History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 26

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

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In April, 1850. Messrs. Ackley and Morrison put on a line of stages to run through to San Francisco, and in the same spring John W. Whisman put on a line to run to San Jose. Trips were made tri-weekly by each line, thus giving a daily stage each way. The fare was thirty-two dollars and the schedule time was nine hours. In September of that year Hall & Crandall purchased Whisman's route. The roads became so bad in the winter that the stages were withdrawn and travel to San Fran- cisco went by way of Alviso.

Two steamboats, the WI'm. Robinson and New Star. furnished the water transportation. This was a great improvement over the old mustang route, but was not quite satisfactory to the people of the pueblo. Early in January. 1851, a meeting was called for the purpose of taking steps toward building a railroad to San Francisco. The meeting was largely attended and very enthusiastic. At this time the road to Santa Clara along the Alameda was impass- able, and to reach that town from San Jose a circuit of about six miles was required, while passengers to San Francisco were compelled to work their passage for about half the distance. Under these circumstances it is not surprising that the meeting should unanimously declare in favor of the railroad. Resolutions to this effect were adopted and books opened for sub- scriptions to the capital stock. Some subscrip- tions were made and W. J. Lewis was ap- pointed to make the survey and estimate of cost. The survey was completed in December and the estimate presented. The total cost to

put the road into operation amounted to $1 .- 539,126.17. These figures seemed to have a depressing effect on the railroad enthusiasm of the people, for no more was heard of the matter for several years.

In July, 1851, the stage fare to San Francisco was reduced to ten dollars and to Monterey to twenty-five dollars. In March, 1852, Messrs. Reed and Kendall organized an express to run between San Jose and San Francisco by way of Alviso. On April 11, 1853, the boiler of the Jenny Lind, a steamer on the Alviso route, ex- ploded with disastrous effect. She had left Alviso with 150 passengers, among them many prominent citizens of San Jose. When about opposite of what is now Redwood City the ex- plosion occurred, killing many and wounding others. Among those killed were J. D. Hoppe. Charles White and Bernard Murphy of San Jose. This accident spread a gloom over the community. A public meeting was called in San Jose and resolutions expressing sympathy with the afflicted were adopted.

In October. 1853, the first telegraph line, con- necting San Francisco with San Jose, was built. It was a great mystery to the native popula- tion, some of whom thought the Americans had all turned Catholics and were erecting in- numerable crosses as a testimony of their faith. The establishment of telegraphic communica- tion revived the desire for a railroad, but no effective steps were taken except an ordinance passed by the common council granting St. James Park for depot grounds. In 1856 an om- nibus line was established between San Jose and Santa Clara by the Crandall brothers, and in 1857 a weekly express to Sonora was put on by W. H. Hoy. The growth of business in San Jose and the development of the surround- ing country brought the railroad question again to the front in 1859. A meeting was held in February to discuss the question of building a short line to Alviso to connect with fast boats at that port. Estimates were made and books were opened, but before anything was done in a practical way another proposition was made and the work of promotion was sus- pended.

\ company had been organized in San Fran- cisco to build a railroad to San Jose via San Mateo and Redwood City. This company wanted Santa Clara County to take $200,000 worth of the stock of the enterprise. It was found impossible to raise this amount by in- dividual subscriptions, and in 1861 an act was secured from the Legislature authorizing the county, through the board of supervisors, to subscribe for this amount of stock, provided that the people, at a regularly called election, should endorse the measure. The election re- sulted in a majority of 722 favorable to the

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project. No time was lost and on May 25 the On April 14, 1863, an act was passed authoriz- supervisors made the subscription and ordered ing the county to make this subscription and the election in confirmation resulted in a favor- able majority of 522 votes. The stock was sold to David Colton for $120,000 in February, 1872. The agents who negotiated the sale were paid $9,000, thus leaving a net loss to the county of $39,000. The Western Pacific afterwards be- came a part of the Southern Pacific system. the issuance of bonds for the payment of the same. These bonds bore interest at the rate of seven per cent per annum and were pay- able in fifteen years. The work of building the road commenced immediately and on January 16, 1864. the road was completed and formally opened with a grand excursion from San Fran- cisco and way towns to San Jose. There was great rejoicing when the first train arrived. Flags were hoisted and everybody took a holiday.

