USA > California > Los Angeles County > Ingersoll's century history, Santa Monica Bay cities prefaced with a brief history of the state of California, a condensed history of Los Angeles County, 1542-1908 > Part 30
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NEWSPAPERS.
The newspaper history of Santa Monica is practically the history of the Santa Monica Outlook. The first number of this paper was issued October
D. G. HOLT.
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13th, 1875, with L. T. Fisher as editor. Outside of the Los Angeles Express, started in 1871, and the Herald, first published in 1873, it is the oldest newspaper in the county and one of the oldest papers in Southern California.
The editor had published a paper at San Pedro before locating in the then embryo city of Santa Monica. His first number was a four-page, seven-column sheet, well filled with news and advertisements. The office of the Outlook at this time was on Third street, between Arizona and Nevada, the property now known as the General Sargeant place. The editor rejoices, in his early numbers, in the fact that he-for the first time in his life-owns his own home, and in the rapid growth of his trees and shrubbery. The magnificent trees on this place still bear mute testimony to Mr. Fisher's energy.
The Outlook boosted Santa Monica manfully during those early years of existence. The editor was convinced that the progress of Santa Monica, the completion of the Los Angeles and Independence road and the supremacy of Santa Monica as a commercial port, were the most important subjects to himself and his readers and he wrote editorials on these which were masterpieces in their way. April 5th, 1876, he published the first "special edition" of the Outlook, reviewing the advance made during the six months' existence of the paper.
When the shadow of coming disaster began to loom up, Mr. Fisher fought the "Southern Pacific monopoly " bravely, until the sale of the Independence road to the Southern Pacific company was finally confirmed. Then he yielded as bravely as he had fought and announced : "We should accept the situation as we find it and make the best of it. If we can't stem the current, the next best thing is to float as gracefully as possible with it." During 1877, HI. A. Downer bought an interest in the paper, but soon retired and Mr. Fisher con- tinued the paper until after the abandonment of the wharf by the S. P. December 19th, 1878, he announces that the next issue will be omitted, as the week is a holiday. The next issue did not appear until January 5th, 1887.
During 1886, after the wave of activity and prosperity had again struck Santa Monica, E. A. Fay started a weekly paper known as The Wave. When L. T. Fisher returned and began the publication of the Outlook again, the Wave soon vanished from the field and the Outlook remained the newspaper of the town. In all the rapid advancement of that boom period, the Outlook led the procession. Mr. Fisher put up a strong fight for the new wharf, which he believed would make Santa Monica a shipping port ; for sewers and municipal improvements ; for the location of the harbor at Santa Monica, and for small farms, good roads and tree planting. His paper was always strictly non- partisan, except for one number in September, 1888, when it was proposed to start a new paper in Santa Monica, the Review, to be Republican in pol- icy. Then the Outlook announces that it will support the Democratic
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ticket-Cleveland and Thurman. But the new paper failed to materialize and the Outlook continued to follow its old policy which is outlined as: "The Outlook is doing its best-and is doing it in its own way. Our chief desire is to advance Santa Monica in the line which will exemplify the good old democratic doctrine, 'The greatest good to the greatest number.' "
In March, 1891, Mr. Fisher sold the Outlook to W. S. Rogers and Eugene Day : but in September of the same year Mr. Day retired and Mr. Fisher again assumed editorial control of the paper. Mr. Fisher retained his interest in the paper until October, 1894, when he sold out to E. B. Woodworth. But before his final retirement he saw his long desired dream of a commercial wharf realized and during 1893 he published very full and exultant accounts of the building and business of the long wharf and Port Los Angeles, making predic- tions of future commercial importance for Santa Monica, which time has not yet verified.
Mr. Woodworth remained sole proprietor of the paper until October, 1895, when Robert C. Gillis purchased half interest in the paper. In February, 1896, Mr. Gillis became sole proprietor of the Outlook: in April, D. G. Holt joined Mr. Gillis in the publication of the Outlook. Since that date Mr. Holt has contiued as editor and publisher of the paper.
On Monday, June 8th. 1896, appeared the first number of the Santa Monica Evening Outlook, a four-page, five-column daily. It continued in this form until November, 1891, when it was enlarged to six columns. June 14th, 1902, the paper was doubled in size, becoming eight pages.
The Santa Monica Outlook has always been a clean, clear-cut exponent of the interest of its home city. This is the object of its existence although the interests of the county and the state are not neglected. In 1896 Messrs. Woodworth and Barrackman began the publication of the Southern Signal, which later became the Signal, a weekly and daily paper. In 1897. Eugene- Day was editor and proprietor. The paper continued to exist until May. 1898, when it passed out of existence finally.
