USA > California > Sonoma County > History of Sonoma County : including its geology, topography, mountains, valleys, and streams > Part 32
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84
During the year 1859, the city would appear to have still kept up its onward march; real estate had increased in value, the brick building on Main street, opposite the American Hotel, erected by Captain P. B. Hew- lett, having been disposed of for six thousand six hundred dollars to L. Lewis, while E. R. Moffet had purchased the lot adjoining on the south from the same gentleman for four thousand four hundred. On the east side of the creek building had proceeded briskly, and as a matter of consequence the value of lots in that part of the city had materially advanced, as high as five hundred dollars having been refused for a lot measuring eighty by one hundred feet. Roads, too, were being located with all speed; among others, the Supervisors had directed the commencement of one from Petaluma, and one from Lakeville, to Sonoma; one from Petaluma to the Marin county line, . to intersect the San Rafael road; one from Petaluma, via Two-Rock valley, to the Marin county line; and one from Petaluma to Bodega.
In June, 1859, a movement was started by several of the prominent citi- zens of Petaluma to raise the sum of ten thousand dollars for the purpose of erecting a first-class institution of learning. The plan of operation intended was the formation of a joint-stock company, the shares to be placed at five hundred dollars each, the building to be constructed of brick or stone, and to be arranged after the most approved style of modern board- ing schools, so as to offer every accommodation to pupils from a distance as well as to those in the district. As a first step, the old house was sold on July 9th, when it brought ninety-nine dollars and eighty-five cents, which was after augmented to an even sum by a contribution of fifteen cents from some generous-hearted citizen. No time was lost in the commencement of the new building or the letting of contracts, and on August 6th the
H. Mechan
273
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
corner-stone was laid with much ceremony, and the finest school building in the State was looked for at no distant date. The lot on which the struc- ture stands is centrally located, it being one hundred and fifty by three hun- dred and ninety feet in area, while the building itself covers forty-eight by ninety-four feet, ground measure. The rooms are arranged for three sev- eral departments-primary, intermediate and grammar. The room for the primary department is on the first floor, and is twenty-eight by forty-two feet. That for the intermediate, also on the first floor, and having an inde- pendent entrance, is forty-two feet square, with recitation room fourteen by sixteen feet. The grammar, or classical department, occupies the upper floor. The main room is forty-five by fifty-four feet, connected with which are two recitation rooms, each fourteen by twenty-two feet, and a library room, fourteen by fourteen feet. The entire cost of the building is estimated at eleven thousand three hundred and forty-one dollars and ten cents. While on the subject of this noble effort on the part of the city of Petaluma it may be well to mention that the school-house was dedicated on Monday, February 20, 1860, under the most auspicious circumstances.
On Tuesday, August 30, 1859, an interesting ceremony took place in the presentation to the Petaluma Guards of a stand of colors, by Miss Louise Perkins, who, on behalf of the "matrons and maidens of Petaluma," made a neat and felicitous speech on the occasion. Among other events in this year, worthy of being recorded, several dastardly attempts to fire the city should not be omitted. It would appear that no less than three efforts had been made, the first being on the night of the 6th October, in the lumber or store-house connected with the carriage factory of William Ordway, located at the lower end of the business part of the town; a second attempt was made in the rear of the Franklin Hotel, on the night of October 8th; the third took place on the evening of the 10th, while yet another, and per- haps the boldest attempt at arson yet made, was discovered on the evening of November 20th, on the premises of Porter Brothers, on Keokuk street. Fortunately the work of the villainous incendiaries was on each occasion discovered ere any harm could be done. The newspapers of the day report a mysterious murder to have occurred about this time. On the last named date the dead body of a man named James Neary was discovered lying on a pile of wood, near the Occidental Mills, on the east side of the creek, with a wound in the left breast, which, upon examination, proved to have been inflicted by a large knife. The blow was one of great force, literally split- ting the fifth rib and passing through the heart. A most rigid and thorough investigation of all the evidence in the case was had, but without eliciting positive proof of who committed the deed. Deceased had for some time previously been living at Bodega, but more recently had been employed at Two-Rock Valley, which place he left and came to the city on the Saturday. He was last seen at two o'clock on Sunday morning, in company with one
18
274
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Haley, who was accordingly arrested, circumstances pointing strongly to him as the author; he was therefore held for trial, and committed to the county prison.
