Fresno County Courthouse
Completed 1875
Hailed at a cornerstone ceremony as "the grandest and noblest edifice that has ever been planned and contemplated in this valley," Fresno's courthouse could barely keep up with the county's booming population. By the turn of the century, the relatively modest brick building with its slender cupola had been expanded to an imposing structure with several wings, granite steps, and an enormous dome. A structural survey conducted in 1961 reported the many weaknesses of the old building, which was demolished following the construction of a new courthouse in 1966
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FRESNO PRIOR TO COUNTY ORGANIZATION
When the state was first organized into counties, February 18, 1850, the territory now comprising what is Merced, Mono, Mariposa, and Fresno counties was called Mariposa. This portion of the San Joaquin valley about the year 1835 was almost a terra incognita, having been visited by the trappers only, as previously stated.
At about that time an expedition into this part of the valley was undertaken by Lieutenant Moraga of the Mexican army, then stationed at the presidio of San Francisco, who in command of a company of soldiers in June pursued into the valley of the San Joaquin some Indians who had been committing depredations upon the settlers in the coast valleys. Moraga, with his command, crossed the San Joaquin near the mouth of the Tuolumne river, and traveled in a southeasterly direction to the Merced river, a distance of about forty miles, the whole of which had to be accomplished without water. The weather being very hot, it is no wonder that they called the river in whose waters they slaked their burning thirst and laved their throbbing temples, El Rio de la Merced, the river of mercy.
Resting here a few days the party continued their journey southeastwardly until they arrived at a small stream along the banks of which they found myriads of beautifully variegated butterflies, which in the Spanish tongue are called las mariposas; hence Moraga named the creek El Arroyo de las Mariposas, which name it has since borne, with only the final s omitted. The Mexicans are noted for giving beautiful and appropriate names to their towns , ranches, rivers and mountains, as well as other natural objects. They seem to have been actuated by a grateful feeling or religious sentiment, sometimes having in view the beauties of nature, as in the case of Las Mariposas; at others being moved by a profound feeling of gratitude to God for what they acknowledged as a "gift" or "mercy," as in the case of La Merced.
In 1851, the north boundary of Mariposa County was the 38th parallel on the east side of the Sierras, which corresponds very nearly with the north line of Mono County and included Mono lake. The line extended down the Sierra to the headwaters of the Tuolumne and thence followed that river westerly to the San Joaquin and on to the Coast Range. It followed the Coast Range to a point opposite the mouth of King's river, and thence followed that stream to the Sierras, and thence to the Nevada line. The population of this large territory was, by the census of 1850, 4,379. Out of this territory was formed Merced County, in 1855, with the county seat at the ranch of "Turner and Osborn," on Mariposa creek, about eight miles from Merced. Lieutenant Governor Samuel Purdy was at the time president of the Senate, and W. W. Stowe speaker of the House. Mariposa County was represented in the Senate by Major A. McNeil, and by E. Burke and Thomas Flournoy in the Assembly. In 1856, Fresno county was formed from the territory, and in 1863 Mono County was organized.
A history of Fresno County could not be well given without at least a brief review of the incidents and conditions of the mother county, Mariposa, of which the present territory of Fresno formed a part in the pioneer days of California. The broad plains and beautiful rivers of the section then embraced in Mariposa County was inhabited by many Mexican ranchers, who with their fatted herds enjoyed the greatest freedom; and who exhibited in person a royal hospitality toward the wayfarer, often furnishing guides and horses at the command of a stranger, for many days' journey, with the only injunction, "Cuando buelva no dye de venier a verme."
Later the mining interest predominated, but for a short time however, as the husbandman's plow no sooner turned the soil than a bountiful yield gladdened the hearts of the many households whose habitations began to deck the plains, and in a few years hamlets and villages took the place of lowing herds, and to-day Mariposa County as it now exists is more noted for its far-named Yo Semite valley than for anything else. It is said that when the Mariposa Gazette was started there was not a white woman in the town.
