Sonoma County CA Archives History - Books .....Sonoma Township 1880
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Book Title: History Of Sonoma County

SONOMA.

   Among the many eligible points for country residence within a radius of fifty
miles of San Francisco, none is more isolated than the famous Sonoma valley. Its
soil is most fertile and highly productive. Its climate is most equable and
delightful. It has long been settled, possesses many beautiful homesteads and
extensive vineyards. Its natural scenery is lovely and beautiful. Words cannot
over-paint the natural delights and facinations [sic] of this valley, which is
yet almost a terra incognita to San Franciscans.

   By reason of its shelter from the ocean by mountain ranges, the climate of
the Sonoma valley is much milder than that of San Francisco. The vine flourishes
there as nowhere else. Three years ago the wine product of the county was one
million eight hundred and thirty-six thousand gallons, and now it is much
greater. The whole valley seems taken up with vineyards, and only the finest
qualities of grapes are grown. The white wines are equal in bouquet and flavor
to the best of imported Moselle and Rhenish. The red wines are not surpassed by
any like wines made in California, though it must be admitted that the claret
does not compare with the wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy. In this warm and
sheltered nook oranges also flourish and ripen in the open air. Still the valley
is rather the home of the grape than of the semi-tropical fruits. We merely
mention the fact of the growth of oranges to establish the fact of the mildness
of the climate, and the incredulous may satisfy themselves on this point by a
visit to the ranch of General Vallejo, near the village. The facilities for
producing wine have attracted large numbers of Swiss and Germans to this valley,
and there are also many Swedes residing here. The valley contains an area of one
hundred and six thousand two hundred and forty acres, while the hills which
flank it on either side can be cultivated to their summits. Of the fertility of
the soil there can be no question. To see is to believe, and those who cannot
see have the proof in the enormous production. Water is good and plentiful.
Springs are abundant, and one especially is worthy of mention. It is situated on
General Vallejo's place, in the rear of his house, and on a level with its roof.
The supply per diem, is two hundred and eighty thousand gallons. Besides the
large amount of fertile soil in the valley, most of which is under cultivation,
there are about twenty-five thousand acres of tule land, alluvial formation,
along the line of Sonoma creek, of which about fifteen thousand acres are in
process of reclamation. There are two companies engaged in this work. One is the
Pacific Reclamation Company, of which John P. Jones and George S. Ladd are the
principal members, and the other the San Pablo Reclamation Company, composed of
M. Greenwood and George S. Ladd, of San Francisco; James Tatterson, of Stockton,
and the Butterworth estate. The first named company owns some twelve thousand
acres, more or less, of which one thousand two hundred acres have been actually
reclaimed by shutting off the tide water by means of levees. The San Pablo
Company owns two thousand seven hundred and twenty-seven acres, all of which is
reclaimed, for which purpose ten miles of levee were constructed. The Pacific
Reclamation Company has built a much larger amount of levee. This land was
originally acquired by the State from the United States under the Swamp Land
Act, and by it conveyed to so-called occupants at one dollar and twenty-five
cents an acre. The unreclaimed land is now valued at twenty dollars an acre, and
when the new route to San Francisco is open will probably be held at a further
advance. Alkali is only found in small quantities on the land. This land is not
fit for corn, for while the stalks grow to a great height they do not ear, but
last year barley was tried for the first time and succeeded admirably. There is
probably a mint of money in this venture. From what has been said it readily can
be seen that the Sonoma Valley Railroad will have a rich country to support it.
From the start it seems destined to do a large freight business, and as time
goes on and Sonoma ceases to be the unknown land it now is, the passenger
traffic will increase. Under the circumstances the road will be a cheap one to
build, will be profitable from the beginning, and those interested cannot fail
to achieve* pecuniary success for their undertaking.

   For the early history and settlement of this valley, we would refer the
reader to the chapters on the settlement of the county, and the Bear Flag war,
in which the subject has been fully entered into. The history of Sonoma township
is that of the county; it is impossible to disassociate them; we therefore
request the reader to go back to the commencement of the volume.

   SONOMA.—This quaint little piece of foreign landscape is planted in the midst
of the renowned Sonoma valley. Its early history is the history of the county,
and will be found included in that portion of this work; for it is not right
that what had by chance happened in early days within limits now known as
townships, should be produced in the records of these townships; whereas, in
fact, they are the history of the whole county, and can be claimed by no special
tract, however officially recognized.

   In the year 1835, General Vallejo had, by order of the Mexican government,
laid out the town, entirely on the principles usually adopted in the building of
cities in New Spain. A large square or plaza was set apart, with houses arranged
around facing inwards, there being streets extending from each side of the
rectangle and carried outwards at each corner. As may be imagined, the General
had many difficulties to contend against. He was his own engineer and surveyor,
for none was attached to the force he commanded; but with the simple aid of a
pocket compass and line he divided the site of the future city of Sonoma into
lots, laid out streets, allotted public parks, and otherwise founded the pueblo,
and established permanently the military command of the northern frontier of
California. How this command lapsed and became the headquarters of the United
States forces, is shown elsewhere. It was the first city planned and completed
north of the bay of San Francisco, and as such had a prominent part in the
stirring events which took place between the years 1835 and 1840. It was here
that, in 1846, the famous Bear Flag first fluttered to the breeze; and here,
too, was it hauled down and gave place to the "Star-Spangled Banner," on the
acquisition of California to the Union, three days after it had been unfurled at
Monterey. In this year Sonoma was made the headquarters of the emigrants who had
then commenced to find their way across the wide and little known continent. The
young and able-bodied of the men had joined Fremont on arrival; the women and
children had remained behind.

