USA > California > Contra Costa County > The history of Contra Costa County, California > Part 30
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Los Ceritos Chapter No.234, O. E. S., was organized at Martinez July 22, 1905, with the following officers : Margaret V. Borland, worthy ma- tron ; William A. Hale, worthy patron; Mary E. Hayward, associate matron; Vesta E. Wilson, secretary ; George A. Wiley, treasurer ; Re- becca Pasch, conductress ; Jennie I. Hale, associate conductreess ; Grace S. Morrow, Adah; Linny Wiley, Ruth; Elizabeth S. Stewart, Esther ; Beulah C. Hodapp, Martha; Ednette M. Ingraham, Electa; Margaret Crilley, warder ; R. H. Latimer, sentinel. Present officers: Geneva H. Gleese, worthy matron; Joseph A. Royster, worthy patron; Rachel H. Elliott, associate matron ; Mary E. Hayward, secretary ; Don O. Brill-
20.00
Harcourty Byggs
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hart, treasurer ; Clara W. Van Prooyen, conductress ; Margaret L. Peck, associate conductress; Nannie E. Sharkey, Adah ; Jennie A. Brillhart, Ruth; Olive W. Reed, Esther; Viola R. Coleman, Martha; Alta B. Hoadley, Electa ; Sarah J. Davies, chaplain ; Vesta E. Wilson, organist ; Agnes S. Royster, warder ; Orville E. Hayward, sentinel. Emma L. Mc- Clellan, marshal, died September 1, 1916. Present membership, 81.
Acantha Chapter No. 249, O. E. S., was organized at Richmond, Sep- tember 7, 1906. Instituted by Grand Patron Florin Jones, assisted by Grand Treasurer Helen M. Seaman, acting as grand marshal, and Grand Secretary Kate J. Willats. The following were the officers for the first year: Margaret J. Schoen, worthy matron ; Frederick M. Neville, worthy patron; Winifred Stockwell, associate matron; Anna Neville, conductress ; Lola Jean McWay, associate conductress; Palmerton C. Campbell, secretary ; Nathan J. Pritchard, treasurer ; Mary E. Camp- bell, Adah; Kate McVicker, Ruth; Bessie Pritchard, Esther; Julia Odell, Martha; Amy McRacken, Electa; Eleanor Gregory, warder ; Samuel Smith, sentinel ; Alfeus Odell, chaplain. The present officers are as follows: Caroline Kinney, worthy matron; Clyde C. Olney, worthy patron ; Fannie I. Rowland, associate matron; Bernice McCormick, sec- retary; Marietta Duncan, treasurer; Cora C. Thayer, conductress ; Martha A. Chandler, associate conductress ; Edna Christie, Adah ; Ethel Swearingen, Ruth; Sadie V. Osler, Esther; Della A. Long, Martha; Mary A. McDonough, Electa ; John E. Breese, chaplain; Myrtle A. Stiver, marshal; Anna B. Miller, organist ; Anna M. Radcliffe, warden ; Jesse A. Osler, sentinel. Present membership, 199, with two more elected to affiliate, and two petitions for initiations received September 8, 1916, which was tenth anniversary of the chapter. From July 1, 1915, to July 1, 1916, received thirty-one into membership. The chapter is prosperous in every way, the members taking great interest, as is mani- fested by the attendance at the meetings.
