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 38
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ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO.
on the 29th May thereafter, thus accomplishing the voyage in the wonderfully short space of seventy-six days. This is the fastest passage that has ever been made between the places by any ship, not a steamer.
First Congregational Church.
JULY 4th .- Independence-day this year was chiefly remarka- ble in San Francisco for the first battalion parade of the military companies. These, numbering seven in all, inclusive of the "Sutter Rifles," from Sacramento City, which were here on a visit, form- ed into line and passed in review before Major General John A. Sutter and a brilliant staff. The benevolent and true hearted old
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UNITARIAN CHURCH.
pioneer was rapturously welcomed wherever he appeared. The battalion afterwards marched to the gardens of Mr. Russ, about a mile and a half from the plaza, where Mrs. C. N. Sinclair present- ed it with a set of colors.
Independence-day being the great annual festival of the Ame- rican people, was otherwise celebrated in the usual manner. The Irish population turned out in large numbers, and marched in procession through the city, preceded by a band of music. In the evening there was a discharge of fireworks on the plaza, at the city's expense.
JULY 10th .- Dedication of the new First Congregational Church, at the south-w. corner of Dupont and California streets. This is a very elegant brick building, and forms one of the stri- king ornaments of the city. It is sixty feet in front, by one hun- dred feet deep, and is seated for about twelve hundred persons. According to the plan there is to be a steeple one hundred and sixty feet in height, but this has been as yet only raised to the top of the tower, leaving the spire to be constructed at some fu- ture date. The cost of the building was $40,000. The pastor of the congregation, the Rev. T. Dwight Hunt, was the first regu- lar clergyman in San Francisco.
JULY 17th .- The various religious bodies of the city are gradually improving the style of their churches. The old, small wooden buildings that served the purposes of religious meeting- houses well enough a few years back are being discarded, and magnificent brick structures are rising in their stead. This day the corner-stone of a new Roman Catholic church was laid, at the north-east corner of Dupont and California streets, with the many imposing ceremonies performed on similar occasions by that body of Christians. A long train of priests and dignitaries offici- ated on the occasion. The building, St. Mary's, is still in course of erection.
The same day the dedication of the First Unitarian Church took place. The exterior of this church is not yet finished ; the interior is very fine. It is situated on Stockton street, near Sa- cramento street. The services at the dedication were conducted by the pastor of the church, the Rev. F. T. Gray.
These are among the most imposing and substantial edifices
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ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO.
for public religious worship that have yet been erected in the city. The most of the other churches are still of wood. Among them may be noticed that eminently useful place the Seaman's Chapel, or Bethel. This structure has been formed upon the hull of an old forsaken ship, and exhibits a remarkably chaste and beautiful interior. As congregations get larger and wealthier,
Unitarian Church.
the many churches constructed of frame which are now existing will gradually be supplanted by handsome edifices of brick or stone, in conformity with the improved character of other build- ings throughout the city.
JULY 20th .- The under-sheriff, John A. Freaner, was shot on Mission street by one Redmond McCarthy, a " squatter," when the former, in the performance of his duty, was endeavoring to execute a writ of ejectment against the latter. Revolvers were produced and fired by both parties, and both were severely wounded. The circumstance is particularly mentioned as illus- trative of the " times " in San Francisco. About this period the
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SQUATTER DIFFICULTIES.
" squatters " on city lands became suddenly more numerous and daring than ever. These were not like the legitimate " settlers," who took possession of vacant unclaimed lands, under the ordina- ry: pre-emption laws of the United States. On the contrary, many of the squatters seized upon lands known to be claimed by others, and who held them by the strongest legal titles known. As these titles, however, happened in almost all cases to have some nice legal doubt affecting them, "squatters" settled the matter in their own way, and at once forcibly seized upon every piece of ground that had no permanent improvements made upon it. They " squatted " every where ; not only on choice lots along the line of public streets, and among the distant sand hills, but on the public and private burying grounds and on the open squares of the city. If they had the least colorable title adverse to the party in constructive possession, good and well ; but gene- rally there was no other right pretended than that of force. The intruder displayed only his six-shooter and with a scowl and a sullen curse would mutter to the offended owner-My title is as good as yours ; I have now the ground, and I will keep it, ay, until death. Out of the way ! Of course those who considered themselves the proper owners were not inclined tamely to sub- mit to this violation of their rights. Sometimes they took coun- sel and aid from the law, but nearly as often they met the in- vader with his own weapons, the axe to destroy fences and build- ings, and the revolver to frighten or kill his antagonist. Hired persons on both sides sometimes helped to carry on the war. Occasionally one "squatter " would envy, and seek to steal the already stolen possession of another ; and then both would have a bloody fight about the matter. "To the victors belonged the spoils."
