Fresno County History

SOURCE: Memorial and Biographical History of the counties of Fresno, Tulare and Kern, California - Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1892

Mount Whitney and other grand mountains are about thirty-five miles distant. Dinkey is the place where horseback travel begins. Washington grove is located six miles from Dinkey, on a small creek that empties into Dinkey creek. The place is very wild. Professor Whitney, State Geologist, speaking of this grove, says: "The largest trees seen was 106 feet in circumference, and 276 feet high. It had been burned on one side, and must have been originally from 125 to 130 feet in circumference. Another tree is prostate and hollow. It is burned out so that one can ride in on horseback for a distance of seventy-five feet, and have room to turn around. At 120 feet from the base the tree is thirteen feet in diameter inside the bark. There is an immense number of big trees in the vicinity." Mr. Frank Dusy took accurate measurement of these trees. The largest measured 122 1/2 feet in circumference, and is estimated at 400 feet high. Not far distant is one that has fallen and been hollowed by decay and fire. Three mounted men, followed by a heavily-laden Sumpter mule, who insisted on sharing there fate, rode in single file, sitting erect and carrying their guns with the muzzles raised three feet above their heads, into the unbroken, blackened tube for seventy-two feet, and contemplated at leisure the beauties of the situation by the light from a knot-hole the size of a barn-door, and without dismounting or changing position, wheeled their animals with perfect ease, and rode out, returning the same way they came in.

TEHIPITEE VALLEY

This beautiful valley is little known even by Fresno people. Mr. Frank Dusy said to the writer that it required much strength, nerve and power of endurance to make the trip into this valley. It is situated in the middle fork of king's river, and must not be confounded with the so-called King's river canon (Paradise valley), on the middle fork of the same river. Our information is derived from Mr. Frank Dusy, who in company with Mr. Ferguson descended into this valley with great difficulty, occupying some four hours in getting down, and seven hours in returning. On reaching the bottom it seems as if you had left the surface of the earth and entered a mere crevice in its foundations, a fissure in the great, everlasting rocks. The towering peaks and overhanging rocks seem marching down upon you, pressing and crowding until it seems a struggle to breathe. The forms of the various summits are varied and majestic, and vary in height from 4,000 to 6,000 feet. This grand and remarkable valley is about three miles long, and averages about one mile in width. You creep to the edge of the chasm and peep down more than 6,000 feet - more than a vertical mile - into that awful canon. The green silver ribbon which stretches along the bottom is a river full 100 feet wide. The roar of the cataract at your left serves to give inspiration to the scene. You do not even now realize the immense depth of the canon nor the precipitous condition of its sides. The distance down from the top or rim of the valley is about 6,000 feet, and the valley runs nearly east and west. The valley closes up at the outlet of the river into a narrow canon. Mr. Dusy entered the valley at the lower or west end, and went down it some three miles, until he entered another small valley of some sixty acres covered with oak timber, and a perfect little gem of a place.

From here a trip is taken to the Silver Spray Falls, along up a branch stream. One cannot express his feelings at the sight of this truly grand view. The falls descend in three sections. The first fall is 500 feet, the second 600, and the third 800 feet. The water of the latter is separated into misty spray before reaching the bottom, which adds much to its beauty; hence its name - Silver Spray.

The valley narrows down at the upper end into a canon whose walls are perpendicular, 2,500 or 3,000 feet high, and its width only 200 feet, including the river. Beautiful and remarkable falls exist in the upper valley. The river divides into two streams, which approach within fifty feet of each other, and each then falls 200 feet; the falls in descending approach and nearly touch each other, and both fall into one basin about 100 feet in diameter; then the united waters, after whirling around the basin, drop 400 feet. The stream continues on, and then a remarkable sight is seen. The water falls about 180 feet into a small basin, which has an opening or chimney, which carries the spray upward and above the falls in a cloud which is seen for along way. From above you see only the vast column of spray rising out of this chimney or hole.

Of the terrible grandeur of this valley it is hardly possible to convey any idea. In the valley are many grand cliffs, water-falls and curious things that have as yet not been examined or named. It opens a wide field for those who love to explore and examine new scenes.

Tehipitee Dome is formed of solid granite, and rises to an elevation of fully 6,000 feet above the valley. Its sides are perpendicular to within about 1,000 feet of the top, when the gradual oval begins, which forms a perfect dome in shape. Its name, Tehipitee, is given by the Indians, and means "high rock." This dome and Silver Spray Falls are near the center of the valley, and within one-quarter of a mile of each other.

PARADISE VALLEY

From Tehipitee you can go south to Paradise valley, or King's river canon, as it was first called. Professor Whitney, who visited this valley and attempted to go north toward Tehipitee (then unknown), reported an "impassible barrier." But this is found not to be so, and a good trail passes over the ridge or mountain, which is 13,000 feet high. "This valley," says Professor Whitney, "is from half a mile to a mile wide, and eleven miles long. It is closed at the lower end by a deep and impassable canon. It is deeper and its sides more precipitous than Yo Semite. Many points are from 4,000 to 6,000 feet high. At the head of the valley is a solid rock wall, a perpendicular precipice of from 6,500 to 7,000 feet high." It rivals and in many respects even surpasses Yo Semite in altitude of surrounding cliffs. This valley or canon is on that branch of King's river formerly called by Whitney and others the south fork, but which, by later and more thorough exploration, proves to be the middle fork of that stream.

Two hours and a half constantly descending will bring you to the bottom of this famous canon. Flowing at your feet is a branch of King's river, fresh, pure and cold from its snowy fountain. About half a mile wide and fifteen miles long, this canon or valley is walled in by rocky mountains, rising perpendicular 4,000 to 6,000 feet above the river bed. Clarence King says: "We could not find words to describe the terribleness and grandeur of the deep canon. The average descent is immensely steep. At times the two walls approach each other, standing in perpendicular gateways. The ridges of one side are reproduced upon the other." Bierstadt made a painting of what he termed "King's River Canon." it was reported sold in England for $50,000.

Muir Dome is a beautifully grand granite formation overhanging this valley.

"Grand Sentinel" will always be the pride and boast of Paradise valley, and well deserves all the eulogiums that human praise can utter in its behalf. In color it is the same as the North Dome, its far-away relative. Its wall in front of its crowning dome-ridge stands out a great buttress fully 3,000 feet high. Mount Hutchings is a beautiful granite peak on the south wall of the canon, about one mile from the Grand Sentinel, and is the most beautiful formation in the whole canon. Its height is estimated at 5,500 feet above the valley. The silver chains or falls of Mount Hutchings must be between 3,000 and 4,000 feet long .

