Gc M. L 979.40lg| N16h 1132098 M GENEALOGY COLLECTION 3 1833 01103 6388 / ^g^ ^si&OLe^ HISTORY jBJajja anil |£a1ke |tf)onttttesr CALIFORNIA, GEOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY, TOPOGRAPHY, CLIMATOGRAPHY SPRINGS AND TIMBER, ALSO, EXTENDS!) I Milling, Mining, Piscicultuhe and Wine Interests; A Full and Particular Record of the Mexican Grants; Early History and Settlement, compiled from the most Authentic Sources; Names of Original Spanish and American Pioneers ; a Full Record of their Organization and Segregation ; a Complete Political History, including a Tabular Statement of Office- holders since the Organization of the Counties. SEPARATE HISTORIES OF ALL THE TOWNSHIPS IN BOTH COUNTIES, INCLUDING TOWNS, CHURCHES, SOCIETIES, ETC., INCIDENTS OF PIONEER LIFE, BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF EARLY SETTLERS, AND REPRESENTATIVE MEN. ILLUSTRATED. SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. SLOCUM, BOWEN ft CO., PUBLISHERS. 1881. 1132098 PREFACE. Something more than a year ago the compilation of this work was begun, and has been steadily prosecuted, with the best energies of those engaged upon it, till the present time, and it is the result of this labor that is now placed before the people of Napa and Lake Counties. No pains or means have been spared to make this work full, reliable, and as nearly perfect in every respect as possible under the circumstances. It must be borne in mind that the events of a third of a century ago have been gradually fading from the minds of the old pioneers; hence, any discrepancies in statements or omissions of facts must be overlooked. All due diligence has been used to have figures and dates perfectly accu- rate, so that the book can be relied upon for reference in all matters included in it. The publishers promised to give a work of six hundred pages, but the amount of historical and other matter was so very voluminous that it was found impossible to condense it into that limit, and hence the work comes from the press with nine hundred and seven pages, which has entailed no small amount of additional expense ; but surely the reader will appreciate the book so much the more for its fullness. Nothing has been omitted except perforce. Sketches of some of the old pioneers have not been inserted, but it is because full facts could not be obtained, and it was thought not desirable to publish imperfect ones. In conclusion, the publishers desire most sincerely to thank all who have in any way given them assistance in this enterprise, aud their thanks are especially due to Mr. N. L. Nielsen, County Clerk of Napa ; Mr. H. A. Oliver, County Clerk of Lake, and their deputies ; also to Messrs. G. M. Francis, of the Napa Register; John Walden, of the Napa Reporter; Charles A. Gardner, of the St. Helena Star; J. L. Multer, of the Independent Calistogian; Cook & Jackson, of the Lakeport Bee- Democrat, and J. B. Baccus, Jr., of the Lower Lake Bulletin. SLOCUM, BOWEN & CO. Lyman L. Palmer, A. M., Historian. San Francisco, November, 1881. INDEX. NAPA COUNTY. General History 3 Geographical Situation and Area 3 Derivation of Name 3 Topography 4 Geology 1 Metals 27 Iron 27 Manganese 28 Tin 28 Silver 28 Gold 28 Quicksilver 28 Minerals 29 Quartz 29 Feldspar 29 Limestone 29 Gypsum 29 Hornblende 29 Talc 30 Serpentine 30 Shale 30 Sulphur 30 Soda 30 Ammonia 30 Coal 30 Petroleum 30 Basalt and Trap 31 Tufa and Scoria 31 Obsidian 31 Springs 32 Timber 32 Soils 37 Watercourses 39 Napa River 39 White Sulphur Creek 39 Conn Creek 39 Dry Creek 39 Saco Creek 39 Napa Creek 39 Soscol Creek 39 Carneros Creek 39 Rector Creek 40 Putah Creek 40 Eticura Creek 40 Watercourses (continued) — Pope Creek Other Streams Climatography Indians of Napa County Mexican Grants Caymus Entre Napa El Rincon de los Carneros Napa Yajome Locoallomi Tulucay Mallacomes, or Muristul y Plan de Aguas Caliente De la Jote Las Putas Huichica Catacula Chimiles Carne Humana General History and Settlement. . . Napa Agricultural Society Petroleum Assassination of Abraham Lincoln. . . . Climate of Napa County Rainfall County Infirmary Old Debt Funded Railroad History Court-houses Statistics of Napa County Agricultural Statistics Rate of Taxation Curiosities of the Great Register Mount St. Helena The Future The Pioneers Legislative History of Napa County Organization of the County Township Boundaries Napa Yount 116 Hot Springs 116 Knox 116 Political History of Napa County . . 121 Political Table 136 Homicides of Napa County 143 Murder of S. H. Sellers 143 Murder of — Prieto 144 Murder of George Ettenbrough 144 Killing of James Cuminings 144 Murder of Thomas Wilson 145 Murder of Joseph Warren Osborne. . 145 Murder of Patrick O'Brien 146 Killing of Turner G. Letton 147 Killing of a Chinaman 148 The Jonathan Davis Murder and Sui- cide 148 Killing of John Clark 149 Killing of Patrick Goodwin 149 Killing of Daniel English 149 Killing of Kate Ennis (Indian) 150 The Fred. Coombs Murder and Suicide 151 Killing of Peter Guadalupe (Indian). . 151 Killing of John B. See 152 Killing of John Thomas 152 Killing of Major Harry Larkyns. . . . 152 Killing of Alexander McDonald 153 Murder of Mollie Williams alias Swartz 153 Killing of Edward Paul Carron 154 Murder of William Perkins and Gua- dalupe (Indian) 154 Killing of Theodore Schurs 155 Killing of Jesse Hawkins 155 Killing of Charles R. Rice 156 Killing of August Puesch 156 Killing of Isaac Wilson 157 Mines and Mining 158 Phcenix 161 Redington 163 Washington 167 Valley 168 Summit 1 68 Oakville 169 Manhattan 170 Napa Consolidated, or Oat Hill 170 Ivanhoe 173 Hamilton 174 Burlington 174 Red Hill 174 Silver Bow 174 Overland 175 Mutual 175 ' Mammoth 175 Silver Mines 175 Calistoga Quartz Mill 176 Calistoga District Mines 176 Elephant 177 Hellen 177 Ida Easley 177 Coal Mines 177 Pacific 177 Napa Coal Company 178 Clark Coal Company 178 Atlantic Coal Company 178 Viticulture 179 State Viticultural Society 190 Pests of the Vine 194 St. Helena Viticultural Club 204 Pioneer Sherry Making 205 Napa Viticultural Society 205 Vine Statistics 206 Calistoga District 206 St. Helena District 208 Napa District 214 Summary 217 Wine Product of Napa County in 1880. 218 Wine Cellars 218 L. Kortum 218 J.J. H. Medeau 218 Alta Vineyard 219 J. Schram 219 W. W. Lyman 219 F. H. Rosenbaum 219 J. C. Weinberger 219 J. Laurent 220 C. Krug 220 Berringer Bros 221 Beretta Bros 222 C. Lemme 222 C. Wegele 222 Edge Hill 222 B. Tossetti 223 A. Rossi 223 N. Deguoy 223 0. Schultze 22a E. W. Woodward 223 Gila Bros 223 H. A. Pellet 223 Dr. G. B. Crane 223 E. Heyman 223 G. C. Fountain 223 F. Sciaroui's Sherry House 224 J. Thomann 224 J. H. McCord 224 Nouveau Medoc 224 H. W. Crabb 224 Wine Cellars (continued) — J. C. & G. A. Sterner 225 G. Groezinger 225 F. Salmini 225 Occidental 225 White Rock 226 Vine Cellars (continued) — G. Barth 226 H. Hagan 226 Uncle Sam 226 G. Migliavaeca 227 Other Cellars 227 TOWNSHIP HISTORIES. Napa Township 228 Geography 228 Topography '. . . . 228 Soil 228 Geology 229 Climate 229 Products 230 Timber 230 Early Settlement 230 Napa City 231 Markets 241 New Year's Day, 1857 241 Trial of Ned. McGowan 241 Napa Guards 242 An Odd Advertisement 242 The Stone Bridge 242 Good Templars 242 Academy for Boys 242 Hanging of Charles Brittian 243 Sanitary and Soldiers' Belief 243 Napa Guard 243 Artillery Company 243 A Reminiscence of Napa City . 243 Earthquake 244 Freedmen's Aid Fund 244 Contributions to the Christian Com- .... 244 .... 245 .... 245 Gas Napa City as it was in 186S Incorporation 245 Small Pox Epidemic 246 Old Indian Graveyard 247 Records of Napa City 247 Legislative Enactments 249 Bridge across Napa River 249 Wharf at Napa City 249 Animals at large in Napa City 249 Napa City Improvement 249 Incorporation of Napa City 249 Street Railroad 250 Orders of the Board of Supervisors . . . 250 Assistance for Napa City 250 Engine House 250 Water for Napa City Churches Presbyterian Methodist Episcopal Christs Episcopal Baptist Catholic Christian German Reformed Seventh Day Advent African M. E Public Schools Central Collegiate Institute Ladies' Seminary Oak Mound Newspaper Biographies Reporter Herald Echo Register Gold Dollar Robert T. Montgomery Free and Accepted Masons Napa Chapter R. A. M Independent Order of Odd-Fellows . . Live Oak Encampment, I. O. O. F. Independent Order of Good Templars Aqua Pura Lodge Knights of Honor Knights of Pythias Ancient Order of United Workmen . . Industries Sawyer's Tannery Napa City Tannery Vernon Mills Napa City Mills Moody's Carriage Factory Hunter's Carriage Factory Wright & Fowler's Carriage Factory Soda Works Coffee and Spice Mill Marble Works Industries (continued) — Tile Factory Cream Tarter Works Bachelder Manufacturing Company Glue Works (las Works Planing Mill Barth's Brewery Bank of Napa ( Joodman's Bank Seeley & Bickford's Bank Business Interests of Napa Steamboats Odd-Fellows' College and Home Fire Department Coal Lime Ferry at Soscol Dam and Lock Wharf at Soscol Rev. Eleazer Thomas Tulucay Cemetery Napa Asylum Napa Soda Springs Atlas Peak Yount Township Geography T< >p< igraphy Geology Soil Climate Fn iducts Timber Early Settlement Towns Vnuntville Business Interests Independent Order Good Templars Baptist Church Christian Church Monticello Business Literests Berryessa Valley Chiles Valley Conn Valley Cord. in Valley Captain John Grigsby Red* I Falls Vomit Mill Hot Springs Township Geography Topography Geology Soil 320 Climate 320 Products 321 Timber 321 Early Settlement 321 Towns 325 Calistoga 325 Free and Accepted Masons 329 Independent Order of Odd-Fellows. 330 Monroe Lodge of Good Templars . 330 Presbyterian Church 330 Methodist Episcopal Church 331 School 331 Flour Mill 331 Business Directory 332 The Bungalow 332 St. Helena 333 Incorporations 334 Baptist Church 336 Methodist Episcopal Church 339 Cumberland Presbyterian Church.. 3t0 Presbyterian Church 340 Seventh Day Advent Church 341 Catholic Church 342 Schools : 342 Free and Accepted Masons 342 Independent Order of Odd-Fellows 342 Independent Order Good Templars. 343 Ancient Order United Workmen . . . 343 American Legion of Honor 344 Fire Department 344 Water Company 344 Banking House 345 St. Helena Star 345 Cream Tartar Works 345 Brewery 346 Business Interests 346 Springs 346 Hot 346 White Sulphur 350 Crystal 351 Clay Cave 351 Petrified Forest 351 Fish Hatchery 353 Manganese Mine 353 Newspaper History of Calistoga 353 Viueland School District 364 Kjjox Township 356 Geography 356 Topography 357 < leology 35" Soil 358 Climate 358 Products 358 Timber 359 Early Settlement 359 Towns 360 Knoxville 360 Catholic Church 361 Wardners 361 Mills 361 Mines 361 Springs 361 ^Etna 362 Walters 364 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Allen, C. H Anderson, W. E Allyn, J Alstrom, S - Adams, J Adamson, C. P Amesbury, H. N Alden, H. E. Boggs, Ex-Governor L. W. (deceased) . Boreo, F Bounsall, R. C Bounsall, J. C Boothe, J. R. (deceased) Baldridge, Wm Barnett, E. J Bailey, P. D Brown, J. B Bussenius, H. It Brun, J. A Beringer, J. L Kateman, J Bell, R. B Bennett, J. N Barnett, Jesse Burgess, C. M Burbank, C. H. (deceased) Barth, G Boyce, W. P Button, J. A Brownlee, Robert Baxter, T. G Boothe, J 408 Baehelder, J 408 Beach, G. H 408 Crane, G. B 418 Coombs, N. (deceased) 429 < lhapel, B. A 430 Coghlan, J. M. (deceased) 431 Cornwell, G. N 431 Crouch, Robert 432 Cooper, W. R 433 4H6 Cook, J 433 Craddock, S. M 433 Craddock, J. C 434 Carrillo, A. F 434 Conn, C 434 Coombs, F. L 434 Crabb, H. W 434 Clark, Sidney 435 Carter, J 435 Cleghorn, J 436 Conner, J 436 Colman, F. W., M. D 436 Clark, A. G 437 Cyrus, J 439 Castnur, W. H 440 Clark, S. G 441 Carver, D. B 441 Clark, A 442 Clark, I. G 443 Collins, S. W 443 Chesebro, J. A 444 Chiles, J. B 444 Davis, J. C 446 Decker, P. A 446 Dickinson, J. J 446 Davis, C. E 447 Dowdelle, J 448 Dinning, William 44S Dodge, A. H 449 Dawson, W. J. G 450 Dwyer, Thomas 450 Estee, M. M 451 Epley, T. H 454 Edgington, William 454 Ellis, F. W 455 Elgin, William 456 Earl, Thomas 457 Even, J 458 Emerson, D 458 Fisher, W. F 459 Fisher, W. A 460 Flynn, J. D 460 Francis, G. M 461 Frye, J 461 Fitch, 1 461 Fraser, G. W 462 Fountain, G. C 462 Field, W. A 463 Feally, T. W 463 Fisher, G. W 463 Getleson, H 464 Gildersleeve, G. W 464 Greenfield, T. G 465 Goodman, G. E 465 Gritman, C. E 465 Goodrich, H 466 Giles, J 466 Garner, J. R 467 Grigsby, W. P 467 Gibbs, W. H 468 Gardner, C. A 46S Griffith, C. C 469 Groezinger, [G 470 Greer, J 471 Grigsby, J 471 Grigsby, P. D 472 Gosling, 0 472 Gillam, J 472 Hastings, S. C 473 Hartson, C 476 Hogan, J. S. (deceased) . 478 Heymann, E 480 Hatt, A. E 480 Horn, J 4S1 Hamilton, W. J 481 Holden, S. E 482 Hill, D. D 483 Hottel, E. W 484 Hull, A. J 484. Henry, J 4S4 Haas, D. L 185 Hortop, N 4S5 Hagen, H 486 Hartwell, G. F 486 Howlan.l, J. H 4S6 Haeckl, L 487 Harris, H. H 4S8 Hackett, F. M 488 Hale, C.N 4S9 Hewes, F. W 4S9 Hunt, B. E 4S9 Hoover, G 490 Hunt, D. 0 490 Hansen, C 491 Ink, T. H 491 Jaensch, W 492 Jackson, T 492 James, B 492 Jackson, J. P 493 Juarez, C 494 Jackson, A. M 500 Johnston, R. P 500 Jones, S. A 501 Johnson, G. W 501 Johnson, J. SV 502 KJuit, A. P 503 Kichler, P. (deceased) 503 Kortum, L 503 Kettlewell, J. R 503 Kister, J. S 504 Keegan, J 505 Kean, J 505 Kelly, J.N 506 Kennedy, W. W 506 Kelly, L 507 Krug, C 508 Loeber, F. W 510 Lewton, L ."ill Lamdin, J. F 511 Little, B 512 Laurent, J 512 Lawley; J 512 Locker, W 513 Logan, J. 1 513 Lane, R. F 514 Lewelling, J 515 Lidell, W. H 516 Lyman, W. W 516 Linn, G 516 Lazarus, L 517 Lockwood, F. E 51S Lawrence, G. W 518 Moody, T. M 518 Mayfield, J. M * 519 McKinzie, A 520 Miller, R 520 McCord, J. H 520 Multer, J, L 521 Mansfield, J. M 522 Mellor, W 523 Migliavacca, G 523 McFarling, J 524 McLennan, D. R 524 Merriam, H. A 525 Meyers, O. P 526 McUermott, J 526 Mauassee, E 526 Melntyre, H. W 527 Topography Geology .... Soil Climate Products Timber Early Settlement . Upper Lake Independent Order of Odd-Fellows . . 202 Elliotts Mill.. 203 Planing and Grist Mill 203 Mills 203 Pine Mountain Mill 203 Denison 203 Hansons 203 Bartlett Springs 203 Springs 204 Pearson , . . 204 Witter 205 Whiskey , 206 Mitchell 206 Bartlett 206 Allen 208 Blue Lakes 209 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Alter, 1 213 Ashley, J. G 214 Allen, H 214 Armstrong, C. W 215 Alexander, D 215 Boggs, H. C 216 Bassett, W. D 216 Butler, W. J 216 Britt, E. W 217 Butler, S.G 217 Bower, J 217 Burtnett, P 218 Ballinger, Wm 218 Bond, H 219 Bolter, H. R 219 Bartlett, G 219 Bole, E. B 220 Burger, J. F 220 Burke, W. P 221 Bucknell, G 221 Bynum, J., M. D 2?1 Boggs, J. W 222 Brown, J. W 222 Crump, R. W 223 Crawford, W 223 Carver, J. H 224 Cannon, W. G 224 Crumpton, H. J., M. D 224 Collins, J. M 225 Cox, CM 225 Crigler, J. C 225 Clendenin, E. P 226 Conner, D. V 227 Cobb, J 227 Clendenin, S 229 Daly, P.M 229 Dewell, B 230 Deming, T 230 Davis, J 231 Denison, J. M. (deceased) 231 Downes, J. S., M. D 231 Emerson, S. R 232 English, B. F 232 Fees, J. W 232 Flippen, W. J 233 Fritts, H. R 233 Getz, S 233 Gard, G. W 233 Greene, W. W 234 Gessner, Wm 235 Gillett, C. , 235 Goldsmith, W. C 236 Goodwin, C 236 Gallatin, A 237 Gruwell, L. H 237 Herndon, N 238 Huston, J. H 239 Hanson, J. F 239 Haycock, T 239 Hendricks, G 240 Harris, T. M 240 Hendricks, J. D 241 Hudson, D 241 Harris, J. A 241 Hudson, R. J 242 Hamilton, J. M 245 Hanson, D. M 246 Hanson, G. M. (deceased) 247 Ingram, J. C. W 250 Jones, C. W 251 Jamison, J. H 251 Jones, J. W 251 Kesey, William 252 Kennedy, J 253 Kennedy, H 253 Kerr, William 253 RadcKfie. W. P. .' --- . . -274 Sh»nL B. F >:«;^r. M --- Shepud, M .- -- Sleeps, D. O -"- Tkoratoo, P. H-. M. D -•- Tucker, G :- Tavlor, D. T Vazm, P. W Welch, 8l K .-- 9 ff^.B a 383 Wcoda. J. L _-- v«« t a , Yomg,E R . Yoosg, CM . . 291 :- : t: .-.:t« 36 Hada»,D. Moore, R. E. F 527 McClure, T. B 527 Miller, J. F • 527 Mclntire, J. J 530 Moore, W 530 McClelland, J. A 530 Newcomer, S 531 Nielsen, X. L 531 Xorton, J. G 531 Norton, A. W 532 Xottage, F. M 532 Osborn, G 533 Owen, J. C 533 Olsen, KG 534 O'Connell, M 534 Plass, C. W 534 Porterfield, H 534 Paccaud, L. 536 Parker, T. R 537 Palmer, P. H 537 Pratt, E. F 53S Peterson, W 53S Pratt, G. L 539 Priest, J. J 539 Pettengill, J. A 539 Pellet, H. A 540 Peacock, E. A. 542 Parker, H. C 542 Pearson, I. X 543 Pond,M. B., M. D 544 Pinkham, P 545 Poe, J 546 Polk, T. W 546 Roberts, W. C 546 Eeimers, C 547 Roberta, M. W 547 Robinson, J. H 547 Randall, J. G 547 Robinson, C 548 Raney, A. J 549 Stockton, P. K 550 Shurtleff, B., M. D 550 Smith, W. C. S 551 Schemer, W 552 Smith, J. T 554 Smith, D 554 Shaw, M 554 Sweitzer, L. H 555 Scribner, T. S 555 Safley, A. (deceased) 555 Simmons E. P 556 Smittle, J. \V 557 Souther, C. N 558 Stamer, G. A 558 Seeley, C. B 559 Stockmon, D. M 560 Scott, J 560 Stillwagon, W. W., M. D 560 Stoney, T. P 561 Storey, C. A 564 Smith, W. A. C 565 Schram, J 565 Steves, J. H 566 Straus, J. E 567 Seawell, J. H 567 Spencer, D 568 Shurtleff, G. C 568 Simmons, A 568 Tonolla, A. M 569 Trubody, J. S 569 Trubody, W. A 569 Thompson, 1 570 Trubody, J. P 570 Thomann, J 571 Tucker, J. W. . 571 Taber, I., M. D 572 Tully, T. J ! 573 Thompson, S 573 Thompson, J. M 576 Tucker, G. W 577 Teale, G. W 577 Thompson, C 577 Van Bever, P 578 Van Tassell, T 579 Vann, M 579 Voorhes, A. P 580 Wallace, W. C 580 Wilkins, E. T., M. D 5>2 Walsh, T 585 Watson, J 5S5 Weinberger, J. C 585 Williams, J. W 5S6 Wheeler, C 586 Weller, H. 1 5S 7 Weseott, C. A 587 Weaks, W. P 58S Wright, Rev. J. M 553 Woolley, E. B 590 Yount, Geo. C. (deceased) 591 Young, E. G 595 Yarrington, J 596 York. J 596 Zollner, J. F 597 PORTRAITS. Allen, C. H 262 Barnett, J • • • 9* .Brun, A 525 Earth, G 462 Baldridge, W 21 Beach, G. H 357 Coghlan, J. M 199 Clark, A 346 Clark, S 58S Crane, G. B., M. D 52 Chiles, J. B 10 Conn, C 283 Coombs, N 42 Dinning, W 294 Davis, J. C 336 Earl, Thos 535 Estee, M. M 134 Fisher, W. F S4 Francis, G. M 430 Garner, J. R , 483 Griffith, C. C T 73 Henry, J 399 Harris, H. H 3S8 Hagen, H 493 Hartson, C 147 Hastings, S. C 304 Ink, T. H 546 Jackson, J. P 115 Juarez, C Frontispiece. Lawley, J 367 Lewelling, J 126 Maydeld, J. II 231 McCord, J. H 220 Miller, J. F 31 Palmer, P. H 420 Parker, H. C 504 Peacock, E. A 441 Pellet, H. A 241 Raney, A. J 189 Simmi mis, E. P 577 Souther, C. N 556 StiUwagon, W. W., M. D 105 Seeley„C. B 451 Schemer, Wm 514 Schram, J 252 Smittle, J. W 210 Trnbody, J. S 273 Thompson, S 168 Thompson, C 567 Vann. M 315 Walli.ee, W. C 178 Weinberger, J. C 472 Wilkins, E. T, M. D 325 York, J 63 Yount, Geo. C. (deceased) 1 Kister, J. S 37S Krug, Chas 157 Kelly, L 409 LAKE COUNTY. General History. Geography Derivation of Name Topography Valleys Morgan Long Jerusalem 4 Jericho ' LittleHigh 4 Coyote 4 Copsey 4 Lower Lake 4 Loconoma 4 Cobb 5 Riff 5 Valleys (continued) — Donovan 5 Scotts 6 Bachelor 5 Upper Lake 5 Clover 0 Gravelly 5 Squaw 5 Rice 5 Twin 5 Paradise 5 Watercourses 5 Putah Creek 6 Cache Creek 6 Scotts Creek 6 CloverCreek 8 Middle Creek 6 Adobe Creek 6 Kelse\ (.'reek i Lakes 7 Clear Lake 7 Blue Lakes 7 Tide Lake 8 Borax Lake S Boggs Lake S Rices Lake 8 Geology 9 Gold 9 Sdver 9 Iron 9 Coal 9 Petroleum 9 Quicksilver 10 Borax 10 Umbers and Ochres 10 Petrifactions 10 Copper 11 Sulphur 11 Soda 11 Lime 11 Alabaster 12 Manganese 12 Arsenic 12 Magnesia 12 Potassa 12 Other Metals 12 Minerals 12 Feldspar 12 Mica 13 Limestone 13 Hornblende 13 Serpentine 13 Oxyd of Iron 13 Granite 13 Basalt 14 Trap 14 Obsidian 15 Lava .. 15 Sandstone 15 Springs 15 Timber 16 Soils 19 Climati igraphy ... 20 Indians of Lake County 23 Mexican Grants 41 Lup-Yomi ? 41 Collayomi 45 Guenoc 46 General History and Settlement ... 47 Stone and Kelsey Massacre 49 Chief Augustine's Version 58 Treaty of Peace 62 Game and Hunters 62 Settlement Proper 63 Boundary of Clear Lake Township. ... 70 Shower of Candy 71 Organization of the County 71 Treasurer's Troubles, Safe Robbing, etc. 71 Court-house Burned 72 Peregrinations of the County-seat 73 New Court-house 73 Cache Creek Dam 74 Chapman's Fiasco 84 Southern Relief Fund 85 Cotton Culture 85 Sarshel Bynura 85 County Credit 86 Statistics of Lake County 86 Rate of Taxation 86 Agricultural Statistics S6 School Census 89 Legal Distances 89 Lake County 90 The Need of the Hour 94 Telegraph Line 95 Legislative History 100 County Boundaries 104 Sessions of Court 105 Salary of County Officers 106 Miscellaneous Acts 108 Treasurer made Tax Collector 109 Legal Distances 109 In Third Congressional District. . . . 109 Relief of J. B.Cook 109 Sheriff made Tax Collector 109 Member of Assembly 109 Clear Lake Navigable 109 Municipal Powers 109 Political History 110 Township Boundaries 110 Lower Lake 110 Big Valley Ill Upper Lake Ill Knox ville Ill Supervisorial Districts 112 First 112 Second 112 Third 112 Location of County Seat 113 Local Option Election 116 Political Table 118 Homicides 122 Killing of B. F. Taylor 122 Killing of T. J. Warden 122 Killing of — Holeman 123 Killing of William Laffiu 123 Killing of — Waggoner 123 Killing of — Alexander 125 Killing of J. Rhodes 125 Killing of William Daily 125 Killing of S. Chapman 12li Killing of C. N. Copsey 127 Killing of F. Thurman 127 Killing of G. Manahan 12S Killing of J. Wright 12S Killing of D. Wedig 128 Killing of W. B. Cooper 129 Lynching of J. Meyers 129 Killing of M. Ready 130 Killing of P. Pogue 130 Killing of C. Bates 131 Killing of E. Bynum 131 Mines and Mining 132 Sulphur Bank 132 Great Western 135 TOWNSHIP HISTORIES. Lowek Lake Township Geography Topography Geology Soil Products Climate Timber Early Settlement Lower Lake Independent Order of Odd-Fellows. Free and Accepted Masons Brewery Flour Mill Planing MiU Newspapers Agricultural Association. East Lake Middletown Independent Order of Odd-Fellows Independent Order of Good Templars American Sunday-School Union Brewery Springs Harbin Anderson Adams Howard Siegler Carp Ponds California Borax Company Stoddards Mill Big Valley Township Geography Topography Geology Products Climate . Timber Early Settlement Lakeport Episcopal Church Presbyterian Church Methodist Episcopal Church South . . Baptist Church Clear Lake College Ancient Order United Workmen Independent Order of Odd-Fellows. . Mt. Hebron Encampment Free and Accepted Masons American Legion of Honor Bank of Lake Farmers' Savings Bank Flour ALU Clear Lake Courier Lake County Bee Lake Democrat Brewery Sailing Vessels Steamers Telegraph, Stages, etc Kelsey ville ■ Methodist Episcopal Church Independent Order of Good Templars Catholic Church Work Mills Boggs Cobb Harbin Allison Flour Mill Highland. Soda Bay Glenbrook Gas Knoll Mount Konocti Upper Lake Township. Geography GEORGE C . YOUNT. NAPA COUNTY. HISTORY OF NAPA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. Geographical Situation and Area — Derivation of Name— Topography - Geology— Climatography, Etc., Etc. Napa County is bounded on the north by Lake County, on the east by Yolo and Solano Counties, on the south by Solano County and San Pablo Bay, and on the west by Sonoma County. Napa is one of the smallest counties in the State, but is one of the most highly-favored and richest sections of California. The territory embraced within its limits formerly included what is now known as Lake County, but subsequent changes have altered its area several times. After Lake County had been segregated, the area of this county was four hundred and fifty thousand acres, or eight hundred and twenty-eight square miles. Subsequently another change of the boundary line between the two counties occurred, which added quite an area to Napa County. A full statement of these changes will be found in a subsequent chapter of this work. DERIVATION OF NAME.— That the word Napa is of Indian deriva- tion, there can be no doubt ; but what its signification may be, is a mooted question. C. A. Menefee, in his excellent work "Sketch Book of Napa," etc. says that the word means fish, and that it was given to this section on account of the great numbers of the finny tribes that infested the streams and brooks, and afforded the dwellers inland a bountiful supply of food. Mr. Menefee says further that this statement is verified by the asser- tions of the early settlers among the Aboriginees, and still further by the cognate tongues of the Pacific Coast. Of the statements made by the pioneers on the subject, we have nothing to say ; but of the cognate dia- lects, we will append the following : While it is a well known fact that Indians only separated by a few miles could not converse with each other, yet there are a few words that seem to have come from some parent stem, and some forms of it pass through all the dialects of the tribes of certain sections, just as roots and elements of the Latin are to be found permeating the Spanish, French, Italian, and all English-speaking sections of the world. 4 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. Thus the word " porno," meaning a man or tribe of men, is found to be common with all tribes south of Eel River, west of Clear Lake, and north of San Francisco Bay ; and the word " patween," having a similar significa- tion, is found to be common with all those peoples east of Clear Lake, south of Colusa, west of the Sacramento River, and north of the Suisun Bay. Now, the Indians of Napa Valley belonged to the " pomos," or that grand family of tribes in which the word "porno" was used instead of "patween," in a generic or tribal sense; so, also, did the tribes on the western shore of Clear Lake. The Indians of Napa Valley have all disappeared, but their distant relatives, the tribes on the Clear Lake, still exist, and naturally we would look to them for names or other traces of habits, customs, etc., to find out what would be probably the condition of things in this section. It is found that the word " Nap-po" occurs frequently, and among this people it is found to signify village. Thus, " Hoo-la-nap-po" signified lily village ; "Ha-be-nap-po," rocky village, and " Kai-nap-po," wood village. Taking this fact into consideration, may we not reasonably conclude that the word has some relation to a town or village that may have been at some time located upon the banks of the stream that now bears that name, and thus it has come down to us ? It seems very likely, indeed, that such was the case ; and, taking all things into consideration, we are inclined to give the preference to this last idea, rather than to the other. TOPOGRAPHY.— To write fully and completely the topography of Napa County, requires that a man spend weeks in its study, so varied and frequently changed are the topographical features of the section of country embraced within its limits. Beginning at the western side of Napa County, we find that the line passes along the ridge of a chain of mountains the entire length of the county. To the eastward of this range, and at its base, lies the beautiful Napa Valley, which extends from Mt. St. Helena on the north to San Pablo Bay on the south, varying in width from one mile, near the northern end, to five miles, at the southern end. The slope of the range is intersected with a number of ravines, canons, and small valleys; but none of them are of any great importance, except Brown's Valley, which lies to the west and north-west of the city of Napa, and is a lovely little glen, nestled at the foot of the mountains. Several streams come down out of this range of mountains and find their way to the Napa River, the larger of which are the White Sulphur Creek, Dry Creek, and Carneros Creek. The lower end of Napa Valley opens out fan-like to quite a wide expanse, and is low, fiat, tule land, covered with water at high tide, and with tules and swamp grass. Just about midway between the two extremes of Napa Valley, there is a very large hill, attaining almost to the dignity of a moun- tain, and is known as the Yountville Hill. It is also near the center of the valley, from east to west. Geography, Name, Topography, Geology, Etc. 5 Napa Valley is upwards of thirty miles in length, and is very level and productive. The river of the same name extends its entire length, and serves well the purposes of drainage, and is navigable as far up as Napa City, at which place the tides regularly ebb and flow, rising to a height of from three to eight feet. At the head of Napa Valley, the grand proportions of Mount St. Helena rear themselves nearly 4500 feet above the level of the sea, and it stands there much like a sentinel at the entrance to a beautiful land of enchant- ment. On the eastern side of Napa Valley, a chain of mountains extend the entire length, which is broken into by but few streams, canons, or val- leys. Conn Creek is about midway of the range, and comes down through a very narrow defile in the mountains. Milliken and Rector Canons are the only ones south of Conn Creek, while to the north there are only gorges in the mountains. Conn Valley is a small widening of the canon through which the creek of that name passes, and is a beautiful and picturesque little dale. There are three roads passing out of Napa Valley through this range of mountains, viz : the one leading to Berryessa Valley, through a pass near the southern extremity of the range. The second road passes through Conn Valley, and thence up the canon into Chiles Valley, while the third passes over Howell Mountain. Of these two last named, there are two or more branches each, but all pass through the same general course and place. A road from Calistoga to Knoxville was at one time very nearly completed, only some eight or ten miles remaining unfinished, when some obstacle ai'ose and the whole work was let go to ruin. In this range of mountains there are some quite high peaks — such as Bald Peak, Atlas Peak, Howell Mountain, etc. The height of these peaks range from two to three thousand feet. This range forms a continuation of the St. Helena or Mayacamas range, the two branches being like the two portions of the letter V, with St. Helena Mountain at the point of union, one portion skirting Napa Valley on the west and the other on the east. Passing over the Howell Mountain grade, we find ourselves in Pope Valley, a beautiful tract of quite level country, extending for about ten miles in a north-westerly and south-easterly direction, and being from one to three miles in width. In the center of the valley, and extending nearly the whole length of it, there is a high range of hills which divides it almost into equal portions. The whole of this valley is drained by Pope Creek, a stream of some considerable size, whose waters find their way to the Bay through Putah Creek. Passing over a low divide to the south of Pope Valley, we come to Chiles Valley, which is small but productive, being six miles in length and from one to three miles in width. The upper end of it is drained by 6 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. Conn Creek, while the waters of the lower end find their way into Putah Creek. There is quite a high range of mountains lying on the eastern side of Pope and Chiles Valleys and separating them from Berryessa Valley. Taking the road leading from Napa to Monticello, just when we reach the summit, a beautiful little valley opens out to the view ; but it is not very large. It is truly a lovely gem, set about with a fringe of mountains. This is Capelle Valley. But little more can be said of it in this connection. Passing to the north, just where the road enters Berryessa Valley, there lies to the right the lovely little vale known as Wooden Valley, and adjacent to it is Gordon Valley, both of which are small but beautiful. Following the road, we find that the mountains seem to be pressed apart for a considerable distance, and the broad expanse of Berryessa Valley, the second in size in the county, appears before the eyes. This valley is about ten miles long, by from one to three miles in width. It is a level expanse of rich, arable land. It is drained by the Putah Creek, which here becomes almost a veritable river of wildly rushing water during the winter rains. The area of the water-shed which is tributary to this stream is very great, and also precipitous, so that in a very short time indeed after a rain has fallen, the stream is at flood height, and the torrents of water are rushing with an indescribable impetuosity down the stream to the plains below in the vicinity of the town of Winters. Passing on up to the head of Berryessa Valley, we come to a narrow defile in the mountains which extends to Knoxville, and thence over a low divide into Lake County. There is a mountain stream passing down this canon, of goodly proportions, which evidently is called upon to accommo- date a great amount of water during the rainy season. It empties into the Putah Creek. To the eastward of Berryessa Valley, the abrupt range of the Blue Ridge rises to a great height. This is the dividing line between Napa and Yolo Counties, and presents an unbroken surface for the whole distance, from the northern boundary line of the former to the southern line of the latter. At this point the Putah passes directly across the range, through a very narrow pass known as Putah Canon. We have thus hastily given the reader a glance at the principal topo- graphical features of the county as a whole. A fuller and more minute description of each individual section will be found under the heads of the different townships. If one were where he could get a bird's-eye view of the whole of Napa County, or could see a relief map of it, he would be surprised to see what a large proportion of the territory embraced within its limits is mountainous, compared with that which is made up of valleys. And what a beautiful prospect would be spread out before the ej'e of the wondering observer, could he but see the whole of the lovely landscape at Geography, Name, Topography, Geology, Etc. 7 one view ! Hill and dale, mount and vale, all apparently in an interminable jungle, yet having a grand and wonderful system and order in it. There are only two systems of drainage in Napa County : one that of the Napa River and its tributaries, and the other Putah Creek and its tribu- taries. These two streams have to carry to the sea all the vast amount of water that falls upon nearly one thousand square miles of territory, the most of which is mountainous ; and hence the water is precipitated quickly into the outlets. It is no wonder, therefore, that floods are of almost yearly occurrence along the banks of these streams. Just imagine for a moment what a volume of water falls upon this area during any of the heavy storms of the winter season, when, as is not unfrequently the case, there has from two to four inches of water fallen ! GEOLOGY. — There is probably no county in the State of California that presents a more interesting field for the student of geology than does Napa. The changes of the geological aspect of the country in passing from one section to another, are oftentimes very marked and remarkable. Another interesting fact is, that the lines of change are so boldly and closely drawn that he that runs may read. Here may be seen in all its glory the action of the great world-building agents, fire and water. In the beds of brooks it is no uncommon thing to be able to pick up boulders with fossils in them adjacent to those formed from lava that never had and never could have life in any way associated with them. The rocks of the Silurian period are not unfrequently found adjacent to those of the Tertiary. Another feature which is of interest, and goes to show how badly things have been " mixed up " in the ages that have gone by, is the fact that there are many places where the soil is what is termed by the farmers " spotted." That means that the soil is oftentimes made up of two or more different kinds in the same field. It is no uncommon thing to see a field with spots of adobe all over the face of it, while the body of it may be a sandy loam. Again it may be made up of adobe principally and have here and there a spot of argillacious soil upon it. Striking examples of both features just described may be found in Pope Valley. In considering this subject in its general aspect, we have decided to take up the great factors of world-building, fire and water, and to take a hurried glance at the face of the country and see where they have each been at work, and see what they have each had to do in the upbuilding or tearing down of this county. Although it may seen paradoxical to say that world- building is accomplished by the process of tearing down, yet such is often the case. There would be no rich alluvial valleys, in which are produced all that man subsists upon, had there not been a tearing down process by which the particles of matter were dislodged from the everlasting rocks of the mountain sides and deposited below in the basins which we call valleys. 8 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. Taking up the first of these twin Titans, fire, let us see what it has done in this county. The casual observer would say, doubtless, what has it not done in Napa County; for, turn our eyes as we may, we can see traces of the working of fire. But careful investigation will show that the twin brother, water, has had much indeed to do here as elsewhere all over the world. As it was in the beginning, so it has ever been — fire first and then its comple- ment, water. Volcanic action has been a great factor in shaping up the surface of this county. There are many extinct volcanoes in this section, although their craters have become not only extinct, but all traces are lost of them ; but the lava, scoria, and even the very ashes are still extant in large quantities. Go where we will all over Napa County, from the very apex of Mount St. Helena to the very lowest level of the valley to the south of it, and on every hand the evidences of volcanic action are present. These evidences are not uniform, either in amount, character or general trend. Nor have the upheavals been uniform, for in many places are to be found those rocks which were formed during the earlier ages of the world's existence, while just across the canon are to be found those of quite recent date. A striking example of this may be seen on what is known as Dry Creek, a few miles to the north-west of Napa City. On one side of this stream, the rocks of the outcropping ledges belong to the Silurian system, while those on the other were formed only quite recently, geologically speaking. Here the rocks on the one side of the creek have been eroded and worn away to a depth of nearly one mile ; that is to say, had there have been no erosion the mountain on one side of the stream would have been all of one mile higher than on the other side. Another example may be seen at the north end of Pope Valley. The top of the ridge just back of the Phoenix Mine is formed of very old rock, belonging to the Laurentian age probably, while further to the north and at a much lower level the Tertiary sandstone begins, and continues up the other ridge to the Oat Hill Mine, and probably much further. We will now glance over the county and direct the reader's attention to those localities where the action of fire is most patent, and give a description of the work it has done. Beginning at the south end of the western slope of the range of mountains which lie on the eastern side of Napa Valley, we find that the body of the rocks are of volcanic formation, being either basalt, trap or lava. In the valley, in the vicinity of the Insane Asylum, the boulders are chiefly made up of honey-combed lava, which, when broken present all grades, from the most compact to the very coarsest and loosely united particles, and in color range from black to almost white, many of them being red, green or yellow. In the mountain back of the Asylum, there is a bed of lava rock which is of a dark grayish color, not very com- pact, but very easily worked and very durable. Some considerable of it Geography, Name, Topography, Geology, Etc. 9 was used in the construction of the Asylum. Passing on farther to the north, to the place where the road crosses over the range to Berryessa Valley, we come to a wonderful formation of a volcanic nature. Here, there are extensive beds of ashes which have hardened into a porous rock, and the study of them is one of remarkable interest. A very remarkable feature about this formation is the fact that it is stratified very similar to water- formed rocks, and to the casual observer they present so natural an appear- ance of aqueous formation that they would deceive almost any one. The strata have been warped and twisted into all manner of shapes by the subsequent upheavals of the mountain range. It would be a matter of interest to know what this flow of lava was deposited upon, but the writer has not seen any shafts or drifts which extended through it so as to expose the underlying strata. From the fact that there are good indications of petroleum in that immediate vicinity, however, it is quite safe to infer that the underlying strata are sandstone, and probably of the early cretaceous period. Just a short distance north of the Napa Soda Springs there is a bluff of lava, and the water has washed a sort of a cave out on the under side of it, exposing the formation on which it rests, which is found to be a metamorphic stratified stone of doubtless quite ancient formation. The point of junction between the lava and the basic rocks affords a study of interest. At the point mentioned above, the Berryessa road, the strata extend in thickness from a few inches to many feet, and it is no uncommon thing to see the lava rocks so regularly stratified and evenly separated perpendicu- larly, by suture caused by the shrinkage in cooling, that they present the appearance of building stones, shaped by an intelligence for a special pur- pose, and by the aid of one's imagination, he can readily fancy that he sees in the bold cliffs that are exposed, the walls of castles that have long since gone to decay, but that might have been the residences of a long forgotten race of giants. It presents a wonderfully curious spectacle indeed, and one that the student of geology never wearies in studying. There is not a great deal of basalt or trap in any of the volcanic rocks in this section, but the lava is frequently, though soft, the best of building- material. Passing on to the northward, along the west side of the range, we find that the surface rock is of a volcanic nature, all the way to the very summit of St. Helena. A fine display of lava deposited in stratas is to be seen in passing over Howell Mountain. The strata are so regular and so little dis- turbed, that the writer was in doubt as to the identity of the rock until he had applied his hammer to it, when it was found to be only a soft grayish lava. Just where the road leading to the falls on Howell Mountain turn out of the main road, can be seen a beautiful field of boulders. The fact of its 2 10 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. being a beautiful field depends upon whose eye is viewing it. To the casual observer, it is rough, rugged and unseemly, but to the eye of a geologist or student of nature, it presents a lovely aspect ; for in them he can read the record of the agencies that have been at work in building up the world. These boulders were originally formed by the agency of fire, but after they became dislodged from the main ledge by the action of the ages, they were taken up by the floods that at some time have surged about the sides of the mountain, and " rough-hewn " into the multitude of shapes in which we now find them strewn promiscuously about over the face of the country. Just to the north of Calistoga, there is a spur of the mountain which puts out well into the valley. Beginning at this point and passing to the northward, there is an indentation of the range which sweeps around to the base of St. Helena Mountain. It is in this location that the rich mineral belt of this range of mountains is found. Here, gold and silver abound in goodly quantities, and it is not saying too much to prophesy that at no great distant day this section of the county will be yielding a handsome return in the way of gold and silver bullion. This subject will be much fuller treated farther on in this work. In this section, very much of interest will be found, viewed from a geological standpoint. When the volcanoes of this section were active, seams, dikes and rifts were left in the rocks, which were then exposed to the surface. In the course of time these spaces began to be filled up with silica, which crystalized into handsome quartz in many cases. Probably the most extensive ledge of this quartz formation in this section, is that formerly known as the Silverado. This ledge was very nearly at the top of Mount St. Helena, on the south side, and the vein was about thirty feet wide, extending entirely across the spur of the mountain, and having a dip of about fifteen degrees. In this the quartz was very lustrous, sparkling like veritable diamonds in the sunshine. It was very porous also, caused probably from the fact that a great amount of gas was imprisoned in the silica at the time of its deposit. This quartz had many shades of coloring, which added much to its beauty, the colors ranging through shades of black, green, yellow and red, the last two predominating, owing to the presence of the oxyds of iron. The black came from the chlorides of silver, and added much to the beauty of the quartz. In one of these dikes, which is now located upon and known as the Gettleson Mine, there is a most curious and interesting formation. The quartz ledge is about ten feet wide, being made up mostly of coarse quartz, but in the center of these is a deposit of very soft conglomerate, being composed of gypsum or lime, through which there are small veins of quartz. This is all interspersed with sulphurets and chlorides of silver. That the calcareous matter is a carbonate, is evinced upon the application of acid to it. A fuller discussion of the subject of mineral deposit in this and all other sections of the county will be found in the body of this work. , Name, Topography, Geology, Etc. 11 That St. Helena Mountain has, at some time, been an active volcano, there seems to be but little doubt. In fact, our observation leads us to believe that the whole range skirting the eastern side of Napa Valley has consti- tuted a series of volcanoes at some past time. Either that is the fact, or else the lava overrun it before it was elevated to its present altitude. That this has not been the case is shown from the fact that the coiirse of the lava flow is still plainly visible, and it universally, almost, extends from the top of the ridge to the bottom. The question is asked by many, " If St. Helena or any of the peaks of the range were ever volcanoes, why are no traces of their craters still visible ? " There are many reasons why this should not be : First, it is reasonable to conclude that the later eruptions were not so vigorous as the former had been, and that they were weaker and weaker in their action, until they ceased altogether. Then, it is not unreasonable to conclude that in its last dying throes it was only able to force the lava just to the top of the crater. Here it cooled and hardened, with here and there a fissure for the escape of gas, steam, etc., until it became as much solid rock as any other portion of the mountain. In the course of time all traces of the crater were obliterated, and to-day, the mountain top from which great rivei's of molten matter once rolled down to deluge the mountain sides and the valley below with a sea of fire, pre- sents only the appearance of common mountains. Again, it may safely be asserted that time enough has elapsed since these volcanoes were in a state of activity for the accumulated debris of the mountain top to fill up the crater to a level with the top of its continually receding rim, and even to wear the rim down, and leave the solidified debris of the crater as a peak at the summit. That this debris should be solidi- fied is reasonable to conclude, from the fact that the dikes which were formed in the mountain side, and now called ledges, have been filled up with solid matter since then. In regard to the rapidity with which atmos- pheric causes acted in the earlier stages of the work we have just been describing, as compared with the action of the same causes now in the same mountain sides, we would say that it must be borne in mind that in that early time the rocks had not yet become as hard as they now are. Lava does not become the indurate rock that we now find it in a few days or years even, but it recpaires ages of pressure and chemical action to cement the particles together as compactly and tenaciously as they now are. In considering the results accomplished by the action of the elements, time is an important factor, as it is in the consideration of all geological phenomena. Truly, " a thousand years is as a day with the Lord," and " the mills of the gods grind slowly." That long ages have passed since this lava flow occurred, is evinced by many circumstances, the two most prominent of which we will note. First of these is the Petrified Forest, which has been 12 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. overrun and buried by an overflow from some volcano, not improbably St. Helena. That it was among the last of its eruptions is also likely, too, from the fact that depth of deposit upon them is not very great, many of the trees lying exposed upon the surface of the ground. Still ample time has passed away since that, to them, fatal day, for them to become solid stone by the slow process of petrefaction. It is claimed by some that a great portion of this process occurred simultaneously with their burial in the lava, but such could not have been the case, for there could have been no element of immediate petrefaction in this lava. The truth is that the silica was held in composition with the lava, and it had to be disintegrated from that union, and deposited particle by particle in the pores of the wood, until the very hearts of those monster fathers of the forest were permeated and converted into stone. Now, this was not accomplished in a clay nor a year, but more likely a good beginning was not made in the first century. That the trees did not decay is accounted for in the fact that they were en- cased in a bed of lava, and hence hermetically sealed, as it were, and thor- oughly protected from the action of oxygen or the elements. It will thus be seen by this that long ages passed by before the process of petrefaction was completed. Then who shall say how long these trees have lain here in their present state ? Shall we presume to say that the process was com- pleted only yesterday or last century ? No, indeed, but rather, from what can be seen of the action of time on the surrounding country, it is proper to presume that they have lain in their present condition for ages. We are led to conclude, after a careful survey of the field, that a long period of time has elapsed since the lava flow occurred which entombed these trees. A second point to be considered in discussing the element of time in this proposition is, that either at the time of the lava flow along the range, or subsequent thereto, the water of either an inland sea or the Pacific Ocean washed high up the side of the mountains. Now, the sides of the moun- tains may possibly not have been so much elevated as they are now. In fact, it is veiy evident that they were not, for it is impossible almost to con- ceive of the water of the present ocean as .ever having been as high as the shore line of this old body of water was. Some may be led to question the assertion that there ever was a sea or body of water of any kind whose waves lashed the rock-ribbed mountain sides of Napa Valley. A casual observer, in passing up the valley, will observe, extending from the lower end of the range, all the way to St. Helena Mountain, a bluff or ridge of rocks, broken down and disappearing in places, being greater in some places than in others, but still having a well-defined existence all the way. The first question suggested is, what could have formed that extensive cliff ? The answer is, and can be only one, and that is, that it was at one time the shore line of an ocean, sea, or bay. Geography, Name, Topography, Geology, Etc. 13 Now for the application of this fact to the subject under consideration. This sea or body of water had its shore line here along this cliff or bluff just described at the time these eruptions occurred, or at least some of them. We are asked on what grounds do we venture such an assertion as this, and we answer : there is indubitable evidence to be produced to prove it. Two, that may be easily visited and examined, will suffice for the whole array of examples that might be mentioned. First, the road leading from Napa to Berryessa Valleys leads through a grand body of volcanic ashes, and the traveler will observe that the shore line is very high at this place, and the gorges have almost perpendicular walls, showing the action of the waves upon this soft bed of ashes. Again, a few rods to the north of the Napa Soda Springs, it will be noticed that the lava flow is deposited in ten-aces, and at the base of them all there are evidences of the surge and wash of the waves of a body of water, which are revealed in grottos and caves bur- rowed out under the shelving lava. There is one place where the terrace extends from hill to hill across a canon of goodly size, filling it up com- pletely as far as it flowed. But all this proves nothing as to the assertion that this body of water was here at the time of this lava flow. But we argue that these terraces are formed only on account of the fact that the water was present, and in a large body, too. And why ? Because, when the stream of molten matter came into contact with the water it naturally cooled very fast, and soon an outer wall or crust was formed, which held the lava in check behind it until a terrace was reared which reached the surface of the water, then the lava began to flow over this rampart or bar- rier which had thus been reared across its fiery path, and descended the mountain slope under the surface of the water until another terrace began to be formed, and the same process was repeated. Thus would we account for the terraces that are to be found in the lava flows in the mountains of Napa County, and we not only consider it feasible, but look upon it as the only correct solution of the problem. We now come back to the original proposition — the element of time. If what has just been stated above be true, then there are two problems which confront us, both of which contain the element of time very fully developed. These are, that either the waters of the sea at that time stood much higher than they do now, or that the mountain range had not then attained any- thing like its present elevation. If the former were true, how long indeed must it ' have been since this last flow of lava occurred, and what, indeed, could not the forces of nature have accomplished in that incomprehensible space of time, that it took the waters of the Pacific Ocean to recede to their present level ? The statement that is made, and with seemingly quite good reason, too, that the Bay of San Francisco was originally closed, could not affect this at all, for the shore line of this body of water was far above 14 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. it all. The level of these shore lines would cause water to pass out through Big Valley or the Russian River, in Sonoma County, the low flats of Marin County, and, indeed, directly over the barrier that was supposed to exist at the Golden Gate. In accordance with human comprehension, the time that has elapsed since then more nearly approximates eternity than it does any measurement of time. That the Pacific Ocean did reach this far up on the mountains at one time there is no question, hut that was during the Silu- rian or Devonian period, but not later than that, I or the Pacific Coast was among the first to come to the surface, and was among the first to be in- habited. The other question to be solved is, whether or not this mountain range has been elevated to its present position since this lava flow occurred. This has certainly as much the element of time in it as has the other, for we may rest assured that mountains do not grow in a day, but that it took long weary ages for the forces of nature to rear the majestic head of St Helena to its present lofty position. If we had the exact altitude of this shore line all the way along the range, we could, perhaps, come nearer to a definite conclusion concerning the question of elevation of the range ; but even that would not be proof positive, for this line might have formed at different stages of the reeedence of the sea, or of the elevation of the mountain at different places along the range. We started out with the proposition that enough time had elapsed since the flowing of lava ceased in this section, for all traces of the craters of the volcanoes to disappear by the action of the corroding tooth of time, and we think that we have proven it conclusively. Whatever else may have been brought out along this line of thought, we are sure will not be without interest to the general reader. It is a matter of great interest to follow the course of a lava flow, and trace out its various effects upon the rock it flows over. Of course, all boulders and what meager soil there was then upon the top of the surface or bed-rock was taken up by the stream, and we now find them incorporated in one mass. It is no uncommon thing to see a jutting crag of what appears to be a solid stone, which upon examination, proves to be only a conglomer- ate mass of boulders cemented together with lava. At the place referred to above, where a canon is terraced over with lava, near the Napa Soda Springs, there is a very large boulder of Devonian stone incorporated in the body of the lava, and in the face of the ten-ace. It is slowly going to pieces by the action of the elements, while the lava around it remains almost intact. There is a layer of soft volcanic ash on the under side of this boulder, between it and the bed-rock on which the lava bed rests. The interstices of this rock are filled with sulphur, which, when broken, show a display of fine yellow crystals. The pieces of this boulder which have Geography, Name, Topography, Geology, Etc. 15 been carried down the stream, show in strong contrast with the multitude of the predominating lava boulders of the section. Another point of interest is to study the line of union between the lava and the underlying bed-rock. This line is well defined, and is easily traceable along the face of a ledge, no matter how tortuous it may be, and there is no mistaking one for the other, as they have nothing in common, except here and there where small crevices occur in the bed-rock which have been filled by the melted lava. At this terrace, mentioned in the last paragraph, there is a fine chance to study this phase of the doings of nature. Here, the bed-rock is a shale which was laid down in strata, but the strata were warped and twisted about greatly before the lava rolled down upon it. It is soft and crumbles down easily, at least on the surface where it has been subjected to the action of the elements. Being much softer than the lava above it, it was cut out much faster by the action of the waves in the days of that old sea, and hence, quite good sized caves have been formed. In places near this, the water has also hollowed out caves in the very face of the lava. It is a matter of interest also to note the different kinds of lava, or rather the various forms it assumed, and the variety of colors which distin- guish it. Beginning at the hardest form it assumes, probably basalt will stand at the head of the list. It is hard, flinty, brittle, and withal very durable, and is much used for paving streets or macadamizing roads. Trap comes next in the scale — is a blackish-blue or a bluish-black rock, and is only distinguished from basalt in that it is usually full of little nodules, which look like small cobble stones incorporated in the body of the ledge. Of basalt, we have not seen any very extensive ledges in Napa County, though there are numerous boulders scattered almost all over its volcanic regions, showing that it must abound in quarries somewhere. Of trap, we have seen neither ledges nor boulders in any quantities to speak of. The reader is referred to the geology of Lake County in this volume, for an extended description of this particular species of lava. Both of these are fine-grained and compact rocks, and all composed of the same material. Next in the scale will come the coarse lava that is made up of differently colored and composed parts, giving it an appearance of granite at a short distance away. Some of this is good for building purposes, but the most of it is unfit for use in any direction. Then comes the fine workino- white lava, which makes splendid building material, such as is being used by Col. J. P. Jackson, in the erection of the buildings of the Napa Soda Springs. Then comes the soft, light, fibrous material, that is neither stone nor clay, but a cross between the two. It is in this that the greatest display of colors is to be found. It is often almost pure chrome, being yellow and red. 16 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. The red ranges from carmine to dark blood, and many of the shades are truly handsome. Another effect of volcanic action, or rather lava flow, is to change the character of the rocks over which it flows, so that their true character is no longer discernible. Rocks thus changed are termed metamorphic ; that is( rocks transformed or changed by heat from their original form or character. We have now so fully gone over the ground in regard to the various phases of volcanic action and its effects that it will be only necessary to designate hereafter where the results of these agencies and phases may be found. We have taken the section of the county which we have referred to above to illustrate these phases with, because it was the most accessible ; and should any one desire to verify the statements made, they could easily find the location and see for themselves. Seeing is truly believing with many. We will now proceed to locate the various other sections of the county where igneous or volcanic forces have been active in forming and moulding the surface of the country. The eastern slope of the range of mountains on the west side of Xapa Valley, is almost a counterpart of those on the east, except that the lava deposit is not so heavy or so general. There is a large amount of outcroppings of very old rock ; also, much metamorphic rock. There are many boulders of a coarse sandstone which belongs to the Tertiary period, but we do not know of any defined quarries. We had the pleasure of giving the interior of the Oakville Quicksilver Mine a thorough examination, in company with Professor William Denton, one of the most renowned Geologists in the United States. We found that the ledge was of a serpentine character, and that the wall rocks were of a metamorphic nature and that they belonged to a very remote period. On the surface there were evidences of a lava flow, but not so extended and not so recent as on the eastern side of the valley. Passing to the east side of the range of mountains lying on the east of Napa Valley, we find that the whole face of the range is covered with evidences of volcanic action. The terraces of lava and the shore line- arc present in great profusion. Especially is this true for a few miles north of where the road to Berryessa passes down the grade to the head of Capelle Valley. Passing along north-westerly, we pass up to Chiles and Pope Val- leys, and still the evidences of lava flows are present ; and so it continues to the very summit of St Helena, as it is on the western slope of the same range. The flow of the lava in the section was from west to east, or from the summit to the base, as it had been on the other side of the ridge ; hence, we are again led to believe that it emanated from craters in the chain. We now come to a section of the county where the two elements, fire and water, came into direct competition, as it were. Sand and limestone of Geography, Name, Topography, Geology, Etc. 17 the Tertiary period are prominent features which extend to the eastern limits of the county, and the peculiar thing about it is, that in all this sec- tion the eastern slopes of the mountains are covered with scoria and ashes, while the western slopes are covered with boulders of lime and sandstone. Of these a full mention will be made a little further on. The range of mountains between Pope and Berryessa Valleys shows volcanic action on both sides of it to quite an extent, but it predominates on the eastern slope- At Knoxville there is a very interesting study for the geologist. There the lava flow extended over large fields of serpentine, which have been wrought into all manner of fantastic shapes and contortions by the action of the fiery floods that swept over it at some remote period. In many cases it seemed to melt the serpentine, and when that substance became cooled, it assumed much the appearance of melted glass. In other instances it resem- bles the " slag" that comes from iron furnaces. Very. much more might be said on this branch of our subject. Indeed, a volume could be written on the geology of Napa County alone, by entering into all the intricate details of the matter. We will now pass to the aqueous agencies which have been at work in shaping up the surface of the country. The work of these agencies are not so obtrusive as those of fire, but are nevertheless wonderfully potent factors in the grand scheme of making a world fit for the existence of man. Most of the valleys have been changed greatly in shape and appearance by the action of water, while many canons and gorges have been cut out directly by it. The hills have been rounded, the mountains made shapely, and the valleys filled with rich alluvium by it ! By it, sand and limestone have been deposited in grand quarries, from which men now draw vast sources of economical supplies. By the action of volcanic forces these layers or strata of aqueous rock have been warped, twisted and changed generally, until it is hard to designate them at times. Let us take a glance at Napa County and see where we find the bodies of aqueous rock. In the mountains west of Napa Valley there is much of interest to be found in this connection. Here, at different points, may be found rocks from all the geological periods. On Dry Creek, as stated above, on one side the Devonian and Silurian rocks appear, while on the other the Tertiary are to be seen. In many places there is a crust of lava deposited on these rocks, but when this is pierced by the action of the elements, road grades or shafts in mines, the underlying aqueous rocks are discovered. They are mostly of a sandstone nature, although shale and slate are not uncommon, and also a large amount of limestone is to be found in this chain of mountains. Crossing over to the east side of the Napa Valley we find that the lava deposit is so heavy as to almost entirely hide from view all traces of the 2* 18 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. underlying aqueous rocks. The deep cuts in the grade up the western side of St. Helena Mountain has exposed a considerable of this character of rock, but that, and the place mentioned above as being just north of the Napa Soda Springs, are the only places we have seen this side of the range. The leads, veins, and ledges of the mines in the Calistoga mining district are of course all the result of aqueous action, but they do not belong to anj- general system of rocks, nor is there any means of deciding when this action occurred. Crossing over into Chiles Valley we find that the coating of lava ex- tends to the very base of the mountains on the west side of the valley. A small stream skirts along the edge of the mountains, which is the divid- ing line between the igneous and the aqueous formations, and in its course it carries along with it boulders, in about equal proportions, of both kinds. The soil of the valley is argillaceous, showing that it has been made up mostly from detritus from the aqueous rocks which lie in the eastern slope. In this slope there is an entire absence of lava or igneous rock of any kind whatsoever. The rock is a sandstone of the Tertiary period and rather fine in texture, and the coloring matter is the peroxyd of iron, which does not appear in any great quantities. Passing southward from Col. Chiles' place we find that in the course of a few miles the character of the soil changes, and a belt of adobe is found. This soil is always the result of decomposed limestone, hence we know that a bed of that stone'has been at one time in existence in that locality. A little close observation reveals the fact that boulders of limestone are still to be found here. Shale, slate and metamorphic rock have also been ex- posed by this road grade. Crossing the valley and passing by the school-house, on the way to the place owned by Messrs. Priest, we come into a grand body of sandstone, which extends to the summit of the divide. Here again we strike into a coating of lava, resting on shale and sandstone. In the ridge to the east of the Priest house there are some queer freaks of nature. The surface is covered with lava and lava boulders, with here and there out-croppings and ledges of serpentine, sandstone and metamorphic rocks. Some years ago, during a quicksilver excitement in Napa County, some miners started a tunnel into the eastern side of this ridge, but were obliged to abandon it shortly, for after they had pierced the coating of serpentine and lava they came into a great bed of sand, drift and boulders, which was so loose that it could not be timbered up and made secure. It seems strange at first thought that the top of a mountain should be composed of loose material like that, but it was evidently covered over by the lava flow, and encased inside of that substance when it cooled, and has so remained a prisoner to the present day, and subsequent action has elevated it to its present alti- Geography, Name, Topography, Geology, Etc. 19 tude. Quite a number of boulders of limestone are to be found near the soda springs, on the Priest place, and the pecidiarity of it is that they are found only in spots. The resultant soil — adobe — is also in spots, the body of the soil being of decomposed lava and sandstone. Boulders of gypsum are also found, and ledges of it are said to exist in that vicinity. Passing northward we come into Pope Valley, which is divided into two distinct sections by a low ridge or range of hills. This range is composed of soft sandstone, with but very little lava. The slope of the mountains to the east of the eastern section is composed chiefly of sandstone, with shale, slate and limestone also. The grade to Walters Springs reveals much shale and limestone. Along Pope Canon the lava flow has been immense in places, but the underlying stratas of aqueous rocks are visible in many places. A few rods to the north of Mr. Walter's house there is a ledge of limestone, and it is the only one we saw in the valley, although the evi- dences of the former existence of large bodies of limestone are visible on all sides. From Mr. Walter's place northward to Mr. Philip Palmer's place, and beyond that for some distance, the soil assumes the spotted character alluded to above, being adobe and argellacious in turn, with occasional spots of red soil, the result of the decomposition of volcanic matter. At the iEtna Springs, and on up the valley to the west of them, the whole of the surface of the country is covered with serpentine in massive form, over which a flood of lava has flown and left its traces on every hand, while underlying the serpentine is a large body of beautiful porphyry. This extends to the summit of the range to the north, and the Phcenix and Washington Quicksilver Mines are located in this belt. At the summit there is an outcropping of a very ancient rock, probably of the Silurian period. It is glassy and flinty, and very hard and durable. Strange to say, as we pass down the northern slope of this range, we soon come into a body of Tertiary sandstone which is coarse and not very compact. This belt of sandstone continues down the mountain side, and up the opposite range as high as the Oat Hill Mine, and even beyond that, attaining a much greater elevation on this side of the canon than it does on the other. It is worthy of remark, that this body of sandstone is uninterrupted from its beginning on the south to the altitude of the Oat Hill Mine on the north side of the canon, and that there are no evidences of lava or serpentine here, and also that the range on the south side, where it begins, belongs to the St. Helena group, while that in which the mine occurs on the north side is a part of a separate system. The Oat Hill, or Napa Consolidated, and Ivanhoe Quicksilver Mines occur in this belt of sandstone, and it is the only place in the county where cinnabar occurs in a body of sandstone, and we doubt if there is another such a phenomenon in the State of California or the world. The canon spoken of above seems to have been cut right out 20 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. through this soft sandstone hy the waters of ages. It is possible that gigantic water-falls have worked themselves along this valley in those early days of floods and softer stone. Truly here is a wonderful field for the student of nature. Crossing over to Berryessa Valley we find that the eastern slope of the mountains to the west of it, have been more or less overrun with lava, and that the underlying rock is a body of sandstone, deposited probably much earlier than the Tertiary, or else in a different epoch in that age, for it is of a different nature from the other Tertiary sandstone in this vicinity, in that it is very compact and rather fine-grained. Just north-west of Mr. Abraham Clark's place there is some adobe, but not a great deal of it, showing that there was once a limestone body there, but it was quite limited in its area. Following this slope to the north as far as Knoxville, which is very near the line of Lake County, we find the same general characteristics present. Passing to the east side of the valley we come to the true Tertiary sand- stone, and the great bluffs of it overlooking this valley from the east present a grand appearance. The traveler along the highway comes to flat stones or boulders of sandstone in the streams which put down from the eastern range. Presently, as he advances to the northward they become more abundant, and he says to himself that there must be a ledge of this not far distant. Finally he comes upon the ledge, at least small sections of it, which he is surprised to find standing on its edge in a nearly vertical position. A good view of it in this position may be had on the creek just north of Mr. Ward's house, on the road leading from Monticello to Knoxville. There are hosts of other places all along this road where it is exposed in almost all conceivable angles of dip. There is at this place a great amount of deposit upon the sandstone, which thus stands on edge, but it is all of a veiy recent period, there being no lava in it as a body. Far away from here to the eastward rises the bold front of the Blue Ridge range, the bald blufl's of which are formed of this sandstone. The deposit was of course made in regular layers, and the whole body has been raised up perpendicularly from the bottom of the sea, where it was made, to the summit of a very high range of mountains, and the original conformation of these strata have been but very slightly disturbed, and the lines of strati- fication may be easily traced from the valley below, showing a slight dip to the northward. It is evident that this body of stone started up right from the bed of the Tertian sea, and probably before that period had passed into the Post Tertiary, the mountains stood as high islands above that ancient sea. Passing on northward, until we come to the vicinity of Knoxville, we find a limestone body, which is well filled with fossil shells, afford- ing a fine field for the study of paleontology. A careful examination and ~S» | ^ Ujec/a^^p^ Geography, Name, Topography, Geology, Etc. 21 classification of these fossils would reveal the age in which they were de- posited in the bottom of the sea and subsequently became a part of the solid rock. It is stated that mollusks imbedded in this body of limestone are of the same species as those of to-day. Such, however, is not the truth. They evidently belong to the Tertiary age, which it will be remem- bered embraced many molluski of the former ages, and also that the genera of the present mollusks were in existence. In a boulder of limestone picked up in Putah Creek, the writer discovered a spirifer, which genus had its dawn away back in the Devonian period. This body of limestone can be traced in a north-westerly course as far as Middletown, Lake County, near which it is being successfully burned into lime, and is used for all economical purposes to good advantage, it proving to be a good quality of lime. Gypsum occurs in the southern end of Berryessa Valley, but we have not seen the ledges, hence we do not know how extensive they may be. In the foregoing we have only given an outline of the geological fea- tures of Napa County. A full and complete dissertation upon the subject would require very much time and call for more space than we can devote to the subject, and we think would not prove of any more interest to the general reader than the cursory glance we have given them. As we have referred in the foregoing to fire and water as the two great factors in the upbuilding of worlds and the modification of the earth's surface, we will append a few very notable examples of their workings in other parts of the world, that the reader may get a just idea of the wonderful agencies that have been at work on all these hills, and in all the broad and beautiful valleys. Taking the agency of fire first, we notice first that it operates through volcanoes chiefly, and we find that these great fire mountains are distributed throughout the world as follows : Twenty-four in Europe, eleven in Africa, forty-six in Asia, one hundred and fourteen in America, and one hundred and eight in Oceanica, two-thirds of the latter being situated on islands. It will thus be seen that in America there are over one-third of all the vol- canoes in the world. We will now notice the results of the activity of some of the most prominent of these in different parts of the earth. Previous to A. D. 63, Vesuvius was regarded only as an ordinary mountain, just as we now regard St. Helena or Diablo. None but students of nature ever dreamed of the grand old monarch as a slumbering volcano that might burst forth with such wonderful and devastating effect, or that in days gone by and long since forgotten it had sent forth immense floods of molten lava and showers of ashes and stones. Its sides were adorned with fertile fields, and date trees grew in rank luxuriance upon the very rim of the crater. Large cities flourished at its 22 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. base, whose people followed the avocations of life with never a single thought of the doom that awaited them. In the year 63 the inhabitants were startled by an earthquake, and they followed from time to time till the fatal day. In the year A. D. 79, the great drama culminated in one grand act which swept out of existence three large cities, with quite a per- centage of their inhabitants, devastated beautiful fields, and blasted the bright hopes of a whole nation at one fell swoop. The sun came up out of the east that fatal morning with as smiling a face as he ever deigned to show to any land. Presently dark columns of smoke and ash-laden vapor began to burst from the crater, in the midst of which the lightnings flashed their forked tongues in a revelry of grim delight. The air was ominously quiet and oppressive, and seemed burdened with the awful solemnity of the great event that was about to occur. Finally, the first shower of ashes de- scended upon the ill-fated cities, light and feathery as the gentle falling snow. This was followed by stones, scoria, and the accumulated debris of the crater ; and ere the people could escape even with their lives, the cities were buried deep beneath the accumulated mass of volcanic mattei-. Thus perished in a day the beautiful cities of Herculaneum, Pompeii and Stabiae. Strange as it may seem, the very legends of the land failed to retain a trace of the fact that these cities had ever existed. An idea of how little diffused was the general knowledge of history in those days, may be had from the fact that the younger Plin}7, who was present at this time, and escaped, wrote an epistle in which a very minute description of the event was recorded ; still, it was not read enough to keep in remembrance the cir- cumstance by the people who followed as residents of the land. It is read now more generally in the Latin, a dead language, that it was then when the tongue was still common in the land. For seventeen long centuries, almost the duration of the Christian Era, these cities remained undisturbed in the silence of death, and forgotten. Other people had become possessed of the land. Again the fields bloomed with cultivation, and the fruits of industry were to be seen on every hand. Cities thrived and wei'e blotted out again upon the site of the first. Resina was constructed upon the very site of Herculaneum, and in 1631, an eruption destroyed it as completely as did the former one destroy the former cities. In 1713, workmen who were sinking a well, came upon the theatre of Herculaneum, at a depth of about one hundred feet. Pompeii was not discovered till 1750, when a fanner ran his ploughshare against some of the walls of the highest buildings. It was covered as a whole, less than twenty feet deep. Extensive excavations have since been made, and much of the city restored to its former condition. From that time to this, this volcano has been in more or less activity. In 1794, the lava from it overflowed Torre del Greco, filling the streets and destroying four hundred people. It is estimated that twenty-two Geography, Name, Topography, Geology, Etc. 23 million cubic yards of lava were thrown out at this time. In 1822, the crater was cleared of all accumulated material and a gulf was found more than one thousand feet deep, and three-fourths of a mile in diameter ; and eight hundred feet of the top of the mountain was carried away. JCtna, in the island of Sicily, is eleven thousand feet high and ninety miles in circumference. In 1669 the lava from this volcano overrun fourteen towns and villages before it reached Catania, whose walls had been raised to a height of sixty feet as a protection to the molten floods from this moun- tain. Here the lava collected till it rose above the height of the wall and poured in a fiery flood upon the city. The traveler may now see the solid lava curling over the top of the rampart as if still in the act of falling. It then proceeded in a stream forty feet deep and eighteen hundred feet wide, until it entered the sea. During this eruption a fissure six feet wide and of unknown depth, opened in the mountain to the distance of twelve miles. In 1750-60 Jorullo, in Mexico, experienced a violent eruption, and six volcanic cones were formed in the district of country where before had been fields of sugar cane and indigo. Forty years later Humboldt, the renowned traveler and naturalist, found this lava to be so hot that it would char a stick thrust into it ; some adequate idea of the great heat of this matter can thus be attained. In 1783 Skapter Jokul, in Iceland, sent forth two streams of lava which flowed in opposite directions. One of these streams was fifty miles long and twelve broad, while the other was forty miles long and seven broad, each averaging one hundred feet in depth. The eruption continued for two years and destroyed twenty villages and nine thousand people. In 1815 a violent eruption, occurred on the island of Sumbawa, at which time the explosions were heard nearly one thousand miles away, and the falling ashes crushed houses forty miles distant. The ashes filled the air so densely in Java, that it was totally dark at midday, and floating cinders covered the sea west of Sumatra, so that vessels were retarded seriously in their course. The lava flowed over the land and entered the sea ; whirl- winds swept over the island tearing up trees and bearing off men, horses and cattle. Of twelve thousand inhabitants, only twenty-six persons sur- vived the awful catastrophe. The most remarkable eruptions of the present century have occurred upon the island of Hawaii, in the Pacific Ocean, from Mauna Loa, and the craters upon its sides. This volcano is thirteen thousand seven hundred and sixty feet high. Kilauea, nine thousand seven hundred and ninety feet below its summit, is a crater sixteen thousand feet long, seven thousand five hundred feet wide, and one thousand feet deep. In 1823 a stream of lava issued from this crater, between four and five miles wide, and it is estimated that twenty-seven million cubic feet was ejected at this time. 24 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa In 184*0 there was another grand eruption from this crater. The lava had gradually raised some four hundred or five hundred feet above its wonted level, and its bosom was raging like an ocean lashed into a fury by a tempest. At length, on the first day of June of that year, the lava made its way through subterranean fissures several miles below the true crater. Then it started on its relentless march down to the sea, sweeping forest, ham- let, plantation and everything before it with resistless energy. When it reached the ocean it leaped over a precipice forty or fifty feet high, and poured in one vast cataract of fire into the deep below, falling with loud detonations, fearful hissings and a thousand unearthly and indescribable sounds. Imagine for a moment to yourself a river of fused minerals, of the breadth and depth of Niagara, and of gory red, falling in one emblazoned sheet, one raging torrent, into the ocean ' The atmosphere in all directions was filled with ashes, spray and gases, while the burning lava, as it fell into the water, was shivered into millions of minute particles. The coast was extended into the sea a quarter of a mile at this time. For three weeks this terrific river disgorged itself into the sea, heating the water for twenty miles along the coast, and destroying multitudes of fishes. The breadth of the stream, where it fell into the sea, was about half a mile, but inland it varied from one to four miles, conform- ing, like a river of water, to the face of the country over which it passed. It varied in depth from ten to two hundred feet, according to the inequali- ties of the surface, and the whole length of the stream was forty miles. During the flow night was converted into day, the light being seen over one hundred miles at sea, and the finest of print could be read forty miles away at midnight. According to Prof. J. D. Dana, 15,400,000,000 cubic feet of matter flowed from Kilauea at this eruption — a mass equal to a triangular ridge eight hundred feet high, two miles long, and one mile wide at its base. And so we might go on and enumerate thousands of recorded instances of volcanic action, but enough have been given to show the reader the grand and wonderful power that lies hidden somewhere in the bowels of the earth, and which from time to time exerts itself in this manner. The reader will also get some idea of what may be done by volcanic action, and when he looks upon the lava-covered hills and mountains of Napa County he can see that, while this action has been great here, it has been as nothing compared with many other places in the world. It is recorded that one single eruption of Skapter Jokul, mentioned above, would cover an area thirty miles square to a depth of one hundred feet. Napa County is not much larger than that. The other grand agent in changing and modifying the surface of the earth is water, and we will give the reader some idea of the importance Geography, Name, Topography, Geology, Etc. 25 and activity of this factor. Improbable as it may seem, the falling of rain upon the rocks of the mountain sides continually wears them away, until eventually they are changed much in appearance and size. As the rain-drop descends through the atmosphere it becomes impreg- nated with carbonic acid, which is able to decompose many kinds of rock, especially those of a calcareous nature. Frost is a powerful modifying agent. Water finds its way into the fissures of the rocks, where it freezes and rends them asunder, often sending the loosened fragments headlong into the valley below, where they are taken up by the torrents of mountain streams, and eventually find their way to the river bed as smooth and nicely rounded boulders. On the top of St. Helena there is a great pile of broken fragments of stone, which very much resembles a dump pile of a mine, which has been formed by this agency alone. The rock was origi- nally deposited in strata, and projected as a great peak on the summit of the mountain. The water permeated between the strata, and the cold tem- perature of the summit did the balance of the work. The rock was forced off in fragments just as deep as the water had gone. Springs produce rapid and remarkable changes by depositing the sub- stances held in solution by them, such as lime, iron, soda, silica and magnesia, thus forming beds of calcareous tufea, bog iron ore, and serpen- tine. Every one is familiar with the sediment that is deposited by the mineral springs in Napa and Lake Counties. The heaviest deposit made by any springs in these two counties is to be seen at the soda springs on the ranch of Messrs. Priest. There a plateau of over an acre has been formed, varying in depth from a few feet to fifty, and the formation extends down the stream in which the water flows, for a distance of over a mile. In So- lano County, at Tolenas Springs, a few miles north of Suisun, a fine body of white onyx has been deposited. Rivers cut channels in the superficial accumulations, and through the solid rocks, and transport loose matei'ial to the valleys below, and into the water basins, and what is true of rivers may be said of all streams of water, no matter how small they may be. Every mountain brook, during flood seasons, bears with it much of the substance along its banks down into the streams of the valleys, and they in turn take it up and bear it to the rivers, and they to the bays. An estimate of the greatness of this action may be had when we state that a large portion of Louisiana has been brought down the Mississippi River, and the land is still advancing into the Gulf of Mexico, it being estimated that 28,000,000,000 cubic feet is annually carried down by this river and deposited at its mouth. The Amazon is so charged with sediment that its waters can be de- tected by their discoloration three hundred miles from its mouth. The Nile has formed vast deltas at its mouth, and there is qood evidence that 26 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. nearly all of Egypt lias been formed in this manner by that river. The Ganges carries such vast quantities of sediment and detritus to the sea during the four months of its flood season, that it would require a fleet of eighty vessels, each freighted with one thousand four hundred tons of mud, to sail by a given point every hour of the day and night, to carry an amount equal to it, and during the entire year there is an amount equal to 20,000,- 000,000 cubic feet deposited at its mouth. Can the human mind grasp even an idea of such vast sums ? Indeed, it cannot ; and yet, this is only really a fraction of the amount that is being transported from the mountains, hills and dales of the whole earth, to the mighty and capacious maws of old Mother Ocean. Would we see near at home this action and its result, we have only to look at the Sacramento River and its tributaries. There was a time when the American River de- bouched into the bay ; but now the mouth of the Sacramento River is forty or fifty miles to the south of it. The San Joaquin River once had its mouth far up, near the site of Stockton, or even above that. All that sec- tion of country now designated as " tule lands," embraced in Sherman, Union, Andrus, Staten, Grand, Schoolcraft and Brannan Islands, was once covered with a deep body of water, and it has only been raised to its present altitude by long and continued depositions of sediment by the streams which empty into it. Of these Cache and Putah Creeks have played no small part; and much of the matter that is now lying in the substratums of Schoolcraft Island were once a portion of the mountains of Napa and Lake Counties. Tule and other vegetable matter have been found at a depth of eighty and one hundred feet in the locality of Georgetown, Sacramento County, and on Dr. Ziele's place, at the lower end of Brannan Island. This action was comparatively slow and it must have consumed a vast age of time to accomplish it. But since the advent of the white man, especially the Americans, the work has gone on very rapidly. The hardy miner has aided in the matter very materially, and almost in the third of a century the streams have been all filled up, and the Bay is having great encroachments made upon it. In 1850 quite large steamers plied with ease as high up the Feather River as Marysville, while now only light draught steamers are able to reach it during the flood season. Then steamers went up the Sacramento to Red Bluff, and now when a small launch reaches the place it is a matter of rejoicing and cannon are fired, and the citizens turn out en masse to see it. As late as 1852 the water was over fifty feet deep in the Sacramento River for some distance below the State Capital, and such ocean steamers as the " Senator," made the trip from there to San Francisco with ease, while at the present time only very light draught stem-wheel steamers are able to keep above the sand bars. Coming nearer home, we find an excellent example in the Napa River. Geography, Name, Topography, Geology, Etc. 27 All the tule land that lies between the city and the bay was formed by this agency. It is not improbable that the Bay of Napa was once a handsome sheet of water, reaching from the present line of the railroad on the east to the foothills on the west, and extending north to the present site of Napa City, or even further. Since the advent of agricultural pursuits in Napa County, this action has progressed very rapidly. Who that has seen the Napa River in a time of flood can doubt as to the amount of sediment borne by it to the bay below. The sti-eets of Napa City attest to that fact after every overflow. Waves produce geological changes, and the fact can be seen on any of the mountain sides of Napa, where the traces of their action have not been obliterated by subsequent action. The shore line spoken of above, which is to be seen in the western slope of the range to the east of Napa Valley attests this fact. In many places small caves have been hollowed out, and at' one place, near the Crystal Springs Hotel, north-east of the town of St. Helena a few miles, there is a cave over eighty feet in length, in a strataum of clay and shale. Along the present shore line of the Pacific many such places can be found, and are designated by the term " blow-holes." Near Mendocino City there is one so large that a schooner once went into it with one man on board, and neither man or vessel were ever seen or heard from afterwards. How extensive these cavities are is unknown, but they have been explored for the distance of a mile. Near Cahto, in Mendocino County, over forty miles distant from the ocean, and over a high range of mountains, there are some mud springs which ebb and flow with the tide, and it is thought that there is a possibility of these springs being connected with the Pacific by means of one of these " blow-holes." Thus it will be seen that the great agencies of the world have been busily at work in Napa County as elsewhere. Passing from the general to the special geological features of Napa County, we will name and describe the various metals and minerals to be found within its borders. Metals.- — Metals are found either native or in the state of ores, the former being pure or simply mixed, but not chemically combined, with some other substance, while the latter is chemically combined with foreign matter. Metals occur in layers or beds, in veins intersecting the rocks, or disseminated through them in grains and crystals. They are only found in the two last forms in Napa County. Iron. — This metal is found native only in meteorites — those wonderful bodies which occasionally fall to our earth — hence we need not expect to find it in any quantities here. Iron, as an ore, does not occur in any great 28 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. bodies in the county, but in its several forms is very generally dissemi- nated over the surface of the country. It is the oxyd of iron which gives to the rocks, lava, and soils their reddish color, and the protoxyd which gives to all mineral substances their yellowish color. Chromate of iron is an ore of a dark brown color, and is usually found in serpentine. Persons familiar with this latter substance will remember that it bears a large percentage of chromate in this county. Iron pyrites, or sulphuret of iron, is the most common of all the ores, except the oxyds, and is diffused throughout all the minerals and rocks of the county. It is better known as " Fool's Gold," from its yellow color and close resemblance to free gold. Manganese. — This metal occurs in small quantities in certain sections of Napa County. Its presence is detected by the color of the water that has flowed over it after a rain, rather than by its appearance in bodies. Tin. — Tin ore, or the oxyd of tin, is said to exist in small quantities at the lower end of Chiles Valley, and a man has a large amount of work done on a tin ledge in that locality ; but he has not yet developed the fact to the satisfaction of his neighbors that the metal exists in quantities sufficient to pay for working. That some tin is in the ledge, they all believe. Silver. — This metal occurs in three forms in Napa County — native, chlorides, and sulphurets. In its native form, it is found in union with gold ; as a chloride, it appears in black streaks in the substance through which it is disseminated, and as a sulphuret, it occurs in flaky-appearing spots or specks in the quartz in which it is incorporated. In all the mines in the vicinity of Calistoga, it is found in some one of these forms, and often, and indeed, generally, in all three. Gold. — Gold occurs in union with silver in all the silver mines in the county, and in quite large quantities. It does not occur free, however, as a rule, and but few ledges have been discovered where it is so found. Quicksilver. — This metal is found in greater or less quantities all over the northern portion of the county, the principal lodes extending from south-east to north-west. The ore on which the Redington Mine is situated extends as far north as the Sulphur Bank in Lake County. The ore on which the Ivanhoe and Oat Hill Mines are situated extends as far north as the Great Western, the Great Eastern lying between the two. The ledge on which the Pho?nix and Washington are located, extends to the top of St. Helena Mountain, while the Oakville is located on the west side of Napa Valley, and that lode extends well into Sonoma County. When we speak of a lode extending to such and such points we do not mean to say that a mine can be opened at any and all points along the line, but that the same Geography, Name, Topography, Geology, Etc. 29 general systems of rocks and minerals extend over the designated territory. Cinnabar is the form in which this metal usually occurs, and is composed of 81 f grains of quicksilver to 18 \ grains of sulphur. It does not usually occur free, but there are a few instances where it does. It usually occurs in veins of soft talcose rock, and in serpentine districts, but the Ivanhoe and Oat Hill are exceptions, for in them it often occurs associated with sandstone, and so closely that it can not be detected until a metallic sub- stance has been rubbed harshly against it, when the cinnabar is seen by the red streak left upon the rock. Minerals. — We will now pass to the consideration of the minerals that are to be found in Napa County. Quartz. — Quartz or silica is the most widely diffused of all the minerals which go to make up the surface of the earth. It is found of every shade of color, owing to the readiness with which it combines with other sub- stances. Beautiful specimens of quartz crystals are to be found in all the mining section around and above Calistoga, and those taken from the Sil- verado Mine, referred to above, are among the choicest to be found in California. Feldspar. — This substance enters largely into the composition of the earth's crust, and differs from quartz in having a regular cleavage, a pearly luster, and in being somewhat softer than the latter. When this mineral is decomposed it forms a clay called kaolin, much used in the manufacture of pottery. Common brick clay is impure, decomposed feldspar, and the color is due to the oxyd of iron in the clay. There are several localities where brick clay, as well as potter's, is found in Napa County. Limestone. — This very valuable mineral occurs in Napa County in quite extended quantities and in many localities. A ledge of it extends from the northern end of Berryessa Valley, across the upper end of Pope Valley, and thence into Lake County. Some of this will burn to good advantage, the re- sult being a fair quality of quick-lime. There seems to be an impression that a rock is not limestone unless it will burn and make lime. Such an idea will mislead any one, for there are large bodies of true limestone which will not make lime at all. Limestone is the carbonate of lime. Gypsum. — The sulphate of lime occurs in several localities in Napa County, beginning at the lower end of Berryessa Valley and extending across the range to the lower end of Chiles Valley. It is a firm, solid, heavy rock, and easily acquires quite a polish, and as readily loses it when exposed to the action of the atmosphere. Hornblende. — This is a tough mineral, generally dark colored, and occurs everywhere in rocks of volcanic origin, and in some of the older slates and 30 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. in syenite. It is found in small quantities in Napa County in connection with serpentine. Talc. — This is the softest mineral given in the scale of hardness, and has an unctious or oily feeling. It is in talcose rock, mostly, that cinnabar is found, hence it can be seen in any of the quicksilver mines in the county, except, perhaps, the Oakville. Serpentine. — This occurs in its massive form in many sections of Napa County, especially near Knoxville, and the Phoenix Mine. It is a grayish color, and may be easily discerned by the smooth, almost oily surface of it. It is mottled by the chromate of iron. None of the finer varieties, such as verd-antique, are met with here. Shale. — Shale occurs in large quantities in Napa County, and may be seen in most of the road cuts along the mountain sides, notably in the grade up St. Helena. It is formed from clay, which is hardened into rock by pressure and chemical action, together with a species of crystalization which occurs in the mineral base of the clay. Silicious shale is the most common, if not the only kind to be found in Napa County. Sulphur. — This substance is to be found everywhere in Napa County in composition with other minerals, and in many of the springs of the county, notably the White Sulphur, near St. Helena, and the Hot Springs at Calistoga. Soda, — This mineral, in the form of carbonates, sulphates and chlorides, is to be found in connection with the waters of many springs in the county, such as the Napa Soda and the Walter Springs. Ammonia. — This substance is developed in large quantities in the pro- cess of reducing the ores of the Oat Hill Mines. Goal. — Coal of a good quality has been found in Browns Valley, the vein being four and a half feet thick, but for some cause it has never been advantageously worked. It is not a true coal, however, but is brown or lignitic, and not well adapted to economical purposes. It is sometimes stated that the coal of this State, and, in fact, all coal, is the product of petroleum — that is, asphaltum hardened into the condition in which it now appears — but such is not the case. There has only been, so far, one locality discovered where such a coal occurs, and that is in Albert County, Canada, and the coal is known as Albertite. Petroleum. — This very useful substance occurs almost all over Napa County in greater or less quantities, being present in all the mineral springs and in many of the pure water springs. On Mr. Cutler's place, north-west of Napa City a short distance, there is quite a considerable quantity of it to Geography, Name, Topography, Geology, Etc. 31 be found, and Professor Denton visited the locality and gave it a careful examination, and pronounced the showing good for a paying yield. Pro- fessor Denton's theory of the source of petroleum will not be without inte- rest to the readers of our work in this connection. It has always been a mooted question as to what was the true origin of petroleum, many holding that it was the oil of those monster animals which infested the earth during the Carboniferous and subsequent ages of the world. Others held that it was the product of coal, and was closely allied thereto, having been driven out of the coal beds by the force of pressure and heat. Then there were a number of other ideas not worthy of record here, but interesting only as adornments to the great curiosity shop of the theories and vagaries of man- kind. The Professor's solution of the problem is, that the oil is a deposit made by a species of coral insect which existed in the Silurian and Devonian seas, and known as the favosite. They constructed their coral in the shape and style of a honey-comb, and filled the cells with an oily substance. In the course of time other ages deposited their formations upon these beds of coral, and the weight of superincumbent matter crushed these cells and lib- erated the oil. The limestones of the Devonian and Sub-Carboniferous periods were not porous enough to retain the oily matter, nor were the coal fields of the Carboniferous age. The Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous systems all contain rocks too compact to retain the oil, though it is probable that it remained in the sandstones of them all until crushed out by the weight of the upper layers of the earth's structure. In the Tertiary the sandstone is coarse and porous, and well adapted to receive the oil, and as there has not been such a great amount of matter deposited upon this formation, it is there that it is to be found. In substantiation of the asser- tion that the oil was formed by the favosites, the Professor states that he has often found the cells of this insect filled with the pure oil in Pennsyl- vania and West Virginia. It is evident that the oil came from somewhere, and that it was formed by some law of nature, and the thing to do is to decide what is the most feasible theory. The above seems to be that theory, and we incline to believe in its truthfulness, but leave our readers to believe whatsoever may seem best to them. Basalt and Trap. — Passing into the realm of volcanic action, we find basalt and trap rock as the two best representatives of these rocks. They are hard, compact, and basalt is well adapted to the uses of man. They occur in greater or less quantities all over Napa County. Tufa and Scoria. — These substances, which result from volcanic action, are found scattered all over the face of Napa County in rank profusion. They are useless in an economic view. Obsidian. — This is another volcanic substance, and resembles bottle glass 32 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. very much. A mountain of it exists north-east of St. Helena. It was used extensively by the Indians in the manufacture of arrow and spear heads. SPRINGS. — Napa County is noted far and wide for the abundance and variety of the Springs within its limits, they being both mineral and pure, cold and thermal. From every mountain side beautiful streams of water gush forth and find their way to the nearest brooklet, where their united rivulets form into a beautiful babbling stream, that sings a merry song as it dances over the pebbly bed, or leaps like a merry-hearted school girl, from rock to rock, in its gleeful chase to the valley below. The water from these springs is soft, pure and sweet, and it is truly a delight to quench one's thirst with the pearly draught. The flow of these springs vary from a few gallons to enormous quantities per day. The water is very useful for the purpose of irrigation, and is much used for that. The mineral springs of Napa County are worthy an extended notice, and the reader is referred to the Township histories, where full and complete sketches will be found of them all; but here only an outline will be given. These springs are divided into two general classes, thermal and cold, and the hot sulphur springs at Calistoga, and the ^Etna Springs afford fine illustrations of the former, while the Napa Soda and Walter's Springs represent the latter. Soda, iron, sulphur and magnesia, are the principal minerals contained in all these springs, their peculiarities existing only on account of the amount of each in the individual springs. TIMBER. — While Napa County is not pre-eminently a timbered section, yet almost all varieties of wood that are indigenious to this section of Cal- ifornia may be found within its limits. As many of the conifer xe which grow in California are represented in Napa County, we append the following list, more as a matter of reference than anything else, feeling that it will serve a good purpose for all of our readers who are at all observing of the different trees which grow in their county : — 1. Picea nobilis, a magnificent tree, growing up to two hundred feet in height, flourishing principally in the Shasta Mountains. It has dark green leaves, which appear silvery underneath. It yields excellent timber, and is cultivated largely in Europe for ornamental purposes, being grown there from the seed. 2. Picea amabilis, a similar tree, growing especially near Truckee, where large forests of them exist, called by lumbermen red fir ; it has, however, different cones and lighter foliage than the fir. 3. Picea grand is, a fine tree, rising up to two hundred feet in height, called by lumbermen white or balsam fir. The lumber is, however, not %phy, Name, Topography, Geology, Etc. 33 much esteemed, being soft and coarse-grained ; but it is exceedingly hand- some as an ornamental tree. 4. Picea cracteata, perhaps the handsomest of all conifers. It is found growing in the Santa Lucia Mountains, Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties. It is a tree of surpassing beauty, and highly esteemed in England, where young trees of this species are growing. The seed is extremely valuable, on account of the fact that many years pass by before the cones become perfect and produce seeds capable of germination. There is in San Luis Obispo County a grove of one hundred of these trees, worth a trip any time to see. Nowhere else are many found. Unless this grove is protected 'it will soon become extinct, as no young trees are growing in it. The tree would seem to have ceased to reproduce itself here. It must have aid and protection. No one has laid eyes on the handsomest cone-bearer who has not been so fortunate as to look up at the Picea cracteata, the beautiful tree, as they call it in Europe, where they consider it a rare gem. 5. Abies Douglasii, a most valuable tree of California, growing easily in almost any soil, excellent for timber, and found largely in Northern Cali- fornia and north to British Columbia. 6. Abies Menziesii, and seventh, Abies Williamsonii, grow chiefly in northern California. The lumber is used only for rough purposes, and is not very valuable. The first four are of the true firs, while the fifth, sixth, and seventh are the spruces of the coast. 8. Pinus Lambertiana, the sugar-pine, the grandest tree of the country cultivated in northern Europe now, largely because of its excellent timber qualities, and most of the growth there is from seeds sent from here, especially from British Columbia, and by the Hudson Bay Company during the last twenty-five years. 9. Pinus Jeffreyii, a beautiful pine growing especially thick near Carson, Nevada. It is esteemed highly in Europe because of its foliage, its usefulness for lumber, and its applicability for ornamentation, and because it will grow upon the meanest soil. It reaches an average height of one hundred and fifty feet. It is one of the hardiest of evergreens It has large cones, with pyramidal hooked scales. 10. Pinus Gonlteri, found only in the Coast Range ; rises about sixty or seventy feet; distinguished as having the heaviest cones of any of the family of conifers. 11. Pinus Manchesteri, named after the Duke of Manchester, who dis- covered it in the Yosemite Valley. Botanists believe it to be only a variety of Pinus ponclerosa. It has, however, larger cones. 12. Pinus tuberculata, a small evergreen found mainly in the Shasta Mountains. The cones do not, often, open for years, and in order to get out 34 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. the seeds a high degree of heat has to be applied, such are the resinous qualities of the cone. 13. Pinus insignis, the Monterey pine, one of the handsomest of the whole species. It has beautiful light green foliage, which is too tender for Europe, where it fails under cultivation. 14. Pinus ponderosa, or heavy wooded pine. It is the pitch-pine of the mountains above the altitude of four thousand feet. 15. Pinus monticola, grows at an altitude of from six thousand to eight thousand feet. It is a tall and erect sugar pine, and is used largely for railroad ties because of its durability. 16. Pinus aristata, grows rarely in California. It is called the awned- cone pine. Some of the trees are to be found near the Calaveras Grove. It reaches fifty or sixty feet in height. 17. Pinus eoncorta, an exceedingly tough wood, and does not rot. It has recently been introduced into Europe. Douglas found it on swamp ground on this coast, near the ocean. It is found in many northern parts of the continent. It is very hardy. 18. Pinus edulis, a small tree found largely in the lower country, and yielding edible nuts. 19. Sequoia gigantea, the big trees of California. Its synonym is Wellingtonia gigantea, and it is also known as Washingtonia gigantea, The cones are described as about two inches long, ovate, terminal, solitary, and with numerous prickled stipitate scales. The honor of the discovery of the great trees is in dispute, as is also the derivation of the name sequoia. 20. Sequoia semperviren. This is the half-brother of that last named, and is the redwTood tree of the coast. 21. Libocedrus decurrens is the California white cedar. The trees grow very large, reaching a height of two hundred feet. It is excellent timber for use underground. Many of the trees are affected by dry-rot. 22. Cujiressus fragrans, or the fragrant cypress. It grows principally in Oregon, and is there called the ginger pine, because of its aromatic flavor. It is a fine wood, and is used largely in the best furniture in Oregon. Of the conifeiw mentioned in the above list, let us see what ones are indigenous to Napa County. Beginning with the coast or common red- wood (Sequoia semperuirens) , we find that it grows all along the range of mountains west of Napa Valley, and also on Howell Mountain. It would seem a little strange that this tree should be found on the mountains of the Mayacamas range south of Mount St. Helena, and not north of it. In an early day there was quite an amount of milling done among the redwoods of this county, especially in the cafion above Dr. Hitchcock's place, where there were no less than three sawmills. The next coniferce in importance is the yellow fir (Abies WiUiamsonii), Geography, Name, Topography, Geology, Etc. 35 which is found all over Napa County in greater or less quantities. It makes excellent lumber, and several mills have been engaged chiefly in working this timber. It is used very extensively, also, in timbering up mines. It grows tall and straight, and makes a beautiful tree. A congener, white fir (Pieea grandis), grows sparsely in Napa County. It is, however, a much more beautiful tree than the red fir, growing lithe and straight to a lofty height, and having a fine, smooth, light-colored bark, not so very dissimilar to the ash. The stranger would choose it every time in preference to the red fir, for economical purposes, but great would be his surprise to find at the end of a year that his beatiful tree was nought but ashes, as it were, that length of time being sufficient to almost entirely rot the whole body of the tree. H»3rVw3o Another congener is the red fir (Picea amabilis), commonly known by the name of Oregon pine, but which is really not a pine at all. This is not so generally spread over the county as either of the other two brothers, and is not considered as good lumber here as it is farther north, although it is prized for its toughness, but not for its durability or fineness of grain, in both of which qualities it is sadly lacking. Of the remaining coniferce the sugar pine (Pinus Lambertiana) is by far the most important, and is in fact the only kind of pine that can be used at all for economic purposes. It is the choicest of all soft woods which grow upon the Pacific Slope. Its fiber is compact, and its grain fine, while it works very easily, and beyond the fault of " season checking " is altogether a desirable lumber. It is used principally for doors, sash, blinds, counters, shelving, and similar purposes. While it does not grow to any extent in Napa County, some good trees of it have been found on Mount St. Helena, and in that vicinity. The California white cedar {Libocedrus decwrens), is found quite ex- tensively scattered over the surface of Napa County, though it is getting much scarcer than in the earlier days of the county. It is a beautiful tree, growing to a good height, with stately proportions. It was much sought after by the early settlers from the fact that it worked so easily. The last coniferw that we shall mention as being indigenous to Napa County is the heavy coned pine, commonly known as the " Digger " or " bull pine " (Pinus Coulter i). It is a scraggy, worthlesss tree, and is fit for nothing except kindling wood or cheap firewood. Its cones are very large, and contain large quantities of nuts, which in olden times the In- dians used to relish very much, hence the name " Digger Pine." There is a great amount of pitch in the cones, and the Indians would build a fire and hold them over it till the pitch was melted and the nuts thus released. These cones are now the delight of the camping party in the mountains, and many happy hours are spent in the early night aro.und the cheerful and high blazing fire which they are famous for making. 36 History of Napa and Lake Cotmties — Napa. Of the other varieties of trees which grow in >»apa the chestnut oak (Quercus densirlcn-a), is the most important, as it is from this tree that the tan-hark is derived. Quite large bodies of it grow in the mountains in the upper end of the county, and large quantities of bark are exported an- nually. The wood is good for fuel only. The laurel (Oreodaphne OalifarnUsa) is a wood much prized for veneer- ing and ornamental purposes, and some very fine trees of it are to be found in Napa County, it being pretty generally distributed all over this section of the State. The live oak (Querent tnrens) is the most numerous of any of the oaks which grow in Napa County, but its chief use is for firewood. It is con- sidered the best wood for fuel that grows upon the coast, and always com- mands the highest prices in the markets where it is offered for sale. It is to be found on all the mountain sides in the county. There are several other varieties of oak, such as the black, white, valley, etc., in the county, but none are of any importance except for firewood, and some of them are not to be praised very much for even this purpose. Probably the widest diffused tree and of the least value in Napa County is the madrona (Arbutus Mmziesii). It is to be found in all the moun- tains, and the traveler becomes so accustomed to seeing its face that he really falls in love with it. Quite a considerable alder (Alnus) grows along the streams of the county, and is useful for nothing except light, summer firewood. There is occasionally a white ash (Fraxinus alba) and rarely a white poplar (Popu- lus alba) growing on the mountain sides, but not in any bodies. Passing from trees to shrubs we find the manzanita growing everywhere in the mountains, its bright red bark and deep green leaves contrasting beautifully, and producing a charming effect on the landscape. Here and there, in clumps and clusters, the buckeye (jEscvZus porta) grows all over the county, and in time of blooming they make the air redolent with rich perfume. Another shrub, which is the chief of all the flowering shrubs in the county, is the azalea, which is found along the banks of almost all the mountain streams. It is a member of the rhododendron family, and its flower is white. During the time of its first fresh blooming it presents a very handsome appearance, the flowers being almost as pure and wax-look - in<* as orange blossoms. All over the mountains there is a shrub called chemisal (pronounced chemeese), with which every citizen of the county is familiar. It is useless for any purpose, and grows so dense in places that even a mountain sheep is bothered to find its way through it. The wild hazel grows quite commonly all over the county, but does not seem to be so prolific a bearer of nuts as its Eastern congener, nor do the bush or hull look quite like those found at the East. Wild grapes are found in great Geography, Name, Topography, Geology, Etc. 37 profusion in the mountains of Napa County, but they are small and sour, with an excessively large seed, hence are unfit for use. The poison oak is found all over the mountains and is well known, to the sorrow of many pleasure seekers. There are other trees and shrubs growing in Napa County, such as the willow, pepper-wood, etc., but those of any importance have been mentioned above. There is one other shrub, however, which deserves special mention, the holly {Ilex opaca). It is commonly known as the bear-berry, from the fact that the berries were a favorite relish of Bruin's, in the days of his free ramblings over these mountains. The shrub grows in height from three to ten feet, the leaves are glossy and bright green, and the berries turn a beautiful red about midwinter, and are used much for purposes of adorn- ment for festive occasions during the holidays. The berries soon wither and lose their beauty, however, after they are severed from the parent stem. SOILS. — The soil of Napa County may be divided into five classes, viz : argillaceous, adobe, loam, lava and tule. The first named is the result of the decomposition of sandstones and shales, and fine examples of it may be seen on all those mountain sides in the eastern portion of the county where there are sandstone outcroppings or boulders. Ordinarily it is not very productive, but is good for grasses and cereals, as much silica is re- quired in the production of straw. Fruits and vegetables do not do so well here. It will be noticed that Berryessa and Chiles Valleys are pre- eminently adapted to the growing of grain, and it is owing to this quality of the soil. When loam and argillaceous soils are well mixed, a compound is formed which is well adapted to the growing of fruits, vegetables and cei-eals. Thus it will be observed that the former thrive best near the banks of streams ; while cereals may grow as rank, if not ranker, here, yet the quality of flour will not be equal to that grown further back, and upon the purely sandy soil. The soil that we find now upon the surface of the country is but the result of the decomposition of the underlying rocks. As we said above that argillaceous soil is found in sandstone sections, so we must look for the next variety, adobe, in limestone sections. We find adobe soil in Napa County on the west side of Putah Creek in Berryessa Valley, in spots all over Chiles and Pope Valleys, and near the foot of St. Helena, and in Brown's Valley. It is a stiff, cold and disagreeable soil, and one that- is not easily worked. In the winter, when it is wet, it is tenacious, and sticks to a plow-share so as to almost preclude its being worked ; and in the sum- mer season it is full of widely yawning cracks which seem ready to engulf anything that may pass over it. Cereals thrive upon it, but it will be no- 38 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. ticed that the straw is always short, owing to the lack of silica in it as a straw-builder. It is common in the adobe sections to mix sand with it, to reduce it to a compound that will grow vegetables and flowers in gardens. The berry of the wheat is always very plump and full, owing to the fact that in the soil there is a large quantity of the phosphate of lime, which is a great berry -builder in grain. The flour will be always dark and heavy, and is not a favorite with the thrifty housewife, who prides herself upon white and spongy bread. It makes, however, rich food ; and when ground into graham flour, is a great up-builder of bone and brain. We now come to the consideration of the best of all soils to be found in the county, namely, loam. This is found in all the valleys of Napa County, especially in the broad and beautiful Napa Valley. It is composed of the sedimentary deposit which is washed down from the mountains and country above, and is thus composed of all the various kinds of soil that are to be found in the region over which the stream passes. It is hence well adapted to the growing of all kinds of vegetables, cereals and fruits. It is a rich alluvium, and is much sought after by the agriculturalist. Tule soil is composed of decaying vegetation, roots, sediment, guano, detritus, and whatever else may have been borne down on the bosom of the stream. Much of this soil is to be found from Napa City southward, and along the margin of the bay. It is very rich and productive where the water can be kept off from it. Much of it in this county is so charged with salt from the overflow of the tides of the bay that it is not very pro- ductive. Where such is not the case, it produces vegetables in great profu- sion, and grows fruits and cereals quite well. We now come to the consideration of the last characteristic soil of Napa County, that formed from lava. This is produced by the decomposition of lava and other volcanic products, and it may be seen on almost all of the mountain sides of the county. It is characterized by its strong shades of color, being mostly red or yellow, owing to the presence of the oxyds of iron in it. It is, however, sometimes white, as the result of decomposed volcanic ash, again it is bluish, and is veiy often quite spotted. There is also a greenish soil formed from decomposed serpentine. This volcanic soil is spoken of generally b}r the residents of the county as chemisal lands, and it is claimed that it is excellent for the production of vines. Large tracts of it are being planted into vineyards on Howell Mountain. Should these vineyards prove a success, there is a large amount of this class of land yet available in Napa County for the same purpose, and the future yield of the vine will be something wonderful to contemplate, when all these red chemi- sal hill and mountain sides become thrifty vineyards. Thus have we noticed all the soils of Napa County, and noted what is produced to the best advantage in all of them, but it is not to be understood that we have Geography, Name, Topography, Geology, Etc. 39 stated all that will grow in the soils. It is well, however, for people to know the nature of the soil they are cultivating, and to study what is the best adapted to it. Money will be made by it. WATERCOURSES.— The watercourses of Napa County are small as a rule, but quite numerous, as may naturally be expected in a mountainous country. We will begin with Napa River and its tributaries. Napa Rivee. — This stream rises at the head of Napa Valley and at the western foot of Mount St. Helena, and flows in a south-eastern direction in a very sinuous course, and empties into Napa Bay, an arm of the San Pablo Bay. It is navigable as far up as Napa City, at which point the rise and fall of the tide is very considerable, being perhaps five feet on an average. This river serves as an outlet for the drainage of all the western portion of the county, and as the water-shed is quite extended and precipitous, over- flows are not uncommon, and large amounts of water are discharged into it in a very short time during a heavy storm. White Sulphur Creek. — Beginning at the source of Napa River, and passing southward, the first tributary of importance we come to is the above- named stream. It rises in the mountains west of the town of St. Helena, and flows eastward through the southern limits of that town, and thence into the Napa River. It is of no importance, however, except for drainage. Conn Creek. — This stream rises in Chiles Valley, and flowing westerly through Conn Valley empties into Napa River. It is a small creek, but quite a body of water is discharged through it. Dry Creek. — The next stream to the south is Dry Creek, so named on account of its being almost dry during the summer season. It rises in the mountains west of Yountville, and flows south-easterly and its waters are discharged into Napa River. Saco Creek. — This is a small stream which rises in the mountains east of the Napa Soda Springs, and flowing south-westerly debouches into the Napa River. Napa Creek. — This stream has its source in the mountains north-west of Napa City, and flows south-easterly, and unites with Napa River at Napa City. It carries a large body of water during the flood season, and it is from this stream that the city suffers the most during an overflow. Soscol Creek. — -This stream has its source in the mountains east of Thompsons' place, and flowing westerly, it passes through their farm and discharges into the Napa River. Carneros Creek. — This'is the last stream that empties into the Napa River. It rises in the range of mountains south-west or west of Napa City, 40 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. flows south-easterly, and empties as above stated. It is also an inconsider- able sti-eam. Rector Creek. — Belonging to this system, but not emptying directly into Napa River, is the above named stream. It rises in the mountains north-east of Yountville, and flows in a westerly direction into Conn Creek. Putah Creek. — The drainage of Napa County is comprised in two general systems — the Napa River and the Putah Creek ; and what the former is to the western portion of the county, the latter is to the eastern. Putah Creek, or " Rio de las Putas," as the Spaniards used to call it, has its source far away in the summits of Mounts Cobb and St. Helena, in Lake County. Thence, it flows easterly, until near the Napa County line, when it trends to the southward, flowing in a southerly direction, through Berry- essa Valley. It then bends its course easterly, and flows through the rugged pass known as Putah Canon, to the plains of Solano County, and thence easterly to the Sacramento River. It is not navigable in any portion of it, but is a wild, fearful mountain stream in the winter season, assuming the proportions of a river. Eticura Creek. — This is a small stream which has its source in the mountains west of Knoxville, and flowing south-westerly, empties into Putah Creek. Pope Creek. — This is a stream of quite goodly proportions, and has its source in the mountains at the head of Pope Valley. Thence it flows south- easterly through that valley, and thence through a pass in the mountains to Putah Creek. Other Streams. — The above comprise all the watercourses of Napa County that are of any importance, except for drainage. They extend from the babbling brook in the mountains, to the considerable stream. Some of them are known by some local name but are not of enough importance to require a general name. Many of these are most beautiful streams, and are rilled with schools of finny beauties, especially trout. Truly, the disciple of old Isaak Walton can find an elyseum here. CLIMATOGRAPHY.