USA > California > Alameda County > Past and present of Alameda County, California, Volume I > Part 49
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On April 29, 1854, the subject of city water works was first suggested. Mayor Carpentier regretted that the charter conferred no power upon the city council to authorize the construction of water works. At a meeting held December 22, 1873, the attention of the council was again called to the matter, and a com- mittee was appointed to investigate the subject and report. They were Spauld- ing, Knox and Larue, and on January 19, 1874, reported that the cost would be as follows : Dam and reservoir, $98,473 ; thirty-eight miles, 22-inch pipe, $797,- 500. This was exclusive of the right of way, franchises, distributing reservoirs and distributing pipes. On December 3, 1873, considerable snow fell at Oakland. The ground on the lee side of buildings and clear open spaces was covered to a sufficient depth to enable an industrious person to scrape enough together to form snow balls.
In 1874-75 the Castro Coal Mining Company was formed to mine for coal in this and adjoining counties. The capital was $1,000,000 and the directors were Patricio Castro, James Simpson, Jr., James A. Quinan, J. R. Bent and L. P. Larue. The water works were built at this time. The main connecting the big reservoir with the Oakland system was four feet in diameter near the reservoir on the mountain side which was sluiced down for the purpose. In the spring city scrip was worth only 80 cents on the dollar and all bids to furnish supplies were made on the basis of the depreciated scrip. By the spring of 1875 there was on hand $20,000 of general fund and the license paid the running expenses. This was brought about under the system of economy adopted. Washington Market, conducted by L. Schaffer, was an extensive establishment ; pork packing
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was an important feature. In June the Tribune which had been issued from the press of Butler & Stilwell changed location and thereafter came from the press of A. W. Bishop. Mr. Dewes was still connected with the Tribune.
For the fiscal year 1873-74 the city receipts came almost wholly from taxes ; traders' licenses amounted to $2,702.50 and the wharfinger returned $525.65. There was on hand from the previous year $78,210.86; total receipts $225,453-38; total disbursements $85,990.77. The city finances were in excellent condition at this time. The school bond redemption fund alone amounted to $67,937.50. Every fund (twenty-seven in all) showed an excess. The fire and water com- mittee reported that while the fire alarm telegraph would be a desirable addition to the fire fighting equipment, the condition of the city finances would not permit an indulgence in this luxury. The city ordinance provided otherwise, but in spite of that people disliked the old scraggy live oaks and cut them down when- ever opportunity offered and planted other ones.
In 1867 Mr. Chapellet, wood and coal dealer, located here and in one month, October, his sales amounted to $1,511.07. In 1871 for the same month they were $7,950.95, and for the same month in 1874 they were $14,738.98. One million four hundred and seventy-nine thousand one hundred and sixty pounds were sold in the last named month. This was an indication of the great advance of business operations here during the growing period; many other business enterprises advanced as rapidly.
In November there were employed at the West Oakland shipyard, ship car- penters 70, laborers 50, machinists 25, on pile driver 10, on the dredge 10; total 165. The Central Pacific Railroad Company was drilling an artesian well here at this date. Four new houses were going up on one street. The growth was so rapid that hotel accommodations were inadequate. The West Oakland shipyards were growing fast and were a very important industry. The office of pound master was created and a new engine house was built for the Felton engine and the Relief hook and ladder company. The real estate union was incorporated November 12th with a capital of $400,000. Will Cubery was its first president.
In December the city council passed a resolution extending a vote of thanks to Dr. Samuel Merritt and other citizens who had contributed to the erection of the dam across the estuary between West and East Oakland, thus creating what was called Lake Merritt and had conveyed all their interest therein to the city. The dam cost $21,000, of which over $17,000 had been paid by Doctor Merritt. He was granted the right to use seventy-five feet of frontage in the dam for a boathouse.
Doctor Dinsmore, who was at the head of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals resigned his position, because he was unable to secure one conviction in the many suits he brought under the law. The defendants asked for jury trials and their lawyers managed to render the execution of the law so ludicrous that no conviction could be secured. The police themselves succeeded in fining one man $30 for cruelly treating and abandoning an old horse. In December Mr. Dewes of the Tribune, owing to continued ill health advertised for a partner in the ownership and management of that newspaper.
