History of Santa Clara County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 43

Author: Sawyer, Eugene Taylor, 1846-
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1928

USA > California > Santa Clara County > History of Santa Clara County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 43

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The objects of the society are to cultivate social intercourse; to form a more perfect union among its members; to create a fund for charitable purposes: to assist in burying the dead and assisting the afflicted ; to create a bond of regard and friendship among the members of the society; to establish a ·lib- rary, collect minerals, relics, heirlooms, cur- iosities and articles of intrinsic and historical valuie of pioneer days; to collect and pre- serve information concerning its members, and other pioneers; statistics and data of the pioneer history of the county and state; to receive donations and bequests, to hold and use the same so as best to transmit to future generations a faithful and correct history of the past, so as to maintain, as far as possible, a continuity of historic narrative for the fu- ture.

Harry Jubilee Bee, whose career has been sketched in an earlier chapter, died in San Luis Obispo in 1898. He was the oldest pio- neer in California and he furnished much in- teresting material to A. P. Murgotten while that gentleman was publishing and editing The Pioneer. Bee took a prominent part in the first hanging of Americans in California. In July, 1849, Bee and a number of San Jose- ans were at work in the mines of Dry Creek, near the upper fork of the American River. The adjoining camp was occupied by a com- pany of miners composed of Peter Haggerty, of San Jose, a man named Griffin, and five de- serters from Stevenson's regiment. Three of the deserters were named Campbell, Freers and Davis.

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Haggerty's party had good luck at the dig- gings and one day, about the middle of July, a large bag of gold dust was exhibited to Bee as a result of their labors. Haggerty was the treasurer and on that same day Griffin came to him and stated that the five deserters had concocted a scheme to steal the dust, and advised him to change the place of burial. This advice was followed, but it afterwards appeared that the five men were watching him while he was making the change. The next day the deserters came to Haggerty and demanded a settlement and a division of the dust. Haggerty went out to obtain the bag and was alarmed and surprised to find that it had been stolen. When he came back and announced the loss the five men began to laugh. As evidence to convict was lacking the deserters were allowed to leave camp. They were followed next day by Bee and Haggerty, who arrived in San Jose early in August.

The five deserters were there and in a short time they had gambled away the stolen mon- ey. In October they started back to the mines. On the road from the Livermore ranch, in Alameda County, to the San Joaquin Valley they fell in with a sailor, who was aiso on his way to the mines, and he was induced to become one of their party. When the San Joaquin was reached the party of six came upon two men-an American and a German. It was customary in those days, when one man met another on the road to exchange courtesies as follows: "Where have you been?" The answer would perhaps be: "I've been to the mines." Then the question would be: "How have you made it?" The interro- gated party would open his shirt and disclose his pile, if he had any. It was so in the case of the German. He was asked the usual question and the bag of dust was disclosed. The American had no money.

That night the two parties camped near each other. In the evening Campbell pro- posed to rob the German and his companions, except the sailor, assented at once. After some argument the sailor was induced to go along. At midnight, Campbell, Freers and Davis relieved the German of his earnings, the sailor acting as guard, after which the victim was shot in the arm "for fun." The robbers then started back in the direction of San Jose. At a Mexican ranch near where the town of Pleasanton now stands, they stole six horses. The owner followed them to San Jose, and after learning that they had camped in the mustard, on the banks of the Guada- lupe about two miles from the pueblo, he came to town and notified Harry Bee of his loss and discovery. The American had come in a

short time before, having left the wounded German at Livermore's. Dr. Ben Cory was sent out to attend to him. Bee was informed of the robbery and from the description con- cluded that the Dry Diggings miners were the culprits. A search for them was at once in- stituted and Campbell, Freers and Davis were traced to the house of Woods, the alguazil, on Santa Clara Street. Bee suspected Woods of complicity in the hiding of the deserters and upon his statement Woods was removed from his official position by the alcalde, and Bee, who had before held the office, was appointed in his place.

Bee at once went at work. That night he raised a posse of men, among them Peter Quincy, Uncle Ike Branham, Charles White and Samnel Young. A short time afterwards Campbell and Freers were decoyed into Bee's shoe store in the old Lightston building, and arrested. A little later Davis was caught out- side the building. Three days afterwards the three men were brought before the alcalde for trial, and mainly through the testimony of the sailor, who gave state's evidence and thus es- caped punishment, the deserters were convict- ed and sentenced to be hanged. The same day-for the law moved swiftly in these times -the men were taken to Market Square and summarily executed. John Yontz acted as master of ceremonies, Bee having been re- leased from that duty for the reason that he had just baptized the men and thus became their godfather. After life was extinct the bodies were taken to Santa Clara and buried in the Catholic Cemetery.

