USA > California > Santa Clara County > History of Santa Clara County, California : including its geography, geology, topography, climatography and description > Part 4
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The mine is entered about two hundred feet below the first opening by an adit-level, ten feet square, stoutly braced with timber, and about a thousand feet long. Through this the ore is transported on cars run. ning on iron rails.
Perhaps the reader may not have been able to appreciate the vast resources of the New Almaden Mine; in such a case a glance at the annexed table will give some idea of the great wealth produced from it :-
37
MINES AND SPRINGS OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY.
PRODUCTION OF QUICKSILVER AT NEW ALMADEN, FOR TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS AND THREE MONTHS.
.
ORE.
DATES.
Tons.
Pounds.
Flasks of Quicksilver.
Percentage Yield.
No. of Months.
July 1, 1850, to June 30, 1851.
2,485
717
23,875
36.74
12
July 1, 1851, to June 30, 1852
2,321
1290
19,921
32.82
12
July 1, 1852, to June 30, 1853.
2,419
1520
18,035
28.50
12
July 1, 1853, to June 30, 1854
3,724
26,325
27.03
12
July 1, 1854, to June 30, 1855.
4,554
1300
31,860
26.75
12
July 1, 1855, to June 30, 1856 .
5,177
1200
28,083
20.74
July 1, 1856, to June 30, 1857.
5,149
1900
26,002
19,31
12
July 1, 1857, to June 30, 1858 .
5,498
1170
29,347
20.41
July 1, 1858, to October 31, 1858
1,936
1085
10,588
20.91
1
February 1, 1861, to January 31, 1862. .
6,661
1200
34,765
19.96
February 1, 1862, to January 31, 1863. .
7,640
1400
40,391
20.22
February 1, 1863, to Angust 31, 1863. ..
3,586
660
19,564
20.86
September 1, 1863, to October 31, 1863 .
1,173
.
5,520
18.00
November 1, 1863, to December 31, 1863.
1,179
1300
4,447
18.65
2
January 1, 1864, to December 31, 1864. .
11,638
1600
42,489
13.96
12
January 1, 1865, to December 31, 1865. .
15,974
400
47,194
11.30
12
January 1, 1866, to December 31, 1866. .
13,442
1300
35,150
10.00
12
Jannary 1, 1867, to December 31, 1867. .
13,011
1933
24,461
7.19
12
January 1, 1868, to December 31, 1868. .
14,702
1530
25,628
6.66
12
January 1, 1869, to December 31, 1869. .
12,729
175
16,898
5.07
12
January 1, 1870, to December 31, 1870. .
10,548
1700
14,423
5.23
12
January 1, 1871, to December 31, 1871. .
11,017
700
IS,568
6.44
12
Jannary 1, 1872, to Decembor 31, 1872. .
10,708
600
18,574
6.63
12
January 1, 1873, to December 31, 1873. .
8,665
375
11,042
4.87
12
January 1, 1874, to December 31, 1874 ..
11,727
9,084
2.96
12
January 1, 1875, to December 31, 1875. .
15,553
200
13,648
3.35
12
January 1, 1876, to December 31, 1876 ..
16,658
950
20,549
4.72
12
January 1, 1877, to December 31, 1877 ..
18,615
1600
23,996
4.93
12
January 1, 1878, to December 31, 1878. .
18,472
1808
15,852
3.28
12
Jaunary 1, 1879, to December 31, 1879. .
27,532
1135
20,514
2.85
January 1, 1880, to December 31, ISSO. .
30,677
850
23,465
2.92
12
Totals and averages.
315,185
1598
700,258
8.50
339
Product of Enriquita from 1860 to 1863-10,571 flasks.,
Total product of all the mines on the Company's property, 710,829 flasks of 76} pounds each, or 54,378,4182 pounds.
THE ENRIQUITA MINE, about two miles to the north-west of the New Almaden, is the property of the same company.
The landed estate of this corporation consists of about seven thousand eight hundred acres ; while at the two establishments there are one hundred and fifty dwelling houses, stores and workshops. The population employed in or dependent on the mines amounts to fifteen hundred; the company har- ing, at the present writing, March, 1881, four hundred and fifty men on their pay roll.
The principal markets for the sale of the quicksilver procured at these mines are in Mexico, China, South America, and the gold and silver pro luc- ing districts of California.
November 1, 1858, to January 31, 1861. (Closed by Injunction.)
