USA > California > San Francisco County > San Francisco > The annals of San Francisco; containing a summary of the history of California, and a complete history of its great city: to which are added, biographical memoirs of some prominent citizens > Part 24
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Cus om-house, at the corner of Montgomery and California streets.
The custom-house, occupied by Col. James Collier, then col- lector of the port, was a new four-story brick building, and the most imposing edifice in the city. It was destroyed by fire on the 4th of May, 1851, as was also the old liberty-pole.
JULY 15th .- General Bennet Riley, late military governor of the territory, left San Francisco for the Eastern States. Prior to his departure a letter was addressed him, signed by the mayor and numerous influential citizens, tendering him a public dinner, and complimenting him for the satisfactory manner in which he had performed his duties as governor of the country. Previous arrangements, however, prevented the general from accepting
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SOCIETY OF CALIFORNIA PIONEERS.
this invitation, in declining which he uses the following lan- guage :- " Both in my official and social relations with the people of California, I have ever been treated with the utmost indul- gence and kindness. I can never cease to feel a lively interest in their happiness and prosperity, and I now leave them with feelings of deep regret. If California, by her mineral wealth, and the unexampled increase of her population and commerce, has attracted the attention of the world, her dignified course in the peculiar and trying position in which she has been placed, equally challenge universal admiration."
AUGUST .- Organization of the " Society of California Pio- neers." The objects of this society were declared, in the words of the constitution, to be " to cultivate the social virtues of its members, to collect and preserve information connected with the early settlement and conquest of the country, and to perpetuate the memory of those whose sagacity, enterprise, and love of inde- pendence, induced them to settle in the wilderness, and become the germ of a new State." The society " shall be composed of native Californians ; foreigners residing in California previous to the conquest ; and natives of other States and other countries, if citizens of the United States, resident here prior to January 1st, 1849, and their male descendants, who shall constitute the first class ; and citizens of the old States of the Federal Government who shall have resided in California prior to January 1st, 1850, and their male descendants, who shall constitute the second class ; and honorary members, who may be admitted in accord- ance with what may be prescribed in the by-laws." The admis- sion fees, which are now (1854) ten dollars, and a monthly sub- scription of a dollar, payable half-yearly in advance, "and all funds arising therefrom or by donation, shall be safely invested, and the income arising therefrom shall be appropriated to chari- table purposes, exclusively for the use and benefit of the widows and orphans of pioneer immigrants, members of this society." A list of the members in April, 1854, with the dates of their respec- tive arrivals in California, their present residences, and the office- bearers of that year, appear in the Appendix. Here we may only name the first office-bearers of the society. They were as follows :-
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ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO.
President :- William D. M. Howard.
Vice-Presidents.
Jacob R. Snyder, Samuel Brannan, G. Frank Lemon.
Recording Secretary.
Assistant Recording Secretary.
Joseph L. Folsom.
J. C. L. Wadsworth.
Corresponding Secretary.
Treasurer.
Edwin Bryant.
Talbot H. Green.
Assistant Corresponding Secretaries. W. C. Parker and A. J. Grayson.
Board of Directors.
James C. Ward,
H. W. Halleck,
J. Mead Huxley,
James C. Low,
J. D. Stevenson,
R. M. Sherman,
Samuel Kyburn, James Hall, Henry Gerke,
G. K. Winner,
Robert Wells,
G. W. Vincent,
H. A. Schoolcraft,
J. B. Frisbie, R. A. Parker,
William Blackburn, John Wilson,
W. H. Davis.
AUGUST 15th .- The city was thrown into a state of excite- ment by news of serious riots having occurred at Sacramento City on the preceding day. It seems that a great portion of the land covering that city and vicinity is held by grants from Capt. John A. Sutter, who claimed under an old Spanish title. Much of this land had been squatted upon by parties who denied the legality of Sutter's grants, and who claimed a right to the property as pre-emptionists or settlers. The holders of titles from Sutter appealed to the courts, and decisions were given in their favor ; but upon attempting to possess themselves of their appropriated property they were forcibly resisted by the squatters. On the 13th instant, several of these latter were arrested for resisting the officers of the law and the process of the court, and in default of bail, two of them were held in custody on board the prison brig. On the day following an armed body of squatters repaired to the brig to release their companions, where they were met by the mayor, sheriff, and a posse, who drove them back a consider- able distance into the city, when they turned and fired upon the legal authorities, who immediately returned the fire with guns and pistols. Of the latter, Mr. Woodland, city assessor, was
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SQUATTER RIOTS AT SACRAMENTO CITY.
