USA > California > Kings County > History of Tulare and Kings counties, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the counties who have been identified with their growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 10
USA > California > Tulare County > History of Tulare and Kings counties, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the counties who have been identified with their growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 10
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Having become the center of the dairy district of the county, possessing three of the largest creameries, Tulare city now enjoys a permanently assured large and increasing income. Vineyards, de- ciduous fruits of all kinds and many other products contribute also. but the sum received from the sale of cream, now over $100,000 per month, is of first importance, not only because of the amount, but because it is paid in cash each month.
Tulare merchants enjoy the benefits of a cash trade and their customers partake of the benefits by reason of lower prevailing prices than in towns where a credit system is in greater vogue.
The present rapid growth of Tulare is well indicated by the build ing operations, which for the past two years have run about $250,000 per year.
Tulare possesses a first-class sewer system, an abundant supply of absolutely pure water piped everywhere, electric power and lights.
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gas for fuel and lighting. There is a large cannery, three creameries. a flour mill and a planing mill and furniture factory. A handsome free library building honses a six thousand volume collection of books. New school buildings with the best modern equipment and with ex- tensive surrounding playgrounds and experimental plats are a feature.
There are two banks, two daily newspapers and corresponding business facilities of all kinds. Ten churches of as many denomina- tions minister to the religious needs of the people.
Of the early improvements made in the days of the railroad shop and "before the fire" one only remains, and that is the shade trees planted along the streets. These, now about thirty years old, have grown to be of great girth and, wide-spreading, their tops almost meet above the broad streets.
LEMON COVE
Eighteen miles east of Visalia the foothill slopes to the north and south of the Kaweah river approach at an angle to form a sheltered vale, which with the village and postoffice there located, is called Lemon C'ove.
Originally the settlement and postoffice went by the name of Lime Kiln, from the early discovery of lime in the vicinity by Wil- liam Cozzens.
J. W. C. Pogue, one of the earliest settlers, was the founder of the town and the father of the great development in citrus culture that has taken place in recent years. The first orange orchard in Tulare county was planted by him. The successful growth of these first few orange and lemon trees and the entire freedom from frost noted during the years up to their coming into bearing, led him to plant a second orchard and to become a whole-souled, energetic pro- moter for the section.
In the early '90s a considerable acreage was planted to citrus fruits, mostly lemons. In addition to many small tracts, the large groves of the Kaweah Lemon Company and the Ohio Lemon Com- pany were set.
A little story must be told here, for at this time the learned Me- Adie, our well-known weather prophet, in company with a number of friends, paid a visit to the high Sierras, reached by way of Lemon Cove. On the return the large plantings of young lemon groves attracted attention and Mr. MeAdie proceeded to comment thereon in the presence of Mr. Pogue and other residents.
McAAdie explained that citrus fruits would not mature in the locality and that it was a foolish waste of time and money to plant them. Reasons scientific, technical and meteorological were given to prove it. Old Jim Pogne, boiling inwardly and scarcely able to contain himself, finally interrupted and said, "Come here a minute : got something to show yon." Taking MeAdie by the arm he led him
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to the rear of his residence, where stretched a full-bearing orange and lemon grove, the branches loaded with the yellowing fruit and said, "There, you dad blame fool, there they be."
About a thousand bearing acres now add their testimony to that of Mr. Pogue. The lemon has a more delicate nature and more sus- ceptible to frost than the orange. Lemon Cove is one of the few places in the state where sufficient frost protection is obtained.
Lemon Cove is the onter gateway to the Sierras of the Kaweah watershed and in consequence enjoys a considerable tourist trade.
The town, though small, is thriving and growing. Citrus fruit packing and shipping causes much activity during the season. Three packing honses handle the crop, which now amounts to about fonr hundred carloads annually.
A two-story hotel, large general store, livery stable, blacksmith shops, bakery and butcher shop make up the town.
SULTANA
Sultana, one of the new towns created by the construction of the Santa Fe Railroad in 1896, lies three miles dne east from Dinnba and is just half-way between that city and Orosi.
Sultana, situated as it is in the very midst of a solidly planted area of orchards and vineyards, has become an important shipping point, both for fresh and dried fruits and raisins and for water- melons.
