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 41
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Their chief had an only daughter, Ne-wah-na, "the new moon maiden," who was the fairest and most beloved of all the women of their tribe. And in answer to their last appeal a voice, borne upon the wings of a white eagle. floated downward from above, "Give Ne-wah-na as an offering to heaven."
Silence fell upon all as the chief slowly arose from his place and went
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to his wickiup. Carefully he wrapped his daughter in her choicest robes ; then he led her forth and left her alone to meet the fiery wrath of their destroyer. When the sacrifice was complete and Ne-wah-na was no more, the heavens opened and a white arrow of light leaped forth and struck the monster, another and another followed and at last one struck the mountain side and left there its mark. Then the blessed rain followed and water once more cooled the parched earth and ran in the empty stream beds. The heat monster writhed in agony under the cooling drops until the earth opened to swallow him. As it closed again, streams of boiling water oozed and bubbled forth from the crevices and the people, bitten with famine and disease, gath- ered about and drank of the steaming waters and bathed in them and were healed.
Chastened and humbled the dwellers of the valley lived for generations in quiet and plenty at the foot of the arrow-marked mountain and found relief for all their ailments in its health giving waters.
A REMARKABLE INCIDENT.
O. D. Gass, of Yucaipe, relates the following remarkable incident, which he says "shows the power of mind over matter."
While living on the Las Vegas rancho, now in Nevada, he employed an Indian buck by the name of Josh and on one occasion paid him $25.00.
The Indian at once joined a camp of Paiutes and engaged in gambling, and in a short time had lost money, clothing and everything he possessed. He returned to the ranch and related his story to his wife, "Pony," who was known as a puont (killer). She was greatly enraged and declared that she would kill the man who had won the spoils, if he did not return the money to the husband. She started for the camp and Mr. Gass, out of curiosity, went along to see what would happen. The woman made a demand for the money, which was flatly denied. She then told the man that if he did not give back the sum she would "puont" him. He laughed and told her to kill away. The woman then took a small cotton rope out of her pocket and coiled it on the ground and set fire to one end of it. She told the man, pointing impressively to the creeping blaze, "when that string burns out you will be a dead man." The Indian stopped his play and gazed fixedly at the burning string. When it was consumed the Indian really was dead, and the members of the tribe present took his body away and buried it. "I was an eye-witness to this remarkable transaction .- O. D. Gass."
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CHAPTER XVI. THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO. 1885 to 1895.
This decade brought great changes. From a somewhat crude and sleepy village, San Bernardino became in these ten years a wide-awake and enterprising city. From a stage station she emerged into a railroad center. Street lights, pavements, sewers, an adequate water system, street cars and motor lines, blocks of well-built business houses, the finest hotel in Southern California-these were some of the improvements of this eventful period.
The first train to enter the city came in over the California Southern road from San Diego, September 13, 1883, and on November 15, 1885, the citizens of San Bernardino turned out en masse with fireworks and bands, to greet the first transcontinental train over the newly completed California Southern extension from San Bernardino to Waterman (now Barstow). which completed the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe line between Kansas City and Los Angeles, or San Diego, then the terminus of the line.
After this date progress was rapid ; visitors began to pour in and capital began to move. Several street car franchises were let during 1885-86. R. W. Button completed his steam motor line between San Bernardino and Colton in 1886, and in February, 1887, the street cars began service between the depot and the corner of Third and D streets.
May 15, 1886, San Bernardino re-incorporated and became a city of the fifth class, the vote being eight to one in favor of the change. J. G. Burt, John Andreson, Smith Haile, Fred T. Perris, I. R. Brunn and B. B. Harris were elected trustees of the new city, with B. B. Harris as chairman.
