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 26
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The hall of Sycamore Lodge No. 129, I. O. O. F., was publicly dedicated, on Friday evening, April 30th, 1869, in the presence of a large number of persons, members and friends of the order, drawn together to witness the interesting ceremony. The M. W. Grand Master, C. S. Haswell, officiated, assisted by a number of other Grand Officers. There was a ball in the evening, which was a highly successful affair. The hall is an imposing two-story frame building, occupying an elevated position, 40 feet front by 70 feet deep.
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
Judge Asa Walker, of Brooklyn, committed suicide on Thursday, the 13th of May, by drowning himself in Lake Merritt. He was seen to walk into the water and lie down there, and soon after his lifeless body was seen floating near the shore. A Coroner's jury, summoned by Justice Rector, found a verdict that deceased came to his death while laboring under a fit of temporary insanity, caused by recent sickness. Judge Walker was sixty-seven years of age, and a native of the State of Maine. He was an old resident of Brook- lyn, one of its earliest residents, and held the office of Justice for many years, as well as having served a term in the State Legislature. He was a man of strong opinions, and of progressive ideas, a good citizen, an efficient officer, and in his family and social relations uni- versally esteemed.
At a meeting of the Alameda Agricultural Society, held at Hay- wards on Monday, May 10th, it was agreed to discontinue the society, and arrangements were made to pay up all liabilities, which amounted to about $600. There were no spring races, as hitherto.
Real estate had taken a new start, and lots sold for $200 each. Land sold for $200 per acre. Edmondson's new warehouse was re- erected on the old location.
In May of this year the velocipede mania was raging in every town in the county.
The Gazette of May 22d remarked with regard to a natural curios- ity : " We have in our possession a piece of sandstone rock, taken out of a quarry in the vicinity of Livermore tunnel, which has distinctly impressed upon its surface the figure of an oak leaf, with nearly every vein clearly defined. It was blasted out of a solid rock twenty- five feet from the surface, and was presented to us by Mr. Beckford, of the engineer corps at the tunnel."
The Sacramento Record of May 20th stated that there was filed in the office of the Secretary of State the certificate of incorporation of the San Lorenzo Creek Water Company, the objects of which were to appropriate, hold and enjoy, exclusively, all the waters of the creek known as the San Lorenzo, and its tributaries, in the County of Alameda, and to supply pure, fresh water to the inhabitants of the town of Hayward, the town of San Lorenzo, and the inhabitants of Alameda County generally, for the purpose of general and common use, and for irrigation. Capital stock, $120,000 ; principal place of business, San Leandro ; trustees, A. L. Fuller, Wm. Meek, and G. E. Smith.
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At a Catholic festival, in aid of the church at San Leandro, on 25th, 26th, and 27th of May, there was realized $1,000 net.
Rev. J. M. Alexander, first pastor of the San Leandro Presby- tertan Church, resigned his charge on Sunday, May 23d. He was compelled to abandon the ministry on account of ill health.
A dispatch, dated Washington, June 3d, announced General O. H. LaGrange, of San Leandro, to be appointed Superintendent of San Francisco Mint.
At a meeting of the Regents of the State University, held on Tuesday, June Ist, it was resolved that suitable buildings be obtained in Oakland, and the University put in operation on first day of Sep- tember following, without any connection with the College of Cali- fornia. Gen. Stoneman was put in nomination for President of the University.
The Gazette, of June 12th, contained the following : Mr. Hille- brand, the urbane City Clerk of Oakland, paid a visit to this town a few days since, to record that " little deed," the real estate plaster to cure all the ills that Oakland is heir to. He was saluted as Mr. Carpentier, Mr. Cost, Mr. Sam Clarke, Mr. Pretermitted Heir, and other like names, indicative of distinguished consideration, but so multiplied that he must have done his level best to preserve his indi- viduality. "The Kate Hays title " was not included.