Lorenzo D. Stephens, a member of the Pio- neers and the last surviving member of the famous Jayhawkers' party of gold seekers, whose terrible suffering in Death Valley in 1849 forms a thrilling chapter in the history of the California gold rush, died in an Oakland hospital in February, 1922, at the age of 93. His residence was in San Jose and for over seventy years he was a picturesque figure in the life of Santa Clara County. His wife died in January, 1922. He is survived by a daugh- ter, Mrs. Emma Falconer, of Berkeley, and a son. Dr. L. L. Stephens, of Seattle. Wash.

The records of the Jayhawkers shows that they were the first people with the exception of Indians to set foot in Death Valley; the first to discover silver in Nevada and the first to discover those nitre and borax deposits which have proved of such great value to the commercial world. Unwilling discoveries they were, during fifty-two days of existence with almost no food, and five days during which they were without a drop of water.

The party originally numbered thirty-five men and included one woman, the wife of a preacher, and several children. They set out

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

with ox teams from Galesburg. 111 .. on Ap-15. 1849, and passed safely through Salt Lake City late in July. The season was late when they arrived at the Mormon capital and reports were received telling of the awful experiences of the Donner party on the northern route to the gold fields-experiences which forced some members of that party into cannibalism to prolong life. Other wagons joined with the Jayhawkers in forming a train of 107 wagons at Salt Lake City with the idea of reaching California from Salt Lake by a southern route.

All went well until 250 miles south of Salt Lake, when, disregarding the advice of their guide, they started due westward in an effort to cut off several hundred miles. The distance by the map looked short and easy.

The train proceeded without incident until they came to a sheer precipice of a thousand feet or more in the Wasatch Mountains. Since progress seemed impossible the majority of the train resolved to follow the advice of their guide and turn southward again to the Santa Fe trail. The Jayhawkers, however, explored for a descent and found it. Not realizing what they were doing they then embarked on a journey across the Great American desert. Four months were required in traversing about 800 miles of this desolate region, fifty-two days of which they were without food, except as they killed their starving cattle. The little water found was mostly alkaline and unfit to drink. One member of the party, crazed by suffering, wandered away and was lost. Three other members of the party lay down on the trail and died.

The one woman of the part was forced to listen to her suffering little ones plead for a drink. Sometimes as many as five days would pass before they could plunge their swollen tongues in the alkaline springs. The wagons were cut to carts and the carts in turn gave way to pack saddles in an effort to facilitate progress through the sands.

The imprint of death was on the faces of the members of the party when two men form- ing an advance party sighted the ranch of Don Juan Salazar in the Santa Clara Valley. The plight of the party was made known and vaqueros went to their assistance. This rescue occurred on February 4, 1850, a date always observed in the reunions of the members of the Jayhawkers, which were held annually until three years ago, then ceased, as Lorenzo Dow Stephens was the sole survivor.

American Legion

The American Legion is a fraternal club. It was organized on October 4, 1919. The plat- form, as set forth in the constitution, is as follows :

"For God and country, we associate our- selves together for the following purposes :

"To uphold and defend the constitution of the United States of America: to maintain law and order ; to foster and perpetuate a one- hundred per cent Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our association in the Great War; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and good will on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness."

"The American Legion is to be commended in its efforts to enlist the membership of every honorably discharged soldier, sailor and marine who served his country in the late war. This organization has before it a great work if it is to accomplish its ideals in creat- ing a true spirit of patriotism among the Am- erican citizens, which shall be as energetic and powerful in times of peace as was that spirit in the dark days of war. The Grand Army of the Republic has done a great work and has stood as a magnificent example be- fore the American youth since the days of the Civil War, ever instilling in our people, by precept and example, love of country and en- forcement of law and order. We cannot mea- sure the benefits of this great organization nor ever pay the debt of gratitude which we owe it. But the ranks of the Grand Army of the Republic have become so diminished dur- ing the past few years that but a handful of the grand old veterans still remain. It is for this new organization, made up of the vet- erans of the World War, to assume the toga of its similarly patriotic predecessor, and car- ry forward its cherished ideals. There is no organization like the Legion, made up as it is of a million and one-half men and women who answered the call of home and country, which has forsworn any policy of a partisan or political nature, and whose whole endeav- or is to furnish our country with protection, both from its enemies within as well as those without. It is an organization which caters to neither class nor mass, but stands for the enforcement of the will of the sovereign maj- ority."