— To write of the excellence of the climate of Napa Count}', would require the pen of a master. To say that it is lovely, salubrious, and to apply all the other adjectives expressing the optimism of it in the highest degree, would not portray it in overdrawn colors. Truly, this is the resort of the Goddess of Health. Here, with proper dietetic and hygienic habits, desease may become practically unknown. We will begin with the winter season and follow the year through, and try to portray to the reader what each season develops. The rains usually begin about the Geography, Name, Topography, Geology, Etc. 41 •month of November. The weather just previous has been quite cold, for California, and frost is no uncommon thing, especially in the valleys. But now a perceptible change occurs. The weather moderates cpiite consider- ably, and the frosty nights are not so common. When it rains here, it generally makes a business of it, and soon the dry and parched earth be- comes saturated. The vegetation begins to spring into newness of life, and the russet spots on the mountain sides are turned to green, and the entire face of the country assumes an emerald hue, presenting a prospect un- excelled anywhere. Then come days of sunshine and days of storm, days of beauty and days of dreariness, interspersed with each other, till the spring-time comes. Finally, the days of sunshine begin to be in the majority, and the rains are broken up into showers, until the April days come all smiles and tears, like the face of a maiden when the first flush of her new-born love breaks suddenly upon her innocent soul. The vegetation and foliage grows daily denser, and now the whole face of the land is fresh and green. The joyous birds are again swarming the woods in flocks, filling the air with their sweet melodies. These are the days of mating and nest-building, and man can learn both a lesson of love and industry from the merry songsters of the woods. The flowers begin now to peep forth ; first the violet, then the buttercups and daisies, poppies, etc. The trees are also full of bloom, har- bingers of the fruitage that is to come later, and to bless and cheer the heart of man. Spring-time wanes and early summer begins, and then comes the sweetest, loveliest days of the year. The world is now an emerald tapestry as far as the eye can reach. Mountain and vale, hill and dale, field and glade, fen and brake, meadow and fallow, all, all is of one and the same charming hue. Then comes to the sweet valleys of Napa County days of royal splendor, days when the unobstructed rays of an ascending sun fall in grand profusion upon a world of serenest beauty, days when the heart of man cannot help being exhilarated by the charming landscape, and the blood courses through his veins in the full and strong pulsations of re- newed health and vigor, and as he drinks in the pure air, redolent with the perfumes of many flowers, bracing and sparkling as champagne or the very elixir of life, he is brought to a full realization of the wonderful bounties he enjoys at the hands of a beneficent Providence, and is led to thank God that his lines have been cast in such pleasant places. Later on and the summer proper is upon us. The grass begins to sere on the mountainsides, beginning always at the lower end of the valley, and the russet spots thus formed contrast beautifully with the green of the shrubs and trees around them, being a landscape painted by the veritable brush of nature, and no human limner can begin to touch the scene with 42 History of Napa and Lake Counties — -Napa. the sweet and delicate tracings of this master artist. The sun now shines down upon the world from a zenith almost above our heads, and across its flood of radiant light never a hand breadth's cloud passes. The days are now quite, though not often uncomfortably warm, but the nights are truly har- bingers of paradise itself. The trade winds now sweep up from the ocean, cool and refreshing, and bearing comfort to the fevered valleys upon their wings. Across the lower end of the valley they blow quite strongly, and are, sometimes, in a measui-e, disagreeable, but farther up their sharp chill has been exhausted, and they become gentle zephyrs, which must be en- joyed to be fully appreciated. The nights are cool and cheerful, and weary humanity lies down to sound and refreshing slumber, and awakes rested and happy, to go forth and witness charming sunrises, and to breathe de- licious and exhilarating air. Last of all comes the autumn — the season of fruitage. It is the dying of the year, but the lines of the poet — " The melancholy days have come The saddest of the year," Is not at all true in this section of the State of California, at least. The air that has been so light and pure for the past several months, begins to be filled with haze, and a light film seems to rest on all the mountain sides, which serves in a measure to hide them from view. The air is just as balmy and delicious as it has been during the spring and summer, and more so, indeed, if such a thing were possible. The trade winds come in fitful gusts, veering occasionally to the south-east, betokening the coming storms of winter. Field and orchard are now groaning under their burden of ripened grain and fruit, and the husbandman is reaping in plenteous measure the reward of his summer's toil, and basking in the sunny smiles of Fortune, he cannot but be happy. Farther south each day recedes the declining sun, and shorter and shorter grow the days, betokening that the winter solstice is fast approaching with its meed of storm and rain. And so the years go by in this Arcadia of the Pacific, gliding along in a merry round, made up of but little shadow and storm, but much of sunshine and joy. Thrice blest is he whose home is here ; blest in health, blest in climate, and blest in the thrifty products of a rich and fertile soil. What more but the love of wife and children to bless his home and heart, and the love of God in that heart to make him thankful to the Author of all our good, to make a man supremely blest, supremely happy, and supremely con- tent with his lot in life ! There are some shadows to the picture, however, else it would not be a true portrait of things as they exist in this world. Lights and shadows make up all the pictures in- this life, and he who blends them most har- NATHAN COOMBS. Geography, Name, Topography, Geology, Etc. 43 moniously is he who best adapts himself to his environments, and derives the best and sweetest pleasures from his earthly living. Perhaps the darkest shadow in the picture is the fog, which at times envelopes the whole valley in a dense cloud, rendering the early morning hours damp and disagreeable, but it seldom continues through the day. These fogs of course are more common in the winter season than in the summer. Then there are trade winds, which are sometimes rather too sharp and chilly for comfort. That scourge of California, the north wind, sometimes comes howling down from his home in the upper regions, and gives the people of these delightful valleys a test of his withering strength, but, fortunately, these occasions are rare. But all in all, the lights are far in the ascendency of the shadows, and at the end of the year, when a retrospect is had, the latter pass into such utter insignificance that they are lost sight of altogether. There are some remarkably healthful sections in Napa County. When the Branch Asylum was about to be located, a committee visited all sections of the State, and determined upon Napa Valley as presenting all the advantages of a health- ful climate ,and hence it was located here. Lately a State Commission has been casting about for a suitable place to establish a sanitarium for con- sumptives, and Atlas Peak is spoken of by them as being most favorably located for the purposes required, and it is quite probable that this institu- tion will be established at that place. Added to the excellent, healthful and charming climate of Napa County, is the fact that there are many health resorts, and the hundreds who annually flock to them attest the appreciation in which they are held by the suffering humanity of the State at large, and especially of San Francisco. We will close this notice by serving it all up in one word — desideratum. 44 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. INDIANS OF NAPA COUNTY. The beautiful valleys and mountain recesses of Napa County afforded a grand home for the aboriginal tribes. Here they swarmed in great num- bers, went through the drama of life, birth, consorting and death with stolid indifference. How far back in the course of time this race extends, whence came their progenitors, no man knoweth. If, as some scientists state, the very first evidences of the human race appear on the Pacific Coast (at Angel's Camp, Tuolumne County), why should we doubt that they are not the descendants of this primitive race ? Wars, disease, natural phenomena and other causes may have conspired to destroy the original race from the face of the earth, or it may have remained for the pale-faced progeny of a kindred, yet far removed race, to do the final act in the great drama of their existence as a race. Be all this as it may, the great fact still remains, that when the Whites came to this coast they found it inhabited with a race of copper-colored people of peculiar physique and habits, differing very much indeed from their brothers of the East, the Algonquins. Napa Valley was no exception to the general rule, but was infested by a horde of these rude barbarians. To describe these people, their habits and customs, will be the province of this chapter. H. H. Bancroft, in his excellent work, " Native Races of the Pacific Coast," states, giving Mr. Hittell as authority, that there were originally six different tribes living in Napa Valley, designating them as follows : Maya- comas, Calajomanas, Caymus, Napas, Ulucas, and Suscols. He also gives, on the authority of Mr. Taylor, the Guenocks and Tulkays, but does not give the location or tribal boundaries of any of these people. Mr. Menefee, in his " Sketch Book," gives Mr. George C. Yount, who arrived among the Indians of Napa Valley as early as 1831, as authority for there being six tribes of them here, designated as above, and he locates them as follows : The Mayacomas tribe dwelt near the Hot Springs, now Calistoga ; the Cal- ajomanas on the lands now known as the Bale Rancho, near St. Helena ; the Caymus on the Yount grant, near the present site of Yountville; the Napas occupied the Mexican grant of Entre Napa, that is, the lands between Napa River and Napa Creek ; the Ulucas on the east side of Napa River, and near Don Cayatano Jaurez's rancho ; and the Suscols had ther habita- tions in the vicinity of Thompsons' place. Indians of Napa County. 45 Of the two tribes mentioned above, as noted by Mr. Taylor, the Guen- ocks had their home in the valley of that name in Lake County, and the location of the Tulkays is unknown to the writer. It will be observed that no mention is made in the above lists of any tribes who dwelt in Pope, Chiles or Berryessa Valleys. These valleys were filled with Indians, how- ever, no less than six very large rancherias being in Berryessa Valley alone. We regret that we are unable to place on record the names of these people, but all knowledge of them seems to have passed away. We will now take a cursory glance at these people as they were in their primitive state. Truly they wei-e a primitive people when the white set- tlers first began coming to the valley. What a race of people that hardy old pioneer, George C. Yount, must have found in possession of this fair valley when he first entered it ! These people did not differ essentially from the other tribes in this section of the State, presenting very similar physical characteristics, habits and customs to those of the central portion of the State. They were of medium stature, broad shouldered, strong, lazy, filthy, and vagabondish generally. Nature had provided with a lavish hand for her children in this favored valley, and all they had to do was to reach forth their hands, pluck and eat. No vain ambitions lured them on in the great race of life. No baubles of riches enticed them into hardships of labor, either mental or physical. Theirs only to exist and die. Whence or why they came upon the stage of action, it was not theirs to inquire ; and " whither are we drifting?" was a question over which they stopped not to puzzle their dull brains. And who shall say that they were not as happy in their listless life as are we of the higher tjrpe who wrestle with the in- evitable almost from our infancy to our dotage ? From an ethical stand- point, and viewing the matter through the lenses of our education, of course we would say that their lives were worse than wasted ; and when they van- ished before the overwhelming tide of civilization, the world was rid of so much garbage. But it is the old stor}' of the man and the lion repeated : seeing a picture of a man, the man remarked to the lion that " there stood the lord of creation." The lion asked who painted the picture, to which the man replied, " a man did." "Ah ! " said the lion, " it makes all the dif- ference in the world who paints the picture of the lord of creation. I should have painted a lion." And so it is in this case. Indian ethics are not our ideas of duty to self or man ; and it is not improbable that they lived up to the light they had on that subject quite as near as do their suc- cessors. These people lived in wickeups, which were very small huts made of the boughs of trees, or in thatched lodges, which were huts of a larger pat- tern, and constructed of poles stuck into the ground in a circular shape, and the tops all bent to a common center and fastened, and the sides were cov- 46 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. ered with thatched wild swamp grass. The climate was so mild that little or no fire was required beyond the purposes of cooking, and this latter art was not a very general custom among them. Raw flesh was as good, if not better to them, than the cooked article. In the matter of clothing they were very indifferent, the males generally roaming about perfectly nude, while the women wore a small protection about the waist, made of the fibres of bark, or grass, or tule stalks. Of their language, but little is left. Here and there a word has fastened itself upon some ranch or town, and will be handed down through at least a few generations. Thus we have Napa, Tulucay, Caymus, Soscol and a few others. Their language was a deep gutteral, resembling in many respects that now spoken by the Chinese, though we will not venture the assertion that there is any relation existing between the two tongues. As their general habits, customs, legends, etc., were so nearly like those so fully described in the body of this work, in the history of Lake County, we will refer the reader to that chapter for a f ui-ther consideration of the matter. It was stated by Mr. Yount, that there were in Napa and Lake Counties some ten or twelve thousand when he arrived in the country, and of this number, from one-third to one-half were in Napa County. A short half cen- tury has sufficed to see them become so entirely extinct that the sight of an Indian has become a great rarity. And what has done this ? Disease was the prime cause, for it is stated that the cholera took them off' by thousands in 1833 ; and it is said that they died so fast that the living were unable to care for the dead. Whole tribes became extinct, it being reported by a traveler on the Sacramento River, that all of one tribe died within a few days except one little girl. Then came war and its kindred calamities as another great decimator of their ranks. Contact with civilization had much to do with it also. Soon after the Whites came among them, prostitution became general, and the women quit bearing children, and the tribes gradually died oft* and no young ones grew up to take the places of the old ones. Truly, it seemed a matter of destiny, for it was impossible for the two races to exist in contingency. Mr. Cronise states that the Mission system had much to do with the degradation and final extinction of the Aborigines, but as there never was a Mission in this valley, nor were the Indians of this section ever subject to a Mission, except, possibly, in a very general way, this charge will not hold good here, and the Indians seemed to have dis- appeared here about as soon as anywhere else. Their great " cure all " was the sweat-bath which was taken in the " sweat-house," which institution was to be found in every rancheria. A fire was lighted in the center and the patient taken into the " sweat-house " and kept at a high stage of perspiration for sevei-al hours ; he then rushed out and plunged into a bath of cold water, and the result can be imagined, Indians of Napa County. 47 without stating that it ultimately proved fatal. Some years ago a gentle- man in Lake County paid a visit to one of these " sweat-houses " during a festal occasion, and he thus graphically gives his experience, which we reproduce here, although it first appeared in the Napa Reporter, and was copied thence into Mr. Manifee's " Sketch Book." We will give it for the benefit of those of our readers who have not had an opportunity of reading it before. It is too good to be lost, and will surely bear repeating. It is as follows : " A sweat-house is of the shape of an inverted bowl, and is generally about forty feet in diameter at the bottom, and is built of strong poles and branches of trees, covered with earth to prevent the escape of heat. There is a small hole near the ground, large enough for Diggers to creep in one at a time ; and another at the top to give out the smoke. When a dance is to occur, a large fire is kindled in the center of the edifice, and the crowd assembles, the white spectators crawling in and seating themselves anywhere out of the way. The apertures, both above and below, are then closed, and the dancers take their positions. " Four and twenty squaws, en deshabille, on one side of the fire, and as many hombres, in puris naturalibus, on the other. Simultaneously with the commencement of the dancing, which is a kind of shuffling hobble-de- hoy, the ' music ' bursts forth. Yes, music fit to raise the dead. A whole legion of devils broke loose. Such screaming, shrieking, yelling and roaring was never before heard since the foundation of the world. A thousand cross-cut saws, filed by steam power — a multitude of tom-cats lashed to- gether and flung over a clothes line — innumerable pigs under a gate — all combined would produce a heavenly melody compared with it. Yet this uproar, deafening as it is, might possibly be endured, but another sense soon comes to be saluted. Talk of the thousand stinks of the City of Co- logne ! Here are at least forty thousand combined in one grand over- whelming stench, and yet every particular odor distinctly definable. Eound about the roaring fire the Indians go capering, jumping and screaming, with the perspiration streaming from every pore. The spectators look on until the air grows thick and heavy, and a sense of oppressing suffocation over- comes them, when they make a simultaneous rush at the door for self pro- tection. Judge their astonishment, terror and dismay to find it fastened securely — bolted and barred on the outside. They rush frantically around the walls in hope to discover some weak point through which they may find egress, but the house seems to have been constructed purposely to frustrate such attempts. More furious than caged lions, they rush bodily against the sides, but the stout poles resist every onset. Our army swore terribly in Flanders, but even my Uncle Toby himself would stand aghast were he here now. 48 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. " There is no alternative but to sit down, in hopes that the troop of naked fiends will soon cease from sheer exhaustion. Vain expectation ! The uproar but increases in fury, the fire waxes hotter and hotter, and they seem to be preparing for fresh exhibitions of their powers. The combat deepens. On, ye brave ! See that wild Indian, a newly elected captain, as with glaring eyes, blazing face, and complexion like that of a boiled lobster, he tosses his arms wildly aloft as in pursuit of imaginary devils, while rivers of perspiration roll down his naked frame. Was ever the human body thrown into such contortions before ? Another effort of that kind, and his whole vertebral column must certainly come down with a crash ! Another such a convulsion, and his limbs will assuredly be torn asunder, and the disjointed members fly to the four points of the compass ! Can the human frame endure this much longer ? The heat is equal to that of a bake-oven ; temperature 500 degrees Fahrenheit ! pressure of steam 1000 pounds to the square inch ! The reeking atmosphere has become almost palpable, and the victimized audience are absolutely gasping for life. Millions for a cubic inch of fresh air ! Worlds for a drop of fresh water to cool the parched tongue ! This is terrible. To meet one's fate among the white caps of the lake, in a swamped canoe, or to sink down on the bald mountain's brow, worn out by famine, fatigue and exposure were glorious ; but to die here, suffocating in a solution of human perspiration, carbonic acid gas and charcoal smoke, is horrible ! The idea is absolutely appalling ! But there is no avail. Assistance might as well be sought from a legion of unchained imps, as from a troop of Indians, maddened by excitement. " Death shows his visage not more than five minutes distant. The fire glimmers away leagues off. The uproar dies into the subdued rumble of a remote cataract, and respiration becomes slower and more labored. The whole system is sinking into utter insensibility, and all hope of relief has departed, when suddenly, with a grand triumphal crash, similar to that with which the ghosts closed their orgies when they doused the lights and started in pursuit of Tarn O'Shanter and his old gray mare, the uproar ceases, and the Indians vanish through an aperture opened for that pur- pose. The half dead victims to their own curiosity, dash through it like an arrow, and in a moment more are drawing in whole buckets full of the cold, frosty air, every inhalation of which cuts the lungs like a knife, and thrills the system like an electric shock. They are in time to see the In- dians plunge headlong into the ice-cold water of a neighboring stream, and crawl out and sink down on the banks, utterly exhausted. This is the last act of the drama, the grand climax, and the fandango is over." Mexican Grants. 49 MEXICAN GRANTS. The Caymus Grant. — The first tract of land ever granted by the Mexi- can Government to parties in what is now known as Napa County, was ceded to that wonderful pioneer of 1831, George C. Yount. He was here when the whole domain lay in its virginity ; when the foot of white man had not even trod upon it, and his was the first to press it. The Cay- mus grant lies in the very heart of Napa Valley, and just east of where the present village of Yountville now stands, and was ceded to Mr. Yount by Nicolas Gutierrez, March 23, 1836. The grant comprised two square leagues. The petition for confirmation of title was filed before the Board of Land Commissioners May 26, 1852. This Board confirmed the title February 8, 1853, and the United States Courts re-confirmed it, or concurred in the action of the Board, July 7, 1855. The grant contains eleven thou- sand eight hundred and fourteen and fifty-two-hundredths acres. The Entre Napa Rancho. — This tract of land lay where Napa City now stands, and the grant was ceded to Nicolas Higuerra by Manuel Chico, May 9, 1836. The claim to eighty and forty-eight-hundredths acres of this grant was made before the Board of Land Commissioners by Nathan Coombs March 3d, 1853, and that body confirmed his title April 11, 1854. It was also confirmed by the Courts March 2, 1857. Rancho El Rincon de los Carneros. — This tract of land lay to the west- ward of Napa City, and came up to where a portion of the city now stands. It was granted to Nicolas Higuerra May 9, 1836, by Manuel Chico. The claim to it was filed before the Board of Land Commissioners by Julius Martin September 4, 1S52. The Board rejected the claim September 19, 1854. The decree of the Board was i-eversed September 2, 1856. This is a part of the Entre" Napa Rancho, and was bounded on the east side by the Napa River, and on the west by the Arroyo de los Carneros. The Court confirmed the title to this tract of land May 15, 1857, and it contains two thousand five hundred and fifty-seven and sixty-eight-hundredths acres. The Napa Rancho. — Salvador Vallejo, and his wife, Maria de la Luz Carrillo Vallejo, filed their claim before the Board of Land Commissioners March 3, 1853, for a title to the tracts of land known as Trancas and Jolapa, containing three thousand and twenty acres, more or less, being a 4 50 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. part of the Napa Rancho granted to Salvador Vallejo February 21, 1838, by Juan B. Alvarado, Governor ad interim of Upper California, and ap- proved by the Departmental Assembly September 23, 1838. The claim was confirmed by the Board November 7, 1854, and it was confirmed by the Court February 23, 1857. Mrs. Vallejo's interest in the property was conveyed to her by Narciso Ramires May 12, 1851, and it covered three thousand one hundred and seventy-eight and ninety-three-hundredths acres. Julius K. Rose filed a claim before the Board of Land Commissioners March 2, 1853, for five hundred and ninety-four and eighty-three-hundredths acres of the Napa Rancho. His claim was confirmed by the Board Decem- ber 13, 1853, and the title was re-confirmed by the Court March 2, 1857. Angus L. Boggs filed his claim to a portion of the Napa Rancho March 2, 1853, before the Board of Land Commissioners. This claim was con- firmed by the Board April 11, 1854, and by the Court March 2, 1857. It contains three hundred and twenty and fifty-five-hundredths acres. The Yajome Rancho. — This tract of land was granted to Damaso Antonio Rodriguez March 16, 1841, by Juan B. Alvarado, then Constitu- tional Governor of the Department of the Californias, and approved by the Departmental Assembly May 18, 1841. Claim to this land was filed by Salvador Vallejo before the Board of Land Commissioners April 20, 1852, and the Board confirmed it February 21, 1853. The Court confirmed title to it February 9, 1857. It contained one and a half leagues, or six thousand six hundred and fifty-two and fifty-eight-hundredths acres. The Locoallomi Rancho. — This grant of land was made by Manuel Jimeno, Acting Governor of California, to Julien Pope, September 30, 1841, and embraced two leagues, or eight thousand eight hundred and seventy- two and seventy-three-hundredths acres. The heirs of Pope filed their claim to the grant before the Board of Land Commissioners March 2, 1853. August 1, 1854, the Board confirmed their title to it, and August 25, 1856, the Court also confirmed their title. This tract of land was located in what is now known as Pope Valley. The Tulucay RavcJw. — This tract of land lies just east of Napa City, and was granted to Cayetano Juarez by Manuel Jimeno October 26, 1841, and approved by the Departmental Assembly June 16, 1845. The claim to this land was filed with the Board of Land Commissioners March 23, 1852, and confirmed by the Board April 11, 1853, and also confirmed by the Court February 25, 1856. The rancho contains two leagues, or eight thousand eight hundred and sixty-five and fifty-eight-hundredths acres. Rancho Mallacomea or Mv/risfad y Plan de Aqua Caliente. — This was a four-league grant, which was made to Jose" Santos Berryessa October 14, Mexican Grants. 51 1843, by Manuel Micheltoreno. The claim to the tract was filed before the Board of Land Commissioners February 20, 1852, and confirmed by that body June 27, 1854, and by the Courts March 24, 1856. This ranch con- tained seventeen thousand seven hundred and forty-two and seventy-two- hundredths 'acres, and was situated near the head of Napa Valley, embracing the present site of Calistoga and the country adjacent thereto. Martin E. Cook and Rufus Ingalls as claimants to a portion of the above rancho, filed their petition before the Board of Land Commissioners February 28, 1853, and the Board confirmed their title to two square miles of it August 7, 1855. Their portion was located in the north-west part of the ranch, and comprised two thousand five hundred and fifty-nine and ninety-four-hundredths acres. An appeal was taken on the part of the United States, but was not prosecuted, and on the 16th day of April, 1857, the Court confirmed the title. Rancho de la Jote. — This grant of land was made by Manuel Michel- toreno to George C. Yount October 23, 1843, said grant to be one square league of land situated in Napa Valley. April 5, 1852, Mr. Yount, as claimant, filed his petition with the Board of Land Commissioners. Octo- ber 21, 1853, the Board rejected the claim. The claimant took an appeal in the matter, and it came before the District Court of the United States for the Northern District of California, for hearing, and it was ordered that the decree of the Land Commissioners be reversed, and that the claimant be given a valid title to one league and no more. This contained four thousand four hundred and fifty -three and eighty-four-hundredths acres. Las Pittas Rancho. — This is an enormous grant of land, comprising eight leagues, or thirty-five thousand five hundred and fifteen and eighty- two-hundredths acres, and is situated in and covers the most of Berry- essa Valley. It was granted to Jose- Jesus Berry essa and Sis to Berryessa, by Manuel Micheltoreno, November 3, 1843. The wives of the grantees, Maria Anastasia Higuerra de Berryessa and Maria Nicolosa Higuerra de Berryessa as claimants, filed their petition before the Board of Land Com- missioners May 21, 1852. Their claim was confirmed by the Board September 5, 1854, and confirmed by the Court August 13, 1855. The Huichica Rancho. — This grant was made to Jacob P. Leese in two parcels, as follows : First, for two leagues of land issued by Manuel Jimeno, October 24, 1841; second, for three and one-half leagues additional issued by Manuel Micheltoreno July 6, 1846. The title to the rancho was confirmed by the Board of Land Commissioners April 18, 1853, and by the Court April 22, 1856. It contained altogether eighteen thousand seven hundred and four and four-hundredths acres, and was situated to the south-west of Napa City. 52 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. The Catacula Rancho. — This tract of land is located in Chiles Valley, and was granted to Col. J. B. Chiles by Manuel Micheltoreno November 9, 1844. Claim to this grant was filed before the Board of Land Commis- sioners April 21, 1852, and confirmed by it November 4, 1853. Confirmed by the Court August 13, 1855. It comprised two leagues or eight thousand five hundred and forty-five and seventy-two-hundredths acres of land. The Chimiles Rancho. — This grant was made to Ygnacio -Berryessa by Pio Pico May 2, 1842. William Gordon and Nathan Coombs, as claimants, filed their petition before the Board of Land Commissioners April 28, 1852, and the claim was confirmed April 11, 1853. Confirmed by the Court July 27, 1857. It comprised four leagues or seventeen thousand seven hundred and sixty-two and forty-four hundredths acres. The Gayne Humana Rancho. — This tract of land comprised the whole of Napa Valley lying north of the Caymus Rancho, and was granted to Dr. E. T. Bale. It has gone through all the legal processes, and a patent has been granted, but is not recorded; hence we are unable to give any further facts or dates in reference to it. m ^#;4w ^ General History and Settlement. 53 GENERAL HISTORY AND SETTLEMENT. " I hear the tramp of pioneera — Of nations yet to be ; The first low wash of wares, where soon Shall roll a living sea." " O'er the mountain's height, Like ocean in its tided might, The living sea rolls onward, on. And onward, on, the stream shall pour, And reach the far Pacific shore, And fill the plains of Oregon." Strange as it may seem, the first settler in Napa County was an American. The Spanish-Mexicans, who had been in California almost three quarters of a century before the discovery of gold, had visited all the border counties on the bay, and had settled on the best lands in them. This was also true of all the country south of San Francisco, but here and there an American, who had drifted far away from the environments of civilization, was living in isolation in this great country. Notable illustra- tions of this are Dr. Marsh, who settled in Contra Costa County as early as 1835. That brave old Scotchman, John Gilroy, who landed on the shores of California in 1813, and wended his way to the Santa Clara Valley soon afterwards, and George C. Tount, who settled in Xapa Valley as early as 1831, thus being the first settler in the valley. The Spaniards had visited the country long previous to this, but had made no settlement — at least none that extended for any length of time. In 1876, General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo delivered an address in Santa Rosa, of a historical character, in which he said : " Padre Jose Altimira and Don Francisco Castro went in June and July. 1S23. with an armed escort, under ensign Jose Sanchez, to select a proper site for a new Mission. Padre Altimira went on with his survey to Huichica, now the property of Messrs. Winter and Borel, and on the fifth day, after exploring the Napa Valley, ' bike to Sonoma in every respect,' the party climbed the ridge of Suysunes, now the property of Cayetano Juarez, where the State Insane Asylum stands, and there found stone of excellent quality, and so abundant that a new Rome might be built. Between 1840 and 1845, a considerable number of emigrant wagons arrived across the Sierras, bringing American 54 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. families, and families of other nationalities, most of whom settled among us, and to whom these valleys owe much of their progress." A writer, in a work published by Smith & Elliot, in 1878, says : " In 1776 a fort was erected by the Spanish Governor, Felipe de Neve, a short distance north-west of Napa, on an elevated plateau. Part of the original fort is now standing, the wall being of adobe, and three feet in thickness. It is situated on the Rancho Viljo, and is occupied as a residence and wine cellar by J. J. Sigrist." We are obliged to take issue with this statement. We do not know the writer's authority, but are conversant with the history of the movements of the Spaniards in this part of California during that year. It was in 1776 that the first location was made at San Francisco, and the grant to the Mission is dated October 9th of that year. While waiting for the vessel to arrive, which had been dispatched with supplies, etc., excursions were made into the interior, and the circuit of the bay was made by way of San Jose", and far up the Alameda side. Another party crossed the strait at Saucelito, and passed as far northward as the Olom- poli Rancheria, south of Petaluma a few miles, where they taught the Indians how to make adobe houses, and one was erected which stood there until a very few years ago, when it was torn down. The writer has seen adobes from the old structure, which was evidently the first one ever built north of San Francisco Bay. But in none of the records of these excursions is any mention made of the erection of a fort at the place mentioned above. We should be glad to establish the fact if it were possible, and to confer, sub- stantiated, upon Napa County, the honor of having such an ancient relic of the Spanish regime within its boundaries, but a due regard for the truth prevents us from giving the statement unqualifiedly. As stated above, George C. Yount came into Napa Valley in February, 1831, and was thus the first permanent settler in the county. .He was piloted hither by a young man by the name of Guy F. Fling, or Flynn. This guide afterwards became a settler in the county also, but it is not known when he came here to locate permanently. Evidently, he did not remain with Yount at the time they came here in 1831. It is known that Flynn came to the State in 1825, and that he became more like an Indian than a white man, and that his last days were spent among the Indians, near Napa, he living in a little old house at their rancheria. He died hi 1872. After Mr. Yount arrived in the valley, he followed the occupation of hunting and trapping. In 1836 he built the first log house ever erected in California by an American. It was eighteen feet square below, with an upper story, which was twenty-two feet square, in which there were port holes, through which it often became 'necessary for him to defend himself from the savages, with which the valley then fairly swarmed. He obtained a grant to the Caymus Rancho, and lived there until his death, which oc- curred October 5th, 1865. General History and Settlement. 55 Next in order comes Don Cayetano Juarez, who came into the county as a permanent settler in 1840, although he had stock in the valley since 1837. In 1840 he built a small adobe house on his present place, the Tulucay Raneho, and brought his family from Sonoma, and has ever resided within sight of the City of Napa, and has seen a wilderness and jungle transferred into a beautiful city, and has seen the wild plains, on which Indians and wild animals roamed at will, changed into wide stretches of smiling grain. He still survives the storms of life, and is as hale and hearty as he was thirty years ago. The next settler in the county was Nicolas Higuerra, sometimes referred to as Jose Higuerra. It is not now known just what year he came in, but certainly previous to 1841. He located on the banks of the Napa Creek, about half a mile above its mouth, where he had a wicker house, plastered over with a thick coat of mud, and covered with a thatched roof of tule and grass. Here he lived, having a large family; the two daughters marrying the Berryessas, of the valley of that name. In 1839 Dr. E. T. Bale, an Englishman, obtained a grant to the Come Humana Raneho, and settled there some time afterwards. He married a sister of General Vallejo, and lived upon his immense estate, which in- cluded all of the Napa Valley north of the Caymus Raneho, until his death, in 1850. Salvador Vallejo obtained a grant to the Napa Raneho September 21, 1838, and subsequently erected a very large adobe house, north-west of Napa some three miles. It is not known now just when his settlement dates to, as he really made his home at Sonoma. In 1843 Jose" Jesus and Sisto Berry essa obtained a grant to the Las Putas Raneho, and shortly afterwards located upon it, constructing a large adobe house, which went to ruin, and a second one was built, a portion of which is still standing on the estate of Abraham Clark. In 1840 E. Barnett came to the valley, and remained with Mr. Yount till 1843, when he settled in Pope Valley. William (or Julien) Pope obtained a grant to the Raneho Locoallomi in September, 1841, and moved his family there in 1843, where he shortly after lost his life by an accident. He and William Gordon had come via Mexico, in which country Pope had married a native wife. She subsequently married the pioneer mentioned above, E. Barnett, who lived in Pope Valley until a few years ago, when he died. In 1844 William Baldridge arrived at Napa Embarcadero, and thence he proceeded to Yount's place, and is still residing near Oakville, a hale and hearty old pioneer. Bartlett Vines, son-in-law of Yount, crossed the plains with him, and came to Napa County at the same time, on board Captain Sutter's schooner " Sacramento." To the Vines family was born the first white child in Napa County, and, it is claimed by some, the first white child 56 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. in California, but this is a mooted question, the honor lying between the Vines family, of Napa County, the Julius Martin family, of Santa Clara County, who crossed the plains with Baldridge and Vines, and the James Gregson family, of Sonoma County. Colonel J. B. Chiles, who first came to California in 1841, came again with the Baldridge party in 1843, and lo- cated in Chiles Valley in 1844 or 1845. With this party came also Miss Elizabeth Yount, daughter of the old pioneer, who, in 1849, was married to John C. Davis. In 1845, John York, John Grigsby, William Hudson, Harrison Pierce, David Hudson, Benjamin Dewell, William Elliott and sons, William Fow- ler, Sr., Henry Fowler, William Fowler, Jr., Calvin C. Griffith, Col. James Clyman, Harvey Porterfield, and William Hargrave, came in and settled in different portions of the county. When Mr. York arrived in the valley in 1845, he found the following settlers in the county. Ben. Kelsey lived on the place now owned by Peter Teal, which was then the property of Ralph Kilburn. This was about one mile south of the present site of Calistoga. Next to him, and on what is now the George Tucker place, E. Barnett was living, in a small log house. This is the man referred to above as having married the widow Pope. Sam Kelsey lived at the place where Bale's mill now stands, and he had a wife and two or three children ; his wife being among the first, if not the first woman who ever came overland to California. At this time Ralph Kilburn had begun the erection of a saw mill on Napa River, just a little north-east of Krug's wine cellar, and for this work, and the running of the mill for a certain length of time, Dr. Bale was to give him three-quarters of a league of land. Dr. Edward Bale then lived in an adobe house, which was about 60 x 20 in size, and situated near the foot-hills west of Pine Station. The next settler was George C. Yount, who also lived in an adobe, near the present mill property of F. W. Ellis. The next place was the Salvador Vallejo estate, on which there were three adobes, one at the site of Barth's wine cellar, one at the Trancas, and one on the opposite side of the river. He made his home when in the county at the former. Nicolas Higuerra had an adobe (wicker, plastered with mud) at the Patchett place ; Cayetano Juarez had an adobe between Napa and the Asylum, and General Vallejo had an adobe on the Suscol Rancho, where he kept a few of his retainers. The Pope family were living in the valley of that name ; the Berryessas in the valley of that name, and Col. Chiles, and William Baldridge in Chiles Valley. Peter Storm was living on the Kilburn place at that time. Nathan Coombs came into Napa Township during this year. When Mr. York arrived in Napa County he proceeded at once to the vicinity of Calistoga, then known as Aquas Caliente, as did William Hud- General History and Settlement. 57 son. William Elliott and family also spent the first winter there. Of the young men who came over the mountains with Mr. York, Benjamin Dewell, John Gibbs, H. Sanders, Ford, B. Fowler, who was so brutally murdered during the Bear Flag excitement near Santa Rosa, all settled in the county. David Hudson's first house at Calistoga, built in the fall of 1845, was a cabin constructed of little round logs, " chinked " with mud, and covered with shakes. Mr. York cut and split a redwood log, and con- structed his cabin out of slabs, and covered it with shakes. It was 10 x 12 in size, but afforded ample protection against the rigors of a California winter. In 1846 there came in Enoch Cyrus and family, William H. Nash and family, John S. Stark and family, Col. M. D. Ritchie and family, Charles Hopper and family, and John Cyrus. In this year F. E. Kellogg and family arrived from Illinois, and settled on what is now known as the Lyman place. In 1847 the Bale mill was completed, and John York drew the first logs to it from the adjacent hills. It was during this year that the first celebration of the natal day of our coimtry occurred. The place of meet- ing was under the shade of a mammoth oak tree at the mouth of Rector Canon. The families of York, Hudson, Bale, Vines, Yount, Rector, and Grigsby were present, and a good social time generally was had. During the day singing was indulged in, and the grand strains of the " Star Spangled Banner " echoed through the hills and up the canon for the first time. It will be remembered that California was yet a part of Mexico, and the celebration of the day on foreign soil was rather incongruous, but prophetic. Among the settlers who came in in 1847 were William Edg- ington, who settled in Chiles Valley, J. W., S. J., R. P. and G. W. Tucker, who settled near Calistoga. In 1848 there came in John Custer, who settled near Napa; John Adams, also near Napa ; George N. Cornwell, at Napa. At this time John Kelley, Frank Kellogg, William McDonald and Hiram Acres are known to have been in the county, but it is not known just when they came. Also William Russell, J. P. Thompson and Capt. Brackett. In 1849 there came Peter D. Bailey, George Linn, Turner G. Baxter, and James H. McCorcle. In 1850 J. H. Sea well, William Dinning, in Hot Springs Township ; Leonard Tully, in Yount ; P. D. Grigsby, in Napa ; William A. Haskin, Hot Springs ; T. F. Raney, Napa ; H. Amesbuiy, Napa ; E. G. Young, Napa ; J. S. Trubody, Yount; and Jesse Grigsby, Napa. In 1851 William Locker, T. Grigsby, Yount ; P. G. Gesford, Hot Springs ; J. H. Howland, Napa. In 1852 A. W. Norton, Napa; John M. Davis, Napa; Matthew Vann, Hot Springs ; John Lawler, Hot Springs ; John T. Smith, Napa ; 58 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. P. T. and G. W. Teale, Hot Springs ; W. S. Jacks, Napa. In 1853 M. A. Elgin, Napa; J. G. Randall, Napa; B. Little, Napa; William Middleton, Napa ; Charles Robinson, Napa ; C. H. Allen, Napa ; H. Goodrich, Napa ; H. H. Harris, Yount ; H. A. Pellet, Napa ; W. A. Fisher, Napa. In 1854 Joel Barnett, Hot Springs ; Robert Miller, Napa ; John S. Kister, Hot Springs ; Jesse Barnett, Knox ; R. F. Lane, Knox ; J. Watson, Napa. In 1855 Connelly Conn, Yount; W. E. Anderson, Napa. There are many other pioneers whose names will be found mentioned elsewhere, that are omitted here. The reader is referred to the township histories, and to the biographical departments for further names. Of course it is impossible at this late date to make the list complete, but we have it as full as it is pos- sible to make it. We will now take up the principal events which have occurred in the history of Napa County, and record them in the order of their occurrence. As early as 1841, John Rose and John C. Davis built a schooner and launched it from a point of land just above the stone bridge on First street. This must have been a small affair, probably not much larger than a whale boat. In 1845, they built a barge which was used as a trading boat in all the bay inlets. In 1847, they constructed a saw-mill for Salvador Vallejo, on the east side of Napa River, about seven miles above town, and the site is still visible. Among the early pioneers who came over the unknown and untraveled desert and mountains to California, in 1846, was ex-Governor Lilburn W. Boggs. In those days, it will be remembered that California was a Mexican province, and it was necessary for an American citizen to have a passport from his Government to secure his safe passage through the country. The passport given to Governor Boggs was as follows : UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. To all to whom these Presents come, Greeting : No. 951. I, the undersigned, Secretary of State of the United States of America, hereby request all whom it may concern, to permit, safely and freely to pass, Lilburn W. Boggs, wife and eight children, a citizen of the United States, and in case of need to give him all lawful aid and protection. Given under my hand and the impression of the seal of the Department of State, at the City of Washington, the 25th day of April, a. d. 1846, in the seventieth year of the Inde- pendence of the United States. (Signed) James Buchanan. General History and Settlement. 59 August 1, 1849, an election was held at Sonoma, in the Territory of Cal- ifornia, at which James Cooper, John G. Ray and Nathan Coombs acted as Judges, and Richard H. Maupin and George Pearce acted as clerks. The poll list was certified to by H. W. Halleck, then Brevet-Captain and Secre- tary of State. Ex-Governor Boggs, as First Alcalde of the District of Sonoma, filed the following certificate in regard to this election : Alcalde's Office, Sonoma, August 21, 1849. I, L. W.TJoggs, First Alcalde of Sonoma, do hereby certify that the above returns are correct, with the exception of the vote for First Alcalde, which office is not vacant. Given under my hand and seal at my office in Sonoma, the 2d day of August, 1849. (Signed) L. W. Boggs, First Alcalde. The vote certified to above was as follows : For Delegate to the Con- vention, Schoolcraft, 1 ; Stephen Smith, 3 ; M. G. Vallejo, 4 ; Salvador Val- lejo, 23; Robert Semple, 32; John B. Frisbie, 16; Lilburn W. Boggs, 34; James Clyman, 37 ; Jasper O'Farrell, 38 ; Joel P. Walker, 65, and Richard A. Maupin, 75. For Judge of the Superior Court. J. E. Brackett, 85. For Prefect, Charles P. Wilkins, 45 ; William E. Taylor, 26 ; Jose" Berryessa, 19, and John Cameron, 7. For First Alcalde, John G Ray, 19 ; John A. Griffith, 5 ; George Yount, 3, and Peter Campbell, 1. For Second Alcalde, Ralph Kil- burn, 43. For Justices of the Peace, Peter Campbell, 28, and James Griffith, 14. For Sheriff, Israel Brockman, 86. The first record of the Alcalde's Court in Napa County is under date of October 20th, 1849, when the following proceedings were had: "Napa Valley, Territory of California, District of Sonoma. For Petty Larceny : And now comes the said parties, Charles L. Cady appearing for the Territory of California, being ready for trial, a jury of six men was subpoenaed and sworn, viz : D. Q. Tucker, William Russel, J. Brown, William Edgington, William Morgan and John Taylor. Case adjourned till 6 P. M. Parties and jury appeared, and after hearing could not agree on a verdict. Case ad- journed till 10 o'clock Sunday, 21st October, 1849. Sunday, October 21st, 1849, parties appeared Another juiy subpoenaed and sworn, viz : H. John- son, C Briggs, A. Guthrie, N. Kennedy, William Watson and I. Boles. N. McKimmy, Constable or Sheriff, and R L. Kilburn, Alcalde. The next case recorded is under date of November 8, 1849, and was a civil action, entitled " Nicholas Agara vs. — Jarrus." The judgment rendered in the case was as follows : " Judgment is hereby rendered in favor of said Nicholas for damages, $75.00, and for costs of the suit, also the 60 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. further sura of $10 ; total, §85.00. On further proof that said Jarrus has no property, and with his consent, and the petition of said Nicholas, it is ordered that the said Jarrus work for said Nicholas, at wages to be agreed upon between them, at as high a rate as Jarrus could obtain elsewhere, continuously from day to day until the said sum of $85.00 is fully paid and satisfied." The District Attorney at this time was Joseph W. Brackett. In August, 1850, the Justice for Napa County was John S. Cripps, and in November of that year S. H. Sellers is found to hold that position. Charles P. Wil- kins was Prefect in Sonoma in 1849. Among the curiosities of the olden days, many of our readers will re- member the pioneer carriage of this section, which was the property of General Vallejo. It was at one time the state carriage of the Duke of Wellington. General Vallejo purchased it in London in 1833, and brought it to California shortly after. The driver rode on one of the horses. The first election held in Napa County after its organization was on the first Monday in April, 1850. The first deed recorded in Napa County is dated April 3, 1850, and is from Nicholas Heguera to John C. Brown, and acknowledged before M. H. N. Kendig, Recorder. The second is 'dated February 15, 1850, from Nathan Coombs and Isabella, his wife, to Joseph Brackett and J. W. Brackett, " of Napa Valley, District of Sonoma, in the Northern Department of California." The property conveyed was " lot 3, in block 5, Napa City," acknowledged before R. L. Kilburn, Alcalde. The next deed is dated November 29, 1848, from Nicholas^Higuera to Joseph P. Thompson, acknowledged before L. W. Boggs, Alcalde of Sonoma. Another early deed is dated October 18, 1845, from George Roch to Jacob P. Leese, conveying the grant called "Guenoc." It is in the Spanish lang- uage, and acknowledged before Jose" de la Rosa u seventh Constitutional Alcalde of Sonoma. As an illustration of the value of money in those early days, we may mention that a mortgage was given October 20, 1850, from Jose- S. Berryessa to W. R. Bradshaw for $1,000, at 10 per cent, interest per month. The principal and interest were paid in a few months. The first Grand Jury in Napa County comprised the following gentle- men: Thomas Knight, Enoch Cyrus, William A. H&skin, William D. Dearing, George C. Yount, Joseph Green, George W. Moodie, Angus L. Boggs, Edward H. Cage, John Barbour, Anderson Farley, Horatio N. Ames- bury, Lyman Chapman. The following persons were subpoenaed for this jury, but did not put in an appearance ; Thomas Hensley, Leonard Miller, Joseph Mount, Joseph White, Turner G. Baxter and Joseph Reed. The meeting of this jury was held August 4, 1851. On the same date the following gentlemen were subpoenaed, comprising the first Trial Jury in Napa County : Preston G. Gesford, Henry Boggs, General History and Settlement. 61 William Baldridge, John Grigsby, Anson White, F. J. Benjamin, John Guthrie, Isaac McCoombs, and Edward McGarry. The following were absent, William James, Em. A. d'Himicourt, Robert Catherwood, and John S. Cripps. In December, 1851, Edward H. Cage, better known as " Ned " Cage, was appointed to the position of Judge of the Plains, for the lower precinct, and the Sheriff of the county was delegated to perform the same duties for the upper precinct. As that position and its duties are long since things of the past, a word of explanation will not be out of place here. It will be remem- bered that in the early days everybody's cattle ran at large here, and as a matter of course the bands got very promiscuously mixed up during the year. Once each year there was a general grand gathering up of all the cattle in the county, and the young stock was branded. This was called by the Spainards a rodeo, pronounced " rodero." It often occured that disputes arose among the stockmen in regard to the ownership of the stock, and it was to arbitrate these matters that the Judge of the Plains was appointed. The first Board of Supervisors of Napa County convened December 6, 1856, and was composed of the following members. John M. Hamilton, Florentine E. Kellogg and Jessie Whitton. J. M. Hamilton was chosen chairman of the Board. Pressley Thompson presented the first claim against the county, which was for building a bridge across Napa Creek, and the amount of the claim was $1,190.00. May 17, 1853, Napa River was declared to be a navigable stream by the Legislature. April 10, 1855, the following Act of the Legislature was approved. " The people of Napa County may levy a tax not to exceed one-half of one per cent., half of which is to be applied to the removal of snags from the Napa River, and the other half to the construction of a wagon road from Napa Valley to Clear Lake via Pope and Coyote Valleys." November 7, 1855, the Board of Supervisors ordered that the Treasurer purchase a safe for the county, not to cost more than $200. April 7, 1856, the first school districts were organized in what is now Lake County, but was then a portion of Napa. There were two of them organized. May 19, 1856, the Board of Supervisors issued an order for funding the county debt. The new bonds were to be of the denominations of $50, $100 and $500, and the rate of interest was to be 10 per cent, per annum. 62 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. The condition of the finances of the county in 1856 is indicated by the following report of the Treasurer, rendered October 31st of that year : in County Fund $1,319 78 Balance in Contingent Fund 171 82 Balance in Road Fund 444 20 Balance in Sinking Fund 427 74 Balance in School Fund 287 63 Total on hand $2,651 17 The indebtedness could not be ascertained at that time. Among the historical curiosities which we have unearthed in Napa County, we present the following copy of an old political poster, which was issued in 1856, as being of considerable interest: REPUBLICAN RALLY. " There will be a meeting of the Republican party at the Court-house in Napa City on Saturday, October 18, 1856, at 2 p. it, to adopt such measures as will promote the success of Republican principles, and the triumph of the party. Trenor W. Parks, Esq., of San Francisco, will be present and address the meeting. Let all come who are in favor of the im- mediate construction of the (Central) Pacific Railroad ; opposed to violence and bloodshed at the National Capital, and who believe that the truths of the Declaration of Independence are practical. Come one! Come all!!" (The following names were signed to the call.) C. Hartson, Dr. Henry, James Glasford, Thomas Knight, William Hargrave, S. Wing, William McDonald, J. M. Mansfield, Reese Smith, Seth Dunham, Isaac Allen, John Wilford, Jacob McCoombs, Levi Hardman, J. W. Osborne, Josiah Trubody, Isaac Pastelow, Dr. W. W. Stillwagon, J. McCoombs, George C. Yount, James Lefferts, A. L. Haven, Phil. Howell, Charles H. Allen, Ed. Chesebro, Silas Ritchie, John McCloud, Capt. L. T. Wilson, Dr. White, Capt. Clayton, William Fisher, Lyman Chapman, D. L. Cheeney, H. R. Curtis, L. G. Lillie, Israel Putnam, Benjamin McCoombs, A. C. Welch, John Wolf, Samuel Cook, James Blake, Stephen Broadhurst, S. T. Mount, Simon Loveland, James Record, Capt. Nichols, James Buckman, David Howell, Pierce Wig- gins, William Lord, W. S. Jacks, Joseph Baker, George F. Reeves, Henry Baker, William Sherman. The first move toward telegraphic connection in Napa County was made in 1857. In November of that year we find that twenty-five shares of stock at $100 each had been subscribed towards constructing a line of telegraph from Napa to Vallejo. ' Only ten shares more were required to be sub- scribed to insure the success of the enterprise. February 13, 1858, the John Yor^k General History and Settlement. 63 first meeting of the Napa and Vallejo Telegraph Company was held, and the following officers were elected : President, James Lefferts ; Vice-Presi- dent, R. D. Hopkins ; Treasurer, Richard Dudding ; Secretary, Robert R. Pierpont. Directors — G. N. Cornwell, W. H. James, Smith Brown, Henry Sage and Thomas Earl. It would seem that nothing further than getting the thing to booming on paper was accomplished until 1859. On the 25th day of January of that year the first pole was set, and the line was soon after completed. NAPA AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.— There was a small Agricultural Society organized in 1854, but it did not amount to very much, there being only a small exhibition in a building in Napa City. October 17, 1857, active measures were taken looking to the organization of an Agricultural Society in Napa County, and a meeting was called on that day of the citi- zens of the county to take the matter under advisement. This convocation was organized by calling J. W. Osborne to the chair, and J. M. Dudley was chosen to act as Secretary. Hon. Pulaski Jacks introduced the following resolutions : Resolved, That a committee of three citizens be appointed to make pre- liminary arrangements in reference to holding a County Agricultural Show on or about the 5th of November next, said committee to make the neces- sary inquiries, and make report to this meeting by Wednesday next, the 21st instant, at 2 o'clock P. M., and also report the probability of reorganiz- ing the old society. The following gentlemen were appointed on that com- mittee : A. D. Pryal, B. Grimes and Thomas Earl. On motion of Mr. Ogden, it was resolved that a committee of three be appointed to devise ways and means, and collect subscriptions necessary for incidental expenses. The following gentlemen were appointed : Smith Brown, Major Easterbrook and George E. Goodman. It was also resolved that the Secretary be requested to place in several of the stores subscription lists, that those wishing to subscribe can specify the articles for exhibition. In pursuance with the resolution above quoted, another meeting was held October 21st, when the committee first mentioned above reported in favor of reorganizing the present Agricultural Society, and, on motion, the report was adopted. The following officers were then elected : J. W. Os- borne, President; George C. Yount, First Vice-President; Thomas H. Thomp- son, Second Vice-President ; W. A. Haskins, Third Vice-President ; L. T. Musick, Fourth Vice-President, and Boone Fly, Fifth Vice-President ; James McNeil, Corresponding Secretaiy; Robert R. Pierpont, Recording Secretary; Thomas Earl, Treasurer, and R. C. Haile, Pulaski Jacks, L. F. Baker, James Hornbeck and Brice Grimes, Directors. 64 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. The Board of Directors met at Napa on the 22d, and, upon consulting the best interests of the Society, it was decided by the Board that an exhi- bition of stock, farm, orchard, dairy, household and manufacturing products be held at Napa, on the 4th and 5th days of November next (1857), and that the following programme of exercises and amusements be adopted, viz: For Wednesday, the first day, there will be a plowing match, trial of teams on draft, ladies' riding on horseback, and an address. For the second day, a trial of road teams, gentlemen riding and practicing with the lasso. The exhibition to close with a ball in the evening. Certificates of member- ship may be had of the Treasurer, Thomas Earl. Tickets for the ball were held at $3.00 each, and the ladies of Napa were requested to turn out and adorn the building in which the ball was to be held. We know nothing of the success of the exhibition, and find no mention of its repetition. February 1, 1858, the following Act of the Legislature was approved: The Board of Supervisors of Napa County shall levy a tax, not to exceed one quarter of one per cent., for the purpose of constructing a public road from the city of Napa, by the way of Knight's Valley in Napa County, to Russian River Valley. Said road to pass up Napa Valley on the west side of Napa Creek ; and also for the purpose of constructing a public road from Napa City, running up the east side of Napa Creek to Clear Lake by the way of Chiles Canon. In 1861, William Baldridge experimented on cotton growing in Napa County; it did not do very well, as the soil and climate is evidently much better adapted to growing grapes than cotton. We would remark en pas- sant that to Mr. Baldridge belongs the honor of introducing the black locust tree upon this coast. The seed was sent to him about 1845, and he planted it, and from that came the stock now in California. March 3, 1863, the Legislature passed an Act, providing for the levying of a tax of fifteen cents on the $100, in both Napa and Lake Counties, for improvement of the road running through Chiles and Butts Canons. August 11, 1863, Charles Britton was hanged in Napa, which was the first execution that ever occured in the city. September 7, 1863, the Board of Supervisors of Napa County, by a special motion, added the word " forever " to their order, for a road from the Benicia road to Gordon Valley, thus making it a " highway forever." We do not know that the order has ever been rescinded, nor do we know how it will affect matters in the eras yet to be. December 24, 1863, Samuel Brannan advertised for five hundred and seventy -five telegraph poles, with which to construct a line from Napa City to Calistoga. April 4, 1864, the following Act of the Legislature was approved : The Board of Supervisors of Napa County may levy a tax of twenty cents on General History and Settlement. 65 each $100, in Napa County, for the purpose of purchasing Fair Grounds and constructing suitable buildings thereon, for the use of any Agricultural Society now formed or that may be formed hereafter. Said tax to be levied whenever the San Pablo Bay District Agricultural and Mechanical Society is permanently located at Napa City, or whenever two hundred tax-payers of said county shall, in writing, petition said Board to make such levy. Native or wild tobacco has been found on the Pacific Coast, from Cape St. Lucas in Lower California to the Upper Sacramento, which in every respect closely resembles the cultivated article. The first account of it is given in the history of the voyage of Cabrillo, in 1541, who met with it in common use among the savages. Sir Francis Drake also mentions it at Point Reyes. The plant is found very generally dispersed all through Napa County, and the writer has seen it in rank growth all over the hillsides in the vicinity of Knoxville. In 1864, Messrs. George N. and John Cornwell, planted a crop of tobacco near Napa, which grew well, and there is no doubt but that it would do as well here as anywhere in California. In 1864, the stage business between Napa City and Calistoga was in a flourishing condition. In that year, the line was owned by Messrs. Brannan & Coombs, who ran a 24-passenger coach on it. Mr. Coombs also had a stage line between Napa City and Benicia. The condition of the county finances in August, 1864, was as follows : Total indebtedness $21,678 . 25 Cash on hand 3,964.09 Balance of debt $17,714. 16 From the report of the Internal Revenue officer, in 1865, we find that there were in Napa County, business subject to tax as follows : Retail dealers, 12 ; retail liquor dealers, 6 ; butchers, 1 ; hotels, 5 ; dentist, 1 ; doc- tors, 4 ; lawyers, 4 ; pianos, 1 ; buggies, 3, and billiard tables, 1. PETROLEUM. — Pursuant to a notice, a meeting of persons owning or interested in oil lands in Napa County, was held at the office of G. W. Towle, in Napa City, on the 30th day of September, 1865. The committee ap- pointed for the purpose, reported the following rules and regulations for the district, which were adopted : The district shall be bounded by the county lines, and be called the «' Napa Petroleum District." Each claim may be one hundred and sixty acres or less, but shall in no case exceed one-half mile in length. All claims shall be defined by metes and bounds, or by the sections of the Government survey as numbered. 66 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. No person shall hold by location more than one claim in the District. The County Recorder of Napa County, for the time being, shall be the Re- corder of this district, and shall be allowed such fees as are allowed for other recording. Any person taking up a claim in this district, shall post a written notice thereon, signed by him, and describing the boundaries of such claim, and shall cause said notice to be recorded in the Recorder's office, within twenty days thereafter. Any person locating a claim shall, within sixty days after recording the same, perform thereon three days' work, which shall entitle him to hold such claim for twelve months. The Recorder may, on evidence satisfactory to him, issue certificates that such work has been duly performed. If a company owning two or more adjacent claims, shall perform the above required amount of work on any one of them, it shall be considered as work done upon them all. E. N. Boynton, President. R. T. Montgomery, Secretary. The first mention of the discovery of petroleum in Napa County, is made under date of May, 1865, and the place where it was found was on Capt. Samuel D. Goodrich's place, about four miles north-east of Napa City. In July of the same year, it was discovered on Gen. Keyes' place, near St. Helena. The oil was said to be clear and of good quality. In May, 1866, it was discovered at the head of Capelle Valley, fifteen miles from Napa City. A ledge of white quartz in which there are small cavities containing petroleum, a spoonful or so in a place, here and there, in the solid rock. A company was organized, called the " Alladin Petroleum Company," for the purpose of prospecting. Evidences of petroleum are to be found all over the county, but no great quantities of it have been found. ASSASSINATION OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.— The principal event that occurred in the United States in 1865 was the heartless striking down of the head of the nation, Abraham Lincoln, by the fell assassin, J. Wilkes Booth. This was a matter so fraught with interest to every citizen of the Union that we shall devote a portion of our space to a narration of the subject, giving when practicable, the editorial mention made of the deed by the Press of the county, both Democratic and Republican, and such other notices and resolutions that will be of interest in this connection. We regret that the files of the Reporter are not to be found of this date, and hence are confined to the columns of the Register for our quotations. Under date of April 22, 1865, the Register appeared with inverted column rules, or dressed in mourning, and published the following in its editorial columns : General History and Settlement. 67 " The nation is in mourning over the death of a good and great ruler. Abraham Lincoln is assassinated ! Great horror and unspeakable anguish fills every loyal heart in the land at this announcement. A week since the country was everywhere jubilant ; the joyous roar of cannon rang over hill and through valley, proclaiming the fall of the rebel dynasty. But ere the smoke had ceased curling towards the heavens — while the echo of joyous salutes still vibrated upon the air, and before the cannon-breech had fairly cooled — the terrible tidings that President Lincoln had fallen a victim to the assassin burst over the startled country, bowing many a head in anguish and sending a thrill of horror to the strongest heart. Lincoln, the crushed ruler of a free people — a second ' Father of his Country' — launched into eter- nity without a moment's warning — guilty of naught save a devotion to the country ! ' God grant it may not be true,' was the prayer of all. But, alas for us ! the telegraph performed its office, and tells us the terrible truth. " We read in history of ambitious chiefs and rulers having fallen by assassination ; but the records of the dark ages — where crime and anarchy ran riot — furnish no parallel to this damnable and atrocious act. The brain throbs and the heart grows faint as we meditate over the awful catas- trophe. The deed was committed on the night of the 14th of April, in Ford's Theatre, Washington. President Lincoln had consented to be present — went, though against his will, with his wife and son. His mind was occupied in devising ways and means for the speedy restoration of peace, and he preferred the Council Chamber, where he had spent the day in deliberation with the Cabinet, to the Opera House. But he took the fatal step, and there, while in his private box with his family, unconscious of harm, the assassin did the work. " Though shaken to our very center by the terrible and unexpected blow, the Nation stands strong, and will travel on forever, shedding the light of our glory on all coming ages. Dark though our past may have been, our future is bright with promise of returning peace and prosperity ; but Americans never will, nor can they, forget this dark blot upon their country's history, however resplendent may be our future record ; and 0, how bitter will be the anguish of those who are in any way connected with or responsible for the hellish act ! What a weight of woe and lasting infamy will rest upon their children and their children's children — the conscious- ness of their fathers' guilt in having sustained, by word or deed, the doings of traitors, North or South, whose acts have resulted in the death of Presi- dent Lincoln. Mass Meeting. — Pursuant to a notice, a large meeting of the citizens of Napa assembled at the Court-house on Monday evening, the 17th, and made arrangements for appropriate funeral ceremonies on the following Wednesday, the day that President Lincoln was buried. The meeting was OS History of Napa and Lake Comities — Napa. called to order by A. Y. Easterby, and the following officers and committees were appointed : President, Hon. Robert Crouch ; Secretary, A. A. Hume- well ; Vice-Presidents : James Lefferts, Nathan Coombs, George Fellows, Dr. W. W. Stillwagon, J. H. Goodman, A. Wheeler, Smith Brown, E. S. Chese- bro, N. A. Greene1, J. F. Lambdin, J. H. Moran, J. M. Nichols, J. H. Carter, R. T. Montgomery, Henry Edgington, Rev. P. Deyaert, A. Y. Easterby, L. Bruck, A. Higbie, W. S. Turner, A. H. Humewell, Rev. W. J. McClay, Rev. P. V. Veeder ; Committee on Resolutions : R. T. Montgomery, J. M. Carter and A. Higbie ; Committee on Arrangements: N. Coombs, G. Fellows, J. H. Goodman, A. Wheeler, George E. Goodman, Smith Brown, A. A. Hume- well, E. S. Chesebro, N. A. Greene, J. F. Lambdin and J. H. Moran. Resolution*. — Whereas, The causeless and unsuccessful assault which has been made by traitors in the revolted States, and by their abettors everywhere, againsc the liberties of the American people and the lawful Government of the United States, has culminated in the cowardly assassi- nation of our revered Chief Magistrate, Abraham Lincoln, and the attempted murder of William H. Seward, the Secretary of State ; thei-efore Resolved, That the loyal citizens of Napa County recognize, in this last desperate act of the unscrupulous tools of traitors, new evidence of their barbarousness, and the character of the wretches who have so long made war against the Government and Administration, and regard this atrocious murder as the legitimate fruits of the fiendish spirit of opposition which has appealed to the brute passions of the brute man. Resolved, That, in our view, the actual perpetrators of this murder, un- paralleled in American history, are less guilty than the traitors, North as will as South, who have for the past four years fermented discord, de- nounced the officers of the Government and incited treason ; in that in our belief the assassination of the President is to be attributed, not to a single murderer, but that a secret organization, whose members are to be found in every community, and which, either directly or indirectlv, or through its satellites, has been and still is actuated by the single purpose of destroying the Government and securing success to the Slave-holders' Rebellion. Resolved, That the clemency and forbearance with which this class of traitors have been treated by loyal citizens has been interpreted by them as evidence of cowardice and indifference, and emboldened traitors and ruffians in our midst to continue their vile abuse of the Government and its officers, and this unchecked license to treasonable sentiments has led to this crown- ing act of infamy — the murder of the President of the Republic. Resolved, That swift and severe punishment should be meted out to the authors and instruments of this hellish crime — a crime against the human race — as well as to all who justify it, and that from this hour we will hold no man guiltless who shall approve the act or apologize for its General History and Settlement. 69 perpetrators, but will heap upon any such, if detected in this community, the heavy indignation of a loyal people. Resolved, That as citizens of the American Republic, we profoundly lament the loss of the great and good man who, through four terrible years of the Rebellion, has conducted our national Government with success and honor; that his untimely and violent death, when just upon the eve of returning peace, which his heart yearned for, and toward which the last energies of his life were devoted — was a calamity not only to the Nation, but to civilization everywhere ; that while we weep over his loss, our hearts are rilled with thankfulness to the Giver of good, that even thus far in' the Nation's life struggle, he hath vouchsafed to us the clear head, the pure heart, the firm will, and the unfaltering truth of Abraham Lincoln ; that while in anguish we yield to the bitter consciousness that he has flown, and by the treacherous hand of an assassin, we rejoice in the knowledge that he leaves to the coming ages, a spotless record as a Christian and a patriot; that no words of praise from living lips — no inscriptions on sculptured marble can fitly set forth the greatness of the man, or declare the poignant sorrow of the Nation that loved and revered him, but the living and lasting record of his lofty patriotism shall be found in the heart of every man that has known opposition or learned the value of liberty. Resolved, That in view of this cowardly and atrocious attack upon the Nation in the person of its executive head, and the lurking danger that threatens every loyal man, we pledge ourselves anew to devote our influence, our property, our lives, if need be, whenever and wherever they may be required, to maintain the entirety of the government and punish all traitors against its authority. Resolved, That on Wednesday next, the day of the obsequies of the President, we recommend that all business places be closed ; that all flags and public and private buildings be draped in mourning; that a funeral oration be delivered on that day, with suitable religious services, and that the several military and fire companies, benevolent societies, public and j)rivate societies, and every man who feels the deep outrage which this terrible assassination inflicts upon him as a citizen, be invited to join in the funeral procession on that day and attend the public exercises. At a meeting of the Washington Light Battery, held at their rrrnory on Friday the 21st, the following preamble and resolutions were adopted: Whereas, Abraham Lincoln, the beloved President of a free people, has been basely assassinated, while in the discharge of his official duties, at the Nation's Capital, and — ■ Whereas, While in his official career, in time of the rebellion and civil war, when the life of the Nation was in peril, his wisdom and impar- tiality gave us confidence in his judgment and the final issue of the war, 70 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. and while his patriotism and love of liberty gave full assurance of the advancement of the great question of this enlightened age, the extinction of human bondage, and — Whereas, His kindness and magnanimity gave us promise of a speedy and peaceful reunion with the Nation's foes, Therefore, be it — Resolved, That we look upon his untimely end as a calamity, not alone to the nation, but to the lovers of freedom throughout the world. Resolved, That we cherish the principles he advocated, and renew in this solemn hour our fidelity to the Union and its course. Resolved, That the armory be dressed in mourning for thirty days. E. M. Boynton, Secretary. Obsequies of the President. — No event ever drew such a concourse of people to Napa as the burial services of the Chief Magistrate, Abraham Lincoln, on the day indicated in the resolution above quoted. The pro- cession was nearly half a mile in length, and was led by the " Rangers," Capt. Lambdin ; then followed the " Guards," Washington Light Battery, Pioneer Engine Company, citizens, Odd Fellows and Masons. The services were held in the Court-house square, which was densely crowded by a sor- rowful multitude, who had assembled to pay their last homage to the earthly remains of one of the greatest and best of men. After a touching and appropriate prayer by Rev. McClay, Hon. Henry Edgerton delivered an oration, replete with wisdom, truth and pathos. His words, with a melan- choly sadness, fell upon the ears and touched the hearts of an attentive and tearful audience. Rev. Higbie delivered a benediction at the close of the ceremonies, after which Mr. Easterby came forward and requested the flag to be i-aised to full mast, and invoked the blessing of Almighty God upon President Johnson. The day was generally observed throughout, and the whole town being draped in mourning gave it the solemnity due so great an occasion. At a meeting of the Pioneer Engine Company the following preambles and resolutions were adopted : Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God to have taken from among us, by the hand of the assassin, that great and good man Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States ; and Whereas, We have heard of the assassination with mingled feelings of sorrow and indignation ; therefore, Resolved, That in the death of Abraham Lincoln, the late President of tin' lTnited .States, the Nation has lost a statesman, whose patriotism was the most unselfish, whose chaiacter was spotless, and whose honor in all tin- dealings of his lifetime was unsullied. General History and Settlement. 71 Resolved, That in respect to the memory of the deceased, we will wear the usual badge of mourning, and cause our engine house to be shrouded in mourning for thirty days. At a meeting of Franklin Lodge, No. 29, Independent Order of Good Templars, the following preambles and resolution were adopted : Whereas, Assassination has taken from the position which he held with such honor to himself and the people, the President of the United States ; and Whereas, Through his death we have lost a lover of his country and a friend of all good enterprises, not the least among which was the cause of temperance ; and as, under such circumstances, it becomes all patriots, whether as individuals or associations, to make an appropriate expression of their grief ; therefore, be it Resolved, That Franklin Lodge of Good Templars of Napa City con- demn the traitors who can be guilty of such a crime ; and, acknowledging the worth of the illustrious dead, do hereby tender their most heartfelt sorrow at the death of the Chief Executive of their country, and that their hall be draped in mourning for the space of thirty days. V. J. Van Doren, P. Prior, N. B. Gower, Committee. On the night of November 8, 1865, the prisoners in the County Jail, four in number, succeeded in making their escape. During the day the cells had been scrubbed out, and the prisoners were left in the corridor that night. They removed a stone 10 x 20 inches in size, which allowed them to pass out easily. These stones were supposed to be dove-tailed, so that they could not be removed, but this one did not seem to be. March 17, 1866, an Act of the Legislature was approved, giving to John Lawley the light to construct a turnpike road from Ed. Ebry's house, in Napa County, through St. Helena Canon, and over the St. Helena range of mountains to Siegler Valley, in Lake County. April 2, 1866, an Act of the Legislature granted to Dr. G. B. Crane, Dwight Spencer, Jesse Grigsby and R. B. Woodward the right to contruct a Macadamized road from Napa to St. Helena. The matter was to be sub- mitted to the people of the county. All old pioneers will well remember Ned McGarry, who served in the State Senate for several terms from this district. In December, 1877, he ended his earthly existence with a penknife, in the Occidental Hotel, in San Francisco. 72 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. CLIMATE OF NAPA COUNTY.— The following table, which is the record of temperature from April to December, 1S67, will serve to indicate what the general climate of the city is : April 15 " 20-27 .. " 28 " 29 May 1 " 2-3.... " 4-10... " 12"!!!" " 13 " 14-21.... " 22 " 25-27... " 28-29-30. " 31 .Tune 1-5 " 6-7 " 8-9 " 10-14.... " 15-19.... " 20 " 21-22.... " 23-25.... " 20-29.... " 30 July 1 " 2-3 " 4 " e!!!!'.'.! " 7 " 9-ii '.'."'. " 12-13.... " 14-15.... " 16-18.... " 19-20.... " 21-22.... " 23 " 24-27.... " 28-29.. . . " 30 August 1 . 2 10-13. 14-16. 17-18. 19.... 20-21 . 23 24. 25-20. 27-28. 29.... 30.... September 6-7.. 8-11. 12-14. 15-17 . 18-21. 22.... 23 29. ^A^Aif^ General History and Settlement. 73 ^ s ■8AVCI - - - a li • 00 s •sAva ;-32SSS-M ! r - % II i s- 1 3 5 § 1 5 * ; | : i •SATd - °> - - a *- "• M 5s \\ ; S i s-' H s * 3 1 ; = SATa "~«S3SS«>« ! - : 2 \ I :3£8S5g32§ : g : : ■ ■ h « » o ri • ; ■ : 8 sAva :^«>«»a*-»^ ; ; : a II : ' h >: >i n h ' ; : : : s •SAva :rtmSo2t-orfrf : ; g S g : ■ rf « »: » j ,h • • ; : " •sA?a :--»----•«- j - s i2 : isssssass ; ; 1 1 'BiTa -.-. - »r • a - • - h - ; 3 I i i *-l s : 3 S M | : i S ■SAva jr-.-aa---- : ; 5; Pi ;ss3ss3ss ; : ; s SAva - - ■■'»- s a s a - ;-* : : a ; e- 3 | 2 5-5 2 ! *? ; ; 1 'SATO : : « s 2 o «, ^ ^ : : : s 5 S » 1 : : S3 3 S E S g i i ! : s § 1 1 1 M O *= i 1 j '■'■': i i 74 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. COUNTY INFIRMARY.— In accordance with an Act of the Legisla- ture, approved April 18, 1867, it was ordered by the Board of Supervisors, March 18, 1868, that they proceed to establish an Infirmary in Napa County. The Board of Supervisors then took the oath as Directors of the institution. March 10, 1869, bids for the erection of buildings were adver- tised for, and April 13th of that year, the contract was let to Beeby, Robin- son & Son, for the sum of $81,218.55. The building was completed August 2d of the same year, and is located in a spacious tract of land to the south- west of Napa City, a short distance. In 1869, the following tax statistics were culled from the Assessor's books : Value of real estate in Napa County $2,538,089 Value of personal property in Napa County 1,075,164 Total 83,613,253 Number of Acres taxed, 211,131. State tax on above $35,115.87 County tax on above 66,973 55 Road poll tax collected 4,125.00 Road district tax collected 9,050.00 Dog tax collected 804.00 Total tax collected $116,068.42 OLD DEBT FUNDED. — In accordance with an Act of the Legislature, approved April 16, 1880, the Board of Supervisors funded the debt of the county as follows : Railroad debt of $228,000, bearing interest at the rate of 10 per cent, to 6 per cent., payable June 30, 1900 ; and the road district indebtedness of about $80,000, funded from 7 per cent, to 4£ per cent., payable June 30, 1890. RAILROAD HISTORY.— There is no subject more closely allied to the general history of Napa County than the railroad which extends through Napa Valley, and for which the people have to pay, but do not own. It is not within our province to comment on matters of this kind, but to give the facts as recorded in the Press and records of the county, and leave the reader to draw his own conclusions. The first mention of a railroad enterprise of any kind in Napa County, ' is found under date of December 26, 1863, which states that a company has been organized in San Francisco for the purpose of constructing a railroad tVi mi Vallejo to Calistoga. No further mention is made of this company, and it is fair to presume that nothing more was ever done by it. General History and Settlement. 75 In 1864, the ball for the Napa Valley Railroad was set to rolling, and as early as January 9th of that year, we find that subscription books to stock in this enterprise were open at the bank and the store of A. Y. Easterby & Co. March 26th of that year, Hon. Chancellor Hartson introduced a bill before the Legislature providing for the issuance of county bonds to the amount of $225,000 to aid the pi'oject. It was provided that bonds should be issued at the rate of $10,000 per mile for the first five miles constructed and $5,000 for the remaining thirty -five on to Calistoga. This proposition was to be submitted to a vote of the people. It was argued that all the bonds along the line of the road would be enhanced in value at least ten per cent., and that would more than remunerate the added tax. April 4, 1864, the Hartson bill was approved by the Governor, and its provisions, as finally passed, were in brief as follows : The Board of Super- visors shall call a special election, to be held on the second Wednesday in May next (1864), to vote on the proposition of the taking of railroad stock by the county at the rate of $10,000 per mile for the first five miles and $5,000 per mile for each mile thereafter. Two miles of the road must be completed before any money can be paid on it, and the bonds shall be of the denominations of $10,000 and $5,000 each, and shall have coupons for interest attached, and the interest shall be payable on the second day of January of each year. A tax shall be levied not to exceed 25 cents on the $100, which shall be known as the interest tax. In the year 1870, and each year thereafter until the bonds are all paid, the Board may levy a tax not to exceed 25 cents on the $100 for the purpose of raising a fund for the payment of said bonds, to be known as the " Railroad Fund." In accordance with the provisions of the above Act an election was held May 11, 1864, which resulted as follows : Gordon Valley. Hot Springs . . . Yount St. Helena. Soscol It will be seen by the above that the proposition of " Railroad yes " carried by the handsome majority of 31S votes in a total vote of 654. In only one precinct was a negative majority cast. 76 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. Shortly after this election, and during the same month, the company was organized and the following officers chosen : President, C. Hartson ; Vice-President, A. Y. Easterby ; Treasurer, Sam. Brannan ; and Secretary, A. A. Cohen. June 13, 1864, the Board of Supervisors officially complied with the requirements of the Act of the Legislature of April 4, 1864, and subscribed to the stock of the railroad company for the County of Napa in the amount of $10,000 per mile for the first five miles completed, and §5000 per mile for each subsequent mile completed. Outside of the subscriptions of the county, many private citizens sub- scribed very liberally towards the enterprise, agreeing also to donate a right of way sixty feet wide through their premises. These subscribei-s were as follows : S. Brannan $3000, R. B. Woodward $3000, C. Mayne $3000, A. A. Cohen S3000, C. Hartson $2000, N. Coombs $2000, W. R. Garrison $3000, H. Barroilhet $3000, C. F. Lott $3000, S. Alstrom $3000, E. J. Weeks $5000, J. Graves $2000, T. Knight $2000, G. C. Yount $2000, J. H. Goodman $1000, A. Y. Easterby $1000, J. Lawley $1000, Smith Brown $1000, S. C. Hastings $1000, G. W. Crowey $1000, George Fellows $1000, J. S. Trubody $1000, H. Fowler $1000, E. Stanley $500, J. F. Lambdin $500, C. H. Holmes $500, R. Ellis $100 and W. Hargrave $500. The following additional subscrip- tions were added : R. B. Woodward $2000, S. Brannan $5000, J. Trubody, $2000, and sundry persons $3000. Arrangements were all completed and everything got in readiness so that the first ground was broken November 21, 1864, a short distance below Napa City. In accordance with the provisions of the railway bill a tax of twenty- five cents on the $100 was levied for 1864 by the Board of Supervisors. By January 10, 1865, the road was completed as to grading and track- laying from Soscol to Napa City. It was built by Messrs. Patterson & Gray for the sum of $32,000. The rolling-stock, which had then been ordered, consisted of two cars, with a capacity of 105 passengers, and a ponjr engine. The track entered Napa City by way of Main street, and was laid along that street to Third. Most of our readers will remember the old arrange- ment in this regard. The rolling-stock did not arrive until about July 1 , 1865, and on the 11th of that month the first train passed over the track. A collation was spread at the Revere House and free rides were given to all who wished to embrace the opportunity. At the first annual election the following officers were chosen: President, A. Y. Easterby; Vice-President, R. B. Woodward; Secretary, A. Badlam, Jr.; Treasurer, S. Brannan ; Directors, S. Brannan, A. Y. Easterby, C. Mayne, J. H. Goodman, J. Lawley, C. Hartson, and R. B. Woodward. November 4, 1865, a new locomotive was purchased to take the place of the " pony," which had first been put upon the road. The driving wheel General History and Settlement. 77 was four and a half feet in diameter, and the cost of the engine was $9000. It was named "Napa City." The business done by this little railroad at that time may be gleaned from the following report, rendered December 31, 1865, and covers the first six months of its existence : RECEIPTS : Passengers $2,525.75 Freight 2,213.63 $4,739.38 EXPENSES : Fuel, oil, etc $841.69 Salaries 1,969.60 $2,811.29 Total Profits $1,928.09 Average per month 321.35 Any one good at calculating interest can soon find out how much the road was paying on the investment. The trains ran to Soscol, where con- nection was made with a steamer for San Francisco. In January, 1866, Mr. Hartson introduced a bill before the Legislature providing for the additional subscription by the county of Napa of $15,000 per mile to the proposed railroad from Napa City to Calistoga. This met with a considerable opposition, and the following petition was signed quite extensively and sent to the State Senate : "To the Honorable House of Representatives of California : We, the undersigned, citizens of Napa County, respectfully protest against any bill appropriating or in any manner using the money or credit of the county for the purpose of making or building a railroad from Napa City to Calis- toga, or to or from any other place in said county. The reasons for thus protesting are in print as follows : The road will not pay the expenses of running when completed, therefore every dollar subscribed or loaned by the county will be lost, and have to be collected by taxation from taxpayers, amounting to more than one-tenth of the assessable valuation of the whole county. It will not be of any practicable use to more than one-fifteenth of the agricultural lands of the county, and we believe not one-fourth of the people of the county will be benefited thereby ; that the county is already deeply indebted for a subscription made to a road already con- structed ; that in consideration and in consequence of the present high taxation from various sources, it will place a burden too heavy to be borne, and that it will be a gross injustice to put a heavy tax on the whole for the benefit of the few." The above petition did not prevent the passage of the Hartson bill, for it was approved January 25, 1866. Its provisions were as follows : The 78 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. Board of Supervisors shall direct a special election to be held on the third Wednesday of February, 1866, for the purpose of voting on the proposi- tion of taking stock in the railroad to the extent of $10,000 per mile for each mile of the portion of the said road which is unfinished within the limits of the County of Napa. The Board may levy a tax sufficient to pay the interest on the bonds ; and in the year 1880, and every year thereafter till the bonds are all paid, the Board may levy a tax not to exceed fifty cents on the $100, for the payment of the bonds. The passage of this bill fell like a bombshell upon the community. Every man who opposed the measure appointed himself a committee of one to secure votes against what they termed an outrage. On this subject, under date of February 17, 1866, the Register says: " Every voter in the county who values his home and property should turn out on Wednesday next (the 21st) and vote against the scheme which, if successful, will surely bring bankruptcy and ruin upon' himself and family. By voting " no " upon the railroad bill he will discharge a duty required by every consideration of reason and justice toward himself and all who are dependent upon him. Let no lack of interest in the matter keep men from the polls or prevent them from working for the defeat of the iniquitous and burdensome measure. Its defeat will be worth more to every farmer than the entire value of his crops, and no fears of pecuniary loss by leaving work should cause any man to stay away from the polls on that day. Its friends are working for its success, and having an abundance of means wherewith to control the vote of the floating population, will make close work for us, even with our strength." When the day of election came, February 21, 1866, it was demonstrated that the people had all the railroad debt to cany that they desired, and that they would have no more, as will be seen by consulting the following vote: Sub ,D, Maji U,TV. Yes. No. Yes. No. St. Helena 115 143 25 66 0 0 0 66 1 69 75 636 38 43 15 94 64 1037 40 140 43 15 41U 186 S07 General History and Settlement. 79 Real majority "no," 621. Out of 702 votes cast in Napa City only 66 were for the proposition. The vote of Carneros, Gordon Valley and Pope Precincts were rejected, on the grounds that there was no evidence that the officers of election were sworn. This reduced the majority to 477, which was, all things considered, very overwhelming. The railroad parties had gotten a set-back at the above election, but that did not daunt them any. They then set about to get a grander scheme than ever foisted upon the people, and a bill was passed April 2, 1866, which provided that an election should be held for the purpose of deciding whether or not the railroad company should have donated to them as a free gift the entire amount of bonds that had been previously voted. About the same time a party sprung into existence who advocated the feasibility of a Macadamized road to Calistoga instead of a railroad. Finally, the matter culminated in an election, which was held September 5, 1866, at which the proposition of a Macadamized road and the donation of the bonds to the railroad company were both voted upon. The vote was as follows : Name of Precincts. Macadamized Road. Donation to Railroad. Yes. No. Yes. No. Napa 76 3 3 192 60 82 50 18 64 54 73 54 11 82 402 241 243 320 It will be seen by the above that the vote was not nearly so large as at the previous election, and that the railroad company only lacked three votes of getting a majority in favor of donation. The people seemed to realize the fact that they would have the bonds to pay any way, and that the railroad company would eventually get possession of them, and that they might as well get them first as last, hence let that matter go by de- fault. A new trouble now presented itself to the railroad company. The Board of Supervisors refused to issue the bonds in accordance with the provisions of the Act of the Legislature and the vote of the people. A mandamus was served upon the Board to compel them to issue the bonds, which they contested and the matter was carried to the Supreme Court, which body decided that the Board must subscribe to the stock. 80 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. The following list will show the date of issuance, numbers of the bond? issued, and total amount issued on each several day : October 15, 1866 1 to 60 $30,000 61 — 171 14,500 172 — 191 10,000 192 — 211 10,000 212 — 231 10,000 232 — 251 10,000 252 — 271 10,000 272 — 291 10,000 292 — 311 10,000 312 — 331 10,000 .... 20,000 May June 7, 1867 4, " 20, " July 3, " 18, " August 15, " Septem. Decern. 10, " 10, " Feb'y 29, 1868 May July August Decern. 20, " 21, " 24, " 19, " Janury 14, 1869 332- -371 372- -411 412- -424 425- -468 469- -470 20,000 6,500 22,000 1,000 .$194,000 In April, 1867, the work of constructing the road up the valley was begun, with Calistoga as the objective point. September 2, 1867, the rate of interest tax on railroad bonds was increased ten cents on the $100. In October, 1868, the road was completed to Calistoga, and a grand excursion was had. Samuel Brannan, with his characteristic hospitality, assumed the role of host upon the occasion and feasted everybody right royally. May 27, 1869, the Napa Valley Railroad was sold to Messrs. Rulofson & Ryder, for the sum of $500,000, which put the road under the management of the California Pacific. Capt. N. A. Greene, who was the first conductor on the Napa Valley Rail- road, was accidently killed on the Western Pacific Railroad, October 28, 1869, where he was running a freight train. January 1, 1871, the right of way was granted to the railroad through Main street, Napa, but it was never used further than Third street. After the road was extended to Calistoga, trains used to run up to the depot, at the corner of Fourth and Main streets, and then back down and strike the main track in the vicinity of the gas works, and then pass out through the western portion of town. Januaiy 4, 1877, the change to the present route through East Napa was made. The entire length of road in the county is forty-one miles. General History and Settlement. 81 COURT-HOUSES.— Napa County has had three Court-houses. With the organization of the county in 1850, came, of course, the necessity for public buildings. At the December term of the Court of Sessions, a con- tract was let for the building of a Court-house, " which shall be 20x30 feet in size, erected of good, substantial materials, with a corridor the whole length, six feet wide, covered overhead by an extension of the roof, the stairs to be in said corridor, outside ; the second stoiy to be divided by a hall four feet wide, running through the center, and into four rooms, 10x13 each, all rooms to be ceiled, both walls and overhead ; seven doors, fifteen windows, a plain desk and railing for the bar, and six benches, each eight feet long." This building was located on the north-west corner of Coombs and Second streets, just west of the Revere House, and was a small two-story building, innocent of plastering, with Court-room below and clerk's office above. Persons sentenced for long terms were confined in the adobe jail at Sonoma, while petty offenders were placed in the upper rooms of the Court- house. The Court-room was often used as a place of worship, and also for itinerant lecturers, jugglers, etc. Among the first Acts of the Legislature in reference to Napa County, is the following : " The Court of Sessions may levy a tax not to exceed one- fourth of one per cent, for the purpose of building a Court-house." The subsequent history of this building is thus recorded in the Reg- ister: "The fire on Monday, August 25, 1875, destroyed a historic build- ing. This structure was the first Court-house in Napa. It was an old two-story frame building which was framed in the East, and brought around the Horn in 1849 or 1850, by a Mr. Ely, afterwards attorney in San Fran- cisco, and bought by the county for county purposes. It did duty in this capacity until about 1855, having the clerk's and perhaps other offices in it, and also apartments for petty malefactors, who were chained down to the floor. When the county sold it, C. Hartson bought it and moved it to where it stood when it was destroyed. The building was 20x40, and had a mate which was built in the East and came to this county with it." This building was then the residence of R. Peddie, on the east side of Main street. The matter of a new Court-house began to agitate the minds of the people in 1855, as by that time the old building had become inadequate in all respects, and the want of a jail was keenly felt. Accordingly, bids were advertised for, and on August 11, 1855, the Board of Supervisors accepted the bid of Messrs. Webb & Kincaid of San Francisco, for the sum of $19,- 480. This action did not seem to meet with the approval of the people, and so, on the 31st of the same month the Board rescinded their action in 82 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. the matter, and submitted it to a vote of the people, at the following gen- eral election, which occurred September 7th of that year. There is nothing on record to show what the decision of the voters was at that election in reference to the matter. We find, however, that on April 8, 1858, the Board of Supervisors received a remonstrance signed by the citizens of Yount Township against the erection of a Court-house and jail. A Court-house, however, had to be erected, for the old one would not longer answer the purpose. Hence we find that on May 5, 185C, despite the remonstrance, the following gentlemen were appointed by the County Judge for the purpose of selecting and appraising a site for the new county buildings : R. M. Hill, Riley Gregg, and George N. Cornwell. They decided that the location of the building should be as follows : The center of the building shall be in the center of the lot, east and west, and the front of the house on the center of the lot north and south, the building to front north. The site chosen is the same as is now occupied by the county buildings. The corner-stone to this building was laid with appropriate ceremonies by the Masonic fraternity, in the presence of a great number of Napa people. The stone was a square block with a hole cut down into it, which was covered with a piece of sheet iron, which was cemented down. On the side of the stone was the following inscription : " Laid July 29, A. d. 1856, A. L. 5856, by W. H. Howard, Grand Past Master of Masons for Cali- fornia." When this building was torn down to give place for a new structure in 1878, the contents of the corner-stone were removed. They were found to be a number of time-blackened and mildewed pamphlets and newspapers, and several coins. It was a wonder that the newspapers were so well preserved as they were, as there was no lining to the cavity in the stone. Some of the papers were almost rotted, but by careful handling could be read. There was a Masonic pamphlet dated 1856, a copy of the by-laws of Benicja Lodge No. 5, F. and A. M., and the following San Francisco papers : Daily Town Talk, P. B. Hall & Co., proprietors, and Richard H. Bowlin, editor; number 3 of volume 1 of the Daily California Chronicle, Frank Soule and W. L. Newell, editors and publishers ; Daily Herald, John Nugent, editor and publisher; Daily Evening Bulletin, Thomas S. King, editor ; Daily True Californian, edited and published by Rhodes & Bartlett. There was also the Sacramento Daily California American, the Napa County Weekly Reporter, dated Saturday, July 19, 1856, which was number 3 of volume 1 of that paper. The coins were one gold £3.00 piece and a $1.00 piece, both of the issue of 1856 ; a silver one-half and one-quarter dollar piece, of the same date ; two dimes coined in 1853, and a three-cent piece coined in 1851, General History and Settlement. 83 The jail cells were made of boiler iron, three-sixteenths of an inch thick, well riveted together, the top to be punched with one-half inch holes, six of them to the square foot. The doors were grated and securely hinged. The floor of the jail was of brick, laid edgewise in cement. Originally, the jail occupied two-thirds of the lower floor. All the offices on the lower floor, except those of sheriff and clerk, were constructed five years afterwards. The whole of the second story has been again and again remodeled. The cupola was originally at the east end of the building, instead of the center as when it was torn down. Probably no other build- ing underwent so many or costly changes as did this one. It is stated by the local press, that probably from $50,000 to $60,000 was expended on the building from first to last. The original cost will be shown by the fol- lowing : Contract to A. C. Latsom $19,990 Expended for box window frames . 350 Expended for cupola 750 Contract to Benjamin & Sanford for jail, June 25th, 1859 7,000 James & Co., painting and re-glazing in Court-house, June 5, 1865 750 E. M. Benjamin, vault in clerk's office 1,900 Total $30,740 This building was completed, and accepted by the Board of Supervisors, December 16, 1856. The Court-house plaza was occupied in 1855, by Lawley & Lefferts, as a lumber yard. After the erection of the coimty buildings, the Supervisors contracted with John H. Waterson to construct a fence around it for $572. In 1857, A. D. Pryal took the contract of grading the grounds and planting shrubbery, the expense of which was partly met by the Board of Supervisors, which body ordered $200 to be paid, and the remainder was met by the private subscriptions of the citizens of Napa, amounting to about $300. In 1864, great cracks were discovered to be making their appearance in the walls of the building, and it became a source of much concern among the county officials whether or not the building was safe. In March of that year, E. M. Benjamin was appointed to examine into the matter, and report to the Board. He did so, and measures were taken to stop the spreading of the openings. At the same time, bids were asked for for the construction of a vault and for other improvements. The matter went on for a decade, when the subject of erecting a new building came up for serious discussion on every hand. The old building was deemed to be in an 84 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. unsafe condition by the occupants, and also by architects. The public press was clamerous for a structure that would do the place and the county credit, stating that the old one had long since outlived its usefulness. August 24, 1874, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Supervisors : " That any permanent repairs on the said building (the old Court-house) will be unwise and inexpedient, and a waste of the public money." Shortly afterwards, the Judge deemed the building so unsafe that he refused to hold the sessions of the Court in it any longer. Strange as it may seem, after all this, the matter dallied along for an- other two years, with nothing definite being accomplished by the Board in regard to the matter. Finally, April 6, 1876, the following resolution was presented to the Board : " That the Board think it advisable to build a new Court-house and jail for the accommodation of Napa County." This was carried by the following vote : Deweese, Robinson, Mecklenberg and Safely, affirmative ; and Ink and Hams, negative. Still, two more years rolled by before bids were asked for, and it was not until June 25th, 1878, that the contract was let, on plans drawn by Ira Gilchrist, to John Cox, for the sum of $50,990. The old Court-house building was sold to D. Ross for $400. The bonds for the new Court-house were placed upon the market in August, 1878, and sold for G| per cent, premium, F. H. Woods being the purchaser. The corner-stone to the new building was laid September 21, 1878. About 1 o'clock p. M., of that day, the Masonic fraternity to the number of eighty, all in regalia, marched from their hall, headed by the Napa Brass Band which discoursed appropriate music. The majority of those in line were members of Yount Lodge, No. 12, of Napa City, and there were also delegations from the Lodges at St. Helena and Calistoga, and among dis- tinguished Masons from abroad were Dr. J. M. Brown, Most Worshipful Grand Master, and J. W. Shafer, Grand Lecturer. The assemblage was called to order by F. E. Johnson, W. M. of Yount Lodge, who stated that before the exercises began, J. W. Brayton would photograph the scene, which was clone in short order. It was estimated that about one thousand persons were present. The platform was filled with ladies and members of the Masonic Order. The exercises were opened with music by the choir, which consisted of J. A Keller, organist ; Mrs. Richard Wylie, soprano ; Mrs. Dennis Spencer, contralto; Prof. W. A. Packard, tenor, and C. B. Stone, bass. The selection given was a Masonic hymn set to the tune of "Rule Britannia." The oration was then given by Dr. J. M. Brown, M. W. G. M. of the Grand Lodo-c of California, which was brief and appropriate. The speaker referred to the time-honored usage, by which it had been the custom to delegate to the Masonic Order, the laying of the corner-stones of public General History and Settlement. 85 buildings. " This ancient fraternity rarely breaks its seclusion to attend public demonstrations of any kind. It covets retirement, not proselyting, never seeking public parades, but peaceful and independent lives by laws within itself. With raiments spotless, and teachings pure, it clings to the old landmarks, and only appears in procession on the public streets when in the performance of some public duty intrusted to it. Such an occasion is this to-day. The usage is essentially Masonic. It is fitting that a body springing from a band of positive Masons, should exercise the same duties in a public work of this kind, as though they were practical Masons. " Apart from this, it is appropriate that Masons should lay the corner- stone, because they compose an organization whose members are quiet, peaceful citizens, and hold among themselves the great principles of law, liberty and equality. It is a fraternity which fosters political liberty. Power precedes liberty, and from the nature of things liberty is dependent upon power. The Masons are always the advocates of secular improvement. We live in an age of singular movements — a time when the foundations of States are shaken, and our form of government seems subjected to powerful solvents. But the aim of our Order is to perpetuate. It has stood long ages, by the ancient landmarks of truth, justice, loyalty and charity, and it still rises above the floods eternal as the stars in their course. To such a fraternity is entrusted the work of laying the corner-stone. On the edifice about to be erected may symmetry and order rest in each line and curve ; may strength and beauty grace each arch and pillar from base to capstone ; and may the beautiful proportions of the whole structure be for the admiration of the beholder." At the close of the oration there was music by the choir, and then the beautiful and impressive ceremony of laying the corner-stone was pro- ceeded with. When the metal box containing the deposits was placed in the cavity made for it in the lower stone it was cemented in by John Cox, the contractor, and the upper stone was slowly lowered on to it by block and tackle. After it was settled it was tested with the silver tools of the Order — the square, level, plumb and gavel. The list of articles placed in the stone was read, and corn, wine and oil was poured on it from gold and silver vases, with the usual salutes and responses. The M. W. G. M. then said : " It has been the custom from time immemorial, when requested to do so, for Masons to assemble to lay the north-east corner-stone of public buildings. It has also been the custom to deposit therein certain memorials of the age. The Grand Lodge have been invited by the Board of Super- visors of Napa County to superintend this duty. It is my will and pleasure to announce the ceremonies completed." He then made a brief invocation to the Divine Architect of the Universe for His blessing on the work. Aiiother hymn was sung by the choir, and 86 History of Napa a?id Lake Counties — Napa. the Masons proceeded to their hall to the music of the band. The inscrip- tion on the stone is as follows : LAID JULY 29, 1856. RELAID SEPTEMBER 21, 1878. The contents of the metal box deposited in the stone were : Specimens of all the United States postage stamps ; historical sketch book of Napa County : copies of the Daily and Weekly Register; Napa City' Reporter, of July 19, 1856 (the one taken from the old stone), and of late date; the St, Helena Star ; Napa Classic ; picture of the Collegiate Institute ; charter and ordinance of the City of Napa ; local laws of Napa ; catalogue of Napa Female Seminary ; catalogue of Oak Mound School ; reports from the Insane Asylum for 187G-7 ; Republican, Democratic and Independent State and County tickets for 1875 ; copy of proceedings of the M. W. G. L. F. & A. M. for 1877, together with all that was removed from the former stone. The building was completed, and accepted by the Board of Supervisors February 17, 1879. The following complete and succinct historical and descriptive sketch of the new Court-house is taken from the columns of the Register : " On Mai-ch 27, 1878, an Act of the Legislature to provide for the building and furnishing of a Court-house, offices and jail for Napa County, and for improving the Court-house grades, was approved by the Governor. The Board of Supervisors of this county were authorized and directed to issue bonds of the county to an amount not to exceed $80,000, payable at any time after 1883, and within twenty years of the date of their issuance, at the option of the Board ; said bonds to bear a rate of interest not exceeding seven per cent, per annum ; to be in denominations of $500 each ; interest coupons to be attached. To pay the interest a special tax is to be levied each year. In and for 1884 and each year thereafter until all of said bonds are paid, the Board of Supervisors are to levy and cause to be collected a tax sufficient to pay one-fifteenth part of the whole issue of said bonds, the tax thus collected to be set apart as a special fund, to be known as the ' Court-house Bond Redemption Fund.' When there shall be $1000 or more in said fund the County Treasurer is to advertise for sealed proposals for the surrender of bonds. These bonds were furuished by D. L. Haas of Napa City. One hundred and twenty of them have been issued, two- thirds of them having twenty-one coupons attached, the remaining one-third having twenty. Each of these calls for $35, when due, except the first and last ones of the first lot mentioned. These coupons are fac-similes of United States bonds. " Plans for the building were submitted to the Board of Supervisors on May 9, 1878. Ira Gilchrist, of Napa, submitting one; Kirk, of Oakland, General History and Settlement. 87 one, and Daly & Praun, of Napa, three ; that of Gilchrist being accepted. As a Building Committee to act for the Board, Supervisors Robinson and Deweese were appointed, and Mr. Gilchrist, the architect, had a general oversight of the work. Nine contractors put in bids on the 25th day of June, 1878, ranging from $60,460 down to $50,990, the latter being by J. Cox, of San Francisco, to whom the contract was let. Ground was broken for the foundation on or about July 7th. Trenches five feet wide and three feet deep were dug, in which was put the best of concrete, which was allowed to settle for six weeks, at the end of which time it had become as hard as a solid rock. The work of laying the walls, when commenced, was rapidly carried forward, and on September 21st the corner-stone was laid with im- posing Masonic ceremonies. "All the brick used in the construction of the Court-house and jail were made at the old brick yards on the Sonoma road. About 90,000 were made, which were pronounced by competent judges to be of excellent quality. The outer dimensions of the Court-house are 95x86 feet. The outside walls are sixteen inches thick, firmly held together by iron rods, which are firmly imbedded in the solid foundation, and extend therefrom to the plate on top of the walls, arching the building firmly. The partition walls are twelve inches thick. The jail is 5Sx30 feet outside, with the same kind of foundation as the Court-house, and the walls are firmly bound together by iron bands, rendering them very solid. The outer walls were coated with Rosendale cement, adding much to the beauty of the building. The cornice is of galvanized iron. " The hipped roof of both buildings are covered with tin, which is covered with fire-proof paint. The tower, which rises from the front or eastern end of the building, is twenty feet square at its base, and immediately above this is a cupola which tapers to a point, on which is placed a weather-vane, and over all, on the topmost spire, a golden globe reflects the light from rise to set of sun. The main entrance to the Court-house is on Brown street, and is reached by a broad flight of seven granite steps. The floor of the vestibule is composed of diamond-shaped marble blocks in two colors. The walls are all richly wainscotted four feet from the floor, above which on either side are placed bulletin boards, and overhead the ceiling is beautifully ornamented with stucco-work, from the center piece of which depends orna- mented gas fixtures. " Massive wooden doors, grained in imitation of black walnut, with Cali- fornia laurel panels, open from this vestibule to right and left, admitting one into the grand hall, which is seventy-four feet long by sixteen feet wide and eighteen feet high, extending from one end of the building to the other. The floor of this hall is also of tassalated marble. The first room from the front entrance on the right of the hall is that of the County Treasurer, 88 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. which is 26 x 15 feet in size, with a private office therefrom 7x11 feet. An arched vault, for the Treasurer's special use, is entered from the main office, and is both strong and convenient. " The room next adjoining the Treasurer's office, and entered also from the main hall, is that of the Superintendent of Schools, which is 15 \ x 14i feet in size. This room was not extended to the north wall of the building, but was partitioned off, the upper portion of said partition being of glass, through which and a glass door is admitted all the light of the room. Just beyond this room a small transverse hall, 6 x 30 feet, extends from the main hall to the north or Second street side of the building. " The entrance of the Assessor's office, which is in the rear of the Super- intendent's room, is on this hall, and the office is 20x15 feet and is well lighted. On the opposite side of this hall is the room of the County Sur- veyor, which is 24x14 feet, which is also well lighted. The first room entered from the main hall beyond the small hall is that of the Janitor, and is the counterpart of that occupied by the Superintendent of Schools. These are the only two rooms in the building that have no outside windows. Next beyond the Janitor's room, and under the main stairway, is a small hall, through which is reached the Supervisors' room, in the north-west corner of the building. At the foot of this small hall, as one enters it, is the Jailor's room, which is 11x11 feet. This completes the list of rooms on the northern side of the main building, lower floor. " Commencing as before at the main entrance, the first room on the south side is the Sheriff's office, which is 26 x 15 feet, with private room attached, 17 x 11 feet. Just beyond this is the office of the County Clerk, which is 35ixl6 feet, with a vault 14x13 feet and 14 feet high. Adjoining this room is the office of the County Recorder, which is 35Jx21 feet, and is situated in the south-west corner of the building. There is a vault also to this room, which is 20 x 13 feet, and adjoins that of the Clerk's office. With the exception of some private offices, all the rooms on the south or Third street side extend from the main hall to the wall, and are well lighted. Opposite the first entrance, and at the rear end of the hall is the grand stairway, which is quite broad, has very rich, heavy black walnut balus- trades, with massive new el posts, on which there are gas jets. Ascending these stairs the upper hall is entered, which is well lighted by a vaulted dome of many colored glass. In the first room on the north side of this hall, the District Court (now the Superior Court) is held. Its dimensions are 37 x 36J feet, and 20 feet high, and well lighted. It is also entered by a private stairway communicating with the jail, so that prisoners are brought direct from the jail to the Court-room. In the north-west corner of the upper story is a spacious Jury-room, entered from the Coui-t-room, which is provided with many conveniences. Adjoining the Court-room on General History and Settlement. 89 the east is the Judge's Chamber, which is 26 x 15 feet. At the east end of the hallway is the District Attorney's office which is 20 x 13 feet. " Opposite the District Court-room, and on the south side of the hall is the County Court-room, which is 31£ x 32J feet. There is also a jury- room attached to this, in the south-west corner of the building. On the other side of the room is the Judge's Chamber, and beyond this his private office. A stairway leads from this upper hall to the tower, which is well finished. A splendid view of Napa City and Valley is obtained from this outlook. In this tower there is a very fine bell, weighing about one thousand pounds. " The jail is eight feet from the Court-house, on the Brown street side, and is connected with it by a small hallway, the entrances of which are securely guarded by iron doors. The floor beneath the lower cells was first prepared by putting in earth five feet deep, thoroughly tamped, over which was put two feet of concrete, which became as solid as a rock. Over this, after the cells were completed, was put a thick coating of asphaltum. On this floor are two rows of cells made of boiler iron, thoroughly riveted together, containing ten cells, well painted, conveniently arranged, and separated by a corridor. Another corridor extends around three sides of these cells. From the lower to the upper tier iron stairways ascend, and on this floor are two rows of cells as below, six on each side of the main cor- ridor. The jail is well lighted, well ventilated, and provided with every convenience that prisoners could require." STATISTICS OF NAPA COUNTY.— From the annual statement of the Assessor we compile the following facts and figures regarding the financial interests of the County : Value of real estate other than that listed below $3,769,222 Improvements on same assessed to owner 1,134,223 City and town lots 622,631 Improvements on same assessed to owner 844,159 Improvements on all property assessed to other than owners .... 13,680 Mining claims 25,275 Improvements on same 36,950 Telegraph lines 1,840 Railroad, bed and rails 676,500 Total value of all description of real estate 9,124,287 Total value of personal property 2,036,240 Western Union Telegraph Company: Number of miles 46 Value per mile $40 Total assessed value 1,840 90 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. Mount St. Helena Toll-Road : Number of miles 10 Value per mile $500 Total assessed value $5,000 Bwrk's Toll-Road : Number of miles 2| Value per mile $00 Total assessed value $150 Number of trust deeds and mortgages 697 Total assessed value of them 1,645,197 State, County or Municipal Bonds $104.06 Money on hand or special deposit 115,383 Beehives, No 127 186 Brandies and liquors, galls .36,644 18,403 Calves, No 2,464 13,720 Cattle, stock, No 3,077 30,391 Coal, tons 154J 1,510 Colts, No 919 21,075 Consigned goods '. 1,800 Cows, thoroughbred, No 21 936 a;:: Sin,} ^ Farming utensils 20,045 Firearms, No 567 6,622 Fixtures of stores, saloons and other business places 5,930 Furniture 100,150 Goats, common, No 1,012 1,358 Goods, wares and merchandise 222,401 Grain, tons 1,130 17,486 Harness, robes, saddles, etc 25,057 Hay, tons 355 2,143 Hogs, No 6,475 13,079 Hops, lbs 11,000 1,300 Horses, thoroughbred, No 9 1,950 Horses, graded, 1 , .oa 1A_ -fte tt ' «J ■ J- 1,582 10o,29d Horses, American. ) Horses, Spanish and half-breeds, No 2,267 61,997 Jacks and Jennies, No 10 650 Jewelry or plate 4,773 Libraries — law, medical and miscellaneous 8,925 Lumber, M feet 925 11,870 Machinery 49,665 Mules, No 498 35,435 Musical instruments 175 8.400 Pianos 209 31,445 Poultry, doz 12,823 General History and Settlement. 91 Quicksilver, in flasks 175 $ 4,973 Sewing machines 927 13,340 Sheep, imported or fine, No 44 173 Sheep, common, No 50,317 75,514 Lambs, No 10,251 5,072 Solvent credits, after deduction of debts 363,904 Steamers, vessels, water-craft, No 8 275 Wagons and other vehicles, No 2,166 117,135 Watches, No 792 19,077 Wine, galls 1,442,450 229^532 Wood, cords 3,781 6,783 Other property 84,185 Total $2,036,240 Land inclosed, Land cultivated, Wheat, Wheat, Barley, Barley, Oats, Oats, Rve, Rye, Corn, Corn, Peas, Peas, Peanuts, Peanuts, 150,158 55,401 27,064 620,761 2,328 55,913 625 18,490 10 300 1,575 36,960 10 880 10 4,000 acres. acres. acres. bushels. acres. bushels. acres. bushels. acres. bushels. acres. bushels. acres. bushels. acres. pounds. Beans, Potatoes, Potatoes, Onions, Onions, Hay, Hay, Hops, Hops, Sugar Beets, Sugar Beets, Butter, Cheese, Honey, Wool, 16 540 72 285 5 150 10,817 16,585 58 58,750 7 32 123,900 7,000 3,650 160,993 acres. bushels. acres. tons. acres. bushels. acres. tons. acres. pounds. acres. tons. pounds. pounds. pounds. pounds. Wine, Brandy, 2,106,900 gallons. 45,714 gallons. Distilleries, Breweries, 12 63,500 gallons. Lemon trees, Orange trees, Olive trees, Apple trees, Pear trees, Fig trees, Grist mills, Steam power, Run of stone, Water power, 2 bearing. 45 bearing. 8 bearing. 40,180 bearing. 10,780 bearing. 740 bearing. Plum trees, 6,010 bearing. Peach trees, 17,795 bearing. Quince trees, 815 bearing. Grape vines, 6,055 acres. Value of fruit crop, 406,540 dollars. IMPROVEMENTS. 4 Run of stone, 2 Barrels of flour made in 1879, 8,500 Bushels com ground in 1879, 7,300 92 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. 0881 s 8 s S § : : ; Is? : |8 6iSI s. s. a S 8 : : 8 : i ■ : s. ° s. |» 8ZSI s s s ~ s. : : 8 : : : ; 8 3 -8 18 USl 8 a s " °. : ; s 8 i? S \% 9JRI 8 g H 3 8 : i s f K 3 18 SZSI 8 ? H 2 S : : 8 8 S S 18 ti8l S B * S 8 : : * i ;:■ M I s- Is '2181 g S § 2 8:: « & IS ZZ81 g 3 s 8 q : . 8. 8. ". : = ° : : : Is. TiST 8 S ■ ■ a i i 8 8 8 2 1;. 0!8l S 5 a » a. • : : 8 s a a : : : : \H 6931 S S * 8 8:: S : a . : 1™ 8981 8 S 8 as : : 3 g 8 8 : : : : : 1 ". Z9SI ™ a 8 8 3 ; : S S 8 g 8 : : : 1 I IS 998T 3 s- «. 8 8 : ; s a a ! i I i IS S98I a s 3 \5 f9St a s s a s. : : ° ° j III!!" 8981 s g s 8 8 : 3 : : | -IK 2981 g s 8 S3:: 1- I9SI g g 8 8 8 8 8 : : : : : 13 09SI . g S| 8 3 5 8 8 : : : : : 1 'r 6S8I I s a s a 8 s a ; : : : 18 SS8I g g 8 8 S 3 8 8 : : I : : 1 " 4981 g 8 S 8 3 8 8 : : : : I 1 1 * 9V8I ? g ^ 8 31 8 : : : ':1s. SS8I g ; 3 S 8 I : I 1 "t WSI g g : 8 : : : I 1 ™ SS8I : § : g 1* 5581 g : : : : IS TS8I : g a : 1 '' Q O I, 1 1! ■ I i I a Road Special Road I < > j ! 1 ? 1 i ! i 1 m if - . -11. Napa City Court-hnu^e U.ind Iiittregt . . . Total Tax ox the 8100. . . . General History and Settlement. 93 SCHOOLS. — The first school-house in Napa County was built by William H. Nash, near Tucker Creek, above St. Helena, in 1849, in which a private school was taught by Mrs. Forbes, whose husband had perished with the Dormer Party in 1846. As late as 1854, there was not a public school in the county, although there were two or three private schools. In 1855, the first public school in the county was erected by subscription in Napa City. In 1857, there were only nine hundred and eleven children in both Napa and Lake Counties, which were then one. We give below the census returns for the years 1858, 1865 and 1881, so that a comparison may be made, and the growth of the school system readily seen : American Canon . Atlas Peak Buchanan Bennett Berry essa ( 'arncros Calistiiga Chiles Cherry Valley . . . Chiles Valley Conn Valley. . . . Capelle Valley. . . ( 'rystal Springs , . Cinnabar Franklin Foss Valley Gordon Valley. . . Hardin Harmony Howard Howell Mountain High Valley Jefferson Liberty Lodi Lone Tree Mountain Napa Oak Grove Oak Knoll Number of Children Oakville Pope Valley . Putah Redwood Soda Canon . Salvador Silverado Spring Mountain St. Helena Sulphur Spring Summit Tucker Upper Pope Valley Vineland Wooden Valley Yount Zem Zem Fisher's School House Browns Valley Squatter Valley Hot Springs No. 1 Hot Springs No. 2 Hot Springs No. 3 Clear Lake No. 1. . Clear Lake No. 2 Monroe , Number of Children. 1S5S 1SG5 1SN1 CURIOSITIES OF THE GREAT REGISTER.— Some enterprising newspaper genius, a few years ago, overhauled the Great Register of Napa County with the following result, which we are sure will not be without interest to the general reader : Out of upwards of four thousand voting citizens in Napa County the nativities are as follows : Two thousand nine hundred and seventy-three 94 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. were born in the United States and over one thousand and thirty are foreign born. Of the former, one hundred and sixty-three were born in California; of the latter, three hundred and thirty-one are from Erin's Isle; two hun- dred and thirty-nine hail from " Fatherland ; " one hundred are from our mother country, England ; forty-seven are from Canada ; forty-seven are from the mountains of Switzerland ; thirty-six from the misty highlands and lowlands of Scotland ; thirty-three from sunny France ; twenty-six from Sweden ; twenty-five from Mexico ; eighteen from Denmai-k ; eighteen from Norway ; eleven from fair Italy ; two from China (American parents) ; and two were born at sea and consequently have no native land. The remainder of the foreigners are distributed in small numbers among the European countries of Austria, Russia, Spain, Portugal, Poland, etc. It will be noticed that our largest inflow is from Ireland and our smallest from the countries last named; and we suppose Napa's distribution is a fair criterion for other counties. The occupation of these four thousand citizens are varied. The principal ones are as follows : Farmers, one thousand six hundred and fifty-three ; mechanics, eight hundred and seven ; day laborers, six hundred and seven ; clerks, seventy-nine ; teachers, forty-one ; doctors, thirty-four ; saloon- keepers, twenty -four ; clergymen, twenty-one ; printers, nineteen ; lawyers; thirteen ; law students, five ; editors, six. Nineteen of these citizens have no registered occupation ; we suppose they would term themselves " gentle- men." There are a number of odd and curious occupations registered — at least, odd and curious for this vicinity. Among them are two bottlers, one carp- tender, two soldiers, one propagator of game cocks, two firemen, one tinker, one 'longshoreman, one patent-maker, one bootblack and general business man, (we suppose he means Jack-at-all-trades) and one actor. The re- mainder are distributed among the lesser occupations. The parents of our Napa County citizens must have had high hopes of their progeny if they expected them to emulate the virtues of the great men after whom they were named. We find no less than forty-five George Washingtons with which to head the list; fourteen Thomas Jeflersons, five James Madisons, fourteen Andrew Jacksons, one Martin Van Buren and two William Harrisons, complete the Presidents. Then we find five Henry Clays, one Albert Gallatin, thirteen Benjamin Franklins, two William Penns, one Patrick Heniy, one Daniel Boone, one Samuel Houston, one Alexander Stephenson, four Isaac Newtons, five John Wesleys, two Christopher Col- umbus, three Charles Wesleys, one William Wirt, two Lorenzo Dows, four Byrons, one Maximillian, two Pulaskis, two Louis Napoleons, three Horatio Nelsons and six William Wallaces. Among the heroes of antiquity, we find Leonidas, Quintus, Cineinnatus, Solon, Lycurgus, Theophilus, Archelaus, General History and Settlement. 