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 23
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On Sunday, the 22d of December, there occurred in this vicinity a storm of more than usual severity, the like of which, old residents declared, was never before experienced here. For twelve hours the wind blew a perfect hurricane, spreading terror and destruction in its path. Dark as night, and with the force of the Furies, the scream- ing blast swept over the earth, shaking the firmest structures, bend- ing and uprooting trees and demolishing fences. At times deep, low thunder mutterings were joined to the chorus of the raging storm. The ferry boat Alameda found it unsafe to make a single trip across the bay. A scow, with an engine and other pile- driving apparatus aboard, which was moored to the Railroad Com- pany's wharf, was upset and sunk. At Wick's Landing, near San Leandro, 80 feet of roof of a large warehouse was blown off and carried some 200 feet. Several other pranks were played by the storm in San Leandro. The steamer Cora, anchored at the head of San Antonio Creek, broke loose from her moorings and was driven against the railroad wharf at Brooklyn. The tide having been unusually high, the guard and wheel-house projected over the pier, obstructing the track. The tide falling, the boat could not be
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removed, and it was impossible for the trains to pass during the day. The shipping in the harbor of San Francisco suffered consid- erably. A sloop was reported lost and all on board drowned, at Redwood City, on the opposite side of the bay. During the week high winds and heavy storms prevailed, impeding travel and render- ing the holidays very unpleasant.
1868-Military Organizations Disbanded-A Journey to Oakland on Snow-shoes-J. Ross Browne Appointed American Minister to China-The Capitol Removal Question Again-" Crooked Whiskey"-Activity of Horse Thieves and their Pursuit by Sheriff Morse-Formation of a Jockey Club-Importation of Stock - A Mysterious Murder -Tract of Submerged Land Donated to the Western Pacific R. R .- Giving Away the Water Front of Oakland-Fee Bill Comicalities-New Jail and Re- corder's Office-County Infirmary Lands-Another Mysterious Murder-Death of John Thomas, the Murderer of Officer Richardson-Tax Levy for Year 1868-9-A Brief County Court Term-First Sunday School Convention in the County- Ryland and Lee's Circus Sold out-A Lively Earthquake in March-The Alameda Railroad Extension Abandoned-Union County Convention-Visit from the Chinese Embassy-Butchers' and Drovers' Association-Democratic County Convention-A Horse Show-Election of Officers of Alameda County Agricul- tural Association-Farmers' Club-A Remarkable Case of Mis- taken Identity-A New Democratic Paper at San Leandro- Ten Years' Increase of School Population-Bloody Affray at Laddsville-Grand Fourth of July Celebration in Oakland- Appaling Calamity-Twenty Persons Drowned-Fire at Val- lejo's Mills-Democratic Ratification Meeting-Meeting in Favor of an Eight-hour Law-A Mechanics' Institute Organized -- Fire at San Leandro-Another Fatal Affray at Laddsville- " A Man for Supper "-Real Estate Looking Up-New Towns- Jail-breaking Frustrated-A Comical Scene-The Presidential Canvass and Election of Grant and Colfax-Teachers' Institute.
The country being by this time considered "safe," the necessity for our military organizations was not urgent, and they were there- fore generally mustered out of service. The Haywards Guards were
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mustered out on the 18th of January, 1868. The Guards numbered sixty-four members at the time of disbanding, and were the first company of the State militia to be disbanded by the new Governor. A vote of thanks was extended to Captain Fuller, and he was pre- sented with a picture as a token of esteem by his late companions in arms. All the other companies excepting the Oakland Guards were subsequently disbanded.
Two young men arrived in Oakland in the latter part of the month of January from Sierra County, to attend the College School. They were under the necessity of making the first forty miles of their journey on snowshoes ; but here, on their arrival, there was no such thing as snow to be seen.
J. Ross Browne, a gentleman distinguished in the walks of litera- ture, and an old resident of Oakland, received the nomination and subsequent confirmation as American Minister to China, in the month of February. His mission did not prove a satisfactory one, and he gave the Celestials up as an unprofitable puzzle. After re- turning home he unmercifully satirized the Burlingame Treaty and the whole Chinese business as a terrible humbug. He had no relish for a position under " the Dragon's Footstool."