In casting a retrospective glance upon the city for the year 1859, we find prosperity still on the increase, and Petaluma, from an unimportant country town, rapidly becoming a city of opulence, refinement and culture. Its red- wood shake stores and ware-houses had long ago given place to elegant and capacious brick and freestone edifices, its uneven, irregular and muddy thoroughfares to well graded and paved streets; its rough and unpainted shanties, unblessed by the light of woman's smile, to neat and inviting cottages and comfortable homes, around whose hearthstones clustered groups of prattling children ; its places of worship had increased four-fold, and its population in a like ratio. The open waste of meadow land was being fast inclosed ; cultivated fields appeared on every hand, and the hills covered with flocks and herds. A number of families, not only from the Eastern States, and from the mining regions of the State, but from the surrounding towns of Sonoma and Marin counties had moved into Petaluma, with the determination of making it their permanent home, while the promise for the future was as hopeful as ever.
With the above described state of prosperity the city commenced the year 1860. Early in February the citizens presented a petition to the Board of Trustees, praying for an official survey of Petaluma, and on March 26th it was ordered that W. A. Eliason be employed to make such survey, he being paid therefor at the rate of two hundred dollars per month, the corporation furnishing him with two assistants. On April 16th, the election of munici- pal officers took place; however, before giving the names of these gentlemen we would here quote from the Journal what were the issues of the day to be considered in connection with the election: "Let none other than such persons as will pledge themselves to use their best efforts to have the naviga- tion of Petaluma creek improved, receive your votes. Let this be the test, for with the Board of Trustees to be elected on that day depends the fate of the charter for improving the navigation of Petaluma creek.
"One year has passed since the Legislature of this State granted us a charter for the improving of the creek, and conceding to the corporation each and every point asked, and yet the city authorities have failed to avail themselves of its advantages. The provisions of the bill are of a most liberal character, so much so, indeed, that it is a well-known fact that like privileges could not have been obtained by any private body of citizens. By its pro- visions it became the duty of the city to commence the work within one year from the passage of the act, and to have the work completed within two years. Enough money has probably been expended on the creek to prevent. a forfeiture. To secure to our city the full benefit of the improvements, a provision was inserted that the Board of Trustees "shall have power to sell,
275
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
transfer and convey, all or any part of the right, privileges, franchises and immunities," to such parties as may agree to make the required improve- ments " on the most favorable terms, and giving a good and satisfactory bond' for the faithful performance of the contract." For improving the creek the city is granted the right to collect a "toll of seven cents per ton for all vessels passing through the lock or locks, either way for the past ten years, and five cents per ton for ten additional years." The choice of the people fell on Frank W. Lougee, William Ordway, William L. Anderson, President; Edward Barnes and D. D. Carder as a Board of Trustees, with the following officers: Clerk, O. T. Baldwin; Recorder, L. C. Reyburn; Assessor, Smith D. Towne; Marshal, George L. Bradley; Street Commissioner, J. B. Hinkle. On April 17th, a contract was entered into with W. A. Eliason for surveying the city and defining the blocks and streets; and, on the 23rd the Clerk was authorized to procure a Corporation seal for the Board. It was made a mis- demeanor, on June 19th, for the owner or driver of any animal or team to permit it to stand in the street in front of an engine house, under a penalty of not more than ten or less than two dollars; while on July 16th privilege was granted to John Cavanagh, George L. Bradley and John Robbins, to convey fresh water from their springs in pipes along the several streets in the city, and to supply the same to such citizens as may desire to purchase it. The above mentioned gentlemen, having incorporated themselves into the Petaluma Mountain Water Company, had surveyed a route between the city and the Adobe creek and proposed the introduction of water from that stream, the distance being estimated at four and a half miles. Such was the want of this commodity that on December 17th the Board of Trustees un- hesitatingly passed the following resolution: " That the Petaluma Mountain Water Company have the right to introduce water from the Adobe creek through any lands, streets, alleys or public places over which the city has control, provided the city have the free use of the water so introduced for fire purposes and for public schools." July 30th, an ordinance prohibiting dis- orderly conduct within the city limits was passed, it being at the same time resolved " that hereafter this Board will refuse to audit any bills against the city for the trial of any person or persons for misdemeanor wherein Justices of the Peace have concurrent jurisdiction with Recorder's Court," the follow- ing commendable rule being also made, that the Clerk of the Board be required to draw warrants upon the Treasurer according to priority of numbers. The resignation of Street Commissioner Hinkle was received and accepted on October 1st; on the 26th the name of the street hitherto distinguished by the appellation of Potato, was changed to the more euphonious one of Pros- pect, while on November 9th, the map drawn by W. A. Eliason, after such alterations as were ordered had been made, was accepted and adopted as the official map of the city of Petaluma.
