USA > California > San Diego County > San Diego county, California; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 24
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196
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
sons are assigned by the Independent Press of San Francisco, and our Whig exchanges, for the election of Bigler. I am inclined to attribute it principally to the defeat of Waldo, and the fact that the San Diego Herald took no active part in the Gubernatorial election. Had Waldo been successful, or our course been of another character, there is every reason to suppose that the result would have been different. But 'whatever is, is right,' as the old gentleman sweetly remarked, when he chopped off the end of his nose with a razor, in an endeavor to kill a fly that had lit thereon while he was shaving. 'There is a Providence that shapes our ends rough-hew them as we may.' Governor is still Governor Bigler, there'll be no E.r. to his name (unless it be ex-tension) for the next two years; the people are satisfied, he is gratified, and I am delighted, and the Lord knows that it makes very little difference to me individually, or the people of this country at large, whether the water front at San Francisco remains unaltered, or is extended to Contra Costa. San Diego boasts a far finer harbor at present than her wealthier rival, and when that of the latter is entirely filled up, it will be more generally known and appreciated. 'It's an ill wind that blows nobody good.' If this election should, however indirectly, cause San Diego to assume its proper position as the first commercial city of California, I shall reverence the name of John Bigler forever, and I will bestow that honored appellation upon my young- est child, and have it engraved upon a piece of leather or other suitable material, and suspended about that tender infant's neck, until such time as he shall be old enough to learn and love the virtues of his honored Godsire."
Derby never wrote anything more delicious than his account of the combat (which did not occur) between himself and Ames upon the latter's return, when "we held 'the Judge' down over the press by our nose (which we had inserted between his teeth for that purpose)," until "we discovered that we had been laboring under a 'misunderstanding,' and through the amicable intervention of the pressman, who thrust a roller between our faces (which gave the whole affair a very different complexion), the matter was finally adjusted on the most friendly terms." The people of San Diego took the change of politics of the Herald rather seriously, greatly to Derby's delight. One old gentleman admits that he hurried to the Herald office and paid a year's subscription in the belief that the change was genuine. There was quite a little speculation as to "what Ames would do to Derby when he got back," and Derby played upon this appre- hension and purposely let it be understood that he was awaiting Ames's return in trembling terror. Thus, he says :
"Though this is but my second bow to a San Diego audience, I presume it to be my last appearance and valedictory, for the editor will doubtless arrive before another week elapses, the gun will be removed from my trembling grasp, and the Herald will resume its great aims, and heavy firing, and I hope will dis- charge its debt to the public with accuracy, and precision. Meanwhile 'The Lord be with you.' 'Be virtuous and you will be happy.'"
The friendly relations between Ames and Derby were never broken, and the combat which Derby describes was purely imaginary. The editor was a very large man and had a reputation as a fire eater, while the lieutenant was small and such a combat would have been a very unequal affair. Ames's own comments, in the first number after his return show that if he did not entirely relish the joke, he reconciled himself to bear it:
197
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
"Turned Up Again! Here we are again! Phoenix has played the 'devil' dur- ing our absence, but he has done it in such a good humored manner, that we have not a word to say. He has done things which he ought not to have done, and has left undone things which he ought to have done; but as what evil he has done cannot be undone, we may as well 'dry up' and 'let it slide.'"
"He has abused Captain Wright, and like David of scripture memory, he has killed off the Goliah. He has abused our noble friend, Governor Bigler, but as the people in this region considered it only a faint echo of the Independent Press of San Francisco, it had a contrary effect from that intended, and we are per- fectly satisfied with the result. Notwithstanding the great hue-and-cry through- out the State, that Governor Bigler was the father of the 'Extension Scheme,' and every imaginable outrage against the rights of the people, and that hired emissaries were sent down here from San Francisco to stir up discord in the ranks of the'Democracy, Waldo got but about thirty majority in the county- and these votes were all cast in one precinct. Well, it's all over, Bigler is Gover- nor, and the country is safe for the next two years, at least."
