Contra Costa County CA Archives History - Books .....Township No. 1, Part 1 1882
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Book Title: History Of Contra Costa County, California

TOWNSHIP NUMBER ONE.

   Geography.—Township Number One is bounded on the north by Suisun Bay and the
Straits of Carquinez; on the east by Township Number Three; on the south by
Township Number Two and the line of Alameda county; and on the west by San Pablo
Bay and the Bay of San Francisco.

   Topography.—Like most of the others in the county the topography of this
township is varied, ranges of foot-hills being varied with fertile valleys lying
in between, while, along its western shore is a strip of the most fertile land
in the State. The western coast-line is much indented, Point Pinole and the
peninsula of San Pablo jutting for a considerable distance into the sea and
forming the Contra Costa side of the San Pablo straits. The northern extremity
of the latter is named Point San Pablo, the southern, Point Potrero, while
immediately north of the line dividing the counties of Contra Costa and Alameda
is Point Isabel, off which there is Brooks Island, northwest therefrom lies Red
Rock, and off Point San Pablo, are the islets known as Whiting's Rock and The
Brothers, where there is a lighthouse to guide the sailor into San Pablo Bay. Of
the streams, we have El Hambre creek, flowing in a northerly direction through
the town of Martinez, and falling into the Straits of Carquinez; the Rodeo and
Pinole creeks flowing northwesterly into San Pablo Bay, and the San Pablo and
Wild Cat creeks flowing westerly into the straits of that name.

   Soil.—The soil of this township differs in different locations, the portion
along its western border being a sandy loam and easily worked; in the small
valleys it is most prolific and requires much less rain than in many other
portions of the county.

   Products.—The products of this township are diversified, comprising fruit,
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. Its orchards are a marvel to behold
and its vineyards are a wonder. Its miles of grain fields teem with abundance,
while its gardens show a rich return of vegetables and rare flowers.

   Timber.—Of this commodity there is not much to boast in Township Number One.
The ordinary oaks grow to their usual size and add much to the beauty of the
scene, especially in the vicinity of Martinez.

   Climate.—There is no healthier climate in the State. The portions of the
township bordering on the bays are subject to the influences of the strong
Summer winds that sweep through the Golden Gate and over the San Francisco
hills, but are free from its fogs; while inland, the cooling influences of these
breezes are felt, and add much to the healthfulness of the district.

   Early Settlement.—The first settlement in Township Number One was made about
sixty years ago. In 1823 Francisco Castro and Ignacio Martinez made application
for and received grants of land each, the first mentioned obtaining the San
Pablo tract and the latter that known as Pinole. Each of them built an adobe
residence, erected corrals for their stock, and planted the first fruit trees
and vines in the township. Their nearest neighbors at this time were the
Peraltas and Castros of San Antonio and San Lorenzo. Up to this period the two
Ranchos just named were very different from what they are to-day. At that time
these broad acres were one vast field of waving corn, in the months of March and
April looking like and emerald sea, dotted with islands, as it were, formed from
the clumps of oaks, among the many perishable land marks which still remain, and
limited on one hand by the noble bays and inlets, on the other by a bold outline
of hills clothed with luxuriant verdure. Roads there were none, save the
divergent trails which twisted through the growth of wild oats, that reached, on
every side, as high as the head of the passing equestrian. Fences there were
none, therefore the prospect was unbroken, save by those objects already noted.
The low-lying land teemed with game of every kind, both four-footed and
feathered, that had scarcely known the meaning of death save by natural means;
the creeks were stocked with finny gambolers, whose numbers had been lessened by
none, except the aboriginal, while the canons and mountain sides gave shelter to
the puma and the grizzly bear. Around, the vista was variegated with flowers of
the richest perfumes, lending a pleasing sensation of sweet repose; the
slightest sounds were heard in the vast solitude, and each in concert—the hard,
grating noise of the cicada, the hum of bees, the chirping of gorgeously plumed
songsters—all the signs of animation made the solitude still more profound and
oppressive, until it became a relief to watch for the obstruction of the path by
an infuriated beeve, or gaze in expectation for the rapid stampede of a drove of
elk or deer.

   With these two families to take the lead others followed as a matter of
course, not so much to labor in their own interests and toil for their more
fortunate fellows, but that they loved the dolce far niente mode of living to be
found on the haciendas of the rich. A certain amount of state was maintained by
the rancheros of those days, which they had inherited from the splendor-loving
cavaliers of old Spain; they seldom moved abroad; but, when they did, it was
upon a handsomely caparisoned horse, with attendant outriders, armed, to protect
their lord from wild animals. The earlier locators of land brought with them
herds of cattle, which, in the natural sequence of things, became roving bands
of untamed animals that provided the Spanish master and his servitors with meat;
while enough grain was not so much cultivated as grown, to keep them in food, as
it were, from day to day. Their mode of traveling was entirely on horseback;
hostelries there were none; when halting for the night, an umbrageous oak was
their roof; the fertile valleys their stable and pasture; while, were food
required, to slay an ox or a deer was the matter of a few moments.

   The home life of the ranchero was one of superlative indolence, indeed, so
was that of his satellites. Let us for a moment glance at them. In the front of
the house is a court-yard of considerable extent, with the front sheltered by a
piazza. Here, when the vaqueros have nothing to call them to the field, they
pass the day looking like retainers of a rude court; a dozen wild,
vicious-looking horses, with wooden saddles on their backs, stand ever ready for
work: while, lounging about, the vaqueros smoke, play the guitar or cards, else
twist a new riata of hide or horse-hair. When the sun gets lower they go to
sleep in the shade, and the little horses that remain in the sunshine do the
same apparently, for they shut their eyes and never stir. Presently, a vaquero,
judging the time by the sun, gets up and yawns, staggering lazily towards his
horse, gathers up his riata, and twists it around the horn of his saddle—the
others awakening, rise and do the same, all yawning, with eyes half open,
looking as lazy a set as ever were seen, as indeed they are when on foot. "Hupa!
Anda!" and away they go in a cloud of dust, splashing through the creek, waving
their lassos around their heads with a wild shout, and disappearing from sight
almost as soon as mounted. The vaquero wants at all times to ride furiously, and
the little horses eyes are opened wide enough before they receive the second dig
of their riders' iron spurs.

  The derivative of the first of the two Ranches mentioned above is apparent. It
is derived from Saint Paul (San Pablo), who was one of the most enthusiastic, as
he was one of the favorite disciples of the Saviour. The other takes its name
from Pinole (meal), it being related that here some hungry Mexican soldiers who
had been in pursuit of a band of predatory Indians in the vicinity of Mount
Diablo, had their hunger appeased at a small village of friendly natives when on
their way to the mission of San Rafael. After passing through the valley of El
Hambre (the Vale of Hunger) their first food was a mess of meal obtained on the
shore of the San Pablo straits, which they named Pinole, and when Ignacio
Martinez received the grant, he perpetuated the name given by the famished
soldiers.

   In the year 1832 a Scotchman named William Welch obtained the tract of land
known afterwards as the Welch Rancho, on a portion of which the town of Martinez
is built, but he fixed his abode in Township Number Two, and has been dealt with
in that portion of our work.

   The next we hear of the township now under consideration is from the diary of
that distinguished pioneer, the late General John A. Sutter, After stating that
it took him eight days before he found the mouth of the Sacramento river, he
describes his arrival at the point where he subsequently constructed his famous
fort, and entered in his journal: "Before I came up here I purchased Cattle and
Horses on the Rancho of Senor Martinez, and had great difficulties and trouble
to get them up, and received them at last on the 22nd of October, 1839. Not less
than eight men wanted to be in the party, as they was afraid of the Indians, and
had good reason to be so."

   From the period last mentioned up until the date of the discovery of gold,
but few if any foreign settlers came to Township Number One to reside. In 1848,
however, Doctor Samuel J. Tennent arrived from the Sandwich Islands, whither he
intended returning, but on his travels arrived at the Pinole Rancho, married a
daughter of Don Ignacio Martinez, and has since resided there. A portrait of
this gentleman will be recognized in our pages as he was before years had told
on him; he is still, however, hale and hearty, with every chance of surviving
many younger men.

   "Colonel William M. Smith, as agent of the family of Ignacio Martinez," says
Judge Thomas A. Brown," caused to be surveyed and located the town of Martinez,
on the west side of the Arroyo del Hambre, and sold quite a number of lots to
persons residing in San Francisco and elsewhere. A few months afterwards the
family of the deceased William Welch caused to be surveyed into town lots a few
hundred acres of land on the east side of the same stream as an addition to the
town of Martinez.