The "White Woman" is a granite mass some 6,000 feet high, and forms the wedge or dividing point between the main south fork of King's river and Bubb's creek. It presents a front of some three miles in length, and of a dazzling gray-blue cast in the sunlight, and is unmarred by any great fracture, consequently presenting what is a comparatively smooth wall to the spectator. It is of marvelous majesty. There is scarcely a bush or tree upon its face wall.

"Grant Monument," so named by the Tyler-Robinson party, is a columnar or chimney-shaped mass of granite, some 3,000 feet high, nearly at the point where King's river changes its course from an east and west direction, and runs off directly north. It is the most peculiar and abrupt granite formation to be seen standing alone, advanced from the main wall some one-fourth of a mile, and rising above its general level. It is a very conspicuous object and is a complete monumental pile. This magnificent monolith is something like one-third of a mile broad at its base, having a flat top containing three or more acres, and is a bold and striking formation.

Just beyond Grant Monument is a complete counterpart of Yo Semite's Glacier Point (3,500 feet). This point, which is nameless, is considered about the loftiest in the canon, estimated at over 6,000 feet. It is certainly a most stupendous wall.

WILD ANIMALS

The number of wild animals that roamed on the plains, the foothills and mountains of Fresno County, and before civilization encroached upon them, was very great, among which the grizzly bear was monarch of all. Elks in great herds were to be found in the valleys, foothills and mountains, but were the first to abandon this section upon the approach of civilized man, who slaughtered them as much for sport as for use. There is now abundance of quail, wild geese, ducks and other game, and at certain seasons are a great nuisance to farmers. Wild cattle in large herds roamed the plains in early days and were slaughtered for their hides and tallow. Antelopes were more numerous than other animals on the plains in early days. They furnished meat for settlers, travelers, teamsters, etc.; were more easily approached and killed than deer; the meat was more like that of the goat than of the deer, and their young were easily domesticated. They have long since disappeared from the plains. Deer were numerous along the foothills and among the timber on the mountains, and even yet are to be found in the mountain regions.

The coyotes were very numerous and destructive to sheep in early days. This made an enemy for him in every man; consequently every man's hand was against him, and has comparatively exterminated him from the valley. A few are still to be found roaming in the foothills.

The common ground-squirrel here is darker than the Eastern gray squirrel, and are numerous and destructive to grain crops. They burrow in the ground, and are difficult to kill, being so quick of motion, and when shot they generally manage to get to their holes. Some have been known to get into their holes after being shot through the head several feet away. They can climb a tree with an agility equal to other squirrels. They are not much eaten by the whites. The most beautiful of gray squirrels are to be found in the pine forests on the mountains. The gopher is the most numerous, as also the most troublesome rodent in the State, living principally under ground and gnawing roots of fruit trees and garden vegetables.

The prairie hare inhabits the plateau of the Sierra Nevada and the San Joaquin valley. It is all white in winter, but yellowish-gray with brownish tinges above and white below in summer.

Panthers and wild-cats are still found in the mountains.

The mountain sheep is a rare specimen. Shy and hard to kill. Some-times they are found on the Sierras, north from Tejon pass to the Oregon line, about five feet in length and sometimes 300 pounds in weight; color, white beneath, grayish brown elsewhere. The horns of the ram are sometimes five inches through at the base! Mountaineers assert that these rams leap from precipices 50 and even 100 feet, alighting on their head and bounding ten feet into the air from the concussion of the fall, and the alighting on their feet without any perceptible injury!. This, however, seems incredible when we take into consideration the weight of the animal, and still it is no more improbable than are many things in this state which are known by all to be facts.

The grizzly bear and California lion, once unpleasantly plentiful in the mountains, are very rare now.

The jack-rabbit, before mentioned, deserves more than a passing notice, as he has been one of man's most formidable competitors in the valley. Like the Indian, once numerous, he is fast disappearing before the unrelenting, destroying hand of man. Seeing that his end is near, it will be of interest to future generations to know something of this animal, - the numbers once in the valley and the method resorted to to keep them reduced in numbers to save crops from entire destruction.

It is claimed that the "rabbit drive" is something that never occurred anywhere except in the San Joaquin valley. The stranger must bear in mind that the country where this occurs is one vast field or prairie, without trees or many fences or obstructions. We copy from the Fresno Expositor an account of a drive a few years since, and will mention one participated in by the writer in Tulare County in 1891, showing the decrease in rabbits since the drive was inaugerated.

"At ten o'clock a line of men on foot, numbering 400, including men and boys, each armed with a stick from three to four feet in length, started for the drive, and while some appeared to have gone into the thing for sport, a majority of the 'round-up' had fire in their eyes, and evidently had severe grievances to redress. Said a tender-hearted lady, 'I think it's just awfully cruel to kill rabbits as they do at these drives.' 'That woman,' said a wild-eyed driver, 'must be a tender-foot.' She doesn't know much about the California jack-rabbit, or she wouldn't talk nonsense like that or waste a particle of sentimental sympathy on one of the worst nuisances in the valleys of California.'

"Just before the starting of the drive the band played a quickstep. Abreast of the line of drivers was a long line of vehicles, numbering at least 200, these of course following the road. With a whoop, up the driving line moved, and at once the rabbits ran ahead westward. The obstinate ones, and there were a plenty of them, would turn, make a break to go back, and in most cases they were successful, but never without having sticks hurled at them. Probably 1000 rabbits got through the lines, some with damaged bodies or legs, while several hundred were killed on the drive. The drive covered a distance of a little over three miles, and was virtually ended at noon. As the column advanced, the number of rabbits increased, and before the corral was reached nothing could be seen ahead of the drivers but rabbits, some running close to the ground, others leaping high in the air, while others jostled against each other in the most unceremonious manner.

"It will be in order to describe the corral and its appurtenances or belongings. Approaching from the east ran two wings, each a half mile in length, three foot in height, with wire screens reaching from the ground to the top of the posts to which they were attached. At the entrance was an opening of four feet, a gate, and this led to a chute reaching thirty feet into the enclosure. The corral, surrounded by a wire-screen fence seven feet high, was about sixty feet in diameter. The excitement increased as the rabbits were driven between the wings, and as they passed through the gate such screaming and yelling were never heard before; but it was the soft murmur of a summer zephyr compare with what followed when the gate was closed and the killers got to work. Sticks were flying in the air, hi-yis pierced the ears of spectators and participants, men and boys ran over each other in their eagerness to hurry up the slaughtering work, and many a luckless one got a rap intended for a rabbit. The rabbit generally got his quietus in one blow on the head, but sometimes Jack required several sound whacks before being disposed of. The animals huddled near the sides of the corral, making noises like the cry of a child. Hundreds of them committed self-slaughter by rushing against the wire fence and knocking out their brains. Others forced their heads under the fence, but the always vigilant and sometimes useful boy was on hand, armed with his stout willow stick, and the rabbit's chance for further mischief in foraging was summarily abbreviated.

