*9fl 9 MM §31 m m ■ ■ 1 ■ ■i ■H 3| ■■■M - ■■■ ■1 I History of Solano and Napa counties, California, with biographical sketches of F868.S66 G8 13001758 _ Jgj CONTENTS CHAPTER I. page; Saint Solano — Apostle of the Indies 17 Soon after the Spaniard came 'the English — The Fair Amazonian, "Califa" — Spain In a Mad Dance of Death — The Chain of Missions. CHAPTER II. Spanish Civilization Moves Slowly _ 21 Before the Gringo Came — The Lame Padre Junipero Serra — In the Sleepy Mariana Days. CHAPTER III. Appearance of the Russians 23 Love Unlocks the Golden Gate — Settlements at Bodega and Fort Ross — First Real Estate Deal — A Two-Gun Chapel. CHAPTER IV. A Long-Distance Conflict 27 Sutter Consolidates the Two Forts — Introducing Solano County — Alta California Drifts to the Gringo. CHAPTER V. Life in the Sleepy Man ana Days _ - 29 Heav3 r Adobe Architecture — Tortillas and Carne for Everybody — Sim- ple Civic Governments — No Tax-Paying No Tax-Stealing. CHAPTER VI. No Ponderous Judiciary Needed 32 A Wise Alcalde 5 — Society During the Easy Spanish Era — Ever Charm- ing Latin Women. CHAPTER VII. Two Generations of Slumber - 34 A Ride Not Told in History— The Vaqueros of Alta California — The Indian On His Eminent Domain — Vallejo Was Kind to His Red Charges. CHAPTER VIII. Out on the Great Ranchos - 38 Among the "Floofs and Horns" — Little Local Revolutions — The End of the Missions Inevitable — The Officials Who Did Not Toil Nor Spin. CHAPTER IX. In the "Roaring Forties" 40 John Charles Fremont — "Pathfinder" — Picked to Find a Path to American Occupancy — Picked to Find a New Way — Setting a Pace for Sloat — Getting Ahead of John Bull — Protestants of All Ages. CHAPTER X. The "War" in California 43 Kearny's Dramatic Appearance — His Inglorious Career — How They All Loved Fremont — The Pathfinder's Complete Vindication. v i CONTENTS CHAPTER XI. Story of the Bear Flag 45 The Grizzly Passant — Fierce Americanos Stay For Breakfast — Cali- fornia's First Fourth. CHAPTER XII. Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo 47 The General's Splendid Americanism — Always a Friend to the United States — He Was Weary of Mexico and Her Blunderings. CHAPTER XIII. Captain John Sutter - 50 At the Famous Fort — A House Prepared For Friends or Foes — The Splendid Trio, Vallejo, Fremont, Sutter. CHAPTER XIV. Then Came California 52 A State That Was Not a State — From San Diego to Sonoma — The Indian a Poor Pupil — The Franciscan Was a Good Cook. CHAPTER XV. From San Diego to Sonoma 53 The Passing of Three Centuries — The Kindly Spanish Priests — Coming of American Settlers — Early Leaders in California History. CHAPTER XVI. Solano — A Wind, a Saint, an Indian, a County 54 Chief Solano — Valley of The Suisuns — Putah Creek — Suisun Bay — Hills the Boundary Lines — Rich Soil and Vegetation — Mineral Products — Solano County Comes Into Being. CHAPTER XVII. Early Settlers of Solano County 57 John R. Wolfskill and Other First Settlers — Discovery of Gold in 1848 and Its Effect on Solano County — Benicia the Metropolis — First Legis- lature meets at San Jose. CHAPTER XVIII. Location of the County Seat 60 County Seat Convention — Township Delegates — County Seat Moved to Fairfield — Hall of Records Erected. CHAPTER XIX. Early Political History of Solano County 62 General Vallejo, Mexican Military Governor from 1835-1846 — Prefec- tures Presided Over by Alcaldes — Fight for Statehood — First Election Under New Order. CHAPTER XX. Mexican Grants 64 Solano County Originally Contained Six Mexican Grants — Interesting Old Documents. CHAPTER XXI. Benicia the Blessed 67 History of the Name Benicia — Bob Semple, the Originator of the Town — The Bark Confederacion — Benicia Becomes Seat of Govern- ment for a Short Time — Industries of the City. CHAPTER XXII. Montezuma Township ;. 71 Rolling Hills and Marsh Lands — Large Catches of Salmon — Birds Landing — Collinsville — The Passing of Montezuma City. CONTENTS vii CHAPTER XXIII. Along the Lowlands 72 Townships of Denverton, Rio Vista, Maine Prairie, Silveyville, Fre- mont — Origin of Town Names. CHAPTER XXIV. Suisun Township 73 "The Island" — Early Settlers in the Community — Industries. CHAPTER XXV. Industries op the Suisun Valley 74 Fruit-growing Takes First Rank — Dried Fruit a Factor — Cement a Valuable Product — Building the New Courthouse. CHAPTER XXVI. Vaca Valley 75 Manuel Cabeza Vaca — Solano Statistics — Acreage of Grain — Number of Fruit Trees in the County. CHAPTER XXVII. Navy Yard — Mare Island 77 The Necessity for Ship Repair Station on Pacific Coast — Commodore Hanscom First Naval Contractor at Mare Island — Introduction of Electricity — Gradual Improvement of the Navy Yard — How the Island Received Its Name — Commandants of Mare Island to Date — Navy Yard of Today. CHAPTER XXVIII. Vallejo 86 City Named for General Vallejo — The General's Generous Grant of Land and Gifts of Money — Early Buildings in the Town — First Cele- bration of Independence Day — -New Year's Day 1855 — First Newspaper — Election of Town Officers — Vallejo's Picturesque Site — Vallejo Schools — Vallejo's Homestead Association — Vallejo Land and Improve- ment Company — Building and Loan Association — Vallejo Postoffice — Society of California Pioneers — -Vallejo Savings and Commercial Bank — Citizens Bank — Newspapers — City Water Works — Vallejo City Water Company — Churches — St. Vincent's Benevolent Society — Fra- ternal Orders. CHAPTER XXIX. In Vaca's Fruited Vale 124 Ideal Location of This Garden Spot — Once a Great Cattle Range — Pioneer Grape and Fruit Raisers in the Valleys — Growth of the Indus- try — Suisun Valley Fruits — First Eastern Shipment of Fruit. CHAPTER XXX. A General Description op the Geological Features op Solano County... 133 Characteristics of the Mountain and Valley Formation — Action of the Rivers — History Told in Rock Formation — -Limestone Industry at Cement — Other Minerals Quarried. CHAPTER XXXI. The Native Vegetation of Solano County 136 Three Distinct Floras — Oaks Most Persistent of Silva — Spring Time Carpet of Flowers — The California Poppy. CHAPTER XXXII. History of Napa County 140 The Mountains and Valleys of the County — Flora of the County — Geology of Napa County — Soils — Land Grants — -Veterans' Home — County Infirmary — Railroad History — Electric Railroad. \ V 1 1 1 CONTENTS CHAPTER XXXIII. Viticulture of Napa County 147 This County the Pioneer in Wine-grape Growing — First Wine Cellars Erected — Growth of Wine Industry — Establishment of Government Experiment Vineyard. CHAPTER XXXIV. The; Trees, Shrubs and Flowers of Napa Valley 150 Description of the Valley — The Douglas Fir, Yellow Pine. Coast Live Oak, Oregon Maple, Redwood — Shrubs of Napa River Basin — Spring Time Carpet of Flowers. CHAPTER XXXV. Farmers' Organizations 153 Patrons of Husbandry — Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company — Poultry Association. CHAPTER XXXVI. City of Napa 155 Napa's First Building — Sweathouse Dance — Description of Early Set- tlement of Napa — Industries — Water Companies — Banking Institutions — Newspapers — Fire Department — Military — Clubs, Lodges, Goodman Library — City Parks. CHAPTER XXXVII. Institutions of Learning 164 The Napa Collegiate Institute — Napa Business College — Old Mound School — Central School — Lincoln School — Napa Washington School — Napa Franklin School — Napa High School — Napa Ladies' Seminary — Churches — Tong War of Napa — Conclusion. * CHAPTER XXXVIII. Bench and Bar 170 Napa County Well Favored in Her Legal Representatives — C. B. Seeley — C. B. Hartson — W. C. Wallace — Henry Edgerton — Wirt Pendegast — Dennis Spencer — Henry Hogan. CHAPTER XXXIX. St. Helena 174 Its Early History — J. H. Still, the Father of the Town — School History — Public Library — Baptists Establish First Church — Incorporation of Town — St. Helena Water Company — Napa Valley Electric Company — Splendid Stone Bridges — Town Officers — Fire Department — News- papers — Banks — Hotels. CHAPTER XL. Calistoga 177 Location of Calistoga — Origin of Name — -Town Surrounded by Pros- perous Farming Community — Hot Sulphur Springs — Calistoga's Water Supply — Methodists Erected First Church — Schools. I INDEX A Abernathie, George W 1025 Adams, John B... 484 Aden. Martin R..... 545 Aebi, Frederick 1029 Ahern, Jeremiah 436 Allan, George C 1003 Almada, John B 805 Almada, Manuel C 793 Alumbaugh, William E., M. D 780 Andersen, Charles H 540 Andersen, William P 370 Anderson, Andrew F 448 Anderson, Hans 401 Anderson, Niels C 353 Anderson, Perry 375 Anderson, Peter 421 Andrews, William 270 Armanino, Lawrence 614 Armstrong, John 800 Ashwell, Charles 340 B Bailard, Frank E., Jr 1016 Baird, William G 563 Baker, Robert E 1019 Baker, William 184 Baker, William S 215 Baldwin, Jabez M 701 Bassford, Henry A 755 Bassford, Henry L 234 Beagles, Mrs. Amanda M 558 Beagles, William H 557 Beddoe, Henry 1007 Belew, Thomas F 1034 Bell, Charles E 549 Bell, Edward S 788 Bell, Horace G 323 Bell, Theodore A 852 Bender, Elias 46C Bentley, Samuel W 486 Bergh, Henning E 318 Beririger, Jacob L 285 Betts Cement Company 509 Billings, Myron E '. 841 Bird, Albert S 1014 Bird, Henry 490 Bird. John 427 Blake, George M 665 Blake, Henry C 457 Blake, Rev. P. V 764 Blake, William P 692 Bleamel, Julius 498 Bogle, Robert 815 Boke, John H 546 Boland, M S 707 Bolomey, A. Henry 992 Bornhorst, William F 689 Bradshaw, John G 979 Braghetta, Isidoro C 996 Brandon, Owen H 430 Brazil, John 1027 Breen, Thomas J 252 Brennan, John H 948 Briggs, George N._ 552 Bristow, Samuel D 1031 Brock, Llewellyn T 1013 Brockhoff, Charles F 324 Brovelli, Joseph 1025 Brown, Arthur J 972 Brown, D. J 968 Brown, Edward 478 Brown, Homer G... 883 Brown, Hon. Jackson F 339 Brown, William A 507 Brown, William D 920 Brubacher, Christian 418 Bruno, Constant 752 Buck, William H 894 Buckles, Hon. Abraham J 334 Buhrmeister, August L 884 Bulson, Charles H., M. D.... 286 Bunce, Harry N 888 Burroughs, John 1004 Burton, James H 668 Butler, Guy K 216 Butler, Ralph M 198 Byrne, Rev. Joseph F 702 c Cagle, Samuel K 1003 Cahill, Mrs. Elizabeth.. 394 Cain, James 990 Callizo, Joseph 887 Campbell, Charles L 677 Campbell, Francis 848 Campbell, George P 288 Campbell, John L 845 Campbell, Mary F 845 Canevascini, John, 297 Cantoni, Charles 995 Carlin, William J 889 Carlton, Frank L 231 Carpenter, Milton 514 Carter, M. M 860 Case, Frank S '. 477 Cases, Albert 513 Casey, John 1030 Casper, Albert 472 Castagnetto, Gerolamo 995 Castle Rock Vineyard 226 Cereda, Carlo 900 Cereda, Domenico 486 Chapman, Lyman 531 Chapman, William H 459 \l INDEX Chiles, Henry L 459 Chiles, Joseph IV... 402 Chrisler, Leslie J 1034 Christensen, Anton 948 Christopher, Benjamin F 424 Chubb, Charles M 1028 Clark. Abraham 697 Clark, Alonzo C 850 Clark, Charles T 304 Clark. Joseph E 453 Clark. O. E 554 Clark, Hon. Reuben 303 Clayton, Henry B 245 ry, Rev. William r 244 Clevenger, [esse D 810 Coarhlan, John M 817 Collins, Tames S - in, William 1! Conner. Newton 53 Conway. John 845 k, Edward T 806 Coombs. Hon. Frank L... ; ~ Coombs, Nathan ^: Cooper, Charles M 857 »er, William B 858 Corcoran, Tames 829 ett, Hon. Robert .. 240 Corlett, William H 507 Crawford. Hugh \ 25 Crochat, Germain 1006 Crystal, George W 504 D Dado, Peter A 999 Dalto, George G 510 Daly, Times A.. .. 782 Dalv. Tames D .. 954 Danielson, John O 101O Darden. William C 1012 Darms, Baltahesar 0^4 Davidson, John 970 Davis, James S 671 Davis. John T 596 Davis. Joseph 805 Dearborn, Eugene I 251 Deming, Charles B 347 Deming, Edwin E ; 2 Dempsey, Robert B.. M. D 938 Denio, Cyrenus P> 914 Denning, William 918 Derby, Charles \. 22S Derrick, Frank W 893 Devlin, Hon. Frank R 641 Dickie. Albert A 559 Dickinson. Henry E 515 Dickson, Thomas 310 Diehl, Philip 823 Dineen. Patrick 542 Dito, Peter &3 Dittmer Brothers o >5 Dixon. Thomas V 1041 Doak, David „. 991 Dodini. Julius 097 Dolan, Patrick 532 Donnelly, Terrence C 240 Doogan, Bernard M 292 Dos' Reis Brothers 737 Dos Reis. Manuel 508 Downey, Tohn T J82 Downing, William E., M D 985 Drake. Harry C 721 Drouit, Frank 890 Drussel. Eugene T 962 Duffv. Phillip 987 Dunker, Henry H 534 Dunlap, David A 384 E Eaton. Charles F 594 Ebeling, \\ illiam 528 Edgcumbe, Joseph C 749 Edington, Joseph L 1005 Edington, Thomas B 822 Elgin, William A 786 Elliot. Harvey R 527 Ellis. Frederick W 773 Elmhurst Academy 787 Elting, Philip .'. 899 English, Joseph R 238 ight, Michael 566 Evey, Joseph 833 Ewing, Joseph Z 966 F Fagerberg, Oscar 812 Falconer, Charles D 274 Farrington, .Mrs. Sarah T 55° Fawver, J. Clark 913 Fawver. Thomas D 263 Fenley, Samuel B 828 Ferrea. Nicholas 585 Feudner, Edward L .1020 Filloon, John A 752 Filomeo, Antonio 1002 Firchow. Herman H 601 Fiscus, John B 821 Fisher. William M 345 Fitzgerald. James H 708 Fitzpatrick. Iven P 500 Fly, Quintus C 847 Ford, Patrick J 870 Force, Daniel H $75 Fossett, Horatio N 955 Foster, Andrew H 215 itain, S. H 846 Fox. Patrick 608 m, William C 913 Francis. George M 475 Freitas. Joe L 496 Freitas. Tohn E 496 Freitas. John L 719 Frese. John B 727 Furtado, Antonio F 990 G Galbreath. Tames E 5 "2 Gardner. Capt. George C 369 Gardner, George F 957 GarPeld, Zenas W 804 Garlichs, Garrard L 463 Garnett. Tames S 635 Garnett. William H 620 Gedge. William K 412 Geer. Hampton S 496 George, Levi 503 Gerlach, Tohn 485 Gildersleeve, C. H 956 Gildersleeve. Georare W 971 \ INDEX x 1 Gillon, Patrick 911 Glashoff, Matthias 543 Glazier, Sutton H 960 Glendon, John E 912 Glos, Charles 341 Godfrey, William S 902 Golds, Herman W 1004 Gonsalves, Matheus 999 Goosen, Henry 725, Goossen, William 333 Gordon, Joseph 821 Gordon, William 291 Gosling, Caleb 768 Graves, John 668 Greenwood, Chester C 411 Greenwood, Capt. George H 442 Greenwood, James A 435 Greenwood, John Q 387 Gregory, John M 1043 Gridley, Erwin S 522 Griffith, Calvin C 630 Griffiths, John P 464 Griffiths, Hon. Walter B 631 Grigsby, Franklin T 983 Grigsby, Terril L 446 Grigsby, Thomas A 471 Grinstead, Willis L 1015 Gruber, Albert C 666 Gunn, Harry L 273 Gustafson, Rudolf 1018 Gyte. Joseph 899 H Hale, Guy S 953 Hall, Charles E 859 Hall, Charles F 434 Hammar, Alrik 328 Hanns, Joseph P 715 „ Hanscom, John 581 Hansen, Carl 1017 Hansen, Hans C 644 Hansen. Hans N 974 Harley, Jordan R 497 Harrier, Lewis G 396 Harris, John W 835 Harris, Henry H 377 Harris, William M H33 Hartley. Clement M ....1042 Hartley, John 763 Hartman. Lewis M 809 Hartson, Chancellor 183 Hartzell, John W 649 Haun, Edgar. M. D 454 Hay, Henry E 908 Hayden, George W 881 Hayes, John F 614 Heald, Edward P 261 Healy, Jesse L 912 Heath, Leslie B 503 Hein, John 638 Henderson, Orrington L 588 Herbison, William 491 Higgins, William 300 Hildreth, George D 811 Hill, Ira Z 733 Hillman, Ernest C 495 Hobbs, Isaac 543 Hoffmeier, William 220 Hogan, Edward F 632 Hohberger, John 1038 Holden, Samuel E 989 Holdridge, Ambrose B 953 Hollenbeck, John 381 Holsten, Mrs. Georgine B 752 Hopmann, Dick 751 Horan, Micheal 255 Hornberg, William von G 774 Hoyt, Joseph H 209 Hoyt, William K 643 Huck, John 233 Hulen, George W 925 Huls, James W...._ 828 Hunt, John 975 Hunter, William 416 Husmann, Frederick L 363 Husmann, Hon. George 388 Huston, George A 757 Hyatt, Alexander A 901 Inman, Mrs. Ann E , 950 Isham, Murray L 459 J Jaensch, Ernest W 785 Jahn, Jochim 816 Jansen, Claus F 779 Jeanmonod, Auguste 476 Jennings, George A 830 Jepson, Martha Ann 834 Jepson, William L 834 Johnson, Andrew 943 Johnson, John 690 Johnson, Martin 943 Johnson, Peter H 1022 Johnson. William W — 372 Jones, Frederick S 282 Jones, William A 936 Jordan, Lester L 757 Joy, Charles 854 Joyce, John J 1023 K Keene, Kendall C 824 Kelsey, Mrs. Benjamin 728 Kelton, Edward A 550 Kemper, Melchoir 708 Kennon, Lewis C 704 Kerr, John A 625 Keys, James A 336 Kidd, Joseph 875 Kilkenny, Anthony 853 Kilkenny, Thomas A 854 King, Percy S - 584 Kiser, Joseph 893 Kiellander, John -1008 Kiam, John A 986 Klotz, Bernard J., M. D 720 Knapp. Henry H 394 Knief, J. F 799 Knudsen, Andrew 416 Koepp, Frederick 857 Kreuzier, John J 1038 Kuebeler, Louis 930 Kunzel, Wenzel 239 Kyser, David S 186 X 1 1 INDEX L Lain, William R 533 Lairamore, James W 661 Lambert, John W 415 Lambert, William H 617 Lambrecht, Julius 908 Lane, Charles W.... - 770 Larson, Par E 779 Laurent, Jean 613 Lemon, John B 623 Lemos, Joe F.... 519 Lennon, Patrick H.... 1001 Lepori, John 900 Levansaler, Charles L : 441 Light, Lucian E 570 Limo, Louis 988 Lincoln, Edward F 560 Lincoln, Harry L 791 Linder, John J 806 Little, John D 976 Little, Wade H 294 Livingston, Allan T... 281 Lockie, James S 905 Loeber, Fred W 775 Long, Edgar E 219 Long, Miss Minnie 538 Long, George W 1013 Lucas, Manuel 839 Lucey, Dennis 1014 Lundell, Hialmar 758 Lutley, Henry C... 317 Lynch, Philip B 696 Lyon, John L 611 Lyon, John P 538 Lyons, Herman W 1037 M McCann, William 978 McCauley, Cornelius 691 McClane, Daniel 1035 McCleary, Rush 209 McCord, James H ....1000 McCormick, C. E 410 McCudden, Hon. James 346 McCune, Hon. Henry E 207 McDonald, Edwin A 641 McDonald, James J 376 McKnight, Samuel J 674 McKevitt, Frank B 587 McLaughlin, James F 306 McMath, Archie B 941 McMillan, Charles 781 McMillan, Edward H... 907 McNeal, Franklin 191 McNeill, William 1018 McNulty, James 393 McQuarrie, Robert 495 Madison, Peter 798 Madrid, Manuel 792 Maeshner, Anton 502 Maggetti, Julius 1036 Maier, John D 322 Malchi, John 797 Malkmes, Frederick C 644 Maloney, Patrick H 448 Manasse, Edward 276 Manasse, Edward G 949 Manasse, Emanuel 237 Mangels, Louis 731 Mangis, Andrew B 489 Mansfield, J. M 1009 March, Henry T 1008 Marino, Pasquale G 1015 Marshall, Lindsey P 363 Marshall, Mrs. Mary.. '. 566 Marsili, Guido 637 Mason, George L 716 Mason, James 678 Mathews, Mrs. Margaret 297 Maxwell Nursery 403 May, George W 382 May, John H 383 Mayes, John S 351 Mayes, Roy D 607 Mayhood, James 317 Mayhood, John B 767 Meacham, Henry M..... 1010 Mee, George 998 Melvin, Margaret M 390 Merriam, Fred J 1026 Mesquita, Manuel S 988 Meyer, John 602 Miles, James L... 358 Miller, Allen C 869 Miller, Charles S... 366 Miller, David M 605 Miller & Cassidy 470 Mitchell, Rev. James - 357 Moffitt, M. M 992 Monlis, A 204 Moore, Robert M 974 Moore, Thomas — - 980 Moore, William 871 Morris, John 683 Morrison, William H 305 Morsberger, Paul 985 Mount St. Gertrude Academy 716 Mount, Timothy N 364 Mowers, Leonard J - — - 365 Mueller, John G , -,- 605 Mugridge, John H - 501 Mullaney, James A... 679 Munk, Victor C 498 Munro, Donald 648 Murray, Charles A 429 Musgrave, Benjamin F 863 N Napa Building & Loan Association.... 667 Neitzel, Charles H 300 Nelson, Ole - 929 Neuenschwander, Frederick 851 Newcomb, Clarence I — - 665 Newcomb, Lucius S 490 Newman, Charles H 566 Newman, Edward W - 703 Newman, James B 267 Noonan, John 680 Norton, Abraham W 865 Norton, Lewis J — - 756 Noyes, Arthur P..... 906 o Oberte, Joseph 969 O'Donnell, William T 564 Olson, Olof 979 Opici, Michael 986 Ornduff, Isaac 872 INDEX x 1 1 1 Otterbeck, Elias E 776 Otterson, Charles F 745 P Pacheteau, J 1040 Pare, James H 818 Parker, A. B 647 Parker, C. D 653 Parker, Theron M 395 Partrick, Jasper N 875 Passalacqua, Benedetta 563 Paul, George 492 Payne, Mrs. Lucy J 521 Peck, Nelson F 804 Peckinpah, Thaddeus E 428 Pedrick, William S 1030 Pedrotti, James 905 Perry, Manuel 679 Peter, Andrew 981 Peters, Henry 321 Peters, G. Henry 458 Petersen, Henry 440 Petersen, Lorense 932 Petersen, William D 973 Pinkham, George G 769 Plass, Philip 695 Pleasants, Ansel P..... 973 Pleasants, James W 971 Pleasants, William J 279 Pratt, Robert H 685 Pryor, Guilford 582 Q Quarney, John 527 R Radcliffe, William 312 Radelfinger, Samuel 221 Rammers, Richard F 929 Raney, Andrew J 389 Raney, George W..~ 501 Rasmussen, Andrew 404 Reams, James W 210 Reddick, Leonard 935 Reed, Samuel L 606 Renie, Edward 816 Rhodes, E. B 210 Richardson, Jerome B 618 Richardson, William N 829 Riehl, Gottleib 1027 Robinson, Columbus T 659 Robinson, Grant T 1026 Robinson, Maury 672 Roos, Frederick 982 Rose, Fay W...._ 926 Rosel Albert 941 Rossi, Anton 1007 Rowe, Jesse G... 993 Rowley, John L 637 Rule, Charles H 192 Rump, Conrad 329 Rush, Benjamin F 189 Russ, George H 895 Russell, Hiram J..... 1033 Rutherford, Wallace T 656 Ryerson, George L 525 s St. Alphonsus Turibius Church 244 St. Helena Catholic Church 764 St. Helena Sanitarium 947 St. Vincent Convent School 827 Sackett, John E 583 Sackett, Louis A 942 Salmina, J. Baptist & Felix 430 Samuels, William H 720 Saviez, Frank 887 Sawyer, Edwin H 655 Sawyer, French A 275 Sawyer Tanning Company 250 Scally, Michael 661 Scarlett, Franklin 439 Schaffer, Christopher 371 Schielke, Herman 516 Schleicher, John 836 Schlomer, George 852 Schmeiser, Carl E 997 Schulze, Oscar C 551 Schulze, Otto T 197 Scott, Ambrose F 324 Seeley, Chauncey B 599 Serpa, John F 1028 Sharp, Lawrence 684 Shearer, John L 213 Sheldon, Winfred C 600 Sherburne, John S 422 Sherer, Levi 1021 Shively, J. H 232 Shook, Silas S 896 Shouse, Berry 264 Shubert, Albert 465 Shurtleff, Hon. Benjamin 201 Siedenbur?, George (^73 Silva, Frank M 233 Silvey, Joseph 447 Simpkins, Thomas B 750 Simpson, George W 920 Siqueira, Louis J 750 Skoog, George P 864 Sloan, James 298 Smith, Charles E 1021 Smith, Thomas 243 Smith, William 931 Smith, William 937 Smith, William Egbert 327 Sneed, Wiley T 920 Snider, Thomas L 660 Souza, Joseph B 608 Sparks, Richard A 977 Sparks, Thomas A 590 Sparks, Martin V 977 Spear, Madison 3^2 Sperry, Asher 246 Spiers, William 840 Standard Portland Cement Company 197 Staniels, William EL... -.1039 Stanly, John A 195 Steiger, Alexander 204 Steiger, Frank A 262 Sterling, Robert H 738 Steury, Christian 348 Stewart. Robert 293 Stoddard, William J 445 Stratton, Samuel 1041 ?*■- "ich, Erne cf T 225 r , '--- , ybgn. William 451 X 1 V INDEX Sullenger, John C 575 Sullivan, James T 770 Sullivan, John 433 Sullivan, Thomas F 1042 Summers, Andrew G 1032 Sweitzer, Lowery 1009 Swift, John J 1005 Switzer, Burton W 686 Tate, Hon. Horace P 258 Taylor, Robert F., M. D 661 Teply, Jacob 520 Thomann, John 469 Thompson, Anton 744 Thomsen, Lorenz 370 Tiedemann, Henry 994 Tiek, William H 944 Timm, Hans 1024 Timm, Henry R... 315 Titel, George 866 Tobin, Margaret 593 Todd, James M 923 Topley, James 577 Tormey, William J 309 Torp, Carl A 1035 Towson, Allen 595 Towson, William B 409 Toynton, Harry G 1017 Trower, Charles E 587 Troxel, W. T 859 Trubody, William A 743 Truffini, Joseph 620 Trumpler, Walter 624 Tucker, Daniel L 534 Tufts, J. B 653 Turner, Charles M 299 Turner, George R 569 Turner, Squire Jackson 944 Turton, Luther M 982 Tyther, Richard 740 V Vallejo, Gen. M. G 761 Vice, Thomas 589 Vienop, Ernest J 660 Vogel, Charles 1036 Vorbe, Ephrem 629 W Wakerley, George 417 Walker, John 923 Wallace, Louis L 734 Wallbridge, Edway M : 502 Walton, Otto F 672 Ward, Joseph R 218 Warner, John M..._ 872 Watkins, Edmund G 959 Watson, James N 596 Watson, Robert C 513 Watt, William 463 Webber, Eugene L 726 Weber, George 312 Weeks, Samuel J. T 714 Weinberger, John C 924 Wells, James C 311 Whitaker, John R 571 White Henry K 288 White, John P 981 Wickstrom, Carl E 919 Wilger, Frederick 600 Wilkinson, Francis A 1011 Willey, Alden B 713 Williams, Emanuel V 569 Williams, Robert 452 Williams, Robert F...._ 428 Wilson, Earl G 360 Wilson, James 733 Wilson, John 740 Wilson, John L 439 Wilson, S. E 710 Winchell, Merritt G 483 Witt, Peter 222 Wolfskill, Frank 3 C 9 Wolfskill, Sarchel 423 Wood, William W 709 Woods, John 917 Woods, Warren A 519 Woolner, Benjamin F 739 Y Yates, Daniel S 991 Yolo, Peter J 996 York, John 558 York, William E 565 z Zimmerman, F. F 803 0511' TTWiE COUNTYSOLANO CALIFORNIA sc^lc ©IT WSEE COUNTY*NAPA CALIFORNIA 18 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES he wandered over these waters. Drake possessed a lifelong hatred for the Spanish and all his days he sailed the oceans in pursuit of their ships. He had pretty well swept the south Pacific of the treasure-laden galleons homeward bound from the Far East to Spain, and had plundered the Spanish ports until his little vessel, the "Golden Hind," was almost bursting with millions of golden loot. He could not return home by way of the Straits of Magellan, as his enemies were watching that route and cursing him most prayerfully. They also were supplicating all the saints — not otherwise busy — in the calen- dar, also the heathen gods of winds, to waft him safely into their hands. This "Perfidious Albion," not having any intention of seeing the prayers answered, concluded to go westward around the globe, and trust to luck to find through unknown seas his way. He sailed northward along the Sonoma coast, but baffled by contrary winds around Cape Mendocino, turned and entered a bay in latitude 38°, either Bodega bay or what is now called Drake's bay, just south of Point Reyes, in Marin county. Here, on the beach, he repaired the Golden Hind for her long journey. While his ship- carpenter was patching up the leaks, Drake put in the time annexing the whole coast to England, calling the claim "New Albion," because the yellow hills reminded him of chalky Dover. In a pile of stones on the shore he buried a penny ornamented with Queen Elizabeth's aristocratic face ; then he swore she owned all the ranches on this rim of the hemisphere — nothing small about Sir Francis. He was a real real-estate man. After a stay of about thirty-six days Drake sailed by way of the Farralone islands, slowly and surely finding his way into the Indian ocean, down the African coast, around the Cape of Good Hope, and home. He believed he was the first and only explorer in that region and advised Elizabeth to further secure the claim; but she joyfully accepted the gold and jewels he brought her, knighted him and dropped the matter. Land-madness among the nations or peoples of the earth was not so developed four hundred and thirty years ago. In 1594 Sebastian Cermeno, another Portuguese in the service of Spain, was sent along the upper California coast by Viceroy Monterey for the purpose of finding harbors of call for vessels homeward bound from the Philippines. Nothing was heard of the expedition for two years, when a small, rudely built vessel came into Acapulco manned by a remnant of Cermeno's crew. Their ship, the Augustine, had been wrecked in what is now known as Drake's bay and many persons were lost. The next navigator to attempt in their poor little ships the uncharted California coast was Sebastian Viscaino, who entered San Diego bay in 1602, sixty years after Cabrillo. It may be here mentioned that the discoverer called the bay San Miguel, but Viscaino changed the name to the one it bears today. While this navigator was not the first on the coast, he was the first in energy and enter- prise. Sailing northward, he passed and renamed the San Clementi and Santa Catalina islands San Pedro — named not for the Apostle St. Peter, but for Bishop St. Peter of Alexandria; threaded Santa Barbara channel on St. Barbara's day, giving the locality its name, and came to anchor December 15, 1602, in a noble harbor which he called Monterey, in honor of his viceroy and patron. The Fair Amazonian California. The sudden death of Viscaino checked all the preparations of the Spanish government for a large colony at Monterey. This settlement would have been one year older than Jamestown, but it died ere its beginning, and one hundred and sixty years went by before another Spaniard stood on the shore of Alta California. Galleons from Manila crossing the Pacific would strike this coast near Cape Mendocino and cruise down to Acapulco and Panama, but there being no surveyed ports, they never stopped. The territory passed back into the mists of the unknown. The name "California" has come HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 19 through broken accounts from an origin vague, distant, impalpable. The treasure-mad adventurers of Spain, always seeking undiscovered golden troves, believed, in the fierceness of their desire, there were other places on the new continent rivaling the stored wealth of the Peruvian Inca, from whom Pizarro looted so richly and murderously, or of Montezuma, the pitiful victim of the insatiable Cortes. Fictionists of the time wrote stories of mighty cities in the mysterious west peopled by semi-supernatural beings who jealously watched their vast treasuries. One of these writers was Ordonez de Montalvo, and his book, "Sergas de Esplandian," published in 1510, told of the mystic "Island of California," where beautiful amazons ruled and grim griffins guarded not only the feminine wealth, but the mineral treasure as well. The young and valiant grandee and knight of belt and spur, Esplandian, meets the wild queen "Califa" in her capital city, where, after many fierce fights between his followers and her dragon-like people, he succeeds, if not in conquering the place, at least in having her fall in love with him. Califa was devoted to her Spanish cavalier — something of the devotion of a tigress — and it took all the watchfulness and valor of her lover to keep his life secure when she had an unusual "tender spell." Her savage griffins had an unpleasant habit of flying around on their bat-wings and picking up white soldiers, which they would lift to a great height and then drop. Of course, the soldier thus treated was of no use afterwards. Because of their bird-like manners, Montalvo in his book dipped into Greek and called them "ornis," and "Califa" is from "Kalli" (beautiful) in the same tongue. "The T was inserted for the sake of euphony," said the late Professor George Davidson, the translator, hence "California" — beautiful bird. This golden Ali Baba tale was popular with the Spanish knights of fortune, and doubtless Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, when he saw the islands off the southern coast of this state, named them after the mystic amazon queen, as they were first known as "Las Californias." Could he have gone further into the province he found and named so fittingly he might have won the golden lure that drew him to the threshold of a greater discovery. But his death and burial on one of his newly discovered coast-islands ended further exploration. Spain in the Mad Dance of Death. During a slumber-interval of almost two centuries, Spain was moving downward. On land and sea her power was diminishing. She yet held her many colonies, but her grasp was weak. On the oceans her commerce was the prey of any nation or nations who chose to plunder it. English and Dutch privateers and buccaneers and freebooters from all parts of the globe issued from their lairs to rob her ships and ravish her ports at home and abroad. The energy, enterprise, courage and knighthood that had won her the highest place among the nations were passing — and she was dying in the demoralization of her own wealth and greatness. Her kings and nobles were in a mad dance in the midst of a national luxury never before known, while the poor were starving. Official stupidity, corruption, disloyalty and other forms of decay were rapidly weakening the once powerful kingdom and placing her at the mercy of her old-time enemies. Then Spain had a partial awakening. Her foreign lands must be colonized and these citizens be welded to the home country. Where colonists were not available, the natives must be Christianized, civilized and molded into citizens. It was an era of missionary zeal — in fact, as courage went down in the soldier it came up in the priest — and Spain proposed to use it to bulwark her threat- ened possessions. The Jesuits were encouraged to begin their labors in Lower California, and among these savages, about as degraded as any on the American continent, the padres soon had sixteen missions. They con- tinued until the royal edict drove them from the Spanish dominions. The 20 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES Franciscans were given charge of the Jesuit missions of Baja California in 1768. From a material point of view it was a poor gift, as the sterile lands around the missions could hardly support a flock of goats, consequently Junipero Serra, the president of the order, moved northward and the chain of missions from San Diego to Sonoma was the result of this zealous father's labors. This work of occupation and colonization of Alta California was the joint work of the church and the state, hence when the work was secularized in 1834 — sixty- five years after — the government justified the act on the ground that the state was supreme in the control of the property. The first mission in Upper California was established at San Diego, July 16, 1769, and the second at Monterey, June 3, 1770. The newly appointed governor, Gaspar de Portola, marching along the coast from the south, seeking Mon- terey, reached that bay but did not recognize it. He continued northward and only when he reached what is now known as San Francisco bay did he learn of his mistake. Returning to Monterey, the mission of San Carlos de Borromeo was founded on the shore of the bay, but the following year Father Junipero Serra moved the site of the institution back into the Carmelo valley, away from the contaminating influence of the presidio soldiers. The Rosary of the Missions. The other missions were established on the following dates : San Antonia de Padua, in San Luis Obispo county, June 14, 1771 ; San Gabriel Arcangel, Los Angeles county, September 8, 1771 ; San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, San Luis Obispo county, September 1, 1772; Dolores, San Francisco, October 9, 1776; San Juan Capistrano, Orange county, November 1, 1776; Santa Clara, Santa Clara county, January 18, 1777; San Buenaventura, Ventura county, March 31, 1782; Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara county, December 4, 1786; La Purisima Concepcion, Santa Barbara county, December 8, 1787; Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz county, September 25, 1790; La Soledad, Monterey county, September 29, 1791; San Jose, Alameda county, June 11, 1797; San Juan Bautista, San Benito county, June 24, 1797; San Miguel Arcangel, San Luis Obispo county, July 25, 1797; San Fernando Rey de Espana. September 8, 1797; San Luis Rey de Francis, San Diego county, June 13, 1798; Santa Ynez, Santa Barbara county, September 17, 1804; San Rafael Arcangel, Marin county, December 14, 1817; San Francisco de Solano, Sonoma county, August 25, 1823. While the Franciscan missionaries here sowed the seed of civilization, it cannot be said that the seed dropped on other than sterile ground — and sterility, too, is a term foreign to California. Their voices went crying into the wilderness to fall in stony places, stony hearts, and the colonization scheme that was to shape the Indian into a militant part of the Spanish kingdom only resulted in a string of churchly landmarks stretched along the coast, more or less in ruins. Yet they tell a quaintly fascinating story, these adobe piles that stand on the "Camino Real," the Royal Road between the first and the twenty-first of the missions. They were the stopping places on that way — of seven hundred miles — that ran over llano and mesa, over piney slopes and oaken meadows, along the sharp ridges and through dark canyons northward, always northward. And the Padre Pathfinder, clasping the cross to his breast, fearing that death would meet him on the perilous way, walked over the sunlit hills where the oats tasseled at his corded waist and the poppies dropped their golden petals on his sandaled feet, until the last pioneer priest, Altimira, in Sonoma, the "Indian Valley of the Moon," planted the symbol of man's salvation and called the wild tribes to prayer — "In Nomine Patris." HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 21 CHAPTER II. SPANISH CIVILIZATION MOVES SLOWLY. After Portola's accidental "look-in" through the open Golden Gate in that early 1769, the Spanish colonization scheme moved slowly from its San, Diego beginning. The padres did their part, teaching the aborigines to pray and mold adobes, but the civil portion of the so-called civilization lingered — slept at the missions, where the priests and their Indian converts had beef, beans and wheat to sell or give — generally give. California was the last accumulation, the last domain added to the vast empire-kingdom of that monarch who was at once an emperor — Charles V of Germany — and a king — ■ Carlos I of Spain. He came to the German throne through his deceased maternal grandfather, Maximilian, and while fighting in the Netherlands he was lifted to the Spanish crown by the death of his paternal grandfather, Ferdinand. Charles- — or Carlos, whatever the reader may elect — was a good fighter, a good churchman, and made things interesting for his political and ecclesiastical opponents. As Henry VIII of England and Francis I of France were defeated though not discouraged candidates for the imperial part of his double office, and as Martin Luther at that period was shaking Europe with the Reformation, the emperor-king had full opportunity to exercise his mili- tant characteristics. But they wore him out in thirty years of battle, and, resigning his crowns, he died in the peace and silence of a monastery. The warlike qualities of his subjects kept him so busy that he did not see his kingdom — then the greatest on earth — for years, and the maladministrations of his six immediate successors further sent Spain on the downward road that ended when her flag dropped in Cuba and the Philippines. In constant ttirmoil at home, her far western possessions, Mexico and California, were left to get along with only intermittent attention. Between Portola (1767) and De Sola (1822) ten Spanish appointees had more or less governed Alta California, but these easygoing soldiers of fortune had stayed pretty close to the seashore. They found the pueblos of San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Monterey and San Francisco more comfortable than the Indian- infested inland. The work of civilizing the wilderness and incidentally raising food and other luxuries for the government officials and their soldiers was left to the mission padres and their native converts. These Franciscan priests, when Charles had expelled the Jesuits from Spanish dominions, accusing them of plotting against his crown, succeeded to the rights and holdings of the deposed order on the Pacific. They also succeeded to the "Pious Fund," which had been set apart for the support of the Jesuit mis- sionaries in Lower California. This fund, grown to large dimensions and withheld by the Mexican government, was returned to the church a few years ago by a decision of The Hague. The Dominican order, however, had demanded a share in the mission field, and Junipero Serra, president of the Franciscans, looking over the sterile, uninviting hills of Baja California, where the Jesuits had labored under such discouragements, was willing to cede the whole peninsula to the other order. This Serra did, and the follow- ing years find him with his co-workers building missions from San Diego to Sonoma, seeking the soul-salvation of a savage who had more veneration for a pot of "carne y frijoles" (beef and beans) which the good fathers cooked than for cross and creed held up to his primitive mind. After the seizing of the pious fund, then grown to $78,000, upon which Mexico had kept hungry eyes for years, and the secularization of the mission property, the institution went down and the great adobe chapels began to crumble back to their 22 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES mother dust. The Spanish era was the "sleepy" period of California — the slumber just before the grand awakening when "the Gringo came." Of course the different governors and comandantes frequently aroused them- selves for family quarrels, in which there were generally more fluent talking and letter writing than real fighting, but a few concessions and cheap compli- ments brought peace — till the next row was due. Even when Mexico threw off the yoke of Spain in 1822 and had her own emperor, Iturbide, crowned as "Agustan I" for a few months, the change hardly rippled the placid surface of this portion of the new Mexican empire. And when luckless Iturbide lay dead before a file of Mexican soldiers, as did Maximilian, another emperor, later on. the Calif ornians quietly hauled down the new imperial standard and as quietly hauled up the tricolor of the republic of Mexico. It was "on again, off again " without any powder burned over the changes, in this "manana land/' Did Not Love the Gringo. Yet there was one question that drew these sons of Old Spain into something like unity, and while it did not cement the aggregated mass, it helped the Californians to present a considerable front to the common family enemy. That question was the man from the "States," the North American — in contradistinction to the Mexican of the south. From their minimum of geographical knowledge they knew that the Great AVall of the Sierras stood guard on their eastern border, and over those icy crests they desired no immigrant should come. For generations Spain had seen her standards torn and tossed on the English bayonets and her armadas go gurgling down in the deep at the mere will of the invincible Albion, and no descendant of Castile and Aragon cared to come in contact with even a branch of that mili- tant race. Moreover, the eagle of America and his brother-bird of Mexico were screaming warlike from shore to shore of the Rio Grande, and Texas was preparing the way for a march to the ancient city of Montezuma. The Spanish in California, with the purblindness which has been a distinct char- acteristic of the race always, often carried their senseless antagonism to their sole and more powerful neighbor to extreme length. They even desired to annex themselves to any one of the European governments whose fleets were hovering watchfully on this coast. They knew that it was the world's belief that California was a logical part of the United States, and the Stars and Stripes would wave on the Pacific beach whenever those color-bearers so desired. So to these colonists playing like children at state-building, galloping their mustangs over vast hidden mineral and agricultural wealth, yet finding it not, slumbering in a long siesta on the shore of a great waterway that was to bring to their harbors — after their day — the cargoed riches of countless argosies, it was anything but the hated "gringo." It was this knowledge that in 1842 hurried Commodore Jones with the U. S. Frigate United States into Monterey, where he hoisted his flag, even if he did haul it down next day, learning that General Taylor had not yet got his guns to working on Santa Ana ; and it was this knowledge four years afterwards that sent Com- modore Sloat in the U. S. Steamship Savannah racing up the coast with the British Frigate Collingwood, Admiral Sir George Seymour, commanding, in the speedy Yankee's wake. War was on with Mexico and the good old wooden ship Savannah, fit mother of the modern cruiser of steel, was out- sailing her Britannic majesty, the Collingwood, and a state was the prize. That was a glorious "ride" over the sea that merits a place in song with the runs of Revere and Sheridan, for when Seymour got in port next day Sloat's ensign was over Monterey, and it has never come down. The Lame Padre Junipero Serra. From July 16, 1769, the day Junipero Serra founded his first Upper Cali- fornia mission at San Diego, the Spanish colonists, if comparatively straggling HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 23 bands of ill-clothed, poorly paid or no-paid soldiers, with occasional poverty- stricken families, can be called colonists, began to settle along the fringe of coast. This "wave of civilization" rolled sluggishly towards the north, led always by the indefatigable lame parde, of whom Pope Clement said: "I would that I had more junipers like that one in my garden." Under Serra's supervision mission after mission arose in the California vales until bis body, bereft of the flame of a life-zeal, lay dead in the church of El Carmelo. In 1817 the Mission San Rafael was established, the beautiful Marin valley chosen for an establishment to relieve the poor, unselfsupporting Mission Dolores in San Francisco. This brings the reader along the chain of missions whose links measure seven hundred miles and whose walls were a half century in the building, until he stands at the door of the twenty-first and the last — ■ San Francisco de Solano, at Sonoma. CHAPTER III. THE APPEARANCE OF THE RUSSIANS. A decade previous to the establishment of the Spaniards north of San Francisco, the appearance of the Russians on the California coast for a time threatened to bring another portion of Europe to the new world. But with this people it was more a question of sea-otters than of sea-shores, and after they had hunted out the furr)^ herds, they sold out and sailed away. This nightmare of invasion came early to the sleeping Spanish. In 1792 — two hundred and thirteen years after Drake's day — Captain George Vancouver, another wandering Englishman, came spying out the land. He visited Yerba Buena, and was hospitably received, but he quietly ignored any prior claim to the territory. Noting that the country was an easy prey for anybody who cared to possess it, he advised his government to grab the entire domain. Great Britain just at that propitious time was trying to keep out of the great French Revolution, though occasionally taking a shot at Holland and at Spain nearer home. Also she was out of money, and the Bank of England had suspended specie payments. Moreover, she lately came out of the conflict with her rebellious colonies on the Atlantic seaboard second best, and she had no strong desire to get into a fresh fight just then so near the truculent Yankees. Otherwise, it is probable that a British fleet would have made short work of corralling the Spanish settlements along the coast, and California might have become a sister province of Canada. After Vancouver's departure there was an effort made to prepare for these "foreigners." Plans for port fortifications were adopted, one of which points was Bodega. Since 1775, when Lieutenant Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra, of the Spanish navy, explored the bay and gave a portion of his considerable name to the place, the Yerba Buena comandantes had apparently forgotten the discovery. A military road was projected along the Marin county coast and a battery of four guns was menacing the world from the Sonoma shore. But this wakeful spell was brief. The military road reached the dignity of a sheep- trail and the guns gathered rust for a few months and were hauled back to Yerba Buena. Spain had her constant trouble at home, where the European states were busy with one another. No more dangerous foreigners appearing in the vicinity, California was left to sleepily work out her destiny. Love Unlocks the Golden Gate. While the otters led the Russians to Bodega bay and Fort Ross, these Alaskan colonists had previously visited this portion of the coast. Yet in both cases their coming was more accident than design. In Sitka during those 24 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES early times food — even for a Russian — was a problem indeed, and the principal freight-route across Siberia or by sea was long and arduous. April 5, 1806, Count Nicholi Petrovich Razanoff, the governor of Alaska, sailed into Yerba Buena, his ship loaded with articles for trade and his crew afflicted with scurvy. His first reception was neither cordial nor commercial, the peculiar trade restrictions of the Spaniards prohibiting intercourse with foreigners, although the people and padres needed the goods. Razanoff could have bought for cash, as the Spanish port regulations did not taboo Russian gold, but unfortunately he was without the coin of any realm. His country- people in Sitka were growing hungrier every hour and the stupid Spanish were holding the breadstuffs he so wanted. Then love — who laughs at locksmiths — unlocked the port of San Francisco. The Count, dancing attendance on Comandante Jose Arguello, trying to work that official into a more commer- cial attitude, met Donna Concepcion Arguello, and the old, old drama of the heart was played. The beautiful California girl took up the work that diplomacy had dropped. She consented to marry her noble Russian lover, and the stern Don was not proof against the coaxing of his daughter. Neither was Governor Arrillaga, at Monterey, for it seems that this fascinating Espanol-Americano had her own way in both the capital and the chief port of the territory. When Razanoff sailed with his new cargo for Alaska he parted from Concepcion forever, for on his way across Siberia to St. Petersburg, where he was to get the royal permission of the Czar to wed the Spanish girl, he was thrown from his horse. Before fully recovering from his injuries he attempted to complete the journey, but from a relapse he died on the road. It was years before Concepcion, waiting at San Francisco, learned of his • death. She then joined the order of the Sisters of Visitation, and after a long life devoted to noble work, died at Benicia. Bret Harte, the California poet, has placed in tender vers? this historical page of a woman's waiting years, when "Long beside the deep embrasures, where the brazen cannon are, Did she wait her promised bridegroom and the answer of the Czar ; Watched the harbor-head with longing, half in faith and half in doubt ; Every day some hope was kindled, flickered, faded and went out." Settlements at Bodega and Fort Ross. As he passed up the coast, hurrying his shipload of food home to his hungry countrymen at Sitka, and also hurrying himself to a meeting with the emperor which meant so much to him, Razanoff's mind was not so taken up with thoughts of the pretty Spanish girl he was leaving that he did not notice that Spain had some localities along the Sonoman shore quite suitable for Russian colonies ; much more so than the wintry north. While strolling with the fair Concepcion along the bay-beach at San Francisco, he had noted how weak were the fortifications and how few were the "brazen cannon" her father commanded. In fact, the Spanish never at any time had enough power in California to resist the attack of a single foreign ship of war. Only a special brand of luck, also that there was then plenty of unoccupied country for other land-grabbing nations, also because the incalculable value of this territory was a totally unknown quantity to the world, permitted Spain to possess California as long as she did. The Russians noted that the waters of this coast were teeming with marketable possibilities, especially sea-otter, the fur of which was extremely valuable. Nor was Count Razanoff the first to notice this harvest of the sea awaiting the hunter, for two years previous a sharp-eyed Yankee skipper, Captain Joseph O'Cain, in the vessel the O'Cain, had done considerable pelt poaching here, to be followed three years later by Captain Jonathan Winship in the same vessel, employed by the Alaska HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 25 Fur Company. Notwithstanding Governor Arrillaga issued strongly-worded pronunciamentos against illicit and contraband trade with foreigners, and against equally lawless hunting and fishing in Spanish waters, their vessels were constantly hovering around the Farralone islands and Bodega bay, and finding excuses to anchor in ports near the missions. In fact, it is remarkable how often these sly skippers ran out of fresh water or food or were in urgent need of repairs. The Spanish offilcials doubtless made efforts to carry out the government instructions, but the articles the courteous visitors had to sell or give away were too tempting. That peculiar commercial characteristic now known as "graft" must have been equally known in those sirhple days "before the Gringo came." Possibly the previous removal of the four-gun battery from Bodega in a measure caused the reluctance of the Spanish comandantes to obey home-orders. And the universally known fact that bribery shoots farther than cannon had much to do with the stay of the Russians on the coast. Early in 1811 Alexander Kuskoff sailed into Yerba Buena, and not enjoying his reception, in high dudgeon sailed out again. He stopped at Bodega bay and, still smarting from the insult, real or imaginary, annexed the whole territory to the Russian crown, naming it Roumiantzof. He noticed a large stream of water flowing into the ocean and called it Slavianki. These euphonious titles passed away with the "squatters," as General Vallejo always called them, but the river retained the name of "Russian." First Real Estate Deal. These pioneer squatters were more practical than the Spanish. They treated the Indians kindly and showered gifts upon the local chiefs, and went through the form of buying the territory they had taken possession of. There is no likelihood that Kuskoff was modest in the acreage of the land-present which he sliced out of Spanish dominion for the Czar, as it is known that Russian surveyors passed through the Santa Rosa and Russian river valleys. They ascended Mount St. Helena, leaving a copper plate on that grand land- mark inscribed with the date of the visit, and what is more important, the name of the Princess Helena, wife of Count Rotscheff, commanding officer of Fort Ross, a small port some eighteen miles above Bodega. But whether the big ranch was within the area now known as Bodega township, with or with- out other townships added, old records show dimly. However — and another credit to the Slavonians — here is the only instance where the original owners of California lands were ever paid for anything. The price gladly accepted by the Indians, according to statements made in later years, was three pairs of breeches, three hoes, two axes and four strings of beads. Certainly this early valuation of land was not a boom figure, but it must be remembered that California soil was figuratively and literally rated "dirt cheap" in those days preceding the dawn of the more modern real estate man with his florid lit- erature. But this peculiar purchase had its long, long day in court, as it passed to Captain John A. Sutter for $30,000, finally to William Muldrew for about one-fifth of that amount, and for years clouded the land titles from Tomales bay to Cape Mendocino. "Pie de Palo" (Foot of Wood), as the Spaniards derisively called Kuskoff because of his wooden leg, remained at Bodega seven or eight months, making good use of his time, notwithstanding the warlike protests from Yerba Buena. With his twenty Russians and fifty Kadiac Indians he secured two thousand otter skins worth in the world's market at that period nearly $100 apiece, and built a large storehouse on Bodega point. While the Russian farmers are noted the world over for crude workmanship, Kuskoff's agriculturists around Bodega which he had formed out of his fur hunters seemed to have done well. He built a commodious farmhouse at Bodega Corners and put under cultivation considerable grain land. 26 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES A Two-Gun Chapel. On his return to Sitka with his rich cargo of skins and equally rich accounts of the mild summer spent at Roumiantzof. Count Baranof, the Russian chamberlain, was easily persuaded to found a permanent settlement on the California coast. As Russia and Spain were then as much at peace with each other as was possible in those stormy days, it is quite possible that the Russian official was acting under secret instructions from St. Petersburg. As the Slav visitors at Yerba Buena had used their eyes around the poor fortifications of that port, the imperial government had little regard for Spanish objection, and was fully advised of Spain's inability to defend her dominions against invasion. A place on the seashore about eighteen miles north of Bodega, called by the Indians "Mad-shui-nui," was selected. Of course the newcomers had their "tribal" name, but the one they gave the settle- ment, "Kostromitinof," was too burdensome for the general usage of the time. The Spaniards called it "Fuerte de los Rusos" (Fort of the Russians), and this finally evolved to Fort Ross. Knowing the possibility of a hostile visit from the Spaniards or their allies, the Indians, the Russians built strongly and well. With a rude sawmill they got out lumber from the nearby redwood forest and erected a high stockade on the bluff overlooking the ocean. This enclosure, a rectangle containing about two acres, was at once a village and a fort, and the ingenious construction of its walls and bastions •showed the frontier skill of this sturdy, self-sustaining people. The stockade was of thick planks, the lower ends mortised into heavy timbers placed under- ground, and the upper ends of these boards or slabs, twelve feet above, were again mortised, every mortise being keyed with a wooden peg. Two angles of the wall were further protected with octagonal bastions twenty-four feet in diameter and two stories high, and built of hewed redwood logs strongly fastened together, and the whole covered with a conical roof. At one of the angles was the Greek Catholic chapel thirty-one feet long and twenty-five feet wide. As two of its walls were a part of the enclosure walls, they were strongly constructed and were portholed for cannon, as was the entire stockade. It must have been inspiring to the Spanish envoys, when attending divine service with the Russian officers, to see those guns before the altar devoted to the worship of the Prince of Peace, their muzzles pointed towards Yerba Buena and ready for business, even when the owners of the battery were professing brotherly affection for their visitors, and which profession the visitors knew was only entertainment provided by their diplomatic hosts. Two domes surmounted this church, one circular and the other pentagonal. A chime of bells called the farmers from the fields and the hunters from the sea at matin and vesper time. The chapel, also the large and roomy barracks building constructed within the fort, long withstood the ravages of the years and the neglect of the subsequent occupants of the place. The barracks, which had likely only been used by the officers of the fur company, is still the residence of the owner, but the church, before the earthquake completed its ruin, was in turn a grain storehouse and hay barn. The location from a military view was an admirable selection, as the ten and afterwards twenty guns of the fort commanded not only the land approaches to the town, but protected the shipping in the little harbor, which was itself a cozy cove lying under a high northern shore, a defense against the fierce storms sweeping down the coast. September 10 — or August 30, according to the Russian calendar, which was then eleven days behind the almanacs of other nations — 1812. they formally celebrated the founding of their settlement with gun salutes, mass and feasting. HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 27 CHAPTER IV. A LONG-DISTANCE CONFLICT. The comandante at San Francisco promptly notified Governor Arrillaga at Monterey of this invasion of Spanish territory. The document, flaming with indignation, was transmitted to the viceroy at Mexico, who, with additional fiery comments, passed the package on to Madrid. After an inter- minable stage-wait, the answer and order would start westward, and after long stops at Mexico and Monterey would reach San Francisco, but the paper would breathe business. "Drive the Rusos into the sea !" would be the royal mandate, but as this would have been too big a contract for the Spanish in California, the pen, in this case, if not mightier, was safer than the sword; so the two parties at issue put in the time letter-writing, and while the matter was a serious one to the official scribes, there is a flavor of humor around that correspondence which the years do not stale. After the Russian com- mander at Fort Ross received the fierce Madrid ultimatum he would send it through the chamberlain at Sitka to the Czar. There are many, many versts of sea and Siberian plain between Ross and St. Petersburg, and Russia would . be farther behind the calendar before the emperor's answer would reach his "faithful Kuskoff," who, whatever the outward nature of the paper, could readily read between the lines — -"Hold the Fort !" While these polished diplomats were sparring for time and unreeling leagues of red-tape that stretched from Madrid to St. Petersburg via intermediate points, the Russian colonists were busy, and under their industry the new place thrived and grew by leaps and bounds. Much of the level land around the fort was put under cultivation, and, in fact, during the warmest part of the letter-war that threat- ened to plunge the coast into conflict these pioneer farmers of Sonoma were placidly sending to San Francisco in vessels of their own building, grain and vegetables of their own growing, lumber of their own sawing and leather of their own tanning. Fruit trees and berry vines procured from elsewhere bore, and were in that early day the commencement of the great acreage of orchard and vineyard that add so materially to the harvest wealth of the county. The home-made burrs of their gristmills, run by windmills, are among the historic relics of Bodega and Ross. The Indians of the neighboring ranche- rias were utilized for labor in the fields, while the Alaskans of the colony were used in the hunting and fishing. A little coaxing, a tiny drink of brandy and an insignificant wage made the Digger a passable workman. Moreover, the Russians took wives from out of the Indian camps, an officer legally per- forming the marriage services (when no chaplain was attached to the post) in the little Greek chapel, whenever the high contracting parties desired the blessing of "book and bell." These social and matrimonial alliances were of course confined to the rank and file of the company, as some of the officers brought out their wives from Russia to cheer the faraway exile. The Russian, who is said to be a Tartar below the skin-surface, and who is a fractional savage generally, was apparently more skillful in handling neighbor barbarians than were the more civilized Spaniards. The final abandonment of Ross was wholly voluntary on the part of the Russians. They had cleaned the fur- bearing game off the coast ; moreover, the imperial government had agricul- tural lands near home. Consequently, as peaceful as was their coming, they hastened away, leaving fort, village, farms, the shipping in the little harbor and the mounds in the graveyard extending east and west — on the parallel of latitude — as Russia buries her dead. 28 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES Sutter Moves the Fort. Immediately after the evacuation of Ross, early in 1842, Sutter loaded his new schooner with movables, including the guns, which he might find useful at New Helvetia should the Californians conclude to make him an armed visit. His well-fortified adobe fort had always been practically a place of refuge to the Americans, and his kindness to the footsore immigrants trailing down the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains made his loyalty to the Mexican government a matter of some doubt. It is likely the captain's diplomacy and the rifles of his North American hunters, who could shoot true and far, had much to do with the toleration of New Helvetia. One of the guns removed from Ross is a history-maker in itself. It was a brass four- pounder cast in St. Petersburg, and first saw active service when Napoleon was whipping the allied forces under the sinking sun at Austerlitz. Though the Russians lost sixty pieces of cannon to the terrible Corsican in that famous battle, this gun was among the few saved. Sutter mounted the piece on the walls of his fort, but when he marched south with his company to help Fremont whip Castro, that fighting Californian took it away from him at the battle of Couenga. It was afterwards recaptured by the American forces and returned to Sutter, who presented it to the Society of California Pioneers. The famous gun of two hemispheres received its last baptism of fire when it and its kindred relics went down in the flames that swept San Francisco, April, 1906. With Sutter, as aids in that conflict, were General John Bidwell, afterwards of Chico, and Major Ernest Rufus, who in turn were in charge at Fort Ross. The schooner, which Sutter rechristened "Sacra- mento," doubtless finding her Slavonian name unpronounceable even for his cosmopolitan tongue, became a historical character before she went to the graveyard of ships. She passed through a wreck or two on the coast and the river whose name she bore, and passed it on to a street and wharf in San Francisco ere she went out of commission for all time. Introducing Solano County. As an introduction to the history of Solano county, the writer takes up in part the story of the state — a grand narrative, marching county by county towards the north. Sonoma may be said to start the second half of California's colonial history, San Francisco and the great central bays being practically the division. By "Sonoma" is here meant not the county of that name, but the great tract of territory spreading from the Pacific to the Sacramento, gathering in Napa, Solano and Yolo, also large slices of Lake and Mendocino. General Vallejo's government, when he was appointed to the command of the "Department of the Northern Frontier," gave him official control of this vast acreage and made him a land-baron indeed. This middle zone of the state has a story as distinct as the five distinct epochs marked on its page. Indian, Spaniard, Russian, Mexican, American — the invincible "gringo" — with the ubiquitous Englishman hovering near, has in turn worked out his role on this stage of the continent. The primitive aborigine, faltering in the first steps of a new civilization, saw the soldiers of Castile's knightly king with sword and cross move over these waters and valleys, stamping their monarch's signet into the land that had been the Indians' land since the day the Supreme signed the title deeds. Then the bearded boyars of the Ro- manoff appeared out of the north and planted the two-headed eagle of their sovereign and the double-beam symbol of their faith on the sea-cliffs of Ross, and the crosses of Spain and Russia shone at once through the twilight of a Christian civilization dawning over these shores. They, too, passed — the Castilian back along the track Columbus charted across the sea, and the Moscovian into white wastes of his north. Then came the officials of the nearby republic that was reared upon the red ruins of the Aztec, to rule and HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 29 wrangle for a while, and cease to be, swept away by the irresistible Saxon. And finally the Indian turned from the successive coming and going to go before the last and fittest. Alta California Drifts to the Gringo. Thus in the drama of Las Californias is seen this portion of the territory claimed in turn by a kingdom, an empire, a kingdom, an empire (Iturbide's in Mexico), a republic (Mexico), a republic (United States). The Californians, weary of their Mexican governors, frequently resolved themselves into a "free state," and then wandered out again when some smooth politician came along with a brass band and a softly worded pronunciamento. The Bear Flag independencia was without national or official sanction, and the strongest argument for its existence was down in the barrels of its thirty-three rifles, but it foreshowed the coming of a new order that was to vitalize the Pacific seaboard. The hoisting at Sonoma of the banner of the grizzly — softly passant, or mildly regardant, to apply a heraldic term — over the last Mexican subject and the last Spanish mission, was well timed. It arose to mark the hour when the Republic of California would quietly annex herself to the Great Republic of North America. Spain's first — and best — claim had long gone glimmering; England's rights by reason of Drake's flying visit to this coast had lapsed — beyond the hope of the most sanguine and ardent litigant ; Russia barred herself from even the pleasures of litigation when she sold the Fort Ross junk to Captain John A. Sutter for $30,000 — about three hundred per cent more than it was worth — the captain was a poor trader; the Mexican empire didn't live long enough to learn that it claimed anything in California, and the Mexican republic was too busy handling its home revolutions; moreover, Madre Mexicana was gradually growing weary with the antics of her disobedient and troublesome nina, Alta California. The old sefiora was almost willing to let the daughter go — providing she did not go to the "malditos gringos." And that was the young woman's true destination, her final landing place — Kismet ! CHAPTER V. LIFE IN THE SLEEPY MANANA DAYS. This portion of California's history may be called a story of the prepara- tion for the coming of the gringo. The American in Mexic lands early received this title, and its origin being favorable, he accepted it. During this period the ballad, "Green Grow the Rushes, O !" was in the zenith of popu- larity, and all English speakers were a-warble. The Mexicans caught the constant "green-grow" of the refrain and handed it back as "gringo." The secularization of the missions may be said to have been a part of this prepa- ration — in fact, no phase or feature of the California mission system could be tolerated out of a crude, sleepy, Mexican day that was always "till tomor- row." And Spain — well, Spain was an infliction on the western hemisphere, notwithstanding Columbus, Isabella and the "Pinta." And yet Spain, being here, did well. The world looking over her blunders, her ruins, may see amid the debris of what was once her grandeur gleams of something that should be marked "good." The "well" she did was in pointing the way into the unknown. True, she used the sword — her knightly sword — turned and tempered in the test that was supposed to try the metal of the sword and the valor of the knight. With the trooper went the priest, and his cross was for he healing of the soldier's wounds. It may be that the steel cut too deep and too quick for the ministrations of the other instrument — as 30 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES noted in the propagandas of Pizarro and Cortes ; but the cowled warrior of Castile and Aragon among the savage peoples of the new world, was yet the invincible Spaniard when the military manhood of Spain was dying. Heavy Adobe Architecture. But the mother-country seemed to understand her simple people, and she selected for them just what they needed. A heavy political organization would have crushed them ; so she gave them a government tempered with maternalism, gave them burdens easy to be borne, and often failed to note and correct their faults. Possibly this lack of supervision made revolutions so frequent and popular in Spanish-America. The adobe in which these colo- nists housed themselves was not a thing of exquisite beauty — in fact, it was not anything but a structure exceedingly ugly ; but it was easily built and comfortable when occupied. There was no ornamentation without or within, but little variety, and while every man was his own architect and builder, he architected and built like his neighbor. Some of the mission churches were grand and imposing, while others, like the heavy dwellings of the people around them, were massed-up outside of every known rule of architecture. The Indian generally was the builder. He soon learned to cast these big clumsy mud-bricks, drying them in the sun, first on one side and then on the other, then mud-plastering the hard cakes into walls. He was a fairly good workman — fairly good for that California day, and not difficult to herd onto his job. Plenty of carne when the vaqueros rode in with a fat steer, and a little vino from the mission vineyard to wash it down. He never struck for more wages, because he never got any. The white man who taught him 'a new tongue took care that the word "wages" didn't get into it. Probably he was as well off herded with the other livestock of the haciendas as he would have been running free and rounding up the sprightly grasshopper on the golden summer hills. From dirt-floor to tile-roof in the big houses there was so little wood or any combustible that the fire insurance business was the last thing that got over the mountains into California ; and a full-fledged, active agent would have been considered fit for treason, stratagem and spoils. Only the aristocrats could indulge in board-floors. A description of the gubernatorial mansion in Monterey in 1814 says it was floored in wood ; its front door was rawhide and wooden-barred windows let in the sunshine and air. The front and upper story, if la casa had such, were the quarters for the don and his family, which was generally a large one ; and the other parts of the hacienda were for the ranch herders, house' servants and the retainers and hangers-on around the place. These latter were Indians, mixed-breeds and world-tramps of an unknown moral quality. Tortillas and Carne For Everybody. The Spanish-Californian was kind to his pensioners. Doubtless often in their quantity and uselessness he found them a never-ending nuisance, but while he had a league of rancho left or a head of cattle straying over it he shared it with them. The wheat lands did not then produce as they did later under the plow of the gringo, but there were plenty of tortillas — thin cakes beaten into shape by hand and baked before the fire, and eaten at every meal. Out under a convenient tree, in the clear, dry air. where it would keep fresh until the knife got it all, hung the carcass of beef, and when that was gone to the chile con carne pot, there would be more among the wild oats out on the hills. Beans — the pabulum of the Bostonese and the proletariat — was the chief of the rancho vegetable garden, and the gaudy red pepper — never absent from any table or dish of the time and place — grew between the rows. Coffee (when the ships brought it in) and wine (in the Sonoma and Santa Clara valleys where the grapes grew) were for the padre's table, and water, HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 31 generally, for the rest. While the plains were covered with cattle, milk and butter were almost unknown on a Californian's bill-of-fare. It was the enter- prising Yankee who went into the dairy business here with the cow. Some of the missions had orchards hedged by willows and cactus, but tree-culture had little part in the early civilization of the country. Shade-trees, except the alamedas along the roads leading to the churches or places of public resort, were not in favor. In those days, when the noble oaks, the madrona or mother- tree, the peerless redwood and pine, the classic laurel, the wide-leafed maple and other princely growths made California a great natural garden, artificial planting was not necessary. That was to come when the axe and saw got well into the work of destruction among our groves — "God's first temples." Simple Civic Governments. A civic government in Spanish, dominion was simply and wisely handled. It consisted of the ayuntamiento (junta) or council, and its members were one or two alcaldes (mayors or judges), two or four regidores (councilmen) and a procurador-syndico (treasurer). The alcaldes were the presidents of the council. The syndico was not only the custodian of the pueblo coin, but was tax-collector, city attorney and a number of other useful and industrious things- — for all of which he got no salary. The care of the town money was generally the lightest of his official duties, as taxation and expenditure were in constant competition for the lowest point. Most all the cooking was done in outdoor kitchens, or in ovens, consequently there were no flues or chimneys in the walls to keep the fire department busy. The water utility was a well in the plaza, where the sehoras met with their ollas or water-jars, and the street lighting consisted of a lantern hung before the door from twilight to bedtime — or until the candle burned out. Street work ' was confined to occasional digging or shoveling before one's own premises. No member of the ayuntamiento was salaried — the office in those days sought the man, and held him after it found him. And as he was a sturdy old don, inclined to keep the municipal coin-sack tied up with a rawhide riata, there was no civic grafting in those adobe pueblos "before the gringo came." The few soldiers or a volunteer unpaid night-watch did the policing of the town. While the word "pueblo" is usually applied to a town or village, the area of an official pueblo was four square Spanish leagues, or about twenty-seven square miles in square or rectangular form. The lands were laid out in town lots, grain lands, public pasture lands, vacant commons, municipal lands (the rental of which went to defray public expenses) and unappropriated royal lands, also used for raising revenue. As under Mexican domination in California no tax was 'evied on land and improvements, the municipal funds of the pueblos were obtained from revenues on wine and brandy ; from the licenses of saloons and other business houses ; from the tariff on imports ; from ball and dance permits ; from the tax on bullrings and cockpits ; and petty court fines. Then men paid for their vice and pleasure and the money was put to good use. The following from Professor J. M. Guinn's excellently written California history, from which this writer has obtained many paragraphs of valuable information, will give an idea of municipal economy in the anti-golden times : No Tax-Paying, No Tax-Stealing. "In the early '40s the city of Los Angeles claimed a population of two thousand, yet the municipal revenues rarely exceeded $1,000 a year. With this small amount the authorities ran a city government and kept out of debt. But it did not cost much to run a city then. There was no army of high- salaried officials with a horde of political heelers quartered on the munici- pality and fed from the public crib at the expense of the tax-payer. Politicians mav have been no more honest then than now, but where there was nothing 32 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES to steal there was no stealing. The alcaldes and other city fathers put no temptation in the way of the politicians, and thus they kept them reasonably honest. Or at least they kept them from plundering the tax-payers by the simple expedient of having no tax-payers." CHAPTER VI. NO PONDEROUS JUDICIARY NEEDED. The judiciary was as simple as the legislative. Among the Spanish pioneers of Alta California there were few breaches of law and hardly any crime. The courts weighed the old, old questions of right and wrong, and not the verbal formation of a law term,- and Spanish justice was not lost under American technicalities. There were few law libraries in California, and written statutes were yet in the future. Minor offenses and actions involving less than $100 were examined and decided by the alcalde, while cases of more weight or importance were passed up to the district or supreme courts. Either party could demand a jury, and as this body of three or five persons was always picked from the best and most intelligent citizens of the pueblo, the case went through the court unhampered by wrangling lawyers and archaic rules of procedure. The jurisdiction of an ayuntamiento might be confined to a small village or a county, and its authority was often as extensive as its jurisdiction. Its members, serving without pay, were liable to fine for non-attendance, and resignations were difficult. Even under the 'government of a Spanish king, three-quarters of a century ago, California had the referendum. When a question of importance was before the ayunta- miento, and there was a division of opinion, the alarma publica bell was rung and every citizen gathered immediately at the assembly hall. Those who failed without reason were fined $3. Then and there the public, by the simple raising of hands, voted and decided the question. Some of the town ordinances were unique, but seem to have filled the bill, even though they often appeared to regulate the social as well as the civic functions of the pueblo. From an old municipal record it may be read that "all individuals serenading pro- miscuously around the streets of the city at night without first having obtained permission from the alcalde will be fined $1.50 for the first offense, $3 for the second offense, and for the third punished according to law." That third punishment must have been too fierce for expression in a municipal ordinance. A Los Angeles ordinance threatened : "Every person not having any apparent occupation in this city or its jurisdiction is hereby ordered to look for work within three days, counting from the day this ordinance is published; if not complied with he will be fined $2 for the first offense, $4 for the second offense, and will be given compulsory work for the third." It is evident these old-time city fathers intended to be severe in tramp-treatment, but it would be a simple-minded vagrant of any age that could not dodge those penalties. Just "keep a-lookin' " and no fine, no work. Some of these judicial alcaldes, many of them Americans, frequently handed down judg- ment as rare as the finding of an eastern cadi. A Wise Alcalde. A Sonoma woman complained to the alcalde that her husband, who was something of a musician, persisted in serenading another woman, and his honor ordered the accused into court. There was nothing in the city ordi- nances touching the playing of musical instruments, but the wise judge looked beyond the law and saw the fellow and his guitar at the disposal of the wrong woman, and he trusted that inspiration would lead him to an equitable adjust- HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 33 ment of the matter. The man was sternly directed to play for the court the air that he had played for the too-fascinating sefiora, and after he had nervously done so was fined $2 by the very wise and critical judge on the ground that music so poor could only be a disturbance of the peace. Occa- sionally the padres got into the city ordinances measures tinctured like unto Connecticut. Monterey in 1816 had a blue law which ordered that "all persons must attend mass and respond in a loud voice, and if any persons should fail to do so without good cause they will be put in the stocks for three hours." It is presumable that the good father found the attendance at church dropping off and took this means of reminding the unfaithful of their backslidings. However, there is no record that any of them ever got into the stocks, or found the parishional regulations unreasonably severe. Tenacious of their ecclesiastical authority, and constantly clashing with the military, who were not loath to start "an argument," the Spanish priests main- tained a very mild and often vague spiritual dominion over the Californians. Possibly a place where nature casts her gifts so lavishly, and where heaven sends a benediction in every sun-ray and rain-drop cannot be governed with church-charts. These padres, in their strong opposition to a non-Roman Catholic society, laid the ban of the church on marriage between foreigners and native women. But dogma was no barrier to the pioneer American when he found one of the many comely sehoritas willing to annex him to the Republic of Mexico and to her fair self. Generally the local pastor was willing to baptize the new convert and then marry him to his new wife, but occasionally something would appear to delay the "yoking of the daughters of the land with unbelievers," or at least with husbands whose new faith possessed more sentiment than spirituality. Society During the Easy Spanish Era. While in officialdom change followed change, often with remarkable rapidity for a people of such characteristic slowness, down in the rank and file of California there was "never any hurry." Within the big adobes there was the same roominess, the same simplicity in furnishings, and on the great ranchos the same old slipshod methods from year to year. The rough table, a few rawhide-bottom chairs, a bench or two along the wall, in the bedrooms chests for the family finery, a rude shrine or a cheap picture of the family saint — these were the general arrangements of the dwellings from San Diego to Sonoma. While the Spaniard, and all his race, was dressy, he was loath to change the style of his fine feathers, consequently the grand- father's hat or coat could pass through the third generation. "Fashion" was one fever the early Californian did not have. That small vanity came in with the American. Yet they dressed well, and often richly; sometimes a don would be arrayed in $1,000 worth of apparel — a princely sum and suit for that day. His shirt would be silk beautifully embroidered, a white jaconet cravat tied in a tasteful bow, a blue damask vest and over this a bright green cloth jacket with large silver buttons. Up to 1834 he would be wearing the knee breeches or short clothes of the last century, but after that he would be clad in the calzoneras the later colonists brought from Mexico. These were long pantaloons, with outside seam open throughout the length of each leg, and on these seam-edges were worked ornamental buttonholes. In some cases the calzoneras were sewn from hip to middle of thigh, and in others buttoned or laced with silk cord. From the middle of the thigh downward the leg was covered by the bota or leggin. The Spanish gentleman wore no sus- penders, but around his waist and over the pantaloons was the beautiful silken sash, the most picturesque article of dress the world over, and this could always be seen under the ornamental short jacket. Embroidered shoes or slippers for his feet, and a black silk handkerchief, gracefully tied, covered his 34 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES head. A wide-rim, high-peak sombrero, often richly and heavily ornamented with silver chains or braid, was the hat of this gaudy grandee. For an outer garment was the serapa, the common cloak of the Mexicana, ranging from cheap cotton and coarse serge to the costliest silk and the finest French broadcloth. It was really a square piece of cloth with a hole in the middle, through which the wearer stuck his head, and this hanging over the shoulders and down the body as far as the knees made a useful as well as graceful article of clothing. Ever Charming Latin Women. All the world over there is no woman who can wear her clothing so well as the ever graceful daughter of Spain. She may have only the simple chemisette and skirt, but the combination is becoming, and there is enough lace, embroidery, silk and satin, flounces and drapery and brilliant color for the completion of the charming picture. A silk or .cotton roboso or mantilla dropping from the brow is the outer garment, and velvet or blue satin shoes are on her feet. The women of the Latin race, whether they hail from Genoa or Andalusia, alone of the world's sisterhood, have learned how to wear the hair — and that is without any covering. Hence the Californianne of the last century wore her black braids free of the hat or bonnet of the present day, and her comeliness has not been improved upon. Her general attrac- tiveness and her part in the social destiny of this territory are but a thought, and the Americans who wedded the daughters of the land found a pleasing cure for the loneliness and other ills of bachelordom. These natives made good wives, devoted to their pioneer homes, and good mothers to their large families. Whether the foreigner came from Europe or the United States, over the Sierras or from the Columbia river country, or by the broad ocean to the westward, if he showed a disposition to settle down to home-building, he soon found a young woman favorable to the project, and also a large segment of her father's big rancho for experimental ground. And as the Mexican don for years had been tending away from the narrowness and the intolerant aristocracy of Spain to the broad democracy of the North American, he generally approved of his young daughter's choice. CHAPTER VII. TWO GENERATIONS OF SLUMBER. From 1775 to 1835 the Pacific rim of this hemisphere slipped through sixty years — two generations — of peace. Europe passed from war to Avar, and the Atlantic seaboard trembled in the reverberation of hostile guns. California was too young and too far away and too little known, and her people between her mountains and her sea, left alone, eddied out of the great world's current. Their activities were the activities of children — a racial inheritance — and they were careless and free. They were fond of the fandangos, always ready for a dance, and made the most of their religious holidays with bull-fights and bear-baitings. Many of them were ex-soldiers, dead to the art of war and alive to the excitement of the cattle ranchos. Except in occasional official salutes, the old cannon on the presidio walls were silent and rusted from lack of use. The ex-mission Indians hanging around on the ranchos could be hired or cajoled into doing the little labor of the establishments, and this left the people in general idleness. The only dissipation they had, however, was gambling, and this was almost universal with both sexes and classes. Monte was the favorite card game, but any- thing that had in it the element of chance would be bet on. They accepted HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 35 their good fortune without any lively demonstrations of joy, and their losses with their characteristic childishness of mind, evidently caring only for the gaming and not for the winning. On Sunday afternoons, devotions being ended, some gay festivity was in order. With the broad, rich plains crowded with cattle more or less wild, the fleet horse was necessary, consequently there were few such riders in the world. However, that was before the day of that human centaur, the American cowboy. Wild horses, though every one had his claimant, scoured the leagues of fenceless lands, and those that were accounted tame would seem to any other people unbroken. Connection between points was generally by horse or pack mules, and the road was over the "pony-trail." When a don set out on a long journey, frequently he took a servant and a drove of horses with him, and as one horse wearied under the saddle another was made to bear the burden. In this way a rider could daily put long distances behind him. Often the weary or worn-out animals