USA > California > Santa Barbara County > History of Santa Barbara county, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 88
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The election of 1877 received additional interest from the connection of T. R. Bard with the Repub- lieans of Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Lnis Obispo, as their candidate for the State Senate, his opponent being Murphy, of San Luis Obispo. Both candidates were extensive land-owners, Mr. Bard being credited as the wealthiest man in Ventura, while Murphy owned the Santa Margarita Rancho, of 17,730 acres, the Ascension, of 36,608, and the Atas- eadero, of 3,100, footing up 57,438 acres. Mr. Bard had been selected as the Republican candidate at the Convention of July 10, 1877, and was nominated without a dissenting voiee.
During the campaign Mr. Bard took occasion to explain his supposed connection with Thomas Scott's railway projeet. He had come from the East in 1864 to manage the great financier's landed interests on this coast, particularly the Ojai. It appears from the papers that on the division of the county Mr. Bard resigned his place as Supervisor of Santa Barbara County, the two remaining Supervisors, Edwards and Moore, passing a vote of thanks and confidence in Bard, who afterwards reclaimed his seat, as some of the people thought, to favor the interests of Thomas Seott in his railroad schemes. Mr. Bard's resignation was, as he took occasion to explain, only due to a misapprehension, and his subsequent action to the fear that Ventura's interests would suffer if left without representation.
In spite of the handsome majority which Ventura gave the candidate of her choice, the Democratic votes of the other two counties of the district caused his opponent's election.
372
HISTORY OF VENTURA COUNTY.
ELECTION RETURNS, 1877.
CANDIDATES.
San Buenaventura.
Ojai.
Sespe.
Saticoy.
Hueneme.
San Pedro.
Pleasant Valley.
Conejo.
Majority.
Senate ---
P. W. Murphy, (D.)
143 38 29 45
83 55 36 35 41
8
T. R. Bard, (R.)
203 50 46 28
74 69 44 50 54
11
115
Assembly --
Caleb Sherman, (D.). E. H. Heacock, (R.)
151 49 32 44
88
58
37 49 47
8
Clerk-
155 60 41 144
|125|69 53 59.50
8 257
L. F. Eastin, (D.). M. A. Bates, (R.)
183 28 31 35
37
55 27
27 49 11
Sheriff ---
183 53 32 37
90 53 46 54 47
6
43
C. D. Bonestel, (R.)
170 34 42 42
71 70 34 31 51 13
District Attorney-
167 43 35
41
|61
37
50 46
8
J. C. Hamer, (R.)
184 44 40
63
42 37 52
11
3
Surveyor-
John T. Stow, (R.)
174 43 45
63
36 35 34 45
I
L D. Chillson, (Ind.)
169 43 27
74
34
45 48 52 18 174
School Superintendent-
C. T. Meredith, (D.)
174 37 31 45
62 67 26 45 42
5
D. D. DeNure, (R.) ..
179 50 43 35
98 57 154 41 56 13
92
Coroner-
J. C. Miller, (R.) .
169 39 39 36
69 66 38 36 52 12
John B. Wagner, (D.)
179|48 35 44
91 59 42 51 44
7 51
For Convention
152 45 55 64
106 93 56 42 14
8,103
Against Convention
40| 8 2
15 4| 8|13 5 1
TOWN OFFICERS OF SAN BUENAVENTURA IN 1877.
Council-A. G. Escandon, President; Thos. H. Daly, Henry Spear, James A. Day, Wm. I. Rice. Clerk and Assessor, R. C. Carlton; Attorney, W. T. Williams; Marshal, M. M. Henderson; Town Sur- veyor, Ed. T. Hare: Town Treasurer, Mrs. J. L. Stur- tevant.
JUDICIARY ELECTION OF 1877.
