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 16
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An extensive fire occurred at San Antonio on the 22d of May, by which A. Waldman lost his dwelling ; B. F. Rynders, his saloon ; Liese Brothers, their meat market ; Hirschfelder, Levy & Co., their dwelling house ; Henry Hampel, his blacksmith shop, and the estate of d'Alamere, a house.
This side of the Bay obtained this year some notoriety as a duel- ling ground. Frank Turk and O. C. Hall, of San Francisco, fought a duel on the 1st of June, in the woods of Oakland. They settled their dispute and satisfied each other's wounded honor by firing pistol balls at each other at a distance of ten paces, without doing each other any injury.
164
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
The month of June was remarkable for several showers of rain, which occurred in the second week of the month. Notwithstanding the great severity of the winter, the crops at this period promised very fairly.
At a Union County Convention, held at San Leandro on the 14th of June, for the purpose of selecting delegates for the State Conven- tion, held at Sacramento on the following 17th, A. M. Crane, Wm. Kennedy, W. W. Crane, Jr., J. M. Moore, S. W. Levy, Wm. Meek, F. K. Shattuck, A. M. Church, and A. J. Kelly were appointed. The State Convention was presided over by Walter Van Dyke, then of Humboldt County, but who for a number of years has been a prominent citizen of Alameda County.
Reports of mineral discoveries within our territory were becoming frequent, and on the 28th of June a ledge of coal was reported to have been found on the premises of W. O. Harris, near Warm Springs. A test of a sample of it as fuel was made, and pronounced satisfactory, but the ledge was never worked.
The Contra Costa Commissioners, appointed by the last Legislature to determine the indebtedness of Alameda to Contra Costa County, met at Martinez in the latter part of June. The Commissioners appointed from Alameda to act with them declined to attend, as this county altogether denied any indebtedness. The Contra Costa Com- missioners reported that their county had paid on account of obliga- tions existing at the time of the organization of the County of Alameda, the sum of $36,755.15 ; that this county was justly and equitably bound to the payment of a portion thereof amounting to $15,518.78 ; that Alameda had paid the sum of $3,944.66 on the 4th day of June, 1858, leaving an unpaid balance of $11,574.12, due from the County of Alameda to the County of Contra Costa, and they therefore awarded that amount to the latter county, in virtue of the powers conferred upon them. The report was signed by B. C. Whitman and Chas. Fish. The Alameda Commissioners, who failed to appear, were J. W. Dougherty and A. M. Church.
The first marriage license, issued under the new law, in Alameda Co., was issued by the County Clerk on the Ist day of July this year.
A great Union meeting, with flags and banners and a band of music, was held at Haywards on the 4th of July. Over one thousand persons were present, and at the close a procession of car- riages was formed to San Lorenzo and San Leandro. The demon- stration closed with a ball at Hayward's Hotel in the evening.
165
UNDER THE STARS AND STRIPES.
The San Leandro Gazette, then the official county paper, was nearly altogether taken up in its issue of the 12th of July with the an- nouncements of delinquent tax sales, published by the Sheriff.
Among the casualties of the year was the destruction by fire, at Alameda, of the fine residence of Judge A. M. Crane. The fire originated in an effort of the Judge's children to smoke a mouse out of a hole in the attic. The building was valued at $5,000, and was not insured.
There was a great hurrah in Oakland when, on the 2d day of August, it became known that work had commenced on the ferry railroad. The first cause of rejoicing was the arrival of piles for the construction of the wharf. Real estate immediately advanced fifty per cent.
Much regret was expressed at the news of the demise of G. B. Tingley, a pioneer citizen, and the Senator representing Contra Costa and Santa Clara in the Legislatures of 1851 and 1852. He died in San Francisco on the 3d day of August, from a fit of apoplexy.
News was received here about the first of August of the destruc- tion of the steamer Golden Gate by fire. She left San Francisco on the 21st day of July, with 242 passengers and a crew of ninety-six persons. Among the 200 persons lost was Mr. R. T. Hawkins, of San Leandro. The ill-fated steamer was burnt within fifteen miles of Mazatlan.
A second Union Convention was held at San Leandro on the 13th day of August, for the purpose of nominating candidates for Assem- bly. Over fifty delegates, equally divided between Republicans and Democrats, were present. Loyal resolutions were passed, and oppo- sition to Milton S. Latham, for U. S. Senator, expressed. The nominees for Assembly were Henry Robinson, of Alameda, Repub- lican, and Thos. Scott, of Washington, Democrat.
