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 37
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UNDER THE STARS AND STRIPES.
pitted against her. It was no longer pretty talk and good-natured discussion. Affairs took a decidedly rude turn, and the ladies were finally forced to yield the streets and retreat to their tent, while the battle at the ballot-box went largely against them. The result at the close was that 201 votes were given for license, and only 108 against. The newspaper controversy that followed was very warm. The San Francisco Post and Chronicle, and the Oakland News were very severe in their comments on the conduct of the license men ; while the Alta and Transcript espoused their cause, and defended them against the onslaughts of their adversaries.
License was now in the ascendant in the county, having carried three out of the five township elections held, and Eden alone remained to determine whether it should be an equally divided victory or an overwhelming defeat for the temperance army. The election was fixed for the 11th day of July. The rudeness practiced at Alameda it was feared would be renewed in Eden, and matters took a deci- dedly belligerent turn. A strong police force, headed by Sheriff Morse, was on hand to prevent disorder, and many of the temperance men went armed. Even guns were held in readiness. The most prominent men and women in each town in the township-which embraced Haywards, San Leandro, San Lorenzo and Mount Eden- were ranged with the temperance ticket, regardless of party or poli- tical proclivity. Here Judge Russell, head of the Temperance Al- liance, was at home. The usual workers on both sides at the other elections were on hand, women as well as men. No disturbance took place, and the only arrest made was of a couple of contraband kegs of lager at San Leandro. These were carried off from their hiding place on the margin of the creek, in triumph, and confiscated by the Sheriff. The contest promised to be very close, but the count of the ballots in the evening unfolded another license victory. The majority was small, but it confirmed the unpopularity of the new law.
Following were the returns received from each polling place: San Leandro-For License, 79; against, 87. Haywards-For License, 101; against, 93. San Lorenzo-For License, 79; against, 55. Mount Eden-For License, 49; against, 9. Total majority for Li- cense in the township, 61.
Summing up the total result in the county by townships, the fol- lowing result was obtained:
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
For License.
Against.
Alameda Township,
- 201
108
Brooklyn
66
267
351
Eden
308
244
Oakland
-
- 1,038
1,291
Murray
-
384
170
Washington
184
167
2,382
2,331
Showing a majority of 51 in favor of the license cause.
The total result, however, did not influence the result in each se- parate township, which was to exercise its own local option.
In Oakland and Brooklyn the saloons did not close at the appointed time, and forty-four warrants were served by the Sheriff in one day, for violations of the law. Convictions were had; but an appeal was in the mean time made to the Supreme Court against the unconstitu- tionality of the law, and Judge Nye reserved his decision until the Supreme Court had passed upon it. The ground taken was that the law operated unequally, as under it liquor could be sold in one locality and not in another. The Constitution of the State declares that all laws must be equal in their operation, and on this ground the Su- preme Court quashed the whole business, and the Pendegast Act was repealed at the last session of the Legislature. And thus fruitlessly closed a series of the most exciting, odd, and probably most re- markable election contests that ever took place in the world.
During the winter of 1874 took place the celebrated legislative investigation into the management by the Board of Regents of the erection of the College of Letters of the State University. The build- ing had been constructed the previous summer, at a cost to the State of $130,000, and it was maintained by some that this amount was in excess of what it should rightly have cost by about $24,043.12. Two investigations were held-one by an Assembly and the other by a Senate Committee. It was shown that the Regents left the manage- ment of the erection to Dr. Merritt, who was Chairman of the Build- ing Committee, and that he had let the work to certain favorite con- tractors, in order that he might, himself, make a profit thereon. The attack on Dr. Merritt and the Regents was led by Assemblyman Tyrrell, of San Francisco, who was himself a builder, and anxious at the time to bid on the job; but according to his own statement, was advised by Mr. Miller, the millman, that it would be useless for him to do so, as the firm of Power & Ough were sure to have the work, no
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matter who bid or what their offers were. Mr. Miller, however, denied on oatlı that he had made any such remark. A great many witnesses were examined and much time taken up with the enquiry. Power & Ough, who had in the meantime left the country, asserted by letter that all that they had made by the contract was 3} per cent., and that the State had in the College of Letters the cheapest of all its structures. The fact that Dr. Merritt was the owner of a lumber yard, and supplied material for the building, was much commented upon, although the Doctor declared that he had furnished lumber as cheap as anyone else could have done. At any rate, the reports of the Special Committees were condemnatory of the manner in which the work had been carried out ; but nothing more was done about it, excepting Judge Nye calling attention to the matter in his subse- quent charge to the Grand Jury.