The files of the Herald give incontrovertible proof of the friendship which continued to exist between these two men, so long as they both lived. In 1855, Ames compiled Phoenixiana and superintended its publication. This was done against Derby's judgment, he apparently thinking the matter too ephemeral for such a setting. It is possible that he also doubted Ames's competency, and if so, he was justified, for a more sloppily gotten up book has seldom been issued. Notwithstanding this, the naive humor and exquisite drollery with which it abounds made it a success and today it is a classic. It was with considerable pride that Ames announced in 1859 that he had reengaged the services of "John Phoenix" to write for the Herald exclusively.
The fun which Derby had while conducting the Herald, aside from the famous political bouleversement, has received too little attention. In his first number, he added to the editorial column, under the name of Ames: "Slightly assisted by Phoenix." He had fun with ex-Governor McDougal, who chanced to visit the city :
"Distinguished Visitors .- His ex-Excellency, the Hon. John McDougal, and Col. J. B. Wells, from San Francisco, have arrived among us on business, which will detain them until the arrival of the next steamer (as they have no other means of getting away).
"The Governor looks as hale, hearty and roseate as ever; don't think Bigler stands much chance of election, and wouldn't be quite inconsolable if he should be defeated. He has been engaged in a theological and polemical controversy with the Rev. Dr. Reynolds since his arrival, in which they have had it 'Nip and Tuck,' the Governor taking an occasional 'Nip' to clear his mind and fortify his spirits as 'Friar Tuck' would get a little advantage in the argument. At their last sitting, the discussion turned upon the 'Divinity of the Scriptures,' and was closed by a remark of the Governor's, 'that the Bible (like his adversary's nose), was a good deal read.'
"Governor McDougal goes to the Playa today to wait for the Northerner to take him to San Francisco. The Governor expresses himself much gratified with his visit ; and we are pleased to hear that it is his. intention to purchase an elegant mansion lately erected at New Town, bring his family here in the spring,
198
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
and make San Diego his permanent residence. He will devote himself to the profession of the law, and will be a most valuable acquisition to our bar."
The Herald having received a letter from the resident physician of the Stock- ton Insane Asylum, asking for a copy of the paper, Derby says he will send it, and anxiously inquires whether two could not be used? He also asks whether the idea of sending for the Herald was the doctor's or the patient's; and if the latter, "they're sensible to the last," "there's method in their madness," and "they ought immediately to be discharged, every mother's son of them."
Derby was fond of San Francisco and his writings abound with allusions to it. This remark may aid somewhat in the appreciation of the following :
"The Press of San Francisco .- The steamer of the Ist from San Francisco brought no papers, none whatever-Some three or four weeks since, two little papers, called, we believe, the 'Alta California' and the Herald,' were published regularly in that village, and we used occasionally to receive them. They were made principally of excerpts from the San Diego Herald, and we cannot but regret that the failure of the Goliah and the uncertainty of the mails, preventing our paper reaching them with its customary regularity, should have caused their publication to be discontinued.
"San Francisco is a place of little business or importance, but in a large city like this, country intelligence is occasionally amusing, and should either of the above papers be republished or a new press started in San Francisco, we shall be willing to exchange. We are just informed that two little political sheets called the 'Commercial Advertiser' and the 'Placer Times and Transcript,' are occasionally published yet in San Francisco. Ah, we dare say; we have never seen them, however. Willing to encourage the humble efforts of any individuals if exerted in a proper direction, we shall not object to an exchange with either of these little affairs, if they think proper to request it."
While the work on the San Diego river was progressing, he allowed himself the luxury of a few jibes about it. Upon his arrival he wrote :
"Here I saw Lieutenant Derby (himself), of the Topographical Engineers, an elderly gentleman of emaciated appearance and serious cast of features. Con- stant study and unremitting attention to his laborious duties have reduced him almost to a skeleton, but there are not wanting those who say that an unrequited attachment in his earlier days is the cause of his careworn appearance.