The county now had a railroad, but it also had an indebtedness of $200,000, on which it was paying a large interest. The question was soon mooted as to whether it would not be good policy to sell the railroad stock owned by the county and apply the proceeds toward paying this debt. As the stock was paying no dividends, an affirmative conclusion was soon reached. The Legislature was appealed to and in April, 1864, an act was passed authorizing the county to sell the stock and to apply the proceeds to the redemption of county bonds. In November, 1864, B. G. Lathrop offered to buy the stock and pay $200,000 in currency. As these were Civil War times, the currency would be equivalent to $170,000 in gold. The proposal, however, was accepted, but Lathrop neglected to make his offer good and that was an end of the transaction. In February, 1865. C. B. Polhemus, Peter Donahue and H. MI. Newhall, directors of the railroad company, of- fered to buy the stock for $200,000, paying in either currency or in the bonds of the county issued to pay for the stock when the county had subscribed for it. An agreement was made, but having the default of Lathrop in mind, the supervisors exacted from the pur- chasers a bond for the fulfillment of the con- tract. As there was no compliance with the contract, the board lost patience and in 1867 suit was instituted. This brought offers of compromise and pending negotiations the suit was dropped. Nothing came of the negotia- tions and 1869 another suit was instituted. In the interval Polhemus had disposed of his in- terest in the railroad. Mayne, his successor. made another proposition-the company would pay $100,000 in money for the stock and would extend the line from San Jose to Gilroy. The proposition was accepted and its terms com- plied with. In 1869 the Gilroy road was built.

In 1863 the Western Pacific Company was constructing that portion of the transcontinen- tal railroad lying between Sacramento and Oakland, and offered, if the county would sub- scribe $150,000 to its capital stock, to con- struct a branch from Niles to San Jose, thus placing the city on the through overland line.

As the county to the north of San Jose be- gan to develop fruit culture, especially straw- berries, blackberries, etc., a more convenient and rapid means of transportation to San Fran- cisco was desired by the growers. The two railroads already constructed just skirted the border of this district, and shippers were com- pelled to haul their fruit to San Jose, Santa Clara or Milpitas to get it on the cars. Ar- rived in San Francisco it had to be hauled on trucks for a long distance from depot to mar- ket, and this bruised and injured the fruit to the great loss of the producer. This caused the matter of a narrow-gauge railroad to con- nect with fast boats at Alviso to be revived. In 1870 a meeting was held and subscription books opened. Strenuous efforts were made to get the stock taken. Chief among the promot- ers of the scheme were John G. Bray, S. A. Bishop and Cary Peebels. Pending the floating of the stock a fast boat was put on the line between Alviso and San Francisco and the fruit growers hauled to the Alviso wharf in- stead of shipping by rail. Little progress with the project was made. Finally, in 1876, a new company was formed, called "The South Pa- cific Coast Railroad Company." with A. E. Davis as its president. This company asked no favors. It had money for everything it needed, including the right-of-way. It built the road and in April, 1878, the first train came into San Jose, and in May the road opened for business. An extension of the line to Santa Cruz followed. It was completed after much time and labor spent in tunneling the moun- tains. The road did a prosperous business from the start. In 1887 it sold out to the Southern Pacific Company. In 1886 a narrow-gauge branch from Campbell to the New Almaden mine was constructed. Later it was taken over and standardized by the Southern Pacific. In the same year the Southern Pacific built a line to the same point, connecting with the trunk line at Hillsdale.

In 1885 a railroad to run from Murphy's on the Southern Pacific line to Saratoga was pro- jected and several miles were constructed. No further progress has ever been made, partly on account of the lack of money and partly by the construction of other lines and by the elec- tric system of railways which reaches every point of importance in the valley.