were turned loose to find their home-rancho at leisure, the brand or mark of the owner on the flank generally preventing the loss of the horse, if he was of sufficient value in that land of almost countless bands, to be stolen. A Ride Not Told in History. One of the most wonderful rides in history — though it has not been told in verse or set to music — was made between September 24 and 28, 1858, from Los Angeles to Yerba Buena by an American named John Brown. He was known among the Californians as Juan Flaco (Lean John) and was sent by. Lieutenant A. H. Gillispie, U. S. A., who was hard pressed by the hostile California forces, to Commodore Stockton for reinforcements. Brown made Monterey, four hundred and sixty miles, in fifty-two hours without sleep. He expected to find the fleet there, but Stockton had sailed, and after sleeping three hours the sturdy rider completed the remaining one hundred and forty miles of his great Marathon in the same speed and delivered his call for help. It was not "a broad highway," like Sherman's, nor was the road as smooth as that of the "Ride of Paul Revere," but was a mere bridle- path over high mountains, through deep ravines, around precipitous cliffs, across wide chaparral-covered mesas, along the sea-beach, always dodging the enemy, harassed and pursued, riding shoulder to shoulder with death night and day, losing several horses, one shot from under him, forcing him to go thirty miles afoot, carrying his spurs and riata, until he could com- mandeer another mount, Juan Flaco rode on and on, showing that a California man on a California mustang has outridden the storied riders of the world. The Vaqueros of Alta California. The boy at an early age was taught to ride at a breakneck pace and to throw the riata with unerring skill. The Spanish saddle was an elaborate piece of workmanship, the frame, or "tree," they called it, being fastened to the animal with a girth or "cinch" made of closely woven hair of his own tail. It was taking an unfair advantage of poor "caballo," but the hair cinch was stronger than any other, and would not slip on his smooth coat. Over the sometimes roughly-made tree was fitted a wide leather cover called "macheres," and on the stirrups to protect the rider's feet while rounding up a runaway steer through the thick undergrowth and chaparral were leather shields — "tapaderos" — and leather leggins were for the same purpose. The bridle and "hacamore," or halter, were always a costly, besilvered affair of braided rawhide, richly ornamental reins, but the peculiar shape of the bit made it an instrument of torture. To the half or quarter broken mustang this bit extending far within the animal's mouth compelled obedience on the slightest pull on the reins — in fact, the horse soon learned to take his 36 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES cue from the weight of these reins on his neck. Secured with buckskin thongs on the wide saddle-cover, the rider carried his blankets and food, and when night overtook him he made his camp in comfort, while his horse, picketed with the lariat, fed in luxury. And always a part of this picturesque rider's makeup was a pair of big spurs, general^ silver, the size and metal designating the owner's social or equestrian standing. Mount one of these skillful vaqueros on a spirited thoroughbred, saddle and bridle polished and ornamented, and riata hanging in graceful festoon from the horn, silk sash around the rider's waist and silk serapa flowing from his shoulders, silver- braided sombrero on his head, and then set the little bell-tongues on his spurs tinkling musically to the pace of his caballo, and time never produced a more artistic and perfect centaur. It was at the fiesta or fandango that troops of these caballeros would appear and take part in race or game, prin- cipally for the admiration of the sprightly sehorita out for a California holiday. The rodeo, or annual roundup of the stock, was the gala time for the vaquero, when the corraling, the roping and the branding of the herds made the rancho throb with excitement. Then the fandangos, where the guitars tinkled in the fantastic dances of Old Spain, and the satined dandy descendant of Aragon bowed and "looked love" to the western heiress of Castile. The Indian on His Eminent Domain. The Spanish pioneer found these slopes and valleys well peopled with a race of sturdy Indians, the mildness of the climate and the supply of game food in stream and forest making the country even for the aborigine an ideal place of abode. Possibly the idealic characteristics of this coast existing here generation after generation took from the original Californian much of the spirit, independence and fighting attributes of his fellow redmen of the east and north. It was early patent to the Franciscan padres that the Pacific coast natives would not make loyal and valuable citizens of Spain, and per- haps this is the reason the priestly trainers stopped trying, permitting the pupil to become a mere servant, and to be useful while the missions had beef and bread to feed their horde of retainers. Certainly they were, before and after the missions had them, a very un-savage race of savages, except when driven by the injustice of the whites to acts of retaliation. Then their sense- less work brought its own punishment, which hurried the grossly inferior beings along to extinction. Back within the wilds the native's daily bill of fare was any game,, flesh or fish that fell victim to their bows and arrows, nets or other kinds of ingenious snares. Bear meat was considered a delicacy on Lo's table, or, rather, in front of his campfire, but the strong California grizzly had other uses for himself. Ursus Major was the king of beasts in these woods of the west, and generally did the eating when the Indian and his crude weapons made the attack, but about every other creature that roamed the hills and plains graced the rancheria menu. When feet and fins were too fleet for hunters and fishers and the vegeta- tion store was exhausted, edible roots and grasshoppers filled out the depleted bill of fare — and the hungry Indian. A great circle of hombres, mahalas and pappooses armed with bushes and slowly drawing to the center where a hole had been dug surely drove the insect jumpers to destruction. These were considered a luxury when other supplies ran low. The grand oak of California shed manna for her forest tribes. In season the acorns were gathered and cached for safety in the mother-tree, and when required were hulled. These kernels were ground or mashed in the rude stone mortars that may be found on the sites of long passed away rancherias. With water heated by hot stones in the quaint and tightly-woven fiber baskets which only an Indian can weave, the meal was formed into a batter or dough and cooked in a mass or baked in loaves. This "daily HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 37 bread" of the wilds, seasoned with ashes and different kinds of dirt, was not rich in nutriment nor exquisite in flavor, but served with a plain salad of green clover and a relish of pinenuts, or served alone and in limited quantity, was to the quiet family meal or howling tribal feast what the rustic writer calls "a sumptuous repast." Bone or flint spear and arrowheads were used in hunting, also in fishing, when the finny game could not be herded into nets or traps ; and chips of obsidian, a volcanic glass, made passable knives before the Spaniards came with weapons of steel. It is not known how many tribes occupied this portion of the state, but creeks and mountain ranges seem to mark the boundaries of the different bands, and when one entered upon the territory of another without some kind of treaty of permission there was generally a bloody settlement. There were occasional fights between the tribes or rancherias, and sometimes severe ones, when a whole band would practically be wiped out in a dispute over some trivial or childish matter. Vallejo Was Kind to His Red Charges. Much of the time, however, of this historical period the Indians in the great valley between the Rio Sacramento and the coast were at peace, not because of a naturally gentle disposition, but because of the efforts of one strong white man, General Vallejo, Comandante at Sonoma, whose wise policy, wiser than ever before attempted in California, handled the natives with a fairness that made even the distant tribes his friends. Of the turbulence of the southern Indians, Mr. Bancroft says : "Turning to the northern frontier, we find a different state of things. Here there are no semblance of Apache raids, no sacking of ranches, no loss of civilized life, and little collision between Gentile and Christian natives. The northern Indians were more numerous than in the San Diego region, and many of the tribes were brave, warlike and often hostile ; but there was a com- paratively strong force at Sonoma to keep them in check, and General Vallejo's Indian policy must be regarded as excellent and effective when compared with any other policy ever followed in California. True, his wealth, his untrammelled power and other circumstances contributed much to his success; and he could by no means have done as well if placed in command at San Diego; yet he must be accredited besides with having managed wisely. Closely allied with Solano, the Suisun chieftain, having— except when asked to render some distasteful military service to his political associates in the south — at his command a goodly number of soldiers and citizens, he made treaties with the Gentile tribes, insisted on their being liberally and justly treated when at peace, and punished them severely for any manifestation of hostility. Doubtless the Indians were wronged often enough in individual cases by Vallejo's subordinates, some of whom were with difficulty controlled ; but such reports have been greatly exaggerated, and acts of glaring injustice were comparatively rare." 38 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES CHAPTER VIII. OUT ON THE GREAT RANCHOS. The "adobe" farmhouse, as was usual on those big ranchos, was the castle of the owner, where his retainers of vaqueros and Indians "herded," and where the don often ruled and entertained in the manner of the feudal overlord. The house was generally provided with a large porch, or a patio or inner court, the lounging place of the establishment, and here these early- rough riders, when not mounted and out on the range rounding up a band of half-wild cattle, passed the time smoking, playing the guitar, repairing a riata or plaiting a horsehair rope, with their vicious looking mustangs saddled and bridled patiently standing near. A call to dinner would hurry all hands to a long table, where great platters of chile-con-carne, frijoles (the universal beans) and tortillas (as the white flour cakes baked by an open fire are known in Mexic lands) were eaten with full-grown appetite. Then came the inevitable cigarette and the siesta in some shade, while the tough little horses standing with shut eyes by the porch, apparently do the same. When the sun gets well to the west the sleeping vaquero lazily rolls over and to his feet stumbles out to his horse, coils his riata on the horn of his saddle, sees that the cinch is still holding the clumsy wooden affair to the animal, who, by the Avay, is accustomed to that and other modes of torture. By this time the whole gang is making a like effort to get awake and in action. A Mexican vaquero has been said to be when afoot a lifeless thing, but when in the saddle one of the most animated. When the band gets mounted the riders start the big spurs to work, swing the riatas around their heads and gallop yelling down the arroyo and out on the range, often for no other object than to get into motion and shake off the drowsiness of the siesta. In that part of the hacienda devoted to the family of the padron or master there was more luxury, more furniture and more gentility. The grace and chivalry of Old Spain possessed by her grandees in the home land were also possessed by their descendants wandering in the distant west, and this racial characteristic was manifested in the hospitality of the California homes. Among the "Hoofs and Horns." "Cattle on a thousand hills," the favorite phrase of the wide, open west, was coined in California, where the great Spanish ranchos were crowded with livestock. In the mild climate of this "southland," with its broad sweeps of grassy plain, the bands quickly bred into countless numbers. Too numerous and valueless for branding, they roved the unfenced ranges virtually free, obeying no call except that of their native wilds. And they obeyed that call, as the herds of ownerless hoofs wandering over this portion of the continent bear testimony. A steer had some table-value — low because of his quantity — but he was more frequently slaughtered for the insignificant price his hide, horns and tallow would bring in the open market; and his carcass remaining where the rifle-bullet met him. After a mustang had been cut out from among his wild companions, roped and "broke," he was worth only- the short season he could stand under the torture of a Spanish rider and a Spanish saddle. After this trial he was fit only for the coyotes, who vied with the "Digger" in their love for a horse-diet. If the equine of early California was a colt of the noble Arabian breed that had been stabled in the pavilion tent of a Saladin, this poor bronco never knew it. The swarthy vaquero, spurring his flanks to ribbons and riding the life out of his un- shapely body, cared not a centavo for the horse whose sire may have borne HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 39 a king- through the courts of the Alhambra. The re-stocking of the ranchos was the first labor ,of the final settler, and that decade saw American horses, lithe and powerful, American cattle, short-horned and sleek-coated, a part of the equipment of the California farms. The heavy ox at last got his neck out of the yoke, and the sturdy horse from Normandy did the work much better. The burro — slave of all ages — was freed from the cart when the slim thoroughbred with a pedigree of speed took his place. The mild queen of the dairy from over the seas — from Holstein, and Durham, and Jersey- — came to create and run a local milk route. The Spanish cow had never been asked to make this contribution to the productive wealth of the state, and the word "butter" had melted from the language. Her tigress disposition, especially with her calf in the vicinity, generally made any attempt to milk her so near-suicidal, that Pedro or Jose, instead, milked the goat. Robbing Nanny's kid was easier and safer. Alta California was full-ripe for a change when the gringo came. Little Social Revolutions. California — preparing for the gringo — ran along for years without any practical help or advice from Spain or Mexico, the state having her own revolutionary recreations quite independent of mother-kingdom or mother- republic. This meant to the Spanish portion of North America, quivering under almost constant warfare, a condition that could hardly have been worse. Pablo Vicente de Sola, the last Spanish Governor of California, was a good man and tried to do something for the advancement of his state, but his efforts were in vain. When during the latter part of the year 1821, Colonel Agustin Iturbide, in Mexico, led his soldiers in a successful revolt against Spain and declared himself emperor of that country, Sola sadly lowered the Spanish flag in the plaza at Monterey. The next year another revolution shot the new emperor and scattered his infant empire to the winds. The tricolor of the Mexican republic arose in the plaza at Monterey, and so in the short space of a few months Alta California, with her governor, passed through three forms of government. Sola, worn and weary of the turmoil, hurried out of the country, and Antonio Arguello, a native son, became governor by virtue of his office of president of the provincial diputacion. The padres were bitterly disappointed in the change. They were most all natives of Spain, and moreover strongly opposed to republican ideas. The mother-country had established their missions, and had made them wealthy and powerful in the territory. Submitting to the republic, at heart they were loyal to the king, and this hastened the complete disestablishment of their institutions. In 1813 the Spanish Cortes decreed for the reduction of the missions into the civil governments of the pueblos, and the Mexican Congress in 1833 passed an act of secularization very similar to the decree of twenty years before. The End of the Missions Inevitable. Much sentiment has been expended over this disposal of "the padre's property," but there is nothing in the records to show that either Cortes or Congress decreed illegally or that the missions were ever intended to be permanent realty-holding institutions. The conversion of the Indians — the sole object of the missions — was a failure, and the massing of great tracts of the territory into mission ranchos having the area of old-world principalities was a barrier to immigration and a check to the progress of the country; the old conflict between the civil and ecclesiastical authorities was enliv- ened by the padre's open adherence to monarchial Spain, and secularization under all these conditions was the logical outcome. About the time the commissioners were appointed by the government to take charge of the work of subdividing the property among the neophytes, the mission man- 40 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES agers sought to dispose of their cattle, they knowing well how many of those great herds would be "lost in the shuffle" when the officials got at them. The stock was slaughtered by droves, the hides and tallow taken and the carcasses left on the range for the coyotes. The indiscriminate butchery turned the ranchos into red, reeking shambles. Officials Who Did Not Toil Nor Spin. Of course, with all this wholesale killing, there was much left for the rapacious official — they had them in those days, the forerunners of the "grafters" of more modern times. The fathers, objecting to see results of years of sacrifice and wearing labor pass into the hands of those who had toiled not, were not wholly unreasonable. But in many instances the lands and livestock were fairly partitioned to the mission Indians, and at least some effort made in their behalf. However, the effort in that direction ended without practical result. The missions, reduced to mere parishes, left the fathers without means or authority, and the neophytes free from the control of their spiritual superiors. They drifted away and their property — other than that only on paper — faded from view like a mirage. But no improve- ment was possible with them, and even the simolified theology taught them missed its mark. To these wild creatures the restriction of mission-life was fatal, and depopulation threatened. Immigration, which could not be checked, was demanding the lands which the missionaries held without title, and secularization hurried the end. The twenty-one missions whose adobe ruins lie along this coast are the melancholy evidence of an endeavor whose failure was inevitable. CHAPTER IX. IN THE "ROARING FORTIES." Time in California went faster when the years got well into the forties. The long siesta was over, "el maiiana" became less a rule of conduct, and events began to follow one another closer across the "estado." Monterey seemed to be the logical capital city of the state, though Los Angeles occa- sionally caught a governor — or at least a near-governor — whenever a rival made the southern municipality his headquarters. Juan B. Alvarado was the governor, October 19, 1842, when Commodore Jones raised the American flag at Monterey, but a newly-appointed rival was coming from Mexico. He preferred to surrender to Jones rather than to Micheltorena, his successor, and this he did. But next day the commodore hauled the colors down, apologizing for his "mistake," and this left the two gubernatorial aspirants to settle the office question alone. During the following four years there was more or less "war" with more or less governors, and other political changes. Americans, individually and in bands, took part on all sides, being lured there by rich promises of land grants; and they were the "fighters" of those "fights." However, it is not known that any gringos were killed in those fierce conflicts. During the spring of 1846 Pio Pico was governor, with headquarters in the south, and Jose Castro was the general of the state milLary, with his post at Monterey. John Charles Fremont, the Pathfinder. They were busy plotting against each other, with the custom-house the bone of contention, when something occurred to jar their attention to another direction. It was a party of American mountaineers riding over the moun- HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 41 tains from the eastward, led by a young surveyor, who has made more history in the far west of this continent than all the other men in it. He was John Charles Fremont, brevet-captain in the United States Topographical En- gineers, known as the "Pathfinder," and then on his third exploring trip to the Pacific. In a short time he was met and "instructed" by Lieutenant Gillispie, a marine officer, who had been sent from Washington for that purpose. The orders, or instructions, brought to Fremont have never been made known, and only can be surmised by his after action. Following a long interview with Gillispie, he turned back from his surveying work in the northern portion of the state and made his headquarters at Sutter's Fort. Castro, stirred up by the presence in the country of Fremont and his armed party, was fulminating unusually strong against all "foreigners," especially against Americans. The general's threats to drive them out of the territory aroused the gringos to defense, and Fremont directed them to capture Sonoma. He had no authority over these settlers, but under instructions from Washington he was playing a game under cover. Commodore Sloat with his fleet was on the coast to take possession of California the hour Mexico declared war against the United States, and it was believed that the British fleet was here for the same purpose. The California officials were nibbling at English or French "protectorate" bait, with annexation a possi- bility, and the situation had grown extremely delicate. While the United States government was fully determined to acquire this territory, it. could not well do so during peace with Mexico ; and no other power should be permitted to get a foothold here. Heiice, an American armed forces — even if unauthorized and filibuster — holding some important point and acting as a deterrent to other forces, was the object sought when the administration secretly sent Gillispie by way of Vera Cruz, Mazatlan and Monterey to find Fremont. ' Picked to Find a New Way. So this topographical engineer, who had made a record exploring and mapping trails through the wild west, was picked for the task. That Senator Benton of Missouri, Fremont's father-in-law, one of the most prominent statesmen of the time, was deeply interested in the California question, doubtless influenced the selection. Albeit the object was attained when the Bear Flag party rode out of Sutter's Fort and across what is now Yolo, Solano and Napa counties, and early on the morning of June 14, 1846, took possession of Pueblo Sonoma. Comandante Vallejo made no resistance to the armed invasion of his post and home. In fact, he invited the armed invaders in to breakfast ; and it must be historically noted that they drank well that morning of the general's good mission brandy. There was no garrison at Sonoma, and the formal surrender of the old cannon, muskets and other property of the Mexican government was soon made. General Vallejo, also his brother Salvador, and another officer were transferred as prisoners of war to Fort Sutter. By Fremont's advice they did not use the United States ensign, but raised in the place of the Mexican colors they had lowered a white square of cotton cloth, on which were rudely painted a bear, a star, and the words "California Republic." William B. Ide was chosen captain, or governor, and Sonoma quietly settled down to be an American town. There was not the slightest disturbance, and the citizens and their property were protected. The names of this band of history-makers — of state-builders — are : Ezekiel Merritt, Dr. Robert Semple, William Fallon, W. B. Ide, H. L. Ford, G. P. Swift, Samuel Neal, William Potter, Samuel Gibson, W. M. Scott, James Gibbs, H. Sanders, P. Storm, Samuel and Benjamin Kelsey, John Grigsby, David Hudson, Ira Stebbins, William Hargrave, Harrison Pierce, William Porterfield, Patrick McChristian, James 42 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES Beeson. Elias Barrett, C. Griffith, William C. Todd, Nathan Combs, Lucien Maxwell, Franklin Bidwell, Thomas Cowie, W. B. Elliott, Benjamin Dewell, John Sears and George Fowler. Setting a Pace for Sloat. Commodore Sloat in the United States frigate Savannah had sailed into the harbor of Monterey, July 2, having beaten the British frigate Colling- wood in a race up the Mexican coast. He was under orders to take possession of the territory when he was convinced war was on between the two republics, or if he believed conditions justified such an action. But he must exercise care, and not make the Jones error of four years before, when the flag went up to be lowered next day with apologies. On arrival he heard of the efforts being made to place this state under British protection, of the Bear Flag party at Sonoma, and Fremont with his "California Battalion" industriously chasing Castro and his soldiers out of the country. It was certainly a time for action, but the commodore hesitated, waiting for more definite information. As a matter of fact, war had been declared, and orders dated May 15, 1846, directing him to take Mazatlan, Monterey and San Francisco were then following him from port to port. Finally, convinced that Fremont was working under definite instructions — also pushed to action by his own officers, who saw the danger of delay — Sloat moved. July 7 he hoisted the flag over the custom- house in Monterey; July 8 Captain John Montgomery of the Portsmouth raised the ensign at Yerba Buena, and two days after Lieutenant J. W. Revere of that vessel lifted the Stars and Stripes at Sonoma. Getting Ahead of John Bull. Although Commodore Sloat took possession a few days before the slow- sailing Collingwood arrived, thereby forestalling any such move on the part of Great Britain, he was soon relieved of his command because of his timidity. This was not a period for hesitancy on the part of a government subordinate, whatever the policy of the government. Great Britain, Mexico and the United States, each from her corner, was watching the territorial prize in the center of the triangle. An English fleet was Avatching the coast, and the northern boundary matter was looming into prominence. We demanded nine degrees more of latitude than John Bull was disposed to concede, and "Fifty-four-forty or fight" was a party watchword until both countries at issue agreed to run the line along the forty-ninth parallel. The North and South were "debating" with increasing truculence the slavery question, the latter advocating the acquisition of territory for the negro-working plantations, and the former opposing with the cry of "plotting to rob Mexico." Time has shown the wisdom of the policy that set the southern boundary lines of this republic where they are today. No mistake was made when Fremont was secretly instructed to be operating a force of armed American settlers over California when the United States fleet arrived at Monterey to take possession. Only Sloat's hesitation imperiled the plan, as the British lion ashore would have been more difficult to evict than was the Mexican eagle. We "encouraged" Mexico to fight us, which policy has provided a theme for our moralistic critics who are only party-politicians in thin disguise ; but it was a good fight for both republics. It gave Mexico all the territory she could handle ; it rounded the United States out from ocean to ocean, making that country propor- tionately the central, the predominating, the most fa\ r orable patch of soil in the western hemisphere ; and moreover, it kept Europe with her automaton kings out of most of North America. Protestants of All Ages. All ages, all governments, have had protesting statesmen, and this age- so free of speech — has an unusually large delegation orbing around the HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 43 national capital. The beauty and the inconsistency of this can be seen in the reception of the two states that came to the northern republic during that decade — Texas, not menaced by a foreign power, and barely justified in her action, won complete independence from Mexico, and then almost immediately offered herself to the Union. She was admitted, a slave state, by a whig administration whose central creed was anti-slavery. California, a ripe plum falling to a British squadron, her long length of ocean-shore to become a line of fortifications whose guns would train eastward toward the American frontier, her then miserable system of government promising to be a constant thorn in the side of her American neighbor over the wall of the Sierras, was encouraged to separation from the southern republic by a democratic administration in the face of a strong protest from these same whigs. The protesting statesmen, after the war, proposed that California be sold back to Mexico for $12,000,000, and if agreeable to the other party, the United States to retain San Francisco, shore and bay, allowing Mexico $3,000,000 on account. As this government by the treaty had assumed a Mexican debt of $15,000,000, due American citizens, these diplomats of finance considered they were pro- posing a highly profitable real estate deal. The next day — virtually — Marshall, digging a sawmill race in Coloma creek, shoveled California up to a golden figure nearer twelve hundred millions, and to a moral figure that has never been estimated. CHAPTER X. THE "WAR" IN CALIFORNIA. Sloat, soon afterwards relieved by Commodore Stockton, sailed for home, nursing his grievance that he had been overlooked by the administration and forced to take his cue from a couple of younger officers. Fremont and Gillispie got along better with Stockton, who had no private troubles nor professional jealousies to worry him. They were transferred to his command for shore- duty, and by him commissioned, respectively, major and captain. The subse- quent "war" in California was not a sanguinary one, nor were Stockton, Fremont, Gillispie and other American officers disposed to handle the "mild- mannered" Calif ornians with severity. From Monterey to San Diego, the Pathfinder as civil governor, co-operating with his superior, the commodore, was getting along very well. Scott and Taylor, in Mexico, were doing the work, and all that was required in California was just "police" the territory till the gringo soldiers were camping in the city of Montezuma. Whatever "war" was in this state, was "over" when Sloat got busy with the flag at Monterey. Kearny's Dramatic Appearance. There did not seem to be much to do when Brigadier-General Stephen W. Kearny, the latter part of 1846, arrived in California from New Mexico. He was burdened with folios of "discretionary orders," among which was one instructing him not to interfere then with the naval and other forces in con- trol of the seaports, but proceed to the organization of a civil government. But the secretary of war, from his long-distance view of the situation, was in error, as he assumed that only a narrow strip of coast was held by Stockton and his forces. The commodore was under the impression that, by orders from the department, he had done some pretty effective campaigning himself, and the country had about all the civil government it needed ; moreover, he failed to agree with Kearny regarding the reading of that officer's orders, and declined to recognize the commanding-rank and duty the general assumed. 44 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES Unfortunately for Kearny, he met with a heavy "set-back" before he inter- viewed Stockton. At San Pasqual, a point just within the California line, he met a superior force of the enemy, and with childish recklessness invited inevitable disaster by his attack. If it were to gloriously herald his entrance into a new field of activity, he made a flat failure of it,' for the well-mounted Californians rode through his travel-worn, half-starved company, lancing at will. Among the wounded was Kearny, also Gillispie, who had recently joined the force to guide it into the state, and a considerable number of men were killed. The timely arrival of Stockton's force saved Kearny from capture and further disaster, and this battle — the only real battle of the war in the territory — the Americans will remember, because there they were signally whipped. Kearny, therefore, was not in a position to plunge into another fight — another San Pasqual — and with the doughty navy-man over a question of seniority of rank. So he waived that point till Stockton should be transferred from the Pacific, and turned his attention to Fremont, who was his subordinate. This threw the Pathfinder between his two warring superiors, forcing tipon him the choice of two conflicting sets of orders. Kearny's Inglorious Career. Kearny bided his time until Stockton's transfer, then proceeded to "fix" Fremont. Charges of disobedience of orders were prepared for the coming courtmartial, and previous to the departure of the accused and accuser for the trial at Fortress Monroe, Kearny and his subordinate officers wrangled and jangled like spoiled children over questions of rank. In fact, about the only thing they were united on was the degradation of Fremont. The American Army Conquest of California is about as inglorious as that of the various administrations of the Mexican officials. Fremont was found guilty of disobedience and sentenced to forfeit his commission. Tuthill, the historian, says : "On this trial Fremont behaved with spirit, and pleaded his cause with an eloquence that made the people of the States reverse the decision so soon as they read the proceedings. The court recommended him to the clemency of the president, on the grounds of his past services and the peculiar position in which he was placed when the alleged disobedience took place." Mr. Polk quickly discharged him from arrest — virtually ignoring the decision — and ordered him to report to his regiment for duty. But Fremont, smarting from the injustice of the charge and the farce of the trial refused to accept the clemency, though it was equivalent to acquittal, and retired from the army. But a man like Fremont could not remain in private life, and he was soon back in the saddle, again a pathfinder on the plains, popular candi- date for the presidency, state senator in California, major-general in the Civil war and governor of Arizona. How They All Loved Fremont. It is wonderful how little approval Fremont got from his brother-officers. When Montgomery in the Portsmouth first heard from Sonoma, he dis- avowed Fremont, though he afterwards loaned the "filibusters" some pow- der. Sloat followed Fremont's lead, and at the same time disavowing his leader. Then Stockton took his place and in the intervals between some tough skirmishes with the Californians in the southern portion of the state, did his share of the disavowing. Kearny marched into California late, but early enough to disavow Fremont's action. Shubrick, another commodore, had his ship on the coast long enough to lend a hand in the disavowing. Colonel R. B. Mason came last and disavowed, but as he was inspector of troops, possibly this was along the line of his duty. And they all did more or less disavowing of one another. At one time during this conflict California had two military governors, and as they were antagonistic to each other, the HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 45 territory appeared to be back in its normal miserable condition under Mexican rule. Colonel Phillip Cooke, one of the latest arrivals, amusingly describes that prevailing condition : "General Kearny is supreme somewhere up the coast. Colonel Fremont is supreme at Pueblo de Los Angeles. Commodore, Stockton is supreme at San Diego. Commodore Shubrick the same at Mon- terey; and I at San Luis Rey; and we are all supremely poor, the United States government having no money and no credit, and we hold the territory because Mexico is the poorest of all." The Pathfinder's Complete Vindication. The writer gives this space and notice to a single individual because no history of the American West can be written without his name. Between the Missouri and the Pacific, from the Colorado to the Columbia, over peak and mesa, over vale and desert, stretch away the trails he found and mapped for the march of empire toward the sundown sea ; and along these trails passed the pioneers who Americanized Alta California. The title "Path- finder" came to John Charles Fremont, and could fit no other, and his lasting fame seems all the brighter because of the attempts to tarnish the laurels he won. The army men who saw service in California after Sloat finally got the flag up had nothing to do. Kit Carson with a company of his long-rifle hunters could have successfully policed the entire territory until peace was declared, consequently the newcomers had leisure to criticise and occa- sionally undo the work of the earlier arrivals. And the crown t>f their criticism and undoing was the farcical courtmartial for the Pathfinder. When Fremont was in full military authority, he naturally was officially and personally responsible for public supplies purchased, also for the arrears — pay of his volunteers ; and when he was suddenly superseded, his antagonistic successors used these unsettled obligations to further embarrass him. And the crown- ing wrong of all — when he was led eastward over the continent for trial — he traveled back along - one of the paths he had found and mapped for his west- ward-marching countrymen. CHAPTER XL STORY OF THE "BEAR FLAG." In the history of any county of this state should be the story of the Bear Flag, the rude standard of the "California Republic." Bancroft and other eminent historians of the Pacific coast have not stamped the "commonwealth" of '46 with their full approval nor its flag with importance. However, that ensign, passing from the Sonoma plaza, did not pass from further history. Its adoption by the California Republic June 14, 1846, makes its anniversary identical with that of the ensign that supplanted it, as June 14, 1777, Congress adopted the thirteen stars and the thirteen stripes as the national flag. Its adoption by the Native Sons, June 8, 1880, makes it the standard of their order, and its adoption by the legislature, March 3, 1911, makes it the state flag. Its lone star was the star of Texas, and is now the star of California on the national ensign. Its bear, at the request of Major J. R. Snyder of Sonoma, was engraved on the great seal of the state. The Bear Flag is yet in active service, and not one feature on its folds is idle. Its political life was only twenty-five days, but during twenty-three of them it was the sole American flag of any description in this territory, and its presence at Sonoma was a deterrent to the foreign powers hesitating to move for possession. Its presence 46 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES at Sonoma finally moved the hesitating United States naval commander at Monterey to send the Stars and Stripes ashore and seal California to Uncle Sam forever. The Grizzly Passant. In the knightly diction of heraldry, the Bear Flag is : A grizzly passant on field argent; star at right dexter point; legend "California Republic" in lower half; horizontal bar gules from base to base. As an armorial bearing the bear is a suitable choice. Often he has been met on his eminent domain, and as a true native son — representative of the wild west, he has qualified. His ordinarily mild manner and willingness to be let alone, also his latent prowess in argument when driven to the battle-point, are well knoAvn. His high moral and physical standing in the animal settlements of the American con- tinent make him socially fit for a place on anybody's flag. Though a carnivora, he has no objection to a huckleberry meal, but only dire famine will drive him to a diet of Digger Indian. And it is true that no Digger has ever eaten him. The single star is a reflex of the lone luminary that lighted Texas in the night of her deadly struggle, and the red colonial bar along the lower edge of the white cloth represents the California Republic's single colony. Mrs. Tohn Sears furnished the square of white sheeting, and Mrs. John Matthews, the Mexican wife of an American, contributed a flannel petticoat for the red stripe. Some unchivalrous historian has tried to establish the version of the various Bear Flag stories that one of the hunters of the party donated his only shirt for this purpose, but as the nameless patriot never acknowledged the honor and the sacrificial red shirt, the alleged incident must be left out of the record. Chivalry, modesty and self-denial are the cardinal characteristics ofen found in heroes, so possibly he was a life-sufferer from all three of these virtues, and died unknown, unhonored and unsung. The Fierce Americanos Stay to Breakfast. Early that morning after General Vallejo had been notified by his captors that he, his sword, the old brass guns on the wall, the rusty muskets in the Castillo, and everything else possessed by Mexico in Sonoma, were prisoners of war, the old don batted his eyes once or twice, said "Bueno," and invited the fierce Americanos to stay for breakfast. Sefiora Vallejo stirred up her Indian cooks, and soon the General's dining hall — that was never closed to a stranger, especially to an American — was thrown open, and on the tables were loads of chile-con-carne, frijoles, tortillas and wine from the mission grapes growing out by the old church of San Francisco de Solano. Needless to say, that banquet given by the premier Native Sons of the Golden West was a notable one. It has been reported that during the latter part of the feasting some of the invaders were swearing "Viva la Mexico," and General Vallejo was offered the presidency of the new republic. William Lincoln Todd, nephew of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln, was the artist of the Bear Flag. Regarding the exchange of ensigns by Lieutenant J. W. Revere of the U. S. sloop of war Portsmouth, the following incident is told by James McChristian : "After the Bear Flag had been unbent from the staff-halliards and Revere was fastening Old Glory to the rope, Midshipman John E. Mont- gomery, the son of Commander John Montgomery of the Portsmouth, care- fully folded the square sheeting into a neat package and placed it in his coat- pocket, saying : 'This is worth taking care of.' The lad was at that time just my own age — 18 — a fine, manly fellow, and nobody objected to his action." The gallant middy of the old-time Yankee navy, who appreciated and cared for the passing Bear Flag, gave his life in the service of his country and this state, as he was killed in a fight with hostile Indians near Sutter's Fort soon after this event. McChristian, now 74 years old, one of the last of the Bear Flaggers, remembers clearly the stirring times in this county during the HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 47 "roaring forties." He was employed by Revere to haul two 18-pounder brass guns from Sonoma to the Embarcadero, where they were to be shipped to the Portsmouth at Yerba Buena. The officer had found them on the wall looking frowningly across the valley, with their muzzles full of last year's swallow-nests, and he intended to have them mounted at the Annapolis naval academy as object-lessons for the cadets. McChristian's two-yoke of oxen balked on the job and his claim for the work has slept in its War Department pigeonhole for sixty-three years. California's First "Fourth." July 4, 1846, the Bear Flag republic had a "Fourth" at home. Out in the plaza this small band of "republicans" read the Declaration of American Inde- pendence under their own ensign, not having a United States flag in the new commonwealth. They had an oration, barbecued one of General Vallejo's beeves, and the ancient battery on the wall bellowed a salute to the big and the little republic. It was a remarkable observance — the only one of its kind in history. The guns of the Mexican Republic were fired by the California Republic to celebrate the birth of the American Republic. It was a republican voice of thunder from Forty-six speaking to Seventy-six. Over the space of seventy years — over the space of a hemisphere — rebel called to rebel, brother- hood to brotherhood, one flag — one blood — after all. CHAPTER XII. MARIANO GUADALUPE VALLEJO. The changing of flags in the plaza at Sonoma virtually changed the citi- zenship of the foremost citizen of California — Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo. Hijo del pais — son of the soil — was he, and alike under king, emperor or presi- dent, he was true to the land of his birth. Though a Californian, and sharing with other Spanish-born natives a natural distrust of strangers, Vallejo possessed an admiration and sincere friendship for the Americans, and received them kindly, even when his superiors demanded the expulsion of the dangerous foreigners. Though his patriotism was never doubted, he coun- seled annexation to the United States when he saw that Mexico had no government nor protection for California. His appointment in 1835 as military comandante and civil commissionado of the northern district proved to be a selection so wise that it stands out in relief from among the official errors of early California history, and during his ten years of almost autocratic rule at Sonoma, it is seen that he governed with rare justice and practical common sense. Vallejo was born in Monterey, July 7, 1808, the eighth in a family of thirteen children, his father being Don Ignacio Vincente Vallejo, and the mother Maria Antonia Lugo, both members of distinguished Spanish families. During his youth he was a cadet in the territorial army and a friend and comrade of General Castro and Governor Arguello. He was an earnest student and early acquired a fund of knowledge that fitted him to take a prominent part in and to a considerable extent shape political affairs of the territory, especially during the critical times just prior to the American occupation. When California passed away from Mexico, M. G. Vallejo was in all probability the first Mexican citizen within her borders ; and when the red, white and blue of America took the place of the red, white and green of Mexico, he was still of the best of the California citizenry. Tall and erect, with a distinguished military bearing, and with grace of gesture and manner inherent from birth and breeding, an easy and fluent speaker in English, though learned late in life, charming with the strength of purpose and the seriousness of diction, filled with the chivalry of the past day when Spanish 48 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES knighthood was in flower, was General Vallejo. While at Sonoma, 1840 and 1845, large companies of American immigrants came through the country, and though he was constantly "nagged" by his government to drive the foreigners out of the country, the comandante disobeyed orders and humanely treated the strangers. There is no doubt that Vallejo's gentle methods in dealing with the savage Indians surrounding him, his rare discretion in the management of his military affairs and his practical statesmanship making for the much-needed change of flags, proved him to be a greater man, a man more deserving of appreciation than any other within the limits of the territory, and it may be said in truth, deserving of more appreciation than he received. Before the junta at Monterey in April, 1846, when affairs were approaching such a crisis that even Governor Pio Pico advocated annexa- tion to France or England as an escape from that "mock republic, Mexico," as he rather disloyally called his political mother superior, or "that perfidious people, the Yankees," Vallejo made the following address, which may be given here, as it shows the sterling makeup of the man : nsr The General's Splendid Americanism. "I cannot, srentlemen, coincide with the militarv and civil functionaries who have advocated the cession of our country to France or England. It is most true that to rely longer upon Mexico to govern and defend us would be idle and absurd. To this extent I fully agree with my colleagues. It is also true that we possess a noble country, every way calculated, from position and resources, to become great and powerful. For that very reason I would not have her a mere dependency on a foreign monarchy, naturally alien, or at least indifferent to our interests and our welfare. It is not to be denied that feeble nations have in former times thrown themselves upon the protection of their powerful neighbors. The Britons invoked the aid of the warlike Saxons and fell an easy prey to their protectors, who seized their lands and treated them like slaves. Long before that time, feeble and distracted provinces had appealed for aid to the all-conquering arms of imperial Rome, and they were at the time protected and subjugated by their grasping ally. Even could we tolerate the idea of dependence, ought we to go to distant Europe for a master? What possible sympathy could exist between us and a nation separated from us by two vast oceans? But waiving this insuperable objec- tion, how could we endure to come under the dominion of a monarchy? For although others speak lightly of a form of government, as a freeman I cannot do so. We are republicans — badly governed and badly situated as we are — still we are all, in sentiment, republicans. So far as we are governed at all, we at least do profess to be self-governed. Who, then, that possesses true patriotism will consent to subject himself and his children to the caprices of a foreign king and his official minions? But, it is asked, if we do not throw ourselves upon the protection of France and England, what shall we do? I do not come here to support the existing order of things, but I come prepared to propose instant and effective action to extricate our country from her present forlorn condition. My opinion is made up that we must persevere in throwing off the galling yoke of Mexico, and proclaim our inde- pendence of her forever. We have endured her official cormorants and her villainous soldiery until we can endure no longer. All will probably agree with me that we ought at once to rid ourselves of what may remain of Mexican domination. But some profess to doubt our ability to maintain our position. To my mind there comes no doubt. Look at Texas and see how long she withstood the power of united Mexico. The resources of Texas were not to be compared with ours, and she was much nearer to her enemy than we are. Our position is so remote, either by land or sea, that we are in no danger from Mexican invasion. Why, then, should we hesitate HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 49 to assert our independence? We have indeed taken the first step by electing our own governor, but another remains to be taken. I will mention it plainly and distinctly — it is annexation to the United States. In contemplating this consummation of our destiny, I feel nothing but pleasure, and I ask you to share it. Discard old prejudices, discard old customs, and prepare for the glorious change that awaits our country. Why should we shrink from incor- porating ourselves with the happiest and freest nation in the world, destined soon to be the most wealthy and powerful? Why should we go abroad for protection when this great nation is our adjoining neighbor? When we join our fortunes to- hers, we shall not become subjects, but fellow citizens possessing all the rights of the people of the United States, and choosing our own federal and local rulers. We shall have a stable government and just laws. California will grow strong and flourish, and her people will be prosperous, happy and free. Look not, therefore, with jealousy upon the hardy pioneers who scale our mountains and cultivate our unoccupied plains, but rather welcome them as brothers, who come to share with us a common destiny." Always a Friend of the United States. Here stood this California patriot and in his plea for his country he uttered sentiments like those of Patrick Henry, so often heard around the world, and while the junta did not act upon the suggested annexation to the United States, the proposed European protectorate matter was heard no more. The French and English representatives perforce accepted Vallejo's address as the answer, and in a few months Commodore Sloat's guns were commanding Monterey, and virtually all California. This digression and advancement, out of chronological order, to a period when the internal dis- sension and mismanagement of the Mexican officials were ending, exhibits General Vallejo's part in the last act of that discordant drama. The final ten years of Mexico in Sonoma — and in California as well — must necessarily be largely of his acts as the comandante of that most important military post. Three times he took part in revolution against Mexico, in 1832-36-45, and the revolutionists won each time, but the successive governors they recognized always managed to get themselves in turn recognized by the Mexican gov- ernment, in consequence of which matters would drop back into the old rut. There is little wonder that Vallejo at Sonoma found his grandiloquent title of Military Comandante and Director of Colonization on the Northern Frontier burdensome, and occasionally asked to be relieved. And when the Bear Flag people did relieve him of further participancy in Mexican affairs, it was likelv to him a relief indeed. 50 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES CHAPTER XIII. CAPTAIN JOHN SUTTER. Another man whose name is associated with the golden pioneer period of the Pacific is Sutter — third in the trio of local land-markers. Vallejo, Sutter and Fremont were busy men here in "their day." From the "river" westward to the sea — from New Helvetia to Fort Ross — over the broad plains of Yolo and Solano, over the rich valleys of Napa and Sonoma, they "set their stakes," and the llanos and vegas are filled with their stories. The earlier stage-scenes of California were not propertied with flamboyant figures and moving-picture incidents. There were no army-people in the conquest and exploration of this upper portion of the territory, which left the work to be accomplished by ranchers, hunters and assisted later by miners. Fremont was a mathematical professor in the navy, but given the pay and rank of the lowest paid and ranking officer in the army when he was set surveying trails across the continent. Vallejo got his military titles out of the Mexican war department and Sutter was an "el capitaine" in his native Switzerland, or France, before he landed on the banks of the Sacramento. But nobleman or commoner, Sutter's new-world title is unclouded. His famous fortress (which, restored, still occupies its original site in the capital city) was a never-failing refuge and resting-place for the travel-worn immigrant, as Vallejo's beeves and acres awaited him farther west. Sutter and Vallejo were Mexican citizens — one native and the other naturalized — but they failed in their first duty to the southern republic when they failed to keep the gringos out of the territory. However, it is not probable that the weak territorial government could have influenced to any extent these two commanding officers. The earliest and best description of this stronghold and its sturdy riflemen has been furnished by Lieutenant Joseph W. Revere of the Portsmouth. This officer by a boat trip up the Sacramento river during the latter part of June, 1846, visited Sutter, and also noted the warlike preparedness of the place for the coming of anything not friendly. At the Famous Fort. "When we arrived at the embarcadero or landing," writes Revere, "we found a mounted guard, as the garrison had long been apprised by the Indians that our boat was ascending the river. These Indians were indeed important auxiliaries to the Americans during the short period of strife for the sover- eignty of California. Having been cruelly treated by the Spanish race, this helpless red people throughout the country welcomed the white strangers from over the Sierras. Entertaining an exalted opinion of the skill and prowess of the Americans, and knowing from experience that they were of a milder and less sanguinary character than the rancheros, they anticipated a complete deliverance from their burdens, and assisted the revolutionists to the full extent of their humble abilities. Emerging from the woods lining the river, we stood upon a plain of immense extent, bounded on the west by the heavy timber which marks the course of the Sacramento, the dim outline of the Nevadas appearing in the distance. We now came to some extensive fields of wheat in full bearing, waving gracefully in the gentle breeze, like the billows of the sea, and saw the white-washed walls of the fort, situated on a small eminence commanding the approach on all sides. "We were met and welcomed by Captain Sutter and the officers in com- mand of the garrison ; but the appearance of things indicated that our recep- tion would have been very different had we come on a hostile errand. The HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 51 appearance of the fort, with its cremated walls, fortified gateway and bastioned angles ; the heavily-bearded, fierce-looking hunters and trappers, armed with rifles, bowie-knives and pistols ; their ornamented hunting-shirts and gartered leggins ; their long hair, turbaned with colored handkerchiefs ; their wild and almost savage looks and dauntless and independent bearing; the wagons filled with golden grain ; the arid yet fertile plain ; the caballados driven across it by wild, shouting Indians, enveloped in clouds of dust, and the dashing horsemen scouring the fields in every direction ; all these accessories conspired to carry me back to the romantic East, and I could almost fancy again that I was once more the guest of some powerful Arab chieftain in his desert stronghold. Everything bore the impress of vigilance and preparation for defense, and not without reason, for Castro, then at Pueblo de San Jose, with a force of several hundred men, well provided with horses and artillery, had threatened to march upon the valley of the Sacramento. A House Prepared for Friends or Foes. "The fort consists of a parallelogram, enclosed by adobe walls fifteen feet high and two thick, with bastions or towers at the angles, the walls of which are four feet thick, and their embrasures so arranged as to flank the curtain on all sides. A good house occupies the center of the interior area, serving for officers' quarters, armories, guard and state rooms, and also for a kind of citadel. There is a second wall on the inner face, the space between it and the outer wall being roofed and divided into workshops, quarters, etc., and the usual offices are provided, and also a well of good water. Corrals for the cattle and horses of the garrison are conveniently placed where they can be under the eye of the guard. Cannon frown from the various embrasures, and the ensemble presents the very ideal of a border fortress. It must have astonished the natives when this monument of the white man's skill arose from the plain and showed its dreadful teeth in the midst of these peaceful solitudes." Captain Sutter evidently took no chances either with the Spaniards or Indians, and was at all times able to take care of himself and New Helvetia — and all the needy people who came to him. Whenever a tale of distress came down the great central valley, the gallant Swiss officer was immediately in the saddle and away to the rescue ; as in the Donner Lake tragedy, where one of his rescuers perished with the snowbound immigrants. General John Bidwell, in his "Life in California Before the Gold Discovery," says : "Nearly everybody who came to California then made it a point to reach Sutter's Fort. Sutter was one of the most liberal and hospitable of men. Everybody was welcome, one man or a hundred, it was all the same." The citizens of Sacramento city and the order of the Native Sons did well when they brought about the restoration and preservation of the old New Helvetia at the intersection of K and Twenty-sixth streets. Although being a Mexican citizen, Sutter hoisted the bear over his fort as soon as he heard of the change of flags at Sonoma and July 11, 1846 — or as soon as he heard of the change of flags at Monterey and could get an ensign from the Portsmouth — he raised the Stars and Stripes over Sacramento. The presence of Sutter, Vallejo and Fremont made it a famous flag-day. Like Vallejo, like Fremont, Sutter was ill-rewarded by those he kindly and faithfully served. 52 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES CHAPTER XIV. THEN CAME CALIFORNIA. Time slipped rapidly on to February 2, 1848, when at Guadalupe Hidalgo the two republics signed a treaty of peace, which was ratified at Queretaro May 20, proclaimed to the world July 4, and became known in California August 6. By its terms the United States assumed payment of all American claims, good, bad, indifferent — mostly the two latter — against Mexico, and in addition paid her $15,000,000 for everything she claimed north of the Rio Grande. In January of that year, J. W. Marshall, employed by Sutter to build a sawmill at Coloma, forty miles up the American river from Sacramento, found gold. At first Sutter and Marshall were skeptical regarding the value of the find and wished to delay the publication of the secret, but an Indian who had worked in the gold mines of La Paz caught sight of the nuggets, and his loud cry of "Ora ! Ora !" was heard around the world. As the tidal-wave of miners swept into the Golden West, the people, weary of military governors and old Mexican laws, clamored for statehood. The slave-holding portion of Congress arranged to make darky-plantations out of this slice of Uncle Sam's territorial gains, but the flood of gold-hunters from the northern states helped disarrange the plans. Washington doing nothing, a provisional government convention met at Monterey September 1, 1849, and California got busy. The . state lines were run, slavery forever barred, a seal adopted, San Jose selected as the capital and Peter H. Burnett elected governor. The first legislature lasted from December 17 to April 22, 1850, and is known in history as the "Legislature of a Thousand Drinks." The name is a joke and a misnomer, as that body did more real, sober work than any of its legislative successors. John C. Fremont was elected United States Senator on the first ballot and William M. Gwin on the second. The Pathfinder was a free-stater, while Gwin was a southerner and pro-slavery advocate, and was a compromise choice, the legislature being strongly against slavery. So California went to house- keeping as a full-fledged state nine months before her admission into the Union — an unusual thing, but showed the native enterprise of the far west. In Congress the admission of California was fiercely opposed by the South, led by Senator Jeff Davis, but the bill passed and President Fdlmore attached his signature September 9, 1850. The honor of placing California in the Union would have come to General Zachary Taylor, ending the work he began in Mexico, but his death in the presidential chair had elevated Vice- President Fillmore to the position. A State That Was Not a State. Thus California became a state de jure — the thirty-first star in the politi- cal union — and for four or five years was about as poorly managed a piece of territory as it had been under the Mexican government. The census of 1850 gave the state about 117,000 people, and two years later this number had grown to 265,000, and by the end of 1856 the estimate was over one-half million. The preliminary skirmishing of the great Civil war was on, and although the dominant politicians of the state were pro-slavery Democrats, their opponents, the Whigs, were morally no better, and the same rascally element flourished in both parties. The mines were turning out their annual golden millions, yet the public finances were at the lowest ebb, under the official incompetence and dishonesty that was the rule. But this was to be expected in a community peopled with the drift of the world — the human- float of the age — and things grew cleaner about the time the great bell of the HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 53 Vigilance Committee began to ring. Then California grew steadily and rapidly. There was nothing to prevent this. Her mild, healthful temperature, her boundless resources, her every natural prospect pleasing, could not but attract a home-seeking people from afar. So she progessed — by accident. CHAPTER XV. FROM SAN DIEGO TO SONOMA. The reader has seen three centuries pass between San Diego and Sonoma — the beginning of Spanish dominion in Alta California, when Cabrillo's flag arose, September 28, 1542, and its ending when Vallejo's ensign fell June 14, 1846. He has seen the missions lift themselves over field and flock, strong in rights temporal and spiritual, flourish a while amid their acres and acolytes, and then go down to slim parishes and piles of adobe ruins — frequently to serve as topics for emotional writers. They were not strenuous Saxon years full of sound and fury, these centuries that came northward along the Pacific littoral ; they were slumberous Spanish years, made up of mahanas — tomorrows— that walked-in-sleep along the leagues of golden poppy plains, and across the emerald oaten hills to wake into — to break into — the day of the gringo. - If the Spanish priest and Spanish soldier left little to mark their presence here, they left no record of injustice or op- pression in their treatment of the simple natives of the land. The mild servitude of the mission and the government of the territory did not materially interfere with the Indian's creature comforts, and if his spirituality was shallow, his residence within sight of the chapel admitted him to the mission soup-house — and the Franciscans were good cooks. In the memory of that pastoral period the reader may hear amid the din of the money-mad present the faint, sweet echoes of the angelus bells coming from the missions that are dead and gone. The company of American settlers from the Sacramento, Solano and Napa valleys that rode down into Pueblo Sonoma were the new overlords of this princely domain, and their flag, rudely symbolical of mastery, nativity and permanency, was the advance sign of the change. Heading the line of California governors might in courtesy be placed Ezekiel Merritt, the leader of that band, though his incumbency lasted only a few days. However, history starts with Commodore John Drake Sloat, followed by another sailor, Commodore Robert F. Stockton ; then by four soldiers — Colonel J. C. Fremont, General S. W. Kearny, Colonel R. B. Mason and General Bennet Riley. The organization of the civil government in the "fall of '49" ended the military period, although the state did not get into official business until the autumn of '50 — the historical September 9. 54 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES CHAPTER XVI. SOLANO— A WIND, A SAINT, AN INDIAN, A COUNTY. Solano — first an east wind blowing across Old Spain ; then a young Spanish priest toiling in his western mission; then an American Indian, accepting wonderingly the white man's mystic faith ; and finally a section of California's noble domain. Sem-Yeto's capital city, seat of government, was a populous rancheria in what is now Suisun valley, though the tribes of his dominion were scattered over the great plain from Sonoma eastward to the Sacramento. The chief seems to have been an amiable aborigine and early fell in love with the mission fare and faith. After the padre had bap- tized him into the bosom of the church, Vallejo suggested for the convert the name of the Mission, so he was christened Francisco Solano. The comandante found the neAv churchman quite useful and quite faithful to the white settlers. "Solano was a king among the Indians," writes Vallejo in his annals. "All the tribes of Solano, Napa and Sonoma valleys were under tribute to him," and through this the comandante was enabled to keep peace in his great territory, covering much of what is now Napa, Solano and Yolo. As Solano fell into the ways of the palefaces — became more civilized — he lost much of the saintly character received at his mission christening, and frequently Vallejo would have to take his red friend in hand. But a night in the guard-house away from the wine-cup would prepare the chief for the headache and repentance of the morrow. Valley of the Suisuns. The Suisuns occupied the noble valley now known by their tribal name, and in 1850, when twenty-seven counties of the state were put into shape, the name of Solano was given the twenty-first. Let the reader, on the map of California, in its very center, find this splendid tract. Its five hundred and eighty-three thousand acres front the great waterways — the San Pablo and Suisun bays and the Sacramento river- — and the other boundaries are Napa county and its hill range on the west, Yolo and the Rio de los Putos on the north. This Rio de los Putos is a very accommodating river, arising, as it does, somewhere in the Napa highlands and swinging eastward among the hills toward the Rio Sacramento. Its sparkling waters mark the boundary lines and keep the county assessors of Solano and Yolo apart. And for this service the name-smashers of the two counties call the pretty little stream Putah creek, or "crick," which seems to be a popular California mispronuncia- tion. On the eastern side a meridian of longitude is the line for half the dis- tance and the Sacramento river is on duty for the remainder. One hundred and forty or fifty thousand acres of the southern portion of Solano are of the swamp and overflow lands, and every year some of the slough and bay bottom is turned up into the open air and into wonderful usefulness. From the extreme southwestern corner of the county, out in San Pablo bay, which touches the overflowed southeastern corner of Sonoma, to the most eastern point of Solano on the Sacramento, there is an uninterrupted navigable water- front of about sixty-five miles. This line, in the form of a crescent, begins in the west and, sweeping along its tule margin, takes in the fine bay ports of Vallejo and Benicia; in Suisun bay it incloses an archipeligo of islands, reclaimed lands, the richest of the rich acres of California; and then a long reach of Sacramento river before it cuts the Yolo line. Along the great stretch of waterway are the landing places, shipping points, the inlets and outlets HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 55 of this county's marvelous productivity. A line run north and south through the center of Solano from Putah creek to Chipp's island in Suisun bay would measure something like thirty-four miles ; and another county-center line from the Napa or Suscol hills running eastward to the Sacramento river would be about thirty-three miles long. This makes the mean measurement of Solano almost a square, not taking into consideration the sprit or jog — Vallejo township — -which extends westward sixteen miles through the tules. This cuts Napa from the bay-front, but it saves to Solano Vallejo, Mare island, an enormous sum of property valuation and approximately one-third of the population of the county. The western boundary line is not a line of grace and beauty, but it runs conveniently along the tops of the string of hills, zig- zagging on its freakish way northward to the headwaters of Putah creek. This using the everlasting hills for county "fences" is unusually common in California — a good idea, for it sets the limits of the sections and keeps the folks from drifting over into their neighbors' domains. The line may be ever so indelible, elusive, freakish, but the old mountain marks its locality. The student of this county's map, noting the peculiar topographical "lay of the land," will see a general restriction of the mountains to the northwestern corner. Napa continues her elevations into her neighbor's preserves, and the up-ranges of Yolo sink at the Putah to appear in Vacaville township ; or, to be clearer in description, they depress themselves, permitting the little stream gurgling down from its Lake county source to find its way eastward towards the Sacramento. This leaves the middle, eastern and southern por- tions of the county great sweeps of level, broken near the marshes by swells of treeless hill. These plains, beginning where the mountains abruptly cease, to reach away into the distant horizon, are in strong contrast to the wooded peaks and crags forever chained to their places in the north and west. Along the Suscols — or, as the Spanish called them, "Sierra de Napa" — the domes of elevation lift themselves sharply above the range, the heights running from the Elkhorn peak of one thousand feet to the Twin Sisters of sixteen hundred feet. Miller's peak, fifteen miles north of Fairfield, is the 1000-feet crest of the ridge that walls Pleasants valley from the plains ; and Blue Moun- tain, one of the Vaca range, towers over the fruitful vales of that region almost three thousand feet. These lands, high and low, peak and glen, are clothed in California's own wild vegetation, from the kingly oak down past the laurel, madrona, manzanita, the more lowly chaparral, to the humble oats and clover that alternately green and yellow the hills as the seasons go by. The upper framework of these hills is a silicious sandstone, erosion of which mingled with other drift from the hills comes down to the valleys, making a loose, warm soil, hence the early fruits and vegetables of Solano. Thus the old rocks up beyond the plow under the grind of time contribute of them- selves that which makes the lower lands so fertile. These sandstones with volcanic tufa and clay slate are good building material, fireproof and imperish- able, and are quarried for this purpose throughout the county. The hydraulic limestone or cement rock which is found abundantly in the hills near Fair- field has become one of the great industries of the state; and black basalt, in the western ranges, is sought for paving purposes. Among these rougher geological deposits is the cinnabar mined in the southern end of the Suscol range, and from which considerable quicksilver has been produced. Near Suisun is a quarry of fine white crystalline marble capable of a beautiful finish ; and where the deposit is tinted with oxide of iron it shows under polish like birdseye maple. Thus Solano's hills are as productive as her plains. Even the overflowed tracts that are being reclaimed and cultivated are rich in decayed vegetation and the sedimentary deposits from the higher lands. These are veritable gardens. This work of reclamation brings a twofold result. The great dredgers heaping up the levees that are to keep back the 56 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES tides and floods, deepen and widen the natural sloughs, making navigable waterways, around and through and by the new territory. Within this mesh of tule estuaries are Cashe, Merritt's, Bounds, Linda, Prospect, Miner's, Elk- horn, Grizzly and other sloughs not yet deepened and widened to the impor- tance of a name. Down from the hills flow the fresh water streams — products of the rains and springs — bringing moisture and fertility to the lands below. First of these is Putah creek, a Lake county contribution to the Sacramento river, splashing along the northeasterly edge of Solano till it loses itself in the tules of the big stream. Sweeny, Ulattis and Almo creeks start in the Vaca hills and end in Cashe slough, and Pleasants valley creek, threading that valley, adds itself to Putah creek. Suisun creek from the Napa hills and Green Valley creek from near the Twin Peaks flow down to the bays. Before the orchards and vineyards appeared in the incomparable valleys leagues of grain fields covered the slopes and levels and their yearly harvests poured in golden floods toward a world's market. Before these two periods a wilderness mapped by nature was hill and plain. A pioneer traveler in this noble garden has written : "Mile upon mile, acre after acre, the wild oats grew in marvelous profusion, in many places to a prodigious height — one great, glorious green of wild waving corn — high over head of the way- farer on foot and shoulder-high with the equestrian. Wildflowers of every prismatic shade charmed the eye, while they vied with each other in the gor- geousness of their colors and blended into dazzling splendor. One breath of wind, and the wide emerald expanse rippled itself into space, while with a heavier breeze came a swell whose waves beat against the mountain sides, and. being hurled back, were lost in the far-away horizon. Shadow pursued snadow in a long, merry chase. The air was filled with the hum of bees, the chirruping of birds, an overpowering fragrance from the various plants, causing the smallest sounds, in the extreme solitude, to become like the roar of the ocean. "The hillsides, overrun as they were with a dense mass of almost im- penetrable chaparral, were hard to penetrate ; trees of a larger growth struggled for existence in isolated sterile spots. On the plains but a few oaks of any size were to be seen, a reason for this being found in the devastating influence of the prairie fires, which were of frequent occurrence, thus de- stroying the young shoots as they sprouted from the earth, as well as scorching and injuring the older trees. This almost boundless range was intersected throughout with trails whereby the traveler moved from point to point, progress being, as it were, in darkness on account of the height of the oats on either side, and rendered dangerous in the lower valleys by the bands of wild cattle, sprung from the stock of the first or original settlers. These found food and shelter on the plains during the night; at dawn of day they repaired to the upper grounds to chew the cud and bask in the sun- shine. At every yard, coyotes sprang from the feet of the voyager. . The hissing of snakes, the frightened rush of lizards, all tended to heighten the sense of danger; while the flight of quail, the nimble run of the rabbit and the stampede of antelope and elk, which abounded in thousands, added to the charm, making the wanderer feel the utter insignificance of man, the 'noblest work of God.' "Then the rivers, creeks and sloughs swarmed with fish of various kinds that had not, as yet, been rudely frightened by the whirl of civilization. The water at the Green Valley Falls, that favorite picnic-resort of today, leaped, as now, from crag to crag, splashing back its spray in many a sparkle. Then the shriek of the owl, the scream of the panther or the gruff growl of the grizzly was heard." Solano county comes out of the void somewhere in 1817, when Lieutenant Jose Sanchez, with a small force of troops, crossed the Straits of Carquinez HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 57 "to explore the new country and to reduce the natives to Christianity," according to an old report of the affair. With characteristic Spanish prompti- tude, he reduced the rancherias and many of their inhabitants to ashes. That was about all the exploration that was done for almost a generation. Among the few Mexicans who early slipped into the locality were the Vaca (or Baca) and the Peha families. The date of their appearance is 1841. Manuel Vaca built his adobe dwelling in the noble valley that flowers and fruits in his name, and Juan Felipe Pefia settled not far away. Next year the Armijos occupied their grant a few miles north of the present county seat. These three families and Vallejo early owned all of what is now Solano, but now, of those big ranchos, only the memories remain. Even the names have dwindled. Vallejo is used to designate a city; Vaca (the gringos called it Barker) marks the limits of a valley; Armijo is a schoolhouse, and Pefia was changed to a creek, as enchanted persons in classic days were turned to fountains. Others of the early settlers have passed quite away, bag and baggage, date and name, leaving nothing for remembrance. But these im- provident Espafiols lived well during their short residence in Las Californias, and in their big adobes a rugged splendor was maintained. The ranchos were well stocked with horses, cattle, Indians and other forms of retainers, im- pedimenta. The adobe houses were not fairy structures, but were roomy and extremely comfortable, the thick walls making them warm in winter and cool in summer, and the tile roofs making them water-tight. When a don, with or without his family, went abroad, he went in state with gaily caparisoned vaqueros and servants for escort. CHAPTER XVII. EARLY SETTLERS OF SOLANO COUNTY. The first known American settler of Solano is John R. Wolfskill, who located on the Wolfskill grant on Putah creek in 1842. With his brother William he had first lived at Los Angeles, the two coming in 1838 from Kentucky and Missouri, where they had had ample opportunities to prove up on their sterling pioneer qualities. When John came northward from the southland he drove before him nine head of cattle. With his stock he first stopped at what is now Yountville, Napa County, and borrowing a fresh horse from the celebrated Napa pioneer, George Yount, he started eastward on a ranch-hunt. When he finally appeared on the banks of the Rio de los Putos, he was in the midst of a dense wilderness filled with fierce and dangerous animals. The first night of Wolfskill's residence on his estate was in a big tree with bears, panthers and other too-friendly carnivora prowling and howling around his bedroom or roosting-place. But John Wolfskill was not the kind of a man to shun the perils of the wilds, and his deadly rifle soon cleaned out the bands of bears and other original claim- ants. At this time he was the solitary American in Solano county, his nearest neighbors being George Yount in Napa and John Sutter at Sacra- mento. But with his brother Sershal he quickly cleared out the wilds and the noble estate on the Putah has long been the glory of that township. Outside of the Wolfskill ranch on Putah creek, Solano remained virtually a howling wilderness until 1846. Then other immigrants began to come in, among whom were Nathan Barbour and Landy Alford, just from Missouri. Alford went to Sonoma and Barbour that year enlisted in Fre- mont's battalion, serving with the "Pathfinder" for several months. In 1847 the two were together again, in Sonoma, each constructing a dwelling-house 58 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES and otherwise preparing to become permanent citizens of that pueblo. But a peculiar circumstance changed their plans. Dr. Robert Semple, one of the Bear Flag party, and United States Consul Thomas O. Larkin were interested in the building of Benicia. General Vallejo had donated the site on the north shore of the Carquinez straits, and only houses and their occu- pants were wanted, and Larkin was preaching an immigration to the new metropolis. He offered the two house-builders a site in Benicia, a bonus of $1,000 each if they would permit the removal of the domiciles. The offer was accepted and the beginning of Benicia went out of Sonoma. Probably the first American family in Suisun valley was that of Daniel M. Berry, who in 1847 located in a tent, about six miles west of Fairfield. This was near Rockville, where Chief Solano had lived, holding court over the red Suisuns. His adobe at that date was occupied by Jesus Molino, an intelligent Indian who farmed some of the fertile land lying around him. Captain Von Pfister was one of the notable arrivals in Benicia that year. He rented William McDonald's new adobe building and in this opened the pioneer store of the county. Among the early Solano residents who frequented this country emporium and sat on the captain's cracker barrels were Doc Semple, Charles Hand, Edward Higgins, Ben Burbush, Dave A. Davis, William Bryan (not Jennings), George Stevens, James Thompson, Stephen Cooper, F. S. Holland, Landy Alford, Benjamin McDonald, William Russell, Henry Mathews, William J. Tustan. Even from across the Straits of Carquinez came people, notably the Martinez family, "to trade" in Benicia. Samuel Green McMahon, the Longs — J. P., Willis and Clay — Albert Lyon and John Patton that year added themselves to the sparse settlement of Vaca valley. The great discovery of gold in 1848 shook up the world and California sprang full-populationed if not full-armed before the world. The last lap of the gold-seekers was from San Francisco up the bays, past Benicia and the Solano shore, and up the Sacramento river. In the winters of '49 and '50 large numbers of the miners returned to Benicia — those who were flush, to spend in the usual riot; and those who were not, to try their luck in more sober pursuits. Thus this portion of the new commonwealth began to show "on the map." In 1848 John Stilts, W. P. Durbin and Charles Ramsey located in Green valley. Landy Alford the next spring came up from Benicia and lived on what is now known as the Lewis Pierce farm, in Suisun valley. General J. B. Frisbie and Paul K. Hubbs about this time arrived at Benicia, and Mathias Wolf skill joined his brother, John R., on Putah creek. In the fall Nathan Barbour transferred his residence to Suisun valley; also there came to that locality J.