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 39
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There was buried at Mission San José, on the 11th of October, an old and well-known citizen of Alameda County-Francisco Aurrecoe- chea. Deceased had been a resident of this county since 1852. He was a native of Spain, and was born in the town of Bilboa. For several years he was engaged in mercantile business at Mission San José, but subsequently retired upon his landed possessions in Liver- more Valley, which had assumed large proportions, demanding his undivided attention. He was always known as a warm-hearted and honorable man ; generous by nature, and always helping any public charity or deserving person. His extensive estate was for many years a great temptation to settlers, and Mr. Aurrecoechea was much annoyed by squatters. His name appears quite often upon the Court
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records, as plaintiff in forcible entry and detainer suits. But his titles had been perfected for some time, and his lands were all clear at the time of his demise. The deceased was about fifty years of age. He is succeeded in his property by his brother, José Aurrecoechea.
In October, of this year, the idea of tunnelling the Contra Costa hills, and constructing either a railroad or improved wagon road, was revived. Some two years previously, Messrs. J. E. Whitcher and W. F. Boardman, civil engineers, made a careful survey for a narrow- gauge railway between Oakland and Walnut Creek. A short, easy and feasible route was found, which included a tunnel, about half a mile in length, at the summit, and situated a short distance north of Lake Chabot. The idea of a railroad was taken up by a number of wealthy capitalists and a company formed, named the Oakland and Contra Costa Railroad. A meeting of the stockholders was held at the Grand Central Hotel, Oakland, on the evening of the 21st of Decem- ber, at which the following directors were elected, viz: Thomas H. Williams, W. W. Camron, J. M. Walker, Joseph Becht, E. Chappel- let, H. B. Berryman, S. N. Puttnam, A. J. Snyder, John P. Jones, Mack Webber and L. W. Kennedy. The Board selected the follow- ing officers : President, Thos. A. Williams ; Treasurer, Joseph Becht ; Secretary, L. W. Kennedy. It was understood that Mr. Camron would act as General Superintendent.
A committee appointed on preliminary survey reported progress. Engineers were then in the field, and a favorable report followed iner a few days. The length of the proposed road was to be about twentya miles, and the chief question to determine would be the route to be ra taken from Oakland. It was afterwards determined to be via Berkeli ley. As will be hereafter seen, the chief difficulty in the way of thedo new company was to secure a desirable right of way through the Cityfra of Oakland. Upon this matter turned the subsequent city election
The progress going on about this time, at Berkeley, warranted them expectation that the beautiful suburb would, ere long, swell into & lat town of considerable dimensions. A steamboat was making severa Its trips daily between there and San Francisco, and the stakes wereJo driven to mark the line of a steam railroad between Berkeley andsar Oakland. The California Watch Factory had located there, and wa; putting up a large building ; the Standard Soap Company was also che putting up a large building ; and great progress was visible at bothpor the University and water front sides of the new town. Water work eff were being erected, and building progressing very rapidly, while the demand for lots was constant.
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A new Transcontinental Telegraph Company was organized in New York during the latter half of 1875, with A. A. Cohen, of Alameda, as President.
On the 19th of November died, at East Oakland, Mrs. Sarah La- rue, relict of the late Jas. B. Larue, the pioneer of Brooklyn. Mrs. Larue was one of the first American ladies that settled in Alameda County, and was a woman possessed of great fortitude, sound head and good heart. She was a native of New Jersey, came to Califor- nia in 1854, and settled with her husband in Brooklyn. At the time of her demise she was aged 69 years, 2 months and 14 days.
J. Ross Browne, the celebrated traveler and author, and one of the early settlers of Oakland, died suddenly on the morning of the 8th of December. He was taken ill with spasms on the previous even- ing, on his return from San Francisco to his residence north of Oak- land. Mr. Browne was born in Ireland, in 1817, and, at the time of his demise, was in his 58th year.
The total value of real estate in Alameda County, in 1875, as re- turned by the assessors, was $32,168,903. The value of personal property was $6,672,822 ; of assessable property, $38,841,725. The tax for State purposes was $234,992.44 ; for county purposes, $217,- 018.52, making a total tax of $452,010.96, levied in the county for State and county purposes.
The funded debt of the County was $247,944, showing a large in- crease since the previous year on account of the cost of the Court- house and Jail buildings. The floating debt was $112,743.64. The rate of interest was 7 per cent. The cash in the Treasury was $50,- 175.04. The value of the County property, including the two plazas donated by the city of Oakland, was estimated at $300,000. The rate of taxation was $1.30 on each $100.
