USA > California > Tulare County > History of Tulare County, California with biographical sketches > Part 40
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UNION LIVERY STABLES H. H. FISH. PROP. BAKERSFIELD. KERN. CO. CAL.
195
THE MUSSEL SLOUGH DIFFICULTIES.
pelicans merely rake up the sand slightly in a circle with their wings, and lay in them two white eggs about three and one- half inches long by seven inches around their smaller circum- ference. The cormorants add a few pieces of tule stalks and flags around their nests, and lay two or three eggs, smaller than those of the pelican, and of a bluish-green color. The spread of wings of one of several pelicans the party killed lacked only an inch of being nine feet.
"The winter after this trip, the only voyage of exploration ever made on Tulare Lake, the Water Witch was stranded and completely wrecked by one of the severe storms for which this lake is noted, and for more than a year not a sail has whitened the bosom of this large, curious and interesting body of semi-brackish water.
" Verbena nodiflora is one of the most useful native plants of Tulare County. It grows in large quantities on lands north and east of Tulare Lake for fifteen or twenty miles, especially along lower King's River. Its common name is "bee-plant," and it well merits the name. Becs are very fond of its small white flowers, which bloom through spring and summer in successive rows, on a cone or scape about an inch long, and from these, bee-men say, the whitest and purest honey of Tulare County is made. This plant does not grow high, but spreads with its trailing stems close to the ground, and with its small, dark green, slightly dentate leaves, presents a very pretty appearance. It is also a pasture plant which stock eat readily, where alfalfa is not abundant."
The Mussel Slough Difficulties.
THE so-called " Mussel Slough difficulties " have extended through about a dozen years, and from time to time have occu- pied the attention of the people everywhere. The highest courts have been engaged in settling these troubles which arose from settlers occupying lands claimed by the railroad company be- fore any valuation was positively fixed as the railroad com- pany claim. The settlers brought water upon the barren lands and made the "desert to blossom as the rose." When the lands were graded the railroad fixed a price which the settlers said was five or ten times greater than they expected to pay for the lands they were living on, It must not be for- gotten that the settlers had the use and profits from these lands for a series of years, on lease or otherwise.
We give a brief review of some of the principal proceedings as they occurred upon both sides being extracts from news- papers of those dates.
" On the 12th of April, 1878, a mass meeting was called of the settlers. About six hundred men assembled at Hanford, and there was organized the Settlers' Grand League, under and in accordance with the following resolutions and pledge :-
SETTLERS' GRAND LEAGUE.
"Resolved-First. That while we are willing to pay the full value or the Government price of these lands, or what the valuc was when the Southern Pacific Railroad filed their map, January 3, 1867; or we are willing to pay the full value, the Government price, of these lands when the Southern Pacific Railroad claimed its right attached, June 28, 1870, or the full valne now, which, without our presence, our ditches, our cultivation, and other improvements, would not exceed $2,50 per acre; but we are not willing, and look upon it as a cas . of injustice without a parallel in the United States, that we should have to pay the enhanced value, made by our own industry and toil.
" Resolved-Second. That we recognize no rights of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company to our homes, and that the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, or its assigns, cannot peaceably enjoy the benefits of our several years' toil and ex- pense to our exclusion ; and that, in placing our signatures to these resolutions, we do it with a firm resolve to stand by each other in the protection of our homes and our families against this fraudulent claim of the Southern Pacific Railroad Com- pany, or its assigns, and we will stand in the attitude of one man until our case is finally adjudicated in the United States Supreme Court."
Thesc resolutions were signed by several hundred settlers. Many attempts were made by conference and otherwise to compromise the difficulties but they all failed.
"On August 14, 1878, T. J. McQuiddy, T. Shivers, and J. J. Doyle, wrote from Grangeville to the railroad company, saying the people of that section of country had met in Hanford, August 10, 1878, and adopted resolutions in regard to Wm. H. Clark, the land grader, the final sentence of which was as follows: "We would respectfully ask that you remove at once said Clark and avoid what we fear will be serious trouble in the near future."
" On November 8, 1878, suits in ejectment were brought by the S. P. R. R. Co., against persons in Mussel Slough holding adversely its patented lands. Judgment for the company was rendered on December 15, 1879, in the U. S. Circuit Court, San Francisco."
