Kern County History

To-day dotted all over the world, there are towns of the size of this whose beginnings are lost in obscurity. Why founded, and by whom, can never be known either because the history was never written, or because the records have been lost.

Yet, somehow, it is a satisfaction to know who was one's great-great-grandfather; and it is exceedingly pleasant to a resident of one of today's villages (unless he and it alike are sluggish) to learn, so far as may be, the surroundings of his natal home. Who were the first comers, what they did, how and why they builded for the future, and the surroundings of the little youngster unto sturdy youth or mayhap into prosperous manhood, are matters of exceeding interest. But they must be chronicled by the historian of their day; or else he of the muck-rake coming long afterward at most can hand over only uncertain fragments of an indeterminate Rosetta stone to puzzling antiquarians. Therefore and wherefore people are yet living who report that, as far back as1840 (and others were at the same doings before them) the head of the San Joaquin valley, of which Bakersfield is now the pivotal point, was a great range for cattle. The Dons, rejoicing in the possession of Spanish grants, lived to the south and nearer the sea; but their herds roamed at will; and near where are now the headquarters of the Miller & Lux Kern County domain, about twenty-five miles southwest of town, there was quite a settlement of vaqueros, their families and traders. For the simple wants of these country folk, ditches at that day were taken from Kern River, - small, to be sure; for their needs were little and their purse was light. But life existed; and its wants were more or less supplied. Who they were can be easily told as where they went; but season after season, now past and gone, found them and the herds they guarded the sole residents of Kern River valley.

In 1864 Colonel Thomas Baker, who had looked upon the land and found it good, obtained from the State a reclamation right, and, for his convenience in prosecuting the work, built a residence for himself and his family, which, until the fire of July, 1889, stood in the heart of the town. The levee which he builded is pretty nearly followed by the course of the present town ditch between Nineteenth and Twentieth streets. At about that time, cotton being scarce and high, a firm known as Livermore & Chester put several hundred acres in cotton on the site of what is now known as the Cotton ranch, which is a part of the present town. There were difficulties of various kinds to be encountered; but, withal, a good deal of fine cotton was raised and hauled by teams to the south. All trading then was to and from Wilmington in Los Angles County; and it is said that somewhere in that section this cotton was manufactured into fabrics. A supply depot, established by Livermore & Cheater for the wants of incomers and wayfarers, grew into a store with a very large yearly traffic.

In 1869, within the limits of the present town, there were three buildings; but there were people enough within a meeting and discussing radius, to agree upon the fact that a town should be laid out, and to seriously consider where should be the place. There were several minds about it; but, as has since been proved, the clearest -headed won the day. It happened that for some months General Palmer, at the head of a corps of engineers, was located somewhere near the present site of Pampa, searching for the best line for the proposed Atlantic & Pacific railroad through the mountains. Being appealed to for his judgment as to the best place for the disputed but needed town site, he confirmed the argument for Bakersfield where it now stands. Their arguments were: It stands were the key of irrigation must unlock the canals; the mountain passes over which railroads can come center toward it as spokes to the hub of a wheel; back of it northerly and easterly are tributary mountains; southerly and westerly are embracing plains. No matter where first a settlement may start, eventually, for nature has made it so, here or hereabouts the town must be.

The elevation of the site of Bakersfield above sea level is 415 feet.

So, in 1869, the town of Bakersfield - christened after Colonel Thomas Baker - was formerly laid out; its plat duly filed; and with all proper form the bantling was started upon the high road which leads to prosperity. It is admitted that it is very hard to keep the road; and the early childhood of Bakersfield was not particularly promising. The soil was fertile, but the market was invisible; and there was no railroad yet. Many settlers tried, and tried hard. A great deal of the adjacent land was taken up; and many small irrigating ditches were made to draw upon the river for the needed water. But, beyond home use, there was no demand for country produce. Stock could walk to its slaughter-pen; but, for anything besides that, there was no demand.

In 1874, with the coming of the railroad, capital began to be expended in the valley. Settlers here and there were bought out; and one by one the little ditches of earlier days were systematically taken hold of and enlarged into canals capable of carrying large quantities of water. The property of Livermore & Chester, south of town, perhaps 40,000 acres in extent , was bought in a lump. In 1876 the Calloway Canal Company, started as a private enterprise by small owners and which had languished for want of funds, was bought out; and the present immense canal was prosecuted to a finish with ample means. Purchases here and there without stint showed that a heavy capitalist had entered into the country with the intention of making it his own. Under his plan of operations, hundreds of miles of canal were built, thousands and thousands of acres of land tilled, fencing down without stint, great numbers of cattle, sheep, horses and mules bred and raised, and all sorts of farming tests and experiments carried on.

