San Benito County CA Archives History - Books .....Chapter IX Hollister 1893 ************************************************ 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 September 18, 2006, 2:30 am Book Title: Memorial And Biographical History Of The Coast Counties Of Central California. CHAPTER IX. HOLLISTER. THE modern enterprising, thoroughly American city of Hollister, the county seat of San Benito county, was named after Colonel W. W. Hollister,* now deceased, who, with the Flints and Bixby's brought improved American sheep all the way from Ohio, in the early fifties, to California; and who eventually settled down to the business of sheep-raising in the neighborhood of the old mission of San Juan Bautista and in the upper portion of San Benito valley. These enterprising sheep farmers, pioneers in introducing improved sheep into this State, purchased the "San Justo ranch," a Mexican grant of nearly 35,000 acres, which was finally confirmed to Francisco Perez Pacheco, who occupied the same a number of years as a sheep range.** * For a biography of W. W. Hollister, see http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ca/sanbenito/bios/holliste1001nbs.txt **The firm of Flint, Bixby & Co., consisted at this time of Thomas and Benjamin Flint, and Llewellen Bixby, who entered into a co-partnership in Terre Haute, Indiana, in March, 1853, to purchase stock to drive across the plains to California. They collected 2,400 head of sheep near Quincy, Illinois, and started for California, and crossed the Missouri river at Council Bluffs; their route thence was up the North Platte, via South Pass, Great Salt Lake city, southern Utah to Los Angeles and to San Jose, ending their trip in June, 1864. In October, 1855, they bought the San Justo ranch using the part occupied by them for many years, almost exclusively for sheep. They were the first to introduce into California Spanish-Merino sheep, from Vermont, and they, or those of them who survive, have bred them since continuously. They have been identified with many important business interests of this and other parts of the State, having been partners in the firms of J. Bixby & Co., Irvine, Flint & Co., B. P. Flint & Co., Coast Line Stage Co., California Beet Sugar Co., Cerro Benito Quicksilver Mining Co., etc. Jotham and Llewellyn Bixby have been for some years residents of Los Angeles county, where they are large land owners, and where they have extensive herds of sheep and cattle, etc. James Irvine died in Los Angeles (now Orange) county, several years ago. The magnificent San Joaquin and Lomas de Santiago ranches in Orange county, still belong to his estate. Dr. Thomas Flint still resides in San Benito county. Colonel Hollister acquired control of the ranch, and in 1862, built what is known as the Montgomery House, the oldest house in the present town of Hollister. It is said that during the '60s, there were several hundred feet of troughs used for watering sheep in the vicinity of where Third street is now located. THE SAN JUSTO HOMESTEAD ASSOCIATION, consisting of fifty members, held its first meeting October 10, 1868, at which S. S. Swope was elected president, W. H. Briggs secretary, and J. M. Brown, treasurer. This association bought the San Justo ranch of Colonel Hollister for $400,000; but when on survey there was less land than had been estimated a deduction of 130,000'was made, and the actual amount paid was $370,000, of which $100,000 was paid down, and the balance on time. The land, or a portion of it, including the present town site of Hollister, was divided into tracts of 172 acres each, and, on the 19th of November, 1868, the choice of tracts was sold at auction, T. S. Hawkins (now president of the Bank of Hollister) purchasing the first choice, paying therefore $4,500. The aggregate amount realized from the "sale of choice" of these fifty tracts for premiums alone was $87,352. The town of Hollister was laid off the same day, November 19. It had been decided at first to locate the town about two miles northeast of its present site, and keep the latter as the Hollister homestead, but finally the present site was fixed on and named. During the month of December, $3,600 worth of town lots were sold, and the town commenced to grow rapidly. Its population in 1880, by the federal census, was about 1,000, and in 1890, 1,234. At present, 1892, the school census indicates that it must be double that number. HOLLISTER SCHOOLS. The