USA > California > San Bernardino County > Ingersoll's century annals of San Bernadino County, 1769-1904 : prefaced with a brief history of the state of California : supplemented with an encyclopedia of local biography and portraits of many of its representative people > Part 35
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102
On the second day of June, 1891, the board of supervisors of the county of San Bernardino unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 34. making said act applicable to their county, and on the 25th day of the same month, they ap- pointed Ex-Judge H. C. Rolfe and W. J. Curtis, Esq., trustees of said Law Library to act in conjunction with the two superior judges, Hon. Geo. E. Otis and Hon. John L. Campbell, and the chairman of the board of supervis- ors, J. N. Victor, who were by the terms of said act ex-officio trustees. These five gentlemen constituted the first "Board of Law Library Trustees" of the county. This board held its initial meeting the third day of July, 1891, but apart from a general discussion on the purposes and work confronting them. and the appointment of Judges Rolfe and Otis as a committee to draft by-laws. and of Mr. Victor as a committee to procure a room in the court house for a li- brary, did nothing at the first meeting except to elect F. W. Richardson deputy county clerk, and acting clerk of the board of supervisors, as permanent sec- retary of the board for the first year. Four days later another meeting was held, at which Mr. Victor reported that he had secured the store room in the Hall of Records as a library, and, inasmuch as a store room was all that was then required, this report and room was accepted. The next meeting was held on the 26th day of August, 1891, and at that time Judge Otis was elected president of the board for the current year. The fourth meeting of the board of trustees was held on the 30th day of December. 1891, and at this meeting the organization was completed by the adoption of a code of by-laws, and the election of Mr. Richardson as librarian, in addition to his duties as secretary. This organization continued without change until the third day of May. 1893. when T. C. Chapman Esq., was elected librarian at a salary of twenty-four dollars per month, with the understanding that he was to occupy the library
320
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
room as his law office, and keep the library open during the business hours of each day. At this time the library was located in the temporary room originally constructed for the use of the board of supervisors, above the land- ing of the stairway in the old court house. At this time, also, the library be- gan to assume character, and for the first time, might be said to be something more than an empty name. The board of library trustees had recently en- tered into a contract with the West Publishing Company, of St. Paul, Min- nesota, for the purchase, on credit. of its Reporter System, embracing eight seperate sets of reports, and covering the decisions of courts of last resort in all of the states of the Union. This contract called for all continuations of these reports, including the bound volumes, and advance sheets. At this time. also, the library contained the American Decisions, American Reports and some of the American State Reports, as well as Morrison's Mining Re- ports, a set of general digests published by the West Publishing Company. and a miscellaneous collection of text books donated principally by Judge Otis, Judge Rolfe and Mr. Curtis : but, when all was said, it was still a rather crude and rudimentary library, used only by members of the local bar, and to no great extent by them. Meantime, Mr. Chapman continued to sit in lonely and solemn state for a consideration of twenty-four dollars per month ; and while it must be admitted that this rate of compensation was rather low, for the practically solitary confinement which it entailed on the librarian, never- theless, the amount was sufficient to keep the library fund practically de- pleted, permitting an increase in the indebtedness of the association, already considerable, and making the purchase of other books impossible. Thus mat- ters continued until January, 1897, when the financial report of the board of trustees impressed upon the body the necessity of a radical reform. The term of Judge Otis as superior judge having expired with the year 1896, he was succeeded by Judge Frank F. Oster, his successor on the bench. At a meeting held on the eleventh day of January, 1897, the board was re-organ- ized by the election of Judge Oster as president, and Mr. Chapman as secre- tary ; this organization still continues. At this meeting the board of trustees concluded that it was necessary, as an economic measure, to do away with the services of a librarian, however desirable they might be on other grounds. Mr. Chapman readily concurred in this view, and, since this time those de- siring to consult the books in the library have to secure admittance through the services of the janitor. This condition of affairs interferes not a little with the usefulness of the library, but the trustees are hopeful that at some time in the near future, they will have completed the purchase of such books as may be necessary to constitute this an all-round working and reference library : whereupon they will immediately re-employ Mr. Chapman, or some other competent librarian, notwithstanding the limited income available. Meantime the library is thrown open to the general public without any cost
321
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
or expense whatever to the users. At the close of the year 1900, the library was moved to the present large and commodious room situated on the ground floor of the old court house, in the former assessor's office.