Dr. Henry Haile, an old and useful citizen, died at his residence, in Alameda, on Tuesday, June 15th. He was a native of Vermont, and came to California in 1853, when he located in Alameda.
A terrible accident occurred at Bulmer Hill, near Dublin, on the 17th of June, by the upsetting of a stage containing about twenty passengers. Several persons were seriously injured, and the driver, Oliver P. Perkins, killed.
The Union Bank of Savings was opened on the 1st day of July, in Oakland, with A. C. Henry, as President.
The wheat crop was set down this year as a failure, from rust. From Oakland to Mission San José there was scarcely a piece of wheat worth harvesting.
The national anniversary was celebrated at San Lorenzo. Patriotic speeches were made by Judge Crane, S. P. Wright, Rev. L. R. Clark and others.
At the Union Convention, in San Leandro, July 17th, there were two delegations from Oakland; one elected on the Porter plan ; the other the old way. Matters had to be reconciled.
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
The Catholics of the Mission of San José contracted for the build- ing of a new church edifice on the site of the one destroyed by the earthquake. Main building 47x77 ; a bell-tower, ten feet square, increased the frontage to fifty feet. This, it was expected, would be one of the finest churches in the State.
The Mutual Provident Association, of Oakland, was organized, with N. W. Spaulding as President.
Gen. John S. Chipman, formerly a resident of Alameda County, died at San José on Tuesday, 27th July, of paralysis, in the sixty- eighth year of his age. Deceased was a native of Vermont, and was educated to the law. In early life he settled in Michigan, where he obtained considerable eminence as a Democratic politician. About nineteen years ago he came to California and opened a law office in San Francisco, and soon acquired a lucrative practice. He subse- quently removed to Alameda and took an active part in its affairs.
The Western Pacific Railroad paid as high as $300 per acre for the land adjoining San Lorenzo. Between Vallejo's Mills and San Leandro the average price was $150. That was the price paid for the site of Decoto.
Fruits and vegetables were to be the crops for the coming year, on account of the wheat failure.
The Oakland Transcript was purchased by Col. John Scott, and converted into a Democratic organ.
Mr. C. J. Stevens erected a new flouring mill at Laddsville, Liver- more Valley, which commenced running in September, 1869.
This year an Independent party was formed in the county, and a ticket put in the field, headed by Edward Tompkins for State Sena- tor. The Democrats made no nominations.
The result of the election, which was held on the 1st day of Sep- tember, was as follows-a portion of both the Republican and Inde- pendent tickets having been elected :
For County Recorder-B. S. Marston, 1,282; Morris W. Levy, 1,282. Tie.
For Superintendent Schools-A. L. Fuller (R.), 1,293; W. F. B. Lynch (I.), 1,358. Majority for Lynch 65.
For County Assessor-E. Hunt (R.), 1,237; J. V. Webster, 1,143. Majority for Hunt, 194.
For District Attorney-S. P. Wright (R.), 1,310; W. J. Walker, 1,301. Majority for Wright, 9.
For County Surveyor-Luis Castro (R.), 1,301; Jas. T. Stratton (I.), 1,272. Majority for Castro, 29.
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For County Coroner-P. C. Rector (R.), 1,290; Geo. H. Fogg (I.), 1,324. Majority for Fogg, 34.
For State Senator-Edward Tompkins (I.), 1,417; F. K. Shattuck (R.), 1,185. Majority for Shattuck, 232.
For Assemblymen-W. Whidden (R.), 1,245; E. D. Lewelling (R.), 1,392. Wm. C. Blackwood (I.), 1,253; Daniel Inman (I), 1,268. Majority for Lewelling, 139; for Inman, 23.
For Sheriff-H. N. Morse (R.), 1,534; Erasmus D. Brown (I.), 1,073. Majority for Morse, 461.
For County Clerk-I. A. Amerman (R.), 1,266. Geo. E. Smith, 1,341. Majority for Smitlı, 75.
For County Treasurer-R. A. McClure (R.), 1,324; John Threl- fall (I.), 1,282. Majority for McClure, 42.