The question of the removal of the State capital had again this year obtained prominence, and had somewhat engaged the attention of the people of the county. The Board of Supervisors were induced to take some action in the matter, and at a meeting held on the 4th of February, the following resolution was passed unanimously :
" Resolved, That a committee of three members of this Board be appointed to prepare a bill to be submitted to the Legislature, authorizing the Board of Supervisors of Alameda County to issue bonds to the amount of $150,000, to be appropriated to the erection of suitable buildings for the use of the State, in the event of the Legislature locating the State capital in this county."
Messrs. Shattuck, Smith and Cameron were appointed as the com- mittee mentioned.
The reader will no doubt be somewhat surprised to learn that the manufacture of whiskey was at one time one of our industries. The youthful enterprise was nipped in the bud, for we learn that R. Savage, United States Assessor for the Second District, having satisfied himself of the existence of an illicit distillery in the vicinity of Alameda Point, paid the locality a visit on the 5th of February, and succeeded not only in finding and seizing the establishment, but
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also arrested the operator, Jas. King, and Geo. Bird, the owner of the illicit establishment. Bird was held for examination in the sum of $1,000.
There was at this time much activity among the horse thieves in the southeastern portion of the county, and parties residing on the Alameda, Valle and Mocho Creeks, suffered greatly from their thievish doings. Active steps, however, were taken by the Sheriff to arrest them, and they gradually were driven off or fell into that officer's toils.
The stock owners of the county about this time organized a Jockey Club, and the race-track at Haywards was put in order for the accommodation of those desirous of testing the speed of their stock. Their races, too, were calculated to amuse the public. Fol- lowing were the officers of the Club : J. Hall (a prominent stock- raiser), President; Wm. Granger, Vice-President ; C. T. Ward, Jr., Secretary ; Wm. Hayward, Treasurer. There was besides a Board of Directors, consisting of Wm. Meek, Chairman; David S. Smalley, O. Morgan, A. Allen, Walter Smith. Financial Committee: M. W. Levy, E. M. Smith, O. P. Perkins.
By the steamer Golden City, which arrived in San Francisco on the 13th of February, Sam. Martin, of Amador Valley, received seven large English stallions, for his stock, and Mr. Johnson, of Tas- sajarra Valley, close by, received five Clydesdale stallions. These gentlemen were considered among the first stockmen in the State, but there were several others in Alameda County who could boast of superior horses, the raising of which they had made a specialty.
One of the most important events in the history of the county was the visit of the State Legislature to the City of Oakland, on Friday, the 21st day of February. But as this will be dwelt upon more fully in the section of this work having special reference to Oakland, it is not necessary to dwell upon it here, further than to say the Honor- able gentlemen were hospitably entertained, and that they came on the invitation of the Mayor and Council of Oakland.
On Monday, the 2d of March, the new county officers entered upon their respective duties.
A man named Henry Creiger was found murdered in the hills back of Haywards on the 4th of March. A saloonkeeper in Hay- wards was arrested on suspicion, but, on an examination, there being no evidence to connect him with the crime, he was discharged from custody.
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A bill was introduced in the State Senate, and its passage recom- mended by the Committee on Commerce and Navigation, granting to the Western Pacific Railroad Company for a terminus a tract of sub- merged lands lying between Alameda and San Leandro, with a front- age of nearly a mile upon ship channel. The company was to give bonds that the terminus would be located on the lands so granted and that a large amount of money would be expended in improve- ments.
Pursuant to a call of the Mayor of Oakland, a large number of citizens met at Shattuck & Hillegas' Hall, on the 10th day of March, for the purpose of ratifying a proposition to grant a portion of the water front of the city to the Central Pacific Railroad Company for terminal purposes. The meeting was unanimous and enthusiastic in favor of the proposition.
A bill before the Legislature, affecting the fees and salaries of the county offices, which was introduced by Mr. Church, proposed a con- siderable diminution of the emoluments of office, and was the cause of much discussion. It was also the occasion of some merriment, as will be seen by an extract from a humorous article in the Gazette. On the supposition, should the bill become law, that the county offi- cers would be under the necessity of resorting to other employments for a livelihood, the following form of advertisement for the County Clerk was suggested :
"COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE .- Notice ! Except during the sessions of the Courts, or meetings of the Board of Supervisors, the Clerk will be found somewhere about the neighborhood, sawing wood. Any business connected with the office will be attended to after work hours. N. B .- Orders for wood-sawing left on the order slate will be promptly attended to at $2 per day and board."
A bill to provide for the erection of a jail and County Recorder's office in San Leandro, and an Act concerning roads and highways in Alameda County, passed the Legislature on the 18th of March. The buildings proposed were made an addition to the Court House. Mr. Church introduced a bill about the same time to enable the County to purchase a tract of land for charitable purposes, and to establish an institution for the care of unfortunates-our present County Infirmary.