This, as tributary to Bakersfield, made the town grow and prosper, precisely and in just so much as can a merchant who has a fixed number of solvent customers, each needing a certain yearly supply. The town depended upon the demands of the king of the country, and beyond his needs could not go. With this regular custom and such certain pay, it came to have a mercantile credit unsurpassed by any town in the San Joaquin valley; yet it was like a pool, - deep, perhaps, but unlocked. Beyond the limits of that day it could not go. It had a regular demand to which it gave a regular supply, and nothing more.

The produce of a great farm must be simple; for complex farming requires many hands and expensive help. So this well managed principality settled down to alfalfa growing and stock-raising, the combined enterprise requiring of all farming industries the least hired help to the acre.

But, in our fathers' days, young people married; and they wanted a home. There are more of them to marry now than then; and land is becoming valuable. The fertile lands adjacent to Bakersfield have become too much worth to be devoted to stock-raising; and yet fruit and vine are too complex to adopt on an extensive scale. Twenty acres of either will not only enrich one family, but, to give them proper care, will busy father and sons, mother and daughters. And as a natural sequence this vast domain, with its perfect system of irrigation, was put upon the market upon such terms as placed the opportunity to buy land and acquire a home within the reach of any prudent and industrious person.

Of the events of the year 1889 in the town of Bakersfield, the two most important were, the fire which destroyed all the business portion of the town (since rebuilt better than ever), and the announcement of the opportunity to purchase lands from the great estate of J. B. Haggin. The fire was a serious blow, over three-quarters of a million in value being wiped out in an afternoon. But the subdivision of that land a hundredfold more than compensates for the loss, as it offers opportunities for thousands of families to be provided with comfortable homes.

It requires immense expenditure to construct and comple the vast system of irrigating canals which now spread like network throughout the country. No capitalist or association of capital would undertake such an expense unless owning the land to be benefited thereby. So three steps have been taken: First, the aggregation of the land into one vast holding; second, improving it by levelling and clearing and the building of canals and miles and miles of distributing ditches; and third, now that it is all ready for the day of small homes, placing it on the market within the reach of those who would till the land and thereby honestly live. This condition of things will result in making Bakersfield one of the largest and most prosperous inland towns within the fertile State of California.

Some of the reasons why this must be the result are as follows:

1. 1,250,000 acres of land, as fertile as any that the sun shines upon, lie directly within reach of the town.

2. Just south, a mountain chain divides this region from Southern California. A town situated at the head of a great valley, and the foot of the only available mountain passes, has a commanding situation which cannot fail to make it great.

3. Oil, gypsum, asphaltum, gold, silver, lead and antimonial ores, lime, building stone, great forests of timber, and numerous other by-products of nature, lie within the county and within available reach of the town.

4. Kern river, from the canon where it leaves the mountains, has a fall of 300 feet before reaching the town. A stream with an average discharge of 2,700 cubic feet of water per second, with this fall, can be made to furnish an immense water- power; and the time is not far distant when the town will be a great manufacturing center.

5. The mountain passes are so situated that no railroad can be built without passing through or very near to the town.

For these and many other reasons the shrewdest business men concede that the time is not far distant when the town of Bakersfield will become a large and flourishing city. No place is more richly dowered; nor is there any more promising outlook within the State of California.

The morning of July 7, 1889, opened with the promise of a quiet, pleasant, sunny Sabbath day for the town of Bakersfield. Citizens followed their bent, some attending church, some driving into the country, and others going here and there, as is the wont in a busy and thriving community. Just about noon a fire broke out, which practically wiped out the business portion of the town. Never was recuperative power more quickly shown, however! Fine brick buildings quickly took the place of those that had been burned, and now the streets present a truly metropolitan appearance, being lined with handsome buildings that would be a credit to a city ten times the size. Everything points to a rapid growth in the immediate future, and the business men of Bakersfield have their plans all laid on the basis of a city of 10,000 or 15,000 inhabitants within the next five or six years - an anticipation which the most conservative must concede to be well founded. The city has two splendid hotels, two banks and a large number of business houses carrying immense stocks and doing a large business. Prominent features in advancing the prosperity of the community are the four newspapers, all weekly publications. These are the Californian, the Echo, the Gazette, and the Democrat. The Californian is published by A. C. Maude, and stands well to the front as an ably edited and handsomely printed paper. The Echo is the property of the Echo Publishing Company, and the Gazette is edited by G. W. Wear, both ranking among the prominent papers of the State. The Democrat is a new candidate for popular support, and is the property of a company. The community shows its appreciation of the good work done by these papers by according them all a hearty support.

