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 48

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 48

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The sanitarium is not endowed, the only in- come being from pay patients. Its ministra- tions are not reserved for any one class of

patients. It belongs to suffering humanity, irrespective of creed. The physicians of San Jose of all approved schools of medicine, pat- ronize the sanitarium, thus assisting very ma- terially toward its support. It accommodates from seventy-five to ninety patients daily.

In connection with the sanitarium there is a training school for nurses. This school is in- corporated and is conducted according to the best methods of the day. The usual curri- culum of the general hospital training school has been adopted. Lectures are delivered semi-weekly by the training school staff and there are semi-weekly classes conducted by the superintendent.

Columbia Hospital and Branch

There are two large private hospitals in San Jose, both conducted by the incorporated Columbia Hospital Company, of which Ellen Kaiser is president, Dr. F. H. Paterson, vice- president, and Mrs. F. H. Paterson, secretary. One hospital is located at the corner of Mar- ket and San Carlos Streets, the other in East San Jose. Both establishments represent an outlay of $150,000. The Market Street hos- pital is a large, modern building on a fifty-vara lot. The East San Jose hospital was purchas- ed in 1920 from Dr. L. J. Belknap, who had conducted it for twenty-three years. The buildings are of wood and the tract contains eight acres. Both hospitals are provided with laboratories and all the up-to-date appliances. Fifteen nurses are employed and an average of eighty-five patients are treated daily.

The Columbia and East Columbia hospitals were combined in 1921, the Columbia located in San Jose going out of existence. In April, 1921, the combined hospital went out of the hands of Dr. Paterson and hereafter will be conducted by a group of individuals. The trustees will control the business interests of the hospital, formulating plans for extensions and enlarging the facilities of the institution so that the staff will have every possible facil- ity for professional conduct of their work. A clinic has been opened to be conducted along the lines pursued by the larger cities.

The San Jose Hospital, the property of a corporation of local business men, is now in course of construction on Santa Clara Street, beteween Fourteenth and Fifteenth Streets. It will be a strictly modern, fire-proof struc- ture throughout and will be equipped to pro- vide the greatest possible comfort for patients, nurses and physicians and surgeons. The project is sponsored by sixty-six leading phy- sicians of the county and the management will be in the hands of a board of directors of which S. G. Tompkins is president and J. L. Haskins, secretary. The total cost of the

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building will be $185,000. All the money for the site and building has already been secured.

County Medical Society

The Santa Clara County Medical Society was organized in 1870, reorganized in 1906, and is still in existence. Its objects are to create fraternal feelings among members, to advocate a high standard of ethics, to frown upon illegal practices, to safeguard the public health. to receive and discuss reports of inter- esting cases and to keep abreast of the times in all matters pertaining to the practice of medicine and surgery. The officers are: T. L. Blanchard, president; E. F. Holbrook, first vice-president: G. P. Hall, second vice-presi- dent : R. L. Hogg, third vice-presdent ; H. J. B. Wright, treasurer; J. L. Pritchard, secre- tary : councillors at large, A. E. Osborne, P. A. Jordan, J. J. Miller : admission, M. D. Baker, J. J. Miller, L. V. Saph : ethics, A. E. Osborne, J. W. Thayer, R. G. Reynolds, E. A. Flipello, H. C. Brown ; executive, Chas. M. Richards, J. C. Blair, Frank Paterson, L. S. Moore, F. S. Ryan : publication and library, C. E. Saunders, A. E. Dickenson, L. M. Rose; finance, P. A. Jordane, N. H. Bullock, J. I. Beattie ; public health, D. A. Beattie, Jonas Clark, S. B. Van Dalsem. C. C. Ledyard, Bert Loehr.

It was through the instrumentality of this society that the city board of health came into existence. The society, however, has never left the full burden of the work to the health office, but by means of special committees has aided the board in exposing unsanitary condi- tions which have menaced the public health and demanded attentions and abatement.

