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 56
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At the begining of Mr. Harper's pastorate there were 70 members on the roll. In March, 1894. the congregation having outgrown the chapel. was transferred to the new Y. M. C. A. auditorium, which was occupied by the church for its Sunday services for over two years. A parsonage was
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erected at a cost of $2,000 during the winter of '94-95. Early in 1896, the church entered upon the erection of the present house of worship, which was completed before the close of the year, the first services being held in the Sunday School rooms, Sept. 3, and the formal opening of the building oc- curring Dec. 27. The entire cost of the new church with its furnishings, was $8,500. A lot 50x165 feet adjoining the property was donated to the church by T. Y. England. The entire indebtedness of the church, amounting to $4 .- 000, was paid Nov. 1, 1899, and a dedicatory service was held May 14th.
During the summer of 1900, the church building was enlarged at a cost of about $2,000,, providing space for organ, choir room, pastor's study, and other conveniences. Sept. 30, A. Hornby, presented the church with a pipe organ. Mrs. Zora D. Sitton served as pastor's assistant from Nov. 1901 10 Jan. 1903, and was succeeded by Miss Nellie C. Fowler, who has been the musical director of the church since 1894. In the year 1902, a Sunday School was organized at El Casco, with Rev. O. E. McCollan, as Superintendent.
Revivals of special interest and power, have occurred in 1894, 1897, 1900 and 1902. During the year 1902 there was a larger number added to the church than in any previous year; by confession and baptism, 80, in other ways. 87. The efforts of the church were largly directed during 1903 to the erection of a stone Sunday School building, adjoining the church andı- torium. The new building, together with the furnishings, and the improve- ments made on the church proper, represented an expenditure of $14,000. The new portion of the building was opened for service, Feb. 14, 1904
The church organized in 1887 with thirteen members, now numbers 485 members. The Sunday School enrollment exceeds 500. The deacons are, Russell Waite, E. S. Foote, Wm. Fowler, Alfred Humphrey, Isaac Ford, Wm. Tattersall and C. C. Beatty. The trustees are, William Fowler, Isaac Ford, Arthur Gregory, J. E. Porter, J. W. England, A. Harvey Collins and F. C. Hornby. The clerk is J. W. Dutro, and the treasurer, F. E. Sanford. First Methodist Church.
The First Methodist sermon in Redlands was preached by Rev. C. W. Nicklin in the old Y. M. C. A. hall October 16, 1887, to a congregation of 43 persons. The First Methodist church was organized November 15. of the same year, with a membership of 14. May 1, 1888, Mr. Nicklin resigned on account of ill health, and Rev. J. W. Phelps supplied the pulpit until the con- ference convened in September, when Rev. B. C. Cory was appointed pastor. The membership had grown to 43. March 25, 1890, two lots were purchased on the southwest corner of Cajon street and Citrus avenue, for $1500, where a church was erected 40x60 feet, at a cost including furnishings, of $5400. On this there was a debt of $3500. In March 1892, this debt was reduced by $1900.
The following September, Rev. E. J. Inwood was appointed pastor. The membership was now 220.
The next year a lot was purchased at 115 East Olive avenue, for $300, and
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on it a parsonage was erected at a cost of $1400. Early in 1895 the church was rearranged at a cost of $2400. March 30, 1896, two lots adjoining the church property on the west were purchased for $300.
In September, 1897, Rev. W. M. Stirling succeeded Rev. Inwood. The membership had grown to 396. March 3, 1898, the two remaining lots on the west sid of those already acquired, were purchased at a cost of $600.
In September, 1898, Rev. Stirling was appointed Presiding Elder of San Diego District, and Rev. L. M. Hartley became pastor at Redlands. There were now 425 members. The need for a new church began to be seriously felt. and November 19, 1899, a subscription of $5290.45 was raised, out of which old debts to the amount of $3835 were paid, and $1225 was investel as a nucleus for a new church fund.
CHARLES L. CLOCK
In September, 1900, Rev. Hart- ley's health having become im- paired, Rev. R. L. Bruce was ap- . pointed pastor. The membership now numbered 550. The follow- ing spring, the way was providen- tially opened for securing a very dseirable site for a new church, on the northeast corner of Cajon street and Olive avenue, and April 28, 1901, $10,500 was raised for the purchase of the site. It con- sists of seven lots having a front- age of 150 feet on Cajon street, and 185 feet on Olive avenue. Plans for a new building were obtained form L. B. Valk,of Los Angeles, the old lot and church were sold for $22,000 and the
corner-stone of the new church was laid November 5, 1902. The builders were Lynn & Lewis, of Redlands, and it is only justice to them and to their superintendent, William Ferguson, to say that the construction was of the most substantial and workmanlike character. The gentlemen composing the building committee worked harmoniously with the architect and the con- tractors, and the result is gratifying to all.
