History of Santa Barbara county, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 91

Author: Mason, Jesse D; Thompson & West. 4n
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Oakland, Cal., Thompson & West
Number of Pages: 758

USA > California > Santa Barbara County > History of Santa Barbara county, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 91

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Squatters to the number of over a hundred had settled upon that traet of 17,000 acres which Secretary Cox, upon June 15, 1870, ruled was public land. Among them was W. E. Barnard and J. F. Willson, who were promi- nent in the Squatter's League, an organization looking to the protection of the interests of the settlers. T. R. Bard brought suit in the District Court to dispos sess Barnard, but his cause failed. However, nothing daunted, and anticipating a final decision in his favor, which was afterward made by Secretary Delano, and wishing to lose no time in the development of his property by the building of a wharf, he determined upon a coup de main. During the night he imported lumber and hands to the proposed site of the wharf, and at five o'clock in the morning threw up a fenee enclosing it. Daylight, which betrayed the deed to the settlers, found them astonished, but not dismayed. It happened that a settler's meeting had been called for that day, and when the neighboring squatters had assembled, after duly viewing the work accomplished, violent counsel inflamed their minds to such a degree that they proposed to meet Mr. Bard's strategic measure with a counter-move, which should prove a finishing stroke to him and to his enterprise.

Some time previous to this a picnic party had erected a frame-work for a swing, and over this the settlers threw a rope with a hangman's noose on the end, designed to accommodate Mr. Bard's neck. Mr. Bard, supported by his faction, refused to be- come a victim. Both parties, in imitation of the Homeric combatants, expressed their determi- nation not to yield, but to vanquish effectually the opposing force. Fortunately, neither party was " armed to the teeth." Bard's party numbered four rifles and several pistols, and to what extent the settlers were armed is not known, but it is said that a number of persons with rifles were stationed be- hind the hillocks, resolved to shoot in case the affray began. W. E. Barnard seemed to be leader of the squatters, and eloquently urged them to maintain their rights at all hazards. Bard assured Barnard

that he should cover him with his rifle, and if his party commenced an assault upon the fencing party that he should certainly shoot him. Whereupon, Barnard walked forward and pushed over some por- tions of the fence, but no attempt was made to attack the men of the opposing party. The crowd shortly dispersed, and the building of the wharf went on bravely. A compromise was effected by both claim- ants giving bonds for a title when the ownership should be legally established.

As early as July 15, 1871, the artesian wells in the vicinity of Hueneme were attracting a great deal of notice. That of T. R. Bard was but 147 feet deep, but threw up an immense volume of water, which soon flooded several acres, necessitating the con- struction of flumes to carry away the surplus water.

Thompson and Judson built the first two houses in Hueneme, in 1871. The town was laid out by T. R. Bard. D. D. McCoy, of San Buenaventura, settled at Hueneme in 1871, and built the Pioneer Hotel, over which neat hostelry he still presides.

GROWTH OF THE TOWN.

Soon after the termination of the difficulty between the settlers and Bard, the embryo town received quite an aceession to its population. Amongst the new- comers were DeTroy Bros. & Co., who opened a meat shop; L. Cerf & Co., who started a new and large general merchandise store; William Judkins, hotel; Despain & Barnett, and also Caldwell & White, saloon-keepers. The pioneer store of Gilbert, Barnard & Co. was enlarged to meet the increase of business. Within a year after the town was started, Hueneme had seventeen families and forty-eight school children.

In September, 1872, it contained two stores for the sale of general merchandise, L. Cerf & Co. and Gil- bert & Flint; a grocery store, Roudebush & Browning; two lumber yards, W. E. Barnard and W. G. Hughes, respectively; one hotel, D. D. McCoy; a restaurant, Mrs. Judkins; a fruit and confectionery store, a hog yard, a livery stable, two blacksmith shops, a barber shop, a carpenter shop, a private school, and vessels lying alongside the wharf, loading and unloading. During the summer of 1873 many artesian wells were sunk near Hueneme.

