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 30
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The recent Supreme Court decision contracting the Livermore Grant to two leagues instead of eleven, as originally claimed by the parties in interest, which latter decision threw into the market some forty thousand acres of Government land, created considerable excitement in the Livermore Valley ; and very many settlers took advantage of this opportunity to select one hundred and sixty acres (quarter section) for a homestead. In several sections they had gone into occupation of land already improved, and on which there was growing erops of grain, and were refusing to allow the claimants to harvest their crops.
The Fourth of July was celebrated throughout the county, with spirit. There was a large gathering at San Lorenzo, which was ad- dressed by General La Grange, who delivered a fine oration, Rev. W. F. B. Lynch, Rev. J. M. Miller, and Rev. A. F. White also par- ticipated.
On Sunday, the Ist of July, one of those disgraceful land feuds, lately so common in California, in consequence of the maladministra- tion of the laws, took place in Moraga Valley, Contra Costa County. The difficulty was between the Moraga family and Isaac Yoakum. On this occasion a Californian in the employ of the Moragas, named Silverio Monjes, was shot and killed by a man named Steele, in the
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employ of Yoakum. So great was the excitement that Yoakum, who held an interest in the land with Horace W. Carpentier, had to leave. A previous case was one of assault on females of the Moraga family by Yoakum, which was tried at Pacheco on the 10th of June, when Yoakum was fined in the sum of $500. In retaliation, Yoa- kum had five of the Moraga girls arrested on a charge of robbery, but the complaint was dismissed.
On the 9th of July a new weekly paper, published by William Halley, and called the Brooklyn Home Journal, made its appearance. It was a local paper, independent in party politics, and generally ex- pressing the views of the independent press, then so potent through- out the State, but principally devoted to local interests.
The American House, at Centreville, was burned to the ground early on the morning of July 5th, when nearly everything in the house was lost. The loss was about $11,000, with an insurance of $6,000. The property was owned by J. W. Mayers.
A meeting was held at Washington, in this county, on Saturday, July Ist, for the purpose of devising measures to secure a site and the requisite means to erect a college building in which to carry on a school, to be known as "The Washington College of Science and In- dustry." E. L. Beard, of Mission San José, was elected Chairman, and Albert Lyser, of San Francisco, Secretary. The object of the enterprise was briefly stated by Superintendent W. F. B. Lynch. In addition to the usual high school course it was the intention to give the school some of those practical features which have made the Polytechnic Schools of France and Prussia so eminently successful. The classical course to extend no further than to fit students to enter the fourth class at the University. The whole subject of vegetable physiology would be taught practically on the ground; surveying would be taught, and in fact a thorough business education includ- ed in the course. Mr. Lynch stated that a sufficient amount had already been subscribed.
At an adjourned meeting, five acres of land belonging to Mr .. Beard, located in the rear of the old Washington-Corner District School lot, were selected. Subsequently the site was changed to. lands on the opposite side of the county road leading to the Mission,. the land being donated by E. L. Beard. The location is a very pleas- ant one, and has good water privileges.
One day in July an Indian named Cenovio called at the Estudillo residence, at San Leandro, and asked for Lieut. Ignacio Martinez,
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
and appeared surprised when he was told that Mr. Martinez had been dead upwards of twenty-four years. Cenovio must have been nearly one hundred years old, if indeed he did not exceed that age. He stated that he was a servant of Mr. Martinez when the latter was an officer in the Mexican army, in 1823, and from his conversa- tion Cenovio must at that time have been well along in years. Lieut. Martinez was grandfather to Mr. J. M. Estudillo. Cenovio was then living near Santa Clara, and looked hale and hearty.
Dr. Lorenzo G. Yates, of Centreville, while out prospecting for geological specimens in the hills in the southern part of the county, unearthed a portion of the inferior maxillary of a mastodon. Its measure was : From front of jaw to the back of the last molar teeth, 24 inches ; width of jaw at angles, 18 inches ; width of jaw midway beween front and rear, 15 inches ; depth of jaw from crown of molar teeth, 9 inches ; thickness of jaw, 9 inches. This specimen exhibited in a marked degree the peculiar process of the shedding and replace- ment of molar teeth. In the jaw, here mentioned, a part of one set of teeth had just been shed, another set were in place, and another set developed in the jaw, ready to replace the others when shed. The jaw was one of the finest ever discovered in California.
Another homicide took place at Mission San José, on the 23d of July, when a man named Edward Donohue was shot and killed by John Dorsey.