The cost of the building was about $36,000, and the entire property, in- cluding lots, furnishings, etc., is valued at something over $50,000. The build- ing is of old Mission style, veneered up to the plate line, with gray pressed cement brick, with gables and tower plastered. It is profusely ornamented
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with staff work, and the whole exterior appearance is exceedingly pleasing.
The interior is a gem of churchly architecture. Though the church easily seats 1800 people, and could hold 2000 if crowded, so symmetrical is the ar- rangement, that every one of the great throng can easily see and hear the speaker.
The board of trustees under whom this building has been erected are, C. L. Clock, president ; A. N. Dike, secretary ; B. H. Jacobs, A. McGregor, J. E. Hollett, R. G. Rohrer, and H. B. Curtis.
The building committee which has superintended the work consist of C.
L. Clock, president ; R. G. Rohrer, secretary; A. N. Dike, B. H. Jacobs, E. C. Campbell and Geo. Iveson.
The church was dedicated June 7, 1903. The dedication was con- ducted, and the dedicatory ser- mon was preached by Bishop J. W. Hamilton. There remained on the church an indebtedness of a little less than $12,000. Under the leadership of the bishop, $12- 500 was raised, leaving this mag- nificent property entirely free of debt.
The present membership is about 700, with about 150 proba- tioners. Too much cannot be said in praise of the cheerful sac- rafice and heroic giving of the people who have carried this B. H. JACOBS great work to successful comple- tion. No soliciting has been done from outside parties, though a few from other folds have very generously volunteered to assist.
Epworth League of the First M. E. Church.
On July 2, 1889, Rev. B. C. Cory, then pastor of the Frst M. E. Church of Redlands, called the young people together, in a meeting at the parsonage and organized what was to be known as the "Student's Society," with Rev. B. C. Cory, Misses Lulu and Lottie Bishop, Mary Fackler, Emma Jackson. Clara McConkey, and Messrs. Howard Hill, H. A. Horton, and E. S. Libby. as charter members. On October 16th, 1889, this "Student's Society" was organized into an Epworth League, with Rev. B. C. Cory as president.
The Epworth League continued to grow, until from nine members, we
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now have 190, and it has ever been noted for its well attended and interesting Devotional Services, which are held on Sunday evenings, at 6:30 o'clock. In these years, several special lines of work have been undertaken, along literary as well as spiritual lines. There have been courses of lectures by prominent pastors of the Conference ; evenings with the different authors ; debates ; even- ings of travel, illustrated by views; Bible study classes; missionary study classes, etc. The social department has always been made to help in interest- ing strangers, and creating a better acquaintance among members, and the socials given have always been enjoyed.
One of the special features of the work, begun in the early history of this chapter of the Epworth League, was a street meeting, started in the summer of 1893, held at 6 o'clock on Sunday evenings. This work has become a very important feature of the League, and has been continued regularly since its commencement, with the possible exception of a month or so one summer. The services are well attended by the men who congregate on our streets, and we believe an untold amount of good has been done.
The Chapter is steadily growing, and is well engineered by an efficient corps of officers at present, and all departments are in good working order, with a prospect of a larger usefulness in the future, than in the past; and as it has always stood for active service for the Master, under whose divine leadership it works, so we trust it always will. This is, in brief, the history of Chapter No. 4916, of the Epworth League, of the First M. E. Church, of Redlands.
SOCIETIES.
Redlands Lodge No. 300, F. and A. M.
Redlands Lodge No. 300, F. and A. M. was instituted March 17, 1890, with nineteen charter members, F. P. Meserve being the first W. M. The lodge has steadily increased since that date, in numbers, and strength. It has recently fitted up elegant lodge rooms in the new postoffice block. The present officers are : W. M., J. J. Prendergast ; S. W., W. M. Campbell ; J. W., M. F. Pierce : Secretary, Otto G. Suess ; Treasurer, R. M. Hamilton ; S. D., W. L. Pile : J. D., W. V. Whitson ; Marshal, C. M. Brown ; Chaplain, F. A. Wales ; S. S., A. S. Davis ; G. S., G. H. Leland ; Tyler, S. S. Waldo.