On May 5, 1873, the Hueneme School District was established; also, road districts for that vicinity. In 1874, Hueneme had several large stores, and con- tained representatives of most of the trades, and had become a lively town. In 1877 a matanza was established to kill and utilize cattle and sheep which were likely to perish during the dry season which was anticipated, and which, in fact, had already begun.

In April, 1879, a lodge of Independent Order of Good Templars, No. 236, was organized, with twenty members, and the following officers: Leonard C. Clark, W. C. T .; Miss Belle Pitts, W. R. S .; Miss Ida Potter, L. R. S .; Alpha Buker, W. S .; F. F. Kauf-

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HISTORY OF VENTURA COUNTY.

man, W A. S .; Miss Effie M. Lily, W. V. T. and H. F. Kaufman, P. W. T.

The order sprung from the labors of Levi Leland, who delivered a lecture that aroused the people from their apathy on this vital question. Mrs. Emily Pitts-Stevens, whose effective temperance work is several times chronicled in these pages, infused new vitality into the lodge by the substantial results of her tireless work in that vicinity. Through her influence sixty-five persons joined in one night. Amongst those who have joined the lodge were several confirmed drunkards, who, it is believed, have been thoroughly reformed. The lodge now numbers 128 members, and is a power in that neigh- borhood. Frequent literary exercises keep up the interest. Meetings are held in a neat hall belonging to the lodge, and which cost $3,000. The present officers are: Mrs. C. A. Gilger, W. C. T .; Miss Laura Alexander, W. V. T .; A. Buker, W. S .; Miss C, Hicks, W. T .; L. Arnold, W. F. S,; and D. Zeller, W. C.

In 1880 the business of the town was conducted by T. R. Bard & Co., Wharf & Lighter Co .; Salis- bury & Bard, lumber; James Rasmussen, cabinet- maker; R. G. Livingston, postmaster and dealer in general merchandise; Wolff & Levy, dealers in gen- eral merchandise; D. D. McCoy, hotel; C. B. McCoy, butcher; L. C. Clark, harness and saddles; James Ham and B. H. Korts, liquors; H. W. Ward, black- smith; H. B. Stovell, Notary Public; T. R. Bard. lind agent for the La Colonia, Simi and Las Posas Ranchos.

The success of the wharf enterprise has proven the sagacity of its projector and builder, T. R. Bard. In 1872, 86,900 centals of grain were shipped; in 1873, 145,000 centals; in 1874, 198,500 centals. In 1878, 264,336 sacks of grain were received, of which 140,- 217 sacks were shipped during the year, 10,418 sacks being shipped by steamer. The shipments expressed in sacks were as follows: For August-per Ventura, 4,760; Beebee, 9,336; Hueneme, 10,818; Sulden, 12,029. For September-per Ida Schramer, 6;999; Una, 6,442; Serena Thayer, 5,073; H. Madison, 4,261; M. Burke, 4,551; M. E. Russ, 6,833. For October-per N. L. Drew, 2,920; Maxim, 3,555; T. A. Hyde, 2,900; Sarah,. 3,040; Hayward, 5,570. For November-per Beebee, 10,114; Parks, 4,324; Ventura, 5,900; Page, 2,000; Ingalls, 2,900; Drew, 2,581. For December-per Alice Kimball, 4,018; H. Madison, 4,216; Big River, 3,221.

About 5,000 head of hogs were also shipped. One thousand tons of freight were received, together with 800,000 feet of lumber. The shipments for the year ending April 30, 1878, werc: Barley, 3,893 sacks; wheat, 50 sacks; corn, 6,680 sacks; beans, 1,002 sacks; mustard, 2,224 sacks; rock soap, 37,735 pounds; wool, 1,231 bales; hay, 1,228 bales; hogs, 4,070 head; calves, 32 head; petroleum, 862 barrels; hides, 1,510; pelts, 381 bundles; eggs, 53 boxes; other freight, 190 tons.