"On Friday night, November 21, 1878, a band of masked men, numbering from eighty to one hundred and fifty, went on horseback to the house of Ira Hodge, about five miles east of Hanford, and about midnight set Hodge and his wife and children, with their household goods, out-of-doors, and burned down the house." See Hanford Public Good of November 26, 1878 (not now published).
"On December 15, 1878, men with 100 teams drove Perry C. Phillips from land that he had bought from the rail- road company, plowed it up and put James B. Fretwell in possession."
196
THE MUSSEL SLOUGH DIFFICULTIES.
On March 4, 1879, in consequence of the railroad land troubles a military company was organized at Hanford. See San Francisco Chronicle, March 5, 1879.
The following is from the San Francisco Morning Call of July 21, 1879: "Midnight Visitors-Hanford, July 20th .- About forty mounted inen, fully disguised, called Dr. De Wolf from his bed at 1 o'clock last night. They inquired the where- abouts of Clark, the land grader, Walter Crow, and Hartt. They, without doubt, belonged to the settlers' league. One person acted as spokesman and the rest remained silent. At a signal they all rode off. Whether they tore up the railroad track or did anything else, has not transpired. Ed. Smith, in another part of town, was also called up. What their object was in calling uninterested persons from their beds in the night, is not clear. One thing is certain, no person can buy this land from the railroad company and occupy it, till the title is settled in the courts."
"On May 10, 1880, U. S. Marshal Poole went to Hanford for the purpose of putting purchasers of railroad lands in posses- sion under said judgment. He was resisted by an armed force. The fight that ensued resulted in the death of eight persons."
"To prevent the news of the resistance offered to the U. S. Marshal from spreading, the telegraph operator at Hanford was driven from his office. In order that the dying statement of M. D. Hartt (one of the purchasers of railroad land), who was badly wounded in the fight, might not be taken, no one was allowed to go to his house to render assistance. See San Francisco Bulletin, Chronicle, Call and Alta, of May 12th, 13th, and 14th, 1880.
"On June 1, 1880, the railroad company offered to reduce the price of the land 12} per cent. Almost all the settlers made application to rent, the railroad company having also agreed to allow them to apply the rent for 1880 on the pur- chase of the land at the reduced figures. After leases were made out on these applications and sent to Hanford, the appli- cants refused to sign them."
"On July 21, 1880, D. W. Parkhurst, one of the traveling employes of the railroad company, was at Hanford with his wife. About 11 or 12 o'clock at night a band of masked men called him from his bed to the door of the hotel where he was stopping, and with pistols and guns pointed at him, warned him to leave town, which he did. See San Francisco Chronicle, April 23, 1880."
"On December 22, 1880, in the U. S. Circuit Court, San Francisco, the following persons were convicted of resisting the U. S. Marshal, and were, January 24, 1881, sent to prison at San Jose: J. J. Doyle, James N. Patterson, J. D. Purcell, W. L. Pryor, and Wm. Braden." See San Francisco Bulletin, Decem- ber 23, 1880.
RESULT OF THE CONTEST.
The Visalia Times of May 15, 1880, said: "As has long been anticipated, the conflict between settlers in the Mussel Slough
country and purchasers of railroad lands has been inaugurated -- when to be ended, time alone can tell. Language is inade- quate to depict the horrible affair.
"The difficulty occurred on Brewer's homestead, about three hundred yards from Tulare County line in Fresno County, and was brought about by the U. S. Marshal attempting to dispossess settlers on what is called railroad lands. The battle was a quick and decisive one."
"The following-named persons were killed: Settlers-James Harris, Iver Knutson, J. W. Henderson, Archibald MeGregory, and Dan Kelly. Walter J. Crow and M. D. Hartt, supposed purchasers of railroad lan l, killed. E. Haymaker, settler, slightly wounded in the head."
"U. S. Marshal Poole, in company with Clark, Crow, and Hartt, first visited the ranch of W. B. Broden; he not being at home his household goods were set out in the street and he after- wards notified of the fact. Intent upon visiting other places for the same purpose, a number of settlers were encountered and at this time the trouble began. Statements of both sides differ materially in regard to the commencement of the firing."