   Doctor Charles Van Geldern, a medical gentleman of much erudition, resident
in Sonoma, arrived in the city on October, 1849, and thus describes its
appearance at that time. For better facility of description let us commence at
the northern side of the plaza, at the north-eastern corner, and thence make the
circuit of the square. Here is an adobe structure, erected originally for the
military barracks, but now considerably renovated and remodeled as the store of
Solomon Shocken; next in succession westward came the residence of General
Vallejo, which was a two-storied building constructed of the same material and
very strongly built. On the ground floor the rooms were occupied in rotation, as
here described: The first by Don Frederika Reger, a Belgian, who had been long
resident in Mexico, and tutor to the General's family; next came Dr. Van
Geldern. Here a large hall divided the building, the only occupied rooms on its
other side being those of Doctor Griffith, now of Los Angeles, then of the
United States army, and Lieutenant Stoneman, afterwards a famous general of
cavalry during the rebellion. The upper floor was entirely devoted to the uses
of the Vallejo family. To the rear of the house there extended for a
considerable distance a building (now standing) used as a dormitory for the
Indians on the premises, of whom there were a great number, and a kitchen, while
their still remains a relic of the past, a small cover of adobe over the well,
which was in the center of the yard; still further back there being a small
vineyard, orchard of about one hundred trees of apples and pears, and garden.
The main building had a large and broad verandah to the rear, while at its
western end rose to the height of one story above the main building, a
strongly-constructed watch-tower with a flat roof, erected as a look-out in case
of danger, and giving a position of vantage should such be needed.
Unfortunately, this building was destroyed by fire in 1867, there being nothing
remaining but those out-houses already mentioned. Contiguous to the palace, as
General Vallejo's residence was called in early days, was a thick adobe wall or
rampart, loopholed, so as to command the plaza, while adjacent to it, occupying
the north-west angle, came two buildings. In 1849, there was only one, but in
the following year another was added by the proprietor, Don Salvador Vallejo, a
brother of the Commandant; these are now occupied by the Tecino Hotel, a
caravanserai patronized chiefly by Italian workmen, and a Chinese merchant. The
first house on the west side of the plaza was a large building erected  by Don
Salvador Vallejo. In 1849 it was the "El Dorado Hotel," kept by Randolph and
George Pearce, now a prominent lawyer in Petaluma; then came the residence of
Ex-Governor Boggs, which stood on the site of the present Swiss Hotel, while on
the corner, where the store of Edward Wegener now stands, the same building  was
occupied as the residence  and  headquarters of General Persefer F. Smith. This
structure was erected by Jacob P. Leese, but afterwards became the property of
Henry D. Fitch, and was known for many years as the Fitch House. In these
premises, also, dwelt General Smith's Aid-de-camp, Captain Gibbs, who rose to
distinction in the war of the rebellion, while in one of the rooms was built the
first brick chimney in the county. In a house in the southwest corner there
dwelt Colonel Joe Hooker—Fightiug [sic] Joe of warlike fame. The south side of
the plaza was occupied by, imprimis, the Union Hotel, on the site of the present
stone building of that name, kept by three partners named Dow, now a farmer on
Russian river, Storey, a watchmaker, and Higgins, a sign painter; all of whom
had come out in Stevenson's regiment; in the same building was a store owned by
Mayor Cameron. Adjoining the hotel was a livery stable kept by Don Vasquez, and
further on was the store of Ex-Governor Boggs. Here a street, some one hundred
and twelve feet wide, now known as Broadway, cut into the country. On its other
side was the court-house, a two-storied building, having a wide verandah around
it, and presided over by Judge Green. These last mentioned edifices having given
way to stores and saloons, and live only in the minds of the earlier
inhabitants. The corner of the east side of the square was then occupied by
Morrow, the building is now in the possession of F. Duhring as a store and
agency of Wells, Fargo & Co. On the site of the Sonoma House and John Lewis'
butcher's shop stood a one-storied building, where Christian Brunner, formerly
of Sutter's Fort, pursued much the same business as is there carried on now,
save that with his house of entertainment he kept no lodgers; then followed a
small bakery, owned by Mathias Purcell; next, were the residences of some
soldier-families, now in the occupancy of Doctor Van Geldern; then came a house
occupied by Doctor August Heyermann; then, a house owned by Don Juan Castanada;
beyond was the Casa de Billiard, erected by General Vallejo for the use of
himself and friends; then followed the row of buildings which still stands, in
which are situated the offices of the Sonoma Index; then the property of Pena,
the brothers d'Avila—one a silversmith, the other a painter—and the corner of
the building was occupied by Ex-Governor Boggs, as a postoffice, and Ortega, the
bell-ringer of the Catholic church. Thus the voyage of circumnavigation has been
made. From the north-east corner was the street, now known as Spain street, on
the right-hand side of which was a two-storied building called the Sonoma House,
kept as a hotel by two Scotchmen, Cooper & Spriggs; adjacent to it was the
residence of Sisto Berreyesa, a former Alcalde under the Mexican regime; then
came an adobe occupied by officers of the United States Army, among them being
Major Philip Kearney, afterwards General, killed at Antietam; Lieutenant" Derby,
alias Squibob, of literary notoriety; Captain Stone, afterwards General, of
Ball's Bluff fame; Lieutenant Davidson Williamson, and a host more who have
gained particular prominence in the service of their country; next were the
residences of Josefa Higuera, and Don Jose de la Rosa, the latter of whom had a
small printing-press, which, in company with General Vallejo, he had used at a
very early date to produce a small work on the "Medicinal virtues of the
indigenous plants of California." The Mission occupied the site which it does
to-day; near to it there stood the store of Lewis Adler, a resident of the town
since 1848; while on the north-west corner was a store kept by A. C. McDonald.
On the Napa road, now called United States street, was the residence of
Paymaster Leonard.

   Sonoma has had in its day, honor upon honor thrust on, nay, forced upon it.
In June 1846 it was taken possession of by the "Bear flag" party and General
Vallejo taken prisoner, a matter which has been attended to in its proper place.
In this year too, Captain Montgomery, of the sloop-of-war Portsmouth, despatched
Lieutenant Revere to Sonoma from Yerba Buena, (San Francisco) to take possession
of the place. This he did, with some marines. On arrival he found the plaza in
possession of the Independents, as they called themselves. He pulled down the
Bear flag and replaced it with the Stars and Stripes, and then took possession
of the barracks already mentioned; but on the arrival of Stevenson's regiment in
the country, a company was detached for service in Sonoma under Captain
Brackett, a post they continued to occupy until the discovery of gold, at which
time Captain John B. Frisbie was in command. At the time of which we write,
Sonoma was the principal place of business, traffic and commerce, north of the
bay of San Francisco. Ex-Governor Boggs, Lewis Adler, and the other store
keepers supplied the country round for leagues with goods, groceries, indeed
nearly all their wants, the rancheros coming here to make their purchases, the
vendors taking in exchange hides, then the rather unwieldy currency of the time.
It is asserted that it was not uncommon for a ranchero, who having a debt of a
thousand dollars, to liquidate it by killing a thousand head of cattle so as to
procure their hides. Here too, on the discovery of gold, were many of the mining
expeditions fitted out, when such was the demand for goods of all kinds, that
cargo after cargo was sold almost before they could be put upon the shelves of
the stores. Communication was kept up with Yerba Buena by means of small sailing
craft which found their way to the Embarcadero; cargoes of flour from Chili, tea
from China, cloths from Europe, and spirits from the Eastern States, to the
extent of several thousands of dollars; all were speedily disposed of.

   Sonoma soon commenced to show signs of a settled population; it was therefore
deemed necessary that a survey of the pueblo lands should be made, in order that
the people who were fast settling around the town and in the valley might have
an opportunity of acquiring titles to their land. To this end Governor Boggs
employed Jasper O'Farrell to survey a number of lots, still retaining the
original plan of General Vallejo, and also to lay out, over and above these
small sections, thirty or forty acres of land in squares, in conformity with the
original design, and granted to those, these tracts, who had utilized the lands
first by building thereon, or otherwise, at the rate of five dollars an acre,
while the rest was sold to the highest bidder, and the proceeds placed to the
credit of the municipal fund.

   In the year 1850, Sonoma was first incorporated as a city, as it was also the
county seat. The records of the city, however, for the years 1850 to 1851 are
nowhere to be traced, yet it is asserted that in the first mentioned year, the
Mayor was Mr. Cameron, and among the Councilmen were Isaac Randolph, Jesse
Davidson, D. O. Shattuck. The first authentic date procurable is March 8, 1851,
the original archives of the city of Sonoma. These are kept on a few sheets of
ordinary letter paper stitched together, and now much time-stained. On June 5,
1852, a new book was commenced, on the inside of the boards of which wre find
the card of "Marvin & Hitchcock, stationers and booksellers, pioneer book store,
sign of the ledger, Montgomery street, San Francisco." The opening minute in
this volume notes that on December 21st (of the previous year) it was ordered
"that those who did not take out deeds, that their lots should be resold, and
the defraying charged to them." This resolution was not adopted, however. The
President of the Council, at that date, would appear to have been Peter
Campbell, with Messrs. Lewis, Higgins, and others as Councilmen. On April 19,
1851, it was promulgated that an election for one Mayor, one Recorder, one
Marshal, one Attorney, one Constable, and five Councillors should be held on the
first Monday in May, at the same time it being announced that Mr. Brockman, Sr.,
and Judge Green should act as Judges of election, with L. W. Boggs and R. B.
Butter as Inspector and Clerk, respectively. At this stage another hiatus occurs
in the city records, until June 5, 1852, when we find that there were present at
a meeting that day held, Jesse Davidson as President, with Councilors Lewis,
Boggs, Randolph and Shattuck.