For Public Administrator-W. P. Gibbons (R.), 1,340; C. Whip- ple (I.), 1,270. Majority for Gibbons, 70.
For Supervisor Alameda Township-L. Faskings (R.), 87; Jas. Mil- lington (I.), 66. Faskings' majority, 21.
For Supervisor Brooklyn Township-D. Cameron (R.), 257; G. W. Adams (I.), 52. Cameron's majority, 205.
For Supervisor Eden Township-J. B. Marlin (R.), 213; Wm. Hayward (I.), 231. Haywards' majority, 18.
For Supervisor Murray Township-Hiram Bailey (R.), 122; Thos. Scott (I.), 126. Majority for Scott, 4.
For Supervisor Oakland Township-A. C. Henry (R.), 582; A. C. Dietz (I.), 430. Majority for Henry, 152.
For Supervisor Washington Township-L. E. Osgood (R.), 176; M. W. Dixon (I.), 202. Majority for Dixon, 26.
There was much rejoicing at San Leandro on the arrival there of the first train of the Western Pacific Railroad, through from Sacra- mento, on Monday evening, September 6th.
At the judicial election, held on Wednesday, Oct. 20, the follow- ing were elected : For Justices Supreme Court, Lorenzo Sawyer (R.), 944 ; O. C. Pratt (R.), 605 ; J. B. Crockett (D.), 941 ; W. T. Wal- lace (D.), 584. District Judge, McKee (D.), 986 ; Spencer (R.), 553. Crockett, Wallace and McKee were elected.
At a special election held on 25th of October, the former vote hav- ing been a tie, B. S. Marston (R.) received 783 votes, and M. W. Levy (I.) 649. Marston's majority, 134.
Notice was given at Sacramento, 28th of October, that the Wes- tern Pacific Railroad and San Francisco Bay Railroad had amalga-
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
mated and consolidated into a new company, with Leland Stanford, C. P. Huntington, Mark Hopkins, Chas. Crocker, E. B. Crocker, F. H. Miller, Jr., and A. P. Stanford as Directors. Capital, $10,000,- 000. The Bay Railroad Company had only organized a few weeks before.
During the 6th, 7th and 8th of October there raged a destructive fire in the foot-hills north of Oakland, by which much damage was done and property destroyed. It originated in the works of the Contra Costa Water Company, from a fire of brushwood kindled by some of the workmen. The fire crept gradually from the hills to the Telegraph road, leading out of the city, and destroyed the resi- dence of Rev. Mr. White, with its furniture. Stacks of hay, belong- ing to Mr. Colby and Mr. R. D. Pryal, of considerable value, were burned. Finally, the fire reached as far north as the University grounds, destroying a large quantity of standing hay, timber and grass, and was only subdued after traveling over some 15,000 acres of ground.
On the 15th of October the lovers of the turf were gratified by the opening of a new race track, which is situated on the edge of the salt marsh in Brooklyn Township. This track was the joint venture of Messrs. Geo. Treat, A. W. Swett and Lloyd Tevis. It was called the Pacific Race Track, and was inaugurated with a $5,000 trotting race, the best three in five, between "Harvest Queen " and " Ven- ture." The former won the race and took the money. The races lasted three days.
On the 21st of October the Oakland Transcript announced, on authority of President Stanford, that on the 1st of November the Western Pacific R. R. Co. would take formal possession of the Oak- land Ferry, and that on that date commutation tickets would be reduced to $3.00 per month, and hourly trips introduced.
The annual meeting of the Alameda Jockey Club took place at Haywards, on the 27th of October. The town was full of people, and many of the principal stock men of the county were on hand. The racing lasted four days, during which the speed of all the lead- ing horses in the surrounding country was tested.
