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 38
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
I made camp upon the elevated ridge about one and a half miles south- west of the city. This ridge and the vicinity was occupied by about forty Indian families and was known as the Rancheria. It is now the John Ralph place. From this point a large part of the San Bernardino valley is visible and I gazed in bewildered admiration at the extent and beauty of the scene before me.
In the years of 1852-53. prosperity reigned supreme in the country. Farmers received fancy prices for their live stock and large sums of money for their produce. I bought and loaded sixteen wagons with wheat and flour and forwarded the lot to Childs and Hicks of Los Angeles. The flour sold for $32.00 per barrel and the wheat for $4.00 per bushel. The eight-cornered fifty dollar gold pieces called "slugs" were then plentifully in circulation. I began to be a little sluggish myself, but was soon relieved of the feeling.
The settlers at this time raised grain and vegetables, horses and cattle. Sometimes they stole these from their neighbor-Lugo-this, however, was not a criminal offense. On the contrary, the party who stole but a few cattle or horses was considered a very social neighbor. The party who stole a band of horses or cattle was followed and if overtaken, lynched, otherwise was considered a hero and if he got successfully away with his prize he was entitled to a membership in the "Four Hundred."
After the Mormons had left the country a new immigration set in, chiefly from Texas and the southwest ; then the "band began to play." and the "ball commenced." Quarrels, fights and general disturbances-sometimes shoot- ing and killing, ensued. On one occasion a pitched battle was fought on the corner of C and Fourth streets, between the Coopwood and Green factions, About twenty men were engaged in the conflict and a sharp fusilade lasted for about twenty minutes. Green, the leader of his faction, a desperado,
349
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
marched through the streets, a gun at his shoulder and a revolver at his side, and defied any official or any citizen to touch him. He denounced all of the Coopwood faction as a set of cowards-except that "Little Devil," pointing his finger at Taney De la Woodward. "That little devil understand the business."
It is needless to say that many of these newcomers were very excellent people, but they were in the minority.
Politically, socially and morally, San Bernardino was ruled by a set of corrupt politicians, gamblers and desperadoes, with the sheriff of the county as their leader. The district attorney openly declared that he meant to get even with the county. He was successful in his commendable enterprise- but shortly afterward left the county of his own free will. He changed the election returns of V. J. Herring, county clerk, in favor of James Greenwade, who proved the most efficient clerk that San Bernardino ever had. He drove the Board of Supervisors, three in number, out of the court house at the point of a cocked revolver. The board understood the situation at a glance and rushed for the door in a body. Greenwade, reformed, committed suicide and became a better man.
At another time in 1861, a forgery was committed in the campaign for legislative honors. It was the hardest fought election that ever occurred in the county. The Piercey faction consisted of shrewd political tricksters- unscrupulous is scarcely a strong enough word to apply to them. The Conn party was made up of our best citizens. It was arranged that the editor of the only paper, the Herald, should print the tickets for the election. But this editor was always drunk during office hours, and in his leisure hours- not sober. Rather than depend on him to get the tickets ready, a friend and myself obtained his permission to use the press ourselves. When the Piercey party found out that the press was placed in our hands, their leaders asked us to lend them the press, promising to return it in plenty of time. Fearing a trick on their part, we sent to Los Angeles and had two thousand tickets printed for the outside precincts. Our expectations were realized ; they kept the press until the evening before the election and then the editor was too drunk to open the office. Having no key, we kicked the door open and found everything in the office topsey-turvey, in order to prevent our printing the tickets. But in their haste, they had left a notice, or hand bill, already set up and in perfect order, announcing that "today is the day to vote for Charles WV. Piercey." We erased the name of Piercey and put in the name of Wm. A. Conn in its place; then we sent a messenger to the Spanish settlement to post our bills over those of Piercey. The Piercey men wondered much how such a gross mistake could have occurred, but they never found out who did the mischief.
On the day of the election one of the Piercey party challenged any man to bet on Piercey's election. I foolishly offered to bet with him. No sooner
350
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
did I say the word than he drew his pistol and fired, but I quickly dodged- I was afraid he would soil my new coat. He was held before the grand jury without results; grand juries in those days were afraid to discharge their duties.