A man named O'Keefe was found dead in his bed in Oakland Township, near the Contra Costa line, with two bullets in his head. A coroner's jury found that the man had been murdered, but no clue was found to the perpetrator of the foul deed.
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John Thomas, the colored man who murdered officer Richardson, of Oakland, in October, 1867, died in the County Jail on the 17th of March. He was over seventy years of age, and would have been tried in a few days.
On Tuesday morning, March 24th, about twenty minutes past 11 o'clock, there was a lively shock of earthquake felt here, which was repeated during the day, but in a less severe form. No injury to life or property, however, resulted therefrom, although people were a good deal alarmed by the first shocks.
The Legislature having failed to pass a bill in favor of a subsidy for the Alameda Railroad Company, to enable it to extend its line to Washington Corners, that portion of the line was abandoned.
A Union County Convention was held at San Leandro on the 28th of March, for the purpose of electing delegates to attend the State Convention at Sacramento on the 1st of April.
The celebrated Chinese embassy that visited the United States in 1868, paid Alameda County a visit on the 15th of April and viewed many places of interest on this side of the bay.
The tax levy for the fiscal year of 1868-9, ordered by the Board of Supervisors, was as follows: State tax, $1; County General Fund, 22c .; Road and Bridge Fund, 45c .; Common School Fund, 35c .; In- digent Sick Fund, 7c .; Oakland Bar Fund, 4c .; Special Jail and Re- corder's Office Fund, 7c. Total $2.20 on each $100 of assessed pro- perty.
The Spring term of the County Court this year was one of short duration, and justice was prompt and summary with her transactions. The Grand Jury was impannelled and their business completed on Monday, the 6th day of April; on Tuesday the prisoners were all arraigned and plead guilty; and on Thursday they received their sen- tences. The services of the Trial Jury were altogether dispensed with.
The first Sunday School Convention in Alameda County was held in Oakland, on the 28th and 29th of April. The Committee of Ar- rangements consisted of R. E. Cole, Chairman; G. W. Armes, E. W. Taylor, F. S. Page, and H. A. Palmer.
Between the 10th and 19th of April, some 110 land suits were in- stituted in the Third District Court for Alameda County.
Messrs. Ryland & Lee's circus, which wintered at Haywards, was sold in April to Samuel Stickney & Co. The latter firm arranged to permanently locate in that town during the winter, for practice, etc.
The following officers were elected for the Butchers, Drovers and
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Stock Raisers' Association, at Haywards, to serve for one year: Pre- sident, Wm. Fulton; Vice-President, William Mattox; Trustees: Mm. Meek, August May, H. D. Ellerhorst; Directors: Wm. Knox, J. A. Mayhew, D. C. Kennedy, C. T. Ward, Jr .- the latter Secretary and Treasurer.
The Democratic County Convention was held at San Leandro on the 25th of April. A resolution was passed highly complimenting Governor Haight, who was proposed, in a strongly-worded resolution, as Democratic candidate for the next President of the United States.
The sales of the association, at Brighton Market, during the last year, amounted to $232,441.81. The largest sale effected in any one market day was $31,888.50, on the 15th of June, 1867. The association had a cash surplus on hand, was free from debt, and had no outstanding accounts. The managers were complimented for the manner in which the affairs of the association had been conducted.
A horse show, under the auspices of the Jockey Club, was held in Haywood on the 5th of May. The attendance was small, but the display of stock excellent. The races of the association lasted three days and were well enjoyed.
The annual election of officers of the Alameda County Agricul- tural Society was held at Haywards on the same day, when were chosen, for President, Wm. Meek; Vice-President, Capt. J. A. Mayhew ; Recording Secretary, C. T. Ward, Jr. ; Corresponding Secretary, I. A. Amerman-all re-elected. J. B. Martin was elected Treasurer, and Wm. Whidden and R. S. Farrelly, Auditing Com- mittee.
The Alameda County Farmers' Club was organized at Haywards, on the 16th day of May. No person was eligible to membership who was not a farmer residing in the county. No subject was per- mitted to be discussed, except what related to agriculture and horti- culture.