Being so near the larger city, which has the advantage of lying on both lines of railroad, Sultana will probably never grow to be a large city. On the other hand, its existence is amply justified by the large and rapidly increasing rural population surrounding it.
LINDSAY
Lindsay is situated in the very center of the most extensively developed section of Tulare county's orange belt, lying about twelve miles north of Porterville and eighteen miles southeast from Visalia. on the east side branch of the Southern Pacific.
Orange groves in solid formation and stretching miles in all directions, approach to and extend into the city.
Unlike any of the other towns of the county, diversified products do not contribute to the enrichment of city and country here. Oranges exclusively are now grown and this fact, in connection with the large area of land in the vicinity suited to this culture, has made Lindsay the greatest orange shipping point in the county and many believe that within a few years it will be the most important in the state.
Thirteen large packing houses, equipped with the best modern facilities and machinery, and having a combined capacity of eighty carloads per day, are required to handle the output. which now amounts to about two thousand carloads. 6
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Business during the harvest season, when the handling of the immense crop requires the labor of an army of pickers, packers, box-makers, etc., is, of course, especially brisk.
The city now contains a population of about twenty-five hundred and is growing rapidly. There are two daily newspapers, two banks, three machine shops, a foundry, a planing mill, two cement works and a talcum powder mill. Two electric companies give power for lighting, heating and pumping. Gas mains will be laid in the near future.
Lindsay was incorporated as a city of the sixth class February 28, 1910. the corporate limits containing an area of nine hundred and sixty acres. The government was placed in the hands of a city council, composed of W. B. Kiggens, president; Allen McGregor, P. T. Ostrander, Basil Pryor and Charles O. Cowles, and Marshal William Gann; city clerk, W. H. Mack; treasurer, G. V. Reed.
In 1911, bonds in the sum of $130,000 were voted for the pur- pose of acquiring a municipal water plant and for the construction of a sewer system.
Fifty-five thousand dollars was devoted to the purchase of the plant of the Lindsay Water and Gas Company and the better- ment and enlargement of the system. An additional pumping plant was installed, mains extended to cover the entire city, and other improvements effected.
The sewer system, to which $75,000 was devoted, is of modern type and substantial construction, built by Haviland & Tibbetts of San Francisco. Provision for the disposal of sewage was made by the purchase by the city of a ninety-acre tract, situated some two and a half miles from the city. Preparations for farming this tract directly by the city is now being undertaken.
Lindsay possesses school facilities considered superior to those of any city of similar size in the state. These consist of three grammar school and one high school buildings, with extensive grounds, representing an investment of $70,000.
The appearance of Lindsay is made attractive by the nearly uniform excellence of both business structures and residences. There are six miles of concrete sidewalks and the streets are generally well graded, firm and smooth.
The growth of Lindsay, while never of a mushroom character, has been exceedingly rapid, abont fifteen years only having been required for it to reach its present status as one of the most important cities of the county.
Nowhere else in the county has a more complete, radical and rapid transformation in characteristics been effected than in the section around Lindsay.
When the overland stage line to St. Louis was established in
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'59, a station called the Eighteen-Mile House was erected a little south and west of the present town on the old Porterville road. Between Outside creek near Farmersville and Porterville this was the only house, and it remained so for many years. The country between was a dreary hog-wallow waste considered worthless except for spring feed.
As stoek raising became a more important industry ranches were located in the foothills where water from springs or creeks was to be found and in the spring-time the flocks were removed to the adjoining plains and temporary camps established there.
This constituted all of the development until the early '80s, when the coming of the railroad through the valley gave an impetus to wheat growing.
After a few good erops had demonstrated the profits to be made in this culture some enterprising men of the period jumped in and proceeded to raise wheat on a large seale.
In the Lindsay distriet J. J. Cairns, G. S. and W. S. Berry, and others, as the Keeley's and William Mehrten (known as Dutch Bill) farmed practically the entire territory from north of Exeter to Porterville, including a large area to the west of Lindsay.
