Los Angeles County CA Archives History - Books .....Laying The Foundations 1908 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 11, 2005, 1:19 am Book Title: Ingersoll's Century History, Santa Monica Bay Cities CHAPTER II. LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS. 1870-1880. UP TO 1870 the Santa Monica bay region had scarcely felt the stirring of the new spirit brought into the country by the American occupation. The original ranches were still intact and occupied chiefly as grazing land, and very few Americans had obtained land holdings. Santa Monica Canon was the one attraction of the entire coast at this time. Here a few American families each year camped under the sycamores. In 1871 Mr. B. L. Peel erected a large tent "to accommodate 25 or 30 families" and over 300 visitors are reported for one Sunday in August, drawn by a dance that "lasted all night." With 1872, Santa Monica Canon suddenly became famous. The Express found it of enough importance to publish the following: "Santa Monica, the Long Branch of California, or Camp Hayward. Seventeen years ago Santa Monica was selected as a summer resort by Dr. Hayward and until the last five years he and his family were the only ones who availed themselves of its delights and benefits. Santa Monica proper is a farm house located on the ridge one and a half miles from where the camp is located. At this lone house the road descends into a deep ravine or canon, at the foot of which, near the confluence with the ocean, is a thick growth of old sycamores. Here is the camp. Beyond stretches the Malaga ranch, the rendezvous of horsethieves. The beach between the camp and the point affords a magnificent drive as does the shore in a southerly direction toward "Shoo Fly Landing", a mile or better distant. It is at the latter place that the greater part of the asphaltum sent to San Francisco from La Brea rancho is shipped." In the summer of 1872 a hotel was opened at the canon and the proprietor advertises, "Come and enjoy yourself. A week at the beach will add ten years to your life!" Mr. John Reynolds announces in July that he will "despatch coaches to Santa Monica every Wednesday and Saturday a.m." A small skiff was brought around from San Pedro this summer and added to the attractions of surf bathing, drives and picnics along the beach and up the many beantiful canons and dancing in the "big tent." Among the diversions was the excitement of prospecting, as it was rumored that a rich ledge of quartz rock existed on the beach, at a point only exposed for a few moments at low tide. The belief was founded on the fact that some of the native Californians of the district exhibited rich rock which they claimed to have obtained from this ledge. In September, 1872, an event took place which marks a new era in the history of this vicinity. This was the sale of the San Vicente and Santa Monica y San Vicente ranches by Jose del Carmen Sepulveda, and others, to Robert S. Baker. The first sale included 38,409 acres of land and the price was reported as $54,000. COL. ROBERT S. BAKER, who thus became an important factor in the history of Santa Monica, was a descendant of an old and well-known family of Rhode Island. He came to California in 1849 and engaged in business in San Francisco, being a member of the firm of Cooke and Baker, who dealt largely in mining supplies. Later he became associated with General Beale in the cattle and sheep business in the northern part of the state and in the Tejon country. With his purchase of the San Vicente, he located in Los Angeles and in 1874 married Mrs. Arcadia Bandini de Stearns, widow of Don Abel Stearns, one of the earliest American settlers of Southern California, and daughter of Juan Bandini, one of the wealthiest and most distinguished of the early Californians. In 1878, he built the Baker block in Los Angeles, at that time the finest business block in the city. He owned, through his wife, the Puente and Laguna ranches and had other large business interests. He was quiet in his tastes and made no effort to enter into public life, but devoted his time to the management of his large interests. He was most genial in character and he and his beautiful wife were noted for their lavish entertainments of guests, and they at one time and another were hosts to many distinguished people. Colonel Baker died March 11th, 1894. His wife still survives him and is now a resident of Santa Monica, passing a beautiful old age in a modest cottage on Ocean avenue, although she is rated as one of the wealthiest women in California and certainly none of the living daughters of California have had a more romantic or interesting history than Senora Arcadia de Baker. Colonel Baker at once proceeded to perfect his title to all the Sepulveda holdings by subsequent purchases, thus obtaining possession of a magnificent tract of land, with a mile and a half of ocean frontage and including the San Vicente and numerous other springs, as well as several small mountain streams. With characteristic enterprise he began efforts to utilize his domain for something beside a sheep pasture. He interested his friend, General E. F. Beale, who was one of the earliest and most successful promoters known in California history—so successful that President Lincoln remarked of him when he was surveyor-general of the state in 1861, that "Beale had, indeed, become monarch of all he surveyed." The Express of December 22nd, 1873, announces, "General Beale has arrived here with an eastern capitalist who contemplates the purchase of the San Vicente ranch with the view to the construction of a wharf at Shoo Fly Landing and building a narrow-gauge road from there to the city." This eastern capitalist seems to have fallen down, however, for in 1874 it is stated "Col. Baker has connected with himself several wealthy Englishmen and a well-known and distinguished Californian (Beale). They contemplate constructing a road to Los Angeles, a branch of the Southern Transcontinental line. Wharves are to be built and Pacific Mail steamships will land here. The name of this embryo metropolis of the southern coast is to be Truxton." The San Francisco Post of September, 1874, contains a glowing description of the "Truxton scheme " which ends by saying: "Why the Los Angeles people ever adopted the Wilmington road to shoal water is one of those things no fellow can find out. At two-thirds the distance they can reach deep water at the place called Truxton, on a bay right north of Wilmington. Here, at a comparatively light expense, for wharves, they can bring ship and cars together." The plans for Truxton included beside wharf and railway, a magnificent seaside hotel and a townsite; but they never seem to have gotten beyond the paper stage. During the summer of 1874 Santa Monica Canon continued to be the chief summer resort of the Angelenos. Two hotels, the Morongo House and the Seaside Hotel, kept by Wolf and Steadman, were filled with guests. Many improvements were made in the camping arrangements and the season was a gay one. A new resort, known as "Will Tell's" also flourished this summer on the Ballona lagoon, almost where the Del Rey hotel now stands. This was especially attractive to sportsmen, as the lagoon was famous for its duck and game birds, and a number of prominent Los Angeles men kept boats on the lagoons. At this time a road, so narrow that the wheels touched the sides of the bank, had been worn down through the arroyo, about at the foot of the present Colorado street in Santa Monica, and a small landing was built on the shore. Here Major Hancock shipped large quantities of brea, which was hauled by ox teams from his Brea rancho, on small coast vessels to San Francisco. This was the first "commerce" of Santa Monica bay. In December, 1874, the Los Angeles papers chronicle