USA > California > Los Angeles County > Los Angeles > Los Angeles from the mountains to the sea : with selected biography of actors and witnesses to the period of growth and achievement, Volume I > Part 14
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On October 1, 1910, the Times Building on First and Broadway was blown up by dynamite with criminal intent as the result of a conspiracy fomented by radical elements. Twenty-one lives were lost in the explosion, and the building and plant totally destroyed.
The foul deed created great excitement and the sensation which was country wide. The perpetrators of the crime were eventually run down and the two main perpetrators and some of their dupes convicted and sentenced.
In 1907 a comprehensive plan for civic betterment for the development of a civic center, widening of streets, and the foundation for a general city plan were drawn up by archi- tect Charles Mulford Robinson, under appropriation author- ized by the city for the purpose. So far this plan has not been carried out but is being considered in conjunction with other plans submitted by architects and city planning bodies, and no doubt a comprehensive system will be evolved on which the future growth of the city will be built.
In 1909 the "Shoestring Strip" connecting Los Angeles with San Pedro and Wilmington was annexed to the city, com- pleting the consolidation of the city and its harbor.
The actual consolidation under one municipality of Los Angeles, San Pedro and Wilmington came up in 1909, a matter that called for a great deal of preliminary negotia- tion, during which Los Angeles pledged herself to obtain for the harbor districts equal freight advantages with the larger city, to spend specified amounts on harbor improvements, etc. The results of the actual elections for the annexation of Wil- mington and San Pedro held on August 5 and 12, respectively, of that year, were large majorities in favor of consolidation.
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Consolidation was joyfully hailed throughout all the districts of the enlarged city as a foretaste of the great development to be expected. The port became officially known as Los Angeles Harbor on February 13, 1910.
In 1909 litigation finally established title to the tract in the Southwestern part of the city known as Exposition Park as belonging to the State of California which, in that year, en- tered into a lease of the same to the city and county of Los Angeles for fifty years, and its development with a museum
BROADWAY LOOKING SOUTH FROM SIXTH STREET IN 1920
building, fine arts building and state armory was immediately planned and commenced.
In 1909 the city council created the first harbor board, and this action was confirmed at a popular election in 1911, when the board was definitely accepted as a regular part of the city organization under its charter. Members appointed for the first board were: Stoddard Jess, Thomas E. Gibbon and M. H. Newmark.
In 1911 wireless telegraph communication was established between Los Angeles and San Francisco and other points along the coast; and in 1912 with Honolulu. At first there was considerable difficulty in establishing regular communi- cation with the latter, and it was necessary to send all mes-
DINUN
03
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ENTRANCE TO MUSEUM OF HISTORY, SCIENCE AND ART
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sages to that point during the night hours, because of peculiar atmospheric conditions.
In November, 1913, the Museum of History, Science and Art was located in the new Exposition Park and formally dedicated.
Much has transpired since this last mentioned date, and the kaleidoscope of the years is still magical with the whirling colors of events that the future historian will set down for those who will then, as now, look backward with eyes of wonder upon the Wonder City of the West.
Vol. 1-10
CHAPTER VIII
FROM THE SPANIARD TO THE AMERICAN
The events of the first seventy years of the existence of Los Angeles as a human habitation-that is to say, from the founding of the pueblo down to the time it really became an American city-cannot fail to be of interest, and certainly the events of the time that transpired between those two epochs is of vital historical importance. This book, or any other book with a similar purpose, failing to record these events, would fail of its object.
We shall proceed now to pass these events in review.
In 1781 a royal regulation or order authorizing the found- ing of the Pueblo of Los Angeles was formulated. The set- tlers and families were to be healthy, strong and of good character and to include a mason, blacksmith and carpenter obligated to remain for a term of ten years. Each settler was to get an allowance of $116.50 a year for the first two years and $60 for each of the next three years, sums to be paid in clothing and necessaries at cost; also two horses, two mares, two cows and a calf, two sheep, two goats, one yoke of oxen, a plow point, spade, hoe, axe, sickle, musket and leath- ern shield. Breeding animals to be supplied as community property, likewise forge, anvil, crowbars, spades, carpenters' tools, etc. Cost of articles to be charged against recipients and to be paid for at the end of five years in stock and sup- plies taken at market price for army consumption.
