Los Angeles County CA Archives History - Books .....Miscellaneous 1908
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Book Title: Ingersoll's Century History, Santa Monica Bay Cities

CHAPTER IX.

MISCELLANEOUS.

OUTDOOR PASTIMES.

FOR many years Santa Monica was the center of out-door sports in Southern
California. The tennis tournaments held on the Casino courts and the polo races
of the Santa Monica Polo club were events which annually drew the "swell" crowd
of Los Angeles and Southern California and sometimes attracted visitors from San
Francisco and the north. While the surf bathing, salt water fishing, swimming
and bicycle races, baseball and Spanish sports drew everybody who cared for any
kind of sport to this city.

    One of the first organizations completed in the village of Santa Monica was
that of a baseball club known as "The Bonitas," formed in October, 1875, with T.
Cronan, as president; J. J. Mason, vice-president; S. B. Adams, secretary, and
T. H. DuPuy, treasurer. There is no record of the games they played, but no
doubt they won victories, over somebody and were duly beaten in turn. One of the
earliest and most popular of the long list of amusements which have proved
"attractions" were the "Ring Tournaments" ridden by gallant knights, which were
an exciting display of horsemanship. On June 13th, 1876, one of these occurred
in which B. F. Reid was costumed as the "Knight of Fairfax;" L. L. Hope appeared
as "Fleur de Lis;" H. M. Mitchell was "Old Dominion," and Miss Carrie Heath was
"Queen of Beauty and Love." Other contests were between teams made up of Native
Californians, led by J. J. Carrillo, and Americans led by B. F. Reid. These
"ring tournaments" drew such Sunday crowds that the facilities of the L. A. & I.
were taxed to haul them all. Prize pigeon shooting contests were another
favorite pastime of early days and some very skillful marksmen are recorded as
taking part in them.

    In July, 1887, a lawn tennis club was formed in Santa Monica and soon
afterward a lawn tennis association was incorporated under the name of the Santa
Monica Improvement Club with Abbot Kinney, Col. Baker, Senator Jones. Hon. James
Bettner, W. J. Broderick, I. W. Hellman, Judge W. P. Gardiner, J. Downey Harvey,
J. E. Plater, H. G. Wilshire, A Campbell Johnston, H. B. Lockwood, Patrick
Robertson, Judge W. S. Van Dyke and Hugh Vail as, directors. They at once
secured the grounds on North Third street and soon had a fund of $10,000 in hand
for the erection of a club house. The Casino courts were at once gotten into
shape, and August 31st a tournament of the Southern California Association
"beginners" was held, at which representatives from Pasadena, San Gabriel,
Pomona, Los Angeles, Riverside and Santa Monica took part. The play lasted four
days and ended with a grand ball in Steere's opera house, then just completed.
The first annual tournament of the Southern California Association was held this
year at Riverside, and the Santa Monica club took part. In 1888 the Casino had
been completed and the courts put in fine shape and from that time on the annual
tournaments of the Southern California Association were held here. On these
courts many close games and fine plays have been made and Santa Monica is justly
proud of the fact that two ladies who have won worldwide distinction as players,
won their first laurels on the Casino courts—Miss Marion Jones, who in 1897 won
the championship of the Pacific coast and in 1900 the national championship at
Philadelphia; and Miss May Sutton who has now won the international championship.

     For years the annual tennis tournament and the polo races at Santa Monica
were the great events of the year. Here gathered the prettiest girls, the
dressiest dames and the handsomest and most athletic of the college men. The
tennis teas, the parties and the balls that accompanied them were the gayest of
social affairs and during the tennis week, Mirimar was alive with guests and the
Hotel Arcadia was as gay as a Saratoga Springs hostelry "in the season." In
those days the Hugh Tevises of San Francisco and the Bradburys of Los Angeles
appeared in their drags and added color to the gatherings. In 1891, the tennis
season was especially gay. Among the players who won honors in these earlier
years were the Chase brothers of Riverside, Theodore Coulter, Art Bumiller, the
Carters, Miss Tufts and Miss Shoemaker.

