USA > California > Alameda County > Past and present of Alameda County, California, Volume I > Part 36
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On July 27, 1900, Raymond D. Yelland passed away. At his funeral his casket was covered with flowers contributed by friends and relatives. Oakland's claim to the title of "Athens of the Pacific," has been worthily upheld on the stage and in the fields of literature and art. Dozens have gone out from this county to high positions in the world of artistic endeavor. Carroll Carrington, an Oakland boy wrote the story "Through Forbidden Gates," which was pub- lished in the Black Cat in the fall of 1900. He received $200 for the tale. In 1901 the Starr King Fraternity founded the Oakland Art Fund to increase which annual exhibitions and other events were scheduled. By April, 1902, the member- ship of the movement attained nearly one hundred persons-lovers of art. In 1901 Lillian H. Shuey issued a small volume of poems entitled, "Among the Red Woods." They showed intense love of nature and a felicitous manner of expression. She lived at Haywards. One of her verses ran thus-
I came to Haywards once,
When the sweet summer wore her yellow gown ; And in the mottled shade of orchards dim, The weary trees, their luscious loads laid down. How like a dream, I saw thee, pleasant town, Wrapped in thy warm, enfolding summer air, Lifting gray walls above thy fruited groves, As in a garden fair.
Among the many artists of all branches of expression were the following : Joaquin Miller, who lived in the hills back of Oakland; Bret Harte and Richard Realf, poets; Edward R. Sill, poet, who was once a teacher in the Oakland high school and later a professor of literature in the university. Ina Coolbrith, poet who was librarian of the Oakland free library; John Vance Cheney, poet ; Char- lotte Perkins-Stetson, writer ; J. C. Pelton, poet; Edwin Markham, poet ; George Sterling, poet; A. J. Waterhouse, prose and poetry ; Luella P. Churchill, prose ; Robert Louis Stevenson, poet ; Ambrose Bierce, literary critic and writer on the Examiner ; Eleanor Gates, story writer; Juliet Wilbor Tompkins, writer; Rev. C. W. Wendte, hymns : Robert Whitaker, verse and stories ; Rev. Jabez Suther- land, book writer ; Reverend Hosmer, of Berkeley, hymns, etc .; Jack London, story writer; Herman Whitaker, story writer; Mrs. Mabel C. Deering, writer; Mrs. Margaret Camron Smith, writer; Mrs. Oscar Gowing, short stories; Frederick I. Bamford, magazine writer ; Austin Lewis, poetry and prose ; Charles E. Greene, writer; Charles J. Woodbury, author and reviewer; Mary Lambert, poet and publisher ; Florence Hardeman Miller, writer ; Emma S. Marshall, writer ; W. D. Armes, essays and poetry; Mrs. Mathies, poetry; also Kate D. Wiggin, Joseph LeConte, Harold Bolce, Nora A. Smith, Charles Keeler, C. P. Neilson, D. C. Gilman, Josiah Rayce, Joseph H. Wythe, Ida H. Harper, J. Ross Browne and many others who have distinguished themselves in the various branches of cur- rent literature.
In 1902 the Starr King Fraternity gave an art exhibit at Wendte hall of the First Unitarian church, at which many of the best pictures in Oakland were shown. It was admitted at this time that while there were numerous private collections in Oakland in which there were paintings of merit, the city as a whole Vol. I-18
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did not possess a collection worthy of a community of such taste and culture. At this time a general call for a meritorious art collection by a local association appeared in the newspapers. At this salon were shown many specimens of meritorious art work. Miss Anna Briggs displayed six pictures, among which were "Berkeley," "Monterey Sands," and "An Avenue in Alameda." Blendon R. Campbell exhibited a "Lowland near Alameda," "Webster Street Bridge," "An Evening View of the Foothills Near Oakland." Mrs. S. M. Farnam displayed a choice series of small pictures. J. M. Gamble, H. D. Gremke and J. M. Griffin showed several fine oils. Mrs. D. W. Gelwicks showed three flower pieces, one called "California Poppies" being very beautiful. G. W. Piazzoni exhibited six pictures, of which one, a harvest field, possessed unusual merit. Four paintings by the late R. D. Yelland were shown; one was very large and entitled, "When Sluggish Tides Creep In"-a view of Alameda marshes. Two pictures by Miss Louise Schwamm were greatly admired. Keith's "Summer Time in Moraga Valley" was one of the finest on exhibition. Miss M. de Neal Morgan exhibited a rich picture entitled, "Evening at Berkeley." Lucia K. Matthews' "Going Home" attracted many admirers.
