USA > California > Santa Clara County > History of Santa Clara County, California : including its geography, geology, topography, climatography and description > Part 61
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Buy and Coast Telegraph Company .- This company was organized June 10, 1878, by A. E. Davis, Edward Barron, Daniel Cook, Joseph Clark, and Seth Cook, these gentlemen being the first Directors of the association; the present Directorate are : A. E. Davis, President; and Messrs. Barron, D. Cook, Clark, and Seth Cook. In the years 1878 to 1880, inclusive, there have been sent over the company's lines, on an average, twenty thousand messages, while their wires extend from San Francisco to Santa Cruz via San José, a branch running from the last-named city to Alameda Point, and terminating at Oakland.
MARKETS .- The city of San Jose boasts of two market buildings, than which there are no finer in the State. Before these were constructed by the enterprising gentlemen who built them, there was a desire for such buildings; on their completion, however, the demand would appear to have ceased, and the edifices remain almost only as ornaments to the city, and proof of the enterprise of the projectors.
City Market .- This handsome building, occupying a frontage on Market street of one hundred feet, and a depth of one hundred and twenty feet, was constructed in the year 1873 by Martin Murphy and Edward Auzerais, at a cost of thirty-five thousand dollars. The entire space of the ground
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floor is open, and a portion occupied as an agricultural implement store, while the second story is divided into the City Market Hall, of one hundred feet square, and the necessary adjacent rooms.
Central Market .- In the year 1874, C. T. Ryland, Dr. Hugh Downer, and N. Hayes, constructed the fine market building, situated between San Fernando and Santa Clara streets, and running through from First to Sec- ond street, the first-named gentleman owning the end fronting on First street, and Messrs. Downer and Hayes that on Second street. The building is of elegant design, and cost nearly forty-five thousand dollars.
THEATERS, HALLS, ETC .- San Jose is the proud possessor of two of the most beautiful and well-appointed theaters in California, while there are several spacious halls, adapted to theatrical entertainments, public meetings, or dancing parties. Indeed, 'tis a pity to see such elegantly-fitted establish- ments left a prey to the corruption of moths and mildew, or the tender mercies of an occasional stray company, made up of a " star" of considerable magnitude, with attendant satellites pressed from among the more ambitious " supers " to be found hovering about the back-entrances of the San Fran- cisco theaters.
San José Opera House .- Originally known as Brohaska's Opera House, this institution was opened on the evening of August 18, 1870. It is situ- ated on Santa Clara, between Second and Third streets; is supplied with dress circle, parques, and gallery, four proscenium boxes and a seating capacity of ten hundred and twenty-four. The stage is thirty-eight by sixty- four feet: the stock of scenery is extensive; it is provided with all the necessary traps and other paraphernalia, while every precaution is taken to insure safety from fire. The play with which it opened was the well-known society comedy of " London Assurance," the famous actors, John T. Ray- mond and his wife (Miss M. E. Gordon), respectively appearing as Mark Meddle and Lady Gay Spanker. In the month of July, 1880, the entire building was renovated, profusely decorated, and opened by Samuel W. Piercy and his "Diplomacy " company. [Since writing the above this build- ing along with several others has been burnt.]
California Theater .- When Messrs. Downer and Hayes erected their por- tion of the Central Market on Second street, they put an upper story into the building and converted it into the Central Hall, but finding that the want of a fire-proof theater, where enjoyment could be had inside of brick walls, at great expense they remodeled and renovated the former structure, and have succeeded in giving to the public one of the finest theaters on the Pacific coast. The following information has been kindly furnished to us by Charles R. Bacon, the courteous manager of the California: The architect
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was J. A. Remer, who planned and built the Baldwin Theater, San Fran- cisco; the stage was constructed by Steve Gulliver, the builder of that at the above place; the scenery was painted by Forrest Seabury, late of the Cali- fornia Theater and Grand Opera House, San Francisco; the seats, boxes, etc., were upholstered by Bennett & Co., San José; the painting by Jarman of San José; the frescoing of the entire house by Massman and Eibach of San Francisco; and the sunlight burner (which is eight feet in diameter), and all gas fixtures, by Nye & Co. of San Francisco. The California Electrical Works have erected one of their machines on the stage for lighting the gas by elec- tricity, and every light in the house can be regulated by a first-class distributer, which is on the,stage. There has also been placed in the building a telephone and distriet telegraph, which is at the disposal of the audience. The building has been furnished with four fire plugs in convenient places; there is a small lecture hall adjoining the theater with a seating capacity of three hundred and fifty ; while street cars between San Jose and Santa Clara, also to the southern and western city limits pass the door. The list of stock and set scenery is complete; the size of the stage is thirty-eight by fifty-three feet; and the seating capacity nine hundred and fifty-eight. The entire cost of renovation was eighteen thousand dollars. The opening play was one per- formed by a company of amateurs of San José, but its true inauguration was by the splendid and favorite tragedian Lawrence Barrett, in the role of Hamlet. Mr. Bacon undertook the management May 1, 1880. The pro- prietors are Hayes & Downer.
