibiting it at the Centennial, where it will stand as an indisputable proof of the rare adaptation of our soil and climate to the cultivation of the grape; where its enormous proportions and unequalled fruit- age will form no unfit symbol of the extent and resources which the country has attained during the present century.
" Resolved, That we feel the less regret at its removal, from the fact that there remains upon nearly the same spot a daughter vine which also outranks the Hampton Court vine, being now sixteen years old, and sixteen inches in diameter (?) three feet from the ground, and making growth at the rate of one inch diameter annually, and having the last year fur- nished 8,000 to 10,000 pounds of grapes, which were plucked and eaten by visitors from August 15th to January 26th.
" Resolved, That we heartily commend Mr. Sarver, whose worth and integrity are recognized by our entire community, and whose enterprise and enthus- iasm in this undertaking are deserving of an ample reward.
" Resolved, That we respectfully suggest to the offi- cers of the California State Agricultural Society whether the exceptional character of this enterprise and its probable value to the whole State, do not warrant them in waiving their rules to permit a special exhibition of this vine within their pavillion at the approaching State Fair, for the purpose of procuring funds to aid in the great expense attending its removal to Philadelphia.
J. W. HOUGH, Pastor Congregational Church. J. A. JOHNSON, Editor Press.
C. E. HUSE, Committee on Resolutions.
184
HISTORY OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXVI. QUICKSILVER MINES.
Discovery of Quicksilver-First Mines-Product of the Mines-
Quicksilver in Santa Barbara-Description of the Mines- A Cinnabar Castle-Santa Ynez Mines-The Santa Ynez Furnace-Enormous Mass of Cinnahar-Title-The Ter- mination of Mining-Sad Story-Child Lost at the Patera- The City Government-Fire Engine-Haley Survey-Action of the Trustees-Errors in the Haley Survey-Before Judge Maguire-In the District Court-Haley Survey Settled- Old and New.
QUICKSILVER, though not reckoned among the pre- cious metals, is very valuable for many qualities, and, owing to the limited area in which it is found, and the immense numbers of uses to which it is applied, has become of such value that a quicksilver mine is considered as equal to a gold mine. In the form of a sulphuret it becomes vermillion, the most brilliant of all the scarlet or red paints. This exists as a natural product, and was often used by the Indians to decorate their bodies and to stain their war implements. The presence of quicksilver is generally indicated by the red-colored rocks, al- though iron in many of its forms presents the same appearance, particularly some varieties of the new red sandstone which abound in all the tertiary for- mations.
In chemistry and medicine the various well-known articles of calomel, corrosive sublimate, besides others, are formed of it by the use of chlorine gas, the compounds being known as chloride, bi-chloride, and terchlorides of mercury. Some of these are vio- lent poisons, and all are powerful in their action and dangerous when used by unskilled or ignorant per- sons. It is also used in the form of an amalgam of tin for the covering of the backs of mirrors, also for forming various compounds with tin, lead, bismuth, zinc, and other metals. It enters into the construc- tion of nearly all surveying instruments, barometers, thermometers, etc .; in fact, its use is almost universal in the arts and sciences.
The greatest consumption of quicksilver, however, is in mining for gold and silver, with which it fuses at all ordinary temperatures, eating and absorbing these metals until they form a soft pasty mass. To this quality quicksilver owes its principal value. When placed among the rocks, sand, or dirt contain- ing gold, it immediately lays hold of it, coats it over, increasing the weight of the particle, and finally amalgamating the small particles into a solid mass, easily taken from the sluices or batteries whatever be the character of the mining. The application of a red heat expels the quicksilver, leaving the metal nearly pure. In this way much quicksilver was used in the placer and quartz mining of California. The price of it was very moderate compared to what it was after the discovery of the Nevada mines, being from fifty-five to eighty cents per pound. When the immense lodes of the Comstock began to
be worked, the consumption of quicksilver was enormous, with a corresponding advance in value for a time, reaching as high as $1.20 per pound. The whole consumption in Nevada, as early as 1873, reached 1,000,000 pounds annually. This tasked to the utmost the mines of New Almaden and New Idria, and the proprietors made immense fortunes, much of which, however, was absorbed in lawsuits, which were instituted to determine the proprietor- ship of the ground.
The demand for quicksilver induced much search for the metal, and resulted in the discovery of it in hundreds of places, so that the great monopoly was broken, and quicksilver was sold at a fair price. The metal was found in quantity in Napa and Sonoma Counties, and as far north as Trinity, as far south as Santa Barbara, and also in the foot-hills of the Sierra Nevada, although it was never worked with profit in the latter region.
