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 64
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A cable ferry has lately been put in at Needles and handles a large amount of freight for the mills and mines in the vicinity.
The Future.
A series of dams to be built across the Colorado has been projected. which if carried out by the government as proposed, will create a new em- pire out of what is now desert waste. These dams will bring a vast area under irrigation : they will not only supply water, but will also supply soil where there was barrenness and by the deposit of silt, will fertilize compara- tively worthless soil; they will greatly facilitate navigation on the river by creating new and deeper channels; and these vast storage dams can be uti- lized to produce almost unlimited power for electrical purposes. The pos- sibilities of the plan are almost beyond comprehension, yet beyond question. it is only a matter of time when these dreams will become facts, and the re- sources and wealth of San Bernardino county will be vastly increased as a result.
631
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
NEEDLES.
By L. V. Root.
August 17, 1882, William Hood, chief engineer of the Southern Pacific, landed at what is now Needles from the steamer Mojave. He had come up from Yuma with 30 men and 35 animals and at once began surveying a line for a railroad from the Colorado river westward. This party worked its way westward until they met another party who had come from Mojave. In April, 1883, the track was completed between Needles and Mojave. Noth- ing more was done until the Atlantic and Pacific reached the Arizona side of the river in July. The latter road built a pile bridge across the river which was completed August 13th, 1883, and then the first train from the east en- tered San Bernardino county. On May 4th, 1884, that bridge was washed out and the following September was replaced by what was known as a strain beam bridge. This was followed by an iron bridge-the one now in use. This is a cantilever bridge, and was at the time of its con- struction the second largest bridge of this kind in the world.
Frank Monaghan and Dan Murphy, who were among the first railroad, men in the southern end of the state, had accompanied the construction force across the desert with a stock of goods- both wet and dry. At Needles they opened a small store. Paul Breon had already started a store here and Ben Spear, the sutler at Fort Mojave, had opened a bakery. Breon later joined in business with Monaghan and Murphy, but eventually sold out and became a member of the firm of Wheaton, Breon & Co. of San Francisco, where he died.
L. V. ROOT
Twenty-one years ago, when the Atlantic & Pacific railroad crossed the Colorado river, there sprung up on the confines of the great commonwealth of California a little way station, which on account of its proximity to the mountains of the same name, was called Needles. (These isolated spires were given the name "Needles" by Colonel Ives on his map made in 1857-8.) At that period no one saw any future for the little village except the shrewd managers and builders of the railroad, who readily recognized the value of the water supply so easily and advantageously to be utilized. The Southern Pacific railroad had graded from Mojave, California, across the desert and at
632
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
Needles joined tracks with the Atlantic & Pacific, and later leased its lines to them, the Atlantic & Pacific finally being absorbed by the Atchison, To- peka & Santa Fe. The first settlers of Needles, barring the Mojave and Chemehuevi Indians, were the employes of the railroad company. There were no women and children here then because it was thought that the in- tense heat of the summer was too great for their endurance. The Halsey Brothers had a small store, there was a saloon in the depot building, and Monaghan & Murphy had begun in a small way their successful business career. The first white woman to become a resident of the town was Mrs. A. M. Hart, who, with her two children, proved the fallacy of the accepted opinion that "Needles might do for men and dogs, but was too hot for women and children."
The first justice of the peace was Frank Monaghan, who made a model "judge," and who was then known as all the law and or- der west of the Colorado river. It is not a matter of record in the docket of the court, but it is a well authenticated fact that on one occasion the "judge" ad -- journed court for fifteen minutes while he administered a sound - drubbing to an obstreperous in- dividual who persisted in inter- rupting the orderly proceedings of the court. To this popular and efficient official was accorded the honor of marrying the first white couple who entered into matrimony in the town, Arthur FRANK MONAGHAN Colcord, now one of the best and trustiest engineers on the Santa Fe, and Miss Addie Smith.
Dan Murphy was the first constable and deputy sheriff. He was a ter- ror to evil doers, but kind hearted, charitable and just to all. There was no calaboose or jail in the town then and when there were no box cars on the sidetrack to be used for confinement of hard characters, Dan invented and used the safe and effective method of handcuffing his prisoner to a telegraph pole. With plenty of cool water at hand and a comfortable bed to sleep on, which the kind hearted officer always provided, the prisoners were more comfortable thus than they are now in the modern, improved steel cages.
In 1886 the first school of Needles was organized with Frank Monaghan,
633
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.
