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 4
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 4
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"It appeared that during the past winter the Indians had been in the habit of killing cattle, which had led to the killing of some Indians, after which the Indians availed themselves of every oppor tunity to kill whites.
"The whites finally collected their cattle at a point abont thirty miles above the lake, fortified themselves and sont messengers to Visalia and Carson for relief. They were reinforced by a party of eighteen men who left Amora on March 28. About noon on the 6th there was a very brisk engagement in which C. JJ. Pleasants of
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Amora. Mr. Morrison of Visalia and Sheriff Scott of Mono county were killed. The whites took refuge in an irrigating ditch, whence they fired, inflicting some damage. At night, after the moon went down, the Indians ceased firing and the whites retreated, leaving behind seventeen or eighteen of their horses and considerable am- munition and provisions.
"Colonel Evans the next day met this party and persuaded about forty-five of them to return to the pursuit. The remainder retreated to the fort. Our party joined that of Colonel Evans and we camped that night on the battleground of the previous day. The next day, about noon, the Indians were reported located in a canyon. The command was divided into three columns, one under Colonel Evans, one under Lieutenant Noble and the other under Colonel Mayfield. We proceeded up the mountain, facing a terrific snow- storm which prevented our seeing three yards ahead of us. Failing to find Indians, we returned to camp. After dark the Indians were located by their campfires as being in a canyon about a mile north of the one we had ascended, and in the morning a reconnoitering party, under Sergeant Gillispie, was sent out. After advancing some three hundred yards they were fired upon. Gillispie was instantly killed and Corporal Harris severely wounded.
"Lieutenant Noble was sent to take possession of the moun- tain to the left of the canyon. This position he gained with difficulty, facing a destructive fire and, unable to maintain it without severe loss, was forced to retreat. Colonel Mayfield, who accompanied him, was killed.
"The whole party under Colonel Evans were forced to retreat down the valley, the Indians following. Colonel Evans, being with- out provisions, was compelled to return to his former post near Los Angeles. Lieutenant Noble accompanied him as far as the fort for the purpose of escorting the citizens in this direction out of the valley with their stock, which numbered about four thousand head of cattle and twenty-five hundred head of sheep.
"There were not over twenty-five Indians engaged in this fight but they were well armed and from the nature of their position could have held it against any odds."
In the following year numerous other outbreaks occurred. Visalia again despatched a wagon-load of arms to protect the Coso mines. In the skirmishes of this season, the whites were generally suc- cessful.
In one battle the Indians posted themselves in a ravine near the lake, whence they were dislodged and utterly defeated after an engagement lasting over four hours. Only a small number made their escape. Of these, "Joaquin Jim," a noted chief, succeeded in reaching a rancheria near Visalia where he was killed while try-
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ing to escape capture by a detachment of sokliers sent to bring him in.
In July, 1863, the Owens river Indians were as a body thor- onghly subdued. Practically the entire tribe, to the number of nine hundred, were marched to the Tejon Indian reservation. They were escorted by one hundred cavalry men under command of Cap- tains MeLaughlin, Noble and Ropes.
Minor outbreaks and ontrages continued to occur for a few years following, since which time a lasting peace has ensued.
HOSPITAL ROCK
About ten miles above Three Rivers, on the middle fork of the Kaweah river near the present extensive construction works of the Mt. Whitney Power company, stands an enormous rock, under- eut in such a way as to form a considerable shelter.
It is covered with the painted sign writing of a prehistoric race and until recent years was the abiding place for a settlement of Indians. The name "Hospital" rock arose through an accident that befell A. Everton in 1873 or 1874. Mr. Everton, in company with George Cahoon, was hunting and trapping in the vicinity and had ont several set guns for bear. One morning the finding of fresh blood on the trail indicated a wounded bear and Everton started to return to camp to get dogs. On the way he accidentally sprung one of the set guns, receiving the load in his leg, a nasty wound from which he could scarcely have recovered had it not been for the Indians. These carried him to camp and the squaws nursed him back to health, applying snch embrocations of herbs as were suited to the case. As Ilospital Rock it has therefore since been known.
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CHAPTER III
THE EFFECT OF THE CIVIL WAR ON TULARE COUNTY
When the Civil war broke out Tulare county was peopled largely by southerners. In addition to the permanent settlers there were quite a number of stockmen from Texas and Arkansas who had driven their cattle here for the purpose of fattening them and of later driving them on to the Mariposa mines to sell.