"He was sent out from Washington some months since 'to dam the San Diego river,' and he informed me with a deep sigh and melancholy smile, that he had done it (mentally) several times since his arrival."
A little later he noted that: "The report that Lieutenant Derby has sent to San Francisco for a lathe, to be used in turning the San Diego river is, we understand, entirely without foundation."
"The Indians at work on the river behave well and shovel with great ardor con amore. There are at present 47 of them at work, and 50 more are expected early in the week. They are under the control of Mr. Conroy and Charles Gage, over- seers, and their own chiefs, Manuelito and old Thomas. Tents have heen pitched for them, and with an unlimited supply of beans, and the flesh of bulls (a burnt offering they do not despise), they are as happy as circumstances will admit, and 'doing as well as could be expected.'
"The shanty occupied by the workmen on the San Diego river has been
199
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
christened 'The Phoenix Hotel,' out of compliment to the brevet editor of the San Diego Herald."
One more quotation from his writings must suffice. In 1856, Colonel War- ren, secretary of the California State Agricultural Society, invited Derby to deliver an original poem at the annual meeting of the society, in September. Derby accepted the invitation by letter, and wrote the following as a sample of what he could do :
"Here's to the land of potatoes and carrots,
Whose banks grow wild, rich bacon and parrots;
Where each apple and pear a dollar apiece is,
And a man may devour just as much as he pleases (Spoken-if he's the money to pay for them).
Where the soil is teeming with vegetable treasures,
And a pumpkin ten feet in circumference measures ;
Where to root up a turnip, an ox employed is;
By each laborer a very large salary enjoyed is; (Play on the word celery)
And kind Colonel Warren with interest watches
The growth of parsley and marrowfat squashes,
And stirs up the farmers, and gives them rules of action and incentives to exer- tion, and constantly teaches
How they ought not to let Oregon get ahead of them, but establish nurseries at once, where they could raise at very trifling expense, all kinds of grafted fruit, pears and apples, and cherries, and the most delicious peaches, etc., etc., etc."
Listening to the stories told about him by old San Diegans, it becomes clear that Derby was an incorrigible joker and player of pranks. One lady recalls that, having one day climbed into an empty crockery cask, for fun, Derby slipped up and started the cask rolling with her, so that her dress was sadly torn on the projecting nails. She and her husband lived in upstairs rooms at the old Gila House, and Derby used to come into the room below, when he knew she was alone, and rap on the ceiling with his cane, to frighten her. Once while he and Mrs. Derby were calling on this lady and all sitting on the hotel piazza, Derby climbed upon the head of an empty barrel and began to make a burlesque speech. While he was in the midst of this, waving his arms and talking loud, the head of the barrel suddenly fell in with him and he took a tumble, to the great amuse- ment of his audience. The house in which he and Mrs. Derby lived is still standing. He had a very remarkable memory, could recite chapter after chapter of the Bible, and, after hearing a sermon, could repeat it from beginning to end. It is said that he expected the appointment to make the Pacific railroad survey and was greatly disappointed when he did not receive it.
In later years he was employed in the erection of lighthouses on the coasts of Florida and Alabama. He died May 15, 1861, in the prime of his years, and his friend Ames died at San Bernardino two months later. His son, George McClellan Derby, is now a lieutenant colonel in the army.
Whenever a list of America's great newspapers is published the San Diego Union is included. It is recognized as one of the standard publications by all the great advertising firms. It is known as a power for good through its editorial columns and as a purveyor of the news the people demand. With the Los
200
HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Angeles Times, the Portland Oregonian and the Seattle Times it stands as one of the representative journals of the Pacific coast.
The first number of the Union appeared on October 10, 1868. It was a weekly as first issued. From that day to the present the growth of the Union has been incidental to and with the growth of San Diego.
