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 58
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On October 30th, 1849, a meeting of citizens friendly to the formation of a " Bible Society," was held at the Methodist Epis- copal Church in Powell street, at which Rev. T. Dwight Hunt presided, and Mr. Frederick Billings acted as secretary. Ad- dresses were delivered by F. Buel, agent of the " American Bible Society," Messrs. F. Billings and W. W. Caldwell ; and on motion of Mr. William R. Wadsworth, the "San Francisco Bible So- ciety," auxiliary to the " American Bible Society," was organized, a constitution adopted, and the following officers chosen, whom we recognize as the early laborers on this field, and who, with characteristic real morality, frankly joined hands, irrespective of sect or denomination :- President :- John M. Findley ; Vice Presidents :- Rev. Dr. Ver Mehr, Rev. Albert Williams, and Rev. Wm. Taylor ; Treasurer :- W. W. Caldwell ; Secretary :- Frederick Buel.
Since its organization the society has been steadily engaged in its appropriate work of supplying the Scriptures to the citizens of the State, and has issued from its depository about ten thou- sand volumes, in the different languages spoken in the State and adjacent territories, the majority by sale and the remainder by donation to those unable to purchase. This institution has ably commended itself to the spirit of catholic Christianity, by the · universal circulation of that book within which its doctrines are comprehended. Other societies for the same purpose, established
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CHURCHES AND RELIGION.
in the interior, have materially aided this object. The depository of the society was destroyed by fire on the morning of the 26th of April, 1853, in place of which a new fire-proof brick building has been erected on a lot belonging to the society, No. 376 Stock- ton street, between Union and Green streets. The officers for 1854, are, President :- Hon. D. O. Shattuck ; Vice Presidents : -Rev. B. Brierly, Rev. M. C. Briggs, and Rev. S. H. Willey ; Secretary :- F. Buel ; Treasurer :- E. P. Flint ; Executive Committee :- Col. D. S. Turner, Major A. B. Eaton, Nathaniel Gray, George Wyckoff, and R. P. Spier.
On the 24th of February, 1850, " The Pacific Tract Society " was organized for alike creditable objects, as indicated by the name. Maj. A. B. Eaton is the President of this extensive organization ; Hon. R. H. Waller, Col. D. S. Turner, and Hon. E. J. Willis of Sacramento, are the Vice Presidents ; D. L. Ross is Treasurer ; Rev. A. F. White and Willard Leonard are Secre- taries ; while the Board of Directors embraces almost every clergyman in the State and many distinguished men from its various cities. From its depository in Clay street it has already distributed a great many useful and moral productions.
Another society of later birth, dating from July, 12th 1853, but of fast rising importance, is the "Young Men's Christian Association," intended particularly to improve the moral and mental condition of the young men of the city. A well stocked library and a reading-room, in the second story of the post-office building, at the corner of Clay and Kearny streets, and occa- sional lectures by clergymen and others, to the society, to which both strangers and residents are alike welcome, furnish rational means of enjoyment to the youth of the place, and effectually remove them from the tempting scenes of frivolity and dissipa- tion, here so numerous.
We have said enough, we hope, to prove that not all, nor nigh all the citizens of San Francisco are lost to every thing but reck- less dissipation. No city of equal size-few of ten times its age -can present such a list of men and institutions, who have accomplished so much real good, with so little of cant and hy- pocrisy.
ARMORY HALL
PLACEATINIES & THAN
SCROr
ENCRA
PLACER TIMES &TRANSCRI
Armory Hall.
INDEPENDENT MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.
IMMEDIATELY after the excitement into which the town of San Francisco was thrown by the capture, trial, and expulsion of the notorious "Hounds," had in a measure subsided, some of the most prominent citizens, dreading a recurrence of like scenes, conceived the idea of organizing a permanent volunteer military company, to aid the legal officers in the maintenance of order and personal security. The proposal met a ready acquiescence, and in the early part of July, 1849, several preliminary meetings were held for that purpose in the "Institute," as the school- house on the plaza was designated, and on the 27th of the month, forty-one gentlemen signed the following Preamble, organizing an artillery corps to be known as the " First California Guard."