present condition of the public schools of Hollister is shown in the following figures taken from the latest report of the county superintendent: The number of children in the district between 5 and 17 are: White, boys, 339; girls, 310-649. Negro, boys, 6; girls, 7-13. Total 662 Under 5, white 142 Total number children under 17 (all native born) 804 Number of children between 5 and 17 who have attended public school 527 Number children between 5 and 17 who have attended only primary schools 112 Total 639 Number pupils enrolled, boys, 300; girls, 237 537 Number pupils belonging 382 Average daily attendance 370 Percentage of attendance on average num'r belo'ng 97 Number pupils in grammar grade, 299, Number pupils in primary grade, 238 537 Number months school maintained 9 1/2 RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES. Paid teachers $ 6,650 00 Paid rents, repairs, fuel, etc 1,177 78 Paid libraries 66 90 _________ Total $7,894 68 Paid lots, building and furnishing 7,602 45 _________ Total $15,497 13 Balance July 1, 1891 817 26 Received from State 3,250 68 Received from county 4,081 50 Received city and district taxes 30,179 60 Received subscriptions and miscel's sources 92 70 _________ Total $38,421 74 Balance on hand June 30, 1892 22,924 61 (Note. This amount is balance on hand from sale of bonds for $30,000 for a new ten-room schoolhouse, being erected in 1892. A contract for this building has been let for $20,825.) The value of lots, schoolhouses and furniture is $14,000; of libraries, $300; and apparatus, $300, or a total of $14,600. Number volumes in library, 318; bonded indebtedness, $30,000. J. B. Hankenson is principal of the Hollister schools. There are four teachers holding grammar grade certificates, and five holding primary grade certificates, or nine teachers in all. J. G. Hamilton, J. T. Lowe and A. M. Hardin constitute the city board of education. The district has or soon will have one ten-class schoolhouse, one five-class schoolhouse, one three-class schoolhouse, one one-class (rented) schoolhouse iu southern part of district. The following are the town officers: T. S. Hawkins,president; C. Hickey, C. H. Knapp, Alex. Eaton, A. H. Coy, trustees. B. F. Gould, assessor; M. T. Dooling, attorney; W. McDonald, marshal. SACRED HEART SCHOOL. The private, boarding and day school for boys and girls, under charge of the Sisters of Charity, was established August 5, 1891. The building occupied by the school, which stands a short distance west of Hollister, was originally erected for a college, but came into the possession of Mr. James McMahon, who donated it, with grounds comprising about seven acres, to the Sisters for the purpose of establishing a private school, which last year had about 100 pupils in attendance, with prospects of a larger number in the future. Sister Aurelia is at the head of the institution. She is assisted by four other Sisters. The common or rudimentary branches of English, vocal and instrumental music, painting, drawing, and French and Latin are taught. CHURCHES. The Church of the Sacred Heart, Roman Catholic, of Hollister, includes some 1,500 parishioners. The church building, with a seating capacity of about 250, was erected some eighteen or twenty years ago. The present rector, Rev. B. Smyth, came here in 1889. He has American, Spanish and Portuguese and French parishioners. Father Smyth preaches in English, and also, on occasions, in Spanish. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Hollister was organized in 1869, or very soon after the town of Hollister was laid out. The church building was bought in 1878. Seating capacity from 150 to 200. Membership 112. Its pastor (previous to the Conference of September 1892) was Dr. Wesley Dennett. Trustees: T. L. Baldwin, C. N. Day, A. Dunlap. The Methodist Episcopal Church South of Hollister was established in 1869, and its house of worship, with a seating capacity of about 175, was erected a little later. The church membership is 140. Rev. J. N. Ken-ney has been pastor since January 1, 1892. The First Presbyterian Church of Hollister has about seventy-five members. Its church building was erected eight or ten years ago; costing between $3,000 and $4,000; and the church was organized in 1873. Rev. S. D. Fulton has been pastor, since December, 1891. The church will seat from 200 to 225, or with the parlors 300 persons. The Christian Church of Hollister was organized in 1869. Its membership is now about 200. The church was erected in 1875. Rev. C. P. Cone is the pastor (1892). The church is in a prosperous condition; and the board of trustees contemplate enlarging the present building, which was erected in 1874, as it is inadequate to the needs of the congregation. BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES. The following is a list of the societies and of the dates of their stated meetings: K. of P.