Alameda County, CA History

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for 
profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations 
desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain
the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative 
of the submitter. All persons donating to this site retain the rights to their
own work.

Past and Present of Alameda County California
Joseph Baker, Editor, Volume I, Illustrated
Chicago, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company 1914 
 
CHAPTER XX
OAKLAND
 
        Oakland was settled by the Americans under the assumption that it was 
Government land, the squatters refusing to accept the claims of the grantees 
under Spain or Mexico. They doubted the validity of these claims, but later when 
they reached the courts and when the claims were pronounced just and legal, they 
made the most of the situation and took as much as they could get.
        Moses Chase is given the distinction of having been the first settler on 
the present site of Oakland. When the Pattens came over from San Francisco early 
in 1850 they found him encamped in a tent at Clinton or what soon became 
Clinton. He was ill and intended to leave, but was persuaded by them to remain 
and join them in the settlement at that place. Soon afterward, also early in 
1850, H. W. Carpentier, Edson Adams and A. J. Moon arrived and squatted at the 
foot of what is now Broadway. When warned off by the Peraltas they affected, or 
at least expressed, great surprise and after negotiation finally secured the 
lease that gave them color of title and enabled them to remain and outpoint the 
many squatters who began to arrive immediately afterward.
        H. W. Carpentier and his associates assumed that the Oakland site was 
United States Government land and hence refused to deal with the Peraltas. In 
his investigations Carpentier no doubt discovered that the claim of Luis Peralta 
had not yet been approved by the United States, possibly might never be, 
whereupon he and his associates took possession of the land and when opposed by 
the Peraltas secured a lease which gave them color of title and enabled them to 
retain possession in spite of the squatters who did not have as good a claim. 
Carpentier was a crafty and unscrupulous lawyer and at all times had a better 
legal standing than those who opposed him, because he was far-sighted and knew 
how to protect his interests when it came to the final tests in the courts. On 
the face of affairs his lease from the Peraltas was better than the squatter 
rights of his opponents, but, of course, his assumption that the claim of the 
Peraltas from the Mexican Government was not good under United States laws 
contradicted the validity and efficiency of his lease. But the majority of the 
squatters did not or could not see the matter in this light. However, there were 
several who apparently did. In March, 1852, John Clar, B. de la Barra, J. R. 
Irving, Col. John C. Hays, John Caperton and Jacob A. Cost, for the sum of 
$10,000, bought out the rights of the Peraltas in the Oakland site proper and 
thus as a matter of fact had a better title than the lease of Carpentier and 
associates. The sale contract was first made out in the name of John Clar, and 
the others later joined him, and on August 15, 1853, a deed of partition was 
executed for their several benefits.
        Doctor Mabin came here in 1850 in an open boat on Sunday with a party of 
ladies and gentlemen with lunch baskets; they went to Lake Merritt, which was 
full of ducks. All there was of Oakland then were a few buildings near the foot 
of Broadway, where a small pier had been built. Four other young men came to 
Oakland early: George M. Blake, F. K. Shattuck, William Hillegass and James 
Leonard. They came over at first as a pastime, liked the surroundings and 
prospects and concluded to remain. They selected a square mile of land above 
Vicente Peralta's residence. Levi R. Bixby arrived in 1852 when there were only 
from six to ten houses. A. Harper was already here when Bixby arrived. Thomas 
Gallagher's saloon on Broadway was established very early. Carpentier, Adams and 
Moon claimed their rights principally under a lease from the Peraltas. All the 
others who settled here and did not secure their rights from those three men, 
were squatters and their location here and improvements were opposed. All the 
squatters found it necessary to organize against those men to prevent their 
improvements from being destroyed. Numerous altercations and several hand to 
hand contests occurred. The squatters went so far as to secure an old cannon, 
which was fired as a signal to assemble prepared to repulse attacks upon their 
improvements. Fences were torn down and the erection of buildings was forcibly 
opposed. The squatters were armed with six-shooters and made a formidable 
appearance when engaged in repelling an attack on their property, but the others 
owned the lease and possessed the legal right to control the settlement.
        In 1851 the Pattens and Chase were in Clinton, James B. Larue at San 
Antonio, Henry C. Smith at the mission, John M. Horner near Irving, S. Castro at 
Haywards, Estudillo at San Leandro. Augustine Bernal and the families of Amador, 
Alviso, Noriego and Livermore owned much of the county. The Yankees were already 
whipsawing the redwoods of San Antonio. Indians were sleeping in the San Lorenzo 
ranchino and priests were shipping produce from the embarcadero at the mouth of 
Alameda creek.
        In 1852, the Americans of Oakland joined in giving a grand Christmas 
dinner, on which occasion there were present Rev. and Mrs. Samuel B. Bell, 
Horace W. and Edward Carpentier, Frank K. Shattuck, John Hays, John Potter, 
Judge S. B. McKee, Sabin Harris, Colonel Coffey, John Watson, Harper Glascock, 
Judge Black, General Howard, Captain Daily, Major Kirkham and Doctor Davis. They 
clubbed together and provided the feast. Preceding the dinner�really a supper 
about 8:30 P. M., the night before Christmas�the children's presents were 
marked, placed on a table and left for them to take at their pleasure. There 
were served wild duck, wild goose and venison in any quantities desired. Wine 
and brandy flowed like water and big bowls of egg-nog made from wild duck eggs 
graced the center of the table. The majority of the diners were Southerners, 
though several Spaniards were present�notably young Mr. Castro and his sister. 
The feast was held in an abandoned Spanish dance hall at Fourth and Broadway. 
After the feast all who cared to do so joined in the dance.
        In February, 1852, Oakland was a beautiful plain about four miles wide 
from the bay to the base of the hills and about ten leagues long from north to 
south. The trees were in clusters and in full foliage and clover covered the 
ground. The trees were the resort of countless birds throughout the year. The 
hills and plains were covered with numerous herds of wild cattle. All this was 
called Contra Costa at that time�opposite shore. William Watts ran a small 
schooner to the landing at Watts' creek, near Temescal, where he had built a 
small shanty and lived, though his wife kept a boarding house on Mission street 
in San Francisco. Along San Antonio creek was a substantial grove of evergreen 
oaks. At Broadway and First streets was the shanty occupied by Horace W. 
Carpentier, Edson Adams and Andrew Moon, who had staked off streets and laid out 
lots for a town. Near them toward the Point was another shanty occupied by 
Lowell J. Hardy. The first hotel was erected in 1851, after the last heavy fire 
in San Francisco, by Albert W. Burrell. At that time grants were made in this 
portion of the state by the Mexican Government. Castro's grant was in Contra 
Costa county, but he later claimed, though unjustly, that his grant extended 
over the present site of Oakland and it was partly upon this claim that 
Carpentier and his associates took possession and set Peralta at defiance.
        In 1852 there were here about fifty squatters in tents and shanties each 
holding 160 acres as homesharers. There was no regular ferry. Sloops and skiffs 
were used to cross the bay. There was a variable population�here today and gone 
tomorrow. Malachi Fallon came here in 1852 and bought of Harper a contract for a 
tract of land from the Peraltas, but Carpentier and his associates burned the 
Harper tent in his absence and squatted on the tract. Fallon bought ten acres at 
Oak and Seventh streets on which he built a house and remained though the land 
was claimed by the others. Harper's land was subsequently held by Colonel Heath 
and Ned Cohee. Fallon built in the style of a Long Island farm house and when 
the floor was laid went for his family, but during his absence the belligerent 
squatters jumped his property and compelled him in the end to pay $1,000 for a 
release; one piece of native woods here was called Hardy's Woods. Malachi Fallon 
had the first lath and plaster house in Oakland.
        Mr. Burrell came over here on a hunting excursion in 1852 and found 
Carpentier, Adams and Moon engaged in laying out the town. They offered him two 
lots if he would erect a hotel. Mr. Burrell considered the matter for a while 
and at last accepted their proposition. It was made, he thought, because he was 
a builder by occupation. He was told that such a house was needed here to 
accommodate travelers, hunting parties, picnics and others who came over from 
San Francisco in small boats. The hotel was the first built in the town and was 
leased to Ames and Kelly, who conducted it for a while, but finally sold their 
lease. This hotel stood at the northwest corner of First and Broadway. Before 
the house was fully completed a large party of young men came over from San 
Francisco on the small steamboat Hector�about one hundred and fifty of them�as 
many as could be crowded into the little craft, and held a "house warming" in 
the unfurnished building. The young men had plenty of money and enjoyed 
themselves in sports of various kinds, one of which was kicking ten-dollar silk 
hats about the grounds. Native oysters and edible birds formed the basis of 
their Sunday dinner at the hotel, which received about $500 from its guests on 
that occasion. The weather was fine and the surroundings beautiful. At that time 
Carpentier and associates were laying off streets parallel to Broadway, which 
had previously been located, and laterally from east to west. At Mr. Burrell's 
insistence they increased the width of the streets, though objecting that it was 
giving too much land to the public that was needed for stores and increased the 
cost of street improvement. Samuel Robinson opened the first store at Second and 
Broadway. Doctor Yard was the first postmaster and held the office about twenty 
years more or less continuously. He was succeeded by Mr. Benton and he by Mr. 
Marcellus and he by W. S. Dargie.
        In accordance with the provisions of the act entitled "An Act to Provide 
for the Incorporation of Towns," Horace W. Carpentier, a lawyer by profession, 
had passed, on May 4, 1852, an act incorporating the town of Oakland, the 
boundaries of which were declared to be as follows: "On the northeast by a 
straight line at right angles with Main Street, running from the Bay of San 
Francisco on the north to the south line of the San Antonio Creek or estuary, 
crossing Main Street (Broadway) at a point 360 rods northeast from. Oakland 
House, on the corner of Main and First Streets, as represented on Porter's Map 
of Contra Costa (the original name of Oakland) on file in the office of the 
Secretary of State; thence down the south line of said creek or slough to its 
mouth in the Bay; thence to ship's channel; thence north and east by the line of 
ship's channel to a point where the same bisects the said northeast 
boundary-line." Section 2 of the act declared the corporate powers and duties of 
the town to be vested in a board of trustees to consist of five members, to be 
elected on the second Monday of May in each year, and to hold office for the 
term of one year, provided they should receive no compensation for their 
services; and Section 3 stated what should be their official duties. On May 1, 
1852, the town charter was signed at Benicia, where the Legislature was in 
session.
        The election was duly held, and A. W. Burrell, A. J. Moon, Edson Adams, 
Amedee Marier and H. W. Carpentier were chosen, the latter of whom, however, did 
not qualify. On the 12th of May they held their first meeting in the office of 
Mr. Adams. At this time only Messrs. Marier, Burrell and Adams presented their 
certificates of election. On having the constitutional oath administered to them 
they took their seats under the temporary presidency of Mr. Marier, with Mr. 
Burrell acting as secretary. The charter having been ordered transcribed on the 
record, the board passed Ordinance Number 1, entitled "An Ordinance to fix the 
time and place of holding stated meetings of the Board of Trustees," and thus 
was the official machinery of Oakland set in motion. On the 17th A. J. Moon took 
his seat with the board. Mr. Marier was elected permanently to fill the 
presidential chair, and F. K. Shattuck, to perform the duties of town clerk. 
Besides these transactions, ordinances were passed declaring certain streets 
public highways, concerning bonds of officers, disposing of the water front 
belonging to the Town of Oakland, and providing for the construction of wharves.
        John Cotter, a member of the San Francisco board of aldermen, and John 
Nugent, editor of the San Francisco Herald, came to Oakland to fight a duel in 
May, 1852. On board the steamer which brought them was a Sunday school picnic. 
The duelists went back to what became the site of Brooklyn, where it was 
believed they would not be molested. They were placed in position, armed with 
navy revolvers. At this juncture the sheriff of Contra Costa county appeared "on 
the upper surface of a large-sized mule" and demanded an immediate cessation of 
hostilities. David C. Broderick was one of the Cotter seconds, and Hamilton 
Bowie, one for Nugent. The sheriff was prevented from interfering by William 
Mulligan, James Hughes and a crowd of "muscle-men" who had come over to see the 
fight and fair play. Mr. Nugent was wounded at the second round, which put a 
stop to further hostilities. Edward McGowan was one of the party.
        Oakland Brewery was started by a Mr. Wilmer in 1853, at the corner of 
Ninth street and Broadway, but it was a miniature concern, capable of turning 
out only from ten to fifteen barrels of beer per month. It afterwards passed 
into the hands of Joseph Becht, and during the year 1863 was entirely consumed 
by fire, being however, rebuilt.
        The first attempt to establish a fire department in the city of Oakland 
was made in the early part of 1853. The result was the organization of two 
engine companies, the Empire and Washington and the Oakland hook and ladder 
company, and the election of John Scott as chief engineer. Three large cisterns 
were soon after constructed on Broadway between First and Fourth streets. This 
organization was within a year disbanded, the property delivered over to the 
council, and, up to 1869, Oakland had little or no means of controlling fires. 
Another department was organized March 13, 1869, under an ordinance approved 
February 4, 1869, by the election of John C. Halley as chief engineer and Thomas 
McGuire and George Taylor, assistants, who succeeded John Scott, chief, and John 
C. Halley and W. W. Moore, assistants, acting under authority of the previous 
organization. The apparatus of the department comprised a third-class Amoskeag 
fire engine, purchased by the city, and a hose carriage procured by funds 
temporarily advanced by Col. John Scott. The companies were: Steam fire engine 
company No. 1, steam fire engine company No. 2, steam fire engine company No. 3, 
steam fire engine company No. 4, hook and ladder company No. 1, hook and ladder 
company No. 2, hose company No. 1.
        On August 27, 1853, an ordinance was passed relative to the purchase of 
a fire engine. Mr. Staples and the clerk of the board of trustees were appointed 
a committee, and authorized to pay $2,000 therefor. On the 8th of October, John 
Scott and others petitioned for the organization of a regular fire department to 
comprise the Empire and Washington engine companies and the Oakland hook and 
ladder company. This organization was effected in 1854, $800 was allowed for the 
purchase of hose, necessary fixtures, and painting the engine-house. In his 
first message, Mayor Carpentier recommended the organization of a more efficient 
fire department. On June 24, 1854, Empire engine company and Oakland hook and 
ladder company were admitted into the department; and two cisterns were built at 
the corners of Broadway and Second and Fourth streets. On August 5, 1854, 
Washington fire company No. 2 was admitted into the department.
        Vicente Peralta and his wife, for the sum of $10,000 sold on the 1st of 
August, 1853, to R. P. Hammond, John C. Hays, John Caperton and Lucien Hermann, 
the Temescal, which was the remainder of their land, excepting a tract of 700 
acres�about two miles from Oakland, on both sides of Telegraph avenue � reserved 
for a homestead, and afterward known as the Vicente Peralta Reserve, and a small 
tract at the mouth of the Canada de la Indica. At about the same time, Jose 
Domingo Peralta conveyed to Hall McAllister, R. P. Hammond, Lucien Hermann and 
Joseph K. Irving, for $82,000, his part of the San Antonio rancho, retaining for 
his own use about three hundred acres.
        Kellersberger, in the same year (1853), made a survey of that portion of 
Oakland lying south of the south line of Fourteenth street, and east of a line 
running parallel with and distant 300 feet westerly from West street. He divided 
the same into blocks of 200x300 feet, with streets 80 feet wide, excepting only 
the main street, the present Broadway, whose width is 110 feet. Six blocks were 
reserved for public squares. The streets were in later times extended some 
north, some west, at right angles with each other from the high tide line of San 
Antonio creek; those running north extending 200 feet northerly of what the 
surveyor designated as the northern line of Thirteenth street; and those running 
to the west from what was designated on the map as the westerly line of West 
street.
        On January 29, 1853, an ordinance was passed that all shade trees should 
be protected by the town trustees; and on August 27th the stumps remaining on 
Broadway then laid out as a thoroughfare, were directed to be removed. On 
December 24th the road, as surveyed and located 100 feet wide and running from 
Broadway to Cerito and known as the county road, was declared to be a municipal 
highway to be called "Contra Costa Avenue."
        On July 12, 1853, an ordinance for the protection of bridges and of 
people crossing the same was passed; and on the same day the clerk was directed 
to devise a common seal for the town, and cause the same to be engraved, at a 
cost of not more than $50. This seal was adopted as the seal of the corporation, 
under date May 6, 1854. On the last mentioned date the clerk was directed to 
cause to be erected around the "Public Square on Broadway a neat and substantial 
fence at a cost not to exceed $1,000," and on July 16th it was ordered that the 
clerk should receive $500 a year for his services. On February 14, 1854, 
ordinances were passed prohibiting bull fights.
        On Saturday, September 16, 1854, The Contra Costa, a newspaper published 
by J. R. Dunglison & Co., and edited by Mrs. S. M. Clarke, made its first 
appearance. From its columns it is learned that a duel was fought in the 
environs of Clinton on the morning of September 21, 1854, between Messrs. Dorsey 
and Bevin of Los Angeles, both of whom were wounded. It would appear that 
Sheriff Simmons, of Oakland, had been informed of the intended meeting but did 
not arrive in time to prevent the exchange of shots. He afterwards arrested some 
of the parties and took them before Justice Ferris of Oakland; but no one 
appearing against them they were discharged. Indeed, this was the day of duels, 
for not long after this meeting an affair of honor was had between Achilles 
Kewen and Colonel Woodlief. The weapons used were rifles, and the latter was 
shot through the heart. Oakland had a newspaper called the Alameda Express, a 
fire department, a school department, and other institutions like a much larger 
town.
        The act entitled "An Act to Incorporate the City of Oakland," was 
approved March 25, 1854. The boundaries were declared to be: "Northerly, by a 
straight line drawn at right angles with Broadway, formerly Main Street, in said 
city, crossing the extended line of Broadway 360 rods northerly from where stood 
the Oakland House, on the northwest corner of Broadway and First Streets and 
running from the Bay of San Francisco on the west, to the easterly or 
southeasterly line of that branch of the San Antonio Slough, or estuary, over 
which crosses the bridge from Oakland to Clinton; thence along the eastern and 
southern highest-tide line of said slough, and of the estuary of San Antonio, 
following all the meanderings thereof to the mouth of said estuary, in the Bay 
of San Francisco; thence southwesterly to ship channel; thence northerly along 
the line of ship channel to a point where the same intersects the said northerly 
boundary line extending westerly: Provided, that nothing in this section 
contained shall be so construed as to prohibit or abridge the right of the 
Trustees of the towns of Clinton and San Antonio, whenever the citizens thereof 
may elect to become a body corporate, under the provisions of any Act which may 
hereafter be passed, to provide for the construction of wharves and other 
improvements for the accommodation and convenience of the trade, travel and 
commerce of the said towns or villages, at their respective sites."
        On March 25, 1854, Oakland thus became a city. The officers were a 
mayor, council, assessor, treasurer and marshal. The treasurer was ex-officio 
clerk of the council. It was provided that the mayor should be elected for one 
year and the other corporate officers for two years. The election was duly held 
with the following result: For mayor�H. W. Carpentier 192, S. J. Clark 93, Z. 
Gower 44, B. F. Ferris 29, P. Rosasco 1, S. B. Bell 1, J. Hogan 1; for 
treasurer�J. R. Dunglison 121, T. Gallagher 82, W. H. Baxter 82, H. Horton 69, 
E. Gallagher 1, Mr. Donaldson 1, J. Hogan 1; for assessor�J. S. Tubbs 181, H. 
Douglass 83, L. N. Crocker 72, W. W. Nicholls 7, J. R. Dunglison 3, M. D. Cassin 
3, H. Horton 1, William McNair 1; for marshal�J. Hogan 144, W. Hillegass 129, J. 
Brown 86, Mr. Bair 2, Mr. Pond 1, F. Johnson 1. The men voted for at the 
election of councilmen were as follows: E. Gallagher, G. M. Blake, A. D. Eames, 
John Kelsey, W. C. Josselyn, A. Marier, F. J. Meete, S. B. McKee, N. J. 
Thompson, A. R. Simons, A. D. McDevitt, L. Johnson, William McNair, G. H. 
Monroe, J. E. Whitcher, A. M. Brocklebank, William Harwood, E. Davis, George 
Coffey, G. Fogg, L. N. Crocker, Charles Stewart, William Card, William McCann, 
T. Connelly, E. Johnson, T. Holden, J. W. Taylor, G. Aldrich, John Woolsey and 
A. Durant. The total number of votes polled was 368. Carpentier alone received 
over that number for mayor and was elected. It was shown later under oath that 
when the ballot box was opened a large bundle of tickets folded together and on 
yellow paper were all for Carpentier. There was no reasonable doubt that the 
first mayor of the city was elected by fraud. Election laws in those days were 
easier to overcome and manipulate than in later times.
        At a special meeting of the city council, held January 24, 1855, the 
president gave official information that an attempt to destroy or abstract the 
whole or a portion of the records of the city had been made the previous 
evening. A reward of $1,000 was offered for the apprehension and conviction of 
the perpetrators, but apparently nothing further was done.
        Under date April 28, 1855, appeared an offer�H. K. W. Clarke, proprietor 
of the Contra Costa newspaper, sent the following communication to the council: 
"I will do the advertising of the city of Oakland, during the current year, in 
the columns of the Contra Costa without charge."
        Among the noticeable improvements in the city of Oakland, in the year 
1855, was the opening of a drygoods store by Mr. Gallagher, who was also 
postmaster. This store was looked upon with wonder by an amazed and admiring 
population. It was a veritable piece of a city; a drygoods store fitted up with 
taste, and stored with articles sufficient to gratify the most ultra-fastidious.
        Carpentier was mayor in 1854 and was the first to hold that office. He 
was followed by Charles Campbell, 1855; S. H. Robinson, 1856; A. Williams, 
1857�58; F. K. Shattuck, 1859; J. D. M. Davis, 1860-61; George M. Blake, 1862; 
W. H. Bierce, 1863; E. Gibbons, 1864; B. F. Ferris, 1865; J. W. Dwinelle, 1866;
W. W. Crane, 1867; Samuel Merritt, 1868; John B. Felton, 1869-70; N. W. 
Spaulding, 1871-72 ; Henry Durant, 1873-74; Mack Webber, 1875; E. H. Pardee, 
1876-77; W. R. Andrus, 1878-79; James E. Blethen, 1880-81; C. K. Robinson, 1882; 
J. West Martin, 1883; A. C. Henry, 1884.
        On March, 19, 1856, the city treasurer made the following report showing 
the state of the city funds for the year ending March 5, 1856:
 
