San Diego

County History

An Illustrated History of Southern California - The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago - 1890

SCHOOLS.

The present fine educational system in California grew from small beginnings. The children of Spanish blood came of ignorant parents, mostly low-caste soldiers, who themselves could neither read nor write. Officers taught their own children, and sometimes women would gather their own and the little ones of their neighbors into a sort of dame's school, which not infrequently included an ambitions soldier. In 1793 a royal order commanded that a school be established in each pueblo, apparently for the instruction of the Indians. Governor Borica began to stir in the matter, and sought out available teachers. At San José a retired sergeant, Manuel Vargas, had opened the first school in the public granary. With characteristic enterprise, the citizens of San Diego contributed $250 per year to induce him to transfer his enterprise thither, and by September, 1796, he was established there, having twenty-two pupils. The doctrina cristiana was ordered to be taught first, then reading and writing. The paper for copies was supplied by the officials, and when it had served that purpose it was collected for wrapping cartridges. Borica was an ardent patron of these early educational efforts.

Don Pio Pico remembers having been a pupil in a class taught in 1813 by one José Antonio Carrillo, and having covered many sheets of paper with the name "Señor Don Felix Maria Callejas." Also there was a school in 1818. In 1829 there was a school, with eighteen pupils, taught for a time by Padre Menendez, who received from $15 to $20 per month from the municipal funds. During this decade, educational matters were greatly fostered by Governor Sola, who contributed largely to their support from his private purse.

In 1868 a public school was taught in the barracks. Shortly thereafter, the trustees of the school district acquired the land which is now occupied by the present school buildings. The people residing in the eastern part of the town organized a separate district, and built a school­house.

The first private school was the academy of Professor Oliver, established in 1869. In 1873 this gentleman sold the school building to Miss S. M. Gunn, who removed it to another site, improved it to such an extent that it was substantially a new building, and in it established the San Diego Academy. Later, in 1873, Rev. D. F. McFarland opened a private seminary, which suspended in 1875; and still later, in 1873, Mrs. O. W. Gates established the Point Loma Seminary.

San Diego is now behind none in educational facilities. The new charter assures to the city a judicious and well managed school system, and a progressive board of education insures its carrying out. Some idea of the recent growth of the schools may be gained from the following figures: On September 18, 1888, there were 1,639 pupils and 37 teachers. On March 8, 1889, there were 1,847 pupils. During the month of December, 1889, there were enrolled 2,215 pupils, and a constant corps of 61 experienced teachers. Handsome new school­houses have replaced the poor and inadequate buildings of a year ago, and others are projected. During the past year have been erected the Sherman Heights building, which cost $25,000, and the B street building, costing $26,750. They each contain four basement rooms, eight session-rooms, a large assembly-room, a Principal's office, closets, store-rooms, and laboratories. The halls are very large and airy, the ventilation perfect, and the architectural effects very pleasing. Another building is to be erected shortly, of the same size as these, which will favorably bear comparison with other school edifices wherever. There are also two other large buildings, the Russ and the Middletown school, of eight to ten session-rooms each; and there is the Coronado school with five rooms, the East with five, the Sherman with four, the North with two, and five suburban schools of one room each. The enrollment for December in all the schools was 2,215. The number of teachers employed is sixty-one, including - a special teacher of music, and a special teacher of drawing. The High School, which is in the Russ building, has ninety-two pupils. The course covers sufficient ground to enable graduates to enter the State University without examination. The curriculum includes Latin, French, and German. Such pupils as complete only the common-school course are thoroughly grounded in the common-school branches of an English education, with an elementary knowledge of the modern sciences; and those in the eighth grade receive such a thorough drill in elementary book-keeping as fits them to take charge of the books of any common small business.

Rev. B. F. McDaniels, a member of the board of education, is an enthusiastic and energetic worker. He introduced into the schools this year a system of savings banks, which is a complete success. The children have deposited $1,376.14 in the savings bank in the four months since it was introduced into the schools. Besides saving so much money from useless and sometimes harmful expenditure, the children are acquiring habits of thoughtful economy and thrift, an appreciation of the value and the proper use of money, and some practical knowledge of the manner of transacting business in banks.

It is proposed also to give the pupils of the public schools of San Diego the benefit of manual training in connection with industrial drawing.

The total number of pupils enrolled is 3,282; the average daily attendance is 1,973.

In addition to the public schools, there are various private institutions of learning, as follows:

The Southwest Institute, established by Mrs. M. E. Pierce in 1886. This is a boarding and day school for girls and boys. Since 1889 it has been under the charge of Miss May and Miss Kinney. Some ninety pupils are in attendance.

The Academy of Our Lady of Peace was established in 1882 by the Sisters of St. Joseph. It is under the management of the main convent at South St. Louis. This is a boarding and day school. There are some 225 pupils in attendance, under the immediate supervision of Mother Valeria, the Sister Superior.

Miss Phillips' School for Boys and Girls is an institution established in 1890, for the primary and intermediate grades, admitting day pupils only.

The San Diego Business College was organized April 1, 1888, under the direction of Professor Phillips, as the business department of the University of Southern California, but it is now operated independently. At present there are twenty-five pupils in attendance.

The Indian Training School is located at Old Town. It is under the direction and management of Father Ubach, of the Roman Catholic Church of St. Joseph, at San Diego.  This school was established in 1866. It has at present in attendance some seventy-five pupils, mostly Indians.There are in charge as teachers four Sisters of the Roman Catholic faith, and also a farmer and a mechanic, who give special instructions in their respective branches.

The Conservatory of Music was established in September, 1887, as a branch of the University of Southern California. It is commonly known as the musical department of the College of Fine Arts, which is in course of construction on University Heights, San Diego, its completion being retarded by the great financial depression existing at present. This institution is now conducted independently, of the University. Professor J. H. Hill is at its head at present, having under his charge ninety pupils pursuing the course of the different departments. A number of prominent citizens, including Mrs. W. J. Hunsaker, Altamirano, M. Johnson and Mrs. H. L. Story, have offered valuable medals to the pupils most diligent and most successful in their studies, the awards to be made at the annual public concert (held in June) of the institution.