"The killing was completed in less than half an hour, and when the smoke of battle had cleared away, or rather when the atmosphere became clear of flying fur, the work of counting was commenced. The entrance to the corral was covered with dead rabbits to the depth of about two feet. About 4,500 rabbit carcasses were counted in and about the corral, and it was estimated that 500 (a rather low estimate, by the way) had been killed outside and during the two hours' drive. At least 1,500 people were present, principally residents of the section. A few of the rabbits were taken away for hog and chicken feed, but most of them were left in the corral!"

The birds of this valley, although numerous, are not so strikingly beautiful in colors, neither are there as many good songsters as are found in some other regions of North America, though there are occasionally found some good singers. The California vulture, sometimes improperly called "California condor," is the largest bird on the continent, and, next to the condor, the largest flying bird in the world. It inhabits all parts of the State though not abundant in any place. It is as prominent and peculiar a feature of the birds of California as the grizzly bear is among the quadrupeds. It is very shy, and is rarely killed. The total length of the California vulture is about four feet, and its width from tip to tip of the outstretched wings ten feet or more. Its color is brownish black, with a white stripe across the wings. The head and neck are bare. They are occasionally seen in the Sierras. The golden eagle habits California. Its length is from thirty to forty inches; its color on the head and neck is yellowish brown, white at the base of the tail, and brown varying to purplish brown and black elsewhere. The bald eagle was abundant in California ten years ago, and is still seen along the San Joaquin and King's rivers. It frequents rapids for the purpose of catching fish, which seems to furnish the larger part of its food. It is from thirty to forty inches long, white on the head and at the base of the tail, and brownish black on the breast, wings and back. it constructs its nest on some inaccessible crag of the mountains.

Tarantulas are common on the plains and in the foot-hills. They belong to the same genus as the spiders, but the body grows to be three inches long and an inch wide, and the entire length from end to end of outstretched legs is five inches. The body and legs are covered with a silky brown hair. They eat little insects of various kinds, but unlike most other spiders have no net or web. The tarantula lives in holes in the ground, not much larger than itself when pressed into the smallest compass. and the hole is covered by a little door on a hinge, which closes by its own weight or by a spring. In the top of the door are several little holes, into which the tarantula can insert its claws when it wishes to enter; and so quick are its motions when terrified that it often disappears suddenly under the eyes of men pursuing it, and they have great difficulty in finding its hiding-place. The door fits tightly, and is larger on the outside, so that it never sticks fast. The bite of the tarantula is poisonous, but not fatal, - or at least has never, so far as known, only in one case, proved fatal. It rarely bites man, and flees when it discovers his approach. The tarantulas have dangerous enemies in several species of wasps, the females of which kill them by thrusting eggs into their bodies. When the larvae of the wasp are hatched they make food of the carcass. As soon as the tarantula dies the wasp drags it to her hole, usually the deserted burrow of a spermophile, where she may collect twenty or more dead tarantulas in one season. There are three different species of these wasps: one kind is blue, another yellow. Sometimes the wasp darts down repeatedly upon the tarantula, and does not touch him except with her egg-planter, depositing an egg at every thrust. On other occasions the two grapple, and the wasp continues to insert her eggs until the tarantula dies.

Snakes are not numerous, remarkable or large, and only one species is poisonous, viz., the rattlesnake, of which there are two kinds, long striped and brown. There are also the pilot, green, purple, small garter, milk and water snakes.

The scorpion is found in some portions of the county, but are scarce. There are four species of lizards, horned toads, common toads, frogs, etc.

SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS OF FRESNO COUNTY

This great valley has all sorts of soil. The same is true of this county. The valley portion of this county is about sixty square miles. Although seemingly a level plain, there are more or less slight undulations. The bluffs of the San Joaquin, ten or twelve miles distant, are from forty to fifty feet higher than the level of Fresno city. Abundance of good water underlies the plain, which can readily be had by sinking wells, and where years ago one had to sink a well to the depth of from fifty to sixty feet; now it requires on an average not more than ten feet to get an abundance of water. Since irrigation has been in operation the water is fast approaching the surface, having in places approached as near as four feet, which is satisfactory evidence that in the future less water will be required to irrigate lands first reached, and that the surplus can be carried on to new fields, thus tending to establishing our claim, that there is an ample supply of water in the mountains if judiciously used and properly distributed, to irrigate all the valley lands and for all purposes.

Soils in California, like the climate, vary and change frequently in a few miles. As a rule the nearer the hills the harder the land; but there are exceptions. "Hog-wallow" land is generally solid, sometimes gravelly, and this quality of land is most prevalent near the foothills. North of the San Joaquin the hills and border lands are of granite formation. "Hog-wallow" lands extend as far out as on the plains as the railroad in some places. Between the railroad and San Joaquin river are large bodies of level, solid and rich lands. Along the foothills from the San Joaquin river south are several miles of red-clay land, mixed with white quartz, very much like the Malaga grape lands of Spain. Some of this soil extends as far down on the plains as Fresno. In the vicinity of Borden much of the land is what is known as ashy land, very rich and especially adapted to irrigation.

Mining characterized the first industrial period of the county, which predominated until in the '60's, when the stock business began to lead, and flourished until about 1874; then the "no-fence law" gave agriculture a chance.

The farming period may be said to have assumed momentum as early as 1868, and it rapidly grew into enormous proportions in the line of wheat and other cereal products. This continued to increase until about 1880, when viticulture began to flourish, since which time thousands of acres once devoted to cereals have been transformed into vineyards, and the profits have been from ten to twenty fold per acre. The inauguration of this period may be said to be the birth of the prosperity of Fresno County and city.

The first threshing-machine operated on Dry creek was in 1870, by Messrs. Hewlett, Jack and Wyatt. The foot-hills of the Sierras are full of small valleys, all on the same level as the broad surrounding plain, and specially adapted to growing grain in the past, but later have developed special fruit-growing advantages.

