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 25
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 25
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The Sierra Nevada Mountains on the east contain potentially millions of horsepower that may be converted into electricity, and by means of a slender wire suspended from poles or towers placed at intervals of eighty to two hundred yards apart conducted to all points where it may be desired to apply the power. I believe that for the purpose of operating railroad trains, electric power, if not too costly in the generation thereof, is considerably cheaper than steam or other motors. Beyond a question it is the most economical and best adapted power to railroading. Thus we have united two very important factors in railroad transportation that will be an estimable advantage; cheap fuel and cheap construction. As a result, in time the valley will be laced by electric lines, upon which will be operated highly efficient and rapidly moving trains. People living in the most remote parts will be put in easy reach of business centers and the coast, and San Francisco will be only about one-half day's journey away. Perishable produce, such as sweet cream and table fruits of a delicate nature, can readily be shipped to the markets of the cities and points on the coast.
Transportation by rail again can be augmented by transporta- tion upon the rivers, if the state or the federal government should see fit to dredge the natural streams of the valley and remove the snags and other obstructions therefrom. More than that it would be an easy engineering feat to build a canal from Bakersfield, connecting with the navigable waters of the San Joaquin, and by a system of locks and reservoirs navigation could be had from the southern end of the valley to the waters of San Francisco bay. There would be some question as to the advisability of establishing navigation to this extent for this reason: The electric power that may be so readily developed and the facility with which railroads may be constructed in the valley will probably cause railroads to be so numerous and competition so sharp that the public would never resort to the necessarily slow and tedious transportation by water that would attend canal and river navigation.
A very cursory mention of the San Joaquin Valley requires some
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consideration of the mountains on either side and in the course of my remarks I have referred to them. But I desire to say a word or two more concerning the mountains, which are so closely related to this valley. Our warm, dry climate is a most important factor in this valley. Doubtless this condition is brought about largely by the Coast Range Mountains that stand on our west as a wind break and a barrier to the fogs and cold atmosphere of the coast. If it were not for this range probably our rainfall would be heavier, but the cold fogs and chilling winds of the Pacific would reach us and if they did several of our principal industries would be seriously affected if not entirely destroyed. The raisin and cured fruit industry could not successfully be carried on if it were not for the warm dry climate peculiar to the San Joaquin Valley and it is highly probable that alfalfa would not grow as luxuriantly as it does now. Again the climate is peculiarly adapted to stock-raising. These Coast Range Mountains beyond question were a wise provision of Providence, and have added special advantages in the way of climatic conditions, notwithstanding they increase the summer heat and lessen the winter rainfall. On the east lies what probably are the grandest mountains in the world, at least a Californian may be pardoned for so designating them. There we find the wonderland of California. Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the United States, surrounded with neighboring peaks, scarcely less in height, the Yosemite Valley with its unrivaled falls, the magnificent Kings River canyon, the great forests of pines and the celebrated giant redwoods or sequoias find their abode in the Sierras that skirt the eastern border of the valley, and are so closely related to it that without indulging in poetic license we may consider them, if not a part, an inseparable complement of the San Joaquin. These mountains constitute a gigantic and beautiful reservoir erected by a beneficent Providence for the purpose of moistening and fertilizing the plains of the valley. Great towering peaks and abysmal canyons covered with gigantic trees and thickly-matted brush and undergrowth gather and conserve the snows of winter. In the spring and summer comes the sun and beats alike upon the valley and the mountains and as the plains become parched and dried and as the growing trees and grass suck up the moisture from the soil and from the air the frozen snows of winter are released upon the mountainside and begin their journey through scenery the grandest and most beautiful imaginable, through forests of pines and redwoods, by flowers and delicate ferns, over rocks and through rills, uniting and ever uniting in rivulets and creeks, and in each union growing stronger until finally they rush in a mighty river upon the arid plains, carrying life and drink to thousands of thirsty acres.