RICHMOND LODGE NO. 1251, B. P. O. E. BY HARCOURT G. BIGGS
On May 2, 1911, twenty-nine Elks signed a petition expressing their willingness and desire to organize an Elks Lodge in Richmond, and from that date begins the history of Elkdom in Richmond and Contra Costa County. Then came the meetings, where were discussed many
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things looking toward the advent of the fraternity and of obtaining the consent of Berkeley Lodge No. 1002, our mother-lodge. A committee was formed, and on the floor of the Berkeley lodge the request was made, and simultaneously the officers and brothers of that lodge arose and responded as being in favor of instituting such lodge and gave the committee guarantees of their heartiest assistance and support. From the request of Berkeley followed the request to the D. D. G. E. R., F. G. S. Conlon, of San Francisco. With Berkeley lodge, he was invited to Richmond on Sunday, at which time he was driven through the city to the Standard Oil Company's plant and that of the California Wine Association at Winehaven, to impress upon him the permanency of our institutions and resources. On returning we repaired to Brother Wylie's restaurant where a feed was spread. From there we went into session at Brother Abbott's office, and after laying our propositions before the D. D. G. E. R. he replied that from the spirit and enthusiasm shown he would sanction the project with his indorsement. A dispensation was asked and granted August 1, 19II.
Eighteen of the twenty-nine petitioners met in Brother C. J. Rihn's office and selected the officers for the term, as follows: C. L. Abbott, exalted ruler; A. C. Lang, esteemed leading knight ; C. J. Rihn, loyal knight; H. G. Biggs, lecturing knight; F. W. Smith, secretary; F. C. Schram, treasurer; W. V. Keltz, A. H. Burnett, and E. W. O'Brien, trustees ; H. E. French, tyler ; J. A. Bell, esquire ; R. Bankhead, chap- lain ; D. H. Carpenter, inner guard.
After the officers had been selected came the question of institution, whom to invite, and how to care for them. A motion was made and ap- proved to limit the expenditure to $150 and invite the mother-lodge with certain representatives of the neighboring lodges. Soon thereafter we concluded to invite all the Elks about the bay and let the expense take care of itself. On the night of September 19, 1911, twenty-five hundred visitors were in Richmond, and there was an institution un- exampled and a spread of viands and vintage fit for the gods. Imme- diately succeeding meetings gave an impetus toward purchasing suit- able property, so that when the time to build should arrive we would at least have our site. The Hall Association was incorporated January 26, 1912. The directors were as follows : C. L. Abbott, president ; A. C. Lang, vice-president; W. T. Helms, secretary ; E. M. Downer, treas-
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urer ; A. H. Burnett, F. C. Schram, H. W. Tuller, E. M. Tilden, M. L. Fernandez. The first meeting of directors was on February 3, 1912. Two lots on Tenth and Macdonald Avenue being available, Brother E. M. Tilden, in behalf of the lodge, February 14, 1912, purchased the same at a cost of $12,000. Only a short time elapsed before we decided to sell more stock and issue bonds toward the building of a home. The contract for the basement was let on October 31, 1912. The contract for the building was let on April 25, 1913. The building, costing $78,000, was accepted January 26, 1914. The furnishings cost $22,000. The present structure with its beauty of architecture and many accomodations is the result. It stands out as the best and most modern building in Richmond, and is acknowledged the greatest private asset of our fast-growing city. It is a home for Elks, come from where they may. All are invited, all are welcome.
The Past Exalted Rulers are : Doctor C. L. Abbott, A. C. Lang, and Harcourt G. Biggs. The present officers are as follows: J. A. Bell, ex- alted ruler ; Howard French, esteemed leading knight ; Herman W. Tul- ler, esteemed loyal knight ; Clare Horner, esteemed lecturing knight ; J. P. Arnold, secretary ; J. O. Ford, treasurer ; W. S. Pierce, esquire ; Rev. Thomas A. Boyer, chaplain; Joe Dietrich, inner guard; Peter Brown, tyler. Trustees : A. H. Burnett, D. H. Carpenter, and J. A. McVittie. Presley Neville, organist. Charter Members: C. L. Abbott, R. Bank- head, J. A. Bell, H. G. Biggs, A. H. Burnett, D. H. Carpenter, Charles Dalton, B. E. Fariss, H. E. French, J. E. Lowney, W. A. LaSalle, J. R. Froberg, J. J. Grant, W. E. Hanson, N. R. Jackson, W. V. Keltz, C. F. Kings, A. C. Lang, J. W. Melbourne, E .W. O'Brien, John Purnhagen, Chas. J. Rihn, H. L. Rutley, F. C. Schram, O. E. Smedley, Frank W. Smith, J. W. Switzer, E. H. Truax, Oliver Wylie.