Wm. A. Conn was duly elected our representative, but the Piercey in- terests were managed by a fellow named Skinker-a deriviative of "skunk." He was one of the election officers of Temescal precinct and two weeks after the election, he changed the poll list in favor of Piercey, and by this fraud placed Piercey in the legislature. Piercey had scarcely taken his seat when he challenged another member of the body to a duel. Showalter, the man challenged, accepted, and Piercey was killed at the second shot. This, to a certain extent, broke up the combine; still, "the band played on."
Our public schools were in a deplorable condition, a majority of the male teachers belonging to the element already described. Our school superin- tendent, Mr. Ellison Robbins, a good, conscientious worker for the cause of education, was in constant fear of bodily harm at the hands of the male teachers. Matters went from bad to worse, until finally Robbins made a report to the State Superintendent. When this report was published and copies forwarded to San Bernardino, a tempest was created among the school teachers and the matter of avenging themselves on Robbins for his exposé was considered and reconsidered. Finally an indignation meeting was called by the aggrieved teachers, and Robbins was to be crucified. I felt deeply for him but was powerless to render him any assistance. However, I attended the indignation meeting and there met a former school superintendent, glori- ously drunk. When in this condition this man could easily talk a weakly constituted person to death. By some little contrivance, I managed to have him appointed chairman of the meeting. When he was seated upon the plat- form, I realized that I had won my case. He called the meeting together with an emphatic "Hic" and "Thanks for the hon-hic-or conferred on me; shall preside over this dignified body-hic-with honor to myself and to the American nation-hic. Shall allow no interrogations-due respect must be paid the Chair-hic -; shall decide all questions-hic-impartially-".
The audience, one by one, left in disgust and the name of Superintendent Robbins was not mentioned. I remained to the last in order to congratulate the Chairman, and I left with the conclusion that intemperance was not en- tirely an evil.
Some of the social events of those days were slightly unsocial. As an instance, this affair may be mentioned. The colored elite of the town were giving a dance and a general festivity according to the code of dusky etiquette, when they were unceremoniously interrupted by the entrance of a number of white sports under the leadership of one McFeely, who desired to partici- pate in the amusements. The colored proprietor objected and McFeely or- dered a general house-cleaning with a solid thrashing for the colored leader-
351
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
all of which was accomplished in double-quick order. The proprietor was sorely grieved at being ejected from his own house and having his guests so grossly insulted. The next day he swore out a complaint before Judge Willson, J. P., against McFeely and his associates. McFeely, with his chums, appeared on the day set for trial and asked to plead his own case-he very politely requested the court to let him read the complaint-the court readily complied with the request and handed him the paper. The defendant took the complaint and handed it to the prosecuting witness and holding a cocked pistol to his head, ordered him in most emphatic language to "eat that com- plaint." The poor fellow turned as pale as nature would allow him to do, and while his pearly teeth chattered, ground the complaint at the rate of a running quartz mill. An additional demand was made of the prosecuting witness: "You swallow the mutilated complaint." The defendant still held his weapon in a bee-line with the African's face, and it is needless to say that his royal decree was strictly carried out.
The court graced the official chair with sealed lips, ashen pale face and bristled hair, but dared not interrupt the proceedings. He watched his first opportunity to adjourn court-sine die-lest he should have to swallow the record of his court.
The first band of music which paraded the streets of San Bernardino on national occasions consisted of four persons of recognized musical ability, Mr. Highmore, who is no more, played the flute; Mrs. Highmore played the drum; Joseph Hancock, still in good humor, played the fife; John Van Leuven whistled on two knuckles between his fingers: this notable instru- ment is still in good order and is highly esteemed by its owner.