The taxable property of Alameda had grown to be $10,000,000 more than any county in the State, excepting San Francisco, having Lately outgrown Sacramento, which hitherto held the second position. Its rate of taxation was lower than any other county, excepting San Joaquin and San Benito. Sacramento and Santa Clara levied the same rate.
The Legislature was in session, and Alameda was represented for the first time with her full delegation of five, secured by the new ap- portionment passed into law in the previous Legislature, through the efforts of Mr. Amerman.
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
Oakland Daily Transcript
- AND -
ALAMEDA COUNTY GAZETTE.
POWERS & CHAMBERLAIN, Editors and Proprietors.
The Oakland Daily Transcript is nearly nine years old, and has a wide circulation. It is the official organ of the United States and County of Alameda, and is conceded to be one of the leading Republican papers of this State.
The Alameda County Gazette is over twenty-one years old-the oldest paper published in the County, and one of the oldest in the State. It is full of local, current and general news.
The price of the DAILY is $7.00 per year, $3.75 for six months, and $2.00 for three months, and is served by carriers at 15 cts. per week.
The WEEKLY is $2.00 per year, $1.50 for six months, and de- livered by carrier per year for $2.50. A limited number of advertise- ments is only taken, and it is the cheapest weekly journal published west of the Rocky Mountains.
The TRANSCRIPT has the largest circulation of any Morning Paper, and the ALAMEDA COUNTY GAZETTE of any Weekly Paper published in this County.
This large circulation makes these papers the best advertising mediums in the County.
O. B. POWERS, Editors and
WM. H. CHAMBERLAIN, Proprietors.
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CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE EVENTS OF THE CENTENNIAL YEAR.
Legislative Committees visit the University and Deaf and Dumb and Blind Institute-Death of Ex-Mayor Williams, of Oakland- Franchise granted for the Northern Railway - Extension of Eighth Street, Oakland, and the Building of Another Bridge Pro- posed-The San Leandro Town Trustees Reduce the License Fee- Oakland Districted Into Wards-The Oakland, Berkeley and Con- tra Costa Railroad Company Ask the City Council for the Right of Way Through Market Street-Petition Refused-The Municipal Election Turns Upon the Question-Dr. Pardee Elected Mayor Upon the Issue-Another Franchise Demanded by the Central Pa- cific Company-The Folly of Political Nominations in Munici- pal Affairs-Final Defeat of the Franchise-The City Elections -The Republican Nominees Generally Successful-Death of Gen- eral Shuey-A Nonagenarian-Republican County Convention -Centennial Fund Committee-Incorporation of the Town of Haywards-Death of William Hillegas, a Pioneer of Oakland- Election of Town Officers of Alameda, San Leandro, Haywards, and Livermore - Death of County Treasurer Becht -$30,000 Damages for Rev. R. F. Parshall, against P. H. Sumner-Chas. Palmer Appointed County Treasurer-Democratic Convention- Delegates to Cincinnati and Saint Louis-Suicide of Judge Fer- ris - Anti-Chinese Mass Meeting in Oakland - The Lightning Train from New York to Oakland-Death of Jas. S. Latham- Republican and Democratic Ratification Meetings-A Champion Bigamist-Opening of the Berkeley Railroad-State Conventions for Choosing Presidential Electors-The Oakland Assessor Reports $22,000,000 Assessable Property in the City-New City Direct- ory-New Wharf at Foot of Broadway-The Creek Route Re- opened-Centennial Celebrations and Festivities-West Oakland Rejoices-Acts of the Legislature of 1875-6 relating to Alameda County -Completion of the Southern Pacific Railroad to Los Angeles.
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
The year 1876 is memorable as the Centennial year of American Independence. At the beginning of this year our Legislature was in session, and many important measures affecting the interests of Ala- meda County were passed. During this year the city of Oakland was districted into Wards; and the towns of Hayward and Liver- more incorporated. It was to us a year of great public enterprises; the second year of the construction of the seawalls for the protection of Oakland Harbor ; year of the dredging out of the channel, and the re-opening of the Creek route. During it the promoters of the Con- tra Costa Railroad Company made a protracted struggle for the right of way through Market street to ship channel; during it was the West Oakland and Berkeley Branch Railroad, of five and a quarter miles, built and put in operation; the building of the Northern Rail- way by the Central Pacific Company commenced; the Southern Pa- cific Railway, with Oakland as its northern terminus, completed to Los Angeles; and the Alameda section of the Dumbarton, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Narrow-Gauge Railroad, completed. There was besides built and put in operation the Brooklyn and High street horse railroad ; the Piedmont horse railroad from Seventh street, Oakland to Mountain View Cemetery. It is a year remarkable in the annals of Oakland for its numerous and important building enter- prises, the improvement of its streets, and a great increase in its population. It is to be regarded as a year of general abundance-of good grain, fruit and vegetable crops, throughout the country. And finally, it is of farther importance as the year of a presidential election.