Between Fresno and Tulare, on either side of the valley, there are comparatively no foot-hills. The mountains rise in abrupt granite walls. The land can be cultivated up to the base of these precipitous walls. The soil is black and very fertile, and thousands of tons of grain have been grown in this region, and it is equally good for all other vegetable productions.

The heading-machine was a great improvement over the first threshing-machine, being worked by the team pushing instead of pulling it, the driver lowering or raising the sickle-bar as the height of grain may vary, in order to save all the heads. The heads are dropped on a traveling gangway which is attached to the machine, and elevated into the side of a wagon which is carefully driven alongside the header, the side of the bed next the header being lower. When filled, another wagon takes its place and the header moves on, while the loaded wagon goes to the threshing-machine, where it is unloaded on a platform and crowded into the thresher, which will clean hundreds of bushels daily. This machine has been superseded in many localities by the most wonderful as well as economical piece of agricultural machinery in the world, namely, the combined harvesting machine, which, when drawn by a team of twenty-four good horses, attended by four to five hands, will cut, thresh and sack the grain on thirty to thirty-five acres a day, yielding from twenty to thirty bushels per acre.

The most valuable native forage plant in this county is the alfilaria, familiarly known as "filaree," of which there are three species: Erodium macrophyllum, E. cicutarium and the E. moschatum, of the Geranium or cranebill family of plants. The second name is the most plentiful, and covers the earth with a rank growth in springtime. Eutrichiums bloom in early winter, commonly known as "white-blossom." There are as many as four species, and second only to the filarees as forage. The county ranks high in exotic feed plants: the "Hirschhorn," a millet from the Danube; sorghum, from the Caspian shores; Dreras, from Egypt and China; Penicillarea, a large millet from India; Imphees, from Southern Africa; and the greatest of all named, alfalfa, or lucerne (Medicago sativa), brought through Spain and the Spanish possessions to America, whence we get the Spanish name "alfalfa." This produces from four to six crops in one season, according to location, soil, irrigation, etc. Corn, wheat, barley, wild oats, etc., as well as all cereals, grow to perfection. In fact everything seemingly will grow here and flourish beyond the imagination of one who has not seen the luxuriant growths. One pumpkin-vine has been known to produce 2,300 pounds of pumpkins. Grape-vines have grown twenty feet and more in length in one season.

IRRIGATION

There are now sixteen irrigation companies, each having its own canals, taking water from the King's river, San Joaquin and Fresno river. These sixteen companies have 750 miles of main canals or ditches, with about the same number of miles of distributors and laterals.

There are twelve dams, sixteen main headgates, one weir and no wing dams. Distributing dams are situated probably every mile in the length of the canals.

These sixteen systems have cost in the neighborhood of $1,900,000 to build, and they serve about 350,000 acres of land.

Of this about 300,000 acres are planted in cereals, and yield a profit of $10 per acre.

Not less than 3,000 acres are in fruits, and yield at least $100 per acre. These fruits comprise oranges, peaches, pears, apples, nectarines, apricots, plums, cherries, pomegranates, figs, olives, mulberries, etc.

Thirty thousand acres are in grape-vines, one-half of which are in bearing and yield $100 per acre, while 20,000 acres are planted in alfalfa, yielding $40 per acre.

The San Joaquin and King's River Canal was the first, for irrigation of any considerable magnitude, constructed in California, in which capital was invested as a speculation. This canal takes its water through the left bank of the San Joaquin river at the junction of that stream with Fresno slough (the overflow outlet of Tulare lake), and passes through the west side valley for a distance of sixty-seven miles. It was constructed thirty-eight and a half miles in 1871, and extended to its present terminus in 1877-'78. The total cost of construction, including changes, repairs, improvements, alterations, etc., is given as $1,300,000, of which $150,000 was used in constructing the extension from Los Banos creek to its terminus. This canal has a grade of one foot per mile, and commands an area of about 283,000 acres. Its capacity upon the upper portion of its course is about 600 cubic feet per second. During the year 1871 the area irrigated by this canal was 40,000 acres, the majority of which was devoted to cereals. Dos Plano and Temple Slough canals were opened by Miller & Lux, and drew water from the San Joaquin river on the west side. These channels were originally natural sloughs breaking out from the river and traversing the Rancho Sanjon de Santa Rita parallel with the river, and were deepened and improved for the purpose of affording water for the irrigation of wild grass lands on the rancho.

The Chowchilla canal was also constructed by the same firm in 1872. This canal starts from the right bank of the San Joaquin river, two miles above the mouth of Fresno slough and the head of San Joaquin and King's River Canal, and follows a nortwesterly course for thirty miles. The canal runs nearly parallel with the river, and from five to eighteen miles from it, and terminates at the Chowchilla slough on Chowchilla rancho. The Chowchilla river enters upon the east side of the valley, between the Merced and Fresno rivers. It drains only the lower mountains and foothills, and consequently has but an intermittent supply. The San Joaquin river on the south and the Merced on the north head behind the drainage basin of the smaller streams, and secure the snow waters of the higher ranges of mountains.

The San Joaquin river has its source in the Sierra Nevada mountains, in a canon, and flows into the valley within a bed much depressed below the rolling lands by which it is flanked. It differs in this respect from King's and other rivers south of it, and in fact is more depressed than those north of it, - consequently more difficult to draw water from to irrigate the high plains depending upon this stream for water. For sixteen to eighteen miles below its canon proper the waters of this river are from seventy-five to 200 feet below the level of the rolling lands which border it, and bluffs standing nearly perpendicular at points along its course guard the approaches. This large volume of water will be utilized, however, by the ingenuity of man, and made to irrigate thousands of acres.

King's river, when its size is considered, its position, and the area of country within the limits of perpetual snow which it drains, as well as that on the plains which it is capable of supplying with water for irrigation, together with the fact that it is not navigable nor a tributary to any streams that are, may justly be regarded as one of the most important and valuable rivers in the State. It is certainly such to Fresno and Tulare counties. It has a drainage area of 1,855 square miles in the Sierra Nevada mountains and foothills, and enters the Centerville bottoms, nearly half of which is within the snow belt. It flows in a southwesterly direction from the mountains to Tulare Lake, with but few abrupt turns in it meanderings. From the foothills to the lake, a distance of sixty-two miles, it has not a perennial tributary. The only stream of any note which empties into it is Watska creek, on the left, near and above Smith's ferry.

