USA > California > Alameda County > The centennial year book of Alameda County, California : containing a summary of the discovery and settlement of California, a description of the Contra Costa under Spanish, Mexican, and American rule, biographical sketches of prominent pioneers and public men > Part 13
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On the 13th of June of this year Judge Luttrell, of Brooklyn, fined Miguel Marquis the sum of $150 for indulging his taste for bull- fights on Sundays. For years San Antonio had been noted for the practice of this barbarous amusement. Marquis paid the fine under protest, and the Court having declared it contrary to law, the Super- visors returned the fine. This man Marquis, a short time afterwards, murdered a man in Oakland, for which he was sentenced to suffer the entreme penalty of the law, but he was granted a new trial and acquitted.
There was a Fourth of July celebration at Fruit Vale (for the first time brought into notice), at which the Declaration of Independence was read by Thos. Eagar, Esq., and a very eloquent address delivered by Wm. Van Voorhies, Esq. At a similar celebration, at Centreville, Hon. S. B. McKee delivered an exceedingly eloquent oration. There was a bachelors' ball on the same occasion at the county seat ; so that the people of the county seem to have enthusiastically celebrated the glorious anniversary, as they have ever since.
At this date a daily mail was established by the Post-office Depart- ment between Oakland and San José, which was considered a boon to the people down the valley; but they grumbled because the Oak- land Postmaster neglected or objected to forward it on Sundays.
The Alameda Collegiate Institute, which had been established some years, commenced its term with improved prospects and greater efficiency. It was under the charge of Mr. Peck, aided by Mrs. Cro- well and Miss Rosenbaum. There was connected with the school a Belles Lettres Society, which possessed a library. Some of our most
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
prominent citizens of the present day are graduates of the Collegiate Institute, an institution which ceased to exist several years ago.
Pursuant to a published call, a number of citizens of Alameda County assembled at San Leandro on July 24th of this year, for the purpose of forming an Agricultural Society. Henry C. Smith, of Al- varado, was appointed Chairman, and Dr. H. Gibbons, of Alameda, Secretary. A constitution and code of by-laws were adopted. The payment of $3 per annum entitled a person to membership. The payment of $25, at one time, constituted life membership. The offi- cers comprised a president, vice-president, corresponding and record- ing secretaries, a treasurer and five directors, who constituted alto- gether a Board of Directors. The principal officers to be practical farmers. Officers elected annually. The Society to hold an annual fair at such time and place as might be chosen by the members. The meeting, after transacting the business of organization, adjourned to the 11th of September to meet there for the purpose of electing officers and making arrangements for an exhibition, should it be deemed expedient to hold one. The names of the gentlemen who signed the constitution at the second meeting were H. C. Smith, Dr. H. Gibbons, A. H. Myers, Henry Linden, W. W. Moore, J. M. Moore, R. Blaco, Alfred Lewelling, P. J. Campbell, Frank F. Fargo, H. Lewelling, G. W. Fountain, Mark T. Ashley, F. K. Shattuck, S. Shurtleff, Isaac B. Rumford, E. Wilson, Hiram Keeney, J. Blaco, W. H. Davis, John B. Ward, J. L. Wilson, D. E. Hough, E. S. Chipman, C. C. Breyfogle, J. A. Lent. An address was delivered by Mr. J. Silver, of Philadelphia, on the benefit of such societies in the East. Semi-annual fairs were decided on ; one in the Spring, for the display of flowers, early grains, and the products of the horticulturist ; and the other in the Autumn, for the exhibition of stock, general farming products, late fruits and vegetables, and such other articles as could be shown to greater advantage at this season of the year. The officers elected at this meeting were, A. H. Myers, President ; H. C. Smith, F. K. Shattuck, Vice-Presidents ; E. S. Chipman, Secretary ; Frank F. Fargo, Treasurer ; Robt. Blaco, Alfred Lewelling, Directors. A committee of one from each township was appointed to solicit subscriptions to the constitution and initia- tion fees for membership, such committee consisting of H. C. Smith for Washington Township, Hiram Keeny for Eden, Dr. H. Gibbons for Alameda, and G. W. Fountain for Oakland.
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A. J. SCHNEIDER, Oakland Basket Factory 962 BROADWAY,
Between Ninth and Tenth Streets, East side.
Overland, Lunch, Picnic, and Ladies' Fancy Baskets made and repaired. Children's Chairs and Carriages made and repaired. Cane Chairs re-seated, and coarse work promptly attended to.
HOW & DOOLITTLE. WHITENING
PAINTS, OILS AND GLASS.
