Mendocino County

History

History of Mendocino County California - Alley, Bowen & Co., San Francisco, 1880

STATISTICAL HISTORY OF MENDOCINO COUNTY.

        BELOW will be found summarized statements of the statistics of the several matters of interest in Mendocino county at the present time.

        The following data have been gleaned from the Assessor's books for the year 1880 :—

        The roll foots up a million and a half more than last year, it then being $5,582,750. This is a large increase, especially when we take into consideration the deduction of mortgages from land assessed, which often wiped the valuation of the latter entirely out.

        In addition to the above there are five grist-mills, the production of which is not given; twenty-one saw and shingle-mills, which produced a total of

forty million feet of lumber and one million four hundred and fifty thousand shingles; and four breweries, which manufactured twenty-five thousand gallons of beer.     The dairyman did not return the number of pounds of butter and cheese manufactured during the year, hence we have no data as to this important industry.

        MENDOCINO'S RICH MEN.-The assessment roll shows the following persons to be assessed upon a valuation of $10,000 and over.  The figures were taken from the assessment roll before the board equalized it: Ukiah---- J. H. Burke, $12,442; Bank of Ukiah, $191,422; William Doolan, $10,410; Joseph Ellege, $15,764; C. Hofman, $10,125 ; A. Marks & Co., $47,293 ; R. McGarvey, $16,781 ; Sam. Orr, $30,046 ; E. T. Farmer, $17,736; A. J. Gibson, $13,210 ; J. P. Hoffman, $11,710 ; W. J. Hildreth, $10,076 ; M. W. Howard, $10,926 ; P. Howell, $12,363 ; G. W. Heald, $10,554; Thomas Hopper, $36,982; A. F. Redemeyer. $90,529; J. S. Reed, $62,820; Estate of T. U. Smyth, $13,442; J. F. Todd, $16,518 ; Walker & Menzies, $10,000; J. Waithman, $12,000. Sanel----O. Howell, $50,156 ; Estate of Mrs. A. McDonald, $12,379 ; J. McGlashan, $11,657 ; A. McNab, $19,274; Mrs. J. M. Peck, $21,322; J. Salinger, $10,936 ; W.W. Thatcher, $19,733 ; H. Willard, $10,647. Round Valley---- G. C. Berry, $13,200; Garvey & Ames, $11,565; G. W. Henley, $23,700 ; Henley & Gibson, $15,680 ; Nevada Bank, $30,450; Townsend & Carey, $37,475 ; J. Updegraff, $19,982; G. E. White, $49,641. Calpella----R. Angle, $21,185; J. G. Busch, $19,934; J. D. Brower, $30,497 ; W. Lierly ; $11,130 ; J. H. Laughlin, Sr., $18,040. Anderson---- R. H. & A. N. Rawles, $15,303: E. M. Hiatt, $24,053. Arena---- J. E. Chalfant, $33,635 ; Gualala Mill Co., $92,095; N. Iverson, $17,698 ; Nickerson & Co., $23,426 ; C. D. Robinson, $10,320, Big River---- E. Brown, $21,899 ; Bank of Mendocino, $198,192; Osro Cliff, $11,038; Coombs & Perkins, $12,387 ; S. Coombs, $16,603; C, W. Denslow, $15,375 ; William Heyser, $13,810; J. G. Jackson, $90,745; J. Kenny, $20,184; J. S. Kimball, $22,227: W. H. Kent, 10,482; W. H. Kelly, $13,186 ; Mendocino Lumber Company, $166,533 ; Mendocino Discount Bank, $28,719; Redwood Lumber Company, $44,500; H. B. Tichenor & Co., $129,561; Thomas Welsh, $15,329. Ten-mile River---- Alexander Gordon, $12,469; L. Sloss & Co., $20,897;  F. Heldt, $16,200; Hunter & Stewart, $15,475 ; W. R. Miller, $11,065. Little Lake---Baechtel Brothers, $43,595 ; C. W. Clarke, $13, 457; Decamps Brothers, $13,194 ; J. A. Hardin, $17,275 ; J. Lahm, $14,553 ; J. E. Moore, $20,200 ; E. R. Shimmins, $11,185 ; Traver & Norton, $27,426 ; Upp & Whitehorn, $15,142; Willits & Johnson, $27,806. Miscellaneous---- Hibernia Savings and Loan Society, $17,262 ; H. Wetherbee, $65,263.

        REPORT OF COUNTY TREASURER.-The following is a synopsis of County Treasurer Fowzer's report for the quarter ending July 31, 1880:-

        Receipts.—From school lands, principal, $953.04 ; school lands, interest, $1,887.54; swamp lands, interest, $9.60; taxes of 1880-81, $4,780.32 ; redemption of lands sold for taxes, $143.28; licenses, $2,295 ; fines, $26.20; fees of county officers —sheriff, $693.30; clerk, $401.99 ; recorder, $215.30; county superintendent of schools, $20; net proceeds of sale of remains of Eel river bridge, $1.80; cash found on body of Peter Kline, deceased, $2.60; poll tax, 1880-81, $3,785.90; total, $15,215,87.