At the Judiciary election in the fall of 1877, S. A. Sheppard attained the County Judgeship by a major- ity of 39 over his Republican competitor, Judge Wason, the total vote being 1,013. The vote of each precinct was: San Buenaventura, 311; La Cañada, 77; Ojai, 65; Sespe, 64; Santa Paula, 148; Saticoy, 106; San Pedro, 84; Hueneme, 70; Pleasant Valley, 75; Conejo, 13.
PROGRESS.
Substantial progress was made in this year, the assessed value of all taxable property in the county having risen to $3,270,161. Business was in a thriv- ing condition, and manufacturing interests took a considerable start.
HARTMAN'S BREWERY
Was erected, the building being 48x35 feet, substan- tially built of brick, two stories high, and provided with suitable machinery and other apparatus for the mannfacture of beer and other fermented beverages, which are produced of good quality, and to the extent of 1,500 gallons per week, if necessary.
THIE CASITAS PASS ROAD.
A much-needed county road, connecting the Car- penteria region with the inhabited part of Ventura County, was inaugurated in this year. It was built by contract, by W. S. McKee, the expenses being met by
the issue of bonds to the amount of $8,000. These bonds were sold to Sutro & Co., of San Francisco, for $8,580; a fact which shows the county's solvent condition. Mr. McKee's contract was for $8,990.
HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY.
It has been recorded that the Monumentals were the first fire company to organize in San Buenaven- tura. They were followed, some time later, by a book and ladder company, whose apparatus was received from San Francisco on the 6th of January, 1878. This circumstance brings to mind the addi- tional fact that the very first fire apparatus in Ven- tura, of a character more pretentious than buckets and wet blankets, was a Babcock Fire Extinguisher, bought for $60.00, on August 6, 1873.
W. E. SHEPHERD AS EDITOR.
It has been mentioned that W. E. Shepherd as- sumed editorial control of the Signal when Mr. Brad- ley retired, in 1873. Mr. Shepherd proved a worthy successor in the really arduons duties of the position, and maintained the standing of the paper. During his connection therewith, he found ample opportu- nities to exert himself on the side of right and justice, against ignorance and wrong. His courage was well proved during those years, and he showed no hesitation in attacking whatever he thought de- served the correcting influence of his pen, regardless of the influence or wealth of his opponents. Not once in his editorial career did he depart from the high standard of publishing the truth at all hazards. This course did not bring him money, but pecuniary loss rather. He was devoted to the development of the county, and published many articles every week on the vast resources awaiting development. The Ojai Val- ley was brought to notice mainly through his efforts. To comprehend the value of these articles, we must consider; first, that the profits of a newspaper enter- prise arise mostly from its advertising department; secondly, that though the articles, prepared with great care on the resources of the county, produce general prosperity, the benefit to the proprictor of the paper is very little. Five years of service was as much as Mr. Shepherd felt he could give the public, and he resigned the editorial chair to E. M. Sheridan & Co., who still continue the publication.
POLITICAL MATTERS IN 1879.
The history of Ventura for 1879 deals almost entirely with political matters. It will be remem- bered that this was the year of the Workingmen's agitation. Even so remote a county as Ventura did not escape the tumult of the time, the arch agitator, Denis Kearney himself, honoring the connty seat by his presence on March 16th, though he was not flatter- ingly received. White and Perkins, two of the three gubernatorial candidates, also addressed the people there. The canvass was very warm. Three tickets, entire or partial, were put in the field.
N. Blackstock. (D.)
90
37
71
5
98
74 66 43 38 49 11
36
J. M. Miller, (D.)
201 39 43 35
La Cañada.
Santa Paula.
n
RESIDENCE OF J. A. DAY, NEAR SATICOY, VENTURA CO. CAL.
RESIDENCE & RANCH OF ROBERT AYERS. OJAI VALLEY, VENTURA CO. CAL.
373
POLITICS AND PROGRESS.
THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION
Was composed of the following delegates:
VENTURA .- F. Hartman, H. H. Colegrove, A. G. Escandon, S. Kyle, G. W. Chrisman, L. Cerf, C. C. Lyman, O. Rodgers, Wm. H. Granger.