Music Hall .- The fine structure known as the Music Hall Building situated on First street between St. John and Santa Clara streets, was built by a San Francisco gentleman named - Smith in the year 1870, who, two years later, disposed of it to the estate of S. J. Hensley, they continuing its owners until September 1, 1879, when it was purchased by C. H. Maddox. The building has a frontage on First street of one hundred and thirty-seven feet, and a depth of one hundred and ten feet. The large hall is ninety-three by seventy feet in dimensions ; is finely frescoed on walls and ceilings and lit by a pendant gaselier of eighteen jets, besides thirty-two burners placed in brackets on the walls. The southern end of the room is provided with a convenient stage, fitted with scenery and attendant equipments, the whole being capable of accommodating from six to eight hundred persons. Con- tiguous to it is a smaller hall of thirty-three by sixty feet, suitable for dancing and public suppers, the entire suite making as convenient a place for publie meetings as can be found in the country.
San José Water Company .- On November 26, 1866, Donald MeKenzie and John Bonner of San Jose, and A. Chabot, of Oakland, Alameda county, with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars established the con-
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cern now under notice. The city of San Jose and the town of Santa Clara granted the exclusive water privileges for the term of twenty-five years, while to carry out their plan tanks were constructed, engines built, and the city supplied with water from artesian wells. At the end of two years the volume of fluid thus obtained was found insufficient for the growing wants of the community, therefore the right to use the water of the Los Gatos creek was obtained, and a new company formed in 1868 with an increased capital of three hundred thousand dollars, the incorporators being Donald Mckenzie, A. Chabot, N. H. A. Mason, C. X. Hobbs, E. Mclaughlin; and the officers, N. H. A. Mason, President: D. Mckenzie, Vice-President, William B. Rankin, Secretary ; C. X. Hobbs, Superintendent; E. McLaugh- lin, Treasurer. On the assumption of responsibility by the new association their first work was the condemning of the waters of the Los Gatos creek and the bringing of the fluid from the mountains. A reservoir was con- structed on that road, about four miles from San José in that year; another was made four miles farther on, and the necessary pipes laid, those first put into position in the city being on First and Santa Clara streets, with lateral pipes to the other thoroughfares. It has been mentioned in our history of Redwood township that the water is taken from the tail-race of the mill at Los Gatos. It was originally conducted therefrom by flumes, but now it finds its way through pipes to the proper receptacles, whence it is carried into the town. In case of emergency the company have pumping works situated near Santa Clara street, on the west bank of the Los Gatos creek, whence they are prepared to supply the public. In the year 1870 water was conveyed to the town of Santa Clara, thus making the total length of piping belonging to the corporation to be about fifty-six miles. Including both San José and Santa Clara the average daily run is estimated at nearly two million gallons; San José, Santa Clara and Los Gatos are supplied free of charge for fire purposes, as is also the county. Water rates for the city of San Jose and town of Santa Clara are fixed by them; those outside of the corporate limits are established [by the Board of Supervisors. The present officers are, Presi- dent, E. D. Williams; Superintendent, Return Roberts; Secretary, D. A. S. Eyster; Treasurer, E. Mclaughlin; Directors, E. D. Williams, Josiah Belden J. A. Moultrie, W. H. Ware, Frank Bray.