An art loan exhibition for the benefit of the Ladies' Relief Society was opened at the Campbell residence in February, 1902, under the supervision of W. K. Vickery. Three of the finest paintings were the work of Miss Clara McChesney who had recently done excellent work in the East and in Europe. One took the gold medal at the Philadelphia Art Club exhibition two years before. One Whistler oil was shown. Many rare etchings were displayed. Professor Armes lectured on Japanese prints. Choice music was rendered. F. M. Greene lectured on "The History of Art." He used Zola's words and said, "Art is Nature viewed through a temperament."
The great American musical composer Edgar S. Kelley resided in Oakland at one time ; much of his earliest and best work was done here. N. C. Page, who was reared in Alameda, composed his early pieces in that city. P. C. Allen was another meritorious composer. Putnam Griswold was for a time basso in the First Con- gregational church. Carrie N. Roma was once a singer here. Mrs. Beatrice Fine and Mrs. Olive R. Cushman, well known singers, became famous later among the choirs and solo stars of the East. W. E. Bachiller, the fine tenor of the Congrega- tional churches, did his best work here. Maud L. Berri distinguished her- self as a soprano soloist in the First Presbyterian church. Sigmund Bell, the famous violinist, passed his boyhood and early professional years in this com- munity. Llewellyn Hughes distinguished himself here and abroad in the train- ing of theatre orchestras.
In 1907 the California School of Arts and Crafts was established in Berkeley. Four years later it was the largest and best equipped art school west of the Rocky mountains. It worked principally to train teachers, designers and illustrators. It gave instruction in freehand, antique, mechanical and wash drawing, painting in oils and water colors, figure sketching and drawing and modeling, special classes in copper work and jewelry, costume designing and primary manual training. Saturday and evening classes were soon established. D. H. Meyer was director.
At Berkeley all modern art advantages are available. There are numerous instructors on pianos, organs, violins and every other tuneful instrument. The Berkeley School of Music and Dramatic Art and the Mabel Moffitt Art and Dra-
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matic School cover the whole range of vocal and instrumental music. The Sym- phony concerts at the Greek theatre are excellent to show the possibilities of art expansion and expression and the amateur musical and dramatic organizations lay the foundation for higher work.
The leading musical clubs are the Orpheus composed of men and the Hughes composed of women. It would be difficult to state the good that has been accom- plished by these two well-known organizations. Nearly all the great singers who have gone from this vicinity, men and women, have received their professional impulse, instruction and inspiration under the programs of these excellent clubs.
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CHAPTER XV
AMUSEMENTS, LODGES, SOCIETIES, GAMES, ETC.
Amusements are sought by everybody to soften and assuage the cares, respon- sibilities and hardships of life. Recreation is as necessary as food or sleep. The earliest settlers had their hours of diversion and relaxation. The earliest sports of this country were the bullfights, horse races and fandangoes of the old Spanish and Mexican residents. There were at least three bullpens in Alameda county- in Brooklyn, near Livermore and near Mission San Jose. The law of 1854 pro- hibited bullfights but did not wholly stop the sport until several years later. Hunt- ing in early times was, of course, excellent, all kinds of animals of this habitat being found along the bay, on the level open grazing tracts, in the canyons, hollows and valleys and on the beetling hills and mountains. The rapid settlement by the Americans and their sporting proclivities soon stripped the county of the larger specimens of wild game. The organization of lodges and clubs for recreation and amusement was so common and rapid that soon every town and city had its organizations of all the secret and social clubs, lodges and societies.