The commencement of the year was marked by the appearance of Legislative Committees appointed to examine into the condition of the University property and the management of the Deaf, Dumb and Blind Asylum. The University Committee found some fault with the management of the Regents in regard to its water rights; and the Hospital Committee recommended that the useful branches of educa- tion only be taught to the pupils in the Deaf, Dumb and Blind Insti- tute. The general management of both institutions was approved.
A. Williams, an old resident of Oakland and an Ex-Mayor, died at the residence of Benjamin H. Wyman, corner of New Broadway and Bay Place, at 5 o'clock, on the afternoon of January 19th. His com- plaint was pneumonia, a disease contracted while returning from the States to California, some few weeks previously. He was seventy- six years of age, and served the city in the capacity of Chief Magis- trate during the years 1857 and 1858.
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At the meeting of the Oakland City Council, held January 24th, the Northern Railway Company, by Leland Stanford, Chas. Crocker, et al., representing the company, petitioned to Council to grant them the privilege of constructing a double track for railroad purposes along certain streets. Mr. Crocker was present, and by request explained the object of the road. The Northern Railroad Company was organized to build a road from Oakland to Tehama, via Car- quinez Straits. It will be built in connection with the Bantas Road, coming into Oakland on the old survey of that road with certain changes to bring it to the Central Pacific grounds. The company had procured the right of way along the route, and intended to commence work immediately. They had three ships just arrived with steel rails which they would put on this road. It would be the great thoroughfare of the State, over which would pass all the travel overland from the northerly part of the State and Oregon. It would shorten the time between Oakland and Sacramento some two hours. The road was to run along Cedar street. The petition was referred to the Street Committee, and subsequently granted.
On the 5th of February a meeting of property-owners was held in the City Council Chamber, Oakland, to consider the proposition to cut Eighth street through from Oak street to the estuary, and bridge the same, thus securing a second avenue of communication with the eastern section of the city. The cost of the bridge was limited to $30,000. After a good deal of consideration and several subsequent meetings, the project was determined upon, and the street has been cut through the property of General Kirkham ; but nothing has yet been done towards the construction of the proposed bridge.
At the same meeting a petition was presented from Thos. H. Wil- liams, President of the Oakland and Contra Costa Railroad, for per- mission to lay down iron rails for railroad purposes, from the north- ern limits of the city to its junction with Market street. Mr. Kennedy, agent of the company, was present, and explained that the company were about commencing work on the road, and hoped the Council would report favorably upon the petition at an early day, as the road would be of the utmost advantage to the city. Both petitions were referred to committees, and that of the Northern Railroad subsequently reported favorably upon and granted, while that of the Contra Costa Road excited hostility.
The Board of Trustees of the town of San Leandro, at a meeting held in February, resolved to abandon their policy of high license,
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before acted upon, and reduced the fee from $75 per quarter to $30. With the previous high tariff the Trustees were able to carry on the business of the town on a taxation of fifty cents on the $1,000. The result was an immediate increase in the number of saloons to nearly double.
The new county officers assumed the duties of their respective departments on the first Monday in March.
Among the measures introduced and carried through the Legisla- ture, early in the session, was one to divide the City of Oakland into wards. It was a favorite project of the Democratic party, by which it hoped to gain some advantages. According to the old system, of electing candidates at large, a hardship was done to some sections of the city, from the fact that the City Hall Precinct had controlled the election of Councilmen and School Directors in all the other pre- cinets. The bill was hurried through the Legislature by its friends, in order that the approaching city election, to be holden on the 13th day of March, might take place under the new subdivision and mode of representation which it provided. The ward bill divided the city into seven districts, as follows :
The First Ward to constitute that portion of the city lying west of Adeline Street, and extending from the estuary to the north city limits, and including the Point, or West Oakland ; the Second Ward, that portion of the city lying north of Twentieth Street, and extend- ing to the Charter line, and east of Adeline Street to Lake Avenue ; the Third Ward, that portion bounded on the west by Adeline Street, on the north by Twentieth Street, on the east by Broadway, and on the south by Tenth Street ; the Fourth Ward, that portion bounded on the west by Adeline Street, on the north by Tenth Street, on the east by Broadway, and on the south by the estuary ; the Fifth Ward, that portion bounded on the west by Broadway, on the north by Delger Street, on the east by Lake Merritt, and on the south by Tenth Street ; the Sixth Ward, that portion bounded on the west by Broadway, on the north by Tenth Street, and on the east and south by the estuary ; the Seventh Ward, that portion constituting East Oakland, or Brooklyn.