Soon thereafter several white families moved in, and the editor at once began complaining of the crying children. The writer has not been able to ascertain his name, which is of little consequence, however, as he must have been a soured old bachelor, and of no consequence to women and an unpleasant monument to his own sex, who enjoy the music of children and the companionship of women, the safeguards of society and the noblest work of the great Creator. An old miner says he will never forget the time when the miners heard there was a woman coming into camp. All quit work and marched four miles down the road to meet her. Several large arches were erected over the road, and a band of music led the march into town. The town was alive with miners when they got there who came from the hills to get a glimpse of the woman and participate in the celebration. The first woman who arrived started at once into the pastry business, and sold pies for $5 apiece! Sometimes the miners complained of the pies, but the woman who made them say if they didn't like them they needn't buy any, as she was not particular whether she sold pies for $5 anyway. Those were days when every one felt as independent as a lord.
During the summer of 1851, Coarse Gold Gulch became a prominent mining camp, and in the fall of that year an election for county officers foe Mariposa County was held. At this election there was polled at the Texas Flat precinct 150 votes. "Jim" Wade was elected to the Assembly, and Captain Bowling Sheriff, whose opponent, Judge Ramsey, afterward became County Judge of Monterey County. By the first of October, 1851, the Indians having threatened war Coarse Gold Gulch was deserted, only four or five miners remaining, among whom was William Abbie; but before December many returned, among whom were C. P. Converse and T. C. Stallo, who opened a store about one and a half miles below Texas Flat. This was placed in charge of Samuel H. P. Ross, who became known as "Alphabet" Ross, who was afterward District Attorney of Merced County.
Asa Johnson with three negroes and a wench, Mary, also arrived in December and engaged in mining. During the summer of 1852, Johnson killed a man by the name of Thomas Larabee; Johnson was tried and acquitted and finally left the country. What became of the negroes is not positively known; it was reported that Mary was murdered while on her way back to Texas, in company with another negro.
In the spring of 1852, Stallo and Converse discontinued their store on Coarse Gold Gulch, and James N. and C. F. Walker, two brothers, erected a store there, which they continued until 1859. In 1852, John Letford and one Carson erected a store at Fresno Crossing, but soon sold out to J. L. Hunt and J. R. Nichols. The latter sold his interest to James Roan. In August, 1852, three Frenchmen, whose names were not ascertained, went on a prospecting tour to the Yo Semite country, near the Yo Semite valley. They were attacked by a band of Indians. Two of the Frenchmen were killed, and one escaped, making his way toward the settlement. Arriving at Coarse Gold Gulch the latter part of August, and having told his story, a party of thirty miners went back with him to find the remains of his unfortunate comrades. Their bodies were found near the valley, and were decently buried.
In October, 1854, J. M. Shannon and S. B. Coffee came to Fresno County and settled at Coarse Gold Gulch, at a place since owned by Andrew Johnson. They engaged in the raising , buying and butchering of hogs, and did a profitable business for three years. There were a large number of Chinese in the placer mines during the time, and pork sold at 25 cents and upward per pound. Jeff. Shannon did the peddling and had little opposition in business. He sold pork at his own price, and in addition to that he weighed the meat he sold, and the gold dust he took in exchange therefore, on his own scales: hence the large profits.