Dr. Ben Cory was the pioneer physician of the city. He came to San Jose in 1847. He saw a few adobes scattered about the Plaza and believing that time would witness a ma- terial growth in population and business at once established himself in his profession. He witnessed a transformation of the valley and state, and his most extravagant dreams of its future growth in wealth, in adornment, and all that accompanies an advanced civilization were more than realized. Dr. Cory was a na- tive of Ohio, and was born in 1822. He was a graduate of Miami University and com- menced the study of medicine wth his father, who was a prominent physician. Later he at- tended the Medical College of Ohio and re- ceived his degree in 1845. For two years he practised medicine with his father, and then started across the plains to the Pacific Coast. He arrived at Portland, Oregon, and from there came to San Jose. He performed much public service. He was a member of the first Legislature of the state, and was also a councilman and member of the board of edu- cation. He died in 1895. 17

Dr. Cory was very popular, both as a citizen and as a physician and surgeon. He was kind-hearted, and generous to a fault. While his profession was lucrative, he was many times low in pocket on account of his inabil- ity to say no to the demands upon his purse. Ile lost many thousands of dollars endorsing notes for friends and it was while he was al- most financially embarrassed on account of these losses that an old friend living in Sac- ramento wrote to him that he was in dire need of $700. If Dr. Cory would endorse a note to that amount for him he would be eternally ob- liged. Dr. Cory hated to refuse the request, but he felt that he must, so he answered his letter giving his reasons for the refusal. The Sacramentan wrote another letter, a plea so forcible that the good doctor could not muster up courage to say that he, too, was hard press- ed and could not oblige his friend. Instead, he endorsed the note and the Sacramentan was profuse in his expressions of thankfulness. He appreciated the favor and would see to it that the note was paid before maturity. Time passed and Dr. Cory had forgotten about the affair when one day he received a note from the bank which had paid over the money, stating that the note was due, that the Sacra- mentan had failed to pay even the interest, and that it was now up to the doctor to step in and pay the $700 and interest. Dr. Cory was a very mild-mannered man, but it is pos- sible that he used rather strong language when he realized that he had again been taken in. In his wrath over the duplicity of his former friend he sat down and wrote the Sac- ramentan a letter, winding up with the expres- sive phrase, "You are no gentleman.'

A week passed and then a well dressed man walked into Dr. Cory's office and stated that he represented the Sacramentan and was the bearer of a challenge to fight a duel. Dr. Cory laughed and said he would accept the chal- lenge. He was then informed that as the chal- lenged party he had the right to name the weapons that should be used. "Shot guns at ten paces," was the reply. The Sacrament- an's representative demurred at the choice, but Dr. Cory was not to be moved from the position he had taken. "Shot guns at ten paces-take it or leave it," he said, and the representative went out with a frown on his face. That night the Sacramentan left San Jose and no mention of duel or money was ever afterwards made by him.

Dr. Cory had a large professional practice, both in the city and the country. One night, in the late '50s, an urgent case called him to Alviso. While at the house of his patient he was presented with a large sweet potato as a sample of what was grown on the marsh lands

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near the bay. On the road home he kept the potato in his hand and when about half way to San Jose was stopped by a highwayman with the customary demand to throw out his money and other valuables. The doctor reined up and then, unconsciously, lifted the potato and began to twiddle it in his hand. The high- wayman saw the tuber and did not identify

it. To him it looked like a pistol in the hand of a man who meant business. With a yell, "don't shoot," he left the road, jumped over the ditch, and was soon out of sight. For the moment Dr. Cory was amazed at the robber's action, but a glance at the potato furnished the explanation needed.

CHAPTER XXVII.

The History of San Jose's Fire Department-Primitive Appurtenances off the Early Days-Volunteer Department for Twenty-six Years-The Police Department's Growth and Work.

It was on the eleventh of July, 1850, that the mayor and common council took the first official action toward the protection of proper- ty from fire, when it established the first fire limits as follows: Commencing at the center of Second and St. James Streets ; thence along Second to San Carlos; then along San Carlos to the Acequia: then along the Acequia to a point that would intersect the prolongation of St. James Street; thence along St. James Street to the place of beginning. At the same time it was ordered that within these limits there should be erected no edifice composed of canvas, willows, cotton, cloth, tules, mus- tard, reeds or other grasses under a penalty of not less than twenty-five nor more than two hundred dollars. It was also ordered that hay stacks should not be maintained, unless suitably guarded, under a like penalty.