38
HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Let us now turn for a while to the legal phases through which the title to the New Almaden mine has passed. Mr. Hall, the able historian and lawyer, remarks in this regard: "The title was claimed by the persons who occu- pied the premises, under the name of the New Almaden Mining Company, but the petition was filed before the Board of Land Commissioners, in the name of Andres Castillero, for his benefit and those holding under him.
" The petition set forth that Castillero discovered a mine of cinnabar in 1845 ; that he formed a company to work it on the twenty-second of Novem- ber ; that on the third of December, 1845, he denounced it, and on the thirtieth of December received juridical possession, in due form, from the Magistrate of that jurisdiction ; that the record of his mining pos- session was afterwards submitted to the Junta de Fomento y Adminis- traeion de Mineria, which declared it to be legal, and recommended to the Executive not only that it be confirmed, but that two square leagues be granted him on the surface of his mining possession ; that the grant of two square leagues was made on the twentieth of May, 1846, and an order or patent of title issued to him on the twenty-third, with which he started to take possession, but was prevented by the war; that as soon as possible, he got a survey made ; that by virtue of these facts, he acquired a perfect title, under which he and his grantees have held possession ever since 1845, expending immense sums of money upon it. The petition prays the Board to confirm to him 'the two square leagues of land, as embraced in his mining possession and grant, as aforesaid.' Such are the facts as laid before the courts, together with documentary and oral evidence in support thereof.
" The Board of Land Commissioners decided adversely to petitioner's claim, whereupon an appeal was taken to the United States District Court, where, January 18, 1861, the decision of the Commissioners was reversed, and the claim of petitioner declared to be good and valid to the mine known by the name of New Alnaden, and of all ores and minerals of whatsoever description, in fee simple. That the mine is equal to seven pertenencias being of solid or a rectangular base, two hundred Castillian varas long, of the width established by the Ordenanzas of 1783, and a depth, including the surface, to the center of the earth; that they may select the said perte- mencias, so that they shall be contiguous to each, that is, in one body, and to include the mouth of the original mine.
"From this decision an appeal was taken to the United States Supreme Court. This Court at the December term, 1862, held that no such registry of the particulars concerning the mine, nor of the action of the Alcalde upon the allegations of the petition, nor of his proceedings in respect to the juridical possession of the mine was ever made, as is required by the ordinance ; nei- ther were the pertenencias measured nor definitely located ; nor the boundaries
39
MINES AND SPRINGS OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY.
fixed, nor the stakes set, as therein required. Registry has been required as the basis of the title to a mine wherever Spanish law has prevailed, for more than three centuries. The Court was of opinion that no case ever showed the necessity of such registry more than the present one. The Court further held that the Alcalde could not act in the place of a Judge of First Instance, under the mining regulations. The Court seemed to think that the case was spotted all over with fraud; and the conclusion arrived at was, that the claim was invalid, and therefore the decree of the District Court was reversed, and the cause remanded, with directions to dismiss the entire petition.
" Justice Catron gave a dissenting opinion, holding that Castillero acquired an incipient right, by discovery of the mine, and the surface of land lying above the mine, to the extent that it was adjudged to him by the District Court. He also was of opinion that the Alcalde had jurisdiction as a judicial magistrate, in the absence and non-existence of any authority in California, to make the registry and give possession.
" The mine was claimed by four different parties ; that is, by parties claim- ing under four distinct sources of title, namely : under the Justo Larias grant, the Jose R. Berreyessa grant, the title denouncement by Castillero, and by the United States as being on public land. It was finally decided that the mine was on the Justo Larias grant, and that the furnaces and im- provements of the company below the hill were on the Berreyessa grant. The company bought in these two titles to protect themselves."
An injunction was laid upon the mine in October, 1858, and remained thereon until February, 1861 ; during which period no work was performed. In 1864 the company disposed of the mine and all improvements for the sum of one million seven hundred thousand dollars, the purchasers being a company chartered under the laws of New York and Pennsylvania as "The Quicksilver Mining Company," with a capital stock of ten millions of dollars, divided into one hundred dollar shares. This company is the pres- ent owner of the mine, while the managers under it since 1864 have been : S. F. Butterworth to June 1, 1870, succeeded by J. B. Randol.