Many lives were lost in these savage contests, and bitter en- mity engendered among rival claimants. The law was almost powerless to redress wrong and punish guilt in such cases. It said that the owner of ground was entitled by every means in his power, to prevent unlawful and hostile intrusion upon it ; and thus men had not the slightest scruple to use fire-arms upon all occasions. In the confusion and conflict of adverse titles, it could not be instantly determined who were the true owners, and
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ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO.
judges therefore could not punish the trespassers and murder- ers. If even the title of one slain in such a struggle were clear, juries could not be found who would bring in the slayer guilty of murder. His plea, however false and ridiculous, of supposed title to the ground which was the cause of the fatal dispute, was always held sufficient to save him from any verdict that would justify the extreme penalty of the law. Probably one or more of the jurors themselves had committed similar outrages, and would not condemn in the prisoner their own principles of action, and weaken the titles to their own properties. It was supposed that many of these " squatters " were secretly instigated in their reckless proceedings by people of wealth and influence, who en- gaged to see their pupils out of any legal difficulty into which they might fall. Such wealthy speculators shared, of course, in the spoils of the proceedings. To this day, many of the most valuable districts in and around San Francisco are held by " squatter's titles," which had been won perhaps at the cost of bloodshed, and in defiance of other titles, that, if not the best in law, had at least a colorable show, and should have been always strong enough to resist the strong-hand claim of the mere robber. In this way the city itself, the great victim of real estate specu- lators, " squatters " and plunderers, has lost, for a time at least, much of its remaining property. The new charter, if passed by the Legislature, will make many of these temporary losses, final and irretrievable ones. If it were desirable to enlarge on this painful subject, as showing the independent and lawless state of society in California, a history might be given of the great gang of squatters who have stolen the broad rich acres of the native Peraltas on the opposite side of the bay, in Contra Costa. How- ever, it is sufficient merely to mention the subject, in illustration of the like practices that had been long carried on, and at this time seemed to be at their height in San Francisco and its en- virons.
JULY 24th .- Fire broke out in the store-ship Manco, which lay in close proximity to the wharves, near the corner of Mission and Stewart streets. The store-ship Canonicus-an old "forty-niner,"-which was moored alongside, next caught fire. The firemen turned out, as usual, but from the want of
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STRIKES FOR HIGHER WAGES.
proper resting-places found much difficulty in working their engines with effect. There happened to be a large quantity of gunpowder on board the. Manco at the time, the knowledge of which fact, when circulated, speedily sent to a respectful distance the curious crowd that had gathered on the neighboring ships, and wherever they could procure a view of what was going on. The firemen, however, gallantly stuck to their posts, and poured vast quantities of water into the hold of the burning ship. By these means the powder was so damped that only partial explo- sions of small quantities took place. At last, the ship was scut- tled, and she sank in shallow water. The flames continued, and were only extinguished a considerable time afterwards. The loss- es sustained by both the Manco and Canonicus were estimated at about $50,000.
JULY-AUGUST .- There was a succession of "strikes " during these months, among most classes of mechanics and laborers, when wages were generally raised from fifteen to twenty per cent. The following may be quoted, as being the average rate of daily wages payable at this time to journeymen :- Bricklayers, $10 ; stone-cutters, $10 ; ship carpenters and caulkers, $10 ; plaster- ers, $9 ; house carpenters, $8 ; blacksmiths, $8 ; watchmakers and jewellers, $8 ; tinners, $7 ; hatters (but few employed), $7 ; painters and glaziers, $6; tenders, $5; 'longshoremen, $6; tailors, $4; shoemakers, $100 per month, without boarding ; teamsters, $100 to $120 per month, finding themselves ; firemen on steamers, $100 per month ; coal-passers, $75 per month ; farm hands, $50 per month, and found. These wages are at least five times higher than what are paid similar workers in the Atlantic States ; while they are about double the highest rates of wages that are now (1854) given mechanics and laborers in the gold-producing country of Australia. Most trades and occupations other than those above named were paid equally well. The printers, who have been always a highly remunerated class, could earn, according to skill and employment, from $10 to $15 a day. Perhaps the former sum may be taken as a low average. As we have elsewhere said, there is no place in the world where so high remuneration is given for labor-useful, wanted labor, as in San Francisco. The rates above mentioned do not vary much
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ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO.