"Cap" Williams and George Heimer as the board of trustees and Howard Bledsoe as teacher. The first school was in a small pole and dirt house, or wickiup, located about where John Quinn's Palace saloon now stands. This soon proved inadequate and before the term ended more commodious and comfortable quarters were found in the railroad tool house. The progres- sive board, however, were still not satisfied and soon built a school house, a Mrs. Penniman succeeding Mr. Bledsoe as teacher. In 1888 Mr. George Riddell, an educated and accomplished gentleman, came to Needles and was elected teacher. In a year or so the school had grown so that a larger build- ing was necessary, and the school board decided to bond the district and put up a commodious two-story building. As a result, a handsome two-story sandstone structure was erected, which, with the block of land purchased as grounds, cost the district $20,000. This building was destroyed by fire in 1899, and was rebuilt on a less expensive and pretentious plan. In 1903 a high school course was added and there are now four teachers employed. The number of pupils in attendance is about 200.
Churches.
For many years there was no place for worship in the town, but the citizens are quiet and law abiding. In 1888 Father Ferrari, a Catholic clergy- man, visited members of his church here and, seeing the necessity of a church building, concluded to build one. In his praiseworthy efforts he was sub- stantially aided by the citizens, regardless of creed or difference in belief. For some time the little community was satisfied with monthly visits of priests from California and Western Arizona. In 1890, however, Father Bannon was stationed here as parish priest and did good and. effective work. He was succeeded by Father John Reynolds. Father John Brady succeeded Father Reynolds and Father Mathias Tornes is now in charge; a handsome parochial residence has now been added to the church property.
The Congregationalists had, in the meantime, acquired a considerable numerical strength and in 1893 a handsome little church building was erected on the corner of C and Second streets. In this instance, as in all others appealing to the liberality of the citizens, everybody gave the enterprise as- sistance. The first pastor in charge of the church was Rev. Wood, who has been followed by Revs. Overton and Henning. After Rev. Henning's de- parture the church was purchased by the Methodists, who have had as pas- tors Revs. Brown, Field, Baxter and D. Roberts, the latter still in charge. Both of these churches are in a healthy condition, with Sunday schools and the usual number of church societies.
The Episcopalians have gained considerable strength in the city and have just accepted a plat of ground on Second street for the building of a church edifice, Rev. O. P. Hickman of San Bernardino making frequent visits to Needles and holding services.
634
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
Newspapers.
In 1888 Dr. J. P. Booth and Mr. F. H. Harberd concluded that the town needed a newspaper, and as Mr. Harberd was a practical printer and Dr. Booth an old time editor, it was only neecssary to purchase the cases, type and press. These were soon obtained and in October, 1888, "Our Bazoo," a spicy little five column folio appeared. In 1890 Mr. E. E. Booth, of the Winslow News, purchased Mr. Harberd's interest and moved his plant to the desert town. The paper was enlarged and the name changed to "Booth's Bazoo." In 1891 the title was converted to "The Needles Eye," which title is still retained, it being named from the hole which nature has placed through the apex of one of the pinnacles of the Needles mountains. Judge L. V. Root is now the editor and proprietor and it has increased in size to twelve pages.
Population, Climate, Etc.
The present population of Needles is estimated to be 3,000 white people. 500 Indians, 30 Chinese and 50 negroes. The mercantile establish- ment of the Monaghan & Mur- phy Co. (incorporated) is the largest in the city. The Murphy Water, Ice and Light Co. own the water works system of the city and are pumping a daily av- erage of one million gallons every twenty-four hours for the supply of the city. Fire plugs are scat- tered throughout the business and residence portions of the city. Besides the volunteer fire depart- ment, an alarm system is in use and connected with the fire de- partment of the Santa Fe, consist- ing of twenty men, and which department will make runs to all parts of the city. The Murphy Water, Ice and Light Co. also J. H. WEST operate a large ice factory of 100 tons daily capacity, the ice being used largely in car refrigeration of fruits and vegetables east bound, and meats, etc., west bound. There is not a city in the West that has as good a supply of clear, sparkling and wholesome water and ice as Needles. The most unpretentious cabin in the city has at
635
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
least one, and in many instances, two or three faucets from which this health- giving liquid flows in abundance.
Newmark & Folks have built up a splendid trade in dry goods and fur- nishings ; James Halsey also has a large store full of dry goods. S. F. Hol- comb Jr. and S. C. Winchester are both thriving grocers and have built up a good business. There are two handsome and well appointed drug stores in Needles, one owned by the Needles Drug Co., and located in the Briggs block, and the other owned by Dr. D. W. Rees on the corner of E and Main streets.