POSTOFFICE.
The first postoffice in Santa Monica was located in a building still standing on the east side of Second street, near Colorado. The first postmaster was W. H. Williams, who held the office until his death in January, 1877. He was succeeded by J. M. Rogers. During September, 1877, the office was made a money-order office. In 1880. M. B. Boyce was appointed postmaster and held the office until 1886, when he was succeeded by Miss Maggie Finn. The build- ing between the Giroux and Rapp buildings on Second street was then used as the office. In February, 1890, W. S. Vawter received the appointment, and assumed the office April ist. 1890. He removed it to the new bank building
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on Third street and established it in handsomely fitted up quarters, with J. S. Summerfield as acting deputy. In 1893 Mr. Vawter resigned to be succeeded by J. C. Steele. During his administration the office was located in the Cates block. In May, 1898, George B. Dexter was appointed. to be succeeded in April. 1902, by the present incumbent, K. B. Summerfield.
In July, 1888, the office was raised to the third class. In 1899 the Ocean Park postoffice was established, with L. B. Osborne as postmaster, this office being in Santa Monica also. February 19th, 1900, the electric postal service was inaugurated, which gave much better service than had before been enjoyed. The steady growth of the postal business in both postoffices has long since en- titled the city to postal delivery ; but the fact of there being two separate offices has stood in the way of the completion of arrangements, although free delivery has been promised for some time. The increased business of the Santa Monica office led to a demand for increased room and facilities and in 1907 a building was erected especially to accommodate the postoffice and has been equipped with every convenience for the postoffice force and for the public.
BOARD OF TRADE-CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
December 6th, 1888, the citizens of Santa Monica, after some preliminary discussion, organized a Board of Trade, selecting Mr. M. R. Gaddy as president and J. J. Carrillo as secretary. After a general discussion as to the needs of the community and what could be done to aid in building up the place, a com- mittee of six was appointed to take up the matter of securing a wharf-that being regarded as the most important improvement that could be made at this time. During the year the Board met rather irregularly and discussed many plans for the wharf, for a boulevard to Los Angeles and for various possible advance moves. In 1889, E. J. Vawter was elected president, J. J. Carrillo retaining the secretaryship. In 1890, M. R. Gaddy was again president. In February, 1890, the Board of Trade passed a resolution declaring that Santa Monica was the most advantageous location for a harbor and requesting Repre- sentative Vandever to use his influence towards securing an appropriation for that purpose. This Board of Trade continued to exist and to hold semi- occasional meetings until March, 1895, when it became a Chamber of Commerce, duly incorporated for the sum of $10,000. The incorporators were: R. F. Jones. F. L. Simons, T. H. Wells, M. H. Kimball, Walter G. Schee, J. J. Carrillo, Roy Jones, E. B. Woodworth, N. A. Roth, W. T. Gillis, H. W. Keller.
The old members of the Board of Trade were eligible to membership and a campaign for new membership was made. The meeting at which the re-organi- zation was effected passed resolutions thanking Hon. J. J. Carillo for " faithful and efficient official service during the seven years last past, all of which time he has been Secretary of the Board." The president of the new Chamber of Commerce was Robert F. Jones ; first vice-president. F. L. Simons : second-vice-
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president, H. W: Keller ; treasurer, M. H. Kimball. The new organization laid out a broad scheme of work; twelve different committees were appointed to deal with municipal improvements and affairs. One of the first matters taken up was the planning of a float for La Fiesta. Another topic which absorbed much attention and was exhaustively handled by a committee con- sisting of Roy Jones and H. W. Keller, was that of securing a sewer system.
They engaged an engineer and had careful estimates and plans made, which were later adopted by the city council. When the Chamber of Com- merce asked the Board of Trustees to call an election to vote on sewer bonds, the Board declined, fearing that the issue would not carry. The Chamber of Commerce then held a "straw election." which was carried out with all the completeness of a genuine election and the bonds were carried by a handsome majority. As a result a bond election was called by the city and $40,000 bonds were voted for sewers.
A road to Calabasas was another subject which received attention and which was successfully carried out, largely owing to the work of Mr. J. J. Carillo. Of course the Chamber of Commerce took every opportunity to advance Santa Monica's interests in the harbor fight, then on, and some very interesting meetings were held in connection with this matter. The Chamber of Commerce raised a fund to send Mr. John W. Mitchell to Washington as their representative.