95 Erasmus, Achilles, Augustus Cresar, Hannibal, Csesar, Cassius, Lars and Homer. The following " queer, quaint and curious " names are found : Pardon, Champion, Gallhelp, Pedro, Reason, Fountain, Christian, Prudence, Salter, Chancellor, Welcome, Grandison, Berry, Littleberry, Greenberry, Brown- berry, Greenleaf, Cilley, Fountederry, Dye, Leven, First, (the parents of these last two probably numbered their children instead of naming them), Razor, Finis, Purchase, Greene, Chasteen, Steptoe, Lanihut, Pleasant, Orall, Valorous, Amatus, (Latin for " having been loved,") Doe, Napa, Francisco, Nahum, Victoria, Angelo, Azariah, David Jonathan, Squire, Forest, Eliphalct, Lank, Valentine, Ole, Ishman, Adonisam, Talover, Zuar, Batt, French, Page, Ringrose. Greenup, Bani, Albion, Actor, Jesus, Adda and Hasker. The surnames are as varied and curious as the given names ; fifty -six citizens rejoice in the name of Smith ; of these, five prefix John. It is said that names originally grew out of the occupations the persons followed. As the sons do not always inherit the tastes of the father, a good many of the names are misnomers. For instance, Mr. Baker is a storekeeper ; Mr. Cooper is a miller ; Mr. Butcher is a farmer ; Mr. Carpenter is a drayman, etc. Following are some of the occupations which would be designated by the names : A Butcher, three Barbers, one Baker, one Bender, seven But- lers, one Barker, twelve Cooks, six Coopers, two Carvers, one Carpenter, three Cuttors, four Chancellers, one Currier, one Carrier, one dinger, one Cartwright, four Carters, one Dresser, two Dyers, three Fishers, four Fowlers, two Forresters, one Felter, one Glazier, five Gardners, one Goldsmith, one Hunter, ten Millers, two Masons, one Porter, one Packer, two Parsons, one Reader, one Rector, six Sawyers, one Stonebarger, two Sellers, one Stringer, nine Turners, four Tylers, six Tuckers, one Tailor, one Thatcher, five Walkers and a Wheeler. Some of them are also men of rank, judging from the following : An Abbot, two Bishops, one Chamberlain, one Dean, one Earl, eight Kings, two Nobles, two Priests and two Popes. The kinds of men are also illustrated as follows : A Berryman, Brown- man, Countryman, Cashman, Richman, Dryman, Eastman, Farman, Foman, two Goodmans, Greenman, Grassman, Godman, Gassman, three Hardmans, Honeyman, two Manns, Newman, Seaman, two Tallmans, Teaman and Wayman. These men also probably have sons as follows : Chapson, Grayson, Robberson, Shepardson and Stillson. Under this head we also have a Darling, Deare, Duguid, Friend, Fond- away, Goodnow, Hunger, two Husbands, Newcomer, Love, Music, Witte, Whitehead, Sleeper and Swain. UNCLASSIFIED NOUNS AND VERBS. Baldridge, Bale, Bitters, two Bachelders, Bomsall, two Chords, Christmas 96 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. Carroll, Holliday, Cain, Coffer, Coffermore, Crooks, Demerett, Danbenspeck, Devilin, Fee, Galway, Gift, Grant, Hang, Ink, Justice, two Jewells, Job, Kildoff, Ketchum, Lineback, Musset, Millsof, two Nesbites, Overdick, Wells, Seawell, Penwell, Corn well, Kettlewell, Philpot, Ash, Burns, Woodburn, Coles, Lovett, Married, Powers, Purchase, Price, Paine, Parrish, Rex, Starr, Squibb, Service, Shade, Slaughter, Standard, Trubody, Upchurch, Webb, Wildberger, Lynch, Maddew, Maddigan, Stalkey, Tuck, Tripp, Workover, Walover, Waite and Wash. TIMES AND SEASONS. Day, Weeks, Monday, Spring, Summer and Winter. QUALITIES. Are referred as follows: Bragg, Blank, Cross, Close, Goodrich, Goodmen, Graves, Harsh, Happy, Keene, Meeker, Raney, Swift, Scrach, Slack, Sage, Sharp, Savage, Sallow, Sweet, Strong, True, Wooden, Wooley, Young, Stout, Safely, Wise and Waterous. ANIMALS. Buck, Coons, Doe, two Flys, Fox, Hinds, two Kidds, three Lyons, two Lambs, Steere, Wolfe and Worm. BIRDS. Bird, two Cranes, Crow, Fowle, Gosling, two Hawks, Peacock, Raven, Sparrow, Teal and Wren. FISHES. Two Crabbs, Herren, Klam, Leach, Pike, Ray and Salmon. ANATOMICAL. The anatomy of animals, including human beings and billy-goats is thus illustrated, two Beards, Boyle, Foot, Huff, three Hydes, Haire, two Heads, three Harts, Korn, Pulse, Shinn and Withers. SIZES AND SHAPES. Of these bodies, are three Biggs, High, Long, three Littles, Light, Love, Petty and Small. COLORS. Nineteen Browns, six Blacks, eight Greenes, four Grays, Maroon, and eight Whites. NATIONALITIES. Our population is quite cosmopolitan. We have two Coolies, one Dutcher, one France, one French, one Holland, one Irish, seven Moores, one Poland, and six Welshes. MONEY. Cash, Dollarhide, Groat and Penny. General History and Settlement. 97 Two Bells, Brush, Clock, Ewer, Fawcett, Hopper, Hammer, two Keyes, Mallett, two Potts, Towel, and Whetstone. BUILDING MATERIAL. Irons, Marble, Post, Stone, Steel and Wood. ARCHITECTURAL. Four Barnes, four Churches, Chapel, Foxhall, five Garretts, seven Halls, two Houses, Lodge, Mills, Newhouse, Pier, Spires, Stackpole, Story, Shop, Wing, Ward and Waterhouse. EATABLES. Allcorn, Bacon, Curry, Gruel, Milks, Pulse, Pickle, Rice and Grubb. FRUIT AND VEGETATION. Fruits, two Bartletts, Cobb, Cherry, Gage, Hull, Hayes, seven Murphys, three Moss, six Roses, two Reeds, Thorn and Crabtree. CLOTHING. One Hat, one Coat, one Vest, one (Gilder) sleeve and Sheets. WEAPONS. One Gun, one Pike, one Spear, two Shields and a Spur. LANDSCAPES AND WATERSCAPES. The last and one of the most interesting classifications. Four Fields, Bloomfield, Butterfield, two Greenfields, two Mansfields Mayfield, Merry- field, two Akers, two Brinks, two Banks, Dell, Hill, Churchill, Mount, Greenwood, Green, two Parks, four Lanes, two Streets, Heath, seven Moores, Marsh, five Boggs, two Ponds, two Fountains, Frost, Snow, Falls three Lakes and one See. MOUNT ST. HELENA.— At the head of Napa Valley stands this ma- jestic monarch of the Mayacamas Mountains, and a history of Napa and Lake Counties would not be complete without a due mention being made of this hoary -headed patriarch of the Pacific. A writer in one of the daily papers gives the following beautiful and graphic description of the grand scenes to be witnessed from its summit : " ' Great heights charm the eye,' said Goethe, ' but the steps which lead to them do not ; ' yet it seemed to us as we ascended that at every step the view became wider and more complete, and that some new beauty was pre- sented either in the surrounding landscape or on the slope itself. Upward 7 98 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. we traveled, now making turns as crooked as the manzanita sticks which we carried, now examining the frost, which was peculiarly formed into basalt-like columns along our path, now cutting canes and gathering speci- mens, until finally, footsore and tired, we found ourselves on the highest summit. It was a glorious scene which Nature on every side unfolded. Yet early in the morning, the cool, fresh air exhilarated like champagne, and the mists, having already disappeared under the influence of the rising sun, the beauty of the landscape was almost perfect in detail. The moun- tain upon which we stood is situated on the corner of Napa, Lake and Sonoma Counties, and rises somewhat precipitously to a height of four thousand five hundred feet. Forty years ago a party of Russians under Commander Rotscheff visited Mount Mayacamas, as the peak was then called, and upon the summit left a copper-plate bearing an inscription in their own language." In 1853 this plate was discovered by Dr. T. A. Hylton, and a copy of it preserved by Mrs. H. L. Weston, of Petaluma. The metal slab is octagonal in shape, and bears the following words in the Russian language : " Russians, 1841, June. E. L. Voznisenski iii, E. L. Chernich." This inscription was referred to Mr. Charles Mitchell Grant, of Oakland, a gentleman long resident in Siberia, and he makes the following state- ment : " iii means that Voznisenski is the third of the third name in his family, the other two being still living, or at any rate alive when he was born. Evidently two Russian sailors ; the first is a Polish name, and the second a name common in Little Russia." " The mountain was named St. Helena in honor of the Princess De Gaga- rin, the commander's beautiful wife, and in this connection a romantic inci- dent has been related by General Vallejo. He said : ' The beauty of this lady excited so ardent a passion in the heart of Prince Solano, chief of all the Indians about Sonoma, that he formed a plan to capture, by force or stratagem, the object of his love ; and he might very likely have succeeded had I not heard of his intention in time to prevent its execution.' " The mountain is supposed to be an extinct volcano, from which were poured out at one time the tufa in which the Petrified Forest is buried, together with the range of basalt dividing the Petaluma and Sonoma Valleys, and there remain two summits, one of which is four hundred feet above the other. Viewed from different points the change in the appearance is suiiu- what striking. Looking at the peak from Santa Rosa the shape is not unlike that of a huge elephant ; at Fulton it has been called the ' giant in bed ; ' from Litton Springs the outlines closely resemble those of St. Peter's at Rome ; from Napa Valley St. Helena presents a gorgeous panorama of shifting colors with cap of pearly gray : while from Diablo it makes a mag- General History and Settlement. 99 nificently long outline against the sky, like some lofty monument of ancient story. The Alpine glow seen at this season on the slope at sunset is in its way unexcelled, and the huge mass is lighted up with a rose tint as if from some internal fire. The foliage is of numerous varieties — manzanita, scrub oak, scraggy pine and mountain cedar being especially predominant, while even vineyards have been found to thrive in the lower canons. Like Diablo and Shasta, St. Helena is largely isolated from its surroundings, and is the presiding genius of the section in which it is located. To the specta- tor standing on the summit the world seems to be tossed into a tempest, and on whatever side he looks chaos reigns supreme. The view is confined only by distant mountains and the horizon. ' The valleys sink away like settings on the landscape ; towns and villages appear like collections of toy houses; and men and animals disappear from the sight altogether. Rivers are changed into tiny streams, wagon roads are narrowed to spiral-like trails, and tall trees are little higher than shrubs just beginning to shoot. There are mountains covered with timber to the top, and there are mountains covered with snow all the year round. There are mountains as high as the Jungf rau or Mont Blanc, and there are others with more pinacles and spires than the Cathedral of Milan. There are creeks, rivers, a bay and an ocean ; there are thousands of miles of land and water spread out like a map. It is order as well as chaos ; it is distance brought within range of the human eye ; it is sublimity and majesty combined ; it is out of the ' Perfection of such beauty that God himself hath shined.' " Directly in front of us, as we looked to the west from the summit, was Knights Valley, that favorite sketching place for artists, on the extreme eastern boundary of Sonoma, the dark color of its freshly plowed fields alter- nating with the brighter shades of its grain fields and meadows. It seemed but a stone's throw from where we stood to the magnificent residence of Calvin Holmes, while Kellogg's was yet nearer on the Calistoga road to the Geysers. Further to the west, and separated from Knights Valley by a spur from the main chain, was Russian River Valley, the river flashing in the sunlight like a stream of molten metal, and the play of colors upon its foothills and mountains defying the best tints of a Bierstadt or Turner. From Cloverdale to San Pablo Bay the level space stretched in an unbroken line for a distance of nearly sixty miles, and highly cultivated fields and pretty farm-houses followed each other in quick succession. From our dis- tant height we could see Geyserville, with its Post-office and store and depot, snugly situated near the river ; Litton Springs, with its schools and cottges, located beautifully on a rising plain ; Healdsburg, overtopped by Fitch Mountain and with half a dozen spires ' pointing the way to heaven;' Wind- sor, Mark West and Fulton, each with a depot, and surrounded by fields as level as a floor ; Santa Rosa, over thirty miles distant by the trail and road, 100 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. yet so near that its streets and buildings could be plainly distinguished with the naked eye ; the hill, behind which could be seen the smoke rising from Petaluma, though the town itself was obscured ; and then the valley shad- ing oft' into the bay — and the eye and sense were bewildered by the mighty prospect afforded. Beyond this central valley, to the west and north, was an interminable waste of mountains, spur crowding spur so closely that level spaces were lost sight of altogether, some peaks bare and cheerless, some covered with trees to the summit, some showing deeper canons and steeper slopes than St. Helena itself. Crowning the view to the west was the ocean covered with fog to the north, which no human eye could penetrate, and the outlines fading off in the distance until sky and water seemed to join. To the left of Santa Rosa in the south we caught a glimpse of Point Reyes, while farther to the right we knew were the Farallones. Separated to the east from this central valley at its Petaluma end was Sonoma Valley, ex- tending in an unbroken line south-westerly from the main chain, fronting on the bay and narrowing perceptibly upwards, and with an array of vineyards scarcely equaled elsewhere in the State. Further east we could see Napa Val- ley, thirty-five miles long and five miles wide at its widest part, its mountain lines covered with a magnificent foliage, including the oak, madrone, cedar, fir and pine ; its mountain streams fringed with the willow, ash, gigantic brakes, flowering manzanita and California laurel ; its river following the line of foothills on the east and narrowing into a thread in the distance ; with every available spot of territory covered with wheat fields, orchards vineyards, and with beautiful homes secured to their possessors by years of unremitting toil, perseverance and self-denial. In the center of this valley, as in the center of Russian River Valley, a railway stretched from the bay to the upper end, and the smoke from a passing train rolled oft* in a great streamer to the horizon. " Beyond the bay, whose waters were a ' sparkling sheet of tremulous brightness,' we saw Diablo, its huge outlines appearing against the morning sky like some giant sentinel on the landscape, and still beyond, the ridge back of Redwood City formed a pleasing background to the view in that direction. To the right of Diablo, Mount Hamilton came plainly in our view, and yet farther in the distance were the mountains beyond Monterey. The city of San Francisco, situated upon more hills than those of which Rome itself boasts, loomed up to the eastward of the points just described, and over a part hung a fog, which rolled in from the sea in fleecy clouds. To the east of the city was still another immense waste of mountain peaks and spurs, and from our distant height Pope, Berryessa and other smaller valleys appeared like single fields of ordinary extent. This chain, extending from the hills beyond Monterey to Clear Lake, shut out in a measure the great central depression from the view, but through Putah Creek Canon the General History and Settlement. 101 sight stretched across the San Joaquin. It was a magnificent spectacle which met our gaze as we turned directly to the east. In front of us was an opening in the spur extending to the north, beyond which hung a huge fog bank like that over the San Joaquin, and overtopping which were the Sierras, like icebergs in the midst of a frozen ocean. This fog was not stationary, and as it was now and then dispelled, passing glimpses of the world underneath were obtained. The Lassen Buttes, with their one hundred square miles and more of volcanic grandeur, towered above the lower range in front, and still further to the left was Loconomo'Valley, with the village of Middleton in the center. The distance from the point where the Sierras met our view on the south to the point where they were lost on the north was fully four hundred miles, and over this immense territory peaks followed each other in almost endless succession. " ' The longer I stayed among the Alps.' says Ruskin, ' and the more closely I examined them, the more I was struck by the one broad fact of their being a vast Alpine plateau, or mass of elevated land, upon which nearly all the highest peaks stood like children set upon a table, removed in most cases far back from the edge of the plateau, as if for fear of their falling ; while the most majestic scenes in the Alps are produced, not so much by any violation of this law, as by one of the great peaks apparently having walked to the edge of the table to look over, and thus showing itself suddenly above the valley in its full height.' Looking from St. Helena, the same characteristic was true of the Sierras. " The mighty range was before us in all its wild and majestic grandeur, and upon the edge of this elevated plateau stood great snow-capped masses, which rivaled in height the loftiest peaks of the Alps. These were sur- rounded by comparatively level fields of mountains, and overhanging the whole were clouds tinted with all the gorgeousness of sunrise splendor. See that huge snowbank over there to the left of Lassen Buttes ! That is Shasta. It is distant probably two hundred miles. It is fourteen thousand four hundred and forty feet high. It is covered with snow the year round a vertical mile from its summit. Even as we looked in the direction indicated the clouds gathered about the top of the great white mountain, like an eagle swooping down on its prey, and a shadowy white mass was soon all that remained. " The sky became darker and the air grew colder before we left the top of St. Helena. A rainbow formed in the north-west, one end bathing the mountains back of Russian River with a flood of variegated light, the other end fading off in the clouds like a veil of gossamer. The wind began to blow, and soon the sun disappeared. From the bay and from the ocean the fog began to move towards the summit whereon we wei'e stationed. Onward it came like some attacking phalanx of the elements, now across 102 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. the mountains to the west and south, now over the central valleys of Sonoma and Napa, now up the slope and beyond, and immediately our view was at an end." THE FUTURE.— The future of Napa County is destined to be a grand one. Her varied resources will always bring into her coffers almost untold wealth. Her wine industry is yet in its infancy ; mines are yet in an un- developed state, but promise great things for the future ; her agricultural products are almost boundless, and her fine pleasure resorts and grand climate will always attract a host of tourists into her boundaries. THE PIONEERS.— We are now about to bring this chapter to a close, referring the reader to the chapters on township or special history for further information, where we think will be found treated eveiy matter of historical interest that can be found in the county. We have preferred to make this chapter rather meagre in some respects that we might the more fully write up the townships. In closing this chapter it is but proper that we should pay a tribute to the brave old pioneers who led the van and sacrificed their comforts and often their lives that we might have the great blessings we now enjoy. Ah, those hardy old pioneers ! What a life was theirs, and how much of life was often crowded into a year, or sometimes even into a day of their existence. Now that the roads are all made and the dim trail has been supplanted by well-beaten and much-traveled highways, how complacently we talk and write and read of their deeds and exploits. The writer of fifty years hence will be the man who will have the license to color up the heroic deeds of valor, and set forth in fitting words a proper tribute to the valor and prowess of the generation that is just now passing from our midst. We of to-day cannot, dare not, say it as it should be said, for there are living witnesses who would say it was too highly colored, too romantic, too fan- ciful. Heroic deeds do not seem so to the enactors of the drama of Pioneerism. It has been theirs to subdue the wilderness and change it into smiling fields of bright growing grain. Toil and privations, such as we can little appreciate now, was their lot for many years. Poor houses, and even no houses at all, but a simple tent or even an Indian wickeup, sheltered them from the rigors of the storm and the inclemency of the weather. The wild beasts of the woods were their night visitors, prowling about and making- night hideous with their unearthly noises, and working the nerves of women, and often, perhaps, of men, up to a tension that precluded the pos- sibility of sleep and rest. Neighbors lived many miles away, and visits were rare and highly appreciated by the good old pioneer women. Law and order prevailed almost exclusively, and locks and bars to doors were then unknown, and the only thing to fear in human shape were the petty General History and Settlement. 103 depredations by Indians. For food they had the fruit of the chase, which afforded them ample meat, but bread was sometimes a rarity, and appre- ciated when had as only those things are which tend most to our comfort, and which we are able to enjoy the least amount of. But they were happy in that life of freedom from the environments of society and social usage. They breathed the pure, fresh air, untainted by any odor of civilzation ; they ate the first fruits of the virgin soil, and grew strong and free on its strength and freedom. They spent their leisure hours under the wide- spreading branches of the giant forest monarchs, and their music was trilled forth upon the silver air by the feathered choristers of " God's first temples." But changed are all things now ! Where was then the wilderness, are now the fields of shining grain. The rude cluster of huts has developed into a handsome village, with its church spires pointing like finger-boards the way the worshipers at its shrine are wont to travel, from the church militant below to the church triumphant above. At every mile-post almost along the road are reared the bulwarks of our religious liberty, social free- dom and of our vaunted civilization — the public school -houses — in which the youth of the land receive instruction in all that goes to make the free American citizens. The arts and trades thrive, and on every hand the marks of prosperity are visible. And, above all, standing out in bold relief, are the happy homes of the people who now live where the pioneers en- dured such hardships, and, best of all, is the fact that many of the good old pioneer fathers and mothers still remain with us, in the full vigor of their manhood and womanhood, to enjoy these hard-bought privileges and pleasures. Others still are with us, but in the waning, mellow glow of Life's setting sun, looking back upon the life they have led, with a remembrance mingled with joy and sorrow, shaded and lighted by their varied experi- ences ; looking out upon the results of their labor with feelings of exultant pride, knowing and feeling that the generations yet to come will rise up and call them blessed ; looking forward with glowing hearts, full of hope, trust and loving faith to the joyful time when they shall hear the Master's voice bidding them come up higher, and enter into his joy ; when the glad- some welcome " well done " shall thrill their hearts with a pleasure that shall never die. Othei-s have gone on before to that reward already, and their places are occupied by their children and even their children's children, and a strange people who knew them not will soon fill the land. So, hei-e on history's page, let us render a fitting tribute to their revered memory. " No more for them shall be Earthly noon or night, Morn or evening light ; But Death's unfathomed mystery Has settled like a pall Overall." 104 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. The final close of this chapter cannot be made more appropriately than to quote the following beautiful lines, penned by M. S. Beers, and entitled "NAPA VALLEY." I spied a beautiful valley, All nestled cosily down In the laps of some grand old mountains, That were flecked in green and brown. It was like a wondrous vision, Which comes in on purest hours, Of the garden made in Eden, All filled with fruits and flowers, And trees that were green forever, With a river rippling through, That waters the beautiful valley And its blossoms of every hue. 'Twas a land enriched with vintage, And flowing with hone}' and wine ; A valley, like that of Hermon, With its dews and golden sunshine. Legislative History of Napa County. 105 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF NAPA COUNTY. ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY.— The first organization of counties in the United States originated in Virginia, her early settlers becoming proprietoi-s of vast amounts of land, living apart in patrician splendor, imperious in demeanor, aristocratic in feeling, and being in a measure dictators to the laboring portion of the population. It will thus be remarked that the materials for the creation of towns were not at hand, voters being but sparsely distributed over a great area. The county organ- ization was, moreover, in perfect accord with the traditions and memories of the judicial and social dignities of Great Britain, in descent from whom they felt so much glory. In 1634 eight counties were established in Virginia, a lead which was followed by the Southern and several of the Northern States, save in those of South Carolina and Louisiana, where districts were outlined in the former, and parishes, after the manner of the French, in the latter. In New England, towns were formed before counties, while counties were organized before States. Originally, the towns, or townships, exercised all the powers of government swayed by a State. The powers afterward assumed by the State government were from surrender or delegation on the part of towns. Counties were created to define the jurisdiction of courts of justice. The formation of States was a union of towns, wherein arose the representative system, each town being represented in the State Legislature, or General Court, by delegates chosen by the freemen of the towns at their stated meetings. The first town meeting of which we can find any direct evidence, was held by the congregation of the Plymouth Colony, on Mai'ch 23, 1621, for the purpose of perfecting military arrangements. At that meeting a Governor was elected for the ensuing year, and it is noticed as a coincidence, whether from that source or otherwise, that the annual town meetings in New England, and nearly all the other States, have ever since been held in the spring of the year. It was not, however, until 1635 that the township system was adopted as a quasi corporation in Massachusetts. The first legal enactment concerning this system provided that whereas: " Particular towns have many things which concern only themselves, and the ordering of their own affairs, and disposing of business in their own towns ; therefore, the freemen of every town, or the major part of them, 106 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. shall only have power to dispose of their own lands and woods, with all the appurtenances of said towns ; to grant lots and to make such orders as niay concern the well ordering of their own towns, not repugnant to the laws and orders established by the General Court. They might also impose tines of not more than rwenty shillings, and choose their own particular officers, as constables, surveyors for the highways, and the like." Evidently this enactment relieved the General Court of a mass of municipal details, with- out any danger to the powers of that body in controlling general measures of public policy. Probably, also, a demand from the freemen of the towns was felt for the control of their own home concerns. The New England colonies were first governed by a "" General Court. " or Legislature, composed of a Governor and small council, which court con- f the most influential inhabitants, and possessed and exercised both legislative and judicial powers, which were limited only by the wisdom of the holders. They made laws, ordered their execution, elected their own officers, tried and decided civil and criminal causes, enacted all manner of municipal regulations, and, in fact, transacted all the business of the colony. This svstem, which was found to be eminently successful, became general as territorv was added to the Republic, and States formed. Smaller divisions were in turn inaugurated and placed under the jurisdiction of special officers, whose numbers were increased as time developed a demand, until -tem of township organization in the United States is a matter of just pride to her people. Let us now consider this topic in regard to the especial subject under review : — On the acquisition of California by the Government of the United States. under a treatv of peace, friendship, limits, and settlement with the Mexican Republic, dated Guadalupe Hidalgo, February 2 1>4> the boundaries of State were defined. This treaty was ratified by the President of the Unit-r: 9ta1 March 16, 1S48; exchanged at Qneretaro May 30th. and finally promulgated July 4th, of the same year, by President Polk, and I bv Secretary of State, James Buchanan. In 1849 a Constitutional Convention was assembled in Monterey, and at the close of the session, on October 12th. a proclamation calling upon the people to form a government -ued " to designate such officers as they desire to make and -xeeute the laws: that their choice may be wisely made, and that the govern: oaed mav secure the permanent welfare and happiness of the people of the n-w State, is the sincere and earnest wish of the present executive, who, if the Constitution be ratified, will with pleasure surrender his powers to whomsoever the people may designate as his successor/' This historical document bore the signatures of " B. Riley. Bvt. Brig General U. S. A. and r of California : and official H. W. Halleck. Bvt Capt. and Secre- tary of 9 Legislative History of Napa County. 107 Prior to the first partition of the State into counties, the section now known as Napa had been included in the district of Sonoma, a division which had originated with the Mexican authorities during their power, and that included all the counties now lying west of the Sacramento River, between the Bay of San Francisco and the Oregon line ; it had not been interfered with on the accession of American rule, but retained the official designation given to it by the Spaniards. April 11, 1850, an Act of the Legislature was passed organizing a Court of Sessions, which defined its composition as follows : — The Court consisted of the County Judge, who should preside at its ses- sions, assisted by two Justices of the Peace of the county as Associate Justices, they being chosen by their brother Justices from out of the whole number elected for the county. The duties imposed upon this organization were multifarious. They made such orders respecting the property of the county as they deemed expedient, in conformity with any law of the State, and in them wer-e vested the care and preservation of said property. They examined, settled, and allowed all accounts chargeable against the county ; directed the raising of such sums for the defraying of all expenses and charges against the county, by means of taxation on property, real and per- sonal, such not to exceed, however, the one-half of the tax levied by the State on such property ; to examine and audit the accounts of all officers having the care, management, collection and disbursement of any money belonging to the county, or appropriated by law, or otherwise, for its use and benefit. In them was the power of control and management of public roads, turnpikes, fences, canals, roads and bridges within the county, where the law did not prohibit such jurisdiction, and make such orders as should be requisite and necessary to carry such control and management into effect; to divide the county into townships, and to create new townships, and change the division of the same as the convenience of the county should require. They established and changed election precincts ; controlled and managed the property, real and personal, belonging to the county, and purchased and received donations of property for the use of the county, with this proviso : that they should not have the power to purchase any real or personal prop- erty, except such as should be absolutely necessary for the use of the county : to sell and cause to be conveyed, any real estate, goods, or chattels belonging to the county, appropriating the fund; of such sale to the use of the same : to cause to be erected and furnished, a Court-house, jail, and other buildings, and to see that the same are kept in repair, and otherwise to perform all such other duties as should be necessary to the full discharge of the powers conferred on such court. Terms were ordered to be held on the second Monday of February, April, June, August, October and December, with quarterly sessions on the third Monday of February, May. August and November of each year. 108 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. In accordance with section fourteen of Article XII of the Constitution, it was provided that the State be divided into counties and Senatorial and Assembly Districts, and at the first session of the Legislature, which opened at San Jose- December 15, 1849, there was passed, and approved February 8, 1850, " An Act subdividing the State into counties and establishing the seats of justice therein," which directed that the boundary lines of Napa County should be as follows : Commencing in the Napa River at the mouth of the Soscol Creek, and running up said creek to the point of said creek nearest to the range of mountains dividing Napa Valley from Suisun Valley ; thence in a direct line to the nearest point of said range ; thence along the summit of said range north-westerly to its northern extremity ; thence due north to the for- tieth parallel of north latitude ; thence due west twenty miles ; thence south-westerly to the nearest point t>f the range of mountains dividing Napa Valley from Sonoma Valley ; thence south-westerly along said range of mountains to its termination in Carnero Mountain ; thence in a direct line to the nearest point of Carnero Creek ; thence down said creek to its junc- tion with the Napa River ; thence to the place of beginning. The seat of justice shall be Napa City. It will be seen by the above that the territory embraced in the above boundaries included all of what is now known as Lake County. There were no changes in these lines until April 16, 1852, when an Act of the Legisla- ture denned the boundaries of Napa County as follows : Commencing in Napa River at the mouth of Soscol Creek, and running up said creek to the point of said creek nearest to the range of mountains dividing Napa Valley from Suisun Valley ; thence in a direct line to the nearest point of said range ; thence in a northerly direction to the east side of Chimiles, or Corral Valley ; thence in a direct line to the east side of Berryessa Valley, to the northern end of said valley ; thence in a north- westerly direction to the outlet of Clear Lake ; thence up the middle of said lake to its head ; thence in a westerly direction to the north-east corner of Sonoma County ; thence south along the easterly line of said county to the place of beginning. The boundary lines of the county were destined to not remain the same for any great length of time, for on the fourth day of April, 1S55, we find that there was an Act passed by the Legislature to amend the above Act so as to make it read as follows : Commencing at a point on the Guichica Creek where the said creek empties into San Pablo Bay ; thence running in a direct line due east to the top of the ridge of mountains dividing Napa Valley from Suisun Valley ; thence in a northerly direction along the top of said mountains to a point parallel with the southern boundary line of the ranch known as the Chimiles Legislative History of Napa County. 109 Rancho ; thence easterly along said line to the top of the mountains known as the Vaca Mountains, which divide the Vaca Valley from the Chimiles Rancho ; thence northerly along the top of the main ridge of said Vaca Mountains to the Putah Creek ; thence northerly across said creek to the top of the mountains dividing Berryessa Valley from Sacramento Valley ; thence northerly along the top of said ridge to the outlet of Clear Lake ; thence easterly to the top of the mountains dividing Clear Lake Vallejr from Sacramento Valley ; thence northerly along the top of said mountains to the head of Clear Lake ; thence westerly to the top of the mountains that divide Clear Lake Valley from the Russian River Valley ; thence southerly along the top of said mountains to a point on the top of said mountains one mile east of the eastern boundary line of the rancho known as Fitch's Rancho, on the Russian River.; thence in a direct line southerly to the westerly branch of the head waters of the Guichica Creek ; thence westerly to the top of the main ridge that divides Guichica Valley from Sonoma Valley ; thence in a southerly direction along the said dividing ridge to the tule bordering on San Pablo Bay ; thence southerly to the center of Guichica Creek ; thence following the center of said, creek to its mouth, the place of beginning. The county seat shall be Napa City. The boundary lines of Napa County remained as above described for some time, but there was some considerable effort made on the part of the Solano County people to have the lines between Napa and Solano so changed that Solano would get the best of the change. Some trouble grew out of the fact that the people had been assessed and the taxes collected in Napa County, when Solano people claimed that they were residents of that county. These parties who had thus paid their taxes into Napa County evidently were more desirous of living in Napa than Solano County. At the session of the Legislature of 1856 a bill was introduced by the rep- resentative from Solano County, establishing the dividing line between the two counties, so that it would run only four miles south of Napa City. To this, of course, the whole of Napa County was opposed. The Board of Supervisors passed a resolution, requesting their representatives in the Assembly and Senate to oppose to the utmost any such change. They did so, and nothing more came of the matter at that time. At the next session of the Legislature the matter again came up for dis- cussion and settlement. Again the people of Solano County felt aggrieved, from the fact that the taxes which rightfully, as they thought, belonged to Solano County had been collected by the Napa officials. Mr. A. Stevenson was then in the Assembly from Solano County, and he introduced several measures, all of which looked to the settling of the question much to the advantage of his own county, and as often the people of Napa would re- monstrate, and the measure would fall dead. Finally, the excitement got so 110 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. high that members of the Legislature saw that something had to be done to quiet the feelings of animosity that were being fostered between the sister counties. Accordingly, a Commission was appointed to arbitrate in the matter, and settle all differences as amicably as possible. Judge Warm- castle, of Contra Costa County, Hon. William S. Wells, of Solano County, and Judge J. B. Horrell, of Napa County, composed this Commission of Arbitrators. They had full power and authority to act in the matter. When they came to investigate the subject they found that the disputed territory rightfully belonged to Solano County, but that the citizens living in it were unanimous in their desire to become attached to Napa County, as they traded in Napa City, and the county seat was much more accessible to them in this county than in Solano. Taking all this into consideration, they awarded to Solano County the amount of taxes which had been col- lected by Napa County, also the costs of the Commission. The first amount was Si 175, and the costs were between $300 and $400, making a total of about $1500 which Napa County had to pay to Solano. The Commission then awarded to Napa County the disputed territory, which included about twenty thousand acres, making a very cheap purchase of some very valu- able land for Napa County. As stated above, the boundaries of Napa County originally included all of the territory now known as Lake County. In 1861 the County of Lake was organized, and its boundary lines established as follows : Commencing at the south-eastern corner of Mendocino County ; thence running in an easterly direction along the dividing ridge between Russian River and Knights Valleys on the west, and Clear Lake and Coyote Valleys on the east, to the highest point on Mount St. Helena ; thence easterly in a direct line to the point where the second standard line north (United States Survey) crosses the line dividing Yolo and Napa Counties ; thence along the line of Yolo County to the Mendocino County line ; thence along the Men- docino County line to the place of beginning. The boundary lines of Napa County were destined to other changes in the near future, for we find that on the 29th of February, 1S64, the bound- ary lines of Lake County were changed so as to affect Napa County as follows : Commencing at the south-east corner of Mendocino County ; thence run- ning in an easterly direction along the dividing ridge between Russian River and Knights Valleys on the west, and Clear Lake and Loconoma Valleys on the east, to the highest point of Mount St. Helena ; thence eastwardly to the most northern point of Las Putas Ranch, commonly known as the Ber- ryessa Ranch ; thence easterly in a direct line to a point where the second .standard line (United States Survey) crosses the line dividing Yolo and Napa Counties ; thence northerly along the highest ridge of mountains dividing Legislative History of Napa County. Ill the waters of the Sacramento on the east, and Berryessa on the west, until it intersects the line dividing Yolo and Colusa Counties ; thence along the main ridge of mountains dividing the waters of Long Valley on the east and Clear Lake on the west ; thence up said ridge to the summit of the Coast Range ; thence along the summit of Hulls Mountain ; thence west, in a direct line, to Mount St. Hedson ; thence southerly on the ridge dividing the Russian River on the west and Clear Lake on the east, to the place of beginning. The boundary lines of Napa County remained as thus described until 1868, when, March 24th, the following boundary lines were established, which of course affected Napa County : Beginning at the south-east corner of Mendocino County ; thence east- erly along the summit of the ridge dividing the waters flowing into Russian River and Knights Valley on the west, and Clear Lake and Loconoma Valley on the east to the highest peak of Mount St. Helena ; thence easterly along the heretofore established line to the Butts Canon road ; thence easterly in a right line to the northern point of the Las Putas Ranch (commonly known as the Berryessa Ranch); thence easterly along the northern line of said ranch to the north-east corner thereof ; thence east to the line between Yolo and Napa Counties ; thence northerly along the summit of the range of mountains dividing the waters of the Sacramento River from those flow- ing into or through Berryessa and Morgan Valleys on the west, to Cache Creek ; thence east to the summit of the spur of the Coast Range which divides the waters flowing east into Bear Creek and Stony Creek, and those flowing west into the north fork of Cache Creek ; thence n• ;w p : & : JS« :x : sW :&; ■ ~i a : d : s-s'^ :j : 1 ! 11 lilt iSH ia *£ III ■ ; I| ■ 1 as 1 3- ^ ^ 5 Kd»iS d^S :-» JB)' dgd >ri^aa : : as'g :Xg> : is z d«i«;8 -;dS:« '■< ^< d-f-'i &-<5:^05^ ►,xS J^; 2 3 Iw to-^o^feSJ^ :«j ^g dgd assx :w i ; |; i. | 3 o d^. : : M g=| a " a^d'Hta :•? \< a" ada oiS ►j a ^ fc ■< ri » ►; >^ : a : a ni^ >-; as" -»' Kd^ : : : : »;a eg 2 1 ■S J i J» »1 J - ill -II i33| 5f *'!! So: : if : llli!: il j S ta a^afc^ :<*£< ** |«a ^"aiai : *tii : i fcd^ :fe : : odP : : : : : % i : i 4 J 1 3 il g^iiiii il 2£f §3a :«^* SS 11 a ai ^-KKg*5" :&3d. £ 5 3 I r - i ; I ;• . I 5 I 3 -| 1 1 S ! § I g. |1 ^ s S' if 1 H<: #| g -Sf.fi I 15 g 3 ,o -;i-iss Political History of Napa County. 139 | a 3 - - »- « | S ^ s s* 1 a" i I ^> s & s- ? r» af 2 2" S 2 2 S _■ I 3 3 S ■ f s » I .& I £ -s < & 1 ! £ 1 ■= 2 •= f » if I d I 1 •& -f = ~ I f 1 S" SS.-t ? £*{ & -S1 * S I fa fa 'fa '5 o Ei « ,'S-a-2i2'3faHEHr4 2° ■ 1 1 s •! I £ * j 5. £ 1 '< So faff g 1 1 §£ 5 §"3 8 1 1 1 -2 *■" 3 3 ^.■-*?oo| 3 I 3 „- o ^ g'o^^-^^P^"*: S fct fS h; d E* •< 0 a ri S= ■ IMS in Si 1 :-i ill £• 8 rt S (fa o o; •= I •= 1 I? ssiiti:-l#blii!.!i 1* iifflliiiiflfrfi^i .Si & I § a " - g J t J I I s- | s I g . I £ 1 1 1 1 3 « 11 1 1 h 1 & 1 1 ; ^^oo.'i3Sd^fa;^ g ».' d : S:i7~ — _.- _ ".-.':•: r.7_^- 777: W .:>;-rr ':--. —~- 2-:':^.:;ri -:n- -ir. 7_:n' ni^itiii :n :if iiv zz-—.zi :•: :if -i:;7777_ iiirif:: i-irii^-s-iiii -frf gr_-_:_._ :•: i: i::.f_j: ;:r".~ .f-7 77717 ■'• :r-::~fr ~-z.z :•: 77 r_rr_ :•: ; : 7_f m 1 — . 7 in :if i: v.?- ~. ri 7i7_ from sleep by someone i windows. He locked oo: ;il 7.7- . : 7.7. '7.7 7. i 71 breast He lived about and was taken to St HeJ facts. He bad his prebj ... brought out in evidence t £7. 7.777 7.7t "l-'-rV f-7 Hi.-"-:'.!.- .7. :"..r j.~. ^77 . A-iW»iio o/ J«w ___«--»*_.— Wiffian. P. Carter resided in Pope Va -7. :. 7. .-.7. 7 '...7_-i--rr '>:"r;7 i . : . 17. 777 -7.7.- . _ . ' . .. 7' '- - --- sprang up. Carter was in Oregon at the time, and they proceeded with the :..:.—'..__: '•---.:".. :: :i :'_:i .-: - ■'.:. ..^t .: : nsrn: '^7 7T _r_7 . :z :: 156 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. undoing what had been done. At the end of three months he prevailed upon the girl to return home and leave her husband. Hawkins became en- raged at this and threatened to take the lives of both if she did not return to him, going so far as to tell one man that Carter had just two more days to live. On the day before the homicide Hawkins left a note at Carter's gate addressed to his wife, asking her to meet him at the gate the next morning. On the morning of May 7, 1878, (the one designated in his note) he rode up to the gate. Carter was secreted behind a bush, and as Haw- kins stopped he rose, and drawing a bead upon him said, " defend yourself," and at the same time fired at him, the charge taking effect in Hawkin's head and side. He fell from his horse with the exclamation, " Oh ! " breaking his arm in the fall, and died almost intantly. Carter went to St. Helena and gave himself up and was tried before a Justice and acquitted. The Coro- ner's jury charged him with murder, and he was again arrested and brought to Napa. His case came up again for preliminary hearing before Justice Henning, by whom he was a second time acquitted. It was stated by Car- ter on this trial that Hawkins had tried to kill him once with a revolver. It was evidently a case of war to the knife, and he who drew first blood was the victor. Killing of Charles R. Rice. — Rice was a blacksmith at the Redington Quicksilver Mine, and worked in a shop at Knoxville. On the day of the shooting, June 3, 1879, Jacob Fuquar came into the shop with a mule which he desired shod. After the work was done he refused to paj^ for it, where- upon Rice said that the mule should not leave the shop until the work was paid for. Fuquar then became abusive, and Rice drove him from the shop. He went to a house near by and procured a revolver, and going back to the shop, shot Rice through the heart. Killing of August Ruesch. — This occurred in the " William Tell " hotel, in Napa City, October 25, 1879. It appeared from the testimony adduced, that G. W. Crowey, and his sons John and William, were in the hotel on the night of the homicide, and got into an altercation with Ruesch, and finally a general melee ensued, in which the latter got pretty badly pun- ished. He then went out into the yard, and was followed by John Crowey, who had a billiard cue in his hand. Here the fight was renewed, when Crowey struck him over the head with the cue, from the effects of which he died. All three of the Croweys were arrested, but the father and William were subsequently acquitted. The Grand Jury found a true bill against John at its session of December 4, 1879, and his case came up for trial May 3, 1880. The jury comprised the following named gentlemen: H. J. Lewelling, J. T. Cooper, S. R. Dickey, D. F. Whitlatch, R. F. Montgomery, Homicides of Napa County. 157 S. A. Garnett, C. Cutler, J. Forrester, W. J. Baker, Asa Spear, S. Newcomer, and G. W. Haynes. Their verdict was returned May 14, and was as follows : "We, the jury, find the defendant guilty of murder in the second degree, and recommend him to the mercy of the Court." His attorneys moved for a new trial on the following grounds : First, the Court erred in refusing to grant the defendant's challenge to the panel. Second, the Court misdirected the jury in matters of law. Third, the Court erred in the decisions of questions of law arising during the course of the trial. Fourth, the verdict is contrary to law, and also to the evidence. The Judge passed sentence on him June 1, 1880, which was confinement in the State Prison for ten years, and on appeal it was taken to the Supreme Court, and the remittitur was issued September 28, 1880, for a new trial in the lower Court. The new trial came on October 19, 1880, with the follow- ing jury in the box : G. Hulse, C. i P. Smith, H. Flynn, H. C. Neil, C. Walsh, A. H. Marsh, L. W. Speilman, J. Patterson, J. Hale, J. B. Bloss, T. B. Curtis and H. Koland. This jury disagreed, standing nine for conviction and three for acquittal. The case is still pending in the Courts. Killing of Isaac Wilson. — Quite late in the evening of September 19, 1880, three men, J. Hartshorn, and John and Ward Adams came to the house of deceased, at the northern end of Berryessa Valley. Hartshorn rode up to the house and engaged in conversation with Wilson and his family. Shortly afterwards, a noise was heard in the brush, and it was evident that some one was coming on horseback. Wilson took a gun and advanced to meet the horsemen, who proved to be the Adams's, and called to them : " Stop ! go back ! who are you ? go back, or I will drop that horse from under you ! " At this, one of the horsemen fired the charge taking- effect in Wilson's leg. A rifle was then discharged by the other horseman which did not take effect. Then a second charge of buckshot was sent crashing through Wilson's abdomen by the first horseman. They then rode off and Wilson fired twice after them with a revolver. He died in a little over an hour. The Adams's were tried in Napa in February, 1881, and acquitted. 158 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. MINES AND MINING. That there is precious metal within the limits of Napa County there can be no question now, for the matter has been too well attested. Gold, silver, quicksilver, iron and coal are all found in greater or less quantities in various sections of the county. Of gold there has not so very much as yet been discovered, except in connection with silver ore. We believe that there has been no quartz found yet that contained free or native gold, though we were recently shown a piece which the possessor claimed con- tained it, and also stated that it was the first that had been found in Napa County. Of silver there is quite a considerable to be found in the Calistoga section and it has been mined very successfully there in years gone by, and there are many fine prospects there now, and doubtless some fine mines will be developed there in years to come. Of quicksilver there is quite an abundance in several localities, and mines have been developed in this county second only to the New Almaden. Of iron there are large bodies of ore, but they have not been worked any as yet, though a company has been recently organized and a claim laid, and wTork will probably soon begin. Of coal there are good indications in several places, but it is probable that there is no true coal vein in the county, or it is so broken up that it cannot be followed. The first mining excitement broke out in this county in the winter of 1858-9, and is thus graphically portrayed by Robert T. Montgomery in Menefee's " Sketch Book : " " In the winter of 1858-9 there arose an excitement really worthy of the ' good times ' in the mineral districts. All at once, nobody could very well tell why, a great silver excitement arose, which permeated the whole community. It was found by various parties that the mountains on the east side of the valley were full of the ores of silver of untold, because unknown, richness. Simultaneous with this good discovery, every unemployed man from Soscol to Calistoga turned prospector. Blankets and bacon, beans and hard^bread rose to a premium, and the hills were lighted up at night with hundreds of camp-fires. Hammers and picks were in great demand, and there is ocular evidence even to this day that not a boulder or projecting rock escaped the notice' of the prospectors. There was silver in Washoe, why not in Napa ? It was a question of probabilities which was bound soon to harden into certainties. Indeed it Mines and Mining. 159 was only a short time before silver prospects were possessed of a defined value. Claims were opened, companies formed and stock issued on a most liberal scale. Everything wore the couleur de rose. As usual, upon similar occasions, there was great strife about claims. Some were 'jumped ' on the ground of some informality twice in twenty-four hours. Heavy prices were paid for ' choice ' ground, and it is quite safe to say that our mountain sides and summits have never since borne such enormous valuation. It seemed as if the whole country had been bitten by the mining tarantula. " One man, whose name we withhold, in his perambulations in the pro- found canons of Mount St. Helena, in company with his son, discovered a ledge of solid silver. As neither had brought either blankets or grub, the old gentleman concluded to stand guard over the precious discovery during the night, armed with a shot-gun, while the son went down into the valley for those indispensable supplies. When the morning broke the old man was still at his post, shot-gun in hand, but tired, sleepy and hungry. The son laden with food and other inner comforts, ' toiled up the sloping steep' with the de quoi manger strapped to his back, and both father and son sat down in the gray of the morning by a hastily lighted fire, to discuss their rude breakfast and the limitless wealth before them. It would not do to leave such an enormous property unguarded. It would be 'jumped' in ten minutes, so the shot-gun was transferred to the son, while the father, with an old pair of saddle-bags, stuffed to repletion with ' silver,' descended the mountain. His mule soon brought him to Napa, the denizens of which town he was shortly to astonish with his great discovery. He walked into the Reporter office, saddle-bags in hand, opened the fastenings with an excellent smile but a trembling hand, when out fell some brilliant specimens of iron pyrites. Alas, that it should be told, but such was the scope and extent of his great silver discovery. " But the opinions of the unskilled were of no value. A regular assayer would of course tell a different story. And, we suppose on the principle that the ' supply always equals the demand,' there were discovered in San Francisco large numbers of ' assay offices,' at which for the moderate price of $15, a certificate of quantitative analysis of anything from a brick-bat to a lump of obsidian could be had, showing silver anywhere between $20 and $500 per ton. We were shown numbers of those certificates, and probably gave them all the credence to which they were entitled. There were a few individuals here who had understood from the beginning the character of the whole excitement. One of these G. N. C. (presumably George N. Corn- well) was the recipient of a sample of a very dark pulverized ore of some- thing, and being fond of a joke, dissolved a two-bit piece in nitric acid, and added the resultant to the powered ore. When the assayers certificate got back there was an enormous excitement. The specimen forwarded had 160 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. yielded $428 to the ton. Of course when the joke had been duly enjoyed, the secret was revealed to the great disgust of the lucky proprietors. " Judge S. (John S. Stark), formerly Sheriff of the county, had been up the valley on business in the muddiest part^of winter, and on his way back met a chap on his way to the ' mines.' ' Have you been to the mines ? ' said the fellow. ' Yes,' answered the Sheriff, ' but everything is pretty nearly taken up — at least, all the best claims.' ' But d — n it,' said the would-be proprietor, ' isn't there anything left ? ' 'Oh yes,' returned the Sheriff, ' you might, perhaps, get in on some outside claim.' Without wait- ing to make any reply, the fellow clapped spurs to his Kosinante, headed up the valley, and, as the Sheriff declared, ' in less than two minutes you couldn't see him for the mud he raised.' " The excitement lasted for several weeks and grew better and better. Scores of men, laden with specimens, thronged the hotels and saloons, and nothing was talked of but ' big strikes ' and ' astounding developments.' A local assay office was started, for the miners could not wait the slow process of sending to San Francisco. It is probable that this local assayer, Mr. Frank McMahon (since engaged about the Knoxville mines), did more than any one man towards pricking the great bubbles of the time. His assays were far less favorable than the imported article, and it came to pass that his customers were dissatisfied with the results of his experiments. Finally, as these threw a shadow of doubt over the value of the argentiferous dis- coveries, some of the heavy operators concluded to consult some of the most skillful and well-known assayers of the city — men whose decisions were beyond the reach of suspicion, and whose reputations were above cavil or doubt. Several specimens, considered to be of the highest value, were for- warded. " The general disgust of claim-owners may be conceived when the formal certificates of assay were returned. Most specimens contained no silver at all, and the very best only ' a trace.' Nothing of value had been discovered. Thereupon ensued a sudden hegira of prospectors to the valley. The mil- lionaires of a day left their rude camps in the mountains, and, with ragged breeches and boots out at the toes, subsided at once into despondency and less exciting employments. The hotel and saloon-keepers, saying nothing of the editors, proceeded to disencumber their premises of accumulated tons of specimens of all kinds of ' shiny rocks ' to be found within an area of thirty miles square, making quite a contribution to the paving material of the streets of Napa City. Thus subsided the great mining excitement. The result was that a few were a little poorer, but many hundreds a great deal wiser than they hoped to be." Passing now to a consideration of the mines which have been developed and worked in Napa County, we hnd that quicksilver was first discovered Mines and Mining. 161 in the Mayacamas system of mountains by A. J. Bailey and J. Cyrus, in January, 1860. This discovery was made to the north-west of Calistoga, and near the Geyser Springs. When the rocks were broken here the native metal appeared. It is stated that eight hundred men rushed into the new Eldorado at once and staked off claims. In the May following Edward Evey and J. N. Bennet discovered a ledge of cinnabar in Knights Valley. Both of these discoveries were outside of the limits of Napa County, but were, however, in the same general system of mountains, and were, as it were, tributary to Mount St. Helena. The first quicksilver mining com- pany which was organized in this county was the Phoenix Mining Company. — The certificate of organization of this com- pany was filed November 15, 1861 ; term of existence fifty years. The original trustees were C. B. Sharp, A. H. Botts, John Waterson, John New- man and J. A. Butler. The capital stock was $19,200, which was divided into one hundred and ninety -two shares, valued at $100 each. The original locators were John Newman, R. P.Tucker, F. B. Gilmore, J. A. Butler, J. H. Waterson, J. W. Tucker, William H. James, James Left'erts, W. J. Church, G. W. Morris, A. H. Butts, S. A. Moms, G. W. Amesbury, C. B. Sharp, Jacob Ellsbury, C. H. Holmes and E. Bouhofsky. January 13, 1868, the capital stock was increased to $955,000. At present, John Lawley and parties in Napa City own almost the entire stock of the company. The following particulars concerning the Phcenix Mine wei'e furnished for the " Sketch Book " by George Fellows, Esq., who was at that time superintendent of the mine. His communication was dated December, 1872, and is as follows : " The Phcenix Mine is situated on the side of a steep mountain, sloping to the north-east. It is twelve hundred feet in breadth, and includes the main portion of a well-defined mineral belt, commencing at an altitude of four hundred feet above the valley, and extending back four thousand feet to the top of the mountain. The ore is in true fissure veins, running diagonally through the belt, and crossing the mountain in a south-east and north-west direction. " The first discovery of cinnabar was made in September, 1861, by John Newman. A company was organized soon after, and some prospecting done, when a considerable quantity of ore was found scattered over the surface of the ground at the extreme lower end of the claim, having apparently broken off and rolled down from the numerous ledges above. "Some time in the winter of 1862 the mine was leased to James Ham- ilton, who worked it for about one year, but failed to make it pay (as tradition has it), through bad management and inexperience in mining. After the Hamilton Company suspended operations there was no more 11 162 History of Napa and Lake Comities — Napa. work done at the mines for three years, and most of the owners disposed of their interests at a low price. In the summer of 1867 work was again resumed, and in the spring of 1868 a new bench of retorts was put up, the work being carried on under the management of Daniel Patten, but again without meeting with financial success, and during the succeeding winter work was wholly suspended. In the spring of 1870, having been appointed superintendent of the mine, I commenced work on the 12th of April with six men. In the May following three of the old retorts were fixed up and we began the reduction of ore, working altogether in the mine and on the retorts only sixteen men during April, May and June, and producing sufficient quicksilver (sold at the market price) to put $10,000 in the treasury of the company over all expenses. " In August a new bench of six retorts was put up, together with a crushing mill for breaking the ore, and a circular saw for cutting the wood. A steam boiler was put up at the mouth of the tunnel, a steam pump put into the mine, and a steam engine attached to the boiler on the outside for driving the crushing mill at the retorts. Commenced reducing ore again the first of September; run until January, 1871, and closed down for the winter, having produced during the season nine hundred and sixty flasks or seventy-three thousand four hundred and forty pounds of quicksilver, which amounted to $50,673. " Continued to work eight men in the mine during the winter, and commenced reducing ore again the first of April, 1871, and run until the last of October, when we stopped and commenced building furnace. Worked twenty-five men during the summer, and produced seven hundred and sixty-four flasks of quicksilver, or fifty-eight thousand four hundred and forty-six pounds, which amounted to $40,326. Commenced erecting furnace October, 1871, and completed it January, 1872, but did not get it to working right until the first of July. Have kept forty men employed this summer (1872), and have produced up to the present time, October 1st, six hundred and seventy flasks, or fifty-one thousand two hundred and fifty-five pounds. We are now working sixty flasks a week. Since April, 1870, there has been a double shaft put down one hundred and fifty feet, and two thousand two hundred feet of tunneling done, besides taking out the ore that has supplied the reduction works. The richest ore worked this season has been taken from the lower level, and there is now a sufficient quantity cut to keep the furnace running for two years. " The improvements consist of one furnace of the Knox & Osborn patent, capable of reducing six hundred tons of ore a month, costing with fixtures some $30,000; * * * * one twenty-five horse-power boiler set in stone masonry, with a Blake pump for feeding ; one twelve horse-power hoisting engine at the top of the shaft at main tunnel ; one No. 8 steam- Mines and Mining. 163 pump at shaft, capable of throwing thirty thousand gallons of water in an hour ; also No. 6 steam-pump in shop to use in sinking air shaft ; one twelve horse-power engine, set in brick masonry, for driving blower and soot fan at the furnace. There are some thirty buildings which give the place the appearance of quite a town." The mine was worked until 187S with good success, when the price of quicksilver got so low that it was decided to suspend work for awhile. There is said to be a fine body of ore there yet, and it is considered to be a very valuable piece of property. The machinery is now rusting and the buildings going to rack, and altogether the place presents a very dilapi- dated appearance. Unfortunately we have no means of knowing the total yield of the mine, but know that it continued as good as it began. Redington Quicksilver Mine. — This was originally known as the X. L. C. R. Mining Company, and is located in Sulphur Canon, north of Berryessa Valley. The certificate of incorporation was filed December 16, 1861, and the capital stock amounted to $420,000, divided in four hundred and twenty shares of $1000 each. The original trustees were George N. Cornwell, R. T. Montgomery and George E. Goodman. The locators of the mine were George N. Cornwell, R. T. Montgomery, A. Y. Easterby, James Lefferts, P. Hunsinger, John B. Phippin, Seth Dunham, Isaac Day, W. H. H. Holderman, Francis A. Sage, W. W. Stillwagon, George E. Goodman, M. G. Ritchie, L. D. Jones and J. S. Stark. This company leased their mine in 1862 to Messrs. Knox & Osborn, the inventors of the well and favorably known furnace which beai-s their name. These gentlemen worked the mine for a year or two, and found it to be one of the richest on the Pacific Coast, second only to the New Almaden. Most of the stock had been bought up in the meantime by Messrs. Redington & Co., of San Francisco, who still remain the principal owners. George N. Cornwell of Napa City, however, still retains a large interest in the mine. Of the discovery of this mine Robert T. Montgomery gives the following account in the " Sketch Book :" " The writer, having been one of the original locators, is familiar with the circumstance [of its discovery]. In 1860 a company of twelve was formed in Napa City for the purpose of prospecting for mines and minerals, and two old pioneer prospectors, Seth Dunham and L. D. Jones, were sent out to examine Napa and adjacent counties. What might be found was a matter of doubt, but the company informally organized concluded to pay a small assessment of $250 per month each, in order to find out what might be the resources of the land. The prospectors were wont to bring in, about once a month, the results of their labors. The prevalent idea- then was that silver abounded in the mountains of the county, and accordingly all eyes were directed to the discovery of the ores of that metal, The company 164 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. individually, and the prospectors as well, were well-nigh equally ignorant of mineralogy, and the ' specimens ' brought in ranged from iron pyrites to bituminous shale, all of which were supposed to contain silver. Every newspaper office and hotel bar were replete with these samples of the wealth and value of the mineral resources of the county, all of which, economically considered, were only inferior specimens of macadamizing stone — glistening, but valueless. " At last Messrs. Jones and Dunham, in their perambulations among the hills, struck a new road, then recently built between Berryessa Valley and Lower Lake, and, on ascending a hill at the head of Sulphur Canon, just above the Elk Horn Ranch, where the soil and rock had been removed to permit the passage of teams, discovered, on the upper side of the road, at the turning point, that the rocky point, partly removed by the road-makers, was of a peculiar color and texture. Fragments broken off were very heavy and of a liver color. They were brought to town, and by the experts of those times pronounced cinnabar. And such they proved. The first discovery led to the rich mine of which it was but the indication. The ignorant workmen who had constructed the road had rolled down into the canon below many tons of cinnabar, which would have yielded from fifty to sixty per cent, of metal." Mr. C. A. Livermore, the superintendent of the mine, has kindly fur- nished us with the following resume of the history and workings of the mine: " The Redington Quicksilver Mine is located in the north-eastern portion of Napa County, about eighteen miles from Clear Lake. The mine was discovered some twenty years ago, and has been worked more or less suc- cessfully ever since. Some three hundred men, with their families, forming quite a little town known as Knoxville, owned by the company, are usually clustered around this mine, thus making, with the farmers around, a com- munity of some five hundred people. Owing to the present low prices of quicksilver, the number of men employed now, and during the past year, is very small, being a total of about fifty, all of which are white men, there never having been a Chinaman employed about the premises by the present superintendent. The policy of the company is, at present, to employ barely enough men to pay the expense of keeping up the mine, without exhaust- ing the ore bodies at so trifling a profit as can be realized at the present ruling prices of quicksilver. Should the price advance, the number of men would, of course, be augmented, and the former large production of the mine would soon again be attained. The product of this mine for the past twelve years is as follow* : Mines and Mining. 165 Year. Flaska. Pounds. 1869 4,683 358,244 1870 4,619 353,353 1871 2,055 157,077 1872 3,206 245,259 1873 3,369 257,728 1874 7,200 550,800 1875 8,080 618,120 1876 8,702 665,703 1877 9,447 723,695 1878 6,812 521,118 1879 4,516 345,474 1880 2,114 161,739 Total 61,808 4,958,315 " This mine is worked both by shafts and tunnels, and is what is known as a contact vein, having a hanging-wall of sandstone, and a foot-wall of serpentine. The course of the vein is south-east and north-west, with a dip to the eastward of about forty-five degrees. The mine has been opened to a depth of six hundred feet, but the ore body has not been worked to any great extent below the 500-foot level. The working of the mine has de- veloped ore bodies over a thousand feet in length, the ledge being in many places over two hundred feet in width, with seams of ore of more or less richness and magnitude all through the whole. " The first operations of the mine were with retorts. Afterwards two large Idria furnaces were put up, and these were followed by four Knox & Osborn furnaces, and finally two Livermore fine-ore furnaces were erected, and the two Idria furnaces were converted into Livermore fine-ore furnaces. There are in all eight furnaces on the premises, but at present only two are in use — the Livermore fine-ore. The machinery of the mine consists of a hoisting engine, with link motion, and a 12x24-inch cylinder. The cable is a flat wire one with six strands, and has a breaking sti-ain of ten tons. The cage is supplied with safety hooks, and all modern improvements are applied to the shaft. There is a pumping engine with a 12x24-inch cylinder, driving an eight-inch pump, which raises water from the 600-foot level with three lifts. There is an engine which drives the crusher, as all the ores at this mine are now crushed so as to pass through the fine-ore furnaces. This is found to be the cheapest method of handling and reducing the ore. There is a blower at the shaft for the purposes of ventilation, but the mine has since been made self -ventilating. The Knox & Osborn furnaces are furnished with an engine to drive exhaust fans to create the necessary draft, the fine- ore furnaces running with a natural draft. 166 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. " The mine is well timbered, and the method of conducting all the oper- ations connected with it are systematic. In the shaft the following levels have been established : At forty-seven feet, ninety feet, one hundred and fifty feet, two hundred and ten feet, two hundred and seventy feet, three hundred and thirty feet, four hundred feet, five hundred feet, and six hun- dred feet. A tunnel extends to the eastward of the shaft to the distance of six hundred feet on ore of these levels, while on another level a tunnel extends to the westward a like distance. From these main tunnels drifts and cross-cuts have been driven into the ore-body in various directions, and in almost countless numbers. Stubs have been carried up through the ore- body from one level to another, through which a winze and chute have been kept open, the former for the purpose of ingress and egress and ventilation, and the latter is used to conduct the ore to the level below, whence it is taken to the shaft in cars. " At the shaft it is placed in the cage and hoisted to the surface. There the ore is dumped into the crusher, and thence it is taken to the furnaces, a distance of perhaps three hundred yards, in horse cars. Here the method of reduction is simple and perfect, and the quicksilver, as it runs from the condensers, is conveyed to iron kettles. It is then bottled in iron flasks, each containing seventy-six and a half pounds, which are properly labeled, and then sent to San Francisco, there to be distributed through the markets, to the various countries of the world where it is used. " The town of Knoxville is the property of the company, and they also own some four or five thousand acres of pasture and woodland adjoining the mine. They have large bands of cattle and supply the table for their employees. There is also a store at which the employees and the adjacent country is supplied with merchandise. In the town of Knoxville there is a Wells, Fargo & Co.'s office, a post-office, a public hotel, a school -house and a church. It is located about fifty miles from Napa City, whither all freight from the mine is drawn by heavy teams. " This property has brought into the county of Napa a large amount of money, and has paid a large percentage of the taxes. At present, the business is under a cloud, owing to the low price of quicksilver, but the owners of the mine expect that the price will soon advance to a remunera- tive figure, when it is their intention to work the mine to its fullest ca- pacity. " Mr. G. N. Cornwell of Napa City, and Mr. John H. Redington of San Francisco, are the chief owners. The officers of the company are at present as follows : President, Jno. H. Redington ; Treasurer, H. P. Livermore ; Superintendent, C. A. Livermore ; Secretary, in San Francisco, Geo. Red- ington ; Bookkeeper, at mine, A. McWilliam. The office of the company in San Francisco is at 531 Market street." Mines and Mining. 167 The product of this mine has brought as high as one dollar and sixty- five cents per pound, but the ruling prices range from thirty to fifty cents at the present time; hence, it can be easily seen that quicksilver mining does not pay as it did in days of old. Quicksilver volatalizes at 700 degrees Fahrenheit, and hence, it is neCessary to raise the temperature of the furnace up to that degree to effect a separation of the metal from the slag. There are several kinds of furnaces in use in the reduction of cinnabar, but the principal ones are the Knox & Osbom, Livermore, Litch- field, and Idria. For a description of the Knox & Osbom furnace, the reader is referred to the history of the Sulphur Bank Mine, in Lake County, and for a description of the Litchfield, see history of the Great Western Mine, also in Lake County. Mr. Livermore claims for his furnace many advantages over all others, while others claim that it has its weak points. It certainly has two merits : simplicity and cheapness. It consists only of a series of trenches placed at an angle of about forty-five degrees, in which there are riffles placed to retard in a measure the motion of the ore as it passes downward. There is a channel just above the ore which gives ample draft, so that there is no need of a blower or exhaust fan. The fire passes with the draft over the face of the ore in the channels, and thus nearly the entire body is equally heated all the time, and the movement of the ore is gradual and continual. It is not necessary to superheat the ore next to the fire to get the portions further away from the fire heated enough. The cost of these furnaces are about one-half of the amount which it requires to construct others, and the capacity is unlimited, as firing places may be opened in front of the furnace. The fumes pass into a large brick receiver, and from that into a series of iron chambers, about four by six feet in size, so constructed as to form square elbows, on which a stream of water plays continually. Here the quicksilver is condensed, and the soot is precipitated. Finally, the residue of fumes pass off through long flumes and find egress from a tall chimney. Much more might be written concerning the minute details of this furnace, but sufficient has been said to give the reader a general idea of its plan and work. The Washington Mine. — This mine is located in Pope Valley and adjoining the Phoenix Mine. The certificate of incorporation was filed December 2, 1862, with the following as original trustees: C.B.Sharp, D. D. Wickliff R. F. Miles, J. M. Hamilton and W. W. Stillwagon. The locators of the mine were J. M. Hamilton W. W. Stillwagon, Wm. Brigham, D. D. Wickliff, C. 0. Billings, R. F. Miles, Jacob Elsbury and Joseph Clayes. The capital stock was originally $50,000, but it was subsequently increased to $500,000 with fifty thousand shares held at $10 each. The stock was sub- 168 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. sequently mostly owned by Napa parties, Dr. W. W. Stillwagon holding a controlling interest. The mine was prospected to some extent in 1865-6, but nothing of importance was found. In 1870-1 Messrs. Stillwagon and Patten leased it and erected reduction works, and the surface ore was found rich enough to yield $1000 per month with the labor of six men. Of this mine the " Sketch Book " says : " A recent discovery has been made of a mass or ledge of good ore (some of which is of the highest grade) which extends nearly horizontally into the hill a distance of two hundred feet and of unknown depth. It is suffi- cient, even as far as already developed, to supply a 10-ton furnace for two years. This ledge will yield probably five per cent, of quicksilver on an average, although some portions will yield as high as sixty per cent. Work on this ledge is still in progress and no signs of it giving out are yet seen. On the contrary the ore improves with every foot of progress. It seems now beyond question that the Washington will prove highly valuable property. The company have a United States patent for their mine and for one hun- dred and sixty acres adjoining, making altogether two hundred and seventy- four acres." When the crash in the prices of quicksilver came this mine met the fate of all the other smaller ones, and suspended operations. The place has been so long deserted now that it looks in a very dilapidated condition. TJie Valley Mine. — This mine was located in Pope Valley, and where the now celebrated iEtna Springs are. The certificate of incorporation was filed May 16, 1867. The capital stock was put at $30,000, and the shares were held at $50 each. The original trustees were John Newman, Ezra Carpenter, R. T. Montgomery, H. F. Swarts, Joseph L. Duchay, and Jesse Barnett. The capital stock was increased April 21, 1871, to $300,000, held in sixty thousand shares, at $5.00 per share. Soon after its organization it was leased to Col. J. W. Colt, and he erected reduction works of his own invention. These, however, proved a complete failure, and his lease was abandoned, the mine reverting to its original owners. Extensive works were afterward erected, and the mine at one time yielded as high as fifty flasks a month, but eventually the whole matter was given up, and but few vestiges now remain to show where the Valley Mine was located. The Summit Mine. — This mine was originally located by the Whitton family, of Yountville, and patiently prospected by them for years. It was situated three miles from Rutherford, upon the very summit of the Mayaca- mas range of mountains dividing Sonoma and Napa Counties. The reduction works were situated a mile to the eastward. About 1872, J. Mines and Mining. 169 Pershbaker purchased the property, paying therefor $35,000. The claim was very extensive, and there were attached to it one hundred and sixty acres of timber land. The surface ore was found on the west side of the mountain for a distance of over one thousand feet. A great amount of tun- neling, drifting, and cross-cutting was done, the mine being worked upon two levels. There was a railroad track along the main tunnel, and winzes from the upper to the lower level. Of this mine the " Sketch Book " says : " Work upon this mine upon a large scale was commenced in August last (1872). The former proprietors, Messrs. Whitton Bros., up to that time transported the ore upon the backs of mules to their furnace, which was a small affair of one and a half tons capacity, and situated upon the site of the present reduction works. The profits of the mine worked even upon that scale, were very great, considering the capital invested. After the purchase by Mr. Pershbaker, a fine mountain road was con- structed from the mine to the reduction works, which were greatly enlarged. The capacity of the present furnace is twenty -four tons per day. New buildings have been erected, very complete and convenient for ore sheds, boarding houses and other purposes. The furnace is of a new and improved construction, and can be fed and discharged hourly, thus capable of being kept in constant motion. The chimney is some eighty yards from the furnace." The Oahville Quicksilver Mine. — This mine is located on the west side. of Napa Valley, above Oakville. The certificate of incorporation was filed January 22, 1868, and the capital stock was put at $300,000, held in three thousand shares at $100 each. The original trustees were E. N. Boynton, S. Hutchinson, and O. P. Southwell. The locators of the mine were W. W. Stillwagon, E. N. Boynton, S. Hutchinson and O. P. Southwell. In the course of a few years the original stockholders disposed of their interest in the mine for the sum of $30,000, to San Francisco parties. The new company began at once to work in a vigorous manner, making extensive explorations and erecting works on quite an extensive scale. The first furnace erected had a capacity of ten tons per twenty-four hours, and the yield was from seventy-five to one hundred flasks per month. In December, 1872, a furnace of fifteen tons capacity was completed, making the reducing capacity of the works equal to twenty -five tons of ore per day. The ore was found in quite large quantities on the surface, and consisted of rich carmine-col- ored cinnabar, mixed with clay. This was made into rude adobes or sun- dried brick, and then passed through the furnace, the yield of this ore being about one per cent. This San Francisco company disposed of their property in 1873, to the Napa Mining Company, but, in company with the majority 170 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. of the mines in the county, it was suspended some years since ; its ma- chinery is rusting out, its works going to decay, and the mine caving in. The Manhattan Mine. — This mine is located two miles north of the Redington, and is on the same lode. It is the property of Messrs. Knox & Osborn, and they opened it in the fall of 1869. There is one Knox & Os- born furnace at the mine. There is a shaft two hundred feet deep, but the most of the work has been done in tunnels, of which there is upwards of two thousand feet. They suspended work in 1877, and have not since re- sumed. There is said to be a very fine body of ore here. Napa Consolidated Quicksilver Mine. — This mine is commonly known as the Oat Hill, and is situated at the head of Pope Canon, and about three miles north of JEtna, Springs and two miles north of the Phcenix and Wash- ington mines. It is, however, in no wise connected with either of these mines, the lead of both of these ending at the summit of the range on the south side of the canon, over a mile from the Oat Hill. In February, 1872, a party of four men, W. P. Cook, Geo. Porter, Henry D. Vivian and Ed. Welch, all working at the time for the Phoenix Mine, were out hunting on the ridge back of the present site of the mine. A flock of grouse flew up in front of Mr. Cook and whirred away down a canon just north of the present shaft about one hundred yards. He followed them, and being a miner and on the qui vive for " prospects," discovered some sandstone with a reddish- brown substance in it. The color of the metal was all right, but to find it in sandstone was what excited his distrust as to its being cinnabar. He put a few " chunks " of the rock in his pocket, took it home, and after due tests decided that it was cinnabar. He then took into his confidence the parties who were with him on the hunting expedition and proceeded to prospect the country for the ledge whence had come the fragments found on the hill- side. They soon found where they thought it should be, and began to run a tunnel, going on with it at odd times until it was thirty -two feet in length. They did not come to the ledge as they had expected and they became dis- satisfied and began casting about for a purchaser of their claim. Then came Joseph, Elias and David Roberts and M. V. Owens, who purchased it for a trifling sum compared with the untold wealth which lay hidden beneath the surface. This new company prospected for about a year and a half, but did no real work in the way of developing the mine. They then sold out their claim to J. E. English, J. B. McGee and A. Hawkins & Co., which transac- tion occurred in the fall of 1876. These parties remained proprietors until January 1, 1881, when a Boston company purchased it. This mine is in many respects quite an anomaly. First, the cinnabar is freqently found incorporated in the coarse sandstone which forms all the Mines and Mining. 171 rock in the vicinity, and which belongs to the Tertiary geological period. The ledge, however, is a decomposed serpentine formation, and is called by the miners, for convenience, talc. It is very soft, and is, in fact, nearer a clay than anything else. Whence it came is a great query. It seems that these beds of sandstone, which are very deep here, were rifted by some vol- canic forces in the ages long agone, and that the seams have filled up with this talcose substance, in which the mineral seemed to be incorporated. Whence it came no one knows, for, like all precious metals, its source is a mystery. Pressure, or the natural volatility of the metal, may account for the incorporation of it with the sandstone walls of the crevice or dike. What the miners call " horses " are often found in this mine. A " horse " is a body of barren substance found in the trend of the vein, and it may be either a portion of the vein rock, or of any other foreign rock. It is usually, however, a portion of the side-walls which extends across the lead. There is no telling how deep this crevice extends into the earth, and it is fair to presume that it reaches the bottom of the sandstone formation, and as that can be traced to the bottom of the canon to the south of the mine, which is at a much greater depth than the present shaft, it may be supposed that they are not near the bottom yet. Another peculiarity of the mine is the fact that when the ore is being reduced in the furnace, great quantities of ammonia are evolved. This is something that is not to be found at any other quicksilver mine in Napa or Lake Counties. Generally, there is a rank odor of sul- phur, almost unbearable, but here it is different. But little sulphur fumes are generated — so little, in fact, that they are not noticed at all, while the ammoniacal fumes are virulent, and an operator is not able to endure them but a short time. The question, whence comes this ammonia ? is often asked, but is not so easily answered. We have examined into the subject to some extent, and give the following as our solution of it : Sal-ammoniac is a volcanic product, and is found in all sections where there has been volcanic action in greater or less amounts. This is in close proximity to St. Helena, which has evidently been, in days long since gone by, an active volcano, and this sal-ammoniac doubtless came to the surface through that channel. It was then washed down the mountain sides, and leeched out of the lava, and eventually found its way in large quantities into these dikes where the quicksilver is now found. It must be borne in mind that sal- ammoniac is a salt and not volatile, as we usually see ammonia on the druggists' shelves. These salts are passed along with the ores and undergo all the processes, the same as the quicksilver, being driven off by the heat of the furnace and precipitated in the condensers. When the soot is drawn from the condensing chamber, quicklime is applied to it to liberate the globules of metal, and behold, that is the very substance that is used to 172 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. liberate volatile ammonia from the sal-ammoniac salts, and as a resultant we find that the air is laden with the fumes of ammonia. There is no doubt but this is the true source of the ammonia found in this soot. The fumes of ammonia are readily driven off by heat, and their presence is dis- covered about the furnaces as well as at the soot-pan ; but quicklime is a better re-agent than heat, hence they are the rankest during the process of treating the soot. There are two distinct mines here so closely connected that they may, for all practical purposes of working, be considered as one. They are known as the " Manzanita," and the " Mercury." One shaft reaches them both, going out on different levels. The dip of both is the same, being about thirty-five or forty degrees to the north-east. There is a tunnel which taps the ore-body at about the 90-foot level, which opens on the side of the hill ; and in the shaft there are three levels : the 200-foot, 400-foot, and the 500-foot. The next level will be 650-foot. From the 400-foot level there is a tunnel or drift of seven hundred feet. Leading from the shaft are main tunnels, which are very large and roomy. The mine is kept well timbered, and only one man has been killed in the mine, and that was from his own carelessness. The ventilation of the mine is excellent, and the temperature never gets excessively warm, and is often below what it is at the surface in the summer season. The 200-foot level is warmer than the 500-foot. There is so little water in the mine that no pump is necessary at all. Railroad tracks are laid in the main tunnels, and stoops are carried up through the ore body from one level to another, and winzes and chutes are carried up with them the same as in other mines. To a stranger, the spec- tacle presented in the deep recesses of a mine is wierd. The dim and flick- ering light of the miner's candle throws an indistinct glimmer upon every- thing ; and the hollow ringing sounds caused by the miner's pick as it cleaves the rocks sounds like the echoes from another world in regions far more subterranean than where we are. Clambering . over debris along the stoops, or up the long and narrow winzes, and gliding through the low pas- sages in a stooping position, makes one feel that truly it is a precarious place to be in ; but the miners say not, and that they would not exchange their work underground for any vocation on the surface. To us the novelty was pleasant, and we enjoyed the prowling around in the very bowels of the earth. The furnace is some distance from the shaft, and the ore is taken thence in horse -cars. It being of the soft and friable nature which we have de- scribed, it cannot be burned as ordinary ore is, but has to be passed through a mill similar to that used in grinding clay for brick-making purposes. Adobe or sun-dried brick are then formed, and these are passed into the furnace. There is only one furnace at this mine, but it is an excellent one, Mines and Mining. 173 being a " Stack," a combination of the Knox k Osborn and the Green, and having the good qualities of both incorporated in it. Its capacity is twenty- four to twenty-eight tons a day, and the slag is drawn every one and a half hours. The yield of metal at this mine for 1879 was 1.98 per cent., and for 1880 it was 2.01 per cent. The yield of the mine since 1876 has been kindly furnished us by Mr. M. G. Rhodes, the superintendent, and is as follows: Year. Flasks. Pounds. 1876 963 73,669 1877 1,348 103,122 1878 2,872 219,788 1879 3,784 289,476 1880 3,837 293,530 1881 (first seven months) \ . . 3,248 248,472 Total 16,052 1,227,978 About fifty men are employed, and the average weekly product is one hundred and fifteen flasks. Mr. Rhodes has tried an experiment, in putting glass sides to a couple of his condensers, and he finds that it works well. The condensers of the large chamber pattern comprise three made of brick and two of glass, to which is added two small iron ones. The workings of the condensers are as perfect as it is possible, and close experiments reveal the fact that only a trace of mercury escape through the chimney. Hitherto the freighting has been done via Middletown to Calistoga, but the Company is now constructing a road from the mine to the Mountain Mill House at the north-eastern base of St. Helena Mountain, lessening the distance many miles. Mr. M. G. Rhodes is the superintendent and is a very proficient man. The underground affairs are in charge of Mr. W. P. Cook, the gentleman who first discovered the mine. It is ever thus — locators seldom reap the harvest which the mines they have discovered yields, but others get the golden benefit of their " finds." The Ivanhoe Mine. — This mine is located about one mile north-east of the Phoenix Mine, but over the ridge from it and hence not in the same lead. It is in the same kind of formation as the Oat Hill, viz.: sandstone, and in the same body of it, although on the opposite side of the canon. It has been but recently opened and work in the way of further opening is being now pushed ahead. Mr. M. G. Rhodes, superintendent of the Oat Hill, and some San Francisco parties are the owners. 174 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. Other Quicksilver Mines. — There have been from time to time several other companies formed for the prosecution of quicksilver mining, hut none of them have been very successful. Of these we find the following on record : Hamilton Quicksilver Mine. — Mention has already been made of the fact that J. M. Hamilton leased the Phcenix Mine in 1862. This company was formed to work that mine under that lease, and the certificate of incor- poration was filed June 30th of that year. The capital stock was $28S,000 held in one hundred and forty-four shares of §200 each. The original Trustees were J. M. Hamilton, I. N. Larimer, T. B. McClure, H. H. Coster and W. P. Hammond. These names also comprise the locators of the mine. Insufficient works and a lack of experience brought the affairs of this Company to a termination within a year after its organization. New Burlington Quicksilver Mine. — This mine was located near Oak- ville, and the certificate of incorporation was filed May 17, 1871. The capital stock was $300,000, held in three thousand shares of $100 each. The original trustees were David Dank, Win. Baldridge, Wm. A. Lewis, Henry H. Harris and John Stecker. The locators were John Philpot, H. H. Harris, John White, Wm. A. Lewis, Wm. Baldridge, B. F. White, David Dank and John Stecker. No work was ever done on this mine to amount to anything. The Red Hill Quicksilver Mine. — This mine was located in Pope Valley, and the certificate of incorporation was filed March 2, 1871. The capital stock was $480,000, held in four thousand eight hundred shares at $100 each. The original trustees were W. W. Stillwagon, A. Y. Esterby, Daniel Patten, J. H. Howland and R. Burnell. The same parties were also locators. Nothing was ever done at this mine. The Silver Bow Mine. — The claim of this company was also located in Pope Valley. The certificate of incorporation was filed October 2, 1871. The capital stock was $180,000, held in one thousand eight hun- dred shares of $100 each. The original trustees were J. H. Kester, P. Van Bever, A. W. Norton, Joseph N. Reynolds and C. E. Comstock. The locators were Jesse Barnett, Henry Mygatt, J. N. Reynolds, J. Israelsky, P. E. Perl, A. W. Norton, P. Van Bever, D. B. Parks, J. H. Kester and C. E. Comstock. A considerable work was done on this mine, and its ores were reduced at one time at the works of the Valley Mine. It is all a thing of the past now, however. Mines and Mining. 175 The Overland Quicksilver Mine. — The location of this mine was in the Summit Mining District, and adjacent to the Summit Mine, and probably on the same lead. The certificate of incorporation was filed Octo- ber 6, 1871. The capital stock was $300,000, held in three thousand shares of $100 each. The original trustees were George N. Cornwell, E. J. Smith, E. N. Boynton, and the locators were E. N. Boynton, W. W. Pendegast, John T. Smith and H. H. Clark. No work to amount to anything was ever done on this mine. The Mutual Quicksilver Mine. — The location of this mine was in the Napa Mining District and adjoining the Oakville Mine. The certifi- cate of incorporation was filed March 1, 1872, with a capital stock of $300,000, held in three thousand shares of $100 each. The original trustees were R. H. Sterling, T. H. Thompson, Henry Fowler, W. W. Thompson, and J. F. Lambdin. The locators were R. H. Sterling, Henry Fowler, W. C. Watson, W. W. Thompson, and J. F. Lambdin. Mammoth Mining Company. — The certificate of incorporation of this company was filed September 22, 1871, with the following original trustees: John Lawley, John Pershbaker, T. P. Stoney, M. B. Pond, and Sylvester E. Smith. The capital stock was put at $4,000,000, held in forty thousand shares at $100 each. The object set forth in the certificate of this company is to own, occupy, and work mines of cinnabar, and to extract quicksilver and other metals from the ores of said mines, and to carry on the business of quicksilver mining generally in Napa and Lake Counties. One cannot help reflecting as he glances over the foregoing pages, how easy it is to get grand fortunes figured out on paper, and how hard it is to get them realized. Here we see companies with capital stocks ranging from a few thousand dollars to the enormous and incomprehensible sum of four millions, and yet not a dollar of actual value is represented by many of them. The subject furnishes food for reflection, and having thus called the reader's attention to it -we will leave it for his cogitation. Silver Mines. — That there are paying silver mines in Napa County there can be no doubt, but they need capital to develop them, and just now capitalists are inclined to be a little shy of mining claims. The amount that a mine can be sold for is always a matter of more moment than the actual yield of metal. It is a very safe assertion to say that far more money has been put into silver mines on the Pacific Coast than has ever been taken out of them, and then if we include all that has been worse than sunk in stock speculations, we will have an amount that exceeds their yield perhaps one hundred per cent. The only silver mine in Napa County that has been 176 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. worked to any extent is the Silverado, which was located in the south-eastern slope of Mount St. Helena. Work was prosecuted at this place quite exten- sively in 1874-5. The ledge extended north and south across a spur of the mountain, and was worked from the surface downwards. The dip of the ledge was about twenty degrees, and the quartz was very beautiful, being porous, or full of cavities which were lined with crystals, which sparkled like diamonds. These crystals were colored frequently with oxide of iron, and ranged from a dull yellow to a bright carmine. The silver appeared here in the form of chlorides, and the ore was sometimes quite rich. The mine was situated just to the left of the toll-road leading over St. Helena, and was near the toll house. About a mile further down the mountain, towards Calistoga, a mill was constructed which had eight stamps in it. The ore was drawn from the mine to the mill with heavy teams. The pro- cess of gathering the silver here was similar to that practiced at any of the silver mines, and consisted of large pans, holding several barrels, called " settlers," into which the crushed and powdered ore passed from the stamp. In these quicksilver, common salt, etc., were placed, and the whole mass set to revolving by means of a fan-wheel inside. After being taken up by the quicksilver, it was roasted, the mercury going over and leaving a residuum of gold and silver. The mine was abandoned about 1877, and the works are now fast going to decay. The Calistoga Quartz Mill. — The people of Calistoga and vicinity have an abiding faith in the richness of the section about there in mineral wealth, and from time to time the stillness of the place is ruffled by a breeze of excitement emanating from some reported good " find." Of these many claims the Ida Easley seems to be considered the best — at least, it shows the best prospects. During the fall and winter of 1S80-1 a company was organized for the purpose of erecting a small custom quartz mill at Calis- toga, and they proceeded as far as the erection of the building, but since then nothing has been done, and rumors are rife that nothing further will be done. As to the relative merits of the various mines, we can state no estimate, and only time will tell whether or not the fond hopes of the good people of Calistoga are to be realized. Should paying mines ever be dis- covered here and successfully worked it would add a new impetus to the whole business interests of the upper valley, and, indeed, to the whole of Napa County. Calistoga Mining District. — The principal mines in this district are to be found in what is known as Kings Canon. We are sorry indeed that these mines are not in a more advanced stage of work, for as it is now, for one to say that there is that or this to be found in these mines in paying Mines and Mining. 177 quantities is only a matter of conjecture. We have examined ore rock from various mines in this section, and while there are strong evidences of great mineral wealth in many of them, yet we do not care to venture the asser- tion, in a work of this character, that this or that mine is a bonanza, or to set any approximate figures upon its value or probable yield. We will name a few of the most prominent of the mines in this district, or at least such as have been named to us as the most likely to prove successful. Of course, we understand that every claimant hopes that he has the best pay- ing thing on the whole ledge, and also that each one thinks he has, hence we expect some fault to be found with the following : The Elephant. — This mine is situated on the south side of Kings Canon, and is the property of Messrs. Getleson, Smith and Brown. When we were there they had just struck the cap rock of the ledge, hence no definite esti- mate could be made of the value of the ore. It was sulphuret of silver. The Hetten. — Owned by Messrs. Gardiner, Smith and Brown, and is located on the west side of Kings Canon. They have been drifting into the side of the hill, having gone upwards of forty feet, hoping to strike a ledge whose outcroppings appear further up the hill. The Ida Easley. — This mine is the property of Judge Hartwell, of Napa City, and is located about three miles from the town of Calistoga, on the west side of Kings Canon. Quite an amount of drifting and tunneling has been done here, and much ore that assayed veiy well indeed has been gotten out of it. Indeed, it is considered by all to be one of the best, if not the best mine in the whole district. Work was suspended here, however, when the quartz mill at Calistoga was found to be a failure. There are other mines which deserve mention, but still we must pass them by, and say, in general terms, that the prospects are good, and there is good grounds for thinking that the future mining interests of this section will be something grand and rich. Coal Mines. — As stated above, there is no probability of there being any coal measures in Napa County which can be worked to advantage, although there are here and there outcroppings that look very favorable indeed. On the strength of these a few coal companies have been formed, but nothing further than prospecting has been done. A few seams of quite good coal have been found in Capelle Valley, but they are inconsiderable. ■ Pacific Coal Mining Company. — The certificate of incorporation of this company was filed May 17, 1871. The objects set forth in their cer- tificate was " to mine for coal beds or strata." The capital stock, $2,000,000 12 178 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. in twenty thousand shares of $100 each. Original corporators and trustees, E. Huguenin, Henry Mygatt, W. W. Stillwagon, J. H. Kester and W. & S. Holt. Napa Goal Company. — The certificate of incorporation was filed by this company February 1, 1871. The object as set forth in their certificate was to " purchase and own coal lands in the State of California, and open coal beds and veins thereon, and remove the coal for the purpose of com- merce." The capital stock was set at $3,000,000, held in thirty thousand shares of $100 each. The original trustees and incorporators of this com- pany were : W. C. S. Smith, George N. Cornwell, W. R. Brown, E. N. Boyntorj and John Mudgett. Clark Coal Mining Company. — The certificate of incorporation was filed by this company March 7, 1871. The object being " to mine coal on the land owned by George W. Clark in Napa County, and to purchase and sell coal lands." The capital stock was placed at $2,000,000, held in twenty thousand shares at $100 per share. The trustees and incorporators were W. W. Stillwagon, Henry Mygatt, Ralph Ellis, E. Huguenin and Robert Crouch. Atlantic Coal Company. — The certificate of incorporation of this com- pany was filed May 17, 1871. The object being to work coal beds or shale. The capital stock was $2,000,000, held in twenty thousand shares at $100 each. The original trustees and incorporators were Henry Mygatt, John H. Kester, E. Huguenin, W. W. Stillwagon and C. E. Comstock. There have been other corporations formed for mining in this county, but as they accomplished nothing, mention of them is omitted here. The above are inserted to give the reader an idea of the kinds and extent of mining that has been attempted in times gone by. As to the future of the mining interests of Napa County, it is hard now to determine what will be its status, say ten years from now. Should the price of quicksilver advance to one dollar per pound, which is not improbable, then would we see the mountains of Napa full of prospectors, and the hum and whir of machinery would be heard all through them, for there are many mines in the county which would pay well at that rate. As to sil- ver, time alone can tell what that will develop into. Let us hope for the best while the prospecting goes bravely on. As to gold, the indications are that there is none, and so of coal. There are better fields for capital, to say the least. ^b'^tm^ - fe (^g^t^t^/ jfr^t^Zr Viticulture in Napa County. 179 VITICULTURE IN NAPA COUNTY. From the days that immediately succeeded the flood we have accounts of vineyards and wine using. In the Book of Genesis ix, 20, we read : "And Noah began to be a husbandman, and planted a vineyard and drank of the wine." It is reasonable to suppose that if Noah knew how to manu- facture wine after the flood, he also knew how to do it before that event occurred, and so did his fathers before him. To make and drink some kind of fermented and intoxicating beverage seems to be the common impulse of humanity, wheresoever dispersed around the globe. No nation was ever yet so highly civilized that it outgrew that taste, and no tribe is so primitive but that it has attained it. Almost everything that grows has been brought into requisition for the manufacture of spirits. Grapes make wine and brandy ; wheat, barley, rye and maize produce whiskey ; sugar cane, rum ; apples, cider ; palm trees, atole ; cacti, aguadienta ; barley and hops, beer and ale ; the leaves and bark of the spruce tree are often brought into requisition for the same purpose ; and then there is blackberry, raspberry, elderberry, currant, rhubarb and et id ovine genus kinds of wine. Whether or not this natural desire for these beverages is one of the taints that came upon the race through Adam, is not our province here to speculate. In all things we must deal with mankind as we find it, letting the mooted ques- tions stand aside for the consideration of others. It is the abuse of the good things of life that has led the human family into disaster, and not the use of them. The intemperate use, which is the vilest of abuse of our greatest blessings, entails the greatest of woes upon us. Both sacred and profane history is full of references to both the good and bad results which flow from the use of wine. Babylon, the mighty city, fell into the hands of the enemy while the king and chief officers were in a drunken revel. " Wine is a mocker, and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." " Look not upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth its color in the cup ; for at last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder." " Who hath woe ? who hath contentions ? who hath wounds with- out a cause ? They that tarry long at the wine ; they that go to seek mixed wine." Such and kindred passages can be found in the Bible ; yet, when the Divine Master, Jesus, came into the world, his very first miracle was to make wine at the marriage feast in Cana of Galilea. And Paul, the great 180 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. expounder of Christ's teachings, tells Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach's sake. The moral phases which this question of wine-making present, are the of the greatest importance, and deserve to be considered first of all. " What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul ?" is a very pertinent question just at this point. Of what avail if the coffers of the world are emptied into Napa Valley, if the succeeding gen- erations grow up to be a race of drunkards ? Then comes at once the ques- tion, " Is there any danger of such being the case ?" To this question we can give no answer, nor can any one of to-day. Only time can demonstrate what the ultimate effect will be on the generations yet unborn. For paral- lels, however, we can go to the wine-producing countries of Europe, where more than ten generations have passed by since the advent of wine-making as an industry, and see what the effect has been there. Mr. T. Hart Hyatt, author of a volume entitled, " Grape Culture," and a man of vast expe- rience and extended observation, having traveled all over the world almost, says in the introduction to his able work : " To the question, ' Does the production and use of wine necessarily tend to induce or encourage intemperance ? ' we answer most emphatically and understandingly, No ! In all our experience and observation in the wine districts of Europe, and among all classes of Europeans where cheap, pure wines were abundant and the common beverage of the people, we remarked it then, and have reflected much upon it since, and all these observations and reflections have left upon our mind the full and clear impression and belief, that there was far less intemperance among the people of those vine- growing and wine-making countries than in our own, where all kinds of foul, poisoned, adulterated stuff, under the name of whiskey, brandy, rum, gin, etc., is drunk by our people, for the want of a purer, more nourishing and harmless beverage, like that of the pure juice of the grape, now made by all honest viniculturalists in our own country. * * * In Spain, where pure, cheap wines are drunk almost as commonly as water, we do not recollect to have scarcely ever met with an intoxicated man. " Pure cheap wines are, in our opinion, better temperance missionaries, and will do more to expel from our midst the accursed fire-water that has done so much to demoralize and debase its victims in our land, than can all the over-zealous crusaders against wine-growing and wine-drinking that are set forth by our temperance organizations, no doubt from good but mistaken motives of philanthropy. " It is contended by some that the taste for -wine produces a taste for other and stronger kinds of ardent spirits. We do not believe it ; it is against our own observation and experience. It might as well be said that the babe should not imbibe the milk from its mother's breast, for fear it Viticulture in Napa County. 181 would give it a hankering after milk ■punch! For there is quite as much similarity or affinity between these two beverages as between the pure juice of the grape that cheers, enlivens, strengthens and makes healthy its re- cipients, and the vile, drugged, poisoned liquors which make their victims mad, drunk, and their ' steps to take hold on hell' " We would state in this connection that the above testimony is corro- borated by all who have traveled in those countries ; and also another fact which we have observed in our visits among the citizens of Napa County who are engaged in the industry of wine-making, namely, the charge of being a drunkard cannot be laid at the door of one of them. They drink wine as a beverage in its fullest sense, and it is used in most of their families, yet not one of them has developed into a confirmed drunkard, nor do they show any tendencies in that direction. Surely the intelligence, good sense and due regard for their own and their families' welfare will keep the citizens of this fair valley from degenerating into drunkards — nor will their children's children. No fears need to be entertained upon that score. In considering the subject of viniculture, it will not be without interest to our readers to give a cursory glance at the general history and condition of the industry in the State of California. The first permanent settlers who came to California from civilized countries were the Jesuit Fathers, or padres. They came mostly from Spain, a great grape-growing and wine- making country, and nothing was more natural than for them to bring with them this favorite fruit, also the source from which came their favorite beverage, and engraft it into the California soil. Hence the term " Mission," as applied to the black common grape found growing in the vineyards of California when the Americans first came to the country. These old padres located upon the very cream of the land, selecting the most favored spots, both as to soil and water for the Missions. Here they planted the grape- vines they had borne over so many leagues of water and barren waste, and in a short time the fruit of the vine, both as grapes and wine, became quite common. As a matter of interest we will describe the method of grape culture and wine-making in those primeval days. A choice spot of rich ground was selected, which could also be easily irrigated, for they had no idea that any- thing could be produced without the free use of water. The usual method of plowing of those days were pursued, which was as follows : The imple- ment called a plow, was as crude as those used by the Egyptians in the days of Moses, consisting of a forked stick of timber, one prong of which had a bit of iron fastened to it for a sort of share, while the other prong served as a beam. To this a yoke of oxen was attached by means of a stick lashed to their horns. When all was ready the cavalcade moved in the following 182 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. order : An Indian led the van as a guide for the oxen to follow, and also to be in front of them in case they should undertake to run away. Then came the oxen, flanked on either side by an Indian, who carried a sharpened stick, with which they prodded the poor beasts continually, and last of all came the poor excuse of a plow, guided by another Indian. And so they worked days and days to accomplish what is now done by a man with a gang plow in a few hours. But the world moved slowly in those old days. The glebe being thus upturned, a heavy brush was dragged over it to serve the purpose of a harrow. The vines were then planted and the water turned on. They grew rapidly and strongly, and in the course of about three years began to bear quite thriftily. As in the days of Solomon so then, they literally trod the wine press. The grapes were put into troughs made for the purpose, and the Indians then trod upon them with their bare feet, until the whole mass was a pumace. This was then removed and placed in cow skins, so suspended that they would retain the greatest possible amount of it. These were their fermenting tanks, and here the pumace remained during that process. When this was accomplished a hole was cut in the skin, and they drew the wine off and put it into casks to await further processes. And that is the way they made what they called wine in those days It was sour, unpalatable and dreggy stuff, yet it answered the purpose, and was relished by those accustomed to its use from youth to old age. In these days of advancement, when the soils best adapted to the growth of the grape is sought out, when the ground is as thoroughly tilled as it is possible to have it, when the crushing is done by steam power with a patented machine, when the process of fermentation is conducted in pure, sweet casks holding hundreds of gallons, when the entire process of wine- making is conducted in the best light of the age, we who live now look back upon the primitive wine-makers of our State with feelings almost akin to pity, thinking how great the opportunity and how meagerly it was embraced. And again, when we are enjoying a glass of Mr. Krug's sherry, Mr. Crabb's angelica, Mr. Schram's hock or claret, or in fact the pure, delicious wines that are produced at any of the cellars in Napa County, we are constrained to glide our thoughts back to those older days, and to wonder how men could be induced to imbibe the wretched stuff then called wine. And above all, the thought of wonderment arises, that those old Spaniards were content to do as their fathers did through all the ages past, and not seek for improvements in manufacturing their wine. When the first Americans came to the country they followed much in the steps of the Spaniards in regard to wine-making. It was something entirely new to them, and they had no information on the subject at all. Rich lands were sought in which to plant the vines, and much water was Viticulture in Napa County. 183 applied to make them grow. The Mission variety, with its large seeds and but little juice or pulp, was still in vogue. Finally, in 1856, a new era in wine-making in California began to dawn. All the old settlers will remember Col. Agoston Haraszthy, the founder of the Buena Vista vine- yard in Sonoma County. He was a Hungarian noble, of court lineage, who was expatriated for taking a prominent part in a political crisis in his native land. After residing in Wisconsin for a while, he came to California in 1849, and to Sonoma County in 1856, and from that time on he devoted his entire attention to the advancement of the wine and vine interests of his adopted State. Up to that time there were no foreign vines in Cali- fornia. He founded a horticultural society, and began the importation of foreign varieties at once. He believed that vines would thrive without irrigation, and carried out his faith by planting a large vineyard. He thus at once put himself at the head of the wine industry in California, and may with propriety be denominated the father of Viniculture in this State. It will probably always remain a mooted question as to who brought the first foreign varieties of vines into California. It is known that a Mr. Stock, of San Jose-, had several varieties growing on his place as early as 1858 or 1859, which he had received from his father, who resided in Germany. In 1861 Dr. Crane of St. Helena purchased cuttings from the Stock vineyard at the rate of forty dollars per thousand. There was one variety which had no label, and Mr. Stock sold the cuttings at half price, and they proved to be the now celebrated Riesling, and these cuttings were the first of that variety ever planted in Napa. In 1861 Col. Haraszthy was appointed by the Governor of the State as a Commissioner, to visit the wine-growing countries of Europe, in the interests of that industiy of California. The result of this visit to the old countries, was the importation of some three hundred different varieties of vines, many of which are yet great favorites with the vineyardists of the State, and from which are made the most valuable wines now produced. Upon the return of Col. Haraszthy from Europe, in 1862, he was chosen President of the State Agricultural Society. In 1863 he organized the Buena Vista Vinicultural Society, to which he conveyed his four hundred acres of land in Sonoma. About this time, he wrote a treatise on the culture of the vine and the manufacture of wine, which was published by the State for gratuitous distribution. This publication, thus generally circulated, called the attention not only of the citizens of the State, but the people of the World to Cali- fornia, as a wine producing country, and gave to that interest its first impulse. He had now given the matter a thorough test, and had proved beyond a doubt that wine making could and would be made a success, and 184 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. held demonstrated that he knew more than any other citizen of the county about the subject, and took more interest in it than anyone. In 18C8 he went to Nicaragua, where he engaged in other pursuits. July 6, 18G9, he mysterio\isly disappeared, and was never heard from since. On that day he left his house to go to a saw mill he was having erected. His foot-steps were traced to the river, which it is supposed he attempted to cross, but falling into the water was devoured by an alligator. But to return to the matter in hand : In the winter of 1858, Col- Haraszthy planted about eighty thousand vines in a high tract of land east of the town of Sonoma, since known as the Buena Vista Vineyard, and the growth and progress of this venture, was very closely watched by all inter- ested in viniculture. The experiment succeeded beyond the most sanguine expectations of all, and was the beginning of a new epoch in the culture of grapes in California. About this period the securing of a wine finer in flavor, by means of the introduction of foreign varieties of grapes, began to be seriously canvassed. Connoisseurs had given their dictum, that the native wines had not the excellence of the article produced abroad. Stating that it wTas either too earthy or too fiery, or too sour or too sweet and insipid. This was doubtless owing in a great measure to the rich quality of the soil, and the irrigation of the' vine, to which may be added the lack of experience of the manufacturers, and the crude manner in which it was made. In 1S61, Messrs. Haraszthy, Schell and Col. Warren were appointed a committee, to inquire and report upon the best means of promoting and improving the growth of the vine in this State. The former visited Europe, as has been stated above, the latter reported upon the condition of the interest in California, while Mr. Schell gave a statement of the culture of the vine in the South American States. It is a noticeable fact, that the European varieties, introduced by Col. Haraszthy at that time, all held their peculiar characteristics after being introduced here, losing nothing in any particular by the process of transplanting. Having thus given a cursory history of the rise of this great industry in the State, we will now append some items of interest concerning it, which we have gleaned from Mr. T. Hart Hyatt's work, " Grape Culture," and other sources. Among several inducements set forth by Mr. Hyatt for men to engage in the industry are the following : California has the best soil and climate in the United States, if not the world, for the growth of the grape. The grape crop never fails ; at least has not in the past century. The vines need no irrigation. It is the most sure, profitable, pleasant and healthful of all rural employments. There is no danger of over-stocking the wine market. Vines do not, like most fruit trees, deteriorate by age, but grow better with added years. Raisins as well as wine can be produced from the choicest varieties of foreign grapes. Viticulture in Napa County. 185 Some idea of the immense progress of this industry may be had, when it is stated that in 1866 the estimated wine product of the whole State was only two million gallons, while last year, 1880, the product of Napa County alone was, by actual count, two million, eight hundred and thirty thousand, seven hundred and fifty gallons. The total vines of the State in 1866 were estimated at forty millions, while those in Napa County at the present time are about eleven millions. Of the two million gallons made in 1866, per- haps not one-half found its way to a foreign (Eastern) market, while now trains go loaded to New York, Boston and elsewhere. France and the Ger- man wine districts are said to produce one hundred and seventy-five gallons to the acre, and Italy, under the best circumstances, about four hundred, while in California it is double that, and not uncommonly reaches one thousand gallons to the acre. There are twenty million acres of grape land in Cali- fornia, which, if producing the maximum amount, would yield annually twenty billion gallons. That this yield will never be reached is doubtless true, but it will be very great indeed. It is a very simple process to start a vineyard, and no great amount of capital is required. The land once purchased the vines may be planted, and half of the time for the first three years will suffice to care for them, while the remainder of the time may be spent on the outside earning current ex- penses. At the end of three years a small return comes in from the vine- yard, and at the end of six years the man has a property that is yielding from $100 to $200 per acre, and worth from $350 to $500 per acre. The influence of climate is very great on the wine crop, and that climate which is the most even, dryest during the summer season, and especially free from frost during the summer months, is the most desirable. The average rainfall of Napa County is not far from twenty-four inches, while that of Malaga, Spain, is twenty-three inches. The mean temperature of Sacramento is about 67 degrees, while that of Malaga is about 68 degrees, Madeira is 65 degrees, and Bordeaux is 57 degrees. It will thus be seen that the climate of California is very similar to the best wine-producing sections of the world. As stated above, the prevailing idea among the padres was that vines must be planted in rich soil, and the Americans followed in their footsteps ; but it has since been demonstrated beyond a peradventure that rich soil does not produce the quality of wine that lighter grades do. True the vines are thriftier and the clusters larger and the yield of juice more, and now, when the wines are not graded very closely, it all sells for about the same price ; hence it is an object to have the best yield possible. But the time will come when the line of distinction will be carefully drawn between mountain and valley productions, the preference being in favor of the former. 186 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. To give the reader, who may have a desire to test the soil of a place he is about to purchase, an idea of what it should contain to best adapt it to the growing of grapes, we append the following analysis of the wild grape vine, made by Prof. Emmons : Wood. Bark. Potash 20.84 1 .77 Soda 2 . 06 0 . 27 Chloride 0.02 0.40 Sulphuric Acid 0.23 Trace. Phosphate of Lime 15 . 40 5.04 Phosphate of Peroxyd of Iron 1 . 20 5 . 04 Carbonic Acid 34.83 32.22 Lime 16.33 39.32 Magnesia 4 . 40 0 . 80 Silex 2.80 14.00 Soluble Silica 0.00 0.30 Coal and organic matter 2 . 10 1 .70 100.21 100.86 It is, however, not always possible for a man to make a close quantitive analysis of the soil, hence we append the following simple method of testing the adaptability of soil to the culture of the wine grape, which is within the reach of all, and is practiced in Germany. Take about five pounds of the soil you intend to select for your vineyard, put it into a clean vessel, pour boiling water over it, stir it with a clean piece of wood and let it stand covered for two days. Then carefully pour off' the clean water ; and if, upon tasting it, you do not detect a salty or mouldy taste in it, it will prove good for a vineyard ; for what would give a bad taste to the water would effect the wine made from grapes grown in the soil. On the subject of soils, Col. Haraszthy says : " When the planter re- solves to plant a vineyard, he should determine whether he is planting to produce grapes for wine or for the market. If for the former he must look for soil which is made by volcanic eruptions, containing red clay and soft rocks, which will decay by exposure to the air.. The more magnesia, lime or chalk the soil contains the better. This kind of soil never cracks and keeps the moisture during the summer admirably. Such soil will produce a wine that will keep good for fifty or one hundred years and improve annually ; is not liable to get sour or when exposed to the air, after one year old, to get turbid and change color in the bottle or glass. For marketable table grapes rich, black, gravelly or sandy loam, exceedingly rich and well manured is the best." In choosing a location for a vineyard, attention should be triven to the Viticulture in Napa County. 