Total amount of accounts audited, including interest on the
funded debt of the city since the 5th day of March,
1855                                                                             
                                            $8,475.66
Total amount of accounts audited by the council and con‑
tracted before the 5th of March, 1855                                            
       $1,151.62 
Total expense of the funded debt, including interest, engrav‑
ing bonds, salary of funding commissioners, station‑
ery, etc.                                                                        
                        $3,016.25
 
                                                                                 
                                                   4,167.87 
                    Balance                                                      
                                            $4,307.79
 
        On February 20, 1856, Talcott, Durkee and Webb laid claim to the reward 
of $2,000 offered for the apprehension of the defaulting ex-marshal, John Hogan. 
The council declined to settle, as they had reason to believe that Hogan had 
returned to the state with the especial intention of surrendering himself to the 
authorities.
Mayor Williams in September, 1857, said "For years had our poor, hide�bound city 
been groaning under the nightmare of the most bold and unmasked imposition, 
embargoed at both ends by odious and monstrous monopolies, illegal, oppressive, 
and iniquitous; her circumference manacled by unfounded claims, concocted by 
fraud and consummated by swindling, and her interior foully disemboweled by 
ruthless harpies preying on her vitals."
        On June 24, 1857, Dr. de Tavel offered to the council for a cemetery ten 
acres situated at the "back of Mr. Fountain's" on the Peralta road. Another 
offer of block number 200 was made by W. H. Bovee. On July 1st the cemetery 
ordinance was passed, accepting the first of these offers. Later the property 
passed into the hands of Isaac H. Brayton and Edward Tompkins, the latter of 
whom, under date June 23, 1863, petitioned the city council that the time had 
arrived when interments should no longer be permitted within the city limits; 
they therefore requested that the cemetery should be closed, and the owners 
thereof released from all obligations to keep the same open as a public burial 
ground. Mountain View cemetery, elsewhere, was selected and purchased in the 
latter part of the year 1863; it consisted of about two hundred acres and 
comprised a vale among the foothills. It was situated about a mile and a half 
east of Oakland. The following constituted the first board of directors: Hiram 
Tubbs, Dr. Samuel Merritt, J. A. Emery, Rev. I. H. Brayton, William Faulkner, S. 
E. Alden, Rev. T. S. Wells, G. E. Grant, J. E. Whitcher, Major R. W. Kirkham, W. 
H. Bovee, Henry Robinson.
        In his message of March 28, 1860, Mayor Davis said: "The city is slowly 
but surely advancing in prosperity. The unsettled condition of title to real 
estate within her limits, and the delay of dredging the sand bar at the mouth of 
San Antonio creek, which, if completed, might facilitate and render certain 
communication between here and San Francisco, still operate as drawbacks upon 
our progress. But notwithstanding these drawbacks, improvements of a permanent 
nature, although of a limited extent, are continually going on; society is 
steadily increasing in numbers and intelligence; her churches are well attended 
every Sabbath, with attentive and respectful congregations; her common school is 
crowded with children who are receiving the rudiments of a public education; her 
seminaries of learning are well patronized; these, together with other 
contemplated institutions of a kindred character whose foundations are about to 
be laid, are her surest guarantees of prosperity in the future. They, with the 
influences of her position, her climate, and her scenery, will in due time 
attract the attention of the State and draw to her  innumerable families to 
realize their benefits and make her what nature has intended her to be, one of 
the largest and most beautiful cities of the State." On March 28th, F. F. Fargo, 
proprietor of the Alameda County Herald, announced his willingness to publish 
the back ordinances to his Oakland readers to insure an increased interest in 
his paper, a proposition that was accepted by the council with thanks. On May 
30th the office of city attorney was created.
        On January 1, 1863, a democratic newspaper named The Press was started 
in Oakland by S. B. English, a gentleman who had previously been associated with 
James F. Kapp in the publication of the San Leandro Gazette. It continued only 
three months, the material being subsequently purchased by Mr. Gagan when he 
started the Oakland News in September.
        Mayor Bovee, in his message of March 12, 1863, remarks, in reference to 
the city of Oakland: "The Funded Debt of the city now amounts to the sum of 
$39,100, bearing an interest of 7 per cent. The city is therefore required to 
pay in 1865 the bonds issued in 1855, and by section nine of the Funding Act of 
1855, it is made your duty in each of the years 1863 and 1864 to raise by tax 
upon the property within the city a sum equal to one-half of the amount of the 
debt about falling due. It appears to me that with the prospect before us of an 
excess in revenue beyond our current expenses, but a small tax will be 
necessary. Our bonds are now selling in the market at about sixty-five cents on 
the dollar, which would make the amount required for the redemption of the issue 
of 1855, equal to $35,456." On February 5, 1862, there was passed by the council 
an ordinance granting the right to erect gas works in the city of Oakland.
        In December, 1863, a few men formed an organization under the name of 
the Mountain View Cemetery Association. The first trustees were: Hiram Tubbs, 
Geo. E. Grant, A. M Crane, J. A. Mayhew, Rev. S. T. Wells, S. E. Alden, Rev. H. 
I. Brayton, Dr. S. Merritt, J. E. Whitcher, R. W. Heath, Wm. Faulkner and J. S. 
Emery. Early in 1864 the association completed the organization and elected Dr. 
Samuel Merritt, president, J. E. Whitcher, secretary, and Hiram Tubbs, 
treasurer. In the same year a suitable site was selected and bonds were issued 
for its purchase. Rev. S. T. Wells was elected as the first superintendent, and 
remained in that capacity until the end of 1870. In 1871 Rev. Mr. Wells 
resigned, and William Collins was elected superintendent, and at the same time 
Gen. R. W. Kirkham was elected president of the board of trustees. Mountain View 
cemetery was about two miles from Oakland center and its approach was then one 
of the finest drives in Alameda county.
        In August, 1864, the North Oakland Homestead Association was 
incorporated, having for its object the purchase of large tracts of land in 
Oakland township, and their subdivision into lots for the members. The capital 
stock was $20,000, divided into $100 shares: Trustees, J. S. Emery, Thomas Bass, 
D. N. Hawley, T. B. Bigelow, Elijah Bigelow, J. G. Darves, W. W. Crane, Jr.
        On August 22, 1864, A. Muller, opened a hotel at the corner of Broadway 
and Second streets; and in September, the Oakland Flouring Mill did a large and 
profitable business, under the direction of Potter & Co. Leland & Harwood opened 
a lumber yard at the foot of Broadway in June. There were in 1864, 1,063 houses 
in Oakland.
        On January 25, 1865, the Oakland News passed into the hands of Gagan & 
Watson, by whom the paper was continued to the full standard of its former 
excellence. On January 27th, the Oakland Union Homestead Association filed its 
certificate of incorporation, the capital stock of the company being $12,500, 
its trustees being Thomas Bass, G. McAmes, W. W. Crane, Jr., W. Leonard and E. 
Bigelow. In this year the Pacific Novelty Iron Works were established. This 
company located at Oakland Point in April of the previous year under the 
superintendence of J. M. Wooster, the other officers of the company being B. D. 
T. Clough, president, and William McDonald, secretary.
        On Saturday, March 25, 1865, one of the most destructive fires that ever 
visited Oakland, broke out about two o'clock in a restaurant fronting on Seventh 
street. The wind was blowing hard at the time from the northwest, sweeping the 
flames and burning cinders before it. In half an hour the flames had 
communicated to all the buildings on the entire block (Delger's) save one on the 
northwest corner. The people turned out to render what service they could in 
saving the buildings. The damage was about $50,000. Twenty men, properly 
organized, could have saved five-sixths of all the property destroyed. The 
common council, notwithstanding repeated calls had been made for fire apparatus 
of some kind, had steadfastly ignored the necessity and the demands. At this 
time the fire limits were established by ordinance.
        In 1865 the first macadamizing was done on Broadway between Fourth and 
Tenth streets. It was an experiment, but the sand had become intolerable and the 
people were ready for any expedient that would improve street travel and 
conditions. The price paid was 8� cents per square foot. At this time Oakland 
was thought of only as a small place near San Francisco where picnics and 
hunting parties could find and spend a pleasant day. A few business houses were 
scattered along Broadway as far north as Tenth street. The Basket Brigade 
(Chinese) had been formed long before this date, and the residents generally 
patronized San Francisco stores, crossing over and back by ferry. There were a 
few boarding houses at Seventh and Broadway, but no hotels of consequence. There 
was no bank and only a few manufacturing establishments. It was merely a little 
country village�a suburb of San Francisco.
        From 1862 to 1866 the population of Oakland doubled. Elegant and 
commodious residences were erected in all parts of the city. There were gathered 
within her borders a circle of society distinguished for its intelligence and 
refinement. The beauty and fertility of the adjacent country, the excellence of 
the roads diverging in all directions from the city, the delightful drives, the 
healthful invigorating atmosphere, and withal its proximity to San Francisco, 
proved sufficient guarantees not only of the stability of Oakland, but also of 
its rapid growth. The homes of the people showed the luxuriant blossoms of the 
peach and the pear, and their well-kept flower gardens gave character to the 
surrounding scenery.
        The growth of the city was very slow between 1854 and 1864; and in fact 
it was not until 1866 that the certain prospect of important improvements gave 
real estate an upward turn, and the building of a superior class of residences 
began. School facilities were very inferior; there were only two or three 
churches; the streets were not macadamized; fraudulent titles were abundant; 
litigation appeared endless; the city had a debt already, and her prospects were 
not then as promising as they had been at first. The opening of the creek, the 
establishment of an opposition line of steamers, the construction of the local 
railway, and the prospect of the terminus of the transcontinental railway being 
established in the city, caused the change for the better.
        On May 25th, Mr. Little, a resident of Oakland, made a formal tender to 
the city of that part of Webster street opened north of Seventeenth street, 
through the old cemetery to the San Antonio creek, a grant which was accepted by 
the council. In July the first street work performed in Oakland was commenced. 
By March 12, 1894, the city had about two hundred miles of macadamized streets 
and several miles of bitumized roadways. Real estate in Oakland had real booms 
in 1865-67 and 1874-76, but at other times the growth though rapid was steady 
and sure. On July 18th the first sewer in the city was ordered to be constructed 
between Fourth street and the water front on Broadway.
        On December 8, 1865, Joseph G. Eastland and W. W. Briggs were granted 
permission to erect gas works, but they were succeeded by the Oakland Gas 
Company, which July 3, 1866, was granted permission to erect works on block No. 
6, bounded by First, Second, Washington and Broadway streets. These were the 
first gas lamps in the city. Messrs. Caduc and Williams were granted a franchise 
to erect gas works and lay pipes within the city limits on May 15th. January 16, 
1866, the initial point of all surveys of the city was directed to be from the 
building known as "A la Mariposa," situated at the southwest corner of Fourth 
street and Broadway. On January 23d the Oakland and Alameda Water Company, 
petitioned the city council to the following effect: "That they propose 
conducting the waters of Temescal Creek to the city of Oakland, for the purpose 
of supplying the said city and the inhabitants thereof with pure fresh water. 
That to accomplish such an object they have already constructed reservoirs near 
the head-waters of said creek, and have expended large sums of money in 
furtherance of their designs," etc. Besides the above company the Amador Water 
Company, Contra Costa Water Company, College Water Company and others were 
organized. On July 3, 1866, A. Chabot, president of the Contra Costa Water 
Company, petitioned the council for the right to lay down pipes in the streets, 
alleys, and lanes for the purpose of supplying the inhabitants with pure fresh 
water. On July 18th an ordinance was passed granting them the privilege prayed 
for and on the same date like privileges were granted to the Oakland and Alameda 
Water Company.
        A gas light company was established in Oakland as early as 1866, in 
December of which year they were given permission to erect their works. They at 
once placed gas lamps at several points.
        The Oakland Bank of Savings was organized August 13, 1867, with the 
following directors: A. C. Henry, Edward Hall, Samuel Merritt, P. S. Wilcox, W. 
W. Crane, Jr., with a capital stock of $150,000, which on March 30, 1869, was 
increased to $300,000. The Union Savings Bank of Oakland commenced business in 
July, 1869, near the corner of Broadway and Eighth streets, the president being 
A. C. Henry, and the cashier, H. A. Palmer. The capital stock was originally 
$150,000, which, in a few years, was increased to $450,000. Union National Gold 
Bank was organized July 1, 1875, under the national banking act of the United 
States, and succeeded to the commercial business of the Union Savings Bank. The 
following were the first officers: A. C. Henry, president; H. A. Palmer, 
cashier; A. C. Henry, J. West Martin, R. W. Kirkham, D. Renshaw Ward, H. A. 
Palmer, directors; the capital being $100,000. First National Bank of Oakland 
was originally organized as the First National Gold Bank in May, 1875, with the 
following officers: B. F. Ferris, president; E. Case, vice president; G. M. 
Fisher, cashier; B. F. Ferris, E. Case, E. Delger, C. H. Twombly, W. Newcomb, A. 
Eberhardt, P. C. Huntley, V. D. Moody, J. E. Ruggles, G. M. Fisher, S. N. 
Putnam, directors. In 1876 V. D. Moody was elected to the presidency. The West 
Oakland Mutual Loan Association was incorporated July 21, 1875, with a capital 
stock of $600,000. The Odd Fellows Library of Oakland was established on August 
12, 1867. The first event was the transfer of 295 volumes from the Oakland 
Philomathean Library Association. Then came a large donation from W. W. Crane, 
Jr., and in quick succession smaller donations from many individuals. For nearly 
four years the library attracted little attention from the order, and its 
friends often despaired of its success. On June 5, 1871, the association 
formally dissolved, handing over its assets to a board of trustees, consisting 
of an equal number of members from Oakland lodge, No. 118, and University lodge, 
No. 144, the only lodges then in existence. These lodges had agreed to assume 
the trust, and to pay the sum of 50 cents per quarter for each member in good 
standing. On January 10, 1872, Fountain lodge, No. 198, was instituted, and was 
admitted into the association, and a few years later Harbor lodge, No. 253, and 
Porter lodge, No. 272, were admitted.
        In 1867 the council awarded the contract for gas light to the Oakland 
Gas Light Company for 30 cents per lamp per night for an average of 27� nights 
per month, there being at first but fifty lamps along Broadway, Telegraph, 
Central and Eighth streets. The next year the price was reduced to 22 cents with 
150 lamps. In 1872 the number was 250 and the price 20 cents. In 1876 the price 
was 17� cents with 346 lamps. In 1879 the price was 15 cents with 700 lamps. In 
1881 the price was 13 cents and the number of lamps 800.
        When Oakland was really passing from town to city the authorities fully 
comprehended the importance of commencing a comprehensive system of public 
improvements. They began at once to improve the streets, build first class 
school�houses and erect a suitable city hall. Ground for the latter cost 
$17,673, and was opposed by many as extravagant, yet within ten years the 
property was valued at ten times the amount paid. Many thought they would be 
ruined by the large street assessments, but advances in their property 
contradicted this view within two or three years. Taxpayers were staggered when 
$20,000 was spent for a schoolhouse, but a short time not only proved its 
necessity, but demanded others equally as large.
        On March 19, 1868, an act authorizing the city council to purchase land 
and erect a city hall was passed by the Legislature, and directed the issuance 
of bonds therefor. On October 31st the contract for the mason work was awarded 
to J. S. Emery, at $11,784, and that for joiners' work to F. L. Taylor and J. V. 
Goodrich, at $23,965.
        On November 16, 1867, Mr. Moody offered a resolution to the following 
effect: To embody the city of Oakland and such other territory as might be fixed 
upon into a consolidated city and county of Oakland. The matter rested thus 
until 1874, when the scheme once more commenced to attract attention, but 
nothing of consequence appears to have resulted. On November 2d the following 
resolution was passed: That the thanks of the council are due to the Hon. W. W. 
Crane, Jr., whose resignation of the office of mayor of the city of Oakland has 
just been received, for the faithful manner in which he has discharged the 
duties of his office and especially for the assistance he has rendered the 
council in the management of the affairs of the city since his election to said 
office. On the same date Dr. Samuel Merritt was elected to the mayor's chair in 
place of Mr. Crane.
        On March 1, 1869, the city debt reached the amount to $110,400. This 
called forth the following observations from a committee appointed to ascertain 
the amount: "It is the unanimous opinion of your Committee that means must be 
adopted to liquidate the city's floating indebtedness that has been ignominously 
brought upon her by those who were too sanguine in the rapid development of the 
future of Oakland, resulting in the lamentable fact that with her annual 
interest and municipal expense she finds herself pecuniarily embarrassed and 
wholly beyond the power to honor the bills of her employes when they are due. 
Therefore, it is the opinion of your Committee that immediate measures be taken 
to dispose of some of the city's unproductive property, and the proceeds be 
applied to cancel her present floating indebtedness. We are already paying 
interest on $118,700, and should it be materially augmented, it is but 
reasonable to ask, when would our taxation be less, and when could we pay the 
principal unless our percentage on taxation was increased? And in view of the 
many obstacles that have arisen in the minds of your Committee to devise some 
way to pay the floating indebtedness of the city, they can see only one 
satisfactory way by which it may be done, and that is to have a Legislative 
power vested in the guardians of the city, and dispose of the City Hall, and 
with the proceeds pay the bills now knocking at the door of our Treasury for 
admittance."
 