~H. Bauman, W. A. Dunn and Harvy Rice. In 1850 Benicia and its rival — Vallejo, seven miles away — were becoming cities. They were rivals only in legislative honors when the state capital — on wheels — was rolling back and forth across the hills between the two places until it drifted "up the river" to New Helvetia. During the next year E. F. Gillespie, James G. Edwards located in Suisun valley; Charles Ramsey, J. B. Lemon and Captain Wing in Green Valley; W. G. Davison, George A. Gillespie arrived in the valley, and Elijah S. Silvey brought himself and his name to the town and township of Silveyville ; Dr. O. C. Udell was the pioneer physician of Putah creek, and J. M. Perry kept the first blacksmith shop in the county. In 1852 the first store in Suisun valley was opened by J. W. Seaver. The county was now settling up, and the wildness of the past growing tame in the hands of the newcomers. While many of the immigrants still lived in their early log cabins, occasionally frame dwellings would appear, though at considerable expense. John R. Wolfskill on the Rio los Putos hauled the timber for his residence from Benicia, distance forty miles. This cost him I2y 2 cents a foot, and the driver of his team cost him in wages $16 a day. At first the farms were not expensively han- dled. A few acres would, at the outset, be inclosed by a ditch and mound, HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 59 with brushwood heaped on top to protect the growing crops from the depre- dations of wild cattle and other animals ; timber was not to be procured save under disadvantageous circumstances of fatigue and risk; while a still greater enemy was ever to be feared in the firing of the uncut portions of the wild oats, which, when ignited, burned with fearful rapidity. Civilization had, however, made its impress upon the land. Hay and grain were coming into the market, and between the Suisun landing, or embarcadero, small craft were transporting the produce to San Francisco. Benicia was the pioneer metropolis of Solano county and was for a time a candidate for metropolis of California — its rapid progress was marked. Major Stephen Cooper opened the first hotel in the county and called it the "California House." It was afterwards conducted by Captain E. H. Von Pfister at a rental of $500 a month. The first church was Presbyterian and was built in 1849, the frame of the building having been imported from one of the eastern states. The first school was opened during that year. The first birth was a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Barbour, and the first mar- riage was that of Dr. Robert Semple to Miss Fannie Cooper, the daughter of Stephen Cooper, Judge of the Court of the First Instance. The first record of a death is that of John Semple, a son of the doctor by a former marriage. In December, 1851, the plat of the town of Vacaville was filed and in 1853 a post-office was established at Cordelia. In this year Dr. S. K. Nurse located at what is now Denverton. The doctor called the place Nurse's Landing and it soon became quite a shipping point. The land under culti- vation in the county in 1852 was about 6,000 acres, and in 1855 this had increased to 18,500 acres, distributed as follows: Wheat, 7,500 acres, 150,000 bushels yield; barley, 5,200 acres, 156,000 bushels; oats, 700 acres, 28,000 bushels; hay, 4,000 acres, 6,000 tons; corn, 700 acres, 21,000 bushels; pota- toes 200 acres, 30,000 bushels; onions, 30 acres, 50 tons; other crops, 160 acres. In that year the county contained about 535,000 acres of land. To show the advance in seven years, the county assessor in 1862 reported the acreage of Solano to be 545,440, distributed as follows : Valley land, adapted for tillage, 292,000 acres; mountain and hill land, suitable for grazing pur- poses, 118,440 acres; swamp and overflowed lands (now being reclaimed), about 92,000 acres ; bays and estuaries within the county cover the surface of about 43,000 acres. The first legislature met at San Jose December 15, 1849, and the follow- ing February it passed an act subdividing the state into counties and estab- lishing seats of justices therein. In April the legislature established county courts of sessions, with a county judge and two justices of the peace as associate judges. This called for townships and Solano was subdivided into Suisun and Benicia townships. This arrangement was soon found to be unwieldy and Vallejo township was cut from it, as was Vacaville township cut out of Suisun. Then four divisions were found to be too few, and Green Valley township was chipped from Suisun and Vallejo. Other subdivisions have been made from time to time as the county grew in population and political importance, till now the townships are as follows : Benicia and Vallejo townships in the southwestern corner of the county; Green Valley, adjoining and directly north of Benicia township and bordering Napa county; Suisun, a large township but nearly one-half of its surface being reclaimed or- yet overflowed bay lands, situated in about the center of the county; Vacaville, in northwestern portion of the county, adjoining Napa and Yolo counties ; Elmira, a township almost square, east of the town of Vacaville ; Fremont lies in the northeast corner of Solano, bounded on the north and east by Yolo; Silveyville is between Vacaville and Fremont and bordering Yolo county; Maine Prairie is south of Fremont and Silveyville and borders Yolo on the east; south of these two townships is Rio Vista township, lying 60 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES its full length along the Sacramento river; west of Rio Vista and bordering on this river and Suisun bay is Montezuma township ; north of this and lying between Suisun on the west and Rio Vista on the east is Denverton township. CHAPTER XVIII. LOCATION OF THE COUNTY SEAT, With population coming thickly to the upper portions of the county, the location of the county seat at Benicia was found to be too far from the county center. The result of this agitation was a county seat conven- tion met August 7, 1858, at Suisun City with the following delegates : Suisun township — Philip Palmer, R. D. Pringle, H. Russell, P. O. Clay- ton, John Wayman, John A. Payton, V. Hawkins, Frank Aldridge, J. P. McKessick. Vacaville township — H. B. Ammons, F. J. Bartlett, W. G. Fore, H. G. Davidson, E. L. Bennett, E. S. Silvey, Mason Wilson, J. M. Dudley, J. W. Anderson. George A. Gillespie. Montezuma township — E. A. Townsend, C. J. Collins, J. B. Carrington. Fremont township — R. S. Phelps, J. B. Tufts. Green Valley township — G. B. Stevenson, A. M. Stevenson, Samuel G. Martin, W. P. Durbin. It will be noticed that Benicia and Vallejo sent no delegates to the convention, but those present voted upon a location as they selected. Fair- field, Suisun City, Vacaville and Denverton entered the race for county seat honors. Captain Robert H. Waterman, for Fairfield, offered to deed the county sixteen acres adjoining the town, known as "Union Park," also four blocks adjoining this for courthouse grounds; A. P. Jackson, for Suisun City, proposed donating $5,550 in money, also a 120xl00-foot lot, then known as "Owen's Tavern Stand;" Mason Wilson, for Vacaville, bid four blocks of land and $1,000; J. B. Carrington offered Denverton without any cash induce- ments. In the vote Fairfield received sixteen ballots, Suisun City twelve and Mr. Carrington voted for Denverton. Fairfield was declared to be the chief candidate, to be voted on by the electorate of the county at the next general election. This took place September 2, 1858, with the following result : Fairfield, 1,029 votes; Benicia, 625; Denverton, 38; Suisun City, 26; Vallejo, 10; Rockville, 2; total, 1,730. This settled the county seat question and Captain Waterman gave bonds in the sum of $10,000 for the faithful performance of Fairfield's obligation. Union Park and the four blocks were deeded to the county, the first tract as a courthouse site and the additional lots to be sold for the benefit of the proposed buildings. It must not be imagined that Vallejo's ten votes were all she voted that auspicious day, or that they were the measure of a mild interest in the question. There is good reason to believe that the Vallejo vote could have kept the county seat at Benicia — only seven miles away — but for the remembrance of 1852, when the Carquinez city deprived Vallejo of the state capital. This is made evident in the following publication of the "disaster" in the Solano Herald of Benicia: "ET TU BRUTE! "In every general engagement, however glorious the bulletin of victory, there necessarily follows the melancholy supplement of casualties. In the list of killed and wounded of Wednesday's battle, our eye falls mournfully on the name of Benicia — Benicia! The long-suffering, mortally wounded, < o M ft hH 1837 : (Translation.) "To the Comandante-General M. G. Vallejo, Sonoma : "Francisco Solano, principal chief of the unconverted Indians and born captain of the 'Suisunes,' in due form before your honor represents : "That, being a free man, and owner of a sufficient number of horses and cattle to establish a rancho, he solicits from the strict justice and good- ness of your honor, that you be pleased to grant him the land of the Suisun, with its known appurtenances, which are a little more than four square HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 65 leagues from the 'Portzuela to the Salina de Sacha.' Said lands belongs to him by hereditary right from his ancestors, and he is actually in possession of it; but he wishes to revalidate his rights in accordance with the existing laws of our republic and of the order of colonization recently decreed by the supreme government. "He therefore prays that your honor be pleased to grant him the land which he asks for, and procure for him, from the proper sources, the titles which may be necessary for his security, and that you will also admit this on common paper, there being none of the corresponding stamp in this place. "(Signed) Francisco Solano." General Vallejo immediately issued a decree granting Solano tempo- rarily and provisionally the occupancy and use of the four leagues asked for. He also instructed the petitioner to petition the government of the state for the usual title deeds in order to make valid his rights. This the Indian did and in the answer written six days after (an American governor would have been nearer six years) Solano received the deeds to his rancho from Governor Juan B. Alvarado. The following is a translation of the grant : "Whereas, the aboriginal, Francisco Solano, for his own personal benefit and that of his family, has asked for the land known by the name of Suisun, of which place he is a native, and chief of the tribes of the frontier of Sonoma, and being worthy of reward for the quietness which he has caused to be maintained by that unchristianized people ; the proper proceedings and examinations having previously been made as required by the laws and regulations, using the powers conferred on me in the name of the Mexican nation, I have granted him the above-mentioned land, adjudicating to him the ownership of it, by these presents, being subject to the approbation of the most excellent departmental junta, and to the following conditions, to-wit : "That he may inclose it, without prejudice to the crossings, roads and servitudes, and enjoy it freely and exclusively, making such use and cultiva- tion of it as he may see fit ; but within one year he shall build a house and it shall be inhabited. "He shall ask the magistrate of the place to give him judicial possession of it, in virtue of this order, by whom the boundaries shall be marked out, and he shall place in them, besides the landmarks, some fruit or forest trees of some utility. "The land herein mentioned is to the extent of four sitios de granado mayor (four square leagues), with the limits, as shown on the map accom- panying the respective expediente. The magistrate who gives the possession will have it measured according to ordinance, leaving the excess that may result to the nation for its convenient uses. "If he contravene these conditions, he shall lose his right to the land and it may be denounced by another. "In consequence, I order these presents be held firm and valid; that a register be taken of it in the proper book, and that it be given to the party interested, for his voucher and other purposes. "Given this twenty-first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and forty-two, at Monterey. "(Signed) Juan B. Alvarado, "(Signed) Manuel Jimeno, Secretary." On October 3, 1845, the departmental assembly at Los Angeles issued an approval of the report and proceedings and Solano was confirmed in per- petual possession of his claim. The first application of Armijo was made in the following: "To the Senor Comandante-General : 66 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES "Jose Francisco Armijo, by birth a Mexican, before your honor, in the manner which may be best for me in the law, says : That having four sons, natives of the same country, without owning any lands to cultivate,, finding myself owner of about one hundred head of cattle, the product of which I annually lose, supplicate that your honor will be pleased to concede to me the place known by the name of Tolenas. That in company with my son, Antonio Maria, I dedicate myself to the cultivation of my own land and the breeding of cattle, with the understanding that the land which I solicit is from the place already mentioned, to Ololatos creek, containing about three leagues of land, more or less, and it joins with the Suisun rancho. "For this I pray that you will be pleased to decree as I have petitioned, for which I respectfully forward herewith the map. "This favor I shall perpetuate on my memory. [Does not know how to sign.] "Sonoma, November 22, 1839." Vallejo made an order on the margin of this petition in which permis- sion was given Armijo to occupy the premises described therein upon condition that he should not in any manner molest or disturb the wild Indians who lived upon it; but on the contrary should endeavor to inspire them with confidence in the whites; and should any act of rebellion occur among them, he should immediately communicate the same to Solano, the chief of the "Suisunes," with whom, by reason of his proximity Avith both parties, it would be convenient to advise as to whatever might conduce to the lives and tranquillity of the settlers. Armijo, upon this order, entered into the # possession of the land, and subsequently received his grant. Solano's title to the Suisun grant afterwards passed by purchase to General Vallejo, and Armijo's title to the Tolenas, upon his death in 1849, to his son Antonio. A long-drawn-out boundary dispute between Vallejo and Armijo over the north line dividing the Suisun and Tolenas grants for many years kept the titles of subsequent purchasers in the clouds. The litigation connected with Suscol and the Luco, or El Sobrante, grants was the most noted land controversy of the state. The Suscol title came from Vallejo and it was claimed by the subsequent purchasers that the eleven-league grant was given the general in consideration for money and supplies furnished the Mexican, or state, government. Also for his official services. After a long and expensive contest, the grant was declared invalid and the tract public land. Congress came to the relief of the pur- chasers under the Vallejo title with a special pre-emption act, which allowed them to enter their lands at $1.25 per acre. In the "Sobrante" case one Juan Luco claimed to have purchased from a Mexican vaquero a grant which he had received in all due form from the Mexican government. The size of the flimsy claim should have killed even an imaginary title, as it covered 284.000 acres. The grant was finally rejected by the courts, and the public domain made all the larger by said decision. HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 67 CHAPTER XXI. BENICIA THE BLESSED. TBenicia would have been Francesco or Francisco but for the fact that the port of Yerba Buena, farther down the string of bays, "got there" first. The city on the straits of Carquinez was to take one of the names of Senora Vallejo (Francesca), but Yerba Buena got the name of St. Francis de Assisi, slightly changed it to San Francesco before her civic rival was ready for a title. So Benicia, another of Senora Vallejo's several Christian names, was substituted. The name means "beneficent," "beneficial," "blessing," and is a good one. Soon after the town survey was completed by Jasper O'Farrell, William I. Tustin, wife and son, from Sonoma, arrived at the place. They found the surveyor's stakes standing in the wild oats, the bay washing the shore, and that was all there was to Benicia the Blessed. The Tustins camped on the city site and three days after were joined by Dr. Semple, who came from Bodega with a schooner-load of lumber, a portion of which went into Tustin's house, and thus began the city named in honor of Francesca Benicia Maria Felipsa Carrillo- Vallejo. The town grew rapidly and was soon an important bay port, bidding fair to meet the anticipations of its founders. "Doctor" Bob Semple, the originator of Benicia, was a remarkable figure, as remarkable as ever came out of the blue grass meadows of Ken- tucky. He was almost seven feet tall and spare to thinness — but he was a "goer," and always busy. He was so long-limbed that when on horseback his feet were close to the ground — in fact, so far away from the animal's belly that he buckled the spurs on his legs instead of his heels. He was stoop-shouldered from having to bend his back in order to get down to ordinary people's height. He was sanguine and impulsive, kind and con- siderate, but quite determined to have his own way. and always sure that Benicia was destined to be the queen city of the great west. He ran the pioneer ferry between that place and Martinez — first by hand-power and after by horse-power, having rigged up a machine on his flat-bottomed scow. When the gold excitement startled the country and men were pre- paring for a stampede for the mines, Semple did not become enthused. His favorite mineral was coal, but he did not dream that across the straits, on the slope of Diablo, were great beds of the noble fuel. About this time Sam Brannan, on his way to Coloma, persuaded Captain Von Pfister to go in partnership with him, pack his stock of goods in Semple's ferry-boat and go up the Sacramento. Semple took them to a point as near the gold mines as he could, and when he returned to Benicia two weeks later he found an army of men and wagons en route to the "diggings" at the ferry waiting to cross. Von Pfister finally returned to Benicia, where he lived the remain- der of his life. The "doctor" formed a copartnership with William Robinson, John S. Bradford and Lansing B. Mizner under the firm name of Semple, Robinson & Co., for the transaction of general business. They purchased the Chilian bark Confederacion with her cargo of East Indian goods and moored her alongside the bank for wharf. That was her final resting place and she was long afterwards known as "the old hulk." The path between the bark and the store being over marshy tule ground, some of the muddiest places were paved with boxes of tobacco — that commodity being then a drug in the Benicia market, and lumber being correspondingly a scarcity. The firm prospered and soon added a two-story warehouse to their buildings. The 68 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES popularity of this trio of pioneers never waned. Semple was president of the first constitutional convention of the state and was the moving' spirit in that illustrious body that rushed this noble territory into the American Union. Bradford in the senate represented Solano in the first session of the legisla- ture at San Jose in 1850 ; he subsequently returned to Illinois and became mayor of Springfield. Robinson removed to Shasta county, where he was elected county judge. Mizner studied law, moved to San Francisco, where he successfully practiced his profession for years. He represented Solano in the senate, 1867-8, and was United States minister to Central America, 1889. His death occurred at his home in Benicia, December 9, 1893. In the latter part of 1849 L. B. Mizner and S. K. Nurse started a four- mule stage line, making tri-weekly trips between Benicia and Sacramento, connecting with San Francisco by sloop. This was continued till the arrival of steamers for the river run, when they sold their mules and quit. Bethuel Phelps was the pioneer building contractor, and even with lumber ranging from $200 to $600 per thousand feet and carpenter wages $16 and $20 a day, he put up stores and dwellings rapidly, but not too rapidly for the growing metropolis. Among the passengers who came to Benicia in the bark Confederacion were General Persifer F. Smith, the military com- mander of the department, and his staff; also C. E. Wetmore and family. The general was so impressed with the importance of the point that he immediately secured for the government sites bordering on Suisun bay for a military reservation. On this were constructed arsenal, barracks, maga- zines, quartermaster's storehouses and hospital. National troops have always been stationed at this post. The senior naval officer on the coast, about this time, brought the United States storeship Southampton to Benicia, mooring her near the town in what is now known as Southampton bay. He had other vessels of his fleet stationed in these waters, among which vessels were the 74-gun frigate Ohio, then the largest ship in the American navy; the frigates Savannah and Congress — the former had made the famous run into Monterey with Sloat and the flag that sealed California to Uncle Sam, and the latter vessel was afterwards destroyed by the rebel Merrimac in Hamp- ton Roads, Virginia ; the sloop-of-war Vandalia (lost at Apia in the awful hurricane that wrecked every craft in that harbor), and the transport Fre- donia (wrecked in the great tidal wave of 1868 at Arica, Peru) ; also the Levant (mysteriously lost at sea between Honolulu and Panama in 1866). Colonel Silas Casey, U. S. A., the first commander of the Benicia post, was first quartered with his staff and family on the old ship Julie, then moored in the mud near the arsenal building. The timbers of the ancient hulk are yet there. Among the soldiers, since famous, who were stationed at this post was Captain Lyon, afterwards General Lyon, killed at the battle of Lexing- ton, Mo., 1861. During an engagement with hostile Indians, one of his own men, by accident or design, shot a bullet through that officer's hat. In his report to General Riley, Lyon indignantly exhibited the hat, saying that the mysterious shot did not come from an enemy. "And it certainly did not come from a friend," answered the witty Irishman, and the investigation ended for want of further evidence. Rev. S. Woodbridge was one of the early arrivals in Benicia, and he soon organized a Presbyterian church — said to be the first Protestant church in California. Dr. Woodbridge also opened a day school, and among his many duties kept the records of the township. Dr. W. F. Peabody, during the summer of '49, established a hospital and was soon enjoying a large and paying patronage from return- ing miners. From 1853 to 1854 — for about one year — Benicia was the state capital. The city of Vallejo in 1851 had been declared the seat of govern- ment, but the members of the legislature were not satisfied with the accom- modations there, and other cities bidding for the honor of entertaining the lawmakers, there was a strong inclination to move again. January 12, 1852, HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 69 both houses at Vallejo adjourned to meet at Sacramento on the 16th. On the afternoon of the 13th the steamer Empire left Vallejo for "up the river," and reached Sacramento next day. She was loaded "to the guards" with legislators and their friends. They were received with music, oratory, cannon thunders and other joyful noises and a grand ball given by the citizens com- pleted the welcome ceremonies. The county courthouse was prepared and on the 16th the legislature met for a session in the new capital. March 7 Sacramento was almost swept out of existence by a devastating flood, and the legislature next month hurried to pass an act again recognizing Vallejo as the permanent seat of government, and directing the governor to remove the archives from Sacramento to that city, without unnecessary delay, upon the adjournment of the legislature. Early in 1853 General Vallejo confessed his inability to carry out his portion of the contract. As in former years, many places bid for the capital, but Benicia with her offer of the new city hall won the prize. February 4 at Vallejo the legislature adopted a resolution to meet at Benicia on the 11th and on the 14th Vallejo was released from his obligation. May 18 another act was passed declaring Benicia the permanent seat of govern- ment, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution, and it was de- clared unlawful for any court or judge to grant a writ of mandamus or other order directed against the state officers to compel them to remove the state archives or offices from Benicia or any other point in the state. The building in which the legislature met in Benicia is yet in existence, and is yet the city hall. Its walls are of brick and it is two stories in height. The rear portion of the lower story constituted the senate chamber, which was approached by a hallway from the main entrance. There were four large rooms in the building on that floor, opening into the hallway between the senate chamber and the entrance. In the upper story the assembly chamber occupied the rear part, and the front of the building was divided into two rooms. Although Benicia had done all she could to win, had carried out every agreement, was situated naturally for the capital city of the state, she was destined to lose ; and early in 1853 the "move" movement was in action. It was argued that only Sacramento could accommodate the offices and officers of the state and safely care for the public records. Gov- ernor Bigler in his annual message to the legislature, January 4, 1854, said : "Although deeply impressed with the importance as well as the necessity of economizing in every department of the state government, I feel it incum- bent upon me to direct your attention to the insecure condition of the public archives. The entire public records, as well as the state library, now number- ing 4,000 volumes, are kept in fragile frame buildings, without fireproof vaults or safes. The public records are now invaluable, and if destroyed could not be replaced, and their loss would involve the state and individuals in serious difficulties. In other states of the confederacy the officers of state are provided with substantial brick or stone buildings and the public records rendered entirely secure by being deposited in fireproof vaults or safes provided for that purpose. In this truly important matter we are admon- ished of the necessity of increased safeguards by the many and terrible conflagrations which have occurred during the past year. I trust, therefore, that you will, without delay, adopt such measures as you may deem neces- sary to render entirely secure the public archives in the several offices, and also the state library." On January 6 the governor sent a special message to the legislature transmitting a communication from the mayor and common council of Sacramento, offering, if the capital should be removed from Benicia to that city, to grant to the state government the free use of the courthouse and other suitable rooms for the accommodation of the state officers, together with fireproof vaults for the security of the public moneys and records ; to 70 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES remove the members of the legislature and the state officers and the govern- ment furniture and archives, free of charge from Benicia; and to grant to the state, for a building lot for the capitol, the public square between I and J and Ninth and Tenth streets. The courthouse tendered for the use of the legislature was the same building in which the sessions of 1852 had been held. It was of brick 60x80 feet in dimensions and two stories high. The people of Benicia offered the free use of the buildings then occupied for state purposes for as long a time as they might desire. The propositions were referred to special committees, to whom also were referred the various resolutions and bills that had been offered on the subject of the capital re- moval. A bill was introduced fixing the capital permanently at Sacramento, and after a hard fight for and against, passed both houses and received the governor's approval. A resolution to adjourn to the new capital city was hurriedly passed. and February 28, 1854, the governor and other state officers arrived at Sacramento, where they were received with numerous demonstra- tions of rejoicing, the Sutter Rifles escorting the newcomers through the streets and the mayor delivering an address of welcome. March 1 the legis- lature again met in the Sacramento courthouse and the Benicia statehouse was vacated. It became the county courthouse till the county seat removed to Fairfield, when it passed to its present status — the city hall. However, the loss of the capital was a disappointment, not a disaster. Nature gave what no legislature could take away — a noble site, a splendid position on the great waterway of California. It is a city of factories. The Benicia Iron Works, its buildings and yards covering an area of twenty-five acres, and from which is shipped a finished output averaging one thousand tons per • day, is located here ; as is the most extensive bolt plant in the west. The shipyards are an important feature of Benicia's prosperity. Here is the Turner which has sent its beautiful and graceful vessels to all portions of the globe. The Western Creameries Company, with a daily capacity of 5,000 pounds of butter, also a large output of condensed cream, adds to Benicia's commercial importance. In such a fruit county as Solano, a packing plant could be expected anywhere in the territory, consequently the Carquinez Packing Company now doing business in Benicia is in the usual order of events. Besides yearly 40,000 or 50,000 cases of fruit grown in Solano valleys, it packs thousands of cases of fish caught in Solano waters. The Benicia, the Shaw and the McKay tanneries employ several hundred men and annually turn out over $1,500,000 worth of leather. In 1853 St. Catherine's Academy, under the charge of the Roman Catholic Sisters of St. Dominic, was removed from Monterey to Benicia. Its faculty, the seven sisters, teach the one hun- dred and twenty day-pupils and thirty boarding pupils. The course of study is the same as the public grammar and high schools. Several other educa- tional institutions, public and denominational, are in flourishing condition. HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 71 CHAPTER XXII. MONTEZUMA TOWNSHIP. Principally this township is a tract of treeless, rolling hills for its north- ern portion and marsh lands for the southern. The soil of these hills is adobe, suitable for grain and hay, and the tract bordering the Sacramento river and Suisun bay is suitable for pasturage and dairying. Consequently much of the township is sparsely populated. Its only towns are Bird's Landing and Collinsville, the latter a small but lively shipping point on the Sacramento river, just where this stream and the San Joaquin river come together. This point is the great fishing ground of the state, and during the two salmon seasons of the year tons of this noble catch are canned here or sent to market in San Francisco. River steamers and other craft make Collinsville their regular stopping place and in daily connection with the outside world. C. J. Collins, in 1859, pre-empted this site and two years after he platted the place, built a store and wharf and gave it his name. Then a post-office was estab- lished with George W. Miller its postmaster. In 1867 he sold out to S. C. Bradshaw, who called the landing Newport. Bradshaw was a land-boomer and the fame of Newport and its greater future was soon known even in the east. Excursions from San Francisco brought buyers to the place and its lots were sold and resold. Finally E. J. Upham became the owner of the property. He was more practical and changed the town back to Collinsville, and also changed it from paper-Newport to the real place it is at present. Montezuma City. This metropolis is a has-been — in fact, it never was; but it was the pioneer town or city of the county; and this, with its kingly aboriginal title, maintains its place in history. In 1846 Lansing W. Hastings landed on the shore of Suisun bay near the present site of Collinsville. He was the advance agent of the Mormons to select a site for a colony of those peculiar religion- ists in then Mexican territory. Their hatred for the United States govern- ment would gain them the sympathy of Mexico and in the far west they would establish their new Canaan. Hastings thought he had found the ideal spot, and from the crest of a headland fronting on the bay he saw the Promised Land. Then he built an adobe house and called it Montezuma City to please Mexico and the Mexicans. It was not an unreasonable thought. The swell- ing tiplands to the north, which he immediately called "Montezuma Hills," were covered with rich verdure. The tall wild oats, a vast sea of green, waved in the almost eternal winds that swept, and sweep, over the country. There were no trees, but other vegetation made up for this, and wild game, such as deer and elk and other fauna, thickly populated the tract. To the south lay the grand twin-rivers and bays, waterways for the accommodation of the world's commerce. There were then several small settlements on the opposite or Contra Costa shore — the beginning of large cities in that portion of the territory. It was a panorama indeed that unrolled before this pioneer colonist — the snow-crested wall of the distant Sierras, with the majestic plain of the Sacramento between; grand old Diablo and her sur- rounding slopes and valleys across the waters ; the wide sweep of bay and coast range to the west, and the grand empire of mountain and level to the north. Here, thought Hastings, the Mormon would locate and thrive and wive and grow many and strong politically and defy his enemies. Bayard Taylor, in his book "Eldorado," which contains his travels in California during the last forties, speaks of the "City of Montezuma" as "a solitary house 72 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES on a sort of headland projecting into Suisun bay, and fronting its rival three- house 'City of New York,' " on the Contra Costa shore. But the dream of future greatness ended, though the embryo city of the Aztec passed into a deeper sleep. The American flag went aloft forever at Monterey and the possibility of establishing an independent Mormon commonwealth in California faded. Even its advance colonist drifted away, leaving his "city" to be tenanted by the local coyotes and visited by the passing sea-gulls. L. P. Marshall, with his sons, John and Knox, driving a band of cattle across the country during the winter of 1852-53, took posses- sion of the empty adobe. It was in a very dilapidated condition and had been stripped of every portable thing, even the doors and windows. In and about the house they found evidence that counterfeit coin had been manu- factured there by a wandering gang of counterfeiters or by Hastings to be used by his Mormon colonists. He never acquired title from either the Mexican or American government, but when he returned (from the mines) in 1854 he claimed pay for the improvements on the tract, consisting princi- pally of the old abandoned house. John and Knox gave him four mules, valued at $1,000. The Marshall people occupied this property many years as a cattle ranch after it passed to other ownership. CHAPTER XXIII. ALONG THE LOWLANDS. The townships of Denverton — which lies just north of Montezuma — Rio Vista, Maine Prairie, Silveyville and Fremont occupy much of the south and east portion of the county. Considerable of the surface is marsh re- claimed lands, though the other soils are extremely fertile and under high cultivation. Shipping places on the deep sloughs that reach inland from the bay afford ways to market for the country produce. Rio Vista, the prin- cipal town in the township of that name, was surveyed and started in 1857 by Colonel N. H. Davis. It is situated on the Sacramento river about one mile below the mouth of Cashe slough. In the memorable flood winter of '61 the old river literally washed old Rio Vista off its site and a newer and higher and safer site was found near where the present flourishing town of almost one thousand inhabitants is located. Fruit and fish canning is an important part of its industry, the broad river flowing by the place providing transportation. This section is a part of the old Ulpinos grant, formerly deeded to John Bidwell, then a naturalized Mexican citizen. Silveyville township gets its name from its pioneer settler, Elijah S. Silvey, who estab- lished the town of that name in the township. The town of Dixon received its title from Thomas Dickson, who donated ten acres of land for its site. It was to be named Dickson, but the first box of freight that was hauled into the new place was marked "Dixon" and could not be changed. Elmira town- ship, with its forty-five square miles of upland, is a veritable garden — fruit in the western portion next to that great orchard, Vaca, and grain in the east. Railroads pass through it hourly, the principal town, Elmira, being formerly called Vaca Station. HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 73 CHAPTER XXIV. SUISUN TOWNSHIP. ''The Island" is Suisun City's original name, bestowed upon the place when the original human settler dispossessed the mudhens. A few lots, higher than the tides, but lower than the slough-bottom in practical value, were "The Island" in those far-days when Solano and his bucks chased game over these grain — and afterwards orchard — sites. The bay waters washed around and over the flats that now appear between the county seat and her — almost — self. This was contemporary with the time when the Mexican government gave Armijo three square leagues of these rare acres to gallop over, and waste just as soon as the land-grabbing gringo came along to wheedle him out of them ; "on or about" the time the Vacas (the Americanos who wouldn't speak Spanish called them "Barkers") and the Penas herded their cattle in the rich "Barker" valleys. There was deep water alongside the island and the fleet of small craft that began to cruise the sloughs made of it an embarcadero or landing place. Captain Josiah Wing, one of these skippers, located there — among the tules — and the mudhens embarked for other islands. From this Suisun City — they called it a "city" even then — ■ grew. The island spread and as the soil advanced .the slough receded Then landed Captain Bob Waterman, weary of the sea and its thirty years of turmoil, seeking the rest and seclusion which a house in Suisun valley grants. "Captain Bob" was a good citizen and lived quietly on his ranch near Fairfield. Lurid and amusing and saline-flavored are the tales which followed him from ship to shore. In them he was "Bully Waterman" and around and in the vicinity of "The Horn" he had dropped many a sail-reefing sailor from the yards rocking in the fury of a southeast gale. Then came Cal and D. D. Reeves, J. B. Lemon, Allen C. Miller, William J. Costigan, John W. Pearce, P. J. Christler, E. P. Hilborn and J. B. Hoyt. About 1860 R. D. Dobbins arrived in Suisun valley — with four-bits in his pocket — so he proudly affirms, though there be many of his neighbors who affirm that that coin, the pioneer of the millions of like coins he now possesses, was at that early time in his hand, ready for investment in the rich, fertile field of Solano ; albeit, Mr. Dobbins made good use of his time and now owns houses and lands and herds and banks "all over." While Suisun City down on her "island" was attaining the importance of the chief county port-of-entry and departure, another town was growing just outside of the "city's" ring of tules. This was the future county seat. When Benicia lost that distinction Robert H. Waterman offered a public park and new city blocks for public building sites. Captain Bob came from the state where the wooden nutmeg grows, and from a town named Fair- field — possibly the said nutmegs flourished unusually well in that field. The board of supervisors hauled the county records and the county officers up from Benicia, told the ex-skipper to hand over his town lots, built thereon a courthouse and jail and called the whole settlement Fairfield. The filling-in process between the twin-towns went on until the plank roadway was re- moved and "the island" was completely surrounded by land. That the two places — the town of Fairfield and the city of Suisun — do not combine, merge, mix and make a showing on the Solano map is of some wonder. By the last census the county seat is accredited with 834 population, while 640 souls inhabit "the island," and the question is — why do not the "Islanders" hook up with the " 'Fielders" and the two become one fair town? Solano's large 74 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES places are not many — they run: Vallejo, 11,340; Benicia, 2,360; Vacaville. 1,177; Rio Vista, 884; Fairfield, 834; Dixon, 827; Suisun, 640; Elmira, 397; Collinsville, 275; Army Point, 220; Batavia, 125. Suisun valley and its western neighbor, Green valley, were soon occupied, their fertile levels sheltered by the surrounding hills, early attracting the atten- tion of the immigrant. Quickly the big ranchos were cut up into farms and wheat was practically the staple product from the Suscol range to Putah creek. But the great, never-failing profit in fruit turned many grain fields to orchards, the warm, sheltered soils of this section of the state being nature's fruiting place. Between two parallel ranges of hills is Green Valley, its southern end being at Bridgeport, in the bay tules, and probably every acre of the valley proper is under cultivation, either in grain, trees or vines. A number of large dairies send their product from this fertile vale and the bor- dering slopes and hills are grazing grounds for a big beef-cattle industry. The noted Fred Jones cherry orchard occupies much of the upper or northern end of the valley. The output of this noble holding has made a special place for itself in the eastern markets. This place was first a vineyard, the remains of its stone wine cellars yet to be seen near the present cherry packing houses. F. S. Jones came to California from Massachusetts in 1853, first settling in Sonoma, where he married Mary Swift, the daughter of William Swift, a prominent and wealthy pioneer of Sonoma valley. About ten years later Mr. Jones settled in Solano county, where his son, Frederick H. S. Jones, now lives and thrives, growing the fruit that is known far over the world. Three large vineyards and wineries are located on the warm slopes of the valley. This division of Solano agriculture was commenced by John Votypka, an Austrian, who settled in 1858 near the foot of the "Twin Sisters" mountain and planted a vineyard. Votypka is now a resident of Santa Rosa, but his large orchard is a part of Solano's rich fruit belt. Besides her orchards and vineyards, Green Valley township has another source of wealth, which, however, is down under the rich soil. This is in the crushed rock and building stone quarry near Cordelia. It is located at a 250-acre hill of vol- canic tufa and the entire plant of expensive machinery is owned by the E. B. and A. L. Stone Company. CHAPTER XXV. INDUSTRIES OF THE SUISUN VALLEY. The fruit industry of Suisun valley is only in its beginning, but it is immense. No irrigation is needed for these orchards, but they earn each year probably a million dollars. Possibly a third of this amount is in the refrigerated carloads that roll eastward from Suisun every summer. During the picking season the orchards are hives of industry, where the busy workers harvest the golden output. Among these great tree-tracts are the Lewis Pierce, the Hatch and the Chadbourne orchards, principally of apricots, pears, cherries and peaches. Nor is the fresh fruit industry of all importance. The dried fruit business for six months in the year is of great volume. At Suisun and Fairfield are the large packing-houses of the J. K. Armsby Company and of the Ernst Luehning Company, which employ hundreds of people, and ship away to foreign markets an immense quantity of fruit and nuts. Another product of this wonderful valley is cement. The quarry and plant owned by the Pacific Portland Cement Company is located about six miles northeast of the county seat. The quality of the product is the equal of any known cement and is in use over all the Pacific coast. The plant turns out about three thousand barrels daily and gives employment to eight or ten hundred men. Here is the town of Cement, popiilated by the families of HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES ' 75 the employes of the company. A school is maintained at Cement for the children of the locality, also a hospital for the sick or injured. The peculiar character of the rocks of Solano county makes the formation good building material and another source of wealth to the quarryman. Even at an early day fine dwellings and other houses were constructed of this natural material. The large church building at Rockville, about five miles west of Suisun, is of stone. Rockville, by the way, is a has-been village. Only its old church exists, and that is as silent as the small graveyard around it. Even its only historical claim — Chief Solano had a royal rancheria there — has lost interest; and the fact that it is, or was, the pioneer settlement of the valley is forgotten. The latest and most important building event in Solano county is the new courthouse. This noble white granite pile was erected in 1911 immediately in the rear of the old building. This was a convenient arrangement, as it insured the construction of the new house in the public park, and when the county officials stepped across the threshold into their new quarters, the old were immediately demolished and removed. The new temple is of two stories, stone, and the interior beautifully finished in marble. A splendid stairway leads to the superior court chamber and apartments above. Suisun and Fairfield, consolidated, will grow larger and become of greater importance. A line of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company splits the dual town, but in a near day the great electric system now reaching westward from the state capital will touch with a revivifying hand "the island" and its neigh- bor. The federal government is deepening and straightening out the sloughs that connect Solano's embarcadero with the great bays, and this will give Suisun a deep and straight-away run through the tules to the sea. The twin towns have their own water systems, and natural gas is now piped from the hills down into the streets. CHAPTER XXVI-. VACA VALLEY. There is a township called Vacaville, which is the general name for the northwest corner of Solano county, comprising about sixty-seven thousand acres. In this township is a valley and they call it Vaca, and Vaca valley, warm, rich vale of tree and vine, comes first to the stranger when he men- tally refers to the fruity output of California. Somebody tried to name this incomparable spot "Ulattis," but "Vaca" it would be, and is ; and the better title prevailed. After the Vaca and Pefia families came the Lyons, the Longs, the Hollingsworth, the Dollarhides — father and three sons — Edward Mc- Greary, John Fisk, Mason Wilson, J. G. Parks, W. R. Miller and W. A. Dunn. Vaca valley, five or six miles long and about two miles wide, between two ranges of high hills, extends northerly from the great Sacramento plain. In its two additions, the Pleasants and Lagoon valleys, is the wondrous fer- tility continued. For ages the alluvial accumulations from the bordering mountains have been deposited in these glens and in this rich soil all vege- tation springs to perfection. The first settler in Pleasants valley was J. M. Pleasants, who located there in 1851, and there in that beautiful vale, so fittingly named, the family has lived ever since. Among the orchards in these valleys are such names as Bassford, Buck, Kidd, Marshall, Smith, Scarlett and Elliott. Manuel Cabeza Vaca, in 1850, deeded to William McDaniel nine square miles of land, with the provision that on one of the square miles McDaniel would lay out a townsite and call the place Vacaville. The consideration was 76 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES Manuel Cabeza Vaca. $3,000 and several of the lots deeded back to Vaca. McDaniel set apart for M. C. Vaca two hundred lots and sold L. B. Mizner an undivided half of the tract, three English miles square. The town was surveyed by E. H. Rowe, and the first building of Vacaville was erected that j^ear by McDaniel. The second building was a small hotel kept by James McGuire, and the first store was run by E. F. Gillespie. This was the beginning of the beautiful town sitting on both sides of the Ulattis creek. In 1869 the Vaca Valley and Clear Lake Railway connected the town and township with the outside world. And the place has kept pace with the times. Costly buildings, public and private, adorn its streets, notably its noble Union high school, brick public school and public library. The population within the town limits is about fifteen hundred, though the valley in the vicinity is thickly populated. During the fruit season these populations increase out of all limits. Solano Statistics. Every cluster of figures for this year, 1912, shows a large increase over those of the last year. The assessed valuation of county taxable property is $21,000,808, distributed by Assessor E. E. Long as follows: Real estate, other than city and town lots $10,852,729 Improvements on same 2,208,103 City and town lots 2, 199.924 Improvements on same 3,320,319 Improvements on real estate assessed to other persons than owners 20,000 Personal property 2,399,733 The valuation of all kinds of property in incorporated cities and towns assessed by the county is as follows : Benicia $ 781,439 Vacaville 497,963 Rio Vista 296.105 Fairfield '. 254,490 Dixon 416,235 Suisun _ 351,425 Valleio : 3,837,674 Total $6,435,333 Other Valuations. Cattle, $208,405; hogs, $29,860; mules, $128,700; jacks, $5,950; horses, $670,800; sheep, $125,300; poultry, $7,500; machinery, $150,000; automobiles, $136,500; oil tanks, $5,000. Acreage of Grain, Etc. Wheat, 150,000; barley, 110,000; hay, 40,000; alfalfa, 12,000; oats, 6,000; corn, 500; beans, 300; grapes, 3,150. Number of Fruit Trees. Peaches, 560,000 ; prunes, 460,000 ; pears, 304,000 ; apricots, 236,800; plums, 110,500; almonds, 110,000; cherries, 95,800; oranges. 8,000; apples, 6,500; figs, 6,000; walnuts, 6,000; olives, 6,000; lemons, 3,000; limes, 300. Superintendent Dan H. White of the county schools in his annual report gives the number of high school pupils as 441 and of the elementary schools 3,568; teachers in all schools, 142; receipts for high schools, $108,769.32; ele- mentary schools, $147,191.25; total, $255,960.57. Disbursements for high schools, $64,761.64; for elementary schools, $149,728.32; total, $214,489.96. High school property valuation, $84,968 ; elementary school property valuation, $243,260. HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 77 CHAPTER XXVII. NAVY YARD— MARE ISLAND. By J. 0. Hanscom. It was early found out, when the United States came into possession of what is now called California, that it would be necessary to have a station where ships could be repaired, instead of sending them east around Cape Horn for that purpose. After Mare Island had been selected the secretary of the navy entered into a contract with the firm of Dakin, Moody, Gilbert & Secor to build a sectional dock for the Pacific coast. A floating clock, consisting of twelve sections, was put together in New York, then taken apart and shipped to Mare Island to be erected at that station for ship repairing. In the agreement it was stated that the contractors could have use of the sections for making repairs on the mercantile ships as well as war vessels, until six months' notice after completion had been given that the government would resume full possession of the sectional dock. As soon as seven or eight sections had been completed the Dock Company (so called) commenced to repair ships of commerce. The first vessel was the steamer Pacific, belonging to the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. Many other vessels from time to time were placed on the dock. When the government was notified by the contractors that the dock was completed and the government made a test of the same by placing the U. S. Naval Frigate Independence on the dock, rais- ing her and letting her stay over night, then on acceptance the secretary of the navy gave the agreed six months' notice for taking the docks out of the hands of the contractors. In 1856 the firm turned over the docks, disposed of all material and tools on hand and the navy yard authorities were the sole occupants of the navy yard. Before the sectional dock was completed the United States government entered into a contract with the same firm that built the sectional dock to build a basin and railway for the purpose of taking vessels out upon the land whenever extensive repairs were needed, leaving the dock free to take up other vessels. This basin and railway were constructed under the superin- tendence of Isaiah Hanscom, afterwards of the navy. In March of 1856 the late Commodore Isaiah Hanscom was appointed the first naval constructor for the Mare Island Navy Yard. In 1860 he was ordered to the Kittery Yard, and after the Norfolk Navy Yard was retaken from the Southern Confederacy, Mr. Hanscom was sent there to reconstruct it, as an attempt had previously been made to destroy it. Later he was ordered to the Charlestown Navy Yard, from which station he was promoted to the position of chief constructor of the United States Navy, which position he held for nearly two terms and was then placed upon the retired list, having reached the age of sixty-two years. It was finally tested by filling the sloop-of-war Warren with stone, floating her on the sectional dock, moving dock and ship into the basin and then hauling the ship out on the mainland, where she laid on the railway three or four days, when she was again pushed on the dry dock, floated out in the stream and then lowered into the water to resume her position alongside of the Warren, a storeship, later on being sent down to the Isthmus of Panama, where her bones now lie. In the latter part of the '70s a stone dock was built to take the place of the sectional dock, which from age had become unsafe to lift seagoing vessels. 78 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES This dock was built similar to the stone dock at the Norfolk Navy Yard. It was built under the immediate supervision of the late Civil Engineer Calvin Brown, a man of large experience in his line of industry. Later on another dry dock, still larger than the first stone dock, was built, capable of taking in the largest ship at present in contemplation of being built by the United States. Numerous troubles arose during the construction of the dock, and the original contractors were forced to give up their contract. From the early date in September, 1854, when Commander D. G. Far- ragut (later on captain) was sent to the Mare Island Navy Yard as command- ant, there has been a general progression in the way of efficiency. Quite often buildings, tools, etc., become obsolete and are dispensed with for later improvements. What is all right today is almost all wrong tomorrow. During the past three years there has been a tendency of the navy depart- ment to place its navy yards upon a mercantile basis, but improvements of this kind move slowly. The old-fashioned brick dwellings, under a plea of great damage by an earthquake, were demolished and wooden structures of modern design replaced them. Introduction of electricity at the navy yard has a history of its own and perhaps will be interesting for the future generations to read. About the first known use of electricity in the navy yard was when Captain Johnson, executive officer of the Mare Island Navy Yard, in the early '80s, purchased a clock run by electricity for his office in the brick office building located near the present flagpole. For some cause or other it stopped one day, and the captain could not induce it to move along, do what he would. He sent down to the steam engineering department for some good mechanic to make the necessary repairs. No one could be found who had any knowledge of electricity in the steam engineering department. Some one suggested that George E. Hanscom, who was learning the machinist trade in the construction depart- ment, and had made a little study of electricity, would be the right person to solve the difficulty. He was sent for, and upon making an examination immediately saw where the trouble was, but, like the venerable watchmaker, was shrewd enough to take his time about adjusting the works. However, he made the repair, which was of a very slight nature. The clock started on its daily run as if nothing had happened. This made the reputation of Hanscom, who was immediately called an electrical machinist. Admiral B. H. McCalla, the commandant of the station at that time, was favorable to electricity, and one day, sending for Hanscom to come to his office, asked if he could not put up a telephone from the yard gate to his. office with such old material as could be found in the yard, but not on charge, as the navy department at that time would not approve of the expenditure of a ten-cent piece for any- thing pertaining to the use of electricity. Young Hanscom took possession of some old wire rigging, found some old material which could be used for poles, and without assistance constructed a line from the commandant's office to the water's edge. He had to get his plant by picking up a little here and there, wherever it could be found. Finally a line was constructed serving nearly all of the necessities of the station. As time wore on, the navy de- partment began to learn something by experience. One day, some months after the above work had been performed to an extent as before stated, orders were sent to the commandant of the Mare Island Navy Yard to install a plant covering the ground of the work already done. It was the first authority given Mare Island to make use of electricity for various purposes. During the year 1911 the government detailed the U. S. S. Buffalo to carry electricians and other mechanics, under the direct command of Lieu- tenant E. H. Dodd, U. S. N., to go up north and arrange for wireless stations in and about the Behring sea. The result was that temporary stations were installed at Dutch harbor and at St. Paul's island (Prybiloff islands), in addi- HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 79 tion to the station on Kodiak island. Three stations are in thorough working order and connect up with the Sitka station every night. The government contemplates sending the same parties north again in 1912 for the purpose of making the named stations permanent and installing plants accordingly. The whole Pacific coast of the United States now is cov- ered with wireless plants, which can be used in the daytime as well as by night. High aerials appear to have solved day operation of the wireless system for long distances. Very much of the success of the electrical system on the Pacific coast is due to the late Admiral B. H. McCalla, who was early interested in it and did all in his power to advance it. Immediately under George E. Hanscom's direction, all of the old works were placed one side and everything of a newer electrical type was installed, covering telephones to all offices and officers' quarters, even to the extreme south end of the island. As ships arrived at the station for repairs, electricity was installed on board for the various uses then known. Machine shops and foundries were erected in order that a large amount of the machinery, etc., required for the various stations might be made at the navy yard. Later on the success of Marconi as well as others in using high potentials of Tesla's discovery brought forward wireless telegraphy. Mr. Hanscom, on account of his experience and unvaried success in other branches of electric work, was given charge of the wireless department as the practical manager. Under his immediate supervision the following plants have been installed : Mare Island, Goat Island, the Farralones and, going south, a station at Point Arguello, and at about the extreme end of the United States' possessions, the last sta- tion, at Point Loma, several miles distant from San Diego. Going north of the Golden Gate, there is a station located at Table Bluff, another at North Head, in the state of Washington; another at Sitka, Alaska; another at or near Cordova, southwestern Alaska, and another at Kodiak Island (recently com- missioned). A station has also been located at Tatoosh Island, Oregon. There is every reason to believe that every one of the stations named will be in commission by September 1, 1912. It will give the United States government a wireless control of a good part of the Pacific ocean and will enable whalers to give notice of their whereabouts in the winter season. Various plants have been established at the navy yard for home manufacture of thousands of small articles now brought from abroad. The present wireless conditions on the Pacific coast are considered up-to-date and equal to any in any part of the world. From year to year new inventions are made and go into public use in a thousand different ways. The power is known to be unlimited. It is only necessary to know how to harness it and apply it in a shape to do the work required. Every year since the Mare Island Navy Yard was established there has been more or less improvement made in the plant. Better shops have been provided for to perform the work necessary to repair or build ships for the navy. Within the past two years the secretary of the navy has been making changes in the system of carrying on the work. It is the evident intention to eventually have the yard managed similar to a well-to-do private establishment of the ship-building order. The number of divisions has been cut down and labor is being performed to better satisfaction than heretofore. It has become necessary for the navy yard authorities to make a clean showing of the large amounts of money spent at the various stations. The Mare Island Navy Yard is forging to the front faster than any other in the way of doing more and having it cost less than any other navy yard on the Atlantic or Pacific. When the present contemplated improvements are completed it will give the authorities an opportunity to show that California mechanics can build as fast ships and at a cheaper cost than at any government station, either on the Atlantic or Pacific. A new power-house, designed to furnish power for all of 80 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES the manufacturing shops at the yard, is nearing completion. It will make an immense saving to the government when once in running order. Mare Island — Its Name. \ There have been several claimants to Mare Island, as the following, taken from the records of the county at Fairfield, will show how the title has been attacked at different times : "In the year 1849 one V. Castro agreed to sell Mare Island to M. G. Vallejo. In 1859 V. Castro entered into a contract with M. L. Chase as agent for the Mexican government to dispose of Mare Island, and in 1857 V. Castro deeded an undivided one-half to J. I. Stockman. In 1852 J. P. Turner filed his possessory claim for 160 acres located on Mare Island. In 1852 L. B. Harkness filed his possessory claim for 160 acres on the island. In 1856 the sheriff closed out the interest of Harkness under execution to W. H. R. Wood. In the year 1857 R. Miller filed a lien on Mare Island, making J. D .Myers defendant, for services rendered for boring artesian wells. In 1870 J. W. Geory brought suit against H. Halleck, J. R. Bolton and F. Billings for an undivided 67-80th interest in Mare Island." i\ Late generations have questioned the name given to the island upon which the navy yard is located. Although several solutions have been given, we are inclined to believe the following as the true version. It was narrated by Dr. P. M. G. Vallejo, a son of the late General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, after whom the city of Vallejo was named. We read as follows : "In the early days the only boat for ferry purposes on the water near Vallejo and Benicia was a rude one, made chiefly of oil barrels obtained from whaling ships and propelled by sails. These barrels were secured together by beams and planking and it was divided into compartments for the accommodation of cattle, to the transportation of which it was chiefly devoted. One day while the ferry-boat was crossing from Martinez to Benicia, a sudden squall over- took it and the craft pitched fearfully about, and the animals (chiefly horses) became restive and some of them broke through the partitions and the boat upset, causing the living cargo to be thrown into the bay. Naturally, some of the live-stock was drowned and some managed to reach either shore by swimming. One of the horses (an old white mare owned and highly prized by General Vallejo) succeeded in effecting a landing on the island and was rescued from there a few days afterwards by the general, who thereupon called the place 'Isla de la Yegua,' or Mare Island." It lies in the San Pablo bay, at the mouth of Carquinez straits, and com- prises about 900 acres of land. Some time in the early '40s it appears that one Victor Castro obtained permission to herd his horses upon this island, and in 1846 Castro received from Governor Alvarado a deed absolutely con- veying the property to him and the title to the island. Among the first settlers on the island were William Bryant and Major Stephen Cooper. Later a number of others laid claim to the island, but their squatter title was of no value. Later they were all ordered away by the officers of the United States government, and the latter has remained in sole possession ever since. It was not long after California became practically a part of the United States, when Commodore John D. Sloat of the navy, who assisted in the capture of the country, saw the necessity of having some place where the government ships could be repaired, and thus save a long trip around Cape Horn, and to one of the navy yards on the Atlantic coast. The attention of the navy department at Washington was called to the fact, and on December 13, 1852, Hon. John P. Kennedy, at that time secretary of the navy, appointed a commission for the purpose of selecting a spot desirable for the location of a navy yard. The following-named gentlemen were selected to perform the duty : Commodore John D. Sloat, Commander W. S. Ogden, Lieutenant I. F. Blount and Civil Engineer W. S. Sanger. This commission, of all the various HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 81 points about San Francisco and the inland bays, decided upon Mare Island as being the most advantageous, and their report was duly forwarded to the secretary of the navy. Quoting from the commission's report, we read as follows : "We have the honor to state the island, including the tule opposite Vallejo, contains about 900 acres, in addition to a large tract of tule extending towards Napa and Sonoma. There is ample space for all the buildings required for a navy yard, with good anchorage for ships of war. We consider it the most eligible location near San Francisco." | On December 10, 1853, Secretary of the Navy John P. Kennedy forwarded a letter to W. H. Davidge, agent of W. H. Aspenwall, in relation to the pur- chase of Mare Island, and this letter formed, to a certain extent, an agree- ment between two parties for the purchase of Mare Island. A portion of this agreement reads 'as follows: "The United States shall agree to allow a con- venient ferry for intercourse and make a reservation of such land as the United States government may find convenient for ferry purposes, but the ferry to be so far under the control of the government as to compel the removal to any part of the public property which may be designated by the navy department for its own convenience or advantage. It also reserves the right to forbid any communication between Mare Island and the mainland." The bill of sale includes "all the tule or lowland and marsh belonging to the same, or which has ever been reputed or claimed to belong to the same." The expenses of the commission were $11,508, which was paid out of $100,000 appropriated for the purpose by Congress on January 4, 1853. The sum of $83,491 was paid by the United States government on account of the purchase of the island. The owners, who deeded the property to the government, were George W. P. Bissell of San Francisco, who owned 466-640 ; W. H. Aspenwall, who owned 124-640, and Mary S. McArthur of Baltimore, who held 40-640. In 1853 the United States government entered into a contract with Dakin, Moody, Gilbert & Secor of New York to build a basin and railway for the Mare Island Navy Yard at a cost of $840,000, for the purpose of taking ships out on the mainland and repairing them while the sectional docks were being used to raise vessels and make quick repairs on the dry docks. ^Previous to entering into the building of the basin and railway the government had con- tracted with the same firm to build a dry dock of ten sections. This dock was built in New York and then taken apart and freighted around the Horn and unloaded on Mare Island and reconstructed. Vessels loaded with this material began to arrive at Mare Island in September, 1852. With the material also came some workmen and superin- tendents. J. T. Dean was in charge with Darius Peckham as foreman me- chanic. Among the mechanics who came out from the east to erect the dock was John Callender. When these people first landed they found a solitary inhabitant, whose name was Griffin. He was familiarly known as "Pop" Griffin, and was of the western type of frontiersman. He was given employ- ment as a hunter by the dry dock company, and stayed in the same employ until the island became a navy yard, when all of the workmen were ordered to move across the channel to Vallejo. The vessels which brought out the dry dock were named the Empire, Queen of the East, Defiance and California Packet. The work of rebuilding the sectional dock was commenced in the latter part of 1852 and continued until 1855, when it was tested by the docking of the razee frigate Independence, this vessel, commanded by Captain Josiah G. Tatnall. having been ordered to the yard for that purpose. On July 29, 1854, the late Chief Naval Constructor Isaiah Hanscom assumed the superintendency of the dry dock company's work, completing the sectional dry dock and the building of the new basin and railway. From sound- r *■ 82 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES ings made by the writer there was forty-two feet of water at high tide directly in front of the outer line of the last new dock built at the navy yard. Up to that time there were no obstructions on the island water front, and the water was clear enough to see the bottom of the river where it was covered by more than twenty feet of water. About September 10 Captain (he did not have that rank at that -date) D. G. Farragut arrived, with his wife, son and private secretary, Paul Loyall. at the island, accompanied by Colonel Daniel Turner, formerly a member of Congress from the state of North Carolina, who had been appointed a civil engineer for the navy yard, and with him were two daughters, Misses Alice and Helen. These ladies were afterwards married — Miss Alice to Dr. John M. Browne and Miss Helen to Dr. John Messersmith, both officers of the United States Navy. As there was but one good dwelling house on Mare Island at that time, and that occupied by the agents' of the U. S. Dry Dock Company, when Captain Farragut arrived with his family and Mr. Turner and his daughters, they were given, for a few days, room and lodgings with Messrs. Secor and Plans- com. That building is now located on the north side of the office building, which is located north of the flagpole. Captain Farragut immediately ordered the storeship Warren brought up from Sausalito, where the United States government had kept their stores for war vessels since the occupation of California. This ship was commanded by Lieutenant David McDougall, afterwards admiral. As soon as she arrived at the yard her main cabin was fitted up for the accommodation of the com- •mandant of the station, the civil engineer and their families. The wardroom was used by the officers of the vessel and some of the clerks which Captain Farragut had given positions to. On September 16 the flag of the com- mandant was raised on the Warren and later transferred to a new flagpole, where it stands today. The first officers to hold positions at the navy yard at its organization were: D. G. Farragut, captain and commandant; Thomas G. Corbin. lieu- tenant and executive officer ; Daniel Turner, civil engineer ; Abraham Powell, Jr., master carpenter and joiner; Robert S. King, master blacksmith; James Warner, master mason. It was late in the fall when grading for the foundation of the new brick blacksmith shop was commenced. Quite a large amount of earth was re- moved, and it was not until March 24 (Saturday) that the first brick was laid for this, the first permanent building erected on Mare Island. The building was completed the following October. In the meantime the new basin and railway were being built and the dry dock company was using the partially completed sectional dock for the purpose of repairing vessels of the merchant marine as well as such government ships as were in need of repairs. The first vessel to be raised on the section, after enough had been completed to do the work, was the merchant ocean steamer Uncle Sam. Following her, from time to time, all of the ocean steamers plying on the Pacific ocean were placed upon this dock and necessary repairs were made. The dock was finally tested on Monday, December 10, 1855. The vessel having been duly centered and located on the dock, the pumps were started at 11 o'clock in the forenoon, and at 40 minutes past 3 the big ship was all out of water, ready for repairs. On the next day (Tuesday) the dock was lowered and the Independence was put afloat again just as the announcement of the noon hour was made. The board reported the success of the trial at Washington. Finishing touches were put upon the different sections and the United States government gave a six months' notice to the contractors for the turning of the dock over to the navy yard authorities. It was a stipulation in the contract with the government that the contractors should have the use of the dock until six months' notice HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 83 had been given by the government. In the meantime the dock was used for the benefit of the merchant marine of the Pacific ocean. Captain Farragut, on assuming command of the station, immediately ap- pointed James Logan, late of Vallejo, as a watchman for the yard. A large wooden storehouse was immediately built, a little north of the present ferry- house. Work was commenced on a small house for the commandant and was also used as an office until more permanent buildings were erected. h The only parties who made any claim to Mare Island when Captain 1 Farragut landed on the territory was old "Pop" Griffin, a Mr. Turner and a French-Canadian with his family. Amicable arrangements were made with these people and no trouble of any moment was had afterwards with squatters, ts During the latter part of the year and in the spring following, a consid- erable work was performed under the direction of the commandant in the way of preparing foundations for permanent shops and dwelling houses. The latter were after the style of- those which had been built at the Norfolk Navy Yard, and not at all adapted to the California climate. In later years, when the residences had been pretty well shaken by an earthquake, the brick build- ings were taken down and more suitable ones erected in place of them. Communication, with San Francisco at this time was somewhat limited. A small stern-wheel steamer (about fifty feet long) ran from Napa City to San Francisco, touching at Vallejo and the navy yard one day and returning the next. The fare was $2.50 each way. By taking a private team one could go to Benicia and catch the Sacramento or Stockton boat and make the trip daily. Among the foremen of laborers (most of the early work was of that class) were Phillip R. Fendall, late colonel of the Marine Corps; Jordan G. Gardner, son of the late Admiral Gardner, and Samuel Barron, son of Commodore Barron. Young Barron was on board the Florida of the Confederate service when she was cut out of Rio Janeiro by Captain Napoleon Collins, U. S. N., second executive officer of the yard under Farragut. Barron happened to be on shore when the vessel was captured and he escaped being taken. Pendle- ton Colston, a son of the district attorney of Washington, D. C, was the first clerk of the yard and called the roll from a small building located alongside of the present flagpole, south of the office building. There were also two young men by the name of Dunlap — nephews of Captain David McDougall, who were given positions under the commandant. John R. Bird, afterwards lost on the steamer Golden Gate near Manzanillo, which was destroyed by fire on July 27, 1862, fifteen miles from Manzanillo, on the Mexican coast, and four miles off shore, was one of the well-known foremen. In 1855 Colonel D. Turner, the civil engineer of the station, was allowed an assistant, and John Williston was appointed to the position. He performed the principal part of the engineering work for a number of years and caused to be erected the first sun dial to be used at the navy yard. It was placed on a spot east of the present office building near the flagstaff. The sea-wall north of the ferry landing was built under his direction. In the fall of 1855 some of the officers' quarters were completed and were occupied by the officers who were on duty at the navy yard. Jesse Sawyer was appointed navy storekeeper and relieved the writer, who had been tempo- rarily appointed to the position by Captain Farragut. The social event of the season happened when at the latter end of the year the agents of the dry dock company gave a grand banquet on the final testing of the sectional docks. The building known as the new blacksmith shop was utilized for the purpose. All of the navy and army officers far and near, as well as prominent persons of San Francisco, Sacramento and Vallejo, took part in the festivities of the occasion. In March, 1856, the late Chief Naval Constructor Isaiah Hanscom was appointed as naval constructor and assigned to the Mare Island Navy Yard, I 84 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES being the first officer of that class on the Pacific coast. In 1858 he built the U. S. S. Saginaw, the first war vessel to be constructed on the Pacific coast by the United States government. In 1895 an earthquake shook the buildings in the navy yard to such a degree that the government decided to tear down all of the brick dwellings and in place of them erect new wooden buildings of modern design for officers' quarters, and such buildings were erected at an expense of $100,000. Gardens were laid out around them and today these residences are not excelled any- where in California for their beautiful surroundings, except in very rare cases. In relation to the water supply of the navy yard, while at present the station is bountifully supplied by the city of Vallejo from the large reservoir near Cordelia, about fourteen miles northeast of the city, in earlier days it was different. When the yard was first established, in 1854, there were two wells from which those living on the island were supplied. A third well, or spring, supplied water for stock and for purposes other than domestic. The best well, which furnished good drinking water sufficient for two or three hundred people, was situated where the southwest corner of the first large blacksmith shop now stands. The other well, which furnished a pretty good quantity of water, although slightly brackish, answered a great many purposes. There also was a spring situated on the west side of the island and down towards the southern end, which supplied considerable water for all purposes except drinking. It was somewhat brackish. At the present time there are a number of large cisterns for holding rain water to be used in case of emergency for domestic purposes. As it falls on slate roofs, in most cases, with the aid of some charcoal, it is good for human consumption. List of Commandants of Mare Island Navy Yard from September, 1854. Commander David G. Farragut, from September 16, 1854, to July 16, 1858. Captain R. B. Cunningham, from July 16, 1858, to March 13, 1861. Captain David McDougall, from March 13, 1861, to June 5, 1861. Captain W. H. Gardner, from June 5, 1861, to May 27, 1862. Captain Thomas O. Self ridge, from May 27, 1862, to October 17, 1864. Captain David McDougall, from October 17, 1864, to September 5, 1866. Commodore Thomas S. Craven, from September 5, 1866, to August 1, 1868. Commodore James Alden, from August 1, 1868, to March 17, 1869. Captain Reed Werden, from March 17, 1869, to April 15, 1869. Rear-Admiral Thomas S. Craven, from April 16, 1869, to January 1, 1870. Commodore John R. Goldsborough, from January 1, 1870, to April 15, 1871. Commodore E. J. Parrott, from April 15, 1871, to September 3, 1872. Rear-Admiral Thomas O. Self ridge, from September 3, 1872, to July 3, 1873. Rear-Admiral John Rodgers, from July 3, 1873, to April 17, 1877. Commodore E. R. Colhoun, from April 17, 1877, to January 15, 1881. Commodore Thomas S. Phelps, from January 15, 1881, to March 15, 1883. Captain John Irwin, from March 15, 1883, to November 8, 1883. Commodore John H. Russell, from November 8, 1883, to May 31, 1886. Captain F. V. McNair, from May 31, 1886, to June 15, 1886. Rear-Admiral George E. Belknap, from June 15, 1886, to March 9, 1889. Commander Louis Kempff, from March 9, 1889, to April 4, 1889. Rear-Admiral A. E. R. Benham, from April 4, 1889, to June 8, 1891. Rear-Admiral John Irwin, from June 8, 1891, to May 6, 1893. Captain Henry L. Howison, from May 6, 1893, to July 17, 1893. Captain Henry L. Howison, from July 17, 1893, to June 1, 1896. Rear-Admiral W. A. Kirkland, from June 1, 1896, to August 12, 1898. Commander J. J. Brice, from August 12, 1898, to October 5, 1898. Captain C. S. Cotton, from October 5, 1898, to October 8, 1898. Commodore J. C. Watson, from October 8, 1898, to May 15, 1899. HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 85 Rear-Admiral Louis Kempff, from May 15, 1899, to March 29, 1900. CaDtain Merrill Miller, from March 29, 1900, to July 11, 1900. Rear-Admiral Merrill Miller, from July 11, 1900, to July 11, 1903. Rear-Admiral Bowman H. McCalla, from July 11, 1903, to June 19, 1906. Captain Alex. McCrackin, from June 19, 1906, to July 4, 1906. Rear-Admiral Henry W. Lyon, from July 4, 1906, to October 12, 1907. Captain Thomas S. Phelps, Jr., from October 12, 1907, to July 24, 1909. Rear-Admiral Hugo Osterhaus, from March 25, 1910. to (presumably) May 15, 1911. Captain Henry Thomas Mayo, from January 19, 1911. The Navy Yard of Today. The Mare Island Navy Yard has had a hard struggle for existence in its present location ever since the day of its birth. An attempt, the first one, was made to have the station removed to Benicia. Failing in that purpose, there had, seemingly, been a premeditated conspiracy to have the yard removed to the near vicinity of San. Francisco. The refusal of the captain of one of the government war ships to come to Mare Island from San Fran- cisco unless directly ordered to do so by the navy department (for the reason stated as fear of the vessels getting aground on account of the shoaling of the channel way) was the entering wedge upon which interested parties worked to make a change in the situation, even up to about 1911. Building of dykes for the purpose of contracting the Napa river and Car- quinez straits, thus making a swifter current to wash out the debris and make a deeper channel, solved the problem of having sufficient depth of water for any ship the government had on hand or might be built in the future and settled all knocking of removal. The honorable secretary of the navy, George von L. Meyer, after a special inspection of the station, arrived at the conclusion that there could be no better situation of a site for a navy yard than Mare Island, and at the present writing there are not any evidences that any further attempts will be made to change the present situation. Furthermore, that appropriations will be made yearly by Congress to bring the Mare Island Navy Yard up to a standard not surpassed by any naval station in the world. For many years the progress of the navy yard was hampered in other ways than by specially interested parties. Changes of administration, until the civil service law went into effect, would cause the discharge of one set of men not favorable to the administration and the employment of those who were favorable caused an unsettled state of affairs necessarily to the disad- vantage of .performing work on the yard. Experienced men went out and inexoerienced ones came in. No private enterprise could have ever been made a sucecss with these conditions. When men commenced being employed under the civil service law on account of merit, then a stability commenced to be established and the reports from the yard began to be favorable. While merit was intended to be the great factor in the employment of the clerical and mechanical force, at first it was weak, but kept getting stronger and stronger until now the working department compares favorably with any private establishment in the United States or elsewhere. A strong prejudice had grown up in the east against California on account of what was supposed to be the extravagant cost of all work performed on the Pacific coast. This made it hard to obtain the job of building vessels at the yard. After a very determined effort of the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce, the navy department was induced to build a war ship in a navy yard, and the New York yard was selected to build the vessel. Following this tirade, a collier was given to the Mare Island yard to see what could be done on the 86 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES Pacific coast. The outcome proved that work of this kind could be done at this yard as economically as anywhere else. Now, on the strength of that effort, a larger vessel, also to be used as a collier, has been ordered to be built here, and there is no doubt at all that the result will be the building of a cruiser here. The present design of the government is to have two large navy yards on the Pacific coast — one at Mare Island and one at Bremerton, Washington. The plant here is from time to time being made as efficient as a naval station can be. It will tend to keep a large number of first-class mechanics at all times ready to push work very speedily whenever the occasion may require. Concentration is the order of the day and many improvements have already been made on the yard in this direction. All the power necessary for running the various mechanical departments is about to be generated in one large building just completed for the purpose. Power will be carried all over the yard by electric wires, and instead of half a dozen power shops, one only will do all the work, consequently making a great saving and also adding efficiency. Other branches of work in the yard are being likewise concen- trated and it will not be long before the yard will be on the same basis as any of the large mechanical works carried on by private enterprise and corre- spondingly saving labor and time. The present secretary of the navy, George von L. Meyer, has a hercu- lean task on his hands to thoroughly reconstruct the whole navy department, and he is making good as fast as it is possible to do so. A commencement was made at the Mare Island Navy Yard, and its good effects already shown will appear to still greater advantage later on. The Mare Island Navy Yard, situated on a large island of what will eventually comprise about one thousand acres, is the finest site for the purpose that the United States government owns and cannot help being the pride of the nation. It appears that the officials detailed for charge of the various depart- ments are changed too often. They get fairly in harness when they are detached and sent away to perform other duties, and new officers, not fully acquainted with the duties to be performed, are placed in charge. It is natural that the ideas of the new will be different from those of the old, and this cannot help being a disadvantage to the government. This may be remedied in time. CHAPTER XXVIII. VALLEJO. The city of Vallejo, named for General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, was practically a wide field of wild cattle and horses up to the time gold was first discovered in California, and immigrants began to flock to this portion of the Pacific coast from all parts of the world. The virgin production was mostly Avild oats, upon which the animals subsisted. Occasionally wandering tribes of Indians would locate here and there temporarily and use, for sub- sistence, the wild cattle and such wild game as would find something to feed upon. When the Argonauts traveled up the river from San Francisco to either the northern or southern mines, many a man cast his eyes over the large ex- panse of land, without ever having a wish to own a foot of it. There was too much vacancy of inhabitation to make it desirable, but when the state capital was in its infancy, and a prominent location was desired for it, there were plenty of designing people who easily came to the conclusion that what is now called Vallejo would be a good location for a state capital on account of HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 87 its geographical position in the state which was about being formed. General Vallejo, the owner, was consulted and an agreement was entered into by which General Vallejo was to tender the land to the state authorities, with certain propositions concerning the building of a state-house and other necessary- buildings. In this way Vallejo began to assume a position on the map, and in this manner its birthday happened. It seemed to be necessary to open the session of the coming legislature with a grand flourish, and in consequence the following general invitation was sent out : A grand Christmas ball will be given at Vallejo on the evening of the 25th instant, in the senate and assembly chambers of the new state capitol, on which occasion the Hon. Isaac E. Holmes will address the ladies and gen- tlemen at 7:30 o'clock. M , the pleasure of your company is respect- fully requested. Managers. — Hon. Isaac E. Holmes, Gen. P. A. Morse, Hon. T. Butler King, Hon. L. M. Boggs, Hon. William Smith, Hon. Martin Cook, Hon. Robert Hopkins, Hon. Daniel Fisk, Hon. E. Heydenfeldt, Hon. B. F. Keene, Hon. George Walton, Hon. James Walsh, Hon. W. H. Lyons, Hon. J. C. Fremont, Hon. P. W. Keyser, Hon. James Hudspeth, Hon. James Law, Hon. G. D. Hall, Hon. A. J. Cost, Hon. N. Smith, Hon. James F. Graham, Hon. Tames F. Burt, Hon. J. B. Weller, Hon. T. J. Henley, Gen. M. G. Vallejo, Gen. D. F. Douglass. Gen. John E. Addison, Gen. A. M. Winn, Gen. S. M. Miles, Gen. D. P. Baldwin, Gen. Richardson, Gen. Thomas J. Green, Gen. A. McDowell, Gen. G. F. Rains; Majors P. B. Reading, S. Cooper, George Wyatt Loring, U. S. A.; E. H. Fitzgerald, N. Davis, U. S. A.; William McDaniel, Robert Allen, F. A. Sawyer, Col. J. Hooker, U. S. A.; Gens. J. M. Estell and A. S. Booker; Captains Folsom, U. S. A.; John A. Sutter, H. Riddell, J. B. Frisbie, Steel, U. S. A.; Dr. Dyerlie, U. S. A.; Lieut. G. Page, U. S. A.; Capts. J. Watkins, P. M. S. Co. ; Randall, P. M. S. Co. ; Totten, P. M. S. Co. ; Walsh, P. M. S. Co.; Cols. John C. Hays, William Smith, H. Clay Mudd, J. B. Starr; Capts. C. Hyatt, George Yount, Sam Graham, William McMickle, E. Barry, J. W. Hulbert, S. Smith, Thomas Hunt, Col. R. Rust, Harvey Sparks, H. Lee, Hon. J. C. Winston, F. C. Ewer, Judge M. Lewis, L. P. Walker, M. T. Mc- Leland, Judge Stark, Judge Kilbourn, M. Combs, William Baldridge, George M. Cornwell, J. D. Bristol, J. S. Cripps, J. O. Farrell, E. L. Stetson, F. Vas- sault. J. E. Lawrence, L. B. Mizner, T. J. Harnes, S. Barnum, James Cooper, L. 0. Wilbur, E. F. Willison, John Nugent, Samuel Martin, Col. John R. Boyd, Dr. Robert Semple, Dr. Morse, B. F. Osborne, Capt. F. Marryatt, Capt. W. A. Howard, U. S. R. S. ; George N. Shaw, Dr. P. C. Pope, Cols. J. C. John- son, A. M. Latham, C. K. Fish, Stewart Perry, Dr. Pickering, Dr. Nicholas Parr, Hon. P. Tompkins, Major John Caperton, Col. J. Long, E. C. Kemble, F. Argenti, Charles R. Strode, Richard Maupin, Dr. Levi Frisbie, S. C. Mas- sett, Major Burney, Dr. Archibald Tennant, Richard Barry, J. L. L. F. Warren, T. K. Batelle, Col. Gregory Yale, E. G. Austin, F. R. Loomis, W. F. Kelsey, E. M. Hayes, L. D. Slamm, U. S. N. ; Aug. Case, J. Alden, S. R. Knox, G. W. Hammersley, Lieuts. T. H. Stevens, L. Maynard, T. B. King, Jr., William H. Davis, U. S. N. ; Hon. S. E. Woodworth, R. H. Taylor, Capts. A. Bartol, Doug- lass Ottinger, U. S. R. S. ; Col. George McDougal ; Capts. W. D. M. Howard, C. G. ; N. H. Wise, Henry F. Joseph, J. H. Redington, Dr. Hitchcock, U. S. A. ; Hon. H. Fitzsimmons, James Hubbard, Theodore Payne, William H. Talmage, Dr. H. M. Gray, Hon. P. A. Morse, Charles L. Case and Joseph C. Palmer. On the reverse side of the card the names of the committees were printed, as under : Red Rose — Committee of Arrangements : Capt. John Frisbie, Major Robert Allen, Gen. T. J. Green, Capt. Edward Barry, Major Wvatt, C. H. Veeder, F. Argenti, H. Clay Mudd. 88 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES Blue Rose — Committee of Reception : Hon. Isaac E. Holmes, Hon. John B. Weller. T. Butler King, Capt. J. Alden, U. S. N. ; Col. J. Hooker, U. S. A.; Hon. B. F. Keene, Major F. A.