Since January, 1897, by the exercise of the most rigid economy, the board of trustees has paid off an indebtedness of over four hundred dollars, and, be- sides paying the subscription for all current reports, amounting to several hundred dollars, has also purchased several additional sets of books, includ- ing the reports of the United States Supreme Court, the Century Digest, the second edition of the American and English Encyclopedia of Law, the Ency- clopedia of Pleading and Practice, and the American State Reports to date. An inspection of the shelves at the present time. will disclose nearly two thousand volumes, consisting for the most part of statutes, reports, digests and text books; and when it is remembered that most of these books cost from three to seven dollars per volume, and that, apart from the donations, above referred to, they have all been purchased, after paying the necessary running expenses, out of an average income of about thirty dollars per month, it will be seen that the board of trustees are able to render a good account of their stewardship.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC AND THE FIRST BATTALION.
CALIFORNIA IN THE CIVIL WAR.
California was peculiarly situated in the late civil war. Though the loyalty of the larger portion of the population was unquestioned, the con- dition of affairs was entirely different from that of any other state in the Union. The residents were composed of immigrants from all portions of the United States, and had brought with them their local traditions and political prejudices. The children born in California had not as yet attained to manhood and there was, therefore, no influential class entirely disabused of opinions formed by early associations. Men were northern or southern in sentiment according to the section in which they had been reared. There were, it is true, instances where residents of the Pacific coast who were born in the south took patriotic ground in favor of the Union ; but for the truth of history it should be stated that the great majority of the southern people resident in the state were strongly and avowedly on the side of the place of their birth, and those who were not avowed sympathizers with the se- cession movement were opposed to any attempt by force of arms to coerce
322
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
the seceding states. This condition of affairs resulted in strong talk of an independent Pacific Republic, and the reports received by the administration at Washington as to what might be the stand taken by California, were so conflicting as to cause great uneasiness. In consequence, General Edwin V. Sumner, an old officer of the regular army and of known loyalty, was hastily and secretly dispatched from Washington to relieve General Albert Sidney Johnston, who was of southern birth and affiliations, from the com- mand of the Military Division of the Pacific and the Department of Cali- fornia. It is due to the memory of a general who afterwards became dis- tinguished in the Confederate Army to say that no one who knew General Johnston ever entertained grave doubts that, whatever his personal feeling or sentiment might have been, he would have been true to the flag of the Union so long as he retained his commission in the United States Army. His established reputation was that of unquestioned ability, and the highest and keenest sense of honor. But times were dangerous and those in authority, realizing the wide disaffection among officers of the army and navy, hardly knew whom to trust, and where the shadow of doubt rested, deemed it best to place in authority those whose fealty was unquestioned.
General Sumner brought with him full authority to raise and equip volunteer regiments and to place California in a complete state of defense. The ease with which regiments were recruited and the numerous and enthus- iastic meetings which were held in all sections of the state, soon established the fact that California was safe for the Union. The officers and men of the California volunteer regiments were all in hopes that they would be assigned to duty at the front in the east. A large majority asserted that they had no fear of a serious outbreak at home, and had enlisted with the expectation of being sent to the front. The officers and men even offered to contribute. largely toward the expenses of transportation. A notable instance of this was that of Corporal Goldthwait, a man of some means, who tendered the Colonel of his regiment, the Third California, a certified check for $5000 for such expenses.