In this year we have the first mention of a railroad having taken any-
276
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
thing like a definite shape. It would appear that A. P. Overton had asked the Legislature for the right to construct a rail track between Petaluma and a point on the creek known as the Italian garden. By some the project was loudly berated as an outrageous attempt to despoil, rob, and even to remove Petaluma to Saucelito! By others it was advocated, with considerable warinth. Another railroad scheme mooted about this time would appear to have found greater favor in the eyes of the public, for no less than two sur- veys are reported to have been made for a railroad down the creek from Petaluma, the first being for a track from May's landing, four miles in length, cutting off about twelve miles of meandering creek navigation, at a cost of forty-five thousand five hundred and twenty-eight dollars; and the second, on the opposite or eastern side of the creek, commencing at Lakeville, the distance being six miles from Petaluma, and costing forty-nine thousand five hundred and thirty-five dollars. The last route was adopted on account of readier facilities for the earlier completion of the undertaking, and the cut- ting off of some difficult navigation. We must now record the opening up of stage communication with Tomales bay, as also the occurrence of two fires on the 8th and 10th of May, when a stable belonging to J. A. Gaston, and the carpenter's shop of Eli Mullen were totally destroyed. Mention should also be made of a pronounced desire on the part of residents in Marin to petition the Legislature that their county line should be extended eastward, so as to include all that portion of Sonoma lying between the then county line of Marin and Sonoma, and the Napa line, and as far north as may be necessary to embrace Two-Rock valley, Big valley, etc., thence on to the mouth of the Estero Americano, and that Petaluma should become the county seat of Marin; all of which found some advocates, but not in sufficient numbers to carry the plan into effect. In this year of grace, too, was opened the pub- lic road between Sonoma and this city, though it was not completed without considerable opposition from many whose lands it ran through. In the month of November a contract was awarded to Rudesill & Parsons for carrying a semi-weekly mail between Petaluma and Sacramento, while on December 14th the Petaluma Savings and Loan Society was established, rules and regu- lations adopted, and the following officers elected: President, F. W. Lougee; Vice-President, William Ordway ; Secretary, I. S. Church; Trustees-F. W. Lougee, James N. McCune, William Ordway, S. H. Wagener, B. F. Tuttle and I. D. Cross.