    In 1900 a new Casino was built to take the place of the old club house which
had been burned down the year before. The presence of the Sutton sisters at the
tournament this year made the occasion memorable, especially as this season
marked the first victories of May Sutton, she winning the Southern California
championship at this time. In 1904 the same brilliant player won the American
championship and in 1905 she secured the title of "Champion of All England,"
repeating English triumph again in 1907. An English paper thus describes Miss
Sutton:

     "Magnificently muscular, she appears to care nothing for the minor graces,
nor even the little tricks and dodges in which her male compatriots indulge. She
is all for the rigor of the game. There is no tripping after the ball with her,
no showing off of her figure at the net. She just stands near the base line for
the most part and sends the ball over the net in terrific drives. Yet, with it
all, there is nothing offensively masculine about her. She gives one the
impression of being just a fine, healthy, athletic, American girl. She is, at
any rate, a kind of tennis player that will take a deal of beating."—Leicester
Chronicle (English).

    Of late years the School Tennis meets have been a feature of the tennis
courts and here Santa Monica has developed a new set of champions. In 1903 Miss
Elizabeth Ryan, step-daughter of Mayor Dudley, won the championship in ladies'
singles in the Interscholastic League play and since then Miss Ryan and her
sister have won many honors both at home and on other courts. Miss Elizabeth has
this year won a championship in British Columbia.

    A polo club was organized in Santa Monica in 1877, but it did not find
either members or ponies enough to make up a satisfactory game. In 1878, the
club played a game with Manuel Marquez and four other Mexicans from the
canyon—and was beaten. Apparently it did not survive the shock. In 1889 the
Southern California Polo Club was formed at Santa Monica, grounds were donated
to them by Messrs. Jones and Baker, and they began to play in earnest. This club
was largely made up of Englishmen, of whom there were a number then resident in
the vicinity. Mr. R. P. Carter, who later was known on the stage, playing for a
time with Modjeska's company, was one of the enthusiasts. Dr. J. A. Edmonds, G.
L. Waring, W. H. Young, J. B. Proctor, J. Machell and a number of other
gentlemen were members of this organization. Many sportsmen in Southern
California will remember some of the fast and knowing ponies who were trained in
these games. One of the first essays of the Polo Club was a public exhibition of
polo in Los Angeles. This resulted in a disastrous financial failure and the
club would have " gone broke " had it not been for a benefit performance gotten
up by Mr. R. P. Carter and given in Santa Monica, which saved them. For fifteen
years the polo club held race meetings every year at Santa Monica. In 1897 a
match game was played here with the Burlingham team, from the north. In 1902,
the annual races were held at Ocean Park. The chief supporter of this club has
been Mr. G. L. Waring, who has labored with never-dying enthusiasm to keep the
sport alive—amid many discouragements.

    In 1892 a Cricket club was organized and for several years cricket was
played by its votaries and cricket tournaments were added to the attractions of
Santa Monica. Among the best-known players were A. Balch, J. A. Lester, C. L.
Waring, who is a typical English sportsman, Edward Cawston, R. H. H. Chapman,
and others.

    Of course with the coming of golf into favor, golf links were laid out in
Santa Monica and became a favorite game. In 1898 links were laid outpour the—
North Side and also at Ocean Park, and since then the Country Club Golf Links of
Ocean Park have seen some notable games, and have been the center of much social
gayety. Tennis courts were also laid out here and the club house has been a
gathering place for those who enjoy outdoor life.