Springs-THE PACIFIC CONGRESS SPRINGS .- One mile above the beautiful village of Saratoga, and north-west from it, on Campbell's creek, are situated the Pacific Congress Springs, so called because of the resemblance of the waters to those of Congress spring, one of the fountains at Saratoga, New York. This is one of California's most picturesque and popular watering-places and Summer retreats, and, also, is in great favor as a Winter resort. It is open the year round. There are at this place three of these springs, the two lower but four feet apart, the third being separated from them by a space of about fifty feet. They are but a foot or two deep, being excavated from
40
HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
the sandstone, the lower one which receives the drainage of the others; sending off a stream about two inches in size. The water from these springs are so nearly alike that the difference can scarcely be perceived by the taste. By analysis it is shown to contain 335.857 grains of solid matter to the gal- lon, composed as follows: Chloride of sodium, 119.159; Sulphate of soda, 12.140; Carbonate of soda, 123.351; Carbonate of iron, 14.030; Carbonate of lime, 17.295, and Silica alumina, with a trace of magnesia, 49.882. It is considered a healthful and refreshing beverage, and has gained much favor with the public, several dozens of bottles being sent away daily. The gas is collected in a receiver placed over the principal fountain of the group, whence it is conducted through a pipe and forced into the bottles.
Congress Hall, originally only fifty by fifty feet, was established as a Summer resort by D. Q. Mills, A. Hayward, A. J. Easton, E. W. Knight, O. F. Griffin, Louis McLane, John O. Earl and George R. Spinney. It was opened June 16, 1866, since which time it has been growing in favor and its accommodations increasing. Belonging to, and rising about it, are seven hundred and twenty acres of wooded hill-side. The present length of the building is two hundred and twenty-five feet, with sixty-three well venti- lated rooms; surrounding it are homelike cottages, while it is possessed of every modern appliance and convenience, there being over five miles of water-pipe distributed through the buildings and grounds. The present proprietor, Lewis A. Sage, has owned and successfully conducted the estab- lishment since 1873; he has his own dairy, vineyard and fish-pond, while he is sufficient of a sportsman to rigidly preserve the game on his property.
The springs are five minutes' walk from the Hall, and are controlled by Bliven and Mitchell, No. 29, New Montgomery street, San Francisco.
For a nice, quiet, homelike place, and charming climate, this resort is unexcelled on the Pacific coast. It is connected by easy stages with Los Gatos, on the South Pacific Coast Railroad, only four miles distant, and with San José, ten miles away.
THE MADRONE SPRINGS .- The now well-known Madrone Mineral Springs are situated in Burnett township, about twenty-five miles south- east from San José, in the Coast Range, at an altitude of two thousand feet, and located in a sheltered and picturesque cañon at the foot of the Pine Ridge. The place is free from fogs; the atmosphere is pure and invig- orating, and the temperature is mild and pleasant. The mountains are clothed with such trees as pine, oak, maple, laurel, madrone, while medicinal plants are found in profusion in the vicinity.
The early traditions of the Madrone Springs state that they were known to the Indians, and there is little doubt that they were the " medicine waters " of one of their tribes, for many relics in the shape of mortars, hatchets, arrow-
41
MINES AND SPRINGS OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY.
heads and such like, have been and are being still turned up in all directions. Of their later history the following has been garnered : In the year 1866 a na- tive Californian named Juan Moreno, discovered the springs while on a hunt- ing expedition, but took no heed, at any rate he did nothing; in 1868 he was joined by John Luce, an old mountaineer, when a log cabin was constructed, and a residence established, whence they could overlook the few cattle they had on the range. C. S. Adams, of Gilroy, who had become an invalid, hearing of the place, visited it and derived much benefit therefrom. In 1874 he purchased Moreno's interest, and erected four cottages, which still remain, though considerably altered, but he did not advertise the place as a resort. In 1879 he bought the remaining claim on the property from Luce, and thus became the sole proprietor. In that year, Dr. Clinton Munson, of Oakland, finding his health failing, knowing of the existence of these springs, visited them, and derived much benefit. In the month of June, 1879, in con- junction with Marshall E. Hunter, of Gilroy, he purchased the springs from Adams, the present proprietors being Munson & Hunter, the former of whom resides on the premises.