FIRST MINES.
The oldest mines of commercial valne are those in Idria, in Austria, and Almaden, in Spain, which have been worked for 400 years. When first worked, the metal was held in great value by the alchemists and magicians who would show the little dancing glob- ules as being the abodes of spirits, devils, etc. It was supposed to be the universal solvent of metals, as well as the mother of them all. It was expected that by its aid diamonds and other precious stones, as well as gold and silver, could be manufactured by the ton; that life conld be indefinitely prolonged, and even restored by its use, and, in short, that, though not exactly the philosopher's stone, it would accom- plish all that mortals were ever permitted to do. For hundreds of years these mines supplied all that was used by the civilized world, the consumption being small compared to the present time.
The mines of New Almaden and New Idria, named after mines of Austria and Spain, were discov- ered previous to the American occupation of the country, and were worked to some extent. We read that General Sutter and party went towards the Sierra Nevada in search of cinnabar, led thither doubtless by the reddish cast of the ground, owing to the presence of oxide of iron.
PRODUCTS OF THE MINES.
The products at first, though small, were in excess of the demands for home consumption, and prices, except as influenced by combinations for controlling the home market, depended upon a foreign market. The shipments up to the time of the extensive dis- coveries were as follows: 1852, 900 flasks; 1853, 12,737; 1854, 20,936; 1855, 27,165; 1856, 23,740; 1857, 27,262; 1858, 24.142; 1859, 3,399; 1860, 9,488; 1861, 35,995; 1862, 33.477; 1863, 26,014; 1864, 36,927; 1865, 42,469; 1866, 30,287; 1867, 28,853; 1868, 44,- 506; 1869, 24,415; 1870, 13,788; 1871, 15,205; 1872, 13,098; 1873, 6,359.
185
QUICKSILVER MINES.
The product of the known mines for these years were as follows: 1871, 31,881 flasks; 1872, 30,306 flasks; 1873, 28,600 flasks.
It will be seen that with the increasing demand for quicksilver came a decreasing production, so that it reached the extraordinary price of $1.20 per pound.
These figures are given to show the immense importance of quicksilver in the trade of the world.
QUICKSILVER IN SANTA BARBARA
Was discovered by José Moraga at a very early day, or about the year 1860. though the Indians had used it from time immemorial, the paintings on the rocks and in the cave being done with cinnabar in part; but it was not until 1874 that the mines were exten- sively explored. The excitement commenced in San Francisco among the mining stock operators. Ex- perts were sent down to examine the outcrop, and all reported the existence of cinnabar in immense quantities.
MINING EXCITEMENT.
[Index, June I1, 1874.]
"There is great excitement in certain moneyed and mining rings in San Francisco over reports that have reached there in regard to the discovery of an immense ledge of cinnabar in Santa Ynez Valley, about seven miles north of Santa Barbara as the crow flies, though more than twice that distance by trail over the mountain. Experts were engaged, who came down with several wealthy men, who pro- posed to purchase the mines if the reports proved to be true. The reports of these mining experts when, with specimens of the ore, they reached San Fran- cisco, caused quite an excitement among those inside the ring. Still, to make sure, other experts and workmen were dispatched to the new mines, which had, in the meantime, been bonded to certain persons for a large sum of money. One report says that one elaim of 1,200 feet was bonded for $50,000, and an adjoining claim of 1,500 feet for a still larger sum. We have endeavored to search out all the facts in regard to this great cinnabar discovery, and in doing so made the acquaintance of Mr. W. D. Brown, a well-known geologist and mineralogist of San Fran- cisco, who was sent down by capitalists who propose to purchase these mines, to examine them and report on their character and probable value. Mr. Brown is acquainted with every well-known cinnabar mine or channel in the United States and Mexico, and freely gives it as his opinion that there never was before discovered a cinnabar channel that showed such a great extent of ore on the surface, or one that assays so uniformly high in per cent. of quick- silver. He says that if the surface indications of character be found to continue below, upon further exploration, the Santa Barbara quicksilver mines will be the most valuable in the world, and that the results of their working may be a million of dollars a year net profit to each claim of 1,500 feet; and there are eleven such claims taken np and held by proper working and recording. Claim No. 1 (count- ing in order from the east to the west) containing 1,500 feet, is owned by Walter First, son of I. M. First, the well-known dry goods merchant of Santa Barbara; No. 2, 1,500 feet, owner unknown; No. 3, 1,500 feet, unknown; No. 4, 1,500 feet, unknown; No. 5, 1,500 feet, Julian Hallet; No. 6, 1,500 feet, Thomas
Brockenburg; No. 7, 1.500 feet. D. E. Jones of San Francisco; No. 8. 1,200 feet, George Duncan of San Francisco; No. 9. 1,500 feet, P. L. Moore, Santa Bar- bara; J. H. Ogan, and Ward Fay; No. 10, 1,500 feet, Judge J. F. Williams, Santa Barbara; No. 11, 1,500 feet, A. S. Barclay. These mines were recently visited by Wm. N. Lent and D. L. Robinson, two well-known capitalists and mining experts of San Francisco, and also by gentlemen representing the interests of the Bank of California. These mines are located upon that section of country claimed under the Najalayegua Grant, and we are told that a Mr. Cassell, of San Francisco, has leased the grant for the term of ten years, with the right to take possession of these mines, and others that may be discovered, and work them upon certain conditions. Unless some compromise can be effected with the present claimants, who are in possession, it looks as though a great deal of litigation will follow this grand discovery, that may retard the development of the mines for many years.