   On the above mentioned date we find the resolution recorded that "a committee
of three members be appointed to take into consideration the propriety of
establishing a free school in the city, to be sustained by taxation; and also to
ascertain a proper site for a school-house, and report thereon as early as
practicable." It was also then resolved "that a committee of three be appointed
to view the most feasible route, as a permanent street from Sonoma to the
Embarcadero, taking into consideration the matter of the grounds, directions of
the route, price of rights of way, etc." These committees were: For the schools,
Messrs. Lewis, Shattuck and Boggs; for the permanent way, Messrs. Randolph,
Boggs and Shattuck. It is to be inferred that the mayor of the city at this time
was General M. G. Vallejo, for we find on record, that the meeting now under
consideration directed that the books and papers of the city of Sonoma be handed
over to him; we also find that the drafting of certain rules for the guidance of
the councilmen in their deliberations, were ordered under the supervision of
Messrs. Boggs and Lewis. This important meeting is attested by James R. Long,
Clerk of Council.

   Action would appear to have been at once taken in the matter of the school;
two lots for the purpose were immediately tendered, one by General Vallejo,
situated on the plaza, the other by John Lewis, being lot No. 72 on the plan of
the city. The Council while acknowledging the offer of the General declined the
lot on account of the publicity of its situation, while they accepted the lot of
Mr. Lewis who offered it in lieu of his subscription; a quit deed was therefore
made out, and the lot assessed at four hundred dollars. In the month of July,
1852, we find the Councilmen appear for the first time as Aldermen, while the
City Attorney was Robert Hopkins, who having resigned was succeeded on January
29, 1853, by Frank W. Shattuck, James R. Boggs being on the same date elected
Clerk.

   The first regular record of an election to be found was that for the years
1853-4, when the following officials were chosen: Robert Hopkins, Mayor; Jesse
Davidson, W. Ryder, David Cook, Israel Brockman, William M. Boggs, Councilmen;
Frank W. Shattuck, City Attorney; Benjamin Mitchell, City Assessor; George W.
Miller, City Treasurer; John Sharkey, City Marshal; Edwin A. Sherman, Clerk of
Council.

   Shortly after the foregoing election, the City Marshal requested that his
office should be taken from among the positions of honor, and that some
emolument should be attached to it; upon consideration a city ordinance was
passed directing that the fines and forfeitures obtained by violations of city
ordinances should be appropriated towards the salary of the Marshal. We here
find mention of a regulation of the corporation which at this period and in this
State appears curious to say the least of it. At a date anterior to 1853, an
ordinance providing for the due observance of the Sabbath day had been put in
operation; on May 22d it was proposed by Alderman Brockman that a fine of not
less than five nor more than fifty dollars should be imposed for the violation
of it. This reminds us of the act of Parliament of Queen Anne, passed in
England, and which has never been repealed, whereby a person not attending
divine service on the Sabbath is liable to a fine of one shilling. We find,
however, that the corporation of those days in Sonoma, were not of the manner of
which the typical alderman is supposed to be moulded. He would appear to have
been an enemy to strong drink and other vices in the young. Sonoma had not then
commenced the culture of the grape and the making of wine—for an ordinance was
passed prohibiting minors from frequenting drinking houses and there gambling.

   Like larger cities, and older ones, Sonoma at this juncture was found to be
in debt, it was therefore resolved that a tax of sixty cents on each one hundred
dollars' worth of property should be ordered, so as to relieve the struggling
city from the incubus (June 31, 1853). On July 16, 1853, the following record is
found: "A committee of citizens waited upon the Council, requesting the Council
to appoint a committee to examine and investigate the books, papers, etc.,
belonging to the city, and to co-operate with them in such examination in order
to satisfy the citizens of Sonoma as regards the true financial condition of the
city. Said committee of citizens having been appointed by a meeting of citizens
in general, held at the house known as the Blue Wing, for the above purpose. On
motion of Alderman Ryder, that a committee of two be appointed to examine the
journals, books, papers, etc., and that the clerk be authorized to give up all
books, papers, etc., to said committee. On motion of Alexander Ryder, the
following resolution was carried in the affirmative: "Be it resolved that
WHEREAS, a certain warrant was made by this Board and given to one Reynolds, for
and in consideration of his services as Assessor, this Board supposing at the
time, without due consideration, that the said Reynolds was fully* competent,
and had given to-this Board a correct and true assessment list, did issue said
warrant, but a careful examination having been made by this Board, through a
statement received from the City Marshal, that it was not correct, and that
before he would be enabled to collect any tax it would be necessary to have a
new and correct assessment list made out, and this Board finding such to be the
truth, do resolve that an order be given to the City Treasurer to refuse payment
of said warrant until such time as he, the said City Treasurer, shall receive
due notice from this Board, and that the said Reynolds has made and given to
this Board a correct assessment list of all the property liable to assessment in
the city of Sonoma." On this, it was directed that the City Marshal suspend the
collection of taxes until further orders.

   In 1854-5 the following gentlemen formed the body corporate governing the
city of Sonoma: G. W. Miller, Mayor; H. L. Kemp, J. E. McNair, Samuel B. Bright,
T. K. Chambers, P. J. Vasquez, Councilmen; Thomas I, Boggs, City Attorney; Isaac
Brockman; City Treasurer; W. G. Rain, City Marshal; Frederick Rohrer, Clerk of
Council. Under this regime the City was divided into road districts, overseers
thereof being appointed in the month of September of each year, while the
undermentioned wards were made subject to the provisions of the ordinance:
District No. 1.—Commencing at the plaza on Broadway, and running thence on said
Broadway to the south-west corner of Lot. No: 573; thence running along the
southern boundary of said lot to the south-east corner of same; thence along the
road now used, to the boundary of the city. District No. 2.—First. Commencing at
the south-east corner of the plaza in Sonoma City on Napa street, and running on
said street to the eastern limits of the city. Second. Commencing at the
north-east corner of said plaza on Vallejo street, and running thence along said
street to the south end of "Clayton's lane," thence north to the city boundary
on Santa Rosa road.