The enthusiasm of the Chamber of Commerce seems to have worn itself out in 1898. At any rate in December of that year it was proposed to organize an " Improvement Club " which it was believed would eventually make the town doubly a paradise. Frank A. Miller, then mine host of the Arcadia, was one of the moving spirits in this organization and it started out with energetic- talk. J. J. Davis was president : F. B. McComas, vice-president ; F. H. Taft, secretary; Dr. P. S. Lindsey, treasurer. The executive committee included F. A. Miller, W. S. Vawter, N. A. Roth, Roy Jones, Abbot Kinney. A. Mooser. A. W. McPherson, E. P. Clark, T. H. Dudley. F. H. Rindge, L. B. Osborne. The Club made a vigorous, although unsuccessful, campaign to secure lower fares to Los Angeles. It also took up the matter of liquor licenses, recom- mending that only six saloon licenses be issued and that the license be raised to $600. The Improvement Club did some efficient work in arousing public opinion of the saloon situation, and for three or four months the Outlook contains long reports of its meetings-then apparently the Improvement Club went the way of the Board of Trade and Chamber of Commerce.
The Outlook of September 6th, 1901, announces: "Santa Monica is well on the road looking to an efficient organization of business men and other repre- sentative citizens. The ball was started rolling last evening when a largely attended meeting was held in the town hall for the purpose of organizing a
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Board of Trade." The organization was completed on September 24th when A. Mooser was elected president; W. I. Hull, vice-president; Fred H. Taft. secretary; W. Lee Chambers, treasurer ; O. G. Tullis, J. H. Jackson, B. Sues, George D. Snyder and A. Montgomery, were the executive committee. The question of bonds for civic improvement ; of a sanitarium, and various subjects of public interest were brought before the public by the efforts of the Board of Trade; but it seems soon to have lost its grip.
July 9th, 1903, the ever hopeful scribe of the Outlook writes: "It would seem that the business men of Santa Monica have at last awakened to the necessity of doing something in the way of raising the standard of the amuse- ments, improvements, etc., of this town, and that they mean to stay awake." A large and " enthusiastic " meeting of the business men was held to discuss the situation and it was agreed by all that something must be done at once, or Santa Monica would lose her prestige as a summer resort entirely. As many of those present had been members of the old Chamber of Commerce, it was decided to revive that organization. The officers of this renewed Chamber of Commerce were: Robert F. Jones, president ; W. I. Hull, first vice-president ; R. Fogel, second vice-president ; Frank W. Vogel, treasurer. A committee to secure amusements and music for the summer season was appointed and secured funds for band concerts during the season. It also arranged for dances and various attractions on the beach, but this seems to have been the extent of their efforts and nothing more is heard of the organization.
The next organizations to "improve " the city of Santa Monica was the Municipal League. This was formed May 18th, 1904, with Robert F. Jones as presiding officer; Dr. Rathbone, vice-president ; D. G. Holt, secretary ; A. Mooser, treasurer. It proposed among other things, to prepare a pamphlet setting forth the advantages of Santa Monica, for distribution ; also to prepare an exhibit for the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, but the only real accomplishment seems to have been a Fourth of July celebration. and the securing of a band to play during the summer season.
June Ist, 1905, the Santa Monica Municipal League changed its mame to become the Santa Monica Board of Trade, with W. I. Hull, president ; R. Fogel, vice-president ; J. Addison Smith, secretary, and A. Mooser, treasurer. This organization has proved vital and has been an important factor in the rapid progress of the past two years. Among some of the achievements of the first year's real work were the issuing of 20,000 copies of a neat booklet advertising Santa Monica ; the publishing of an advertisement of Santa Monica in the Pacific Monthly for six months ; efficient aid in the securing of annexation of territory to the city, and in securing better lighting and other improvements for the municipality. At the second annual meeting, August 10th. 1906. W. I.
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Hull was again elected president, and J. Addison Smith, secretary : C. D. Middle- kauff was treasurer, and R. Fogle, vice-president.
Much valuable work for the good of Santa Monica was accomplished during the new year of 1906-07. One of the most important moves was the effort made to secure free mail delivery and the promise finally secured that such delivery would be provided for as soon as arrangements could be com- pleted. Attention of the department was also drawn to the inadequate accom- modations furnished the Santa Monica postoffice and the result has been the securing of new and ample quarters. Another important step was the action of the board, in recommending that Santa Monica merchants withdraw their business from the L. A. P. road until that company granted a five-cent fare within the city limits. Largely through the action of this body, the fine system of lighting Ocean avenue was adopted. But the most important work of the organization was in connection with the sewer problem. It secured and pre- sented the plan of disposal which has finally been adopted and which it is confidently believed will settle for all time this troublesome subject which has disturbed the peace of mind of the community for many years. At the third annual meeting held in October, 1907. Mr. Hull declined to be re-elected. and J. J. Seymour was chosen as president, R. Fogel was elected vice-president. and W. K. Cowan, treasurer.