SANTA PAULA .- John Ayers, Hugh O'Hara, S. P. Guiberson, Charles Lovegrove, Thomas Casner.
HUENENE .- Peter Donlon, Geo. Reed, M. Wolf, A. J. Saulsbury.
SAN PEDRO .- T. A. Rice, M. MeLaughlin, J. Me- Clinchy, John G. Hill.
SESPE .- Ari Hopper, Brice Grimes, J. B. Freer, J. W. Guiberson.
SATICOY .- A. F. Abbott, M. Cameron, Ed. P. Dunn, M. Cannon.
OJAI .- John Hand, T. B. Steepleton, Robt. Ayers. PLEASANT VALLEY .- A. S. Clark, J. W. Sebastian,
J. Wiel, M. G. Wolf, W. F. Wood.
CANADA .- G. B. Taylor, W. I. Rice, W. W. Sparks. CONEJO .- H. Stebbins, S. Kyle.
THE WORKINGMEN'S CONVENTION
Was composed of the following delegates :-
SANTA PAULA .- P. A. Ferral, J. A. Barker, John Scott, A. Gray, R. Atmore, O. P. Growel.
HUENEME .- J. Coffman, J. Fenlon.
PLEASANT VALLEY .- J. A. C. Porter, J. W. Good- win, W. D. Hobson, T. H. Daly, L. M. Sifford, L. Ashley, I. Tillman.
CANADA PRECINCT .- Wm. Maguire, J. A. Rodriguez, J. K. Myers.
SATICOY PRECINCT .- S. Bristol, S. White, A. White- sides, Wm. Slinger, Wm. Evans.
NORDHOFF PRECINCT .- C. C. Soules, I. Barnard, L. F.Webster.
SAN PEDRO PRECINCT .- A. Clemens, J. Y. Saviers. SESPE PRECINCT .- J. A. Conaway, C. H. Decker, W. Roberts, Wm. Hall.
CONEJO PRECINCT .- G W. Danforth, A. C. Fooshee.
CANDIDATES.
Their nominations were, for Superior Judge, S. A Sheppard; County Clerk, L. F. Eastin; Sheriff, J Miller; Treasurer, Albert Ayers; Assessor. S. A Guib- erson; District Attorney. J. M. Brooks; School Super- intendent, C. T. Meredith; Coroner, Dr. Kiger; Super- visor, John Hunter.
The Republicans nominated, for Superior Judge, J. D. Hines; Sheriff, John Barry; County Clerk, J. H. Clark; Assessor, J. P. Cutler; Treasurer, Henry Spear; District Attorney, - ; Supervisor, Superintendent of Schools, Miss Augusta Stevens; Coroner, T. A. Linn.
The W. P. C. nominations were of Democratie and Republican office-seekers, in about equal proportion. They were, for Superior Judge, J. D. Hines (R.); Sheriff, J. Detroy (R.); County Clerk, S. M. W. Eas- ey (D.); Treasurer, James Daley (D.): Assessor, J
A. Conaway (D.); School Superintendent, D. D. De- Nure; Coroner, R. W. Hill, M. D. (D.); Surveyor, L. D. Chillson (R.).
HETURNS BY PRECINCTS, 1879.
CANDIDATES.
San Buenaventura.
Ojai.
Pleasant Valley.
Hueneme.
San Pedro.
Conejo.
Santa Paula.
Sespe.
Saticoy.
Total Votes.
Majority.
Governor-
H. J. Glenn, (D.) ..
131
46,61
45
14 144
81 105
737
416
Geo. C. Perkins, (R.)
