Mendocino County

History

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

UKIAH.

        GEOGRAPHY.—Ukiah township is bounded on the north by Calpella township, on the east by Lake county, on the south by Sanel township, and on the west by Anderson township. Its only stream of any importance is the Russian river which flows through it from north to south.

        TOPOGRAPHY.—The topographical position of this township is very similar to that of Sanel, already described in. these pages, the Russian river dividing it into three sections, the eastern and western of which are mountainous, while the center is composed of a large valley.

        SOIL.—The soil of the valley is a very rich loam, and is very productive. On the benches, or second bottoms the soil is not so fertile, and there is in it more or less adobe, still it is well adapted to fruits, vines, and cereals. Farther back from the river we come upon the hard gravelly soil of the hills and mountains, which is better adapted for grass than anything else, although the quality of the grain grown upon it is always good, but the quantity is oftener short than otherwise.

        PRODUCTS.—The chief products of the valley are the cereals and hops, although fruits and vegetables thrive very well indeed. This is especially so of small fruits, as no finer strawberries, gooseberries, or blackberries can be produced in the State. Grapes do well, but are too far from market. Apples, peaches, cherries, and in fact all the fruits are grown to advantage, while vegetables are in their glory in the rich loam of the valley. And honorable mention must be made of the beautiful flowers which grow in such rank profusion wherever any care is taken of them at all. In no place in California can there be found more beautiful flower gardens than in the city of Ukiah, and nothing goes more to give a stranger visiting the place a high estimation of it as a place suitable for residence purposes than the lovely display of flowers to be seen as he passes along its streets.

        CLIMATE.—The climate of the Ukiah valley cannot be surpassed. That states the fact concisely and truthfully. The winters are never severe, and the summers are not at all overpowering with heat. It is true that there are some days there the mercury ascends to the one hundred mark, or even steps a degree or so higher, but the air is light and the heat is not felt to be at all oppressive. But when the sun has sunk behind the western hills, and the shadows of evening begin to creep over the valley, then is when it is bliss supreme to be there. Kind reader let us take a stroll, now that the busy day has ended, and, leaving the bustling city and all our cares behind, we will pass along the flower-bordered streets and ascend the hills to the westward of the town to a sufficient height to command a complete view of the entire landscape of the valley. We find a mossy seat and there in the last hours of the dying day, with our eyes drink in all the glorious beauty of the panoramic scene spread out before us. What a rare view it is How would the heart of the artist leap for joy could he but put upon the canvas what lies before our enraptured gaze ! But it can never be done. His effort can never be but the dead shadow of the living reality. The air is deliciously balmy, and we bear our heads to better enjoy the evening zephyrs which play upon the leaves of the overhanging boughs with the dainty touch of a maiden placing her first kiss of love upon the forehead of her betrothed. We breathe full inspirations of the fragrant air, feeling erewhile new life surging along our sluggish veins, and our tired spirits, wearied with the toil and moil of the day, begin to be buoyant and free, and we fain would remain here forever and ask for no sweeter elysium.

        Immediately below us lies the city with its beautiful cottages nestled amid the emerald frame-work of pines and oaks, and as we look thoughts of happy homes and evening's enjoyments come across our minds. In imagination we see the cheery table spread with the evening's repast, while at the gate stands the young mother with her first-born in her arms, lisping the sweet accents of its baby prattle, both awaiting the coming of him they hold dearer than all else on earth. Farther on the spires of churches greet our eyes, pointing silently to Him who is the author of all our blessings, and in this quiet, happy hour we are brought to feel and appreciate those gifts far more than during the hurry and rush of the busy day. Beyond them the majestic dome of the Seat of Justice stands out in bold relief, showing to the world that here, as elsewhere in our glorious Union, law is the protector of the innocent, and the rewarder, in kind, of evil doers. In close proximity stands the busy mart of trade, where all day the machinery of life has been whirring and clashing. But it is quiet now, and only an occasional throb from its great heart reaches our ears, wafted out upon the evening air. Beyond the city, spreading out in a vista of broad expanse lies the sweet and beautiful valley, dotted here and there with a white farm house, from whose windows there seem to emanate streams of fire—reflections of the sinking sun. Broad fields of grain are waving in their golden luxuriance, even now ready for the reaper's sickle, and orchards are burdened with their weight of fruitage. Here, truly, is an Acadian picture. And beyond it all, closing up the vista with its huge bulk, rises the mountain chain, its peaks standing like sentinels on some Titanic fortress, guarding the destinies of the race of pigmies who are swarming at their feet. The golden mists of midday are fast dissolving into roseate purple, and clothing the mountain tops with a halo of beauty that enraptures the beholder, taking him in imagination to the enchanted lands of his dreamings, but all too beautiful to ever become a reality. We sit and watch, filled with a joy unspeakable, and ere we are aware the lengthening shadows of the western range has crept entirely athwart the valley and are fast ascending the eastern mountains, leaving only the peaks bathed in the bright and mellow flood of rays from the sinking sun. A moment more and even they have passed into the shadow, and the purple tinge is changed to blue, giving to the mountains on which it rests a cold and steeled appearance. Now, the stillness of death pervades all nature and the subdued noises from the city and valley below come floating up to us in a sweet and mingled confusion, producing a sense of pleasure almost beyond comparison. Night has come on apace, and now the balmy air is stirred into a gentle breeze that fans the fevered valley into newness of life, while in the dome of the vaulted skies above the full round orb of night is leading her glittering host toward the western horizon, bathing the world in a flood of mellow light, and mantling the valley below us with a splendor of beauty. We descend into the city and find all motion and bustle. Everybody is promenading the avenues and enjoying life to the full brim.

        One of California's sweetest  singers, Maria E. Sutherland, has described the scene so beautifully in the following lines that we cannot refrain from quoting them here:—

"The west, erewhile with roses all aglow—

Showered lightly on the sun's low sinking head,

Is paling from it's rosiness to snow;

The brooding hills their purple shadows spread;

And to their cosy nests the wild birds wing.

"And twilight, like a filmy veil soft thrown,

By thoughtful mother o'er a sleeping child,

In gossamer shadows gently wafting down,

Wraps the white ville so quietsome and mild,

And for a space sweet peace doth hold her own.

"All bustle quiets as the moon climbs high,

Threading the glittering maze of shy, sweet stars;

 The golden fadeless flowers of the sky

And stripes the placid earth with silver bars,

And on the ville a silver veil doth throw.

"The air is heavy with the breath of flowers,

And spicy scent of pinewoods from the hill.

No sound disturbs the midnight's sacred hours

Save a lone night bird's mournful: trill, a trill

Trembling through the stillness, sweet and low."

        TIMBER.—There is quite a considerable of timber in Ukiah township, extending through almost all the varieties indigenous to Mendocino county. There is quite a body of redwood in the northwestern portion of it, while fir, oak and pine are to be found in a goodly amount. Some considerable lumber has been produced in this township.

        EARLY SETTLEMENT.—To John Parker belongs the honor of being the first white man to reside in the limits of Ukiah township. In 1851 James Black, one of the earliest settlers in Sonoma and Marin counties, drove a band of cattle up the Russian River valley and took possession of the tract of land adjoining the Sanel grant on the north for grazing purposes. He hired John Parker as a vaquero, to take charge of the stock. It will be remembered that the Indians at that time were as wild and savage as it was possible for them to be, and John Parker's situation as custodian of that stock was anything but enviable.  A large corral was built by driving long poles into the ground, in which the cattle were driven at night to prevent the Indians from stampeding them, and a sort of a block house was constructed for the protection of Parker either day or night. As he had arms and ammunition, and as the Indians knew full well what that meant, it was presumed that they would not molest him if he did not trouble them. But in this, we are told by Mr. John Knight, he was mistaken, for they made an attack upon him in his block house and came very near killing him. They wounded him so severely that he was unable to get away from the house, and but for the timely arrival of John Knight he would have perished there alone. This house was located south of the present site of Ukiah, on the banks of what is called Wilson creek, and the valley was known among the early white settlers as Parker valley for a number of years.

        As far as is now known, the next man to build a house in the valley was Samuel Lowry, who had a log cabin near where Main and Perkins streets now intersect in the city of Ukiah. This was in 1856. Pierce Asbill spent a part of that summer in the valley, but it is not likely that he had a house there. Lowry sold his claim to A. T. Perkins the next spring, 1857, and the latter gentleman moved his family into the valley, thus being the pioneer family of the township. During this last-named year George B. Mathers came into the valley and began business north of Ukiah. Berry Wright, Thomas F. Beattie, John Burton, William Acton, Lewis M. Ruddick and William J. Cleveland came in also during this year. During 1858 M. W. Howard and J. G. Busch are known to have settled in the valley. In 1859 J. F. Todd and I. C. Reed came in and settled. Among the early settlers in the valley whose date of coming is not now known may be mentioned Harrison Standley, Messrs. Kaskell, Mears & Co., Oscar Schlessinger, I. Isaac, Moses Briggs, Hon. J. B. Lamar, Dr. E. M. Pierson, O. Canning Smith, J. P. Smith, Captain Smith, the Gibson family, Hon. E. R. Budd, ex-Lieutenant-Governor William Holden, Hon. R McGarvey, S. W. Haskett, D. Gobbi, William Neeley Johnson, Hon. William Henry, Lew. M. Warden, the Hagans family, C. S. Williams, W . E. Willis, John Outis, J. H. Briggs, M. V. Cleveland, W. J. Cleveland, William Bramlette, William McClintock, C. J. Son, J. R. Moore, J. H. Siddons, B. B. Fox, "Rough" Stevens, J. W. Morris, Matthew Burns, Murdock Hooper, Benjamin Hereford, William Robinson, William H. White, Thomas Parton, John Turner, Samuel Ackerman, J. B. Estes, Alfred Higgins, Sr., W. Jamison and Matthew Hale. Of course, there were many others whose names have been lost, for it was estimated that there were about one hundred people living in Ukiah alone in 1859, when it was made the county seat.