187 location and the exposure it will have to the sun. All men of experience agree that a preference should be given to a southerly — either south-eastern or south-western. In any locality where the damp, fog-laden trade winds of the coast blow in, it is preferable to have a south-eastern exposure. Still, in all the valleys of the interior of California, there is no great amount of difference to be observed. It is of far more importance that there be depth of soil, and locations free from frosts must be considered. The question of close or wide planting enters very largely into the cal- culation of a man who is just starting a vineyard. The variety of the vine planted is to be considered ; for heavy bearers, like the Rieslings, should be planted at least 7x7 feet ; while light bearers, like the Pinot family, closer planting should be adopted. To enable the reader to see at a glance how many vines to the acre will be required for the different modes of planting, the annexed table is given. There being forty-three thousand five hundred and sixty square feet in an acre of land, the following will be found as nearly correct as it is practicable to make the calculations. The land required for roads, borders, etc., will reduce the quantity of vines somewhat. Planting the vines 3 fee Plants to by 3 requires 4,840 4 " 3,630 4 " 2,722 5 " 1,815 7 " 1,556 5 " 1,742 6 " 1,452 6 " 1,210 7 " 1,037 8 " 907 7 " 889 8 " 780 There are four ways of propagating grape-vines : by seeds, by cuttings, by rooting, and by layers, to which may be added grafting. The first four refer to planting new vineyards, while the last is practicable, of course, in changing the varieties in old vineyards, and for the fast propagation of choice varieties. For planting new vineyards, cuttings are now preferred above all the other plans. It is cheaper, more practicable, and has the ad- vantage of having the whole vineyard bearing at the same time. Planting by layers consists of trenching and rooting vines still attached to the parent stem. 188 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. For the benefit of our readers who are not practical viniculturalists, yet who have an interest in the subject, we give below a list of the varieties of grapes best adapted to wine-making : Beginning with the Rieslings, there are the Johannisberg, Franken, Gray or Dishia, Green, and Orleans ; of the Sauvignonne, there are the Green and White ; of Chasselas, there are the Golden (Gutedel), Fontain- blau, Purple, and Rose ; the Berger, which makes an excellent light wine ; Muscatel ; Traminer. The above are all white grapes. Passing to the black varieties, we find the Zinfandel ; the Pinot family ; Black St. Peter ; Matero, commonly known as Burgundy ; Black Burgundy ; Greenache ; Charboneau ; Malbic ; Black Cluster, and Cabronet. From the Sauvignonne grapes are made the finest flavored white wines. They are trained high, like the Rieslings. From the Riesling variety are made those wines so celebrated and well- known as Johannisberg, Steinberger Cabinet, Raunthaler, Berg, Liebfrau- milch and Marcobruner. It always commands a high price, and is a great favorite with the Napa Valley viniculturalists, and their wine made from it is now standing at the head of light white wines. The bunches of this grape are of medium size, compact; berries rather small, round; thin skin ; flesh tender and juicy, with sweet and sprightly pleasant flavor. The Chasselas de Fontainbleau succeeds well and produces abundantly in California. Bunches rather small size, very close, the berries pressing each other almost out of shape, but rarely have any imperfect ones ; long for their diameter and shouldered lightly; berries of rather small size, round ; skin thin, clear watery green, with a slight tinge of amber when to the sun and fully ripe ; flesh juicy, sweet and of a veiy good ; ripens in California from early in July to late in October. The Red Chasselas resembles the White Chasselas, except that the ber- ries are slightly colored with red, and sometimes, when over-ripe, they become a dark red. Bunches loose, not large ; berries medium size, round ; thin skin, at first pale green, but when exposed to the sun they become red ; flesh tender, sweet and very good. The Red Traminer is one of the celebrated table and wine grapes of the Rhine. Cluster small, compact ; berries small, roundish ; rose-color ; quality sub-acid, pleasant and excellent. •The Rose Chasselas is described as a beautiful and good variety, re- sembling the Royal Muscadine, except in color, which is a bright rose. Its bunches and berries are scarcely equal in size, but its beauty and flavor recommend it. The Black Prince is an excellent variety, highly esteemed, with large and long bunches, partially shouldered. Berries large, rather thickly set, oval, black, covered with a thick blue bloom ; rather thick skin ; flavor sweet, OLJa^-^ Viticulture in Napa County. 189 juicy, excellent. It is popular as a table grape and succeeds well in Cali- fornia. Miller's Burgundy is a favorite variety, long known, and cultivated in all parts of the world, as a hardy grape for wine and table use. It is readily known by the dense covering of cotton down, which lines both sides of the leaves, whence the name, Miller's grape. Bunches short, thick, compact. Berries roundish oval, very closely set together ; skin thin, black, with a blue bloom ; flesh tender, abounding with a sweet, high-flavored juice. A valuable wine grape. The Zinfandel has bunches most generally divided into two long shoul- ders, making a large cluster. Berries medium, round, very black, covered with a thick bloom ; slightly acid, becoming good when fully ripe. In Cal- ifornia it makes a good wine grape, and is one of the favorites in Napa Valley. Of California varieties we have the Mission, Los Angeles, and Sonoma. The Mission grape is generally divided into two classes, though it is doubt- ful if there is any difference between them. They are known as the Sonoma and Los Angeles. They are supposed to have been introduced into Califor- nia over a century ago by the Jesuit Missionaries. The Los Angeles variety has a somewhat heavier bloom than that known as the Sonoma. Bunches slightly shouldered, loose, divided in fact into many small, distinct, lateral clusters, from six to ten inches or more in length. Berries medium size, round, purple-black, heavy bloom, exceedingly sweet, juicy and delicious; skin thin but seeds rather large. The Mammoth grape does not derive its name so much from the enor- mous size of the fruit as of the vine which bears it. We append the follow- ing description of the famous Mammoth vine near Santa Barbara as a matter of interest in this connection. It is from a daily paper of that city : " One of the celebrities of Spanish California is the immense and beau- tiful grapevine now growing at the Montecito, two or three miles below Santa Barbara. The planter of the vine was Donna Marcellina Feliz de Dominguez, of the earliest expedition to Sonora, before 1780. When she planted it it was nothing but a slip, which she had cut from the young vineyard at San Antonio Mission, in Monterey County, for a horsewhip. Her husband had got permission to make a small garden near the warm springs of Montecito, and here she planted it on the ridge of a knoll. It immediately took root and began to bud and leaf, and from careful attention, before she died it was made to produce more than any grapevine in all America, North or South. Between 1850 and 1860 it had been trailed over eighty feet in circumference, with a trunk of twelve inches in diameter, rising clear fifteen feet from the ground. Some years it has borne over six thousand bunches of ripe and sound grapes, or close on to eight thousand 190 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. pounds ! It has become the wonder of every resident or sojourner in that part of California. And what is more, for the last thirty years of the Donna's life it principally maintained the old woman and her numerous family, she being nearly as prolific as her vine, having brought forth four- teen children, and having in all three hundred descendants when she died." State Viticultural Society. — An Act for the promotion of the Viti- cultural Industries of the State was approved, April 15, 1880, in which the State was divided into seven viticultural districts, in each of which it was provided that a Commissioner should be appointed, and also that two Com- missioners should be appointed for the State at large. His Excellency Geo. C. Perkins, appointed the following named gentlemen to act as such Commis- sioners : Arpad Haraszthy, for San Francisco District ; Charles Krug, for Napa District; I. De Turk, for Sonoma District; R. B. Blowers, for Sacra- mento District; Geo. West, for San Joaquin District ; L. J. Rose, for Los Angeles District; G. G. Blanchard, for El Dorado District; Chas. A. Wet- more and J. De Barth Shorb, Commissioners for the State at large. Upon the organization of the Commission Mr. Arpad Haraszthy was chosen President, Mr. Charles A. Wetmore, Vice-President, and Mr. Charles Krug, Treasurer. The first report is before us, and we will make a few extracts, such as we think will be of interest to the general reader. We would say en passant that it is one of the most able documents that has ever been contributed to the American public upon the subject of viticul- ture, and should be in the hands of every vine grower in the State. The fact is, that it is so replete with interesting matter that we find it difficult to decide what to omit in this connection. In the President's report to the Governor we find the following truth : " One of the most perplexing difficulties a new beginner encounters in plant- ing out a vineyard is the selection of the proper vines — and the nomenclature in that respect in this State is sadly deficient, as it has ever been ; almost in each district, often in the same township, the same vine is called by several contradictory names ; hence the great difference of opinion of vine growers as to the respective qualities of various vines. To remedy this evil this State should have an experimental vineyard in an important vine-growing dis- trict, * * * where every variety of grapevine in the State should be planted, in no less a number than one hundred vines, whose habits, growth, etc., could be carefully noted." The following figures concerning the wine and brandy movements in the State will be of interest in this connection. The amount of wine re- ceived at San Francisco from the interior was : In 1879 gallons 3,364,607 In 1880 " 3,759,743 Viticulture in Napa County. 191 The amount of brandy received was : In 1879 gallons 93,506 In 1880 " 133,764 Showing a very notable increase in the reception of both wine and brandy. The shipments out of the State for 1880 of wine were : By sea gallons 1,545,715 By rail " 941,638 Total " 2,487,353 In 1879 the total exports of wine were 2,155,944 gallons. The ship- ments of brandy for 1880 were : By sea gallons 97,533 By rail " 91,565 Total " 189,098 The total brandy shipments for 1880 show an increase of 25,206 gallons over 1879. In round numbers the vintage of 1880 has been estimated to range between ten and twelve million gallons. To arrive at a valuation the fol- lowing figures have been adopted : 9,500,000 gallons dry wines @ 25 c $2,375,000 700,000 " sweet wines @ 60 c 420,000 450,000 " brandy (in bond)® $1.15 517,500 Total $3,312,500 To this should be added about $100,000 for value of raisins, and from one hundred to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars' worth of grapes used for tables, etc., making a grand total valuation of the grape production of the State about $3,500,000 in the producers' hands. The President of the Commission closes his report with the following excellent suggestions and remarks : " It will be seen that a vineyard can be planted and maintained till the first year of production for less than $75 per acre, and that good land upon which to plant can be purchased at from $10 per acre upwards ; and it will be further seen that the net yield in coin to the producer this year has not been less than $50, and that the greater number has reached $100 per acre. In view, therefore, of the great advan- tages of viticulture in rendering valuable our millions of now barren hill- sides ; of rendering productive in grapes and raisins our exhausted grain 192 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. fields, which now barely pay for the seeding ; in view of the advantages this pursuit offers to people of limited means to secure homes and an unfail- ing sustenance ; in view of the enormous wealth the future exportation of our viticultural productions would bring to our golden shores and populating our State with healthful, frugal, thrifty citizens ; in view of this, I beg your Excellency to use your great personal influence and powerful recommenda- tion towards securing for the use of this Board the most liberal appropria- tion possible." That grape-growing for wine-making purposes is a remunerative business is evidenced by the fact that grapes brought last year from $18 to §25 per ton, and in 1881, in Napa and Sonoma Counties, from $25 to $35 per ton. The average yield of a vineyard is about five tons, which would bring in to the producer from $75 to $125 per acre. Now, if it costs, say $25 an acre to cultivate it, the producer still has from $50 to $100 clear. What other crop offers such inducements as that ? Commissioner Wetmore in his report has this to say in regard to drink- ing wines that have alcohol in them as a preservative, and the "dry" wines: " The distinction between ' hot ' and ' cold ' wines should be made as soon as possible ; the former should not be encouraged as habitual beverages, and the grapes that produce them should be diverted to the production of liquor wines and brandies rather than to imitations of clarets, hocks and sauternes. No wine that requires alcohol to keep it, should be tolerated as a table drink, and none that produces dizziness or headache should even be excused. The distilleries afford ample outlet for such productions. * * Such wines are a poison to the Anglo-Saxon stomach and brain." Of fertilizers, Mr. Wetmore says, " I think that it is most important for viticulturists to investigate fully the l-elative values and defects of the different forms of manures, viz.: organic and inorganic. I believe that there are many good reasons for condemning the use of decomposing vegetable matters, and for favoring the reduction of all fertilizers to inor- ganic conditions before applying them to the soil. The healthy vine needs principally phosphoric acid, potash and lime ; the diseased vine, especially when attacked by phylloxera, needs also ammonia to stimulate the root and cause growth. Bones and wood ashes reduced with sulphuric acid, will probably supply the best stimulus and plant food. The bones being crushed and acted upon by sulphuric acid, sulphate of lime (gypsum) is formed, the phosphoric acid uniting with the potash of the ashes, forming a phosphate which is readily taken up by the plant." Concerning the wines produced in our California vineyards, generally speaking, Mr. Wetmore says : " They can only be considered as raw material for the large dealers to work over in blending vats. Only a few produce wines of much value to consumers and retailers. This is not so Viticultwe in Napa County. 193 true of white as of red wines. California producers cannot expect to obtain much individual celebrity for their claret and Burgundy types until they have assorted their wines of proper varieties in just proportions, so as to accomplish, when they rack their musts from the fermenting tanks, or pipes, what they now leave for the dealer to do. None of the celebrated French wines are the products of single varieties of grapes. Knowing in what proportions the musts of different grapes must be blended to produce perfect and agreeable wines — aroma, bouquet, color, strength, acidity, smoothness, freshness, etc., all being considered, the French vine-grower cultivates all varieties in the proportions required. The mixture of Zin- fandel (Hungarian) with Malvoise (a port wine grape), which is so much practiced in Napa County, ought to be discontinued as soon as other varieties of finer quality can be substituted for the Malvoise." Under the sub-heading " The Worst Enemies of California Wines," Mr. Wetmore says : " I find that of all the inquiring world, those who take the least interest in discovering and making known the excellencies of our best vintages, are American hotel keepers, restaurateurs, and other retailers of fine wines and liquors." We desire to join issue with the gentleman on this proposition. He seems to ignore the great law of demand and supply, or rather charges the hotel keepers with creating a demand for strong drinks over their bar rather than wine. He must remember that the greater por- tion of wine that has been drunk in the United States for the past century, has been by foreigners, and of course they naturally call for their favorite brands. The largest portion of American wine drinkers in years past have been people who have thought that anything " Frcnchy " was the ne plus ultra, hence they have called for French named wines. As wine drinking gradually spread among the traveling public, people kept up the usual habit of those around them and called for imported articles. It must be borne in mind that the majority of Americans are not connoisseurs in wine, and do not know one wine from another. Most Americans like sweet wines, hence the " dry " wines which should be used at table have never been favor- ites with them, hence there has been but little demand for wines at the table. It has been the custom for years for all French, German and Italian restaur- ants in the city to give wine and black coffee both with every meal, and beginning with perhaps 1875, there is not a restaurant or hotel anywhere but will give a glass of claret for the same price as a cup of coffee, while most restaurants in the city give half -pint bottles for the same. One trouble is that the American people who drink at all have been lin the habit of taking enough liquor into their stomachs to make their brains reel more or less, and fire their blood, and to attain that result re- quires a greater amount of claret than a glass drank with a dinner, hence 13 194 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. the average caller for wine at table has a large bottle brought on so that he can swig enough of it down him to become in a measure intoxicated. When our people learn to drink wine as they do coffee at meals, not as an intoxi- cant but as a relish, and with the same moderation, then it will be in demand, and the supply will be vouchsafed by every landlord in the State. Let our people learn to use wine and not abuse it, then will a new era dawn upon us in the manner in which wine is served. Not long since a man of style, etc., took dinner at Calistoga, and called for a wine with a great long French name to it. The landlord endeavored to prevail upon him to try some Napa Valley wine. Oh, no, he knew what California wine was, he did not want "any of the sour stuff." The landlord was out of the French brand but tilled an old bottle he had, with the brand still on it, with wine from a neighboring cellar. The connoisseur (?) was delighted; had two bottles instead of one, for dinner, and then came to the bar and wanted the address of the place where he was able to secure such superb French claret. He was thunder- struck when told that the wine was made within five miles of the town, but he had the good sense to know and appreciate good wine when he saw it, and so had the landlord drive him out to the cellar and ordered a goodly supply of it for his own use. There is a misunderstanding between the producer and consumer somewhere. If the consumer were a judge of wine, and would get his wines direct from some reliable producer, the credit of California wines would soon appreciate. Pests of the Vine. — " Every rose must have its thorn," and all good has its evil counterpart, are truisms that extend throughout the economy of the world, and so we find that all kinds of fruit-bearing trees and vines are subject to the ravages of disease and pests, and the grapevine is no excep- tion to the rule. Standing at the head of the list of vine pests, and in com- parison with which all others sink into utter insignificance, stands the phylloxera-vastatrix. This pest was not known to have an existence in the vineyards of the State until 1873, but circumstances point back to 1860, and probably earlier, both in Sonoma County and Yolo. Through the ob- servations of Mr. F. W. Morse, the expert sent out under the joint auspices of the State University and the Commissioners, phylloxera is found to exist at present in vineyards in the following counties : Sonoma, where it is confined to the valley of Sonoma ; Napa, where it exists on both sides of Napa Valley, generally from the lower part, as far as Yountville, and in one vineyard in the St. Helena district ; in Solano County, in several places ; in Yolo County, the well known Orleans Hills and one small vineyard was found affected with it ; in Placer County, what was known as the Nickerson Vineyard was found affected with it ; in El Dorado, two vine- yards near Placerville were found affected. In this connection, we have Viticulture hi Napa County. 195 thought it would be a matter of great interest to insert the following ad- dress of Dr. Herman Behr before the Sonoma District Viticultural meeting, at Sonoma, July 23, 1880 : " Gentlemen — When we have to defend ourselves against constant and repeated attacks of an enemy, our first step must be, in order to render our defense successful, to study the character and habits of the enemy and his hostile as well as friendly relations to others ; for the friend of an enemy is an enemy, and his enemy is an ally. " Such is the case of the phylloxera ; and before we consider our chances of warfare, and begin to attack, we ought to study the development of the evil and the various disguises under which it perpetrates its insidious devastation. " In all countries that have a real winter the phylloxera hybernates in the form of an egg. The more the winter approaches in its character a mere rainy season, the more the phylloxera develops a tendency to stay over the winter as a perfect insect, in a more or less dormant state. This last form of hybernation seems to be the rule in California ; but the cir- cumstance that the egg has not yet been found, is no proof that it should not exist. " The statements of Planchon, Lichtenstein, and Balbiana, all careful observers, agree perfectly in the description of the insect that comes out of the hybernating egg. This insect tries with its proboscis different spots on the leaves of the grapevine, and after having selected a locality, fastens itself there, producing by the irritation of this process a swelling of the leaf that grows out into a gall, not unlike those caused by the sting of the gallwasp. Inclosed in this gall, the phylloxera, without having had any sexual intercourse, lays eggs. Planchon has counted them up to nearly eight hundred ; and after having laid the last egg, the phylloxera dies and dries up, surrounded by the eggs that soon give birth to a breed of phylloxera. These insects, after having escaped through a fissure on the top of the gall, go through the same process of multiplication by eggs in time of three weeks, only their offspring is considerably less numerous than that of the first generation, developed out of the hybernating egg. Mr. Fatio has ob- served the phylloxera, after having tried several leaves, to descend to the root of the grapevine and inclose itself there in a nodosity analogous to the gall of the leaf. At any rate it is certain, although it has not been exactly observed, that the phylloxera, sucking the sap of the roots without being inclosed in nodosities, are the descendants of the gall, as well as the nodosity- building variety. " Toward the end of the year the phylloxera appears under a new garb. It looks quite a different being, and has adopted the form of a diminutive four-winged fly. This tiny insect has but little command over its flight. 196 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. It is the toy of any current of air. Thousands of them perish in spider- webs and pools of water, and very few are carried by a lucky wind to a spot favorable for laying a foundation for new generations. This the winged phylloxera does by laying eggs, of which she carries only a few (2-5), but of two kinds ; small ones, out of which come males, and large ones, out of which come females, both wingless. The female of this gen- eration harbors only a single egg, and this is, in the insect kingdom, a very exceptional circumstance. This is the hybernating egg, out of which comes the founder of the many generations which follow, and which are non-sex- ual themselves. As far as this goes the habits of the insect are well ob- served, and everything is clear. But as to time and circumstances, when the phylloxera leave the gall-building and move about on the roots without inclosing themselves and their offspring, nothing is known. Maybe the nodosities on the roots are the product of generations that link the gall- builders to the phylloxera of the root ; may be that galls, as well as nodosi- ties, are only the product of adaptation. There is one thing certain, that there exist districts, infected by the phylloxera, where galls have not yet been observed. Another mystery is connected with the appearance of the winged generation and its offspring of wingless males and females. " It has been observed, and not only in the phylloxera, but also in the in- sects of analogous organization, that an indefinite number of non-sexual generations can follow through years without once producing a generation of males and females. Another queer circumstance is the great irregularity in the appearance of said winged generation and its sexual ofi'spring. The duration of this state is short enough. A few days are sufficient to make them disappear without leaving any trace but the fertilized egg. The phyl- loxera can propagate through an indefinite number of generations without once appearing in the winged state. This shows that the winged generation is not necessary for the existence of the species. What is then the object, the function of that form ? We may, perhaps, express the circumstance in the following way. When we recollect that it is chiefly in climates of a severer winter where the winged phylloxera has been observed, and there always late in the season, and when we further consider that the fertilized egg, which possesses a much slower development than the non-sexual, which develops shortly after its being laid, so all these circumstances seem to point to the fact that this fertilized egg, by the very slowness of its devel- opment, is better calculated to resist the inclemencies of the winter than the ordinary egg with its quick development, or the phylloxera herself in her torpid dormant state of hybernation. There is in this circumstance an analogy to certain water plants producing two different kinds of spores : moving spores which have to sprout after a short time or perish, and resting spores, that can remain latent for a long space of time and develop as soon as circumstances become favorable. Viticulture in Napa County. 197 " Now, these moving spores swarm and sprout till all the water in which they took their first start is filled with their gelatinous masses ; but when at the end of a season, or when by any other circumstance the water begins to dry up, the resting spores are formed, mix with the slime of the pool, when this slime is pulverized by dryness and heat, are carried with it to places where sufficient moisture favors their development, or remain latent at the bottom of the pool till rain or inundation fill it again. Now, there is, perhaps, some analogy between the circumstances that produce in the alga the resting spore, and in the phylloxera the fecundated egg of slow develop- ment. Either of them waits for a time or a place more favorable for its development. Under ordinary circumstances, the resting spore of the alga develops with the first rain, the fecundated egg of the phylloxera with the sunshine of spring ; exceptionally, when the supply of water becomes scarce, the resting spore trusts itself to the wings of the wind ; if the sap of the grapevine of one locality begins to fail, the phylloxera is carried by its winged mothers to new localities. In this way, perhaps, we may account for the irregularities in the time of appearance in regard to the winged phylloxera of milder climates. " Now, let us calculate only eight generations through the season, each member of a generation producing only twenty eggs, which is a very low average figure ; as the individuals bred from the hybernating egg alone pro- duces, according to the statement of Planchon, up to eight hundred, and we come to the astonishing figure of two hundred and fifty-six billions. Hap- pily, there are circumstances that prevent that figure being reached. " Nature always tz-ies, and tries successfully, to restore a balance of power in her productions. The phylloxera itself, or at least its devasta- tions, are a consequence of the balance in nature being disturbed by the culture of a single plant in certain localities to the exclusion of others. We will now see what plan Nature adopts for destroying the phylloxera. We have seen how the exclusive culture of the grapevine has attracted and multiplied the parasite that feeds upon it. In the same measure now mul- tiply the beings that prey upon the phylloxera and they also will disappear, or at least diminish, when the phylloxera has been reduced to a number that does not any more disturb the balance in nature. Not all the enemies of this parasite are known. I am to enumerate here only those whose predi- lection for phylloxera blood is well established and sufficiently effective to come under our consideration. The phylloxera, owing to her subterranean habits, is not very accessible to birds. The influence of birds on insect life is generally overrated. Amongst the insects that know how to find the phylloxera are some beetles of the tribes called Carabides and Staphylinides that destroy in all their stages of development a great number of phyllox- era. Staphylinides may occasionally be seen on grapes. They do not feed 198 History of Napa and Lake Coimties — Napa. on them, but are apt to impart to the grape a disagreeable smell. But we had better allow them that little extravagance, as during their long existence in the larvse state they live chiefly on animal food — on fellows that are smaller than themselves. " There are several beetles related to the Spanish fly that feed in their lar- vse state on and under gound, on eggs and small larvae of* aphidians, as well as grasshoppers. Certain wasps, that keep their young ones in subteiTanean galleries, feed them also on phylloxera and its relations. You probably have observed on the stalks of rosebuds infected by leaf-lice (aphis), a little green maggot, shaped like a leach, and moving about very much like such. This is the larvse of a fly (syrphus), somewhat smaller than our house-fly. If you observe what he is doing there, you will find that it is not for the sake of company that he frequents that crowd of leaf -lice. A similar mag- got, only smaller, visits stem and root of the grapevine, where it devours considerable quantities of phylloxera. Then there is a tribe of four- winged flies, somewhat of the structure of the dragon fly, but considerably smaller, and the wings neither elevated (agrion) nor flattened out like those of the real dragon flies (libellula), but folded round the body, like those of a moth. This insect, called hermerobius, destroys in its winged state, aphidians, and perhaps also some gall-building phylloxera ; in its wingless larva state it preys on aphidians of all kinds, following them from leaves to twigs, and from twigs to stems, from stems to roots. It has been found in company with the phylloxera, of course not as their friend. The class of the spiders and mites (Aracknidai) are all carnivorous, and many species prey on the plentiful and defenseless phylloxera. " A French lady, Mad. de Bompar, mentions especially a little mite called trimiliidium as an active destroyer. I am not quite satisfied in regard to the predilection of this little being for the phylloxera ; at least it lives not ex- clusively on aphidians. Mrs. Wetmore, who raised in a box our native grape- vine ( Vitis Califomica) for the sake of experiment, found a great many of these minute mites on the roots, where we could not trace a single phyllox- era. But the web-making spiders do really good work ; especially the smaller species of ground spiders, that fasten their nets between twigs, are perhaps even of greater use, as they destroy the winged generation, inac- cessible to all the destroyers enumerated before. How many of the winged aphidians die without being able to propagate, we can form an idea by ex- amining those spider-webs that are left by their owner, so that the tiny customers that caught themselves in their meshes are no more removed. There may be many more enemies of the phylloxera besides those enume- rated, for many things that happen every moment among the little things under ground escape our notice. It is certain there are more victims of that microscopic warfare than we generally imagine. Entomologists are && -, JOHN M. COGHLAN. Viticulture in Napa County. 199 well acquainted with the fact that insects that are excessively common through a certain time, disappear sometimes suddenly as if swept away by an epidemic. At any rate a diminution of the phylloxera pest is to be ex- pected before they have ruined our vines. "Among the insect pests mentioned by different authors, there is perhaps none that bears so much analogy to our case as the invasion of the apple trees of North-western Europe by a certain relation of our phylloxera, the Myzoxylus. I once found among old papers an account of the devastations of this insect, the despair it caused in the cider-making districts, and very many remedies recommended. The insect still exists, but in very moderate proportion. Which of the many remedies recommended has reduced the Myzoxylus to a more reasonable style of living I could not find. I think none of them. Medical men know very well the more remedies they possess against a disease the more incurable it is. I do not assume to criticise the different methods recommended for the destruction of the phylloxera, but their very number appears to me a proof that none of them has answered. " Let us follow the way Nature has pointed out to us. First, let us isolate the infected patches as much as possible. The subterranean phyl- loxera cannot spread when we do not prepare its way by plowing and weeding the vicinity. " Then let us favor as much as possible those insects which we know feed on aphidian.s, especially the spiders ; we must protect their webs. It is true they are not ornamental, but they are the most effective means to prevent the winged phylloxera from colonizing other parts of the vineyard. " I have to mention yet the ant as a friend and patron of leaf-lice, which he keeps as cattle, and colonizes them in his subterranean galleries. There is not a fact of this kind known in regard to phylloxera, but at any rate the ant is a suspicious neighbor, and his hills have to be destroyed. " Till Science has given us a destroying medium of quicker action, let us imitate and assist the slow, but effective process begun by Nature ; and whatever plan we adopt, let us act in concert." " Supplement number one, to the report of the Board of Regents of the University of California, College of Agriculture, recently issued, contains a fund of information for grape growers. We cull from its pages the follow- ing valuable results of investigations relative to the phylloxera : The name of phylloxera— pronounced fillo-xee-ra, accent on the second sylable — meaning " leaf witherer," was originally given to a kind of plant louse which infests the European oak. Sixteen species are now known, only one of which affects the interests of man. It was first discovered in America, in New York, in 1856, on the leaves of native vines. The " foot rot" of vines, first mentioned as existing in France about 1865, was shown three 3'ears later to he due to wingless lice, but their identity with those 200 History of Napa and Lake Comities — Napa. inhabiting the leaf galls of certain native American vines was not then suspected. It was subsequently proved that root lice could be transplanted to the leaves of certain varieties of vines, and likewise the leaf louse to roots of some varieties. From 1870 up to the present time the phylloxera has spread in France with frightful rapidity, destroying wholly or partially thousands upon thousands of acres in the wine growing districts. A prize of, first, 30,000, then 00,000, then 300,000 francs, has been offered for the discovery of an effectual and practical remedy for the scourge, but, although hundreds have been brought forward, the prize has not yet been awarded. On account of the ravages of the insect universal alarm has been created in Germany, Austria, Spain, Portugal and Italy. The phylloxera in many respects resembles the common plant louse. All are quite small, the perfect winged form of the vine louse being about one-twentieth of an inch in length. Its peculiar feature is the great variety of forms which it is capable of assuming under different circumstances. Among them are two chief types, the leaf -inhabiting or gall louse, and the root-inhabiting or root louse. The former habitually infests the leaves of certain native grapes in the Eastern States, covering the surface of the leaf with numerous swellings of irregular shape, and often of a reddish tint, in which are found a wingless, female insect. When the gall is filled with from two hundred to five hundred eggs the mother louse dies. The eggs hatch in from six to eight days into active little larvae, which soon leave the gall, go to the upper surface of downy young leaves and insert their suckers. The leaves soon begin to swell below, while a reddish down surrounds the louse above, gradually closing it in. The gall forms in a few days. The grown louse deposits its eggs until the gall is filled and then dies. Tender shoots and tendrils are also attacked by the louse and covered with swellings. Towards the end of September the galls are mostly empty, the lice having gone to the roots to hibernate. On the European vine, also on the Mission grape of California, leaf galls have scarcely been known to be formed, the attacks of the insects being directed against the roots. The gall louse is found occasionally on most of the grape varieties cultivated in the Eastern States, which will, when placed upon uncongenial foliage, descend to the roots. It never acquires wings and can spread but slowly, by crawling, and the same is true of the root louse, so long as it does not assume the winged form. It migrates through crevices in the soil or along the roots, or even over the surface of the ground, if it be not too sandy. Being unable to travel over or through sand its progress is so checked in sandy regions as to make it almost powerless for harm. The injury done by the gall louse is comparatively insignificant, or is easily rendered so by a little early attention. It is quite otherwise with Viticulture in Napa County. 201 the root louse, whose presence is usually unsuspected until it has seriously injured one crop at least, and which in any case is most difficult to reach. The first effect produced by the attack of the louse is a swelling of the tender white rootlets, which it prefers to the older and harder portions. As the invading army moves on, root after root is left behind to decay. During the first year the vine usually shows but little appearance of disease, save that the fruit is slow to ripen or matures but imperfectly. In the second year the enemy rapidly approaches to the center, destroying all the finer rootlets. The vine appears sickly, with stunted, yellowish leaves, and fails to mature fruit. Before one vine is completely exhausted, the lice leave it for others that are healthy. Unfortunately, up to the present time, nearly all the grape varieties planted in California belong to one of the most sen- sitive species. The idea entertained by many that the Mission vines are free from the attacks of phylloxera, has been proven false. From some cause not yet understood, its advance in California has been comparatively slow, while in France it has been far otherwise. Observations made by residents of Sonoma Valley have failed to reveal the presence of the winged form in the vineyards, and it still remains true that it has not as yet been seen abroad in California. For the reason that the spread of the louse is much slower here than in France, it must be easier to check its progress. The problem to be solved in combatting the pest is a difficult one, not because of any tenacity of life in the insect itself, but simply on account of the difficulty of devising any remedy that will reach every one of the mattled rootlets of a vineyard, over its entire surface, and to a depth of from three to four feet, with the additional conditions that the remedy must be cheap, not only as regards the material, but also the work of application, and must not injure the vines materially. If the vines can be flooded during the dormant period for a sufficient length of time, the lice will be destroyed, but this remedy is only applicable in iso- lated cases. Any measure intended for the repression or destruction of the phylloxera must, in order to be effective, extend not only over the entire surface, but also into the depths of the soil as far as the rootlets reach. After repeated experi- ments, bisulphide of carbon has been found most satisfactory. The remedy can be administered so as to merely repress the insect while the vine is kept in bearing (culture treatment), or to exterminate both insect and vine. The insecticide must be applied only when the soil is fully moist, though not water-soaked. In dry soil, and in the dry warm season, the vapor is ren- dered inert. The greatest advantage accrues if the remedy is applied after the rootlets have hardened in autumn, winter, or in early spring, before they develop. For the culture treatment the carbon bisulphide must be used in small doses of one-fourth to one-sixth of an ounce each injected into the 202 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. holes from ten to sixteen inches deep, which must be instantly closed up on the removal of the injector. Of these holes there must be at least three per square yard of vineyard surface, regularly and evenly distributed. When the death treatment is intended the number of the holes or the dose, or both, are to be increased in a ratio that varies with the nature of the soil. Manures rich in potash and nitrogen should accompany the use of the in- secticide, in order to enable the plant to maintain as nearly as possible the normal condition. Unleached wood ashes are admirably adapted to the purpose. On strong clay soils a dressing of quicklime will produce, for the time being, an effect similar to that of the direct application of potash manures, while at the same time it will facilitate tillage and impart to the sod the qualities of those on which the best of wild vines are found. Stable manure is excellent — the only question is how to get enough of it. As to the cause of this pest there are a host of theories, ranging from a diseased condition of the vine to the Judgment of God, sent in answer to the prayers of the Evangelical Alliance, held in New York City, a few years ago. The most prevalent theory, however, is, that they thrive best if they are not developed, in poor, clayey, cold and wet land. All those conditions which tend to weaken the growth of a vine, naturally tends as well to the fostering of the phylloxera. When once generated, they can be transplanted on cuttings, etc., or they may migrate during their winged state from farm to farm. The question of ridding the country of these pests is the one that is absorbing the attention of all interested now. Many washes and chemical applications have been made, and most of them in vain. Some seem to have no effect on either insect or vine, others destroy the vine, others form unfavorable unions with the component parts of the soil, while but few indeed seem to have any permanent effect upon the parasite. An insecticide, known as the bisulphide of carbon, is just now the most popular of all remedies, both in France and in this countiy. There is no doubt but that some efficient remedy will be discovered, as there is too much at stake to let it pass unaccomplished, and because the French savants have not found the right thing, it is no evidence that some Yankee genius will not, and when it is discovered we will prophesy that it will be some simple thing, that everybody ought to know about. As yet the devastation has been small in this State compared with France, where millions of vines have been ruined, where there have been hundreds here. Napa County. — Passing from a general consideration of Viniculture to the special field of Napa County, we find that grapes have been grown here since a very early day ; some vines in the county, notably those on the old Dr. Bale place, now the property of W. W. Lyman, being over thirty years of age. Of course these old vines are all of the Mission variety. Viticulture in Napa Cotinty. 203 From these old vineyards in those early times, wine was made in the rude way described at the first of this chapter. In 1858 Mr. Charles Krug came to Napa County, and on what is known as the Patchett place, then adjoining Napa City, he made about one thousand two hundred gallons of wine. This, was the first wine ever made in Napa County by other than Spainards and Spanish processes. His appliances were crude, consisting of a small cider press only. The next year, 1859, Mr. H. A. Pellet, also now of St. Helena, followed Mr. Krug as wine-maker at the Patchett place. He remained there two years, making four thousand gallons the first year and three thousand the next. And thus was the great industry of wine-making introduced within the borders of Napa County. About this time Dr. G. B. Crane saw that grapes thrived well in Cali- fornia, and conceived the idea that it would be a profitable venture to plant a vineyard. He began casting about for a suitable location for a vineiy, where land and climate were well adapted to the growing of the vine. He figured it out that a vineyard would produce one thousand gallons to the acre, and that he could easily market it for one dollar a gallon. Thus, on paper, the enterprise seemed to be a great bonanza. He was at that time a resident of San Jose", California, and from what he could learn from the sources of information at hand, he decided that the Napa Valley possessed the requisite qualifications to a greater degree than did the Santa Clara Valley, so he came into Napa Valley and purchased the place he now owns near the town of St. Helena. Here he planted the pioneer vineyard of the great St. Helena district for wine purposes. What a grand pride must swell the heart of the hardy old pioneer in wine vineyards when he now looks forth upon the broad acres of the lovely valley all covered with thrifty, bearing vines, saying to himself in the meanwhile, " I set the movement on foot which has accomplished all this ! " And did he not ? He broke the path, and what followed was in his footsteps. At this late date it is impossible to follow up the chain of progress that has been made in this industry in the district, but the records of the St. Helena Viticultural Society will give the requisite information. We will here note the fact, however, that as soon as Dr. Crane had established the fact that cuttings would live and grow vigorously on a dry, gravelly soil, without irrigation, a large number of enterprising men were ready to follow his example. Among the most prominent and first to embark in this business should be named Charles Krug, H. A. Pellet, John 'Lewelling, Matthew Vann, H. W. Crabb, General E. D. Keyes, on the place now owned by William Scheffler, and to whom is due the credit of erecting the first cellar which might be really called first-class. These vineyardists were supplemented by a large number of smaller ones, whose vineyards ranged 204 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. from five to twenty acres, until in a short time all that section known as the St. Helena district was entirely filled up. The St. Helena Viticultural Club was organized December 18, 1875, with the following membership : Charles Krug, Connelly Conn, H. A. Pellet, Charles Wheeler, R. A. Haskin, C. Heymann, J. H. McCord, H. W. Crabb, Dr. G. B. Crane, Seneca Ewer, J. C. Weinberger, John Thomann, John Lewelling, Oscar Schultz, John York, D. O. Hunt. The first officers were : Charles Krug, President ; H. W. Crabb, Connelly Conn, Seneca Ewer, Vice-Presidents ; H. A. Pellet, Secretary ; J. C. Weinberger, Treas- urer. From its organization the club met regularly twice a month, added rapidly to its members, and now has a membership of over one hundred. Of the good the club has done by the dissemination of knowledge as to the various and best modes of viticulture, the introduction and propagation of choice varieties of grapes, both for wine and for the table, we will let its President, Mr. Charles Krug, say by reproducing the following from his re- port as a member of the State Viticultural Association : " The vast amount of good the St. Helena Viticultural Association has done during the few years of its existence cannot be doubted. It has, hy publication of its minutes and deliberations, spread a great amount of in- formation among the grape-growers and wine men of this county and State. It has drawn the attention of many persons looking out for vineyard land to this section, caused them to buy and settle among us, and to assist the building up of our county. It has lent its help and applied its influence to frustrate the immense exertions the French emissary, Leon Chotteau, made in Congress to change the specific duty of forty cents per gallon on wine to twenty-five cents ad valorem. If he had succeeded, our grapes would not bring more than ten dollars per ton. It has started an organization to keep the pernicious phylloxera from our beautiful vineyards, and you are well aware one man alone can do nothing in this line — only united action by all can ward off the dreaded calamity. " It intends to secure great benefits to this neighborhood by collecting and publishing valuable statistics showing the superiority of our climate, the great fertility of our soil, the energy of those who are engaged in viti- culture, the great demand for our cuttings, and many other points well adapted to attract culture and wealth to our district. Its intimate connec- tion with the State Viticultural Commission offers us ample opportunity, with a very small outlay, to have our soils and products analyzed, lectures given on important subjects connected with our interests, such as manuring, etc. It will import, or cause to be imported, phylloxera-proof cuttings from best sources of the Mississippi Valley and elsewhere. In short, our associa- tion has done a great amount of good, and, properly conducted, will do Viticulture in Napa County. 205 much more in future for our district and wine interests, just in the propor- tion as we enahle it by our support financially and personally to do so." In 1878 the St. Helena United States Revenue Bonded Warehouse, a building 40x60 feet, fire proof, was erected under the auspices of the Society, for the purpose of storing grape brandy in bond. In 1880 Viticultural Hall, a two-story building, finely finished, was also erected, the lower hall for the wine-growers, and the upper for the grangers. In 1881 an addition of seventy-five feet was added to the bonded ware- house to accommodate the increased demand for room to store brandy, making it now a fire-proof structure 40x135 feet — both buildings an ornament to the town, and a monument to the pluck and enterprise of the Viticulturists of the upper valley. Pioneer Sherry Making. — But while awarding to the St. Helena Viticultural Society, in its associate capacity, the credit of systematizing the above-named leading industry of the section of country in which it is located, it would be unjust to withhold an acknowledgment of what is due to individual enterprise, and especially that kind of enterprise in which serious loss might be reasonably anticipated. A case in point we find in the introduction of the manufactory of sherry wines, and that, too, by a process not only unknown, but even then unheard of by California vine- yardists generally. John Ramos, a Portuguese, at the time when Mission wine was being crowded out of the market by the superior quality of that made from the foreign grapes, claimed that he was practically familiar with the method by which ordinary wines were converted into a good merchantable sherry on the Island of Madeira by the " estufa," or heating process. Dr. Crane took the risk, furnished the means for building a twenty-six thousand gallon heater, and sold Ramos some eleven thousand dollars' worth of wines, Mission and foreign, on credit. The experiment was a complete success. Crane was paid, and, after running his cellars and a one hundred acre vineyard for three years, Ramos and the partner, Frank Scaroni, with whom he had become associated, not only were able to pay their rents and other expenses, but had made money enough to establish each individually in the sherrying business. And in this way it was demonstrated that Mission wine was equal, if not superior, to foreign for conversion into sherry, thereby greatly enhancing the value of many hundreds of acres of vineyard that had been planted be- fore it was possible to obtain a supply of foreign cuttings. The Napa Viticultural Society was organized in May, 1881, having the same general purpose in view that is held by the St. Helena Society, 206 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. viz : the advancement of the wine industry of Napa County. The meetings of the society are held monthly, at which time matters of interest are thoroughly discussed. We have not the space to give to these societies their just meed of praise for what they are doing, but would say that they are well worthy of being sustained, as they are a great source of benefit to the wine-growers of the county. Table showing by districts the acreage of bearing vines, those planted in 1879, 18S0 and 1881; also number of vines estimated on a basis of one thousand vines to the acre : CALISTOGA DISTRICT. Name of Ashton, Frank. . . . Beguhl, David. . . . Bennett, J. J Butler, Mrs Brown, Ed Boase, W. &Co... Boynton & Chapel Burgess Brothers. . Bruck, Mrs Burk, Blake, D. Jas . . . Bounsall, J. C Collins, S. W Carter, M. M Contre, P Chambers, M Demartin, R Garnett Ranch. . . . Griffin Place Guile, S. S Greer, Jno Gibbs, H. L Hoss, J. B Hoover, A Horn, Jas Hitchcock, Dr. & Mrs. Coit Head, John Hansen, Win Huntington, E. B Ingrain, D. C Johnson, G. W ■mg. 1879. 18S0. 33 1881. Acres. Vines 20 28 28,000 4 4 4,000 8 8 8,000 12 12 12,000 9 12 12,000 5 9 9,000 12 12 12,000 25 50 50,000 15 25 25,000 25 25 25,000 3 3,000 H 2* 2,500 5 22 22,000 9 9,000 12 12,000 4 4 4,000 3 3 3,000 33 33,000 10 10 10,000 10 15 15,000 20 38 38,000 2$ 2,500 3 3 3,000 10 10 10,000 2 6 6,000 65 128 128,000 16 16 16,000 3 3 3,000 4 4 4,000 5 5,000 10 10 10,000 Viticulture in Napa 207 Jewell, Chas King, J. S Klotz, C. G Kellett, Sam Lincoln, H. L Lincoln, E. M Linscott, O Light, A Miller, Martin, H McGregor, J Manuel, D. A McEachran, C. T Miscellaneous Pratt, E Pickett, C.N Pickett, M. C Pratt, Mrs Phillips, Wm Peterson, Randall, H. J Rowe, Jas Rose.D Sweitnetzer, A Safely Bros Simmons, A Schram, J Shamp, Mrs Teale, Jas Tucker, J Teale, C. L Teale, Geo Tucker, Geo Teale, P Turner & Faulding. . . . Tolly Walsh, A. D Weybright, J. C Wilmott, S Walker, J Zoeller, H 9£ 10 8 1881. Total Total 4 10 10,000 H 9,500 15 25 25,000 14 26 26,000 30 30 30,000 6 6 6,000 1 6 6,000 5 20 20,000 5 5,000 5 9 9,000 5 H 5,500 25 25 25,000 1 16 16,000 12 33 33,000 20 20 20,000 9 20 20,000 12 18 18,000 4 5 5,000 15 45 45,000 4 4 4,000 6 9 9,000 3 3 3,000 20 20 20,000 15 15 15,000 15 15f 15,750 4 12 12,000 6 60 60,000 10 10,000 15 15 15,000 4 4 4,000 10 10 10,000 17 17 17,000 10 10,000 4 5A 5,500 3 3 3,000 4 4 4,000 9 9 9,000 2 12^ 12,500 9 9 9,000 4 6 6,000 13 16 16,000 208 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. ST. HELK.NA IMSTKk'T. Allison, J. H 10 Amesbury, Thomas 15 Artich, J Adamson, C. P 30 Andrazzy, J. M. & Co 20 Anthony, J 2 Amsbury & Davis Atkinson & Co Burke, W. F Bruch, L Beringer Bros 30 Behnken, F 5 Beretta Bros Buehren, A. H Barrett, F. F 10 Booker, J. W Breitenbuecher, G 5 Benner, Geo. L 14 Brun & Co 2 Bourn, Mrs 40 Brodt, A. W G Brockhoff, C. M Beach, Geo. H Bell, C. E 3 Beerstecher, F 10 Blair, J Bradley, W Braghetta, J 1 Bateman, H Black, Alex Bailey, J Bear.lsley, A. G 6 Benson, J 80 Bateman, J 80 Bailey, E. A Bateman, H Crochat, G. & Co 20 Cleghorn, J 13 Conn, C 30 Carver, D. B 2 1S79. 1880. 1881. Total Total Vinea. 7 17 17,000 2| 2| 20 20,000 4 4 4,000 25 10 65 65,000 20 20,000 2 2,000 55 55 55,000 190 190 190,000 25 25 25,000 9 9 9,000 30 30,000 5 10 10,000 7 7 7,000 25 5 30 30,000 2 12 12,000 3 2 5 5,000 6 11 11,000 3 18 18,000 20 22 22,000 .... 75 150 265 265,000 10 11 27 27,000 12 6 4 22 22,000 6 6 6,000 1 4 5 13 13,000 10 10,000 10 10 10,000 20 20 20,000 1 2 2,000 15 15 15,000 2 2 2,000 17 17 17,000 3 9 9,000 50 130 130,000 80 80,000 2 18 20 20,000 15 15 15,000 7 10 13 50 50,000 13 13,000 6 36 36,000 2 23 27 27,000 Viticulture in Napa County. 209 Total Total Name or Viheyardists. Bearing. 1879. 1880. 1881. Acres. Vines. Chiles, J. C 1 1 1,000 Cook, 1 6 6 6,000 Corthay, L 18 3 14 35 35,000 Campbell, D 5 5 10 10,000 Caramella, B 2 2 2,000 Christie, A 5 1 6 6,000 Castner, 14 9 23 23,000 Castner, Jr 14 14 14,000 Clark, S. G 7 7 7,000 Cruey, J 9 9 9,000 Clock, A 1 1 1,000 Cole, D 12 10 22 22,000 Crane, G. B 100 100 100,000 Crabb, H. W 200 20 20 50 290 290,000 Carr, Mrs 8 8 8,000 Cadlola, J 18 18 18,000 Cook, C. W 5 5 5,000 Chopson, T 4 19 23 23,000 Calderwood, A 1 12 4 17 17,000 Church, E. J 10 10 10,000 Doak, D 4 10 10 10 34 34,000 Davis, J. C 90 9 12 111 111,000 Dinning, W 35 35 35,000 Dent, J 30 5 5 40 40,000 Downey, D 2 20 22 22,000 Drew, Mrs. C. C 6 6 6,000 Drew, J. K 12 20 5 37 37,000 Dowdle, Jas 20 20 20,000 Dinsmore, Mrs. J. P 20 20 20,000 Dwyer, Thos 40 40 40,000 Davis, J. M 10 10 10,000 Darling, 0 1 12 13 13,000 Edwards, D 10 3 2 15 15,000 Ewer, S 6 3 65 74 74,000 Ellis, F 12 12 12,000 Ewbank, R. G 5 6 11 22 22,000 Fuller, W. P 2 2 2,000 Forbes, A. B 2 12 14 14,000 Fulton, M. A 6 4 5 15 15,000 Fealey, M 5 4 9 9,000 14 210 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. Name of Viseyardjsts. Bearing:. 18 0. 1880. Fountain, G. C 14 12 Field, C. J 2 1 9 Field, W. A 6 4 Fealey, W Fealey, Thos Fry, J. D 50 . 60 Farrell, T. N 3 .. Gibson, -Mrs. G.W 22 6 Gluyas G. K 30 10 10 Grattan, W. H 13 Gates, Thos 10 45 12 Griffith, C 1 Grant, J. N 7 5 Heo-ele C 15 Hackney, H. W 4 5 4 15 6 5 4 Hewes, F. W 6 Hapman, E Heidhoff, A. H Heald, L.S 4 Hunt, D. 0 12 6 Howell, J 1 Harker & Son 20 .. Hanrahan, D 10 Harris, H. H. . . 6 Holt, P 10 Huls, J 1 Hastings, S. C 70 20 Innian, M. F 4 6 Ink, T. H .. 40 Jordan, W. H 12 5 Johnson, J H •■ 10 36 36,000 14 14,000 10 10,000 4 4 4,000 5 5 5,000 110 110,000 3 3,000 28 28,000 12 52 52,000 10 10,000 10 10 10,000 13 13,000 10 10,000 35 92 92,000 1 1,000 4 4,000 14 14 14,000 8 15 15,000 5 5,000 5 20 20,000 3 7 7,000 5 5,000 4 4,000 21 21,000 9 9,000 11 11,000 7 7 7,000 5 5 5,000 2 6 6,000 18 18,000 1 1,000 60 80 80,000 15 25 25,000 35 41 41,000 15 15,000 5 6 6,000 10 100 100,000 7 17 17,000 50 90 90,000 17 17,000 5 6i 6,250 ' ^4^^^^^ Viticulture in Napa County. 211 Total Total Name or Vinetardists. Bearing. 1879. 1880. 18S1. Acres. Vines. Jacot & Jaquet 24 2 26 26,000 Jeanmonod, A 3 3 3,000 Julian, H 2 2 2,000 Kunkle, G & S 5 5 5,000 Kraft, F 30 8 38 38,000 Keefe, F 7 5 12 12,000 Krekeler.W 30 .... 9 15 54 54,000 Kenney, G. L 15 15 30 30,000 Kidd, Jos 35 35 35,000 Krug, Charles 112 5 26 10 153 153,000 Kaltenbach, M 12 12 12,000 Kister.J. S 8 .. . 3 2£ 13i 13,500 Laurent, J 6 14 14 34 34,000 Lyman, W. W 32 15 47 47,000 Lemme, C 25 5 30 12 72 72,000 Lazarus, L 16 16 16,000 Lewelling, J 100 5 5 110 110,000 Lange, H 3 .... llj 3 17J 17,500 Loeber.F.W 4 4 4,000 Lang,B .. 20 20 20,000 Locker, W 20 5 4 2 31 31,000 Legay, 2 2 2,000 McFarling, Jas 7 7 5 19 19,000 Merriam, F. J 6 12 4 22 22,000 Martinelli, D 20 20 20,009 Meyer, C 5 5 5,000 Mills, C - 5 5 5,000 Mills, Mrs 6 .... 6 6,000 McPike, J.M 4 .... 25 15 44 44,000 Meachani, H. M 3 8 16 27 27,000 McCord, J. H 25 .... 12 10 47 47,000 Maytield, J.M 5 20 25 25,000 Mee, Geo 7 2 2 9 20 20,000 Mclntyre, J. J 10 10 20 20,000 Musgrove, E 22 22 22,000 Mitchell, S.T 4 4 4,000 Maguire, J. A 3 4 5 4 16 16,000 Morton, J. J 3 10 13 13,000 Newkirk, I. J 2 .... 34 1 37 37,000 Niebaum, G 64 90 154 154,000 Nauer, W ' 20 20 20,000 212 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. Name of Vineyardists. Bearing. 1879. 1880. 1881. Osborn, Geo 5 2 Pratt, B. H 8 14 3 Pratt, J 10 .... 10 6 Pope, A. J 12 Penwell, M. A 20 Pellet, J. S 10 Pellet, H. A 40 Peterson, W 30 3 Pinkham, P 7 2 2 .... Preston, AW 12 Pritchard, C 15 Pritchard, M 20 Penlington, Theo 8 7 15 Pierce, D 20 Payne, M 3 6 5 Pfister, W 6 6 Pritchard, C 12 Kampendahl, A. C 12 Rampendahl, H 2 1 Risley, H H Roulet, L 5 4 Robers, G. T 17 .... Ross, W 4 Robson, P 9 Ritchie, Capt 7 Reimann, J 2 10 10 Rogers, T. G 4 Roberts, M 8 Rutherford, J 18 Rohlwing, D.S 11 Rutherford, D 20 Soberanes, Mrs 20 Sinckler, H 9 18 Star, E. T 15 3 Sayward, J. W 26 3 Spratt, George S 5 5 15 Sparr, R. L 3 3 12 Shepurdson, L. B 3 Sander, L 34 16 Sheean, B 6 Smith, 0 1 Total Acres. Total Vines. 7 7,000 25 25,000 26 26,000 12 12,000 20 20,000 10 10,000 40 40,000 33 33,000 11 11,000 12 12,000 15 15,000 20 20,000 30 30,000 20 20,000 14 14,000 12 12,000 12 12,000 12 12,000 3 3,000 H 1,500 9 9,000 17 17,000 4 4,000 9 9,000 7 7,000 22 22,000 4 4,000 8 8,000 18 18,000 11 11,000 20 20,000 20 20,000 27 27,000 18 18,000 29 29,000 25 25,000 18 18,000 3 3,000 50 50,000 6 6,000 1 1,000 Viticulture in Napa Cotmty. 213 Namk of Vinbyardists. Bearing1. Storey, G. A 2 Spear, M 1 Shultze, O 15 Scheffler,W 126 Staetzel, F 10 Simmons, E. P Sawyier, N 9 Sheehan, P. K 8 Sutton, S 4 Siedenburg, G Smith, C. P 5 Stiers, L Stecker,J 29 Stevens, J. M 10 Schmidt, C 15 Sullinger, J. C 1 Scott, C. L. A... 16 Swartout, L Shonewald, G Tainter, M 16 Trumpler & Lenthold 12 Thompson, C 20 Tully, L Utting, Mrs Van Fleet, T Vann, M West, F Weinberger, J. C. Worrell, G. B. Waldschmidt, C. . Weiske, C Weaks, W. P.... Wheeler, C Wheeler, R Williams, J. W. . Wood, E. R Wakefield, L. H. . Wade, 0 Walter, Jessie . . . Whitton, M. S. . . Whitton, G 4 15 200 20 12 18 26 6 10 15 25 61 13 20 25 16 4 17 20 16 41 25 3 50 54 20 68£ 22 10 6 23 30 30 13 19 40 38 16 22 18 5,000 4,000 15,000 200,000 20,000 12,000 18,000 26,000 6,000 10,000 15,000 25,000 61,000 13,000 20,000 25,000 16,000 4,000 17,000 20,000 16,000 41,000 25,000 3,000 50,000 54,000 20,000 68,500 22,000 10,000 6,000 23,000 30,000 30,000 13,000 19,000 40,000 38,000 16,000 22,000 18,000 214 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. Week, G..... York, E. M.. York, W. E. York, J Zange, E. . . . 1881. Acres. Vines. 3 8 . 8,000 8 53 53,000 25 25,000 7 27 27,000 19 19,000 NAPA DISTRICT. Ayer, M 12 Allen, C. H Blanchar, 22 Bailey, Biower, H. H. Estate of 30 Bush, F. W Baley, 12 Booth, C 2 Bell, R W Buhman, 90 Barth, G 115 Benkeizer, 6 Biggs, E 4 Breckenfielcl, Clark's place f Callen, E 4 Clayton, W 3 Courtney, 1 Custer, Carter place Cheney, D. S Dunn, Downey, 6 Daley, W 8 Duhig, 1 4 Dell.C 18 Deweese, G. W 3 Evans f Elles Emerson Ellis Enos, J. D 2 Estee, M. M 70 25 37 37,000 15 15 15,000 48 70 70,000 4i 4* 4,500 30 30,000 20 20 20,000 12 12,000 4 G G,000 1 1 1.000 90 90,000 25 140 140,000 G 6,000 4 4,000 17 17 17,000 1 750 4 4,000 2 7| 7,500 2 3 3,000 10 10 10,000 20 20 20,000 25 25 25,000 15 15 15,000 6 6,000 13 21 21,000 4 4,000 18 18,000 3 3,000 8 8} 8,750 25 25 25,000 40 40 40,000 15 15 15,000 2 2,000 190 260 260,000 Viticulture in Napa County. 215 Name of Vineyardists. Bearing. &Co 20 Ellsworth, M Frost 6 Frater Fry 35 Fairmari Flannegan Fly.Q 2 Foster 3 Folger 10 Fay, J 18 Folger Groezinger, G 150 Graves Gibbs 11 German Ranch 3 Gildersleeve Herald 5 Hopper, T Hopper, C, Estate of 4| Hook ll| Hein, J 18 Hendricks, P 2 Hendricks, G 10 Hole, J. P 15 Hardman, L. W Harker, J. W 12 Harris, J. R 5 Hagan, H 70 Herkle, H 20 Johnson 4| James, B 17 Jackson, J. P ". . . . 23 Jensen, M 16 Klam \ Kenworthy, Dr Kneif 12 Long Leach, Dr 15 Lennon 5 Leonard 2 1881. Total Total Vines. 230 250 250,000 15 15 15,000 13 19 19,000 10 10 10,000 55 90 90,000 3 3 3,000 7 7 7,000 2 2,000 3 3,000 10 10,000 18 18,000 5 5 5,000 30 180 180,000 18 IS 18,000 45 56 56,000 3 ' 3,000 13 13 13,000 22 27 27,000 67 67 67,000 4* 4,500 7 18J 18,500 11 29 29,000 2 2,000 4 20 20,000 15 15,000 20 20 20,000 35 47 47,000 5 5,000 50 120 120,000 20 20,000 25 29J 29,500 17 17,000 23 23,000 5 21 21,000 9 9i 9,500 5 5 5,000 12 12,000 16 16 16,000 35 50 50,000 5 5,000 2 2,000 216 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa, Name of VtaBTARDIOTB. McClure, T.B McClure, J. S Munson Maher Miscellaneous Meredith Mount, J. P Moser, C Miller, J. F Manyino, G Mansfield, J. M. . . . Marshall, J. L Naur, Newell, Dr Porter, Parsons', Pettengill, Dr. J. A. Poke, Miss Rawling, Reed, Rose, M Reed, Wm Robinson, C Roney, S Roeder, Ryan, Salamini, Schelander, Sneed, , Sackett, K Stanley, Squibb, D Swain, C. A Sharp, Wm Simonton, Trubody, Volz, Van Auken, A Woodward Withers, M Wan!. .1. T 3§ 1G 10 17 1 ni 60 23 3 1881. Total Total 2 33 33,000 36 36,000 8 18 18,000 4 8 8,000 16 16,000 15 15,000 20 20 20,000 10 10 10,000 5 40 40,000 10 30 30,000 10 10,000 18 18,000 16J 161 16,500 3,000 40 40 40,000 H 3,500 8 24 24,000 1 11 11,000 6 6 6,000 13 30 30,000 1 1,000 11| 11,500 3 63 63,000 7 30 30,000 3 3,000 n 2f 2,750 9 9 9,000 4 4 4,000 25 25 25,000 7 7,000 20 20 20,000 6 6,000 4 4,000 25 25,000 107 147 147,000 10 13 13,000 13 22 22,000 4 4 4,000 10 16 16,000 i 250 50 50,000 Viticulture in Napa County. 217 Namb of Vineyardists. Wilcox Yount Brownlee, R Moore, R Thompson, S Lightner Col Buckley, Mrs. C. M. A. . Coombs, Win Insane Asylum Stuart, J. B Green, L Penny, John Murphy, Chas Parsons, John Carboni, Antonio Grigsby, Terrell Sundry persons Bearing. 1$ 4 1880. 1881. 4$ 2 6 200 200 100 80 100 Total Total Vines. 8 8,000 10 10,000 29 27,400 1 800 30 25,000 29 20,400 25$ 17,450 6 5,000 6 4,000 31$ 35,200 29 27,700 15 11,200 31 21,000 29 17,000 20 13,000 380 380,000 200 200,000 Calistoga District 277$ St. Helena District 2,819f Napa District 1 ,771$ 1879. 1S80. 1881. Total Acres. Total Vines. ... 197| 655 l,123f 1,129,750 163 1,253$ 2,363 6,595$ 6,595,250 34 l,645f 3,324 3,305,950 Grand Total 4,868$ 163 1,485 4,663f 11,043 11,030,950 Below we give a table showing the name of owner, and amount of wine manufactured in 1880. We would suggest to the different wine-growers' associations in the county, the propriety of securing all statistics that it is possible to collect from year to year, and preserving them in the minutes of their meetings. We are sorry that our table is incomplete in any respect, but we assure our readers that we exerted ourselves to the utmost, spending a great amount of time in gathering this information. We were unable to find some of the gentlemen at home, or to see them at all. Others had no records, hence could give us only estimates, while one cellarman refused to impart any information whatever. Being a foreigner, we were unable to make him understand what we wished. With this single exception, we have found the wine producers of Napa County most courteous indeed, and ready to impart all information possible, and to encourage our enterprise to the extent of their ability, for all of which they may be sure we feel deeply 218 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. thankful, and trust that they ma}' find that we have given the subject of wine production a thorough review : STATISTICS OF WINE CELLARS IX NAPA COUNTY. Name of Owner in 1880. Berringer Bros 145,000 Beretta Bros 5,000 Brun & Chaix 115,000 Barth, G 120,000 Crabb, H. W 300,000 Crochat, G. & Co 35,000 Corthay, L 2,000 Degouy, N 58,000 Debanne & Bresard 36,000 Dorr, L. (Grigsby cellar) . . 65,000 Folger 10,000 Fountain, G. C 18,000 Gila Bros 45,000 Gaique, T. A 52,650 Groezinger, G 275,000 Heyman, E 19,000 Hagan, H 35,000 Haug, G 1,000 Jeanmonod, A 25,000 Knief, J 2,500 Kortum, L 38,000 Krug, Charles 280,000 Krug& Smith 76,000 Kaltenbach, M 400 Lyman, W. W 4,000 Laurent, J 60,000 Lemme, C 13,000 Amount made Name of Owner. in 1380. Leuthold 11,000 Medeau, J. J. H 12,000 McEachran, C. T 3,500 McCord, J. W 49,000 Migliavacca, G 65,000 Pellet, H. A 25,000 Pettengill, Dr 5,000 Reed, Win 14,000 Rosenbaum, F. H 5,000 Rossi, A 10,000 Schram, J 20,000 Scheffler, Win 250,000 Schultze, O 10,500 Sciaroni, F 10,000 Schranz, A 60,000 Salmini, F 20,000 Simonton, J. W 25,000 Semorile, B 15,000 Tossetti, B 20,000 Thomann, J 100,000 Van Bever & Co 200,000 Weinberger, J. C 75,000 Wegele, C 10,500 Woodward, E. W 4,700 Weaks, W. P 1,500 Total product for 1880, 2,857,250 Wine Cellars. — We will now give a short descriptive sketch of the individual wine cellars in Napa County. At Calistoga there ai-e two cellars. L. Kortum's Cellar. — This is located in the town of Calistoga and is doing a very good business, on a small scale, having made in 1880, thirty- eight thousand gallons of wine, which is pronounced by judges to be a first-class article. J. J. H. Medeau. — Also located at CalistQga, and is a small cellar, making only twelve thousand gallons in 1880. Viticulture in Napa County. 219 Alta Vineyard Cellar. — Is located in the foothills south of Calistoga, and is the property of Mr. C. T. McEachran. He erected it in 1878 and it is built of stone, and 18 x 24 feet in size, having a capacity of eight thou- sand gallons. He has made a total of nine thousand five hundred gallons, and his wine is of a most excellent quality. It is disposed of readily at good figures by retail. Jacob Schram's Cellar. — " Schramsberg " vineyard and cellar are located only a short distance to the westward of the last named. The first cellar was a tunnel into the side of the hill, twenty feet wide and one hundred and twenty feet deep, having a capacity of twenty thousand gallons. In 1881, Mr. Schram began the construction of a new cellar, which is to have a frontage of one hundred and twenty-six feet. On each front corner there is to be a tower with a twenty-five foot frontage, thirty-six feet high and a projection of fifteen feet. Between the towers the frontage will be seventy- five feet and the width of the main body of the cellar will be forty feet. The site for this cellar is excavated from the solid rock or lava. There will be a solid wall on the four sides, as the lava is not suitable to join the front walls upon. From the main cellar four tunnels will extend into the hill for a distance of seventy-five feet or more. There will be a distillery on the hill just back of the cellar and the upper or work room will be reached from this level also. Mr. Schram takes great pride in his wine, produces an excellent quality, which always commands a high price. W. W. Lyman's Cellar. — Is situated about three miles north of St. Helena, on the road to Calistoga. F. E. Kellogg planted the first vines on the place in 1855. Mr. Lyman erected the cellar in 1871, and it is made of concrete. It is 30x50 in size, two stories high, and has a capacity of from thirty thousand to forty thousand gallons. F. H. Rosenbaum's Cellar. — -This is situated near St. Helena, and is a small affair. John C. Weinberger's Cellar. — Is large and commodious and equal in con- venience to any in the valley, and can readily convert all his grapes, of which he has thirty-five acres, into fine wines. The cellar was built of red lava rock in 1876, and the capacity to store is one hundred and fifty thous- and gallons. One story under ground for storing wine. Second story for crushing grapes and fermenting house. The building is supplied with fresh spring water from the mountains. Notwithstanding all these facilities for wine-making, he has given much time and thought to the subject of making grape syrup, a new branch of industry first introduced by him in 1876. He made in that year one thousand five hundred gallons, and in the year following two thousand gallons. The soil of the vineyard is chiefly of de- composed lava-rock, black and white soil, the latter containing magnesia, all of which, it is said, produces the finest qualities of wine. 220 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. J. Lmtrent's Cellar. — Is located about one and a half miles north of St. Helena, and was erected in 1879. It is a stone structure 60x100 feet in size, two stories high, and has a capacity of two hundred thousand gallons. This is certainly one of the finest cellars in Napa County, and Mr. Laurent de- serves great credit for his enterprise. He makes from forty to sixty thousand gallons of wine annually. Charles Krug's Cellar. — Mr. Krug manufactures, among other brands of wines, Claret, Angelica, Sherry, Madeira, Sweet Tokay, Riesling, Moun- tain, etc. The amount of wine made in 18S0 was two hundred and eighty thousand gallons. Besides the wines mentioned there was distilled into brandy in the same year a large number of gallons. These wines have a wide reputation at home and abroad, and are sold extensively all over the West as well as in the East, and some in Germany and England. There is a branch establishment in St. Louis, Missouri, which is used as a distrib- uting point. In 1875 Mr. Krug went East, and spent considerable time in introducing Napa wines and preparing for their proper shipment. During his absence he closely observed everything of interest to the wine men, which he has freely communicated for their guidance and benefit. He has the largest wine cellar in the county, with a capacity of three hundred and fifty thousand gallons. It is, from outside to outside, 90x104 feet, the middle or main building being two stories. The upper room, 44x 100 feet in the clear, is the press-room or general manufacturing depart- ment. Immediately under this room is one 42x100 feet, with all the modern apparatus for keeping an even temperature for fermenting wines. The next room, 21x100 feet, contains the distillery and stores of new wine. The next room, 21x100 feet, is used for storing the old wines. This cellar is perfect in all its arrangements for the proper handling and storing of wines, and shows careful thought in its construction, and it is a credit to the intelligence and enterprise of the proprietor. Grapes by the load are run up the stairs on a truck, and the capacious maws of the two sieves chaw them off the stems by the car-load every few minutes, while the juice pours out below at the rate of six thousand gallons per day. Mr. Krug manufactures some of the best brandy made in the State. Everything about this vast establishment denotes tidiness, order and con- venience, which are three of the best elements of success in wine-making. The most fastidious person need never fear of getting impure or adulterated wines from this establishment, as everything is done with the utmost care and neatness. The whole form bespeaks order and business thrift. The grounds about the residence and cellar are laid out in smooth hard drives, which extend in various directions out into the vineyards. The fine large oaks and other trees surrounding the place, give a charm to the scene, es- pecially as you pass through it on the cars, while on either side the vines ^>.ff&t*t4*44> Viticulture in Napa County. 221 come close up to the railroad track, displaying their tempting purple clusters. Mr. Krug tells us some reasons why Napa wines are superior to foreign. This climate is perfect ; the grape ripens fully every year. There are no early frosts, as in France and Germany, to hasten the picking. Our vineyardists manage the picking and pressing of the grapes, and the earlier fermentation of the wine, more clearly, intelligently and skillfully than in Europe. Also, the whole after process is a great improvement. Better casks are used and the cellars here are almost always above ground, owing to the evenness of the temperature ; and are clearer and sweeter, and the whole treatment is better. For those reasons especially, Mr. Krug's wines have acquired a reputation second to none in California. Berringer Brothers Cellar. — Berringer Bros.' fine vineyard and property is one of those beautiful building spots in which the valley abounds, and was formerly well known as the " Hudson Place," and was purchased in 1875 from William Daegner by its present owners, Messrs. J. Berringer (for- merly the well-known and popular foreman of Charles Krug's wine cellar) and his brother, F. Berringer, of No. 40 Whitehall street, New York City. The whole place consists of ninety-seven acres hill and valley land, and embraces twenty-eight acres of vineyard, most of which were foreign vines, the remainder having since been grafted into Riesling and Chasselas. On the place is the large old-fashioned building, for so many years the home of the pioneer, David Hudson. There is also a good orchard, as well as a large number of orange, lime and lemon trees. They have also graded the county road in front, drained off the mountain water that ran down the hill in the rear, and made many minor improvements. From articles in the St. Helena Star we condense the following descrip- tion of their large and substantial wine-cellar : The wine-cellar of Berringer Brothers is the most handsomely finished of any in the valley, and for solidity of build and completeness of appoint- ments can have no superior anywhere. Its whole size is 40 x 104 feet, and its walls are stone, handsomely cut, with the monogram of the owners, " B. B.," neatly cut in the keystone. The building is of three stories ; there are no partitions, and each story forms but a single room, with no divisions but the rows of stanchions that traverse the length of the building. The ground floor is of cement and has a slight pitch for drainage. The second floor is built like a ship's deck, regularly caulked and water-tight. It is laid entirely of 3x3 stuff, cut so as to leave the edge of the grain up, and thereby prevent splintering. It has also water-tight base-boards, so that it could, if necessary, be filled with water to a depth of several inches. The third story is where the crushing is carried on, the cellar standing against the hill-side and a road leading around the back, so that wagons can unload 222 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. their grapes upon the third story. Eight hatchways provide openings for conducting the juice into tanks below. The cellar itself is built against this hillside, so that at the back the ground rises to the height of the first floor, and still rapidly inclining up- wards. Through the back wall is pierced one archway, pointing straight into the hillside, and already entering about seventy feet in, • and about seventeen feet in width. This is used as a store-room for the better class of wines. The location is in the hillside back of the dwelling, where the ascent is steep enough to leave at the rear only five feet of the wall exposed. This arrangement is for the purpose of unloading wagons of grapes into the third story, where the crushers are found. A roadway has been graded around through the place, leaving the county-road at one side, and entering it at the other, and describing in its course along the hillside a semi-circle that passes along the front of the cellar, while a " side-track " goes around past the rear of the same, and thus affords the facilities for the unloading referred to above. The corner-stone was laid in the presence of scores of citizens who had assembled to do honor to the event. The center of attraction was the stone itself, neatly chiseled out by Baillie, and appropriately inscribed "B. B. 1877," and containing various excavations for the deposits that were to be made therein. These consisted of copies of the " Star," and many cards of per- sons attending. Professor Smith deposited a photograph. Aug. Tonolla, the popular landlord, a Hungarian bank-note ; and Charles Krug a twenty- dollar gold coin. Bottles of native wine and champagne were also interred here for future generations to resurrect and sample. After short speeches, Dr. Michell baptised the stone with champagne until the cover was lowered to its place. Several quite extensive improvements were made in 1881. The grapes are crushed with a Heald's patent machine, driven by steam. Beretta Brothers' Cellar. — Is located on the road from St. Helena to the brewery, and is a wooden structure 48 x 28 in size, with a capacity of fifteen thousand gallons. They began business in 1879, just north of their present place, where they made small quantities of wine from year to year. C. Lemme's Cellar. — This is a small affair, located in the vicinity of St. Helena. The amount manufactured in 1880 was thirteen thousand gallons. C. Wegele's Cellar. — Another small cellar near St. Helena. The amount made in 1880 being ten thousand five hundred gallons. " Edge Hill " Cellar. — This is located about two miles west of the town of St. Helena, and is the property of William SchcfHer. This cellar was erected by General E. D. Keyes in 1867, and was the first one of any con- siderable size built in Napa County. Keyes disposed of the property • Viticulture in Napa Comity. 223 to General Heath in 1872, and Mr. Scheffler became proprietor in 1879. The original vineyard was planted by a blacksmith, and comprised ten acres of Mission vines. General Keyes planted ten acres more and General Heath added sixteen acres, and Mr. Scheffler has since planted thirty -five acres. The cellar is three stories high, and built of stone, and is 37 x 100 feet in size, and has a capacity of one hundred and seventy-five thousand gallons. This is filled with large oval casks, which will hold on an average about twenty-thousand gallons. In 1880, Mr. Scheffler constructed a large fer- menting house, just west of the cellar. He has all the appliances and conveniences necessary for the prosecution of _the business to the best possible advantage. Besides his home place he has several vineyards rented, from all of which his wine-yield is good, and he has become one of the largest wine-makers in Napa County. Has a very fine still in St. Helena, which is operated on the vacuum principle. B. Tossetti's Cellar. — -This is a small cellar of a capacity of eighteen thousand gallons. A. Rossis Cellar. — Also a small affair, making only ten thousand gallons in 1880. » N. Deguoy's Cellar. — He is making wine in a cellar in the western part of the town of St. Helena, where he began in 1878. The cellar has a capa- city of one hundred thousand gallons. There is a still connected with it, having a capacity of three hundred gallons. Oscar Schultze's Cellar. — A small cellar in the St. Helena District. E. W. Woochvard's Cellar. — A small affair on the estate of Mr. Woodward. Gila Brothers' Cellar. — A cellar of goodly proportions in the St. Helena District, having a capacity of upwards of fifty thousand gallons. H. A. Pellet's Cellar. — This cellar was built by Messrs. Pellet & Carver in 1866, and the partnership remained until 1878. The building is partly under ground, or rather sunk into the ground, is two stories high, is 50x60 feet in size. It is estimated that a total of eight hundred thousand gallons have beeen made at this cellar. Dr. Crane's Cellar. — This cellar is among the oldest in the St. Helena District, and, indeed, in Napa County. It is a double building, having a total dimension of 80x150 feet. There is one underground cellar which is 50x25, and a wing on the main building which is 120x30 feet. On the premises there is a stone sherry house which is 150x40 feet in size, and two stories high, having a capacity of sixty thousand gallons. There is also a distillery with a capacity of two hundred gallons. E. Heyman's Cellar. — Is located in the southern portion of St. Helena, and was erected in 1879. It is a wooden structure 40x50 feet, and one story high, with a capacity of twenty-four thousand gallons. G. C. Fountain's Cellar. — He began business and erected his cellars in 224 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. 1876. The building is 45x75 feet, and has a capacity of fifty thousand gallons. F. Sciaroni's Sherry House. — Is located in the southern part of St- Helena, and was erected in 1880, the building being two stories high, and 28x37 feet. It has a capacity of thirty thousand. The sherry made both here and at the house on Dr. Crane's place, is an excellent article. J. Thomann's Cellar. — Is situated on the road leading south from St. Helena, at Vineland station, and is one of the most completely arranged cel- lars in the county. He began business here in 1874, and erected his cellar that year, which is 40x100 feet in size. In 1876 he erected a wing 18x100 feet, and in 1880 he built another wing 30x60 feet, and two stories high. The present capacity of the cellar is one hundred and fifty thousand gallons. He began the business of distilling also in 1874, with a copper still of a ca- pacity of three hundred gallons. In 1880 he put up a wooden still with a capacity of seven hundred and fifty gallons. He has a Heald crusher, and all his machinery is driven by steam. The Heald crusher is a very complete contrivance, as it also stems as well as crushes the grapes. The one owned by Mr. Thomann has a capacity of ten tons an hour. J. H. McCord's Cellar. — Mr. McCord began wine-making in 1871,* in partnership with T. A. Gaique, on the place now owned by G. A. S tamer After only a few months the cellar caught on fire, and the building and about thirty thousand gallons of wine were destroyed. He then sold his grapes for the next three years, and in 1374 he made wine in the cellar of W. P. Weaks, at Pine station. For the next four years he used his barn for a cellar, and in 1880 he erected his present building, which is 48x60 feet, and two stories high, having a capacity of one hundred thousand gallons. Nouveau Medoc Cellar. — Is located at Oakville, and is the property of Messrs. Brim & Chaix. They commenced operations in 1877, with a small cellar, only 20x34 feet in size. Since then they have added to this building, until it is now 160x34 feet, and they have another building near by which is 40x54 feet. They now have a total capacity of one hundred and thirty thousand gallons. They have imported nine different varieties of excellent wine-making grapes from Medoc, France, and have a vineyard of twenty acres planted with them on Howell Mountain. H. W. Crabb's Cellar. — Mr. H. W. Crabb is the owner of the " Hermosa Vineyards," situated at Oakville station. He is a careful and very success- ful grape-grower, and has one of the largest vineyards of the county. In January, 1868, he purchased the present described tract of land, situated at Oakville, on the line of the railroad, twelve miles north of Napa City, containing two hundred and forty acres, without any improvement except a tenement house and barn. He commenced the planting of vines at once, Viticulture in Napa County. 225 and continued to do so each year until one-half the tract was in vineyard, con- taining two hundred and twenty thousand vines, consisting chiefly of the following varieties: Zinfandel, Malvasia, Burgundy, Chartreuse and Ries- ling, Chasselas, Berger, Hamburg, Tokay, and Muscat. The latter two are generally sold for table purposes, and the others are manufactured into wines and brandies. The production last year was about three hundred thousand gallons of wine, and four thousand three hundred and thirty-eight gallons of brandy. The cellar is constructed of wood, and its capacity about seventy -five thousand gallons. He began distilling in 1878, and in that year made two thousand two hundred and one gallons of brandy; in 1879, six hundred and thirty-three gallons; in 1880, two thousand four hundred and ninety-nine gallons, and in 1881 four thousand three hundred and thirty-eight gallons, making a total of nine thousand three hundred and seventy-one gallons. J. V. and G. A. Startler's Cellar. — Is located east of Pine station a short distance, is built of concrete and is forty-four by one hundred and four feet, having a capacity of seventy-five thousand gallons. It was formerly the propei-ty of Mr. Gaique. G. Groezinger's Cellar. — Is a fine large brick building located at Yount- ville, which is one hundred and fifty feet square and has a capacity of about four hundred thousand gallons. He has a fine distillery in connection with it which he built in 1872, having a capacity of six hundred gallons. There are two wooden and one copper stills. All his machinery is run by steam, and he has all the modern improvements and appliances. Frank Salmini's Cellar. — Is located about six miles north-east of Napa City and is formed by an excavation in the side of the hill. It has a capacity of about fifteen or twenty thousand gallons. Occidental Wine Cellar — Is the property of T. L. Grigsby, and is built of stone. It is in size 112x58 feet and three full stories in height. The first and second stories are used for storing and the third for working and ferment- ing wine. The entire walls are built of stone, nicely dressed and beautifully laid, with four large doors, eight feet square, so as to admit of the passage of wagons for loading or unloading wine and grapes. The total height to the peak is fifty -four feet. The walls are two feet in thickness. The stone was obtained from the foot-hill, at a quarry about one mile distant, and is of the superior building stone heretofore mentioned. The basement, or cellar, in which the wine is stored is well ventilated, and the building is so situated on the hill-side as to enable one to drive on to each floor and on one floor to drive entirely through the building. Grapes are carried by the wagon-load to the crusher on the upper floor, where all the work is done. The juice or wine runs down to the tanks on the next floor, and at the proper time is 15 226 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. taken down to the basement. The building is capable of storing two hun- dred and fifty thousand to two hundred and seventy-five thousand gallons of wine, besides having ample working room. There are side dormer win- dows, from which can be disposed of easily the waste, pomace, boxes, etc., by a slide which carries them to the ground. The roof is also well ventilated. In connection with the wine-cellar is a still-house for manufacturing brandy, situated about sixty feet south of the main building. It is 26 x 28 feet, built of stone. White Rock Cellar. — Is the property of Dr. J. A. Pettengill and is located six miles north of Napa joining the Napa Soda Springs, and is one-quarter of a mile from the county road leading to the Springs and situated in a little valley containing about thirty acres bottom land, unsurpassed for fertility. Twenty acres of vineyard and six acres of orchard of the finest fruit lays on one of the slopes with a southern exposure The vineyard and orchard rest on a white porous and soft rock, supposed to contain magnesia and which crumbles on exposure to the atmosphere. He at once set to work and built a stone cellar with a neat wooden building over it and equipped it with everything new, and made, in 1871, two thousand three hundred gallons of wine, which he has since sold for one dollar per gallon. After this cellar was filled he erected a larger one entirely of cut stone from an inexhaustible quarry found on the ranch. The stone when taken from the quarry can be cut with a sharp axe almost as fast as redwood ; becomes hard on exposure, is fire-proof and looks like granite. G. Barttis Cellar.— Is located about four miles north-west of Napa City. There are two buildings, both of rock, which are very fine indeed. The one last erected is an especially excellent building. We are sorry not to be able to give figures concerning this cellar, but we visited it two different times, and failed to see the foreman each time. H. Hugaris Cellar. — Is located north-east of Napa City a few miles, and is a very complete arrangement, though not as large as many in the county. His wine is very excellent, being made chiefly of grapes grown on hill-land. Uncle Sam Cellar. — P. Van Bever and W. W. Thompson began making wine in 1870, in a building near the First street bridge, where they manu- factured for two years. They then moved to the present location of the Uncle Sam Cellar, corner of Main and Fourth streets, Napa. The building is of brick, and has a capacity of about one-half million gallons. Subse- quently Mr. Thompson sold his interest, and the firm was composed of P. Van Bever, C. Anduran, and C. Carpy ; and in 1881 Mr. Van Bever dis- posed of his interest. There is a distillery in connection with the cellar, which has a capacity of five hundred gallons. It was put up in 1872. In Viticulture in Napa County. 227 1874 a vinegar factory was added to the business, having a capacity of from two hundred to two hundred and fifty gallons a day. The cellar and all buildings connected with it is one hundred and sixty by one hundred and forty-four feet, and two stories high. G. Migliavacca's Cellar. — Is located near the foot of Brown street, Napa City, and was erected of brick in 1874. It is 100x80 feet in size, and two stories high, and has a capacity of one hundred and fifty thousand gallons. There is a distillery connected with it, having a capacity of four hundred and forty gallons. Other Cellars. — There are a few small cellars in the county which we have omitted above ; bat the fact of their existence, and the amount of wine made in 1880, will be found in the table. We feel that we have de- voted a great deal of space to this interest, but not any more than it de- serves, as it is the leading industry of the county, and will doubtless always stand at the head. 228 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. NAPA TOWNSHIP. GEOGRAPHY.— Napa Township is bounded on the north by Yount Township, on the east and south by Solano County, and on the west by Sonoma County. July 7, 1873, the following boundaries were established by the Board of Supervisors : Beginning at a point on the Sonoma County line due west of the source of a small creek, on which was situated Fisk's saw-mill ; thence due east to the source of said creek ; thence down said creek to its mouth ; thence down Dry Creek to its mouth in Trubody's Slough ; thence north-easterly, passing one hundred yards north of the residence of G. W. Crowey, to the top of the ridge west of Soda Canon ; thence northerly along said ridge to the top of a sharp point on the south side of Rector Canon ; thence north- easterly, in a direct line to a point on Tebipa or Capelle Creek, one-half mile below the house of George Clark ; thence east to the top of the point north of Capelle Valley ; thence south-easterly along the top of the ridge to the south end of said ridge, near the head of Rag Canon ; thence due east to the line between Napa and Solano Counties ; thence southerly and westerly along said line to the line of Sonoma County : thence northerly along said line to the place of beginning. TOPOGRAPHY.— The topography of this township is fully as varied as that of any of the other sections of Napa County. Beginning at the western line, we find it on the summit of a range of mountains. Passing to the east, we come to the Napa Valley, which in this township is much wider than in the ones to the northward. It opens out into a broad open flat a few miles south of Napa City, which is covered with tules. Passing on to the eastward, the remainder of the township is very rough and mountainous, having here and there small and fertile valleys interspersed amid the mountain peaks, such as Foss', Wild Horse, Capelle and others. SOIL. — The soil of this township is similar to other portioas of the county, being very rich and productive in the valleys, and equally well adapted to the production of all classes of fruits, vegetables and cereals. The soil in the tule section is quite rich, and is very productive where there is not too much salt in its composition. The soil of the mountains is the common red detritus from volcanic substances, and is well adapted to the Napa Township. 229 growth of the vine. In Browns Valley the soil is adobe, having been formed by the decomposition of limestone, but there is enough sand mixed with it to make the adobe light and friable, and fruits and vines do well in it, which is not common in that class of soil. GEOLOGY. — Beginning on the west side of the township we find that the mountains are formed mostly of sand and limestone of the Tertiary period. The traveler along the banks of the Hudeman Creek is afforded a magnificent opportunity to study the geological formation of that section. There are large beds of limestone there and doubtless it would burn into quite good lime. The sandstone and shale stratas are also very prominent features of that section, and the nodular formation of the shale is a won- derfully interesting subject of contemplation. Passing down the creek we find the bed of it filled with boulders of lime and sandstone, which are continually triturating and the detritus is forming rich soil of a light adobe nature in the flats below. It is wonderful what great quantities of lime- stone boulders have been collected off from the land in the vicinity of the Salvador Vallejo adobe house. Passing to the mountains on the east side of the valley we find the great masses of volcanic ash and tufa deposited there upon the occasion of some mighty eruption, and gradually, through the action of ages, formed into solid rock, affording much very valuable stone now for economical purposes. The student of geology will find here a wide field for study and research. Farther on to the eastward these mountains are still of a volcanic origin, there being much trap and basalt in the ranges near the eastern limits of the county. CLIMATE.— From the " Sketch Book " we extract the following truth- ful statement concerning the climate of Napa and its vicinity : " The lower end of Napa Valley is open to the breezes which sweep inland from the sea during the summer months, and serves to lower the temperature to a remarkable degree. The lower part of the valley south of Napa City being level, is exposed to its direct action, but not to so great an extent as to be disagreeable. The wind is greatly modified in its force and tem- perature in passing over the warm surface of the land, and its effects are felt less and less as it penetrates inland. Probably the ,pleasantest climate is found in and near Napa City. The sea breeze, passing over a long stretch of level land, loses its roughness, and yet keeps down the summer heat, and renders the winters mild. About Napa City the thermometer rarely gets above eighty degrees, although it has been in rare instances as high as one hundred and five degrees. In winter ice is sometimes formed at night half an inch thick upon standing water. Snow is a great rarity 230 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. in this part of the valley. None has fallen except in three instances during the past twenty years, and then to the depth of only a few inches. The surrounding mountains sometimes put on a snowy mantle for a few hours, but it soon disappears." (This was written in 1873, and in December of that year the fourth snow fell, which was to the depth of several inches. Since then several light snows have fallen in the valley.) The smaller valleys being shut out from the sea breeze, are hotter and colder than the Napa Valley. PRODUCTS — The products of this township are varied, extending to everything that can be grown in a genial, semi-tropical climate. Fruits and vines thrive in Brown's Valley ; cereals in the heart of Napa Valley ; fruits, cereals and vegetables in the southern portion of the township ; vines, small fruits and cereals in the mountains and mountain valleys, while vegetables grow everywhere. The future will reveal the fact that it is peculiarl}' adapted to the growth of the vine, and second to no section in California, except possibly that of St. Helena. TIMBER. — The timber of this township is not an object of boast among the citizens of it. Along the west line there is quite a belt of redwood, but aside from that there is no timber to speak of, except the oaks and scraggy digger pine. EARLY SETTLEMENT.— To Don Cayetano Juarez belongs the honor of being the first settler in Napa Township, coming in as early as 1840. He had stock in this vicinity as early as 1837, but his family resided in Sonoma, whither he went of nights. In 1840 he built the small adobe house still standing on the road to the asylum. Here he has since resided continuously, and is now enjoying the fruits of a well spent life, in a neat cottage on his estate. He raised a large family of children. The next settler was Nicolas Higuerra, who came in and located per- manently in 1840. He had a wicker house, on which was plastered a thick coat of mud, giving it the appearance at a distance of an adobe building. It was thatch-roofed with tules and grass, and was a small structure not more than twenty feet square. It was located on what is known as the Patchett place, not a great distance from the Calistoga avenue bridge. In 1847 he constructed an adobe house to the westward of Napa City, which is still standing. But little concerning this old pioneer is known, except that he was a Mexican, and had a family, two of his daughters being united in marriage to the Berryessa brothers. Don Salvador Vallejo came in very early, and erected an adobe house at the Trancas, and at the " Bi^r Ranch," as it is called, also. Both of these QfjUUd, Napa Tozvnship. 231 houses are yet in existence, and the one at the Trancas is used as a residence. The one at the " Big Ranch," now the property of G. Barth, is a very large one indeed, being about forty feet wide and nearly one hundred feet long, and two stories high. It is now fast going to ruin, and in a few years at most, nothing will be left to mark the site but a mound of decaying debris. And so the old landmarks are passing away, and the links which bind the present, or American regime to the Spanish-Mexican or past, are disappear- ing, one by one, and soon indeed nothing but the pages of history will be left to tell of the wonderful glory of the olden days of this almost paradise. Neither the people nor their works will long survive now, and the over- whelming tread of American enterprise has all but trampled into nonentity the former occupants of the land, and the few relics of that people will, in another half century, be matters of legend and of history. It is not known who the first settler, other than Spanish, was in this township. There were probably but few persons up to 1847, and it is not till 1848 that we can learn of any permanent settlers. It will be remembered that George C. Yount's place was the headquarters of the Americans pre- vious to this, and that as a consequence most if not all of them settled on his place as renters, or above it. We will append a list of the pioneers as far as we are able, to obtain their names, and where obtainable give the year of their arrival. In 1848 the following persons were in the township : John Trubody, George N. Cornwell, Harrison Pierce, Ralph Kilburn, William H. Nash, William Russell, J. P. Thompson, John Custer, John Adams; in 1849, Peter D. Bailey, T. G. Burton ; in 1850, Dr. W. W. Stillwagon, Thomas Earl, P. D. Grigsby, T. F. Raney, H. N. Amsbury, E. G. Young, Jesse Grigsby ; in 1851, J. H. Howland ; in 1852, W. S. Jacks, A. W. Norton, John M. Davis, John T. Smith ; in 1853, W. A. Elgin, J. G. Randall, B. Little, William Middletown, Charles Robinson, C. H. Allen, H. Goodrich, H. A. Pellet, W. A. Fisher; in 1854, Robert Miller, John Watson, and in 1855, William E. Anderson. Of course there are many others whose names have been forgotten by our informants, and then there are others whose names will be found mentioned elsewhere in this work. The reader is referred to the biographical department for further facts concerning the early settlers. NAPA CITY. — To the visitor at Napa City to-day the statement that only one-third of a century ago the site of the now beautiful city was nothing but a howling wilderness, sounds more like a fable than a reality ; and yet such is the case. That length of time takes us back to 1848 — the year in which the first house was erected in the place. Previous to that the whole town-site was a good field of wild oats, which grew in wonderful luxuriance here, owing to the richness of the soil. The original town-plot was planted in beans in 1847, which was the first evidences of civilization 232 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. which the place had ever known. In the short space of thirty-four years what a grand transformation has occurred ! Truly the results and fruits of energetic and well-directed industry are to be found no better developed than here. At this time (1847) there was not a house in the county except a few adobes, occupied by Mexicans and a few hardy American pioneers, such as George C. Yount and Julian Pope, who had penetrated the mountain fast- nesses which lay between the Mississippi River and the Pacific Ocean and had found a resting place from their journeyings in the sweet valleys of this section. There was not a store, hotel, saloon, church or school within the limits of the county. There were neither roads, bridges nor fences, excepting a few small corrals, one of which was on the rancho of Don Cayetano Juarez, east of the river. There were no buildings near the town- site, except two adobe houses, one occupied by Nicolas Higuerra and situated not far from the present Calistoga avenue bridge, and the other, the resi- dence of Don Cayetano Jaurez on the Tulucay Rancho. The former has disappeared from sight long since, while the latter still remains as a tie, binding the present to the far-away past ; not so far away, however, in the matter of absolute time as in the radical changes which have occurred since then. The " Embarcadero de Napa " was established very early, probably before there were any residents in the valley at all. It is known that it was in existence in 1844, for in the early spring of that year General Sutter sent his schooner " Sacramento " to the Embarcadero for lime, which he had purchased of Nicolas Higuerra. William Baldridge and others came to Napa Valley from Sutter's Fort on board the schooner at that time. The first mention in a newspaper of what is now Napa City was made in an article published in the Califomian, then under the management of Brannan & Kemble, in 1848, in which it is stated that the ship " Malek Adhel " had passed up the Napa River, and found plenty of water to a certain point, and that beyond that was the " Embarcadero de Napa." Early in May, 1848, the first building was erected, which formed the nucleus around which the present city has grown. It was one and a half stories high, and in size 18 x 24 feet, and was built by Harrison Piei-ce for a saloon. The building is still standing, and in good condition, near the river on the south side of Third street, and in the same enclosure with the " Shade House." The lumber for this building was sawed by Ralph Kilburn, Har- rison Pierce and William H. Nash, at Bale & Kilburn's mill, two miles above St. Helena, and was hauled to Napa by William H. Nash. Six buildings were framed the previous winter at this mill and shipped to Benicia and San Francisco. The> town-site was surveyed and laid out by the late Hon. Nathan Coombs in the spring of 1848, and the original limits of the town only included the land lying between Brown street and the river, and ex- Napa Township. 233 tending six hundred yards from Napa Creek to the steamboat landing. Captain John Grigsby and Nathan Coombs did the carpenter work on the new adobe house of Nicolas Higuerra, situated west of the present town-site, and took this tract of land in payment for their work. Shortly afterwards Captain Grigsby disposed of his interest to Mr. Coombs. They had taken a bond for a deed from Higuerra, but when the final papers were made out Mr. Coombs purchased the additional toact known for several years as the " Commons." Since then several other additions have been made to the town-plot, by various owners of land adjoining it, among whom are Thompson, Briggs & Russell, Hill, Hartson, Cornwell and Lawley. All these additions are now considered for all legal purposes as portions of Napa City. The town was formerly divided into sections known as " Napa Alta," or Upper Napa, and " Napa Abajo," or Lower Napa, the latter consisting of Thompson's addition of over one hundred acres, and these names are sometimes still used in descriptions of land. The embarcadero or landing was at the head of navi- gation, and the ford just above it determined the location of the town. There being no bridges in those days, the ford was a place of much im- portance, probably much more than was the embarcadero. When Pierce came to erect his building he got bewildered amid the forest of newly planted surveyor's stakes, and placed the structure in the middle of Main street. This was certainly a significant beginning for the erection of a saloon. The effects of what the building was destined to contain seem to have impressed themselves upon the projector very forcibly, or may be he had a stock stored away under the wide spreading branches of a neighboring tree, and took occasion to visit it quite frequently to see that it was all there, barring the quantity he imbibed himself. But, be that as it may, the building was discovered to be in the middle of the street by Nicolas Higuerra and the proprietor, after the building had progressed nearly to completion, the rafters only remaining to be put on. It was, upon the discovery of its misplacement, moved to its present site, and there completed. During that year, 1848, Mr. John Trubody mowed almost the entire town-site, which was covered with a rank growth of wild oats, and sold the hay to the Government. On the 8th of May gold was discovered, and by the time the pioneer building was completed the news had reached the residents of this valley, and on the twentieth of that month a party com- prising Harrison Pierce, William H. Nash, Ralph Kilburn, John Kelley, Frank Kellogg, William McDonald, Hiram Acres and Benjamin Dewell, together with an old Indian, Guadalupe, and his wife, whohad been brought from Mexico by William Gordon and Julian Pope, left Napa for the newly-discovered gold fields, thus being about the first to arrive there. 234 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. It will thus be seen that the newty-constructed edifice was deserted even before it had been initiated into the mysteries of a saloon. Pierce remained in the mines during the summer season, and that fall returned to Napa to find his building just as he had left it, and he put in a stock of liquors and opened the " Empire Saloon," a place well remembered by all old pioneers. The following summer it offered accommodations in the shape of lodgings, and " square meals " of beef, hard bread and coffee af one dollar each. The first election in Napa County was held in this building in 1849. It was subsequently occupied for various purposes, R. T. Montgomery using it at one time as a dwelling-house. The old sign " Empire Saloon," was still visible in 1857. In 1849, a rude bridge was built across Napa Creek, near the line of Brown street, which fell in the autumn of 1851, under the weight of a load of wheat belonging to J. W. Osborn, killing two horses. Another in its place was built on Main street, which was carried away by a freshet in the winter of 1852-3, and the drift and debris lodging against the trees, threw back the waters and flooded the town. Another bridge was thrown across the creek at First street the same year. As stated above, there was a ford just above the head of navigation. There was a ford also near the foot of Second street, which was passable at low tide, and over which men swam their horses at high tide. In the fall and winter of 1848-9, a ferry was established by William Russel and a partner, at a point between Second and Third streets. In 1851, a toll bridge was built across the river just above the Vernon Mills, by J. B. Horrell, who obtained a franchise for the same from the Court of Sessions. During the fall of 1848, and the following winter, other buildingsi small temporary structures, half canvass, half redwood " shakes," were erected. The first store was opened in 1848, by J. P. Thompson, in a build- ing at the foot of Main street, on the site of the Star Warehouse. The next store was located on the tongue of land lying at the junction of the river and creek, and between the two streams, on the present site of " China- town." In 1849, Messrs. Vallejo & Frisbie (Gen. Mariano Guadalupe V&l- lejo and Gen. John C. Frisbie) had three stores : one in Napa, one at Benicia and one at Sonoma, in which George N. Cornwell was also inter- ested, and had charge of the one at Napa, which was the store mentioned above as being situated on the point between Napa River and Napa Creek. In the winter of 1848-9, there was another rush to the mines, and nearly all the male population of the community proceeded to the " diggins " to seek a fortune. Messrs. Cornwell and Thompson remained in charge of their respective stores, and a few old men who did not care to brave the asperities of the weather, nor the hardships of a miner's life, tarried also. Some idea of the fabulous prices which commodities commanded at that Napa Toiutiship. 235 time may be had when we state that lumber at the Capt. Stephen Smith mill at Bodega was worth $300 per thousand. The freight by wagon to Sonoma was $80 per thousand, and it was brought thence by vessel at quite an additional cost. Mr. Cornwell paid John Wooden, in 1849, $100 each for two stringers for a bridge, each sixty feet in length. That same year he fenced forty acres of barley, which was then growing on what is now known as " Cornwell's Addition," with rails which cost him one dollar apiece. He paid $400 for thrashing the barley in Mexican style, $400 for a fanning mill, and $125 each for old-fashioned cradles. He did well, however, by the venture, as he raised from sixty to seventy bushels per acre, and sold it readily from $8 to $15 per cental. The next store was erected by Capt. Brackett and R. L. Kilburn, which was located on Main street, below the American Hotel, and will be remem- bered as the office of the Reporter, in 1856, then published by Messrs. Montgomery & Cox. Within the next two years several other buildings were erected for business purposes, among which was Messrs. Hart & Mc- Garry's, on Main street, near the site of Messrs. Goodmans' Bank. This structure was erected by Archibald Jesse, and was originally used for a dwelling. Jacob Higgins built a store on the south-west corner of Brown and First streets, now forming a part of the German Music Hall. On the north-west corner was the store of Messrs. Seawell & Gregg ; also, a one- story frame building owned and kept by J. Mount, and another subsequently by Angus Boggs, and afterwards by J. H. Howland. There was a dwelling- house on Main street, which was subsequently used for mercantile pur- poses. There were two other stores on Main street, one on the south-west corner of Main and Second streets, and another on the north-west corner of the same streets, occupied by Messrs. Penwell & Walker. The McCombs Building, on the north-west corner of Main and First streets, was occupied as a meat market by R. M. Hill, and for several years subsequently as a saloon. On the south-east corner was a blacksmith shop, presided over by one Mr. Guthrie. Excepting a few dwellings on Coombs street, there were but few buildings west of the Court-house previous to 1854 except mere shanties. The first of any considerable size or pretensions was the dwelling of Major John H. Seawell, which has since been remodeled, and is now one of the buildings connected with the Napa Ladies' Seminary. South of this street all was an open common, with here and there a shanty, down as far as Colonel W. S. Jacks' place, on Jacks Point. The first warehouse was erected on the south side of First street, at the then steamboat landing, but it was carried away by the flood of the following winter. Another ware- house was put up in 1S50 by John Trubody, near the foot of Main street, on what is known as Short street, and directly upon the river bank. This 236 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. building was occupied successively as a warehouse, store, saloon, post-office, church, Magistrate's office and boarding-house, and was still standing in 1871, as a relic and remembrance of early days. Another warehouse was erected by Angus L. Boggs in the spring of 1851, a block north on the same street. In consequence of the enormous prices of lumber and labor in those early days, buildings already framed were often shipped to California, and some of these are still standing in Napa City. Three of them united formed Gregg & Seawell's store, and now constitute the German Hotel, on the cor- ner of Brown and First streets. The stone building so long occupied by Messrs. A. Y. Easterby & Co., and the store opposite to it, which was de- stroyed by fire many years since, a portion of the old Court-house, the Napa Stable, the first building erected at Oak Knoll, a small store erected for Lawrence & Kimball, and the building so long occupied by Mr. George N. Cornwell as a residence on First street, were among these imported buildings. In 1851, the bark "Josephine," which had been in Moorehead's expedi- tion to Gila, was purchased by George N. Cornwell, and Captain Chadwick sailed it up the Napa River to the " Embarcadero," for the modest (?) sum of one hundred dollars. The new proprietor proceeded to dismantle her, and house her over. She was then anchored to the bank of the river near the point of confluence of the river and the creek, east of First street bridge, and used for several years as a wharf-boat and store ship. She was ulti- mately sold to William A. Fisher, who rented her for the same purposes, and finally removed her, on the change of leaving the place, to the present steamboat landing. The population of Napa in those early days would have afforded a grand field for the student of human nature, as it was made up of a motley col- lection of representatives of all the nations under the sun. The New England Yankee elbowed the " Sydney duck," and the Chinaman and Negro stood cheek by jowl with the Digger Indian. Napa was a favorite resort for miners in the winter, whether they were " flush " or " dead broke." The chief places of business were the saloons, and gold dust was the medium of traffic, and scales stood upon every counter. Very little United States coin was in circulation, and as late as 1S56 the medium of exchange was either gold dust, foreign coin, or a substitute for coin issued by the assay office of Kellogg & Humbert in San Francisco. They issued gold pieces of the value of five dollars, ten dollars, twenty dollars and fifty dollars, which were of full weight and equal fineness to the Government standard ; these were everywhere accepted as legal coin. All old settlers will well remember the fifty dollar " slug " as it was called, which was so common in those days. The French franc and the English shilling passed freely for a quarter of a dollar and the five-franc piece for one dollar. No change was used smaller than a " bit," or ten-cent piece, and they were not reckoned to be of much Napa Township. 237 consequence. The prices of everything, especially labor, was enormous, money being the only thing that was plentiful. Alas, how things have changed since then ! Gambling was the most fashionable pursuit, and men of all classes engaged in it. San Francisco saw itself repeated on a smaller scale in this embryotic city. A more rollicking and reckless set of men was never seen. Fights were of hourly occurrence and practical jokes of all sorts were the order of the day, and no better entertainment can be afforded than to listen to the recital of those every-day jokes by a crowd of old- timers. There were neither churches nor schools, and practically there was no law, each man being "a law unto himself," and very few had settled habits. The mass of these men had no family ties to hold them in check, and there were no places of public resort excepting the bar-rooms, saloons and gambling houses. " It is not strange," says one who passed through the ordeal, " that very many of the early pioneers contracted ruinous habits, causing the premature death of many and a life-long regret to those that survive. They lived in a fever of excitement, careless of the morrow and determined to enjoy the present at all hazards to the full." With the organizing of the county in 1851 came the necessity of erecting a Court-house, which was built on the corner of Coombs and Second streets, and was a small two-story structure. The present Court-house plaza was occupied by Lawley & Lefferts as a lumber yard in 1855. It had long pre- vious to that been a vacant lot, covered knee-deep with tar-weed. In November, 1849, Captain Turner G. Baxter and Dr. Bracket arrived in Napa City and the Captain immediately embarked in the saloon and grocery business, which he followed till the spring of 1850, when he erected the " Valley House," on the site now occupied by David L. Haas' book store, which he conducted for a short time. The " American Hotel " was erected in 1850 by Nathan Coombs, Lyman Chapman and Samuel Starr, and the " Napa Hotel" by James Hai-bin in 1851. Several lodging-houses and res- taurants had previously been opened as appendages to saloons. In addition to the hotels mentioned above, there were in 1854, a blacksmith shop on First street, near the corner of Main ; a butcher shop on the corner kept by R. M. Hill, a restaurant just below it, kept by H. Sanderson; a saloon just below it kept by J. M. Dudley, and a store kept by J. C. Penwell and A. B. Walker, on the present site of the bank of Napa. On the east side of Main street were Charles Hoits' store, the Shade House, and a few temporary buildings, mostly occupied as saloons or restaurants. Archibald Jesse built a dwelling, afterwards used by Messrs. Hunt & McGregory as a store. The building stood upon the present site of the Goodman & Co. Bank. Mr. George N. Corn well, who came to Napa in 1848, gives us the fol- lowing statement concerning what was here when he came, and the progress of the city for a year or two afterwards. " In 1847 Nicolas Higuerra erected 238 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. a new adobe house, and Nathan Coombs and Capt. John Grigsby took the contract of making and putting on the shingles, for which they received the tract of land which comprised the original town-site. In the fall of that year, the services of Mr. James M. Hudspeth, now of Green Valley, Sonoma County, were brought into requisition, and the town-plot was surveyed. The first building was a store erected by Southard & Sweezy, and it was located on the back of the river, just in the rear of the Uncle Sam wine cellar vinegar house. (This is evidently the same building spoken of above, as being built by Harrison Pierce. The apparent discrepancy lies, we think, in the fact that Pierce, was the owner of the building, and the other named gentlemen did the carpenter work on it. So also in regard to what it was used for. Stores were apt to have a saloon attached to them in those days, and vice, versa.) The second building was also a store built by J. P. Thomp- son, and was located at the foot of Main street, where the mill now stands. There was a building also where the " O. P. C " store now stands, on the corner of Main and Third streets. Archibald C. Jesse had a building on the corner of Second and Main streets, a little above where the Goodman Bank now stands, and it was then used for a dwelling. A man by the name of Brown had a little building, now occupied as a saloon, on the north-east corner of Second and Main streets. All of these buildings were here in the fall of 1848. The next building was the Vallejo & Frisbie store, at the junction of the creek and river. Ralph Kilburn, also constructed a dwelling in the fall of 1848. There was a little saloon on the corner of Main and Second streets, on the site of the bank of Napa, which was kept by two brothers named Johnson. Either in the fall of 1848 or the spring of 1849, the McComb's building was erected on the corner of First and Main streets, on the site of Alden & Co.'s store. The principal event of those pioneer days was the lynching of Hugh McCaully, a full account of which will be found in the chapter on homicides. In 1850, N. McKimmey, afterwards Sheriff of Napa County, had a ferry- boat near the foot of Second street. Mr. Thomas Earl, who came in that year, estimates the number of inhabitants at fifty, and the buildings at one dozen. The Napa House was then conducted by Frank Juarez. Mr. Earl was the first saddler in the place, and Charles Allen the first tinner. What is known as the " Lawley Addition " was purchased bj^ Matt. Harbin from Nicolas Higuerra, and in 1853 Mr. Earl bought it from him, and subse- quently sold it to Mr. Lawley. A. W. Norton had a blacksmith shop in the place at that time also. In the spring of 1855, the first brick building of any character whatso- ever was erected by John S. Robinson, and was a small dwelling-house located in the western part of town, and then really outside the city limits. Shortly after this, Thomas Earl and William H. James united forces, and pur- Napa Township. 239 chased brick in Sacramento, and erected the first brick building in Napa for business purposes. Mr. Earl purchased the brick in Sacramento and they were shipped to Napa on board the schooner " Susan Owens." The building was located on the south-west corner of Main and First streets, where it still stands. This statement is authentic, and should set at rest forever the mooted question of who built the first brick building in Napa. Shortly afterwards, A. W. Norton erected a brick blacksmith shop ; and the Revere House, the second Court-house, and some other business houses were all built of brick in 1856. From 1849 to 1854 the population of the town increased very rapidly, and in the latter year the place could boast of about four hundred people. As a matter of course, the business interests increased proportionately ; and in all about forty buildings graced the town-site with their presence. In 1855, the first school-house was erected, and the first church building, the Presbyterian, was completed that year. The bank of the river was then covered with a dense growth of willows and alders, and the Indians were about equal to the whites in point of numbers. J. P. Thompson laid out that portion of Napa City known as " Napa Abajo " in 1853. As late as 1856 very little effort had been made to improve the streets or highways, and both were almost impassable in the rainy season. There were only two places on Main street where a pedestrian could cross, one opposite the American Hotel, and the other nearly opposite the Napa House. The crossings were made of bundles of straw, thrown into the mud until the bottom was found. Woe was unto the unlucky wight who got belated, and had too much " tangle-foot " aboard, for a single misstep would send him into the mud up to his waist, to flounder out as best he could. The streets in wet weather resembled mud canals rather than thoroughfares for men and horses. In the summer season they dried up and became solid enough, but were full of undulations, which, to say the least, were not very gentle or regular ones. The streets in summer time became about as vil- lainous as they did in the winter season. Owing to the traveling of heavy teams over them they soon became cut into great ruts, and canopied with intolerable clouds of dust, through which people floundered over a strange mosaic of rubbish, cast-off clothing, empty bottles and sardine boxes. These were the days in which every man wore heavy boots, into the tops of which his pant were snugly stuffed. In the winter season these great boots were covered with mud up to the very tops of them, while in the antipode the wearer floundered as helplessly in clouds of dust. Everybody laughed at these annoyances, knowing that they were common to all, and the usual concomitants of a new settlement in a wild and unoccupied country. On the 4th day of July, 1856, the first newspaper ever published in 240 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. Napa City or Napa County made its appearance. It was a small sheet, under the proprietorship and editorial control of A. J. Cox, and the name Reporter was placed at the head of the firstling. Robert T. Montgomery was its first subscriber, and did much in after years to shape and control its destinies. For the historical matter given above concerning Napa City we are under obligations to the early settlers, and also to Mr. Menefee's "Sketch Book." The chapter on the early settlement of Napa City in that work was compiled by R. T. Montgomery, one of the pioneers of the place, and no more capable and reliable man for the duty could have been found; hence we feel that what we have copied from that work is decidedly reliable. We will now take up the history of the city by years, recording whatever there is of interest, as we have found the matter stated in the local press of the place. We will, therefore, begin with 1856. — Unfortunately, the Reporter was published in those days "semi- occasionally," or in other words, it was a " tri-weekly " paper. It was issued one week, and they tried to issue it the next, but were as apt to fail as otherwise. The first bound number of this paper, which is now extant, is dated November 23, 1856, and is Volume 1, number 19, of the issue. It was then a 4-column folio, edited by A. J. Cox. The subscription price was five dollars, and advertisements were charged for at the rate of three dollars per square for single insertions. To give an idea of the business interests of the place at that time, we include here the advertisements which we find in that copy of the paper : L. J. Walker & Co., drugs, etc. ; J. M. Dudley, commission merchant, and agent of Wells, Fargo & Co's Express ; Eaton, M. D. ; Earl & Pai-ks, saddlers, harness, etc. ; Lawley & Letferts, general merchandise ; Easterby & Co., general merchandise ; N. Lawrence and J. Buttertield, general mer- chants ; Gilmore & Taylor, Napa Hotel ; A. Wegl & Co., (Yellow House) general merchants ; Schultze & Co., Napa City Mills ; Haller & Dorr, furni- ture ; B. Grims & Co., successors to A. L. Boggs, warehouse and storage ; John Strickland, Master of the fast sailing sloop " Kiturah," plying between Napa City and San Francisco ; American Hotel, by Thomas Alker and Philip Hunsinger ; J. W. Smith, attorney-at-law, and notary public for Napa County ; S. R. Uncles, M. D. ; D. K. Rule, M. D. ; L. Bruck, notary public ; Johnson Horrell, attorney-at-law ; Henry Edgerton, attorney-at-law and District Attorney for Napa County ; Robert R. Pierpont, attorney-at- law ; W. W. Stillwagon, M. D. ; W. E. Taylor, superintendent of schools ; A. C. Latson, brick for sale ; Patrick O'Brien, tailor ; H. Sanderson, res- taurant ; " the elegant and fast steamer ' Guadalupe',' Capt. P. F. Doling, having been newly refitted, will leave Pacific street wharf, in San Fran- cisco, for Napa and way places, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays." fc<4. <$£/£> Napa Township. 241 Markets. — The following prices current will show that the cost of many things in 1856, were not so very much in excess of the present rates : Flour, $9 ; wheat, $2 to $2.27§ ; barley, $2.12| to $2.18 ; oats, $2.18 to $2.20 ; sweet potatoes, 3J cents ; onions, 5 to 6 cents ; butter, 45 to 50 cents ; eggs, 60 cents ; chickens, $5 to $7 ; corn, $2.25; hay, $18 to $20 ; bags, 13 to 13| cents ; hams, 22 to 28 cents ; coffee, 16 to 17 cents ; sugar, 12^ to 17 cents ; rice, 16 cents; lard, 27 cents; syrup, $1.25 ; dried apples, 1 6 cents ; dried peaches, 40 cents ; bacon, 12£ cents ; mess pork, 22 to 25 cents ; lumber, $35 to $40, and shingles, $6.50 to $7.50. 1857 — New Year's Day. — The following description of this occasion is taken from the Reporter, and the introduction is characteristic of the times in which it was written : " Another year has rolled around, and every ani- mate being is one year older than twelve months ago — a natural conclusion. All we have to say of 1856 is, Good Bye, old Muggins ! Many a hard tussel we have had together. You are defunct now. Good Bye, old Mug ! On New Year's Day in Napa, everybody became convivial, even Joseph D. and Captain V. P. hugged each other in the manner in which Damon and Pythias were supposed to have done. The first day of January passed most pleas- antly in Napa, for the people in this place are proverbially distinguished for sobriety (in a horn as big as that of Plenty). Mr. Fuller gave a ball on Thursday night, and Messrs. Baxter, Wolfe, and ' Uncle Tommy, and others did the good thing, and everybody wished everybody a Happy New Year, long life, etc' We were in high luck that day. A good-looking young lady condescended to say ' I wish the printer much happiness.' We touched our hat, and retreated under a shower of egg-nog. Such was the day in Napa." Trial of Ned McGoiuan. — One of the most interesting events of 1857 was the trial of the then famous Ned McGowan. All old settlers of Cali- fornia will well remember what a great excitement there was over the at- tempted capture of Ned McGowan by the Vigilance Committee in San Francisco. In the course of time, after being hunted like a wild beast from house to tule and from tule marshes to mountain fastnesses, receiving shelter and food at long intervals at the hands of God's ministering angels — women, who could not see the man starve, no matter what his crimes, he came back to the city and demanded a trial at the bar of Justice. This was granted him ; and on the 29th day of May, 1857, his trial began in Napa City, with the following gentlemen on the jury : David Hudson, P. D. Bailey, R. C. Gillaspie, W. H. Younge, James Glassford, Charles McBride, George Ware, Thomas Twist, Ralph L. Kilburn, Harrison Hornback and Charles Stillman. The jury was out only ten minutes, when a verdict of not guilty was rendered. 