THE COUNTY SCHOOLS.

The number of school districts in San Diego County, including the city, is 110. There are 181 teachers, who hold the following grades of certificates: Grammar school course or high school, six; grammar grade, 103; primary grade, seventy-two. The amount paid during the last school year, ending June 30, 1889, to these teachers, was $109,190.73, an average of $69.75, or to female teachers $68.40, per month. The expenditures for the year were as follows:

The total amount received from various sources was:

The total amount invested in school lots, houses, furniture, libraries, apparatus, etc., is $310,543, divided as follows:

To the above must be added the value of school-houses and furniture, added, or now under contract, since the close of the last school year, which increases the above total by $50,000, making the present valuation $360,543.

The average number of months that school was in session during the year in the various districts was eight and two-tenths; the total number of children enrolled was 6,987; the average number belonging to school, 4,586; and the average daily attendance 4,279, or ninety-three per cent., a very large percentage of attendance.

The total number of census children (children from five to seventeen years of age) in the 110 districts is 8,319, divided as follows: whites, 8,197; negroes, eighty-seven; Indians under white guardianship, thirty; native-born Mongolians, five. Of the 6,986 enrolled children before mentioned, ninety-four were in the high school grade; five in the grammar school course; 875 in the grammar grade, and 6,012 in the primary grade.

The City Board of Education is composed of a president, the City Superintendent of Schools, and two members from each of the nine wards of the city.

The County Board of Education comprises the County Superintendent of Schools and four other members from various school districts. This board meets on the Thursday preceding the first Monday in January, April, July and October.

There are 110 school districts in the county. The number of teachers employed, including San Diego city, is about 200.

The County Superintendent of Schools is R. D. Butler, and the City Superintendent of San Diego is Eugene de Burn.

THE PRESS.

San Diego's first newspaper, the Herald, was established by J. Judson Ames, on May 29, 1851. It devoted much space to transcontinental railway news, and the meetings held to raise subsidies to bring a Southern railroad to San Diego, as elsewhere stated in the annals of this decade. State division was also canvassed at this early day, and became somewhat of a hobby with the Herald. This was a Democratic organ, ardently espousing the interests of Governor Bigler. During the absence of Ames on political business in San Francisco, the Herald was edited by Lieutenant J. H. Derby, of the United States Topographical Engineers, who promptly changed its politics, nailing the Whig standard to the mast-head, and supporting the ticket with great zeal and enthusiasm. The wit of Derby, or, as he was known in print, "Phoenix," was something phenomenal; and the columns of that remote provincial journal, while under his administration, sparkled with a brilliancy not common in metropolitan issues. In 1859 the Herald suspended. For nine years (1859 to 1868) San Diego had no newspaper.

On October 10, 1868, the San Diego Union was founded by Gatewood & Briseño. It was issued as a weekly until March 20, 1871, and thereafter as a weekly and daily. In 1869 Taggart & Bushyhead were the publishers; in1870 and 1871 they were Dodge & Bushyhead; from July, 1871, to June, 1873, Bushyhead & Gunn; thereafter Douglas Gunn was the publisher until the plant was sold in 1886 to the Union Company. For sixteen years (1870 to 1886) Hon. Douglas Gunn, now (1889) Mayor of San Diego, was the Union's editor, and his ability brought it up to a high degree of excellence and prominence. It is now issued as a daily and weekly.

In May, 1870, W. H. Gould established the Bulletin, which was published as a weekly until May, 1871, and then, until June, 1872, as a daily and weekly.

The World was established June, 1872, by W. J. Gatewood, and continued about two years as a daily and weekly.

From 1875 until 1877 the News was published by J. M. Julian & Co.

Mrs. C. P. Taggart established the Sun, and  sold it after a time to the Sun Publishing Company, which comprised a number of the leading citizens of San Diego. In 1886 it was purchased by Warren Wilson, who with great success continued it until he sold it in February, 1889, to the present Sun Publishing Company, in which Walter G. Smith and W. E. Simpson are the principal stockholders, who issue it as a daily and weekly.

In May, 1885, D. P. St. Clair started the San Diego Californian, which encountered many vicissitudes during its career of some two months.

J. M. Julian, Ed. J. Bacon and Julian Regan established, in 1885, the Democratic San Diegan, which was sold in February, 1889, to Sullivan & Waite, the present publishers, who issue it daily and weekly.

A few years since, Clara S. Foltz, in conjunction with Messrs. Cothran and Benjamin, established the Bee, which, after one or two changes, became absorbed by the Union Company.

The Bennett Brothers, in 1887, established the News, which they issued as a daily for six months, and then removed it to Ensenada, Lower California. During the boom" period a number of other publications sprang into ephemeral existence, only to expire again very shortly. The Coronado Argus, the Sunday Telegram, the Sunday News, and the Pacific Beach, are among these ill-fated children of the press.

Besides the journals already mentioned as surviving, San Diego city has at the present time (December, 1889) the following: County Reporter, weekly; Neuigkeiten, weekly; Argosy, weekly; Enterprise, weekly; Sued-California Deutsche-Zeitung, weekly; Informant, weekly; Great Southwest, monthly; Young Men's Journal, monthly; West American Scientist, monthly; and Golden Era Magazine, the oldest illustrated magazine on the Pacific coast, established thirty-seven years ago.

In the interior the following are the points which support local newspapers, the names of which, together with those of their editors, are appended: San Jacinto, The Register, Arthur G. Munn; Escondido, The Times, James Trownsell; Oceanside, The Herald, J. M. Martin; Del Mar, The Coast Vidette, Sam. F. Davis; Julian, The Sentinel, J. A. Jasper; Otay, The Press, A. J. Jenkins; Perris, The Valley Union, H. McPhee, National City.

FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS.