About this time a volunteer fire company called Fire Engine No. 1, was formed. This was a misnomer, as there was no engine or other apparatus in the county. The company seems to have realized its mistake as in the same year it changed its name to Eureka Fire Company, No. 1. The members made appli- cation to the mayor and council for an engine. But as there was no fire machinery to be had on the coast and as the city had no money to make the purchase even if the machinery could be procured, the company was forced to work with buckets and such rude appliances as they could find. But what it lacked in ap- paratus it made up in enthusiasm and there- fore much good was accomplished. The in- flammable nature of the materials with which the buildings were constructed rendered it al- most an impossibility to extinguish a fire, though this same frailty of construction en- abled the firemen to destroy connections and prevent the spread of the fire. The most not-

able fires during the existence of this com- pany were the burning of the house of Samuel C. Young, on Third Street, and the destruc- tion of the old State Ilouse. The latter event occurred in March, 1853, and demonstrated the imperative necessity of more adequate protection. Prior to this time the city gov- erninent seemed to think that private enter- prise would take this responsibility from the council. This opinion is based on a clause of Mayor White's message of 1851, in which he says: "I would respectfully urge that a fire de- partment be immediately organized, and, if necessary, that an engine and other apparatus be procured, but there is reason to believe that the public spirit of our citizens will render any outlay by the city in this matter unnecessary."

Having thus relegated the matter to the "public spirit of the citizens," the matter rest- ed until 1853, when the council passed an or- dinance dividing the city into four fire wards and appointing the following persons as fire wardens: For District No. 1. M. W. Packard ; No. 2, Alvin C. Campbell ; No. 3, A. S. Wood- ford; No. 4, Peter Davidson. At the same time an appropriation of $2000 was made for the purchase of a fire engine, with hooks and ladders, the president of the council being authorized to draw warrants and orders in such sums as he should deem advisable and pay the same over to the committee of citi- zens that should be selected by the people.

As a result of this action Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 was organized in the latter part of 1853, and on January 6, 1854, it noti- fied the council of its organization and asked for an appropriation for the purchase of appa- ratus. The matter was referred to a commit- tee, which was instructed to confer with the foreman and draw up an ordinance covering the matter proposed. The committee was al-

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so authorized to secure the lease of a suitable lot on which to erect a building for the ac- commodation of the company. The commit- tee reported that Frank Lightston had agreed to lease a lot for the nominal rent of twenty- five cents per annum, if the company would erect suitable buildings within twelve months. The lease was effected and the old engine house on Lightston Street, for many years a prominent landmark, was erected.

At the meeting of the council held June 26. 1854. new fire wardens were elected, and a committee was appointed to see if a fire en- gine could be purchased in San Francisco. At the next meeting the committee reported that an engine could be procured for $1800, and that hose would cost $1.50 per foot. The committee also reported that four cisterns would be required and recommended that one be located at the intersection of Market and Santa Clara Streets and one in front of Jones' store on First Street, about opposite Fountain Alley. All the recommendations of the com- mittee were adopted and the apparatus was purchased at a cost of $2,546.25. Of this amount the citizens contributed $1355 and the remainder was paid out of the city treasury. The cisterns were located as recommended and for more than twenty years were main- tained and used for fire purposes.

The engine purchased at this time had an in- teresting history. It had been used by the Volunteer Fire Department of New York as early as 1820 and was known as "Old 41," its quarters being at the corner of Delaney and Livingston Streets. Levi Goodrich, the archi- tect, and Abe Beaty, the first landlord of the Mansion House, had run with the old machine in New York. In 1850 it was sent to San Francisco and sold to the engine company of which Senator David C. Broderick was fore- man. The city of San Jose purchased it from the Broderick Company. When brought to San Jose it was given into the hands of the Empire Company and became "Empire No. 1." After it had outlived its usefulness it was sent to the county almshouse. .

The city had now a very effective fire de- partment of two companies, manned by prom- inent citizens full of that heroic enthusiasin for which the volunteer fire companies of Am- erica were noted. Hook and Ladder Company had a fine truck manufactured by D. J. Porter and H. J. Haskell, the wood work being done by C. S. Crydenwise.

A grand parade of the department took place on New Year's day of 1855. Both com- panies assembled at the new engine house on Lightston Street, which has just received its finishing coat of paint from the brush of James Gourlay, a veteran fireman. A proces-

sion was formed, the principal streets were taken in, a halt being made at the brick church on the corner of Second and San Fernando Streets. Here Rev. Eli Corwin, in behalf of the ladies of San Jose, presented Empire Com- pany with a beautiful silk banner. The de- partment then repaired to the city hall where a bountiful collation was spread, and passed several hours in speech-making and social in- tercourse. This was the first parade of the first deparment. Afterwards the firemen par- aded annually on the Fourth of July.