The Legion is open to army nurses as well as to former soldiers. The membership is 1045, mainly from Santa Clara County. The officers are : Archer Bowden, president ; Frank V. Campbell, secretary. An employment bu- reau is maintained and the finding of seventy- five places per month has been the average.

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Law Library and Bar Association

The San Jose Law Library was started in 1874 in the Knox Block. Its growth has been steady and now there are over 6000 books on the shelves. The librarian is Louisa J. Spen- cer, who has held the position for many years. The directors are O. D. Richardson (chair- man), Judge S. F. Leib, N. Bowden, Judge John E. Richards and Judge H. D. Tuttle.

The Bar Association was formed in 1915. The officers are: John W. Sullivan, president ; Matthew Mulcahy, secretary, and L. E. Pe- tree, treasurer. The objects of the associa- tion are to advance the standard of the mem- bers in morals and professional duties, to prosecute members who are derelict in con- duct, and to create a fraternal feeling among the members. John W. Sullivan is chairman of the committee on investigation.

Housewives' League

To combat the high cost of living by mak- ing war on the profiteers, the San Jose House- wives' League was organized in November, 1919. There were over 200 members on July 1, 1920. The officers are: Mrs. Paul Clark, president ; Mrs. M. W. Capp, secretary, and Mrs. R. J. Lanford, treasurer. Mrs. J. E. Hancock is button and membership superin- tendent. The business of the League is to gather and publish recipes for sugarless and other cheap eatables; to investigate cases of profiteering and ascertain why the grocers have to charge so much when the producers receive so little ; and to look into all matters connected with the high cost of living. Al- ready much has been accomplished. Facts have been gathered regarding profiteering and when a case has been made the proper officials have been notified.

Daughters of the American Revolution

The Santa Ysabel Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organized in San Jose November 10, 1896. The charter members were Mrs. Sutton Palmer, Mrs. William B. Gano, Miss M. Polhemus, Mrs. W. K. Beans, Mrs. M. G. Gates, Miss Edna Leib, Mrs. T. Ellard Beans, Miss Frances Beans, Mrs. Pedro Merlin Lusson, Mrs. Paul Furst, Miss Bessie Moore, Miss Rowena Beans, Miss Lida Leib. The regent, Mrs. Samuel Franklin Leib, was appointed by the then state regent, Mrs. Virginia Knox Mad- dox. Since then the list has been extended. The chapter meetings are held at the resi- dences of the members. The genealogical standing of all the members is as follows:

Armstrong-Lida Campbell Leib, wife of Charles Dorsey Armstrong; descendant of Gen. William Russell; daughter of Judge

Samuel Franklin Leib and Lida Campbell Leib, his wife. General Russell assisted in establishing American Independence while acting in the capacity of colonel from 1776 to 1783 ; afterwards was brigadier-general.

Austin, Gertrude May, wife of Paul Page Austin; descendant of Hezekiah Hutchins, who was a captain in Colonel Reed's regiment of New Hampshire volunteers, at the Battle of Bunker Hill, and who received his commis- sion on the day of the battle. In 1776 he was captain of the fourth company of Lieut .- Col- onel Welch's regiment and was present at the battles around Saratoga and at the surrender of Burgoyne.

Ballou, Katherine Jane Kimball, wife of John Quincy Adams Ballou, and descendant of Edward Ainsworth, a physician and farm- er, who was a private in Colonel Bellows' re- giment, raised in 1776 to reinforce the army in Canada. His name is on the payroll of Colonel Bellows' regiment of militia in New Hampshire, which went to reinforce the gar- rison at Ticonderoga when besieged by the British in June, 1777. Edward Ainsworth was called "Lieutenant."

Barkau, Ella Plate, wife of Fritz Barkau, descendant of Anthony Rutgers, who assisted in establishing AAmerican Independence while acting as chaplain in the second company of artillery in New York City.

Barstow, Mary Rhodes, wife of Alfred Bar- stow, and descendant of Anthony Rhodes, who was a private of the Fifth Company, commanded by Captain Carlisle, in Colonel Elliott's regiment. He also served as corporal in Captain Randall's company, Colonel Wat- terman's regiment.

Barstow, Grace (Miss), descendant of Anthony Rhodes.

Beans, Charlotte Bray, wife of T. Ellard Beans, and descendant of Dr. John Forman Grandin, U. S. N., who served as surgeon in the navy during the latter part of the Revolu- tionary War.

Beans, Rowena ( Miss), descendant of Dr. John Forman Grandin.

Beans, Frances ( Miss), descendant of Dr. Grandin.