Among the first settlers at Upper King's river were a Mr. Pool. who established the first ferry across the river; William Y. Scott, the second sheriff of Fresno County, and after whom the settlement once known as Scottsburg was named; William W. Hill, the Smoat family, the Akers family, P. W. Fink, John A. Patterson, A. M. Darwin, E. C. Ferguson, William Hazelton, C. F. Cherry, William C. Caldwell, Jesse Morrow, afterward proprietor of the popular "Morrow House;" Richard and William Glenn, William Deakin and others. They all engaged in agriculture and stock-raising, and in a few years after the first settlers had located there the settlement became the largest in the county, and for a few years held the balance of power politically; and a candidate for office who could secure a fair majority at the King's River precinct considered himself sure of election. The first settlers were good, old-fashioned people who cared little for politics or the outside world; they stayed at home, tilled the soil, raised stock, made money, and were contented and comparatively happy; and while they formed the largest settlement in the county, its history is stained with less crime or deeds of violence than many smaller communities. A defeated candidate after the fall election of 1863, unjustly and perhaps maliciously observed that the King's River people reminded him of a flock of sheep, - "As the bell-wether goes, so go they all."
King's River was in later years given the name of Centerville, which it still bears, but has been stripped of much of its former business by various rival towns springing up in close proximity. Near by at one time there were discovered, and for a time worked, mines of quicksilver, called New Idria, and at one time were considered very valuable, worth at least $5,000,000. Years of litigation, however, has prevented all parties from realizing profits from its valuable deposit.
In 1854 one Whitmore established a ferry at Lower King's River. It was for many years known as Whitmore's Ferry. Subsequently Whitmore was killed, and the property passed into the hands of O. H. Bliss, who maintained the ferry for several years, but afterward discontinued it, and built a substantial bridge across the river.
In 1855, George Grierson, Otto Froelich and Gomer Evans settled at Millerton, engaging in the mercantile business. Evans afterward removed to San Francisco; Grierson went back with his family to Denmark in 1868; Otto Froelich continued in the mercantile business, having purchased Grierson's interest, and in 1872 removed to Fresno. In 1854 Alexander Ball erected the first saw-mill in Fresno County, some fifteen miles east of Millerton. Later C. P. Converse erected a saw-mill in Crane vallley, and later still George McCollough and Thomas Winkleman erected one still lower down on the north fork of the San Joaquin river. All of these mills have long since been obliged to give way to the more rapid motor, steam. Fort Miller was established in 1852, under General Miller. The name of Rootville, by which the mining camp situated about a mile below the fort was designated, was changed to Millerton, in honor of General Miller. Captain Jordan, who was for a time quartermaster at the fort, commenced the construction of a dam across the San Joaquin river for mining purposes in 1853. The remains of both dam and ditch can yet be located. Millerton was a thriving village in 1853. Among the foremost settlers there were C. P. Converse, T. C. Sallo, Hugh Carlin, T. J. Allen, Hugh A. Carroll, Charles A. Hart, L. C. Hughes, Dr. Du Gay, Ira Stroud, Colonel Henry Borrough, John McLeod, William Rousseau and others.
In 1854 Ira McCray and George Rivercrombie settled at Millerton, and in partnership engaged in the hotel and livery business, which they conducted successfully. Later McCray purchased his partner's interest and continued the business alone.
The principal amusement indulged in by the miners in those days were rifle and pistol practice and a game of cards called "rounce," and sometimes an indifferent horse-race was gotten up; But Shannon took a new departure in the way of getting up races. In the summer of 1856 Shannon and "Jim" Roan made up a foot-race between two young squaws. Jeff. trained a young squaw known by the euphonious name of mustang, and Roan trained another named Chutaluya. Quite an interest was manifested in this race, and considerable money was bet. On the day appointed for the race a great crowd assembled to witness the speed of the contestants, and when the squaws appeared upon the track, Mustang dressed in red, and the other in blue, a deafening cheer rent the air, and both squaws looked eager for the fray; and when the word "Go" was given away they went, each doing her best. The result was, Mustang came out s few feet ahead, and was declared winner, and Jeff. won about $150 on the race. L. A. Holmes, then editor of the Mariposa Gazette, in commenting on the race, observed that if roan had kept his squaw in as good training as Jeff. kept his, the result of the race would have been different.
Judge M. B. Lewis, who was a Texan soldier under General Sam Houston, was an early settler and one of the commissioners for the organization of the county, and was in early days an Indian agent on Fresno river.