NATIVE SONS OF THE GOLDEN WEST
General Winn Parlor No. 32, Antioch .- Instituted Saturday, July 26, 1884, by Grand President Steinbach, with a membership of 25. C. F. Montgomery, president, and C. M. Belshaw, secretary.
Mount Diablo Parlor No. 101, Martinez .- Instituted February 7, 1887, by Grand President Decker and D. D. G. P., C. M. Belshaw, with a membership of seventeen. T. A. McMahon, president, and F. L. Glass, secretary.
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HISTORY OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
Central Parlor No. 140, Walnut Creek .- Instituted June 19, 1889, by Grand President Frank D. Ryan, with a membership of 39. E. B. An- derson, president, and James A. Black, secretary. Dissolved April 25, 1896.
Byron Parlor No. 170, Byron. - Instituted February 7, 1891, by Grand President Miller, with a membership of 20. W. H Johnston, president, and W. H. Lewis, secretary.
Sunrise Parlor No. 204, Pinole .- Instituted Agust 4, 1899, by Grand President Frank Mattison, with a membership of 33. J. W. Wilson, president, and John Wunderlich, secretary. Dissolved April 27, 1906.
Carquinez Parlor No. 205, Crockett .- Instituted August 5, 1899, by Grand President Frank Mattison, with a membership of 44. W. H. Mc- Donald, president, and H. T. Smith, secretary.
Richmond Parlor No. 217, Richmond .- Instituted January 6, 1903, by Grand President Byington, with a membership of 21. C. F. Grant, president, and J. D. Grant, secretary.
Concord Parlor No. 245, Concord .- Instituted November 2, 1908, by Grand Organizer Andrew Mocker, with a membership of 30. A. C. Geh- ringer, president, and C. Hook, secretary.
Diamond Parlor No. 246, Pittsburg .- Instituted February 4, 1909, by Grand Organizer Mocker, with a membership of 27. W. G. H. Croxon, president, and L. H. Schmalholz, secretary.
San Ramon Valley Parlor No. 249, Danville .- Instituted April 10, 1909, by Grand Organizer Mocker, with a membership of 23. C. G. Goold, president, and S. H. Flournoy, secretary.
CHAPTER XXV
MARTINEZ
BY J. R. BOOTHE
THE first settlement of the region contingent to the city of Martinez, the county seat of Contra Costa County, was made nearly a century ago. In the year 1823, over twenty years before gold was discovered in Cali- fornia, and before the eyes of the East, and in fact the entire world, turned toward the Golden West, Ignacio Martinez and Francisco Cas- tro applied for and received grants to vast tracts of land, the latter re- ceiving what was known as the San Pablo Rancho, and Martinez re- ceiving the Pinole grant. Their nearest neighbors were the Peraltas and the Castros, of San Antonio and San Lorenzo. Martinez and Cas- tro erected adobe residences, pretentious ones for that period, built barns, and planted trees and vines, becoming the first fruit- and grape- growers in Contra Costa County. Other families followed, but the haci- endas of these two grandees were the hub of the life and the activity of this section.
There were no roads in those days. Trails led here and there across the valleys of waving corn and over the hills where the virgin oak flour- ished. Fences were unknown; these early settlers did not fence off one piece of their land from another, but allowed their cattle to roam at will.