    During the rage of the cycling fever the annual road race on July Fourth was
the leading event of the year to bicycle racers. On those days Santa Monica was
crowded with dusty, sweating, red-faced youths, in the most abbreviated of
clothes and with the most enthusiastic of yells, greeting each man as he pedaled
into view. A bicycle path to Los Angeles was constructed, bicycle clubs and a
club house flourished, and the Southern Pacific spent thousands of dollars on a
bicycle race track and grand stand which was probably the poorest investment
that the S. P. railway ever made, for almost before it was completed the bicycle
craze died out as suddenly and as completely as the various spells of roller
skating, which sweep over the country and vanish into space. The "Athletic
Park," as it was christened, was used for several years for ball games and
sports of various kinds, but it has now become a thing of the past.

    Swimming contests, water polo, bowling, ping-pong and various other
amusements have had their day and passed on. In 1905-06 roller skating was the
thing, and large rinks were put in service at all the beaches, but already they
are desolate, or turned into dancing floors.

    Perhaps the amusement which never loses interest is dancing. The various
pavilions at the beaches have always been popular and are so still, and yet the
crowds of today dance in a desultory, incidental sort of way that was unknown in
the old days when the weekly dance was looked forward to as an event from which
every possible drop of joy was to be drawn.

TRANSPORTATION.

    In January. 1875, the Los Angeles and Independence road was incorporated by
F. P. F. Temple, the first banker of Los Angeles: John P. Jones, Robert S.
Baker. Thomas W. Park. Tames A. Pritchard, and J. S. Slauson, with a paid-up
capital stock of $502.500. Work was at once begun on the road between Los
Angeles and Santa Monica under the supervision of Col. J. U. Crawford, who was
superintendent, engineer and general manager. The road. i6l/2 miles in length
was completetd so that the first train ran over it by December 1st. 1875. Two
trains a day were put on between Santa Monica and Los Angeles and the fare was
fixed at $1.00 per trip, freight at $1.00 per ton. At the same time work on the
wharf was pushed and the steamer, the Orizaba, of the Goodall & Perkins line,
made her first regular stop at this port on Septetmber 5th, after which steamer
service was continued until September 9th, 1878, when steamer service to Santa
Monica was discontinued.

    It was expected that the Los Angeles and Independence road would be
continued from Los Angeles to Independence, Inyo county, and thence into Nevada
and possibly Utah; but the failure of the Panamint district to yield as rich ore
as was anticipated and to become a bonanza mining district, led to the
abandonment of the original plans, and ultimately to the sale of the
"Independence" road to the Southern Pacific. This sale was consummated and the
formal transfer was made on June 4th, 1877, when the railway, wharf, two depots,
rolling stock and other property was turned over to the S. P. company. The
Southern Pacific abandoned the Santa Monica wharf in the fall of 1878 and
finally destroyed the greater part of it. A stump of this same wharf, however,
is still to be seen near the foot of Colorado street.

    The Southern Pacific was the only means of transportation to the outer world
from this time until January, 1889, when the first passenger train of the Los
Angeles and Pacific railway came into Santa Monica. This road had originally
been proposed by local capitalists as the Los Angeles County road, to run
through the foothills and the Soldiers' Home grounds and to terminate on the
bluff opposite the Arcadia Hotel. Later it became the Los Angeles and Pacific
road, with E. E. Hall, president; R. E. Shaw, superintendent, and W. T. Spilman,
contractor. S. W. Luitweiler, Cornelius Cole, M. L. Wicks, J. M. Hale and Arthur
Gaylord were among the directors. The road started near the Sisters' Hospital in
Los Angeles, and passed through Burbank, the Ostrich Farm at Kenilworth,
Prospect Park, Colegrove, Hollywood, Cahuenga, Morocco, Sunset and the Soldiers'
Home, the entire line about twenty-seven miles in length. The locomotives for
this road were built by the Baker Iron Works of Los Angeles, and were the first
locomotives ever turned out in that city. The regular service on this road began
January 29th, 1889, and on September 1st, of the same year, the unfortunate
enterprise went into the hands of a receiver, the contractor who had built the
line. The train service was reduced to one train each way per day, which ran
intermittently. "Jack" Henry of Santa Monica was the conductor, and it is said
that his cry was, "Show your passes," when he got ready to take the tickets.
After a few months, service on the road was abandoned altogether and though
there was much talk of repairing and the franchise was sold to the Terminal
people, nothing was ever done to revive it, and the city of Santa Monica finally
revoked the franchise granted it.