FORT MILLER IN WHAT WAS CALLED GOOD TIMES
When the Legislature created Fresno County, Millerton was designated as the county seat. The mines on the bank of the river were then yielding rich returns, and the county official, as also the officers and men at Fort Miller, had a very agreeable time with Millertonians, and everything was conducted in a loose, careless style. County court at Millerton was adjourned one day in order to give the jury an opportunity to attend a horse-race, and the Board of Supervisors would adjourn twenty times a day in order to go and take a drink.
No further Indian troubles being apprehended, Fort Miller was evacuated in September, 1858, and was placed in charge of T. C. Stallo, with authority to take care of and preserve the property for the government.
FRESNO COUNTY ORGANIZED
Fresno County is the geographical center of the State. Previous to 1856 the vast territory now contained within the limits of Fresno County was embraced in Mariposa, Merced, and Tulare counties. In that year the people living within the territory petitioned the Legislature, and on the 19th of April, 1856, the county of Fresno was organized, with the county seat at Millerton. For the purpose of county organization, even commissioners were appointed, viz.: Charles A. Hart, Ira McCray, James Cruikshank, H. M. Lewis, H. A. Carroll, J. W. Gilmore and O. M. Brown. In accordance with the provisions of the act creating the county, the commissioners met at McCray's hotel, Millerton, on the 26th of May, 1856, and there organized and elected James Cruikshank chairman, and H. A. Carroll secretary. All the members of the commission were present except Gilmore and Lewis. An election was ordered for the 9th of June, and the following precincts established:
Precinct. Place of Election.
No. 1 - Near the Chowchilla, at C. A. Yancey's
No. 2 - At Leach's store, on the Fresno.
No. 3 - At Hunt's, on the Fresno.
No. 4 - At Ashman's Store, on Fine Gold Gulch
No. 5 - At Upper Camp
No. 6 - At Gaster's.
No. 7 - At Mone City.
No. 8 - At Millerton.
No. 9 - At Firebaugh's.
No. 10 - At King's River Ferry.
BOUNDARIES OF THE COUNTY
Looking over the act of the Legislature establishing the county of Fresno, passed April 18, 1856, it is difficult to understand the boundary of the same. It says: "Beginning at a point where the Stockton road to Millerton crossed the Chowchilla, known as Newton's Crossing; thence down said stream on the north side with the high-water mark, to the sink of the same, at the lower molt of cottonwood timber; thence south forty-five degrees west to the south boundary of Merced County; thence in a southeasterly direction with the present southwestern boundary of Tulare County, south forty-five degrees west from the point on King's river, where the line dividing township fifteen and sixteen south crosses the same; thence with the said dividing line to the summit of the Sierra Nevada; thence north forty-five degrees east to the eastern boundary of the State of California; thence in a northwestern direction with said State line to a point north forty-five degrees east from the place of beginning."
The reader will have observed the conflicting features in the boundary given. The same law made it the duty of the county surveyor, under the direction of the board of supervisors, to make a survey, and mark the limits and boundaries of said county. From the sink of the Chowchilla, the statute calls for a line running thence south forty-five degrees west to the south boundary of Merced County. It seems that the Legislature meant to say the southwesterly boundary of Merced County. Taking that to have been the intention of the act, there was no difficulty in fixing that line.
August 5, 1856, the supervisors resolved that Hewlett Clark and James Smith be appointed as commissioners on behalf of Fresno County, to meet a corresponding number from the counties of Mariposa, Merced and Tulare, to ascertain the amount of indebtedness due to those counties. These commissioners determined the amount and the matter was amicably settled.
In 1857 the county surveyor, O. M. Brown, ran the line dividing Fresno from Tulare, Mariposa and Merced counties. Several ineffectual attempts have since been made to take territory from Fresno and add to joining counties.