        UKIAH.—The following summarized historical sketch was compiled by Hon. Thomas L. Carothers, under the supervision of that venerable pioneer, A. T. Perkins, hence it is eminently correct in all its statements. It was given to the public through the columns of the Press, and we reproduce it here because of its authority: "The first white settler where now stands Ukiah City was Samuel Lowry, who built a log cabin where the old blacksmith shop of A. T. Perkins used to stand, on the northeast corner of Main and Perkins streets, in the year 1856, and who at that time filed a declaratory statement to preempt one hundred and sixty acres of land covering the present town site, it not being then known that it was a part of a grant. In April, 1857, A. T. Perkins and family moved here from Marysville and purchased the possessary right of Mr. Lowry, and thus he became the second settler.

        The first merchants were John Burton (afterwards the first County Assessor), and A. T. Perkins, who sold goods in 1857-8, where the residence of Mr. Perkins afterwards stood. In the spring of 1858, they built a store on Main street, in the rear of where the Ukiah City Hotel now stands. William Acton erected a building, and sold goods in the fall of 1857, near where the present residence of J. A. Jamison is. In 1859, Ukiah was chosen to be the county seat. Up to this time, Ukiah had a population of one hundred, and from that time it has gradually grown, until at the present time (1877), it has a population of one thousand eight hundred. A brick Court-house was built at a cost of about $9,000 in 1859, on the spot where the present one now stands. In the spring of 1872, the new one was built at a cost of $40,000. In the fall of 1859, the first newspaper published in the county, the Herald, was established by the late Hon. E. R. Budd. The office was in a building on the site of ex-Assessor Cunningham's house, on the corner south of Perkins' house.

        The first church erected in the town, was by the Methodist Episcopal North in 1860. The first hotel was erected in 1859, on the corner, in the rear of the Ukiah City Hotel. It was built by Harrison Standley, well known to all old residents, who was also the first postmaster. The first drug store was opened by Hon. G. B. Mathers in 1861, on the corner where the Grand Hotel now stands. Abel Lodge, F. and A. M., No. 146, was organized in the second-story of the Methodist Episcopal Church building, in 1860. Its first Master was Dr. Price, who was also the first Sheriff of Mendocino county. Up to 1865, the business of the town was confined to Main street, but from that time it was gradually moved to State street, and around the Court-house, until now, Main street is used for nothing only residences. The oldest building in the town is what is now used as the dining-room and kitchen of the Perkins' residence. The lumber of which it is built, as was all building material of that day, was split in the woods, and carried to town on the backs of Indians. The first business house on State street, was opened by J. H. Siddons, who soon after sold out to ex-Sheriff Moore, and was on the corner, where now is the drug store of W. H. Hoffman. The first school-house was erected by A. T. Perkins and John R. Short, and was south of Perkins, and west of State street, and in off the street. It was built in 1858, and donated to the public by the builders. Fred. S. Dashiel was the first teacher. In 1872, the town was incorporated by the Board of Supervisors. The first town officers were: J. R. Moore, E. W. King, M. D., T. L. Carothers, Samuel Orr, and R. N. Willing, Trustees; Thomas Chalfant, Marshal, and I. Isaacs, Treasurer. A special charter was passed, at the instance of Senator McGarvey, by the Legislature of 1875-6, and under its provisions an election was held for town officers in May, 1876, resulting in the election of Hon. G. B. Mathers, W. H. Forse, T. L. Carothers, Samuel Orr, and J. S. Reed, Trustees; A. O. Carpenter, Marshal, and James Fowzer, Treasurer.

        The name Ukiah is corrupted from the Indian word Yo-kia, which they applied to the valley and which signified deep valley. When the Mexican Government gave a grant to Cayetano Jaurez of land covering that valley, naturally enough it was given the name by which it was known among the Indians, but even that was corrupted into Yokaya. The next transformation which the word took was into Ukia, as it will be found spelled on some legal papers and records as late as 1859. It is not known how it came by its present orthography, but it certainly is very euphonious and spells the word as it should be pronounced, which is more than can be said of many of the towns in California. When the town sprang up nothing was more natural than to don it with the name of the valley in which it was located. There is, however, another version of the derivation of the name, which, while not at all probable as the true one, is incorporated here as among the oddities that came to the surface in the old pioneer days. The story was published in the Marysville Express in 1864, and at the time Capt. A. C. Bledsoe of Sonoma county, who was Sheriff in 1855-6, was supposed to have been the author of it. It runs as follows: "Being Sheriff of Sonoma county before Mendocino was cut off from that county, he was up in the northern portion summonsing a jury who had not been biased by reason of reading the papers. He came across a solitary cabin, hard by a big spring, from which he took a drink it being a very hot clay. The place looking like there were not many public papers taken in that 'neck of the woods,' he accosted a tall, gaunt, middle-aged woman, engaged in hanging out a big washing, and learning her husband's name, requested to see him, in order to serve the process. The man's name being Hezekiah, his better-half set up a most unearthly yell, beating a thousand 'screech' owls, and a full band of coyotes combined: 'You, 'Kiah, ! YOU 'KIAH !! YOU 'KIAH !! ' when her counterpart, in bifurcated butternut toggery came rushing in with a stride that measured his length at every step. The name has since been spoiled to Ukiah."

        The city of Ukiah is located on the western side of the Russian River valley and at the base of the mountain range that skirts that valley on the west. Its location is indeed beautiful and pleasant, and her people have taken advantage of the natural loveliness of the place and done much to add to the appearance of their city. A writer some years ago in the local press bursts out into the following apostrophe, and if the town of that day deserved the eulogy, how much more does the city of to-day? "Ukiah; thou city of beautiful groves, umbrageous bowers, where, in delicious shade, lovers may plight their vows, the student pour over a volume of mysterious lore, the divine may commune with nature and offer adoration to Nature's God; where the invalid may find new life in heaven's pure sweet air; where the ear is charmed by the mellow notes of joyous birds; where the eye is entranced with Flora's variegated beauties."

        The stranger approaching the town from the south, passes along up the valley through lovely stretches of fertile fields bestudded with wide-spreading oaks, under whose grateful shade the flocks and herds are taking shelter from the rays of the midday's sun. He is told that the city is just at hand, but he looks in vain for any evidences of the fact. The perspective of the road is closed up by a dense foliage, while the forest seems to embrace the entire landscape. The air is fresh and pure, and not a taint is borne on it from the near city. Everything has an air of rusticity about it, and as far as discernible, one may as well consider himself a thousand miles away from any city as one. Gradually, however, a change begins to come over the scene. Farm-houses have changed into suburban cottages, and the evidences of city life are beginning to manifest themselves. A moment more, and the stage sweeps up to the hotel door with a grand flourish, and you emerge from the dusty coop to find yourself in the heart of a beautiful and thriving city, with its busy mart extending far in every direction. But the city is not all to be seen from any one stand-point, and one must needs pass along all its streets to comprehend its full beauty. It is nestled among a grand growth of native oak, fir and pine trees, which so completely hid it from view as we approached it from the south, or, in fact, hides it as it is approached from any direction.

        We will follow the history of Ukiah up from year to year, noting the important events which we have been able to glean from the press of the city and from other sources, beginning with‑

        1859.—Previous to this we know of nothing of interest that is not recorded in the sketch quoted above. In May of this year an election was held for the purpose of deciding upon some place as the future seat of government for the newly organized county of Mendocino. By the Act establishing Mendocino county, Beverly Mundy, of Sonoma county, Jesse Whiltton, of Napa county, and Upton M. Gordon, of Marin county, were appointed Commissioners to go to Mendocino county and select the two sites most eligible for the county seat, and the two places decided upon by them were Ukiah and Calpella. At that time there was but little, if any, difference in the size of the two villages, and everything else seemed to be about equal. The result of the ballot, however, revealed the fact that Ukiah was the favorite, and hence it was declared to be the future seat of county government. This event was the turning-point in the scale of her prosperity, and from that time thenceforward it has prospered.

        During this year the first Court-house was erected on the site of the present building, at a cost of about $9,000. It was built of brick, and was a small affair, being hardly large enough to accommodate the officers of the county, before any records had begun to accumulate, and in a few years they found themselves crowded out of their offices by the archives. The first rooms used by the county officers were located in the upper story of a building then known as the "Music Hall," situated on the parcel of ground now owned by John S. Reed, and lying between his residence and the new city hall he has just completed.