Beginning about the time of the Civil war numerous secret and benevolent societies were established in the cities and towns of Alameda county. Previous to 1860 few existed, among them being Masons, Odd Fellows, Sons of Temperance, American Mechanics, Druids, Lameth Heth Tau and a few others. By 1883 Oak- land had lodges of the following: Chosen Friends, United Workmen, Odd Fel- lows, American Legion of Honor, Knights of Honor, Masons, Good Templars, B'Nai B'Rith, Grand Army of the Republic, Sons of America, Knights of Pythias, Good Samaritans, Pacific Turn Bezirk, Workman's Guarantee Fund Association, and Order of Foresters. Alameda had the Masons, Odd Fellows, Good Templars and others at an early date. The Masons and Odd Fellows were also at San Leandro, Haywards, Alvarado, and other places in the county back in the sixties.
On August 11, 1870, a meeting of those who settled in this county prior to 1859 was held in the council room of the city hall for the purpose of organizing a society of Alameda County Pioneers. William Van Voorhies served as president of the meeting. The society was duly organized with the following officers: Col. Jack Hayes, president ; T. W. Miller and William Van Voorhies, vice-presi- dents; J. E. Whitcher, secretary; A. D. Pryal, marshal. Other business was deferred until a subsequent meeting.
In 1873 baseball was played in Oakland by the Wide Awake, Grand Central and Oakland nines. The Grand Central proved the best club; its players were : E. J. Simmons, pitcher ; C. P. Eells, catcher ; John M. Poston, first ; W. B. Hamil- ton, second ; Charles D. Havens, third ; E. B. Pomroy, short ; George Reed, center ; J. J. Lynch, right ; Peter Bellingall, left. At one time John R. Glascock and James H. Budd were members of the Wide Awakes. George E. De Golia was an early member of one of the clubs. In 1874 the Oakland Baseball Club won the pennant,
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defeating the Grand Centrals three times and the Mutuals and Athletics respectively twice each. Two local baseball clubs in 1875 were the Elaines and the Silver Stars. In a match game in August the latter won by a score of 61 to 17. The Silver Stars were Givens, Morton, Morse, Davis, Howell, Harrington, Stewart, Melone and Butler; the Elaines were Harris, Havens, Tuttle, G. Simmons, F. Simmons, Wilson, Mickerson, Wickersham and Harding. The Oakland Baseball Club was represented at the Pacific baseball convention which met in room 18, city hall, San Francisco, on February 9, 1875; five clubs, a majority, were repre- sented. A series of championship games was agreed upon.
The Dublin races were a feature in the southeastern section of the county ; Rat- tleweed, a well known local horse, won a big running race in November, 1874. At this time a mile race track was opened at Pleasanton on the land of A. Bernal; it was about a half mile from the town. The old race track was in the suburbs of Oakland; near it was the famous Shell Mound. It was on the farm of Mr. Wiard about two miles northwest of the city hall. At the races in January, 1875, the horse Chinaman won the three-quarter mile dash in 1 :151/4 ; said to be the fastest time on record up to that date. Katy Pease was second, very close and coming fast. At the races in April Dan Rice won the trotting match in 2:301/2.
Leland Stanford's particular pride was the well known and famous trotting horse Occident, which in 1875 was trained by the famous Budd Doble; it was finally concluded to take him East and pit him against Goldsmith Maid and other fast equines. At the Oakland race course in March in a running race between Blanche Hull, Billy Baker, Blue Cloud, and Sorrel Ned, Blanche Hull was the favorite and won the first heat, Blue Cloud the second, and Blanche Hull the third ; the half mile was made in 521/2 seconds best time; the purse was $100. In the trotting race were Henry, Marysville Queen, and Uncle Sam, the first being favorite. He won the first and second heats, best time being a mile in 2:39. The race track was then called Athens ; the San Pablo cars ran to the track.