On account of the unfriendly feeling between the Mormons and the Independent party, each celebrated the Fourth of July, 1857, on its own hook. Each party made great preparations in order to excel the other faction, especially in the number of invitations sent out. Cordial invitations were sent by both to Cabezon, chief of the Coahuilla Indians, and his tribe, to par- ticipate in the celebration. The Independent party was honored by the dis- tinguished guests, who did full justice to the occasion-being muy hambre- (very hungry). The Independent celebration was held at Fort Benson, while the Mormons held the town. Serious trouble was anticipated, but nothing occurred until three o'clock in the afternoon, when the news of the fatal shooting of young Perkins-a Mormon- reached the Fort, and was soon proved to be true. It appeared that Perkins, who was a strong, vigorous young fellow, had assailed a highly respected citizen of the town who was a member of the Independent party, and who was in feeble health. The man assaulted stopped his assailant with a bullet which proved fatal. Excitement was at the highest pitch. The man who had done the shooting was arrested, but was acquitted by a jury, chiefly made up of Mormons, the verdict being "justifiable homicide." Had the verdict been different, serious consequences
352
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
might have followed, for the trial was closely watched by the citizens of El Monte and Los Angeles.
The first newspaper issued in San Bernardino was the "Scorpion," editors "Tom, Dick and Harry;" terms of subscription, one bale of hay, two dozen eggs, 1000 shakes and a sack of onions; the Bank of England was the only authorized agent to collect subscriptions. Scarcely had the "Scorpion" gained popularity and a long subscription list, when an opposition paper, provoked by jealousy, was started-"The Illustrated Hog Eye"-edited by Harry, Dick and Tom-terms of subscription, a cow and calf ; Rothschild the only author- ized agent to make collections. No small abuse was exchanged between these papers. They were written instead of printed, for the want of a printing press. The proprietors of both journals were, Henry Mugridge, Marcus Katz and Griff Williams.
FLOOD OF 1867-1868.
Mrs. E. P. R. Crafts.
I must not forget to chronicle the flood of 1867-8. The Sunday before Christmas, 1867, was cloudy and threatened rain, so I stayed at home with my two children, while Mr. Crafts, with his son Harry, went to church, as was our custom, at San Bernardino, intending to stay all night. The hired man went home across the river to return in the afternoon. It began to rain before noon. By three o'clock there was a downpour, with heavy wind. There were eight horses, two cows and eleven hogs to be cared for and I was alone with my little children. All night the rain fell in torrents, the wind and rain creeping in at every crevice.
Monday morning came bright, clear and warm, but I knew that the Santa Ana river would be impassable for several days, for there were no bridges, and I could hear it roaring like the ocean. Mill Creek was rushing and foaming across the plain, carrying everything before it; great trees and immense boulders were tumbled along like playthings. José, one of the ranch Indians, who had been drunk on Sunday, was now sober and came to my aid. Together we got the hogs out of the mire and gave them dry quarters. The cows were brought out, but the Indian could not milk and they had never been milked by a woman. There was only one resort-I made myself look as much like Mr. Crafts as possible. The cows smelled the coat and hat- and I found the problem solved.
On Tuesday we feared the zanja would break and the water come rush- ing down upon us; but, fortunately, at a bend in the stream two miles above, big rocks piled and formed a dam, which sent the water in another direction. The next Sunday my husband managed to get home by swimming two streams, one of which was a road changed into a river by the freshet. It was a happy meeting. Be assured that we enjoyed Christmas together the next
353
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
Wednesday. Fording the river in high water was to be greatly dreaded at any time on account of the quicksand, and there were many narrow escapes from loss of life, as well as much inconvenience. There was general rejoicing when the Colton bridge was built early in the eighties.
One Wednesday in May, 1865, Mr. Crafts went to the county seat, our nearest post office and market, but he did not return at his usual hour. I waited and watched for him until a late hour, thinking that he was detained by business. Early the next morning I set out for the town, sending the hired man ahead on horseback. When I reached San Bernardino, I learned that it had been considered unsafe for Mr. Crafts to return home alone the night before, and he had been, with other federals, on picket duty all night, in the unfinished Catholic church which was used as a fort.
A company of confederates had been organized at Visalia to go to Texas by way of San Bernardino, intending to make a raid on the Union men in the latter place, to obtain their outfit. Dr. Barton, a southern gentleman, being informed of the projected plot, advised the citizens to defend them- selves. Accordingly at the time set for the depredations, pickets were posted and the city was guarded. It was afterward found that the scheme failed because of the unwillingness of the captain to carry out the designs of the party. We remained in San Bernardino until Sunday evening before it was considered safe to return home.