killed, and Mayor Bigelow, Mr. Harper, assistant postmaster, and several others were wounded. Mahloney, the leader of the squatters, was shot dead from his horse. Several others of the same party were killed, and a number severely wounded. On the same day, other disturbances occurred at Brighton, six miles south of the city, when Sheriff Joseph Mckinney was killed, and
-
Sacramento City
several of his posse were wounded ; three of the squatters were also killed, and a number taken prisoners. Immediately upon receiving intelligence of these lamentable occurrences Mayor Geary issued a proclamation, calling upon " the citizens of San Francisco to meet at the earliest possible period, form companies, and hold themselves in readiness to answer such calls as may necessarily be made upon them." Soon the " California Guard," Captain Howard, numbering eighty men, and “ Protection Fire Company, No. 2," Captain McCormick, between forty and fifty men, properly equipped and armed with muskets, reported them- selves ready for service. This force, under the command of Col. Geary, departed at 12 o'clock for the scene of the riots in the
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ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO.
steamboat Senator, which, with characteristic decision, prompt- ness, and public spirit, had been placed at their disposal by Mr. Charles Minturn. Their departure was witnessed and loudly cheered by a great multitude of citizens, who had hastily gathered upon the wharves. They arrived at Sacramento about 11 o'clock in the evening. In the mean time order was partially restored, and happily their actual services were not required. They were kindly received by the authorities and citizens, and hospitably entertained until the 17th instant, when they returned to their homes. Before leaving Sacramento they were presented with highly complimentary and laudatory resolutions and votes of thanks from the Boards of Aldermen and Military Department of the State for the tender of their ready and efficient aid. This prompt action on the part of the mayor and citizens of San Francisco, doubtless, had a tendency not only to assist in pre- serving the restored peace of their sister city, but to prevent the occurrence of similar disturbances in other portions of the State. Be this as it may, it was deserving of the praise it received, and was an example worthy of being followed.
AUGUST 21st .- Mayor Geary published a brief address to the citizens in all the morning papers, informing them that news had been received of the "destitution, distress, and extreme suffering of the immigrants to California by the overland route ;" and that a committee had been selected for the purpose of call- ing upon them during the day for means of relief for the suffer- ers. The committee consisted of John W. Geary, E. E. Dun- bar, E. C. Kemble, Talbot H. Green, Henry M. Naglee, W. H. Parker, Wm. Sharron, and David C. Broderick. It was also stated by J. Neely Johnson, Esq., Agent for the Sacramento Relief Association, who had recently returned from an expedi- dition of relief to the immigrants, that "it was supposed that 60,000 emigrants started across the plains by the Northern, or 'Southern Pass' route. On the 18th June, 39,000 had been registered at Fort Laramie. Of this entire number probably 20,000 had arrived. Of the remaining number, 10,000 would probably arrive this side of the Desert, without teams, money, or provisions ; 10,000 more with their teams so much worn down as to require additional assistance to enable them to cross the
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PRESENTATION OF BOOKS TO THE CHINESE.
mountains." Mr. Johnson described the condition of some whom he had met on his expedition as destitute, sick, and wretched in the extreme, and showed the necessity of speedy means being taken to save the immigrants from starving, or otherwise fearfully perishing before they could terminate their journey. These appeals were promptly responded to by the
Emigrant Train.
citizens. Before night the committee had collected an immense quantity of provisions, and about $6000 in cash, which was for- warded without delay to meet the wants of the sufferers.
AUGUST 28th .- A novel and interesting ceremony took place this afternoon in Portsmouth Square. Mayor Geary, Vice-Con- sul Frederick A. Woodworth, Rev. Albert Williams, and other members of a committee appointed for the purpose, assembled on the platform, to present the Chinese residents with certain religious tracts, papers, and books, printed in Chinese characters. The "China boys," as they are pleased to be called, having
288
ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO.
formed themselves in procession, marched to the square, and ar- ranged themselves in a circle upon the platform. They were clothed richly in their native costume, and made a fine and pleas- ing appearance. Here the presentation took place, and addresses were made by each of the gentlemen above named, which were interpreted by As-sing, one of the Chinese. The mayor, on this occasion, extended to them an invitation to take part in the funeral ceremonies that were to occur on the following day.