-San Justo Lodge, No. 173, K. of P., meets every Monday evening, Castle hall, Fourth street west of San Benito street; William Wallace, C. C; J. H. Shaw, K. of R. and S. F. & A. M.-San Benito Lodge, No. 211, F. & A. M. meets in Masonic hall the Saturday on or before the full moon. W. P. Steinbeck, W. M.; R. Shaw, secretary. R. A. M.-Hollister Chapter, No. 68, R. A. M. meets in Masonic hall on the second Wednesday in each month. Thomas Flint, H. P.; S. C. Freele, secretary. O. E. S.-Athena Chapter, No. 46, O. E. S. meets in Masonic hall on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Mrs. J. G. Hamilton, W. M.; Miss Ella McCray, secretary. I. O. O. F.-Mound Lodge, No. 166, I. O. O. F. meets in I. O. O. F. hall every Thursday evening. N. D. Hall, N. G.; R. Shaw, R. S. The Fidelity Rebekah Degree Lodge, No. 29, meets in I. O. O. F. hall, on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Mrs. J. D. Hendricks, N. G.; Mrs. J. G. Porter, secretary. G. A. R.-Jesse L. Reno, Post No. 58, G. A. R. meets in I. O. O. F. hall on the first and third Saturdays of each month. Will Acton, P.C.; F. W. Oliver, adjutant. A. O. U. W.-San Benito Lodge, No. 96, A. O. U. W., meets in I. O. O. F. hall every Friday evening. J. F. Breen, W. M.; John Paterson, recorder. N. S. G. W.-Fremont Parlor, No. 44, N. S. G. W., meets in I. O. O. F. hall on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. William Black, president; J. T. Lahiff, secretary. I. O. F.-Court Hollister, No. 654, meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month in I. O. O. F. hall. W. E. Stevens, C. K.; J. E. Serles, secretary. W. C. T. U.-The Hollister W. C. T. U. meets First Wednesday of the mouth in the parlor of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. There is also a Catholic Ladies' Aid Society, a Portuguese Union, etc. NEWSPAPERS. The Hollister Free Lance now in its ninth volume, is one of the best weekly newspapers published outside the larger cities in California. It is edited with ability and untiring industry. It is a faithful and very valuable exponent of the community in which it is published. Its managers show that they have the true newspaper instinct, in that they make known to the world, the resources of their section, with great fullness of detail. Some of their extra editions are fairly cyclopedic in the great variety and exhaustiveness of their information about San Benito county. The editors of this work have derived much valuable information concerning the economic and other resources of San Benito county from the local journals of the county, and especially from "The Free Lance," which they hereby formally and cordially acknowledge. The value of an enterprising, intelligent local press to a community can hardly be overestimated. Lahiff and Stephenson are the proprietors and publishers of "The Free Lance," Mr. Stephenson being editor and Mr. Lahiff being city editor, and business manager. The paper is enthusiastically and aggressively Republican in politics. In 1873, the Enterprise was established, which afterward was merged into the Pacific Coast, and then into the Democrat, which L. T. Baldwin bought in 1882, and named the Free Lance, by which name it has since been known. The San Benito Advance was established June 17, 1872, when Hollister was but a struggling village. During these years it has never missed its usual weekly issue. With the name of Hollister its name is inseparably connected. Upon its subscription books are the names of hundreds of old-timers in San Benito county and other portions of the commonwealth. The Advance was first established by Mr. William Shaw, father of the present proprietors. The office was then located in Brown's Hall, opposite the present Eagle Hotel on San Benito street. San Benito street was then ungraded and during the winter months was almost an impassable sea of adobe mud. The Advance was later removed to the corner of San Benito and Fifth streets, where it remained for some years. It was foremost in agitating the question of incorporating