        Disbursements.—State fund, $7,102.87 ; county general fund, $3,762.96 ; general road fund, $83.53; indigent fund, $28 ; road district fund, $363.23 ; interest fund, $118.04; public building fund, $1,777.50; State school fund, $7,963.40 ; county school fund, $2,022.89; school library fund, $602.18 ; school district building fund, $37.33 ; unappropriated county school fund, $49.81; redemption tax fund, $123.18; special bridge tax fund, $2,325; total, $26,359.92.

        Summary.—Balance on hand May 1st, $44,736.98 ; receipts, $15,215.87 ; total, $59,952.85; disbursed, $26,359.92 ; balance on hand August 1st, $33,592.93.

        MENDOCINO'S SCHOOLS.-A writer in a local paper under date of February 24, 1865, has this to say about the school-houses of that day : "In traveling over Mendocino county one is impressed with the peculiar style of architecture exhibited in the public school-houses which he sees upon the road. The purpose for which these buildings were erected is apparent from their position, form and general appearance. They are generally too small for barns, too deficient in just proportions for dwellings, and too nondescript and repulsive for anything but school-houses."

        It is more than probable that the author of the above was altogether too severe in his criticism. The traveler through the county now does not meet with any of those nondescript buildings spoken of above, with possibly an exception or two. As a rule the school-buildings are neat, tidy and comfortable.

        From County Superintendent Thomas' report for the school year commencing July 1, 1879, and ending June 30, 1880, we glean the following interesting facts in regard to schools: Number of first grade schools in the county, twenty-three; second grade, thirty; third grade, eleven. Number of male teachers, thirty-two ; female teachers, thirty-two. Average monthly salary paid to male teachers, $74.90; female teachers, $63.90. Number of schools maintained for six months and less than eight months, forty-eight ; maintained for eight months and over, nine. Number of census children in the county, three thousand five hundred and four ; number that attended public schools, two thousand six hundred and forty; number that attended private schools, fifty-two; number of visitors to the schools, nine hundred and four. Average length of time schools were maintained during the year, seven and nine one-hundredths months. Average length of time the same teachers taught, five and sixty-six one-hundredths months. Number of children now entitled to participate in the apportionment of the school funds: whites, three thousand two hundred and seventy-four; negroes, five ; Indians, two hundred and twenty-five ; total, threw thousand five hundred and four.

        Under the heading of "Miscellaneous Remarks," the Superintendent adds: "I am happy to say that the public school system, as it is realized in this county, is doing a very good work. During my official visitations for the last school year I saw much that was pleasing to us in the general conduct and condition of the schools of this county. The school buildings, without being elegant, with few exceptions are commodious and comfortable, and the outfit quite adequate to the wants of  schools of primary and grammar grades. A large majority of the teachers intend to make teaching a life­long profession, and are trying to fit themselves more and more for the noble work they have taken in hand. Their spirit and their methods are generally good, of course, with some variation. While I was in the schools I saw very little to offend against propriety. Decorum seemed to be the rule, and exceptions very rare. I think we are making progress in the good work of public school education. It is our conviction that the capacity and faithfulness of our ex-Superintendent, John C. Ruddock, have contributed largely to the improvement and efficiency of the public schools in Mendocino county."

        Apportionments were made to the several districts of the county on August 21st, as follows : Ukiah—teachers, five; State, $306 ; library, $34. Round Valley—teachers, three ; State, $183.60; library, $20.40. Big River, Buchanan, Caspar, Cuffey's Cove, and Manchester — teachers, two in each; State, in each, $122.40; library, in each, $13.60. Each of the remaining districts has one teacher, and received for its State fund $91.20, and for library $6.80. Walker Valley is discontinued from the apportionment, not having enough census children to constitute a school. Mountain View receives its first apportionment, having been set apart by the Board of Supervisors in May last. The whole amount apportioned by the State Superintendent, $285,296.59. The amount apportioned to Mendocino county $4,624; amount per child, $1.32. Mendocino county is twelfth in the number of children, being outranked by San Francisco, Alameda, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Sonoma, San Joaquin, Nevada, Solano, Humboldt, Butte, and Santa Cruz, in the order named. Number of teachers in the county, sixty-eight; amount paid per teacher, $68.00.

        The following table shows the number of white children in this county, by school districts, between the ages of five and. seventeen years, on the 1st day of July, 1880, as returned by the school census marshals :—

        In addition to the above, there were five negro children between five and seventeen years of age; two hundred and twenty-five Indian children between five and seventeen years of age living under the guardianship of white persons; one thousand five hundred and thirty-nine children under five years of age; two thousand three hundred and thirty-five between five and seventeen years of age who have attended public school during the year; sixty-two who have attended private schools; seven hundred and eighty-two who have not attended any school; four Mongolian children under seventeen years of age, and one blind child.