                    INDEBTEDNESS, 1871-72
 
Old Funded Debt                                         $ 18,400.00
City Hall Bonds                                               50,000.00
Carpentier's Judgment Bonds                          16,000.00
School Bonds of 1868                                    50,000.00
New Funded Debt of 1870                             70,000.00
School Bonds of 1870                                    50,000.00
Total amount of Funded Debt                      $254,400.00
 
                        FLOATING DEBT
 
Warrants                                                    $10,000.00
Salary Bills unpaid                                        11,268.26
Miscellaneous Bills                                         5,974.32
Gas Bills                                                        8,616.98
City Hall Bills                                                 1,870.84
Total                                                            37,730.40
Making the sum total                                $292,130.40
 
CITY PROPERTY AT ITS COST
 
City Hall Lot and Buildings                        $72,000.00
School Lots                                                35,406.00
School Buildings                                         67,730.00
Water Front property (estimated value)       35,000.00
Fire Department property                           12,731.00
Total (exclusive of school furniture 
and other personal effects of the city)      $222,867.00
 
        The Oakland Free Library was organized March 5, 1868, by a party of 
citizens called together for that purpose, upon which occasion about $6,000 was 
subscribed. Dr. Samuel Merritt was the first president. It originally occupied 
rooms in the Holmes building, corner Eighth and Broadway, and later rooms at 
Eleventh and Broadway. In the early part of 1872, a building was erected on the 
corner of Twelfth and Washington streets. Owing to lack of funds the association 
sold this lot for $12,500 cash. The city council gave the association permission 
to use a corner of the city hall lot, and the building was accordingly removed 
to that spot. In 1878, under the act of the Legislature and upon conference with 
the city council, it was decided to transfer all the property to the city on 
condition of its being sustained thereafter by taxation. The transfer was made; 
the building, from 4,000 to 5,000 books, and above $2,300 in cash, formed the 
nucleus of the new library. The Free Reading Room on Eleventh and Washington 
streets was also merged in the new library. The library building was raised, and 
a reading-room was erected under it. The old association had a paying membership 
of three hundred. In November, 1878, when it was opened as a free institution, 
there were upon the shelves 4,392 books. The library proper and reading-rooms 
were managed by a board of five trustees, elected by the people. The force of 
employes consisted of Miss Ina D. Coolbrith, librarian, who had held the 
position since October, 1874; H. F. Peterson, first assistant; Ina L. Peterson, 
second assistant; D. P. H. Brown, janitor and curator of central reading-room; 
L. D. Mason and Miss C. E. Bromley, curators of West Oakland and East Oakland 
branch rooms. Miss Ina D. Coolbrith, the librarian, was a woman of genius, and 
one among the gifted of California's daughters of song.
        In 1868, when the city council bought the property of the city hall 
park, public library site and engine house site and a small park adjoining for 
$17,672.91, the act was denounced as one of uncalled for extravagance. In 1898 
when it was proposed to sell the city hall property its valuation was placed at 
$700,000. Shortsightedness in municipal affairs began thus early to check the 
progress of this extraordinary locality and promising city.
        The damages caused in Oakland by the earthquake of October 21, 1868, 
were light as compared with those of other towns in Alameda county. Dwelling 
houses received trifling injuries; in many houses crockery and glassware were 
broken, and great numbers of chimneys were thrown down or otherwise damaged. The 
city front suffered most. A portion of the wharf extending east from Broadway 
gave way, and several tons of coal were precipitated into the creek. At the 
lumber wharf of Taylor & Co., a trestle-work pier on which were 150,000 feet of 
lumber, was thrown into the creek.
        Early in 1869, the Toland Tract Association with a capital stock of 
$22,500 was organized, the trustees being Henry Durant, Edward McLean and Jacob 
Hardy. Its object was the purchase of land to be divided into lots suitable for 
homesteads. In January, Shattuck & Hillegass' hall was converted into a theatre, 
and opened as such on the evening of January 25, 1869. The enterprise of 
ship�building was progressing, there being at that time a two hundred ton 
schooner on the stocks at Allen's Yard at Oakland Point. It was a year of great 
prosperity.
        What was called Lake Chabot was constructed about 1868-69. Two years 
were consumed in building the series of dams that backed up the waters and 
created the lake. The eastern branch of Temescal creek, for a mile or more, ran 
between two steep hills about seven hundred feet apart. Instead of forming a 
gorge, as in most canyons, there was a valley some thirty or forty acres in 
extent. This was dammed up. Lake Chabot was about four hundred feet wide and 
three-quarters of a mile in length and its capacity was estimated at two hundred 
million gallons. Until June 1, 1872, all the water used in Oakland came from 
below Lake Chabot and from Fruit Vale. From the lake the water flowed through 
the original bed of Temescal creek for a mile and a half. The elevation of Lake 
Chabot is four hundred feet above Broadway wharf. Before the lake was built a 
large reservoir stored the water for city use. Its capacity was about 1,000,000 
gallons. On an elevated locality near the head of Fruit Vale, there was later a 
distributing-reservoir, from which there was a main leading directly into 
Brooklyn (East Oakland). In Brooklyn two artesian wells were used. On February 
12, 1872, the Lake Tahoe and San Francisco Water Works Company were granted the 
right to lay pipes through the streets of Oakland, and on October 15, 1877, like 
privileges were granted to the Oakland and Alameda Water Company.
        The foundation of the city hall was laid in the spring of 1869, the 
original contract price being $24,000; many other improvements added later 
raised the total cost to about $70,000. It stood on the irregular block bounded 
by San Pablo, Washington and Fourteenth streets. The basement was occupied in 
part by a city prison. The third story had just been fitted up for occupancy at 
a cost of $6,000. Before it was erected sessions of the city council were held 
in Shattuck's brick building at Broadway and Eighth streets.
        On February 5, 1869, the first number of the Alameda Democrat made its 
appearance and was said by one of its contemporaries to have "a countrified
appearance." At this time Oakland boasted of three daily papers, and in that 
respect took third rank in the state.
        Another fire department was organized March 13, 1869, with John C. 
Halley as chief engineer, and Thomas McGuire and George Taylor, assistants, who 
succeeded John Scott, chief, and John C. Halley and W. W. Moore, assistants, 
acting under authority of a previous organization. The apparatus of the 
department comprised a third-class Amoskeag fire engine, purchased by the city, 
and a hose carriage procured with funds temporarily advanced by Col. John Scott. 
On March 3, 1869, the Phoenix fire company was admitted into the organization, 
but soon disbanded for want of organization.
        In his message to the council March 15, 1869, Mayor Merritt, said: 
"Within the limits of the city surveyed into blocks and streets by 
Kellersberger, seven blocks were set apart for public squares, and as such have 
been dedicated to public use. They are named as follows: Lafayette, Jefferson, 
Washington, Franklin, Oakland, Madison and Caroline. Having been informed that 
some question existed as to the validity of the city's title to these squares, 
with the approval of the members of the Council, I had five of them inclosed 
with a good, substantial picket fence. The whole cost of inclosing these five 
plazas was $990.17. The remaining two, Washington and Franklin Squares are in 
the possession of the city."
        In March, 1869, Mayor Merritt said: "During my administration events 
have transpired of vital interest to the future welfare of Oakland. The water 
front controversy of sixteen years' duration has been satisfactorily adjusted 
and the terminus of the Western Pacific Railroad has been secured. The market 
value of real estate within the city limits has advanced more than one hundred 
per cent; many substantial brick buildings have been erected to accommodate 
increased business, and the rapid ingress of population has resulted in the 
construction of many elegant mansions and tasty villas in various parts of the 
city. Water has been introduced from the Coast Range of mountains; streets have 
been graded and macadamized; wharves have been built and the general appearance 
of the whole city has been vastly improved. The statistics of the Health Officer 
relating to the recent epidemic of small-pox, show conclusively that there is 
nothing in the climate or soil of Oakland to feed an epidemic. For many years 
Oakland has taken the lead on the Pacific Coast in the number and range of 
educational institutions; and within the past year the State University has been 
located at Berkeley, a suburb of this city, which establishes her position 
permanently as the educational center of the State. The securing of the terminus 
of the Western Pacific Railroad promises to result in the dredging of the bar 
and converting the San Antonio Creek into a basin five miles in extent, capable 
of receiving ships of ordinary draught, at any stage of tide, which, in my 
judgment, is all that is required to elevate Oakland to a prominent commercial 
position. At the time of the settlement of the water front controversy, two 
reservations were secured: The arm of the San Antonio Creek north of the Oakland 
Bridge was dedicated perpetually for a public lake. Since then a dam has been 
constructed near the bridge at a cost of at least $20,000, converting this 
branch of the creek into a beautiful lake. A road sixty feet in width and four 
miles in extent is now being built around the border of the lake. The second 
reservation is for a public landing, and embraces that part of the water front 
lying between the middle of Webster and the middle of Franklin Streets, and 
extending southerly to a line parallel with Front Street. Soon after it became 
known that the above described property had been reserved for the city, certain 
parties attempted to take possession under a pretended lease to the San 
Francisco and Oakland Railroad Company. Subsequently the railroad company 
instituted suit to quiet title to the property in question, claiming that the 
City Council had granted this property to the said company for a 'marine 
railroad and wharf.' On the first day of the present term of the Third Judicial 
Court, Judge McKee rendered his decision against the said railroad company and 
in favor of the city of Oakland."
        The extension of Broadway was accompanied with numerous legal 
difficulties and perplexities. The first step taken was to tear down the only 
fence in the proposed line by the road commissioner, then began the work of 
grading. The morning after this was commenced that official found the fence 
restored to its original place, and in a short time an injunction was served 
upon him, ordering him to suspend operations. In the year 1873 Oakland was 
chosen to be the future county seat by a majority of 985 votes of the people. In 
this year, too, there were surveyors at work on the proposed narrow gauge road 
to Walnut creek, Contra Costa county.
        In the year 1871 Elijah Bigelow sold to the San Francisco Land and Loan 
Association for $102,000, two-thirds of Broadway Block. In 1871 it was 
recognized that Oakland was fast becoming a city capable of sustaining the very 
best class of stores, and that unless that street furnished the proper 
accommodation, other and more enterprising capitalists would turn their 
attention to some other locality, and there erect the improvements demanded by 
the enlarged condition of the city. Their policy was a wise one, and, by 
carrying it out, they secured for a time the prestige of Broadway as the most 
important thoroughfare in Oakland. In May the Hurlburt block, bounded by 
Broadway, Washington, Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets, was sold to Armes & 
Dallan for $75,000, making the third heavy land sale within the city, and all 
aggregating $230,000. Heavier sales than these had taken place. The railroad 
company purchased sixty-six acres of land at the Point for $330,000; the 
Casserly tract for $125,000; and the Lake Side tract for $100,000. On November 
13, 1871, an ordinance was passed levying a tax opening and widening Broadway 
from Fourteenth street, northerly, to the charter line. On December 4, an 
ordinance was passed changing the names of Caroline square to Lincoln square, 
and Julia street to Madison street.
        Mayor Spaulding, in his message to the council, dated May 15, 1871, 
speaks of city sewerage as follows: "Another matter which I deem of eminent 
importance to the city, and to which I wish to call your attention, is the 
subject of sewerage. The subject was brought before the City Council about two 
years ago, and by them submitted to a Board of Engineers. This Board was 
composed principally of the best engineering talent of the State�men of large 
practical experience�who spent a great deal of time in examining the topography 
of the city and determining the best and most economical method of drainage. 
They submitted to the Council an elaborate report, recommending the adoption of 
the pipe system of sewerage. This report was unanimously adopted by the City 
Council. Another point in connection with this subject to which I wish to call 
your attention is that many residing on the streets where sewers are laid have 
neglected to connect their house drainage with the sewers, thereby rendering 
void, to a certain extent, the salutary benefits calculated to be produced. I 
would therefore recommend that necessary steps be taken by your Honorable Body 
to compel these connections to be made with as little delay as possible." In 
this year (1871) the sewer on Webster street from Twelfth street to the water 
front was constructed, but no especial action was taken to establish a general 
system of sewerage. Late in the year 1871, the board of engineers recommended as 
part of the system of sewerage proposed by them to the council, the 
"construction of a main sewer, leaving Lake Merritt at Delger street and running 
thence along Delger street to San Pablo avenue; thence to Twenty-first street; 
thence to Market street; and thence continuing along Twenty-first street to the 
shore of the bay, a total length of 84 1/100 miles. During the year ending 
February 28, 1873, three miles and 3,150 feet of sewerage were laid at a cost of 
$26,075.07. But the construction of the main sewer became now imperatively 
necessary, and attracted much discussion. It was necessary to get an act passed 
by the Legislature. On March 23, 1874, "An Act to authorize the City of Oakland 
to construct a Main Sewer" was approved, and on the 18th of May, the City 
Council passed an ordinance directing the building of the sewer. On October 12th 
the contracts were awarded to Mr. Jordan and M. Miles & Co. The Main Lake sewer 
was completed in 1876, and connected Lake Merritt with the bay. The cost of the 
work is given below.
 