in the course of the year ; and may, in 1854, be still quoted as nearly correct. At the same time it should be mentioned that it is not always the case that the applicant can find constant employment at his particular trade. However, if necessity should compel him to work for a time at an inferior occupa- tion, and provided only he have bodily strength, he may always fairly calculate in finding employment as a laborer in coarse work, or in doing odd jobs, at from $3.50 to $5 a day. The im- migrant, however, must work at something, unless he means to starve outright. The expenses of living are very much greater in San Francisco than in the dearest of the Atlantic cities, while there is very little charity or sympathy bestowed on idle, healthy men. People who would honestly succeed in this country must be prepared to turn their hand and attention to any kind of labor that promises to pay, no matter how disagreeable, or how little used to it may be the hesitating beginner. That has been the case with many of the most respectable and wealthy citizens, who at earlier times in San Francisco have been without a dime in their pocket or a friend to give them a gratuitous meal. They had to strip to the shirt, and earn the beginning of their present fortunes by " the sweat of their brow." If all employment should by possibility fail in the city, the robust immigrant has still the gold mines to fall back upon for sustenance and wealth, as well as the rich unclaimed lands of the United States, that seek only a tiller to produce marvellous crops, or he may always se- cure a situation as an agricultural laborer for others. Again, then, we say, there is no country in the world to be compared for wages and profits to California. It is emphatically the poor working-man's paradise on earth.
AUGUST 14th .- The second anniversary of the German Turnverein (the gymnasts already noticed) was observed to-day, in the park of Dr. Wedekind, in the southern quarter of the city. This affair was a very grand one with the whole German race here ; and nearly three thousand persons participated in the fes- tivities of the occasion. Besides Dr. Wedekind's grounds, the gardens of Mr. Russ adjoining were thrown open to the people, where athletic games and many amusing sports, music, dancing and singing, and the indispensable smoking and drinking were
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CITY AND COUNTY ELECTION.
kept up till a late hour at night. The amusements were resumed on the following day.
SEPTEMBER 7th .- The annual election of city and county of- fieers. The following parties were chosen :-
Senate.
E. J. Moore, W. M. Lent (for short term),
Samuel Brannan, and subsequently on his resignation, David Mahoney.
Assembly.
J. C. Hubbard, A. A. Green, N. Hubert,
E. P. Purdy, .
W. J. Swasey, Elijah Nichols,
F. W. Koll,
J. W. Bagley, James A. Gilbert.
Sheriff .- William R. Gorham.
County Judge .- T. W. Freelon (J. D. Creigh, to fill vacancy.)
District Attorney .- Henry H. Byrne. County Clerk .- Thos. Hayes.
County Recorder .- James Grant.
County Treasurer .- G. W. Green.
County Surveyor .- James J. Gardner. Coroner .- J. W. Whaling.
Public Administrator .- S. A. Sheppard. County Assessor .- J. W. Stillman. Mayor .- C. K. Garrison.
Recorder .- Geo. W. Baker. Tax Collector .- W. A. Matthews.
Comptroller .- Stephen R. Harris. City Attorney .- S. A. Sharp.
Treasurer .- Hamilton Bowie.
Street Commissioner .- John Addis.
Marshal .- B. Seguine. Harbor Master .- Robert Haley.
Clerk of the Supreme Court .- Henry Haskell.
Assessors .- Robert Kerrison, Jas. H. Keller, Richard Parr.
Aldermen.
H. Meiggs,
Richard M. Jessup, John D. Brower, John Nightingale,
Chas. O. West,
Joseph F. Atwill, D. H. Haskell, Jas. Van Ness.