the first visit of United States Senator John P. Jones of Nevada. Glowing tributes were paid the distinguished guest and much curiosity and enthusiasm over the possible results of his advent into Southern California were indulged in. He was known to be fabulously rich and to have railroad ambitions. Southern California was a hotbed of railroad schemes. Already the iron hand of the Central Pacific monopoly was being felt, although the little road to San Pedro was then the only railroad in this end of the state. A transcontinental line south of the Central Pacific was considered absolutely certain, at this time; but who would build it and where it would reach the coast were matters of the wildest speculation. San Diego was making frantic efforts to secure railway connection of some sort and was looking hopefully forward to the magnificent promises held out by Tom Scott, the brilliant promoter of the Atlantic and Pacific railway scheme, of the early seventies. The Southern Pacific was building its branch from Los Angeles eastward and had decided to leave San Bernardino, the oldest and most important town east of Los Angeles, off the line. Naturally she was bitter against the Southern Pacific and was casting about for any relief in the way of transportation facilities. Los Angeles was eagerly watching for any movement in her direction which gave promise of a competing line, although the Southern Pacific was not yet fairly built and there was no railroad connection with San Francisco, or with the east. Consequently, when in January, 1875, it was announced that Senator Jones had purchased a two-thirds interest in the San Vicente rancho, paying therefore about $150,000, and that a new railroad was assured, there was rejoicing long and loud throughout Southern California. The Los Angeles and Independence railroad was organized in January, 1875, with F. P. F. Temple, a banker of Los Angeles, John P. Jones, Robert S. Baker, T. N. Park, James A. Pritchard, J. S. Slauson of Los Angeles, and Col. J. U. Crawford, as directors. Right of way between Los Angeles and Santa Monica was secured at once and without difficulty, it may be added, and Col. Crawford, the engineer and general manager of the road, at once began active operations. It was announced that the road would be pushed through to Independence, where were located the Panamint mines, owned by Senator Jones, and then supposed to rival the Gold Hill district in richness. There were rumors also that the line would be carried across Nevada to Salt Lake and the papers frequently referred to it as the beginning and ocean terminus of a transcontinental line. As soon as the railroad work was fairly started the construction of a wharf was begun. This was located near the old "Shoo Fly" landing and near the present foot of Colorado street, where a stub of the old wharf still remains. The first pile was driven April 22nd, 1875, and the first boat landed at the wharf in June. This wharf was 1700 feet in length and reached a depth of thirty feet at low tide. It was substantially built, with depot, and warehouses at its terminus and cost about $45,000. In the meantime, Messrs. Jones and Baker had laid out a townsite which extended from the bluff back to Twenty-sixth street and from Montana avenue on the north to the arroyo, or Railroad street, as it was then called, on the south. This original plat of Santa Monica was planned on a generous scale. The blocks were 320 by 600 feet; lots 150 by 50, with twenty-foot alleys. A plaza, the present Seventh-street park, blocks for hotels, one on the ocean front, the persent location of Mirimar, and one on Eighth street, facing the plaza; for public buildings, the block between Fifteenth and Sixteenth, Nevada and California; also blocks for a university and a young ladies' seminary, were reserved on the map. The ocean front was kept intact and Ocean avenue was made 200 feet in width, the other streets and avenues 80 and 100 feet in width. A water system had already been planned and work begun on a large reservoir to be filled from the San Vicente springs. The slope of the land gave ample water pressure and provided excellent natural drainage. Much of the present desirability of Santa Monica as a residence town is due to the liberal allotment and unequaled natural advantages of this original townsite. The establishment of this new "commercial center of the southwest" and the ambitious plans of its projectors, together with much wild conjecturing by the Los Angeles papers, had attracted wide attention. On the day announced for the first sale of lots, July 15th, 1875, several hundred people gathered about the stand on the bluff. Many of these were from Los Angeles and Southern California points, although the only way to reach the spot was by a long and dusty drive. The steamer, Senator, which is remembered by all old settlers, came in from San Francisco that day with a number of parties who had come down especially to attend this sale. This was the first landing of the Senator at Santa Monica. It was also the last boat to land at the "old wharf." A dry and barren plain rolled away from the bluff and there was no shade from the blazing July sun. One board shack—the beginning of the Hotel Santa Monica, and a few tents were the only "improvements" aside from the partially-built wharf, visible. The Honorable Tom Fitch, the "silver-tongued" orator, made the great speech of the day—a speech in. which he let his rich imagination run riot, as may be gathered from the following extract: "On Wednesday afternoon at one o'clock we will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder, the Pacific ocean, draped with a western sky of scarlet and gold; we will sell a bay filled with white-winged ships; we will sell a southern horizon, rimmed with a choice collection of purple mountains, carved in castles and turrets and domes; we will sell a frostless, bracing, warm, yet unlanguid air, braided in and in with sunshine and odored with the breath of flowers. The purchaser of this job lot of climate and scenery will be presented with a deed to a piece of land 50 by 100 feet, known as 'lot A, in block 251.' The title to the land will be guaranteed by the present owner. The title to the ocean and the sunset, the hills and the clouds, the breath of the life-giving ozone and the song of the birds, is guaranteed by the beneficent God who bestowed them in all their beauty and affluence upon block 251, and attached them thereto by almighty warrant as an incorruptible hereditament to run with the land forever." Of this same effort, L. T. Fisher said in the Outlook, of July 13th, 1887: "Under his eloquence many were led to believe that Santa Monica would at once leap to the front as a full-fledged seaport and commercial center. In fact, so strong was this impression that not a few prominent men of Los Angeles, who held large possessions there, were actually afraid that the precedence of the 'city of the Angels' would slip away from her and be transferred to the seacoast. And, if we may be allowed the suggestion, it would have been a good thing for the country if it had. Here would have sprung up the great commercial city of Southern California. It had all the advantages of climate, drainage and all of the best elements that should exist where a large population is concentrated." Hon. Joseph Lynch, Major Ben Truman and Col. J. J. Ayers, the historic trio of Los Angeles editors, were present and also made glowing speeches as to the future of Santa Monica and Southern California. The first lot sold, lot M in block 173, the northeast corner of Utah and Ocean avenue, went to E. R. Zamoyski for $500. Other lots on Ocean avenue brought from $400 to $500, and the prices ran down to $75.00 for lots back from the shore. Among the first purchasers were Major Hancock, Judge