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 49

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 49

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

There are forty-four men in the department. one chief (H. W. Hobson), one assistant chief (D. E. Cavallaro), and forty-two privates. The department has the reputation of being one of the most efficient on the Pacific Coast.

The Police Department

San Jose's police department dates back to the days of '49. When the Americans came into power the duties of marshal, constable and sheriff were all performed by Harry Bee, under the Mexican title of Alguazil. In 1851. a marshal for the city work was selected in the person of G. N. Whitman. He served for one vear and was succeeded by Geo. Hale, who held office for three years. In 1855 T. E. Sou- blette was elected to the position and he served the people until 1859, when J. D. Gunn was chosen marshal. Gunn served until 1862 and then gave way to W. S. Patterson, who served only one year, a severe injury causing him to retire to private life. In attempting to ar- rest an offender he was struck on the head by a beer bottle which caused a fracture of the skull. At times he was insane and finally he was sent to the insane asylum at Stockton. He died there over twenty years ago. After Patterson came J. C. Potter, who held office until 1866. His successor was A B. Hamil- ton, who was marshal until 1869. William Sexton was his successor, who served until 1872, and then retired in favor of Hamilton. In 1874, a new charter created the office of chief of police and abolished the office of mar- shal. The first chief was James V. Tisdall, and after him came D. N. Haskell, W. B. Shoemaker, W. D. Brown, Richard Stewart, H. A. De Lacy, James Kidward, Ed Haley, T. W. Carroll, Geo. Kidder, Frank Ross, Roy Hayward, Dave Campbell (acting). Ben Ful- ler, J. N. Black. The latter is now the incum- bent of the office.

In the early days the city prisoners were confined in the county jail. When the city hall on North Market was built in the late fifties, the city prison (or calaboose, as it was called) was located in the yard back of the police office. There were several sheet iron tanks, about 7 x 9 in size, and these were used both for male and female offenders. The jus- tice's court adjoined the police office, so that it was easy to bring a prisoner into court.

The best known of all the police officers of the early days was Mitchell Bellow, called by everybody "Mitch Belloo." He was a terror to evil-doers and old timers will never forget him. Of medium height, tough as a wildcat, with snappy black eyes and a ferocious scowl, he swaggered along the streets, "seeking whom he might devour." He never wore suspenders, a leather belt serving to keep up his trousers

262

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

which wouldn't stay kept up, so that Mitch was engaged the greater part of his time in giving them a sailor hitch. He was as cour- ageous as a crusader, but his methods were rough. If a law breaker, petty or otherwise, failed to respond to a command, out would come Mitch's club (he kept his club suspended from one side of his belt, his pistol on the other side), and the offender would receive a series of whacks, the echoes of which could be heard a block away. Sometimes the club would fail of effect on account of the thickness of the victim's head and then the butt of the revolver would get into play. So terror-in- spiring was his reputation that San Jose moth-

ers would only have to say, "Now you be good or I'll send Mitch Belloo after you," to compel instant obedience.

In 1887 the new city hall on Market Plaza was built and the police office and prison had new and up-to-date quarters. Now, in addi- tion to comfortable, well-ventilated and sani- tary cells with a matron in charge of the fe- male prisoners, there is a receiving hospital and a bureau of identification with Govern- ment connection. The force is equipped with a motor patrol truck, and a motorcycle. Be- sides Chief Black and two captains, there are twenty-two patrolmen.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

The Early Churches of San Jose and Their Vicissitudes-History of the San Jose Library-Its Growth from Small Beginnings-The County Free Library and Its Work.

The religious environment of San Jose is thus described by the late Rev. John W. Dins- more, D. D., L. L. D. "Among the advantages and attractions which the city possesses there is not one which has precedence over its churches and religious institutions. We have here, and at its best, almost every type of re- ligious faith and fellowship-Hebrew, Catholic and Protestant. People of every known creed and communion may find here those who share their views and follow their discipline.