   In the following years naught save the usual routine of ordinary business has
been recorded. Such matters as regards the difficulty of proving titles to land
are too well known to need comment from us, therefore the names of the officers
of the corporation will simply be given as fully as it has been possible to
follow them. 1855-6.—Samuel B. Bright, Mayor; Frederick Fitch, Frederick Rohrer,
Benjamin Mitchell, D. Cook, W. L. Copeland, Councillors; Thomas I. Boggs, City
Attorney; G. W. Miller, City Treasurer; D. P. Shattuck, City Assessor; James H.
Price, City Marshal; A. G. Baber, Clerk of Council. 1856-7.—Samuel Brockman,
Mayor; P. J. Vasquez; D. Davidson, J. S. Woods, John Andrews, A. C. McDonald,
Councilmen; Thomas I. Boggs, City Attorney; John Selling, City Treasurer;
William Ellis, City Marshal; P. Campbell, Clerk of Council. 1857-8.—A. G. Oakes,
Mayor; H. L. Kemp, P. J. Vasquez, Frederick Rohrer, A. C. McDonald, David Cook,
Councilmen; S. H. Rupe, City Treasurer; G. L. Wratten, City Attorney; William
Ellis, City Marshal; S. F. Gowan, City Assessor. 1858-9.—A. G. Oakes, Mayor; P.
J. Vasquez, D. Calloway, D. Cook, Lewis Adler, F. H. Coe, Councilmen; Charles
Van Geldern, City Treasurer; W. Cramp, City Assessor; D. P. Shattuck, City
Marshal; J. D. Long, City Attorney; Frederick Rohrer, Clerk of Council.
1859-60.—M. G. Vailejo, Mayor; EL F. Bates, H. L. Lidstrom, George McConnell, D.
Cook, William Ellis, Councilmen; John Jones, City Assessor; Charles Van Geldern,
City Treasurer; G. L. Wratten, City Attorney; H. L. Lidstrom, Clerk of Council
pro tem. In this year the rooms of the Council were moved to the residence of
General Vailejo, on the plaza, where apartments had been placed at their
disposal by the Mayor. On July 14, 1860, all enclosed streets were ordered to be
cleared of obstructions and thrown open. The corporation succeeding, was the
last to rule over the destinies of Sonoma as a city, for a time, at least, they
consisted of: 1860-61.—D. Cook, Mayor; William Ellis, H. F. Bates, H. L.
Lidstrom, C. D. Smith, A. G. Lyon, Councilmen; Charles Dierlam, City Treasurer;
John L. Cook, City Assessor; William M. Boggs, City Attorney; N. Long, City
Marshal. Another corporation had not been appointed when the death-knell to the
city of Sonoma was pealed by the Legislature, and it was plucked of its civic
glories on April 26, 1862. The king is dead, long live the king! In lieu of the
Mayoralty, Trustees were appointed, the heading of their first meeting sounding
the doom of Sonoma's glories in these words: "At a meeting of the Trustees of
the former city of Sonoma, elected under an Act of the Legislature of the State
of California, entitled an Act to repeal an Act entitled an Act to incorporate
the city of Sonoma, passed April 14, 1850, and other matters relating thereto,
approved April 26, 1862, held in the office of G. L. Wratten, Esquire, in the
village of Sonoma, on the 7th day of June, 1862, and organized by the election
of John Walton, President; Dennis Beaham, Secretary and Treasurer; and D. O.
Shattuck, as a Board of Trustees, it was by them ordered, that a notice to
creditors be published once a week for.three months in the different news-pipers
in the county; also, that the Secretary and Treasurer wait on the former Council
and receive from them the books and such other effects, the property of the
former city of Sonoma."

   It is painful in a work which purposes as this does to be the history of a
county, that an apology should ever have to appear in its pages, yet such has to
be now made. It is no fault of ours that the records of the pueblo of Sonoma
should be so incomplete: the records do not exist, or rather they are lost,
mislaid or destroyed, and consequently cannot be referred to—between the years
1862 and 1868 they are missing.

   We are enabled to state from those at present extant that in the year 1868
the Pueblo Commissioners were Jacob R. Snyder, George L. Wratten, and John
Walton. In these records we find that on April 25th of that year it was ordered
in accordance with the requirements of an Act of the Legislature approved March
30, 1868, that an election should be called submitting to the legal voters of
the Pueblo de Sonoma, whether the plaza shall be deeded in trust to the public
school Trustees of the Sonoma district to be by them held for public school
purposes, and as a public promenade.

   On April 29, 1876, Orick Johnson was granted permission to cut the grass on
the plaza for his own use, if he undertook to promise to keep the fence
surrounding it in good repair and cattle from trespassing thereon.

   About this time commenced the claim of the pueblo lands, an intricate legal
study which we are unable to produce from the want of accurate information on
the matter.

   The approved minutes of the meeting held on May 29, 1876, reads: " The time
of appeal from the decision of the Commissioners of the General Land Office of
the United States having expired yesterday, and it becoming necessary for the
pueblo or city of Sonoma to provide money with which to pay for the re-survey
ordered by the said United States Commissioners, and to pay such claims as have
accrued and which may accrue in procuring the patent for the pueblo lands and
settling the affairs thereof, it was unanimously resolved that the resolution
passed on the 4th day of May, 1869, and which was held in abeyance until
otherwise ordered, be now reaffirmed and carried into immediate effect. The said
resolution is in words as follows, to-wit: It is therefore unanimously resolved,
ordered and directed by J. R. Snyder, John Walton, and George L. Wratten, the
Board of Commissioners in and for the pueblo or city of Sonoma that a special
tax of one thousand dollars be, and the same is, hereby assessed and levied for
the said purposes hereinbefore and in said Act described, within the limits of
said pueblo, upon all taxable real estate therein, and the same is hereby
ordered to be collected, and John Walton is appointed the assessor and collector
of the said tax, and his compensation is hereby fixed at the sum
of------dollars, and he is hereby directed to make said assessment
within------days from this date, and after the said assessment is made to return
his assessment roll to the Board for Equalization, and when the said tax is
equalized, to take up the equalized assessment roll or a copy thereof, and
proceed at once to collect the same."

   The Board of Equalization having met July 3d, returned the assessment roll as
correct, when it was on motion ordered that thirty-three cents on one hundred
dollars be levied for pueblo purposes, and that the Collector, Col. Walton, be
instructed to collect the same. It is recorded that Col. Walton tendered his
resignation as Collector on August 19th, and George W. Sparks was unanimously
ehosen in his stead.

   The next entry in the record is on June 11th. 1878, the Commissioners being
G. T. Pauli, Otto Schetter, and John Tivnen, with George L. Wratten as paid
Secretary.

   On the above date the Secretary was deputed to proceed to San Francisco, and
make inquiries as to the present condition of the case, United States versus The
Mayor and Common Council of the City of Sonoma, and to take such necessary steps
as would bring the case to a speedy and proper settlement.

   On June 21st Secretary Wratten presented his report as follows: That he found
the last survey of the pueblo ordered to be made by the United States Surveyor
General for the State of California in conformity with the decision and
direction of the Commissioner of the United States Land Office had been
protested against, and was contested by several parties on the northern boundary
line of said pueblo; that a large amount of testimony had been taken, surveys
made, maps and exhibits filed in said case, both by the contestants and the
former Commissioners on behalf of the said pueblo, and that the taking of
testimony in said case had been closed and a brief and argument filed for the
contestants by R. P. and H. N. Clement, their attorneys; that it was necessary a
reply argument and brief should be made and filed on behalf of said pueblo. That
the Surveyor General stated that he was ready to take up the case and decide
whenever the arguments and briefs on both sides were all in.

   That J. W. Shanklin, Esq., an attorney at law of San Francisco had been
employed by Mayor J. R. Snyder the President of the former Board of
Commissioners of Sonoma, to represent the interests of the said pueblo and the
purchasers of real estate therefrom along the northern boundary line of the
same, said Snyder among the number, and that said Shanklin had attended to the
said business up to the time of the death of the said Snyder, and the
appointment of a new Board of Commissioners; and said Shanklin stated that he
was ready and willing to proceed with the case if he was so authorized by the
present Board of Commissioners, etc.

   It was resolved, June 26, 1878, that a tax of fifteen hundred dollars be
levied upon and collected from all the taxable real estate situate within the
exterior boundaries and limits of the Pueblo de Sonoma, in order to meet the
costs of conducting the case and other necessary fees and expenses, George W.
Sparks being appointed Assessor. In due time Mr. Shanklin was entrusted with the
case and referred to Julius Simon, the attorney of Washington, D. C, who had
represented the pueblo before the Commissioner of the General Land office on
appeal from the decision of the Surveyor-General of the United States, for
information on its different bearings.