Within three years each settler was to have a good adobe house constructed and land cleared, and within five years to have a fair crop of wheat and corn growing, good farm equip- ment, chickens, etc. After five years the title to property to be more or less vested in occupant but without right to sell or mortgage.
No colonist was permitted to own over fifty head of cattle
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in order to prevent monopoly. But this regulation was dis- tinguished in the breach rather than in the observance.
The regulations in regard to real estate holding were mod- ified somewhat, and in 1786 Jose Arguello, appointed by Gov- ernor Fages, authorized and did issue deeds for the house lots and to the farm lots to nine families, the net result of the original colonization after expulsions and additions.
The original pueblo contained four square leagues, or thir- ty-six square miles-laid out six miles square. Near the cen- ter was the Plaza, 275 by 180 feet, the surrounding lots 55 by 111 feet. Outside one-half mile from the Plaza farming lands each about seven acres were laid out and each settler was entitled to two of these with community right in the general area inside and out of the pueblo for pasturage.
The original Plaza lay approximately as follows: Begin- ning at what is now the southeastern corner of San Fernando an Upper Main, near the present site of the "Church of Our Lady of the Angels," along the eastern line of Upper Main Street nearly to Bellevue, thence across to the east line of New High Street, thence to the northern line of San Fernando, and thence to the place of beginning.
The first mayor (alcalde) was Jose Vanegas, 1788. Re- elected in 1796.
No known descendants of the first settlers are now in Los Angeles.
It was intended by Governor de Neve that settlers choose their own council and mayor, but for the first seven years no election was held and the pueblo was under a minor military official known as "Comisionado." The regulations required that within five years each settler have a substantial residence of adobe. The river was dammed at about Buena Vista Street Bridge to supply the "Zanja Madre," or main irriga- tion ditch, laid out to supply the fields with water.
In 1784 a chapel was constructed near the corner of Buena Vista and Bellevue Avenue. The first public structures were the town house, guard house and granary.
In the first six months Lara, a Spaniard, and Mesa and Quintary, negroes, were expelled with their families-sixteen
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persons in all. Some years later Navarro, the tailor, was also expelled from the pueblo.
In 1785 Jose Francisco Sirova, a Californian, applied for admission, and was given original terms. Juan Jose Domin- guez, Spaniard, also joined the colony, having been given a special land grant by Governor Fages. The grant was the San Pedro and Dominguez ranches.
By 1790 households had increased from 9 to 28, the popula- tion to 139. Up to 1788 there was much complaint against Corp. Vicente Felix, acting comisionado of the colony and arbiter of all disputes, resulting in the selection of an alcalde in that year-Jose Vangas, who had eight successors up to the year 1800, but during all of which time Felix remained the direct representative of the governor.
It appears that colonists managed only to grow supplies for their own use up to 1800, when we have first record of an "exportable surplus," the community in that year offering to outside buyers some 3,400 bushels of wheat at $1.66 a bushel. The official price list issued by Governor Fages was as fol- lows: Ox or cow, $5; sheep, $1 to $2; chickens, 25 cents; mules, $14 to $20; well broken horses, $9. The governor also attempted to arbitrarily fix the price of wheat at $1.
In 1800 the population was 315, consisting of 70 families, and we already have records of the pueblo being recognized as a health resort, the custom being to send invalided soldiers from the various presidios to Los Angeles. In the census of 1790, out of eighty adults, nine were listed as over ninety years old.
We are to remember that this was 120 years ago, and that Los Angeles then had no school, with mail from Mexico only once a month, that foreign sea commerce was not allowed on the coast, that there were no sanitary provisions in the pueblo, no glass in the windows, and that each house lot contained its own slaughter house.
One of the great difficulties of successful colonization was a lack of a good class of women.
In 1784 there was a grant of the San Rafael Ranch to Jose Maria Verdugo. It was four leagues from Los Angeles. In the same year Juan Jose Dominguez was granted a tract
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along the ocean at San Pedro and up an estuary one-half way to Los Angeles. In the same year also the Encina Ranch was granted to Francisco Reyes, rescinded in 1797, and then given to the Mission San Fernando.