The Needles Machine Works inaugurated about two years ago has succeeded in building up a large business, handling all the machine work from the neighboring mining camps, which was formerly sent to Los Angeles or San Francisco. This company is an offspring of the Monaghan & Murphy Co.
There are two hotels, the Harvey House and the Needles Hotel. The former is a part of the great Harvey system of hotels which line the Santa Fe system. The Needles Hotel is a large two-story building, situated on D street just off of Main street, and is ably managed by R. Taggart. The Cottage House, at the corner of D and Second, under the management of B. L. Vaughn, has been much improved and brought up to date. There are numerous lodging houses, barber shops and restaurants.
Taken all in all "there are many worse towns than Needles even in our Imperial county," as is frequently asserted by visitors from the "inside."
The climate of Needles is equable and mild except about two months in summer, when the thermometer reaches above the 100 mark, but by reason of the absolute absence of moisture in the atmosphere the heat fails to create anything but excessive perspiration.
Needles is a division town of the Santa Fe system, coast lines, and the headquarters of the superintendent, master mechanic, trainmaster and other officials. A large roundhouse and shops make it necessary to employ many machinists and skilled laborers. Mining companies and miners, as well as the hardy prospector, purchase their supplies at Needles because of its cen- tral location to an immense rich mining country. The soil of the Colorado river valley is fertile and will produce almost anything if properly taken care of. A vast acreage has been taken out of market by the government pend- ing the building of a large irrigation dam a few miles above Needles, which when completed will place water upon several hundred thousand acres of productive land, rivalling, if possible, the Imperial country of San Diego county.
JOHN BROWN, Sr.
637
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE PIONEERS.
A TRIBUTE TO THE PIONEERS.
.
We, of this day, are in danger of forgetting how deeply we are indebted to the Pioneers of the past generations. That the United States today stretches from ocean to ocean and that from boundary to boundary her for- ests and plains, her fertile valleys and her deserts, are populated and culti- vated is chiefly due to the dauntless men who left the homes and the comforts of settled districts to push out into unbroken wilderness, to break trails across trackless plains, to seek out passes through unscalable mountain ranges; the men who dared the peril of Indian warfare, of wild beasts, of starvation and of storm that they might explore new territory and find new homes and new wealth for those who followed them.
The American Pioneers of California found conditions in this territory very different from those of the Middle West. The land was already in- habited by a civilized people; the Indians, while often troublesome, were not the savages of the forests and plains; the climate was propitious ; there were no mighty forests to fell before the tilling of the soil could begin. And yet with all these advantages there was much to be overcome-the journey overland across the continent was in itself a test of courage and endurance unequalled in the history of nations, the distance from home and friends. from the other states and from the seat of government, was a trial that no faint-hearted soul could endure; the wresting of 650 million dollars worth of gold from the mines of California between 1848 and 1860 required almost unlimited faith, muscle and "grit;" the transformation of the state from a vast sweep of sparsely occupied cattle ranges to an inhabited country of farms, villages and cities, demanded an expenditure of untold energy and in- telligence.
The Pioneers of San Bernardino county were compelled to meet many difficulties-both small and great-danger from Indians, the traversing of
638
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
rugged mountains and burning deserts, the devastations of wild animals and pests, floods and drouths, the distance from markets and the cost of trans- portation-all these and many more things they faced and, at least, opened the way for their later overcoming. They dug the ditches which have ex- panded into irrigation systems ; they planted the first orange trees which have multiplied until citrus culture is the greatest industry in the county ; they sought out the minerals and the mines that are now pouring treas- ure into our pockets. They began the work which the present generation is carrying on.
We cannot too greatly appreciate the strong men and the brave women who laid the foundations on which our present civilization is building; who made the trails which our great transcontinental railroads have followed ; who dis- covered the resources which this generation is turning into wealth, and who, best of all, bequeathed to their children and their chil dren's children a legacy of sound health, sturdy morality and sim- ple living, which must be preserv- ed and passed on if this people and this nation is to survive.