CITY OFFICIALS.
1886 .- Board of trustees, J. W. Scott, W. S. Vawter, A. E. Ladd, John Steere, Dr. E. C. Folsom : clerk, Fred C. McKinnie: John Steere, president ; treasurer, Col. E. K. Chapin : marshal, Hamilton Bagg, succeeded by Michael Noon.
1888 .- Board of trustees, T. A. Lewis, J. J. Carrillo, Thomas Rhodes, were elected, Dr. E. C. Folsom and W. S. Vawter held over, Dr. Folsom was presi- dent of the board. Rhodes soon resigned and E. J. Vawter took his place. Fred McKinnie, clerk: Col. E. K. Chapin, treasurer ; attorney, J. C. Morgan.
1890 .- J. L. Allen, John Steere, J. J. Carrillo, T. A. Lewis and E. J. Vawter were trustees, with J. J. Carrillo president of the board : Emmet Pollard, Clerk : Col. Chapin, treasurer ; M. K. Barretto, marshal ; attorney, J. C. Morgan. 1892 .- J. J. Carrillo, E. J. Vawter, R. R. Harris, T. A. Lewis, H. C. Beville, J. J. Carrillo being president of the board ; clerk, C. S. Dales ; treasurer, George Boehme: marshal, M. K. Baretto; city attorney, R. R. Tanner.
1894 .- Robert F. Jones. N. A. Roth, J. J. Carrillo, T. L. Lewis and E. J. Vawter were trustees, J. J. Carrillo being president of the board ; clerk, C. S. Dales: treasurer, George Boehme; marshal. M. K. Barretto; attorney, R. R. Tanner ; library trustees, II. A. Winslow, O. G. Tullis, H. S. DeVan, D. L. Bancroft, H. C. Weyse.
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1896 .- Board of trustees, Robert F. Jones, J. J. Carrillo, R. C. Gillis, Moses Hostetter, N. A. Roth, Jones being president ; clerk, C. S. Dales ; treasurer, E. W. Boehme; marshal, George B. Dexter; attorney, R. R. Tanner ; library trustees, Dr. P. S. Lindsey, Fred H. Taft, J. Walter Gray, T. H. Wells, Willian Stevenson.
1898 .- Board of trustees, Robert F. Jones, N. A. Roth, J. J. Carrillo, Moses Hostetter, R. C. Gillis, R. F. Jones was president ; clerk, J. C. Steele ; treasurer, E. W. Boehme ; marshal, M. K. Barretto; library trustees, S. D. Belt, J. Walter Gray, P. S. Lindsey, Fred H. Taft, T. H. Wells
1900 .- Board of trustees, Robert F. Jones, C. H. Sammis, J. C. Morgan, T. H. Dudley, N. R. Folsom; clerk, John B. Proctor ; treasurer, E. W. Boehme ; marshal, M. K. Barretto; library trustees, J. C. Hemingway, P. S. Lindsey, C. I. D. Moore, Fred H. Taft, T. II, Wells.
1902 .- Board of trustees, T. H. Dudley, W. S. Vawter, J. C. Steele, C. H. Sammis, J. C. Morgan, T. H. Dudley serving as president ; clerk, J. C. Heming- way ; treasurer, E. W. Boehme ; marshal, M. K. Barretto : attorney, Fred H. Taft.
1903 .- First election under charter. Council, T. H. Dudley, H. X. Goetz, A. F. Johnston, J. C. Steele, W. S. Vawter ; clerk, J. C. Hemingway; treasurer, Frank W. Vogel: assessor, C. S. Dales; recorder, A. M. Guidinger ; marshal, M. K. Baretto; school board, W. E. Devore, J. H. Hassinger, Dr. J. S. Hunt, J. S. H. Jackson, S. F Carpenter,
1906 .- Mayor, T H. Dudley. Members of city council-First ward, G. D. Snyder; Second ward, W. A. Armstrong: Third ward, Abe S. Reel; Fourth ward, Alf Morris; Fifth ward, H. L. Coffman ; Sixth ward, J. Euclid Miles ; Seventh ward, Roscoe H. Dow. President of council, Alf Morris; city clerk, J. C. Hemingway ; treasurer and tax collector, Ralph Bane; assessor, C. S. Dales; attorney, S. W. Odell; engineer, Thomas H. James; street superin- tendent, H. L. Johnson ; building superintendent, H. L. Mitchell : police judge, J. J. Carrillo ; chief of police, M. K. Barretto; chief of fire department, C. J. Marvin; health officer, Dr. W. H. Parker; superintendent of schools, Horace M. Rebok. Board of education, W. E. Devore, president ; A. B. Clapp, E. V. Dales, D. G. Holt, W. S Vawter; board of library trustees, G. A. Lonsberry, president ; Lewis E. Bradt, A. M. Jamison, C. M. Lindsey, John Morton.