On May 31. 1855, a disastrous fire occur- red in the most populous portion of the city. It originated on a short, narrow alley east of Market and south of El Dorado Street. There were several buildings on the alley. and im- mediately west of these and fronting on Mar- ket Street were the stores of Lazarus & Com- pany, clothing and dry goods merchants; the fruit and grocery store of Giovanni Mulinari ; the vegetable and grocery store of Baptiste Soularis: the jewelry store of E. L. Venve ; the confectionery establishment of Madame AAlviso, and the extensive saddlery emporium of August Schweeb. All of these suffered con- siderable loss. The progress of the fire south- ward was checked somewhat by the brick walls of the Auzerais building, and this obstacle coupled with the heroic exertions of the little fire department, prevented that portion of the city from being entirely destroyed. After the fire had gone out the half-consumed remains of a man were found in the ruins.

This fire, and the rapid growth of the city, showed the necessity of further additions to the fire department, but it was nearly a year before anything was done. In 1856 James Gourlay returned from a visit to New York, bringing with him a hand engine which he offered to sell to the city. The council agreed to purchase it if a company to handle it could be formed. This was no difficult matter and in a few days a company reported as ready for service. This company was called Torrent No. 2. and went into the department May 12, 1856. The old Torrent engine did good ser- vice for many years.

These three companies constituted the fire department of San Jose for nearly ten years. In 1865 the city purchased a steam engine for Empire No. 1. This action made the old en- gine used by Torrent No. 2 present a poor ap- pearance, so the boys cast about for a better machine. James Gourlay went to San Fran- cisco, where he found a fine Hunneman hand engine for sale very cheap. He spent some time in testing its capacity, and being fully satisfied came back and reported. Applica- tion was made for its purchase. The price was $1750, cash, and the city had only $1200

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available for fire purposes. It was finally agreed that if the balance could be raised by subscription the city would buy the engine. A meeting of the company was called and the tenor of the discussion was that it was useless to try to raise such a large amount. Finally Gourlay threw $50 on the table, saying that it was about the last dollar he had, but it should go toward purchasing the new en- gine. Immediately the coin began to be pour- ed on the table and in less than twenty min- utes the required amount was raised. The machine was purchased and remained with the company until 1873, when the city purchased a Clapp & Jones steamer for the Torrents, and the old Hunneman was turned over to Franklin Company, which had lately been organized. A few years later it was sold to the town of Turlock.

In 1855 the department, with the consent of the council, established a board of delegates, by which it was practically governel. The board consisted of a number of members sel- ected from each company the office of chief engineer had been created and soon became a position of great labor and responsibility. In 1866 the department asked the council to pro- vide a salary for the chief, but the application was denied on the ground that the charter would not permit such action. The officers and members served from 1852 to 1876, with no compensation, giving their best service, and often risking their lives, for the benefit of the property owners of the city. In addition to this much of the money for equipment was taken from their own pockets.

In 1859 a fire occurred in the kitchen of Judge W. T. Wallace's home, on First Street, near where the Arcade is now located. The fire department displayed such skill and ener- gy that but small damage resulted. In recog- nition of their services Judge Wallace pre- sented the department with $5000, which was placed in a fund for sick and disabled firemen. This was the beginning of the Firemen's Char- itable Assocation. In 1869 an act was passed by the Legislature incorporating the de- partment and providing for exemption. By its terms a person who had served in the de- partment for five years was entitled to a cer- tificate exempting him from military service or the payment of poll-tax. The fund con- tinued in existence until the paid fire depart- ment was organized, when, most of the mem- bers having withdrawn, it was divided among the survivors.

Early in 1876 the question of organizing a paid department began to be agitated. The city had been out of debt for many years, pro- perty had largely increased in value, and the city, itself, felt financially able to assume the

burden. At this time the city had two steam- ers, Empire and Torrent; one hand engine, Franklin ; two hose companies, Alert and Eur- eka, and Hook and Ladder Company No. 1. Each of these machines was housed in build- ings owned by the city, except Hook and Lad- der, which occupied a rented room near the California Theater on Second Street. The city proposed to take over all this property and allow the old department to seek other quarters and apparatus, or disband. The volunteers naturally considered this method of procedure as savoring of ingratitude. They had given long years of hard service with no compensation and they objected to being sum- marily dismissed. The machinery which the city proposed to take represented several hun- dreds of dollars of their own money, which they had contributed for the general good, and although the title was undoubtedly in the city. they thought they had strong claim for con- sideration. They could not legally object to turning over the property and vacating their quarters, but they resolved to disband all their companies. The paid department was organ- ized October 3, 1876, and just before midnight of that day all the companies paraded the streets and when the last stroke of twelve sounded they left their machines in front of the city hall and on Santa Clara Street. This was the last of the Volunteer Fire Department of San Jose, as' intelligent, well-disciplined and public-spirited body of men as was ever or- ganized in any city in the United States.