J. J. . Cairns alone put in in one year 25,000 acres and was reputed to have eleared up $50,000 on the crop. The lands upon which these wheat kings operated were not owned by them, but were leased, usually upon shares, and lay in separated tracts. Al- though most of the country thus came under cultivation, no material progress resulted. Plowing and seeding outfits with temporary camps moved from place to place during the winter season and temporary movable quarters also suffieed for the harvest time. Neither did any permanent profit inure to the few men engaged in this lordly farming, as seasons of drought wiped out the profits from years of plenty.
In 1888 the east side branch of the Southern Pacific railroad was completed and Lindsay was made a station and given a siding. Capt. A. J. Hutehinson donated fifty-one per cent. of the townsite for this eoneession, but this was not considered sufficient inducement for the erection of a depot and it was not until two years later, when Mr. Hutchinson donated more land, that one was built.
In 1889, however, the MeNear company erected a large grain warehouse on the track and a few business houses sprang up to eare for the wants of the sparse and largely floating population. Charles Rankin opened a general store and Ed and George Hanna- ford started a hotel and a few other shops followed.
The new era began in 1891 when Captain Hutchinson began the active promotion of the section for orange culture, placing twenty- five hundred acres of land on the market for this purpose.
Previously John Tuohy, on his Lewis creek ranch, had planted
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a number of orange trees, the growth of which had shown the adaptability of soil and climate. J. J. Cairns had set out a small orchard, and Captain Hutchinson himself had the previous year set out an experimental grove of five acres. Mr. Cairns also had put down a well, the first in the district for irrigating purposes, and had proven the existence of a great available water supply.
To Mr. Hutchinson, however, properly belongs the credit for being the founder of the community, as through his enterprise de- velopment on a larger scale was undertaken and the district's merits exploited in a way to attract attention from many men of prominence who became identified with the section's development.
Thomas E. Johnson of San Jose and C. J. Carle were among the first outsiders to whom the locality made a strong appeal and these, both by their own efforts and through their influence, became important factors in furthering the growth of the community.
About four hundred aeres were set out in 1891, more than clonble that in 1892, and considerably more in the years following. Not until 1896 and 1897, however, when returns came in from the first orchards planted, did the boom, as it may be called, set in that has lasted until the present day and gives no signs of ahating.
Southern California growers in general had not thought it possible that oranges could be grown commercially north of Tehachapi. When the Lindsay groves first began to produce oranges and get them east in time for the Thanksgiving market, the fact attracted wide attention in the south. Many growers visited this section, fore- saw its possibilities and invested.
Lindsay has proven an exceptionally fine locality for hustlers of limited means. By reason of the rapid rise in land values and on account of the prevailing activity in all lines of business due to the rush in leveling, planting and installation of pumping plants unusual opportunities have offered themselves. Lindsay boasts a large number of citizens who, entering the field without a dollar, now measure their wealth in five figures.
CHLAPTER IX. ANECDOTES
ADVENTURES WITH INDIANS
In the adventures of the early settlers with the Indians, there was frequently an element of humor, sometimes of tragedy. There are no other instances, however, that quite equal for the mixture of these two elements the two misadventures that befell Fred or "old
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man" Steinman. In 1854 or '55 Steinman, who lived southwesterly from Visalia a few miles, went on a hunting trip near what is now Corcoran on the Mahuran slough. He was looking for deer, and the timbered country near this slough looking good to him, he tied his team and proceeded cantiously afoot. He had not traveled far when he espied five or six deer, whereupon he dodged into the slough, and stealthily made his way to a point which he judged to be directly opposite them. Raising cautionsly np, he discovered one big buck within range, the rest being some distance beyond. He fired, and at the crack of his rifle what was his horror and dismay to hear an Indian scream with agony. It was a dying shriek. The Indian was himself stalking deer, clothed in deer skin and carrying antlers. There was no more hunting for Steinman that trip. Fearful of revenge, he hurried home and kept exceedingly close for some time. Either, however, the Indians failed to learn the slayer's identity or were satisfied that the shooting was purely accidental, for no reprisal was ever attempted.
Equally, or rather more, serions and at the same time more amusing, was his next trouble. Steinman was an old bachelor and had peculiar habits. Ilis house, which was within half a mile of the Indian rancheria, was of clapboards split and smoothed. Above his living-room was a loft reached by a ladder. It was Steinman's custom on warm afternoons to repair to this loft, divest himself of all clothing, and spend a few tranquil hours in smoking, meditation or repose.