   "During the Summer of 1849, and prior to the organization of the State
Government, quite a number of persons who had purchased lots in Martinez built
houses thereon; a few of the buildings first constructed are still to be seen,
one an old building in the inclosure of Mrs. Bent, which is now used as a
hay-barn, was the first house built." We have since learned from Judge Brown
that the present residence of Dr. Lefner was the first actual building to be
erected in Martinez—but of this subject fuller information will be given further
on.

   In the year 1849, there were residing in the township, Thomas A., and Warren
Brown, Napoleon B. Smith, Colonel William M. Smith, Nicholas Hunsaker, J. C.
Boorham, Thomas S. Dana, Howard Havens, N. Jones, while, in the following year,
there were resident, as is gleaned from the list of voters at the first election
(1850), Juan D. Silvas, F. M. Warmcastle, Albert G. Robb, Thomas Allen, W. H.
Popple, J. F. Williams, Martine Berryessa, Absolom Peak, Leonard Eddy, John A.
Piercall, Daniel Hunsaker, Nathaniel Jones, Angel Soto, Josiah Gorham, John
Carnes, William Hendricks, Jas. F. Quin, Jose Galindo, Charles J. McIlvaine, Ira
B. Stebbings, P. S. Brownell, Elijah Darling, R. S. Thomas, William T.
Hendricks, H. A. Overbeck, A. F. C. Debast, Napoleon Degalou, James C. Hunsaker,
Joseph Swanson, A. V. H. Ellis, Vicente Martinez, Jose de J. Martinez, Theodore
Kohler, Lyman H. Hastings, Joseph Rothenhausler, William K. Leavitt, B. R.
Holliday, H. M. Holliday, William Allen, Francisco Berryessa, Dr. George
Lawrence, John H. Livingston, Josiah Sturges. Most of the residents of this
period were migratory, the allurements of the mines preventing anything like
permanency of habitation; the settlers were few, yet progress of a material
nature commenced.

   In the Fall of the year 1852, that respected citizen, M. R. Barber, purchased
his present beautiful location about two miles from Martinez, then consisting of
land across which had never been drawn a furrow, and here he has since resided,
having from absolute sterility produced one of the most beautiful places in the
county. He had, however, been a resident of the county before this, for he had,
prior to 1851, toiled in the redwoods near San Antonio, and afterwards came to
Martinez and assisted in building several of the first houses erected in that
town. It is a fact, too, that should not be forgotten, that the tickets for the
first election for County officers in Contra Costa, were in the hand-writing of
Mr. Barber. In July of the same year, Antonio Perry Silva settled in San Pablo
on the place where he now resides, he having subsequently acquired it by
purchase in 1857.

   Among the residents who arrived in 1853, we have that well-known pioneer, E.
W. Hiller. In December of that year Mr. Hiller located at San Pablo, but in the
following year moved to Martinez, where he has since resided. Hiram P. Hardy,
too, came in this year, and first found employment with Dr. Strentzel; he has
now a beautiful home near Martinez, the reward of long years of industry. In the
month of August, 1854, there settled at Pinole, Bernardo Fernandez. After many
ups and downs, he here started a local trade, which has sprung into great
proportions; he owns vast warehouses, a wharf twenty-three hundred feet in
length, a large and well-stocked store, and several sailing craft, plying
between San Francisco and the inner waters of the State. In November of the same
year Martin Woolbart arrived in Martinez, having come to California with Mr.
Fish of that town and Mr. Majors of Ygnacio valley, two of Contra Costa's most
prominent citizens. Mr. Woolbart settled on his present place in 1863. In the
Fall of 1854, the late F. H. C. Dohrmann came to the township, and for two years
conducted the San Pablo Hotel. In 1856 he moved to the property where his widow
now resides, Mr. Dohrmann having died October 24, 1873. In this year, too, the
ever-to-be-remembered Colonel W. W. Gift, after holding high office in the
State, purchased property near Martinez, and entered upon a farmer's life. Here
he embarked into the breeding of blood horses, his love for that stock almost
amounting to a passion. The elegant mansion he erected was consumed by fire July
18, 1867. The Colonel died in Martinez at the residence of his son, W. A. J.
Gift, April 17, 1881. Simon Blum, in 1854, settled in Martinez, having purchased
the business of Captain Fogg. Here Mr. Blum has amassed wealth and resided ever
since.

   On February 15, 1855, Barnes Holloway purchased and located on the place
where he now dwells, about seven miles from Martinez. Mr. Holloway, however, is
a "forty-niner." In 1850 he settled at Mountain View, Santa Clara county, and in
partnership with others, among whom was Cornelius Yager, once County Clerk of,
and member of Assembly from Contra Costa, rented land from Mariano Castro. After
serving in the sessions of 1854-55 as Senator from the Twelfth Senatorial
District, Colonel W. B. May settled on the place where he now resides, in 1855.
He informs us that when he arrived in the Fall, Dr. Goodale lived on the land
now owned by the widow of Mr. Stowell, and Henry Benson resided at the mouth of
the San Pablo creek; Weatherby & Poole had a store in the village of San Pablo;
John Wilcox was there at the time, and Peck & Dohrmann kept the San Pablo Hotel,
which was an adobe house, and stood next to where the Union saloon now stands.
John Galvin lived where his widow now resides, and John Davis at his present
place. At what is called "Point Conch-shell" there resided the McKee family, who
were the only residents between San Pablo and Pinole. According to the best of
the Colonel's recollection, his place was originally occupied by a man named
Knowles and his partner. On the place now occupied by Mr. Thode there was a
house belonging to Captain James Gill, while that gentleman dwelt between what
is known as the O'Connell place and the Bay. Two brothers, John and Robert
Kennedy, also resided in the vicinity. On San Pablo creek a man named Clark had
a dairy ranch; it is now occupied by Mr. Quin. Where Messrs. Abrott, Weyhe and
O'Neil now live was occupied by two Americans named Timothy Ingles and ____
Isham; and still above, the brothers Major and William Dowling had their
habitation. Still farther up the creek was Ira Grover, who owned a large tract
of land. On the old Telegraph Road from Oakland was what is now called the
Houston Ranch. Walter Mills was then farming (1855) near where the railroad
depot at San Pablo stands, while Captain Black owned the landing where the
Terrills now are, and ran a sloop to that point. The "Red House" was where it
still is, and in 1855 was kept by Mrs. Lewis; it afterwards became a stage
station, while it has since maintained its name. There were but a few houses
between San Pablo and Ocean View (Berkeley), and thence to Oakland.

   In 1855 William Hoffman settled on his place in the suburbs of Martinez, and
has transferred it from its native wildness into a veritable paradise. In this
year Dr. E. F. Hough commenced practice in Martinez, having disposed of his
place in Ygnacio valley. A notice of the paint discoveries made by the Doctor
will, be found elsewhere. In the same year W. A. J. Gift joined his father, and
has since resided in the township.

   In the Fall of 1856 we have settling on the place he now occupies James
McHarry, who came from San Mateo county; while in the month of October of the
same year Azro Rumrill located on a parcel of land about a fourth of a mile from
his present residence. Mr. Rumrill is one of the Justices of the Peace for
Township Number One. In May, 1857, Michael Kearny located near the dividing line
between Contra Costa and Alameda counties; he afterwards moved to the farm now
occupied by Mr. Jones, and finally, in 1865, purchased his present property.
During the Fall of the same year John Nicholl located on his present ranch near
San Pablo, while in the month of October, L. C. Wittenmyer took up his domicile
in Martinez, and has resided there ever since. In 1858, in the month of October,
Joseph Boyd purchased the property on which he now resides. In 1859, Henry Blume
settled near Pinole, where he dwelt until 1862, when he moved to his present
place; in the Fall of the same year William Krieger also located; while Samuel
W. Johnson, who had passed through the site of the town of Martinez in 1846,
came from the San Joaquin valley and permanently located in Martinez. In 1860,
Daniel Clancy purchased and took up his residence on the farm he now occupies.

   Of course, there have been many more settlers than those mentioned above, but
we have failed to learn their names; we trust, however, that what has preceded
and what follows will be of interest to the reader.