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The Southern Pacific has greatly extended its lines since it took over the original railway from San Jose to San Francisco. It has ex- tended the coast line to Los Angeles, where connection is made with the Eastern states, thus placing San Jose on two transcontinental lines. It has increased its orchard service by building a line from Mayfield to Los Altos and from Los Altos along the foothill region to Los Gatos via Monte Vista (near Cupertino), Quito Olive Farm and Wasona Junction. Therefore the orchardists of the valley have easy access to railway transportation.

The Western Pacific Railroad Company's branch from Niles to San Jose was completed in the spring of 1922. The main line extends from San Francisco to Salt Lake City and passes through Niles. The San Jose branch

takes in Irvington, Warm Springs, Milpitas and the Berryessa district. Then it proceeds around the southerly limits of San Jose, cuts through the Willows district in a westerly di- rection and after curving toward the north ends in a main freight terminus at Bush and Wilson Streets on the Alameda. Construc- tion of the San Jose branch was started in 1917, was halted by the European war and started again in 1920. The main passenger station is in East San Jose and vards for switching, storage, round house facilities, fuel and water supply stations, turntable, track scales and repair tracks are located on William Street. There are several spurs built for the benefit of orchardists. The coming of this railroad induced the Remillard Brick Com- pany to reopen its works in East San Jose.

CHAPTER XIV.

The Public Buildings of the County-Many Locations of the County Court House-Changes Made by the Legislature-Futile Attempt to Regain the State Capital-The County Hospital and Almshouse.

The county buildings today are models of beauty, size and convenience. The evolution from the primitive structures of the early days is both remarkable and interesting. For some time after the Americans took posses- sion of affairs the old Juzgado on Market Street, San Jose, was used as a court house. It was poorly arranged for such a purpose and in 1850, better though temporary quarters were secured in a building on First Street op- posite Fountain Alley. Another change, to the Bella Union building, where the Auzerais House now stands, was soon made and court was held here until 1851 when the old state house on Market Plaza was purchased from the city, the selection having been made by Judge Redman. The building seems to have been looked upon by the people as common property and they were accustomed to hold all sorts of meetings and entertainments there. This was considered by the county govern- ment as an infringement of its dignity and in July, 1852. the sheriff was ordered to "take charge of the court house and allow no dances, shows or balls to be held therein." This order elicited such a cry of indignation from the people that within two days after its issu- ance, it was modified so as to allow the use of the building as an assembly hall and place of amusement, but the sheriff was instructed to collect for such uses a sufficient amount to pay the fees of a janitor and watchman.

The old state house having been burned, the court house was removed to the adobe build- ing on Lightston Street, owned by Frank Lightston, and the officers again began to look about for a permanent location. Levi Good- rich was appointed as architect and directed to present plans and specifications, the idea being to rebuild on the old lot on Market Plaza. The plans were drawn and the clerk was directed to call for bids, but before any- thing further was done A. S. Caldwell offered to sell the county the lot and building at the southeast corner of Second and San Fernando Streets. A committee was appointed and re- ported that the building, with a little altera- tion, could be made suitable for a court house, and the purchase was made. The price paid was $4000. In December, 1853, this building was officially declared to be the county court house, the same order setting apart the south room on the lower floor as the district court room. The county sold the state house ont- side lot to a Mr. Briggs for $500, reserving the right to use the jail thercon until a new jail could be built. The county occupied its new quarters for sixteen years when it became ne- cessary to have enlarged accommodations. An order was made offering $100 for the best plan for a new court house.

Pending this matter the clerk was author- ized to negotiate with the San Jose Common Council for the temporary use of the second

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story of the city hall on Market Street for a court room. This resulted in a two years' lease, in return for which the county gave the city the use of a portion of the lot at the cor- ner of San Fernando and Second Streets. The exchange was effected in August, 1860. In the latter part of this year Levi Goodrich pre- sented plans for a new building. The plans were adopted and he received the premium of $100 offered therefor. In March, 1861, the board of supervisors asked Hon. A. L. Rhodes, state senator, to procure the passage of an act by the Legislature authorizing the county to issue bonds to pay for the building. They also directed Mr. Goodrich to prepare work- ing drawings.