In commenting upon the change to cityship, the Times predicted :
"San Bernardino has awoke at last, all at once and all over. We are, without a shadow of a doubt, to have the C. S. R. R. headquarters located here. All that was asked from us by the company was promptly granted with a celerity that astonished some of those people who all along have as- serted that there was no life in our town. Following immediately upon the heels of this came the vote upon the question of re-incorporation, and it has carried by the unprecedented majority of eight to one, there being 359 for and only 45 against. Now, we are at once to have our city lit by elec- tric lights, and already arrangements are making for a large hotel, to cost
SAN BERNARDINO PUBLIC LIBRARY
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complete from $100,000 to $125,000, and several smaller ones are also pro- jected. Several wealthy gentlemen, too, have been waiting for some time past to learn what would be done about the location of the railroad works, in order to decide upon street railroads in our city, and now that the location of these works is definitely settled, the construction of street car lines will be begun at once. Here we have the railroad headquarters. machine shops. round houses, depots, and everything pertaining thereto; a city organization, electric lights, large hotels, street railroads, all come to us by one movement, and that the location here of the division headquarters of the C. S. R. R. In the election yesterday our citizens discarded the cramped garments of youth and have donned those of adult age. They have by an overwhelming . majority announced that San Bernardino is a live, a very live town ; they have declared in favor of taking our proper station in the land, in favor of advancement, progress and go-aheaditiveness."
The erection of the California Southern car shops and depot at a cost of $200,000 gave employment to a large force of men and was a most important event in the history of the town. Another advance step which marked the new era was the election of March 26, 1887, when $100,000 in bonds was voted for the construction of a sewer system and $50,000 for general im- provements in grading, graveling and macadamizing the streets. In conse- quence of this action a complete and very satisfactory sewer system was installed and a large amount of work was done in putting the streets in good order.
In October, 1887. a Board of Trade was organized to aid in bringing San Bernardino to the front and in securing public improvements and new settlers and capital. The first officers were: John Andreson, Sr., president : Oscar Newberg, C. F. Ross, vice-presidents ; Charles J. Perkins, recording secretary ; E. C. Seymour, financial secretary ; Lewis Jacobs, treasurer. This organization was instrumental in securing many improvements for the city:
The same year saw the completion of the Stewart Hotel. The first plans for the building of this hotel were made by J. H. Stewart, a pioneer sesident who had invested largely in San Bernardino property and who had entire faith in the future of the city. He was fatally injured by an accident in 1885, before his plans were complete. Then a company, made up of San Bernardino citizens, was formed, with J. G. Burt as the chief stockholder. and incorporated for $100,000. This company built, at a cost of $150,000, what was then the finest hotel structure south of San Francisco. The build- ing was 150 feet square and four stories high, with a court in the center. With the exception of the new Court House, it was the most elaborate building architecturally and the costliest structure ever put up in the city. It contained some 400 rooms and was fully furnished and equipped as a first-class hotel. Naturally the citizens of the town took great pride in it,
JOHN ANDRESON, Sr.
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and its loss by fire was a severe blow to the town as well as to the stock- holders.
Among the many new blocks which added to the wealth and appearance of the city and plainly indicated the prosperity that had dawned, were the Andreson Block on Third street, which was erected at a cost of $52,000, a three-story brick building; the Katz Block, the Ancker Block, the Brink- meyer & Waters Block on D street, and the building of Richard Stewart, all of which were solid improvements. An addition to the Southern Hotel cost $10,000 and a large addition was also made to the St. Charles. The Methodist church and the Presbyterian parsonage were also erected this year. A large number of handsome residences were added to the homes of San Bernardino. The dwellings of James Waters, father and son; of Mathew Byrne, Louis Ancker, Judge Willis, Judge Damron, and others, were sufficiently substantial and beautiful to grace any city.
1888-During this year the Van Dorin and Otis Blocks were added to the business structures of the city. The rapid growth of the town made a new location for the postoffice imperative and after much delay a postoffice official visited the city and called for bids for accommodations. The best offer was that of Messrs. Andreson and Drew, who offered to furnish all material for a "metropolitan office free of charge" and donate the use of the room for five years. In consequence the handsome block at the corner of E and Court streets was erected.
June 5, the Redlands and San Bernardino motor line began regular service, and August 17, the San Bernardino, Arrowhead and Waterman nar- row gauge line was finished. November 16, the motor line to Riverside, con- structed by the same company which had previously built the motor line to Colton, was opened for traffic; thus the county seat was brought into direct communication with its surrounding towns by a frequent and regular service.
December 13, occurred the death of E. H. Morse, cashier of the San Bernardino National Bank, who was shot by an insane man, who demanded money.