   MARTINEZ.—Lying snugly nestled at the foot of a gentle vale, and close by the
sleeping waters of the Carquinez Straits, is the town of Martinez, the county
seat of Contra Costa county. It is one of the most delightful towns of
California's inland valleys—perhaps the most delightful of all—and is situated
on the south shore of the Straits of Carquinez, nearly opposite the now thriving
town of Benicia, and about thirty-seven miles from San Francisco.

   The mountain range through which the Straits of Carquinez have found their
way, just below Benicia, so effectively breaks the force of the cold sea
breezes, as to produce a marked modification of the temperature on the two sides
of the water at that point—the straits affording a free passage up to Benicia,
which makes it a windy place, while the mountains form an effectual barrier
against the approach to the valley in which Martinez is located, and also to the
entire chains of valleys with which it is connected, their sheltered condition
thus rendering the surrounding slopes most admirable locations for vineyards,
orchards and residences.

   The town has changed a little since its more pretentious rival "over the way"
boasted of it as its suburb. Since that time Martinez has improved, and,
although in the heart of a strictly rural district, and compelled to rely wholly
on its own resources for its prosperity, it gives evidence of more than ordinary
vitality with a bright future before it.

   Before the "days of gold" were, Benicia was. In 1846, Doctor Robert Semple
founded the town, the first house being built by William I. Tustin, the second
having been erected by the Doctor himself. The name of Doctor Semple is so
interwoven with the early history of this portion of California, that we may be
pardoned introducing him to the reader. He was one of the remarkable men of his
day and generation. When standing erect he was about seven feet in height, and
being rather spare in figure, did not impress one as being well-proportioned.
His hands and feet were large, as well as his mouth, which was seldom untenanted
by a chew of his favorite tobacco. He was so long-limbed that when astride of a
mustang or mule, his feet nearly reached to the ground (within six inches),
rendering it necessary for him to attach his spurs to the calves of his boots,
instead of to his heels. From having to stoop so much when entering or leaving
doors of ordinary dimensions, his form was somewhat bent, and it seemed
necessary for him not to stand upright, in order the more conveniently to carry
on a conversation with his fellow-men. In temperament he was sanguine and
impulsive, in disposition kind and considerate, but quite determined to have his
own way, in judgment rather erratic, and disinclined to accept the counsel or
advice of others, feeling convinced that he knew better than they.

   It is related of him that early in 1848, business called him to Monterey; he
therefore crossed the Straits with his horse on the open scow ferry-boat, which
he had established, and left directions with the ferryman to be on the lookout
for his return. After wending his way through the valleys of San Ramon, Santa
Clara and Salinas to his destination, in the course of two or three weeks he was
back again to where Martinez now stands, but the boat was on the Benicia side,
and all the signals he could make failed to induce Captain Davis to venture out
against the strong head wind that was blowing, and the Doctor had to sleep on
the ground in his blankets. This state of things continued for two days, and on
the third the patience and endurance of the Doctor having been tried to the
utmost, he considered that something must be done to enable him to reach home.
He could not swim, and even if he could, a swim of two or three miles was a
hazardous undertaking, so he finally managed to secure two or three pieces of
scantling and a plank, with which, by the aid of his riata, he improvised a
raft, on which, with a fair wind and tide, he set out astride, pushing himself
along as best he could.    An hour or two later he was discovered by some of his
friends on shore, who did not know what to make of the strange-looking object
arrayed in a bright-colored sera/pa, and holding aloft a signal violently
waving. A boat was immediately manned and sent to his relief, and great was the
surprise and joy of the men when they found they had rescued the foremost man of
the village. His objurgations on account of the apparent neglect to which he had
been subjected were rather more emphatic and vehement than classic or polite,
but good humor was soon restored, congratulations extended, jokes cracked, and
the Doctor's health drank in something stronger than water—in fact, the Doctor
had had water enough in crossing.

   A year or two later the Doctor had his scow ferry-boat worked by horsepower,
he having come into possession of two such machines, while on the establishment
of the steam-ferry, he was heard to apostrophise steam, and sing in praise of
Fulton, who had first succeeded in harnessing it to such use.

   In the year 1849, Colonel William M. Smith, as agent for the Martinez family,
from whom the place derives its name, determined to build a town, hoping to
rival its opposite neighbor in importance. To this end he employed Thomas A.
Brown, now the honored Superior Judge of the county, to survey and lay out one
hundred and twenty acres on the west side of El Hambre creek. The blocks and
lots, having been divided, they were quickly sold, the building of houses
commenced, the first being that now occupied by Doctor Leffler and erected by
Nicholas Hunsaker, and the second by Thomas A. Brown, built for mercantile
purposes, where the Judge with his brother Warren, and Napoleon B. Smith, opened
the first trading-post in the county. This structure was afterwards sold to the
Roman Catholic Church, who used it for some time; it is a barn on the homestead
tract of Mrs. Bent. The house where E. W. Hiller now lives was built by Messrs.
Boorham & Dana as a store, also in 1849, while, about the same time, a building,
still standing near Bray's Lumber Yard, was put up by Howard & Wells as a
mercantile establishment, and managed by Howard Havens, the present cashier of
Kelly & Donohue's Bank, of San Francisco.

   In the year 1850-51, an addition to the town was surveyed by Mr. Brown, under
instruction from the proprietor of the Welch Rancho. This tract consisted of
from five to six hundred acres, and was also laid out in blocks and lots. It
will thus be seen that provision was early made for the growth of a large city.
The first houses to he built on this portion of Martinez, and which were erected
all about the same time, were those now occupied by Mr. Wise, Mr. Douglas, Mr.
Lawless, Mr. McMahon, Dr. Bolton, and the printing office of the Contra Costa
News. The house of Mr. Douglas was used as the first office of the County Clerk.
The house now owned by Mr. Lawless was built by Nathaniel Jones in the fall of
1850; but he had, prior to this, occupied the little cottage next the Berryessa
adobe (built in 1849), which he put up in the Fall of the previous year.

   In the month of October, 1849, the Bradley House was completed, and early in
1850, a negro named Jones, opened a hotel where Josiah Sturges now conducts the
Alhambra Hotel.

   At this period the nearest house to the town site was the adobe residence of
Vicente Martinez, which stood on the property of Dr. Strentzel, and commonly
known as the Redfern place. Antonio Soto had an adobe house near the Alhambra
school-house, which was the next nearest, while the Widow Welch's homestead was
the next. In 1851, Theodora Soto built the place known as the Hickman adobe, and
these formed the nearest residences to the town of Martinez in the first year of
its infancy.

   We have said above that the building originally built by Judge Brown as a
store, and now Mrs. Bent's barn, was occupied for some time by the Roman
Catholic priests as a place of worship. Between the years 1851 and 1855, they
commenced an adobe church and laid the foundation, where Bartolo's vegetable
garden now is, immediately below the Railroad tank; this project they abandoned,
however, in the last mentioned year, and erected a building on the northeast
corner of Dr. Carothers' lot, which, being laid low by a gale in 1866, they
erected their present neat edifice.

   In 1851, a school was opened in the house now occupied by Judge Brown, which
was, besides, then used as a Meeting House on Sunday, a Court House during the
session, and a Masonic Lodge, up stairs. The first teacher was R. B. McNair; the
second, Hiram Mills. It is questionable, however, if this was the first school
taught in the town, for it is asserted by many old residents that to B. R.
Holliday belongs that honor.

   In 1852 the Union Hotel was built where the residence of James Hoey now
stands, and was owned by H. M. Smith; it being subsequently conducted by Capt.
R. E. Borden, the County Treasurer.

   Before pursuing the history of the town we will first follow the efforts made
to have it incorporated. On January 25, 1851, a petition of its citizens was
presented to the Court of Sessions, through J. F. Williams, District Attorney,
praying for the incorporation of Martinez, as follows:

   "To the Hon. F. M. Warmcastle, County Judge:—Your petitioners, citizens of
Martinez, pray your Honor to incorporate the following metes and bounds, to be
known as the Town of Martinez, and to establish therein a police for their local
government and regulation of any commons appertaining to such town, to wit:
Commencing at a point opposite the old ferry house in the Straits of Carquinez,
one-fourth of a mile from high-water mark; thence up the Straits of Carquinez in
a straight line one mile to a point one-fourth of a mile from high-water mark;
thence running in a southeasterly direction at right angles with the first line,
one mile; thence running in a northwesterly direction at right angles with the
last line, one mile; thence in a northeasterly direction at right angles with
the last line, to the place of beginning, so as to include one mile square."