POPULATION OF SANTA MONICA.
United States census 1880
417
United States census.
1890
1,580
United States census
1900
3.057
Census taken by city
. 1905
7,028
CHAPTER VIII. CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES.
METHODIST CHURCH.
T HE oldest record of the Methodist church of Santa Monica reads : " Minutes of the First Quarterly Conference for Santa Monica, held Oc- tober 26th, 1875, at the residence of D. G. C. Baker. The presiding elder, A. M. Hough, in the chair. The session was opened with prayer by the presiding elder. On motion Rev. J. D. Crum was appointed secretary. Organization :
FIRST METHODIST CHURCH.
The following named persons, members of the Methodist Episcopal church, being present, proceeded to organize a society: J. D. D. Crum, pastor ; O. A. Snow, local preacher; D. G. C. Baker, A. Dutton, M. J. D. Baker, Eliza Corey, Ida May Atkinson, Margaret Atkinson, Minnie Atkinson and Mary A. Crum. Abner Dutton was appointed class leader. Stewards: D. G. C. Baker, O. A. Snow and Margaret Atkinson. D. G. C. Baker, recording secretary. Trustees : O. A. Snow, R. M. Widney, Samuel Atkinson, D. G. C. Baker and J. D. Crum.
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It was resolved that the trustees be instructed to incorporate and secure lots from the Santa Monica Land Company and creet a church building thereon. Margaret Atkinson and Mrs. M. J. D. Baker were appointed a committee to secure subscriptions to aid in the erection of a church."
The Reverend Crum preached for the first time in Santa Monica, October 15th, 1875, in an upper room of the building, then occupied as a hardware store, on the corner of Oregon and Fifth street. On October 29th Rev. Hough preached. The society continued to use this room until January 13th, 1876. when the pastor gave notice that there would be no service on the next Sabbath, but that he hoped they would worship in a building of their own on the second Sunday. And this was done. The Santa Monica Land Company donated two lots for the use of the church on the corner of Sixth street and Arizona avenue ; the people of the little town, still largely a tent city, donated money and labor. Rev. A. M. Hough and R. M. Widney of Los Angeles subscribed liberally, and the pastor, being of the long line of Methodist elders who were able to work with hands as well as with brain and heart, himself labored with carpenter's tools. The church when completed, represented a value, including lots of $1,361.66. This building, after being removed to the corner of Fourth and Arizona, enlarged several times, was finally removed to South Santa Monica to house the new M. E. church there.
This building was dedicated, free from debt, on February 3rd, 1776. Rev. Crum was pastor of the church most of the time until 1878-79. He came of a family of ministers, his grandfather having been one of the founders of the United Brethren church and having had nine grandsons who entered the Method- ist ministry. He had spent fifteen years in the Southern Illinois conference before coming to this state, where his first charge was the Santa Monica church, which he so ably led under many discouragements. It is of record that for his first year of labor here he received $230, and his salary in the subsequent years was pitifully inadequate.
Rev. Crum was succeeded by Rev. S. S. Russell, who only remained a year, and then for three years the church was pastorless and practically dis- organized. A pastor was sent here in 1883-4, Rev. J. B. Howard, who found but three resident members of the church. He nevertheless succeeded in gathering a number of new members and strengthened the church by changing the location. The lots on Sixth street were sold and the present location on Fourth street and Arizona avenue was purchased and the building removed.
The church continued to gain slowly under various pastors until 1890, when a serious disagreement occurred between the pastor, the official board and the membership, and as a result thirty-one out of the fifty-three members withdrew and formed the Prohibition Congregational church. The blow was a severe one and the church did not recover its strength for two or three years.
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In 1892 Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Rindge became members of the church and rendered much assistance to it. Rev. Wm. Stevenson was pastor, and under his minis- trations the church was doubled in membership and began an advance move which has since continued. The Epworth League was formed this year. Dr. Stevenson remained as pastor of the church until 1897 and was then given a farewell reception which expressed somewhat the honor and love which he had inspired, not only in the church, but among the citizens of the town generally.
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