01 11 31 37
11
14
14
28
321
W. F. White, (W. P. C.)
87
11
1
1
6
148
Senator -
M. Wason, (R.).
106 45 61 66
71
|103
843
490
N. A. Covarrubias, (D.)
114 50 25 31
10|35
18
34
36
353
Superior Judge-
S. A. Sheppard, (D.)
102 41 20 37
18 34
40
39
371
J. D. Hines, (R. and W.) ..
210,55 68 60 62 56 17
139 65
93
828
457
Sheriff-
J. M. Miller, (D.)
167 50 44
52
44
47
64
560
J. Detroy, (R. and W.)
143 48 44
43 52
114
55
75 638
County Clerk-
L. F. Eastin, (D.) ..
193 51 50
37
51
602
9
S. M. W. Easley, (D. and W.)
118 46 30 42 41
43
9 115
88
600
Treasurer-
147 46 53 40 21
83
es
616
293
Henry Spear, (R.)
78,26 17 35 29 14
10
31
]
27
51
Assessor-
S. A. Guiberson, (D.).
78 43 26 26
50
24
325
J. P. Cutler, (R.)
131 20,34 40 36 48
18
131
15
49
440
J. A. Conaway, (W.).
102|37 29 32 39 33
5 102
66
447
District Attorney-
J. M. Brooks, (D.)
195 56 68 50
68
76
717
262
B. T. Williams, (W.)
111 41 16 40:44
44
19
62
455
C. T. Meredith, (D.)
130 49 39 37 19
14)
40
54
42
433
Augusta Stevens, (R.)
91 16 31 32 27
21 16
47
14
38
333
D. D. DeNure, (W.)
93 33 19 26 44
140
37
50
444
Coroner-
T. C. Kiger, (D.)
118 137
29
33
0 31
29
50
35
375
T. A. Lin, (R.)
74
9 20 24 33
12 18
46
10
19
265
R. W. Hill, (W.)
118 54
38
41.37
47
4
98
55
83
565
190
Surveyor-
John T. Stow
192 63 48
52 51.55
7
64
49
51
632
69
L. D. Chilison, (W.)
117
35 38 42 29
35
19
103
56
8
564
Against Chinese Immigration
311 99 88 98 80 91 26 16: 100 137 1197 1193
For Chinese Immigration
2
I
1
4
AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.
The condition of agricultural affairs in 1879 may be best understood by a study of the statisties :-
With a total population of about 7,000, there was an assessed valuation of property of abont 83,394,- 000, with a cultivated area equal to 75,000 acres. The erops embraced 36,000 acres of barley, 19,000 of corn, 13,000 of wheat, 1,800 of beans, 550 of oats, 300 of potatoes, 1,250 of flax, 900 of alfalfa, 285 of eanary seed, and 570 of vegetables, tobacco, peanuts, ete. Thirty-seven thousand acres were in orchards and vineyards, of which there were 1,500 acres of English walnuts, 300 of orange trees, 75 of lemon trees, 210 of grapevines, and about 1,100 acres of other fruits.
MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR.
The publie, on the 24th of May, 1880, was aronsed into violent excitement by an affair which still remains unexplained. Miss Jennie MeLean, a young and accomplished lady, and a general favorite, was the subject of a personal attack so unprecedented and so cuseless and unaccountable as to be without possi- ble explanation. From all that could be gathered from the circumstances, Miss MeLean was attending to her domestic duties, when some one eame in unob- served and dealt her a violent blow over the head, partially stunning ber, continuing the assault by
53 38 48
15
5
Albert Ayers, (D.)
49 7 114
Jas. Daly, (W.)
92 26 19 23 30 25
9
6 11
3
78
33 40 19 119
48 37
Superintendent Schools-
1
9
84
11
27
7
70 55
26 150
7
33
78
68
264
223
7
4
Cañada.
14
48
374
HISTORY OF VENTURA COUNTY.
repeated blows, which she, however, instinctively resisted, or evaded, by interposing her arms, which were considerably bruised. She was found insensible on a lonnge, with some jewelry which she wore on her neek scattered about the floor. Whether the assaulting party was man or woman, in search of plunder or wreaking an envious or jealous revenge, is still a mystery. She was not known to have an enemy in the world. The matter has more the ap- pearance of being the freak of an insane person than the effort of an ordinary criminal.