The lease of the city hall expired in 1862. At that time Martin Murphy was finishing his brick building on Market Street-the pro- perty now mainly occupied by Hart's depart- ment store. He offered to rent to the county the upper floor of these buildings for $190 per month and finish them in a manner suitable for use as county offices, the large hall at the corner of Market and El Dorado Streets to be used as a court room. The county accepted the offer and took a five years' lease, with the privilege of renewal. This was the last loca- tion of the court house prior to the construc- tion of the present building.

Two years elapsed before anything was done toward the erection of a new court house. During that time there grew up a sen- timent that the old lot at the corner of Second and San Fernando Streets was not a suitable location and the supervisors were urged to purchase another lot. There was some oppo- sition to this suggestion and heated debates were held over it at the board meetings. Two of the supervisors, Messrs. Quinby and Yates, were opposed to buying another lot and when a resolution to change the location was adopt- ed, voted in the negative. Among the sites offered to the board was the one now occu- pied by the court house. It was owned by W. H. Hall, who offered to sell it to the county for $5000. The title having been found valid, the purchase was consummated. The original tract was 1371/2 feet front on First Street by 275 feet deep. Afterward more frontage was purchased.

Work on the court house was pushed as rapidly as possible and on January 1, 1868, the county officers took possession. Originally there was but one court room, the ceiling of which extended to the roof. In 1879 a floor was laid, cutting this apartment into two rooms as they now are. Another room, which had been used for a county office, was made over into a third court room, the new consti- tution, just adopted, having provided. for three

Superior Courts for Santa Clara County. The cost of the building was about $200 000. When completed it was the finest court house in California. It is of the Roman-Corinthian or- der of architecture and overlooks St. James Park, whose luxuriance lends pleasure to the . eye. Its foundation is of the utmost durabil- ity, the walls resting on a substructure of con- crete to a depth of six feet and of a like mim- ber of feet in thickness. Ponderous brick arches support the lower floor, while all the walls are of the same material, the basement ones being four feet in thickness and the upper ones twenty-one inches. Above the basement the building has two stories and its dimensions are in frontage, 100 feet ; in depth, including the portico, 140 feet. The height to the cornices fifty-six feet, and it is 150 feet to the top of the dome, the least diameter of which is seventeen and the greatest fifty feet. Its portico, a magnificent specimen of column- ated facade, showing in its fine proportions, richness, strength and beauty, is seventy-six feet in length, the height of the columns be- ing thirty-eight and the diameter four feet. The windows, which are of the finest French plate glass, are each surmounted with pedi- ments, those on the lower story being arched. Each window frame is made of highly orna- mented cast iron, the whole weighing, with iron shutters, about 3600 pounds. The roof is covered with zinc. The tower, from which a magnificent view of the city and valley can be obtained, finds light from eleven elliptical windows, surmounted with an iron railing forty-two inches in height, and is reached by a staircase with 172 steps. There are three landings, so as to make the ascent 'compara- tively easy. This noble structure is divided into rooms, one fitted up for the board of sup- ervisors and the remainder apportioned to those of the county officers who do not have rooms in the Hall of Records building adjoin- ing on the north. The courts are finely ap- pointed, that of Department 1 being of noble proportions, sixty-five by forty-eight feet. The entire exterior of the structure is of imi- tation stone. The main entrance is gained by an ascent of thirteen granite steps, and here, high overhead, stands out in bold relief the motto, "Justicia Dedicata."

No sooner was this splendid building com- pleted than an overpowering sense of magni- ficence seized upon the board of supervisors. for they made strenuous efforts to make their court house the headquarters of the State Leg- islature, the removal of which from Sacra- mento to some more central position then be- ing seriously considered. What more natural than that the first capital of the state should try to regain its lost honors. On February 4,

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1868, the minutes of the board showed the following :

"Resolved, That in the event of the General Assembly of the State of California determin- ing to remove the State Capital to the County of Santa Clara, the Board of Supervisors of the said County of Santa Clara tender to the state, the free and entire use of the Court House of said County for state purposes, un- til such time as a Capitol building may be erected in said County, provided that the Capitol building shall be erected in five years."