The Masonic order is the oldest in date of the fraternal organizations of San Diego. The senior lodge, San Diego Lodge, No. 35, was granted its charter May 6, 1853. The first officers were: James W. Robinson, Master; Philip Crosthwaite, S. W., and William H. Moon, J. W. This lodge met in Old Town until 1877, when it removed to its present lodge rooms.

San Diego Lodge, No. 153, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized March 23, 1869. Its first officers were: John R. Porter, N. G.; Alex. M. Young, V. G.; F. Marlette, R. S., and S. Culverwell, T.

Monument Lodge of Good Templars was instituted April 2, 1869. A list of its first offi­cers is not obtainable.

The following is a list of the secret orders or fraternal societies at present existing in San Diego:

A. O. F. Court of San Diego, No. 7,592, organized January 1, 1870. Has ninety-five members. A. O. F., Court of San Diego, No. 1,799, organized 1889. Has fifty-four members.

A. O. U. W., Point Loma Lodge, No. 248, organized June, 1887, membership, 100; San Diego Lodge, No. 160, organized January 30, 1880, membership, 85; Loyal Knights, Cuyamaca Legion, No. 20, organized June, 1889, membership, thirty; A. & A. S. R., Constans Lodge of Perfection, No. 15, organized May 13, 1887, membership, 22; Caledonian Society, organized 1889, membership, eighty-four; F. & A. M., San Diego Chapter, No. 61, R. A. M.; San Diego Commandery, No, 25, K. T.; Southern Star Chapter & Order of the Eastern Star, No. 96, organized 1889, membership, eighty; G. A. R., Heintzelman Post, No. 33, organized 1881, membership, 325; I. O. O. F., Coronado Lodge, No. 328, organized December 1, 1886, membership, 105; Canton Lodge, San Diego, No. 22, membership, thirty-two; Centennial Encampment, No. 58, membership, 110; General Relief Committee; Silver Gate Rebecca Degree Lodge, No. 141, organized 1889, membership, fifty; Knights of the Golden Eagle, San Diego Castle, No. 2, organized August 22, 1887, and reorganized February 6, 1889, membership, fifty-two; Knights of Pythias, Red Star Lodge, No. 153, organized September 28, 1887; San Diego Lodge, No. 28, organized 1872, membership, 125; Native Sons of the Golden West, San Diego Parlor, No. 108, organized June, 1887, membership, eighty-four; O. C. F., San Diego Council, No. 92, organized 1881, membership, forty; Concordia Turnverein, formed February 1, 1890, by an amalgamation of the San Diego and the Phoenix Turnvereins, membership, 100; Sons of Veterans, U. S. Camp, No. 21, organized September, 1889, membership, twenty-eight; Royal Arcanum, San Diego Council, No. 1,214, organized December 5, 1889, membership, thirty-three; I. O. B. B., Lasker Lodge, No. 370, organized 1886, membership, thirty.

None of the organizations heretofore enumerated own the buildings wherein they hold their various meetings. The edifice known as "Odd Fellows' Hall," and also as "Masonic Hall," is owned by a stock company composed of representatives from these two societies, associated with another party; thus, while the building is devoted to the purposes of these fraternities, it is not controlled by either one exclusively. It is a three-story edifice, substantial and with good appointments.

There are, moreover, the following organizations: Sons of Temperance, Golden Gate Division, No. 50, organized November, 1889, membership, twenty-one; San Diego Typographical Union, No. 221, membership, sixty; United Endowment Associates, organized October, 1889, membership, thirty-two.

Furthermore, there are various societies of a miscellaneous character, with interests scientific, philanthropic, social, and athletic, including: San Diego Society of Natural History, organized November 2, 1874, membership, thirty-six; Society for the Improvement and Beautifying of San Diego; San Diego County Medical Society, organized December, 1886, membership, forty-two; President, Dr. T. L. Magee; Vice-President, Dr. F. R. Burnham; Secretary and Treasurer, Dr. Edwin Carson; the Cuyamaca Club, membership, ninety-one; the Mizpali Club, organized July, 1888, membership, sixty; Excelsior Rowing & Swimming Club, organized June, 1888, membership, seventy; Silver Gate Athletic Club, organized September, 1889, membership, 100; Seventh Ward Lyceum, organized September, 1889, membership, 100; Women's Industrial Exchange, organized in 1887, for the aid and the general benefit of women; the Young Men's,  Christian Association, organized April 27, 1882, reorganized September 29, 1884; Women's Christian Temperance Union, organized 1881 for the county, whose membership is forty; for city, organized 1883, incorporated 1890, having a membership of forty-seven; Young Women's Christian Temperance Union, organized in 1890, as an auxiliary of the San Diego Union; Women's "Central" Christian Temperance Union, organized April, 1887, membership, thirty.

The City Guard Band was organized on January 7, 1885, and their first public engagement was during the great local exhibit of agricultural products at Armory Hall in the same year, shortly after the completion of the California Southern Railway. At that time the leader was C. A. Burgess, who was succeeded in the following year by C. M. Walker. In the month of August, 1887, the late R. J. Pennell and J. M. Dodge conceived the idea of sending the band East for the purpose of advertising the city and county. Within three weeks no less a sum than $8,000 had been subscribed, and the baud, numbering twenty-one pieces, started out. They were absent forty-two days, and journeyed to Boston and back, and spent eight days at the G. A. R. Encampment at St. Louis, where they were given the place of honor at the head of the procession, in which nearly fifty bands, from all Parts of the Union, participated. Before returning they visited every important city in the States, and did much good work. They carried with them a banner bearing the legend, "San Diego, California," besides considerable literature of value for general distribution. The band is in a better condition now than ever before. It has magnificent quarters, a library valued at over $4,000, and owes nothing.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

San Diego can boast of one of the most efficient brigades on the coast. It was organized by the Board of Fire Commissioners created by the charter. This board is composed of J. P. Burt, president; J. K. Hamilton and E. F. Rockfellow, the last named being the long term member. Henry Bradt is the secretary. The board elected A. B. Cairnes as chief on the 5th of June last, since which date, under his efficient supervision, the department has been made what it is. The total strength of the department is forty-two, in addition to which there is still a volunteer company doing duty in the Land and Town Company's addition. The force consists of one chief, two engineers, five foremen, six drivers and twenty-eight firemen. There are two steam fire engines, two hose carriages, one hose wagon and two hook and ladder wagons. There are eleven horses, all in the best condition, and a credit to those who have them in their care. There is a good electric alarm system, by which the various companies are notified simultaneously in case of fire.