   It was thereupon directed by the Court that the Town of Martinez be duly
incorporated, and the order issued that an election be held for town Trustees,
February 8, 1851. B. R. Holliday, Charles Pervine, and J. C. Burrows, being
appointed Judges.

   About February, 1876, the attention of the inhabitants of Martinez was called
once more to the subject. By the Act, the town limits were defined as follows:
"Beginning at a point where the fence dividing the lands of J. P. Jones and L.
I. Fish touch the Straits of Carquinez; thence southwardly along said fence, and
continuing the same course to the line of the homestead tract of H. Bush; thence
westwardly along the north line of Bush's homestead tract to the Arroyo del
Hambre; thence southerly along said arroyo to the center of G street; thence
westwardly along G street to the western boundary of the town of Martinez as
officially surveyed; thence northwardly, following the western boundary of the
town plat to the Straits of Carquinez; thence eastwardly along the shore of the
Straits of Carquinez to the place of beginning." The corporate powers and duties
of the town were vested in a Board of Trustees of three members, to be elected
on the first Monday in May of each year.

   Thus had Martinez existed as a village for something more than a quarter of a
century, without corporate being or authority, except for a very brief period,
in 1851, when they were extinguished by a decision of the Supreme Court,
declaring the Act void under which they were assumed. One or two efforts for
some sort of an incorporation of the town had been made, truly, but they
resulted in nothing. It might have been incorporated at any time, under the
general law, but this was objected to as involving too much machinery and
expense. To establish a town corporation of limited powers, the bill now under
notice was prepared, and for the time being, at any rate, was thought to meet
all requirements. On May 23,1876, Thomas McMahon and L. C. Wittenmyer were
elected Town Trustees, and J. K. L. Smith, Assessor and Collector, but after
this date we have been unable to glean anything of the corporation or its civic
dignitaries.

   After the year 1852 the town commenced to assert itself and has so continued,
it will therefore be unnecessary to follow step by the step the progress made.
We have, in our chapter on the Legislative History of the county shown the
progress of its public buildings, and noticed the establishment of the first
newspaper in the county, at Martinez, on September 18, 1858, a red-letter day in
the annals of the town. On October 30th the Contra Costa Gazette passed into the
hands of Charles Bonnard and B. E. Hillsman, who continued it until February 14,
1859, when W. Bradford assumed charge, who had associated with him R. R. Bunker,
the latter gentleman, March 23, 1861, being joined by W. W. Theobald, on the
secession of Mr. Bradford. On September 14th it issued its last number in
Martinez, and brought out that of the 21st at Pacheco, the cause of removal
being asserted to be the more central position of the latter place. On July 1,
1865, Mr. Theobald disposed of his interest to R. R. Bunker and C. B. Porter. On
April 15, 1869, the Gazette was made the official organ of the county, and on
November 15, 1873, the last issue of the paper occurred at Pacheco, whence it
returned to its native Martinez, where it now flourishes, the proprietors being
Messrs. Bunker, Porter and Foster. A more extended history of the publication
will be found under the head of "Newspapers," at the end of this chapter.

  It would appear that in the month of November, 1858, Martinez was actually
without public instruction, for we find a notice of the engagement of a teacher,
with the remark: "A good school ought to be kept in operation in Martinez during
the whole year, and a stranger would hardly believe that such is not the case."
On December 4th, Mr. Bushnell was appointed Principal and the tuition of the
young afterwards flourished.

  On November 6, 1858, W. K. Leavitt was awarded the contract for building the
Roman Catholic Church, already mentioned, the structure to be of frame
twenty-eight feet wide, by fifty-two long, and nineteen feet high. April 8,
1859, Martinez and Benicia were first joined by telegraph; June 6th, a stage
line between Oakland and Martinez, passing through Rodeo valley, Pinole and San
Pablo, was established by Mette & Co.

  The jail of Martinez has many a tale to tell, but perhaps none more curious
than the following: Two prisoners, Isaac Greenaugh and C. Cadell made their
escape on July 20, 1860, leaving the accompanying polite note for Deputy Sheriff
Henry Hunsaker, thus worded: "Henry: you must not think hard; our friends came
after us with a good horse and we could not Resist the temptation." The two
worthies were incarcerated, the first for stabbing a man at Alamo, and the other
for stealing a suit of clothes at Pacheco.

   On September 17, 1860, Martinez Engine Company. No. 1, was organized, and the
following officers chosen: Foreman, L. C. Wittenmyer; First Assistant, J. L.
Swaney; Second Assistant, D. W. Swain; Treasurer, W. K. Leavitt; Secretary, J.
T. Alsop.

  At the trial of Ramon Ruiz, indicted for murder, which came up at the January
Term, 1861, of the District Court, this case was submitted to the jury at four
o'clock on the afternoon of Wednesday, January 16th, and they immediately
retired for deliberation. They found it a difficult matter, however, to arrive
at the requisite unanimity in regard to what the verdict should be, and daylight
on Thursday morning found them still in a state of disagreement. At this time
one of their number wearied, probably with the night's labor in the jury room,
and hungry from long fasting, and, moreover, not having the fear before him of
the pains and penalties in such cases made and provided, quietly slipped out of
the window and made quick time to a hotel, and after procuring some refreshment,
coolly went to bed. His absence was soon discovered, and an invitation he did
not feel at liberty to decline compelled him to leave his comfortable quarters
and return to his post of duty. Failing to agree the jury were discharged on
Thursday at noon; not so, however, the juror aforesaid: He was imprisoned for
three days and fined two hundred dollars. On September 17th, of this year, an
attempt was made to burn the Morgan House, but the combustible material was
found in time to prevent a conflagration or do any damage.

   On February 15, 1862, the ladies of Martinez raised a subscription to the
amount of four hundred dollars to fence the cemetery, which was much needed, and
which has added much to the beauty of the very beautiful piece of land
overlooking the prettily situated town of Martinez.

   It no doubt will be remembered by some that on January 16, 1864, thirty-seven
camels passed through the town, on their way to Los Angeles. These were the only
animals of the kind ever seen by many of the residents and the circumstance was
looked upon as a "nine days' wonder." On the 20th June, of this year, a
presentation of a silver goblet was made by the children attending the Martinez
Sunday school, to Captain O. C. Coffin, on his retirement from the management of
the institution, which he had maintained for four years. On the gift was
engraved the name of the receiver, by whom presented, with the date of
presentation, and the following simple tribute, "a token of love."

   Sometime in the month of May, 1867, Messrs. Coffin & Standish erected a flour
mill in Martinez, which was completed on the 11th of that month. It is described
as an excellent building, forty by one hundred feet and stood near the line of
the railroad—the same is now used as Black's Cannery.

   Martinez, unhappily, has not been without periodical visits from the Fire
Fiend. July 18, 1867, the mansion on the "Gift Place" was consumed, but since
September, 1856, when the Union Hotel, Blum's, Lazar's, and Hook's stores were
destroyed, no fire of importance had hurt the town. On Tuesday, December 12,
1876, a group of fine buildings on the southwest corner of Main and Ferry
streets, opposite the Morgan House, belonging to H. M. Hollenbeck, together with
a sixth building belonging to John McCann were destroyed, which, however, he
repaired, and by the 30th December, occupied. On March 16, 1877, the residence
of Mrs. Jane E. Chase became a prey to the devouring element, while, on January
6, 1878, the Granger's restaurant, owned by F. D. Briare, was destroyed; and on
March 8,1880, the Alhambra school-house succumbed to the like fate.

   The earthquake of Wednesday, October 21, 1868, caused considerable damage in
Martinez. Two of the walls of a new stone building at the Alhambra Hotel were
thrown down; Blum's, Lazar's, Colman's and the Fish Brothers' brick buildings
were also much cracked by the shake. The most serious damage, however, was that
sustained by the Court House, a portion of the top and rear walls of which were
thrown down, and the structure otherwise much damaged.

   On September 5, 1871, the certificate of incorporation of the Martinez Water
Works Company was filed, the capital stock being one hundred thousand dollars in
shares of one hundred dollars each. The officers for the first three months
were, Simon Blum, L. C. Wettenmyer, V. B. Russell, Charles Sherman, and Gabriel
Blum.