This homicide was soon followed by another brutal shooting affair. About three o'clock on Sunday afternoon, 30th of July, a man named Bradley shot and desperately wounded a man named Knuckles, near Livermore. Bradley, to elude his creditors, placed a sum of money in the hands of J. Knuckles. The latter refused to refund. Brad- ley took deliberate aim with a shot-gun and fired. The greater part of the charge entered the lower jaw, tearing away nearly the entire chin, and ripping the flesh down close to the windpipe.
At the election, held on Sept. 6th, for Congressional, State, county and municipal officers, the Republican ticket was successful against the Democratic and Independent tickets put in nomination. Newton Booth, for Governor, received 2,489 votes to Haight's 1,571, making a majority of 918. For Congress, Sargent had 2,510 to Coffroth's 1,528. For Assembly, Pardee and Crane (R.) had, respectively, 2,390 and 2,359 votes to Martin's and Swett's (1.) 1,643 and 1,666. There was great rejoicing among the Republicans for the election of Booth, as his friends did not expect much of a majority, and Gov-
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ernor Haight and his friends were morally sure of success in the State at large.
An entire block of stores was destroyed by fire at Livermore on Tuesday evening, 26th of Sept. The fire broke out about six o'clock, .in Knight & Sproule's drug store, and burnt property estimated at the value of $20,000. Following were the losses : B. Mayer, general merchandise, house total loss, but contents mostly saved ; vacant build- ing belonging to C. Miner, total loss ; Knight & Sproule's drug store, store total loss ; Gætjen, general merchandise and Post-office, portion of stock saved, building a total loss ; A. J. Alviso, barber shop, stock saved, house a total loss ; A. Bardalini, Washington Hotel, portion of the furniture saved, house a total loss. The buildings were all insured, except that of Miner & Gotjen. On Monday afternoon an unoccu- pied building, owned by José Flores, was totally destroyed by fire. Loss, $300. During the extensive conflagration on Tuesday, Dr. Knight was wounded in the forehead by the explosion of a metalic cartridge.
Judge McKee gave a decision in the Oakland Draw Bridge case, in which he declared that the assessment on Alameda property, for the construction of the bridge and roadway, was void, because the Board of Supervisors had exceeded their authority. They then ordered a levy of $3.60 on each $100 of property in Alameda Town- ship, to raise the amount required for the payment of the bridge and roadway.
The newly-elected Board of Supervisors took their seats on the 2d of October, when F. K. Shattuck was elected Chairman for the year.
On Thursday afternoon, October 12th, the Alameda Valley was visited by the most severe storm of wind known for years. The newly-erected and yet unfinished church edifice, at Seminary Park, connected with the Mills' Seminary, was blown to the ground ; the wind-mill of the San Francisco & Alameda Railroad, at San Leandro, was overturned and demolished, and considerable damage done to fruit and shade trees. The storm was hardly felt in San Francisco. In Oakland the wind made matters decidedly lively, but no great damage resulted. With regard to the church, in view of the storm, all the openings were closed up, and, so far as human aid could go, all precaution was taken to prevent the disaster. The bell was hung, but the cupola closed up and the staying taken down ; the windows were all in, the doors hung, and the second coat of plaster on. Mr. Geo. W. Babcock, the builder, had done his work to the entire satis-
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
faction of the architect and to all those interested. It was well braced, and every spot and place was by all considered secure. The building was badly exposed to the gale, coming as it did broadside on. But nothing could have stood before the gale. Redwood posts, 8x8 inches, were broken off close to the ground, like pipe-stems, and the horse-shed carried a distance of one thousand feet before it struck the ground. No harm of any kind happened to the Seminary build- ings, but it blew a hurricane all through that section of the country. Oak trees, that had withstood the storms of ages, were levelled to the earth, and a good deal of damage done.
The San Leandro Union Temperance Association was organized at San Leandro on the 22d of October. The officers were : President, L. Stone; Vice-Presidents, Rev. J. H. Miller, Mrs. C. H. Wicks, Mrs. A. F. White; Secretary, Geo. Beers; Treasurer, Geo. A. David- son; Committee on Membership, Rev. A. F. White, Mrs. Knox, Mrs. Fielding.
On the 1st of November the barn belonging to the County Hos- pital was destroyed by fire. It was a new structure, erected on the site of one built in the previous August. It was completed only the day before, and contained hay and straw valued at $200. It was the fourth attempt to set the Infirmary on fire.
On Saturday, 2d of December, two prisoners, named Pickett and Smith, effected their escape from the County Jail at San Leandro.