King's river, like all large streams heading high up in the Sierra mountains, has two high-water periods each year. The first usually occurs in December, after the rains have set in, continues through January, and is known as the winter rise, and is caused principally by the rains. The second begins about the last of April or first of May, after the rains are over, and continues through June and part of July. This is produced by the melting snow, and is of longer duration than the winter rise. After the spring rise the gradually falls to the low water stage, which it maintains until the winter rise sets in.

This time when most water is needed for irrigation purposes is fortunately during the high-water periods, when the river is capable of supplying more than a sufficiency to supply all demands; and it has already been demonstrated that after a few years' irrigation but very little water is required, as the earth becomes saturated with water from the canals. It is estimated that this river pours into the valley, from the first of January to the last of July, an average of 8,715 cubic feet of water per second, or enough to irrigate more than 1,000,000 acres.

C. D. Davidson when County Surveyor said, as to the matter of water supply, Fresno is ahead of any other county in the State. Not only is the supply ample for all purposes, but it is so situated that at a nominal cost it can be led anywhere over the plains. The deepest cut on King's river, where the main water supply is obtained, is not over twelve feet, and some of these tap the river at the depth at its bottom. At flood time during the month of April, May, June and for a part of July, King's river discharges not less than 14,000 cubic inches of water per second. This river alone at an estimate of one cubic foot per second for each 200 acres of land, would irrigate 2,000,000 acres or nearly five times the amount of land susceptible of irrigation in the county. According to an estimate of the Fresno Canal and Irrigation Company, of one cubic foot per second for 160 acres of land, it would irrigate more than three times the irrigable land in the county. King's river and San Joaquin will furnish an ample water supply for this great valley, while nature maintains her bounteous storehouse in the Sierra mountains, and man spares the forests thereon which hold back the melting snows, and distribute them gradually so as to maintain a steady flow in the streams through the valley during the summer season; and ere long all that will be required will be a steady flow through the main canals, which will keep up the subirrigation, and little surface application will be required. The capacity of King's river has been stated from two authors to show the variance of the two. The first is a low estimate, as is also the latter somewhat high; either, however, gives an ample supply.

There had been no water diverted from king's river for irrigating purposes previous to 1866. In the summer of that year Anderson Akers and S. S. Hyde constructed a ditch four feet wide and two feet deep, through which they diverted water from King's river, at a point immediately below the line of Wm. Hazelton's farm, and on the plains on the west bank of the river to their farms, and continued to use water through it until the summer of 1868, when they sold their ditch and water right to the Centerville Canal and Irrigation Company. This company enlarged the ditch to a width of twenty feet with a depth of four feet, and ran a considerable stream of water to and about Centerville, where they furnished water to many farms.

M. J. Church came to Fresno County in 1868, and to him the county owes as much of its present prosperity as to any individual citizen. With much more than average foresight, he at once, "took in the true situation," viz: that water was the prime factor in developing the vast resources of the county, and he at once purchased stock in the Centerville Canal.

August 5, 1869, J. B. Swum recorded notice of diverting water from King's river, just below that of the Centerville canal. His was for mill and irrigation purposes. July 7, 1870, M. J. Church, seeing that a much larger volume of water was required, recorded his intention of appropriating 3,000 feet of water. He purchased the entire stock of the Centerville Canal and Irrigation Company, and at once set about improving the canal and directing all the water he could down on the plains toward Fresno, and soon succeeded in getting the water a distance of twenty-five miles into the heart of agricultural lands of the valley, and practically demonstrated his confident predictions as to the wonderful results to be derived from irrigation.

Stock-raisers, seeing that the introduction of water would be followed by the thrifty farmer, and that their vast and free pasturage was of short duration, banded together to oppose, and if possible, stop irrigation. Others, seeing the profitable investment in irrigating canals, rival companies began forming, and Mr. Church, February 16, 1871, filed letters of incorporation for the Fresno Canal and Irrigation Company, associating with himself Captain A. Y. Easterby, of Napa, and F. Roeding and Wm. S. Chapman, of San Francisco. Mr. Church superintended the work and pushed the extension of their canal system, and soon had water out on the plains to the extent of their appropriations.

In 1872 the main head-gate of the Fresno canal was completed, and 2,000 feet of water turned through it and used for irrigating purposes. Important extensions and enlargements were made in 1873-'74.

In 1875 a ditch previously made from Chambers' slough and levee across the bluff and connecting the slough with the Centerville canal, was enlarged to be sixty-four feet wide on the bottom and about ten feet deep at the bluff, with a rapid grade, and a capacity of 1,100 cubic feet per second of flowing water. These canals are capable of diverting all the water from King's river at an ordinary stage of that stream.

Out of this irrigation naturally grew the "No-Fence Law" as a necessary consequence. The passage of that law was earnestly advocated by Mr. Church and Captain Easterby, ably assisted by Hon. Tipton Lindsey of Visalia, and many others. The measure was bitterly opposed by the stockmen, and their opposition became so violent that Mr. Church's life was threatened. Still, he never wavered in his course; feeling confident in the right, he never once thought to be persuaded or frightened from his position. It is by no means detracting from the deserved merits of many others in building up the flourishing and promising city of Fresno, when it is said that the city owes its location, and much of its wealth, vigor and prosperity to this same Fresno Canal and Irrigation Company. When the canal had been brought to a point not far distant from the present site of Fresno, the railroad officials called on Mr. Church, and upon being assured that the country around Fresno could and would be supplied with an abundance of irrigation water, they laid out the town and gave it all the encouragement in their power; and it has always been the confident prediction of Mr. Stafford that Fresno would make the best town on the road between Stockton and Los Angeles; and it would be difficult to find a man in Fresno County to-day who would question Mr. Stanford's prediction.

The company's franchise calls for 3,000 cubic feet of water. Experience has fully demonstrated that one-eighth of a cubic foot is amply sufficient to irrigate a twenty-acre tract of land. At that rate, the water appropriated will irrigate 480,000 acres.

The Sunset irrigation district has voted $2,000,000 of bonds for the construction of canals by which to lead water to lands on the West Side. This is the largest irrigation scheme ever begun in the world under one single management. California has no other equal to it in magnitude and the scope of its purpose.

It is calculated that the canal will open up to cultivation 400,000 acres of land, which now is nearly worthless. Though it has little value now, it is naturally as fertile as any in the State. Its usefulness is due to its location. It is on the western side of the valley, where so little rain falls that agriculture cannot be carried on by natural means. This has been fatal to the settlement of that country. Men who lived there could not prosper by raising grain or by any other means except stock-raising, and that must be carried on over a large area in order to find pasturage.