   During the month of October, 1872, the large, heavy-framed stable that stood
for many years on the corner of Judge Brown's lot, east of his office, in
Martinez, was moved to the outskirts of the town, under the supervision of
George Sanford and Charles Woodford.

   On Wednesday, January 15,1873, George W. Bailey suddenly disappeared in San
Francisco. Mr. Bailey had been a resident of Contra Costa county for about eight
years, and for the last six or seven had resided in Martinez, where he married
and practiced law, a portion of the time in association with Judge Brown, and
for a year or more with L. B. Mizner of Benicia. The Gazette, of January 25th,
thus accounts for the mystery: "It seems, however, to be generally believed by
those best informed respecting his circumstances and obligations, that
embarrassments arising from an inability to meet an engagement for the
investment of some trust funds, in his hands as receiver, has occasioned his
disappearance. The money he held in trust is the rental revenue of property the
title to which is now in litigation, and, except what has already been invested
or properly accounted for, the amount, as we are informed, does not exceed four
or five thousand dollars. An opportunity for investing the larger portion of
this amount in a loan to Messrs. Mizner and Shirley had offered, and being
satisfactory to the respective claimants in the pending litigation, arrangements
were made for their receiving the money, represented to be on deposit there, in
San Francisco, on Tuesday of last week (the 14th). On Monday evening, Mr.
Bailey, accompanied by his wife and one of his two little children, went to San
Francisco by the Sacramento boat, and on arriving there put up at the Lick
House. On the following day, when the money was to have been furnished, he gave
some not entirely satisfactory reason for deferring the payment until the
following day, since the morning of which he has not been seen nor heard from.
Subsequent inquiry disclosed the fact that no money had ever been on deposit at
the bank he had named, nor elsewhere, so far as could be ascertained, nor is it
surmised that any was secreted and carried away by him. It is probable that the
money has, little by little, been applied to personal uses, during the four
years, or more, of his receivership, with the intention of restoring it, and his
embarrassment on being required to produce it, without the ability to do so, is
probably the cause of his sudden and otherwise unexplained disappearance." The
above surmise was, indeed, too true. He took his own life while in a state of
temporary insanity, his body being found, on January 25th, in a rocky secluded
place a few miles south of San Francisco. On April 11, 1873, Rev. V. R.
Rightmeyer, formerly stationed for many years administering to the wants of the
Methodist Episcopal Church at Martinez and Clayton, died at Virginia City,
Nevada, he being interred at Martinez. In this year the Bank of Martinez, a
history of which will be found elsewhere, was started; while the Gazette, of
August 23d, notices the fact that at that date there were no less than four
persons confined in the jail at Martinez on charges of murder, viz: Marshall
Martin, for the murder of Valentine Eischler; William Nash, alias Osterhaus, and
Mary Gersbach, for the murder of Martin Gersbach; and Henry Ploeger, for the
murder of George Muth. Timothy Roonan was there also, awaiting trial, under
indictment of assault to murder. Towards the end of the year 1873, there was a
demand for dwelling houses in Martinez, and none to be had. It was then
thought—indeed, it may be so said to-day—were there such erected on unoccupied
lots, instead of letting them lie idle and unproductive, several families would
be added to the population of the village.

   During the week ending April 4, 1874, an old white oak, that since there was
a town of Martinez, had stood in the middle of the street nearly opposite the
store now occupied by Robert T. Nash, throwing its grateful summer sun-shield
over the roadway on either side, fell under the woodman's ax—the result of a too
utilitarian hand. The streets were then, as now, in a wretched condition, and
were the subject of much complaint; perhaps the felling of the old land-mark was
intended by "the powers" as a "sop to Cerberus." August 8th, of this year, the
old "Louisiana House" was opened by G. S. Downey as the Exchange Hotel, while,
on September 12th, the Alhambra Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry was
instituted with the following officers: Dr. John Strentzel, Master; Wm. Fraser,
Secretary; Henry Raap, Overseer; B. R. Holliday, Lecturer; James McHarry,
Chaplain; James C. McHarry, Treasurer; Elam Barber, Steward; Lawrence Smith,
Assistant Steward; James Stewart, Gate-keeper; Mrs. Alexander Boss, Ceres; Mrs.
Henry Raap, Pomona; Miss Louisa W. Strentzel, Flora.

   November 13, 1875, the new bridge over the Alhambra creek was completed and
opened to traffic. In the month of March, 1876, the Alhambra Hotel buildings
which had been in service for twenty-five years, with improvements, were
considerably enlarged by the addition of a central two-story structure between
the east and west wings, and a new kitchen connected with the detached stone
building, which became a dining hall. On July 22, 1876, the Morgan House passed
into the hands of William Girvan, G. A. Sherman retiring from its management.
August 12th, of this year, an addition of one hundred feet was made to the ferry
wharf; while, September 29th, the St. Charles, having completed her loading at
the Grangers' Warehouse, sailed from Martinez, being the first large vessel to
take in cargo there. At the end of December, we learn that Mr. Lawless had
erected a building for housing the indigent sick of the county on the bank of
the Alhambra creek, two blocks south of the Masonic Hall. It was one story in
height, twenty feet wide, sixty feet long, and divided into three apartments,
viz: kitchen, sitting-room and large bedroom of the full width and about half
the length of the building. Since the completion of the new county infirmary,
the occupation of this building has been discontinued.

  The Martinez Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, was organized and the following
officers elected February 4, 1871: R. R. Bunker, President; Frank Maguire,
Foreman; Ed. Morgan, First Assistant; M. J. Beecher, Second Assistant; C. Ed.
Miller, Secretary; M. Lawless, Treasurer.

  Early in 1879 the Bush Homestead property was purchased for the purposes of a
Roman Catholic College, to be erected by the " Christian Brothers" Society of
Saint Mary's College, San Francisco, on which they have since erected a handsome
building and made many improvements.

   On March 11, 1879, Blum's store was robbed of five hundred dollars in coin
and fourteen hundred dollars in county scrip. It was a carefully effected
plunder, the safe being found face downwards, and a hole through the outer and
inner sheet-iron casing and concrete-filled back. It is supposed that one of the
burglars met his death at the hands of his accomplices near Cornwall station,
not far from Antioch.

   About the beginning of the year 1880 it was proposed to establish a
manufactory of Hardy's blasting powder near the southern end of what has been
known as the "race track," about a mile from the Court House in Martinez. In
opposition to this scheme a meeting of citizens was convened at the Court House,
January 21, 1880, when, after lengthy discussion, the following resolution was
adopted: "Resolved, We the undersigned citizens of Martinez, Contra Costa
county, do hereby protest and object to the erection or establishment of a
powder mill or powder manufactory for the manufacture of powder for explosive
purposes within a radius of four miles outside of the limits of the town of
Martinez."

   In concluding our remarks on the town of Martinez, we would observe that its
population by the last census, July 10, 1880, was eight hundred and
seventy-five. There is every prospect of this increasing. A considerable fishery
and canning industry has been lately established there. All that is requisite
for its general advancement is encouragement from the owners of property; when
such is given, then will manufactories be enticed to locate, and with these will
come trade and plenty. The climate is all that can be desired, neither too hot
nor too cold, the hills which environ the town protecting it from the blustering
winds which are so rudely felt on the opposite shore of the Straits of
Carquinez. From among their bosoms flow limpid, gurgling streams, whose waters
find their way into every family. All in all, Martinez is a lovely locality,
almost compassing the poet's fancy of—

"Cataract brooks to the ocean run, 
Fairily- delicate palaces shine 
Mixt with myrtle and clad with vine, 
And over stream'd and silver-streak'd 
With many a rivulet high against the sun, 
The facet of the glorious mountain flash 
Above the valleys of palm and pine."

   CHURCHES.—Martinez boasts at present three places of worship for the
Episcopals, Congregational and Roman Catholic denominations, all of them neat
buildings with comparatively large congregations, considering the size of the
place. The first to establish a church in Martinez were the Romanists, of which
we append a few remarks, there being no actual history of the edifice extant:—

   ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.—The first services of this body were held in a
building built in 1849 by Judge Brown, Warren Brown and N. B. Smith as a store,
and is now used as a barn by Mrs. Bent. Here they worshipped for some time, and
afterwards laid the foundation for a more pretentious edifice to be constructed
of adobe near the railroad tank, but which was never completed. In 1855, or
thereabouts, a church was erected on the northeast corner of the lot now
occupied by the residence of Dr. Carothers, but on this being blown down in or
about 1866, the present building was put up.