HOUSE PAINTERS AND GRAINERS,
Corner Broadway and Ninth Street, opposite Union Sav- ings Bank, Oakland.
HENRY HAUSCHILDT.
Dealer in and Importer of
BOOTS & SHOES 1057 BROADWAY,
Between Eleventh and Twelfth Streets, OAKLAND.
Repairing neatly executed with Dispatch.
H. CORDES, Jobber and Dealer in
WOOD AND WILLOW WARE,
Cordage, Twines, Brooms, Brushes, Paper, Sieves, Matches, Inks, Soaps, Mucilage and Slate Pencils, in great variety.
SOUTH SIDE SIXTH STREET, Near Broadway, OAKLAND.
All Goods delivered Free of Charge in city limits.
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
BEAUDRY & MCAVOY,
UNDERTAKERS AND GENERAL FURNISHERS,
CORNER BROADWAY AND SEVENTH STREET.
Hearse and Coaches, Rosewood, Mahogany and Lead Coffins, Shrouds, Collars, Cravats, Silver and White Metal Coffin Plates constantly on hand; Grave Stones, Iron and Wood Enclosures furnished.
ALSO, A FINE STOCK OF
HORSES FOR LIVERY HIRE,
For phaeton and road uses; well broken and carefully trained. Can please the most timid lady.
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CHAPTER XVII.
FROM THE FORMATION OF THE AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION IN 1858 TO THE CENSUS OF 1860.
1858 Continued-The Warm Springs .a Popular Resort for Pain and Pleasure-Their Present Use-Ferry Lines in Operation Between Oakland and San Francisco - Opposition and Reduction of Charges-A Schedule of the Same-The San Leandro " Gazette" Espouses the Cause of the Renters and Denounces the High Charges Made for the Use of Land-Some of the Year's Unfortunates- Rejoicing Over the Atlantic Cable-The Pioneer of the Overland Mail Route, an Alameda Man, Arrives at Salt Lake-The State and County Elections-The Democracy Again Victorious, and S. Bell McKee Elected Judge of the Third District Court for the First Time-Interesting Suit-A Murderer Convicted-Public School Convention-Edson Adams Fined $100 and Costs for Contempt- Indignation at a Proposition for a Fence Law-Governor Weller Offers $500 Reward for the Conviction of the Murderers of Ciriaco Sacre-The Bachelor's Ball-" Little Lotta"-Legislation of the Year-School Statistics and Assessor's Report.
At this time Warm Springs, three miles south of the Mission, was in full blast, as one of the gayest and most fashionable watering places in the State. The Springs were first utilized by Clement Columbet, who removed a house, for the purpose of a hotel, all the way from San José. In 1858 the place was leased by Alex. Beaty, who gave a grand ball there on the 29th of July, which was suc- ceeded by many others. Subsequently the Springs became a grand resort and several fine buildings were constructed for the accommo- dation of guests, and the fashionable, frivolous, wealthy and leisurely, as well as the invalided, from all parts of the State, were in the habit of resorting there, to partake of the benefits of the hot sulphur water. For several years the place has been closed up to the public, having been purchased by Leland Stanford. The brother of that gentleman, Mr. Joshua Stanford, resides on the premises, and has con-
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
verted most of the land belonging to it into vineyard, as the grape thrives there equal to any other place in the State.
A newspaper item of August gives this information with regard to the ferry lines communicating between San Francisco and Oakland and Brooklyn: "The San Antonio (Larue) Company are building a fine boat (the Oakland) at Steamboat Point, intended to run regu- larly (with the San Antonio) as soon as completed. The Contra Costa (Minturn line) has been coppered new, and somewhat remod- eled, giving her a fine cabin aft, and other improvements. The Clinton and San Antonio (one of each line) are now running, the former making four trips daily and the latter three."
Following are the reduced rates of charges induced by the oppo- sition: Horses, each 50c .; cattle, each 50c .; calves, each 25c .; hogs, each 20c .; sheep, each 12c .; grain, per ton $1.50; hay in bales, per ton $2; vegetables, per sack 10c .; threshing machines, each $5 to $8; reaper machines, each $3 to $7; plows, 25c. to 50c .; horse-rakes, 25c. to $1; measurement freight, per ton $2; one horse and buggy, 75c .; two horses and buggy, $1; stage coaches, $2; lumber wagons, $1; passage, 25c .; commutation tickets, per month $5.