The Parshall case was another of the events of this year which made it remarkable, the facts of which are fresh in most people's minds.
This year, too, we had Sheriff Morse's celebrated pursuit of Vas- quez, which proved ineffectual, as the celebrated detective never got near the notorious outlaw, who, however, was captured soon after Morse gave up the chase, near Los Angeles.
Oakland witnessed the famous Grand Central Hotel suit- Merritt vs. Wilcox ; was entertained and puzzled with the Clarke ghost mystery ; the introduction of public drinking-fountains ; and the establishment of a Board of Public Works.
Prof. Wm. Swinton, a gentleman who was associated with the University since its establishment, as Professor of English Language and Literature, resigned his position and went East. He carried with him the regrets and well-wishes of his colleagues in the Univer- sity. The resignation took place early in March.
Captain Hiram Thorne, a member of the Oakland Board of Fire Commissioners, and an old resident of Brooklyn, died suddenly of heart disease, on the morning of the 13th of March. He was a native of New York, and about 60 years of age at the time of his death. The flags of the City Hall and engine-houses were placed at half-mast in respect to his memory.
There was much discussion on the water question in Oakland, as the supply then obtainable was altogether inadequate.
The Gilman claim against Contra Costa County, for the building of the first Oakland bridge, was up before the Legislature again this session, with no other than the usual result-defeat.
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
The Livermore Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry passed a series of resolutions, at a meeting held on the 1st of August, protesting against the action of the Board of Regents in removing Dr. Carr from the position of Professor of Agriculture in the State Univer- sity, and condemning the management of the College of Agriculture, which were followed by many other's of similar character in various portions of the State.
Mr. S. A. Penwell, Secretary of the Berkeley Land Company, gave notice, in August, that the wharf was completed, and that all ship- pers were entitled to the use of the same, free of charge. It is 1,360 feet in extreme length, and 80 feet wide at its lower portion, and at its upper portion, 30 feet. It is a strong structure.
Hon. S. P. Wright, late District Attorney of Alameda County, died at Santa Barbara on the 24th of July, after a protracted illness. He was formerly State Senator from the counties of Humboldt, Kla- math and Del Norte, and served a term as President pro tem. He was an able and honest man. At the time of his demise his place of residence was East Oakland, where he left a wife and two chil- dren to mourn his loss. At the following meeting of the County Court, resolutions of regret and condolence were passed.
A meeting of persons interested in the construction of a narrow- gauge railroad from Martinez to Livermore, was held at Danville, Contra Costa County, on the 3d day of October. Nathan Jones, of Walnut Creek, occupied the Chair ; and F. R. Fassett, of Livermore, acted as Secretary. A committee, consisting of Daniel H. Inman, of Livermore ; Mr. Baldwin, of Limerick ; Chas. Wood, of Danville ; W. W. Camron, of Green Valley ; John Larkey, of Walnut Creek ; Lafayette Fish and Dr. Strentzel, of Martinez, were appointed a committee to complete the organization. The distance from Martinez to Livermore is 35 miles, and a railroad would run nearly all the way over a level grade, through the Pacheco, San Ramon, Amador, and Livermore Valleys. Several other meetings were subsequently held, but, after a time, the enterprise was allowed to drop.
A reunion of the Grangers of Alameda County took place at Hay- wards on the 17th of October, at which were represented Eden Grange, Thos. Hellar, Master ; Centreville Grange, Jas. Shinn, Master ; Suñol Grange, E. M. Carr, Master; Livermore Grange, Daniel H. Inman, Master; Temescal Grange, Dr. Ezra S. Carr, Master.
During the year 1874 the new Court-house was started in Oakland.