"The Roman Catholic Church is much the oldest communion in the county. Its priests and parishes, its schools and convents and its charitable institutions are numerous, strongly sustained. Nearly all types of religion classed under the name of Protestant are represented here: Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Congregationalists, Baptists, Christians, Epis- copalians, Friends, Christian Scientists and other denominations of almost every name and variety. Many congregations are very strong, and some of them are large and have a powerful influence in the community. The oldest Protestant Church in the county, and one of the oldest in the state, is the First Pres- layterian. It was organized October 12, 1849, and has been sustained ever since. The Me- thodist and Baptist associations came in a lit- tle later. Others came rapidly as time passed by. Into the economic and social life of the county all good and upright people are wel- comed on precisely equal terms. Here people of almost every religious persuasion may find

those of kindred sympathies and of like faith and fellowship."

Following is the list of the San Jose churches and religious denominations : Protes- tant - Methodist Episcopal Church (2), St. Paul Methodist Episcopal Church South, German Methodist Episcopal Church, Presby- terian (2), Baptist, Grace Baptist, Trinity (Episcopal), Christian, Grace Lutheran, Sec- ond Day Adventists, Home of Truth, Unitar- ian, Bethel Pentecostal, Universal Brother- hood of Spiritualists, First Spiritual Union, Mormon (2), Nazarene, A. M. E. (Zion) Church, Christ Church Mission, Upper Room Mission, Emmanuel Baptist, Swedish Mission, Congregation Bikur Cholim, First Church of Christ, Scientist ; Bethel, American Lutheran, United Presbyterian, and Free Methodist. Catholic-St. Joseph's, St. Patrick's, St. Mary's, Holy Family, Sacred Heart, Precious Blood, Five Wounds.

The pioneer churches of San Jose were St. Joseph's (Catholic), Methodist Episcopal Church, Methodist Episcopal Church, South, First Baptist Church, Trinity Church, Chris- tian Church, Society of Friends, German Me- thodist Episcopal Church, Unitarian Church, United Presbyterian Church, Congregation Bikur Cholim, and First Congregational Churches.

St. Joseph's Church dates back to 1803. In 1835 improvements were made, adobe mud being used in the construction. This building was afterwards encased in brick. It was fin-

ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH, SAN JOSE

IBASEST B AIWAROR KE - BTHXVX 0X13AR - 835

263

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

ally destroyed by fire. The present building, a large, handsome and commodious structure, was completed in 1887. Additions were after- wards made, so that now it lacks in nothing essential to the convenience of the priests and their followers. It stands on the site of the original church of 1803.

The First Presbyterian Church, as Dr. Dinsmore has stated, was organized in 1849. Rev. Mr. Douglas, James Mathers and wife, Sarah Warren Dutton, S. W. Hopkins, Oliver Crane, Austin Arnold, and Dr. J. C. Cobb were the organizers. The first services were held in the Juzgado, or Justice Hall, of the al- calde's court, on Market Street. The first sac- rament of the Lord's Supper was administered in a blue tent made by "Grandma" Bascom. Up to this time the state house had been used, in conjunction with the Baptists, as a place ·of worship. In the latter part of 1850 a neat building of wood was erected on a fifty-vara lot situated on the east side of Second Street, between Santa Clara and St. John Streets. The building cost $3000, and was dedicated Febru- ary 9. 1851, by Rev. S. H. Wiley. On account of damages done by an earthquake, October 10, 1868, services for a time were held in the Young Men's Christian Association building. In April 1906, another quake wrecked the building. The church then purchased another lot on Third Street, near St. John, and upon it erected the present church.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, organiz- ed in 1849. has met with many vicissitudes. A church building was constructed in 1850 on Third Street, near the corner of Santa Clara. In 1853 the church was moved to the south- west corner of Second and Santa Clara Streets. On February 22, 1868, the building was burned to the ground. Another building was erected on the site of the old one and for over twenty years services were held there. Then a new and larger church was erected on North Second Street, near the Santa Clara corner. This was used until the earthquake of 1906. The building did not fall, but was consider- ably damaged. It was afterward repaired and for many years was used as a motion picture house. The property was sold by the Metho- dist corporation and in 1910 a new, up-to-date, reinforced concrete building was erected on the northeast corner of Fifth and Santa Clara Streets.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was organized in May, 1851. The first build- ing of brick was erected on the northeast cor- ner of Second and San Fernando Streets. In 1871 the building was removed to give place to a large wooden structure, which was used until the fire of 1892 destroyed it. After the erection of a new business block on the site of

the old church, services for awhile were held in a room in the second story. Now services are held in an ornate building at the corner of Second and San Carlos Streets.