Alameda County had a remarkable case of mistaken identity on its hands this year. A man named John Slack was arrested in San Luis Obispo County, in May, by Sheriff Morse, on the supposi- tion that he was John Wilson, who, some thirteen years previous, had murdered a son of Antonio Suñol, in the valley which bears his name. The particulars of the case were narrated in the San Leandro Gazette, of the 30th of May, as follows :
" Most of the old residents about Mission San Jose, and many of our readers in other parts of the county, will remember the circum-
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stances of the killing of young Suñol, on account of some land diffi- culty ; the attempted arrest by the Sheriff; the resistance of the murderer, and his escape and disappearance. This occurred in the spring of 1855. Twelve years passed, and no clue to Wilson's where- abouts could be obtained. About a year ago a Spaniard who had been acquainted with the parties, while passing through the "lower country," saw at San Luis Obispo a man whom he took to be Wilson, and on returning informed the friends of Sunol of the fact. About two months since the matter was put into the hands of Sheriff Morse to be worked up. The Sheriff immediately set at work. He at once ascertained the whereabouts of the man, corresponded with the officers of the county, who quietly made in- quiries and informed Morse of the result. Everything pointed to this man. The necessary warrant was taken out, and the Sheriff started for San Luis Obispo to make the arrest. On making the arrest some little show of resistance was made by the father-in-law of the prisoner, but he was soon quieted. On examination of his charge the Sheriff was more confident than ever that he had his man. The description was perfect-the height, complexion, color of the hair and eyes were the same. The prisoner had the same stoop of his shoulders, downcast look and restless eye that characterized Wilson, and the absence of a tooth from the corner of his mouth. He was brought to San Leandro and placed in jail, although he protested and insisted that his name was Slack, and not Wilson. He stated that in the spring of 1855 he was at work in the mines ; that subsequently he removed to San José, where he was at work on a ranch till the spring of 1860, when he went to Monterey County with a drove of cattle ; and finally settled in San Luis Obispo, where he resided till the time of his arrest. Upon the examination of Slack before Judge Nye, on Monday, the 18th instant, two wit- nesses, one a brother of the murdered man, swore positively that Slack and Wilson were the same person. Other witnesses thought they were the same, but were not positive. One of these latter was present when the murder was committed. When the prosecution closed the case seemed strong against the prisoner. The accused had three witnesses ; one a Mr. Jameson, of Santa Clara County, who swore that he brought Slack across the plains from Missouri in the fall of 1854, and knew of his whereabouts in the spring of 1855, at the time the deed for which he was arrested was committed. A gentleman residing in San Francisco, named Cooksie, swore that he
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
knew the accused in Missouri, and had known him from childhood ; that his name was Slack, and that he always bore a good character. A Mr. Eaton, living in San Francisco, testified that he knew the prisoner in the spring of 1855 ; that his name was Slack ; that they worked together that spring in the mines at Coon Hill, between Mud Springs and Diamond Springs, near Placerville, El Dorado County ; that he had met Slack in Santa Clara in 1860. When the defense closed the prosecution asked for a postponement until the following Saturday, for the purpose of procuring the attendance of an important witness, whose whereabouts had been ascertained since the commencement of the examination. The motion was granted. On the reopening of the examination on Saturday, two other wit- nesses were examined for the prosecution. One testified that this was the man Wilson. A woman who was called as a witness said that the prisoner was not Wilson ; that Wilson had lost two front teeth ; that she knew they were front teeth from the fact that on one occa- sion in conversation Wilson told her that he lost his teeth in a fight with a grizzly bear, but did not know whether they were from the upper or lower jaw, or from the front or the corner of the mouth. The former witness had sworn that Wilson had lost one or two teeth. The prisoner showed that he had had a tooth pulled about a year before, at San Luis Obispo. After the summing up by the respective attorneys, Judge Nye decided that the evidence was insufficient, and discharged the prisoner."
The first number of a new weekly paper, called the Alameda Dem- ocrat, made its appearance in San Leandro on the 6th of June.
The following statement, published by the County Superintendent of Schools, shows the increase of the school population in ten years : The number of children in the county between the ages of four and eigliteen, in 1858, was 1,174. The number between the ages of five and fifteen, in 1868, is estimated at 4,000. The average daily attend- ance upon the public schools, in 1858, was 278; in 1868 it is esti- mated at 1,500. There were sixteen teachers employed in the county in 1858 ; in 1868, forty-eight. There was expended for school pur- poses, in 1858, $9,605 ; the sum expended in 1868 exceeded $40,000.