1889-February 13, the first citrus fair held in San Bernardino was opened in the Van Dorin Block. The exhibits were numerous and well ar- ranged, and this was one of the most successful of the long series of citrus fairs held in the county. February 3, occurred the death of Hardin Yager, who had been for twenty-six years county treasurer and for thirty years in public office in the county. This year the Court House topic began to loom up and the discussion of the removal of the county seat was vigorous-out- side of San Bernardino.
On November 2, the citizens of San Bernardino voted bonds to the amount of $150,000 to be expended in securing a municipal water system, and the first steps in securing an efficient and abundant water service were at once taken.
H. L. DREW
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1890-The matter of a pavilion for public purposes to be built in the city park had long been under discussion. In 1889 the Society of San Ber- nardino Pioneers took this matter up vigorously, and chiefly through their efforts the trustees were induced to vote $10,coo, and the pavilion was erected in the city park at a cost of about $12,000. It was dedicated with appropri- ate ceremonies on January 1, 1891.
1891-The city had up to this time retained its original limits of one mile square, although it was surrounded by a thickly populated and well built-up district which was a part of the city in all but name. In 1888 a proposition to take in a larger area was voted down, but on January 17, 1891, the people voted to enlarge the boundaries, and the city was thus authorized to take in territory which increased the area to six and one-half miles, and the popula- tion from 4,500 to nearly 10,000:
In June bonds to the amount of $60,000 were voted for a High School building. This year the city was first lighted by electricity, the San An- tonio Electric Co. putting in from 500 to 800 incandescent lights .. The Epis- copal church was completed and occupied this year.
1892-January I, the first City Library was opened, with Miss Ella Ames as librarian. During 1892 the Hall of Records was completed and work was begun on the new Court House.
One of the most unique events in the history of San Bernardino was the Woman's Non-Partisan Political Convention which met in that city October 12, 1892. Sixty-five delegates from various clubs and societies were present and after due deliberation they nominated a complete county ticket for the next election and instructed their husbands, brothers, sons and lovers to vote for their candidates, all of whom were defeated.
November 5, 1892, occurred the costliest fire ever experienced in the city. The Stewart Hotel building was burned to the ground with all the stores and offices located in the block. The San Bernardino Fire Depart- ment, aided by Redlands and other towns, made a brave fight, but the build- ing could not be saved. The loss was estimated at $150,000.
1893-February 20, the annual state convention of Turners was held in San Bernardino, with a large and enthusiastic attendance. The Orphans' Home was opened in February and twenty children brought from Los An- geles and placed in it. February 24, the Riverside county bill passed the Legislature. The Stewart Hotel was rebuilt this year. While the second building was not so costly as the first, it was a substantial and handsome edifice of three stories, and the hotel is known as one of the most comfortable and well kept establishments in Southern California.
1894-The First National Bank closed its doors; one of the worst fail- ures ever occurring in the city. Notices were posted stating that depositors would be paid in full. Receivers were appointed and after many legal pro-
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ceedings and disappointments the affairs of the institution were finally wound up 1899 and depositors received some 62 per cent of their money all told.
1895-La Fiesta de San Bernardino was celebrated with a bull fight, Spanish barbecue, races and a civic procession, 200 Coahuilla Indians, grand illumination, etc., in September. In August occurred a disastrous fire at D and Court streets in which some half dozen buildings were destroyed.
1897-This year was marked by a most disastrous fire, in which Whit- ney's mill, St. John's Episcopal church and a number of other buildings were burned. The Redlands fire department was called in, and the total loss was $50,000.
1898-May 9, Co. K started for San Francisco amid a grand demonstra- tion of the citizens. The famous artesian "gusher" which flowed 500 inches was struck this year and many artesian wells were put down in the vicinity
of the city. The Court House was completed and occupied this year, and the pavilion at Urbita Springs built.
1899-December 19, electric car service was instituted in the city.