Beans, Gertrude Moore, wife of William Knox Beans, and descendant of Lieutenant William Moore, who was sergeant in the Third Virginia Regiment in 1776; ensign in August, 1777; second lieutenant in 1777, and first lieutenant in 1780. In consideration of his services in the Continental Army he was given a grant of land-2,66633 acres.

Beans, Mildred Elizabeth ( Miss), descend- ant of Lieut. William Moore.

Beans, Alice Adelaide Waite ( Miss), des- cendant of Capt. Joseph Jewett.

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Bradford, Alice Ballou, widow of Wager Bradford ; descendant of Edward Ainsworth.

Connell, Nettie L. Bast, wife of Maurice Connell, and descendant of Capt. Jacob Clader, who enlisted March 1, 1776, in the company commanded by Rudolph Bernise, Second Bat- talion of the Men of '76. He became corporal July 1, 1776; captain, 1781. Also served sixty days' fighting Indians on the frontier.

Eustace, Bessie Moore, wife of Herbert Eustace, and descendant of Lieut. William Moore.

Furst, Evelyn Moore Grissim, widow of Paul Furst, descendant of Gen. William Rus- sell.

Furst, Hannah Moore (Miss), descendant of Gen. William Russell.

Gano, Jeanette Lafayette Grissim, wife of William B. Gano, and descendant of Gen. William Russell.

Gates, Adaline M., widow of Freeman Gates, and descendant of Jonathan Palmer, who assisted in establishing American Inde- pendence while serving as first lieutenant in the Fifth Company of Colonel Selden's regi- ment of Connecticut volunteers.

Greenleaf, Mary Page Hathaway, widow of George Ravenscroft Greenleaf, and descendant of Capt. Philip Hathaway, Jr., who was cap- tain in Col. Josiah Whitney's regiment. Served in Rhode Island in 1777.

Guppy, Lucia Sophia Chase, wife of Ed- ward H. Guppy, and descendant of Capt. Cor- nelins Russell and Capt. Solomon Chase. Captain Russell was corporal in the Lexing- ton alarm of May, 1775. Enlisted as private in 1775; advanced to first lieutenant and served as such until 1783. Was Washington's secretary and was with Washington at Valley Forge. Was officer of the day when Major Andre was hanged. Capt. Solomon Chase served in the regiment of his brother, General Jonathan Chase, and also as surgeon in an- other regiment.

Kittredge, Martha Shale Kirk, widow of Ashbel S. Kittredge, and descendant of Thomas Bedford, Jr., who was a captain in the Revolutionary Army. He several times refused promotion as he would not be separ- ated from the boys of his company, who had been placed in his charge by their mothers.

Jordan, Jessie Knight, wife of David Starr Jordan, and descendant of Phineas Knight, who served as private in Capt. John Durkee's company, Col. Israel Putnam's regiment, from May to December, 1775. In Capt. Jonathan Brewster's company in 1776; in Col. Benijahs Leppingwell's regiment, 1777, and in Capt. John Riley's company, February, 1781, to De- cember 31, 1781.

Ledyard, Mary Forman (Miss), descendant of Benjamin Ledyard, who was captain of the First Continental Infantry and distinguished himself at the battles of Monmouth and White Plains. . He was also one of the founders of the Society of the Cincinnati. Miss Ledyard was also the great-great-granddaughter of Youngs Ledyard, who was first lieutenant of the Matross Artillery Company at Groton.

Leib, Lida Campbell Grissim, wife of Judge Samuel Franklin Leib, and descendant of General William Russell, Colonel of the Thir- teenth Virginia, December, 1776; transferred to Fifth Virginia, September, 1778; taken pris- oner at Charleston, May, 1780; exchanged, November, 1780; served until November 3, 1783, when he was made brigadier-general. Mrs. Leib was also the great-great-grand- daughter of William Campbell, who was first lieutenant of the First Virginia State Regi- ment, and who was made captain January 16, 1779, and served until January, 1782.

Lusson, Elizabeth Stanley Newton, wife of Pierre Merlin Lusson, and descendant of Col. Thomas Newton, who was a member of the Constitutional Virginia Convention ; Col. John Baylor, aide to Washington; John Wright Stanley, who melted his family silver and contributed $100,000 to Gen. Greene for arms and ammunition; Richard Cogdell, of North Carolina, member of the Provincial Congress and secretary of the Committee of Safety. Mrs. Lusson died in San Jose August 2, 1903.