Carefully kept statistics show that Bakersfield ranks highly from the standpoint of health, the rate of morality being unusually low, while the salubrity of the climate is acknowledged by all who have resided here for any length of time. There has been a steady improvement in health conditions ever since the first settlement of the place, and Bakersfield now challenges comparison with any other city in the State. The fact that the churches and schools are numerous and well attended, and that all the prominent fraternal organizations have strong societies, testifies to the intelligence of the community and its desirability as a place of residence or business.

The census of 1890 gives Bakersfield a population of 3,563.

This attractive city has all the conveniences of many larger cities, - street railways, waterworks, a well-organized fire department and as good schools as are found in the State. The hotels, business blocks and many of the residences are substantial as well as ornamental structures. The city fathers govern the city well. Although she has no regular police force, yet there is now perhaps less disturbance than in many larger places. Bakersfield has had a liberal share of crime in the past, and her good citizens are a unit now to enforce law and order, and promote the growth of morals. There is a street railway connecting the town of Sumner, the railroad station, with Bakersfield, and ere long the two places will merge into one.

A brief history of the newspapers which have put forth herculean efforts in behalf of Bakersfield and Kern County will be of interest to the many who are interested in the past and present, as well as of the future growth and general welfare of the city and county.

THE KERN COUNTY GAZETTE

The Kern County Gazette was founded in 1875, by J. F. Lithicum, and the first issue was October 20 of that year, a seven-column folio. Politically, Democratic from that time to the present. In September, 1880, Hon. George W. Wear purchased the paper, and has conducted it ever since. The files of the paper were destroyed by the fire which laid waste the city.

Mr. Wear is a self-made man in every sense. He was born in Carroll County, Mississippi, February 28, 1852. His education was obtained at private schools in his native State, and not an extravagant share did he receive; but that which he received he proceeded to use and applied it well, and daily added thereto. After serving as typo in various newspaper offices he published a paper at Dresden, Tennessee, and also at Union City, that State. He was married at the latter place in 1873, to a daughter of Colonel John Nash. Mr. Wear and wife have three children living, two sons and a daughter.

Mr. Wear came to California and settled in Bakersfield in 1875, and was for a time the publisher of the Kern County Californian prior to purchasing the Gazette. His untiring zeal and efforts in behalf of Kern County led the citizens thereof to select him to represent them in the State Assembly, which he did with distinguished ability in the Twenty-eighth session of that body. When his term expired, "Cincinnatus-like," he returned to his former love, the Gazette, and his home, preferring the paper and its power for good when properly used, and his home and family to that of a public life which called him away.

THE KERN COUNTY CALIFORNIAN

It has been stated elsewhere that this paper came into existence about the same time as did the county, viz., 1866, and then known as the Weekly Courier, published at Havilah, the first county seat. It has changed hands several times, which is of no moment in history. It was first radically Democratic, but for years has been the expounder and able advocate of true Republican principles, not whether right or wrong, but when right, fearless in defending the right, and equally so and as vigilant in denouncing the wrong.

This paper is now owned and ably edited by A. C. Mande, who became owner, editor and publisher some twelve years since. The editorials of this paper are able and the paper is doing great good in Kern County. Mr. Maude is awake to all the interests of his county, is familiar with its vast resources and prides himself on presenting through his paper the great inducements to those seeking homes in California. Such would do well to visit Bakersfield before settling elsewhere. The Californian now issues a daily.

The Weekly Echo was established at Bakersfield by a stock company known as the Echo Publishing Company, August, 1886. The first issue was a seven-column folio, was enlarged to an eight-column folio in 1890, and it is devoted to the general interests of the county. S. C. Smith, present editor, has been connected with it since its birth. In connection with his partner, R. F. Gregory, he purchased the paper and plant early in 1889.

Mr. Smith is a native Iowan, came to Kern County in 1883, and settled in Bakersfield in 1886. Mr. Gregory hails from the Nutmeg State, and landed in California early in 1879, locating in Bakersfield. These gentlemen by diligence, perseverance and a proper presentation of Kern County's many advantages, have won a patronage equal to other papers of much longer standing.