" We, the undersigned. do hereby form ourselves into an association under the name and style of the First California Guard, and for the good govern-
703
INDEPENDENT MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.
ment thereof, have adopted a Constitution and By-Laws, for the support of which we mutually pledge ourselves :-
H. M. Naglee, W. E. Spoffard, Hall McAllister,
Joseph Hobson, A. Priest,
J. P. Haven,
R. H. Sinton, E. H. Harrison,
W. H. Tillinghast, Myron Norton,
Saml. Price, W. C. Cleeman,
D. T. Bagley. Wm. L. Hobson, Rich. M. Sherman, R. Julius Stevens,
W. D. M. Howard, Engene Musson, Wm. Sim, Frank Turk,
James C. Ward, Gustav Beck,
Samuel Ward, Wm. II. Davis,
S. Russell Gerry, E. L. Sullivan,
Wm. Hooper, E. Mickle,
C. Melhado, W. L. Robinett,
A. G. Randall, John Sime,
J. W. Austin, H.F.Teschemacker, Chas. H. Johnson, A. G. Abell,
Hiram Grimes,
A. J. Ellis, Benj. Reynolds, Jas. Creighton,
Edward A. King."
Of these the following officers were chosen :-
Captain .- Henry M. Naglee.
First Lieutenants .- W. D. M. Howard, Myron Norton.
Second Lieutenants .- Hall McAllister, David T. Bagley.
Orderly Sergeant .- Richard H. Sinton.
Surgeon .- Samuel Russell Gerry, M. D.
At this time there was not a suitable room for an armory in the town, and the gentlemen who had organized the company, being all men of ample means, agreed to form a joint stock com- pany (out of members of the guard only), whose income would be sufficient to defray all their military expenses and enable them to purchase a lot of land and erect a building with a hall adapted for drilling purposes. This scheme was soon carried into effect. The stock was divided into three hundred shares of one hundred dollars each, all of which were readily taken. A lot was pur- chased, situated on the north-east corner of Dupont and Jackson streets, and a two and a half story building, forty feet square. was erected in the course of the fall-the whole expense amount- ing to about $30,000. The company commenced occupying it in the latter part of 1849, and soon obtained arms and accoutre- ments sufficient for the drill, which was that of the infantry, though the company was organized as artillery. The Guard prospered, and received many new members. The 22d of Feb- ruary following was celebrated at their hall by the most recherché entertainment ever given in San Francisco, and on all similar subsequent occasions, public parades, etc., they have formed an essential and imposing portion of the body politic.
704
ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO.
In August, 1850, their services were called into requisition for the first time, and the importance of the organization and its capacity to do all that had been expected in its formation, was made manifest. The squatters of Sacramento having armed themselves, had a bloody encounter with the legal authorities. Governor Burnett had ordered out General A. M. Winn, of the Second Brigade, First Division, California Volunteers, to the seat of difficulties, and Lieutenant-Governor MeDougal, then at Sa- cramento, immediately requested Capt. Wm. D. M. Howard
HOTEL
UHẠN NI NI
Front street, Sacramento City.
(then commanding the Guards) to loan the authorities their mus- kets, which the company unanimously resolved to bear in person, and though only called together at 8 o'clock, A. M., were ready in two hours, "armed and equipped as the law directs." Simulta- neously, Mayor Geary called on the people of San Francisco to vol- unteer in the aid of their sister city. The proclamation attracted a large crowd of citizens, who deserted their occupations, and pro- ceeded, as elsewhere narrated, on board the steamboat "Senator" to the scene of action, along with the Guards, numbering eighty men, and the "Protection Fire Company, No. 2," who, to the num- ber of fifty, had hastily equipped themselves with red shirts and
705
INDEPENDENT MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.
dark pantaloons, and muskets, under Capt. W. McCormick. On the voyage, the volunteers were drilled by Capt. F. J. Lip- pitt, a most excellent officer. Notwithstanding the troops were not called into actual service, the moral effect of their prompti- tude and universal action, showed the efficiency of the volunteer militia in defending law and order, and did as much as any thing else to prevent the repetition of similar outrages in other parts of the country.
In the latter part of 1850, a second military organization was completed under the name of the " Washington Guards," which remained in existence only a few months. During that time, however, it had an opportunity of usefully serving the city, on the occasion of the attempt of the mob to Lynch Burdue and Windred at the City Hall, in February, 1851, when under the command of Capt. A. Bartol, it resisted the effort of the people to wrest the prisoners from the hands of the municipal officers.