First Section�Contract price               $126,850.00
Extra work                                                   512.40
Second Section�Contract price              38,200.00
Extra work                                                   525.00
Total                                                   $166,087.40
Paid contractors                                  $157,483.73
 
         The News in the early '70s was published by William Gagan in a 
two-story frame building on the north side of Ninth between Broadway and 
Washington streets. The paper finally died of inanition. General Sullivan and 
Mr. Fairchild were connected with newspapers here later. Although the News was 
edited by Mr. Gagan, its editorial writer was really Calvin B. Macdonald. W. D. 
Harwood was local editor and general news gatherer. Gagan was the republican 
leader of the county and Col. John Scott was the democratic leader. William 
Harvey was connected with the News about this time. Soon the News passed to 
General Sullivan and Oscar Fairchild, who espoused the temperance cause during 
the local option era in the early '70s. Soon afterward the News was sold on 
foreclosure by Sheriff Harry Morse. The Transcript was published by Col. John 
Scott and in 1870 had its offices on Broadway near Eighth. It was previously 
issued in a frame building at Twelfth and Broadway. Harry Linden was its editor 
then, but was succeeded by Henry George, the world renowned single-tax advocate. 
In this city was evolved that theory of administration. Mr. Foote was connected 
with the Transcript for a while and so was Thomas Newcomb in 1869. Arthur McEwen 
and Daniel O'Connell wrote good prose and passable poetry for the Transcript. W. 
C. Morrow was another early local writer of merit. There was no steam power in 
the early days, all presswork being done by hand power. Pennybacker ran the 
Transcript's press and Fish ran that of the News.
        On April 15, 1872, the fire department was in possession of one steam 
fire engine; one two-wheel hose carriage; one hook and ladder truck and hooks; 
2,100 feet of hose; forty-one fire hats and belts; two fire bells; thirteen 
hydrants and three cisterns, valued in all at $14,713.
        In 1872 the following land was annexed to Oakland: Bounded on the north 
by the line of division between the plots ten and eleven on Julius 
Kellersberger's map of the rancho of Vicente and Domingo Peralta, filed in the 
office of the recorder of Alameda county, January 21, A. D. 1857, said line 
being produced in a straight line with itself westerly till it intersects the 
westerly boundary of the County of Alameda in the Bay of San Francisco and 
produced in like manner easterly beyond the easterly line of Webster avenue 
until it intersects the small creek known as Cemetery creek, which rises in the 
grounds of the Mountain View Cemetery Association and flows southwesterly to its 
junction with another creek rising east of said Webster avenue; on the east by 
said Cemetery creek and the other creek aforesaid below their junction until 
they empty into Lake Merritt or Peralta, and then southerly along the west shore 
line of the northwestern arm of said lake until the same intersects the 
northerly line of the city of Oakland; on the south by the said north line of 
said city; and on the west by the westerly line of said county of Alameda in the 
Bay of San Francisco to its point of intersection with the north line already 
described as the line of division between Kellersberger's plots, numbers ten and 
eleven.
        In the early part of 1872 the following branches of business were in 
Oakland: Auctioneers, 3; liquor saloons, 84; barber shops, 8; boarding-houses 
(licensed), 10; billiard saloons, 6; bakeries, 11; breweries, 3; bathhouses, 2; 
bill posters, 2; cigar manufacturies, 3; cigar stores, 6; clothing stores, 3; 
carpet stores, 2; confectioneries, 4; drygoods, 3; drug stores, 6; express 
agents, 2; fruit stores, 8; furnishing goods, 4; furniture stores, 2; feed and 
produce, 3 ; flour mill, 1; game market, 1; groceries, 15; glaziers, 2; general 
merchandise, 2; hardware, 4; harness makers, 3; insurance agents, 12; ice depot, 
1; jewelers and watchmakers, 5; livery stables, 8; laundry, 1; lodging houses, 
12; lumber yards, 4; locksmiths, 1; markets, 14; marble works, 2; milliners, 4; 
music stores, 1; paint shops, 5; pawnbroker, 1; plumbing, 7; planing mills, 3; 
restaurants, 20; real estate agents, 9; roofing agency, 1; sewing machine 
agents, 3; stationers, 4; shoe and boot stores, 7; stove stores, 3; merchant 
tailors, 3; tinsmiths, 6; toy stores, 4; undertakers, 2; upholsterers, 2; 
vegetable stores, 4; variety stores, 3; wood and coal yards, 5.         Besides 
the above there were two banks, one cornstarch factory, one brass and one iron 
foundry, etc.
        In 1873 the boundaries of Oakland were greatly extended and the city 
lost its original encinal or peninsular form. The northern limit was extended 
over a mile and the eastern limit was extended to embrace the incorporated town 
of Brooklyn which had grown up at the same time as Oakland along the eastern 
margin of San Antonio creek. When the growth began in earnest at the time the 
railroad was built the population soon spread over the plateau and up the sides 
of the hills. Blocks near the center of the business section doubled and trebled 
in value. Soon Oakland proper comprised about nine thousand acres, besides the 
tide lands. In June the famous Grand Central hotel was completed under the 
personal supervision of Doctor Merritt. It was four stories in height with a 
mansard roof and brick basement, the whole surmounted by three immense towers. 
The building occupied the block bounded by Webster, Harrison, Eleventh and 
Twelfth streets. It was destroyed by fire in 1881. The tax levy for city 
purposes in Oakland was 70 cents on the $100; in 1874 it was increased to 90 
cents on the $100. The population of Oakland in 1873 was 13,387 according to the 
school census. In 1874 the population was nearly twenty thousand. In September, 
1873, half-hour boats were put on from Oakland to San Francisco by the Central 
Pacific Company to meet the enormous travel between the two cities. An important 
achievement was the construction of the city wharf, at the city's expense upon 
the only space of water front which the city had a right to call her own. The 
wharf at once proved itself a success beyond what its most earnest advocates had 
anticipated. It was completed August 5, 1872, at a cost of $19,635.90.
        On November 17, 1873, twenty or thirty citizens assembled in the reading 
room of the Grand Central hotel for the purpose of considering the organization 
of a humane society for Oakland. Henry Durant served as chairman. The 
organization was perfected and meetings were held regularly until April, 1874, 
and were then suspended for three years. It was revived in March, 1877, at which 
time Dio Lewis became president. Again in 1878 it went out of existence. In 1890 
it was revived and continued vigorously until 1892. Towards the end of 1873 a 
silk manufactory was started under the superintendence of John Green, who had 
two looms at work and carried off the State Agricultural Society's gold medal 
for his exhibition of home manufactured silk.
        On April 29, 1854, the subject of city water works was first suggested. 
Mayor Carpentier regretted that the charter conferred no power upon the city 
council to authorize the construction of water works. At a meeting held December 
22, 1873, the attention of the council was again called to the matter, and a 
committee was appointed to investigate the subject and report. They were 
Spaulding, Knox and Larue, and on January 19, 1874, reported that the cost would 
be as follows: Dam and reservoir, $98,473; thirty-eight miles, 22-inch pipe, 
$797,500. This was exclusive of the right of way, franchises, distributing 
reservoirs and distributing pipes. On December 3, 1873, considerable snow fell 
at Oakland. The ground on the lee side of buildings and clear open spaces was 
covered to a sufficient depth to enable an industrious person to scrape enough 
together to form snow balls.
        In 1874-75 the Castro Coal Mining Company was formed to mine for coal in 
this and adjoining counties. The capital was $1,000,000 and the directors were 
Patricio Castro, James Simpson, Jr., James A. Quinan, J. R. Bent and L. P. 
Larue. The water works were built at this time. The main connecting the big 
reservoir with the Oakland system was four feet in diameter near the reservoir 
on the mountain side which was sluiced down for the purpose. In the spring city 
scrip was worth only 80 cents on the dollar and all bids to furnish supplies 
were made on the basis of the depreciated scrip. By the spring of 1875 there was 
on hand $20,000 of general fund and the license paid the running expenses. This 
was brought about under the system of economy adopted. Washington Market, 
conducted by L. Schaffer, was an extensive establishment; pork packing was an 
important feature. In June the Tribune which had been issued from the press of 
Butler & Stilwell changed location and thereafter came from the press of A. W. 
Bishop. Mr. Dewes was still connected with the Tribune.
        For the fiscal year 1873-74 the city receipts came almost wholly from 
taxes; traders' licenses amounted to $2,702.50 and the wharfinger returned 
$525.65. There was on hand from the previous year $78,210.86; total receipts 
$225,453.38; total disbursements $85,990.77. The city finances were in excellent 
condition at this time. The school bond redemption fund alone amounted to 
$67,937.50. Every fund (twenty-seven in all) showed an excess. The fire and 
water committee reported that while the fire alarm telegraph would be a 
desirable addition to the fire fighting equipment, the condition of the city 
finances would not permit an indulgence in this luxury. The city ordinance 
provided otherwise, but in spite of that people disliked the old scraggy live 
oaks and cut them down whenever opportunity offered and planted other ones.
        In 1867 Mr. Chapellet, wood and coal dealer, located here and in one 
month, October, his sales amounted to $1,511.07. In 1871 for the same month they 
were $7,950.95, and for the same month in 1874, they were $14,738.98. One 
million four hundred and seventy-nine thousand one hundred and sixty pounds were 
sold in the last named month. This was an indication of the great advance of 
business operations here during the growing period; many other business 
enterprises advanced as rapidly.
        In November there were employed at the West Oakland shipyard, ship 
carpenters 70, laborers 50, machinists 25, on pile driver 10, on the dredge 10; 
total 165. The Central Pacific Railroad Company was drilling an artesian well 
here at this date. Four new houses were going up on one street. The growth was 
so rapid that hotel accommodations were inadequate. The West Oakland shipyards 
were growing fast and were a very important industry. The office of pound master 
was created and a new engine house was built for the Felton engine and the 
Relief hook and ladder company. The real estate union was incorporated November 
12th with a capital of $400,000. Will Cubery was its first president.
        In December the city council passed a resolution extending a vote of 
thanks to Dr. Samuel Merritt and other citizens who had contributed to the 
erection of the dam across the estuary between West and East Oakland, thus 
creating what was called Lake Merritt and had conveyed all their interest 
therein to the city. The dam cost $21,000, of which over $17,000 had been paid 
by Doctor Merritt. He was granted the right to use seventy-five feet of frontage 
in the dam for a boathouse.
        Doctor Dinsmore, who was at the head of the Society for Prevention of 
Cruelty to Animals resigned his position, because he was unable to secure one 
conviction in the many suits he brought under the law. The defendants asked  for 
jury trials and their lawyers managed to render the execution of the law so 
ludicrous that no conviction could be secured. The police themselves succeeded 
in fining one man $30 for cruelly treating and abandoning an old horse. In 
December Mr. Dewes of the Tribune, owing to continued ill health advertised for 
a partner in the ownership and management of that newspaper.
        In December the council of Oakland passed an ordinance requiring liquor 
dealers whose sales exceeded $10,000 per quarter to pay a $100 license per 
quarter and those under $10,000 to pay $50 per quarter. The enactment took 
effect in January, 1875. The license here was thus $50 per quarter because no 
sales in Oakland at this time exceeded $10,000 per quarter. The granting of this 
license was strenuously opposed by the temperance people of the city. Early in 
December the library directors ordered rebound all books needing it and ordered 
bound the old files of the Tribune, Transcript, News and Encinal. Twenty new 
members were added between the l0th and 30th of November, and there was in bank 
$2,500 and $468 on hand, and the library was quite promising under the new 
order. On December 31st, Woodward & Co., real estate dealers, sold to Gen. D. C. 
Thompson a tract of sixty-two acres of land in the eastern suburbs for $25,000. 
It was located north of the San Leandro road on High street opposite Alameda 
street and was known as Prospect terrace. At the same time Blake & Moffitt 
bought the half block at Fourteenth and Broadway for $45,000. Mr. Williams had 
just previously bought the other half for $55,000. During 1874, according to the 
local press, 1,063 structures costing $2,422,113 were erected in Oakland..
        The enormous business done in Oakland water front in 1874 is shown by 
the following figures: Overland and way passengers 250,964; passengers between
Oakland and San Francisco 3,102,904; coin and bullion $65,494,712; wheat 
exported 127,678 tons; coal exported 57,677 tons; lumber imported 44,251,268 
feet; shingles (thousands) 11,722,750; laths 3,093,200; brick 5,821,000; number 
of trains per day used in transporting freight 82; number, of vessels employed 
1,813. The Bay Farm Island bridge was finished at this time. It was 745 feet 
long to the end of the wings. The draw allowed vessels a passageway of 50 feet; 
hunting on Bay Farm Island was excellent at this time.
        The sale of the D. Ghirardelli estate took place in San Francisco in 
December, 1874, and was regarded as second in importance only to that of the 
Lick estate. The bulk of the property was on the east side of the bay. 
Considerable fronted on Lake Merritt and comprised a precipitous bluff east 
beyond the Twelfth street bridge. The sale was made by the block or in 
subdivisions in different parts of Oakland and the Ghirardelli residence on 
Third street, in the yard of which were marble statutes of George Washington, 
Christopher Columbus and other notables, was included in the sale. Scores of 
tracts in all parts of the city were offered by the auctioneers. On the first 
day the sales amounted to $119,615; nearly all of which was for Oakland 
property. Lots in the Lake View tract brought prices ranging from $1,000 to 
$4,300. The Ghirardelli residence block at Clay, Jefferson, Second and Third 
avenues was subdivided and sold in lots 50x100 feet, the prices ranging from 
$300 to $3,300 each. The lot and brick building at Third and Broadway sold for 
$15,000.
        The year 1874 was an eventful one in many respects. There were the local 
option election; the race between Occident and Fullerton; the shooting of 
General Cobb; the weather unusual and queer; the reputed visit from King 
Kalakaua; the big building operations; the great increase in population; the new 
jail; court�house; hall of records, etc. The Contra Costa Water Company 
furnished water to 500 new houses in Oakland alone and to 700 in all. They 
supplied water to 1,800 houses in December. They had 30 miles of water mains, 
besides the construction in connection with the new reservoir on the mountain. 
During spring, summer and fall they supplied about 1,250,000 gallons to 
customers and 750,000 in the winter months and were making large extensions for 
future increased supply. During the year 601 vessels arrived at Webster street 
wharf. Among the articles landed were 4,000 cords of wood, 3,281,000 bricks, 
2,190,000 feet of lumber and 12,111 tons of coal. The gross earnings of the 
wharf were $4,973; in 1873 they were $3,536.
        The first number of the Oakland Daily Evening Tribune was issued on 
Saturday evening, February 21, 1874, by Ben. A. Dewes and George B. Staniford, 
under the firm name of Dewes & Staniford. The paper was small in size, but 
presented a creditable appearance and was well edited. With the first issue the 
editors said, "There seems to be an open field for a journal like the Tribune in 
Oakland, and we accordingly proceed to occupy it, presenting the Tribune, which 
is intended to be a permanent daily paper, deriving its support solely from 
advertising patronage." The paper attracted attention, and a paying patronage 
soon warranted its enlargement. The first number contained only three columns to 
the page, and carried only forty-three business advertisements. Three months 
later it was enlarged to double its original size, and the place of public 
action was changed to rooms in the Wilcox block, over those occupied at that 
time as the postoffice. The following year it was moved to rooms in the 
adjoining block, on Broadway, between Eighth and Ninth streets. In the early 
part of 1876 Mr. Dewes, who had previously purchased the interest of Mr. 
Staniford, disposed of one-half his interest in the paper to A. B. Gibson, of 
San Francisco, who retained the share but a short time, disposing of the same to 
A. E. Nightingill. On July 24, 1876, William E. Dargie bought out Nightingill. 
Under the new management the paper quickly improved in appearance and widened in 
usefulness and patronage. Within a month Mr. Dargie succeeded in obtaining the 
Associated Press dispatches, and was thus the first Alameda county journalist to 
do so. To accommodate the improved conditions the Tribune, on October 1, 1877, 
was removed to 406 Twelfth street, and a book and job department was added. One 
of R. Hoe & Co.'s patent improved double-cylinder presses was placed in the book 
and job printing department. On November 1, 1881, the Tribune was moved to 413, 
415 and 417 Eighth street. It was republican in politics, and was printed by the 
"Tribune Publishing Company," W. E. Dargie, manager, A. K. P. Harmon, Jr., 
secretary.
        The Oakland Daily Times was the descendant of an old-established paper 
known as the Transcript, owned and controlled by Col. John Scott, and a leading 
democratic journal. The old office was located on Broadway, between Eighth and 
Ninth streets, and the paper was printed on a hand press. Mr. Powers later 
became the proprietor. Under his control the politics of the paper was changed, 
from democracy to republicanism. On the 8th of January, 1878, J. A. Johnson and 
J. B. Wyman purchased the entire plant, and extensive improvements were 