16 242 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. Napa Guards. — The first election of this military company occurred November 23, 1857, and resulted in the selection of the following officers : Captain, F. S. Vaslit ; First Lieutenant, J. Bell ; Second Lieutenant, A. J. Cox ; Third Lieutenant, T. Moyer ; Surgeon, W. W. Stilhvagon ; Quarter- master, J. Darnies ; Orderly Sergeant, G. Dennison ; Second Sergeant, C. H. Clark ; Third Seigeant, G. Crawford ; Fourth Sergeant, A. Raymond. 1858 — An Odd Advertisement. — In the issue of the Reporter of Sep- tember 25, 1858, the following curiosity appeared : BIBLES AND RELIGIOUS BOOKS. For sale by F. Bates, Bible Agent. I expect to be at the coming race, There I shall see many a smiling face ; I'll have Bibles ami books of many kinds, And such as are best to store and improve the mind. Now the best bet that you ever won Is to buy Bibles and books to carry home. Ho, Everybody ! Come and buy Bibles and books a good supply, At the Christian State meeting, near Younts Mill, I will be happy your orders to fill ; I have Bibles both common and fine, So as to suit everyone's mind. When you come to know the price You will say they are nice. I have hooks of many descriptions, Religious, historical — but no fictions. Come, young and old, married and single, Buy Bibles and books and let the money jingle. F. Bates, Bible Agent, 1860 — The Stone Bridge. — The stone bridge across Napa River on First street was constructed in I860, by Murphy. This bridge fell in during the flood of January, 1881, and a fine truss structure now spans the stream at that place. 1861.— Good Templars.— Franklin Lodge, No. 36, of this Order was in existence at this time, and the following officers were elected April 1st of this year: Samuel Heald, \V. C. T; J. M. Hamilton, W. V. T; J. Van Doren, W. S.; Miss L. A. Willett.W. T.; Martha C. Heald, W. F. S.; George W. F. Carter, W. M.; Rev. P. V. Veeder, W. Ch.; D. B. Magee, W. I. G; and R. T. Montgomery, W. O. G. 1862. — Academy for Boys.— Rev. P. V. Veeder opened an academy for boys in March of this year. As to the success of the venture, we are not informed. 186S. — The Napa Register was launched upon the sea of journalistic Napa Township. 243 existence August 10th of this year. It was a five-column folio, Republican in politics, and under the management and proprietorship of J. I. Horrell. Hanging of Charles Brittian. — This execution was the crowning event of the year, viewed from a sensational standpoint. The drop fell at twenty minutes past three P. M., August 7th. The convict manifested the utmost indifference to his fate to the last moment, and obstinately refused all counsel from the priests who visited him. This was the first execution in Napa County. Sanitary and Soldiers Relief. — During the war of the Rebellion, quite an amount was raised in various ways in aid of the above-named objects. On Christmas evening, 1864, a fair and festival was held in Napa for the benefit of the former which netted $516 in gold, equal to $700 in currency at that time. For the latter there was raised $100, equal to $140 in green- backs. The society also shipped at this time four boxes of goods for the Soldiers' Relief, and one for the Sanitary Commission. 1864. — Napa Guard. — The annual election of officers for this organiza- tion, in January, 1864, resulted as follows : Captain, E. S. Chesebro ; First Lieutenant, Jacob Blumer ; Second Lieutenant, E. Kimball ; Second Brevet Lieutenant, L. B. Kester ; Orderly Sergeant, J. G. Norton ; Second Sergeant, August Miller ; Third Sergeant, Joseph Elliott ; Fourth Sergeant, Imrie; Fifth Sergeant, D. Fairfield; First Corporal, C. B. Walker; Second Corporal, T. J. Dewoody ; Third Corporal, W. R. Cooper ; Fourth Corporal, Oscar Steinback; Treasurer, E. S. Chesebro; Investigating Committee, E. S. Chesebro, J. Dukes, R. J. Van Doren, E. Kimball and E. S. Smith ; Auditing Committee, W. R. Cooper, T. J. Dewoody and W. C. S. Smith; Music Committee, E. Kimball, J. Haskins and M. Dorr. Artillery Company. — In 1864 Napa City boasted the only Artillery Com- pany outside of San Francisco. Napa City — A Reminiscence. — The following resume of Napa, as it ap- peared in 1854, was published in the Register of February 27, 1864 : " This town, by some aspiring genius of early days, misnamed Napa City, has passed through great changes within the last ten years. The city ten years ago did not contain over forty buildings, all of wood, and mostly of the most primitive and slovenly style of architecture. The streets were just as nature made them, excepting the continually increasing upper stratum of old hats, boots, broken bottles, and sardine boxes contributed by the pioneers of our civilization. Wheeled vehicles, excepting for transporting heavy loads, were comparatively rare, almost all traveling being done on horse- back. It was a common sight to see over one hundred horses tied to the fence on First street, of a Saturday or Sunday, waiting to take their owners home at night-fall. Occasionally some hombre would get oblivious and leave his Rosinante with nothing but redwood rail diet for twenty-four 244 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. hours together. Small as the place was, Napa was one of the busiest little towns in the State. A vast quantity of goods were sold at high prices. The credit system was next to universal, and seemed to work well, for most men were not only able but willing to pay. The country around produced abundant crops of wheat which sold from three to four cents a pound ; cattle were worth five times their present price, and the cost of raising them was nominal, as one-half of the country was devoted to stock ranges. About half of the farmers were squatters on other people's land, and so had neither purchase money or taxes to pay, hence it is no wonder that money was plentiful. Most everybody had a pocket full of silver or some other Cali- fornia coinage, which came easily and went still more so. The floating- population was much more numerous than at present. Scores of young men, engaged in various pursuits, crowded the hotels. Among them were chaps of every shade of character, but the spirit of merriment pervaded them all. All manner of jokes were perpetrated, and fun was the upper- most object of one-half the population. They bucked 'ye tiger,' drank freely, worked hard, enjoyed themselves hugely, and were ready for any semi-innocent piece of devilment. There was more real amusement in a week then, than in a year now. There was at one time in full blast, a lyceum, a reading-room, a theater well attended, a company of minstrels, a band of music, an Agricultural Society and a Jockey Club. Our streets were pathless in wet weather, but we floundered through them cheerfully, caring very little for mud, or indeed for anything else except present enjoy- ment. Diggers of both sexes used to sun themselves at street corners by the score, in all the dignity of dirt and drunkenness. Churches we had none; schools only semi-occasionally. The Court-house was a wooden shanty, and we relied upon other counties for jail accommodations." Earthquake. — Several shocks of earthquake have been felt at Napa, among the heaviest of which was that on the 12th of March, 1864. Freedmens Aid Fund. — The people of Napa City have always sus- tained a reputation for generosity and liberality. No worthy charitable object was ever presented to their consideration, and allowed to go' away illiberally subscribed to. May 28, 1864, a subscription of one hundred and forty dollars was raised at the Methodist Church, in aid of the Freedmen's Aid Fund. Contributions to the Christian Commission. — As a further proof that the assertion made in the last paragraph is true, we have it to record, and with pleasure we do it, that the total contributions to this most worthy object amounted to three thousand dollars on the 9th day of July, 1864. George Fellows subscribed two hundred dollars, and several of Napa's other citizens did nearly or quite as well. It will thus be seen that the fire of patriotism was burning brightly in the bosom of this people in the hour of the Nation's direst need. Napa Township. 245 1867. — Gas. — Permission was given to William Smith and others, May 11th of this year, to lay gas pipes in the streets of Napa. Nothing further seems to have been done in the matter until December 14th, when the Board of Supervisors issued an order locating the street lamps of Napa City as follows ■ One at each stone bridge ; corner of Main and First streets ; corner of First and Brown streets ; corner of First and Randolph streets ; corner of First and Coombs streets ; corner Second and Main streets ; corner Third and Main streets ; corner of Fourth and Main streets ; corner of Second and Brown streets ; corner of Third and Brown streets ; corner of Third and Randolph streets, and the corner of Methodist Church and Randolph streets. The gas company were to receive the sum of nine dollars per month for supplying each lamp. 1868. — Napa City as it was then. — Under date of January 11th of this year, the Register has the following : " To say that Napa is one of the few prominent towns in the State that have from the first maintained a prominent and healthful growth, will be but repeating a fact that is already generally known. Our citizens have justly felt a pride in the usually thrifty appearance of the town, and of late have given another substantial proof of their enterprise, by encouraging the introduction of gas works and liberally patronizing the enterprise. The stranger coming into our town after dark, now finds a generous gas light at nearly every street corner, and one can hardly believe, though having witnessed the transformation, that the Napa of to-day, with its excellent and fine schools, churches and public buildings, its streets and shops lighted with gas, and its railroad facilities, to be the same hamlet of a half dozen years ago. But because we have far advanced in modern improvements, and have outstripped some of our neigh- bors, we must not be idle, while more remains to be done. Particularly what Napa now requires most is some kind of local government, some practical and economical plan that will answer all the purposes of a town incorporation, without entailing the usual expenses of such. The popula- tion is becoming numerous enough to warrant this, and some system of street improvement is needed, that can be reached through a local govern- ment. Streets and sidewalks are now allowed to become abominations, because there is no help for it, but if property holders were compelled to improve their premises as the same should be, the value of property would be increased to such an extent as to more than balance the extra taxes." Incorporation. — Evidently the above article had the desired effect and set the ball for incorporation to rolling in fine shape, for under date of February 29th, we find the following : Several meetings have been held for the purpose of incorporating the town of Napa, but for some cause no acceptable plan was hit upon. At one of these meetings there was a com- mittee of three appointed to draft a charter, but they could not agree, and 246 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. the result was that there were three reports brought in, one by each mem- ber of the committee. Some were in favor of incorporation under the general law, and others under a special Act of the Legislature. 1869. — Small-pox Epidemic. — Early in this year the small-pox broke out in " Spanishtown " in a virulent form, and had quite an extensive run. A Sanitary Committee was appointed, who took charge of the matter, and on the 20th of March made the following report : To tin' Citizens of iViijiii : Your committee respectfully report that they have discharged the duties assigned them in such a manner as they trust will meet your approval. The total number of cases of small-pox in the county was 60, as follows : CASES. DIED. In Spanishtown, whites 6 1 In Spanishtown, Spanish 46 7 In Spanishtown, Indians 1 1 In the Redwoods, whites 6 2 In the hills east of town, Spanish 1 0 Total 60 11 The total disbursements by the Committee to date amount to $7681 . 04. Bills yet to be paid will raise the sum, in round numbers, to $9000. The following is the financial statement of the attending physician, Dr. W. W. Stillwagon : NAPA COUNTY. Dr. To cash paid for sundries in Hospi- tal $213 00 To cash paid nurses 303 00 To medical services $1,500 00 Gr. By cash from Sanitary Committee . §105 50 By cash from Father Deyaert 5 00 By cash from J. McKeuzie 10 00 By order, General Fund, $922 at 90 cents 829 80 By order. Indigent Fund, gold. ... 216 00 By greenbacks, $216 at 80 cents. . 172 80 Balance 616 90 $2,016 00 Actual amount received for services, $883 . 10. At this meeting of the citizens the following resolutions were unani- mously adopted : Resolved, That, in the opinion of this meeting, the above amount of $883 . 10 is inadecmate remuneration for the invaluable services rendered the county by saving it from the dreadful scourge with which it has been threatened. Resolved, therefore, That this meeting considers it inexpedient and illibe- ral to cut down the moderate charges of the physician and nurses, to whose Napa Township. 247 attention and skill this community is mainly indebted to for its present immunity from the disease. Resolved, That the Board of Supervisors be respectfully requested to reconsider their action in the premises, and to pay the county indebtedness to Dr. Stillwagon in full, he having been authorized by the Sanitary Com- mittee, at the urgent request of the citizens in mass meeting, to spare no expense in fighting the disease. 1873. — The bridge across the river at Third street was completed in April of this year, at a cost of $9,000. It is a draw-bridge, and a fine structure. Old Indian Graveyard. — In cutting the crossing of Franklin and Laurel streets, the workmen came upon the bones of over one hundred skeletons, also a stone mortar, pestle, and other aboriginal implements. The place had doubtless been used by the former denizens of this vicinity as a place of sepulture. Records of Napa City. — The " Town of Napa City " was incorporated by a special Act of the Legislature, approved March 23, 1872. From the minutes of the Boai-d of Trustees we have compiled what follows : The first Board was composed of John Even, J. A. Jackson, T. F. Raney, Henry Fowler and L. Bruck. The first meeting of the Board was held May 9th. The officers of the Board were : Chairman, L. Bruck ; Clerk, S. E. Smith, who was also Treasurer. May 10, 1872, Trustee Raney introduced the following motion: "That the trustees of this corporation do not recognize the authority of any con- tract made by the Board of Supervisors of Napa County for the supplying of gas for the town of Napa City after the organization of the corporation." It will be remembered that the Board of Supervisors ordered street lamps to be ei-ected at certain places, and that an order was also promulgated that the sum of nine dollars per month be paid for each lamp to the gas com- pany. The motion quoted above was the beginning of a warfare between the city and the gas company, which ultimated in leaving the streets of the city in Egyptian darkness; and now the stranger arriving in the city after night is surprised to find a place of this size with gas works within its limits without a single light throughout its length and breadth. J. Even introduced the following motion, May 10, 1872: That the Board of Supervisors of Napa County be requested to turn over to this corporation the engine house, together with any other property paid for by the Napa City Improvement Funds. The Board of Supervisors complied with the request. The second Board of Trustees was composed of the same members as the first. The Chairman of the Board was T. F. Raney ; Clerk, J. C. Pier- son; Treasurer, C. Haller ; City Marshal, Jesse Grigsby, and City Assessor, C. E. Comstock. 248 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. September 29, 1873, a Babcock Hook and Ladder Truck was purchased by the city, for which $950 was paid. The city officers for 1874 were as follows : Trustees, George N. Corn- well, Z. W. Keyes, H. H. Knapp, W. W. Stillwagon and C. H. Allen ; Mar- shal, Thomas Earl ; Clerk, John Kean ; Chairman of the Board, George N. Cornwell, and City Attorney, G. W. Towle. August 19, 1874, it was ordered by the Board that William P. Hum- phreys make a map and establish the grades for the streets of the town, and also establish a system of sewerage. The sum of $2200 was the price agreed upon for this service. The officers for 1875 were the same as for 1874, except that S. E. Smith was Clerk and Treasurer. December 6, 1875, the office of Chief of Police was filled by vote of the Board, which resulted in the choice of J. B. Walden. February 23, 1876, J. C. Pierson was appointed Clerk and Treasurer, vice S. E. Smith, resigned. A law went into effect in 187G by which three of the members of the old Board should hold over for one year. This was determined by lot and C. H. Allen, Geo. N. Cornwell and Dr. W. W. Stillwagon were the ones chosen. The officers of the city for 1876 were : Trustees, for the long term, Dr. Benjamin ShurtlefF and T. F. Raney, and for the unexpired term of C. H. Allen, S. B. Wilson, and these together with G. N. Cornwell and Dr. W. W. Stillwagon formed the Board ; Treasurer and Clerk, J. C. Pierson ; Marshal and Assessor, Thomas Earl ; Attorney, C. B. Towle ; Chairman of the Board, Dr. Benj. Shurtlefr-. For the celebration of the Centennial Anniversary the Trustees appro- priated the sum of $200. March 5, 1877, C. B. Seeley was appointed to the position of Clerk and Treasurer, and on the same date H. Fowler was appointed a member of the Board of Trustee*, vice G. N. Cornwell. The city officers for 1877 were : Trustees, G. Barth, Jos. Henry, W. R. Cooper, Dr. Benj. Shurtleff and T. F. Raney. Chairman of the Board, Dr. Benj. Shurtleff. Marshal, W. H. Holliday ; Clerk and Treasurer, J. N. Wall- ingford. The officers for 1878 were: Trustees, Dr. Benj. Shurtleff and J. H, Mallet elected, and the hold-over members of the last Board ; Marshal. George Allen ; Clerk and Treasurer, J. N. Wallingford ; Attorney, G. W. Towle. The officers for 1879 were : Trustees— J. Henry, W. R. Cooper and G. Barth, elected ; Marshal, G. W. Allen ; Treasurer and Clerk, E. S. Gridley ; Chairman of the Board, Dr. Shurtleff. Napa Township. 249 The officers for 1880 were : Trustees — A. Sampson and H. H. Knapp, elected ; Marshall. G. W. Allen ; Treasurer and Clerk, J. N. Wallingford ; Chairman of the Board, H. H. Knapp. The officers for 1881 are : Trustees— C. B. Seeley, Dr. E. Haun and W. W. Thompson, elected ; Clerk and Treasurer, T. F. Kaney. Legislative Enactments. — The following Acts of the Legislature have reference to Napa City, either specially or generally. Bridge Across Napa River. — March 5, 1852, an Act was passed to con- firm the action of the Court of Sessions of Napa County in relation to granting a franchise to John B. Horrell to erect and conduct a toll-bridge across the Napa river. We may state, as a matter of history, that this bridge was subsequently purchased by the individual subscriptions of the people of Napa, and made free. Mr. Thomas Earl took the lead in this worthy and business-like enterprise, and circulated the subscription list himself, which the late Hon. Nathan Coombs headed with $200. Wharf at Napa City. — March 9, 1857, a franchise was granted to Brice Grimes to construct a wharf at the foot of Fourth street, in Napa City, said franchise to extend for ten years. Animals at Large in Napa City, — April 10th, 1862, the following Act was approved : From and after May 1, 1862, it shall not be lawful for any horses, mules, cows or other horned cattle, goats or hogs to run at large in the streets of Napa City. April 17, 1863, this Act was so modified that any resident or householder in Napa City " may have and let run at large one cow, but he shall be responsible for all damages done by said cow." Napa City Improvement. — April 1, 1864, the following Act was approved: The Boai-d of Supervisors are ' hereby authorized and required at their next meeting, to levy a tax of half of one per cent, on each $100, of the assessed value of all taxable property, both real and personal, in Napa City and all its additions, which money shall be under the control of the Board of Supervisors, for the purpose of constructing cisterns, for building a truck or engine house, for purchasing new hose for the engine, and for repairing the engine. The Board is authorized to construct one cistern in the Court- house square in Napa City, and pay for the same out of the county fund. January 24, 1870, an Act was passed as follows : A sum not to exceed $2,500, shall be set aside by the Board of Supervisors, which shall be em- ployed for the purpose of lighting the streets and supplying the cisterns with water, and repairing the engine house. The Board may also establish the grade of the streets, and a system of drainage for Napa City. Incorporation of Napa City. — The Act incorporating the " Town of Napa City "was approved March 23, 1872, and the following boundaries were established. Commencing at the north-west corner of Spencer's addi- tion on Lincoln avenue ; thence, eastwardly along said avenue, including 250 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. the same, to Trancas street ; thence south-westerly to its intersection with Lawrence street in Cornwell's Addition ; thence at right angles, eastwardly to Napa River ; thence down said river to the north-east corner of Napa Abajo ; thence westwardly along the southerly line of said Napa Abajo, to the south-west corner thereof; thence southerly along the westwardly line of Napa Abajo to the south-east corner of Cornwell and Hartsons Addition ; thence westwardly along the southerly line of said Cornwell and Hartsons Addition to the south-west corner thereof; thence northerly along the westerly line of said Cornwell and Hartsons Addition, to the north-west corner thereof; thence northerly to the south-west corner of Boggs Ad- dition ; thence northerly along the westwardly line of Boggs Addition, to the south-west corner of Spencei-s Addition ; thence northerly along the west-side of Madison street of said Spencers Addition to the place of beginning. The Board of Trustees cannot incur an expense exceeding one thousand dollars, except there be money in the treasury. Robert Crouch, E. N. Boynton, P. Van Bever, Thomas Earl and George N. Cornwell, or any three of them are to hold an election on the first Monday in May, 1872. February 24th, 1874, the city was re-incorporated under the name of " City of Napa." The boundaries remained the same as before. The Board of Trustees was to be composed of five members, whose remuneration shall be one dollar per year. The pay of the other officers shall be such as the Board may decide upon. Street Railroad. — It is quite possible that but few of the citizens of Napa City now remember that a franchise for a street railroad was ever granted, and it will be news to a host of them. It is nevertheless true, however, that on March 3, 1872, a franchise was granted to H. F. Barker, J. Even, A. B. Walker, J. F. Zollner and E. N. Boynton to construct a street railroad in Napa City, beginning on Main street and running along said street as far as practicable, then to the land owned by the Odd-Fellows, about one mile west of town. Orders of the Board of Supervisors. — The following orders of the Board of Supervisors have reference to Napa City, hence are appended here: Cisterns for Napa City. — September 22, 1864, an order of the Board provided for the establishment of cisterns in Napa City as follows : At the intersection of First and Brown streets, the intersection of Division and Randolph streets, and at the south-west corner of the public square. Engine House. — The contract for erecting the engine house was let to William Richmond, May 9, 1867, for the sum of five thousand four hundred and fifty dollars. Napa Township. 251 Water foe Napa City. — For nearly fifteen years this vexed and vex- ing question has agitated the minds of the people of Napa, and it is, we are very loth to record, no nearer solution to-day than it was at the begin- ning. It may, however, come to pass within the next few years that the town will be supplied with water, as the people seem more determined on the question, and have a more centered purpose than ever before in this matter. We will give a brief resume of the history of the many projects which have been advocated, with more or less favor, for the achievement of the desired object. The first mention that we find of any effort being made to supply the city of Napa with water, is copied from the Register of March 7, 1868, which is as follows: "A move is being made to bring fresh water into the city of Napa. Good water can be got within four miles of town and brought into the place at little expense. There are but few good wells in the place, and those within a few hundred yards of the river are more or less brackish or tinctured with iron." November 24, 1869, the Napa and Vallejo Water Company was organ- ized, with a capital stock of $200,000, divided into two thousand shares of $100 each. C. Hartson, J. F. Miller, M. M. Estee, E. J. Wilson and R. Bur- ned were named as the directors of the company. It was the intention of this corporation to procure their water supply from Milliken Canon, some three miles from Napa City. It was thought then that this canon would afford a sufficient quantity of water to supply two towns the size of Napa, and it was estimated that the cost of bringing in the water would not amount to more than $25,000. It seems that nothing was ever accom- plished by this company. September 10, 1870, another enterprise bloomed into existence, under the name of the Napa City Water Company, which had, on paper, a ca,pital stock of $250,000, divided into shares of $100 each. The trustees of this incorporation were A. Cholot, C. H. Potter and Dr. P. Barstow. This com- pany accomplished just what its predecessor did — nothing. In February, 1871, the good people of Napa were subjected to another water excitement, and, as usual, to another disappointment. A company was organized in San Francisco at this time, and water was promised in short order, but it never came through the agency of that corporation. In the fall of 1871 the excitement of getting water into Napa ran very high, and three different companies were organized for that purpose. No- vember 4th of this year the Caymus Canon Water Company was incorpo- rated, with a capital stock of $500,000, with S. C. Hastings, William Doolan and C. Hartson as trustees. This company proposed to take water from Rector Canon, and it was their intention, as stated in their articles of incorporation, to supply Napa, Vallejo, Mare Island and San Francisco with water. Their aspirations were grand, but their achievements nil. 252 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. About this time the Unoyomi Water Company was organized with a cap- ital stock of fifty thousand dollars, having as trustees, Nathan Coombs, T. H. Thompson, and J. H. Howland. It was stated as the intention of the incorporation to supply Napa City with water taken from the Unoyomi Creek, or the south branch of the Tuolucay Creek. It never proceeded further than on paper. During the same fall the Soscol Water Company was set on foot. It had a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars, with Robert Sheehy, T. H. Thompson, and William Governeur Morris as trustees. Like all other previous companies, it accomplished nothing. In January, 1875, the Napa Valley Water Company was incorporated, with a capital stock of five hundred thousand dollars, held in shares at one hundred dollars each. The trustees were G. S. Burraze, C. O. St. John, B. M. Schofield, William A. Stuart, and Samuel B. Steele. The object of this corporation was to take water from the Rector and other creeks, and supply water to Napa City, Vallejo, Mare Island, Benicia, and other places. The usual outcome attended this company's efforts. Matters seem to have remained statu quo on the water question until August 11, 1877, when a San Francisco company, represented by Messrs. Garrett, Smith, and Colver placed a petition before the Board of City Trus- tees, asking for a franchise of twenty years duration, to put in water, free of any subsidy. The Napa Water Company then came in and proposed to give bonds for ten thousand dollars, and to bring water into the city in ninety days. The San Francisco parties were going to bring their water from Rector Canon. There was a petition signed by ninety-seven citizens, asking the Board of Trustees to grant the San Francisco company the right to go on with their enterprise, but the Board gave the Napa company the preference. It is not necessary to comment on this action of the Boai-d, nor is it within the province of our work to do so. We simply wish to call attention to the fact that there was a " dog in the manger" in this transac- tion, evidently. It would seem from the above statement that bonds for ten thousand dollars were a consideration in the proposition, but we find no records showing that the bonds were ever executed, and the absence of water to the present day would indicate their forfeiture. It appeai-s that the Napa Water Company failed to do anything in the matter, and the trustees then returned to the proposition of the San Fran- cisco parties; for under date of August 31, 1878, we find it stated that "the thing went so far that a contract was drawn up and sent to San Francisco for approval by the Rector Canon Company. An ordinance was also passed by the Board of Trustees granting the company the right to lay water- mains and pipes in the streets of Napa." From some cause or other a " hitch " arose in the consummation of this plan to supply the town with iitaT- *» Napa Township. 253 water, and so that hope for the famishing people died, as had all its prede- In 1876, a bill was introduced into the Legislature to allow the city of Napa to create a debt for the purpose of bringing water to the place. With some amendments and changes it finally passed both branches. No action was taken in the matter until late in 1880, when the subject of city water as a city enterprise began to be vigorously agitated. December 13th, O. H. Bucknam, a civil engineer, employed by the Board of Trustees to sur- vey the line and make estimates on bringing water from the Hudeman Creek, made a very full and elaborate report, in which he estimated that the plan was feasible at a cost of from $57,250 to $71,750. The question of creating a city debt to the amount of $100,000 was then submitted to the citizens of the place. ' At one of the public meetings held, pending the election, Dr. Benj. ShurtlefF made a speech in favor of the measure, which so fully covers the ground that we quote from it copiously : " In accordance with law, the Board of City Trustees have submitted a proposition to the electors of Napa to create and bond a debt of $100,000, the interest thereon to be met within a term not to exceed twenty years from the issue of the bonds. With this fund the trustees propose to furnish the city of Napa with an ample supply of pure, fresh water. For the first time in our municipal history this brings the water question face to face before the people themselves. If you vote them the means the trustees design supplying the city with the waters of the Hudeman Creek and adjacent springs. This is the most feasible proposition the Board could submit to the people, hence it will receive the support of every man who is in favor of water, and should be carried, as it doubtless will, by the requisite two- thirds vote. I believe the waters of Hudeman Creek and its springs, wisely appropriated, will meet the wants of a city with a population of fifteen thousand and will be sufficient to supply Napa for the next thirty years. The judgment of practical men, long familiar with the waters of Hudeman Creek, accords with the report of the engineer. Our fellow townsman, Joseph Henry, built a saw-mill on Hudeman Creek in 1853, and ran it some eight months out of twelve for six years. He informs me that without dam or reservoir, using only the running water of the stream, he success- fully ran his mill, some years as late as the month of July. " We cannot have water without a temporary debt ; but the debt need not be oppressive. The highest annual city tax that can be levied is but $3.50 on the $1000, and I do not believe it will be necessary to levy this amount after the first year when the works are completed, which will yield a revenue to the city from the sale of water. "There is another important consideration to be borne in mind. This $100,000 will not all take wings and flee from the city and county. The 254 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. laborer, the mechanic anr) the teamster will all come in for his share. The money will be expended among ourselves, reviving every industry and every channel of business ; for it is the laborer, the poor and middle classes who send out their earnings through every department of business, while the miser, whenever he finds the American eagle perched upon a piece of coin, sits down upon the proud bird with the crushing weight of an ele- phant. " There are few a men who want water but hate a city debt more than they love water. They say, we will vote down this water proposition, then an incorporation, company or some enterprising individual will bring water into Napa ; then we shall avoid a debt, and those who want water can pay for it. This is the saddest delusion of all. Why, has not Napa been deluged on paper for the last twenty years ? Water companies and water schemes have sprung up by the score, but the only parties that ever came forward, went to work, and put money in the enterprise, was a company of young men from Modesto, who attempted to supply the city by boring wells, which, proving a failure, they soon abandoned. There is not another city in America that has had such a boom from wild-cat water companies as Napa. Now, what have all these pretentious, high-sounding water com- panies done ? Why, all their combined energies have not brought water enough into Napa to give a canary bird a square drink ; not enough to moisten the mucilage on one of Uncle Sam's postage stamps. You say, wait a little longer, and a company will bring us water. Yes, these wild-cat water companies will bring water. They will bring us water when the sun rises in the west and goes down in the east. They will supply Napa with water when the capitalist calls in his loans upon city property because that city brings an abundant supply of water to protect property against the ravages of fire, and makes the capitalist's loan doubl}" secure. " I feel confident that water will triumph in the issue, but should victory crown the efforts of the anti-water party next Tuesday it will be a gloomy hour for Napa. If the friends of water fail in this struggle we can get no water for the next ten years, for I do not believe there will be a dozen men in this city who will vote against water next Tuesday who could be induced to support any proposition that the trustees might submit for the introduc- tion of water. But we shall not be defeated. If there is a young man in Napa who is opposed to water I do not know who he is. The young men are not only in favor of water, but they are working hard. This contest is a battle between the active, vigilant, indomitable forces of progress on one side, with gouty, gravelly, dyspeptic retrogression on the other. Such a contest cannot be doubtful. Ten years ago, on a windy, boisterous October evening, a vicious cow kicked over a lantern in a stable and kindled a fire that laid the great flourishing city of Chicago in ashes. Let the citizen of Napa Township. 255 Napa, who casts his vote next Tuesday against water, be mindful that he gives a beastly kick at the future growth, safety and progress of his own fair city." The election was finally held and by a vote of four hundred and sixty- one to fifty -four the qualified electors of the city of Napa decided that the trustees might contract such indebtedness as might be necessary to secure a water supply, providing it does not exceed the sum of $100,000. The total vote polled was five hundred and twenty-one, or fourteen less than that recorded at the last municipal election. The polls were held in the Engine House, R. Peddie, Beeby Robinson and S. A. Scott acting as judges of election, and T. N. Mount and W. T. Johnson as clerks. The canvassing of the vote occupied about one hour's time, and was concluded at 9 o'clock. In the first hundred votes counted there were fourteen to one in favor of water ; in the second hundred, ten to one ; in the third, eight to one ; in the fourth, seven to one, and the last fraction of a hundred five and one-half to one ; all of which show how well the water advocates did their work. Six votes were rejected as illegal. When the result was known there were wild demonstrations of joy among the people — bells were rung, cannons fired, bombs exploded and fire works set off — many of those who had at first opposed the debt joining in celebrating the victory. Churches. — It seems perfectly natural for mankind to have a place of worship, and no matter how long they may be isolated from the influences or teachings of the Gospel, when an opportunity presents itself they attend upon the services with a great degree of regularity, and give very liberally of their means for the support of the ministry and the erection of church edifices. As a striking evidence of this fact we have but to refer to the old mining days, when the best contributors to the Gospel ministrations were gamblers and saloon-keepers, not because they had any more desire to see sacred institutions flourish and divine influences spread, than did the homy- fisted miners, but because they had more ready cash at their command when the subscription was taken. In those days denominationalism did not flourish to any great extent ; the population was altogether too cosmopolitan, and in fact remains so to this day. The minister went into a camp and prom- ised the " boys," as everybody was then called, that he would preach to them, not as the representative of the Methodist, Baptist, or any other sect, but simply as a minister or proclaimer of the Gospel truth, as set forth in the life, example and death of Jesus Christ, and away down in the hearts of all those sturdy, sun-browned men there would be a feeling that they had not felt before for many and many a day. The remembrance of the early religious training of their youth, the songs and prayers of a now sainted mother, the blessings and invocations of a father who, as the boy was just 256 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. about to step over the threshold of his boyhood's home into the realms of the outer and to him all untried world, had placed his hand reverentially on his young head and said, as tears, scalding, burning tears flowed down his fur- rowed cheek, all furrowed with care and anxiety for this same boy : " My son, may the God who has been so merciful to me and to you, and spared your life and mine to see the day of your complete and full manhood, ever keep you in the paths of duty, rectitude and truth, ever protect you from all the ills of life, shielding you from the tempter's snare, with the great strong wing of His love, and finally guide you to that haven of eternal rest, that mansion of light not made by hands, eternal in the heavens, where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary be at rest." All this came up in their memory, and a longing to hear once more the " old, old story of Jesus and His love," would seize them, and out would come the buckskin bags, and the shining dust would be poured out without stint or measure. In the early days of Napa, before there were any church edifices, there were several denominations represented which held occasional services in the old Court-house. There were several sects represented in Napa then, which had little bands of worshippers, which have now disappeared. Among these may be mentioned the Congregationalists, Cumberland Pres- byterians, Universalists and Unitarians. Originally any itinerant preacher who happened along gave a sermon in the Court-room, and those religiously inclined attended irrespective of denominational proclivities. Those were the good old days when the first man who arrived at the building would play the part of janitor, and taking a broom would sweep the floor, usually covered with discarded quids of tobacco and cigar stumps. If the services were at night, each attendant would bring along a candle, and whatever was left after the service was over was carried home. But a wonderful change has occurred since those primitive days, as may be seen by following the history of the various churches through the following pages. Presbyterian Church. — From the records of this church we find that in April, 1853, Rev. J. C. Herron was sent from Philadelphia to Napa Valley, as a missionary, by the Board of Missionaries of the Presbyterian Church. Accompanied by his wife, he took up his residence with Col. M. J). Ritchie, then living at the head of the valley, through whose efforts, seconded by his son-in-law, the late Hon. John S. Stark, Mr. Herron was requested to occupy this field. During the summer and fall of 18.53 Mr. Herron preached regularly at different points in the valley, holding services, when in Napa, in the old Court-house, which formeily stood on the corner of Second and Coombs streets, just west of the Revere House, that building then serving as a hall of justice, a jail and church. The interior of the Court-room as it appeared on the Sabbath is thus vividly described by one of the original members of the church, who worshiped there : Napa Township. 257 " The inside appearance of the Court-room was rather sorry for a place of worship, especially when Court had heen held there the preceding day. The furniture of the room consisted of narrow slahs placed on roughly hewn logs, no work of drawing-knife or plane being visible, which were arranged around three sides of the room for seats. A plain board table and three or four rickety and uncushioned chairs graced the center of the room, while in front of the Judge's stand, on a slightly raised platform, stood a desk. No carpet and no curtains, no paint, no finish of any kind, had been wasted on this public hall. No lamps, or even candle-sticks were there ; but when services were held at night, old bottles — empty black bot- tles, that had evidently done duty in another capacity — wei'e called into requisition, and held the melting tallow candles, not very erect sometimes, nevertheless held them. It was the custom of the attendant first arriving to procure a broom and sweep the room and otherwise arrange for the com- fort of the worshipers. The upper part of the building was used for pub- lic offices, and a jail ; and it was not at all an uncommon thing for the nerv- ous and timid ones of the congregation, during service, to be annoyed by the rattling of chairs and other discordant sounds proceeding from the pris- oners' apartments." It was amid such surroundings that the Presbyterian Church of Napa was formed in the fall of 1853. Mr. Herron and family moved to Napa, opened a school and preached regularly, without any church organi- zation, until January 19, 1855, when the Presbyterian Church was organized, with the following named persons as organizing members : J. M Hamilton, W. S. Jacks, Hamlet Jacks, Mrs. Anna P. Hamilton. Mrs. Annie L. Jacks, Mrs. Kate A. Gilmore, Mrs. M. L. Ogden, Mrs. C. M. Herron, Mrs. Amelia W. Jacks, Miss S. A. Smith, and Miss S. A. Woodruff. They adopted as their code of faith and rule of practice the Westminster Confession of Faith. J. M. Hamilton was chosen as ruling elder, and J. M. Mansfield James Lefferts, R. Pierpont, Fred Ogden, and W. C. S. Smith as trustees.' Rev. J. C. Herron was engaged to supply the pulpit for one year at a salary of $600. He remained until January 17, 1858, receiving during that time from his congregation and the Board of Missions enough to make his salary amount to $1 200 for the year. After a proposition being made in the fall of 1857, to introduce instru- mental music into the service, to which Mr. Herron made objection, it being contraiy to the discipline of that branch of the church to which he belonged he offered his resignation, which was accepted January 17, 1858. The church was thus without a steady pastor, until May 9th of the same year, when Rev. P. V. Veeder, of Sacramento, was called, and began his pastorate on the 16th of that month. The society had in the meantime erected a 17 258 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. comfortable house of worship on Randolph street, which was built by Mr. J. Horrell, in the winter of 1857-8, at a cost of three thousand six hundred dollars. Hon. N. Coombs donated the lot on which it was erected. In 1858 a debt was hanging over the church like an incubus, when the trustees assumed the debt, and assessed themselves one hundred and sixteen dollars each, and freed the church of all liabilities. Mr. Veeder remained as pastor until July, 1865, when he removed to San Francisco to take charge of the City College there. Rev. Condit was then engaged to supply the pulpit for an unlimited time. He was, however, called to another field, and finished his ministrations the following April. The church was then without a pastor, and so remained until August 19, 1866, when Rev. Richard Wylie began his labors as stated, filling the pulpit for a term of six months, when he was elected and duly installed pastor of the church July 21, 1867. In March, 1868, the congregation voted a leave of absence to the pastor, in order that he might attend a meeting of the General Assembly at Albany, New York, Rev. James Wylie supplying the pulpit in the meantime. In 1869 the church building was enlarged and improved, being widened, lengthened, repainted and refurnished, at a cost of $3000. The late James Wylie and his son Richard at that time donated to the church a bell, which cost $600, which was put in place, and has ever since, in full, rich tones indicated the hour of prayer. On the 18th of October of this year, Mr. Wylie, the pastor, was forced on account of ill-health, to tempoi-arily leave his charge and goto Minnesota, where he spent the following winter; thence to Europe, traveling through England, France and Scotland, and returning to Napa with fully restored health, November 15, 1871. He then assumed the duties of pastor, which relation he still sustains. During Mr. Richard Wylie's absence, covering a period of about two years, the Rev. James Wylie, now deceased, who was greatly beloved by the entire Christian population of Napa, discharged the duties of pastor with great acceptability. After May, 1864, the church was self-supporting. At the present time, one hundred and eighty-one members belong to the church. Of the eleven original members, only one, General W. S. Jacks, still resides, in Napa. In 1874, five of them were dead, and the other five lived elsewhere. At a meeting of the members and congregation of the Presbyterian Church, held April 5, 1874, at which R. Dudding presided, it was resolved to incorporate in accordance with the laws of the State, whereupon the following Board of Trustees were elected : W. C. S. Smith, David McClure, W. A. Fisher, David Emerson, G. M. Francis, J. N. Larimer and George E. Goodman. Articles of incorporation were proposed and the association was duly incor- porated, under the name of " The Presbyterian Church of Napa." A charter to the association was issued from the Department of State, at Sacramento, April 7, 1874. Napa Township. 259 At a meeting held May 30, 1874, plans for a new church, executed by Daley & Eisen, architects, were adopted, and on Thursday, July 9th, of that year, the contract was awarded for building the same to J. W. Batchelor, of Vallejo, at a contract price of $17,375. In the meantime a transfer of pro- perty was consummated between the trustees and Rev. Richard Wylie, by which the former received 120 x 80 feet on the corner of Third and Ran- dolph streets, on which to erect the new building. Work was immediately commenced on the new structure, and the contract for painting the same awarded to E. Shultis, August 13, 1874, for $1700. The corner-stone of the new building was laid at 4:30 P. M., Thursday, August 20, 1874, with appropriate and interesting ceremonies. The exer- cises were begun by singing, the choir consisting of Messrs. R. Peddie, J. M. Mansfield and A. C. Wood, and Mrs. George E. Goodman and Miss Fannie Jacks, the latter presiding at the organ. Rev. J. E. Barnes then delivered a brief and impressive prayer, after which, Mr. G. M. Francis, secretary of the society, read the following list of articles, which had been deposited in the corner-stone : 1st, a condensed history of the Presbyterian Church, from its organization up to the present time, including a complete list of its officers and pastors ; 2d, one copy each of the Napa papers ; 3d, catalogue of the Napa Ladies' Seminary, for 1874 ; 4th, catalogue of the Napa Col- legiate Institute, for 1874; 5th, circular of Oak Mound School, with a list of its scholars ; 6th, a list of the names of the contributors to the new church ; 7th, a pamphlet containing the charter and ordinances of the city of Napa. Rev. Richard Wylie, pastor of the church, then read from Isaiah xxviii: 16 and 17; also from Zachariah iv: 1-10, and Revelations xxi: 1 and 2, and 19-27, inclusive. Rev. Wylie then delivered a short but interesting address, in which he said : " There is a particular interest in this stone as being the only one in the whole building. It is a solitary stone. Often, in Scotland, the traveler, in crossing some lonely moor, comes upon a solitary stone, which marks the history of a people or religion long since passed away. This stone has this peculiarity : It is not only the only stone in the building, but was also the corner-stone of the old church. It is the original corner-stone — a relic of the past. On it will be inscribed the dates 1854 and 1874, the date of its original laying and of its present relaying. These dates are full of moment. They embrace within their compass almost the entire history of Napa. There are those present who aided in taking it from its original resting place in the hills not far from town, and who are, by God's blessing, per- mitted to witness this ceremony more than twenty years later. The stone is here again, a connecting link between the past and present. If there is such a thing as gratitude welling up from the human breast, the people of Napa should know that emotion, as they have been richly endowed with 260 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. the blessings of God. It should call forth our gratitude to God for His favor towards us. I have often thought that the people of Napa ought to be the best people on earth. They are so richly and abundantly blessed, and in this way, in the raising of such structures as this to the glory of the Almighty, can we make our feeling of gratitude and thanks evident." After the close of this discourse the laying of the corner-stone occurred, which was done by the following officers of the church : Elders Wing, McClure and Thompson ; Deacon W. S. Jacks, and W. A. Fisher, President of the Board of Trustees. The stone bears the following inscription : LAID 1854. RELAID 1874. Then followed a prayer by Rev. S. Bowers, singing by the choir, ending with the doxology, and a benediction by Rev. William Leacock. The first Presbyterian Sunday School was organized by J. M. Hamilton, in July, 1852, with twelve scholars. Mr. Hamilton continued to fill the position as Superintendent until 1860, when T. B. McClure was chosen to the position, and was succeeded by F. A. McDonald, and he by E. S. Churchill, the present incumbent. Methodist Episcopal Church. — Rev. S. D. Simonds is said to have been the first Methodist preacher who visited and preached in Napa Valley. This was in 1851. In 1852, Rev. J. Brier was sent to this valley by the Califor- nia Conference, and was succeeded after the close of one year by Rev. E. A. Hazen. Napa circuit then embraced the whole of Napa Valley, Suisun Valley, and much territory beside. Mr. Hazen collected money and built the first parsonage in Napa City. The house was erected on a lot given to the M. E. Church by Mr. Nathan Coombs, and embraced what is now the corner of Second and Randolph streets. This was afterward'sold, and the present site was purchased. Mr. Hazen was re-appointed in 1854, the Con- ference being held in February. At that time worship was held in a build- ing erected by the Cumberland Presbyterians, which was the first church- house built in Napa City. It has since been used as a paint shop, and still stands, a dingy relic of the early days of Napa. In 1855, Revs. James Corwin and J. J. Cleavland were appointed to Napa circuit. The year fol- lowing, Mr. Corwin was re-appointed with Rev. Calvin Anderson as col- league. In 1857, Sonoma and Napa City were united and called Sonoma circuit, with Rev. James Corwin preacher in charge. During that year Mr. Corwin built a saw-mill on what was then known as the Kellogg ranch, hauled his lumber to town and built the first Methodist church-house in Napa City, which was dedicated in June, 1858. The Conference this year was held in September, at which time Napa City was made a station, with Rev. Dr. Napa Township. 26 1 Morrow preacher in charge. In 1859, Rev. Wm. B. May was appointed preacher in charge. During this year a good parsonage was built. Mr. May was re-appointed the following year, and he was succeeded by Rev. Nelson Reasoner. Rev. P. L. Haynes was appointed to succeed Mr. Rea- soner, and remained two years. In 1864, Rev. W. J. Maclay was appointed to Napa station. A few days after his arrival the parsonage caught fire from an adjoining building, and was consumed with its entire contents, including the church records. Mr. Maclay was appointed to this charge three successive years, during which time the present church-house and parsonage was erected at a cost of about fifteen thousand dollars, on the site of the former building. The old church- house was sold to the colored people and removed to its present position, and the present house was dedicated August, 1867. Rev. D. A. Dryden suc- ceeded Mr. Maclay. In 1868, J. L. Trefren was appointed Mr. Dryden's successor, and was re-appointed to the charge the year following. He was followed by Rev. Wesley Dennett for two years. Rev. T. S. Dunn was appointed Mr. Dennett's successor in 1872, and September, 1873, Rev. S. Bowers was appointed. In September, 1874, Rev. W. R. Gober was sent to Napa, and remained for three years. In September, 1877, Rev. E. S. Todd was detailed to this field, where he preached until September, 1880, when Rev. A. J. Wells received the appointment, and is the present pastor. The first Methodist class organized in this city consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Squibb, Mrs. Judge Horrell, Mrs. Judge Hartson, Mrs. John Horrell and Mrs. Dr. Stillwagon. The first Methodist Sunday School in Napa City was organized in 1858, Rev. Dr. Morrow, Superintendent, and Mrs. Judge Horrell, Assistant Super- intendent. Mr. Morrow and Mrs. Horrell visited from house to house, and secured the attendance of twenty-one children on the day of organization. This number was largely increased before the end of the year. The follow- ing gentlemen have acted in the capacity of Superintendents : Rev. Dr. Morrow, J. E. Pond, D. Squibb, J. F. Lamdin, J. E. Pond (a second time elected), W. S. Turner, T. Smith, A. Taylor, Mr. Oliver,' F. A. Sawyer, J. R. Coe, B. F. Sawyer, and W. C. Damon. Christ (Episcopal) Church. — The following historical sketch of this church has been kindly furnished us by the present Rector, Rev. W. Lea- cock : The parish of Christ Church was organized Sunday, Augustj 29th, 1858. A meeting was held with Rev. F. C Ewer, of Grace Church, San Francisco, in the chair, and Thos. P. Stoney as Secretary, and the following declaration signed : " We, whose names are hereunto affixed, being desirous of establishing the Protestant Episcopal Church in this place, do consent to be governed by the constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States 262 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. and by the constitution and canons of this diocese. R. D. Hopkins, McNeil, E. B. Gibbs, R. T. Montgomery, J. B. Smith, A. Coles, Richard Dud- ding, James Lefferts, C. M. Nichols, Thos. P. Stoney, C. W. Langdon, A. I. Donzel, J. L. Egleston, C. B. Eaton, George Fairfield, Wells Kilburn. "The first vestry was composed of Richard Dudding, R. D. Hopkins, Wardens ; James Lefferts, Thos. P. Stoney, Wells Kilbum, James McNeil, R. T. Montgomery, vestrymen." September 13th, 1858, Bishop Kip gave his canonical consent to the organization. At a regular meeting of the vestry in September, 1858, the Rev. E. W. Hagar was called as rector. Mr. Hagar entered on his duties on Easter Sunday, 1859. Mr. Hagar having resigned, Rev. Wm. Goodwin took charge of the parish in December, 1859. On February 28th, 1860, a building lot eighty feet square was purchased from Richard Dudding for the sum of $400. Messrs. Hopkins and Sterling, being appointed as a building committee, reported a plan and specifications. The contract for building was given to John Horrell. The making of the pews was given to Messrs. White and Bradts ; pulpit and altar to Barnes Brothers. The building was ready for use in 1861. The Rev. A. S. Nicholson was rector for a year and a-half, till the sum- mer of 1868. The Associate Mission and College Faculty of St. Augustine at Benicia, supplied services after Mr. Nicholson's resignation. The summer of 1871 the Rev. William Leacock, of Louisiana, after officiating for three months, took charge of the parish ; and there followed him as rectors from 1874 to 1880, the Rev. George D. Silliman, Walter H. Moore and R. H. Kline. The present rector, the Rev. W. Leacock, assumed charge of the parish on November 8, 1880. The church building is valued at $3000, lot $1000, school building $800. The present vestry is composed of H. C. Parker, J. B. Dorr, Wardens ; Wm. Sharp, C. R. Gritman (Secretary), John Stowell, R. H. Sterling (Treasurer), vestrymen. Baptist Church. — This denomination was organized in Napa as the " Baptist Church of Napa," on the 18th day of August, 1860, with some eighteen members. Rev. J. B. Morse, Pastor ; John Lawley and S. W. Wil- liams were chosen as Deacons, and Lyman Chapman as Treasurer, and Thomas B. Coghill as Clerk. The brick church at the junction of Franklin street and College avenue was then built. Rev. Morse was here some six months, when he was followed by Rev. Lyman Carpenter. This gentleman's pastorate extended over a period of four years. Rev. G. W. Ford succeeded him in November, 1865, and served as pastor until 1873, when he resigned. Rev. J. E. Barnes took charge early in 1874 ; and during his pastorate there occurred a division in the church which lasted nearly two years. After the division of the church, one party, with Rev. Barnes as leader, purchased the Napa Township. 263 old Presbyterian building, and moved it upon its present site April 4, 1876; and it was dedicated as the First Baptist Church. In 1876, the Rev. Barnes' pastorate terminate'd ; and February 2d of that year Rev. J. A. Gray was ordained to the position. During his stay the original society was brought together and made one body under the old name. He served but a short time, and was followed by Rev. H. A. Sawtelle in September, 1876. It is stated that this gentleman was very popular with the members of the church, and did a good work. He, however, received a call from one of the Eastern Scates, which he accepted. The pulpit was next filled by Rev. H. H. Rhees, of Southbridge, Massachusetts, who served until 1877. At present no services are held in the church. St. John the Baptist (Catholic) Church. — On the 20th of September, 1856, the lot on which this church building now stands was donated to Bishop Alemany by George N. Cornwell. The old brick church building was erected in 1858, and dedicated by Bishop Alemany November '6, 1859. The first pastor was Rev. Father Rousche, who had for his assistant, Rev. Father Larkin. In June, 1860, Rev. Father Deyaert took charge of the parish, and so remained until his death, which occurred January 1, 1876, at the age of fifty-eight years. He was a man who was very much beloved by all his parishioners, and his death was greatly mourned by them all. Through his labors the church was furnished throughout, and the lands adjoining owned by the church made into a beautiful ground. In February, 1876, Rev. Father Michael Mulville was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the former pastor. He remained in charge until Novem- ber 20, 1877, when Rev. Father M. D. Slattery took charge. On the 7th day of January, 1881, the new Catholic Church in Napa city was begun, under the supervision of Father Slattery. About the first of March the corner-stone was laid. The ceremony, which was performed by the Most Reverend Alemany, Bishop of this Dio- cese, assisted by Father Slattery, rector of this parish, consisted of the ritual which the Roman Church uses on all such occasions. The first por- tion of the ceremony, the blessing of the salt, significant of the preserva- tion and life of the Holy Church, was performed within the walls of the building on the spot where the sanctuary will be when the edifice is com- pleted. The remainder of the ceremony was performed at the south end of the building, where the stone was laid, and consisted of litanies, sprink- ling of the holy water, the signing the stone with the sign of the cross, and depositing in a cavity in the stone a tin casket which contained a copy of the daily Register and Reporter of the 19th inst., and a copy of the San Francisco Monitor, and the following inscription : In Perpetuam Rei Memoriam. A. D. MDCCCLXXXI, Die Vigesimo Februarii, hanc lapidem angularem Templi in honorem Dei Onmipotentis, 264 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. sub auspicio Sancti Joannes Baptistisi axlificandi Revamus Josephus Sadoc Alemany, Archieepiscopus hujus diocesos Sancti Francisci ; Universalem Ecclesiam Gubernante, P. P. Maximo Leone Decimo' Tertio ; Mauritio D. Slattery, Rectore ; R. B. Hayes, Prassidio Statuum Foedaeratorum America? Septentrionalis ; Georgio C. Perkins, Gubernatore California ; Joanne Cox, Muratore ; Moyisa A. Slaven, Fabro ; Bryano J. Clinch, Arcbitecto ; Julius Royer, Ostiano. Posuit. Quod Bonum, felix faustumque sit ! After the stone was placed in position, the bishop and priest and then- attending acolytes made the circuit of the building, sprinkling the founda- tion with holy water, and at the conclusion of the ceremony the bishop ad- dressed a few well chosen words to the assembled people. On Sunday, July 17, the new Catholic church was dedicated in a solemn and impressive manner by the Rev. Jos. Sadoc Alemany, Archbishop of San Francisco. The edifice is a beautiful structure, purely gothic in archi- tectural design. It is fifty feet by ninety in the clear, and surmounted by a golden cross. Twenty-eight stained glass windows, obtained at a cost of $1 200 admit a softened and subdued light to the interior. The front window is a masterpiece, and presents figures of the four evangelists, Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The interior of the church is handsome and attractive. Seven beautiful and finely constructed gothic arches span the auditorium. The pews are not yet all in place, but those already in are of a novel design and correspond with the interior decoration. The church furni- ture was purchased at a cost of $2000. A stairway leads through the tower to a gallery erected in the rear portion of the church and fitted up for the accommodation of the choir. The building was erected by Terris & Slaven, contractoi-s, at a cost of $12,500, Bryan Clinch being the architect. At 11 A. M. the service commenced. The Archbishop, decked in his epis- copal robes, preceded by the Rev. Fathers Louis Daniels of Vallejo, Cassin of San Francisco, and Slattery of Napa, escorted by a corps of acolytes, bearing lighted candles aloft, passed in solemn and impressive procession through the building, sprinkling its various parts with fragrant h}Tssop, and on out through the front doors and around the exterior of the structure, chanting Latin hymns and prayers appropriate to the occasion. A very large congregation was assembled, many unable to obtain seats, occupying chairs in the aisles. It is estimated that seven hundred people were present. At the conclusion of the dedication ceremony a high mass was said by Rev. M. Slattery, assisted by other clergy. During the service the Arch- bishop delivered the dedicatory sermon — a learned and erudite address, which was replete with advice and counsel. The new church bears the same name as the old brick structure adjoining it — the " Church of St. John the Baptist." The efforts of Rev. M. Slattery have been crowned Napa Township. 265 with success, and much praise is due him for the proud position in which the Catholic Church Society to-day finds itself. Christian Church. — The Christian, or as they are sometimes called the Campbellite Church, was organized in Napa City in 1870. In 1871 the present fine church building was erected, at the head of Randolph Street, costing $7000. The first pastor was Rev. Burnett, and he was followed by Elder C. W. Webb, and he by Elder Thomas Potter. In the latter part of 1874, Elder J. Beardslee took charge of the church and remained over a year. He was followed by Elder Nathan Potter, and he by Elder B. S. Gardner. Tlie German Reformed Church. — This church building was erected in 1873, and is located on Third street, below Seminary street. Rev. Fox took the position of pastor upon the organization of the church and held it till 1877. Rev. De Geller is the present pastor. As its name would indicate, its members are mostly Germans, and services are held in both the German and English languages. Seventh Day Advent Church. — This church was organized in July; 1873, and the building was erected in the winter of 1873-4, near the site of the German Reformed Church, at a cost of $2200. The organization was effected by Elders Loughborough and Cornell, who conducted a series of tent meetings here, and converted quite a number to their faith. This denomination does not supply a stated pastor, but are dependent upon their own members for exhortation, etc., with an occasional sermon from some itinerant Elder. They believe that the seventh day or Saturday is the Sabbath of the Bible, hence they keep it sacred. They inculcate strong principles of abstinence from all that injures, in the way of intoxicating drinks, tobacco, and even go so far as to prohibit tea and coffee. They teach principles of hygienic living, and all in all they are accomplishing a good work. They look for the early reappearance of Jesus Christ upon the earth, and believe that death is an unconscious state, or death in the absolute sense of the word, and that at the judgment day the physical body will be raised, and the wicked will be utterly destroyed, root and branch, while the saints will inhabit the earth, which will then be freed from all the stains of Adamic disobedience. Man is mortal in its absolute sense, and immortality is given only to the saints at Christ's coming. African Methodist Episcopal Church. — The colored people of Napa for- merly worshipped with the white people in their regular churches, but at the time of the erection of the present Methodist Church, they purchased the old one, (and in May, 1867, they moved it to its present site, on Wash- ington street. They never had any regular pastor, and now the building is the abode of bats and mice, being entirely dilapidated. 266 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. Public Schools. — A little more than a short quarter of a century ago there was not a public school in Napa County. Private schools were first organized, but the public system soon came into general use. Among the private schools of those early days, may be mentioned one opened by Rev. J. C. Herron, in October, 1857, which he styied the " Napa Female Semi- nary." As late as March, 1862, we find the system of private schools still in vogue, and Rev. P. V. Veeder was in charge at that time of an academy for boys. But since then, things have as greatly changed in this respect as in any other. Now there are three large and commodious school buildings in the city limits. The buildings are placed in different parts of town, so as to accommodate the scholars to the best advantage. The building in the northern part of town was erected in the winter of 1880-1, and is an ele- gant structure. The cost of the property is as follows : lot, $2750 ; building, $5000 ; furniture, $500 ; making a total of $8250. An attempt was made to burn the building just as it was completed. The Central School Building. — This was completed in 1870. The lower story contains two rooms 26 x 38, one recitation room 15 x 25, and two cloak rooms 8 x 16, and a hall 16 x 22. In this hall is a double stairway leading to the second floor. There are also in this hall conveniences for washing. The second story is divided into two main school rooms, each 26 x 38, with recitation and cloak rooms the same as on the first floor. The ceiling of the first floor is fourteen feet, and of the second, thirteen feet in the clear. On the center of the roof stands a cupola eleven feet square and sixteen feet high, upon which stands a bell tower six feet square and sixty-four feet high from the ground. The total cost of the building was $12,600. Najm Collegiate Institute. — Professor A. E. Lasher, principal of this institution, has kindly furnished us with the following historical sketch : The Napa Collegiate Institute is beautifully situated in Napa City, on a high point of land, commanding a fine view of the town and surrounding country. The campus of five acres was purchased by Mr. A. H. Hamm, who erected the main building. The college building is a brick structure four stories high, containing chapel, recitation rooms, dining-room, and par- lor, besides private rooms for the gentlemen boarders, all well supplied with conveniences for warming and ventilation. The school opened in 1860, with Mr. Hamm as proprietor and principal- A little less than a year after this, the Rev. W. S. Turner, A. M., a graduate of Wesleyan University, purchased the property. For nearly seven years the school was prosperous and had a good patronage. Mr. Turner's arduous duties were too much for his strength, and he was compelled to seek a change of labor. He leased the school to Mr. Smith, who conducted it about a year, after which it was closed for some time, until it was purchased by six men, viz: Hon. C. Hartson, G. Fellows, N. Coombs, A. W. Norton, Napa Township. 267 G. Linn, and H. Fowler. These gentlemen greatly improved the building, adding the porches, covering the walls with cement, and finishing the fourth story. In August of 1870, it was purchased by the California Annual Confer- ence of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Conference elected a Board of fifteen trustees, and the articles of incorporation are dated November 22, 1870. The Napa Collegiate Institute originated in the conviction of the need of an institution of learning, under Christian influences, of high grade, north of the bay. Its rapid growth and great usefulness demonstrated the wisdom of the conviction. It is under the supervision of the Conference to insure Christian supervision, but is not sectarian in its teachings or re- quirements. In January of 1871, the school was opened with Professor T. C. George, A. M., as principal, with four asssistants. Professor George acted as prin- cipal until June of 1874, when he resigned in order to rest and regain his health. The school prospered under his management, and was well patron- ized. Professor L. L. Rogers, A. M., was next elected principal. During his administration of three years, two new buildings were erected, the princi- pal's cottage, and the ladies' hall. In July of 1877 the present principal, Prof. A. E. Lasher, A. M., of New York State, was elected. During the summer vacation of 1878 the build- ings were refurnished and put in good order. A commercial department was organized, and a room on the first floor furnished for this department. In the vacation of the next year extensive improvements were made in new buildings and repairs. The growing commercial department demanded more room, and a fine building for the use of the primary department was erected. A fine gymnasium and tank -house were built. Water-pipes were laid to the different buildings, and on the front campus. Bath rooms were also made in each of the buildings. In the spring of 1880 the grounds were tastefully laid out with drives, walks, grass plats, shrubs and flowers, and to-day no grounds in the city are more attractive or inviting. The institute has a faculty of nine experienced teachers, each chosen with special reference to his department. There are five regular courses of study, and seven distinct departments. A diploma is given to students completing the course and passing the examination. The school has a most excellent library, which is read and used for daily reference. No school of similar grade on the coast has as much fine apparatus for illus- trating the principles of the sciences. The student not only sees the experiments performed, but must learn to handle the apparatus and perform the experiment for himself. Additions to this department are 268 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. constantly being made. All members of the art department are first re- quired to take model and object drawing before they can work with crayons or colors. The class spend one afternoon of each week in sketching from nature. In the commercial department theory and practice ai-e combined. In the latter the student will receive careful drill in actual business practice, and will be required to draw up and use in his transactions the various forms of business paper. Throughout the course the student receives individual instruction, and thus is not kept back by others of less ability and application. Commercial law and political economy are required in this course. The first class graduated in 1874, and each year the number of the alumni has been increased and now numbers fifty -two. The institute was one of the first schools on this coast to proclaim its belief in co-education. To-day the majority of the leading schools of the State admit ladies and gentlemen. Everywhere under wise Christian influence, the plan refines and enobles, and is working well. With each sex occupying separate buildings, and in each building teachers living with the students, a healthful home-like influence is secured. The improvement under these conditions in manner, self-reliance and social culture, and the development of manhood and womanhood is often marked. More than fifteen hundred students have received instruction in its halls since 1871, and more than two thousand since its first opening. Old students are found in all sections west of the Rocky Mountains, and others are scattered in some twelve States. The Faculty is progressive and energetic ; the Board of Trustees efficient and liberal. The day is not far distant when, with liberal endowments and increased facilities, its course of study and influence will be greatly enlarged. The Napa Ladies' Seminary. — We are under obligations to Prof. D. W. Hanna for the historical notes of this institution: The Napa Ladies' Seminary was established under the auspices of Miss Harris, and conducted by her as principal during a term of four years. After her resignation, and an interim of a few months, the school was resumed by Miss Maria S. McDonald, through whose untiring energy and indefatigable labors it yearly increased in numbers and influence, by accessions from home and abroad. Miss McDonald assumed the position in 1864, and conducted the institution for five years. It is but due to her memory to speak of her eminent executive ability, her rare art of discipline, her tact and originality, and more than all, her scholarship and Christian character, all of which adapted her pre-eminently for the profession she had chosen, and in which she achieved such signal success. After the death of Miss Maria S. Mc- Donald, which occurred in 1869, her sister, Miss Sarah F. McDonald as- sumed the active management of the school, and conducted its affairs in Napa Township. 269 such a manner as to win for herself and the school an enviable reputation throughout the coast. For ten years Miss McDonald discharged with fidel- ity and success the arduous duties devolving upon her. She was succeeded by her nephew, Mr. F. A. McDonald, who had been connected with the school for some years previous to his aunt's death, and who managed the business of the school for two years, resigning his position at the close of the school year, May 25, 1881. The school is now in charge of D. W. Hanna, A. M., who has taken hold of the work with an energy and zeal that warrants success. Having had, with his wife and daughter, large experience in this work, the future pros- perity of the seminary is fully assured. The present year opened with a large increase of attendance, which has been so greatly augmented that at this time the limit which he has set has been almost reached. The grounds are being beautified, walks laid out, a large fountain has been placed in the yard ; bath-rooms have been added, gas brought into the buildings, and in fact everything put in the very best condition. Neither have other things been neglected. The corps of teachers is full, and of the best talent ; a special teacher of elocution has been employed, and a philo- sophical and chemical laboratory is being added to the other apparatus of the seminary. Oak Mound School. — Prof. C. M. Walker, principal of this school, has kindly furnished us with the following: In the year 1872, a few enterpris- ing and liberal gentlemen, among whom were Geo. E. Goodman, W. C. S. Smith, Jesse Grigsby, A. G. Boggs and W. C. Wallace, seeing the necessity for increased educational advantages for boys, to prepare them for admission to the State University or for the active duties of life, established a school under the instruction of Rev. Mr. Blake. The following year they erected a small but well arranged building in the southern part of the town, and procured the services of C. M. Walker, A. B., a graduate of Bowdoin College, Maine, to take charge of the school. The term opened with ten pupils. In three years the number had increased to sixty. The building was enlarged to twice its original size, and other teachers employed to meet the growing demands of the school. The great aim of the Board of Directors is to have a select and good school. The curriculum of studies embraces all the English branches, usually taught in the high schools of the country, together with the ancient and modern languages. Bookkeeping and business forms also receive special attention. The school is exclusively for boys and is non-sectarian. It is in a word, a high school for boys. Many pupils, having completed the course of study at Oak Mound, have entered the State University or some Eastern college, while others are filling positions of responsibility in business. The following teachers are at present employed: C. M. Walker, A. M., 270 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. Principal ; F. 0. Mower, A. B.; Prof. G. Schulte ; Miss Carrie E. Walker. Special teachers in penmanship, elocution and other branches are employed, from time to time, as the interests of the school require. Newspaper Biography. — Under this head the Napa Daily Gazette published the following: "The first newspaper published in Napa City was the Napa County Reporter, by A. J. Cox, in 1856, and is at present (1870) published by Lank Higgins. The next was the Weekly Herald, in 1858, which ran but a short time as a Democratic paper, and then died. Next came the Napa Sun, a small weekly paper, by A. J. Cox, in 1859, which lingered but a short time. In 1861 the Pacific Echo, published by Alex. Montgomery, came upon the stage. It was run as a Democratic paper (of the secession caste of sentiment) until the assassination of President Lin- coln, when it wisely folded its tent and quietly stole away. In 1863 the Napa Register made its appearance, published by Horrell & Strong as a Republican paper. In 1866 the Daily Reporter was started by Higgins & Leach (Lank Higgins and Frank A. Leach). Higgins withdrew shortly after, leaving the management to Leach & Gregg, which they managed very successfully for nearly one year. They then sought a better field, and moved to Vallejo and established the Chronicle. And, not last of all, comes the Daily Morning Gazette, an independent paper, which was started March 1, 1870, by L. S. Barnes & Co., with W. J. Bowman, editor." The Register copies the above, and then adds : " This ' Biography ' is very well as far as it goes, but it is incomplete as it omits the Napa Times, and to mention several newspaper men who have had quite as much to do with the papers of Napa County as the persons named, and perhaps a little more than either of them, or all of them together. It would seem to us that a newspaper biography for Napa County without the name of R. T. Montgomery and that of Mason D. Brownson must be about as deficient as Hamlet with the ghost left out, or Paradise Lost without the devil. These men have probably performed more newspaper head and hand work than all the rest combined. R. T. Montgomery became a half owner of the Re- porter in 1856, a few months after its establishment by Mr. Cox. The paper was then a small affair of four columns. " The material consisted of four small founts of second-hand type, an old Washington hand press, whose platen was 14 x 17 inches, the whole scarcely more than a dray-load, and the paper was in artwulo mortis, with- out patronage or support. Indeed, it could hardly claim to be a fully estab- lished newspaper until the firm of Montgomery & Cox purchased new material and enlarged the paper, began to publish it regularly instead of semi-occasionally, and made it a newspaper instead of a sheet more than half full of dead advertisements, which no one ever read or paid for. Not Napa Township. 271 until February, 1857, did the Reporter command anything like a decent circulation or even make its expenses. From that time may be dated its prosperity and influence as a public journal. "In April, 1857, Lank Higgins began his apprenticeship under Mont- gomery & Cox, and remained in the office until April, 1860. On the 6th of September, 1858, Mr. Cox left the concern, and, in connection with Frank Farrell, since deceased, started the Napa City Semi- Weekly Sun, which was published less than six weeks. Mr. Cox removed to Sonoma County the spring following, and for the past twelve years has neither edited nor published a paper in Napa County. Mr. Montgomery, in connection with M. D. Brownson, A. M. Parry and J. I. Horrell, as printers and co-editors continued to publish the Reporter until October, 1863, when it passed into the hands of Miner & Higgins, and finally the latter became sole proprietor. Mr. Brownson was connected with the paper for more than five years, and was recognized as an able contributor to its editorial columns. In 1870, he was still doing yeoman's service on the Daily Vallejo Chronicle. At the same date Mr. Parry was editor and publisher of the Independent, at Eureka, Humboldt County. " The Register was started August 10, 1863, by J. I. Horrell, under the name of the Napa Valley Register. October 20th of that j^ear, L. Hoxie Strong became a half owner in the concern, and on the 14th day of the following November, he died of apoplexy. On the same day, less than four weeks after he severed his connection with the Reporter, Mr. Montgomery took editorial charge of the Register, where he remained until January 1, 1864. Mr. Horrell then sold a half interest to N. E. White, Mr. Montgom- ery still contributing to its columns, and at the end of a month he pur- chased Mr. Horrell's interest in the establishment, and remained a partner with Mr. White until January 1, 1866, when he sold to the latter. On the 1st of May following, Mr. Montgomery became sole proprietor, and so con- tinued till October 23, 1869, excepting a period of six months, ending July 1, 1868, during which Mr. White was sole proprietor, and Mr. Montgomery was connected with the San Fi'ancisco Daily Times. " It appears, then, that Mr. Montgomery has been connected with the Press of this county fully twice as long as any other editor or publisher in the county, and since the days when Napa was a hamlet. The name of J. D. Lillard, editor and founder of the Herald, must be mentioned, those of his successors, Wm. D. Townes and Thomas J. Tucker. The Daily Reporter was not the first daily paper issued in Napa City. The Napa Daily Adver- tiser was the first, started by R. T. Montgomery, on the 22d day of Sep- tember, 1866; but the publisher had the sagacity to abandon it after two 272 ' History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. Napa Reporter. — The following sketch of this paper has been furnished us by Mr. John Walden, the present editor : " The Reporter was the first paper published in Napa County. The first number was issued on the 4th of July, 1856, by A. J. Cox. R. T. Mont- gomery became joint proprietor in the following December, and in the next February new material was purchased. When the paper was first estab- lished Napa had neither business nor population to support it. During the first six months it maintained a sickly existence, being' issued sometimes once a week and at others two and sometimes three weeks would elapse between issues. It was a small sheet of four columns, with two pages constant!}' filled with dead advertisements. The subscription list in 1857 did not contain twenty paying subscribers. " The office was a rickety old shanty about eighteen feet square, next below the American Hotel on Main street. It was neither ceiled, plastered nor papered, and the floor was of rough lumber, through which were cracks an inch wide. In the roof was a large hole, apparently left for a flue or chimney, through which the rain descended in torrents. There were no windows except a couple of sashes nailed securely to the wall. It was with great difficulty in winter, even when wood was obtainable, that the place could be kept warm enough to work in ; and it often happened that wood could not be had at any price, in consequence of the horrible condition of the roads. In the winter of 1856-7 the publisher paid $5.00 for as much as filled the box of a buggy. It was hauled less than twenty rods and the seller got 'stalled' on Main street, buggy and horse sinking in the mud, and it cost him more in 'treats' than the price of the wood to get the outfit on terra firma. The editorial lodging room was in the garret, and an iron camp-bedstead and a few blankets comprised the entire furniture. " The material of the office was on a par with the building. It con- sisted, all told, of a Washington hand press, foolscap size, with a platen 14x17 inches, on which the paper was printed one page at a time; a small fount of second-hand Minion, and another of Long Primer. There was no jobbing material whatever. This press, which is now in the possession of the Sonoma Pioneers, was brought to San Francisco from Mexico, at the close of the war, and taken by Mr. Cox to Sonoma, where it was used some three years in printing the Sonoma Bulletin. He then moved it to Vallejo, and in the fall of 1855, in connection with Dr. E. B. Eaton, published the Vallejo Bulletin, for a few weeks. In June, 1856, he brought it to Napa, where the Reporter was printed on it until February, 1857, when a new press was purchased, and the office removed to the corner of Third and Main streets, where Hartson's brick building now stands. On the 6th of September, 1858, Mr. Cox left the Reporter, and in the division of the ma- terial the old press fell to his share, and was used for three months by Cox ■ >■' ^ £. $r^k Napa Township. 273 & Farrell in publishing the Semi- Weekly Sun. Shortly afterwards Mr. Cox removed his office to Healdsburg, and used the same press in printing the Review, of that place. Thence the press went to Lakeport, Lake County, and did service in printing one or two political papers, each of which died a natural death. Probably its labors are now at an end, as in the hands of the Pioneer Association it will be kept as a relic of the olden times. Of this press R. T. Mongomery says : ' The writer (himself ) has earned many a thousand dollars, and performed many a hard day's work upon it in the days of high prices, when very common cards and bill-heads were three dol- lars per hundred, and small sheet posters thirty dollars per hundred.' " The Reporter was started as an independent paper, and took no part in politics until the great split occurred in the Democratic party, on the Kan- sas question, when it became the advocate of the principles of Stephen A. Douglas. Mr. Montgomery, in connection with M. D. Brownson, A. M. Parry and J. I. Horrell continued to publish the paper till October, 1863, it being under their management a supporter of the Lincoln administra- tion, and an advocate of the principles of the Union party. At this date it passed into the hands of Miner & Higgins, and finally into the hands of Lank Higgins alone. The political character of the paper was then changed, and it became a vehement opposer of the Lincoln administration. In the winter of 1870, it was sold to W. F. Henning, who still continued it as a Democratic paper. In October, 1871, R. T. Montgomery purchased the es- tablishment. Soon, C. A. Menefee became a partner and in August following became sole proprietor. Shortly after this a half interest was sold to A. A. R. Utting, and the paper was published under the firm-name of C. A. Menefee & Co. During this administration the Daily Reporter was estab- lished, and still continues to be issued in the morning. In 1875, Capt. G. W. Gift purchased an interest in the paper and continued its management until he died, which occurred in 1878. The paper is now conducted by his wife, with John Walden as editor and business manager, and is a bright, newsy, and well-conducted journal, receiving a just and liberal share of the city and county patronage. There is also a fine job department connected with it." Napa Herald. — In 1858, the Napa City Herald first made its appear- ance. It was owned by a joint stock company, comprising, the most in- fluential Democrats in the county, and was a strong advocate of the meas- ures of Buchanan's administration, and of the Southern view of the slavery question. J. D. Lillard, a young lawyer from Kentucky, was its first editor, and he was succeeded by Win. H. Townes and Thomas J. Tucker. The paper, however, proved unsuccessful, and was discontinued within a few months. The establishment came into the hands of Frank Farrell and J. 18 274 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. Wallace Higgins soon after ; and in 1859, they issued a paper of the same character under the name of the Napa Times. This paper also died in a few months from lack of support. The Echo. — July 20, 1861, Alexander Montgomery commenced the pub- lication of the Napa Echo, which violently opposed the measures of the administration of President Lincoln, and every measure taken to subdue the Southern rebellion. Its circulation and patronage were limited, and in a pecuniary point of view it was never successful. Its publication was sus- pended the morning after the assassination of President Lincoln. Mr. Montgomery then went to Marysville and thence to other parts, and finally became proprietor of the Mendocino Democrat, and he was in Ukiah in 1880. Napa Daily and Weekly Register. — In addition to the above general statements of the history of the Register, we have been supplied with the following sketch by Mr. G. M. Francis : " The Register was started in Napa by J. I. Horrell, August 10, 1863, under the title of Napa Valley Register. In October of the same year, L. Hoxie Strong became associated with Mr. Horrell in its publication, but his sudden death a few weeks afterward terminated the partnership thus formed, and the founder of the paper was again alone in its management. January 2, 1864, Mr. N. E. White bought an interest in the paper, and at that time its title was changed to The Napa Register. February 6, 1864, N. E. White became sole proprietor, and R. T. Montgomery, editor, the paper remaining under this management until April 28, 1866, when Mr. Montgomery came into full possession. He enlarged the paper to seven columns, and remained at the helm until Nov- ember, 1867, when the office was turned over to an association, Mr. Mont- gomery being retained as editor and business manager. In January, 1868, Mr. N. E. White again became publisher and proprietor, but in a few months thereafter, turned the property over to its former owner, Mr. Montgomery. October 30, 1869, Montgomery sold out to R. D. Hopkins and John M. Coghlan, the business being conducted under the firm-name of R. D. Hop- kins & Co. up to October 29, 1870, when G. M. Francis, its present publisher, purchased Mr. Coghlan's half interest in the paper, shortly after enlarging it to thirty-two columns. February 10, 1872, G. W. Henning succeeded Mr. Hopkins as half owner ; May 17, 1873, Charles A. Gardner in like manner succeeded Mr. Henning ; January 9, 1875, Mr. Gardner sold to S. M. Tool ; May 8, 1875, Mr. Francis purchased Mr. Tool's interest, and was alone in the management of the paper from that date to December, 1876, when H. S. Spalding bought a half interest. The partnership of Francis & Spalding continued to February 1, 1881, when G. M. Francis again be- came sole proprietor. The Register was started as a Republican paper, and from the day of its birth has advocated Republican principles. November Napa Township. 275 25, 1872, a daily evening edition was started in connection with the Weekly Register, and has since been published regularly, having been twice enlarged, and gained a large circulation and extensive advertising patron- age. An extensive job department is connected with the press-room. Napa Gold Dollar. — This was a little daily sheet, started in the fall of 1878, by Ebersole. He sold an interest to J. H. Cooper, who eventu- ally became sole proprietor. Its field was limited, and was finally suspended. Robert T. Montgomery. — Much of the above historical matter concern- ing the newspaper history of Napa is from the pen of Mr. Robert T. Mont- gomery, when not credited elsewhere. No man that ever lived in Napa was better fitted to write a full and correct history of the Press of the place, hence we have copied copiously from that chapter in the " Sketch Book." And in this connection it is fitting and proper that we append a short bio- graphical sketch of this pioneer journalist of Napa City. He was born in 1821, in Richmond, Virginia. He was apprenticed to the printers' trade, and followed it all his days, in all its branches, from the case to the tripod. In the latter position he was at his best, and in it he did a work in Napa City that will never be excelled and seldom equalled. He had a massive mind, a quick and keen perception, a good use of language, recognizing the delicate shadings of words. His expressions were always chaste in his editorials, and the moral sentiments inculcated always pure. He knew what was meant by the term gentleman, and such, when he was himself, he always was. He came to California in 1853, and engaged in school teaching until 1856, when he connected himself with the press of Napa City. June 10, 1357, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah B. Cox, sister of his partner, A. J. Cox. The issue of the Reporter of the 13th was printed in red ink, in commemoration of the event. His journalistic record has already been fully written up. Poor Montgomery ! No man was capable of holding a higher and prouder position in his relations, social and intel- lectual, than he, and none suffered themselves to sink lower. His name is found on the records of church organizations, financial corporations, tem- perance societies, and the police court. The demon alcohol possessed him, and drove him from the summit to the chasm, and he died a vagrant in the county hospital, on the charity of the people he had so long lived among and so faithfully served in the discharge of his editorial duties. His death occurred December i, 1878. Let us draw the veil of utter forgetfulness over his short-comings, and let only the bright spots of his genuinely true char- acter live. Requiescat in pace. Free and Accepted Masons. — Yount Lodge, No. 12, F. & A. M., was organized January 24, A. D. 1851, with the following charter members : W. D. Deering, J. M. Small, M. T. McClellan, W. W. Stillwagon, George C. 276 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. Yount, Joseph Mount, B. Vines, Thomas Chapman, J. M. Moody, and M. H. N. Kendig. The officers U. D. were: W. D. Deering, W. M.; J. M. Small, S. W.; M. T. McClellan, J. W.; W. W. Stillwagon, Secretary, and George C. Yount, Treasurer. The charter was granted May 15, 1851. The first officers U. C. were W. D. Deering, W. M.; J. M. Small, S. W.; J. H. Seawell, J. W.; W. W. Stillwagon, Secretary, and George C. Yount, Treasurer. The following named members have filled the position of W. M.: W. D. Deering, J. M. Small, J. H. Seawell, Wesley Vaughn, Ed. McGarry, J. M. Dudley, Robert Crouch, H. H. Knapp, W. B. Carlton, F. M. Hackett, T. J. Tucker, Ralph Ellis, William Bradford, F. E. Johnson, and C. R. Gritman. The present officers are H. H. Knapp, W. M.; A. J. Hull, S. W.; F. N. Giles, J. W.; P. Van Bever, Treasurer, and F. M. Hackett, Secretary. The present membership is eighty. Napa Chapter, B. A. M. — Napa Chapter, No. 30, R. A. M., was organ- ized U. D. November 10, 1.S60, with the following charter members : H. A. Gaston, H. H. Knapp, M. L. Haas, O. A. Peck, E. E. Harvey, W. B. May, D. Spencer, G. C. Yount, W. W. Stillwagon, and F. B. Gilmore. The first officers were H. A. Gaston, H. P.; D. Spencer, K.; G. C. Yount, S.; H. H. Knapp, C. of H; W. B. May, P. S.; M. L. Haas, R. A. C; W. W. Still- wagon, G. M. of third veil, and F. B. Gilmore G. M. of second veil. The following members have held the position of H. P.: H. A. Gaston, H. H. Knapp, R. Crouch, R. Ellis, W. Bradford and C. R. Gritman. The present officers are C. R. Gritman, H. P.; B. Johnson, K; G. Bustelli, Scribe; P. Van Bever, Treasurer, and D. L. Haas, Secretary. The present membership is forty-one. Independent Order of Odd Fellows. — Napa Lodge, No. 18, I. 0. O. F., was organized November 26, 1853, with the following charter members : J. D. Stetenius, D. Monnett, Robert Hopkins, E. A. Hazan, J. H. Waterson, D. C. Tripp. Unfortunately the records of this lodge are lost up to 1855, hence the first officers cannot be given, nor. any of the N. G.'s previous to that date. The list of N. G.'s so far as attainable is as follows : C. Page, J. H. Waterson, G. N. Cornwell, J. M. Dudley, J. M. Wilson, T. Earl, R. D. Hopkins, J. Cosgrove, R. T. Montgomery, J. -Horrell, J. Butler, P. Hunt- singer, W. H. Clark, A. B. Walker, G, N. Tuthill, J. Salmunson, J. C. Pier- son, G. F Reeves, L. M. Corwin, J. Israelsky, W. W. Pendegast, J. N. Reynolds, W. R. Brown, E. N. Boynton, G. B. Clifford, A. Sampson, R. N. Steere, A. G. Boggs, H. L. Amstutz, Robert Clark, H. T. Barker, W. Laugh- lin, L. Chapman, Z. W. Keyes, D. R. McLennan, P. T. Gomer, H. Christian- sen, C. Levansaler, E. W. Hottel, J. N. Wallingford. T. M. Moody, D. Smith, J. W. Ward, Jr., J. A. Kane, J. F. Hottel, and D. S. Keiser. The present officers are : J. B. Newman, N. G; B. Johnson, V. G; W. W. Bachelor, R. Napa Township. 277 S.; H. L. Amstutz, Treasurer ; and R. Clark, P. S. The present member- ship is one hundred and thirty-three. The lodge owns a splendid two-story brick building on Main street, which was erected in 1877. The lot is 44x90, and cost $5000, and the building is 44 x80, and cost $12,000. The lower story is used for stores, and the upper one for lodge purposes. The lodge- room is 36 x 56, with twenty-foot ceiling, and is handsomely furnished. Live Oak Encampment, I. 0. 0. F. — Live Oak Encampment, I. O. O. F., No. 40, was organized April 29, 1879, with the following charter mem- bers : J. N. Reynolds, L. Chapman, E. Biggs, A. B. Walker, E. N. Boynton, W. R. Brown, H. Christiansen, T. R. Parke, and J. P. Clark. The first offi- cers were : J. N. Reynolds, C. P.; W. R Brown, H. B.; A. B. Walker, S. W.; L. Chapman, J. W.; E. N. Boynton, Scribe ; and E. Biggs, Treasurer. The following members have served as H. P.'s : J. N. Reynolds, A. B. Walker, L. Chapman, J. C. Pierson, E. N. Boynton, C. Pearch, J. O. Shafer, E. W. Hottel, C. Levansaler, Theo. Ellis, C. E. Kiefer, J. F. Hottel, H. Christiansen, T. M. Moody, J. C. Rowley, F. Salmini, A. Muller, G. Bustelli, and E. Biggs.' The present officers are : E. Biggs, C. P.; D. Smith, H. P.; R. Clark, S. W.; J. A. Pedersen, J. W.; J. C. Pierson, Scribe ; and E. W. Hottel, Treasurer. The present membership is thirty-three. Independent Order of Good Templars. — We cannot get at the original records of the first lodge of this order ever organized in Napa. We find that in April, 1861, Franklin Lodge, No. 36, was in existence, and the following officers were elected : Samuel Heald, W. C. T.; J. M. Hamilton, W. V. T.; V. J. Van Dora, W. S.; Miss L. A. Willett, W. T.; Martha C. Heald, W. F. S.; G. W. Carter, W. M.; Rev. P. V. Veeder, W. Ch.; D. B. Magee, W. I. G; and R. T. Montgomery, W. O. G. Aqua Pura Lodge. — Aqua Pura Lodge, No. Ill, I. O. G. T., was organ- ized November 3, 1879, by Levi Leland, Grand Lecturer, with the following charter members : James Mason, Ida Dennison, J. Moody, A. T. Stanley, F. Harris, Z. E. Rowell, S. R. Dickey, Flora L. Allen, E. H. Dennison, Millie Harris, M. Story, O. Pye, J. Davis, A. Chapman, Mrs. Chapman, R. B. Todd, Stella Kerfoot, Margaret McCaskell and J. A. White. The first officers were : J. Mason, W. C. T.; Ida Dennison, W. V. T.; S. R. Dickey, W. T.; A. T. Stanley, W. R. S. The present officers are : A. J. Cameron, W. C. T.. Mary Pierce, W. V. T.; H. V. Alley, W. R. S.; Ella V. Dunn, W. T. The' Lodge meets on Saturday evenings, and the present membership is thirty- seven. Knights of Honor.— Napa Lodge, No. 1,897, K. of H, was organized November 28, 1879, with the following charter members: J. H. Boke, F. L. Coombs, N. Coombs, Levi Coombs, T. V. Chadbourne, T. H Epley, L. H. 278 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. Fowler, G. W. Fraser, C. R. Gritman, H. C. Gesford, Ed. Grogan, Z. W. Gar- field, J. H. P. Gedge, E. Hamm, J. W. Hostetler, F. M. Hackett, B. C. Hartson, Wm. Imrie, H. Jansen, J. F. Lambdin, T. Lane, O. P. Meyers, F. A. McDon- ald, T. McBain, J. G Noyes, T. R. Parker, I. N. Pearson, A. J. Raney, J. T. Smith, George C. Shurtleff, M. L. Stillwagon, A. D. Stockford, J. P. Tru- body, J. T. Vanderlip, J. W. Ward, Jr., C. M. Walker, G. A. Wright, W. West, and J. N. Wallingford. The first officers were: C. R. Gritman, D.; W. W. Hostetler, V. D.; A. D. Stockford, A. D.; F. M. Hackett, Rept.; B. C. Hartson, F. R; J. N. Wallingford, Treas. The Directors have been: C. R. Gritman, A. D. Stockford, J. W. Ward, Jr., Dr. J. W. Hostetler, and W. West. The present officers are : W. West, D.; 0. P. Meyers, V. D.; J. B- Walden, A. D.; F M. Hackett, Rept.; J. N. Wallingford, Treasurer; and J. F. Lambdin, F. R. The present membership is sixty, and the amount of benefit $2000. Knights of Pythias. — Fidelity Lodge, No. 23, K. of P., was organized August 6, 1873, with the following charter members: D. M. McClure, J. F. Pugh, J. Kean, R. M. Swain, W. Bradford, G. Bustelli, S. Reinertsen, C. A. Menefee, K. Gudmundsen, H. Christiansen, E. Lane, J. S. Howland, C. J. Carlsen, N. L. Nielsen, W. Overdick, R. N. Steere, J. Musburger, L. N. Zubric, M. Begelspacher, A. Muller, J. W. Sharp, R. H. Daley, I. Gilchrist, L. N. Parsons, G. W. Lawrence, M. F. Sherwood, J. J. Martin, I. Fancher, E. New- felder, W. H. Parsons and L. M. Corwin. The first officers were J. F. Pugh, P. C; D. McClure, C. C; N. L. Nielsen, V. G; R. N. Steere, P.; J. Kean, K. of R. & S.; W. Bradford, M. of F; L. M, Corwin, M. of E. The following members have filled the position of C. C: D. McClure, R. M. Swain, G. W. Lawrence, C. A. Gardner, J. C. Pierson, H. Christiansen, A. Muller, T. N. Mount, N. L. Nielsen, W. Overdick, G. W. Olds, W. Mellor and C. Lulwes. The present officers are : J. F. Lambdin, C. C; C. M. Wiprut, V. C; G. W. Lawrence, P.; J. Kean, K. of R. & S.; T. N. Mount, M. of E.; H. L. Amstutz, M. of F.; John Kean has filled the position of K. of R. & S. ever since the organization of this lodge. Ancient Order United Workmen. — Fortuna Lodge, No. 13, A. 0. U. W., was organized December 21, 1877, with the following charter members : C. R. Gritman, J. W. Ward, Jr., E. H. Bragg, E. S. Gridley, E. P. Mitchell, A. D. Stockford, C. H. Wilson, D. A. Fraser, T. McBain, J. Mitchell, C. Stuart, and J. W. Hostetler. The first officers were C. R. Gritman, P. M. W. ; J. W. Ward, Jr., M. W. ; E. H. Bragg, G. F.; E S. Gridley, Overseer; C. H. Wilson, Recorder ; A. D. Stockford, Financier ; D. A. Fraser, Receiver ; E. P. Mitchell, Guide ; C. Stuart, I. W. ; and J. Mitchell, O. W. The following gentlemen have filled the position of M. W. : J. W. Ward, Jr., C. R. Grit- Napa Township. 279 man, A. D. Stockford, J. W. Hostetler, 0. P. Meyers, C. B. Stone, B. C. Hartson, M. C. True, W. F. Henning, W. West and H. Brown, Jr. The present officers are : Henry Brown, Jr., M. W ; S. P. Westover, F. ; J. W. Stephens, O. ; J. E. Walden, Guide ; E. S. Gridley, Recorder ; T. N. Mount, Financier ; B. E. Hunt, Receiver ; J. W. Hoover, I. W. ; A. M. Hardman, 0. W. The present membership is one hundred and thirty-three. Industries. — The industries of Napa City are quite numerous, as will be seen by perusing the following pages, and there is no good reason why they should not be more so. No city in California presents better advan- tages for a manufacturing point than is to be found here. Transportation, the ultimatum to be considered in this case, is very cheap, and the shipping facilities are unexcelled — communication with San Francisco being had direct by both water and rail. It is in close proximity to the center of trade, and to tide water. The industrial future of Napa City cannot but be great if it is properly nurtured, and the requisite amount of encourage- ment given to men who would invest their capital in that direction in the place. Very much indeed of this future rests in the hands of the citizens of Napa ; but judging the future by the past, there is no doubt but that all will be done that is possible to advance the industrial interests of the city. Sawyer's Tannery. — This enterprise was begun in 1869 by F. A. Sawyer, with only one man as his assistant. He had two small buildings, and only two small vats. In 1870 his father, B. F. Sawyer, came out from New Hampshire, and entered into partnership with him, under the firm- name of B. F. Sawyer & Co., which is still the style of the firm-name. The business was started on Jacks Point, and it was then moved to its present location at the foot of Grant avenue. They put up a building 30x60 feet, with two shed roofs, sixteen feet wide on each side, the whole length of the building. They then had ten vats. At this time the firm consisted of B. F. Sawyer, F. A. Sawyer, and W. H. Woodbury, and they employed one white man and four Chinamen. The capacity was then one hundred and twenty-five sheep-skins per day. In 1871 the capacity was increased to three hundred pelts a day. In March, 1872, A. W. Norton purchased a half interest in the concern, and the capacity was increased to five hun- dred hides a day, and also one hundred deer-skins. They then erected a two-story building, 30x90 feet ; also a bark shed 30x20 feet, making a total bark shed 30x50 feet. They run along about this way until 1875, when the capacity of the tannery was doubled. During this year S. E. Holden was admitted as a partner in the wool branch of the business. About this time the then foreman of the business, E. Manassee, discovered an improved method for preparing sheep-skins for glove leather, and in partnership with the firm, secured a patent for the process. Too much 280 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. in the way of commendation cannot be said of the leather prepared by this method. They then added eighteen feet to the length of the two- story building, and to run the business twelve white men and seventy Chinamen were required. They increased the capacity for deer-skins also to one hundred and fifty a day. In 1876 they erected a six-story dry-house, 40 x 24, also a two-story dry-shed, 36 x 90. In 1879 B. F. Sawyer died, but the business continued in the hands of the same firm until April 1, 1880, when S. E. Holden and E. Manassee were admitted as partners in the enterprise. The capacity was then increased to one thousand two hundred sheep and two hundred deer skins daily. In 1879 they put up a dry-shed, 48 x 90, also a two- story grading and finishing room, 16 x 50, in the spring of 1880. During the present year (1881) they have erected a three-story drying-shed, 70x40, and have put on an addition to the rear of the main building, 68 x 26, and two stories high, which is used for a wool-pulling room down stairs and a finishing room up stairs. They have converted the dry-shed, which was built in 1875.. into a two-story building, which is used for the djTeing and deer-skin department. They have also erected a wood-shed, 40 x 70, with a suspension roof ; also a bark house, 40 x 80, with a suspension roof, fourteen feet high. They have remodeled the building erected in 1870 into a build- ing three stories high, and one hundred and ten feet long and forty-five feet wide. They have also put up two tanks holding from thirty thousand to forty thousand gallons. In 1879 they erected a warehouse, 48 x 55, in connection with the steamboat landing, which thus brings them into direct communication with that means of transportation. The buildings of the concern now cover one and a-half blocks, equal to two and a-half acres of land. When the business was begun, the bark was ground and the water pumped by horse-power. In 1876 they put in a ten-horse power engine. In 1879 it was found inadequate to meet the requirements of the business, and a twenty-five-horse power one was put in, and at the same time a forty- horse power boiler. In 1880 they put in another boiler of the same size, and now all their drying rooms are supplied with steam. Their business is conducted in a strictly methodical manner, and all the latest improvements are used. A record is kept of every article handled, so that no matter in what department it may be its whereabouts is known. Strict account is kept of the expenses of each department, and of the amount of material handled, so that any leakage is easily detected. Their capacity is now in- creased to two thousand sheep-skins and two hundred deer-skins a day. The firm also deals in wool and heavy hides. They have a warehouse and office in San Francisco, also an agency for their leather in New York, and one for their wool in Boston. Their wool is graded into five separate kinds, and is then baled and shipped to Boston. Their supply of hides comes from the • Napa Township. 281 whole Pacific Coast, Oregon affording quite an amount of them. In 1881 the firm showed their spirit of liberality by increasing the wages of their men 14 per cent., and they now range from 75 cents a day for boys be- ginning to $2 . 75 for foremen. Napa City Tannery. — This business is conducted under the firm-name of T. McBain & Co., which is composed of T. McBain, J. F. Zollner, and J. Even. They began business in 1874, and had a capacity of one hundred hides per week, which has since been increased to two hundred and fifty. They handle heavy hides entirely, and have now sixty-five vats. In 1880, they put in an eigh teen-horse power engine, with a forty -horse power boiler. Their main building is 100x80, and they erected in 1880, a bark shed, which is 100x50, and sixteen feet high, and will hold six hundred cords. The busi- ness at this place was started in 1867, by T. H Algo, who began in a very small way, and developed it up to what it was when the present owners came into possession. When they put in their engine they erected a two-story build- ing 34x50 in which to put it. The most of their tan bark is secured from the upper end of Napa Valley. The buildings are situated in East Napa, and north of the river. Vernon Mills. — This enterprise was set on foot by the Langwell Broth- ers, and the building was originally located between the railroad track and the mouth of Napa Creek. In 1859 Messrs. Heald, Cooper and Kester pur- chased it, and in 1861 it was moved to its present site. The present size of the main building is 55x60, and four stories high. One half of the ware- house part is 120x60, and the other half is 30x120. The engine-room and coal shed is 160x120. The flour warehouse is 30x60, and was erected in 1880, and is situated on the east side of the main building. There are four run of buhrs, new boilers put in in 1880, and a forty-horse power engine. The boilei's are forty-eight inches in diameter, and four- teen feet long, of which there are two. The capacity of the mill is from one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five barrels. Does custom and general work. Messrs. Cooper and Kester purchased Heald's interest in 1869, and Mr. W. K. Cooper became sole proprietor in 1875. The build- ing is on the north bank of the river in East Napa, and vessels can load and discharge at the door. Napa City Mills. — This enterprise was set on foot in 1878 by William Stoddard. The mills have a capacity of one hundred and twenty barrels in twenty -four hours. A fifty-horse power engine drives four run of stones. All the requisite machinery for an establishment of this kind is found here, and the very latest improvements. The mill is adjacent to the warehouse, at the foot of Brown street. Moody's Carriage Factory. — This enterprise was begun by T. M. Moody, in 1871, and the shops are located on Main street, between First and Pearl. 282 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. He does a general blacksmith, wagon and carriage -making business ; also, repairing machinery, horse-shoeing, and plow manufacturing. T. G. Green- field is the wood-worker of the establishment. In the shop there is an iron turning-lathe run by steam. Hunter's Carriage Factory. — Located on First street, and business begun in 1871. Does a general blacksmith, carriage and wagon-making business. William Topham is the wood-worker. Wright & Fowler's Carriage Factory. — Located on Third street, near the bridge, where a general blacksmith and wagon and carriage-making business is conducted. L. H. Fowler has charge of the iron department, and G. A. Wright of the wood-work. Napa Soda Works. — M. Silver, proprietor, corner of Main and Stuart streets. This business was begun in 1878, and the machinery has a capacit}' of one hundred dozen a day. The demand for the soda has increased very much, running as high as six hundred dozen a month. Napa Coffee and Spice Mill. — B. W. Roberson begun operations in Octo- ber, 1880, on Main street, near Stuart. The flood of 1881 drove him from those quarters to his present place on Brown street. He has a rotary coffee- roaster with a capacity of one thousand five hundred pounds per da}r, and a mill that will grind the same amount ; also, a spice mill. Machinery is . run by steam. Supplies the trade of this whole valley. Napa City Marble Works. — Conducted by Messrs. Newman somewhat resembling browm rock-eandy. Other crystals settle to the bot- tom where they lie loosely, and after being removed are dried in the sun. It is then taken to San Francisco and refined. The crude article sells for twenty-two cents per pound ; when it is refined it commands thirty-two cents per pound. The proprietor, Mr. A. Bertrandias, seems well pleased with his location and the success attending his labors here. Bachelder Manufacturing Company. — Was organized as a company in 1876, but J. Bachelder was then and is still proprietor. The manufacture of pumps, wind-mills and general machinery is made a specialty. He has lately taken out the wood-working department, and put in a canning busi- ness. The building is one hundred feet square, two stories and a basement, with an L 24 x 24. The wind-mills manufactured by this company are first-class in every respect. Location of works, in East Napa. Napa Glue Works. — C. N. Souther, proprietor, began business in April, 1877. The works are located in East Napa, just north of McBain & Co's tannery, and fifteen hundred pounds of glue per week are manufactured, and more could be done if the stock could be had. The quality of the product is excellent. The building is 90 x 32, and three stories high. There is an eight-horse power engine connected with the works. Napa City Oas Works. — This is the property of an incorporated company, of which J. H. Goodman is President, and L. R. Parker, Superin- tendent. The gas is made from coal, and the capacity of gasometer is ten thousand feet. There are four retorts. Napa Planing Mill. — Corner of Third and Brown streets, M. A. Schwab proprietor. Business began in March, 1881. The machinery consists of a planer, band scroll saw, lathe, circular saws — rip and cross-cut — moulding sticker, and a fifteen-horse power engine. All kinds of planing and sticking done ; also fruit boxes made. Barth's Brewery. — G. Barth, proprietor, is located on the corner of Main and Stuart streets. The building is a large one, constructed of stone, and two stories high. There is also a stone bottling house 30x38 feet. The beer room is 48x60 feet. There is a twelve-horse power engine to drive the pumps, etc. The malt kettle is on the second floor, and will hold one thousand gallons. The malt dryer is 20x20 feet, and the fermenting room is 24x48 feet. The cooler has a capacity of one thousand gallons. There is also a large beer cellar, which is an excellent addition to the establish- ment. It is one of the largest breweries on the west side of the Sacramento River. Bank of Napa. — Organized September, 1871, with the following trustees : J. F. Zollner, W. C. Wallace, C. Hartson, E. Stanley, W. H. Nash, 284 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. R. H. Sterling, E. L. Sullivan. A. B. Walker, W. W. Thompson, G. M. Fisher, R. B. Woodward, H. L. Davis, T. H. Thompson, I. N. Larimer, J. Lawley, D. McDonald, and D. L. Haas. At that time the following officers were elected : C. Hartson, President ; W. C. Watson, Secretary and Cashier, and R. H. Sterling, W. W. Thompson and T. H. Thompson, Finance Com- mittee. C. Hartson remained President of the bank till January 1, 18S0, when L. Lewton was chosen to the position which he still retains. W. O. Watson remained Cashier until January 1, 1881, when C. R. Gritman was elected to the place, and still retains it. The present Finance Committee is J. M. Mansfield, J. Preece and M. Shaw. The present Directors are L. Lewton, C. A. Derby, M. Shaw, J. M. Mansfield, J. Preece, J. Roberts, W. Maynard, C. Robinson, G. Barth, S. Ewer, S. M. Chapman, D. Smith, Dr. G. B. Crane, W. A. Trubody, S. E. Holden, J. Harnett, and E. W. Robinson. The capital stock at the time of organization was $250,000, but has since been reduced to $186,300, with a surplus of $75,000. A general banking business is conducted, and the Anglo-Californian Bank of San Francisco, and J. & W. Seligman & Co., of New York, are its correspondents. The bank was opened October 2, 1871, in a building on Main street, and their elegant and substantial structure on the corner of Main and Second streets was erected in the spring of 1872. Banking House of J. H. Goodman & Co. — Was established in 1858, with James H. and George E. Goodman, proprietors. Does a general bank- ing business, and have correspondents in all the principal cities in the Union. Banking House of Seeley & Bickford. —Was established April 1, 1879, and does a general banking business. The proprietors are C. B. Seeley and L. A. Bickford, and the location is on Brown street, next door to Wells, Fargo & Co.'s express. Business Interests of Napa City. — We have collected facts and figures showing the business interests in Napa City, in the years 1856, 1858, 1860, and 1881, and present them below in a sort of tabulated form, so that the reader may see at a glance, what has been the business growth of the place since it was a " hamlet," as R. T. Montgomery was wont to call the city in the days of its swaddling clothes. 1856. ISM. ISaO. 1881. General Stores 9 10 12 15 Liquor 3 Hardware Stores 1 1 2 Stationery 1 3 2 Hotels 2 3 4 11 Blacksmith Shops 3 2 5 8 Napa Township. 285 Plow Factory Wagon Makers 3 Shoe Shops 2 Clothing Stores 1 Meat Markets Fruit Stores Vegetable Stores Saddlers Tin Stores Sewing Machine Agent Drug Stores Express Printing Offices Billiard Halls Bakeries Flour Mills 2 Warehouses 2 Livery Stables 3 Churches 1 Saloons 12 Doctors 2 Lawyers 4 Jewelers Total number of buildings Votes cast in 1859 826 ... Ambrotype rooms Assay Office Barber Shops Bag Factory Banks Cigar Stores Dry Goods Stores Furniture Stores Fire Companies Fish Market Gunsmith Lumber Yards Machine Shops Paint Shops Public Hall Restaurants 1858. 1 2 3 3 3 3 1 2 1 1 2 2 3 2 1 2 2 5 10 14 7 16 2 430 3 1 3 1 2 3 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 3 1 2 3 2 1 1 2 3 286 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. 1856. Tailors Schools Wood Yards Feed Store Photograph Gallery Wine Cellars Glue Works Tanneries Spice and Coffee Mill Gas Works Cream Tartar Works .... Pottery Marble Cutter Milliners Confectioners Markets Second Hand Dealer Glove Factory Brewery Soda Factory Carriage Factories Dentists Steamboats. — Since 1850, steamers have plied between Napa and San Francisco almost, if not quite, continuously. The first steamer to be put in the trade was the " Dolphin," Capt. Turner G. Baxter, Master, and her first trip was made in 1850. She was not much larger than a whale-boat, and her boiler was similar to that of a locomotive. Her passengers had to " trim ship " very carefully to keep from upsetting. It is said that when coming up the river, the captain, who is very tall, came in sight long before the smoke-stack did. Gen. W. S. Jacks still preserves the bell of the "Dol- phin " as a relic. The next steamer was the " Jack Hays," which was run by Capt. Chad- wick, who afterwards lost his life on the " Brother Jonathan." The "Hays" was brought around the Horn, in pieces, in 1849, on board the bark "La Grange," and was shipped hence by a joint stock company, of which Mr. W. W. Wilkins of Bolinas, Marin County, was a partner. The steamboat was discharged from the vessel at Benicia, where she was put together, and was the first steamboat that ever made the trip from the latter place to Sac- ramento. Upon its completion it was called the " Commodore Jones," in honor of Commodore Ap. Catsby Jones. Her builders soon disposed of her, Napa Township. 287 and her name was changed to " Jack Hays," under which she got unto her- self quite a reputation. In 1856, the steamer " Anna Ahernatha " was run in this trade by Cap- tain Folger. In April, 1857, the steamer "Sophia" was run to Napa by Capt. P. F. Doling. The " Vaquero " was run at one time by Capt. Baxter. The steamer " Express " ran here for a number of years, and is now going to decay at the old Soscol wharf. In 1859, the steamer " Paul Pry " was on the route. She was a speedy affair, making the trip in three hours. In 1864, the "Cleopatra" was run by Capt. T. G. Baxter between Napa and Soscol, in connection with the Amelia, which ran from there to San Fran- cisco. The steamers " Ellen " and " Emma " are now in this trade. There have been other steamers here, but their names have been forgotten. Odd Fellows' College and Home. — In 1871, quite an excitement prevailed over the location of the above institution at Napa. In the Grand Lodge the vote stood : for Napa, 445 ; for Sacramento, 82. The citizens of Napa did all in their power to get it located here, but from some cause it was decided to take it elsewhere, which was a great disappointment to the people of this place. The Fire Department. — Pioneer Engine Company, No. 1, was organized in April, 1859, by the election of Robert Crouch, President ; E. S. Chesebro, Foreman ; J. H. Moran, Assistant ; J. W. Hemenway, Second Assistant ; Harvey Wilder, Secretary; and B. F. Townsend, Treasurer. The first trial of the engine was on the 6th of June, 1860. Since then a hook and ladder truck and eight Babcock Extinguishers have been purchased, and altogether the apparatus is quite efficient and the only thing lacking is a supply of water. It has been impossible to get a full history of the department, owing to the absence of many of their records. COAL. — September 24, 1870, it was reported that a vein of coal four and one-half feet thick had been discovered. LIME. — In May, 1866, F. Sage burned a kiln of lime from stone found in Napa Valley. We do not know anything of the quality of it but infer that it was not very excellent from the fact that the enterprise was aban- doned. FERRY AT SOSCOL. — In an early day the crossing at Soscol was an important place, and a ferry then did a big business. The first ferry that we find mentioned was in 1852, when a franchise was granted to H. Lutten ; and the next was in 1857, when a franchise was granted to E. W. Thurber. He had formerly lived in Big Valley, Sonoma Couuty, and now resides in Pleasant Valley, Solano County. In 1858, the franchise was granted to 288 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. Valentine Hathaway. In 1874, M. C. True held the franchise, and relin- quished it, and J. T. Machado obtained a franchise February 1, 1875. The business amounts to but a trifle now. DAM AND LOCK.— William H. James got a franchise April 18, 1859, to construct a dam and lock in the Napa River, at or near Soscol, for fifteen years. The dam was to be constructed of stone, and to be fifty feet wide. The franchise was transferred to James H. Goodman, who renewed it May 3, 1861. WHARF AT SOSCOL.— May 6, 1858, a franchise was granted to S. and T. H. Thompson, for twenty years, to construct a wharf at Soscol, on the east side of the river, beginning at the ferry, and extending southward five hundred feet. REV. ELEAZER THOMAS, D. D.— This gentleman, who was one of the Peace Commissioners who met such a cruel and untimely fate at the hands of the Modoc Indians in the lava beds, April 11, 1873, was at that time presiding elder of the Petaluma district, and was well known in Napa City and County, where he had often preached, as a most worthy man and exemplary Christian. TULUCAY CEMETERY.— On the 24th day of December, 1858,a meeting of the citizens of Napa was held for the purpose of providing a burial ground for the accommodation of the public. James Lefferts called the meeting to order, and W. S. Jacks was chosen Chairman, and G. W. Towle, Secretary. A committee of five was appointed by the chairman to prepare a plan of organization of the Cemetery Association ; to find out as to the quantity and price of ground that could be purchased ; to suggest a plan of laying out the grounds ; the probable expense of so doing, and the expense of fenc- ing the proposed cemetery. The members of the committee appointed for this purpose were William H. James, C. W. Langdon, A. L. Boggs, N. Coombs, and W. S. Jacks. The next meeting was on the twenty-eighth of the same month. The committee appointed at the previous meeting made their report, which was adopted. A committee of three was then appointed to solicit subscriptions to be applied to defraying the expenses of surveying, laying off burial lots, and other incidental expenses that might be incurred previous to the sale of the lots. A committee of five was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws ; to report at the next meeting. This com- mittee comprised J. Lawley, R. Dudding, Hambleton, A. L. Boggs, and J- Lefferts. The committee appointed at the last meeting tor the purpose of prepar- ing a plan of organization, reported that they had consulted with Senor Don Cayetano Juarez, the proprietor of land in the neighborhood of Napa City, Napa Township. 289 and that gentleman had generously offered to donate to trustees, to be ap- plied for that purpose, a quantity of land suitable for a cemetery, the area of the whole amount to be twenty-five or thirty acres. The amount finally donated was forty-eight and four-fifth acres. The committee recommended that, as soon as the ground was laid off into lots, and before the sale of any lots whatever, Don Cayetano Juarez be permitted to select a lot for a family burying-ground, and that a certifi- cate of such location be presented to him gratuitously. They also stated that they had examined the land offered and deemed it well suited for the purposes contemplated, said land being that known as the Tulucay (accent on the last syllable) Cemetery. The committee also recommended that as a basis of franchise a subscription list be provided, in which a sum of money not to exceed twenty-five dollars to each person be subscribed, to be applied in defraying the expenses of surveying, laying off burial lots, and other incidentals ; that the amount subscribed be returned as soon as funds are received from the sale of lots ; also, that the persons subscribing elect five trustees to receive the deed, to be known as the " Trustees of the Napa County Cemetery Association." A portion of the cemetery was to be set apart for the use of the Catholic Church, which was to be selected by Don Cayetano Juarez. The committee also recommend that the trustees procure a conveyance of the land, and that a substantial fence be erected around the cemetery. A vote of thanks was then tendered to Don Cayetano Juarez for his generous gift. At the next meeting the Committee on Constitution and By-Laws re- ported. The constitution provided that the association be known as the " Tulucay Cemetery Association ;" that the business be transacted by five trustees, to be elected by the owners of the lots : that as soon as the lots were laid off a public sale of them take place, proceeds of sale to be applied to necessary expenses, which being paid, the balance of the money to be expended in ornamenting the grounds and keeping them in repair. The trustees are to be residents of Napa County ; none of the officers to receive any salary except the Secretary, who, on receiving and filing a deed to a lot, shall recive a fee of fifty cents. The first Board of Trustees elected consisted of N. Coombs, A. L. Boggs, J. Lefferts, Smith Brown and J. Lawley. Sixty-six persons subscribed in sums ranging from five dollars to twenty-five dollars, at the opening of the subscription list. On the ninth of April, 1859, a public sale was held at the cemetery grounds, the price of each lot having previously been fixed at $10. June 14, 1859, the stone wall which had been recently completed around the cemetery was accepted, said wall being one hundred and eleven and two- thirds rods long; and an order was drawn on the Treasurer for the sum of $558.75, being at the rate of $5 per rod. The cemetery grounds were sur- 19 290 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. veyed by N. L. Squibb May 30, 1865. A. L. Boggs having removed from the county, J. F. Lambdin was elected trustee in his place, and George Fellows was elected to fill the place of J. Lefferts, resigned. December 17, 1865, J. F. Lambdin was authorized by the trustees to contract with J. Henckle for one year's service at a price not to exceed $550, Henckle to board himself, and find his own tools, and to work for said association, and take general charge of the cemetery under the direction of the trustees. Trustees Lambdin and Fellows were appointed a committee to purchase one hundred trees, and superintend the planting of them. J. F. Lambdin was also elected Treasurer of the association. March 10, 1869, J. F. Lambdin was authorized to contract with C. Cha- bol to care for the cemetery at $12.50 per month, he to have all he could make by digging graves, and caring for lots. At this meeting the price of lots was fixed at $20 each. At a meeting of the trustees held August 1, 1873, the President was authoiized to convey to the Supervisors of Napa County the tract marked "Poor" on the plat of the cemetery. April 16, 1874, Jesse Grigsby, J. A. McClellan, C. H. Allen and A. G. Boggs were chosen trustees of the association, and L. Bruck, clerk. April 10, 1876, it was resolved that lots purchased be paid for in advance, and that prices for parts of lots should be as follows : one-fourth lot, formerly sold at $5, should now be held at $7.50; one-half lot, formerly $10, raised to $12.50; and so on in proportion. A contract was entered into with William Keeley, by which the trustees bind themselves and their successors in office to care for lots 23 and 24, block 73, the property of said Keeley, as long as the association had an existence, for the sum of $100, paid to them by said In the spring of 1877 a wind-mill was erected, and a tank constructed, containing three thousand gallons, also laid two thousand feet of iron pipe. In June, 1877, G. Barth and A. G. Boggs were appointed a committee to negotiate with the bank of Napa, for $650, to pay the indebtedness incurred for improving the Cemetery grounds. The Independent Order of Odd- Fellows purchased block one hundred and eleven, for $237.50. The present trustees are A. G. Boggs, J. A. McClellan, W. C. S. Smith, G. Barth and Jesse Grigsby, and T. F. Raney is Secretary. NAPA STATE ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.