A WILD RIDE. [ Free Press. ]
"June 15, 1880, a young man by the name of E. S. Mills, nephew to Gov. A. A. Low, got on to the stage at Ayers' Hotel, in Ventura. Nothing remarkable was noticed at the time, but after traveling a few miles it was found that he was insane, with a notion that some party was pursuing him to kill him. He had a new hatehet in his possession, and held this up in an angry manner, threatening to kill the driver unless he should keep out of the way of the pursuing party. The driver was compelled to lash the horses to a run for miles to avoid having his head split open. It was not until they reached Newhall's Ranch that they got rid of the lunatie, when he took to the hills with the speed of a deer, his hatchet still bearing him company. He was found a few days afterwards in a famishing condition."
COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS.
The following table exhibits the amount of exports of leading productions by sea from the port of San Buenaventura for the year ending May 10, 1880 :---
POUNDS.
Corn
SACKS. 38,662
4,812,495
Barley
8,141
857,885
Wheat
11,488
1,472,764
Beans
18,082
1,141,905
Canary Seed
319
34,278
Flaxseed
786
87,077
Potatoes
500
56,320
Flour
934
46,800
Soap Rock.
550
98,818
Bales of Wool
1,122
391,416
Bales of Seaweed*
112
28,744
Packages Butter
147
10,999
Cases of Honey
289
37,219
Hides (all classes)
754
34,272
Asphaltum, barrels
405
Crude Oil, barrels
264
Lubricating Oil, barrels
498
Lubricating Oil, cases
183
Hogs
12,609
Sheep
503
Parafine Oil, barrels
57
Distillate Oil, barrels
128
Refined Oil, barrels
234
Refined Oil, cases
538
Eggs, boxes
1,923
Fowls, coops
165
In consequence, partially, of the increased traffic, the coastwise steamer accommodations furnished by
Goodall, Perkins and Co's line were found to be insufficient. That firm endeavored to exeuse this on the ground that the faults of being behind time, etc., were owing to the business not being sufficient to encourage regular running, and that they had been losing money during several years in trying to keep up communication between the different ports and San Francisco. Of course there were few people who credited the assertion that the growing trade of these ports could not support a cheaply conducted line of third-class steamers. The following figures are repro- . duced to illustrate the relative eom mercial importance of the various ports in the neighborhood of the Santa Barbara Channel. In round numbers, 4,000,000 pounds of corn. 800,000 of barley, 1,400,000 of wheat, 1,100,000 of beans, and 60,000 pounds of potatoes were shipped in 1880 from San Buenaventura. In the same time Hueneme sent out about 2,100,000 pounds of eorn, 240,000 of barley, 2,200,000 of wheat, and 64,000 pounds of wool. Santa Barbara at the same time exported 198,000 pounds of wheat, 214,- 000 of barley, 60,000 of corn, 20,000 of potatoes, and 8,093 bushels of beans. From the three counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura, 1,800,- 000 pounds of wool were shipped during the same year.
The wharf, whose several misfortunes have previ- ously been chronicled, this year met still another, for on the 26th of December 200 feet of its outer end were carried away by the waves, some freight thereon being also lost. So closes the year 1880.
MATTERS IN 1881.
The history of Ventura County has now dealt with the more prominent events of the year preced- ing 1881. In this latter year not mueh of general interest occurred upon which the attention of the careful reader can center. There are only the Gar- field obsequies, the presentation of several comic operas by the local talent of the county seat, a mild temperanee agitation, under the leadership of the irre- pressible Mrs. Emily Pitts Stevens, who established four lodges in the county, with an aggregate mem- bership of over 300; a killing at Hueneme, the death of Thomas Burke being caused by a blow from the fist of Marcelo Silva, who received a sentence of two years' imprisonment therefor; Captain Sudden's work upon the wharf, whereby its length was increased eighty feet; and, finally, the case of Vicente Garcia, tried for the murder of Stanislaus, an Indian, and found guilty of murder in the first degree, but whose execution has been repeatedly postponed, and prob- ably never will be carried out.