The first of the two above-named ranchos was named for Saint Paul (San Pablo), who was one of the most enthusiastic as well as favorite disciples of the Saviour. The other, and the one with which we are con- cerned in this article, derives its name from pinole (meal), the story being told that a band of hungry Mexicans, who had been in pursuit of a band of Indians in the foothills of Mount Diablo, had their hunger appeased at a small settlement on San Pablo Bay en route to the Mission San Rafael. The small and nearly famished band passed through the valley of El Hambre (the vale of hunger), and their first food was a mess of meal obtained at this point, which they thereupon designated Pinole, and when Ignacio Martinez was granted these leagues of land he perpetuated the name given the region by the famished troopers.
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In 1832 William Welch, a Scotchman, secured title to the tract of land known as the Welch (or Las Juntas) Rancho, on which a portion of the city of Martinez now stands.
From that time up to the discovery of gold at Sutter's mill there was little development of this region. In 1849 Colonel William M. Smith, acting as agent for the Martinez family, from whom the city derives its name, decided upon founding a town. In furtherance of this project he employed Thomas A. Brown, who later became superior judge, to sur- vey and lay out one hundred and twenty acres on the westerly side of El Hambre Creek. This was promptly done, and the tract being subdivided, the lots and blocks were quickly sold and the building of houses and stores commenced. The first building erected in the town was the home of Doctor Leffler, built by Nicholas Hunsaker, and the second by Judge Brown, in which he, with his brother Warren and Napoleon B. Smith, opened the first trading-post in the county. The house later occupied by E. W. Miller was built for a store for Boorham & Dana in 1849. About the same time a store was erected for Howard & Wells. It was managed by Howard Havens, who later became the cashier of the Donohoe-Kelly Bank of San Francisco.
In 1850-51 the first addition to the town was surveyed by Judge Brown, under instructions from the owners of the Welch Rancho, El Hambre Creek being the line which divides the original survey (Pinole) from the additional survey (Welch, or Las Juntas). This tract con- sisted of between five hundred and six hundred acres, and was also laid out in blocks and lots. The first buildings erected were the houses of Wise, Douglas, Lawless, McMahon, Doctor Bolton, and the Contra Costa News office. The Douglas house, it might be noted in passing, was used as the first office of the county clerk.
In 1850 a negro named Jones opened a hotel on the site where the Alhambra Hotel was opened in later years and for a long period con- ducted by Josiah Sturges. At this time the adobe residence of Vicente Martinez stood on what later became known as the Doctor John Strent- zel property, but other adobes were built soon after, closer to the heart of the town.
In 1851 the first school was opened in the house which Judge Brown and his family occupied later, the school-room being used for a meet- ing-house on Sundays, and the court, during its session, and the Masonic
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lodge holding their meetings upstairs. R. B. McNair was the first teach- er, although it has been stated that B. R. Holliday taught the first school in the town.
Even in those early times Martinez had efficient teachers, but the lack of a suitable school-building was felt. Although complaint was made in 1858 that the school was not kept open for a sufficient period during the year, it was not until 1872 that the difficulty was solved by the erection of an adequate building. This was accomplished by the levy- ing of a special school-district tax, by which over six thousand dollars was raised for the first permanent schoolhouse in Martinez. Today the schools of this town will compare favorably with any others in the State.
In 1852 the Union Hotel was built on the site of the James Hoey resi- dence, and was for years conducted by Captain R. E. Borden, then county treasurer.
On January 25, 1851, a petition signed by the citizens of Martinez was presented to the Court of Sessions, through District Attorney J. F. Williams, praying for the incorporation of the town of Martinez. The petition reads as follows :
"To the Honorable F. M. Warmcastle, County Judge: Your petition- ers, citizens of Martinez, pray your honor to incorporate the following metes and bounds to be known as the town of Martinez and to estab- lish therein a police for their local government and regulation of any commons pertaining to such town towit : Commencing at a point oppo- site the old ferry-house in the Straits of Carquinez, one fourth of a mile from high-water mark; thence up the Straits of Carquinez in a straight line one mile to a one one-fourth of a mile from high-water mark; thence running in a southeasterly direction at right angles with the first line, one mile; thence running in a northwesterly direction at right angles with the last line, one mile ; thence in a northeasterly direc- tion at right angles with the last line to the place of beginning, so as to include one mile square."