For some time he had been missing articles from his cabin with- ont a elew to the pilferer or his method. On one afternoon, however, while taking his ease in the loft in a state of nature he heard noises, and looking down through the hole in the floor saw two Indians enter. They had discovered some loose weather boards, and by removing the nails had made an opening which later could be closed and leave no sign.
The table, on which was a variety of eatables, was directly below the hole in the ceiling, and Steinman's anger rose as he watched the Indians make free with his grub and then examine the cabin for things of use. He determined to scare them into fits, and jumped to the table, giving as he did so a wild yell. Instead of fleeing in consternation at this frightful apparition, as he had anticipated, the Indians grabbed knives from the table and attacked him fiercely. Steinman, though severely wounded, managed to reach the fireplace, where he got hold of a long-handled shovel, with which he killed one of his antagonists and drove off the other.
This time Steinman knew that only by immediate flight conld he secure his safety. To his neighbor Willis he therefore went. . 1 number of men were here employed making rails and these promised
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him protection. After consultation it was decided that the best method to pursue would be to endeavor to square the matter with the chief.
All came to town and secured the good offices of Horace Thomas, "Unele Dan," to act as mediator. The result of the powwow was that in consideration of a beef, a horse and a number of trinkets it was agreed that there should be no harassment of Steinman.
THE POINDEXTER NUPTIALS
John Barker tells this story of W. L. Poindexter, sheriff of Tulare county in the late '50s.
Poindexter was a big, jolly, good-natured fellow, exceedingly popular, having hosts of friends not only in the county, but throughout the valley from Stockton to Bakersfield. A decided weakness for the fair sex was one of his characteristics and when a young lady school- teacher from San Jose, Miss Helen S , who was a most bewitching blonde, made her appearance in Visalia, Poindexter became deeply enamoured. Upon her he lavished abundant affection and pres- ents of a substantial nature.
When after a long hnt ardent courtship he finally secured her con- sent and the day for the wedding was set, preparations on a grand scale went forward and from Stockton to Bakersfield friends were invited to attend. Barker says:
"There was a jolly crowd and one of which any man might feel justly proud to number as his friends on that occasion. The wedding was to take place Saturday and the bride and groom were to take passage for San Jose on the overland stage immediately thereafter. In the meantime, Poindexter had to make a trip to the Kern river mines."
On his return Friday Barker brought his mail to him at his room. Of this he says: "I noticed a letter in a feminine hand that had been mailed him at Visalia. When I handed him his mail I felt a sort of premonition that all was not right. As he read the letter I saw a change come over his features; he turned pale as death. I saw his hand quiver and thought he would faint. In a few moments, by a great effort, he called me and said, 'Jack, read this, but never on your life breathe a word of it to anyone else.' He added, 'That is from a woman that has ruined me financially and now she has completed the job.' "'
The letter was conched in cold blooded, deliberate language. It stated that she had made up her mind not to marry him, did not love him, never had and never could, advised him to get some one nearer his own age, etc., and suggested that he make no attempt to see lier.
"Poindexter told me that he had squandered $8,000 on her.
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We tried to keep things secret that night, but by the next morning everyone in town knew it. Of course, there was a general feeling of indignation among Poindexter's friends, and by noon a Saturnalia had commenced. Nearly all of the guests had bought new suits of clothes, good ones, to honor the occasion, and they organized what they called a 'Lodge of Sorrow.' After installing officers, com- mittees went around among the guests and invited them to meet at the lodge. As fast as they arrived they were put into an ante-room and as their names were called, they were blindfolded and led by the arm by a man on each side. The victim was marched around the room and then led to the center facing the presiding officer. His attention was directed to the awful example of our friend Poindexter, and he was then cantioned never to allow himself to succumb to the wiles of a siren. He was then requested to repeat after one of his guides the following formula :
"'Then shall we stand such treatment ? No! As soon seek roses in December, ice in June, seek constancy in wind, or corn in chaff.
" 'Believe a liar or an epitaph or any other thing that's false before
" 'We let a woman play us such a score.'