The Thespian Dramatic Society gave several interesting entertainments early in 1875 that were well attended by enthusiastic audiences. Among the actors were F. E. Brooks, T. G. Hogan, A. M. Campbell, W. Chamberlain, H. J. H. Dam, H. H. Goff, W. H. Richards, Barrett Hall, Roscoe Havens ; actresses-Miss Rosa Ickart, Mrs. T. G. Hogan and Miss Charlington.
Captain Badger's park in East Oakland had a dancing pavilion and amphithe- atre for games, races, etc., also a windmill to raise water. The first regatta of the Oakland Regatta Club occurred early in May, 1875. Three boats contested over a distance of two miles and return. The boat J. W. Coleman won the race; it was manned by Hallihan and Lambert. The other contestants were the William Burling and the E. C. Keene. In 1875 John Jordan of Pleasanton became the champion shot of the state by defeating Mr. Taylor of San Francisco, killing 49 out of 50 birds to 43 by Mr. Taylor, for $250 a side; distance 21 yards on the fly and 80 yards boundary.
The race in 1875 given under the auspices of the Jockey Club was profitable but put the club in hot water. The receipts from the sale of tickets were about $18,000; entrance fee of eight horses, $19,000; bar and other privileges, $3,000; admittance to grand stand, $5,000. Total about $45,000. The amount of money on the pools was about $100,000. The club's profit was estimated at over $20,000 in this one scrub race. It was asserted that the club should gather its assets
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together, declare a dividend and retire, as it was bankrupt in reputation and would disappear amid the groans and hisses of a bilked community. Nearly all who attended the race were disgusted and many were indignant. In January, 1875, at Sunol, occurred the long expected foot race between Burbridge and Lively; the latter won by two feet ; time and distance not given and probably not kept.
Previous to 1875 Oakland citizens were forced to go to San Francisco to enjoy high-class dramatic entertainments, but in that year a large theatre was con- templated by Gen. T. H. Williams on his newly purchased property on Fourteenth street nearly opposite the city hall. The city had a population of nearly 20,000 and a floating population of between 3,000 and 4,000; nearly all of the latter consisting of wealthy people who came here to enjoy the salubrious climate, brought usually plenty of money to spend and wanted amusement. Nearly every other town of 10,000 people in the state had fine theaters and why not Oakland?, it was asked. Brayton Hall could not be called a first-class theatrical room and had become nearly obsolete. Visitors who came here to spend the winters and their money were forced to cross to San Francisco to enjoy renditions of the highest forms of dramatic art. A fine theatre was previously projected here, but the projector lost courage and abandoned the enterprise.
A grand masked ball was given by Alameda Harmonie in March, 1876, at their hall on Peru street. In February Alice Kingsbury appeared in Wode's Opera House in Fanchon the Cricket and in Little Barefoot. Wode's Opera House was on Mission street between Third and Fourth.
In August the race for $10,000 one mile in harness, best three in five, was trotted at Oakland park in the presence of a large crowd. O. A. Hickock drove St. Julian and C. DuBois drove Dan Voorhies. The latter won the first heat but the former took the next three; best time was 2:253/4. In a pacing race at the Trotting park in October Dan Rice won three straight heats from Hiram Tracy, John Schonchin and Lady St. Clair. The best time was 2:22.
W. H. Eyre and Mr. Robinson had a pigeon shooting contest in Alameda in February, the former winning the prize. Robinson and Kennedy also held a similar contest and the former was again defeated. In the first match Eyre killed all of his single birds -- 16, and 12 out of 16 in pairs. Robinson made the same score on the pairs, but missed three more of the single birds. In December the famous wing shots, Doctor Carver, Craig, Whitney, Mackey and Melone con- tested for supremacy and prizes at the Trotting park. Captain Bogardus was pres- ent and gave an exhibition of his skill. He shot a match with Robinson ; the latter won by six birds.