"Since the late discovery of the great extent and value of this channel of cinnabar was made, claims No. 7 and 8 have been worked, but claim No. 1 and also elaim No. 11, have been worked for years. The first discovery was made on No. 1, by Jose Moraga, about ten years ago. A company was formed con- sisting of Moraga, Chas. E. Huse, Alexander Gon- zales, Thomas Sprague, Jose Lobero, and others. They worked the claim off and on for several years, and, we believe, claim to have some interest in it still. The total length of the ledge, now claimed and worked on, is over three miles."
DESCRIPTION OF THE MINES.
The following report of the mines, which was made up by a person who examined them with Mr. Jones, the Superintendent, will give a good idea of the section of country in which the mines are located, the roads, and improvements ;-
" The wagon road now used by the mining com- pany follows the stage road over San Marcos Pass until it strikes the Santa Ynez River at Chinese Camp. From thenee the company's road runs along the Santa Ynez for ten miles, crossing the stream twenty-two times. The entire road is available for carriages. The distance is some thirty miles, but the trail over the mountains is only half that distance, crossing directly over back of the Mission.
" A vein of einnabar passes through the Santa Ynez Valley, running east and west almost parallel with the river. For full six miles the ledge is distinct, and has a width of from 50 to 200 feet. There are three distinet mines now opened. The most unimportant of these we had not time to visit, but gave a day each to Los Prietos and Santa Ynez; and here let us say that the company is peculiarly fortunate in having a gentleman of Mr. Jones' ability and experience to superintend the works. This gentleman was one of the first discoverers of the mines, and has the most perfect knowledge of his business, as well as a happy facility for imparting information. Under such intel- ligent guidance we saw more and learned more of quicksilver mining than we would have supposed possible in the short time at our disposal, and consid- ering the great extent of ground to be gone over.
"The Superintendent's headquarters are at Los Prietos, where there is already quite a little village of buildings, all belonging to the company. They in- tend soon to open a store there for the benefit of
186
HISTORY OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY.
the miners. All their supplies are brought from Santa Barbara, except beef, which is furnished by a son of the original owner of the grant, Dominguez, or ' old Najalayegua,' as they call him. There are at present eighty men employed about the mines, and as they are more fully developed, the force will be increased.
" The principal furnace is built at Los Prietos near the river, from brick manufactured on the spot. It contains about 140,000 brick, and will soon be in running order. Above the furnace is a road leading from the mine, and just below that is the 'ore floor,' on a level with the top of the furnace. The ore is dumped into cars which slide to the openings on the furnace, and empty their loads into great hoppers. It takes seventy tons of ore to fill the furnace. Three tons of pay ore at a time are thrown in above, and three tons taken out of the doors at the bottom of the furnace, of refuse ore, or 'slag.' The fire is made in four places, two on each side, in the center of the structure. The flames run through a number of' pigeon holes, and dart among the pieces of ore, covering the upper portion with sheets of flame. The heat separates the quicksilver, and it is carried off in fumes into a condenser. From thence it is drawn through six iron and four brick condensers. A powerful fan at the end creates a suction which draws the fumes through all these tortuous ways, making them turn and twist and cool into liquid quicksilver, which is deposited on the floors of the condensers, and from thence drawn out into kettles placed at the openings. Live-oak wood only is used in the furnaces, and there is an abundance of timber on the grant; enough to supply them for years to come.
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.