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It is situated on the west, or Washington Plaza, on Broadway, be- tween Fourth and Fifth streets. It is constructed of wood, stone, brick and iron, and is an elegant and imposing structure ; in dimen- sions, 175x100 feet. The contract price was $148,550; but the extras and alterations have raised it to over $200,000. A Jail was also erected this year, on the same block of ground, immediately west of the Court-house. It is built of brick and stone, and its dimensions are 40x75 feet, two stories high, with wings. Cost, $39,000; but, with building at Brooklyn, taking down and rebuild- ing, the total charge to jail account is $70,000.
The local legislation for the year 1874 embraced the following enactments :
Introduced by Senator Gibbons :
An Act to prevent the sale of liquor within two miles of the State University.
An Act to fix the salaries of officers in Alameda County.
An Act to abolish the office of County Assessor, create Township Assessors, and define the duties thereof.
An Act to authorize the Mountain View Cemetery Association to issue bonds to the amount of $13,000.
An Act to define the boundary line between San Francisco and Alameda Counties. [The old line included a portion of the railroad wharf within the limits of San Francisco County; the line deter- mined by this Act is drawn at a distance of 500 feet west of the railroad wharf.]
An Act authorizing the Supervisors of Alameda County to erect buildings on Washington and Franklin Squares, in the City of Oak- land, and to issue bonds to the amount of $200,000 therefor.
An Act to authorize the Governor to select five Commissioners, who shall have concurrent power with the Council to purchase, con- struct or condemn water-works. [Bonds to the amount of $800,000 may be issued and the credit of the city pledged.]
An Act supplementary to the city charter. [Makes office of City Attorney elective ; fixes salaries of officers ; prohibits the incurring of debts, etc.]
Bills introduced by Assemblyman Gurnett :
An Act granting tide-lands north of Lake Peralta to the City of Oakland.
An Act to provide for the erection of a bridge from Alameda to
26
402
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
Bay Island. [Appropriated $8,000 from the County for this pur- pose.]
An Act confirming the action of the City Council in paying City Marshal Johnson the damages recovered against him by property- holders on Eighth Street.
An Act to construct a main sewer from the lake westerly to the bay.
An Act to provide for the issue of $100,000 of bonds, to fund the debt of the city. [$12,000 is provided for the new school-house in Brooklyn ; and the creation of further debts in excess of the city's revenue is prohibited.]
An Act to legalize an assessment in Brooklyn, for the construction of a sewer ordered by the former town authorities.
An Act to legalize the action of the City Council of Oakland in paying W. W. Foote $500 for legal services rendered the city.
An Act to postpone the city election this year until the first Mon- day in May.
An Act to ratify the action of the City Council of Oakland in paying J. M. Bailey for a sidewalk.
An Act to fix the compensation of the Deputy-Sheriff at $1,500 per annum.
An Act to authorize the City of Oakland to issue eight per cent. bonds, and use the money to redeem the ten per cent. bonds now out- standing.
Mr. Amerman is the author of the following acts :
An Act to revise an Act, entitled an Act to incorporate the Town of San Leandro.
An Act declaring Alameda creek, in Alameda County, a navigable stream, and providing for the removal of obstructions therefrom.
An Act to amend an Act entitled an Act to incorporate the Town of Alameda.
An Act to authorize the trustees of the First Congregational Reli- gious Society of Oakland to convert certain real estate belonging to said society in the City of Oakland and County of Alameda.
An Act to provide for the collection of district school taxes in Townsend and May School Districts, in Murray Township, in the County of Alameda.
An Act in relation to certain streets in the Town of Alameda.
An Act supplementary to an Act, entitled an Act to establish a Police Court in the City of Oakland, and define its jurisdiction, duties, and fees of Court, and its officers.
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UNDER THE STARS AND STRIPES.
An Act to authorize the Board of Supervisors of Alameda County to pay the claim of Geo. W. Babcock.
Mr. Amerman was also the author of "An Act to define the Sen- atorial and Assembly Districts of this State, and to apportion the representation thereof," whereby the representation of Alameda County was increased from one to two Senators, and from two to three Assemblymen.
,
404
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
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CHAPTER XXVII.
THE EVENTS OF 1875.