   GRACE CHURCH, MARTINEZ, (PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL).—The history of the Protestant
Episcopal Church in Martinez is inseparably connected with that of Benicia,
whither as early as 1854, and for years after, members of the church were wont
to cross the Straits of Carquinez and proceed. The first clergyman of the church
known to have officiated in Benicia was the Rev. D. J. Moore, although services
had been held there by Major Townsend, U. S. A., as far back as September 24,
1854. The second clergyman was Rev. Orange Clarke, who came to California as
Chaplain to the U. S. Marine Hospital, who, although unconnected with any parish
as Rector, rendered his services at different points, as needed. This is the
first clergyman of the church known to have held services in Martinez, and was
during the Winter 1854-5. The next occasional officiating clergyman was Rev.
Elijah W. Hager, Chaplain U. S. N. To the gentleman who first had charge of St.
Paul's Church, Benicia, as Rector (1858), the church in Martinez is also
indebted, but to none does it owe more of its early growth than to the Rev.
James Cameron, who had charge of St. Paul's parish from 1860 to 1866. He
officiated in the Methodist Church in Martinez very frequently, and during his
incumbency Mr. J. Williams, of Martinez, who had been Junior Warden and
Vestryman of St. Paul's, and Mr. Samuel Gray, of Benicia, acted as Lay Readers
alternately in this place. In November, 1866, Mr. Cameron was succeeded by Rev.
Henry G. Perry, who from that time also officiated at Martinez. Here he
established a Sunday-school, procured for it a new library, and supplied it with
catechisms. He found also that plans and specifications for a church had been
prepared with a view to building, the occasional services being still held in
the Methodist House of Worship. The communicants, however, remained attached to
St. Paul's Church, Benicia, where the Eucharist was regularly administered to
them, they crossing the Straits for that purpose.

   On February 3, 1867, Martinez was visited by the Right Rev. Bishop Kip, who
preached in the Methodist church. On October 9, 1867, the Pacific Associate
Mission was organized in the Church of the Holy Communion, New York, by Revs.
James Lloyd Breck, D. D., and John A. Merrick, D. D., Priests; and Revs. E. C.
Cowan, B. D., and James H. Smith, Deacons. They reached San Francisco November
3d, and San Jose on the following day, and immediately commenced their work of
education and missions. The missionary field was apportioned into eight
stations, of which Martinez was one; the Rev. Mr. Perry transferring his church
work at this juncture (1868) to their care. In January, 1868, they removed to
Benicia, where they founded the Missionary College of St. Augustine, and from
that point as a center carried on their missionary work. The first known
administration of the Holy Eucharist at Martinez was by them, on Easter Sunday,
1868, nine communicants being present, besides the missionaries. The members of
St. Augustine's College, under the supervision of the Rev. Dr. Breck, Dean,
continued their care of the mission at Martinez through the year 1869-70; the
work being first under the charge of Rev. E. P. Gray, Professor of Literature
and Interpretation of Scripture. At this time considerable earnestness seems to
have been aroused among the members of the church in the village, and during the
year 1869, through the exertions of certain ladies of the congregation, money
was raised, and the church building was begun and completed. The plans were
furnished by Rev. Mr. Gray, and he superintended its erection. The work was
commenced the last of July or beginning of August, and finished early in
October. The entire cost of the church was seventeen hundred and fifty dollars.
Soon after the completion of the church Mr. Gray gave place to Rev. E. C. Cowan,
Headmaster of St. Augustine's Grammar School, who continued in charge until the
Spring of 1870. Yet, until May, 1870, the communicants at Martinez had not
severed their connection with St. Paul's, Benicia, Dr. Breck's parish. In
January, 1870, by the advice of Rev. Dr. Breck, the church property was deeded
in trust to the Bishop of the Diocese and his successor in office. On Sunday,
July 10, 1870, Grace Church, Martinez, was consecrated by the Right Rev. William
Ingraham Kip, D. D., he being assisted in the services by Revs. Dr. Breck and E.
C. Cowan. The request for consecration was read by Mr. C. C. Swain, and the
sentence of consecration by Rev. Mr. Cowan, who had been the last missionary in
charge. During the visit the Bishop appointed Judge Thomas A. Brown and C. C.
Swain trustees to take charge of the church property. On June 10, 1870, the
constitution of St. Augustine's College at Benicia had been so changed that the
theological and college departments were suspended. Dr. Breck and his associates
in the Theological School resigned, and the Associate Mission came to an end.
The connection of Rev. J. A. Merrick, D. D. with the college and mission being
thus severed, August 24, 1870, he took pastoral charge of the new parish of
Grace Church, Martinez, now for the first time become wholly independent of the
church in Benicia. Dr. Merrick continued his charge only to the beginning of the
year 1871, when failing health obliged him to resign.

   From February 1 to July 1, 1871, Rev. Wm. Benet was engaged to act as
missionary; but from the time of his departure no services were held in the
church until March, 1872, when arrangements were made by Dr. Breck, by which
either he, or Rev. William P. Tucker supplied the place as they were able, or
Mr. H. W. Taylor acted as Lay Reader. This arrangement continued for a year and
a half, the duty for the most part falling upon Mr. Tucker, at that time Rector
of St. Augustine's College. In October, 1873, the Bishop sent Rev. Henry B.
Monges, Deacon, to take charge of the parish. Mr. Monges gave his services to
the church from that time until August, 1878, when he resigned the parish into
the hands of the Bishop, but still, at the Bishop's request, kept up services
for over a year more. During his charge a tower was erected, and a bell
procured, at a cost of nearly six hundred dollars; a new organ and a new carpet
for the church were bought and over two hundred volumes were given by his
personal friends to the Sunday School Library. May 13, 1880, Rev. James
Abercrombie, D. D., the present incumbent, then residing in Los Angeles, having
removed there after resigning the rectorship of Trinity Church, Santa Barbara,
at the solicitation of the Bishop entered upon the rectorship of the parish.
During his ministry, two handsome chandeliers were early presented to the church
by Mr. Josiah Sturges, a handsome altar, the joint offering of the Rector and
Mr. Byron Brown was in the chancel on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1881, and
on Christmas Day, a beautiful Prayer Desk and Seat, offerings of Hon. Elam
Brown, were therein placed. On New Year's Day, 1882, a Memorial Chancel Window
to the Rev. James Lloyd Breck, D. D., founder of the parish, and made by Edward
Colgate, of New York, was in place, together with a small side window by the
same artist. The following, from The Living Church of January 28, 1882, is a
description of the Memorial: "The window is a triplet six and a half feet by ten
feet. The central figure is the Good Shepherd, with a countenance, as has been
remarked, with much truth, of 'beautiful and tender expression.' Above is a
descending dove, surmounted to the right and left by Alpha and Omega. Below is
the I. H. S. On either side are the symbols of the four gospels, and of the Holy
Eucharist; and at the base is 'In Memoriam, Rev. James Lloyd Breck, D. D. Died
March 30th, 1876.' The design is most appropriate, and the coloring and effect
of the whole admirable and elegant." A convenient and expressive Prothesis was
soon after provided. Easter Sunday, April 9, 1882, the congregation found the
redwood walls and open roof of the church becomingly tinted, with the timbers
left the natural color, also a Stone Font, an offering of the Youth of the
parish. On the Altar, too, was an exquisite metal Cross and Vases made by R.
Geissler, of New York. Early in this year all arrangements were completed in the
obtaining of the corner lot contiguous to that whereon is the church, the
intention being to move this to the central line; accordingly trees have been
planted in the new acquisition.

   CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, MARTINEZ.—A congregation of this denomination was
organized June 18, 1874, in Martinez, by calling a meeting. The first resident
pastor was the Rev. W. S. Clark, who was succeeded, in 1875, by Rev. E. B.
Tuttle, who had pastoral care of the congregation for four years. During his
charge the neat little building formerly owned and occupied by the Methodist
Episcopal body was purchased, and in it services have ever since been held. In
1879 Mr. Tuttle was succeeded by Rev. John Hooper, who at the expiration gave
place to Rev. A. Drahms, the present minister, in January, 1881. The Church is
entirely free from debt, the building is in good condition, and the society
numbers forty-five members.