The years 1800-1810 were peaceful and uneventful in Los Angeles. In the latter year the rebellion of Mexico against Spain was under way. By 1820 all America, except Cuba and some other islands, was lost to Spain.
During the decade from 1800 to 1810 the population of Los Angeles increased from 315 to 365, with no improvement in crops, and an actual decrease in cattle and sheep.
In 1805 the first known American ship arrived at San Pe- dro-the Lelia Byrd, engaged in contraband trade.
In 1806 a new agricultural impetus took place by growing hemp, which continued until 1810, when the market demand ceased and nearly brought disaster to growers.
During this decade disputes arose between the pueblo and San Fernando Mission authorities over the use of the water of the Los Angeles River. It was held by the governor that all the water of the river belonged to the colonists of the pueblo, and that if the dam constructed by the padres at Ca- huenga interfered with the pueblo supply the dam must be removed.
In the Mexican rebellion, California sided with Spain against the rebels. The change came without bloodshed and was of seemingly little interest to the inhabitants of Los Angeles.
There were hard times between 1810 and 1820, caused chiefly by a suspension of payments from Spain for army and civil life in California. Spanish trading ships feared to visit the coast because of Mexican and South American priva- teers.
From 1810 to 1820 the population of Los Angeles doubled.
Holders of land grants in the vicinity of the pueblo were included in the population and were under its jurisdiction in local matters. There was a large birth rate due to easy living conditions on the ranches. The immigration from Mexico was of a poor stamp. The Mexican Republic introduced "trans- portation to the Californias" as a form of punishment for
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heinous offenses. The people protested, and consequently the practice was never exercised on a large scale.
Land for cultivation was to be had at almost for the asking in Los Angeles, yet in 1816 nearly 50 per cent of the popula- tion was listed as landless. They were probably too listless to attempt cultivation.
The year 1815 was characterized by an excessive rainfall. The river left its bed and ran along San Fernando Street to Alameda, forming a new channel. In 1825 there was a still greater flood and the river returned to its original and pres- ent channel.
The year 1812 records the first work done on a permanent church; the cornerstone being laid in 1814. Its location was changed after the flood in 1815 to the present Plaza church. Actual building of the church commenced in 1818 upon a sub- scription of 500 cattle at $5 a head to defray cost.
The governor took over the cattle to be used as army sup- plies, and agreed to include the construction of the church in his next year's expense budget, but owing to virtual bank- ruptcy of the territory, the governor's promise was not car- ried out. Later the padres subscribed seven barrels of brandy worth $575. The church was still uncompleted in 1821, and again an appeal to the padres was made and more brandy subscribed, augmented by cash subscriptions by colonists all over the province. The church was dedicated December 8, 1822.
About this time, under the new regime in Mexico, Califor- nia was entitled to a representative in the Mexican National Assembly, to be elected by a California legislative body. In this first Legislature of California, Los Angeles was repre- sented by Jose Palomares, and in the following session by Jose Antonio Cabrillo also.
About the same time the local administration of Los An- geles also underwent some changes. It included the addition of a syndico, combination of treasurer and legal adviser, and a secretary, added to the already existing offices of alcalde and two regidors, making a body of five. This civil body then in- timated to the governor that the authority of the comisionado might well be dispensed with, but the governor demurred.
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The trouble was finally adjusted by the existing comisionado, one Guillermo Costa, being elected alcalde. Thus the two authorities amalgamated and the old order of things was never again used.
Troubles over municipal elections seemed prevalent about this time. In 1826 the election was ruled to have been illegal and was ordered held again.
During the period 1822 to 1847 California was a Mexican territory in which regular and several irregular governors of California reigned from period of from six months to six years. The whole territory was much disturbed by petty squabbles and local rebellions, the Pueblo of Los Angeles being a particular political storm-center, the birthplace of plots for the overthrow of governors, etc., due largely to the insistence of this pueblo that, as the largest in the territory, it was entitled to be made the capital in place of Monterey. In 1835 came an order from Mexico that the capital be moved from Monterey to Los Angeles, but the decree was not carried out until 1845.