The unusual phenomena of a thunder-storm, accompanied by light- ning and heavy showers of rain, occurred on the 18th day of August. Lightning struck a straw-stack near Mount Eden, and burnt it ; the telegraph wire at Centreville was also struck in like manner, and the magnet in the telegraph office exploded, making a report like that of a musket. Such an occurrence was never before known in California.
In August of this year the survey of the Estudillo Rancho was confirmed. It took in one-half of the McMurtrie orchard, in San Lorenzo.
166
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
Quite a novel spectacle for this section of the country was witnessed at San Leandro on a certain Saturday and Sunday of the month of September. It was a train of four covered wagons, with camp- utensils, belonging to a family of immigrants who had crossed the plains and mountains all the way from the State of Iowa. They were just four months making the trip. They lost one of their number, a young man, on the way. They buried him on the plains. They had had no difficulty with Indians.
The result of the election in September, for members of Assembly, were favorable to the Union Candidates. There were two tickets in the field-Union and Union Democratic. For Assembly, Robinson (Union) received 914 votes, and Scott, 834 ; Johnson (Union Demo- crat) received 777, and Fallon, 640. For Public Administrator, Amerman (Union) received 683 votes ; Keyes (Union Democrat) 323. For Coroner, Foss (Union) received 762, and Green (Union Democrat) 688. Alfred A. Cohen took an active part in this elec- tion, and was said to be the originator of the Union Democratic party of Alameda County.
The Bay District Fair was commenced in Oakland, on Tuesday, October 7th, of this year, and was well attended, while the display of produce of all kinds, and animals, was creditable. Among the articles on exhibition were a squash weighing 90 Ibs., a cabbage 51 Ibs., and a sweet potato 9 Ibs. There were some potatoes almost round and perfectly smooth. There were blackberries, raspberry- wine, and samples of tobacco grown in the San Ramon Valley. At the stock parade, in the evening, were exhibited the horses "Owen Dale," " Kentuck," " Hunter," "Comet," and the Clydesdale horses imported by Messrs. Dougherty and Martin, of the Amador Valley. J. D. Patterson exhibited five specimens of his celebrated Alderney cows. At the election of officers to serve for the ensuing year, the following gentlemen were chosen : President, J. J. McEwen ; Vice- Presidents, S. J. Tenant, J. Bowles ; Vice-Presidents for counties at large, Wm. Reynolds, Santa Clara ; S. W. Johnson, Contra Costa ; R. Blacow, Alameda ; D. S. Cook, San Mateo ; J. A. McClelland, San Francisco. Directors, G. P. Loux, Platt Gregory, R. G. Davis ; Treasurer, K. W. Taylor; Secretary, O. Falley. Rev. Starr King delivered the annual address, to a large audience. As was usual at that period in our history, all manner of gambling was in full blast in Oakland during the fair.
On the 22d of October, of this year, books for the subscription of
.
167
UNDER THE STARS AND STRIPES.
$3,000,000 of stock for the Central Pacific Railroad were opened in Sacramento.
On the 29th of September there was held at San Leandro a mass meeting for the purpose of raising funds for the relief of sick and wounded soldiers in the war. The meeting was addressed by Rev. T. Starr King, Edward Tompkins, and Frederick Billings. There was a great deal of enthusiasm and the people subscribed liberally at the meeting and afterwards. Altogether there was over $12,000 raised for the laudable purpose in Alameda County. J. A. Mayhew, W. W. Crane, Jr., Noble Hamilton, Socrates Huff, and I. A. Amer- man were appointed an Executive Committee. The sum of $5,082.25 was contributed at the meeting.
In the month of October Thomas Eagar, of Brooklyn, received the appointment of United States Assessor for Alameda County.
The new Board of Supervisors, consisting of Meek for Eden, Davis for Brooklyn and Alameda, Martin for Murray, Overacker for Wash- ington, and Shattuck for Oakland, took their seats on the 3d of No- vember. Shattuck was elected Chairman.
The value of property assessed for taxes in Alameda County this year was $4,233,396. The total amount of taxation, including the Federal tax, for the year 1862-3, was $93,134.20.
News was received here, in the month of November, that Horace Higley, the first County Surveyor for Alameda County, and subse- quently Surveyor-General of the State of California, had enlisted in the rebel army in Mississippi. The report was afterwards con- firmed. Mr. Higley returned to the State after the war was over and died in San Francisco.
The Oakland Guard gave a Thanksgiving ball this year, at the Agricultural Pavilion.
A number of the Contra Costa Gazette, of the month of November, reported the recent discovery of three veins of coal in the southern portion of that county, near the San Joaquin River, together with oil springs near the town of Antioch.
As an indication of the price land was capable of bringing this year in this county, it may be mentioned that nineteen acres were sold at San Lorenzo for $5,000, or a little over $263 per acre; and this for agricultural or horticultural purposes !