GARFIELD OBSEQUIES.
The only circumstance likely to prove of lasting interest is the first-named, the Garfield funeral exer- eises, which were carried out in an impressive man- ner in Saxby's Grounds, under the direction of the Masonic Order, the pall-bearers, six in number,
* The Chinese collect large quantities of an edible alga, which is dried and shipped t > China, where it is used as a cheap omdiment for rice and other vegetables. It grows plentifuly on the rocks between high and low water, and has a thick mucilaginous leaf eight to ten inches long, and perhaps one inch wide.
RESIDENCE OF I. T. SAXBY, SAN BUENAVENTURA, VENTURA CO. CAL.
6
om
3
3
37
POLITICS AND PROGRESS.
being Masons. They were, Dr. C. L. Bard, N. Blaek- stock, W. S. Chaffee, R. C. Carlton, J. T. English, and Theo. Todd. In procession were the Monumental Fire Company, Good Templars, Band of Hope, officers in carriages, President of the Day, T. R. Bard; Chaplain, Rev. W. A. Knighter; Town Coun- cil, citizens in earriages and on foot, marshaled by N. Blackstock.
Addresses, resolutions, and a poem formed part of the exercises, varied with appropriated mnsie.
The grounds in which the exercises took place are one of the principal ornaments of the town, and are the private property of I. T. Saxby, a well-known and highly-respected business man, whose full name is
ISRAEL THOMAS SAXBY,
And who was born in the town of Solon, Cortland County, New York, June 19, 1827. His parents, Mark and Anna (Knowlton) Saxby, were both natives of the State of New Hampshire, the mother being a deseendant of a patriot soldier of the Revolu- tionary War. Of such a parentage Mr. Saxby may well be proud, for if England's aristocraey trace their lineage to those who "eame in with the Conqueror," so an American's noblest pedigree is to the patriots of 1776.
The boyhood of this gentleman was spent in his native town, attending the district school, and doing such work upon the farm as he was able. With such occupations, and in the pleasant and healthful climate of Cortland County, he grew up a vigorous, self- reliant youth, imbued with that true spirit of man- hood which has carried him successfully to the high meridian of life. When at the age of fourteen, his parents removed with the family to the State of Ohio, but after a short residence in that first of the Western States, returned to New York. Young Saxby, how- ever, did not return with his parents. He was now of an age to feel that he could earn his own living and make his way in the world, and with the sound princi- ples of his nature and the high resolve to suceced, he pushed on westward, making a temporary home in the then sparsely settled State of Illinois, and thenee into the Territory of Wisconsin. There he remained from 1844 to 1853, engaged in various occupations, growing from youth to manhood, and seeing the country around him develop from the wild frontier Territory of the Northwest into a prosperous State of the Union.
The story of California's golden mountains was in the meantime told throughout the earth, creating a universal excitement. To these alluring tales Mr. Saxby could not turn a deaf ear, and he, therefore, in 1853, joined the throng en route to the Pacific Coast, making the journey via the Nicaragua route, arriv- ing in San Francisco in May of that year and immediately went to the mines in Nevada County. The auriferous lining was not so easily gathered from the indurated rocks and mountain gorges as his fancy had pictured, and he sought the more eertain road to wealth on the farms of Sutter County. In
this congenial pursuit he continued for two years, when he returned to Nevada County, locating at North San Juan, and engaged in business, dealing in stock, hay, and grain. The village he had ehosen for his residenee was one of the pleasantest and most prosperous on the western slope of the Sierra, situ- ated in the midst of an extensive hydraulic mining region and on an important thoroughfare; and busi- ness, under the careful personal management of Mr. Saxby was surely remunerative. This he continued until 1863, when he removed to San Francisco and established a similar business in that city, remaining in the metropolis until 1866, when he returned to Nevada County.