The last rail of the Pacific Railroad was laid on the 29th of October, in Oakland, and the first locomotive of the line entered that city at five minutes after 10 o'clock A. M. of that day. The Reindeer was the name of the locomotive, and attached to her was a construction train, which passed down to the Point. On the 8th
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of November, the first passenger through train started from Oakland Point, at half past eight o'clock in the morning, stopping a moment at Broadway station. At a quarter before 12 o'clock two large trains from the East arrived, and at 2 o'clock a long construction train passed down to the Point. The first through overland train arrived in Oakland at five minutes past 5 o'clock. It stopped at the Broadway station for a moment and then passed down to the wharf, at a high rate of speed, amid general rejoicing.
CURTIS CO
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
BACON'S Palace of Sweets,
965 BROADWAY, OAKLAND.
Pure Confections and Fine Chocolates a Specialty.
Received Daily, per Bacon's Express, from five of the most prominent Manufacturers in San Francisco.
JAS. H. BACON, Proprietor.
FOR LATEST STYLES OF DRESS HATS, GO TO
M. BRINK, The Oakland Hatter.
A large Assortment of Stiff and Soft
FELT HATS AND CAPS, Also Fine Selection of STRAW AND PANAMA HATS.
LATEST CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK AND PARIS STYLES.
Don't forget the OAKLAND HAT MANUFACTORY, M. BRINK, 929 BROADWAY.
JOHN H. REDSTONE,
COUNSELOR-AT-LAW AND SOLICITOR OF PATENTS,
461 Ninth Street (Over the Post Office), OAKLAND.
Will attend to Patent Suits in the Federal Courts, and procure UNITED STATES AND FOREIGN PATENTS FOR INVENTORS. Furnish Models on short notice, and assist Inventors in perfecting their inventions. Taxes and Annuities paid on existing European Patents, and Patents worked according to the requirements of Law. No extra charge for translations.
283
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CHAPTER XXII.
FROM THE COMPLETION OF THE CENTRAL PACIFIC RAILROAD TO THE CENSUS OF 1870.
1869 Continued-Dreadful Railroad Accident at Simpson's Station- Many Persons Killed and Wounded-How the Sufferers were Re- lieved-A Coroner's Inquest Declared the Cause of the Accident to be the Ignorance of a Switchman-Funeral Obsequies in Oakland- The Mortgage Tax Struck from the Assessment Roll by the Board of Equalization-The County Infirmary Condemned.
The sounds of joy and gladness consequent upon the completion of the Overland Railroad and the passage of its trains through the City of Oakland had hardly died away, when a disaster oocurred that changed everything into gloom. Indeed, it may be said that the new road was baptized in blood, for, six days later-on Sunday morn- ing, the 14th of November, 1869-the most frightful accident that ever occurred in California happened on the road, within a few miles of its western terminus, at Simyson's Station, Brooklyn Township. It was caused by a collision between the train of the Alameda and Hayward's road going west and the Eastern-bound train, on the Western or Central Pacific, which left Oakland Point but a few min- utes before.
The following particulars of the sad event are taken from the Ala- meda County Gazette, then published at San Leandro, and within three miles west of which town the catastrophe occurred :
The most frightful railroad accident that has ever occurred in Cali- fornia, was that of Sunday morning last, between the Alameda- bound train on the Alameda Railroad and the Eastward-bound train on the Western Pacific Railroad, about three miles below San Lean- dro. About half an hour after the train left this place, a young man, named Spear, came dashing into town on horseback and announced the catastrophe. A freight train with two locomotives attached was standing on the side track at this station, awaiting the arrival of
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
the Eastward-bound train. The conductor of this train was imme- diately informed of the disaster, and the telegraph operator sent the news to head-quarters. The engineers did not dare to leave the station without orders. The news had spread like wildfire through the town, and but a few moments elapsed ere every conveyance, public and private, was engaged to convey the anxious inhabitants of San Leandro to the scene of the accident ; and the railroad track was lined with pedestrians who were unable to get conveyances. The scene presented upon our arrival beggars description. The wrecked trains, with their engines and cars smashed and shivered, the groans and shrieks of the wounded, the mutilated remains of the dead, the tumult and confusion of those who were endeavoring to render assistance, combined to make the picture horrible in the extreme, and indelibly impress it upon the memory of every be- holder. The Alameda train consisted of the locomotive F. D. Atherton, one box car, three passenger cars, smoking car, and one express and baggage car. The Western Pacific train consisted of the locomotive Sonoma, two express and baggage cars, smoking car, two passenger cars, and one sleeping car. The Alameda train passed San Leandro Station nearly on time (8:45) and was due at Simpson's, the junction of the two roads, at 8:55. The Eastward- bound train of the Western Pacific Railroad left Oakland wharf at 8:30, and was also due at Simpson's at 8:55.