"The following are names of the gentlemen composing the Coronor's jury: J. T. Baker, F. A. Blakeley, W. A. Gray, A. D. House, W. F. Hite, N. W. Motheral, Thos. Jinkinson, H. H. Freeman, J. N. Patterson, E. R. Hulbert, J. S. Robinson, L. L. Moorc."
The following resolutions were adopted by the settlers upon receiving the information of the conflict and its results :-
" WHEREAS, we, the citizens of Hanford and vicinity, accord- ing to a previous call, had assembled at Hanford with our wives and children to enjoy a social picnic, and freely discuss the questions relating to the unhappy dispute between the settlers and the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, and in the midst of mirth were greeted by the sad intelligence that three of our neighbors and friends had this day been ruthlessly shot and murdered, while three others are mortally wounded by W. J. Crow and M. D. Hartt, who had purchased from said railroad company the homes of some of the settlers on the lands involved in the said dispute; therefore, be it
"Resolved, That we feel that the responsibility of the shedding of innocent blood rests upon the Southern Pacific Railroad Com- pany, and that we do heartily deprecate the action of the company, thus inflicting upon our already distressed community this heart-rending calamity.
" Resolved, That while we have often heretofore presented our grievances to the Government authorities, we do again humbly supplicate the authorities to take notice of the unjust wrongs being inflicted upon us by said company.
" Resolved, That in this hour of grief we pledge our sacred honor and our all to use all honorable means to avert the further shedding of blood, and to urge the settlers to wait the coming, through the channels of the law, of the vindication of our rightsagainst this cormorant, that seems not to be content with unjustly taking our substance and worldly goods, but also seeks to take our lives through hired means in this whole- sale way.
197
THE MUSSEL SLOUGH DIFFICULTIES.
" Resolved, That these resolutions be published in our county papers, and in all the papers of the State friendly to the oppressed struggling for their homes and all the endearments of home.
L. C. HAWLEY, R. T. SHARP.
W. B. CULLOM, T. W. STANDARD,. J. J. DOYLE,
"The funerals of the victims were largely attended by all classes of citizens of the entire country."
RECEPTION GIVEN THE PRISONERS.
After the five prisoners had served their time at the San Jose Jail, they returned to their homes and the Visalia Delta of that date says :-
"The celebration at Hanford on Wednesday, the 5th instant, tendered the returned Mussel Slough men, was an ovation not soon to be forgotten; their welcome on their return home, and the first trial of the James single-track road, were both highly successful. Early in the day, teams commenced to enter the town from all parts, and some from a long distance-even from San Francisco. The exercises and banquet were held in the . Hanford Park, and 3,000 people were estimated to be present. · At noon the stores were all closed, and after music by the Han- ford Silver Cornet Band, Grand Marshal J. G. Pope called the inasses to order. Judge Talbot was elected President of the day, and J. W. A. Wright, Secretary. Hon. E. C. Marshall made one of his sharp and pithy speeches, and being in an unusually happy mood, gave, in a most sarcastic manner, both the S. P. R. R. Co .. and the Court who convicted them, a scathing, bitter, scorching. Mr. Marshall occupied about an hour with his speech, and retired amid great applause.
"The released prisoners and their families were then escorted to the rostrum, and seats provided for them, as were also for the families of the unfortunate victims of the tragedy of May, 1880. Letters were read from Congressman Berry, Hon. Robt. Ferrel, Senator Tinnin and others. Carl Browne, J. J. Doyle, and others, made brief and pertinent speeches. Appropriate resolutions were adopted. The feast was fine, and everybody seemed to enjoy themselves. In the evening a grand social dance was given, which was well attended."
Having given some of the leading acts upon both sides of this unfortunate affair, we close by quoting a few words from old resident settlers of the neighborhood. One resident writes us, "Do not imagine that all the settlers were members of the 'League,' or in any way countenanced their proceed- ings. I have not the date, but in time a 'Settlers' League' was formed, and the leaders and their followers would meet often and talk the matter over, and when they were beaten in every legal process, and the railroad company had their patent to the land, the fact exists that they set themselves up as the rightful owners regardless of the railroad con- pany's patent to the land, or the authority of the United States Government. Another fact exists: The Leagues formed themselves into a military company, who, on horseback and
inasked, patrolled the streets of Hanford. Mr. Parkhurst was warned to leave the county. Mr. Phillips' house and corral was burned, and the family of Mr. Phillips was turned out of doors, and warned not to be found again on that or any rail- road land in the country. These more simple steps leading up to the tragedy, where they went four or five miles and attacked Crow and Hartt; and still there is another fact that some four hours after the fight, and after the United States Marshal and Clerk were escorted out of the county, they, the leaguers, in cold blood, deliberately murdered Crow."