In December the council of Oakland passed an ordinance requiring liquor dealers whose sales exceeded $10,000 per quarter to pay a $100 license per quarter
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and those under $10,000 to pay $50 per quarter. The enactment took effect in January, 1875. The license here was thus $50 per quarter because no sales in Oakland at this time exceeded $10,000 per quarter. The granting of this license was strenuously opposed by the temperance people of the city. Early in December the library directors ordered rebound all books needing it and ordered bound the old files of the Tribune, Transcript, News and Encinal. Twenty new members were added between the 20th and 30th of November, and there was in bank $2,500 and $468 on hand, and the library was quite promising under the new order. On December 31st, Woodward & Co., real estate dealers, sold to Gen. D. C. Thompson a tract of sixty-two acres of land in the eastern suburbs for $25,000. It was located north of the San Leandro road on High street opposite Alameda street and was known as Prospect terrace. At the same time Blake & Moffitt bought the half block at Fourteenth and Broadway for $45,000. Mr. Williams had just previously bought the other half for $55,000. During 1874, according to the local press, 1,063 structures costing $2,422,113 were erected in Oakland.
The enormous business done in Oakland water front in 1874 is shown by the following figures : Overland and way passengers 250,964; passengers between Oakland and San Francisco 3,102,904; coin and bullion $65,494,712; wheat exported 127,678 tons; coal exported 57,677 tons ; lumber imported 44,251,268 feet ; shingles (thousands) 11,722,750 ; laths 3,093,200; brick 5,821,000; number of trains per day used in transporting freight 82; number of vessels employed 1,813. The Bay Farm Island bridge was finished at this time. It was 745 feet long to the end of the wings. The draw allowed vessels a passageway of 50 feet ; hunting on Bay Farm Island was excellent at this time.
The sale of the D. Ghirardelli estate took place in San Francisco in December, 1874, and was regarded as second in importance only to that of the Lick estate. The bulk of the property was on the east side of the bay. Considerable fronted on Lake Merritt and comprised a precipitous bluff east beyond the Twelfth street bridge. The sale was made by the block or in subdivisions in different parts of Oakland and the Ghirardelli residence on Third street, in the yard of which were marble statutes of George Washington, Christopher Columbus and other notables, was included in the sale. Scores of tracts in all parts of the city were offered by the auctioneers. On the first day the sales amounted to $119,615; nearly all of which was for Oakland property. Lots in the Lake View tract brought prices ranging from $1,000 to $4,300. The Ghirardelli resi- dence block at Clay, Jefferson, Second and Third avenues was subdivided and sold in lots 50x100 feet, the prices ranging from $300 to $3,300 each. The lot and brick building at Third and Broadway sold for $15,000.
The year 1874 was an eventful one in many respects. There were the local option election ; the race between Occident and Fullerton ; the shooting of Gen- eral Cobb ; the weather unusual and queer : the reputed visit from King Kalakaua ; the big building operations ; the great increase in population ; the new jail ; court- house; hall of records, etc. The Contra Costa Water Company furnished water to 500 new houses in Oakland alone and to 700 in all. They supplied water to 1,800 houses in December. They had 30 miles of water mains, besides the con- struction in connection with the new reservoir on the mountain. During spring, summer and fall they supplied about 1,250,000 gallons to customers and 750,000
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in the winter months and were making large extensions for future increased supply. During the year 601 vessels arrived at Webster street wharf. Among the articles landed were 4,000 cords of wood, 3,281,000 bricks, 2,190,000 feet of lumber and 12,111 tons of coal. The gross earnings of the wharf were $4,973; in 1873 they were $3,536.