the town of Hollister and largely instrumental in bringing about its final accomplishment. San Benito county was then a portion of old Monterey county, and in the final struggle that ended in a division, the Advance by its aggressive policy crystallized a strong public sentiment, which was a very efficient factor in bringing about the desired result to wit: The passage of the Act of Division. Its usefulness was next made apparent to the public by the valuable aid it rendered in cleaning out the Milliken-Kelly gang of cut-throats which then terrorized the entire community. It demanded the election of Oroson Lyons for city marshal, who was aggressive in their final subjugation. From December, 1875, to 1878, the Advance was conducted by F. "W. Blake now editor of the Gilroy Advocate. He is remembered as a vigorous writer, a faithful and persistent champion of local improvement. To his efforts is largely due the establishment of a fire department in Hollister and a water system unexcelled by any other interior town in California. Robert Shaw and the late L. T. Baldwin succeeded Mr. Blake, and conducted the Advance as the Republican organ of the county up to June, 1884, when George W. McConnell took it and made it pronouncedly Democratic in its tone. He proved to be an able newspaper man, being aggressive and enterprising. The present proprietors, Albert D. and George E. Shaw, succeeded Mr. McConnell in February, 1886. The old "man-killer" lever press, which had done duty in the Shaw family for forty-eight years, was replaced by a new modern Cottrell cylinder and other improved office equipments; and since that time the Advance has been conducted upon modern principles as a first-class weekly paper. It has been noted for its fearless expression of the voice of the people upon vital topics of local concern. Independent and aggressive in its views, it is a newspaper in every sense of the word, and with its large patronage and extensive clintele [sic] of readers, it exerts a wide influence in the community in which it is published. THE WEST COAST ALLIANCE, devoted to the interests of the Farmers' Alliance, and Industrial Union, was established in 1892, as the organ of the Alliance, by which organization it is owned. It is edited and managed by C. A. Menefee. It is a zealous defender of the farmers, whom it justly considers the yeomanry and the backbone as it were, of this country. THE JEFFERSONIAN of Hollister, a strongly Democratic weekly newspaper, was established in the early part of 1892. It is published by Harry Johnston, editor, and W. T. McCarthy, business manager. Although devoted to the interests of its party, it also aims to promote the best interests of San Benito county. THE HOLLISTER VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT was organized in December, 1875, with eighty charter members:- The original officers were: R. M. Shackleford, chief; J. M. Black, first assistant; William Eastman, second assistant. At first, the company had two hose carts and a hook and ladder truck. At present they have three hose carts and a hook and ladder truck, 1,500 feet of first-class hose, and 900 feet of second-class hose, with nine ladders (150 feet) and eighteen buckets. There are now four companies. Officers: No. 1, Alert, Robert Shaw, foreman; W. W. McDonald, first assistant; Albert Williams, second assistant. Company No. 2, Wide Awake: A. J. Santos, foreman; W. T. Dalzell, first assistant; Joseph Lynn, second assistant. Company No. 3, Excelsior: W. W. Black, foreman; Charles Shaw, first assistant; Henry Agnew, second assistant. Pioneer Hook and Ladder Company: Joseph Boucher, foreman; Leonard Hutz, first assistant; William Wells, second assistant. Department officers: A. Eaton, chief; H. M. Campbell, first assistant; J. R. Hawkins, second assistant; J. H. Archibald, secretary; R. E. Shaw, treasurer. THE GRANGERS' UNION OF HOLLISTER, with an authorized capital stock of $100,000, was incorporated, March 20, 1890. The following-named gentlemen are directors: Thomas Flint, president; R. P. Lathrop, vice-president; C. N. Hawkins, secretary and manager; G. S. Nash, R. E. Shore. The Union has a large store, centrally located; it deals in general merchandise; its business, which appears to be well managed, is reported to be this third year double in volume to what it was the first year. The Union owns a large warehouse near the depot, where it stores its own goods. WATER-WORKS. The company