The War Department felt, however, that it was advisable to keep the California regiments on duty nearer home. The distance across the plains was too great, and the only other available route-via Panama-too ex- pensive, for any considerable body of troops to be sent across the continent. Beside which the Indians were restless and in many cases openly hostile : watch must also be kept upon the Mormons. California troops were, there- fore. distributed in Utah and adjoining territory. One California column operated in Arizona, New Mexico and as far east as Northern Texas. They made arduous marches over deserts and plains, endured much suffering from exposure and were constantly engaged in scouting and in actual Indian warfare. They dealt with the Kiowas and Comanches in Texas, the Navajos in New Mexico and the Apaches in Arizona, and their record is unsurpassed
323
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
for bravery and skill. A part of the California volunteer forces were sta- tioned in the vicinity of San Francisco; for the fortifications of the harbor had been stripped of their regular garrison, which had been sent east to join their respective regiments. In addition to ten regiments, one battalion and four companies of California Volunteers, there were the California Hundred and Battalion which went east and became a part of the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac. They participated in over fifty engagements, beginning at South Ann Bridge in Virginia and ending at Appomattox. There were also many single representatives of California in eastern regi- ments and one regiment recruited by Senator Edward Baker of Oregon, at Philadelphia, was largely composed of old Californians and was known gen- erally as the "First California."
The fact must not be overlooked that California, during the continuation of the war, contributed very large sums-well into the millions-for the prosecution of the war, and that she also contributed very largely to the Sanitary Fund. Indeed, it cannot be questioned that California nobly per- formed her part in the war for the preservation of the Union.
ORGANIZATION OF SOCIETY OF THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
When the civil war had ended and the battle scarred patriots who had saved their country returned to their homes and their accustomed avocations, it was a nat- ural consequence that they should eagerly desire to perpetuate the ties of brotherhood which had joined them shoulder to shoulder in a common cause, and with the lapse of time that they should find these bonds of fraternity growing stronger and more sacred.
With the purpose of welding and perpetuat- ing these bonds of fellowship and common interest, the society of the Grand Army of the Republic was organized April 6, 1866, at De- catur, Mason Co., Illinois. Its originator was Dr. Benjamin F. Stephenson, a physician of Springfield, Ill., who had served during the war as a surgeon in the Fourteenth Illinois COL. W. L. VESTAL Volunteer Infantry. He had spent many weeks in studying the situation and making plans to the end that the proposed order might be one to meet the general approval of sur- viving comrades, and thus enlist their hearty co-operation. He made a draft of a ritual and sent it by Captain John S. Phelps to Decatur
324
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
where two veterans, Messrs. Cottrin and Prior, owned a printing office. These gentlemen, with their employes, who had been in the service, were first sworn to secrecy and then the ritual was put into type in their office. Captain Phelps returned to Springfield with the ritual, but comrades in Decatur were so interested in the project that with the active assistance of Captain F. M. Kanan, and Dr. J. W. Roth, a sufficient number of names were at once se- cured for a charter and these gentlemen went to Springfield to request Dr. Stephenson to return with them and organize a post at Decatur. The form- ation of a post was under way at Springfield, but it was not ready for muster and Dr. Stephenson, with several comrades, went to Decatur and there or- ganized the first post with General Isaac Pew as Post-commander and Cap- tain Kanan as Adjutant. The title, "The Grand Army of the Republic," was formally adopted at the date of this organization, April 6, 1866. Soon after this, Post No. 2 was organized at Springfield. Nothing was done in the eastern states toward establishing posts until opportunity was given for mature discussion of the subject at a national Soldiers' and Sailors' Con- vention at Pittsburg, Pa., the following September. There prominent com- rades from eastern states were obligated and empowered to organize posts. The first posts so established were Post No. I, in Philadelphia, and No. 3. in Pittsburg, by charter direct from the acting Commander-in-chief, Dr. Stephenson. Post No. 2, Philadelphia, was established by charter received from Gen. J. K. Proudfit, Department Commander of Wisconsin.
A Department Convention was held that same year at Springfield, Ill .. and adopted resolutions declaring the objects of the "G. A. R." Gen. John M. Palmer was elected first Department Commander and Major B. F. Ste- phenson was given full recognition as the originator and true head of the organization.
325
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC IN SAN BERNARDINO.
By E. A. Smith.
