Riverside County CA Archives History - Books .....Riverside Municipal Records 1912 ************************************************ 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 March 2, 2006, 11:09 pm Book Title: History Of Riverside County California CHAPTER VI. RIVERSIDE MUNICIPAL RECORDS By E. W. Holmes Riverside voted to incorporate as a city of the Sixth class September 25, 1883, with a territory of over fifty-six square miles and an assessed valuation of $1,099,041. Although the area included has recently been reduced by the secession of the Alvord school district, the population of the city in 1912 is fully 18,000 and the assessed valuation $10,394,355. The following is a list of the officials who have served the city since its incorporation: The trustees chosen to organize the new city government were B. F. White, president; H. B. Haynes, A. J. Twogood, A. B. Derby and B. B. Handy. At the regular election, held in April, 1884, Messrs. White, Handy and Twogood were re-elected with two new members, Martin Hoover and W. P. Eussell. President White died shortly after from the result of an accident which occurred while he was engaged on official business, and O. T. Johnson was appointed in his place as president. Upon the resignation of A. J. Twogood, E. W. Holmes was appointed as his successor. The membership of the board of trustees during the municipality's existence as a city of the sixth class has been as follows: From 1886 to '88 H. M. Streeter (president), E. W. Holmes, W. A. Hayt, William P. Russell and Martin Hoover. From 1888 to '90 E. W. Holmes (president), Martin Hoover, W. A. Hayt, William P. Eussell and H. E. Allatt. From 1890 to '92 Aberdien Keith (president), Albert S. White, Alfred A. Wood, Martin Hoover and H. E. Allatt. From 1892 to '94 Aberdien Keith (president), Albert S. White, Alfred A. Wood, George Frost and E. F. Kingman. From 1894 to '96 George Frost (president), E. F. Kingman, H. W. Bordwell, Bradford Morse and John A. Simms. From 1896 to '98 E. F. Kingman (president), Bradford Morse, Seneca LaRue, John A. Simms and H. W. Bordwell. From 1898 to 1900 E. F. Kingman (president), Bradford Morse, Seneca La Eue, L. V. W. Brown and W. L. Peters. From 1900 to 1902 Bradford Morse (president), L. V. W. Brown, W. L. Peters, J. W. Covert and C. L. McFarland. From 1902 to 1904 C. L. McFarland (president), J. W. Covert, J. W. Chase, Oscar Ford and J. T. Lawler. From 1904 to May 14, 1907, C. L. McFarland (president), Oscar Ford, J. T. Lawler, George F. Ward and J. W. Chase. Those who have filled the position of city clerk are T. H. B. Chamblin, three years; A. S. Alkire, six years; W. W. Phelps, six years; Charles R. Stibbens, nine years. City treasurer: B. D. Burt, three years; J. M. Drake, eight years; M. S. Bowman, four years; George F. Ward, four years; John C. Stebbens, two years; F. A. Witherspoon, two years; N. A. Jacobs, one year. City marshal: W. W. Noland, three years; J. D. Hughes, two years; Bradford Morse, four years; G. W. Dickson, two years; Frank P. Wilson, twelve years; M. R. Shaw, one year. City recorder: W. W. Noland, nine years; J. C. Chambers, four years; T. B. Stephenson, eight years. City attorney: George W. Monteith, one year; H. C. Hibbard, two years; W. J. McIntyre, four years; W. A. Purrington, fourteen years. City engineer: G. 0. Newman, J. W. Johnson and A. P. Campbell. Superintendent of streets: Charles W. Finch, T. K. Seburn, George F. Seger and J. T. Mclntyre. Health officers: Dr. E. H. Way, Dr. W. B. Sawyer, Dr. W. S. Ruby, Dr. C. J. Gill, Dr. J. G. Baird and Dr. W. W. Roblee. It was necessary to exercise most rigid economy in the early administration of city affairs. The trustees served without salary and the first city clerk, Mr. Chamblin, was allowed only $25 a month, and the other officers were given similarly modest remuneration. There was everything to do to transform the naturally dusty or muddy streets, and a fifty-cent tax rate left little for the permanent improvement of the roadway or sidewalk after the enforced temporary care was paid for. Private enterprise gave at first sporadic sidewalk improvement, and the city put in graveled cross walks in winter to make navigation across town in the rainy season possible. The first considerable undertaking in the