REMINISCENCES OF "FATHER PETER."
I was appointed Pastor of San Salvador de Agua Mansa, May, 1863, and left Los Angeles on horseback, and not knowing the road, June 22, 1863, I went as far as Cucamonga, where I was well received by Mr. Rains. Leaving early, I arrived at Agua Mansa at twelve o'clock and went to the house of Mr. Cornelius Jansen, where I stopped a few days until my house was pre- pared. As the 23rd was the vigil of St. John, a day that the Mexicans cele- brate everywhere, I went to the church after dinner to ring the bell and an- nounce to the people that there would be mass the next day. But where was the bell? I went around the church-no bell, no belfry. I thought of re- turning to Mr. Jansen's to ask where the bell was, when a boy appeared and, in answer to my eager question, pointed to a big tree near the church. No wonder that I could not see it for it was among the branches of the big tree. I was curious to know why the bell had been hung in such an odd place and was told that when the bell was brought to Agua Mansa, there being no belfry, the people got two large poles, put a cross piece on them and there hung the bell. But as the poles were green they soon began to grow, and in time became large trees. After some years one of these died ; the other con- tinued to grow, so the bell hung in a rather curious and dangerous position. It was then that the bell was taken from the pole and hung in the living tree.
354
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
Two or three years later the bell became cracked and then the tree died. I suppose that when the tree saw that the bell, the object for which it had been planted and was living, was dead, it thought it was proper for it to die also. Some may wonder why those Catholics did not build a decent belfry. They would not wonder if they knew the condition of the Mexicans at Agua Mansa, and indeed, of all the missions attended from there. They were few and poor, but they were good peo- ple and good Catholics. They had great love and respect for the Priest, which they proved imme- diately after my arrival, although they did not know me or whether I would please them or not. The house which was made of adobe, consisted of two miserable rooms, not plastered and with the floor as nature had made it. There was no furniture except a broken bench.
The next Sunday the men said that they would fix the house and furnish it. On Monday the men came with their carts; they made adobe and began to lay the walls for a kitchen. The women, using also mud, plastered the walls of the room and "FATHER PETER" leveled the floor and the gal- lery outside. The kitchen was soon finished and the walls whitewashed and then my residence was ready, but there was no furniture. The next day, two women with a wagon, went from house to house to beg furnishings. Some gave towels, others a chair, another a bench, one family gave a cot and mattress and all that was necessary for a comfortable bed. Some gave forks and others knives and spoons ; one gave a little looking-glass and many gave provisions ; thus every- thing was ready for housekeeping. I thanked them all for their kindness, took possession of my new residence and began, I may say, a bachelor's life, which had only one advantage-I could not complain if the house was not kept clean, the soup had too much salt in it, or the meat was not well done- everything was to my own taste and satisfaction. Things went pretty well for a time, but soon all the provisions were gone and money to buy more was vet buried in the mines. How many times I have saddled my horse and gone to some ranch to get meat to prepare for my dinner. But this lasted only
355
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
some eight or nine months. Then one morning Mr. Cornelius Jansen came down. I had just finished saying Mass and was making a fire to have some coffee. He was accompanied by his eldest son, a boy of seven years. He said to little Cornelius, "Tell Father Peter to come and take breakfast with us." Then Mr. Jansen said, "If you had something to cook, it would be bad enough, to have to cook it yourself, but when you have nothing to cook, that is too much, I cannot allow it. Come, and from this day you will take all your meals in my house." You may imagine how I felt and how thankful I was to Mr. and Mrs. Jansen, who for more than three years, were most kind to me. I have never forgotten, nor shall I ever forget, the kindness of Mr. Jansen's family to me.
