History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 48

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

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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 Alviso, 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 stich a large amount. Finally Gourlay threw $50 on the table, saying that it was about the last dollar he had, butt 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- tttes 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 governed. 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 cottncil 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 restilted. 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- tintted 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 valtte, 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.

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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, 1. 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, W. 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, Rudolphi 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.

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 Bec. 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 year 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

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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- byterian. 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

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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. O. 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 Feb- 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 Iowa yearly meeting of the Society of Friends. Jane

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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. Min- 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.

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History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 48

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