way of permanent road-making was that which cut down the almost impassable walls of the great arroyo on Walnut and Brockton avenues. It cost some $6,000 and the plan had much opposition, because of the cost involved, until its completion so well demonstrated its value as to encourage the larger later improvement of like character. The Victoria bridge, built by the Arlington Heights Company, under the management of Matthew Gage, made easily accessible the Victoria avenue section and was later given to the city. And the demands for still better lines of travel have now compelled the building of an immense fill across the arroyo, at heavy expense, over which Magnolia avenue is to run directly into town and make possible car-line connection directly into Los Angeles. The number of undertakings looking to the development and improvement of the city which were inaugurated during the year 1887 has hardly been exceeded in any subsequent year of her history. The introduction of a fine domestic water system with a good pressure not only led to the building of a thoroughly satisfactory sewer system by providing a way for the proper flushing of the sewers, but it also suggested the idea of putting in hydrants and thus securing some degree of protection against fires. When we consider the growth and efficiency of the fire department under the management of S. L. Wight, George F. Ward and the present-head of the department, Joseph Schneider, it is amazing to recall "the day of small things" when Capt. J. N. Keith was placed in charge. In that year Trustee W. A. Hayt pledged himself to raise $500 toward the purchase of fire hose provided the city board would appropriate an equal amount for the purpose. This they promptly did, and this was the beginning of the Riverside Fire Department, which has grown to be one of the best of its class. The most successful of the projects which have grown out of the needs of the community has been the establishment of a municipal electric lighting plant. Under the capable management of Fred T. Worthley, carefully watched over by other conscientious officials, the people have demonstrated the wisdom of the vote given in favor of this public utility. Altogether $80,000 was voted to install and improve the plant, but it has now reached a real value of over $325,000. This increase it has earned while giving the people the very best of service and providing for the lighting of the streets in a way to make it a model for other communities. Another line of development inaugurated soon after the incorporation of the city and which has given Riverside a commendable prominence among the progressive cities of California, is that of good road making. After spending the annual income of the city in making conventional and superficial repairs for several years, the officers of the city decided to undertake road work of a permanent character. As a result the question of voting $90,000 in bonds to be used in macadamizing the principal thoroughfares was submitted to the voters, which proposition carried by a vote of 943 to 156. This fund was judiciously expended under the administration of James W. Johnson, the city engineer, and Charles W. Finch, a practical road maker then serving as superintendent of streets, and it has been the basis of the exceptionally fine street, system of which the citizens are so justly proud. This first permanent roadway was an ordinary macadam, and was for several years without the asphalt protection now used. In the course of years the heavy teaming had worn it badly, the winds sweeping the powdered rock away until little more than half remained. The problem of how to preserve this was one that demanded intelligent study, and the credit of successfully solving it is largely due to A. P. Campbell, the present city engineer, who, aided by the valuable experience of Thad. K. Seburn, W. V. Darling and others who have served as street superintendents, devised a surfacing compound of the heaviest of asphalt oil filled with sharp rock screenings, which, combined in proper proportions has not only prevented further wear, but has in the course of years and at moderate expense, transformed these nearly outworn roadways into perfect thoroughfares. This success has encouraged a spirit of civic pride