In April, 1872, the counties of Mariposa and Fresno caused a joint survey to be made, establishing the limits and bounds of each county as per act of the Legislature passed April 1 of that year. The surveyors were R. B. Thomas and M. B. Lewis. The expense to each county was $207.70. There had been for some time a dispute between Merced and Fresno counties in regard to the boundary line. This was also amicably settled in 1873, each paying equally the cost of the survey.
The county is bounded north by Merced and Mariposa, east by Mono and Inyo, south by Tulare and west by Monterey and San Benito counties. The Sierras form the eastern potion of the county, and here attain the greatest elevation of all mountains in the United States. Mount Whitney is more than 15,000 feet above sea level; Mount Shasta, heretofore considered the highest, is but 14,442 feet. Whitney, however, is in Tulare County. Mount Goddard, Mount Tyndall and others are more than 14,000 feet above sea level.
Among the glaciers and snow gorges of this grand region are the sources of King's and the San Joaquin rivers, the waters of which are so readily utilized for irrigating purposes on the broad, productive plains upon which are now established many prosperous colonies and flourishing cities; and towns and villages are springing up magic like, from the profitable industries made possible to establish, by the water led to the valley from nature's unlimited storehouse in the great Sierra Range. Her nature has prepared an eternal, inexhaustible reservoir with ample water supply for irrigating every acre of land in the valley and for all other purposes, provided it is properly distributed and not used wastefully. In this respect is Fresno County more favored than any other county in the State, and her enterprising citizens are turning this water supply to advantage as will be seen by the many thousand acres now yielding the husbandman from $250 to $300 per acre, where, before irrigated, - that is, before the vast system of irrigation was established, - the jack-rabbit would not venture, fearing death from thirst. This feature will be fully treated elsewhere.
The western slope of Fresno's Sierras is covered with beautiful pine, fir and tamarack forests, scattered through which are numerous groves of the Sequoia gigantea, or "big trees." Some individual specimens of these forest monarchs are among the largest in the State; and their grandeur, considered with the weird pictures of the higher Sierras, or glacial region, accord to Fresno County some of the most sublime scenery in America.
The western boundary of the county is the summit of the Mount Diablo spur of the Coast Range. This part of the county has in the past been nearly entirely devoted to stock-raising, When irrigated all the semi-tropical fruits grow well. In these mountains, about eighty miles from the city of Fresno, is the celebrated New Idria quicksilver mine, one of the most valuable in the world. Petroleum and gold are also found in abundance in these mountains; nature seems to have placed the timber supply, the great irrigating fluid and precious metals in the Sierras on the east, and the coarser metals, fuel and lighting supplies in the Coast Range on the west.
THE FIRST JAIL ERECTED IN THE COUNTY
September 15, 1856, the Board of Supervisors awarded a contract to build a jail at the county seat, to Henry Borroughs, the cost to be $6,000. On the 23d of February, 1857, the supervisors accepted from the said Borroughs the jail that he had built. It was not a substantial structure, constructed of stone, brick and wood, with mud for mortar, and here and there a little iron-work. When finished, a day was appointed for its acceptance by the board of supervisors. A German who had been so indiscreet as to be caught stealing a watch, was confined in the new jail, when the supervisors, accompanied by Colonel Burroughs, went to inspect the structure and ascertain if it was done according to plans, etc. The prisoner informed the colonel that he would scratch out of that institution in less than twenty minutes; in fact he had removed two or three brick to show the colonel how easy was the undertaking. The colonel became alarmed, and begged the prisoner "for God Almighty's sake not to scratch out until it was accepted by the Board of Supervisors," otherwise he would be a ruined man! The prisoner seems not to have been entirely void of honor and sympathy for his fellow man, as he remained in the jail until the building was accepted; and then, with the aid of a ten-penny nail, scratched out and made his escape!
There was a proposition to build
A NEW COURTHOUSE AND JAIL
in 1863, and the clerk advertised for plans, bids, etc. Receiving none the matter was dropped until May, 1866, when the supervisor's decided to erect a courthouse and jail, and instructed the clerk to issue bonds to the amount of $20,008 to pay for the same.
