USA > California > San Diego County > San Diego county, California; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 23
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53
Six years later this Walton was arrested in Portland, Oregon, on a charge of robbery, and the Herald in commenting on this, says that at the time of the Walton episode he had closed the office "for the season."
The Herald of August 13, 1853, contained the following announcement :
"We shall leave on the first steamer for San Francisco, to be absent about two weeks. A friend of acknowledged ability and literary acquirements will occupy the Old Arm Chair during our absence."
This was the prelude to the most amusing scrape that Ames's absences led him into, as it was the occasion when Lieutenant Derby edited the Herald for
189
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
six weeks (instead of two) and changed its politics, as related farther on. Ames seems to have learned something from this experience, for upon starting again for San Francisco, about December 3d of the same year, leaving one "Borax" in charge, he gave the editor pro tem of the paper "strict injunctions not to change its politics," as Derby had done.
In April, 1855, Ames went east again. It is said this trip was made on public business but nothing has come to light to show what the public business was. Ames himself states that he was present at the convention of the American (Know Nothing) party, in Philadelphia, when Fillmore was nominated for presi- dent. It is a matter of record that he brought out Phoenixiana at this time and it is also understood that he brought his wife to San Diego with him upon his return, some time the following spring.
During this prolonged absence, Ames left William H. Noyes in charge of the paper, who took good care of it, not only at this time, but also on several subse- quent occasions when Ames went to San Francisco. In April, 1857, when about to depart on such a trip, Ames left the following savage attack upon certain offi- cials for insertion in the next issue :
"Malfeasance in Office :- We have for a long time been aware of the utter unfitness of our County Clerk and Recorder for the position which he occupies. * It is well known that this County is deeply in debt, but it is not so well known that the greatest portion of this debt has gone into the hands of county officers. * * * The salary of the County Judge of this county is fixed by law at $1,000 and yet for a long time Mr. Couts, the County Auditor, has been issuing scrip to him at the rate of $1,200 per annum."
He then goes on to say that a party had a bill against the county of long standing, which after some trouble he got approved, and demanded the issuance of scrip to him first, so that it would be the first paid when the county had any money. He charges that Couts promised to do this but evaded it and issued scrip clandestinely to his friends ahead of it.
"It is to be regretted that there are not other offices in the county to which he (Couts) could be elected or appointed, as he at present only fills the following : County Clerk, County Recorder, County Auditor, Clerk of the Court of Sessions, Clerk of the First District Court, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and Clerk of the Board of Equalization, the income of which offices is greater than that of any other officer in the county."
This looks as though Gilbert had been reading the San Diego Herald when he drew his character of Pooh Bah, in the opera of the Mikado. In the next issue of the Herald Noyes repudiates this blast and "wishes it distinctly understood that it owes its paternity to the regular editor."
The issue of May 30, 1857, contains an apology for its leanness in the mat- tcr of news, "the editor being absent in San Francisco, the sub-editor gone into the country, and, to crown all, the 'devil' having sloped, leaving us 'alone in our glory,' with an overabundance of labor to perform, and a dearth of local news."
It is probable that on account of his relations with Senator Gwin, Ames had free steamer transportation during the first two or three years of the Herald's life. Derby seems to have had some such thought in his mind when writing this :
"Facilis descensus Averni, which may be liberally translated: It is easy to go to San Francisco. Ames has gone."
190
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
During the last year or two of the Herald's publication in San Diego it was not so "easy," for the paper severely criticises the Holliday Steamship line, com- plains of its poor service and high fares, "which prevent the editor from going to San Francisco on pressing business," indicating, possibly, that the free pass had been called in.
The political complexion of the paper was changed several times. The first issue announced it to be "Independent in all things, neutral in nothing," but soon afterward it supported Bigler for governor, and the full democratic ticket nominated by the Benicia convention. But Ames was independent enough to kick over all party traces when he felt like it. He opposed President Pierce and severely criticised him at times, one reason for this doubtless being the fact that Pierce had vetoed a bill appropriating money for the improvement of the San Diego river. In April, 1855, he hoisted the name of General Sam Houston for president. In May, 1856, he came out for Fillmore and Donelson for president and vice president, and went over completely to the know nothing party, substi- tuting for his original motto the following: "Thoroughly American in principle, sentiment and effort." This bolt to the know nothing party appears not to have produced any results. The town and county were democratic up to the time that Horton came, and for some little time thereafter. When the know nothing move- ment died out, Ames returned to the democratic fold. In 1857 his motto was changed to: "Devoted to the interest of Southern California."