In 1831 Governor Manuel Victoria, arrogant, cruel and hated, expelled two respected citizens of Los Angeles-Jose Antonio Cabrillo and Don Abel Stearns. This action caused a manifesto fathered by Pio Pico, Juan Bandidi and Jose Antonio Cabrillo of Los Angeles in which it was demanded that the people depose the governor. Revolutionary forces met and defeated Victoria and his following, and he was de- ported. Pio Pico was elected by the Legislature to serve as temporary governor.
In 1831 the population, according to Forbes, was about 1,400, and in the present area of Los Angeles County about 4,600.
Governor Jose Figueroa, best of all governors, was sent to California from Mexico, 1832-5.
In 1835 Governor Mariano Chico, perhaps the worst gov- ernor California ever had, was in power. During his term occurred the first record of a lynching of a white settler, the victim being a man who had eloped with the wife of a citizen named Felix, and who, on being followed, had turned on and killed Felix. Governor Chico was deposed by revolution.
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In 1836-37 Juan Bautista Alvarado became governor by revolution and popular following, but was not recognized by Mexico, whereupon he announced himself to be governor of the "Free and Sovereign State of California." He was not backed by the citizens and, on the initiative of the ayunta- miento of Los Angeles, he was accepted only as governor un- til Mexico could appoint. Alvarado demurred, but finally ac- cepted the Los Angeles demands.
In 1837 Carlos Antonio Cabrillo was appointed governor by Mexico, but Alvarado would not acknowledge him, and Car- rillo, backed by a following raised in Los Angeles, was de- feated by forces under Alvarado and abandoned his claim. Then Mexico recognized Alvarado.
In 1842-45 Governor Emmanuel Micheltorena ruled by the brute force of his following of dissipated and cut-throat sol- diers. A revolution against him under Alvarado resulted in a battle near Cahuenga, won by the revolutionary troops chiefly from Los Angeles, and Micheltorena was eliminated and deported. Pio Pico was one of the leaders of the revolu- tion, under whom were many of the foreign residents of Los Angeles.
In 1845-47 Don Pio Pico went into history as the last gov- ernor under Mexico.
The first American to settle in the vicinity of Los Angeles was Joseph Chapman. He was first treated as a prisoner of war, but owing to his resourcefulness and ingenuity he was accepted as a citizen. He built the first successful water power grist mill for Padre Zalvidea of San Gabriel, and was also instrumental in framing the timbers for the Plaza Church. He constructed a schooner for the padres of San Gabriel Mission, to be used for otter hunting. It was constructed in sections, carried to San Pedro, assembled there and launched. Chapman died in 1849.
In 1829 came George Rice and John Temple, who opened a general merchandise store on the present site of the Federal Building, which was then the southern limit of the city. This partnership ceased in 1831, and Temple carried on the busi- ness alone until 1845.
In 1828 came Abel Stearns, known as "Don Merchault."
OLD MILL AT SAN GABRIEL MISSION
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He erected, on the site of the Baker Block, a sumptuous home known as the "Palace of Don Abel Stearns." At his death he was the largest owner of property of value in the southern half of the state. His widow, formerly Arcadia Bandini, later married Col. R. S. Baker.
In 1831-35 considerable trade was established between Cal- ifornia and New Mexico, of which trade Los Angeles was the center. Caravans arrived and departed from Los Angeles.
In 1830 we find no record of medical men or regular doc- tors, but medicines of various kinds were used and in more than alopathic doses. The priests were looked to for medical care by the inhabitants.
In 1841 came the first notable organized immigration party to Los Angeles. It consisted of forty members from Pennsyl- vania, many whose members afterwards became prominent here, among them being William Workman, B. D. Wilson and D. W. Alexander.
After the independence of Mexico a more liberal course was adopted towards foreigners. They were not encouraged, but tolerated. In consequence there commenced a larger in- filtration of foreign blood and a greater nse of imported mer- chandise.
In 1842 Commodore Catesby Jones, commander of Pacific squadron of the United States Navy, believing in a rumor of war between the United States and Mexico, took possession of Monterey on October 19, 1842. He hoisted the United States flag and declared all California a part of the United States, but learning of his mistake one day later, he hauled down the flag and retired. Governor Micheltorena, then on way north to Monterey, heard of the action of Commander Jones and retreated to Los Angeles and commenced to estab- lish a defensive position on Fort Hill. News came of Jones' action at Monterey, and Micheltorena abandoned his warlike preparations and prepared to receive the American officer and accept the official apology which he was to tender.