About 6 o'clock on Sunday afternoon, December 17th, it com- menced to rain, and continued without ceasing for 60 hours, much to the delight of the farmers, who had hitherto been dreading a dry season. In some places the storm was very severe and did much damage. The railroad between San Lorenzo and Haywards was washed away, and the water in the San Leandro creek rose rapidly.
A wild man named Peavy was shot and killed in Livermore Valley in the latter end of the month, by a man named Mullen, whose life he had threatened.
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BANK
OAKLAND BANK OF SAVINGS, OAKLAND, CAL.
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THE OAKLAND BANK OF SAVINGS.
Corner Broadway and Twelfth Street,
CAPITAL,
-
$1,000,000.
DIRECTORS:
E. C. Sessions, W. W. Camron, W. E. Miller,
Wm. Power, Henry Rogers, A. W. Bowman,
W. A. Aldrich,
E. F. Northam.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
E. C. Sessions, W. E. Miller, Wm. Power.
E. C. SESSIONS. . President.
W. W. CAMRON Vice-President.
CHARLES ROBERTS Cashier.
Term Deposits remaining three full months or more, will be entitled to dividends of interest, which are payable semi-annually.
No Entrance Fees or Charges Made for Bank Books.
Loans made and a general Banking business transacted.
Our own exchange, gold or currency, on New York, available in all parts of the Atlantic States, for sale.
We also furnish exchange at current rates on London, Frankfort-on-the- Man, Berlin and Paris, available in all parts of Europe. Allow the best market rates for gold and currency drafts on New York.
Collections made and proceeds remitted at current rates.
San Francisco correspondents, the ANGLO-CALIFORNIAN BANK, LIMITED.
New York correspondents, the NINTH NATIONAL BANK, NEW YORK.
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
JOHN CARTER. Merchant Onilor
466 EIGHTH ST., OAKLAND.
Best of Goods, Superior Workmanship, Sure Fits and Moderate Charges guaranteed.
GIVE ME A TRIAL.
OAKLAND DEPOT
-FOR-
Butterick's Patterns
Cut Paper Patterns of all kinds, comprising every kind of gar- ment worn by ladies, misses, girls, boys, little children and infants; gentlemen's Shirt Patterns included. Also, E. Butterick & Co's celebrated Shears and Scissors. Patterns sent by mail on receipt of number, size and price. Send for Illustrated Catalogue of Patterns, to
JOHN I. TAY,
965 BROADWAY, OAKLAND, CAL.
UNDER THE STARS AND STRIPES.
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CHAPTER XXIV.
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THE EVENTS OF 1872.
Winter, Wet and Stormy-Reclamation Lands Served-Death of Jas. B. Larue-The County Seat Fight-Repeated Efforts of Oakland and Persistent Resistance of the Townships-Close Contest in the Legislature-Supervisors Refuse an Election-The Question in the Third District Court-A Library Association in San Lean- dro-A Bill Favoring Ramie Culture-Incorporation of San Leandro-Opening of Washington College-Boundary Dispute with San Francisco-Moraga Troubles-Another Shock-Open- ing of Badger's Grand Central Park-Procopio, alias Rodendo, Sentenced-Isaac Yoakum Shot-A Mirage on the Bay-Death of Hon. E. D. Lewelling-San Joaquin Boundary-Distressing Accident to a Portuguese Family at San Leandro- Loss of Life and Property by Fire at San Leandro-Republican Convention at San Leandro-Porter, the Favorite for Congress, but Page Nominated at Sacramento-Death of Wm. Gagan-Farmer's Club Started-Catholic Church at Livermore-Clinton Annexa- tion-New Church at Seminary Park-Brooklyn Annexed to Oakland-Alameda Votes Against Annexation-Death of Hon. Edward Tompkins-New Board of Supervisors-Death of Timothy Rix-The Niles Bridge-Corner Stone of the Univers- ity Building Laid at Berkeley-Legislative Enactments.
The winter of 1871-2 was the periodical time for a flood, and was very wet and stormy. The flood of December was followed by another in January. Railroad communication was very much in- terrupted, and in many places roadbeds were washed away. By the first of the year no less than 21 inches of rain had fallen in San Francisco-more than was ever known before. The trains on the Central Pacific road stopped running. Considerable damage was done at Mission San José, where the water had come down in tor- rents from the mountains, and swept through the streets in rushing
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
and roaring streams. The marsh lands of E. L. Beard, which were in course of reclamation, were greatly served by this flood, as it carried a great deal of surface soil upon them and left quite a thick coating of clay, while little damage was done the dykes. More or less injury was done all over the State, but the advantage gained in a thorough soaking of the ground and the destruction of squirrels and gophers was considerable, and, at least, quite a sufficient offset.