owning these works is managed by the following officers: T. S. Hawkins, president; T. W. Hawkins, secretary and manager; N. C. Briggs, E. A. Crepin, R. A. Hawkins, S. T. Jones; D. N. Hall is chief engineer. The water is taken from four artesian wells, from forty-five to 265 feet deep, and pumped to a cement reservoir, capable of holding 255,000 gallons, on the top of a hill adjoining the town on the north, which has an elevation of 120 feet. The steam pump used has a capacity of 95,000 gallons per hour. It is claimed that in case of fire, it can be started up in fifteen minutes, and can then gain four inches an hour of water in the reservoir, when the fire companies are playing four streams on the fire. The reservoir, which is covered, is seven feet deep, eighty feet long by fifty-four wide. Its height gives a pressure of water in the town of forty-two pounds to the square inch, which is sufficient to send a powerful stream over the top of the highest buildings, thus doing away entirely with the necessity for fire engines. There are twelve miles of mains laid in Hollister. The water being artesian, is clear, healthful, pleasant to the taste, and entirely free from animal or vegetable matter, or germs of any kind, though slightly hard. The company (1892) is engaged in boring an additional and larger and much deeper well, for the purpose of securing a larger supply of water, which they hope will be absolutely free from any hard quality. The average annual rainfall at Hollister is about twelve inches. HOLLISTER LIGHT AND POWER COMPACT. The officers of this company are: Thomas Donovan, president; Thomas McMahon, vice-president; E. A. Crepin, treasurer; A. Tonn, secretary. The company was incorporated February 17, 1892. Jesse Starkweather is superintendent of the works. This company, as the Hollister Gas Company, has been manufacturing gas for the last six years. It commenced supplying electric (incandescent) light, June 1, 1892. It has a seventy-five-horse-power engine and boiler, and a 740 light dynamo. The capacity of its gas-works is about 15,000 cubit feet of gas per day. BANKS. There are two commercial and two savings banks in Hollister. The oldest of these is the Bank of Hollister, which was incorporated in 1873. It has a capital stock, paid up, of $250,000 and a surplus of $145,000. Its directors are: T. S. Hawkins, president; N. C. Briggs, vice-president; T. W. Hawkins, cashier; Uriah Woods, Thomas Flint. The semi-annual statement of this bank for June 30, 1892, showed ASSETS-Cash on hand $ 25,629.12 Expense...$3,424.20 Taxes 2,008.58 5,432.78 Bills rec'd and current acc'ts 560,896.81 Real estate 30,300.00 Furniture and fixtures. 2,000.00 Stocks 1,265.00 __________ Total $625,523.71 LIABILITIES-Deposits $218,159.38 Due banks 45,683.71 P. & L., & contingent fund 48,811.64 Reserve fund 50,000.00 Capital 250,000.00 Due savings and loan bank 12,868.98 __________ Total $625,523.71 Subscribed capital, paid up, $250,000. The Savings and Loan Bank of San Benito county, with the same directory as the Bank of Hollister, has a subscribed capital of $250,000, of which $50,000 is paid up in gold coin. Its last sworn statement showed, June 30, 1892: ASSETS-Loans on real estate $114,823.85 Due from banks 12,868.98 Expenses 284.05 Other assets 3,482.30 ___________ Total $131,459.18 LIABILITIES-Capital, $50,000.00 Due depositors, 81,459.18 131,459.18 The Farmers and Merchants' Bank of Hollister, established in 1892, in its first semi-annual statement of July 2, shows: [Transcriber’s note: End of page and end of Chapter] Additional Comments: Extracted from: Memorial and Biographical History of the Coast Counties of Central California. Illustrated. Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast from the Earliest Period of its Discovery to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of its Auspicious Future; Illustrations and Full-Page Portraits of some of its Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers, and Prominent Citizens of To-day. HENRY D. BARROWS, Editor of the Historical Department. LUTHER A. INGERSOLL, Editor of the Biographical Department. "A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendants."-Macaulay. CHICAGO: THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY. 1893. File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ca/sanbenito/history/1893/memorial/chapteri445nms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/cafiles/ File size: 24.2 Kb