— Mr. J. B. Stevens has kindly furnished us the following: With the view of providing for further accommodations, for the care and treatment of the insane in this State, the Legislature at the session of 1869-70, passed an Act authorizing the appoint- ment of a Commissioner to visit the principal insane asylums of the United States and Europe, for the purpose of obtaining all accessible and reliable information as to the management, the different modes of treatment, and Napa Township. 291 the statistics of insanity, especial attention being called to the asylums of Great Bi-itain, Ireland, France and Germany. In pursuance to the provisions of the Act above referred to, Governor Haight appointed as such Commis- sioner Dr. E. T. Wilkins, who at once entered upon the duties assigned him; and during his investigations, he visited one hundred and forty -nine insane asylums. Forty-five of these were in the United States, one in Canada, fifteen in Italy, three in Bavaria, seven in Austria, eleven in the German States, two in Switzerland, thirteen in France, eight in Belgium, three in Holland, twenty-four in England, ten in Scotland, and seven in Ireland. During these investigations a number of plans of asylums were pro- cured, and from these the plans of the Napa Asylum were selected, Messrs. Wright & Sanders, of San Francisco, being the architects. The Commissioner made his report of his investigations to the Govenor, December 2, 1871, and on the 27th day of March, 1872, an Act was approved, providing for the appointment of a Commission, to select a site for the erection of an institution for the care and treatment of the insane, and making an appropriation of $237,500 towards the erection of the building. In the spring of 1872, Governor Booth appointed as the Commissioners to select the site of the proposed asylum, Judge C. H. Swift of Sacramento, Dr. G. A. Shurtleff of Stockton and Dr. E. T. Wilkins of Marysville ; and on the 2d day of August of that year said Commissioners submitted their report to the Governor, having selected Napa as the site for the new asylum. At the session of the Legislature of 1873-4, a further appropriation of $600,000 was made for the completion of the asylum, but that sum being insufficient for the purpose, the Legislature of 1875-6 made a further appropriation of $494,000. Section 9, of the Act of March 27th, 1872, provided that the plans and specifications of this asylum should be upon the basis of accommodating not exceeding five hundred patients at any one time. On the 31st day of May, 1878, there were five hundred and one patients in the Asylum, and at the time of the meeting of the Legislature on the 5th day of January, 1880, the number had increased to eight hundred and eight, rendering it necessary that further accommodations be provided. Consequently at that session of the Legislature an appropriation of $20,000 was made for the purpose of fitting up and furnishing the attics in the rear of the amusement hall and over the laundry building, which work has been completed, giving accom- modations for one hundred and eighty patients. At the session of the Legislature of 1881 a further appropriation of $18,000 was made for fitting up and furnishing the attics over the extreme north and south wings of the building for the accommodation of one hun- dred and forty-six patients. 292 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. The asylum is located about one and one-half miles south-east of Napa City. The building faces the west, and consists of a center building with wings extending on each side, which are exactly alike ; the division for the sexes being equal. The center building consists of the office, library, Superintendent's private office, public sitting room, and officer's apartments. In the rear of which are the amusement hall, drug store, trunk-room, dining- rooms, kitchen and store-room. There are twelve wards on each side of the center building, besides one on the fourth floor, and one in the attic of the center building, two in the rear of the amusement hall, and one over the laundry building. Each of the wards, included in the wings, are divided as follows : At- tendant's room, dining-room, pantry, clothes-room, bath-room, wash-room, closets, one dormitory, intended for six beds, one room, 10 x 10, intended for two beds, and thirteen rooms 8 x 10, intended for one bed each, every room being lighted by a large window. The corner-stone of the building was laid in the month of March, 1873, and the first patient was admitted on the 15th day of November, 1875, since which time, up to the first day of July, 1881, two thousand nine hundred and fifty-five patients have been admitted, one thousand four hundred and forty -three have been discharged, four hundred and fifty-eight have died, and thirty-three have escaped, leaving in the asylum one thousand and twenty-one patients. The officers of the asylum are : Trustees, Benjamin Shurtleff, M. t)., President ; J. C. Martin, A. G. Boggs, F. E. Johnston, and N. D. Rideout Treasurer, C. B. Seeley. Resident officers, E. T. Wilkins, Resident Physi- cian ; L. F. Dozier, Assistant Physician ; F. W. Hatch, Jr., Assistant Physi- cian ; J. B. Stevens, Secretary ; J. M. Palmer, Steward ; J. T. Johnston, Steward's Clerk ; Mrs. E. F. Arey, Matron ; John Hawkes, Supervisor ; Eliza Kennedy, Supervisoress ; George R. Walden, Druggist. NAPA SODA SPRINGS.— The early history of these springs is full of storm and cloud. Here was a valuable piece of property situated on public land, and naturally several claimants sprang into existence. Amos Buckman dated his time of settlement at the springs August 10, 1855. George O. Whitney located a land warrant on the property June 13, 1859. John Henry Wood dates his settlement on the place at August 17, 1860; and Smith & Grigsby claim June 10, 1863, as the date of their location. Buck- man was for a long time in undisputed possession. He prevailed upon E. L. Sullivan, a gentleman of means, to advance a considerable sum of money > and also Captain Willard Allen did likewise. In the course of time the ownership was claimed by the three men jointly. In the winter of 1855-6 a small hotel building was erected by these parties, with Buckman as Su- Napa Township. 293 perintendent and resident partner, which was located only a few rods to the northwai-d of the present bottling house, on the first " turn out " in the road. This was a very " cheap " affair, as it is testified to a being a cloth-lined and papered house, and its size must have been not very great, judging from the foundation site. In the August following, a fire broke out in the hills back of the springs, and some sparks were carried through an open window into the house, which was utterly destroyed. About this time Charles H. Allen, of Napa City, began to project with the water, to determine what would be the re- sult of bottling it up. He went to work and manufactured a small zinc gasometer, being himself a tinner by trade, and with this he collected quite an amount of gas. He then put in pipes and so arranged them that the force of water would charge a cylinder with water and gas at the same time. He charged a cylinder, and brought it to Napa, where he made a connection with a bottling machine, and thus was bottled the first soda- water from the now justly celebrated springs, and from this humble begin- ning the business has increased to about three hundred dozen bottles a day during the summer season. The water was found to be excellent, and to possess good keeping and medicinal qualities, and Messrs. Allen & Buckman foresaw the grand possibilities of the future of the place, both from the revenues to be derived from the bottling of the water, and the establish- ment of a health and pleasure resort. The next thing to be done was to get a good title to the property ; but in this Mr. Buckman failed. From the " Report of the Register and Re- ceiver of the United States for the San Francisco Land District," made in 1864, we quote : "Amos Buckman claims to have made a settlement as a bona fide pre- emptor, on the land claimed by him, as early as the 10th day of August, 1855, and to have continued his occupation down to the present date * * The contestant, Wood, claimed that said Buckman never entered upon said land as a pre-emptor ; that he never had or manifested * * any desire to become a pre-emptor * * ; that such rights as he claimed were those of an equal partner and joint owner with one Willard Allen and Eugene L. Sullivan, whose rights and interests in said land * * said Buckman always acknowledged and respected down to the latter part of the month of October, 1856 ; that such joint ownership was for the purpose of specu- lation merely, and not for agricultural purposes ; that after said last date, said Allen sold out to said Buckman and Sullivan * * *. " From his (E. L. Sullivan's) testimony, it appears that said Willard Allen was the first person. to occupy and improve said land claimed by said Buckman ; that said Allen was upon the land as early as 1854, and con- tinued to hold and control it, and all the improvements thereon, down to 294 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. the 25th of October, 1856 * * *; that Sullivan continued to advance money for improvements until he had furnished $20,000 ; that upon said land were soda springs, which constituted its chief value ; that the im- provements consisted in improving the springs, building a hotel * * * the building of a barn, out-houses and roads ; that all this was accom- plished prior to the 1st day of August, 1856 ; that about this date said hotel was destroyed by fire * * and on the 25th day of October, 1856, the sale was perfected and the title-papers passed (from Allen to Buckman and Sullivan). Said Allen was to have $5000 ; the property was then valued at $30,000 * * *. " From a review of all the testimony, we find : First — That Amos Buck- man did not enter at any time, before or after the 1st day of March, 1856, upon the land claimed by him, in good faith, with any intention to pre- empt said land, or to appropriate it to his own exclusive use or benefit. Second — That, prior to the 25th day of October, 1856, said Buckman never had more than one-third interest in the said land claimed by him, and that he recognized the ownership and occupancy of the other two-thirds in Allen and Sullivan. Third — That said Buckman entered upon the same for the purpose of speculation merely, and not for agricultural purposes ; that said land is made up entirely of volcanic mountains, hills and rocks, * * wherefore we find that Amos Buckman is not a bona fide pre-emptor, * * and that he is not entitled to enter the land claimed by him. * * " There being no prior claim to said land other than that of Amos Buck- man, which was held to be invalid, it became the duty of the Register to make the proper entries, and certify the land over to said State, which duty he has performed. Therefore, practically, it is unnecessary to decide on the merits of the pre-emption claims of Woods, Smith and Grigsby, as, inde- pendent of any and all evidence, they must be rejected. Nevertheless, we beg leave to call the attention of the department to the testimony * * which, in our judgment, establishes the fact that neither the claimants, Wood, Smith or Grigsby, entered upon their respective claims in good faith as pre-emptors, but merely for speculative purposes." The testimony taken before the Register was transmitted to the Land Commissioner at Washington, who decided it in favor of the claimant Buckman. The matter was taken from this tribunal, as a finality, to the Secretary of the Interior, who decided that it was State land, and so the clouds were lifted from the title, and the present proprietor, Colonel J. P. Jackson, has a perfect and complete title. He purchased the property in 1872. The contest over this property was long, fierce arid bitter, and it is the greatest wonder that somebody was not killed. It is stated that Dr. Wood was shot at one night while passing down the road. The torch was freely applied to the improveme7rts made on the premises, and the parties Ctfigk^- ^^rrJ^f^ Napa Township. 295 lived right upon the premises, each watching the movements of the other all the time. When Dr. Wood had his title cleared up he set about to im- prove the place, and planted a number of trees and did some grading ; he also erected a large stone bottling-house. The present improvements, which are elegant and substantial, have, with the exceptions mentioned above, been placed there by Col. Jackson, and a full description of them will be appropriate in this connection. We will begin with the most striking feature of the premises, the mammoth rotunda. It is constructed of stone, rough hewn, and rests on the backbone of a ridge which puts out from the mountain side some distance below the level of the road. It is two stories high in front and four in the rear. The front presents a facade, while the main body of the building is circular, and was so designed by the proprietor to gain the double object of gaining the most space possible inside a given extension of walls, and to cause it to comport with the natural surroundings. All of Nature's lines are curvi- linear— and angles in the midst of Nature's works would be out of place. The entrance to the building is through a wide hallway which leads to the rear. On either side and adjoining the entrance are elegant rooms intended for the use of the attendants about the place. Beyond these we enter the circular body of the building, on the outer edge of which are arranged eighty stalls, in which there are three thicknesses of floor. The upper one is of three-inch plank, and the seams are pitched and calked as tightly as the deck of a vessel. Near the center is a grate trap, and the floor is so laid that there is a slight declivity towards the trap. The mangers are self-feeders, the supply coming from above, where the feed is stored. Inside the stalls is a drive-way, and inside of that is a bank for saddles, serving also to separate the drive-way from the central area which is designed to be the receptacle of carriages. This bank has four openings at opposite sides for convenience of ingress and egress. The upper story has the halls and rooms in front similar to the lower story. The space occupied below for stalls and drive-way, will be utilized here as a store-room, while the inner circular area makes an excellent skating rink. The water from the roof is conducted in pipes to the sewers underneath the stalls, and serves the purpose of flushing them out. We now descend to the first under- ground story, which is to be used principally for stable purposes. We descend again and find ourselves in the basement, which is ultimately de- signed to be a wine cellar. The natural declivity of the ground is such that the casks may be placed in tiers one above another so that the wine may be drawn with a syphon from one to another without disturbing the casks at all. The painting and graining and all carpenter and other work about this building has been done with as much care and excellence as though it were a mansion for human beings of noble birth instead of a habitation for man's best friend of the brute creation — the horse. 296 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. The next thing brought to our notice is a large shed for the reception of the teams of transient visitors. It is open to the north, but closed at the west, south and east, so that the horses may be thoroughly protected from the winds and sun. Strong iron rods extend from the posts downward, and are anchored to large rocks at a depth of twenty feet. Next in order comes a stone building, containing three very large rooms which are furnished with elegant suits of furniture. They each have a fire-place, and the walls are adorned with handsome paintings. The next building contains the kitchen and dining-room on the lower floor, which is on a level with the road on the west side of the buildings. We ascend an iron stair-way and reach a green- sward terrace, from which the upper rooms are entered. They consist of a dining-room, reading-room, etc. On the west side of this building there is a veranda, from which one of the most beautiful landscape views in Cali- fornia may be had. The lower stoiy of the next adjacent building is used for bottling purposes. As the water comes from the springs it is passed under a gasometer, and the gas is retained in that while the water passes on into a reservoir. A hydraulic engine operates a compound pump, which forces the gas and water together again, one suction pipe leading to the gasometer and the other to the reservoir. The union is effected just beyond the pump, and the associated mass is led into two copper cylinders each with a steam gauge to indicate the pressure of the gas, and a water gauge to show the amount of water. The gas remains so thoroughly incorporated with the water that no agitator is necessary in the cylinder, as is often the case when mineral is being bottled. From the cylinders the water is conducted to the bottling machine, where, "by a simple twist of the wrist," a bottle is filled, corked and fastened with the patent wire cork-fastener, and the amount that may be bottled in a day is wholly dependent upon the skill and celerity of the operator. In the upper story of the building, reached from the terrace mentioned above, is a pleasant suite of rooms. To the north of this building, and within a few yards, are two of the soda springs from which drinking water is obtained. A neat brick awning is erected over each of them, surmounted with a dome-shaped ventilator. Between the last building and the first spring a wide stone stairway leads to the garden, in which will be found almost everything that grows in a semi-tropical climate. Oranges and lemons thrive well, indeed, as is evinced by the fruit-laden trees to be seen there now. The delicate rhododendron or oleander grows to be a handsome tree, while a Japanese persimmon is as thrifty as if to the manor born. Oak, fir and other native woods are stand- ing just as Nature planted them, to which have been added eucalyptus, Monterey cypress and pride of China trees. In the garden there is a spring that comes up through a fissure in the rock, just as Nature has left it. A basin has been scooped out as a receptacle for the water, and the rock ledge Napa Township. 297 has been hewn away so as to leave a raised block of solid stone containing the basin. The grounds are artistically arranged, and flowers and shrubs grow in profusion. In the forks of a great oak there is a platform with seats and railing around it, which is known as " Lovers' Retreat." It is reached by a stairway, and is an acoustic curiosity from the fact that the slightest sound about the place can be heard in it. If it were vice versa it probably would not deserve the name of Retreat. In the cosiest places seats have been placed, from some of which the prospect is most beautiful, comprehending in one view the foot-hills just below, the wide expanse of Napa's most lovely valley, then the mountains beyond, and the vista finally ending with the lofty proportions of Mt. Tamalpais piercing the sky, like a giant sentinel on some grand old Titan fortress on the outer bulwarks of creation. The Club House, lately completed, and is a paragon of perfection. The building is of hewn rustic stone, which gives it a beautiful outward appearance. It stands on an elevation commanding a view of the entire grounds. The approach consists of wide steps leading up to an open tower which serves the double purpose of entry and portico. The outer corners are supported by stone pillars, and the inner surfaces are all curvilinear. The hallway is capacious, and extends entirely through the building. On the left of the hall at the entrance is the bar-room. Back of this is a raised dais and a bowling alley eighty feet long. The stairs pass up from the rear end of the main hall ; and on the newel post there is a figure holding a flambeau, which, when the gas is lighted, proves a verity. At the rear of the main stairs is a ladies' private entrance from the dais leading to the room in the south-east corner of the building on the lower floor. This is exclu- sively a ladies' room, and has a bagatelle table in it. Between this room and the front room on the right of the main hall is a folding door, which, when occasion demands, will permit of the two rooms being thrown into one. This front room is used as a gentlemen's billiard room. Ascending the stairs we find five handsome rooms for the accommodation of guests which have all the modern conveniences, and are furnished in excellent style. There is a main hall up stairs which is the counterpart of the one below. The front opens out upon a verandah. All the appointments about this building are as perfect as mechanical ingenuity can make them, and the sewerage is complete. Bath-houses are provided for the accommodation of the guests. The climate is most excellent here ; being elevated, the air is light, pure and revivifying. We have said already that the scenery is lovely, but it must be seen to be appreciated, and new prospects are pre- sented from every vantage ground. The feebler people can find abundance of level ground for exercise, while the more robust can find mountains to climb to their hearts' content, and for rambling just for the pleasure of the 298 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. thing, there is an ample and excellent field. Mr. L. Kelley of the Palace Hotel, is the present lessee of the Springs. The analysis of the waters of these springs is as follows : Temperature, degrees G8 Grains. Residue from the evaporation of a gallon G8.76 Bicarbonate of soda 13.12 Carbonate of magnesia 26.12 Carbonate of lime 10.83 Chloride of sodium 5.20 Subcarbonate of iron 7.84 Sulphate of soda 1.84 Silicious acid 62 Alumina 60 The following splendid description of this property was published first in the California Horticulturist: " These springs are located at the head of a canon in the mountains which form the eastern boundary of the Napa Valley, six miles northward from Napa City. From this point, and about eight hundred feet above the level of the valley beneath, the artists Keith and Virgil Williams trans- ferred to their canvas the natural beauties of a landscape so rich in tower- ing peaks and green -enameled vale, sinuous creeks and open bay, russet- brown hill-side and grain-veneered field, that their pictures form the most pleasing gems in some of our best art collections. The valley below, for twenty-five miles, with its rectangular fields of varigated crops, looking like an elongated chess-board ; the bay, reflecting from its sun-lit waters the white-winged sails of the world's commerce ; and the mountains in Contra Costa County, with Tamalpais, King of the Coast Range, presenting in con- trast his graceful outline to Diablo's heavier front, form together a series of contrasting beauties which may well claim to be unmatched for sublimity. And, as if to leave no doubt upon this point, there arises over and beyond all these, the great sea view, which gives the final and a kingly grace to this country-seat, thus ocean-bound. Such daily sights as these made Alexan- der Smith a poet, and tend to dispel all narrowness from the soul of the spectator. This illimitable stretch of vision, which allows no earthly ob- ject to stay it, but at the horizon blends with the spacious heavens, where the setting sun seems to bathe himself in the deep ere he rainbows the Orient with his pathway of fire, truly " lends enchantment to the view," and gives additional zest to rural enjoyment and the life Arcadian. " Looking to the local pictures which make the place attractive, we find groves of patriarchal trees, the live oak (Querent ugrifoliu) and the black Napa Township. 299 oak (Quercus Sonomensis), with boughs gracefully festooned with the gray Spanish moss or the ' dark druidical mistletoe,' and which command respect for their stately pre-eminence, dignity of strength, and inviting fullness of shade, constituting them elders amid the modern growths — a barrier to the tempest and a solace from the sunburst. ' Not a prince In all that proud old world beyond the deep E'er wore his crown as loftily as these Wear the green coronal of leaves with which His grace has crowned them. ' " Other trees of lesser growth, with tops as wide-spread as those that grace the English lawns, some having arms gnarled and shaggy, and others with boughs that droop as gracefully as willows or the Eastern elm, adorn the open grounds. " The Eucalyptus (Australian gum) towers high above its neighbor, the mountain pine, in its graceful aspiring. The Italian cypress adds an exotic charm to the natural scenery, and the palm tree, the almond, the olive and the orange (growing from seeds here sown), give variety to the view, and testify at once to the semi-tropical mildness of the climate and the generous fertility of the soil. "Along the ravines and gulches, and overshadowing the walks, are the Buckeye (jEscuIus Calif omica), redolent of perfume ; the brilliant laurel (Areodaphne Califomica), a fine evergreen, with fragrant leaves ; the ash (Fraxinus Oregana) ; the large-leaved maple (Acer macrophylla), and, most magnificent of all, the madrona (Arbutus Menziesii), with bright green waxen leaves ; these, with the flesh-tinted manzanita, constitute the forest scenery of these mountain sides. " Of the beautiful flowering shrubs are the Ceanothus (California lilac); the Spvrcea; the sweet-scented and favorite Calycanthus, with color of a deep claret; the dog- wood (Cornus), conspicuous for its snowy white flowers ; the snowberry (Symphoricarpus); the Azalea Occidentalis, having deliriously sweet-scented white and yellow flowers in profuse abundance ; the chestnut (Castanea Chrysophylla), and the wild rose. " Of climbers, among many others, we only name the wild California grape (Vitis GaUformca), forming natural and most graceful bowers, as con- tinuous and shady as those of the far-famed banyan tree ; the virgin's bower (Clematis), and the honeysuckle. " California bulbs grow here in great abundance and rich variety. Of the finest are the Cyclobothra, the Calochortus, the lily, the brodidas, the iris, and others of truly charming colors. " Most attractive of all the flowering plants are the columbine (Aqui- legia), the ever-pleasing red larkspur (Delphinium nudicatde), the Cali- 300 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. fornia poppy (Eschscholtzia), the lupin, the evening primrose (CEnothera), and the monkey flower (Mimuhis glutinosus). " Along the shady hill-side the ground is literally covered with our fine California ferns, such as the Polypodium, the Adiantum, the Pelloea, the Gymnogramme, the graceful Woodwardia, and the Aspidium. Over a wide extent of wall, on fences and house-sides, the slow-growing ivy and climbing roses extend themselves. The lemon verbena — not a flower-pot plant as in the East, but here a bush six feet high — emits the fullness of its grateful fragrance ; the loquat invites by the immaculate purity of its white blossoms ; and the scarlet berries of the madrona dotting hill and roadside> engage the sight by the conspicuous brilliancy of their coloring. " Numerous living springs of fresh water burst from the mountain sides at such an elevation as to send the natural flow over the entire six hundred and forty acres which constitute the Springs property ; and throughout the year this water is as cold as though it flowed over subterranean beds of ice. Indian relics found here in abundance indicate that these were chosen spots by the aboriginees; and doubtless, countless times the western Leather- Stocking has here brushed aside the leaves, and quaffed the sparkling cur- rent at its fountain. " Along one side of the property a mountain brook gathers the hill-side offerings of congenial springs, as it curvets and frets itself through canon passes — now loitering to gather fresh strength against a temporary embargo, and then dashing away in a white gush of waterfall — now with swift current dancing about the beds and eddies of sycamore-guarded banks, and again filling the deep rock-encircled pool (where the speckled trout coyly display their beauties, and anon hide themselves away,) whose crystal waters temptingly invite to a grateful bath. On the other boundary a rocky gorge resounds with the ripple of numerous streamlets, until the swelling torrent's of winter's rain sends the combined waters raging over a perpendicular fall ninety feet in height, a miniature Niagara. " Inviting paths, miles in extent, lead with gentle grade to the various points of interest ; now to a grottoed cave and anon to a mountain grove ; here to a vine-covered bower, and there across a rustic bridge, beneath which living waters leap and sparkle, and terminate at last at the summit of Castle Peak, beneath whose outlook rolls the whole broad panorama of Napa Valley. Reservoirs dug from their rocky beds, holding each two hundred thousand gallons, gather the waters for domestic use, and the stone quarried from the spot supplied the material for the buildings that adorn the premises. An orchard in full bearing furnishes varied and abundant fruit, and the vineyard, of choicest selection, has proved its merit by the numerous premiums from our State fairs that already indorse its wine. "But the feature which most peculiarly distinguishes this favored spot, Napa Township. 301 and makes it therefore especially attractive, is its mineral springs, which have been famous for their curative powers. From the hidden treasury of Nature's chemistry in her subterranean laboratories, a perennial flow of about four thousand gallons daily is developed, mingling iron, soda, mag- nesia, lime and muriate of soda with free carbonic acid gas in such happy combination as to impart pleasure, health and physical improvement as the result of their use. From one of these springs is poured forth the article well known in the commercial world as " Napa Soda." The water is bottled and sold just as it flows pure from Nature's laboratory, with all her sparkling freshness still upon it. No adulteration mars its native, health- giving and tonic properties, and its long and continuous use in the market attests its merit. The same elements are held in solution which give to the Carlsbad Springs in Bohemia their rank as the first in the world. "A hotel is now projected for these springs in place of one destroyed some years since by fire ; and in addition to the natural beauty of the situa- tion, the genial, even mildness of the climate and the attractions of artful ornamentation, one of the greatest, if indeed not the first consideration in the minds of visitors, will be the medicinal qualities of these waters, that strengthen for active life the hand, the heart and the mind." We can not better close this sketch than by a quotation from the golden letters engraved by Imperial decree above the springs at Carlsbad, and which are also inscribed on a marble tablet and placed over one of the springs at this place : "To suffering man from Nature's genial breast A boon transcendent ever mayst thou flow. Blest, holy fount, still bid old age to know Reviving vigor ; and if health repressed Fade in the virgin's cheek, renew its glow For love and joy ; and they that in thy wave Confiding trust and thankful lave, Propitious aid, and speed the stranger band, With health and life renewed, unto their native land." ATLAS PEAK. — Among the charming resorts in Napa County, but few, if any, excel Atlas Peak. From the report of the " Committee on the establishment of a State Hospital for Consumptives," we quote as follows : " This region, situated on the ridge of the Coast Range of mountains, east of Napa Valley, has of late years attracted considerable attention, on account of its equability of temperature, its freedom from fogs, or from harsh winds, the dryness of the atmosphere, and its supposed advantages as a residence for the consumptive. Its elevation is about fifteen hundred feet ; its mean winter temperature is fifty degrees ; its summer temperature seventy-four degrees, and its mean annual relative humidity only forty-five per cent., or fifty-one in winter and thirty -nine in summer. It is within 302 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. twelve miles of the city of Napa, easily accessible from the entire central portion of the State and from the coast, and the soil is well suited to the cultivation of grain, fruit and vegetables. The climate of this ridge is re- markable for its healthf ulness ; no malarial diseases are known there ; there is an abundance of pure water ; the atmosphere, though sometimes warm for a short period at noon, is never oppressive ; the evenings are agreeably cool and invigorating ; the winters are mild, and excellent facilities are afforded for camp life and out-door exercise at all seasons of the year. " Taking into consideration all the facts presented * * and when other things are equal, the relative accessibility of the different localities visited, the committee feel justified in awarding a preference to Atlas Peak." Messrs. A. V. Evans and J. W. Harker each have a fine place on Atlas Peak, and the former has grown some of the finest fruits and vegetables to be found in Napa County, while the latter has an excellent young vineyard, and proposes to plant very largely. The soil is very deep and rich, being composed of volcanic matter chiefly. There is an excellent mineral spring near the peak, and others may be developed. The view from the peak is unsurpassed, except, perhaps, from Mount St. Helena. Many have already reaped the benefits of a sojourn at the place, and from year to year the number will increase, and we are sure we are not saying too much when we assert that it is destined to be one of the chief sanitariums of California. OTHER RESORTS.— There are several other places of resort in Napa Township, but the principal ones are the Hudeman place, and Mount Veeder; all of which are lovely places and well worth visiting. Yount Township. 303 YOUNT TOWNSHIP. GEOGRAPHY.— Yount Township is bounded on the north by Hot Springs and Knox Townships, on the east by Yolo and Solano Counties, on the south by Napa Township, and on the west by Sonoma County. July 17, 1873, the Board of Supervisors established the following boundary lines for this township : Beginning at a point on the Sonoma County line, described as a begin- ning point of Napa Township ; thence northerly along said county line to a point due west from the head of Dry Creek ; thence in a straight line to the middle of the bridge on the county road, across the slough known as Bale Slough, near the residence of Thomas Chopson ; thence in a direct line to the middle of Conn Creek, in front of William Dinning's house ; thence up said creek to Chiles Creek ; thence up Chiles Creek to Moores Creek ; thence up Moores Creek to the line of La Jota Rancho ; thence along said line northerly to the line of Chiles Rancho ; thence along the western and northern line of said rancho to corner number one of said rancho ; thence northerly along the ridge west of Berryessa Valley to the old line between Lake and Napa Counties ; thence easterly along said line to the eastern boundary of Napa County ; thence southerly along said line to the north- west corner of Napa Township ; thence along the northern line of said township to the place of beginning. TOPOGRAPHY.— The topography of the township is varied, as is natural in a mountainous country. The western boundary line is located on the summit of a range of mountains. Passing to the eastward we come to Napa Valley, which is much wider in this township than in the one above. We then come to a range of mountains lying on the east side of the last named valley, and running parallel with it, but in this township it is intersected laterally by Conn Valley. To the east of this range lies Chiles Valley, and then we come to another range of mountains. To the east of this lies the broad and fertile Berryessa Valley, and the eastern boundary line, like the western, lies along the summit of a mountain range. GEOLOGY. — Much indeed might be written under this head in this township, but only a cursory glance can be given here. Beginning on the. western side, we find the mountains formed of very old rock, some going back as far as the Devonian period. There is also more or less of creta- 304 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. ceous sand and limestone to be found. The mountain range just east of Napa Valley is all of volcanic formation. In Chiles Valley we come to the sandstone formation again, the mountains lying on the east side of it being formed chiefly of it. There are many peculiar formations also, in that vicinity, and a wide field for geological research is opened. Gypsum occurs in greater or less bodies here. In the Berryessa section it is principally limestone and sandstone, of the cretaceous age. The ridge to the east of the valley is all composed of coarse sandstone of that age. SOIL. — The soil of this township is generally very good indeed. No better soil for the production of vegetables, fruit or cereals, need be desired, than can be found in the Napa, Chiles and Berryessa Valleys. The soil of the first named valley is better adapted for fruit perhaps than for cereals but that of the last named is exceedingly well adapted to the production of cereals, as is evidenced by the enormous crops of grain which are annually produced in that section. All the mountain land in this section is of that peculiar formation, which is so well adapted to the growth of the vine, and the time is not far distant when extensive vineyards will cover all those mountain sides. CLIMATE. — The climate of this township is on a par with the entire county — it is simply grand. In the Napa Valley it is somewhat cooler than in Hot Springs Township, as the trade winds have freer access to the lower end of the valley. In Chiles and Berryessa Valleys, the days are somewhat warmer than in the Napa Valley portion of the township, during the sum- mer season, but the nights are always cool and delightful. PRODUCTS. — The products of this township are varied, extending through all the grades of fruits, grains and vegetables. The soil is so greatly diversified in the different sections, that almost everything which can be produced in a semi-tropic climate can find a congenial place in which to grow. Vines are as thrifty as there can be any use of being, and the quality of the wine produced by Mr. Groezinger and othei-s is second to none in the county. TIMBER. — We may virtually say that there is no timber in this town- ship. The common oaks grow to their ordinary size here; firs are small and very far apart, while bull pines are about the most common trees in the woods. Smaller trees flourish, but their are no bodies of timber that will make lumber in the township. EARLY SETTLEMENT.— To Yount Township belongs the honor of having the first white settler that ever located in Napa County. That grand old pioneer of pioneers, George C. Yount, came into the valley in the s»:e ^^^^L^^^^ Yount Township. 305 year 1831, and in 1836 built a small house on the tract of land afterwards ' granted to him and known as the Caymus Rancho. This was a peculiarly con- structed house, being two stories high, and built of logs. The lower story was about nine feet square, and the upper one was about fourteen feet square. The lower part was used for a sort of fortress or block house, while he lived in the upper portion. At that time the valleys and mountains were all full of wild Indians ; and how he managed to escape all their at- tacks, and to live among them in that early day, is decidedly a mystery. He treated them with uniform kindness, however, and soon had a strong band of friends about him who would fight harder for him than they would for themselves. It is not now known who was the next settler after George C. Yount ; but in 1849 the following persons lived in Napa Valley within the limits of this township : Yount, of course, resided on the Caymus Rancho, and he had constructed a fine, large adobe house by this time. Bartlett Vines, a son-in-law of Yount, lived at the upper end of the township, and about one mile below Dr. E. T. Bale's place. He lived on the west side of the valley, in a small redwood house. Charles Hopper lived on the opposite side of the valley from the Yount place. He had a family consisting of his wife, one boy and several girls. James Harbin, the locator of the Harbin Springs, and father of Matt Harbin, lived about half a mile below Hopper's place. He had a family consisting of a wife and several children, and they lived in a log-house. The Groezinger estate at present comprises a part of the Harbin place. Capt. John Grigsby lived on the east side of the valley, and on the west side of the river and near it, and just about west of the Napa Soda Springs. Passing over into Berryessa Valley we find that the first settlers there were Jose- Jesus Berryessa and Sisto Berryessa, two Spaniards, to whom this whole valley was granted in 1843. This tract comprised eight leagues, and contained thirty-five thousand five hundred and fifteen and eighty-two- hundredths acres. They built an adobe house there at a very early date, the remains of which can be seen in Mr. A. Clark's corral at the present time. It had been razed to the ground long before the Americans begun to visit the valley, and its existence was unknown until Mr. Clark discovered it when leveling down the hillock which the debris had made. They erected another house, a part of which is still standing, and in a good state of pres- ervation, near Mr. Clark's house. Here may be seen a grand contrast. On the one hand is the adobe house of the Spaniards, which was the best they had or desired to have. It was to them the ultimatum of buildings. On the other hand, and in grand contrast with it, is the handsome, stately, and elegant mansion of Mr. Clark. The first is the culminating point of archi- tecture of the Spanish regime, and the latter is the height of American 20 306 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. genius. The first American settlers in the valley were Captain Hardin, John Adams, Willam Moore, Edward Cage, and Andrew Wester, all of whom came in before the grant was divided. Following the adobes spoken of above as being erected by the Berryessas, was one built by Mr. Wester, which is still standing, and one put up by Captain Hardin. After the di- vision of the grant, R. C. Gillaspie erected the first house for J. H. Bostwick, and Ezra Peacock built the first house in Monticello. Wonderful stories come down to this generation of the deeds of the Berryessas in those far away days. What a grand place that valley must have been in its primitive glory ! Just imagine for a moment that we are suddenly dropped into the midst of it on one of those glorious spring morn- ings which so often come to the valley at that season of the year. Look where we will, and one grand scene of vernal splendor meets our gaze, be- sprinkled with myriads of multi-colored flowers. The mountains are walls of living green, surrounding the valley like a grand frame to the picture. The bright sun bathed the scene with a flood of golden light, and balmy air stirred the growing vegetation into a rythmical motion. To be for years the beholder of such a rare scene of grandeur and beauty, to breathe the fragrant air and bask in the silver sunlight, with the copious supplies of mother nature showered upon them with a lavish hand, and at the expense of little or no exertion on their part, was enough to make the dwellers in the land an indolent people. Truly, theirs was the beau-ideal of an Arca- dian existence ! Of the many stories referred to above as coming down to the present time we will give room for only one. All old settlers will remember the famous brigand and outlaw known as Joaquin, who was the terror of all the country in bygone days. It is stated that at one time he was the guest of the Berryessas, either by force or by invitation, and while he was there an American came to the place on his track, as a large reward was offered for his head. As the American rode up to the door Joaquin stepped into an adjoining room. The American alighted and smoked a cigarette with Ber- ryessa, and cautiously inquired concerning the highwayman. Berryessa disclaimed any knowledge of his whereabouts, of course, and then pro- ceeded to question the American concerning the latest news of his desperate deeds. The garrulous Yankee sat there and spun yarns concerning the brigand's deeds, and wound up by stating that he was then in quest of him, as a large reward had been offered for him. Suddenly the door opened, and Joaquin presented himself, with a pistol in each hand. He said : " I am Joaquin; prepare to die!" and with that he emptied both pistols into the man's body. Yount Township. 307 TOWNS. — There are only two towns in this township : Yountville and Monticello ; and we will take them up in the order in which they were settled, beginning with Yountville. — This place was originally known as Sabastojiol and it retained that name until May, 1867. The town-site was chosen on the south line of the Caymus grant and the name of Yountville was given to it, but a lot of houses were built outside of the limits of the grant and the people who lived in that portion of the town desired to have it called Sabastopol. This will account for the two names which the place has had. The first place of business in the town was a store, which was erected in 1855. In 1856 the Sabastopol Exchange Hotel was erected by Davis Wise, and Clayton built the hotel known as the White House. J. H. Robinson had a blacksmith shop in the place also at that time. These buildings are all still standing. In 1856 or 1857 B. W. Arnold built a store in the town. Business Interests. — There is at present in the town of Yountville, one store, one saloon, two hotels, two blacksmith shops, one tin shop, two shoe shops and the population is about one hundred and fifty. Independent Order of Good Templars. — Yountville Lodge, No. 385, I.O.G.T., was organized March 11, 1881, with the following charter members : Dr. S. C. Brown, J. H. Potts, J. W. Blair, D. Z. Hawkins, Fred. Muller, D. A. Cassaday, A. J. Morton, Mrs. S. D. Moore, Miss Flora Church, Mrs. Ada Holland, L. Grigsby, S. Winter, Rev. T. J. Weil, W. B. Stephens, Miss Lillie Moore, Miss Nannie Hawkins, Miss Minnie Ellis, Mrs. L. Cassaday, A. Mc- Laughlin, W. D. Johnson, Theo. Hook, Willie Ellis, Miss Lillie Hook, Henry Hook and Charles Schovell. The first officers were : J. H. Potts, W. C. T.; Mrs. S. D. Moore, W. V. T.; W. B. Stephens, Secretary; and Miss Flora Church, Treasurer. The present officers are : J. H. Potts, W. C. T. ; Mrs- S. D. Moore, W. V. T. ; S. Winter, Secretary ; and D. Z. Hawkins, Treasurer- The present membership is forty. Baptist Church. — The following sketch of this church has been kindly furnished us by the pastor, Rev. T. J. Weil : This church of the Lord Jesus Christ, was organized May 14, 1874, after the model of the first church of Jerusalem, which was organized by the Apostles. The principles that governed the church of Jerusalem were adopted by this church. Some of these are : It was a local organization ; the membership were all professedly regenerate in heart before being im- mersed ; immersion was the profession, on the part of the member, of the faith of the Gospel by which he was saved ; the Lord's Supper was observed as a local church ordinance, to remember Christ only. Thus do we sustain the claim of Apostolic succession, by succeeding to the principles of their church government laid down in the New Testament, which is under Christ, 308 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. our only rule of practice and faith. Rev. J. E. Barnes, pastor of the Napa City Baptist Church, preached to the people once a month in the meeting- house of the Christian Church. When through preaching on the morning of organization, an invitation was given to those desiring to form or organize a Baptist Church to remain. Brethren Charles Hopper, Francis Clarke, Wm. T. Ross, Sisters Eliza Rector, Rosa Mayfield, Elvy Clarke, C. Ross, V. E. Brown, Martha Forrester, F. Fawver. The church adopted, what is known as the New Hampshire Church Covenant. Brethren Charles Hopper and Francis Clarke were elected Acting Deacons ; Brother S. C. Brown, Clerk and Treasurer. This organization was to be completed at the next regular appointment, second Lord's Day in June, 1874. At this meeting Sister Francis Davis was received as a candidate for immersion, then to church membership; Sister Ann Poston and Brother J. H. Potts were received by letters ; Brother Jas. R. Davis by church experience. The second Lord's Day in August, 1874, the church resolved to make application to the Pacific Association, to meet with the Santa Rosa Baptist Church in September. The messengers to the Association were Deacon Charles Hopper, Brethren J. R. Davis, J. H. Potts and Sisters V. E. Brown and F. Davis. Sister E. Clarke died January 19, 1875. In September, 1875, a series of meetings were conducted by Rev. J. E. Barnes, lasting until October 7th, when the following candidates were im- mersed : Bro. S. H. Hill, Sister Louisa Hill, Bro. William Upchurch ; Bro. Thos. Johnson and wife were received by letters. November 14th Sister E. Griffin was received as a candidate for immersion, and the ordinance ad- ministered. Sister Louisa Burkett joined the church by letter. This closed Bro. Barnes' services with the church. Brethren Brown and Davis were appointed to visit Baptists through the valley, with the view of employing a minister as local Baptist missionary. Bro. Brown was ordered to correspond with Rev. E. B. Hatch as to his willingness to enter this field. At a subsequent meeting Bro. Hatch was duly elected, and com- menced his labors as pastor January 16, 1876. In March, 1876, the advisability of building a house of worship was discussed. Bro. Potts was appointed in company with Mr. George Linn, to call on Mr. Groezinger, to solicit from him a lot for said building. May 21st Bro. A. B. Hill was received as a candidate for immersion, and the ordinances administered. Bro. Potts reported to the church that Mr. Groezinger would donate half of a lot on Main street, second from Slough, and that Mr. George Linn and himself would donate the other half. This offer was accepted, and a committee appointed to solicit contri- butions for building purposes. The Grangers' Hall was then rented and service held there until the meeting-house was ready. September 13, 1876, the meeting-house was dedicated to the worship of God. Sermon preached Yount Township. 309 by Rev. R. Parshall, prayer by Rev. Joseph Roberts, reading of Scripture by Rev. S. A. Taft. October 22d a series of meetings were commenced by State Missionary Rev. C. A. Bateman. October 31st, Rev. C. A. Bateman being called away, Rev. R. Parshall took the lead. November 10th Sisters Mollie Fawver, Annie Drew, Susan Potts, Carrie Church and Minnie Davis were received as candidates for immersion. December 2, 1876, Bro. A. Pottell, Bro. C. Burkett, Sister Nettie Fairman received as candidates for immersion. De- cember 6, 1876, Rev. E. B. Hatch, Sister Laura Hatch, Sister Lida Hatch received by letters. January 6, 1877, Bro. D. Z. Hawkins joined by letter ; Bro. T. B. Hopper and Sister Mary Hopper joined by church experience. February 3, 1877, Bro. J. H. Potts elected Deacon. March 3rd, Bro. E. A. Parker received by letter. Sister Nina Dozier, received as a candidate for immersion. April 11th, Brethren Jas. R. Davis, Jno. Finnell, J. H. Potts, elected trustees. April 20, 1877, Pacific Baptist Association met with this church. April 25th, a series of meetings commenced by Rev. C. A. Bateman. April 28th, Bro. C. Hopper and Bro. W. Hopper received for immersion. May 3rd, meetings closed; Sisters Julia Hawkins and Luella Hatch received for immersion. May 5th, Bro. Jno. Fawver received for immersion. May 6th, Sister Sallie Hughes joined by letter. June 30th, Brethren F. Griffin, S. C. Brown, E. A. Parker, were elected deacons-. July 17th, Brethren Griffin, Parker and J. H. Potts were ordained deacons. July 11th, 1877, Sister Kate Eubank was received by letter. April 7, 1878, Sister C. McKissick received by letter. May 4th, Bro. F. Griffin elected treasurer, Bro. S. C. Brown, clerk. May 8, 1878, Bro. J. Rassmussen received for immersion. January 4, 1879, Bro. S. Johnson and wife received by church experience. May 5, 1879, Brethren F. Griffin, J. R. Davis, D. Z. Hawkins elected trus- tees. D. Z. Hawkins elected treasurer. Not able to report any special work of grace, yet our course has been steadily onward. Four have united with us by immersion. We enjoy the labors of our pastor only one-half of the Sabbaths, and he is obliged to be absent a large share of the time. Our Sunday School, which is conducted as a Union school, numbers sixty-four( and is prosperous. Our congregations are good, and a weekly prayer meet- ing is well sustained. We owe eight hundred dollars on our church property. During a large part of the year we were in a very languishing condition, but a few felt with the Psalmist, that it was good at all times to give thanks unto the Lord. Have maintained the weekly prayer-meeting. On the seventh of October, 1879, our pastor, Rev. E. B. Hatch, was forced by circumstances to relinquish this field of labor. On the 16th of March, 1880, Rev. T. J. Arnold commenced a series of meetings with us. The church 310 ■ and Lake Counties — Xapa. -was aroused, annas convicted and converted. The church invited Bro. Theo, J. Weal, an unordained mini-: 7 B>e pulpit, -with a view to fill the pastorate. In due time the church unanimously called Bra Theo. 3 to ordination. A council, consisting of Cornell Baptist Church of Tallejo. Baptist Church of Dixon. Xapa C::y Bsrtist Church. Revs. J. T. Prior, J. B. Hartweil. T. J. Arnold, and J | invited for his ex- amination and ordination, as -well as that of two deacons just elected, viz., Bro. James R Davis. Bro. F. W. Ellis. This council in part convened Septeiz \ 18£ and after a careful and critical examination, proceeded with the ordination of candidates. Dur- ing the month of September, death claimed for his own. our Senior Deacon. Bro. Charles Hopper. Our indebte-dness was §1300. of which S300 has been paid. Bro R G Eubank was immersed by our pastor. Rev. Theo. J. Weil, his first candidate. On the first Sunday of April 1SS1. the Union Sunday School ceased to Our Baptist Sunday Seho: . . and under favorable auspices, the following officer- S r.ient. Deacon S. C. Brown: Yiee- Supermtendent, Deacon James R. I S .ry and Treasurer. Rev. Theo. J. Weil Deacon James R Davis has resigned and Deacon F. W. Ellis ap- pointed Vice Superintendent T: .- :_mittee. Deacon F. W. Ellis and Bro. George K. Drew, succeeded in t _ : 5800, by tiie efibrte of the members and the kind aid of friends of Christianity, who gave liberally. The church now, July, 1SS1. numbers sixty members. Christian Church. — Weareunl the fol- lowing sketch of the Christian Church in Xapa County : and as thai s tlisman makes his home and headquarters at Tountville. we have given the -:.:::. '- \ '---■: — :ii= :. — -:.:t The first sermon of the belief of the Disciples of Christ or ■ Christian Cbareh," preached in Xapa County, was I : J. P. McKorkle in 1853, at the place now known as the town of Tountville The preaching took place under a large madrona tree, near the : : — 71 ere were few churches in those days, and few public meetings of any kind : henee. the announcement of preaching in the neighborhood always drew a Elder McKorkle labored more or less in this valley for more than twenty years. Principally through his labors congregations were organized at SI >:.:^na and Berryessa About the year a. D. 1 S60 Nathan Porter (now deceased), moved to the valley, and located near Xapa He preached at various places in the valley for several years. March the 26th, 1865, a small organisation was effec: y two HnTes west of Naji Wen G. Burnett and W. H. Pea Hder Pendegast was the father of the Hon. W. W. Pendagast of Xapa, whose untimely death was so deeply deplored by the citizens of Xapa and Yount Township. 311 of the whole State. In 1870 the little society meeting in Browns Valley resolved to move their organization to Napa. They secured the hall now occupied by the Napa Reporter, and there they held their first meeting in the city of Napa. The following named persons constituted the charter members of this new organization : G. W. Deweese and wife, J. L. Marshall and wife, Elder Nathan Porter and wife, W. S. Smith and wife, J. N. Pear- son and wife, J. C. Wilson and wife, Mrs. Sarah Young, Mrs. A. E. Inman, and perhaps one or two others. Elder Burnett preached for them one year one-fourth his time. At the beginning of 1871, Elder J. W. Webb, present editor of the Lompoc Record, was called to take charge of the church. On the 16th of April of the same year, he was formally installed in the work. From this time dates the beginning of the church's progress. During the summer of this year a lot was purchased on the corner of Ran- dolph and Pearl streets, and the present church edifice was erected, at a cost of S6800. In February, 1873, the new chapel was opened for sen-ice. Elder Webb preached the opening sermon. Since that time the church has had Elders Burnett, Porter, Webb, Gardner, J. 0. Beardsley and Ware, in the order named, as pastors. Elder Ware is now on his second year. The church is now in a very prosperous condition, is free from debt, and has a flourishing Sunday School ; the membership, though not large, is quite up to the average of churches in towns of like size in California. There have been one hundred and seventy persons received into the fellowship of the congregation since its organization and there have been ten deaths. Moxticello. — To E. A. Peacock belongs the honor of building the first house in the town of Monticello, which he did in the fall of 1866. This was a dwelling house. B. F. Davis put up another dwelling house and also a blacksmith shop in the fall of 1866. The blacksmith shop was the first place of business in the town. In the spring of 1867, David Tally erected a hotel building, which is now known as the Fitch Hotel. In the same spring I. N. Van Nuys started a store. In the spring of 1868, Robert Thompson built a hotel on the opposite side of the street from the Tally House. In 1867 Beebee started a blacksmith shop. Business Interests. — The present business interests of Monticello com- prise two hotels, one store, two blacksmith shops, one saloon, one carriage and paint shop, one doctor and one shoe shop. The population is about one hundred. BERRYESSA VALLEY.— -As stated above this valley was named after the Berryessas, to whom it was granted by the Mexican Government. It passed through several hands, the history of which is not now known, and finally one Sholtz became proprietor, and he disposed of it to Messrs. J. H. Bostwiek, John Lawley and J. M. Hamilton. They decided to place it upon 312 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. the market in 1866, and had it surveyed into sections for that purpose. In November, 1866, Abraham Clark brought the first load of lumber into the valley. There were twelve hundred and twenty-three feet of lumber on the wagon, which he brought over the top of Wild Horse Mountain with four horses. He was moving in from Sonoma and he concluded the road over the mountain was too rough, so he brought the next load, consisting of household goods by way of Suisun Valley. At that time there were living in the valley S. Buttoff, J. Finnell, R. C. Gillaspie, McCall, H. Marshall, J. Coleman, J. Smittle and Houghton. In 1867 the whole of the valley was taken up and settlers were more numerous then than they are now. The valley is about ten miles long and about three miles wide, and has been converted from the wild pasture lands which the settlers found there in 1866 to one massive field of waving, smiling grain. There were three adobe houses standing in the valley when the settlers came in : one built by the Berryessas, where A. Clark now lives ; one built by Capt. Robert Harding, where P. D. Grigsby now lives, about five miles north of Monticello ; and one where Andrew Wester now lives, about the same distance south of Monticello. The one at Clark's place was ninety feet long and twenty feet wide, one story high, and contained five rooms- The one at Grigsby's was some smaller, while the one at Westers was about sixty feet long and twenty feet wide. From the Napa Register we quote as follows : " Berry essa is the land of wheat ; from north to south and from east to west, through all its length and breadth does its surface echo to the rustle of the plant that is to be golden with the staff of life. For fifteen miles its surface stretches away, an unbroken, waving mass, that glistens in the sunlight, and nods and bends, and toys and wrestles, and grows strong in the rustle of the waving breeze. " Berryessa, as the ' Rancho de las Putas,' containing eight sitios de ganada mayor, or square leagues, was granted to Jose* de Jesus Berryessa and Sisto Berryessa, November 3, 1843, by the Mexican Government, under the broad seal of Manuel Micheltoreno, ' Governor of the Calif ornias.' May 21, 1852, Maria Anastasia Higuerra de Berryessa and Maria Nicolasa Higuerra de Berryessa, wife of the aforesaid grantees, petitioned the Board of Land Commissioners for a title to the tract. After due process the patent was granted January 5, 1853. " It was not to be expected that the grantees would long hold their princely possessions. The proverbial improvidence of pioneers generally, and the Spanish race particularly, was too much for that, and the rule found no exception in this case. Piece by piece it frittered away — for a few hundred dollars here and a few thousand there; and they do not, after all, seem to have thriven on the sales, for in June, 1860, we find a deed recorded from John S. Sterark, Sheriff, to Edward Shultz, to satisfy a judgment of Yount Township. 313 $1653, of the last remaining interest of Sisto Berryessa and his wife in and to all that splendid property. Where they had once owned as far as the eye could reach, had had cattle almost literally on a thousand hills, had reigned supreme over a tract of nearly forty thousand acres, and could say to this man 'go and he goeth, and to that, come and he cometh;' they were sold out of house and home for the paltry debt of less than $2000. Sisto passed his last days in a rude cabin in Steele Canon, where he died a few years ago. Let us hope that the distinctions of property make no dif- ference with him now, and that he sleeps in his nameless grave as peacefully and as well as if all the broad acres of ' Rancho de las Putas ' still stood in his name on the record books of Napa County." The following succinct and yet complete description of Berryessa Valley was written by a lady resident of that section for Messrs. Smith & Elliott's Napa Illustrated. " One of Nature's peerless gems set in a frame ' rock- ribbed and ancient as the sea,' is Berryessa. The tourist, wending along the tortuous length of a seemingly endless mountain grade, entranced at every turn by new beauties, suddenly finds himself looking out upon a scene of smiling, restful beauty, hard to believe in. This valley is a little oblong basin, nestled between grand old mountains, which lift their proud heads protectingly above the happy homes of scores of farmers. The village of Monticello is near its southern end, Putah Creek skirts the west- ern edge of the valley, and finds an outlet through the picturesque canon which takes its name from the creek. There are two outlets for the travel and freight of the valley. The first is a substantial grade built across the mountains, a distance of twenty -four miles to Napa City, the other down Putah Canon to the town of Winters, a distance of sixteen miles from Monticello. There are two schools in the valley proper, and others in the adjacent canons. There are two church organizations, but as yet no build- ings. The yield of small grain is very large and has never failed. Winter- sown wheat averages twenty-five to thirty-five bushels per acre, and the yield from fallow land is simply enormous. The corn crops are always excellent. Hay and barley are produced in abundance, vegetables come in early and are very fine. Fruits are more or less nipped by the late frosts. The climate though warm in summer is exceedingly healthful, the atmos- phere being light and dry. The winters are similar to those in other portions of the county, except that the frosts are a little more severe." The following is an extract from the Vallejo Chronicle : " We take the stage from Napa and ride ' over the hills and far away ' until we reach Monticello, the little village at the southern end of the valley. A straggling village it is, with its one store, post-office, two hostelries, school-house, ubiquitous Chinese wash-house, and the dark accessories of every California village — saloons. The inhabitants are 314 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. most kindly, but they do like to know where you cut your first tooth and how old you were when you were born. But farther up the valley widens in every sense, and such a lovely valley it is! — broad fields 'dressed in living green,' foot-hills beautiful with tender grass, and grand old moun- tains that stand as sentries on either side, over which sunshine and shadow play these fair April days. Putah Creek runs along by the foot-hills on the western side and affords opportunities for boating and fishing at some points, and is a desirable locality for romantic rambles, if one is so inclined. It was Thackeray of pleasant memory who wondered that any should live single where there were ' shady lanes,' and it is surprising, when there are not only ' shady lanes ' but winding brooks, and such ! The ranch-homes here overflow with plenty, and wear an air of comfort and hospitality. Their hearths are wide and their larders never bare, as many a hungry tramp can testify. The whole valley was once owned by Senor Berryessa ; and it is said, furthermore, that by the ill-luck of one night it ceased to be his. He has passed into the future, and sleeps all still on a knoll by the roadside far down the valley. I often wonder if he ever looks down on the broad acres of which he was once autocrat, and when the grain is brightening them, and the larks sing, and children trip to school, if he knows the old adobe house, which was once his home, still stands, and is full of interest, with its low rambling rooms, thick walls and deep window seats. I fancy I can hear the echoes of the merry-makings it has known in its ' salad days,' and through the mist of years I can see the dark-eyed seSoritas and gallant senors who once held revelry there." CHILES VALLEY.— This is a lovely little valley, high up in the moun- tains, lying between Berryessa and Napa Valleys. It was named for Col. Joseph B. Chiles, who led a party of thirty daring men across the plains in 1841, among whom were Charles Hopper, the Kelseys and many others, mention of whom will be found in the body of this work. Ben Kelsey's wife accompanied the party, and was thus the first white woman who ever came over the Sierra Nevada Mountains into California. He visited the valley in 1842, but the Catacula grant was not ceded to him until Novem- ber 9, 1844. His first house, which was the first one ever erected in the valley, was built about that year, and was made of rough logs, and was 15 x 20 feet in size. It is still standing, but is housed in to protect it from the ravages of the tooth of time. The Colonel guards it with jealous care as a relic of by-gone pioneer days. William Baldridge was at first a partner with him, and he built the mill in the valley in 1848. The valley is now settled very thickly, and with a veiy enterprising and intelligent class of men, who have done much to develop its resources. A writer in the Napa Register gives the following interesting historical ^^^^^-X^J^^^ Yount Township. 315 sketch of Chiles Valley : " Across a slight divide from Pope Valley, reached by the grade starting in at Van Arsdale's, Chiles Valley is reached, which is named after one of California's pioneers. In 1841, Col. J. B. Chiles, then a citizen of Missouri, read an account, written by Dr. Marsh, then living at the foot of Mount Diablo, of the wonders of the California climate and productions, and with thirty companions, (John Bidwell and others), he started out to find the land where winters were always as pleasant as sum- mers in their own State. They reached the Pacific slope in safety, and the next year Chiles and others returned for their families. They came out again in 1843, and then Chiles commenced exploring for a vacant tract of desirable land to get a grant of. The next year — 1844 — after examining the country thoroughly, from Monterey north, he located upon the fertile valley which has since borne his name, and at once applied for a grant of it from the Mexican Government, which he received under the name of the ' Rancho Catacula,' an Indian name. " At that time all the land in Napa Valley was taken up. Dr. E. T. Bale, had it from Calistoga to Bale Slough, George C. Yount from this to Dry Creek, and Nicolas Higuerra, Cayetano Juarez and others thence to the tide- land ; even Pope Valley was gone, William Pope having located upon it with his Spanish family two years before. The grant of Catacula included two leagues, one square league in the lower part of the valley, and the balance extended up the valley to near its head. The Colonel settled at the present site of the old family house, at the head of Chiles Canon, and the original dwelling, a log-house, is still standing, though removed a short distance from its first location, and converted into an out-house. It is now carefully roofed in and preserved from the weather, a relic of the pioneer days. In the same year the large adobe house, which is 46 x 60, still the family man- sion of the place, and in an excellent state of preservation, was begun, as also the mill, which, through various mutations and improvements that have completely obliterated the original structure, has survived the lapse of a third of a century, to rise at this late day into one of the important enter- prises of the country, and supplying, under its favorite Catacula brand, the breadstuffs of all the country around. " The beginning of this mill was in consonance with the general rude order of things in those days of primeval California. A rude wooden block procured from the woods was mortised by William Baldridge, who is still living near Oakville, into a tub wheel, and a shaft running from this, had on the other end of it one of the stones that did the grinding. Probably no other than a pioneer of Chiles' stamp, accustomed from early boyhood and wild adventures to accommodate himself to every emergency, could have fashioned from these rude materials the requisites of a flouring" mill. But to him the elements of nature were as the tools of civilization, and he could 316 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. find abundance where the child of a more advanced age would be as help- less as a babe. Col. Chiles was a very large man, being over six feet in height, and of a commanding presence." CONNS VALLEY.— This is a lovely little dale lying to the east of Napa Valley, and latterly in the range of mountains which skirts the latter valley on the east. It is neither very wide nor very long, but is indeed a charming place. It was named after John Conn, who came into it at an early day. It is not known now in what year he came there, but it was evidently somewhere back in the '40's. He was at one time very wealthy, owning a large tract of land and much stock, but the fiend of intemperance obtained possession of him, and made a total wreck of his manhood and his fine estate as well. His last days were spent in the county hospital, and in May, 1864, he was removed from earthly scenes by what he doubtless con- sidered the kindly hand of death. GORDON VALLEY. — This is a small valley lying on the eastern side of Napa County, and was named after William Gordon, a pioneer of 1843. Gordon first settled on Cache Creek, and his place was one of the land- marks of the country before and for several years after the discovery of gold. It is not now known when he came to Gordon Valley to reside, but certainly at an early day, as he was the first settler in it. He died in 1876 at his residence in Cobb Valley, Lake County. The valley is a rich and fer- tile section of the county, and many most estimable citizens reside there. CAPT. JOHN GRIGSBY.— This old pioneer citizen of Yount Town, ship came to California in the spring of 1845, coming in company with John York, Benjamin Dewell, David and William Hudson, W. B. Elliott, William B. Ide, Mrs. Delaney and sons, Messrs. McDowell, Ford, John Brown and others. At Fort Laramie, John Grigsby was elected captain of the company, and they arrived at Sutters Fort in October. Capt. Grigsby located soon after on a place near the Napa River, and a little south-east of where Yountville now stands. At the breaking out of the Bear Flag War, he was among the very first to take active measures in the matter ; and it was he, in company with W. B. Elliott, who went to Sutter's Fort to hold a consultation with Fremont in regard to the matter, before the movement was inaugurated. It fell to his lot to take charge of the first prisoners of war captured by the Bear Flag Party at Sonoma, and to convey them to Sutters Fort. These prisoners were M. G. Vallejo, then Commandante General of Upper Calif ornia, the late Capt. Salvador Vallejo, Victor Prudon, who held the commission of Colonel in the Mexican army, Jacob P. Leese, brother-in-law of the Vallejos, and Alcalde of Sonoma. Capt. Grigsby was placed in charge of these prisoners, with only five or six men to guard Yount Township. 317 them. An attempt was made to rescue the prisoners near Napa, as they were on their way from Sonoma to Sutters Fort ; but owing to the cool presence of mind of Capt. Grigsby, the attempt was thwarted. He threat- ened to shoot his prisoners rather than to suffer them to be rescued by the Mexicans ; and the would-be rescuers were warned off by General Vallejo, and the prisoners were safely conducted to their destination. The Captain was afterwards in command of a company in Fremont's battalion, and served for six months, being one of the most efficient and trustworthy offi- cers. He was discharged honorably from the service at Los Angeles on the receipt of the news of the treaty of peace. He was one of the first settlers and farmers of Napa Valley, and was permanently identified with many of the enterprises of the early days. He was one of the early members of Yount Lodge, F. & A. M. In 1861 he returned to the East, and was said to have spent most of his time in Texas. He died in March, 1876, in Mo- selle, Franklin County, Missouri, at the advanced age of seventy. REDWOOD FALLS. — Among the natural curiosities of Napa County probably none are more worthy of mention than these falls. They are romantically located about twelve miles from Napa near the head of Mill or Napa Creek, in the redwood belt of Napa County. Striking the stream a few hundred feet above the upper fall, and following it down, we find ourselves walking upon a solid body of stone, with walls of rock rising perpendicularly on either side to a height reaching from ten to fifty feet, and not more than five feet apart. This rocky chasm leads to the upper fall, which is a nearly perpendicular descent of fifty feet, and it must make a magnificent waterfall in the winter season when the stream is swollen. The rocky, precipitous walls tower high above the falls, and as one looks up and down from the head of the falls, he sees little but a clear-cut rock forming the walls of the deep abyss. Retracing our steps and making a detour down the line of the stream, its bed is reached at a point a few rods below the lowest of the three falls. This fall is some twenty feet in height, and its head is reached by a little hard climbing up a short, cir- cuitous path. We then find ourselves at the foot of the middle fall, in the most picturesque little grotto imaginable, bounded by precipitous stone walls, apparently from thirty to one hundred feet in height. The middle fall makes a descent of some twenty-five feet perpendicularly, and at its foot there is a pool some six feet across and nearly twenty feet in depth. A few square yards of solid rock constitute the floor of this rocky chamber. A visit to this romantic spot will well repay any one. YOUNT MILL. — This mill is located about half a mile to the north-east of Yountville, and was erected by George C. Yount in 1853, or thereabouts. 318 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. The building is a large and substantial one, and has undergone but little changes since it was first erected. When it was built it was truly a mam- moth structure. It is run by water power and with a wide overshot wheel. There are two run of stones in the mill, and the capacity is about thirty barrels per day. The machinery is all first-class in every respect. The flour from this mill used frequently to receive the premium, and the mill was long known as "The Star of the Pacific Premium Mill." Mr. Yount conducted the mill till his death, in 1865, when Fred. W. Ellis leased it for five years. In 1870 he purchased it and has since conducted it in a most successful manner. Hot Springs Township. 319 HOT SPRINGS TOWNSHIP. GEOGRAPHY.— This township is bounded on the north by Lake County, on the east by Knox Township, on the south by Yount Township, and on the west by Sonoma County. July 17, 1873, the Board of Super- visors of Napa County established the following as the boundary lines of Hot Springs Township : Beginning at a point on the western boundary of Napa County, due west from the head of Dry Creek ; thence along the line of Yount Town- ship, north-easterly and northerly, to the old line between Napa and Lake Counties ; thence westerly along said line to the middle of Putah Creek ; thence up said creek to the present line between Lake and Napa Counties : thence along said line, southerly and westerly, to the north-west corner of Napa County ; thence south-easterly along the line between Napa and So- noma Counties to the place of beginning. TOPOGRAPHY. — The topography of this township is very simple in its main features. In the center lies the beautiful Napa Valley, skirted on either side by a high range of mountains. Piercing these ranges are a host of lateral valleys and canons. Napa River runs through its entire length and affords an outlet for its water-shed. GEOLOGY. — This township presents many very interesting geological features, many of the most interesting being outside of the study of the rocks and their formations. The study of the lava-flows, the mineral deposits, and the extinct volcano of St. Helena would furnish subject-mat- ter for a whole volume. The lava-flows from St. Helena came out quite early in the earth's existence, and the rocks found under them are all of very ancient origin. There is a great deal of volcanic matter around St. Helena, of course, and all the adjacent mountains, and this is true of both sides of Napa Valley in this township. There is some sandstone on the western side, of the Tertiary period, and some sand and limestone of the same age on the eastern side. There are a host of fissues and dikes in the mountain sides here, which resulted from the eruptions of St. Helena, and some of them are filled with lava, but many of them are filled with detritus and ai-e now lovely quartz leads in which more or less precious metal is being found. The action of ages, yea, eras, has entirely obliterated all 320 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. evidences of a crater on the summit of St. Helena, but the lava and scoria which it vomited forth all over the face of the county is still visible on every hand. SOIL. — The soil in the upper end of this township is generally quite good, but is light in many places, even in the valley. It is a loam in most places near the center of the valley. It is mostly made up of volcanic products, hence it is white or reddish. It is often cold and not so very pro- ductive, and in the summer time gets very hard, and in the winter is rather impervious to water. There are a few spots -of adobe, especially on the eastern side, near Mount St. Helena. South of the Lodi Ranch the soil as- sumes a different character, and becomes warmer, lighter, more friable and more productive. Here the valley is mostly a rich loam, and is well adapted to all kinds of products. Flanking the foot-hills the soil is of a gravelly nature, and mostly of a volcanic formation also ; hence is better adapted to the growth of grapevines. In all the mountains of this town- ship, the soil is of the whitish or reddish caste, which betokens a volcanic origin, and is remarkably well adapted to the production of wine grapes. The time is not far distant when all these mountains will be covered with vines, and even now large vineyards are being planted on Howell Mountain. CLIMATE. — The climate of this township is superb throughout, being mild, warm and gentle. At the upper end of the valley it gets quite warm during the summer season ; still the heat is not oppressive. The air is light and dry, so that the heat does not become burdensome. Farther south, in the vicinity of St. Helena, the weather gets quite warm during the summer, but there is generally a breeze blowing, which serves to make one feel more comfortable than at Calistoga, although the thermometer may indicate the same degree of temperature. In all this section the nights are mostly cool and pleasant, and, in fact, it is a joy to exist during the delightfully lovely moonlight nights of the summer months. Sometimes the wind comes howl- ing down from the north, and then are " the days of our discontent," for this wind is like a sirocco, scorching and withering everything in its path- way. But, fortunately, these visits of the fiery north wind are not fre- quent, and never of more than three days' duration, and generally of not more than one. In the winter season it gets quite cold at the upper end of the valley, and snow is on the brow of St. Helena for many days during that season. It does not get cold enough, however, to interfere with the growth of grapevines to any great extent, and it is claimed, and with apparently good grounds, that there is frost in Napa City oftener than in Calistoga. There is what is known as the thermal belt, about half way up the mountain sides, where it is much warmer than it is either in the valley Hot Springs Township. 321 below or on the mountain tops above. Here figs, oranges and delicate flowers grow unmolested by the frosts. PRODUCTS. — The products of this township are varied, comprising fruits, vegetables, cereals, berries and grapes. The soil is so varied in its nature that it is capable of producing almost all varieties of things that grow out of the ground to very good advantage, indeed. It is, however, especially adapted to the growth of the grapevine, as is evidenced by the fact that the St. Helena Vinicultural District .stands at the head of the grape-growing sections of California, both as to quantity and quality, and especially the latter. The wines produced in this district stand to-day at the head of the wine product of the world, and it is yet in its infancy, and the time will come when it will be unmatched. The products of this town- ship are not confined to what grows out of the ground alone, but there are vast mineral bodies here which are destined to yield large returns to the labor and skill of man. Silver and quicksilver abound and gold and iron are found. The items of cord wood and tan bark are not to be overlooked in this connection, both of which are largely represented in the list of exports. TIMBER. — This township is fairly represented in the line of timber, there being oak, pine, fir, redwood, cedar, alder and laurel in it. The oak is represented by the usual varieties in California, viz : the live, mountain, white and black oaks. Of pines, there is the " digger " or " bull," with perhaps a few white trees on St. Helena. Of firs, there are the white and red, both stately trees and much used for lumber. Of redwoods, there have been quite extensive forests in the days gone by, but they have long since been cut out, and only their fast decaying stumps remain to tell us where the mighty monarchs of the forest once stood. Young trees are growing up to take the places of the fallen giants, but it will take at least a century for them to get to be the trees their ancestors were. The other kinds of trees are inconsiderable, and a mention of them is all that is required. EARLY SETTLEMENT.— To that hardy old pioneer, John York, now a resident of St. Helena, belongs the honor of being the first white settler in Hot Springs Township. On the 15th of April, 1845, he, with his wife and one child started overland for California. At Independence, Missouri, he joined a company of which the following were members: Benjamin Dewell, now of Lake County, John Grigsby, David Hudson, William Hud- son, W. B. Elliott, late of Lake County, but now deceased, William B. Ide, Mrs. Delaney and sons, Messrs. McDowell, Ford and John Brown. This company arrived at Suffers Fort in October of that year, under command of Capt. John Grigsby. Later that same fall, Mr. York, in company with David 21 322 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. and William Hudson and W. B. Elliott, came to Napa Valley and stopped a few days at Yount's ranch. He then proceeded to Calistoga where he erected a log cabin, which was the first building in that part of the country. He also put in the first crop of wheat ever sown in the vicinity of Calis- toga, and doubtless north of Yount's place. We do not know whether or not William B. Elliott went there that fall, but he did very soon afterwards. He had a family consisting of his wife and several grown sons and daughters, one of whom is now Mrs. Benjamin Dewell, of Upper Lake. The experiences of this pioneer family would make a whole book, if fully written up. While here at Calistoga in that early day, with no neighbors but wild Indians, bears and California lions, it was no uncommon thing for the wife and children to remain alone for days at a time, while the father and older sons were away on hunting or other expe- ditions. They lived in a tent, which of course afforded no protection from the nightly intrusions of the grizzly. This brave woman was not the one to succomb to the ravenous attacks of the huge monsters without adopting some expedient to escape an encounter with them. At such times she would take the children and veritably roost in the trees, high above the reach of bruin. A scaffolding was prepared in the forks of a mammoth oak tree, and on this she would make her beds and she and her children would sleep safely if not soundly. The bears would make nightly visits to the place and eat up every scrap that could be found. She did not fear the visits of the daytime, for she could easily mount to her perch in the tree, and fetch his bearship to the ground with a well-directed shot from the rifle, which she could handle as well as a man. Such was the life those pioneer women led, and all honor is their due for the noble courage they displayed in facing the dangers they did. Among other eai-ly settlers in this township may be mentioned William Fowler and his sons William, Jr., and Henry, who came there in 1846 and purchased four thousand acres of the " Aqua Caliente " grant. William Hargrave, who was a partner with them in the stock which was put on the place, John Cyras, F. E. Kellogg, R. P. Tucker, David Hudson, William Hudson, L. Keseberg, a survivor of the ill-fated Donner party, Col. M. G. Ritchie, Arch. Jesse, William H. Nash, James Harbin, Enoch Cyrus, all of whom came there in 1846. In 1847 S. J. Tucker, J. W. Tucker and G. W. Tucker, located about three miles south of Calistoga. In 1850 William Moore and William Dinning, and in 1852 Peter Teale settled near Calis- toga. There are other names which should be included in this list, but they are not obtainable now as they have passed out of the memory of the old pioneers. This list comprises about all, however, who came in previous to is.*i2 and became permanent settlers. Through the kindness of Messrs. J. H. McCord, John York and others, Hot Springs Township. 323 we are able to give the names of all the settlers in the township in 1849 and their locale. Beginning at the head of the valley the first settler was John Cyrus, who lived in a log house about one and a half miles north-west of Calistoga, on the road leading to Knights Valley. He had a wife and six children. The next place was occupied by the Fowlers, William, Sr., William, Jr., and Henry, and their associate, William Hargrave. Their house was a log one, and stood just at the foot of the mountain west of Calistoga. Calvin Musgrove also lived on the premises with his wife. The next place was owned by Wells and Ralph Kilburn, and they lived about one mile south of Calistoga. They both had families, and both lived close together. About a mile south of the Kilburn place a man by the name of Owsley lived in a frame house. He had a log-house at first, but in 1849 he had built a frame one. He had a wife and eight children. He had the oldest orchard in that end of the valley. William Nash was the next settler that we come to passing down the valley, and his place was about half a mile south of Owsley's. He had a family, consisting of a wife and fourteen childreen, and lived in a split- board house. M. D. Ritchie lived half a mile south of Nash's place. He had a wife and five children, and lived in a log-house. Reason Tucker lived across the road from Ritchie's place, in a split, redwood board house ; he had a wife and three or four boys. Irvin Kellogg lived about half a mile south of Tucker's, in a frame house. He settled there in 1846, and had a wife and seven children. David Hudson lived up on the hills, about half a mile west of where the Berringer brothers now have their vineyard, and also owned the land on which it is now planted. He had a family, consisting of a wife and one child, now Judge Rodney Hudson, of Lake County. His house was built of split redwood, and was located on the north side of Hudson Creek. John York lived on the south side of Hud- son Creek, and further up in the hills. He had a wife and two or three boys, and lived in a split redwood house. Dr. Edward T. Bale was the last settler who lived in this township, going south, as we have done. He had an adobe house, about three miles south of where St. Helena now stands and what is still known as the Bale place. It is stated that he came to California in 1832, as a ship-carpenter on a whaling vessel, which he there deserted. He was married to one of the daughters of Nicolas Higuerra, and died in 1849 or 1850. He received a grant for the Rancho 'Came Hu- mana from the Mexican Government, and did much to start the ball of im- provement to rolling in Napa Valley. L. Keseburg, who was one of the pioneers of this township, was the last man rescued from the Donner Camp, and he is the man about whom such horrid stories are related in the sensational papers concerning his relations with Mrs. Donner, and his connection with her death, etc. It is not our 324 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. purpose here to review this matter, and only mention it to call to mind the wonderful privations which those early pioneers were called upon to endure, and to what dire extremities they were sometimes driven. Nothing but the records of God will ever reveal all that occurred at that fearful place, and it is time that the mantle of charity was drawn over the whole affair. Put yourself in his place, kind reader, and say to yourself, what would you do ? Life is sweet to all, and self-preservation is the first law of nature. A man may be willing to lay down his life for his own wife in almost any exigency, but he will not starve in the heart of the Sierra Mountains, thirty feet under the snow, while there is a weaker party to succumb. Neither robbery nor rape could possibly have been his prompting motive, when death from sheer starvation was staring him in the face. There is no evidence that he did commit any act of violence, and as he says he did not, he must have the benefit of the doubt. Among other characters who floated to the surface in an early day in the vicinity of Calistoga was Peter Storm. This old pioneer was born in Christiansend, Norway, in September, 1799. When he was fourteen years of age he left his home and followed the sea until he came to California in 1833, having traveled over many parts of the earth. His life in the early days of California was full of adventure. While he lived in this county he followed hunting and trapping mostly in this and Lake and Mendocino Counties. He was a member of the Bear Flag Party, and many believe him to be the man who made the Bear Flag. Such, however, is not the case. There is a flag in existence which is known as the Storm Bear Flag and which was made by him, but it was made several years after the occa- sion of using the first Bear Flag, and was designed in imitation of the original, and was used on the occasion of some celebration of Admission Day in Napa or Sonoma. In November, 1873, Rev. Asa White of the Methodist Church died in Calistoga. He was the pioneer preacher of California, coming here in 1849. He held his first services in a tent on Powell street, San Francisco, and he built the first Methodist Church ever erected in that city on Powell street. Col. M. D. Ritchie came into the township in 1850. He was born in Pennsylvania April 19, 1805, went thence to Indiana at a very early day, and thence to Illinois, where he engaged in the Blackhawk War, having command of a regiment during that time, and hence his title of Colonel. In 1846 he crossed the plains to California, there coming with him in the same train his son-in-law, Hon. John S. Stark, who was afterwards Sheriff and County Judge of Napa County. Col. Ritchie settled in Sonoma County, where he resided until 1850, when he came to Napa County, and located in Ritchie Canon. He remained there until 1865, when he moved to Napa City, where he resided until August 20, 1874, when he died, being S. aphical Sketches. 389 down the Sacramento to Sutters Fort. The object of dividing the party- was, that those who remained with the teams might have provisions enough to last them through. The horseback party secured their own provisions as they went along. At Fort Laramie the party had secured the services of that noted old trapper and hunter Joseph Walker, to pilot them through the mountains, paying him the sum of $300 therefor. From Fort Hall the party with the teams, of which Mr. Baldridge was one, proceeded to the Humboldt River, near the head of the north fork, and followed that stream to the sink ; thence south by way of Carson, Walker, and Owens Lakes, on the east side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. At Owens Lake they left their wagons, not being able to proceed further with them. They had with them a full set of saw-mill irons, including three sash saws, and these were cached there. Some years ago some miners unearthed them, and they were the subject of much speculation as to how they got there, and who could have buried them in that out of the way place. They then packed their goods on mules and rode their horses, and proceeded on their way. They went along on the eastern side of the Sierras until they came to what is known as Walker's Pass, east of where Visalia now stands. Here they crossed the mountains, arriving at the summit at eleven o'clock, December S, 1843. The snow was then six inches deep, and soon after it was so deep as to bar the passage altogether. They pushed on into the valley, and then started for Sutters Fort. Walker insisted on crossing the Tulare Val- ley, stating that there was an abundance of game in the mountains on the west side of it, and water in it. So finally they consented to go, and they were three days and nights without anything to eat or any water to drink, the valley proving to be a barren desert. Colonel Chiles and his party arrived some time previous to this at Sutters Fort, and with three men he proceeded to Walkers Pass to meet the party, but failed to find them. At the end of the third day Mcintosh succeeded in killing a mountain sheep, which was the first thing they had found that was eatable during the trip across the valley. When they got to the west side of the valley they found game very plentiful, consisting of deer and antelope, which were as thick as sheep, also wild horses, which were very fat, and so palatable that their meat was preferred to that of either deer or antelope. Walker kept bearing off to the westward, and the first they knew they were very close to Monterey. Mr. Baldridge and Atkinson went to that place to purchase passports, and it took them three days to get them, owing to the indolence and indifference of the Mexican officials. At last, growing exasperated, he used some Saxon oaths which had the desired result. By this time the rest of the party had gotten so far away that they never saw them again as a whole. Julius Martin and others stopped in that vicinity or a little farther north, while others came on to Sutters Fort. Mr. Baldridge and " Old Wheat " came up to Gilroy's, 390 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. and there they met with James M. Hudspeth, now a resident of Green Valley, Sonoma County, and Alexander Copeland, who were at work at that place, and they provided them with fresh horses and escorted them as far as the Pueblo de San Jose". Chas. Weaver then took them to Juan (John) Liver- more's place, and thence they proceeded across the San Joaquin River, near where Stockton now stands, and thence to Sutters Fort, where they met the most of their party, and also Colonel Chiles, who had returned from Walkers Pass. Just at this time General Sutter was about to dispatch the schooner " Sacramento," a craft which had been included in his famous pur- chase of the Russian effects at Fort Ross in 1841, to Napa Embarcadero to get lime from Nicolas Higuerra, and Colonel Chiles, Mr. Baldridge, Miss Yount, and the Vines family were given passage upon the vessel. But all this tedious journey was not without its pleasures and its romances as well, one of the latter of which it is well to record in this connection. When the party had gotten well out upon the plains they fell in with an Englishman and his family, consisting of a wife and a sixteen-year old daughter, by the name of Eyer, who were bound for Oregon. The man was brutally cruel towards his family, it being no uncommon thing for him to severely casti- gate both wife and daughter. Mr. Baldridge was younger then than he is now, and his heart may have been a little more tender, and his sym- pathies a little more easily wrought upon ; but be that as it may, he saw a sweet-faced, innocent girl subjected to the brutal treatment of a father with a vicious and capricious temper, and his chivalrous nature resented the insult thus given to injured innocence, and he resolved to liberate the girl from the abject bondage of her inhuman father. He asked Mrs. Julius Martin if she would take the girl in her charge and care for her on the way to California if he could succeed in inducing her to come with them. To this that excellent lady readily consented, so he proceeded to the camp of the Eyer family, and consulted the mother on the subject. She was only too glad to give the girl a chance to escape the outbursts of the father's wrath, and the consequent punishments. He then made the proposition to the girl, who "jumped at the chance " to get out of the reach of her father's stinging lash and heavy fist. Accordingly, she was transferred, bag and baggage, to the California party ; and the poor mother was left to bear the brunt of rage, which evidently welled up in torrents when the father discovered what had taken place. When the Martin family decided to stop at Gilroy, Miss Yount prevailed upon the girl, Mary Eyer, to accompany her to her father's home in Napa Valley ; and accordingly, when Mr. Baldridge arrived at Sutters Fort, he found them both at that place. We now leave our heroine, for we must go to look for the hero. While Mr. Baldridge has already shown himself a true hero, and was destined to do yet more noble and unselfish deeds, yet he is not the hero Biographical Sketches. • 391 of this truthful romance. We must go back twelve years, and take the reader to the then frontier town of Lexington, Missouri, then the rendez- vous of many of the trapping and hunting parties that made periodical peregrinations into the almost unknown, and but little traveled, mountains and wildernesses that lay beyond toward the setting sun. In 1831, there arrived in Lexington a party of thirty men, under command of Captain Wyatt, bound for Oregon. They were all old sailors, and were dressed in uniform as marines., and marched out of town in grand style, and on into the dim haze of the wide, outstretching prairie. Along with the party, in the capacity of private secretary and book-keeper for Captain Wyatt, was a young Scotchman, of genteel appearance, and a man of evident intelli- gence. His name was John Cinclair. Among those who stood upon the street, and saw this party pass through the town of Lexington, was Wil- liam Baldridge, then a stripling boy of only twenty summers. The party passed on, and of its history but little is known. Captain Wyatt was the man who built Fort Hall. Cinclair went to Oregon, and thence to the Sandwich Islands, where he was married to a Kanaka or native woman. He then came to San Francisco, and engaged in business; and finally located on the place now known as Sinclair's ranch, near Sacramento ; and was at Sutters Fort when the party, of which Mr. Baldridge was a member, arrived. In the meantime his Kanaka wife had died leaving one child, a bright girl of some five years, who could talk almost a language for each year of her life. In Mr. Baldridge 's protege-, his veritable "Prairie Flower," Cinclair saw all that his heart desired, a woman of his own language and blood, and he forthwith laid seige for her hand and heart. Like the dutiful child that she was, she consulted her guardian, Mr. Baldridge, who after making due inquiries in regard to the character he sustained, gave his con- sent, and they were married, and the match proved to be a fortuitous one in every respect. Truly " there is a destiny that shapes our ends, rough hew them though we may." Mr. Baldridge worked at his trade of mill-wright for the first year or two after his arrival here. In 1845 Colonel Chiles and he made preparations to put up a mill in Santa Clara County, getting out all the timbers and shafting at the Yount Saw Mill, but the Micheltoreno Revolution broke out at that time, and the project had to be abandoned. In 1845 Colonel Chiles got his grant from the Mexican Government for the Catacula Rancho, and Mr. Baldridge being a partner in it, they went upon it and began operations, taking a band of cattle into the valley and building a house there. In 1846 the indistinct mutterings of threatening troubles with the Mexicans began to be heard, and the American settlers were all agog to learn what it would culminate in. Neighbors lived far apart, and communication between them was rare, especially in such out of the way places as Chiles Valley. One day in June, Mr. Baldridge and Mr. Thomas 392 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. Wesley Bradley, took a mule and went over to the Sandstone Mountains, (the Blue Ridge,) east of Berryessa Valley, to get some grindstones which he had previously cut out. Two poles were cut and fastened on either side of the mule like the thills of a buggy, and the ends were allowed to drag on the ground. The stones were lashed securely to these poles, and a genuine Indian vehicle was thus constructed. That night they camped on the west side of Putah Creek in a clump of ■willows, and while sitting by the fire after partaking of their evening repast, and discussing the aspect of the impending difficulties with the Mexicans, Mr. Baldridge spoke up suddenly and said, " We will know all about it before we leave this camp." "Why, what makes you think so," exclaimed his companion. "I don't know," he replied, " but something tells me that we will." They continued talking for perhaps an hour, when they suddenly heard the tramp of horses' feet, and some one shout out, " Hold up ; don't come here." They recognized the voice of Captain John Grigsby, and immediately went to him, making themselves known. He was accompanied by William Elliott, and they had been to Sutters Fort to have a consultation with General Fremont, and were then passing back into Napa Valley by this little-fre- quented route, and in the night, so as to avoid being seen by the Mexicans and thus arousing their suspicions. The trail led up to a steep bank of the creek, and turned abruptly to one side and passed down into it; but Grigsby's horse had gone right over the bank in the dark, hence the exclamation quoted above. And so Mr. Baldridge's prophecy was fulfilled there and then. Who can tell whence came the impression that so soon became a verity ? Mr. Baldridge proceeded home, and, on the day following the cap- ture of Sonoma, he and Colonel Chiles started for Sutters Fort, being anxious to join Fremont's force and engage in the active campaign. That night they stopped at William Gordon's on Cache Creek, and during the night a courier came by on his way to Fremont's camp, stating that a large force of Mexicans were marching toward Sonoma for the purpose of recap- turing it. Mr. Baldridge and Colonel Chiles set out at once to go to the relief of the American party, and arrived at Sonoma on the 16th. He remained at the town of Sonoma until Fremont started to Sutters Fort to begin the active campaign. The 4th of July was celebrated at Sonoma, and the Declaration of Independence was read by Lieutenant Woodworth, of the United States Navy, from a book belonging to Mr. Baldridge, which he had brought across the plains, and which he still has in his possession as a relic of those by-gone days. On the 5th an organization of the American volunteers was effected. Mr. Baldridge was chosen chairman of the meet- ing which was held for this purpose, and John Bidwell was secretaiy. The force was divided into three companies, and the captains were voted for viva voce, resulting in the election of John Grigsby — who remained in charge of Biographical Sketches. 393 Sonoma with his company — and John Ford and Granville P. Swift, who took their companies upon the campaign with Fremont. Mr. Baldridge was elected orderly sergeant of Captain Swift's company at this time. On the 6th the whole force, including Fremont's men and the volunteers, took up the line of march for Sutters Fort. Fremont and his men went by way of Soscol, Green Valley, and Knights Landing, while the two companies passed through Berryessa Valley, for the purpose of gathering up some horses. They found none, however. They proceeded down Cache Creek to a point opposite Sutters Fort, where they crossed the river in small boats. They dismounted, and began making preparations for camping near the fort. Mr. Baldridge, desiring to procure some supplies from the fort, took his rifle in his hand and proceeded to the door, which, to his great surprise, he not only found shut, but also barricaded. This was an unu- sual state of affairs, for the doors of the fort usually stood open for all who chose to enter. He knocked loudly at the door, and an Indian, who was a guard, told him that he could not enter. Just then General Sutter opened the wicket of the door, and on seeing who it was, opened the door, saying : " I surrender to you ; I held out as long as I could, but you were too strong for me." Mr. Baldridge could not make out the meaning of such a queer expression, for there stood two large field pieces facing the door, besides other guns at the embrasures, and a lot of small arms. The truth was that Sutter was a Mexican officer, and as such had to make a show of resistance, at least, to the " Americanos," although he was heart and soul in sympathy with them. And so it was that the subject of this sketch added one more romantic adventure to his already long list, and to him can truly be given the honor and credit of capturing a well armed fortress single-handed. A man by the name of William Scott brought the news of the war with Mexico to Sutters Fort. From that place Mr. Baldridge proceeded with Fre- mont's Battalion to Monterey, where he was first appointed and then elected by the members of the company to the position of Lieutenant of Company " C," Fremont's Battalion, which position he honorably filled till the close of the war. From Monterey they went in vessels to San Diego, and there made an incursion or two into the interior, but were not in any very hard- fought battles, and were at Cauango at the time of the surrender. It was generally supposed by the soldiers that they would see Pico's forces drawn up in grand airay, and that they would march into camp and lay their arms at the feet of the victors, as they had seen pictures in their old his- tories of the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. What, however, was their surprise and consternation, about 10 o'clock in the morning, to see a couple of " Greasers " come over the hill, each with a riata fastened to the horn of his saddle, to the other end of which was a mountain howitzer. That virtually closed the war on California soil. At San Diego the marines 394 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. were taken ashore first, to captui-e the place, and the volunteers were kept in the background. In the plaza a crowd of people congregated to see the strange soldiers, and among them was a dashing-looking personage, mounted on a well caparisoned horse. Finally, he attracted the attention of Lieutenant of Marines Maddox, and he inquired who he was. The man overheard the inquiry and answered, " I am Andreas Pico, and I will see you later." With this he rode away, leaving the Lieutenant to swear at his own stupidity in not being able to capture the leader of the Mexican forces when he was in the midst of his vaunted marines. Mr. Baldridge assisted in constructing the breastworks that are still to be seen on Fort Hill, in Los Angeles. At the close of the war he returned to civil pursuits, and in 1852 moved upon his present place, and has since followed farming and stock raising, and is to-day one of Napa's most honored and respected citizens, and a gentleman it is certainly a pleasure to meet. He is a Master Mason, and is an honorary member of Jerusalem Lodge, No. 1, organized in that city by Robert Morris, in 1875, being probably the only member of that lodge in California. He is still unmarried. BARNETT, ELIAS JOEL. Son of Jesse and Lavinia Clark Barnett, was born in Pine Grove, in Lawrence County, Ohio, June 19, 1849, where he resided till the spring of 1851, when, with his parents, he moved to Hanging Rock, same county ; and at the end of one year they moved to Haverhill, Scioto County. In 1854, with his parents, he crossed the plains to California, and settled in Pope Valley, and resided with his parents till 1875, when he began for himself, purchasing at that time his present estate, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres of land, where he has since been engaged in farming and stock raising. Mr. Barnett marrien October 10, 1875, Miss Anna Wallace, who was born in Benton County, Arkansas, March 23, 1849. By this union, they have Ida May, born August 18, 1876 ; Henry, born October 31, 1878 ; Ada Lena, born January 13, 18S1. BAILEY, PETER D. A native of Ireland, emigrated to America in 1841 and settled in Ohio. His occupation while in that State was assistant engineer on the Zanesville and Maysville turnpike road, and school teaching. In November, 1844, he moved to Jackson County, Missouri, and there engaged in buying and selling real estate, and school teaching. May 10, 1849, he started with a pack train across the plains to California, arriving in Sacramento August 8th of that year. From Sacramento he proceeded to the mines on the Yuba River, where he mined till November 1st. He then came to Napa and remained till the spring of 1850, when he once more returned to the mines on Feather River, where he remained till October. He then returned to Napa and embarked in farming, which he continued till 1876. He then retired from business, since which time he has not been engaged in any business whatever. Mr. Bailey is unmarried. Biographical Sketches. 395 BROWN, JACOB B. Was born in St. Martins, New Brunswick. Re- sided at his birthplace until fourteen years of age. At the age of eighteen months his father died, leaving his mother with a family of twelve children. The mother died when he was seventeen years of age. Then moved to St. Johns, New Brunswick, and was bound an apprentice to a firm named Harris & Adams. Served six years, three years in a blacksmith shop, and three years in a machine shop. At the expiration of that time he per- suaded his brother, W. H. Brown, to start in business, which he did, and worked in company with him for two years. Then started for Boston, Massachusetts. He worked in Boston and Chelsea at three dollars per day. December 4, 1849, started for Bath, Maine, and sailed in the bark " Emma " for California, under contract with a company that brought out the steamer " H. T. Clay," to pay his passage on which he agreed to work thirty days, putting the machinery in said boat. He worked his thirty days, and at the expiration of that time he was paid three hundred dollars a month to finish putting in machinery and run the same from San Francisco to Sacramento. February 1, 1851, he started for the mines, on the north fork of Yuba River, Poverty Bar, and worked three months. He then returned to San Francisco and placed his money in the bank, and continued his trade of machinist and blacksmith, receiving eight dollars a day for several months. He then moved to Bidwells Bar, and embarked in mining, re- maining there until the first of June, 1852. On the discovery of the " Rich Bar diggings," on Butte Creek, he proceeded there, but remained only a short time, having but little success. He drew his money out of Adams Express Company's Bank only a few days before that institution failed. He then removed to Scotts Bar on the north fork of the Yuba, and con- tinued mining, having to put in a flume, and paid one hundred dollars per thousand for the lumber, and then carrying it one mile from the top of the mountain. Having finished the construction of the flume he proceeded to work, and washed one pan of dirt, which cleared him sixty dollars. A heavy storm coming on the river rose to a torrent, and the trees floating down carried away his flume. Mr. Brown again found himself financially ruined and fifty dollars in debt. Borrowing some money he again returned to Bidwells Bar, where he got employment in a saw mill at one hundred and fifty dollars a month. He remained there until the spring of 1853, the company then failing. He then started a blacksmith shop at Bidwells Bar under the firm name of Brown & Spear, continuing until 1854, when he was burned out, again losing nearly everything. He then mined awhile at a new digging called " Sky High," meeting with good success, and then bought an interest in a hotel, the " Mountain House No. 1," eighteen miles from Bidwells Bar, and followed this with good success until the following spring, and then sold out. He then bought a train of pack mules, which he 396 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. ran for three years. He followed mining and running hotel until I860, when we next find him erecting a quartz mill at Bull Frog, Plumas County, running it but a short time. He again bought a lot of pack mules, and continued packing until 1864. He then moved to Indian Valley, Plumas County, and started a blacksmith shop, and here he continued until 1874. He then sold out on account of ill-health, and moved to Napa Valley, locating in Calistoga, and continued at his trade, and in 1876 bought • his present property, erecting thereon the buildings he now occupies, and is now doing a prosperous business. Mr. Brown married in Taylorville, Plumas County, in March, 1869. BUSSENIUS, H. K. The subject of this sketch was born in Hanover, Germany, Province Hanover, August 31, 1820, and there received his edu- cation at the Gymnasium in Liineburg, and afterward graduated from the Johanneum College, in the spring of 1840. The following five years Mr. Bussenius spent in visiting different parts of the globe, arriving in San Diego in March, 1841, and spent some two years on this coast and in Central America. In 1845 he returned to his native country. He graduated as apothecary in Hanover, and engaged in the drug business for three years. In February, 1848, Mr. Bussenius again crossed the ocean to America, first locating in Wisconsin, and engaged in farming, where he resided for one year; but the climate proving too cold and severe for him, he then, in com- pany with his brother, started for California, crossing the plains and arriv- ing September 20, 1849, and first located in Nevada County, where he was engaged in mining, and afterward in a drug store in Nevada City, until 1873. We next find Mr. Bussenius in St. Helena, Napa County, engaged in his present business of druggist, on the corner of Main street and Railroad avenue. Mr. Bussenius was united in marriage in Nevada County, at Blue Tent, December 26, 1861, to Miss Johanna Gebhard, daughter of Mrs. Dr. Pfeiffer Stone, Oakland, a native of Mainz, Germany. The names of their children are Robert, Adolph, Lillie, and Ernst. BRUN, JEAN ADOLPH. This gentlemen, whose portrait appears in the body of this work, was born in France, July 25, 1845, and is the son of Jean Biun and Jeanne Delphine Delaveaux. He resided in France until 1872, having had much experience in his native country in wine, cider, and oil making. In the last-named year he came to Montreal, Canada, where he remained for fourteen months, being engaged in the manufacture of pho- tographic materials. He then went to England, and after a stay of thirty days in that country he sailed for Australia. Here he engaged in the same business, and continued in it for eight months. In September, 1874, he came to California, and shortly afterward came to Napa County, and began as a laborer, beintr enira which consists of ninety-six acres, a portion of which is in vineyard. He was married October 28, 1841, to Miss Catherine Clark, a native of Clermont County, Ohio. Their children are, Thomas J., Reuben W., Isaac N., Harriet T., now Mrs. Northupp, Junius J., Laura A. and Oliver P. BARNETT, JESSE. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Johnson County, Kentucky, February 25, 1826, where he lived until 1831. In that year his parents moved to Missouri and settled in what was then Jackson County, now Van Buren County, where they remained until 1836. In that year they removed to Scioto County, "(HL&flJi ¥uZ£<*u^\ Biographical Sketches. 399 Ohio, where he resided until he started for California, which occurred in 1854. He crossed the plains and on his arrival in this State he immediately proceeded to Pope Valley, and in the fall of 1855 Mr. Barnett settled on his present ranch of one thousand acres, and is engaged in general farming and stock raising. He was married September 28, 1848, to Miss Lavina Clark, who was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, January 16, 1828, and by this union they have seven living children : Elias J., Mary E., James P., William A., Jesse W., Samuel P. and Margaret L. BURGESS, CHARLES M. Son of Luce and Wealthy Huntsley Bur- gess, was born in Ontario County, New York, August 11, 1836, where he resided until he was twenty-two years of age. He then sailed from New York January 16, 1858, for the Golden State, coming via Panama, and arriving in the metropolis of the Pacific Coast February 18th of the above year. Remaining in San Francisco a short time, he went to Butte County and engaged in mining, and prosecuted that business for two years. We next find Mr. Burgess in San Francisco, in the employ of Mr. Lusk, then proprietor of a livery stable, and he remained in this place for eighteen months. He next entered the employ of Connor & Nye, working in their livery stable for a short time, and next was secured by the proprietor of the Cliff House, as manager of the stable and sheds connected with that famous resort, a position he filled some fifteen years. The subject of this sketch in 1868 paid a visit to his home in the East, where he remained some three months and was there married. He then, with his bride, returned to this coast, and in 1870 bought the property where he resides, consisting of one hundred and thirty -seven acres, situated four miles south-east of Calistoga. He did not, however, take up his residence here until 1880. He is now ex- tensively engaged in viniculture, having some sixty acres of vines. Mr. Burgess was united in marriage in Ontario County, New York, August 5, 1868, to Almira C Harmon, a native of that State. Their children are, Wilfred H.born July 10, 1870; Gracie W., born September 19, 1872 ; Cora S., born August 2, 1874 ; Edna M., born December 30, 1875. BURBANK, CHARLES HENRY, (deceased). Was born in Chautau- qua County, New York, August 7, 1825. Came to California in 1850, and settled in the Sacramento Valley, where he resided for some time. He then moved to Yolo County, where he followed farming until 1874, when he moved to Chiles Valley, and continued farming until his death, which oc- curred November 30, 1880. He was married October 29, 1875, to Miss Clara Wescott. She still resides on her birthplace, where she was born July 16, 1857. They had three children, John Albert, born August 29, 1876 ; George Henry, born August 11, 1878 ; Lena May, born January 14, 1881. 400 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. BIGGS, EBENEZER. Was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1826, and is the son of James and Sarah Wilkins Biggs. At the age of seven years, he, with his parents, emigrated West, and settled in Franklin County, Ohio, where he resided till he was twenty-one years of age. In 1846, at the age of twenty years, he took a drove of cattle, two hundred head, from Columbus. Ohio, to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and was probably the first who, at such an early age, was entrusted with a charge of such a nature. In 1848, he went to Louisville, Kentucky, from thence to New Albany, Indiana, and, in connection with Hugh Wilkins, opened an upholstery shop, fitting up several steamers then running on the river. On the occasion of General Taylor's journey to Washington to occupy the Presidential chair, he was one of the party who went down the river from Louisville to escort the Genei'al to that place. In February, 1849, he joined Capt. Hervey's emigrant company, and was a mem- ber of the detachment sent to Missouri to purchase stock. In the same month he went to Boonville, and there went into the country and bought forty mules ; remained one month, and then proceeded to Independence. On this trip occurred Mr. Bigg's first experience in camp-life, and with coyotes. On Sunday, April 29, 1849, the party started in earnest from St. Joseph for California, making fifteen miles on the first day, and that night he was elected wagonmaster. On the day before arriving at Blue River, six of the six-mule teams ran away, killing a man before they were gotten under control. While at Blue River a storm arose, forcing the men in charge of an ox-team that happened to be camping near by, to corral their cattle, the noise of which led the guard of Mr. Bigg's company to imagine they were attacked by In- dians. He gave the alarm, and called up all hands. One of the men, in tak- ing his gun from the wagon, in some manner knocked the hammer, causing the weapon, loaded with buckshot, to be discharged, the charge entering the head of and killing a man, who was at a distance of thirty yards. Mr. Biggs' experience with firearms was limited, so he armed himself with what in his hands was a more destructive weapon, an axe, remarking, " Boys, you shoot 'em down and I'll cut off their heads." At Deer Creek the captain of the train took charge of a team, and while going down a hill the mules became frightened and started to run. In attempting to check them the Captain was thrown down and severely injured. His daughter (Mrs. Lieutenant Thompson), jumped from the wagon, one of the wheels running over and cutting off* a part of her ear. At Fort Laramie Mr. Biggs and others withdrew from the company, and with one team came through to California, arriving at Sacramento August 27, 1849. Mr. Biggs here disposed of his team and as driver went into the employ of the purchaser. This was the first team ever driven on the west side of the river from Sac- ramento to Clear Creek. In six weeks he cleared one thousand dollars in trading, etc. On his first trip he paid five dollars for a meal consisting of Biographical Sketches. 401 crackers, bacon and three eggs, the eggs being charged for at the rate of one dollar each — a fact which caused Mr. Biggs to open his eyes in astonishment, inasmuch as, in the place from whence he came, eggs were retailing at three cents per dozen. Nevertheless, the bill was paid without a murmur, and our hero proceeded on his way, a wiser if not a richer man. From Sac- ramento he went to Deer Creek, back to Sacramento, and then to Weaver- town, remaining at the latter place during the winter of 1849-50. Leaving Weavertown, he hired out as teamster at Coloma. Greenwood Valley was his next objective point, at which place he entered the general merchandise business in partnership with a Mr. Brown. In 1851 the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Biggs went into the packing and teaming business with Samuel Ringold. Having disposed of this, they opened a livery business in Sacramento, and in a few months Mr. Biggs became sole proprietor. Was burned out in 1854. In 1856 he took charge of a stable at Folsom and re- mained three years. In 1859 he came to Napa, and in the fall of that year opened the American Stables, on the corner of Brown and Third streets. In two years he was at his old vocation of teaming, which, together with contracting, he has since followed. In 1872 he was elected Marshal of Napa City, being the first such officer of the town. Although Mr. Biggs is an ardent admirer of the fair sex, and has ever been most gallant to them, yet he has proved callous to their wiles and remains a single man. BARTH, G. Whose portrait appears in the body of this work, was born in the Kingdom of Saxony, Germany, November 16, 1821, and is the youngest child of John and Henrietta Mellor Barth. His father had a fine estate, and his dwelling was a castle. He first had a private tutor, and at the age of fourteen entered the high school, which he attended for two years. He was then sent by his father to super- intend a large farming interest, where he remained for two years. He then became administrator for several wealthy gentlemen. In 1854 he be- came the owner of a large tract of land, and then, on account of failure of crops, he lost everything he had. In 1859 he came to America, arriving in San Francisco May 15th of that year. He spent the first two months in this State in visiting all the prominent places in it, in company with the Austrian Consul, Edward Vischer, General Cipriana, and Adolph Thomal. He then went to San Mateo County, and began working on a farm for Mr. Topas, where he remained for one year. He then came to Napa County, and began working on a farm owned by Mr. Osborne, where he labored faithfully until 1861. In October of that year he was married, and began keeping a small boarding-house, which he continued until 1870. In that year he went to Europe on a commission from Governor H. H. Haight, in the behalf of the agricultural interests of California, where he had a pleasant 26 40*2 History of Napa and Lmke Cmmfifr— Nam of the different, coun- tries. He spent four months in Europe, and then returned, and has since paid his attention chiefly to agricultural pursuits. He has a tract of three : zzzzn : iz.L ~ :r : .:: - - :z. :i r: :~ 1- :. ~- :". H Ir-_ir. ;':. - "i^r- he has a fine dk park ; also, four hundred and sixty acres of what is known Salvador YaDejo Ranch, on which he has one hundred and fifty acres of l»*n^ vines, and twenty-five acres of young Tines, and two fine wine- ■.■r.'.is-~ z ril. ': -: -7 : -;.;;";. -:.". "• : - - ::. --It zz.Zr: : ' :. - ~.z ---- ''i;.r:-::-:::i:: : -- :": . ■ _?.ir. i :'. ::/:'!:-- ;:".:':";::- -■-.-;.. :. :- -:.r:: '.zzzi zzz '. z -i.-r-: r:.- :': i- - :-. :- r. - j'.iz::^- -■":: - :r z. :: E- has a fine brewery, also, a history of which will be found elsewhere. In 1880 he was a member of the City Council of Napa, one of die trustees of the Bank of Napa, Aiarmm of the finance committee of said bank and interested in the general advancement of the county and :. married October 16, 1861, to Mrs. Mary Fhefier Shepherd, relict of Joseph -:-:-! TIt-:.:.-; r -. . :-.: ~"i . /.ri - >" - BOYCE WILLIAM P. The subject of this sketch was bom in Balti- more, February 8, 1807, and is consequently now in L At the age of fifteen be moved with his parents to Cincinnati, Ohio, and in that ehy learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, at which he worked about eight years. He then, with his parents, moved and settled ia B Clair County, TTHim«rj where he continued at his trade until April I He then «iKatg«l in die Third Begiment. Illinois Yolunteers, and took part in the Black Hawk '" : leaving the army he traveled through several States, and finally settled in SheDsburg, Wisconsin, and from that place, April 19, 1850, he started across ihe plains for Cali- fornia,, first locating in this State at Hangtown, now Placerville, where he remained a short time. He then followed mining at different places until :«■-;-: ~'z.^z. ;_- r_:vrl - NIji . zzy . ■.■:.- :._- _-. I-I: -_.-- "•" -.-y z'z.iz. ir. Napa County, now in Sonoma, where he remained for two years. He then moved to Cahstoga, and purchased his present homestead in 1876. He was elected to the office of Constable and has held the office of Deputy Sheriff :'- -.':.:—- ,::---:■: :-.-_- -•-': I- ; '-.- z.zrr.r :. Lz. r -:-.-.-:■-"■ .: '...::. ':• March 14, 1839, to Susan A. Beed, who was born in Kent- union they have three living children : William E. Mary L and Jane F. BrTTON. J. A. Was born in Monroe County, Kentucky, Februi _ 1840. and resided in Ins native State until his thirteenth year, when, with his parents, he moved to Scotland County. Missouri, and there he lived until 1867. He then moved to Lawrence County, that State, where he remained until 1873, in which year he came to California and settled in Elrnira, Solano County, and there began fainting which he followed until 1880. Biographical Sketches. 