Early in the year Oakland lost one of her most prominent and enterprising pioneer citizens. On Sunday, Jan. 7, died, at Brooklyn, Mr. Jas. B. Larue, the founder of the town. He was an active bus- iness man, discriminating and far-seeing. He was in the seventy- second year of his age, having been born in the year 1800. As a biographical sketch of him will be found elsewhere, it is not neces- sary here to dwell further on the events of his useful life.
SECOND YEAR OF THE COUNTY SEAT FIGHT.
The county-seat removal question was at this time very prominent. The Legislature was in session. The Oakland men were very per- sistent in their efforts ; they had a better opportunity to work to advantage in this year's Legislature than that of 1870, as they had a representative in both branches. Senator Tompkins warmly espoused their cause in the Senate, and Doctor Pardee in the Assembly. They had an energetic lobby, and an indefatigable agent in Harry Linden.
Neither were the people of Eden idle or at a disadvantage. They were well organized, and had the support and sympathy of all the county outside of Oakland City. Assemblyman Crane took up the cause of his country constituents ; the Board of Supervisors, except- ing the Oakland delegate, were a unit in favor of San Leandro ; an able delegation, consisting of Hon. I. A. Amerman and John Nugent, watched over their interests at Sacramento, where they had the sup- port of some of the ablest men on both sides of both houses. On one side the cry raised was convenience, and, on the other, cost. The Oakland people maintained that they supplied the greater part of the business transacted at the county seat, which was nine miles distant from them. There were the principal lawyers and profes- sional men, the banks and real estate agents of the county. The Edenites maintained that San Leandro was more central ; that it was accessible and convenient for all parts of the county, and was served by two railroads ; that the county was in possession of a valuable piece of property, which was donated to it by the Estudillo family,
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which would revert to the original owners in case of disuse of the purpose for which it was granted ; that county offices, a Court house and jail, sufficient for the wants of the county, were already erected ; and that removal would entail great expense on the people for new county buildings and grounds upon which to erect them.
The Oaklanders met some of these objections by showing that the upper portion of the City Hall could be used for years yet to come for county offices ; that a fire-proof hall of records could be built on the city property adjoining the City Hall ; or, in case of failure in this, the two city plazas, consisting of two town blocks in the lower part of the city, on Broadway, could be secured for the purpose of county buildings.
Oakland had a committee, or an association, established, called the Citizens' Union, which directed the agitation in favor of removal, and of which Mr. Harry Linden was agent. A petition was pre- pared and names sought for it all over the county, and active steps taken for legislative action. This aroused the Eden people, who also held meetings and organized. Their first public meeting was held in the Court-house, San Leandro, on the 10th of January, 1872. It was addressed by I. A. Amerman, John Nugent, of Eden ; R. S. Farrelly and A. H. Griffith, of Brooklyn; and J. R. Palmer, of Murray. A committee was appointed to report a plan of action and resolutions, consisting of County Judge Nye and four of the gentle- men already mentioned.
The following resolutions were adopted :
WHEREAS, Certain people in the City of Oakland are endeavoring to remove the county seat of Alameda County from its present cen- tral location to the City of Oakland, and
WHEREAS, Said removal is contrary to the wishes of a large majority of the tax-payers of Alameda County ; therefore, be it
Resolved, That our Senator and Members of Assembly be, and they are hereby earnestly requested to delay any action upon the petition for the removal of the county seat until they receive a remonstrance of the tax-payers who are opposed to such removal.
Resolved, That a copy of the above proceedings be forwarded to the Senator and members of Assembly of Alameda County, duly certified by the Chairman and Secretary.
A committee, having a representative in every school district in the county, was appointed to procure names to a remonstrance, which in due time was forwarded to Sacramento, largely signed.
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
Mr. Amerman having been commissioned to go to Sacramento to watch legislation and defeat action there, immediately after his arrival addressed a communication to Senator Tompkins, in which he put to that gentleman six leading questions touching removal. Mr. A.'s communication was dated the 17th of January, and the Senator's answer came promptly on the 18th, and in which he took strong ground favorable to the Oakland agitation.