Sympathy for the South was very strong and yet the people here did not feel called upon to take an active part in the rebel- lion. They were now citizens of the sovereign state of California, which had no cause for revolt. Their homes and property were here secure; personally they had no quarrel with the government. The counsel of the cooler heads was to be moderate in speech and quiet in demeanor, confining their activities to the passing of resolu- tions condemning the action of the Republican party, and objecting to the coercion of the South. This course of action naturally did not appeal to the younger hot-blooded element. They wanted action and the young bloods went around with chips on their shoulders and Imrrahed for Jeff Davis. There were not lacking among the supporters of the Union cause those also whose blood ran warm and who were quick to take offense and eager to resent insults.
If anything more was needed to cause trouble to start it was whiskey, and there was whiskey galore. At every corner was a saloon-some Union, some Rebel. Courage and recklessness were purchased freely and street brawls became common.
Following a request of the Union men for protection, a com- pany of troops was sent into Visalia to maintain order. The ar- rival of these by no means put a stop to brawls, altercations and street disturbances. Many bullies were among the number and these, knowing the irresistible power that lay behind their organization, became very insulting and overbearing in their conduct, especially when under the influence of liquor.
A particularly disgraceful episode occurred on the 4th of July. A crowd of drunken soldiers filled one of their wooden canteens with whiskey, draped around it the American flag, and marched up and down the street demanding of each person they met that he drink with them to Abraham Lincoln and the Union. Those refusing, among whom were Wiley Watson, Doctor Riley and John Williams, prominent citizens, were arrested and taken to Camp Babbitt.
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UNION MEETING HELD
On May 25, 1861, in response to a call which was signed by more than one hundred names, the Union men of Visalia and vicin- ity met in mass meeting at the courthouse and expressed their adherence to the canse. The meeting was called to order by S. R. Dummer, who nominated W. N. Steuben for president. This motion was carried and Mr. Steuben took the chair. Messrs. D. R. Doug- lass. Joseph H. Thomas, D. G. Overall and Peter Dean were chosen vice-presidents and James H. Lawrence and H. G. McLean seere- taries.
Previous to the regular proceedings of the meeting Miss Louisa Kellenberg, beautifully attired as the Goddess of Liberty, came forward and presented on behalf of the ladies of Visalia a beautiful national flag made of silk. The banner was received by .A. J. Atwell: who returned thanks in an eloquent speech.
S. R. Dummer, J. M. Hayes, E. E. Hewitt, F. Bacon and B. B. Lawless were appointed a committee on resolutions and after a short speech by S. C. Brown, they presented a set which were adopted. Among the resolutions were these:
"That the constitution of the United States is not a league or confederacy of states in their sovereign capacity, but a government of the people of our whole country founded on their adoption, and creating direct relations between itself and the people.
"That no state authority has power to dissolve these relations.
"That we are opposed in the present condition of affairs to the formation of a Pacifie republic, and will discourage any attempt to induce California to violate her allegiance to the Union."
SOUTHERN SYMPATHIZERS MEET
In the following month, June, a mass meeting of those espous ing the cause of the Confederacy, or at any rate believing in the doctrine of states' rights, was held.
This meeting was held in a grove near the courthouse, where seats and a rostrum had been provided, and was very largely attended. W. D. McDaniel had been chosen marshal of the day and the andience formed in procession in front of Warner's hotel and marched to the scene to the tune of Yankee Doodle.
Thomas R. Davidson was elected president and Messrs. Wiley Watson, William Coddington, Capt. E. Hunter, Robert Coughran, R. K. Nichols and R. B. Lawless vice-presidents. R. P. Gill and R. (. Redd were chosen as secretaries. The committee on resol tions, consisting of Joseph H. Clark, E. E. Calhoun. W. A. Russell, William B. Poer, Burd Lawless, L. T. Sheppard, James L. Wells and Wiley Conghran, presented the following, which were adopted.