At the time of the accident the sun was shining brightly at San Leandro, but in the direction of Alameda could be seen a heavy bank of fog, which, at the scene of the accident, was said to be so dense that objects could not be distinguished fifty yards. The engineer of the Alameda train, the only living witness who can speak under- standingly of the subject, saw the Western Pacific train approaching. To pull the whistle, shut down breaks, was the work of an instant, and having done so, he shouted to the fireman to jump for his life, and then leaped from the engine. He struck the ground, rolled over two or three times and then heard a terrible crash; the two engines had smashed into atoms, and for a moment he was enveloped in the scalding, escaping steam. Then came the groans and shrieks of the wounded, the agonized cries of the mangled and torn sufferers and hasty exodus of the affrighted who were uninjured. Two cars were " telescoped " on each train ; one run into and through the other like the shutting of a spy-glass or telescope. The telescoped cars of the Western Pacific train exhibited a most terrible sight. In one end
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of the car were some sixteen men, most of them dead-all of them injured-jammed and tangled with a mass of sticks, splinters and iron. The work of breaking away the outer shell of the car seemed terribly slow to the sympathizing laborers, and doubly so to the poor sufferers within, to whom the interval between the rapid blows of the deliverers' axes seemed as an age to their moments of agony. But two persons were killed on the Alameda train-the fireman, Martin, and one passenger. The noise of the crash attracted peo- ple to the spot from the neighboring farms and dwellings, couriers were dispatched for axes and other implements to clear away the wreck, and telegrams were sent to the nearest stations. Those who were present immediately set to work with all their might and ener- gies to extricate the passengers from the ruins. Following is a list of the dead and wounded :
THE DEAD.
John D. McDonald, Road Master on the California Pacific (Val- lejo) Railroad.
Max Ehrman, a merchant at the Mission San José.
George Thompson, fireman on the Western Pacific train.
Charles Martin, fireman on the Alameda train.
James Conley, a farmer residing at Corral Station, Livermore Val- ley.
Ritchison Peterson, identified by papers in his pockets. Identified as a member of Wildey Encampment, No. 22, I. O. O. F., San Fran- cisco.
David Wand, dry goods merchant, San Francisco, and brother-in- law of Ehrman.
Judge Alexander W. Baldwin, known to his friends as "Sandy" Baldwin, Judge of the United States District Court of Nevada.
Edward Anderson, engineer on the Western Pacific train.
Arsene Bonllet, French Private School, corner of Fifth and Frank- lin Streets, Oakland.
Bronce H. Fox, identified by his ticket.
Frank B. Millikin, brakeman on the Western Pacific train.
J. P. Lowell, of Sacramento, leather dealer; taken from the wreck alive, but died of his injuries.
Thomas F. Sandoz, a native of Natchez, Mississippi, aged 48 years. THE WOUNDED.
Following are the names of the wounded, most of whom were taken to Dr. Trenor's private hospital at Alameda, with a description of their injuries :
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
1
Seth Bromley, pilot of the Stockton boat, right ankle terribly shattered, rendering amputation necessary below the knee.
J. R. Helens, of San Francisco, left leg and hand and foot bruised.
James F. Kapp, formerly proprietor of the Gazette, head and right leg bruised.