In 1861, the city records show that on January 15th the Clerk of the Board of Trustees was instructed to set forth to the representative in the Legislature the desire of the Board to have the city map as made out by W. A. Eliason, legalized. We also find that an election was called for March 4th to select officers for the Fire Department, but no record is extant as to who were chosen on the occasion, neither is the result of an election ordered to take place on the 25th of March in accordance with an act of the Legisla-
277
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
ture providing for an election on the question of the repeal of the charter, recorded. From the periodicals of the day we glean that the city of Peta- luma was divided on the question of the repeal of the charter; there were those who opposed it solely on the grounds of its alleged defects, but who were honest in their purpose to destroy it in order to secure a new one that would in their judgment better promote the interests of the city, while the opposite party took the ground that though the charter was not without its defects, still, it had accomplished much good for the city, and, as it could neither tax citizens nor involve them in debt, it would be certainly more prudent to retain it in its original form until something better should be found to take its place. We here produce the following terse and apposite remarks on the subject from the columns of the Sonoma County Journal of March 22, 1861. "As citizens of this young and growing city we have interests which are peculiarly our own, and we are threatened by dangers and animated by hopes that do not directly affect our fellow citizens of the surrounding country. The Legislature has conferred upon us the privilege of fostering, protecting, and building up these interests, by the adoption of any wise and prudent means that our judgment may approve, or our circum- stances allow. We are also clothed with the power of self protection against all the evils and dangers that threaten us, whether it be the safety, the peace, the order, or the morality of the city that is violated. Under such circumstances, by a union of effort, directed by a prudent regard for our own interest, Petaluma may continue to increase in wealth, prosperity and commercial importance, until our highest hopes are realized. But if we say to the Legislature, take back the privilege you have conferred upon us, we have no interests to foster, no evils to eradicate, no dangers to avert, no hopes to realize through such a union of energy and enterprise as these charter privileges were designed to promote-then we publish to the world the indu- bitable evidence of our want of enterprise and public spirit, and deliberately abandon the only means that wisdom and experience have been able to devise to meet the wants and interests, and secure prosperity of communi- ties such as ours. If we allow selfishness, jealousy, folly or caprice to hood- wink us into the perpetration of an act that will so completely cripple our progress and prostrate our interests, we can look to the future with no joyous anticipations, and henceforth will have everything to fear and nothing to hope." The annual election of municipal officers was held on April 15th, with the following result: E. Barnes, President, Samuel C. Brown, I. D. Cross, E. Elliot, B. F. Tuttle, Board of Trustees; Marshal, D. F. Strother; Recorder, J. Chandler; Treasurer, S. D. Towne; Assessor, W. L. Anderson; Street Commissioner, L. N. Harmon; Clerk, O. T. Baldwin. On 23d April, Surveyor Eliason was instructed to set five monuments within the limits of his survey of the city, commencing at the intersection of English and Main streets, while on October 7th the resignation of O. T. Baldwin was accepted, and F. D. Colton appointed Clerk to the Board in his stead.
278
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
In the month of March, 1861, a petition numerously signed was put into circulation, having as its intention the asking the Legislature to pass an act allowing the citizens of Sonoma county the privilege of voting on the re- moval of the county-seat from Santa Rosa to Petaluma. To this end, on the 4th of April, a bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator Edgerton of Napa entitled " An Act to re-locate the county-seat of Sonoma county by the qualified votes of Sonoma county ;" but from the fact of Santa Rosa being still the capital, nothing would appear to have come of the movement. Up to this period several ineffectual attempts had been made to secure tele- graphie communication with San Francisco and other portions of the State. Mr. J. E. Skidmore, acting as the deputy of the Benicia and Napa Tele- graphie Company, visited this city for the purpose of entering into a contract with its citizens for the extension of the line from Napa, by way of Sonoma, to Petaluma, agreeing on his part to perform the work for the sum of two thousand five hundred dollars. Shares to be placed at fifty dollars each and the Superintendent of the above company to take ten shares, he promising at the same time to have the line in working order in six weeks; a project which was ultimately successful. Another improvement then effected was the opening up of a new street along the bank of the creek, forty feet in width, from Washington street to "Tom's Stable." The original intention had been to open it from Washington to English street, but the project was partially deleated by the proprietors of the Franklin Hotel who claimed damages to a large amount. The only other party asking damages was Mr. Hill, corner of Washington and Main street, whose property would have been seriously affected by the new street, and who claimed the sum of twelve hundred dollars. The amount was speedily raised by the pro- perty holders along the contemplated thoroughfare and work immediately proceeded with. The railroad scheme had no sooner taken tangible shape than the necessity for its extension to Healdsburg was immediately felt; how it succeeded will be shown hereafter. At the end of 1861, the school census for the year placed the number of scholars in the city, between the ages of four and eighteen years of age, at five hundred and fourteen; between eighteen and twenty-one, forty-seven; total number of scholars in the district, five hundred and sixty-one; of which number two hundred and fifty-nine were males and two hundred and fifty-five females. Number of children born in California, four hundred and twenty-five. Number in the district under four years of age, two hundred and seventy-two, thus making a total of eight hundred and thirty-three inhabitants under twenty- one years of age.