O'Melveny, W. J. Broderick, I. W. Hellman, George Boehme, W. D. Vawter and sons, H. T. Giroux and others. The sale continued on the ground for three days and on Saturday an auction was held in Los Angeles. Probably about $100,000 worth of lots were disposed of during the week. The first building in Santa Monica was a rough board shack put up in April by J. C. Morgan, next to the Santa Monica Hotel and used as a boarding place for workmen. The first business house completed was that of H. T. Giroux on Second street, still occupied by him. The first general store was opened by W. D. Vawter, who purchased three lots on the last day of the auction, on Fourth street between Utah and Oregon, paying $125.50 apiece for them. Two weeks from that day his store was ready for occupancy. Later this building was removed to Third street, where it is still used. The first brick building in the town was built by William Rapp, on. Second street, between Utah and Oregon. It is still in use. A postoffice was established at once and W. H. Williams served as the first postmaster, the office being located in a building on Second street where the Union livery stable now stands. The growth of the new town was most promising. A Los Angeles paper of September 14th thus summarizes the advance made: "Two months since the site of Santa Monica was a plain under the dominion of a sheepherder. Today nearly one hundred substantial houses line its broad streets. Two hotels are overflowing with guests. Its lumber yards are doing the business of a metropolis and dealers in coal, wood, drygoods and groceries are rushing about in energetic ardor to keep up their stock of goods which are bought out as rapidly as exposed for sale. The price of town lots continues. The fare from San Francisco is $12.00 by boat, while it is $20.00 by continuous. The fare from San Francisco is $12.00 by boat, while it is $20 by rail, including a stage ride of 110 miles (the S. P. was not yet completed)". Allowing for newspaper exaggeration, we may conclude that the first two months of the new town's existence were certainly lively ones. While buildings and business sprang up so magically, the new town also provided for the mental and moral needs of its citizens. On October 13th, 1875, appeared the first number of the Santa Monica Outlook, a neat and well-filled four-page weekly, with L. T. Fisher as editor. He began at once that consistent and persistent support of the interests of the town which can only be supplied by a first-class local newspaper. He records in his first number the business houses and advance already made and the prospects for the future. Some extracts from early numbers of the Outlook will give a clear idea of the new town. "On the 15th of July, 1875, the first lot was sold at Santa Monica. At the date of this writing, October 11th, 1875, six hundred and fifteen lots have been sold by the land company for $131,745; 119 houses and shops have been erected. The water of San Vicente springs has been collected in two large reservoirs, forming pretty lakes in the proposed park, and the flow of half a million gallons per day is in process of being distributed in iron mains all over the townsite."—Outlook, October 13th, 1875. "Santa Monica continues to advance. We now have a wharf where the largest Panama steamers have landed; a railroad completed to Los Angeles; a telegraph station, a newspaper, postoffice, two hotels, one handsome clubhouse, several lodging houses, eight restaurants, a number of saloons, four groceries, three drygoods stores, two hardware stores, three fruit stores, one wool commission house, one news depot and book store, one variety store, one bakery, one jeweler and watchmaker, one boot and shoe maker, one tin shop, two livery stables, one dressmaker, two tin shops, several contractors and builders, three real estate agencies, one insurance agency, one coal yard, one brick yard, two lumber yards, two private schools and in a short time we shall have two churches and a public school."—Outlook, November 24th, 1875. Among the merchants of the first year we find W. D. Vawter & Sons, Fourth street, dealer in drygoods, clothing, etc.; M. J. Bundy, dealer in paints, oils, glass; tin shop. Boehme & Kilgariff; M. Boufosky, groceries, liquors, etc.; H. Giroux & Bro., groceries, liquors, etc.; Wilson news depot, which handled everything from eastern periodicals to gents' furnishing goods, drugs and medicines; Tell's "Lookout", which combined "native wines and brandies, fresh fruit, vegetables and fish", with a "livery and feed stable." The hotels were the Santa Monica House, kept by J. C. Morgan and C. M. Monroe for a few months and then by J. W. Scott, and the Ocean View House, corner of Oregon and Second, kept by Malcom & Harper. The first child born in Santa Monica was Earnest Majors, who made his appearance on August 2nd and who grew to manhood in this city. The first marriage ceremony took place January 2Oth, 1876, when Alfred Hayes wedded Miss Mattie Mountain, Rev. J. D. Crum officiating. The first sermon was preached by the Rev. A. F. White in September. In October, the Rev. Mr. Crum began holding Methodist services in Brady's hall, over a store on the corner of Oregon and Fifth streets. The first church organized was the Methodist and they dedicated their first chapel on January 2nd, 1876. A private school, known as the Santa Monica Academy, was opened by D. G. C. Baker and wife, November 8th, 1875. and the first public school was opened in the Presbyterian chapel on the corner of Third and Arizona, March 6th, 1876, with Mr. H. P. McCusick as teacher. October 17th, 1875, the first railroad train left Santa Monica for Los Angeles, flat cars being used, as the passenger coaches had not arrived. Three trips were made that day and passengers from the steamer Senator were landed in Los Angeles twelve hours in advance of those who went on to San Pedro. On November 3rd the Outlook exults over—"A Busy Scene. We watched a lively scene on Santa Monica wharf last Thursday that is decidedly encouraging. On one side the schooner John Hancock was discharging a large cargo of lumber; on the opposite side the schooner Newton Booth had just arrived with railroad ties; further along the barkentine Ella was unloading coal. The Senator was discharging a large cargo of passengers and freight, including several race horses. A train of cars was waiting to transport the whole into the back country. And it must be remembered that only a few months ago the site of this growing town was a sheep pasture and the spot occupied by wharf and vessels a lonely waste of waters." The same month the coast steamers began to make regular stops at the new town, and the Outlook states that at one time 28 mule teams were loaded with freight for San Bernardino. On Sunday, December 5th, the new road was so far completed that an excursion of 400 people, the first one entering Santa Monica, was brought in. Two trains a day were put on and the fare was $1.00; freight, $1.00 per ton between Los Angeles and Santa Monica. The Southern Pacific, when the Jones road and wharf were assured had dropped the freight rate between Los Angeles and San Pedro from $5.00 per ton to $2.50 and on the completion of the line it dropped to $1.00 for freight and 50 cents for passengers, thus forcing the new road to begin operating at losing rates. The people of Los Angeles in their first gratitude for the loosening of the Southern Pacific monopoly, declared that they would stand by the Jones road and handle their trade over the Santa Monica wharf. The year 1876 opened with the brightest prospects for the new town Its beautiful situation, the ample space given to streets and alleys, the uniform method of tree planting which had been adopted, the park and school building which were already planned for, added