These streams, deep and with precipitons banks, at first gradually
15
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approach the surface of the land so that it is frequently possible to divert water from them and spread it upon the land within two or three miles from the point of diversion. The loose loamy nature of the soil and comparatively level surface render ditch-building in this valley an easy task, and particularly well adapted to irrigation. Many of the pioneer irrigation ditches were built without the assistance of an engineer or even the use of a transit. Many of the farmers had had experience in hydraulic mining, which rendered them peculiarly qualified in the art of constructing dams and ditches, and often the only capital used was the daily labor of the farmers and their livestock, generously assisted by the business men of the valley towns who extended them credit for the necessities of life while engaged in this development. When the settlers of the valley began to go back from the streams to find homes, water was the first problem for them to solve, and like Jacob they dug wells. The first wells were almost entirely dug with the pick and shovel. They ranged in depth from twelve to as much as two hundred feet, depending on the location, and were surface wells, that it to say, the wells were only deepened to the first water. Near the streams and particularly on the east side of the San Joaquin river and the southern part of the valley surface water can generally be reached at a depth of twenty-five to thirty feet, while on the west side and especially near the foothills the depth of water was greatly inereased, sometimes requiring a well of over a hundred feet in depth. There wells were dng with a shovel, and the earth excavated was hoisted to the surface by means of a barrel sawed in the middle, to which a bale was affixed. To this was tied a rope of sufficient length, and the power used was either a windlass turned by a man on the surface or sometimes by hitching a horse to the end of the rope. When the water was reached it was hoisted by the same ernde methods. The half barrel that served the purpose of hoisting the earth and rocks was converted into a bucket for drawing water.
Since those days when wells were dug with spades there have been great improvements made. They are no longer dug, but are bored or drilled with efficient machinery operated by steam or gasoline power, and are driven to a depth averaging from fifty to eighty feet, which results in a plentiful flow of pure water.
Artesian wells in most parts of the valley are readily developed and the natural flow from them furnishes an abundance of water for livestock and domestic purposes, and frequently will irrigate as many as from eighty to three hundred aeres of land yearly. Electric power and gasoline engines have made irrigation by pumping feasible, and it has been discovered that subterranean streams are found in nearly all parts of the valley earrying water sufficient for the purpose of irrigating the surface of the lands under which they lie, and now
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hundreds of wells are being developed and pumping plants installed, which are an immense aid to the present system of irrigation and will cover thousands of acres that cannot be reached by water from the natural streams.
Step by step and hand in hand with cooperation and harmony, the urbane and rural evolution of this valley has progressed. The valley is dotted with many prosperous cities and towns, not so exten- sive in population, but energetic and progressive in the extreme. Paved streets, electric lights, gas plants, excellent water systems, magnificent public buildings and sanitary drainage are to be found in all of them. The amount of business transacted is startling as compared with cities of the same population of other places. A town of five thousand inhabitants will transact more business and the banks will represent more capital than in other places having a population of twenty-five thousand. While speaking upon the subject of towns and public improvements I desire to congratulate the entire people of the San Joaquin Valley upon the magnificent courthouse that has just been completed in the county of Kern. Its beautiful architectural lines, extensive proportions, light and airy rooms and great corridors are certainly a source of pride and pleasure to the people of this valley. I particularly congratulate the people of this county upon their magnificent building, which is a noble tribute to their energy and progressiveness and faith in their county, and a monument to the efficiency and ability of the board of supervisors. who served the people so well in its construction.
I have said something of the evolution of the valley, made brief mention of the progress and development of the different industries, and in a poor way directed your attention to the wonderful oppor- tunities and advantages that may be found here; and now I want to say a word for the actors, for the men and women who so well and faithfully played their part in this drama of evolution, and whose efforts brought about this great development and progress. Back in the days of "Forty-nine" and for a number of years there- after there were two ways of reaching California, one was by water around Cape Horn, or by a shorter but equally as perilous way across the Isthmus and then up the coast to San Francisco, or the other was across the plains by means of the slow moving emigrant trains. Either of those routes was fraught with grave danger and many hardships and deprivations. The perils of a voyage in the old-time sailing vessels in their tedious ways around Cape Horn and then up the Pacific Coast to San Francisco were such as to cause the stoutest heart to pause. The shorter route by the Isthmus. while requiring less time, was almost equally as dangerous. What was missed in the perils and hardships of the sea by taking the Isthmian way was counterbalanced by the dangers entailed in crossing
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this tropical neck of land laden with the germs of many diseases to which the emigrant so readily fell a prey. The fever and dissentery of the Isthmus and the unwholesome quarters of the emigrant ships claimed many an ambitious and deserving man who had set out to find his fortune in the Golden West.