   SCHOOLS.—The first school in Martinez was taught by that worthy pioneer, B.
R. Holliday, but it was many years before any permanent building was erected for
that purpose. In 1858 it was complained that there was no good school kept open
during the year, but the matter would appear to have remained in abeyance until
1872, when, during the month of October, the Martinez School District raised by
tax the sum of three thousand dollars for the purpose of building a schoolhouse,
which for twenty years and more they had been in want of. To this end, under the
presidency of Hon. C. B. Porter, a meeting of the citizens of Martinez was held
October 12, 1872, to consider what measures should be taken to provide the
district with a suitable school building. On the 16th, the meeting, having been
adjourned to that date, Mr. Fowler submitted a plan of a four-room building, two
stories high, forty by eighty feet on the ground, to cost a sum not exceeding
six thousand dollars; but nothing more was then done than the appointment of a
committee to ascertain upon what terms a loan of three or four thousand dollars
could be obtained. On October 19th they reported that the last named sum could
be borrowed at twelve per cent, per annum, payable semi-annually, the principal
to be paid in installments of not less than one thousand dollars at any time
after one, and within a term of four, five and six years, as might be agreed
upon. On November 23d the trustees invited bids for furnishing materials and
erecting a public schoolhouse, seventy-two by thirty-two feet, with central hall
and tower, a projection front and rear twelve by twenty feet, cross-roofed with
the body of the building which is to be surmounted with a cupola and belfry. The
bid of Burrell & Co., of Oakland, for six thousand, nine hundred and forty
dollars was duly accepted and work commenced, the whole being completed early in
1873.

   The public school at Martinez is a building worthy of any metropolis. The
main body of the house is seventy-two by thirty-two feet, with full height,
central tower or stair hall fifteen by twenty-five feet, and rear central stair
hall fifteen by twenty feet. The structure rests on a solid brick foundation,
sunk two feet below the ground, rising a foot and a half above the surface. The
cupola, crowning it at a height of sixty feet above the ground, has a
twelve-foot square base, supporting a belfry curving into a square of five feet
at the crown around which is an iron railing with curved braces from the angles
supporting the rod of the weather-vane. Each of the four fine school-rooms are
lighted by six large windows. The upper stair halls afford rooms for school
apparatus, library, etc. The building is located near the center of the valley
village, in full view of the Straits of Carquinez and Benicia, and in the shadow
of lofty hills.

   The Gazette of July 5, 1873, says: "For the purpose of securing the required
funds—about one thousand dollars—to fence handsomely, lay out, grade and
embellish with trees and shrubbery, the school block and the block adjacent, set
apart and dedicated as a public square, the people of Martinez propose
instituting a series of public entertainments, which will include amateur
dramatic representations, socials, lectures, festivals, concerts and school
exhibition exercises, and such other various attractions as will offer to the
people a pleasant inducement to contribute their money for the accomplishment?
of a plan of public improvements which they all heartily desire." "The best laid
plans 'mongst mice and men gang aft agley." The "hearty desire" may still
remain—so does the square, still public, but, to wandering cattle and grunting
porkers !

   NEWSPAPERS.—There are two newspapers published in Martinez, both of which
have a considerable circulation throughout the county, and which are conducted
with much editorial skill. Below we give full histories of each.

   THE CONTRA COSTA GAZETTE, from the files of which a large and interesting
portion of the matter compiled in this history is derived, was the first
newspaper published in Contra Costa county. Its first issue appeared on the 8th
day of September, 1858. It is now consequently near the close of its
twenty-fourth year, and has never missed its regular publication day, although
the earthquake of October 21, 1868, made a wreck of the brick building at
Pacheco, in the second story of which its office was located, and obliged a
hasty temporary removal of the press and sufficient type for getting out the
paper to the ground floor of a vacant frame structure. The continual recurrence
of more or less startling "tremblous" during forty-eight hours after the great
shock rendered it perilous to remain in the shattered building, and very
difficult to procure sufficient help that would incur the risk involved in
removal of the press and necessary office material from it. Again, in September,
1871, the office and every scrap of its material was destroyed by fire which
occurred on Tuesday morning, but within forty-eight hours it had a complete new
office outfit, and its issue of the week printed on Saturday, so that it reached
most of its subscribers but one mail later than usual. The publishing firm of
the Gazette at its out-start was W. B. Soule & Co. The "Co." represented a
number of public-spirited citizens of Martinez, who contributed part of the
amount for payment of the office outfit to the said W. B. Soule, and had become
responsible for furnishing it. In the course of a few weeks these sponsors found
they had put their contributed money in the hands of an unmitigated confidence
sharp, of plausible address, who had applied none of it to the payment of the
material procured, but had obtained it all upon their guaranty of payment, and
misappropriated the money advanced to him. This confidence operator's connection
with the paper continued but little more than a month. The gentlemen who had
thus found themselves at unexpected costs, the owners of a newspaper
establishment, then made an arrangement with two practical printers, Charles
Bonnard and B. E. Hillsman, for its publication, and its seventh number was
issued October 30, 1858, by Bonnard & Co., as publishers. In February,
following, W. Bradford became the sole owner and publisher, and so continued for
something more than a year, when, in April, 1860, R. R. Bunker purchased an
undivided half interest in the paper, and, until March, 1861, it was published
by Bradford & Bunker. In that month and year, Mr. Bradford disposed of his
interest to W. W. Theobald, and Bunker & Theobald became its publishers. The
development of the grain-growing interests of the central section of the county,
and the centralization of its incident business at Pacheco, as the storage and
shipping point, made that a more advantageous location than Martinez, and
induced the removal of the Gazette to that place in September, 1861. In July,
1865, Mr. Theobald disposed of his interest in the paper to C. B. Porter, which
made a change in the publishing firm name to that of Bunker & Porter. The
decline of Pacheco as a business point in consequence of the opening of new
competing outlets for the products of its former tributary district, determined
the proprietors upon a removal of the paper back to the County seat. A
commodious and well situated office was erected, and the paper removed to
Martinez in November, 1873. Up to the present time the life-term of the Gazette
has been about equally divided between the two places of publication—about
twelve years in each. In March of the present year, F. L. Foster purchased a
one-third interest in the Gazette, and its publishing firm is now Bunker, Porter
& Foster.

   THE CONTRA COSTA NEWS.—This paper was first established in the Spring of
1874, in the town of Pacheco, which is situated about five miles from Martinez,
the county seat. The founders of the journal were Barry Baldwin, George J.
Bennett and W. K. Dell, who placed Charles H. Chadwick in full charge of the
enterprise. Mr. Chadwick managed the paper for about two years, when he
resigned. He is now living in San Francisco and managing a hotel. Immediately
after Mr. Chadwick's leaving the paper Mr. Dell purchased Baldwin's and
Bennett's interests, and engaged W. R. Kennard and H. J. Jackson to conduct the
paper. In the Spring of 1877, William R. Cranna, the present proprietor,
returned from the East after an absence of six years, and was induced to take
the editorial reins of the News, from which time up to the present, the News has
gradually gained ground in every section of the county, and to-day is
acknowledged one of the best weeklies published in California. During the last
four years Mr. Cranna has added by degrees to the establishment a fine job
department, and is now turning out all kinds of job printing, equal to any
office in San Francisco. The News is Democratic, and the only paper published in
the county that represents the Democratic principles and party, yet it is well
patronized by those who are opposite in politics. The News has a good
circulation in every town in the county, also in Oakland and San Francisco. The
News office was removed to Martinez in 1877, where it is still located, and with
the energy and enterprise of its proprietor, William R. Cranna, it will some day
rank with the leading journals on the coast.

   LODGES, SOCIETIES, ETC.—The Lodges and Secret Societies of Martinez are not
numerous, but they suffice to perform the necessary duties devolving upon them.
Being in easy access of all the towns in the interior, the interchange of
fraternal relations is frequent and pleasant.

   MARTINEZ LODGE, No. 41, F. & A. M.—This was the first Masonic Lodge started
in the county, its charter bearing date May 6, 1854, the officers applying-
therefor being R. N. Wood, W. M.; H. Mills, S. W.; and Sam. Russell, J. W. The
first meeting was held in the second story of the Berryessa adobe, May 27, 1854,
the officers being Robert N. Wood, W. M.; Hiram Mills, S. W.; Daniel Small, J.
W.; John Tucker, Treasurer; E. F. Wred, Secretary. In 1860 they moved into their
own building, erected by subscription of the members. The present officers are
S. J. Bennett, W. M.; George A. Sherman, S. W.; H. P. Edwards, J. W.; W. M.
Hale, Treasurer; B. Borach, Secretary; E. P. Wagg, S. D.; P. McCarger, J. D. The
Lodge is in a flourishing condition, and has a large membership.