        1860.—We will now enumerate all the places of business in Ukiah in this year, and give their locale as nearly as possible. Beginning at the southwest corner of Main and Perkins streets, there stood, the residence of A. T. Perkins, a portion of which is still standing, forming a part of the present Perkins' property. Across the street, to the north, Messrs. Meyers, Neuman & Co. had a store, the old building standing there yet. Next to the north was a tin-shop kept by Benton, who was afterwards killed near Cloverdale by a band of stage robbers. On the southwest corner of Standley and Main streets there was a hotel, which was built by Harrison Standley in the latter part of 1859. Across Standley street, to the north from the hotel, was a building the lower story of which was used for a saloon kept by David Smith, and the upper for a lodging house, under the management of a man who was known as "Brigham" Young. Across Main street, to the east from this last-named building, was a store kept by Oscar Schlessinger; and south of his store and partly in front of Standley street, was the building known as the "Music Hall," in which the first court was held. Just south of that was a livery stable owned by Moses C. Briggs, and south of that, on or near the northeast corner of Main and Perkins streets, was the blacksmith shop owned by A. T. Perkins, and on the southeast corner of the last-named streets there was a feed stable for the accommodation of freighting teams. The location of the printing office, school-house and Court-house, has already been designated. There were at this time probably twenty-five dwelling-houses in the place, but it is not possible to locate them now.

        The house mentioned above as standing on the northwest corner of Standley and Main streets, and being used jointly for a saloon and lodging-house, has many a legend hanging about it, and could its walls have tongue what a record it could disclose! It is pointed out to-day by the quiet law-abiding citizen, who with a shrug of the shoulders, will simply state that in its day it was a "hard hole." You will be told that in the days of its glory it was no uncommon thing for men to ride their horses up to the bar and quaff their liquor while seated in the saddle, and should it chance to be in the evening nothing would be more probable than that the bold equestrian would whip out a revolver and "snuff" every candle in sight. It is said that there are enough lead bullets in the siding of the building to sink it. You will be told by the pioneer of that day how "Brigham" Young used to furnish lodgings for forty men with only twenty-five pair of blankets, by stealing them from fifteen sleepers as they were needed for the newcomers, hence his regular lodgers always retired last, as they knew his dodge. They will tell you of a host of diabolical plans concocted beneath its roof, the most hellish of which, that was ever carried to consummation, being the raping of the wife of a respectable colored man. And so we might go on, but this is enough to give the reader an idea of what one phase of society was in that early day. But since then things have changed altogether and law and order prevail in Ukiah as much as in any city in the State. Of the more than half-hundred homicides committed within the limits of Mendocino county, only one has been within its limits.

        Late in the fall of 1860, Hon. E. R. Budd established the pioneer newspaper both of Ukiah and Mendocino county. He had formerly published the Democrat, at Santa Rosa, but disposed of it in September, and owing to the condition of the roads and the almost impossibility of moving heavy freight over them, was not able to issue his first number till November 11th of that year. He called his new paper the Herald, and it prospered for many long years.

        1861-2.—Things seem to have pursued the even tenor of their ways during these two years, with nothing of note transpiring in the town. November 11, 1861, the Board of Supervisors passed an order to the effect that the court-room might be used for religious or other purposes at the discretion of the Sheriff.

        In 1862, the first church was built in Ukiah by the Methodist Episcopal denomination, through the exertions of Rev. W. S. Bryant.

        There was an earthquake during this time which cracked the walls of the Court-house, but did no serious damage to it or to any other buildings in town.

        1863.—The first event of importance which we come to in this year, as we pass over the files of the Herald is noted as follows in that journal, under the caption "Honor to the Dead," in its issue of February 20th: "A meeting of the citizens of Ukiah will be held February 28th to adopt measures for fencing and otherwise improving the graveyard in this place. It is to be hoped that a large attendance will be had. There is no one matter that goes so far to the credit of a community as a decent respect for the dead, manifested in a neat and tidy burying-ground, while the reverse—a slovenly kept and unsightly cemetery, shows such a want of respect to departed friends as to do discredit to any community, in the eyes of the world. Let us, then, devote a little of our time and money to this most necessary obligation."

        During this year there was some excitement about a railroad from Ukiah to tide-water at some point on the Bay of San Francisco, but that is a dream yet to be realized, although it is possible that the long-hoped-for locomotive may some day in the near future send forth its shrill shriek from the very heart of the city.

        In May Captain J. P. Simpson recruited a company of volunteers at Ukiah, who were mustered into service as Company E, Second California Volunteers.

Communication with the outside world was slow in those clays. The stage left Petaluma in the morning and reached Cloverdale that night, where it remained till the next morning, reaching Ukiah at noon of the second day. Thus it required two whole days to travel from San Francisco to Ukiah. There is just a difference of thirty-nine hours between the time then required to accomplish the trip and that taken now. The passenger leaves the city now at 7 A. M. and at 4 P. M. of the same day is landed in Ukiah.

        The first number of the Constitutional Democrat was issued July 2, 1863, under the proprietorship of A. T. Perkins & Co. with Hon. William Holden as editor. The paper was Democratic in politics, and was really started by a joint stock company. The Herald was Republican in its politics, and of course a county with a Democratic majority in it, must needs have an organ for the dominant party.

        During the fall of this year a lodge of Good Templars was established, but nothing is known of its history except as noted below.

        1864.—The Good Templars lodge surrendered its charter in April, after an existence of only six months.

        During the month of August of this year immense fires prevailed in the forests adjacent to Ukiah. Their fury and grandeur had not been seen before, nor has it since.

        During this year an effort was made to divide the county, making Calpella the seat of government for the northern half of it.

        In November an Auxiliary Society of the Sanitary Commission was organized at Ukiah.

        1865.—On Monday evening, January 2d, about 9 o'clock, there were two distinct and sharp shocks of earthquake, and also on Sunday, February 12th, there was a slight shock.

        To give the reader an idea of how much property has appreciated in Ukiah in the last fifteen years we will record the fact that in January, 1865, a part of the block lying south of the Court-house was sold at public auction by the Sheriff, and the prices ranged from $30 to $150 per lot.

        In February of this year, it was decided by the School Trustees of Ukiah district to have a new school-house, which was to be built contiguous to the old one. We are not aware that the latter clause of this order was carried out, for the building now stands on an out-of-the-way and unfrequented street in the southwestern portion of town. It is in a very dilapidated condition, and looks as though it had served the period of its usefulness long ago. The first school-house, built by Messrs. Perkins & Short in 1858 is still standing on its original location. .

        In June of this year company E, Second California Volunteers, were mustered out of service, and returned to Ukiah.

        In July 1865, the management of the Herald changed hands, Edward D. Pepper assuming control, than whom no man who ever resided in Ukiah seems to be better remembered. The political status of the paper remained Republican.

        A number of brick kilns were burned during the season, and the brick were found to be of excellent quality.

        In November the Methodist Episcopal people erected a parsonage, sixteen by twenty-four feet, on the lot adjoining their church.

        February 19, 1865, the first issue of the Mendocino County Democrat appeared on the streets of Ukiah, Mat. Lynch, editor and proprietor.

        1866.—In February of this year the Board of Supervisors rescinded the order noted above relating to religious services in the Court-house, restricting the use of the court-room to political conventions and courts.

        On Sunday, June 15th, at 7 P. M., there was an earthquake shock felt here, but it was slight and did no damage.

        September 28th, there was a movement put on foot to supply the city with water. The report says: "The intention is to build a dam across the creek a short distance west of G. W. Gibson's residence, and take the water thence to the plaza, a distance of four hundred feet."

        Catholic service was held in the Court-house by Rev. Father Bernardino Sheehan, of Mendocino City. We are unable to state whether or not this is the first service held in the town by the Catholic clergy, but should not think it was.

        October 26th a large number of town lots were disposed of at public auction, owing to their belonging to the grant and the parties who claimed them either would not or could not purchase them a second time from the grant owners.

        At the head of the editorial column of the Democrat, under date of November 9, 1866, we find the folio wing, which shows that the earlier residents of the place had a very keen relish for theatricals, and appreciated a good troupe when such came to their town:—

                                                                                                                                                    UKIAH CITY, November 6, 1866.

Mrs. Augusta Sherwood Wilton and Mrs. Lovina H. Beatty-----

        LADIES : As a testimonial of the high esteem in which you are held by us as representatives of the historic art, and as an acknowledgment of the pleasure and gratification you have afforded us in the dramatic entertainments in which you have won the admiration and plaudits of our village, we ask you to accept a joint complimentary benefit in this place, at such time as you may designate. Signed : J. B. Southard, J. B. Lamar, E. R. Budd, Mat. Lynch, H. P. Williams, J. R. Moore, T. C. Philbrick, J. McFetrish, T. W. Cuningham, Ben. Chambers, T. B. Bond, Ben. Stamps, and thirty-nine others. The benefit was accepted, and the play rendered was "Colleen Bawn."