"At the command 'Restore him to the light' the bandage was removed from his eyes, the skirts of his Prince Albert coat were seized on each side by his guides and the coat split up the back to the collar and the victim turned loose. Of course, his first impres- sion was that he wanted to punch the heads of the fellows who tore his coat, but when he saw that everyone else in the room had been served the same way, his only alternative was to laugh with them and wait for the next victim. This Saturnalia was kept up until Sunday morning, when they all struck out for their homes."
FIDDLING FROM DONKEY'S BACK.
Many tales are told of the "devil may care" spirit that animated Visalia during the mining boom days. Gambling, boozing, fighting and frolicking were the occupations of the miners, especially, as hap- pened in the fall of '56 and '57, when their pockets were full of dust and they were off on their way to San Francisco to spend the winter.
Visalia offered such attractions that they got no further. At one time about twenty-five of these took practical possession of the town. Wide open and in full blast the attractions were kept going, night and day. This crowd had among them a tall and lanky Missourian named Ben Biggs, who could play the fiddle, and that his talents might be exercised in a manner calculated to attract the most attention they purchased a jackass for him to ride and were acens tomed to march around the town, halting in front of the different saloons, treating all bystanders while the fiddler played lustily. The sum of $60 per month was paid the musician by the party.
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Needless to say, due eclat was secured. Judge Sayles, later of Fresno, who was the leader of this crowd, concluded that this sport had become somewhat stale and arranged for a glorious finale.
At the crossing at Mill creek at Garden street was a ford, below which was a very deep pool. A halt was called here one day and Biggs, at the request of the audience, was sawing out a selection when a preconcerted rush of the spectators dumped both him and his steed into the water.
THE M'CRORY EPISODE
Visalia in the '70s numbered among its inhabitants a genuine "bad man." This was one James Med'rory, who at the time of his death had the reputation of having killed or wounded thirteen men.
Me('rory, when sober, was pleasant and companionable and gained many friends. When drunk, he was cross-grained and surly and inclined to shoot on little or no provocation. His first serious trou- ble occurred here in October, 1870, when without apparent cause he shot and killed Manuel Barela, a Mexican barkeeper in the Fashion saloon. For this murder he was at his first trial, sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment. On the second trial he was acquitted on technicalities. As the murder was peculiarly cold-blooded and brutal this caused much unfavorable comment.
The culminating incident of his career, however, and the means by which he gained a large amount of such fame as lay within his reach, occurred on the night of December 24, 1872. MeCrory had just returned from a prospecting trip to Arizona. He had met with no success and arrived broke, actually in rags, in fact. Charles Allen, a barkeeper in the Eldorado saloon, had been his good friend for years and to him MeCrory appealed for assistance. Allen re- plenished his wardrobe, purchasing at Sweet's store a $10 pair of trousers and other articles of good quality. After making the neces- sary purchases, the two chums proceeded to caronse around together all day. Allen went to bed in the saloon, but MeCrory continued to celebrate. He became so boisterous that the Mexican barkeeper became frightened and woke Allen. When Allen suggested that he make less noise, MeCrory pulled his pistol and, withont a word, shot Allen just below the eye. There were numerous witnesses to the dastardly act and feeling against MeCrory was intense. Allen died in abont an hour.
MeC'rory made his escape through the rear of the saloon and had hid himself in an onthouse, whence he was coaxed to come out by "Picayune" Johnson. a citizen, who placed him under arrest. When being taken to the jail by deputy sheriff Jesse Reynolds, there wore loud and frequent cries from the crowd of "hang him! hang
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him!" MeC'rory yelled back, "Yes, you , you dassent hang me."
It was Christmas eve. The church bells were ringing their call to attend the Christmas trees festivities at the Methodist church on Court street, but there were few men who answered this summons. They attended a graver and sterner meeting on Main street at 9 p. m., and as a result marched en masse to the jail where sheriff A. II. Glasscock with armed deputies were found guarding the prisoner. The sheriff asked the crowd not to act hastily and do things of which later they would be ashamed, and requested them to at least wait an hour before taking any action. This was agreed to and at the end of that time they returned with an eighteen foot piece of timber with which they broke open the outside iron door of the jail. After reaching the hall they had to pass the sheriff's office where eight or ten armed men were on guard. These were forced to give way and were shoved into the office and held there. The keys were taken from Reynolds and the cell door opened.
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