1900-The old Board of Trade, formed in 1887, after a few years of activity, passed out of existence. In 1900 the representative business men of the city felt that such an organization for promoting the interests of the town was needed, and reorganized as a Board of Trade, with J. B. Gill as president ; John Andreson, Jr., vice-president; F. D. Keller, secretary, and C. Cohn, treasurer. The following citizens were chosen as directors: Thomas Hadden, James Fleming. J. W. Curtis, H. L. Drew, Joseph Jonas. Commit- tees were appointed and the Board at once became an active factor in the advancement of the commercial and industrial interests of the vicinity. It took an active part in securing the Salt Lake Road for San Bernardino, and
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has been largely instrumental in pushing street improvements, the new water system and in securing a revision of the city charter. It was instru- mental in carrying out two or three successful street fairs, or Fiestas, which attracted attention and trade to the town. The present officers of the Board are: J. J. Hanford, president ; N. J. Herzog, vice-president ; H. M. Willis, secretary ; H. D. Sibley, treasurer ; directors-Thomas Hadden, H. M. Bar- ton, W. S. Hooper, H. R. Levy, A. M. Ham.
1901-This year the first Street Fair was held in the city and was a most successful event. A queen was chosen, a court appointed and elaborate street decorations, processions and illuminations, with a grand ball, races and numerous events added to the occasion. It drew a large number of visitors from neighboring towns and was greatly enjoyed.
1902-February 21, first service on the San Bernardino Valley Traction line. In December, $231,000 bonds were voted for the acquirement of an ade- quate and up-to-date water system for the municipality.
1903-Andrew Carnegie donated $20,000 for a public library. December 5. an election was held to choose freeholders to frame a new city charter. Southern Pacific Company purchased land in the heart of the city for depot grounds and also for right of way.
1904-The new Masonic Temple was completed at a cost of about $35,000 and dedicated with fitting ceremonies. The Carnegie Library was finished and put into use with appropriate ceremonies.
The Southern Pacific Railroad Company began the erection of a $30,000 depot and put in a broad gauge track into the city. Nearly half a million dollars was expended in building during the year. Among the substantial and architecturally satisfying buildings are a new theater, the Broadway, costing $35,000; the Dunn & Black Block, the Home Telephone building, the Anderson Block, and the new Baptist church, which is expected to cost $30,000. A new gas plant is also being installed. The city now has a popu- lation of 11,582, according to a recent house-to-house canvass made by the postmaster, Stephen J. Kelley. This would make the estimated population of 12,000 none too large. The city has now emerged from the slow develop- ment of the past and is forging ahead with a strength and rapidity that puts her in the front rank among the enterprising and progressive towns of South- ern California. San Bernardino is indeed the "Queen City" of the great San Bernardino Valley, and is in a fair way to become the second city in size and in commercial importance in Southern California, even though San Diego has her harbor and her immense "back country."
On the 30th of July, 1904, in pursuance of an order of the board of trus- tecs of the City of San Bernardino, and under the provisions of the constitu- tion of the State. a special election was held, by the qualified electors of the city to choose fifteen freeholders, residents of the city, to prepare a city charter for submission to the voters of the city, for ratification or rejection. The
LEWIS JACOBS
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freeholders so chosen, were John Andreson, Sr., H. M. Barton, I. R. Brunn, J. W. Cattick, M. L. Cook, Geo. M. Cooley, F. B. Daley, J. J. Hanford, W. S. Hooper, L. D. Houghton, Jos. Ingersoll, A. G. Kendall, James Murray, W. M. Parker and H. C. Rolfe. They assembled accordingly, and organized a board, and within the ninety days as prescribed by the constitution, prepared and sub- mitted a city charter, and on the 6th of January, following, it was ratified by a vote of nearly three to one at a special election of the people. And being subse- quently approved by concurrent resolution of both houses of legislature on the 30th of January, 1905, it became the organic law or charter of the city. for its future government. It provides for a mayor and common council, as the legislative and executive departments of the city government, in place of the former board of trustees. Also a board of water commissioners, as well as several other boards, and a police and fire department. As a whole, it is intended to be, and no doubt is, an improvement on the former city gov- ernment, as a city of the fifth class as heretofore existing under the general municipal corporation law of the State, and better adapted to deal with, and manage, its municipal affairs, with its various and large amount of improve- ments, owned and managed by the city, including a valuable system of water works, with an abundant supply of pure water for domestic and other use- ful purposes of the inhabitants, as well as public uses of the city for sprink- ling the streets, extinguishing fires, etc.
BANKS.