In March, 1846, Capt. John C. Fremont came to California with a surveying party of sixty-two men and received permis- sion of General Castro, commander-in-chief of the California military forces under Governor Pio Pico, to encamp in the
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San Joaquin Valley, but this permission was almost immedi- ately revoked by Castro, and Fremont was ordered to leave the country. Fremont refused and entrenched on "Hawk's Peak," thirty miles from Monterey. After a few days he broke camp and proceeded north towards Oregon.
In June, 1846, Captains Merritt and Ide, probably under orders from Fremont, seized the military post of Sonoma and there hoisted the "Bear Flag"-described as a sheet of cot- ton cloth, having a crude figure of a grizzly bear smeared thereon, the pigment used being berry juice-and proclaimed California an independent territory, freed from Mexico. Sub- sequent action of the American residents confirmed these acts. It was at this time also that Commodore Sloat seized Mon- terey, and that Commodore Stockton prepared to reduce the City of Los Angeles.
Meantime the American Congress-unknown to Fremont and his aides-had declared war against Mexico, and an ex- pedition of upwards of 1,600 men under Gen. Stephen W. Kearney was already marching across the country in the direction of the Pacific.
With the object of seizing Los Angeles, Commodore Stock- ton organized a mounted corps with Fremont in command and Gillespie second, which force embarked on the sloop Cyane and left for San Diego with orders to co-operate with the commodore in his proposed plan for the seizure of Los An- geles. On August 1st Stockton sailed in the Congress and arrived off San Pedro on August 6th, after a short stop to take possession of Santa Barbara on his way down the coast. He arrived at San Pedro and learned that, under Generals Castro and Andres Pico, there was a hostile force near Los Angeles. He learned also that Fremont landed at San Diego but was unable to obtain horses and so was unable to join forces. However, Stockton, impressed by the necessity of quick action, landed about 400 sailors and marines and some six small guns from the ship and prepared for an advance by land. A few days after landing he was approached by a flag of truce from Castro. Stockton impressed the messenger with an exaggerated idea of his strength and sent them back in panic and a refusal of the terms. Two days later Castro sent
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other messengers defying Stockton and the United States. They were again sent back by Stockton and the terms disre- garded. On August 11th, after having previously dispatched messengers to Fremont at San Diego to join him, Stockton commenced his march on Los Angeles.
Approaching Los Angeles, couriers from Castro warned Stockton of his peril to approach nearer. Stockton replied: "Tell the General to have the bells ready at 8 o'clock, as I shall be there by that time;" and he was. Castro, though ad- vantageously posted, with some 1,000 men and artillery, never fired a shot, disbanded forces and fled. The abandonment of the city by Governor Pico followed. Stockton tried to capture Pico, but without success. Castro fled to Sonora.
Fremont arrived August 15, 1846, when many prominent Californians surrendered. Don Jose Maria Flores and Don Andres Pico were paroled-not to bear arms against United States. Stockton issued a proclamation declaring California a territory of the United States, and organized a civil and military administration, himself as governor and commander- in-chief. He invited all citizens to meet September 15th and elect officers.
About this time, Stockton for the first time learned that war had been declared between the United States and Mexico, and he proceeded north to look after affairs there, leaving Lieutenant Gillespie with fifty men to form the Los Angeles garrison.
In those troubled times there was, of course, a great deal of bitterness and a great deal of angry talk. Both the Amer- ican invaders and the Californians who were up in arms in the defense of their country issued frequent proclamations giving their sides of the case. It is not necessary to state the American side of the case. But, since the standpoint of the native people is not so well understood, we feel that it is no more than scant justice to them to set down here an expression of their thoughts. And we think we can do this in no better way than by reproducing the famous pronouncamiento of the renowned Gen. Jose Maria Flores, issued from his armed camp in the City of Los Angeles, September 24, 1846 :
Fellow-Citizens :- It is a month and half that, by lamenta-
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ble fatality, fruit of the cowardice and inability of the first authorities of the department, we behold ourselves subjected and oppressed by an insignificant force of adventurers of the United States of America, placing us in a worse condition than that of slaves.
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