In the latter end of November the property of the Alameda County Agricultural Society was advertised for sale by the Sheriff, to satisfy a mortgage.
168
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
The criminal calendar this year was pretty heavy. A man at- tempted to murder his wife in the southern part of the county, hav- ing fired three pistol shots at her; a man was killed in Brooklyn, and another in Moraga Valley.
An individual in this county was reported in the papers to be raising 2,500 hares per month for the San Francisco market. It may have been so, but his name was not given, and the belief must be in- dulged in that a wag was at work. It would not do to put some of those hairs in the pot.
The number of students in attendance at the College of California this year was 120. The winners of the rhetorical prizes were Messrs. Harwood, Daly and Emerson, two of whom have since distinguished themselves on the press and platform.
The judicial election, held in the month of November, showed the following result in the Third District for District Judge : McKee -Monterey, 349 ; Santa Cruz, 199; Alameda, 333. Total, 881. Brown-Santa Clara, 420; Contra Costa, 385. Total, 805. Majority for McKee, 76.
Among the casualties by fire was the burning of Becht's Brewery, on the corner of Broadway and Ninth Street, which occurred on the night of the 11th of November. Besides the brewery and 2,000 gallons of beer, Mr. Becht lost his dwelling-house and furniture, altogether amounting to about $6,000, on which there was only $2,000 insurance.
The first rain of the regular winter season fell about half-past one o'clock on the morning of the 12th of November.
The number of militia enrolled in the county by the enrolling officers was 2,000.
The legislation of the year, concerning Alameda County, was as follows :
An Act entitled an Act to incorporate the city of Oakland, passed March 25th, 1854, and repealing certain other Acts in relation to said city. Restates boundaries, regulates officers, duties of City Council, and time and method of levying taxes.
An Act to provide for an equitable adjustment of claims arising from the indebtedness of the County of Contra Costa, outstanding at the date of the organization of the County of Alameda, and for ap- portioning any award made thereon.
Whereas, the Legislature of 1860, by compulsory Act, imposed on the County of Contra Costa the payment of the claim of one T.
169
UNDER THE STARS AND STRIPES.
C. Gilman, amounting to upwards of $31,000, some $24,000 of the amount being for interest, part of it at the rate of 5 per cent. per month, on an obligation contracted before the organization of the County of Alameda, mainly from territory and population at that time belonging to the County of Contra Costa ; and whereas, the County of Contra Costa claims that no such adjustment of the then existing indebtedness as equity demands and as the Legislature in- tended in the Act providing for the organization of the County of Alameda, and in subsequent Acts, has ever been made; and it is therefore provided, for a full settlement in equity, as was originally intended, and due, that a commission be organized as follows :
SECTION 1. B. C. Whitman, of Solano County ; Chas. Fish, of Contra Costa County ; and J. W. Dougherty, of Alameda County, are hereby appointed and constituted a Board of Commissioners to ascertain and award the amount of indebtedness, if any be found equitably due from the County of Alameda to the County of Contra Costa, on account of obligations existing at the time of the organiza- tion of said County of Alameda; and the said Commissioners shall, before entering upon the discharge of the duties, be sworn.
SEC. 2. To meet within sixty days of passage of Act.
SEC. 3. The County Clerks to furnish copies of papers.
SEC. 4. To examine witnesses and award amount of indebtedness.
SEC. 5. The Board of Supervisors of Alameda, at a special meeting four weeks after award, to levy a special tax to meet amount of award, called " Contra Costa Fund," payable from time to time to Treasurer Contra Costa County.
SEC. 6. A majority to act.
SEC. 7. Commissioners to be paid $8 per day-half by each county.
SEC. 8. In case of the Commissioners failing to meet, District Judge of Contra Costa to compel them to meet.
SEC. 9. Award to be paid in two years, with ten per cent. inter- est per annum.
SEC. 10. Clerk of Alameda to notify Clerk of Contra Costa quarterly when there are funds.
SEC. 11. Money to be appropriated as follows by Contra Costa : 50 per cent. in a fund designated " Alameda Road Fund," to con- struct a road from Walnut Creek to the Alameda line ; 30 per cent. for "San Pablo Road Fund," for a road from San Pablo to Martinez ; the remaining 20 per cent. to be appropriated for school purposes.
170
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
An Act concerning roads and highways in Alameda County. Re- lating to public highways, road districts, locations, alterations, costs, viewers, surveyor, expenses, damages, obstructions, prosecution, pen- alties, tax, road funds, poll-tax, fines, duties of road commissioners, contracts, award of contracts, pay of commissioners, deputies, asses- sors' fees.