immediately inaugurated. The title of the paper was changed to the Daily Times, 
and in addition to the daily publication, a large and valuable weekly edition 
was issued, chiefly for circulation throughout the county and state. Soon after 
the change was made William D. Harwood became editor�in-chief, and in 1879 
Alfred J. Share, a journalist of long experience, was engaged. The building at 
the corner of Ninth street and Broadway was leased and a large and 
well-appointed job-printing office was added to the institution, and Alfred J. 
Share was installed as city editor. On October 1, 1882, John P. Irish, editor 
and proprietor of the Iowa City Press became part owner and editor. Soon after 
his advent, the Times was issued as a seven-day paper, the Sunday edition 
consisting of eight pages and the weekly edition was enlarged. The Enquirer was 
established in the seventies, and at first, like all the newspapers of Oakland 
had a precarious existence, with many changes, but is today one of the most 
aggressive and successful sheets on the whole coast.
The Oakland Press was started by G. W. Barter, in 1872, and at that time was a 
twenty-eight column paper. He conducted it until 1875 when it was purchased by 
DeWitt C. Lawrence, and in 1876 was changed to a forty-two column-sheet and 
became democratic in principle.
        In 1875 the families of East Oakland, the Point and Oakland proper were 
served with fresh vegetables and fruits each morning at a nominal price by from 
100 to 150 Chinamen who came over from San Francisco on the 7 and 7:30 o'clock 
trains, each carrying a brace of immense baskets filled with fish, fruit and 
vegetables weighing at least 100 pounds each, making 200 pounds for each 
Chinaman and aggregating each day about 30,000 pounds in weight. The newspaper 
called them the "Basket Brigade." The Odd Fellows Library was in a prosperous 
condition; the circulation for march was 778 volumes, mainly of fiction.
        All the apparatus of the fire department was estimated to be worth 
$30,512 in January, 1875. The Oakland library had a total membership of 367; the 
number of books drawn in December was 1,512. There was $326.87 on hand. A 
special committee reported against opening the library on Sunday, which report 
was adopted. The deaf and dumb asylum was burned down in January. No loss of 
life. Loss of property $150,000 to $250,000. On January 16th the snow showed on 
the hills east of Oakland. A careful tabulation showed the population to be as 
follows: For 1873�males 8,534, females 6,853; total 15,387. For 1874�males 
11,099, females 8,901; total 20,000. Of this number 266 were blacks and 1,323 
copper colored; white population in 1874, 18,411.
        The artesian well in West Oakland was down to a depth of 450 feet by 
January 15th. Scows were busy scooping up the mud from the ship channel which 
was three-fourths of a mile in length with a depth of about six feet below 
tide-water. The passenger boat Chrysopolis was nearly completed; so were the 
mammoth freight boats which were to run in connection with the thoroughfare 
between Long Wharf and San Francisco. The council called for bids for 100 
telegraph poles, ten miles of telegraph wire and a lot of insulators for an 
electric fire alarm system in March. In January 300 lots at Oakland Point were 
offered for sale; also the entire block of Brayton Hall by order of the regents 
of the university; also 250 lots on the Watts tract out on San Pablo avenue; 
also half acre lots in the suburbs for $400 each. A large quantity of Oakland 
real estate was sold at auction late in January; it was situated at Railroad, 
Eighth, Chester and Henry streets; the lots brought from $1,000 to $3,000 each.
        The Central Land Company was to Oakland what the Real Estate Associates 
were to San Francisco. They sold lots and houses on the installment plan. In 
five months' time in 1874 (their first year) they built and sold twenty-five 
houses and eighty lots. Their land was on Telegraph and San Pablo avenues. In 
January the Oakland Fire Department consisted of four hydrants, five cisterns 
and 3,000 feet of hose. Mr. Montanya was chief engineer. The engines, hose carts 
and horses were in good condition.
        The Brayton Hall block was sold in lots at public auction on February 
19, 1875. Lots 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 with the hall sold for $11,000; lots 13 and 
14 with the Mansion home sold for $3,525. The prices were considered very low, 
the single lots brought from $2,500 to $3,000. The new Chabot reservoir and 
connections were nearing completion in February. The big main was nearly laid 
from the reservoir down to the San Leandro road. Water from the San Leandro 
works was promised early in 1875 and the supply was announced as sufficient for 
a century to come. In spite of all this many wells were dug.
        The growth of Oakland in the spring was rapid and extensive. Scores of 
buildings were in process of erection in all sections. The newspapers expatiated 
on the great importance of improving the harbor, adding new ferry facilities, 
building more ships, multiplying the number of street cars and increasing the 
number of business houses. The old El Capitan and the reconstructed Chrysopolis 
and the steamer Capital were deemed sufficient for all reasonable ferry 
services. The overland trains were dumping here monthly thousands of home 
seekers, many of whom remained. There seemed to be lacking only one important 
element of growth�business blocks. The famous Gibbons tracts of land�two�were 
advertised to be sold at auction at Stanford hall on February 13th. This was one 
of the most important sales of homestead lots ever conducted in Oakland. The 
larger tract was bounded south by the Central Pacific railroad lands and 
embraced about sixty acres and contained the company's ship-yard where two large 
steamers were on the way south. The tract was bounded north by the Casserly 
tract, on the east by Peralta street, which extended from Oakland Harbor to the 
State University. The smaller tract was bounded south by Division street 
(extension of Eighth) and bordered on the bay with waterfront privileges.
        At a big credit sale of lots in West Oakland in February, 1875, $81,375 
was realized. Lots on Railroad avenue brought from $550 to $1,350. On other 
streets the prices ranged from $350 to $500. A total of 197 lots were sold. Lots 
were sold in blocks 466, 499, 498, 501, 502, 526 and others. The gas and water 
companies complained at this time. The facts were that both the gas and water 
companies had extended their lines far beyond the wants of the population and 
were thus poorly paid for their expenditures and efforts. Miles of pipes were 
laid that paid the companies nothing. They laid a splendid ground work for an 
immense city of villas, all laid out into lots, blocks and streets, but all so 
thinly inhabited that no adequate return for the outlay could be expected until 
the population should be vastly increased. Quite often could be seen whole 
blocks devoted to a single small residence where the owner refused to subdivide 
but wanted all the gas and water privileges now extended to a dozen or a score 
of palatial residences.
        The Mountain View Cemetery Association stated $13,000 had been received 
from the sale of bonds and that $390 had just been paid as a premium upon the 
bonds. Judge Stephen G. Nye, county judge, decided that W. T. Hurll, who was 
convicted of selling liquor without a license, was illegally convicted and the 
judgment against him was reversed and a new trial ordered. The sales at auction 
of the Ghirardelli estate amounted to $125,000. Original bids to the amount of
$76,000 were rejected by the trustees and the land was resold. Block 51 East 
Oakland valued at $25,000 was not resold.
        The great number of incendiary fires called for strenuous work from the 
municipal authorities. The newspapers said there was an "epidemic of fools." A 
public meeting of citizens was held, but no action was taken except to urge the 
officials to action and to denounce the malefactors. In 1875, Capt. Edgar 
Wakeman died in East Oakland. In his active life time he was famous for his 
nautical ventures in all lands and in numerous vessels. He was a marshal of the 
Vigilantes in San Francisco. He was the Capt. Ned Blakely of Mark Twain's 
"Roughing It."
        Early in 1875 it was evident that real estate values in Oakland were 
certain to double within a short time. The great increase in population, the new 
business enterprises and the desirability of the city as a place of residence 
betokened an approaching advancement second only to that consequent upon the 
completion of the great overland railroad. Broadway property was particularly 
high and advancing at this date. Half a dozen men�Williams, Blake, Droffit and 
others�were after a half block at Broadway, Washington, Thirteenth and 
Fourteenth streets. Vast real estate deals in the near future were already 
casting their shadows before. The enormous savings in the San Francisco banks 
were finding their way to Oakland real estate. At this time there was not an 
empty house in the city and none had "To Let" on it but for a day.
        At a public spelling match held in West Oakland in April, 1875, $125 was 
realized at the door. At this time that part of the city was building about one 
mile of sidewalk a month. J. W. Pearson's residence at Wood, Taylor, Pine and 
Chase streets was planned to cost $75,000. The grounds were probably the finest 
then in Oakland and embraced a gigantic wind mill and water mains, fine fencing, 
double rows of eucalyptus and poplar and an inner hedge of cypress. About forty 
of the natural oaks which early made Oakland famous and from which it took its 
name, were preserved in this beautiful property. At the Wood street front were 
two superb grottos with fountains. Everywhere over the tract were clumps of 
trees among which with charming effect wound the carriage road. There were 
magnolia, gralin, origoria, orange, island pine, many native woods and rare 
imported plants. The grounds cost $20,000, residence $75,000; other features 
$30,000; total $125,000. In April, 1875, thirty-three new buildings were going 
up in West Oakland.
        From the start Oakland was famous for its homes, residences, churches, 
schools and social spirit. The splendid amphitheater of hills to the eastward, 
beginning at Berkeley and extending east and south as far as Fruitvale, 
commanded an enchanting view of mountain and sea�even of the old ocean itself. 
The Contra Costa Water Company and the numerous wells insured a bountiful supply 
of good water for consumption and irrigation, and fine residences were going up 
in the Water Cure vale, the Ross Browne and Livermore places, the White tract, 
and in fact along the whole suburbs from Berkeley to Piedmont, Brooklyn and 
Fruitvale. Thus far nearly the whole of this suburban district was peopled by 
families that could afford their own conveyances to the ferries. But now the 
people faced the problem of transportation, because poorer families were seeking 
these choice residence districts and required public conveyance to the wharves 
and depots. Thus arose the golden opportunity for the street car magnate and the 
real estate genius. Already they were at work planning comfort and convenience 
for the public accompanied with power and fortunes for themselves. They said, 
"There are millions in it," and there were. No one doubted that a great city was 
sure to grow here�rise up from the level lands along the bay and climb the 
rugged slopes of the eastern hills and mountains.
        In 1875 Brooklyn was the manufacturing center of Oakland; already there 
were three potteries, two tanneries, one terra cotta factory and one brickyard. 
Nearly all the commerce there centered at Larue's wharf; five or six vessels 
could be seen there at one time. Brooklyn was made a freight depot in 1874 by 
the Central Pacific Company. The chief imports of Brooklyn or East Oakland were 
wood, coal, grain, jute, tanbark, lumber and clay. The chief exports were grain 
sacks, flour, leather, bricks, pottery, terra cotta ware and cattle. A street 
railroad was in process of construction out to the upper end of Fruit Vale. This 
was not the same as the Oakland, Brooklyn and Fruit Vale railroad already in 
operation. Both were horse railroads. Washington hall near Tubb's hotel was the 
principal public assemblage room. Balls, theatrical entertainments, mass 
meetings and political caucuses were given there. The grain fields around 
Brooklyn in May, 1875, were green and fine.
        Butler and Stilwell conducted a large printing office here in the early 
seventies. They operated four Gordon presses and turned out all sorts of job 
work quickly and in first-class style. This was a home industry that came to the 
front on its merits in spite of the allurements of San Francisco. In 1875 the 
Oakland Journal, a German newspaper, was issued by C. Schmitt, K. F. Wiemeger 
and A. M. Schutt at 911 Broadway. For the construction of the first section of 
the main sewer in April, 1875, the Alameda Macadamizing Company bid $119,110; 
the Pacific Bridge Company, $126,850; Remillard Brothers $129,990. The Alameda 
company withdrew its bid, whereupon the contract was awarded to the Pacific 
company. W. H. Jordan was at work on a big sewer contract at this time. Early in 
May, 1875, E. C. Sessions & Co. offered for sale at auction the real estate of 
J. B. Scotchler, deceased; the property consisting of eighty large lots, at 
Tenth, Twelfth, Fourteenth, Union, Poplar and Kirkham streets and within three 
blocks of the Adeline street station.
        About the year 1870 D. Ghirardelli established soda works on Broadway; 
but about 1872 sold out to James J. Biven, who moved the factory to Thirteenth 
and Franklin streets. By 1875 he kept two delivery wagons running constantly to 
supply his customers. An immense sale of reclaimed marsh lands at Oakland took 
place June 8th in San Francisco, and about $23,000 was realized. Lots sold for 
from $50 to $300 each and blocks for from $1,230 to $2,500 each. Among the 
blocks sold were Nos. 753, 754, 756, 757, 766, 767 and 768. The auction sale of 
the Scotchler real estate in 1875 brought good prices�the lots selling for from 
$675 to $1,025 each.
        In June so great was the consumption of water from the pipes for the use 
of lawns and other purposes, that the supply gave out occasionally; whereupon 
the water company asked to be allowed to shut off the supply from the city at 
night in order to allow filling anew the reservoir for the morning's use. It was 
a fact that the water companies at this date were unequal to the task of 
supplying Oakland with the necessary water. Hundreds of human beings and animals 
were thus forced to depend upon artificial means for water supply. This was true 
in wet seasons and was oppressively apparent during seasons of severe drouth. It 
was hoped that the new reservoir would remedy the situation�it was the catchment 
or "cow-pasture" plan, but the hills back of Oakland and San Leandro were free 
from animals. The inhabitants looked eagerly forward to the time when Chabot & 
Company and an abundance of rain should render the supply never-failing. It was 
a serious situation to be met and overcome at once. At this time Oakland had an 
estimated population of twenty thousand; fifteen public schools, which cost 
about two hundred and twenty-four thousand dollars; fifty-one daily 
trains�twenty-six out from Oakland and twenty-five from San Francisco, 
connecting at West Oakland with two swift and commodious steamers; scores of 
miles of macadam streets; three lines of horse railroads; scores of excellent 
business houses; ten factories of all sorts; three banks with capitals 
respectively of $1,500,000, $1,000,000 and $100,000; about seventeen religious 
organizations, which in the end gave Oakland much of its fame abroad. In fact by 
this date the Basket Brigade had been put almost out of commission by the active 
and adventurous business houses of this city.
        The long fought for glory of East Oakland departed in June, 1875, when 
the county offices were removed to the new courthouse on Broadway. The Tribune 
said July 29, 1875: "During the past two years over two thousand houses have 
been erected in Oakland, but rents are higher and houses scarcer than ever 
before here." In July the Kelsey Nursery tract was thrown into market; it was in 
the northern section of the city, about half a mile, from the city hall between 
San Pablo and Telegraph avenues�in all seventy-five lots were disposed of.
        In 1875 the Chinese quarters were situated on the San Pablo road, a few 
blocks north of the city hall. The houses were constructed of rude boards and 
rested in dirt and filth. The Tribune of March 13th said: "If a hotbed of filth 
and vermin ever existed it is at this spot; decaying vegetable matter, deceased 
chickens, cats, rats, etc., have found their last resting place upon the ground 
around this Celestial village and the odor emitted therefrom would annihilate 
the olfactories of the staunchest stomach." The entire surroundings were 
unsanitary to a striking degree. The "settlement" was in the center of a 
beautiful part of the city and seemed like a "plague-spot in the midst of a 
paradise." Attention of the board of health was called to this disease-breeding 
condition. For a decade previous to 1875 a gypsy camp was a permanent settlement 
near the Stanford stables at the Point. Self-styled Egyptian fortune tellers 
there were patronized by thousands of citizens and others. The queen or madame 
was about forty years old. The camp was squalid, dirty, wholly uninviting and 
unsanitary. Colored children were admitted to the public schools in the county 
early in the '70s. In 1875 a colored man of Brooklyn township was drawn on the 
petit jury; this was the first case of the kind in the county.
        The Home Security Building and Loan Association began business in July; 
its president was Mack Webber and its capital stock $250,000. In October the 
Newark Land Association was incorporated, with a capital of $75,000, the 
directors being C. Mitchell Grant, J. Cochran, J. Barr Robertson, Stewart 
Menzies and D. A. McDonald, the objects being to purchase, sell and lease real 
estate in Alameda county. In this year S. B. Martin chartered the Archer, and. 
loading her with wheat, dispatched her direct to Liverpool, a new departure, the 
first venture of the kind in the county.
        About 1876 a plan for a parking system for Oakland was prepared. It 
included Lake Merritt and four or five hundred acres to the northward in the 
direction of Piedmont. The park proper was to be connected with Lake Merritt by 
broad drives or boulevards that were to encompass the lake and wind among the 
natural oaks and other trees. But the people were not ready for such a 
progressive and advanced measure and so it expired. In the light of history the 
failure to secure the land and lake at that time was a mistake which will be 
regretted for all time�will never be wholly remedied. It retarded the growth by 