THE KERN VALLEY DEMOCRAT

The Kern Valley Democrat is a news paper issued weekly by Pueschell & Harrell. The first number was issued September 20, 1890, a seven-column folio. The 13th issue was a four-column quarto, and in April, 1891, was made a five-column quarto. Price $1. 50 per year, - the lowest price for a paper of the kind in the valley. These gentlemen have new material throughout, gas engine for press-power, and propose to leave nothing undone that will tend to make it the best paper in Kern County. Their object is to start a daily at an early day.

E. A. Pueschell, of the above firm, was born in the town of Alleghany, Sierra County, California, December 18, 1858, the son of C. E. Pueschell, a hotel keeper and a native of Prussia, who came to America at the age of about twenty-five years, locating in this State in the fall of 1849; was one of the earliest to run a hotel in Nevada City, and later in Downieville and Alleghany. Afterward he came to Bakersfield and conducted the James' Hotel. He finally sold his business and died two months afterward. He married Miss Annie Flock, in Nevada City, a native of Germany, and they had six children, of whom Mr. E. A. is the second-born. The latter learned the printers' trade at Truckee, in the office of the Republican, commencing at the age of fifteen years. He was afterward in San Francisco two years, and then came to Bakersfield, where he was foreman in the office of the Californian three years. He was appointed postmaster under the administration of President Cleveland. He married Miss Annie, daughter of R. K. Vestal, of Bakersfield, and they have one daughter, Mary C.

Alfred Harrell, the partner, is the present county school superintendent, frequently referred to in other parts of the history.

The very credible public edifice was erected in 1975, on a public square of two acres. It is a solid cemented brick structure, two stories, with high basement, and surmounted by a handsome dome-covered cupola, on which stands the Goddess of Liberty. The basement is used for various storage purposes. The first floor is reached by broad and lofty steps and contains the sheriff's office, offices of district attorney, auditor, treasurer, tax collector, and the jail.

The second story contains the superior courtroom, offices of clerk, recorder, superintendent of schools, and board of supervisors' room. Cost of building, $35,000; furnishing, $10,000. These courthouse grounds are surrounded by a fine, high, solid wooden fence of considerable artistic beauty. The grounds are well set with blue-grass and white-clover, forming a beautiful park. Outside are rows of lofty poplars, along the streets and inside, the beautiful lawn is thickly shaded with almost every variety of ornamental tree and flowering shrub known, with pleasant walks therein. This lovely spot, on which Kern's pretty capital stands, is one of rare beauty and picturesqueness. The view from the front of this edifice from the veranda first floor, is one to be remembered. Looking southward forty miles away, one beholds the San Emigdio mountains, which are at times in winter covered with snow on their higher altitudes. The highest points in this range rarely exceed 8,000 feet. Bear Mountain, a spur of the Sierra, is seen twenty miles away and is 7,000 feet high. Mount Breckenridge, thirty-five miles away, is 8,000 feet high. Mount Whitney, the highest point of land in the United States, is about 120 miles on an airline, 150 by trails and a little east of north from Bakersfield. The city is situated in a semicircle or amphitheatre of mountains distant several miles.

LYNCH LAW IN BAKERSFIELD

In times past, the good citizens have been compelled to administer justice without due process of law. As in other localities, there have been cases where technical advantages have been taken by lawyers to screen and clear the criminal. Such is said to have occurred in the case of the Yoakum brothers. Some years since, citizens of Kern County, well to do, but of an unyielding temper, Thomas and William Yoakum, were the murderers of Tucker and Johnson, who were shot from their wagons by men hid from view, - Tucker, while seated by the side of Mrs. Burdette. The Yoakums were arrested and William was tried for the murder of Tucker. The jury acquitted him. At the trial for the killing of Johnson, William Yoakum was found guilty and sentenced to death, but an appeal to a higher court secured a new trial. The feeling was so strong as to the guilt of the parties that it resulted in their being hanged and shot in jail.

The murder of Tucker and Johnson was the culmination if a disputed mineral claim. The Yoakums had threatened to kill the first man, woman or child, who, as they termed it, "trespassed" on their claim. It seems that Tucker asserted his claim on the same land, heeding not the Yoakum's threats, but, with Johnson, persisted in establishing his claim. The result the four lost their lives.