It is clear that Ames suppressed many things which he thought might hurt the reputation of the town. The trouble with the San Francisco volunteers, fol- lowing the Garra insurrection, is scarcely mentioned in the Herald. Again, while Ames was away on one of his trips, the editor pro tem. thought proper to write up and condemn certain disorders. Some of the citizens protested against this publicity in a letter in which they declared it was contrary to Ames's policy to have such items appear. It may be inferred from this that much interesting historical material has been lost on account of this policy of suppression-a policy which is not yet extinct.
The many difficulties under which the paper struggled would make an inter- esting story could Ames himself tell it. There was no telegraph, no telephone, no railroad in those days, and for news of the outside world he was dependent upon a semi-monthly mail service by steamer, which service was poor and irregu- Jar. He seems to have depended for his exchanges almost entirely upon the pursers of the steamers calling at this port. In almost every issue of the paper he acknowledges the receipt of bundles of papers, or growls about the neglect of those who should deliver mail and do not. After the transcontinental stage line was opened to the east (August 31, 1857) matters went somewhat better.
In the latter part of 1855 the Herald ran for some time a list of all the post- offices in California and at all times it was found necessary to fill up with miscel- laneous matter. Another source of trouble was the difficulty of obtaining sup- plies of print paper, and several issues were printed on common brown wrapping paper, for the reason that the paper ordered had, through some neglect or blunder at San Francisco, not arrived.
The failure of Gwin's schemes had a very depressing effect upon Ames, whose hopes and expectations had been very high, and other causes tended to discour- age him. His wife died March 14, 1857, and not long after unknown parties
19
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
mutilated and destroyed the monument at her grave. On October of this year, while he was absent in San Francisco, a gale blew down and completely demol- ished his house at Old Town, known as "Cosy Cottage." These things saddened and embittered him and, already somewhat given to indulgence in liquor, he be- came dissipated and broken in health. He married again, about 1858 or 1859. Soon after this, Brigham Young ordered the Mormons living at San Bernardino to come to Salt Lake to aid him in resisting the United States troops under Albert Sydney Johnston, and most of them sold out in haste for whatever they could get. The influx of Americans who bought them out, together with the dis- covery of gold in Holcomb valley, made San Bernardino quite lively and Ames determined to remove his paper to that place. The last number of the San Diego Herald was issued April 7, 1860, and then Harvey C. Ladd, a Mormon who had been a resident of San Diego, hauled the outfit to San Bernardino, and Ames began the publication of the San Bernardino Herald. The new paper did not prosper, however, and in a short time he sold out to Major Edwin A. Sherman. Ames's end was now near and he died on the 28th of July, 1861. He had one son, called Huddie, born in San Diego, November 19, 1859, and died in San Bernardino March 27, 1863. His widow married again and she is now also deceased.
The press which was used in printing the San Diego Herald was an old fashioned Washington hand press, made by R. Hoe & Company, New York, and numbered 2327. It is still in use, in Independence, Inyo county, where it prints the Inyo Independent. After using it for a time to publish the San Bernardino Patriot, at the beginning of the Civil war, Major Sherman employed Mr. Ladd to haul it across the mountains to Aurora, then in California, but now in Nevada, where in May, 1862, he commenced the publication of the Esmeralda Star. Three years later he sold the outfit to other parties and it was later taken to Independ- ence. It should be brought to San Diego to form the nucleus of a historical col- lection. There may be a few scattered numbers of the Herald in the hands of old residents, but the only collection known is that in the San Diego public library. A few numbers are missing but it is almost complete. The preservation of this invaluable file is due to the care of E. W. Morse.