to the favorable outlook for a steadily increasing volume of business, drew many people to adopt Santa Monica as a home. In February a meeting was called to consider the question of incorporating the new town; but after a very lively discussion the proposition received but one aye. In April the Outlook, which was an energetic agent and exponent of Santa Monica progress, published its first "special edition" reviewing the achievements of the first six months of existence. It states that 1000 lots in the town and thirty-five acre villa lots had already been sold; 2000 acres of the San Vicente ranch, lying along the L. A. & I. road in the vicinity of San Vicente springs had been divided into villa farms, to be sold at $100 per acre. The population of the town is given as between 800 and 900, with 116 school children, A school district had been organized with J. W. Scott, L. T. Fisher and John Freeman as trustees and March nth, 1876, a special election was held and $5000 tax voted for school purposes. The schoolhouse, located on Sixth street, was ready for use in September, 1876. In April Michael Duffy's bath house was completed, the first one in Santa Monica, and a pavilion was built on. the beach by Jones and Baker. The Santa Monica Hotel was enlarged and several business houses built. There were many visitors and campers both at North Beach and at the canon. One of the greatest attractions was a series of ring tournaments between mounted knights, one side, of Americans, led by B. F. Reid, the other composed of native Californians was under the command of J. J. Carrillo. In March J. W. Scott made the first "addition" to the town of Santa Monica, a tract of forty-three acres lying east of town between Fifth and Eighth streets, and known as "Prospect Hill." Mr. Scott laid this off into lots, planted a thousand "blue gum" trees, and put in a bridge across Sixth street to connect it with the town. An auction was held March 31st and fifty lots were sold at prices ranging from $77 to $200. This year a road was opened between Santa Monica and San Fernando valley, through the efforts of Isaac Lankershim, who wished to ship the grain from his 100,000-acre ranch by way of Santa Monica and thus save the cost of the road in a single year. But the Southern Pacific at once dropped its rate and thus the Santa Monica road was never used by Lankershim, although it was a paying investment for him to build it. The California Coast Steamship Co., whose object was to carry on a freight and passenger traffic between San Francisco and Santa Monica, was organized this year, with a capital stock of $400,000. "Lucky" Baldwin is credited with $75,000 stock and Col. Baker with $25,000, but the plans of the company never materialized. A great deal of anxiety was manifested as to the completion of the L. A. & I. road, which had come to a stop when it reached Los Angeles. It was still believed that it would be continued to Independence and possibly further. This belief was strengthened by the actual work of a grading force in the Cajon Pass. But no final decision as to a route between Los Angeles and the pass was made. San Bernardino talked of raising a subsidy to secure the line and Santa Ana and Riverside had hopes. Los Angeles citizens held meetings to discuss the desirability of aiding the Independence road. Already it was seen that the influence and competition of the Southern Pacific was bearing heavily on the new road; but the papers and the people held out strongly against any suggestion that their independent line might be absorbed by the monopoly. During 1877 Santa Monica continued to hold its own in growth. A new bath house was erected by the L. A. & I. road on the beach front and fully equipped with hot steam baths, plunge and facilities for salt-water bathing in all its forms. A billiard room, bowling alley, skating rink and refreshment rooms were added to the pavilion. Altogether the finest accommodations on the coast were offered here. The Ocean House under the management of C. A. Sumner was opened this season, and the number of visitors and campers increased over any previous season. In May, William Spencer burned 4000 feet of clay pipe which was purchased by B. D. Wilson for use in the extensive irrigation system which he and Shorb were then constructing near San Gabriel. The Santa Monica pipe proved so satisfactory that large orders were placed for it and in the fall work was begun on a clay pipe manufactory, a two-story building, 40 by 60, with a large furnace. This was the first utilization of the Santa Monica clay beds. The plaza between California and Nevada streets had been planted with Monterey cypress, blue gum, live oak, pepper, weeping willow and iron-bark trees. Jones and Baker had set out 4200 blue gum and pepper trees along the streets, and these had already begun to make a showing. The extraordinary fertility of the soil in Santa Monica and vicinity was a constant source of wonder. Blue gums planted in August, 1875, measured 12 to 15 feet high in November, 1877. The Outlook frequently referred to a tomato vine which became one of the sights of the town. It was trained by J. W. Scott against his house and reached a height of twenty-five feet, while it bore profusely. Corn 14 feet tall is reported and the beautiful flower gardens which were the result of a little care and attention were the admiration of all visitors. The question of the ownership of the beach front had already come up. Some parties claimed that the beach was government property and the question led to more or less friction. A very sad outcome of this dispute occurred in October, 1877. A carpenter, John V. Fonck, was working on a small bath house which was being put up on land in dispute. C. M. Waller, who was in charge of the bath house and beach property of the land company, ordered him to quit work. Upon his refusal to do so, Waller fired and wounded him fatally. He claimed that he thought the gun was loaded with bird shot and that he was acting under the orders of E. S. Parker, the representative of Jones and Baker. On trial, he was sentenced for one year. Parker was also tried, and although it did not appear that he had given direct orders, he was sentenced to ten years in the penitentiary. He was released to await a new trial; but as a result of the affair his young wife died and a week later Parker also died—of a broken heart, so his friends believed. This unfortunate affair gave rise to much feeling, as it had been believed by many that purchasers of lots were entitled to put up a bath house for private use on the beach. The question of beach ownership continued troublesome and there were constant difficulties over it until the courts decided, in 1888, that the boundary of the San Vicente ranch extended to tide water and therefore Jones and Baker had the ownership to that point. The railroad question continued to be the most vital one to Santa Monica and, indeed, to Southern California. The influence and competition of the Southern Pacific was proving too strong to be overcome by the Los Angeles and Independence road, single-handed. Under the conditions, it could not be made a paying proposition. The Panamint mines had not panned out as was expected, and the idea of continuing the road to Independence had been abandoned. Senator Jones had already sunk a million dollars in the enterprise; but he could not be expected to go on indefinitely losing money. He offered to sell the road at cost to the people of Los Angeles county. Many were strongly favorable to this idea. The Outlook and its editor, L. T. Fisher, made a strong fight against the "monopoly." In one of his editorials, he sets forth the following reasons why the L. A. & I. road is a "good thing", and should be owned by the county: "1. The railway from Los Angeles to Santa Monica has