There was another of those bloody affrays for which the native population had become so noted, which took place at Laddsville on the night of the 29th of June. Two Mexicans named Lazaro Higu- era and Rafael Altamareno got into a dispute over a game of cards. Words brought blows, and Higuera, drawing a knife, attacked Alta-
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mareno, cutting him about the face in a shocking manner, and nearly severing his arm above the elbow. A man named Agatone Ruis in- terfered and told Higuera not to kill Altamareno, when Higuera, now that he had drawn blood, seemed perfectly infuriated, turned and attacked Ruis, who, in self-defence, was compelled to shoot the enraged man. He fired three shots, all of which took effect upon the person of Higuera ; one passing through his breast, another through his arm, and the third through his neck. Sheriff Morse went to arrest Higuera, but he was so seriously wounded he could not be removed.
The Fourth of July was celebrated in Oakland this year with a great deal of spirit and enthusiam, but the joy of the occasion was marred by an appalling accident which occurred at the ferry landing at the end of the railroad wharf, by which about twenty persons were drowned.
There were races at Haywards which were well attended, and the contests quite spirited.
A fire occurred at Vallejo's Mills on July 11th, by which the hotel at that place, kept by Mr. Wm. Jordan and wife, was destroyed. There has not been a good hotel at the place since.
There was a Democratic ratification meeting at San Leandro on Sat- urday, the 18th of July, in honor of the nomination of Seymour and Blair as candidates for the Presidency and Vice-Presidency of the United States. Among the speakers were Governor Haight and Lieut .- Governor Holden. Wm. S. Moss was Chairman, and W. J. Collier, editor of the Democrat, Secretary.
A large and earnest meeting of mechanics in favor of the eight- hour law. was held in Shattuck & Hillegass' Hall, Oakland, on the evening of the 23d of July. C. A. Wetmore called the meeting to order and introduced F. L. Taylor as President of the meeting, and Walter Prosser as Secretary. Mr. Wetmore urged the organization of an association to be called the Mechanics' Institute of Alameda County. Among those who addressed the assemblage were Gen. Winn and Hon. J. W. Dwinelle. The following resolutions were adopted :
Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to draft a plan for the general co-operation of the Eight-hour Mechanics of Alameda County, said plan to be both protective and progressive.
Resolved, That the following gentlemen be appointed to serve on said Committee, and be requested to report within one week : F. L. Taylor, C. A. Wetmore, F. Cook, E. L. Wetmore, B. Radican, J. A.
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Buckingham, W. P. Bagley, John H. Ellis, J. W. Hand, Bellington. This Committee to determine the time and place of next meeting, and to elect its own Chairman.
Resolved, That the mechanics of Alameda County are hereby re- quested to assist in this movement by organizing leagues and protect- ive associations on the eight-hour system.
Resolved, That we recommend the organization of leagues to em- brace all trades in localities in which it may be impracticable to establish them separately.
Resolved, That we petition the Board of Supervisors of Alameda County to pass an ordinance similar to the Eight-hour Ordinance lately passed by the City Council of Oakland.
A splendid new house, but recently erected by Mr. Joseph Dumont, of San Leandro, was destroyed by fire, on the 10th of August. It had not yet been occupied, but was insured for $3,000. The cost of the structure was $4,500. The fire was supposed to be caused by the carelessness of some men who took lodgings among the shavings for the night.
On Sunday, 9th of August, a fatal affray occurred at Ladd's Hotel, Livermore Valley. A man named Hyde, known to be a desperate character, entered Ladd's Hotel and asked for something to drink. As he was already under the influence of liquor, Mr. Ladd refused to let him have anything. Hyde then stepped behind the counter, seized a large water pitcher, and struck Ladd with it on the head, cutting an ugly gash on the temple. This blow he fol- lowed with another from a lager beer mug. Ladd managed to keep his feet and grappled with his assailant. He was no match, how- ever, for his powerful adversary, who soon threw him down, holding him there. While in this position, Mr. Ladd's barkeeper entered and endeavored to separate the combatants, but failing went outside for assistance, and returned to the bar-room with a couple of Mexi- cans. As they entered they heard two reports of a pistol, and on taking Hyde off Ladd, they found a pistol in his hand, with one of his fingers upon the trigger, and the middle of it in Ladd's hand. Hyde was found to have been shot in the abdomen, and on the following day he died from his wound. During an examination, held by Justice Kottinger, into the cause of the man's death, Mr. Ladd stated that after being struck with the pitcher he did not know what occurred until the pistol was fired, and he then supposed he had been himself shot. Some one stated that Hyde had made a
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