        1867.—January 22d a newspaper was set afloat upon the sea of adversity, at least so it proved in this case, for it only issued three numbers. Messrs. Stiggins & Stilts were at the helm of the craft, on whose pennant floated the name Town Talk. There is not generally room enough in a small town for a paper of a character such as its name would indicate it to be. The citizens themselves can do about all that is necessary in the way of "town talk," without the assistance of a newspaper.

        Under date of April 20, 1867, the following report was published, showing how much money had been raised for what was known as the "Southern Relief Fund": Ukiah, $295; Potter Valley, $31.50 ; Redwood Valley, $15.00; total, $341.50.

        November 11th, the flour-mill which had been located at Calpella was moved to Ukiah, and after various and sundry remodelings, remains to the present time as the Ukiah City Mills. -----Wickelhausen was the owner of the mill when it was moved.

        At the State Democratic convention in this year, Hon. William Holden was placed in nomination for the Gubernatorial position, with Hon. H. H. Haight at the head of the ticket. When the news reached Ukiah his friends were very enthusiastic over it, and one hundred guns were fired in honor of the event, and when he returned home he was given a rousing welcome. He was elected to the position, his own county giving him a handsome majority.

        1870.—We will now pass on to this year, as we find no records of any events worthy of note in the meantime. February 28th, the Board of Supervisors passed the following order: "It is hereby ordered, that T. B. Bond, R. McGarvey, and W. E. Willis are hereby appointed locaters to locate the streets and roads in the town of Ukiah City, according to the recorded plat or map of said town now on file in the Recorder's office of Mendocino county; that they notify the owners of the land and obtain the right of way if possible and make due report thereof to this Board at the next regular term in May, 1870."

        1871.—Instead of reporting at the time designated in the above order, the locaters of the streets in Ukiah did not file their report until February 20, 1871, or one year later, lacking only eight days. Subjoined are the exceptions to their report, as recorded in the minutes of the Board of Supervisors. We were unable to find the original, hence are unable to give it. "Oak street shall be sixty feet wide; Pine and Bush streets shall be fifty feet wide; also all parallel streets west of Bush shall be fifty feet wide. Oak street shall be described as follows: It shall run parallel with School street, and its east line shall be two hundred feet west of School street; Pine street shall run parallel with Oak street, and its east line shall be two hundred and twenty feet west of the west line of Oak street; and Bush street shall run parallel with Pine street, and its east line shall be two hundred and thirty feet west of the west line of Pine street; Clay street shall be thirty feet wide from Main to State street, and shall be extended from State to School street, and from School street westerly it shall be forty feet wide. Main street, from where it intersects Smith street on the north, thence running north, shall be sixty feet wide; and shall, from said point north, be as it is at present used and traveled."

        1872.—This was a year of great importance to Ukiah as the three principal events occurred in it which go to make up a country city, to use an adapted expression, viz.: the erection of a fine Court-house, the introduction of gas, and incorporation. A larger building for county purposes had become a sorely pressing necessity, and the people of the entire county seemed willing to bear their share of the burden of taxation in order to have the requisite building. In the early part of the year bids and plans were solicited for the building and before the fall rains set in the county officers were nicely housed in their new quarters. In the interim between the tearing down of the old and the completion of the new Court-house, the officers had their quarters upstairs in the upper story of the brick building on the northeast corner of State and Perkins streets. A full description in detail of the new building will be found in the body of this work in the chapter on Political History. Suffice it to say here that it is a very substantial and handsome structure, and is an adornment to the city and a credit to the enterprising citizens of Mendocino county, who are proverbial for doing well whatever they undertake, no halfway marks being indicated on the register of their energy and enterprise.

        February 21st State street was extended as far south as Budd's lane, a small by-way leading eastward just south of that gentleman's residence.

        February 23d permission was granted to the Maxim Gas Company to erect their works in the town of Ukiah. A more extended notice will be found further on.

        April 24th, it was ordered by the Board of Supervisors that the old Court-house be sold to the highest bidder on the 5th day of May, which was done.

        August 20, 1872, the following petition was presented to the Board of Supervisors:

"To the Honorable, the Board of Supervisors of Mendocino County, State of California‑

        "We, the undersigned, as a majority of the qualified electors of the town of Ukiah City, in said county, and who have resided in said town for the last thirty days, would respectfully represent that the plat hereto attached sets correctly forth the meets and bounds of said town; that the population of said town exceeds two hundred in number, and we pray to be incorporated under and by virtue of an Act of the Legislature of the State of California, entitled `An Act to provide for the Incorporation of Laws,' approved April 19, 1856, and the Acts amendatory thereto. The center of the city is the Court-house, from the center of which shall be drawn a line due north one-half mile; due south one-half mile; due east one-half mile, and due west one-half mile ; making the town one mile square, with the Court-house in the center. Signed, R. H. Warren, R. H. Loomis, G. W. Sloper and ninety-nine others."

        The town was bounded and described as follows: "Commencing at the southeast corner of Cleveland's land, thence north along Cleveland's, Perkins', Todd's, and Gibson's lines to Orr creek; thence up Orr creek to Todd's east line; thence south along Todd's east line to Gibson's creek; thence up Gibson's creek to Gibson's line; thence south, following H street, as laid out and produced. to a point from which a direct line easterly and at right angles would strike the north line of the land south of Budd's; thence along the north line of said land to the point of beginning."

        Following is a transcript of the minutes of the Board of Supervisors in relation to the matter: "Upon reading and filing the petition of the citizens of the town of Ukiah City, praying for an order of this Board incorporating the town of Ukiah City, it is hereby ordered that the petition be granted, and that the meets and bounds of the town be one mile square, with the Court­house of Mendocino county as the central point, from which a line drawn due north, south, east and west, shall describe the square. And it is further ordered, that on Saturday, the 31st day of August, A. D. 1872, an election shall be held at the Court-house in the town for the election of five Trustees, a Marshal, Treasurer and Assessor; and that Thomas L. Carothers as Inspector, N. Ellis and T. L. Barnes as Judges of Election, are hereby appointed officers to conduct said election."

        In accordance with the above order an election was held for town officers which resulted as follows: Trustees, R. N. Willing, J. R. Moore, E. W. King, M. D. and Samuel Orr ; Treasurer, I. Isaac. The first meeting of the Board of Trustees was held September 2, 1872, and R. N. Willing was appointed temporary Chairman, and T. L. Carothers temporary Clerk. At this meeting a special election was ordered to be held September 7, 1872, to fill the vacancy found to exist in the Board of Trustees, and in the office of Marshal, and T. L. Carothers was elected to fill the former and Thomas Chalfant the latter vacancy; R. N. Willing was then chosen permanent Chairman, and Thomas L. Carothers permanent Clerk of the Board.

        In January of this year an Act of the Legislature was passed authorizing the School Board of Ukiah district to purchase the building known as the "Ukiah Institute" and the land on which it was located for school purposes.

        1873.—March 31st William Ford was appointed City Treasurer, vice I. Isaac deceased.

        The annual municipal election was held May 5th, and resulted as follows: Trustees, R. N. Willing, Samuel Orr, James R. Moore, James Fowzer, and G. B. Mathers; Marshal, J. B. Caneza; Assessor, J. L. Wilson, and Treasurer, William Ford. The Trustees elected failed to qualify and the old Board held over, and continued the administration of the municipality. R. N. Willing was elected Chairman again, and M. Marstellar was appointed Clerk, vice T. L. Carothers resigned.

        1874.—The regular annual city election occurred May 4th, but the officers elect failed to qualify, and the old Board refused to act farther in the matter, so the whole Incorporation bubble bursted, and Ukiah descended from her exalted perch as a city, to the place of a common country village, sic transit gloria!

        At the election held June 10th of this year for the purpose of voting on the issue of "Local Option," the vote stood for license, one hundred and seven; against license, one hundred and eighty-seven, majority for against license eighty, which certainly shows that the public sentiment is on the side of temperance in the town. If the ladies of the place could vote, how these figures on the side of temperance and sobriety would have swollen !

        During this year the people of Ukiah were called upon to pay a special school tax of 55 cents on the $100, to meet the first payment for the newly purchased school building.

        1876.—The event of prime importance which occurred during this year was the re-incorporation of the city by an Act of Legislature, by which the mantle of municipality was again placed upon the shoulders of the fair Ukiah. This instrument was drafted and introduced by Hon. R. McGarvey, who at that time represented Mendocino so ably in the State Senate, and its provisions were so replete with all that would redound to the welfare of the city that great credit is due to its originator. The date of the city election was changed from May to February, and the result of the first election was as follows: Trustees, T. L. Carothers, J. S. Reed, W. H. Forse, G. B. Mathers, and Sam Orr; Assessor and Marshal, A. O. Carpenter; and Pound-master, H. J. Ward. The first meeting of the Board of Trustees under the new regime, was held April 24, 1876, and T. L. Carothers was chosen Chairman, and A. W. Thompson, Clerk. Besides adopting several of the ordinances which had been promulgated under the old order of things, they fixed the rate of taxation for the year at one-fourth of one per cent on the $100.