But years elapse before the full results can be reached.

THE WONDERFUL RESULTS OF IRRIGATION

To those who were acquainted with this land prior to the introduction of water, the change has taken place in so brief time since the water was brought on seems phenomenal. Beautiful orchards of fruit and groves of forest trees have sprung up and their growth, seemingly miraculous, must be witnessed to be believed. Handsome and comfortable cottages and many palatial residences have been built, and many who began without one dollar of available surplus have now large annual incomes and all the comforts and luxuries of life, with available resources running into thousands of dollars. Vast vineyards have been planted from which large profits are realized, from $150 to $250 per acre. In 1880, when the raisin culture was in its infancy, Fresno County produced more than any one county in the State, and had then the reputation of the best quality. It would not interest the reader to go into details how vineyards were planted, the yearly increase, etc. We will give the wonderful increase in tons and values, when treating of the raisin culture.

Recurring to what irrigation has done for Fresno County and city, and will continue if properly distributed and managed, we would state that there were a few years since the rattlesnake and owl made their home, where the lizard and horned toad scampered over the burning sands and played in the broiling sun, and where the wild Indian howled, to-day are to be seen the fat milk cows wading to their knees in luxuriant clover, wild birds chirping in the shady trees, and millions of busy bees gathering honey from the many and varied bright -hued and fragrant flowers, while rosy-cheeked children, playing about the grassy lawns, or wandering through the orchards loaded with ripening, luscious fruits. All this change has taken place as it were in a year, and still men whose lands have advanced from $2.50 to $150 per acre, fail to appreciate these great results brought about in a great measure by the foresight, energy and vigilance of M. J. Church, a personal sketch of whom will be found elsewhere. There are those who claim that some others would have brought water on the plains had not Mr. Church done so. This is conceded. had not Columbus discovered America no doubt another man would; had not George Washington led the patriots to victory, securing American independence, some other would; had not Ulysses S. Grant succeeded in putting down the rebellion some other general would; and yet all those men have been duly credited with their grand achievements; and certainly no man has accomplished more for a community, made possible such prosperity, and conduced to such a transformation of a once desert plain, than has M. J. Church.

EASTERBY'S GREAT ENTERPRISE

In July, 1868, A. Y. Easterby, of Napa, purchased 5,000 acres of land on the plains between Centerville and Watson's ferry, merely for speculation, paying $1.80 an acre. At that time he had no prospect of selling it at an advance, but he hoped it was worth about $5 an acre. At that time he had no prospect of selling it at an advance, but he hoped it was worth about $5 an acre. On examining the land shortly afterward, in company with I. Church, of Napa, they agreed that where filaree was so abundant and wild sunflowers grew ten feet high, wheat ought certainly to grow; and Easterby engaged Church to put in a small crop of wheat for experiment. It did well all winter and spring up to the time it was destroyed by drouth and wild cattle and horses.

Mr. Easterby then consulted Mr. Bensley, the father of irrigation in this valley, concerning the practicability of irrigating his land from Tulare lake. He purchased the Centerville ditch and began preparations for a grand scheme of irrigation, meanwhile engaging Charles Lohse, one of the best farmers of Contra Costa County, to put 2,000 acres of the tract into wheat the next year, which was done, after Mr. Easterby had flooded and drained it. The grain germinated and appeared above ground beautifully, and Governor Stanford, on his way southward from San Francisco in company with A. N. Towne and Colonel Greene, stopped here, and seeing this beautiful green spot were surprised, and called it an oasis in the desert. With reference to the demonstration thus made Mr. Stanford located the town of Fresno.

To guard this oasis from devastation by livestock running at large, Mr. Easterby had eighteen car-loads of lumber shipped from San Diego for fencing, - the first shipment of the kind over the then new road to this locality. The crop yielded splendidly, quadrupling the value of adjacent lands, although the freights were discouragingly high. While the outlay on the crop was only $2,600 the freight was $8,000.

In 1873 Mr. Easterby put in forty acres to alfalfa, from which five crops were cut the second year. All other crops planted also did well, notably tobacco and cotton. By his canal Mr. Easterby founded a permanent system of irrigation for his and adjoining lands. Also, he had wells dug which yielded cheaply enough an abundance of pure water for domestic purposes, and he knew from the tardiness with which vegetation decayed in this region there could be no malaria, as had been reported by some.

FRESNO RAISIN PACKERS

It would be almost impossible to obtain a full list of the packers of raisins in Fresno County. Many vineyardists have packing-houses of their own, using up their own raisins and buying those of their immediate neighbors. In this way they save the profits of the middle men and maintain the character of their brands, which every packer guards most jealously.

The following is a list of the principal concerns of the county, which probably put up about nine-tenths of the raisins of the county:

___________________________________________________________

Name Location Brands

____________________________________________________________________________

American Raisin Co. ....................... Fresno ..................................... Eagle Star.

Barling, A. D. ................................. do ..................................... El Modelo, Golden

Gate

Barton Estate Co. .......................... do ..................................... Peacock

Butler, A. B. ................................. do ..................................... Butler's Cluster

California Raisin and Fruit Co. ......... do ..................................... Seal, Eclipse.

Cook & Langley ........................... do ..................................... Horseshoe, Lily,

Eureka.

Cook, H. E. ................................... do ..................................... Cook's.

Curtis Fruit Co. ............................. Oleander .............................. Greyhound, San

Joaquin.

Forsyth, William ............................ Fresno .................................. Imperial, Tiger,

Forget-Me-Not.

Fowler Fruit and Raisin Packing Co. .. Fowler ................................... Pride of California,

Comet.

Fresno Fruit and Raisin Co. ............ Fresno .................................. Lion, Golden Gate.

Fresno Raisin Co. ........................ Oleander ............................... American Flag.

Fresno Home Packing Co. ........... Fresno ................................. The Pride of

Fresno, Crown of

Fresno.

Gould, E. H. ................................ Malaga .................................... Olivet, El Monte.

Griffin & Skelley .......................... Fresno ................................... Griffin & Skelley's.

Holton, S. B. .............................. Selma .................................... Golden West.

Lusk, A. & Co. ............................ Fresno .................................... Bear, Imperial.

Leslie, Chas. ............................. do .......................................... Liberty, Royal.

Reese, J. W. ............................... do .......................................... Cartoons.

Rodda & Nobmann ...................... Fowler ....................................... Maple Park.

Viau, N. ..................................... Malaga ....................................... Viau's.