Since the reorganization of the department in June last, there have been eight fires, resulting in a loss to property of $3,200, the loss in every instance being fully covered by insurance liable for deposits in proportion to the demands of their capital stock, without limit, and as the stockholders of this bank are nearly the same as those of the Consolidated National Bank, this is among the strongest and safest institutions in California.

BANKS.

The first National Bank opened in 1884, with a capital of $50,000. Its paid up capital is now over $300,000 in gold coin, being the greatest of any bank in the county. It has paid liberal dividends, and has a surplus of $700,000. Its present officers are: J. Gruendike, president; R. A. Thomas, vice-president; Jerry Toles, cashier.

The Consolidated National is the successor of the Bank of San Diego (the first in the county, established in 1870) and the Commercial Bank. The union of the two banks in the present establishment took place in 1879, the president then being O. S. Witherby, and the manager Bryant Howard. Its stockholders represent over $7,000,000 worth of property. lts present president is Bryant Howard, and the vice-president and acting cashier, J. H. Barbour.

The doors of the California National were opened for business January 9, 1888. On December 31, 1889, this bank had a paid up capital of $250,000; undivided profits of $60,000 cash; sight exchange of $350,000, and a line of deposits of almost $900,000. The officers are: William Collier, president; D. D. Dare, vice-president; J. W. Collins, cashier.

In the same building and under the same management is the California Mortgage, Loan and Trust Company, with a paid up capital of $125,000.

The Savings Bank of San Diego County occupies the same rooms as the Consolidated National Bank, and was the first savings bank established in the county. It has been very successful, having paid its depositors larger dividends than any other savings hank in the State. As the State law holds the stockholders

TRAFFIC.

The traffic to and from San Diego is carried by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe system, the San Diego, Cuyamaca & Eastern road, the Pacific Coast Steamship Company, the Spreckels line of clipper ships, the pioneer line from New York, and the Mexican, International, Pacific and Gulf of California steamship lines. All these companies report a good business, with prospects of a very prosperous year for 1890. Other railroad and steamship lines are expected to reach San Diego in the near future, which will be an important feature in her growth.

The year just closed has been a successful one to the California Southern (of the Santa Fe system). The following record of freight shipments shows a fair increase for the year:

FREIGHT RECEIVED AT SAN DIEGO.

MONTH.         POUNDS.       REVENUE.

January             8,253,996       $53,069.50

February           5,770,778         24,816.09

March              3,473,207          22,484.14

April                 5,336,404        18,270.48

May                 4,641,080        19,852.53

June                 6,388,213         26,203.03

July                  9,849,970         36,365.24

August             8,032,209         31,944.70

September       8,698,779         29,045.88

October           8,607,313         25,515.58

November       7,745,160         24,858.06

December       4,482,397         22,377.88

Total             81,296,414     $338,802.19

FREIGHT FORWARDED FROM SAN DIEGO.

MONTH            POUNDS            REVENUE

January                9,355,600           $18,763.06

February             7,842,950             14,346.23

March                 9,023,750             17,449.35

April                   9,695,370              59,490.03

May                 11,689,150              20,359.85

June                   9,041,360              16,285.11

July                    9,952,660              14,919.90

August             10,560,770              17,178.18

September         7,326,960              16,701.25

October           16,172,270              35,730.25

November         8,449,930              21,585.79

December         4,566,250              50,794.10

Total             113,694,980          $223,402.48

The two tables show a very good percentage in favor of San Diego. During the year 81,000,000 pounds of freight were received, and 113,000,000 pounds were shipped. There were 32,000,000 pounds more shipped than received. The bulk of the shipment out has been coal, lumber and general merchandise to Los Angeles and surrounding towns, while the shipments in are largely from the East, so that the revenue derived by the railway is larger from the long haul than from the short haul out.

Owing to discriminating rates against San Diego by the Santa Fé many thousand bushels of wheat and barley from San Jacinto and other rich sections of the county naturally tributary to San Diego have been shipped to San Francisco via Los Angeles. The matter of discriminating rates has been investigated by the Chamber of Commerce, and the Santa Fé people have pledged themselves to give San Diego an equal show with Los Angeles. This means that San Diego will get the business, for lower rates prevail from San Diego by ocean than from Los Angeles, which must also include a rail shipment of nearly thirty miles before reaching the ocean.

The passenger business of the year is represented by the ticket sales which have amounted to $200,000 during the year. The number of pieces of baggage received during the year was 16,130. The number of pieces forwarded was 15,849, showing nearly 1000 more pieces received than forwarded.

During the past year but two steamer lines entered the port. The year has seen one other begun, and the plans laid for still others.

From the Pacific Coast Steamship Company plying between San Francisco and San Diego and intermediate ports, the following report is received regarding its use of the harbor:

During part of the year steamers of the line arrived every three days, and part of the time every four days. The steamers have been changed several times, and at present the two vessels on the line are the Corona and Mexico. The latter has, however, made her last trip, and the Santa Rosa, a much larger and speedier boat, takes her place on the next trip.

During the year 1888 the number of tons of freight received was 50,145; shipped 2,792; passengers arrived 10,849; passengers departed 17,058. The same year three boats were running part of the time, and there was a heavy tourist travel.