        It will be remembered that in the order of the Board of Supervisors for the erection of a new Court-house provision was made for fencing it also, but from some cause or other it was never done at the expense of the county. After Ukiah had assumed the dignity of a city again and they had the power to do so, the Board of Trustees determined to be rid of the forlorn looking sight of a Court-house, which had the dimensions and beauty of architecture of the one in Ukiah, standing out of doors in the open street all alone as it were. Therefore an order of the Board of Trustees was passed establishing the size of the Court-house plaza at one hundred and seventy-four by two hundred feet, and providing for the erection of a handsome fence about it with turn-stiles at the four corners of the plaza and in front of the main entrance, to pay for which they set aside the sum of $640. After the town had gone to the expense of constructing the fence the Board of Supervisors assumed control of it at once, and ordered that sundry changes be made in it, all of which served to kindle the anger of the towns­people to quite an extent.

        At some time away back in the history of Ukiah there was organized what was known as a "Library Society," and a number of entertainments. were given for the benefit of the funds, as well as sundry private subscriptions, until the amount in the hands of Mrs. S. Wheeler, the Treasurer, amounted to $160. The "Library Society " project was eventually abandoned, and the money lay in the bank awaiting a proper time to arrive when it could be expended for the best interest of the town, as it was money that belonged to the people of the place as a body. After the court-yard was fenced it was deemed that a very proper and fit thing to do with this money, was to expend it in ornamenting and improving the grounds, which was accordingly done, and the wisdom of  the course is evidenced by the beautiful flowers that bloom within it limits, and is uttered by the rustle of the foliage toyed with by the light zephyrs of a midsummer's twilight hour.

        1877.—The annual election for this year, resulted as follows: Trustees, T. L. Carothers, J. S. Reed, W. H. Forse, G. B. Mathers, and Samuel Orr; Treasurer, James Fowzer; Recorder, J. T. Rodgers; Marshal, J. A. Jamison; C. C. Hamilton was chosen Clerk of the Board of Trustees.

        April 18th, the Ukiah City Water Company was given the privilege of laying its mains and service pipes along the streets of the city.

        At a meeting of the Board of Trustees, held May 2d, of this year, a memorial was presented, signed by the citizens of the place, asking that some sort of fire protection be provided for the town. No definite action was taken at that time, but a meeting of the citizens was held at the Court­house, in pursuance to a call, to consider the advisability of purchasing a fire apparatus. At this meeting, strong grounds were taken in favor of providing the city with an engine of some kind, and also hooks and ladders.

        The rate of taxation for this year was placed at one-fourth of one per cent on the $100, being the same as the previous year.

        July 6, 1877, the first issue of the Ukiah City Press appeared upon the streets. It was a six-column quarto, bright and newsy, and under the editorial management of E. J. Handley.

        Q. Obermeyer was appointed Pound-master by the Board of Trustees, October 1st.

        At a meeting of the Board of Trustees, October 1st, it was ordered that the sum of $700 be invested in a "Babcock" hook and ladder truck, and Thomas L. Carothers was appointed a committee of one to proceed to San Francisco and purchase the same.

        November 2d, the fire apparatus was turned over to the charge of the Eagle Fire Company, with the understanding that the Board of Trustees was to have a general supervision of it.

        Dr. T. L. Barnes was appointed to the position of Recorder, vice J. T. Rodgers.

        December 26th, it was ordered that gas lamp-posts be established at certain street corners, and provision was made for lighting the jets on such nights as they were needed.

        1878.—The annual municipal election for this year, resulted as follows: Trustees, T. L. Carothers, J. S. Reed, G. B. Mathers, W. H. Forse and Samuel Orr; Treasurer, James Fowzer; Recorder, J. M. Newsom; Marshal, J. A. Jamison; C. C. Hamilton was again chosen Clerk of the Board, and the Marshal was constituted ex-officio Street Inspector.

        On the 2d of May, the Board decided that the city had no further use for street lights, and dispensed with the same.

        May 9th, there were three slight shocks of earthquake felt in Ukiah. May 13th, H. H. Mitchell was elected to fill the vacancy in the office of Recorder, caused by the resignation of J. M. Newsom.

        1879.—The result of the annual election was as follows: Trustees, T. L. Carothers, J. S. Reed, Samuel Orr, L. Van Dusen, and George McCowan; Treasurer, James Fowzer; Recorder, H. H. Mitchell; Marshal, J. H Hughes. G. E. Lloyd was chosen Clerk of the Board.

        The contract for removing the bodies of the dead buried in what is known as the old cemetery, was let March 12th to D. Gobbi for the sum of $450.

        April 2d, George McCowan was appointed Clerk of the Board vice G. E. Lloyd.

        The rate of taxation for this year was placed at one-fourth of one per cent on the $100.

        The Treasurer having failed to qualify, it was decided to place the money in the Ukiah City Bank.

        The following financial statement was made to the Board of Trustees under date of November 25, 1879: Value of property, $326,747; taxes levied, $816.86; taxes collected, $800.03; poll-tax collected, $119; collected from licenses and other sources, $328; total amount collected, $1,247.03; amount of delinquent tax, $18.09; amount on hand, $454.31. It will be noticed from the above that a remarkably small percentage of the taxes levied remained delinquent, which certainly speaks very highly for the financial condition of the citizens of the place.

        During this year Ukiah was called upon to don the mantle of mourning for her most honored dead. On the 26th day of July Absosom Lidwell Perkins laid down the burdens of this life, and passed from the scenes of earthly living to that beyond the bright silver-white span that bridges the chasm between the two; slipping the leash of mortality and becoming enrobed with immortal existence. Mr. Perkins, who may well be denominated the "father of pioneers," was born in the State of Texas in 1827, hence was fifty-two years of age at the time of his death. But little is known of his life previous to his location in Ukiah valley, except that he came from Arkansas to California, and first located in Yuba county, on the present site of Wheatland. As stated above, he came to Ukiah valley and located on the present site of the city of that name in 1857, and he continued to reside there till his death. When the news of his demise spread through the town a feeling of deep and unfeigned sorrow pervaded the heart of every citizen, for none knew him but to esteem and respect him; and that a due respect might be shown his memory, all places of business were closed in the city from the hour of his death until his remains were deposited in the bosom of Mother Earth. May his memory ever be kept fresh and hallowed in the hearts of the generations that are to come and possess and enjoy the beautiful city lie founded and did so much to upbuild.

        1880.—The present city officials are as follows: Trustees, Thomas L. Carothers, John S. Reed, George McCowan, E. W. King, M. D., and G. B. Mathers; Treasurer, Samuel Wheeler; Recorder, W. W. Cuningham; Marshal and Pound-master, J. A. Jamison. George McGowan is the present Clerk of the Board.

        CITY ORDINANCES. - Our space forbids us to reproduce the city ordinances verbatim, but we will give a short summary of them so that their import may be gleaned :‑

        Number 1.—The Marshal and Treasurer shall give bonds in the sum of $2,000 each.

        Number 2.—The stated meetings of the Board of Trustees shall be on the second Mondays in February, May, August, and November.

        Number 3—Fixes the fines for disorderly conduct as follows: Section 1.—For fighting and profane language the fine shall be from $5 to $100. Section 2. — For drawing deadly weapons, except in self-defence, from $5 to $100. Section 3.—For vagrancy and indecent exposure, from $5 to $50. Section 4.—For assault or resistance to an officer, from $5 to $100. Section 5.—For driving and riding at a furious gait, or for riding on the sidewalk, from $5 to $25. Section 6.—For the discharge of fire-arms within the city limits, from $5 to $25. Section 7. — The above penalties may include imprisonment at the rate of $1 per day, or both at the discretion of the Police Judge.

        Number 4.—Relates to the running at large of animals.

        Number 5.—Relates to nuisances, and the penalty is fining from $5 to $25, or imprisonment, or both.

        Number 6.—Section 1.—Fines (net) shall be paid into the Treasury. Section 2.—No money in the Town Treasury shall be drawn out except on a warrant signed by the Clerk, and upon the order of the Board.

        Number 7.—Section 1.—The Marshal shall be the Chief of Police, and shall serve all processes. Section 2.—He shall receive the same for such services as a Constable would.

        Number 8.—The Treasurer shall receipt for all moneys paid him.

        Number 9.—To prevent dogs from running at large. Section 1.—Dogs shall have a tag, for which the owner shall pay the sum of $3, good for one year. Section 2.—Dogs without tags must be killed by the Marshal. Section 3.—Owners of dogs who do not take out licenses shall be deemed guilty of misdemeanor, and fined, upon conviction, from $5 to $10. Section 4.— The Marshal shall receive fifty cents for every dog killed.

        Number 10.—Prohibits boys of a certain age and under from being on the street after a certain hour at night. Its provisions are: Section 1.—No boy under sixteen years of age shall be permitted on the streets after 8 P. M.  Section 2.---It shall be considered a misdemeanor and the fine shall be not more than $10, or imprisonment ten days, or both. Section 3.-The Marshal shall arrest all offenders.

        Number 11.---Salary of the Marshal. Section 1.---Each day at road work, $3. Section 2.---He shall also receive the sum of $30 per month.

        Number 12.---Obstruction on the sidewalks. Section 1.---On all streets running north and south the sidewalk shall be twelve feet wide, and on all running east and west, eight feet. Section 2.---No obstruction shall be placed upon the sidewalk. Section 3.--- The penalty shall be a fine from $5 to $10, or imprisonment.