Viau, S. P. ................................ do

_____________________________________________________________________________

MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION

The first and only vessel that ever passed from Tulare lake to the ocean, it is said, was in 1868, - a small boat about 16 x 18 feet, a scow built and owned by Richard Smith. He loaded his vessel with a ton of honey at the mouth of King's river, passed through Summit lake and Fish slough, thence through what was then Fresno slough, thence into and down San Joaquin river to San Francisco. The same year Stone and Harvey attempted to get into Tulare lake with the steamer Alta. The water was not sufficient and their boat stranded at a point three miles from the lake. No boat has ever entered the lake from the San Joaquin. Steamers landed freight at the head of Fresno slough up to the time the railroad was constructed in 1870. Here a large two-story house was erected, and called "Cassa Blanca," and a town built called Fresno City; and here overland stages stopped. Freight was then hauled by teams to Visalia and other places south of the point, and east into the mines. What was then known as the mounted express was the prime factor as a rapid transit through the county to the mines, etc. Gold dust, mail matter and small packages were transported by these pack teams. The Silman line of stages ran from Stockton to Millerton, via Tuolumne City, Paradise City, Empire City, Snelling and Plainsburg, making regular trips and well loaded with passengers. There were no post offices. All mail was handled by express companies. Later, Stillman and Carter ran a stage line from Stockton to Visalia, via Millerton.

In 1857 Thomas Heston ran a stage, and what was called the Rabbit-skin Express, from Hornitos via Millerton to Visalia. (In 1858 he represented Tulare and Fresno counties in the Legislature.)

Different stage lines ran to and from all points, and did a profitable business until Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Express entered the field as a competitor, and soon became noted and the chief carriers. In 1870 the Central Pacific Railroad Company branched off from Lathrop with a road running through the center of the county. This road was called the Stockton and Visalia Division of the Central Pacific Railroad, which soon changed the general character of the county. Business towns at once sprang up along this road; shipping facilities gave stimulus to enterprise and settlement and soon the once arid plains were producing cereals and fruits beyond the expectations of the most hopeful; and in 1880 there were shipped from Fresno County by his thoroughfare 58,311,280 pounds of the various products of the soil. (See the amount in 1890 in another statement.) While some new lines have been since constructed, and have speedily enabled the county to be developed, yet the county stands in pressing need of more transportation facilities, and would be highly favored had they a competing railroad company operating in this great valley.

The railroads in the county now are the following: The main line of the Southern Pacific, running through the whole length of the county from northwest to southeast; a branch from the same at Berenda in the northern part of the county, running east to Raymond in the foothills; a branch from Fresno to Poso, in Kern County, also on the main line by way of Sanger and Reedley; the Goshen division from Goshen or Visalia westward to Alcalde in the foot-hills of the Coast Range; and there is in process of construction a branch from Fresno City eastward to the lumber region of the Sierra Nevada.

THE COUNTY'S WEALTH

The assessed valuation of the real estate in Fresno County in 1890 was as follows:

Acres of land ...................................................................... $2,108,668

Value of acre property ........................................................... 22,049,911

Improvements thereon ........................................................... 2,054,227

Value of town lots ................................................................. 5,616,108

Improvements thereon ........................................................... 1,996,950

Total real estate ................................................................... 27,663,019

Total Improvements .............................................................. 4,051,181

Value of personal property .................................................... 3,825,455

Value of railroads ................................................................ 1,876,902

Total value of all property ...................................................... 37,416,557

Money and credits and personal property foot up $35,525,121, as assessed.

The exports for 1890 were as follows:

Exports. Pounds. Value.

Barley ........................................... 14,620,190 $ 219,802

Wheat .......................................... 196,663,015 2,704,116

Corn ............................................. 156,650 2,075

Oats ............................................ 105,790 2,062

Hay ............................................. 776,000 5,432

Flour ............................................ 3,823,700 78,036

Millstuffs ...................................... 2,012,945 28,168

Cattle and Calves ........................ 7,930,000 237,900

Hogs .......................................... 380,000 13,360

Horses ....................................... 940,000 694,000

Sheep ........................................ 15,740,000 629,600

Hides ........................................ 476,055 28,563

Wool ......................................... 5,582,035 837,305

Dried Fruits ................................ 7,490,135 749,013

Green Fruits .............................. 7,942,575 158,851

Raisins ...................................... 21,791,618 1,317,497

Brandy ...................................... 1,111,000 166,650

Wine ........................................ 6,405,100 192,153

Vegetables ................................. 1,392,650 13,926

Nursery Stock ........................... 2,295,700 22,957

Honey ...................................... 163,440 19,612

Lumber .................................... 28,524,525 560,480

Doors and Sashes ..................... 321,070 32,107

Wood ...................................... 11,315,250 56,576

Coal ........................................ 15,756,380 31,512

Stone ...................................... 10,607,350 45,000

Gravel and Sand ........................ 4,637,150 4,637

Ore ........................................ 228,650 9,166

Brick ....................................... 3,181,710 31,817

Agricultural Implements .............. 273,000 68,350

Machinery ................................ 637,790 637,790

Empty Packages ...................... 4,146,400 41,464

Miscellaneous .......................... 18,208,125 546,243

__________ ________

Total .............................. 394,208,190 $9,985,560

This table gives the products of the county that were exported a value of $9,985,560. It required more than 20,000 cars to move this product, and its real value largely exceeds $10,000,000.

The increase in products has been steady, notably in raisins and cereals. In 1889 the county exported 299,482,660 pounds, and in1888 it shipped 200,381,590 pounds. The increase in values is proportionately greater than in volume, as the increase has been mainly in high-grade products.

The facts presented are sufficient to show the diversity of the county's products and that good work is being done toward placing it in the front rank of wealth-producers of the State.

SCHOOLS OF FRESNO COUNTY

By the first school system which was adopted in California in 1852, school trustees were called commissioners, three of whom were elected annually. They had power to examine teachers and grant certificates, which should be valid for one year. They had power to define and change school districts, and it was their duty to appoint one of the constables as school census marshal, also to report to both the State and county superintendent of schools annually before the 15th of November. By the law of 1855, three school trustees were elected annually, notwithstanding the fact that State Superintendent Hubbs had in 1854 recommended that commissioners be voted for annually to serve three years. His suggestions were finally acted upon and the regulations were in force from 1863 until 1880. By a law enacted in that year, one was elected annually on the first Saturday in May. By the law of 1852, the assessor in each county was ex officio county school superintendent. In 1855 a change was made and the order of things then established has been adhered to in most counties ever since, viz.: County School Superintendents have been elected as other county officers are, with a few exceptions where the county clerks were made ex officio school superintendents.