William Jeff Gatewood was the first owner and publisher. He came to San Diego in the early days of 1868 from San Andreas, Calaveras county, Cal., where he had been publisher of the San Andreas Register. Philip Crosthwaite, of San Diego, had visited his sister, Mrs. Gatewood, and had told so glowingly of the future of San Diego and the need of a live newspaper here that Gatewood was enthused and came here to investigate conditions.
Returning to San Andreas, Gatewood interested Edward W. Bushyhead, his foreman, and employed J. N. Briseno. Gatewood hastened back to San Diego overland, leaving Bushyhead to follow on a steamer with the plant of the Union. In the interval before Bushyhead's arrival he busied himself with preparing for the installation of the paper.
The outfit arrived in San Diego on September 19, 1868, and was installed in a frame building owned by Jose A. Altamirano, next the Parsonage, in Old Town. The press was an old Washington hand power machine and the owners had a good assortment of type. Prior to the first publication in October, Colonel Gatewood worked hard for subscriptions and advertising.
By the 3rd of October they were sufficiently settled to be able to issue a prospectus. A. copy of this interesting paper follows : "To the Public :
On Saturday next I will issue the first number of the San Diego Union. Those who wish to advertise will confer a favor upon me by sending in their advertisements as early next week as possible. In order to insure an insertion on the first page of the paper, the copy must be handed into the office by next Tuesday night. I presume that the business men of San Diego appreciate the advantages of advertising and will therefore accept with avidity the opportunity now offered them.
"I will be thankful for any local item of general or special importance, and particularly request to be furnished with names of vessels arriving and depart- ing from our harbor, and with all matters of importance to shippers.
"From those who purpose farming I will be pleased to learn the character of crop they intend planting and the probable quantity of acres they will cultivate. I respectfully invite from all branches of business such communications as will tend to advance the multifarious interests of San Diego county, and promote the general prosperity of our citizens.
"Neither political tirades nor personal abuse will find place in the columns of the Union. As my object-and such is my agreement with my patrons-is to publish to the world the advantages of the harbor, climate and soil of this vicinity, I hope that no imposition, exaggeration or prevarication will ever be tolerated by those who may afford local information to the Union. In my humn- ble judgment they need no such subterfuges, but the plain, unvarnished truth of our harbor, climate and soil is all that need be told, to insure the wonder and win the admiration of the world.
"As the Union is to be politically neutral, I know of no way by which I can
Che San Diego Union
SAN DIEGO, CAL., SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1868.
NO. 1.
* MAKE HOME DEAUTITUL
& Carisus Elapriamt
I trarvit +but you were dead, }ru
= [ to culd and white '
FLULINIED LTIGS MTLROSY WINNING BA
Lel Iba gue blebi four lanelast lauri-
wds n fihr Films ud tomps th v hid on the
-tempcity "akoadd and slowmy and al
1
. It the sam, thrilling unflagging Ipler
Ving and Un bad hing in the nel Anw. you nanglos man y su's . auglet
Martin wrul on sab il nimy Dleh 1 carried you to the hut, s'il
Ira d . 1.ry nu aus to bring 3 ou in ble, and ilove das dieima nos, as this gazed ot-
Y. o +ball støy joel to while I han you the newn "TLet shall be
"Thu lug fish alsjed Tery compoundty
Bas Dings Coasty Directery.
Vals Sadler
1 A Cuen | Sabr pour bome brautile !- ei ber Ur prera
Billed bin on the Lead, and the a telling to load seul the sun"
Mainme, mamins' the virvlehed out h r asma to the soft eyed Inly , llcle, heb, was the real ty of Mir alvesms and Innglug. Martin could not but sele pr un the ersemblance of the two, be placed Moe Ih Let mitber setme No other proof couple Falling on the fear and the ather on ibn forward car tinseco and dosuspert-
Jetora MrJak Fe
Lugoly Treasnr
Muirus Selull f
4 wrutrf ..
Baard or Supervisor,
stepup in mir I saw a alco lo protrel
MI+kr wourb nebraslafut, but Ist & 51.