        Number 13.---Fixes the rate of taxation.

        Number 14.---Fixes the rate of Poll-tax.

        Number 15.---Fixes the rate of licenses as follows: Section 1.---All businesses, circuses, shows, or theaters must pay a license. Section 2.---Stores, saloons, livery stables, and hotels shall pay an annual license of $12. Section 3.---Theaters, plays, and shows, except circuses, shall pay $3 for each exhibition. Section 4.---Circuses must pay for each performance, $10. Sections 5 and 6--- refer to the fees of the Marshal for collecting the licenses above enumerated. Section 7.---The penalty for non-compliance shall be a fine from $5 to $25, or imprisonment.

        Number 16.---Fire-crackers, etc. Section 1.---No bombs, Roman candles, sky-rockets, or any kind of fire-works, except small crackers, shall be exploded within the city limits. Section 2.---The penalty shall be a fine of from $5 to $25, or imprisonment.

        Number 17.---Fixes the rate of taxation.

        Number 18.---Fixes the rate of Poll-tax.

        Number 19.---Fees of Marshal, amending number 7; provides that in case of suit, if his fees are not collected from the defendant, he is to receive no compensation for the arrest.

        Number 20.---Fixes the rate of taxation.

        Number 21.---Fixes the rate of Poll-tax.

        Number 22.---Smoking opium. Section 1.---The penalty for smoking opium is a fine of from $25 to $100, or imprisonment, or both. Section 2.--- For keeping an opium den the penalty is fixed the same as in the preceding section.

        Number 23.---Licenses. Section 1.---This ordinance shall be an amendment to ordinance number 15. Section 2.---Same as in the last mentioned ordinance. Section 3.---If the annual sales do not exceed $300, the license shall be $3. Section 4.---If the annual sales are between $500 and $1000, the license shall be $6. Section 5.---For all above $1000, the license shall be $12. (These amendments refer solely to stores, hotels, and livery stables). Section 6.---. Retail saloons shall pay $25. Section 7.---Theaters, shows, plays, except circuses, shall pay $3.. Section 8.---Circuses shall pay $10.

        Number 24.---Water rates in Ukiah shall be in accordance with the following schedule: Court-house per month, $8; livery stables, $6; grist-mill, $6; hotel, $4; barber shop, $1.50; barber shop with bath, $3; saloon, $1.50; store, $1; wash house, $6; restaurant, $2; blacksmith and wagon shop combined, $1.50; dwellings, $1.50; and for irrigating with a three-fourths inch hose, per hour, 10 cents.

        CITY EXPENDITURES.—The following figures will show the amounts expended by the city authorities for the respective years mentioned: 1876, $1,112.90; 1877, $1,411.49; 1878, $1,140.36; 1879, $1,041.25, making a total for the four years of $4,706. When it is considered that $640 was spent on the Court-house fence, $700 for fire apparatus, and $386 for the removal of the bodies from the old cemetery, it will be seen that the city government is economically managed.

        BANK OF SANTA ROSA.—This was the first enterprise of the kind ever set on foot in Ukiah, and was established in 1873, and continued in business until June 1, 1876, when its interests were purchased by the Bank of Ukiah. It was a branch of the Bank of Santa Rosa, and had its place of business at first in the brick building just south of the Court-house. In 1875 this firm erected the brick building on the corner of State and Standley streets, occupied by the Bank of Ukiah at present.

        BANK OF UKIAH.—This banking institution was organized January 10, 1874, with a capital stock of $250,000, of which $206,000 was paid up. The trustees of the bank have always been R. McGarvey, A. F. Redemeyer, John P. Hoffman, and John E. Chalfant. Samuel Wheeler has been its cashier since its organization, also. The presidents have been 1874 and 1875, A. F. Redemeyer; 1876 and 1877, T. B. Bond; 1878 and 1879, John S. Reed; and 1880, R. McGarvey. When the bank began business, it was located in the Redemeyer building, on the northeast corner of State and Perkins streets. After purchasing the interests of the Santa Rosa Bank, in 1876, it was moved to its present quarters. The building is a fine brick, with imitation stone front. The size of the vault is eight by ten feet, and the locks are all fine burglar-proof affairs, with all the modern improvements. The bank does a general business in its line, and when last examined by the State Board of Commissioners, was unhesitatingly pronounced in first-class condition. It is a local institution, and is worthy the confidence of the citizens of the county in general. The following is the report made by the Bank Commissioners of the result of their examination of the affairs of the Bank of Ukiah, doing business at Ukiah, Mendocino county, May 21st, at the close of business on that day: Assets, banking house and lot, $15,572.82; loans on real estate, $155,235.19; invested in county warrants, $7,036.86; loans on stocks and warrants, $7,351.59; loans on personal security, $105,089.99; money on hand, $14,285.14; interest accrued, $10,762.99; expenses, taxes, etc., $1,590.03. Liabilities, capital paid up, $260,000; surplus, $27,948.17; due depositors, $59,440.53; due banks and bankers, $7,716.71; interest account, $15,819.20. Total assets and liabilities, $316,924.61.

        Independent Order of Odd Fellows.--Ukiah Lodge, No. 174, I. O. O. F., was organized July 20, 1870, with the following charter members: E. W. King, M. D., Nathan Ellis, Charles Hofman, John R. Short, James P. Clark, Robert White, W. W. Cuningham, and W. H. White. The first officers were: E. W. King, M. D., N. G.; Charles Hofman, V. G.; N. Ellis, Secretary; and John R. Short, Treasurer. The following gentlemen have held the position of Noble Grand: E. W. King, M. D., Charles Hofman, J. B. Lamar, M. A. Kelton, P. V. Lempke, James Fowzer, J. H. Seawell, W. H. White, W. W. Cuningham, J. H. Donohoe, L. S. Sullivan, J. L. Wilson, L. T. Day, B. W. Day, B. Dozier, M. D., George McCowan, C. W. Tindall, Hale McCowan, and R. S. Clason. The present officers are: R. S. Clason, N. G.; J. T. Rodgers, V. G.; A. H. Day, Recording Secretary; R. F. Gilmore, Treasurer; and George McGowan, Permanent Secretary. The present membership is eighty-two, and the lodge is in a very flourishing condition. They have a very fine library, to which large additions are being made yearly.

        I. O. O. F. Encampment.—Sanhedrim Encampment, No. 49, I. O. O. F., was organized November 17, 1874, with the following charter members: E. W. King, M. D., C. A. Irvine, James Fowzer, C. H. Hofman, J. H. Seawell, W. A. C. Smith, and W. F. Holiday. The first officers were: E. W. King, N. D., C, P.; C. A. Irvine, H. P.; W. F. Holiday, S. W.; J. H. Seawell, J. W.; James Fowzer, Scribe; and C. Hofman, Treasurer. The following gentlemen have filled the executive station: E. W. King, N. D., W. A. C. Smith, C. A. Irvine, James Fowzer, J. H. Seawell, W. H. White, W. F. Holiday, L. T. Day, Ben. W. Day, W. W. Cuningham, J. L. Wilson, and J. C. Schlarbaum. The present officers are: J. C. Schlarbaum, C. P.; H. J. Ward, H. P.; W. H. White, S. W.; L. T. Day, J. W.; J. L. Wilson, Scribe; and James Fowzer, Treasurer. The present membership is twenty-five.

        Free and Accepted Masons. --Abell Lodge, No. 146, F. & A. M., was organized under dispensation June 19, 1860, and the charter was granted May 16, 1861. The charter members were: J. B. Price, M. V. Cleveland, N. S. Fanning, William Henry, L. M. Warden, O. H. P. Brown, and James A. Shore. The officers under dispensation were: J. B. Price, W. M.; M. V. Cleveland, S. W.; N. S. Fanning, J. W.; William Henry, Treasurer; and L. N. Warden, Secretary. The first officers under the charter were: J. B. Price, W. M.; N. V. Cleveland, S. W.; N. S. Fanning, J. W.; William Henry, Treasurer; and G. Canning Smith, Secretary. The following gentlemen have filled the Master's chair: J. B. Price, N. D. Witt, James Anderson, William Holden, C. C. Cummings, T. L. Carothers, J. B. Lamar, E. W. King, M. D., William H. Barnes, W. H. Haskell, T. B. Bond, J. H. Donohoe, and George McCowan. The present officers are: George McCowan, W. M.; E. W. King, M. D., S. W.; Charles D. Ambrose, J. W.; Samuel Orr, Treasurer, and Hale McCowan, Secretary. The present membership is sixty-five, and the lodge is in a flourishing condition. It owns the building in which it meets, which was erected in 1874. The lodge-room is thirty-two by fifty, and is neatly furnished, and is lighted with gas. The building is thirty-two by seventy, and two stories high. The lower floor is used for offices, etc. The Odd-Fellows meet in the hall also.