In the fall of 1870 Washington Hose Com- pany was organized and did good service, but after a few years it disbanded because the city had failed to provide it with either suitable quarters or apparatus. In 1875 the people in the northeastern part of the city, needing more adequate protection from fire, organized Eureka Hose Company and a house was built for them on Ninth Street near Julian. In 1876, Alert Hose Company was organized. At first the old hose cart of the disbanded Washingtons was used, but soon a handsome carriage was purchased.

From an old and defaced chart a few of the names of the old members of Hook and Lad- der Company No. 1, have been deciphered. They are: Joseph McGill, Joseph H. Munn, Calvin C. Martin, Isidro Braun, John B. New- son, W. McGill, John C. Emerson, Geo. Hall, William Cummings, Elihu Allen, J. Y. Ayer. Geo. M. Yoell, S. H. Bohm, S. H. Covert, S. Waterman, August Schweeb, P. H. Burgman, D. C. Chadwick, James Gourlay, Joseph Bass- ler, James D. Page, John Balbach. Geo. Lehr, Charles E. Allen, Charles F. Willey, Edward Woodnut, Frank Lightston, Elliott Reed, E. P. Reed, W. A. Murphy, Levi Goodrich, D.

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

261

J: Porter. Samuel Orr, Charles Moody, Josiah Belden, Levi P. Peck, C. S. Crydenwise, John Q. Pearl, Henry J. Haskell, S. O. Houghton, J. N. Flickinger, John M. Murphy. J. O. Mc- Kee, R. G. Roberts, John Yontz, Hartley Lan- ham, Eli Jones. A. W. Bell, Geo. Allen, Thomas Soublette. A. J. Eddy. G. W. Warner, B. F. Davis, W. A. Munn, J. P. Chamberlain, Frank McKee. William Lowrey, John Mott, Sam Jacobs, John T. Colahan, Chas. Martin, L. F. Kidfield, Geo. Pennington, Julian Smart, Narcisso Sunol.

Following are the names of the old mem- bers of Empire No. 1 : F. G. Appleton, A. S. Beaty, J. E. Brown, B. F. Brown, S H. Brown, John Beaty, Thomas Brown, G. H. Bodfish, George Bego, M. P. Parker, A. C. Campbell, P. Carlos, Chas. A. Clayton, J. Cirinsky, C. Crittenden. C. D. Cheney, S. Dial, WV. H. Dear- ing, Peter Davidson, N. B. Edwards, A. Eaton, R. Fisher, John Forney, M. Fisher, J. H. Gre- gory, Jasper D. Gunn, Levi Goodrich, Geo. Hale, D. W. Herrington, M. Hillman, Adam Halloway, S. J. Hensley, Geo. Hanna, James Hartwell, S. N. Johnson, J. W. Johnson, Geo. N. Jefferson, Richard Knowles, R. Langley, Frank Lewis, R. H. Leetch, C. W. Landen, Fred Malech, Herrick Martin, J. Mckenzie, Philander Norton, B. G. Porter, Peter Pon- goon, C. M. Putney, Peter Quiney. W. Runk, A. W. Stone, F. E. Spencer, M. Stern, J. M. Sherwood, F. Stock, M. R. Smith, F. B. Tomp- kins, Daniel Travis, Francis Thelig, William Travis, A. M. Thompson, T. Whaland, T. Wil- liams, W. Whipple, George Whitman, F. Woodward, C. W. Wright, D. Yochan, C. T. Ryland, J. A. Moultrie.

About the time the paid department was organized the city also adopted an automatic fire alarm system, which has been improved from time to time. The chiefs of the fire de- partment under the volunteer system were C. E. Allen, John B. Hewson, Levi Peck. J. C. Potter, Dan Leddy, Adam Halloway, James V. Tisdall, William Petry and J. Chris Gerdes. The officers un ler the paid department have been: J. C. Gerdes, W. D. Brown, James Brady, Rudolph Hoelbe, Frank Dwyer, Henry Ford, Richard Brown, George Hines, Geo. Tonkin, Ed. Haley and H. W. Hobson. At the present time (1922) the department con- sists of eight fire houses and ten companies. The houses are situated as follows: Market Street (old city hall) ; North Third Street, North Eighth Street, Seventeenth and Santa Clara Streets, First and Reed Streets, Spencer Avenue, Second and Jackson Streets, South Eighth Street. The equipment consists of three engines, five combination outfits, one chemical, one truck, and two hose wagons. In 1915 the horses were displaced by motors.

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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 48

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