Live-Oak Vineyard .- This enterprise was commenced by N. H. Stock- nian six miles south-west from San José. Here they have a cellar one hun- dred and eight by forty-four feet, and ten feet high, with concrete walls over which there is erected a two-story building. The cellar has a capacity of two hundred and seventy-five thousand gallons. They have also a still using direct heat, and two presses. This vineyard comprises seventy-nine acres all set to vines and the yearly production is from forty to fifty thou- sand gallons. Their depot and salesroom is at San José, on Santa Clara
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street near Tenth, and their market is in San Francisco; however, this year they have opened a trade in New York City and have made one shipment to that place.
NEWSPAPERS .- The Pioneer .- This is a weekly journal, published in San José, by Alex. P. Murgotten, founder, publisher, and proprietor. As its head would indicate, it is devoted to the interests of the pioneers of California and the resources of the Golden State.
The manner of its founding and the reasons for its publication are about as follows: At the meeting of the Pioneer Society of Santa Clara County, held in 1876, it was voted that each member of the society should furnish a sketch of his life and pioneer history for preservation by the society. As these sketches began to accumulate Mr. Murgotten conceived the idea of start- ing a weekly paper, for the purpose of publishing them in such a form as they might be preserved for all time. And in addition to that make it a general pioneer paper, and also a local county organ at the same time. This suggestion was communicated to the Board of Directors of the society, and met their unanimous and hearty approval. On the eleventh day of January, 1877, the first number of the paper was issued. The novelty of the publi- cation and the interesting matter published, soon caused the paper to receive a large circulation. The dull years came, however, and it with every other business had to take its share. But its publisher has held on with the tenacity of early times, hoping for a turn in the current for the better.
It has been the means of accumulating a vast amount of very valuable history and data concerning the early occupation and conquest of California that will be worth its weight in gold in future years, not only to the histo- rian but to the general reader. The children and the children's children of the pioneers of California will read it in the far future with pleasure and profit.
We regret to say that the publisher informs us that the paper does not receive the encouragement it ought from the pioneers themselves. For they, of all others, should feel a deep interest in its publication, and should do all in their power to extend its circulation and usefulness.
To us, in the publication of our histories of the various counties in this State, it has been a decided aid, abounding in a vast amount of pioneer infor- mation, for which we are exceedingly grateful, and trust its prosperity in the future will be sufficient reward for its labors in the past.
The Daily Morning Times .- In the early part of the Summer of 1879, S. W. de Lacy, then city editor of the Evening Herald, impressed with the conviction that a fine field existed in San José for the publication of an inde- pendent morning journal, began a quiet canvass of the business portion of the city for the purpose of thoroughly satisfying himself upon this point. In
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this enterprise he had for an associate and prospective partner, J. G. Murdoch, formerly foreman of the Herald office, and a printer of long experience and rare ability. But a few days' work convinced them that the prospects were exceedingly favorable for the success of the proposed undertaking. Accordingly Mr. de Lacy, having severed his connection with the Herald, set at work, in company with Mr. Murdoch, to make the required arrangements for the issue of the new paper. It made its appearance under the caption of the Daily Morning Times on the 15th of July, 1879, and was received with unmistakable marks of approval by the business men and public generally. Mr. F. B. Murdoch, a veteran in journalism, was engaged as editor and after the publication became one of the proprietors, together with Henry, brother of J. G. Murdoch. The firm name was the Times Publishing Company. On. January 1, 1880, Mr. de Lacy became sole proprietor by purchasing the interests of his partners. The first month thereafter over three hundred names were added to the subscription list and upwards of two hundred during the second month. Since then the course of the Times has been onward and upward. It has been the aim of the editor and proprietor to make it, not only a live, spicy local paper, but one fearlessly independent, the organ of no ring, clique or faction, and the success that has attendel its career has been equalled by no newspaper in the State, with the exception of the San Francisco Chronicle and the Stockton Mail. Unlike the majority of papers, it has never been afraid to express an opinion on any subject, local, State, national or general. It has always been the outspoken, fearless and inflexible champion of the right and the unswerving implacable enemy of wrong, in whatever shape or whatever guise. As the people's friend and advocate, it has gained a reputation that will be lasting. The Times has a large circulation outside of San José, and the list is increasing rapidly.