So far as known to the writer the first movement toward the organiza- tion of a post of the G. A. R., in San Bernardino, was made during the winter of 1883-84. It originated with Captain Frank T. Singer, who was enthus- iastic on the subject. He met with scant support at first, however, as few believed that there were a sufficient number of old soldiers in this vicinity to maintain a post. A vigorous agitation of the subject, to the surprise of all, developed the fact that "the woods were full of them." The requisite number of names was attained, application for a charter was made and was promptly granted, and April 24, 1884, W. H. Long Post, No. 57, G. A. R. Department of California and Nevada, was regularly mustered in with a membership of twenty-four.
Col. W. H. Long was a wealthy Boston merchant, a friend of Major T. C. Kendall, with whom he had served in the Sixth Army Corps, and who assured the comrades that Col. Long would highly appreciate the honor and would do something handsome for the post in response. This he did by presenting the new organization with an elegant silk banner suitably inscribed.
Memorial day was observed for the first time in San Bernardino, May 30th, 1884. The people of the city and of the surrounding country turned out "en masse." The Knights of Pythias assisted the post ; the public school children and several civic and fraternal organizations joined the procession, to- gether with many ex-soldiers not yet members of the post. It was the largest gathering that had ever been seen in San Bernardino up to that time, and was voted a great success.
Meetings were held weekly and the post steadily grew in numbers. When the banner from Col. Long arrived, it was decided to hold a grand demon- stration, with a presentation at the Opera House, a bean-bake and a ball. Col. A. B. Paris, a Confederate veteran, who always took a deep interest in G. A. R. matters, made the presentation speech. "The boys" responded later by elect- ing him district attorney. Two large store rooms on Third street were used for the banquet and ball. There was an abundance of eatables for all-and a very large number of persons enjoyed them, and the ball was all that a ball should be.
Of course this event was fully exploited in the local papers and also in the Los Angeles and San Francisco papers, and thus it became known to "the powers that be" that, contrary to the regulations of the society, W. H. Long Post, No. 57, had been named after a man who was still very much
326
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
alive, and its charter was promptly revoked. However, it was generously allowed the privilege of retaining its number, of adopting a new name and being remustered at once. Accordingly, on the fifth day of December, 1884, "W. R. Cornman Post, No. 57, succeeded to all the rights and privileges of its predecessor and forty-two members were mustered in at that date. This by no means represented the strength of the post, for many more members were received later.
William Raymond Cornman was a native of Illinois, born at what is now East St. Louis, December 19, 1844. About 1858 the family removed to Stillwater, Minn., and there Mr. Cornman attained his majority. In 1861 he joined the United States Army and aided in fighting the Indians in the frontier states. Later he entered the ranks of the First Minne- sota Infantry, which had already seen severe service at the front. He rose rapidly and re- ceived his commission as Second Lieutenant before being mustered out.
He returned to Stillwater, but soon started westward, mining in Utah and finally came to San Bernardino in 1875. Here he engaged in the livery business, and also handled wagons, carriages, grain, etc.
November 9, 1876, he married Miss Jose- phine A., daughter 'of George Hisom, a prom- W. R. CORNMAN inent citizen of San Bernardino. August 15, 1877, he was killed in Death Valley.
In 1886 the National Encampment was held in San Francisco and many were desirous of attending, but in numerous cases there were financial reasons forbidding. The situation was carefully considered, and it was finally determined to hold a loan exhibition and a flower and fruit festival for the purpose of raising a part, at least, of the needed funds. The Fourth street school house was secured and an attractive program was arranged, and the scheme proved a great success financially. Six hundred and fifty dollars was the net result. The greater part of this sum was voted to mem- bers who considered it as a loan and what remained was placed in the hands of the Quartermaster to be divided pro rata among those who attended the encampment.
Notwithstanding many lapses from death, transfers, and other causes, the post steadily gained in numbers during the first three years of its ex- istence. Then came a slow and steady decline. High water mark had been reached. The infirmities of age were becoming more apparent. Comrades could not attend meetings as of yore. The death rate has not been high
327
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
during recent years, but the inevitable end is rapidly approaching. In the comparatively near future, the last post will have surrendered its charter and the last veteran of the greatest war of modern times will have passed "beyond."