The overland route, crossing the Rocky Mountains, over the vast plains inhabited by hostile Indians, across the Platte with its treacherous sands, requiring from three to six months with the slow moving ox teams of the emigrant trains, that finally crossed the Sierras through Truckee Pass makes a story familiar to everyone. Like the tragedy that ended the glorious career of Julius Caesar, it is acted and re-enacted upon the stage and told and retold in stories even to this day. Therefore it is no wonder that only the young and active thought of venturing upon this perilous western journey. Of the young and active only those of ambitious and daring spirits would risk life and all that was most dear to them in order to reach the alluring shores of California.
We of today who sail in floating palaces with every luxury and convenience of the hour at hand, or who cross the vast plains and lofty mountains in comfortable, rapidly moving cars can hardly realize the dangers and hardships endured by the men and women who first came to California. These pioneers were a race of ambitious and courageous men and women that assembled in California on new grounds, far removed from the hampering conventionalities of society. Not many from any place-a few from every place-they rapidly adjusted themselves to conditions and necessities of the time. All classes, states and nationalities were represented, and from this cosmopolitan people was developed that noble, brave and hos- pitable race, the Pioneers of California, whose praises have been so often sung by the poet and told by the historian. They were all young and strong. When a boy my father came to the west with an emigrant train, driving an ox-team all of the way, and I have heard him say that a gray head was so rare that it excited attention and comment when found among the men of pioneer days.
Emigration after the gold rush was comparatively slow. The cost and inconvenience of transportation deterred travel westward.
Those who fond their way here were rapidly absorbed. They were eager to become Californians and quickly fell into our ways and customs. Later the railway service was greatly improved, cost of passage came more within the reach of the average person. The newspapers, magazines and histories constantly told of the glories and opportunities of this coast, and in consequence emigration grew by leaps and bounds. The population increased so rapidly now that we began to undergo a change of character. Entire colonies were often made up from the people of some particular state, and they
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looked towards their former homes for customs and precedent. In the near future without a doubt our emigration will increase far more rapidly than ever before. The great opportunities offered by increased irrigation facilities, more careful and diversified farming, the stimulus given to the manufacturing by the development of electric power and discovery of oil, the immense benefits that will follow the completion of the Panama Canal, and the attraction of the World's Fair will bring thousands here. The melting pot of which Zangwill speaks will be brought into play and on this coast from a cosmopolitan people will be recast a race as peculiar to California as the flowers and trees that adorn her valleys and mountains. Short winters, generous sunshine and fertile soil will develop a race of splendid men and women, hospitable and fun-loving, the happiest people in the world, and this will be the greatest achievement in the evolution of the San Joaquin Valley.
TULARE COUNTY CALIFORNIA.