In 1869 Mr. Saxby came to Ventura County, where he has since made his home, engaging in business as a dealer in stock and lumber. While a resident of Nevada County he chose one of its fair daughters for his life companion, marrying. on the 18th of June, 1863, Miss Franees L. Johnson, a native of the Em- pire State. Thus is briefly traced the principal movements of an active business man's career, whose life has been steadily forward and upward, conscious of having done his duty to his fellow-men, by whom he is universally respected.
The home of Mr. Saxby, a view of which is pub- lished in this volume, is illustrative of the enterprise and generosity of the owner and the refined taste of its accomplished mistress. This is situated in the town of San Buenaventura, having a fine view of the ocean and a broad stretch of landscape. The grounds are pleasantly laid out, and with its location and surroundings, is judged to be the handsomest place in Ventura County.
MATTERS IN 1882.
The assessment roll of 1882 showed a depreciation upon that of the previous year of from $3,347,787 to $3,171,127. The loss had been mainly in sheep, as large numbers of them died in the early spring.
In April D. T. Perkins was appointed by Gov- ernor Perkins as a Supervisor of Ventura, the Board previously having been composed of A. W. Brown, J. Myers. and J. Ricker. The remainder of the county officials were :-
Superior Judge J. D. Hines
Superior Court Reporter W. W. Weed
District Attorney J. M. Brooks
Sheriff Joseph Detroy
County Clerk L. F. Eastin
Physician
Dr. C. L. Bard
Treasurer Albert Ayers
Assessor J. A. Conaway
Surveyor J. T. Stow
Sehool Superintendent. D. D. DeNure
Coroner Dr. R. W. Ifill
TOWN OFFICIALS.
T. H. Daly, President
J. A. Corey
Couneil
J. A. Barry
Osear Todd
A. G. Escandon
376
HISTORY OF VENTURA COUNTY.
L. C. McKeeby
W. E. Shepherd
Library Trustees_
F. W. Baker
C. E. Murry
H. G. Mclean
Clerk and Assessor J. F. Newby
Attorney B. T. Williams
Marshal 'S. N. Sheridan, Sr.
Town Surveyor Ed. T. Hare
Town Treasurer Mrs. H. R. McDonnell
W. J. WALTON.
The town of San Buenaventura has been fortunate in having efficient business men. From the very beginning of the immigration, before even Main Street was laid out, enterprising and far-seeing men had selected the site of the future town as a base of operations. Such men as Schiappapietra, McKeeby, Chaffee, Bard, and others do not locate by accident, but from well-considered facts regarding the resources of the country, and the probable necessities of trade. Prominent among the business men of the town who have manifested sound judgment in not only selecting the place for business operations, but in conducting trade, is the man whose name heads this paragraph. The lumber trade in which he is engaged has ever been considered as a business re- quiring, in an eminent degree, sound judgment. The inflammable nature of the material and its exposure, subjects it to danger of fire and decay while the fluctuations of trade in prosperous or ad- verse seasons, tended still more to complicate tbe business. That Mr. Walton has succeeded, as a law- yer would say, is prima facia evidence of first-class ability. When success in business became assured, the next thing to achieve was the life-long dream of an elegant home. How well he has succeeded, the illustration in this book will show. When the cares of his business permits, Mr. Walton enjoys the flow- ers, shrubbery, and view of the occan, with its waves rolling in might against the beach, the hills towards the west fading into the crimson of sunset, while laughter and shonts of children mingle with the ever present bass of the sea. If our merchants are incited to drive thrifty bargains by the view of bright homes in the future, we may well excuse their devo- tion to business.
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