AUGUST 29th .- The death of President Taylor was com- memorated by a funeral procession. The military and fire com- panies, Masonic and Odd-Fellows' Lodges, a variety of benevo- lent and other associations, the clergy, officers of the army and navy, consuls and representatives of foreign governments, the councils and various municipal and State officers, a great number of private citizens, and a large company of Chinese residents, took part in the imposing ceremonies. Hon. John B. Weller acted as Grand Marshal. The procession moved through the streets to Portsmouth Square, where an appropriate prayer was made by Rev. Augustus Fitch, and an eloquent eulogy pro- nounced by Hon. Elcan Heydenfeldt. On the following day the Chinese, who henceforward took considerable interest in public affairs, where any ceremony of a festival or imposing nature was concerned, presented the mayor with the following document, written in Chinese characters :-
" San Francisco, August 30th, 1850. " To HON. JOHN W. GEARY, Mayor of the City of San Francisco :-
"SIR :- The " China Boys" wish to thank you for the kind mark of at- tention you bestowed upon them in extending to them an invitation to join with the citizens of San Francisco in doing honor to the memory of the late President of the United States, General Zachary Taylor. The China Boys feel proud of the distinction you have shown them, and will always endeavor to merit your good opinion and the good opinion of the citizens of their adopted country. The China Boys are fully sensible of the great loss this country has sustained in the death of its chieftain and ruler, and mourn with you in sor- row. Strangers as they are among you, they kindly appreciate the many kind- nesses received at your hands, and again beg leave, with grateful hearts, to thank you.
" AS-SING, " A-HE,
" In behalf of the China Boys."
CHAPTER XII.
1850.
The first City Directory published .- Monetary crisis .- Fourth great fire .- Death of Captain Bezer Simmons .- The wharves .- Celebration on occasion of the admission of California into the Union of American States .- Explosion of the steamer Sagamore .- City Hospital burned .- Improvements in the city .- Plank road to the Mission Dolores .- Death of the mayor of Sacramento .- Thanks- giving Day .- Fire in Sacramento street.
SEPTEMBER .- The first "Directory " of the city was published this month by Charles P. Kimball. It was a duodecimo pam- phlet of one hundred and thirty-six pages, and contained about twenty-five hundred names.
SEPTEMBER 7th .- There have been during the last few days a monetary crisis and great run upon the banks ; when one of them, Mr. Henry M. Naglee's, suspended payment to-day. Dur- ing the troublous and exciting winter of 1849-50, speculation had gone beyond all bounds both in every kind of merchandise and in real estate. When the reaction came, prices fell nearly as much below the prime cost of goods as previously they had been above it, and in many cases great quantities of valuable merchan- dise could be had at nominal rates. Real estate, when forced on the market, often did not fetch a tenth of its recent value. Add- ed to this sudden collapse of prices, three great fires had helped to ruin many, and had affected indeed every inhabitant of the city in some measure prejudicially. Thus a general financial embarrassment ensued, and numerous bankruptcies of people pre- viously reputed wealthy followed. Some of the most extensive firms of the city were compelled to assign their property for the benefit of their creditors. On a sudden a panic seized those who held deposits in the different banks, and an immediate "run" was made on these establishments. Messrs. Burgoyne & Co.,
19
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ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO.
James King of William, and Wells & Co., nobly met the unex- pected demand, and kept their doors open during unusual and extra hours to accommodate the half frantic depositors.