San Jose Mercury .- The San Jose Telegraph in 1860 merged into the Telegraph and Mercury, under the management of Wm. N. Slocum, who soon dropped the word Telegraph from the name and called the paper The San Jose Mercury. In the Spring of 1861 the paper passed under the management of J. J. Owen, who obtained a lease of the office from the own- ers. He subsequently purchased a controlling interest in the ownership, and took in a partner, B. H. Cottle, and the paper was published for about nine years under the firm name of Owen & Cottle. In the Fall of 1861 the Daily Mercury was first started. Its publication was continued for three months and suspended. In August, 1869, J. J. Conmy was added to the firm, a power-press was purchased, and the publication of the Daily Mercury resumed. It was continued for nine months and again suspended, the firm dissolving partnership, Cottle & Conmy taking the jobbing department of the office, and J. J. Owen the Weekly Mercury. The weekly was published until March, 1871, by J. J. Owen, when B. H. Cottle having dissolved part-
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nership with Conmy, re-entered into partnership with J. J. Owen, bought out the Daily Independent, and changed its name to the Daily Mercury, since which time the daily has been regularly issued. In the Fall of 1873 Owen bought out Cottle's interest, and continued publication of the paper, under his own name, until Angust, 1878, when the Mercury Printing and Publishing Company was organized, of which he was chosen Superin- tendent, and is such at present.
The Daily Herald .- This paper is the outgrowth of the Patriot, of which we have spoken in the history of San José. In September, 1876, James T. Murphy purchased that publication from F. B. Murdoch and gave to it the name of the Daily Herald, the firm conducting it being known as the Herald Publishing Company. The daily and weekly were continued with- out change until September, 1878, when Mr. Murphy purchased the Argus from W. A. January, and established the Herald-Argus. On September 18, 1880, W. A. January acquired the paper from Mr. Murphy, and is now the proprietor, although the style of the firm is still maintained as the Herald Publishing Company. The Editor is J. F. Thompson; City Editor, A. C. Bane; Business Manager, D. W. Willer. It is a seven-column, eight- page publication, while its views are Democratic, an alteration that was con- sumated when it changed its name from the Patriot under Mr. Murphy's régime.
SANTA CLARA TOWNSHIP.
SANTA CLARA TOWNSHIP.
Geography .- Santa Clara township is bounded on the north by Alviso township, on the west by Fremont and Redwood townships, on the south by Redwood, Almaden, and San José townships, and on the cast by San José and Alviso townships.
Topography .- The extent of this township has been much changed since it was originally surveyed, a large portion of Alviso having been added to it. It is chiefly comprised in level valley lands, composed of fertile soil, and park-like scenery.
Soil .- Like any other portion of the Santa Clara valley, the soil in this township is composed, in portions, of gravelly, red clayey soil, with rich adobe, which ever yields a crop of marvelous profusion and excellence.
Products .- The products of Santa Clara township do not vary from those of other parts of the county. Cereals, in every variety, fruits, vegetables, and tubers, all attain the highest perfection imaginable, while there is easy means of export by the Southern Pacific and South Pacific Coast Railroads, both of which companies have depots in the town of Santa Clara.
Timber .- Save the oaks, which add a beauty to the landscape, the willow copses and the cucalyptus trees, there is no timber of any moment in the township. What there is, being enough to supply the inhabitants with fire- wood.
Climate .- Nothing more can be said in praise of the climate of Santa Clara township than has been remarked in the other portions of the beau- tiful valley. Serene skies, genial warmth, pleasant Winters, make up the sum of its year's delights.
Early Settlement .- On the forty-seventh page of this work the reader will find a description of the first settlement in this township, viz .: the founding of the mission. This event and its concomitant circumstances are so much a part of the county's annals that we have entered into it as fully as may be in our remarks on the early history and settlement; while, the warlike scenes enacted in its neighborhood during the troublous times of 1846-7 have been given to the reader in our chapter under the caption of " The Mexican War."
Up to the year 1849, the Franciscan Friar, Padre Real, in charge of
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the Santa Clara Mission Church, in addition to his clerical duties, claimed also to exercise control over the lands and other property adjacent to the Mission, notwithstanding the Act of Secularization which passed the Mex- ican Congress, in 1833, that by its terms segregated the temporalities from the spiritual affairs of the church, placing the former under the charge of a mayordomo, as agent of the government, leaving the priests to attend solely to the education and spiritual affairs of the flock, inasmuch as no grant or other title had been made by the Mexican Government to either the Church or the priest, of the lands or other property claimed.