The contract for constructing the two buildings was awarded to C. P. Converse & Co., for $17,008.25. Subsequently changes were made in the plans and several thousand dollars added to the cost. The construction of the new stone and brick courthouse and jail began in the winter of 1866, at Millerton, and was completed in the summer of 1867.
They were substantial buildings, the jail especially at that time being second to none in the State; but when in 1874 the county seat was removed to Fresno, the entire town of Millerton was abandoned, and the splendid courthouse left standing alone. It is proper here to remark, that with the advent of the Central Pacific Railroad in the spring of 1872, the foundation was laid upon which the present city of Fresno has builded so well, and which became the county seat soon thereafter.
REMOVAL OF THE COUNTY SEAT
The railroad having been extended through the San Joaquin valley, and farming having in measure supplanted mining and stock-raising, the center of population changed and a restive desire prevailed to have the county seat removed from Millerton to some more central point. Accordingly a petition was presented to the Board of Supervisors, on February 12, 1874, asking that an election be called to select some more central point. The board accordingly ordered an election to be held on the 23d of March, at which the question was disposed of with the following result:
For Millerton, 93 votes; Centerville, 123; Lisbon, 124; and Fresno, 417. Fresno having received a majority of all the votes cast, was fixed as the county seat.
At this election, A. J. Thorn was elected County Treasurer.
THE PRESENT COURTHOUSE AND JAIL
The County was also authorized to issue bonds to the amount of $60,000, for the purpose of erecting a courthouse and jail at the new county seat. The county officers removed to Fresno September 25, 1874, where they occupied a temporary building, size 24 x 80 feet, erected by J. L. Smith. This building was sold, after being vacated, to A. J. Thorn, for $146, September, 1875. The corner-stone of the new courthouse was laid September 18, 1874, under the supervision of the Masonic order, composed of members of Merced and Fresno lodges, Dr. Titus, Most Worshipful Grand Master of the State of California, officiating. A procession was formed headed by Woodman's band, and composed of Masons, Odd Fellows, county officials and citizens. The exercises were opened with a song by the choir, composed of Mrs. Phillips, Mrs. J. C. Hoxie, Mrs. Wm. Lambert, and Messrs. Wm. Faymonville, A. W. Burrell and S. W. Geis. Mrs. Phillips presided at the organ. The Hon. C. G. Sayle, on behalf of the supervisors, addressed the assembly as follows:
"Ladies and Gentlemen: The Honorable Board of Supervisors, on behalf of the citizens of Fresno County, are now about to commence the erection of the grandest and noblest edifice that has ever been planned or contemplated in this county. The said edifice, when completed, is expected to stand the heats of summer and the storms of winter for a period of 1,000 years or more; and in order to perpetuate the present history of this county, the Board of Supervisors deem it their duty, in accordance with ancient customs, to invite the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Free and Accepted Masons of the State of California to lay the corner-stone this edifice. Here they may deposit the usual mementos and items of history, for the benefit of future generations, when by the lapse of time this edifice shall have crumbled to dust. And now, in behalf of the supervisors and citizens of Fresno County, we hereby invite Dr. Titus, Most Worshipful Master of the Free and Accepted Masons of California, to lay the cornerstone of this edifice, and present the proper working tools to the Grand Master."