Assistant Aldermen.
Chas. H. Corser, Geo. O. Ecker, Wm. H. Talmage, Saml. Gardner,
C. D. Carter, J. R. West, Frank Turk, J. G. W. Schulte.
On this occasion the proposed new charter of the city, framed by the delegates already mentioned, was submitted to the people for their approval or rejection. There were given for it 747 votes, and against it 620 ; showing a majority of 127 votes in its favor. In all the wards, except the 2d and 8th, there were considerable majorities against it. In the 2d ward, the numbers were nearly equal ; and in the 8th almost the whole votes were for it. The people, except perhaps in the last-named ward, seemed to take little interest in the proposed measure.
SEPTEMBER 19th .- The French inhabitants of the city organ-
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ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO.
ized among themselves the " Lafayette Hook and Ladder Com- pany." The uniform they adopted was that common to firemen in France. We have at different places alluded to the public spirit of this class of citizens, and their appearance in large bodies on occasions of public ceremonial. They are nearly as numerous as the Germans in San Francisco, and may now (1854)
LINGOLIN & CO
BERFORD
French Shoeblacks.
number about 5000 persons of both sexes. They preserve many of their national characteristics, and do not seem capable of thor- oughly adopting American thoughts and fashions. But a small proportion seek to become naturalized citizens, and they do not readily acquire our language. California, and America itself, are but places where money may be made to enable them to return to their own land in Europe. In San Francisco they have mo- nopolized many professions of a semi-artistic character. They are the chief shoeblacks and hairdressers, cooks, wine importers and professional gamblers. In the first-named capacity, they form
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THE FRENCH INHABITANTS.
one of the street features of the place. They are posted at many of the prominent corners, with seats for their customers, whose boots they are ever ready to polish at the charge of twenty-five cents ; and some of them have at this singular busi- ness gathered money enough to open shops, neatly furnished, for the same purposes. It is not uncommon to see a dozen of these shoeblacks in a row upon the edge of the side-walks, scouring and scrubbing away at the muddy or dusty boots of their patrons. But besides these occupations, this people pursue all other call- ings here, and many of them are among the most distinguished, wealthy and respectable inhabitants of the city. They are par- tial to public amusements, and have often a theatre open, when plays, vaudevilles and operas in their own language are performed. They have a society for the relief of poor immigrants, besides several other benevolent associations. Two tri-weekly newspa- pers are published in their language, a portion of one of which is written in Spanish.
The presence of the French has had a marked influence upon society in San Francisco. Skilled workmen of their race have decorated the finer shops and buildings, while their national taste and judicious criticism have virtually directed the more chaste architectural ornaments, both on the exterior and in the interior of our houses. Their polite manners have also given an ease to the ordinary intercourse of society which the unbending Ameri- can character does not naturally possess. The expensive and fashionable style of dressing among the French ladies has greatly encouraged the splendid character of the shops of jewellers, silk merchants, milliners and others whom women chiefly patronize, while it has perhaps increased the general extravagance among the whole female population of the city.
There are in San Francisco many natives of Switzerland and Alsace, those debatable lands between the French and German people. The Alsatians are claimed, and sometimes rejected by both. There does not seem much sympathy between the rival races, less a great deal than is between either of them and the Americans. The French complain that they are not treated so kindly by the last as are the Germans. The reason seems obvi- ous. It is because they do not take the same pains to learn the
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ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO.
American language and character. The naturalized Germans are professed and acknowledged brethren ; the French-foreign in manner and physical appearance, in thoughts and hopes-can never be considered as such. The occasional devotion of Germans to old Fatherland does not so fill their hearts that they become insensible to the numberless political and social blessings which
Outer Telegraph Station.
they receive in their adopted country. But the wild glorification of Frenchmen to every thing connected with their beautiful France, is often a neglectful insult to the land that shelters them, and which they would ignore, even although they seek not to become its permanent citizens. Both races have played a prom- inent part in the industrial history of San Francisco, and in that of California generally. Their numbers are very large in the various mining districts ; while, as we have seen, they form a con- siderable proportion of the population of the city. They are not the dominant spirits of the place-for these are of the true Ameri- can type that ever cry go ahead !- but they help to execute what the national lords of the soil, the restless and perhaps unhappy people of progress contrive. The character of a man may at least partially be inferred from his " drinks." The true Germans. dote on lager-bier-and they are a heavy, phlegmatie, unambi-
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FIRST ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH IN CALIFORNIA.
tious race ; the French love light wines-and they are as sparkling, yet without strength or force of character ; the genuine Yankee must have a burning spirit in his multitudinous draughts-and he is a giant when he begins to work, tearing and trampling over the impossibilities of other races, and binding them to his abso- lute, insolent will.