The Union Club of Oakland was organized in February, 1877, and first met in the old Masonic lodge rooms. A. C. Henry was president. It was composed entirely of business men.
At Oakland Trotting park, in March, before a large gathering of people, the trotting race between Rarus and Bodine came off. Rarus won the first heat in 2 :23 ; the second was a dead heat in 2:201/2 ; Rarus won the third in 2:221/4 and the race and purse of $1,000. John Splann owned Rarus and Budd Doble owned Bodine. In the second race Lady St. Clair won from John Schonchin in 2:26- pacing.
Mr. Randlett, owner of the racing park, offered a purse of $1,500 for a trotting race between Rarus, Bodine and Oakland Maid in March, 1877.
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In a fifty-mile mustang race at the track in April, Mr. Smith of San Jose won in two hours and six minutes. In a trotting race at the track on April 5, Lady Emma, Frank and Controller contended for a purse of $100; Frank won in three straight heats; best time 2:40. In the pacing race for $200 Lady St. Clair won from Gray Dick, Schonchin and Simcoe, the best time being 2:281/2. In April, 1877, the University Baseball Club played the Golden Gate Club of the academy of that name and defeated them by the score of 24 to 8.
The cornerstone of Germania hall at Webster near Sixth was laid with due ceremony early in May. There was a large procession through the streets by the members of about half a dozen societies. William Sohst delivered an address, as did Mr. Schuenemann-Pott, speaker of the society of Free Thinkers, of San Francisco. Other speakers were Messrs. Denicke, Herzer, Mau, Boone and Goewnberg.
It was asserted by the newspapers in June, that inasmuch as Oakland had at the least calculation a population of 35,000, and probably nearer 45,000, it should cease going to San Francisco to celebrate the holidays; that the city should stop clinging to its old village and suburban practice of falling back upon San Francisco for almost everything and branch out along independent lines for itself. It was declared that this city should outvie even San Francisco in the exuberance of holiday celebrations. When 10,000 people left here, it was noted, to observe the holidays in San Francisco, they took over there $10,000 in cash and left it when it should have gone into the pockets of the Oakland business men and houses.
W. G. Dinsmore, the Broadway druggist, and Mrs. Soderer, originated the idea of the Tuolumne annual reunions and organization. The scattered pio- neers of that old county were the first to inaugurate the practice of meeting annu- ally in Oakland to talk over old times. Oakland was selected by common con- sent as the most desirable place for the reunions. The first picnic was held here on June 17, 1868, and about one hundred persons were present. The second was held at Postwick's garden, Alameda, with 400 persons present; the third at Humboldt park, Temescal, with nearly 2,000 present ; the fourth, at Martinez with fully 3,000 present ; the fifth, at Badger's park, East Oakland, attendance 3,500; sixth, same place, attendance, 4,000; seventh, same place, attendance, 5,000; eighth, same place, attendance about 8,500; ninth, same place, attendance fully 10,000 ; tenth, same place, attendance estimated at about 20,000. The steamer from Stockton brought down about 1,200 of the "old boys." Rev. Mr. Hamil- ton's address was almost wholly extemporaneous and was one of the most eloquent and fiery ever delivered in the city; he reviewed with great power the old times and kindled the flame in his hearer's hearts by his tender and touch- ing references to the olden and golden days. The poem by Miss Pittsinger was one of unusual merit and of superior beauty. Col. R. G. Ingersoll delivered an oration at Badger's park before an audience so large that those on the outskirts could barely hear his voice.