The San Leandro Gazette, the only paper in the county at this date, complained strongly of the high price charged by owners of land to renters, and spoke of "the ruinous summer just closing." Alluding to the Portuguese renters, it went on to remark, "they will go and others will come to be duped, and humbugged and swindled as their predecessors have been. This is partially endur- able with reference to the Portuguese, you may say; but with American, English and Irish citizens, and white men generally, who are supposed to have their fair share of good sense, the farce ought not to have been re-enacted." Four dollars an acre, for the coming season, it declared to be all that the land was worth. The article
was aimed at the management of the Estudillo Rancho, which it charged with extortion. Three dollars an acre, it stated, had rented as good land on the Peralto Rancho adjoining. Notwithstanding this sad plaint, the Portuguese had gone on renting, and from rent- ing buying, until many of them are now well off and all of them making something.
The losses this year, in farming, by renters especially, were con- siderable, and show that the labor of the husbandman is not always profitable, even in this garden spot of Alameda ; for instance: Mr. Mulford, farming 600 acres, lost to the extent of $7,280; Mr. Huff,
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farming 260 acres, lost $3,375 ; Mr. Shurtleff, farming 162 acres, lost $1,750; Mr. Kimball, farming 162 acres, lost $1,250. All of these were within two and one-half miles of the town of San Leandro.
This was the year of laying the Atlantic telegraph cable, which was the cause of so much joy to the civilized world, and Alameda County, as an integral portion thereof, celebrated the event with commendable enthusiasm.
Here is a newspaper item of interest, copied from the Gazette of September 18th : "Safely arrived-Mr. C. Dyer, of Alvarado, whom we have heretofore mentioned as being the pioneer of the Overland Mail route, has safely arrived at Salt Lake City, accomplishing the distance from Placerville in 16 days and 14 hours. He arrived there, however, too late for the stages thence eastward, and was consequently compelled to remain until the second departure for the States."
On the 2d of September a State and county election took place, in which the Democrats were victorious against the "fusion ticket " of the Republicans and Broderickites combined. The highest State officer elected was Judge of the Supreme Court. For this office Baldwin got 786 votes to Curry's 724; Meloney, for Controller, got 800 to Gunn's 522 ; for District Judge, McKee received 822 to Hester's (his predecessor's) 647 ; for State Senator, Redman received 749 to Bell's 733 ; for Assemblyman, Rodgers received 739 to Wm. Hayward's 515, and Edward Gibbons' 246 ; for Member of Congress, McKibbon received 709 to Dudley's 183, and Tracy's 531; for Public Administrator, Linden received 748 to McDonald's 585, and Chisholm's 123; and for County Judge, Pease was without opposi- tion. This time, certainly, the Democracy had the satisfaction of making a " clean sweep " of Alameda County, and great was their rejoicing thereat. But a dark day was dawning.
The October Term of the Third District Court was the occasion of an important suit between two native California families. The suit was that of H. G. Blankman and wife vs. José Jesus Vallejo and wife. This was suit brought for the foreclosure of a mortgage for $30,000. The claim grew out of an interest the wife of Blankman had in the estate of Ygnacio Vallejo, father of defendant-Mrs. B. being a sister's child-which interest Vallejo bought of plaintiff in 1853, for the above sum, and the defendant paying interest for years, and making subsequent engagements respecting the payment of the mortgage, up to the year 1857, when Vallejo, through his
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
counsel, sought to set up want of consideration and fraud ; in this the defendant failed. He then tried to show a discrepancy of the bond and the mortgage was fatal, although the bond was of the same date, and called for the payment of $30,000, and bore even date with the mortgage. The mistake was accounted for by the power of attorney, and one of the subscribing witnesses swore that there were three papers executed at the time, and those in court were the ones. What made this case more peculiar was, that there had been no misunderstanding between the parties up to the time of suit being . brought. Judgment was entered against Vallejo for $30,000, and $5,834 interest.
A man named Chas. Dowes was convicted of murdering a person named Peter Becker, in San Francisco. Having been apprehended at Alvarado, in this county, he was tried in the District Court at San Leandro. The evidence against him was circumstantial but con- clusive, and he was sentenced to State Prison for life.
A Public School Convention took place at San Leandro on the 6th of November, the members of which were composed of School Trustees for the different townships, at which nine districts were rep- resented. Henry Haile, M. D., was elected chairman, and Wm. C. Blackwood, secretary. It was resolved, among other things, "That the value of property depends upon the intelligence of the people, and, therefore, the property of the county should pay for the educa- tion of the rising generation."
At the Court of Sessions, for the November term, Edson Adams was fined $100 and costs, for contempt of Court in neglecting to ap- pear as a Grand Juror.
Considerable stir was made and indignation aroused among the farmers of the county by the presentation of a petition to the Legis- lature calling for an amendment of the trespass law, which would compel grain-growers to fence their fields against the predations of roaming stock. So unjust a proposition, however, could not and did not carry.