J.W.ORP. N.Y
Inner Telegraph Station.
SEPTEMBER 22d .- Opening of the first electric telegraph in California celebrated. This extended eight miles, between San Francisco and Point Lobos, and was erected by Messrs. Sweeny & Baugh, to give early information of shipping arrivals. Early in 1849 this enterprising firm had erected a station- house on Telegraph Hill, which commanded a view of the entrance to the Golden Gate and the ocean in that immediate vicinity ; and having adopted a variety of appropriate signals, well understood by merchants and others in the city, were ena- bled to give early intimation of the approach and peculiar char- acter of all vessels coming into the harbor. This proved of im- mense value to newspaper publishers and other business men, from whom the enterprise received a liberal patronage, it being principally supported by voluntary contributions. Thus encour- aged, Messrs. Sweeny & Baugh afterwards established another
30
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ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO.
station at Point Lobos, overlooking the ocean, from which, on a clear day, vessels may be distinguished many miles distant. This station is in full view of that on Telegraph Hill, which, re- ceiving early signals from it, communicated them at once to the citizens, who were thus apprised of the arrival many hours before the vessel entered the harbor. The electric telegraph is still another improvement, and increases materially the facilities pre- viously afforded by the method of signalling. Occasionally heavy fogs prevented the signals from being intelligible, or even seen, which difficulty is measurably obviated by the electric tele- graph. The proprietors have also established in Sacramento street, near Montgomery, a Merchants' Exchange, supported by subscription, in the spacious rooms of which are always to be found the latest papers from all parts of the world. These enterprises have proved exceedingly lucrative to their projectors.
CHAPTER XXVI.
1853.
Important legal decision of the Supreme Court confirming Alcaldes' grants .- Burning of the St. Francis Hotel .- Opening of the telegraph communication to Marysville .- Lone Mountain Ceme- tery .- Anniversary of the day of St. Francis .- The Mission Dolores .- The Spanish races in Cali- fornia .- The Custom House Block .- The steamship Winfield Scott wrecked .- Election of officers of tho Fire Department .- The Sonorian Filibusters .- Opening of the Metropolitan Theatre .- Great sales of water lots .- Montgomery block.
OCTOBER 13th .- The most important decision ever given by the Supreme Court of California was pronounced to-day in the case of Cohas vs. Rosin and Legris. Previous decisions both of this and the lower legal tribunals had established principles which unsettled the city titles to nearly every lot of ground within the municipal boundaries, and mightily encouraged squatterism. By these decisions, one title had just seemed as good or as bad as another ; possession being better than any. The alarming conse- quences of these doctrines forced both bench and bar into further in- quiries and minute researches into the laws, usages and customs of Spanish or Mexican provinces and towns. The new information thus acquired was brought to bear upon the suit above named, where principles were evolved and a precedent formed of the utmost consequence to the community, and which have nearly settled, though not quite, the " squatter " questions. The decision was pronounced by Judge Heydenfeldt, and was concurred in by Chief Justice Murray (although upon somewhat different grounds) and Judge Wells. Without entering upon the merits of the particular case in question we give the " conclusions " come to :
" Firstly, That by the laws of Mexico, towns were invested with the ownership of lands.
" Secondly, That by the law, usage and custom in Mexico, alcaldes were the heads of the Ayuntamientos, or Town Councils, were the executive officers
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ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO.
of the towns, and rightfully exercised the power of granting lots within the towns, which were the property of the towns.
" Thirdly, That before the military occupation of California by the army of the United States, San Francisco was a Mexican pueblo, or municipal cor- poration, and entitled to the lands within her boundaries.
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