    The first franchise for a street car line in Santa Monica was granted
February 23rd, 1887, to W. D. Vawter. On June 19th, 1887, the first car ran over
the Ocean avenue line and the same fall the line was completed on Utah avenue
and Third streets up Arizona to Seventh, and on Seventh to Nevada. In July,
1889, the line had been extended from the south limits of the town up Nevada to
Seventeenth street, making a road four and one-half miles in length. The motive
power in those days was mules, or horses, and the little "bob tail" cars of the
past are now only memories. The Santa Monica and Soldiers' Home street railway
was opened November, 1890. A survey for an electric road between Los Angeles and
Santa Monica was made in 1893, but it was not until April, 1895, that articles
of incorporation for the Los Angeles and Santa Monica electric road were filed.
In June, 1895, an ordinance was passed permitting the building of an electric
road by the Pasadena and Pacific railway company, of which General Sherman was
president. On April 1st, 1896, the first electric car reached Santa Monica over
the Santa Monica branch of the Pasadena and Pacific road. This was a memorable
day in the history of the town. In May, 1897, the electric service was extended
to South Santa Monica by the electricizing of the horse car line on the south
loop, and the Third street line was also electricised. The first route to Santa
Monica was by way of Bellevue, now Sunset, avenue and Sherman; July 1st, 1897,
the "short line" by way of Sixteenth street, was completed and this line was
soon made a double track. In 1898 the Los Angeles-Pacific Railway company was
organized, with a capital stock of $1,000,000 to take over all lines between Los
Angeles, Santa Monica, Hollywood, Soldiers' Home, etc. In 1899, the north loop
in Santa Monica was electricised and the Hollywood line built, being opened to
the public in February 21st, 1900; also the entire system between Los Angeles
and Santa Monica was doubletracked and many improvements in roadbed, bridges,
etc., were made. The "cut-off" by way of Palms, was completed in August, 1902,
and gave the most direct route to the city.

    In January, 1904, the Los Angeles-Pacific acquired all the railway interests
of the Traction line and at once began making many improvements, especially
improving the Trolleyway, and building the station in Linda Vista Park, Santa
Monica, which was opened August 9th, 1905. On the same date the Westgate branch
of the road was completed.

    In 1887, the Ballona and Santa Monica Railway company was organized to build
a line from Ballona to Santa Monica; the Santa Fe having completed a line to
"Port Ballona" September 15th, 1887. But the Ballona line was not built and in
1892 the Santa Fe and Santa Monica company was formed to build a line from
Ballona Junction to Santa Monica, a distance of twelve miles. The Santa Fe
railway brought its first passenger train into Santa Monica June i8th, 1892, and
the new service was hailed as bringing assured prosperity to the town. The
company built a depot on Hill street and another on Front street; put up a
pavilion and the "iron pipe" wharf in South Santa Monica and expended a large
sum in its various improvements. After the coming of the trolley lines, however,
it practically ceased to operate and in 1900 sold the land which had been
donated to it, and in 1901 obtained permission to abandon its right of way from
Inglewood to its Santa Monica terminus. Eventually it sold this right of way to
the Traction company and it was later purchased by the Huntington lines.

    In 1905 it became known that Mr. Rindge was building a road that was at
first supposed to be merely a driveway through his Malibu territory. Later
developments made it appear that this was rather a roadbed, whether for an
electric line or a steam railway line was unrevealed. During 1907 a railroad has
been constructed upon this roadbed. The purpose for which this road is intended
to serve still remains unrevealed, although the belief is widespread that it is
the entering wedge of a transcontinental line—what line still remains a mystery.
It is popularly supposed to be a link in the Gould system which is reaching
toward the Pacific coast; but as yet the plans of the railway magnates have not
been divulged. But to whatever system it may belong, the completion of a line
down the coast to Santa Monica would mean much for this city and section of
country.