Then followed a public meeting, in Brayton Hall, Oakland, on the 24th of January, at which the following preamble and resolutions were adopted :
WHEREAS, It has become necessary for the accommodation of a large majority of the citizens of Alameda County, that the county scat of said county should be removed to the City of Oakland, and a petition of the voters of said county has been presented to the Legislature of the State asking the passage of a law authorizing such removal, and
WHEREAS, Objections to said removal are being made by some, on the ground that a heavy debt would be incurred by such removal in the purchase of land and the erection of the necessary buildings for county purposes ; it is therefore
Resolved, By the citizens of Oakland that the second story of the City Hall shall be finished at the expense of the city, and partitioned into suitable rooms for the District Court, the County and Probate Courts, the Sheriff, the District Attorney, the Grand Jury, the Petit Jury, the County Surveyor, and the Judge's Chambers, and that rooms shall be provided on the first floor of said hall for the Board of Supervisors and the Superintendent of Public Schools, and in the basement of said hall, if required, room sufficient for a jail. And . that the city will also dedicate to the county a lot of land, pareel of the City Hall lot, situated in the southwest corner of the same, fifty feet wide, on Fourteenth street, by one hundred feet in depth, for the purpose of erecting a hall of records for the use of the County Re- corder, County Clerk and County Treasurer. And that the use and control of said rooms and said land shall be vested in the Board of Supervisors of Alameda County, for so long a time as said Board may use and occupy them for the purposes aforesaid.
Resolved, That the Secretary of this meeting transmit to our Senator and Representatives, and to the City Council, a copy of these resolutions.
Messrs. F. K. Shattuck, E. C. Sessions, John Benton and Dr.
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Samuel Merritt, were appointed to see that the matter was brought before the Legislature.
At a meeting of the City Council, held on the 29th of January, a bill was presented and adopted, which was sent to the Hon. Mr. Tompkins, for introduction in the Senate.
The bill provided for an election to determine the future loca- tion of the county seat-San Leandro or Oakland.
In case of the success of the latter, the City Hall of Oakland was to be fitted up for the use of the county officers ; the basement of the same given up for a jail ; and furthermore, a piece of ground, 50 feet front by 150 feet in depth, granted on Fourteenth street, for the purpose of building a fire-proof Hall of Records thereon ; and bonds issued for the purpose of erecting the necessary build- ings thereupon. The bill provided that the removal should be at the expense of the county ; but the rooms in the City Hall were to be fitted up at the expense of the City of Oakland.
Tuesday, the 17th of February, was the day fixed for the dis- cussion of the bill in the Senate. The bill was read by the Clerk, Mr. Ferrall, in a distinct voice, after which Senator Tompkins rose and offered a series of amendments, meeting some of the objections that had been raised to the bill ; among which was one providing for the use of the plazas in Broadway for county purposes, and another, making the City of Oakland liable for the election expenses in case of a defeat at the polls. His argument was strong, plausible, and persuasive. In his masterly manner he portrayed the justice of his cause, and delivered an exceedingly able argument. No one in that Senate Chamber knew better how. He had all the facts and figures of the case to perfection, and placed them in a manner best calculated to enforce his opinions. Oakland was fortunate in possess- ing so able an advocate. He was one of the most brilliant men that ever shone in a California Legislature, and in point of ability and effectiveness was superior to every man there. Not a point was lost, not an advantage left untouched. All he wanted was a vote on the question. Nothing was fairer than that the will of the majority should be respected and their demands granted.
Senator Pendegast, of Napa, was expected to reply. The San Leandro lobby depended upon him. He was considered next to Alameda's Senator, the most eloquent man in the Senate. But no reply came from him.
Senator Larkin, of El Dorado, objected to the bill, because it was
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a species of special legislation, while there was a general law to cover the case.
In Senator Farley, of Amador, however, the Edenites found their strongest champion. He espoused their cause warmly, and he was a power. He was chairman pro-tem of the Senate, and the leader of the Democrats in that House. He referred to the remonstrance that had been presented against the bill, which he said contained 500 more names than the petition in favor of it. The Board of Super- visors of the county, he said, were all opposed to it, with one excep- tion, and had officially so declared ; he showed that the townships represented by the Supervisors contained 13,133 inhabitants, while the population of the City of Oakland was but 11,104. He main- tained that there were facts to show that the county seat was best situated where it then was, to serve a majority of the people of the county. He had seen so many discreditable proceedings in con- nexion with county seat removals, that he was cautious in such matters. Senators Maclay, of Santa Clara, and Minis, of Yolo, followed on the same side, and Tompkins had to reply to them all ; and this he did ably and clearly, meeting their objections in the most forcible manner. But there was an asperity in his manner and a bitterness in his tone that was unpleasant.
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