Knights of Pythias.
This order was formed in Redlands, Jan. 5, 1895. with a charter member- ship of 57. The membership is now 170. The K. of P. hall in the Columbia building was fitted up especially for the society in the most complete and elegant manner.
Redlands Lodge, No. 583, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Redlands Lodge, No. 583, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, was instituted in Redlands, May 20, 1900, a large number of Elks from Los An-
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geles, assisting in the installation which was conducted by Dr. W. F. Ken- nedy, of Los Angeles, Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler. There were 100 charter members, and the order has flourished. It has elegant lodge rooms in the postoffice block.
Bear Valley Post No. 162, of the G. A. R.
Bear Valley Post No. 162, of the G. A. R., was formed Dec. 5, 1891, with G. H. Crafts, Post Commander; G. T. Ordway, Service Commander; L. B. Jackson, Jr. Vice Commander ; S. C. Majors, Chaplain ; J. S. Riggs, Surgeon ; R. W. Mateer, Officer of the Day ; S. D. Savage, Officer of the Guard ; J. Lee Burton, Adjutant ; C. V. Decker, Sergeant Major; B. F. Watrous, Quarter- master Major.
The Country Club.
This club was first organized as a Golf Club, in 1897, with a membership of about twenty-five, F. P. Morrison, being President; A. E. Sterling, Vice- President and John E. Fisher, Secretary and Treasurer. In 1900, the club was re-organized as the Country Club. This organization purchased a tract of about eighty acres, and built a neat club house which cost about $6.500. Golf links, two tennis courts, and roque grounds are maintained. The grounds are being set to shade trees and otherwise improved. The club now has a mem- bership of 150. The membership is open to transient visitors as well as per- manent residents. The present officers are:, H. H. Garstin, President; A. S. Auchincloss, Vice-President ; John W. Gill, Secretary and Treasurer.
UNIVERSITY CLUB.
This organization was started at a meeting of the representative college men of Redlands, at Casa Loma, Hotel on January 10, 1902. It began with forty-eight members, and organized with George E. Otis as president, and an executive committee, consisting of the president, F. P. Morrison, C. J. Curtis, L. D. Schaffer, E. H. Bryan Jr. K. H. Field and H. P. D. Kingsbury.
The club secured quarters about the first of March, 1902, in the two rooms over the Union Bank, where it remained until it moved into its new building in December, 1903.
The club started as an association, the objects of which were to promote cordiality among its members, and furtherance of all university interests.
It was well patronized from the start, and by the addition of new members from time to time, soon grew to a size which gave rise to the idea of incor- porating with a view to issuing bonds, and having a home of its own. The club was incorporated under the laws of the state on May 17, 1902, with the old executive committee as a board of directors.
Plans for a new house were drawn up and presented by Mr. L. D. Schaf-
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fer, and from these plans was built the present home of the club, a model of utility and convenience, comfort and artistic excellence.
At this time, Mr. A. C. Burrage, one of the original members, showed his interest in the organization by donating to it the lots on which the house now stands. This gift made it possible for the club to go ahead and carry out the plans for its new home.
The first anniversary of the club found it with a membership increased to about eighty, all bills paid, and a surplus in the treasury of several hundred dollars. At the annual meeting it was voted to incur a bonded indebtedness not to exceed $20,000, the bonds to pay interest at the rate of six per cent, to run twenty years, and with the money from the sale of these bonds, to erect and equip a club house on the lots donated by Mr. Burrage, in accordance with the plans of Mr. Schaffer.
The club elected Mr. E. M. Lyon as its president for its second year, and Mr. Lyon, with Messrs. Otis, Schaffer, Kingsbury, Bryan, Mor- rison and Denman, formed the board of directors.
The new building was contract- ed for, and excavating was begun on June 22, 1903, and was fin- ished by the end of November, at which time the club moved into its new home.
The opening ceremonies were held on December 30, in the form of a "smoker," for the mnem- bers, and on January 4, 1904, the members entertained their friends with a reception and dance.
The Redlands Medical Society.