The " California Guard " continued to prosper, a large num- ber of the first citizens had joined it, and remained in regular attendance. Every thing had been done to furnish the armory and meeting-room in a luxurious style, when the fire of 17th September, 1850, completely destroyed the whole property. This was a severe loss to the company ; but an agreement was speedily entered into with Mr. John Sime, the builder of the first armory, to erect another of brick on the same site, which was completed in three months and occupied by the company, who had meanwhile removed to temporary quarters elsewhere. This build- ing was supposed to be fire-proof, but in June 22d, 1851, it suffered the fate of every other for many blocks around. Not deterred by calamity, but with the phoenix-spirit of San Francisco, the Guard determined, at whatever expense, to perpetuate the or- ganization, and they have succeeded so well, that at the present day it is still the most extensive company in the city. Fifty thousand dollars is a low estimate of what has been paid as contributions by the members for its support since its organi- zation.
The Indian disturbances at San Diego in December, 1851, again called for the exhibition of the military spirit from the restless people of San Francisco, who, ever truc to the American
45
706
ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO.
propensity, are ready to fly to arms at the call of danger. The beleaguered inhabitants of the south had applied for aid to Gen- eral Hitchcock, of the Pacific Division of the United States Army ; but most of his command were operating under Colonel Casey against the Indians in the north, and he could dispatch them but fifty regulars under Lieutenant Frazer. In this emer- gency, the governor authorized the raising of two companies of mounted volunteers from the city of San Francisco, and Col. Geary, Judge J. G. Marvin, and Capt. Aldrich immediately issued a call for men. It needed no drum to summon the recruits to- gether. Did one man, commissioned or non-commissioned, draw up a roll, hundreds were ready to sign it. A meeting was held in the California Exchange. Colonel John W. Geary was made president, and J. Martin Reese and Joseph C. Smith, Esqs., were chosen secretaries. Col. Geary enrolled one hundred and thirty men, soon increased to one hundred and seventy-five, three times the authorized number, who met at the armory of the California Guards, organized " The San Francisco Rangers," and elected the following officers :- John W. Geary, captain ; George H. Haig, first lieutenant ; John W. Rider, second lieu- tenant ; Joseph C. Smith, third lieutenant ; Charles J. Beebe, first sergeant ; and Augustus Larrentree, second sergeant.
The second company met at the Parker House, and took the name of the " Aldrich Rangers," electing Daniel Aldrich, captain ; William Mulligan, first lieutenant ; Ira Cole, second lieutenant ; David Hoag, third lieutenant ; and J. R. Dunbar, first sergeant.
Both companies adopted a hasty uniform of blue shirts, and black pants and caps, and held themselves in readiness to pro- ceed south under the command of the officers appointed by Gov- ernor McDougal, viz. : John C. Hayes, colonel commanding ; Alexander Wells, adjutant general ; A. H. Sibley, quarter-master general ; H. J. Williams. commissary ; and Samuel Purdy, aid-de- camp. The next vessel, however, brought the news of the settle- ment of the difficulties, and the batallion was dismissed. Fifty of them, whose military career was not thus to be so untimely terminated, organized a company under Captain Hoag, and per- sisted in sailing for San Pedro.
Until May, 1852, the "California Guards" existed alone in the
707
INDEPENDENT MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.
city, with the solitary exception of the " Washington Guards," and we might add, of the "Empire Guards," a target company, or- ganized April 12th, 1851, for annual target excursions, out of the members of the Empire Fire Company, No. 1. The old Guard had increased largely in numbers, the members being principally picked young men who had but recently seen active service in the war with Mexico, each of whom was actuated by that esprit du corps which they had brought with them from their victorious battle-fields.
On the 14th of May, the " Marion Rifle Corps " was organized, and the following officers elected :- T. B. Schaeffer, captain ; G. R. Davidson, first lieutenant ; J. W. Rider and W. W. Hawks. second lieutenants ; W. Neely Johnson, first sergeant. Shortly after this, June 25th, the "Eureka Light-Horse Guards," a fine cavalry corps, was formed ; and these were succeeded by the " National Lancers," also cavalry, on July 4th, and on August 4th, by the " San Francisco Blues," infantry.
These five companies, joined by the " Sutter Rifles," of Sa- cramento City, formed in batallion on the 4th of July, 1853, and were reviewed by Major-General John A. Sutter, after which they proceeded to Russ's Garden, where they received a splendid ensign from Mrs. Catharine N. Sinclair, and celebrated the day appropriately with an entertainment and other jollities. The city companies (1854) are now proposing to form a batallion and elect a colonel and subordinate officers. According to the laws at present in force, every white male citizen, who refuses to perform militia duty, is liable to a tax of three dollars ; but as the militia has not yet been properly organized, the law has been suffered to remain a dead letter on the statute book. As soon as the organization has been completed, the law will probably be enforced.