In estimating the character and achievements of John Judson Ames there are some things to condemn, but on the whole, much to praise. He was large hearted, generous and enterprising. For that time, his education was good and he wrote with clearness and fluency. He had opinions of his own and was not backward about expressing them. In speaking of the New England abolitionists, he refers to them as "such men as Garrison and Sumner, who are distracting the country with their treasonable and fanatical preachings." Like other journalists, he found it impossible to please all the people all the time, and there was frequently local dissatisfaction with his utterances. June 10, 1852, he published a letter, signed by nine residents and business men of San Diego, discontinuing their sub- scriptions, and made sarcastic comments on it, and a few months later he says : "There are several individuals in this city who don't like the Herald. We don't care a damn whether they like it or not."
On another occasion he broke out thus :
"Insolence-There is a man in this town, holding a public position, who has got to using his tongue pretty freely of late, and but that we esteem him beneath
192
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
the notice of responsible citizens, we have been half inclined, on several occasions, to knock him down and give him a good sound thrashing. If we thought the better portion of the community would justify us, and the District Attorney would not bear down too hard upon us for a fine, we would try what good a little pommeling would do an insolent official."
It is probable that Ames's immense size kept him out of trouble, as no one cared to tackle him. There is no record of his having been engaged in a duel, or in any personal combat, except the mythical one with Lieutenant Derby, but an item in the Herald of August 13, 1853, shows that he was a valuable peace officer and something of a sprinter as well.
"Indian Rows-There is scarcely a day passes that there is not some fight among the Indians about town, in which one or more is cut or otherwise muti- lated-and all through the direct influence of whiskey or some other intoxicating drink sold to them by Californians or Americans. * A row occurred last Sunday night in which some fifteen or twenty drunken Indians participated, some of whom got badly beaten or cut with knives. Sheriff Conway called upon a number of citizens about 12 o'clock to go and arrest these disturbers of the peace. They succeeded in capturing eleven of the tribe, who were arraigned the next day before Justice Franklin. One was fined $10 and sentenced to ten days' imprisonment, another to receive 25 lashes each for two offences; and two were fined $5 and costs. On arresting the last 'batch' the ringleader was put in charge of Judge Ames, to convey to the 'lock-up.' They had advanced but a few rods from the rest of the party when the Indian made a sudden spring from his leviathan escort and made tracks towards the river. The Judge commanded him to stop, but he kept on, and was fired at twice-the last ball taking a scratch at his side just under the left arm. Having no more shot, legs were put into requisition, and then came the tug of war. The Indian held his own for about fifty yards, when the Judge began to gain on him, and when he had got within striking distance, that ponderous arm of his came down twice with a 'slung shot,' breaking the Indian's right arm and his left collar bone, which brought him to the ground, when he was secured and taken to the calaboose."
Soon after this occurrence Ames advertised for the return of a sword cane. It also appears that he had some difficulty with Major Justus Mckinstry, which mutual friends thought it necessary to arrange before Ames's departure for the east, in April, 1853, and J. R. Gitchell published a card stating that a reconcilia- tion had been effected. It is clear that notwithstanding his gigantic size, our first editor was not altogether a man of peace. It is also a fact that he was very remiss in the payment of his debts. That he had enemies in San Diego and vicinity is shown by the fact that he held but one elective office and that a minor one.
Lieutenant George H. Derby made San Diego his home for about two years, from 1853 to 1855, and left behind him memories which the people of San Diego cherish to this day. This, not merely because the scene of so many of the funny things in Phoenixiana is laid here, but quite as much on account of his lovable personality. It may be assumed that the reader is familiar with that delectable book and it will therefore not be profitable to reproduce any considerable part of it, but it is believed that something about Derby's life and personality, with a
193
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
few selections of local interest from Phoenixiana and others from the old Herald files not so familiar to the public, will prove of interest.
George Horatio Derby was born in Dedham, Massachusetts, April 3, 1823. He attended school in Concord and is remembered by Senator Hoar, who says in his autobiography that Derby was very fond of small boys. Afterward he tended store in Concord but failed to please his employer, "who was a smug and avaricious person." During the proprietor's weekly absences in Boston, Derby would stretch himself out on the counters and read novels, and at such times did not like to be disturbed to wait on customers, and was quite likely to tell them the goods they wanted were out. He afterward entered West Point and gradu- ated with distinction in 1846. He served through the Mexican war, was wounded at Cerro Gordo and was made a first lieutenant.