The first number of the Oakland Daily Evening Tribune was issued on Saturday evening, February 21, 1874, by Ben. A. Dewes and George B. Stani- ford, under the firm name of Dewes & Staniford. The paper was small in size, but presented a creditable appearance and was well edited. With the first issue the editors said, "There seems to be an open field for a journal like the Tribune in Oakland, and we accordingly proceed to occupy it, presenting the Tribune, which is intended to be a permanent daily paper, deriving its support solely from advertising patronage." The paper attracted attention, and a paying patronage soon warranted its enlargement. The first number contained only three columns to the page, and carried only forty-three business advertisements. Three months later it was enlarged to double its original size, and the place of public action was changed to rooms in the Wilcox block, over those occupied at that time as the postoffice. The following year it was moved to rooms in the adjoining block, on Broadway, between Eighth and Ninth streets. In the early part of 1876 Mr. Dewes, who had previously purchased the interest of Mr. Staniford, dis- posed of one-half his interest in the paper to A. B. Gibson, of San Francisco, who retained the share but a short time, disposing of the same to A. E. Nightin- gill. On July 24, 1876, William E. Dargie bought out Nightingill. Under the new management the paper quickly improved in appearance and widened in usefulness and patronage. Within a month Mr. Dargie succeeded in obtaining the Associated Press dispatches, and was thus the first Alameda county journalist to do so. To accommodate the improved conditions the Tribune, on October I, 1877, was removed to 406 Twelfth street, and a book and job department was added. One of R. Hoe & Co.'s patent improved double-cylinder presses was placed in the book and job printing department. On November 1, 1881, the Tribune was moved to 413, 415 and 417 Eighth street. It was republican in politics, and was printed by the "Tribune Publishing Company," W. E. Dargie, manager, A. K. P. Harmon, Jr., secretary.
The Oakland Daily Times was the descendant of an old-established paper known as the Transeript, owned and controlled by Col. John Scott, and a lead- ing democratic journal. The old office was located on Broadway, between Eighth and Ninth streets, and the paper was printed on a hand press. Mr. Powers later became the proprietor. Under his control the politics of the paper was changed, from democracy to republicanism. On the 8th of January, 1878, J. A. Johnson and J. B. Wyman purchased the entire plant, and extensive improvements were immediately inaugurated. The title of the paper was changed to the Daily Times, and in addition to the daily publication, a large and valuable weekly edition was issued, chiefly for circulation throughout the county and state. Soon after the change was made William D. Harwood became editor- in-chief, and in 1879 Alfred J. Share, a journalist of long experience, was engaged. The building at the corner of Ninth street and Broadway was leased and a large and well-appointed job-printing office was added to the institution, and Alfred J. Share was installed as city editor. On October 1, 1882, John P.
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Irish, editor and proprietor of the Iowa City Press became part owner and editor. Soon after his advent, the Times was issued as a seven-day paper, the Sunday edition consisting of eight pages and the weekly edition was enlarged. The Enquirer was established in the seventies, and at first, like all the newspapers of Oakland had a precarious existence, with many changes, but is today one of the most aggressive and successful sheets on the whole coast.
The Oakland Press was started by G. W. Barter, in 1872, and at that time was a twenty-eight column paper. He conducted it until 1875 when it was purchased by DeWitt C. Lawrence, and in 1876 was changed to a forty-two column sheet and became democratic in principle.
In 1875 the families of East Oakland, the Point and Oakland proper were served with fresh vegetables and fruits each morning at a nominal price by from 100 to 150 Chinamen who came over from San Francisco on the 7 and 7.30 o'clock trains, each carrying a brace of immense baskets filled with fish, fruit and vegetables weighing at least 100 pounds each, making 200 pounds for each Chinaman and aggregating each day about 30,000 pounds in weight. The news- paper called them the "Basket Brigade." The Odd Fellows Library was in a prosperous condition; the circulation for march was 778 volumes, mainly of fiction.
All the apparatus of the fire department was estimated to be worth $30,512 in January, 1875. The Oakland library had a total membership of 367; the number of books drawn in December was 1,512. There was $326.87 on hand. A special committee reported against opening the library on Sunday, which report was adopted. The deaf and dumb asylum was burned down in January. No loss of life. Loss of property $150,000 to $250,000. On January 16th the snow showed on the hills east of Oakland. A careful tabulation showed the population to be as follows: For 1873-males 8,534, females 6,853; total 15.387. For 1874-males 11,099, females 8,901 ; total 20,000. Of this number 266 were blacks and 1,323 copper colored; white population in 1874, 18,411.
The artesian well in West Oakland was down to a depth of 450 feet by January 15th. Scows were busy scooping up the mud from the ship channel which was three-fourths of a mile in length with a depth of about six feet below tide-water. The passenger boat Chrysopolis was nearly completed ; so were the mammoth freight boats which were to run in connection with the thoroughfare between Long Wharf and San Francisco. The council called for bids for 100 telegraph poles, ten miles of telegraph wire and a lot of insulators for an electric fire alarm system in March. In January 300 lots at Oakland Point were offered for sale; also the entire block of Brayton Hall by order of the regents of the university ; also 250 lots on the Watts tract out on San Pablo avenue; also half acre lots in the suburbs for $400 each. A large quantity of Oakland real estate was sold at auction late in January; it was situated at Railroad, Eighth, Chester and Henry streets; the lots brought from $1,000 to $3,000 each.