Until last fall, all of these volunteer companies supported themselves by contributions from their members, when the first encouragement ever received from the city was given by an ordi- nance passed, appropriating five hundred dollars per month for the rent of an armory to be used in common by all the volunteer companies of San Francisco. They now occupy a splendid hall as an armory and drill room in the fourth story of a new fire-
708
ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO.
proof building, owned by Mr. S. Brannan, and appropriately called " Armory Hall," at the north-east corner of Sacramento and Montgomery streets. This elegant structure, occupying a front of sixty feet square, was commenced on 1st July, 1853, and completed November 15th following, at a cost of $225,000. Each company has a separate room in the third story for meeting and such purposes, and the use of the drill-room on its allotted evening once a week. All are flourishing. Their meetings and parades are well attended, and all justly regard the " First Califor- nia Guard " as the pioneer corps of the State.
wir
STATIERC.
The San Francisco Orphan Asylum.
SOCIAL AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS
THE miserable condition of the sick and dying immigrants of 1849, for a long while met neither sympathy nor assistance. Individual aid at best could have accomplished little ; yet that little, men found neither time nor inclination to offer. Fortu- nately, however, the eminent usefulness of those great institu- tions, which like the arteries, veins and sinews of the living body, concentaneously ramify themselves throughout the mi- nutest parts of our organization,-cach subservient to its own great and distinct purpose, yet with the common object of the preservation of life, health and happiness,-was here practically demonstrated ; and chiefly through them, and subsequently through the more local associations, designed for a similar ulti- mate end, the great good was accomplished that residents of the time alone can appreciate. The success, efficiency, and perma- nency of these institutions, like our political existence, depend- ing mainly upon their great national scheme of organization, a
710
ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO.
complete history of each can only be sought in their own volumi- nous records, and must be studied there with all their relative parts-not here. The general character of the times has been fully discussed ; the vast improvement in the present as con- trasted with the past has been noted ; and beyond a few dates and names, which would seem necessary to make our history complete in all that regards San Francisco, and identify with the finished structure, every nail, lath and brick that have built it, we cannot now pretend to go.
The fraternity of FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS, though few in number, very early determined upon devising means to allevi- ate the distress and promote the comfort of the destitute of their brotherhood. In October, 1849, a convention assembled in San Francisco and organized a lodge under a charter, which on the preceding 9th of November, had been granted by the "Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia " to Messrs. Levi Stowell, Wm. Van Voorhies, and B. F. McDonald, that they might accomplish this object when they should arrive in California. This was entitled "California Lodge, No. 1," and consisted of about twenty members, whose first officers were :
Levi Stowell, Esq., of Washington City. Worshipful Master. A. Bartol, Esq., of Columbus, Ohio Senior Warden. Col. Jno. W. Geary, of Westmoreland Co., Pa. Junior Warden.
Dr. John H. Gihon, of Philadelphia. Secretary. A. A. Selover, Esq., of New York. Treasurer.
They rented rooms for meeting in the third story of a house in Montgomery street, paying for their use, two hundred and fifty dollars per month. They immediately commenced work, eagerly sought out their destitute brethren, whom they conveyed to private boarding-houses or hospitals, and furnished with medi- cal aid or whatever else their necessities demanded. Some of these recovered to bless the Order, and subsequently returned to their families after a successful business or mining career. Others died and received decent interment, and their friends were apprised of the circumstances. The first funerals of the city, after the discovery of gold, at which any number of persons attended, or which were conducted with any degree of propriety or solemnity, were those of the masonic fraternity. The expenses
711
SOCIAL AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
attending these acts of benevolence were enormous. The board and attendance of a sick brother averaged from fifty to a hundred dollars per week, and the funeral of one deceased cost from one hundred to two hundred dollars.
On the 17th of April, 1850, a convention was called at Sa- cramento, of delegates from the California, Western Star, and Connecticut Lodges, by which a Grand Lodge was organized in due form under the following officers :
Col. Jonathan D. Stevenson, .. . M. W. Grand Master.
John A. Tutt, R. W. Deputy Grand Master.
Caleb Fenner,
Senior Grand Warden.
Saschel Woods,
Junior Grand Warden.
John H. Gihon, M. D., 60
Grand Secretary.
Levi Stowell,
Grand Treasurer.
B. D. Hyam,
W. Grand Senior Deacon.
E. J. Willis, ..
¥ Grand Junior Deacon.
Simon Greenwalt,
Grand Steward.
Aaron Greenwalt, .. G. P. Gordon, .
Grand Steward.
Grand Marshal.
Wm. Davenport,
Grand Standard Bearer.