The First Baptist Church was organized May 19, 1850, by Rev. O. C. Wheeler, of San Francisco, who was the first Baptist minister on the Pacific Coast. It had only eight mem- bers at the beginning. This small member- ship could not afford to engage a permanent pastor, so arrangements were made by which monthly meetings, conducted by Mr. Wheeler, were held. In November of that year a lot was purchased at the corner of Third and Santa Clara Streets. Here Rev. L. (. Grenell, from the Baptist Home Missionary Society, took charge and in the following February was elected permanent pastor. The place of meeting was afterward moved to the corner of Second and San Antonio Street, where a brick building for church purposes, had been erected. In 1877 a new and commodious structure was erected. It was burned in 1882 and the present structure took its place.

Rev. S. S. Etheridge began the regular ser- vices of the Trinity ( Episcopal) Church in November, 1860, occupying the old city hall. The first organization of the parish was made in February, 1861. Trinity Church, on the corner of Second and St. John Streets, was built in 1863. Rev. Mr. Etheridge continued in charge of the parish until his death in Fel>- ruary, 1864. In 1876 the church was enlarged to nearly double its former capacity. During Dr. Wakefield's incumbency-he was appoint- ed in 1884-a tower and a spire and a building for a chapel and guild rooms at the rear of the church, were erected.

The Christian Church, or Disciples of Christ, was first organized in 1870. The mem- bers met in a little hall over the Home Mu- tual Fire Insurance Company's office on Santa Clara Street, Rev. Cary, minister. Afterwards meetings were held for several years in Cham- pion Hall, Rev. W. D. Pollard, officiating. In March, 1883, Rev. J. W. Ingram came to San Jose from Omaha, Nebr., and was appointed minister. The members then moved to the California Theater, where they held their meetings until January, 1885, when they moved into their new church, erected on Second Street, between San Fernando and San An- tonio Streets.

The first religious meeting of the Society of Friends, otherwise known as Quakers, was held in June, 1866, in a building on the corner of Ninth and St. James Streets. The lot was donated by Jesse and David Hobson. In 1873 these meetings were regularly organized un- der the authority and discipline of the lowa yearly meeting of the Society of Friends. Jane

264

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

F. M. Canney and Adonijah Gregory were the regularly appointed ministers. In 1886, the society purchased a lot on Stockton Avenue, near the Alameda, where services were after- wards held.

The German Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in 1861 by Rev. A. Kellner. The first regular pastor was Rev. G. K. Bollinger. After the lapse of several years, Rev. Her- mann Brueck arrived and preached to the Ger- man residents in the old city hall. A Sunday school was organized and Mr. Brueck's term of service lasted until 1871. He was succeed- ed by Rev. C. H. Afferbach. During the term of his administration the valuable church prop- erty on Third Street between Santa Clara and San Fernando Streets was acquired.

The First Congregational Church was or- ganized April 11, 1875. Rev. Theodore T. Mun- ger, acting pastor, who officiated until the ap- pointment of Rev. M. Williams. The church building was first erected on San Antonio Street between Second and Third. In 1887 the building was moved to the corner of Sec- ond and San Antonio Streets, and a large ad- dition built to it. The new building was dedi- cated December 27, 1887.

The Unitarian Church was first organized as Unity Society in 1867, and the first minis- ter was Rev. Chas. G. Ames. After him came J. L. Hatch, D. Cronyn, W. W. McKaig and Mr. Fowler. In April, 1888, the Unity So- ciety dissolved and the Unitarian Church was organized with N. A. Haskell as minister. After a few years the society purchased from Mrs. Martha J. Moody her residence property on North Third Street, opposite St. James Park. On this lot a large, handsome build- ing was erected. Rev. Charles Pease is the present minister, succeeding Rev. O. P. Shrout, who died in July, 1920.

The First United Presbyterian Church was organized November 6, 1874, twenty-eight members united at the time. Rev. A. Cal- houn, by appointment of the General Assem- bly of the United Presbyterian Church of North America, commenced missionary work in San Jose in the fall of 1874 and remained in charge of the church work until 1879, when he was chosen pastor and regularly installed. The organization occupied a little hall over the San Jose Savings Bank for four years. In the fall of 1878 the congregation erected a church on the corner of Fifth and Santa Clara Streets, the lot and church costing $12,000.