In April, 1849, he arrived in California on board the Iowa, with General Bennett Riley and a part of the Second Infantry Regiment. He was employed on different tours of duty in the Topographical Corps until July, 1853, when he was detailed to superintend the turning of the San Diego river to make it debouch into False bay. His description of the voyage down and of the appearance of the town of San Diego at that period, in Phoenixiana, are among the funniest things he ever wrote. He met Judge Ames and has this to say about him: "I fell in conversation with Judge Ames, the talented, good hearted, but eccentric editor of the San Diego Herald. * * I found 'the judge' exceedingly agreeable, urbane and well informed, and obtained from him much valuable in- formation regarding San Diego." Ames appeared to have proposed to Derby almost immediately to take charge of his paper for two weeks, while he made one of his frequent trips to San Francisco. At least, it is quite certain they were acquainted, for Derby had been in San Diego during the preceding April on business connected with the work on the river, and at that time visited the Ma- sonic lodge, of which order they were both members. He was undoubtedly well acquainted with Derby's reputation as a writer, as his sketches had appeared in the San Francisco papers over the pen names of "John Phoenix" and "Squibob." Derby readily fell in with the proposal, doubtless foreseeing opportunities for no end of fun. The situation is developed thus in the Herald.
In his issue of August 13th, Ames said :
"Our absence .- We shall leave on the first steamer for San Francisco, to be absent about two weeks. A friend of acknowledged ability and literary acquire- ments will occupy the 'old arm chair' during our absence."
Derby writes, in his letter to a San Francisco paper :
"Lo, I am an editor! Hasn't Ames gone to San Francisco (with this very let- ter in his pocket), leaving a notice in his last edition, 'that during his absence an able literary friend will assume his position as editor of the Herald,' and am I not that able literary friend? (Heaven save the mark). 'You'd better believe it.' I've been writing a 'leader' and funny anecdotes all day * * *
and such a 'leader' and such anecdotes. I'll send you the paper next week, and if you don't allow that there's been no such publication, weekly or serial, since the days of the 'Bunkum Flagstaff' I'll crawfish, and take to reading Johnson's Dictionary."
In the Herald he made the following announcement :
"Next week, with the Divine assistance, a new hand will be applied to the bellows of this establishment, and an intensely interesting issue will possibly be Vol. I -13
194
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
the result. The paper will be published on Wednesday evening; and, to avoid confusion, the crowd will please form in the Plaza, passing four abreast by the City Hall and Herald office, from the gallery of which Johnny will hand them their papers. 'E pluribus unum,' or 'A word to the wise is bastante.'"
Ames neglected to ask what Derby's politics were, or to give instructions re- specting the policy of the paper during his absence. The result was disastrous, for Derby immediately changed its politics from democratic to whig. The mingling of fun and seriousness in his political leaders of this time is inimitable. He sometimes mixed up the two gubernatorial candidates, Waldo and Bigler, referring to them as "Baldo and Wigler," or "Wagler and Bildo."
"Old Bigler," he declares, "hasn't paid the people of this county anything for supporting him (though judging by the tone of the Independent Press; he has been liberal enough above). We think therefore they will do precisely as if he had,-vote for a better man."
Again :
"Frank, our accomplished compositor, who belongs to the fighting wing of the Unterrified Democracy, 'groans in spirit and is troubled,' as he sets up our heretical doctrines and opinions. He says 'the Whigs will be delighted with the paper this week.'