   On August 29, 1878, the Chief Clerk of the United States Surveyor-General's
office for California notified the Board that the survey of the Pueblo of Sonoma
would soon be ready for transmission to Washington for the patent, but 'before
it could be sent it was necessary that the commissioners deposit with the Clerk
of the United States District Court in San Francisco the sum of two hundred
dollars to pay cost of office work on said survey. Such a charge not being
understood by the Board, especially as sums had been paid by the former
commissioners sufficient to cover all necessary costs, Messrs. Wratten and
Tivnen were deputed to go to San Francisco to make inquiries on this head. On
their return this committee made a report, that owing to the absence of the
Surveyor-General no satisfactory answer could be obtained. Thereafter Messrs.
Pauli and Tivnen proceeded to San Francisco in regard to this subject, and made
the following report on September 11th: "The undersigned, a committee appointed
at a regular meeting held on the 2d instant to confer with United States
Surveyor-General Wagner, beg to report as follows: "We found on explanation of
the Survevor-General in regard to our account with his office and the amount
deposited by the former Commissioners of the Pueblo of Sonoma that the pueblo is
indebted to the United States in the sum of eight dollars and nine cents, and
feel satisfied the same is correct.

   "We also report that the Surveyor-General will approve the last survey,
corrected by the Deputy, Mr. Benson, and will make his report within three weeks
to the United States Land Commissioner at Washington to that effect, and that it
was necessary for the Commissioners (of the pueblo) to pay the Clerk of the
United States District Court the sum of two hundred dollars towards paying for
preparing field-notes, maps, etc., and said committee have paid said amount and
filed the receipt of the Clerk in the office of the said United States
Surveyor-General.

   "We also believe that the prospects are now favorable to receive the required
patent of the Pueblo in a reasonable time, unless other objections are made by
outside parties."

   Since the removal of the county seat from Sonoma until lately, the town has
been, as it were, out of the world. In November, 1873, we learn that an
agreement was entered into between General Vallejo and William Carlisle, wherein
the latter undertook to bring water from the General's homestead, where it is.
confined in a reservoir, into the town, through redwood pipes with three-inch
bore, the mains to be laid along the avenue leading from the General's house to
the main road, thence down United States street, running east and west in the
town of Sonoma, thence easterly along said street to a street running north and
south on the east side of the plaza, thence along each street encircling the
plaza, and also along the streets bordering the plaza, thence down Broad street;
the total length of mains being eight thousand feet. The terms of the agreement
were: All profits to be divided equally between General Vallejo and Mr. Carlisle
for five years, at the end of which time the General had the right to pay
Carlisle the original cost of the works, when the whole interest would revert to
General Vallejo. The cost of the pipes 'aid down was not to exceed twenty-eight
cents per foot. This water is now rented by about thirty families at one dollar
and fifty cents a month each. It is used by a much larger number, and not only
for domestic purposes, but also for irrigation, much to the displeasure of
General Vallejo, to whom the enterprise now belongs.

   The town of Sonoma would appear to have been visited by several
conflagrations, one of the largest being that which occurred on Saturday night,
November 11, 1866. The conflagration commenced in Linihan's livery stable,
destroying that building and contents, as well as nine head of horses, forty
tons of hay, three tons of barley, two buggies, two wagons, nine plows, and
several other articles. The Union Hotel, adjoining on the north, and Martin &
McDonald's blacksmith shop were also destroyed, with all their furniture and
fixtures. The Southern Methodist church, some distance from the other buildings
destroyed, was also burned. The loss sustained was as fallows: Jerry Linihan,
five thousand dollars, a policy of insurance having expired but a few days
before the catastrophe; Uhrig & Co., proprietors of the Union Hotel, ten
thousand dollars, covered by five thousand dollars insurance; Martin & McDonald,
blacksmiths, fifteen hundred dollars; Methodist church, two thousand dollars;
Dr. Vaslit's horses burnt in stable, two hundred and fifty dollars. On the day
following a man was arrested upon complaint of Mr. Linihan, in whose employ he
had formerly been, and with whom he had recently quarreled, charging him with
arson. The individual had given several contradictory accounts of himself and
his whereabouts on the night of the fire. While the fire was raging, the store
of T. Duhring & Co., in another part of the town, was robbed of a considerable
sum of money, which was taken from an iron safe which had been opened with a
false key.

   The village of Sonoma at the present writing is a quiet place, and possesses
little more than a history. It boasts of three churches, a Catholic, Methodist
and Congregational. The plaza, with even a little attention, might be made »a
beautiful spot; as it is, it wears a dilapidated look, the fence is broken, the
grass is rank, and is now intersected with pathways made by the citizens as
short-cuts to their various haunts. There are four hotels and several stores, a
postoffice, which was established November 8, 1849, with Lilburn W. Boggs as
Postmaster, and a telgraph agency. The Masons and Odd Fellows have each a lodge,
while %the Sonoma Valley Bank occupies a prominent position on the plaza.

   Temple Lodge, No. 14, F. & A. M.—This lodge was organized on April 9, 1851,
with the following charter members: J. Hendley, George H. Derby, James R. Long,
M. Pelty, Jesse Davidson, William Burris, P. Hicklin, Stephen Acres, Jason
Smith, E. Peabody and George Stevenson. The present membership is thirty-five,
while the officers are: J. J. Stofen, W. M.; P. L. McGill, S. W.; D. McKiUop, J.
W.; M. P. Ackers, Treasurer; G. W. Sparks, Secretary; W. C. Goodman, S. D.; S.
B. Box, J. D.; A. F. Haraszthy, Marshal; Charles McHarvey and Richard Liver,
Stewards; W. F* Searcy, Tyler.

   The fraternity occupies the floor above the Sonoma Valley Bank; the hall is
forty by twenty feet, while, the ante and preparation rooms are respectively ten
by eight and eight by eight feet. The lodge is in good circumstances, both
fraternally and financially.

   Sonoma Lodge, No. 28, I. O. O. F.—This lodge was instituted July 1, 1854,
with J. A. Brewster, P. G.; F. Rohrer, P. G.; W. Ayers, S.C. Hayden and Calvin
Rohrer as charter members. The inaugural ceremonies were presided over by Edward
B. Eaton, D. D. G. M. of Napa district, and the following officers elected: J.
A. Brewster, N. G.; Fred. Rohrer, V. G.; H. B. Martin, Secretary; G. W. Miller,
Treasurer. Since the lodge was organized there have been one hundred and
fifty-five members admitted. Theirs has not been a life of unremitting
prosperity, the hall having been twice destroyed by fire in 1859, and seven
years later, in 1867. Notwithstanding these reverses the institution is now in a
prosperous condition with a membership of twenty-nine and a building and other
property worth five thousand dollars. The present building wherein the lodge
meets was erected in 1877 of concrete, forty-three by sixty feet, and contains
two store rooms on first floor, and a lodge room and three offices on the
second. The present elective officers are: C. L. Ennis, N. G.; M. Muldry, V. G.:
M. Levy, R. S.; P. Monahan, Treasurer; J. Douglas, P. S.