        Royal Arch Masons. — Ukiah Chapter, No. 53, R. A. M., was organized under dispensation June 14, 1878, and the charter was granted April 9, 1879. The charter members were: J. W. Jenkins, J. L. Burchard, T. L. Carothers, J. H. Donohoe, T. L. Barnes, J. Updegraff, L. D. Montague, B. C. Bellamy, S. Hornbrook, J. Albertson, and George McCowan. The officers under dispensation were: J. W. Jenkins, M. E. H. P; J. L. Burchard, E. K.; T. L. Carothers, E. S. ; J. S. Reed, Treasurer; and George McCowan, Secretary. The first officers under charter were the same as above. The present officers are: George McGowan, M. E. H. P.; E. W. King, M. D., E, K.; G. W. Heald, E. S.; J. S. Reed, Treasurer; and Samuel Wheeler, Secretary. The present membership is twenty-six.

        Independent Order of Good Templars.—Ukiah Lodge, No. 396, I. O. G. T., was organized June 28, 1870, with the following charter members: Rev. H. Hazel, H. C. Lyle, W. H. Vann, G. B. Hopper, E. Porter, Charles Ackerman, Thomas Smythe, T. Charlton, J. B. Caneza, S. Morse, Martha Short, Mary Short, Adaline S. Budd, Alice Davis, Francis Moore, and Jane Shelton. The first officers were: H. C. Lyle, W. C. T.; Mrs. Adaline S. Budd, W. V. T.; Thomas Smythe, Recording Secretary; Charles Ackerman, Financial Secretary; and Alice Davis, Treasurer. The present officers are: Hale McCowan, W. C. T.; Anna Fowzer, W. V. T.; Charles Hughes, Recording Secretary; George McCowan, Financial Secretary; and A. J. Smith, Treasurer. The present membership is twenty-four, which is the least it ever has been since the lodge was fairly organized. It is the oldest lodge now in the county, having been in existence for ten years.

        Ancient Order of United Workmen.—Ukiah Lodge, No. 33, A. O. U. W., was organized May 14, 1878, with the following as charter members: E. W. King, M. D., J. T. Rodgers, F. O. Townsend, E. B. Gambie, L. S. Sullivan, C. Holman, E. J. Handley, F. Gessler, C. W. Tindall, J. J. Philips, E. B. Hagans, A. W. Thompson, F. L. Bithers, James Lewis, James Logan, T. J. McGimpsey, C. D. Osborne, W. A. Hagans, J. S. Haile, E. B. Lynch, J. W. Shoemaker, P. V. Lempke, S. J. Chalfant. J. Mahurin, W. H. Young, and W. Y. Whitney. The first officers were: J. T. Rodgers, P. M. W.; E. W. King, M. D., M. W.; E. J. Handley, G. F.; J. J. Phillips, O.; James Lewis, Recorder; E. B. Gambie, F.; A. W. Thompson, Receiver; C. W. Tindall, G.; and F. Gessler, W. The Master Workmen have been E. W. King, M. D., James Logan, B. Dozier, M. D., W. F. Whitney, and A. W. Thompson. The present officers are: A. W. Thompson, M. W.; H. A. Peabody, G. F.; G. Gessler, O.; A. O. Carpenter, Recorder; J. T. Rodgers, F.; C. W. Tindall, Receiver; T. J. Gibson, G.; and D. Ervin, W. The present membership is thirty-six.

        Eagle Fire Company.—This company was organized March 7, 1877, with a membership of fifteen, has increased until they have thirty at the present time. Their foremen have been as follows: C. W. Tindall, James C. Lewis; T. L. Bithers and J. C. Schlarbaum have been Secretaries; and Frank Philips has been Treasurer since its organization. Their apparatus consists of a hook and ladder truck, and four Babcock fire extinguishers. The company owns its own engine-house, and the lot on which it stands, and expects soon to purchase a fire bell. Their engine-house is twenty by fifty feet in size, and two-stories high. If there is one thing above another that should be fostered and co-operated with in a city, it is its fire department, for upon its efficiency oftentimes depends the safety of the property of the entire place.

        The First Baptist Church in Ukiah City was organized by Rev. J. D. Bonner, June 25, 1859, with four constituent members, viz.: Stephen Piner, Sarah Piner, Thomas A. Montgomery, and John Piner, and from this small beginning there has grown to be a body of influence and respectability second to none in the county. During the twenty-one years of its history, this church has had its reverses and successes, like all other bodies of its kind. Sometimes the candle has shown brightly under revival influence, then again the light has flickered into apparent weakness and discouragement, by the removals and departures from the faith by members, and had it not been for the true men and women who have been identified with the body from its earliest life, it would have faltered and, perhaps, ere this been extinct. The church has, up to the present time, had nine pastors, including the present incumbent. Their names are Revs. J. D. Bonner, D. G. Lovall, M. W. Howard, J. T. Barnes, J. N. Buroughs, D. T. Taylor, Joseph Roberts, L. R. Barnes, and C. A. Bateman. Honorable mention is deservedly made toward Rev. M. W. Howard, who has been five times elected pastor of this church, filling the gaps created by the retirement of others; and by his consistent life and faithful efforts much is due for the present prosperity of the church. It is eminently in place to mention the name of Mrs. L. Dozier, who has not failed to bear her full part in sustaining the praise service of the church as leader and organist, together with John Todd, Samuel Orr, Thomas Gibson, Edward Cox, George Niece, John Higgins, James Hughes, William Istel, the lamented Mankins, Dozier and others who have been steadfast in. their support of the church, these have been proof against all untoward events. Perhaps it is in place to state that at no time in the history of this body has there been more marked progress than the past year, under the leadership of Rev. C. A. Bateman. The congregations are second to none in the city. The Sunday-school, under the superintendence of C. D. Ambrose, has overreached all others in the county in efficiency and numbers. The weekly meetings are largely attended, and, in a word, prosperity is enjoyed. The past year Mr. Bateman has not only served this church as pastor, but served the Baptist State Convention as general missionary, the position held by him for five years past, and perhaps there is no better way to show his efficiency as a preacher of the gospel and indefatigable worker for the cause than to insert the report given to the last Convention, and published in the Herald of Truth, of Oakland, as follows:—

        "I have labored two hundred and twenty-six weeks, solid work; preached one thousand three hundred and thirteen sermons; conducted nine hundred and thirty-one prayer and other religious meetings; gathered into the churches by relation and letter one hundred and fifty-five persons, and baptized three hundred and thirty-four candidates; have made one hundred and thirty-eight temperance and Sunday-school addresses; organized twelve Sunday-schools; attended three dedications; organized seven churches; administered fifty-eight communions; resusciated eight churches; attended six ordinations; made two thousand five hundred and sixty-two religious visits; wrote one thousand eight hundred and eighty-one missionary letters; traveled twenty-four thousand eight hundred and sixty-four miles in the discharge of my duties."

        The church at Ukiah owns, in connection with the Methodist Episcopal South, a very nice edifice and other property.

        Methodist Episcopal Church South.—This church was organized in the autumn of 1850 in this county, by L. C. Adam, with monthly service at Ukiah, Redwood Valley, Potter Valley, and Anderson Valley; J. N. Nuckolls class-leader, and. Biddy Nuckolls, Wiley English, William English, J. S. Hughes, Mary J. Hughes, Charles Burris, Nancy Burris, H. P. Megee, and Elizabeth Megee members. Revs. T. Brown, Blithe, Glover, Burnett, Alverson, Edwards, Wright, Hayden and others had successively charge of the work.

        Under the administration of Rev. Mr. Burnett, the church was built in Ukiah in conjunction with the Baptists. About the same time a church-house was commenced in Booneville, Anderson valley.

        Potter and Anderson valleys were formed into separate circuits as the membership increased. Ukiah circuit now has a membership of over two hundred, thus showing a steady increase since its organization. It also has an elegant parsonage, built some five years ago, at a cost of $2,500, under the administration of L. D. Jeargis.

        Christian Church.—The following annals concerning the work of this denomination have been kindly supplied by Rev. Harrison Price, its present respected Pastor, and are so complete that no word of ours can add aught to them:‑

        "The Christian Church, or Church of Christ in this place was first organized under the preaching of that worthy pioneer, Rev. John O. White, who long since has left the Pacific coast, and I believe has finally gone to his reward.

        "Leaving the more thickly settled portions around the Bay in the early history of our State, he made his way up into the free mountain air of Mendocino, and proclaimed in ringing tones the tidings of peace on earth goodwill to men.

        "Among the scattered settlements then gathered in this valley he found some willing to heed the Saviour's words, and organized a small band of brethren, who being left without preaching soon ceased to meet and the organization came to naught.

        "In the year 1859, Rev. Jesse Derrick came to Ukiah from Sonoma county and held a protracted meeting in which he re-organized the church, since which time it has been continued uninterruptedly and with various degrees of prosperity until the present.

        "About November 1, 1860, Brother James Anderson, at present residing in Santa Rosa, arrived here and went actively to work for the Master. He found the congregation in need of help and took hold manfully, preaching once a month in Ukiah, once in Little Lake, and once in Potter valley, for a period of about two years. For about eighteen months of the same time he preached once a month in Anderson valley.