May, Eliza Reed, wife of Alpha Child May, and descendant of Hezekiah Hutchins, who was a captain in Colonel Reed's New Hamp- shire regiment at the battle of Bunker Hill. and was present at the surrender of Burgoyne. He was in the Continental Army in 1778.

May, Cornelia Alice (Miss), daughter of Alpha C. May and Eliza Reed, his wife, and descendant of Stephen May, a soldier in the Continental Army, who served at Bunker Hill, Cowpens and Trenton. Also, a lineal descend- ant of Hezekiah Hutchins.

Maynard, Adele Merlin Lusson, wife of Blay- ney Easterly Maynard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. M. Lusson and descendant of Col. John Armestead, Col. Thomas Newton, Col. John Baylor, John Wright, Stanley and Richard Cogdell, all of whom rendered valuable serv- ice during the Revolutionary War.

Maynard, Sue Davis, wife of Dr. Stephen C, Maynard and descendant of Jacob Yount, who served under General Greene during the mem- orable campaign of 1781, until the enemy evac- uated Charleston and General Greene's army disbanded; also of George C. Yount, was a lieutenant under General Boone in the War of 1812.

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Palmer, Maud Moore, wife of H. Sutton Palmer and descendant of Lieut. William Moore.

Parkinson, Edith Vallette, wife of Charles Roseberry Parkinson and descendant of Sam- uel Dinsmore, who was a private, January, 1776, in Capt. Nathan Watkins' company, Col. Edward Phinney's regiment. On the march to Ticonderoga he died of small-pox.

Pierce, Elise Furst, wife of Lester Pierce and descendant of Gen. William Russell ; daughter of Paul Furst and Evelyn Moore Grissim, his wife.

Pierce, Marian Percey Thurston, wife of James Henry Pierce and descendant of Rich- ard Thurston, who was captain of Second Company of Infantry of Rowley, now George- town. Mass., in 1757. In 1770 he was member of a committee to prevent British importa- tions. His son, David, served at various times as a private during the Revolutionary War.

Plate, Mary Mizner, first wife of Karl H. Plate and descendant of Anthony Rutgers, who was captain of Second Company of Ar- tillery in New York City. Mrs. Plate died in August, 1900.

Plate. Elizabeth Everett Groves, second wife of Karl H. Plate and descendant of Rob- ert Clark, captain of Virginia troops in 1778: also of Capt. John Trigg, another captain of Virginia troops in 1778.

Polhemus, Margaret (Miss), descendant of Major John Polhemus, who, at seventeen years of age served in the provincial forces in the disastrous march against Fort Duquesne. In 1759 he was one of the volunteers who marched into Canada and did good service under General Wolfe. He received a captain's commission in 1775 in the First Battalion of Jersey regulars under Lord Sterling. His company, raised by him, was armed and equipped at his own expense. He fought in the battles of Ticonderoga, Long Island, Princeton, Germantown, Monmouth, Quebec, Brandywine and Valley Forge. At Valley Forge he was appointed major of his regi- ment, the Jersey Blues. He died in Philadel- phia on his ninety-fourth birthday and was buried with military honors. He entered the war affluent and left it with but a pittance. Miss Polhemus is also a descendant of John Hart, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Reed, Julia Russell, wife of Thomas Harri- son Reed and descendant of John Davis, who served as substitute for his father in the Am- boy expedition. In 1777 he enlisted in Cap- tain Butler's company and was afterwards transferred to Captain McClelland's company. He was at Trenton and Princeton and crossed the Delaware with Washington. Took part

in the battle of Brandywine. Was in the bat- tle of Germantown, of Monmouth, Valley Forge and all the important events of 1778. He participated in the campaign of 1729 and was with Wayne in the attack on Stony Point. Was wounded in the attack on the block house at Bergin Point. Was one of the guards at the execution of Major Andre and went south with part of the Pennsylvania line in 1781. Was present at Yorktown when Cornwallis surrendered. Was honorably discharged in 1781, holding the rank of ensign.

Smith, Harriet Louise Corwin, wife of Prof. Leigh Richmond Smith, descendant of Capt. Thomas Lucas, who was first lieutenant in the regiment of Colonel Morgan in 1777. Was afterwards made captain.

Singletary. Florence Grigsby, widow of Emory Curtis Singletary, descendant of Mas- sey Thomas, who served as a private in the company of Captain Gillson, Sixth Virginia Regiment, commanded by Col. John Green. He enlisted December 31, 1776, and served three years.

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History of Santa Clara County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 43

Author: Sawyer, Eugene Taylor, 1846- Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co. Number of Pages: 1928

Author: Sawyer, Eugene Taylor, 1846-
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1928