In concluding the record of this year, a most momentous one in history, for to the entire American nation it had been fraught with deep pain, we must not omit to mention, in terms most laudatory, the right feeling which sustained the inhabitants of this city in the hour of trial. We would here
279
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
quote Bayard Taylor's stirring ode to the American people, as best portray- ing the feelings of the time :-
That late, in half-despair, I said :
" The nation's ancient life is dead; Her arm is weak, her blood is cold ; She hugs the peace that gives her gold,- The shameful peace, that sees expire Each beacon-light of patriot fire, And makes her court a traitor's den,"- Forgive me this, my countrymen !
O, in your long forbearance grand, Slow to suspect the treason planned, Enduring wrong, yet hoping good For sake of olden brotherhood, How grander, how sublimer far At the roused eagle's call ye are, Leaping from slumber to the fight For Freedom and for Chartered Right !
Throughout the land there goes a cry ; A sudden splendor fills the sky : From every hill the banners burst, Like buds by April breezes nurst ; In every hamlet, home, and mart, The fire-beat of a single heart
Keeps time to strains whose pulses mix Our blood with that of Seventy-six !
The shot whereby the old flag fell From Sumter's battered citadel
Struck down the lines of party creed And made ye One in soul and deed,-
One mighty People, stern and strong To crush the consummated wrong ; Indignant with the wrath whose rod Smites as the awful sword of God !
The cup is full ! They thought ye blind : The props of State they undermined ; Abused your trust, your strength defied, And stained the Nation's name of pride. Now lift to Heaven your loyal brows, Swear once again your fathers' vows, And cut through traitor hearts a track To nobler fame and freedom back !
Draw forth your million blades as one ; Complete the battle then begun ! God fights with ye, and overhead Floats the dear banner of your dead. They, and the glories of the Past, The Future, dawning dim and vast, And all the holiest hopes of Man, Are beaming triumph in your van !
Slow to resolve, be swift to do ! Teach ye the false how fight the true ! How bucklered perfidy shall feel In her black heart the patriot's steel ; How sure the bolt that justice wings ; How weak the arm a traitor brings ; How mighty they, who steadfast stand For Freedom's Flag and Freedom's Land !
At this epoch what a wail went throughout the nation ! Brave men fell in battle on American soil. Fathers lost sons, sons fathers, brothers brothers, and the land was loud with the lamentations of the widow and orphan. In the midst of this woe, how pleasant it is to record that the ranks of the volunteer regiments of California were almost daily receiving accessions to their strength, and still more pleasing is it to remember that Petaluma did its share on the side of Freedom by sending Company D, Captain William E. Hull, into the regular service.
We will now continue our résumé of the transactions of the Board of Trustees. On January 20, 1862, a committee was appointed to draft amend- ments to the city charter, as also one to define rules for the government of the Board, while on the 25th the following ordinances were adopted: Those relating to licenses; fire department; meetings of Board; disorderly conduct; street commissioner; grades on Main and Washington streets; nuisances ; swine and goats; well in East Petaluma; water rights to John Cavanagh et al .; repeal of certain ordinances; and a set of rules for the guidance of the municipality in their counsels was introduced and passed. On April 21st,
280
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
the annual election was held with the following result: B. F. Tuttle, E. Elliott, I. D. Cross, Samuel Brown, W. D. Bliss, President, Board of Trustees; Recorder, Josiah Chandler; Treasurer, F. T. Maynard; Marshal, John Cava- nagh; Assessor, T. S. Lindsey; Street Commissioner, J. M. Lightner; Clerk, F. D. Colton, who on the 28th July was appointed City Attorney in addition to his other duties. On August 19th, the plaza was directed to be enclosed by a fence, and on September 26th, a meeting of citizens was directed to be convened for the purpose of considering the propriety of raising a patriotic fund for the relief of sick and wounded soldiers of the war.
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.