GRANT PARK
SCALE OF MILES
MORVE L WEAVER CE VISALIA
GIANT Y FOREST
MT WHITNEY
MOROSI
DINUBA
CUTLER
MONSON
REDBANKS
D WOOOLAKE
EAN
TAURUSA
AW
LEMON COVE
KLINK
PARK
GOSHEN C
DET VISALIA
KERN
LAKES
VỀNA
EXETER
RTULARE
LINDSAY
ATESTA
STRATHMORE
WAUKENA
SPRINGILLE
CORCORAN
RIVER
PORTERVILLE
TIPTON
LOIS
ANGIOLA
RES
PIXLEY
TERRABELLA
MAL PAUCH
EARLIMART
DUCOR
. HOT SPRINGS
SOLITA
RAINM
SOR
RIVER
SEQUOIA
RIV
INOILON
MINERAL KING
ATASE
3701
PNL
KINGS COUNTY
COUNTY
FRESNO
HARDWICK
GRANGEVILLE
TANFORO
ARMOND
GUERNSEY
CORCORAN
RESN
TULARE
LAKE
TULARE
MONTEREY
KER ₦
C
T
Mary C. Majors
Le, A Majors
BIOGRAPHICAL
COLUMBUS P. MAJORS
A California pioneer who recalls with interest early days in Tulare county when he took a prominent part in local affairs, is Columbus P. Majors, of Visalia. Mr. Majors was born in Morgan connty, Ill., March 22, 1830, and in 1853 crossed the plains to Cali- fornia with an ox-team, starting April 14 and arriving at Sacramento September 13 following. The party, which came with a train of nineteen ox-wagons, was made up of Iowa and Illinois people and was under command of Captain L. M. Owen, who had made one trip to the Pacific coast in 1849. The overland emigrants were several times compelled to corral their wagons, fearing attacks by Indians, bnt made the journey withont any very lamentable mishaps. For two years after his arrival in California, Mr. Majors worked in the Sherlock Flat mine on the Merced river, but it was not as a miner that he was destined to make his success in this state. He came to Visalia in 1855 and found the people all living in the old fort as a means of protection against the redskins, who were at that time menac- ing the settlers in this vicinity. He took np eighty acres of government land on the Cutler road and for many years raised cattle and sheep, and it was not until 1884 that he bought his present home ranch on Mineral King avenne. Here he has twenty acres of fine orchard, having planted all the trees with his own hands, and his peaches include Phillips cling-stones, Tuscan cling-stones, Fosters and Albertas. He has developed a fine farm on which he has met with well deserved success.
In 1861, after the Civil war had begun and while rioting was in progress at Visalia, Mr. Majors was captain of the Home Guard Cavalry, which was organized to keep order. His brother, John P. Majors, also came to California and was the first postmaster at Visalia, which was the first postoffice established in Tulare county.
In April, 1852, Columbus P. Majors married Miss Mary C. Owen. a native of Lee county, Iowa, who bore him a son and four dangh- ters: Amador H .; Mrs. Anna L. Arkle, who has passed away; Celestia J., who is Mrs. L. E. MeCabe; Mrs. Caroline Arkle, and Mrs. Eva Sadler, deceased. During his active years Mr. Majors was identified largely with the public interests of the community and there was no call upon him in behalf of the general good to which he did not respond promptly and liberally.
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GEORGE E. WADDELL
Numbered among the well-known and respected citizens of Exeter who have distinguished themselves in the advancement of that place is George E. Waddell, who has been identified with the civil affairs of Exeter from its earliest history, having filled the office of its mayor as its first incumbent, and so fulfilling the duties of that office as to win the confidence of all his fellow citizens, and he has sinee been sought to fill many other public positions to which the people have called him. In industrial circles he has also figured prom- inently, having been merchant there and he is now giving most of his attention to his real estate interests which are large and varied.
Mr. Waddell is a native son of California, having been born in Lancha Plana, Amador county, September 9, 1862, the son of Isaac and Merey B. Waddell, the former a native of Baltimore, Md., who crossed the plains to California in 1852 and began his career in the mines of Amador county. The mother came of a pioneer family who made the overland journey with ox-teams. The family made their home at Lancha Plana until 1872, when they moved to Ione, where the father died in 1893, and the widowed mother after a while removed to San Francisco, where after a residence of several years she re-established their home at Ione, and three years later, in 1903, occurred her death.