- Sawyer, Capt. G. W. Hammersley, U. S. N. ; Col. E. J. C. Kewen, Hon. Tod Robinson. White Rose — Ballroom Committee : For Senate Chamber — Gen. S. M. Miles, Gen. J. E. Addison, Col. Hervey Sparks, Levi D. Slamm, U. S. N. For Assembly Room — Dr. Dierly, U. S. N. ; Capt. F. Marryatt, Dr. L. Frisbie and E. L. Stetson. On April 3, 1850, General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo submitted a memo- rial to the state senate, in which he pointed out the advantages the town of Vallejo possessed over other places in the state for the location of a capitol. He proposed to grant twenty acres of land, free of cost, to the state for a capitol building and grounds, and one hundred and thirty-six acres in addi- tion for other state buildings, to be apportioned as follows : Ten acres for the governor's house and grounds. Five acres for the offices of treasurer, comptroller, secretary of state, surveyor-general and attorney- general, should the commissioners determine that their offices should not be in the capitol building. One acre to state library and translator's office, should it be determined to separate them from the state-house building. Twenty acres for an orphan asylum. Ten acres for a male charity hospital. Ten acres for a female charity hospital. Four acres for an asylum for the blind. For acres for a deaf and dumb asylum. Twenty acres for a lunatic asylum. Eight acres for four common schools. Twenty acres for a state university. Four acres for a state botanical garden. Twenty acres for a state peniten- tiary. But with a munificence casting this already long list of grants into the shade, he further proposed to donate and pay over to the state, within two years after the acceptance of these propositions, the gigantic sum of $370,000, to be apportioned as under : For the building of a state capitol $125,000 For furnishing the same 10,000 For building of the governor's house 10,000 For furnishing of the same 5,000 For a state library and translator's office 5,000 For a state library 5 ,000 For the building of the offices of the secretary of state, comp- troller, attorney-general, surveyor-general and treasurer, should the commissioners deem it proper to separate them from the state-house 20,000 For the building of an orphan asylum 20,000 For the building of a female charity hospital 20,000 For the building a male charity hospital 20,000 For the building of an asylum for the blind 20,000 For the building of a deaf and dumb asylum 20,000 For the building of a state university 20,000 For university library 5,000 For scientific apparatus therefor 5,000 For chemical laboratory therefor 3,000 For a mineral cabinet therefor 3,000 For the building of four common school edifices 10,000 For purchasing books for the same 1,000 For the building of a lunatic asylum 20,000 For a state penitentiary 20,000 For a state botanical collection 3,000 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 89 Among the reasons given for selecting this place for the capitol are the following: "That it is the true center of the state, the true center of commerce ; the true center of travel ; that while the bay of San Francisco is acknowledged to be the first on earth, in point of extent and navigable capacities, already, through- out the length and breadth of the wide world, it is acknowledged to be the very center between Asiatic and European commerce. The largest ship that sails upon the broad sea can, within three hours, anchor at the wharves of the place which your memorialist proposes as your permanent seat of government. From this point, by steam navigation, there is a greater aggre- gate of mineral wealth, within eight hours' steaming, than exists in the Union besides; from this point the great north and south rivers — San Joaquin and Sacramento — cut the state longitudinally through the center, fringing the immense gold deposits on the one hand and untold mercury and other min- eral resources on the other; from this point steam navigation extends along the Pacific coast south to San Diego and north to the Oregon line, affording the quickest possible facilities for our sea-coast population to reach the state capitol in the fewest number of hours. This age, as it has been truly re- marked, has merged distance into time. In the operations of commerce and the intercourse of mankind, to measure miles by the rod is a piece of vandalism of a bygone age ; and that point which can be approached from all parts of the state in the fewest number of hours and at the cheapest cost is the truest center. ''Your memorialist most respectfully submits to your honorable body whether there is not a ground of even still higher nationality; it is this: That at present, throughout the wide extent of our sister Atlantic states, but one sentiment seems to possess the entire people, and that is, to build, in the shortest possible time, a railroad from the Mississippi to the Bay of San Francisco, where its western terminus may meet a three weeks' steamer from China. Indeed, such is the overwhelming public sentiment of the American people upon this subject, there is but little doubt to apprehend of its early completion. Shall it be said, then, while the world is coveting our posses- sion of what all acknowledge to be the half-way house of the earth's com- merce — the great Bay of San Francisco — that the people of the rich possession are so unmindful of its value as not to ornament her magnificent snores with a capitol worthy of a great state? "To enumerate more especially the local advantages of this position, your memorialist will further add, that it is within two hours' steaming of San Francisco, and six hours from Sacramento and Stockton cities, and between these points much the largest travel in the state daily occurs. From this point three days' steaming will reach either Oregon on the north or San Diego on the south ; besides, the above named location is unsurpassed for abundance of lime and other building materials, with large agricultural advantages in the immediate neighborhood." In a report submitted to the senate by a special committee of the senate, we find as follows : "Your committee cannot dwell with too much warmth upon the magnificent propositions contained in the memorial of General Vallejo. They breathe throughout the spirit of an enlarged mind and a sincere public benefactor, for which he deserves the thanks of his country- men and the admiration of the world. Such a proposition looks more like the legacy of a mighty emperor to his people than the free donation of a private planter to a great state, yet poor in public finance, but soon to be among the first of the earth." On Tuesday, February 4, 1851, the senate having acted upon the com- mittee's report, which had been submitted by Hon. D. C. Broderick, Governor Peter H. Burnett sent a message to the senate that he had on that day signed 90 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES an act originating in the senate entitled "An act for the permanent location of the seat of government." In the meantime General Vallejo's bond had been accepted, his solvency was approved by a committee appointed by the senate, the report of the commissioners appointed to mark and lay out the tracts of land proposed to be donated by General Vallejo was adopted, and on May 1, 1852, bringing with it the concomitant influx of settlers, the capitol was erected on a piece of ground situated on what now is called York and Maine, facing Sacramento street. It was a two-story building, in the upper one of which sat the senate, the lower one the assembly, while in the base- ment was a saloon and ten-pin alley, which rejoiced in the nickname of the Third House. The office of the secretary of state stood on Main street, above Sacramento, but it was afterwards removed to Georgia street, south side, between Sacramento and Marin streets. This office was built of material brought from Honolulu. Sacramento was not satisfied with having the capital located at Vallejo, and immediately commenced a fight to have it removed to that city. When it came to a vote, the Sacramento bill was defeated through the efforts of Hon. Paul K. Hubbs and some of his friends. Sacramento did not submit quietly, but managed a couple of days afterward to have a reconsideration of the bill, and then the capital was removed to Sacramento. March 7, 1852, a flood occurred at Sacramento and on May 4, 1852, the legislature at Sacramento agreed to meet in the following January (1853) at Vallejo. As soon as the legislature convened in 1853, Sacramento, which did not have the courage to again ask to have the capital at that city, joined Benicia, and the capital was once more moved, this time to Benicia. The last sitting of the legislature in Vallejo was on February 4, 1853, only seventeen voting in favor and six against the proposition. Previous to 1850 there was no founding of a settlement upon the site where Vallejo now stands. In 1850 at least one iron building was erected on Maine street, all other buildings being erected during the short stay of the capital. The iron building was made use of in the latter part of 1854 as a hotel and called the Union. At that date the only buildings on Georgia street were the residence of General John B. Frisbie, where the Bernard House now stands, and a small dwelling occupied by Robert Brownlee as a milk ranch and located on the land now occupied by the Commercial Bank and White's stationery store. This building was afterwards moved to the east side of Sacramento streets, between Georgia and Virginia streets. For many years the building was used for justice of the peace courtrooms, until it was torn down and a brick building erected in place of it. The Central Hotel, erected by Major Wyatt in 1851, was in 1854 standing on the corner of Marin and Maine and was opened in October, 1854, as a mechanics' boarding house. Up to August, 1854, the town was practically bounded by Sonoma street on the east, the Napa river on the west, Virginia street on the north and Pennsylvania street on the south. On account of wild cattle, it was not safe to go beyond these limits on foot. When the capital was finally removed from Vallejo, about all of the in- habitants and even some of the buildings were removed to Benicia. The two Brownlee (Robert and Thomas) families. Captain Stewart, Flenry Hink (justice of the peace), C. W. and E. H. Rowe (civil engineers), Major Wyatt and wife and a few single men were all of the inhabitants who remained. It was in September, 1852, when ships with mechanics on board began to arrive at Mare Island, that Vallejo began to take life again and grow toward its present proportions. At first these arrivals had only the effect of reviving the hopes of the standpatters, for the men just coming lived on Mare Island, where the new sectional dry dock was to be built, previous to the building of a navy yard. In September, 1854, when Captain D. G. Farragut arrived and hoisted his flag over the first navy yard on the Pacific coast, all HISTORY OP SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 91 men not directly connected with the work on the yard, which required their presence at night on the yard, were ordered to move across the river and live in Vallejo. It was then that Vallejo experienced its second revival. The Central Hotel, on Maine and Marin streets, was immediately fitted up for a mechanics' hotel. Other parties made up clubs and built houses to live in. William Shillingsburgh and others built a house on Maine street near Santa Clara, calling it the "Happy Home." John Morrison built a house on Marin street on the lot now being built upon by P. Steffan, for stores and offices. Morrison's house was located on the south end of the lot, on the alley. The house was'afterwards moved across the street near the corner of York, and only a few months ago was again removed from that location to make way for other improvements. On January 1, 1855, Anson Clark and wife arrived and on the following day Samuel Rule and family arrived. On account of the scarcity of dAvellings, these people occupied rooms in the basement of the capitol building. As people began to arrive, dwelling houses and stores were erected in various parts of the town for their accommodation. In the same year a wharf was built on Georgia street to accommodate the steamer Napa City, which ran between Napa City and San Francisco, touch- ing at the Navy Yard and Vallejo. A small stern wheel steamer about fifty feet long, she went to San Francisco one day and returned the next. It took her about five hours to make the trip, as she had to be governed by the tide in Napa creek. Her hours were irregular ; her officers were : Capt. Samuel Goodrich, the pilot and purser. It was not long, however, before, through the influence of the dry dock agents, that the steamer C. M. Weber, re-christened Guadeloupe, Capt. F. P. Doling and Purser A. J. Douzel, was placed on the route, making daily trips and running up Napa creek to Suscol Landing. The Napa City connected with her, making the trip from Suscol Landing to Napa City. Previous to this daily service, if any wished- to go to San Francisco, Sacramento or Stockton, they had to ride to Benicia on the off days of the Napa City and take the San Francisco boats which made daily trips to these terminals. Well Fargo & Company ran its express on this route, having David McClure (afterwards a lawyer of some note) as the traveling agent, he being succeeded by Long. The resident agent of the company was J. R. Jacques, and his office was on the south side of Marine street, two doors east of Sacramento street. W. C. Greeves and a cousin of his by the name of Baker, erected the first brick store in Vallejo. It was located on the south side of Georgia street, west of Santa Clara street. Mr. Greeves, who is living today, at an advanced age, has always been a stanch friend of Vallejo, of strong character, honest in his convictions, upright in all his dealings with his fellow man, and of as good judgment as the most of men. He has done as much, if not more for the upbuilding of Vallejo, than any one man who has lived here from the rejuvena- tion of the city to the present date. The first brick dwelling was built by James Warner, who was the first foreman mason on the Navy Yard, on the north side of Maine street, west of Santa Clara street. It is standing today without any change from the day of its erection. Dan Williamson and brother opened a grocery store on the southeast corner of Georgia and Santa Clara streets and William Wetmore opened up a dry goods store on the southwest corner of Maine and Sacramento streets. G. R. Jacques kept a notion store on the south side of Maine street, east of Sacramento street and was the local agent of Wells Fargo & Company, who succeeded the Adams Co.'s express business. On July 4, 1853, we find the first celebration of Independence Day in Vallejo by a dinner at the Vallejo house and bonfire. At the former there sat down two ladies and eight gentlemen — Mrs. Robert and Thomas Brown- lee, Captain Stewart, Squire Hook, Edward H. Rowe (elder), West Rowe, 92 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES Lemuel Hazleton, B. F. Osborne, with Robert and Thomas Brownlee. At an early hour Captain Stewart had donned his full uniform and called on all to celebrate the day with becoming ceremony. In October, 1853, Robert Brownlee, Jr., was born, supposed to be the first birth of a boy in the town. Dr. L. C. Frisbie, a brother of John B. Frisbie, was among the first physicians to practice here and continued to practice until the day of his death, which occurred a few years since. In 1854 a syndicate composed of J. W. Denver, Sam Purdy and H. Haight purchased an interest in the townsite of General Vallejo and sent J. C. L. Wordsworth here to make a disposal of the property, either by lot or acreage. Darlinton, Hanscom, Harmons and Secor purchased a number of lots on Georgia street and 160 acres of land north of the town (what was afterwards known as the Hannibal ranch) and erected a wharf at the foot of Georgia street for the convenience of the Napa and San Francisco steam- ers and the navy yard workmen. Such land as was not disposed of by Words- worth was deeded back to General Vallejo and General John B. Frisbie (son-in-law of Vallejo). On January 1, 1855, the new year was ushered in with old Boreas at the helm. The wind, it blew; the snow, it flew, and the merry crew of first-nighters looked out on one of the fiercest storms on record in Vallejo. The greatest disaster was to the shipping. Sailing vessels on their way from San Francisco to Sacramento and Stockton laden with all the necessa- ries and some luxuries for those who worked in the northern and southern mines lost their deck-loads coming through San Pablo bay. The next morning on the west side of Mare Island and extending north, on the tule shore, all kinds of wreckage was washed up. Doors, window frames and various kinds of lumber used for building purposes, boxes of canned goods and packages of liquor were found in the debris by those who were out early looking for flotsam and jetsam. During the day the beach was about all cleared of any articles of value. Someone's loss was another's gain. The most striking effect of the gale in Vallejo was the rolling up of a portion of the corrugated iron roof of the Union hotel, situated on Maine street, about one hundred feet west of Sacramento street. The force of the wind was so strong that the sheet iron was rolled up and the roll driven over the top of Tom Brownlee's hotel, and the bundle of iron rolled down the hill until it reached Marin street, near John Morrison's residence. It was a memorable "blow-out" that but few people are now living to tell about. At this time, there being no postoffice in Vallejo, the mail was brought in from Benicia about twice or three times a month, or whenever a mail steamer arrived from New York. A very large proportion of mail matter was carried by Wells, Fargo & Co., who issued special envelopes for the purpose. All business men patronized the company, as their correspondence was delivered immediately on its arrival and answers could be returned before the United States mail could be distributed. Many important matters transpired in 1855 in building up a new com- munity. In church matters the Rev. William Wilmot was the first clergy- man to make his appearance. The Rev. Sylvester Woodbridge of Benicia would occasionally preach on Sunday evenings. Mrs. D. G. Farragut, Miss Avaline S. Frost, the Misses Alice and Helen Turner and others interested themselves and founded a Sunday-school, and Mr. Wilmot had a congre- gation to preach to. During the year a wandering printer by the name of A. J. Cox brought some type and a printing press in town and started a newspaper called the Vallejo Bulletin. The first number was issued November 22, 1855. Its issues soon became uncertain and finally it passed out of existence. About HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 93 the same time M. L. Hanscom, now city auditor of Berkeley, purchased type and press and issued a small paper on Mare Island called the Advertiser. His departure for the east caused the venture, like many of its kind in Cali- fornia, to end. During the year a small wharf was built or extended at the foot or west end of Maine street and a larger and more extensive one was con- structed on Georgia street, extending out about one block from Branciforte street. It was built with a T at the outer end to facilitate the landing of the San Francisco steamers, which commenced making daily trips between Suscol Landing and San Francisco. The latter wharf was built by Durlen- ton, Hanscom, Hermans and Secor. The contractor for its construction was a Mr. Norris, father of Mrs. Anson Clark. The steamer Guadaloupe, formerly the C. M. Weber, Captain F. P. Doling, commenced running on this route. A. J. Donzel was the purser. In 1857 James Gamble and others built a telegraph line from Benicia to Vallejo and W. W. Hanscom laid the first cable across the Napa river to Mare island and connected up with the Gamble line. This insured com- munication with the navy yard and the outside world. Prior to the year 1866, the peace, order and good government of Vallejo had been invested in a justice of the peace and a constable. On the 23d of July of that year, however, a meeting was held and duly organized by the election of William C. Greaves, president; Eben Hilton, treasurer; William Aspenall, secretary, with Amos M. Currier and S. G. Hilborn as town attorneys, when ordinances were passed regulating the health and cleanli- ness of the town, and otherwise providing for its government. In the follow- ing February an act was passed by the legislature incorporating the city within the limits "beginning at the N. E. corner of the present town of Vallejo, as recorded by plan drawn in 1856, and running east 3,000 feet; thence running south to the water of the bay of Vallejo, or Napa river; thence running up the channel of said bay, or river, to a point west of the place of beginning; thence running east to place of beginning." The first board meeting after the incorporation of the city was held on April 1, 1868, when the following officers were elected : Trustees — A. Powell, president ; George W. Lee, H. W.Snow; marshal, J. L. Likens; treasurer, J. E. Abbott; assessor, J. W. Batchellor; receiver, C. W. Riley, R. D. Hopkins; health officer, Dr. L. C. Frisbie ; surveyor, E. H. Rowe. This year, though one wherein Val- lejo reached the proud distinction of having a charter of her own, was not unattended by disaster. On the morning of February 18 the Alpha block, one of the best and most substantial structures in the city, situated on the southeast corner of Georgia and Santa Clara streets, and owned by E. H. Sawyer, was destroyed by fire. The buildings stood on what was, until this catastrophe, the business portion of the town, and consisted of elegant brick buildings, and their destruction, at a loss of over $40,000, was a sad blow to the interests of the city for a time. But yet another misfortune visited Vallejo this year, namely, the shock of earthquake, which nearly laid San Francisco level with the ground, on the 21st of October, 1868. Vallejo, however, escaped any great damage, though one chimney was laid low, many yards of plastering displaced, and such articles as clocks, mirrors and lamps broken. On Wednesday, June 24, railroad communication between Vallejo and Fairfield and Suisun was inaugurated by an excursion, wherein the Masonic lodges took part, and it is also to this year that the incorpora- tion of a water company must be credited. In looking back upon the year 1868, it must be put down as one of great excitement to Vallejo, for General Vallejo's prophecy of this city of his becoming a great emporium for trade was on the brink of realization. Eighteen months before the town was com- paratively small, and its trade and intercourse with the outside world almost nil ; then the California Pacific Railroad existed only on paper, and its ulti- 94 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES mate construction was among the probabilities only. True, the bare proba- bility of such a road being built drew thousands to the spot who had never seen the place before, and for years had not even heard of it, save when mentioned in connection with the navy yard. As the certainty of the con- struction of the road began to be realized, Vallejo began to awake from a Rip Van Winkle sleep of fifteen years and to show signs of real life. Hotels, stores, shops and dwellings began to rise in every direction, and the old resumed an appearance of returning youth. But the railroad had not yet been built, and it was soon found that the little business awakened had been prematurely aroused, and the town began to relapse into its former som- nambulistic state. As the last spring opened, however, the iron horse started from the water front and began to make its way eastward, returning with well-laden cars freighted with grain of the rich and abundant harvests of Solano and Yolo, while ships of foreign flags bore it away to other climes, and travelers from beyond the snow mountains and from every part of the state took part in the whirl of business, and the future of Vallejo was thought to be secure beyond a peradventure. Alas, that this success should have been so short-lived. On November 13, 1868, the second board of trustees was organized under Philip Meagher, president; Henry Connolly and Edward McGettigan, trustees; Lyman Leslie, city recorder; George Edgar, city marshal; J. E. Abbott, city treasurer; Elisha Whiting, city assessor; Paul K. Hubbs, clerk; A. H. Gunning, city surveyor, and L. C. Frisbie, health officer. For the next few years affairs progressed right merrily. The propriety of erecting street railroads was early mooted, for which a franchise was granted in February. A steamer was put on the line to San Francisco, plying twice a day, in connection with the cars, while a grain elevator was being built. This edifice afterwards fell in 1872 from the want of proper foundations. Vallejo boasted five schools, which were said to be filled with scholars ; a large flour mill had been started and the city fathers looked after the interest invested in them. On the morning of November 7, 1871, Vallejo was again visited by a destructive fire which desolated one of the principal blocks in the city. The fire broke out under the saloon of John O'Sullivan, on Virginia street, and from information gained at the time, there is but little doubt that it was caused by the blackened hand of the incendiary. The damage was estimated at considerably over $50,000. Let us now draw this sketch of Vallejo to a close. Her interests pros- pered through the successive regimes of trustees and other officers. Appoint- ments had been made whereby the public coffers were filled and trade was brisk ; so much so, indeed, that the possibility of a decline never presented itself to the minds of the people. With General John B. Frisbie as a moving spirit, this conception of prosperity was almost reasonable ; but there came a day when his helping hand was of no avail, and the years of plenty, in a measure enhanced by the presence of the dock yard, gave way to a season of decline, which commenced in 1874, when trade diminished to a lamentable extent, continuing its downward course until 1878, when it, in a measure, again revived and left its lessened population once more on the increase, with a distant prospect of some day recovering the ground already lost. The officers of succeeding boards were as under: 1869 — Trustees. A. Powell, president ; S. G. Hilborn, Eben Hilton, A. P. Voorhees and E. T. Starr ; city recorder, Charles C. Hall ; marshal, Joseph L. Likins ; treasurer, J. E. Ab- bott ; assessor. J. W. Batchellor; clerk, C. A. Kidder. In this year a term of service of two years was first inaugurated. The fourth board was organized September 16, 1871, with John B. Frisbie as president, having for his col- leagues A. Powell, S. G Hilborn, A. P. Voorhees and E. H. Sawyer; treas- HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 95 urer, J. E. Abbott; assessor, J. W. Batchellor; marshal, J. J. Watkinson; recorder, T. H. Lawlor; clerk, Judson Haycock; surveyor, E. H. Rowe. During the tenure of office of this board an act was passed whereby the corporation was empowered to borrow $50,000 as a fund to protect the city from fire, the principal to be paid off in twenty years, and bearing interest of eight per cent per annum. This act was passed on January 11, 1872. The original intention was to appropriate this fund for the building of a reservoir on Bolsa Hill, an elevation to the north of the town, but the project was abandoned on the formation of a water company. Fifteen thousand dollars of it was used on digging and planking the Fifth street cut, between North and South Vallejo; $8,000 was expended on the construction- of the city hall, while a considerable sum was spent on the city park. Other expenses of a desultory nature were incurred, swallowing the entire original sum, and, though the interest is met with becoming punctuality, the principal debt remains unpaid. South Vallejo had in the meantime claimed r.n interest in the governing affairs of the city; therefore, on May 12, 1872, Messrs. J. B. Robinson and Luke Doe were first elected from that portion of the town. On the 6th of March, 1873, John M. Gregory, Jr., was elected city clerk and attorney, and December 24, 1873, J. E. Abbott was elected city clerk and attorney, vice Gregory, resigned, and J. R. English as city treas- urer, vice Abbott, resigned. The election of March 26, 1874, resulted in the following selection: Trustees, W. Aspinall, president; C. B. Denio, E. H. Sawyer, D. W. Harrier, Henry Connolly, J. E. Williston ; J. R. English, treasurer; assessor, William Tormey; marshal, S. J. Wright; city clerk, J. E. Abbott. In 1876 a new era had commenced in the municipal elections, for a system of elections by wards had been inaugurated, with the accom- panying result : First ward, William Aspenall, Ed McGettigan, H. K. Snow ; Second ward, E. J. Wilson, president; P. R. Walsh, Charles Weideman; Third ward, John P. Dare ; treasurer, J. R. English ; assessor, George Rounds; marshal, Charles Derby; H. H. Snow, city clerk. The election of March 26, 1878, and the second by wards, resulted : First ward, D. J. Reese, J. A. Mclnnes, J. H. Green; Second ward, E. J. Wilson, president; S. C. Farnham, W. C. Greaves ; Third ward, F. Deininger ; marshal, W. McDon- ald; treasurer, J. R. English; assessor, W. A. Brace; city clerk, A. J. Brownlie. On the 13th of May, 1878, the board of health was organized, and the first meeting was held on June 6, when the following officers were elected: President, .James Frost, M. D. ; secretary, A. J. Brownlie, with a board composed of James Topley, F. Deininger and John Callender. Meet- ings were held on the last Thursday of each month. In reference to the different surveys of the city, the first was made in the year 1850 by Surveyor-General Whiting, Edward Rowe, Mason Fay and Dr. L. C. Frisbie, attended by three or four vaqueros to drive away the wild cattle while the lines were being run. Only that portion of the present city lying south of Georgia street was laid out as then surveyed. It contained about 160 acres of land. In 1856 another survey (already alluded to) was made, embracing a league of land ; while a third was made when the town took its rapid start in 1867 or '68. The site of the city of Vallejo is undoubtedly picturesque; the undu- lating hills which forty years ago General Vallejo had looked upon with becoming pride, have now been occupied by hundreds of beautiful homes, nearly all of which are snugly ensconced in their own gardens, surrounded by flowers of the richest hue and rarest perfume, while for miles around the hills, which promised so rare a fertility, are now sprouting with a crop finer than which no other country can produce. To the right and to the left, as far as the eye can reach, we gaze upon nought but the progress of civiliza- tion and the richest vegetation. Standing on Capitol hill the placid bay lies at our feet, its surface without a ripple, and glancing from its peaceful 96 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES bosom the many shadows reflected from the shore. The busy navy yard breaks what would otherwise be the monotonous water view. On its other side we have the San Pablo bay, while here and there a white shimmering sail proclaims the passage of some sailing craft, and a cloud of smoke de- fines the locality of the fast-traveling steamboat, and again, as it were, the background of the picture, Marin county shows it well-marked outline. The coast range of hills are followed in their uneven line, and grand old Mount Tamalpais stands like a stolid sentry over its lesser brethren. Below is marked the busy landing-place, whither flock passengers bound to all points of the compass ; the shrill shriek of the locomotive is heard above the other sounds, as it is brought back by many an answering echo. Now we hear the more hollow whistle of the steamer, as she arrives or departs with her freight of human beings. Again comes the toll of the time bell giving the hour to the weary workman in the yard ; while the scene is filled in with vessels of great tonnage riding cozily at anchor at the piers, awaiting cargoes of precious wheat to be taken across the seas. To the north the fertile Napa valley stretches away for miles, presenting a landscape of the most ravishing order, backed as it is by mountains of very fantastic shape, while in the foreground we have that glorious monument erected by the Sons of Temperance for all orphans whose parents have been called upon to cross the dark river. A noble thought nobly executed. Pity 'tis that the cares of rude business should blot so fair a scene. It may not be uninteresting here to produce among the curiosities of literature connected with Vallejo the specimens of ways in which it can be spelled. It is one of the axioms of English grammar that there is no rule for the spelling and pronunciation of proper names, a rule which would appear to be carried out with remarkable unanimity by the correspondents of residents in the city. The list was collected in six months from the Val- lejo postoffice, and is without doubt a most curious specimen of orthography. They number about one hundred and are as follows : Vallahoe, Valaho, Valao, Vallajo, Vallajoe, Vallajo, Valajoa, Vala Jae, Valaja, Vallago, Valago, Vallaiho, Valeejo, Valeajo, Valeijo, Valoege, Valegoa, Valegio, Valego, Valeio, Vallejo, Valle Jo, Vallejoe, Vallejio, Vallejaio, Valler, Vallejeo, Vallegeo, Valleo, Vallejho, Vallerio, Vallesso, Valeyo, Valleyo, Valleyoe, Valleyio, Valley Joe, Valleygo, Valleva, Valeyegoy, Vayego, Valgeo, Valgo, Valiego, Valigo, Valliejo, Vallijo, Valligo, Valigeo, Valliju, Valljo, Vallo, Valgho, Vally Joe, Valley Jog, Valyo, Vallyo, Vealejo, Veleajho, Velajo, Velaow, Vellajo, Velegio, Veleijo, Velego, Velegoe, Veleo, Vellejo, Vellego, Velleijo, Velighlow, Velijo, Velioe, Veliaho, Vel Ja, Vialjo, Villeiu, Villigi, Villejo, Villgo, Vallejalahoe, Ballejo, Belljo, Billejo, Salliegro, Levejo, Palesso, Ralejo, Wallajo, Wallego, Walleja, Walleio, Welayego, Yallejo, Yalleyjo, Valley Joow and Valahough. Vallejo Schools — Early Beginnings. — During the summer of 1855, a Mr. Wilmott, a Methodist minister, solicited subscriptions to raise funds for the erection of a building to be used jointly as a church and school-house. Admiral Farragut was then in command of the navy yard and Isaiah Hans- com naval constructor. The paper was circulated among the men on the yard and one thousand dollars subscribed, many of the men giving a day's pay. General J. B. Frisbie donated two lots on Virginia street, between Marin and Sonoma. The building was soon erected, most of the work having been contributed by the different mechanics in town. Miss Frost, a relative of Mr. Hanscom, opened a school in this building the same summer and continued it for several months. The church people desiring to plaster the room requested the school to vacate, and it was therefore moved into the old building now standing on the corner of Maine and Marin streets and known as Smith and King's blacksmith shop. (It is not known whether this teacher was paid in full by tuition bills or in part from public money.) HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 97 Miss Frost was succeeded in 1856 by George Rowell, who afterwards, in the fall of that year, moved into an old building known as the Virginia house, now standing on Sonoma street, near Pennsylvania. In the spring of 1857 a public meeting was called to see what action should be taken relative to building a public school-house. Responding to the call, the people assembled at the old state-house, then standing near where Eureka hall is now located (afterward burned), and General J. F. Houghton was chosen moderator. At this meeting it was voted to build a house and money was raised by subscription to pay for the same. Three lots were donated by General J. B. Frisbie on Carolina street, at the corner of Sonoma, James Newbert being the contractor and builder. The original building was about forty feet square, with ceiling some fourteen feet high. At about this time there were several teachers, who succeeded each other at short intervals — a Mr. Farmer, Miss Coyle, Miss Casson, Mr. Mason and N. Smith. Up to this time, spring of 1858, we have been unable to learn whether the teachers were paid in part with public money or entirely by tuition bills, but there is reason to believe some public money was received as early as 1857. E. M. Benjamin, now of San Francisco, was one of the trustees and employed Mr. Newbert to build the house in 1857. In the fall of 1859, or spring of 1860, Fred Campbell (now superintendent of schools, Oakland) took charge of the public school and remained until the spring of 1861. In June of that year Miss Root, now the wife of Hon. S. G. Hilborn, taught for one month, when Isaiah Hurlburt entered the school as principal, and Miss Root as assistant; they remained until June, 1862, when they were succeeded by Mr. Atchinson and wife, who remained about one year. J. E. Fliggle then took charge of the school, assisted by Miss Casebolt, who remained until the spring of 1864, when the latter resigned, and Miss Alice Pickle was appointed in her place. They continued the school up to September 5, 1864, when George W. Simonton took charge as principal and Miss Sophia A. Simonton, now Mrs. Harris, as assistant. Prior to 1864 there had been several boards of trustees. E. M. Benjamin was one of the first. J. W. Farmer, E. J. Wilson, A. Powell, M. J. Wright and others, but there is no data to fix either the date or order. Mr. Wright, however, was a trustee in 1864. At the time Mr. Simonton entered the school there were two rooms in the .school building, the one built by Mr. Newbert for the principal, and a small room some twenty feet square, added subsequently for the assistant. There were at this time in both rooms about seventy scholars. The school was ungraded and its entire management left to the principal. During all these years and up to about 1867 the salary of teachers had been paid, in part, at least, by rate bills, levied pro rata on all the children. From 1864 to about 1871 the increase of children in public schools was very rapid, and it was with great difficulty the trustees could furnish sitting room for the children. Taxes were levied on the people and paid cheerfully to build schoolrooms. In 1867 there were five rooms, with as many teachers, packed with children, each having from seventy to one hundred and twenty, fre- quently compelled to sit on the stage, on boxes or stools, for whole terms. No city in the state has shown more interest in the matter of education than Vallejo. Her people have ever been alive to the importance of giving the rising generation a liberal education. From 1867 to 1869 the influx of population was so great that the school trustees found it very difficult, with the limited means and accommodation at their command, to provide rooms and school furniture for the constantly increasing pupils. In 1869 the board of trustees, viz. : J. G. Lawton, M. J. Wright and I. S. Halsey, determined to submit to the people the question of taxing themselves for the purpose of 98 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES raising money to build a new school-house, and, to their credit be it recorded, the proposition was carried by a large majority and the tax was levied. Plans having been advertised for, those presented by Messrs. Hoagland and New- some, of San Francisco, were approved and the contract for constructing a large, commodious three-story building was awarded to J. W. Newbert, a citizen of Vallejo, for the sum of $14,000. With a desire to extend the efficiency of the school department, J. G. Lawton, acting under instruction of the trustees, prepared a special school law for the city of Vallejo, providing (among other things) for a board of education, to consist of a superintendent and four school directors, naming the following gentlemen, who should serve until the next charter election, viz. : J. G. Lawton, superintendent and ex-officio president of the board ; M. J. Wright, secretary; E. M. Benjamin, B. T. Osborn and I. S. Halsey, directors. The law was passed by the legislature and signed by the governor March 25, 1870. The gentlemen above named having been clothed with the proper authority, entered at once into the work assigned them and labored assiduously for the promotion of the educational interests of the city. On July 6, 1870, the new school-house was turned over to and accepted by the board, and although the third story remained unfinished, still the accommodation afforded greatly relieved the pressing demands upon the department. The following description will convey a very correct idea of this beautiful structure : The building is forty-eight feet front by sixty- eight feet deep. Ells eight feet wide. Single story, rear wing, fourteen by thirty and one-half feet. It is three stories high, with mansard roof, all inclosed in rustic style. Two wings, each eight feet wide, set out at each end of the building, furnishing broad entrances and stairways ; these wings are surmounted with observatories. The center of the building rises to a higher elevation, and upon its crown rests a turret, which serves both as a ventilator and belfry. The classrooms are lighted from the front by four double oval-topped windows, and the side elevations are equally well provided with large windows. The first floor is about four feet from the ground and the first and second stories fourteen feet six inches high ; the third fourteen feet. On the first floor three large schoolrooms are arranged for, each having entrance from the wings. Iron columns support the upper floors, and platforms for teachers occupy convenient positions. In the rear are two private rooms for teachers, halls, washrooms and wardrobes. The second story is also conveniently partitioned off, affording four good-sized classrooms. The general style of the building is neat, with no excess of ornamentation. Prior to the building of this house, the trustees were com- pelled to hire rooms in various and unsuitable parts of the city, paying there- for heavy rents, the colored school being in one of the rooms of the United States hotel. On July 9, 1870, the board adopted the classification and course of study in use in the public schools of Providence, R. I., with such modifica- tions as were deemed proper by the board. The following corps of teachers was employed to teach under the new and improved system: G. W. Simon- ton, principal of the high school, with W. F. Roe and Isabelle Murphy, assistants; A. W. Dozier, principal of the grammar department, with William Crowhurst, Miss Lawrence and J. McFadden as assistants ; Miss Sophia Simonton, Miss Mary Turtelott, Miss Foye, Miss Delia Sweatland, Mary C. Hall and Miss Rutherford, teachers of the primary department ; and Miss Wundenburg, teacher of the colored school; W. M. Cole, janitor. The salaries paid at this time were from $50 to $150 per month, aggre- gating, including superintendent, secretary and janitor, $1,151 per month. The regulations adopted by the board provided for a ten-months' school, divided into two terms of five months each, with mid-term vacations of one week. The school money received from the state and county was found in- adequate, and to make up the deficiency the following schedule of rate-bills HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 99 was adopted, payable monthly: High school department, each pupil, $2.50; first and second grade, grammar, $2; third grade, grammar, $1.75; fourth grade, grammar, $1.50; primary department, $1. At the end of the first month after the adoption of this order, viz.: from January 4 to February 15, 1871, the teachers reported to the board collections amounting to $543.70. At the end of May, 1871, the following teachers were elected for the next term : G. W. Simonton, W. F. Roe and Miss Julia Benjamin, for high school; A. W. Dozier, Misses Sweatland, Tourtelott, Benjamin, Murphy and Mrs. C. A. Kidder (nee Simonton), Misses Kate Hall, Anderson, Ruth- erford, Foye and William Crowhurst, principal of the South Vallejo school, and Miss Mary Tobin, Etta Thompson and Miss Watson, teachers of the colored school. On the 15th of September the following gentlemen, having been elected by the people as provided in the new city school law, were duly qualified and took their seats as the second board of education of Vallejo: Rev. N. B. Klink, superintendent; I. S. Halsey, secretary; Luke Doe, J. H. Green and E. H. M. Baily, directors. The newly-elected members entered at once into the good work begun by the previous board, and the Vallejo schools soon became famous throughout the adjacent counties, many pupils being sent here for instruction and large numbers of most excellent teachers mak- ing applications for positions as instructors. The first question of importance presented to this board for its con- sideration related to the finances of the department. The school money received from the state and county was only sufficient to maintain the schools for eight months. A special tax of thirty-five cents on each $100 valuation on the assessment roll was therefore provided for in the special law before mentioned to make up the deficiency. This tax was assessed and collected by the county officials, in the same manner and at the same time of assessing and collecting the state and county taxes, and without cost to the school public ; but, unfortunately, the state board of equalization the next year decided that all such laws throughout the state were unconstitutional, and issued an order restraining county assessors and collectors from assessing or collecting township and district taxes. They further promulgated this principle in the matter of taxation, viz. : "That all taxes levied and collected for township and district purposes must be assessed and collected by officers elected by the people to be taxed." This rendered a revision of the Vallejo school law necessary. The matter was referred to the secretary of the board with instructions to procure legal assistance and so revise the special school law as to secure the assessing and collecting of the usual special tax. On January 5, 1874, J. G. Lawton presented the revised law to the board, which, after some modifications, was approved, and the secretary instructed to forward it to the Hon. J. L. Heald, member of the assembly, by whom it was introduced for legislative action. On the 25th day of February follow- ing it was signed by the governor and has ever since been the school law of Vallejo township. The changes made related more especially to the matter of including the entire township of Vallejo in the school district and making provision for the election of a township assessor and collector as required by the order before mentioned, emanating from the state board of equalization. At the close of the school year ending December, 1871. Messrs. Gregory, Hilborn, Lawton, Ashbrook, Dr. L. C. Frisbie and Rev. C. E. Rich, assisted the superintendent, Mr. Klink, in making the usual term examination, and the report made by these gentlemen was highly creditable to teachers and pupils, and quite satisfactory to the board. On January 2, 1872, the board adopted a course of study, rules and regulations, and had the same printed in pamphlet form for gratuitous distribution among the people. During this year Mr. Simonton, the principal, obtained permission of the board to give 100 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES a number of public school entertainments for the purpose of raising money to purchase a suitable bell for house No. 1. His efforts were succe.ssful be- yond expectation, and the fine bell thus secured to the school department has ever since been ringing" out notes of praise to all Avho participated in this worthy object. The cost of the bell was $325. The teachers elected for the term beginning January, 1872, were the same as last term, with the exception that Mrs. Kidder resigned and J. McFadden was elected and assigned to the South Vallejo school. On April 23, 1872, Mr. Simonton, after so many years of faithful service in the cause of education, was compelled to hand in his resignation on account of failing health. After several ineffectual attempts on the part of the board to induce him to continue, his resignation was finally accepted on the 7th of May, 1872. After accepting the resignation of Professor Simonton, the fol- lowing resolutions were unanimously passed by the board : "Resolved, That it is with unfeigned regret Ave are called upon to part with our late principal, G. W. Simonton, he having filled that position for years with honor to himself, profit to the children of Vallejo and the perfect satisfaction of the board. "Resolved, That the thanks of this board are due and are hereby ten- dered to him for many valuable suggestions, and his unremitting efforts in assisting us to arrange and perfect our present school system. "Resolved. That we cordially recommend him to all interested in educa- tional matters as a gentleman in every way competent and worthy of their entire confidence and esteem." On July 11, 1872, the following teachers were elected for the term com- • mencing July next : C. B. Towle, principal of the high school ; W. F. Rowe, teacher of languages ; Miss Kate Hall, first assistant in the high school ; Miss Julia Benjamin, second assistant, high school; Miss Mary Tourtelott, third assistant, high school ; A. W. Dozier, principal of the grammar department ; Miss F. A. Frisbie, Miss Delia Sweatland, Mrs. C. A. Kidder and Miss J. Belle Murphy, assistants; William Crowhurst, principal of the primary de- partment ; Miss C. F. Barney, Miss Etta Thompson and Fannie Watson, assistants; J. A. McFadden, principal of the South Vallejo school; Miss Mary Tobin, assistant. On July 13, 1872, a petition having been received from a number of citizens residing near the Orphans' Home asking the board of education to open a public school in the home building, and the consent of the officers of that institution having been obtained, it was agreed to by the board, and Professor N. Smith was elected to teach the school, all to be under the same rules and regulations governing the Vallejo public schools. It may be here interesting to give the amount of money disbursed the past school year, as appears from the secretary's report, dated June, 1872; Salaries, $13,745.45; interest on Mackay's note, $750; interest on money borrowed to pay teachers, $510.40; repairs and improvements, $1,020.39; school supplies, $691.99; school furniture, $354.25; rents, $337; insurance, $264.35; grading and constructing sidewalks, $175.40; fuel, $148.33; Avater, $114.80; printing, $121.25; incidentals, $129.55: library. $50; expressage. $20; total, $18,433.16. The receipts for the same year Avere from the folloAving sources : Balance in treasury at beginning of the year, $69.36; received from the state fund, $4,741.35; received from the county fund, $7,842.65; received from the district special tax, $4,234.29; received from the city special tax, $2,415.21; total. $19,302.86. On July 13, 1872, the death of E. H. M. Baily, one of the school directors, Avas announced and suitable resolutions of respect and condolence were passed by the board. o o o a HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 101 On November 4 following, F. Carlton having been duly appointed school director by the superintendent to fill a vacancy in the board caused by the death of Mr. Baily, he qualified and took his seat. January 20, 1873, the board of education elected the following named teachers to act as city board of examination: N. B. Klink, president; C. B. Towle, W. F. Roe, Melville Dozier, William Crowhurst, A. W. Dozier and W. H. Fray, county superintendent. The following teachers were elected for the term beginning in January, 1873: C. B. Towle, principal of high school; W. F. Roe, professor of lan- guages; Miss Kate Hall, assistant in high school; A. W. Dozier, principal of grammar department; Miss Etta L. Thompson, second grade; Miss Mary Tourtelott, third grade; Miss Jennie S. Klink, assistant in third grade; Mrs. C. A. Kidder, fourth grade; Melville Dozier, principal, South Vallejo; N. Smith, principal Orphans' Home ; Miss Jane Anderson, colored school. The year 1873 was made memorable in the history of the Vallejo schools by the erection of the new and beautiful school-house now standing on the corner of Carolina and Sonoma streets. This improvement was made for additional accommodations for the grammar and primary departments. This work was done under a contract with Mr. Charles Murphy, a citizen of Vallejo, for the sum of $6,500. It was also during this year that the board adopted a diploma to be presented to the graduates from the Vallejo high school. The first graduates receiving this mark of distinction were Misses Maggie Tobin, Mary Mc- Knight, Hattie Dempsey and Mary Long. On Monday, March 16, 1874, the first election was held under the pro- visions of the amended school law, resulting in the choice of the following- named gentlemen: J. G. Lawton, superintendent; I. S. Halsey, secretary; L. Doe, J. Q. Adams and A. J. McPike, directors; G. T. Plaisted, assessor and collector, and on April 6 they qualified, took their seats and immediately entered upon the duty assigned them. Through the kindness and courtesy of the city trustees, early in the year 1874 the board of education was furnished with a very pleasant room in the city hall to hold their meetings and transact their business. June 5, 1874, G. W. Simonton having previously obtained permission of the board to give an entertainment for the purpose of raising money with which to purchase a piano for the grammar department, of which he was principal, reported $190 as the proceeds of the undertaking. A short time afterward the instrument now in use was secured. Graduating class of 1874: Misses Mary S. Halsey, Mary Wynn, Etta Foye, Mary Hobbs, Margaret Wakely, Josephine Sundquest and Margaret Dunn. Teachers elected in June, 1874: C. B. Towle, W. F. Roe, Jennie Dickin- son, Dora Harris, Mary Congdon, G. W. Simonton, J. T. Royal, William Crowhurst, J. S. Congdon, N. Smith, Mrs. C. A. Kidder, Julia Benjamin, Miss C. H. Pincham, Belle Murphy, Etta Thompson, Mary Tobin, P. A. Frisbie, Mary Foye, Jennie Klink and D. P. Whitney, janitor. The census marshal for 1874, J. H. Green, reports : Whole number white children in the township, between five and seventeen — boys 800. girls 762 ; total, 1,562. Colored children — boys 13, girls 3; total, 16. Mongolian children under seventeen, 20. Blind, 1. Total between five and seventeen, 1,599. Num- ber of children between those ages who have attended public school during the year: White, 998; negro, 14; total, 1,012. Number who have attended private schools, 263. Number who have not attended any school : White, 305 ; negro, 2: Indian, 1. Total, 308. Number of children native born, and having native parents, 865. Num- ber native-born children having one native-born parent, 301. Number of 102 HISTORY OF SOLAXO AXD NAPA COUNTIES children native-born, having both parents foreign, 1,292. Number of chil- dren foreign-born, 15. At a meeting of the board, held July 3, 18/4, a resolution was introduced to abolish the colored school and admit the pupils thereof to the graded schools. The question was fully discussed by members of the board, the citizens present, with one exception, favoring the proposed change. The resolution was adopted, and Vallejo took the lead in the important question by being the first city to admit colored children to the graded schools, and thus conferring upon them equal privileges with the white children. The whole number of children enrolled July, 1874, was 1,011. On December 30. 1874, Professor G. W. Simonton and Miss Belle Murphy resigned. April 2, 1875, School Director L. Doe having removed to Oakland, tendered his resignation, which Avas accepted, and David Ruther- ford was appointed to fill the vacancy. It should be here stated to the credit of Mr. Doe that while acting as a director he ever evinced a strong desire to advance the best interests of the Vallejo school department; always punc- tual in his attendance at the meetings of the board, and taking' a lively interest in all questions presented. On June 2, 1875, the board being in session, much interest was manifested in a proposition to abolish the de- partment of languages. Mr. Halsey moved the adoption of the following: "Whereas, It having come to the knowledge of this board that an effort will be made to induce its members to abolish the department of languages, now in the high school course ; and, "Whereas, Under the present arrangement, the children of the poorest of our citizens stand on an equality with those more fortunate, securing to them the same opportunity to secure a high school diploma, entitling them to the privilege of entering the State University; and, "Whereas, The proposed change would result in a serious drawback to the educational interests of Vallejo, and be looked upon as a step back- ward in the hitherto onward progress of our city; therefore, "Resolved, That we deem it expedient and for the best interests of Val- lejo and her citizens to continue the department of languages in the high school course." The question was discussed by members of the board and a number of citizens, including Messrs. J. E. Abbott. G. W. Simonton, Hon. M. J. Wright. C. B. Towle, J. P. Garlick and County Superintendent C. W. Childs. Many interesting and instructive ideas were presented, all tending to show the deep interest the people of Vallejo feel in educational matters. The resolution was finalty adopted, and the department of languages thus con- tinued. On May 28, 1875, Masters Lewis G. Harrier and Samuel Irving received their diplomas as graduates of the Vallejo high school. It is worthy of note to state in this connection that both of these young men were at once admitted to the State University. The teachers for 1875 and '76 were: C. B. Towle, principal of the high school ; W. F. Roe, professor of languages in the high school ; J. P. Garlick, principal of the grammar department; Viola R. Kimball and Sophia A. P. Kidder, second grammar department; Anna R. Congdon and Dora B. Harris, third grade department; Beverly Cox and Jennie B. Chase, fourth grade grammar department ; William Crowhurst, principal of the primary depart- ment ; Mary AV)mne, first grade primary department; Jennie Klink. second grade primary department ; Etta L. Thompson and Lucy Gilman, third grade primary department; Charlotte M. Barry, fourth grade primary department; J. S. Congdon, principal of the South Vallejo school, and Mary A. Foye. assistant; Nehemiah Smith, principal of the Orphans' Home school, and Fannie E. Smith assistant. HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 103 School Census Marshal's Report, 1875 : Number of children from five to seventeen — boys, white, 826; girls, white, 799; total, 1,625. Number of colored children between those ages — boys, 4; girls, 7; total, 11. Number of children under five, 788; colored, 79. Children in public schools, 963; colored, 8. Children in private schools, 331. Children not attending school, 351. This board of education was elected in March, 1876: J. E. Abbott, superintendent, ex-officio president. School directors — John Farnum, C. H. Hubbs, D. Rutherford, A. J. McPike ; I. S. Halsey, secretary. Committees: On grounds, buildings, repairs, fuel and warming school- houses — McPike, Rutherford, Abbott. On janitors, school furniture, school library and apparatus — Hubbs, Farnham, Abbott. On teachers, rules and regulations and school discipline — Rutherford, Hubbs, Abbott. On finance and accounts — Farnham, McPike, Abbott. Board of examination : J. E. Abbott, city superintendent, ex-officio president; C. W. Childs, county superintendent, ex-officio; C. B. Towle, secretary; J. P. Garlick, W. Crowhurst, J. S. Congdon. Teachers: C. B. Towle, principal of the high school; W. F. Roe, pro- fessor of languages in the high school ; J. P. Garlick, principal of the grammar department; Sophia A. P. Kidder, second grammar department; Viola R. Kimball and Dora B. Harris, third grade department; Hettie Dempsey and Maggie Dunn, fourth grade grammar department ; William Crowhurst, prin- cipal of the primary department; Mary Wynne, first grade primary depart- ment ; Jennie Klink, second grade primary department ; Ettie L. Thompson and Lucy Gilman, third grade primary department; E. P. Fouche. fourth grade primary department; J. S. Congdon, principal of the South Vallejo school; Mary Tobin, assistant; Nehemiah Smith, principal of the Orphans' Home school. In 1876 the graduates were Misses Ida Hobbs, Susan Cheeseman, Carrie Frasier, Genie Martin, Carrie Barbour, Annie Crocker, Hattie Klink, with Masters Edward Lawton, Louis Long and Charles Batchellor. On September 29, 1876, Mr. Abbott resigned the position of superin- tendent, owing to pressing business in connection with the Vallejo Bank, and Rev. N. B. Klink was elected to fill the vacancy. Graduating class, 1877 : Edward Frisbie, Jr., Thomas Robinson, Thomas Dempsey, John Frisbie, Mary Rowe. Teachers' election. May, 1877: High school — C. B. Towle, W. F. Roe, Grammar school — J. P. Garlick, Sarah Farrington, Florence Goodspeed, Jennie S. Klink, Mary L. McKennan, Hettie Dempsey, Maggie Dunn. Pri- mary — Mrs. Sophia Kidder, Mary Wynne, Mary Hobbs, Etta Thompson, Lucy Gilman, C. M. Barry, E. C. Fouche, J. S. Congdon, Alice Blank, A. T. Stiles. Janitors — D. T. Whitney and H. D. Lazell. The school census report of J. S. Congdon. marshal, for 1877 was : Boys from five to seventeen, 745 ; girls, 733 ; colored boy, 1 ; girls, 4. Indians — Boys, 0; girls 1. Total, 1,484. Number under five years of age — Boys and girls, white, 795; negro, 2. Native-born and parents native, 706; native-born and one parent foreign, 384; native-born and both parents foreign. 1,149; foreign, 53. Early in 1878 the board purchased three additional lots adjoin- ing the school property, and had the same planted in evergreen trees and vines. The grounds are intended as playgrounds for the girls and will afford recreation very much needed. On March 25, 1878, the indebtedness on the Vallejo school property, amounting to $5,000, was paid, leaving the property entirely unencumbered. On March 18, 1878, an election for school officers was had, resulting in 7 7 7 O the choice of J. E. Abbott, superintendent ; John Farnham, D. Rutherford, D. W. Harrier, C. H. Hubbs, directors ; T. W. Chamberlain, assessor and collector. 104 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND XAPA COUNTIES On April 1 the board was organized, having duly qualified, and I. S. Halsey was elected secretary. The teachers for 1878 were: High school, C. B. Towle, W. F. Roe; grammar, H. W. Philbrook, Sarah J. Farrington, Annie Klink, Josephine Sundquest, Hettie Dempsey, Maggie Tobin ; primary, Mrs. M. P. Morris, Mary E. Brown, Mary Hobbs, Mary Wynne, Lucy Gilman, C. M. Barry, Mrs. E. P. Veeder; South Vallejo, J. S. Congdon. Jennie S. Klink. The census marshal's report for 1878 was : AVhite children from five to seventeen years, 1,481; negro, 7; Mongolians, 24, showing a total of 1,512. Add to these 753 children under five years — making a grand total of 2,265. The amount of money required to meet the expenses of the Vallejo school department may be gathered from the following exhibit, taken from the annual report of the secretary for the year 1878 : Receipts — Balance on hand at beginning of year, $5,122.84; total received from state and county, $18,681.20; total, $23,804.04. Expenditures— Current expenses. $17,132.80; lots purchased, $522.50; paid off mortgage, $5,000; sundries, $313.08. Balance in treasury, $835.66. Total, $23,804.04. At this term, 1878-79, there are employed twenty teachers, receiving salaries ranging from $50 to $150 per month. The monthly pay-roll of teach- ers and school officers aggregates $1,625.83. The session lasts ten months of the year, while the revenue is derived from the state and county and special district taxes, the amount required annually being about $20,000. The value of the school property, including a library of several hundred volumes, many of them standard works of reference, is $50,000, while there is yearly ex- • pended for library books, under the provisions of the state law. a sum oi $150 List of Graduates of Vallejo High School. Class of 1873 : Mary Long, Hettie Dempsey, Margaret Tobin and Mary McKnight. Class of 1874: Mary Halsey, Ida Hobbs, Mary Foye, Mary Wynne, Margaret Dunn, Margaret AYakely and Josie Sundquist. Class of 1875 : Samuel Irving and L. G. Harrier. Class of 1876: Genie Martin, Susie Chessman, Mary Hobbs, Edward Lawton. Annie Crocker, Carrie Fraser, Louis Long, Ella Barbour, Hattie Klink and Charles Batchellor. Class of 1877 : Mary Rowe, Thomas Robinson, Thomas Dempsey, Edward Frisbie and John Frisbie. Class of 1878 : Lizzie Cox, Abbie Dwyer, Eunice Hobbs. Lutie Dixon, Margaret Kavanagh, George Greenwood, Mary Sundquist, Lottie Kitto, Florence Devlin, Kate Brew, Welles Whitney, John Perryman, Minnie Englebright, Margaret Murphy, Julia Stotter, Emma Frey, George Klink and Charles Dexter. Class of 1879 : Nettie Meek, Kate Klink, Lulu Frisbie, Annie Wynne, May Towle, Edward Kavanagh, James McCalley and Louisa Grinnange. Class of 1880: Mamie Jefferies, Lucy Hackett, Minnie Morse, Lottie Green, Louise Rowe and Sarah Brew. Class of 1881 : Julia Frey. Agnes Holleran, Minnie Damuth, John Frey and Josephine Harvey. Class of 1882: Adele Hilton, Thomas Kavanaugh, Jennie Halliday, J. W. Kavanagh Carrie Klink and G. G. Halliday. Class of 1883 : Julia Hyde, Lovina Bushnell, Sarah Murphy, Julia Sweeney, Aggie McKnight and Alice Walter. Class of 1884: Amelia Wilson, Libbie Klink, Jennie McWilliams, Sarah Callahan, Susie Hayes, Annie Pennycook, Frank Devlin, Hattie Kitto, Emma Campbell and J. W. Farrington. Class of 1885 : Jennie Jones, Ida Campbell and AVallace Towle. HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 105 Class of 1886: Ida Rounds, Alice McDowell, Francis Sweeney, Kate Perryman, Emma McWilliams, Edward Frisbie, Frank Griffin, Addie Lucy, Guernesy Jones and Sherman McDowell. Class of 1887 : Florence Kavanagh, Maggie Brennan, Ray Cassady, Daniel Flynn, Russell Towle, Essie Farrington and Desicignia Snider. Class of 1888 : Mary Gee, Mamie Daly, Ethel Thurber, Julia Cahill, Mamie Corbett, Jean Brownlie, John Toland, Persia Snider, Mary Cahill and May Holton. Class of 1889 : Annie Sweeney and S. J. McKnight. Class of 1890: Fannie Melvi-n, Maggie Bogle, Clara Hubbs, Mary Wil- son, Charles McEnerney, Gertie Carlin, Maggie Bruce, Lutie Griffin, George Williamson, Henry McPike, Joseph Smith, Mamie Dieninger, Anna Cassady, Addie Gookin, William Riley and Thomas Crosby. Class of 1891 : Mary Alvord, Maud Hanshe, Belle Burton, Maggie Ruth- erford, William Lake, Martin Cahill, Gertrude Brooks, Maggie O'Brien, Florence Cassady, Edward Brennan, Thomas McGill, Elmer Farmer, Joseph McManus, Nora Cahill, Ray Ashwell, Lillie Kitto, Joseph Drake, Charles Beardsley and Roswell Longan. Class of 1892: Grace Brownlie, Emma Kelly, Capitolla Berg, Letitia McDonald, Mabel Fisher, Isabella Roney, Emma Bagley, Estelle Lucy, Clifford Towle, Minnie Demming, Flora Nicholson, Frank Frey, Marguerite Kelly and Dora Wilzinski. Class of 1893 : Mabel Williamson, Nellie Gehrman, Fannie Mead, Eva McDonald, Gertie L. Doyle, Bert Winchell, Loretta Brooks, Rose Burton, May Lain, Rae Cleveland and Sadie Gorham. Class of 1894: Charles Meyer, George J. Hunt, Lottie M. Inmann, Mazie Roddy, Allan Fowler, Don E. Tripp, Kate T. Green, Velma Voorhees, Mar- guerite Deininger, Robert K. Cutler, Edna M. Greenwood, Mary L. Howard and Lillian A. Riordan. Class of 1895 : Marie J. Buss, Arthur E. Owens, Clarence F. Mead, Frank E. Powers, George A. Roney, Walter Roney, Bernard J. Klotz, Dollie Edgecombe, Lester R. Nichols, Nellie E. Redden, Alice Estelle Kimball, Birdie L. McEnerney, Elwood B. Houston and Lottie E. Saunders. Class of 1896 : Marie English, Adelaide Roddy, Lydia Wilson, Ida Kelly, Lillie A. Wickstom, Goldie Rounds, Lulu Luchsinger, Minnie McPike, John Luchsinger, Jr., Mabel Richardson, Ida Daisy Emerson, Daisy Kavanagh and Frank Maxson. Class of 1897 : Eugene Carpenter, George Brew, Maud Cleveland, Cecilia Hans, Maud Harvey, Frank Toors, Jessie Roney, Ella Thomas, Mary Me- garry, Agnes Van Dorn, Ralph Finell, Leila Warren, Jessie Greenwood and Leslie Fraser. Class of 1898: Ethel I. Towle, Alice M. Kenyon, Grace A. Mathews, Irene I. Finnell, Edwin J. Howard, Ida V. Bassford, Carrie Engelhart, Flor- ence B. Currier, Cass Redeuill, Frank W. Taylor, Francis H. Redeuill, Rose Lee Marcum, Florence H. Cleveland, Magdalene K. Ferrier, Henry J. Widen- mann and Carl A. Wickstrom. Class of 1899 : Addie Gormley, Mamie Luchsinger, Nellie Gedge, Carrie Luchsinger, Elena Kennedy, Ethel McQuaide, Ida Hodges, Charlotte Hodges, Helen Wren, Helen Wilder, Leila Warran, Bertha Williams, Cyetta Mc- Quaide, Alice Lamont, Mabel Currier, Joseph Cavanagh, Spencer Towle, William Widenmann, Lewis Williams, Henry Mini, Noah Hatheway, Fred Purcell, Joseph Raines and Elvezio Mini. Class of 1900: No graduates. Class of 1902 : James Brownlie, Ayao Hori, Thomas O'Brien, Harry Turner, Douglas Fraser, Marguerite Hunt, Violet Peterson, Ethel Ford, Edna Kraus and Arthur Swift. Class of 1903 : Lena Aden, Alma Kraus, Frank Mclnnis, Lizzie Wolfe, 106 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND XAPA COUNTIES William Callahan, Ethel Louden, Margaret McPherson, Mary Fratus, Louise Menefee and Edna Willis. Class of 1904: Oro Bruegge, James Dineen, George Roe, Nellie Wool- ridge. Albert Casper, Inez Farmer, Emma Steffan, Hazel B. Denio, Rudolph Gruettner and Lillie Steffan. Class of 1905 : Anna C. Aden, Jean Hood, Bertha Marcum, Elma O'Hara. Violet AVeniger. Lulu Dickinson, Henry Hussey, Clyde Murray, Maud Ryan, Fred Wolfe, Donald Fraser, Alice Kavanagh. Rudolph Miller and Bessie Smith. Class of 1906: Edith Brownlie, Nellie' McKee, Freda Tretheway, Jerita Blair, Mabel Nesbit, Ada Garrison and Emily Simons. Class of 1907 : Leo Anderson. Stella Clark, Margaret Foley, Kathryn Kavanagh, Marguerite McMillan, William D. Wolfe, Teresa M. Browne, Margaret Cooney, Marco Hanson, Dolores La Feore, Martin Mini. Ervin Casper, Hazel Greenwood, Hermine Hecht, Jeanette McMillan and Adelaide Simonton. Class of 1908 : Edith Bissland, Carolyn Dolan. Velma Greenwood, Irving Mclnnis, Stella Sides, Rose Braun, Susan Gedge, Roscoe Griffin, Stephen Martinez, Harry Suydam, Lois Weeks, Columbus Castagnetto, Henry Gordon, Oscar Hilton, Ray O'Brien and Reginald Venable. Class of 1909 : Raymond Bangle, Ellsworth Courtney, Sangora Ito, Earl Mitchell, Irma Casper, Genevieve McGinnis, Ellen O'Brien, Gertrude Wins- low, John Brownlie, Cecil Fitzgerald, Edward Kavanagh, Russell O'Hara, • Carrie Green, Marie McPherson, Myrtle Ross, Annie Wunnenberg, Jack Connolly, Francis Gatewood, Edward Mullaly, Mary Bedford, Irma Jamison, Rose Mullaney, Ethel Wetmore and Harold Fitzgerald. Class of 1910 : Lura Blair, Dollie Castagnetto, Vincent Dineen, Ruth Hascal. Edna Longfellow, George O'Hara, Eleanor Thornton, Leonard Boyd, Nellie Corcoran, Sadie Epstein, Gladys Jones, Gilbert Mellin, Margaret Sabin, Jeannette Watson, Edna Brennan, Luzina Denio, Sylvia Greenwell, Florence Kelley, Maxine O'Keefe, Vance Simonton and Helen Williams. Class of 1911 : Marguerite Boyd, Ilah B. Goodwin, Janet Hood, Anita M. Mullally, Ruth V. Roth, Edna B. Wolfe, Emery M. Gourley, Ralph P. Levee, Ruth Brownlie, Nathalie Hallin, Ella A. Lee, Eppy R. Munro, May Shilingsburg, Frank J. Anderson, George R. Greenwood, Charles C. Lund- gren, x^lma Campbell, Verna C. Harris, Romano- McCudden. Edith M. Roth, Elva A. Winslow, Charles C. Dexter, Julius S. Johnson and Edmund Ney. The Vallejo Homestead Association. — This association was incorporated on April 25. 1867, under the direction of the following-named gentlemen : Elisha Whiting, George W. Simonton, J. F. Smith. AVilliam C. Root, H. B. Bell. M. L. Tornbohm and Sanford C. Baker. Elisha Whiting was elected president and George W. Simonton secretary and treasurer. This association has been out of active existence for a number of years. The capital stock of the association was $27,000, and was to continue in existence for the term of three years from and after the date and the filing of the certificate, as above stated. Each member taking a share of stock paid into the treasury $2 on each share taken, as a fund for defraying the current expenses of the association, and $5 per month in advance on each share, to be known as the homestead fund, to be used in the purchase of land and improvements thereon. At the regular monthly meeting, held July 13, 1867, an election of officers was held, resulting in the returning of E. Whiting, president ; G. W. Simon- ton, secretary and treasurer, and five directors, viz. : J. F. Smith, H. K. Snow, M. L. Tornbohm, H. B. Bell and W. W. Skinner, who held office until the annual meeting of the stockholders, which was held on the first Monday in May of each year. HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 107 The by-laws provided for a standing committee of three members of the board of directors, to attend to all matters relative to investment in real estate, title, price, terms of sale, etc., and the president appointed J. F. Smith, E. Whiting and M. L. Tornbohm. At a meeting of the board of trustees, convened on June 24, 1867, it was ordered that the report of the committee on the purchase of land be adopted, viz.: "That we purchase of General J. B. Frisbie five full blocks of land situate in the town of Vallejo, and numbered on map of said town, blocks 392, 394, 395, 398 and 399, containing eighty lots 50x130 feet, at a cost of $8,000." Thirty lots in blocks 396, 397 and 400 were bought on October 12, 1877, at the same rate as first purchase, $3,000, making in all one hundred and ten lots. On November 9, 1867, the land was distributed among the share- holders by drawing for choice of lots, with the understanding, which was voted in public meeting, that as the association had been to the expense of fencing in the property, those drawing corner lots should defray the extra cost of inclosing the same, to the extent of $10. The lots, when fully paid up, including the outlay for fencing, recording deed and other incidental expenses, cost the holders $122.25 for corner lots and for those on the inside $112.25. Vallejo Land and Improvement Company. — This company was incor- porated October 27, 1871, with a capital stock divided into 40,000 shares of $100 each, the whole capital being $4,000,000. The objects of the corporation were to purchase and sell and convey lands in the county of Solano ; to erect and maintain wharves and docks on the same for the purpose of manu- factures, trades, business and commerce ; to reclaim lands, purchase and otherwise improve the same by buildings, fixtures and erections to be placed thereon for warehousing and other purposes; to lay out public streets, avenues, boulevards, squares and pleasure grounds across, over and upon the land pufchased, and dedicate the same to the public use. It was then declared that the time of existence of said company should be fifty years, and the following trustees were elected to manage the affairs of the company, viz.: John B. Frisbie, Faxton D. Atherton, Leland Stanford, Milton S. Latham, Alexander De Laski and E. H. Green, the officers being : President, John B. Frisbie; vice-president, F. D. Atherton; secretary, J. K. Duncan; treasurer, Milton S. Latham. The first annual report of the company puts forth the state of the asso- ciation as being most flourishing. When submitted, on January 17, 1872, its property consisted chiefly of 2,000 acres of land in and near the town of Vallejo, the value of which was estimated at nearly $3,000,000. One thou- sand acres were situated within the town limits, including much in the best localities, and six hundred acres along the water-front. The portion lying inside the town limits was laid out in lots, while the balance was suburban lands and other tracts of considerable value. At this time the prospects of Vallejo had reached the zenith, and the relapse which has since occurred was not then deemed probable. The Vallejo Building and Loan Association. — This association was organized in 1911 and is now carrying on business in the city of Vallejo. Its officers are as follows: Charles E. Perry, president; W. J. Tormey, vice- president; J. B. McCauley, treasurer; L. G. Harrier, attorney; F. G. Dilker, secretary. Vallejo Postoffice. — Eleazer Frisbie was appointed postmaster at Vallejo January 19, 1855, previous to which time residents of the city of Vallejo were dependent on Benicia postoffice, particularly for the eastern mail. The following appointments were made succeeding Frisbie's term of office. William W. Chapman, March 3, 1857; Joseph S. Mclntyre, May 28, 1860; Edson J. Wilson, June 28, 1861 ; Edwin H. Sawyer, January 27, 1864; George 108 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES P. Westcott, June 17, 1864; Edson J. Wilson, December 27, 1865; James E. Ryan, June 5, 1868; Miss Mary J. Falle, April 16, 1869; Edson J. Wilson, October 23, 1869; Martin J. Wright, December 10, 1873. and reappointed January 25, 1878. The present postmaster is W. D. Pennycook. Vallejo Society of California Pioneers. — This society was established May 27, 1869, having for its object the cultivation of social intercourse and union among its members, and the creation of a fund for charitable purposes in their behalf; to collect and procure information connected with the early settlement and subsequent history of the county, and to form such libraries and cabinets and pursue such literary and scientific objects as from time to time may be determined, and in all appropriate matters to advance the inter- ests and perpetuate the memory of those whose sagacity, energy and enter- prise induced them to settle in the wilderness and become founders of a new state. The charter members of the association were Thomas Aylward, Milo J. Ayers, Gustave Bergwell, Henry Buckland, Henry Clayton, Fred Coyan, Henry Englebright, George Edgar, George B. Edgecumbe, W. P. Edwards, John B. Frisbie, Thomas Gunderson, Alexander Guffy, Jacob F. Griffin, George Gordon, Joseph G. Garrison, R. D. Hopkins, J. Hamill, G. N. Hutchinson, I. S. Halsey, Isaac Hobbs, Henry Hendrickson, Paul K. Hubbs, John G. Hudson, Ernest Hauff, Charles C. Hall, W. D. Jones, Thomas Keat- ing, John L. King, James R. Lee, Peter Laughran, John A. Lay, O. A. Munn, Lyman Mitchell, Charles Murphy, James Mann, William McKenna, F. Marion, John C. McLeod, W. Narvaez, Charles O'Dollel, B. T. Osborn, A. Powell. George A. Poor, R. Palmer, John Rose, William Rawson, John Roache, E. C. Reynolds, D. C. Ross, W. S. Ricker, J. Regan, O. H. Spencer, Henry Stege, Charles C. Southard, John Spruce, A. J. Shute, E. T. Seavy, W. H. Vanfine, John Woodall, Thomas K. Watson, Edward Welsh, William Williams, John Ward. At this time General M. G. Vallejo was elected an honorary member, while there were also admitted Tohn Morgan, J. D. Corn- wall, W. Sullivan, C. C. Hall, John Walker, C. M. Poor, W. C. Brooks. J. M. Dindlay, J. V. Saunders, A. Strohson, E. B. Campbell, W. H. Cheever, J. C. French, J. H. K. Barbour, M. Morrison, A. Peterson, J. A. Carnahan, E. Whiting. The first officers elected were : President, John B. Frisbie ; vice- presidents, Paul K. Hubbs, Gustave Bergwell, Abraham Powell; correspond- ing secretary, Robert D. Hopkins; treasurer, Isaac S. Halsey; directors, Isaac Hobbs, O. H. Spencer, Thomas Aylward ; and marshal, Thomas K. Watson. Many of these pioneers have long ago been gathered to their fathers, while there are still a few of the old-timers left whose gray hairs tell of Time's onward flight. They, too, will ere long be called upon to make the mysterious journey; happily, therefore, that their sons still live to perpetuate the noble example set by their fathers in the establishment of so well favored a society as is that of the California Pioneers. The Vallejo Savings and Commercial Bank. — This bank was incorpo- rated May 3, 1870, with an authorized capital of $300,000, under the manage- ment of the following officers: John B. Frisbie, president, and Henry Mackie, cashier. The directors were: John B. Frisbie, H. Mackie, J. F. Tobin, Captain C. H. Baldwin, L. C. Fowler, D. C. Haskin and Edward McGettigan. On May 17, 1882, it was reorganized under the laws of the state of California and called Vallejo Commercial Bank (No. 129) and authorized by the state banking department to transact both a commercial and savings business. Its advancement has kept up with the times and today has a combined capital and surplus of $150,000. The present officers of the bank are: G. W. Wilson, president; R. J. R. Aden, vice-president; S. J. McKnight, cashier; D. Bros- nahan, assistant cashier; B. C. Byrne, assistant cashier; directors — R. J. R. Aden, Frederic W. Hall, S. M. I evee, J. J. McDonald, James Power, S. T- McKnight and G. W. Wilson. HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 109 The Citizens Bank of Vallejo. — This bank was incorporated through the efforts of Joseph R. English and its first officers were: President, John B. Frisbie; vice-president, Charles Widenmann; cashier and secretary, J. R, English. It was a great success from the start. In November, 1909, the name of the Citizens Bank was changed to that of the First National Bank and the savings department is now called the First Savings Bank. The pres- ent officers of the First National Bank are : President, P. E. Bowles ; vice- presidents, Joseph R. English and Frank R. Devlin ; secretary and cashier, B. F. Griffin ; assistant cashier, George Cadan. The following-named are the officers of the First Savings Bank: President, Joseph R. English; vice- president, Charles Widenmann; vice-president and manager, B. F. Griffin; secretary and cashier, George R. Cadan. Out of the earnings for the year over $18,000 was paid to savings depositors after paying the usual dividend. In addition over $8,000 was added to surplus and undivided profits. The present capital and surplus and undivided profits are over $165,000. Newspapers. — The Vallejo Chronicle was founded by F. A. Leach and William Gregg, the first issue being printed June 20, 1867. It appeared as a weekly edition of modest size and pretensions, and was continued as a weekly until November, 1868, when the present daily was established. In April, 1869. Mr. Leach bought the interest of his associate and became sole pro- prietor of the establishment. On assuming the full control he began the issue of the Weekly Chronicle, which had been suspended by the daily. The politics of the paper, which owing to the conflicting principles of the two proprietors had before been independent, was changed and it became inde- pendent Republican, and has ever since steadily advocated the views of that party. In November, • 1875, the ownership of the establishment was merged into a stock company, incorporated under the state laws ; Mr. Leach, how- ever, still retaining all but a fraction of the stock, and continuing in the abso- lute management and control of the business. March 1, 1879, feeble and still failing health compelled him to dissolve his connection with the journal, and he sold his whole interest therein to Thomas Wendell, a part proprietor and editor of the Chronicle for several years preceding. Mr. Wendell, on taking charge, united in himself the duties of business manager with those of editor. Following the death of Mr. Wendell, the paper passed into the hands of A. J. Brownlie, O. H. Hilton and Andrew J. McKnight, who after a short season of endeavor sold their interests to S. C. Farnham, who continued the publication till his death, when in March, 1884, it passed from the hands of his estate to Frank A. Leach, its founder, and W. D. Pennycook. Two years later L. G Harrier purchased Mr. Leach's half interest, and for a quarter of a century the partnership of Pennycook & Harrier continued in the suc- cessful conduct of the paper. On the 16th of January, 1912, this partner- ship was dissolved, and Mr. Pennycook is now sole proprietor. The Chronicle has been a prosperous journal from the date of its birth and has increased in stability and reputation with its growing years. The Vallejo Times. — This paper made its first appearance on September 28, 1875, under the caption of "Solano Daily Times." It was really a suc- cessor of the "Daily Independent." George Roe had purchased the plant of the "Independent" and formed a partnership with A. B. Gibson, and founded the "Times." This partnership was soon dissolved and another composed of George Roe, W. V. Walsh, H. J. Pelham and Thaddeus McFarland. Later on the interest of the two latter partners was purchased and the firm name was changed to Roe & Walsh. In 1870 the "Solano Weekly Times" com- menced publication. Still later, Roe formed a partnership with E. J. Winton ; finally the "Times" came under the present ownership. With new blood the "Times" very soon reached its former leading position as a Democratic news- 110 HISTORY OF SOLAXO AND XAPA COUNTIES paper, and has met with pleasing success as a newspaper ever since. The present owners are Messrs. Muller and Walker, who have the confidence of the public as newspaper men. The City Water Works. — As long ago as 1890 the subject of the city owning its own water works was acted upon in the way of having an elec- tion for the issuance of bonds to build the same. At an election that year the project was defeated, but in 1892 another election proved favorable to the issuance of bonds and the scheme commenced development. Several ranches were purchased a few miles from the town of Cordelia. A record of the further work and completion of the city water works is gathered from a spe- cially prepared article written by Mayor Tormey. It gives the status of the works up to date. The cost of land purchased amounted to $61,622.29. Contracts for reservoirs and pipe lines were let in 1893, and the work was completed the following year. The system as originally constructed in- cluded the following features : 1. A storage reservoir in Wild Horse valley, some twenty-two miles from Vallejo, having a capacity of 400,000 gallons and costing $45,416.13. It is fed by a water shed of 1860 acres. 2. A diverting dam costing $8,076.35, located about a mile down the canyon from the storage reservoir, and consisting of a small masonry struc- ture used to collect the waters of the canyon and divert them from their nat- ural channels into the city's mains. It is fed by a water shed of 1,500 acres, the natural flow from which supplies the system from December to April each year. When the stream became inadequate, additional water was let in from the storage reservoir above. The diverting dam is situated at an ele- vation of some 520 feet above tidewater. There are no live streams on the water shed. From the diverting dam the water was conducted through a wrought iron pipe line to a distributing reservoir on Fleming hill, two miles north of Vallejo, on an elevation 212 feet above tidewater. This is a concrete struc- ture, having a capacity of about 3,500,000 gallons and costing $12,530.36. The capacity of the original wrought iron pipe line as determined by actual measurement at Fleming hill was 715,000 gallons per diem. The total cost of the original construction, including general, legal and engineering expenses, was as follows : Real estate and rights of way $ 61,621.20 Engineering expenses - 18,943.50 Legal expenses 9,370.58 Other general expenses 3.579. 