failing to make the city attractive to newcomers to that extent. In one week 
late in February fourteen families came from San Francisco and became residents 
of West Oakland. It was said that the fogs of the mornings and the wind and dust 
of the evenings in San Francisco were too much for them. Late in February a new 
fire engine was secured by West Oakland. It was a Sibby machine which threw two 
streams at once, with it came a hose cart.
        In February, Thomas H. Clark, a reporter of the Transcript, assaulted A. 
B. Gibson and was prosecuted in the police court. City Attorney Vrooman and 
Zachariah Montgomery appeared for the state and William Van Voorhies for the 
defendant. The jury found the defendant guilty. The Tribune in 1876 was using 
the old Transcript press, a second and third hand affair which could turn off 
only about 600 papers per hour. At this time they ordered a new power press from 
Chicago which could turn out 2,500 copies per hour; rapidly increasing 
circulation demanded this improvement.
        Under the Ward bill it seemed necessary that two city elections should 
be held and they were ordered by the council�one on the first Monday in March 
and the other on the second Monday in March; the latter was necessary under the 
recent act to district the city into wards. Representative Bogge introduced in 
the assembly a bill authorizing the city of Oakland to construct a fire and 
burglar proof safe in the city hall for the safe custody of the public records 
and the public moneys. The corporate limits of the city of Oakland were quite 
extensive in the centennial year, comprising about four and a half miles of 
territory running north and south and three and a half miles from east to west. 
At the council meeting in February a resolution was offered requesting the 
Alameda county delegation in the Assembly to secure the passage of an act 
authorizing the city of Oakland to levy and collect a tax to defray the expense 
of constructing a bridge across the estuary of San Antonio from Eighth street to 
East Ninth street.
        The main lake sewer was newly built in 1876 and was 9,924 feet long. It 
was divided into two sections, one of brick and one of wood. It left Lake 
Merritt by the line of Delger street near the west line of Harrison street, 
thence ran to San Pablo avenue, thence to 22nd street, and thence to the bay. It 
was declared in the Tribune that Oakland was the only town of its population in 
the United States where petty private interests did not give way to the public 
good and the march of general improvements. At a previous date it declared there 
was bitter and persistent opposition of factions to the Central Pacific 
Railroad. Meetings were held and speeches against the construction of that road 
through this city were made.
        In his message of February 28, 1876, Mayor Mack Webber stated in regard 
to the improvement of Lake Merritt: "By your direction temporary repairs have 
been made to the Lake Merritt dam. As long as the present structure can be 
maintained with a moderate outlay for repairs, it is not necessary to construct 
one of a more permanent nature; whenever replaced it should be by one that will 
last for all time. It is to serve a double purpose: It gives us a beautiful lake 
and has made possible the construction of the main sewer, just completed. The 
dam and roadway should be combined in a single structure, thereby saving a 
needless expenditure when it shall become necessary to build another bridge. 
There is at present a roadway running by the margin of the lake on its eastern 
side. This should be continued around it and connected with Webster, Harrison or 
Alice streets. I recommend that the Council take suitable steps to open a street 
over the designated route and cause the same to be improved, if it can be done 
under existing laws. This can easily be made one of the most magnificent water 
parks in the world." During the first six months of 1876 first-class brick 
buildings worth over $500,000 were erected in Oakland or were in course of 
erection. The number of frame houses going up was very large.
        The value of all the taxable property within the limits of the city of 
Oakland, as shown by the assessment for 1875-76, was $22,207,499, the rate of 
taxation being 88 cents, giving a gross revenue $195,425.99. In the beginning of 
the year 1876 the funded debt amounted to $664,400 on which there was interest 
amounting to $55,688 per annum. Of this $166,000 was incurred for the 
construction of the lake sewer. The interest on these bonds was $13,200 per 
annum; but these items should properly be deducted from the sum first stated. 
The actual debt then was $499,400 on which the annual interest was $42,488. The 
debt was but 2� per cent on the assessed value of the property within the limits 
of the city.
        On June 19, 1876, an ordinance granting to the American District 
Telegraph Company of Oakland the right to construct and maintain telegraph lines 
in the city was passed. In August of this year the submarine cable across the 
bay putting Oakland and San Francisco in direct telegraph communication, was 
laid by the Western Union Telegraph Company.
        The Pacific Press Publishing House began business in 1876. The building, 
together with a one-story brick engine house in the rear, was erected that year. 
In it was placed a large Cottrell & Babcock four-roller press, run by steam, on 
which was printed the Signs of the Times, newspapers and books and pamphlets for 
the Publishing Association. The same year a bookbindery was established and on 
hand was kept a large stock of book and newspaper, and printer's stationery.
        In 1876 the following men and concerns were doing business in Oakland: 
First National Gold Bank, V. D. Moody, president, C. M. Fisher, cashier; Oakland 
Bank of Savings, E. C. Sessions, president, Ad. Cramer, cashier; Union Savings 
Bank, A. C. Henry, president, H. A. Palmer, cashier; Oakland Carriage 
Manufactory under M. W. Allen; Oakland Paint Planing Mill by Price and Moore; 
Harris Brothers, clothiers; Woodward & Taggert, real estate and commission 
agents; Young & Rothenberger, upholsterers; Oakland City Directory by D. M. 
Bishop & Co.; Chas. B. Rutherford, paints, oils, glass, etc.; S. P. Olmsted, 
dealer in poultry, game, etc.; Townsend & Wright, furniture; Sanford, Kelsey & 
Co., drugs; J. E. Hows, house and sign painting; L. P. Berger, jewelry; W. G. 
Dinsmore, drugs; Adam Koob, city Market; Henry Weeks, carriage factory; D. 
Stewart, boots and shoes; Bankhead & Sons, auctioneers; Luke Doe, real estate; 
E. W. Woodward, real estate; W. & M. Evarson, hardware; Rice & White, city 
market; L. M. Newsom, nursery, East Oakland; Bowen Brothers, grocers; William 
Sagehorn, flour, hay and grain; W. C. Ralston, blacksmith; J. T. Gardiner, 
painter; A. Lippmann, auctioneer; Smith & Mather, real estate�they offered for 
sale lots on the north side of Twelfth street between Franklin and Broadway, 25 
x 100, 20 per cent cash and the balance on time; London & Co., feed store; A. 
Cohen, dry goods in West Oakland; Frank A. Marston, harness, saddles, etc.; 
David's bookstore; Dr. W. Newcomb; George A. Case, dentist; Dr. Ferguson, 
dentist; Dr. T. H. Pinkerton; H. L. Plomteaux, dentist; Dr. A. MacRae; Dr. J. 
Watson Webb also opened a free dispensary to the poor; Welsher & Westerman, 
brewers; William Kirk, architect; Newson Brothers, architects; H. L. Paddock, 
produce and commission; Sohst Brothers, carriages and wagons; Sage & Hurll, 
contractors and builders; W. W. McKenzie, undertaker; Philip Schreiber, 
furniture; Jones, Japan tea; Chase & Baker, groceries; R. Horton, groceries; E. 
Kreyenhager & Co., groceries; W. T. Hurll, groceries; E. Johnson, groceries; A. 
Hansen, groceries; R. McCrum & Co., groceries and provisions; Thompson Brothers, 
bakers; Miley & Lodge, ice cream parlor; Philip Mulauff, baker; Joseph 
Brandstatter, baker; Chappellet & Miner, coal dealers; Shapespear & Walter, coal 
and wood; Thomas & Anderson, Seattle coal; Lynch, Maloney & Fitzell, wood and 
coal; S. P. Boyce & Co., stock brokers; W. W. Fowler & Co., real estate; Carl & 
Co., real estate; Mellis Brothers, auction house; S. Francis, merchant tailor; 
W. S. Murphy, doors, windows, blinds, etc.; Farwell & Garrigan, painters; Herman 
Bordes, broom factory; A. Geanwell, plumber; J. J. O'Shea, stoves; Campbell & 
Spears, city market; Union Hotel by C. Schneider; Sorocco House by Frank Lorber; 
Christian Bander, hotel and restaurant; Mrs. M. Maguir, dining rooms.
        The famous Amoskeag fire engine, which had been exhibited at the 
Centennial Exposition in 1876, was tested in Oakland in March, 1877, at Fourth 
and Broadway in the presence of Mayor E. H. Pardee and the other city officials. 
It was tested in comparison with the Felton engine, then owned by the city. The 
former engine made a little better showing than the latter. In the spring the 
city council prepared to finish the second story of the city hall; the total 
cost was estimated at $6,000. In April the newspapers claimed for Oakland a 
population of 30,000. The city had seventeen regular policemen and eleven 
special officers.
        D. H. Rand was chief of the force. The Potter Garden property in 
forty-six subdivisions between Telegraph and San Pablo avenues at Sixteenth sold 
at public auction. Lots 1, 2, 3 and 4, block A, brought $30,000. Lots 1, 2, 3 
and block B, brought $20,000. In one hour's time the sales aggregated $165,000, 
and at all times the bidding was spirited; the total sales amounted to $715,000.
        The Oakland Hack and Transfer Company was a new corporation with a 
capital of $400,000; M. G. Kennedy was president. It was said that this company 
supplied a long-felt want in this community.
        In 1877 there were 75 business establishments between Center street and 
the bay at West Oakland: 2 drug stores, 3 restaurants, 14 saloons, 8 groceries, 
2 stationery stores, 3 barber shops, 5 cigar shops, 1 harness store, 4 plumber 
shops, 1 tailor shop, 2 bakeries, 6 butcher shops, 5 shoemaker shops, 4 fruit 
stores; hardware store, 1 furniture store, 5 dry-goods stores, 1 watchmaker, 2 
real estate offices, 1 clothing store, 2 coal yards, 1 art gallery, 1 paint 
shop, 1 livery stable and others.
        Horace W. Carpentier and James Larue were rival claimants for a large 
tract of marsh and overflowed land stretching from San Antonio creek to Brooklyn 
station and out past the overland track to the channel leading up from the Alice 
street bridge to Brooklyn. A fence built around a portion of this tract by John 
Watson for Mr. Carpentier was attacked and destroyed by a force of men under the 
direction of Mr. Larue in August. The citizens of East Oakland looked on with 
much interest.
        The old Oakland cemetery was bounded by Franklin, Harrison, Sixteenth 
and Eighteenth streets; but the first cemetery for the little village of Oakland 
was located on Eighth at Oak. The growth of the city forced the removal of the 
bodies to the new one on Eighteenth street, which was then out in the woods. But 
by 1877 it was found that the city had grown around this yard, and that another 
removal was necessary. In April a large plow used there in grading tore the top 
from a buried casket and left the body beneath exposed to the weather, animals, 
etc. The left hand and arm nearly to the elbow protruded from the ground and the 
face though covered with dust was visible. When the latter was brushed away the 
features of the dead man stood out in bold relief. The whole body was in a 
remarkable state of preservation, though having lain in the ground for about 
seventeen years. In the end this body was shown to be that of William F. Denman, 
of Jersey City, a civil engineer, who died at the City Hotel in 1860 and was 
buried by his friend, Thomas Wallace, who still (1877) resided in this city. 
About twenty-two bodies had been disinterred by April 28th.
        The period from 1867 to 1877 in Oakland was noted for new residences, 
improved streets, sewerage system, new churches and schoolhouses. It was then 
demanded that immediate and steady attention should be given to the business 
interests, such as merchandising, lumbering, manufacturing and commerce 
generally. Already the work on the harbor was in a measure available. A large 
vessel drawing thirteen feet of water found in the channel three additional feet 
to spare. At high tide vessels drawing fifteen feet of water, it was boasted, 
could enter the harbor. Grain warehouses were demanded and planned. A further 
deepening of the channel to admit the large clippers was now deemed essential. 
This was the natural terminus of the great transcontinental railroad lines and 
here should be the great warehouses where the ocean ships could take their 
cargoes, it was argued. In July, 1877, the Real Estate and Merchants' Exchange 
of Oakland considered the harbor question, the water front problem, the 
projected public park, the efficiency of the sewer system and the question of 
free postal delivery. A. C. Henry lectured on "Rise and Progress of Banking."
        On July 25, 1877, the great body of good citizens of San Francisco rose 
up en masse as an auxiliary to the municipal authorities to suppress rioting and 
lawlessness. There were no speeches, confusion and parade, but quiet, rapid 
movements as in the old days of the Vigilantes. Thousands of citizens acted 
voluntarily like soldiers, because they felt their homes and the City were in 
imminent danger. The action of Oakland in this emergency was equally as 
decisive, prompt and effective. Agitators were told bluntly and plainly that 
they were treading upon dangerous ground when they advised the laboring element 
here to take the law into their own hands. But it cost the city about $1,500 per 
day until the excitement was over; about one thousand able-bodied men were 
enrolled here for active duty. The cannons were ready and the bayonetted rifles 
stacked ready for action.
        Oakland's immunity from trouble at this time was due almost wholly to 
its prompt and efficient action. Scores of San Francisco's hoodlums came over to 
participate in any unlawful movement that might be attempted, but the gangs of 
armed men everywhere were a sufficient preventative. Mayor Pardee was praised 
even by his political enemies for his decision, energy and ability in this 
emergency. He was backed by all the best citizens regardless of party, faction 
or creed. However, business suffered a considerable stagnation. It was during 
this period of social and political upheaval that the Oakland Light Cavalry 
Company was formed and organized. Each member agreed to furnish his own horse; 
101 joined at the outset. Threats of fire were numerous. San Pablo was largely 
burned and incendiary fires in North Oakland revealed the danger to this 
community. The citizens of Alameda also organized, armed and guarded the 
streets.
        In July, 1877, the Oakland and Alameda Water Company was granted the 
right to lay down and maintain water pipes in the streets of Oakland. This was a 
new company. Fire alarm boxes were ordered at this time. In 1877 the supreme 
court decided in a Contra Costa county case that water companies were bound to 
furnish free water for fires and lawns. This decision was the basis upon which 
all water rates thereafter were fixed between the city and the Contra Costa 
Water Company through its president, Mr. Chabot.
        In early times the wholesale butchers of Oakland acted independently, 
but about 1875 the Wholesale Butchers' Association of San Francisco and Oakland 
formed a most oppressive monopoly against which there was a great outcry in 
1877. It blacklisted a delinquent retailer and after a certain period refused to 
furnish him with a pound of meat until his delinquency was made good. Jobbers 
grew in favor, purchased the bulk of the wholesale meats and sold to retailers 
under a galling and crushing system of exaction and injustice. Finally the gold 
jobbers of San Francisco promulgated a decree that any jobber or retailer who 
purchased meat in Oakland should be cut off from purchasing meat in San 
Francisco for six months. This act resulted in almost the total abandonment of 
the Oakland trade. The Oakland wholesale dealers soon formed an independent 
monopoly which became equally as crushing. It was publicly demanded by other 
dealers in April, 1877, that this "meat ring" should be thwarted by a system 
that would procure meat from original sources. About fifty retail butchers of 
Oakland and Alameda in 1877 assembled in the city market, and organized for 
mutual protection against the Wholesale Butchers' Association of Oakland which 
had just established a gold basis and a blacklist. This was two years before the 
resumption of specie payments and gold was yet at a considerable premium. But 
the Retail Butchers' Association proved a worse monopoly, if possible, than that 
of the wholesale dealers. They proceeded to blacklist and proscribe every 
retailer here who did not join their association.
        On the evening of Saturday, August 25, 1877, ere the debts had been paid 
upon it, the City Hall building was laid in ashes. On the 27th the city council 
met at Armory hall, and passed resolutions to obtain suitable rooms for holding 
their meetings; to procure the bell of the Presbyterian church to strike the 
fire alarm; to adjust the insurance on the building; to thank the citizens of 
Oakland for their exertions in saving the public archives; and to offer a reward 
of $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the incendiary 
or guilty parties who fired the building. It required fifteen minutes after the 
alarm was sounded before the first engine reached the doomed building and five 
minutes more before the first stream of water was thrown on the flames. The loss 
was $70,000. The inefficiency of the fire department was painfully conspicuous 
on this occasion. During the fire the crowd removed the public documents and 
furniture to the Potter building on the opposite side of San Pablo avenue. After 
the burning of the City Hall on August 25, 1877, many citizens of Oakland 
thought that now was the proper time to open Washington street to the San Pablo 
road to which the city council demurred. Meetings were held and some 
considerable feeling on the subject was engendered.
        The Transcript had a precarious existence for several years. In 1878 J. 
A. Johnson and J. B. Wyman became its owners and upon the retirement of Mr. 
Johnson the name was changed to the Daily Times and William D. Harwood became 
editor.
        On May 6, 1878, an ordinance levying a library tax was passed and on the 
27th the Oakland Library Association and Union Reading-room Association 
transferred their property to the city. On the same date A. P. Flint, O. H. 
Burnham, W. W. Crane, Jr., G. M. Fisher and J. P. Moore, were elected trustees 
thereof. On August 5th, the Golden Gate District Agricultural Fair Association 
was granted a lease for five years of Lafayette square to erect buildings 
thereon. Annexed are reports showing the nature and value of real estate, 
buildings, and personal property belonging to the city in 1879:
 