The Pioneer Line.—Henry L. Davis, representing several New York shipping firms, has gone to the great metropolis of America to start the first ship of the Pioneer Line to San Diego. The object in establishing this line is to do a general freighting business between New York and Southern California, San Diego being the landing point for the vessels on the line.  Mr. Davis has built a large warehouse here, and states that New York merchants are beginning to take a special interest in Saa Diego, as it will be the nearest western harbor to the western outlet of the Nicaragua canal.

The Spreckels Line.—J. D. Spreckels has also put on a line of ships from New York to San Diego and controls more ships than any other man whose wares cross the Pacific. The freight rate for goods shipped by vessel from New York to San Diego is only about one-half that of goods shipped by rail, and hence these new lines will be largely patronized. Mr. Spreckels is one of America's shrewdest shippers, and now has ten or fifteen ships en route from the various parts of the world to San Diego.

The Mexican International Line.—The full name of the above company is the Mexico, International, Pacific and Gulf of California Steamship Line. Two steamers are owned by this company—the Manuel Dublan and Carlos Pacheco. The former, which is much the larger of the two, makes three trips a week to Ensenada with passengers and freight, and two trips a month to San Quentin. The Carlos Pacheco alone was used until about three months ago, when the business increased so rapidly that the Manuel Dublan was put on in her stead.

Importation and Exportation. Line.—The Southern California Importation and Exportation Company was recently formed here by W. De Silva and Ohlmeyer Brothers & Company, These people have seen the advantages of running a line of steamers from this port to Mexican and Gulf of California ports, and propose to occupy the field. Their San Diego office is in the Louis block, and as soon as the steamer which they have purchased in London, and which is now coming around the Horn, arrives, she will be put into service. The steamer is about the size of the Corona. If her operation proves a success, and there is no reason to believe she will not, other steamers will be put on the line with her.

The Opposition Line.—Within the past two months another San Francisco line has begun running a steamer into this port, making the trip about every ten days. The steamer Santa Maria is the only one of the line thus far put on, but it is the intention to increase the service should the business warrant.

THE CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.

The San Diego Benevolent Institution, to relieve the deserving poor, was organized some years since. Its income is from voluntary contributions and from an allowance of $100 monthly from the county funds.

The San Diego County Hospital and Poor Farm, established July 1, 1872, had received up to July, 1889, 1,237 patients. Its capacity is some sixty patients.

The Catholic Ladies' Aid Society, organized April, 1888, is a well equipped and organized body for the succor of the poor of all creeds and nations.

The Brewster Sanitarium is not yet running, though the property for its establishment, val­ed at $25,000, in Paradise Valley, has been deeded for the purpose by Mrs. Elizabeth A. Brewster.

The Free Dispensary, founded by Dr. G. H. Schmitt, early in 1888, treated, during the year 1889, cases to the number of 1,910. In connection with it, is established a system of medical insurance against illness and accident.

The Hospital of the Good Samaritan, under the management of a number of the leading ladies of San Diego, receives as patients gratis those unable to pay for attendance, as well as paying patients. This hospital was incorporated November, 1877.

PENAL INSTITUTIONS.

The County Jail, situated in the basement of the court-house was built in 1872, and has accommodation for ninety male and ten female prisoners. It is under the immediate charge of the sheriff and his deputy.

The City Prison is situated at the corner of India and F streets and is in charge of the chief of police. There are accommodations for fifty prisoners.

STREET CARS.

The San Diego Street Car Company closed the books of 1889 with ten miles of street car lines in operation, and eleven miles of motor lines. They have thirty-three cars, 150 horses, and give employment to sixty men. During the year they carried 1,587,807 passengers, a notable increase over the preceding twelve months.

The San Diego Cable Road Company was incorporated in August, 1889, with a capital resource of $500,000, represented by some of the wealthiest citizens of San Diego. In June, 1890, they have built four miles of track, on which twelve cars are in operation, with an increased number available at need.

MILITARY.

During the earlier years of existence, San Diego had no larger regular military force than others of the establishments, and it only became a regular presidio under a new reglamento in 1774.

During the decade 1791-1800 there was maintained in California a military force of 280 men of the presidial companies, a governor and a surgeon; and, after 1796, ninety Catalan volunteers and artillerymen. Of officers, twelve were commissioned, thirty-five non-commissioned; there were 260 privates, sixty pensioners and four or five mechanics. The term of enlistment was for ten years, or eighteen years' service for retirement as invalids on half-pay. Recruits were so scarce that often pensioners were long retained in the service. The annual salaries ranged from $96, paid an invalid soldier, to $840, paid the Captain of Catalan volunteers, and $4,000 to the Governor, who was Lieutenant-Colonel. Military discipline appears to have been very slack, and various unsoldierly duties were imposed upon the men. No flags were possessed here until 1795, when one for each garrison was sent from Mexico. In 1797 arms and ammunition were distributed among the settlers, whom it was attempted to organize as militia, in view of apprehended foreign attack.

Down to 1819, the San Diego force was 100 men, including two officers, sixty-nine soldiers of the presidial company, twenty-three invalids, four artillerymen and two mechanics. Of these some fifty-five were in San Diego presidio. When Portilla came with his Mazatlan company, fifty-five of them remained at San Diego; it must be remembered that this presidio still held military jurisdiction over San Gabriel. No soldier or officers received any pay during that decade.

By the decade 1831-1840, the garrison of San Diego was scarcely more than farcical, the forces had long been unpaid, and from 1837 the presidio was abandoned.

On his visit to San Diego in January, 1842, Duflot de Mofras found a few soldiers and one officer at the pueblo, and a few cannon half-buried among the ruins and in the sand at the old presidio. These, together with the potential balls to be found at the old fort, the prefect instructed José A. Estudillo to bring away, in October of that year; this removal was rendered unnecessary when, in the next month, Captain Phelps of the Alert, in connection with the Jones affair, spiked the guns and threw into the bay the rest of the small furniture. This practically ended the old presidio existence, the last trace of which is found in a report made that month by the Alferez Salazar, that he had a total force of fourteen men, with neither guns nor ammunition.