given the people another outlet to the ocean. "2. It has brought the cars and the largest deep-sea vessels together. "3. It has shortened the ocean passage from San Francisco to 34 miles and the time to Los Angeles from six to ten hours. "4. It enables parties who wish to make the most of their time to remain several hours longer in Los Angeles and then catch the same steamer as passengers by way of the Southern Pacific and San Pedro. "5. It has reduced freight from $5.00 per ton to $1.00 and passenger rate from $2.50 to 50 cents. "6. It has reduced the price of lumber in Los Angeles and along the line of the S. P. not less than $5.00 per thousand. "7. It has raised the price of land along its route not less than 100 per cent. "8. It has greatly increased the inducements for settlement in a portion of Los Angeles county which has hitherto been neglected. "9. It has established a cheap means by which the people of the interior and of Los Angeles can enjoy the benefits of the sea shore. "10. It constitutes in itself property that adds greatly to the aggregate wealth of the county. "11. It can he held as a check, not only upon existing roads in this locality, but upon all roads that may be built, because it furnishes a connection with ocean vessels that can reach all quarters of the world." Meetings were held to discuss plans for saving the road from the S. P. and other meetings were held which suggested all sorts of possible and impossible projects for saving the country from the complete domination of the Central Pacific. But all the talk and the many schemes proposed came to nothing. In March, 1877, Leland Stanford, president of the C. P., and General Colton, president of the S. P., with a corps of their assistants, visited Santa Monica, to "look around—nothing doing," they assured the reporters. In May, another party of Central Pacific magnates came down and looked over Santa Monica and brought speculation to fever heat. On June 4th, 1877, it was definitely announced that the Los Angeles and Independence road had been sold to the Central Pacific. Santa Monica people could only accept the change and make the best of it. At first the Outlook hopefully announced that it wasn't so bad—the great company would undoubtedly improve the service and build up the trade. Its hopes were shortlived. In July the fare on the Pacific Coast steamers was increased from $12 to $15, and freight rates on steamers and by rail were soon increased. Then it was announced that hereafter only two small steamers, the Senator and Ancon, would ply along the coast, owing to the falling off in traffic. In this connection, some extracts from letters written by Crocker and Huntington will show the odds against which the promoters of the L. A. & I. railway struggled. On May 18th, 1875, Charles Crocker wrote: "I notice what you say of Jones, Park, etc. I do not think they will hurt us much, at least, I should rather be in our places than theirs. I will ventilate their 'safe harbor.'" And on May 25th, Huntington responded: "I shall do my best to cave him (Jones) down the bank." During 1878 Santa Monica struggled against the hard fate that had befallen her. The Southern Pacific removed the depot from the wharf to its present location and gave, as a concession, a round-trip fare of $1.00 good for three days. Many excursions from interior towns were brought to the coast during the summer and Santa Monica remained the most popular resort, although it could no longer hope for a great commercial importance. But worse was to come. The S. P. sent one of its engineering force to examine the wharf. After a careful inspection, he reported that the condition of the piles was most alarming, owing to the ravages of the toredo, and that it was unsafe for trains unless at least three-fourths of the piles were replaced. As this would entail a large expense, he advised that the use of the wharf be abandoned. On September 9th, the Senator made its last landing and the name of Santa Monica was taken off the steamer lists. It was a crushing blow that had been dealt the town which had started out so propitiously. Naturally, business dropped off and many people moved away. Partnerships were dissolved, mortgages foreclosed, a number of business houses sold out to satisfy their creditors. The population of the town melted away and the editor of the. Outlook, who had made a brave fight for the town of his adoption, announced on December 19th, 1878, that, the next week being Christmas, the paper would be omitted for a week. It was "omitted" for eight years. Early in 1879 the S. P. ordered the removal of the wharf. The citizens of Santa Monica protested and offered to purchase the structure as it stood, but the offer was declined and the work proceeded. In 1888, the editor of the Outlook had sufficiently recovered to be able to describe the sad scene: "A big bumper was planted upon the shore end to keep trains from running upon it, even by accident. Next came the order to tear down the structure. The work of destruction began one fine morning and the sea was as calm as if it had been a human being holding its breath in very wonder at such an exhibition of unjustifiable vandalism. It was a bright morning, but it was a blue day for the people who lived here. We heard the first blow of the destructive implement and remarked that it was the death knell of Santa Monica. And yet, in the midst of this industrial tragedy, there was an element of comedy. The workmen had had their minds so thoroughly impressed with the dangerous condition of the wharf that they tiptoed over the structure as if they expected every minute that it would crumble beneath them. They finally reached the outer end, tore up the flooring, stripped off the stringers, removed the braces and then attempted to topple over the piles with long poles. These stumps of redwood wielded no more than if they had been growing trees. Next the stringers were replaced and a temporary flooring laid upon which a donkey engine was placed. A noose was made of a huge chain and dropped over the piles at the bottom. Even this power failed. As a finality, men were sent in boats at low tide with axes and the piles were chopped off at low water mark. The beach was strewn for a considerable distance with the timber that washed ashore. Upon examination many of these piles were found to be only a little worm eaten, which shows that the wharf at a comparatively little cost, could have been kept intact."—Outlook, February 20th, 1888. As soon as it was definitely known that the S. P. would abandon the shipping business in Santa Monica Bay, new projects were talked of. It had already been proposed that the people of Los Angeles build a wharf and a narrow guage road and thus obtain a competing line. In October, 1878, a company of San Francisco capitalists proposed to construct a harbor at Santa Monica, build a narrow guage road and put on a line of steamers which should carry freight at $3.50 per ton and passengers at $8.00 between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The right of way was already secured and work was to be begun at once. In November agreements between John Hayes, of San Francisco, and citizens of Los Angeles and San Bernardino, were published. These set forth that Hayes was to build a narrow guage road from Santa Monica to Los Angeles and ultimately to San Bernardino, and to carry passengers between Los Angeles and Santa Monica for 25 cents and freight for $1.00. Another agreement made by John Wright of San Francisco was to the effect that he would put on a line of substantial steamships, provided the citizens of Los Angeles would do all their shipping on them. Many other projects were discussed. The first one to show any signs of materializing was the building of a wharf by Juan Bernard, an old resident of Los