These springs are situated six miles north of the celebrated Gilroy Hot Springs, connecting with which there is a bridle path ; there is a fine road to the Madrone station of the Southern Pacific Railroad, with which there is a direct stage line to the springs, making four trips daily in the season, the ride being through some of the finest scenery in the Coast Range; here the visitor will find accommodation for thirty guests, in eight detached, comfortable cottages. The springs are chiefly one of natural soda water, the principal properties of which are soda, iron and magnesia. This has proved of great medicinal virtue in dyspepsia, liver complaints, kidney dis- eases, and neuralgic affections. Another is strongly impregnated with iron and arsenic, which, for debility, skin diseases, asthma, and other affections, has proved an excellent curative. There is a white sulphur spring, which is also utilized, while guests may be supplied with hot and cold baths of natural soft water. Dr. Munson, who we have said resides at the Springs, giving his personal attention to invalids visiting the place, informs us that it is not the intention of the proprietors to make this a " fashionable " place, but a homelike resort, where guests can enjoy complete rest, and that it is their intention to erect a building to be used as a Sanitarium, where patients will be received at all seasons of the year, and obtain medical treatment in connection with the waters.
THE GILROY HOT MINERAL SPRINGS .- About twelve miles from the depot of the Southern Pacific Railroad, at Gilroy, in a small rocky ravine, in the Coyote Canon, near the headwaters of that creek, where the mount- ains, timber-clad to their summits, rise several hundred feet on both sides of
42
HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
that stream, Francisco Cantua, a Mexican shepherd, while hunting for some of his stray flock, in 1865, discovered what are now these famous springs. He lost no time in filing a squatter's claim to the premises, and for some years used it as a camping-ground for himself and friends. It is not probable that the Indians were aware of their existence, for no remains have been found, besides, the hills were much infested with wild beasts, a fact which may account for their lack of knowledge on the subject. Cantua sold his interest a short time after to Geo. Roop, who at once commenced the grading of a road to the springs, the erection of houses, and the general clearing and adornment of the locality. He then took into partnership Charles H. Twombly, Cashier of the First National Gold Bank in Oakland, Alameda county, who, in 1872, sold his share to John A. Cottle, and the pro- prietors became Roop & Cottle, the latter gentleman taking charge, and commencing a series of much needed improvements. In 1874 a building, containing three dining rooms, capable of accommodating two hundred guests, with sitting room besides, and on the upper floor sleeping apartments, was erected at a cost of twelve thousand dollars. In addition to this pala- tial structure there are eighteen cottages for families, and buildings contain- ing bedrooms alone, the whole being capable of housing two hundred and forty visitors.
Situated about one hundred yards from the hotel, in a well-protected spot, and covered with a shapely kiosk, is the hot spring, represented as possessing such remarkable medicinal qualities. It discharges continuously about three inches of water, of a nearly uniform temperature of one hundred and eighteen degrees, Fahrenheit, and contains in solution sulphur, iron, soda, magnesia, baryta, arsenic (in small quantities), and alum (in small quanti- ties). It is pungent, but by no means unpleasant to the taste. The bathing accommodation is commodious and well arranged, there being two separate plunge-baths for ladies and gentlemen, and a dozen tub-baths in neat and clean apartments. Within fifteen feet of the hot spring there are a dozen or more large springs of pure cold water, while nearly three-fourths of a mile from the hotel is a romantically situated garden, where anything and every- thing will flourish, from an orange to a turnip. The place is supplied with all modern improvements: there is telegraph communication with the out- side world ; on March 28, 1873, a post-office was established, which is still in operation; and there is stage communication with Gilroy twice a day.
The situation of the Gilroy Hot Springs is twelve hundred feet above the sea level, in the very heart of the mountains, amidst groves of pine and oak, which are filled with game of all kinds; near by, the Coyote affords a harvest of trout to the disciples of Izaak Walton, to this add the delightful climate, the picturesque walks, the opportunities for thrilling adventure, and the curative qualities of the water, and no more charming resort for the
43
MINES AND SPRINGS OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY.
pleasure-seeker, or the invalid, is to be found on the Pacific coast. The present proprietors are Cottle & Arrick, who are ably assisted by the ever- popular Pete Wilmarth.
MILLS' SELTZER SPRINGS .- These springs are situated ten miles west from the town of Santa Clara where the proprietor owns sixteen acres. They are almost inexhaustible, their capacity being about forty thousand gallons in the twenty-four hours, while the fluid is declared to be equal in its properties and flavor to any foreign liquid of the same nature.
In concluding this chapter it would be well to remark that these are not the only mines and springs in Santa Clara: we were unable to obtain histo- ries of the others, through no fault of ours, for repeated application was made in the proper quarter, but, unhappily, with no result. Should any remarks, therefore, be made under this head, it must be remembered that repeated journeys for information on one especial subject is beyond possi- bility, where an entire county has to be visited in the search for the vast amount of matter collated in these pages.
44
HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
THE EARLY HISTORY AND SETTLEMENT OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY.