Reared to industrial habits and inheriting a taste for mercantile pursuits, at the age of nineteen George E. Waddell went to work for John Marchant, who was in the meat business at Ione and for twelve years he remained steadily in his employ. lle then leased the premises from the latter and conducted the business for about ten years, when he sold out and came to Visalia, buying a half interest in the Pioneer market business, which after conducting for abont ten months, he sold. It was at this time that he came to Exeter and bought out the Exeter and Lindsay markets, which at the time were very rudimentary business places. With his son, George HI., Mr. Waddell set to work with a will to build up these establishments into modern markets, remodeling and rebnikling them and introducing new and up-to-date equipments and installing a refrigerating system which made them among the best markets in the county. Since then the Exeter market has been sold, but they retain the Lindsay place of business which the son, George H., is managing with marked ability, while Mr. Waddell gives his attention to the purchase of stock. They first had built a structure at Lindsay 25x75 feet in dimension for their business, but this soon became too small and they built a new two- story brick block, 40x130 feet, in 1910 with new refrigerating and cold storage equipment, and its appointments are all modern and first-class. The marble counters and excellent tool equipment give the place an air of
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cleanliness and wholesomeness which bespeaks the good taste of the owner, and their product and the handling of their goods bear the most gratifying reputation in the community, it having been eredited by the press at one time as being one of the finest places of its kind in the state.
In connection with this business Mr. Waddell gives attention to real estate, in which he has been most successful. He has planted and owns a very fine thirty-acre orange grove within eighty rods of the city limits, and also owns tracts in different parts of Tulare county aggregating three hundred and fifty acres in all, and beside this he owns a well-improved farm of four hundred and eighty aeres about seven miles east of Stockton. With all of these interests, Mr. Waddell finds time to be most active in the affairs of his city and is a constant worker for its best interest, being president of the city board as well as treasurer of the same. In August, 1911, the city voted bonds in the amount of $42,000 for the purpose of providing an adequate water system, which was fully completed in the summer of 1912, consisting of two twelve-inch bored wells, one hundred feet deep, with mains six, eight and ten inches respectively, while the laterals are four and two inches in size. At the present time six blocks of street in the business part of Exeter are being paved, and these large movements toward improving the town have had the active interest and co-operation of Mr. Waddell in his official capacity on the city board. In fraternal relations he affiliates with the Exeter lodge, F. & A. M., and the Exeter division of the Knights of Pythias.
In 1885 George E. Waddell married Susan Vogan, a native of California and a daughter of John Vogan, who died while he was filling the office of sheriff of Amador county, where he had come as a pioneer. The widow of Mr. Vogan now makes her home in Ione. Mr. and Mrs. Waddell are the parents of two children, Edwin 11., born November 23, 1886, who after finishing his education at the Affiliated College at San Francisco, took up the study of dentistry and is well established in his profession at Visalia; and George Harold, born March 28, 1888, who was educated in the schools of Visalia, and is now his father's partner in the meat business. Both sous were born at Ione, Amador county, and reflect credit on their training and the honored name they bear.
SANFORD BOOKER
A native of Gardiner, Me., Sanford Booker was born October 12. 1833. and there reared to manhood, educated and given a knowledge of the ship carpenter's trade, and later learned house building. When he was twenty years old he moved to Medford. Mass., where
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he worked as a carpenter about fifteen years. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in the Lawrence Light Guards of Medford, a militia company, which, as Company E, Fifth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, was mustered into the government service after President Lincoln issued his first call for volunteers, April 15, 1861. Next day the company was ordered to be in readiness, and on the eighteenth an order to march was issued by Col. Samuel C. Lawrence. this order being taken to the members of the organization by the Colonel's brother, Daniel W. Lawrence, who on the night of the eighteenth rode from town to town for that purpose. Among those soldiers of 1861 there was a strong conviction that Lawrence rode over the same route that Paul Revere had followed on a similar errand eighty-six years before. The regiment was quartered at Faneuil Hall, Boston, until the morning of April 21, when it left for New York. When Lawrence brought the order to Mr. Booker the latter was running a mill. Going home immediately, he reported that he was ordered out and would have to go to Washington, and he went to Boston and slept that night in Fanenil Hall with his comrades; on that same night the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment was mobbed in the streets of Baltimore. At Washington the Fifth was mustered into service for three months from May 1, and it participated in the fight at Bull Run, where Colonel Lawrence was wounded and the regimental color-bearer was shot down. Ten days later the Fifth Massachusetts was mustered ont of the service and soon afterwards Corporal Booker's company was mustered out at Medford. His corporal's commission is dated February 12, 1861.
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