At the meeting of the Oakland City Council, held on the 22d day of February, an ordinance was introduced to grant the right of way to the Oakland, Berkeley and Contra Costa Railroad Company to lay down an iron railroad track and run cars propelled by steam on Market Street from the northern line of the city to the water front,
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the track to be commenced and completed within one year from the date of franchise, with other safeguards. It was referred to the Ordi- nance and Judiciary Committee. The Committee, by Mr. Shanklin, at once referred it back, and recommended that it do not pass.
At a subsequent meeting the question was again brought up, and the proposition to grant the franchise defeated by a vote of four to three. A petition to the Legislature was then drawn up and pre- sented, signed by 1200 voters of the city of Oakland, praying that that honorable body would grant the franchise asked by them, as per bill presented by the Hon. D. Gelwicks. No action was had in the Legislature on the matter, as it properly belonged to the province of the City Council ; and the first election following the division of the city into wards, turned upon this railroad question-a purely local affair-which demonstrates the absurdity of making municipal man- agement a political partisan issue. Members of both parties were in favor of granting the franchise, and others were opposed. Doctor Pardee, the Republican nominee for Mayor, was strongly in favor of it, as were also many of the leading Democrats in the city. What must the latter do-vote for the Republican candidate for Mayor on this important question, or for the Democratic nominee, Judge Stan- ley, and endanger the success of an important local enterprise ? As might be expected, many exercised their rights, irrespective of party trammels, and voted for the man for Mayor who was strongly in fa- vor of furthering the important enterprise referred to. Division fol- lowed-the natural outcome of an arbitrary rule in such matters.
The city Republican Convention for the nomination of candidates for Mayor and other city officers took place on the 26th of February. J. E. Whitcher, chairman of the Republican Central Committee, called the convention to order. There were eighty-eight delegates present.
For the office of Mayor, Dr. Pardee was nominated. Judge Jayne was nominated for Police Judge ; Perry Johnson, for City Marshal ; F. M. Campbell, for City Superintendent of Schools ; Henry Vroo- man, for City Attorney. The Central Committee chosen consisted of the following gentlemen : First Ward, N. B. Hoyt; Second Ward, John A. Hobart ; Third Ward, W. A. Walter ; Fourth Ward, J. E. Whitcher ; Fifth Ward, O. H. Burnham ; Sixth Ward, M. M. Howe; Seventh Ward, P. H. McGrew. There were subsequently nominated the following candidates for ward offices :
For School Directors : First Ward, Herman Cordes ; Second Ward,
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
L. L. Alexander ; Third Ward, C. W. Kellogg. For Councilmen : Second Ward, C. Brier ; Third Ward, W. A. Walter ; Sixth Ward, William Sohst.
The Democratic City Convention was held on the evening of the Ist of March, in the Academy of Music, Fifth street, to make nom- inations for city officers. After transacting some business, it ad- journed to the 6th of the same month, when the following candidates were nominated :
For Mayor, Judge John A. Stanley ; for Police Judge, F. J. Brearty ; for City Marshal, John R. Price ; for City Attorney, Hon. R. A. Redman ; for Superintendant of Schools, Kirk W. Brier. For School Directors : First Ward, Rev. B. Akerly ; Second Ward, H. A. Craig ; Third Ward, Capt. John Hackett. For Councilmen : Second Ward, H. H. Watson ; Third Ward, Ferdinand Kluger ; Sixth Ward, Capt. J. Callaghan. The wards mentioned were the only ones in which there were vacancies. The following Central Committee was appointed : First Ward, B. McQuade ; Second Ward, S. D. Cronin ; Third Ward, John Hackett ; Fourth Ward, J. G. Riley ; Fifth Ward, A. P. Moore ; Sixth Ward, Thos. O'Neil ; Sev- enth Ward, L. Wintringer.
Republican and Democratic clubs were formed in every ward, and a vigorous campaign commenced.