Destruction of the Deaf, Dumb and Blind Asylum by Fire-Death of Mayor Durant - New Mineral Discoveries in Brooklyn Township-$100,000 More for Oakland Harbor - Death of General Heath-Women Petitioning for their Rights-Newark Land Association-Appearance of the Oakland (German ) Jour- nal-Regulation for Tree-Planting-The Right to Impose a High Rate of Liquor License Affirmed-Livermore Incorporation- Great Odd Fellows' Celebrations - May-day Festivities -The Hammond Religious Revival-First Brick House in Livermore Dedicated-Rhode Island Celebration and Clam Bake-Grangers' Reunion-Republican Convention-The Alameda Independent -The County Offices Removed to the New Court-house-Heavy Rain Storm in June-Death of Alonzo D. Eames-A Lively Democratic Primary in Oakland-Independents' Convention- Fourth of July at San Lorenzo-Comments of a Grand Jury on the Court-House-What Alameda Paid the State-Republican County Convention-Democratic County Convention-Refuse to Join with the Independents, Who Make a Separate Ticket- County Infirmary Investigation-Death of Governor Weller- Demise of Rev. E. S. Lacy-Great Stringency in Money Matters -The Votes at the General and Judicial Elections-A Bill of Damages - Light-house on Goat Island-Death of "Father " Bryant-An Old Pioneer Dies - Santa Clara and Alameda Narrow-guage Railroad - Abscondling of Geo. M. Pinney - Harry Meigs Intending to Settle in Oakland-Death of Geo. M. Blake-Of Francisco Aurrecoechea "Alameda and Contra Costa Railroad Company Organized -- Progress at Berkeley-Death of Mrs Larue-Sudden Demise of J. Ross Browne-County Statis- tics-Alameda in the Legislature.
The year 1875 is remarkable in our county annals for the number of deaths that occurred among old citizens, for the many new enter-
406
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
prises commenced, the increase of our means of intercourse, the rapid augmentation of our population, the fullness of our cereal and fruit crops, the tightness of the money market, caused by the temporary failure of the Bank of California ; the number of our political con- ventions, the multiplicity of parties, and the partial restoration of the Democratic party to power.
The destruction by fire of the Deaf, Dumb and Blind Asylum took place on Sunday afternoon, January 17th. It was situated in the foot-hills, half a mile south of Berkeley ; was constructed of stone, and constituted one of the most solid and valuable buildings in the State. It was built and maintained by public funds, and in its destruction over $200,000 was lost to the people. There were ninety- one inmates of the Asylum at the time of the fire, all of whom were removed in safety.
An investigation into the cause of the fire took place a few days after, by the Board of Directors, when it was declared to be purely accidental, and no blame attached to any of the officers or servants of the institution. Temporary buildings were at once constructed.
Rev. Henry Durant, Mayor of Oakland, and the first president of the State University, died at his residence, at half past three o'clock on Friday afternoon, January 22d, of congestive chills. His death was sudden, as he had been on the streets the day before, attending to his usual avocations. He was seventy-two years of age. No man was ever more regretted. A sketch of his eventful life will be found in another part of this volume.
In the latter part of January a vein of silver ore was discovered in the hills between Brooklyn and San Leandro, by Thomas P. Gilmore, a nephew of the celebrated musician, then employed in the California Reduction Works. It was estimated to yield $25 to the ton, but no steps were taken to work it. A serpentine belt was found by Mr. Gilmore, almost two miles and a half long, run- ning in a northeasterly and southeasterly direction. On the west side of it is a range of hills, containing a conglomerate heavy gravel deposit, which in some places is 100 feet thick. On the east side of this serpentine belt, auriferous quartz has been found with limestone, showing a good prospect of copper. At a subsequent date Mr. Gil- more took samples of rock from the croppings alluded to above to San Francisco and had the same assayed. Mr. R. J. Kohler, after testing one sample, stated that it yielded $58 per ton in silver, with a trace of gold. Another specimen assayed produced $18.25 in sil-
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ver, and $5 in gold, besides 5 per cent. in copper. Mr. Gilmore pur- chased the land on which the mine was located, and desired to associate some capitalists with him to open and work the mine, but nothing has yet been done.
A second appropriation of $100,000, towards the improvement of Oakland Harbor, was made by Congress, the news of which was received in Oakland with much rejoicing, early in February. Senator Sargent and Representative Page were accredited with having secured this second favor, as they did the first.