   Locust Grove School.—This admirably conducted school was established by Mrs.
Lubeck, in the month of January, 1875, and is situated about two and a half
miles from the town of Sonoma, nearly midway on the-direct road to St. Louis,
the small village at the Embarcadero, at the head of navigation, the stage
therefrom passing the gates twice a day. This academy was started with this
principal object, the preparation of boys under twelve . years of age for the
Episcopal colleges of St. Augustine, at Benicia, Solano, and St. Mathew's Hall,
at San Mateo, in the county of that name. The Locust Grove school is beautifully
situated in the midst of umbrageous trees, through the branches of which the
sun's rays are rarely felt; here the young enjoy all the advantages of a home,
combined with the greatest care and attention. Well grounding in the classes
modern languages and music, as well as the rudiments of a good education in
other branches, are the chief aim of the teachers, yet play is not overlooked,
there being every opportunity to roam in the large and well-stocked orchard
which surrounds the house, while conveniently near is a stream where the art of
swimming is inculcated; indeed, all healthful exercises tending to give vigor to
the youthful mind and body are not forgotten by the accomplished matron and her
assistants. The average attendance since the opening of the establishment has
been twenty-five, but the prospect of an increase is beyond a doubt, so soon as
the advantages of care and locality are generally known.

   Sonoma Valley Bank.—This institution was incorporated in June, 1875, with a
paid up capital of fifty-three thousand one hundred dollars, and commenced
business on July 12, 1875. The bank is situated on the j)laza in the town of
Sonoma, and its officers are: President, David Burris; Cashier, Jesse Burris;
Directors, David Burris, A. E. Haraszthy, F. Duhring, P. Monahan, and W. H.
Switzer.

   NEWSPAPERS.—The first printing done in Sonoma county were two small pamphlets
in the Spanish language, published in 1838 by the Government press in Sonoma.
One of them contained a list of remedies for the common complaints which all
flesh is heir to, even in this favored clime; the other is a series of reports
made by General Valiejo to the Governor of Alta California.

   The Sonoma Bulletin.—This was the first periodical published in Sonoma
county, its initial number being issued June 12, 1852, by A. J. Cox, who had
been a resident of the town of Sonoma since 1847, having been a number of a
company of Stevenson's regiment, which was stationed there. Mr. Thompson says:
It was a very lively sheet for several years, and would have done credit to a
much later period in the history of the State. Contributions from the inimitable
Derby, and other army officers stationed at Sonoma, were not infrequent in its
columns.

   The paper was continued at intervals up to 1855, when the editor, in a
characteristic notice in the Petalwma Journal of September 15, 1855, announces
its final demise as follows: "Hon. Q. Smikes wishes to return his thanks to the
editorial fraternity for the kind notices of his debut, and to the public
generally (the rest of mankind included) for their liberal patronage, and to
announce that the Blunderbuss has dried up."

   The Sonoma Index.—This is the name of a very readable and intelligently
conducted newspaper now published in Sonoma. It had been but recently started
when we visited the ancient city, but under the able leadership of Ben. Frank it
was making famous headway and worthily filling a prominent place in the world of
letters in Sonoma county.

   VINEYARDS OF SONOMA.—Sonoma valley has the largest share of the
wine-producing industry of the county. In it, and on the surrounding hills,
there are no less than three thousand acres planted with vines, all of them
productive.

   The most extensive vineyard in the township, indeed, in the county—perhaps in
the world—is that of the Buena Vista Vinicultural Society, which covers an area
of about five hundred acres, and has planted some four hundred thousand vines.
What a marvel of a place is this vineyard as one drives through it, extending,
as it does, for several miles along the base of the hills bounding the eastern
border of the valley; naught on either hand but the brilliant green of the
grape, laid out in lines, with not a perceptible curve; looked at from
whatsoever point, still the same mathematical precision is maintained ; arranged
in tracts of such size that two lines converge in the far-off perspective, while
from the refreshing color of the prospect the eye never tires, but finds relief
from the glare of bright sunshine.

   The Buena Vista Vinicultural Society was organized in the year 1863 by
Colonel Agoston Haraszthy, a Hungarian noble, of whom mention has been made in
another place. To this gentleman of indefatigable perseverance and indomitable
strength of purpose is due the hold which grape culture has taken upon the
settlers of Sonoma valley; he it was who undertook the cultivation of the vine
without the time-honored custom of irrigation inaugurated by the fathers of the
missions.

   The first vines on the track of land now under attention were planted by
Salvador Vallejo, he having chosen the site on account of the proximity of a
mountain stream which could be brought into operation in irrigating the fields.
In 1849 he sold it to Benjamin Kelsey and his brother, who had come from the
then recently discovered mines with a large fortune in gold dust; the name
henceforward became Kelsey's vineyard; they next disposed of it to a San
Francisco lawyer named Rose, at one time a resident of Marysville, Yuba county,
who gave it his name; and in 1856 it became the property of Colonel Haraszthy,
who greatly increased its size by the purchase of adjoining land, and as stated
above, finally started the Vinicultural Society.

   In 1849, there were some two or three acres of vines under cultivation at
Lachryma Montis, the residence of General Vallejo, out of which, in 1850, he
netted six thousand dollars in the San Francisco market. In the previous year a
small vineyard and orchard had been commenced by Albert Lyon in the town; his
lead was followed by a man named Griffith, who had brought his young fruit
plants from Oregon. Those of the General and Salvador Vallejo had been planted
for years prior to this epoch, but the culture of the grape was not at first
taken hold of with any enthusiasm, for this simple reason, it was thought that
for any kind of cultivation irrigation was imperatively necessary; the}' had
seen that the vines of the two Vallejos, men of the longest experience in the
country, were in this wise treated, hence they followed, and it was not until
the experience of Colonel Haraszthy, who had been raised in the vine-growing
countries of Hungary, was brought to bear that this special industry commenced
to assume the vast proportions that it has now attained.

   Let us now enter into a description of some of the principal grape-growing
establishments in Sonoma valley.

   The Buena Vista.—As we have remarked, the largest vineyard in California is
the Buena Vista, where there are five hundred acres of vines. The whole tract
belonging to the Buena Vista Vinicultural Society covers some six thousand
acres, on which there are several creeks and sulphur, iron and soda springs. An
avenue a mile long leads to the houses, and on both sides are planted three rows
of locust and mulberry trees. Of the latter there are some three thousand,
exclusive of cuttings. The dwellings, men's quarters, carpenter's shop, stable,
etc., are all separated, so as to prevent the possibility of a heavy loss by
fire. The company make different classes of red and white wine, while they
manufacture sparkling wines with the foreign varieties of grapes. The
press-house, near a hill, is three stories high and one hundred feet square. The
grapes are brought around on the side of the hill and crushed in the upper
story, while the juice is carried by ^ pipes to the vats below. From this house
three tunnels or cellars, one hundred feet long each, are run into the hill for
the purpose of storing the wine. The champagne house is also three stories high,
and from it are two long tunnels running into the hill, containing in 1879 about
thirty thousand bottles of sparkling wine.

   On one side of the creek, near the press-house, is the cooper shop, where all
the casks are put together, and on the other side is the distillery, where the
brandy is made. In the press-house cellars are large tanks, holding from one to
two thousand gallons each, where they have wine of the older vintages up to
date. Tunnel No. three is what is facetiously termed the "library," where are
ranged different kinds of wine ready to be sampled. On the main creek is the
willow house, where all the champagne baskets are made from willows grown on the
ranch. They employ from forty to one hundred men, according to the season. Every
department has its own overseer, who brings his reports nightly to the
superintendent, E. P. Cutter. The agents in San Francisco are B. E. Auger &
Company, 409 Battery street.