The abbreviated report for the year ending March 31, 1880, is as follows: Receipts, $20,100.92; expendi- tures, $10,461.96; earnings, $9,638.96, or about one and one sixth per cent. per month on the cost.

The staples shipped to same date were as fol- lows: Sacks of corn, 16,888; sacks of barley, 232,995; sacks of flax-seed, 2,012; sacks of rye, 352; sacks of wheat, 21,479; sacks of beans, 3,156; sacks of mus- tard, 406: sacks of oats, 140; boxes of eggs, 149; hogs, 10,035; bales of wool (64,000 pounds), 160; sheep, 418.

The growing business demanded a longer wharf, and it was extended to a total length of abont 1,500 feet. The assertion is made that it is now the best wharf on the Southern Coast. Successive warehouses have been built, which are the largest south of San Francisco. At present there are four of these structures of dimensions as follows: 66x120, area, 7,920 square feet; 80x320, area, 25,600 square feet; 60x320, area, 19,200 square feet; 65x66, area, 4,290 square feet; total area, 57,010 square feet, or something over an acre of surface. Multiplying this by an average height of twelve feet, the contents are found to be 684,120 cubic feet, or a total capacity of about 300,000 sacks. Twenty-seven platform cars, running on the tram-way, facilitate the handling of freight.

Thos. R. Bard is the principal owner of these im- provements, and the manager of the business trans- acted.

The growth of the town has kept pace with that of the wharf enterprise. It contains a hotel, several stores and saloons, telegraph and post-office, wharf and steamship offices, and about twenty-five dwel- lings. The mechanical arts are also well represented. The school house is a prominent building.

Hueneme is the " embarcadero" of a large back country, and derives its chief importance from that fact, particularly as being the shipping point for the rich agricultural valleys and pastoral hills of the Simi, Conejo, and Santa Clara Ranchos, Pleasant Valley, and the products from the wonderful rich lands of the Colonia Rancho at its door. The water supply is from one artesian well. Considering the quantity used and that which is running to waste from this well, the reader will have an idea of the abundance of artesian water found here. The water has a slight trace of sulphur in it, but is good tasting and very healthy.

Hueneme is situated on nearly level ground, almost touching the sea, only a sandy beach intervening. The town will grow and expand as long as freight can be more cheaply floated on waterways than rolled on railways. A mild climate prevails here; the sea breeze blows from the west; elixir permeates every cubic foot of this sca air; each breath inhaled, and every drink taken of the artesian water, is so .much clear health gained. There are few places where quinine would be so likely to sell at a discount as at Hueneme. In the future, here will be a popular

RESIDENCE OF C. ARNOLD, HUENEME, VENTURA CO.CAL.

RESIDENCE & RANCH OF JAMES FENLON, HUENEME, VENTURA CO. CAL.

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EASTERN PORTION OF THE COUNTY.

seaside resort for bathing and fishing, and sailing over to the islands. Good roads lead out north, cast, and west, with the ocean for its outlet on the south. The Ventura and Los Angeles Stage Line, carrying a tri-weekly mail, passes through here. The attrac- tions of a fine climate, rich soil, good business oppor- tunities with the immense increase of wealth that is sure to follow a diversified industry, gives a promis- ing outlook for Hueneme.

Hueneme can be reached by steamer from San Francisco, fare, $12.00 for first-class passage, or by rail to Newhall on the Southern Pacific Railroad, and thence by stage, fifty-five miles. The freight on grain from Hueneme to San Franeiseo, distance 321 miles, is from $1.50 to $1.80 per ton by sehooners, and $2.50 per ton on steamers.

The most notable object in the landscape about Hueneme is the residence of Mr. Bard, some half a mile distant. It is completely embowered in a grove of eucalyptus and pepper trees, which are doing remarkably well. The eucalyptus trees are some thirty or forty feet high. The pepper tree makes an excellent wind-break.

LIGHT-HOUSE.