Angeles, who had become one of the most prominent citizens. He had married a daughter of Augustin Machado and was thus interested in South Santa Monica property. This wharf which was built from the foot of Strand street was intended to be fifteen hundred feet, but was not completed. A large warehouse was built, which was planned to be complete for commercial purposes, but the S. P. forbade the steamers to land here, and the fiat was obeyed. No boat ever unloaded there, and the wharf was finally carried out by a severe storm about 1883 and the timber used for other purposes. Only a few very stout hearted citizens still had faith that Santa Monica would ever again reach its former prosperity. But there were those who had become attached to the place and who felt confident that the great natural advantages afforded by the climate, the situation and the fertility of the soil, would eventually make up for the loss of shipping facilities. And so long as the people of Los Angeles and the interior could escape to Santa Monica during torrid days of summer and tourists and healthseekers could find here their ideal resting spot and homes, the place would still prosper. These few remained through the darkest days and gradually newcomers discovered the advantages here which could not be obtained elsewhere, and began to fill up the vacant houses and to purchase and improve other property. HON. JOHN PERCIVAL JONES was born in a small village, in Herefordshire, England, January 27th, 1829. While he was still an infant, his family removed to the United States and settled near Cleveland, Ohio, Here the child grew to youth and acquired a public school education, after which he entered the service of a bank in Cleveland. But when the news of the gold discoveries of California penetrated the country and called to every youth with a bold heart and adventurous blood, young Jones joined forces with several other young men who were as eager for the change as himself. They secured a small vessel, sailed through the lakes and the St. Lawrence river and started on the long and perilous voyage around "the Horn." They were months on the ocean and experienced many hardships and dangerss before they finally reached San Francisco Bay, in the spring of 1850. The young adventurer at once hastened away to the mines to seek his fortune. For many years he was a typical California miner, sometimes finding his hopes fulfilled, often finding them dashed. In those days when thousands of men sought gold with fierce energy, living without homes, without comforts, without the restraints of civilization, it was only strong character and true manhood that withstood the temptations of the environment. Young Jones came of sturdy stock and proved himself a man and a leader, even in these early days. He served as sheriff in the county of Trinity at a time when the office required a stout heart and level head for—to a large extent—the sheriff was the law. From 1863 to 1868 he was a member of the state legislature of California. In the meantime, he had gained much experience in mines and mining propositions. When the great developments of the Comstock lode began to attract attention, he was one of the first on the ground. Later he was made the superintendent of the Crown Point mine. Thus he became a resident of Nevada and when in 1872, a critical period in the history of the young state approached, he was mentioned as a candidate for the United States senate. The contest was a hot one, he being at first opposed by William Sharon; but the "Nevada Commoner," as Jones had come to be known, was regarded as a friend to the miners and in the end, he was elected and took his seat March, 1873. In 1876, the Monetary Commission of the senate was appointed to inquire into the relative value of gold and silver, the causes thereof and kindred questions, which vitally affected the mining interests and particularly the interests of the state of Nevada—a silver-producing state. Senator Jones was chosen as chairman of this committee and entered upon the study of the questions arising, with keen interest. It is said of the report rendered by the Monetary Commission that, "Nothing so thoroughly exhaustive had ever been presented to Congress, and the view taken was favorable to the interests of Nevada and of the Comstock miners." Naturally, at the expiration of his term, Senator Jones who had acquitted himself upon so important and vital an occasion with credit and made a strong argument for the silver of his state, was re-elected. For thirty years he continuously served in the United States senate, a record seldom equalled. He became, in his long career, a noted figure and was counted as one of the strongest men on the floor. A writer in Munsey's, some years ago, pays him this tribute: "Senator John P. Jones, who has just been re-elected to the United States senate for another period of six years, is one of the interesting figures of the upper house of congress. He was a warm personal friend of Senator Conklin and formerly belonged to the stalwart wing of the Republican party. Of recent years, he has been one of the strongest men of the 'silver party' in the country, and last year he withdrew from the old party and supported Mr. Bryan for the presidency. "Mr. Jones is a very able man and has probably made more speeches on the financial question than all of the other members of the senate put together. He is a profound scholar and has the ability to marshal an imposing array of facts to support his arguments. "He was a delegate to the Brussels Monetary Conference which met during the administration of President Harrison. Before that body, he spoke for three days, the printed report of his speech containing over two hundred thousand words. A representative of the Rothschilds made the remark that if there were many men in America with Senator Jones' capacity for speaking, the advocates of the gold standard would do well to surrender at once. "Senator Jones is exceedingly popular in Washington. When he first entered the senate, he was many times a millionaire. Subsequently he lost most of his wealth, but it is said that in later years he has been fortunate in his investments and is again a very rich man." As will be seen, Senator Jones was a man of the people, a practical mining man as well as an expert in handling mines and mining stocks. He has made fortunes—and lost them—with the calm indifference of the true miner. But beside this, he is a man of great native ability, who, without the training of schools, has made himself an authority on financial questions and created the utmost confidence in his sound judgment and clear perception. Senator Jones has been intimately associated with the history of Santa Monica since its inception. In 1874, he purchased an interest in the San Vicente rancho and, with Col. R. S. Baker, laid out the townsite of Santa Monica. During the next two or three years, he spent a million dollars in Southern California, in building up Santa Monica and in building and carrying on the Los Angeles and Independence railway, which was intended to reach his Panamint mines and possibly be the terminus of another great transcontinental line. In 1888, he built his beautiful home, Miramar, here and since that time this has been the residence of his family. Here the senator has himself come for rest and pleasure, when he could escape from his many public duties. Senator Jones has been twice married, his first wife being the daughter of Judge Conger, the second a daughter of Eugene A. Sullivan and a most accomplished and benevolent woman. The family consists of one son, Roy, and three daughters. THE VAWTER FAMILY. WILLIAMSON DUNN VAWTER, late merchant and banker of Santa Monica, was a pioneer settler of Southern California and a leading spirit in the material development