But now the old bell was broken and it was absolutely necessary to have another. But how? It was impossible to collect fifty or sixty dollars-the price of even the smallest bell. I heard that an old Mexican in the neighbor- hood could make a bell. I went to see him and he agreed that should I give him two horses and twelve dollars, with the material necessary, he would make a good bell. I wished a larger bell than the old one, hence it was neces- sary to have more material. The next day I borrowed a horse and buggy and set out. I went to the Robidoux rancho, to Rincon, Temescal and Santa Ana, and I got the twelve dollars and had no difficulty in getting the horses, and I got all the material I needed, also. The man went to work at once at the foot of the small hill where Mr. Jansen's house stood; he made the oven and the moulder and soon the bell was made. Hundreds of people were present when the Mexican broke the mould, and when the bell was seen there was a shouting which resounded from hill to hill. But, alas, the joy was soon changed to sorrow, because we noticed on one side at the top two small holes, which not only disfigured the bell, but were the cause that its sound was not as pleasant as we expected.
When I was appointed rector of Agua Mansa, there were only three or four houses near the church : the most important was that of Mr. Jansen ; but I was told that formerly it was a nice little village with good houses and beautiful orchards and gardens. But in 1862 a great flood destroyed the village. They spoke often to me about that flood, but what impressed them most and caused them to remember the flood, was that the first house it destroyed and took down the river was their dancing house, where they had dances every Saturday night, and they looked upon it as a punishment, be- cause it was the cause of many losing Mass on Sunday. One Sunday I preached a pretty strong sermon on dancing, and remembering their belief that they had been punished for dancing on Saturday night and losing Mass, I tried to make them change the day-instead of dancing on Saturday night to dance on Sunday night ; and I succeeded and sure I had many more at Mass on Sunday.
I do not know whether Agua Mansa is the proper name for this place;
356
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
some called it Agua Mansa, some Jurupa and some San Salvador. The Bishop, in the letter of my appointment, wrote "rector of San Salvador." These different names remind me of an incident, rather hard on me, which occurred some two or three months after my arrival. I left San Bernardino almost at sundown and taking one road for another, I lost myself. For more than two hours I tried to find the way to Agua Mansa, but in vain. At last I noticed a light, and after traveling fifteen minutes longer I came to a house. Believing it to be some Mexican family, I called "Buenas noches." No answer. I shouted louder and louder, "Buenas noches," when I heard some one answering, "Who is there?" I saw that I was mistaken and I answered, "I am the Catholic Priest from San Salvador and I am lost." An American came to the fence and said there is no such place as San Salvador around here-there is a Catholic church at Agua Mansa, and you are not lost, you are just on the street that will take you directly to San Bernardino. "But," I said, "I am coming from San Bernardino, and I must go on to San Salvador, or, as you say, Agua Mansa-for I know there is but one Catholic church in the county of San Bernardino; but could I not pass the night here and tomorrow you will show me the way to Agua Mansa?" "Oh, yes; come in," and he opened the gate and took charge of my horse and told me to go into the house. I was very hungry, and beside I had to travel next morn- ing, I did not know how far, and say Mass, before I could breakfast. So I asked if they could give me supper. "I am very sorry," they answered, "there is nothing in the house to eat as we have just come from town and took supper there." I knew I could not stand fasting until eleven or twelve o'clock the next day, which was Sunday, so I said, "Have you nothing at all?" and they gave me a glass of milk and a bit of very dry bread and some cheese. Having but one room, they put a blanket on the floor, threw a cur- tain in front of their bed and there I passed a good night. I woke very early and I had not finished washing myself when the husband came and said, "Come to breakfast. I cannot tell you how bad I felt last night in not being able to give you a good supper ; but I got up at half-past three and went to town, and you will have a good breakfast." Indeed, I saw on the table, eggs, ham and a chicken, hot cakes, coffee and milk-and I could not eat. "I am sorry, so sorry," I said, "that you have gone to so much trouble, and I really thank you with all my heart, but I cannot take anything." "Why?" he asked in surprise. "Because I must hold service this morning and we are not permitted to break our fast before saying the Mass." I could see that the good man felt it and he said, "But our ministers always breakfast well before they go to preach well," and I could only answer,"They have a privilege we have not." I asked him to show me my direction, and after traveling five or six miles I arrived at my church and found my people won- dering what had become of their Rector.
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.