Another old settler writes us as follows: "The real settlers here feel that they were badly injured by a set of demagogues who were very anxious to get something for nothing. They ruined many a poor man that heard to them, and no doubt cost the settlers here a half million of dollars. Whenever there was an opportunity to adjust our land matters, the leaguers were always in the way. They made all the noise. They never were one-fourth of the community, and generally too poor to be injured mnuch by the agitation."
One of our patrons writes us from Hanford that "for a time it was a reign of terror here. Notices were posted warn- ing people not to purchase railroad land as they would not be allowed to hold possession of the same. Men were invited to leave the neighborhood, and some old settlers did leave for the time being. Mr. Parkhurst was obliged to leave. For a day or so the leaguers held possession of the railroad company's depot and telegraph office. It was hourly expected that dam- age would be done to railroad property, and no doubt would have been had it not been told freely that the damage so done would have to be paid for by the county. The military branch of the league were armed and masked, and paraded the streets of Hanford in the night-time."
We have endeavored to give the main facts, pro and con, of this unfortunate difficulty.
Tulare County Public Schools.
THE following valuable article on the Public Schools was furnished us by C. H. Murphy, County Superintendent of Schools.
When Prussia was reduced to an impoverished condition by Napoleon's divesting her of her wealth, influence, and terri- tory, William von Humboldt importuned the king to establish a universal, compulsory system of clucation as the only safe- guard against the ruin of military despotism. The wisdom and foresight of this scheme was thoroughly vindicated in 1872 in her struggle with France, by overcoming her misfortunes in regaining and maintaining a leading and controlling position among the powers of Europe. This triumph was not due to any superior physical force but rather to the power of intelli- gence. More than a thousand years ago the great Christian Emperor, Charlemagne, proclaimed that all persons participating in the management of the Government must educate the
198
THE SCHOOLS OF TULARE COUNTY.
children, in order that intelligence and not ignorance should characterize his reign. "In all ages and in all civilized countries the governing class has been, is, and must of neces- sity be educated, else the Government can be neither good nor permanent. The very inherent nature of man and of govern- inent makes this principle constant and universal."
Notwithstanding the many imperfections incorporated in our system in the pioneer days of California, the wisdom of our best educators and wisest legislators have remodeled it until its efficiency is beyond question. That underlying foundation principle that " An ignorant people may be governed, but only an educated people can govern themselves," was embodied in the first Constitution of 1849, in providing for a Superintendent of Public Instruction, creating a school fund for the endow- ment of a State University, and establishing a system of pub- lic schools by which a school must be maintained in each district for at least three months in every year. Recognizing more fully the efficacy of our school system already established, and believing the ballot to be essential to the protection of individual rights, the State from its first organization pro- vided for a general diffusion of knowledge and intelligence as being necessary to preserve the rights and maintain the liber- ties of the people.
FIRST RECORDS OF TULARE SCHOOLS.
In the year 1852 Tulare County was organized, and formed by cutting off a portion of the territory belonging to Mariposa County. At that time it embraced all the territory now belonging to Fresno, Inyo, Mono, and a part of Kern Counties, in addition to what it now includes. Of the early progress of the schools the public records give but little information. It is asserted as a fact that the records were made on a slip of paper and carried in the vest pocket of the officer in charge.
FIRST COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT.
The first County Superintendent of Schools, or School Con- missioner, was Major Gordon, who was County Clerk and ex officio School Commissioner. During his administration the records of the schools were kept in a small memorandum, which at the expiration of his term of office was turned over to his successor. As to the present whereabout of this valua- ble record and the matter therein contained, time and eternity only can reveal.
FIRST SCHOOL TAUGIIT.
The first school taught in the county was in Visalia during the winter of 1853-54. A private house was donated for the purpose and the Rev. Mr. Kennedy, a Presbyterian minister, taught a select school a few months when its existence ceased. Though a scholarly gentleman, and possessing a fund of prac- tical knowledge, the school under his adıninistration was not a financial success.