and business life of his adopted city. He was a descendant of an old and distinguished family, his parents, William and Frances Vawter, both being natives of Virginia. He was born at Mount Glad, near Madison, Indiana, August 28th, 1815. About 1827 the family removed to Jennings county and located on a farm near the town of Vernon. The father proposed to make a farmer of his son; but the lad had no liking for that vocation and soon after the age of twelve went to live with his uncle, Colonel John Vawter, for whom he had a great affection. His first work was driving an ox team between the towns of Madison and Vernon, freighted with merchandise for his uncle's store. This work, by reason of the difficult roads and occasional danger from savages, suited the daring spirit of the boy. Later he became a clerk in the store of his uncle and then partner in the same store, in company with his cousin, Smith Vawter. Together they carried on business in the old brick building at "Vawter's Corner" in Vernon, for a period of forty years. Mr. Vawter served as postmaster of the town for a number of years. He was a leader in early temperance work and was treasurer and custodian of the Bible depository of Jennings county, a branch of the American Bible Society, from its organization. He always took a lively interest in municipal politics and in national affairs. He was a Whig during the life of that political party and a member of the Republican party from its birth. He voted for General William Henry Harrison and in 1888 cast his vote for General Benjamin Harrison. In 1875 he came to California and was one of the original members of the Indiana colony which was the forerunner of the city of Pasadena. Mr. Vawter purchased a sixty-acre ranch in that colony, which is now occupied by the business portion of the city. Drawn by report of the great advantages offered by the new settlement of Santa Monica which was to become the commercial metropolis of Southern California, he with his sons located here and opened the first general store in the town, in a building on the lots on Fourth street still occupied by the Vawter residence. As the town commenced to grow he established lumber yards and soon built a planing mill, which proved a boon to home builders. He secured a franchise in 1886 and with his sons built the first street railway, which was for some time operated at a loss. They demonstrated their faith in the future, however, by extending the line to the Soldiers' Home, a distance of about five miles, and he lived to see it a paying enterprise. With his sons he organized the First National Bank of Santa Monica and opened the same in the brick building on the southeast corner of Third and Oregon, which they built in 1888. Mr. Vawter was married, July 15th, 1834, to Mary Charlotte Tilghman Crowder of Baltimore, Maryland. She died September 22nd, 1851. Her children were Mary Ellen, May, Jane Cravens, William Smith and Edwin James. Mr. Vawter married Charlotte Augusta Knowlton in November, 1852. She was a native of Shrewsbury, Mass. She died in Santa Monica, December 27th, 1893, leaving one daughter, Emma. A son, Charles Knowlton, had died previously. Mr. Vawter was one of the founders of the Presbyterian church in Santa Monica and was always one of its staunch supporters. He was a man of pure life—both in thought and action. He was pre-eminently just and never intentionally did any man a wrong. At the same time, he was not a man of loud or bold pretense and moved along life's journey doing the right thing at the right time: "because it was the natural outlet for energies which were attuned to those harmonies which could only accord with what was best." The memory of his noble life will linger like a restraining benediction to call us up toward a better standard of thought and action. Mr. Vawter passed away at his home in Santa Monica, July 10th, 1894. MARY ELLEN VAWTER, the first child of W. D. and Mary C. Vawter, was born at Vernon, Ind., October 28th, 1836. At the age of eighteen she began teaching school. At twenty-three she married Ward Leavitt of Chatauqua, N. Y. In the spring of 1875, Mr. and Mrs. Leavitt with their daughter, Florence, removed to California. They were stockholders in the Indiana colony, but after a short residence there located in Santa Monica. In 1880 they returned to Pasadena and lived for some years upon their orange ranch. In 1887 they again located in Santa Monica, where Mr. Leavitt died, October 23th, 1896. Mrs. Leavitt and daughter still reside in Santa Monica. MAY VAWTER was born at Vernon, Ind., March 4th, 1838. She was educated in the schools of her native town and received a special musical training. After teaching school and traveling through the southern and eastern states and Canada, she accompanied her family to California in 1875. In the spring of 1876 she married Switzer S. Harwood, M.D. Dr. and Mrs. Harwood lived at San Pablo and in San Francisco and Yreka. They finally removed to Sydney, Australia, where they made their home. Mrs. Harwood was a self-reliant woman, adventurous from childhood, and she several times made the voyage between Sydney and California. She early united with the Vernon Presbyterian church and was a charter member of the First Presbyterian church of Santa Monica. She died in Sydney, Australia, March 1st, 1884. JANE CRAVENS VAWTER is a native of Vernon, Ind. She received her education in private and public schools of her native town and later studied under Dr. J. C. Burt, following a college course. She also took a special course of reading extending over several years. When very young she was interested in political and national questions and became a staunch abolitionist. She was for several years a teacher in the-public schools of Indianapolis. She united with the Presbyterian church at Vernon, and was the projector and one of the founders of the first Sunday-school in Santa Monica. This was organized and carried on for some weeks in the home of W. D. Vawter. Miss Vawter was a charter member of the First Presbyterian church and served for some time as its Sunday-school superintendent. She was long a teacher in this school, taking children from their tenth year and holding them until they reached majority. She was one of the two solicitors who collected funds for the present beautiful Presbyterian building. She and her sister. Miss Emma, now live together in the fine old homestead on Fourth street, Santa Monica. ARAMATHA CHARLOTTE VAWTER was born in Vernon, Ind., September 25th, 1841. She was educated at Jennings Academy, Vernon, and at Oxford, Ohio. After teaching for a time, she -was married, October 16th, 1866, to Septimus Vater. now a prominent banker of Lafayette, Ind. Mrs. Vater, who has always been an active worker in the Presbyterian church and its auxiliaries, has been ordained a deaconess in her home church and is widely known for her good works in her home city. WILLIAM S. VAWTER, the eldest son of W. D. and Mary C. Vawter, was born near Vernon, Ind., April 1st, 1845. He passed through the graded schools of the town and graduated from a commercial college in Cincinnati, Ohio. Returning to his native place, he was appointed deputy county clerk of Jennings county. Later he became editor and proprietor of the Vernon Banner, a weekly paper, which he conducted with success for a couple of years. He then entered the manufacturing business, which he continued until he came to California in 1875. After making investments in the Indiana colony, now Pasadena, the Vawters, father and two sons, opened the first general store in Santa Monica and conducted an extensive mercantile business for ten years. They remained here during the long period of depression succeeding the abandonment of the wharf by the Southern Pacific Company and, in spite of the most discouraging