"Resolved, That as American citizens imbned with a spirit of fidelity to the constitution and the laws and seeking only the hap
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piness, prosperity and preservation of our common country, we deem it our duty in view of the declared hostility to the South and her institutions by the Republican administration to oppose the same by all constitutional means; that we regard President Lincoln as the exponent of a sectional party whose avowed policy towards one section of our country, pursued through a series of many years. has been the fruitful source of all our national evils; that the war now being waged by the Republican administration is unjust, inhu- man and unconstitutional, having for its object the subjugation of states, the obliteration of state lines, the political degradation of their people and the deprivation of their property, and should meet and merit the just condemnation of all true friends of con- stitutional liberty; that we believe that the best interests of the country demand, and her political existence as a nation depends upon the speedy inauguration of a peace policy characterized by a spirit of concession and an honorable compromise as the only proper basis for the satisfactory adjustment of the differences between the northern and southern states."
On May 23, 1861, a meeting was held at Music Hall in Visalia for the purpose of organizing a military company. G. A. Botsford presided. It was decided to call it the Visalia Mounted Rifles, and the following officers were elected: Captain, G. W. Warner; first lieutenant, J. II. Kennedy; second lieutenant, G. W. Roberts; third lieutenant, Robert Baker; sergeants, William C. Hill, William Ely, R. Peppard, G. Francis and T. J. Preston; corporals, H. Chapman, H. E. McBride, William Baker, Orrin Barr; permanent secretary. Horace Thomas.
It will be noted that there was no lack of officers.
In 1863 a volunteer cavalry company called the Tulare Home Guards, was organized at Outside ('reek with sixty-one members. The following officers were chosen: Captain, W. S. Powell; first lieutenant, George W. Duncan; senior second lientenant, J. T. Col- lins; junior second lieutenant, William C. Deputy.
Company D, Second Cavalry, under command of Lieutenant- Colonel Evans, arrived in September, 1862, crossing the mountains from Independence by trail. A wagon-load of melons was donated them. In October they took up headquarters at Camp Babbitt, a mile north of Visalia, now known as the "Cain" tract.
Company I, Second Cavalry, arrived from Placerville in Octo- ber, and Company E, Second Cavalry, called the Tuolumne Rangers and supposed to be the ones who destroyed the office of the Equal Rights Expositor, completed the brigade of regular troops. It would appear that three companies of federals and two of militia should have been ample to preserve the peace, but it seemed that they rather served to provoke disturbances and many quarrels result-
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ing fatally were laid directly to their presence.
In accordance with the appeal of the sanitary commission for funds to aid the sick and wounded, W. N. Steuben took the matter in charge at Visalia, J. M. Harer at Tule River, J. M. Keyes at White River and J. F. Ewing at Kern River. About $300 was raised.
On October 27, 1862, Senator Baker, Tulare county's most prominent citizen, was arrested, charged with discouraging enlist- ments in the United States army and of uttering treasonable senti- ments, and being denied a parole, was placed in the guardhouse.
THE KILLING OF VOGLE
On November 29, 1862, Eugene Vogle, a soldier of Company I, Second Cavalry, California Volunteers, was shot and killed by Frank Slawick, bartender at the Fashion saloon. This place, kept by "Ki" O'Neal, was known as a "rebel" saloon and threats had been made by soldiers to do up its proprietor. About midnight, a crowd of drunken soldiers entered and ordered drinks for which they declined to pay. They then ordered cigars, which Slawick refused them, saying "I have no cigars for your kind." A row started and Slawick reached under the bar for his gun, which was accidentally discharged. A fusilade followed in which Vogle was killed. Slawiek was shot in the arm and two soldiers were slightly wounded. O'Neal was struck in the forehead by a glancing shot and knocked senseless.
Slawick made his escape and was taken by "Uncle" Billy Cozzens to his place near Lime Kiln (now Lemon Cove) to be cared for. A meeting of citizens and officers was held in consequence of the affray to devise means of keeping the peace. Col. George S. Evans, in command of Camp Babbitt, said if the soldiers were the aggressors he would punish them, or give them over to the civil authorities, but he would punish none for resenting insults to them or the flag. He would expect them to protect themselves.
KILLING OF STROBLE
On August 6, 1863, Charles Stroble, sergeant of Company I. Second Cavalry, California Volunteers, was shot and killed by James L. Wells.
It appears that the trouble started near the corner of Main and Church streets. Tilden Reid, who afterwards became sheriff. had been drinking some and yelled "Hurrah for Downey" (the Democratic candidate for Governor). Jim Donahue, a soldier, told him that he would shoot him if he said that again. This trouble cansed quite an embroglio in which Wells joined. Reid was ar- rested and taken to the guardhouse at Camp Babbitt, and Wells started home.