B. B. Gore,
6 Grand Sword Bearer.
W. G. Deale, ..
Grand Chaplain.
Frederick A. Clark,
Grund Tyler.
Several lodges, then working " under dispensations" from other grand lodges, received charters, and at the first annual meeting after its institution, the " Grand Lodge of California" numbered more than a dozen flourishing lodges under its jurisdic- tion. The "Davy Crockett Lodge, No. 7," subsequently styled the " San Francisco Lodge," came into existence shortly after No. 1, and in the summer of the same year (1850), "San Francisco Royal Arch Chapter" was also established, under a charter from the " General Grand Chapter of the United States," of which Col. John W. Geary was first High Priest, and Dr. John H. Gihon, first Secretary. In May, 1851, the French residents of the city organized "La Parfaite Union Lodge, No. 17;" and in 1852, the " Occidental Lodge, No. 22," and the " Golden Gate Lodge, No. 30," were established, at which date there were thirteen chartered lodges and seven "under dispensation " represented in the Grand Lodge. In October, 1853, " Mount Moriah Lodge." and in January, 1854, " Lebanon Lodge " were opened for work
712
ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO.
n San Francisco. Various lodges have been established over the whole State, to the number of about fifty, not only in the midst of the crowded cities, but amid the gulches and ravines of the sparsely-peopled mountains, and have enrolled among their mem- bers, the great portion of the most prominent public officials and business men of the country. In Sacramento, two lodges were established almost simultaneously with the organization of Cali- fornia Lodge ; and a hospital was there founded by the Order in connection with the Order of Odd-Fellows, in the support of which about thirty thousand dollars were expended in little more than one year. In 1851, the brethren residing in Honolulu in Oahu of the Sandwich Islands, were, on due application, author- ized to open a lodge in that city ; and the success attending its operations has equalled the most sanguine expectations of its founders. At this date the king, the heir-apparent and brother, with several Hawaiian notables, have had an opportunity of join- ing it. In this year (1854), a number of masons residing at Valparaiso, solicited and received authority to establish a lodge in that place. This, however, has already withdrawn from the California jurisdiction. The "Knights Templars" opened an encampment, on the 20th of December, 1853, and a second " Royal Arch Chapter" is now working at Sacramento. The Grand Masters of the State have been successively, J. D. Steven- son, in 1850; J. A. Tutt, in 1851; B. D. Hyam, in 1852 ; Chas. M. Radcliff, in 1853 ; and Wm. H. Howard, now in office. The Order is in the most prosperous condition, embracing about four thousand members-all engaged actively in doing good. At the last session of the Grand Lodge, the education of orphans was one of the main features of their deliberations. Lands have been donated for a Masonic College, which will probably be com- menced in the ensuing year, and trustees appointed to take charge of the property and receive donations.
The INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS dates its origin in this city from the same causes, for the same objects, and about the same time as the Masonic Order. In 1849, " California Lodge, No. 1," was established, and occupied the same third- story rooms in Montgomery street, paying the same sum for their use. Like the masons they extended their aid to the suffering members of their own Order, and like them accomplished an in-
713
SOCIAL AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
credible amount of good. The Order now comprises twenty-one lodges,-five of which are located in San Francisco, one of these being composed principally of German residents,-embracing in all about one thousand members with over five thousand visiting brothers. On the 17th of May, 1853, the "R. W. Grand Lodge of California " was organized, with the following officers :
Samuel H. Parker, M. W. Grand Master.
J. F. Morse,
R. W. D. Grand Master.
E. W. Colt,
R. W. Grand Warden.
T. R. Johnson, .
R. W. Grand Secretary.
John M. Coughlin, R. W. Grand Treasurer.
Matthew Purden, R. W. Grand Representative.
J. Zacariah, W. Grand Marshal.
A. J. Lucas,
W. Grand Guardian.
L. F. Zantzinger,.
IV. Grand Conductor.
The Patriarchal branch of the Order is under the control of D. D. Grand Sire S. H. Parker, and comprises three subordinate encampments in San Francisco, Sacramento and Stockton, num- bering about one hundred and seventy-five members. A Degree Lodge has been likewise established in each of these cities. The Grand Lodge, of which J. F. Morse is the second and present Grand Master, has alone donated for charitable purposes since its organization, over $20,000, and the whole amount of money ex- pended in the State, and the number of families, brethren, widows and orphans relieved, is enormous. Mr. S. Brannan, a member of "Templar Lodge, No. 17," has presented the Order a valuable lot of ground on the Mission Road, for a cemetery.
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