STATE FORESTRY STATION.

    The location of an experimental station in Santa Monica Canyon by the State
Board of Forestry was determined upon in July, 1887. Mr. Abbot Kinney, who was
chairman of the first State Board of Forestry, offered for this purpose a tract
of land on Santa Monica Heights. This was accepted and an appropriation of
$5,000 was made to begin the work. Mr. H. Rowland Lee, of the State University,
was selected to take charge .as head forester of the Santa Monica station in
connection with the Hesperian station in San Bernardino county and the San
Jacinto station in Riverside county. Up to 1890 $3,000 was expended in buildings
and a large number of trees and plants were set out. The work of this station
was largely devoted to the study of the comparative value of trees for the
interior and along the coast; the economic use of trees, costs and profits;
possible ranges of soil and climate; fitness for any purposes and conditions. An
especial study of eucalypti was made. Small collections of trees and plants were
distributed to a large number of persons who had filed on timber claims, or who
wished to carry on experiments under the direction of the forestry station.

    In 1889 Messrs. Jones and Baker donated twenty acres of land along the
eastern edge of Rustic canyon to the station. This tract is thus described by
Inspector of Stations:

    "The greatest and deepest barranca in the Santa Monica plain is that known
as Santa Monica canyon. It is not really a canyon in the strict interpretation
of the Spanish word, which refers to mountain ravines, but more nearly conforms
to the Spanish idea of a barranca—a wide cleft across the plains from the
mountains to the sea. In realty there are two large barrancas, running in a
direction somewhat parallel for several miles, although they are sometimes wide
apart. The narrow tongue of land between them extends to within an eighth of a.
mile of the ocean. Here, on the sides and summit of this narrow central plateau,
between two deep gorges and extending down to the bottom of one of them, the
Santa Monica Forestry station is situated. It is greatly sheltered from storms
and yet the view is wonderfully extensive. The twenty acres belonging to the
station, a little arboretum tract, extends from the bottom of the northern
canyon, called Rustic canyon, up slopes and across levels to the very top of the
mesa, on the same plane as the town of Santa Monica, and looks down from thence
to the bottom of the south canyon. There are thus three distinct levels and two
half-levels, with their connecting slopes for the most part not too abrupt for
planting. Such is the charming topography of the station lands.

    "Work on the station includes first of all, the care and cultivation of the
existing plantations. Then observations of these have to be made from time to
time and records kept of the rate of growth of-each tree, of its time of
blossoming and maturing of seed, behavior under different conditions, etc."

    In 1889, J. M. Sheckles was in charge of the forestry station. In 1893, the
State Board of Forestry ceased to exist and the work was placed under the
direction of the Agricultural Department of the State University. Later, in
1897, the work was enlarged by connection with the Forestry Department of the
United States Department of Agriculture, experimental stations in thirty or more
states of the Union working in co-operation. This plan has been of great benefit
to the Santa Monica station individually and to the general results of Forestry
and Agricultural experimental work. The Department of Forestry has now become
one of the most important branches of the governmental service. Out of a very
small beginning has grown the great system of forest reserves and of
re-forestration, together with the collection of invaluable data and practical
aid to many industries.

    In 1897, Mr. J. H. Barber, later foreman of the South Coast Range, was
appointed to take charge of the Santa Monica station. This year the
appropriation for 1897-8 was made $8,000 and much needed buildings and
improvements were made. In 1899, Mr. C. A. Colmore was in charge. He was
succeeded by William Shutt who remained in charge for four years. During his
incumbency considerable additional water was developed and the station made a
steady advance, although hampered by a lack of funds. In October, 1904,
disastrous mountain fires swept through Santa Monica canyon and all the
buildings of the Forestry station were destroyed. Only the windmill and tower
were left standing. Considerable damage was done to the growth, also, a large
number of seedling stock being killed and shrubbery and trees more or less injured.