Governor John B. Weller, under date of Nov. 25th, offered a reward of $500 for the apprehension of the murderer or murderers of Ciriaco Sacre, a Chilano, who was cruelly murdered on a little island, near Alvarado, some eighteen months previously. Justice must have been sleeping when so slow.
The Bachelors' Club elected their officers at San Leandro on the 22d Dec., preparatory to their winter campaign of amusements.
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John A. Lent was elected R. G. G., instead of Hon. W. P. Rogers, whose duties called him to Sacramento ; and the withdrawal of " their highly esteemed friend and brother," E. Minor Smith, who had a few days previously entered the matrimonial state, was sadly dwelt upon. The club gave a Christmas ball at the Estudillo House, which was greatly enjoyed by the invited guests.
The Gazette had this to remark of a little girl there present, and who has since become famous as a California actress, and the first person to erect a drinking fountain, at her own personal expense, in the city of San Francisco :
" The bright little star of the evening was Miss Lotta Crabtree, aged eleven years, who is noted and praised throughout California for her peculiar grace, juvenile modesty and politeness, while her excellent dancing delights everybody. Lotta will reach a high posi- tion in life if properly trained and kept as pure as she is now."
The prediction has been verified, and Little Lotta continues to adorn her profession and do credit to California.
The legislation of the year was as follows :
An Act to fix the compensation of the Assessor of Alameda County and his deputies by the Board of Supervisors, but not to exceed $8 per day.
An Act to fix the compensation of Sheriff or Tax Collector in Counties of Alameda and San Joaquin. To be allowed for collecting all taxes (excepting miners', license and poll-tax) six per cent. on the first $10,000; four per cent. on all over $10,000, and three per cent. on all over $20,000; two per cent. on all over $50,000. The County Treasurers shall be allowed three per cent, on all moneys received and disbursed by them, but not on both receiving and disbursing.
An Act to adjust the amount of indebtedness of the County of Alameda to the County of Contra Costa, and provide for the pay- ment thereof. Section 1: B. C. Whitman, of Solano, John H. Livingston, of Contra Costa, and J. W. Dougherty, of Alameda, shall be a Board of Commissioners to ascertain and adjust the amount of indebtedness of Alameda to Contra Costa, prior to the 23d day of March, 1853; Supervisors to meet within sixty days after award, and levy a special tax for the payment in cash of one- half the amount, etc., as heretofore. Compensation $8 per day, one- half by Alameda and one-half by Contra Costa.
An Act to adjust the amount of indebtedness of Alameda to Santa Clara. Both counties to appoint a Commissioner; when amount is
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
certified the Auditor of Alameda County to issue a warrant in favor of Santa Clara County. To meet at the county seat of Alameda on or before the 1st of July, 1858, to settle. A third party to be called in if required.
An Act concerning roads and highways in Tuolumne and Alameda Counties.
An Act to provide for funding outstanding debts of the City of Oakland, and prevent the creation of new debts.
The school statistics of this year were very full. There were 1,174 children of school age, and the total expenditure for school purposes was $10,138.33. Andrew J. Moulder, State Superinten- dent, in his report strongly urged immediate measures for founding a State University on the military plan. W. W. Brier, Superintend- ent for this county at this time, recommended the adoption of the compulsory system of education, but was opposed to a military school as a State University. He gave the Trustees of the county credit for having done well this year.
The Assessor's report, too, was very detailed and showed much progress since the last report, but the reproduction of these annual reports successively would become wearisome.
1859-The Proceedings of the Supervisors Without Interest-An Event- ful Year-The Fraser and Gila Excitements-A Dry Winter but Good Crops-The Tax Levy-Oakland for the State Capital- The Proposition Lost by Two Votes-The Estudillo Rancho Con- firmed-The Steamer " Contra Costa" Explodes her Boiler -- Six Human Lives Lost and Several Horses Killed-May-day Festi- val at Alameda-The Seale Murder Trial-Floral Fair and Agricultural Exhibition-The Alameda " Herald" Appears- A Practical Move for Dredging the Oukland Bar-The County Treasurer a Large Defaulter-The State und County Elections- Three Tickets and Three Parties in the Field-All Get a Share of the Plunder-The Agricultural Association Embarrassed-A College of Teachers and Trustees-The Legislature Provides for County Infirmaries-Acts of the Yeur-The Bridge Again- Some Valuable Statistics.
The first meeting of the Board of Supervisors held this year was on January 3d. A vast amount of routine business was transacted.