1 5 Total $ 93,514.43 Construction Proper. Storage reservoir $ 45,416.13 Diverting dam 8,076.35 Distributing reservoir 12,530.36 Pipe lines , 68,786.87 Distributing system 38.128.86 Tunnel 11,984.68 Total construction proper $185,296.45 Grand total $278,810.88 In 1902 the city authorities were brought face to face with the problem of increasing the supply and improving the service. Bonds were again voted and larger cast iron mains were laid on a part of the supply line and also in the distributing system. Again in 1905 additional bonds were voted and the HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 111 remainder of the main pipe line was rebuilt and rim over a new and more ad- vantageous route. Still again in 1908 the rapid growth, of the city necessi- tated the issuance of more bonds for the construction of an additional storage reservoir. This one is known as Wild Horse Reservoir No. 2. It increased the total storage capacity of the plant to over a billion gallons, thereby insur- ing the city a bountiful supply of water for two years. The last addition to the municipal plant has just been completed, and consists of an additional distributing reservoir having a capacity of 13,000,000 gallons, and a duplicate 14-inch cast iron main running into town from the two distributing reservoirs. With this improvement completed, the city is in first class shape so far as its water supply is concerned. The system has been a great benefit to the city, furnishing an adequate supply of pure water at a reasonable price. It is largely responsible for the recent rapid growth of Vallejo, and has greatly improved the sanitary condi- tion of the city. The rates which were in force by the private corporation at the time when the city commenced business have been cut in half, thereby directly saving to the taxpayers and the United States government approxi- mately a million dollars, or an amount practically equal to the gross income since the municipal plant was installed, and last, but not least, is the moral advantage enjoyed by the city by reason of the fact that it is free from the annual spasm of rate fixing with a private corporation, which in so many cities is attended with much controversy and expense to both parties. The water rates in Vallejo are about one-half the average rates paid by the other communities about the bay, which fact sufficiently demonstrates the advan- tages of municipal ownership in this community. Receipts and expenditures of the Vallejo city water system for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1910 : Receipts. Sale of water $70,612.58 Tapping 685.25 Sale of material, etc 63.15 Total $71,360.98 Expenditures. Expended for operation $11,438.00 Expended for betterments 4,126.80 Total $15,564.80 Gain of receipts over expenditures, $55,796.18. To the late John Frey belongs all the credit of establishing the city water works and placing it on a permanent basis. It was owing to his persistent work that today the city of Vallejo has the best supply of the very best water that comes from the mountains. Vallejo City Water Company. — It is perhaps better known as the Chabot Water Works, it being owned principally, at the time of its incorporation, by A. Chabot of Oakland, Cal. The corporation was formed in 1870, and for a number of years, or until the city owned its own works, supplied the city, as well as the navy yard with the major portion of water used here. The main reservoir of the company is situated near the Napa road about three miles north of the city, and was built on a portion of the 425 acres which was purchased for the sum of $42,000. The dam is 300 feet wide, forty feet high, with 150 feet at the base and 100 feet at the apex, covering 160 acres of land. 112 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES The water is conducted to the city through a twelve-inch pipe. Since the city has established its own plant the Chabot company supplies but a small amount of water, and mostly to parties outside of the city limits. It should be owned by the city and would be a basis of one of the finest parks in the state of California. San Pablo Engine Company, No. 1. — This company was organized Feb- ruary 23, 1865, under the following officers, who were elected at the first meeting, held on the above-mentioned date : Foreman, John King ; first as- sistant, H. P. Soanes; second assistant, Edward Fitzmorris ; treasurer, F. S. Carlton; secretary, Laurence Ryan; financial secretary, John Kennedy. The location of the engine is at the Masonic Hall, on Virginia street. It is of the fourth class and weighs, exclusive of supplies, 3,700 pounds. The boiler is M. R. Clapp's circulating tubular patent, made of the best material and of sufficient strength to bear twice the pressure usually required. Steam can be engendered from cold water in from four to six minutes from the time of the lighting of the fires. The boiler is covered with German silver and banded with the same substance and princess metal. The cylinder is fitted to a bed- plate which contains all the steam passages, thus preventing leaky joints and condensation of steam. It is fitted with self-adjusting packing, requiring lit- tle or no attention from the engineer. The steam cylinder, steam chest and bed-plate are cased in German silver and princess metal. The main forcing- pump is double-acting, and made of a composition of copper and tin and highly polished. It is so constructed that it can be taken apart or put to- gether in a few minutes if required ; there is also a circulating valve for the purpose of feeding the boiler when steam is cut off. The large copper air chamber is of princess metal, with a nickel-plated water pressure attached. The steam cylinder is eight inches in diameter, and eight inch stroke ; the pumo is four and five-eighths inches in diameter and eight-inch stroke; the forward wheels are four and one-half and the rear ones five feet high. The engine is thoroughly equipped with tongue rope, hose-brake, lamps, head- light and all the paraphernalia for ordinary use. The hose cart is two- wheeled and carries 500 feet of carbolized hose, and is in good condition. Under the present form of commission government, a paid fire depart- ment has been substituted for the volunteer method. The various fire and hook and ladder companies are now under the new regulations, which may be changed from time to time. No city on the coast is better protected by the fire department than Vallejo. The Church of the Ascension. — Protestant Episcopal.— For many years prior to 1867 service according to the form of the Protestant w Episcopal Church had been held in Vallejo; but it was not until the 21st of July of that year that any steps had been taken to form a permanent association of the kind. On that Sunday the services were conducted by the Bishop of the Diocese, the Right Reverend Wilbraham Kip, and the Reverend Messrs. Treadway and Perry, during which intimation was given that a meeting of the association would be held at the office of the Honorable Paul K. Hubbs on the Monday following. The meeting was duly convened and an associ- ation incorporated under the laws of the state and the Diocese of California, under the name as given above, the following gentlemen subscribing to the Declaration and Articles of Association : Paul K. Hubbs, T. H. Gardner, R. D. Hopkins, W. H. Lamb, Paul Shirley, James Price, L. C. Fowler, Will- iam Taylor, Jr., Casper Schenck, Thomas A. Thornton, Ed. A. Willats, James A. Green, A. T. Hawley, W. C. Root, George Loomis, William A. Parker, J. W. Haskin, and W. H. Stanley. The subjoined vestrymen were thereupon elected : Messrs. Paul K. Hubbs, W. H. Lamb, L. C. Fowler, J. H. K. Barbour, W. A. Parker, J. W. Browne, W. C. Root, William Taylor, Jr., J. W. Haskin, Philip Hichburn, and R. D. Hopkins, with Messrs. Fow- ler and Hubbs as senior and junior wardens, and Messrs. Hopkins and Lamb HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 113 secretary and treasurer, respectively. After the election of these officers the Rev. A. C. Treadway was unanimously chosen the first rector of the Church of the Ascension at Vallejo. In the course of time laws and by-laws for the governing of the executive body were framed and brought into effect. On July 29 a building committee was appointed, with power to solicit sub- scriptions in aid of the erection of a church. Gen. John B. Frisbie generously presented them with two lots whereon to erect the sacred edifice ; plans and specifications were gratuitously prepared by Mr. Gunning, architect, of Mare Island, and a fair was held by the ladies of the congregation and their friends to still further augment the funds. The foundation stone was laid on the 4th of May, 1868. On April 8, 1868, Mr. Treadway, in a letter of great feeling, tendered his resignation, which was duly accepted, in fitting terms, in meeting assembled, when it was resolved to invite Rev. Dr. Breck to take charge of the parish, in connection with the associate mission, which he had established in Benicia. In the meantime, Mr. Treadway had returned to New York; but such was the estimation in which he was held that it was unanimously resolved on the 15th of July to invite him to return to his former charge, which he signified his willingness to do; and on the 10th of December he once more presided at a vestry meeting of the parish. During this period the building of the church progressed satisfactorily. On the evening of the 9th of March, 1870, the introduction of gas into the building was completed ; and on Sunday, the 13th, the edifice was duly consecrated by the Bishop of California, before an overflowing congregation. On August 5, 1871, Mr. Treadway once more tendered his resignation, the acceptance of which was declined, on the plea "that the interests of the church would not prosper so well under the min- istry of any other person," when the rector signified, his willingness that the question of his retirement remain in statu quo ; he, however, again opened the question on February 7, 1872, stating his intention of returning home to the east in April or May following. Still, the vestry were unwilling to part with their pastor, who, they suggested, should be tendered a leave of absence ; but at last he prevailed, and his resignation was accepted, to take effect on December 31, 1872. His farewell sermon is described as being a deep utterance of pastoral love, which was both appropriate and impressive. A successor was found in the Rev. Adam A. McAllister, who was nominated to the vacant rectorship on Novem- ber 13, 1872. On December 21 the vestry lost, by death, one of its most act- ive members, in Paymaster Mead, U. S. N., when condolatory resolutions were directed to be forwarded to his family; the meeting, however, whose painful duty it was to pass the foregoing, had a more pleasant one in thanking the "ladies of the Episcopal Benevolent Association of Vallejo, for having realized the means, and by their generosity, devoted them to the liquidation of the debts of the Church of the Ascension from embarrassment, and en- abling the church, unfettered by pecuniary obligations, to renew and enlarge its work." On January 5, 1874, Mr. McAllister resigned, when the pulpit was offered to and accepted by the Rev. E. L. Greene, who, on account of family affliction, sent in his resignation on February 18, 1875 ; it was ac- cepted; and on the 25th of the same month, the Rev. W. H. Moore was offered the parish. At a meeting of the vestry, held June 16, 1875, it was resolved to move the church back twenty-five feet, which was subsequently carried out, and the ground graded, a fence built, shrubbery planted, and the premises otherwise adorned. The funds of the parish were in somewise aided by a bequest, from the late Senior Warden Paul K. Hubbs, who had died on the 17th of November previously. In the death of this gentleman the church and parish lost one of its staunchest supports ; it was mainly to his good 114 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES offices that the "Church of the Ascension" was organized ; and the esteem in which he was held is touchingly alluded to in the resolution directing reali- zation of the bequest. On April 6, 1876, death had again entered in ; once more there was a vacancy among the wardens; this time in the person of W. C. Root, the first person confirmed in the parish. He was elected a ves- tryman at the time of the organization of the parish, and had been one of its officers in successive years. At a meeting held on the 18th of April, Rev. W. A. Moore announced his wish to resign, which took effect May 15th. Mr. McAllister once more temporarily occupied the pulpit until the appointment of a successor, who was found in Dr. Chapman, who in turn left the parish for his home in Sac- ramento in August, and was succeeded by Rev. George B. Allen, October 23, 1876. He resigned on November 22, and again was the Church of the Ascen- sion without an officiating clergyman of its own. The parish was then of- fered to Rev. R. T. Kline, whose acceptance was made known January 22, 1877. This clergyman remained with his congregation almost eleven months, handing in a letter of retirement November 21 of the same year. Mr. McAl- lister again occupied the pulpit from Sunday to Sunday until, on December 23, 1877, when it was resolved to call Rev. David F. MacDonald, D. D., from Arkansas. Dr. MacDonald was, as far back as 1856, the first missionary of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this country. He was located by the Bishop of the Diocese at Benicia, where he labored amongst all classes with much zeal. He had often conducted services in the parish where he is now rector in a small building used as a Methodist Church, and it was a grateful . remembrance of former efforts which suggested, after the lapse of so many years, the tendering of the pulpit to him. The Church of the Ascension is situated on Georgia Street, between Napa and Sutter, and stands on an elevated knoll which commands a fine view of the harbor and surrounding country, and has a seating capacity of two hundred and fifty. A magnificent bell has been presented to it by Henry Sanger. Sunday services are held at 11 A. M. Methodist Episcopal Church. — The appended historical sketch of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the city of Vallejo has been supplied by the Rev. E. I. Jones, the present pastor. About the middle of 1855, Rev. William Willmott was appointed in charge of a circuit which included the towns of Benicia and Vallejo. During that year and a part of the one following, he preached at Vallejo and partially organized a Methodist church. Before his advent, Mrs. Commodore Farragut, the Misses Turner and others had con- ducted a Sunday School, which seems to have been the nucleus around which Mr. Willmott gathered his congregation. In January, 1856, Gen. John B. Frisbie donated and deeded the present church site to David G. Farragut, David Turner, Simeon Jenkins, Charles H. Oliver and James H. Green "in trust for the use of the Methodist Episco- pal Church in the town of Vallejo, etc." Upon this lot, and largely through the exertions of Farragut, was built a small, rough structure which served for a time the double purpose of chapel and school-house. Mr. Willmott went to the Atlantic in the summer of 1856 and his pulpit was supplied by Rev. George B. Taylor. Rev. C. V. Anthony, who became pastor in September, 1856, perfected the organization. Written by him and preserved among the church records is a quaint narrative from which the following extract is taken : "The church was built of planks placed endwise and battened with narrow strips. Only the casings and cornice were planed ; the other parts were rough and washed with yellow ochre and lime. The pulpit was a high, old-fashioned concern, with a trap door under the preacher's feet, where the sexton, who was gen- erally preacher also, kept the sperm oil and other things for lighting the church. In former times this room under the pulpit had served another pur- HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 115 pose. The pastor who built the church put a cot down there and, when he retired, simply lifted the trap-door and went to bed, leaving the door up. During my first year, we succeeded in paying the old debt of $400. More comfortable seats were provided, the church was painted and a fence put around it. Aforetime, it had been a convenient place for cattle to shade themselves, and on Sundays we were often disturbed by their contentions and sometimes shaken by their scratchings against the corners of the church." At the close of this pastorate the church had fourteen members. This number does not, however, indicate the actual size or strength of the congre- gation, which included among its most zealous workers the adherents of other churches which then had no organizations in the town. In Mr. An- thony's narrative, David Turner and Mrs. Farragut, Episcopalians, and Ne- hemiah Smith, Presbyterian, are mentioned as having been notably active and helpful. Dr. Woodbridge, Presbyterian, held services in the church every Sunday afternoon, but had no organization. The following-named pastors succeeded, their terms beginning in Sep- tember of the vears specified: James Hunter, 1858; Kilpatrick. 1859; W. B. May. I860: J. W. Hines, 1861 ; B. F. Myers, 1863; P. L. Hayes, 1865. During the pastorate of the last named, the membership nearly doubled and the church was greatly improved by the addition of a vestibule and bell tower. Rev. Galen A. Pierce became pastor in September, 1867, and had a nota- bly acceptable term of two years, at the close of which there were fift^-five members and a property valued at $4,600. Rev. Charles E. Rich followed in August, 1869. The city was more populous and prosperous during his term than before or since. The congre- gation so increased that the church was lengthened fifteen feet, a vestry- room was added, and the whole edifice so improved as to be substantially a new one. A debt was, however, incurred which greatly embarrassed the church for about seven years. In August, 1870, there were ninety-five mem- bers and property valued at $7,000, including the present parsonage, then but recently acquired. Rev. A. K. Crawford was pastor for one year, from September, 1872, reporting fifty-five members at the close of his term. Rev. W. S. Urmy followed in 1873 and remained three years, at the end of the second of which he reports the membership at one hundred and $2,600 as having been expended upon the church property, mostly in partial pay- ment of the debt heretofore mentioned. At the close of his term the mem- bership had decreased to seventy-one, and nearly one-half of these were nominal or non-resident. Rev. E. I. Jones, the present pastor — 1879 — became such in September, 1876. at which time removals had so decimated the membership and business depressions so discouraged those remaining, that this pastorate opened un- hopefully, especially in view of the fact that there was still an indebtedness of about $1,500. On Sunday evening, December 8, 1878, the church was almost totally destroyed by fire, originating, it is supposed, in a defective flue. The proceeds of an insurance policy for $1,500 were applied upon the indebtedness. First Regular Baptist Church. — This church was organized November 21, 1869, a meeting being convened by public notice, calling on all those in- terested in establishing a regular Baptist Church in Vallejo to meet at Red Men's Hall. Rev. W. W. Hickie was chosen moderator, and Eben Hilton Clerk. Each of the brethren and sisters herein named presented themselves and were accepted by each other in unanimous vote of fellowship for the pur- pose of organizing a gospel church, and being fellow members of the same : 116 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES W. W. Hickie, Eben Hilton, Esther Hilton, Stephen Hathaway, Eleazer Frisbie, H. H. Dwyer, J. C. Voorhees, Anna Case, Sanford Baker, G. W. Mor- gan and wife. On motion of Mr. Frisbie, the Articles of Faith and Church Covenant, as given in the Baptist Manual, published by the American Baptist Publica- tion Society, Philadelphia, was read, and by unanimous vote, as follows : Pastor, Rev. W. W. Hickie ; deacons, H. H. Dwyer and Eleazer Frisbie ; treasurer, Eben Hilton ; Sanford Baker, was adopted. The Rev. W. W. Hickie continued his labors with the church until June 1 following, when he abandoned the profession. Public worship was discontinued until De- cember 2, 1870, when the church called the Rev. J. H. Ruby as a successor, and then commenced to hold worship in Farragut Hall; and on June 13, 1871, an unanimous call was extended to Mr. Ruby to become its pastor. He accented, and continued in that capacity until September 1, when he re- signed. On .November 17, 1871, the church called the Rev. E. B. Hatch to its pastorate. On January 7, 1872, the American Baptist Home Mission Society hav- ing granted material aid towards the building of a suitable house for public worship, a committee was appointed with power to solicit subscriptions for building the same. In November following they reported having received subscriptions enough to warrant the commencement of a proper building, and that Gen. J. B. Frisbie had donated a lot and executed a deed for the purpose; but the piece of ground not being in a desirable locality, it was thought best to purchase a plot on Capitol, between Marin and Sonoma streets. A committee to superintend the structure was chosen, and the work begun. On March 1, 1873, the church and lot, which had cost over $4,000, was dedicated to the service of God. The Rev. E. B. Hatch continued to be its pastor until February 1, 1876, when, tendering his resignation, it was accepted. On that date Rev. R. F. Parshall was appointed to the pastorate, and, entering upon his duties on March 26, he continued to perform them until December 13, 1876, when he resigned. The church was without a pastor and public worship until April 1, 1877, when Rev. T. A. Gill, Chaplain U. S. N., was ordered to the Navy Yard. On his arrival a committee was appointed to wait upon him, with the request that he preach on Sunday mornings, with which petition he cheerfully com- plied, and entered upon the duties for an indefinite period. Mr. Gill and his wife labored with the church until May 28, 1878, when he was detached from the Yard, thus leaving the church once more without a pastor. At this juncture Rev. Frank B. Rose, U. S. N., Chaplain on board U. S. S. Pensacola, volunteered his services and continued them until October 13, when he, too, left the district. On October 27, 1878, Rev. E. H. Gray, D. D., was called from Washington, D. C. The Sunday School connected with the church was organized February 1, 1870, Henry Hall, superintendent. In June, 1871, J. C. Voorhees was elected in that capacity, and filled it till January 1, 1879, when Mrs. Veeder was appointed. First Presbyterian Church. — Previous to the arrival of Rev. N. B. Klink in Vallejo, the Rev. S. Woodbridge, D. T)., of Benicia, had preached to a con- gregation in this city for several years on the afternoon of every Sabbath. At the time there was no Presbyterian church ; service was therefore held in the Methodist Episcopal building. On ascertaining that it was Mr. Klink's intention to reside permanently in Vallejo, Dr. Woodbridge re- signed the duties to him ; and the Methodists, being now without a minister, invited him to supply them, and granted the use of their house of worship until September, 1863. The First Presbyterian Church was organized in November, 1862, while they were still worshipping in the Methodist Church. HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 117 According to public notice the congregation met in the Methodist Episcopal Church November 22, 1862, for the purpose, if the way be clear, of organizing a Presbyterian Church. The meeting was called to order and opened with prayer. Rev. N. B. Klink was chosen chairman of the meeting, and Henry Blackman secretary. The following-named persons, being present with let- ters of dismissal from other Presbyterian Churches, and voluntarily wishing to be associated together for Divine and Godly living, were, on motion, formed into a Presbyterian Church of "the old school," within the bounds of Benicia Presbytery and Synod of the Pacific: Mrs. Helen Williamson, Car- rie E. Frisbie, Susan Callender, Elizabeth Chapman, Isabella Rule, Eliza Roloff. Phebe A. Frisbie, Sylvia M. Burns, J. Wright, J. Tessroe, with Messrs. Stephen Klink and E. H. M. Bailey. There being none present who were willing to accept the office of ruling elder, the church was only provi- sionally organized. The Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, and also the Form of Government and the Directions for Wor- ship, were adopted as their standards of faith and order; and A. Powell, Daniel Williamson, James Topley, E. H. M. Bailey and Stephen Klink were elected a board of trustees, and were also chosen as a building committee, when immediate steps were taken for the erection of a house of worship on two lots on the northwest corner of Marin and Carolina streets, which were the gift of Gen. John B. Frisbie. During the summer of 1863 the building of the church was proceeded with ; and on the first Sunday in September in that year the opening sermon was preached by Rev. A. Fairbairn ; though incomplete, worship was main- tained in it for full two years, when, November 5, 1865, it was solemnly dedi- cated to the worship of Almighty God by Rev. Dr. Woodbridge. The edifice and the bell cost $8,500. In April, 1866, Messrs. E. H. M. Bailey and L. G. Oliver were elected ruling elders ; and on May 8, they having been ordained, were duly installed as officers of the church, on which ceremony its organization became com- plete. The Advent Christian Church of Vallejo. — The Advent doctrine was first introduced into Vallejo by Elder D. D. Reid, of Santa Clara county, in the fall of 1870. The first sermon was preached in the Methodist Church. The first series of meetings was held by Elder Miles Grant, of Boston, Mass., in the Presbyterian Church, the pastor most warmly encouraging and sup- porting the good work. No attempt was at this time made to organize a church, as it was supposed the converts would be well nourished and fed by the pastor of the Presbyterian Church, who had been so blessed in the re- vival. But very soon after Elder Grant's departure he began to oppose the doctrines which had done so much good, and it became evident that the be- lievers must organize a church of their own. This was done on June 13, 1871, in the building known as George's Place, a building bought in New York and shipped around the Horn to San Francisco, set up and used in that city, and then taken down and removed to Vallejo. It had been used for the vilest purposes of those early times, and it was indeed a novelty to hear within its walls the voice of prayer, of praise, and of truth. The build- ing had been thoroughly cleansed and refitted for its new work. The charter members were Job Washburn, Samuel Jamison, A. J. Young, David West, George Redden, Mrs. George Redden, Mrs. Statira Snow, Mrs. Ella P. Pettis, Mrs. Hannah P. Moore and Mrs. A. J. Young. Many others were in sympathy with the organization, but did not unite until afterward. The officers consisted simply of a deacon and a clerk, Job K. Washburn and A. J. Young, respectively, holding the positions. This church was organized under Elder D. D. Reid. The first pastor was Elder O. R. Fassett, from Min- nesota, who had charge of the church for two years, preaching one-half the 118 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES time, while Mrs. Fassett preached the other half. They resided in San Fran- cisco. During this pastorate the chapel was built on Capitol Hill, on a lot donated by Gen. J. B. Frisbie. (Lot 14, in Block 306.) It was a plain, un- pretending structure 32x52, and cost about $1,000. The house was dedicated on Sunday, March 24, 1872, Elders Fassett and Reid officiating. Experience soon proved the location of the chapel too inaccessible to the people, espe- cially in the rainy season, and it was decided to move it. In April, 1874, it was moved to Georgia street and located on Lot No. 6, Block 284, owned by Mr. Tripp and leased to the church for this purpose. Catholic Parish of Vallejo. — The first Catholic Parish in Vallejo was formed as the Parish of St. Vincent Ferrer's in 1855. The first church was built in that year by the Dominican Fathers. Its original location was on a lot adjoining the present city hall on Marin street. Generals John B. Frisbie and M. G. Vallejo donated the lot and bell used in the early structure. As the parish increased in numbers quickly, it was seen that more room would be needed, then General John B. Frisbie donated the block bounded by Santa Clara, Sacramento, Florida and Kentucky streets, to which the old building was removed. This building was partially destroyed by fire a few years ago. Rev. Father Louis Daniel, for over twenty years, or until his death, which occurred in 1876, presided over the parish, beloved by all. It was Father Daniel who caused the removal of the old church to the new site, where, soon after, the present new church was built. The old building was reconstructed and equipped with proper school furniture, and the Sisters of St. Dominic were called upon to open a school for girls. The new church was built on one of the prominent heights of Vallejo, and commands a fine view of the surrounding country. It has a holding ca- pacity of nearly a thousand and the interior is the beautiful work of one of the members of the Dominican Order. St. Vincent's school, attached to St. Vincent's parish, was opened for the reception of pupils in 1870 by the Dominican Sisters from the Mother House in Benicia The old church did duty for a school for a number of years, new rooms being occasionally added to accommodate the rapidly increasing num- ber of students. The necessity for a school building in keeping with the importance of the city became more and more apparent until in 1893 Father Louis Daniel erected the present brick structure, which was dedicated by the late Archbishop Montgomery. The building comprises two large stories, with a spacious basement. The class rooms, music rooms, etc., throughout are large, airy and well lighted, and every detail that goes to make up an ideal Catholic educational institution has been attended to. The course of studies pursued is similar to that followed in the public schools, with four high school grades and a thorough, practical instruction is imparted by the devoted Sisters in charge. As an item worthy of notice, it should be observed that it is the rule that all pupils during their last two years of study are obliged to take up a busi- ness course embracing bookkeeping, typing, stenography, etc., thereby equip- ping themselves fully for any position in the commercial world. At the death of Father Daniel, Rev. Bernard M. Doogan, O. P., was ap- pointed his successor. Father Doogan was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1838, and was educated for the priesthood in the Dominican House of studies at Benicia after coming to America, and was rector of St. Dominic's Church in San Francisco, where he remained until coming to St. Vincent's Parish in 1896. Father Doogan holds the distinction of being one of the oldest Domin- ican Fathers on the coast, and he is widely known and honored. At the close of November, 1911, the aged priest celebrated the fifty-second year of his profession and a few weeks after he resigned the pastorate to retire to the Dominican Monastery at Benicia. HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 119 During his fifteen years' stay in charge of St. Vincent's Parish, he en- deared himself to all, and as a token of their regard the members of the Young Men's Institute at Vallejo presented him with a silver watch. Had he been willing to accept a more costly present it would have been forthcom- ing with all the fervor of his many friends combined. Father Doogan has been succeeded by the present pastor, Father Clancy, O. P. Father Clancy was for 18 years attached to St. Dominic's Church in San Francisco, and his departure from there was the cause of sincere regrets on the part of hundreds of friends, which bespeaks for him the same popular- ity in his new surroundings that he enjoyed there those many years. St. Vincent's Benevolent Society. — This society is formed for the pur- pose of promoting each other's temporal and spiritual welfare ; for affording spiritual consolation and substantial aid to its members in time of sickness, and securing to them, after death, decent and Christian interment, in accord- ance with the faith of the Holy Catholic Church ; for the performance of works of mercy and charity towards distressed persons of the parish, and encouraging each other by good example, in the duties of Christian life, and, above all. the exercising of a spirit of fraternal charity. The establishment of this most meritorious association was effected on February 3, 1867, having for its first officers: John Louis Daniel, O. P., chaplain; Michael S. Derwin, president; Daniel J. Brennan, vice-president; John L. Daniel, O. P., bursar; Michael J. Cunningham, secretary, the members of the council being: James Doyle, Edward McGettigan, Lawrence Walsh, Hugh Cunningham, John Per- ryman, Daniel Wynn, James McGarvey, John Cronin and John Kennedy. The organizers of the St. Vincent's Benevolent Society were: Lawrence Walsh, Ed McGettigan, Hugh Cunningham, D. J. Brennan, Thomas Lynch, Patrick Crawley, Thomas Woods, Daniel Hayes, James McGarvey, Edward O'Malley, Peter Lyden, John Leary, Benjamin Martin, Thomas Ryan, Peter Bourke, Robert Casey, Charles White, John Walsh, Henry Buckland, An- thony Murray, W. J. Cunningham, James Doyle, Thomas Gannon, John Casey, Owen Behan, H. B. Hendrickson, John Crannin, John McManus, Thomas Hollern, Daniel Wynn, Thomas Kenney, Patrick O'Malley, John Mullin, John McGuire, Richard Walsh, John Kennedy, John Perryman, Nich- olas Clavo, Richard Palmer, Edward Lynch, Bartholomew Turner, Patrick Kelly, Patrick Lynch, John Hurley, Joseph Sullivan, Patrick Murphy, Law- rence Barry, Patrick Crotty, Henry Knowles, John Brennan, Thomas Car- roll, Patrick Delehanty, Charles Cunningham, Angus Mclnnes, Denis Driscol, William Browier, William Flynn, Michael Sullivan, James Toland, Patrick Tracy, John Wise, James Lane, C. Quinlan, Henry McCullough, T. J. Bald- win, Daniel Donovan, Lawrence Dempsey. Honorary members : Michael Derwin, Edward C. Doran, Lieut. F. Harrington, John Drennan, John O'Grady, Patrick Londregan and Mrs. Lawrence Walsh. Secret Societies, Associations, etc. — Vallejo is second to no other city in the state of California in the condition of its lodges, save, perhaps, with the single exception of San Francisco. The Masonic Order, as well as that of the Odd Fellows, is in a most flourishing condition, while the benefits which they confer are dispensed with due regard to the lessons inculcated by the several orders. Naval Lodge No. 87, F. and A. M. — This is the oldest lodge in Vallejo, and was organized under dispensation July 17, 1855. The first meeting was held August 4, 1855, when the following officers were appointed : William Wilmot, W. M.; Henry Hook, S. W. ; Joseph R. Bird, J. W.; Robert Brown- lee, treas.; William Aspenall, secretary; L. W. Bean, S. D. ; Denis Meagher, J. D.; John Lee, tyler. On May 7, 1856, the charter was granted, the mem- bers being Abraham Powell, W. M.; William Aspenall, S. W., and Isaac Hobbs, J. W. The first meeting held under the new charter was convened on May 28, 1856, with Deputy Grand Master William S. W^ells presiding, 120 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES when the following were elected to the various offices : Joseph R. Bird, W. M.; Benjamin R. Mitchell, S. W. ; William Aspenall, J. W. ; Robert Brownlee, treasurer; Alexander Guffy, secretary; L. W. Bean, S. D. ; Denis Meagher, J. D., and John Lee, tyler. Naval Chapter No. 35, R. A. M. — This chapter was organized under dis- pensation May 20, 1868, and granted a charter October 20 of the same year, its chartered members being Lyman Leslie, I. M. Brown, B. J. Taylor, P. B. Miller, Dan Harrington, Benjamin Benas, E. G. Moden, T. J. Crowlie and Philip Hichborn, the officers being Lyman Leslie, high priest; J. M. Brown, king; B. J. Taylor, scribe. Since its first institution the number of members has been considerably augmented. Solano Lodge No. 229, F. and A. M. — This lodge organized under dis- pensation May 14, 1873, and received the charter on October 18, 1873, the charter members being John Quincy Adams, P. M. ; Ellis Edward Hartwell, Frank E. Brown, Orren H. Butler, William Carter, Frank W. Cushing. John F. Denning, George C. Demmon, John K. Duncan, Joseph G. Edgecumbe, John Farnham, John Frey, William E. Frisby, Alden L. Hatheway, F. D. Higson. Adam A. McAllister, Edwin A. McDonald, Charles A. Moore, Matti- son Myers, P. M. ; William H. Pettis, George P. Plaisted, Ambrose J. Plum- mer, W. F. Roe, John B. Robinson, David W. Rogers, George E. Sides, Ed- ward T. Starr, George Thompson. Joseph F. Wendell, John T. Wells and Tohn W. Winton. The officers under dispensation were: F. W. Cushing, W. M.; J. T. Wells, S. W. ; W. H. Pettis, J. W. ; E. T. Starr, treasurer; A. L. Hatheway, secretary; Rev. A. A. McAllister, chaplain; John Farnham, S. D. ; • George C. Demmon, J. D. ; J. C. Edgecumbe, marshal ; Frank E. Brown, or- ganist ; O. H. Butler, W. E. Frisby, stewards ; Henry Stahl, tyler, who con- tinued to hold office until the next election. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Golden State Lodge No. 216. — This lodge was organized in 1872. the charter members being: John Hamill, V. W. Beckford, I. M. Rutan, I. S. Halsey, F. J. Trapp, S. E. Wilson, S. N. lamison, A. Clark, C. H. Hubbs, Joseph Burton, C. H. Hodgkins, H. Bruce, M. M. Moore, J. P. Fraser, J. Hobbs, George Woods, M. Handford and S. E. Wright. The first officers who served were : F. J. Trapp, N. G. ; I. S. Hal- sey, V. G.; S. E. Wilson, R. S. ; C. H. Hubbs, P. S., and I. M. Rutan, treas- urer. Knights of Pythias, Washington Lodge No. 7. — Of all the charitable organizations in the country, perhaps no other has labored under greater disadvantages and with more beneficial results than the Knights of Pythias. The first lodge was organized in Washington, D. C, February 19, 1864, in the midst of civil strife, when society was in a disrupted state and all secret organizations considered political. Its importance and numbers have, how- ever, steadily advanced, and now its condition is most flourishing. Wash- ington Lodge of Vallejo, No. 7, was organized September 17, 1869, and is the only one in the state which can claim the honor of being organized by the Supreme Chancellor of the World. The number of charter members was eighty-eight, while the first officers were : C. C, A. J. Perkins ; V. C, C. M. Price; R. S., A. C. Doan ; F. S., R. S. Williams; B., G. A. Poor; G., E. A. Hersey; I. S., John Kennedy; O. S., J. W. Williams. Improved Order of Red Men, Samoset Tribe, No. 22, was instituted June 4, 1869, with the undermentioned charter members : W. C. Lemon, O. L. Henderson, H. J. Ford, C. M. Price, Benjamin D. Egery, Philip Mager, W. Williston, J. Brownlie, A. P. Alexander, I. G. Martin, L. M. Knibbs, T. W. Woodward, James Currier, J. G. Smith, Henry Dexter, W. H. Green, M. G. Winchell, W. E. Bristow, Joseph Anderson, James Borton, John Law- rence, William M. Starr, Frank A. Leach, J. H. Powell, A. S. Carmen, L. C. Kincade, John Thompson, Van B. Smith, John W. Williams, Frank R. Cur- rier, James Frost, Martin J. Wright, John S. Souther, Ed. D. G. Fields, Aug. HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 121 M. Street, O. H. Bryant, Edward W. O'Brien, M. D. Tobin, F. R. Arnold, L. S. Patriguin, Charles E. Young, O. K. Doan, George Bassford, George L. Quant, M. C. Whitney, John C. Hale, Thomas Evans, James Blessington, A. J. Chapman, R. Caverly, J. N. Sancts, James Jordan, Con Lunny, J. G. Cornwall. A. J. Perkins, C. B. Edwards, W. M. Sullivan, Charles J. Eger, William Moore, F. C. Bageley, D. M. McCool, John Reidfee, W. M. Stannus, Thomas McFarland, Benjamin E. Pressey, J. N. Stevenson, A. J. McPike, J. R. Hogan, A. C. Doan, John McCarthy, Walter F. Patterson, H. S. Chap- pelle. John Lambert, George A. Poor, John Hesketh, George P. Plaisted, N. D. Toby, James G. Masseyl, F. D. Higson, N. Carmichael, I. M. Rutan, W. G. Walsh, Milton Warner, John McPhee, James Carter, Alexander Anderson. The officers of the tribe first appointed were: W. C. Lemon, sachem; O. L. Henderson, senior sagamore; H. J. Ford, junior sagamore; C. M. Price, chief of records; B. D. Egery, keeper of wampum; P. Mager, first warrior; W. Williston, second; J. Brownlie, third; A. P. Alexander, fourth; J. G. Mar- tin, first; L. W. Knibbs, second; O. C. Chamberlain, third; T. W. Woodward, fourth braves ; James Currier, first, J. G. Smith, second powwow ; Henry Dexter, guard of forest ; W. H. Green, guard of the wigwam ; M. G. Winch- ell, first, W. E. Bristow, second sannap, and Joseph Anderson, prophet. Ancient Order of United Workmen, Vallejo Lodge No. 75. — This so- ciety, a new one in the state of California, was organized and chartered Jan- uary 6, 1879. It has already a roll of eighty-three members, while its officers are : P. M. W., Samuel Kitto; M. W., George F. Mallett ; G. F. M., G. Winch- ell ; O., William McWilliams ; recorder, James G. Smith ; financier, Robert B. Barr; receiver, S. S. Drake; guide, G. W. Martin; J. W., Charles H. Ben- nett; O. W., George W. Edgecumbe. Days of meeting, Monday in every week. Vallejo Masonic Hall Association. — At a regular meeting of Naval Lodge No. 87, F. and A. M., held at their hall in Vallejo April 19, 1866, the following-named persons were elected trustees to organize, incorporate and manage the affairs of a joint stock company, for the purpose of erecting a Masonic hall building in Vallejo, and that the names of the trustees be P. D. Grimes, J. M. Rutan, Joseph L. Likins, Philip Hichborn and Eben Hilton. The capital stock of the association was $8,000, divided into 320 shares of the par value of $25. The number of trustees, as provided in the articles of incorporation, to direct the affairs of the association for three months, was five ; and the names of those gentlemen were those above named. The annual meeting of the stockholders was held on the second Wednes- day evening in January for their election. At the regular meeting of stockhold- ers the representation of at least a majority of the stock issued was necessary for the transaction of business. No shareholder could serve as a trustee un- less he was a Master Mason in good standing, and was a member of some lodge within thirty miles of Vallejo, and the holder of at least two shares of. stock. Dividends of the profits of the association were declared annually, at a regular meeting of the trustees. The by-laws also provided that a dividend of the profits should not be declared to exceed twelve per cent per annum on the capital stock issued. It was provided that all revenues exceeding twelve per cent per annum be reserved as a sinking fund for the redemption of the capital stock, and that Naval Lodge No. 87 shall have all the benefits of this sinking fund for the purposes of redeeming the stock of the associa- tion. Naval Lodge No. 87, by the by-laws, was to have the full control of the hall, ante-rooms, entrance-hall to the same, and all the upper part of the building, for the term of its existence, to occupy, lease, and rent the same, by paying to the association a monthly rent of $20 and a free lease of so much of lots seven and eight, at the corner of Virginia and Marin streets, 122 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES as might be needed for the building and its uses. Three hundred and eighten shares of the stock were issued and fully paid up, and the building was erected in the fall of 1866, by A. Powell, contractor, and A. H. Gunning, architect and superintendent. P. D. Grimes and Eben -Hilton at the election were chosen president and treasurer, respectively, and A. P. Voorhees secre- tary of the first board. At the annual meeting held January 23, 1867, P. D. Grimes, J. M. Rutan, P. Hichborn, Eben Hilton and A. Powell, vice J. L. Likins, were chosen trustees. The new board organized by electing the officers of the previous year, who were nominated to fill the same position year by year until 1871. In November, 1870, P. Hichborn, who was about to leave for the eastern states, resigned, and at the regular annual meeting in the January following, Messrs. P. D. Grimes, A. Powell, A. P. Voorhees, N. G. Hilton and John M. Browne were elected trustees, Messrs. Grimes, Voorhees and N. G. Hilton being president, treasurer and secretary. On Janaury 17, 1872. the same trustees were elected, save Dr. J. M. Browne, whose place was filled by Al- exander Hichborn, the same officers serving as on the previous year. Jan- uary 8, 1873, the same board directed the affairs of the association, excepting A. Hichborn, who was succeeded by J. M. Rutan, the same officers officiating. At the elections held on January 14, 1874, and 25, 1875, there was no change in the direction. On January 12, 1876, Mr. Powell gave place to Charles Daly, while on that of January 19, 1877, Dr. I. S. Halsey was elected in the place of Mr. Daly, no other change being made. The Masonic and Odd Fellows' Cemetery Association of the City of Val- lejo. — The preliminaries to the incorporation of the above association were instituted in January, 1875, when Naval Lodge No. 87, F. & A. M. ; Solano Lodge No. 229, F. & A. M. ; San Pablo Lodge No. 43, I. O. O. F., and Golden State Lodge No. 216, I. O. O. F., appointed a committee consisting of the following named gentlemen, viz. : George F. Mallett, to represent Naval Lodge; Frank E. Brown, to represent Solano Lodge; Anson Clark, to repre- sent Golden State Lodge, and Sylvester Warford, to represent San Pablo Lodge, authorizing them to select and enter into a contract for the purchase of a tract of land suitable for a cemetery for the exclusive use of Masons and Odd Fellows, to inter the remains of their brethren and their wives and chil- dren. Tn pursuance with that authority, the committee selected a tract of land owned by Ira Austin, containing about fifteen acres, and made their report to the various lodges, who reappointed the same gentlemen to serve as a committee, with power to add a fifth member whereby a board of trustees should be constituted, with power to enter into and incorporate the Masonic and Odd Fellows' Cemetery Association of the City of Vallejo. In accordance with instructions, the committee met at the office of S. G. Hilborn on February 20, 1875, and appointed Peter D. Grimes as trustee, after which a board was organized with the following officers : P. D. Grimes, president ; Anson Clark, treasurer, and George F. Mallett, secretary. On February 23, 1875, the articles of incorporation were received from the sec- retary of state, the text of which is given below, stating the object for which the association is formed, and authorizing Messrs. Grimes. Clark, Warford, Brown and Mallett to serve as trustees until their successors be elected and qualified. Articles of Incorporation of the Masonic and Odd Fellows' Cemetery Association of the City of Vallejo: 1. The name of the corporation is the Masonic and Odd Fellows' Cemetery Association of the City of Vallejo. 2. The purpose for which it is formed is to purchase and hold a tract of land near the City of Vallejo, in Solano county, state of California, and to es- tablish and maintain a cemetery thereon. HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 123 3. That its principal place of business is the City of Vallejo, Solano county, California. 4. That the term for which it is to exist is fifty years. 5. That the number of its directors or trustees be five. The annual meeting for the election of trustees and the transaction pi general business is held on the last Tuesday in March, and it is ordained that no person may be a trustee unless he be a Mason or Odd Fellow in good standing, or the owner of a lot. Each lodge is entitled to a vote for the elec- tion of a trustee, a like privilege being also held by the lot owners. Grand Army of the Republic, Farragut Post No. 12, G. A. R. — The ob- jects and aims of the association are attending to the sick and wounded sol- diers who served honorably during the great rebellion ; the burial of their departed comrades, and to cherish and encourage friendly feelings for one another, which should animate the bosoms of all true patriots. This post was organized on February 19, 1868, and reorganized in accordance with gen- eral orders from headquarters in August, 1869. The charter members were Edward G. Haynes, William G. Oberend, N. C. McMegonegal, R. L. Dun- can, E. C. Taylor, E. H. Forrester, E. S. Jenkins, John Ashton, Joseph An- derson and John L. Gamble, of whom Messrs. Duncan and Taylor are now deceased. The first officers elected to serve were J. L. Gamble, post com- mander; W. G. Oberend, senior vice-commander; Ed C. Taylor, junior vice- commander; Ed G. Haynes, post adjutant; E. H. Forrester, quartermaster. The Knights of Columbus. — This society today forms an important fac- tor in the makeup of Vallejo's organized institutions, and counts among its members many of the most prominent men of this city. Moreover, its mem- bers have shown an activity, as directed by their own exalted order, which is well understood by councils of neighboring cities. Vallejo Council was inaugurated in 1904, and is known as No. 874. The first Grand Knight was P. B. Lynch, and there were fifty-eight charter mem- bers with the following taking office in addition to Mr. Lynch : Deputy grand knight, John Cunningham ; chancellor, James J. Stanley ; recorder, F. A. McGinley; financial secretary, J. R. Whitaker; treasurer, J. J. McDonald; lecturer, T. J. O'Hara ; advocate, Thomas Smith ; warden, J. J. Kennedy ; in- side guard, Frank Fitzmaurice; outside guard, W. J. Towney; trustees, Luke Burke. J. A. Jones and W. H. McCrystle ; chaplain, Rev. W. A. Netterville, O. P. Since then the membership has virtually tripled, counting today one hundred and sixty active members with officers as follows : Grand knight, J. R. Ryall ; deputy grand knight, W. W. Lamburth ; chancellor, J. McCauley; warden, F. Blanco; treasurer, W. H. McCrystle; financial secretary, C. Walsh ; recorder, C. O'Donnell ; advocate, J. Magee ; inside guard, J. Con- nolly; outside guard, H. Dunphy; trustee, M. Horan ; chaplain, Rev. J. A. Netterville, O. P. A summary of the leading events in the history of the city of Vallejo will read as follows : In 1855 the steamer Guadaloupe made three trips a week from Napa to Vallejo, and from Vallejo to San Francisco. The Vallejo Bulletin was start- ed on November 22, 1855, and lasted just six weeks. The Chronicle was started on June 20, 1867; the Solano Times, now the Vallejo Daily Times, was started September 28, 1875, while the Morning News began its publica- tion in 1895. The Bernard House was opened August 10, 1872, and the How- ard House in December, 1876. The Vallejo Savings and Commercial Bank began business here May 3, 1870. The Citizens Bank was started in 1899. In February, 1867, the legislature gave to Vallejo its charter, and A. Powell was the first president of the board of trustees. The present freeholders' charter was adopted January 26, 1899. The first public school was started on Virginia street, between Marin and Sonoma, in 1855. The fire depart- 124 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES ment was organized December 4, 1865. The Vallejo Gas Light Company was organized in 1867. In 1868 the California Pacific railroad was opened to Suisun and a steamer began to make two trips daily from Vallejo to San Francisco. Carquinez Cemetery was established in 1857, and the Masonic and Odd Fellows' Cemetery Association was incorporated in 1875. The Hillside Cemetery was opened in 1900. The Good Templars' Orphans' Home, which provides for about two hundred children, was opened in October, 1870. The Naval Union, a pleasant place of resort for sailors and marines, was opened on Christmas, 1893. The first electric lighting system began operations in 1893. After long service from a private water company, the city of Vallejo in 1894 secured a system of its own, drawing its supply from a large reservoir at Wild Horse valley. The public library was established in the early '80s. The Chamber of Commerce was organized in 1901. CHAPTER XXIX. IN VACA'S FRUITED VALE. By Frank B. McKevitt. One of the most famous fruit-growing locations in California is found in the northern part of Solano county. It is composed of three valleys, La- goon, Vaca and Pleasants, and is celebrated for producing not only the earli- est fruit in the state, but that of the finest quality as well. The principal of these is known as Vaca valley, extending from the town of Vacaville on the south to Pleasants valley, six miles north. Lagoon valley lies to the south- west of town and extends for three miles to the foothills that separate it from Suisun valley. To the north of Vaca valley lies Pleasants valley, ex- tending some five miles to Putah creek. This fertile section lies along the eastern base of the foothills of the coast range, and is cut off from the Sacramento valley by a lower range of foothills, most of which have a sandy soil, and are planted with orchards and vineyards. It is to this peculiar location that the valley owes its extreme earliness. The general direction of the high range of foothills or mountains to the west of the valley is northwest, shutting off the strong trade winds from the Pacific which prevail during the month of August, and the fogs which drift in from that direction all through the earlier part of the season. A low range bearing sharply to the southeast cuts across the lower end of Lagoon valley, shutting off the cold wind from Suisun bay, tempering it into a cooling and delightful breeze. Thus shut in, it is at once seen how thor- oughly protected these valleys are, and the reason why it is here possible to grow the very early fruit for which they are so justly famous. The climate is warm and pleasant in summer, cool and equable in win- ter. The heat of the great Sacramento valley is tempered by the cool sea breeze which blows every day during the summer, and in the winter, while there are a few days that frost, and sometimes even thin ice, are in evidence, it seldom happens that tender orange trees suffer and geraniums grow and flourish luxuriantly year after year, sometimes attaining almost the size and dignity of trees. Once a Great Cattle Range. Many years ago when the first white settlers came to the state, Vaca valley was used as a great grazing ground for the countless herds of cattle which then furnished the principal means of livelihood of the pioneers. At that time the valley supported each season a luxuriant growth of wild oats, and was studded at frequent intervals with magnificent oak trees, some of HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 125 them of the white, or valley oak, and others of the beautiful live oak, now seldom seen except in the rough and precipitous lands of the hills. Very few of these magnificent specimens of the forest now remain, most of them hav- ing been removed when the ground was turned from grain to fruit growing. The fertility of the soil was such that the natural vegetation attained a rank growth. More than one of the early settlers has told the writer that it was a common occurrence for a man on horseback to reach the standing oats on either hand and tie them together over his head while seated in the saddle. This would seem to be a romance, but as I have seen oats growing on the virgin soil of freshly cleared lands on the creek banks attain a height of seven feet, I have no reason to doubt the truth of the statement. The oats grew so high that droves of cattle feeding on the plain were entirely invisible and their presence was known to the observer only when the animals would happen to cross one of the numerous paths which had been made through the grain by their continuous tramping. At that time the country was supposed to be good for nothing but stock, it seeming to be impossible for people to realize that land which would produce such a wonderful growth of natural vegetation might be equally good for cultivated crops. Practically the whole of these three valleys, with considerably more, amounting in the aggregate to over 44,000 acres of land, were granted by the Mexican government to Pena and Vaca and were held by them for many years, but, as has been the case with so many of the early Spanish families, the lands were allowed to gradually slip from their grasp, until now the only portion of this rich domain remaining in the possession of the family is owned by Mrs. J. T. Rivera in Lagoon valley, Mrs. Rivera being the daughter of Dometro Pena, one of the original owners of the grant. Without having any official data at hand, it is impossible to give exact dates for the early settlement of the valley and the beginning of the fruit in- dustry there, but as nearly as can be learned the first planting of figs and olives was undoubtedly made by John Wolfskill on the south banks of Putah creek about the year 1845. These trees are still standing in full strength and vigor and are annually producing full crops. J. M. Pleasants was probably the second settler in the valley. He set- tled on land immediately south of Wolfskill's and made a small planting of apricots, apples and pears about the year 1852. These trees were planted for family use and flourished to a remarkable degree, some of them being still standing. About the year 1856 M. R. Miller settled in the valley about two miles south of Pleasants. Like his predecessors, he planted a family orchard of peaches, apples and figs, and undoubtedly has the distinction of having made the first planting of Mission grapes. G. W. Thissell, E. R. Thurber, John Dolan and Ansel Putman, John Huckins, William Cantelow, Louis Pierson, A. R. Pond, Joseph Weldon, Levi Korn, Sol Decker and J. R. Collins were other early settlers who engaged in the fruit business about the time, or shortly after, M. R. Miller. So far as we can learn the first commercial use was made of the fruit products of the valley by M. R. Miller, who grafted his Mission vines into Muscats. Loading his fruit into a four-horse wagon, he made trips to the mines, where he found ready sale of the product at fancy prices, frequently receiving as much as fifty cents per pound. It was gen- erally believed in those days that the only suitable places for growing fruit were to be found at or near the mouth of some one of the canyons which bi- sected the foothills to the west. This was probably owing to the fact that because of the formation of the range there was always a draft in such locali- ties. This was almost a sure preventive of frost in the spring, which was the only drawback to fruit growing in the valley. As the profits of the business became better known, and there being but few localities of this nature, plant- 126 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES ings were gradually extended further and further away from these canyons until finally during the last thirty years practically the entire valley has been turned into one great orchard and vineyard. As early as 1863 or '64, M. R. Miller tried the experiment of shipping Muscats in cork dust to New York. Shipment was made via Panama, the cork dust being obtained in San Francisco from dealers who purchased the imported Almeria grapes, which were packed in that material. As the Muscat is the most tender table grape of the better varieties known, it is not at all surprising that the experiment resulted disastrously. Very early in the his- tory of the industry it was found there was a good market for fruit products in San Francisco, but as the plantings increased more rapidly than the de- mand, it was not long before growers were looking elsewhere for an outlet. When the Central Pacific railroad was completed small lots were sent to the east by express, and as the shipments were small and the fruit fine, high prices were received, but the cost of shipment was very great. In 1876 a carload of fine grapes was shipped from Pleasants valley to the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia, one-half of this fruit being contributed by grow- ers to be used for exhibition purposes at the exposition, and to advertise to the people of the east the wonderful fruits of the state. The other half of the carload was purchased by the father of Edwin T. Earl and was shipped by him as a commercial venture. The venture was entirely successful, the fruit arriving in good condition and making a very creditable appearance at the exposition. It is not known whether any ice was used with the shipment or not, but it was forwarded in an express car, and it is possible that some cakes of ice were placed in the center of the car, as was the case with some shipments that were subsequently made. The growth of the industry was slow until the year 1880, when people in general began to realize the great possibilities of the business, and about that time there was developed a strong demand for land at constantly increas- ing prices and a rapid planting of orchards and vineyards began; it was not long before the growing of fruit became the principal industry of the entire section. In the early years there were larger plantings of grapes than of tree fruits, but about 1870 the vines began to droop and it was soon learned that the dreaded phylloxera was working on the roots. The pest first appeared in the northern part of Pleasants valley and worked its way south by slow degrees until practically all the old vineyards were involved, making it nec- essary after a few years to remove the vines and replace with trees. The most common of the early planting was the Mission, which was followed by the Muscat, then the Rose of Peru, Sweetwater, Fontainbleau, Zinfandel and many other of the more common varieties. It is believed that the first Tokays were planted by William Cantelow, and for many years this variety was considered worthless, owing to its shy bearing qualities. Later on its great size and beauty led to careful experi- ments, and it was found that its shy bearing qualities were due, not to the variety, but to the system of pruning, and that by changing same to meet the requirements of its growth it could be made to produce heavily. This fact being determined, it was not long before the new plantings were practically all devoted to this variety, until today it probably constitutes at least ninety per cent of the total. Another reason for this is the fact that it was found the Tokay root was more nearly resistant to the attacks of the phylloxera than any other of our table grapes, and it has been determined by experi- ments at the university that if we grant to the best grape roots twenty points of resistance, the Tokay is entitled to twelve ; as most of the resistant stocks generally used have but sixteen points, it is seen that the Tokay is pretty nearly a resistant itself ; in fact, there are Tokay vines growing and in full bearing in the valley that are known to have been affected with the phylloxera for many years. HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 127 This section has long been noted for its early cherries, and in at least two seasons within the knowledge of the writer, this fruit has been marketed from our earliest orchards on the 31st day of March. Generally, however, the time of ripening is from the 15th to the 25th of April, and at no time dur- ing the last thirty years has the first of May passed without ripe fruit of this variety. Owing to its extreme earliness and the fact that no other summer fruit is available at that time, the first cherries bring fabulous prices and it is generally the case that the first box sells at a price varying all the way from $10 to $100, figures greatly in excess of actual value, of course, but be- ing paid by dealers who are anxious to secure the first shipment in order that they may use it for advertising purposes. The whole output, however, is marketed at splendid figures, and it is by no means uncommon for the en- tire crop of an orchard, advantageously situated and correctly handled, to bring an average net value of from $1.25 to $1.75 per box. As each box con- tains about eight pounds of fruit, the great profits that may be derived from the production of this fruit is realized. There is not a great deal of land that is available for cherry growing, owing to the fact that the tree is very par- ticular as to its location. To grow to best advantage it should be planted in a sediment soil, and preferably near a stream of running water. The soil must be deep, rich and well drained, but sufficiently moist to produce a good growth. In such localities the tree grows luxuriantly, and if of the right va- riety, will bear satisfactory crops. Early in the history of cherry growing it was customary to plant solid blocks of single varieties. When this was done it was found that very poor crops were produced, but it was soon observed that where different varieties were growing in close proximity the crops were generally better. This fact was taken advantage of in future plantings, and it is now customary to plant alternate rows of different varieties, so ar- ranging them that a naturally shy bearing variety is planted close to one that is noted for heavy bearing, provided the two bloom at or about the same time. The consequent intermixing of the pollen from the different varieties has been found to have a most beneficial effect on the crop, and while cherry trees do not generally bear as many pounds of fruit as other varieties, satis- factory crops are usually obtained and the financial returns of a good cherry orchard are exceedingly satisfactory. The varieties most commonly grown are Purple Guigne, Chapman, Burbank, Tartarian, Royal Ann, Rockport and Bing. There are some other new and fine varieties of large size and splendid quality, but owing to uncertainty in regard to their bearing qualities, they have not as yet been generally planted. The cherry output of the valley at the present time is probably in the neighborhood of thirty carloads annually. New plantings which are nearly ready to come into bearing will, in the course of the next five years, more than double this amount, and as this variety has practically no competition, there is every reason to believe that the industry will always continue a most profitable one. The peach is more extensively planted here than any other fruit, the soil being splendidly adapted to it, and the climate everything that could be de- sired. Trees begin to bear at three years and increase in productiveness rap- idly until ten or more years of age. After they are twenty years old they begin to deteriorate, principally owing to the fact that the wood is quite soft. and, becoming more or less spongy and decayed, there is considerable loss from breakage, although there are peach trees still in profitable bearing in the valley having an age of more than thirty years. The principal varieties are the Alexander, Hale, St. John, Triumph, Early and Late Crawford, Mary's Choice, Decker, Elberta, Susquehanna, Picquet's Late, Salway, Orange Cling, McKevitt Cling, White Heath Cling, Muir and Lovall. Those first mentioned are generally used for shipping, although all of them with the exception of Al- exander and Hale, can be dried. Orange Clings are frequently shipped east and south with very good results, while the McKevitt and White Heath are used 128 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES exclusively for canning, for which purpose they are unexcelled. Muir and Lovall are used almost entirely for drying and canning, these two being probably the best varieties for drying known. The Decker peach is a chance seedling which was found on the ranch of Sol Decker, and its commercial im- portance was discovered and the peach first propagated for commercial pur- poses by L. W. Buck. The McKevitt Cling was a chance seedling found growing on the ranch of M. R. Miller, who made the first large planting of some on the ranch which subsequently passed into the hands of Alexander McKevitt, from whom the peach took its name. Although there is consid- erable controversy about the origin of the Muir and Lovall, they were claimed to have been discovered on the ranch of G. W. Thissell, and by him were introduced to the general public. Mr. Thissell also had the distinction of first bringing to notice a seedling apricot, the earliest yellow fleshed variety known and which bears his name, Thissell Seedling. The peach season in Vaca valley opens the latter part of May and continues until practically the first of October. While a very considerable percentage of the crop finds its market in the fresh state in the east, a much larger amount is dried. The Climax and Wickson plum, as well as some other new varieties not so well known, can be picked when the fruit is of a creamy yellow color and will continue the ripening process after picking until it attains a deep and beautiful color and a flavor and sweetness that are unexcelled. These fine plums which have been enumerated are found to be profitable for eastern shipment, owing, not only to their earliness in ripening, but also to the fact that because of the ravages of the curculio in the east they cannot be profit- ably produced there, and for this reason they have the market almost entirely to themselevs. During the last few years many peach and apricot orchards have been grafted to these fine shipping varieties, and the output of them is constantly increasing, until now it is one of the most important fruits commercially that we produce. The life of the plum tree is much longer than that of the peach and stands on a par with that of the apricot. French prunes are very largely grown, and are of a size and quality unexcelled elsewhere in the state. The tree is very healthy and long lived, producing satisfactory crops with less attention and expense than almost any other variety. Owing to the dryness of the atmosphere and the absence of irrigation, the fresh fruit loses comparatively little in drying, and it sometimes requires but two pounds of green fruit to produce one of dried, although the average probably is about two and a half pounds. Prunes have in occasional years sold as low as a cent and a half base, but the average price would be nearly, or quite, three cents. At this figure the best orchards will produce prunes that sell for $100 per ton, and during the season of 1911 one specially fine lot of this fruit was sold on a seven-cent base, which means that prunes running from forty to fifty to the pound brought eight and three- quarters cents, or $175 per ton. The Imperial prune has attracted consider- able attention in the last few years, owing to its very large size and fine flavor when dried. Grown from the nursery the tree is dwarfish in habit, but when top worked on large peach and apricot trees it acquires a spread and sufficient bearing surface so that exceedingly profitable crops are produced. Prunes ranging in size from twenty to thirty to the pound are a regular product of this variety and sell for prices ranging from ten to fifteen cents per pound. For some time after the introduction of this prune it was considered a com- mercial failure, but the right method of handling was not known, and it is believed that to Fred M. Buck belongs the honor of having discovered the proper method of treatment, and credit for producing the first perfect dried product of this variety. The acreage devoted to the growth of vines is not large when compared with that producing the varieties heretofore mentioned. In the low range of foothills east of Vaca valley there are several hundred acres of vineyards and HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 129 there are still quite a number in the valley proper. It is probable, however, that the output of grapes will not aggregate more than two hundred cars per annum, but as these are nearly all very early, satisfactory prices are received, and the industry is a paying one. Nearly all varieties do well here with the exception of the Muscat, which is a notoriously shy bearer in this section of the state. It is also a poor shipper, owing to the extreme thinness of its skin. The varieties most generally grown are Fontainbleau, Rose of Peru, Tokay, Cornichon, Emperor, and, to a limited extent, Malagas. As has been noted before, the phylloxera has been a recognized pest in the valley for nearly forty years, but notwithstanding this there are a number of vineyards thirty or more years of age still flourishing. A few plantings have been made on the so-called resistant roots, some on the native Californica and others on the Ru- pertists of St. George, but it has been generally found that better fruit is pro- duced by vines growing upon their own roots than on any of the resistants, with the possible exception of the Californica. In the early section of the rolling foothills an increased planting of grapes may legitimately be expected, but in the valley lands where the fruit ripens considerably later, it is only a question of time when they will be replaced with something more profitable. Practically every acre of land in these three valleys that is adapted to the growth of fruit has been planted either to orchard or vineyard ; this area has been estimated at about 15,000 acres of fruit lands. The average produc- tion for the past ten years would show an annual shipment of about 1,000 carloads of fruit to eastern markets.- There is no way of estimating the quan- tity shipped to the local market of San Francisco, but it is probably safe to say that not less than two hundred carloads are disposed of annually there. Be- side the green fruit shipment large quantities are dried, as will be seen from the statement that during a number of years past the average dried fruit out- put has been 600 tons of apricots, 1,200 tons of peaches, 100 tons of pears, 3.200 tons of prunes, 40 tons of almonds, 20 tons of English walnuts, 200 tons of figs. Measured in coin, the average return to the fruit growers of these valleys for many years past has been over one million dollars. When this splendid showing is considered in connection with the fact that for more than thirty years such a thing as a crop failure has been entirely unknown, it will at once be recognized that this section is one of the most favored on the globe. It is not true, of course, that the crop every year is a heavy one, but it is true that an entire crop failure has never been known. The shipping facilities of the valley are unexcelled. Several firms at Vacaville are engaged in the business of receiving and forwarding shipments to the various eastern markets, where they are sold for the benefit of the growers, who receive the full amount of their sales, less specified and thor- oughly understood charges to cover the cost of handling. San Francisco is but sixty miles away and furnishes a market for such fruits as become too ripe for eastern shipment. At the present time all shipments are made over the Southern Pacific railway, but an electric line is now in process of construc- tion and it will not be long before another outlet is offered to both San Fran- cisco and Sacramento, and at the latter city, connection can be made with other transcontinental lines, giving the advantage of the most complete dis- tribution possible to our products. At the present time the orchards and vineyards in this section can be bought for less money than in any place in the state of California enjoying similar advantages. In fact, there are many places where natural conditions are not nearly so favorable where naked land is selling for as much as will be asked here for good orchard property. The highest price ever paid in Vacaville for orchard is $600 per acre, and prices run from that down to $250. It is difficult to understand why, with all the advantages possessed by this 130 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES section, that this condition should exist. It is one, however, that cannot con- tinue long, and some day orchards and vineyards here will sell for as high prices as any in the state ; with the improved transportation facilities that are now nearly within our grasp, this day is not far distant. Suisun Valley Fruits. There is no better land in the state than is to be found here. In quality it varies from sandy to clay loam with some adobe. Clay loam predominates, the sandy soil being almost always found along the creeks and in the low range of foothills to the east of the valley. The soil is very deep and rich, from forty to sixty feet being common, and its wonderful fertility is under- stood when it is known that the entire floor of the valley is made up of soil that has been washed in from the foothills for countless ages, bringing with it the stored-up riches of centuries of decaying- vegetation and leaf mold. Strong alkali is practically unknown, and in the valleys the soil runs more uniformly even than is generally the case in California. It is easily worked and, when given proper care and attention, has a wonderful faculty for storing up the moisture from the winter rainfall, making it available for the support of vege- tation through the long, dry summers. The orchards of Solano county are a source of vast wealth, not only in the value of the product itself, but in the employment of thousands of hands in the fields and packing houses, and in preparing and transporting it to mar- ket. The fruit section extends from Green valley through Suisun, Lagoon, Vaca and Pleasants valleys and their adjacent hills to Putah creek, the county • boundary, and along the banks of that stream in a belt from two to six and eight miles wide for a distance of twelve or fifteen miles to the Yolo basin, which forms the eastern boundary of the county. In this splendid fruit belt are over a million trees, deciduous and citrus, with fruit ripening every month in the year. Being the first marketed in the several varieties the highest price is always obtained for the fresh product, while the dried fruit, raised on non- irrigated land, gives the highest percentage of marketable product, some va- rieties losing but half their weight in evaporation. The knowledge gained by study and experience is utilized in handling and grading the fruit, which is sold at a large profit throughout the United States. Great quantities of fruit are taken by canneries and carried to the consumer in that form, adding to the wealth of the grower, besides giving employment to hundreds of people. At the inception of the business the labor employed was almost entirely Chinese. These people furnish ideal laborers for horticultural pursuits. The Chinaman cannot be classed as a rapid worker, but he begins his work with rather a deliberate motion which is kept up continuously throughout the day and is just the same at night as in the morning. For work like picking and packing fruit this characteristic is a valuable one, as haste cannot be used if best results are to be obtained. Since the exclusion law went into effect the number of Chinese in the country has steadily decreased until now they cut very little figure, their place having been taken to a great extent by Japanese and in a lesser degree by Hindus. The Japanese are good laborers in the orchards and vineyards. They are bright and enterprising and are much quicker in their motions than the Chinese. They are also very ambitious, and this fact has raised them from the rank of laborers to that of employers. They are always anxious to lease fruit properties and do lease a great many of them, employing their own people to do the necessary work, but do not hesitate to employ our own people as well whenever their interests demand it. The enterprise of these people, and their desire in time to become land owners on their own account, have made them generally unpopular with Californians, but they have filled a place in the labor of the country that would otherwise have been left unfilled, and while there has been great objection raised to them, it is a fact that the fruit and vegetable business of the state would have HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 131 suffered most severely had it not been for their help. The Hindu is very un- popular, owing principally to his not over-clean habits, and is not likely ever to become a considerable factor in the labor problem of this section. During the last few years a considerable number of Spaniards have come into the country and are being employed in increasing numbers every season. They are very efficient help, and it is believed in time they will furnish a very con- siderable percentage of the people employed. With the opening of the Pan- ama canal in 1915, there is every reason to expect an influx of a large number of the better class of farm laborers from Italy, Spain and Portugal. These people furnish most desirable help and there is no doubt that they will aid materially in placing the fruit business of this section, as well as the whole state, on a better and more enduring basis than ever. The late Senator L. W. Buck, father of Frank H. and Fred M. Buck, was one of the first growers in California to risk the eastern shipment of his fruits. It was very largely owing to his sagacity, foresight and nerve that the business of eastern shipment immediately assumed commercial importance. At the time he began shipping, fruit was forwarded almost exclusively in ven- tilated cars and these were hauled on passenger trains as the freight service was entirely too slow to accommodate this class of business. Freight charges were very high, being $1,200 per car, and as the business began to assume increased importance, it was soon necessary for the railway company to limit the number of cars that could be placed in a train. The number was set at four, and in order to secure space it was necessary to arrange for same long before the fruit was ready. This probably furnished the first reason for the necessity for co-operation in eastern shipment, and Senator Buck at once be- came the leading spirit in the organization of the California Fruit Union, which was the first organized effort to band the fruit growers of California to- gether, Mr. Buck becoming the first manager of the organization and contin- uing so during its life. About the year 1889 the refrigerator car was first used in the transportation of California fruit. The experiment was made by the California Fruit Transportation Company, familiarly known as the C. F. T., in connection with A. T. Hatch of Suisun, at that time the largest grower of deciduous fruit in the state. The first car of fruit under ice was shipped from Suisun by A. T. Hatch, and also contained grapes of several varieties from the vineyard of the writer at Vacaville. These first shipments resulted disastrously to the shippers, as dealers in the east refused at first to buy the fruit, fearing it would spoil. It took one season to remove this false impres- sion, and that season's campaign cost the promoters a loss of over $10,000. In the early history of the business the apricot cut a very important figure, nearly one-third of all plantings being made to this variety. The Royal was most in favor and in fact was practically the only kind largely planted until quite recently, when the Hemskirk and Blenheim were found to be more desir- able. The small Pringle apricot is grown in a very limited way. In early years this variety was very popular, owing to the fact that it was practically the first fruit in season, coming immediately after the first cherries, which were then grown to a very limited extent. For many years splendid crops of apricots were grown and the quantity produced was so large that most of them were dried. Owing to the increasing scarcity of labor and constantly advancing price of same, and the further fact that other sections of the coun- try were growing apricots which would compete in the dried fruit market, less attention has been paid during the last few years to this variety and many of the orchards have been grafted into different varieties of plums and prunes, which can be marketed more profitably. The apricot is a long-lived tree and will flourish wherever the soil is suited to the peach. There are trees of this variety growing on the Pleasants place, in Vaca valley, which are known to be more than sixty years of age. 132 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES Nearly all varieties of the plum family do exceedingly well and plums and prunes are increasing in commercial importance here every year. Most attention is being paid to the larger varieties of plums which command ready sale in the east, and it has been found that the heavy soils of the valley will produce as large and fine French prunes as can be grown anywhere in the world. The plum season opens about the same time as that of apricots and continues well into August. Other varieties later than this could be grown, but ?re not profitable, owing to the competition of the same fruit from Oregon, Washington and Idaho. The principal varieties grown for eastern shipment are Clyman, Climax, Diamond, Wickson, Santa Rosa, Grand Duke, Hungar- ian or Gros prune, Burbank, Giant and Tragedy. Most of these are the so- called European varieties, but some of them, such as Climax, Wickson, Bur- bank and Kelsey, are of Japanese origin, all but the Kelsey being hybrids propagated by Luther Burbank, of Santa Rosa. While nearly all plums will ripen and be palatable, althoug-h picked from the tree before complete matur- ity, some of the Burbank varieties have this property developed in a high degree. Of pears the Bartlett is the principal variety grown here. The tree flour- ishes on ground that is too heavy and damp for most varieties, and grows with even greater vigor on better classes of soil. A peculiar thing is true of the Bartlett pear grown in this section. The earliest shipments are made from here ; a little later the crop from the Sacramento river, and following that, that of Suisun valley is harvested. AVhen shipment from these sections begins, the growers of Vacaville stop picking their pears and allow them to hang on the trees until nearly the middle of August. By that time the two other sec- tions have practically finished their shipment and a profitable field is left open for the Vaca valley product. These pears are of fine quality and splendidly adapted to shipping purposes, owing to their long keeping qualities. There are a few early varieties, such as the Comet, Lawson and Wilder, grown, and in former years some of the later varieties such as Winter Nellis were com- mon, but it has been found that the Bartlett is the best paying variety of all and cultivation is now almost entirely confined to it. Of all deciduous fruit trees the pear is unquestionably the longest lived, and there are trees standing on the Pleasants and Dobbins ranch which are undoubtedly over sixty years of age, still strong and vigorous and giving promise of rounding out more than a century of growth. While the fruits above enumerated are those principally grown, and of the most commercial importance, they do not by any means constitute the entire list. Oranges grow and flourish here nearly if not quite as well as further south. Lemon and grape fruit do not do quite as well, as they are more easily affected by frosts, which are not uncommon in the months of De- cember and January. Olives grow splendidly and the fig finds here a most congenial home. Some of the largest fig trees in the state are to be found in various places scattered throughout the valley, and annually bear immense crops of this delicious fruit. The apple is not extensively grown, but nearly every family orchard contains a few, early varieties doing very well. The later varieties bear abundantly, but, owing to the hot summers, ripen too quickly to have the long keeping quality that is desirable. The date palm flourishes and in occasional seasons, when the winters are open, ripens a very satisfactory quality of fruit. The almond tree grows well, and when varieties have been carefully chosen, has proven a satisfactory bearer. The English walnut also is success- fully grown. The California black walnut is splendidly adapted to the soil and climate of this locality, and when top worked to the English makes a magnificent tree in point of growth and productiveness. Walnut growing is increasing and will probably in the future assume considerable commercial im- HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 133 portance. The pecan also does very well. The trees attain a size and growth which are quite remarkable, and never fail to produce a crop of nuts, such a thing as a failure of this crop being entirely unknown. CHAPTER XXX. A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE GEOLOGICAL FEATURES OF SOLANO COUNTY. By Frank A. Steiger. In describing the geological structure of Solano county it will be the object of the writer to confine his statements to a simple description of the general characteristics of the mountain and valley formation and to refer in a general way to the different geological changes which have taken place since the birth of the Coast Range mountains, of which Solano county is a part. Long before the age of man, probably several hundred thousand years ago. during the greater part of the age of mammals and at a date as far back as the age of reptiles, the Pacific ocean beat up against the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains ; and the Coast Range mountains as we now know them did not exist. The rivers of the ancient Sierras carried down to the ocean immense quan- tities of gravel, sand and silt. These sediments spreading out over the floor of the ocean gradually accumulated in stratified beds, forming a layer which has been estimated to have been at least five miles thick, the immense weight of which caused a sinking of the floor of the old ocean. Geologists claim that the addition of this extra thickness to the earth's crust caused the earth's interior heat and molten condition to rise, thus fur- ther weakening the already weak sedimentary strata until, under shrinking stresses or some other unknown force, the whole bed of sediment was com- pressed and crumpled and folded and forced up into a ridge of mountains, parallel to the shore line, and thus were the Coast Range mountains born of the Sierras. The formation of a mountain range by foulding, faulting and uplifting of the earth's surface is not in the nature of a tremendous convulsion in which the whole mountain range is suddenly raised from the depths of the ocean or from a level plain, but the process is a slow and gradual one, with possibly local disturbances in the nature of earthquakes, causing first one portion and then another to mount higher and higher until finally the general elevation ceases. The process is not a uniform one and probably some portions may be lowering while the mass in general may be rising. Evidently the different portions of the earth's surface are never at absolute rest. As soon as any portion of land is raised above the surface of the ocean the winds and rains and even the ocean itself begin to attack it and wear it away and the process of mountain sculpture begins. The softer strata are worn away most rapidly, leaving the harder ridges to stand as hills and moun- tains, while the rivers and creeks rapidly carry away the sediments to the sea or to fill up some river valley and thus form our rich, fertile soils. It was thus that the Coast Range mountains as we now know them were formed, and, what interests us more, it is thus that we account for the present geological features of Solano and Napa counties. The history of the ups and downs of Solano and Napa counties is recorded in the rock structure which is exposed in many places in the hills