The court thereupon ordered that the town of Martinez be duly in- corporated, and the order provided that the election of the first trustees be held on February 8, 1851. After a brief period, the Supreme Court declared the act under which the incorporation had been effected void. Incorporation anew under the general law was objected to as involving
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too much expense and machinery, and for over a quarter century, until 1876, Martinez continued as a village, without corporate being or au- thority.
From the year 1852 on the town began to assert itself and became known far and wide. Many new buildings were erected and a general era of prosperity ensued.
The Contra Costa Gazette, one of the oldest newspapers in the State of California, was established in Martinez on Saturday, September 18, 1858, by W. B. Soule & Company. For nearly three-score years, with- out missing an issue, this publication has recorded each week the events which have contributed to the history of Contra Costa County. The files at many times have been used as reference by the archivists of the University of California in the compilation of California history. Throughout its entire existence the politics of the paper have remained Republican. On the seventh publication the management was changed and C. R. K. Bonnard and B. E. Hillsman became the owners. From its first issue the paper appeared in four pages of seven columns, well ed- ited and printed, at a subscription price of five dollars a year. The Bon- nard Company controlled the Gazette until February 26, 1859, when it was purchased by W. Bradford, who became the sole owner. Bradford conducted the paper alone until April 28, 1860, when he sold an undi- vided half interest to R. R. Bunker. Under this management it was pub- lished until March 23, 1861, when Bradford disposed of his interest to W. W. Theobalds. With the development of the grain-shipping industry and agricultural activity at Pacheco, situated five miles from Martinez, that community became the leading commercial center of the county. In September, 1861, the Gazette was moved to Pacheco. In that town it was published for twelve years. The brick building, of which the plant occupied the second floor, was badly damaged by an earthquake on Oc- tober 21, 1868. A near-by barn was secured, and, after many difficulties in moving the machinery and type from the shattered structure, the pa- per was published at its usual time. On July 8, 1865, another change occurred in the management, when C. B. Porter purchased the interest of Theobalds. The life of the Gazette has not been without its misfor- tunes, the second of which occurred in September, 1871. One morning a fire broke out in the building, and before it could be extinguished every scrap of material and machinery had been destroyed. Within
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forty-eight hours an entire new plant had been secured and the paper appeared on its usual day of issue. Subsequent to the gradual decline of Pacheco as a shipping center, the Gazette was moved back to Martinez in November, 1873. A new frame structure was erected for the use of the paper in Main Street, on the present site of the Gazette building. On March 3, 1882, F. K. Foster, a newspaperman well known throughout the State, purchased a third interest in the publication, which he held until November 3, 1883, when Porter severed his connection with the concern and a copartnership was formed between Bunker and Foster. This firm conducted the paper until August 27, 1887, when Thomas S. Davenport purchased the interest of Foster. On January 4, 1888, ap- peared the first publication of the Gazette as a semi-weekly. The size of the paper was decreased from seven to six columns, four pages. After being published at this size until April 11, 1888, the increase of business necessitated its enlargement to eight columns. James Foster, on October 3, 1888, purchased from Davenport a half interest, which he held, with Bunker as a partner, until his death, on July 17, 1893. After being pub- lished for five years as a semi-weekly, the paper was restored on Janu- ary 7, 1893, to a weekly publication. Following the death of Foster, his interest was sold to Wallace Clarence Brown, who edited the paper in conjunction with Bunker. After thirty-six years as a part owner of the Gazette, Bunker disposed of his interest to Brown on December 7, 1895. After conducting the paper for three years, Brown sold the entire bus- iness in 1898 to G. E. Milnes. On March 1, 1900, the Daily Press, the first successful daily paper in Contra Costa County, was established in Martinez by W. A. Rugg. After publishing the Press for four years, Rugg disposed of the paper to the Gazette Publishing Company, which changed the name to the Daily Gazette. In 1907 Rugg, the former ed- itor of the Daily Press, purchased from G. E. Milnes the controlling in- terest in the Gazette Publishing Company, and from that time on the management of the two publications has remained the same.