Our Pioneers-The earliest set- tlers of this county, the Yorbas, the Lugos, Bandini, Sepulveda, Tapia and others, were mostly na- tive Californians of Spanish des cent. They were men without fear, upright-their word as good as FRANCISCO ALVARADO their bond, used to command. They were generous to lavishness. they numbered their acres and their cattle by the thousands-what need had they to think of the morrow? Bernardo Yorba, Juan Bandini, Antonio Ma- ria Lugo and Tiburcio Tapia were men of affairs, they bore their share in the rapid changes of government-the only thing that did change rapidly in those days, and they helped to make the history of California as a Mexican territory. Most prominent among this class of pioneers were: Antonio Yorba, grantee of Santa Ana de Santiago, 1801 ; Bernardo, Tomas and Teo- dosio, sons of Antonio Yorba : Leandro Serrano, claimant of Temescal Grant, 1828; Juan Bandini, to whom Jurupa Grant was made in 1838; Tiburcio Tapia, grantee of Cucamonga, 1839: Antonio Maria Lugo, Jose M., Jose C.
639
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
and Vicente, his sons, who were granted San Bernardino Rancho in 1842; Diego Sepulveda, one of the grantees of San Bernardino Rancho; Jose M. Valdez, mayor-domo of Cucamonga Rancho: Francisco Alvarado and Jose Bermudas of San Bernardino.
The early American and foreign pioneers were men of great physical force and endurance and of indomitable will-they would never have reached California in that day otherwise. They married the women, they adopted the customs and the religion of the country they found, yet they were of a shrewder and more provident type than the native Californians and they in- fused new spirit and life into the social and political conditions of their adopted country-for most of them became naturalized citizens of Mexico. They, too, bore a large share in the history of the state and of San Bernar- dino county. In this county we find Isaac Williams, an American, who was owner of the Chino Rancho; B. D. Wilson, also an American, who at one time owned a large interest in Jurupa Grant; Michael White, a native of England, the grantee of Muscupiabe Rancho; Louis Robidoux, of French de- scent, although born in St. Louis, owner of Jurupa : Cornelius Jansen, a na- tive of Denmark, who purchased a part of the Jurupa Grant and lived at Agua Mansa; Cristobal Slover, for whom Slover mountain was named, came in with the New Mexican colonists in 1842: Daniel Sexton, a native of Louisiana, came into San Bernardino county, in 1841 ; Pauline Weaver, one of Ewing Young's party who came in from New Mexico in 1831, was granted San Gorgonio de San Jacinto, by Governor Pico: Louis Vignes, a French- man, was the grantee of a sawmill site in Mill Creek canon under the Mexi- can government : Don Abel Stearns, one of the earliest and most prominent of the American settlers in California, also owned various property rights in this county in early days.
All of these foreign born citizens of California were loyal to the Mexican government and were trusted and honored by the Californians, holding office and acting as advisers in many ways in the affairs of the country. But they were also ready to welcome the coming of the American possession and with- out doubt their influence had much to do with the easy conquest that awaited the United States government when it was ready to act.
New Mexico Colonists. A considerable trade sprang up between New Mexico and California through the thirties. Serapes and woolen blankets were brought from New Mexico and exchanged for horses, mules and the goods brought from foreign ports. With these parties of traders came in a number of settlers. In 1842 a party of colonists arrived in the country under the leadership of Lorenzo Trujillo and accompanying what is known as the "Workman-Rowland" party, led by William Workman and John Rowland. These New Mexicans were offered land on the San Bernardino Rancho by the Lugos and settled there, but later removed to "Bandini's
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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
Donation" on the Jurupa. Among the first of these colonists were Lorenzo Trujillo and family, Manuel Espinosa and family, Gregorio Atension and Hipolito Espinosa, with their families. In 1843 and '44 the following set- tlers located at Agua Mansa: Ignacio Molla, Jose Antonio Martinez, Juan Jamarillo, Pablo Belarde, Esquipelo Garcia, Bernardo Bejillo, Nestor Es- pinosa, Doroteo Trujillo and Miguel Bustamante. These original settlers are nearly all passed away ; only Miguel Bustamante and Pablo Belarde of the original colony remain, but many of their descendants are now living in the vicinity of Colton and San Bernardino.
MORMON PIONEERS.
With the advent of the Mormon colonists begins the history of San Bernardino county and city. To their energy and discernment is due the early development of the agricultural resources of San Bernardino valley and the establishment of a thriving town, and of many prosperous homes at a date when the hacienda of the grant owner and the hut of the Indian were the only habitations of the country outside of the "pueblos."
Among the leaders of the Mormons were: Amasa Lyman and Charles C. Rich, in charge of the colony ; Bishop Nathan C. Tenny, Captains Hunt, Lytle and Hunter, David Seeley, H. G. Sherwood and others.