The Central Land Company was to Oakland what the Real Estate Asso- ciates were to San Francisco. They sold lots and houses on the installment plan. In five months' time in 1874 (their first year) they built and sold twenty-five houses and eighty lots. Their land was on Telegraph and San Pablo avenues. In January the Oakland Fire Department consisted of four hydrants, five cisterns
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and 3,000 feet of hose. Mr. Montanya was chief engineer. The engines, hose carts and horses were in good condition.
The Brayton Hall block was sold in lots at public auction on February 19, 1875. Lots 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 with the hall sold for $11,000; lots 13 and 14 with the Mansion home sold for $3,525. The prices were considered very low, the single lots brought from $2,500 to $3,000. The new Chabot reservoir and connections were nearing completion in February. The big main was nearly laid from the reservoir down to the San Leandro road. Water from the San Leandro works was promised early in 1875 and the supply was announced as sufficient for a century to come. In spite of all this many wells were dug.
The growth of Oakland in the spring was rapid and extensive. Scores of build- ings were in process of erection in all sections. The newspapers expatiated on the great importance of improving the harbor, adding new ferry facilities, building more ships, multiplying the number of street cars and increasing the number of business houses. The old El Capitan and the reconstructed Chrysopolis and the steamer Capital were deemed sufficient for all reasonable ferry services. The overland trains were dumping here monthly thousands of home seekers, many of whom remained. There seemed to be lacking only one important element of growth-business blocks. The famous Gibbons tracts of land-two-were adver- tised to be sold at auction at Stanford hall on February 13th. This was one of the most important sales of homestead lots ever conducted in Oakland. The larger tract was bounded south by the Central Pacific railroad lands and embraced about sixty acres and contained the company's ship-yard where two large steamers were on the way south. The tract was bounded north by the Casserly tract, on the east by Peralta street, which extended from Oakland Harbor to the State University. The smaller tract was bounded south by Division street (extension of Eighth) and bordered on the bay with waterfront privileges.
At a big credit sale of lots in West Oakland in February, 1875, $81,375 was realized. Lots on Railroad avenue brought from $550 to $1,350. On other streets the prices ranged from $350 to $500. A total of 197 lots were sold. Lots were sold in blocks 466, 499, 498, 501, 502, 526 and others. The gas and water com- panies complained at this time. The facts were that both the gas and water com- panies had extended their lines far beyond the wants of the population and were thus poorly paid for their expenditures and efforts. Miles of pipes were laid that paid the companies nothing. They laid a splendid ground work for an immense city of villas, all laid out into lots, blocks and streets, but all so thinly inhabited that no adequate return for the outlay could be expected until the population should be vastly increased. Quite often could be seen whole blocks devoted to a single small residence where the owner refused to subdivide but wanted all the gas and water privileges now extended to a dozen or a score of palatial residences.
The Mountain View Cemetery Association stated $13,000 had been received from the sale of bonds and that $390 had just been paid as a premium upon the bonds. Judge Stephen G. Nye, county judge, decided that W. T. Hurll, who was convicted of selling liquor without a license, was illegally convicted and the judgment against him was reversed and a new trial ordered. The sales at auction of the Ghirardelli estate amounted to $125,000. Original bids to the amount of
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$76,000 were rejected by the trustees and the land was resold. Block 51 East Oakland valued at $25,000 was not resold.
The great number of incendiary fires called for strenuous work from the municipal authorities. The newspapers said there was an "epidemic of fools." A public meeting of citizens was held, but no action was taken except to urge the officials to action and to denounce the malefactors. In 1875, Capt. Edgar Wake- man died in East Oakland. In his active life time he was famous for his nautical ventures in all lands and in numerous vessels. He was a marshal of the Vigilantes in San Francisco. He was the Capt. Ned Blakely of Mark Twain's "Rough- ing It."