        "Those who lived in California during the time of the civil war know the depressing effect it had on religious effort in all parts of the State. At the end of two years Brother Anderson found himself compelled to follow secular pursuits for a living, but he still preached for the church in Ukiah twice a month as his appointments were withdrawn from the outlying territory. The interest in church matters growing still less and less, he ceased toward the close of the war to preach more than once a month and continued thus to preach until September, 1868, having accomplished by the aid of a few faithful ones in that time of trial and affliction the worthy object of holding together the remnant of Israel until a more propitious season should dawn upon the church.

        "During Brother Anderson's stay he was visited in the year 1860 by old Brother Porter whose name was honored wherever his venerable and benignant face was known, and was assisted by him in a protracted meeting at Ukiah and in Little Lake valley.

        "Old Father Thompson, the well-known father of disciples and pioneer preacher, also came in the fall of 1861 and held a protracted meeting in the Court-house which resulted in several valuable accessions, among others the Hon. J. B. Lamar, afterwards County Judge of Mendocino county, and at present Attorney-at-Law in San Francisco. By the efforts of Brother Lamar and others a movement was set on foot to build a meeting-house, for as yet the infant congregation was without a local habitation, occupying generally a room in the Court-house.

        "By referring to the records of Mendocino county I learn that on January 6, 1863, D. W. Smith ceded to James Anderson, Bennet Hereford and David Crockett, trustees of the Christian Church, block No. 23 in the town of Ukiah. This deed gave only a possessory claim as it turned out, for afterwards the property was determined to belong to the grant instead of being government land. On October 26, 1866, S. Clinton Hastings, John Currey and Horace W. Carpentier, by their Attorney-in-fact, William Devlin, ceded to the same trustees the same piece of land. It was solely owing to the efforts of the Hon. R. McGarvey, at present Superior Judge of this county, that the last and only valid deed to the property was secured.

        "As near as I can get at it the old house of worship was started in the year 1862, and a shelter was ready for the winter of 1862-3, though the struggling membership was not able to seat the building.

        "In 1864 Brother J. N. Pendegast (familiarly and generally known as Uncle Pendy) and Brother J. W. McCorkle held a successful meeting in the then new meeting-house. Brother Pendegast has lately gone to his reward. I stop here to offer my tribute to his incomparable worth. A genial Christian gentleman he was at home among the rich and poor, and it seemed to me that his almost boundless acquaintances felt for him a veneration and love which I never saw equaled. During this meeting occurred a scene which can be best described by quoting from a recent letter from Brother James Anderson. He says :--

        "One of the saddest scenes took place I ever witnessed. A Sister Thomas, of Potter valley, had come to attend the meeting. Apparently in good health, one night in coming to the house of worship, she complained of feeling unwell and shortness of breath. By the time she got in front of the door she was very much exhausted and sat down by the side of the door gasping for breath. A sister was with her, and finding she grew rapidly worse gave information to my wife and others in the house. By this time singing had begun. In a minute or two my wife rushed in the house and called for a doctor. Two being present, both answered the call — Doctors Pierson and Hall. I then went out to see what was the trouble, and found Sister Thomas struggling for breath, and both doctors trying to relieve her. By this time it had become known inside the house, and the utmost confusion resulted. The attending physicians ordered her to be taken inside the house, and in a few minutes she expired, and her spirit took its flight to that better land. This event paralyzed our meeting from which we never recovered, during its continuance. From this I learned that intense excitements are not beneficial in protracted meetings.'

        "About 1866 the house of worship was finally seated and finished by the aid of Baptists and South Methodist brethren, who had the use of the house one Sunday each in every month until they erected separate buildings.

        "In September, 1868, Brother Anderson removed to Contra Costa county. The next brother who labored here regularly was H. C. Lyle, followed by Brother James Logan, and he by Brother James W. Webb. After Brother Webb, Brother Lyle was recalled; and then after his stay with us Brother James Logan returned and left last year in the spring.

        "In the spring of 1878 was begun the new meeting-house, while Brother Logan was here. In January of the present year we entered into the new house for regular worship.

        "The writer came here in July, 1879, and commenced preaching for the church in September of the same year. It would be unnecessary and tedious to name all the preachers who have assisted in the work at this place, but I cannot forbear to mention a very sad affair that occurred in the fall of 1874.

        "Brother M. Terry, a young man of promise, came to Ukiah to teach in the public school and labor for the church. In the evening of Sunday, October 18, 1874, Brother Terry, having already prepared himself to attend religious services, retired to his room for a few minutes, and as he was removing a gun which was in the room, accidentally shot himself. He lived from that time, about 6 P. M., until about 4 o'clock of the following morning. He was able to converse long enough to tell the sad circumstances of the accident.

        "During the whole time of the church's existence here there has been more or less preaching done in Little Lake valley and Potter valley, and at one time there were flourishing congregations at each place. When I came to the county one year ago I found the congregations at both these places had gone down because of removals and no continuous work. I began in this year to preach in both places and have found a faithful few in Little Lake valley as earnest as ever in the cause of Christ. At present I preach half the time at Ukiah and one Sunday of each month in Willitsville and Pomo.

        "The new meeting-house is about completed, with the exception of suitable seats, and is one of the most commodious and convenient buildings for worship in the town.

        "While in the great warfare against sin in the last quarter of a century we have had many struggles, we feel thankful to God for all his blessings, and hope that in the future we will be found true to the great interests of the Master."

        Presbyterian Church.—This church society was organized April 4, 1874, by the Rev. Thomas Fraser, missionary agent for the Pacific coast, in connection with the Presbytery of Benicia and the Synod of the Pacific. The organizing members were Morton Wagonseller, Clara S. Wagonseller, Mary J. Gilmore, Mary D. Barnes, Miss Fannie T. Lamar, Miss Lucinda J. Reeves, Lapping Reeves, Mrs. Jane B. Florence, S. C. Florence, G. A. Hocker and Hannah Hockey. The following named pastors have been called to fill the pulpit for this congregation: Rev. J. Keime, Rev. E. Holliday and Rev. H. B. McBride, the latter of whom was installed as pastor during the present year (1880).

        The following report of the work accomplished by this church was read before the Presbytery April 1, 1880: "The church in Ukiah has had a home provided and opened for use this year. The work has been progressing, and has claimed a large share of the religious energy of our people. It is a building tasteful, comfortable and substantial, and is about to be secured to our people by the funds of the Board of Church Erection. The edifice was begun in 1877 and completed in June, 1879, at a cost of $4,000. The Sunday-school was organized October 12, 1879, and we have a corps of officers and teachers who are very faithful and efficient. We use the Westminister lesson helps, and hold weekly prayer-meetings for the purpose of discussing the lessons every Friday evening. The salary fund is raised by the rental of pews and the plan works well, and the contributions are fair and increasing. The present membership of the church is thirty-three, and of the Sunday-school one hundred and twelve."

        At the time of the dedication of the Presbyterian Church in Ukiah one of the local papers had this to say concerning it, and as it contains many facts regarding the building we reproduce it here.

        "The new Presbyterian Church, is one of the handsomest little houses of worship in the country, and its tapering spire is one of the objects which attracts the eye of visitors approaching the town. Its cost is $4,000, and its seating capacity three hundred. The work of construction was commenced in 1877, by C. D. Osborne, contractor, from plans by Bugbee & Son, San Francisco, and was completed last spring. The Presbyterian Church at Mendocino is built from the same plans, which have been materially modified and the cost lessened in the Ukiah edifice. The church is Gothic in style; its inside dimensions are thirty-two by fifty-two feet, and twenty-two feet in the clear. It is lighted by seven windows. Its facade is flanked on the west by a tower twelve by twelve feet,  and forty-four feet high, supporting a spire of forty-three feet, surmounted by a vane ten and a half feet high, or a total height, measuring from the floor, of ninety seven and a half feet. The interior is celled with heavy grooved lumber, is painted in delicate shades of blue. The pulpit and choir are located in the south end. The building is lighted by side lamps and heated by a furnace. As it stands completed and paid for, it is an evidence of the activity and liberality of its congregation, and of our citizens who have contributed to its completion. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Scott, of San Francisco."

        Methodist Episcopal Church.—We regret very much indeed that we are not able to present a more extended notice of the work of this body of Christian people in Mendocino county, especially in the Ukiah circuit. We were promised a full report by Rev. Mr. Bluett, but either from the fact that his time was too fully occupied or some other cause that we know not of, he failed to supply us with the needed information. Such facts as we have we present, however, and only state the above that we may not be placed in the false light of partiality. The first organization of a Methodist Episcopal Church Society in Ukiah occurred in July, 1858. The preachers who visited the place and accomplished the establishment of the church were Revs. Hinman and Leard. The first society consisted of eleven members, and twelve acres of land were bought for camp-meeting purposes. In 1862, the present church building was erected in Ukiah through the exertions of Rev. W. S. Bryant. In 1865, the society built a neat parsonage on the land adjoining their church edifice, sixteen by twenty-four feet in size. The church still owns considerable land in Ukiah, and is well situated financially The Ukiah circuit embraces all the places where service is held in Anderson valley, and also some others in Ukiah valley.

        Catholic Church.—The Catholic Church was erected in Ukiah in 1870. It is a neat edifice, and a credit to that body of Christians. For a full report of the work of this church in Mendocino county, the reader is referred to the report made by Rev. Father Sheridan, embodied in the history of Big River township.

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.