General R. W. Heath, an old resident of Oakland, died at his residence near St. Helena, Napa County, on the 7th of February. Deceased was a native of Bladensburg, Maryland, and was aged 52 years and 7 days. The funeral service took place at St. John's Church, Oakland, two days after, his remains having been removed here for interment in Mountain View Cemetery. Many prominent citizens were present.
At the Republican City Convention, held in Oakland in February, Dr. Newcombe presented a voluminous petition from a number of women and citizens of Oakland, accompanied by a memorial addressed to the Convention, asserting the right of women to hold two places on the Board of Education. The names of 365 ladies and 350 voters were signed to the petition.
The Newark Land Association was incorporated in February, with the intention of founding a new town on the borders of the bay, in Washington Township, to be named after the manufacturing city of New Jersey. Several strong capitalists engaged in the enterprise, which was under the management of Mr. Charles Peters, of San Francisco.
The first number of the Oakland Journal, a weekly newspaper in the German language, made its appearance on the 27th of February. It was published, then as now, by Messrs. Schmidt, Wieymer & Schutt, the latter gentleman being manager. It was a very hand- some sheet, of the dimensions of 24x36, and still flourishes.
At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors held on the 8th of March, Mr. Shattuck presented the following resolution, which was adopted :
Resolved, That all shade trees planted on public highways in Oak- land Township, shall be as follows : Roads of the width of 100 feet, shade trees shall be planted 16 feet from the outer edge thereof, Roads of the width of 85 feet, shade trees shall be planted 12 feet
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
from the outer edge thereof. Roads of the width of 85 feet, shade trees shall be planted 14 feet from the outer edge thereof. Roads of the width of 66 feet, shade trees shall be planted 12 feet from the outer edge thereof. Roads of the width of 60 feet, shade trees shall be planted 10 feet from the outer edge thereof. The width of sidewalks shall be as follows : On public roads 100 feet, the sidewalks shall be 20 feet ; on public roads 80 feet wide, the sidewalks shall be 16 feet ; on public roads of the width of 60 feet, the sidewalks shall be 14 feet wide. All shade trees shall be planted not less than 12 feet apart.
In a test case brought before Judge McKee, in the Third District Court (The People vs. Wm. Hurll), to determine the power of the City Council of Oakland to exact a high rate for licenses, the Judge decided that they had power to exact any sum for license they thought proper. He stated, in objection to the plea that the sum demanded for liquor license was unequal when compared with other branches of business, that the Legislature had conferred this power upon them, and what was a reasonable fee, was a practical question the City Council was better able to determine than the Court.
A meeting was held in Livermore, April 3d, for the purpose of tak- ing into consideration the advisability of incorporating the town. It was determined to hold a public meeting on the following Saturday, to ascertain the opinion of a majority of the citizens on the subject. The meeting was held, but the most of those in attendance were opposed to incorporation ; the project did not die, however, and was kept alive by those interested until the meeting of the last Legisla- ture, when an Act of incorporation was presented and passed.
The Odd Fellows of San Francisco celebrated their fifty-sixth anni- versary by a monster picnic at Badger's Park, Oakland, on the 26th of April ; and the Oakland Odd Fellows held their celebration at Scheutzen Park, Alameda. Games of various kinds and dancing were participated in, and both celebrations, in point of attendance, enjoyment and results, were highly satisfactory.
May-Day, as usual, was celebrated throughout the county with balls and picnics, crowning of the May Queen, etc. At Dry Creek, near Decota, the students of Washington College celebrated the day with becoming ceremony, and made a very pleasing display.
The great excitement of this year was the religious revival season inaugurated by the Rev. E. B. Hammond in Oakland. The meet- ings were held in a large tent, situated on the corner of Washington
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UNDER THE STARS AND STRIPES.
and Fourteenth Streets, and were very largely attended, the interest having been kept up for several weeks.
Friday, the 30th day of April, was a gala day in the town of Liv- ermore, the occasion being the dedication of the first brick building -erected by Mr. Esdon -a handsome two-story structure. The lower part consists of stores, and the upper of a public hall. The fire company turned out with a band of music in honor of the event, and paraded the town ; speeches were made, and in the evening a ball was given in the hall.
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