There were deposited in the corner-stone the following articles: Copy of the act of the Legislature fixing the county seat at Fresno; copy of the act authorizing the issuance of courthouse and jail bonds; copy of said bonds; copy of joint report of the county auditor and treasurer of Fresno County; names of Fresno County officers; copy of the great register of Fresno County; Fresno Expositor, Vol. 1, No. 4, May 18, 1870; also Vol. 5, No. 25, October 7, 1874, same paper; San Francisco Daily Examiner, October 5, 1874; Daily Alta California, October 7, 1874; Sacramento Record, October 7, 1874; Oakland Daily News, October 6, 1874; Dixon & Faymonville's Map of Fresno County, also the town of Fresno, contributed by the firm mentioned; Holt Bible, contributed by Dr. Leach; business card of Whitlock & Young; one $20 gold piece, United States coin of 1874, contributed by A. W. Burrell; one $10 gold piece; one $5 gold piece; one $2.50 gold piece; one $1; one half-dollar, one quarter-dollar, one ten-cent coin, - of silver; one five-cent; one three-cent and one two-cent nickel coins; and one copper coin, of the United States, contributed by the Board of Supervisors; list of sheriffs of Fresno County, contributed by J. Scott Asman; historical notes of the first twenty years of San Joaquin valley, containing a copy of the original treaty of peace between the Indians and whites, made at Fort Barber in 1851; and a copy of the muster roll of the Volunteer Battalion of 1851, under Major J. D. Savage, contributed by W. T. Rumble and Dr. Lewis Leach.
Judge E. C. Winchell delivered an ableoration.
The courthouse is 60 x 90 feet, three stories high and surmounted with a cupola, from which one can look north and south in the valley until the extent of vision id arrested by the vision. From this elevation one can view with reverential awe and wondering admiration the snow-capped peaks of the grand Sierras miles away to the east, and away to the west the Coast Range serves to rest the eye after spanning the vast plain. The courthouse is suitably divided into county offices, court rooms, etc., and is fifty-seven feet high above the grade, and the entire height from grade to top of the figure which surmounts the dome is 112 feet. This figure represents Minerva, the Goddess of Wisdom. The entire walls of the building are of brick covered with cement. The three arches are ornamented with figures of the Goddess of Justice. The building is very ornamental as well as convenient, comfortable and substantial, is provided with all the modern conveniences, and is a credit to the designer as well as to those who supervised its erection, being an edifice of which the citizens of Fresno city and county should feel proud.
The contract for the erection of the building was let May 14, to the California Bridge and Building Company of Oakland, represented by its president, A. W. Burrell, for $56,370. The building was delivered to the county completed the 1st day of August, 1875. The grounds surrounding this edifice are well graded, and the many varieties of ornamental trees show a wonderful growth, already resembling a shady forest. The commanding appearance of the courthouse, surrounded by the well-kept, pleasant park, is and always will be an attractive feature of the city of Fresno.
MILLERTON
Having followed the courthouse to completion at Fresno, let us resume the passing events at Millerton, where a military fort was established in April, 1851, on the south bank of the San Joaquin, about one mile above the town of Millerton, and called at the time Fort Barber; it was soon afterward changed to Millerton. Here the Indian treaty was signed. The last serious Indian difficulty occurred in the summer of 1856, with the Four Creek Indians. The soldiers stationed at Fort Millerton under Colonel Livingston, a company of fifty men from Fresno County, also a force of volunteers from Tulare County, joined Colonel Livingston's forces and soon the Indians were subdued. particulars of this Indian war will be found in the history of Tulare County.
In 1857 Ira McCray erected a stone hotel at a cost of $15,000, and did a thriving business until 1863, when reverses set in, and in 1866-'67 his fine hotel and ferry-boat were William Warren Olney was sent with a force of United States troops to occupy Fort Millerton, owing to a rumor of an uprising in the valley in favor of the Southern Confederacy. Nothing of the kind occurred, and the troops and citizens got along together in good style. Soon afterward the fort was abandoned and the building sold.
In 1870 the census showed 113 school children in Millerton. The last business transacted in the courthouse at Millerton was by the Plus Ultra Mining Company, and they held their last meeting in their new quarters, Fresno.