      School lots       $125,500
      School buildings            160,000
      School furniture            30,000
      Engine house lots          7,600
      Engine house    9,000
      City hall lots      250,000
      City hall and prison       30,000
      City furniture, fixtures, etc.        18,000
      Library building             3,000
      Other buildings on same lot       500
      City wharf and water front        75,000
      Fire department apparatus, etc. 54,620
      Telegraph and fire alarm            16,000
      Total value of city property       $779,220

 
        In addition, there were several public squares. If private property and 
placed upon the market they would probably bring half a million dollars.
        On January 5, 1880, a resolution indorsing the new charter was passed. 
The portions which related to street work were radically changed. It abolished 
the office of city marshal and substituted a tax collector and a superintendent 
of streets, and required the funds for a year to be divided into four equal 
parts. On February 2, 1880, an ordinance repealing the following ordinances was 
passed by the trustees. They were: "An Ordinance for the disposal of the Water 
Front belonging to the Town of Oakland," passed finally, May 18, 1852; "An 
Ordinance to approve the Wharf at the foot of Main Street, and to extend the 
time for constructing the other Wharves," passed December 30, 1852; "An 
Ordinance concerning Wharves and the Water Front," passed August 27, 1853.
        The subject of a boulevard and walk around Lake Merritt and a water park 
began to be discussed seriously about 1880. Petitions and memorials were 
circulated and signed and an occasional burst of enthusiasm at public meetings 
showed that the subject was striving for expression and action. At first many 
thought the movement was a scheme of the real estate dealers to advertise that 
locality in their own private interests. About 1884 the subject assumed form, 
shape and momentum. The first plan provided for a strip 200 feet wide around the 
lake for the boulevard and walk, shallow beaches to be filled, islands to be 
built for refreshment stands, license to boats for city revenue, and the 
construction of a bulkhead to cost an estimated $56,000. The cost of dredging 
was estimated at $30,750; roadway, $45,325 ; total cost, $186,000.
        On January 1, 1882, the debt of Oakland was $669,126. During 1882 the 
growth of Oakland was substantial and large. The buildings erected cost as 
follows:
 
                            BLDGS.
 
Central district            71        $263,275
First ward                  92          195,150
East Oakland             29            68,350
                                192        $526,775
 
        The central district included all lying between Lake Merritt and Adeline 
street, being all except the first and seventh wards.
        The Judson Iron Company began operating in 1882 in Northern Oakland. The 
Victor mower was their first important product; they had twenty-eight buildings. 
The Pacific Iron Company began operating in 1883 at the foot Market street. The 
California Iron Works adjoined those of the Judson Company; their ore was 
obtained from the Clipper Gap Mines of California. The California Hosiery 
Company began operations in 1881. The California Jute Mills began with white 
labor, but was later compelled to employ expert Mongolian help�about half of the 
help were Chinese. The Oakland Iron Works was an old concern and doing well. The 
Oakland Brass Works began operations in 1882. The Northwestern Manufacturing and 
Car Company of Stillwater, Minnesota, had a large branch here at Washington and 
Second streets. They made threshers, feeders, chaners, etc. The Oakland Planing 
Mills were one of four concerns of that kind here. The big flouring mills here 
were started in 1875 by Jacob Samm and others. The Oak Grove Tannery was started 
in 1862. Crist's tannery in East Oakland was started in 1871. There were here 
several potteries, wagon and carriage factories, furniture factories, and shops 
for the manufacture of blank-books, candy, hats, shoes, shirts, mattresses, 
brooms, soap, iron fence railing, marble, jewelry, etc.
        At a mass meeting of the citizens of Oakland early in 1882 a committee 
was appointed to ascertain what was necessary to be done to secure the location 
here of desirable manufacturing establishments. The committee issued an address 
to manufacturers reciting the advantages of this city as a site for their 
operations, among which were the following: (1) It was the terminus of three 
trans-continental railroads; (2) other railroads centered here; (3) it was 
situated not only on the main land, but on the bay which communicated by vessel 
with all Pacific ports; (4) eight miles of bay frontage were available for 
manufacturing purposes; (5) within thirty minutes ride 300,000 consumers 
resided; (6) a splendid climate, the mean temperature of January being 49� and 
that of July 65� ; (7) mortality low, cost of living low, rents low, wages good; 
(8) educational, religious and social advantages unsurpassed; (9) building 
material cheap, coal reasonable, water excellent, good markets. V. D. Moody was 
chairman of this committee and W. J. Clawson, secretary.
        On January 2, 1883, there was a heavy fall of snow in nearly all 
portions of Alameda county. At Oakland everybody snow-balled each other on the 
streets and made a special target of every Chinaman who dared to show his head. 
The Oakland library trustees, in May, 1878, transferred to the city the 
following property: The library building and appurtenances on city hall block; 
all the books and periodicals, all fixtures, a $2,000 credit secured by note and 
mortgages. It was provided that the old association should thereafter appoint 
half of the trustees and the city the other half, but the latter disregarded 
this provision and assumed sole charge. This caused the old association to 
assert its rights, which it did by assuming ownership of the entire property. 
Later John P. Irish, E. P. Flint and J. B. McChesney were appointed a committee 
on behalf of the association to demand possession of all the property. Building 
in Oakland in the summer of 1883 was not up to expectations; thirty-nine new 
buildings had recently gone up at a total cost of $156,300.
        Oakland from the start, notwithstanding its rapid and irregular growth, 
possessed a wide, commodious and convenient system of streets. Broadway was from 
100 to 110 feet wide, Telegraph avenue was from 90 to 100 feet wide. The 
majority of lesser streets were about eighty feet wide. Railroad avenue was 100 
feet wide. Many numbered streets were from 60 to 80 feet wide. Yerba Buena was 
130 feet wide; Park 100 feet, Plymouth 90, Isabella 80. In East Oakland the 
streets varied from 60 to 80 feet. The average length of streets was about two 
miles. At this time the extreme length of the city from east to west was 4.9 
miles and its extreme breadth was 2.55 miles. The total indebtedness of the city 
in 1883 was about $540,000. It had been larger and was being slowly reduced. 
Owing to this debt many improvements that were needed were postponed. Street 
improvement continued, but parks were compelled to wait.
        Cotton mills were built here in 1883 by Ainsworth, Miller, Dean, Moody, 
Snyder, Sessions, Rutherford, Dinkelspiel and others. In the summer San Pablo 
avenue was watered from Berkeley to Oakland. The new California Steel and Iron 
Works at Shell Mound park were completed and operated in 1883. An artesian well 
was bored by O. Lindsley in West Oakland. Four artesian wells were bored by the 
Central Pacific Company near Fifth and Kirkham streets and an abundant supply of 
good water was secured.
        In the '80s the best paying real estate investments were five and ten 
acre suburban tracts between the city proper and the hills. Property of this 
kind improved with house, barn, etc., sold readily for from 25 to 50 per cent 
over cost. The Pacific Nail Works on the water front at the foot of Market 
street employed over 250 persons in 1883. It was up to date and was one of the 
boasts of the city at that time. Visitors were escorted through by Mr. Perry the 
superintendent. They exhibited at the Mechanics' Fair in San Francisco a nail 
cutting machine that was made in Oakland. It attracted great attention. As the 
jute mills in East Oakland did not prove wholly successful when white labor 
alone was employed, the company was compelled to hire Chinamen to fill the 
places vacated voluntarily by young white men who did not relish the long hours 
and small pay. However, many who at first abandoned the work returned. In 
December, 1883, the total force employed was 400, nearly double that of the 
previous August. Young girls worked there and earned from $5 to $9.50 per week. 
Mr. Robinson, the manager, sent East for expert operators who were used to 
instruct local boys and girls in the art of weaving.
        In August, the Oakland library had a membership of 6,995; fiction was 
called for far more than for any other branch of reading. There were serious 
charges against James Hill, chief of the fire department of Oakland. It was 
declared that while he was chief no fire started that did not burn up everything 
within reach except the lot. Attempts to involve Councilman Dean in the disgrace 
or malfeasance were unsuccessful. The followers of Mr. Hill took the matter into 
politics. A large consultation meeting was held on August 29th. The action of 
the council in appointing men for office, who favored Hill, was censured by 
several speakers. During this controversy the management of city affairs was 
fully examined and criticised.
        In 1883 a telescope ten feet long with an eight-inch lens, a refracting 
instrument, was obtained for Chabot observatory, Lafayette square, from Alvin, 
Clark & Co., of Cambridge, Massachusetts. The observatory was first opened to 
the public November 24, 1883. Primarily it was to facilitate the study of 
astronomy in the Oakland high school. Upon the arrival here of the eight-inch 
telescope for the Chabot observatory, this city was well supplied with 
astronomical instruments. C. Burckhalter had a 4�-inch refractor; Doctor Wythe 
owned an 8�-inch reflector; Mr. Burckhalter a little later secured a 10�-inch 
reflector.
        In 1882 the large industries here employed 973 persons and produced 
goods valued at $2,798,000. Among the important industrial concerns of Oakland 
in September, 1883, were the following:
 