" Let us depart ! the universal sun Confines not to one land his blessed beams; Nor is man rooted, like a tree, whose seed The winds on some ungenial soil have cast There, where it cannot prosper."
AMERICA was discovered by Columbus on the twelfth day of October, 1492, and what a feat was this! Not so much a marvel is it that he came upon the vast continent, as that, in those so-called dark ages there were found men of such great courage and knowledge, unscientific though that may be, to sail away into the darkness, as it were, and sustain themselves against peril on every hand to eventually give, not only to their country, but to mankind, the rarest continent of a beatifie creation. As the veriest school-boy knows and utters in a sing-song drawl, America was discovered as stated above, and became the territory of Spain. The Pacific ocean was given to the world by Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, who looked down from the heights of Panama upon its placid bosom on the twenty-fifth day of Sep- tember, 1513. In 1519 Mexico was conquered by Hernando Cortez, and sixteen years thereafter, in 1537, his pilot, Zimeñez, discovered Lower Cali- fornia. In 1542 a voyage of discovery was made along the Californian coast by the famous Captain Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, on the 5th July of which year, he landed at St. Lucas, in Lower California, and following the coast he finally entered the delightful harbor of San Diego, in Upper California on September 28th. This place he named San Miguel, which was after- wards changed by Viscaiño to that which it now bears.
The noted English voyager, Sir Francis Drake, sailed along the coast in 1579, but historians are doubtful as to whether he discovered the San Fran- cisco bay. It would appear that this voyage was made from Oregon, where it is said his Spanish pilot, Morera, left him, and thence found his way over- land to Mexico, a distance of three thousand five hundred miles. The name of New Albion was given to the country by Drake, with the evident inten- tion of securing it for the British crown.
It was not until 1602, however, that the Spaniards took any actual steps to possess and colonize the continent. In that year Don Sebastian Viscaiño was dispatched by the Viceroy of Mexico, acting under the instructions of his royal master, King Philip III., on a voyage of search in three small ves- sels. He visited various points on the coast, among them San Diego; was well pleased with the appearance of the country, and on December 10th dis-
45
EARLY HISTORY AND SETTLEMENT.
covered and entered a harbor, which he named in honor of Count de Monte- rey, the viceroy who had dispatched him on the cruise. We are told that part of this expedition reached as high as the Columbia river, and that the whole subsequently returned to Acapulco. Its efforts were pronounced satisfac- tory, a glowing description of the landscape was given, but whether they discovered the San Francisco bay is as much a matter of conjecture and doubt as Drake's visit.
For some unexplained cause not much use had been made of the informa- tion gained from these trips, which were of frequent occurrence, and it was not for one hundred and sixty-eight years that any steps towards the perma- nent settlement of Upper California were undertaken. Under the joint management of Church and State a plan with this end in view was com- inenced in the year 1683, but it failed, the State being there represented by Admiral Otondo, and the Church by a Jesuit Father named Kino, La Paz being their point of operation; but we believe we are correct in stating that they did not all visit Upper California. The settlement of the peninsula was finally undertaken fourteen years later, when sixteen missionary estab- lishments were founded by Father Salva Tierra. The order which he rep- resented falling into disgrace in Europe, however, was banished from the dominions of Spain and Lower California in 1768, after laboring for sev- enty years. They were in turn succeeded by the Franciscans and Domini- cans, .the former of whom, under the guidance of Father Junipero Serra, proceeded to the conquest and conversion of this part of the country. This Reverend Father is recognized by the Roman Catholic Church as the apostle of Upper California, and acknowledged in history as its founder.
The first permanent settlement was made in San Diego in 1769, when was also established the first mission, whence further operations were directed and new missions founded. On July 14, 1769, Gaspar de Portala, who commanded the expedition that called a halt at San Diego, left that place for Monterey, and there erected a cross:
" Pious Portala, journeying by land, Reared high a cross upon the heathen strand, Then far away, Dragged his slow caravan to Monterey."
With Father Junipero Serra, he continued his northward journey and, by the merest accident, came upon the world-renowned Bay of San Francisco.
Finding it a place answering every requirement he named it after San Francisco de Asisi, and seven years later, June 27, 1776, possession was taken of the spot and a presidio established, the mission being located on the site of the present church. There may be a doubt as to whether the bay was ever discovered by Drake or Viscaiño, but there is none of the visit of Gaspar de Portala, then Governor of the Californias. Henceforward the establishment of missions was rapid, as will be gathered from the accom- panying list :-
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