403 He then moved to his present place in Wooden Valley, Napa County, where he is now following the same business. Mr. Button married November 11, 1861, Miss M. E. Tillotson, who is a native of Scotland Count}-, Missouri, born September 27, 1843, and by this union they have eight children : Robert A., born August 3, 1862 ; Lubena I., born April 28, 1864 ; Martha O., born November 11, 1866 ; Ellen, born October 15, 1871 ; William D., born October 28, 1873 ; Lydia, born June 25, 1875 ; George T., born May 30, 1877 ; James W., born May 20, 1879. BROWNLEE, ROBERT. Emigrated to America in 1S36, and settled in the city of New York, where he sojourned four months, working at his trade of stone-cutter. In September of that year he proceeded to North Carolina, and was employed for thirteen months in the capital of that State ; at the expiration of which he moved to Arkansas, arriving in Little Rock on Christmas day, 1837. He there prosecuted his calling for four years, working on the Capitol and State Bank, when he embarked in the cultiva- tion of land. In 1848 he retired from the occupation of farming, and commenced prospecting for lead, getting blown up during this employment. Mr. Brownlee was a resident of the State of Arkansas altogether thirteen years. In 1849 the world was set agog by the discovery of gold in Cali- fornia, and he was one of the many hardy sons of toil who crossed the plains, enduring all its hardships, hoping occasionally against hope, and put- ting aside any knowledge of fear, laboring incessantly to buoy up those who were bordering on despair, allaying the woes of the suffering, and cheering the despondent. In this year, after a journey occupying six months and a half, coming by way of Santa Fe, this band crossed the Colorado River in the latter end of August, and entered California, the land of promise, on the first day of September, 1849. For days before this event, water with them had been scarce, the canteens which they wore slung over their shoul- ders being nearly empty ; at last, however, pools of water were discovered, and he, riding at the head of the cavalcade, was the first to lave his parched throat with the wearily looked-for liquid. Dipping his pan deep into the pool, to procure the water in its coolest state, he found it on drinking to be potently charged with alkab: ; to resort to the first rude method of counter- action, namely, the eating of quantities of fat pork, was the work of a moment, and he recovered ; not so two of the others, who, even when cau- tioned, recklessly partook of the beverage, both dying in great suffering on the evening of the same day. They were buried by their comrades, while one of the number, gifted above his fellows with the power of speech, offered up a prayer at their graves, which, for impressive eloquence, Mr. Brownlee asserts he has never heard equalled. From the oldest to the youngest there was not a dry cheek. Let us now follow the fortunes of Mr. Brownlee. He 404 History of Napa and Lake Counties— Napa. arrived in Mariposa County in the first rains. He labored in the mines for six days, in the first hour and a half of which he dug up $80 worth of ore, his only implements being his jack-knife and tin pan. This was in Octo- ber, 1849. With this sum he entered into partnership with John W. Clarke, of Vermont, who had also been moderately lucky, purchased a team of six pack-mules, and commenced what is known as a " packing " business, be- tween Stockton and Ajuafria, two towns one hundred miles apart. The first trip took these two pioneers some six weeks to accomplish. The roads were so bad from the excessive rains that the. hardships endured were sufficient to deter men of less perseverance. Always, at their destination, however, such matters were treated lightly, for, after all, their business prospered, and miners would pay SI. 25 per pound for tea and flour, while other necessa- ries commanded as high a price. Mr. Brownlee thus describes some of his experiences on this eventful first trip. On leaving the Stanislaus River, an eight-mule team, drawing a boiler, was come up with, but such was the de- plorable state of the roads that mules, boiler, and truck had sunk into the mud, nothing being left to view but the heads of three mules and the high- est point of the boiler. Here was a fix. What was to be done ? Quick of resources, desperation lending wit to native acumen, the teamsters inconti- nently drove their animals on to the boiler, from which perch they daintily picked their steps on to the backs of their less fortunate brethren, one after the other, until once more terra firma was regained. There were four of 'these adventurers — James McVicar, Mr. Brownlee, his partner, and a negro. During a blinding snow storm they proceeded onward, and arrived at Dry Creek, where each mule had to be repacked, the cargo having shifted, on account of the many slips and falls which the quadrupeds had sustained. On relieving them of their burdens and placing the sacks of flour on the clay, the first two tiers sank out of sight, causing no inconsiderable damage. There was not the wherewithal to build a fire whereby food might be pre- pared, so they supped on flour, mixed with water and raw fat pork. Cold and hungry, they lay on the saddle blankets, striving to wheedle the gentle goddess— the four of them — Mr. Brownlee next to the negro. During the nio-ht the snow and sleet ceased, and a hard frost set in, making the cold intense. The water in a pair of long boots, the property of the darkey, froze to a solid mass, which was not perceived until he had tried to put them on ; but, whether on account of the size of his feet or the frigidity and rigidity of the ice, they would not be coaxed into their proper resting place till thawed by the water of a convenient stream. The morning, how- ever, lent a brighter aspect to the state of things, for daylight showed where fuel was to be obtained ; a hearty meal was made off coffee and flapjacks, which they enjoyed, for, on the principle of hunger being the best sauce, McVicar would now and again observe " Eh, man, Bob, but aren't they Biographical Sketches. 405 good ? " On the following day the Tuolumne River was gained, in another snow storm, they camping in a " wash " of the river. This night a splendid fire was built. Three large trees, which were lying in the bed of the now dry stream, were piled over with brush and set alight, while the banks gave shelter from the driving sleet and snow ; and comparative comfort, with a certain amount of satisfaction, was being taken out of the burning mass of timber, some forty feet in length. Of a sudden, without the slightest warn- ing, their gigantic hearth was seen to float away ; the water rose with in- credible speed, so that they were wet to their waists while securing their packs. At length all was made snug, and the quartette, climbing up to the fork of a tree, out of the reach of the now rushing stream, in the driv- ing snow, philosophically awaited the dawn of day. Of such were the hardships endured on this memorable journey. In the spring of the year 1850 the subject of our sketch established a store, having a mule team in connection therewith. The former combined all the min- ing luxuries of a boarding-house, ten-pin alley and card-room, as well as the agency for Adams' Express. At the time when the first snow fell Mr. Brownlee found himself with a lai-ge accumulation of staple goods, for which there would be a ready market ; he therefore turned out his animals to pasture on what was known as the Texine Ranch, when one day he was informed that a force of Indians had been seen driving them off. This was a cause of the hastening of another Mariposa War. On the receipt of this intelligence Major Burney, then Sheriff of the county, raised a company of twenty-two volunteers, started in pursuit, and, overtaking the Indians, engaged them for three or four hours, when they fled, leaving behind them partially eaten portions of the beasts, which had been cooked between the time of their capture and the conflict. At this juncture the war had assumed proportions which were likely to develop. The Major, therefore, appealed to Governor Burnett, at San Jose", for aid, when he despatched Neely Johnson to organize three companies of militia in Mari- posa County, Mr. Brownlee being sutler of the battalion, and as such he found himself possessed of a large amount of scrip paid to him by the force, which he wished to have recognized by the officers of the State. To gain this was the object of his first visit to Vallejo in 1851, on which occasion he remained only two months, returning to Mariposa County, and thereafter visited Sacramento in 1852 on the same errand, after which he once more went back to Mariposa, wound up his affairs, and started to return to Scot- land, but having missed the steamer from San Francisco to Panama, he re- mained for three weeks in Vallejo. On the first day of March, 1852, Mr. Brownlee sailed from San Francisco, visiting en route Arkansas and Ken- tucky, where he met his wife, went to Scotland, but in two months from his arrival, having visited a few of the most noteworthy places in his native 406 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. land, once more turned towards the United States and landed in New York, where he was married soon after his arrival. In October, 1852, we find Mr. Brownlee on his second vo}'age to California, on this occasion accompanied by his bride and his brother, his wife and son traversing the route, not by the plains, as he had done three years before, but by the more pleasant and swifter one of Panama, arriving in San Francisco in the end of No- vember, and, having pleasant recollections of Vallejo, immediately there- after proceeded thither, where both families located in December, 1852. Early in the next year he commenced farming and a dairy business on a small scale, purchased a tract of fifty acres of land two miles north of the town limits, which he afterwards exchanged with General John B. Frisbie in 1857 for his present place, now in Napa County, but which was then in that of Solano. Since his arrival, up to the present time, Mr. Brownlee has been inseparably connected with Vallejo and its associations, and though he does not reside in the county, he is still spoken of by all as the most reliable source of information in regard to the doings in early da)'s. His residence is a magnificent two-storied building, having rooms of fine pro- portions, situated about fourteen miles from Vallejo ; he farms over one thousand one hundred acres of land, six hundred and fifty being in Solano County, while this season he has under wheat and barley no less than one thousand one hundred acres. The line of railroad to Sacramento from South Vallejo passes his gate, while there is an averagely good road to his dwelling. A more genial companion, a better citizen or hospitable host does not exist than Robert Brownlee. He was born at Bunkle, in the parish of Cambus- nethen, in the County of Lanark, Scotland, in 1813, married Annie Lamont, October 24, 1852, born in Tamhorn, in the Carse O'Gowrie, Perthshire, Scotland, in 1834, by whom he has Robert A., born October 14, 1853, (the first white boy born in Vallejo); Mary J., born August 1, 1855 ; Margaret R, born June 4, 1857 ; Gracie A., born July 10, 1862 ; George, born Feb- ruary 23, 1864 ; William, born November 25, 1866, died March 17, 1868 ; and Frederick J., born August 19, 1870. BAXTER, TURNER G. Was born in Adair County, Kentucky, Jan- uary, 10, 1821. He resided at his birthplace until he was fifteen years of age, when he started out into the world to do for himself. His first move was to go to Sangamon County, Illinois, ascending the Sangamon River in the little steamer " Talisman," which was the first steamboat that had ever plowed the bosom of that stream. In going up the Sangamon River, they were detained by a mill-dam across the river. There he made his first acquaintance with that good man, Abraham Lincoln, who was clerking in a grocery store, and he will never forget how he looked. This was in a little village by the name of New Salem, twenty miles below Springfield, and the mill belonged to a man by the name of Cameron. This was in Biographical Sketches. 407 1836. He remained here for three years, learning the cabinet and carpenter's trade in the meantime. In 1839 he moved to Jackson County, Missouri, where he had an uncle living, and was engaged chiefly, during his brief sojourn in that locality, in journey work. He then went to Piatt's Purchase, on the north side of the Missouri River, where he spent two winters. His next move was to Louisiana, Missouri, where he followed his trade until March 15, 1849, when he started across the plains, with ox teams, for the land of gold. He arrived at Sacramento, September 15th of that year. Here he met an old friend, Mr. Martin, and they proceeded to Readings Springs, and started a trading post. But this was of short duration, and on the 13th day of November, 1849, in company with Dr. Brackett, he first set foot within the limits of Napa City. He at once opened a grocery store and saloon, which he continued till the following spring. He then built the Valley House Hotel, which was situated on the ground now oc- cupied by David L. Haas' store. After conducting this enterprise but a short time he sold out, with the intention of going East, but the cholera was very bad at the Isthmus just at that time, so he abandoned the idea. In the summer of 1850 he purchased the steamer " Dolphin," in San Fran- cisco. He took her to Benicia, and after undergoing repairs, put her on the Napa River route. This was the pioneer steamer of Napa, and the first one that ever came up the river. At first he made trips between Napa and San Francisco, but soon changed his terminal point to Benicia, being thus able to make close connections with the river steamers in both directions. At the end of two years he sold the " Dolphin," and again engaged in the hotel-keeping business at his old stand. This he'followed but a short time, when he went upon the steamer " Jack Hays," which was soon afterwards sold. During all this time he had not been neglectful of his best financial interests, but had purchased several lots in Napa City and had erected thereon several buildings. In 1856 he went to South America, seeking a suitable place to run a steamboat. At Valparaiso he secured the exclusive right to run a tow-boat about the harbor for twenty years, but the enter- prise was soon abandoned. He then returned to Napa and opened the Valley House restaurant, which he conducted for one year. In I860 he began work for the California Steam Navigation Company, and ran on the Napa River in their employ for three years. He then ran awhile on the Sacramento River for the company, and then took charge of a boat plying between Napa and Vallejo, in opposition to the railroad. He remained in the employ of this company until 1870. In 1874, in company two others, he bought the steamer " Vaquero," and ran it between San Francisco and Napa for one summer, and then sold her. In 1877 he was on the steamer "Princess " for one summer, and since that time Mr. Baxter has been engaged at the carpenter's trade. 408 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. BOOTHE, JEDEDIAH. Was born January 17, 1854. In 1867 he came with his parents to California, and settled in Suisun Valley, where he remained till the fall of 1871. He then moved to Chiles Valley, and settled two miles above the mill. In 1877 he went to the Sacramento Valley and farmed till the fall of 1880, when he returned to Chiles Valley and settled on his present place, comprising eight hundred and forty-five acres, and is engaged in farming. He was married November 25, 1879, to Miss Carrie A. Simmons, a native of Perry County, Illinois, born August 18, 1856. They have one child, Edwin J., born August 26, 1881. BACHELDER, JOHN. Was born in New Hampshire, March 7, 1817. At the age of twenty he began life for himself. In 1838 he went to Bos- ton, where he was book-keeper in the Middlesex Canal Depot. At the end of three years he became a partner in a similar business enterprise. In 1844 he began the dry goods business in Boston, which he followed for four years. In 1847-8 he invented the Bachelder improvement for sewing ma- chines, which consisted of the yielding presser-foot and feeder. In 1852 he began cotton manufacturing at Lisbon, now Sprague, Connecticut, and continued in that business for sixteen years, and was also in the meantime interested in a woolen mill near Norwich, Connecticut. He came to Cali- fornia in 1873, and in 1875 began the manufacture of wind-mills, etc., at Napa, which he still continues. He was married in July, 1842, to Miss A. Wason. Their children are Herman, Emma L. and Charles S. BEACH, GEORGE H. Born at New London, Connecticut, October 5, 1817. His father, Chauncey Beach, was born on the fertile banks of the Connecticut River, near Chatham, now changed to Portland. His mother was Mary Holton, born in Winchester, New Hampshire, opposite Brattle- boro, Vermont. His parents moved to New London about the year 1800. In the War of 1812 with England, his father being in the mercantile busi- ness, received the appointment of sutler to that portion of the army sta- tioned at New London. At a time when there was danger of the landing of the enemy at Light-house Point, he locked up his store, volunteered his services with hundreds of others, and joined the ranks of a company, stand- ing guard on his turn, until such time as the British withdrew to a point nearer New York. Just prior to their withdrawal they threw ball and shell all one night into the American camp, located near the shore, at the junction of Long Island Sound and the Thames River. At a moment when the shell were falling thickest, one volunteer, named Charles Louden, who had never before been under fire, in his fright, slipped unseen out of camp, and jumped a stone wall, dropping one foot into an iron pot of hot soup, which the mess-cook was preparing for a midnight serve-up to those on duty. The moment the cook saw the foot go into his hot soup, he called out, " Take your foot out of that pot ! " The man obeyed promptly, leaving Biographical Sketches. 409 a portion of the flesh of his foot in possession of the cook. From that time on, that became a lasting by-word : " Take your foot out of that pot ! " When a man stepped where he should not, or sat where he should not, or slipped and fell on the ice, Charlie Louden 's memory had to suffer. On the withdrawal of the British from New London, Mr. Beach's father resumed his business as sutler. In the year 1821, when Mr. Beach was four years old, his father died, leaving six children, three daughters and three sons. At the age of sixteen, Mr. Beach left school, accepting a position with Mr. Charles C. Williams as bundle carrier, or youngest clerk, in the dry goods' business. After some two years' experience in the business, having become a salesman, he accepted a position with Messrs. William A. Buckingham & Co., Norwich, Connecticut, with whom it may be properly said he finished his business education. This firm were wholesale and retail dry goods' men and carpet manufacturers, sending hundreds of rolls of carpeting to New York annually. Mr. William A. Buckingham will be remembered as Governor Buckingham, and was called in the time of the Rebellion the " Connecticut War Governor." That State had long been Democratic ; Governor Buckingham's great popularity elected him at the very outset of the Rebellion ; and his great popularity and ardent support of Mr. Lincoln, our President, remodeled the politics of the State, carrying it over to the Republicans. Mr. Buckingham held the Governorship until the close of the Rebellion, when he was elected LTnited States Senator. And at just about this time, Mr. Beach being at the Calaveras Big Trees, named one, the largest and handsomest tree, then unnamed, "Governor Buckingham;" and, on his return to San Francisco, sent up a marble tablet engraved, which was spiked to the tree, and remains now in good condition. It was some two years before Mr. Buckingham learned who his great admirer and friend in this transaction was, when he wrote to Mr. Beach acknowledging his ap- preciation of the act. Mr. Buckingham is now with Abraham Lincoln, and leaves a name only second to his, except it be that of George Washington, to whose memory all do homage. In 1845, Mr. Beach entered into the dry goods business in Norwich, with Mr. James B. Goddard, son of Calvin God- dard, one of Connecticut's most eminent lawyers, under the firm-name of Goddard & Beach. June 1st, Mr. Beach was married to Miss Elizabeth Tracy Morgan, daughter of Dr. Consider Morgan, of East Windsor, Con- necticut, where she was born. Her mother was Miss Lucy Hyde. Dr. Morgan was one of three brothers, all physicians and surgeons and all bear- ing eccentric names— Dwill, Lot, and Consider. Mr. Beach and wife have had born to them four children, three sons and one daughter, three of whom are now living, and all at home under their paternal roof. The, youngest, Carl Morgan, died at the age of sixteen, from injuries received from a fall from his horse, and is buried in the Odd Fellow's Cemetery at 410 History of Napa and Lake Cotinties — Napa. St. Helena. Mr. Beach is an Odd Fellow of many years standing, a present member of the Abou Ben Adhem Lodge, No. 112, San Francisco ; and is a member of the Pioneer Association, that city. To return to Connecticut : we should say that after some two years' connection in business with Mr. Goddard.he purchased his interest and received his brother Chauncey as part- ner. About the first of January, 1849, he, by long and close confinement to business, had become somewhat impaired in health, which, together with the exciting news of the discovery of gold fields in California, determined him to change his base of action, and try his luck in the new El Dorado. He sold his interest to his brother. He had a store 20x50 feet framed, with all the materials for completion, with a small stock of merchandise shipped ; part on the bark " Croton," from New York, and the rest on the ship " Mentor," from New London, both vessels sailing the first part of February. At the earliest moment he obtained a through ticket from New York to San Fran- cisco via the Isthmus, for which he paid $300, bid good-bye to his wife and her sister, leaving them in their own pretty home which he had purchased at time of marriage, which has never been parted with to this day, and it is kept in good preservation, yielding a fair interest in rental money. Stop- ping oft" one day at New London to make a farewell visit to his mother and sisters he pushed off to New York, sailing from there on the steamer "Falcon" February 1, 1849. Was detained about four weeks at Panama, awaiting the steamer " Oregon," which had started in December via Cape Horn. The first part of March his steamer came into port and was immediately filled to overflowing, many paying $300 from Panama up with no berth accommoda- tions, it being understood on the start that they must even furnish their own blankets. Some who had taken tickets with this understanding, resold at $500 and in two or three instances $700 was obtained, those selling awaiting their chance on the next steamer. Among the list of passengers were clergymen, lawyers, physicians, merchants, sea captains and naval officers — between three and four hundred passengers. The ship's boats were filled nights with lodgers. The company was graced with two lady passengers, the wife of Governor Geary and wife of Captain Bezar Simmons. General Geary and Captain Simmons were passengers also. On the first day of April they entered the bay of San Francisco. The " Oregon " was the second steamer which entered the port of San Francisco, the " California " being the first, having preceded the " Oregon " just thirty days, which at the time of the arrival of the "Oregon" lay at anchor with but her officers attached to her, the crew all having run away, as did the crew of the " Oregon." One hundred and fifty dollars a month had to be paid to obtain crews to take these steamers to Panama again and back. At this time San Francisco was mainly a town of canvas tents, and governed by an Alcalde, Doctor Leavenworth holding that posi- Biographical Sketches. 411 tion, succeeded afterwards by Governor Geary. This was John W. Geary, afterwards General Geary, in the Union Army at the time of the Rebellion. On the fourth day after arrival Mr. Beach completed a purchase of a business lot on Sacramento street for $3000, paying $1000 down. On the 7th he started for the southern mines via Stockton, taking a small stock of mining goods with him, and returned to San Francisco last of June, with money sufficient to pay up the balance due on his property, $2000, with sufficient left to pay freights on arrival of his ships. The 4th of July one ship, the " Mentor," with his stores, came in, and on the 10th the bark "Croton," with mei'chandise, arrived. In addition to merchandising, Mr. Beach had three consignments of vessels to him sailing from different ports of Connecticut. He purchased invoices of goods brought in by adventurers. He purchased interests in small sail vessels and steamers, receiving the agency and direct- ing their business. Was agent for the ship " Glenmore," running to Pan- ama; the brig "Sarah McFarlain," running to Portland, Oregon; the schooner "Alfred," to the Sandwich Islands, and the steamer "West Point," running between San Francisco and Sacramento. After having passed through two heavy conflagrations, in 1850 and 1851, losing store, and heavy stocks, each time suffering heavy losses, a little fortune each time, it may be said, he, on the arrival of his wife, in August, 1851, moved to Marys- ville, Yuba County, where he had a branch store, under the firm of Beach & Brown, and upon investigation Brown was found to be a defaulter in the sum of $10,200. Brown was arrested, but only a small por- tion recovered. About the last of December, 1849, he purchased the steamer " Lawrence," and put her on the route between Sacramento and Marysville, and invested considerable money in town property at Marys- ville. In less than one month after disposing of his property in San Francisco and moving to Marysville, his store, as also the whole block, was burned, he saving nothing from it. This was the third conflagration passed through, all within eighteen months, and in those days there was no in- surance to be obtained. By this time Mr. Beach had become discouraged about trade. He was a bold operator, made money in almost every trans- action, but the fiery element was too much for him. By it he had not only lost much of his courage, but much capital which his vessels had been making for him. Joining John Perry, Jr., and Benjamin P. Smith, of San Francisco, and Henry D. Beach, of Sacramento, he opened an office for the purchase of gold dust, then being brought in large quantity, which he shipped to San Francisco, daily, receiving gold coin in return. In a little over one year he had shipped about one and one-half million dollars in gold dust. This went in lots of three, four, five, and even as high as ten thousand dollars some days. Here again Mr. Beach was doomed to loss as well as profit. Having been admonished by physicians that he must desist 412 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. from blowing dust (the only process known then of separating the sand from the gold), he employed a competent clerk — a well-educated young man, a good book-keeper, and son of a Presbyterian clergyman in Ohio. A part of his duty was to sleep in the office, partly as a matter of safety against burglars. This young gentleman, by name Frank Morse, proved too great an expert. He absconded when Mr. Beach was absent, attend- ant upon his wife's illness in San Francisco, robbing the safe of about $4000. This loss fell upon Mr. Beach, as he managed his end of the line upon a special contract of salary, and percentage on amount of pur- chases, he (Mr. Beach) defraying all the expenses at his end of the line. Some three months prior to this loss he had inaugurated the business of Wells, Fargo & Co., taking the business into his dust office. This was in the spring of 1852. Prior to this his dust all went down in the express of Adams & Co., but none through his own agency (Wells, Fargo & Co.) He retained the business of Wells, Fargo & Co. until a Mr. Frank Rumrill offered to do the company's business at a much less price than Mr. Beach was receiving. A compromise was offered to Mr. Beach, but he re- fused to do the business at any less rate, and the business was trans- ferred to Mr. Rumrill, and the result was that in less than two years Mr. Rumrill became a defaulter to the company of about $50,000. All these facts above are provable, and matters of record. Mr. Beach owned a section of land on the Feather River, which he had taken of General John A. Sutter in payment for money loaned him, $5000. In the winter of 1853, gold dust having run up to so high a price in the mines, from $16 to $18, leaving little or no margin to the purchaser, and finding the business of cleansing the gold a positive injury to his health, he gave up the business and moved upon his farm. A year previous he had imported fruit trees of every variety, grapevines and nursery stock on a large scale, laying the foundation for the orchard, vineyard and nursery business, and putting men in charge of the work. This place he named the " New England Garden," and was popularly known all over the State, especially with nurserymen and San Francisco fruit dealers. His first importation of foreign grapevines numbered about fifty varieties, and the second in 1853, twenty-five more, and from this stock he set his vine- yard and grape nursery. The following season he was able to supply the country about him, and even filled orders from San Jose" nurserymen. From this stock came most of the foreign vineyards in the northern portion of this State. His sales of vines and trees extended into all the neighbor- ing counties, even into Plumas, Trinity and Siskiyou. In this business Mr. Beach found his search after happiness satisfied, as he thought. He is a great lover of nature. He had got away from fires and dishonest partners and thieving clerks, and he could see no enemy in his path. Biographical Sketches. 413 In this he had to contend with inexperience in the line of business, as also in the nature of the soil and seasons. It was a pioneering undertaking ; but Mr. Beach was not one to hunt difficulties ; he was much more apt to brush them to one side. All seemed a probable success. Mr. Beach studied all the horticultural works he could obtain ; was bold in experimenting, solving problems only to be obtained by experiments. Hundreds profited by Mr. Beach's work. As we have said, his labors seemed to prosper and give the fairest promise, until in 1855, when grasshoppers in myriads for a whole month covered his entire grounds, as did they his neighbors' small grain fields, leaving him not a vestige of fruit for market, and doing thousands of dollars damage to his nursery. In 1856 he harvested a hand- some income from his orchard ; 1857 saw him again perfectly devastated by the same pests. These two years of pests entailed a large outgo, with no income ; 1858 gave him a crop of $20,000, but yet he was behind ; 1859 caught him again, with the same result nearly as in 1855 and 1857. This scourge, together with the floods in his low lands depositing millions of tons of the miners' debris, discouraged him beyond endurance, and he sold out for $17,500, leaving him without a dollar to his name in California, as he devoted the last dollar in liquidation of obliga- tions entailed through these many reverses. In 1857 Mr. Beach was elected a Vice President of the State Agricultural Society; in 1858 he was the Recording Secretary of the same, which constituted him one of the Board of Directors. All the funds of the Society, about $30,000, which came into the Society that year, were received and dis- bursed by him ; he received and deposited with the Treasurer, and no money could be paid out by the Treasurer without the order of the Record- ing Secretary, countersigned by the President. That year, 1858, the Rev. O. C. Wheeler was Corresponding Secretary. The Society published sta- tistics in book form, of each year, giving the full details of all its doings. That year Mr. Beach received a vote of thanks, and the Society voted him $500 for his services, but the money Mr. Beach did not accept, as the Society really needed it more than he thought he did. In March, 1864, Mr. Beach left Marysville and entered the large commercial house of N. J. Brittan & Co., wholesale stove and iron merchants, San Francisco, (now Holbrook, Merrill & Stetson), as salesman. Towards the close of the year a friend requested him to call on a large tobacco and cigar firm, who felt anxious to make his acquaintance. He did so, and the result was an en- gagement with them as commercial traveler, and at much increased salary. But a primary object then was a change from an encaged life to one mostly in the open air. The orchard and vineyard business had about spoiled him for an indoor life. He pursued that business for some twelve years, until in the fall of 1876, when by accident he was thrown from a 414 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. buggy, breaking his leg, the femur bone, which laid him up some months, bidding fair to leave him a cripple for life ; but with good coun- sel, a good constitution, a system in the very best of condition, and an iron will within him, he came out of his bed apparently as sound a man as ever, and now, four years after, shows no signs of ever having met with such an accident. On getting out of his bed he determined to travel no more ; and in the spring of 1877 built a store on his property, alongside his residence in St. Helena, Napa County, and filled it with goods which pertain to a stationery, fancy variety store, miscellaneous reading, periodicals, keeping a handsomely assorted stock of between three and four thousand dollars. Arthur B. Beach, his eldest son, is manager of the business. In July, 1877, Mr. Beach took a trip into Puget Sound, Eastern Washington, and Oregon, which restored his impaired health and strength, caused by his long confine- ment from his accident. His trip was a complete success ; he still makes this trip annually. Mr. Beach tells us that he took a lively interest in the organization of the Republican party in his county in 1856, and of the elec- tion of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, organizing clubs in his county, Yuba, and the counties adjoining north of him. He inherited his Whig principles from his father. Was a Whig from the time he had any thought in politics, and so continued until the formation of the Republican party. His first presiden- tial vote was cast for William Henry Harrison in 1840, and with his club sang their popular campaign songs through the canvass. He was one of the seven to organize the First Congregational Church in San Francisco. He organized the first two church choirs that ever sung in this State : that of the First Congregational and First Baptist, both of San Francisco. Also, organized the first choir in Marysville, Yuba County, California: that of the First Presbyterian Church. Mr. Beach never played a game of cards or a game of billiards in his life. Has been, and is, a great lover of music. Had the honor of leading a large choir at the age of twenty. Is a great lover of boating. Being brought up on the Thames River, near Long Island Sound, Connecticut, had the opportunity, and did become an expert both in sailing and rowing a boat. He, when a child, had a perfect mania for the water. Has fallen overboard a dozen times, and was virtually drowned twice. Says he believes drowning must be the easiest death one can die ; but that it is no agreeable time when being brought to. We copy herein from the published history, in book form, of the First Congregational Church, San Francisco, his letter to the trustees on the occasion of the celebration of the golden wedding — the twenty-fifth anniversary of the church. It will be found full of interest and amusing. We also publish a letter from Mr. H. T. Hutchinson to the St. Helena Star, naming Mr. Beach's identity with the early steamboating on the California waters. These seem to be of interest, and in making up his biography, we feel it our duty to Biographical Sketches. 415 bring them in. He could give us items of interest of the pioneer days that would half fill our book, were he disposed to do so. Mr. Beach moved from San Francisco to St. Helena in May, 1872, having purchased a resi- dence on Main street, but a hundred feet from the post-office. His store adjoins his residence. He intends, the coming year, moving his house back, fronting it on Oak avenue, and erecting a building for business purposes on Main Street. This will be the result of a plan laid by him when he first made his purchase ; and all his efforts — his tree planting, etc. — on the Oak avenue end of his property, have been with this result in view. It is said by his friends that he is rather self-confident ; that the law of his being is to conclude whatever he undertakes ; that let him engage in any task, no matter how difficult or how small its worth, he cannot quit it till he has mastered its whole secret, finished it, and made the result of it his own. The following letter of reminiscences was read from George H. Beach, of Napa, one of the original founders of the First Congregational Church, though never connecting himself with its covenant : " Stockton, July 15, 1874. — Rev. A. L. Stone and others : Your note of the 25th ult., extending to me an invitation to be present at your twenty-fifth Anniversary, was duly received, but business engagements will prevent my being present. Allow me to state a few incidents of the pioneer days, perhaps worth treasuring : On leaving New York on the 1st of February, 1849, in the steamer *' Falcon," there being on board two ladies, Mrs. John W. Geary and Mrs. Bezar Simmons, sister of Mr. Frederick Bil- lings, I organized a choir composed of those ladies and two or three gentle- men. Judge Geary officiated on the Sabbath, reading the Episcopal Service on the steamer. Rev. Albert Williams, who arrived by the steamer " Cres- cent City " at Chagres about the same time, officiated while we were at Panama, about three weeks. Our choir held together all the time. We came up from Panama on the steamer " Oregon," and came to an anchorage oft* Saucelito on Sunday, April 1st. The same evening we steamed over to San Francisco, a number of the passengers landing that evening, and the rest next day. We found it mostly a canvas town, but there were some adobe and wooden buildings. The white canvas tents from the previous steamer of the 1st of March were dotted here and there ; and when the tents from our steamer were set up next day, to accommodate about four hundred pas- sengers, it had the appearance of an army having arrived and encamped in the town. There were but very few women there, and, to use the expres- sion of an old schoolmate whom I met for the first time in many years, ' The very ground on which a refined lady trod in San Francisco was almost worshiped.' You may judge that all were anxious to get a sight of the new- comers by our steamer. On the second or third day on shore, while standing 416 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. with Mr. Charles L. Ross, then a merchant, near his door, we noticed a gen- eral rush from the various buildings on the opposite side of the street. We ran out also, and found this exodus had taken place all along the line from both sides of the street. I asked the cause of the alarm from the first man I met, supposing a fire had broken out somewhere. ' Alarm ! ' said he ; ' I guess you've just arrived.' ' Yes, that's so,' said I. ' Well, those two ladies with that gentleman just turning the corner above caused all this excite- ment. It's a very rare thing, sir, to see a white woman on the streets here.' Fifty men or more were then running in the direction the ladies had taken, that they might get another sight at them. The party so curiously observed were John W. Geary, his wife, and Mrs. Simmons. We learned that the Rev. T. D wight Hunt was holding Divine service in the little 20x30-foot school- house on the public plaza. Having made Mr. Hunt's acquaintance, Mrs. Simmons and the gentlemen of the choir agreed to go in and aid him on the following Sabbath. On that day, the 8th of April, we took our seats as a choir, with our three or four note-books, which we had the thoughtfulness to put in our trunks, and two of which I have at this day. Soon after the singing commenced, the little room being filled, a living girdle began to form around the building, until, when the service had closed, the people — men in all sorts of attire, pants in boots and over boots, with red, blue, white and checkered shirts — had thickened around us to a depth perhaps of twenty to thirty feet. On emerging from the building, I asked if that was a common occurrence, and was told that it was not, but an entirely new feature ; that as soon as the lady's voice had been heard on the outside the news spread like wildfire, and its effect was not lost until it completely broke up, for the time being, the gambling circles around the tables in the famous Parker House, then situated on the east side of the Plaza, where the Hall of Records is now. Even Robert Parker himself, the proprietor, followed the retreating crowd to the school-house. This living mass had been drawn there to get a sight of the newly-arrived lady and to hear the sweet tones of her voice. When told that she was the center of attraction, Mrs. Simmons laughed heartily, and said she would stick to the little school-house as long as her presence proved an auxiliary to Mr. Hunt's labors. But it was not so to be. She was suddenly attacked by typhoid fever, and lived but two weeks, leaving a husband, brother and many fellow passengers to mourn her loss. Here, in justice to every '49er, I will add that never since, in the history of California, has a lady been more safe from the possibility of hearing an offensive word than in those dajrs of chaos — of red shirts and miners' boots. The least insult to a lady then would have brought down a thunder- storm on the perpetrator's head. The roughest seemed to vie with the most refined in striving to do her homage. When I look back throwgh the quar- ter-century to that little school -house, that sentry-box, that dim speck in Biographical Sketches. 417 the horizon, and contrast it with the now effulgent light, shining to all the world, it seems but a dream." The letter in the " Star " concerning Mr. Beach's connections with the steamboats, alluded to above, is as follows : " The Second Steamboat. San Francisco, July 26, 1880. — Editor St. Helena " Star," St. Helena : Dear Sir — Friends at intervals send me your spicy little paper, in the last issue of which I read an account of the first steamboat which plied on the waters of California. And now I will tell you of the second, especially as it relates to an especial friend of mine who is a resident of your town. The news of the great gold excitement reached the East in the fall of 1848. In the spring of 1849, there being a pretty little steamer named ' Lawrence,' measuring about seventy-five tons, plying on the Merrimac River, Massuchusetts, it was purchased by a company numbering sixty -four. They had her taken to pieces ; each piece of wood and every bolt was numbered. They chartered the ship ' Mayflower,' of Boston, in which was shipped all the parts of the little steamer ' Lawrence,' boilers and everything. They shipped their provisions, advertised for and obtained a goodly number of passengers, and sailed for San Francisco, which port they reached in September. After three or four days' investigation, anchor was raised, sail set, and with a fair wind went up to what was then called New York of the Pacific, a town laid out on Suisuin Bay by Colonel Jonathan Stephenson. Here the material, provisions, etc., were all landed, and the steamer set up. About the 15th of December she was ready for a trial trip. She was run up to Stockton. On returning she encountered a heavy blow and came near foundering. Discontent immediately took possession of a majority of the company, most of them desiring to give up this enterprise and try their luck in the mines. Captain Oliver Allen and Captain Merri- hue, old acquaintances of Mr. George H. Beach in the East, immediately took the steamer's small boat, reinforcing themselves with two or three others of the company, paddled and sailed to San Francisco, where on arrival they immediately called on Mr. Beach at his store on Sacramento street and stated all the facts to him, informing him that they were empowered to make sale of the steamer for $30,000. Mr. Beach, after an evening's reflection, informed them that he would send sufficient freight by sail- ing vessel to the steamer which would warrant her making a trip to Marysville, and if everything pleased him as regards to the good working order of the steamer, he would likely purchase her. The proposition was accepted. The next day Mr. Beach sent the sloop 'Alfred ' off with fifty tons of freight, more or less. This being transferred at New York of the Pacific, the little steamer pushed out for Sacramento, Mr. Beach, himself, on board. The little ' Lawrence ' had some narrow escapes before she reached Marys- ville, much alarming many of the company. Mr. Beach made money by the 27 418 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. charter, as he took on board at Sacramento a hundred passengers at twenty- five dollars each, to be landed at Marysville. On the way down, and before reaching Sacramento, Mr. Beach had completed the purchase at §27,000 or $27,500. As soon as he had the papers perfected, he raised the guard of the steamer and added twenty-five feet in length to the bow, making her faster, safe against the rapid currents, and enabling her to carry twenty-five tons more freight. Mr. Beach retained Captain Crosby as her master, and as many others as he desired to remain by her. I was given the posi- tion of clerk at a salary of $250 per month. We made our first trip to Marysville from Sacramento, about the 25th day of December, 1849. The business was a great success for so small a craft. Mr. Beach disposed of three-eighths of her while she was being added to, he retaining the'control- ing interest. He must have made $50,000 out of her earnings before heavy competition made it his interest to sell. But while this pretty 'little steamer was coining money for him, the conflagration of San Francisco had leveled his building and stock of goods twice, perhaps amounting to $75,000, and in those days no insurance to be obtained. H. T. Hutchinson. " P. S. — Captain Oliver Allen, who was the originator of the whale gun, and one of the projectors in this enterprise, was a neighbor of Mr. Beach's in Norwich, Connecticut, and now has one of the largest dairy ranches in California, and is located a little south of Tomales, Marin County, and has made a number of valuable inventions since that of the whale gun. H. T. H." " Since receiving the above we have submitted it to Mr. Beach for his approval. Mr. Beach says the letter is a very correct report, and does not underrate his profits in the steamer or losses by fires ; and adds that the third steamer which went into the Saci'amento and Yuba River waters was of his purchase — the steamer 'Phcenix.' Then the fourth, the ' Martha Jane,' also purchased by the Lawrence Steamer Com- pany. The last two were too small for profit — were purchased simply to prevent competition. The 'Phoenix' was afterwards sold to an association called the Linda Company, as a dredging boat — dredging for gold in the Yuba River — and the ' Martha Jane ' to parties living on the San Joaquin River, near Stockton, for a tow-boat. Judge E. D. Wheeler, now of San Francisco, then a mere lad, was employed as a fireman on the first little steamer, 'Pioneer,' the little steamer preceding those purchased by Mr. Beach. Captain Cornelius Storms, now living in San Francisco, is con- versant with all these facts, as well as Judge Wheeler. Storms was one of the company to bring out the steamer ' Linda,' which, with the splendid steamer ' Governor Dana,' knocked the little steamers off the line." CRANE, GEORGE BELDEN. Whose portrait, at seventy-three years of age, will be found in the body of our work, first saw the light in the Biographical Sketches. 419 State of New York, sixty miles north of the city of that name, and eighteen miles east of the Hudson River, in what was then, 1806, Dutchess County, now Putnam. His father was Belden, and grandfathers Zebulon Crane and David Paddock. To follow him in his delineations of the educational facilities, business conveniences, and industries of the people generally, so near the commercial emporium of the nation, we obtain a graphic account of the manners and customs of the people who were familiar, practically, with the hardships of the War of Independence, and their immediate de- scendants. These, when contrasted with the present state of things in those relations, give us in a condensed view a clear idea of our wonderful growth during the six central decades of our country's history from 1820 to 1880. And to follow him in his wanderings after leaving the Empire State at the age of twenty-six, till he became a permanent resident of our El Do- rado, we become familiar with the spirit and instincts which justifies the oft-quoted declaration of Bishop Berkeley : " Westward the Star of Empire takes its way." But preparatory to this, and to show our boys what perse- vering energy can do in achieving a good practical education, with but little of the advantages they now enjoy, we will listen briefly to his recollections of the character of his first " going to school," sixty miles from New York City. The school-house was a mere shanty ; a fire-place in one side, a door in another, a broad plank framed into the other two sides, sloping down towards the center of the room for a writing table, and the central part filled with seats without backs, from eight to twelve feet long, made of slabs brought from his father's saw mill on the west branch of the Croton, the water of which river now supplies the great city of New York. On these seats the little boys and girls would sit, study, go to sleep, fall off, and get whipped for falling, while the larger ones would sit at the writing table, keeping the " master " busy much of the time " mending " their goose-quill pens. He remembers having heard it urged by parents who felt they could not afford their children the use of tallow candles (and no other were known) to study " o' nights," that Martin Van Buren, born and educated not far away, and who had become a great lawyer, used to get " light- wood" to see by in night study. Like about all the boys in the Eastern and Middle States in those early days, he would work on the farm in the summer, after getting old enough to work, till he was fit to enter what is now called a high school ; and the winter after his sixteenth birthday, a certificate of competency from the school inspectors placed him in the proud position of a teacher. The ruling wages for common school teachers at that day was $10 to $12 a month and board. Four years later we find him in the Medical Department of the State University in the city of New York ; then soon a licentiate, practicing medicine and surgery in the central por- tion of that State; then, in 1832, a graduate of that college; then wending 420 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. his way westward, traveling from Albany to Schenectady on the first pas- senger railroad in that State, or in the United States ; then on board a canal boat drawn by horses, at the rate of fifty miles in twenty -four hours, to Buf- falo, at which place he was told that a new town called Chicago, had just started near Lake Michigan, which "might become something of a place," and that he had better go there and grow up with it. He left the steamer at Cleveland, Ohio, however, thinking this Chicago, a name and place of which he never heard before, was too far beyond the limits of civilization. From Cleveland, in 1832, he rode on a boat on the Erie and Ohio Canal, to Chil- licothe, which canal was finished only to that place, forty miles north of the Ohio ; thence by stage to Portsmouth, the southern terminus of the canal, near the mouth of the Great Scioto River, near where had been, some thirty years before, the Little Scioto Salt Works, about which a few words will show our youth the possibilities within their reach. Four youngsters worked there, relieving each other day and night, keeping up the fires. One of them, " Tom." Ewing, became United States Senator ; another, " Bob " Lucas, Governor of Ohio; another, "Joe" Vance, also became Governor of that State in 1836, and the fourth, his informant, was one of the pioneers in the development of the great iron interests in southern Ohio. They should remember in this connection, President Garfield, at a later date, on the canal tow-path. Here, on the border land, between North and South, he saw cropping out the feud destined thirty years later not only to destroy social harmony, but to convulse our whole political fabric. With the South- ern settlers on the Ohio side, " Yankees " were in bad odor. An old " Tuck- a-ho," as the Southerners were called, without the remotest idea from what State our friend hailed, told him that York Yankees were the meanest kind. He had never before heard the then opprobrious epithet " Yankee " applied to any but New Englanders, save but by English writers. Here (in Scioto County) he followed his profession between four and five years, marrying, meantime, the oldest daughter of Daniel Young, a pioneer from New Hamp- shire to southern Ohio, author, while member of the Senate of the former State, of the first legislative enactment which separated Church and State in New England, and subsequently a leader in the development of the great iron interest in Ohio, president of the Ohio Iron Company. The health of his wife demanding a change of climate, the winter of 1836 found them in North Alabama, where he continued to live, enjoying the professional pat- ronage and social kindness of a superior class of people, till he found his constitution about broken by hard labor in what was then not only a hot, but a highly malarious climate. Seeking restoration to health in a higher lati- tude, we next find him on the right bank of the Mississippi, in Pike County, Missouri, a place and people made at a later day conspicuous by California emigration. However this distinction originated, or whether creditable or T^OC Biographical Sketches. 421 otherwise, he is ^uite free to confess or boast that for more than a decade of years he was a citizen of a county from which hail such men as United States Senator Henderson, J. 0. Broadhead ; the late Republican candidate for Governor, Patrick Dyer ; the present Lieutenent-Goverrior of that great State, R. A. Campbell ; three Congressmen, and one Presidential Elector, whose name was in everybody's mouth during the Hayes-Tilden imbroglio, besides our own John F. Swift, Commissioner to China. And in this con- nection, while averse to referring to his professional credentials before the public, he states en passant, the fact that while a citizen of Pike County, in 1848, he had, unsolicited, the honor of being one of the two or three phy- sicians of that State on whom the medical department of the University of Missouri conferred the Honoraiy Degree of M. D. Like other old men with progressive instincts, he likes to compare the past with the present, and draw the contrast. Returning to his native State and county, after twenty years absence, he found the labor of weeks compressed into as many days. Rapid railroad transit to the city had superseded the wagon and the old North River sloop, and we soon find him in this far-away region, encouraging the march of improvement by a substitution here of railroad for wagon and steamboat; but with the preparatory steps to this, begins that future of his his- tory with which Californians are more immediately interested. Succeed- ing generations who will live amidst the splendid surroundings which are destined to distinguish our valley and mountain sides, will be curious to know how their ancestors reached the western coast before its waters were stirred by steam and the thousand of miles of mountain spanned by rail- road. While a vast majority of the early immigrants boldly encountered the hardship of crossing the continent with their teams, others crossed the Isthmus, or sailed " direct," as it was called, though in fact an exceedingly circuitous route "round the Horn." In January, 1853, we find the subject of this narrative, with family and effects, on a staunch thirteen-hundred-ton clipper, sailing far toward the coast of Africa ; then, from a south-east, the good ship "tacks" and takes a south-west direction, and in forty days rounds the " stormy cape ;" seventy days farther sailing their ears were cheered by the welcome words, " Land, ho ! " from the mast-head, the second sight of any portion of old terra in sailing fourteen to sixteen thousand miles. It proved to be Mount St. Helena, our friend little dreaming then that he was destined to assist in pioneering one of the most important industries of the State nearly under its shadows. Turning back, the Farallones were soon in view, and near which the clipper surrendered to a pilot that met and conducted her through the Golden Gate. And here we would gladly indulge in his description of what San Francisco was then, with its surroundings, with the shores of the bay, Oakland, ferry facilities, etc., and contrast with the magnificent proportions to which 422 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. all these have attained ; but an account of his journey to Santa Clara and San Jose" must suffice for the present. Competition in travel and transpor- tation at that early day protected the public against the robberies of soulless monopolies, and if extortionate prices became unendurable a rival line or business would soon regulate and bring them to a healthy standard, even though great sacrifices were made in bringing things to a proper balance. On the 3d of May, 1853, for twenty -five cents he was taken to Alviso by steamer, and on by stage to San Jose-, the seven miles of staging meander- dering in every direction over the unfenced plains, to find the dryest ground after an unusually wet season, and enabled him to see for the first time the ground-squirrels and coyotes about which he had read and heard so much. At San Jose" he lived and prospered for four years, when, his wife conceiv- ing that the prevalent north winds aggravated her cough, he relinquished the charge of the City and County Hospital and a large private practice, and sought a more healthful change in Napa City. Here the luxuriant growth of Mr. Patchet's vineyard attracted his attention, but his reading of French and German authors on vine culture led him to inquire whether a fine wine could be produced by an adobe or any kind of superior grain- producing soil. It was claimed that vineyard ground should be selected more with reference to the quality of wine it would make than the quan- tity ; that a small crop from land unfit for the production of breadstuff's would command more money than a large one grown on rich land. Com- paring the physical geography of this valley with that of some of the most celebrated vineyard regions of Europe, to which we might superadd our confessedly superior climate, he came to the conclusion that if Nature had specially designed any one spot of earth for vineyard purposes, Napa County had that or those spots. He had noticed in the books that vineyard prop- erty in Europe was regarded as the most reliable for securing a competency for the support of families, and on a large scale for the accumulation of wealth, notwithstanding the frequent failure of crops from frosts, excessive rains, oidium, and other diseases, while General Vallejo assured him that his thirty- year-old vineyard in Sonoma had never failed of a crop and never called for manure. All this, to which he added a very natural desire to engage in a vocation at once as remunerative as his profession, and unlike it — freer from unavoidable hardship and exposure, caused him to turn attention seriously to the question of abandoning the one and engaging in the other. It had not, nor did it on subsequent reflection and inquiry, occur to his mind that native wines might not prove acceptable to palates accustomed only to the imported varieties, and, at the best, that it would be a long time before our wines could figure in the commercial world as a staple commodity — but of that hereafter. The business aspect of the case being settled, a consideration of much graver character arose : Will the addition of an abundant supply of Biographical Sketches. 423 the fermented juice of the grape to the intoxicating distilled liquors in gen- eral use as a beverage increase the amount of drunkenness ? An affirmative answer to that question once established, he held that no conscientious man could feel at liberty to engage in the business. But an appeal to history, sacred and profane, and a reference to the habits and state of temperance of the human family throughout Christendom, clearly led to the conclusion that a pure wine would not only fail to increase the amount of intoxication among the people, but would prove an auxiliary to the temperance cause. To justify himself in the estimation of his old associates in the temperance movement, and in the minds of the friends of temperance generally, he assigns, among others, the following reasons why he believed, and still be- lieves, that a prohibition of the use of pure wine by the rules of temper- ance societies is not only impolitic, but fatal to the philanthropic object of their organization. He reasons thus : In sacred history we find wine gen- erally associated with the indispensable necessaries of life ; its use never forbidden, but its abuse always condemned. This is a precedent in favor of the use of wine from which it is strange that .Christians ever appeal. Would temperance reformers allow all to drink it, young and old, as they did in the apostolic age — as they did in the days of Moses, Elias and Eze- kiel, without damage to physical or moral health, so far as we can learn — and employ every agency within their reach to restrict to the artisan and apothecary distilled alcohol, the happy result would soon be apparent. Distilled spirits, when used as a beverage, have been proved by experience to be ten-fold more potent in the formation of intemperate appetites and habits than the undistilled, fermented juice of the grape. This fact, so vitally important to the welfare of our country, did not escape the saga- cious mind of President Jefferson. Encouraging the people of Virginia to engage in vine culture, he wrote : " In all countiies where wine is cheap, drunkenness is rare ; but in all countries in which wine is so costly as to cause people to satisfy their natural desire for stimulants by the use of dis- tilled spirits, drunkenness is common." That truly great man and genuine philanthropist was not only a careful observer of the habits of men and nations, and the causes which led to their different manners and customs, but he knew that human nature in general demanded something in addi- tion to mere satiety of food. He knew that no people had ever been found on the face of the earth so savage, or so refined and civilized, as not to be in possession of something, aboriginal or imported, that was used as a luxury in the shape of stimulants or narcotics or both. These facts convinced him that it is natural for man, after supplying the necessities of life by food, to desire to multiply his enjoyments, intellectual and animal, and for the time to exalt them. And the history of the so-called temperance reform in our own country abundantly proves, that whatever is really and truly founded in 424 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. nature cannot be successfully opposed. Over a third of a century had already passed since the ruin left in the wake of intemperance had aroused the alarm of the philanthrophist, the statesman, and the divine. Appeals had been made in the name of our common humanity, to every class of peo- ple for their co-operation, in efforts to stay the progress of the fell destroyer. Men, women and children, were induced to pledge themselves to abstain totally from all inebriating liquors as a beverage, which resulted only in spasmodic and temporary reform, if indeed it did not weaken the sense of moral obligation, by habituating people to the violation of solemn pledges. Legislation was invoked and superadded to moral suasion, liquor laws enacted and evaded or openly defied. A generation had lived and died amid the most zealous and energetic exertion on the part of the humani- tarian, political economists and reformers generally, the best of men and women meantime, ever ready to barter their hearts' blood for the protection of their sons from the drunkard's grave, and their daughters from drunken husbands. When, after thirty or forty years had been devoted unremit- tingly to this cause, a cause that appealed alike to the common interests of society and the deepest and tenderest sympathies of our nature, its advocates were made to stand aghast by the discovery that the statistics of poverty and crime caused by intemperate liquor drinking was not only not dimin- ished but absolutely increased, and it was found by reference to the custom house and returns of domestic distilleries, that consumption of distilled liquors had also increased 'pari passu, with the population. From the above facts he was driven to the conclusion, that it is impossible to so change the nature of the Caucasian, as to induce him to consent to live without the luxury of stimulating beverages of some kind, and consequently that wisdom and prudence call for such a regulation of his appetite as it is possible to effect, and this possibility we find in the remedy for the prevention of drunkenness, hinted at by the sage of Monticello, Mr. Jefferson, " make wine cheap." Experience demonstrates that the free use of wine from youth to old age in France, Germany, Switzerland and other countries, inhabited by our own race, where wine making is a leading industry, engenders but a tithe of the beastly drunkenness which characterize the habits of people where wine stimulation is more costly than distilled spirits, and we have among us an abundance of superior constitutions, physical and mental, from those countries, who are living witnesses to the correctness of Mr. Jefferson's statement. And if further testimony is needful to prove that wine is useful to the world and not dangerous to morals, we have only to invoke more particularly that of Holy Writ. Noah's first enterprise after leaving the Ark, if we are to accept the account as historic, was the planting of a vine- yard. Moses reserved the choicest of the wines for his priests. David, the " man after God's own heart," said " wine makes the heart glad." Solomon Biographical Sketches. 425 was not in favor of red or mixed wine, and cautioned all against using any kind to excess. He knew that good things could be abused, but the climax of approval of wine drinking we find at the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. With all these facts and reflections he naturally concluded that wine making was compatable with a clear conscience, and the next thing was to seek a locality and soil most likely to produce a superior article. This he believed he found in the upper part of Napa Valley, and over twenty years, of experience has confirmed his opinion. At that time he could find no one who would admit that vines could be made to grow without irrigation. Soils too light for the production of wheat and on which water could not be artificially conducted were thought valueless. A large proportion of the upper valley land was of this charac- ter, with some rather fertile spots here and there. He was made the butt of gibes and jokes for paying six or seven dollars per acre for three or four hundred acres of this kind of land, one-half covered densely with chemisal brush and on none of which could cereals or esculents be successfully culti- vated, and fruit culture was considered impossible for want of water. In self-defence he facetiously claimed that his aim was to raise rabbits for market. He procured Mission cuttings from San Jose-, there being no foreign ones in the country, and put them down three feet deep with a crow- bar, in the expectation that moisture at that depth would remain till roots could sprout at the lower end. Years afterward he found that these lower ends of the cuttings had neither sent out roots nor even swelled in growth, but roots were plentiful near enough to the surface of the ground to feel the sun's heat sufficiently. About sixty per cent, of the twelve acres planted in this way in February, 1859, grew well, and by the next season he had learned to plant with a spade, and so supplied the missing places, planted many acres in addition, besides cuttings from a nursery of foreign vines, which by that time he was able to procure in San Jose" and from Europe, by the help of Colonel Haraszthy, paying in San Jose* $40 per thousand for cuttings ten inches long, and he continued to plant from year to year till he had a full hundred acres of vineyard. But the above-named, and what remains to be told about the want of a market, etc., by no means cover all the difficulties he and his neighbors were compelled to encounter in getting the vine-grow- ing business in running order in the St. Helena district. To the ravages of the army of hare, squirrels and cotton-tail rabbits in the destruction of young vines was superadded the opposition of temperance fanatics. A preacher who was wise above what is written, and who was more temperate than the Savior, attempted to correct an error of " Him who spake as man never spake," by praying that " God would blight the vineyard business now being commenced in this valley." At this point our friend the Doctor vocif- erated— " spoke out in meeting," as the newspapers have it — in a voice 426 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. audible to everyone in the large congregation, exclaiming, " That prayer won't go six feet high." This irreverent anecdote has gone the rounds of the Press about once a year ever since, correctly adding that vineyard pros- pects continued to brighten after the sacriligious invocation for their blight. Before this time, however, his neighbors, of whom he had but few, began to admit that brush and naked upland was worth something, and it has in- creased in demand, and what has proven on trial to be perfectly worthless for cereals and esculent roots will now sell for $100 or more per acre, and yield, when well cultivated in grapes, from two to four or five times as much annual net profit as the best bottom land devoted to general farming, and bring a large amount of cash to the State for the sale of wines, instead of sending to Europe to pay the foreign laborer there. He claims the credit of pioneering, at a large expense to himself, the utilizing of worthless land as a politico-economical measure. But the next and unforeseen contingency was forced upon him. His cellars, which he had very unwisely dug into the ground, instead of adopting the present mode, became full, and, unable to sell a gallon in our Bay City, he hauled to Napa on wagons some twelve thousand gallons and sent it around the Horn to New York for eight or nine cents per gallon freight. Crossing the Isthmus himself, he met his wine in our great commercial metropolis, but could not find one dealer in that great city who would buy a barrel of it. Fortunately, he had taken money enough with him, or he could not have paid the freight by the sale of the wine, every hundred of his coin at that time (1867-8) bringing one hundred and forty of currency. His white wine, owing to soil, age of vines, or its handling by H. A. Pellet, fermented in pipes, was mainly very good. His claret not clear. Some of the foreign dealers would condescend to examine it. Other California wine also was there. But while the wholesale dealers refused to buy, they did not fail to take alarm. Large sums of money were raised by foreign houses, and special agents sent to Washington to get import duties on foreign wines reduced. After fruitless delay he determined to seek a market in the west, where Nicholas Longworth, of Cincinnati, and the Hermon Missouri Company had already familiarized the people with native wine. Finding at that time that he could not stand the cost of sending his stock by rail- road, it was shipped via New Orleans and the Mississippi to Saint Louis, where he found plenty of native wine made of the Catawba and other American grapes by the aid of alcohol and New Orleans sugar, a large pro- portion of which was " gallized." The low saccharine quality or strength of grapes in every locality in the Atlantic States in which wine was made, compelled the employment of sugar. Glucose was then unknown. He was told by one of the proprietors of the Croton Point Vineyard, on the Hudson, that he paid $2000 for the sugar that year for six thousand gallons of Isa- Sketches. 427 bella juice, and the gentleman was astonished to learn that that was more than the whole cost to the California producer of an equal amount of pure, unadulterated wine, and he said the days of Eastern native wine growing were numbered. He worried along as best he could in Saint Louis for two years at destructive expense to himself physically and pecuniarily, realizing when too late, that if he had understood the business like the practical vintners who succeeded him in that city, that his enterprise would have been a success. But finally, worn out by the sweltering heat and benumbing cold, he traded his cellar of wine and brandy, which had been largely increased in quantity by importations from home, for a Saint Louis County farm, which he ultimately lost after refusing $16,000 cash for it, by causes and complications irrelevant to the object of this Napa County History. Making his effort to create a market for the product of California vineyards, let him down financially over $20,000 below where he would have been if he had remained at home and sold during the Franco-Prussian War for such prices as he could then have realized in San Francisco. But mistakes and errors are unavoidable in all attempts to develop new industries, yet in the present case he has the gratification of knowing that those who were encouraged to embark in the vineyard business, by his example have avoided many of his errors and are now not only reaping a rich reward, but have enriched the county by causing the poorest lands to make larger returns than were realized from the deep alluvial soils before the inauguration of the vineyard business in our valley, and he has the more selfish satisfaction of realizing that what was regarded as his folly and want of business fore- sight in 1860, and for years afterwards, and in spite of his ignorance of the business and many mistakes, the wine-making enterprise has placed him financially beyond the contingency of want in his old age. This he is enjoy- ing on his " rabbit patch," within the corporate limits of St. Helena, in the company of a lady who was the widow of A. J. Grayson, the ornithologist who lost his life while painting the ornithology of Central America and otherwise developing its natural history in the interest of science. He made many contributions to the Smithsonian Institute at Washington, D. C. The former Mrs. Crane, after participating in the cares and arrangements necessary for the conversion of a " barren wilderness " into a literally " fruit- ful field," was not permitted in earth-life to enjoy the full developments which characterize the surroundings of her worthy successor, but the Doc- tor's happy faith assures him that she still regards with lively interest the welfare of her grand-children, the McPike family, and hopes they will never be forgetful of the moralizing and industrial lessons she impressed on their infant minds while she was subjected to the discomforts incidental to laying the foundation on a virgin soil of comforts and luxuries for time and culture fully to develop, and his realization of this development now presenting an 428 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. aspect so different from primitive appearances and conditions twenty years ago afford him a pleasure that is not diminished by the fact of having been outstripped by some of his neighbors in the march of improvement. Then he saw near by a little hamlet of redwood shanties, called St. Helena, occupied by one hundred and fif iy or two hundred people, and a landscape devoid of all ligneous or vegetable growth, except what kindly Nature planted, which have now given place to vines, fruit, ornamental trees and shrubbery, teeming with wealth and beauty. Then the territory that now embraces four regularly organized school districts was embraced in one, which led but a poor dying life for want of pupils. Now, the largest district of the four alone numbers three hundred and forty-four census scholars, a proportionate amount of school-house room, with convenient and even luxm-ious appointments, and he hears the " church-going bell," and counts six edifices within the town limits dedicated to Sunday-schools, re- ligion and sectarian morality. Then, though but two hundred rods from the post-office, he was sometimes unable to reach it in consequence of floods and mire. Now, a substantial bridge and solid road gives him access to that establishment on the arrival of two San Francisco mails a day, the year round, and he well remembers being shut from the outer world two weeks at a time by the impassable condition of the road to Napa City. Then, when traveling was good, the St. Helena and Sulphur Springs people could take a stage at or before sunrise, connect with steamer at Napa City, and about sunset reach San Francisco. Now, they can leave after breakfast, do business in that city, and be home at supper time. And the reader in the next generation will be desirous of learning how these public conveniences were so speedily obtained, and what the character of our civil service has been to bring about the existing financial condition of the county, which bids fair to entail a public debt on him and it. If our archives and their records fail to explain, to forewarn and consequently to forearm our suc- cessors against the crooked ways by which the producers — the creators of the wealth of this county have suffered by designing men, by public ser- vants and capitalists who betrayed and swindled them in spite of the honest efforts of many worthy officials to prevent it, it will become a matter of serious regret that the limits of the present history — a book to which all may have access — -prevented a full expose- ; but the subject of our narrative believes that a mere reference here to the history of our railroad, and the fact that the county was swindled out of its ownership by special legisla- tion ; that exorbitant salaries of officials have been caused and maintained by special legislation ; that capitalists have virtually escaped taxation ; that county expenses generally, have far exceeded reasonable limits, and the rod in terrorem has been held over Grand Juries to prevent investigation of the administration of county affairs, he hopes will suffice to put the future Biographical Sketches. 429 voter and taxpayer on the alert, to guard against a repitition of such abuses and against all attempts to repeal that provision of our New Constitution which prohibits special legislation. We are indebted to Mrs. G. B. Crane, of St. Helena, for the excellent portrait of the old pioneer George C. Yount, and also for the sketch of his history which she furnished us, and which will be found in the body of this work, written by Mrs. Day, of the Hesperian, in 1859, at Mr. Yount's own home in Napa Valley. Mrs. Crane's fellow feeling for the adventurous is but natural, and has led to the preservation of the history of many early immigrants with whom she was personally acquainted. Her own immigra- tion to this coast partook largely of the romantic. It supplemented on an extraordinary scale her wedding tour, and protracted in a most unusual manner the honeymoon, till even after the advent of a third party. Much the same may be said of Mrs. William M. Boggs, of Napa City, who started upon the western journey when a bride of but a few days. Her father-in- law, ex-Governor Boggs, of Missouri, with his train joined that of A. J. Gray- son, and to their number was also added the painfully historic Donner party, whose separation from them at Fort Bridger led to their terrible fate. None but the most daring spirits at that day (1846) would risk their lives on the arid plains, barren mountains and savage wilderness generally, which separates the great central valley of the continent from the Pacific Ocean. Of these Mrs. Crane's former husband was confessedly one. His advertise- ments in the St. Louis papers of that date soon called together resolute men and women equal to the emergency. Colonel Grayson and his family went to San Francisco, then a mere hamlet known as Yerba Buena, in the midst of the Mexican War, which added California to the stars and stripes, and in which most of the company were destined actively to par- ticipate. To narrate her experience in this and incidents in the lives of prominent men whom the gold excitement brought to and through San Francisco en route to the mines, would be most interesting to the general reader, but rather out of place in this local history, although it is within the purview of our subject to add her statement to the effect that the sum- mer of 1859 she spent on the ground where the flourishing village of Calistoga now is, while Colonel Grayson was painting the ornithology of the Mount St. Helena region, the place being then only known by the less musical names of " Sam. Brannan's sheep ranch " and " Hot Springs " — Aguas Calientes, as the Indians and natives who visited them called the waters. COOMBS, HON. NATHAN (deceased). The subject of this memoir, whose portrait will be found in the body of this work, was born in Middle- borough, Massachusetts, in 1826, and at an early age went with his mother 430 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. to the Territory of Iowa, and settled near the then embryotic city of Muscatine. His father was dead, and his mother was then married to a Dr. Carpenter. In 1842 the family went to Oregon across the plains, and in 1843 came to California, locating in Yolo County. In 1845 the subject of this memoir came to Napa Valley and purchased a farm from Salvador Vallejo, which was located about one and a half miles north-west of where Napa City now stands, and where he resided till his death. He also owned the land on which a portion of Napa City now stands, and laid out the original town site in 1848. He served in the State Legislature, and always took a very active part in whatever conduced to the welfare and advancement of the city and county in which he resided. He was a very liberal contributor to public improvements, and was well known all over the State as a raiser of blooded stock and a patron of the turf. He reared a family of intelligent children, one daughter having married Hon. John M. Coghlan, and one of his sons is the present District Attorney of Napa County. Much more could be said of the life of this most worthy pioneer, but we regret that the proper data could not be obtained, and we were de- pendent upon the press notices for all the facts stated above. His death occurred December 26, 1877. On the 29th of that month, the following resolutions were placed upon the records of the Board of City Trustees of Napa : Resolved, That the Board of Trustees of the City of Napa deplore the death of Hon. Nathan Coombs, an early pioneer and a distinguished citizen of California, and the founder of this city. Resolved, That, as a mark of respect for his memory, the Board do now adjourn. CHAPEL, B. A. Was born in Chenango County, New York, July 10, 1831. When nineteen years of age he went to Illinois, and in March, 1854, started for California. He came by steamer, and arrived at San Francisco, May 19th, of the above year. The following two years were spent in the mines of Placer County. He then went to Nevada County and engaged in milling for about four years. We next find him once more in Placer Count}', where he followed different occupations until 1868, when he sold all his in- terest in Placer County and went to San Jose", where he engaged in hotel- keeping. In 1869 he sold out and moved to San Diego, where he followed carpentering about fifteen months. He then went to Colusa, where he re- mained a short time. In April, 1871, he went to Olympia, Washington Ter- ritory, where he remained until the fall of the same year, when he returned to California, and resided at Healdsburg, Sonoma County, until July, 1872 ; then moved to Oakland, and after a short time went to Sacramento. Here he remained six years, and then returned to Oakland, and from there he came to Napa County, where he has since resided, being engaged in farming. Since Mr. Chapel's advent into California he was in the employ of the c I * . - ^ Biographical Sketches. 431 Central Pacific Railroad Company, and Contract and Finance Company, until he located in Napa County. He married, April 1, 1863, Mrs. Ellen Vincent, a native of Quincy, Illinois. COGHLAN, HON. JOHN M. (deceased). The subject of this memoir, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Louisville, Kentucky, December 8, 1835, and was the son of Cornelius Coghlan, a native of Phila- delphia, and Lavina Fouke Coghlan, a native of Kaskaskia, Illinois. When he was but a boy he came across the plains to California with T. Frank Raney. He went to Nevada County with A. J. Raney, and made his home with him until 1859, when he came to Gordon Valley and engaged in farming till 1861. In that year he came to Napa City, and became foreman for Nathan Coombs, and employed his leisure moments in reading law. He was then appointed to the position of Deputy Recorder by J. H. Howland, but being ambitious he soon gave it up, and entered the law office of J. Brunson, and was admitted to practice in the courts of Solano County in 1864. He shoi-tly afterwards formed a partnership with Hon. W. S. Wells. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1865, and to the Congress of the United States from the Third District in 1872. He was appointed Supreme Judge of Utah in 1875, and United States Attorney for California in 1877. He was tendered the position of Supreme Judge of Utah a second term, but declined the honor. He died March 26, 1879. Truly he was a self-made man, building up from humble foundations to almost the topmost pinnacle. He was the only man who was ever elected on the Republican ticket to Crongress from the Third Distfict. He was married July 14, 1864, to Miss Eva, only daughter of Nathan and Isabella Gordon Coombs, who was born in Napa. Their children are Mary, born December 28, 1865 ; Willie 0., born February 22, 1870, and died March 19, 1871 ; Katie E., born Augt^t 11, 1872, Nathan Coombs, born April 5, 1875 ; John C, born December 25, 1878. ■■ . CORNWELL, GEORGE N. Was born in Albany County, New York, March 22, 1825. When he was quite -.young, his parents moved to near Lake George. At the age of eleven he moved with. his parents to Lansing- burg, that State, and at that place his mother died. At the age of fourteen, he moved to Fulton, Oswego County. At the age of sixteen he, with his father, went to Helena, Arkansas, where his father died. During this time young Cornwell had partially learned the cabinetmaker's trade, at which he worked two years. At the age of eighteen he went to Cincinnati, where he completed his trade. In the summer of 1846 he returned to Albany, New York, when he enlisted in Stevenson's regiment and came to California,, arriving in March, 1847. He remained in the-service until the fall of 1848. He was a member of Company H, under Captain J. B. Frisbie. In- 1848 he A 432 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. went to the mines and spent about six weeks. He then returned to Sonoma and shortly afterward came to Napa as the manager of a store for Vallejo and Frisbie. In 1850 he had a field of grain near McBain's tannery, this being the first grain raised in the vicinity of Napa City. In 1852 he pur- chased the vessel " Josephine," and used it as a store-ship in Napa. In 1853 he was elected to the Legislature. At the end of his term he returned to Napa and engaged in farming. In 1860 he was one of the locators of the Redington Quicksilver Mine, and still owns a large interest in it. He has served on the Board of Supervisors for three years — from 1860 to 1863. In 1875 he was elected to the Legislature a second time. In 1876 he was sent from this district to the National Democratic Convention in St. Louis. His present beautiful residence, located in the south-western portion of Napa City was erected in that year. Mr. Cornwell has always been prominently identified with the interests of Napa County from its incipiency to the present time, and in all his relations of life, both social and political, he has been found a worthy and honorable gentleman. He was married, Novem- ber 20, 1854, to Anna J. West, a native of Bangor, Maine. Their children are : Fannie G., Clara F., Morris L. and Carleton M. CROUCH, HON. ROBERT. Was born in Harrison County, Ohio, in the year 1823. He was educated in the town of Hopedale, and, after leav- ing school, lived on a farm until the waning of his minority. When twenty he lodged in Farmington, Fulton County, Illinois, and there, after a course of pharmacy, clinical instruction, and surgical experiments, began the prac- tice of medicine. The gold of California had more charms for him though than the healing art, and in 1850 he, with others, started out on the long journey across the plains to the Pacific. He reached the Napa Valley, and it is small wonder that he has not cared to reach any other part of the State. It was not in his present position that he took up his residence among the oak-covered knolls of that garden corner of the earth, but, bidding good- bye to ^Esculapius — whom he found would have to be attended with more patience than patients — he accepted an offer to work at good wages in a carpenter's apron. In those days, when a handy man could make from half an ounce to an ounce and a half gold a day at mechanical labor, lawyers, doctors, merchants, and soft-handed people of all kinds were glad to harden them for such good pay. Mr. Crouch did not find himself one whit less respected because he pulled his coat off to work ; to the contrary, in fact, and in 1855 he was made Deputy County Clerk of Napa, and in 1857 elected Clerk by a large majority. This latter office he retained until De- cember, 1863, at which time he was elected County Judge, holding that position for nearly eight years. Law here seemed to offer advantages as a sion, and, studying, he was soon admitted to practice in all the courts Biographical Sketches. 433 of the State, and to-day is one of Napa's prominent lawyers. He is mar- ried— those for whom he works being a wife and two children. Mr. Crouch was elected on the Republican ticket to the Constitutional Convention which convened at Sacramento during the winter of 1878. COOPER, WILLIAM R. Was born in Buffalo, New York, January 7, 1830. At the age of fourteen, he learned the miller's trade. February 1, 1853, he sailed for California on the steamer " Ohio," via Aspinwall, and arrived at San Francisco March 3d of that year. He went to the mines on Bear River, and at the end of a month returned to San Francisco and en- gaged in his business, which he followed, with the exception of one year spent in Sacramento, till June, 1859, when he came to Napa County. He began working for Heald, Seawell & Gregg at the milling business, and at the end of eight months purchased Mr. Gregg's interest. He continued in the business until June 11, 1877, when he became sole proprietor, and has since conducted the business — the Vernon Mills. He was married in 1856 to Elizabeth Bunting, a native of Erie County, New York. Their children are Ella M., and Herbert L. COOK, J. Was born in Canada, May 10, 1841, and resided at his birth- place until he was twenty-two years of age. May 10, 1863, he came to California ; and after spending a month in San Francisco, he came to Napa Valley, and began work on a ranch for Mr. Grigsby, near Yountville, where he remained for two years. He then farmed one year at that place, when he came to Calistoga, and engaged in driving a stage from that place to Harbin Springs, which he followed for two years. He then opened a saloon and fruit stand, which he has since followed, except two years of the time, when he was working for J. A. Chesebro at the Magnolia Hotel, and stage- driving. He was married in August, 1875, to Mrs. Snow. They have one child, Gertrude, born August 18, 1876. CRADDOCK, SILAS M. Was born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, December 25, 1825. Leaving there in his tenth year, he moved to Wilson County, Tennessee, where he resided until 1846, being then twenty-one years of age. He moved with his parents to Laclede County, Missouri, and there followed farming until 1852. April 1st of that year he started across the plains with an ox-team, and driving a drove of cattle, arriving in Napa County in December of that year, having first stopped a few weeks in the mines. He located at Yountville, and remained there until the fall of 1853, when he returned to Missouri, where he remained until April 14, 1856, when he once more returned to California, driving a drove of cattle to Sonoma County for his brother-in-law, Elija H. Duncan. He then again returned to Yountville where he farmed until he removed to Chiles Valley in 1873, purchasing his present farm, consisting of four hundred and hfty- three acres. 28 434 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. CRADDOCK, JAMES COLEMAN. Bora August 16, 1827, in Pittsyl- vania County, Virginia, and followed the moves of his brother, Silas M., and is at present with him. Both are unmarried. CARRILLO, A. F. Was born in Santa Rosa, California, May 1, 1855, and is the son of Julio Carrillo, and a nephew of General M. G. Vallejo. He remained at his birthplace until he was of age, receiving his education, and learning the butcher's trade in the meantime. He then spent two years in San Francisco, working at his trade for J. Y. Wilson & Co. He then re- turned to Santa Rosa and followed his trade for two years. In 187(5, he came to Calistoga, and worked at his trade for Mr. Wooley. In 1881, he, in company with Mr. Bennett, opened a meat market. He was married Sep- tember 20, 1879, to Miss Maggie Enright, a native of the city of New Yoi-k. CONN, CONNELLEY. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait will be found in this work, was born in County Londonderry, Ireland, June 13, 1832. He came from Liverpool, England, to America, leaving the former place April 28, 1852, and arriving at New Orleans June 20th, of that year. He proeeeded to Illinois, where he engaged with an uncle in the cattle busi- ness, and remained there upwards of two years. Thence he went to Phila- delphia, where he made arrangements to proceed to California to join an uncle, who then lived in Conn Valley, Napa County, and who was a pioneer of the valley, and from whom it was named. His uncle had written to his friends but once in many years. After arriving in Conn Valley in 1855, he soon proceeded to the mines with a small party from Napa County. He engaged in mining with varied success until 1856, when he returned to Napa County, and has since resided in Conn Valley, being engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising. COOMBS, FRANK L. Son of Nathan and Isabella Gordon Coombs, was born in Napa County, California, December 27, 1853. He received a common school education in the public schools of his native place, and graduated at the Columbia Law School, in Washington, District of Colum- bia, June 10, 1875. He was admitted to practice in the Supreme Courts of Washington, District of Columbia, in June. 1875, and to the Supreme Court of California in March, 1876. He was elected to the position of District Attorney for Napa County in September, 1870. He was united in marriage, December 27, 1879, with Miss Belle M. Roper, a native of Boston, born November 14, 1855. She was educated at Mount Holyoke Seminary, and a teacher in the public schools of Boston. They have one child, Nathan Foster, born January 1, 1881. CRABB, H. W. Was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, January 1, 1828, and is the eldest child of Henry and Esther Walker Orabb. When he was twelve years of age, he, with his parents, moved to Adams County, Ohio, Biographical Sketches. 435 and he received his education at the common schools of that county. Jan- uary 4, 1853, he sailed from New Orleans for California, and arrived in the State on the 31st. He immediately proceeded to the mines, and en- gaged in that occupation in Placer and Nevada Counties for about six months. He then settled in Alameda County, and engaged in farming near the town of Haywards. He remained here till 1865, when he came to Napa County and began the grape business, and he is now one of the largest wine makers in the county. A full description of his wine cellar, etc., will be found in its proper place. He was married in 1851 to Rebecca A. Donohoo, who died in 1862, leaving three children, Amanda M., Adda H. and Horace A. He married secondly Miss Elizabeth P. Carmer, a native of New York, and by this union they have one daughter, Cora Carmer, born in 1864. CLARK, SIDNEY. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait ap- pears in this work, was born in Kentucky, October 21, 1829. While he was still quite young his parents removed to Boone County, Mis- souri, where young Sidney resided until 1850. April 22d of that year he started for California, coming with ox-teams across the plains, and arriv- ing in September of the same year. He began mining operations at once in Calaveras County, which he followed some seven months. He then opened a store on a tributary of the Amador River, which he conducted for one year. May 28, 1852, he moved to and settled in Suisun Valley, his place still being one of the well-known landmarks on the road leading from Suisun to Vacaville, and being adjacent to the famous Tolenas Springs property. Here he engaged in farming and stock raising till 1876, when he moved to Berryessa Valley, and engaged in the same occupation. He owns eight hundred and five acres of valuable land in the valley. He held the office of Supervisor for one term in Solano County. Mr. Clark married Miss Elizabeth Jane Devilbiss, December 23, 1869, who is a native of Missouri, born March 23, 1849. Their children are Sidney G., born Decem- ber 19, 1870 ; John R, born September 18, 1872 ; Elizabeth Jane, born June 18, 1874; Emma Ella, born July 23, 1876 ; Lulu Margaret, born Octo- ber 29, 1878 ; Sarah Ann, born April 6, 1881. CARTER, JOS. Was born in Ireland, where he resided till 1850. He then emigrated to America and resided in Wisconsin and Illinois, where he was engaged in surveying until 1854. He then came to Cali- fornia, and was engaged in mining for three years. In 1856 he came to Napa County and began the mercantile business in connection with which he was engaged in buying and selling real estate. He continued in this until 1875, and since that time has not been engaged in any active business. Mr. Carter is one of Napa County's well-to-do citizens, and now owns some 436 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. of the choicest business blocks in that city, and is highly respected by all. During the last five years he has visited the European countries and the Eastern States twice. His visits to Europe were made for the purpose of settling the estates of his deceased mother and brother. CLEGHORN, JOHN. Was born in Haddington, Scotland, November 11, 1820, and there, at an early age, he learned the trade of harness-maker, and resided in his native county until March, 1847, when he started for America. He sailed from Glasgow and arrived in New York in May of the above year. Remaining in that city a short time, he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and remained one year. He then traveled through the Southern States, and in the spring of 1862 left Macon, Georgia, for California, coming through Texas and Mexico, and thence to Havana, from which place he took passage to San Francisco, arriving in August, 1862. He first located in Sonoma County and remained one year, and the following three years the subject of this sketch spent in Australia, and returned to this coast in 1867. In July of the above year he proceeded to Napa County, locating in St. Helena, and opened his present business of saddle and harness-maker, located on the corner of Main and Spring streets, and in 1874 built his present shop next to the National Hotel. Mr. Cleghorn is yet unmarried. CONNER, JOHN. Son of William and Amelia Cheny Conner, was born in Miami County, Indiana, December 8, 1846. He remained in his birthplace until he was twenty-one years of age, and was educated at the common schools of that place. He then, with his parents, left the farm they had resided on'for thirty-seven years, and moved west, first settling in La- bette County, Kansas, and began the general merchandise business in Labette City, remaining there for some years. In the fall of 1874 the subject of this sketch came to California and came immediately to Napa County, locating in Calistoga, where he secured a situation as clerk, which position he held for two and a half years. He worked for the Clear Lake Stage Company for eighteen months, and then started in his present business of livery and feed stable, near the depot in Calistoga. He was united in mar- riage January 12, 18 — , to Miss Jerusha Bollevine, a native of Licken County, Ohio, born April 27, 1853, and by this union they have three chil- dren: Walter E., born October 21,1874; Daniel E., born Deeember 11, 1878 ; Daisy, born March 28, 1880. COLMAN, FREDERICK W., M. D. The subject of this sketch was born in Portland, Maine, September 15, 1838, and resided in his birthplace until he was nine years of age, and then moved with his parents to Ogdens- burg, New York, and there sojourned about one year. They then moved to Salem, Massachusetts, where he was educated at the Philipp School of that city, and afterward served an apprenticeship as a druggist, about 1855. We Biographical Sketches. 437 next find him in Boston, still engaged in a drug store, where he remained until he came to California, which occurred in 1860. He sailed from New York on board the steamer " Ariel " to Aspinwall, and on the Pacific side on board the " Sonora " to San Francisco, arriving at the latter place June 28, 18C0. He there entered the employ of W. B. Keith in a drug store, staying only a few months. He then moved to Stockton, where he remained a short time, and proceeded to Hornitas, Mariposa County, and remained until the spring of 1862. He then returned to Boston with the intention of enlisting, but owing to physical disabilities at that time was refused admittance into the army. He then once more sailed for the Pacific Coast, via Panama, arriving in San Francisco for the second time November 20, 1863. He then went to Washington Territory, and remained there until 1870, when he sold out and removed to California, locating in Napa City. He purchased a drug store, and then began taking a course of lectures at the Medical College of San Francisco, graduating from that insti- tution November 4, 1873. In September of that year the Doctor was elected to the office of Coroner of Napa County, which position he has continuously held since, and is the present incumbent, giving satisfaction to the people and doing credit to himself. Also, in 1873, was appointed physician for the County Hospital, located in Napa City, for one year. August 29, 1880, he removed to St. Helena and opened his present office, on Hurst avenue. Is a member of the State Medical Society, and is now enjoying a lucrative practice. Doctor Colman was united in marriage at Walla Walla, July 10, 1867, to Miss Emily W. Sylvester, who was born in Brooklyn, Long Island, June 26, 1840. By this union they have five children: Annie S., born July 26, 1869 : Emily D., born October 7, 1870 ; Charlotte G., born February 7, 1872 ; Florence, born February 25, 1879, and Mary, bom May 28, 1880. CLARK, ALFRED GREEN. The subject of this sketch was born in Butler County, Ohio, November 10, 1818, and is the son of Jonathan and Catharine Jonas Clark. When he was six years of age his parents moved to Montgomery County, Indiana, where he remained, receiving his education in the County Seminary and in the Wabash College until seventeen years of age. In 1835, having a strong predisposition for mercantile life, he com- menced the study of merchandising in a store in Crawfordsville, Indiana, where he remained as apprentice and clerk for two years. He then moved to Michigan City, La Porte County, Indiana, where, following his former occupation, he remained till the fall of 1838. He then moved, cross- ing the Mississippi at Bellevue, on the first through stage from Chicago to Galena, to Jackson County, Iowa, and there settled down to a farmer's life, which he continued till 1844. In 1841 he cast a vote at the election which changed Iowa from a Territory to a State. In 1844 the old mercantile 438 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. spirit took possession of him, and he sold out his farm to settle in the town of Andrew, where he remained in the merchandising business till June, 1849. In that year the " golden pictures " of California caused him to turn his steps westward. The winter, however, stopped him at Council Bluffs, and there he remained till May 20, 1850, when he again took up his march towards the setting sun. He crossed the plains by the northern route and arrived at the Dalles, Oregon, where he sold his teams, and by means of a small boat proceeded to the Cascades. There they took passage on the " Columbia," a steamer of such diminutive size that it became his duty to roll a barrel of flour from side to side of the little boat, and thus " trim ship." At New Astoria he took passage on board the steamer " Panama " for San Francisco, at which place he arrived September 29, 1850. His first business transaction in California, after seeing his family comfortably located in a hotel, was to borrow $30, and then commenced to look around for something to do by which he could earn a few dollars. Seeing that, though he had served no apprenticeship, he was a better workman than the so-called carpenters of those days, he went to work as master workman in carpentering. But two weeks found him with funds enough on hand to repay the loan and carry him through to the mines, his objective point from the day he left the town of Andrew, Iowa. Leaving San Francisco, he went to Woods Creek, and mined with good success. His success was such that after six weeks' min- ing, he returned to San Francisco, and moved with his family to Corte Ma- dera, Marin County, where he helped to erect two saw-mills. In January, 1852, he returned to San Francisco, purchased an interest in Port Orford City from Captain Tichenor, and on the 23d day of January embarked with the captain on the steamer " Sea Gull " for the purpose of viewing his new purchase, and on the 25th of that month arrived at Humboldt Bay. On the morning of the 26th they steamed away from Humboldt, and, attempt- ing to pass over the bar at low-water and a rough sea, they met with the usual consequence — a totally wrecked vessel. Mr. Clark had on board a large supply of groceries and provisions, of which he was fortunate enough to save a comparatively large amount, only to have the greater portion thereof stolen by wreckers. He was taken across the beach to Bucksport, and then erected the first dwelling-house in what is now the city of Eureka. He then engaged in the lumber business, which he followed success- fully until May, 1855. He then tried mining again, first in Cottonwood. Siskiyou County, then with a party prospected Hungry and Beaver Creeks, Four of the prospecting party laid out the town of Soda City. There, two pack-trains, accompanied by fifty miners, coming in, drew down upon the place a large band of hostile Indians, who massacred twenty-two of the party. Mr. Clark, fortunately escaping, went to Sawyers Bar, on Salmon Biographical Sketches. 439 Creek, and there engaged in mining, and remained till November, 1855. He then returned to his family at Eureka, and, after disposing of his interests there, came to Napa Valley, where he located on a farm of one thousand acres, about eight miles above Napa, which he and his family improved. This farm he still owns. In September, 1871, the old mercantile spirit coming to the front once more he moved to Napa, and engaged in the hard- ware business, which he continued till September, 1880. Mr. Clark was a member of the first Union Convention held in 1861, but has not been an office-seeker, having always declined all nominations tendered him, in- cluding the nomination for Governor, till the fall of 1880, when his temper- ance proclivities overcame his aversion to political contests and he accepted the Prohibition nomination, and became a candidate for Congress, from the Third District. Mr. Clark has been a member of the Independent Order of Good Templars for the last fifteen years, and has, for nine years, been one of the trustees of the Good Templars Home for Orphans, at Vallejo. During all the years that he has held the position of trustee, he has met every three months with his fellow members, and strange to say, not one single jar of discord has ever disturbed the harmony of that Board, of which he and Mr. W. H. Mills of the Sacramento Record- Union, have been members since the Home was established. Mr. Clark has always been identified with the best interests of the county. All other actions, however, being second and subservient to his strong and ardent temperance principles. He has occu- pied almost every chair and held every position in the Order of Good Templars, and was in 1878, elected a delegate to the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of Good Templars, and attended that session in Minneapolis, Minne- sota. In 1881, he was again elected a delegate to attend the same body, to meet in Topeka, Kansas. March 13, 1842, he was united in marriage to Cyrena Phillips of Miami County, Ohio, who still lives, happily filling the position of grandmother. They have two children living, as follows : Tam- enena De Los Clark and Cyrena Susie Clark Willey. CYRUS, JOHN. This old pioneer of thirty-five years' residence in Napa County, is the son of Enoch and Rebecca Cook Cyrus, and was born in Hancock County, Illinois, March 20, 1831. He remained in his birthplace until he was three years of age, and then, with his parents, moved to Iowa and located near the present site of Burlington, this being several years before Iowa was admitted into the Union, where they remained for two years engaged in farming. In the fall of 1836 he moved, with his parents, to Burton County, Missouri, where he resided on a farm for one year. He then moved to Jackson County, that State, and remained in that locality until 1845. He then moved to Andrew County, that State, and engaged in farming for one year. In the latter part of March, 1846, he started with his parents to cross the plains to California, crossing the Missouri 440 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. River at St. Joseph and coming the old emigrant route via Salt Lake and Humboldt, first entering this State at Truckee and coming by Donner Lake, arriving in Sacramento October 21, 1846. Staying there but a short time, he proceeded to Napa Valley, arriving in the first part of November, 1846. On arriving in Napa Valley, Mr. Cyrus, with his parents, first settled on what is known as the Yount grant and carried on general farming there for two years. They then moved to Calistoga where his father took charge of a ranch for Mr. Fowler. In the spring of 1850 Mr. Cyrus' father bought the farm that the subject of this sketch now resides upon, one mile west of Calistoga. Here, in 1853, the father of the old pioneer died ; his mother passing away in 1873. Mr. Cyrus has prospected in mining at different periods, and is now engaged in some extensive mines in Modoc County. He was nominated in 1877 as candidate for County Treasurer on the Republi- can ticket but was defeated by A. G. Boggs. It can be truthfully said that Mr. Cyrus is honored and respected by all those having the pleasure of his acquaintance, as he is known for his truthfulness, honesty and generosity throughout the community in which he lives, and after a residence of thirty- five years' duration, he is now enjoying the comforts of a happy home beside the wife of his youth, beloved by his children and friends and respected by the citizens of the county in which he dwells. Mr. Cyrus was married June 5, 1855, to Miss Lavina Graves, a native of Illinois, who was born July 3, 1834, and by this union they have five living children : Hemy E., born April 12, 1859 ; James W., bom February 10, 1861 ; Mary A, born April 26, 1863; Sarah G, born December 11, 1866, and Rachel E., born January 27, 1873. CASTNUR, WILLIAM H. Was bom in Lincoln County, Maine, March 8, 1829, and remained in his birthplace until he was twenty-eight years of age, and there learned the trade of ship-carpenter. In the early part of 1857 he started west, and located in Wheatland, Rice County, Minnesota, and engaged in farming for about two years, and the balance of his time up to his coming to California was employed at his trade on the steamers plying on the Mississippi River between St. Paul and New Orleans, and continued in this until the spring of 1860. He then sailed for California, coming via Cape Horn, and after a passage of one hundred and sixty-two days he arrived in San Francisco. He immediately began to work at his trade for the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, making occasional trips to Panama, remaining in their employ until 1870. He then moved to Napa County and bought his present ranch of sixty acres, located one mile north of St. Helena, and engaged in grape growing. Mr. Castnur was united in marriage in Lincoln County, Maine, October 7, 1852, to Miss Sarah C. Soule, a native of that county. They have five living children, William H.; Lewis P., Frank E., Albert and Mary A. ' 4*ffc£W Biographical Sketches. 441 CLARK, SAMUEL G. Son of Samuel G. and Roxanna Frisel Clark, was born near Montreal, Canada, October 22, 1835. When he was but an infant, his parents moved to McDonough County, Illinois, where he resided until 1846. He then moved further west, locating in Council Bluffs, Iowa. In July, 1849, when only fifteen years old, he started out to do for himself; and joining a train bound for California, came across the plains to the Golden State ; and after an unusual and weary trip of almost one year, they arrived at their destination July 12, 1851. The subject of this sketch im- mediately proceeded to Napa County, and was employed on a ranch near where now stands the Ciystal Springs Hotel. After one year in that place, he settled on the place now owned by John Safeley, above Calistoga, where he resided for three years, and afterward followed farming in the vicinity of Calistoga until 1862. He then married, and purchased his present place of ten acres in the limits of St. Helena, and is now eagaged in viniculture. Mr. Clark was Town Marshal of St. Helena in the years of 1869-70, and in the latter year was District Road Supervisor. Mr. Clark was united in marriage in Santa Rosa, September 27, 1862, to Miss Agnes E. Clark, a native of Iowa, who was born August 29, 1844, and died November 21, 1880. By this union they had four sons, whose names and ages are as follows : Ralph G., born August 17, 1863 ; Lewis G., born November 3, 1865; Frank A, born August 12, 1869; August F., born November 30, 1873. CARVER, D. B. Son of Henry and Anna Strahl Carver, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, February 9, 1831. He resided at his birthplace until his seventeenth year, during which time he was educated at the com- mon schools. He then moved to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where he was engaged as clerk until his departure for California, which was February 1, 1852, coming via New Orleans and Nicaragua, landing in San Francisco June 4th of that year. He immediately proceeded to the mines in Yuba County, and began mining at Missouri Bar. He continued at that place until the following November. He then went to Placer County, where he engaged in mining until the spring of 1853. He then moved to Prairie City, Sacramento County, where he engaged in mining until the fall of 1857. He then moved to Tuolumne County, where he found employment in a flouring mill, and remained till 1858. In that year he returned to the Eastern States, being absent about four months, when he once more re- turned to Tuolumne County, California, where he remained until he came to Napa City. He sojourned there only a few weeks, when he came to St. Helena, and immediately began business in general merchandise, which he continued till July 1, 1881. He was appointed Postmaster at St. Helena in 1864, having, however, taken charge of the office within a few weeks after he came to the place, and has been Postmaster since 442 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. that date, with the exception of one year. Married, August 1, 18G0, Miss Annie Webber, who was born in Penobscot County, Maine, March G, 1837. By this union they have but one living child, D. B. Carver, Jr., born September 24, 1873, and two deceased, Henry E., born April 28, 1861, and died May 7, 1881 ; Laura M., born April 14, 1862, and died May 4, 1877. CLARK, ABRAHAM. Whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Buckinghamshire, England, June, 1820, and is the son of Abraham and Henrietta Falkner Clark. At nine years of age his parents came to America and settled in Oneida County, New York, where they resided for one and one-half years. They then moved to Frankford, Herkimer County, same State, where they resided till 1835, when they emigrated west, and settled in Huron County, Ohio. In 1836, he, with his parents moved to Crawford County, that State, where he resided till 1842. He then returned to Huron County and worked on a farm till 1846. In 1847, he moved and settled in Wyandotte County, Ohio, where he followed farming till 1853. We next find Mr. Clark located in Spring Grove Township, Green County, Wisconsin, but he only remained there till the spring of 1854, when he settled in Chickasaw County, Iowa, where he pitched his tent and turned the first sod in that county. He resided there till May 19, 1864, when he, with his family, came to California, across the plains, and after a long and tedious journey of five months, they, in November of that year, arrived in Napa County. On his arrival, he had but $2.50 to his name, and was obliged to beg his first meal of victuals in this county. He immediately rented the farm now owned by the Fly Brothers, mortgaged his teams for seed wheat and began farming, which he continued on that place for one year. He then rented the Davis Farm in Sonoma County, for one year, and there lost everything he had made the year previous. In the fall of 1866, he came to Berryessa Valley, $1000 in debt. But there he rented land and once more began anew. He continued to farm in Berry- essa Valley till 1871, when he moved to Colusa Count}'', where he rented a tract of ten thousand acres of land, under the plow. He remained there till 1873, when he returned to Berryessa and purchased his present home- stead, where he has since been engaged in farming. He now owns nine thousand eight hundred and ten acres of land in this valley. Mr. Clark was married November 5, 1845, in Livingston County, New York, to Electra J. Snider, daughter of Jacob and Lena Dougherty Snider, she being a native of Cayuga County, New York, born January 28, 1820. By this union they have six children : Alonzo Cortes, born in Wyandotte County, Ohio, February 15, 1848, who was married in May, 1877, to Miss May V. Stoft'ord, and now resides in the valley ; Norman, born February 27, 1854: Reuben, born in Chickasaw County, Iowa, December 16, 1855, Biographical Sketches. 443 now in charge of the ranch in Colnsa County ; Amanda J., born in Chick- asaw County, Iowa. June 20, 1858, now married to Mr. John Anderson, and resides in this valley ; Henrietta, born in Chickasaw County, Iowa, Novem- ber 4, 1860, now Mrs. Harris, and Alice, born May 27, 1867, in Napa County, and two children deceased. Norman Clark was married to Miss Annie Gillaspy June 21, 1877. Etta Clark was married to Mr. J. W.Harris May 2, 1881. CLARK, ISAAC G. Son of Lafayette and Mary Hoyt Clark, was born in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, August 26, 1854. He, with his parents, moved when he was ten years of age from his birth-place, and settled in Chautauqua County, New York, and resided there until October 21, 1878. In that year he moved to California, and on December 13, 1880, he purchased his present place of one hundred and twenty acres, and is chiefly engaged in farming. COLLINS, S. W. Son of John W. and Miriam R. Piper Collins, was born in Nicholas County, Kentucky, June 13, 1829. He resided in his birthplace until he was three years of age, when his parents moved to Greene County, Illinois, where he received his education at the common schools, and afterwards worked a farm until 1854, when he moved to Green- field, that county, and was engaged in selling goods until 1857. He then went back on his farm and sold that in 1859, and moved to Girard, Macou- pin County, Illinois, and was engaged in selling goods again at that place, until 1862. He then sold out and moved to Linn County, Kansas, and located in Mound City, and was engaged in selling goods at that place until Decem- ber of that year. Then he sent his family to Leavenworth City, and he took a stock of goods down into the Osage Nation, about fifteen miles south of Humboldt, Allen County, Kansas. After the war had closed in 1865, he moved with his family to Labette County, Kansas, and remained there until the ninth day of June, 1875, and arrived in California June 14. He spent a couple of weeks in Stanislaus County with his brother-in-law, near Hills Feny, then came to Napa County, and July 29, 1875, he settled on his ranch of forty acres, about one mile west of Calistoga, where he still resides surrounded by his family and respected by all who know him. Mr. Collins was appointed in August, 1879, to the office of Justice of the Peace, and the following year was elected to the same position, which he now holds. He is also a Notary Public, having been appointed by Governor Perkins in February, 1880. Mr. Collins was twice married, first, December 12, 1850, to Miss Sarah O. Dickerman, who was born in Mount Holly, Vermont, Nov- ember 3, 1832, and died March 26, 1867. By this union they had five children, Isaac W., born December 9, 1851, and died March 19, 1853; Miriam H., born December 30, 1852 ; Samuel A., born September 18, 1855 ; 444 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. Nelson W., born January 29, 1862 ; Major C, born February 20, 1866. Mr. Collins was married, secondly, in March, 1869, to Mrs. Mary A. Hawes, a native of Indiana, who was born November 2, 1831. By this union they have one daughter, Anna S., born October 14, 1871. CHESEBRO, JOHN A. Son of Gilbert and Lucy Stanton Chesebro, was born in Sheffield, Massachusetts, April 20, 1832. When he was but two years of age, his parents moved to Stonington, Connecticut, where the subject of this sketch made his home until he came to California, and was there educated in the common schools. At the age of fourteen he went to sea, first shipping from Stonington, and engaged in the fur sealing trade, which he continued until his twenty-first year. In November, 1852, we find young Chesebro on board of the clipper ship " Contest," bound via Cape Horn for California ; and after a passage of nearly five months, he arrived in San Francisco February, 1853. Staying a short time in the city, he proceeded to Sierra County, and engaged in mining, residing in that county about ten years. In the mean time, 1855, he paid a visit to his home, where he sojourned some four months. While in the above county, Mr. Chesebro was largely interested in mining, at one time being one of the six owners of the " Union Claim," at that time very valuable. Mr. Chese- bro's next move was to Washoe City, Washoe County, Nevada, where he resided for three years. In 1865 he paid a second visit to his home in Con- necticut, going via Panama, and there got married, and sojourned some six months. In the spring of 1866, with his wife, he returned to this coast, coming direct to Napa County, locating in Napa City, where he engaged in the hotel business as proprietor of the Revere House, in which he continued some two years. In January, 1868, Mr. Chesebro first came to Calistoga, and was employed in the hotel at the Calistoga Hot Springs for one season. We next find him in business for himself in the building now occupied as a dry goods store by Mr. Weller. He next leased a building and opened a saloon and chop-house where his present hotel now stands, and run this for some time. He then purchased the property, and in 1876 bought the ad- joining property, and built his present commodious hotel, the Magnolia. In 1876, Mr. Chesebro made a third visit to his home, accompanied by his wife and family. The subject of our sketch was married in Wakefield, Rhode Island, to Miss June P. Champlin, a native of that State ; and by this union they have one son, Edwin. CHILES, JOSEPH BALLINGER. Whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Clark County, Kentucky, July 16, 1810, and is the son of Henry and Sarah Ballinger Chiles. He was reared on a farm, and had only the advantages of a common school education. In 1831 he moved to Jackson County, Missouri, and engaged in farming and stock-raising until Biographical Sketches. 445 1838, when he joined a regiment of Missouri volunteer infantry and en- gaged in the Florida War, and was in the hard-fought battle of Orcha- chebee, which decided the war. He then returned to Missouri, where he resided until April, 1841. He then, with thirty-one men, one woman, and one child, started across the trackless desert and unsealed mountains, bound for California. In this party were Sam., Andy and Ben. Kelsey, the latter 's wife and child. They passed up the Platte River, thence to the head of the Humboldt River, thence down that stream to the Sink ; thence southward, on the east side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the Joseph Walker Pass; thence down the Stanislaus and San Joaquin Rivers. They arrived in the State in October, and their first stopping-place was at Doctor Marsh's, near the northern foot of Mt. Diablo. They then proceeded to Sonoma, where passports were issued to them, upon the vouching of Doctor Marsh and other American residents, for their good behavior. After receiving their pass- ports he and Charles Hopper spent the winter in traveling. In the spring they went to Sutters Fort, and there provided themselves with provisions, etc., for their return trip. In his travelings around the country that winter he passed through what is now known as Chiles Valley. In 1842, with a company of nine men, he made the return trip to Missouri. Thirteen started in the party, but at Fort Hall four of them left the company and started for Oregon. Just at this time the Sioux Indians were very hostile, so the Chiles party changed their course and went by way of Santa F6. Once arrived in Missouri, they set about organizing another party to cross the plains to Cali- fornia. In 1 843 he, with a company of fifty or sixty, well equipped with teams, wagons, provisions, etc., started for California. When the party arrived at Fort Hall they met Captain Joseph Walker, and his services as guide were se- cured. Colonel Chiles then took a party of thirty horsemen and proceeded by way of Fort Boise" and Pitt River to the Sacramento Valley, arriving safely at Sutters Fort. The wagon train under Walker moved slowly, and on their way from Carsons Lake to the Walker Pass they had to cache what goods they could not pack, and had also to desert their wagons. They finally all arrived in California about December of that year. In 1844 Colonel Chiles came to Napa Valley and went before an Alcalde and took the proper steps to secure a grant from the Mexican Government of the tract of land now known as the Catacula Rancho. All that he paid for that princely domain was $10 for a sheet of paper on which to write the deed. In 1844 he erected a log-house on the present site of his adobe. He took an active part in the Bear Flag War, and cared for the families of General Vallejo, Jacob P. Leese and others. He never visited the mines, but devoted his whole attention to stock-raising in the early days. In 1847 he returned to Missouri with Commodore Stockton, acting as pilot, for which service he received $2 per day. In 1848 he brought 446 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. his children to California. In 1853 he again returned to Missouri, and was married, and in 1854 came again to California, bringing his wife with him. He then settled in Chiles Valley permanently and has since resided there until within a few years past. His present residence is in Coyote Valley, Lake County. He also has a very beautiful dwelling in St. Helena, which he erected specially for the benefit of his children. It affords us great pleasure to present to our readers the portrait of this most excellent and worthy pioneer of pioneers, for be it here noted that he is the oldest living American settler in Napa County. He is still hale and hearty, and the prospects are good for him to spend many years yet, ere he is called hence to meet the reward of a well -spent life. It is a rare treat to sit and listen to his reminiscences of the days now long gone by. He is particularly noted for telling wonderful bear stories, all of which are " true to life," and we regret that our space forbids the reproduction of a few of his best. He was married in Missouri to Miss Margaret Jane Garnhert, December 25, 1853, who was born in Jefferson County, Virginia, January 27, 1827. DAVIS, JOHN C. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in the body of this work, is the grandson of that grand old pioneer of pioneers George C. Yount, and son of John C. Davis, Jr., and Elizabeth Yount. He was born at the Yount homestead, March 8, 1849, and was educated in San Francisco in the primary studies, and completed his course in Swiss and German colleges^ traveling back and forth until 1868. He then came to Napa County and located permanently on his present ranch of six hundred acres, near Oakville, where he has since remained, being engaged in farming and grape-growing. July 5, 1870, he was married in Germany to Miss Margaretta Claus, a native of Saxony, Germany, and their children are Daisy, George, Susie and Elizabeth. DECKER, PORTER A., Son of Francis and Mary Thorpe Decker, was born in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, August 19, 1852, and resided there until he was six years of age. His parents then moved and settled in Moni- teau County, Missouri, and resided there for sixteen years, where the subject of this sketch was educated at the common schools. January 12, 1874, he started to California, arriving in this State January 21st of the above year. He went direct to Calistoga where he engaged in the livery business, and is now manager of the Harbin Springs stage and livery stable of that place. Mr. Decker was united in marriage in Calistoga, July 20, 1879, to Miss Luella Cole, a native of Illinois, and by this union they have one daughter, Mabel, born July 19, 1880. DICKINSON, JOHN J. This worthy and much respected citizen of Napa County is the son of John M. and Evalina Middleton Dickinson, and was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 10, 1829, where he attended Biographical Sketches. 447 the common schools, and afterwards was educated at a private academy taught by Jonathan Collorn. At the age of eighteen, September 3, 1847, Mr. Dickinson went to Cincinnati and there remained about eighteen months. He then moved to St. Louis, and there embarked in the clothing business, and there resided until he came to California, his departure from that place occurring in February, 1854. In company with his young wife he sailed from New Orleans via the Nicaragua route, and arrived in San Francisco April 19, 1854. He spent two months in sight-seeing on this coast, and then in company with, and under the firm-name of William Mentz & Co., he started the first cheap newspaper published on this Coast, under the title of Town Talk, this small sheet being the beginning of what is now the most valuable paper in the State, the Morning Gall. Mr. Dickin- son remained in this firm for eighteen months, and then moved to Crescent City, then Klamath County, but now Del Norte, and there engaged in mer- chandising, in which he continued for the succeeding thirteen years, in the meantime taking an active part in the formation of the latter county. He also served one term as County Judge, and received a re-nomination in 1872, but declined owing to his previous arrangements to leave the county. In September, 1873, Mr. Dickinson located in St. Helena and engaged in mer- chandising, and remained in that business until December, 1880. He then accepted his present position as traveling salesman for Charles Krug. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage in St. Louis, October 10, 1853, to Miss Susan D. Haslip, a native of Albemarle County, Virginia, and by this union they have one son and one daughter, Frank E. and Cora. DAVIS, CORNELIUS E, M. D., D. D. S. The subject of this sketch is the son of Isaac and Nancy Harrington Davis, and was born in Essex County, New Jersey, October 5, 1832. When he was quite young his parents moved and located in Coshocton, Ohio, and there remained until he was twenty-one years of age, and received his education at the high school of that place. In the spring of 1853 Dr. Davis, in company with five brothers and one sister, started across the plains for California, and arrived on this coast in October of the above yeai\ The subject of this sketch first located at Stockton and practiced his profession, having studied and gradu- ated in medicine in his former home in Ohio. Remaining in Stockton until his health failed, he moved to San Francisco and there turned his attention to dentistry for a time, and then went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to complete his education in that profession. After graduating in dentistry, Dr. Davis returned to San Francisco, where he remained only a short time, and after locating in several different parts of the State, we find him again in San Francisco, and in rather poor health. With the idea of bettering his health he paid a visit to Napa County with the intention of remaining a short time, but liking the climate and location of St. Helena, he concluded 448 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. to locate in that place, and in 1868 Dr. Davis opened his office in Os- born's building, over Wells, Fargo & Co.'s office, and for the past thirteen years he has practiced his profession without intermission, which, through a pure love of the same, he still continues, although not through necessity, as the Doctor, through wise speculations, has accumulated a good share of this world's goods, owning now, in the aggregate, a block of buildings in the business center of St. Helena. Dr. Davis was twice married ; first in Peta- luma, February, 1859, to Miss Kosanna Martin, a native of Indiana, and by this union had two children, Ellen M. and Emma R. His second marriage occurred at St. Helena June 1, 1871, to Miss Francis E. Hall, a native of Maine, and by this union they have four children, Maud L., George H. (now deceased), May E., and Ira Frank. DOWDELLE, JAMES. The subject of this sketch was born in County Louth, Ireland, August 29, 1845, where he resided until he was nineteen years of age. He then emigrated to England and found employment in a rolling mill, and remained there for nine months. He then went to New Zealand and engaged in farming, where he resided for over three years. We next find Mr. Dowdelle on board a schooner, bound for California, coming direct to San Francisco, where he arrived July 28, 1868. Remaining but a few months in San Francisco, he started East, the point of destination being Philadelphia, arriving November 7, 1868. During his stay in Phila- delphia Mr. Dowdelle was married, and in February, 1869, started with his wife, via Panama, for the Golden State. He first worked in San Francisco and afterwards in the employ of General Keyes, on his ranch near St. Helena, in whose employ he remained for three years. During this time, having saved his earnings, he purchased ten acres of land where Mr. Story now resides, and after one year sold it and bought twenty -tive acres where Dr. Crum now lives, and in 1875 added thirty-six acres more to his estate, making sixty- one acres. He is now chiefly engaged in hop and grape growing. He was united in marriage in Philadelphia, November 4, 1868, to Miss Elizabeth Corbely, a native of Ireland. The names of their children are, James W., Arthur B., Edward, Walter, Albert and Joseph. DINNING, WILLIAM. Whose portrait appears in this work, is the only child of John D. and Francis Kirby Dinning, and was born in Sumner County, Middle Tennessee, October 25, 1829. When but two or three j'ears of age, his parents moved to Jackson County, Missouri, and settled near Independence, where he resided until 1844, when his father and he moved to south-west Missouri, and settled in Taney County, close to the town of Forsyth, where he remained for three years. Then, after the death of his father, the subject of our sketch returned to Tennessee and Kentucky, to settle up some of his father's business, and he then returned to the old and Biographical Sketches. 449 last home of his father in Missouri, with the intention of coming to Cali- fornia. In the latter part of March he started, and at Springfield, Missouri, he met a company of one hundred and four wagons, and joined them in a journey across the plains for the new El Dorado, arriving in Sacramento August 16, 1849. On the trip across the plains some of the party died with the cholera, among whom was Isaac Collet and a Doctor Tatum ; hut aside from this the trip was a pleasant one. After stopping in Sacramento one week, heing sick and out of funds, he proceeded across the river and started for Fremont. At the junction of the Feather and Sacramento Rivers there was a ferry-boat which he run for a period of six weeks. He then started for the mines on the Yuba River, in company with " Billy " Moore, of So- noma, and followed mining only a short time. In January, 1850, he started with a drove of cattle, belonging to Mr. Moore, to the Yuba River Mines, and spent a portion of that winter with him there in the mines, when he then came to Calistoga, this county, where he remained with Henry Fowler. In the spring of 1850 he, with William Elliott's son, Frank Kellogg, brother of Irvin Kellogg, John Cyrus, and Frank Bedwell, of Russian River, went to the Yuba River and hunted the most of that season, south of the Yuba and down the American River. In the fall of that year he returned to Napa County and stopped in the valley, and worked a portion of the time for David Hudson, getting out pickets to fence the fruit orchards of this valley. The subject of our sketch nest moved to Mission San Jose", and stopped with Henry Smith and Homer n of the 16th Army Corps. After being discharged he returned to Pt* County, Illinois, and engaged in the produce business, which he fol- low until 1868. In connection with this business he moved to St. Louis an* ?ned a commission house under the firm name of Dodson, Simmons h "\ .i, which he continued until 1876. He then sold his interest and re- . urn^ to California, this time settling on his present farm of one thousand two hundred acres, where he is engaged in general farming. He has three a . children, Carrie A. (now Mrs. Booth), born August 18, 1856 ; Fred- eric J., born July 27, 1859, and Julia E., born December 4, 1868. SMITTLE, JOHN W. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait will be found in the body of this work, was born in Highland County, Ohio, November 18, 1829, and is the fourth child of Jacob and Esther Smittle, and while quite a youth emigrated with his parents to south-west Missouri, where, like other backwoods' children, he grew up to manhood with- out the advantage of an education, for want of which his struggle through life has been a hard one, but imbued with a spirit of adventure, in 1851 he determined to come to California, and, being without means, he bargained with L. H. Grigsby to drive team or cattle across the plains for his board, and, after a five months' journey, without any accident other than an occasional big Indian scare, he arrived safely in Napa Valley, California, September 18th. Remaining here only a few days with acquaintances — relatives he had none — with two others of his plains' companions, he started out with his blankets on his back to try his luck in the mines. He re- mained in the mines about six months, making only small wages. Came to the conclusion that mining did not suit him, so, in March, 1852, returned to Napa Valley, where he engaged to work by the month, which employ- ment he followed until September, 1853. Concluding to get still a little farther west, he boarded a schooner in San Francisco, and sailed for Hum- boldt Bay in the county of the same name, where he remained for one year, working alternately in the timber and saw mill ; but, not being very well pleased with the country there, concluded to return to Napa County. In 1853 returned to Napa Valley, and engaged in farming in company with George Linn, on land belonging to George C. Yount, and continued there until December, 1856, when he returned to Missouri by way of the Isthmus 558 Histoiy of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. and New Orleans, and re-crossed the plains in the summer of 1857, part owner of two hundred or more head of cattle, which he brought to Napa County, where he remained farming until 1863, when he went to Nevada ; spent three years in an unprofitable enterprise, losing all the means before acquired. Then returned to Napa County, engaged in farming and general stock raising in Berryessa Valley, where he still resides, and is the owner of one thousand four hundred and thirty acres of fine land. He served the county one term of two years as Supervisor of the Third District, and has taken an active part in all that tends to the advancement of the coi munity in which he lives. SOUTHER, CHARLES N. Whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Quincy County, Massachusetts, May 11, 1819. He remained with his parents until he was fifteen years of age, when he went to Boston and served an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, and continued at this until he was twenty-one years of age. He then worked as a journeyman, which he followed until he started for California, January 20, 1854. He sailed from New York on board the steamer " George Law " for Aspinwall, and at Panama he boarded the " John L. Stevens," and arrived in San Francisco February 14th of the same year. He immediately began work at his trade in San Francisco, which business he followed for one year, when he went to the mines in Tulare County and operated in mining for six months. In October, 1855, he moved to Visalia, where he remained until March, 1856, at which time his family arrived from Boston. He located in Napa County and settled in Napa City, where he followed his trade almost continuously until 1S77, when he started a glue factory and has since been engaged in that business, a full description of which will be found in its proper place in this history. Mr. Souther married December 22, 1848, Miss Mary M. Craig, and by this union they have four living children, two sons and two daughters : Lizzie ; Charles and Edgar (twins), and Emily Gertrude. STAMER, G. A. The subject of this sketch was born in Hamburg, Germany, September 8, 1842, where he l'esided until he was fourteen years of age. He then went to sea, sailing first from Hamburg, going to China, where they were ship-wrecked and captured by the natives, and were detained for four months, when the Dutch Government bought back the subject of this sketch and one other, they being the only ones left out of the whole crew. Mr. Stamer still continued to follow a sea-faring life and sailed around the world some four times in different ships, first landing in America in 1860, on board a Hamburg ship bound for New York. At the latter place, not liking his quarters, he deserted his ship and shipped on board an American vessel, and made several voyages to Spain, and again re- turned to New York, where he shipped for California, starting around Biographical Sketches. 559 the Horn, but the vessel encountered severe weather, and most all the sailors were frozen. They changed "their course and stood for Rio de Janeiro. Re- maining there a few months he returned to Hamburg, where he concluded to settle down, being then about twenty -three years old ; but his mind was changed on account of the Government wanting him for a soldier, and this not meeting his views, he again went to sea, and followed a sea-faring life until the fall of 1867, when he arrived in San Francisco. He there engaged in the grocery business, and resided there for two years, and in the fall of 1869, he moved to Napa County, locating at St. Helena, and engaged in the saloon business, under the firm name of Townsend k Stamer. In 1871 Mr. Stamer bought his partner out. In 1881 he bought a wine cellar and dis- tillery in connection with his brother, located two miles south of St. Helena. He conducts the saloon business yet. Mr, Stamer was married December 20, 1873, to Miss Amelia Banten, a native of Germany, and by this union they have four children : Lillie, Emilia, Julius S. and Gustave. SEELEY, C. B. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, came of revolutionary stock, his grandfather, Jonathan Seeley, having served in the Continental Army throughout the war for Indepen- dence. Mr. Seeley was born in Kirkland, Ohio, February 9, 1835, being the son of Benjamin and Lydia Seeley, and the seventh son of a family of eight children. At the age of four years he moved with his parents to Warrick County, Indiana, where he was reared upon a farm, and where he resided until he came to California in 1864. In his youth he attended the public schools of his neighborhood, and subsequently Delaney Academy, at Newburgh, Indiana. He afterwards engaged in teaching. On his arrival in California he located in Napa County, of which he was elected County Clerk in 1865, holding that office by re-election for ten consecutive years. In 1866 he married Mary White, also a teacher. In 1879 he en- gaged in the business of banking with L. A. Bickford, under the firm name of Seeley & Bickford, in which business he is still engaged. He is at pres- ent, 1881, a member of the Board of Trustees of the City of Napa. In politics Mr. Seeley has always been a Republican, and is one of those genial, whole-souled men whom it is a pleasure to meet. While not pro- fessing to be a humorist, his frequent sallies of wit " without intent to harm " certainly give him a place second to but few, among that very attractive class of men. But underlying this vein of humor there is a sub- stratum of deep thought and serious reflection. He is at his best in a friendly discussion, wherein he shows in an eminent degree a mind both analytical and logical. In an animated controversy a few days since, we noted this quite characteristic expression : " When I die, I ask no better epitaph than this : ' Sacred to the memory of one who paid every obliga- tion in life, and met the world more than half way.' " 560 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. STOCKMON, D. MERRILL. The subject of this sketch was born in New York City, August 22, 1830. When he was quite young his parents moved to Orange, Essex County, New Jersey. In 1836 they moved to Del- aware County, Ohio, and in 1844 they took up their abode in Ashland County, that State. Here Mr. Stockmon was educated and resided until December, 1857, when he came to California. He arrived in Suisun, Solano County, in March, 1858, where his brother, David E., was a practicing phy- sician. - He allied his interests with his brother, and took charge of the drug bi-anch of the business. He has since continued in that business, and at the present time resides in Napa City, having purchased the Pioneer Drug Store in that place in 1879. He still conducts his business in Suisun also. April 9, 1862, he was married to Miss Emma A., daughter of T. C. Everets, M.D. Their children are May Ella, Emma, and Came. D. Merrill, their only son, was drowned in Suisun. SCOTT, JOHN. Was born in Ohio, July 17, 1833. At the age of sixteen he moved with his mother, his father having died, to Henry County, Iowa. Having learned the trade of milling in Ohio, he followed it in Salem, that State. In the spring of 1851 he moved to Mahaska County, same State, locating near Oskaloosa. In 1856 he came to California, coming by the Sublette cut-off, and arrived at Dutch Flat August 22d of that year. Here he followed mining for three years, when he went to Vaca Valley, Solano County. In 1860 he moved to Knights Valley, Sonoma County. In 1863 he moved to Napa Valley, locating at the Bale mill, where he remained for two years. He then went to Kansas and engaged in milling for three years, and in 1871 he returned to California and to the Bale mill. At the end of eighteen months he went to Chiles Valley and run that mill for four years. He then went to Salem, Oregon, and in a short time returned to Chiles Valley, spending one year there. Then he spent one year in Pope Valley. He then moved to Calistoga and took charge of that mill, where he still remains. He was married September 2, 1855, to Maria Hanson, a native of Ohio. Their living children are, Sanford, born February 12, 1861 ; Mary, now Mrs. Roberts, born in 1862, and Arvilla, born January 31, 1865. STILL WAGON, DR. W. W. Whose portrait appears in this work, was born at Connellsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, in 1827. He studied and practiced medicine there until 1848, when he moved to Illinois. In March, 1850, he started across the plains, and arrived in Sacramento in August of the same year. He spent a short time at mining near Oroville, but in the fall of the year came to Napa and commenced the practice of his profession, where he has ever since resided. He served one term as Coroner ; he had been elected to the office but refused to trive bonds and Biographical Sketches. 561 qualify, yet was, by popular sentiment, compelled to serve, and his acts after- wards legalized. He ■ has at different times filled the position of County Physician for the space of five years, and always given satisfaction. In 1871 he was elected to the Assembly from Napa and Lake, and while in the Leg- islature did much towards so presenting the desirability of Napa, that the Branch Insane Asylum was located here. He was also active in getting several bills of a local nature passed. As an officer he always acquitted himself with credit, and as a physician he has few superiors. The Doctor was a Whig when he came to the county, and affiliated with that party until the formation of the Republican party, of which he has ever since been a prominent member. But party lines have never been strictly drawn in local affairs in Napa County, and as a result she has always had good and efficient officers. Dr. Stillwagon was one of the charter members of Yount Lodge, No. 12, of Masons, and labored earnestly in the establishing of that Order in the county. He was also one of the charter members, and the first Noble Grand of the Odd Fellows in Napa City. He has of late years been devoting much of his attention to quicksilver mining in Pope Valley. STONEY, THOMAS P. Was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on the 25th day of April, A. D. 1835. He is the second child of P. Gaillard Stoney and his wife, Anna Maria Stoney, nee Porcher. His ancestors set- tled in the low country of the Colony of South Carolina about one hundred years before the Revolutionary War. By the father's side he is of Irish ex- traction. His mother's ancestors were French Huguenots, who sought refuge in the flourishing Colony of South Carolina from religious persecution in France, which followed the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. Thomas P. Stoney received a liberal education. He was prepared for college at the celebrated preparatory academy of J. W. Hudson, Mount Zion College, at Winnsboro, in South Carolina. After being prepared, he spent some years as a student at the South Carolina College and the Universities of North Carolina and Virginia. He applied himself closely when at school and college. He has never been of robust physique, and his precarious health interfered in some degree with the prosecution of his studies. Notwith- standing the disadvantages under which he labored, he, however, left college with an amount of culture and learning attained by few students, even among those possessed of physical powers of such a character as to enable them to devote all their time to study. He was, when at school and col- lege, as he continues to be through life, of unimpeachable moral character. He wasted no time in frivolities of doubtful propriety, and his force of character was such that he could not be led by youthful associates from the path of duty. In the year 185G he left the paternal roof to seek health 36 562 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. and his fortune in California, and made Napa his home in December of that year. His first business effort in the new life upon which he had entered was as a quartz miner, in Eldorado County. The fickle goddess did not smile upon him, and he made no fortune. He had not found the occupa- tion for which Nature designed him. His well-trained mind was not to be lost to his fellow countrymen, amid the glitter of coin and cares of private business. In 1858 he left the mines and returned to Napa City, where he commenced the study of law in the office of Hartson & Edgerton. He was admitted to practice by the District Court of the Seventh Judicial District in 1859, and subsequently by the Supreme Court of the State. He soon demonstrated the fact that he had found the profession for which he was designed, and in which he was destined to make his mark. It was not long before the subject of this sketch, by his application to business, strict integ- rity, and an unostentatious display of his legal attainments, put himself in the front rank at the bar. He foi'med a partnership with Hon. C. Hartson, his legal preceptor. This firm did their full share of the legal business of Napa and Solano Counties. Thomas P. Stoney continued a member of this firm till the breaking out of the war between the States. In 1861 he mar- ried Miss Kate M. Allen, a native of New York, and the daughter of Joseph Allen and his wife, Catherine Allen, nee Walker. Mrs. Stoney 's ancestors are of English and Dutch extraction. She was then residing in Napa County. This lady is in every way worthy of her husband. The offspring of this mar- riage were three sons and two daughters, all of whom are still living except the eldest daughter. If these children fail to make valuable members of society, it will not be for lack of careful, intellectual and moral training. Having been trained in the school of politics taught by the States Rights politicians of the South, and having imbibed a religious belief in the doctrines of the strict constructionists of his native State, when the war commenced he felt that his allegiance was due to South Carolina, and that as a patriot he was bound to respond to her call in the time of her great extremity. In May, 1863, he went East, and, leaving his family in New York, succeeded in crossing the Potomac and the Federal lines. He reached Richmond, the Confederate capital, from which city he soon took his de- parture for his native State. Arriving in Charleston, he at once enlisted in the Marion Artillery, a light battery then in the Confederate service. He served faithfully as a private soldier till the close of the war, and was with the army commanded by General Joseph E. Johnson when he surrendered to the Federal hosts, led by General Sherman. His wife, who, with the only one of their children then born, was left for safety with her rel- atives in New York, had resolved that " his country should be her coun- try," and that even grim-visaged war should not separate her and her child from the husband of her choice, went to Nassau, on the Island Biographical Sketches. 563 of New Providence, then the great entrepot for the Confederate fleet of merchant vessels engaged in running the blockade. Orders had been given by the Confederate Government at Richmond, forbidding the taking of ladies and children on board of vessels engaged in the service of that government. Mrs. Stoney found that she and her child would not be taken. After great difficulty and much urging on her part, a kind Captain agreed to make an exception in her case if she would consent to share all the dangers and hardships incidental to the hazardous service in which this adventurous seaman was engaged. She was told that the vessel would be burnt rather than allowed to be captured by Federal cruisers. She cheer- fully agreed to risk all the danger's of the voyage and embarked on board a blockade-runner. She reached Wilmington, North Carolina, safely, and soon joined her husband in the land of Sumter and Marion. After the disastrous failure of the Confederate cause in I860, Thomas P. Stoney removed to New York City and was for some time employed on the Metropolitan Record, a weekly Democratic journal then published in that city. Many of the ablest and most conservative articles that appeared in the columns of that paper were from his pen. In May, 1866, he returned to Napa. Not being able to practice law in his own name, owing to the test oath which practic- ing attorneys were compelled by the Act of the California Legislature of 25th of April, 1863, to file, he was employed in the office of Hon. C. Hartson, who has always been his steadfast friend. He rendered that gentleman much valuable assistance in the preparation of his cases, during the time he was employed by him. After the repeal of the test oath act he formed a partnership with the late W. W. Pendegast, so well known both at the bar and in the Legislative Councils of the State as one of California's most elo- quent sons, as well as one of her ablest lawyers. Such a firm could not fail to be leaders at the bar nor to draw to itself large practice. In October, 1871, Thomas P. Stoney was elected County Judge of Napa County. It would be impossible for any man to receive a higher compliment than the people of his county paid him by this election. The county had at the gen- eral election in September, gone Republican by a majority of about two hundred. Judge Stoney was, and continued to be, a pronounced Democrat and was the nominee of that party. His opponent, Judge Crouch, was the incumbent, an able lawyer and incorruptible Judge ; a man against whose private and official character the voice of detraction was stilled even in a heated political campaign. Yet Judge Stoney was elected in October by over one hundred majority. His people bore witness to the ability and fidelity with which he discharged the duties of his office by electing him to a second term in 1875. With the close of his second term the Constitution of 1849 was numbered with the things of the past, and he was therefore the last County Judge of Napa County, and one to which her people may 564 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. always point with pride. He contributed his full share in creating the high character of California's judiciary of which her people are justly proud. After the adoption of the Constitution of 1879, it occurred to Governor Irwin, who was then in office, and Governor Perkins, the Governor-elect, as well as to many of the ablest lawyers in the State, that the work of the incoming Legislature would be greatly lessened and the body of our laws much im- proved, by appointing three gentlemen of high character and ability to pre- pare such changes of the codes as the new organic law made necessary. In looking among the lawyers of the State for talent and legal lore competent and adequate to the task, the eyes of these two Governors naturally fell on Thomas P. Stoney, and he with Hon. I. S. Belcher, an ex-justice of the Supreme Court, and Mr. A. C. Freeman, a distinguished legal author, were selected. The work assigned to this Commission was ably done, and had not the jealousy of some lawyers who had been honored, unfortunately, with seats in the Legislature, prevented the adoption as a whole of the work of this Commission, the laws of the session of 1880 would not have been found so defective, nor would so many of them have failed to stand the test of judi- cial criticism. In 1879 he was nominated by the State Convention of the Democratic party for Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, but the break in the ranks of that party, caused by the organization of the New Con- stitution party and the Workingmen's party, led to the defeat of the regular ticket and he was not elected. In January, 1880, Judge Stoney removed with his family to the city of San Francisco and is now a member of the well known firm of Stanly, Stoney & Hayes. In early life Judge Stoney became a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal Church. His culture. and intelligence would entirely preclude the idea of bigotry in his religious views. His convictions are, however, pronounced, and both he and his wife are active and useful members of the cause which they have espoused. J. G. P. STOKEY, CHARLES A. Was born July 1, 1828, in London, England, and was educated in Liverpool. At the age of nineteen, he with his parents moved to Jamaica, West India Islands, and engaged in the manufacture of sugar, and continued in this business until December, 1852, when the sub- ject of our sketch sailed for New York, where he sojourned a short time. He then started for Portland, Oregon, in the bark " American," Captain Kirby, via Cape Horn, and, after a passage of six months, arrived at his destination September 27, 1853, where he resided eighteen months, during which time he was engaged in farming. We next find Mr. Storey in San Francisco, in the employ of George O. Whitney & Co., furniture dealers, a situation he held for over one year. He then spent the following four years in the Sacramento office of Wells, Fargo fe Co., during which time the great and memorable flood of 1861-2 occurred, inundating the whole city to the Biographical Sketches. 565 depth of from four to twenty feet. He then moved to Gold Hill, Nevada, and engaged in the groceiy business, in which he continued for five years, when he returned to San Francisco and was again employed by Wells, Fargo & Co. in the home office, a position he held for the next four years. September 1, 1872, he moved to Napa County. In the early part of 1873, he paid a visit to his native land, sojourning there for a few months, returning to St. Helena in the fall, when he purchased his present prop- erty, consisting of twenty-two acres of land located inside of the city limits, devoting his time and study to the cultivation of hops, in which he is ex- tensively engaged and in which he takes no little pride, having obtained a diploma and medal at the Centennial Fair held in 1876 for sample of choice hops. He is engaged also in viniculture. Mr. Storey was married in San Francisco March 27, 1858, to Miss Emma E. Cooke, a native of New York State, by which union they have had two children, one of which is deceased : Charles A., born April 4, 1859, and Lulu, born September 22, 1860, died January, 1862. SMITH, W. A. C. Was born in Boston, England, August 26, 1834. In 1851 he came to America, and after spending two years on a farm he engaged in school teaching. March 21, 1857, he sailed from New York for San Francisco, where he arrived the latter part of April of the above-named year. The first two months of his California life were spent on a farm, after which he engaged in mining in Plumas County for about two months. We next find Mr. Smith in Butte County, where mining was prosecuted until December, 1857. He next went to Tuolumne County, where the shin- ing metal was sought for until 1859, when he went to Calaveras County and engaged with others in the enterprise of building a flume, three thousand feet long, for mining purposes. When this flume was nearly completed, they, by some hook or crook, lost, not only the flume, but all their time and money, which was no small amount. This was a heavy blow to a young man, but Mr. Smith was not one to give up. He fought manfully on and in a few months we find him engaged once more in " teaching the young idea how to shoot," at the Academy in Healdsburg, Sonoma County. Here he remained until he came to Napa County, where he has since resided. Mr. Smith's first business in St. Helena was that of teaching, and what was then the school room is now used by Wells, Fargo & Co. as an express office. In February, 1876, he began the banking business, which he has since followed. He is also engaged in the insurance business and is a notary public. Mr. Smith was married August 8, 1879, to Mrs. Minnie Warren, a native of Tennessee. SCHRAM, JACOB. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait will be found in the body of this work, was born in Pheddersheim, two miles from Worms, on the left bank of the Rhine River, May 26, 1826, and is the son 566 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. of Herman and Annie Wagner Schram. He resided in his native country until he was sixteen years of age, receiving in the meantime a common school education. In 1840, he came to America, first locating in New York, where he began the barber business, which he followed until 1853. In that year he sailed from New York to Aspinwall, and from Panama he sailed in the steamer " Yankee Blade " to San Francisco, arriving in January, 1854. He immediately began the barber business, and then moved to Marysville, and conducted the same business in that place. In August, he returned to San Francisco, and opened the Metropolitan Theatre Tonsorial Parlors, which he continued till 1857. He then came to the White Sulphur Springs, where he was engaged as barber and ladies' hair-dresser for one season. The fire of that year burned him out of house and home, as it were, and he was compelled to seek business elsewhere. He then went to Napa City and opened a shop which he maintained for three years. His health then failed, and he purchased his preseut place and moved upon it August 12, 1862. He and his excellent wife set about it at once to make for themselves a home, and both of them went into the field and cleared up a small tract and planted it into vines. From this small start the business has grown from year to year, until at present he has fifty acres of bearing vines, and has made upwards of one hundred and sixty thousand gallons of wine. His wines have a well-earned and well-deserved reputation, and the " Schrams- berger " brands are being sought for now all over the United States, and are fast spreading in Europe. A full description of his wine cellar and vineyard will be found in its proper place. He was married February 6, 1859, to Miss Annie Christine Weber, who was born in Hochheim, one mile from Worms, October 2, 1833. They have one living child, Herman Adolph, born April 23, 1862, in Napa City. STEVES, JOHN H. Was born in Durand, Winnebago County, Illi- nois, June 12, 1851, and resided in his birthplace until he was twenty years of age, and attended the common schools of that place, and after- wards the high school of Rockford, same State. At Durand he served an apprenticeship of three years to the tinsmith's trade ; and in 1871 moved to Beloit, Wisconsin, and there worked at his trade, being in the employ of one firm during his stay of six years in that place. January 1, 1877, he returned to his old home, Durand, on a visit ; and finding his father ready to start for the Golden State, he concluded to accompany him, and arrived in San Francisco January 25th of the above year, where they sojourned a short time. Heai'ing of the beauties of the Napa Valley, they paid it a visit, and finally located in St. Helena, where he found employment in the shop of W. L. Phillips, and remained there until August 12, 1878. He then bought out the tinware stock of Mr. Phillips, and moved to his present location, next door to the Van Tassell Hotel, and is engaged in the general tf^&f- Biographical Sketches. 567 hardware business. He married, January 8, 1879", Miss Ida S. Warren, a native of California, and by this union they have two children: Henry Edgar, born November 12, 1879, and Charles Emory, born August 5, 1881. STRAUS, JULES E. Was born in Alsace, France, February 24, 1844, where he remained until he was fifteen years of age, when he came to America, sailing from Havre de Grace to New Orleans, arriving in the latter place in April, 1858. He there secured a position as clerk in a mer- cantile firm, and held this position some six years, and then sailed for California, and after a passage around the Horn of six months, he arrived in the land of promise of plenty in April, 1865. Remaining in San Fran- cisco a few days, he came to Napa County, locating in St. Helena, where he accepted a clerkship from the firm of Lazarus h Levy, in a general store, which he held for one year. He then accepted a position in a store in Kern County, and remained for two years. His next move was to Treasure City, White Pine County, Nevada, where he still pursued his former occupation. Remaining a short time there he moved with his family to Wickinback, Arizona, and opened a store, remaining in this place eighteen months. He once more returned to California, and to St. Helena in December, 1870, and started business in the building now occupied by Wells, Fargo & Co., where he continued until 1875. He then moved across the street into his present storeroom and is doing a nourishing business. Mr. Straus was married July 13, 1868, to Miss Janett Levy, a native of France, and by this union they have one child, Bernice B., born in St. Helena ; also an adopted daughter, Matilda R. Straus. SEA WELL, JOHN H. Was born in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, February 8, 1815. At the age of eight years he, with parents, moved to Sumner County, Tennessee, where he received his education and resided until 1839, at which time he went to La Fayette County, Missouri, and engaged in clerking. In May, 1850, he crossed the plains to California, and arrived in Napa County, October 7th of the above year. Here he engaged in farming and merchandising, which he continued for eight years. In 1851 he was elected to the office of County Clerk, which position he held two years. In 1858 he discontinued his mercantile business, and turned his undivided attention to farming until 1864, when he went to Washoe and engaged in mining for eight months. He then returned to Napa, and after a few months went to Mexico, where he engaged in cotton growing until 1867, when he returned and settled in Berryessa Valley, where he followed farm- ing until 1871, when he once more engaged in merchandising. This he followed for five years, since which time he has not been engaged in any particular business. Mr. Seawell married December 7, 1843, Miss Mary Louderdale. Their children are, Jonah L., Prudence, Martha, Charles and Antoinette. 568 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. SPENCER, DENNIS. Son of Dwight and Eliza Kirby Spencer, was born in Jackson County, Missouri, August 22, 1844. In 1852 he came to California with his parents, who first settled near Sacramento. They after- wards moved to Green Valley, Solano County, and after a short residence in that place moved to Napa County. In 1864 Dennis entered the Santa Clara College, where he remained for two years. In 1872 he entered the Union University Law School at Albany, New York, and was admitted to practice May 7, 1873. He then returned to Napa County, and in 1874 was elected District Attorney, and served three terms. He was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of California April 13, 1874. SHURTLEFF, GEORGE C. Son of Benjamin and Ann M. Griffith Shurtleff, was born in Shasta, Shasta County, California, April 7, 1854. After receiving the advantages of the public schools of Shasta City he en- tered the Brayton College School, of Oakland, after which he entered the Freshmen year of the University of California ; but in 1874 he came to Napa and accepted a clerkship with Messrs. Allen & Parks, and with them and their successors he r-emained in that position until August 19, 1880, when he purchased a one-half interest in the firm now known as Thompson & Shurtleff. He was married August 9, 1877, to Alice C. Nichols, daughter of J. M. Nichols, who was born in Napa County, November 8, 1859 ; and by this union they have one son, Roy N., born September 14, 1878. SIMMONS, AMOS, son of Thomas and Rebecca Wilson Simmons, was born in East Tennessee, August 24, 1827, and remained in his birthplace until he was nine years of age, when, with his parents, he moved to Missouri, and located in Greene County and engaged in farming. There he received a common school education, and remained about twenty-two years. Leaving that State in May, 1857, with his family, he started across the plains for California with ox-teams. Crossing the Missouri River above Fort Kearny, and coming via the Lassen cut-off, he first entered this State at Hangtown, now Placerville, and remained there one year. He then moved, in August, 1858, to Napa Valley, and located near St. Helena, and purchased a farm and remained there for six years. He then sold out and moved to Calistoga, locating on, or pre-empting his present ranch, about one mile from the above-named town, consisting of one hundred and sixty-three acres, and engaged in farming and fruit raising, having a vineyard of eight acres and a nice orchard of all the different varieties of fruit grown in this country. He was united in marriage April 3, 1848, to Miss Martha Tyler, who was born in Tennessee. By this union they have six living children : SophroniaE., born June 25, 1849 ; Thomas J., born April 14, 1851 ; James K., born Sep- tember 29, 1854 ; Amos B., born January 27, 1861 ; Bell, born May 14, 1867, and Emma B., born February 18, 1870. Biographical Sketches. 569 TONOLLA, A. M. Was born in Clinton County, Pennsylvania, June 8, 1835. When nine years of age he, with parents, moved to Philadelphia, where he received his education. He then served an apprenticeship to the piano-making trade, of four years. In 1859 he came via Panama to Cali- fornia, and arrived at San Francisco in December of the above year. He at once engaged with the firm of Jacob & Zech, to work at his trade, that of making pianos. In 1862 he was admitted as a partner in the bus- iness, which relationship lasted about two and a half years, when he sold out his interest, but still continued as journeyman for a short time, when the firm was closed out by creditors. After this Mr. Tonolla remained in the shop for about six months, finishing up some instruments and doing repair- ing. Afterwards he was employed at Trinity Church for about five months, then engaged at his former trade until 1871, when he came to Napa County and located in St. Helena, where he is engaged at hotel-keeping. TRUBODY, JOSIAH SIMMONS. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, is the son of Edward and Mary Simmons Trubody, and was born in Cornwall County, England, June 19, 1805. Here he received a common school education and resided till 1830, when he pro- ceded to New Brunswick. June 26th of that year we find him in Phila- delphia, where he soon found work in the harvest-field with the Quakers, at which he continued for three weeks. He then proceeded to Wayne County, Pennsylvania, where he hired out to work at general farm labor, at which he continued for seven years. In September, 1837, he emigrated West, and settled in La Fayette County, Missouri, where he remained for two years. He then moved to Carroll County, that State, and began farm- ing, which he continued till August 26, 1849. He then started for Cali- fornia, coming the southern route, and arriving in the State January 22, 1850. He immediately proceeded to Napa County, and located on land two miles below Yountville, on which he resided till 1873. In May of that year he moved to Napa City, and has since resided in that place. Mr. Trubody married, in Wayne County, Pennsylvania, Miss Mary Ann Lakin, October 4, 1835, who was a daughter of Joel Lakin, of Massachusetts, and Clemen- tina Sands, of New Jersey. She was born in Wayne County, Pennsyl- vania, March 19, 1811. By this union, which was formed nearly fifty years ago, they have two children : William P., born February 23, 1843 ; Edward W., born December 13, 1851 ; one child deceased, Chrisanda Jane, born August 17.. 1840, and died April 13, 1868. TRUBODY, WILLIAM A. Son of John and Jane Palmer Trubody, was born in La Fayette County, Missouri, December 5, 1839, where he resided until May, 1847, when he, with his father's family, started across the plains for California and arrived October 1st of that year. They remained 570 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. at Sutters Fort for two months, when they went to San Francisco. In 1850 he went East, and for four years attended the Mount Pleasant Academy in New York. He then returned to California and completed his education at the University of the Pacific, near San Jose-. He then came to Napa County and located on his present place, consisting of a half interest in one hundred and eighty-four acres, ninety of which are entirely devoted to horticulture. In 1880 he shipped eighty tons of blackberries and averages seventy and eighty tons each year. The vines cover thirty-five acres. The Trubody brothers began the blackberry business in 1867 and have steadily increased until to-day they stand at the head of the list. In 1867 he was elected Supervisor and filled the position for one term. He was married November 17, 1868, to Miss Lura, daughter of T. L. Grigsby, who was born in Laclede County, Missouri, November 30, 1850. Their living children are, George A., born September 22, 1871 ; Lulu Etta, born October 4, 1873 ; Clara, born October 30, 1877 ; and Frank, born November 8, 1879. They lost their oldest child, Elma, born September 29, 1869, and died June 8, 1873. THOMPSON, ISAAC. Son of Ezra and Cynthia Gifford Thompson, was born in Bristol County, Massachusetts, January 16, 1824. When he was quite young his parents moved to New Bedford, same county. He was educated at the Middleborough Academy, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. When he was fourteen years old he began as clerk which he followed for six years. In 1843, he began the ship chandlers and grocery trade for him- self in New Bedford, which he followed until 1851. In October, 1852, he sailed from New Bedford on board the ship " Rainbow," and arrived in San Francisco in May, 1853. In August of the the above year, he moved to Waldo, Josephine County, Oregon where for two years he was superin- tendent of a mining water ditch. He then, in 1855, opened a general mercantile store in the above place, and continued in that business until his removal to Napa County in 1876. He first purchased the place now owned by Mr. Sharp, two miles east of Napa, upon which he resided until Feb- ruary, 1879, when he moved to Napa City, and in August, 1880, began the hardware business under the firm name of Thompson & Shurtleff. He was married November 1, 1869, to Miss Elizabeth Briggs, a native of New York, born July 28, 1848. Their children are, Rosetta, born August 20, 1870 ; Elizabeth Daisy, born in October, 1875, and Frank, born January 31, 1881 TRUBODY, JOSIAH PALMER Was born in Wayne County, Penn- sylvania, April 18, 1836, where he resided only two years. His parents then moved to La Fayette County, Missouri, where they resided until 1847. May 1st of that year they started across the plains, and arrived at Johnsons Ranch in October of the same year. The family settled in San Francisco, Biographical Sketches. 571 and he remained there with them until 1856. In that year he came to Napa County and began farming on his present place, where he has since continued to reside. He has been engaged in the horticultural business the last few years, and Trubody's blackberries have a State wide reputation. His place consists of one-half interest in one hundred and eighty-four acres. He was married May 3, 1865, to Miss Sophronia Ament, who was born in Ken- dall County, Illinois, February 12, 1847. Their children are, Charles M., Albert W., Samuel A., and Charlotte Jane. THOMANN, JOHN. Was born in Switzerland January 30, 1836, and resided in his native place until he was twenty-two years of age. At the age of fifteen he began working in a nursery, which he followed for two years, and then worked on farms and vineyards until he came to America, which was in 1858. He came to California in that year and settled in Sac- ramento, where he engaged in the nursery and wine business, which he followed until 1874. He then came to Napa County and located on his present place, near St. Helena, where he has since resided. He has also a ranch on Howell Mountain of one hundred and thirty acres, which he is planting into vines. He has a fine, large wine cellar on his home place, a full description of which will be found in its proper place. He is an energetic, thorough-going business man, and is at present a member of the Board of Supervisors of Napa County. He was married in 1863 to Miss Josephine Esh, and by this union they have four children, Louisa, Annie, Laura, and Bertie. TUCKER, JOHN W. This old pioneer of Napa Valley is the son of R. P. and Delilah Compton Tucker, and was born in Ohio, January 26, 1833. He resided in his birthplace until he was four years of age, when, with his parents, he went to Rock Island County, Illinois. He remained in that place until April, 1846, when he, with his father, started across the plains with the intention of going to Oregon, coming the old Fort Hall route. Arriving at Fort Hall they were advised, on account of the lateness of the season, not to go to Oregon. They then turned their faces towards California, entering this State at Truckee, and crossed the mountains a little in advance of the Donner party, and only passed the place of the terrible sufferings of that party a short time before the storm came on. On their arrival in this State they rented a piece of land on the Johnson ranch on Bear River, and put in a crop. In the spring of 1847 they moved to near Sacramento, and there bought a farm, and remained one year. Not liking that location they concluded to move to Napa Valley, locating on the farm now owned by his brother, G. W. Tucker. In the spring following they bought a farm, and continued farming until 1872, when, their title being- declared illegal, and after a residence on this place for more than twenty-five 572 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. years, they were compelled to give it up. The years following, until 1880, Mr. Tucker made his home in the valley, and in the above year he bought his present farm, comprising one hundred and eighty acres, and is once more nicely situated in his favorite valley. Mr. Tucker is in every sense of the word a pioneer, and his mind can not help wandering back to the beauties of Napa Valley thirty-live years ago, when this district had no resident save the Indian, or the herds of undomesticated cattle and horses, the beast of prey, and the fowls of the air. Mr. Tucker is now engaged in general farming. He was united in marriage, October 8, 1879, with Mrs. C. E. Weed, who was born in Moscow, Maine, December 3, 1838. He has three step-children : Bertha E. Weed, born September 10, 1860, in Carmel, Maine ; Nettie M. Weed, born March 20, 1862, in Carmel, Maine ; Edwin H. Weed, born January 10, 1864, in Bangor, Maine. TABOE, ISAAC, M. D. Was born in Smithfield, Rhode Island, Feb- ruary 28, 1817. He was educated in Providence, Rhode Island, at the Friends New England Yearly Meeting Boarding School, and at Amherst Academy, Massachusetts. In Cherry Valley, New York, he began the study of medicine, and further prosecuted his studies by attending medical lectures in Albany, that State, and Woodstock, Vermont, and graduated from the Medical College of the latter place June 9, 1841, and received a third course at the Berkshire Medical School of Massachusetts. We next find Dr. Tabor in St. Louis, Missouri, where he followed his profession for one year, and then, owing to ill-health, concluded to change and moved to Texas, and settled on the Red River in Cass County, and there practiced medicine for twenty years. The war then broke out and the Doctor's sympathies being with the North, he left his sunny home for that of Providence, Rhode Island, and there continued his practice until he removed to California, which event occurred in June, 1876. He first located in Placer County, and there remained until the fall of 1879, when he moved to Oakland, where he sojourned for a few months, and then moved to Napa Valley, locating in St. Helena, and is now building up a nice practice, and is respected by the com- munity in which he lives. The subject of this sketch was twice married. His first marriage occurred in Texas, October 23, 1844, to Rebecca S. Prewitt, a native of Alabama, who died March 3, 1861, in Providence, Rhode Island. They had three children : Benjamin Prewitt, born August 17, 1852, in Texas ; Isaac Francis, born November 24, 1854, in Rhode Island ; Mary Elizabeth, born December 21, 1857, in Texas, and died March 4, 1860, in that State. He married secondly in Worcester, Massachusetts, May 11, 1865, Miss Emily Whitney, a native of Westminster, Massachusetts. Their children are, Ernest Frederick, born February 26, 1866, in Worcester, Massachusetts ; Ashley Raymond, born December 24, 1868, in Rhode Island. Biographical Sketches. 573 TULLY, THOMAS J. The subject of this sketch was born in Mason County, Kentucky, July 18, 1825. In early life it was Mr. Tully's intention to become a physician, but an accident to one of his eyes changed his whole course of life, as his studies had to be abandoned. He then learned the trade of plasterer, and in 1853 removed to Knox County, Missouri, and re- mained in that State until his coming to California, which occurred July, 1873. On arriving here with his family, he first located at the Hoopa Val- ley Indian Reservation, where he received a position as head farmer, in which capacity he served for nearly one year. He was then appointed clerk and commissary, which situation he held until January, 1875. At that time he moved to Napa Valley, locating in St. Helena for a short time, and then changed his place of residence to Calistoga. He has purchased the " Maple Spring" property, a delightful place, situated on the Santa Rosa road, two miles from Calistoga. Mr. Tully is engaged in the fruit business, having a beautiful and, as we believe, the only orange orchard in Napa Valley, of something over fifty trees ; also all the other varieties of fruit known to this climate ; and " Maple Spring" promises to be in a few years one of the most delightful summer resorts on this coast. Mr. Tully was married to Mrs. Mary A. Robinson, of Missouri, July 22, 1869. Mrs. Tully is a teacher by profession, and it is their intention to establish a boarding school for children of both sexes at " Maple Spring " some time during the coming year. Mr. and Mrs. Tully have one child, a daughter, Clara May, born in Missouri, June 6, 1870. THOMPSON, SIMPSON. This worthy pioneer, whose portrait will be found in this work, was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1803. His great-grandfather, John Wilson, bought the old homestead farm, in Bucks County, directly from William Penn, and it may be remarked as something very rare in American family history that the property is still owned by his great-grandson, the subject of this sketch. John Wilson, his great-grandfather on his mother's side, immigrated with his family to America, and settled in the same township. This man was the eldest son of James Wilson, who had violated the law of the realm by marrying Isabel, the daughter and heiress of the Earl of Corsik, in Scotland, and had been compelled to flee with his bride to ' the County of Antrim, Ireland. Of the same family, two generations removed, was Margaret Wilson, who was, in 1685, at the age of eighteen, sentenced to be drowned in the waters of the Bladnoch, near Wigton, Scotland. An aged lady of sixty-three years, named Margaret McLachland, was condemned at the same time. Their only crime was refusing to take the oath of recantation, and to abandon the principles of the Scottish Reformation. A beautiful cenotaph of white marble was erected to the memory of these martyrs in the city of 574 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. Stirling, and still commemorates their " faithfulness unto death." The following is an extract from the minutes of the Kirk session of Penningham Parish, February 19, 1711 : " Upon the eleventh day of May, 1685, these two women, Margaret McLachland and Margaret Wilson, were brought forth to execution. They did put the old woman first into the water, and when the water was overflowing her, they asked Margaret Wilson what she thought of her in that case. She answered, ' What do I see but Christ wrestling there. Think ye that we are the sufferers ? No, it is Christ in us, for he sends none on a warfare on their own charge.' Margaret Wilson sang Psalm xxv., from the seventh verse and the eighth chapter of the epistle to the Komans, and did pray, and then the water covered her. But be- fore her breath was quite gone, they pulled her up and held her till she could speak, and then asked her if she would pray for the king. She answered that she wished the salvation of all men, but the dam- nation of none. Some of her relations, being at the place, cried out, ' She is willing to conform !' being desirous to save her life at any rate. Upon which Major Winram offered the oath of abjuration to her either to swear it or to return to the waters. She refused it, saying, ■* I will not ; I am one of Christ's children, let me go.' And they returned her into the water, where she finished her warfare, being a virgin martyr of eighteen years of age, suffering death for her refusing to swear the oath of abjuration and hear the curates." Mr. Thompson grew up on the old Bucks County homestead, and was educated in the common schools of the county. In 1845 or 1846 he went to Baltimore, Maryland, where he remained for twenty months, engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery business. On account of ill-health he went to Philadelphia, and at the age of forty-five engaged as an apprentice to the plumber and gas-fitter's trade, with the firm of Archer & Warner. He worked at this for eighteen months, when he went to Albany, New York, and began business for himself, which he con- ducted till 1852. In May of that year he sailed from New York bound for California, coming via the Chagres Kiver and the Isthmus route, making- part of the journey from Gorgona to Panama upon a mule, and sleeping in the open air with a box of medicine for a pillow. He came up the coast on the steamer " Golden Gate," with one thousand five hundred passengers, among whom were some forty or fifty stowaways, who came aboard at Acapulco, and who had been wrecked upon another steamer. Those were treated rather roughly, and made to work at whatever they were able to accomplish. At last Samuel Brannan, who was on board, made a speech in their favor, and headed a subscription list with $500 for their relief. William Neeley Thompson, brother of Simpson Thompson, and Thomas H., son of the latter, had come to California via the Horn in 1849, in the ship " Grey Eagle," one hundred and twenty days from Philadelphia. Biographical Sketches. 575 William N. entered into a copartnership with Mr. Blackburn in the lumber business in San Francisco, and furnished most of the material for the State House at Vallejo, and in 1851 three hundred and twenty acres of the Soscol Ranch were taken in payment, at $12 per acre, from General M. G. Vallejo, who had erected the State House at his own expense. A town site a mile square had been laid out on the place by General Vallejo, and some of the stakes are still standing. Subsequently Mr. Thompson pm-chased about three hundred acres more. Mr. Simpson Thompson came to California with the intention of putting up gas works, but when he arrived in San Francisco he found that coal was $50 a ton, and that gas was only $10 per thousand feet ; so he abandoned that project. He spent a few days at tallying lumber as it came off from the vessels into his brother's yard. He then came to the Soscol place and took charge of it. He found that his brother had sent men up, who had planted a small field of potatoes, at the expense of $12.50 per acre for plowing alone. Nothing else had ever been done on the farm, and the men abandoned the place in disgust. Upon his arrival at the place Mr. Thompson spent the first six weeks under a big oak tree, making his own bread and doing his own washing. This tree is near the present mansion, and is surrounded by a circular arbor and cherished with the greatest care. He found the place in a state of nature ; Soscol Creek, which is now confined within artificial bounds and empties into the river, spread then over a wide area, converting it into a morass. This is now reclaimed and constitutes the richest part of the Soscol orchards. The first trees were obtained from Rochester, New York, and from New Jersey. Nursery trees of many kinds were brought out, but thousands of dollars were sunk by losses in transportation. Trees packed in charcoal dried up and died, and those packed in wet moss mostly rotted on the way ; but those packed in dry moss arrived in good condition. The first peach pits were planted in April, 1853, and most of them grew vigorously, and ripe peaches were produced from them in sixteen months from the planting. When the Mexican residents saw them put out, and prepara- tions being made for a nursery, they laughed at such a thing. They said that without water it was impossible ; that barley would not grow over two feet and wheat not over six inches without irrigation, while trees would not grow at all. Their astonishment may well be imagined when, sixteen months after, he showed them finer peaches than they had ever seen in the State. Apples were produced from the seeds in two and a half years. Garden vegetables were produced in luxuriance and abundance without irri- gation. The seedlings were, of course, inferior, but judicious grafting soon produced fine results, and the stock of apple trees in California was soon brought up to that of the East. The first basket of peaches sold from the Soscol orchards brought $23.75, or about 80 cents per pound. They were 576 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. retailed at $1 . 25 each. The first basket of plum peaches brought $34, or $1.1 2 1 per pound. A small area, only about one-fourth of an acre, was planted in gooseberries, and the yield was three tons. The wholesale prices of fruit in 1856, as shown by the books of Mr. Thompson, were as follows : apricots, per pound, 70 cents ; early apples, 50 cents ; peaches, $9 to $14 per basket of twenty-eight pounds ; peaches, best quality, $18 . 75 per basket, or 55 cents a pound ; yellow rare ripe peaches, 60 cents per pound. In 1855 $3 per pound was offered for the cherry crop before it was picked. The prices of nursery trees were in proportion. In 1856 trees in the dormant bud sold for $600 a thousand. Peach trees one year old brought $2 . 50 each in 1855, and $1 .50 each in 1856. Apple trees sold from 75 cents to $1 .50 each, and as high as $5 was paid for a single fine tree. In 1856 the trees in the original orchard would have brought more than he could now command for the entire property. In that year the farm and orchard yielded $40,000, a greater sum than it has ever since produced. Mr. Thompson carried on the place for many years in connection with his two sons, Thomas H. and James M., but now it may be said that the latter is really the manager of the magnificent property, the father having resigned that position to him some years ago, and the elder brother being now in Texas, where they are jointly largely interested. The old gentleman is surrounded by everything that could render life enjoyable, and is held in universal respect and esteem by all who know him. The family mansion is a model of convenience, widely known for its hospitality. The grounds are laid out with great beauty, and dotted over with rare shrubs and trees from every part of the Union. Mr. Thompson was married in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in 1826, to Miss Susan T. Simpson, who died in that county in 1844, leaving two children, Thomas H. and James M. THOMPSON, JAMES M. Was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, November 6, 1833, and is the son of Simpson and Susan T. Simpson Thomp- son. He received a common school education in his native place, and then, in 1851-2, attended the Williston Seminary, in Hampton, Massachusetts. August 4, 1854, he sailed from New York on the steamer " George Law," to the Isthmus ; came part of the way across that on a railroad, and the balance on the hurricane deck of a mule ; thence on the steamer " Sonora," arriving in San Francisco August 28th of that year. He came at once to the Soscol ranch, where he has been engaged in the nursery and orchard business, in connection with his brother and father. In 1874 he went to Texas and purchased, in company with two others, a tract of ten thousand acres of land and stocked it. He now owns a half interest in that vast estate. He was married May 28, 1862, to Miss Mary R. K. Gluyas, who was born in Philadelphia, February, 1844. Their children are, George S., Biographical Sketches. 577 born June 29, 1864; Margaret Wilson, born September 19, 1867, and William Gluyas, born August 5, 1873. TUCKER, GEORGE W. Son of R. P. and Delilah Compton Tucker, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, December 15, 1831. He resided at his birthplace until 1838, when he, with his father, moved to Rock Island County, Illinois, where he remained until 1846. April 20th of the last- named year the family left Illinois, bound for Oregon, but, when they arrived at the head of the Humboldt River, they changed their course and came to California, arriving in October of that year. He stopped during the winter of 1846-7, at Johnsons Ranch on Bear River, and in the spring he moved to the Cosumnes River and spent two months. He then came to Napa County, and located on a place near the head of Napa Valley, living in a log house on the site of his present dwelling. In 1848 he was among the first to go to the newly discovered mines, following mining for two summers. He has since remained at home permanently, and now owns one hundred and fifty acres of land. He and his father were among the number who went to rescue the Donner party. Married January 1, 1858, Miss Angelina Kellogg, a native of Jo Daviess County, Illinois, born October 6, 1838. f Their children are, Lilia, Mary, Jesse, Charles, Henry, Martha, John and Eda. TEALE, GEORGE W. The son of Peter and Mary Ann Tucker Teale, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, October 1, 1851. When he was but one year old he came with his parents to Napa County, California, and re- mained with them on a farm near Calistoga until 1880. He then purchased a ranch of forty-five acres, and is now engaged in general farming. He married January 27, 1880, Miss Kate L. Parker, a native of Solano County, California, born July 17, 1858. By this union they have one son, born October 13, 1880. THOMPSON, CHARLES. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, one of nine sons, all born on the homestead farm that had belonged to the family for several generations. He received his education and resided there and in Philadelphia and New York, until the glowing accounts heard of the Golden State, decided him to go and see for himself the truth of the stories that were told of the land of gold, its delicious fruits and large vegetables. In November, 1856, he sailed from New York, via, Panama, on the steamers " George Law" and " Sonora," and arrived in San Francisco in December. That they received a cordial welcome will be known from the fact that they brought the news that it was supposed Buchanan was elected President ; but it was not known for a certainty until the next steamer arrived, two weeks later. After sojourning a few days in San Francisco, Mr. Thompson 37 578 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. proceeded to Soscol Rancho, where he engaged in farming for several years. He then moved to the upper Napa Valley and bought land on the Yount grant, east of Oakville, and at the end of three years he sold that and leased the Yount homestead for one year. In June, 1867, he visited his home in Pennsylvania, remaining several months, and then returned and embarked in farming in Contra Costa County for five years. In 1869 the people were becoming interested in grape culture, and he purchased his present ranch, consisting of about one hundred and twenty-seven acres, considering the soil particularly adapted to the vine, and after a trial of several years he finds his opinion was entirely correct. Mr. Thompson is one of those men who always weighs well the outcome of any enter- prise before he ventures, as may be seen in his wise choice of grape lands, and his wisdom in embarking in the business when he did. He has never been an office seeker, but has always manifested a deep interest in all public affairs, and lent a ready hand to the assistance of whatever has tended to the advancement of the best interests of the community in which he resides. He has always been a prominent farmer wherever he has resided, and his opinions and conclusions concerning agricultural subjects, have been held in high esteem by his neighbors. He is now living upon his beautiful estate, surrounded by the comforts of home and the society of his family, enjoy- ing the well-earned fruits of a wisely spent life. In 1874 Mr. Thompson once more visited his native home, and February 23, 1875, was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Buckman, a native of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and by this marriage they have one living child, Edward, born in 1878. VAN BEVER, PETER. Was born in Belgium in 1825, and resided in his native country till he was twenty-five years of age, receiving his educa- tion in the meantime at private colleges. In 1850 he came to California via Cape Horn, arriving in San Francisco May 3d of that year. He brought a small stock of goods with him, but the city of San Francisco having been destroyed by fire the day he arrived, he deferred the opening of a store and went to Santa Clara County, where, in partnership with Levi Prevost, he purchased a small farm. In the fall of 1851 he returned to San Francisco, where he established himself in the general grocery business, which he fol- lowed till 1853. In that year he paid a visit to Europe, and on his return continued the business till 1857. He then went to Mariposa County and began the same business, conducting it till 1S60. In 1S61 he came to Napa City and opened a small restaurant, which he conducted for one season. Next he began the produce business, which he conducted for a short time, and then he opened the well-known "Bee Hive" store in 1864, which he con- ducted till 1875. He then began the wine business, which he followed till 1881. Mr. Van Bever has ever been one of Napa's most energetic Biographical Sketches. 579 men and earnest citizens, doing all in his power to advance the interests of the city and county in which he resides. VAN TASSELL, THEODORE. The subject of this sketch was born in New York City, April 11, 1834, where he was educated at the common schools, and resided until his twentieth year. At the age of twelve he was apprenticed to the trade of hatter, and at this he continued up to his leaving his native State, with the exception of one year spent in a commis- sion house. June 18, 1854, found Mr. Van Tassell on board the steamer " Surprise," Captain Ned. Wakman, bound for California, coming via the Straits of Magellan, and after a passage of six months entered the Golden Gate December 14, 1854. After a short time spent in visiting his relations who had preceded him to this coast, he found employment in the hat store of 0. H. Boyd & Co., where he remained until 1857. After one year spent on a farm near Sacramento, he again returned to San Francisco, and took charge of a hat store for J. B. Le Gay, and in 1862, in partnership with Wm. H. Mead, and under the firm name of Mead & Van Tassell, he con- ducted a mercantile house in that city. After a short time he bought his partner's interest in the stock and moved to the Russ House Block, and there carried on business until 1867, and then accepted a position in the insurance office of R. B. Swain & Co. In July, 1871, he moved to Napa County, and after spending one year with his father-in-law on the " Hill- side " farm, near St. Helena, he entered the employ of J. A. Jackson fe Co., pjmber merchants. This firm selling out in 1874, Mr. Van Tassell succeeded them, and remained in this business until 1880, when he took charge of the White Sulphur Springs Hotel, which he conducted to the satisfaction of all the patrons of that noted summer resort. The subject of our sketch was united in marriage in San Francisco July 23, 1863, to Miss Emma S. Pollock, a native of Brooklyn, New York, and by this union they have four children. Their names are, Theodore S., Emily F., Florence L. and Philip L. VANN, MATHEW. This old and respected citizen of Napa County, whose portrait appears in this history, was born in Morgan County, Illinois, June 9, 1823. When he was but a child his parents moved to Tennessee, and there resided until 1830 or 1831, when they moved west and located near Boonville, Cooper County, Missouri. He remained in that State until he came to this coast, which occurred May 1, 1850. He came in company with two brothers, William H. and T. A., joining a train at Springfield, Missouri. They came the old emigrant route across the plains, and arrived in the Golden State July 30, 1850. He first stopped at Hangtown (Placer- ville), and embarked in mining for eighteen months. In December, 1851, Mr. Vann paid a visit to his home in Missouri, and was there united in mar- riage ; and after sojourning there a short time he returned to California, 580 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. arriving in September of 1852. He proceeded direct to Napa Valley, first locating on the Yount ranch, and in the following spring he purchased his now valuable ranch of one hundred and fifty acres, located about two miles south-east of St. Helena, and engaged in general farming and grape growing. He is now, in company with the wife of his youth, enjoy- ing the fruits of a prosperous life, surrounded by his family of five sons, and enjoying the confidence and esteem of the citizens of the community in which he lives. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage, in Pope County, Missouri, April 14, 1852, to Miss Elizabeth Lane, a native of Tennessee. Their children are, Charles R., Thomas L., William F., Robert M. and Jefferson J. VOORHEES, ALBERT P. Son of Samuel W. and Maria Loucks Voor- hees, was born in Sharon, New York, March 22, 1840. When he was nine years of age he, with his parents, moved to Sharon, Walworth County, Wisconsin, where he received his education at the common schools, after- wards taking a course at the Wayland University. He then worked on his father's farm in summer and taught school during the winter. October 25, 1862, he sailed from New York on board the steamer " Old America " to Nicaragua, where he took passage on board the " Moses Taylor," arriving in San Francisco November 27th of the above-named year. He immediately proceeded to the Montezuma Hills, Solano County, where he sojourned a few months, and then accepted a clerkship at the Mare Island Navy Yard, a position he held for five years. In 1868 he began the clothing and gentle- men's furnishing business in Vallejo, which he followed until 1876. During his residence in that place he held the office of City Trustee for a number of years. June 24, 1876, he began his present business in Napa under the firm name of Alden & Co., located on the corner of First and Main streets. Mr. Voorhees was united in marriage in Vallejo, Solano County, Decem- ber 21, 1870, to Miss D. Annie Farnham, a native of New Brunswick. By this union they had two children : Evelina Jaunita and Albert Leland. WALLACE, HON. WILLIAM CYRUS. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this history, was born near Lexington, La Fayette County, Missouri, November 13, 1823, and is consequently now in the fifty- eighth year of his age. At the age of about eighteen years he moved, with his parents, to Clinton, Henry County, in the same State, at which latter place he received the greater portion of his education. Here he began the study of law at the age of twenty- two, and in the year 1847 he was duly licensed to practice in all the courts of the State. He immediately entered actively upon the practice of his profession at Clinton, the county seat, and so continued until the spring of 1849, when he joined the army of pioneers whose hopes and fortunes were centered upon the gold-fields of California. Biographical Sketches. 581 He connected himself with a party of emigrants coming with ox-teams, and in this manner made the long and wearisome journey across the plains, ar- riving at Sacramento in August of the same year, and encountering only such incidents as were commonplace upon the trip in those days. In seek- ing a new home he was not seeking simply adventure, nor was he'carried away with the marvelous accounts concerning the gold discovery, but relying upon the practice of his profession, he brought with him his law library, and in a very short time he was engaged in an active practice at Sacramento. At the first election under the Constitution — the spring of 1850— he was elected District Attorney of Sacramento County. At a subsequent time, he was nominated by the Whig convention of that county for the office of Pub- lic Administrator, and was elected by a majority of more than five hundred, though the rest of the ticket was defeated. That office was at that time a very important one, and its duties very laborious, and were the more dis- agreeable because of previous bad management. After a year, having ar- ranged the affairs of the office in a satisfactory manner and settled its business, he resigned. In 1853 he visited his former home, where he was married, and then returned to Sacramento and continued the practice of his profession. In the following year he was again a candidate on the Whig ticket ; this time for the office of City Attorney, to which he was elected, Hon. Cornelius Cole being his competitor. He continued to reside in Sac- ramento until the summer of 1859, when, on account of sickness in his family, he moved to Napa County and located at Napa City. Here he remained until the winter of 1863, when he moved to the State of Nevada, engaging to some extent in mining enterprises and practicing law at Virginia City and Washoe. While in that State, he twice received the nomination of the Democratic party for Justice of the Supreme Court— in the years 1864 and 1866. He had also received a like favor at the hands of that party in California in 1861. He returned to Napa County in 1867, and this has been his home ever since. In 1869 he was nominated by his party for and elected to the position of District Judge of the Seventh Judicial District, at that time embracing the counties of Marin, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, Napa and Solano. He was re-elected to the same position in 1875, but this time without opposition. During his second term the district was changed by leaving off the counties of Marin, Mendocino and Sonoma. The adoption of the new Constitution in 1879, by which our judicial system was changed, cut short his term of District Judge, but he was immediately put forward by the people of his own county for the position of Superior Judge, and elected without opposition. There are few men who have been more thoroughly tried by his people, and at all times commanded the high confidence and esteem enjoyed by Judge Wallace. In his private life he is benevolent, social, pure and true. His friendships are extensive, and are 582 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. ever warm and enduring. As a judge, he is gifted in more than an or- dinary degree with the power of discerning truth and propriety, while his great experience enables him to weigh and solve legal questions with great dispatch and accuracy. WILKINS, EDMUND TAYLOR, M. D. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Montgomery County, Tennessee, at the residence of his grandfather, Colonel Edmund Taylor, October 20, 1824, and is the son of Dr. Benjamin and Jane Taylor Wilkins. At the time of his birth his parents lived in Christian County, Kentucky, but, for the sake of convenience and sociability, he was taken across the line into Tennessee, to be born. Until he reached the age of ten years, the sub- ject of this sketch alternated between the two States named above, after which he resided in the States of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, and at eighteen he entered the William and Mary College, where he received his collegiate education. In March, 1849, he sailed from New Orleans for Cali- fornia, taking passage on the schooner " St. Mary," Captain Chasteau. When off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, the little craft, one hundred and fifty tons burden, was overtaken by a terrible storm, in which she was so disabled, that it became necessary to seek safety by going into port to replenish supplies and repair the damages of the gale. Accordingly, the captain set sail for Baltimore, where she remained six weeks ere she was again pronounced ready to pursue her voyage arpund the Horn; Captain Chasm having been placed in command in lieu of Captain Chasteau. After a long and perilous voyage of more than nine months, she at last safely arrived in San Francisco, January 26, 1850. Among the persons on board were the late Thomas M. Logan, M. D., surgeon of the vessel; Henry Clay Duralde, grandson of Henry Clay ; Benjamin T. Davis, nephew of Jefferson Davis ; Edwin Good- all, of the firm of Goodall, Perkins & Co., and fifteen other passengers, making nineteen in all. Among the other passengei-s were William R. Cox, J. C. Smith, Thomas Fondry, P. Carrington, J. R. Valleau, M. C. Goodwin, Captain Daniel Butts, W. E. Dabney, and Dr. Ewin Shiel and wife. The others are not remembered. After a short sojourn in San Francisco, he proceeded up the Sacramento River, in a whale boat, and thence to Bidwells Bar, in Butte County, where he engaged for a short time in mining. From thence he proceeded in company with Drs. Richard Pegram and Edward Workman to Trinity River, which he attempted to turn from its course by means of a sand-bag dam ; but after spending all the summer, and all of his means in this fruitless effort to force the river to give up its hidden treasures, he abandoned the mines forever. Returning to the valley in the autumn, he purchased a farm on the Feather River, ten miles above Marys- ville, in Yuba County, Drs. Richard Pegram, and John S. Griffin, then surgeon Biographical Sketches. 583 in the United States Army and now of Los Angeles, being co-partners. In 1853 he returned to his native State, and attended his first course of medical lectures at the Memphis Medical College, from which he graduated at the end of his second course in 1861. When Dr. Wilkins first came to California, he brought with him a faithful colored servant, known as Major Breeden, one of the most honest and faithful of men, who stuck to his young master amidst all the allurements and temptations of those more than tempting times. They went East together in 1853, and when they returned to Cali- fornia in 1854, Dr. Wilkins brought the entire family, consisting of thirteen persons, who were his slaves in Louisiana, but who were given their liberty and a tract of valuable land, three hundred and twenty acres, near his own, upon which he placed them, and on which some of them still reside. After receiving his medical diploma, Dr. Wilkins gave up farming, moved to Marysville in July, 1861, and from that time has paid undivided attention to the study and practice of his profession, and especially to that branch which relates to the dethronement of reason and the care and treatment of the insane. In February, 1870, the Legislature passed an Act authorizing the Governor to appoint a commissioner to visit the principal asylums for the insane in Europe and America, and it was made his duty to collect and compile all accessible and reliable information as to their man- agement and construction, and the different modes of treatment of the insane, the results of this investigation to be reported to the Governor in time to be laid before the next session of the Legislature. The great interest that Dr. Wilkins had manifested in behalf of the insane, and attention he was known to have paid to the subject, as well as his intimate and friendly rela- tions with Governor Haight, pointed him out as a proper person to fill that important mission, and the appointment was accordingly bestowed upon him. Immediately after receiving his commission, Dr. Wilkins commenced his investigations. First familiarizing himself with our own asylum, he proceeded at once to visit those in most of the States of the Union and of Canada. With the information obtained from visiting fifty asylums on this continent, and exchanging views with the most experienced, able and learned of the superintendents in his own country, he crossed the Atlantic well pre- pared to contrast and compare the asylums and the systems of management of these institutions in this country and those beyond the Atlantic. Having spent twenty-one months in visiting one hundred asylums in Great Britain and Ireland, France, Italy, Austria, Bavaria, Saxony, Bohemia, Prussia, Bel- gium and Holland, in addition to half as many in America, and having attended meetings of the superintendents of asylums in France, England and the United States, he returned to California and made an elaborate and ex- haustive report to the Governor on the 2d day of December, 1871, ten thousand copies of which were published by order of the Legislature then convened. 584 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. Among the first and most important results of this report was the passage of an Act by the Legislature to provide additional accommodations for the insane of this State. Dr. Wilkins was appointed by Governor Booth as one of the commissioners to select a site and location for the projected asylum, Dr. George A. Shurtleff, superintendent of the Stockton Asylum, and Judge C. H. Swift, of Sacramento, being the other two members of the Commis- sion. The location was made in Napa County, and the elegant structure known as the Napa State Asylum for the Insane now adorns the selected site, and is the best proof of the wisdom and taste displayed by the Com- mission in the choice made. Dr. Wilkins was also named in the bill, to- gether with Dr. Shurtleff and Governor Booth, to act as an Advisory Board to the Board of Directors in reference to the adoption of suitable plans for the new asylum. Having been thus intimately connected with and inter- ested in the establishment of this noble charity, and largely instrumental, through his report, in procuring the passage of the Act authorizing its con- struction, the Board of Trustees appointed for its management showed a just appreciation of his worth, and a proper regard for the best interests of the institution, by electing him, on the 16th of March, 1876, as the Resident Physician. At the expiration of his term of office he was re-elected for a second term of four years, and is now in charge of that institution. Its management needs no encomium from us. The perfect cleanliness of the entire establishment, the comfortable condition of the inmates, the order and general harmony that seems to exist among the officers, employe's and attendants, and the good taste displayed in the improvement of the grounds, are evidences that speak for themselves, and are ever open to the inspection of the public. Dr. Wilkins was married in Marysville, in May, 1855, to Miss Matilda Pegram Brander, a native of Virginia, and by this union there were three children : Jane Taylor, who died at the age of five years ; Martha Pegram, and Benjamin Sidney. His wife died March 9, 1867. On the 24th of May, 1877, he married Miss Camilla Price, daughter of John R. Price, and niece of General Sterling Price, of Missouri, of which State she is a native. It would be doing injustice to Dr. Wilkins if we failed to state that he feels that he has been much more closely identified with the county of Yuba, where he resided for twenty-six years, than with Napa, where he has lived but six years. In Yuba he was known by everybody, was esteemed and respected by all, and in return he was greatly attached to her citizens ; and if his wishes had been consulted, we doubt not but he would have preferred to have been sketched among those in that county who had long been his inti- mate friends and associates. But in writing a history of the prominent men of California' by counties, we must take them where and when we find them. In conclusion, we will state that the maternal grandmother of Dr. Wilkins, Elizabeth Lewis, was a daughter of Lawrence Lewis, a nephew of ical Sketches. 585 General Washington, and Eleanor Parke Custis, the granddaughter of Martha Washington, being the only lineal descendant of Mrs. Washington with whom we have met in California. WALSH, THOMAS. Was born in Ireland, August 15, 1822. In 1847 he came to America. He followed boating on the Hudson River until April, 1857, when he started via Panama for California, and arrived at San Francisco August loth of the above year. After spending about eight years in the vicinity of St. Helena, he bought and settled on his present place, about one mile from Calistoga, where he has since resided. He mar- ried, June 4, 1852, Miss Margaret Hilliard, by whom he has five children : William P. F., Robert, Henry, Matilda and Josephine. WATSON, JOHN. Was born in County Clare, Ireland, and resided there until 1852, when he came to America and settled in St. Louis, where he remained until 1853, when he turned his face westward, and crossed the plains to Salt Lake, where the winter was spent. In September, 1854, he arrived in California, and proceeded at once to Napa County, where he has since resided. He owns nine hundred acres of land, located near Napa Junction, and is engaged in farming and stock raising. WEINBERGER, JOHN C. This gentleman, whose portrait will be found in the body of this work, was born in Weissenburg, Bavaria, July 13, 1830, and is the son of Christian and Madaline Rebesberger Weinberger. He resided at his birthplace until 1848, during which time he was educated at the common school. At the age of fourteen he began the confectionery trade, which he followed until March, 1848. He then came to America, landing in New York the latter part of May. He remained there and worked at his trade until 1853, when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked a few months only, when he went to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he began business upon his own capital. He remained there until 1865. He then purchased a farm, in connection with W. H. Ragan, and began the fruit and nursery business, which he followed until 1870. In 1869 he paid Cal- ifornia a visit, and was so pleased with the country that he returned to Indiana in 1870 and settled up his affairs, and came back to California to make it his permanent residence. He came to Napa Valley and located upon his present place, a short distance above St. Helena, and has since paid his entire attention to the manufacture of wine. He is an active member of the Viticultural Society of St. Helena, and has a fine cellar, a description of which will be found in its proper place. He was married January 27, 1860, to Miss Anna V. Von Dakkum, of Cincinnati, Ohio, who was born in Paris, France, November 5, 1838. By this union there is one daughter, Minnie, born December 27, 1861. Mrs. Weinberger died in 1866. He mar- ried, secondly, Miss Hannah E. Rabbe, a native of New Albany, Indiana, 586 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. bom October 7, 1840. They have children as follows : Hannah, born June 7, 1876 ; Mary, born July 4, 1878, and John C, born March 4, 1881. WILLIAMS, JOHN W. Was born in Phillips, Franklin County, Maine, September 17, 1834, and at the age of ten his parents moved to a town called Letter E, where the subject of this sketch followed farming, and was educated at the common schools, and remained until 1864, during which time he was married. In the latter year he moved with his wife to Green County, Wisconsin, and engaged in the saw-mill and lumber business, in which he continued until he came to California, which occurred July 16, 1875. Proceeding direct to Napa Valley, he sojourned there for about one year, and then returned to Wisconsin. In the fall of 1876 he sold his in- terests in the saw mills, and in the following spring started again for Cali- fornia, arriving a second time in Napa County July 3d of the above year, his family following a few months later. In August of that year he pur- chased his present valuable property of thirty-two acres, located near Pine station, nearly all of which is in vineyard. Mr. Williams, although com- paratively a new settler in Napa Valley, has made many warm friends, and commands the respect and esteem of all who know him, He was united in marriage in Maine, October 9, 1864, to Miss Elvira Goodwin, a native of that State, and by this union they have three living children : Elvira, George H, and Samuel. WHEELER, CHARLES. The subject of this sketch was born in Ver- gennes, Vermont, February 22, 1818. When he was five years old his parents, Horace and Laura Isham Wheeler, moved to St. Johns, Lower Canada. He there attended the public schools, and afterwards finished his education at Poultney, Vermont. At the age of fifteen he began life for himself, going to Laporte, Indiana, where he engaged with his uncle as clerk in the mercantile business, a position he held for ten years. He then re- turned to St. Johns, Lower Canada, and purchased his father's business, and engaged in the manufacture of leather, in which he remained until 1852, when he paid a visit to the Pacific Coast, remaining only a few months. On his return East he located at Oswego, New Yoi'k, where he engaged in the grain and flour business, which he continued until July, 1868. Then, under contract to the California Pacific Railroad, Mr. Wheeler came to Cali- fornia, and was one of a company who built the first grain elevator on the Pacific Coast, at Vallejo. After experimenting for two years, the company came to the conclusion that it was not profitable or practicable to handle grain in bulk, consequently they disposed of their interests to Mr. Fried- lander, of San Francisco. In May, 1870, Mr. Wheeler visited Napa Valley, and, being highly pleased with its beauties, he purchased a tract of land of Mr. J. M. Thompson, at Bello station, two miles below St. Helena, where he Biographical Sketches. 587 erected his present home. Mr. Wheeler has been married twice, having six children by his first wife, five of whom are still living. WELLER, HOEACE I. Son of William and Sarah Hutchinson Weller, was born in Oswego County, New York, May 5, 1837, and remained in his birthplace until he was twenty-one years of age. In his native town he learned the tinner's trade. He then, May 5, 1858, started for the Golden State, coming via Panama, sailing from New York on board the " Moses Taylor " to Aspinwall, and on the Pacific side took passage on board the " Sonora," arriving in San Francisco in June, 1858. Remaining there but a short time he came to Napa Valley, and followed harvesting for one and then in the fall went to the mines in Yuba County, and that occupation for two years. He then returned to San Francisco and engaged in the wood and coal business, remaining in this about six months. He then, in August, 1861, returned East, and on his arrival in New York enlisted in the 110th Volunteer Infantry for three years, and served in the 19th Army Corps, and the Department of the Gulf under General Banks, and took part in all the engagements that his corps participated in. He served two years and eight months, and then, on account of sickness, was discharged, and returned home to New York, where he sojourned for about six months. He then moved to and settled in Hall County, Nebraska, and engaged in farming, and remained in that place for ten years. He then, in 1875, moved with his family to California, and settled in Calistoga, and en- gaged in farming two miles from town, following this for four years. We next find Mr. Weller in town engaged in the butcher business, in which he continued for two years. He then sold out this business, and taking up a mining claim, located in Kings Canon, he began to operate in mining, and is now engaged in opening up what is known as the California claim, with very flattering prospects. Mr. Weller was united in marriage in Hall County, Nebraska, to Mrs. Hannah B. Shaw, a native of Wisconsin, born January 30, 1842. By this union they have two children, one son and one daughter, Cora Ellen, born October 28, 1877, and George Frederick, born January 25, 1879. WESCOTT, CHARLES ALBERT. The subject of this sketch was born in Chenango County, New York, March 19, 1828. At his birthplace he received a common school education, and worked on a farm until 1850. In February of that year he took passage from New York on the steamer " Philadelphia " to Panama, and from thence he took passage on the steamer " California " for San Francisco, arriving at the latter place in March, 1850. He immediately proceeded to the mines on the American River, and mined at Coloma until late in the fall of that year. He was then taken sick, and returned to San Francisco, where he took passage on 588 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. the sailing vessel " Constitution," with the intention of returning home ; but after a stormy passage of seventy-six days they ran into a port totally out of provisions. He remained there four weeks, when he boarded the same ship, and started for Peru, but finally arrived at Acapulco, where he remained some three months. He then took passage on board an English ship, and returned to San Francisco, arriving there in May, 1851. He immediately returned to Coloma, and bought into his former claim, and prosecuted mining until fall. He was again taken sick, and returned to San Francisco, and placed himself under a physician's care for a short time. He finally heard that two of his former partners were in Napa County en- gaged in hunting. He came here and also engaged in hunting wild game, which was sent to San Francisco. He continued in this business until 1857, when he settled on his present estate of one hundred and sixty acres, and has lived here since. Was twice married. By the first union he had two children, one of whom is still living: Clara, born June 16, 1851. There are no children by his second mai-riage. WEAKS, WASHINGTON P. The subject of this sketch was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, September 25, 1819, and there received a common school education, and engaged in farming until his coming to this coast. In 1852, in company with his wife and family, driving ox-teams, Mr. Weaks started across the plains for the Golden State, arriving in Sierra County in August of the above year. After a short stay there he moved to Yuba County, locating in Marysville, and resided there until the fall of 1863. He then went to Mexico and engaged in cotton raising near Mazatlan for four years, and in the fall of 1867 he returned to San Francisco, and re- mained there until his coming to Napa County, which event occurred July 3, 1872. He then purchased his present property of twenty-six acres, two miles south of St. Helena, and is now engaged in viniculture and wine- making. Mr. Weaks was united in marriage in Ohio, December 19, 1839, to Miss Mary Macklin, a native of that State, and by this union they have one child, Louisa, now Mrs. A. J. Mason. WRIGHT, REV. J. M. This very worthy old pioneer was born in Davidson County, Tennessee, October 29, 1809, and is the son of William and Rachel Sawyer Wright. He truly belongs to the pioneer corps of America, and sprang from pioneer stock. His grandfather, Peter Wright, was one of the first settlers of Boatland County, Virginia, locating in the great bend of the Jackson River, nearly one hundred years ago. Here he planted a field of corn, which was subsequently devoured by the buffaloes. At the close of the Revolutionary War, the father of the subject of this sketch moved into the then wilderness of Tennessee, where he lived for twenty years, and reared a family of thirteen children. In 1818 he, the Biographical Sketches. 589 father, sold his Tennessee farm, and moved his family to Boone County, Missouri, where he died in his seventy-seventh year. Young Wright was in his ninth year when his father moved to Missouri, and here he received his education in the old log school-houses so common in that country in those days. At the early age of sixteen he felt called upon by the Master to enter the great moral vineyard of the world, and work for the salvation of men's souls. Nor did he wait until the eleventh hour, nor till he had spent the strength of his youth and manhood in the service of the world and self, but he came up to the front at the early dawn of his manhood's estate, giving all that he had or ever hoped to have to the great cause he was es- pousing. It was not long, however, until failing health bade him desist from his labors ; and for the purpose of regaining it, he made a trip to New Mexico in the capacity of teamster for some merchants who were trading at that early day in that country. He was then nineteen years of age, was gone six months, and returned completely recuperated. This train con- sisted of thirty-three wagons, all mule teams, and seventy-three men, with Riley Gregg as Captain. An escort of two hundred United States soldiers under Major Riley accompanied them to the Arkansas River, which was then the boundary line between the United States and Mexico. After leaving the Arkansas River, they had one or two fights with the Indians, in one of which Mr. Wright is honest enough to state that his hair stood so stiffly on end that it pushed his hat off. In the midst of the fight a good Baptist brother desired him to take a dram of whiskey ; but Mr. Wright displayed his temperance principles by saying, " No ; if I have to die, I want to die sober." He made three of these trips to New Mexico, and then remained in Missouri till the gold excitement in California. He then, in April, 1849, set out across the plains, and arrived at Sacramento on the last day of July of the same year. The journey in from the Sink of the Hum- boldt was made on foot, leading a pack-mule, on which was packed all his pos- sessions. Sacramento City was then a town of tents. The next day afte landing, he sold " Old Gray," the pack-mule, for fifty dollars, and purchased an outfit. He and Thomas O'Neal and Eli Pullin were " pards," as the old miners used to say. They set out on foot for the mines, and chanced to pick up a ride, and finally arrived at Hangtown, now Placerville, where they staked off their claim. Here he worked for six weeks with good suc- cess, and then bade an eternal farewell to mining. We here incorporate his own account of his experiences in the mines. " I look back at my associa- tions in the mines with proud and pleasant remembrance. I must say, that no more honorable, social, high-minded and intelligent class have I met with before or since. I soon gave out an appointment to preach, by posting notices on the trees. I preached my first sermon between two log cabins belonging to a Mr. Spence. He had provisions in one cabin, and whiskey 590 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. in the other. My congregation was about fifteen or twenty men. They helped me to sing with a will, but with mischief in their eyes. They soon got right, however, and listened to my sermon like gentlemen. This was the first sermon ever preached in Hangtown. I discovered that Spence was selling whiskey at the same time ; hence, I removed to another place. I preached here every Sunday while I remained in the mines." At the end of the time mentioned above, he came to Sacramento, and has never seen the place since. He then proceeded to San Francisco, where he ex- pected to take passage on the steamer for Panama ; but as all the tickets were sold, he secured a position as coal passer on the steamer " California," and thus secured a passage to Panama. While on his way down, he was called from the coal bunkers to the cabin by Captain Budd, for the purpose of preaching a sermon to the passengers. From Panama he crossed the Isthmus on foot to the Chagres River ; thence down that stream in a canoe to the sea, where he took passage on the " Falcon " for New Orleans, going via Havana. He arrived at home on Christmas day, 1849, making the en- tire round trip in less than nine months. He remained in Missouri until 1854, when he again crossed the plains to California, bringing with him his family this time. They settled near Vacaville, Solano County, where a year was spent in stock raising. He then came to Napa County, and located at Yountville, where a year was spent. He then moved to his present place, three miles north of Calistoga, which consists of one hundred and twenty- two acres, where he is engaged in farming, fruit and grape growing. This old pioneer had always been so far in the vanguard of civilization that he never saw a railroad until the one terminating at Calistoga reached that place. He was in his sixty-second year when he took his first ride in a train of cars, which, to us of this day and age, who have rode on' them ever since our infancy, seems almost incredible. In 1878 he published a pamphlet entitled, " The Giant Mystery Explained : The Bible Teaches Three Distinct Original Creations of the Human Family." It shows deep research, and, to say the least, is a novel idea. It is not our province to criticise or review it. Mr. Wright was married in Boone County, Missouri, to Miss Louisiana Shaw, daughter of John Shaw of Howard County in that State. She was born in 1811, and died in the fall of 1854. There are three living sons : John R., James G, and Paul J. WOOLLEY, ELIPHUS B. Was born in Rockingham, Vermont, No- vember 28, 1828, and resided there until he was four years of age, and then moved with his parents to Canada, locating in Compton, where he received a common school education. Remaining there for nine years, and his mother in this time having died, he moved with his father back to Vermont, and there remained until his starting for California, excepting eighteen Sketches. 591 months that he attended a Jesuit College at Vicolet, in Canada. April 20, 1850, he sailed from New York on board the steamer "Philadelphia," coming via Panama, and arriving in San Francisco, June 24, 1850. Re- maining in the metropolis for a few days, Mr. Woolley proceeded to Beales Bar on the American River, and engaged in mining. Remaining only a short time he returned to San Francisco, and sojourned a while. Then in the following three years he located in several places, only staying a short time in each, until April, 1854, we find him working a claim at Summit Pass, and a short time afterwards he sold it and cleared over six thousand dollars for his year's work. May 1, 1854, he sailed from San Francisco for New York, and thence to his old home in Vermont, remain- ing there about one year and visiting all the principal cities of the East, he again, in March, 1855, sailed via the Nicaragua route for the Golden State. On his arrival in San Francisco for the second time he remained but a short time, and then moved to Stockton, and there remained a few months. He then, October 11, 1855, went to Volcano, and there engaged in the livery and stage business, in which he continued for seventeen years, during which time he made another visit to his old home in the East. On his arrival on this coast again he settled in San Mateo, and there ran a stage from San Mateo to Pescadero, some thirty-one miles, carrying the United States mails and Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Express. He continued in this place and business for three years ; then selling out, he moved to Napa County, locating in Calistoga, and engaged in running the Harbin Springs stage line for a few months from Calistoga to the Springs. He then opened a meat market, in which he still continues. Mr. Woolley was united in marriage May 20, 1859, to Miss Jane M. Foster, a native of New Hampshire. They have one adopted boy, Burt, born January 8, 1879. YOUNT, GEORGE C. (deceased). The subject of this sketch, whose por- trait we take great pleasure in presenting to our readers in the body of this work, was born in North Carolina in the year 1794, and, with his father's family, emigrated to Missouri in 1804. From Missouri he went to Santa F6, and engaged in the business of distilling, and made money very fast there, but owing to the dishonesty of his partner he lost all. There are men living yet in that place who remember him very well. Mr. Henry Fowler saw and conversed with one such man during his visit to that place during the summer of 1881. From thence he set out for California, where he arrived in February, 1831. He justly ranks among the earliest pioneers of civilization on the Pacific Coast, being at the time of his arrival, and for some time after, the only white man to be found from the Mission of So- noma to the quarters of the Hudson Bay Company. He found the country overrun by numerous tribes of savage Indians — there being at that time 592 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. not less than ten or twelve thousand ranging the country from Napa to Clear Lake. They were composed of various tribes, which, perhaps, accounts in some degree for their sudden and almost total disappearance, as they fre- quently made war upon and destroyed each other. Grizzly bears were also found in great numbers. To use the words of the venerable pioneer, " They were everywhere — upon the plains, in the valleys, and on the mountains, venturing even within the camping-grounds, so that I have often killed as many as five or six in one day, and it was not unusual to see fifty or sixty within the twenty-four hours." The only traces of civilization to be found in the country at the time of Mr. Yount's arrival, were the Missions which had been founded by the old Padres, who were sent from Spain for the pur- pose of civilizing the Indians, which object they accomplished by attacking small parties of Indians, taking them prisoners, and driving them into the Mission, where they were put through such a course of instruction as best fitted them for the duties they might be expected to perform. Each Mis- sion was supplied with five or six Spanish soldiers, and when one band of Indians became somewhat tame, they were sent out, under the command of the Spanish soldiers, to attack and drive in more Indians, who, in their turn, had to go through a course of instruction or civilization. The soldiers wore coats made by pasting one deer-skin upon another, to the number of seven, which admirably served the purpose of coats of mail, as no arrow could possibly penetrate them. As soon as one Mission was well filled, the Padres would take some of the most civilized Indians, and, selecting another sta- tion, start a new Mission. In this way the various Missions were established, beginning at San Diego, and extending until every important point had its Mission. In the fall of 1833 the cholera broke out in California, and raged with terrible violence among the Indians. So great was the mortality that they were unable either to burn or bury the dead, and the air was filled with the stench of decomposing humanity. A traveler, who passed up the Sacramento Valley at this time, relates that on his way up he passed a place where there were about three hundred Indians, with women and children, encamped ; when he returned, after an absence of three or four days, the ground was literally strewed with dead bodies, all having died except one little Indian girl ; she occupied the camp alone, while around her lay the festering bodies of her dead companions, and the air was rendered noxious by the disgusting stench arising from the dead bodies which, not alone in this camp, but everywhere throughout the valley, strewed the ground. After Mr. Yount's arrival in California, he continued his occupation of hunting and trapping, together with catching sea-otter, up to the year 1834. He then spent two years in traveling from place to place, engaging sometimes in one occupation, and again in another. At this time he frequently took charge of the Sonoma Mission, while the Padre went to San Rafael to look after affairs Biographical Sketches. 593 there. In 1836 he came to Napa Valle}', for the purpose of settling upon a large tract of land which had been granted him by the Mexican Government. Here the same spirit of enterprise which had prompted him to stray so far from the land of his fathers, began to show itself in the way of improve- ments, and, in the fall of 1836, he built the first log-house ever erected on the Pacific Coast, and raised the first chimney in California, from which ascended the blue smoke to heaven. The Spanish Padres, when they saw the cheerful fire blazing on the hearth, exclaimed in alarm, " Yount ! it will make you grow old to have a fire in the house ! " And the savage Indians looked on in wonder and amazement, then, shrugging their shoulders, retired to ponder over the wonderful works of the " white man." The house was constructed somewhat after the fashion of a block-house or fort, with one room below about eighteen feet square, while above, the walls extended so as to make a room twenty or twenty -two feet square ; where the roof extended, port-holes were made for the purpose of protection against numerous hostile tribes of Indians, and through which Mr. Yount was often called upon to defend him- self by firing many a deadly shot upon the savages, who from time to time came down from the mountains to make war upon him. At this time his only companion was an old Frenchman, who had served in the war with Bonaparte, and his only neighbors five or six families of friendly Indians, who had taken up their abode near by. With these exceptions, there were no neighbors nearer than the Sonoma Mission on the one side, and the Hud- son Bay Company on the other. At one time the Indians of Sonoma made a great feast and dance. The Indians on Mr. Yount's place took it into their heads to go to the feast ; so a young Indian came forward and asked Mr. Yount if he might go, at the same time signifying that five or six more of the tribe would also- like to attend. Mr. Yount readily gave his consent ; but the young Indian became depressed in spirit, seemed moody and sad, and finally declared he would not go to the dance, and no persuasion of his com- panions could induce him to change his mind, so they departed without him. The air was still and calm, and the night wore quietly away until just before day-break, when suddenly arose upon the air the fearful warwhoop ! Louder and louder it sounded, as if the very fiends incarnate had been set loose ; and Mr. Yount, grasping his rifle, sprang from his couch to find his house surrounded by a band of savages, who had come down from the mountains for the purpose of war and plunder. Thick flew the arrows, and the first one to fall was the young Indian who but the day before had re- fused to leave Mr. Yount. The Frenchman guarded the room below, while Mr. Yount fired from the port-holes above, killing many of the invaders, so that they were glad to retreat, carrying their dead and wounded with them. During the skirmish a little circumstance occurred, which serves to show the disposition of the brave settler. The friendly Indian women rushed to the 594 History of Napa and Lake Counties — -Napa. door of Mr. Yount's cabin, for the purpose of obtaining protection from the flying arrows of the wild Indians ; but the Frenchman had the door strongly barricaded, and refused touopen it. At length their piteous screams reached the ears of Mr. Yount, and in a voice like thunder he exclaimed, " Open the door, you old rascal, and let those women and children in, or I will come down and put you out among the Indians ! " It is needless to say the door was opened immediately, and the women and children given such protection as the house afforded. The man who could ride right up to the face of a grizzly bear, and fight the red-skins with furious and unerring aim, whose courage in the midst of most imminent danger never faltered, could not listen to the pleading voice of the helpless Indian women and their babes, but ordered the door opened, even though by so doing he risked his own life and the life of his only companion, his trusty Frenchman. At another time Mr. Yount and his friendly Indians had had a fight with some savage tribes, and whipped them. But revenge still burned within the breasts of the savages, and they determined to make another attack. Mr. Yount heard of their approach, and taking twenty-five picked braves from the Sonoma Mission, went out to meet them. They met in Pope Valley a company of five or six hundred wild savages, and a terrible battle was the re- sult. The arrows flew thick as hail, yet the little party of braves, led on by Mr. Yount, stimulated by his example, and encouraged by his voice, fought like heroes, and after a desperate encounter, which lasted until the morning began to break, succeeded in putting the enemy to flight, hav- ing taken forty prisoners, and killed and wounded many more, while they suffered comparatively small loss. During the engagement, Mr. Yount, who was foremost in the fight, had a silk handkerchief shot off his head by an arrow, yet he remained unhurt. When we consider what a little handful of men went out to meet hundreds of a warlike race, and yet returned vic- torious, we realize the power of him who " giveth not the battle to the strong, nor the race to the fleet," and also the fact that knowledge is power, and that it is destined by the all-wise Ruler to cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. As civilization advanced, his fights with the grizzlies and wild Indians became less and less frequent, but new and more formidable enemies appeared in the land commissioners, squatters, and lawyers. Mr. Yount's history, in this respect, is but a repetition of that of almost every one of the early settlers of the country. The land which their own daring, energy and courage rescued from the grizzly and wild Indian, they had to contend for in our courts of law. This is not as it should be. They are all men well advanced in years ; their thin locks are white with the frosts of many winters. They have played a noble part in the history of our country, and it ill becomes our Government to allow them to dwell in inse- curity, uncertainty, and anxiety, now. They have earned their repose, and Biographical Sketches. 595 should be allowed to sit in the shade of their own vine and fig-tree, in their declining years, with none to dispute their right. Notwithstanding all he had to contend against, Mr. Yount resided in Napa Valley, on the very place which had been to him the scene of so many trials and adventures, every foot of which he contended for with the grizzly bears and wild Indians, until the day of his death. Strange to say, he was never wounded in any of his conflicts, and bore upon his person no scars as mementoes of the past. He retained much of the energy and firmness of his youth, and preserved his memory to a remarkable degree to the last, relating incidents which happened years ago as if they occurred but yesterday, even giving the day of the week and month, without the least reference to notes. He was un- ostentatious and simple in his manner, narrating incidents of the most start- ling and thrilling nature in which he played a conspicuous part, without be- traying arrogance, egotism, or vanity, and fascinated the listener by his easy and simple statement of facts. Such a man was Mr. Yount — a fair repre- sentative of a class of people who seemed by nature fitted for trying times, and whose courage was at all times equal to any emergency. The more des- perate the circumstances, the more calm and collected the mind, the more deadly the aim. To use the words of the venerable patriarch, " the tighter the place the surer the shot." He looked with a keen insight into human nature. It was to him no sealed book, but one with which he was perfectly familiar, and with which he was so well acquainted that no garb of decep- tion could long be worn in his presence ; his sharp eye and quick perception would penetrate and rend it into fragments. So while the crafty and de- signing could make but little headway with him, the honest and worthy might approach fearlessly, sure of ready sympathy and that benevolence which is ever the accompaniment of a noble nature. He died in October, 1865, at the age of seventy-one years, and his body is resting in the ceme- tery near the beautiful village which bears his name, and in the heart of the lovely valley in which he was the first white man that ever set foot upon its virgin soil, and within sight of where he spent over a third of a century. A large monument has been erected to his memory. On one side of it is inscribed, " George C. Yount, born in North Carolina May, 1794 ; died October, 1865 ; age, 71 years." On the next side is a medal represent- ing a hunter with a rifle, and a dead grizzly at his feet, with the inscription, " Arrived in California February, 1831." On the third side is a medalion representing Plenty ,-with a sheaf of wheat, grapes, horses, and men plowing, and the words, " Received his grant of land February, 1836 ;" while on the fourth side is Death with his scythe. YOUNG, E. G. Was born in Bath County, Kentucky, December 12, 1830. In 1835 he, with parents, moved to Jackson County, Missouri. In May, 1850, he came to California, arriving at Hangtown, October 11th of 596 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. that year. He came to Napa and farmed till 1855. He then went to Contra Costa County, and engaged in the same pursuit, and in 1858 he returned to Napa, where he still resides, being engaged in farming. He was married, in Contra Costa County to Miss Isabella White, a native of Randolph County, Missouri, bom July SO, 1840. They have one child, Guy Wallace, born September 8, 1873. YARRINGTON, JAMES. Was born in Genesee County, New York, November 16, 1830. Here he received a common school education and fol- lowed fanning until 1851, when he went to Jackson County, Michigan, where he followed railroading for about six months. We next find Mr. Yarrington in Ashtabula County, Ohio, where he remained about six months working at wagon making. He then went to Cattaraugus County, New York, and followed the same business until 1873, when he came to Cali- fornia and located at Salinas City, in Monterey County. Here he conducted a wagon shop for six years, then came to Napa County and located in Calistoga, where he is engaged in wagon making. YORK, JOHN. This worthy old pioneer, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Granger County, Tennessee, June 15, 1820, and is the son of Enoch and Nancy Hill York. When he was thirteen years of age his parents moved to Warren County, Middle Tennessee, where he resided till 1841. He then emigrated west and settled in Dade County, Missouri, where he began farming, which he followed till 1845. April 15th of the above mentioned year he started in Captain John Grigsby's Company, together with David Hudson, William Hudson, William Elliot, and over one hundred more men, across the plains to California, arriving at Johnsons Ranch October 15th of that year. Continuing his journey to this county, he arrived at Calistoga, then known as the Hot Springs, with above men- tioned three gentlemen, November 1, 1845. He resided at Calistoga till the Bear Flag War, in June, 1846, when, for protection, he moved his family to Sonoma. Lieutenant Revere, commanding a Government vessel at San Francisco, and who took command of the forces in Sonoma, entrusted the subject of our sketch and Sam Kelsey with the important duty of carrying the American flag from Sonoma to Sacramento, and delivering the same to Captain Sutter at his fort, which duty these two brave young men promptly and faithfully carried out. In the fall of 1846 he returned to Calistoga, and settled on the farm now owned by Peter Teale. On the discovery of gold in 1848, Mr. York with his family went to the mines, and began operations below Colomaj where he continued two weeks. He then proceeded to Hangtown (Placerville), where he mined until September, meeting with good success. He then returned to this county, and settled on the ranch which he had purchased from Dr. E. T. Bale previous to going to the mines. Biographical Sketches. 597 In 1849 he again returned to the mines, being absent six weeks. He now owns sixty acres of land, mostly in vines. Mr. York married September 5, 1842, Lucinda Hudson, who was born in La Fayette County, Missouri, June 20, 1823, and by this union they have nine living children : William E., born June 5, 1843 ; David, born September 3, 1845 ; Henry, born December 6, 1847; John A., bom April 18, 1850; Nancy I., born August 12, 1852; Pettis S., born December 24, 1855 ; Charles, born March 3, 1858 ; Caswell, born November 14, 1860; Frank, born January 21, 1863, and Nellie, born February 13, 1867. ZOLLNER, J. F. Was born in the Kingdom of Prussia in the year 1832. Went to school in the city of Balve, commencing in the year 1837 and ending in the year 1843, when, in company with his parents and two brothers, Antone and Henry, he immigrated to the United States. His parents with their family, Antone, John F. and Henry, settled for a short time in Mine La Motte, Madison County, Missouri, where John F. was sent to school and obtained an English education. In 1846 the father, having been engaged in lead mining for three years, then purchased a farm in Perry County, Missouri, where he moved with his family, leaving John F. at that time at school in Mine La Motte. In 1847 John F. went to his father's farm and remained with the family until the year 1848, when, on the 28th day of August of that year, becoming dissatisfied, he left home with the consent of his father, and returned to Mine La Motte, where he engaged in the lead mining and butchering business until the winter of 1849. Then he purchased a stock of goods, and, in company with a young man by the name of Thomas Barton, went into the Black River Swamps,, trading their goods for furs, deerskins, etc., which enterprise proved a suc- cess, but, becoming tired of that sort of laboi-ious life, they concluded to sell the remainder of their stock, and try their luck farther west. He then, in company with Barton, went into Pulaski County, Missouri, and remained there until the winter of 1850. He then started for Arkansas, arriving at Fort Smith in the spring of 1851. Barton hired to drive a team for some farmer, and Mr. Zollner remained in the city of Fort Smith until the cholera broke out. He then enlisted in the government train running from Fort Smith to all of the frontier forts, such as Forts Arbuckle, Preston, Washiteau, Brazes and Fantom Hill. In 1852, in the month of April, be- coming dissatisfied with frontier life, having then visited, and been through about a dozen different Indian Nations in the employ of Uncle Sam, he started through Texas, by the way of El Paso, Doniana, Mimbres, Cruzes, Tuc- son, Warners Ranch, El Monte, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Stockton to Sonora, Tuolumne County, to engage in gold mining. He arrived in Tuol- umne County, which at that time was considered the banner county of 598 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. the State, in November, 1852, and engaged in gold mining at Sonora Hill Gulch, but until about February, 1853, with little success. About that time the small-pox broke out in the boarding-house, where there were about thirty boarders, and all hands scattered and built cabins as best they could. It had been raining continually from November 13, 1852, up to this time. The roads from Stockton became impassable, and a great deal of the provi- sions used in the mines were carried in by Chinamen, some of which would carry two hundred pounds from Stockton to Sonora, a distance of sixty- five miles. Provisions went up until flour was sold at $1 per pound, potatoes 80 cents a pound, and everything else in proportion. Common rough mining boots cost $16 per pair. About April 1, 1853, the roads being better, goods went down so rapidly that it caused a great many failures among the merchants. At that time he sold the claim at Sonora Hill Gulch and moved, in company with seven others, to Woods Creek, to a place known as Cowskin Island, so called on account of the many small huts built by Mexicans of the hides taken off of cattle, there being a slaughter- house on the island, the owners of which were glad to have any one take the hides out of their way. Worked that claim until July, and not having met with success, abandoned the same and moved to what was known as Jackass Gulch. Mined there in company with one Rodgers, with some success until the 28th day of August. Becoming dissatisfied, he concluded to leave the mines. Went to San Jose" and soon found employment in the Campbell Redwoods, and remained there until about the middle of November ; he then went to Santa Cruz, and from there to Pajaro Valley, near Watsonville, and engaged in digging potatoes. When the potato season was over he went back to the mines, and commenced mining in a little gulch, between Jamestown and Sonora, with some success. Becoming dissatisfied on account of the flattering news that came from Cave City, Calaveras County, he started in March, 1854, to that place, but the reports not being true, soon found the undertaking a fruitless one, and returned to the old place in Tuolumne County. Remained there a short time when good news was heard from a place above Sonora, at the head-waters of Woods Creek, known as Hardscrabble. Went there and remained until June; then went to work driving a logging team for Messrs. Heslep & Traylor, who, at that time, were the kings of the lumber business in Tuolumne County, their place of business being at the county seat, Sonora. Tuolumne County at that time had a voting population of five thousand six hundred, three-fourths of which lived in and about Sonora. Remained in the mountains teaming until the fall of that year; went back to mining again as the teams were turned out during the winter. In the spring of 1855, went back into the mountains and engaged in teaming until September. Finding good news coming from Murphys Camp, Calaveras County, he went there and engaged Biographical Sketches. 599 in mining on a little creek, between Murphys Camp and Calaveritos, until 1856, with reasonable success. He then went to Mariposa County and en- gaged in mining again, between Princetown and Agua Frio, but the mines not proving remunerative he abandoned them in the spring of 1857, and went back into old Tuolumne County and commenced again to mine on a place called Peoria Bar, with excellent success. There were four partners, John F. Zollner, James Oliphant, Frank Shaw and George W. Moore. Some days they took out as high as $370 to the hand. Sold the claim and in the spring of 1858 engaged in the butchering business. In the fall of that year pur- chased a market, with Thomas J. Severus as partner, in Montezuma, Tuolumne County, and for nearly three years did a successful business. In July, 1861, was married to the only single daughter, at that time, of Mr. William McClung, the result of that marriage being five children, James, Thomas, Agnes, Ada and Mamie. In 1862 the Copperopolis copper mines, so noted for their rich ores, caused a great excitement. He sold the mar- ket in Montezuma, and purchased another in Copperopolis, Calaveras County. In 1863 the first death occurred in the family, being the death of the second child, Thomas. In 1867 the copper excitement having abated, Copperopolis went down faster than it had raised on account of the failure of C. T. Meader, in the sum of over $1,900,000. He left his family in Copperopolis, after having sold the butchering business, and started out with Thomas Cuttler hunting for business. Landed in Napa in March, 1868, and went into the butchering business with Henry Bihler as partner and continued in business for one year, when Mr. Bihler sold his interest to John Even. In 1869 the second death occurred in the family, it being the son James, the first-born. In 1871 he was elected Sheriff of Napa County, and in 1873 run again for the same office against L. M. Corwin. The county that year went Democratic by about five hundred majority, and Corwin, being a Democrat, beat Zollner by only seventy- six votes. After the first term of office he went back into the old firm ; also purchased a third interest in the well-known McBain & Co. tannery ; also purchased a one-third interest in the lumber yard now owned by James & Boggs. In 1877, having received the nomination by acclamation in the Republican Convention for Sheriff, he accepted and ran against Bennett James. The Republican party was beaten by about three hundred votes that fall, and Zollner was elected by one hundred and fifty-three majority. In April, 1878, he sold the butchering business to A. B. Walker, and the lumber business to Bennett James. Continued in the tanning business. At the expiration of that term of office Zollner & Even pur- chased the butchering business then carried on by Joseph Henry, who in the meantime had been elected County Treasurer, also the business of George 600 History of Napa and Lake Counties — Napa. Christie and P. A. Zeigenfuss, and then commenced to slaughter for the wholesale and retail trade. The firm is known as Zollner & Even, which has never been changed since they first went into business. Zollner and family are living in Napa City. The family now consists of John F. Zoll- ner ; his wife Euth ; eldest daughter, Agnes, aged fifteen years ; second daughter, Ada, aged twelve years ; and youngest daughter, Mamie, aged eight years. '-■•'■■■ w ^{^fiifruuf 0 <7fyt,