and moun- tains, and the geologist who makes a study of the relative positions of the rock strata and examines the fossil shells and prehistoric bones to be found in many 134 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES places is able to judge of the relative age of the rock formation and to judge as to the upliftings and the depressions of the land at different periods since the birth of the Coast Range. Rock belonging to the original upheaval of the Coast Range at the close of the Miocene period is now found in many places and is characterized by beds of moderately hard sandstone, interstratified with thick beds of shale, all highly tilted so that the edges of these strata, particularly the sandstone, are now exposed and in many places form the crest of the hills or mountain ridges. A striking example of this formation, which geologists call cretaceous, is found in the Vaca mountains runninig north and south along the west side of Vaca valley and crossing Putah creek into Napa and Yolo counties. The beds of sandstone and shale comprising this range of mountains dip or slope down- ward to the east ; that is, down under the Sacramento valley. This is the gen- eral direction of the dip of the stratification of this older formation in this part of the Coast Range mountains, but in the neighborhood of Benicia and Vallejo and all along the Carquinez straits the uniformity of the dip has been inter- fered with by local movement of later date which has formed the break through the mountains through which the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers now drain to the ocean. Evidences of this secondary movement are to be observed from Mt. Diablo to the Golden Gate and the cretaceous strata in the neighborhood of Benicia has a decided dip downward under Carquinez straits. In the southwestern portion of Solano county, beginning a few miles north of Benicia and over a considerable portion of Napa county, this older stratification has been altered by heat and pressure into what is termed meta- morphic rock, so that it has lost its original characteristics and the stratifica- tion is no longer discernable. A considerable portion of this same territory has been covered by rock of a volcanic nature, the source of which is not known, but it is thought to have come from the north, possibly from Lake county. Much of it consists of volcanic ash or dust, which in places seems to have been deposited in and to have settled down through the water. This is the soft, light-colored rock that has been used for building purposes in the neighborhood of Rockville. Rock of similar nature is also found at the head of Pleasants valley near Putah creek. In places this volcanic ash or tufa is covered with a cap of hard basalt, as at Cordelia and at the head of Green valley. Within the limits of the city of Benicia is a deposit of fine sand and gravel, of very recent origin, which in many places contains fossil marine shells, and as these shells are now found many feet above the level of high water in the bay, we can see that the land in that neighborhood is now much higher than it was at one time, when evidently this portion, at least, of Benicia was beneath Carquinez straits. In these sand beds are also found the remains of the masto- don and of the prehistoric horse. The elevation of the land in this neighborhood as shown by the shells noted above is thought to indicate the last movement of the earth's surface that has taken place in this portion of the Coast Range. However, each earth- quake that has visited us during the last few years has caused more or less permanent disturbances, that is, rise or fall, of the earth's surface in certain localities, and it might be stated that an earthquake is but the manifestation of a movement of the earth's crust — severe at the point of greatest disturbance and less noticeable as we are further away. The character of the land formation in the level portion of Solano county, that is, the Sacramento valley, is difficult to determine, as the stratification is not exposed to view as it is in the hills and mountains. In general, the underlying structure, as determined by well borings, seems to be composed of sedimentary deposits brought down from the mountains, HISTORY OF SOLAXO AND NAPA COUNTIES 135 but the depth of these deposits and whether formed by being deposited under water, or by streams emptying and spreading out over the land, is difficult to determine. Possibly the heavy clay and adobe soil found over large areas from the foothills to the tule is the old floor of the inland sea which existed when the land surface was lower than it is now and when the waters of the Pacific ocean extended up to the head of the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys and into Napa valley and all the small valleys about San Francisco bay. The fine sedimentary soil as found in the Dixon ridge country, in Vaca, Suisun and Napa valleys and at many other points, is the result of the out- pourings of the creeks coming down from the mountains. As an example of the manner in which soil is distributed by a creek, it is said that in the early history of Putah creek, before the restraining hand of man was laid on its wanderings, the creek bed was but a shallow depression and was heavily timbered. Opening out of the south side were numerous shal- low swales through which, during the rainy season, the flood waters flowed without hindrance and, crossing the country in a southeasterly direction, de- posited the sediments brought down from the mountains. Naturally these sediments accumulated most rapidly along the banks of the swales and the unconfined nature of the current allowed the bottoms of the swales to fill up as well, so that finally the streams were flowing in shallow troughs along the tops of ridges. Gradually these ridges built up higher and higher until finally the stream would break through the confining banks and seek to follow the lower ground, so that ultimately the whole section was covered with a deep deposit of sediment. The last channels occupied by the water before they were dammed off at their junction with Putah creek now appear as dry swales, hav- ing generally a southeasterly direction, while the earlier channels are indicated in many places by beds of gravel which are met with in well boring or which are opened and quarried to obtain gravel for road purposes. Putah creek not being allowed to spread out over the adjacent country during the periods of high water, was forced to cut the broad, deep channel which it now occupies, so that its present bed is many feet lower than formerly. Deep borings in the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys indicate that these valleys have been filled up with sediment for many hundred feet and it seems probable that at one time these valleys were much narrower than at present and very much deeper. During that time, which was before the period of depression spoken of above, the whole continent was higher than now and the small valleys, such as Napa, Suisun and Vaca valleys, were worn down to the underlying bedrock and existed only as sloping mountain canons, which have been filled up, as the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys have been filled by sediment brought down from the mountains and deposited in the inland sea during the period of later depression and by the outpouring of the present creeks as described for Putah creek. There are but few geological features of particular interest from a pop- ular point of view in Solano county. Probably the most interesting is the bed of limestone at Cement, as that is the source of an immense industry, employ- ing hundreds of men. This deposit of lime rock has been forming during cen- turies of time and is the result of deposits from mineral springs. Mineral waters, because of the carbonic acid gas which they contain, are capable of carrying a certain proportion of dissolved mineral, such as limestone, and on exposure to the air the gas evaporates, leaving the mineral to be de- posited, ofttimes gradually building up to form immense beds, as at Tolenas Springs and at Cement. When conditions are right the mineral matter com- bines, as it is deposited, into compact crystalline form, giving us the so-called onyx, both white and banded, that is found both here and at Tolenas Springs. In early days limestone was quarried in the neighborhood of Benicia and 136 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES being 1, impure, that is, containing a certain proportion of clay and silica, was burned to form a natural cement resembling the Portland cement of today. The quality and quantity of the rock are too uncertain to warrant present operation of the works, which still stand as a relic of the past. In the range of hills running north from the vicinity of Vallejo and Be- niHa, quicksilver has been mined at two places at least — at the St. John quick- silver mine and at the Hastings Mine, but the quantity is not great. Trap or basalt for road purposes is quarried at Thomasson, near Corde- lia, and Hoyts Station, near Benicia. Large beds of first-class trap exist at other points, but as yet have not been developed. N'ear Yacaville is a bed of Fuller's earth which has just been opened and which promises to be the source of considerable industry. Several attempts have been made to discover crude oil by deep boring, but as yet without success. Natural gas has been found at a point several miles south of Elmira and is utilized for fuel, being piped to Suisun. CHAPTER XXXI. THE NATIVE VEGETATION OF SOLANO COUNTY. By Dr. Willis Linn Jepson. Professor in the University of California — Author of A Flora of Western Middle California, The Silva of California and The Trees of California. The county of Solano possesses three very unlike floras. The flora of the valleys and plains, the flora of the mountains and foothills, the flora of the salt marshes. Its native vegetation is therefore varied and it is sufficiently rich to be highly interesting to the botanical traveler. In one particular there is a marked deficiency in native growth in that the county possesses no forests nor scarcely anything that may be called woods. There is, however, considerable woody vegetation in the way of scattered trees, and under the same category would be included the brush or chaparral. If one followed in early days the old Spanish trail in the Sacramento valley as it held southeastward toward Lagoon pass, his eye would have been met by wide-reaching utterly treeless plains, foothills mostly barren, and, rising above the foothills, purple-hued mountain ridges with long, remarkably unbroken or even skyline. It is only as the traveler approaches the foothills and mountains that he is attracted by the arboreous growth which is mainly confined to canons or to northeasterly slopes. There is only one pine in the county, the digger pine, a highly picturesque tree which has its best development with us in the hills between Putah creek and Putman's peak, but it extends also to Dunn's peak and ranges south in the Vaca mountains (mainly on the lower slopes) to the neighborhood of To- lenas Springs, giving name to Pine peak towards the head of Walker canon. The only other tree of the coniferous class is the California nutmeg which grows or once grew well up in Gates canon. This species has suffered heavily from repeated brush fires, as indeed have most other species represented by few individuals. The low seasonal rainfall, to be sure, would not in any case permit a heavy forest, but the extreme thinness of tree growth generally in So- lano county and the all but extinction of certain species has been caused by repeated fire devastation carried on during many past centuries. Our arboreous growth which has persisted consists almost wholly of oaks scattered over mainly grassy non-brushy hills, the most common ones being bkie oak, interior live oak and California black oak. These species grow in HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 137 the English and Araquipa hills, on the lower slopes of the Vaca mountains, south through the Tolenas hills and westward to the wide, open slopes of Twin Sisters peak bounding Suisun valley on the west. At that latter station the interior live oak meets the coast live oak, which comes in from the coast through the Benicia hills, where it is the common and well-nigh the only oak, and has here its easterly limit. These two oaks are indifferently called live oak by the people, but the coast live oak ripens its acorns at the close of the first summer, whilst the interior live oak matures its acorns only at the end of the second summer. The black oak is most common on Twin Sisters peak. In this region it has hybridized with the interior live oak and given rise to the form known to botanists as the Morehus oak. The leaf is not deeply cut as in a black oak, but shiny, strongly toothed and often suggesting a chestnut leaf. A "chestnut" type of tree stands on the road to the summit of Twin Sisters peak and rather near the foot of the grade from the valley floor. There is also a Morehus oak at the northerly end of Lagoon valley ; it stands by the county road on the banks of Laguna creek at no great distance from the Lagoon school. Both of the above trees are interesting trees and should be preserved. Our silva, otherwise, is very scarce in species and in individuals. There are a few big-leaf maple scrubs in Miller, Weldon and Gates canons of the Vaca mountains and many rather fine trees dappling the slopes of Twin Sisters peak. A few scrub madronas are found in Jameson canon not far from Cordelia, barelv entering our region from the west. There is a little clump of maul oak on the very summit of Mt. Vaca, and another on the summit of Twin Sisters ncak. Another rare tree with us is the white alder, which is mostly confined to a few deeo canons, such as Miller canon in the Vaca mountains. No other tree gives such charm to the mountain canons, whether one regards its entrancingly slender trunk or its white bark and green, airy crown. But of all trees in the local silva, there was none and is none to compare in landscape interest with the valley oaks — the oaks of the valley floors which have been so generally removed by the axe. These fine trees, with their tall crowns and wide-reaching branches ending in long pendulous cord-like sprays, which often sweep the ground, gave to the valley floor a certain noble aspect and distinction, a charm and even glory that stirs the senses and lifts the im- agination. But the fine groves of the floor of Vaca and Suisun valleys have given way to straight lines of orchard and vineyard, and the great oak trees, saving only scattered relics, are now among the things of the past. Although so scant in development, the oak stand of the hill country has had not a little economic value, in that it has been cut for fuel for sixty years. The writer has estimated that the hills have fed one hundred and fifty thou- sand cords to the plains people in that time. After the harvest time, I remem- ber as a child, the wagons heavily loaded with trunks of trees drawing out from the hills down the long road over the level, the hot dust rising, the heat lines quivering over the plain, and far on the horizon, lifted into the air above the Sacramento river, were trees and groves, streams and lakes, the whole a palpitating mirage. And that small lad wondered why trees should be pulled so wearily in that direction when trees were already there. Indeed, the alluvial banks of the Sacramento river support a narrow fringe of trees of many species. Here grow white alder, valley oak, interior live oak, western sycamore. Oregon ash, California black walnut, black willow, red willow and yellow willow. On account of the rich soil of the river banks and the abundant moisture, all these species grow thriftily and frequently develop remarkably fine individuals. To go back to the mountains. Typical chaparral consists of dense and mostly extensive colonies of shrubs, usually of several or many different kinds, 138 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES but essentially similar in height and general aspect. In our county chaparral occurs abundantly on the Vaca mountains and sparingly on Twin Sisters peak. Such brush is with us mainly above fifteen hundred feet altitude. In the Vaca mountains it consists of buck brush, Jim brush, two species of manzanita, pea chaparral, hard tack (or mountain mahogany) and scrub live oak, with some other less typical species intermixed. Such shrubs are rigid, spiny and tough, forming a dense thicket which is well-nigh impenetrable, the despair of the hunter and the delight of the botanist. Chamise is a different sort of thing. It forms extensive and rather thin low thickets, often on steep south or west slopes, the typical colonies being always of one species, namely, Adenostoma fasciculatum. It is abundant at the higher altitudes in the Vaca mountains, a low dark-foliaged spreading bush Math very small leaf fascicles and clusters of small whitish flowers. The flora of the plains, as well as of the* valley floors, save for the scat- tered stand of oaks, is wholly herbaceous and the herbs are mainly annuals. In early days these plains and valleys were in the springtime a wonderful nat- ural garden, literally with a hundred flowers to the square foot, the whole in riotous abundance and running out across the low hills in streamers of yellow and of blue. In good years we still get a rejuvenescence in favored areas of the primitive growth. It takes many years of cultivating and pasturing to over- come completely the flowering plants that have for tens of thousands of years and more seeded and germinated and flowered under natural conditions. It was a rich inheritance for a child to have been born in such a wild garden and grow into a lad with the flowers rioting each springtime over his head, making for him a hundred ways and a thousand tempting fairy places, all aglow with color, all distinctive with delicate structures, all alive with curious interest. The high delicate flush of the springtime* as revealed by the flowers is all too brief. Hundreds of radiant living flowers arise and develop quickly — all at once. Lupines, cream cups, pop-corn flower, allocaryas, gilias, birds' eyes, clovers of many kinds, lasthenias, gold-fields, baby blue eyes, shooting stars, owl's clover, escobita, yellow pansy, buttercups, larkspurs — all these and many more come and go in a few short weeks. All those which have been mentioned are common species, all are widely distributed throughout the county, and all play their part, either in the wide splashes or in the little bits of color which in springtime focus the eye of the traveler. Of all our flowering plants none other attracts so much attention as the California poppy, and none other has, as it behaves with us, so long an active period. It begins to grow from the root with the first rains and in November or December the tufts of finely cut pale or bluish foliage dot the plain ; by March or April the plants are lifting great golden cups borne on stiffish erect stems, and from this time on the flowers are borne profusely nearly or quite until the rains break. While, our poppy is thus very remarkable for the length of its flowering period, it is even more remarkable for the curious changes which are brought about in the color of the petals as the sun passes northward. In March and April the flowers put forth solid golden petals, remarkable for their metallic lustre or sheen ; in May these wonderful structures are tipped with yellow, and as the summer runs on the flowers become much smaller and wholly pale yellow or straw color. Now, be it remembered that all these small pale flowers arise from the same root that bore the great golden cups of March. The writer in this matter has made his observations and collections from na- tive plants marked in the field and observed from season to season. So much for widely distributed and abundant flowers. There are, of course, many species found only in local or peculiar situations. It is only in the shade of trees or brush, in such places as Gates, Weldon and Miller canons, or in the upper Suisun valley, that one finds the beautiful crimson eucharidium. Chinese houses grow only in the foothills in openly wooded country. Scarlet bugle- is found on Dunn's peak. HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 139 On the plains, originally, and to some extent yet, are found little vernal pools which have no outlet. These dry up eventually and their contracting margins support in succession a number of peculiar plants; the delicate blue and white downingias, the red dwarf monkey-flower and several others with inconspicuous flowers. Finally in midsummer the beds of these pools are filled by the harsh growth of the native coyote-thistle. No account of the flora of Solano county would be complete without some reference to the vegetation of the marsh lands. The sedges, rushes and tules are the dominant plants, but these have as their associates a host of other plants, most of which, like the starry asters and goldenrods, burst into full bloom in October. This is the month when the Suisun marshes vie in floral luxuriance with the most favored spots of the plains in April. Only a very little may be told in so brief a space of the natural history of the native plants, but enough has been here set down to show their interest and variety. He who does not know the hills, streams and wild creatures of our county by so much is he ignorant of a wide field of true pleasures and de- lightful resources, by so much indeed is his outlook narrowed and restricted. For there be many who love this land of hills and plains and the native life which is here nourished, and to these life is made sweeter, the sympathies en- larged and the home loyalties deepened. Thus it is that when in foreign climes, heart-weary for the home sky, there comes in sleep visions of olden days, of the springtime cloth of gold spread between the river sloughs, of the sun lying warm and fair on the Benicia hills, and of the home-call of the quail in the Vaca chaparral. 140 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES CHAPTER XXXII. HISTORY OF NAPA COUNTY. By C. B. Seeley. The writer can select no locality more favorable for bringing to the notice of the reader a comprehensive view of the mountains and valleys of Napa county than some elevated point on St. Helena mountain. Standing within the county's extreme northern boundary and at an altitude of 4,500 feet above the sea level, Napa valley, over thirty miles in length and varying in width from one to five miles, stretches away in the distance until ultimately meeting the waters of the bay. On the west and near the city of Napa, Brown's valley with its attractive suburban homes nestles between low, cultivated hills on either side. On the east from the point of observation lies Pope valley, ten miles in length and from one to three miles wide. Then follows Chiles valley, six miles in length and of varying width from one to three miles, and beyond a range of intervening hills is to be seen Berryessa valley, ten miles in length and from one to three miles in width. Three smaller valleys may be men- tiond, namely: Capell, Gordon and Wooden valleys, which, with Berryessa, yield annually large crops of grain to the farmer. The streams in all the val- leys find an outlet to the bay either through Napa river or Putah creek, in Berryessa valley. On the western range of the valley appears Mt. Veeder, a prominent ele- vation named for a pioneer clergyman of those early days. On the east and near St. Helena is Howell mountain, an elevated plateau some miles in width and being noted for its favorable climatic conditions. Atlas peak is another elevation east from Napa and highly recommended as a health resort. Mt. George, a little farther south and belonging to the same mountain range, stands two thousand feet above the sea level and smooth at crest as the crown of its aged owner, A. Van Der Nailen, the distinguished author and scientist, who passes part of the year near his Radium Spring, whose waters, gushing from the mountainside, possess, as he claims, the "elixir of life," which con- fronts and repels the approach of advancing age. The flora of Napa county, plants indigenous to its uniform climate, are worthy of mention. There is scarcely a growth of any kind unfriendly to its generous soil. Here are to be seen nearly all the cereals as well as the decid- uous fruits familiar to the agriculturist; the apple, the pear and the peach, together with cherries, plums, prunes, apricots and grapes. Walnuts, almonds and olives are also grown throughout the county, while some of the semi- tropical fruits, such as the orange and lemon, are likewise to be noted, though as yet they are not of commercial value. But Napa's undisputed claim to the world's admiration is the charm of its beautiful scenery. Let the observer stand upon the summit of some elevation during the month of May and behold this far-famed valley in all its native grandeur. Its parallel ranges clothed in emerald with ever-changing shadows — vineyards, orchards and cheerful abodes where happiness abides, spring flowers with whose breath the winds are laden, crystal streams sparkling in the sun as they hurry to their ocean home, the gentle breeze from off the sea, vocal with the lark's liquid notes voicing his praise to early spring — all united in presenting a picture of such transcendent loveliness as to merit the words of that lover of the beautiful who thus paid tribute to an enchanted scene : "The landscape saw its Lord and smiled." O Q h~ > 4 at three years old; Nemonio, 2:09%, and Miss Winn, 2:10^. He raised the dam of Mono Wilkes, 2:03%; Aerolite, 2:05^ at three years old, that was sold for $8,000. In the Suisun valley he owns a fruit ranch of seven hundred acres six miles northwest of the city, of which forty acres are in full bearing. The orchard is in peaches, apricots, prunes and pears, all of which Mr. Rush has set out since purchasing the ranch. In 1876 Mr. Rush was united in marriage with Miss Anna M. McKean, a native of Astoria, Ore. Of the seven children born to them we mention the following: Richard I., who graduated from Stanford University with the degree of E. E., is a rancher and stockdealer of Suisun ; Frederick W. gradu- ated from the same university with the degree of C. E., and is now cashier of the Kern County Land Company at Bakersfield; Eleanor is at home; Mary is Mrs. Gurnett, of Fairfield; Benjamin is connected with the Kern County HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 191 Land Company at Bakersfield; and Hiram and Annabelle are both at home. For some time Mr. Rush assisted in the management of the Solano County Republican, one of Suisun's leading papers, and also served four years as sheriff of Solano county. He is a director of the Solano County Bank, was the first president of the Solano County Agricultural Society of the thirty- sixth district, for the past twelve years has been a member of the State Agri- cultural Society, and for six years president of the society and ex-officio regent of the State University. In 1904 he was elected state senator for Napa and Solano counties, his re-election following without opposition in 1908, and in this honored office he puts forth the most conscientious efforts in behalf of his community, all of the members of which have faith in his executive ability. Mr. Rush was a member of the committee for selecting the location of the state agricultural farm at Davisville, securing a tract of nearly eight hundred acres for the agricultural department of the State University. He was chair- man of the agricultural committee during the first and second sessions, and also the last two sessions. He is now chairman of the committee on hospitals and asylums, and was active in securing the necessary appropriation for the Napa state hospital and the Yountville Veterans' home, and is also a member of the committee on finance, agriculture and dairying, drainage, swamp and overflow lands, mining and oil industries, fruit and vine interests, and roads and highways. Mr. Rush is an intimate friend of Governor Johnson, both meeting on common ground in their labors for the best interests of their be- loved state. The name of Mr. Rush is well known in Masonic circles, he having taken the Scottish Rite and the Knight Templar degrees, and he is also a member of the Shrine. Thoroughly optimistic in his outlook on life, Mr. Rush fully merits the high regard of his countless friends and associates. FRANKLIN McNEAL. After having followed agriculture, surveying, and in his younger years following the teacher's profession for a brief period, Franklin McNeal directed his energies to the fruit industry and after he came to California, settling in Solano county during 1895, he devoted himself to horticulture with gratifying results. The various occupations in which he engaged indicate the versatility of his mind. It was possible for him, through sagacious judgment and pains- taking industry, to accumulate a competence and eventually he retired from manual labor, renting his farm and enjoying in contentment the comforts ac- cumulated during a long and useful existence until his death, February 3, 1912. Ohio was the native commonwealth of Franklin McNeal, and April 8, 1839. the date of his birth. When he was a boy Ohio was at the extreme edge of civilization. Beyond it were the vast forests, the uncultivated prairies, the wild animals and the yet wilder savages. There were few schools in the Buckeye state and the children of the pioneers became more skilled in farming or in the domestic arts than in literary lore. Through arduous efforts, how- ever, it was possible for Mr. McNeal to secure a fair knowledge of the three R's, and when he became a teacher in young manhood he was qualified for thor- ough work with the pupils. During the Civil war his sympathies, always eagerly enlisted on the side of the Union, led him to offer his aid to the coun- try and he was accepted as a private in Company I, One Hundred Forty-eighth Ohio Infantry. Assigned to duty in Virginia, he acted as a guard on the James river for some time and was also sent to other points near the border line between the two armies. Upon receiving an honorable discharge at the close of the war Mr. McNeal returned to Ohio and for several years made his home in the vicinity of Mari- etta. When he followed the tide of emigration that drifted toward the west he 192 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES first settled in Illinois and for some time held a position as deputy surveyor of Christian county. Going still further toward the west, he settled in Kansas and took up a homestead near Clay Center, the county seat of Clay county, where he tilled the soil in the summer and taught school during the winter months. In addition he engaged to some extent in surveying, and defined a large number of boundary lines in that new country. Upon leaving Kansas for California he brought with him considerable capital, representing the re- sult of years of arduous labor, and this capital was largely invested in his fruit farm in Solano county. Here he owned twenty-one acres, one-half in apricots and the rest in peaches, all bearing. % - The first wife of Mr. McNeal bore the maiden name of Mary Alexander and was a native of Ohio. At her death she left two daughters. Bernice is the wife of O. W. Bryant of Monrovia, and they have one son. The other daughter of that union, Blanche, is Mrs. Charles Cahill of Vallejo. Mrs. Mc- Neal was Miss Jessie Stacy, a native of Lowell, Ohio, and the mother of one daughter, June Louise McNeal, attending the Winters high school. In fra- ternal relations Mr. McNeal held membership with the blue lodge of Masonry, and his wife has been a leading worker in Yosolano Chapter 218 of the Eastern Star at Winters, of which she is past matron. The Republican party received the ballot of Mr. McNeal in all national elections. In common with other old soldiers, he found much to interest him in the activities of the Grand Army of the Republic and was a member of the post in the several places of his resi- dence, contributing with kindly generosity to the philanthropic work con- ducted by the organization. CHARLES HENRY RULE. Identified with the development of Solano county from the initial period of American supremacy, the Rule family has resided here for a period of sixty years, and meanwhile has contributed to the progress of the community with whose destiny their own has been cast. The first of the name to seek a home in the far west was Samuel T. Rule, a Pennsylvanian by birth and a representative of a prominent and old-established race. Born in Philadelphia in 1825, he passed the years of youth in the City of Brotherly Love. The environment that formulated his character and molded his aspirations was similar to that of city lads of the period. The educational advantages he re- ceived were of an excellent nature and gave him the requisite foundation for a comprehensive knowledge of commercial conditions. After he had learned the trade of carpenter and had followed the occupation as a journeyman in the east, in 1850 he joined the vast army of Argonauts bound for California and arrived in San Francisco during one of the most exciting periods in the turbu- lent history of that great mteropolis. After one year in San Francisco, removal was made to Vallejo, and in the adjacent country Mr. Rule secured a squatter's right to one hundred and sixty acres, but this tract he lost at a later date because it was claimed as a Spanish grant. The remainder of his life was passed in Vallejo, and here he died in 1883, surrounded at the last by the comforts of an advancing civiliza- tion and by the affectionate ministrations of other pioneers. During young manhood he married Isabelle Moffitt, who was born in Erie, Pa., in 1832, and died at Vallejo, Cal., in 1890. It is worthy of note that they have five sons who are prominent workers in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, all of them being past grands and leading members of Vallejo Lodge No. 216, I. O. O. F., and the encampment. The five brothers with the assistance of their brother-in-law initiated into the order a young man belonging to the family (their nephew) and conferred upon him the initiatory degree, this HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 195 being probably the only instance of the kind in the history of the fraternity. Born in the city of Vallejo March 19, 1862, Charles Henry Rule attended the city schools between the years of six and sixteen, after which he worked for two years on his father's ranch. Finding agricultural affairs not wholly congenial, he turned to the machinists' trade, and in it he has been successful. After an apprenticeship of one year in Vallejo and two years in Crockett, he was qualified to work as a journeyman. During 1884 he began to work at Mare Island navy yard, and since then he has been employed steadily, having held his present position of quarterman machinist since 1899, discharging his duties with credit and ability. His marriage, solemnized in 1906, united him with Miss Carrie Apperson, who was born in Placer county, Cal., and was a school teacher of recognized ability and successful experience. For some years she taught in Solano and Yolo counties and was vice principal of the Dixon school. The family of which she is a member comprises five sisters and three brothers and of the former three have taught school successfully. The father, James E. Apperson, a native of Richmond Va., and a California pio- neer, crossed the plains with ox teams and settled in Shasta county as early as 1852. From that time he continued to reside in this state until his death in 1910, at the age of seventy-five years. During the same year there passed into eternity his beloved wife, Eliza (Cooper) Apperson, who was born in Arkansas seventy-two years before, and who had spent the greater part of her useftil existence in the west. As pioneers they evinced the sturdy qualities that marked the careers of the early settlers of the state and gave substantial and permanent basis for the subsequent upbuilding of agricultural and indus- trial enterprises. JOHN A. STANLY. One of the most eminent jurists of his time, Judge John A. Stanly came from a family long intimately connected with the history of our country and with her political life. Inherited as well as inherent qualities made his choice of a profession especially appropriate, as he was well fitted to be a successful attorney, and the prominence which he gained in the political life of California was due to his sterling worth and his earnest desire to do the right thing regardless of any personal loss. The history of the Stanly family is traced to John Wright Stanley, who changed the spelling of the name to Stanly. He was a grandson of a Mr. Stanley who came from England with Lord Baltimore, surveyor-general of the new colony of Maryland. Tradition says that he was a son of the Earl of Derby. John Wright Stanly was a merchant of large business interests. When the feeling between the colonies and the Mother Country was at its height he was in India with his merchant fleet and there met a young British officer, who said: "I see your name is Stanley; I presume we are related." "How do you spell your name?" The officer replied, "Stanley." Whereupon John Wright Stanly replied, "I spell mine Stanly, and we are no relation." John Wright Stanly had two sons, John and James, and the children of the first mentioned were Edward, Fabius, Alfred and Alexander. The only child of Alexander Stanly was John A. Stanly of this review. His parents dying when he was a small child, he was placed in the care of his uncle, Edward Stanly, who was a man worthy of the trust placed in him. Edward Stanly was a prominent Whig orator and a member of congress, and in his home in Washington he entertained many of the great statesmen of his day. In this hospitable home John A. Stanly received many advantages and the privilege of becoming acquainted with the foremost men of the coun- try, a privilege not to be lightly considered, and one which no doubt made a 196 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES great impression on the young nephew, for to meet such brilliant men as Webster, Clay and Calhoun and form their acquaintance was a splendid educa- tion for the lad. His early training and natural inclination led him to take up the study of law, and so enthusiastically and attentively did he apply him- self to the work that he was admitted to the bar at an early age. The saying, "Nothing succeeds like success" proved true in Mr. Stanly's case, as he was successful from the start in his legal career. He at once took an active part in politics, and when the Union party of the south nominated Bell and Everett for president and vice-president of the United States, John A. Stanly stumped the state for the cause, one of the most enthusiastic and loyal supporters of the party. At the time of this election he was presidential elector, nominated on this ticket. His able uncle, Edward Stanly, upon whom John Stanly looked as a father, was appointed governor of North Carolina by President Lincoln. In 1866 John A. Stanly turned the course of his destiny westward and, taking up his residence in San Francisco, became a member of the law firm of Stanly, Hayes & Stanly, and ultimately became one of the leading attorneys of the state of California. He had established such a splendid reputation that, in 1872, Governor Haight appointed him to a vacancy in the superior court of San Francisco and his choice was ratified by the people in that they re- turned him to that office at the next election. He was chairman of the board of Freeholders that framed the charter of Oakland and in 1890 he received the nomination for chief justice of the supreme court of California, a position for which he was eminently fitted, but he suffered defeat at the polls. A large estate came as an inheritance to John A. Stanly upon the death of his uncle. Edward Stanly, when he received a splendid tract of sixteen hundred acres in Napa county, the ranch being under a high state of cultiva- tion and planted to grapes and other fruit. This property is now being farmed by his grandson, Edward Stanly Coghill. A splendid vineyard occupies two hundred and eighty acres, stock for which was imported from France, except the Val de Penas variety, which was imported from Spain. There is a modern wine-cellar on the place, where the grapes are crushed and ten varieties of wine, all French but one, are manufactured. Twenty-two acres are in pears, fifty-five acres are in prunes, and the remainder of the land is in grain, pota- toes, corn and pasture. A fine dairy is also a part of the ranch, stocked with thoroughbred and imported cattle. At the present writing there are over one hundred milch cows and more than one hundred head of young stock and steers in the herd. To successfully carry on the labor done on this ranch it is necessary to employ a large amount of help and at some seasons of the year as many as sixty men are employed. At the age of twenty years John A. Stanly married Miss Sara J. Cason, in North Carolina, and of the four children born to them two grew up, but only one is now living, Edward having accidentally shot himself while hunting in 1880. Catherine became the wife of Thomas B. Coghill, the family making their home in Oakland, at No. 1304 Jackson street. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Coghill, a son and daughter. Edward, previously mentioned, as having charge of his grandfather's ranch, married Miss Bertha C. Blum, a native daughter of California, whose father came to the state in the early '50s and settled in Contra Costa county ; they have one child, Catherine Rose. Catherine Elizabeth Coghill became the wife of John G. Treanor and they have two children, Thomas S. and John S. Judge John A. Stanly passed away in 1899, in the faith of the Episcopal Church, in which he had been reared. His life had been filled with worthy activities, which the younger generation who are assuming the leadership in civic affairs might do well to emulate. His widow makes her home at No. 1221 Jackson street, Oakland, where she is surrounded by relatives and many friends. HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 197 OTTO T. SCHULZE. Standing in the front ranks of the medical profession in Napa is Dr. Otto T. Schulze, who is a sterling representative of a fine old German family and is third in line of descent from the establisher of the name in California. A record of the accomplishments of his grandfather and father, given elsewhere in this volume, bear testimony to their worth as men and citizens in the com- munities where their lots were cast, and though the present representative of the family, Otto T. Schulze, is still a young man, he has added prestige to a name which was already held in high repute. The birth of Dr. Schulze occurred September 3, 1881, while his parents, Oscar C. and Caroline (Todt) Schulze, were living in Germantown, Glenn county, Cal. Up to the age of nine years he made his home in his birthplace, when the family removed to Dixon, Solano county, and in that city he attend- ed the public and high schools. While in the junior year of his high school course he passed an examination which permitted him to enter the University of California as a freshman in 1899, and in 1903 he graduated from that insti- tution with the degree of B. L. In the meantime he had decided to follow the medical profession, and thereafter his studies were conducted with this ulti- mate idea in view. Immdiately following his graduation from the university he entered the medical department of the same institution and graduated four years later, in 1907, with the degree of M. D. After one year's practical ex- perience as interne at the University of California Hospital, he came to Napa in 1908 and opened an office for the practice of his profession in the Miglia- vacca building, where he is still located. In addition to the large private practice which he has built up in the comparatively short time which has since elapsed, he is also surgeon for the San Francisco, Vallejo and Napa Valley Railroad. In San Francisco Dr. Schulze was united in marriage with Miss Edith Currey, a native of that city and the daughter of Hon. Robert J. Currey, ex- member of the legislature, and a granddaughter of Judge John Currey, who was an honored judge of the supreme court of California for twelve years during the early days and a practicing attorney in Benicia during the '50s. Judge Currey is still living, at the age of ninety-seven. One son, Oscar Carl, has been born to the doctor and his wife. Not unlike his father before him, Dr. Schulze is a believer in the principles of Masonry. He joined the order in Dixon and is now a member of Yount Lodge No. 12, F. & A. M., at Napa; King Solomon's Chapter No. 95, R. A. M., at San Francisco, besides which he is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Native Sons of the Golden West. He is also a charter member of the Psi Upsilon Fraternity, University of California; a member of the Golden Bear Senior Society, and of the Nu Sigma Nu, a medical fraternity connected with the same institution, while in the line of his profession he is identified with the county, state and American medical associations and is secretary of the Napa County Medical Society. Dr. Schulze is a man of wide popularity as a suc- cessful physician and surgeon, and a record of still greater usefulness in his profession and in his community as man and citizen may be confidently pre- dicted. STANDARD PORTLAND CEMENT COMPANY. Portland cement was first discovered in Portland, England, in 1811, and has been used extensively during the past century, especially during the last generation, for with the Bessemer discovery of the manufacture of steel by means of decarbonization, a product was placed upon the market that made the value of Portland cement enhance wonderfully, for the two, used together, are 198 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES now considered as the mainstay of large building enterprises the world over. The Standard Portland Cement Company was established for the manufac- ture of this valuable commodity at Napa Junction, Napa county, in 1903. Its plant covers some six hundred acres and more than three hundred men are employed in the manufacture of the daily output of two thousand three hun- dred barrels. A large portion of the stock of this company is owned by Napa residents and most of the employes are residents of Napa and vicinity, and for these reasons the plant looms largely before the public as a local industry, serving local ends as well as national. It is ceaseless in its activity, for it is never closed down, working day and night with two crews of men. The stor- age capacity of the plant is one hundred and fifty thousand barrels. The man- agement claims that a finer grade of cement is manufactured here than in the east, owing to the fact that a rigid chemical test and standard is required for the product. To serve this end the plant is equipped with a chemical labora- tory, under the direction of an expert chemist, so that each barrel is tested before it leaves the plant to find out if the proportion of lime and other ingredi- ents is correct and up to standard. The manager of this extensive commercial plant that is looked upon as one of the principal industries of Napa county, is A. G. Lang, a native of New Britain, Conn., and a graduate of the Institute of Technology, Boston, Mass. For the last six years he has been connected with cement plants both in this country and Europe. RALPH M. BUTLER. Perhaps no industry is more inseparably associated with the horticultural development of Napa county than the Napa Fruit Company, of which Ralph M. Butler acts as manager, and also as a member of the board of directors. While during the packing season the plant affords employment to a large number of persons, its importance in that respect is secondary to its direct connection with the upbuilding of an enviable reputation for Napa products in eastern markets and with the promotion of the fruit industry throughout this county. A steady demand for the Napa pack exists throughout the east and a large percentage of the output is shipped annually to Europe. Dried prunes form the principal product of the plant. The care and cleanliness ex- ercised in their preparation for the markets prove the wise oversight of the manager, whose attention is closely given to a rigid supervision of every detail connected with the large business. In all else except birth Mr. Butler is a typical Californian, and he has lived in this state ever since his earliest recollections. Born at Monmouth, in Oregon, in 1871, he was brought to Napa by the family in 1872 and received his common school education in this city. Upon completing these studies he was sent to the Oregon State Normal School, and later took a course in Heald's Business College in San Francisco, where he qualified himself for the details of commercial affairs. On his return to Napa he became bookkeeper for the Napa Fruit Company and filled the position with such efficiency that soon he was promoted to be manager, in which capacity he has remained up to the present. The occurrence of his marriage in 1904 to Miss Elizabeth Packham proved the beginning of a happy union and the young couple, with thier daughter, Annie, have a pleasant home, furnished with a taste that indi- cates the highest refinement and culture. Of a genial nature, Mr. Butler finds recreation in his lodge work, and has been affiliated for some years with the Masons, Knights of Pythias and Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, main- taining a warm interest in all their local activities. The concern with which Mr. Butler holds prominent connection was es- J»oos«,«»c»i<«» HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 201 tablished in 1893, and has enjoyed a steady growth from the first, being now one of the largest plants of the kind in this part of the state. The present offi- cers are A. D. Butler, president, and F. W. Bush, vice president. Upon the board of directors are Charles E. Trower, Dr. M. B. Pond, A. D. Butler and R. M. Butler. The curing and drying of prunes is the firm's specialty. The fruit is bought from the horticulturists of the region and placed in the com- modious drying yards, after which it is prepared for the market. Every im- provement of modern device is to be found in the packing house. The equip- ment is thorough and the preparations for packing are unexcelled. An adja- cent railroad renders the task of loading on the cars an easy one. In fact, every facility has been secured that will promote the promptness and dispatch with which the business is prosecuted. HON. BENJAMIN SHURTLEFF. Benjamin Shurtleff was born on September 7, 1821, in Carver, a small town near Plymouth, Mass., named in honor of John Carver, the first governor of Plymouth colony. He was the son of Charles and Hannah (Shaw) Shurt- leff, the former one of the founders of the first agricultural society in Ply- mouth county. The ancestry is traced to one William Shurtleff, who was born in England and immigrated to America in boyhood and is found identi- fied with the Pilgrims at Plymouth about 1634. He engaged in military service in 1643, and married Elizabeth Lettice, whose father, Thomas, had settled in that historic town. Benjamin Shurtleff is a lineal descendant of Isaac Allerton, an enterprising merchant, who was one of the one hundred and one emigrants who came to America on the Mayflower and settled in Plymouth, Mass., in 1620. Dr. Benjamin Shurtleff was reared on a farm and the hard work incident thereto developed in him a robust constitution that has permitted him to lead a life of more than unusual activity, and yet retain, at the age of four score and ten years, the appearance of a man in his sixties. His education was secured in the common schools of his native place and in Pierce Academy at Middleboro, in the same county. In those days opportunities for securing an education were limited, but he eagerly availed himself of such as were possible. By teaching school he saved enough money to render possible the study of medicine, which he took up under the direction of an older brother, the late Dr. G. A. Shurtleff, a prominent physician of Stockton, Cal., in later years. He further pursued his studies with Dr. Elisha Huntington, of Lowell, Mass., and also attended Tremont Medical School at Boston. He matricu- lated in the medical department of Harvard University at Cambridge, from which he was graduated August 23, 1848. In the Tremont Medical School and at Harvard he was a pupil of Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes. While attend- ing Harvard he heard Rufus Choate's celebrated defense of Tirrill for the alleged murder of Mrs. Bickford. Just before he had completed his medical education and was looking about for a favorable location, news came of the discovery of gold in Cali- fornia. He decided to come to this coast, this decision being later confirmed by President Polk's annual message of December 5th. He quickly made his arrangements and set sail January 27, 1849, on the schooner "Boston," from the port of the same name, proceeded via the Straits of Magellan to San Francisco, arriving July 6, of that year. Stopping but a few days in that city he went to Sacramento on the schooner "Olivia/' thence to Beal's Bar, on the American river, where he mined a short time. Reports came to this camp of the rich strike at Reading's Springs (now Shasta), and in the fall of '49 he 12 202 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES went to that locality. In October he was working a rich mine in the bed of Middle creek, but the floods of the rainy season, which began with great severity early in the morning of November 2nd, drove him from the claim and he thereupon abandoned mining and began the practice of medicine. Early in the spring of 1850 he formed a partnership with Dr. Jesse R. Robinson, the first clerk of Shasta county, under the name of Shurtleff and Robinson. Possessing great skill, supplemented by a thorough training in Harvard, it was not long before the people came to recognize his ability and appreciate the services rendered by Dr. Shurtleff as a physician, and he was in almost constant demand. There being no roads to any extent, he was forced to ride horseback all over that country. There were no bridges, and as boats were not to be had, he would swim the streams and climb the moun- tains with his faithful horse. He endured privations and hardships that to us today would seem impossible, yet his sturdy constitution enabled him to withstand every exposure without serious results. Soon after his arrival in Reading's Springs Dr. Shurtleff was elected alcalde of the district, and the duties of the position he discharged to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned. There was unlimited power vested in the alcalde, adequate to any emergency that might arise. He had supreme jurisdiction in all cases, from larceny of a pocket knife, to murder in the first degree, but almost all important cases were adjudicated by a jury of twelve men. It was "squatter sovereignty" complete and absolute, yet under his wise administration the mission was fulfilled and it was dissolved by universal consent when the state and federal governments came and assumed authority. It was during his occupancy of this important office that one act of his life stands out more strongly than any other. A man named Bowles was arrested • on suspicion of having murdered his partner during the night. Awakening in the morning he discovered him lifeless, with a mark of a bludgeon on the side of his head. He so reported the circumstances and at once was taken in charge by others in the camp and was about to be hanged without further delay. The matter was brought to the notice of the alcalde, who at once de- manded that the man have a fair jury trial and all the circumstances sur- rounding the affair investigated thoroughly. After considerable parley his demand was granted and his ideas carried out to the end that it was found the deed had been done by some murderous Indian for some fancied wrong that had been done him. He had sneaked up and struck the blow that killed the man, and so sudden and sure was his aim that there was no struggle, and the partner who was sleeping beside him under the same blankets was not awakened. Mr. Bowles was ably defended by the late Judge W. R. Harrison, who became the first county judge of Shasta county. The prosecution was carried on by the late Chief Justice Sprague, and though he ably conducted the case he was satisfied at the finding of the man "not guilty" and he was freed, much to the satisfaction of Alcalde Shurtleff. Dr. Shurtleff took an active part in the organization of Shasta county and was elected the first treasurer of the county. With the late Chief Justice Sprague and Isaac Roop as trustees, he established the first public school in the northern part of the state and has ever taken an active interest in educa- tional matters. One school district in Napa county was named in his honor. Soon after he had reached his majority the people of his native town elected him a member of the school committee and made him chairman of the board. In 1861 he was elected state senator for his district, that comprised Trinity and Shasta counties. He filled the office of county physician of the latter county for ten consecutive years, by appointment by the supervisors. In 1857 he was tendered the appointment of county judge by Gov. J. Neely Johnson, but declined the honor. In 1872 he was chosen by the Republican state convention as alternate presidential elector-at-large. He was a member HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 203 of the board of examining surgeons of the bureau of pensions at Napa during Harrison's and also during Roosevelt's administrations, and still is called upon to do duty along that line. When Dr. Shurtleff came to Napa in 1874 he found a hearty welcome and he soon established a large and lucrative practice, which continued until 1901, when he retired to private life. In Napa county he has been equally as active in promoting the welfare of the county as in his former home. June 19, 1879, he was elected delegate at large to the constitutional convention on the non- partisan ticket, from the third congressional district, and took an active part in the deliberations of that body. In 1876 he became a member of the board of trustees of Napa and was re-elected in 1878, officiating as president both terms. In March, 1880, he received the appointment from Governor Perkins, as a member of the board of trustees of the Napa State Hospital, and for the following sixteen years acted as president of the board, retiring in June, 1896. Since 1901 he has been a member of the commission of physicians appointed to examine persons charged with insanity ; he has sent in his resignation, but the superior judge refuses to accept it. He was president of the board of freeholders and assisted in framing the present charter of Napa, and became the first mayor by election in May, 1893. Dr. Shurtleff is a life member and was elected in 1911 a vice-president of the Society of California Pioneers; is a member of the California State Medical Society, of the Harvard Medical Alumni Association, and is an honorary member of the Harvard Club in San Francisco. The doctor is president of the Napa City Water Company and is a director in the Napa Savings Bank. He is the only survivor of the physi- cians and medical students present at the first public surgical operation in the world at which ether was administered as an anaesthetic, performed by Dr. John C. Warren at the Massachusetts State Hospital in Boston, October 16, 1846. In August, 1911, the Benjamin Shurtleff Hospital Company of Napa was named in honor of Dr. Shurtleff. Returning to his old home in Massachusetts via Panama in the fall of 1852, Dr. Shurtleff was married February 21 following to Ann M. Griffith, a native of Wareham, Plymouth county. She was a daughter of Ellis Griffith and a lineal descendant of Miles Standish. They returned to California via the Isthmus of Panama that year and ever since were residents of the Golden State. Mrs. Shurtleff died September 2, 1905, aged seventy-seven years, nine months and nine days. Their long married life was one of mutual helpfulness, each working for the welfare of the other and of their three children : George C. who is a successful rancher in Brown's valley, Napa county; Charles A., a prosperous attorney in San Francisco; and Benjamin E., who died while pursuing his studies in the medical department of the University of California. His death was the heaviest sorrow to enter the lives of the doctor and his wife. Napa county has but few men who are better known or more highly honored than Dr. Shurtleff, whose name stands for energy, capability, tact and public spirit. He is ever ready to aid any movement for the advancement of the general welfare of the people or county, or for the promotion of the moral or social conditions. Though ninety years of age his faculties are as keen as a man of fifty. He has always advocated development of the re- sources of the county and has tried to do his part as a citizen to bring about this end. His has been a long and useful life, and, blessed with plenty of this world's goods, he has contributed liberally to all charities, and all of his acts have been done in an unostentatious manner. He is a student, and has a large library of valuable books and finds much pleasure in their companionship. When his life comes to its close there will be no man who will be more greatly missed than Dr. Shurtleff, whose name is almost a household word. 204 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES A. MONLIS. While it may be true that other men have larger vineyards and wine cel- lars with a capacity that is greater than his, it is also true that few men in the wine-making business have achieved more success than has A. Monlis, who is a prosperous rancher and grape grower in Napa county, near Calis- toga. He was born at Castres, department of Tarn, in the south of France, March 19, 1852, and in his native land he received a valuable experience in grape growing by working in a vineyard where wine was manufactured. He has been able to apply much of the knowledge thus gained to practical pur- poses in this land of sunshine that so fitly reminds him of the green fields and purple vineyards of his own land. Mr. Monlis came to America in 1886 and for two years remained in San Antonio, Tex. Coming to California in 1888, he was first employed in the vineyards in Napa valley, and later on he rented a ranch for himself near St. Helena. He bought his present place in 1902. It consists of one hundred acres of good land, fifteen acres being planted in vine- yard and some prune trees, and the balance is used for pasture and for general ranching purposes. Each year the owner receives a good income from his property, the land being very productive. In 1889 Mr. Monlis married Miss Julia Vanherscke, a native of Esquel- becq, Nord, France, and the following children were born to the union : Emile, Augustine, the wife of E. Dore of Oakland and the mother of two children, Emile and Rosa; Emily, and Carmilla. Mr. Monlis is a member of the San Francisco Ancient Order of Foresters. His sons, Emile and Carmilla, are members of the Foresters and Native Sons. Although born in a foreign land, Mr. Monlis is loyal to the institutions of his adopted country and is a sup- porter of equity and civic righteousness. He and his family are well known residents of the Napa valley. ALEXANDER STEIGER. Few men have more intimate knowledge of the wonderful advances made in machinery and the science pertaining thereto than Alexander Steiger. His knowldge is not merely theoretical, for he has been associated with the trade in this state since 1859, although it is true that for the latter portion of this period he has been living on his orchard near Vacaville, Solano county. He was born in Boston, Mass., September 22, 1833, the son of Conrad and Mary (Alexander) Steiger, both natives of London, England, and both passed away in New England. Alexander Steiger was educated in the public schools of Boston, and after his graduation he followed the bent of his mind by studying engineering in a practical manner and learning the same as a trade. At the age of twenty-six years he left Boston for California, via Panama, and landed in San Francisco from the steamer Golden Age in March, 1859, and at once had an opportunity to engage in his trade. Among other positions he held was that of foreman for von Smith, who received the contract for the con- struction of the first dry dock at Hunters Point, Cal. In 1868 Mr. Steiger worked on this important undertaking in the capacity of foreman. San Fran- cisco was made his headquarters for about thirty years, during which time he traveled all over the state and Nevada as expert machinist for the Vulcan Iron Works, putting in mining and water works machinery. He installed the first water system in Hamilton and Treasure City, Nevada. In 1856 Mr. Steiger was married in Boston, Mass., to Miss Mary Abbie Jones, a native of Maine and a daughter of Moses and Abbie Jones, both also natives of that state. Mrs. Steiger came to California in 1862. The eldest of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Steiger was Melville Randolph, born in 1857, who is married and living in Red Bluff, where he is a farmer and stockraiser. Frank Alexander, born in 1863, is a civil engineer; he married .*yK^V)sUyn<2^ HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 207 Miss Kate Saxton of Vacaville. Ida Isabel, the widow of William W. Davis, also lives in Vacaville. Harry Lincoln resides in Berkeley. Mr. Steiger has been a life-long Republican, and for many years he has been a member of the board of school trustees of Pena district. He purchased land near Vacaville in 1873, since which time he has improved it with an orchard, the entire place, including one hundred and twelve acres, being in fruits and vegetables of all kinds. He has arranged hot beds for the early starting of vegetables. The ranch is located two and a half miles north of Vacaville. Although over seventy years of age, Mr. Steiger is enjoying the twilight of life in his own home and is content to lend his influence for every worthy project in a quiet unassuming way. HON. HENRY EWALT McCUNE. Foremost among the citizens of Solano county is Senator McCune, who is a splendid example of one who has risen to the heights of achievement because of sterling qualities of character. His well-earned success has been attained through industry and perseverance. He came to California fifty- eight years ago and encountered all the obstacles of early pioneer life. The vast number of acres owned by him, the high regard in which he is held, the large influence he has been able to wield in the community, show in what way these obstacles were overcome. His early life was spent in Pike county, Mo., where he was born June 10, 1825, his parents being John and Rebecca (Ewalt) McCune, of Scotch and German ancestry. The father was a native of Penn- sylvania and the mother of Virginia ; they were married in Kentucky, but soon moved farther west and settled in Pike county, Mo., where the father died in 1853. He served in the War of 1812, under Col. Dick Johnson, and the grandfather, William McCune, was in the Revolutionary war, and, being taken a prisoner by the Indians, was kept in captivity for three years. In Pike county, Mo., Henry Ewalt McCune received his education. At the outbreak of the Mexican war he enlisted in Company E, Third Missouri Mounted Volunteers (Colonel Ralls' regiment), and served gallantly. He was wounded in the battle of Vera Cruz and, after eighteen months of service, was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Resuming private life once more Mr. McCune engaged in stock-raising, and in 1854, in partnership with M. R. K. Biggs, he undertook the tedious journey across the plains to Cali- fornia with three hundred head of cattle. They settled in the northern part of Solano county, and Mr. McCune still owns the quarter-section of govern- ment land which he pre-empted at that time. In marked contrast to his pres- ent beautiful dwelling is the house in which he began life in California. His neighbors envied his little hut, 16x16 feet in size, with the boards running up and down, and a lean-to shed twelve feet square. The portion of the county where they located was termed the "desert" at that time, showing how little the people in general knew about the fertility of the soil and the productive- ness of that particular section. The land was quite barren of trees and among the most notable improvements put in by Mr. McCune are the trees which he planted on his property. Some of these trees have attained large propor- tions and beauty, one in particular, which is probably the largest gum tree in California. In 1868 he planted a grove of gum, walnut and elm trees which today proves the term "desert" to be a misnomer when applied to Solano county. The nearest postoffice was Vacaville. Mr. McCune fenced in his land and began to raise grain. Later he built a residence, but this was de- stroyed by fire in 1880. As he was prosperous in all his business ventures he invested his money in real estate and began to purchase land in other counties, thus acquiring a number of large ranches. He is today one of the largest land owners of the county, owning twelve hundred acres in one body, 208 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES devoted to grain raising; twenty-five hundred acres, part of which is in the foothills and utilized both as a grain and a stock farm ; seventeen hundred acres, known as the Big ranch, devoted to grain; four hundred and seventy- five acres, known as the Bank ranch, also devoted to grain ; the McMillan ranch, of three hundred and twenty acres, also a grain farm ; and in addition, he is associated with other capitalists in the ownership of large tracts of land throughout the state. Not only has he conducted an extensive grain-raising business with great profit, but he has also maintained an excellent record as a stockman and cattle raiser, breeding both thoroughbred Hereford and Dur- ham cattle on his ranches. His cattle were numbered by the thousand at one time ; together with J. S. Garnett, he brought fifteen hundred head of cattle to Solano county. He generally kept several thousand head of sheep and also raised hogs extensively. With these different pursuits to take up most of his time and attention, Mr. McCune still finds it possible to engage in the raising of fine fruits with considerable profit. Mr. McCune was married in Ralls county, Mo., February 1, 1849, to Miss Barbara S. Rice, a native of Garrard county, Ky., and was well fitted to share with him all the hardships of the pioneer's life. She lived to enjoy his suc- cesses as well as his trials and fulfilled most loyally and faithfully the duties of wife and mother, rearing a large family of children. The following are the children and grandchildren : Mary M., now deceased, was the wife of J. A. Hill and the mother of three children, Irene, Edna and J. Silver; Ruth A., the wife of P. R. Garnett, has three children, Inez, Reba and Hugh ; Rebecca E. is the wife of H. C. Silver and the mother of two children, Ruth and Rose ; Jessie S., the wife of C. A. Rice, has one child, Sadie; Sarah E., deceased, was the wife of Dr. M. Gardner, who later married A. Lindley; Joseph H., de- ceased, first married Elizabeth Baker, by whom he had two children, Barbara and Willie, and by his second wife, Sallie Baker, he also had two children, Josie and Ermyl ; Elizabeth R. and Rose B. McCune are deceased. The mother of these children died at Dixon February 2, 1907. Senator McCune has five great-grandchildren. His home in Dixon is a beautiful place, well kept and highly improved. He was one of the organizers and is now a director of the Bank of Dixon. Politically Senator McCune is a Democrat, but was elected joint senator of Solano and Yolo counties in 1873 on the People's ticket, serving four years, and was chairman of the committee on agriculture. He has been of great service to the public in furthering the cause of education, having expended a great deal of time as well as money in perfecting plans for the educational advancement of the community. For thirty years, or from its organization, he was a trustee of California College at Vacaville, later at Oakland, for more than twenty years of that time being president of the board. He was one of the organizers and president of the board of trustees of Dixon Academy, until it was turned over to the high school district. Senator McCune has been active not only in secular, but in religious af- fairs as well. He has served as a deacon of the Baptist Church for over fifty years and has also taken active part in Sunday school work. His financial support to the church is generous. He was largely instrumental in building the Baptist Church at Silveyville in the early '60s, there having been no church building prior to that time, services having been held in the schoolhouse at Vacaville in 1856 and later in the Vacaville high school building. Subse- quently the present fine edifice was built in Dixon. Senator McCune was made a Mason in Suisun Lodge, F. & A. M., afterward was a charter member of Vacaville Lodge and still later a charter member of Silveyville Lodge No. 201, F. & A. M., a member of Dixon Chapter No. 42, R. A. M., Sacramento Commandery No. 2, K. T., and is also identified with the Eastern Star at Dixon, to which his wife also belonged. HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 209 JOSEPH H. HOYT. An important responsibility was assumed by Mr. Hoyt with his accept- ance of the position of superintendent of the Solano county hospital, to which post he was appointed by the board of county supervisors. Born at Benicia, Solano county, in March of 1863, Joseph H. Hoyt is a son of Joseph Hoyt, Sr., who for years past has been a leading citizen of Benicia. The financial cir- cumstances of the family were such that the son was enabled to gain an excellent education, having supplemented the studies of the local schools with attendance at the St. Augustine College. Upon leaving college he began to work at the stock business under his father's supervision and soon acquired the knowledge of the work necessary for its prosecution alone. When finally he sold off his stock and quit the business he became interested in machinery for the crushing of rock and for nine years he operated extensively along that line, doing considerable road work in the county. For eighteen months he was engaged in the navy yard at Mare Island. During 1900 he was honored with an appointment as sheep inspector and for a long period he filled the position with characteristic ability, finally resigning in order to accept the position as hospital superintendent, which he has filled since December 1, 1908. meanwhile improving conditions at the hospital and directing affairs with skill and economy. The marriage of Joseph H. Hoyt was solemnized in 1896 and united him with Miss Adeline Lermen, who was born in San Francisco and received excellent educational advantages in that city. Her father is deceased, but her mother is still living and makes her home in the city. Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt have one child, Olivia, who is a pupil in the Suisun schools. Politically Mr. Hoyt is a Republican and fraternally he belongs to Vallejo Lodge No. 559, B. P. O. E., and the Woodmen of the World. RUSH McCLEARY. The experiences of Rush McCleary culminated in his arrival in fertile Solano county in 1891, at which time it is recorded that he leased land for a number of years. He was born in Montgomery, Mo., May 23, 1865, and re- ceived his education in the public schools, showing much interest in his work and doing his utmost to make the most of the educational opportunities afforded him. His boyhood days were thus spent profitably, and after com- pleting his studies his time was variously employed, chiefly in following agri- cultural pursuits, until he reached the age of twenty-two years, when he left his native state and came west. In 1888 he settled in the state of Washington, and there for a few years he lived and followed farming with fair success for a livelihood. In 1891 he came to Solano county and after leasing land for a few years, in 1897 he purchased one hundred acres under cultivation. He now has twenty acres in vineyard, ten acres of apricots and five hundred almond trees. During the season of 1910 the yield from the vineyard was seventeen hundred crates of Tokay grapes and four tons of dried apricots, in addition to a fair average yield of other varieties. On one section of the land Mr. Mc- Cleary cultivates vegetables, for which he finds a ready market at good prices. He has ten acres of beans and ten acres of corn, and grazes enough stock for the efficient working of the place. Mr. McCleary was married in July, 1893, to Kate Hallam, born in Bir- mingham, England, and coming to California in 1892. They have two children, Walter N. and Violet W. Politically Mr. McCleary is a Democrat, and fra- ternally he is a member of Winters Lodge, Woodmen of the World, and the Independent Order of Red Men. Mr. and Mrs. McCleary enjoy the acquain- tance of a large number of the residents of Solano county and hold the esteem of many friends. 210 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES E. B. RHODES. A resident of Solano county since 1894, E. B. Rhodes has been a factor in the development of the community in which he lives and has also achieved a measure of success in his own private enterprises. Born in Lowville, Lewis county, N. Y., in 1846, he came to California in 1894, immediately taking up his residence in Solano county, and has resided here ever since, following the time- honored vocation of farming, into which he had been initiated in boyhood years in New York state. He leased property belonging to his brother, Wes- ley D. Rhodes, of Pleasants valley, who recently died in Santa Rosa, Cal. At the present time he owns thirty acres of fruit land, having purchased the same from Ned Wolfskill. The orchard on this land is about nine years old, and consists of eight hundred peach, one hundred apricot and four hundred almond trees. In the season 1910 nine tons of peaches represented the yield of this marketable commodity and apricots and almonds returned $1150. The ranch is thrifty in appearance and shows every evidence of care and attention. Mr. Rhodes was married to Miss Sarah Ann Philbrick, a native of New York state, the ceremony taking place in the same state. From that union there were two children born, Rolla and Minard, and they have an adopted daughter, Winnie. Rolla married Eva Spence, and they reside in Hoquiam, Wash., where the husband is engaged in the milling business; Minard married Ina Earle and resides with his wife and son, Earle, in Pleasants valley. Po- litically Mr. Rhodes is a stanch supporter of the Prohibition platform, and religiously he is a member of the Christian church. JAMES W. REAMS. A native of Ohio, born December 27, 1837, James W. Reams lived in that state until attaining young manhood, when he took up his residence in Fayette county, 111., residing there until 1875. He then came to Napa county, Cal., and engaged in farming in Gordon valley. It was there that his mar- riage with Miss Martha Ralston took place. Nine children were born to them, as follows: George William, of Solano county; Theodore O. ; Monte- zuma B., deceased; Calvin U., of Gordon valley; James L., of Suisun ; Stone- man, of Gordon valley; Anna M. ; Daisy D.; and Grace. Daisy D. married William Alexander of Vallejo; Grace became the wife of Alfred Smith of Vallejo, and mother of two children, Ralstin and Verna ; James L. married Mazie Swift, and has one daughter, Shirley; Stoneman married Nellie San- born, and they have two children, Donald and Robert; Anna M. became Mrs. J. R. Chadbourne of Suisun. Mr. Reams was actively connected with the public affairs of his county. Politically he was affiliated with the Democratic party, and not only voted that ticket, but allied himself with the party in an official way. He was a candidate for county treasurer and afterwards, in 1904, was a candidate for state senator on the Democratic ticket. For some twenty years he was a clerk of the board of school trustees in his district. His de- mise occurred October 4, 1908, and he is survived by his widow and five sons. Theodore O. Reams was born in St. Elmo, Fayette county, 111., February 20, 1868, and lived at that place with his parents until 1875, when the family came to California and lived for two years in Napa and Solano counties, and then settled in Gordon valley, where the son, Theodore O., remained until he was twenty-one years of age. Having attained his majority, he decided to strike out for himself and earn his livelihood by mining. Accordingly he went to Siskiyou county and engaged in hydraulic mining, meeting with consider- able success while in the business for himself. Subsequently he leased other mines, and it was then that he suffered financial losses. He owned a complete hydraulic outfit and had four claims, all of which he sold to return to farming. HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 213 He acquired fifty acres in Gordon valley at his father's death, twenty-five acres of which are planted in almond and Bartlett pear trees. In 1910 he realized six and one-half tons of almonds and one hundred and seventy boxes of pears. The other twenty-five acres of the property are pasture land, Mr. Reams keeping four head of horses and seventeen hogs. With his brother, George W., Mr. Reams is engaged in well drilling, having a modern steam outfit. While residing in Siskiyou county Mr. Reams was married to Miss Meda Sanborn, a native of Oregon, and they are the parents of four children : Neal C. lone M., Theodora and Ordray. Besides being capable in his occupation of farming, Mr. Reams is a practical engineer. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias Lodge. JOHN LAUGHLIN SHEARER. The supervising principal of the public schools of Napa is a member of a family identified through several successive generations with the industrial development of the east, notably Pennsylvania, where his parents spent their entire lives. Himself a native of that commonwealth, born at Peru Mills, Juniata county, February 4, 1850, he is a son of the late Samuel and Nancy (Taylor) Shearer, natives respectively of Upper Strasburg and Ambersons Valley, Franklin county, Pa. For many years the father engaged in the tan- ning business at Peru Mills and later carried on a similar enterprise at Black- log, Juniata county, but his last days were spent in retirement from business cares at Lewistown, MifHin county, that state, while his wife passed away at Academia, Juniata county. All but one of their eleven children grew to mature years and seven are yet living. Of the large family the only one to settle in California and the seventh in order of birth, John Laughlin, received his education in the common branches in the grammar and high schools of Juniata and Mifflin counties, Pa., and at the age of eighteen taught school in the former county. Going as far west as Illinois in 1870, he taught school in McLean county near Bloom- ington, and with the savings of his first experiences in pedagogy he entered the State Normal University at Normal, 111., from which in 1875 he was gradu- ated with a high standing. All of his expenses in the university were paid by his own labors. During 1878-79 he acted as principal of the White Hall (111.) public schools. July of 1879 found him in San Francisco and during August he came to Napa, which since has continued to be his home. For thirty-two years Professor Shearer has filled faithfully and well the office of principal of the Napa grammar schools. From 1883 until 1887 he also officiated as county superintendent of schools, to which position he was elected on a Democratic ticket in a strong Republican county. Since 1883 he also has acted as a member of the county board of education and for the past twenty years he has been honored with the presidency of the board. During 1906 the title of supervising principal was adopted by the board and since has been used in connection with the position he fills with such re- markable tact and intelligence. At the time of the arrival of Professor Shearer in Napa there were three small grammar schools with about five hundred pupils under the care of eleven teachers. Now there are twenty-five teachers superintending the in- struction of more than one thousand students. The buildings were small and illy equipped for successful pedagogical efforts. The Polk street school at that time contained two rooms for the primary department. These have been relinquished and a new structure, the Washington primary school of four rooms, has been erected. Franklin street school, then containing two primary rooms, has been rebuilt with three rooms for that purpose. The 214 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES Lincoln school, erected during the '80s, is now a building of eight rooms. For ten years the Central building was utilized for high school purposes under the Caminetti law, but when the new high school law was adopted the neces- sity for a high school building arose and finally by repeated efforts a suitable structure was secured. During the first year of the identification of Professor Shearer with the Napa schools he introduced grammar school graduation, an innovation never before attempted. The diplomas were printed at the old Reporter office. The next year the state passed a law for graduation from all grammar schools and diplomas were thereupon prepared and printed under the charge of the state board of education. Later the Caminetti graduation diplomas were adopted for use. At this writing it is the custom for the Napa grammar schools to promote and graduate pupils in December and May of each year, which plan, followed for the past ten years, has been deemed preferable to the old system of one promotion and graduation each year. About the year 1905 a fire drill was instituted in all the rooms and this has been carried forward to such per- fection that now the building is emptied of every pupil in just forty seconds. In the midst of the manifold duties of a position so important as that which Professor Shearer long has filled, he has found leisure for active par- ticipation in the work of the National Educational Association and for helpful service in the Napa County and California State Teachers' Associations, be- sides serving as a member of the library board of Napa. Too much credit cannot be given to Mr. Shearer for his work in connection with the Napa schools. In the capacity of supervising principal he has raised them to their present high standard and has accomplished for them results that would have surpassed the predictions of the most optimistic resident of the city twenty- five years ago. Not only as an educator has he won a high place in the com- munity, but he is honored as a courteous gentleman, esteemed as a tactful friend, respected as a public-spirited citizen and appreciated as an upbuilder of the morals of the city to a high standard. The value of such men to their community cannot be overestimated. Without their patient, intelligent and scholarly labors not only the present generation, but also generations yet to come, would be the losers of much that adds to the happiness, the dignity and the usefulness of life. Professor Shearer was married in Napa July 16, 1884, to Miss Louise P. Wilson, who was born in Benicia, Cal., the daughter of James St. Clair Wil- son, who, though born in New Hampshire, was reared in Boston, Mass. Mr. Wilson came to California as an argonaut in 1849, crossing the plains with ox-teams. After following mining for a few years he became agent for the Wells Fargo Express Company at St. Louis, continuing there until elected treasurer of Sierra county, the county seat being at Downieville. He con- tinued in this position until his death in November, 1863. The wife of Mr. Wilson bore the maiden name of Maria Louise Everts, and was born in La- porte, Ind. She traced her ancestry back to Ambrose Everts, of Salisbury, Conn., who served in the Revolutionary war and was sergeant in the Connecti- cut line at the Lexington alarm. Ambrose Everts was a direct descendant of Miles Standish, captain of the Plymouth colony. Another direct descendant was Rev. Eleazer Wheelock, founder and first president of Dartmouth Col- lege. Mrs. Wilson came by the Nicaragua route to California with her brother, Frank Everts, who was also a '49er, the trip being made on the Brother Jona- than. The boat proved unseaworthy, and also caught fire during the voyage, and the passengers suffered many hardships and privations, until landing at San Francisco in February, 1854. Mrs. Wilson was married in Marysville in 1855. She survives her husband, and at the age of eighty-one makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Shearer. Mrs. Wilson's son, Ralph E. Wilson, is a merchant in Napa. Mrs. Shearer completed her education in the Indian- HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 215 apolis high school and followed teaching in Napa until her marriage. The only child born to Mr. and Mrs. Shearer, Louise Wilson, died in the year of her graduation from the Napa high school, April 6, 1904. ANDREW H. FOSTER. High up in the roster of the braves who gave their lives as a willing service to their country in the time of need during the Civil war stands the name of Andrew H. Foster, who is now a resident of Vallejo, Cal. Although his life was not sacrificed upon the altar of service, he nevertheless gave it readily and fought a brave battle for the cause that was near his own heart. He now lives in retirement from the activities of a busy life, enjoying that rest and repose that can come only to those who have faithfully discharged their duties. Mr. Foster was born in Saratoga county, N. Y., August 10, 1843. Twenty years later he went to Michigan and enlisted in the army, being associated with his fellow soldiers in the First Michigan Artillery, Battery F, first under the command of Byron D. Paddock and later under Capt. B. Hawley. From Grand Rapids the battery went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and then to Lexington, Ky., and from the latter place marched two hundred and twelve miles to Cumberland and on to Knoxville, Tenn. There they were reorganized and drew a fresh set of horses. As the Michigan Light Artillery in the spring of 1864 they started on the Atlanta campaign of four months, with six horses to each gun. They were then detailed for service in Alabama, and in that and adjacent states saw much active service. Finally Mr. Foster was discharged on July 3, 1865. On their way home the company received a splendid recep- tion in all of the cities through which they passed. Mr. Foster then went to visit his mother in Saratoga county, N. Y., and was engaged in farming there until he came to California in 1872. Before coming to Vallejo he was employed in the street railway service in San Fran- cisco. About eleven years ago he purchased two lots in Vallejo, upon which he built a house and barn. He has improved his land and now he has four hundred and fifty mammoth blackberry bushes in full bearing and yielding a good annual crop. He also has forty fine fruit trees. He also keeps chickens, having only pure bred stock of the White and Buff Orpingtons and Rhode Island Reds. In Stockton, Cal., Mr. Foster was married to Miss Olive Littlejohn, a native of Calaveras county, and she passed away on February 9, 1879. The only child of this marriage, Gilbert, married Hazel Fawcett, and they reside in Sacramento. Andrew H. Foster is an active member of Farragut Post No. 4, G. A. R., of Vallejo. WILLIAM S. BAKER. A well known and respected citizen of Winters, Cal., is William S. Baker, who was born November 13, 1869, second son of William and Margaret J. (Hanna) Baker, both natives of Missouri. He received a good primary edu- cation and early in life fitted himself to accept responsibility by assimilating the lessons inculcated within the sacred precincts of his home. After public school requirements had been met the young man went to California College, East Oakland, Cal., and graduated from the academic course in 1889, complet- ing his education with one year in Leland Stanford University. He then returned to Winters and commenced his business and professional career by acting in the capacity of bookkeeper for the firm of grocers, Fenley & Baker. This position was retained for four years, and then for a similar term he served 216 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES in a like capacity for T. S. Spaulding, a grocer of Woodland, Cal. Returning to Winters, he accepted the position of assistant cashier of the Bank of Win- ters, and after three years of faithful service he was elected cashier of the same institution, which position he filled efficiently for four years. On the organization of the Citizens Bank of Winters, June 13, 1907, he was tendered the position of cashier, which position he accepted, and the rapid growth and success of the institution show how well he has fulfilled his trust. The bank was organized with a capital of $50,000, and on account of its growth, in 1910 it was increased to $100,000. It has paid six semi-annual dividends at the rate of eight per cent per annum and has a surplus of $1825, and in undivided profits $4665. The bank has just moved into its new building, erected at a cost of $40,000, and it is the concensus of opinion that it is the most artistic and substantial individual bank building in the Sacramento valley. The ex- terior is of white granite base and the balance of white terra cotta blocks ; the inside finish is mahogany woodwork, with sides of massive pilasters and heavy panel ceiling, marble floor and marble counter. Mr. Baker has held a number of responsible positions in fraternal organi- zations. He was made a Mason in Buckey Lodge No. 195, F. & A. M., of which he was secretary for many years. He is also a member of Silveyville Chapter, R. A. M., of Dixon, and Yosolano Lodge, O. E. S., of Winters. In addition to his banking interests he is also interested in the Anderson-Baker Company, a large general merchandise establishment in Winters. Mr. Baker is also interested in horticulture. In 1909 he bought sixty acres of fertile land one and a half miles south of Winters, in Solano county, suitable for an orchard. Thirty acres are in royal apricots and black figs, ten acres in almonds and twenty acres in peaches. Under his wise direction his orchard is doing well and promises large returns. November 9, 1905, Mr. Baker married Miss Florence M. Preble, a native of San Francisco. She is a graduate of the University of California, and taught in the Winters Union high school for three years. To this union there were born two children, Jane, who died in infancy, and Martha Mae, born October 17, 1910. Kindly and loving in disposition, progressive and energetic, able and sagacious, Mr. Baker has many friends, who admire him for his fine personal traits. In him the weak have a champion and the strong a friend, and he can be found on the side of any movement that will mean the advance- ment of the interests of the people of the community in which he lives. GUY K. BUTLER. A native of Vermont, Mr. Butler was born in Grand Isle county, a son of another Guy K. Butler, whose history goes back into the history of the New England states. His father was a carpenter by trade and also a shoemaker by occupation. His grandfather had six hundred and forty acres of land on what is now called Butler's Island. This land he put under cultivation by hand and all the details connected with the planting and reaping of grain were so conducted, as that was long before the time of the modern farm implements. The father and mother of our subject were natives of Vermont, and the family moved from that state to St. Lawrence county, N. Y. After a stay of three years in that state they moved to Illinois, when the son was eleven years of age. Here he received his education in the public school and generally fitted himself to take his place in the ranks of men and women who are forced by circumstances to earn their own livelihood. After a stay of thirteen years in Illinois, in 1858 Mr. Butler removed to Kansas, in time to participate in the campaign that was being waged at that time to make it a free state. He lo- cated in Johnson county. He enlisted in the army of the Union in the Tenth HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 219 Kansas Infantry, Company A, in 1861. He saw active service during the war and participated in many important engagements. One of these was at Prairie Grove, Ark., when their side was outnumbered two to one. After engaging in many adventures with the Confederates and distinguishing himself by his bravery, he was mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, the same place at which he enlisted. The discharge came on August 18, 1864, after which he went to Olathe, Kan. Later he went to Lawrence, Kan., making his home there for more than thirty years. There he followed farming for a time and was also a member of the police force of that city for seven years, and also jailer in Johnson county for four years. He is proud of the fact that he helped to make Kansas a Prohibition state. Mr. Butler came to California in 1895. He had previously come west to Colorado in 1860, driving five yoke of oxen to Pike's Peak, and in all was three months on the way, going via Fort Laramie to Denver. After arriving in California in 1895 he remained inactive for three years, or until 1898, when he secured work in the Mare Island navy yard. For six months he worked as blacksmith's helper and then secured a position as ship keeper for four years, and, being injured in a street car wreck, was forced to retire. Subse- quently he built a store on the corner of Marine and Illinois streets, which he now rents. This, together with the pension he receives from the government for his services during the Civil war, is sufficient for himself and wife to live on comfortably. Mr. Butler was married in Olathe, Kan., at the close of the war to Mary T. Davis, and the following children were born to them : Woodman L., Paul J., Eli O., Walter (deceased), Elizabeth L. and Jennie (deceased). Woodman married Emma Gibson of Kansas and they have five children. Paul married Isabell Burwin, since deceased; he is interested in aviation and is at present engaged in the building of an airship ; he also has two launches on San Fran- cisco bay, the Marathon and the Aquatic. Eli O. married Hattie Clark, and they reside at Willows with their two children. Mr. and Mrs. Butler recently celebrated their fortieth wedding anniversary. They are well respected in Vallejo and have done much to alleviate the sufferings of others by their cheery dispositions and their philanthropy. EDGAR ERNEST LONG. An illustration of the opportunities afforded by California is exhibited in the modest but substantial success that has been the justified result of the efforts put forth by Mr. Long, a native-born son of the state and a leading citizen of Suisun, now and for a long period in the past the incumbent of the office of assessor of Solano county. Born at Vacaville, December 19, 1860, he is a son of the late Alexander R. Long, a native of Missouri, and a pioneer of Vacaville, Cal., where he died about 1899. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Mary A. Hostetter, was born in Ohio and came at an early age to the west, where she continued to make her home until her death, in 1886. It was the privilege of Edgar E. Long to receive not only common-school advantages, but also a collegiate education, and by diligent application to his studies he laid the foundation for the broad knowledge he now possesses. At the age of sixteen years, in 1876, he entered upon his business career by securing employment with J. M. Miller, whose store he later acquired by purchase. From 1883, the date of his removal to Suisun, he owned his own business until 1909, when he disposed of the same, retiring from the activities that had engrossed a large share of his time and attention during the inter- vening years. The establishment of domestic ties, dating from February 23, 1886, united him with Miss Clara Gillespie, who like himself was born and reared in Vacaville, the child of California pioneers, now deceased. 220 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES The family of Mr. and Mrs. Long comprises three children. The eldest, Isabel G., born in 1891, is a graduate of the grammar and high schools of Suisun and now attends the California State University at Berkeley. The older son, Milo G., born in April, 1893, is now a student in the Santa Clara (Cal.) College. The youngest member of the family circle, Edgar G., born in 1895, has completed grammar-school studies and is now a student in the Suisun high school. Deeply interested in educational matters, Mr. Long has given to his children the best advantages his means rendered possible, and he also has endeavored to aid in securing for all children fair opportunities to acquire knowledge, for he believes that an educated citizenship furnishes the basis for all permanent prosperity. As early as 1885 he was chosen a school trustee and for about twelve years he served as chairman of the board, mean- while accomplishing much for the material upbuilding of the Suisun schools. For twelve years he was president of the board of trustees of Suisun, and the present water supply for the city was secured and completed during his presi- dency of the board, giving the city mountain water brought from Twin Sisters, a distance of nine miles. The political views of Mr. Long bring him into sympathetic relationship with the Republican party, and invariably he has given his support to the men and measures representing that organization. First elected county assessor in 1898, he has since been re-elected four times in succession and still fills the office with characteristic fidelity and intelligence. Various fraternities have the benefit of his co-operation. In Masonry he is connected with Suisun Lodge No. 55, F. & A. M. ; Solano Chapter No. 43, R. A. M. ; Vacaville Com- mandery No. 38, K. T. ; Islam Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of San Francisco; and the Eastern Star, and in his relations with all he has endeavored to exemplify the doctrines of brotherhood for which the order stands. Besides being identified with Suisun Lodge No. 78, I. O. O. F., he is an honorary member of the kindred order of Rebekahs. The Native Sons of the Golden West, Solano Parlor No. 39, of Suisun, number him among the prominent members of the organization, and he further holds connection with Suisun Lodge No. Ill, K. P.; Suisun Lodge No. 1467, F. O. E., and Vallejo Lodge No. 559, B. P. O. E. WILLIAM HOFFMEIER. Proprietor of the Napa brewery, one of the largest institutions in the "North of Bay Counties," William Hoffmeier was born in Holungen, Province of Saxon, Kreis Worbis, Germany, March 9, 1858, son of William Hoffmeier, who was a farmer and freighter. The subject of this review was reared on the farm and educated in the public schools until fifteen years of age. At this time he was apprenticed to learn the trade of bricklayer and after this he learned the wheelwright's trade. In 1880 he came to the United States, first working at the wheelwright's trade in Wilkesbarre, Pa., and soon afterward starting in the wagon and carriage business in Parsons, Luzerne county, Pa., continuing there for himself with good success until 1888. Having read of the great opportunities of the Pacific coast and having a desire to come to the far west, he located in Tacoma, Wash., that year and opened a wagon and carriage business which he conducted successfully for the following seven years. In 1895 he located in Roslyn, B. C, and with a partner, Frank Dryer, erected the Columbia brewery. Two years later they sold this and went to Sandon, B. C, and together built the New York brewery and carried on a successful business until Mr. Hoffmeier sold his interests and accomplished a long cherished trip to the Fatherland and visited his father, who was living there in the old home place. On his return to the coast, Mr. Hoffmeier located in Napa county and HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 221 later purchased the Napa brewery, since which time he has remodeled the building and now has a well equipped and modern plant for the manufacture of steam beer, with a capacity of thirty barrels. The product is shipped to different cities of this section and is well received. He is also the agent for the Blue and Gold Brewery products of Oakland, Cal., and the distributor of the famous lager manufactured by that company. The Napa brewery was built about 1880 by Gottfried Wagner, who conducted the business until pur- chased by its present owner. It is the oldest establishment of its kind in the county. Mr. Hoffmeier was united in marriage in Napa to Miss Mary E. Ornduff, a native daughter of Napa county. Her father, Isaac Ornduff, was one of the old and highly respected settlers of the county. Of this union two sons have been born, William John and Uriel Francis. In fraternal circles Mr. Hoff- meier is a member of the Eagles and the Royal Arch. He is a genial, whole- souled man, always ready to assist those worthy projects that will build up the city and county. He has been successful and all that he has made has been the results of his own efforts. In Napa, where he is well known, he has a host of friends and, with his family, enjoys a wide circle of well wishers. SAMUEL RADELFINGER. Native of Switzerland, Mr. Radelfinger was born in Canton Berne in 1839 and spent the early days of his boyhood with his family in the land of alpine glories. There he received what education he had and also learned the first principles of farming and dairying. At the age of eighteen years he left his native land and set out ion the United States. Arriving in New York in 1857, he went to Indiana and three years later came to California by way of the Isthmus, reaching San Francisco on October 28, 1860. After a short stay in Contra Costa county he went to Placerville, Eldorado county, and dur- ing the winter of 1860 he mined there, returning to San Francisco on October 5, 1861. For three years during the war he was a member of Company E, Second California Volunteers, under Captain Gibbs and went from San Fran- cisco to Vancouver barracks. There he remained until the following May and then came to Humboldt county and later to San Francisco. After a short stay in that city the company was ordered back to Humboldt county and there they made a thorough tour of the county looking for Indians, who had become very troublesome to the inhabitants. For one year they did police duty and then returned to the south, going to Benicia barracks, Solano county. Again they were sent back to Humboldt county to assist the mountaineers and to guard them and in 1864 they were released from their scouting duty. Mr. Radelfinger then engaged in the hotel business, principally in Humboldt county, until 1891, when he came to Napa and engaged in horticulture, set- ting out an orchard and remaining upon it until 1903, when he removed to Napa. For years he was employed in the Mare Island navy yard, but in 1910 he retired. Mr. Radelfinger was married in Humboldt county to Matilda Stanis- lawsky, a native of San Francisco, but of Prussian descent, her parents having come to California in 1851. To Mr. and Mrs. Radelfinger ten children were born, as follows : Henry H., Frank G, Frederick E., Samuel M., Mary A., Ida M., Emma E., Anna L., Florence G. and Grace M. Mary A. married Henry F. Allen and they reside in Humboldt county with their four sons; Ida M. married Z. M. Harris and with their two children make their home in Eureka, Cal.; Frederick enlisted as a private in the Thirty-fifth United States Volunteers at the outbreak of the Philippine war and after a service of about two years was honorably discharged at San Francisco, where he now 222 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES makes his home with his wife, formerly Sadie McDermott; Florence G. mar- ried Capt. A. C. Parker and lives in Napa; Emma married J. L. Edington, and they are also residents of Napa county, living in Chiles valley with their two children; Anna, Grace and Samuel are single and reside in San Francisco; Frank G., a graduate of the University of California, married Blanch Imogene Peterson,' a daughter of the vice-consul of Norway and Sweden ; he is de- ceased and his widow resides in Washington, D. C, with her only child, Blanch Helen. Mr. Radelfinger now resides in Napa, rounding out the years of his useful life. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and Mrs. Radelfinger is a member of the Relief Corps. PETER WITT. A native of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, born in 1842, Peter Witt started to follow the sea at the early age of thirteen years. After making a few voyages from Hamburg, he sailed into the harbor of New York in 1860. For three years thereafter he made trips out of New York along the coast and to other lands and in 1863 he sailed on a two-hundred-day voyage around the Horn on the Shakespeare to San Francisco. The vessel on which he sailed carried a load of coal for the Pacific Coast Steamship Company. After arriving in San Francisco he worked along the shore for some time, and then, tiring of land employment, he shipped on the Bremen brig, Gazelle, Captain Hoslop, loaded with a general cargo for Mexican ports. Shortly prior to this, the old side-wheel steamer, Golden Gate, outward bound from Panama to San Francisco, carrying a valuable cargo of bullion, caught fire and was wrecked off the Mexican coast, and one and one-half million dollars worth of gold was lost. The following is the story told by Mr. Witt of the finding of this treas- ure, the stealing of the same and the escape of the thieves across Panama to the east: "As soon as the United States Government became aware of the loss of so much gold, they sent divers to the scene of the wreck with instruc- tions to recover the precious metal. One of the divers, the first one sent down, found the gold and moved it into shallow water and, on coming to the surface, he reported to his commander that the gold could not be found. The quest was thereupon abandoned and the diver returned to San Francisco. Just be- fore the good brig Gazelle put out from Golden Gate, three passengers were taken aboard, and, on arriving in the vicinity of the wreck of the Golden Gate, the Gazelle anchored and the three men went in the ship's boat, in the night, to the wreck on the rocks and recovered the treasure which the diver had placed in the shallow water, and concealed it on board the Gazelle. One of the three men was the diver who had found the gold. Later these men escaped with their plunder and the gold was never found. Numerous searching parties have gone to the Mexican coast in a futile attempt to recover the lost treasure." Mr. Witt states that this is a true story, as he was a sailor on the Gazelle at the time and saw the deed done. Continuing to sail out of California and South American ports, Mr. Witt finally became an officer with the Pacific Steamship Company and during his nautical experience he met with splendid success. Coming to Napa county in 1882. he bought the ranch on which he now resides, on Carneros creek. This consists of sixty-three acres of good land, ten acres being planted in bearing fruit, prunes and cherries. The owner is a member of the Farmers' Union. Mr. Witt was married in San Francisco to Sophie Dosher, a native of Germany, and of the- seven children born to the union, two are deceased. Those living are Lillian, wife of William Tossie ; Annie, the wife of Fred Boland; Henry, Grace and Madeline. HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 225 CHARLES AUGUSTUS DERBY. The life herein delineated commenced in Burlington, Vt., December 8, 1845, and ended near Santa Rosa, Cal., January 19, 1906. Mr. Derby left his birthplace in 1862 and started for California via the Panama route. All went well until the vessel carrying him from Panama to San Francisco was entering Golden Gate, when a very heavy sea was encountered and much damage done to the ship. The deck house and the pilot house were washed overboard and the lives of the passengers endangered. Ultimately the vessel reached dock and Mr. Derby never cared to take another sea voyage after that harrowing experience. Coming immediately to Napa county, Mr. Derby settled first on the Sammon's ranch in the Carneros district, where he farmed with some success. After a while he moved into Napa city and entered the employ of the Wells- Fargo Express Company, and for thirty years he was faithful to his duties. During ten years of this time he acted in the capacity of agent for this national concern. For twenty years he was agent of the Union Ice Company of Napa, handling the whole of the company's output. For about twenty-five years he was a director of the Bank of Napa, being a member of the finance com- mittee. During his tenure of office he took a very prominent part in the affairs of the bank and was well known to its many depositors. During 1892-93 he served one term in the city council of Napa. Fraternally he was a member of the Knights of Pythias and much interested in the progress of that order. His death occurred January 19, 1906,- and thus was ended the career of another of earth's strong men. He was a man of sterling integrity and character that was unblemished, a man whose word was as good as his bond, and he has left an example worthy of emulation. He was married in Napa, Cal., in 1876, to Florence L. Tracy, a native of Shelburne, Vt. ERNEST L. STREICH. One of the most picturesque section in Napa county lies about seven to ten miles west of the town of Napa. Its fascinating natural scenery of hill and canyon is typically Californian and has been further enhanced by the de- velopment of vineyards and the building of comfortable homes. Sequoia, Elk Park and Castle Rock Vineyard deserve special mention on account of their beauty both in their scenic attractions and in their vine-clad hills. Passing the first two and driving through the heavily wooded canyon of Mill creek, whose source is a few miles further on the southern slope of Mount Veeder, we come upon a massive giant rock raising its broad cliffs hundreds of feet into the blue sky. This is Castle Rock, the silent sentinel of the place or vineyard called by the same name. Right across from its perpendicular front lies Mount Veeder and at its base flows Mill creek, whose waters rush tumultuously over boulders and falls shaded bv tall redwoods and firs, mute witnesses of the flieht of time for centuries. Continuing our way for a half mile of an ascending road we come to the prettily gabled and modern home of the owner. It lies in the open on a knoll and commands a fine view of the canyon which we just left behind. The apti- tude which the owner of Castle Rock vineyard evinces in his specialty of viti- culture comes to him as an inheritance from his father, Nicholas Streich, who was born in Baden, Germany, in 1833, and reared in a wine district. As early as 1856 he made his first trip to California, via Panama, and took up the work of mining in Butte and Sierra counties. In 1865 he returned to Germany to marry and establish a home in his native land, where he became a prosperous winegrower near Freiburg. When in 1880 he again came to California he 13 226 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES brought his two eldest sons with him and selected the location in Napa county, which is now the home of Ernest L., his choice of this section being influenced by the altitude of fifteen hundred feet, the fertile soil and the general adapta- bility of the land to grape culture and winemaking. Nine years of activity in this line of work, during which part of the present vineyard was wrested from Nature's untouched and wooded hills, were fol- lowed by the return of Nicholas Streich to Germany, where he continued to cultivate his farm and vineyard until his death in 1898. Surviving him and residing at the old homestead is his wife, Barbara (Schmidlin) Streich, a na- tive of Baden. Near her live her married daughter, Emily, and her youngest son, Seth, who is the proprietor of a hotel and resort located on the Streich estate. The second son, Robert, is a resident of Chicago, 111., where he is en- gaged in the wholesale and retail wine business. The eldest member of the family, Ernest L., was born near Freiburg, Baden, June 2, 1868, and attended school both there and here. Trained from early life in the work of viticulture, the present owner of Castle Rock continued the work of his father when the latter returned to Ger- many. When that destructive insect, the phylloxera, also got into his vineyard, he replaced the dead vines with resistant stock, using for that purpose mostly the Rupestris St. George. After much and continued hard work, during which years his perseverance and courage were severely tested, he has now over forty acres of thrifty and well bearing vines. A small wine cellar was built some years ago, but this is about to be supplanted by a larger one in order to afford better facilities and to meet future demands. Modern improvements bespeak the owner's progressive spirit, such as steam power and the applica- tion of the latest methods of winemaking. It is noteworthy that all these achievements were realized by dint of persistent effort and with but limited means. The wines so produced are of a high character and find a ready market in Chicago, where the Streich Bros. Co. are the distributors. The subject of our sketch has not only been identified with the develop- ment and improvement of viticulture and winemaking, but has also concerned himself with other matters of general interest, particularly that of better high- ways and the efficiency of district schools. He has been one of the prime movers and active workers in the plan of a great highway from Napa toward the Redwoods, one-half of which is now completed and the other three miles being about to be laid down. He has also acted as school trustee and secre- tary for the Redwood district school. In his domestic relations he was blessed with the companionship of a devoted wife, but bereaved by her death on De- cember 29, 1908. A son and daughter, Robert Jordan and Emily Barbara, blessed their union. Mrs. Streich was formerly Miss Lillie Mabel Kunzel, being the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Kunzel, who lived for years on a farm at the head of Browns valley, which is three miles west of Napa on the way to the Redwoods. She was born in Denver, Colo., but came to the Pacific coast at an early age and was married in 1903. She was well liked by every one who knew her and had the personal traits that win and retain the affection of friends and acquaintances. In like manner is Mr. Streich's standing in the community due to his integrity, which gains the confidence of his associates and friends and forms the foundation of his success. CASTLE ROCK VINEYARD. That hilly district seven miles west of the prosperous little town of Napa, Cal., known as the Redwoods, or Napa Redwoods, has certain features of both soil and climate that are going to give it a good name for the production of high-class dry wines. The rainfall is abundant every year and it is dotted HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 227 with springs all over, whose waters are devoid of mineral matter, and therefore exceedingly wholesome to drink. The soils are good, though of varied kinds, and are well adapted to viticulture, and the climate is agreeable. Hot summer davs are tempered by cool breezes and the winter frosts yield before a warm noon sun. The presence of the redwood trees speaks for not only rich soil, but also for abundant moisture. Fogs that stay on the floor of Napa valley all day here disperse long before midday. No wonder that under such conditions the grape vine finds a good habitat for its growth and productiveness, and the so-called dry wines reveal a remarkably good vinous character in that district. Much as location and soil determine the quality of our California wines and are allowed to establish the reputation of certain districts, there is still much to be wished for regarding the efforts of intelligent vvinemakers in fur- ther developing such natural quality by more exact and scientific methods. Even localities where wines are only of fair quality could by these means be made to yield a superior product. In other words, better wines could be made everywhere if winemakers in general were more ambitious to make a little extra endeavor and put in some of their time, money and thought for the greater reputation of California wines in general. What helps all will surely improve the market and the export of our wines. The object of this article is to call attention to such new or improved methods of winemaking as have been advocated time and again by the men of science at our State University, but which the writer believes were first sys- tematically carried out on a somewhat larger scale at Castle Rock vineyard by E. L. Streich. It required years of patient effort and a continual criticism of the results, so that the methods employed often had to be modified to suit the conditions of the locality. The writer doubts if there is in this whole state an establishment, small though it be, where so progressive an effort has been made for a higher standard of winemaking. During the last six vintages so conducted more uniformly better wine was made than ever before. In other words, the extra labor and thought bestowed upon these methods are war- ranted by the results. The writer has been associated with Mr. Streich for some years and can vouch for the absolute purity of his wines as well as for their good keeping qualities and high character in general ; and the conviction that this industry could be wonderfully developed in this blessed state of ours along just such lines of work caused him to publish a book in which these methods were set forth in detail by the operations followed at Castle Rock vineyard. Such improvements in winemaking should especially appeal to the smaller producer, for it requires more personal attention for the individual tanks in fermentation than can be given at a large plant. Of course, it is not encour- aging to make this extra effort if the product is lost among the cellars of the dealers, but where a direct market can be obtained and the customer knows the origin of the wine and has confidence in the brand, such extra efforts are well applied. For the true progress of the industry every possible encouragement should be given, morally and financially, for better methods of making the wine, so that a larger percentage of it may be sound and uni- form in quality from the very start. The winemakers may be largely at fault for the present conditions of affairs, but the dealers also hold out no induce- ment in the way of prices that would warrant the extra work and care. The main object of these improved methods of winemaking is to have control over the fermentations. The old haphazard style must be abandoned and the complex conditions of the vintage reduced to greater certainty by more effective and exact operations. In the first place, the winemaker should acquaint himself with the effect or working power, as it might be termed, of pure yeast, the fundamental idea being that the natural or "wild" yeasts that ordinarily start the fermentation are not sufficiently strong to withstand or 228 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES fight down the many harmful germs that enter the juice during the vintage. As it is, the outcome of fermentations is to some degree uncertain because of the temperautre of the weather and the quality of the grapes, both of which factors are gifts of nature. Pure yeast, though powerful in its action, should be assisted by sulphur to some extent, which acts as a germicide on the var- ious bacteria in the must, so that the yeast may be all the more effective in its work. Sulphur has not only a cleansing effect, but also causes the result- ing fermentation to be more even and thorough, and through its influence the wines are cleaner and sounder from the start. Nearly all the sulphur disap- pears during the process of fermentation, and there can be no objection to its limited use. For the further control of the fermentations the cooling of the must or juice is a very important item of the methods advocated. It means that the fermenting must is to be kept within a certain limit of temperature, the maxi- mum in our manipulations being from 82° to 84° F. The object of this is to preserve the aroma and render it finer by not exposing the essential oils in the juice to excessive heat. It will also keep the alcohol from volatilizing, so that with the given sugar in the grapes we obtain a relatively higher per- centage of alcohol than under uncontrolled temperatures. Such cooling gives us a softer and more unctuous wine, which may in part be due to the produc- tion of glycerine. Even wines that are apt to show a sherry odor or flavor in time under the ordinary fermentation do not, under this treatment, develop this undesirable feature. Cooling requires, of course, a good supply of cold water. At Castle Rock vineyard there is a special spring for that purpose, yielding about 400 gallons of water per hour at 56° F., which does some very effective work in that line. Cooling should, however, be done accurately and like any other operation in these methods calls for promptness, judgment and calculation. In the main it is a simple matter and a little practice soon enables one to strike it right. The results of these new methods, combining the work of pure yeast, a limited use of sulphur, and relatively low temperatures in the fermentations, may be summed up as follows : 1. Greater smoothness and quality. 2. Better or finer aroma and vinous character. 3. Early brightness. 4. Good keeping qualities. Tf with these methods we show an aptitude for the work as evinced by promptness of manipulations, exactness of observation, and particularly scrupulous cleanliness, the probability of unsound wines should certainly be reduced to a minimum. Such effective control of the fermentation removes winemaking from the domain of luck and makes it possible for our wines in California to compare favorably with the products of Europe. It is the writer's firm conviction that light dry wines will do more for the cause of true temperance — that is, mod- eration in drinking — than the enforcement of total abstinence can ever hope to accomplish. Drinking such wines with one's meals is the best cure for the indulgence in heavier beverages, besides being an aid to digestion and general health. Millions upon millions of Americans will still have to learn this im- portant lesson from the nations of Europe. Any effort in the direction of making our California wines more palatable is therefore a move for the great- er advancement of the industry and for the enlargement of our market. The writer hopes that similar work as that done at Castle Rock vineyard will be taken up all over the state wherever feasible, because only then can we main- tain a high and more uniform standard in the wines of our superb California. Rudolf Jordan, Jr. FRANK L. CARLTON HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 231 FRANK L. CARLTON. For nearly half a century which elapsed between the location of Mr. Carlton in Vallejo and his death, no project lacked his cordial support and enthusiastic assistance. It is often said that the successful conduct of busi- ness is inconsistent with high moral character, and that the temptations of a life that is at all active are too great for a man to attain distinction without some fall to blemish his character. In Mr. Carlton we have the answer so often made by such men that earnestness of purpose, determination to succeed without injury to others, broadening of the mind by active association with all kinds of men, keeping the heart warm and the spirits alert, will bring success and lead a man away from all that is undesirable or enable him to abhor it, strengthen his Christian character and added to all this, give him the love and admiration of his associates. This honored pioneer of Solano county was born in Brookfield, Vt., July 4, 1833, and passed away in March, 1908, at the old family residence in Vallejo, which is still the home of the widow. In his youth he was given fairly good educational advantages, and as a preparation for his after life in the world of activities he learned the trade of engineer in Massachusetts. Knowledge of his trade was an important equipment, but better still was the training which he had received at the hands of his parents, who were substantial New Englanders and who instilled in the mind of their son those principles of uprightness and justice toward his fellow-men that characterized the most trivial undertaking of his entire life. At the age of twenty-five years, in 1858, he left his New England home and set out for the far west, going by the Panama route and reaching his destination without encountering accidents or set-backs of a serious nature. From San Francisco, where he landed on the Pacific side, he finally went to Sacramento and found work at his trade and while following this was on the lookout for a field that offered brighter possibilities than the one before him. Altogether he remained in Sacramento two years, then, in 1860, came to Vallejo, and from that time until his death he continued to live in the same square in which he first located. Upon com- ing to Vallejo he was fortunate in securing a responsible position as engineer in the employ of the United States government at Mare Island and no better testimony of his efficient services could be given than in stating that he re- mained in this position for thirty years consecutively, and when he retired to private life in 1885 he carried with him the good will and friendship of all with whom he had business relations, all recognizing his superior qualities as man and employe and valuing him at his true worth. Upon coming to Vallejo Mr. Carlton purchased property on Georgia street at a nominal figure as compared with the price at which the same land is held today, and here, after giving up active business life, he lived for many years in the enjoyment of those comforts which the accumulations of former years had made possible. Sharing these comforts was the wife of his youth, who before her marriage was Miss Mary F. Gay, a native of Union, Me., and the daughter of Elijah and Joanna (Curtis) Gay, of that city and there their marriage occurred in 1856. To a man of Mr. Carlton's temperament and training a selfish life was impossible, and his greatest happiness was found in doing for others whatever lay in his power to do. He was a great lover of music, for which he had a natural gift, and for over twenty years he served as organist of the Methodist church of Vallejo, of which he was trustee for over a quarter of a century. Besides his activities in the various departments of the church and as a member of the school board, he was also well known in fraternal circles, being a charter member and one of the founders of San Pablo Lodge of Odd Fellows of Vallejo, and was senior member of his lodge at the time of his death. Since his death Mrs. Carlton has built stores on their residence lot. 232 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Carlton the only child who lived to mature years was Frank E. Carlton, a resident of San Jose. From his father he inherited a love of music which he has made his life profession and is a teacher of considerable prominence in San Jose, being a graduate of King's conservatory of that city. J. H. SHIVELY. Among the well-to-do ranchers of Napa county is J. H. Shively, who has been a resident of California since March 10, 1876. He was born in Howard county, Inch, September 17, 1850. His father was born in Wurtemberg, Ger- many, and came to America when twelve years of age and with his father set- tled first in New York and then in Howard county, Ind., where he followed farming. In 1853 he removed to Davis county, Iowa, and improved a farm from the wild prairie land, purchasing it from the government at $1.25 an acre. He worked at mauling rails at $1 per hundred, and turned out about two hun- dred per day. At the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted in the Second Iowa Infantry and served nearly three years. By the practice of economy he succeeded in attaining a competency on the farm and retiring from active duty, he moved to Coatesville, Mo., where he died at the age of eighty-seven years. He married Ann Meliza, who was born in Rockingham county, Va., of German parents. She died in Coatesville at the age of seventy-seven. They were the parents of five children, of whom four are living. Their oldest son, George, served in the Twenty-first Regiment, Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded at Pittsburg Landing. J. H. Shively, third child in his father's family and the only one in Cali- fornia, was reared on the farm in Iowa and educated in the public schools. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-two years old, at which time he engaged in independent operations, locating in Dallas county, where he followed farming until 1876, when he came to California. From early childhood he had heard of the advantages to be found in California, but it was not until the above-named year that he was enabled to enjoy the fruition of his hopes. He landed in Napa county March 17, 1876, and began work as a farmhand, and since his arrival has been engaged in farming. In 1881 he went to Santa Clara county and near Mountain View cultivated a vineyard for four years, when he returned to Napa county and bought ten acres, the nucleus of his present holdings. He resides on this land, which is located about two miles north of Napa, where he engages in general farming. From time to time he has added to his place until he now owns one hundred and thirty-five acres in one body, upon which he has made all the improvements, showing what can be done by industry and close application. He has beautified his place by planting trees and shrubs, among which is a row of pines in his driveway. Besides his own property he leases other land, farming about two hundred and thirty acres. He engages quite extensively in raising full-blooded Shrop- shire sheep. For recreation he loves to hunt and fish and owns his own boat, with which he cruises around the bay and its sloughs. Mr. Shively was married in Napa county to Miss Laura Robinson, a na- tive of Boston, Mass., and a daughter of E. W. Robinson, who was born in Maine, and came from Boston to Napa county, Cal., where he followed farm- ing. Mrs. Shively was but seven years old when she accompanied her parents to California. Here she has been reared and educated. Two children grew to maturity and are living: Mabel R., an artist and an instructor in Myers School of Art in Berkeley, and John Edwin, attending the local schools. In national politics Mr. Shively is a Republican. He is interested in the develop- ment of oil in Napa county as a stockholder in a company formed for that pur- pose, besides having other business interests. HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 233 FRANK M. SILVA. The development of a high civilization with its complicated system of laws necessitates the presence in every community of men of logical reasoning faculties, broad knowledge of jurisprudence and habits of thoughtful research. These qualities in a large measure enter into the temperamental faculties and trained abilities of Mr. Silva, who has attained a high standing at the bar of Nap,a a city noted for the eminent attainments of its attorneys and their inti- mate knowledge of the law in all of its departments. It has been possible for him, through natural endowments and thorough training, to rise to a position of respect and influence among others of the same profession and throughout the entire county he is recognized as a concise reasoner, a discriminating counselor and an accurate exponent of the laws as expounded by the master legal minds of the world. The earliest recollections of Mr. Silva cluster around the little city of Napa, where he was born March 6, 1879, and where his parents, Manuel and Elizabeth Silva, made their home for many years. Immature childhood found him giving promise of unusual talent and he therefore was given the best ad- vantages posisble, being sent to St. Mary's College in Oakland after he had completed the course of study in the Napa public school. His college career was gratifying to his friends and honorable in every respect and in 1898 he graduated from St. Mary's with the degree of A. B. Returning to Napa, he took up the study of law in the office of Hon. Theodore Bell, and later prose- cuted his legal researches in Hastings Law College at San Francisco, from which he was graduated with the class of 1903. On the 15th of May, same year, he was admitted to the bar of the state. In 1911 his Alma Mater con- ferred upon him the degree of A. M. Upon his return to Napa the young attorney became associated with the law firm of Bell, York & Bell, and in that office he broadened his knowledge of the law by active practice and thoughtful attention to the methods employed by experienced attorneys with whom it was his privilege to be associated. During May of 1907 he was chosen city attorney and held the position until the following September, when he resigned in order to accept the office of dis- trict attorney. Both of these posts he filled with energy and intelligence and in both he showed a mind stored with legal lore, fortified by research and quickened by ripening experience. At the expiration of his term, on the 1st of January, 1911, he entered upon a general practice at Napa and now gives his time and attention to cases brought him by his increasing clientele. His com- fortable home is presided over with grace and dignity by Mrs. Silva, who is a native of Texas and a graduate of the University of California. Prior to their marriage in 1908 she bore the name of Elizabeth B. Strohl. One son, Francis J., blesses the union. Fraternally Mr. Silva holds membership with the Be- nevolent Protective Order of Elks (of which he is, 1911-12, exalted ruler), the Eagles, Knights of Columbus (having passed through all the offices of the same) and the Native Sons of the Golden West (of which he is past president of the local parlor), and he is also identified' with the Young Men's Institute of Napa. JOHN HUCK. Within the shadow of the Vosges mountains and not far distant from the beautiful waters of the Rhine dwelt the Alsatian family of Huck, the head of which, Simon Huck, served for fourteen years in the French army and was loyally devoted to the welfare of that country. There he was born and there in 1885 he passed away at the age of eighty-two years. One week before his demise his wife had died at seventy-nine years of age. Their son, John, was 234 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES born in Alsace-Lorraine in 1864 and received a thorough education in both French and German. At the age of fourteen years he completed common- school studies and entered a French college, where he carried on the regular course for three years. Meanwhile the country had passed through a critical period of the national history and the beautiful land of his birth had passed out of the hands of the French into the government of Germany. These and other reasons induced him to seek another home in the New World. After crossing the ocean and proceeding to Illinois, Mr. Hack settled in St. Clair county, where he was employed in a grocery business and on a farm. From 1881 until 1883 he remained in that locality, but in the latter year he came to the western coast and settled in San Francisco. Although he came alone and had no friends in the west, he experienced no difficulty in securing employment, for he was a reliable workman. For a time he worked in Napa county and also in the Suisun valley, his position in the latter neighborhood being first in the orchard of a well-to-do widow, next at the Hatch orchard and then as a ranch laborer. Later he returned to San Francisco and worked in a bakery, but soon came back to Solano county, where ever since he has made his home. The marriage of John Huck in 1897 united him with Miss Mary Connelly, who was born in the Suisun valley in 1867, a daughter of Edward Connelly, late of Solano county, but deceased in 1904. Mrs. Connelly still lives at the old homestead. Three children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Huck, namely: Emil, born in 1898; Elwin, 1900, and Mabel I., 1904, all now students in the Fairfield schools. It was during the year 1902 that Mr. Huck embarked in the transfer business and since then he has operated the only business of that kind in Fairfield and Suisun. Since 1904 he also has engaged in selling coal and wood on Union avenue, Suisun, where he has built a warehouse and where he has established a large trade in grain, coal, wood and builders' supplies, the largest fuel business in Suisun or Fairfield. Mr. Huck is a Democrat and is serving his second term as a trustee of the town of Fairfield, and in that position, as well as in the capacity of a private citizen, he has been one of the most earnest, as he was also one of the first, agitators of the project to introduce a sewer system into the town, believing it to be an improvement sorely needed and sure to bring sanitary and other returns that would more than justify the expense. HENRY LEROY BASSFORD. A native son and proud to own it, Henry Leroy Bassford was born March 2, 1881. near Vacaville, and here he passed his youth in the public schools, finishing his training by taking a business course in the Vacaville high school. At the close of this course he went to work on a fruit ranch belonging to his father, remaining there until 1908, when he leased two hundred acres of or- chard land and a similar quantity of pasture land two miles west of Vacaville and engaged in horticulture and stock raising, and during the busy season he employs upward of seventy men to do the necessary work in the orchard. Mr. Bassford has shown his ability along horticultural lines by the suc- cess that has attended his efforts in the cultivation of prunes. On one hun- dred and ten acres of fertile land he makes a specialty of French Imperial prunes, originally imported from France and said to be among the finest prunes in the world. The crops that are gathered bear testimony to the fer- tility of the soil and the knowledge of the cultivator. As high as two hundred tons of prunes have been raised on this ranch in one season. In April, 1909, Mr. Bassford was married to Miss Lela May Raine, a na- tive of Missouri, and they have two children, Henry Ambrose and Louise. ^'T^^^x^//^ 4sU< L HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 291 school days he returned to the home ranch in the Suisun valley and shared with his father the duties which the maintenance of the ranch involved. After the death of the father in 1906 he assumed entire charge of the property. In the early days this was a waving field of grain, yielding splendid harvests from year to year until the raising of fruit had passed the experimental stage, when the elder Mr. Campbell planted the entire acreage to fruit. The change of crop proved a wise one, and for the past twenty-five years the income has been from fruits which flourish best in this part of the state. . At present he is the owner of one hundred and nine acres, of which seventy-eight are in orchard — pears, peaches, apricots and prunes, all of which are bearing. Mr. Campbell was married in 1895 to Miss Ella May Robinson, a native of Iowa, and the daughter of Washington and Margaret Robinson, the former deceased, but the latter still living and a resident of Hanford, Kings county. The eldest of the two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Campbell is Ina Vivienne, now attending the Armijo high school in Fairfield. The other daughter, Dorothy Elizabeth, is a student in the local school. Politically Mr. Campbell is a staunch Democrat, but has never sought or accepted positions of trust and responsibility. WILLIAM GORDON. As a representative of a pioneer family, there is no name better known in Napa county than William Gordon, a resident in Gordon valley, named after the family. Mr. Gordon was born in Toas, N. Mex., September 27, 1833, and when seven years of age was brought to California by his father, William Gordon. The latter was a native of Ohio, of Scotch descent, who came from New Mexico by way of Arizona on horseback to California. He remained in Los Angeles until the spring of 1841, then with others went to the northern part of the state, crossing Carquinez straits in a rowboat and swimming their horses behind them. On reaching the northern side they engaged some Indians to pilot them up the bay and Napa river. Arriving in what is now Napa county, they camped under some large sycamore trees on the present site of George Yount's home and for about a year the elder Gordon engaged in farming on a small scale, raising some cattle and feed and produce for his own needs. From this location he removed to what was afterwards named Washington, the first county seat of Yolo county, situated on the banks of the Sacramento river. Here Mr. Gordon met Captain Sutter and was engaged by the latter to construct a mill at that place, he having told Sutter that he was a mill- wright. During the construction of this mill, which was operated by horse- power, Mr. Gordon made his home in Sacramento county, on the opposite side of the river, and crossed to and from his work daily in a canoe. For this labor Mr. Gordon was given forty-two head of cattle (cows and heifers) in lieu of money. The next move of Mr. Gordon was made two months later, when he went to a location northwest of what is now the city of Woodland and here he secured a grant of three leagues of land and settled down to farming, which continued his occupation until his death. As one of the early pioneers of California, he had to undergo many privations and hardships in establishing a home and, like the majority of those men of that period, aided in all move- ments that had for their object the development of that section of California. William Gordon, of this review, accompanied his parents on their migra- tions in California and received such educational advantages as they were able to give him and, when old enough, assisted with the work about the ranch. After he was old enough to conduct independent farming operations, he settled on Cache creek, where he remained two years. In 1862, he settled in Gordon valley, where he has twelve hundred acres of land, which he secured 292 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES from his father and which was originally part of a Spanish grant. Here Mr. Gordon has a valuable property, which yields him a substantial income annually. This has been developed to its present condition by its owner, and it is conceded to be one of the most valuable properties in the entire valley. There are two hundred acres improved in orchard, consisting of apricots, peaches, prunes, oranges and almonds, one of the largest orchards in Napa county. His orange grove consists of one acre and beautifies his yard and its fruit, raised without irrigation, is of superior quality. Thirty acres are in hay and the balance is used for pasture land for his cattle and horses, about ten head of the latter being kept for use on the ranch. All of the improvements on the place have been placed there by Mr. Gordon. He has erected several sets of buildings, commodious houses for his sons and daughters, who are all living on the ranch, and to whom he leases the property on shares, he having retired from active farm work. Ample facilities have been provided for caring for the fruit, including a dryer and an almond huller for their own use, besides which they take care of their neighbors' almonds. This ranch is watered from the Gordon creek, which flows through the center of it, and withal it might be considered one of the show places of Southern California. Two lofty oak trees, supposed to be about two hundred years old, mark Mr. Gordon's place of residence and stand like sentinels over his home. Besides these trees, the yard is decorated with ornamental shrubbery and flowers, giving it the appearance of a typical California city home. In Napa, June 18, 1861, Mr. Gordon married Juliette Chapman, a native of Connecticut and a daughter of Levi Chapman, who came to California in the early '50s, and was engaged in mining until his death. Of the children born of this marriage we mention the following: George E., who is farming a part of the old home place, married Clara Leonard; Frank L., also interested in farming on the old homestead, was road-overseer for several years ; he married Nettie Gosling and has two children; William H. married Rosa Chapman; Sophronia became the wife of W. A. Clark; and Loleta married Thomas H. Loney. The sons were educated in the public schools and in Napa College, and have been able assistants to their father in the development of the ranch. Each of the children has inherited from their parents those qualities that have given them a place with the representative people of their county. .Ever since locating in Gordon valley, William Gordon has aided in its development, assisting to construct roads, organized the Gordon school district and served as trustee for many years. In politics he is a Republican, although has never been an aspirant for office. His public spirit and regard for the welfare of the people have. been frequently demonstrated and now in review- ing his life work, as he looks over his broad possessions he recalls the time when he was engaged in mining during the exciting period of 1848-9, when they were washing out their gold and often would get as much as $50 or more in one pan. He compares his present condition, when he is assured of an annual income, to the precarious occupation that he followed as a young man. Mr. Gordon is a quiet, conservative man, and while he has always worked to advance his own interests, has never neglected the duties of a citizen. REV. FATHER BERNARD M. DOOGAN. The history of the Catholic church in California is so intimately con- nected with the general history of the commonwealth that no detailed ac- count of one could be written without mention of the other. The needs of a church of this denomination in Vallejo were aoparent as early as the year 1855, and resulted in the organization of St. Vincent's church. From the first the organization attracted wealthy and influential communicants and HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 293 friends, among them being General Frisbee and General Vallejo, the first men- tioned donating the site for the church, and the latter giving the bell, which had formerly done service in the old mission at Sonoma. With the passing of years the congregation outgrew the original building and with the same generosity which had prompted his former donation, General Frisbee donated the entire block embraced by Santa Clara, Sacramento, Florida and Kentucky streets, and to this location the old edifice was removed in 1870. The wide scope of the new grounds made possible the development of the well-laid plans of the pastor, Rev. Father Louis Daniel, whose keen ambi- tion was to extend the usefulness of the church by the erection and mainte- nance of a school for girls. This was accomplished by remodeling and equip- ping the old building with school furnishings, and under the direction of the Sisters of St. Dominic the institution flourished. However, before the build- ing was remodeled for school purposes a new brick church was well under way and the able pastor who had worked so indefatigably in making it a pos- sibility, ministered a number of years thereafter to the growing congregation who gathered within its walls. His death in 1896, at the age of sixty-six, was the cause of universal mourning among the faithful members of his congrega- tion, who keenly appreciated the material and spiritual labors of their pastor in their behalf. Not only was his loss felt by his own congregation, but by the entire community, without regard to creed or occupation, for during the thirty-two years of his life in Vallejo he had won the love and respect of all citizens by his broad, humanitarian spirit. The present pastor of St. Vincent's church, Rev. Father Bernard M. Doogan, is a native of Ireland, born in Dublin, May 24, 1838, and the greater part of his education for the priesthood was obtained on this side of the At- lantic — in fact, in the state in which his life work has been cast. Supplement- ing his preparatory studies he began active preparation for the priesthood in the Dominican House of Studies at Benicia, Cal., and from 1866 to 1873 was rector of St. Bridget's church in San Francisco. In the year last mentioned he went to the Monastery of St. Dominic at Benicia, from there being trans- ferred to St. Dominic's church in San Francisco, remaining there until his call to St. Vincent's parish at Vallejo in 1896. Not unlike his predecessor, Father Doogan is a man of large heart and deep intellectuality, and is in every way fitted for the important office which he holds as spiritual guide and leader of his congregation. ROBERT STEWART. For centuries the history of the Stewart family was linked with that of the Scottish Highlands, and all who counted John Stewart among their friends call to mind the interesting accounts of his life in that picturesque country, famous in song and story. Born in 1822, he came to America alone during early life, settling first in Canada, where in 1856 he married Miss Christina Ferguson. Both parents are now deceased, the father dying in 1891, and the mother in 1900, at the age of sixty-eight years, after many happy years passed in California. It was while his parents were making their home in Dalhousie, New Brunswick, Canada, that Robert Stewart was born June 11, 1862, but so far as 1 his memory serves him he has always been a resident of California, for he was a child of four years when removal was made to the Pacific coast country. Settlement was first made in Petaluma, Sonoma county, but a year later the family removed to Solano county and settled at Rio Vista, where the father entered upon the occupation of rancher with zest. The son was educated in the schools of Rio Vista and as soon as he was old enough his services were enlisted in the care of the ranch, the duties of which had increased from year 294 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES to year and taxed the strength of the father. The association of father and son continued uninterruptedly for a number of years, or until the latter was twenty-three years of age, when he purchased a ranch of his own in the vicinity of Rio Vista and carried it on for about five years. Mr. Stewart's identification with Suisun dates from 1890, when he dis- posed of his property near Rio Vista and settled on the ranch which he now occupies. At the time he came to the valley grain and fruit were both raised, but now the latter is raised almost exclusively. Mr. Stewart's orchard con- tains a variety of trees, such as apricots, peaches, prunes and pears. The pears are usually packed and shipped east, while the other fruits are chiefly dried on the ranch. Mr. Stewart has sixty-five acres about seven and a half miles from Suisun, which has been practically all reset by himself and now he has a full bearing orchard. In 1902 Robert Stewart formed domestic ties by his marriage with Miss Anna Marie Bailey, a native of Iowa, and their marriage has resulted in the birth of two children, Mary Elizabeth and Romaine. Fraternally, Mr, Stewart is identified with but one order, holding membership in Suisun Lodge No. 78, I. O. O. F. Mr. Stewart having great faith in the future success of the fruit industry in the valley, has made it a study and his aim has been to raise the fruits that are best suited to soil and climate, and, having a variety, is given time to harvest the crop as it matures from month to month. It is to men of his type who, having the interest of the community at heart, that Solano county owes its present state of development and prosperity. WADE HAMPTON LITTLE. Although comparatively young in years, having been born on a farm in Berryessa, Napa county, Cal., in 1878, Wade Hampton Little has already ac- quired the reputation of being one of the coming horticulturists of the Suisun valley. During and following his school days he acquired an experience on a general farm and later engaged in the hotel business with his brother in Monticello. In 1909 he invested his earnings in a ranch of twenty-five acres and has since devoted his time to the raising of prunes and apricots. One- half of this was set to orchard by himself and now the whole of the ranch is in trees. For the year of 1910 he received for his crop $1900, and the season was not regarded as up to the standard. He is making continual improve- ments on his place, and its atmosphere of neatness, thrift and progressiveness may well serve as inspiration to prospective ranchers. The family of Mr. Little was represented very early in Napa county, especially on the maternal side, as his mother, Mrs. Carrie Sweitzer Little, a native of Iowa, crossed the plains with her parents when she was only five years old, a child too young to appreciate either the dangers or advantages surrounding homeseekers who had left their all the other side of the Missis- sippi, and forged in an ox train of '49 towards the little known and fabulous west. This courageous pioneer woman's mental storehouse has parted with none of its treasures of memory, and she still delights the younger genera- tion with accounts of days of incredible hardship and incessant toil for the bare necessities of life. She has been a widow for many years, and still oc- cupies the homestead at Monticello. Mr. Little has no political aspirations, and while inclined towards the Democratic party, casts his vote for the man best fitted for the office. His pleasant home is presided over by his wife, formerly Emma Mangels, a native daughter of the Suisun valley, whom he married in April, 1909. Mrs. Little is the daughter of Louis Mangels, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. cMoAarQA&t c4laJmu/J HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 297 JOHN CANEVASCINI. In the canton of Ticino, Switzerland, Mr. Canevascini was born in February, 1847, the son of Giacomo and Annuciata (Piantoni) Canevascini, who were both natives of that country, and there passed their entire lives. At the age of twenty-two years, in 1869. he came to the United States, land- ing on the Atlantic coast, and from there coming to California. From San Francisco he came soon afterward to Solano county, finding employment in a vineyard ; he also built twelve miles of fence in Monterey county. All of this experience was of untold value to him, not only giving a much-needed in- come, but giving him an excellent opportunity to see the country at the same time. In 1877 he purchased property near Suisun, and this has been his home ever since. His ranch comprises six acres and is planted to vines and fruit exclusively. Mr. Canevascini's marriage united him with Miss Rosa Nessi, who had come to this country from Switzerland in 1877, the year of their marriage. Two children were born of this union, but only one is now living, Ida, at home with her parents. MRS. MARGARET MATHEWS. If Mrs. Mathews could be prevailed upon to write a detailed account of her life it would be found interesting reading for old and young alike, begin- ning with her voyage across the Atlantic in young womanhood and followed by early experiences in the new and undeveloped west, her residence in Solano county covering half a century. Although she has reached an age when average persons would consider themselves eligible to the retired list, Mrs. Mathews possesses a temperament too energetic to permit of idleness or inactivity and each day finds her ready to take care of her varied business inter- ests which have engaged her attention all these years and assumed such large proportions. A native of Londonderry, Ireland, Miss Margaret Anderson, as she was known before her marriage, came to the United States in young womanhood, in 1856, the voyage on the sailing vessel Franklin Sister con- suming five weeks and four days. From the port of landing Miss Anderson went to Philadelphia, Pa., remaining there for about five years, when, in 1861, she made the journey to San Francisco, and during the same year occurred her marriage to Mr. Mathews. Thomas Mathews is still remembered among the old-time settlers of Vallejo, where he settled in the early '50s and where he continued to make his home throughout the remainder of his life, content with whatever condi- tions fell to his lot. This happy, wholesome faculty of adapting one's self to conditions gracefully proved a valuable asset to Thomas Mathews when he came to California in youth, ignorant of the ways of the world, but deter- mined to meet conditions bravely and prove to himself and to others that he had made no mistake in taking up life on the Pacific coast. One of the pioneers of the early '50s, he came directly to Solano county, and in the imme- diate vicinity of his first location he passed the remainder of his life. Before Mare Island was taken over by the United States government he settled on the island and for many years gave faithful service as watchman at the navy yard. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Mathews settled near Vallejo, where they established and conducted what was known as the Three-Mile House, on the Napa road. This was a famous place for refreshment and rest for travelers during the early days, and many are the pioneers still living who can recall the hospitality freely dispensed at this well-known hostelry, which 16 298 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES could well be compared to an oasis on a desert. Many a stranded wayfarer who came to them enjoyed the same comforts as those who were able to pay for their accommodation, it being an unwritten law with Mr. and Mrs. Mathews to turn no one away hungry, and in spite of their seeming unbounded hospitality and generosity they were not impoverished thereby, but apparently prospered the more. The property upon which they then settled has been added to by purchase from time to time until it now consists of nine hundred acres of very valuable land, which Mrs. Mathews now leases to ranchers engaged in the dairy and cattle business. Mrs. Mathews is an exceptionally clever business woman and was an invaluable assistant to her husband in the maintenance of the hostelry during early days. Besides owning the ranch already mentioned, she is the owner and proprietor of the well-known Harbin Springs resort in Lake county, besides which she owns valuable real estate in the city of Vallejo. Mr. and Mrs. Mathews were both particularly averse to all games of chance, especially card-playing, disapproving of the practice so strongly that they did not allow card-playing in their hotel, nor indeed any other pastime that would suggest gambling or chance. Mr. Mathews passed away in Vallejo, July 22, 1897, mourned by a large circle of friends and acquaintances who had learned to love and honor him for his noble traits of character that ennobled all lives that came in contact with his own. JAMES SLOAN. By virtue of a life of honorable action, Mr. Sloan is enabled to spend in retrospection many moments free from regret, secure in the knowledge that at all times his efforts were directed by conscientious ambition and sterl- ing integrity. He has materially aided in the development of Vallejo, having resided in that community for the past forty-five years, and enjoys the uni- versal respect of his fellow-citizens. Born August 2, 1829, near Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland, James Sloan is the son of William and Margaret (Esler) Sloan. In 1852 he immigrated to Buffalo, N. Y., and for a short time clerked in a store. In the fall of that year he enlisted in Company C, Fourth United States Infantry, serving in subsequent Indians wars in Washington territory. In 1857 he was honorably discharged, being physically unfit for duty, having received several wounds, including an injury in his right breast. Upon his return to Buffalo he en- gaged in the grocery business, and while in that city witnessed the passing of Abraham Lincoln's funeral train in 1865. Mr. Sloan was united in marriage July 7, 1859, in Niagara Falls, Canada, with Miss Annie Eliza Fosler, a native of that city, and a daughter of Cor- nelius Fosler, whose birth occurred in Somerset, England, and who became a carpenter and builder in Niagara Falls, Canada. His wife, formerly Mary Kerr, was born in the north of Ireland and both passed away in Canada. Three daughters were born to them, Mrs. Sloan being the eldest. In 1867 Mr. and Mrs. Sloan removed to Vallejo, Cal., where the former was employed in the Mare Island Navy Yard until he retired, and with his wife is now re- siding in their comfortable home at No. 945 York street. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sloan : Mary Helen, now Mrs. H. W. Clark, of Globe, Ariz., who has one son, Henry ; Margaret Esler, wife of Capt. Otto J. Johnson, who has three children ; Julius, a graduate of Vallejo high school and now employed in the auditing department of the Southern Pacific Railroad, Harold and Esler; Sarah Jane, now Mrs. George L. Rogers of Edenvale, Cal. ; and James Esler, of Oxnard, Cal., who has three daughters, Bernice Helen, Annie Elizabeth and Ardis. Mr. Sloan is a stanch Republican and, with his wife, is a member of the Vallejo Episcopal Church. HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 299 CHARLES M. TURNER. Not the least of the legacies left Solano county by its early pioneers are the sons who bear their names and painstakingly carry on their work. Some- thing of the iron of these courageous settlers has entered into the lives of their progeny, who, placed in entirely different and less exacting circum- stances, fulfil their destiny with equally commendable zeal and conscientious- ness. Charles M. Turner was born August 19, 1855, on the place in the Armejo Grant where his father first settled, and which adjoins the place he now owns. A native of the south, William H. Turner was born in Mecklenburg county, Va., December 27, 1816, and in 1838 he went to Cape Girardeau county. Mo. There, on July 23, 1839, he married Susan J. Elliott, a native of Granville county, N. C. For about seven years after their marriage they made their home in Cape Girardeau county, and then located in St. Clair county, 111., in both of which places Mr. Turner followed farming. During 1850 he crossed the plains to California, and for the first five months followed mining in the vicinity of Nevada City. From there he went to Red Bar, Trinity county, and continued mining until 1851, when he returned east. On the return trip in the following year he brought his wife and six children across the plains, the ox-team journey coming to an end in Suisun, Solano county, August 28. 1852. Four miles north of town he settled on a farm and built a house of timber that he hauled from the Napa redwoods. Eventually, in 1871, he was dispossessed of this ranch and the improvements. In the meantime, in 1860, he had purchased and located on the ranch which con- tinued to be his home until his death, a place of two hundred and thirty-eight acres about four miles northwest of Suisun. Here his wife died October 11, 1867. Three more children were added to the family after removal was made to California, but of the nine children born to them only one is living, Charles M.. the subject of this article. On September 27, 1871, Mr. Turner married Salina J. Rogers, like himself a native of Mecklenburg county, Va. She died June 1, 1884, having become the mother of six children, of whom three are now living: George R., a horticulturist of the Suisun valley, of whom a sketch will be found elsewhere; Leland J., employed in Benicia; and Virgil F., of San Jose. William H. Turner paid in the first money at the land office in Solano county. Charles M. Turner was educated in the public schools and followed farming with his father until his marriage, then removing to his present place, to which he has added one hundred and sixty acres, making a ranch of three hundred and twenty acres five miles north of Suisun. A large portion of the land is devoted to raising grain and hay, besides which he has twenty-seven acres in prunes, and he also raises hogs and mules for the market. The marriage of Charles M, Turner, November 2, 1884, united him with Alice Boynton, who was born on the old Boynton place, one and a half miles west of Fairfield. She is the daughter of Harrison and Frances C. (Farwell) Boynton, born in Lyme and East Jaffery, N. H., respectively. In 1849 Mr. Boynton started for the gold mines of California and arrived the following year. Returning east he was married in Boston in 1854. Coming again to the west, he became an old settler and prominent farmer near Fairfield, where his wife died in 1902, and where he also passed away in 1907. Mrs. Turner was educated in the public schools and in Nana Seminary. Of the two chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Turner, the eldest, Frank E.. died at the age of eight years. Henry B., born in 1886, is a graduate of the Vacaville high school and is still at home with his parents. Mr. Turner has subscribed to the prin- ciples of the Republican Darty since the beginning of his voting days, and latterly he has been prominent in the councils of the same, serving in various local capacities, and doing effective work as a member of the school board. 300 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES His personal qualifications are of the practical kind ; he has push, determina- tion, and rare common sense, and is an effectual exponent of scientific farm- ing and harmonious country living. WILLIAM HIGGINS. Among those who have lifted themselves from small beginnings into prominence and success as general farmers and land-owners is William Hig- gins, whose farm of one hundred and seventy acres in Suisun township, Solano county, affords expression of his intelligent industry and progressiveness. Primarily he is interested in dairying on a large scale, but a portion of his land is devoted to fruit and grain raising. Mr. Higgins was fifteen years old when he felt County Limerick, Ireland, where he was born in 1835. For eight years he was variously employed in Massachusetts, principally as a boat hand, and in the fall of 1860 he came to California by way of Panama, bringing with him his wife, formerly Elizabeth Egan, whom he married August 19, 1860, and who also is a native of Ireland. The parents of Mrs. Higgins died in Ireland during the first years of the young couple's residence in this state, while Mr. Higgins' mother died several years previous to the passing of his father, Lawrence Higgins, in 1865, at the age of eighty-four years. William Higgins landed in San Francisco from Panama, and two months later came to Solano county, where he found employ- ment on a farm. Later he engaged in contract work of various kinds, and at the end of fifteen years had saved enough to purchase his present farm in Suisun township. He is interestingiy reminiscent of the early days of the locality and recalls having shot deer and other game at a time when the scarcity of his income made it essential for the maintenance of life. In political affiliations Mr. Higgins is a Democrat, but his vote is influ- enced largely by the character and fitness of the candidate. As road overseer for many years he had much to do towards the present fine condition of the public highways of the township, and as school trustee he has lent practical assistance to the establishment of a high grade of instruction. Mr. and Mrs. Higgins became the parents of eight children, six of whom are living : Law- rence, born in 1862, a farmer of Green valley, this state ; Minnie, born in 1864, wife of George Kenlock, a resident of Suisun ; Kate F.. born in 1866, wife of James Clayton, of Berkeley; Sarah, born in 1868, the wife of Daniel H. White, of Fairfield; William Higgins, Jr., born in 1871, and an employe of the Union Iron Works Company, of San Francisco ; and Josephine, the wife of Philip Winkleman. a farmer of Shasta county. John Robert Higgins, the sixth oldest of the children, born in 1873, was killed by a railroad train in Berkeley in 1905. and Eugene Higgins died in infancy. CHARLES HENRY NEITZEL. As assistant manager of the wholesale commission business of the Stewart Fruit Company, at Suisun, Charles Henry Neitzel enjoys merited prestige and authority as an expert in his line, and as a dependable promoter of the highest possible standards of horticulture. Both education and special training have fitted him for his work, as well as local pride engendered through almost life- long association with Suisun township. Inheriting the practical traits of Teutonic forefathers, he was born in Rockville, Solano county, November 14, 1863. and received the common school education afforded in Suisun township. His earliest recollections center around his father's ranching enterprise, and a different kind of experience grew out of his apprenticeship to a blacksmith, which trade he subsequently combined with farming. Beginning with his HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 303 thirty-seventh year he operated the home place in partnership with his brother, and was thus employed until actively engaging in the fruit business in his present capacity. The name of Neitzel first became known to the residents of Solano county through the arrival here in 1854 of Frank Egan Neitzel, father of Charles Henry, who was born in Germany, and immigrated to the United States at the agre of sixteen years. The elder Neitzel has justified the reputation of his countrymen at large for practical and thrifty endeavor, and though now approaching his eightieth year, maintains oversight of his ranch which for so many years has borne testimony to his industry. His wife, who is now seventy-nine years of age, was in maidenhood Johanna Higgins, and is a sister of William Higgins of Green valley, October 10, 1901, Charles Henry Neitzel was united in marriage to Cora Gordon, a native of Shasta county, this state, and of the union there are two children : Isabella, born November 24. 1902, and Catherine Louise, born January 24, 1908. Politically Mr. Neitzel is a Democrat. Agreeable and straightforward, having excellent business faculty and judgment, he takes a lively interest in the educational and general interests of the community. HON. REUBEN CLARK. So much of- Mr. Clark's life has been passed in California that he has little recollection of any other home. His earliest memory, however, is of a country home in Chickasaw county, Iowa, where he was born December 16, 1855. the son of Abraham and Electa Jane (Snider) Clark, of whom a sketch will be found on another page. He lived in Iowa until about eight years of age, when the family crossed the plains to California, parents and children and household effects being conveyed in wagons drawn by horse teams. Pri- marily educated in the country schools of Chickasaw county, Iowa, after reach- ing the west Mr. Clark continued his studies and completed his education by taking a twelve-month course in Pierce Christian College. It is but just to say that he made the best use of his opportunities, and at the age of twenty years, when many youths were still in school, he was deep in the cares of business as manager of a twelve-thousand-acre ranch in Colusa county. This was the well-known Stovall ranch at Williams, which he plowed from the virgin soil, and upon which he remained for seventeen years, during this time gaining the reputation of raising more grain than any other man of his age. In garnering his grain he ran three combined harvesters, propelled by thirty-two mules. Since 1892 Mr. Clark has been located in the Berryessa valley engaged in farming and stock-raising, and it is safe to say that in the vicinity of Monticello, or in fact in Napa county, there are few ranchers more successful than is he. Persevering and energetic by nature and temperament, he knows no such word as fail, and while his experiences have not been unmarked by many trials and disappointments, his large vision and hopeful spirit have buoyed him on to success. He is now renting an estate of about twelve hundred acres, of which one thousand acres are pasture land, for the lessee is interested in stock-raising. He has several valuable stallions, forty-five head of work stock, one hundred and thirty-five horses and mules, and four hundred head of hogs. The old residence on the ranch was erected by Mr. Clark's father during the years 1880 and 1881, an immense structure contain- ing twenty-two rooms. A part of the old adobe house is also still standing. Mr. Clark's marriage in 1883 united him with a native daughter of the state. Miss Cordelia Stovall, and the following children were born to them : Elmer R., born February 28, 1884, and Foster, March 30, 1886. Shortly after 304 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES the birth of the second son the wife and mother died, on June 1, 1886. In 1898 Mr. Clark was married to Miss Lulu Danner, of Colusa, and four children have been born of this marriage: Dorris V., Reuben Curtis, Agnes and Meredith B. The eldest of Mr. Clark's children, Dr. Elmer R. Clark, is an osteopathic physician, practicing at Oakdale, Stanislaus county. While a resident of Colusa county Mr. Clark joined the Masonic fra- ternity, becoming a charter member of Tuscan Lodge No. 261 at Williams, and he is also a member of Colusa Chapter, R. A. M., and of Colusa Com- mandery No. 24, K. T. Honors came to Mr. Clark in 1882, when he was elected a member of the legislature, representing Colusa and Tehama counties in the assembly, and serving in the session of 1883 and the extra session of 1884. He was active in securing needed legislation for his district and was a member of several committees. As a mark of appreciation of his services his fellow-citizens endeavored to retain him as their representative in the legisla- ture, but he refused to accept the candidacy in 1884, and in 1886 he refused to be a candidate for the state senate, preferring private to public life. All his life he has been a stanch Democrat and has been a member of the Demo- cratic state central committee. Mr. Clark is one of the type of men of which the world has all too few. Under all circumstances he has proven master of himself and all who are brought in contact with him feel the impulse of his strong and purposeful mind. CHARLES THEODORE CLARK. The proprietor of "Folly Rocks" ranch, near Napa, Charles T. Clark was born in Ohio City, Ohio, December 14, 1837, a son of Castmor H. and Mary E. (Stockwell) Clark. The former was born in Vermont and his father, Harri- son Clark, was a native of New York state and a prominent contractor and builder for over sixty years in Rochester, where he died. C. H. Clark was reared in Rochester, N. Y., and also followed contracting and building. He later moved to Ohio, where he was married, and still later removed to Oak Creek, Milwaukee, Wis., which remained his home from 1841 until 1850, when he crossed the plains to California. Two years afterward he returned to Wisconsin and in 1853 brought his family by the Nicaragua route to San Francisco. He located on Broadway between Taylor and Jones streets and became one of the pioneer builders in San Francisco. In 1858 he purchased one thousand acres in Napa county, five miles from Napa, and located on what was called Napa de Arroyo. He improved the ranch and for many years carried on general agricultural pursuits with good success. Finally he sold out and retired to private life, d} r ing in Napa at the age of ninety-five years and seven months. His wife was a daughter of Leonard Stockwell and a native of New York state. Mr. Stockwell was drum major under General Scott in the war of 1812. He was a pioneer of Wisconsin of 1840, developing a farm at Oak Creek. He spent his last days in Cleveland, Ohio. Mrs. Clark came of a very musical family and she was an accomplished vocalist and pianist. She died at Oak Creek. Of the four children born of this mar- riage three grew to maturity and two are now living. C. H. Clark married the second time, Mrs. Elenore Helsert Mount, a native of Toledo, Ohio; she died in Napa. Of this marriage three children are living. Charles Theodore Clark was the second child by his father's first marriage and was reared and educated in Wisconsin from the age of fourteen until 1853, when he accompanied his family to California and after locating in San Fran- cisco, attended the public schools there. He learned the builder's trade under his father's direction and in 1856 he first came to Napa county, permanently locating here in 1858. In 1860 he began contracting and building, which busi- ness he has since followed with the exception of the time spent in prospecting HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 305 and mining in Butte, Tuolumne and Mono countries, Cal., and in Nevada. He built a beautiful home on a tract of three and one-half acres one and one- half miles from Napa, on West First street, a romantic place known as "Idle- wild" and improved with fruits. Mr. Clark was married in Napa to Miss Lucretia Hogle, a native of Jeffer- son City, Mo., and who came across the plains to California in 1853 with her parents. Of this union six children have been born : George P., a real estate dealer in Lancaster, Cal. ; Frank C, a physician in Los Angeles ; Edwin C, in the postal service in Aberdeen, Wash.; Robert A., a contractor and builder in Hoquiam, Wash.; Ella J. and Susie. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are both adherents to the doctrines of the Christian Church. Mr. Clark is a prohibitionist and has taken a very active part in advocating the platform of this political party. For fifty-five years he has been a resident of Napa county and during this period has taken an active part in civic affairs and has exerted his influence for the real betterment of the county. WILLIAM H. MORRISON. Born at Dundee. Monroe county, Mich., June 7, 1854, Mr. Morrison was only one year old when his father, Josiah C. Morrison, bade farewell to the family and started alone for the unknown but alluring west. Four years later, deciding to remain in California permanently, he sent to Michigan for the family, so that the son was a child of five years when he accompanied his mother via the Panama route to the Pacific coast. Landing at San Francisco they proceeded to Sierra county and the boy was sent to a public school at Downieville. When removal was made to San Francisco he attended the Lincoln grammar school, where he was one of the very first pupils. Ambitious to earn his own livelihood, he secured work as a newsboy with a leading San Francisco daily. The route over which he delivered the paper extended from Seconu street to the water front and the circulation at that time was only six hundred and fifty copies. During 1870 the family removed to Napa county and the father is still a resident of the county, where he has a high standing as an honored pioneer and energetic citizen, and where in the years of his activity he engaged extensively in the dairy business. When the son started out for himself he worked as a rancher and on two occasions he worked in Oregon, but in 1882, at the time of his marriage, he settled on the ranch in Solano county, where he still makes his home. The tract is one of the most fertile in the famed Suisun valley. A specialty is made of fruit and with the exception of twenty-five acres in grain the entire property aggregating one hundred and seventeen acres is under cultivation to fruit trees of the choicest varieties. Having found horticulture more profitable than stock-raising he has given little attention to the latter department of agriculture, but devotes his time principally to the care of the trees and the harvesting of the fruit. The marriage of W. H. Morrison united him with Miss Frances McEwen, a native of Ohio. Nine children were born to them, all still living with the exception of Florence, who died in infancy. The eldest member of the family, Emily C, is the wife of Albert Kerr. Three sons, W. J., C. E-, and D. B., are married and reside in the Suisun valley, where they are well known as representatives of the sturdy and energetic younger element of the citizen- ship. J. H., who. is still single, resides with his parents. Bessie E. is her mother's capable assistant, while the others. Gladys and Julian, are attending grammar school. A thorough believer in education, Mr. Morrison has will- ingly aided all movements for the upbuilding of the local schools and has served with efficiency as trustee of the same. Never has he turned a deaf ear to those in sorrow or sickness, but always he has been a helper and a 306 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES thoughtful neighbor. A hard-working man and a quiet but public-spirited citizen, he belongs to that class whose citizenship has been indispensable to the betterment of the county and state. james f. Mclaughlin. The life whose varying experiences this chronicle briefly depicts began at Manchester, Hartford county, Conn., July 17, 1838. The family has been represented in the new world for a number of generations and has borne an honorable part in our national growth ever since the original emigrant crossed the ocean to brave the dangers of an unknown land. Tradition de- clares that the ancestry came from Scotland, but was forced to flee to Ireland at the time of the religious persecutions, which exiled many of the oldest clans of the kingdom. Michael McLaughlin was born November 10, 1810, and died in 1895, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Rose Fagen, passed away in 1888. Their son, James F., went with them into the city of Hartford during the year 1846 and there attended school for a brief period. After one year at Hartford the family removed to New Haven. When he left school at the age of fourteen he stood at the head of his class, and had acquired a fund of information sufficiently broad to enable him to later teach school with gratifying success. The first employment secured by Mr. McLaughlin was that of an ap- prentice to the clockmaker's trade under Chauncey Jerome, who established the first clock factory in the United States, and was the inventor of the first brass clock. At work in the same room with the young apprentice was Seth Thomas, who afterward became the most noted clockmaker in the entire world. During the autumn of 1854 P. T. Barnum, famous in circus history, formed a stock company with Chauncey Jerome and they manufactured ninety thousand clocks per month, building up a business of national im- portance. A dislike for factory work and a desire to see the great west led Mr. McLaughlin to leave the old home in 1855, at which time he became a pioneer of Wisconsin. During July of 1858 he went still further west and at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., entered the government service, being sent to Fort Smith in December of the same year. During the summers of 1859 and 1860 he engaged in fighting the Indians and served under Major Sedg- wick and Captain Sturgis. While still working for the government he was imprisoned at Fort Smith and sentenced to be shot, but fortunately the sen- tence was changed to imprisonment at the very last moment of suspense. Upon being released from prison in August, 1863, he enlisted with the First United States Engineers, and remained in the army until March 18, 1866, when he received his final discharge and left the service with an enviable record for courage and faithfulness. During the fall of 1865 he helped to build two bridges across the Rio Grande river and from there he was sent to Mobile bay, where an explosion wrecked his ship and caused a heavy loss For some time after the war Mr. McLaughlin remained in Texas, but in 1874 he returned to Wisconsin and there he continued to make his home for ten years, meanwhile helping to build the first bridge over the Wisconsin river. During 1884 he started for California, but en route stopped at Win- slow, Ariz., and worked at the carpenter's trade. Next he made brief so- journs in the Santa Clara valley of California and in Solano county, working as a carpenter in both localities as well as in other parts of the state. Later he worked at his trade in Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., whence he returned to the east for a sojourn of four years and then came back to California to establish a permanent home, since which time he has lived in the Suisun valley. Politically he is a Democrat and cast his first presidential ballot for HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 309 Stephen A. Douglas. For one-half ccntur\ or more lie has been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and for a long period he also has affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic. WILLIAM J. TORMFY. In tracing the family history of Vallejo's chief executive we find that generations of the name had flourished on the Emerald Isle and that the immi- grant to the new world was William Tormey, the father of William J. Born in Ireland in 1848. William Tormey came to the United States in 1867, and to California in 1868. Coming direct to Xapa county, he first found employment with his relatives. Tormey & Fagan, wealthy cattlemen and large land owners in Suscol. Subsequently he secured a position with A. J. Murphy in the grocery business in Vallejo. and in 1869. with Thomas Burke as a partner, he purchased Mr. Murphy's interest, and thereafter business was carried on under the name of Tormey & Burke, their store being located on Georgia street near the wharf. Some time later Mr. Tormey bought out his partner's interest in the business and ran it alone for several years, or until selling it out in 1878. Later he established himself in the ice manufacturing business, continuing this until 1883, when he removed to Sacramento, where he held a number of responsible positions under the secretary of state, T. L. Thompson. Returning to Vallejo. here he was again in public office, in 1887 being ap- pointed to the office of chief clerk in the steam engineering department at Mare Island navy yard, remaining there for two years. In 1889 he became proprietor of the Astor House, in addition to which he also conducted a profit- able wood and coal business, continuing this until his death in 1894. In the '70s he was city assessor of Vallejo for several terms and also served as a school director and was acting superintendent of schools for a number of years. In addition to the offices mentioned, he also at one time served as city trustee. His marriage in 1872 united him with Fannie E. Bromley, a native of Benicia. and the daughter of Thomas and Margaret Bromley, pioneer settlers in that city. She died in 1902. at the early age of forty-five years. Eight children were born of their marriage, as follows: William J., Fannie, Ella, Mary, Raymond. Rose, Genevieve and a son who died in infancy. The eldest child in the parental family. William J. Tormey, was born in Vallejo. June 15. 1875, and he obtained his education in the public schools here and in Sacramento Institute. Later he took a course in Heald's Business College, from which he graduated in 1894. It w r as while he was assisting his father in the management of the Astor House that his name came into promi- nence as the candidate on the Independent ticket for the office of city auditor and assessor, to which he was elected in 1902, a position in which he gave entire satisfaction, but which he resigned on April 15, 1903, to accept the appointment of city clerk to fill out the unexpired term of T. J. O'Hara, re- signed. In 1904 he was elected city clerk, and was his own successor in 1906 by his re-election to the same office. In November of that year he was nomi- nated as the candidate for county auditor of Solano county on the Democratic ticket, and his election for a four-year term followed. Resigning the office of city clerk, he took his seat as county auditor in January, 1907, serving until April. 1908, when the affairs in the city clerk's office had become so involved that he was induced by the city trustees to again accept the city clerkship. which he did after resigning the office of county auditor. He took up the duties of city clerk and in 1910, under the new primary law. received the nomination of both parties and was duly elected and served acceptably until the new commission form of charter took effect, in May. 1911. and at the first primary under the new charter was a candidate for mayor of Vallejo. being 310 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES elected to the office with a majority of nearly one thousand votes over the Socialist candidate. The people have every confidence in him and feel sure of his loyal support of the highest ideals that make for good government. He took the oath of office as mayor July 1, 1911, for a term of four years, and since then his time has been fully occupied with the management of the new system of city government. The following from the Vallejo Times indicates unmistakably the high opinion his fellow citizens have of him : "And 'Billy' Tormey, honest, capable, efficient, obliging 'Billy' Tormey, is the first mayor of Greater Vallejo. Not by a plurality, not by a scant majority, but by a vote of more than two to one, a majority so big and so grand that those of the opposition are surprised and dumbfounded. William J. Tormey, the candidate of all the people, the candidate of no class, of no clique, no organization or no set of men, was yesterday elected to the highest position of honor and trust within the gift of the electors of this great municipality, Vallejo by the Navy Yard." In San Francisco, in 1909, Mr. Tormey was married to Miss Agnes M. Higgins, a native of that city. In addition to his municipal duties, Mr. Tormey is interested in a number of enterprises, among them the Vallejo Building and Loan Association, of which he is vice-president. He is also a prominent figure in fraternal and social organizations, being a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks ; Vallejo Parlor No. 77, N. S. G. W., of which he is past president and is now treasurer; past dictator of Vallejo Lodge No. 468, Loyal Order of Moose; Knights of Columbus, Royal Arcanum, and the Samo- set Tribe, I.'O. R. M. THOMAS DICKSON. During the first half of the nineteenth century a young- Scotchman, WilHam Dickson, left the land of his nativity and the home of his progenitors to seek hoped-for fortune in the new world across the seas. Chance directed his steps to Canada and he settled in that fertile strip of country lying between lakes Erie and Huron, where he took up an unimproved tract of land and fol- lowed farming. In his new location he formed the acquaintance of a young Canadian girl, Jannet Larkin, who was born in 1826. Their son, Thomas, born at the home place in county Oxford, Canada, in 1851, was only three years of age when the father was taken from the family circle by death, in 1854. Afterward -the widow married again and eventually with her second husband came to California, where she died January 5, 1909, at the age of eighty-two years and two months. The public schools of Ontario afforded Thomas Dickson fair opportu- nities for acquiring- an education sufficient for the transaction of all business affairs. From early life he was familiar with farming and depended upon such work as a source of livelihood. Just before he left Canada for the United States, in 1878, he was married to Miss Jane Melrose, who was born in Perth, a county adjoining Oxford. Her parents were born, reared and married in Scotland. They crossed the ocean to Canada and settled in county Perth, where she was born and educated. The father made a trip to Scotland and died there. The wedding tour of the young couple consisted of a trip from the old Canadian home to California. With them came three brothers of Mr. Dickson, their mother and stepfather. After his arrival in this state Mr. Dickson and his wife lived with an uncle for a few months. Meanwhile he investigated conditions and property. Finally he bought three hundred acres in the Suisun valley four miles north of that city and here since 1879 he has made his home, meanwhile improving the property with needed buildings and engaging in the raising of grain and stock. As a farmer he is a believer in the maintenance of soil fertility and HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 311 considers it necessary for that purpose to keep an adequate supply of stock on the laiul. The eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Dickson is Margaret M., the wife of William C. Hale, a farmer in the Suisun valley. Mr. and Mrs. Hale are the parents of one child. The second daughter in the Dickson family is Agnes Elvie, a graduate of the Armejo high school and now a teacher in the grammar schools of that place. Ernest E. Dickson, educated in the local schools and the Polytechnic College at Oakland, is now assisting his father on the home place. Lester A. is a graduate of the Armejo high school. The children are natives i->i the valley and all have received good educational advantages, for Mr. Dickson is a stanch believer in education and has himself rendered effective service as a member fi the school board. Politically he is a Republican. JAMES C. WELLS. Tyler county. \Y. Va.. was the native home of James C. Wells, and De- cember, 1821. the date oi his birth. The family was a race of frontiersmen. Nature had endowed them with the qualities needed by all pioneers and they were happiest when carving out homes from the dense forests or breaking up the virgin soil o\ the vast prairies. The travels of the young Virginian began when he was ten years of age, his parents seeking a home in the then wilderness of Ohio, where he aided in bringing under cultivation a tract of raw land. Later on he took up agricultural pursuits for himself. During 1855 he moved from Ohio to Iowa and settled near Marion, Linn county, where he remained for nine years. Meanwhile a purpose had been growing in his mind and a resolution to remove to the west finally deepened into action. \ start was made across the plains April 27, 1864, Mr. Wells bringing his wife and two children, and at the expiration of an eventful journey Vaca- ville was reached on the 14th of x\ugust. All along the way guards were stationed at night to protect the emigrants and the stock, but fortunately the Indians did not molest the party, although they annoyed the train just ahead of them as well as the one immediately behind. Stock was stolen and left on the north side of the Platte river, where it was retaken by soldiers of the standing army and returned to the rightful owners. The route took the emigrants through the rough country of the Black Hills and on to Salt Lake. Two of the party had gone west before and were of the greatest aid in giving suggestions as to directions of travel. On the 4th of July they camped near Salt Lake and were visited by Brigham Young and his family, as well as many of his people. Evidences of his power were apparent on every hand and the Gentiles were as deeply impressed as he could have de- sired. The expedition camped for a time at Donner lake, where the ill-fated Dormer party had endured indescribable sufferings from hunger and ex- posure. The later expedition, fortunately, had only the ordinary discomforts to endure and safely reached Virginia City, where the train was divided, a number going to Oregon, while others sought different points in California. With kindly feelings and sad farewells the party disbanded, never to meet ai his ranch enterprise. While a resident o\ Canada. September 29, 1862, Mr. Radcliffe was united in marriage with Margaret Robertson, who was born near London. Canada, in 1842, and was therefore twenty years of age at the time of her marriage. lit children were horn to them, but only five are now living. The eldest >n these. Frederick Ross, is a resident of King City, Cal. ; Edith Anna, the wife of Elmer G. Morgan, is a resident of Lester, Wash.; Myra A., Mrs. Edward Hocking, died in Lester, Wash.; Milton A., who is farming the old home place, was married in Cloverdale to Maggie Camp, who died in 1897 leaving one child. Florence Mabel, who is attending the Armejo high school; Victor is a blacksmith in Vacaville; Maud is a professional nurse and is super- intendent of the operating room in the City and County hospital in San Fran- cisco: a deep bereavement befell the family in 1895, when the youngest son, Cecil, was killed by the accidental explosion of a gun. Politically Mr. Rad- cliffe is a Democrat, but has not been active in public affairs. HENRY R. TIMM. Upon the establishment of the Northern Solano Bank at Dixon and the opening of its doors for business February 1, 1910, Henry R. Timm entered upon the duties of president. (This was afterward, January 1, 1912, changed to the First National Bank of Dixon.) A capital stock of $75,000 was sub- scribed by the stockholders and a modern building was erected for the head- quarters of the bank, an equipment being provided that surrounds the em- ployes of the institution with every needed facility for prompt and accurate work. In the administration of the financial affairs the president has the co- operation of the vice-president, R. E. L. Stephens, and the cashier, H. L. Bissell, as well as the following board of directors : R. E. L. Stephens, T- D. Grady. E. D. N. Lehe. J. J. Clark, W. J. Weyand, Robert Watson, W. R. Madden and H. L. Bissell. all prominent and honored residents of the com- munity. The Timm family is of Teutonic origin and dates its establishment in America from the arrival of Peter Timm in 1855, this emigrant having come from Holstein, Germany, wdiere he was born November 18, 1836, and where he had learned the trade of a cabinetmaker. Shortly after his arrival in this country he secured employment on a farm in Iowa, but in 1859 he left that state for California, making the trip with ox teams and wagons across the plains. For two years he mined at Placerville, next he engaged in farming and soon afterward turned his attention to cabinetmaking in San Mateo county. During 1864 he removed to a ranch five miles east of Dixon. Four years later he purchased a ranch o£ one hundred and sixty acres and moving to the new location he gave his attention to the development of the land. Until his death, which occurred December 17. 1909. he continued to reside at the old homestead. Meanwhile he was prominent as a farmer and citizen. For years he was a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and also served as an officer of the Society of Dixon Grangers No. 19. When the vil- lage of Dixon began to be built he aided in moving hither a large proportion of the houses in Silveyville and Maine Prairie. During 1872 and 1873 he served as county assessor of Solano county and during 1874-75 he was county tax collector. At the time of coming to the United States and of later seeking a liveli- 316 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES hood in the remote west Peter Timm had not established domestic ties. It was during May of 1867 that he chose a wife and for the first time had a home of his own. The young lady whom he married. Miss Cecilia Beuck, was born in Germany on Christmas day of 1846 and came to this country during early life, settling with relatives in California. Born of the marriage were four children, namely: Laura A. of Dixon; Henry R. ; William D., of Idaho; and Louisa, Mrs. A. C. Holly, of Dixon. The first-named son graduated at the Leland Stanford University in 1893, with degree of A. B., and for the next two years served as principal of the Elmira high school, after which he held a position as assistant cashier with the Bank of Vacaville for three years and subsequently became a director in the Bank of Dixon, but resigned in 1909. His identification with the banking business by no means represents the limit of his activities. As a stockman he is widely known and in the dairy business he has built up a reputation extending throughout all of Northern California. He is extensively interested in cattle and sheep (of which at one time he had thousands of head), but of late years has concentrated his agricul- tural activities upon dairying, being proprietor of the Certified dairy, the largest of the kind in the entire state. The dairy consists of two hundred and sixty-five cows, exempt from tuberculosis and all disease, cared for by skilled workers and maintained largely by alfalfa hay raised on two hundred and fifty acres of meadow. The milk is shipped to San Francisco, Berkeley and Oakland, twenty-four hundred quart bottles daily. The milk is inspected by the milk commissioners and certified to as absolutely pure, which enables the proprietor to secure a higher price for the product than is paid to the pro- ducers of ordinary milk. He supplies the Pullman dining cars of the Southern Pacific at San Francisco. When new cows are added to the herd they are kept separate and no milk is saved until they are given the tuberculin test by a veterinary appointed by the milk commission. The condition of the large dairy barn is strictly sanitary. Cleanliness is observed in even the most unimportant details. Cows are cleaned with curry comb and brush before milking and the milkers wear clean white suits and caps. Silage is recognized as indispensable and two modern silos form a part of the equipment. The vicinity of Dixon is recog- nized as an important milk-producing section and no dairy in the locality has attained a higher rank or has done more to add to the local reputation for pure milk than has the Certified dairy, whose inception is due to the modern methods employed by Mr. Timm. He is one of the directors of the Alfalfa Land Company of Dixon, a company devoted to the dividing up of large tracts and selling to homeseekers, thus encouraging the immigration of citizens to Solano county. He is also a director and vice-president of the Solano Machinery Company, a company formed for the purpose of manufacturing and introducing a sanitary paper milk bottle, which has already been demonstrated a success. On December 21, 1911, Mr. Timm was married at Santa Cruz to Emma Jane Bowen, a native of Missouri. She graduated from the University of California in 1905 with the degree of A. B., and was a teacher in the Dixon high school. When at leisure from his duties in the bank and from other business activities Mr. Timm is always to be found energetically superintend- ing his dairy affairs and planning improvements that will add value to his already splendidly equipped establishment. In fraternal affairs he is con- nected with the Masons, belonging to Silveyville Lodge No. 201, F. & A. M., at Dixon, and has been a leader in the philanthroDic movements for which this order is noted. He is also a member of the Phi Kappa Psi. HISTORY OF SOLANO WD NAPA COUNTIES 317 I \MI".S MAYHOOD. \ native of Canada, James Mayhood was born in Napanee, Lennox county, in 1850, the son of John and Mar) (Harrison) Mayhood, who died at the age of sixty-one and eight} five years respectively. James Mayhood re- mained contentedly in his native home until nineteen years oi age, when, in the spring oi 1870, he came to California, for two years living in Cordelia, and then coming to the Montezuma Hills, which has been his home ever since. On the home farm in Canada he had received a good insight into agriculture and lie was able to apply this knowledge to conditions which he found in his new surroundings in the west. For a time he worked as a farm hand, later having charge oi ranches, which he rented, among these being the Hall ranch of six hundred and forty acres, which of late \ cars has been in charge of his son. Clyde C. In 18 c 'l. Mr. Mayhood bought three hundred and eighty-one acres of land, which is a part of his present home place. In 1 ( '02 he added an adjoining one hundred acres, now having four hundred and eighty <>ne acres, all of which is devoted to grain-raising and hay. as well as to Stock-raising, having over eleven hundred head of cattle. The ranch is located two miles west <>i Rio Vista and is known as the Mayhood ranch. It is equipped with all of the buildings to he found on a well-regulated ranch, including a com- modious, modern residence, large barn and outbuildings. In 1876 Mr. Mayhood was married at Lowville, \. Y., to Miss Emma Copley, a native of \ew York, and the daughter of Samuel and Mary (Phillips) Copley. Of the six children horn to them, four are living. The eldest of the children, .Yorris R., horn April 2'». 1877. died December 20. 1 ( )07; he was a graduate of Atkinson's Business College; he was married in 1006 to Annie C. Anderson, who since his death* has resided with her parents. Cora Mabel died in childhood; Clyde C. who was educated in Howe's Academy, Sacramento, is engaged in farming on the Hall ranch: he married Miss Edith Barnes, and they have two children. Bessie Leola, a graduate of Mills College, is now Mrs. Pezzaglia, of Rio Vista, and the mother of one child. Mabel Ernestine. Ernest I)., born June 23. 1890, educated in preparatory work at Rio Vista, later taking a course in the Polytechnic at Oakland, is now assisting his par- ents, lames Russell, horn March 14. 1895. is attending the Armijo high school at Fairfield. James Mayhood is a charter member of Rio Vista Lodge No. 165. Knights of Pythias, and he and his wife are members of the Congrega- tional Church at Rio Vista. HEYRY CHARLES LUTLEY. A native of England. Henry C. Lutley was horn in Somersetshire in November. 1866, and by way of Yew York came to California, landing in San Francisco July 3. 1884. He at once entered the employ of Miller & Lux, well-known stock-raisers, with whom he remained for almost a year. He then went to Toombstone, Ariz., where he first engaged as a wood contractor, and later was engaged with his brother William in the freighting business. While in Arizona his brother Frederick was killed by Geronimo's hand, and our subject came near meeting the same fate at their hands. He remained in Arizona until 1887. when he returned to San Francisco. After a period of employment under the Stanford University authorities, he came to Napa county in 1888. and among others was employed by William Denning. Mr. Lutley married Miss Phoebe Denning, a native of Napa county, and six children were horn to them: Harry F... Robert Y.. Herbert I!.. Winifred F.. Bessie 11. and Ruth. The three older children are attending grammar school and show much proficiency in their academic pursuits. In Yapa valley Mr. and Mrs. Lutley have made for themselves a comfortable home. Mr. 318 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES Lutley farms one hundred and seventy acres, a part of the Maycamus Rancho, three acres of this being vineyard, two acres orchard, twenty acres alfalfa and pasture, and the balance in grain. Fifty head of horses and cattle and twenty head of hogs constitute the stock of the place. Mr. and Mrs. Lutley are turkey fanciers and have a very fine breed of Bronze turkeys. Fraternally, he is a member of the Odd Fellows, and politically is a Republican, and his religious support is given to the Episcopal Church, in which institution he was brought up in his native land. Popular and progressive, Mr. and Mrs. Lutley are becoming better known every day and they and their family have access to the best homes in the community in which they live. HENNING E. BERGH. D. V. S. One of the representative sons of Sweden has contributed to the citizen- ship of Suisun since 1909, in the person of Pfenning E. Bergh, a veterinary surgeon whose skill and ability in his profession have enabled him to' build up a large and profitable practice. He was born in Skane, Sweden, July 20, 1883, the son of Olof Hansson Bergh, who was a man of considerable promi- nence in legislative affairs in his native country, being a member of the lower house of the Swedish congress. Henning Bergh was given good educational advantages, which included a course in the gymnasium, and after his school days were over he served two years in the Skane Hussar Regiment of the Swedish army. Following his service in the army Mr. Bergh became interested in the study of mechanical engineering, getting his training in a machinery manu- facturing plant in Landskrona. His proficiency in the business led to his promotion as traveling salesman for the company, an arrangement that was mutually agreeable and profitable, but which was terminated when Mr. Bergh determined to come to the United States at the request of the company. Going to Chicago, he was fortunate in securing a position with the McCor- mick Harvester Company, while in their employ diligently endeavoring to adjust himself in his line of business as conducted in this country. It was while he was in the employ of this company that he resolved to take up the study of veterinary surgery, and after the decision was made he lost no time in carrying out his plans. With this idea in view he came to San Francisco in March, 1904, and in the following year he entered the San Francisco Veterin- ary College, from which he graduated in 1909 with the degree of D. V. S. In April, 1909, he successfully passed the examination of the state board, and equipped with his diploma he was qualified to open an office and begin the practice of his profession. It is interesting to mention in passing that Avhile taking his course in college he procured the means for his tuition by working in the Palace hotel, and during the earthquake and fire he was able to be of untold value to the management, not the least of his accomplishments in this catas- trophe being the saving of jewelry belonging to Col. J. C. Kirkpatrick to the amount of $25,000. While the Palace hotel was occupying temporary quar- ters at the corner of Post and Leavenworth streets he was serving in the capacity of night clerk, twice during this time being instrumental in saving the hotel from fire with the aid of the fire department, his prompt discovery of the fires and alert handling of the same until the arrival of the department undoubtedly saving the building from total destruction. It was in August, 1909, that Dr. Bergh came to Suisun and opened an office for the practice of his profession. That his choice of a profession as well as his choice of a location was wise, has been demonstrated in the three years that he has made this city his home, and not only has he been favored from a professional standpoint, but he has also enjoyed life in a larger and fuller way in the accumulation of congenial friends and associates, who find HISTORY OF SOLANO \\l> NAPA COUNTIKS 321 in him qualities of strength and manhood too rarely seen in this work a day world. In San Francisco Dr. Bergh was married to Miss Selma Mclin. a native of Oland, Sweden. Two children have been horn to them, Esther Svea and Henning Emil, Jr. He is a member of Odin Lodge No. 393, I. O. O. F., in San Francisco, and is also a member of the San Francisco Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association and the frater- nity of Lambda Xn. of San Francisco. HENRY PETERS. One of the most extensive and prosperous ranchers in the Sacramento valley of whom we have knowledge is Henry Peters, of Dixon, whose opera- tions are not confined to Solano county but extend into Yolo county. He bears the reputation of being the largest sheep breeder in the entire Sacra- mento valley, a reputation which is rightfully his, as a further perusal of his life sketch will prove. A native son of the state, he was born near Dixon, February 21, 1876, one of the five children comprising the family of G. Henry and Katherine (Scheel) Peters. (A sketch of G. Henry Peters will be found elsewhere in this volume.) Henry Peters was educated primarily in the public schools of Dixon, and he completed his scholastic training with a course in Heald's Business College in San Francisco, graduating therefrom in 1892. He then returned home and was given the superintendency of his father's ranch, a position for which he was well qualified, notwithstanding the large responsibility which it involved, and when his father died two years later he still continued the man- agement of the estate for five years. In the meantime the youngest son had attained his majority and the property was divided among the heirs. Follow- ing this Henry Peters carried on horticulture and farming near Vacaville for a number of years, or until 1900, when he began making a specialty of raising grain at Maine Prairie. In the following year he established the nucleus of the sheep industry that has since grown to such large proportions. Mr. Peters' home place comprises fourteen hundred and seventy-five acres, two and a half miles east of Binghampton, which when he located upon it was virgin soil, and its present state of development is therefore due to his own personal efforts. Besides erecting a commodious residence and three large barns he has fenced the entire acreage. The land included in the homestead, however, is only a fraction of the acreage that is under the control of Mr. Peters, the land which he rents for grain raising and grazing including nine- teen thousand nine hundred and forty acres. Of this fourteen hundred and forty acres are in grain, as follows: eight hundred acres of the G. S. Woods tract and six hundred and forty acres of the Cutter Paige tract, both of these properties adjoining the home ranch. The eighteen thousand five hundred acres which he leases for grazing purposes are as follows: forty-one hundred and twenty acres of the J. X. Garnett land in Yolo county; twenty-five hun- dred acres in Solano county belonging to the same estate; fourteen hundred and forty acres of the Carmichael tract in Yolo county; eight hundred and eight yacres of the R. Mason Smith land in Yolo county, adjoining the Garnett place: six hundred and forty acres of the McLaughlin Company land in Solano county: nineteen hundred and twenty acres of the Winters Development Company's land in Yolo county; three thousand acres of the J. H. Peterson tract in Yolo county : and four thousand acres of the Sweitzer tract in Yolo county. Altogether the acreage under his control includes twenty-one thou- sand four hundred and fifteen acres, probably the largest tract under the con- trol of one individual in the Sacramento valley. Mr. Peters plows his land IT 322 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES with steam traction engine and the same motive power is used with his com- bined harvester in gathering the crops. Mr. Peters makes a specialty of raising the Merino and Shropshire strains of sheep, from ten to twenty thousand head constituting his herd. During the summer and fall he is obliged to lease considerable land on Ryer Island over and above that already mentioned to properly care for his large herds, in the care of which he employs from fifteen to twenty-five hands. Mr. Peters makes a specialty of mutton sheep, breeding for size and wool. He well merits the distinction of being the largest sheep raiser in the Sacramento valley and throughout this section of the state he is a recognized authority on the sheep industry, and is a valued member of the Pacific Coast Breeders' Association. Mr. Peters' marriage united him with Miss Bertha Wolfe, a native of Silveyville ,and they have one child, Henry Elwood. Fraternally Mr. Peters is well known. He was made a Mason in Silveyville Lodge No. 201, F. & A. M., at Dixon, is also a member of Dixon Chapter No. 48, R. A. M., Vacaville Commandery No. 38, K. T. ; Islam Temple, N. M. S., of San Francisco,' and with his wife is a member of the Eastern Star Lodge at Dixon. He is also a member of Vallejo Lodge No. 559. B. P. O. E., Vacaville Lodge, I. O. O. F., and Franklin Lodge, K. P.. of Vacaville. In his political views Mr. Peters is a stanch Republican. JOHN D. MAIER. The city of Vallejo is fortunate in the possession of one who embodies so many admirable traits of citizenship as does John D. Maier, who is a native son of the state, and who has been a resident of Solano county since he was seven years of age. Born in Oroville, Butte county, April 26, 1859, he is a son of John D. Maier, who was born in Germany, and who as a young man left the Fatherland in the early '50s for the land of golden opportunity. Coming direct to California, he was attracted to Butte county on account of the mining outlook there, and he continued to follow this calling there for a number of years, or until coming to Solano county in 1866. In the home he established in Vallejo his earth life came to a close. John D. Maier was a lad of seven years when his parents removed from his birthplace to Vallejo, and in the public schools of this place he received a good grounding in the essentials of learning. To this foundation he has con- tinued to add by observation and reading of good literature and today he is intelligently informed on all of the important subjects with which the world at large is concerned. When his school days were over he was ambitious to engage in business and thus begin his independent career, and in accepting the position as street sprinkler in Vallejo he undertook a business which he was destined to follow for twenty years. At that time the sprinkling of the streets Avas done by private contract with the property owners. After giving up this business Mr. Maier was employed for a number of years in the Mare Island navy yard in the capacity of boilermaker. During a portion of the time Mr. Maier was engaged in filling the sprink- ling contract in Vallejo he was employed in the winters in the survey of the water system from Green Valley. Not only was the work interesting in itself, but the knowledge and experience later became a financial asset, when, in 1908, he was offered the position of assistant superintendent of the Vallejo water works, and care-taker at the head of the water works in Green Valley. In this responsible position he has the care of four miles of watershed, which he watches jealously to prevent trespassing or the pollution of the water. His duties also include the supervision of both lakes in the Wildhorse valley, as well as the pipe line to Cordelia, and the line from Green Valley falls to Vallejo. Those who have seen Green Valley falls are loud in their praise of the beauty which the spot presents. The pure sparkling water supplied to the HISTORY OF SOLANO WD X \PA COUNTIES 323 residents of Vallejo rolls over a cliff aboul one hundred feet high, rising above which arc basalt cliffs hundreds of feel in height, all of which combines to make the source of the waterfall seem like a huge howl. The sides of the cliffs are lined with trees, shruhs and ferns, all adding to the witchery of the place, which is conceded to be one >>i the beauty spots of California. It is a sight which would well repay many miKs of travel, and the citizens of Vallejo are not only to be congratulated upon the possession of such a beauty spot in their midst, but also upon the abundance and purity ^i the water which they enjoy. Mr. Maier has occupied his present position with the water company since April 1. 1908, and that he is the right man in the right place goes without saying, judging from the satisfaction which is accorded his services. Mr. Maier's home at No. 932 Capitol street. Vallejo, is presided over by his wife, whom he married in San Rafael as Miss Mamie E. Pincombe, who was born in Vallejo. They have one child. Edna. By right of birth in the state. Mr. Maier is eligible to the order of Native Sons of the Golden West, and he is proud oi the fact that he assisted in the organization of Vallejo Parlor No. 77. which has been in active operation since March 6. 1886, and which he has served as president. Politically he is an independent Republican. At one time Mr. Maier was a member of the old hook and ladder company in Vallejo, and for one term was treasurer of the fire delegation. Personally Mr. Maier is a man who enjoys the respect and admiration of his fellow citi- zens win* are appreciative of his ability in a public capacity, and also of his splendid traits of character. HORACE GREELEY BELL. Born in San Francisco,. July 16, 1860. Horace G. Bell is the son of Abraham and Anna (Blackburn) Bell. The former, a native of Boston, Mass.. came to California in the early '50s, and followed his trade of a con- tracting plasterer in San Francisco, where he died in 1867 at the age of fifty- five. I lis wife was born in the North of Ireland, and died in Petaluma in 1902, aged eighty-four years. After the death of her husband she reared her son to manhood's estate and gave him the best education and advantages that were possible. In 1869 she moved to Petaluma. where Horace G. was reared: his education was obtained in the public schools of that city. At the age of nineteen he was employed by David Walls at Haystack Landing, below Petaluma. and it was while thus engaged that he became imbued with the desire to follow the life of a sailor. One year later, 1880, he secured a place on board the steamer Pilot, Captain Graves, and soon became mate and was aboard her when she blew up on Petaluma creek, above Lakeville, May 25. 1883. eight of the passengers and one of the crew being killed. The Herald was chartered in her stead and he was employed in the same capacity, under Capt. Nathaniel C. Gould, until the latter had completed the steamer Gold. On this new vessel he became first mate and later was made pilot. In 1886 he became master of the steamer Zinfandel, Capt. X. H. Wulff, owner, and ran her between Xapa and San Francisco for the following eleven years when he resigned. Following this he was master of different vessels about the bay until he was employed as master of the Hercules by the DuPont Powder Co., plying between Hercules and San Francisco for the following three years. In l'^ll he entered the employ of the Xapa Transportation Company as master of the St. Helena, and is making regular runs between Xapa and the metropolis. The marriage of Mr. Pell occurred in San Francisco, and united him with Miss Mary A. Graham, a native of New York state. They became the parent- of two children: Randall, engaged in the poultry business on his father's ranch in Cedar Grove Park in Petaluma: and Sophia. Mrs. T. Hoi- 324 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES land, living in San Francisco. Mrs. Bell died in San Francisco, September 5, 1910. Mr. Bell was made a Mason in Amity Lodge No. 370, F. & A. M., San Francisco; he is a member of the Masters' and Pilots' Association No. 40 of the same city. Captain Bell is well and favorably known in shipping and business circles on San Francisco bay and its tributaries, and by his kindly smile has won and retained many friends. CHARLES F. BROCKHOFF. Standing among the foremost of the younger generation of Napa county's prosperous citizens is Charles F. Brockhoff, a resident of St. Helena. He was born in Napa county, June 6, 1880, the son of Charles H. and Emma (Hillens) Brockhoff, natives of Germany; the former crossed the plains with an ox-team train in 1861, coming via Denver. On this trip they experienced a number of skirmishes with the Indians, in one of which a man was killed and a number of cattle stampeded. Via Virginia City, Nev., Mr. Brockhoff went to Oregon, and, locating in Jacksonville, worked for four years in the brewery business. From there he went to San Francisco in 1865 and entered into several com- mercial enterprises that proved successful. Now a resident of Alameda, he owns a thirty-five-acre orchard and vineyard and fifteen acres of pasture and timber near St. Helena, which his son manages. The parental family num- bered six children, those besides Charles F. being William A., Emil M., Emma, Sophie and Minnie. William married Laura Thoman and has three children; Emma married Herman Brinzer and resides in Yreka ; Minnie is the wife of Justin Werle and has two children. Charles F. Brockhoff remained with his parents until he was seventeen years of age, when he went to San Francisco and obtained employment with a well-known firm, with which he remained for five years. Coming to Napa valley at the end of that time, he has since had the management of his father's property near St. Helena. His marriage united him with Miss Gertrude Rowson, a native of England. Mr. and Mrs. Brockhoff have made many friends in Napa county. AMBROSE FRANCIS SCOTT. One of the early settlers of Solano county was Walter Scott, who was born in Pine Plains, Dutchess county, N. Y., in 1846, and came to California via Panama in the early '60s. He first engaged in the cattle business, and later took up ranching on property which he purchased in Solano county. Here his wife, who was a native of Ireland, passed away in 1884, and here also he died in October, 1909. The son of Walter Scott, Ambrose Francis Scott, was born in Maine Prairie, Solano county, in 1872, and received his education in the public school. His first employment was on a ranch, and at the age of eighteen he began working in a dairy. Having a liking for the sea, however, when twenty-five years old he embarked on a sailing vessel and ultimately ran a schooner of his own for three years with great success. About eight months after giving up the sea-faring life he moved to town and was elected city marshal, discharging the duties of this position for two years, after which he accepted a position with the telephone company, and for the last five years has had full charge of the Power Company's plant. In addition to this he holds a position with the Electric Company and is superintendent of the Water Company and the fire department, and for five years he was in charge of the ways at Rio Vista. In 1904 Mr. Scott married Mrs. Emma Lewis, a native of Sweden, whose parents are now living in Monterey county, Cal. By her first marriage she had HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 327 one daughter, Viola, attending the academy a1 Rio Vista. Of her tnarri with Mr. Scotl two children have been born, Francis Lucina and Julian Bernard. Politically Mr. Scott is a Republican. He is a member of River View Lodge No. 165, K. of 1'.. of Rio \ ista, and al one time was president of the Order of Native Sons. Civic righteousness, equity and principles oi morality are Mr. Scott's watchwords, for he earnestly desires the advancement oi the community in which he resides. WILLIAM EGBERT SMITH. The life of W. Egbert Smith began in Finesville, Warren county. N. J., December 13. 1836. and closed in Napa, Cal.. May 6, 18* >S. the span of his life covering sixty-two years and being tilled with activities of various kinds, always directed toward progress both for himself and for his fellow-men. I [e was ambitious as a lad. not content to gain merely surface knowledge, but desirous of acquiring a broad and thorough education. In his school work he was diligent and faithful and on completing the curriculum afforded by the grammar schools of his native place he took a course in the Collegiate Institute at Charlotteville. X. Y.. and prepared himself to follow the profession of a teacher. He taught school in the east until 1865, when he removed to Savannah. Mo., where he engaged in the manufacture of stoneware. Three years later he accepted the position of principal in the city schools and after serving in that capacity for two years he moved to Deer Lodge, Mont., to accept a similar position in that city. There he became imbued with the mining spirit of that district and in the summer of 1875 he went to Butte City and spent some time prospecting for mineral lodes in the Summit Valley district. After locating and recording The Banker, Clear Grit, Oro Butte, Silver Smith, Jersey Blue and other properties, now patented mines, he began development on- The Banker lode, producing silver ore of a high grade, and in the fall of the same year built an arastra for the reduction of his ores; this was the first arastra built in Montana. In 1876 he became associated in the ownership of mines with Harry B. Kessler and the partners were very success- ful in their mining enterprises. One of the earliest successful efforts in the reduction of silver ore in the Summit Valley district was made by the arastra owned and operated by Smith and Kessler of Yankee Doodle Gulch. Their arastra was run by water power day and night, winter and summer, without cessation, for five years, commencing in 1876. The water was taken from the creek in a covered ditch, only five hundred feet long, to a fifteen-foot overshot water wheel under cover, and never froze, even in that extremely cold climate, so that work never had to be suspended on account of the tem- perature at any time during the period mentioned. The daily capacity of the mill was one and one-half tons of crude ore. The net profit was about $20,000 annually. On the death of D. Anson Ford, the postmaster at Butte City, in December. 1878, Mr. Smith accepted that position and in the spring of 1879 was appointed to the office by President Hayes and re-appointed by President Arthur in 1883. Mr. Smith's marriage occurred May 9, 1883, uniting him with Miss Rose M. Roff. a native of Xewark. X. J., the ceremony taking place in that city, where Miss Roff was visiting her uncle. II. Ailing. She was the daughter of George and Abby M. (Ball) Roff. of New Jersey, her father being a cousin of George Ward of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were the parents of one son, Egbert A., who was educated at Stanford University, and is at present in charge of a ranch two and a half miles northwest of Napa, which is named Rosemont, as a compliment to Mrs. Smith. Egbert A. Smith was married in Berkeley. Cal.. June 2. l'»10, to Miss Anna Holmes of Kellogg, Sonoma county: they have one child. Anna Dalrie. 328 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES Politically Mr. Smith was a Republican, and being a public-spirited man and well equipped for public service, it was but natural that he should have served his country in an official capacity. For two years he held the office of territorial superintendent of public instruction of Montana, to which position he was appointed by Gov. B. F. Potts in 18/9. Mr. Smith came to Napa in 1887 and established his home on Napa creek, northwest of the city of Napa. His first purchase was a property of fifty acres, but he later added to this until he had in all one hundred and seventy-five acres. At present there are one hundred acres in orchard, as follows : Twenty in walnuts, fifty in prunes, ten acres in apples and peaches, and twenty acres in almonds. The fertility of the soil and the excellent care which is given the orchard, are indicated by the fact that from five acres of peaches fifty-five tons of fruit were taken, in addition to that wasted. Re- cently twenty-five acres have been planted to cherries. Mr. Smith planted one hundred acres of trees on the place and otherwise did much to develop the property and place it in its present splendid condition. Mr. Smith was a strong temperance man, and advocated teaching the American youth total abstinence, believing that to be the most successful manner in which to combat the evil of intemperance. When Frances E. Willard first visited Montana he introduced her to the public and he and his wife entertained her at their home. Mr. Smith was a man of considerable literary and intellectual attainments, being an authority on educational mat- ters, and also a fluent speaker, so that he was enabled to voice his opinions in a manner that gave them weight with his hearers. He was a firm sup- porter of church schools. Being engaged in agricultural pursuits he took an active interest in farmers' organizations. He was president of the Farmers' Club, in which he gave practical and material help in the reading of a paper on "Frost and Its Prevention," and in various other ways assisted the club in its work. He was withal a useful citizen, a broad-minded man who was talented in many ways and who was always eager to have others benefit be- cause of his ability. ALRIK HAMMAR. Naval service covering more than a quarter-century has given Mr. Ham- mar the advantages of travel in various parts of the world and the opportuni- ties afforded by an intimate knowledge of the different nationalities. Of the entire time of his identification with the navy fourteen years were spent at sea and it was his privilege during 1898 to be stationed on board the Olympia when Admiral Dewey made his famous charge upon Manila. Other engage- ments of the Spanish-American war were participated in by him and since his removal to Vallejo he has been prominently identified with Lawton Camp No. 1, Spanish War Veterans, of which he now acts as surgeon. During the period of his service at sea he was honored with election as commander of the Army and Navy Union on the U. S. S. Yorktown, and in that responsible position proved himself an ideal leader. For his life-work Mr. Hammar was fortunate in securing the best of educational preparation. Born at Kalmar, Sweden, in 1863, he received his primary education in the schools of his native land and later matriculated in the University of Lund, Sweden, where he studied with assiduous devotion and commendable success. Going from there to Germany he studied success- ively in the Universities of Greiswald and Heidelberg and enjoyed exceptional advantages in those ancient and famous institutions. Striving for still further intellectual advancement, after he came to the United States in 1884 he studied for one year in Columbia University, leaving that institution in HISTORY OF SOLANO WD WI'A COUNTIES 329 February <>t' 1885 to outer the United States naval service as an apothecary. In that capacity he continued until September 15, 1898, when he was ap pointed pharmacist For twelve years he served under an assignment at the China station. The first association oi Mr. I laminar with California came in 1899, when lie was appointed on duty at the medical supply department at Mare Island navy yard and arrived at his new station on the 15th of December, thai year. For a considerable time he continued in the position, but eventually ill health forced his temporary retirement, and Ma\ 8, 1905, he was sent to Fori Bayard, Xew Mexico, for treatment. Two years later, having recovered his health, he returned to Vallejo and immediately was ordered to duty at the naval hospital at I. as Animas. Colo., and assisted in the completion of that famous institution, after which he returned to Mare Island. March 14, 1910. Re- suming his former duties in the medical supply department, he still remains in that capacity and shows the fidelity, energy and accuracy characteristic of him in ever}' association of life. In addition to his commendable success in the government service Mr. Hammar has risen to considerable prominence in the Masonic order. For years he was identified with Naval Lodge Xo. S7, 1". & A. M., of Vallejo, and Naval Chapter Xo. 34. R. A. M.. also of Vallejo, in which latter he is past high priest. Naval Commandery Xo. 10, K. T.. of Vallejo. has the benefit of his efficient labors as past commander. During the Masonic conclave held in San Francisco in l n 04 he was at the head of the Naval Commandery of Vallejo and no spectacle connected with the pageant was more imposing than the display made by this branch of the order. For some years he has been a member oi Islam Temple, A. A. O. X. M. S.. at San Francisco. At this writ- ing he acts as patron oi Silver Star Chapter Xo. 3, Eastern Star of California, ami gives to the organization the benefit of his varied experience in all details connected with Masonic observances. He is also a prominent member of the Vallejo lodge o\ Elks. Mr. Hammar's marriage, solemnized in 1905, united him with Miss Lillian M. Bond, who was born, reared and educated in Vallejo, Cal., being a graduate of Irma Seminary. She is the only daughter of Jonathan and Mary G. (Clark) Bond, who came from Xew Hampshire to Vallejo in 1862. Mrs. Hammar's only brother. Dr. F. T. Bond, has been a prominent physician and health officer of Vallejo for over ten years. Mr. and Mrs. Hammar are the parents of a daughter. Kalmar. who was born in Silver City, Xew Mexico. Hammar's Xaval Pharmacy is one of the most modern, creditable and beautifully fur- nished drug stores in Vallejo, and is located at X T o. 414 Georgia street. Mr. Hammar has not lost his fondness for the water, but retains his love for all forms of pleasure that take him again to the ocean, the lakes or the rivers. When the Vallejo Yacht and Boating Club was organized he took an active part in it- inception and for some time afterward he served as a member of the board of directors. By the people of Vallejo he is well known and highly honored. Hi- attainments are recognized by a large circle of acquaintances, all of whom unite in bearing testimony to his strength of character and breadth of mmd. CONRAD RUMP. The story of the life of Conrad Rump covers a comparatively short period thus far. but nevertheless it furnishes interesting reading for old and young alike. A native of Germany, he was born in Lueneburg, Hanover, April 21, 1873, and was brought up in the city of Hanover, attending the public schools and there laying a good foundation for his later life. At fourteen year- of age his learning from text-book- was completed and his education in the 330 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES world of experience began. At this youthful age he apprenticed himself to the carriage builders' trade in Hanover, continuing this for three and a half years, when he was equipped to do journeyman work and applied himself to this in Germany and Holland for a number of years thereafter. The year 1892 found him among the immigrants who landed on our shores, but instead of remaining in the east he made his way to Wisconsin, and in the northern part of that state he found ample opportunity to apply his knowledge of the carriage-maker's trade. Subsequently he went to Milwaukee and followed his trade, but the same spirit of unrest that had brought him to the United States was again aroused within him and in April, 1894, he set out for the far west and in due time arrived in the metropolis of the Pacific coast, San Francisco. There, as in Wisconsin, he found no difficulty in applying his trade, but nevertheless he did not remain there long, for about four months later, August 22, 1894, he made his advent in Vallejo. Work was apparently awaiting him in the carriage manufacturing plant of G. B. Kennedy, for he immediately took a position there and during the two years he was connected with the business at that time he had full charge of the carriage works. October of 1896 found Mr. Rump on board steamer bound for South America, a trip which he undertook with no fear, for thus far experience had proven that wherever he might go he need have no anxiety about securing work at his trade. This proved to be the rule in Guatemala, Valparaiso and Santiago, in all of which places he was able to apply his trade. From the last-mentioned city he set out on a trip over the Andes mountains, making his way through this mountain fastness on foot through the Upsalata Pass. He and his companions followed the trail to Argentine Republic, and in the province of Mendoza Mr. Rump remained for a time, presumably to replenish his purse, for it is recorded that he found work at his trade there as he also did in Buenos Ayres, whither he later went. In the latter port he embarked on a vessel bound for London, England, and later re-embarked for the port of New York. After a short visit in Milwaukee, Wis., he returned to California in 1898, satisfied with his experiences abroad, but better satisfied than ever before to resume his duties and obligations in the golden west. For the first three months after his return to the state he was employed in Oroville, after which he came once more to Vallejo and resumed his position with G. B. Kennedy. After remaining two years more with his old employer he felt justified in undertaking the management of a plant of his own, and on the corner of Marin and Carolina streets he established a carriage and blacksmith works that was a source of profit for a number of years. Having outgrown these quarters, in 1902 he removed to his present location, erecting carriage and blacksmith shops suitable for his enlarged business. As an outgrowth of his original business and in order to keep up with the demands of the times, he erected a brick garage in 1910 at the corner of Marin and Capitol streets. Not only is he prepared to manufacture and repair wagons and carriages of all kinds, as well as blacksmithing, but he is equipped to do automobile repair- ing and is agent for many of the best-known makers of horseless carriages and trucks. In his repository may be seen a full line of Studebaker, Studebaker & Garford, E. M. F. and Flanders cars, United States Motor Company's lines, Maxwell and Columbia cars ; also the Haynes and International motor wagons, besides a full line of the best makes of carriages and wagons, agricultural implements, traction engines and road machinery. In 1908 Mr. Rump incor- porated his business under the name of Vallejo Carriage Works, with himself as general manager and secretary, Theo. Rump, president, and David Jeffers, vice-president. From the foregoing account of Mr. Rump's activities it would be but reasonable to suppose that his time and energies would be exhausted, but not so; he is also interested in horticulture and farming, and owns an apple orchard 3 <* HISTORY OF SOI WO VND NAPA COUNTIES 333 adjoining Napa which is a credil to himself and to the community. Another interest which commands his attention is the growing of eucalyptus trees for commercial purposes, and as president of the Vallejo Eucalyptus Company he has been instrumental in accomplishing much along tins line. The com- pany has a tract of one hundred and eighty lour acre-- near Napa Junction set out to this rapid growing tree, and in a few years it i- expected large returns will result from the undertaking. In San PranciSCO Mr. Rump was married to .\liv- Mary Rittlcr. a native of Munich. Germany, and two children, \ era and Jack, have been born to them. Mr. Rump was a member of the board of freeholders that framed the new city charter, a forward movement in which he was greatly interested and one in which his influence and co-operation were appreciated. Fraternally he is a member oi the Odd Fellows order, being past grand of his lodge; is identified with the Knights ^i the Maccabees, the [J. P. C. E. and the Herman Son-, of which he is past president, and he is trustee of the Golden State Lodge, I. O. O. F.. and treasurer of the Golden State Mall Association. Politically Mr. Rump is a Socialist, and on the ticket of this party he was at one time candidate for the senate and assembly. In addition to the affiliations above mentioned he is also a member of the Merchants' Association and the Solano Automobile Club, in both of which organizations he is a valued and influential assistant, as he is indeed in whatever project he lends the weight of his influence. WILLIAM GOOSSKX. Of German descent. William Goossen was born in Green valley township, Solano county, in 1858. his parents being the first German settlers in the Suisun valley, and the father was the first Republican voter in this township. At his death Mr. Goossen owned three hundred and five acres of land, on which his widow lives, now in her eighty-sixth year. After an education in the public schools William Goossen began working on a farm and also in the fruit business. When he was only fourteen years old he started out on his own account, gradually fitting himself for the greater responsibilities of life. His first independent venture was on a rented orchard, and after following horticulture until 1898. he then bought one hundred and ninety-one acres of land adjoining Cordelia, to which he has since added by purchase, until he now has four hundred and twenty-eight acres of as fine land as one could wish for. the whole being devoted to grain raising and pasture. Besides raising horses, cattle and hogs for the market, he permits the hunting of game on his premises, maintaining a hunting club for this purpose. His property is traversed by the Pacific power line and is steadily increasing in value. Mr. Goossen's marriage. November 12. 1892. united him with Miss Lizzie Dunker. a native of Germany, who on coming to this country first settled in Germantown. Glenn county, Cal.. and the same year came to Cordelia. The eldest of their five children. William, born in 1893, was educated in the public schools, besides taking a course in Heald's College, and a course in mechanics; Freddie, born in 1896, also had a public school education ; Marguerite, born in 1897. is a graduate of the school in Green valley; and Emma, born in 1899. and Walter in 1902. are both in school. William Goossen is a man of prominence in his locality, and besides being fish and game commissioner, has for the past two years been roadmaster. As was his father before him. he i- a Republican, belongs to the Good Templar-, and with his wife is a member of the German Lutheran Church. Mr. Goossen has just completed a fine residence in Cordelia, where he resides with his family. He has risen to hi- present position because of his genial 334 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES personality and his readiness to work hard for the attainment of any specific end. Civic righteousness is his joy, and every measure for the advancement of the community in which he lives receives his unqualified endorsement and assistance. HON. ABRAHAM JAY BUCKLES. The name of Buckles needs no introduction to the people of Solano county, for the strong and admirable traits of character of Judge Buckles are rooted in the history of the county and state and in the legal profession, of which he is a brilliant member; his name is a synonym for probity and justice. The lineage of the family is traced to Virginia, where the great-grandfather of Judge Buckles fought in the defense of the colonies against the Mother Country. The spirit of daring and enterprise which had brought this immi- grant to these shores was bequeathed to his descendants, his son settling as a pioneer in Ohio, where he reared his family. Among the children was Thomas Newton Buckles, who was born near Dayton, Ohio, but who in later life settled in the adjoining state of Indiana and in Delaware county con- tentedly tilled the soil until the attractions of California drew him to the west. Crossing the plains in 1852, he carried on mining for a number of years, but finally settled down to the labor of former years, and on a farm near Dixon, Solano county, he rounded out a long and eventful life. In young manhood he had married Rachel Graham, she also being a native of Ohio, and the daughter of Porter Graham, who was born in New York, his wife being a native of Ireland. Mrs. Rachel Buckles died in Indiana, having become the mother of five children, only two of whom are now living. The eldest of the family, Francis M., was in the Thirty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and lost his life in Nashville, Tenn., while in service. Next to the oldest of the children in the parental family, Abraham Jay Buckles was born near Muncie, Ind., August 2, 1846. His boyhood and youth were passed in the vicinity of his birth, and such school privileges as the locality offered he took advantage of. These were meagre, however, and as circumstances made it necessary for him to assume the responsibilities of his own maintenance at an early age, it is only justice to say that he is largely self-educated. He was a lad of fifteen years when the tocsin of war called able-bodied men to the defense of the country, and in June, 1861, he was among the number who responded to Lincoln's first call for three-year men, being attached to Company E, Nineteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Mus- tered in at Indianapolis, his regiment became a part of the Army of the Poto- mac, and as a member of the Iron Brigade he took part in the second Battle of Bull Run. In that engagement he was shot through the thigh and was confined in the hospital for three months, after which he again offered his services and took part in the first and second battles of Fredericksburg, Chan- cellorsville and Gettysburg, being attached to the color guard. It was his ambition to be the color bearer of his regiment and for that reason stationed himself on the left so that he would be next to the bearer and ready to take the colors in case the color bearer was injured. The bearer was wounded in the morning, and young Buckles promptly picked up the colors, which he proudly carried until the afternoon of the same day, when he, too, was wounded, having received a shot through the right shoulder. Handing the flag to his comrade next in line, he was taken from the field and was confined to the hospital for several months. His anxiety to be in the field of action once more secured his release before his wound was entirely healed, but he was able to resume his old post as color bearer and was serving in this capacity in the Battle of the Wilderness, when he was once more disabled, this time being shot through the body. As before, in spite of his intense suffering, he HISTORY OFSOLANO WD NAPA COUNTIES 335 did not allow the colors to disappear, handing the flag to young Devilbuss, who lost his life soon afterward. \t the Battle of the \\ ilderness Hie regiment became scattered in the rush through the woods, and inasmuch as he could no field officer, Color Bearer Buckles led the charge himself, the nun mptly following, and in the conflict Mr. Buckles received what was thought to be a mortal wound, being shot through the body. In spite of the fad thai he badly wounded as to be given up for dead, he managed to make lu> the rear, when the ambulance came up and he was taken to the temporary hospital. The examining surgeon pronounced his case hopeless and would not even probe the wound, the same being true of his treatment in the held hospital, to which he was later removed. Finally, when orders were ted to remove the inmates to Fredericksburg, Buckles sent for the physician and begged not to be left behind. The doetor replied that his orders were strict ami as he had been given up to die, could not be removed. He remon- that the physicians had said two days before that he would die and that he found himself no worse, and Anally obtained the promise that if he could stand when the ambulance came he would be removed t>> Fredericksburg and receive proper care. To make the promise good, Buckles Stood, with the aid of Mick- for crutches, and was taken to the hospital, and a- soon as his wounds were given attention he began to recover. lie was able to rejoin his iment before the Battle of Petersburg, having been promoted and com- missioned second lieutenant. During all this time, however, his wound was still open and remained so until early in 1870. While on skirmish duty, March ; . he was again wounded, this time in the right leg. which necessitated amputation -even inches from the body. Mis honorable discharge followed two months later. May 15. 1865, after the close of the war. He was awarded a medal of honor by congress for meritorious conduct upon the battlefield of the Wilderness. May 5. 1864. lie returned to his home in Indiana, battle scarred and disabled, ami as yet a mere boy in years, not nineteen years old. After his return he attended school in Mtmcie for nine months and obtained a certificate to teach. In the meantime he had made up his mind to prepare for the legal profession and for a time continued teaching and studying law. In the spring of 1875 lie was admitted to the bar and immediately thereafter can; ilifornia and located in Dixon, Solano county. Opening an office for the practice of his profession, the recognition of his exceptional ability and justice in the handling of legal complications was apparent from the first, and was the forerunner of a large and influential clientele. Substantial recog- nition of his ability came to him in 187'>. when he was elected district attorney county under the new constitution, and at the close of his first term he was re-elected, serving altogether over five years. In 1884 he received the nomination for the office of superior judge and as the successful candidate he took the office in January, 1885, and for over twenty years thereafter he held the office continuously. In April. 1605. he was appointed by Governor Pardee from the superior bench as one of the judges of tin- appellate court for the third district, and after the close of his term he again took up the law. at this time locating in Fairfield. As on former occasions he I in building up a commendable practice, but he was n"t long allowed t" confine his attention to private practice. Judgl Devlin, who had I superior judge in l'>08. held the office jusl one month and twenty day- when pressure of private business made it necessary for him to resign, whereupon lletl appointed Judge Buckles to fin the unexpired term fudge Buckles' marriage, December 5. 1.H65. united him with Mi^s Louisa B. Conn, who was born in Mum ie. Ind. Two children were born to them, Addie Jessie. Mr-. I'.. F. Cassidayof Vallejo, and Lola I'... Mrs. George Donald Sacramento. Judge Buckles keeps in touch with his comrades of war 336 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES days through membership in Gen. Sol Meredith Post No. 176, G. A. R., at Fairfield. He is a prominent figure in Grand Army circles, and in 1890 was department commander of California and Nevada. He is also a member of Suisun Lodge No. 78, I. O. O. F. ; Suisun Lodge No. Ill, K. P., of which organization he is past grand chancellor of California, and Vallejo Lodge No. 559, B. P. O. E. He is a member of the California Commandery of the mili- tary order of the Loyal Legion. It would be superfluous to add further com- ment in praise of the life and accomplishments of Judge Buckles than is por- trayed in the account of his war and legal record. He is a man of irreproach- able character, tenacious and loyal to every cause that he espouses, and all who know him love and honor him as a man among men, one whom it is a privilege to call friend. JAMES A. KEYS. Many of the fine old families of the south enjoying affluence before the war, found themselves almost depleted of worldly goods after the close of the Civil war, and naturally turned to the far west to recuperate lost fortunes. Among those who came to sunny California was James A. Keys of the Suisun Lumher Company of Suisun, Cal. He was born just at the close of the war, in December, 1865, in Montgomery county, Tenn. Being left an orphan he determined to seek opportunities in the new country on the Pacific coast, and in 1882 he came to Solano county. He became a pupil in the public school at Denverton, near Suisun, which was to become the scene of his manhood's activities. With that thirsting desire for education which char- acterizes the true Tennesseean, he was not satisfied with what a country school afforded him, so he entered St. Mary's College at San Francisco. After his graduation at that college he returned to Denverton, where he found employment in the general store of Dr. S. K. Nurse. A year later he engaged in the lumher business, which has held his attention for twenty-two years. From its small beginnings the Suisun Lumber Company has gradually ex- tended its business until it is a big factor in the community, and Mr. Keys, as its head, and still a young man, may be pointed out as an illustration of the ultimate success which rewards determination and hard work. Mr. Keys was one of the organizers of the old Solano County Bank, which was nationalized in January, 1912, as the First National Bank of Suisun, and has been a director since its organization. He also had great faith in the agricultural resources of the county, as is demonstrated by his ownership of ranches to the extent of five hundred acres east of Suisun, where he is en- gaged in raising grain. In addition to his other interests he is vice-president and manager of the Rochester Oil Company, which, while exploiting for oil on the Freitas lease, struck a large flow of natural gas. This was found in commercial quantities and has been piped to Suisun, Fairfield and Cement, supplying the citizens with gas for cooking and lighting. Mr. Keys has always been an active adherent to Democratic principles and for many years has been a member of the county, state and central com- mittees, and ever since being a voter has been a delegate to county and state conventions. In 1900 he was chosen delegate to the national Democratic convention at Kansas City, Mo., where William J. Bryan was nominated. In 1904 he was again a delegate to the national Democratic convention at St. Louis at which Alton B. Parker was nominated, he also being a member of the committee on credentials, and he took an active part in the results and deliberations of that body. Elected treasurer and tax collector of Solano county in 1894, he was re-elected to the same office in 1898. At the close of this term he again proved his popularity as a public office holder by being elected sheriff of the county in 1902, in which capacity he served one term. HISTORY OF SOLANO AM) NAPA COUNTIES 339 Mr. Keys lias not neglected the social side of life, being a member oi \ allejo Lodge, B. P. O. E. In 1889, Mr. Keys was married to Miss Laura E. Goodwin, and to them were horn five children: Marguerite. Genevieve, Emetine, Madeline and I.ueile. After the death oi the mother of these children lie married, in 1 ( W. Miss Agnes Crimin. HON. JACKSON F AY BROWN. The opportunities that Solano county offers to energetic men find no hotter illustration than in the life of -Hon. Jackson Fay Brown, who was one oi the most extensive farmers and stock-raisers in this section of the state. The homestead on which he lived for many years is a model of its kind. In vvs; he erected a residence containing eighteen rooms and equipped with every modern convenience. ' The place is built upon a rise and a fine view of the country for miles and miles around can be obtained. When Mr. Brown came here first there were no trees and the place was uncultivated, and it now presents a very different spectacle and indicates the vast amount of work- entailed in placing it in its present condition. There are fruit trees and a vineyard in a high state of cultivation, as well as an abundance of water for irrigation. At the time of his death Mr. Brown owned three thousand acres of good land (having given to his children as much more), and the largest residence in the agricultural district of the county. Mr. Brown was horn in Chittenden county, Vt., October 7, 1835, a son of Reed and Electa (Fay) Brown, representatives of substantial old families of Xew England. During his boyhood he worked on the farm and attended the district schools, and at the age of twenty-one he decided to seek his fortune in the far west. Accordingly, in 1857, he came from the Green Mountain state via the Isthmus to California, and being familiar with the dairying business, he sought employment in that industry. For fifteen months he worked on a dairy near Petaluma, Sonoma county, receiving $40 per month for his services. On account of physical disorders he was obliged to seek another location, and. going to Marin county, he continued to work as a dairy employee for two years. With the money he thus saved he bought twenty- five head of cattle, paying S60 per head for six cows and $40 each for the balance. In the year 1861 Mr. Brown came to Solano county and bought a quarter section of land where his son Arthur J. now resides. At the time of the original purchase there were only two settlers in the vicinity. In the redwoods of Marin county he split timbers, posts and shakes, which he brought in boats to Maine Prairie Landing, from there hauling it to his claim and building a 12x14 house. About a year later he brought another consignment and built a new house 16x24. He originally started in the dairy business, and from this he branched out into general farming and stock-raising on a large scale. The butter from his dairy was shipped to San Francisco by water, and in the latter place it commanded the highest market prices. During those first years it was a constant struggle for Mr. Brown to make the advances he desired to make. Water was pumped by hand and in other ways manual labor had to be used where, in these days, machinery does the work. He remained in the dairy business for thirteen years, meanwhile caring for his ranch land, plowing and sowing barley and oats, for the latter in early days receiving three cents per pound. For some time he devoted most of his energies to wheat raising, but later made a specialty of barley. As he pros- pered he added to his property until his possessions aggregated three thousand acres, the land being largely used for the pasturage of his stock, for he owned about five thousand head of sheep and two hundred hogs, as well as a large number of cattle, horses and mules. 340 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES Politically Mr. Brown was a Republican ; he served for many years as county supervisor, filling that office with great credit to himself and his con- stituents; for three years he held the office of deputy county assessor, and in 1888 was nominated for the assembly, to which he was duly elected and served the session of 1889. After coming to Solano county he was married November 13, 1862. to Miss Eliza Hopkins, who was born in Cambridge, Vt. Her father was Hiram Hopkins, a native of Vermont, who spent his last days with his daughter, Mrs. Brown, dying at the age of eighty-one years, three months and twenty-one days. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were the parents of eight children, three of whom died in infancy. Those living are Arthur J., Homer G., Lillie May, Lulu Irene and Clayton H. Mr. Brown's death occurred April 23, 1910, the widow and children mourning the loss of a kind husband and father, and the community a citizen who had its welfare at heart. CHARLES ASHWELL. The experiences of a long life of intelligent activity have brought to Charles Ashwell in advancing years many memories that bring pleasure to his hours of ease. The city of Vallejo, as he recalls its appearance at the time of his arrival in 1876, was a small hamlet insignificant in commercial importance and unpromising as to future development. Then, as now, the climate proved a valuable asset in attracting newcomers, and other induce- ments brought a steady influx of settlers to identify themselves with the growing community, so that the foundation of a permanent civic prosperity was laid in the early clays of material upbuilding. While plying his trade at the Mare Island navy yard he has found leisure for participation in the local movements of importance, and has proved public-spirited in his devotion to his adopted city. The Ashwell family comes of English lineage. The first to migrate to the shores of America was George, who settled in Canada and remained there until his death. After he had come to the new world he married a young Canadian girl, Mary Springer, who survived him, dying in Canada in 1905. Two sons are living at this time, one of whom, Daniel, remains in Canada and makes his home in London. Charles Ashwell, who was born in London, Canada, September 18, 1844, was reared on the old homestead near London until at the age of eighteen he crossed into Michigan, where, in Lexington, Sanilac county, he served an apprenticeship to the trade of a cabinet-maker. While working at his trade in Michigan he married. June 9, 1869, Miss Lydia Goodall, a native of Canada, and a woman of gentle dis- position and fine mind. Her death, which occurred at Vallejo in 1893, was mourned by a large circle of friends. In all the relationships of life she was mild and gentle. No harsh judgment fell from her lips. No word of unkind- ness from her ever bruised the heart of a fellow-being. As a mother she was wise and loving, and the two children who survive her (one having pre- viously died) hold her memory in the deepest affection. The son, Charles Irving, has been connected with the postal department at Vallejo for a number of years. The daughter, Ray, Mrs. Charles C. Bowman, makes Vallejo her home. Some years since Mr. Ashwell relinquished his work at the Mare Island navy yard and entered upon a period of leisurely enjoyment of his comfortable home in Vallejo, doing little work except such as is suited to his advancing years and congenial to his tastes. He still retains considerable stock in the Pacific Fruit Canning and Evaporating Company, which has a large plant at Newcastle and its main office in San Francisco. Other investments return him a neat income and give to life's afternoon the material comforts of which HISTORY OF SOLAN* I AND NAPA COUNTIES 341 he is so deserving. For a long time he ha^ been actively connected with Naval Lodge No. 87, F. & A. Si., at Vallejo. While ho has never cared for official honors and has not been a candidate for any position at an) time, he nevertheless is loyal to the welfare of the city, solicitous for its growth, devoted to its progress and a contributor i" enterprises for the general up- building. CHARLES GLOS. ( >t" all of the residents in Nana county perhaps none has entered more fully into the hardships and privations of frontier existence than have Charles (d<>- and his self-sacrificing, helpful wife, to whose early experiences in the region there befell the trials >>\ pioneering. Notwithstanding their hardships they look back upon that tim