The Hueneme light-house situated one mile west of the wharf, is a two-story brick structure of the Swiss and Elizabethan style combined. It contains ten large rooms, with closets, offices, ete., and is designed to accommodate two families. The revolving light is of the fourth order, with fine French prisms and concentrators, and may be seen at its elevation of fifty feet above the sea-level, forty miles away. About three gallons of oil is consumed weekly. A regular memorandum is kept of everything done, such as the time of lighting and extinguishing the lamp. The light was first exhibited December 15, 1874. The successive keepers have been, Samuel Ensign, J. A. McFarland, and E. H. Pinney. Mr. McFarland has been in the service for about twelve years, three years and a half of which he was located at Aleatraz.

JAMES FENLON

Is a native of the "Emerald Isle," born, September 29, 1827, in County Carlow, Ireland, remaining in the mother country until 1849. Upon his arrival in America, he sought employment on a farm and worked one season in Canada, and then removed to Oneida County, New York. Tarrying but a short time in the Empire State he went west, and for one year was engaged in business in Columbus, Ohio. From the capital of the Buckeye State he moved to Cook County, Illinois, where he dealt m cattle for one year; then removing to Kankakee County, he engaged in farming and stock-raising, which occupied his time until in 1854, when he made the journey across the plains to California. At Placerville he made a halt, and there tried his luck at mining but did not continue long at that precarious, but fascinating vocation. Continuing his westward mareh, he entered the S.tc-

ramento Valley and commenced the business of farming. That suited his tastes and rewarded his labor, and there he continued until 1869. The produce of the farm Mr. Fenlon usually hauled to the mines for a market, and after the discovery of the silver mines of Nevada extended his marketings to Virginia City, and the mines of that region. In 1869, Mr. Fenlon disposed of his property in Sacramento County and removed to his present home in Ventura, which is the subject of an illustration in this volume. The ranch contains 160 acres of excellent land, located about two miles east of Hueneme, and is well adapted to farming and stoek-raising. Mr. Fenlon was married in 1854 to Miss Catherine Smith. By this marriage they have three children, of whom two are sons and one a daughter.

GUADALASCA RANCHO

Comprises the extreme southern part of the county, bordering on Los Angeles County about two miles, on the coast about eight miles, and extending into the interior about ten miles. To the northwest lies the La Colonia Rancho, Government lands, and the Calleguas Rancho, and to the east the El Conejo Rancho, and Los Angeles County. It was a grant of 30,593.85 acres to Isabel Yorba, May 6, 1846, the title being confirmed by the United States Land Commis- sioners, that were appointed soon after the conquest of California, to determine the validity of the Span- ish claims, it being stipulated in the treaty of peace, that such Mexicans as chose to remain in California and become citizens of the United States, should be secured in the possession of their lands and other property.

The valleys, plains and mountain land form a ro- mantic and picturesque tract on the southern slope of the Sierra del Conejo, a range of mountains generally called by the settlers " Old Bony." The range is a volcanic elevation, and rises suddenly to a height of some four thousand feet, its sharp crags standing up like the teeth of a saw (henee the name " sierra "). and visible up and down the coast and out at sea a hundred miles.

WM. RICH'D. BROOME,

An English gentleman of leisure, bought the greater part of this landed estate, which was an old Spanish hacienda, containing 23.000 acres of land. The place has an ancient history, being spoken of by Cabrillo, three centuries since, as the site of an immense Indian town, known as Xucu, or Canoe Town. According to his account, no part of the coast was populated like this. The honor of being the site of this town was formerly claimed by the city of Santa Barbara, but recent explorations of antiquarians determine the location of it to be on the Guadalasca estate.