   LAUREL COUNCIL, ORDER OF CHOSEN FRIENDS.—This Lodge was organized June 17,
1882, with the following charter members: Alexander Boss, George W. Boss, Mrs.
E. J. Boss, William Clark, Ellen J. Dowie, Mrs. C. J. Hollenbeck, Henry M.
Hollenbeck, Ansil B. Hamblin, James E. Johnson, Mrs. Maria B. Lander, Dr. John
Leffler, Mrs. Charlotte Leffler, David P. Mahan, Mrs. M. Perry, Nancy E. Pitts,
Mrs. Getta Stewart. The membership is seventeen, and the officers for the
current term are H. M. Hollenbeck, P. C. C.; Dr. John Leffler, C. C.; Mrs. E. J.
Boss, V. C.; Mrs. M. B. Lander, Secretary; James E. Johnson, Fin. Sec.; Mrs. J.
Leffler, Treasurer; A. Boss, Prelate; William Clark, Marshall; Mrs. N. E. Pitts,
J. G.; George W. Boss, 0. G.

   OCCIDENTAL CHAPTER, No. 64, ORDER OF EASTERN STAR.—This Chapter was organized
October 15, 1881, with the following charter members; Elizabeth Williams, L. C.
Wittenmyer, Francis Williams, Eva Bissell, Clara K. Wittenmyer, Lizzie T.
Russell, Emma Moore, Helen C. Carothers, Margaret E. W. Thompson, Mary Brown,
Narcissa H. Woodruff, Caroline J. Holenbeck, Henry M. Hollenbeck ,Clara L.
Wittenmyer, Leontine Blum. The officers first elected were: Elizabeth Williams,
W. M.; L. C. Wittenmyer, W. P.; Leontine Blum, A. M.; Eva Bissell, Secretary;
Margaret E. W. Thompson, Treasurer; Emma Moore, C.; Clara L. Wittenmyer, A. C.;
Nellie Carothers, Ada; Clara K. Wittenmyer, Esther; Mary Brown, Martha; Lizzie
T. Russell, Electa; Cornelia J. Hollenbeck, Warder; Francis Williams, Sentinel.
There are at present thirty-two members on the roll, while the Lodge is in a
very flourishing condition, the officers for the current term being: Elizabeth
Williams, W. M.; L. C. Wittenmyer, W. P.; Leontine Blum, A. M.; C. Ed. Miller,
Secretary; Margaret E. W. Thompson, Treasurer; Emma Moore, C.; Clara L.
Wittenmyer, A. C.; Ella Borland, Ada; Emily McCarger, Ruth; Clara K. Wittenmyer,
Esther; Rosa Miller, Martha; Lizzie T. Russell, Electa; E. B. Wagg, Warder;
Francis Williams, Sentinel. Meets in Masonic Hall, Martinez, on the second and
fourth Mondays of each month.

   CARQUINEZ LODGE, No. 90, A. O. U. W.—Was organized March 31,1879, with the
following charter members: D. P. Mahan, Francis Williams, C. Ed. Miller, J.
Weiss, J. C. McHarry, W. E. Coffin, J. B. Smith, D. B. Tinker, E. E. Webster,
George S. Overfield, W. J. Hough, J. Leffler; the first officers being: F.
Williams, P. M. W.; J. Weiss, M. W.; J. C. McHarry, G. F.; William Coffin, O.;
J. B. Smith, G.; D. B. Tinker, Rec.; E. E. Webster, Fin.; George Overfield,
Recd.; C. Ed. Miller, I. W.; W. J. Hough, O. W. The Lodge, which meets every
Thursday evening in the hall of the Good Templars in Martinez, is in a
flourishing condition, and has a membership of forty. The officers for the
current term are: R. M. Jones, M. W.; Henry Raap, F.; Thomas McMahon, Sr. O.; F.
Williams, Rec.; W. J. Douglas, Fin; E. E. Webster, Recd.; Frank Coleman, G.; H.
G. F. Dohrmann, I. W.; John McCann, O. W. The past Masters of the Lodge are: J.
Weiss, F. Williams, C. Ed. Miller, John Leffler, J. M. Littlefield and R. M. Jones.

   THE BANK OF MARTINEZ.—In the year 1873 the Bank of Martinez was started, and
on July 28th work on the building was commenced by E. W. Hiller, and was
completed about three months thereafter. The structure, with its ornate
Corinthian composite front, plate glass, paneled wainscoating, richly moulded
counter, lofty rooms and elegantly finished walls and ceilings, proves to be as
handsome an establishment as any in the State. On October 4th the iron safe, an
elaborate piece of work made by Dubold & Kienzel, at Canton, Ohio, was received.
It was placed in the fire-proof vault on the 6th October. On the same day
(October 6, 1873,) the Certificate of Incorporation of the Bank of Martinez was
filed, the Directors being: L. I. Fish, W. W. Cainron, Simon Blum, Henry M.
Hale, William M. Hale. The Capital stock was fifty thousand dollars, represented
by five hundred shares of one hundred dollars each. During its first week a
large business was done, and we are gratified to learn that its prosperity has
continued up to the present time.

   GRANGERS' WAREHOUSING AND BUSINESS ASSOCIATION.—A meeting of the members of
the Danville, Walnut Creek, and Alhambra Granges was held at Walnut Creek, June
1, 1875, to determine what action should be taken on the report of the Joint
Committees of several Granges with respect to the formation of a Grange Business
Association, and the establishment of warehousing and deep-water shipping
facilities at or near the town of Martinez. An incorporation was then formed
called the "Grangers' Warehousing and Business Association of Contra Costa
County," while the following Directors were chosen to serve for the first term:
John J. Kerr, James Stone, Erastus Ford, of the Danville; Nathaniel Jones, J. W.
Jones, H. S. Raven, of the Walnut Creek; J. Strentzel, James Kelly, Alexander
Boss, of the Alhambra Granges. The capital stock was fixed at fifty thousand
dollars, divided into two thousand shares of twenty-five dollars each. On
January 10, 1876, a meeting of the citizens of Martinez was held to take action
in aiding the enterprise. The chair was occupied by Dr. Strentzel. It was shown
that the village would be greatly benefitted in becoming the shipping and
commercial point of the country district, which the means of deep water shipping
would make it, while the disposition of those present to render the undertaking
all the assistance in their power was unmistakably good. Messrs. Fish, Blum and
Porter were appointed a committee by the Chair to solicit subscriptions to the
stock of the Association. Work on the property acquired was pushed with vigor.
By the month of April the grading for the roadway and buildings was far
advanced; on May 22nd the Construction Committee were authorized by resolution
to contract for building a warehouse without delay; on June 12th this was
commenced, and on the 17th of July, the first of the two warehouses was ready
for the storage of grain, while, on July 12th, pile-driving for the wharf was
commenced, and Robert M. Jones selected to take charge of the business. A track
is laid from the warehouses along the wharf which adds greatly to the facilities
of shipment, while the entire enterprise is in a flourishing condition, and a
credit to the enterprise of Contra Costa's citizens.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY,
CALIFORNIA,
INCLUDING ITS GEOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY, TOPOGRAPHY, CLIMATOGRAPHY AND DESCRIPTION;
TOGETHER WITH A RECORD OF THE MEXICAN GRANTS; THE BEAR FLAG WAR; THE MOUNT
DIABLO COAL FIELDS; THE EARLY HISTORY AND SETTLEMENT, COMPILED FROM THE MOST
AUTHENTIC SOURCES; THE NAMES OF ORIGINAL SPANISH AND MEXICAN PIONEERS; FULL
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF THE COUNTY; SEPARATE HISTORY OF EACH TOWNSHIP, SHOWING
THE ADVANCE IN POPULATION AND AGRICULTURE;
ALSO,
Incidents of Pioneer Life; and Biographical Sketches
OF EARLY AND PROMINENT SETTLERS AND REPRESENTATIVE MEN;
AMD OF ITS TOWNS, VILLAGES, CHURCHES, SECRET SOCIETIES, ETC.
ILLUSTRATED.
SAN FRANCISCO: W. A. SLOCUM & CO., PUBLISHERS
1882.




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