The Redlands Medical Society was organized in August, 1898. The first officers were Dr. Chas. H. TYLER, M. D. C. Browning, President; Dr. Wm. H. Wilmot, Vice- president; Dr. H. Tyler, Secretary and Treasurer. These men with Dr. S. Y. Wynne, were the charter members.
The present officers are, J. E. Payton, President: G. G. Mosley, Vice- president ; Wm. A. Taltavall, Secretary and Treasurer.
The society meets the last Wednesday in each month, in the Y. M. C. A. parlors, and at each meeting a paper is read and discussed by the members.
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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
Redlands Orchestra.
This organization was formed in May, 1888, by a number of music lovers, among whom were Messrs. J. W. and H. B. Wilson, C. H. Hobart and M. F. Pierce. The orchestra was very fortunate at the outset in having the benefit of training under H. L. Sloan, who was then host of the Sloan House, and who was a musician of rare ability. He possessed a remarkable voice, a thoroughly refined and cultivated ear, and was a master of technique, having
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J. E. LIGHT
played with the Thomas orchestra, in Chicago, and with other first-class musi- cal organizations. Then after his death, Prof. Gunther and Prof. Ohlmeyer acted as directors of the organizations. The members were only those who were devoted to music, and were willing to practice regularly and strenously. They reached a high degree of perfection, and were called upon to play on many public occasions, as at the Citrus Fair, held in Los Angeles, in 1889.
The members often come long distances in order to attend rehearsals, and some of them have since distinguished themselves in other musical circles. It has suffered many changes of membership, but has always maintained its high standing. It now has a fine collection of high-class orchestra music, and gives occasional concerts.
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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.
CHAPTER XVIII.
COLTON.
n
THE PIONEERS OF COLTON
(From a photograph taken in 1876, showing the entire population of the then new town, except Mr. and Mrs. Noel Davenport, who were at the time away from home.)
Charcoal Sketch of Colton Pioneers. By I. E. Mosher
"There has just been published a photograph of the "Pioneers of Colton." taken against the east end of the depot, which as a work of art and a picture of the "Good, the True and the Beautiful" has not been surpassed on this continent. A group covering so much true worth deserves more than a passing notice and we propose to show in detail how the pioneers loom up, even though it was a foggy morning when they sat in the face of the sun which was battling with the mists of San Gorgonio Pass as they sat.
To begin with the long bench, there sits Murphy at the north end (right
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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.
hand side of picture), looking, because he moved, as if the fog had enveloped him, but still managing to show a new hat, the plaid of his summer garments and the glittering sheen of his highly polished countenance. Next comes Mr. William Montgomery Gregory and Jim Gibson, who look like a precious pair of horse thieves manacled together and waiting for Judge Topp to sen- tence them to eight years in state's prison. At their right sits Henry Greg- ory, dreamily looking at the far off mountains, but evidently keeping a mighty sharp eye on the convicts at his left. His whole look is generally suggestive of the impecunious solicitor of morning cocktails. The next are Mr. and Mrs. Laird and Mr. Jacob Polhemus, who are introduced for the purpose of giving tone to the picture and saving it from unutterable and irretrievable disgrace. Sitting at the south end of the bench is Mr. Wint. House with a big club in his hand and looking mad enough to go out and smash the pho- tographer for making him sit there with the sun in his eyes, but he is only practicing a new smile he learned down at Pomona. Standing in the rear of this array of pioneer braves is the balance of the group. Beginning as before, at the north end, Will Polhemus faces the world like Ajax defying the "lightning strikers," or a surreptitious distiller when the revenue officers are after him. Frank Emerson, with a helmet hat such as Stanley wore into the jungles of Africa, lays one lily-white (he uses it for his complexion) hand, about the size of a soup-plate, upon John Butler's shoulder and smiles a "smile that is child-like and bland.". And Butler looks as though someone had dropped whitewash in his eye and he was going to shed tears, or had swallowed an asteroid and it had soured on his stomach. And now, dear reader, with awe and veneration approach the pioneerest of the pioneers. Here is John Congreve with a big zinc bucket on his arm and his hand spread out on his manly chest like a small boy reaching for crawfish, appar- ently going for water to the zanja, before Colton boasted a well. And now comes Mosher, the inimitably graceful, whose every movement is unwritten poetry, with his left-handed fiddle; one number 13 shoe planted weightily on the bench before him and the fire of lofty genius streaming redly from his eyes which are closed to keep the sun out. He looks as though he could fid- dle that crowd to death on short notice, and. if the picture don't lie, he would steal a horse, or hold a hot board under a chicken roost on a cold night until every blessed chicken steps onto it, and then walk away with the whole me- nagerie.