The occupants of the "Old Fort," with the numbers of their houses, as per the plan (page 132), are here given. It has been found impossible to locate all the occupants, and there may be some mistakes in names or loca- tion, but the list has been prepared with great care and after painstaking investigation and is believed to be nearly perfect :
OCCUPANTS OF THE "OLD FORT."
Located by Number on Plat.
No.
67. Cummings, Albert Carter, Orlando Davidson, J. J.
28 Aldridge
21. Andrews, Simeon
66. Daley, Edward
27 . Blackburn, Abner .
Blackburn, Thomas
33. de Lin, Andrew P. Dixon, David
63 Brown, John, Sr.
Egbert, Robert
Bybee, Alfred Burk, Charles
"R' Fabun, Clark . (wagon shop) Fabun, Clark S. (residence) Flake, Mrs. ( Widow William)
59. Button, Montgomery E.
36
Garner, George
Crismon. Charles
53.
Glazer, Louis ( residence)
37, 38, 39, 40. Crosby, William (Bishop) Crandel, Charles
Grundy, Isaac
40. Cox, A. J. (kept restaurant)
51 Gruard, Benjamin F.
Cox, William J.
2. Hakes, W. V.
Collins, Albert W. ("Peter") Cook, John
30. Harris, John, Sr.
Harris, Moses (had two sons,
70 Casteel, Jacob
54 Glazer, Louis (store)
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
641
Silas and John, with fami- lies ) -... Hoagland, Lucas (later Addi- son Pratt)
Shepard, Samuel (father of Lafayette) Shepard, Carlos Sherwood, Henry G.
65.
48 Hofflin, Samuel
Sparks, O. S.
36. Hopkins, Richard R. (kept store ) Holladay, John
64.
Stoddard, Sheldon
61 Hunt. Captain Jefferson (two sons, Gilbert and Marshall) Hunter, Captain Jesse
62
Hyde, William
Hyde, Joseph Jones, David
Kartchner, William D.
Taft, Daniel M.
25, 26
Lee, Rupert J.
72. 73.
Tanner, Albert
Lytle, Captain Andrew
Tanner, Joseph
1.
Mathews, Joseph
Tanner, Freeman (Brothers-in-law of Amasa Lyman) Tanner, Sydney
74.
Miner (store,
7I.
Tanner, Mrs. ("Mother")
McIlvane, Jerry McGee, Henry Ray
Taylor Tenney, Nathan C. (Bishop)
D, E, F
Rich, Charles C. (Apostle)
Thorp, Theodore
3I. Rolfe, Samuel
35. Rolfe, Gilbert E.
Turley, Theodore
68. Rollins, Henry ( residence)
42. Whitney
69
Rollins, Henry (store)
2. Meeting House and School
Rowan, Mrs. (Lizzie Flake) (colored)
P Office of Lyman & Rich
22. Seeley, David
A, B, C Lyman, Amasa
I.
Shepard, Lafayette
The above are names of adults, most of them heads of families.
The following persons did not see fit to live inside the "Old Fort." They made a camp on the spot now occupied by the old cemetery, about opposite the Moses Garner place :
Biackwell, Hiram
Casteel, Joshua
Clark, Francis Hanks, George Hughes, John
Smithson, Bartlett, and family Hollady, David Taylor, Norman Taylor, Elmer Taylor, "Old Man" Welsh, Mathew
Jones, Alonzo Phelps, John
32. Stuart, John Sullivan, Archie
Swarthout, Truman
Stout, William (first school master ) Smith, "Bill" Summee, Gilbert (blacksmith) Stewart, James
Mills, William
Mathews, William
Miner (kept store) 60.
Thomas, Daniel M.
Tyler, U. U.
00. Tithing House and Store
58 ..
GEORGE LORD
643
HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.
SAN BERNARDINO SOCIETY OF CALIFORNIA PIONEERS.
Opening Ode.
(Composed by Hon. B. F. Whittemore, Secretary California Pioneers of New England, on board the excursion train while entering the San Bernar- dino valley, April 17, 1890.)
THE GOLDEN LAND. Tune-"Beulah Land."
We've entered now the Golden State, Where warmest welcomes for us wait- The land where corn and oil and wine Are free and plenty as sunshine.
Chorus. Oh, golden land, proud-golden land, We hail our welcome, and our hand Is given now with right good will To those who greet us, for we still Remember that, in '49,
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