SEPTEMBER 17th .- About four o'clock in the morning of this day, fire broke out in the " Philadelphia House," on the north side of Jackson street, near to the Washington market. It was the fourth great conflagration in the city. The principal portions of the different building squares lying between Dupont, Mont- gomery, Washington and Pacific streets were overrun by the flames. The buildings erected on these quarters were chiefly of wood, and generally one story only in height ; so that, although the space over which the fire extended was very great, much less proportionate damage was sustained than on the occasions of the preceding great fires. The loss was estimated to be from a quar- ter to half a million of dollars. The newly organized fire compa- nies were of much service in staying the progress of the confla- gration, and would have been of still more had there not been a short supply of water. It was evident, however, that the want of a proper head or engineering chief sadly hindered the harmo- nious action not only of these and the hook and ladder compa- nies, but of every person who volunteered help in extinguishing the flames. As usual, the burned space was so soon afterwards covered with buildings that in a few weeks all external traces of the disaster disappeared. It was remarked at this time that there were certain unlucky individuals whose properties had been consumed on each occasion of the four great fires-all with- in nine months ! Many had suffered twice and thrice by these successive calamities. This surely was enough to try the pa- tience of a modern Job, and drive the bravest to despair. But in a common calamity, however great, there is such sympathy and consolation, that the mind readily recovers its equanimity. People were almost beginning to consider that such conflagra- tions could not be avoided, but were surely sent either as a pun- ishment for their wickedness or as a necessary drawback upon the otherwise great profits of general business. So those burned out just set themselves doggedly to work again, and soon reared up new and grander habitations for themselves. Happily indeed does the Phoenix appear on the corporation seal, since, like it,
291
CONSTRUCTION OF WHARVES.
the city was continually reviving and springing from its own ashes a fairer and more substantial thing than before.
SEPTEMBER 26th .- Captain Bezer Simmons, the senior part- ner of the well-known house of Simmons, Hutchinson & Co., died this day. He was among the most respected citizens of San Francisco, and the earliest business men of the place. His name appears on several occasions in these "Annals," in connection with subjects of public interest. Captain Simmons was a native of Woodstock, Vt. Some years previous to the cession of Cali- fornia to the American Government he was engaged in trading along the coast of Lower California, and in 1848, purchased pro- perty in San Francisco, where he settled, and soon afterwards en- gaged in extensive and successful business operations. In April, 1849, he was sorely afflicted by the death of his wife, (who was the sister of Frederick Billings, of the law firm of Halleck, Peachy & Billings,) and before the close of the year, he received intelligence of the death of his mother and a brother to whom he was strong- ly attached. In January, 1851, he repaired to Woodstock, with the remains of his wife, to bury them in her native town. On his return he learned that his business was in an alarming con- dition, and soon after the firm was declared insolvent. Being exceedingly sensitive, this rapid succession of misfortunes and afflictions were thought to aggravate an indisposition under which he had been for some time suffering, and which consequently ter- minated his life. His death was considered almost a public calamity, and his body was attended to the grave by an immense concourse of the best portion of the inhabitants of the city.
OCTOBER 22d .- To show the rapid progress of the city in one direction, we shall give a short notice of the state of the wharves in the bay about this time.
CENTRAL WHARF .- So early as the autumn of 1848 the want of a good ship wharf was seriously felt, and different schemes were, in the following winter and spring months, pro- jected to supply the deficiency. It was not, however, till May of 1849, that any active steps were taken in the matter. At that time a proper wharf association was formed, which raised considerable capital, and began operations. By December of the same year, eight hundred feet of the wharf was finished.
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ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO.
In the fire of June, 1850, a considerable portion was consumed, but the part destroyed was promptly repaired-even while the smoke of the ruins around continued to ascend. In August fol- lowing, measures were taken to continue the work ; and at the date of this notice, it extended so much as two thousand feet into the bay. This wharf had already cost $180,000 ; and was of the greatest service to the shipping of the port. Large vessels could lay alongside and discharge at any state of the tide.
MARKET STREET WHARF commenced at the foot of Market street, and had already run out six hundred feet into the bay.
CALIFORNIA STREET WHARF was four hundred feet long and thirty-two feet wide.
HOWISON'S PIER was eleven hundred feet in length, by forty feet in width-the depth of water, at full tide, being fourteen feet at the extremity.
SACRAMENTO STREET WHARF was eight hundred feet in length.
CLAY STREET WHARF was nine hundred feet in length, by forty feet in width ; and in another month was extended to eigh- teen hundred feet.
WASHINGTON STREET WHARF was two hundred and seventy- five feet long.
JACKSON STREET WHARF was five hundred and fifty-two feet in length, with thirteen feet depth of water.
PACIFIC STREET WHARF was already five hundred and twen- ty-five feet long, and sixty feet wide.
BROADWAY WHARF was two hundred and fifty feet long, and forty feet wide.