TUIN
Imaly unddes at me guly Ah, hip issue kredied D'han brasilklidlong but
will na langer Erleg a. W. will
"Auf that's the end" She thought a
will a mona alied & ' 'T be cutpost :lampe you solly buin '
. And o in ar are going In Space !'
brautiful chuld sk , Tur ien ) isre bad Uramed upon They migh bers like comma
Tara skall n be, sb . afar na bar . b L m+,
di in + ++rm aliquge ju ine stall, noly oita I Lov I hpor ternjml surh hasly 8400 I.t. brf. I. Jou sie this) Tad coma finm Spain In svat our ball Diyor "Vad what has Spain in do anh my
Spmint Did Jos ui sny il #14 Iny
TID FISHERMAN & TREASURE -
J. MAIL,
Melchan1
chamaily ntroar the sales " It truck
.Ale Ler Har pare chmm slon mil!
salı * * rask Kul .4 thies will live suthing trong: - Teres, Tised by the sanus
ispis happily We will have a splendid
%: 44 SAN DIF ..
mant among their n areal honghbort .- '
JAMEL PASCOE,
maisbow In be the maidence of cetinip
"Tho Mislaks of . LifaluDe" was not . pareb in the thrilling experience tbom dighed op for these vonlumsome travelers. sod we stu teld by thu seformeet who Gove tbs abote particulare. Ibni os more
than are pow ibn members uf Jb+w ivo
EDWARD DURR, M. D.
mld Martin the fisherman ) Ww bo Ier
fully to whom the name belongs
Imnl) yrare nuice I hinyr spoken my right
FOIS eBre, for independent ut their
THON. H. 3USD,
Toll.») . T.F Maslina turks 7 h ich
mtl bupl il, taghas The daszhig; glar Av
6. 449 |elbow it opel maly ile muney as the sides of a narrow valley, or on the
I posmlita lo tee a casabow sithaut feeling admiration towards the join, e shint forms Ons el the glatics wlarb are said is
Jensh * ko me up mrb. " -2 3. 12 Wirts old follow if you think it " s po calle. In 1, 1 Il bring down The al + b ts Was fe (min and make It ARral In ' % nºrg #
PACALE AND CLELR VF
.Wall ball 1 hell 3 ou all al um . Marty.
of paota ul thal auf for Atr P.m Gta Ibay're 49 good Huh as whett 1 ; " hre co. Toku il at thirty croit, quali 1 ): soy Any cop mm Inthing hh' . . . .. Well call it twenty o gli Whal dya PAY +
IL.ims, Bacon, Shoulders,
Sin had diand ise, It up with a sign
'H van a de silful stellt, be Legan
"ja Ar Bill lor Vertit's webenical abill
Dried Beef, Etc.,
A.ry ungwilmut]> +ho brought fromn Hos phone I ress - as of her guichet a fuld
would shoul nitimart the benfritt | 3|
Tant maticthing slunkn Ihrir man tospser It - sashay while I go all of
Flauşi LA: 1 -Inter -leqasar, does nal
Hal jint pay all the bills F
Tagit thị ha, Po lượng me chỉ Band
Pling great things in asellim- style, but Ine, bron kos, thet veags takes ouo «Liver to que '] wo persoon for the [email
pacially Is orally os mund to though for
speaking. 00 such thing as a sobline aly is -th . noblutty tiranaly in the thing. wol velmi they Tor nat on, tim languspe may le turgid. «fried, maisjhapical boy
07 811: 58- and more pulpy date, 13.1 in some qualific plotr aud not bassa
SAN I HANCIACH.
wurpynte nemt viril the bolchi+
ttol ning song luto the though af thu ++ +
. nul lin y . ing " 1 1 sbo pres-k & yer.
JOB PRINTING
Gay in park o her and kids apoio isiert. nasely "I his band ut kissing alwake this to mied el iw cold Thuis it fing lostnik
13, 1 know what g alf ry !
. . I . L'amdl clutchro it
Nel and filling in the In rb boty down | ly jumpsin;1 marry within LAing any
en for her per . sun am bra @ der (+
SAN DIEGO UNION.