Early in 1875 it was evident that real estate values in Oakland were certain to double within a short time. The great increase in population, the new business enterprises and the desirability of the city as a place of residence betokened an approaching advancement second only to that consequent upon the completion of the great overland railroad. Broadway property was particularly high and advancing at this date. Half a dozen men-Williams, Blake, Droffit and others- were after a half block at Broadway, Washington, Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets. Vast real estate deals in the near future were already casting their shadows before. The enormous savings in the San Francisco banks were finding their way to Oakland real estate. At this time there was not an empty house in the city and none had "To Let" on it but for a day.
At a public spelling match held in West Oakland in April, 1875, $125 was realized at the door. At this time that part of the city was building about one mile of sidewalk a month. J. W. Pearson's residence at Wood, Taylor, Pine and Chase streets was planned to cost $75,000. The grounds were probably the finest then in Oakland and embraced a gigantic wind mill and water mains, fine fencing, double rows of eucalyptus and poplar and an inner hedge of cypress. About forty of the natural oaks which early made Oakland famous and from which it took its name, were preserved in this beautiful property. At the Wood street front were two superb grottos with fountains. Everywhere over the tract were clumps of trees among which with charming effect wound the carriage road. There were magnolia, gralin, origoria, orange, island pine, many native woods and rare imported plants. The grounds cost $20,000, residence $75,000; other features $30,000; total $125,000. In April, 1875, thirty-three new buildings were going up in West Oakland.
From the start Oakland was famous for its homes, residences, churches, schools and social spirit. The splendid amphitheater of hills to the eastward, beginning at Berkeley and extending east and south as far as Fruitvale, com- manded an enchanting view of mountain and sea-even of the old ocean itself. The Contra Costa Water Company and the numerous wells insured a bountiful supply of good water for consumption and irrigation, and fine residences were going up in the Water Cure vale, the Ross Browne and Livermore places, the White tract, and in fact along the whole suburbs from Berkeley to Piedmont, Brooklyn and Fruitvale. Thus far nearly the whole of this suburban district was peopled by families that could afford their own conveyances to the ferries. But now the people faced the problem of transportation, because poorer families were seeking these choice residence districts and required public conveyance to the wharves and depots. Thus arose the golden opportunity for the street car
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magnate and the real estate genius. Already they were at work planning comfort and convenience for the public accompanied with power and fortunes for them- selves. They said, "There 're millions in it," and there were. No one doubted that a great city was sure to grow here -- rise up from the level lands along the bay and climb the rugged slopes of the eastern hills and mountains.
In 1875 Brooklyn was the manufacturing center of Oakland; already there were three potteries, two tanneries, one terra cotta factory and one brickyard. Nearly all the commerce there centered at Larue's wharf; five or six vessels could be seen there at one time. Brooklyn was made a freight depot in 1874 by the Central Pacific Company. The chief imports of Brooklyn or East Oakland were wood, coal, grain, jute, tanbark, lumber and clay. The chief exports were grain sacks, flour, leather, bricks, pottery, terra cotta ware and cattle. A street railroad was in process of construction out to the upper end of Fruit Vale. This was not the same as the Oakland, Brooklyn and Fruit Vale railroad already in operation. Both were horse railroads. Washington hall near Tubb's hotel was the principal public assemblage room. Balls, theatrical entertainments, mass meet- ings and political caucuses were given there. The grain fields around Brooklyn in May, 1875, were green and fine.
Butler and Stilwell conducted a large printing office here in the early seventies. They operated four Gordon presses and turned out all sorts of job work quickly and in first-class style. This was a home industry that came to the front on its merits in spite of the allurements of San Francisco. In 1875 the Oakland Journal, a German newspaper, was issued by C. Schmitt, K. F. Wiemeger and A. M. Schutt at 911 Broadway. For the construction of the first section of the main sewer in April, 1875, the Alameda Macadamizing Company bid $119,110; the Pacific Bridge Company, $126,850; Remillard Brothers $129,990. The Ala- meda company withdrew its bid, whereupon the contract was awarded to the Pacific company. W. H. Jordan was at work on a big sewer contract at this time. Early in May, 1875, E. C. Sessions & Co. offered for sale at auction the real estate of J. B. Scotchler, deceased; the property consisting of eighty large lots, at Tenth, Twelfth, Fourteenth, Union, Poplar and Kirkham streets and within three blocks of the Adeline street station.
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