    For some time it was a question whether the buildings would be replaced, but
in the latter part of 1905 an appropriation became available and the necessary
buildings were put up. Mr. J. P. Barber was appointed to take charge of the
station. Since that time, the damage done by the fire has been largely overcome
and the station continues to do valuable work in connection with the state and
United States Agricultural Experimental schools.

REMINISCENCES.

    An early comer, who is still a resident of Santa Monica, furnishes some very
entertaining glimpses of the early days of the town and its life. Those who
drove from Los Angeles to the Santa Monica ranch to attend the first sale of
lots in July, 1875, were greeted with a magnificent view, as they crossed the
"divide." Before them lay the ocean, forming a blue crescent between the jutting
points of Point Dume and Point Vincent. From Point Dume swept the Santa Monica
range, merging into the San Gabriel range and the San Bernardino mountains.
Following the circle, hills and mountains led the eye around to Point Vincent on
the south, forming a vast amphitheater. As we drove over the ranch we saw a lone
live oak, standing on the bluff above the canon, about half way between ocean
front and Seventh street. Here the one road leading to the canon went down the
grade. Near it was an old adobe, which was one of the landmarks of the time. A
clump of trees stood near the springs which later supplied the town with water,
and a group of great sycamores rose near the present site of Sawtelle. One of
these, an immense tree, shading a large expanse, is supposed to have sheltered
Father Serra on one of his journeys through the country. A line of sycamores
marked the barranca which led out toward the Soldiers' Home way. Here and there
were to be seen a few small ranch houses, surrounded by fig and other fruit
trees. Many bands of sheep were passed, and an occasional ruin of some old adobe
building.

    One landmark that can never be forgotten was the "Half-way House", a store
and saloon, located about half way between the end of Washington street. Los
Angeles, and Santa Monica. Here a watering trough was provided, and every
traveler over the long, dusty road, stopped to water man and beast.

    In the early days the canons, Santa Monica, Rustic and Manville, were the
delight of the townspeople and the hotel guests. Every day saw driving and
riding parties, camping and picnic parties visiting some one or other of these
beautiful retreats. Arch Rock, four miles up the coast, was always an object of
interest. Camping out just beyond the salt works (near the present site of
Redondo) and at Portuguese Bend, was also a favorite diversion. Gunning in the
mountains, duck shooting on Ballona laguna and boating on the laguna were
popular pastimes. The boats on the laguna were known as the "Pollywog" and the
"Mud Hen." Spanish games took place in the spring, when a channel was cut from
the laguna to allow the overflow water to escape into the ocean, at the point
now known as Playa del Rev. Ring tournaments and other Spanish games were also
played for some months on Ocean avenue; but were discontinued on the protest of
a number of families who feared the influence on the best life of the then
growing town.

    During the days of the first wharf, one of the great events of town life was
the coming and going of the coast steamers. When a Panama steamship came in and
tied up at the wharf, everybody in town visited it, for the strange fruits,
birds and plants which it brought were always interesting. The fishing on the
wharf was always good and furnished a constant sport for men, women and children.

    The first residents of Santa Monica were a cosmopolitan lot. Some were the
drifting class always attracted by any new opening or excitement, and soon
passed on. Others were drawn here by the incomparable climate, which was ideal
for a home, especially in old age. Many then believed in a great business future
for the new port. There were a number of young men, fresh from college, who had
drifted to California for a start. Most of these were down on their luck and
glad to take anything that offered, as for instance, the young Harvard graduate,
who whitewashed the plaza fence—because his brains were not needed here. A
Bostonian, also a college man, ran the engine on the first railroad between
Santa Monica and Los Angeles, while the first conductor on this road was a young
Virginian. One of the first clergymen of the place was a north of Ireland man,
educated in Dublin and Edinburg, who preached sermons which would -have honored
any pulpit. One of the first physicians had also been educated in London and
Edinburg and had traveled around the world. On his journey he happened to stop
in Santa Monica and was so delighted with the location and climate that he
stayed here for about a year. Another physician located here about the same
time; but he, too, moved on. The place was too healthy to be a promising field
for a young doctor and for several years there was no resident practicing
physician at all—and little need for one.