An Act to authorize Hiram Thorne and others to reconstruct and make a wagon road in the counties of Contra Costa and Alameda. Commences at the Redwood Canon, thence running through said cañon in Contra Costa County, a distance of five miles to the Oak- land and San Antonio road, and have the right to erect a toll-gate thereupon, and collect such rate of toll as the Board of Supervisors shall authorize. A failure to keep the road in good repair shall work a forfeiture of franchise.
An Act to authorize Chas. C. Bowman and his associates to con- struct a wharf at the western end of the Encinal of San Antonio, at some point adjacent to the lands of said Bowman, and extend a dis- tance into the bay to give ten feet of water at low tide, and granted use of a strip of tide-land for the purpose. The Board of Supervisors to fix the rates of toll and wharfage. Franchise good for twenty years.
1863-A Year of Railroad Activity-Death of Judge Lent-Various Appointments-Alameda Railroad Company-Shocking Murders at Corral Hollow-A Proposed Subsidy Defeated by the People- Memorial of the San Antonio and San Francisco Steam Naviga- tion Company-A Committee of the Senate Reports Against Contra Costa's Claim-The Ranch of Guillermo Castro Changed Hands-Hop Crop in Alameda-Washing Machine Mania-An Offensive Slaughter House-Resignation of the County Superin- tendent-High Wind-Discovery of Copper and other Minerals- " Prairie Schooners" -- A Deputy U. S. Assessor Appointed- Demise of the Oakland " Press"- Union Convention - Fourth of July Celebrations at Alvarado and San Leandro-Rev. Dr. H. Durant, Hon. E. Tompkins, Judge McKee and Judge Hamilton take part --- Governor Weller at the Democratic Convention-Man Gored to Death by a Bull-A Prisoner " Cuts Stick" and Sig- nalizes the Event in Rhymes-An Oldl Resident Murdered in Mexico-Lawyers take the Oath of Allegiance-Result of the
171
UNDER THE STARS AND STRIPES.
Elections-Judge McKee Defines his Position-Trains Commence to Run on the Oakland Ferry Road-Ferry Steamer Time-Dis- tressiny Accident-The Oakland "News" Started-Coal Ship- ments-Military Camps-Brooklyn School-house-A Desperado Lynched at Alvarado-Legal Condition of the various Ranchos- Close of the Court of Sessions-Legislation of the Year, etc.
The events of the year 1863 were interesting and important. This was the year in which the railroad interests were prominent for the first time, and during which the question of subsidy was first tested, in the instance of the Alameda Valley Railroad. It was the year in which ground for the Central Pacific Railroad was broken in Sacramento ; it was a year of loyal demonstrations and devotion to the Government. It was also remarkable as the year in which the functions of the Court of Sessions were brought to a close.
The first day of the year gave birth to a new newspaper, which was started in Oakland, and named the Press. It was published by S. B. English, a gentleman who had previously been associated with Mr. Jas. F. Kapp, in the publication of the San Leandro Gazette. It was Democratic in politics, and lasted but three months.
On the 2d day of the month the melancholy intelligence came across the Bay that Judge Lent, of our County Court, had died, near the Mission Dolores, San Francisco, after a painful and protracted illness. Major Noble Hamilton was appointed by Governor Stanford to succeed him.
Senator A. M. Crane, of this county, who was for many years our County Judge, was elected Chairman pro tem. of the Senate, then in session ; and Hon. Thomas Eagar, of Brooklyn, who a short time previously had been appointed Federal Assessor for the county, was elected Sergeant-at-Arms of the Assembly. He had resigned the former position.
News was received from Boston of the safe arrival there of the California Hundred, a portion of whom were recruited in this county.
Judge Hamilton appointed Asa Walker and George Fleming Associate Justices of the Court of Sessions.
On the 29th of January a fearful crime was committed in San Joa- quin County, near Corral Hollow, on the southeastern border of Ala- meda County. A man named Aaron J. Golding, his wife, a Mexican vaquero and a Spanish boy were all brutally murdered and the house in which they slept set on fire. No cause for this fiendish act was
172
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
ascertained nor the vile miscreants who perpetrated the deed dis- covered.