The synagogue of the Congregation Bikur Cholim was erected in 1861 at the corner of Second and San Antonio Streets. Among the early members were Jacob Rich, M. Blum- enthal, H. Rich, Meyer Levy, Felix Feist, L. Linoberg, M. Isaacs, J. Feist, and H. Levy.

The congregation organized before the erec- tion of the synagogue and for a time held serv- ices in Armory Hall on Santa Clara Street, between Second and Third Streets. For sev- eral years the congregation had no rabbi. but on July 17, 1920, steps were taken for a re- organization in a meeting of a reorganized San Jose Independent Order of B'nai B'rith. The order, according to the preamble of the constitution, has taken upon itself the mission of uniting Israelites in the work of promoting their highest interests and those of humanity ; of developing and elevating the mental and moral character of the people of the Jewish faith ; of inculcating the purest principles of philanthropy, honor and patriotism ; of sup- porting science and art; alleviating the wants of the poor and needy ; coming to the rescue of victims of persecution ; providing for, pro- tecting and assisting the widow and orphan . on the broadest principles of humanity. The present rabbi is Harvey B. Franklin.

The order started with a roster of over eighty members. The officers are : president, Leon Jacobs ; vice-president, I. Marcus; sec- retary, Meyer Brecker; treasurer, L. Rich- ards; inside guardan, D, Lavin ; outside guar- dian, Max Mendahlson : trustees, E. N. Rosen- thal, Max Blum, L. J. Marymont.

Santa Clara County Free Library

In California the county board of super- visors may establish a county free library for that part of the county lying outside of incor- porated cities and towns having free public libraries. In this way the people living in the country may have just as good a library to draw from as their town cousins. County li- brary service has proved so satisfactory that forty-three out of the fifty-eight connties in California now have county libraries. The county library serves the people living in the country and the small towns just as the large city libraries serve the people of the cities.

The end and aim of the county library is to supply all the people in the county with books. To accomplish this branches are started in the community centers, in the post office or a local store preferably. A collection of books is placed here and they are changed often. The size of the collection depends wholly on the demand, as many books are sent as can be tised.

The Santa Clara County Free Library be- gan work July 1, 1914, in the Hall of Justice, corner Market and St. James Streets, San Jose. Beginning with three rooms the li- brary now uses seven rooms in the same build- ing and is still asking for more room.

During the six years since the library was started twenty-four community branches have

265

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

been opened at: Agnew, Alma, Alviso, Berry- essa, Burbank. Campbell. College of the Paci- fic, Coyote, Cupertino, Evergreen, Gilroy. Los Altos, Mayfield, Milpitas, Moreland. Morgan Hill, Mount Hamilton, New Almaden, Santa Clara County Branch, Saratoga, Shannon, Stanford. Sunnyvale. Wrights.

In 1915 it was found necessary to open a branch at the Hall of Justice to serve the people who lived just outside the city limits of San Jose. The branch began with one small room, but has grown to seven rooms. There is a pleasant reading room with maga- zines and a good supply of books.

The State Library supplements the service of the County Library. If a book is wanted that is not in the County Library and the de- mand will not justfy its purchase it is bor- rowed from the State Library, and the serv- icc is free to the borrower.

Under the County Library law of California the school districts may join the County Li- brary and receive library service. This means that the district transfers its library fund for the year to the County Library. The advan- tages are many : the school receives in books many times the value of the money invested. an expert buys the books and better prices are secured, the school has access to all the books on the shelves of the County Library.

The service to the schools began in 1914 when four districts joined. Now seventy-one of the seventy-eight public schools of the county have joined the County Library, also two of the high schools. About 35,000 books were sent out to the schools this year. If a school has a phonograph music records are also sent to the schools and these are ex- changed just the same way as books.

Beginning with nothing at all in the way of equipment in 1914 the library now has over 48,000 books and over 14.000 borrowers. With twenty-five community branches, seventy-one school branches and two high schools, there are ninety-eight branch libraries in the county where the people may draw books. Many of the school branches serve the grown people as well as the children. Miss Stella Huntington is the county librarian.