                                                                                 
           Hands
                                                                                 
           EmployedValue of
      Annual Product
      Judson Manufacturing Company           2751,000,000
      Pacific Iron & Nail Works        200800,000
      California Iron & Steel Works  50 
      California Hosiery Company     350275,000
      California Jute Mill Company    225300,000
      Oakland Iron Works    3085,000
      Straw Burning Engine Company            1035,000
      Oakland Boiler Works  517,000
      Oakland Brass Works 3545,000
      N. W. Mfg. & Cor. Co.           50150,000
      Pacific Coast Planing Mill          3075,000
      Pioneer Planing Mill Company  3060,000
      Oakland Planing Mills   50125,000
      East Oakland Planing Mills       2250,000
      Samm & Parsons Flouring Mills            33415,000
      Oakland Flouring Mills  16215,000
      Eagle Box Factory        5085,000
      Oakland Shoe Factory  5075,000
      McCool & Armstrong Pc. Fr. Fcty       1540,000
      Four breweries             40175,000
      Five cigar factories        50100,000
      The tanneries    41195,000
      Northey & Wagar        717,500
      Hugh Frazer     820,000
      Miscellaneous               200400,000
       1,8724,754,500

 
        Mayor J. W. Martin, in November, 1883, stated in his message that his 
administration had begun when the city finances were exhausted and $33,000 had 
been spent in anticipation of the next year's revenue. The supreme court had 
recently decided that under the new constitution each year's income and revenue 
must pay each year's indebtedness or liability, and that no indebtedness or 
liability incurred in any one year should be paid out of the income or revenues 
of any future year. This decision drove the council to extremities, because this 
step had not been anticipated: It was necessary to reduce salaries, discharge 
extra help, cut down city expenses in all departments�reduce the number of 
lights, suspend work on the streets, etc. In addition the assessment was less 
and the revenues fell $58,982 short of what they had been in 1882, with the 
current debt of $33,000 to be met. The result was the cancellation of the debt 
and such a retrenchment as met the actual situation. In 1883 the receipts from 
taxation were $226,771 and from licenses, wharfage, police fines, etc., $53,000. 
The actual expenditures were $278,371. The defalcation of the previous treasurer 
left the treasury short of funds. The bonded debt of the city was as follows :
 
       Due
      Funded debt, bonds of 1872, 8 per cent           $ 80,0001903
      School debt, bonds of 1872, 8 per cent            50,0001893
      Funded debt, bonds of 1874, 8 per cent           100,0001905
      Sewer debt, bonds of 1874, 8 per cent 173,0001885-86
      Consolidated debt, bonds of 1882, 5 per cent   167,0001895
      City hall bonds, lost      500 
      Total bonded debt        $570,00 

 
        The Pacific Coast Steel and Iron Manufacturing Company was incorporated 
in October, 1883, with a capital of over $1,000,000. Its place of business was 
at Melrose, Alameda county. Late in October, 1883, the Pacific Iron and Nail 
Company manufactured 600 kegs of nails per day, but planned to soon increase the 
output, to 1,000 kegs per day.        
        During the last week in October, 1883, the flounder fishing in the basin 
at East Oakland was at its height. Scores of boats were out every day and night 
and no fisherman failed to return with all he could carry. They realized as high 
as $4 a day for their labors.
        In 1881 not less than 1,500 people were added to the population of 
Oakland; the year 1882 was better, as 192 houses were built. More buildings were 
erected in 1883 than any year except 1876. In January, 1884, the Pacific Iron 
and Nail Company closed their doors until the differences between themselves and 
their employes should be settled. Their employes, who were brought from the East 
under a specific contract as to wages, formed a lodge of the Amalgamated 
Association of Iron and Steel Workers soon after their arrival in this city and 
made much higher demands than their contracts warranted. An investigation showed 
that they demanded 50 per cent more than the same workers received at Wheeling, 
Harrisburg, Pottstown, Oxford and other cities of the East. A good nailer here 
had been paid as high as $18 a day for double work, and good average workers 
received $9 a day by working thirteen hours. Average workers made about $4.00 
per day. The strikers claimed that they were to be paid Wheeling prices, but 
that after beginning work were paid the lower Omaha rates.
        The average daily attendance at the West Oakland reading room was about 
two hundred and thirty in February, 1884. The proposed abolition of this room 
encountered strenuous objection. The readers in the evenings were nearly all 
working men and boys who needed the room. Mr. Burnham of the free library 
favored the removal and stated, much to the indignation of the citizens there, 
that the readers were largely bummers and tramps. For a week early in February 
it was unprecedentedly cold in Oakland, the thermometer falling as low as 22 
above zero, with ice in the gutters and over the ponds. The soft earth in 
gardens was frozen to a depth of two or three inches in some instances.
        The painters' strike in 1884 presented a solid and determined front; 
they demanded $3.00 a day of nine hours. Seventy-two of the seventy-five members 
of the Painters' League in Oakland struck during this movement. On August 16, 
7884, Badger park was opened for the season with a gorgeous display of lights, 
banners, and draperies, accompanied with vocal and band music. The 
Thomson-Houston Electric Company asked for a franchise to light the streets of 
Oakland.  They had ready at this time three miles of wires and many lamps. In 
1884, $20,437 was received from the sale of lots in Mountain View Cemetery, and 
the expenses $21,063. The large expenses were due to the important and necessary 
improvements. A large reservoir was constructed�begun in 1883 and completed in 
1884 �with a capacity of 5,500,000 gallons which could easily be almost doubled 
in capacity. Many beautiful monuments and an artistic mausoleum were erected. 
This year according to the report of W. H. Fountain, city wharfinger, the gross 
earnings of the city wharf were $4,855.66; total running expenses $982.70; 
balance in favor of the city $3,969.11. During the year there was an increase in 
the mail matter handled by the postoffice of nearly 40 per cent�pieces handled 
in 1883� 2,792,173; in 1884-4,086,775. The three most important industries to 
locate at Oakland were the East Oakland cotton mills, the glass works and the 
Wentworth Boot and Shoe Factory. In 1884, 315 buildings were erected at an 
aggregate cost of $754,000. The total receipts from all sources in the city of 
Oakland were $446,062.36, and the total expenditures $473,588.93. The bonded 
debt of the city was $397,000; sewer bonds to the amount of $128,000 were 
redeemable during the year. Of the sewer bonds $45,000 were redeemed at a cost 
of $44,212.50.
        The great improvement in Oakland in the early '80s, due to a great 
increase in the number of manufactories, was brought about by the energy of a 
few citizens who banded themselves together and put their money in the 
enterprises. Before the cable roads were built in San Francisco the business men 
there sought homes in Oakland rather than in the back districts of their own 
city. Oakland became known as the bed chamber of San Francisco. After the 
construction of the cable roads in San Francisco the out districts of that city 
filled up cutting off the previous order of things. As a result, Oaklanders 
united and converted the city into a manufacturing and business city. The result 
was that by 1885 the city was the leading manufacturing center of the Pacific 
coast. During the four years from 1881 to 1885 the city increased wonderfully in 
population and wealth.
        The largest fruit canning factory in the county in 1885 was operated by 
a company at Temescal, of which A. C. Henry was president. It was known as the 
J. Lusk Canning Factory, Mr. Lusk being the founder. It had the capacity for 
packing 250,000 cases per season, equal to 6,000,000 quart cans. This large 
capacity insured Alameda growers against loss. Already the fruit production of 
the state exceeded home consumption; it was therefore necessary to seek outside 
markets and goods in the canned form were acceptable in all parts of the world. 
This cannery controlled the branch cannery at San Lorenzo.
        Several years before 1885 a company was formed in San Francisco called 
the Lake Pleasanton Water Company for the purpose of supplying Oakland with 
water. Part of the land at Pleasanton which they wanted for a reservoir was 
owned by the Contra Costa Water Company of Oakland. The Lake Pleasanton company 
brought suit to have the property condemned, but judgment was given against them 
on demurrer. An appeal was taken and the supreme court reversed the decision of 
the lower court and sent the case back for trial. The point made was that the 
plaintiff sought to have the land condemned for the use of the public as a pure 
water reservoir and there was nothing to show that it was so used by the 
defendant; therefore it could be condemned by the plaintiff under the rule of 
eminent domain.
        In January no place in Oakland showed a greater change in growth than 
the vicinity of Shell Mound. A few years before the place was an unoccupied 
meadow land of willow thickets and swamp stretches, but was now occupied with 
numerous factories, stores, markets, hotels and rows of neat cottages. The 
Parafine Paint Company was a new establishment then. At 8:55 o'clock p. m., 
January 26, 1885, there were two distinct earthquake shocks felt in Oakland, one 
quickly following the other. The shock was preceded by a loud rumble and report.
        In the early part of 1885 and before the cost of gas to the city was 12 
cents per lamp per night for 821 lights. Under the new contract made in July, 
1885, the price was fixed at 10� cents per lamp per night. Only 329 nights were 
provided for�known as the "moonlight schedule."
        In March A. Chabot offered to bear the entire expense of fitting up the 
observatory�over $4,000. Half a dozen instruments designed to aid observers were 
purchased. Mayor Henry refused to sign the ordinance just passed by the council 
increasing the city tax levy 23 cents on the $100 over that of the previous 
years. He said he had no good reason to anticipate such extraordinary expenses 
during the coming year and gave other reasons for disapproval. The levy was, 
however, adopted over his veto by a unanimous vote of the council.
        The lower Chinatown of Oakland in 1885 was a bunch of hovels on the 
marshes between First street and the estuary and consisted of a dozen huts 
mounted upon stilts or piles. It was the headquarters of the Chinese scavengers, 
all of whom were sneak thieves. Junk of every description was collected there, 
sorted and the best sold in San Francisco. Opium smokers were there of course. 
Occasional raids were made upon this quarter, and in all cases stolen articles 
and other evidences of crime were disclosed.
        The total expenses of Oakland including payments on bonds redeemed, 
interest on bonds, water bills for the last few years, and all other expenses 
were as follows, omitting cents:
 
      1880    $474,9881883    561,706
      1881    474,5631884    473,588
      1882    486,9201885    552,162

 
        The total of bonds redeemed in the six years was $399,500; bonds 
reissued $167,000.
        Few public improvements ever occasioned more public comment, vexations, 
wranglings or imposed more labor on certain city officials than the main lake 
sewer. It became a constant cause of expense owing to its faulty construction. 
By 1885 it was nearly worn out in certain portions: It was not properly built to 
begin with and the council of that date was responsible for the inferior grade 
of work done. It was ordered May 18, 1874, and fourteen bids were received for 
the contract. It was to be built in two sections and bidders were required to 
figure in each separately. On the first section the lowest bid was $83,000 and 
the highest $245,202. On the second section the lowest bid was $29,000 and the 
highest $53,300. Both lowest bids were by D. Jordan who was awarded the 
contract. He failed to qualify, procrastinated, was prodded and finally threw up 
the contract. Bids were again called for and Jordan was again the lowest bidder 
for both sections for $112,000 or the first section for $88,000. The latter was 
accepted.
        The second section went to N. Myles at $34,000. The price of brick 
suddenly arose in value and the contractors began to squirm. Bad brick were 
resorted to, but were thrown out. Again there was a change. The council awarded 
the contract, for section one in the spring of 1885 to the Pacific Bridge 
Company at $126,850.
        In 1885 there was a coal combination at Oakland to control the price of 
that product. About forty-five retail dealers were united in this combination. 
Any member violating its rules was fined heavily and if the fines were not paid, 
was proscribed. Soon after this date the combination broke under the pressure of 
public opinion. This year a lot was purchased from J. Boehmer for $4,000 for the 
use of the free library; by January, 1886, the debt was reduced to $2,800. A big 
concert at this time aided in still further reducing it, all the best musicians 
of the city contributing their services free. A branch of the Non-Partisan 
Anti-Chinese League was formed at Temescal, the meeting place being Sullivan's 
hall. F. W. Hunt of the Central League of Oakland presided. President Hinckly of 
the West Oakland branch was present. C. W. Moore, postmaster at Temescal, was 
elected president. In less than fifteen minutes, so unanimous were the audience, 
eighty-four members joined the branch. West Oakland already had a branch with a 
membership of seventy.
        It began to be fully realized in 1885-86 what a mistake Oakland had made 
in allowing the Southern Pacific Railroad company to locate their warehouses in 
Port Costa�a vast amount of trade had been diverted from this city. This mistake 
was partly rectified in 1886, when a portion of that business was transferred 
from Port Costa to Long Wharf, Oakland.
        The real labor issue came out in February, 1886, when the Anti-Chinese 
League of Temescal appointed a committee to wait upon the J. Lusk Canning 
Company and request them to discharge their Chinese help. Mr. Graves of that 
company stated in reply that if white labor had been available no Chinese would 
at any time have been employed. Even the Chinese were employed only about four 
months of the year during the very busy season. They were employed, not from 
choice, but from necessity. He stated that the company had found it impossible 
to secure the necessary white help to run the factory. Yet the committee of the 
league, after a thorough examination, proved that hundreds of women, girls and 
boys of Oakland were idle, because they were unable, as they declared, to obtain 
work. This step caused the Lusk company to issue a circular offering the places 
occupied by Chinese to the idle women, girls and boys of the city. In March 
seventy-six business firms of Oakland petitioned the council to repeal or change 
the ordinance requiring them to pay a license on their solicitors, as they were 
placed at a serious disadvantage with competitors in San Francisco and other 
cities where no such license was required. By 1886 the Basket Brigade was almost 
a thing of the past in Oakland. The Oakland merchants had fresher and better 
vegetables, it was shown. The Hays school district was created at this time and 
embraced portions of Piedmont, Peralta and Fruitvale school districts. The 
Oakland Daily Times was sold in May to a joint stock company of which J. A. 
Brown was president. The paper was republican under the new management. J. W. 
Wyman severed his connection with the office with this change.
        In 1886 L. J. LeConte, expert engineer and accountant, was employed by 
the Oakland council to make a close estimate of what it would cost to duplicate 
the Contra Costa Water Works.  He made the following report:
 
      San Leandro reservoir  $ 510,661
      Temescal reservoir        195,433
      McClure reservoir        6,400
      Highland Park reservoir            5,700
      Sausal reservoir            4,545
      Pumping works             14,123
      Pipe system 150 miles   1,139,433
                             Total    $1,872,345
      Ten per cent added for contingencies    187,235
                            Total    $2,059,580
      Total plant on hand       65,000
                           Grand total       $2,124,580

 
        The expert was also asked to make a liberal estimate as to what the 
plans had originally cost the company; his report was $2,640,872. These 
estimates did not include real estate, water rights, rights of way, land 
damages, etc. The company declared the estimate was much too low.
        The Oakland Board of Trade was organized at the City Council Chambers on 
September 17, 1886, and was composed of all shades of business men. Among those 
who took part in the proceedings were Mayor Playter, Ex-mayor A. C. Henry, J. L. 
Lyons, V. D. Moody, Charles L. Taylor, Joseph Dieves, Sr., Frank A. Leach, Max 
Marcuse, E. W. Woodworth, E. H. Bernheim, J. L. Wetmore, L. Jaffe, George Fish, 
John Williams, J. H. Macdonald, G. B. Daniels, Richard Jones, M. J. Keller, 
McGovern & Cahill, A: J. Weiner, Sol. Kahn, D. W. Standeford and others. Mr. 
Kahn who had presided at a previous meeting called the house to order and was 
chosen chairman and Richard Jones, secretary. V. D. Moody was elected president 
of the board, there being polled thirty-nine votes: J. M. Danies, secretary; A. 
D. Thomson, treasurer; and M. J. Keller, A. C. Henry, F. A. Leach, Sol. Kahn, E. 
W. Playter, George L. Fish and James Cahill, directors. Several committees were 
appointed and a full organization was effected. Several years earlier there was 
organized in Oakland a Business Men's Association which was largely instrumental 
in establishing here the numerous large manufacturing concerns in the early 
'80s. In December the Board of Trade passed a resolution favoring the formation 
of the city and county of Oakland.
        There was an active and energetic movement for a new charter for Oakland 
in the summer of 1886. Meetings were held and what was wanted was discussed and 
examined. The charter committee were E. W. Playter, mayor, John P. Irish, John 
Yule, Wallace Everson, T. C. Coogan and Doctor Merritt. They held regular 
meetings and consulted with a similar committee in Los Angeles where a new 
charter was also wanted. The subject was important and many vital questions of 
municipal control had to be considered.
 
Pages 355-397 above
 
Continue to pages 398-439