A fine pack of greyhounds was kept at Livermore; one, Connaught Rouger, was the best dog in the state; it was poisoned at Merced. In July, 1883, there was instituted here the first division of the Uniform Rank of the Knights of Pythias, being the fourth in the state. The ceremonies were conducted by Her- man Schaffner, representative of the supreme chancellor.
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The Olympic and Emerson Baseball Clubs played a match game in July ; the former won by the score of 14 to 3. They played at Twelfth and Center streets. Numerous shooting contests took place at Shell Mound and Schuetzen parks. A pigeon shooting contest took place at the Oakland race track. The Alameda Sportsman's Club took part in these contests; also the Pacific Gun Club. One contest was between Burbank, Harrison and Williams, the two for- mer tying with twenty-one birds each. The Oakland Athletic Club was organ- ized in August; their first gymnasium was under Germania hall. Their offi- cers were L. A. Mitchell, president ; C. R. Yates, secretary-treasurer and E. E. Potter, W. G. Henshaw and H. B. Houghton, directors. The Oakland Bicycle Club under Captain Strong made long runs through the suburbs in the fall; often over fifty wheelmen were in line. They held speed trials and tests at Trotting park. A Mosquito Boat Club was organized in September by W. W. Blow, Charles Yale, Captain Moody and G. Evans. The fleet consisted of canvas and other small boats rigged with very small sails.
By October I the Oakland Athletic Club had fifty members; they met three nights per week at Germania hall; Louis Gerichton taught fencing and boxing and Mr. Lawton of the Olympic Club was instructor in gymnastics. Over one hundred hunters left Oakland on October 6th to hunt quail in the fields of Alameda county; the season had opened. The fall meeting of the California Rifle Association was held at Shell Mound park October 28th. The prizes were as follows: (1) Perkins medal with ten cash prizes ranging from $1 to $10; (2) the 200-yard ring target with cash prizes; (3) California Powder Works medal-200 and 500 yards; (4) Foreman team match-200 and 500 yards, cash prizes; (5) National Guard team match-200 and 500 yards, cash prizes; (6) the Ludwig Siebe trophy-200 yards; (7) Collier trophy-200 yards ; (8) Cen- tennial trophy-200 and 500 yards; (9) Pistol match-30 yards, cash prizes.
In November "Taken from Life" was rendered at Dietz theatre; Black Crook at the People's (formerly the Colosseum) ; Emerson's minstrels at the Standard; McGowan the Millionaire at Bush Street theatre. Dion Boucicault's Company had recently been here in various Irish dramas.
An aquatic bicycle was launched on Lake Merritt on November 18th. A glove fight between James Slattery and the negro Bill Williams at the stock- yards in February, 1884, resulted in a victory for Slattery on a foul ; the negro was the better man but was taunted into making the foul after he had whipped Slattery. In 1884 a joint stock company was organized to purchase the Oak- land Trotting park from E. Wiard, the owner, the consideration being $80,000, but it failed to raise the money. A six days' racing program was given at the Oakland Trotting park in March; the prizes and stakes aggregating $3,050, exclusive of the large entrance money.
In 1884 the Colosseum seated 1,500 people; Dietz Opera House, 700; Ger- mania hall (main) 1,800, lower hall 900, upper hall 350; Armory hall (cavalry) 1,000; Oakland Guard hall, 1,000; Hancock Rifles hall, 900; Masonic hall, 500. The opera "L'Elisir d' Amore" was rendered in the Grand Opera House here in March. Madame Etelka Gerster represented Adina; Signor Vicini, Memorino; Signor Caracciolo, Dulcamasa; Signor Lombardelli, Belcore. The next night Madame Adelina Patti appeared in "La Traviata." The house was crowded to the doors and tickets sold for high premiums.
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The first cross country run after the English sport called "hare and hounds" took place in May, 1884, under the auspices of the Merion Cricket Club. The start was from Berkeley. Stud poker was such a ruling game and so pernicious that public steps to stop it were taken in 1884. Hundreds of young men spent all their money at this game.
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