    The lives of the residents of the neighboring canons were closely linked
with the town, for here they came for their mail and supplies and they furnished
the butter, eggs and vegetables for the town dwellers. There were many bee
ranches hidden away among the canons. The living of the apiarists depended, of
course, upon the honey yield, which often failed .because of dry or unfavorable
seasons. Sometimes careless picnickers or hunters would be the cause of a
mountain fire which, sweeping over hills and through canons, mowed down the
brush and growing plants, and sometimes destroyed bees and homes. During a
terrible fire raging in Manville canon, one old man only escaped from the flames
by lowering himself into a well until the flames, traveling by leaps and jumps,
had passed on. Another man, further up the canon, was compelled to lie down in a
small stream, where he found himself in company with snakes and other small
creatures which had taken refuge in the water. Many of these early settlers had
located on what they supposed was government land, only to find, after years
perhaps of hard work in improving their homes, that they could not secure title.
They were compelled to leave with only the memory of their labor to carry with
them. Many odd characters were among these pioneers and many of them were brave
hearted, true men, who were rich in everything but worldly goods.

    The social life of the new town was, for the most part, simple and
delightfully free from formal constraint. The few more congenial families were
drawn into close relations. Almost every evening found them gathered for a time
in some one home or another, for those were the days of truly hospitable home
life. The first real party, of any pretensions, was given by Mrs. M. S. Baker in
her new home—the first two-story rustic house in Santa Monica. It is safe to say
that the company there gathered were as cultured as would grace any city party.
During the early days of the town a literary and social club, called the
"Baker's Dozen", was formed among the young unmarried people. After a year it
was enlarged to take in the married people as well and was known simply as "The
Club." Among the members were doctors, lawyers, scientists, clergymen and
teachers, as well as others who had no titles. After a program, usually of
original papers furnished by the members, social diversions followed and were as
much enjoyed by the men of letters as the rest. This club fasted about five years.

    There were occasional concerts or lectures which were of the highest merit.
It must be remembered that many cultured people visited us at various times, in
search of health or rest, and often our struggling little churches were given
benefits which any city audience might have gladly heard. It frequently happened
that some city clergyman visiting this coast because of ill health of himself or
some member of his family, filled our pulpits and gave us of their best. A
touching incident occurred about 1876. A teamster lost his only son, a boy of
fourteen, and wished to give him a fitting funeral at the church. There was no
resident pastor in the place at that time, so one of the members of the
Presbyterian church agreed to read a burial service. The fact was mentioned at
the Santa Monica Hotel and came to the ears of a New York City minister who was
touring the west with his wife. He at once offered to conduct the service and
did so to the consolation of the father. Then he offered to preach on the
Sabbath, if it would be of any assistance, and for several weeks we listened to
able sermons, for which the gentleman would accept no pay.
    One person who was closely associated with the early history of the town was
L. T. Fisher, editor of the Santa Monica Outlook. He wrought early and well for
the good of the town and gave it a bright, clean paper. But the glowing future
he so well painted, did not make him any richer than he was when he came, so he
moved on.
    After the destruction of the wharf, there was very little business here,
barely enough to supply very modest demands of living. Everything seemed to come
to a standstill and everyone who could get away did so, except the few who were
satisfied to live on climate. Yet life for those who remained was not altogether
stale. With so many diversions provided by nature, a daily dip in the ocean, an
afternoon drive on beach, plain or in mountain canons, and with happy home
evenings, the days passed away swiftly and we were content.


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/miscella231ms.txt

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