Hon. E. C. Winchell was the first superintendent of schools for Fresno County. He was appointed by the Board of Supervisors in February, 1860, at which meeting three school districts were organized, - Scottsburg, Millerton and Kingston; later two others were added, one other in 1867, 1868, and 1869, respectively, with twelve in 1870.

The first school in the county was located at Millerton, and was taught by Mrs. J. M. Shannon. She received a salary of $75 per month; average attendance, fifteen, session three months. The first schools were supported by subscription and rate bill, and as late as 1865 the amount thus raised was $1,120.

In 1872 an academy was erected on Dry creek. The capital stock was $50,000. The officers were, W. T. Cole, J. G. Sampson, A. D. Firebaugh, L. P. Clark, and A. C. Thompson as trustees; Jesse Musick, Treasurer; C. G. Sayle, Secretary. J. D. Collins was the first teacher. The building was 36 x 54 feet, with a veranda on two sides, and the Expositor of that date speaks of it as the handsomest edifice in the county.

In 1866 the census returns gave 285 children of school age in the county, of whom 180 attended public schools, and sixty-six private schools. The highest wages paid teacher per month was $100. The total amount paid teachers was $1,520. Receipts from State and county funds, $507.27. In 1870 there were 768 school children in the county, 436 of whom attended public schools and thirteen private schools; highest wages paid to teacher per month was $115; total amount paid to teachers, $8,540.71; receipts from State and county fund, $12,532.87. The census of 1880 gives school children in the county, 2,377; at public schools, 1,768; at private schools, 44; highest wages to teacher per month, $130; total paid teachers, $30,334.69. Receipts from State and county fund, $39,578.53. The census of 1890 is given a little further on.

The public schools of the county are a pride to the people and one of their chief concerns. They have kept pace with the development of the country and property owners have never hesitated to tax themselves for the erection of new buildings, no matter how frequently the demand has been made.

Mr. Hawkins, who retired from office with the advent of 1891, held the position of superintendent of the public schools since 1883. "Since then the schools have made wonderful strides," he said, "and they are in good condition and constantly increasing in number, interest and efficiency. I took charge of this office in January, 1883, and made my first report to the Superintendent of Public Instruction in July of that year. A comparison of my first report with the one now made will show the progress that has been made in the last eight years:

1883 1890

Children between 5 and 17 ....................... 2,985 6,903

Children who attend public schools .......... 2,133 5,224

Schoolhouses built of wood ..................... 50 119

Schoolhouses built of brick ...................... 00 3

Teachers employed ................................ 71 169

Teachers graduates State normal school ... 5 85

Teachers graduated of other normal schools 00 15

Teachers holding life diplomas .................. 5 28

Teachers holding State educational

diplomas ................................... 5 24

Teachers holding grammar-grade

certificates ................................ 40 111

Teachers subscribing to educational

journals ..................................... 20 222

Visits made by superintendent ................. 70 142

Teachers attending institute ..................... 64 140

Volumes in library .................................. 1,610 9,044

Rate of county school tax ....................... 29 15

County assessment roll .......................... $3,308,097 $34,626,100

Amount received county tax ..................... 28,056 51,939

Value of houses, lots and furniture ........... 47,160 285,770

Value of library ....................................... 4,831 27,160

Value of apparatus ................................. 1,996 14,498

"That's a pretty satisfactory showing," said Mr. Hawkins in conclusion.

These figures are from the official returns of the office, and speak more eloquently of the progress made than could any words.

Average daily attendance 3,607.

The percentage of attendance on average number belonging, 92 per cent.

The census statistics for 1890 show a gratifying increase over preceding years, as will be seen by the following table of comparative statistics.

Number of census children in Fresno County for the following years:

1882 ................................................ 2770

1883 ................................................ 2985

1884 ................................................ 3340

1885 ................................................ 3742

1886 ................................................ 4183

1887 ................................................ 4717

1888 ................................................ 5861

1889 ................................................ 6437

1890 ................................................ 6903

As indicative of the rapid growth of the county, the increase of (census) school children year by year may be interesting. The figures are as follows:

1883 over 1882 ................................................. 245

1884 over 1883 ................................................. 375

1885 over 1884 ................................................. 402

1886 over 1885 ................................................. 441

1887 over 1886 ................................................. 534

1888 over 1887 ................................................1144

1889 over 1888 ................................................ 576

1890 over 1889 ................................................ 496

The following are the official figures in detail of the census of 1890, as returned by the enumerator:

Number of white children between 5 and 17 ........................................... 6,798

Number of negro ................................................................................. 68

Number of Indian (with guardians) ........................................................ 24

Number of native born Chinese ............................................................. 18

______

Total ..................................................................... 6,903

Number of white children under 5 .......................................................... 2,988

Number of negro ................................................................................. 27

Number of Indian (with guardians) ......................................................... 6

Number of Native Chinese .................................................................... 9

______

Total....................................................................... 3,030

Total children under 17 ............................................ 9,933

Number of white children attending public schools ................................... 5,170

Number of negro ................................................................................... 39

Number of Indian (with guardians) ........................................................... 15

______

Total ...................................................................... 5,224

Number of white children attending private schools ................................... 164

Number of negro .................................................................................... 1

Number of Mongolian ............................................................................ 10

Number of Indian (with guardians) ............................................................

______

Total ..................................................................... 175

Number of white children not attending any school .................................... 1,459

Number of negro ................................................................................... 28

Number of Indian (with guardians) ............................................................ 9

Number of native Chinese ....................................................................... 8

______

Total ..................................................................... 1,504

Number of deaf and dumb ....................................................................... 2

Number of blind ...................................................................................... 1

Number of boys enrolled ......................................................................... 3,044

Number of girls ...................................................................................... 2,966

The following facts in reference to the schools of the county will assist in forming an estimate of their conduct and general character:

Number of books in libraries ....................................... 9,044

Number of districts, 1889 .......................................... 114

Number of districts, 1890 .......................................... 118

Increase in number last year ..................................... 4

Number of grammar schools, 1890 ............................. 47

Number of primary schools, 1890 ............................... 114

Number of high schools ............................................. 1

Number of wooden school buildings, 1890 ................... 119

Number of brick and stone school buildings, 1890 ......... 3

Number of new school buildings, 1890 ......................... 17

Average monthly wages, male, 1890 ............................ $81

Average monthly wages, female, 1890 ......................... $62