The oldest bank in San Bernardino county is the Bank of San Bernar- dino, which began business under the name of Meyerstein & Co. in 1874. Lewis Jacobs was made the manager of the institution from its very start and soon became proprietor of the business. It was conducted as a private bank and did a general banking business, in early days purchasing bullion, gold bars and gold dust. It financed many of the most important business deals in the county and always had the confidence of the people. It was first conducted in a brick building which was later used as Sturges Academy on Fourth street. The building now occupied on Third street was especially built and fitted up for this bank.
Mr. Lewis continued at the head of the bank until his death in 1900. while on the return trip from a visit to his old home in Europe. Oscar Newburg is now manager and Clarence Mylrea cashier.
Farmers' Exchange Bank. This, the second bank in the county, was organized in 1881, with Byron Waters, president; Richard Gird, vice-presi- dent ; E. H. Morse, cashier. In 1884, H. L. Drew became president and re- tained that office until his death in 1901. In 1888, the present bank building, a three-story structure of brick, stone and marble was erected for the bank. The lower floor was especially fitted up for the bank and the rooms were
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J. W. ROBERTS, late President of the San Bernardino National Bank
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elegantly finished in marble, mahogany and plate glass. In the same year, Sumpter F. Zombro became cashier, a position he still holds. The paid up stock of the bank has been steadily increased from $30,000 in 1881 to $100,- 000 in 1893. It was the first incorporated bank in the county and has al- . ways commanded a large volume of banking business. The present officers are, John Andreson, Sr., president; James Fleming, vice-president ; S. F. Zombro, cashier ; John Andreson, Jr., assistant cashier.
First National Bank of San Bernardino. This bank was instituted in 1886 with a paid up capital of $100,000 and with J. H. Smith, president ; M. B. Garner, vice-president, and W. N. Crandall, cashier. Directors were Joseph Brown, H. Brinkmeyer. J. A. Hall, W. N. Crandall, W. J. Curtis, J. B. Good- let, M. B. Garner, J. H. Smith, John M. James. In 1887 a considerable flurry and a run on the bank occurred as a result of some misunderstanding among the stockholders. In 1894 the bank closed its doors with the announcement that stockholders would be paid in full. John Brown, Sr., was then presi-
dent, M. B. Garner, vice-president. and O. H. Kohl, cashier. After long delay, many disappointments and much legal untangling, the affairs of the bank were finally closed up in 1899, depositors re- ceiving about 621/2 per cent of their deposits. .
San Bernardino National Bank.
This bank was formed in 1887 and opened for business February 4, 1888, with J. G. Burt, president : A. H. Hart, vice-president ; E. H. Morse, cashier; W. S. Hooper, teller. It was established in ele- gant quarters in the Stewart Ho- tel Block. Some of its records were destroyed in the fire of 1892, but the bank was in no way crippled and resumed business in the new Stewart Hotel Building JOHN L. OAKEY when that was completed-quar- ters which it still occupies. Among the early stockholders were Ambrose Hunt. I. R. Brunn, Richard Gird, J. G. Burt, C. E. A. Palmer, J. W. Davis. Jr., Seth Marshall, H. L. Drew, E. H. Morse, A. Hart, Henry Goodcell, Sr., W. S. Hooper. Richard Stewart, W. E. W. Lightfoot, L. A. Grant, John Patterson, W. W. Stow, J. W. Roberts, H. E. Harris.
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In 1891, J. W. Roberts became president of the bank and at the same time the capital stock was doubled. Upon his death in 1903, the presidency was filled by the election of his son, E. D. Roberts, who had long been con- nected with the bank. The present officers are, E. D. Roberts, president ; H. E. Harris, vice-president ; W. S. Hooper, cashier.
San Bernardino County Savings Bank, was opened for business, July 6, 1903, with a paid up capital of $55,000. E. D. Roberts is president ; Seth Marshall, vice-president; A. C. Den- man, 2nd vice-president ; A. G. Kendall, cashier ; directors, E. D. Roberts, Sethi Marshall, A. C. Denman, Jr., W. S. Hooper, G. W. Parsons, H. E. Harris, A. M. Ham, T. A. Blakely, A. L. Wright, H. B. Smith, W. J. Curtis.
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