"We hope so. We know several respectable gentlemen who are Whigs, and feel anxious to delight them, as well as our Democratic friends (of whose ap- proval we are confident), and all other sorts and conditions of men, always excepting Biglerites and Abolitionists. Ah! sighs the unfortunate Frank, but what will Mr. Ames say when he gets back? Haven't the slightest idea ; we shall probably ascertain by reading the first Herald published after his return. Mean- while, we devoutly hope that event will not take place before we've had a chance to give Mr. Bigler one blissard on the subjects of 'Water-front extension,' and 'State Printing.' We understand these schemes fully, and we are inclined to enlighten the public of San Diego with regard to them. Ah! Bigler, my boy, old is J. B. but cunning, sir, and devilish sly. Phoenix is after you, and you'd better pray for the return of the editor de facto to San Diego, while yet there is time, or you're a goner, as far as this county is concerned."
On September 17th, Derby says that Ames had promised to write to the Herald regularly. "We present to our readers this week the only communica- tion we have received from him for publication since his departure. It con- tains the speeches of William Waldo, advocating his own election; the remarks made by the Judge himself before the railroad meeting, in favor of San Diego as the Western terminus; and the political principles in full of John Bigler. Apart from these matters of interest, it may be considered in some respects a model communication, for it contains no personal allusions whatever, nor anything that could cause a blush on the cheek of the most modest maiden, or wound the feelings of the most sensitive or fastidious. As a general. thing, it may be con- sidered the most entirely unexceptional article the worthy Judge ever composed. Here it is :
"Letter from J. J. Ames, Esq., for the San Diego Herald."
(A blank space).
But although Ames was strangely silent for a time, he did write Derby, at last, protesting against his policy. This letter was not received, however, until
195
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
after the election, and remembering this fact it is interesting to note how Derby treated it :
"We have received by the Goliah, an affecting letter from Judge Ames, beseeching us to return to the fold of Democracy from which he is inclined to intimate we have been straying. Is it possible that we have been laboring under a delusion-and that Waldo is a Whig! Why 'Lor' How singular! But anxious to atone for our past errors, willing to please the taste of the editor, and above all, ever solicitous to be on the strong side, we gladly abjure our former opinions, embrace democracy with ardor, slap her on the back, declare ourselves in favor of erecting a statue of Andrew Jackson in the Plaza, and to prove our sincerity, run today at the head of our columns, a democratic ticket for 1855, which we hope will please the most fastidious. Being rather hard up for the principles for our political faith, we have commenced the study of the back numbers of the Democratic Review, and finding therein that 'democracy is the supremacy of man over his accidents,' we hereby express our contempt for a man with a sprained ankle, and unmitigated scorn for anybody who may be kicked by a mule or a woman. That's democratic, ain't it? Oh, we understand these things-Bless your soul, Judge, we're a democrat."
The ticket which he "ran up" was as follows:
"Democratic State Nominations.
"Subject to the Decision of the State Democratic Convention, May, 1855. For Governor, John Bigler. For Lieutenant Governor, Samuel Purdy."
Concerning the whig ticket, he says:
"The 'Phoenix Ticket' generally, appears to give general satisfaction. It was merely put forward suggestively, and not being the result of a clique or convention, the public are at perfect liberty to make such alterations or erasures as they may think proper. I hope it may meet with a strong support on the day of election ; but should it meet with defeat, I shall endeavor to bear the inevitable mortification that must result with my usual equanimity.
"Like unto the great Napoleon after the battle of Waterloo, or the mag- nanimous Boogs after his defeat, in the gubernatorial campaign of Missouri, I shall fold my arms with tranquillity, and say either, 'C'est fini, or 'Oh pshaw, I know'd it!' "
The whig ticket carried the county but the democrats carried the state. His comments upon the result of the election are interesting :
"News of the Week .- We publish this week the gratifying intelligence, sobre la izquierda (over the left), of the triumphant reelection of John Bigler to the chief magistracy of this commonwealth. The voice of the Democracy has been heard, pealing in thunder tones throughout the length and breadth of the State, waking the echoes on Mokelumne Hill, growling in sub-bass from the San Joaquin (Republican), reverberating among the busy and crowded streets of Monterey and reechoed from the snow capped summits of San Bernardino, with extensive shouts of Extension and John Bigler forever! While we of San Diego, through the culpable negligence of the Goliah (which put the Voice aboard but left it at San Pedro), have gone on unhearing and unheeding and voted for William Waldo, just as if nothing extraordinary was taking place. Many rea-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.