A SINGULAR BANK ROBBERY

A singular bank robbery occurred in Bakersfield some years since. Soon after the founding of the Kern Valley Bank, the cashier, who was also deputy county treasurer as well as manager of the Wells-Fargo Express business, and a man of unblemished reputation, and of liberal means, reported the bank had been robbed. He was discovered with a bruise on his face. He stated that he was busy writing at night when he was called to the door of the bank, and slugged, and supposed was chloroformed, as when he revived the money was all gone. The county had about $20,000 on deposit, the express company considerable, and the strange feature was that the safes were standing open and nothing had been broken. Detectives were employed, some of whom were experts from San Francisco. They soon decided that the wounded cashier was the robber. To this, the stockholders and officials of the bank would not agree. They knew the man and had implicit confidence in him. Detectives said they must either arrest him or abandon the hunt, as he and none other knew all about it. Finally, the bank managers gave their consent that detectives should put the matter squarely at the cashier and see how he acted. This they did, telling him that it was known that he could produce the money, and if he would do so, the matter would be dropped. He confessed at once.

The building was a wood structure, ceiled with rough boards, in one of which, some feet above the floor, was a knot-hole, over which a picture hung. He said, "Look behind the picture, and protruding from the hole will be found a cord, attached to which are the sacks containing the coin, attached to which are the sacks containing the coin, amounting to near $20,000." This was found to be true. He directed them to look in a box of waste paper for the remainder, currency, which was found. He admitted having self-inflicted the wound. The directors of the bank went on his bond, and when he was at liberty awaiting trial, he fled the country. He was heard of in Japan, where it is said he died. He left property ample to secure his bondsmen. He said the feeling to commit the deed was of short prompting and was irresistable. He had long been the trusted confidential man in more than one responsible position. This is but one of many illustrations how the love of money wrecks a once happy life and forever clouds a bright future. Could the young man be impressed with the fact that contentment and happiness can not be attained through dollars and cents dishonestly obtained, and that true enjoyment and the nearest approach to contentment and happiness in this life is attained by honest industry and proper use of earnings. Penuriousness is as abhorrent as is the wasteful splendor of money; proper use without abuse should be the governing law.

Although a young county, and until recently sparsely settled, Kern has had and now has some good legal talent.

Judge B. Brundage, once Superior Judge, and residing at Bakersfield, is considered the leading expounder of law in the county.

There are a number of lawyers in Bakersfield, and some who are young, but have a promising future. Among them we mention J. W. Mahan, who has a good practice, S. N. Reed, N. R. Wilkinson, Francour & Roth, J. W. Ahern, C. C. Cowgill, Alvin Fay, present District Attorney, I. E. Patten, J. A. Haralson, of Tehachapi, and T. A. Wells, of Delano.

In the past were: P. T. Colby, County Judge; George V. Smith, District Attorney; J. W. Freeman, deceased; A. C. Lawrence, deceased; and A. H. Davis, also deceased, having committed suicide. The two latter were in partnership.

General J. W. Freeman was an attorney, residing at Bakersfield during the latter years of his life. He was born in West Virginia in 1821. At the age of twenty-two years he entered the law department of the University of Virginia and graduated there. His first case in court was tried at Culpepper Courthouse, Virginia. He came to California early in 1850, locating at Visalia, where he practiced law; and while a resident there he represented that district in the State Senate, 1863-'68. Moving to Kern County, he followed mining at Kernville. He was active in setting off this county from Tulare and in locating the county seat. He finally moved to Bakersfield, where he was district attorney for about sixteen years. He died October 10, 1890, highly esteemed by the community.

Freights shipped from Bakersfield, during the months of August, September, and October, 1890:

Merchandise......................1,002,245 pounds

Hides................................ 28,385 "

Corn................................. 265,630 "

Spuds (Potatoes)............... 65,740 "

Honey............................... 54,555 "

Green Fruit, 49 carloads, or. 732,395 "

Onions.............................. 40,250 "

M. T. Kegs........................ 180,000 "

Lambs.............................. 3,619 head

Cattle............................... 3,289 "

Calves.............................. 703 "

Horses............................. 32 "

Wool................................ 152,035 pounds

Asphaltum........................ 46,000 "

Number of passengers departing 2,688.

Bakersfield is not an incorporated city, being yet under the management of the township trustees. Drainage, etc., and all improvements are done by stock companies, who contract with the trustees. The street-car line is owned by a stock company and connects with Sumner, and has a franchise to Belleview ranch. The water supply for drinking and cooking purposes is from artesian wells, furnished by a local stock company. The water is of excellent quality. There are two first-class banks - the Bank of Bakersfield and the Kern Valley Bank.