The mountains abound in game, such as bears, deer, California lions, or panthers, wild cats, coyotes, foxes, hares, rabbits, and quail. The oyster, clam mussel, abalone; crab, lobster, and many other kind . of edible shell-fish abound along the sea-shore, which

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HISTORY OF VENTURA COUNTY.

borders the estate for some miles, and prove the abundance of food for a large population, such as Cabrillo asserted lived there. The sea also abounds with fish, such as mackerel, bonito, red-fish, and barracuda, the latter being sometimes four feet long, delicious as a table fish, and the gamiest fellow for sportsmen to handle in the world, a troll for barra- cuda being equal to a buffalo hunt in point of interest. Millions of sardines swarm along the shore. Larger fish, such as sharks, porpoises, etc., occasionally flounder to the surface, and schools of whales, spout- ing and rolling in the waves, may often be seen. The seals from the Anacapa and Santa Rosa Islands also visit the coast to feed on the schools of fish.

Several thousand acres of the estate are on the fertile Colonia plain, where flowing artesian wells of good water can be obtained at a depth of from 100 to 150 feet. This alone would be a magnificent prop- erty. In the mountainous portions, sheltered from the winds, are numerous valleys of rich soil, watered by springs and brooks, which are suitable for the cultivation of the fruits of the citrus family, while a great portion of the estate, about 10,000 acres, is adapted to the cultivation of the cereals. One of the valleys, called the " Jolla," well watered and shel- tered from the strong sea-breezes, seems to have been the residence of a large number of Indians for ages, as a large extent of ground is covered by their kitchen refuse, shells of fish, bones, etc. A deeply worn trail over the hills from the landing is still a prominent feature. "The Estero " is the termina- tion of the Guadalasca Creek, and is a basin some four miles long, and in some parts 1,000 feet wide, and deep enough to float large vessels. Near Point Magu is a safe landing for vessels in any kind of weather, and it is considered one of the best harbors on the coast of California. The site is looked upon as favorable for a commercial town, and the terminus of a railroad line connecting with the Southern Pacific Transcontinental Railroad, which is but sixty miles away, with a good route for a road between.

Mr. Broome's family residence is in Santa Barbara, an illustration of which is contained in this volume.

LAS POSAS RANCHO

Occupies the lower end of the Las Posas and Simi Valley, where it debonches upon the great Santa Clara Plain. Over the hills to the north lies the Sespe Rancho; over the mountains to the south lies the Callegnas Rancho and Government lands; to the west is the rancho Santa Clara del Norte, and to the east the Simi Rancho. The old overland stage road from San Buenaventura runs through the rancho. Las Posas was granted to Jose Carrillo May 15, 1824, and confirmed to Jose de la Guerra y Noriega. It contains 26,623.26 acres. Mr. Bard owns 900 acres of it; Mr. Rice, 1,150, and Andrew Gray, the bal- ance. In 1876 the ranchos Las Posas and Simi, a total area of about 125,000 acres, were sold for $550,- 000. They were at the same time assessed at but

$172,000. Probably 12,000 acres of the Las Posas are arable, 13,000 suitable for grazing, and the bal- ance of no value except for bee-keeping. It has no timber. The fields reach far and wide, and are un- fenced for the most part. Large crops of wheat, corn, barley, and beans, grown without irrigation, are harvested from the fertile soil. All the grains and semi-tropic fruits succeed here, and there are several thousand acres perfectly adapted to the growth of the orange, lemon, fig, almond, and apricot. Arte- sian water is easily obtainable. At one place a well throws a stream of water one and a half inches in diameter, twenty-five feet high; on Rice & Bell's place the water from six artesian wells rushes with immense volume through seven-inch pipes, each well capable of irrigating 100 acres.

PETER RICE,

Of the firm of Rice & Bell, was born in Tuscarora Valley, Juniata County, Pennsylvania, on Friday February 13, 1818. His parents' names were Zacha- riah and Catherine Rice. At the age of five years. he removed with his parents to Ohio, and received his education in the public schools of that State. In 1839, having reached his majority, he made a trip to his native State, after having purchased the interest of the other heirs in the estate of his mother, deceased in 1827. Returning to Ohio, he turned his attention to the buying and selling of cattle, for which purpose he went to Detroit, Michigan, and while there made a contract with the Hudson Bay Fur Company, to engage in the fur business. This venture proved very successful. In 1840 he invested in a drove of horses, which were driven to Juniata County, and disposed of at a profit. Returning, he once more engaged in the fur business, investing about $10,000, but owing to the sudden collapse o the market, this did not prove a success. Afte

RESIDENCE & RANCH OF J.H.MC CUTCHAN. SANTA PAULA, VENTURA CO. CALIFORNIA .