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He had been preceded by Donahue and Stroble, who, for the purpose of picking a row, awaited him at the entrance to Knoble & Krafts restaurant (near Rouse & Sons' present place of busi- ness). Donahue here kicked a chair at Wells, which struck him in the leg, saying "I meant that for you." Wells declined to take up the proffered insult and walked on, Donahue and Stroble following, making insulting remarks. Wells stepped inside the doorway of a tin shop at the corner of Main and Conrt streets, and, sheltering him- self behind a pillar, seenred his revolver. Donahue saw this action and yelled, "Look out! he's got a gun!" Wells fired, killing Stroble and took repeated shots at Donahue, who escaped into the Union saloon across the street. A stray shot is said to have ent G. A. Botsford's necktie.
Wells ran through the alley to the Overland stables (across the street from their present location) and secured a saddle horse which he rode to the edge of the swamp belt near the site of the sugar factory. While this was going on, Bob Houston and Gordon Douglass, friends of Wells, drew their six-shooters and were taken in charge by soldiers. Wells had narrow escapes from capture. At one time, when he was hiding under a log, several of the pursuing soldiers came up and sat on it. He wandered as far east as the Cottage postoffice, where his friend, Jesse Reynolds, secreted him and supplied him with provisions. He later disguised himself, got to San Francisco and from there went to Mexico. His relatives took up the matter and secured a change of venne to Merced county, whereupon Wells returned, submitted to trial, and was acquitted.
During the night following the affray, Wells' house in Visalia was burned, a deed generally believed to have been committed by the soldier comrades of Stroble.
THE ROWLEY AFFAIR
Some time in '63, a half-witted boy named Denny Mckay, had secured a pair of pants from a soldier, and was wearing them. Hugh MeKay, a brother, happened along and said, "Hello, Denny, are you going to be a soldier?" and made some contemptuous reference to the soldiery. Richard Rowley, a private of the Second Cavalry. took up the matter and chased Mckay, who was narmed, firing as he ran. A volunteer, seeing the pursuit, also took a shot at MeKay, but he escaped unharmed.
On March 4, 1868, Rowley was assassinated in Porterville while sitting at dusk before the fireplace in the hotel, the cause being at first attributed to the war-time incident. It developed, however, that Rowley had an implacable enemy in one Smith Fine. Rowley, it was alleged, had gone to Fine's house in his absence and at the point of a revolver compelled Fine's wife to dance for his amuse-
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ment. Fine was acquitted of the murder, however, through lack of evidence.
DESTRUCTION OF NEWSPAPER PLANT
In 1862 L. P. Hall and S. J. Garrison established a paper in Visalia called the Civil Rights Expositor, later changing the name to The Equal Rights Expositor. The office was located above the Visalia House. It was a red-hot secession newspaper, ably edited but extremely radical in its utterances, and at once gained great favor with its readers and acquired a large circulation.
On account of his open advocacy of the southern cause Hall was arrested and taken to Camp Babbitt, where he was forced to take the oath of allegiance. After this incident the editorials in the Expositor were more bitter and inflammatory than ever before, angering beyond measure the soldiers and volunteers. Among the choice utterances were :
"We have said that Abraham Lincoln has perjured himself. and have proved it. We now tell those who participate in this detestable war, to the extent of their support, that they participate with Lincoln in the erime of perjury."
"Let our states' rights friend look around them and note the passion slaves of the President, who prate about rebels and traitors. while they hug their chains with the servility of a kicked and cuffed hound."
Dr. Davenport, owner of the building in which the printing office was located, fearing that Hall's vituperative utterances would ineite a riot and damage be done to his property, ordered them to leave the premises. The office was removed to Court street adjoin- ing the lot on which the Times office now stands.
On the night of March 5, 1863, a party of soldiers from Camp Babbitt, together with a number of townspeople, entered the office. tied Garrison up, threw the type into the street and destroyed the printing presses. Guards were posted at the street corners to prevent interference with the diversion. So resentful of this act were Hall and Garrison's friends in Mariposa that a party of seventy or eighty armed men came down for the purpose of "clean- ing up" Camp Babbitt. These hid themselves in the swamp, ex- pecting to be reinforced from Visalia. Cooler counsel among the leaders of the southern sympathizers here prevailed, however, and they were induced to disband and return to Mariposa.