The year 1846 witnessed the establishment of a military post at San Diego, the troops being quartered at the old mission until 1856. The post was commanded during various periods by Heintzelman, Magruder, Burton, Winder and Fauntleroy. Captain Winder, who resigned from the army a few years since, and who is now a well-known citizen of San Diego, arrived at the post in 1854, with two companies of the Third Artillery. His company was assigned to escort the first survey for the Pacific Railroad under Lieutenant Parke of the Topographical Engineers; this expedition set out March 26, 1855. It was under directions to explore the outlet of the Mojave river, and did discover the point of its disappearance at Soda Lake.

While Colonel Magruder was in command at the Mission, in 1854, a military execution took place there, under sentence of a court martial, for the murder on the desert of Colonel Craig. A large concourse of spectators gathered at the post to witness their execution.

The barracks at New Town were built in 1851, but the building was not occupied by troops until the arrival of the volunteers in 1862, it having been originally designed for a military storehouse and depot. Major McKinstry was in charge of the depot as Chief Quartermaster, and large trains were despatched thence with supplies for the troops at Yuma and other western points.

The Government maintained a military post at San Diego until 1867, although on the outbreak of the civil war, the regular troops were transported by steamer to the East, to participate in operations there, while their place at San Diego was supplied by volunteer forces. Prior to this time the water supply for the barracks had been conveyed down thither from the Mission valley, but Captain A. S. Grant, who arrived with the volunteers, made the notable discovery that good water could be had by sinking a well, and the first one at the post was sunk by him, in what is now known as Sherman's addition.

Although the military post was finally reduced in 1866, a few troops have been there quartered much of the time since then, a detachment occupying the barracks at present.

It is not unlikely that the Government will deem it wise to re-establish a military post at San Diego in the future, as it affords one of the most favorably situated points on the coast for the purposes of a military depot.

The rest of San Diego's military defenses is represented by the First Brigade National Guard of California, Ninth Infantry Regiment, Rawlins Cadwallader commanding; and by Company B, San Diego Guards organized in April, 1881. Douglas Gunn is the present Captain.

An excellent idea of the commerce of San Diego may be had from the appended statements of statistics relative to

CUSTOMS AND EXPORTS.

The fiscal year at the custom house ends on the 30th of each June. The records as kept there relate to the fiscal year only. The following shows the collections at the custom house for the years ending June 30, during the past decade:

The value of the exports from the port during the past three years has been,

The number of vessels entering from foreign ports during the same year has been,

During the same period there have cleared from the port for foreign ports vessels as follows:

San Diego district stands third on the list as an economic district, as in only two other districts is the cost of collection less in proportion to the amount collected, than it is here.

During the present year an experiment has been tried which in itself was successful in more ways than one. Three vessels which arrived here coal laden secured cargoes out for Seattle and went there for cargoes of wheat.

The Highland Light cleared with 208 tons of brick and 140 tons or hay; the Southern Chief took away 330 tons of brick, 305 tons of hay, and twelve tons of lime; the Richard III, loaded with 110 tons of common brick, 167 tons of pressed brick, 277 tons of hay, and 112 tons of barley, the three shipments being. as follows: by the Highland Light, 348 tons; by the Southern Chief, 647 tons; by the Richard III, 666 tons; making a total of 1,661 tons sent out. These are the first shipments sent north, and the success of the same may lead to a large business in that direction in the future.

The trade with Mexico shows a large increase over that of last year, although it is not easy to secure all the data necessary for a complete comparison. During the year the Manuel Dublan or the Pacheco has been. running regularly, and part of the time both. The time during which both steamers were running was in February and March, when the excitement which followed the discovery of gold in Alamo caused so great an influx of miners and freight. During those months the trade both by sea and via Tia Juana was considerably heavier, and it has been only since that time that any record has been kept which could be secured at the Tia Juana line. It is undeniably true, however, that the amount of business done heretofore by the line has been more than doubled during 1889.

The following tabulated statement of the business done at the frontier custom-house of Mexico shows the extent of this increased traffic during the mouths named. The report for the last two months could not be obtained, but the amount of business is about the same as that of the months preceding. The following is the table:

Much of this business was transacted from here to the line via the National City & Otay road, from whence freighters took it to the mines, though some of it was freighted on both sides of the line. The principal articles which enter into the trade with the lower country are: Quicksilver, steel in bars, coal, all kinds of tools for miners. etc., lumber, machinery for mining purposes, hay, grain, giant powder, fuse, caps, cotton goods, clothing, cotton, linen and wool, brandies, almonds, sugar, sausages, coffee, onions, potatoes, beer, chocolate, wines, dried fruits, crackers, fruits, flour, lard, butter, honey, pastes, dried fish, pepper, cheese, salt, sardines, wheat, beans, vinegar, glass articles, steel and iron articles, copper sheets, shot, curtains, band instruments, watches, hand machines and hand mills, carts, wagons, carriages of all kinds, black powder, articles manufactured of wood, all kinds of furniture, articles manufactured of hoard and paper, saddles, harness and leather articles, shoes and leather boots, coal oil, oils of all kinds and drugs, brooms, axle grease, soaps, chewing tobacco and tobaccos of all kinds, candles, etc., etc., etc.

Trade via the steamer line has also greatly increased. During the year 1888 the value of exports to Mexico was $128,824.86. The increase is readily seen in the following report for the last four months, or since September 1, 1889. Daring these four months the number of packages handled was 37,119; pounds of freight, 1,661,537; feet of lumber, 173,046; value of merchandise, $74,620.22. By the above it will be seen that the entire business of 1888 was not twice what it has been during the past four months.

The return business from Lower California is not so heavy, consisting principally of gold ore and hides, besides bullion.

At present there is a good trade between the western ports of Mexico and San Francisco. All of this trade rightly belongs to San Diego, and in time she must receive it. This line, which it is announced will export and import fruits, hides, woods and merchandise in the United States and Mexico, will probably be the means of first diverting the large business which now passes this port on its way north.