The next day another motion, as follows, was carried: "Resolved, That the Honorable the Members of the Legislature and attaches thereof, one and all, are hereby invited to in- spect for themselves its eligibility as a seat of government for this state, prior to any final action touching that subject matter ; and the hospitalities of the city and county will be cordially extended to them." These orders were rescinded June 15, 1872.

A new county jail was built in the rear of the Court House in 1871. The plans of Levi Goodrich for a brick structure were adopted. The cost was about $60,000. The main prison. 120×42 feet and 21 feet high, is built on a solid brick foundation with granite water tables. The walls are 18 inches thick, of brick with four-inch iron bars running through the cen- ter, four and a half inches apart and riveted firmly together, extending around the entire building. Through the central part of the building are two rows of cells, which are built in the same substantial manner as the main walls, being covered overhead with solid arches of heavy iron work and masonry. A large corridor extends completely around these cells and a commodious passage be- tween them. Adjoining the rows of cells, but shut off from them by a heavy wall is what is called the "murderers' tanks." They are two in number with a corridor around them. The entire roof of the jail is of solid sheet iron, strongly anchored down to the substantial wall with massive couplings. On top of the plate of the roof is a layer of brick, finished over with asphaltum. The jailer's apartment adjoins the main building on the front and is forty-two feet square and three tories high, with ornamented fronts on the south and cast. This section also contains kitchen, store room, office and the heating system. The second and third stories are divided into large and comfortable cells, and it is in this part of the jail that the women prisoners are confined. The whole prison is well-lighted by ample windows and skylights, well secured. The cells are furnished with cast iron sinks and water closets with sewer

connections. The inner face of all the walls are whitewashed.

The Hall of Records, adjoining the Court House at the north and connected with it by a wide covered corridor was erected in 1892 at a cost of $200,000. The overcrowded con- dition of the Court House rendered the addi- tion necessary. It is two stories in height. but is solidly built of granite on lines similar to that of the Court House. It is used for of- fices of the county clerk, county treasurer, county auditor, county surveyor, county re- corder, county superintendent of schools and Santa Clara County charities. The building was occupied in January, 1893.

The Hall of Justice is located on the south- east corner of Market and St. James streets, back of the Hall of Records. It was ready for occupancy when the earthquake of April 18, 1906 wrecked it. The material used in the construction was stone from Goodrich's quarry, near San Jose, and the earthquake proved that it was not of sufficient stability to withstand the shock. In the reconstruction stronger material was used and in 1908 the work was completed. The building is occu- pied by the county assessor, county tax col- lector, horticultural commissioner, county li- brary, probation office, justice of the peace, constables and house of detention.

The first organized effort to care for the in- (ligent sick was made in 1854, when a com- mittee from the common council met a com- mittee from the board of supervisors and agreed to act in concert in the matter. By the terms of this agreement the county was to bear two-thirds of the expense and the city one-third. All affairs concerning indigent sick were to be managed by a joint committee composed of each board. The council, how- ever, refused to confirm the action of its com- mittee, alleging that they were able to take care of their indigent sick. On this the st- pervisors appointed George Peck, R. G. Moody and William Daniels as a relief com- mittee or board of health. During this year the county received $869.45 as its share of the state relief fund.

The next year, 1855, a county physician was appointed and the city agreed to pay $50 per month towards maintenance and medical attendance. About the same time the old Levy property was rented for a hospital. the city paying a monthly rent of forty dollars. In November of the same year the county ad- vertised for proposals for a house and lot for hospital purposes. In response to this call the Merritt brothers offered to sell the old Sutter house for $5,500. This house was situ- ated to the northeast of the city and to it was attached .twenty-five acres of ground. The of-

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History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 26

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