The first meeting of the county supervisors in Fresno was October 5, 1874. Their first official act was to levy a tax for county purposes. The Expositor of September, 1874, said: "The glories of Millerton have departed; one by one the buildings are being moved to Fresno. Last week Faymonville's and Dr. Leach's were torn down for removal, and Judge Sayle's residence and office is following. Also Dixon's residence will soon go, and thus Millerton in a manner died for the time and gave life to the new town of Fresno.
ELECTIONS AND OTHER PROCEEDINGS
At the first election, held June 9, 1856, 383 votes were cast and the following officers were elected: County Judge, Charles J. Hart; County Clerk and Recorder, James Sayle, Jr.; Sheriff, W. C. Bradly; County Treasurer, Geo Rivercrombie; District Attorney, J. C. Craddock; County Assessor, J. G. Ward; County Surveyor, W. W. Bourland; Coroner, H. A. Carroll; Supervisors, J. A. Patterson, John R. Hughes and J. M. Roan.
The first meeting of the Board of Supervisors was held June 23, 1856, at which John R. Hughes was elected chairman. At this meeting the county was divided into three supervisor districts and judicial townships, and Hewlett Clark and Hugh Carlin were appointed Justices of the Peace for township 2, - Howard for township 3, and D. J. Johnson and Thomas J. Allen for district No. 1.
At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors August 4, 1856, the salary of the county judge was fixed at $2,500, and that of the District Attorney at $1,000.
In February, 1857, James E. Williams appears as one of the super-visors. The records do not show whom he succeeded, but circumstances lead to the conclusion that he took the place of J. A. Patterson. May 4, 1857, at the meeting of the board, Clark Hoxie has succeeded John L. Hunt as supervisor.
In 1857, the supervisors ordered the tax collector to receive gold-dust in payment of foreign miners' license, at $14 per ounce, and the treasurer is instructed to receive it at that figure. Officers received liberal prices in those days. That the prisoners were well cared for is instanced by a bill presented to the board at its session in 1857, for feeding and guarding a prisoner for thirty-two days. For this service, $6 per day was demanded. Ten dollars per day was allowed commissioners when doing business for the county. The salary of the county judge was reduced this year to $1,500 per annum. At the meeting of the board in August, 1857, S. W. Rankin succeeded John R. Hughes as supervisor, and Clark Hoxie became chairman. This year an additional precinct was established at Temperance Flat.
In 1857, W. Y. Scott was elected Sheriff; James Sayle, Jr., Clerk; James T. Cruikshank, District Attorney; J. G. Simpson, Assessor; T. C. Stallo, County Surveyor. During this year there were five supervisors elected, viz: Clark Hoxie, R. T. Burford, James Smith, J. W. Rankin and J. E. Williams. The average vote cast for the successful candidates at this election was about 130.
On the 9th of August, 1858, the board established a precinct at Whitmore's Ferry, on Lowe King's river, and ordered an election at which C. D. Simpson was elected supervisor of District No. 1; H. E. Howard, District No. 2, and A. S. Bullock, District No. 3, also J. M. Roan, Representative. Two hundred and sixty-four votes were polled.
At the election September 7, 1859, fifteen precincts were established. At this election James Sayle, Jr., was elected County Judge; C. J. Johnson, Clerk; J. Scott Ashman, Sheriff; George Rivercrombie, Treasurer; W. H. Crane, Assessor; M. B. Holt, Surveyor; Justin Esery, J. R. Royal and A. J. Carmack, Supervisors. About 200 votes were cast at this election.
The first County School Superintendent was E. C. Winchell, appointed by the Board of Supervisors February 6, 1860. There were then five school districts in the county. At the November election of 1860, L. G. Carmack, G. B. Abel and J. B. Royal were elected Supervisors. At this election the total vote for President was 469, of which Lincoln received 53, Douglas 22, Breckenridge 271, and Bell 123. This is a strong showing as to the sentiment and sympathy of the majority. At the September election, 1861, J. J. Johnson was elected County Clerk; J. J. Johnson, Sheriff; George Rivercombe, Treasurer; E. C. Winchell, Dist |
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