The articles of incorporation of the Alameda Valley Railroad were filed on the 10th day of January, in the office of the Secretary of State. The first Board of Directors were B. C. Horn, President; Timothy Dame, Treasurer; George E. Potter, Secretary; and Wil- liam Hayward, J. A. Mayhew, J. B. Felton, E. M. Derby. Mr. Dame was the President of the San Jose Road. The intended ter- minus of the proposed road was Niles, making a length of twenty- two miles. The estimated cost was $750,000. Shares were $100 each, of which 10 per cent. was to be paid down. Senator Crane got a bill passed through the Legislature authorizing the Supervisors of Alameda to take $220,000 worth of stock in the enterprise, should the same receive the sanction of the people at a special election to be holden for the purpose. The Board of Supervisors held an election for the purpose specified, on the 2d of June, 1863, and the proposition was defeated by those voting. The vote was as follows:
Precinct.
Whole Vote.
Yes. 389
No.
Oakland,
419
30
Temescal,
50
49
I
Ocean View,
52
52
Brooklyn,
258
103
155
Halfway House, -
65
5
60
San Leandro, -
90
12
78
Haywards, -
117
49
68
San Lorenzo,
66
6
60
Mount Eden,
45
11
34
Alvarado,
132
16
116
Mission San José,
152
26
126
Centerville,
198
24
174
Hart's (Murray), -
57
56
1
Dougherty's Station,
62
4
58
Alameda, -
49
28
21
-
1,812
830
982
Majority against the proposition, 152.
Therefore, on the vote being counted by the Supervisors, the pro- position was declared lost.
Jas. B. Larue, A. W. Swett and William Hayward presented a memorial to the Legislature for wharf privileges in San Francisco, in which they stated that the privileges required were for the accommo- dation of the ferry line of steamers communicating between Brooklyn, Oakland and San Francisco; that the line had been in operation
173
UNDER THE STARS AND STRIPES.
since the spring of 1858, nearly five years ; and that a place at which to construct a wharf at San Francisco had become a necessity. The franchise was granted and a wharf built.
In the United States District Court, held in the month of March, in San Francisco, Judge Hoffman rejected the survey of the claim of Augustine Bernal, and ordered a new survey. In the case of the United States vs. Antonio Peralta a decree approving the survey was entered.
Senator Porter, of Contra Costa, had the claim of that county against Alameda submitted to a committee of the Senate, with a view to compelling the payment of the same, but the committee reported against it.
In February the organization of the San Francisco, Alameda and Stockton Railroad Company commenced to be spoken of.
The entire rancho of Guillermo Castro, of Haywards, passed into the hands of A. B. Grogan, of San Francisco. The amount paid for the same, including homestead, was $130,000.
This winter Dr. Henry Haile, of Alameda, planted a hop crop in that place.
It is evident that our citizens in the southern part of the county had time for other work than farming about this time, because two of them became the inventors of washing machines, which they offered for sale, and claimed superiority for them over all others in the market.
Samuel Davis, an old resident of the county, died at Alameda on the 31st of March.
A slaughter-house was built on the San Antonio road, which was complained of as an intolerable nuisance.
The Rev. J. D. Strong having resigned his position as County Superintendent of Education, in consequence of removal to San Francisco, the Supervisors appointed Rev. Mr. Seymour, of Alva- rado, in his stead.
The wind was so high on the morning of the 16th of April that a schooner-rigged scow was capsized, off Oakland, in the bay.
A discovery of copper was made in Murray Township, back of the premises of Mr. Kottinger, near Pleasanton.
Alameda commenced to loom up as a manufacturing county about this time. Henry Smythe, of San Lorenzo, built three "prairie schooners " for Joseph Demont and William Searing, of San Lean-
174
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
dro, to be used in the Washoe mining region. Each was capable of carrying 10,000 fbs.
In the month of May the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa authorized their District Attorney to renew the contest for the balance claimed by that county against Alameda, by bringing suit.
The coal, copper and silver discoveries in Murray Township about this time were creating considerable stir, and it looked as if Alameda was going to take rank among the mining counties. Many "claims" and "feet" were taken up.
Alfred C. Crane, of San Leandro, was appointed Deputy U. S. Assessor for the townships of Eden, Washington and Murray.
The Supervisors farmed out the indigent sick this year, by contract, and it fell to the lot of Dr. Haile, of Alameda, to take care of them for a compensation of $7.25 per week per patient.
The new newspaper venture in Oakland, The Press, did not prove a success, and the material and good-will of the paper were purchased by Mr. Kapp, of the San Leandro Gazette. The material was subse- quently sold to Mr. Gagan, when he started the Oakland News.
A Union party convention was held at San Leandro on the 13th of June, at which Asa Walker was appointed chairman, and F. M. Campbell secretary. The following delegates were appointed thereat to the Union State Convention at Sacramento : Oakland, John Mc- Mann ; Brooklyn, A. W. Swett ; Alameda, Henry Robinson ; Eden, William Meek ; Washington, H. Overacker. No delegate was ap- pointed for Murray.
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