CUNNINGHAM'S WHARF was three hundred and seventy-five feet long, and thirty-three feet wide, having a T at its end three hundred and thirty feet long, by thirty feet wide. It had twen- ty-five feet depth of water at the cross line.
LAW'S WHARF, at the foot of Green street, was likewise in the course of formation ; and a wharf, to be seventeen hundred feet in length, was immediately about to be undertaken by the city, on the north beach.
The cost of these various wharves already amounted to nearly a million and a half of dollars ; and they provided artificial
293
ADMISSION OF CALIFORNIA INTO THE UNION.
'uoroughfares to the extent of almost two miles. A few of them were the property of the corporation ; but the greater number were owned by private companies or by individuals, who drew large returns from them. There is little trace left of these works, for the water space along their sides is now covered with houses, while the wharves themselves have become public streets, their future extensions forming the existing wharves and piers of the city. This gradual march across the deep waters of the bay is a peculiar feature in the progress of the city, and serves to liken it to those other queens of the sea, Venice and Amsterdam, and per- haps also to St. Petersburgh. But where the latter have canals for streets, and solid earth now beneath their first pile-founded buildings, San Francisco, over a great portion of its business and most valuable districts, has still only a vast body of tidal water, beneath both the plank-covered streets and the pile-founded houses themselves. Year by year, however, this strange watery abyss is being filled up by the removal of the sand hills behind, which may be said to be taken up and cast bodily into the deep. When the original wharves were crected they proved of the ut- most benefit to the commerce and prosperity of the city ; and their extent, as detailed above, shows in a striking manner the energy and enterprise of the people who had constructed them in so short a space of time.
OCTOBER 29th .- This day was set apart to celebrate the ad- mission of California into the Union. When, on the 18th in- stant, the mail steamer "Oregon " was entering the bay, she fired repeated preconcerted signal guns which warned the citizens of the glorious news. Immediately the whole of the inhabitants were afoot, and grew half wild with excitement until they heard definitely that the tidings were as they had expected. Business of almost every description was instantly suspended, the courts adjourned in the midst of their work, and men rushed from every house into the streets and towards the wharves, to hail the har- binger of the welcome news. When the steamer rounded Clark's Point and came in front of the city, her masts literally covered with flags and signals, a universal shout arose from ten thousand voices on the wharves, in the streets, upon the hills, house-tops, and the world of shipping in the bay. Again and
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ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO.
again were huzzas repeated, adding more and more every moment to the intense excitement and unprecedented enthusiasm. Every public place was soon crowded with eager seekers after the par- ticulars of the news, and the first papers issued an hour after the appearance of the Oregon were sold by the newsboys at from one to five dollars each. The enthusiasm increased as the day advanced. Flags of every nation were run up on a thousand masts and peaks and staffs, and a couple of large guns placed upon the plaza were constantly discharged. At night every pub- lic thoroughfare was crowded with the rejoicing populace. Al- most every large building, all the public saloons and places of amusement were brilliantly illuminated-music from a hundred bands assisted the excitement-numerous balls and parties were hastily got up-bonfires blazed upon the hills, and rockets were incessantly thrown into the air, until the dawn of the following day. Many difficulties had occurred to delay this happy event, and the people had become sick at heart with the "hope de- ferred " of calling themselves, and of being in reality citizens of the great American Union. It is only necessary to state here, without going into particulars, that the delay had arisen from the jealousy of the proslavery party in Congress, at a time when they and the abolitionists were nicely balanced in number, to ad- mit an additional free State into the Union, whereby so many more votes would be given against the peculiar and obnoxious " domestic institution" of the South. Several compromises had been occasionally attempted to be effected by statesmen of each great party, but without success. In the end, however, the bill for the admission of California passed through Congress by large majorities.
Such an occasion beyond all others demanded a proper celebra- tion at San Francisco ; and the citizens, accordingly, one and all, united to make the day memorable. On the 29th instant, a pro- cession of the various public bodies and inhabitants of the city, with appropriate banners, devices, music and the like, marched through the principal streets to the plaza. The Chinese turned out in large numbers on this occasion, and formed a striking fea- ture in the ceremonies of the day. The Honorable Nathaniel Bennett, of the Supreme Court, delivered a suitable oration to the
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