Simon Meloche, of San Francisco, hip dislocated, with a number of contusions.
Thomas MeNulty, San Francisco, fracture of the fibula and bruises ; able to be sent to his residence.
G. Leighton, Rocklin, Placer County, leg broken.
Philip Ruly, Stockton, shoulder dislocated and severely bruised.
Noel Langton, an employee on the Western Pacific road, both legs broken.
Patrick Mehan, San Francisco, leg bruised and severe internal injuries.
E. F. Fitch, Cosumnes, school teacher, leg broken.
Joseph L. Perkins, employee on the Western Pacific road, badly injured internally.
C. E. Needham, of Bantas Station, leg broken.
S. M. B. Haly, San Francisco, injured internally.
Judge William Campbell, of Nevada, leg broken.
Robert MeLaughlin, brakeman on the Alameda train, seriously injured.
Robert Owens, conductor on the Alameda train, seriously injured. John L. Beard, Mission San José, foot badly injured.
T. W. Finlayson, teacher at Washington Corners, leg badly injured and face cut.
J. J. Hill, of San Francisco, injured in one of hips and hands, having been thrown up into the car at a distance extending over five seats.
J. H. Downer, wounded in the head.
Wells, Fargo & Co.'s messenger, badly hurt.
M. L. Taylor, of Chicago, bruised.
Two Chinamen were badly bruised.
As soon as the dead and wounded had been removed, a large gang of men were set at work to clear away the wreck. A side track was constructed around the debris, so that the evening trains could pass.
It is a pleasing duty to record the noble and heroic conduct of the women residing in the vicinity of the accident, in assisting to allevi- ate the sufferings of the wounded, and in rendering those delicate
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attentions that woman's hand alone can render. They contributed liberally of linen, lint and bandages, assisted the surgeons in their nerve-trying duties, and their noble efforts relieved many a sufferer who will forever remember them with gratitude and thanks. One lady, a passenger on the Western Pacific train (whose name we did not learn), rendered signal assistance in attending to the wounded. As soon as they were taken out, she tore up her linen skirts to inke bandages, and was unremitting in her attentions, accompany- ing the wounded to Alameda.
The San Leandro people were among the first to reach the place, and they were not idle spectators. On every hand we saw the familiar faces of our neighbors, ministering to the wounded and carefully carrying those who were horribly mutilated, or working amidst the wreck rescuing those who were confined in the debris. Doctors Coleman, Fox and Pratt, of this place, were the first physi- cians upon the ground, and zealously labored to relieve the sufferings of the wounded. There were a great many narrow escapes. Mrs. Huff and sister, of San Leandro, were riding in the second passenger car of the Alameda train, and were seated about the centre of the car. They occupied two seats, Mrs. H. riding backwards. In the seat ahead of the ladies sat Mr. Bonllet. When the collision took place, this car " telescoped " into the forward car about half its length. Mr. Boullet was killed but the ladies escaped with only slight con- tusions about the ankles.
Soon after the accident occurred, W. B. Clement, Justice of the Peace of Alameda and ex-officio Coroner, was on the spot and took charge of the bodies. A jury was immediately summoned and em- panellel on the spot. After viewing the bodies and premises they adjourned, to meet at Alameda Station on Monday evening. The following gentlemen composed the jury : F. M. Campbell, C. F. Wood, A. D. Bacon, F. K. Shattuck, Robinson Gibbons and Charles Wooil.
Drs. Malcolm, Nicholson, Van Wyke and Trainer hurried at once to the scene of the disaster and gave their aid to the wounded. The worst wounded were transferred to the sleeping car of the, Central Pacific train. Others were taken away in hacks or in the private vehicles that soon appeared upon the spot. The Alameda Park Insane Asylum furnished a convenient and comfortable hos- pital for the wounded, and hither they were brought in the sleeping car and received further attention from the medical gentlemen already mentioned, who were further reinforced by the presence of Drs. Gibbons,
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