No doubt this group, of the unlucky number of "13," will go down to the posterity of this city, which they adorn by living in it, with a halo about them-which said halo was won by the trials and hardships they experienced in settling the spot now known to the nation as the "Hub of California." The picture is as great a success as were the pioneers, and any family that does not have one of them (the pictures, not the pioneers) among their household goods don't know a good thing when they see it.
A BUSINESS CORNER IN COLTO N
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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
COLTON.
The history of Colton begins with the formation of the Slover Mountain Colony Association in the year 1873. This association, which was made up of William H. Mintzner, who became president, P. A. Raynor, J. C. Peacock, W. R. Fox and Ambrose Hunt, purchased from Wm. A. Conn 2000 acres of land lying on the sandy plain to the south of San Bernardino and border- ing on the Santa Ana river. This land had been considered as worthless for agricultural purposes, but the purchasers platted it and began to offer in- ducements to settlers. A tract of land with a well was offered the first set- tler, and in 1874 Dr. W. R. Fox selected the forty acres still owned and occupied by his family on Colton Terrace, built a house and moved onto the property, thus becoming the first resident of Colton. He was soon followed by Rev. James Cameron and by the Gregory brothers. All of these chose lands on the terrace and began to put out citrus orchards in 1875.
In the meantime negotiations had been made with the Western Develop- ment Company, which was constructing the Southern Pacific track eastward from Spadra. The tract of the Slover Mountain Company lay directly in line between Spadra, the termination of the Southern Pacific at this time, and the San Gorgonio Pass, through which the road was to cross the mountains. San Bernardino was off the line, yet a depot must be built to secure her traffic. Doubtless these points had been duly considered before the pur- chase of the land. An agreement was entered into with the railroad com- pany's representatives whereby the association was to deed to the Western Development Co., which was but another name for the Southern Pacific Co., one mile square of land. The railroad was to make this their head- quarters for the San Bernardino valley, were to lay out and improve a town site and were to share the proceeds of the sale of lots with the original owners. In connection with this arrangement grew the law-suit of Raynor vs. Mintzner, which was one of the longest and hardest fought in the annals of the county and which was finally decided by awarding Raynor an un- divided four-sevenths interest in the original holdings of the Slover Mountain Association.
The contract with the Western Improvement Association was entered into April 17, 1875. Tanks and a station were built at once, and on August II, 1875, the first train that ever entered San Bernardino valley reached Colton-named for D. R. Colton, one of the railway officials-and for a year or more Colton was the terminus of the Southern Pacific line. L. E. Mosher was the first station and express agent at this station. His later career as a newspaper man and a writer and his sad death are well known throughout Southern California.
R. W. FOX, M D.
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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
M. A. Murphy, representing the Pioneer Lumber Co., was one of the first settlers in the new town. An office and yards for this company were among the first improvements made. A restaurant, kept by Callahan, and a saloon followed.
In March, 1876, the store building of A. M. Hathaway and N. E. Daven- port was erected by Jacob Polhemus and son, of San Bernardino. This stood just west of the present livery stable on Front street near J street. The firm carried a stock of some $20,000 worth of goods and did a large business before there was a residence in the town. The railroad was then putting its line through the San Gorgonio Pass and goods were shipped by team as far east as the Mojave desert. The first postoffice was located in this store, with A. M. Hathaway as postmaster.
A small frame building was built immediately after the store and was opened as a hotel by Jacob Laird, May 20, 1876. In May, 1876, the Riverside Press credits Colton with nine buildings; this probably included the resi- dences on Colton terrace. The first residence within the town proper was a three-room house built for N. E. Davenport and standing where his pres- ent home is located.
In the fall of 1876 the railroad company put up a frame building which was opened as the Transcontinental Hotel. A year or so later it was burned, presumably an incendiary fire, and the company replaced it with the brick building now known as the Capitol Hotel. This was fitted up in what was considered at that time remarkable style, and opened under the manage- ment of Dr. Albert Thompson. During 1876 the Presbyterian church was or- ganized by Rev. James Cameron, the first meetings being held in the hotel. The next year subscriptions were secured for a church building and Mrs. Cameron went east and raised the balance of the money needed from her friends, so that the church building was dedicated free from debt.
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