A comparison of the reports of freights received by steamer during the years 1888 and 1889 will show that the freight received during the earlier year was nearly double that received during the latter.

At first glance that would appear to be a bad showing, but it is not, for the simple reason that in 1889 the back country raised what in 1888 the steamship company brought from San Francisco. In 1888 a visitor to the wharf just after the arrival of a steamer would have seen tons of crushed barley and grain brought in from the north. During the present year, however, hardly a sack has been brought here for home consumption. Barley and grain shipments for the north by steamer are frequent, one of the latest shipments being 220 tons, via the Alexander Duncan, from National City. In addition the outgoing shipments for the past year are nearly double that of 1888. Next year the shipment out will be much greater, and by 1895, at the present rate of increase, the company will need extra steamers to bear away the freight which San Diego will produce for her northern neighbors.

Although one importation during the two preceding years had overstocked the lumber yards, the year 1889 witnessed the importation of 21,540,974 feet, mostly pine and redwood, from the north; three cargoes, aggregating 1,176,440 feet, of prima-vera logs from Mexico, this industry being begun during this year. This lumber is reshipped to the East, for the manufacture of fine furniture; also a total of 128,739 railroad ties.

Among other imports were 400 tons of pig iron, 102 tons tin plates, 75 tons gold ore, 180 tons of general merchandise and a vast quantity of oil brought in the schooners constantly plying between this port and Ventura.

The following is a comparison of the shipping business of the port of San Diego with that of the ports of San Francisco and San Pedro, the figures being taken from the San Francisco Shipping Report and Commercial News:—On the 22d day of July, 1887, the tonnage on the way to San Pedro from foreign and eastern ports was 21,271 tons; on the same day in 1888, it had increased to 47,403 tons, and on July 22, 1889, it had fallen off to 4,356 tons, a loss of 90 per cent in one year.

On July 22, 1887, there were 13,946 tons on the way to San Diego; one year later it was 38,001 tons, and on July 22, 1889, it had decreased to 20,466 tons. This is a falling off of 60 per cent., as against San Pedro's 90 per cent., or 25 per cent. in favor of San Diego.

On July 22, 1887, the total tonnage on the way to the port of San Francisco was 264,569 tons; one year later it had increased to 324,296 tons, and on July 22, 1889, it had fallen off to 241,632 tons. This is a falling off of 40 per cent. To summarize, then, San Francisco has during the past year decreased 40 per cent., San Diego 65 per cent, and San Pedro 90 per cent in tonnage from eastern and foreign points. In this showing, San Francisco not having been subject to " boom " influences, the falling off was due less to reaction than at other ports.

Compared in many other ways, San Diego shows better proportionately than San Francisco. For instance, in 1878 (taking the same date, July 22, right through) San Pedro had 21,271 tons on the way, San Diego 13,946, a difference in favor of San Pedro of 7,000 tons; in 1888 San Diego had 58,001; San Pedro 47,403, or a difference for the year in favor of San Diego of 11,000 tons. Thus, in 1888, San Diego not only equaled the 7,000 tons, but gained 11,000 tons beside,—a total gain of 18,000 tons in one year over San Pedro.

San Francisco has 23,000 less on the way to­day than in 1887; San Pedro 17,000 tons less than in 1887, while San Diego has 7,000 tons more than she had in 1887. Thus, it will be seen, San Francisco tonnage is lower than it has been in four years, San Pedro the lowest in three years, while San Diego shows an increase of 50 per cent. These figures are all official.

RESOURCES.

In the future of San Diego County the orange tree, and more particularly the lemon tree, will undoubtedly play a part of great importance.

This county is the home of the grape. It is also the land of the lemon, and it is next door neighbor to the abiding place of the orange.

There is no better index to the healthy and steady growth which San Diego now enjoys than the reports which the farmers, fruit growers and ranchmen daily bring to the city. Scarcely a day now passes that does not bring with it a number of boxes of oranges for the San Diego market. The San Diego County oranges have already found a place in the San Francisco market, and large orders have been received for this year's crop. Shipments East will begin soon, and this year the shipment will be much larger than on previous years. Shipments of lemons are also beginning to be made, and future years will see a great output in this line.

Some partial index of the belief of the people on the subject of this being a fruit country may be found in the report published elsewhere of the number of fruit trees found by the assessor. In 1887 there were 91,000. During the next year the people more than doubled this number, making 191,000, and in the past year they doubled up once more to 380,000. Every indication points to the belief that this year the doubling process will be continued.

The acreage of oranges and lemons is hard to arrive at with any degree of certainty. Reports have been received from some of the horticultural districts, but not from all, and some of the sections in which the citrus fruits are grown are not reported at all. This incompleted report shows that in San Jacinto and vicinity there are 85 acres; Perris, 20 acres; Elsinore, 20 acres; Wildomar, 20 acres; Murrietta and Temecula, 45 acres; Fallbrook, 40 acres; San Luis Rey, 50 acres; Pala, 45 acres; Escondido, 80 acres; Poway, 40 acres; Encinitas, 16 acres, and National, 65 acres, making a total reported of 526 acres, which is probably less than half the acreage, as the Cajon country and other ranches are not named.

During the present year considerable attention has been turned to the culture of the lemon. Lemon culture is forging ahead of the orange or the grape as a money-making investment. There are a good many reasons why the lemon may be considered better than the orange. It is a heavier bearer, and in maturity the branches are continually weighted to the ground. It is a constant bearer, the fruit ripening at every season of the year, and there is not a week throughout the year in which ripened lemons may not be picked for the market. Besides this, when the lemon is subjected to a process known as the Sicily sweat, it is a more valuable production and sells for more money in any market than does the orange.

A Government fruit inspector, recently in the county, stated that he knows of no section of the country where the trees bear so heavily and make such an extensive growth in the same year. Mr. Wells, one of the most experienced fruit-growers of the Sweetwater valley, states that he can almost insure to anyone who desires to go into the lemon-raising industry an income of $500 per year per acre after the first five years.