        CENSUS.—The following is a complete census return of the population of Mendocino county by townships :‑

Anderson and Sanel      1,547

Arena                            1,691

Big River                       3,100

Calpella                        1,253

Little Lake                    1,513

Round Valley                  742

Ukiah                           2,068

Ten-mile River                865

Total                          12,779

        WOOL INTERESTS.—The wool shipments from Cloverdale for the half-year ending June 30, 1880, foot up in round figures six hundred and ninety-two

thousand two hundred and fifteen pounds. This wool at thirty cents per pound brings just $207,664.50. To give the reader an adequate idea of the extent and importance of this industry to Mendocino county we append the following figures to show the yield of one clipping on some of the principal ranches: George White, forty tons; Asbill Bros., twenty; Crawford & Faulds, eight ; Henly Bros., twenty ; J. Updegraff, thirteen; Mr. Anthony, ten; Mr. Foster, two and a half ; Johnson & Brown, ten; L. D. Montague, six ; and Townsend & Carey, ten. These figures only embrace a small portion of territory of this county.

        THE FUTURE.—The future outlook for Mendocino county is certainly bright and flattering. Her great resources are just really beginning to be known and appreciated by the outside world. A railroad is her greatest immediately pressing need, and while we cannot say that the prospect is very bright for having one soon, the time cannot be far distant when that want will be supplied.

        We will now close this part of our work, referring the reader to other chapters for further information on special subjects. We have preferred to make the township histories as complete as possible, leaving this chapter rather meager, than to fill up here and rob the townships of their just history.

        In closing this chapter, which in its historical matter embraces the entire county, we would ask the reader to go in imagination with us to the top of some of the highest peaks of the coast range of Mendocino, and let us take one farewell look at the beautiful panorama of the whole county which spreads itself out before us. From our lofty height what a grand prospect opens to our view !  Farms, herds, golden fields of grain, neat, tasty residences, abodes of wealth—comfort, contentment and happiness sit enthroned wherever the eye reaches. The beauty and grandeur of this scene cannot truthfully be touched by a poet's pen or a limner's pencil; but as best we can let us paint it in words. Far away to the eastward the mountains around Round valley lift their snow-capped summits as if to meet the clouds and catch the drippings of heaven's dew ere it has been tainted by contact with lower and viler stratas of the atmosphere, or to kiss the rosy-mantled cheek of the golden­charioted Aurora as she unbars the gate of light to let in the glorious mid­summer's day. In whatever direction the eye is turned, the vista reaches far out and takes in range upon range of mountains, and hills, and valleys, and timber, and streams, which, mantled with the mellow halo of an autumn day, presents a scene that would have coquetted with the fancies of the old masters, whose paintings have enlisted the enthusiastic admiration of art connoisseurs everywhere.     Beneath us the valleys teem with life, with homes of happiness, culture and refinement, handsome houses and well-kept gardens blooming with flowers that fill the air with perfume and richest incense; golden fields of ripening grain, the wealth and support of the people; busy husbandmen ; smiling, contented matrons ; gleeful, hopeful maidens, and laughing, joyous children tripping along their way to school—America's sentinel-posts that dot the valley and hillsides all over the county. Rivulets, creeks and rivers shimmer in the sunshine like ribbons of silver, and chassa along through the gorges of the mountain-pass, or the wider and peaceful valley, one ripple chasing another over the smoothly-worn gravel of their beds, or leaping time-worn rocks, rushing on to kiss the hem of Mother Ocean. Anon, a church steeple points to the sky, the home of God and the city of golden paved streets. Here and there nestles a village with its stores and shops and mills, and its busy sons and daughters of toil, whose strong arms and deft fingers fashion the useful and beautiful, and add to the wealth of the nation in which they live.

        In the center of all this grand prospect stands the city of Ukiah, with a population of busy people whose intelligence and wealth will bear favorable comparison with any city of its size in the State, and far outstrip many of greater pretensions. Her public and private schools, with their accomplished and experienced teachers, her numerous and elegant church edifices, large congregations and learned and devout ministers, bespeak a refined and desirable condition of society.

        Turning to the westward, the panorama is just as beautiful. Mountain range and beautiful valley follow each other in succession down to the very ocean. Streams innumerable have their sources in the mountains, and thread their silvery way down their course to the sea. Great redwood forests line their banks and spread out in one solid array of ever-vernal beauty, mantling all the hill and mountain sides in a robe of living green. Along the coast towns are built which are truly busy marts of trade, and the schooners plying to the ports are the arteries through which flows the wondrous wealth of that section. And far beyond it all, extending to the horizon's limit, is the grand blue of the old Pacific, on whose bosom is borne the argosies of the wo