   Vineyard of Col. George F. Hooper.—Never was the word model more pertinently
applied to any manorial estate in this republic than the vineyard, orchard,
groves and grounds of Col. G. F. Hooper. Talent, industry, judgment,
perseverance and money have aided nature in making this a very Eden. Here he has
ninety acres under cultivation, forty-five being orchard, twenty of which are
almonds, of the Languedoc and Prince of Spain species budded from imported trees
on plum and peach stems. There are also fifteen acres of oranges, lemons, limes,
etc. Besides which he has groves of pecan nuts, chestnuts, olives, Japanese
persimmons, English walnuts, or Madeira nuts, the Mandarin orange of China, as
well as the citron. Col. Hooper acquired this property in 1872, and in the
following year set out cuttings of vines, the principal kinds which he
cultivates being the Zinfindel, Black Malvoisie, Flame Tokay, and several
others. The last mentioned is said to be a hybrid variety, closely resembling
the English hot-house grape. It is ordinarily a splendid table grape. In its
first year of pressing, or on being turned into wine, it is not considered of
any great class, but on keeping for two years it begins to develop and show its
quality. The cellars on the premises are fifty-four by seventy feet, of two and
a half stories high, with the ground floor dug out, and having a capacity of one
hundred thousand gallons. In connection with the cellar there is a distillery,
the still of which is entirely driven by heat, no steam being required. About
twenty thousand gallons of wine are manufactured a year. On his estate Colonel
Hooper has erected a magnificent mansion, the grounds around which he has laid
out with particular care. The building nestles cosily under the wooded mountains
of the Sonoma range, protected from rude blast or grimy dust, it commands an
unrivaled view of water, hill and dale, while it is furnished with that elegance
which shows a mind at once refined and cultivated.

   The Vineyard of Nicholas Carriger.—The vineyard of this genial and hospitable
pioneer is situated at the base of the Sonoma range, on the west side of the
creek, about three miles from the town. His property consists of one hundred and
fifty acres, one hundred and forty-five of which he has in vines, an 1 the
balance in fruit trees.    Mr. Carriger came to the Sonoma

HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY,  CALIFORNIA.                         461
valley in 1846, and in that year purchased grapes from Jacob P. Leese, who had
then a portion of the Buena Vista vineyard, and here he saw wine being made by
putting the grapes into a hide, the juice being tramped out by Indians. In the
Spring of 1847, Leese gave Carriger some vines, which he planted in the town of
Sonoma; they were afterwards destroyed by cattle, during his absence at the
mines. In 1848 he commenced by planting a few vines on his present property, and
in 1849 commenced grape growing in earnest. His cellar is a magnificent building
of three stories in height, the lower one being built of stone, and the two
upper ones of wood. The dimensions of the building are seventy-four by
forty-eight feet. The upper stories are supported by upright beams measuring
twelve by twelve inches, while those which lie lengthwise traverse the whole
length of the building without a break. The ground floor is of stone, dug out
and leveled from out of the hill, and has a capacity of one hundred and eighty
thousand gallons.

   The Vineyard of Kohler & Frohling.—This vineyard is situated about eight
miles west of Sonoma, and occupies one hundred and fifty acres, comprising the
following varieties of grapes: Mission, Zenfindel, Muscat, Rose of Peru,
Chassler, Reisling, etc. The cellars are two stories high, the lower being of
stone, the dimensions are fifty-six by ninety-six feet, with a capacity of two
hundred thousand gallons.

   The Vineyard of W. McPherson Hill.—Mr. Hill owns an extensive tract of hill
and valley, embracing and running from the very summit of the southern ridge of
mountains to the banks of the creek. As early as > 1852 he bought two hundred
peach trees, one year old from the bud, and was the first grower to offer the
fruit in the California markets. The prices obtained were fabulous. In 1852, Mr.
Hill paid as high as three dollars and seventy-five cents each for grape roots.
He commenced planting in 1855, and has ever since devoted most of his time to
the culture of wine. He has also paid great attention to the raising of choice
fruit trees, and as one enters the spacious grounds, the long rows of vigorous
and thrifty trees, laden down with luscious fruit of every kind, attest his
success.

   Our space will not permit of our entering more into detail in regard to the
culture of the grape and the making of wine in this place, a considerable
portion of our work being already devoted to these industries. We will, in
concluding our remarks on Sonoma township, draw attention to another industry
which is on the fair road to make this wonderful valley still more famous.

   PISCICULTURE.—The culture of fish has been for some years occupying the
attention of the prominent residents in certain portions of this county. The
carp and the brook trout have been those which have found the most favor in the
eyes of the pisciculturists. The carp does not resemble any fish found in
California waters, though in the East the buffalo fish is said to bear some
resemblance to it.

   The tench, likewise an Eastern fish, is also said to be similar to it in many
respects. Doubtless our readers have had an opportunity of examining the carp,
and are acquainted with its general appearance. For the benefit of those who
have not seen it, we give a description, taken from a paper lately written by
Mr. Rudolph Hessel, which may be found in the Commissioners' Report to the U. S.
Fish Commission, 1878:—

   "The carp," says Mr. Hessel, "has a toothless mouth, thick lips, and four
barbels on the upper jaw. In place of the usual teeth of the mouth, there are a
number of stout teeth on the pharyngeal bones, which are arranged in three rows.
It has one singular dorsal, which is larger than the anal. Both these fins have
their origin on the anterior edge, a strong ray, which is serrated in a downward
direction. The caudal is of semi-circular shape, and the natatory bladder is
divided into two sections, with connecting air passage. The scales have an
entire edge, and the body is compressed on the the [sic] sides. The general
color of the sides and back is a dark olive-brown, the abdomen of a whitish
yellow or orange tint. The coloring depends, as with all fish, partly upon the
age and season, partly upon the water, the soil, and also upon the food of the
fish."

   The food of the carp consists principally of the fungus and other vegetable
matter usually found at the bottom of ponds. When the fish are to be fed (which
is necessary in order to insure great size, etc.) there is no particular diet
provided, for the carp is proverbial for being the most easily satisfied fish
with respect to diet that can be found. It eats greedily beans, peas, blood,
curd, grain, and in fact almost anything else. It thrives most rapidly in ponds
which have still water and muddy bottoms. Many things could be said about their
habits and characteristics, the methods used in bringing them to market in
Europe, and finally in the preparation and construction of artificial ponds for
their proper accomodation, but our space will prevent us from entering upon
these subjects.

   Carp Ponds of J. A. Poppe.—Mr. Poppe's ranch is favorably located near the
foot of a mountain, and is supplied with several never failing springs of pure
water. He has constructed, at great expense, six large ponds, with a fall of
several feet between each one, so that the water passes through the first, goes
to the next, and so on down, until it finally passes down the small rivulet
necessary to carry the water to Sonoma creek. Weeds, grass and willows grow
abundantly around these ponds, which afford sufficient shade from the sun, and
shelter from the winds. Consequently the carp thrive and. grow very large, and
are apparently as much at home as in their own native waters in Europe.

   Mr. Poppe brought the carp from Rhinefelt, Germany, in August, 1871. Of the
eighty-three started with, only five, puny, sickly fish, were brought safely to
Sonoma. The hot weather in New York harbor, and the want of ice on the ocean
steamer, being the cause of the great mortality. The five brought to Sonoma
increased in size, in the following May, from five inches to sixteen inches, and
the number increased to three thousand. Since that time many have been sold, and
the number in the ponds is still very large. Sonoma county is well stocked with
this European stranger. Among others who are now successfully engaged in the
propagation of this fish in the county, may be mentioned A. V. LaMotte, Sonoma;
J. A. Kleiser, Cloverdale; Wm. Stephens, Sebastopol; H. P. Holmes, Santa Rosa;
Levi Davis, Forrestville; Sylvester Scott, Cloverdale; and Mr. Field, Petaluma.
Outside of Sonoma county the culture of carp is also carried on successfully.
Quite recently shipments have been made to the Sandwich Islands, Nevada, and
Central America.