The California Express was published at Martinez about 1867 by Alexander Montgomery, who had in 1861 commenced the publication of the Napa Echo, which violently opposed the administration of Presi- dent Lincoln, and every measure taken to subdue the Southern Rebel- lion. Its circulation and patronage were limited, and in a pecuniary point of view it was never successful. Still it kept on until April, 1865,
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when it suspended publication on the morning of the announcement of Lincoln's assassination. After its removal to Martinez it continued regu- larly for about two years.
The Enterprise was started in Martinez in 1871 by J. W. Collier as a democratic paper. It was, however, printed in San Francisco, the pub- lication office being at Martinez. It lived but a short time.
The Contra Costa Standard was established at Pacheco in 1873. In October, 1877, it was removed to Martinez. It has been one of the influ- ential weekly publications in the central section of the State in that it has always advocated and worked for those principles that make for progress and the development of the county's interests. The Martinez Daily Standard is published in conjunction with the weekly Contra Costa Standard. Both are owned by the Contra Costa Publishing Com- pany, a joint stock company. The daily was established in 1911, and has become an influential factor in the county's affairs. In politics these two publications are of Republican affiliation and strong advocates of Re- publican policies, though of the more progressive or independent type. The weekly consists of eight pages, and is published on Saturday. The daily is a four-page publication, and is issued every evening except Sun- day. Will R. Sharkey is the editor and manager of both publications.
On November 6, 1858, W. K. Leavitt was given the contract for the building of the Roman Catholic church, which was blown down about 1866, whereupon the present edifice was erected.
On April 8, 1859, Martinez and Benicia were first joined by tele- graph and on June 6th of the same year Mette & Co. established the first stage line between Martinez and Oakland.
On September 17, 1860, Martinez Engine Company No. I was organ- ized. On February 15, 1862, the ladies of Martinez raised a fund of one hundred dollars in a few hours for the fencing of the Alhambra Ceme- tery. In May, 1867, Coffin & Standish erected a flour-mill which was lat- er occupied by Black's cannery.
The Martinez Water Company was incorporated on September 5, 1871. Martinez Hook and Ladder Company was organized on February 4, 1871.
In February, 1876, the citizens of Martinez, mindful of the fact that the corporate existence of the town had lapsed many years before, re- incorporated the municipality, the boundaries being defined as follows :
Hill . Sharkey
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"Beginning at a point where the fence dividing the lands of J. P. Jones and L. I. Fish touches the Straits of Carquinez ; thence southwardly along the said fence and continuing the same course to the line of the homestead tract of H. Bush ; thence westwardly along the north line of Bush's homestead tract to the Arroyo del Hambre; thence souther- ly along said arroyo to the center of G Street ; thence westwardly along G Street to the western boundary of the town of Martinez as originally surveyed ; thence northwardly, following the western boundary of the town plat to the Straits of Carquinez; thence eastwardly along the shores of the Straits of Carquinez to the place of beginning." On May 23, 1876, Thomas McMahon and L. C. Wittenmyer were elected two of the three trustees and J. R. L. Smith assessor and tax-collector.
In the year 1879 the Bush homestead property was purchased for the site of a Roman Catholic college, which was later erected by the Christian Brothers Society of St. Mary's College and given the name of the De La Salle Institute.
Ten years previous to this time, Grace Church (Protestant Episco- pal) was built, although the many communicants who resided here had attended worship since 1854 at St. Paul's Church, Benicia, at times hav- ing services here in the Methodist church. The Rev. E. P. Gray was the first pastor, and the parish is now in charge of the Rev. E. Glandon Davies.
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