Following were the polling places appointed by the City Council for the new Wards, and the Inspectors and Judges of Election for the same :
First Ward-Office of D. Bushen, 1,801 Railroad Avenue, West Oakland. Inspector, Dr. William Bolton ; Judges, O. W. Hawkett, W. S. Palouze.
Second Ward-Jas. Hutchison's store, corner Telegraph Avenue and Bay Place. Inspector, C. Brier ; Judges, T. B. Simpson and W. K. Rowell.
Third Ward-City Attorney's Office, City Hall. Inspector, J. J. Porter ; Judges, S. K. Hassinger and Walter Blair.
Fourth Ward-Alta House, corner Washington and Eighth Streets. Inspector, John Cook ; Judges, Jesse Robinson and William Searing.
Fifth Ward-Office of James Lentell, Odd Fellows' Hall build- ing, Eleventh Street, near Webster. Inspector, James Lentell ; Judges, John Cushing, Thos. Yolland.
Sixth Ward-Office of Geo. H. Fogg, 814 Broadway. Inspector, W. D. Harwood ; Judges, J. L. Bromley, J. Fallon.
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Seventh Ward-Office of Asa Howard, 626 East Twelfth Street, Brooklyn. Inspector, L. J. Rector ; Judges, A. W. Sweet, Asa Howard.
The election took place on the 13th day of March, with the fol- lowing result, Pardee having a large majority, and the Republican ticket being generally successful :
For Mayor-E. H. Pardee, 1,681 ; J. A. Stanley, 1,063.
For Police Judge-A. H. Jayne, 1,590 ; F. J. Brearty, 1,129.
For City Marshal-Perry Johnson, 1,502 ; J. R. Price, 1,246. For City Attorney-H. Vrooman, 1,573; R. A. Redman, 1,051.
For Superintendent of Schools-F. M. Campbell, 1,973; K. W. Brier, 745.
Councilmen : Second Ward-H. N. Watson, 171 ; C. Brier, 127. Third Ward-W. A. Walter, 182 ; F. Kruegel, 155. Sixth Ward- Wm. Solst, 266 ; J. Callaghan, 140; D. Nearny (I.), 15.
For School Directors: First Ward-Herman Cordes, 211; Rev. Benj. Akerly, 213. Second Ward-L. L. Alexander, 153 ; H. A. Craig, 147. Third Ward-C. W. Kellogg, 255 ; Adam Koob, 75.
. For Justice of the Peace-Geo. H. Fogg, 1,039 ; S. F. Daniels, 320. Both the latter were Republicans.
The result, of course, was a triumph for the Oakland, Berkeley and Contra Costa Railroad Company, and a defeat for the Democracy, who had injudiciously linked their fortunes with those opposed to the Market street franchise.
With a Mayor and a presumed majority of Councilmen favorable to the project, it was natural to suppose that the railroad franchise through Market street was considered assured ; but it was not. A large public meeting was held, in opposition to it ; the fears of prop- erty-owners in the Broadway district were excited, lest a new San Francisco and Oakland Ferry would be started, having its terminus on Market street, and thus divide the travel ; and the Central Pa- cific Railroad Company, alarmed at the danger to itself, exerted its influence against it. The latter sent in a petition, as an offset, for a franchise for a steam railroad from the water front, through Webster street, to the foothills. A bill was also slyly passed through the Legislature prohibiting the passage of any new railroad through the town excepting by the unanimous consent of the members of the City Council. An open air mass meeting, presided over by the Mayor, was held on the corner of Ninth street and Broadway on the evening of the 24th of March, protesting against the approval of such a bill,
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and it was vetoed by the Governor. The same meeting passed a resolution recommending the City Council to grant the Market street franchise. Ward meetings were also held favorable to it.
At a meeting of the City Council, held March 27th, the ordinance was introduced a second time. It was well guarded, prohibiting the assigning or consolidating with any other company, and providing that no Chinese labor should be employed ; and that if not completed within one year from the first day of October following, the franchise to revert to the city.
Another proposition before the same meeting was the location of a railroad avenue, for the use of all railroads entering the city. Only Messrs. Ford and Watson favored this resolution.
An application was in the meantime made in the name of Joseph S. Fogg, to the Supreme Court, to restrain the City Council from granting a franchise to run steam cars on Market street, asserting that Judge McKee, of the Third District Court, was an interested party. On the 13th of April, the Court denied the motion, on the ground that the District Court was the proper tribunal possessing jurisdiction in the case.
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