The Bakersfield Gas and Electric Light Company was chartered in the spring of 1888, but nothing was done until some time in 1889, when the town was lighted by naphtha, which proved a failure. Blodget & Jostro purchased the plant, and after the fire put in coal works, and November 15, 1889, began lighting the town with gas. In the spring of 1890 they put in an electric light plant, incorporated with a capital stock of $100,000; paid in, $50,000, - all owned by H. A. Jostro, president; H. A. Blodget, secretary; and L. P. St. Clair, treasurer.

FREIGHTS SHIPPED FROM BAKERSFIELD, during the month of August, September, and October, 1890:

Merchandise........................................1,002,245 pounds

Hides.................................................. 28,385 "

Corn................................................... 265,630 "

Spuds (Potatoes)................................ 65,740 "

Honey................................................ 54,555 "

Green Fruit, 49 carloads, or................. 732,395 "

Onions............................................... 40,250 "

M. T. Kegs.......................................... 180,000 "

Lambs................................................ 3,619 head

Cattle................................................. 3,289 "

Calves................................................ 703 "

Horses............................................... 32 "

Wool.................................................. 152,035 pounds

Asphaltum.......................................... 40,000 "

Number of passengers departing 2,688.

Bakersfield is not an incorporated city, being yet under the management of the township trustees. Drainage, etc., and all improvements are done by stock companies, who contract with the trustees. The street-car line is owned by a stock company, and connects with Sumner, and has a franchise to Bellevue Ranch. The water supply for drinking and cooking purposes is from artesian wells, furnished by a local stock company. The water is of excellent quality. There are two first-class banks - the Bank of Bakersfield and the Kern Valley Bank.

THE BAKERSFIELD GAS AND ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY was chartered in the spring of 1888, but nothing was done until some time in 1889, when the town was lighted by naphtha, which proved a failure. Blodget & Jostro purchased the plant, and after the fire put in coal works, and November 15, 1889, began lighting the town with gas. In the spring of 1890 they put in an electric light plant, incorporated with a capital stock of $100,000; paid in, $50,000, - all owned by H. A. Jostro, president; H. A. Blodget, secretary; and L. P. St. Clair, treasurer.

CHURCHES

Havilah was the first point visited in Kern County by the Catholic clergy, from Visalia, during the mining period.

Upon the removal of the county seat from Havilah to Bakersfield, the mission was established at the latter place, and visits were regularly made from Visalia up to 1884, when the parish was established, and Father P. M. Bannon placed in charge of the parish, which included Kern, Inyo, and the north part of Los Angeles County. The ecclesiastical name is St. Francis' church.

The Baptists have a neat church edifice.

The Methodist and Episcopal churches have large memberships, and are in a prosperous condition. There has not been the interest manifested in erecting attractive buildings for worship as in some other towns.

SOCIETIES

The citizens of Bakersfield take great interest in their fraternal and beneficial societies, and one rarely finds either gentlemen or lady who does not belong to one or more societies. There is one case deserving special mention, namely, Dr. Cook, who is one of the efficient, energetic members of many of the orders, and is also one of the most obliging gentlemen one will meet in a life-time, and to whom the writer feels under obligation for much of the data pertaining to the societies in Bakersfield.

Bakersfield Court, No. 536, Independent Order of Foresters, was instituted April 5, 1890; charter members, twenty. Officers for 1891: C. J. Johnson, C. R.; J. V. Morley, V. C. R.; Charles Bickerdike, T. S.; J. Paul Spencer, R. S.; Charles H. Hoskin, Chaplain; Dr. J. Snook, Physician; A. Hosking, J. B.; J. E. Bailey, S. B.; C. J. Raaz, S. W.; and B. J. Curnow, J. W.

Sumner Grove, No. 56, Ancient Order of Druids, was instituted April 11, 1886. Charter Members, thirty-four. Officers in 1891: Silva Selna, N. A.; J. Duserre, V. A.; John Eyrand, R. S.; M. M. Espitlier, C.; and Dr. C.A. Rogers, Treasurer. Present number of members, sixty-one.

Mistletoe Council, No. 834, Legion of Honor, was organized January 20, 1882, with sixteen charter members. The first officers were: Mrs. Dr. D. B. Rogers, Past Commander; Dr. S. L. Rogers, Medical Examiner; F. W. Craig, Secretary; and John O. Miller, Collector. Officers in 1891: L. S. Rogers, Commander; F. H. Colton, Collector; H. A. Blodgett, Treasurer; and Mrs. D. B. Rogers, Secretary. Present membership, seventeen. The order is in a prosperous condition. Insurance has been properly met.