Hall and Garrison for several years tried to get a bill through the legislature compensating them for the money loss incurred, and, in 1868, succeeded in doing so. Governor Haight, however, vetoed the bill on the ground that the property had been destroyed by soldiers under the authority and control of the United States. for which the state was not responsible.
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CHAPTER IV VISALIA
Necessarily the history of Tulare county was to all intents and purposes, in the early period, the history of Visalia, as the activities of the entire population centered here.
The early beginnings are familiar. It will be remembered how, in 1852, alone in the wilderness, Nathaniel and Abner Vise located for a future homestead the site of the city; how the first immigrants thought it necessary to build a stockade to defend themselves from Indians. Also will be remembered Nat Vise's generous offer to donate his claim to the people if they would locate the county seat here; how the offer was accepted and by the election of 1853, ratified.
The first enterprises tending to making a town here have also been detailed in the general history; how Baker started a store and Matthews a mill; how a school and church and a two-story log jail, planked and "pinned with double tens" followed.
Nearly three score years have passed since these things were. and here is only space for the bare mention of the milestones of progress Visalia has since passed. Many of these, too, marking as well the progress of the county as a whole, are treated under sep- arate headings. Thus the first two causes tending toward increased population were the discovery of gold as early as 1856. and the establishment of the Overland stage route through the town in 1859. For a number of years following the town showed a rapid, if what might be, perhaps, termed a hectic, growth.
Those were the days of easy-going ways, the day of dollars easily acquired, easily spent. Between 1856 and 1860 it was esti- mated that from five and six thousand miners passed through Visalia, en route to the gold fields. Outfitting and freighting and the accommodation and transportation of travelers developed into a business of magnitude. And the miners, whether going or com- ing, whether hopeful, successful, or discouraged, were always thirsty, and whether they had been lucky or nnlucky, were still always ready to take another chance.
And catering to these wants, saloons and gambling flourished ; dance halls were enlarged, musicians imported. Faro, roulette. monte, poker and dico games all assisted in the general scheme of the retention of a goodly portion of the traveler's coin. And when the lull in mining began to make itself felt, the Civil war, with its pay days for soldiers and its grafting quartermasters, again made
Visulia 1863- That's Kieffer to Scorriereme
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VISALIA IN 1863
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life of this kind pleasant and profitable. New mines in the Owens River district were discovered and business flourished anew.
During these years, of course, the population had been increased by the addition of all classes of men. There were now keen law- vers, shrewd merchants, skilled physicians. There were teachers and preachers. Two newspapers had been established, the Delta, by John Shannon in 1859, and the Equal Rights Expositor, by S. J. Garrison, in 1862. The Masons and Odd Fellows had organized. With it all, however, was lacking the element of stability. The fact was that although set in the midst of a most fertile section, and being the only town within a score of miles, the community. while apparently prosperons, was not really self-supporting. This arose from its location remote from markets and the lack of commnica- tion and transportation facilities. For a few years retrogression set in.
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And now, before we consider the next era, let us take a survey of the old town and try to visualize it as it existed before the war.
A view taken from the Palace hotel corner on Main street, looking east, will serve for a foundation for a correct mental building of the picture. The Exchange hotel appears on the left and S. Sweet's store in the right foreground. Certainly it is a vision of ramshackle neglectfulness, of general unkemptness and untidiness. No sidewalks, no curbs, no cleanliness.
Commencing on the south side of Main street, at the corner of Bridge, was located the general merchandise store of O. Reinstein, a two-story-building, almost the only one in this neighborhood. The Birley and Pierce blacksmith shop adjoined on the west and at the corner was Swat and Wells emporimn.
At the corner now occupied by the balconies was a brick build- ing nsed as a general store by John G. Parker. The Cosmopolitan saloon was next in order, then a little brick drug store, opened by Henry Bequette. Then came a general store kept by a Mr. Johnson and at the Uhl corner, an old frame building housing the general merchandise store of D. K. Douglass. At the corner where is now located the Citizens bank, stood the Masonic Hall building, then Hockett's, then Rogers' stores. In the middle of the block was Keener's butcher shop, then the Fashion saloon, the Bostwick's tin shop. Around the corner, where is now the Harrell building, was Peter Goodhue's stable. The National Bank site was ocenpied by the dwelling house of John Majors, which later made way for a two-story building erected by HI. and I. Cohen, the lower floor nsed for the St. Charles saloon and the upper for Music Hall.
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