The Carnegie Library

The honor of being the father of the San Jose Public Library belongs by right to I. F. Thomas, a carriage maker, who tried to arouse public interest in the project in the spring of 1872. He did not succeed, but after he had ceased agitation, another effort was made by a number of prominent citizens, this time with success. In the summer of 1872 an organiza- tion was perfected in the office of Judge D. S. Payne and incorporation soon followed, the

name chosen being "The San Jose Library AAssociation." The following officers were el- ected for one years: D. S. Payne, president ; A. Pfister, vice-president: C. D. Wright, re- cording secretary : C. C. Stephens, correspond- ing secretary, and Henry Philip, treasurer. The object of the association was the estab- lishment of a library and reading room; the collection of a cabinet, scientific apparatus, works of art, etc. The constitution provided that the association should not be conducted or controlled in the interest of or by. any de- nominational, sectarian or political party, but should be controlled and managed in the same broad and liberal spirit that actuated the founding. By this wise provision the coop- eration of all classes, sects and creeds, was se- cured, and success was achieved almost at the outset. Mayor Pfister set the ball rolling by donating $1612.62, his salary, and citizens fol- lowed him on a smaller scale. The old books of the Y. M. C. A., which practically ceased to exist some time prior to this incorporation of the Library Association, were purchased at a nominal rate and on September 1, the rooms were formally opened. Twenty life members ( fee $25) were secured and also over 300 an- nual and monthly members. In a few years. the library had a fine museum and over 2000 books. The first rooms were in the second story of the Knox Block, corner of First and Santa Clara Streets, and at first were suppos- ed to be of sufficient size to meet all require- ments; but the growing popularity of the in- stitution and the rapid increase of member- ship, necessitated an addition, and in order that the same might be made as soon as pos- sible the ladies of San Jose rallied in countless numbers and made arrangements for two pub- lic entertainments in Music Hall in aid of the library. The first was a tea party and the second a character and fancy dress party. They were successful and quite a large sum was netted and turned over to the Library Asso- ciation.

The library continued as a private institu- tion until February, 1878, when it was turned over to the city and became a free institution. The rooms were then changed to the new city hall building on Market Plaza, and were used until 1903, when the Carnegie Library build- ing of brick and sandstone at the southeast corner of Washington Square was completed. In 1892 Andrew Carnegie, the multi-million- aire, offered to donate $50,000 for the erection of a library building in San Jose, if the city would agree to maintain the library in the new quarters. The offer was accepted and the agreement made.

The names of the librarians from the organ- ization to the present time are : Geo. \V. Fon-

266

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

tress, William Redding, Miss A. Barry, Miss Nellie Egan, Miss Mary Barmby, Miss Nell McGinley, Chas. F. Woods. After the instal- lation of the library in the new building, the name was changed to The Carnegie Library. There are four rooms upstairs and five in the basement. There are 30,000 books in the library and the average monthly circulation is 8000. Since Mr. Woods' administraton, regis- tration and circulation have both increased.

Mr. Woods became librarian July 1, 1917. His library experience was gained in the library of the State University and the Mechanics Li- brary, or Institute, San Francisco. During his incumbency he has done much to popularize the institution by readings, talks and news- paper articles. In 1908 a Carnegie Library, was erected at an expediture of $6,893.71 in East San Jose.

CHAPTER XXIX.

The Santa Clara County Historical Society and Its Objects-Spanish Names for Natural Objects-The Interesting Career of Judge Augustus L. Rhodes, a Nonagenarian.

The Santa Clara County Historical Society has been in existence over twenty years. Its objects are to gather and preserve data relat- ing to the early days of the city and county. The data has usually come in the shape of papers read by members at meetings of the so- ciety. In this way valuable material, much of which has been used in this history, has been gathered and will be preserved for the benefit of future generations. The president of the society is Alex. P. Murgotten, and the secre- tary is Miss Agnes Howe, county superinten- dent of schools. Dr. H. J. B. Wright, who held the office for many years, died December 27, 1921.

Spanish names have been given to nearly all natural objects in Santa Clara County. This is particularly true of the land grants. About half the county towns, many of the highways and a few homes have Spanish names, and even at this late date the people continue to manifest a love for the names of old Spain, as is shown by the recent naming of Monte Vista and Los Altos. At one of the meetings of the Historical Society Dr. H. J. B. Wright read a paper on "Spanish Names in Santa Clara County," from which the fol- lowing compilation is made: Los Altos is do- ing service as the name of an eight-year-old town on the Peninsular Railway. Los Altos means "The Heights," and the town site being considerably above the common level of that region, the name is quite appropriate.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 49

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