While this question was being raised, a large number of American citi- zens commenced to arrive, and at once set to work to consider the situation. In public meeting assembled it was resolved by them, First, that the land belonged the United States; second, they determined to lay out a town in blocks of one hundred yards square, and that each head of a family should be entitled to a block on payment of ten dollars toward building a school- house, and four dollars additional towards defraying expenses of survey, etc
Let us, however, ask the courteous reader to travel hack a space with us while we attempt to make clear the preliminaries which lead up to this state of affairs.
We have already seen that the manner of colonizing California was in three distinct methods. The mission, the pueblo, and the presidio. The first was chiefly for the civilization of the Indians; the second for the settlement of the territory by the whites; and the last for the protection of both. The law of secularization now working smoothly, however, it was found neces- sary to change the plan heretofore in existence, therefore in 1840, mayordomos were appointed to the several missions, but in 1843, many of these, among them that of Santa Clara, were once more placed in charge of the priests. In 1845, the Departmental Assembly directed that some of the missions should be rented, and in April, 1846, Pio Pico had ordered that a few of them should be sold, an order which was later annulled by the assembly.
When the United States came in possession of California they found many disputes had arisen about the rights to various missions, among them that of Santa Clara. General Kearny directed that they should remain as he had found them, under the priests, who were to be responsible for their preserva- tion and for the property while in their charge.
Father José Real, had received from General José Castro, certain docu- ments purporting to authorize him to make sales of the Santa Clara Mission lands, dated respectively May 25, and June 16, 1846. Such authority was evidently communicated to Governor Mason, for we find him notifying Alcalde Weekes, under date November 25, 1847, in these words: " I have your letter of the 13th instant, and the one inclosed addressed to yourself
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from Padre Real. I know not what are the privileges that his reverence enjoys, nor do I know to what 'competent judge' he refers, who alone can take 'judicial cognizance against him,' but it is very evident, that if his reverence depart from his calling as a Catholic priest, and enters into a bar- gain or contract with a citzen of the country, he places himself, and must necessarily stand upon the same footing with that citizen, and that citizen has the same recourse against the Padre for a breach of contract, as the Padre would have against him, or as one citizen has against another in similiar cases."
On the 29th December, 1847, Father Real communicated the intent of these documents to Col. R. B. Mason, the then Governor of California, who, January 3, 1848, replied: " This document could certainly give you no authority to sell any part of the Mission lands after the 7th July, 1846, the day on which the United States flag was hoisted in California, if indeed it could legally have conferred such authority before. Since that date, the Mission lands can only be disposed of by virtue of authority from the United States Government. I am therefore obliged to declare, and do hereby declare all sales of any part of the Mission lands made by your reverence, to be ille- gal, null and void, and that the purchasers of such lands hold no legal title to them whatever, by virtue of any sale made by your reverence." This document was at the same time directed to be made public at Santa Clara.
The story of the claims on the Mission lands, the orchard and gardens, is thus told by Frederic Hall :-
"In 1847, some of the Americans were about to squat upon the Mission premises. General Kearny hearing of it, sent a detachment of soldiers under Captain (now General) Naglee, to put out the settlers and give pos- session to the priests. In 1849, or first part of 1850, Antonio M. Osio, of Monterey, went into possession of the orchard, under title emanating from the authority of General Castro, in 1846. Osio rented it out to a French- man for three years, who remained in possession until about November, 1850. He was much annoyed by the early settlers, and finding that it would be a profitless labor to attend to it, abandoned the lease. The doors, gates, and other improvements which he had placed thereon, he removed. Osio was then in Monterey, but Father Real was acting as his agent. The latter observing the place to be in a state of waste, and hearing that some of the settlers were preparing to squat on it, called upon Mr. Charles Clayton, then Alcalde at Santa Clara, and solicited that he should place some reliable man in possession until Osio should arrive from Monterey ; observing at the same time that, whoever should thus take charge, should have a lease from Osio upon reasonable terms. With that understanding, Joel Clayton went into possession, and began to make improvements. Upon the arrival of Osio, Mr. Clayton was informed that a man in San Francisco had rented the
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