Baker Parlor, No. 42, Native Sons of the Golden West, was organized October 24, 1884, with twenty-six charter members. Officers in 1891 are: J. W. Ahern, Pres.; F. L. Borgwardt, F. V. P.; T. A. Lightner, T. V. P.; T. A. Baker, S. V. P.; I. H. Glenn, Past Pres.; A. J. Moulty, Marshal; L. Suender, Treas.; George W. Price, F. & R. Sec. Present membership, 31.

Rio Bravo Parlor, No. 65, N. D. G. W., was instituted in March, 1891, with thirty members and the following officers: Mrs. M. L. Wilkinson, P. P.; Miss Annie C. Foran, P.; Miss Susie Allen, 1st V. P.; Mrs. Kate Drury, 2d V. P.; Miss Emma Suender, 3d V. P.; Mrs. Cora F. Bender, R. S.; Mrs. Ethel L. Morrison, A. R. S.; Mrs. Eugenia, F. Dinkelspiel, F. S.; Miss Frances Stark, M.; Miss Lida Jewett, Treas.; Miss Virginia Stark, M.; Mrs. Maria Leonard, I. S.; Miss Hattie Withington, O. S.; Miss Lottie Baker, Organist; Mrs. Carrie Dinkelspiel, Mrs. A. T. Lightner, Mrs. Ettie Weill, Trustees.

Ancient Order of United Workmen. - The lodge was organized February 25, 1879, with forty members. The officers of 1891 are: H. P. Olds, District Deputy; William E. Tibbett, Past Master Workman; William Montgomery, M. W.; Charles Bennett, Foreman; P. S. Jewett, Overseer; H. P. Olds, Recorder; H. F. Condict, Financier; O. O. Mattson, Receiver; L. P. St. Clair, Guide; A. Coons, I. W.; D. H. Coolbaugh, O. W.; Dr. L. S. Rogers, Medical Examiner; L. S. Rogers and William Lightner, Trustees. Present membership, eighty.

Hurlbut Post, G. A. R., No. 127, was organized January 25, 1886. Charter members: Henry F. Condict, C. A. Maul, S. A. Burnap, George K. Ober, H. T. Freear, Loren Towsley, E.C. Palmer, A. G. Myers, Thomas Metcalf, John A. Hynes, William McFarland, R. T. Norris, and A. M. Seright. First Officers: H. F. Condict, P. C.; S. A. Burnap, S. V. C.; H. T. Freear, J. V. C.; Thomas Metcalf, Chaplain; E. C. Palmer, Q. M.; William McFarland, O. D.; A. Maul, O. G.; George K. Ober, Adjutant. Members in 1891, fifty-nine. Officers: Thomas Metcalf, P. C.; F. H. Colton, S. V. C.; Aaron Bodley, J. V. C.; A. W. Storms, Adjutant; H. F. Condict, Q. M.; C. E. Coolbaugh, Surgeon; J. C. Jordan, Chaplain; George Dagget, O. D.; Frank Clemens, O. G. Past Post Commanders: H. P. Condict, George K. Ober, J. C. Jordan, R. M. Walker, and C. A. Maul.

Hurlbut, W. R. C., No. 55, was organized July 9, 1888, with nineteen charter members and the following officers: Mrs. Julia M. Ober, Pres.; Mrs. Nina J. Condict, S. V. P.; Mrs. Bertie Condict, J. V. P.; Miss Maud Arick, Treas.; Mrs. D. B. Rogers, Sec.; Mrs. Frances Nixon, Chaplain; Miss Lottie Condict, C.; Mrs. Hattie Shattenkirk, G.; Mrs. R. A. Walker, A. C.; Miss Maud Metcalf, A. G.

Officers in 1891: Mrs. M. Colton, President; Mrs. J. E. Beard, S. V. P.; Mrs. Emma Meacham, J. V. P.; Mrs. Kate Drury, Treas.; Mrs. Julia M. Ober, Sec.; Mrs. A. E. Willow, Chaplain; Mrs. B. S. Olds, C.; Mrs. Ida Petz,G.; Mrs. R. Bull, A. G.; and Miss Susie Allen, A. C. Past Presidents: Julia M. Ober and Nina J. Condict. Expanded for relief during the past two years, $170.

Phil Sheridan Camp, No. 6, Sons of Veterans, was organized October 2, 1888, with twelve charter members. Officers: H. A. Blodget, Capt.; J. W. Scribner, 1st Lieut.; F. Seibert, 2d Lieut.; W. H. Cook, 1st Sergt.; J. L. Drury, Quartermaster; S. L. Blodget, Sergt. of the Guard.