conditions, retained their faith in the future of this region. In 1884 the Vawters purchased 100 acres of the Lucas ranch, adjoining the then south boundary of the town. This land was later subdivided and sold in tracts and in lots and forms a large part of the present south end of the city of Santa Monica. During 1887-88 they sold half of this property for more than the whole tract had cost them and W. S. Vawter built a handsome home in South Santa Monica, one of the first residences in that district. Mr. Vawter has served the city of Santa Monica in many capacities. He was one of the first board of trustees when the town was incorporated and served from 1886 to 1892; in 1903 he was again elected city trustee and served until 1906. He was interested in the establishment of the Santa Monica street railway system and the Soldiers' Home line, all of which were sold to the Los Angeles Pacific. With his brother, E. J. Vawter, Mr. Vawter organized the Santa Monica Mill and Lumber Company, in 1886; the Santa Monica Commercial Company in 1894; was interested in the First National Bank formed in 1888, and is now vice-president of the Merchants' National Bank of Santa Monica. He was one of the members of the City Water Company incorporated in 1896 to supply Ocean Park with water and has been connected with many other local business ventures. He is still largely interested in real estate and takes an active part in every movement for the advance of the town which he has aided in building up. Mr. Vawter has always been a loyal Republican in politics and has taken an active part in public affairs. During the administration of President Harrison, he served as postmaster of Santa Monica, resigning on the election of President Cleveland. In the spring of 1908 he was appointed a member of the State Board of Bank Commissioners, and accepted the position, resigning from the presidency of the Santa Monica Savings Bank and from the board of education to do so. Mr. Vawter was married in 1868 to Miss Sarah M. McClaskey, a native of Jackson county, Indiana. They have one daughter, Mary C., now the wife of John S. Moore of Los Angeles. Mr. and Mrs. Vawter have a beautiful home on the corner of Second street and Arizona avenue, which is surrounded by stately trees, the growth of years. EDWIN JAMES VAWTER was born in Vernon, Ind., November 26th, 1848. After being educated in the public schools, he showed a decided tendency for business and made his first venture as a newspaper man, on the Vernon Banner. He was soon taken into partnership with his father, W. D. Vawter, in his general merchandise business, at the old "Vawter Corner", in Vernon. On the removal to California in 1875, the partnership between father and son was continued, and he was also one of the stockholders in the Indiana colony. He located in Santa Monica when the family decided upon this as a residence. He has taken a large part in the financial and business affairs of this vicinity and has always been known as an enterprising investor in every effort which promised success. Many of the improvements which Santa Monica has enjoyed and is enjoying today have been inaugurated by the Vawter family and carried forward to completion with perseverance in the face of difficulties. Mr. E. J. Vawter has had a large share in the enterprises which were organized by his father and brother, as well as having originated many other successful ventures himself. He was president of the City Water Company organized in 1896 to supply the district known as Ocean Park with water; he was cashier of the First National Bank of Santa Monica until it was sold to Senator Jones in 1893. In 1899 he began the development of what has proved to be .one of the most important of Santa Monica industries—that is the growing of carnations and other flowers for the market. A large tract of land is now under cultivation and the business is steadily increasing in value. He was the founder of the Santa Monica Commercial Company, organized to carry on real estate, banking, railroading and other transactions. He remains the president and manager of this company, which represents the properties left himself and four sisters by the will of their father. He organized the First National Bank of Ocean Park, in 1905, of which he was president until 1907. Mr. Vawter has always been closely identified with the public interests; he has served the city as a member of the board of city trustees, and as member of the library board and of the school board. He has also taken part in many of the political conventions of the Republican party and is identified with the Masonic order (being a 32nd degree Mason), Knights of Pythias, and Pioneers of Los Angeles county. He was married to Miss Laura E. Dixon in Indiana, in 1869. She died in 1886. They were the parents of one son, E. J. Vawter, Jr., who inherits the business ability of the family. In 1888 Mr. Vawter married Mrs. Isabella L. Nelson. She is gifted with a fine voice, which is often used in the aid of charitable causes. They have a pleasant home, in the midst of flowers, in South Santa Monica. EMMA KNOWLTON VAWTER was born in Vernon, Ind., August 21st, 1853. She received her education in the public schools of Vernon, Ind., and in the Western Seminary and Oxford College, where she graduated in 1873. She came to California with her father's family and has since that time been a resident of Santa Monica. Having received a good musical education, she acted as organist for the First Presbyterian church from its organization until 1903. She resides with her sister, Jane Cravens, in the old home at Santa Monica. CHARLES KNOWLTON VAWTER, son of Williamson D. and Charlotte Knowlton Vawter, was born in Vernon, September 7th, 1855. He was delicate from birth, having a spinal difficulty which resulted in the complete loss of sight. He died September 29th, 1879. EDWIN JAMES VAWTER, JR., son of Edwin James and Laura Dixon Vawter, was born in Vernon, Ind., June 10th, 1871. He came to California with his parents and after his mother's death in 1886, lived for a time with his grandfather, W. D. Vawter. At sixteen he entered Purdue University, Indiana. In 1888 he entered the State University at Berkeley, but owing to an attack of typhoid fever did not complete the course. In 1889 he took a position with the First National Bank of Santa Monica. On the organization of the Commercial Bank of Santa Monica, in 1894, he became cashier of the institution. He was cashier of the Main-street Savings Bank of Los Angeles for five years and was connected with the Security Savings Bank. He then became cashier of the United States National Bank of the same city. He is now president of the First National Bank of Ocean Park. Politically he is a Republican. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and organized a company of the "Uniform Rank" at Santa Monica, which he served for two years as captain. He is also a member of the Masonic order, and has taken the 32nd degree. He united with the Presbyterian church during boyhood and has served several years as trustee of that church. Mr. Vawter was married March 8th, 1899, to Miss Bessie M. Channell of Arkansas City, Kansas. They have two children, Marjorie Dixon and Helen Edwina. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Ingersoll's century history, Santa Monica Bay cities: prefaced with a brief history of the state of California, a condensed history of Los Angeles County, 1542 to 1908: supplemented with an encyclopedia of local biography and embellished with views of historic landmarks and portraits of representative people. Los Angeles: Luther A. Ingersoll (1908) File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ca/losangeles/history/1908/ingersol/layingfo89gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/ File size: 63.0 Kb