Lenni Fish Propagating Company.—The vineyard of Alfred V. La Motte lies seven
and a half miles north-west of the town of Sonoma, at the junction of the Graham
canon and Sonoma creek, both of these creeks run for several miles through
canons and timbered land before entering the valley proper, thus keeping the
water cool and engendering an abundant growth of mosses and water plants which
propagate great quantities of insect life upon which the finny denizens of the
streams subsist. These conditions have made them famous trout streams, and they
have long been known as such to the lovers of the sport. Some years back great
numbers of the spotted beauties could be taken, but as time advanced fishermen
increased, and, as a natural consequence, the fish commenced rapidly decreasing
in number. Mr. La Motte being a lover of the sport saw with regret the rapid and
sure destruction of his favorite amusement, and commenced investigations tending
to a remedy. After several years study on the subject of artificial propagation
he became convinced it could be made, with due care, a profitable industry.
Joined by a few personal friends they formed a company, styled the "Lenni Fish
Propagating Company," incorporated May 15, 1878 : Henry L. Davis, President;
George Leviston, Secretary; Henry C. Campbell, Treasurer; Alfred V. La Motte,
Superintendent, who, together with S. S. Murfey, constitute the Board of
Directors, with a capital stock of thirty thousand dollars, in one hundred
shares. Mr. La Motte commenced work at once; constructed a dam on the Graham
canon, twenty-six feet by eight feet high, of heavy squared timbers, and from
thence conducted the water to the reservoir in a flume, sixteen inches square,
of one and one-half inch lumber, each section being set together with a band of
heavy galvanized sheet-iron, driven into the ends with a sledge, and then
battened with a frame of three by four scantling, making a most substantial job.
The flume is eighteen hundred feet long. The buildings of the company consist of
a hatching house, twenty-five by fifty; a filter house, carpenter shop, butcher
shop, workmen's house, and office. The water on arriving at the works passes
through a flume, sixteen inches square and eighty-five feet long, filled with
screened gravel; thence into the filter house, where it passes through ten
flannel screens of eighteen by thirty-two inches; thence into a case, ten feet
long, filled with fine washed gravel, and from here into the hatching house,
where it passes over the eggs. These are stripped from the fish in the spawning
season, and placed in wire baskets, made to fit the hatching troughs, and about
two feet long, where the water is run over them to the depth of about one inch,
with a gentle current, until hatched, which takes place in from forty to sixty
days, in accordance with the temperature, the warmer the water the more rapid
the incubation, and vice versa. When hatched, the young fish is provided by
nature with a lunch-basket, in the way of an umbilical sac which contains
nourishment for a month or six weeks. As this is gradually absorbed the young
fish grows rapidly, and by the time it has disappeared can swim about and seek
for food; they are then fed on curdled milk, hard-boiled eggs, and fine minced
liver. From the hatching troughs they are next transferred to the rearing boxes
or nurseries, where they can get a greater depth of water and more room to sport
about and play. Attaining the age of two months, they are transferred to
open-air ponds. The company have already constructed five ponds; one of two
acres in extent, with an average depth of six feet, exclusively for carp, with
which fish it is already stocked. There are four trout ponds finished, from one
hundred to one hundred and twenty-five feet long, and varying from two to six
feet in depth, with an average width of twelve feet. The young fish are first
placed in the shallowest ponds, and as they increase in size are transferred to
deeper water. Mr. La Motte considers that to secure success, constant care and
watchfulness are indispensible: for instance, all eggs put in the baskets to
hatch are estimated and recorded; every egg as well as every fish that dies is
set down; careful minutes are kept of the temperature three times a day, and
every thirty days the mean is taken and recorded. As the company proposes
investing considerable capital in the enterprise, with a view to making it an
extensive establishment, Mr. La Motte intends that there shall be "no loose
ends." In the shallow ponds adjoining the hatching house they have now seventy
thousand fine young trout, who dispose of two heaping pans of minced liver daily
with great apparent relish. The company are now making preparations to throw a
dam across Sonoma creek next Spring, which will give them an unlimited supply of
water for their business, as also cheap power to drive the meat-mincing and
other machines necessary. They propose in two years more to commence the sale of
their fish, from which time on they hope to be able to keep up a steady supply
in accordance with their facilities, which are extensive.

   ST. LOUIS, or EMBARCADERO.—This, as its name implies, is the landing- place
or embarcadero on Sonoma creek, at the head of navigation. Here supplies for the
town and valley are received. In former times, when it was thought that Sonoma
might become a town of importance, it received the name of. St. Louis, but it
never reached the position anticipated by its sponsors, and is, to-day, only the
landing and shipping point as above stated.

   Captain Peter M. Stoffen runs a stern-wheel steamer from this point to San
Francisco, which connects at this end with a stage to Sonoma. The boat is one
hundred and ten feet long, twenty-eight feet beam, three feet draft, one hundred
and seventy tons register and eighty tons burthen, and is fitted with engines,
thirteen inches in diameter and five feet stroke. Captain Stoffen has been
engaged in this trade for the last seventeen years. In 1863 Captain Green had
two schooners which made regular trips between this point and San Francisco,
these have, however, been discontinued. In late years the depth of water in the
creek has considerably lessened, therefore the landing is farther down and
nearer the bay.

   GLEN ELLEN.—This is a postoffice on the main road between Santa Rosa and
Sonoma; Captain Justi is postmaster. It is only a mail station, but is
surrounded by some of the most experienced wine growers in the county— among
them Colonel C. V. Stuart, whose handsome residence is the seat of a liberal
hospitality. His vineyard cannot be surpassed for careful culture and its
varieties of foreign and domestic vines. Here is also the residence of Mrs. J.
B. Warfield, one of the most successful viniculturists of Sonoma. There are many
other large vineyard proprietors in this neighborhood whose names we have not
the space to mention. A radius of six miles, with Glen Ellen for a center,
would, in the opinion of many, include the finest grape-growing section in the
State of California.



Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY
—OF-

SONOMA COUNTY,
-INCLUDING ITS—
Geology, Topooraphy, Mountains, Valleys and Streams;
—TOGETHER WITH—
A Full and Particular Record of the Spanish Grants; Its Early History and
Settlement, Compiled from the Most Authentic Sources; the Names of Original
Spanish and American Pioneers; a full Political History, Comprising the Tabular
Statements of Elections and Office-holders since the Formation of the County;
Separate Histories of each Township, Showing the Advancement of Grape and Grain
 Growing Interests, and Pisciculture;
ALSO, INCIDENTS OF PIONEER LIFE; THE RAISING OF THE BEAR FLAG; AND BIOGRAPHICAL
SKETCHES OF EARLY AND PROMINENT SETTLERS AND REPRESENTATIVE MEN;
—AND OF ITS—
Cities, Towns, Churches, Schools, Secret Societies, Etc., Etc.
ILLUSTRATED.
SAN FRANCISCO:
ALLEY, BOWEN & CO., PUBLISHERS.
1880.



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1879, by ALLEY, BOWEN & Co.,
in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.

PACIFIC PRESS,
Oakland, Cal. Printers., Stereotypers and Binders.


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