There are, perhaps, 100,000 acres of choice lemon land within easy access of San Diego, and there is no reason that the attention of this section should not be turned in that direction. San Diego can have a monopoly on the lemon business, as there is not another section in the State where they can be raised so successfully as in the bay region.

With a view to the proper development of this great industry, a company has been formed for the promotion of lemon culture, which has secured possession of 300 acres of fine land jus back of National City, and will plant the whole of it to lemon trees. Another company has also been formed by other prominent San Diego capitalists, who have secured another tract of land below National City, and propose going into the business also on an extensive scale. The returns from this enterprise may not show large by next year, but three, four and five years hence the lemon companies will be heard from.

These two companies will plant upwards of 20,000 trees this year, if they can get them. That is a pointer for another profitable investment The orange and lemon nurserymen will make money during the next few years. The supply does not equal the demand and the prices are therefore kept up. Trees are shipped here from Florida and other parts of the South, and still the demand continues. The present indications are extremely strong that this year will witness the planting of many thousand trees of all kinds, and grain land and hay land must give way to the march of fruit.

There is not a fruit, from the apple and the plum, to the banana and the orange, that does not in some portion of the county of San Diego reach a high state of excellence. There are many portions of the county where better apples are grown than can be found in any of the older sections of the East. The trees are usually sturdy and come into bearing in one-half the time they do in the Eastern States. The fruit is large, juicy and finely flavored. While this is strictly true of the higher sections, or what might be termed the apple district, the fruit has been successfully raised in many other sections of the country.

As to the peach there is no more delicious fruit to be found in the United States than may be picked from many orchards of this county. The plum grows very thriftily and the fruit is large and luscious, and not subject to disease. Quinces do very well and grow to a great size. The leading varieties of cherries are grown and reach great perfection. The trees in the higher altitude are great bearers and limbs bending to the ground is not an uncommon sight in the Santa Ysabel country.

The climate seems peculiarly suited for the apricot, the fruit attaining a delicacy of flavor not to be found in any other section of the State nor in any other State.

Nectarines grow wherever the apricot thrives and in San Diego attain a like peculiar flavor of their own. Prunes also thrive, while the industry of fig-raising is one in which San Diego County bids fair to soon bear off the banner of the whole Western hemisphere.

An industry which promises excellent returns is the growing of the English walnut. The tree flourishes wherever it has been tried, grows rapidly and bears very heavily. Small fruits, such as the raspberry, blackberry and strawberry, do excellently. Strawberry plants bear all the year round in San Diego and the fruit is displayed for sale every day. It is a prolific bearer, and there is an immense future in its cultivation.

In olive culture the county is coming into the front rank. The trees grow readily from cuttings, and so rapid is their growth that they pay the expense of cultivation the third year. The imported oils of Italy cannot be compared with the San Diego County product, and it will take but a few years for the facts to be made known to the world.

San Diego County is the home of the grape. The dryness of the atmosphere, the freedom from fogs and the regularity of the temperature, have formed a climate that is perfectly suited to viticulture. Good wine is made, while the San Diego County raisins may be said to lead the world in quality.

As stated above, San Diego is the home of the grape, and more particularly may this be said of the raisin grape. According to the report of the county assessor, within the limits of the county there are 4,107 acres of raisin grapes planted. This figure is, by most of those engaged in the industry, considered too small for the whole county. The assessment, it is true, was made last summer, and ground is constantly being broken all over the county and planted into vineyards.

In El Cajon valley the raisin has gained its strongest foot-hold, as is shown from the following table, giving the name of the ranch owners and the acreage:

Other valleys, particularly in the immediate vicinity of El Cajon, are almost entirely given up to the raisin grape, while in other portions of the county the average is large and constantly increasing.

The yield of the year is variously estimated, none putting it lower than 90,000 boxes, which is undoubtedly too low. It is true that a number of vineyards are young and not yet in bearing, but an estimate based on the shipment of the vineyard company with 800 acres in grapes, the shipment of the year would amount to 120,000 boxes and over.

None of the raisin growers have received completed returns from their shipments, and therefore no estimate of the receipts of the industry can be given. Not too much, however, can be said of the quality of the raisins of San Diego County, in support of the first proposition, that San Diego County is the natural home of the raisin grape. California raisins have for some years been conceded to be far superior to the Mediterranean countries, and it is rapidly driving the importer out of the higher grade of Eastern markets. With the fact established, it remains to be demonstrated that the San Diego raisin is the best of the best. It is this for several reasons. One is, that the climate of San Diego County is such that the raisin can be sun-dried, while in the north the rains compel the use of the drying house. Another reason is that the season being a little longer, the grape bunches fill to the end with completely matured fruit, so that the dried raisin bunches are large, and the raisins all of the first grade. There remains still another reason, and that is, that the El Cajon raisin, though large, more nearly approaches seedlessness than does the raisin of the upper country. The cause of this has not been assigned, but it is probably the difference in the distribution of the moisture in the earth.

The raisin industry is fully established here, though possibly it is not as great as in other places. Its profitableness has been demonstrated, and capital is backing it as fast as it can. Next year will see a large increase in the acreage of the raisin grape.

The following table showing the number of boxes raised in the years named will give an idea how rapidly the raisin industry is being developed:

AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENTS.

The substantial increase in the extent of land under cultivation in the county over last year, is an encouraging sign of the times, and furnishes good evidence of the progress of this section. The actual increase for 1889 over 1888 is 55,063 acres, while the number of fruit trees growing have increased by nearly 200,000. In the immediate region of the bay there are over 400 acres of land planted to oranges, while fully eighty acres are covered with lemon trees. Of the 5,000 acres planted to grape vines there Are 609 acres of vines bearing grapes for table use, 278 acres of wine grapes and 4,107 acres of raisin grapes. The following table will show the increase in the number of acres sown over 1888: