History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 14

Author: Sawyer, Eugene T
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1934

USA > California > Santa Clara County > History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches > Part 14

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).

The Enrequita inine, two miles to the south- west of New Almaden, is the property of the Almaden Company. It has been a small pro- ducer. South of the San Jose Cemetery is the Old Chapman mine. It was never a pay- ing proposition and many years ago work was stopped, never to be resumed.

Mineral Springs of the County

The mineral springs of Santa Clara County are noteworthy and valuable. One mile above Saratoga and northwest from it, on Campbell Creek, are situated the Pacific Congress Springs, so called because of their resemblance to the waters of the famous Congress Springs of Saratoga, N. Y. This is one of California's most picturesque and popular watering places and has always been in great favor as a winter resort. It is open the year round. There are at this place several springs. They are but a foot or two deep, being excavated from the sandstone, the lower one receiving the drain- age of the others. It sends off a stream about two inches in size. The waters from these springs are so nearly alike that the difference can hardly be determined by the taste. By analysis it is shown to contain 335.857 grains of solid matter to the gallon, composed as fol- lows: Chloride of sodium, 119.159; sulphate of soda, 12.140; carbonate of soda, 123.351; carbonate of iron, 14.030; carbonate of lime, 17.295 ; and silica alumina with a trace of mag- nesia, 49.882. It is considered a healthful and refreshing beverage and has gained much fa-

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

vor with the public. The place is connected with Saratoga, Los Gatos and San Jose by the Peninsular Railroad.

The now well-known Madrone Mineral Springs are situated in Burnett Township, about twenty-five miles southeast of San Jose, in the Coast Range, at an altitude of 2,000 feet. The location is in a sheltered and pic- turesque canyon at the foot of Pine Ridge. The place is free from fogs, the atmosphere is pure and invigorating, and the temperature is mild and pleasant. The mountains are clothed with such trees as pine, oak, maple, laurel and madrone, while medicinal plants are found in profusion. The early traditions of the Ma- drone Springs state that they were known to the Indians and there is little doubt that they were the "medicine waters" of one of their tribes, for many relics in the shape of mor- tars, hatchets, arrowheads and the like have been, and are still being, turned up in all direc- tions. The springs are situated six miles north of the Gilroy Hot Springs, connecting with which there is a bridle path. There is a fine road to Madrone Station on the Southern Pacific Railway. The Springs contain one of natural soda water, the principal elements of which are soda, iron and magnesia. This has proved of great medicinal virtue in dys- pepsia, liver complaints, kidney diseases and neuralgic affections. Another is strongly im- pregnated with iron and arsenic, which for debility, skin diseases, asthma and other kin- dred affections has proved an excellent cura- tive. There is a white sulphur spring, which is also utilized, while guests may be supplied with hot and cold baths of natural soft water. The improvements made are extensive and up-to-date.

About twelve miles from Gilroy, in a small, rocky ravine in the Coyote Canyon near the headwaters of that creek, where the moun- tains, timber clad to their summits, rise several hundred feet on both sides of that stream, Francisco Cantua, a Mexican sheepherder, while hunting for some of his stray flock, dis- covered, in 1865, what are now these famous springs. He lost no time in filing a squatter's claim to the place, and for some years used it as a camping ground for himself and friends. It is not probable that the Indians were aware of the existence of the springs, for no remains have been found. Besides, the hills were in early days much infested by wild beasts, a fact that may account for their lack of knowl- edge on the subject. Cantua sold his interest to George Roop, who at once commenced the grading of a road to the springs, the erection of houses and the general clearing and adorn- ment of the locality. In addition to a large, commodious hotel, there are fifteen cottages

for families, garage, dancing pavilion, swim- ming tank, sixteen bathrooms, and other con- veniences of a first-class health resort; one hundred and fifty guests can be accommodated. The hot spring possesses remarkable medicinal qualities. It has a nearly uniform temperature of 118 degrees and contains in solution sul- phur, iron, soda, magnesia, baryta, arsenic (in small quantities) and alum in small quantities. It is pungent but by no means unpleasant to the taste. Within fifteen feet of the hot springs there are a dozen or more large springs of pure, cold water, while nearly three-fourths of a mile away from the hotel there is a ro- mantically situated garden, where everything from an orange to a turnip will flourish. The place is supplied with telegraph and telephone communication, and in 1873 a postoffice was there established. The site of the Gilroy Hot Springs is 1,240 feet above the sea level, in the very heart of the mountains, amidst groves of pine and oak, in which game abound, while near by the Coyote affords a harvest of trout to the angler. No more charming resort for the pleasure-seeker or the invalid is to be found on the Pacific Coast. W. J. McDonald is the inanager.

There are other mineral springs in the county, not the least important of which are the springs in Alum Rock Canyon on the City Reservation, detailed reference to which will be given in another chapter devoted to a de- scription of San Jose's pleasure resorts.

The Oil Development

There is oil in Santa Clara County. Several spots have been developed to some extent ; others have not. Near Sargent, at the south- ern end of the county, wells have been bored and oil extracted. In Moody's Gulch, a branch of the Los Gatos Canyon, several wells have been bored and for many years oil, with a paraffin base, has been extracted, most of the time in paying quantities. For the first ten years the output was over 80,000 gallons. The work was started by R. C. McPherson in 1873. The only fuel used was natural gas. Of late years the work has been intermittent, lack of funds often preventing development. The property is now (1922) owned by the Trigonia Oil Company, and extensive devel- opments are now in progress.

North of Los Gatos oil has been found, though there have not been any operations for several years. Indications of oil have also been found in Alum Rock Canyon and in other portions of the county. Some day, perhaps, when the country's supply of oil shows signs of giving out, other and more determined at- tempts to develop Santa Clara County's oil resources will be made.

CHAPTER VI.

Society Events in the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies-Renuniscences of Pioneer Women-Mrs. Carroll's Interesting Record-Charles G. Ames and Judge William T. Wallace-Presidential Visits.

For much of the material relating to society affairs in the early days of San Jose, the his- torian is indebted to that entertaining, gossipy book written in 1903 by Mrs. Mary A. Carroll, since deceased. Mrs: Carroll was for many years the society editor of the "Mercury," and her opportunities for gathering old-time social news were unusually good.

"Society as found in San Jose before the days of '49 is graphically described by Mrs. Frances A. Sunol-Angus :

"'A great deal of it, some of it true, most of it colored with the light of other days, has been said and written of the stirring days of 1849, but no one has yet lifted the veil that dropped when the adventurer and the pros- pector, following the golden light, founded on the Pacific shores the realization of the visions conjured up by the magic name El Dorado- the veil that separates old California from the new, as invisible, yet as real, as any existing state line.

"'For the gold excitement, bringing in new energy and activity, brought also new disturb- ing elements, and where there had existed a boundless hospitality, with the incoming of the stranger the social limits contracted and formality and ceremony began to be observed. " 'I speak of the early forties; my own fath- er's boyhood days, and my grandfather, Don Antonio Sunol, and his family are a fair pic- ture of the chivalrous host and the warm- hearted hospitality of the times. The guest chamber was seldom untenanted, and seven or eight guests were welcomed and entertained for two or three successive weeks. English, Russian and American trading vessels made periodic visits to San Francisco and the mer- chandise was brought to San Jose on pack horses. When time permitted, the supercargo, captain and some of his officers, would accom- pany the caravan, and for weeks were royally entertained.

" "There being from fifty to one hundred Indian servants in the household, each guest was provided with his special one, who waited upon his every want during the entire visit. Horses, the very best in the stables, saddles, silver mounted or plated, and a guide were always at his command and a servant always on hand to clasp and unclasp each gentleman's

spurs, while another led his horse away. The host and his family devoted themselves to the entertainment of the guests and a series of festivities was gotten up in their honor. The homes of Don Salvis Pacheco, Don Dolores Pacheco, Don Jose Noriega, and Don Antonio Sunol were the scenes of many of these fes- tivities.

"'Can you guess how their invitations to a ball were sent out? Some gay cavalier, who possessed a melodious voice and could thrum the light guitar, attired in a gay holiday cos- tume, with clinking silver spurs and mounted upon a spirited horse, pranced and curvetted through the plaza singing some ditty, and when he had arrested the attention of passers- by addressed them in friendly, courteous lan- guage, extending the invitation to all present, rich and poor, not low and high, for each man was as good as his neighbor, and wealth did not place a man upon a pedestal of honor. When pleasantries had been exchanged be- tween the messenger and the crowd, he passed on and stopping at the door of each house, re- peated his invitation, thus honoring all with a daylight serenade.

"'Young ladies attended balls and parties accompanied by their mothers, or, in the ab- sence of these, by some elderly female relative. The chaperon was known as the "duenna." Young men and maidens carried on their court- ship at these balls right under the unseeing eyes of the watchful (?) duenna. When this secret love-making had reached a successful issue between the pair, the youth acquainted his father with his hopes and aspirations, and he in turn sought the maiden's father. His consent gained, the bride's trousseau was im- mediately prepared, the wedding was an- nounced and in a few weeks the marriage bells were ringing. The festivities lasted a week or more, and, as at other times, everybody was welcomed and feasted. The bride's dower con- sisted of household furnishings, cattle and horses-quality in accordance with her father's means.

"'There were no formal receptions, no cere- monious calls. Ladies went out from their homes in simple household attire and spent a few hours in friendly conversation with a neighbor. When visits were made in the even-

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

ing a number of friends called together and the time was given up to music, dancing, fun and laughter. The younger members never felt any restraint in presence of their elders, although they treated them with the most scrupulous deference and respect. Boys al- ways stood with heads uncovered while speak- ing to old or middle-agd people, even on the street. There was one generous custom dear to the heart of the California boy, and that was the godfather's gift at the christening- gold and silver coins thrown out by the hand- ful and scrambled for by the small boy.

" "The modes of salutation during the Golden Age were the hearty handshake, when the meeting between friends took place upon the street, un abrazo (an embrace) when within the sacred precincts of home. As I have shown you, simplicity was the rule; forms and cere- monies were unknown. There was no vieing with one and another as to who should stand upon the highest round of the social ladder, but each one extended his hand to help an- other climb to where he stood, so that over all there reigned a spirit of peace and good will. Would that we might stop for a moment in our feverish rush for recognition and posi- tion and breathe in the spirit of the olden time.' "

The late Joseph H. Scull, who came here at an early date and who carefully watched the changes that have taken place during the past fifty years, wrote to Mrs. Carroll as follows :

"I regret to say that I will have to dis- appoint you in giving the desired information in regard to social gatherings here during the early '50s. I did not, for a moment, think that such reminiscences would be of any value or interest after the lapse of years, and therefore did not charge my memory with them.

"Nevertheless, assuming that I have your permission to do so, I will jot down some remarks as I go along on the subject in hand. There were very few American women here in those early days, and they were mostly married, so far as I remember; and American girls, grown to womanhood, were like 'angels' visits, few and far between,' and hence social gatherings were scarce, balls being the chief amusement in vogue, consisting of quadrilles, contra dances, waltzes and Virginia reels, and for variety's sake occasionally an Irish break- down, when some Celtic fellow-citizens were present. Later on the schottische, the polka and the mazurka were introduced. The Cali- fornia girls, as a matter of course, were largely in the majority, but unaccustomed to social gatherings, their only amusement being fan- dangoes, as the California balls were then called. The dances were the contra dance, the

waltz and one or two kinds of jigs; and the music, a guitar, and sometimes two, until the arrival of a Mexican who could scratch on the fiddle enough provincial music to dance by. The fandangoes continued to flourish long after immigration began to pour in."

"As the time passed on, in the early '50s here, the California girls began to adopt Amer- ican methods, especially in balls, and soon be- came adepts in the steps and movements of the new dances mentioned, and were exceed- ing graceful. It is needless to say that los Gringos were not slow in availing themselves of that terpsichorean circumstance; and to in- duce the girls to go to a ball they notified them beforehand that carriages or hacks would be sent for them. So, during the earliest pe- riod, no black-eyed senorita ever went to or from an American ball on foot, but when wo- men began to be plentiful the cavalier car- riages became obsolete.

"It is worthy of remark that at an American ball at that time harmony, good will and the utmost decorum prevailed. Everybody stood on a perfect equality while in the ballroom, and to my certain knowledge there were no invidious distinctions, either expressed or im- plied. An American ball always had the ap- petizing adjunct of a bountiful supper. The music that set "the light fantastic toe" a-going consisted of a fiddle-a fiddle, mark you, not a violin-and later on with a flute accompani- ment. San Jose had not yet risen to the dig- nity of possessing a regular orchestra, but withal an American terpsichorean function was a pleasurable affair to attend.

"This decade was perhaps the most impor- tant in the social history of San Jose, for about this time families-men and women of sterling worth and possessing all the accomplishments necessary to the formation of a solid founda- tion on which to build society-settled in this valley.

"Before this time, however, Mr. and Mrs. James F. Reed, parents of Mrs. John Murphy and Mrs. Mattie Lewis, had arrived here. The Reed home was always the scene of social gatherings, and at one of their large dinner parties it is said that Mrs. Reed paid sixteen dollars apiece for turkeys, and bought all that were to be had.

"During the meeting of the first Legislature 'every house was an inn where all were wel- comed and feasted,' and all through the ses- sion not an evening passed without a large party at some home. Of course, the big ball at the close was the event in San Jose's his- tory. No wonder many belles and beaux of that time still preserve with care and look with pleasure at the white satin invitation which reads :

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

" 'Washington Birth-Night Ball-Your com- pany is respectfully solicited at a Ball, to be given at the Capitol, on the evening of the 22d instant, at 71/2 o'clock p. m., being the 118th Anniversary of the Father of Our Coun- try,' and which was signed by the following committee : Hon. John McDougal, Mr. Bass- ham, Mr. Bidwell, Mr. Broderick, Mr. Cham- berlin, Mr. Crosby, Mr. De la Guerra, Mr. Douglass, Mr. Green, Mr. Hope, Mr. Lippin- cott, Mr. Heydenfeldt, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Val- lejo, Mr. Vermeule, Mr. Woodworth, Mr. Aram, Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Bigler, Mr. Brackett, Mr. Bradford, Mr. Brown, Mr. Cardwell, Mr. Corey, Mr. Corvarubias, Mr. Craner, Mr. Crit- tenden, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Williams, Hon. Mr. Gray, Hon. Mr. Heath, Hon. Mr. Hughes, Mr. Mckinstry, Mr. Morehead, Mr. Tingley, Mr. Tefft, Mr. Stowel, Mr. Stephens, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Scott, Mr. Perlee, Mr. Moore, Mr. Patter- son, Mr. Randolph, Mr. Ogier, Mr. Walthall, Mr. Watson, Mr. Witherby, Mr. Roman, Mr. Henley, Mr. Houston, G. F. Wymans, Ben Van Scoten, Van Voorhies, Nat. Bennett, H. A. Lyons, F. B. Clement, Chas. White, Col. Jack Hays, Major Ben McCulloch, Major Mike Chevallie, Major James Graham, Gen. Don An- dreas Pico, Antonio M. Pico, Antonio Sunol, John M. Murphy, John Reed, W. H. Eddy, J. D. Hoppe, J. F. Howe, Capt. W. G. Marcy, E. Covington, W. B. Olds, A. W. Luckett, Bela Dexter, Peter Davidson, J. M. Jones, A. Coin- dreau, H. H. Robinson, W. R. Turner, E. H. Sharp, E. Byrne, Caius Ryland, E. Dickey, A. D. Ohr, Fred H. Sandford, F. Lightston. Among the beauties and belles on that mem- orable night were Mrs. John Murphy, Miss Rea Burnett, now Mrs. Wallace; Miss Letitia Burnett, now Mrs. Ryland; Miss Maggie Jones, now Mrs. Josiah Belden ; Miss Laura Jones, who is Mrs. Hunt of Visalia; Miss Juanita Soto, and Miss Marcelline Pico.

"Among the beaux at this time was Norman Bestor, a civil engineer, who made his home, while here, with James F. Reed. He played on the guitar and flute, was a fine singer, and an all-around favorite. Mr. Bestor, in a letter, regrets being unable to give a satisfactory ac- count of the early social functions. He writes: 'During the first Legislature I was in San Jose ; and it was then that 1 surveyed the 500- acre tract adjacent to the town, belonging to Mr. Reed, and laid off as an addition. Mr. Reed named the streets himself. From 1850 to 1856 I was engaged at the New Almaden quicksilver mines and lived there. During that time I frequently drove to San Jose to attend parties. Some of the society men of the '50s were Ralph Lowe, S. O. Houghton, Drury Malone, J. H. Flickinger, Joseph H. Scull,

Henry B. Alvora, Aleck Moore, D. McDonald and Keat Bascom.'

"In these early days many houses were brought around the Horn and set up on ar- rival. One of these is that of Judge A. L. Rhodes, on the Alameda, and under this hos- pitable roof friends have delighted to gather since the days of 1855. In 1854 Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes came across the plains with a train of fifteen, with Mr. Rhodes as captain. Mrs. Rhodes told me that one evening during the journey a man called and asked if his train of ten men could join forces with them. The man was Jefferson Trimble, brother of the late John Trimble. At Humboldt River they were met by John Trimble, who guided them to this valley, where he had already settled. Miss Ware, afterwards Mrs. John Selby, came with them.

"When Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes moved to the Alameda, their nearest neighbors were Judge and Mrs. Craven P. Hester, who lived where the Clark home now stands. Charming social gatherings were held at the Hester home, and their accomplished daughters, Miss Sallie, afterwards Mrs. Maddock, and Miss Lottie, afterwards Mrs. Phelps, assisted in dispensing generous hospitality.

"Among notable families that came here in 1853 was that of Mr. and Mrs. Coleman Young- er, who arrived after a six months' trip from Missouri. Their house was brought around the Horn, and it is needless to say that as soon as it arrived, with true Southern hospitality it was thrown open and a large party given, when among the guests were: Drury Malone, Tad Robinson, all the state officers, Aleck Moore, Major and Mrs. S. J. Hensley, Mr. and Mrs. P. H. Burnett, Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Wal- lace.

"In speaking of social functions, Mrs. Younger said that in '54 she remembers spend- ing a delightful evening at the home of Don Antonio Sunol, whose hospitality was un- bounded, whose trained Indian servants were the envy of many less fortunate, and whose exquisite table linen, adorned with Spanish drawn work, was the admiration of all. The guests included Mr. and Mrs. Ryland, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace, and Mr. and Mrs. Younger. A large dancing party, given for the benefit of the Presbyterian Church when Rev. Dr. Gar- win was pastor, was among the many enjoy- able functions here. In this the moving spirits were Mrs. Crosby, Mrs. S. J. Hensley, and Miss Lois Bradley.

"Mrs. Maddock has graciously written the following reminiscences of those early times: 'In looking over a journal which I kept when a young girl, I find that almost everything of interest is jotted down. The young married ladies were Mrs. Hensley, Mrs. Belden, Mrs.

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Ryland, Mrs. Wallace, Mrs. John Murphy, Mrs. Yoell, Mrs. Lottie Thompson, Mrs. Fred Appleton, and Mrs. Gertrude Horn, mother of Mrs. Atherton of literary fame. Among the young ladies were Miss Price and her sister, Miss Bettie, now Mrs. John Moore, both noted for their beauty ; Colonel Younger's daughters, Miss Helen and Miss Fanny; Miss Mary Smith, Miss Yontz, Miss Echols (a beautiful girl), Miss Ellen Skinner and sister, Miss Nel- lie; Miss Mattie Reed, Miss Henrie Bascom (pretty and witty), Miss Lizzie Branham, Miss C. Packwood, Miss Divine (later Mrs. Estee of San Francisco), and pretty Miss Lizzie Mil- ler, now Mrs. Mitchell and living abroad.

"'On July 17, 1858, Mrs. Hensley gave a garden party, when the grounds were lighted with lanterns and supper was served in the summer house. Among those present were: Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Belden. Mr. and Mrs. Ryland, Mr. and Mrs. John Murphy, Mr. and Mrs. Younger, Mr. and Mrs. Appleton, Mr. and Mrs. Yoell, Mrs. Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Archer, Misses Camilla and Betty Price, Miss Divine, Miss Yontz, Miss Holmes of Oregon. Fred Hale, William Matthews, Dr. Chamber- lin, Mr. McGowan, John B. Hewson, Dr. Shaw, William Lewis, Mr. Gregory, Mr. Yontz, Mr. Moultrie, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Davis.

"'On February 3, 1858, Mrs. Fred Appleton gave a fancy dress party at her home on the Alameda. Mrs. Appleton was a dark beauty and charming in manner. She was dressed as a gypsy ; Mrs. Smith as Night; Miss Yontz as Morning; Miss Packwood as Morning Star ; Miss Lily Eschols as Mary, Queen of Scots. Others present were: Misses Bascom, Divine, Thompson, Price and Hester. The gentlemen were: John B. Hewson, William R. Davis, Messrs. Lewis, Gregory, Yontz, William Mat- thews, Hall, Dr. Bell, and others. Miss Lottie Thompson was a Highland lassie and Miss Sallie Hester a flower girl.

"Then we had balls galore at the old State House on the plaza and the City Hall on Mar- ket Street. I remember a large party given by the young men of San Jose in 1865 at the City Hall. At that time others were added to the list of society people: Mrs. William Dick- inson, Mrs. Flora Burnett, Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Thornberg, a beautiful woman, and others.'

"In 1858 the Young Men's Social Club was organized and the officers were: S. O. Hough- ton, W. R. Yontz, and W. A. Lewis. The members were: J. B. Hewson, James H. Gardner, George Evans, John M. Sherwood, B. F. Dewey, C. E. Cheney, A. W. Bell, Ralph Lowe, L. P. Peck, W. E. Davis, Joseph Bass- ler, John R. Yontz, John H. Gregory, Alex Beaty, S. Bassler, John Q. Pearl, A. Redman, J. H. Flickinger, John M. Murphy, P. O. Minor, Edmund McGowan, and William Mat-

thews. Below this list was W. H. Travis, teacher of dancing. Mr. Lowe has also the dance programme of the second ball of the Santa Clara Valley Agricultural Society, given at the City Hall, Friday evening, October 21, 1859. The reception committee included James F. Kennedy, John B. Hewson, W. A. Lewis, Patrick Murphy, Colonel Hollister, and Joseph R. Weller. The managers were Cary Peebles, Colonel Younger, R. G. Moody, H. C. Malone, S. J. Hensley, W. A. Bray, L. Prevost, E. S. Chipman, W. Reynolds, and W. T. Wallace. The floor managers were John M. Murphy and H. H. Winchell. The order of dances was promenade march, quadrille, schottische, ma- zurka, polka, waltz, quadrille coquette, High- land schottische, varsovienne, and quadrille march. Then supper and afterward the qua- drille, waltz, polka, schottische, mazurka, Spanish dance, 'Home, Sweet Home.'

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, Part 14

Author: Sawyer, Eugene T Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co. Number of Pages: 1934

Author: Sawyer, Eugene T
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1934