Since the organization of Cornman Post 231 names have appeared on its rolls. It now has a membership of 75. Twenty-four of its members have died, thirty have been discharged, all of the rest have been dropped or suspended.
The following is the list of Commanders from the organization to the present time.
G. L. HATTERY
I 884.
Frank T. Singer.
1885. T. C. Kendall.
1886. E. C. Seymour.
1887.
E. A. Smith.
1888. C. N. Damron.
1889. Frank T. Singer.
1890. James E. Mack.
1891.
Samuel Leffler.
1892.
Joseph Marchant.
1893.
N. G. Gill.
1894.
Wesley Thompson.
1895.
G. L. Hattery.
1896.
A. Fussel.
1897. Ward E. Clark.
1898. M. P. Sutinger.
1899.
James la Niece.
1900. T. C. Chapman.
IGOI. Toel A. Taylor.
I902
E. C. Seymour.
I903. W. L. Vestal.
Woman's Relief Corps, W. R. Cornman Post. No. 9. was organized in San Bernardino, January 9, 1885. The earlier records of the organization were destroyed by fire, and official information concerning its history is not available. The Corps works in accord with the G .A. R., aiding in all social and benevolent efforts. It especially looks after the families of old soldiers who are in need of assistance. The most important work that the San Ber- nardino Corps has undertaken is the erection of a monument to departed . comrades of the civil war which they hope to place in the City Park. They have long had a fund devoted to this purpose which they increase year by year. A substantial contribution of $400 to this fund has recently been made by the school children of the city, being the money contributed during the Spanish war for the building of the proposed battleship "American Boy," which was to take the place of the Maine.
The Corps had a charter membership of fourteen : the first president was Mrs. Jennie Hargrove ; secretary, Mrs. J. J. Whitney.
The Corps now has a membership of 106. The present officers are: Mrs.
328
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
E. C. Seymour, president ; Mrs. Coburn, senior vice-president ; Mrs. Robert Hancock, junior vice-president ; Minnie E. King, secretary ; Mary Hoagland, treasurer. The chaplain for many years has been Mrs. Martha M. Kendall.
A HEROINE OF THE WAR.
There lives in San Bernardino a modest, home-loving little woman, who has had a most interesting and romantic career. Martha Matilda Whittle was born in New York City, July 19, 1826. While she was a girl her father removed to Camden, N. J., where she was married. At the breaking out of the civil war she was residing in Philadelphia and was employed in rescue work by the Penn Relief Association and also by the Rosina Association, an Episcopalian organization for relief work.
After the first bloodshed at Fort Sumter, the wounded were brought north on a United States vessel. Nurses were called for to meet this ship and Mrs. Page, who was already well known for her works of mercy, was one of the women who were sent to aid the sufferers. A tent hospital was prepared for their reception at Philadelphia, and here Mrs. Page did her first work as an army nurse.
A large number of the men who were rushed southward in response to the first call for troops passed through Philadelphia. The good people of that city erected the Cooper Shop Refreshment Saloon for the entertainment of these passers-by, and here hot coffee and sandwiches and other refresh- ments were served the "boys." Patriotic men and kindly women were here waiting with a word of cheer and a kindly greeting for the weary and home- sick ; a rest room with reading matter and writing material was at hand for the idle moment. Mrs. Page was one of those who labored most heartily in this work. She relates some of her experiences of this time with much humor.
"The Quakers don't believe in war, of course, and they couldn't en- courage it,-but when I wanted food or clothing for the soldier boys, I went among my Quaker friends. 'Aunt Jane,' I would say, 'I want a pie, or a loaf of bread, or a slice of meat, for those hungry men.' And Aunt Jane would shake her head and say reprovingly, 'Thee knows I don't believe in war, my dear,-but-if thee sees anything in the pantry thee wants-' And I would go into the pantry and help myself to a part-not all-that I found there."
In the latter part of 1861, McClellan Hospital was erected at Nicetown, Philadelphia. This was the second hospital in size in the United States, when erected. It was in charge of Dr. Taylor, as surgeon-at-large. Mrs. Page became assistant matron here when the hospital was opened, and later was matron in charge, which position she held until the close of the war.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.