Bakersfield Lodge, No. 224, F. & A. M., was organized November 28, 1872, with fourteen charter members. Officers in 1891: A. H. Swain, W. M.; M. Macmurdo, S. W. ; L. S. Rogers, J. W.; B. Ardizzi, Treas.; A. C. Maude, Sec'y; H. A. Jaston, S. D.; L. M. Kilvey, J. D.; S. H. Anderson, Tyler. There are at present forty-five members.

There is a young but active growing lodge of the order of the Eastern Star in Bakersfield.

Sumner Lodge, K. of P., No. 143, was instituted April 16, 1887, with thirty-six charter members. Officers in 1891: J. E. White, P. C.; W. H. Cook, C. C.; Charles E. Day, V. C.; R. C. Wiley, P.; Benj. Leet, M. of F.; S. Selna, M. of E.; John Robb, K. R. & S.; Patrick Friel, M. at A.; F. L. Alexander, I. G.; and F. B. Hack, O. G. Present Membership, fifty-two.

Kern Lodge, K. of P., No. 76, was instituted July 26, 1882. Officers in 1891: O. D. Fish, P. C.; A. T. Lightner, C. C.; R. T. Gregory, V. C.; H. S. Pelton, P.; T. A. Briggs, M. of E.; C. A. Rogers, M. of F.; S. C. Smith, K. R. & S.; L. Beer, M. at A.; T. A. Baker, I. G.; and F. B. Hack, O. G. Present membership, fifty-two.

Kern Lodge, No. 202, I. O. O. F. This lodge was instituted April 25, 1872, with the following officers: B. Brundage, A. P. G.; H. Hirshfeld, N. G.; S. Jewett, V. G.; M. Jacoby, Treas.; Julius Witteshoefer, Sec'y.

Kern Lodge, I. O. O. F., was organized in Bakersfield April 26, 1872. Officers for 1891: Joseph V. Morley, A. P. G.; George Daggett, N. G.; T. W. Helm, V. G.; W. H. Cook, Sec'y.; O. O. Matson, Treas.; O. D. Kincaid, Warden; A. Coons, Cond.; R. Hosking, I. G.; H. Swain, R. S. N.G.; G. Leiser, L. S. N. G.; O. D. Fish, R. S. V. G.; S. L. Blodgett, L. S. V. G. There is no order more flourishing than this in the county.

Rebekah Degree, No. 47, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Bakersfield June 19, 1888, with thirty-three charter members: Nina Condict was the first N. G.; May Fish, V. G.; Lotta Condict, Sec'y.; Ruby Walker, Treas. Officers in 1891: May Price, N. G.; Emma Suender, V. G.; Lotta Condict, Sec'y.; J. B. Morley, Per. Sec.; R. Walker, Treas.; Nina Condict, W.; J. A. Fenton, Chaplain; Richard Hosking, I. G.; A. Coons, R. S. of N. G.; E. Cohn, L. S. of N. G.; H. Swain, O. G.; H. F. Condict, R. S. of V. G.; O. D. Kincaid, L. S. of V. G.

W. C. T. U. - This excellent organization has a large active membership. Its officers are: Mrs. L. R. Bond, Pres.; Mrs. A. Bodley, Cor. Sec'y.; Mrs. C. C. Stockton, Rec. Sec'y.; Mrs. E. W. Barnes, Supt. Evangelical Work; Mrs. Dr. Helm, Supt. Mother's Meeting Work; Mrs. E. Dayhoff, Supt. of Social Purity Work. This organization starts with a membership of sixty-five.

Bakersfield Lodge, No. 342, I. O. G. T. - Present officers: J. F. Frary, C. T.; Mrs. E. W. Barnes, V. T.; Mrs. J. C. Jordan, Chaplain; E. Squires, Sec'y.; Strella Jordan, A. S.; May Jordan, F. S.; Lee Spencer, Treas.; W. Hutchinson, M.; Miss Ruth Baker, D. M.; Jacob Moon, G.; Oscal Houghton, L. D.; Rev. J. C. Jordan, P. C. T.

Practically a part of Bakersfield, being separated by less than a mile's distance, is Sumner, or East Bakersfield. This is the location of the Southern Pacific depot and shops, and is a lively suburb, destined before long to become an integral part of the county seat. The depot is a handsome brick structure of modern architecture, while the shops are provided with machinery for repair and construction work of all kinds.