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but nothing of general interest was under consideration. Indeed, the whole year's proceedings were devoid of all but sectional interest, the matters of roads and bridges, the payment of bills, &c., absorbing nearly all the attention of the Supervisors. With one exception (the case of the indigent sick), the Board had settled its controversies and went on working diligently in the ruts of routine.
The year, however, was an eventful one, and pregnant with mat- ters of interest for the people. The organization of an Agricultural Association, and the holding of a Floral Fair and an Agricultural Fair, occupied a good deal of attention ; so, also, did the State and County elections ; the subject of dredging the bar ; the defalcation of a county officer ; the organization of a College of Teachers, and Trustees ; an important murder trial ; and the establishment of an opposition line of steamers on the Creek route, with much-reduced rates of charge. There were also the Oregon, Fraser and Gila excite- ments, which disturbed and broke up many homes ; and the proposi- tion to make Oakland the State capital.
The opening months of 1859 were dry, and there was a great dread of drouth ; but notwithstanding, a good average crop was cut when the harvest was gathered. The new boat of the Larue line, the Oakland, was launched on the 20th of January. She was then taken to San Antonio, where she was fitted up for use and soon placed in running condition.
At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors, held at San Leandro, February 28th, the tax levy ordered was $1.45 on the $100.
On the 1st of March the representatives of the county, in the State Assembly, procured the passage of a resolution appointing a committee to proceed to Oakland to inquire into the expediency of moving the State Capital to that point ; and thereafter the claim of Oakland assumed great importance as a location for the seat of government. The committee reported favorably ; but on a vote the proposition was beaten by 30 to 28!
The mandate of the U. S. Supreme Court finally confirming the heirs of José Joaquin Estudillo to the Rancho of San Leandro, was entered on the docket of the U. S. District in San Francisco, in March.
On the 3d of April the steamer Contra Costa, of the Minturn line, had her boiler blown out, causing the death of six persons and injury to many others, besides the destruction of horses and other property. This was the first serious casualty of the kind in the
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
county, and was a most unfortunate affair, evidently caused by the negligence of the engineer.
On the 11th of April commenced a trial for murder, in which unusual interest was taken. It was in the Third District Court, held at San Leandro, before Judge McKee. The case was that of The People vs. Thos. Seale, indicted for the murder of Paul C. Shore, on the 6th of January, 1859, in Santa Clara County. The trial lasted five days, and the jury failed to agree on a verdict. Another jury was immediately empanelled, and after three days trial the case was given to the jury. The latter occupied two days more, and finally brought in a verdict of " not guilty." The diffi- culty that caused the murderous affray was about land, the murdered man having been a trespasser, and the general opinion was that the verdict was a righteous one. There have been too many such affrays in the State, for which a failure to properly enforce the laws is much to blame.
There was a fine May-day festival of the children of the schools at Alameda, under the auspices of the County Superintendent.
The Floral Fair, for which preparations had been going on for several months, was opened in a large pavilion erected for the pur- pose, on the Plaza, on the 18th day of June, and the Committee of Arrangements made good their promises to the public regarding the same. Besides flowers, all kinds of horticultural products and works of art were exhibited, and the whole combined to make the show a very creditable affair for the county. All other counties in the State were invited to compete. The Fair festivities concluded with a grand ball. It deserves to be remembered as one of the finest associated efforts ever made in the county, and it is to be regretted that the association was not able to hold a similar Fair annually. The Agri- cultural Society was re-organized in July, under an act of the Legis- lature, passed the previous winter, and entered upon the full tide of its prosperity and offered a list of premiums to be contended for at an exhibition, which took place at Oakland on the 4th of October following.
The month of July of this year witnessed the birth of another newspaper-the Alameda Herald-published by Frank Fargo, at Oakland, but printed in San Francisco. It was the organ of the " Fusionists," and did service in the campaign of 1859.
The proposition to dredge the bar at the mouth of Oakland harbor had engaged the attention of the people of Alameda County for
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several years, but without any real good having come of it. A num- ber of gentlemen, in August of this year, formed themselves into a committee to receive subscriptions and proceed with the work. They collected among themselves and friends the sum of $11,000, but $3,000 more was required from the public, and collectors were appointed for the purpose of procuring it by subscription. "The channel," said these gentlemen in their circular, "is to be thoroughly dredged, from the deep water of the bay to the San Antonio channel, two hundred feet wide and five feet deep at extreme low tide-to be marked with piles on each side through the whole length, at a dis- tance of forty feet from each other. The whole work is to be done, and materials furnished, for the sum of fourteen thousand dollars, the contractor giving the most satisfactory securities for the faithful performance of the work.
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