Inade up for all The Msals ibet At @ ha Super
Wasthat all ihr w 1| | coglif mij that; hral might olily S.1. !
shut your baby she's enulingly, and fill Isat thep m touteil wub my rollgli hihilali us ouly the black hull of a slap
lalış
Fi ing itt il the wind. This wey what
4 canth ri surprise ibal gayety and In. -
.Josh a on talking 10 bis shep I could Jnar hia Laod playing about the bord In lars, and th 0-12 Frel something. and I hnil my head under the Lisskats. proficily coppoleed with laughter, and
tup in bottoin Wlun I woke qp mn il .
th Bir's son carnet that "
ing io lie hninan hract. tr may linthig of Is it compileituting to kodily bratil
amining -- las" tokiodiet cal of all-1 fuund thet the back of ray night . murt .. . «-lit hops ile tas te tho co'lar baud '
IURE CALIFORNIA LEAP LAED
w. of the go city tosoed cumplately
These tihr an emiisld. In the Aporsly jite v is described os eocircling Den band of
T
44\ DILEA
Hp . arlui this burly dorf av sheriuh
will rike it sque , mill ge to Spain
when suissed nolb teare. The rainbow, which. net improbably. fret ango stud ibu iden uf velas, though Wouldful in all
ir up through the golden brah ma1+ 15
M wihtf, Juor me ll. all arrigtk +7 , and
The "candiostrana believed it 10 LOOBIet ark anh hesiro soil gave it far gourd
Itu s being called Timkeller. It 12 un-
GEORGE IRVINE,
-Ar ibe commencement of the last holiday season, the proprietor nl o lancy store promised & auil of clothing In the clerk who nhanh erll the mount gade ! ! Christmas Among The inany chok" of, was called by his a buciales . Lucky J pak " He cuold taks @ dollar on &# | mao's pockal when the mon poly in ... ed to spend oix tools, And Ihr # A's4 bless you ' they just bonde wer Sal pocketbooks mod Irl bun 1-1,- cut === Le wenated
Fund the In ierst bushng of signo and
wali becsina bor name
sport and wanten in the clouds
Because-1 are . Spapiand myself.
(il some cor eralsand the closest,
but how dare was bad la band the meeles vocht-land embelle und as ocurre home I| ilie nel .Why should yon Fan, but tid cruelty Bly for DAMP De Martino j' I mother" Counal you be roulent sol
Shakspears ie ihm ouly s. IHlet who bas alluded to the colors veliceled oa the eye matrinossal hrms.
D. J. HOFFMAN, M. D. $19 DILLO, F11.
had to hill loin, for he forebodid what it punet," thụy muid bu huy And never in all her grand and happy
1 Low I -hisll find moy mutlesr 1 .. $ il
She atmest opright, ils-ping both Louis mer liet heart No hữu chut .; tại nụ stihl
trigite better wiahrs or uiere freut Lirasings, yraely ded she send them İrem over the erat many . substantial 1 khen of bre remembrance for their kind- Martin, that I nawet look of Finding ory neps ,od abe lived as she had dreamed.
Is shining tier Then trus dropped fast ed fage ol bis Ncent traveling companion, and Tbich as they Ladu hier Farewell Tabod byr Itrat, a by ever wilb ) ou l'by good Kind horas ynu, bile Oceno. 'be linauments of lub owo diveled wur, whoms exciird ortves lind buthurts pro- sapted & terugision af Lar gosband's farm in the dit obscurny of tha rudroad Par Io a like appalling manoce vas the stem nelity fareed cpou the oder thue-1 derinrken couple, and the surly trong Ifall out of Syracuse, westward, broegte to this cny ton thencelonk Luilfal tod In a fair Spanish Pille, mildel prer Lins Consisteut couples «boss otghl journey ¡Lant, poonddealy executed withant opp waler of the Spanish ina # frut cause, Occasioned no small wonder-
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