everywhere, which has led to most generous private as well as public outlay for street improvements, until Riverside can justly boast of a larger mileage of fine roads than any city of her class in the state. The simple form of government under which our affairs had been managed for twenty-three years had become so thoroughly outgrown in 1906 that steps were inaugurated looking to the adoption of a special charter. At an election held October 9, 1906, the following freeholders were chosen to formulate it: J. G. Baird, L. A. Brundige, S. J. Castleman, Ethan A. Chase, W. B. Clancy, James Mills, W. L. Peters, L. H. Edmiston, S. C. Evans, W. G. Fraser, Lafayette Gill, W. P. Gulick, C. L. McFarland, W. A. Purrington and John A. Simms. At the election of May 14, 1907, the following were elected: Mayor, S. C. Evans; city clerk, N. A. Jacobs; auditor, C. R. Stib-bens; treasurer, P. A. Gunsolus. Board of education: Lyman Evans, Mrs. Stella M. Atwood, F. D. Ellis (resigned, and W. G. Irving appointed to fill vacancy), S. J. Castleman and E. S. Moulton. Councilmen: First ward, L. C. Waite; second, Oscar Ford, president; third, Silas Masters; fourth, H. O. Reed; fifth, C. D. Helmer (died, and M. M. Strickler appointed to fill vacancy); sixth, George H. Dole. The appointed officers named by the mayor for the first term were: City attorney, W. A. Purrington, 1907; W. G. Irving, 1909. Police judge, George A. French; city engineer, A. P. Campbell; superintendent of streets, G. T. McIntyre. Park commissioners: J. H. Reed, chairman and tree warden; C. A. Franzen, R. L. Bettner, A. S. White, James Mills, A. C. Lovekin. Library directors: H. L. Carnahan, A. N. Wheelock, L. V. W. Brown, C. L. McFarland, L. A. Brundige and Mrs. Belle N. Patterson (1912). Board of health: W. B. Clancy, Dr. W. W. Roblee, Dr. J. G. Baird. Public utilities: W. L. Peters, E. O. Rickard, F. F. Chase and H. K. Small. Chief of police, W. B. Johnson. At the city election of 1909 Mayor Evans was re-elected, his opponent being L. H. Edmiston. The appointed officers who served under him were: Superintendent of streets, G. T. McIntyre, George F. Seger and W. V. Darling; health officer, Dr. T. R. Griffith; chief of police, D. G. Clayton (1909) and S. C. Harbison (1910); building inspector, C. F. Mathers; fire chief, Joseph Schneider. At the election of 1911 William L. Peters was chosen mayor, his opponents being K. D. Harger and L. H. Edmiston. C. R. Stib-bens was re-elected auditor, G. A. Gunsolus treasurer, and G. W. Prior city clerk. Upon the resignation of Auditor Stibbens in 1912 Mr. Prior was appointed in his place; Harry C. Cree was appointed city clerk. P. M. Coburn was appointed chief of police and Dr. T. R. Griffith re-appointed health officer. The members of the council in 1912, with the dates of their election were: First ward, Bradford Morse, 1911; second, A. J. Stalder, 1911; third, Silas Masters, 1907; fourth, J. F. Hanna, 1909; fifth, M. M. Strickler, 1908; sixth, J. W. Chase, 1911; and F. M. Brown, September, 1911. The board of education in 1912 is composed of E. S. Moulton, president; Mrs. Stella M. Atwood, D. D. Gage, H. H. Craig and" Col. J. R. Strang. Park commissioners, 1912: Gaylor Rouse, J. C. Hardman, W. T. Henderson, S. C. Evans, Mrs. Emma P. Holland, H. B. Adsit and S. L. Wright. Board of public utilities, 1912: H. F. Grout, A. J. Stalder, E. O. Rickard, T. F. Flaherty, H. K. Small (resigned) and W. W. Phelps. Evans Athletic Park committee: G. E. Dole, H. H. Craig and D. D. Gage. Censorship board: George L. Winterbotham, H. A. Plimpton and H. H. Monroe. Tree warden: J. H. Reed filled this position most efficiently for many years, or until resigning. His place was briefly held by H. B. Adsit in 1912 and upon his retirement S. L. Wright was appointed to the position. Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORY OF Riverside County CALIFORNIA WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development From the Early Days to the Present HISTORY BY ELMER WALLACE HOLMES AND OTHER WELL KNOWN WRITERS ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 1912 File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ca/riverside/history/1912/historyo/riversid407nms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/cafiles/ File size: 13.1 Kb