Visalia school district was organized in 1854, comprising all the territory of the county. Wiley Watson, Dr. H. L. Mathews, and - Thorne were elected trustees. The first public school taught in the county was during the winter of 1854-55, by a gentleman by the name of Carpenter. As the county increased in wealth and population, the people became more interested in schools, and two new districts, Woodville and Tule River, werc organized. The Visalia Academy was founded in 1860 by the Rev. B. W. Taylor, a Methodist minister. By his indefatigable industry and sound discretion the school under his adminis- tration flourished, the number of students ranging from 100 to 175.
PIONEER TEACHERS.
Four years passed by, and a change in the management of the school, its efficiency gradually declined. Dilapidated ruins now mark the spot of what might have been a proud monu- ment of learning to the city. H. McLean and J. D. Travis, of Tulare City, were among the pioneer teachers of the first decade of the existence of our public schools. During the second decade the school distri ts increased in number from three to . twenty-seven.
The resources of this valley were now becoming favorably known. For the first time it was ascertained that the land which was thought to be fit for grazing purposes only, could be successfully cultivated, and much of the land hitherto unoc- cupied was settled by an agricultural people. The dawn of a new era is upon us. More and more interest in education is manifested. The third decade shows an increase from twenty- seven to eighty-three school districts and ninety-nine schools. Both the State and county have contributed liberally to the support of our schools, and districts have cheerfully voted a direct tax for building purposes. or to extend their school facilities.
PROGRESS OF THE SCHOOLS.
The following table will give some idea of the condition and progress of the public schools of Tulare County for the three decades of their existence, commencing at the organization of the county in 1852 and ending June 30, 1883, as gleaned from the official records and pioneer settlers :-
TABLE.
1853.
1863.
1873.
1883.
Ceusus Children between 5 and 17 ..
18
836
1514
3646
Census Children under 5.
Not Taken.
659
1671
Children Attending School
13
34S
1178
2758
Children uot Attending School.
5
488
527
742
Number of School Districts
3
27
S3
Number Months Taught in cach.
3
G
7
63
Average Daily Attendance.
7
132
643
1784
Average Monthly Salary.
S 55
S 70
80
69
Amount of State Funds Received.
740
4535
31,123
Amount of County Funds Received.
1014
11,647
14,657
Special Funds Received in
165
380
5,046
2,693
Total Expenses incurred in ..
135
1642
19,518
53,814
Valuation of School Property.
325
11,475
33,000
STATE CAPITOL BUILDING, SACRAMENTO, CAL.
199
THE ORGANIZATION OF KERN COUNTY.
Organization of Kern County.
WE have given a general history of the Tulare Valley in the preceding pages, having reference to the whole section before it was segregated from Tulare. There are also many matters in the Tulare County history, such as a description of Tulare Lake, scenery, etc., that are really a part of Kern County.
We shall now mention matters having a direct reference to Kern County as now bounded. As carly as 1854 the first dis- covery of gold was made, it is said by a party of immigrants on their way from Los Angeles. They had camped on a gulch that gashed the Greenhorn Mountain, one of the highest points in the lower Sierra, and had found a rich deposit of gold in the gulch. The news spread, but it was not till 1857 the great rush, called Kern River gold excitement, memorable throughout the State as one of those periodical furores which in former years more than latterly so peculiarly characterized California, was made.
REPORT OF RICH MINES.
A report of rich mines now went out and fortune hunters poured in. The mountains swarmed with eager men, and it was not long till other discoveries were made, and French Gulch, Spanish Gulch, Hogeye Gulch, Bradshaw's, Whisky Flat, Keysville and other places were found equally rich in the precious metal. The placers which had been found in the gulches and bars and flats along the river were soon exhausted and attention was turned to thesources of the treasure, andeffort made to discover it. This was soon found in numerous aurif- erous quartz ledges that showed themselves all through the mountains. One of the first was the Big Blue-the great Sumner Mine-near Kernville, or Whisky Flat, as the place was then called.
This was discovered in 1860. Numerous small leads and one large one called the Mammoth were found near Keysville, and the first mill in the county was erected at that place in 1859. These were very rich but rather small, and as they went down upon them with meager facilities for reduction and limited capital for operation, soon ceased to be profitable and were abandoned.
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