RANCH & ORCHARD OF M FAGAN, SATICOY, VENTURA CO CALIFORNIA.

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engaging in various occupations, he finally bought a farm in Richland County, Ohio; was married to Miss Isabella Turbett, and settled down, where he re- mained engaged in farming and sheep-raising until 1849, when he started for California via the plains, in company with John Turbett, Eli Cline, and others. Leaving Kansas City, May 1st, they reached Hang- town, Placer County, the following September. He of course began mining at once. and after having "panned out" enough to buy a load of provisions, started for Redding's diggings, Shasta County, but finding that the reports had been exaggerated, he returned to Bidwell's Bar where he spent the winter.

He continued to engage in mining and the lumber business until the spring of 1852, when he purchased the " Oregon Ranch" in Yuba County, and sent for his family, which arrived in April. During the same year, in company with the Atchison Bros., John, Samuel, and Silas, he built the Yuba Turnpike lead- ing from Marysville to Camptonville, bridging Ynba River at Foster's Bar. He also put an opposition line of stages on the Marysville and Rabbit Creek Route, against the California Stage Company, which were run one month, when he sold out at an advance of $4,000. In 1855 he was again engaged in another stage enterprise, but in this was not successful, losing thereby $20,000.

About the year 1857, and at the time Colonel Lander built the Overland Road to Honey Lake Valley, the adjacent counties in California decided to build a road to connect with it, and at a joint conven- tion, held by Yuba, Butte, and Sutter Counties, Peter Rice and S. M. Atchison were chosen as dele- gates to act in conjunction with D. C. Carter, of Sierra County, and James Blood, of Plumas County (now of Carpenteria), to select and locate the most feasible route from Marysville to Honey Lake Valley. This was done to the entire satisfaction of all con- cerned.

From this time until 1859 he was very extensively engaged in building turnpikes, bridges, etc., being President and Secretary of the Yuba Branch, South Branch, and Foster's Bar Companies. In 1869 he went to Virginia City, Nevada, being led there by the discovery of silver, and while there was variously engaged erecting saw-mills, building ditches, etc., at which he was very successful and amassed a large fortune. After having been engaged in numerous enterprises in Nevada, Mr. Rice, in 1871, made a trip to Ventura County, where he invested in a farm of 1,150 acres, a part of the Las Posas grant, where he has since resided in partnership with Robert Bell, his son-in-law, engaged in farming his own and other adjoining lands, having under cultivation at times some 3,000 acres.

Mr. Rice sustained a severe loss in the death of his wife, in 1881. In politics he is a Republican, al- ways an active worker, but never a candidate for office.

Las Posas, signifying the rests, or places for repose, has a beautiful situation, and when cultivated and covered with farms, orchards, vineyards, and timber, as it undoubtedly will be, it will become one of the loveliest places in the world.

The lands of Las Posas are offered for sale or lease, on the most liberal terms, viz .: Leases are for one- fifth the crop, delivered at Hueneme, the tenant having the right to purchase at the expiration of the time. Payments are in three or four installments, without interest for the first year, or during the term of lease. Tenants will be supplied with a good house and barn. Thos. R. Bard, of Hueneme, is the agent. The

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History of Santa Barbara county, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 91

Author: Mason, Jesse D; Thompson & West. 4n Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Oakland, Cal., Thompson & West Number of Pages: 758

Author: Mason, Jesse D; Thompson & West. 4n
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Oakland, Cal., Thompson & West
Number of Pages: 758